1919 matches in the database.
These are records: 1 - 30.
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] … [64]
1.
Gaal, Brian.
Development of a Coating Formulation Procedure for Ni-base Shielded Metal Arc Electrodes with Varying Core Wire Composition.
Degree: MS, Welding Engineering, 2012, Ohio State University
► In order for manufacturers of shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) electrodes to…
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▼ In order for manufacturers of shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) electrodes to stay competitive, they must be able to have flexibility in the performance of their products, as well as flexibility in the manufacturing process. Nickel base welding consumables often require specialized chemical compositions which are more stringent than the requirements for the base material on which they are welded. To complicate this problem further, the core wire chemistry often has a target which is a different chemical composition, and different manufacturers may not have the same target composition. To compensate for these variances, alloying elements are often added through the flux coating to adjust the weld deposit composition. Understanding how these additions to the flux coating will affect the weld deposit is critical to the manufacturing process. This work examines two common types of nickel base SMAW electrodes, ENiCrMo-4 and ENiMo-10. Both were manufactured with a baseline coating which did not contain any alloying elements. Then using the same heat of core wire and flux formulation, electrodes were manufactured with multiple iterations of that coating with a single additional alloying element. The electrodes were then welded using a specially designed mechanized SMAW machine. The mechanized SMAW repeated each weld bead as closely as possible in order to minimize any variation in arc length, which may interfere with evaluation of the results. The effects of the various coatings were evaluated to prove the addition’s effectiveness. The tests used in this work are the cast pin tear test, SS DTA measurements, and tensile testing. The effects of each coating addition on all of the alloying element’s recovery rates were compared to find that addition’s overall impact on the weld deposit. The solidification range was measured using single sensor DTA to evaluate the effect of the altered weld metal composition on the solidification range. This was then compared to the solidification range predicted by modeling software. The cracking susceptibility of the altered weld metal was also evaluated using the cast pin tear test. This work demonstrates the first step in creating a logical, methodical process for the determination of the amount of the addition of the alloying elements to the weld deposit through the flux coating. Alloying through the flux allows the manufacturer to compensate for core wires of varying chemical composition. This work also outlined tests which are necessary to verify that the alloying additions did not compromise the integrity of the welding electrode.
Advisors/Committee Members: Lippold, John.
Subjects: Engineering
Keywords: SMAW ENiMo-10 ENiCrMo-4
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2.
Gabar, Mohamad G. Mohamad.
Effect of Soil and Bedrock Conditions Below Retaining Walls on Wall Behavior.
Degree: MS, Civil Engineering, 2012, University of Dayton
► The purpose of this thesis is to present the study on the…
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▼ The purpose of this thesis is to present the study on the effect of soil and bedrock conditions below retaining walls on the wall behavior. The structural design of the retaining wall considers soils on the back and front of the wall. Soils below the wall and the bedrock conditions are not considered in the structural design of the wall. This research study investigated how soils below the wall affect the wall behavior such as wall deformations, wall bending moments, and anchor force. The effects of soil strength, depth to bedrock, bedrock slope, wall height, and anchor angles on the wall behavior have been investigated. PLAXIS, finite element software package, was used to perform numerical modeling and analyses to evaluate the structural response and behavior of the retaining wall. The results show that the soil conditions below the wall, including the bedrock depth and the bedrock slope angle may have a significant effect on the wall behavior and should be considered during the design of retaining walls.
Advisors/Committee Members: Bilgin, Ömer.
Subjects: Civil Engineering
Keywords: Retaining Wall
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3.
Gabel, James M. M.D.
ONE SCIENTIST'S EFFORTS TO PREVENT CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING.
Degree: MS, Medicine : Environmental Health Sciences, 2001, University of Cincinnati
► Robert A Kehoe, M.D., founder and director of The Kettering Laboratory from…
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▼ Robert A Kehoe, M.D., founder and director of The Kettering Laboratory from 1930 to 1965, urged in 1933 that "strenuous efforts must be devoted to eliminating lead from their [the children's] environment." The history of lead poisoning in the United States can be termed as tragic. Today, we find lead in old buildings and contaminated soil, have passed laws to minimize this hazard, and work to clean up our cities and our industrial sites. Yet, we still have cases of childhood lead poisoning. In 1953, Dr. Kehoe suggested to the Lead Industries Association to implement "a concerted and well organized program of education and control on the part of the paint manufacturers, and distributors, to eliminate the use of paints (and putty) of more than very minor lead content for all inside decoration in the household and in the environment of young children." (32) It was not until 1955 that the American Academy of Pediatrics sponsored the American Standard Association's guideline (American Standard Z66.1-1955) titled "Minimize Hazards to Children from Residual Surface Coating Materials" that industry adopted voluntary guidelines. Meanwhile, Dr. Kehoe continued to inform the public, serve on committees, assist agencies in preventive efforts, and champion legislation at local and national levels. Cincinnati city ordinances were imposed in 1960 for the prevention of childhood lead poisoning, but it was not until 1971 that the federal government passed the first law to reduce the risk of childhood lead poisoning in children. Today, as an outgrowth of Dr. Kehoe's efforts, continuing research and medical activities at the University of Cincinnati contribute to strengthening those efforts in preventing childhood lead poisoning.
Advisors/Committee Members: Donovan, M.D., James R.
Subjects: Environmental Sciences
Keywords: PREVENTION OF CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING; ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH; THE KETTERING LABORATORY; ROBERT A. KEHOE
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4.
GABELMAN, ALAN.
MASS TRANSFER IN DENSE GAS EXTRACTION USING A HOLLOW FIBER MEMBRANE CONTACTOR.
Degree: PhD, Engineering : Chemical Engineering, 2003, University of Cincinnati
► Hollow fiber membrane contactors offer a number of advantages over dispersed phase…
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▼ Hollow fiber membrane contactors offer a number of advantages over dispersed phase contactors for extraction of aqueous feeds. In addition, dense gases provide benefits that traditional extraction solvents do not. A mathematical model of a membrane contactor was developed that predicts the steady state fluid velocities and solute concentrations by solving the applicable conservation equations, with the gravitational force term included. Model predictions were compared to experimental data obtained in our laboratory for the extraction of isopropanol or acetone into dense CO 2 , and to data reported by others for extraction of various solutes into dense CO 2 or propane. Generally, predicted mass transfer coefficients and yields were in reasonable agreement with experimental values, except for data obtained using a module that was particularly susceptible to flow maldistribution and the resulting loss of efficiency. The model predicted that the portion of the mass transfer resistance attributable to the aqueous phase decreased with decreasing solute partition coefficient as expected. Mass transfer coefficients and yields were higher for solutes with higher partition coefficients. A theoretical study of acetone extraction from aqueous solution into supercritical CO 2 was performed, with tube side CO 2 flow with or against gravity. Buoyancy-induced flow was important for large (1.8 mm inside diameter) but not small (0.6 mm ID) fibers, consistent with our expectation that such flow is more difficult to achieve when the characteristic length is small. The importance of buoyancy-induced flow decreased with increasing imposed fluid velocity, as forced convection masked the effects of free convection. For the range of conditions studied, the mass transfer coefficient obtained with flow in the direction of gravity was as much as 33% higher than for flow opposing gravity. Ethanol and isopropanol extractions performed by others using spray, sieve tray or packed columns were run on a simulated membrane contactor, and the resulting values for the height of an equivalent theoretical stage (HETS) were compared to the reported values for the conventional contactors. In most instances the simulated membrane contactor offered a significantly (in some cases, substantially) lower HETS than the corresponding traditional column, indicating that the membrane contactor was more efficient.
Advisors/Committee Members: Hwang, Dr. Sun-Tak.
Subjects: Engineering, Chemical
Keywords: membrane contactor; finite element method; supercritical fluid; dense gas; mass transfer
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5.
Gabert, Crystal A.
PTSD after traumatic injury: An investigation of the impact of injury severity and peritraumatic and posttraumatic moderators.
Degree: MA, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychology, 2009, Kent State University
► Research has shown that approximately 69% of people have experienced a traumatic…
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▼ Research has shown that approximately 69% of people have experienced a traumatic event in their lifetime and that approximately 7.8% of the general population will develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following trauma exposure. Given the debilitating nature of PTSD and the fact that only a small subset of traumatized individuals develop PTSD; it is critical to elucidate variables that aid in the identification of victims who are at high risk of developing PTSD. One variable commonly examined has been injury severity; however, results have been mixed with respect to the impact that injury severity has on risk for PTSD. Methodological differences between studies (i.e. differences in range of injuries examined, measurement of injury severity (subjective or objective), trauma sample, and inclusion of moderating/mediating variables) may account for some of the variability in findings regarding the predictive ability of injury severity for PTSD symptoms. The aim of the present study was to examine subjective and objective injury severity ratings in a heterogeneous sample of trauma victims to determine if these measures would differentially predict PTSD symptoms. Sixty-five adult trauma victims (44 males and 21 females) were assessed within 2-weeks of traumatic injury and then 6-weeks and 3-months post-trauma. Moderation models were conducted to determine whether peri- and posttraumatic factors impacted to the relationship between injury severity and symptom development. Results revealed that subjective injury severity predicted PTSD symptoms at both 6-weeks and 3-months post-trauma. Additionally, for participants appraising their injuries as more severe, the more they dissociated the more PTSD symptoms they reported. Findings indicate that subjective appraisals of the traumatic event should be incorporated into early screeners for PTSD risk and that risk should be determined in light of the moderating impact of peritraumatic dissociation.
Advisors/Committee Members: Delahanty, Douglas.
Subjects: Psychology
Keywords: PTSD; injury severity; moderators
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6.
Gabert-Quillen, Crystal A.
The Efficacy of Written Emotional Expression at Reducing Back and Headache Pain in College Students.
Degree: PhD, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychology, 2012, Kent State University
► Little is known about pain symptoms in college undergraduates, perhaps due to…
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▼ Little is known about pain symptoms in college undergraduates, perhaps due to the stereotype that they are a healthy, happy, and stress-free population. However, recent surveys have shown that students report relatively high levels of headache and back pain. Pain can have negative consequences such as decreases in academic performance and higher medication use. Oftentimes these pain symptoms are linked to psychosomatic (i.e., perceived stress) instead of neurological causes. Undergraduates often underestimate the impact of stress on their well-being and do not have many means to alleviate stress-induced pain. While empirically-supported interventions for pain exist, few have focused on an undergraduate population. One intervention technique that has been found to be effective at improving health symptoms of normal, healthy populations is written emotional expression (WEE; Pennebaker & Bealle, 1986). The current study investigated the efficacy of WEE at improving back pain and headaches in college students. One-hundred thirteen participants were randomized into either the WEE group (n = 56) or the time management group (n = 54) and 94 participants completed the study (WEE group: n = 48; time management group: n = 46). Compared to the time management group, WEE led to significant increases in positive mood and decreases in negative mood over the course of the writing sessions. Despite hypotheses that WEE participants would show improvements in mental and physical health over time, participation in the study, regardless of condition, was related to significant improvements in pain frequency and negative mood. A significant group x time interaction revealed that the WEE group had decreases in pain medication use while participants in the time management group has increases in pain medication use over time. More research should be conducted on the specific relationship between pain medication use and pain reports in undergraduates and the general population.
Advisors/Committee Members: Delahanty, Douglas.
Subjects: Psychology
Keywords: written emotional disclosure; physical health; stress; pain; headaches; back pain
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7.
Gabilly, Stephane T.
A Disulfide-Reducing Pathway Required For Plastid Cytochrome c Assembly.
Degree: PhD, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, 2012, Ohio State University
► The formation and reduction of disulfide bonds is essential for the folding,…
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▼ The formation and reduction of disulfide bonds is essential for the folding, stability and function of a large number of proteins. While the Dsb pathway (“Dsb” for Disulfide bond) controls thiol/disulfide chemistry in the bacterial periplasm, the question of how this process is performed in the thylakoid lumen, the topologically equivalent compartment in plastids and in cyanobacteria, has yet to be explored. The occurrence of disulfide-bonded proteins and the requirement for reduced cysteines in the assembly of cytochromes c in this compartment suggests that thiol/disulfide chemistry is also enzymatically assisted. From our study, using the unicellular green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as model organism, we have identified three novel components CCS4, CCS5 and CCDA operating in a trans-thylakoid disulfide-reducing pathway, which is required for the assembly of cytochromes c, a class of metalloproteins with a covalently attached heme. The ccs4 and ccs5 mutants are photosynthetic deficient and exhibit a block in the assembly of cytochromes f and c6, two c-type cytochromes of the algal photosynthetic apparatus, involved in electron transfer. CCS5 is a membrane anchored lumen-facing thioredoxin-like protein that we show is the functional homolog of Arabidopsis thaliana HCF164, previously identified as being involved in photosynthesis. A disulfide-reducing activity for CCS5 is inferred from the findings that ccs5 is chemically rescued by exogenous thiols and that recombinant CCS5 reduces a disulfide in the CXXCH heme binding motif of apocytochrome c. CCS4 is a small protein with a hydrophobic amino-terminus, a hydrophilic carboxyl-terminal domain containing several charged residues and no noticeable motif suggestive of a biochemical activity. Its involvement in a disulfide-reducing pathway is based on the thiol-dependent photosynthetic rescue of the ccs4 mutant and also on the ectopic expression of plastid CCDA, an ortholog of the bacterial thiol-disulfide transporter. Because heme is covalently linked to the heme binding motif, we propose that CCS5 controls plastid cytochrome c assembly by maintaining the CXXCH cysteines under a reduced form prior to the heme attachment in the thylakoid lumen. We postulate that CCS5 is maintained in a reduced state by the thylakoid membrane transporter CCDA whose activity/stability is regulated by CCS4 via a yet-to-be defined mechanism.
Advisors/Committee Members: Hamel, Patrice.
Subjects: Biology
Keywords: Disulfide reducing pathway; Cytochrome c; Chloroplast; Photosynthesis; Chlamydomonas
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8.
Gable, Kristine Marie.
Conodonts and stratigraphy of the Olentangy shale (middle and upper Devonian), central and south-central Ohio.
Degree: MS, Geological Sciences, 1973, Ohio State University
► Ninety-two samples of Olentangy Shale, collected from seven surface sections in central…
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▼ Ninety-two samples of Olentangy Shale, collected from seven surface sections in central and south-central Ohio, yielded 13,480 identifiable conodont elements, which are assigned to the apparatuses of eight Middle and Upper Devonian multielement species. The lower Olentangy Shale contains few diagnostic conodonts, and correlation with either the Tully Formation (upper Givetian) or the Hamilton Group (upper Eifelian to upper Givetian) of New York is plausible. The upper Olentangy Shale lies mainly within the middle Palmatolepis triangularis and the lower crepida zones, is uppermost Frasnian and lower Famennian in age, and is correlatable with part of the Sweetland Creek Shale of Iowa, the Hanover Shale of New York, and the Dunkirk Shale Member of the Perrysburg Formation of New York.
Advisors/Committee Members: Sweet, Walter C.
Keywords: Olentangy Shale; DEVONIAN; Polygnathus; Stauffer; CONODONTS
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9.
Gabler, Conrad M.
The Effectiveness of Neuromuscular Training on a Modifiable Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Risk Factor.
Degree: MS, Athletic Training Education (Health and Human Services), 2012, Ohio University
► Problem: Females sustain 4-6 times more anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries than…
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▼ Problem: Females sustain 4-6 times more anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries than males due to their greater number of risk factors. Neuromuscular training (NMT) programs have shown to reduce the rate of ACL injuries among females by modifying risk factors. However, a major problem with this research is it lacks adequate control groups, making it difficult to determine whether these positive outcomes are due to specific NMT programs or an increase in exercise workload. Methods: Female college underclassmen (N = 35; age = 18-20 years) were recruited and assigned to either an NMT group or resistance training (RT) group by covariate adaptive randomization. Baseline and posttraining testing was done to assess for risk factor modification. Conclusions: There were no significant differences between the NMT group and RT group in the modification of the ACL risk factor. This suggests that RT has the same effectiveness as NMT on reducing ACL injuries.
Advisors/Committee Members: Ragan, Brian.
Subjects: Anatomy and Physiology; Biomechanics; Health Sciences; Kinesiology; Rehabilitation; Sports Medicine
Keywords: Noncontact ACL injuries; Risk factor; Landing kinematics; Females; ACL prevention; Neuromuscular training
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10.
Gabriel, Allison S.
Exploring the Relationship between Task Accomplishment, Affect, and Employee Resources.
Degree: MA, Psychology-Industrial/Organizational, 2010, University of Akron
► Understanding the relationship between task accomplishment in the workplace and affective states…
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▼ Understanding the relationship between task accomplishment in the workplace and affective states of employees is of importance for researchers and practitioners alike. Previous work has explored the link connecting these two constructs, yet has not fully explored this relationship within an occupation-specific context. This limits our full understanding of how task accomplishment can differentially impact affect. We present a daily diary study within a nursing sample exploring this relationship at a greater level of detail by looking at core (nursing-focused) tasks and peripheral (non-nursing focused) tasks and how accomplishment of these tasks impact changes in affect from pre- to postshift. By looking at two different types of tasks nurses must accomplish, we are able to see whether lack of accomplishment of one type has more of a detrimental effect on affect than the other. Further, we explore the buffering effect of two types of resources, social support from authority figures (e.g., physicians) and psychological resilience, on the task accomplishment to affect relationship. Results indicated that not accomplishment core tasks was more damaging on affect than not accomplishing peripheral tasks. Further, we found unique interactive effects for social support and psychological resilience: while both provided buffering effects for peripheral task accomplishment, no such effects were found for core task accomplishment, suggesting how critical it is that nurses accomplish their core tasks on a daily basis.
Advisors/Committee Members: Diefendorff, Dr. James.
Subjects: Psychology
Keywords: Task Accomplishment; Affect; Social Support; Psychological Resilience
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11.
Gabriel, Christopher J.
Effect of localized structural perturbations on dendrimer structure.
Degree: PhD, Chemistry, 2006, Ohio State University
► The synthesis and conformational properties of folded dendrons based on a 2-methoxyisophthalamide…
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▼ The synthesis and conformational properties of folded dendrons based on a 2-methoxyisophthalamide (2-OMe-IPA) repeat unit are described. The hydrodynamic properties of dendrons preorganized via the syn-syn conformational preference of 2-methoxyisophthalamide are compared with 2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide (2,6-pydic) analogues. The effect of subtle differences in the nature of the conformational equilibria that exist within the 2-OMe-IPA and 2,6-pydic repeat units on the global structural properties of the corresponding dendrons was explored computationally and by 1H-DOSY NMR spectroscopy and time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy (TRFA) measurements. Whereas the syn-syn preference of the 2-OMe-IPA branched repeat unit is stabilized entirely by intramolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions, this preference in the 2,6-pydic system is a consequence of both intramolecular hydrogen-bonding and dipole minimization effects. This branching unit was used to study the effect of placing photoresponsive groups in the interior and throughout compact helical dendrons. Azobenzene was used as the photochemical trigger to induce global conformational changes of the dendritic architecture. 2D-NOESY NMR indicated a highly compact helical structure when the azobenzenes were in the more thermally stable trans-conformation. Photoisomerization of azobenzene from trans to cis, induced a structural change to the compact nature of the dendrons, as evidenced by an increase in the hydrodynamic volume. This change was followed by UV-vis spectroscopy and 1H DOSY NMR. The activation parameters and rate constants of the thermal back isomerization were found.
Advisors/Committee Members: Parquette, Jonathon R.
Subjects: Chemistry, Organic
Keywords: Dendrimer; Azobenzene; Folding; Kinetics; Hydrodynamic Volume
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13.
Gabrielli, Timothy R.
Confirmation and Being Catholic in the United States: The Development of the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Twentieth Century.
Degree: MA, Theological Studies, 2010, University of Dayton
► This thesis examines the development of the Catholic sacrament of Confirmation in…
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▼ This thesis examines the development of the Catholic sacrament of Confirmation in the United States across the twentieth century. It argues that as United States Catholics’ relationship to their wider culture changes, Confirmation theology and practice changes to reflect that relationship. In order to illustrate the thesis, the work is broken into four periods – 1910-1959, 1960-1971, 1972-1980, 1981-2006 – each of which represents a different stage in the evolution of Confirmation in U.S. Catholic discourse and practice. At different points in its twentieth century history, Confirmation becomes the sacrament of: Catholic Action, the Liturgical Renewal, and the Charismatic Renewal. In the final period, there is a strong emphasis on the Confirmation as the sacrament of choice, that is the time when young Catholics are accorded the opportunity to choose Catholicism from among the religious options presented to them. Such an emphasis makes sense from an historical perspective, as this final period is characterized by what Catholic historian Jay Dolan has called “a rage for pluralism” among Catholics. The demands of pluralism seem to beg for a time when a young Catholic can choose Catholic Christianity as his or her particular religion. Some of the negative results of this “theology of choice” include: Confirmation understood as “graduation”; excessive pressure laid upon confirmandi to make a definitive choice at the moment of Confirmation; often unfulfilled expectations of a profound experience to occur on the day of Confirmation; a sacramental reinforcement of the dominant consumer model of religion and a voluntaristic understanding of the Church; and increased individualism among Catholics. In light of the dominance of this theology and the problems associated with it, the conclusion calls for a renewed emphasis on the Gift of the Holy Spirit received in the context of the Church. It points to the work of several theologians and catechists as examples of fruitful contributions to Confirmation theology in the direction of emphasizing the Holy Spirit and ecclesial formation.
Advisors/Committee Members: Doyle, Dennis.
Subjects: Theology
Keywords: Sacrament of Confirmation; Sacramental Theology; U.S. Catholicism; Holy Spirit; Pluralism
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14.
Gabritchidze, Anna.
Georgian Rose Revolution: the Challenges and Peculiarities of Democratization in Post-Soviet Countries.
Degree: MA, International Development Studies (International Studies), 2011, Ohio University
► This thesis will describe and analyze the challenges and peculiarities of democratization…
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▼ This thesis will describe and analyze the challenges and peculiarities of democratization in post-Soviet countries with Georgia as the main focus. It will cover the investigation of phenomena of so-called "fourth wave" democracies with their transition regime styles. In the end of the 1990s Samuel Huntington asked if we can expect a new wave of democratization in the 21st century and what factors would define it. The dramatic wave of political changes which gripped republics of the former Soviet Union during this short period led to "Rose Revolution" in Georgia in November 2003, the "Orange Revolution" in Ukraine in November 2004 and the "Tulip Revolution" in Kyrgyzstan in March 2005. The Georgian case study could be an evident demonstration of this political and social change with the challenges common to all post-Soviet countries as well as with its uniqueness. Due to very recent character of this process the literature on post-soviet transition is still in its formation stages. Therefore, this research under the condition of its future development could be a definite input in the formation of such studies. However not a long time ago, in 2002, Georgia was referred to countries with a dominant-power system of government, where transition to democracy was under question as it reminded more transition to autocracy. The Rose Revolution (November 2003) changed a lot of concepts. So, testing the democracy in Georgia in the light of illiberal democracy theory we can pose the following research questions: What political peculiarities had the regime of illiberal democracy in Georgia? What factors influenced revolutionary change of political regime in Georgia? Thesis also explores the state of affairs in the post-revolutionary Georgia. What really changed after the Revolution? Here I will try to present the evidence of achievements as well as failures of the new government and make some conclusions.
Advisors/Committee Members: AbuBakar, Dauda.
Subjects: Political Science
Keywords: Georgia; Rose Revolution
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15.
Gabritchidze, Anna G.
Transition in the Post-Soviet State: From Soviet Legacy to Western Democracy?.
Degree: MA, History (Arts and Sciences), 2010, Ohio University
► This thesis examines Georgia's transition from a Soviet-style totalitarian state to a…
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▼ This thesis examines Georgia's transition from a Soviet-style totalitarian state to a Western-style democracy between 1989 and 2004. Specifically, this paper poses the following broad question: What social and political forces made this process unique? In 1992, almost one year after independence had been proclaimed, Georgia was officially recognized as ‘a failed state', torn by civil war, ethnic conflicts, and constant Russian interference. It is thus all the more remarkable that a mere ten years later, George H.W. Bush, the President of the United States, called Georgia “the beacon of democracy” in the region. Georgia was soon seen as a “success story” for emerging democracies in the post-Soviet countries. This thesis argues that a black-and-white approach to analyzing a transition to democracy confounds the understanding of countries in transition. Indeed, the truth is usually somewhere in the middle, as it is not realistic to expect such radical changes in such a short period of time. Moreover, the very recent nature of events creates some difficulties in evaluating the results. At this stage of the transition it is crucial to explore "critically and realistically" the reasons for the successes and failures of the Georgian experience with the transition to democracy since 1989.
Advisors/Committee Members: Curp, David.
Subjects: History
Keywords: Democracy; Post-Soviet; Georgia; transition; nationalism; civil society
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16.
Gacura, Matthew David.
Effect of Pleurotus ostreatus on Bioremediation of PAH Contaminated River Sediment.
Degree: MS, Department of Biological Sciences, 2009, Youngstown State University
► The purpose of this study was to optimize bioremediation of Mahoning River…
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▼ The purpose of this study was to optimize bioremediation of Mahoning River sediment historically contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using white rot fungi. Pleurotus ostreatus grown on grain (10% v/v) was added to contaminated sediment amended with sawdust (80% v/v), with and without fungal specific nutritional nitrogen (to enhance fungal growth), and with cyclodextrin (to increase PAH availability). Sediment mixtures were incubated in the dark at 25°C for 6 weeks. Sawdust made the sediment more porous, allowed better colonization by fungi, and did not greatly increase volume. Fungal biomass, determined using fluorescent microscopy, indicated initial fungal colonization but then fungal growth was inhibited, likely by toxic metals or high moisture content in the sediment. Growth of unidentified fungi was observed, especially in treatments amended with nitrogen. Total PAH concentrations (in the order of 100 ppm), analyzed using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS), and significantly decreased ~ 50-60% in all treatments, including sediment only controls within the first two weeks. Thus, aerobic degradation by native bacteria and volatilization were likely responsible for most of the observed decreases in PAH concentrations. High heterogeneity of PAHs in this historically contaminated sediment led to high variance between replicates. There was a slight decrease in 5 ring PAHs associated with sediment inoculated with P. ostreatus and also a slight decrease in total PAH concentrations associated with sediment amended with sawdust and cyclodextrin (with or without P. ostreatus). Increased nitrogen did not enhance PAH degradation. Sediment inoculated with P. ostreatus after two weeks, rather than initially, showed better fungal growth and colonization, but PAH data was not yet available. These data indicate there is great potential for bioremediation of PAH contaminated sediment conditions by stimulating indigenous bacteria under aerobic conditions followed by the addition of white rot fungi. However, further testing and optimization is still required.
Advisors/Committee Members: Johnston, Carl.
Subjects: Microbiology
Keywords: Bioremediation; PAHs; White rot fungi; Pleurotus ostreatus; Aerobic degradation; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
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17.
Gadapa, Shalini.
Assessing SeeIT 3D, A Software Visualization Tool.
Degree: Master of Computing and Information Systems, Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, 2012, Youngstown State University
► Software is inherently complex. This is especially true for large open-source systems.…
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▼ Software is inherently complex. This is especially true for large open-source systems. Over the past two decades there has been a number of software visualization tools proposed in the literature. The main idea behind creating a software visualization tool is to help a developer or maintainer comprehend the system at different levels of abstraction. Most of the tools have focused on creating elaborate and pretty looking visualizations. There have not been many cases where a tool is systematically empirically validated to make sure that it is really useful to a developer. This thesis tries to bridge this gap between the tool and its empirical validation by assessing one such software visualization tool, SeeIT 3D. Sixteen different tasks are developed in the context of understanding an open-source system, JFreeChart, written in Java. Ten subjects were recruited and an observational study was performed. The main goal was to determine the effectiveness of SeeIT 3D while performing typical software tasks when using the visualization within the Eclipse IDE. Results and observations are presented. These results will be provided as feedback to the tool developers, who may use it in further improving SeeIT 3D.
Advisors/Committee Members: Sharif, Bonita.
Subjects: Computer Science; Information Systems; Information Technology
Keywords: visualization tool; visualizing JFreeChart in SeeIT 3D; SeeIT 3D metaphor; polycylinders (visual type relations)
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18.
Gadapa, Sirisha.
Purification and Characterization of Putative Glutathionylspermidine synthetase, YgiC from Escherichia coli.
Degree: MS, Department of Chemistry, 2011, Youngstown State University
► Glutathione (γ-Glu-Cys-Gly) is a tripeptide-, and a primary thiol found in most…
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▼ Glutathione (γ-Glu-Cys-Gly) is a tripeptide-, and a primary thiol found in most organisms. It regulates intracellular thiol levels and maintains redox balance. In Escherichia coli glutathione reacts with polyamine spermidine (N-(3-amino) propyl-1, 4-diaminobutane) to form a conjugate glutathionylspermidine (G-Sp). This reaction is catalyzed by an ATP-dependent bifunctional enzyme glutathionylspermidine synthetase/amidase. Genes ygiC and yjfC in E. coli genome are associated with putative glutathionylspermidine synthetase activity. The purpose of our research was to characterize the glutathionylspermidine synthetase homologue, YgiC (45 kD). Overexpression and purification of YgiC protein were attempted in order to perform the activity studies. Several different growth conditions were utilized to achieve the expression of YgiC protein in BL21(DE3) E. coli cells. Chromatographic techniques namely ion exchange, hydrophobic interaction and gel filtration chromatography were employed for protein purification.
Advisors/Committee Members: Stourman, Nina.
Subjects: Biochemistry; Chemistry
Keywords: Glutathione; Glutathionylspermidine
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19.
Gaddam, Chandra Prakash R.
Fabrication of Metal Microstructures by Single-Pulse, Localized Irradiation of Thin Metal Films.
Degree: MS, College of Engineering, 2010, University of Toledo
► This thesis deals with the formation of microbumps and high-aspect-ratio protrusions on…
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▼ This thesis deals with the formation of microbumps and high-aspect-ratio protrusions on gold, copper, titanium, aluminum films as a result of single-pulse localized laser irradiation. A Q-switched nanosecond-pulse laser, emitting at its fourth harmonic of 266nm was the laser source employed and a demagnifying projection optical system was used to produce micrometer-scale circular laser-irradiation spots. Gold, copper, titanium and aluminum films with a thickness of several hundred nanometers were irradiated, under low-vacuum conditions, with circular laser spots that were several micrometers in diameter. The metal films were deposited by RF or DC sputtering from the corresponding metal targets. The resulting structures were imaged via scanning electron microscopy. The formation mechanism of these structures is briefly discussed in view of our results and other, related published work. We studied the conditions for pulsed laser micro structuring of metal films on various substrates, with main focus on determining fluence levels and irradiation geometry parameters in which the formation of various substrates is possible in a reproducible fashion. The laser-deposited heat transfer within the irradiated films was evaluated using the COMSOL finite-elements modeling software, and the resulting temperature profiles are discussed in the context of the experimentally obtained results.
Advisors/Committee Members: Georgiev, Daniel.
Subjects: Electrical Engineering
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20.
Gaddam, Ravi Shankar.
A 10-Bit Dual Plate Sampling Capacitive DAC with Auto-Zero On-Chip Reference Voltage Generation.
Degree: MS, Electrical Engineering, 2012, University of Akron
► In this thesis, a 10-bit dual plate sampling capacitor DAC with reduced…
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▼ In this thesis, a 10-bit dual plate sampling capacitor DAC with reduced offset internal reference voltage generation is proposed. Instead of using the conventional two element switched capacitor circuit that consists of the charge sampling and summing capacitor, the proposed scheme performs the identical operation using a single capacitor without affecting the conversion speed. As a result, the capacitor area can be considerably reduced compared to conventional capacitive DACs, which eventually leads to power saving due to amplifier effective load reduction and feedback factor improvement. The auto-zero internal reference voltage generator replaces the resistive ladder voltage divider with two unit capacitors, reference amplifiers, and several switches which further reduces the area of the DAC. In addition, the effect of major non-idealities including reference voltage mismatch, capacitor mismatch, and parasitic capacitance are analyzed. The proposed DAC is implemented using CMOS 0.35µm technology with core size of 0.11mm2. The maximum INL and DNL measured in a fabricated circuit were 0.67 LSB and 0.33 LSB, respectively.
Advisors/Committee Members: Lee, Kye-Shin.
Subjects: Electrical Engineering; Engineering
Keywords: Dual plate sampling; switched-capacitor circuit; digital-to-analog converter; auto-zero technique; DAC; display driver; 10-bit; reference generator
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21.
Gaddie, Keith J.
Structural Elements that Regulate Interactions between the Extracellular and Transmembrane Domains of Human Nucleoside Triphosphate Diphosphohydrolase 3.
Degree: PhD, Medicine : Molecular, Cellular and Biochemical Pharmacology, 2009, University of Cincinnati
► The nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases (NTPDases) are a family of constitutively expressed, endogenous…
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▼ The nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases (NTPDases) are a family of constitutively expressed, endogenous nucleotidases, some of which regulate purinergic signaling by divalent cation-dependent hydrolysis of nucleotides acting as agonists at purinergic receptors. Due to the scarcity of specific inhibitors and genetically modified animals, the functions of most individual NTPDases are poorly understood and still under investigation. However, the NTPDases have been implicated in many biological and physiological processes, including secretion, cell adhesion, pain perception, cancer and malignant transformation, adenosine recycling, and platelet aggregation.Membrane-bound NTPDase3 expressed on the cell surface has a large extracellular domain, a “linker region”, and a transmembrane domain. Evidence exists for interactions between the transmembrane domain and the active site lobes that govern the function of rat NTPDase1. However, the specific mechanism(s) regulating this cross-talk for NTPDases, as well as how the N- and C-terminal transmembrane helices in NTPDase3 interact within and between monomers to mediate oligomerization and modulation of enzymatic activity is still unknown. The roles of the conserved proline residues of human NTPDase3, located in the “linker region” that connects the N- and C-terminal transmembrane helices with the extracellular active site, were examined by proline to alanine substitutions coupled with single cysteine substitutions strategically placed in the transmembrane domain to serve as cross-linking “sensors” of helical interactions. Mutation of several proline residues resulted in decreased nucleotidase activities and some “uncoupled” the effect of ATP binding on TMD movements. The data suggest a role for proline residues 53 and 481 in the linker region of human NTPDase3 for “coupling” nucleotide binding and hydrolysis at the enzyme active site to movements and/or rearrangements of the transmembrane helices necessary for optimal nucleotide hydrolysis. To investigate the structural/functional roles of the conserved polar residues in the transmembrane helices of human NTPDase3, each was singly mutated to alanine. All mutants were properly glycosylated and had specific activities similar to wild-type, except Q44A. The Q44A mutation decreased specific activities by approximately 50% - 70%, and nearly eliminated Triton X-100 detergent inhibition. The same conserved polar residues were mutated to cysteine, singly and in pairs, to allow a disulfide cross-linking strategy to map potential inter- and intra-molecular hydrogen bond interactions. The results support the centrality of Q44 for the strong inter-molecular interactions driving the association of the N-terminal domains of two NTPDase3 monomers in a dimer, while S39 and T495 may contribute to helical interactions involved in forming higher order oligomers. These results suggest a model for putative hydrogen bond interactions of the conserved polar residues in the transmembrane domain of native, dimeric NTPDase3 that are important for protein expression, activity, and susceptibility to membrane perturbations. This dissertation provides additional insights to the structural elements that regulate the enzymatic activity of the NTPDases. With the recent elucidation of the crystal structure of the extracellular portion of rat NTPDase2, the major remaining structural questions regarding the cell membrane NTPDases are how the TM helices interact and how these interactions are coupled to modulation of enzyme activity and NTPDase function. This dissertation addresses these questions for human NTPDase3, and suggests that similar structure-function relationships are relevant to the family of NTPDases controlling purinergic signaling.
Advisors/Committee Members: Kirley, Terence.
Subjects: Biochemistry
Keywords: NTPDase3; conserved proline residues; conserved polar residues; oligomerization; transmembrane domain; intra-protein signal transduction
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22.
Gaddy, Jennifer Angeline.
Acinetobacter baumannii Virulence Attributes: The Roles of Outer Membrane Protein A, Acinetobactin-mediated Iron Acquisition Functions, and Blue Light Sensing Protein A.
Degree: PhD, Microbiology, 2010, Miami University
► Acinetobacter baumannii is a gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that has emerged as a…
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▼ Acinetobacter baumannii is a gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that has emerged as a problematic organism, causing severe infections in human hosts. This is compounded by the fact that clinical isolates of this organism are often resistant to multiple types of antimicrobial therapies. To better understand the molecular mechanisms involved in pathogenicity with the long-term goal of finding targets for novel therapies of the future, the work presented in this manuscript focuses on the factors involved in the adherence to abiotic and biotic surfaces, invasion of epithelial cells, and killing of invertebrate animal models. In addition, this work presents novel data about the regulation of those factors. Adherence to biotic surfaces is often the first step of pathogenesis. It is apparent that outer membrane protein A is required for adherence of A. baumannii ATCC 19606T cells to human respiratory epithelia. In addition, cells lacking the productionof this protein are deficient in their ability to kill eukaryotic cells such as A549 human alveolar cells and also Candida albicans tup1 filaments. Furthermore, it was proven that the death of these cells is a result of an induction of apoptosis and secreted proteins in addition to OmpA are implicated in that process. After the bacterial cell invades the A549 eukaryotic cell, it requires the function of an iron acquisition system, specifically acinetobactin biosynthesis and transport. Without these functions, bacterial cells can adhere to the surface of A549 cells, but cannot persist and replicate in the cytoplasm of the eukaryotic cell. In addition, the apoptotic induction in A549 cells is lowered when infections are performed with mutants lacking iron acquisition functions. Interestingly, A. baumannii cells lacking siderophore biosynthesis can be crossfed during infections of A549 cells via co-infection with parental strain expressing full function of siderophore biosynthesis. These results are also supported by animal model experiments using Galleria mellonella caterpillars. In addition, it was also proven that purified cell-free siderophore is capable of inducing an apoptotic response. The bacterial cell must coordinate its physiology in response to environmental stimuli to adapt to the transition from environmental reservoirs to the host niche. This work implicates blue light sensing protein A as a regulator capable of changing the proteins decorating the outer membrane in response to stimuli such as light and temperature. Two proteins which are regulated by BlsA are OmpA and the BauA siderophore receptor involved in siderophore transport. In summary, A. baumannii utilizes sensing molecules and response to mediate changes in its cellular biology in order to persist in many different environments and adapt quickly to changes in that environment. Some of these proteins are necessary for adherence, invasion, intracellular persistence and replication, as well as virulence in animal hosts.
Advisors/Committee Members: Actis, Luis.
Subjects: Microbiology
Keywords: Biofilm; bacterial pathogenesis; siderophore; virulence; Acinetobacter baumannii; blue light
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23.
Gade, Carmin Jane.
An exploration of the pharmacist-patient communicative relationship.
Degree: PhD, Communication, 2003, Ohio State University
► The advent of consumerism in healthcare juxtaposed with a massive influx of…
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▼ The advent of consumerism in healthcare juxtaposed with a massive influx of medications available (e.g., prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, alternative therapy), increasing population, decreased number of pharmacists, and the desire to maximize positive health outcomes has resulted in the need to understand the intricacies of the pharmacist-patient communicative relationship. The underlying objectives of this exploratory study included: (1) the determination of current views of pharmacist-patient communication related to traditional medication therapy, as well as increased use of herbal therapies, (2) understanding the perceptions and expectations inherent in the pharmacist’s role as a health care professional, (3) understanding the influence of technology in current pharmacy care and/or the promotion of medication use safety juxtaposed with positive health outcomes; (4) providing recommendations for future research and development in this health care arena. This survey resulted in the identification of three key roles of today’s pharmacists being: 1) traditional role, 2) health care provider role, and 3) alternative therapy source role. A spectrum of pharmacist roles was then developed as both pharmacist and patient respondents agreed to the significance of these roles, in addition to identifying key responsibilities of each participant in this health care relationship. Finally, other key influencers (i.e., medication use safety, technology, herbal/alternative therapies) were shown to be significant considerations. In sum, the results suggest a need to develop communication skills training for pharmacists and patients to assist them in developing shared meaning while realizing positive health outcomes. Much more research is needed, but these results have introduced a framework from which to develop a greater understanding of this communicative relationship.
Advisors/Committee Members: Cegala, Donald J.
Subjects: Speech Communication
Keywords: Pharmacist-Patient communication; Roles; Perceptions; Interpersonal Communication; Alternative Therapies; Safety; Technology
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24.
Gade, Dinakar.
Algorithms and Reformulations for Large-Scale Integer and Stochastic Integer Programs.
Degree: PhD, Industrial and Systems Engineering, 2012, Ohio State University
► In this dissertation, we develop methodologies to solve difficult classes of discrete…
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▼ In this dissertation, we develop methodologies to solve difficult classes of discrete optimization problems under uncertainty by using techniques from integer programming. First, we consider a class of two-stage stochastic integer programs with binary variables in the first stage, general integer variables in the second stage and random data with finitely many outcomes. We develop an L-shaped decomposition algorithm that iteratively tightens the linear relaxation of the scenario subproblems using Gomory cuts and maintains convex first stage approximations. We show that the algorithm is not only finitely convergent, but also computationally amenable allowing several alternative implementations. We develop a computer implementation of this algorithm and report computational results on the stochastic server location problem instances. With the goal of extending our methods to solve stochastic mixed integer programs, we develop extensions to the cutting plane tree algorithm by integrating Gomory cuts with disjunctive cuts. We report computational results with the Gomory-enhanced simple disjunctive cuts using benchmark test instances. Second, we introduce the concept of service levels into deterministic lot sizing problems and develop a polynomial time algorithm for a single item lot sizing problem with a ready rate service level constraint. Based on the algorithm, we develop compact extended reformulations for this problem and a relaxation. We show that although the extended reformulations are large, they outperform standard formulations of the problem while guaranteeing optimal solutions when they are used to solve capacitated multi-item instances.
Advisors/Committee Members: Kucukyavuz, Simge.
Subjects: Industrial Engineering; Operations Research
Keywords: Decomposition; Gomory cuts; lot sizing, extended formulations
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25.
Gade, Dinesh Reddy.
Minimal Implementation of a Secure Remote Keyless Encryption Protocol Using CMAC Mode Of AES.
Degree: MS, Electrical Engineering, 2010, University of Akron
► Remote keyless entry systems gained prominence with the advancement in the wireless…
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▼ Remote keyless entry systems gained prominence with the advancement in the wireless communication technological applications. Early remote keyless entry systems operate by transmitting a unique identification key from transmitter to the receiver. Security has become a major concern for these systems due to cloning of the key. Modern keyless entry systems make use of advanced theft control methods that generate rolling codes. The main purpose of this research was to implement a secure wireless encryption protocol that generates rolling codes using cryptography. This implementation makes use of the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and its Cipher-based Message Authentication Code (CMAC) mode of operation for transmitter authentication. A minimal implementation of this protocol is done for use in smaller devices. A simple and secure learning method was used for introducing new transmitters to the receiver. The transmitter and receiver are programmed using PIC24 microcontrollers and C30 compiler. Two 16-bit microprocessors are used to implement the hardware. The microcontroller devices are programmed for minimal power consumption. A working implementation of the transmitter and receiver programs written in C language is included in the appendix.
Advisors/Committee Members: Ida, Nathan.
Subjects: Electrical engineering
Keywords: byte; void; AES; transmitter; temp; myAddr; column0
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26.
Gade, Satya Sai Sravan Kumar.
Preliminary Evaluation Of Post-Production Heat Treating Of HPS 70W Steel.
Degree: MS, Engineering : Civil Engineering, 2008, University of Cincinnati
► The cooperative research program launched by the Federal Highway Administration in cooperation…
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▼ The cooperative research program launched by the Federal Highway Administration in cooperation with the U.S. Navy and the steel industry was a great success in bringing high performance steel technology to the bridge industry. The past decade has seen many developments as part of this research program, the first of them being the development of HPS-70W, a high performance steel material with yield strength of 70 ksi (483 MPa). Its high strength, better weldability, improved toughness, inherent weathering resistance and improved ease of fabrication has helped engineers and bridge owners to design and build bridges more efficiently. Significant material and cost savings have been reported in many of these bridge projects (Wright 1997). HPS-70W is the most widely used, researched and tested of the high performance steels to date. With the success of HPS-70W, an HPS version of 50 ksi (345 MPa) steel has been developed (Wilson 2003). Design specifications for bridges using these steels are being developed and continuously updated as research results are published. Hybrid girder design which incorporates the use of HPS-50W along with HPS-70W has been reported to be effective in using high performance steels for bridge construction. HPS-70W plates up to 4 in (102 mm) thick can be produced by quenching and tempering process (Q&T), but this process limits plate lengths to 50 ft (15 m). A new production technique called Thermal-Mechanical Controlled Processing (TMCP) has recently been developed that yields steel having similar properties (Lwin 2002). TMCP practices can be used to produce HPS-70W plates up to 2 in (51 mm) thick and to 125 ft (38 m) long. The present work concentrates on evaluating various post-production heat treating methods for application to HPS-70W. Methods such as heat curving, heat cambering and flame straightening are used during fabrication and repair of bridge members. There is a concern that these methods might have undesirable effects on the mechanical properties of HPS-70W. The present work focuses on evaluating the effect of these heat treating methods on the properties of HPS-70W, and determining the transition temperature, which is critical during the application of post-production heat treating methods. From the results obtained, it was concluded that post-production heat treating techniques with a limiting temperature of 1275 °F (691 °C) can be used on HPS-70W with no apparent effect on its tensile properties. A more refined approach is required to evaluate the effect on toughness properties of HPS-70W.
Advisors/Committee Members: Swanson, James.
Subjects: Civil engineering
Keywords: Heat Treating; HPS-70W
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27.
GADE, SRINIVAS.
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CARBON NANOTUBE-BASED COMPOSITES USING THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD.
Degree: MS, Engineering : Mechanical Engineering, 2005, University of Cincinnati
► Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are being used extensively as reinforcing materials at nanoscale…
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▼ Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are being used extensively as reinforcing materials at nanoscale in developing new nanocomposites, because of their excellent mechanical properties. Incorporating CNTs in polymer matrices can potentially enhance the stiffness and strength of composites significantly when compared to those reinforced with conventional carbon fibers. However, retaining these outstanding properties at macro-scale poses a considerable challenge. To discover the ways for achieving this entails extensive experimental and simulation studies. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been proved to be an excellent approach in characterizing nanocomposites. Nevertheless, MD is limited to nanoscale due to its extra-ordinary computational costs, which promoted the development and usage of alternate approaches for characterizing CNT reinforced composites at microscale. In this research one of these alternative approaches, the continuum mechanics approach using the finite element method, is employed to estimate the effective modulus of CNT reinforced composites and was successfully validated using other analytical (rule of mixtures) and MD methods. Large-scale models were developed, simulating CNTs using pipe elements for the first time. Results from these models reveal that there exists a limiting value for the length of long CNT, for effective load transfer. It was also observed that composites reinforced with long CNTs yield very high effective modulus compared to those with short CNTs. These results are found to be in good agreement with those obtained using MD and multi-scale constitutive modeling approaches.
Advisors/Committee Members: Liu, Dr. Yijun.
Subjects: Engineering, Mechanical
Keywords: carbon; nanotube; CNT; SWNT; nanocomposite; polymer; composite; CNT-composite; mechanical properties; FEM; finite element method
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29.
Gadio, Coumba Mar.
Women's Changing Roles, Issues, and Decisionmaking: The Case of Lebou-Wolof Women Farmers in Thieudeme.
Degree: PhD, Rural Sociology, 1998, Ohio State University
► Although Senegalese women, like other women in Africa, are central to economic…
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▼ Although Senegalese women, like other women in Africa, are central to economic development and household survival, little has been done to improve working conditions, increase access to resources, and improve productivity. In part this is due to the scarcity of appropriate information on the full range of women's scarcity of appropriate information on the full range of women's roles (household, community, production) and in part to qualitative shortcomings in existing studies. That is, most studies focus on what women produce and how they produce and some even look at cultural constraints to economic roles. However, few studies address the broader, contextual variables and institutional constraints within which women operate; explore continuity and change in women's roles across generations of farmers; examine the linkages between women's roles, levels of production and access to resources, and relative decision making power; or step back from discipline -based concepts and theories to truly listen to women and study them from their own position. That is, few researchers construct variables by analyzing women's reality and by taking into account women's perceptions, concepts and definitions, values, and perspectives. That was the task of this research.The focus is on Lebou-Wolof women farmers in Thiedem, a vegetable producing village in Senegal. Based on findings of an exploratory study carried out in 1993, dissertation research focused on three generations of women and compared the roles, relative power, and perceptions of women who were farmers exclusively with those who farm and market their produce, and of those who participate in self help organizations and those who do not. The general objective was to identify factors that have impacted women's roles, status, and relative decision making power, document how women cope with constraints and responsibilities, and understand women's roles. A survey of 48% of Thieudeme's households provided the study with background information. A sample of 209 women were drawn from these households. The sample was made up of women from three different generations and stratified by socio-economic status. Semi-structured in-depth interviews and life histories were conducted with the sample of women. This comparison of three generations of women farmers' roles in the past and in present day Thieudeme revealed many changes. Changes are taking place in productive and - to a lesser degree - reproductive roles, but also in the ways in which these women farmers are involved and organized in their communities. Changes in productive and reproductive roles can be related to various global, national and local factors such as the changing nature of local and national economies, severe drought, changes in demand for exports and imports, structural adjustment policies, devaluation, local and cultural beliefs.
Advisors/Committee Members: Rakowski, Dr. Cathy A.
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