1738 matches in the database.
These are records: 1 - 30.
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] … [58]
1.
Baack, Cathryn J.
Maternal stress and coping when a child is fed enterally.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Nursing, 2006, Ohio State University
► While there is extensive literature on parental stress associated with parenting a…
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▼ While there is extensive literature on parental stress associated with parenting a child with special health needs, few researchers have looked specifically at the stress associated with parenting a child fed enterally. The purpose of this study was to explore the stressors experienced by mothers of children who were being fed enterally and the coping strategies and resources available to them by employing an exploratory/descriptive design. Data were obtained during face-to-face interviews, or interviews conducted via mail, employing a list of open-ended questions about caring for an infant/child who is fed enterally and a demographic questionnaire filled out by the mothers. A convenient sample of 40 mothers of children who were being fed enterally was recruited for the study. Through content analysis of the data from this sample of mothers, the negative and positive aspects of home enteral nutrition (HEN) and the stressors and coping strategies were delineated. Mothers identified several important stressors. These included the social stigma associated with HEN, managing the equipment, negative emotions associated with the process, and physical problems. Mothers did perceive that their children were now able to receive appropriate nutrition and thus, sustain physical growth and development. Coping strategies identified by the mothers included: seeking social support, seeking assistance from health professionals, being flexible with the child’s HEN schedule, and taking the time to care for themselves. The stressors and coping strategies faced by mothers of children on HEN are multidimensional and encompass social and psychological components. By identifying the specific areas of stress that mothers of children on HEN deal with on a daily basis, nurses and other professionals can develop interventions that help to decrease the effect of the negative stressors. A better understanding of the ways mothers cope with these stressors allows for more accurate evaluations of these interventions. Appropriate interventions that lessen stress and allow for better coping will create the best possible environment for the feeding process to occur. This ultimately benefits the child by making the feeding process more pleasurable for both mother and child.
Advisors/Committee Members: Steward, Deborah.
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing
Keywords: home enteral nutrition; stress and coping
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2.
Baan, Mieke.
Protective effects of Zinc-L-Carnosine/ Vitamin E on aspirin-induced gastroduodenal injury in dogs.
Degree: Master of Science, Veterinary Clinical Sciences, 2009, Ohio State University
► Zinc-L-carnosine has protective effects against epithelial injury in cell culture and rodent…
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▼ Zinc-L-carnosine has protective effects against epithelial injury in cell culture and rodent models of gastrointestinal (GI) mucosal injury. This randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled study investigated the protective effects of zinc-L-carnosine in combination with alpha-tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E) on the development of aspirin-induced GI lesions in dogs. Eighteen healthy mixed-breed dogs were given 1 tablet (n=6) or 2 tablets (n=6) of 30 mg zinc-L-carnosine/ 30 IU vitamin E q12h PO, or a placebo (n=6) on Days 0 – 35. On Days 7 – 35, all dogs were given 25 mg/kg buffered aspirin q8h PO. Endoscopy was performed on Days -1, 14, 21, and 35, and GI lesions were scored using a 12-point grading scale. All dogs developed mucosal lesions. Treatment had no significant effect on gastric (p=0.31) or duodenal lesion scores (p=0.067). Zinc-L-carnosine/ vitamin E did not prevent gastric mucosal lesions in an aspirin-induced model for GI injury.
Advisors/Committee Members: Sherding, Robert.
Subjects: Veterinary services
Keywords: polaprezinc, zinc-L-carnosine, vitamin E, dog, gastroduodenal injury, endoscopy, aspirin
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3.
Baas, Larry Brandon.
Feasibility Study of Concept Designs for Photonic Radiation Detection.
Degree: Master of Science, Nuclear Engineering, 2009, Ohio State University
► The objective of this research is to do a feasibility study on…
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▼ The objective of this research is to do a feasibility study on a photonic-based semiconductor concept design for a radiation detector. The research was funded by the National Science Foundation in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security. It was a cooperative effort between the Nuclear Engineering Program and the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Ohio State University. There are two concept device configurations considered in this study, the critical angle setup and the Fabry-Perot setup. In addition to being able to detect radiation, the device should be portable, durable and user friendly for field use. Its initial purpose is to be used to detect gamma radiation, but it is not limited to this purpose. Semiconductors have already been successfully used in highly sensitive radiation detectors (e.g. germanium detectors). The perceived advantage is that photonics can possibly be used to make a sensitive detector that can operate while at room temperature and be only slightly affected by electromagnetic interference due to its operating nature. Two semiconductor materials, silicon and cadmium telluride, were analyzed in detail, while others were considered as possibilities for later research. Following the development of an analytical model, experimental data were taken to validate the model. The experiments were performed for silicon because it is the least expensive of the candidate semiconductor materials.
Advisors/Committee Members: Blue, Thomas.
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4.
Baba, Jatong A.
An examination of the influence of personal values and ethnic identity on black students’ sport consumption behavior.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Physical Activity and Educational Services, 2004, Ohio State University
► The purpose of the study was to explore the sport behaviors of…
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▼ The purpose of the study was to explore the sport behaviors of Black consumers as a culturally based sport consumption community. To do so, this study examined the manner in which personal values and ethnic identity influenced the sport consumption preferences and sport consumption frequencies of Black students. The study also examined the relationship between sport consumption preferences and sport consumption frequencies in four professional and two college sport activities. The instrument used to capture personal values was Kahle’s (1983) List of Values (LOV) scale (which consisted of two subdimensions of internal values and external values). Ethnic identity was captured using Brown, Condor, Mathews, Wade, and Williams’ (1986) Ethnic Identity (EID) Scale (which consisted of three subdimensions of self-definition, self-esteem, and affect). Significant relationships were found between the participants’ sport consumption preferences and sport consumption frequencies. Results of the study revealed that none of the two dimensions of personal values had significant influence on the sport consumption behavior of research participants. However, two of the three dimensions of ethnic identity (self-definition and self-esteem) did significantly influence sport consumption preferences for and frequencies of basketball and football. Self-definition had a significantly positive influence on the consumption of basketball while self-esteem had a significantly negative influence on football.An important finding of the current research was that gender was not a differentiation factor regarding the influence of personal values and ethnic identity on sport consumption. However, significant gender differences in terms of the sport consumption preferences and frequencies contrasted with previous findings by Armstrong (2002; 2003) which did not reveal any pronounced gender differences among Black sport consumers. The results generally support the infusion of aspects of culture into the sport behavior inquiry of ethnic minority consumers. The results also provide support for previous research findings that culturally and ethnically-based consumption phenomena hold important clues for marketing strategy.
Advisors/Committee Members: Armstrong, Ketra L.
Subjects: Education, Physical
Keywords: Personal values; Ethnic identity; Black sport consumers; Sport consumption; Consumption community
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5.
Babayigit, Cihan.
Genetic Algorithms and Mathematical Models in Manpower Allocation and Cell Loading Problem.
Degree: Master of Science (MS), Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering (Engineering), 2004, Ohio University
► Several solutions to the cell loading problem have been reported in the…
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▼ Several solutions to the cell loading problem have been reported in the literature. However, Manpower Allocation and Cell Loading (MACL) problem is relatively new. Therefore, this thesis focuses on these issues. This study not only analyzes the MACL problem with a mathematical model and genetic algorithm (GA) but also it extends the mathematical model to include the number of tardy jobs concept and also adds original aspects, Multiple League and Extreme League, to the traditional GA methods. The objective of this thesis is to solve the MACL problem by both mathematical models and genetic algorithms and then compare the results in some cases. Results show that original methods in GA outperform the traditional methods in some cases. GA finds optimal or near optimal solutions much faster than a mathematical model does especially in large problems.
Advisors/Committee Members: Suer, Gursel A.
Subjects: Engineering, Industrial
Keywords: Manpower Allocation; Cell Loading; Genetic Algorithm; Mathematical Models; Multiple League; Extreme League
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6.
Babcock, Carmen J.
The effect of intermittent simulated altitude exposure via re-breathing on cycling performance.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Educational Policy and Leadership, 2007, Ohio State University
► Increased participation of competitive athletes in new methods of simulated altitude warrants…
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▼ Increased participation of competitive athletes in new methods of simulated altitude warrants research on changes in performances. PURPOSE: To ascertain the effects of intermittent simulated altitude exposure via re-breathing on cycling performance. METHODS: Eighteen, well-trained male cyclists use a re-breathing device for 15 days. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a low constant exposure group (CON) in which oxygen saturation was held constant (98%); or progressively increased exposure group (TRT), where oxygen saturation was progressively reduced (90% to 77% over 15 days). An exercise performance test was performed to familiarize subjects to the protocol (FAM), prior to simulated altitude exposure (PRE) and following simulated altitude exposure (POST). The critical power protocol was used to examine power output in varied time trial (TT) efforts. Performance was also investigated through measurements of lactate, oxygen consumption (VO2), and heart rate (HR). Blood characteristics examined include hematocrit, reticulocyte and serum Ferritin values. RESULTS: There was significant improvement (p=.004) for the TRT group at POST in the 15m TT (PRE = 325.0 ± 12.2 watts, POST = 335.0 ± 11.9 watts) and estimated 60m TT (PRE = 300.1 ± 28.4; POST = 322.4 ± 36.1) compared to no improvement in the CON group. The TRT group improvement was 3-4.5% in average power output. There were no significant differences in the power outputs of the 3m TT at POST for either group. There were no significant differences in haematological measures at POST for either group. A decreased VO2 Index (p=.075) and a significant decrease (p = .026) in HR Index (HRavg/wattavg) was revealed for the TRT group (PRE = 0.564 ± 0.044; POST = 0.544 ± 0.053). CONCLUSIONS: In competitive cyclists, the use of a re-breathing device resulted in improved performance for events which rely heavily on aerobic power but none for anaerobic power. These findings are similar in regard to performance adaptations found in other acclimatization investigations, terrestrial or simulated. It is suggested that the re-breathing form of simulated altitude may be utilized as an alternative to terrestrial or other forms of simulated altitude, in efforts to mediate performance gains in endurance type events.
Advisors/Committee Members: Kirby, Timothy E.
Subjects: Health Sciences, Recreation
Keywords: altitude; simulated altitude; re-breathing; intermittent hypoxia; hypoxia; cycling; cyclist; exercise; exercise physiology; re-breathing; rebreathing; altitude tent; IHT
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7.
BABIC SCHLEUE, MILICA.
LAND USE PLAN, JACKSON TOWNSHIP, CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
Degree: MCP, Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning : Community Planning, 2002, University of Cincinnati
► This research paper seeks to provide the residents of Jackson Township, Clermont…
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▼ This research paper seeks to provide the residents of Jackson Township, Clermont County, Ohio with a framework for future land use. Residents of this community identified the long term goals and objectives through series of community meetings sponsored by the Jackson Township Zoning Commission. These goals summarize residents’ desires to protect a farmland heritage without sacrificing the needs for new development, to maintain rural character of the community and to make sure that development happens in planned manner. To create a future land use plan for Jackson Township, this project first reviews the relevant literature regarding growth and its impact on rural communities, the literature explaining the importance of comprehensive planning, and the statutory authority of townships under Ohio law. Next, the inventory and analysis of existing conditions in the Township is presented. The results of two community meetings sponsored by the Jackson Township Zoning Commission are reviewed in order to create a future land use plan for Jackson Township. The implementation strategies and the specific land use planning tools are explained in terms of their applicability to this community.
Advisors/Committee Members: Barry, Dr. Roger.
Subjects: Urban and Regional Planning
Keywords: land use plan; rural community; Jackson Township; Clermont County
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8.
Babler, Allison L.
Allochthony of detritivorous fish in Ohio reservoirs, as determined using stable hydrogen isotopes.
Degree: Master of Science, Zoology, 2009, Miami University
► Terrestrial inputs may play a substantial role in subsidizing aquatic food webs.…
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▼ Terrestrial inputs may play a substantial role in subsidizing aquatic food webs. The detritivorous gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) is a dominant fish in the eastern USA, particularly where terrestrial inputs of detritus and inorganic nutrients are high, as from agricultural watersheds. The extent to which gizzard shad consume settled phytodetritus versus detritus from terrestrial sources is unknown. This study used deuterium to quantify the contribution of terrestrial detritus to gizzard shad across 11 reservoirs in Ohio, USA with land use ranging from 6 to 86% agricultural. Deuterium values for gizzard shad were similar among all 11 reservoirs, with means ranging from -145.9‰ to -179.4‰. Allochthony estimates ranged from 27 to 48%. We found that allochthony was related to both land use and watershed area. Our results suggest that gizzard shad rely heavily on phytodetritus, while several factors may influence the availability and quality of terrestrial subsidies.
Advisors/Committee Members: Vanni, Michael.
Subjects: Ecology; Freshwater ecology; Zoology
Keywords: allochthonous; allochthony; food web; reservoir; stable isotope; gizzard shad; deuterium; detritus; land use
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9.
Babonis, Gregory S.
Low Temperature Scanning Tunneling Microscope for Single Atom Manipulation.
Degree: Master of Science (MS), Physics (Arts and Sciences), 2003, Ohio University
► In this thesis a low temperature scanning tunneling microscope will be constructed…
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▼ In this thesis a low temperature scanning tunneling microscope will be constructed to explore the possibilities of atomic manipulation. In doing so we need to gain an understanding of the quantum mechanical theory of STM operation, set up a complex architecture of specialized equipment to achieve UHV conditions within the STM, control the tip of the microscope through the design and construction of a low noise high voltage amplifier, and record data conclusively demonstrating the ability of the STM to resolve nanoscale surface structures, while more importantly manipulating atoms in a controlled fashion.
Advisors/Committee Members: Hla, Saw-Wai.
Subjects: Physics, Condensed Matter
Keywords: Scanning Tunneling Microscope; Atomic Manipulation; High Voltage Amplifier; LT-STM; Ag[111]; Low-Temperature Scanning Tunneling Microscopy
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10.
Babson, Lisabeth J.C.
Effectiveness of self-monitoring of negative self statements with chronic pain patients.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Physical Activity and Educational Services, 2007, Ohio State University
► The post-injury return to work problem is severe and continues to result…
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▼ The post-injury return to work problem is severe and continues to result in loss of worker productivity and increased cost to business and industry nearing $16 billion annually. With the increase in workers’ compensation claims, there is a stronger push for returning consumers to work once they have reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). This study examined the use of a self-monitoring intervention on the frequency of negative self statements of chronic pain patients within the therapeutic setting. Three subjects who have secondary psychiatric claims through the Bureau of Workers’ compensation and who have chronic pain participated in this study. The subjects chosen for this study were of interest due to the complex pain issues and their pervasive negativistic thinking styles which surround their chronic pain and workers compensation status. This study used an ABAB reversal design. The results of this study suggest the patients lowered the amount of negative self statements made during each of the self monitoring interventions than during baseline. Each of the three participants demonstrated the ability to lower the amount of both pain related and non-pain related negative self statements. Though the number of negative self statements made per therapy session decreased on average for each patient through each successive intervention, some of the return to baseline levels were not as elevated. This suggests possible occurrence of treatment effects, which suggest the patients began to internalize the treatment intervention during the second baseline phases. Self-monitoring has been an effective tool utilized in educational and clinical settings. Self-monitoring can act as a motivating device by encouraging people to set goals of progressive improvement for themselves, even though they have not been explicitly asked to do so. In the case with chronic pain patients, increased levels of self regulation and self esteem may decrease negativistic thinking which may then lead to more predictable and improved outcomes.
Advisors/Committee Members: Growick, Bruce S.
Keywords: Chronic Pain; Depression; Negative Self Statements
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11.
Babu, Sailesh.
A material based approach to creating wear resistant surfaces for hot forging.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Industrial and Systems Engineering, 2004, Ohio State University
► Tools and dies used in metal forming are characterized by extremely high…
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▼ Tools and dies used in metal forming are characterized by extremely high temperatures at the interface, high local pressures and large metal to metal sliding. These harsh conditions result in accelerated wear of tooling. This phenomenon becomes a serious issue when parts forged at complex and are expected to meet tight tolerances. The objective of this dissertation is to develop a computer-based methodology for analyzing the requirements hot forging tooling to resist wear and plastic deformation and to create wear resistant surfaces to overcome these failure mode, to increase hot forging tool life. The approach proposed and tested in the dissertation involves development of a FEM based approach to model material degradation caused by heat, load and sliding. This approach uses tempering parameters proposed by Holloman and Jaffe and published thermal softening behavior of tool steels to predict the drop in hardness of tool steels during service. Using a modified Archard’s model for wear that takes into account effect of temperature on hardness, this drop in hardness is then used to more accurately predict wear in hot forging tools, that are dominated by thermal softening. Dissertation outlines development of a new cyclic contact test design to recreate intermittent tempering seen in hot forging. This test has been used to validate the use of tempering parameters in modeling of in-service softening of tool steel surfaces. The dissertation also outlines an industrial case study, conducted at a forging company, to validate the wear model. This dissertation also outlines efforts at Ohio State University, to deposit Nickel Aluminide on AISI H13 substrate, using Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS). Dissertation reports results from an array of experiments conducted using LENS 750 machine, at various power levels, table speeds and hatch spacing. Results pertaining to bond quality, surface finish, compositional gradients and hardness are provided. Also, a thermal – based finite element numerical model that was used to simulate the LENS process is presented, along with some demonstrated results.
Advisors/Committee Members: Shivpuri, Rajiv.
Keywords: Hot forging; Die wear; Thermal softening; In-service tempering; Tempering parameters; Laser engineered net shaping (LENS); Nickel aluminide; AISI H13 tool steel; Cladding
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12.
Bacabac, Florence Elizabeth.
FROM CYBERSPACE TO PRINT: RE-EXAMINING THE EFFECTS OF COLLABORATIVE ONLINE INVENTION ON FIRST-YEAR ACADEMIC WRITING.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), English/Rhetoric and Writing, 2008, Bowling Green State University
► This descriptive study re-examines two online practices, the use of synchronous Chat…
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▼ This descriptive study re-examines two online practices, the use of synchronous Chat and asynchronous Discussion Board, as collaborative invention forums for composing a research-based essay. Basically, I looked at the transfer of invention ideas from each forum to student rough drafts in order to help substantiate the claim that the use of computer-mediated communication is an enabling practice for knowledge construction. Two first-year writing classes taught in a computer laboratory by the same instructor participated in the study; one class used Chat and the other used the Discussion Board for invention prior to drafting the essays. I analyzed the online transcripts, student rough drafts, and the teacher and student interview data to describe the effects of both synchronous and asynchronous platforms as collaborative invention strategies on academic writing. Throughout the investigation, two research questions were addressed: (RQ #1) How effective is each type of online invention in generating ideas for writing academic essays? and (RQ #2) What attitudes/perceptions do the teacher and students have toward the collaborative online invention process? The descriptive findings generally indicate that the transfer of invention ideas and language patterns from both online forums to the essays (RQ #1) is directly supported by the teacher and student interview patterns (RQ #2). Significant data patterns reveal the following effects of Chat and Discussion Board invention forums on student drafts: both show successful transfer of ideas in terms of essay topic, purpose, and thesis statement; average transfer of main ideas and supporting details; and minimal transfer of source ideas. However, the transfer of counterargument ideas from each forum differs: the use of Chat indicates null transfer of ideas while very minimal transfer is attributed to the use of the Discussion Board. Interview data patterns reveal agreement between the teacher and students as regards the capacity of each online forum to promote collaboration and knowledge construction. However, to support the contrasting transfer rates of counterargument ideas from Chat and Discussion Board forums, participants similarly expressed that meaningful and reflective interactions in Chat seem deficient due to its fluid and immediate setting as opposed to the capacity of the Discussion Board to sustain focused interactions and critical reflection. To conclude this pilot study, implications for theory and practice based on descriptive analysis were discussed along with further suggestions for pedagogy and research on computers and writing.
Advisors/Committee Members: Blair, Kristine.
Subjects: Composition
Keywords: collaborative online invention; first-year writing; online composition; computers and writing
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13.
Bacharach, Marc N.
WAR METAPHORS: HOW PRESIDENT’S USE THE LANGUAGE OF WAR TO SELL POLICY.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Political Science, 2006, Miami University
► During the latter half of the 20th century, Presidents have often invoked…
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▼ During the latter half of the 20th century, Presidents have often invoked the language of war to push through their policy initiatives. Despite the vast literature on presidential speeches, there has been little in the way of studying these rhetorical wars in any systematic fashion. This paper seeks to address that deficiency by studying several high-profile rhetorical wars that presidents have declared, from Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty to George W. Bush’s war on terror. The purpose is to trace the evolution of metaphorical wars from rhetoric into public policy. In tracing this process, many other questions will be addressed, including: What message was the president hoping to send to the American people through rhetoric? What were the original goals of the president? What are some of the reasons the “wars” failed or succeeded? Finally, to what extent did future administrations adopt their predecessor’s policy and to what extent did future presidents establish their own strategy for fighting the wars?
Advisors/Committee Members: Barilleaux, Ryan J.
Subjects: Political Science, General
Keywords: Presidency; Metaphors; Rhetoric; War on Poverty; War on Drugs; War on Terror; War on Crime; War on Inflation
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14.
Bach, Judit.
A tale of two piano trios: Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn's Piano trios in D minor (op. 11, Op. 49); and how a woman composer's work should relate to the canon.
Degree: Doctor of Musical Arts, Music, 2005, Ohio State University
► Social forces shape the musical canon and the relation of the work…
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▼ Social forces shape the musical canon and the relation of the work of women composers to that male-dominated canon. Felix Mendelsssohn is a major figure in classical music, while Fanny is most likely known as his sister and not as a composer in her own right. In my study I will adress the injustice of the past, and argue for the inclusion of Fanny Mendelssohn's music in the traditional concert repertoire. Fanny's story is emblematic, and her situation can help illuminate the fate of other nineteenth-century women composers. Her story is a story of a woman with talent, with merit, who had been given the chance to try her wings, but not the chance to fly. There are two main issues here: why did her music, and that of many other nineteenth-century women composers, never become part of the canon; and how might that neglect be remedied, if it should in fact be remedied? These questions cannot be addressed without looking closely at the music, and without discussing larger social problems and analogies. The former issue broaches the social forces that prevented Fanny from becoming a professional musician, the powers that shape tradition, the notion of universal value, and the notion of difference. The latter issue brings up questions about assimilation, segregation, and acculturation. The core part of the document is a comparative analysis of the Piano Trios in D minor by Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn. The purpose of this comparison is to show that there is no intrinsically musical justification for the neglect of Fanny's composition. The two trios have enough similarities and analogies to show that her work fits securely into the tradition of the piano trio genre, while the subtle differences in dealing with musical details are witnesses to Fanny's unique, distinct musical language, which is generally speaking more spontaneous than that of Felix. Fanny's music is the music of a composer in her own right.
Advisors/Committee Members: Glaser, Steven M.
Keywords: Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel; Women composers; Musical canon; Piano trio; Felix Mendelssohn
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15.
BACHMAN, MARY PATRICIA.
THE CAUSES FOR DELAY IN PLAN IMPLEMENTATION: A CASE STUDY OF THE MICHAEL A FOX REGIONAL HIGHWAY.
Degree: MCP, Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning : Community Planning, 2001, University of Cincinnati
► Hamilton, Ohio, located in Butler County approximately 25 miles north of Cincinnati,…
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▼ Hamilton, Ohio, located in Butler County approximately 25 miles north of Cincinnati, was for 37 years the only city of a population greater than 50,000 people lacking direct access to an Interstate Highway system. Yet this situation was not intentional; the 1958 Major Road Plan for Butler County prioritized the upgrading of an existing road to serve as a connector to what would eventually become Interstate Highway 75. The project existed in the minds of City leaders throughout the 1960's and came to the public's consciousness again in the 1970's after then-Governor James A. Rhodes visited Hamilton during an election year. The Governor stated that the road was long-overdue and that the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI), the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the area, would grant the project highest priority status. No ground was broken for the project through the 1980's although there was grass-roots support for its completion. Hamilton, Innovative legislation in the 1990's paved the way for the creation of the Butler County Transportation Improvement District (BCTID). BCTID began construction of the road in 1996 and completed it in December 1999. The aim of this research project is threefold. The first goal of this study was to gain an understanding of the causes for delay in highway construction as they specifically apply to the Michael A. Fox Regional Highway, as well as the causes that conspired to allow for its eventual completion. The second goal of research was to examine the political factors that allowed for the highway's completion. The third project goal was to gain understanding of the complex process of intergovernmental coordination as it applies to the process of highway planning, funding, and implementation. The research completed to satisfy the first and second goals of the project provides a framework of effective practices that can be applied in other planning situations.
Advisors/Committee Members: Jacobs, Andrew.
Subjects: Urban and Regional Planning
Keywords: state infrastructure bank; highway planning; plan implementation; Michael A. Fox Regional Highway; transportation improvement district
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16.
Bachmann, Richard Joseph.
A Hybrid Vehicle for Aerial and Terrestrial Locomotion.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, EMC - Mechanical Engineering, 2009, Case Western Reserve University
► A durable hybrid vehicle has been developed capable of both aerial and…
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▼ A durable hybrid vehicle has been developed capable of both aerial and terrestrial locomotion. The motivation for the work was a wide range of sensor deployment scenarios that would benefit from a vehicle capable of 1) flying long distances to a target area and 2) walking around the target to perform near-field inspection. A technology survey was performed to identify the candidate terrestrial and aerial locomotion technologies for integration. The Mini-Whegs robot, developed at Case Western Reserve University, was selected as the terrestrial running gear, and the flexible-wing micro air vehicle (MAV), developed at University of Florida, was selected as the aerial platform. A rigorous trade-off analysis led to a remote control prototype that had a fully functional airframe augmented with two R/C servos, modified for continuous rotation, driving independent music wire wheel-legs at the front of the vehicle. This vehicle achieved most of the original performance requirements. It could fly, land, crawl, and regain flight by crawling off the edge of a rooftop. A critical performance evaluation illuminated improvements to the design and fabrication necessary to create a viable hybrid vehicle for field deployment. The vehicle design and fabrication processes were overhauled to improve the durability and reproducibility of the final design. A custom-built terrestrial locomotion subsystem, with compliance in the drive train, was crucial to improved durability. CNC fabrication of the fuselage mold and a one-piece tail design were central to repeatability. A commercially available autopilot was implemented for autonomous operation. Vehicle mass increased from 118 to 365 grams. The wingspan was subsequently increased to 16", but wing loading increased from 37 to 64 N/m^2. A corresponding decrease in controllability was observed. Winglets were found to increase lift, but decrease stability by mitigating wing flexibility. The final vehicle was able to fly, land, and crawl repeatedly. Over 8 flights (and landings) have been performed by the vehicle, and the vehicle has yet to show any signs of damage. The vehicle cruises at 14 m/s and crawls at 0.33 m/s (0.8 body lengths per second). For comparison, a typical Mini-Whegs runs at 5 body lengths per second.
Advisors/Committee Members: Quinn, Roger.
Subjects: Mechanical engineering
Keywords: hybrid, locomotion, MAV, Whegs, terrestrial, aerial, integration
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17.
Bach, Morten.
None So Consistently Right: The American Legion's Cold War, 1945-1960.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), History (Arts and Sciences), 2007, Ohio University
► This dissertation examines the American Legion’s role in shaping U.S. national security…
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▼ This dissertation examines the American Legion’s role in shaping U.S. national security policy during the early Cold War, specifically in the fifteen years from 1945 to 1960. With a membership more than three times the size of the interwar period, and the subject of concerted attention from the press as well as political candidates, the national American Legion’s expectations of influence were high. Its outlook was also influenced by its sense of special obligation to help safeguard the nation from external and internal enemies. By asking how, for what ends, and with what degree of success the Legionnaires attempted to influence national security policy during these years, this study adds to the existing literature on the early Cold War, specifically that dealing with domestic anti-communism as well as to a very slim literature on the American Legion in the wake of World War II. Through extensive use of public sources and private papers, the dissertation draws two general conclusions about the Legion’s activities concerning national security. First, in spite of size and prominence, the Legion’s discernible influence on national security policy does not appear to have been great. Quite aside from its occasional and perhaps half-hearted attempts at having various organizations investigated by Congressional committees, the acid test may be its long campaign for universal military training. Although universal military training was its top legislative priority on several occasions and the Legion had friendly hearings in Congress, it never proved able to convince legislators to enact a program. Second, militant rhetoric notwithstanding, the Legion always considered itself a mainstream organization. The campaign against subversion posed a continuing problem as some members and employees continually overstepped the fluid bounds of permissible behavior. As public sentiment began to turn against counter-subversive activism in the late 1950s, the image-conscious Legion lost its appetite for it as well.
Advisors/Committee Members: Pach, Chester J.
Subjects: History, United States
Keywords: American Legion; veterans; anti-communism; universal military training
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18.
Bachnak, Rafic A.
Development of a stereo-based multi-camera system for 3-D vision.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Computer Science (Engineering), 1989, Ohio University
► Many important applications of computer vision are found in manufacturing and defense…
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▼ Many important applications of computer vision are found in manufacturing and defense industries. Such applications include inspection, measurements, robotic assembly and autonomous vehicle guidance. The area of three-dimensional vision presents great challenges and complex problems. It has attracted considerable research efforts in recent years. Although significant progress has been made, the transfer of fundamental ideas to concrete applications has not been successful at the practical implementation stage. This is due to the complexities involved in the process of emulating the human vision capability in a computer system. In this dissertation, a stereo-based multi-camera system for complete 3-D information extraction and object surface reconstruction in a robot workspace is developed. The system consists of N number of cameras arranged in an N/2 number of periodic stereo pair structure. The cameras sense the working area of a robot in the form of N images which are processed to obtain the 3-D data in the robot's environment. The extracted information is provided to a surface reconstruction algorithm for object description. The image reconstruction phase is performed in the scene domain on the combined data of adjacent camera pairs. The system advances the 3-D vision capability of industrial robots. Specific contributions include a camera calibration procedure that determines the system's parameters directly from the output digital image using only three known world points. This procedure uses a pinhole camera model and assumes a linear image transformation process between the image plane of the camera and the output digital image. The parameters of the system are computed by solving a set of linear equations. The number of cameras for entire coverage of the robot workspace is determined by defining the common area of a camera. This is essential because the 3-D information of any portion of the object that does not appear in both cameras can not be recovered. The working environment of the robot is described based on the knowledge of the common area and the number of camera pairs used. The shifting property of the Fourier transform is utilized for disparity estimation. The result reduces the cost and increases the accuracy of the matching procedure. This is true because the matching process is directly proportional to the search limits in the other image. In addition, the matching is only performed in the common area of a camera pair which is determined from the geometry of the set-up. Matching of stereo image pairs is also addressed. An image matching technique that makes use of the estimated disparity is developed. The method combines the advantages of both the area-based and feature-based approaches. The feature-based matching results guide a local window operation that identifies correct matches within a neighborhood. The local matching measure is based on the smoothness in disparity values in neighboring pixels on the surface of the object. Surface reconstruction for complete object representation is performed in the scene domain. In this regard, the Lagrangian polynomial is employed locally to approximate the object points based on the available data. Here, the known depth points retain their original values. This initialization process improves the convergence rate and the performance of the quadratic variations technique. Finally, an algorithm for corner detection on digital curves was developed and employed for object representation to test the efficiency and reliability of the developed system for 3-D measurements. First, the thinned image is scanned to assign candidate corners. Then, false corners are eliminated by operating locally at the initial assignments. The final result is a list of corners, each identified by its position, and the number and direction of the edges intersecting at its center. The algorithm is capable of finding two and multiple-side corners and is suitable for parallel implementation.
Advisors/Committee Members: Celenk, M.
Keywords: stereo-based; multi-camera system; 3-D vision; manufacturing computers; digital; robot
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19.
Bachnak, Rafic A.
Spectral estimation and frequency tracking of time-varying signals.
Degree: Master of Science (MS), Electrical Engineering (Engineering), 1984, Ohio University
Spectral estimation and frequency tracking of time-varying signals
Advisors/Committee Members: Tanaka, K. O.
Keywords: Autocorrelation Function; Power Spectral Density Function; Time-Frequency Representation; Short-Time Fourier Analysis
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21.
BACK, JOHN E. JR.
ENGAGEMENT IN ARCHITECTURE: PHENOMENOLOGICAL CRITERIA FOR USE IN THE EVERYDAY.
Degree: MARCH, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning : Architecture (Master of), 2005, University of Cincinnati
► Meaning in architecture—of one form or another—is arguably what most architects intend…
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▼ Meaning in architecture—of one form or another—is arguably what most architects intend to produce in their work. However, as William Hubbard points out in Complicity and Conviction: Steps Toward an Architecture of Convention, much of what architects deem meaningful in design fails to reach the lay person. A dichotomy exists between what the architect and the lay person value in architecture. Because architects do not attempt to find value beyond this dichotomy, it is reinforced and the majority of buildings constructed today lack meaningful design. In a world of increasing dependence on consultants, where the role of the architect is continually diminished, a lack of value in design not only poses a problem for the profession, but makes the everyday world less rich. The specific meanings that each person takes from a building are different and impossible to predict with much accuracy. An architecture that is designed to engage people of all walks of life however, provides the opportunity for finding meaning. But how does an architect design to engage people? An “architecture of reality” focuses on the phenomenological experiences people have in the built environment. When buildings center on this experience and enhance it, people become more aware of their surroundings and are more engaged. This thesis proposes that by designing an architecture of reality, architecture will be more valuable to people. The aim of this thesis is to propose criteria, based on how people experience buildings, which can be used to design any type of architecture. These criteria which when experienced lead to a sense of clarity and awareness in the everyday, are adapted from theoretical texts and built work. This awareness is the key to an engaging architecture—not only monumental architecture, but to less prestigious building types. Appeal in the everyday will translate into an inherent value in design, and help the profession of architecture to gain a more significant role in the lives of many.
Advisors/Committee Members: Simmons, Gordon.
Keywords: Architecture; Engagement; Everyday; Phenomenology; Grocery Store; Supermarket; Drive-Thru; Reality; Presence; Significance; Materiality; Emptiness; Benedikt; Lefebvre; Heidegger
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22.
Backscheider, Brian J.
Corporate Social Responsibility in the City: A Case Study of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Degree: MCP, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning : Community Planning, 2009, University of Cincinnati
► Over the past thirty years many urban areas of the United States…
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▼ Over the past thirty years many urban areas of the United States have seen significant declines caused by disinvestment related to growth outside of the regional core. While many businesses have followed the population shift to the suburbs, many major corporations remain in the center city. These corporations have the assets and influence to have a significant impact on the redevelopment of these declining urban areas. A concurrent trend during the past thirty years has been a recognition of the responsibility of companies to address societal ills. This ideology is commonly referred to as corporate social responsibility (CSR). CSR transforms a corporation‘s ability to improve its city into a responsibility to take an active role in that change. To understand the application of CSR in a depressed urban area, the city of Cincinnati was studied. Despite a long and significant population loss in the city, many of the largest companies in the region maintain a strong presence in the city‘s urban core. Nine Fortune 1000 companies are headquartered in downtown Cincinnati as well as many of the area‘s largest employers. Fifteen of Cincinnati‘s largest corporations were studied to determine how corporations are fulfilling their community involvement expectations. Furthermore, the study analyzes how these efforts compare with contemporary urban best practices for community involvement. The study concludes by identifying Cincinnati‘s best practices, which serve as models for other companies locally and nationally.
Advisors/Committee Members: Ellison, Charles.
Subjects: Business community; Urban planning
Keywords: corporate social responsibility; corporate community involvement; corporate citizenship; urban; cities
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23.
Backus, Carolyn S.
Why Johnny Isn't Ready for Kindergarten: A Study of Phonological Awareness Methodology in Pre-Kindergarten Programs in the Mid-Ohio Valley Region of Appalachia.
Degree: Masters in Education, Education, 2005, Marietta College
► Phonological awareness is one of the areas of early literacy that is…
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▼ Phonological awareness is one of the areas of early literacy that is a good predictor of later success in reading. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a representative group of pre-kindergarten classrooms in the Mid-Ohio Valley region of Appalachia. The researcher looked at the methods used by teachers to explicitly and implicitly teach phonological awareness in their classrooms. A Likert scale survey was administered to investigate methodology used by teachers to expose students to these skills in the classroom. Teachers answered questions that focused on their use of strategies to develop early literacy skills such as phoneme and grapheme recognition, segmentation, blending, rhyming, and syllabication. The results suggest that the pre-kindergarten programs currently in operation are inadequate in their teaching of early literacy phonological skills. Results further indicate that teachers are teaching with old reading readiness paradigms rather than research-based early literacy exposure paradigms.
Advisors/Committee Members: Erb, Dorothy J.
Keywords: Phonological Awareness; Pre-Kindergarten; Appalachia; Teaching Methodology
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24.
Backus, Lisa N.
Establishing Links Between Desecration, Forgiveness, and Marital Quality During Pregnancy.
Degree: Master of Arts (MA), Psychology/Clinical, 2009, Bowling Green State University
► Both academic and religious communities have long considered forgiveness a salient aspect…
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▼ Both academic and religious communities have long considered forgiveness a salient aspect of interpersonal relationships and individual well-being. This construct has been researched extensively in a secular context, but the religious aspects are only beginning to be addressed. In particular, the experience of a perceived desecration, or a violation of the sacred, may have unique impacts on the forgiveness process and also on both interpersonal relationships and individual well-being. These links become particularly important in a marriage, which is a union considered sacred by a majority of Americans. Forgiveness has been shown to be positively linked to marital quality, but the impact desecrations may have on these aspects of life have yet to be carefully studied. The purpose of the current study was to address this gap in the research. This study examined links between desecration of a marriage, spousal and spiritual forgiveness, and marital quality as shown through satisfaction and love. One hundred and seventy eight married couples in a Midwestern community completed a variety of measures designed to address these constructs. Main analyses revealed that desecration was associated with wives'report of lower levels of marital love. Marital quality, both satisfaction and love, was associated with spousal, but not spiritual, forgiveness for both wives and husbands. Desecration was associated with lower levels of spousal forgiveness in wives, but higher levels of spiritual forgiveness in both wives and husbands. Furthermore, analyses revealed that wives' spousal forgiveness may partially mediate the relationship between desecration and lower levels of marital love. These findings are discussed along with post-hoc analyses, implications, limitations, and future directions.
Advisors/Committee Members: Mahoney, Annette.
Subjects: Psychology
Keywords: desecration; forgiveness; marital quality; transition to parenthood
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25.
Bacon, Abigail D.
Distancia total: La soledad de Gabriela Mistral.
Degree: Master of Arts, Spanish, 2008, Miami University
► This thesis evaluates the theme of solitude throughout the diary of Gabriela…
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▼ This thesis evaluates the theme of solitude throughout the diary of Gabriela Mistral. First, it divides Mistral’s experience of solitude into three categories of isolation – personal, national and social – and analyzes each one separately. In doing so, it exposes an important aspect of Mistral’s individuality: her depression. The thesis then determines that the three modes of distance that Mistral experienced will be essential to enhancing further study of her poetics. Finally, it suggests that Mistral’s solitude is symbolic of Latin America’s position in the global community at that time (c. 1914-45), thereby emphasizing the significance of Mistral’s influence as a writer and activist.
Advisors/Committee Members: Ianes, Raúl.
Subjects: Hispanic Americans; Latin American history; Latin American literature; Literature; Personal relationships; Womens studies
Keywords: Gabriela Mistral; Lucila Godoy y Alcayaga; soledad; diario personal; solitude; diary
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26.
Baczkowski, Daniel M.
Diophantine Equations Involving Arithmetic Functions of Factorials.
Degree: Master of Arts, Mathematics, 2004, Miami University
► We examine and classify the solutions to certain Diophantine equations involving factorials…
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▼ We examine and classify the solutions to certain Diophantine equations involving factorials and some well known arithmetic functions. F. Luca has showed that there are finitely many solutions to the equation: f(n!)=a m! where f is one of the arithmetic functions φ or σ (sum of the divisors function) and a is a rational number. We study the solutions for this equation when a is a prime power or a reciprocal of a prime power. Furthermore, we prove that if ρ is prime and k>0 , then φ(n!)=ρ k m! and ρ k f(n!)=m! have finitely many solutions (ρ,k,m,n) , too.
Advisors/Committee Members: Akhtar, Reza.
Subjects: Mathematics
Keywords: math; mathematics; factorial; arithmetic; diophantine; n!; m!
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27.
BADAMDORJ, DORJSUREN.
MODELING AND COMPUTATION OF SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION OF OLFACTORY CILIA WITH NON-UNIFORM CNG AND Cl AND Cl(Ca)CHANNELS DISTRIBUTIONS.
Degree: PhD, Arts and Sciences : Mathematical Sciences, 2006, University of Cincinnati
► Olfactory cilia are the first components for signal transduction in the sensory…
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▼ Olfactory cilia are the first components for signal transduction in the sensory system. The cilia contain two ion channel types cyclic-nucleotide-gated (CNG) and Ca2+-gated Cl- (Cl(Ca)). These two channel types produce currents that initiate signal transduction in the olfactory receptor neuron. We use analytical and computational methods to study mathematical models of certain aspects of signal transduction in frog olfactory cilia in conjunction with known experimental results and make predictions on the properties of the cilia. In particular, we provide information on the distribution of the CNG and Cl(Ca) channels. We develop mathematical models for two different experiments, one involving the interplay between the CNG and Cl(Ca) channels and the other involving the diffusion of Ca2+ into a cilium and the resulting electrical activity. All our models have two differential equations which describe the Ca2+ concentration, membrane potential and some cases they are analytically solvable. Using forward problems with matching experimental data we obtain estimates of the spatial distribution of the Cl(Ca) channels along the length of a cilium.
Advisors/Committee Members: French, Dr. Donald.
Subjects: Mathematics
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28.
BADAM, SRINIVAS.
AN IMPROVED EKV TRANSISTOR MODEL WITH DEEP SUBMICRON EFFECTS MODELED IN VHDL-AMS.
Degree: MS, Engineering : Computer Engineering, 2007, University of Cincinnati
► With rising transistor densities and shrinking feature sizes, digital, analog and mixed-…
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▼ With rising transistor densities and shrinking feature sizes, digital, analog and mixed- signal components are now often incorporated together onto the same chip. Further, Deep- submicron and parasitic effects are increasingly playing a larger (and undesirable) role in transistor behavior. Due to these effects we cannot solely rely on digital/logic simulation, but must also employ analog simulation to obtain accurate performance of Integrated circuits. The size and complexity of the electronics systems today makes transistor level simulation times prohibitively large. Due to these issues, Analog and Mixed Signal Hardware Description Languages (AMS-HDL) have become increasingly important for modeling and simulating mixed-signal and mixed-technology systems. Significant AMS languages such as Verilog AMS and VHDL-AMS potentially provide improved simulation times and multiple levels of modeling abstraction. This thesis investigates a new continuous, dynamic charge-based MOS transistor model that incorporates various deep-submicron effects. Based on the latest EKV Model description (version 3.0), our model is implemented in VHDL-AMS. Evaluated for accuracy, performance and robustness the model demonstrates up to 10% improvement for benchmark circuits incorporating 1 to 14 transistors. Further, the model consistently executed to completion more often than for equivalent SPICE models. Thus, the new model described in this work is robust and thereby satisfies the goals of the thesis.
Advisors/Committee Members: Carter, Dr. Harold W.
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29.
BADAOUI, RAOUL.
APPROACHES FOR PARASITIC-INCLUSIVE SYMBOLIC CIRCUIT REPRESENTATION AND EXTRACTION FOR SYNTHESIS.
Degree: PhD, Engineering : Computer Science and Engineering, 2005, University of Cincinnati
► Layout-induced parasitics have significant effects on the behavior of circuits in general…
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▼ Layout-induced parasitics have significant effects on the behavior of circuits in general and the performance of high-frequency analog ones in particular. To achieve parasite-inclusive performance-closure, layout-aware circuit synthesis methodologies are beginning to emerge. In layout-in-the-loop synthesis methodologies, performance analysis is based on the generation of a concrete layout for the explored circuit sizes. A parasite-inclusive circuit is extracted from the layout using a standard extractor and is analyzed using a simulator to determine whether the required constraints are met. The purpose of layout generation during the synthesis process is solely to determine the layout-induced effects in terms of device and interconnect parasites in the extracted circuit in order to perform accurate, layout-aware performance analysis. If the parasites could be estimated or determined otherwise, there would be no need for layout generation. Various approaches of estimating parasitics lack the correctness that would only come from examining the layout itself. The proposed approach tries to include the exactness of the layout to be generated without actually generating it. It relies on using pre-generated structures for the specified un-sized circuit; these structures are generated before synthesis, they contain the information that a layout would have provided to a synthesis process if it was to be generated. This information contains extraction specifics for modules, location of modules and routing characteristics. Pre-Layout Extraction: The concept of Pre-Layout Extraction shall be used to cover the extraction specific information of modules present in the circuit. It is achieved using a high-level language MSL (Module Specification Language) for the specification of parameterized, topology-specific circuit extractors. Upon compilation, the MSL program yields an executable module which generates the extracted circuit containing parasitics, passive and active devices when given specific sizes. This is done without ever generating a layout. Multi-Placement Structures: For the placement specification of the layout, Multi-Placement Structures shall be used. The proposed approach aims at retaining the benefits of both optimization-based techniques and layout templates techniques: a fast instantiation time of layout for layout-inclusive synthesis and various placement possibilities for various input sizes. ( No restriction to a single, pre-defined template ). It consists of a one-time generation of a multi-placement structure for a specific unsized circuit. The obtained structure would be used in a layout-inclusive synthesis process in the following manner: It is provided with numerical sizes from a sizing algorithm tool and returns a specific floor-plan for the circuit. For different sizes given, the aim is to have the best floor-plan returned depending on the specified sizes. Multi-Variant Routing: The remaining part of a layout description known as routing shall be handled using the proposed idea of Multi-Variant Routing. This method follows the same line of thought as its corresponding one in the placement field. It consists of a one-time generation of a Multi-Variant Routing Structure that would instantiate distinct routing schemes for distinct specified sizes and modules positions. Depending on the size of the modules in the circuit, and on their locations instantiated using the Multi-Placement Structure, the Multi-Variant Routing Structure shall be able to produce the most efficient routing scheme for the proposed circuit. Its power relies on a one-time intelligent search accomplished before synthesis, while building the structure. Depending on the locations and the sizes of the modules in the circuit, the nets in the circuit are attached to a multiple-possibility path that is controlled by the dynamic feature of changin channels and blocks’ sizes. The combination of these three described novel methods of layout approaches can be very beneficial to the synthesis of circuits and specially analog ones. It is expected to introduce a speedup factor varying from 4 to 5 with comparison to layout-inclusive synthesis approaches while having the quality of layout exploration not found in template-based approaches.
Advisors/Committee Members: Vemuri, Dr. Ranga.
Keywords: vlsi; analog vlsi; routing; placement; extraction; pre-layout extraction
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30.
Badaro, Samer A.
The Islamic revolution of Syria (1979-1982) : class relations, sectarianism, and socio-political culture in a national progressive state.
Degree: Master of Arts, Political Science, 1987, Ohio State University
► This work was initially begun with the purpose of surveying Syria's civil…
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▼ This work was initially begun with the purpose of surveying Syria's civil upheaval of 1979-1982, the fundamentalist rebellion of the Muslim Brethren against the professedly progressive regime of 'Alawi president Hafez Assad, an episode which exploded in the aftermath of a decade of uncustomary stability in that turbulent country. It was to be a simple case study in comparative development, an example of the dialectic dichotomy between tradition and change using religion and sectarianism as the variables and focusing on the organizational level of rebels and incumbants. Four years and several changes of heart later, the study has taken on a different character. As the work progressed I grew wary of the notion of Islam as an integral part of tradition, a carry-over from a struggling past and an obstructive wall before the diffusion of modernization. The popularity of Islamic fundamentalism (political, redemptionist, or absolutistist Islam, however one might wish to identify it, as distinguished from moral guidelines and values) since the late sixties has posed critical questions concerning the process of modernization and concerning the sanctity of the theoretical models relating to it. On one hand it has indicated a "possible" reversal in the mechamics of development, if one accepts the premise that Islam – as tradition – is the anti- thesis of modernity. On the other hand, it has indicated a radical disenchantment on the part of a relevant social bloc, with the concepts, values, and processes involved in modernization. I have therefore decided to investigate the relevance of Islamic fundamentalism in terms of the country's socio- political culture. As it stands, this thesis argues that fundamental is a voluntary inovation and a cultural response to the process of socio-political development in Syria (and Middle East in general) over the past century, and not a mere carry over from bygone traditional era nor a parochial political phenomenon by fringe group in an otherwise conventional world. The two principle concepts here are dominant culture and alienation. By dominant culture, I mean that continuum of life styles, values, moral codes, attitudes, perceptions, and motivations that delineate the common social makeup of a particular community. As a continuum, dominant culture is the development and assimilation of contemporary and millenuum themes, indigenous and extragenous to any society put into contact with another. In other words, I am implicitly rejecting the notion of a "modern" (rational society following the model of the West) and "traditional" (metaphysical society as it still struggles to stand in the East) dichotomy. As for alienation, the concept has originated in Europe, notably in Germany with the Frankfurt school, to address the social mood of post-industrial societies since the 70's. The argument advanced by Jurgen Habermas and others is that the economic and political organization of post-industrial society has penetrated into the minute details of personal and informal social life. The restructuring of social relations in accordance with ever- expanding economic, technocratic, regulative, and juristical modes of organization has resulted in alienation that expresses itself in the cultural sphere. The symptoms of this alienation are depoliticization, withdrawal, ruthlessness, and disorientation, and general break down in the legitimacy of the social order. This is reflected in the disarray of the established forms of social and political expression and participation, and in the proliferation – and disarray – of "new" groups and forms of expression (e. g. the counter-culture, the Greens, etc.). Though far from advanced capitalism, fundamentals in the Middle East represents a similar alienation. It expresses societies frustration and disenchantment with its elites, with its organization, with its development over the course of the past century, and with its place in the world and its place in time. This is reflected in the theoretical tennants of fundamentalism which completely negate the legitimacy of the social order and not only the legitimacy of its elites, and in the movements success – irrespective of merit – in moblizing and dominating all forms of social and political expression outside officially sanctioned structures since the late sixties. In a nutshell, what this thesis stands for is an investigation into a particular society's "state of mind", so to speak, an analysis of its collective ambitions and designs, of the pressures imposed upon it by the implementation or the misimplementation of those designs, and of its reaction and response to its own performance through it all. The body of this work is divided into three parts. Part I, titled, "Socio-Politics of Syria," describes the social platform on which Syrian politics since independence have been staged. Part II, "Social Development under the Ba'ath," is devided into two chapters. The first elucidates the evolution and ascendency of the contemporary Syrian political elites. The second analyzes the impact of the Ba'ath's intervention into the country's socio-economic infrastructure and its political performance, which I shall be arguing had a regressive retraditionalizing and alienating effect upon the dominant Syrian culture. The expression of this alienation is to be found in the surge of Islamic fundamentalism, the subject matter of the Part III, in turn divided into three chapters. The first traces the ideological development of Syria's dominant Islamic movement (the Muslim Brethren) from a literal socialist orientation not radically different from the Ba'ath before 1967, to an autonomist and absolutist demagoguery that became the dominant mode of political expression and opposition to the status quo after 1967. The second chapter is an historical narrative of the events that culminated in the armed confrontation between the Ba'ath regime and its Islamic antagonists since the late seventies, the most vocal expression of .social dissaffection and social alienation known to Syrian society since the fifties. The third and final chapter adresses the social significance of Islamic fundamentalism and its implications with respect to Syrian (and Middle Eastern) socio-political development.
Advisors/Committee Members: Herrmann, Richard.
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