Bone is a largely bipartite viscoelastic composite. Its mechanical behavior is determined by strain rate and the relative proportions of its principal constituent elements, hydroxyapatite and collagen, but is also largely dictated by their geometry and topology. Collagen fibrils include many segments of tropocollagen in staggered, parallel sequences. The physical staggering of this tropocollagen allows for gaps known as hole-zones, which serve as nucleation points for apatite mineral. The distance between adjacent repeat units of tropocollagen is known as D-Spacing and can be measured by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). This D-Spacing can vary in length slightly within a bundle, but by an additional order of magnitude within the same specimen, and can significantly alter the proportion of hydroxyapatite. Previous researchers have built and refined a Finite Element Analysis “Complex Model” to capture the consequences of adjusting D-Spacing and the viscoelastic parameters. This will ultimately serve to elucidate and perhaps predict the mechanical consequences of biological events that alter these parameters. This study aims to further refine the model’s precision by accounting for crosslinking between fibrils, the presence of which serves to add mechanical strength. This study also looks to refine the currently used rheological models by way of frequency dependent parameters in the hopes of improving model accuracy over a wider frequency range. Hormonal factors such as estrogen can significantly determine the composition of bone. Menopause marks a significant reduction in circulating estrogen and has been shown to factor heavily in the development of conditions like osteoporosis. Because sheep feature a hormonal cycle and skeletal structure similar to humans, three of six mature Columbia-Rambouillet ewes were randomly selected to undergo an ovariectomy, the remainder serving as sham-operated controls. Twelve months later twenty-five beam samples were harvested from their radius bones for mechanical analysis and other testing, including atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The data gleaned from these tests provide an experimental basis of comparison with The Complex Model. A 2-D Finite Element Analysis model in Abaqus was first created by Miguel Mendoza, which enforced viscoelasticity and a realistic proportion and placement of hydroxyapatite and collagen. The viscoelasticity was modeled using a Standard Linear Solid involving springs and a dashpot element. Crosslinks of varying number and location were arranged within the former model configuration as node to surface tie-constraints to explore the treatment of the FEA Model as a more realistic assembly of parts. Frequencies utilized for this model included 1, 3, 9 and 12 Hz. This approach is referred to in this research as the Intermolecular Forces (IMF) Scheme. The model was subsequently refined by Christopher Ha and Austin Cummings. The model was characterized by 2x100 unit half-cells, the lengths of which were randomly generated by a Python script. This script ingested the mean and standard deviation D-Spacing length to generate a model geometrically similar to a real specimen bearing those dimensions. A frequency dependent value for the dashpot element in the rheological model used for tropocollagen was developed using this latter FEA model, named the Complex Model. Dashpot values explored for this variable dashpot included 0.0125, 0.125, 0.3125, 0.45, 0.5875, 0.725, 0.8625 and 1.25 GPa-s, some values chosen for their high performance in past studies and others to further narrow the search for the best performing dashpot. All dashpot values were investigated over the previously stated frequencies in addition to 2, 5, 7 and 12 Hz. The best fit dashpot values were plotted against the frequencies in which they best performed and a polynomial trend line was fitted to establish an equation, and that equation was used to modify an existing user material subroutine for tropocollagen to provide an automatic frequency dependent dashpot value to Abaqus. This approach is referred to in this research as the Variable Dashpot (VD) Scheme. Results for the IMF scheme generally performed poorly, with the fully tie-constrained model performing best with 0.77 and 0.024 for R2 and RMSE respectively. Of the randomized crosslink models, that with the lowest number (N=20) of randomly placed non-enzymatic crosslinks performed best with 0.81 and 0.051 for R2 and RMSE respectively. Increasing the number of randomized crosslinks reduced model fit, and the remaining three variants exhibited mean R2 and RMSE values of 0.66-0.67 and 0.052 respectively. For the VD scheme, models running custom modified variable dashpot UMATs yielded R2 and RMSE values of 0.87 and 0.012 for C2207, and 0.89 and 0.008 for C1809. This is a notable fit considering all other material property parameters are held constant throughout each frequency. In the rheological model, this research also found a striking difference between the frequency dependent viscous element values that made each model perform best. This indicates that differences in D-Spacing standard deviations between OVX and control may be associated with distinct strain-rate dependent mechanical responses.

The D-spacing that is characteristic of collagen and its structural arrangement was previously thought to be a constant value. Much research is revealing that it is actually a distribution of values in biological tissues. Recent ovine experimentation has also shown that the D-spacing distribution is significantly altered following estrogen depletion. While ewes contain some major biological differences between their human counterparts, they are an economical and robust large animal model for postmenopausal osteoporosis. So, the exploration of the possible implications that D-spacing has on the mechanical properties of the whole bone utilizing animal models and computational methods is warranted. Six Warhill ewes were used in this experiment and were either ovariectomized or underwent a sham surgery. The animals were sacrificed after 3 years and the radius and ulna bone were harvested for further analysis. Rectangular beams of compact bone tissue were machined from six different sectors in the whole bone and dynamic mechanical analysis tests were performed on the 24 specimens. The viscoelastic property, tangent delta, was measured from each test at varying frequencies. A composite arrangement of collagen and hydroxyapatite were then computationally modeled utilizing finite element analysis to observe the effects of altered D-spacing on the mechanical properties. Jager and Fratzl’s staggered array model allowed the inclusion of a D-spacing configuration as well as the simplified 2 dimensional plane strain analysis. Hydroxyapatite was modeled as a perfectly elastic material, while the hydrated collagen component was linear viscoelastic through the use of the standard linear solid model. The main finding of the work is that D-spacing only significantly altered the tangent delta of the computational model when the mineral volume fraction changed. Since the composite model analyzed the structural arrangement of compact bone at such a small scale, the change in mineral volume fraction could only be realistically attributed to intrafibrillar mineral. The results of this preliminary analysis are promising and warrant the continued investigation of D-spacing and mineral content and their significance in the osteoporotic condition.

Narrow row corn production has gained interest in the Mid-South region over the last several years. This narrow row spacing interest has been inspired by increase of soybean grain yield from narrow rows. Therefore, production practices were evaluated for proper management of narrow row corn production. Additionally, the management of glyphosate- and potentially auxin-resistant weeds place pressure on other POST chemistries. Therefore, optimizing glufosinate applications are essential for control of Palmer amaranth. The objectives of this research were four-fold: 1) evaluate the phenotypic and grain yield responses of narrow row corn production under irrigated conditions, 2) test corn hybrids for their response to increased plant population in a narrow row configuration in rainfed environments, 3) assess sidedress nitrogen fertilizer practices in narrow row corn production systems, and 4) further investigate glufosinate management for POST control of Palmer amaranth. The results of this research suggest few phenotypic changes by utilizing narrow rows in corn, but most importantly, a 0.7 Mg ha-1 increase in grain yield across all plant populations. Agronomic optimum plant populations for both irrigated and non-irrigated environments ranged from 101-120 thousand plants ha-1 with hybrids varying in their response to increased plant population. Additionally, sidedress nitrogen application methods of knife-in UAN vs. broadcasting treated urea responded similarly with respect to grain yield. Agronomic and economic optimum nitrogen rate would vary significantly by site. Regarding glufosinate management, smaller droplet sizes provided the greatest control of Palmer amaranth. In conclusion, these data suggest that narrow row corn production is a viable strategy to increase corn grain yield and seeding rates should be adjusted dependent on the corn hybrid of choice. Also, controlling Palmer amaranth in Dundee, MS with glufosinate was best utilizing smaller droplet sizes.

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This study was designed to determine if college students perform differently when they are tested more frequently than less frequently. The purpose of this research study was: (a) to determine if there is a difference in achievement between students given weekly tests (experimental group) and students given monthly tests (control group), (b) to determine if there is a difference in knowledge retention between students given weekly tests and students given monthly tests, and (c) to determine if there is a difference in time spent studying between students given weekly tests and students given monthly tests. The research design used was a true experimental form of the posttest-only with control technique. The participants were 109 students taking Principles of Marketing at Concord College in Athens, West Virginia. Fifty were enrolled in the fall of 1996, and the study was replicated with 59 students who were enrolled in the spring of 1997. Half of each class (fall and spring) was randomly assigned to weekly testing and the other halves were assigned to monthly testing. The weekly and monthly groups were taught simultaneously by the researcher both semesters. To test for differences in achievement between the weekly group and the monthly group, the mean test scores were compared at 80-question intervals. To test for differences in knowledge retention between the weekly group and the monthly group, the mean final exam scores were compared. To test for differences in hours spent studying between the weekly group and the monthly group, the means from the self-reported study hours surveys were compared at 80-question intervals. Based on the results of analysis of covariance, the research showed a significant difference in achievement between the weekly and the monthly groups in favor of the weekly group ( p = .007). However, the difference between the weekly and monthly group final exam scores was not significant ( p = .553), and the difference between the weekly and monthly groups' self-reported study hours was also not significant ( p = .231). / Ph. D.

Much previous experimentation related to wood structures has employed monotonic loading to replicate static situations. However, instances of natural hazards have raised interest in the response of structural connections to dynamic loads. This increased interest led the Consortium of Universities for Research in Earthquake Engineering (CUREE) to develop a testing protocol for reverse-cyclic loading, which involves cycling loads through zero in order to test specimens in both tension and compression. With the CUREE testing protocol in place, recent research has been devoted to understanding the effects of reverse-cyclic loading on multiple-fastener connections. Experimentation by Heine (2001), Anderson (2002), Billings (2004) and others contributed to a better understanding of bolted connection behavior under reverse-cyclic loading. However, some questions remained. Billings was unable to consistently produce yield modes III and IV, meaning that her suggested bolt spacing of seven times the bolt diameter (7D) could not be applied to connections subject to these yield modes without further testing. In addition, the work of Anderson and Billings raised questions regarding the proper measurement of bending yield strength in bolts and the relationship between the bending yield strength and the tensile yield strength. These topics are each addressed by this project and thesis report. Results of the connection testing presented in this report can be used in conjunction with the work of Anderson and Billings to critically evaluate the 4D between-bolt spacing recommended by the National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction (AF&PA, 2001). Results of the bolt testing provide a supplement to the search for a reliable method for the measurement of bending yield strength in bolts. / Master of Science

Segmental long spacing (SLS) collagen self-assembly was studied by analyzing aggregates formed from different nucleoside triphosphates at various protonation stages. Triple-negatively charged triphosphate groups were determined to be critical for SLS assembly, electrostatically bridging basic residues between collagen monomers. In the second part of this thesis, the nominal elastic modulus for each of the three forms of Type I collagen aggregate was measured and compared. Fibrous long spacing collagen, often associated with diseased tissues, exhibited lower stiffness in comparison to the other forms, native and SLS, suggesting decreased structural stability in diseased tissues. In the last section, a unidirectional pattern of native fibrils was assembled using mica as a template; the ability to customize and change the surface morphology was also demonstrated. For the first time, collagen monomers deposited on the mica were demonstrated to gain lateral mobility.

Segmental long spacing (SLS) collagen self-assembly was studied by analyzing aggregates formed from different nucleoside triphosphates at various protonation stages. Triple-negatively charged triphosphate groups were determined to be critical for SLS assembly, electrostatically bridging basic residues between collagen monomers. In the second part of this thesis, the nominal elastic modulus for each of the three forms of Type I collagen aggregate was measured and compared. Fibrous long spacing collagen, often associated with diseased tissues, exhibited lower stiffness in comparison to the other forms, native and SLS, suggesting decreased structural stability in diseased tissues. In the last section, a unidirectional pattern of native fibrils was assembled using mica as a template; the ability to customize and change the surface morphology was also demonstrated. For the first time, collagen monomers deposited on the mica were demonstrated to gain lateral mobility.

The aim of this work is comparing three casting process simulation programs for porosity and microstructure prediction capabilities for die-casting. After confronting these results with experimentally measured data taken from real castings it could be said that simulation is pretty accurate for DAS microstructure prediction and hot-spot areas. Amount of measured porosity could not be compared with predicted values because specimens were not taken from the exact hot-spot areas.