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Forensic Soil Analysis: Characterization Of The Sand Fraction, John Baize
Forensic Soil Analysis: Characterization Of The Sand Fraction, John Baize
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
The purpose of this project was to develop a comprehensive analytical method for the characterization of soil by examining particle size, elemental composition, and percent organic matter in soil, and to determine its forensic applicability. In this study, five soils of varying geological locations were examined including two samples from Kentucky; two samples from Pennsylvania; and one from Washington D C A Gilson sonic sieve shaker was used to separate fractions of soil to determine particle size, and a JEOL scanning electron microscope with a Kevex EDS detector was used to determine elemental composition. These techniques coupled with percent total …
African American In Televised Advertisements: A Content Analysis, Amy Anderson
African American In Televised Advertisements: A Content Analysis, Amy Anderson
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
The purpose of this study was to analyze African American portrayals in televised advertisements over a sixday period in November 1995. A total of 799 advertisements were analyzed, including 205 that depicted at least one African American actor. Content analysis was used to describe the following, with respect to African American actors: age, gender, day and time of portrayal, occupational role, and products and services advertised. Comparisons were also made between frequencies of actors of different races and amount of time these actors appeared. When compared with previous studies of African American television portrayals, many improvements were observed as well …
Friendship Patterns And School Adjustment In The Mixed-Age Context, Sarah Caverly
Friendship Patterns And School Adjustment In The Mixed-Age Context, Sarah Caverly
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
While friendship patterns and the relationship between friendship status and school adjustment have been studied in same-age classrooms, little is known about friendship patterns and the contribution of friendship status to school adjustment in mixed-age classrooms. The purposes of the present study were to investigate friendship patterns in a large sample of mixed-age (ungraded) primary classrooms and to examine the contribution of friendship status to school adjustment in a smaller subsample of ungraded primary children. Peer acceptance level and age relative to classmates both had a significant impact on the number of reciprocated friends children had, and on the relative …
Analysis Of The Ministerial Emphasis Survey Quantifying The Call Of The Church, Ray Doyel
Analysis Of The Ministerial Emphasis Survey Quantifying The Call Of The Church, Ray Doyel
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
The expectations of a church for its minister are broad and difficult to define. These expectations are perhaps most intently examined when the church is seeking to replace a minister. It is during this time that the church may attempt to measure in some way the expectations of the congregation. These expectations may be studied from different perspectives, ranging from the effectiveness of the minister to the leadership style of the minister. This research examined the Ministerial Emphasis Survey which was used by a mainline, Protestant denomination during an actual minister search. The study included participants from the congregation, the …
An Examination Of The Strengths And Weaknesses Of Newton's Method For Nonlinear Optimization, Renita Demalade
An Examination Of The Strengths And Weaknesses Of Newton's Method For Nonlinear Optimization, Renita Demalade
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
This thesis begins with the history of operations research and introduces two of its major branches, linear and nonlinear optimization. While other methods are mentioned, the focus is on analytical methods used to solve nonlinear optimization problems. We briefly look at some of the most effective constrained methods for nonlinear optimization and then show how unconstrained methods often play a role in developing effective constrained optimization algorithms. In particular we examine Newton and steepest descent methods, focusing primarily on Newton/quasi-Newton methods. Because Newton's method is primarily viewed as a root-finding method, we start with the basic root-finding algorithm for single …
Local Use Of A Nationally-Developed Predictor Of University Student Attrition, Michelle Huffman
Local Use Of A Nationally-Developed Predictor Of University Student Attrition, Michelle Huffman
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
In this study we examine the ability of the scales of the College Student Inventory (CSI) to predict attrition at a single institution. We also develop a locally-specific dropout proneness model with which to compare the nationally-developed model of the CSI. Attention is given to the incremental validity of both of these models over high school grade point average and ACT composite scores. Dropout Proneness National, although statistically significantly related to attrition, was lacking in practical significance, especially when considering its incremental predictive value over high school grade point average and ACT composite score. Dropout Proneness Local was found to …
Synchronizing Estrus And Improving Subsequent Production And Performance With Prostaglandin F2 Alpha And Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin, Bryan Kutz
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Two-hundred-seventy-two sows were utilized in two trials to evaluate the effects of prostaglandin and pregnant mare serum on reducing weaning to estrus interval, increasing the degree of estrus synchrony and improving fertility at estrus resulting in improved pregnancy rates and subsequent litter performance. Sows were randomly allotted to treatments. In trial 1, sows were assigned to one of three treatments: T1 (n=18; l0mg of PGF2α /hd 24-48 hrs. after parturition), T2 (n=20; lOmg of PGF 2 α /hd at weaning) and controls (n=20). No differences (P>.05) were observed for survival rate and 21D litter wt. among treated and the …
Factors That Motivate Ymca Volunteers, Theresa Lubke
Factors That Motivate Ymca Volunteers, Theresa Lubke
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) is a not-for-profit organization that depends heavily on volunteers. As one of many such organizations, the YMCA must continually strive to find the best methods of recruiting and retaining volunteers. Although the field of psychology has done considerable research on what motivates people to engage in helping behavior and Volunteerism, there has been little applied research in this area. There appeared to be a lack of applicable research that would assist YMCA staff in their recruitment and development of volunteers. This present research focused on helping to fill that gap. The purpose of this …
Patients' Attitudes Toward The Use Of Nurse Practitioners, Laurie Maxwell
Patients' Attitudes Toward The Use Of Nurse Practitioners, Laurie Maxwell
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Since the advent of the role of nurse practitioner in the mid 1960s, nurse practitioners have practiced in traditional settings such as health departments, clinics, and physicians' offices. More recently, nurse practitioners have been utilized in non-traditional settings such as the emergency department. Some studies have been done that support the theory that nurse practitioners can function effectively in this setting; however additional studies are needed on this topic. The purpose of this study was to explore patients' attitudes toward the use of nurse practitioners and to determine what patient variables were related to these attitudes. More specifically, this study …
A Study Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons During Combustion In An Afbc System, Laura Dicken
A Study Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons During Combustion In An Afbc System, Laura Dicken
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
The purpose of this study was to develop the on-line method of analysis which leads to the study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during combustion in an atmospheric fluidized bed combustor (AFBC) system. The study of PAHs is important because they may be produced upon the combustion of coal. The US EPA prioritizes PAHs as major pollutants due to their mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. Standards of PAHs were analyzed by injection into the gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). These standards were then analyzed using the on-line method. Two coals were burned in the AFBC system and effluent samples were collected. These …
Reflection/Reflected The Construction Of Female Subjectivity In Elizabeth Bowen's The Last September And The Death Of The Heart, Laura Bartlett
Reflection/Reflected The Construction Of Female Subjectivity In Elizabeth Bowen's The Last September And The Death Of The Heart, Laura Bartlett
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
As I read Elizabeth Bowen's The Last September and The Death of the Heart, questions arose, persisted, and remained unanswered until I undertook the project of applying poststructuralist theories to these novels. Reading The Last September, I puzzled over the female protagonist's relationship to an ancillary character, which Bowen repeatedly represents in terms of the father-daughter relationship. Reading both The Last September and The Death of the Heart, I was struck by the fact that although Bowen is typically categorized as a "classical realist," she embarks upon the quest of depicting the identity construction of two female adolescents but abandons …
Development Of An Atmospheric Fluidized Bed Combustor (Afbc), William Orndorff
Development Of An Atmospheric Fluidized Bed Combustor (Afbc), William Orndorff
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
The relatively recent interest in the U.S. in the development of atmospheric fluidized bed combustion (AFBC) has been preceded by two main factors. First of these is the ever present problem of acid rain and growing public support for cleaner burning fossil fuels. Second is the increasing demand on public landfills and subsequent need for burning of municipal solid waste. From these factors and their corresponding influences, Western Kentucky University has the impetus and has received the financial assistance necessary to build and develop a laboratory scale AFBC system. A brief history of the events leading to this development, as …
Characteristics And Resource Utilization Of Patients Of A Proprietary Home Health Agency In Rural South Central Kentucky, Linda Sewell
Characteristics And Resource Utilization Of Patients Of A Proprietary Home Health Agency In Rural South Central Kentucky, Linda Sewell
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
The home health industry's introduction to managed care raises the prospect of reduced access to health care and poor outcomes for a vulnerable segment of our population—the rural elderly. Before effective intervention strategies can be accurately evaluated, a clearer picture of the sociodemographic features and home care service consumption is needed for this understudied group. The study was intended to provide a basis for future research into the evaluation of alternative methods of delivering effective care in terms of outcome and decreased cost for this population. A retrospective descriptive analysis was made of the patient record for the first six …
Studies On Resolution Of Enantiomeric Dialkylaryl Sulfonium Ions With Nmr Shift Reagents, Ea-Ji-Ru Son
Studies On Resolution Of Enantiomeric Dialkylaryl Sulfonium Ions With Nmr Shift Reagents, Ea-Ji-Ru Son
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Praseodymium(III) NMR shift reagent, which is an upfield shift reagent, is focused on for assessment of enantiomeric excess and resolution of methyl sulfonium ions. A series of alkylmethylphenylsulfonium ions were analyzed, where alkyl is ethyl (I), butyl(H), octyl (III), and benzyl(IY). The praseodymium agent gives base-lined resolution of the ortho hydrogens resonance for I and IH. All spectra are strongly temperature-dependent. I is shifted more than ED, consistent with a steric effect. Assignments for I were made by gradually increasing the concentration of the shift reagent and by analyzing R-enriched I. Racemization of R-enriched isomer of I by pyramidal inversion …
Personality Types Of Registered Nurses Employed In A Rural Community Hospital, Tina Snodgrass
Personality Types Of Registered Nurses Employed In A Rural Community Hospital, Tina Snodgrass
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
The purpose of this study was to identify the personality types of registered nurses in a rural community. An extensive literature review revealed that no studies, utilizing the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) to identify personality types, had been conducted with rural nurses. Jung's Psychological Type Theory was the theoretical framework for the study. The MBTI operationalizes Jung's theory and was utilized to determine the most frequently occurring personality types of the nurses. A descriptive study was conducted at a 68 bed acute care hospital. The sample consisted of 40 experienced registered nurses working in staff positions within the hospital. Sensing, …
Maternal Age: Influence On Length Of Gestation And Birth Weight, Charlotte Bratcher
Maternal Age: Influence On Length Of Gestation And Birth Weight, Charlotte Bratcher
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
The findings indicated no significant differences among the age groups in relation to infant birth weight nor in relation to the risk factors of smoking, maternal weight gain, trimester of first entry into prenatal care, or marital status They did indicate a significant difference [F(2,85) = 4.1364, p < .05] between the oldest and the youngest group (CD = 3.37, a = .05) in relation to gestational length. These findings are significant for healthcare providers in rural areas, since much of the previous research had been done in highly urbanized or inner city settings.
Mathematical Modeling Of Convective Heat Transfer In Mammoth Cave, Jonathan Jernigan
Mathematical Modeling Of Convective Heat Transfer In Mammoth Cave, Jonathan Jernigan
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Around two centuries ago, changes were made to the entrances of Mammoth Cave and its passages. Today the Historic Entrance to Mammoth Cave is enlarged and the passage just beyond the entrance known as Houchins' Narrows has been cleared of rubble and filled with sediments. These enlargements have resulted in an increase in airflow throughout the Historic Section of the cave causing environmental conditions such as air temperature and airflow to fluctuate. These fluctuations have negatively impacted inhabitants and contents of the cave system. To restore natural conditions within the cave, Science and Resource Management personnel at Mammoth Cave National …
A Statewide Survey Linking Assessment To Interventions: Assessing Teacher Awareness And Training Needs Related To Students With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Leann Pearson
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
The present study, using a survey questionnaire developed by Luckett (1996), was completed by 211 kindergarten through sixth grade teachers in 33 school districts across Kentucky. The sample consisted of regular education, special education, and Title One teachers with one to thirty-one years of experience. Educational backgrounds of the predominantly female sample ranged from bachelor's to doctoral degrees. The survey included four distinct sections. Participants were questioned about (a) knowledge level with respect to the diagnostic criteria and diagnostic labels for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, (b) intervention preferences for addressing ADHD student's behaviors in the classroom, (c) interventions which they would …
Fundamental Investigations Of Mechanistic Pathways Of Selected Organic Reactive Intermediates, Carl Whittle
Fundamental Investigations Of Mechanistic Pathways Of Selected Organic Reactive Intermediates, Carl Whittle
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Part 1 of this thesis deals with the role that it -electron density plays in the formation of it -complexes in electrophilic aromatic substitution. Using commercial and synthetic compounds of varying it-electron density, the fact that % -complexes actually exist in these species was determined by a mass spectral investigation that was designed to monitor alkyl side-chain isomerizaitons. Also, the amount of it-complex was determined for each compound by measuring the amount of alkyl carbenium ion loss in each compound's mass spectrum. Found within the systems was an internal trend showing that the greater the amount of 7t-electron density in …
Ta Da! - The Text Adventure Design Assistant A Visual Tool For The Development Of Adventure Games, Sean Molley
Ta Da! - The Text Adventure Design Assistant A Visual Tool For The Development Of Adventure Games, Sean Molley
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
In this paper, I survey past and present tools available to text adventure game authors, and then describe a new product: the Text Adventure Design Assistant (TA DA!), a visual programming system for creating text adventure games. My system consists of two parts: an abstract framework which defines an archetypical game, and a user interface which allows for the construction of games in a visual manner by manipulating the elements of the abstract game to produce a concrete design. The two most popular contemporary programming languages for creating text adventure games, TADS and Inform, are compared and contrasted, and my …
The General Well-Being Of Recreational Drug Users: A Sub-Analysis Of The Drugnet Survey, Jennifer Reneau
The General Well-Being Of Recreational Drug Users: A Sub-Analysis Of The Drugnet Survey, Jennifer Reneau
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Issues related to substance use/abuse and mental health are significant public health concerns. Substance abuse is considered an individual and community mental health problem. The relationship between substance use and positive mental well-being, however, is less well understood. The purpose of this study was to describe the mental well-being of a sample of occasional, recreational drug users. Drugnet was an on-line survey of recreational drug use by non-deviant adults via the WWW. Volunteer subjects completed the survey over the internet between March and September 1997. Mental health was assessed utilizing the General Well-being Schedule (GWBS). A complete demographic profile of …
Rural Acceptance Of The Nurse Practitioner, Mary Branstetter
Rural Acceptance Of The Nurse Practitioner, Mary Branstetter
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
The rural community has lacked adequate healthcare providers for the past thirty years. Collaboration between physician and family nurse practitioner is an option for meeting the need for delivery of primary healthcare in the rural community. A descriptive design was used to describe the acceptance of the nurse practitioner by patients living in rural southcentral Kentucky who utilize the services of the community hospital. Every fifth inpatient and outpatient discharge was mailed the Kviz Assessment Questionnaire and a demographic survey. The questionnaires (N = 842) were mailed over a four week survey period with reminder postcards mailed to each survey …
Methods And Techniques Of Training Social Competency In Head Start, Kimberly Ely
Methods And Techniques Of Training Social Competency In Head Start, Kimberly Ely
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
This study was conducted to determine Kentucky Head Start teachers' perceptions about fostering social competency in preschool children. In addition, current techniques that teachers use to enhance social competency in students were examined. Information was gathered through a survey mailed to Head Start teachers in Kentucky. Of the 208 surveys mailed, 59 were returned. The majority of the respondents had a Child Development Associate degree and had been teaching for an average of nine years. Results of this study indicated Head Start teachers strongly agreed to the importance of teaching social competency, and the teachers agreed it should be a …
The Relationship Between Meaning In Life And The Occurrence Of Drug Abuse: An Epidemiological Retrospective Study, Ben Howard
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Humans have been using plant-derived drugs for as long as we have recorded history. Significant negative consequences related to drug abuse have occurred in the areas of health, social issues, family relations, legal systems, and economic productivity. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between meaning in life and drug abuse. An epidemiological, retrospective study was performed to compare personal meaning in life between individuals receiving inpatient treatment for drug abuse and a group of non-drug abusing controls. Study participants completed the Purpose-In-Life Test and Life Attitude Profile-Revised. On both instruments, the inpatient drug abusing subjects were …
The Beneficial Effect Of Vitamin E And Selenium During Experimental Chagas' Disease, Yue Hou
The Beneficial Effect Of Vitamin E And Selenium During Experimental Chagas' Disease, Yue Hou
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
The present study was conducted to determine if vitamin E and selenium could have a positive synergistic effect during experimental Chagas' disease. In the first phase of the study, 25 female C3HeB/FeJ mice were infected with a Brazil strain of Trypanosoma cruzi while receiving vitamin E supplementation of 0 IU/kg, 200 IU/kg, 400 IU/kg, 600 IU/kg, 800 IU/kg in their diets. In the second phase, 20 female C3HeB/FeJ mice were infected while receiving 400 IU/kg vitamin E plus selenium supplementation of 2 ppm, 4 ppm, 8 ppm, 16 ppm in their drinking water. The results demonstrate that vitamin E does …
Computer Technology In Writing Centers: Ways To Increase Their Effectiveness In The Instruction Of Freshman English And Intercurricular Studies, Christopher King
Computer Technology In Writing Centers: Ways To Increase Their Effectiveness In The Instruction Of Freshman English And Intercurricular Studies, Christopher King
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Creating a space in Room 127 that is increasingly vital to English 100 is more complicated than just having students write on computers. To maximize our potentials in Room 127, we must deal with a variety of aspects — the history of the Writing Center, its functions, perceptions of it, pedagogies related to it, and its space, and our goals, for example ~ before we simply sit our freshman in front of computers and give them a writing prompt. Chapter One will provide a brief history of what Room 127's function has been. This review is necessary so that we …
A Study Of The Volatile Matter Of Coal As A Function Of The Heating Rate, Enrique Santos
A Study Of The Volatile Matter Of Coal As A Function Of The Heating Rate, Enrique Santos
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
A study of volatile matter yields as a function of the heating rate was conducted. A suite of 21 coal and coke samples varying in rank from anthracitic to lignitic and heating rates from 10°C/min to about 450°C/min were used in the study. Heating rates up to 60°C per minute, which are typically used in ASTM Test Method 5142 (instrumental Proximate Analysis), were achieved in a macro thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) system. Heating rates of 50-200°C/min were obtained in a micro TGA system. All measurements were made in a nitrogen atmosphere. The results of the study illustrate the dependance of the …
A Study Of The Stochastic Behavior Of Durable Goods Consumption, Alexander Lebedinsky
A Study Of The Stochastic Behavior Of Durable Goods Consumption, Alexander Lebedinsky
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
The author of this thesis examines the stochastic behavior of durables consumption in the rational expectations/permanent income hypothesis framework. The testing in this paper parallels the studies conducted by other researchers, who basing their work mainly on quarterly data rejected the frictionless rational expectations/permanent income hypothesis. The distinctive feature of this thesis is that the models are examined using monthly instead of quarterly data. The results of the estimation are compared to the results based on quarterly data. The results show that estimates obtained using monthly data seem to be more consistent with the frictionless rational expectations/permanent income hypothesis than …
The Application Of Leadership Skills By Managers, Supervisors, And Group Leaders In A Small Manufacturing Company: Self-Management As A Transfer Of Training Method, Jason Chadwell
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
The purpose of this study was to determine if training in self-management principles would enhance the transfer of training in leadership skills to the work setting. Managers, supervisors, and group leaders of a small manufacturing company served as the participants for the study. Two training groups were formed, one which received training in leadership skills only and another which received training in leadership skills and self-management. Prior to and after training all participants completed a learning measure and were rated by subordinates, peers, and/or supervisors on the demonstration of leadership skills on the job. Results showed that training significantly increased …
Parent And Teacher Perceptions Of Student Teacher Assistance Teams, Laura Dinning
Parent And Teacher Perceptions Of Student Teacher Assistance Teams, Laura Dinning
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
The Student Teacher Assistance Team (STAT) method is one form of prereferral intervention that involves the problem-solving of teachers and other school professionals with the goal of obtaining more efficient and effective help for students in the regular education setting. After an examination of the research in the area of prereferral interventions, it was noted that few research studies mentioned parents' involvement in and none were found assessing parents' perceptions of the process. This study examines both parent and teacher perceptions of student teacher assistance teams (STATs) in a small rural county in Kentucky. Participants in the study involved 44 …