Digital Commons Network^™

Decentralized Optimal Control With Application To Dynamic Routing In Computer Communication Networks, Ning Wang

Dissertations

This research considers the dynamic routing problem of computer communication networks in the framework of decentralized control theory. The routing dynamics are modeled in terms of a state equation with multiple controllers. Routing, or control of message flow, is formulated as an optimal control problem with multiple decision makers. Each decision maker may have access to different set of information and work cooperatively to optimize a common system performance index.

Necessary and sufficient conditions for optimality are derived for a system with a deterministic and a stochastic traffic patterns under a linear information structure and a quadratic performance index. The …

A Study Of The Validity Of The Global Assessment Scale, Daniel J. Dekker

Dissertations

The study evaluated the concurrent validity of the Global Assessment Scale (GAS), a rating scale which is used to measure overall severity of psychiatric disturbance in program evaluation systems and in research studies. Validity was evaluated by comparing GAS ratings of 60 community mental health outpatients to scores on the MMPI.

The literature review indicated that the GAS has been used in over 90 studies. Thirty-one inter-rater reliability coefficients cited indicated an acceptable median reliability of .80, but studies relevant to the GAS's validity were sparse and marginally supportive. The GAS was utilized primarily to evaluate change due to psychotherapy …

Psychological Typology Of The Local Firm Certified Public Accountant, Paul John Otte

Dissertations

This research expanded the study of psychological typology to the local firm Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Differences in type have been previously reported, based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), resulting from both level of authority and area of specialization in Big Eight firm CPAs. This study utilized the MBTI and a Personal Data Questionnaire to identify types and accumulate data related to the independent variables of level and preferred area of specialization. The MBTI operationalizes Jung's type theory and reports 16 possible Jungian types which were the dependent variables in this study.

The population of interest included individuals employed …

A Comparison Of Sexual And Non-Sexual Assault Prosecution, Susan Caringella-Macdonald

Dissertations

In 1974 the state of Michigan enacted what has come to be referred to as model rape legislation. A salient objective of the Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) Code in this state was to facilitate the comparable rather than unique handling of sexual assaults in the criminal justice system. The primary purpose of this study was to discern whether or not this objective of equitable case treatment was realized through implementation. The focus of this research was therefore directed towards the discovery of differences in sexual and non-sexual assault case prosecutions. Specific aspects of legal change involving corroboration requirements, consent and …

A Study Of The Environmental Aspects Of Schistosomiasis In Libya, Abubaker I. Swehli

Dissertations

Schistosomiasis is a serious disease in humans. Two species of schistosome, Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium, organisms that cause the disease, parasitize humans in Libya. Schistosomes require aquatic snails in their life cycle. The purpose of this study was to investigate the environmental and the host relationships of the disease in the three regions of Libya where the disease is found. These relationships include:

1) Analyses of the physical-chemical characteristics of the aquatic habitat.

2) Collection of snails to determine: a) the kind of snail species and th e ir abundance; and b) the cercarial infestation rates.

3) Infection rates …

The Perceptual Effect Of Patients' First Name On The Clinical Judgment Of Psychopathology By Psychotherapists, Dennis G. Cowan

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between a patient's first name (desirable versus undesirable) and the clinical judgment of psychopathology by mental health professionals. Specifically, this study examined how a patient's first name affected the diagnosis of maladjustment.

A total of 266 mental health professionals viewed a standardized video taped interview with a patient. Through the analysis of two surveys, the following first names were randomly presented with the viewed patient: Christopher, David, Mortimer and Junior. It was found, at the .00001 level of probability, that when the patient possessed the less desirable first name of …

A Study Of The Knowledge About Reading Concepts Of Principals Of Schools Holding Membership In The Association Of Christian Schools International, Maxine Edge Margesson

Dissertations

This study focused upon the amount of knowledge that elementary principals in schools holding membership in the Association of Christian Schools International have regarding primary reading instruction. The problem was based on the contention that the elementary principal is responsible for the instructional program in his or her school, and in order to offer quality supervision, he or she must be knowledgeable about curriculum.

Data were obtained from a research questionnaire completed by 220 principals and 1,065 elementary teachers. The questionnaire contained 40 statments relating to primary-grade reading. Seven categories of reading concepts were utilized: (1) word recognition, (2) comprehension, …

An Analysis Of Available Selection Factors For Judging The Educational Merit Of Short Duration, Out-Of-House, Management Training Programs For American Corporations, Douglas R. Loomer

Dissertations

The purpose of this research project was twofold. First, to determine which, if any, information items, normally known about short duration out-of-house management training programs (seminars, workshops, etc.) prior to attendance, are indicative of educational merit. Second, to utilize this knowledge of educational merit indicators to test for a difference between the educational merit of out-of-house management training programs provided by (a) academic and (b) nonacademic instructional sources.

A total of 20 program characteristics were identified as indicators of educational merit by a review of literature and/or survey of corporate training officers. Six of these 20 indicators produced a difference …

On Isomorphic Decompositions Of Graphs, Sergio Ruiz

Dissertations

A decomposition of a nonempty graph G is a collection of subgraphs G(,1), G(,2), ... , G(,k) of G such that their edge sets form a partition of the edge set of G. If G(,i) is isomorphic to a fixed graph H for each i, then G has an isomorphic decomposition into the graph H or, equivalently, G is H-decomposable. Several topics, each concerning isomorphic decompositions, are investigated in this dissertation.

An historical introduction to the subject of isomorphic decompositions is given in Chapter I. We also present there some new information on finding regular graphs that are H-decomposable for …

Mathematical Models Of Unsteady Operation Of A Packed Column, Jen-Fu Chao

Dissertations

Analytical solutions of differential equations applicable to extraction, ion exchange, or adsorption processes in packed beds are presented. Results are given for three different cases. The first case accounts for adsorption phenomena only. The second one includes surface adsorption on particles and the effects of longitudinal dispersion in the bed. The third one deals with diffusion in particles and longitudinal dispersion in the bed. In the mathematical modelling of these three cases, a linear equilibrium relationship between the solute in the liquid phase and solute in the solid phase is used. The first case is solved using the single boundary …

The Settling Of An Arbitrary Number Of Spherical Particles Arranged On The Corners Of A Regular Polygon In A Viscous Fluid, Eric Robert Bixon

Dissertations

The creeping motion equation has been solved for the case of planar arrays of spheres settling under the influence of gravity in a viscous fluid. The solution is a general solution which applies to an arbitrary number of spheres. All particles will lie at the corners of a regular polygon. Thus, two particles side by side, three particles in an equilateral triangular array, or four spheres in a square array will be special cases of the general solution.

The solution has been obtained by a unique application of the method of reflections. Only a first correction to the drag has …

Some Characteristics Associated With The Effectiveness Of Elementary Principals As Demonstrated By Role Perceptions And Utilization Of Time, Judith Jean Johansen

Dissertations

Elementary principals have a major role in the educational system. However, research addressing their priorities, activities, and performance is limited. Studies indicate a relationship between principal performance and school effectiveness and achievement of students. This investigation identified factors which may be associated with principal effectiveness: length of time in the principalship, gender, level of self-confidence, and leader style. It proposed that there is a relationship between principals' priorities and activities. It predicted that there are differences in the priorities and degree of participation in activities between new and experienced principals, male and female principals, self-confident and less self-confident principals, and …

An Investigation Of The Relationship Of Life Events And Self Concept To Depression In A Psychiatric Inpatient-Adolescent Population, David L. Harris

Dissertations

In the present investigation, a group of mildly depressed adolescent inpatients was compared with a moderately to severely depressed sample on measures of self-concept and life events. The expected differences between the groups were hypothesized on the basis of current theoretical and clinical considerations emphasized in the literature. Previous research has implicated the magnitude of readjustment required by significant life experiences and self concept with depression.

Seventy-four subjects participated and were assigned to one of two groups by dichotomizing scores on the Beck Depression Inventory. The relationships of scores on the Tennessee Self Concept Scale, Life Event History, and Minnesota …

The Effects Of A Cognitive Stress Management Program On Perceptions Of Stress Levels, Sara Sue Schaeffer

Dissertations

The impact of a cognitively oriented stress management program on participants' perceptions of their stress levels was assessed utilizing a prepost test format with randomly selected experimental and control groups. Between the pre and post tests the experimental group experienced the stress management workshop which focused on four major components: becoming aware of stress and its effects, assessing personal responses to stress, learning effective coping strategies, and designing a personal stress management program. Two measurement instruments were utilized. The Stress Program Assessment Instrument (SPAI) measured participant's cognitive knowledge of stress and coping strategies. The Life Experiences Survey (LES) measured participants' …

A Survey Of Glycosphingolipids In The Human Aorta: Their Relationship To Glycosphingolipids Of Blood And To Atherosclerosis, John L. Nappier

Dissertations

The four major glycosphingolipids, glucosyl ceramide, lactosyl ceramide, galactosyl lactosyl ceramide and globoside were isolated from both diseased and normal tissue from human aorta by solvent extraction followed by solvent partitioning and column chromatography. The levels of each were then determind quantitatively by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) after derivatization. The individual glycosphingolipids were isolated by semi-preparative HPLC and the fatty acid composition of each was determined, after methanolysis, by gas chromatography.

In the diseased tissue, the amount of glycosphingolipid as well as the amount of crude lipid increased relative to the normal tissue. The relative amounts of cerebrosides increased …

Parameter Optimization Using A Hierarchical System Of Learning Automata, Brian T. Mitchell

Dissertations

Many problems in adaptive control, pattern recognition, filtering, identification, and artificial intelligence can be viewed as parameter optimization problems. The learning automation approach to these problems has two distinct advantages over the classic hill climbing methods: (1) the parameter space need not be metric and (2) a global rather than local optimum can be found. Unfortunately, these advantages do not come without corresponding difficulties, namely the problem of high dimensionality. A hierarchical system of learning automata has been used to reduce this problem somewhat, but inefficiencies still remain since the current hierarchical system was balanced and static hierarchical learning automaton …

Gender Difference As A Factor In Psychological Crisis, Paula Laufer

Dissertations

The study's purpose was to examine possible gender differences in problem perception and desired treatment outcome of 311 persons (135 males and 176 females) selected from a pool of 1500 clients seeking treatment at an outpatient mental health clinic in a medium-sized midwestern city. One hundred males and one hundred females were randomly selected for inclusion.

Literature related to crisis theory, research in linguistics, and gender role indicated evidence supporting gender role differences in a variety of interpersonal situations. Clients' verbatim written statements and their reactions to a standard problem checklist at the time of intake provided the data base …

A Descriptive Study Of Organizational Structure And Its Relationship To Employee Utilization In The Electric Utility Industry, Frederick M. Keaton

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects that six structural variables had upon the utilization of employees within an electric utility. Specifically the objectives were: (1) To investigate the relationship between the organizational level within an organization and work force utilization. (2) To determine whether a relationship exists between span of control and work force utilization. (3) To determine whether a relationship exists between line versus staff positions and work force utilization. (4) To investigate the relationship between organizational subunit size and work force utilization. (5) To investigate the relationship between centralized versus decentralized organizations and work …

A Study Of The Role Of Vocational Education Instructors As Perceived By Vocational Instructors, Vocational Administrators, Advisory Committee Members, And Vocational Counselors, Laverne M. Youngblade

Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to examine role expectations held for vocational education instructors by the following reference groups: vocational instructors, vocational education advisory committee members, and vocational counselors. A sample of 356 participants from 27 schools throughout the state of Michigan completed the Vocational Education Teacher Questionnaire which was used to measure the groups' expectations of the role of vocational education instructors. Twelve hypotheses predicted differences in groups' expectations. Using one-way analysis of variance statistical technique and the Welch approximate t test, the hypotheses were tested. Differences were found between: (1) Instructors and administrators regarding definition of performance …

An Analysis Of Activities And Success Patterns Of Coordinators Of Planning, Monitoring, And Data Collection, William D. Howard

Dissertations

Public Law 94-142, the Education of all Handicapped Children Act, 1975, requires school districts, through evaluation, to document compliance to the law and its regulations. In Michigan, the individuals primarily responsible for the monitoring of compliance to these federal rules and regulations at the intermediate education unit (IEU) level hold the position known as Coordinator of Planning, Monitoring, and Data Collection (CPMDC). Little is known about how persons holding CPMDC positions functon. A review of the literature revealed a need for more information concerning these positions so that data based decisions can be made. This investigation was concerned with patterns …

A Reliability Study Of The Peer Nomination Inventory Of Depression When Used By Adults In Determining The Psychological Condition Of Depression In Children, Jeffrey R. Glindmeyer

Dissertations

In the present investigation, the reliability of a modified version of an inventory developed to assess the psychological condition of depression in children was undertaken. The Peer Nomination Inventory of Depression (PNID), an instrument designed to assess depression in children through having peers rate each other on a number of items, was modified to be used by adult raters for this same purpose. Staff members, including therapists, educators, and direct care professionals at the RiverView Hospital for Children, a psychiatric hospital in Middletown, Connecticut, completed ratings on eight boys ranging in age from seven to thirteen years of age. The …

A Delphi Study To Identify Possible Futures Of Black Colleges: Public And Private, Gloria Jeanette Miller Duval

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify possible futures of Black colleges, public and private. The study addressed four questions: (1) Within the next 10 years, are the events concerning structure and administration of Black colleges likely to occur? (2) Within the next 10 years, are the events concerning programming at Black colleges likely to occur? (3) What will be the funding profile of Black colleges over the next decade? (4) What will be the impact of the events describing structure, administration, and programming at Black colleges? The Delphi technique was thought to be the most appropriate method to …

The Relationship That Teachers' Concerns And Their Perceptions Of Organizational Climate Have With Innovation Maintenance, Frederic Wayne De Vall

Dissertations

The main purpose of this study was to determine what some of the factors are that have an affect upon the maintenance of an innovation. Many educational change models focus upon the initiation and implementation of educational innovations in schools. This study tested some of the factors identified, from the literature review as affecting innovation maintenance, upon one innovation which is being used by teachers in several school districts. The first factor centered upon the concerns teachers have about an innovation they use in their classrooms. The second factor centered upon teachers' perceptions of the organizational climate that exists which …

An Investigation Of The Impact Of Learning Theory On Training And Conditions Of Training In The Corporate Environment, Carolyn Collins-Bondon

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which knowledge and use of learning theory are reflected in corporate training programs. The literature review was concentrated in three areas, namely: (1) nature and quality of training programs, (2) theories of learning, and (3) training programs and learning theory. That literature indicated that references to learning during training generally dealt with logistics, or teaching and instructional methods (lecture, self-instruction, or on-the-job training).

The investigator posited that training specialists need to be attuned to trainee needs and to provide optimum opportunities for addressing those needs. Instead of the hypotheses …

The Relationship Between Systems Theory And Behavior Analysis, Michael B. Oberlin

Dissertations

This paper provides a conceptual framework which clarifies the relationship between General Systems Theory and Behavior Analysis. This framework is supplied by a theoretical notion borrowed from Simon (1962), the notion of "dynamics of interaction." "Interaction" refers to interaction between the units of analysis of science, e.g., in the analysis of behavior, stimuli, responses, and consequences in economics, units of supply and demand. The paradigm of Behavior Analysis is seen to accommodate a "higher-frequency dynamics" found in subsystems; and General Systems Theory, along with disciplines like Economics and Organizational Analysis, accommodates a "lower-frequency dynamics" found in systems. Argument is based …

The Relationship Between Leadership Style And Perceived Performance On Selected Tasks For Uniserv Directors Of The Michigan Education Association, David L. Myers

Dissertations

This study investigated the relationship between leadership style and perceived performance in selected tasks. Using the 99 UniServ Directors of the Michigan Education Association, the objective of the study was to provide additional criteria that could be used to assist organizational leaders in assignment of staff to areas of specialization. The selected task areas were (a) negotiations, (b) arbitration, (c) writing, (d) political action, (e) public relations, (f) member counseling, (g) leadership training, and (h) organizing.

Leadership style was defined using the two dimensional nature of leadership postulated by Fleishman (1957), Blake and Mouton (1964), Reddin (1980), Hersey and Blanchard …

An Application Of Performance Analysis In A Food Cooperative, Lone Milani

Dissertations

A performance systems analysis was applied in a small business to diagnose problems and direct decisions in order to solve performance deficiencies of that organization. A "performance audit," as the approach is called, consists of analyzing an operating system from the most general to the most specific levels of vantage (i.e., levels at which a system operates). The levels of vantage for any system are: philosophical, cultural, policy, strategic, tactical, and logistic. At each level the actual performance was compared to predetermined standards called "exemplary performance." This comparison facilitated the diagnosis of the organization's deficiencies.

The study attempted to design …

Optimization Of A New Linear Fm Detector Using Digital Signal Processing Techniques, Edward J.A. Kratt

Dissertations

This dissertation describes and synthesizes a new member of the family of FM detectors introduced earlier by Klapper and Kratt. A salient property of these detectors is low delay with excellent sensitivity. The emphasis in the new detector is on the ease of digital implementation. In addition, the new detector is also extremely linear. In congruence with the other Klapper-Kratt detectors, it makes use of zero group delay elements, balance at RF, quasi-synchronous detection and carrier cancellation. The Performance of the detector is mathematically analyzed under the conditions of a modulated input wave, sinewave [sic] interference, and noise. The results …

The Effect Of Ultrasound On The Hydrolysis Of Carbohydrates, Adel A. Khamis

Dissertations

Acid hydrolysis of dextran and cellulose were studied with and without irradiation with ultrasonic waves of different frequencies (17 - 150 KHz), and powers (0.4 - 200 w/cm²). In the case of both materials, the hydrolysis reaction was found to be first order with respect to the activity of hydrogen ions in the reaction medium. Weight average molecular weight was evaluated at different durations of the reaction course. The reaction rate of dextran was found to be proportional to the weight average molecular weight raised to the power 4/3, and raised to the power 4 for cellulose.

The …

Application Of Fuzzy Theory To Pattern Recognition, David Usechak

Dissertations

Piecewise curve approximation is used to describe boundaries of objects in pictures and waveforms. The method consists of linear and quadratic piecewise polynomial approximations in which the error must not exceed a predetermined cost threshold. A fuzzy Bayes model is used to determine if a breakpoint exists within an interval I_n or between intervals I_n and I_n+1 and to determine whether these intervals can be merged for data compaction reasons. In order to achieve these objectives a new fast algorithm has been proposed which gives good curve/object fitting. This algorithm uses a technique for generating generalized inverse …