Digital Commons Network^™

A Comprehensive Analysis Of A Private Sector Program: The New England Minority Purchasing Council, Valerie Jean Southern

Open Access Master's Theses

This report represents a comprehensive analysis of the performance and efficiency of a regional private sector program. After a rather inauspicious beginning in 1975, the New England Minority Purchasing Council (NEMPC) has gained acceptance from an increasing segment of the majority and minority business community. The Council's role and function is to "encourage and facilitate the growth and expansion of minority-owned business by educating and informing purchasers as to the availability of minority-produced products and by increasing the amount of purchasing from minority-owned businesses." The New England Council is one in a network of 35 regional councils across the country, …

Residential Land Subdivision Regulation In Connecticut: Model Town Regulations, Peter Runels Demallie

Open Access Master's Theses

This paper presents a model for residential land subdivision regulations in Connecticut, and is divided into three parts. First of ·these is the model itself, a contemporary prescription for the governmental regulation of land subdivision. It is rather comprehensive and lengthy by design, for a model of this grain should be available not only for reproduction, but for abridgement as well.

Second is a discussion of ·the unmet needs and problematic symptoms of residential land subdivision, and a defense for correcting the very problem of inadequate regulations and administration through the formulation of the model.

Third and finally is a …

Youth Unemployment And High School Dropouts In Providence: An Analysis Of The Dropout-Unemployment Problem And The Job Training Programs Available For Dropouts, Bernard J. Beaudreau

Open Access Master's Theses

In this thesis project, the problem of youth unemployment, particularly among high school dropouts, is first examined from a national view, reviewing national trends and characteristics of the youth unemployment-high school dropout problem. A cursory review of the literature on the particular problem of youth unemployment and high school dropouts is conducted in order to focus on the youth unemployment-high school dropout situation in Providence with a conceptual understanding of the problem.

Various methodologies are used in the analysis of the problem in Providence combined with the collection and analysis of limited data sources that are available. A general conclusion …

Accessibility Of Public Outdoor Recreational Areas To Low Income Neighborhoods In Boston, Stephen C. Gallagher

Open Access Master's Theses

The urban poor are isolated in our society. They lack skills, education, and opportunities. Specifically, they lack leisure and recreational opportunities. Unlike more affluent segments of the population, the inner city poor do not have proper access to recreational areas.

There are not an adequate number of accessible recreational areas within the vicinity of low-income neighborhoods. Moreover, the recreational areas, which are accessible, are often badly maintained and n a deteriorating condition or else are very small and have few facilities. Neighborhoods which now house low-income families within the inner city were often built prior to the current understandings about …

Economic Development In Rhode Island Policies And Strategies, David R. Westcott

Open Access Master's Theses

This project consists of a brief history of the Rhode Island economy, a discussion of the need for economic development, and some of the advantages and disadvantages of development. It also discusses Rhode Island's assets, resources, and limiting factors to economic development, leading to recommendations of policy priorities and strategies for action to improve Rhode Island's economy.

Planner's Guide To Community Energy Conservation, William Ferguson

Open Access Master's Theses

This research paper examines the community planner's role in responding to this country's energy problem. The paper is based on the principle that because final use of energy is ubiquitous, relative to production of energy, that a solution to this problem can be best approached from the grass roots level. As a result, the paper focuses on reduction of energy use rather than other energy considerations. The paper establishes the correlation between physical growth and energy consumption, thereby placing the planner in a key role for energy planning due to his traditional function as manager of physical growth and physical …

Is There A Threshold For Mental Rotation?, Joseph S. Rossi

Open Access Master's Theses

In the mental rotation paradigm, observers are shown two stimulus patterns which differ from each other in angular orientation. It has been found that the time required to recognize that two such patterns are the same is a linear function of the angular disparity in the portrayed orientations of the two patterns. Although it has not been claimed that the internal Process is strictly continuous, it nevertheless appears to be an analog of the corresponding physical process. Observers were shown pairs of perspective line drawings of three-dimensional block figures which differed in orientation from a standard by either 0, 3, …

A Psychophysiological Investigation Of Sexual Responding In Heterosexual Males And Females, Debra L. Steinman

Open Access Master's Theses

This study evaluates and compares the subjective and physiological arousal responses of heterosexual males and heterosexual females. Although several researchers have studied the patterns of sexual responding in reaction to erotic stimulation for males and/or females (Wincze, Hoon & Hoon, 1977; Heiman, 1977; and Sanford, 1974), to date there has been no systematic attempt to compare the patterns of sexual responding for these two groups using comparable measuring devices. With the recent development of more sensitive measuring devices, it is now possible to research this area.

The goals of this study were several; (1) to evaluate and compare males' and …

Fuelwood Production Of Mixed Hardwoods On Mesic Sites In Southern Rhode Island, Jeffrey Alan Bridge

Open Access Master's Theses

Fuelwood biomass production was determined for three coppice origin, even-aged, mixed-hardwood stands growing on moderately well-drained sites in Washington County, Rhode Island. A total of 93 trees including mixed-oaks and red maple, ranging from 7.6 to 30.5 cm in diameter were destructively sampled.

Sample trees were felled, sectioned and separated into two components: stemwood and branchwood. Total green weight by component was recorded for each tree in the field. Components were subsampled to permit oven-dry weight and specific gravity determinations. Although no relationship was found between specific gravity and rate of diameter growth, specific gravities for black oak species were …

Opposing Growth Policies In Adjacent Towns: A Study Of Plymouth And Wareham, Massachusetts, Deborah A. Shealy

Open Access Master's Theses

Growth management would appear to be the key phrase in the field of planning for the coming decade. It is not a new idea, but one which has ignited both the interest and criticism of practitioners and theorists alike. It may well be a concept that's time has come. As the hidden costs of growth become more apparent, a new attitude is gradually emerging; one which stresses the importance of preserving the natural and cultural characteristics which make up a "humanly satisfying living environment. " The essential goal of growth management is closely related to the basic goal of city …

Stratigraphic Interpretation Of A Possible Paleostream Channel Of The Ancient Nueces River, South Texas, Gerald Jacob Daub

Open Access Master's Theses

The Nueces River in South Texas flows in a southeasterly direction toward the Texas Gulf Coast. In southeastern Lasalle County, the Nueces River makes an abrupt 90° turn and flows northeast for 56 miles. The Nueces River joins with the Frio and Atascosa Rivers to flow southeasterly, debouching in Corpus Christi Bay. It has been theorized that the Nueces River once flowed southeasterly crossing northeast Webb and central Duval Counties and then into Baffin Bay. The paleo-Nueces River is thought to have occupied the Las Animas and/or Parilla streams in Duval County. This study attempts to locate this ancient paleo-stream …

The Extent Of Exclusionary Zoning Practices In Washington County, Rhode Island, Thomas Bigelow Hooper

Open Access Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Fermentation Of Cellulose, Donald Aidala

Open Access Master's Theses

This study is concerned primarily with two aspects of submerged fermentation of solid cellulose: the effects of foaming and pure oxygen utilization (in place of air) upon growth and enzyme production of the organism T. viride QM9414. Pure oxygen flow rates are varied, and growth and enzyme production data are compared to results obtained during air fermentation runs (with flow rates five times those of pure oxygen for comparison purposes and still to meet oxygen requirements of the organism for growth).

At an initial cellulose concentration of 1.0% for all fermentation runs, aeration with pure oxygen resulted in an enhancing …

A Study Of Tenant Management Of Public Housing, Alan Gary Morley

Open Access Master's Theses

Conventional public housing in the United States has undergone much change in the past 25 years particularly in terms of the socioeconomic characteristics of the tenants and fiscal problems. The public housing in our urban centers had originally been built for a different social and economic class of people than the ones it presently serves. Many of those former public housing tenants after World War II were able to move to the suburbs with the help of various low interest federal loans. The new residents, due to lack of financial capacity, (some due to racial discrimination in the housing market) …

Marina Study: Marina Facilities Planning At Two Case Study Locations, Bruce Dean Bender, David Smith Windsor

Open Access Master's Theses

The popularity and intensity of rqcr9ational boating in the waters of Southern New England has been steadily increasing since the 1960' s. Despite regional economic fluctuations, the level of boating activity continues to grow. Forecasts of boat ownership clearly indicates that the demand for moorings and slips in Rhode Island and Massachusetts will exceed the present capacity of shore facilities and their ability to increase that capacity to meet the demands for an expanded level of service (Collins & Sedqwick, 1979).

Institutional Growth In A Residential Area: A Case Study Of Hartford Hospital, Donald Joseph Smyth

Open Access Master's Theses

Hartford Hospital is a major health institution situated approximately one mile from the downtown area. It is the second largest hospital in New England. The Hospital enjoys a solid reputation for providing medical care for thousands in the Greater Hartford Area. The need to retain this status has required the Hospital to improve upon their facilities, add new equipment and provide other amenities that attract competent people to their staff. One of the amenities it provides is free parking to its employees.

As the Hospital grew, it became evident to administrators that more parking would have to be provided. A …

Coastal Zone Management And The National Interest: Massachusetts And Rhode Island, James T. Thomas

Open Access Master's Theses

The 1976 amendments to the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) were primarily aimed at enabling the statute to better accommodate the demands placed on coastal resources by an increase in domestic energy exploration and production.

The national interest provision (Section 306(c)(8) confronts the problem of potential conflicts arising out of the pursuit of equally important coastal zone management goals as stated in the CZMA. The CZMA states that there is a national interest in the "effective management, beneficial use, protection and development of the Coastal Zone". Due to the increasing likelihood of more energy facility sittings in the coastal zone …

Studies On Effect Of Moleculab Structure Of Some Aromatic Compounds On Their Uptake Rates By A Liquid Membrane System, Rao Nagamasthan Chilamkurti

Open Access Master's Theses

The uptake of each of eleven structurally related solutes from pH 1 donor solution by an invariant liquid membrane formulation was investigated. The presence of polyamino surfactants in liquid membrane formulation significantly altered the partition of solutes between aqueous phase and oil phase. Benzoic acid and salicylic acid followed monoexponentiai kinetics while the uptake of other solutes followed biexponential processes, except p-aminobenzoic acid which was not transported at all. Both benzoic acid and salicylic acid were removed with a much faster rate compared to other solutes. Approximately, 90% of these solutes were removed in two and half minutes from the …

Interlocal Cooperation In The Delivery Of Services, Robert E. Costello

Open Access Master's Theses

Interlocal cooperation in the delivery of services is the subject of this thesis project. The study surveys the types of cooperation communities can engage in. It also examines how three communities cooperate in the provision of police and public works services.

Interlocal cooperation can be defined as collaborative efforts undertaken by two or more communities. In this study, cooperation is looked at in terms of the provision of services. Such cooperation can be formal or informal, single function or multi-function, and supplementary or complete. In any case, it is seen as a means for improving the delivery of services.

Local …

The Massachusetts Approach To Regional Resource Recovery, Kenneth Blumberg

Open Access Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Regional Planning And The Special Purpose District: A Case Study Of Rhode Island, John F. Lenox

Open Access Master's Theses

Through the years, the special purpose district has quietly been expanding and growing more important. This is true both in our own state of Rhode Island, as well as across the nation. Today the special district plays a very significant role in the governmental pattern of the United States. Indicators of their importance include their number, geographical extent, functions, and finances. Despite the importance of this emerging power the special district is often ignored and seldom understood. As the district device comes into increasing use it is important that the planner understand what it is, what it can be used …

Determination Of The Stability Constants Of Ferric Borate At The Ionic Strength Of Seawater, Jane A. Elrod

Open Access Master's Theses

The ultraviolet absorbance data from experiments conducted at constant pH, T(Fe), and variable [B(OH)₃] were used to determine Fe^*B^B1 and Fe*B^B2, the stability constants of FeB(OH)₄²⁺ and Fe(B(OH₄)²⁺, respectively, in a 0.7 NaClO₄ solution at 25*C. The data were analyzed taking into account the absorbances due to Fe³⁺ and FeOH²⁺. In addition, one or more ferric borate species were assumed to be present and the appropriate model was fitted to the data. The one species model (FeB(OH)₄²⁺) and the …

Environmental Impact Assessment Exploratory Techniques And Sampling Design, Henry A. Walker

Open Access Master's Theses

Statistical relationships between a set of physical and chemical variates and a vector of species abundances are explored with the objective of examining the influence of waste disposal on the benthic macrofaunal assemblages of the New York Bight Apex area. The problem of microenvironmental variability is handled by post collection stratification of samples based on the physical characteristics of each grab sample, rather than classical spatial strata definitions. Three physical variables used to define strata are: mean particle size, percent organic matter, and total concentration of heavy metals. Variations in species densities within strata over time are investigated. Multivariate discriminant …

A Comparison Between The Self-Administration Of Clonidine And Fentanyl, Gary Terence Shearman

Open Access Master's Theses

Intravenous self-administration of drugs by experimental animals has importance as a laboratory model for the study of drug abuse and for the investigation of the neurochemical mechanisms underlying the reinforcing properties of drugs. Utilizing the drug self-administration technique, pharmacological investigations of the neurochemical basis of drug reinforcement suggest that opiate reinforcement is mediated through activation of central noradrenergic systems, whereas the reinforcing effects of psychomotor stimulants are mediated via activation of dopaminergic systems. The major purpose of the present study was to determine if the alpha noradrenergic receptor agonist, clonidine, would be self-administered by rats and furthermore to determine if …

A Comparison Of Solubilized And Membrane Bound Forms Of Choline-O-Acetyltransferase In Mouse Brain Nerve Endings, Craig Paul Smith

Open Access Master's Theses

Mouse brain choline-0-acetyltransferase (E.C. 2.3.1.6) (ChAT) activity was studied in vitro using a lOOmM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) wash of a crude vesicular fraction containing solubilized ChAT and a washed crude vesicular fraction containing membrane bound ChAT. Both the solubilized and membrane bound forms of ChAT can acetylate choline linearly for 30 minutes. High concentrations of acetylcholine (Ach) can inhibit solubilized ChAT to a greater degree than the membrane bound enzyme form. FoFtY percent of the Ach synthesized by membrane bound ChAT survives hydrolysis in the presence of an excess of acetylcholinesterase (AchE), whereas none of the Ach synthesized …

The "Catholic Ethic" And The "Spirit Of Financial Capitalism", Mary Lou Deciantis Hurlbut

Open Access Master's Theses

This study proposes to treat the Catholic Church as an organization with internal and external aspects comparable to strictly secular organizations with the central hypothesis being that as the structural characteristics of the Church resemble those of other large scale multinational organizations, the behavior pattern will also. This phenomenon would represent a significant case of shifting goals in an organization. The Church is an organization dedicated to a non-mundane ideology, yet some of its offices are strictly concerned with high level finance. Newspaper and journalistic accounts of the wealth amassed by Vatican financiers are a source of controversy both within …

A Study Of Trends In Pharmacy Consumer Credit Operations, Harold S. Abbott

Open Access Master's Theses

This study offers a sociometric evaluation of two groups of Retail Pharmacy Administrators; fifty-eight respondents, members of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, and secondly, forty-seven respondents from independent pharmacies in the State of Rhode Island, both expressing their individual preferences in offering consumer credit.

The study advances one area of understanding as being axiomatic: Examination of the economic system of our society never fails to uncover one outstanding need; to satisfy human wants! In this context we asked retailers to view credit sales as opportunities or problems on a structured, non-disguised mail questionnaire. A single mailing of 341 …