Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Geology Newsletter- 1988, Department Of Geology

Geological and Environmental Sciences News

Vol. 1, No. 13

• Dear Alumni and Friends
• Core Research Studies
• Institute for Water Studies
• W. David Kuenzi Scholarship Fund
• Geology Development and Scholarship Fund Donations
• Faculty Briefs
• News from the Support Staff
• Geology/Earth Science Club
• Awards & Scholarships
• 1988 Speakers Program
• Alumni Lines

Synthesis Of N And C Nucleosides Via Cycloaddition Reactions A New Approach To An Old Problem, Glenn L. Heise

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Computer Graphics Use On Student Understanding Of Calculus Concepts, Charlene E. Beckmann

Dissertations

Student understanding of selected calculus concepts as developed through use of a Cartesian coordinate graphical representation system were investigated. Subjects (N = 163) enrolled in first-semester calculus sections at Western Michigan University participated in one of four treatment conditions: Graphics (G), exposure to a computer-graphically-developed conceptual course; Graphics Plus (G+), exposure to the same course as G subjects plus provision of computer graphics software and related supplemental assignments; Standard 1 (S1), exposure to a graphically-developed, conceptual course; and Standard 2 (S2), exposure to a traditional skill-oriented course.

Two investigations were undertaken. In Investigation 1, comparisons were made between G and …

The Development Of A Personalized Computer Assisted School Psychology (Casp) System, Patricia Lou Steinert

Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to develop a model computer system to assist school psychologists in managing and manipulating data accumulated in the course of accomplishing their professional responsibilities. School psychologists have traditionally generated large amounts of data, but rarely have they looked across these data to obtain information and/or feedback about their own functioning relative to their professional role. The system described is intended as a model from which an individual psychologist might construct a system to meet individual needs. Data across students were accumulated in four broad areas: (1) personal effectiveness/accountability, (2) diagnosis, (3) local test norms, …

A Seismic Analysis Of Reefs In The Traverse Limestone Of Allegan County, Michigan, William Charles Henderson

Masters Theses

A seismic reflection study was performed across the Diamond Springs oil field in Allegan County, Michigan. The horizon of interest was the Middle Devonian Traverse Limestone located 1,700 feet in the subsurface. Within the Traverse Limestone are scattered patch reefs which characterize a targeted reservoir. The use of high-resolution, shallow seismic reflection techniques are useful for defining detailed subsurface porosity zones within the patch reef reservoirs.

Common source-offset profiling utilizing high-frequency sources and proper determination of field parameters are important in obtaining the desired optimum reflection. Also, the use of synthetic seismograms for modeling waveforms is essential for identifying the …

Micellar Catalyzed Hydrolysis Of Hydroxamic Acids By Perfluorooctanoic Acid, Mohammad Hashem Akhavan Tafti

Masters Theses

The work reported herein demonstrated that a perfluorocarboxylic acid does indeed behave as a reactive counterion surfactant exhibiting micellar catalysis, this conclusion was further verified by subsequent experimentation.

Rates of acidic hydrolysis of octano-, phenylaceto-, and 4-bromo phenylacetohydroxamic acid have been determined in aqueous perfluorooctanoic acid--a reactive counterion surfactant system. Typical micellar catalysis was observed for the hydrolysis of octanohydroxamic acid but not for the arylacetohydroxamic acids.

Further investigation into finding a more water soluble surfactant which has reactive counter ions is suggested in order to test the theoretical equation (based on the pseudo phase model) appropriate for this surfactant …

Geometry And Kinematics Of The Central Snowcrest Range: A Rocky Mountain Forehand Uplift In Southwestern Montana, Barry Christopher Mcbride

Masters Theses

The Snowcrest Range forms the southeastern limb of the Late Cretaceous Blacktail-Snowcrest uplift. The northeast-trending uplift is bounded by the northwest-dipping Snowcrast-Greenhom thrust system which consists of seven thrust zones which merge and flatten at depth along a regional detachment horizon within the Archean basement.

The structures forming the Snowcrest Range are concave westward with trends varying from N 55° E in the southern region to north-south in the northern region. Calcite twin lamellae and fracture orientations indicate that the principal shortening direction was oriented S 85° E during late Cretaceous time. This orientation requires that a significant component of …

Programmer And End User Communication In Computer System Development, Theresa J. Hart

Masters Theses

Many computer professionals agree that good communication between computer programmers or analysts and the people for whom a system is being created is essential for system success. This study researches possible reasons behind the communication problems that exist between programmers and end users and suggests ways to narrow the communication gap.

Many theories, including the theories of hemispheric brain dominance, thinking styles, and motivational factors may help explain the differences in communication styles between programmers and users. To further explore the communication problem, an exploratory survey was given to programmers and users to evaluate their perception of the communication that …

Recoil Corrected Continuum Shell Model Form Factor Calculations For 4He(E,E’)4He(0+), Jiang Yu

Masters Theses

Charge form factor calculations for the electroexcitation of the ⁴He, 0⁺ state have been performed within the context of the recoil corrected continuum shell model. A pure Os⁴ ground state structure is assumed and full internal coordinate recoil corrections are made. The result is compared with available data. It is demonstrated that the 0+ state may be described in a 1p -1h shell model context. Inclusion of nsOs^-1 ground state correlations is suggested for further research.

Generalized Distance In Graphs, Garry L. Johns

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Electrical Resistivity As An Approach To Evaluating Brine Contamination Of Groundwater In The Walker Oil Field, Ottawa County, Michigan, Janet A. Koehler

Masters Theses

Surface electrical resistivity successfully defined brine contamination within a glacial drift aquifer in western Michigan. The study site is in a residential area of eastern Ottawa County, in the Walker Oil Field. A Schlumberger array with a maximum current electrode separation (AB/2) of 316 meters (1037 feet) was used. It was possible to detect geoelectric layers to about 30 meters (100 feet) below ground level, with the maximum current penetration of about 1/10 (AB/2). On occasion, thick surficial clay precluded detecting deeper geoelectric layers. Through use of the INVERS computer program, fifty vertical electrical soundings were interpreted and correlated with …

Graph And Directed Graph Augmentation Problems, Zhuguo Mo

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Of Pore Volume And Pore Size Distribution To The Development Of Gloss And Scattering Coefficient, John A. Cook

Masters Theses

This study describes in a quantitative manner the relationships between coating structure and optical properties. Gloss, scattering coefficient and void volume were measured after applying different blends of polystyrene spheres to mylar film. Each coating was modeled using large spherical particles of the same size ratios to measure pore size distribution. The coating structure followed well with theoretical packing characteristics of spheres. Optical properties were related to changes in coating structure. Scattering coefficient and gloss correlated better with pore size distribution than particle size. Gloss increased when total void volume was reduced, while the scattering coefficient decreased.

Single-Electron Capture And Loss Cross Sections Vs. Target Z For 1 Mev/U Oxygen Ions Incident On Gases, Scott Avery Boman

Masters Theses

Cross sections for 1 MeV/u oxygen projectile ions which have gained or lost an electron after passing through a gas target were measured as a function of target Z for several incident projectile charge states. The targets used were D_2, He, Ne, Ar and Kr, and the projectiles had charges of 5+, 6+, 7+ and 8+.

The electron capture measurements are generally in reasonable agreement with existing theoretical and empirical scaling rules. The electron loss cross sections differ appreciably from predictions of the PWBA, particularly for the heaviest targets studied. Empirical scaling relationships are derived for the present capture …

Fission-Track Geochronology And Geothermometry Of Late Cretaceous-Early Tertiary Epizonal Plutons, In And Adjacent To The Lombard Thrust Fault, Southwestern Montana, Jean Talanda

Masters Theses

Thrusting occurred in the central portion of the central Montana salient where the timing of movements is somewhat obscured by the multiple deformations from Archean time to the present. The relationship of this thrusting to the associated plutons has not been established in every case. Fission-track geochronology was employed in dating several plutons associated with the Lombard thrust fault, consequently, defining a time range in which movement along the thrust occured.

Seven plutons with known structural relationships to the Lombard thrust have ages which suggest that movement along the fault occurred 73.2 +/- 6.7 Ma. Fission-track length distributions suggest that …

An Investigation Of A Soil Gas Sampling Technique And Its Applicability For Detecting Gaseous Pce And Tca Over An Unconfined Granular Aquifer, Timothy J. Mayotte

Masters Theses

A soil gas sampling and analytical technique was investigated to evaluate its ability and versatility for detecting chlorinated hydrocarbons in unconfined aquifers. The technique was used successfully to delineate plumes of perchloroethene (PCE), and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA) contamination present in the vadose zone, and at the water table of an unconfined sand and gravel aquifer. Soil gas samples were obtained by concentrating PCE and TCA vapors diffusing from these sources onto a sorbent material. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography. The data from the analysis of these samples were used to provide an initial estimate of the source areas, and …

Synthesis And Study Of Novel Quinoxaline Di-N-Oxide And 3-Acyl-2-Methylquinoxaline Di-N-Oxides, Cyprian Okwara Ogbu

Masters Theses

This research project consists of two parts. The first involved the synthesis of a novel quininoxaline di-N-oxide via benzofuroxan. The second part was the use of this compound as a synthetic precursor.

It was assumed that 3,4-dimethylaniline would be successfully converted to 5,6-dimethybenzofurazan 1-oxide (5,6-dimethybenzofuroxan) through a sequence of reaction steps. Fortunately, this assumption was correct as the desired compound was produced. This compound was utilized in synthesizing the novel 3-acetyl-2,6,7-trimethylquinoxaline 1,4-dioxide. From the structure of this adduct, it is believed that it will take part in condensation reactions associated with methyl ketones without disrupting the quinoxaline di-N-oxide framework, and …

A Study Of An Integral Equations For Computing Radial Distribution Functions, Noraini Ismail

Masters Theses

A two parameter integral equation, equation T is studied to compute radial distribution functions for a classical fluid whose single component particles interact pairwise according to a square-well potential function. A computer program originally written for a DEC 10 was modified to run on a DEC VAX. At the same time, modifications were made to take advantage of the faster VAX and to reduce the time an operator must spend to get a solution to the integral equation. Solutions were obtained for several densities, temperatures, and parameter values. Temperatures ranged from a high temperature gas to near critical temperatures. Accurate …

Synthesis And Reactions Of A-Diketones And Preparation Of Some New Benzimidazoles, Mohamad Reza Agharahimi

Masters Theses

This report will discuss the synthesis of 2,5-dl-(p-chlorophenyl)-3,4-dioxoadiponitrile and its reactions. This compound exists in the form of 4,4'- dichloropulvinic nitrile which is a precursor to 4,4'-dichk>rovulpinic acid. These compounds have been shown to have antiinflammatory activity in rats.

The benzimidazole and pyridazine derivatives of 4,4'-dichioropulvinic nitrile and the benzimidazole derivative of 4,4'-dichk>rovuipinic acid are another group of compounds that are also believed to have useful biological activities. The Pinner synthesis of imidates is used to make the intermediate to the benzimidazole derivative of 4,4'-dichloropulvinic nitrile.

This report will include the methodology of the reactions and …

A Synthetic Approach To Novel Heterocyclic Herbicides, Paul Antony Pathadan

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research study was to prepare novel heterocyclic herbicides. The first phase of the project was to synthesize 1-(nitromethyl)-4-phthalazone.

In the second phase 1 - (nitromethyl)-4-phthalazone was treated with 1,3-propane-dithio-di-p-toluene sulfonate in presence of sodium hydride to get the target compound 4-(1'-nitro-l,3-dithiane)phthalazone.

It is believed that this compound might block the electron transport system of aerobic cells¹ . So further investigation of this compound may lead to novel herbicides.

Reconstruction Of A Real Object Using Stereo Vision, Ignatios E. Vakalis

Masters Theses

The problem of reconstructing a three dimensional object from its two dimensional image is the most critical problem which any powerful visual system must solve. The human visual system is known to solve this problem with impressive range and resolution. Computer solutions have fallen far short of human performance mainly because the solution process is poorly understood.

The reconstruction problem is solved using stereo vision. The distance of points on the object from the viewing device and the orientation of specific patches of the visual surface with respect to the viewing device are computed. Discontinuities in distance and orientation are …

The Significance Of Organic Complexing In The Mobility Of Iron In The Kl Landfill Leachate Plume, Kalamazoo, Michigan, James D. Rudder

Masters Theses

High iron concentrations in the leachate plume of the KL Landfill in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, persist in the presence of detectable hydrogen-sulfide. Under these conditions iron-sulfide minerals are highly oversaturated and should be precipitating. Calculations performed by the chemical equilibrium model WATEQF indicate over-saturation of selected iron-oxides, siderite, and iron-sulfides. Semilog plots of iron concentration versus time of exposure to air demonstrate retarded precipitation of ferric hydroxide, and analytical techniques of ion chromatography, Fourier transform IR spectrophotometry (FTIR), and UV-Visible spectrophotometry have yielded results which indicate that organic complexing of ferrous iron plays a significant role in the mobility of …