Digital Commons Network^™

An Unequal Consumption? Sex And Gender Differences In Tuberculosis, Sarah K. W. Avink

Masters Theses

In the developing world today, tuberculosis (TB) accounts for 26% of avoidable deaths (Holmes et al 1998). Poverty is considered to be a main risk factor for TB, and since some estimates show that women make up 70% of the world's poor (Thorson and Diwan 1998:11), one might conclude that the incidence of TB worldwide would be much higher for women than men. However, reports reviewed in this thesis show the reverse to be true, with an adult annual male notification ratio for TB at 1.5 to 2.1 times higher than that of females. Both biological reasons and social factors …

Functional Assessment Of Problem Behavior In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Review Of 32 Cases, Jessa R. Love

Masters Theses

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders among children aged 4 to 17 years is approximately 5.5 to 5.7 out of 1000 children (Centers for Disease Control, 2006). It is not uncommon for children with these disorders to display a wide range of problem behavior (e.g., Farrar-Schneider, 1992; Oswald et al., 1992). While a number of studies have reported aggregated data on the reinforcement functions of such problem behavior, none have reported the distribution of functions with a sample comprised solely of individuals on the autism spectrum. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine individual client data from an …

Evaluation Of An Outpatient Training Service For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders And Their Families, Britt Winter

Masters Theses

Autism spectrum disorders have a substantial impact on the lives of families and can result in a variety of enrichments to the family environment as well as certain specific stressors (Hecimovic & Gregory, 2005; Tidmarsh & Volkmar, 2003). One service that has proven effective for treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders as well as improvement in family dynamics is parent training (Schreibman, 1988). The current study examined 46 individual client files from an outpatient parent training clinic serving children with autism spectrum disorders. Parents were taught to implement interventions for skill acquisition with their children using a behavioral skills …

Teaching Children With Autism To Mand For Information Using Video Modeling, Courtney Dillon

Masters Theses

Skinner's taxonomy of verbal operants defines language in functional terms specifying the relevant controlling variables in terms of antecedent and consequent influences. A mand for information is a request for a specific verbal response that has momentarily high reinforcing value due to the presence of an establishing operation. Contrived establishing operations have been used for teaching mands for information, however, researchers have not yet investigated the effects of using video modeling to teach mands for information to children with autism. This study investigated the effects of video modeling with a contrived establishing operation for teaching two children with autism to …

Perspectives On Globalization, Social Justice And Welfare, James Midgley

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Although the social science literature on globalization has proliferated, social policy and social work scholars have not adequately debated the consequences of globalization for social welfare and social justice. Drawing on different social science interpretations of globalization, four major perspectives that offer different analytical and normative insights into globalization are identified and their implications for social welfare and social justice are briefly examined. The implications of these perspectives for social policy and social work scholarship are also considered.

Globalization And Human Trafficking, Loring Jones, David W. Engstrom, Tricia Hilliard, Mariel Diaz

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Globalization demands that social workers embrace more than just local and national perspectives; they must adopt an international viewpoint as well. A negative aspect of globalization that deserves more attention is the international movement of labor. This paper presents a description and analysis of trafficking, the more deleterious part of this movement of people, in a global context. Decision makers seeking to make global migration more humane need to know about the dynamics and process of trafficking, as well as ways to combat it. Definitional controversies, contextual issues (including the dynamics and processes of trafficking), and consequences of this movement …

Individual Autonomy And The Work Of Resistance: How Authors Of The 1950s Reject State Absorption Through Imagination And Reaffirmation Of The Body, Benjamin L. Boroughf

Honors Theses

The purpose of comparing two works of literature is to highlight similarities and differences that might provide a greater understanding of the works. When comparing the two works, one can emphasize various elements of the texts, including national or international conventions, periods, genres, themes, influences, culture, movements, or aesthetic choices. At the same time, however, this process may actually distort the way in which one views the works. A reader can easily seize upon surface similarities and identify some "deep" relationship between the works that may not in fact actually exist. Moreover, a reader can easily focus on surface similarities …

Western News, May 24, 2007, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: New office supports transfer students, veterans; Moser travels to Madagascar; Rubin receives Humboldt fellowship; On Campus with Michael Deblecourt.

Faculty Retirement Recognition Dinner 2007, Western Michigan University

Faculty Recognition

Faculty Retirement Recognition Dinner Program

May 24, 2007

Honored Guests:

• Michael B. Atkins
• Robert M. Beam
• Andrew A. Brogowicz
• William M. Cremin
• Ronald W. Davis
• Stuart J. Dybek
• Jorge M. Febles
• M. Arthur Garmon
• Marie F. Gates
• Thomas L. Gossman
• Philip J. Guichelaar
• Arlen R. Gullickson
• John M. Hanley
• Thomas R. Holmes
• Elaine A. Jayne
• Linda L. Law
• Charles Bruce MacQueen
• Bettina S. Meyer
• Daniel P. Mihalko
• Richard O'Hearn
• Paul E. Ponchillia
• Eldor C. Quandt
• Charlene Renner
• Visho Sharma
• Subhash R. Sonnad
• Judith F. Stone
• Charles Stroh
• Daniel L. Stufflebeam
• Paul E. Szarmach
• Larry J. ten Harmsel
• Thomas L. Van …

Western News, May 10, 2007, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: John M. Dunn is WMU's eighth president; School of Art named for Gwen Frostic; Betsy Kuhle is MAC Coach of the Year (again); On Campus with Sharon Wagner.

Early Stage Detection Of Marine Oil Oxidation, Loren Lapointe

Honors Theses

A method involving overnight stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in negative ion chemical ionization (NICI) mode was developed to determine the presence of aldehydes (cis-4-heptenal, trans,trans-2,4-heptadienal, trans-2-octenal, cis-6-nonenal, trans-2-cis-6-nonadienal, trans-2-nonenal, and trans,trans-2,4-decadienal) in fresh and aged commercial fish oil (untreated and treated with antioxidant blends). Aldehyde standards were quantifiable to >100ppb levels using this method. Only trans,trans-2,4-heptadienal was shown to be present in the commercial fish oil and its presence was used to compare the performance of the two different antioxidant treatments in the fish oil. Includes Powerpoint.

Prism #23, May 2007, Office Of The Provost

Prism: Western Michigan University's Newsletter for Academic Affairs

No abstract provided.

How To Get More From Your Quantitative Libqual+™ Dataset: Making Results Practical, Bradford W. Dennis, Tim Bower

University Libraries Faculty & Staff Publications

This research paper outlines three analytic tools utilized in the analysis and interpretation of LibQUAL+™ quantitative data. D-M scores, value rankings, and split-file cross-tabulations were used to assess the service items from the 2004 LibQUAL+™ quantitative data.

We suggest that these tools provide a way to more easily utilize LibQUAL+™ results in taking actions and developing strategic plans designed to improve patrons’ perceptions of service quality. These tools also allow for the continuous evaluation of implemented plans. We discuss how these tools helped produce findings that were informative and in a format that decision makers could easily comprehend and utilize.

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session April 27, 2007, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

• Appointment of President
• Approval of the Minutes
• Remarks by the Chair Remarks by President
• Remarks by the WSA President
• GSAC Chair
• Renaming the School of Art - The Gwen Frostic School of Art
• Conferring of Honorary Degree - James Hettinger
• Room and Board Rates - Fall 2007
• Veterans Tuition Program
• Emergency Communication Policy
• TAU (Teaching Assistant Union) Contract

Why Most Mergers Fail: An Emphasis On The Human Factors, Kimberly Defouw

Honors Theses

Recent studies have shown that 60-80% of all mergers are failures when measured by their ability to outperform the stock market or to deliver profit increases. Mergers must create value and grow the business to have true success. Often mergers fail due to financial and market factors, such as a poor economy, market entry timing, unrealized synergies, or a saturated market. It is easy to overlook the human factors, the characteristics of people that need to be considered when implementing mergers in order for people to interact effectively. While a CEO may be the first to say that people are …

40th Conference On Senior Engineering Design Projects, College Of Engineering And Applied Sciences

Senior Engineering Design Conference

The 40th Conference on Senior Engineering Design Projects was held on April 17, 2007 at the College of Engineering and applied Sciences on the Parkview Campus of Western Michigan University. The college sponsors the conference to showcase the work of its graduating seniors, who are required to complete a capstone project that puts into practice what they have learned. Many of the projects are sponsored by business and industry.

Trials Bike Frame Concept, David Boboltz, Rob Harmer, Caleb Vanderveen

Honors Theses

Development of a Concept Trials Frame was a mechanical engineering design project that developed a new bicycle frame that has the strength and durability to be used for trials bike riding. The scope of the project was placed solely on the bicycle's frame. Current frames were analyzed based on their strength, durability, stiffness, weight, and appearance. These factors were ranked for importance and became the performance targets for the new frame. Several designs that utilize elastic strain energy to increase performance were brainstormed. Following SolidWorks modeling, equivalent impact loads were calculated using several analytical methods. These loads were then applied …

Stability Of Eukaryotic Elongation Factor One Alpha Protein In The Cell, Jennifer Watry

Honors Theses

Eukaryotic Elongation Factor One Alpha (eEF1A) is an abundant protein found in every cell of every organism and is involved in functions concerning protein synthesis and degradation, the cytoskeleton, and signaling. How these functions are regulated is not yet understood for this protein. Regulation of the protein may be controlled by transcription of the genes encoding the protein or the stability and modification of the protein. The goal of this project was to determine the stability of eEf1A proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana. Protein stability was determined by treating tissues with cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis. Gel electrophoresis and …

Western News, April 12, 2007, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Three presidential candidates visit campus; Richmond Center for Visual Arts dedicated; Deans appointed for Lee Honors College, Haenicke Institute; On Campus with Lynda Hunt.

Perceptions Of Speech-Language Pathologists, Abby M. Spicko

Honors Theses

According to the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, speech-language pathologists practice in a wide variety of work settings including schools, hospitals, clinics, private homes, nursing homes, and more (ASHA, 2007). As a result of the diverse environments in which speech language pathologists are employed, they work in collaboration with people from many other professions, including teachers, psychologists, doctors, nurses, social works. and occupational and physical therapists. It is important to understand the relationships between the speech language pathologist and their co-workers and others' attitudes toward the profession. This paper examines how those working with speech language pathologists across various work settings, …

A Study Of The Impact Of Adult Day Care Centers On The Caregivers Of Clients With Dementia, Abby L. Olsen

Honors Theses

The purpose of this descriptive study was to evaluate the impact of adult day care centers (ADC) on the perceived stress of the caregivers of loved ones with dementia and on their perceptions of their loved one's level of functioning or quality of life. Five caregivers whom had a loved one attending the same ADC were interviewed to obtain qualitative data concerning their perceptions about ADC utilization. Two assessment tools, the Caregiver Strain Index and the QA Study Assessment Tool were also used to determine quantitatively the impact of adult day care attendance on caregiver stress. The results suggested that …

Inquiry, Spring 2007, Office Of Vice President For Research

Research and Discovery News

• Obesity major health problem of our generation
• Recruitment and retention paramount at WMU
• Research misconduct policy and procedures approved
• Grant submissions
• Grants awarded

Prism #22, April 2007, Office Of The Provost

Prism: Western Michigan University's Newsletter for Academic Affairs

No abstract provided.

Insider Vol. 8 No. 2 Spring 2007, College Of Arts & Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences news

A Publication for Friends of the College of Arts and Sciences

Communicator Vol. 5, No. 1 (Centennial Edition), School Of Communication

Communicator: School of Communication Newsletter

Investments in Our Next 100 Years!; Second Century Capital Campaign; The Rhodes’ Make a Gift; Studio C Undergoes Major Renovations; Brown Hall Renovations Under Way; Jocelyn Steinke Awarded Three-year NSF Grant; Paul Yelsma to Retire; Machiorlatti and Farrugia’s Documentary to be Featured on DocuPyx; Northouse Creates Scholarship; Emmy Award Winning Alumnus Ed Gordon Speaks on Campus; WIDR Goes to New York; PRO Takes Annual Networking Trip to Chicago; WMU Team Wins Regional Qualifier for National Ethics Bowl; Student Awards; Alumni of Distinction; Keeping Up with Emeriti; Recent Alumni/Alumni in the News

Geophysical Monitoring Probes And Their Applications To Some Hydrogeological Problems, Laura Smart

Dissertations

Geophysical monitoring probes were constructed to monitor the vertical changes of water content and ion concentration in the subsurface. These devices contain electrodes for resistivity measurements and thermistors for temperature measurements. They are designed to monitor the resistivity and temperature of the saturated zone, the transition zone, and the vadose zone near a groundwater/surface water interface. Additional installations at the site include four monitoring wells and four Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) access tubes, each paired with the geophysical probe installations. Pole-Pole resistivity measurements with an a-spacing of 5 cm are made using a CR1000 Campbell Scientific, Inc. datalogger. Automated data …

Effects Of Detectable Warnings On Individuals With Mobility Impairments, Helen Lee

Dissertations

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that environmental and architectural barriers, such as curbs, be removed to enableindividuals with disabilities to travel about in the community with increased mobility. While installation of ramps benefit individuals with mobility impairments, the absence of curbs results in the loss of information used by individuals with visual impairments for street detection. As a result, truncated domes detectablewarning surfaces were developed to alert visually impaired travelers of potential hazards and vehicular pathways. Research to date is limited and inconclusive regarding the impact of detectable warning surfaces on individuals with mobility impairments. Further, no research …

A Comparative Study Of Learning Styles And Job Satisfaction To Medical Specialty Chosen Among Physician Assistant Graduates, Eric H. Vangsnes

Dissertations

Since the mid-1980s, a trend has developed whereby Physician Assistants (PAs) are making a transition into medical and surgical specialties (Hooker, 1992). In 1984, 18% of PAs worked in medical and surgical specialties; by 1991, this proportion had risen to 22%; and by 2006, 43% of all PAs worked in medical and surgical specialties ( American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) Census Data 2006 , 2007; Hooker, 1992). One development that may have increased the number of PAs entering specialties was the creation of post-graduate residency programs.

This research examined possible associations between learning style and medical specialty, medical specialty …

Global And Quantitative Gene Expression Analysis Of The Effects Of Drinking Water Exposure To Lead Acetate In Fisher 344 Male Rats Liver, Worlanyo Eric Gato

Dissertations

The primary objective of this research is to analyze global gene expression patterns occurring in Fisher 344 rat livers exposed to varying levels of lead and times. The hypotheses were that: (1) effects associated with Pb exposure are both dose and time dependent and (2) several genes will be over-expressed or repressed including transcripts associated with calcium signaling. Initially, the effects of Pb exposures upon morphometnc indices, liver and kidney tissue histology, Pb distribution, Pb interaction with other trace metals including Zn, Cu, Co, Fe, Ni and Ca were assessed. Results showed a significant accumulation of lead in blood, liver, …

Fluency In Pigeons: The Effects Of Response Rate On Learning, Matthew L. Porritt

Dissertations

Instructional procedures that build high response rates are purported to have significant benefits over procedures that do not focus on fast responding (Binder, 1996). However, much of the research exploring rate-building procedures is confounded by two variables: rate of reinforcement and number of exposures (Doughty, Chase, & O'Shields, 2004). In six experiments, the present study examined the effects of three variables, rate of reinforcement, number of exposures, and rate of responding, on learning under rate-building procedures in pigeons. In Experiment 1, rate-building produced significantly better learning outcomes when compared to a rate-controlled condition with number of exposures held constant. In …