Digital Commons Network^™

Western News, Sept. 17, 1998, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: President Floyd pledges support for faculty efforts, Federal funds for fellowships designed to boost number of math doctoral students, Sims earns top honors at piano competition, Annual ECE seminars start, Acclaimed Michigan poet to read from her work, Furniture expert to speak on 20th century design, Art camp works by visually-impaired students and their instructors on display at campus and downtown sites, Zimmer honored by fellow health professionals.

Western News, Sept. 3, 1998, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: WMU launches partnerships with city schools Grant will increase number of minorities entering health careers, Mentors; computers to aid beginning teachers, CommUniverCity crowds expected to hit 35,000, Australian firm awards $2.9 million in software for research and set-up of campus training site, Knollwood; Discount Den properties will be acquired, Rapley to describe problem-based learning in, Sept. 17 talk to area educators and public, Wood and Haenicke Halls top list of campus construction projects making a visual impact.

Western News, Aug. 13, 1998, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: President Floyd sets his agenda with audiences around the state, Faculty and staff invited to welcome the Floyds, Paper technology gifts push 1997-98 total past $9 million mark, Faculty and staff invited to welcome the Floyds.

Angle-Resolved Studies Of Inner Shell Excitations For Argon, Krypton And Xenon Using Third Generation Synchrotron Sources, Ahmad H. Farhat

Dissertations

This dissertation, which is in the area of atomic physics, concentrates on the study of the interaction between VUV-soft X-ray radiation and atoms in the gas phase. The main area of interest is the study of Auger decay in atoms utilizing the process known as the resonance Auger effect, where an inner shell electron is excited to an unfilled orbital followed by the ejection of an Auger electron. The measurements in this thesis were performed by using the high resolution Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics undulator beam line, which utilizes a spherical grating monochromator at the Advanced Light Source at …

A Generalization Of Cayley Graphs For Finite Fields, Dawn M. Jones

Dissertations

A central question in the area of topological graph theory is to find the genus of a given graph. In particular, the genus parameter has been studied for Cayley graphs. A Cayley graph is a representation of a group and a fixed generating set for that group. A group is said to be planar if there is a generating set which produces a planar Cayley graph. We say that a group is toroidal if there is a generating set that produces a toroidal Cayley graph and if there are no generating sets which produce a planar Cayley graph. Characterizations for …

A Computer/Tutorial System Compared With A Workbook/Tutorial System For Presenting Instructional Material To At-Risk Elementary School Students, Vincent O. Hodge

Dissertations

Two different ways of presenting instructional material and reacting to students’ responses were compared. One, taking advantage of several features of multimedia instruction involved a desktop computer and various computer-presented consequences of correct and incorrect responses (largely chosen by the student). The other consisted in presenting the same instructional materials (the SRA primary curriculum) in a workbook form with tutors' comments and praise as the main form of response consequence. The two methods were compared with respect to various measures of student and system performance, including student accuracy (percent correct responses), types of errors, amount of correct response repetition (over-responding), …

Improvement Of Epa Method 8330: Complete Separation Of Explosives Using A Two Phase Approach, Michael J. Lang

Masters Theses

A wide range of primary and secondary contaminants is found in environmental matrices containing explosive residues. HPLC methodology for the detection of explosive is now standardized in EPA Method 8330, and represents the most common method currently used for explosive analysis. However, co-elution of some of the analytes occurs even using method 8330. As a result, explosive analysis using HPLC have required the use of a confirmation column in an additional analysis step.

In the current work, all of the compounds in the EPA 8330 explosives list were resolved using a single HPLC separation. While the EPA 8330 HPLC conditions …

Western News, July 30, 1998, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Grants top $31 million in record finish to 1997-98 fiscal year, Trustees' decision means University will continue its seventh-place state ranking in tuition and fee costs, Floyd takes helm on Aug. 1, Five Kalamazoo churches mount scholarship effort for local students, Astronaut Jemison will give keynote address in series aimed at improving science and math achievement, Board approves Rapley and Saunders appointments; four retirements, Biosafety policy updated to meet new federal guidelines, International and area studies center named for Haenicke.

Western News, July 2, 1998, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Aviation school negotiates third international contract, Football center named in honor of Bill Brown, Football center dedication planned for July 10, Changes slated for student parking system.

Western News, June 18, 1998, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: House supports extra funds for WMU aviation; conference committee to meet later this month, Faculty Senate approves Research II recommendations, Haenicke to receive honorary degree during commencement exercises Saturday, June 27, Easter Seal grant helps WMU researchers launch profession to help disabled travelers, University Dames award new scholarship, Gershon book honored by national organization, Luscombe named winner of volunteer services award.

Units In Integral Group Rings For Direct Products, Richard M. Low

Dissertations

Given a finite group G and the ring of integers, one can form the integral group ring ZG . A natural problem to investigate is to find a description of the group of units for this ring ZG. Since the unit problem for integral group rings arises in the contexts of algebraic topology, number theory, and algebra, it is an important question to try to answer. For this reason, it has drawn the attention of researchers from diverse areas of mathematics.

Graham Higman (circa 1940) made substantial contributions to the solution of this problem, in the case where G was …

A Study Of The Knowledge Structure Of Expert, Intermediate, And Novice Subjects In The Domain Of Physics, Jennifer L. Discenna

Dissertations

The objective of this research was to investigate the knowledge structure in physics by describing the knowledge of experts, intermediates, and novices. A review of the literature on expertise, physics knowledge, and conceptual structure provided two competing representations of physics knowledge: one defined as a hierarchy of models arranged from general to specific models, the second defined by theories which link knowledge together.

In order to investigate the two representations described above, a reiterative categorization task was employed. This task resulted in a hierarchical sort with larger piles at the top of the hierarchy and smaller piles at the bottom …

Surface Models Of Finite Geometries, Ramon Manuel Figueroa-Centeno

Dissertations

The standard non-Euclidean geometries, hyperbolic geometry and elliptical geometry, both arise by negating the parallel postulate of Euclid. Both these geometries share with Euclidean geometries an infinitude of points and lines. But also possible are many finite geometries. Among these are the class of projective geometries PG(m,q) of projective dimension m (m > 2) and the k-configurations. These mathematical objects, although primarily geometric in nature, provide related structures of combinatorial interest: block designs. These have applications in scheduling problems and the design of experiments for statistical analysis. Recently, A. T. White has added a topological flavor to the study …

Perturbed Hamiltonian System Of Two Parameters With Several Turning Points, Myeong Joon Ann

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Preparation For The Gre, Corina Groeger

Dissertations

The present research consisted of two empirical studies and a literature review. The first study was a systematic replication of the studies by Miller, Goodyear-Orwart, and Malott (1996) and Vunovich and Malott (1997). Fourteen undergraduate students and one graduate student participated in four intensive, extensive, structured Graduate Record Examination (GRE) preparation courses that met for seven weeks and lasted between 99 and 140 hours. The courses offered a monetary reward for students who met a minimum of 92% for attendance and participation during the course. The results of this study showed statistically significant mean improvements of 145 points for the …

Electron Emission Following The Interaction Of Slow Highly Charged Ions With Solids, Joseph W. Mcdonald

Dissertations

The interaction of highly-charged ions with surfaces involves many excitation processes of the surface atoms and the bulk material. One such process, the emission of electrons from surfaces due to the potential energy of the incident ions has been studied. The experimental results presented here confirm that the majority of electrons emitted as a result of highly-charged ions interacting with a solid surface have energies of about 20 eV. Auger processes contribute a smaller fraction of the total emitted electrons with increasing Z o f the projectile. This contribution to the total electron emission yield is found to be less …

The Effects Of Writing Assignments On Second-Semester Calculus Students' Understanding Of The Limit Concept, Melanie A. Wahlberg

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of writing assignments on second-semester calculus students’ understanding of the limit concept, using both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The study involved two sections of second semester calculus (n = 37, 34) at Western Michigan University during the fall semester of 1997.

The treatment group completed six writing tasks focusing on the mathematical concept of limit. These conceptually-oriented writing assignments replaced some of the problem sets that the instructor would have normally assigned. The control group did not engage in writing tasks but handed in problem sets more frequently than the …

Fostering Reflective Thinking In First-Semester Calculus Students, Pamela Crawford

Dissertations

This study focuses on the fostering of reflective thinking in students in a reform calculus course through completion of homework assignments incorporating reflective tasks, and the effect of these assignments on student understandings of calculus and conceptions of mathematics. The study, conducted in Fall 1997, involved two sections of first-semester calculus at a large midwestern university and used quantitative (n = 25, 18) and qualitative (n = 7) techniques.

Homework assignments incorporating reflective tasks included asking students to compare and contrast textbook ideas; to write about how obstacles were overcome as they attempted exercises; to develop concept maps organizing and …

The Implementation Of Group Mentoring Between At-Risk Teenage African American Males And Successful Adult African American Men, Cornell Mathis

Masters Theses

Little research has been done to examine the implementation of group mentoring. This study of group mentoring involving at-risk teenage African American males and successful adult African American men will provide insight into group mentoring as demonstrated through interpersonal communications.

An investigation of the composite reduction provides the foundation for establishing the following definition of the group mentoring experience. The mentees are drawn to the mentors by mutual respect developed through the use of a special language. Availability leads to bonding between the mentees and mentors. The relationships are fostered by the authenticity of both individuals while producing social enlightenment …

Image Processing Based On A Fuzzy Logic Edge Detection Algorithm, Jamshid Khazaai

Masters Theses

One of the major problems in image processing is that of efficient edge detection. This is because the automated determination of an edge requires a subjective interpretation of just what the image author intended to be an edge. By training an edge determination algorithm to be sensitive to edges in a consistent manner, efficiency can be improved. This is the central idea of this thesis in which I define edge occurrences for the intensity (monochrome) images using fuzzy sets.

Edge characteristic functions are proposed for detecting edge pixels within a desired block of an (intensity and binary) image based on …

Simulation Of The Hybrid Fuzzy-Boolean Finite State Machine (Hfb-Fsm), Hamed Shakouri

Masters Theses

Several models of fuzzy finite-state automata have been proposed in the literature. One model which benefits from the existing algorithms for designing Boolean finite-state machines, has been proposed by J. L. Grantner [8]. This model, which is called Hybrid Fuzzy-Boolean Finite State Machine (HFB-FSM), along with its algorithmic design procedure, can be used for implementing dynamic linguistic systems [7,8,13]. In this thesis we have developed a simulation program for the HFB-FSM model using C++ programming language. In order to simulate a HFB-FSM model, the user provides the information defining the system's behavior. Based on the algorithm proposed in [8], the …

The Faculty Recognition Dinner 1998, Western Michigan University

Faculty Recognition

The Faculty Recognition Dinner Program

May 21, 1998

Honored Guests:

• Shirley Bach
• Max Benne
• Robert Blefko
• Charles Comer
• Robert Erickson
• Louise Forsleff
• L. Richard Harring
• John Houdek
• Shirley Lukens
• Ruth Ann Meyer
• Richard Munsterman
• John Murphy
• Henry Raup
• James Riley
• Paul Robbert
• Malcolm Robertson
• Roger Ulrich
• William Welke
• Judy Yaeger

Faculty Recognition Dinner Photo 1998, Western Michigan University

Faculty Recognition

Faculty Recognition Dinner Photo

May 21, 1998

Photographed:

• William Welke
• Richard Munsterman
• Ruth Ann Meyer
• Charles Comer
• Roger Ulrich
• James Riley
• Malcolm Robertson
• Robert Erickson
• John Houdek
• Shirley Bach
• Louise Forsleff
• L. Richard Harring
• Shirley Ann Lukens
• Max Benne

Western News, May 7, 1998, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: New president already mapping out list of priorities, Haenicke happy with selection of Floyd, Nursing school to get $1 million from Bronson, Kellogg Foundation grant project benefits both WMU programs and Calhoun County agencies, WMU leads the way in HIV education; prevention and testing, BBA program revised to provide students with more hands-on; real world experience, Board endorses consensual sexual relations policy, 2,700 medievalists gather for international congress.

Political Correctness Revisited, Jan Narveson

Center for the Study of Ethics in Society Papers

Presented February 19th , 1998 for the Center for the Study of Ethics in Society

A Method For The Determination Of Purity Of Pnu-10483 Bulk Drug By Capillary Zone Electrophoresis, Gavin Gibson

Honors Theses

In this investigation, a method was developed for the determination of purity of the drug PNU-10483 using the technique of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). CZE was seen as a potential alternative to the formerly used procedure of ion-pair reversed phase highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Nearly five years earlier, a similar study was performed, in which an attempt was made to develop a method that used CZE to determine the purity of bulk drug and the potency of drug tablets. While this development was mostly successful, sporadically unpredictable results reduced the method's overall viability. These outliers were thought to be caused …

Registration Laws And Their Impact On Voter Retention, Tom Lenard

Honors Theses

The literature on voting participation suggests a number of factors that should affect voter turnout differences including the legal incentives or hindrances acting directly on individual citizens. In this study I examine registration laws and how they may play a role in the stability over voter turnout between presidential and midterm elections. Specifically, this research concentrates on classifying each individual state into groups with easier and those with more strict registration requirements. With this done, I compared the voter turnout for the 1990-1996 elections between the two groups. Also, I looked at the drop-off rates in percentage of turnout for …

Is It Just Me, Or Are There Other Parents And Teachers Out There Confused About Sol Reading Assessments?, William P. Bintz

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

This article describes an incident involving the author, his daughter, and sample items from a Standards of Learning assessment. The author uses this incident to describe his increasing confusion with SOL assessments, especially in the area of reading, and proposes that educators spend less time "testing our kids" with SOL assessments, and more time "testing their theories" so that assessment better reflects recent advances in reading and learning theory.

Gatherings No. 18 Spring 1998, Friends Of The University Libraries

Gatherings: Friends of the University Libraries Newsletter

Complete issue of Gatherings no. 18. Edited by Laurel Grotzinger.

An Uneventful Life? A Friends' Personality, Gordon Eriksen

Gatherings: Friends of the University Libraries Newsletter

No abstract provided.