Digital Commons Network^™

Integrity Of Digraphs, Robert Charles Vandell

Dissertations

The vertex-integrity of a digraph D, denoted I(D), is defined to be the minimum over aIII subsets X of the vertex set of D for the quantity IXI + m(D - X), w here IXI is the number of vertices in X and m(D - X) is the maximum order of a strong component in the digraph D - X. In a like manner, the arc-integrity of the digraph D, denoted I’(D), is defined to be the minimum over all subsets Y of the arc set of D for the quantity IYI + m(D - Y), where IYI is the …

Factors Affecting The Educational Attainment Of African-American Males: An Observational Analysis, Chauncey Williams

Masters Theses

African-American males participation in higher education has declined due to low academic achievement. The research suggests that this low achievement is caused by racism, academic preparation, self-esteem, teacher expectation, and goals. Although I agree with most of the research, I have concluded that along with teacher's expectations, four other factors greatly impact academic achievement. These other four factors are (1) school demographics, (2) curriculum, (3) parental involvement, and (4) peer pressure. These factors were observed through casual conversations with African-American male high school students in a large midwestern area. The observational analysis suggests that improvement in these areas will help …

The Effect Of Chromium Compounds On The Mutagenic Rate Of Benzo[A]Pyrenediolepoxide In Human Fibroblasts, Yordanos Tesfai

Masters Theses

Cancer researchers are interested in identifying the environmental causes and synergistic influences of different chemical carcinogens in order to decrease the risk of cancer. There are numerous studies which have investigated the effect of individual carcinogens but relatively few in which a well defined mixture of chemicals have been used. The present study was performed to examine the effect of chromium compounds on benzo[a]pyrene diolepoxide (BPDE) induced cytotoxicity and mutagenicity in human fibroblasts. Cytotoxicity was measured by the ability to fonn colonies while selection of 6-thioguanine resistant mutants were used to study mutagenesis in human fibroblasts.

Our results indicate that …

Implicit Beliefs About Change: A Theory-Grounded Measure Applied To Community Organizations Serving Children, Youth, And Families, Susan B. Silverberg, Sherry C. Betts, Angela J. Huebner, Sonia Cota-Robles

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The aim of this study was to design and evaluate a theory-grounded measure that taps staff beliefs about the possibility for change in an organization which serves children, youth and families at the community level. The rationale for measuring staff beliefs about change derived from a motivation theory that features two contrasting beliefs structures (entity vs. incremental), and the goals and behavioral dispositions associated with each (Dweck & Leggett, 1988). Twenty-nine individuals associated with the community-based organization completed the newly developed Implicit Beliefs About Change Scale (IBACS) and participatedi n a semi-structured interview. Quantitative analyses indicated that the IBACS has …

On Interpreting Strong Supervenience, Zachary J. Ernst

Masters Theses

Jaegwon Kim's definition of strong supervenience has found application in such areas as the mind-body problem, aesthetics, morality, and the relationship between physics and the special sciences. The main reason for the popularity of supervenience is that it purportedly has a long laundry list of virtues. For instance, it has been claimed that supervenience accounts are non-reductive, capable of empirical verification, simple with respect to ontology, and explanatorily powerful.

In this paper, I examine Kim's definition of strong supervenience, arguing that a fundamental ambiguity in the definition makes it impossible for strong supervenience to possess all of these virtues simultaneously. …

A Strategy For Distributed Relational Database Design, Ismail Omar Hababeh

Masters Theses

This thesis presents a strategy for the fragmentation and allocation of data in a distributed relational database. The strategy introduces a way to fragment and allocate data to accomplish the benefits of allocating each fragment independently for each site. Some fragments may be allocated to multiple sites in order to achieve some constraints such as availability, consistency, and integrity. The strategy is appropriate for different types of computers at various sites connected to a network, with different costs of retrieval, update, and communication.

To increase the system 1/0 performance, sites having similar communication costs are grouped into clusters to which …

Side Chain Effect On Micellarly Catalyzed Hydrolysis Of Hydroxamic Acids In Perfluorooctanoic Acid Environment, A.C. Menik Fernando

Masters Theses

The side chain effect on micellar catalysis of hydroxamic acids with perfluorooctanoic acid as the reactive counterion surfactant in aqueous acetonitrile solution has been demonstrated in this thesis.

The rate constant-surfactant concentration profiles were used to estimate the critical micelle concentration and the second order rate constant for hydrolysis in the aqueous bulk phase.

The pseudo-phase ion exchange model satisfactorily explains the surfactant effect. The second order rate constants in the aqueous bulk phase show a direct relationship with steric substituent constants. The major influence of the change in micellar catalysis is the location in the micelle where the substrate …

Game Theory And The Application To Mainland China-Taiwan Relations From 1949-1995, Po-Tung Chang

Masters Theses

This study is dedicated to evaluating the capacity of game-theoretical models in analyzing and explaining international crises like mainland China-Taiwan relations. To highlight and reflect the nature of these complicated long-run relations, the author formulates a dynamic game model based on the combination of three well-known models, Deadlock, Prisoner's Dilemma, and Chicken instead of occupying one dominant model.

The mainland China-Taiwan relations (1949-1995) are divided into three individual phases in accordance with the configuration of game models: (1) the military confrontation phase (1949-78); (2) the peaceful competition phase (1978-86); and (3) the premature cooperation phase (1987-95). By generating and suggesting …

Rapid Method For Determination Of Iodine Numbers Of Vegetable Oils, Ondrej Hendl

Masters Theses

There is a great deal of interest by the public about the total unsaturation of fats and oils used in commercial products as an indication of nutritional value. Dealers in fats and oils are extremely interested in characterizing these products. The unsaturation is a guide to the expected stability of food additives, such as edible oils and foods in which they are used. Unsaturation is typically evaluated as an iodine number (IN), calculated for these additives based on their consumption of iodine through addition across the carbon-carbon double bonds. The classical titration method can typically take 45 minutes.

The investigation …

Western News, Nov. 21, 1996, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Project helps grandparents who become parents again, Libraries launch two-year project to train faculty and students in emerging technology, Weaver says Molde's contract will not be renewed, Senior Pakistani officials tap HCOB expertise, Book chronicles 60 years of health care in the region.

Western News, Nov. 14, 1996, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Senators learn of efforts in enrollment and marketing areas, Presentations by Richard Wright and Matt Kurz reflect key aspects of University outreach initiatives, Grant total includes $5 million for aviation facilities, Hufford named to post in Division of Student Affairs, Smith to discuss changes in banking industry, Economics talk planned on the Great Depression, Women's history scholar to lead two sessions.

Western News, Nov. 7, 1996, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: 'Groundbreaking' technology barely scratches the surface, Local students to join in national discussion on diversity issues through satellite broadcast, Book explores culture and traditions of Asia and Africa, Kuttner named to skills center post, Office branching out into programs for professional growth and development.

Public Understanding Of Science As Seen By The Scientific Community: Do We Need To Re-Conceptualize The Challenge And To Re-Examine Our Own Assumptions?, William W. Cobern

Scientific Literacy and Cultural Studies Project

My task is to address the question of how the scientific community views the public understanding of science and whether there needs to be a re-conceptualization of the challenge to foster the public understanding of science, and also whether there is a need to re-examine assumptions. I am compelled to begin by acknowledging a debt to an important book, Inarticulate Science, written by Edgar Jenkins and his colleagues at Leeds. Inarticulate Science is an outstanding contribution on the concept of the public understanding of science and I think of my contribution today on this topic as a footnote. My …

Western News, Oct. 31, 1996, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Board approves appointment of Timothy Light as provost and vice president for academic affairs, 1996-97 general fund budget booked at $179.2 million, Trustees ratify three-year contract with AAUP, Noted critic; poet and essayist from Yale to make three presentations on campus Nov. 6-7, Women's health issues to be explored in all-day forum, South African activists to speak at symposium on rising expectations of that country's youth, Doolittle among Athletic Hall of Fame inductees.

Western News, Oct. 17, 1996, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Light describes challenges and goals in remarks at first Faculty Senate meeting, Center increases access for persons with disabilities, Grants from Kellogg Foundation spur new training program with horses, Geologists answer the call to revive map making art, Michigan First Lady Michelle Engler here to kick off campaign for community service, National expert on aging to discuss future of long-term care in Oct. 24 public address, Cotton selected for state honor.

Western News, Oct. 10, 1996, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Enrollment stabilization crucial as University faces budget shortfall, Poling earns Distinguished Faculty Scholllr Award, Sky's the limit with revamped School of Aviation Sciences, Sky Broncos play host to regional aviation contest, Haenicke updates senators on science project, Department fund-raisers seeking to achieve $156,000 goal in this year's United Way drive, WMUK-FM begins on-air campaign Monday.

Western News, Oct. 3, 1996, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Alavi and Cornish to be honored for expertise with 1996 Alumni Teaching Excellence Awards, Superintendents band together to boost K-12 school achievement in two states, Homecoming culminates with festivities this weekend, WMU center home of new professional group designed to improve education evaluation, Writer; activist; performance artist to discuss diversity issues in Visiting Scholar addresses, Renowned mathematician to speak on campus, Improvisational theatre troupe takes to the road.

From Seeking To Finding: A Friends' Personality, Gordon Eriksen

Gatherings: Friends of the University Libraries Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Gatherings No. 13 Fall 1996, Friends Of The University Libraries

Gatherings: Friends of the University Libraries Newsletter

Complete issue of Gatherings no. 13. Edited by Laurel Grotzinger.

Traditional Culture And Science Education In Africa: Merely Language Games?, William W. Cobern

Scientific Literacy and Cultural Studies Project

I want to begin today with two short personal remarks. My field of research at home is the cultural study of science education. In other words, I am interested in what is commonly called the culture of science and how that becomes interpreted in science education by teacher and curriculum. I am interested in the variation of culture among American students, cultural variations grounded in family and community and brought to the classroom. I am interested in the cultural interactions that are precipitated by the meeting of cultures in the science classroom. In my current work I use worldview concepts …

Western News, Sept. 26, 1996, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Alumna donates $5.8 million; largest gift in WMU history, Groh; Oas to be recognized for contributions with this year's Distinguished Service Awards, Enrollment trends remain positive; Wright says, ACE Fellow learning leadership ropes here, Homecoming organizers invite campus community to 'get connected'.

Western News, Sept. 19, 1996, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Grants climb to $24.2 million; up 14.4 percent over last year, Gifts surpass five-year-old record; reaching $12.3 million in 1995-96, Reading marks start of new series designed to encourage publication by emerging poets, Light sees strength throughout University, Geographer's expertise on Aral Sea results in selection for USAID project in Uzbekistan.

Western News, Sept. 12, 1996, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: University and College of Engineering ranked in U.8. News, Faculty to vote soon on tentative contract, Zabriskie is first speaker in new Haworth lecture series, Students gain valuable experience as presidential interns, Sept. 19 discussion planned to share FIPSE tips, Successful alumni in fields of aviation and sports selected for awards, NPR host to lecture during Hispanic observance.

Western News, Aug. 29, 1996, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: University vows it will continue good faith bargaining in contract talks with faculty union, Center earns major contracts to study housing initiatives, Campus improvements continue with summer construction projects, Testing office and Counseling Center team up to provide services in Faunce starting this fall, AMBUCS choose Bush as 'Therapist of the Year, Prominent physician to discuss end-of-life issues, 'Western Walk for Women' planned for Sept. 8, Sielke named to international editorial advisory committee.

Western News, Aug. 8, 1996, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: WMU study of Lake Michigan coastal bluff could provide Army with new 'dirt' on stability, Goalball teams here on way to Atlanta games, Journalist with roots in many cultures to discuss her heritage in Aug. 21 lecture, Distance education publications win awards, Keizer named to new position, Hovestadt elected to board, Shaw book earns research award from national groups, Rankin photographs earn first-place honors, Etter-Lewis named to council, Carlson on archival board.

The Place Of Ethics Centers In Higher Education, Douglas Ferraro

Center for the Study of Ethics in Society Papers

Presented to the WMU Center for the Study of Ethics in Society, September 28, 1995.

The Westerner Vol. 16 No. 4, Western Michigan University

The Westerner (1980-1997)

• Reconnect with your Western world • Association announces 1996 Distinguished Alumni Award winners • Membership entitles you to 'out of this world' discounts during 1996 Homecoming • New WMU Alumni Association benefits announced • Swiss winter escapade scheduled for adventuresome alumni

The Ethics Center: Tenth Anniversary, Wmu Center For The Study Of Ethics In Society

Center for the Study of Ethics in Society Papers

Presented to the WMU Center for the Study of Ethics in Society, September 28, 1995.

Applications Of Artificial Neural Networks In Interactive Simulation, Payman Jula

Masters Theses

Although there have been many improvements in simulation technology over the past few years, it still suffers from many limitations. Simulation methods are usually time consuming and hence not suitable for the interactive decision making processes.

In this project, applications of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to simulate manufacturing systems have been studied. The backpropagation Multiple Layer Perceptrons (MLPs) have been applied to simulate manufacturing systems. Some guidelines for developing appropriate ANNs have been presented. The results of ANN approach have been compared to those of conventional simulation methods.

A Comparison Of The Spontaneous Utterances Of Students With Autism Across Two Educational Settings, Mary E. Peterson

Dissertations

Students with autism are being mainstreamed into general education classes in increasing numbers. This practice is based on the largely theoretical assumptions that normal peers will provide models of appropriate communication skills as well as increased opportunities for social interaction. However, there are few empirical studies available to corroborate these beliefs.

The purpose of this study was to compare the functional communication of the same group of students with autism across two settings, their general education classrooms and their self-contained, special education classrooms. Each of the students spent time in both settings during each school day. Their spontaneous language was …