Digital Commons Network^™

The Flora And Ecology Of Seidman Park, Kent County, Michigan, Pamela J. Laureto

Masters Theses

A floristic study of Seidman Park, Kent County, Michigan was performed. The study identified 521 vascular plants belonging to 96 families and 284 genera. The plant communities of Seidman Park were delimited by identification of dominant species and observation of the physical environment. It was believed that communities existed within the upland forest that could not be identified by observation alone. The use of Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMS) ordination techniques identified three communities within the upland forest. These were a xeric community, a dry-mesic community and a nutrient-rich community. Three sub-communities of the dry-mesic community were also identified.

Spatial And Temporal Variability In The Distribution Of Nitrate In An Agriculturally-Impacted Aquifer, Cass County, Michigan, Caroline Lovetere

Masters Theses

Ground-water sampling in a shallow unconfined aquifer within a predominantly agricultural area in southwestern Michigan indicated spatial and temporal variability in the distribution of nitrate. The unconfined aquifer, which is about 40 feet thick, consists of glacially-deposited sand and gravel with interbedded clay lenses and is separated from a lower semi-confined aquifer by a 3-to 26-feet-thick till layer.

The site of the study was a 47-acre agricultural field, characterized by corn and alfalfa hay production, to which hog manure and commercial fertilizers were frequently applied. The shallow water table and relatively permeable glacial sands in the vadose zone combined to …

Reactions Of Chlorine And Some Of Its Oxygen Derivatives With Phenol, Lizhuo Zhang

Masters Theses

Chlorine is widely used in industry. It is also the most commonly used disinfectant in water treatment plants. Since the amount of chlorine used is increasing each year, environmental and health concerns arise due to its reactivity with various of organic compounds. Many chlorinated organic compounds are toxic and as a result other non-chlorinating compounds, such as chlorine dioxide, might be potential substitutes in the future, especially in water treatment plants.

Previous studies have indicated that chlorinated organic compounds are not formed when chlorine dioxide is used as a disinfectant. Furthermore no reaction occurs between chlorite and phenol in the …

Differences In The Self-Talk Of Students With Language Impairments When Completing Math Computation And Story Problems, Jennifer Shepard Crouse

Masters Theses

This study was designed to analyze the differences in the self-talk of students with language impairments when compared with students with normal language. Nine fifth grade students with language impairments and nine fifth grade students with normal language, identified by their teachers as average-achieving, participated in this study. Participants were instructed to use a think-aloud technique while completing sets of computational and math story problems. Resulting samples of self-talk were transcribed and coded.

Results indicated several significant differences in the self-talk of students with language impairments when compared with their normal language peers. In regard to quantitative aspects of self-talk, …

The Effects Of The Kalamazoo Station No. 4 On The Nearby Kleinstuck Nature Preserve, Robert J. Buechler

Masters Theses

This was a 15 month study that studied the effects of Kalamazoos' Municipal Pumping Station No. 4 on the Kleinstuck Nature Preserve. The preserve is about a quarter of a mile in the up gradient direction of Station No. 4. This study demonstrates that there is a direct correlation between the pumping and the water levels at the preserve. Pumping records show that there is no correlation between precipitation and the water levels at the preserve.

There are other factors which exaggerate this effect. It has been found that the drain field at the Y.M.C.A. parking lot, the breaching of …

A Hplc Method To Assay Mycotoxins - Fumonisin, Ochratoxin And Zearalenone, Nalini Sadagopan

Masters Theses

A HPLC method to quantitate the mycotoxins Fumonisin B1 (FB1), Ochratoxin A(OA), and Zearalenone (ZON) was developed and validated. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of fungi like Fusarium, Asperigillus and Penicillium that contaminate crops. They have a wide array of chemical structures which facilitate their analytical detection.

The analytical method consists of reverse phase chromatography and fluorescence detection. Sample cleanup was performed using SAX and C18 cartridges prior to analysis on the HPLC.

The method developed for FB1 is unique in that it is more sensitive, accurate, and reproducible than the existing methods. Automation is one of the salient features that …

Western News, July 25, 1996, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Engler signs funding bill; board OKs low tuition hike, Haenicke presents tentative budget outlook, Board approves appointments of deans; department chairpersons, Bafna earns IIE award, Shuster to be honored.

Western News, July 11, 1996, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Engler signs funding bill; board OKs low tuition hike, Haenicke presents tentative budget outlook, Board approves appointments of deans; department chairpersons, Bafna earns IIE award, Shuster to be honored.

Western News, June 13, 1996, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Legislation recognizes doctoral status but also carries the possibility of tighter state controls, Physical plant program captures monetary savings along with steam, Two ceremonies set for June commencement, College of Education earns reaccreditation; special commendation from national agency, Center and clinic to be named for McGinnis, Students experience college life in KCP Program, Four selected for $1,000 service awards, Kramer appointed in certification office; Morton to direct Weekend College efforts, Bell named to position in academic support center, Mackey wins $5,000 fellowship from AAUW for summer research, Pelc to be honored at event, Ehrle earns service award from …

Reading Horizons Vol. 36, No. 5

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

Complete issue of Reading Horizons volume 36, issue 5.

Language And Mathematics: A Natural Connection For Achieving Literacy., Eula Ewing Monroe

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

Time for a change Regie Routman, in Transitions (1988), stated that "our schools are turning out functional literates, children who can read and write in school, but who do not necessarily read and write in other contexts. These students may do reasonably well at word calling, but they have no real understanding of what the words convey. It is time for a change" (p. 15).

Using Literature To Build First Grade Math Concepts, Gwyn E. Lightsey

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

In the last decade, many elementary teachers have advocated a holistic approach to education. Teachers use thematic units to incorporate reading and writing into all areas of the curriculum. However, teachers have often continued to teach mathematics in isolation. Traditionally, the math program consisted of instruction in finding answers to textbook math problems and memorizing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. Except for learning to count money or tell time, math seemed to have little application for children in daily life. The majority of the math curriculum was made up of skills, but the language for understanding mathematics was neglected. …

An Analysis Of The Auditory-Verbal And Visual-Figural Learning And Memory Patterns Of College Students With Learning Disabilities, Robert K. Eckert

Dissertations

The validity of the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) has been established with most clinical neuropsychological populations; however, no published work in the area of CVLT performance in adults with learning disabilities (LD) exists, despite the authors' assertion that the test is a useful psychometric measure for this population (Delis, Kramer, Kaplan, & Ober, 1987). Likewise, the validity of a recently restandardized test of visual-figural learning, the Rey Visual Design Learning Test (RVDLT; Spreen & Strauss, 1991), has yet to be investigated in LD populations. Motor deficiencies have been associated with LD in children, but little evidence exists to extend …

A Graph Theoretic Study Of The Similarity Of Discrete Structures, Heather D. Gavlas

Dissertations

A basic problem in drug design consists of finding a compound that satisfies a spectrum of biological and chemical properties. Although drug design problems are central to pharmaceutical research, statisticians have yet to become involved in this area as these problems are viewed statistically as optimization problems. Before statistical optimization procedures can be defined on these spaces whose points are structures and not vectors, very basic mathematical notions of distance must be defined. Graphs have been used as mathematical models to represent the bonding arrangements of molecules for quite some time. In fact, if some of the methodology used by …

Random Cayley Maps, Michelle Schultz

Dissertations

Determining the orientable surfaces on which a given graph can be imbedded is the central problem of topological graph theory. The natural setting for studying this problem is random topological graph theory, where a probability model is defined on the space of all labeled 2-cell imbeddings of a connected graph. The major focus of this dissertation is the study of Cayley maps in the setting of random topological graph theory.

A Cayley graph provides a representation of a finite group and a fixed generating set for the group. A Cayley map is an imbedding of a Cayley graph whose vertex …

Ionization And Charge Changing In 0.5 - 8 Qmev Li^Q+ + He (Q=1,2,3) Collisions And Setup Of An Electron Spectrometer Control System, Oliver Woitke

Dissertations

Projectile charge changing and target ionization cross sections are measured for 0.5 to 8 qMeV Li^q+ + He (q=1,2,3) collisions. Total cross sections for single-electron capture (for L i^1,2,3+) and single-electron loss (for L i^1,2+) are obtained and compared to existing experimental and theoretical data. Also, single and double target ionization of He associated with specific outgoing projectile charge states are identified using coincidence techniques. Cross sections for target ionization associated with no projectile charge change (direct ionization), single-electron capture, and single-electron loss are measured and compared to existing experimental data and to available calculations. Double-to-single target ionization ratios R …

The Status Of Middle Level Schools In Berrien County, Michigan Following Michigan Public Act 25, Judith A. Burns

Dissertations

Michigan Public Act 25 of 1990 mandated public school reform. One of 4 components of Public Act 25 is the development of a 3 to 5 year School Improvement Plan (SIP). The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine middle level school improvement in Berrien County, Michigan, for evidence that developmentally appropriate middle level education is promoted.

This 2-part investigation involved analyzing SIPs submitted for 1992-93 school year using a content analysis format and interviews with each building principal or designee. The content analysis format was developed by Sweeney and Cooper in 1992 to analyze SIPs of Wayne County, …

An Investigation On Nonenzymatic Autoxidation Of Phenolic Compounds In Natural Waters, Lei Jiang

Masters Theses

The nonenzymatic autoxidation of the phenolic compounds chlorogenic acid in aqueous solution was studied. The study demonstrated that the oxidation rate of chlorogenic acid was strongly dependent on pH. The higher the pH, the faster the rate of oxidation. The involvement of phenolate ions and radicals in oxidation reactions are two possible reasons for the pH dependency. The presence of a trace amounts of reducible transition metal ions, such as copper(II), dramatically increases the oxidation rate of chlorogenic acid. Light also increases the oxidation rate of chlorogenic acid. However, the photochemical reaction was a much slower process.

The TLC and …

Is The Universe Expanding?: An Historical And Philosophical Perspective For Cosmologists Starting Anew, David A. Vlosak

Masters Theses

This study addresses the problem of how scientists ought to go about resolving the current crisis in big bang cosmology. Although this problem can be addressed by scientists themselves at the level of their own practice, this study addresses it at the meta-level by using the resources offered by philosophy of science.

There are two ways to resolve the current crisis. Either cosmologists can continue working on big bang theory or they can start anew. For those who choose to start anew, this study argues it would be a mistake for them to assume any new cosmological theory would have …

Western News, May 30, 1996, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Legislature approves 6.3 percent appropriations increase, Public safety units move to other campus locations, WMU faculty member chosen to work with World Bank officials on staff development, Spraying safeguards trees against gypsy moths, Leading mathematicians from around the world gather here, WFAT named new Bronco flagship station, Geisler to head counselor educator association, Davidson edits collection of articles on medieval thinker, Glista earns state award for contributions to her field.

Faculty Recognition Dinner Photo 1996, Western Michigan University

Faculty Recognition

Faculty Recognition Dinner Photo

May 23, 1996

Photographed:

• H. Dale Warren
• Dale Pattison
• Joseph Engemann
• Dean Cooke
• FW Schaeberle
• Arvon Byle
• Walter Turner
• James Lowe
• Richard Brewer
• Triantafilos Argyropoulos
• Ernest Rossi
• Dean Tyndall
• Rainer Erhart
• Beatrice Beech
• Donna vanWestrienen

Western News, May 16, 1996, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Battle over federal budget could result in smaller state appropriations for universities, Construction takes off on new home for aviation sciences, Sky Broncos place second in national competition, Faculty Senate approves proposals to help streamline the curriculum review process, Howard University honors Lacey with leadership award, Faculty member adds enthusiastic fire to the flame as official Olympic torch bearer, Graduate admissions site on WWW earns accolades from national professional group, Retirement reception set for Orlofsky and Vredevelt. v

Western News, May 2, 1996, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Chicago advertising executive; WMU alumnus to head marketing; PR and communications, Faculty member donates his entire net salary, Texas Tech administrator selected for admissions post, 2,700 medievalists due on campus for 31st congress, State's finest high school artists pool talents for 34th annual Michigan Youth Arts Festival, WMUK-FM ends spring fund drive in record time, Clock tower named for major donor's parents, WMU to continue East Campus improvements, Expert on Japanese religion to discuss Aum Shinrikyo, University will honor Barn Theatre founders.

The Westerner Vol. 16 No. 3, Western Michigan University

The Westerner (1980-1997)

• Universities are unique centuries-old form of education • University News in Brief • Rawlinson Center's first advisory board comprised of world renowned scholars • Faculty member donates salary to economics department • Mid-American Conference celebrating fiftieth year • Sky Broncos take second place in national flying contest • College of Arts and Sciences reflects higher learning at its best • What they're saying about getting an Arts and Sciences education • Lights bum brightly in College of Arts and Sciences research facilities • Grand Rapids celebrates Haenicke 's anniversary • Classnotes • Alumni in the workplace • I always …

Article Index

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

Index to articles in volume 36.

31st International Congress On Medieval Studies, Medieval Institute, Western Michigan University

International Congress on Medieval Studies Archive

The printed program of the 31st International Congress on Medieval Studies (May 9-12, 1996).

Western News, April 11, 1996, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Form and function unite in new computer laboratory, University to award more than 2,500 degrees, Scholars from across the country to gather for conference on communication ethics, Camp organized for visually impaired athletes, BGSU coach selected for Bronco men's tennis post, Etter-Lewis co-edits collection of oral narratives, Acclaimed authors here for writers' conference.

Technical Analysis: Connecting The Dots Or A Legitimate Investment Tool?, Daniel P. Sutter

Honors Theses

Wall Street is full of many unusual characters. They appear frequently in the newspaper headlines, on the evening news, and now on the Internet. They are portrayed both as villains such as Michael Milken or Ivan Boesky and as heroes such as Warren Buffett or Martin Zwieg. While these people may seem very distant at times they really impact each one of us every day, whether or not we are aware of it. The companies we conduct our routine transactions with are financed through them, our retirement plans our dependent on them, and even our jobs rest on the success …

Western News, April 4, 1996, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Senate action a sign of progress in efforts to gain recognition in state budget process, EPA inks agreement with WMU for safer packaging, Dedication ceremony for Gill Stadium Club April 6, Biological sciences researcher examines cancer growth genes under NIH grant, Wiener co-edits orientation and mobility book, Galligan earns award for contributions to review, Noted physicist to speak here April 9-10.

The Effects Of Carboxymethyl Cellulose And Polyacrylate On Coating Rheological Properties, Tom Eugate Jr.

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

The purpose of this thesis was to analyze and report rheological behaviors of a base coating formulation that will be altered by Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) and polyacrylate and subjected to defects in the blade on a coating system.

The coating formulations consisted of Hydrasperse clay, Dow 620-A SBR binder, and water. The control formulations will be at 58% and 63% solids. CMC and polyacrylate will be added to the coating formulations at 0.5 and 1.5pph, and 0.1 and 0.4pph based on parts dry pigment. A total of formulations were ran on the Cylindrical Laboratory Coater (CLC). A defect was placed …