Digital Commons Network^™

The Implementation Of A Generalized Database Directory, Claudia Helms-Vaccaro

Masters Theses

This paper presents the use of an index made up of a single B+ tree connected at its leaf nodes to a lower set of B+ trees--a multitree. It may be utilized to index dense or non-dense attributes of a file. An extra benefit of this structure is the ability to store a secondary attribute value for use when searching the index, often decreasing accesses and time required to complete the search.

Improved efficiency over current indices, such as conventional B+ trees or inverted files, is evaluated.

Interpersonal Skills In The Employment Interview: Intended Meaning, Sharron Mccarthy Meisenhelder

Masters Theses

Recently employers have been including references to communication skills in their advertising for employment opportunities. This research examined what people in business and industry mean when they use the phrase "interpersonal skills." A questionnaire was developed and administered to 60 people associated with personnel practices in business and industry. Content analysis of questionnaire responses found the subjects to identify the interpersonally skilled employee to be "effective," to be "sensitive" and to have a "positive attitude."

A Doctrine Revised: The Venezuelan Crisis Of 1902 And The Roosevelt Corollary, George Arthur Boston

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Study Skills Training On The Academic Performance Of Learning Disabled Students In Mainstream Classes, Kathleen M. Allen

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Religious Belief, Salience, And Social Action: Are They Related?, Timothy R. Tuinstra

Masters Theses

With the increasing size and social/political activity of theologically orthodox religious groups within the United States, research dealing with the relationship between orthodoxy and social action is necessary in better understanding the phenomena. Past research has been inadequate in that it has largely focused either on the clergy or, when using the laity, has only measured attitudes toward social action rather than participation in social action. This study measured social action participation among lay members drawn from three Grand Rapids area United Methodist Churches. A third variable, salience of religious belief, was also examined, which past research indicated could be …

A Content Comparison Of Nontechnical Curricula For Engineers, Bryan Lynn Lundgren

Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to compare and critique the nontechnical curricula content of three Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) degree program model curricula. Curricula content areas that are similar were critiqued by employers of engineers. Model curricula importance and first year BSE nontechnical skill performance were rated by engineering supervisors. The main postulate is that differences among actual, model, and employer-desired nontechnical curricula are factors that may influence curricula change in engineering education. A secondary purpose was to investigate whether the proportion of nontechnical courses to total required courses in BSE college degree programs changed between 1975 …

What's Right With Welfare? The Other Face Of Afdc, Ronald B. Dear

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Eleven million people, mostly mothers and children, depend on Aid to Families with Dependent Children, America's largest child welfare program. Much is wrong with AFDC welfare, and serious efforts are being made, again, to reform it. So far, no major attempts at reform have been successful. If reform is to succeed, we must understand what needs to be corrected and what does not.

What's right with welfare? This study, not an apology or excuse for AFDC, answers that rarely asked question. Part I surveys background. Part II cites myths and criticisms of AFDC and portrays poverty as it afflicts children …

The Work Incentive Years In Current Perspective: What Have We Learned? Where Do We Go From Here?, Leonard Goodwin

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

A review of the rationale, results, and research findings from worktraining efforts for welfare recipients is presented. Focus is on the Work Incentive (WIN) Program from its inception in 1968 to its heydays in the 1970s and its decline during the Reagan era. The review provides a basis for examining the recent welfare legislation and recongizing the elements needed for real welfare reform.

Work And Welfare: How Industrialists Shaped Government Social Service During The Progressive Era, Cynthia Hamilton

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article focuses on the welfare work of industrialists which was developed as a mechanism for fighting trade unionism during the Progressive era. This focus is designed to place welfare in its proper perspective within the political economy and to identify its political and economic functions. The article concludes that industrial welfare was one of the instruments used in creating a work ethic in the United States and one of the mechanisms of social engineering both in and outside of industry.

Towards A Construct Of Employment For Social Welfare And Economic Productivity, David C. Congdon

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article analyzes Marxian socialist, neo-classical, and Keynesian economic theories toward developing a construct of employment which supports social welfare and economic productivity. It considers their motivational approaches, outcomes, and requirements for social control. A Keynesian construct of employment is recommended as supportive of social well-being, high productivity, and a level of social control reduced from that in currently dominant economic systems. Implications and implementation issues are considered.

A New Paradigm For Social Welfare, David Stoesz

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The American welfare state has been contained by several developments that have influenced social policy: the traditionalist movement, neoliberal ideology, and the budget deficit. These are evident in the minimal welfare reform of the Family Support Act of 1988. A new paradigm for organizing thinking about American social welfare is proposed around themes that have become central to discussions of social policy: productivity, reciprocity, community, and privatization. In order to become a viable institution again, social welfare policy should emphasize specific themes: voluntarization, access to services, social choice, social control, social obligation, transitional benefits, community enterprise, and national service.

Family Structures And The Feminization Of Poverty: Women In Hawaii, Susan Meyers Chandler, Jennifer Williams

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The quality of life for many single mothers and their children is shrouded in economic hardship. Women outside the traditional nuclear family, attempting to raise children, are doing so in poverty and without much public support. Marital disruption, teenage mothers, and out of wedlock births have resulted in an alarming number of improverished children living in America. This paper examines census data in the state of Hawaii and the impact of family structure on the quality of lives of women with children. Women living in multigenerational family arrangements, rather than in "traditional" families have higher income, holding family size constant. …

Western News, May 18,1989, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Blanchard names two new trustees; reappoints Edwards, Five academic units joined to form new School of Community Health Services, Senate approves revised policy on political activities, Chandler receives Liberty Bell Award

Western News, May 4, 1989, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: University seeks $55 million in 'The Campaign for Excellence', Shaw design work goes to GR firm, Takeda receives honorary degree, Contracts awarded for summer work on residence halls; Elmwood Apartments, Abdul-Mutakallim named custodial manager, Dream becomes reality with Honors College building, Library/ computer center complex will be new campus focal point, Donewald named new men's basketball coach, DeVries named to planned giving position

Should I (Legally) Be My Brother's Keeper?, Gilbert Geis

Center for the Study of Ethics in Society Papers

Presented to the WMU Center for the Study of Ethics in Society, October 27, 1987.

24th International Congress On Medieval Studies, Medieval Institute, Western Michigan University

International Congress on Medieval Studies Archive

The printed program of the 24th International Congress on Medieval Studies (May 4-7, 1989).

Wmu Board Of Trustees Regular Meeting April 21, 1989, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

• Acceptance of the Agenda
• Approval of the Minutes
• Correspondence
• Remarks by the President
• Remarks by the Chair
• Authorization to Confer Degrees
• Recommendation re Honorary Degree
• Grant Report
• Personnel Report
• Naming of the Honors College
• Amendments - Paper Technology Foundation
• Organizational Change - College of General Studies
• Establishment of School of Community Health Services
• Student Assessment Fee
• Gift Report
• Personnel Report
• Student Room and Board and Apartment Rental Rates for 1989/90
• Vehicle Registration Rates
• Construction Contract - Elmwood Apartments
• Construction Contract - College of Business Building
• Contract - Residence Hall Interiors (Draper, Siedschlag, and Burnhams)
• Construction Contract - Bernhard Center Cafeteria …

Western News, April 13,1989, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: MAGB to honor two students; two faculty members, Lamberson recommended as dean, Study helps Haenicke respond to sentiments that WMU is a 'millstone' on the community, Conference to focus on Korean studies

Western News, April 6, 1989, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: WMU plays 'central and powerful role' in economy, Tours to embark to France; England; Spain and Kenya, Nassar named to career planning post

Electrokinetic Treatment Of Sludge, Matthew G. Kwiatkowski

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Disposal of sludge has become a major issue in the pulp and paper industry because of the decreased space in landfills and the possibility of pollution from the sludge. By increasing the amount of solids in the sludge (dewatering), the sludge could be disposed of using less land or by incineration, composting, or other method. The dewatered sludge is easier to handle also because of its decreased volume. The method of dewatering which was used for the experiment was by electrokinetics. Electrokinetics is the technology of separating solids and liquids from suspensions of finely divided solids or colloidal particles using …

The Effect Of Carboxylation Of Styrene-Butadiene Latex On Binder Migration, Peter James Rudy

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

A literature review was conducted concerning material related to carboxylation of styrene-butadiene latexes, binder migration, and binder migration measurement. Theory showed the process by which styrene and butadiene monomers contribute to make up the polymer chain and the effect of S/B ratio, particle size, crosslinking and carboxylation by vinyl acid addition type, level and location on the chain. Binder migration parameters related to coated surface and base sheet migration were addressed, as was viscosity control to reduce migration. Measurement types including attenuated total reflectance (ATR) using the fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was reviewed.

Based on the literature an experimental procedure …

Optimization Of The Bleached Optical Properties For Southern Pine Sulphonated Thermomechanical Pulp, Steven Thomas Six

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

The object of this thesis was to determine if the addition of Anthraquinone to sulphonated CTMP process would increase the optical properties without decreasing the strength properties. Along with the AQ addition, the percent refining done on the fibers was increased to see what effects it would produce on the optical properties.

The pulp used was southern pine and was obtained from American Fibrit Company, Battle Creek, Michigan.

The distinction that sulphonated thermomechanical pulps produce a outstanding material for inexpensive paper such as newsprint has been known for a long time. With the introduction of high brightness newspaper, like USA …

Increasing The Effectiveness Of The Reading Aide: A Guide For Teachers, Nancy A. Anderson

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

It is the purpose of this article to share ideas on supervisory techniques that teachers can implement to increase the effectiveness of another adult assisting them in the classroom. While this article focuses on the reading aide, these techniques are equally applicable when working with student teachers, parent volunteers, or any other adult whom the teacher might have in the classroom to provide help with the instructional program.

Ssr: Its Effects On Students' Reading Habits After They Complete The Program, Katherine D. Wiesendanger, Lois Bader

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

The present study tried to ascertain what happened after the termination of SSR. Upon completing the program, would students previously enrolled in SSR continue to have better reading habits than those who had not been exposed to SSR? A second area of concern was whether the reading ability of the students influenced the effectiveness that SSR had in changing reading habits. Do students of high, middle or low ability reading levels receive the same benefits from SSR, or are its effects greater with one particular group?

The Role Of Fiber Mechanical Treatment On The Retention Of Cationic Starch, David A. Glass

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Cationic starches possess a positive or cationic charge. Because of this charge, they have found widespread use at the wet end of the papermachines. When applied properly, cationic starches have been found to increase filler and fines retention, improve interfiber bonding, increase pick resistance and reduce BOD in mill effluent. In order to obtain these benefits, it is first important to retain the cationic starch in the sheet.

Several factors have been determined to affect cationic starch retention. These factors include - pH, starch molecular weight, starch charge density, rate of application, retention aid used, furnish type and degree of …

The Effect Of Aluminum Species And Cationic Starch On Retention, Kathleen R. Rutledge

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Aluminum sulfate, commonly know as alum, undergoes hydrolysis when placed in water and a variety of aluminum species are produced. The ionic charge of the species is dependent on pH. Research has shown that maximum adsorption occurs in the presence of Al₈ (OH)₂₀⁺⁴. Alum competes with other positively charged particles such as cationic starch for adsorption sites on fibers. Starch charge density and molecular weight govern the extent to which cationic starch adsorbs and bridges to fibers. This project is a study of the influence of cationic starch molecular weight and charge density, and aluminum species …

Utilizing The Horizontal And Vertical Size Presses For Optimum Two-Sided Color Correction Under Acid And Neutral Conditions, Charles E. Dickens Jr.

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

This Engineering Problem investigates the utilization of the horizontal and vertical size presses for optimum two-sided color correction.

This was accomplished by making paper at the Western Michigan University Pilot Plant Fourdrinier papermachine. Paper was made under an acid system and a neutral system. A red anionic direct dye was added at the wet-end to internally dye the sheet. Color two-sidedness was induced by manipulating and wet-end vacuum elements, as well as the Fourdrinier shake. In addition, the red anionic direct dye that was used is known for it's "topsided" characteristics.

The paper was then surface colored using the size …

A Survey Of Diagnostic/Corrective Reading Instruction And Practices In Relation To The Interactive Reading Process, Judy M. Wedman, Richard D. Robinson

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

Based on the work of Rumelhart (1977), reading is currently characterized as an interactive process. The resulting "interactive model" is conceptualized as the interaction of many factors during the reader's print processing, all of which influence comprehension. Research related to the model has indicated a variability among readers' comprehension that is due to the interaction of factors such as: reader's background knowledge, motivation, interest, text structure, task expectations, and flexibility (Anderson & Pearson, 1984; Meyer & Rice, 1984; Wigfield & Asher, 1984; Anderson & Pichert, 1978; Spiro, 1980; Campione & Brown, 1985). As a result, the reader is viewed as …

Kindergarten: Magic Moments, Lorelei Fetzer, Darlene Ponder

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

When a five-year-old enters the classroom for the first time, expectations of his parents and teachers are high, but still higher are the expectations of the child. S/he has heard of this magical day from the time words were understandable. However, the dreams and magical moments are quickly dispelled when s/he finds that s/he cannot conform to the demands of a regimented curriculum. S/he looks around the room at other children who seem to be laughing and doing their activities with ease. Most of them are drawing compliments on their neat work. But no matter how hard s/he tries, the …

Comprehending And Using Text Ideas: The Order Of Processing As Affected By Reader Background And Style, Gary Steinley

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

This study expands order of processing models by considering two variables which could affect order in a particular reading task. Specifically, two research questions are addressed: (1) Does the extent of a reader's background affect the order of processing between the two processes of comprehending a text and using text ideas for a thinking task? (2) Does the typical processing style of a reader affect the order of processing between these two components?