Digital Commons Network^™

Re-Creation, Ritual Process And The N-Town Cycle, Elizabeth J. El Itreby

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Marriage Encounter: Participant Characteristics Ii, Patricia Arlene Mackin

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Psychological Investigation Of The Relationship Among Maternal Self-Concept, Maternal-Child Attitudes, And The Social-Emotional Functioning And Self-Concept Of Children, Nancy Dort Rossow

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Comparative Analysis Of Faculty Perceptions Of Institutional Goals And Environments At Two Campuses Of A State University, Sarah A. Crawford

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Number Of Sessions And Psychotherapy Outcome: Impact On Community Mental Health Center Services, Joanne M. May

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

On Isomorphic Decompositions Of Graphs, Sergio Ruiz

Dissertations

A decomposition of a nonempty graph G is a collection of subgraphs G(,1), G(,2), ... , G(,k) of G such that their edge sets form a partition of the edge set of G. If G(,i) is isomorphic to a fixed graph H for each i, then G has an isomorphic decomposition into the graph H or, equivalently, G is H-decomposable. Several topics, each concerning isomorphic decompositions, are investigated in this dissertation.

An historical introduction to the subject of isomorphic decompositions is given in Chapter I. We also present there some new information on finding regular graphs that are H-decomposable for …

A Comparison Of Sexual And Non-Sexual Assault Prosecution, Susan Caringella-Macdonald

Dissertations

In 1974 the state of Michigan enacted what has come to be referred to as model rape legislation. A salient objective of the Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) Code in this state was to facilitate the comparable rather than unique handling of sexual assaults in the criminal justice system. The primary purpose of this study was to discern whether or not this objective of equitable case treatment was realized through implementation. The focus of this research was therefore directed towards the discovery of differences in sexual and non-sexual assault case prosecutions. Specific aspects of legal change involving corroboration requirements, consent and …

A Study Of The Environmental Aspects Of Schistosomiasis In Libya, Abubaker I. Swehli

Dissertations

Schistosomiasis is a serious disease in humans. Two species of schistosome, Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium, organisms that cause the disease, parasitize humans in Libya. Schistosomes require aquatic snails in their life cycle. The purpose of this study was to investigate the environmental and the host relationships of the disease in the three regions of Libya where the disease is found. These relationships include:

1) Analyses of the physical-chemical characteristics of the aquatic habitat.

2) Collection of snails to determine: a) the kind of snail species and th e ir abundance; and b) the cercarial infestation rates.

3) Infection rates …

Mathematical Models Of Unsteady Operation Of A Packed Column, Jen-Fu Chao

Dissertations

Analytical solutions of differential equations applicable to extraction, ion exchange, or adsorption processes in packed beds are presented. Results are given for three different cases. The first case accounts for adsorption phenomena only. The second one includes surface adsorption on particles and the effects of longitudinal dispersion in the bed. The third one deals with diffusion in particles and longitudinal dispersion in the bed. In the mathematical modelling of these three cases, a linear equilibrium relationship between the solute in the liquid phase and solute in the solid phase is used. The first case is solved using the single boundary …

A Study Of The Role Of Vocational Education Instructors As Perceived By Vocational Instructors, Vocational Administrators, Advisory Committee Members, And Vocational Counselors, Laverne M. Youngblade

Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to examine role expectations held for vocational education instructors by the following reference groups: vocational instructors, vocational education advisory committee members, and vocational counselors. A sample of 356 participants from 27 schools throughout the state of Michigan completed the Vocational Education Teacher Questionnaire which was used to measure the groups' expectations of the role of vocational education instructors. Twelve hypotheses predicted differences in groups' expectations. Using one-way analysis of variance statistical technique and the Welch approximate t test, the hypotheses were tested. Differences were found between: (1) Instructors and administrators regarding definition of performance …

Parameter Optimization Using A Hierarchical System Of Learning Automata, Brian T. Mitchell

Dissertations

Many problems in adaptive control, pattern recognition, filtering, identification, and artificial intelligence can be viewed as parameter optimization problems. The learning automation approach to these problems has two distinct advantages over the classic hill climbing methods: (1) the parameter space need not be metric and (2) a global rather than local optimum can be found. Unfortunately, these advantages do not come without corresponding difficulties, namely the problem of high dimensionality. A hierarchical system of learning automata has been used to reduce this problem somewhat, but inefficiencies still remain since the current hierarchical system was balanced and static hierarchical learning automaton …

An Application Of Performance Analysis In A Food Cooperative, Lone Milani

Dissertations

A performance systems analysis was applied in a small business to diagnose problems and direct decisions in order to solve performance deficiencies of that organization. A "performance audit," as the approach is called, consists of analyzing an operating system from the most general to the most specific levels of vantage (i.e., levels at which a system operates). The levels of vantage for any system are: philosophical, cultural, policy, strategic, tactical, and logistic. At each level the actual performance was compared to predetermined standards called "exemplary performance." This comparison facilitated the diagnosis of the organization's deficiencies.

The study attempted to design …

An Investigation Of The Relationship Of Life Events And Self Concept To Depression In A Psychiatric Inpatient-Adolescent Population, David L. Harris

Dissertations

In the present investigation, a group of mildly depressed adolescent inpatients was compared with a moderately to severely depressed sample on measures of self-concept and life events. The expected differences between the groups were hypothesized on the basis of current theoretical and clinical considerations emphasized in the literature. Previous research has implicated the magnitude of readjustment required by significant life experiences and self concept with depression.

Seventy-four subjects participated and were assigned to one of two groups by dichotomizing scores on the Beck Depression Inventory. The relationships of scores on the Tennessee Self Concept Scale, Life Event History, and Minnesota …

A Reliability Study Of The Peer Nomination Inventory Of Depression When Used By Adults In Determining The Psychological Condition Of Depression In Children, Jeffrey R. Glindmeyer

Dissertations

In the present investigation, the reliability of a modified version of an inventory developed to assess the psychological condition of depression in children was undertaken. The Peer Nomination Inventory of Depression (PNID), an instrument designed to assess depression in children through having peers rate each other on a number of items, was modified to be used by adult raters for this same purpose. Staff members, including therapists, educators, and direct care professionals at the RiverView Hospital for Children, a psychiatric hospital in Middletown, Connecticut, completed ratings on eight boys ranging in age from seven to thirteen years of age. The …

The Relationship Between Systems Theory And Behavior Analysis, Michael B. Oberlin

Dissertations

This paper provides a conceptual framework which clarifies the relationship between General Systems Theory and Behavior Analysis. This framework is supplied by a theoretical notion borrowed from Simon (1962), the notion of "dynamics of interaction." "Interaction" refers to interaction between the units of analysis of science, e.g., in the analysis of behavior, stimuli, responses, and consequences in economics, units of supply and demand. The paradigm of Behavior Analysis is seen to accommodate a "higher-frequency dynamics" found in subsystems; and General Systems Theory, along with disciplines like Economics and Organizational Analysis, accommodates a "lower-frequency dynamics" found in systems. Argument is based …

The Effects Of A Cognitive Stress Management Program On Perceptions Of Stress Levels, Sara Sue Schaeffer

Dissertations

The impact of a cognitively oriented stress management program on participants' perceptions of their stress levels was assessed utilizing a prepost test format with randomly selected experimental and control groups. Between the pre and post tests the experimental group experienced the stress management workshop which focused on four major components: becoming aware of stress and its effects, assessing personal responses to stress, learning effective coping strategies, and designing a personal stress management program. Two measurement instruments were utilized. The Stress Program Assessment Instrument (SPAI) measured participant's cognitive knowledge of stress and coping strategies. The Life Experiences Survey (LES) measured participants' …

Gender Difference As A Factor In Psychological Crisis, Paula Laufer

Dissertations

The study's purpose was to examine possible gender differences in problem perception and desired treatment outcome of 311 persons (135 males and 176 females) selected from a pool of 1500 clients seeking treatment at an outpatient mental health clinic in a medium-sized midwestern city. One hundred males and one hundred females were randomly selected for inclusion.

Literature related to crisis theory, research in linguistics, and gender role indicated evidence supporting gender role differences in a variety of interpersonal situations. Clients' verbatim written statements and their reactions to a standard problem checklist at the time of intake provided the data base …

A Descriptive Study Of Organizational Structure And Its Relationship To Employee Utilization In The Electric Utility Industry, Frederick M. Keaton

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects that six structural variables had upon the utilization of employees within an electric utility. Specifically the objectives were: (1) To investigate the relationship between the organizational level within an organization and work force utilization. (2) To determine whether a relationship exists between span of control and work force utilization. (3) To determine whether a relationship exists between line versus staff positions and work force utilization. (4) To investigate the relationship between organizational subunit size and work force utilization. (5) To investigate the relationship between centralized versus decentralized organizations and work …

The Effect Of Ultrasound On The Hydrolysis Of Carbohydrates, Adel A. Khamis

Dissertations

Acid hydrolysis of dextran and cellulose were studied with and without irradiation with ultrasonic waves of different frequencies (17 - 150 KHz), and powers (0.4 - 200 w/cm²). In the case of both materials, the hydrolysis reaction was found to be first order with respect to the activity of hydrogen ions in the reaction medium. Weight average molecular weight was evaluated at different durations of the reaction course. The reaction rate of dextran was found to be proportional to the weight average molecular weight raised to the power 4/3, and raised to the power 4 for cellulose.

The …

Application Of Fuzzy Theory To Pattern Recognition, David Usechak

Dissertations

Piecewise curve approximation is used to describe boundaries of objects in pictures and waveforms. The method consists of linear and quadratic piecewise polynomial approximations in which the error must not exceed a predetermined cost threshold. A fuzzy Bayes model is used to determine if a breakpoint exists within an interval I_n or between intervals I_n and I_n+1 and to determine whether these intervals can be merged for data compaction reasons. In order to achieve these objectives a new fast algorithm has been proposed which gives good curve/object fitting. This algorithm uses a technique for generating generalized inverse …

Broadband Base Isolated Asymetrically Fed Vhf Antenna, Peter Edward Cunningham

Dissertations

Antennas presently being used for vehicular military VHF communications are narrowband. New generation frequency hopping radios, however, require broadband antennas. The antenna must be base isolated in order to reduce undesirable pattern nulls and impedance variations caused by currents induced on the support structure. Physical constraints limit the antenna length to three meters while operating from a frequency of 30 MHz to 88 MHz.

To satisfy the above requirements a model of a broadband, base isolated, cylindrical antenna less than three meters long was analyzed and built. Equations for the current distribution as a function of the physical parameters were …

Student Leaders As Interpreters Of High School Student Opinion, William Gerard Mulcrone

Dissertations

This study was designed to investigate the accuracy with which selected student leaders from 30 public high schools in Macomb County, Michigan, reflected the opinions of the general student population of high school seniors in the same county. Specifically, data were collected which would determine the advisability of implementing change suggested by the opinions of the student leaders.

Data were collected from 90 elected high school student leaders selected by faculty and administration to represent their schools on the Student Commission on Public Education (SCOPE), and a systematic random sample of 607 high school seniors using portions of the "Macomb …

A Study Of Leadership Training Programs For Charge Nurses In Nursing Homes, Joanne Esther Smith

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop leadership training program components for charge nurses in nursing homes and to learn if there were differences in the perceptions of the directors of nursing and the charge nurses concerning the proposed components.

Three research questions were developed for consideration. The first question was concerned with the perceptions of the directors of nursing and the charge nurses concerning the need for the proposed 14 leadership components, while the second question was concerned with the present status of these components in training programs in their respective nursing homes. The third question was concerned …

An Analysis Of The Relationship Between Denominational Affiliation And Religious Orientation And Death Perspectives Of The Clergy, Donald Philip Gillespie

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of religious belief and religious orientation to death perspectives. The population was the clergy of three denominations: Conservative Jewish, Roman Catholic, and Southern Baptist. Virtually no research has been completed which explores these issues among this occupational group.

Research on religious orientation and death perspectives has been fraught with methodological difficulties. The major problem has been the unidimensional conceptualization of the variables. Multidimensional scales were used in this study to avoid that problem. These scales (refined by Spilka) were subjected to factor analyses which resulted in the formulation of new …

The Implementation Of Human Reproductive Programs Following Pa 226 Of 1977 In Michigan K-12 Public School Districts, Jerry L. Hilton

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree to which the Michigan K-12 Public School Districts have chosen to implement Public Act 226 of 1977. This statute from the Michigan Legislature deals with the topic of sex education in the public schools. The review of literature resulted in four hypotheses based upon the setting, size, basic instructional expenditures and the location of the district within the state. A research instrument was mailed to all 529 public school districts and had an 87% return rate with good representation from the entire state. For this study the state of Michigan …

Kinetics And Mechanism Of Acylation Of Amines With 2-Naphthoyl Azide, Abraham L. Faburada

Dissertations

The reaction of 2-naphthoyl azide with primary and secondary amines in protic and aprotic solvents follows second-order kinetics. The effect of increasing solvent polarity is shown to increase the rate of reaction. For amines of similar basicity, the rate of reaction decreases with increasing steric hindrance on the amine. The changes in free energy and entropy of activation for n-butylamine and cyclohexylamine are in accord with steric requirements of amines. For amines of similar steric hindrance, the rate of reaction increases with increasing amine basicity. The mechanism of addition-elimination involving the formation of a tetrahedral intermediate is consistent with the …

Effects Of Social Support As A Moderator Of Role Stress Among School Principals, Richard Glen Siler

Dissertations

In this study, an interdisciplinary approach was used to examine the problem of role stress and social support as a stress moderator. The purposes of this study were: (a) to determine the level of occupational stress for school principals and identify significant occupational stressors, (b) to measure the effects of social support in reducing role stress, (c) to note the characteristics of the effective providers of social support, and (d) to identify factors in the educational setting that can strengthen coping skills by providing for social support.

A total sample of 355 subjects was randomly selected from the larger population …

A Study Of The Relationship Of System Openness To Community Education Programming In Selected Rural School Districts, Daniel James Patterson

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was twofold: First, to identify indicators of system openness that are related to the community education program components offered by a school district and, second, to investigate the extent to which the indicators of system openness relate to the community education program components offered by a school district.

The population of this study consisted of six community educators working in separate K-12 school organizations.

A survey instrument was developed to meet the requirements of this study: The measurement of community education programs and the indicators of system openness. A review of the literature on community …

The Relationship Of Preferred Work Environment And Job Satisfaction Of Community College Administrators, Susan Dunn Duford

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of job satisfaction and preferred work environment of community college administrators. Administrators from four southeast Lower Michigan community colleges were the population (N = 50). The administrators in expanding areas (N = 29) were compared with those in contrasting areas (N = 21). Members of each group completed a demographic questionnaire developed by the researcher as well as the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (Weiss et al., 1967) and the Work Environment Preference Schedule (Gordon, 1973). Survey instruments were mailed to each administrator and non-respondents were telephoned to determine reasons for noncompletion. …

An Assessment Of The Relationships Between Selected Teacher Characteristics And Attitudes Of Regular Classroom Teachers Toward Mainstreaming, Dorothy Mary Elkins

Dissertations

A descriptive study was conducted to investigate the relationship between regular classroom teachers' attitudes toward accepting handicapped pupils into their classrooms and the following factors: (a) the teacher's age, sex, academic preparation, and professional experience, (b) grade level taught, and (c) the teacher's perception of potential help available. The investigator also surveyed the opinions of these teachers about: (a) the types of handicapping conditions considered most and least acceptable and (b) the effectiveness of various incentives as inducements to enhanced acceptance of handicapped pupils into their classrooms. Data were gathered using the Attitude Regarding Mainstreaming Survey (ARMS), which was developed …