Digital Commons Network^™

A Classification Of Ecosystem Desertification Using Satellite Imagery, Dzheltyrbas Gulf, 1980-1989, Marni D. Cavis

Masters Theses

This study focused on the development of a land cover classification method for the Dzhiltyrbas Gulf region southeast of the Aral Sea in the former Soviet Union. Desertification of the region was mapped based on ecosystem descriptions taken from a database defining four stages of desertification. Landsat MSS images (bands 1, 2, and 4) were used as the basis for classification. Standard unsupervised and supervised classification methods did not distinguish the level of detail required to map each stage of desertification in each ecosystem. Therefore, the ecosystems had to be defined and classified as separate entities (based on SBI and …

Contracts In Conflict: Perestroika And The Decline Of Soviet Legitimacy, Karl Glenn Hokenmaier

Masters Theses

Gorbachev's perception of the Soviet Union's socio-economic crisis and his subsequent actions to correct the economy and reform the political system were linked with attempts to renegotiate the social contract between the state and the Soviet people. However, reformulation of the social contract was incompatible with the conditions of a second arrangement between the leadership and the nomenklatura--the Soviet ruling class. The failure of Gorbachev's reforms and the decline of Soviet legitimacy were linked to the irreconcilability of the nomenklatura's "political contract" and the social contract.

The construct of the social contract was utilized to represent the Soviet state-society relationship …

Community Development Corporations And Their Contributions To Democracy In Chicago, Carl E. Hanssen

Masters Theses

Community development corporations (CDCs) are non-profit, neighborhood-based, real estate developers. They share a common mission to improve social conditions in communities where they work. CDCs were developed based on two distinct models: (1) an intervention model, and (2) a grass-roots model.

This work was predicated on a theory of political science: high levels of social conditions correspond with high levels of democracy. High levels of democracy will be demonstrated by high voter participation. The work of CDCs and their impact on communities in Chicago was analyzed to test this theory.

Four CDCs and corresponding communities were chosen for this study. …

Correlates Of Job Satisfaction Among Private Sector Employees In Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Al-Helelah

Masters Theses

The primary objectives of the present study were to explore the level of job satisfaction and commitment among private sector employees in Saudi Arabia, and to examine the relationship between job satisfaction and employees' commitment.

Seven alternative hypotheses were tested against seven null hypotheses. Chi-square (x^2) was the test statistic for all seven hypotheses. The critical value of chi-square was determined by the degrees of freedom (df) and an alpha level of.05. Three hypotheses were confirmed that related job satisfaction to employees' commitment, satisfaction with length of working hours, and satisfaction with opportunities for interaction with co-workers on the job. …

Attitudes Of Occupational Therapy Students Toward The Mentally Disabled, Patricia Mccarthy

Masters Theses

Thirty-nine undergraduate occupational therapy and fifty-seven entry-level graduate occupational therapy students from eight randomly selected academic programs were surveyed using the Opinions About Mental Illness Scales ([OMI], Cohen and Struening, 1959) and the Mental Health Information Questionnaire ([MHIQ], Nunnally, 1961). Results revealed that both student groups’ knowledge toward the mentally disabled was more similar to the general public’s knowledge. Using a one-tailed t-test to compare the MHIQ factors revealed there was no statistically significant difference between the occupational therapy student groups.

Both student groups’ OMI factor scores were similar to an expert group for Factors A B, and D; however, …

Effects Of Checklists And Feedback On Interviewer Documentation Errors, Ann Lynn Linklater

Masters Theses

A multiple baseline design was used to compare the effectiveness of checklists and feedback to improve marketing research telephone interview documentation. Three measures based on the combined errors of four interviewers were obtained: (1) errors per completed interview, (2) errors per interview with errors, and (3) most frequently occurring error in each of three error groups. The effects of three additional factors believed to affect interviewer performance were also investigated: (1) marketing research project, (2) complexity of the interview, and (3) lead worker responsible for editing completed interviews.

Only slight, mostly positive changes were visually evident across the dependent measures. …

Offense Perceived, Appropriate Actions And Possible Solutions: A Research Of Censorship, Sharon K. Van Poolen

Masters Theses

Students at Western Michigan University were asked via a survey to read lyrics and indicate an offensiveness rating. Lyrics containing vulgar or sexual language or derogatory statements about religion received higher offensive ratings. Actions deemed acceptable in response to offensive lyrics include picketing and boycotting. Prevalent themes identified in the lyrics are antagonism toward religion, sexism and unhealthy sexual relations. Groups cited most frequently as potentially harmed by lyrics are children 5-12, adolescents and women. Respondents were questioned about participation in certain activities and what alternatives to direct censorship are acceptable. Most would prefer to be involved indirectly, for example, …

Signal Processing With Neural Networks, Pero Smrzlic

Masters Theses

In this study, we introduce the Adaptive Back Propagation (ABP) learning algorithm, computationally superior to the standard Back Propagation. The ABP is based on the new activation function, with its corresponding adaptive learning parameter. By using the combination of computer simulations and analysis in the domain of activation function, the Method of One Hidden layer was developed for the effective utilization of units in one-hidden layer networks. A parallel version of the ABP was designed and implemented on a nCUBE-2 supercomputer with 128 processors.

The simulation results suggested a strong correlation between frequency of signals and the role of hidden …

The Effects Of Composting Of Yard Wastes On The Ground-Water Quality: Wmu Farms Site, Kalamazoo, Michigan, Bryan Kirk Allen

Masters Theses

In the rush to find alternatives to landfilling of yard waste, federal and state agencies have identified composting as the main solution. There is therefore a need to address the possible environmental problems which could be associated with such composting operations. Compost may contain nutrients, organic acids, pesticides, and metals which could leach through soils to the ground water posing a potential contamination problem.

At the WMU Farms Site, two sites have been used for the composting of leaves by the City of Kalamazoo. The physical and chemical hydrogeology of these sites were characterized.

The results suggest that the presence …

Failure Of Methamphetamine Withdrawal To Produce Behavioral Disruptions In Pigeons, William F. Potter

Masters Theses

Methamphetamine, a widely used recreational drug, is not known to produce physiological dependence. Few studies to date have examined whether behavioral dependence occurs upon sudden withdrawal from methamphetamine. In this study, pigeons (n=4) were trained to respond under a multiple FR 25 IRT > 6-s schedule of reinforcement, allowing for examination of drug effects upon a relatively high rate of responding (FR) and a relatively low rate of responding (IRT > t). Acute adminstrations of methamphetamine showed rate-dependent effects at low doses, while higher doses decreased responding under both schedules. Tolerance was demonstrated for all subjects except one at the highest dose …

Groundwater Chemistry Analysis Of The Saginaw Formation In Delhi Township, Michigan, Sam L. Kitchin

Masters Theses

Groundwater chemistry and well data provided by the Ingham County (Michigan) Health Department were used to evaluate the distribution of inorganic chemical constituents in the groundwater flow system of the Saginaw Formation, in Delhi Township, Michigan. The data also were used to study the distribution of chemical constituents with respect to different rock types of the Saginaw Formation. The data were analyzed to examine if variations in the concentrations of the chemical constituents and the values of other chemical parameters relate to rock-water interactions, groundwater flow systems, or groundwater contamination.

The results indicate that patterns of increasing or decreasing concentrations …

Functional Outcomes Of Workman's Compensation Patients With Sub-Acute Mechanical Low Back Pain: A Descriptive Retrospective Study With Post-Treatment Follow-Up, Dan Peterson, Kirk Randall, Rex Holden

Masters Theses

This study used functional outcomes of workman's compensation (WC) patients with low back pain (LBP) to examine the efficacy of physical therapy (PT) treatments within a Functional Restoration Program (FRP). Of the 46 possible participants, 16 patients (10 males and 6 females) with mean ages of 43.2 and 39 years respectively, returned the questionnaire with information pertaining to current working status, patient preferred treatments, management of pain, psychosocial issues, work simulation, home exercise program compliance and back care education among others. Due to the pausity of subjects, the data is not clinically applicable. However, the results of this study appear …

Isokinetic Measurement Of Sagittal Plane Trunk Strength In Older Adults, Ralph L. Bidwell, Jill E. Thauvette, Patrick A. Townshend

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to collect normal flexion and extension trunk strength values for a population of individuals between the ages of 50 and 70 years of age. Twelve female and eight male volunteers in generally good health were tested in a seated position using a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. Each performed five reciprocal maximal efforts of concentric flexion-extension cycles at the three isokinetic speeds of 60, 120 and 180{dollar}\sp\circ{dollar}/s. Raw and body weight adjusted data for peak torque and total work were analyzed. Results suggest strength decreases with age and that extension strength is greater than flexion strength. …

Physical Therapy Job Mobility And Satisfaction, Teresa A. Bortolameolli

Masters Theses

This research study attempts to explore staff physical therapists job mobility as it relates to job satisfaction. It discusses the use of intrinsic and extrinsic motivators and their affect on job mobility and job satisfaction in the hospital setting. Several key motivators were identified as they relate to job satisfaction. The impact that these motivators have on the retention of staff physical therapists was examined. In addition, the importance of identifying the key motivators that affect job satisfaction is noted.; A questionnaire was constructed by the investigators and mailed to 337 physical therapists in the lower peninsula of Michigan who …

Correlates And Infant Mortality: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Among Black Women In The United States, Paulette Aubrey

Masters Theses

Often referred to as "cot death" or "crib death," sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the single leading cause of infant death in infants aged 28 days to 1 year of life. Although the exact etiology of SIDS remains unknown, epidemiological studies have identified risk factors associated with higher rates of SIDS. In this study, the relationship between sudden infant death syndrome and maternal education among black women who gave birth in the United States during 1983 was examined.

The population for this study consisted of black infants who were born in 1983 and died before their first birthday. Among …

Simulation Model For Predicting The Impact Of Progressive Diseases In The U.S. Population By Tracking, Biju Suseelan

Masters Theses

Computer Aided Simulation is the process of designing a mathematical-logical model of a real system and experimenting with this model on a computer. Simulation encompasses a model building process as well as the design and implementation of an appropriate experiment involving that model. A simulation experiment involves observing the dynamic behavior of a model by moving from state to state in accordance with well-defined operating rules designed into the model. This research contains the development of a novel approach for the HIV transmission dynamics by using computer simulation to track the HIV positive individuals in a population and to determine …

Language Abilities Of Male Adolescents In A Juvenile Detention Center, Krista J. Klein

Masters Theses

This study was designed to analyze the language abilities of male adolescents with delinquent behavior. It was based on the hypothesis that male adolescents with delinquent behavior would have lower language skills during expressive language tasks. Language skills of male adolescents in a juvenile detention center were examined by comparing 12 grammatical variables, four subtest scores, and one total score from the Screening Test for Adolescent Language (STAL; Prather, Ausdal-Breecher, Stafford & Wallace, 1980). Results indicated that the adolescents with delinquent behavior omitted significantly more words, but also produced significantly more secondary verbs in a narration task. Significantly lower results …

Language Skills Of Adolescents With Emotional Disorders, Diane T. Hardy

Masters Theses

The language abilities of adolescents with emotional impairments were examined to determine the differences that may occur between this population and that of a control group of similar age, race, and gender. Ten adolescents with emotional impairments and ten students in general education were examined using two procedures. The Screening Test of Adolescent Language (STAL) (Prather, Breecher, Stafford, & Wallace, 1980) includes four subtests: vocabulary, auditory memory span, language processing, and proverb explanation. A language sample was also gathered using a cartoon video narration task (Dollaghan, Campbell, & Tomlin, 1990) which examined for syntactic, semantic, and discourse variables.

Results indicated …

A Comparison Of Two Resistance Training Programs On Gains In Strength And Endurance, Pamela S. Canavan

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to find how two different resistance training programs would contribute to each subject's overall fitness level. Fifty-five subjects were tested to determine their 1RM and the maximum number of repetitions performed at 60% of 1RM. Subjects were then divided into three training groups: control (N=19) , strength (N=20) , and endurance (N=16). The strength group performed three sets of five repetitions each and two sets of three repetitions. The endurance group performed three sets of 15 repetitions. At the completion of the six week training programs, the subjects were retested. A significant difference was …

Lounge Chair Criteria For The Elderly, Edna M. I. Bosco

Masters Theses

This study investigated relationships between lounge chair design, functional positioning and comfort for the elderly. Thirty-five elderly residents from two local congregate living residences were assessed utilizing lounge chairs located at the residence. Measurements of the chairs were taken, coded and compared to specific norms established by Harris and Mayfield (1983b). Measurements consisted of armrest dimensions, seat depth and height, seat slope, and backrest dimensions. Each chair was scored based on the number of recommended standards for comfort met in the Harris and Mayfield research (1983b).

Frequency counts were taken and descriptive data collected and analyzed to determine relationships between …

Story Writing By Students With Hearing Impairments, Lois A. Ketchum

Masters Theses

Students with hearing impairments (N = 21) wrote a personal narrative each academic year from 1990 to 1992. These narratives were rated on maturity of the story as a whole and maturity of the language used in the story by senior undergraduate students in the education department at Western Michigan University. The method used for rating was a holistic magnitude estimation technique.

Significant change over time was found for story scores, but not language scores. Grade level was found to have no significant effect on change from first to last ratings for either story scores or language scores. Degree of …

Improved Filter-Pack Design For Hydrocarbon Recovery Wells In Unconsolidated Aquifers, Thomas R. Barrett

Masters Theses

Laboratory sand tank experiments and two field studies were conducted to determine filter-pack designs that would increase the hydrocarbon flow rate into hydrocarbon recovery wells. Previous laboratory experiments have shown that using filter-packs of Teflon chips or sands treated with a water repellent spray will increase the rate of hydrocarbon recovery into wells in laboratory bail down test experiments.

The results of the laboratory investigations suggest that using a hydrophobic filter-pack with a median grain-size of 2.5-3.5 greater than that of the aquifer will provide the greatest rate of hydrocarbon recovery.

In two field studies, wells constructed with a hydrophobic …

The Use Of Music Therapy To Influence The Self-Confidence And Hostility Of Adolescents Who Are Sexually Abused, Joy Clendenon-Wallen

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether music therapy would be an effective therapeutic medium for reducing hostility and increasing the self-confidence of sexually abused adolescents. The study utilized an experimental and control group which is unique in the sexual abuse literature. Most studies are descriptive or quasi-experimental in nature. Some of the subjects increased their self-confidence and decreased their hostility although no statistical significance was achieved for either group. This study describes the treatment problems of sexually abused adolescents and offers examples of non-confrontational and goal directed treatment strategies which can be achieved through music therapy. Music …

Multicultural Literature: The Need For Inclusion, Barbara Gripton

Masters Theses

Since Muskegon Public Schools serves a multicultural population, and since the canon of the textbooks used in the secondary language arts classes reflects neither this diverse population nor the current publications of the diverse cultures of the society, this study, in the form of a survey will show the need for the district to include literature contributed by ethnic minority writers from the American literature scene. The study shows the increasing need for such inclusion as well as offering rationale for doing so.; Finally, this paper will propose a three year pilot class, minority literature, similar to the minority history …

The Use And Effectiveness Of Facilitated Communication For A Child With Autism, Danielle Gayton

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Review Of Alcoholism Typology And A Study Of Type I And Type Ii Alcoholism In A Treatment Sample, Kevin L. Elliott

Masters Theses

Matching alcoholics to appropriate intervention methods increases the likelihood of successful treatment. In order to better accomplish this, researchers have sought to identify distinct types of alcoholism. One promising approach is the Type I/Type II model of alcoholism. Type I alcoholism is characterized by a later onset and less severe social complications. It seems to be inherited from either natural parent and can affect children of either sex; it seldom occurs without the presence of a stressful environment. Type II alcoholism is distinguished by early onset and greater severity of consequences. It appears to be inherited only from father to …

The School Breakfast Program: A Study Of Variables In Its Implementation, Chris S. Long

Masters Theses

The major purpose of this study was to examine variables in implementing a school breakfast program in Shelbyville Community Unit School District 4, Shelbyville, Illinois. All students in grades kindergarten through eight are eligible to participate in the program.

A review of the literature indicates a link between nutrition and academic achievement as well as behavior and attitude toward learning. One in three school children either does not receive an adequate breakfast or receives no breakfast. Children who are hungry cannot learn. Federal subsidies that provide school lunches to the economically disadvantaged are also available for school breakfast programs. Few …

A Study Of Thirty-Three Rural Southern Illinois Elementary School Districts' Medication Policies, Allen Bigley

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field study was to determine how thirty-three selected rural elementary (K-8) districts in Southern Illinois regulate the administration of medication to students in the absence of both the superintendent and school nurse. This was accomplished by sending a questionnaire to each of the school districts. A review of the literature and research was conducted to identify policies and procedures that should be included in all medication policies. Policies and procedures commonly found missing in many districts' medication policies were identified. Data received were analyzed through the use of tables to identify policies and procedures currently being …

The Effect Of Heart Rate And Rating Of Perceived Exertion While Exercising On The Stairmaster 4000pt With And Without Upper Body Support, Nicole Lamkin

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if any differences exists between heart rate and rating of perceive exertion during exercise on the StairMaster 4000pt with and without upper body support. Thirteen female intercollegic athletes were examined during a 1.5 mile run and eight minutes of supported and eight minutes of non-supported StairMaster exercise. The subjects worked at a slow step rate for the first two minutes (4.9 METs) and the last six minutes each subject worked at 70% of their submaximal level achieved on the 1.5 mile run. Variables measured included HR and RPE. A one factor ANOVA …

Concentration And Distribution Of Phosphate In The Sediment Of The Charleston Side Channel Reservoir, Nancy A. Johnson

Masters Theses

The Charleston Side Channel Reservoir (CSCR) is located on the southeast edge of the City of Charleston in Coles Co., IL. The CSCR is the sole source of public drinking water for the city and also provides for a variety of recreational activities. Water quality in the CSCR has deteriorated since its construction in 1981, leading to its classification as hypereutrophic. The presence of high levels of phosphate are of particular concern having contributed to an increase in algal blooms and high turbidity.

In order to assess the role of internal loading of phosphate from the sediment, thirty-five sample sites …