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Hydrogeochemical Delineation Of A Groundwater Flow System, Berrien County, Michigan, Patrick J. Bartnik

Masters Theses

The objective of this study was to examine the possibility of determining groundwater flow directions from natural variations in groundwater chemistry. Groundwater samples were analyzed for major cation and anion concentrations. These data were to have been contoured and then compared with groundwater flow maps generated by conventional methods. The purpose was to determine whether a correlation could be drawn between the two methods. However, the results of the study did not allow for this comparison.

The plotted major cation and anion data did not lend themselves to contouring, which suggests that greater control may be required during the selection …

Structural Effects On Micellar Catalyzed Hydrolysis Of Hydroxamic Acids With Perfluorooctanoic Acid As Surfactant, Xing Zhang

Masters Theses

This thesis demonstrated the structural effects on micellar catalyzed hydrolysis of hydroxamic acids with prefluorooctanoic acid as the reactive counterion surfactant in aqueous acetonitrile solution.

For different hydroxamic acids, the observed pseudo-first order rate constant-surfactant concentration profiles were obtained and were used in the determination of critical micellar concentrations (cmc).

The micellar catalytic effect was satisfactorily explained by the pseudo-phase ion exchange (PPIE) model. The PPIE model was successfully applied in the determination of the reaction rate constants both in the water phase and in micellar pseudo-phase.

Further investigation into more appropriate hydroxamic acids is suggested in order to obtain …

An Analysis Of The Primordial Soup Hypothesis With Respect To Dna Structure And The Genetic Code, Jennifer A. Hart

Masters Theses

The primordial soup hypothesis is currently the most popular origin of life theory. This hypothesis suggests that DNA and self-replicating organisms were formed out of a warm, aqueous environment on the surface of the prebiotic earth. However, recent studies have shown that the primordial soup hypothesis is not only lacking in factual support, it is also internally flawed. The primordial soup hypothesis is statistically impossible, and it does not adequately account for the origin of the specified complexity of the genetic code. The very nature of the genetic code requires an intelligence source. Universal experience shows that specified complexity is …

The Synthesis And Characterization Of Novel 5,6-Disubstituted 1,10-Phenanthrolines, Liansheng Zeng

Masters Theses

Two new ligands, 5-amino-6-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline (5-NH₂-6-NO₂-phen), produced by amination of 5-NO₂-1,10-phenanthroline, and 5,6-diamino-1,10-phenanthroline (5,6-(NH₂) ₂-phen) ,produced by reduction of 5-NH₂-6-NO₂-phen, have been synthesized and characterized. The ligand 5-NH₂-6-NO₂-phen has been coordinated to a Ru(II) metal center to produce the Ru(II)-polypyridine complex [ (bpy) ₂Ru (5-NH₂-6-NO₂-phen)] (PF₆ ) ₂ (bpy= 2, 2' -bipyridine) . This complex has been characterized by IR, UV-Vis, ¹H-NMR, and cyclic voltammetry (CV) .

A Comparative Analysis Of The Educational Recognition Systems Of Five Midwestern States, Danny L. Garrett

Masters Theses

The Illinois Public Recognition System has implemented new procedures that address a new system of quality and equity in Illinois schools. As an Illinois educator, the researcher has conducted a study that compares the new Illinois Public Recognition System to similar systems in the states of Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky and Minnesota. All of the states have many components of evaluation that are very similar.

Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Missouri all rely on systems that combine school improvement and accreditation. The systems are basically in transitional phases that are designed to be a ongoing process to enhance student learning and …

Factors Associated With Underachievement In Eighth-Grade Children, Barbara A. Moore

Masters Theses

This study investigated characteristics of underachieving adolescents. The Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS; Hieronymous, et al., 1990) and grade point averages provided the basis for selection of 83 eighth grade students into achiever and underachiever groups. Results indicated that underachievement was significantly related to males, number of absences, and number of discipline referrals, but not to race and notice of special education records. Overall self-esteem, as measured by the Self-Esteem Index (SEI; Brown & Alexander, 1991), and the subscale measure of perceptions of weak academic competence were positively related to level of underachievement/overachievement. Composite measure of behavioral/emotional problems, as …

The Effectiveness Of The East Richland High School Attendance Policy, George G. Toler

Masters Theses

An attendance policy was established at East Richland High School, East Richland Community Unit District #1, Olney, Illinois, prior to the 1991-92 school year. The intention of the policy was to counteract a trend of decreasing attendance rates. The purpose of this study was to provide information to the East Richland Community Unit Board of Education as to the effectiveness of the policy and to enable it to make a more informed decision as to whether or not to retain the policy. Information was gathered regarding test scores, course failures, honor rolls, and graduation rates. These results were compared to …

Novel Compounds (Including Transition-Metal Complexes) Based On 1,10-Phenanthroline-5,6-Dione, Hui Zhou

Masters Theses

This thesis describes the synthesis of the transition metal complex [(bpy) ₂Os^II (pptd)] (PF₆)₂^·2H₂O, an analog of [(bpy) ₂Ru^II (pptd)] (PF₆)₂^·2H₂O. Spectroscopic and electrochemical data on this complex are reported here. It was found that the electronic communication between the metal center and the pteridinedione portion of pptd did not appear to be enhanced in the Os(II) complex relative to its Ru(II) analog. The increased ability of Os(II) to undergo backbonding appeared to affect only the 1,10-phenanthroline portion of pptd.

A useful …

A New Sense Of Time In Female Development: Linearity And Cyclicity In Atwood's Surfacing And Cat's Eye, Diana L. Unes

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Pynchon, Dionysus And America: In Search Of The Pig That Got Away, Andreas Gerling

Masters Theses

This work seeks to analyze Western thought as a system. As a case study representative of this system, I have chosen the United States of America, as it started as a strange experiment in purely Apollonian thought, which has largely remained a closed system and has become the primary engine of cultural change in the twentieth century. As the tools for my analysis, I have chosen the dialectic represented in the mythical opposites Dionysus and Apollo and the counter cultural reaction by a number of post World War II authors, most notably Thomas Pynchon, to the "American Dream."

America began …

A Brief Discussion Of The History, Role, And Function Of The School Psychologist In The Former Soviet Union And Russia, Todd W. Knutson

Masters Theses

School psychology in the former Soviet Union and Russia had its beginnings as the field of Pedology which thrived in the early 1900s in Europe and in the former Soviet Union. School psychological services, in Western psychometric sense, have been virtually dormant since Pedology's downfall following ideological conflicts with Communist leaders in 1936 when standardized testing was banned in the U.S.S.R. This paper sketches a brief history of school psychology in the former Soviet Union and Russia, outlines the educational system, reviews the Soviet research on mental retardation, and calls for the sharing of general information related to international school …

Investigation Of The Relationship Between Language & Mathematics In Regards To Problem Solving, Heather A. Grant

Masters Theses

While previous research has established language as a component of mathematical performance (Kintsch, 1988; Simon, 1985), none have identified a relationship between language and mathematics. This study was conducted to examine the relationships between language and mathematical abilities, specifically problem solving abilities and concept knowledge.

The subjects consisted of 29 fifth-grade students selected from an elementary school in central Illinois. These students were not receiving special education services. Each subject was administered the Test of Problem Solving (Zachman, et al., 1984) to assess the subjects' ability to utilize reasoning skills and expressive language to solve situational problems; and The WORD …

Reproductive Success Of Grassland Birds At East-Central Illinois Airports, Eric L. Kershner

Masters Theses

We determined the densities and reproductive success of birds on airport grasslands in east-central Illinois. Seven airports were sampled between 10 April and 15 August 1994 in Clark, Coles, Crawford, Douglas, Edgar, Macon and Richland counties. Nineteen species were detected on the airport grasslands and 147 nests were found representing six different species. Eastern meadowlarks (Sturnella magna) were the most abundant nesting species found; 105 out of the 147 nests (71%). Other nesting species included: grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis), red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) and horned lark (Eremophilia alpestris). Overall nest success was …

Gender Differences In Cognitive Ability Of Children With Hearing Impairment On The Wechsler Intelligence Scale For Children-3rd Edition, Damian D. Jones

Masters Theses

This research thesis investigates possible gender differences of deaf children on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (3rd ed.). The Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD) in Jacksonville, Illinois collated the standard scores of the five standard WISC-III Performance scale subtests and the Performance IQ of 25 students attending ISD. To examine gender differences on the Performance scale subtests and the Performance IQ's, a series of oneway-analyses of variance was calculated. No significant differences were noted on any comparison. A hypothesis that gender differences would occur was not confirmed. The results are discussed with respect to the intellectual assessment of …

Cooperative Learning: Does It Work And Do Students Like It?, Thomas Neal Vander Stelt

Masters Theses

This study compares a teacher-centered approach to learning with a cooperative learning method in order to discover if either method has greater ability to deliver academic success in a fourth grade geography unit. In addition, the study examines the students' preferences for or against the teacher-centered method and the cooperative method.; There has been some movement toward cooperative learning methods in the school in which this study takes place, but there is also some reluctance of some teachers to try it because they feel that the time it takes is not worth the results it brings. This study includes an …

Mathematics Placement At A Community College, Bonnie E. Morris

Masters Theses

There are few recently documented effectiveness studies of locally designed math placement tests, while there are many that utilize a professionally designed test. All tests that are used in placement whether professionally designed or created by faculty need to conform to the same standards.; This research assimilates the current best knowledge of the qualities required of a math placement test. It delineates the procedures required in the creation and evaluation of a valid and reliable mathematics placement test by addressing a variety of issues. These include calculating difficulty and discrimination indexes, validating and setting cut scores, and evaluating test validity …

A Neural Network Thrust Force Controller To Minimize Delamination During Drilling In Graphite Epoxy Laminates, Robert B. Stone

Masters Theses

"Delamination is a well-recognized problem associated with drilling in fiber-reinforced composite materials (FRCM). The most noted problems occur as the drill enters and exits the FRCM. Since drilling is often a final operation during assembly, any defects introduced in parts by drilling represent an expensive loss. Studies based on linear elastic fracture mechanics theory have proposed critical thrust forces in the various drilling regions that will prevent crack growth or delamination. Using these critical thrust force curves as a guide, a thrust force controller was developed to minimize the delamination while drilling in graphite epoxy laminates. A neural network control …

Prediction Of Wisc-Iii Scores From The Iowa Tests Of Basic Skills And The Cognitive Abilities Test In Order To Predict Premorbid Cognitive Functioning In Children With Traumatic Brain Injury, Kent A. Riley

Masters Theses

The present study examined the relationship of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills, Form J (ITBS-J) and the Cognitive Abilities Test, Form 4 (CogAT-4) with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Third Edition (WISC-III) in order to establish a better method for predicting premorbid intellectual functioning in children with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) aged 6 through 11 years. The subjects included 73 children in grades one through six from four elementary schools within a rural city in southeastern Illinois. The results of the study supported all six hypotheses: The CogAT-4 and ITBS-J significantly predicted the variability observed in WISC-III scores; …

The Synthesis Of N-Chlorosulfonyl Β-Lactams And Their Rearrangements, Lihua Zhang

Masters Theses

The synthesis of several N-chlorosulfonyl-β-lactams and their rearrangements have been carried out via CSI (chlorosulfonylisocyanate) reaction. The mechanism of β-lactam synthesis as well as its rearrangements were also studied. The characterization of β-lactams was performed with IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and HRMS. β-lactams 2-chlorosulfonyl-1-methyl-2-azabicyclo[4.2.0]octan-3-one (71), 1-chlorosulfonyl-4-methyl-4- (phenylmethyl)azetidin-2-one (74) and 1-chlorosulfonyl-4,4- (diphenylmethyl)azetidin-2-one (75) were synthesized for the first time. β-lactam 4-chlorosulfonyl-3, 9, 9-trimethyl-4-azatricyclo [6.1.0.0^3,6] nonan-5-one (73) was obtained as crystalline solid instead of liquid.

Different effects, such as temperature, solvents and catalysts, on the rearrangement of the …

Middle School Tutoring Practices In Illinois, Kim Lin Johnston

Masters Theses

Districts must provide successful cost-effective programs for students who are failing. One method that has proven both cost effective and successful is tutoring by staff, community volunteers, and students. The study investigated the tutoring practices in 45 schools and large unit districts in Illinois. As implemented, neither peer nor cross-age tutoring followed a predictable pattern. Results indicated that the most comon type of tutoring was after-school with remedial activities focusing on math and reading and taught by certified staff. The study described some of the design and administrative features that shape the programs, discussed possible implications for minority constituencies, and …

Equilibrium And Kinetic Studies Of Isomerization Of (Oc)5m[Η1-Pph2ch2ch(Pph2)2] And (Oc)5m[Η1-Pph2ch(Pph2)Ch2pph2] (M=Cr, Mo, W), Weiying Lin

Masters Theses

It has been found that (OC)₅M[η¹-PPh₂CH₂CH(PPh₂)₂] and (OC)₅M[η¹-PPh₂CH(PPh₂)CH₂PPh₂] (M=Cr, Mo, W) exist in equilibrium in solution. This linkage isomerization is the first experimental evidence for the exchange of terminal and coordinated phosphorus groups in pentacarbonyl complexes of group 6 metals.

(OC)₅M[η¹-PPh₂CH₂CH(PPh₂)₂] ⇌ (OC)₅M[η¹-PPh₂CH(PPh₂)CH₂PPh₂]

(M = Cr, Mo, W)

In this work, equilibrium …

Isomerization And Chelation Studies Of Dangling Phosphine Complexes Of Group 6, Zhongjiang Jia

Masters Theses

Vinyl addition reactions, catalyzed by 2,2'-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN), have been used to prepare six pentacarbonyl complexes of group 6, each of which contains a dangling Ph₂PCH₂CH₂P(p-tol)₂ ligand.

Each of the six complexes undergoes slow isomerizationand chelation at 55 °C in perdeuterated toluene:

The reactions were monitored by ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy. The isomerization reactions are reversible in solution, while the chelated products form irreversibly with the loss of carbon monoxide. The rate constants, K₁ and K_-1, have been determined for the three pairs of linkage isomers. Equilibrium …

The Synthesis And Characterization Of [Ruii (Bpy) 2 (Biphen) ] (Pf6)2 And [ (Bpy) 2ruii (Biphen) Ruii (Bpy) 2] (Pf6)4, Mei-Yueh Chang

Masters Theses

A new bidentate polypyridine bridging ligand (biphen), produced by the condensation of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione with 5,6-diamino-phenanthroline has been synthesized and characterized. In addition the monometallic complex [(bpy)₂Ru^II(biphen)](PF₆)₂ and the bimetallic complex [(bpy)₂Ru^II(biphen)Ru^II(bpy)₂](PF₆)₄ have been prepared. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy and by cyclic voltsmmetry(CV).

The results of these analyses seem to indicate that biphen acts like two independent units when attached to a - Ru^II(bpy)₂ fragment. a bipyridine portion and a phenazine portion. Moreover, …

The Local Use Of Igap Science Test Scores In High School Program Evaluation, Garry Krutsinger

Masters Theses

This study examined the use of various objective test data, including IGAP Science test scores, by school personnel in the process of local science program evaluation. Three hundred and twenty-four public Illinois High Schools, all Illinois high schools with enrollments of 500 or less, were surveyed. Principals were asked to identify objective test score data used in local science program evaluation, to characterize the nature of the local evaluation process, and to identify local personnel involved in the evaluation process. All respondents identified sources of objective test score data used in local science program evaluation. The IGAP Science test score …

Nonlinear Finite Element Micromechanic Analysis Of Thermoplastic Composite Of Recycled High Density Polyethylene Reinforced With Short Glass Fibers, Qiming Lou

Masters Theses

This thesis studied the nonlinear micromechanic behavior of thermoplastic composite of recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) reinforced with short glass fibers using finite element method. The composite material was modeled using a micromechanic unit cell to simulate the stress distribution between the plastic matrix and the fiber in the composite. Nonlinear behavior of recycled HDPE and imperfect bonding between the fiber and matrix were investigated. Load-bearing capability of the fiber was evaluated using stress partition ratio (SPR) in the composite models. The effect of fiber aspect ratio on the stress distribution of the composite was studied to optimize the material …

Normal Kinetic Patterns Of The Lower Extremities During Natural Walking In Children Aged Six To Ten, Thomas Ellexson, Christopher Nawrocki, Darrin Schober

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to initiate a normative pediatric three-dimensional lower extremity kinetic database specific to the Mary Free Bed Hospital/Grand Valley State University Center for Human Kinetic Studies. Twenty healthy children (eleven girls and nine boys) with a mean age of 7.9 years volunteered for this study. Lower extremity kinetic data were obtained using a computerized three-dimensional motion analysis system coupled with a force plate. Kinematic and kinetic data were pooled and mean/standard deviations at each one percent of the gait cycle were determined for the twenty normative children. Results of the pediatric kinetic data were similar …

Oral Communication In High School, Ruth Alice Vander Weide

Masters Theses

While high school students have received formal instruction in reading and writing, few have received much formal instruction in speaking and listening skills; this paper supports the call for required courses in oral communication. In recent years, the need for instruction in oral communication has been emphasized in numerous reports on the direction of education, although it has been underemphasized in many of our schools. This paper presents research on the need for and benefits of oral communication. The pilot case study included 29 faculty members, 92 students at a small (500 students) urban high school in Michigan, and 21 …

Eigenproperties Of Nonclassically Damped Dynamic Systems, Daniel Patrick Malone

Masters Theses

"This thesis develops perturbation series solutions for the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of nonclassically damped dynamic systems for the case where the unperturbed system has repeated eigenvalues. The case of repeated eigenvalues is much more complicated than the case of perturbing a system with distinct eigenvalues. Because of this difficulty, only a specific category of dynamic systems with repeated eigenvalues is addressed. Namely, only those systems that when perturbed have series solutions of the form of a power series. This category of systems can be easily identified by an a priori check developed in the application section of this thesis. The …

Geological And Hydrogeological Characterization Of The Schoolcraft Aquifer, Schoolcraft, Michigan, William K. Steinmann

Masters Theses

Newly installed monitoring wells, county well logs, gamma-ray logs, head measurements, flow nets, slug tests, and full aquifer pumping tests were utilized to characterize the geologic and hydrogeologic conditions of the area. Evaluation of the geologic conditions indicate that the study area is best described as a glacially generated, humid type, alluvial fan. A hydrogeologic facies model concept aided in the initial evaluation of the hydrogeologic conditions and was utilized for the placement of several vertically nested monitoring wells. Further evaluation indicates an unconfined aquifer comprised of two separate flow systems: a shallow, local flow system interacting with flow-through surface …

Gender Differences In Higher Education: A Comparison Of Males And Females Applying To Graduate School, Lynda Bennett

Masters Theses

The objective of this study was to determine in what ways male and female applicants to graduate school are similar or different. Secondary analysis was conducted on survey data which described attitudes and behavior of students admitted to graduate programs at Western Michigan University. The purpose was to assess the relationship between gender and curricula selected, likelihood of applying for and receiving financial aid, and the influence of marital status. Gender did have a statistically significant relationship with curricula selection and influence of marital status. Furthermore, it appeared that women graduate students find marriage to be a more limiting factor …