Digital Commons Network^™

Widr-Fm: A Program Analysis Of An Alternative Music Format, Michael A. Finn

Masters Theses

This study examines the Alternative Music Format (AMF) of station WIDRFM, Western Michigan University from a programming perspective. The study reviews literature related to AMF programming, and provides information related to listener and non listener patterns of radio interest from two self-report questionnaires. The purpose of the study is to provide reliable information on this most unique format plus recommendations in order that future managers, programmers and music directors can make informed decisions for future managerial and program changes.

The major results of this study indicate that the AMF does not promote effective listenership among the WIDR-FM audience. Also, there …

Selected Studies On Certain Iron Sandwich Complexes, Mashitah M. Yusoff

Masters Theses

In these studies, the synthesis of [2.3](1,3)cyclopentadiendoparacyclophane was attempted. Like ferrocene and [2.2]paracyclophane, it is expected to exhibit transannular π-electronic interaction throughout its molecular structure and therefore, one dimensional semiconductivity.

The preparation of dialkylferrocenes had resulted in complex inseparable mixtures. Due to the fluxional nature of its intermediates, their conversion to stable Diels-Alder adducts would facilitate analysis. In this project, certain Diels-Alder adducts of bis-cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl intermediates were prepared for analysis.

Very few transition metal complexes of pyrrole are currently known. [2.2](2,5)Pyrroloparacyclophane was perceived to be stable especially as a part of an iron sandwich complex. The final phase …

The Effects Of Selenate, Molybdate And Chromate On The Triiodothyronine Induced Enzyme Activity And Mrna Level For Both Fatty Acid Synthase And Malic Enzyme, Yuan Zhu

Masters Theses

In chick embryo hepatocytes in culture, triiodothyronine (T3) stimulates enzyme activity, mRNA level and transcription rate for both fatty acid synthase (FAS) and malic enzyme (ME). Recent evidence has demonstrated the effects of selenate, molybdate and chromate on various physiological processes. Little information, however, is available on the effects of these metal ions on the T3- regulated gene expression for FAS and ME.

In chick embryo hepatocytes incubated in a chemically defined medium, addition of sodium selenate (20 μM) coincident with T3 almost completely inhibited the T3-induced stimulation of FAS and ME activity and accumulation of their respective mRNA's. Neither …

Drug Problem And Social Change In Saudi Arabia: A Study Of The Attitude Of Saudi Students Studying In The U.S.A. Towards Drug Use In Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Yousef

Masters Theses

The main focus of this study is the relationship between level of income, level of education, length of stay in U.S.A., frequency of contact with foreigners, and level of religiosity on student attitudes towards smoking cigarettes and hashish, and drinking alcohol.

A sample of 110 students was randomly drawn from three areas: Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor, and Lansing, Michigan. Data were collected through administering a questionnaire.

Analysis of the data revealed the following: income, level of education, length of stay in the U.S., frequency of contact with foreigners, and level of religiosity were associated with student attitudes towards drug use.

The Debate On Lesbian Sadomasochism: A Discourse Analysis, Gudbjorg Ottosdottir

Masters Theses

This study examines an issue debated within the U.S. lesbian community since the mid-1970s, lesbian sadomasochism. The issue has been whether sadomasochism is consistent with lesbian feminism, a political ideology which has much shaped lesbian identity and community. The claims and counter-claims made about lesbian sadomasochism are analyzed, as are the underlying ideologies and their relationship to general lesbian political and cultural history. It is argued that the debate is the result of a limited subject position offered by lesbian feminism. The perspective of lesbian sadomasochists is seen as a call for a renewed lesbian feminist discourse. It is proposed …

Location Analysis Of The Recycling Drop Off Program In Knox County, Tennessee, Carol Michelle Donoghue

Masters Theses

This study examines the drop-off recycling program in Knox County, Tennessee, in order to evaluate the convenience of the drop-off site locations. Measures of convenience were distance, level of recycling participation, and location of the site. Surveys were administered to 461 individuals participating in the program at the three Convenience Centers with drop-off recycling facilities. The spatial analysis compared the drop-off locations to the development patterns of the surrounding area.

The survey results indicate that more people are recycling now than before the beginning of the drop-off program. More than half of those surveyed recycle at least once a week …

State-Corporate Crime In The U.S. Nuclear Weapons Production Complex: A Case Study, David Kauzlarich

Masters Theses

The objectives of this research are (1) to identify the characteristics of the environmental law violations committed during the production of nuclear weapons, (2) to identify the historical forces and events which have contributed to those violations, and (3) to use data on the illegal acts of the nuclear weapons production complex to help adjudicate between a number of competing explanations of the causes of organizational crime.

This research, a qualitative, socio-historical case study, found that a historical and structural level of analysis is best equipped to explain the causes of the weapons production complex's criminality. The conclusion of this …

The Effects Of Peer Tutoring On A Direct Instruction Reading Program, Robert Schuyler Brooks

Masters Theses

This study evaluated the effectiveness of peer tutoring with a direct instruction reading program prior to teacher-directed instruction. Six upper level elementary students participated in the peer tutoring program and two students participated in a control group.

The findings from this study indicate that: (a) pre-exposure to direct instruction in reading lessons with peer tutoring improves student reading rate without increasing error rate, and (b) the instructional time for a teacher-directed lesson decreases when peer tutoring is a part of the reading routine. It was concluded that peer tutoring prior to teacher-directed instruction increases student reading rates without sacrificing accuracy …

An Analysis Of Hydrogeologic Factors Affecting Aquifer Vulnerability In Southwestern Michigan, Steven E. Benton

Masters Theses

In southwestern Michigan aquifers are threatened by human activities. Parameter/factor weighting systems are used to rate aquifer vulnerability. Hydrogeologic factors affecting aquifer vulnerability were investigated in this study.

Well records, soil surveys, hydrogeologic reports, and partial chemical analyses were used to obtain data on the aquifers, soil types, glacial sediments, and types of contaminants. Data analysis included comparisons of means and medians, factor analysis, and Pearson and Spearman Correlation analysis.

The results indicate that the aquifers in Kalamazoo County are not protected. Depending on the type of glacial sediment, hydrogeologic factors that protect aquifers are clay thickness and the depth …

Inhibited Spontaneous Emission By Photonic Band Gaps In A Square Lattice Of Periodic Dielectric Medium, Abdullah Al-Ghamdi

Masters Theses

The concepts of band theory for electrons can be employed to describe the behavior of electromagnetic waves propagating in two-dimensional, periodic dielectric structures. These two-dimensional, periodic structures can produce photonic band gaps in which the spontaneous emission by atoms embedded in the structure is prohibited and as a result the performance of many semiconductor devices can be enhanced. The calculations are based on finding the eigenvalues of the algebraic equation for the frequencies of electromagnetic waves moving in a square lattice composed of square dielectric rods with different dielectric constants.

Micellar Catalysis Of Hydrolysis Of Substituted Hydroxamic Acids With Perfluorooctanoic Acid, Zhongyuan He

Masters Theses

The work demonstrated the effects of differently located and substituted phenyl groups, as well as aliphatic groups in the hydroxamic acids, on micellar catalysis with perfluorooctanoic acid as the reactive counterion surfactant in aqueous acetonitrile solution.

Kinetic rate constant-surfactant concentration profiles for the decano-, 2,5-dimethylphenylaceto-, 4-isopropylphenylaceto-, 4-phenylbutano-, and 6-phenyl-hexanohydroxamic acids were examined and analysis on the data obtained were reported.

The pseudo-phase ion exchange (PPIE) model has been satisfactorily applied to explain the observed micellar effects.

Further investigation into more appropriately substituted hydroxamic acids is suggested in order to obtain a more complete set of data and further evaluation.

Time Delay Neural Networks And Speech Recognition: Context Independence Of Stops In Different Vowel Environments, Gregory Andrew Makowski

Masters Theses

A series of speech recognition experiments was conducted to investigate time-dynamic speech recognition of stop consonants invariant of vowel environment using data from six talkers. The speech preprocessing was based on previous studies investigating acoustic characteristics which correlate to the place of articulation (Blumstein and Stevens 1979). The place of articulation features were statistically abstracted using four moments and the energy level of the speech sample.

Both statistical and neural network pattern recognition methods were used. Statistical methods included linear and quadratic discriminant functions, maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) and K-nearest neighbors (KNN). The neural network approach used was Time Delay …

The Original Rule Of The Knights Templar: A Translation With Introduction, Robert T. Wojtowicz

Masters Theses

This study consists of a complete translation of a previously untranslated, twelfth-century Latin text: the original Rule of the Knights Templar (Regula commilitonum Christi). Furthermore, since previous scholarship has not dealt much with the content of the original Rule, the introduction, using the Rule as its source, attempts to present a more detailed exploration into the structure and organization of the Order during its incipiency.

Though the body of the text is chiefly translation, findings noted in the introduction indicate i that further research into the Rule is necessary to understand the main areas of influence which comprise the Order's …

An Analysis Of Dissolved Organic Compounds And Their Contribution To Iron Complexation In The Shallow Leachate Plume Of The West Kl Landfill Kalamazoo, Michigan, Eric Fahle

Masters Theses

High concentrations of dissolved iron are present in downgradient groundwater samples adjacent to the western border of the West KL Landfill. Analysis by Rudder (1988) of groundwater samples indicates oversaturation of selected iron oxides, iron sulfides and siderite in monitoring wells TW-4 and M3.

Previous research suggests that pyrogallol, gallic acid, tannic acid and similar organic compounds may retard the oxidation of ferrous iron in the shallow leachate plume of the West KL landfill (Rudder, 1988). Present research utilizing solid phase extraction, reverse phase high performance chromatography, Fourier transform IR spectrophotometry, UV/Visible spectrophotometry, and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy indicate that pyrogallol, …

Anderson Localization Effects In The Light Transmitted Through A Rough Thin Metal Film, Naimah Mohd. Shafie

Masters Theses

The theory of Anderson localization is used to study transmission enhancements in the diffusely transmitted light through a rough thin metal film. These transmission enhancements arise due to phase coherent effects associated with Anderson localization of surface polaritons and are manifested as a well-defined peak in the angular distribution of the intensity of the diffuse component of the transmitted light for light moving opposite to the specularly reflected beam.

The dependence of the widths and heights of the localization related transmission peak is investigated with computer programming and calculations by McGurn and Maradudin (1989). The peak is found to depend …

The Role Of A Chairperson Of A Michigan Accreditation Program Visitation Team, Ione M. Condit

Masters Theses

This project report describes the functions and responsibilities of an accreditation team leader before, during and after a three-day, on-site visit to validate an elementary school's self-study findings. The elementary school accreditation process for both host school and visitation team is described.

The evolution of the Michigan Accreditation Program as conceived by the Michigan State Legislature and current obstacles to the planned implementation in the Michigan elementary schools are review.

Effects Of Capillarity On Dnapl Thickness In Wells And In Adjacent Sands, Timothy V. Adams

Masters Theses

Physical model experiments were used to investigate the behavior of dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) in various geologic media.

The objectives of the laboratory investigations were to (a) compare DNAPL thickness in wells to thickness in adjacent sands, (b) observe and interpret dyed DNAPL migration in unsaturated and saturated sands, and (c) study DNAPLs' effects on clay layers.

Two cylindrical glass columns fitted with various well screens were filled with sand, clay layers, water, and dyed DNAPLs in four experiments. Columns were packed with fine or coarse sand and clay layers. Coarse hydrophobic sand was also used.

At equilibrium, DNAPL …

Political Perspectives In Encyclopedias: Portrayal Of The Nicaraguan Revolution, Brian B. Smith

Masters Theses

Encyclopedia text is most often presented as objective, factual, authoritatively documented truth. To examine this knowledge claim, this thesis analyzes the portrayal of the 1979 Nicaraguan revolution in editions of the four major U.S. encyclopedias. A qualitative content analysis is employed to determine the political perspectives present in encyclopedia coverage of the Nicaraguan revolution and the subsequent changes in Nicaraguan political economy brought about by that revolution.

The findings indicate that significant differences among and within the encyclopedias existed in the text analyzed. A variety of political perspectives were found to have influenced the content of the text, and to …

A Comparison Of Attendance And Self-Esteem At Assumption High School, Connie Lee Falconer

Masters Theses

Nonattendance has historically been a problem for teachers and administrators. Only recently has the effect of self-esteem and attendance been the focus of serious research. This study was conducted at Assumption High School, Assumption Community School District #9, Assumption, Illinois. The study encompassed those students in grades 9 through 12 for attendance purposes in the school year 1990-1991. Those students who were added or dropped during the given school year were not included in the study. Since this research involved some of the factors of ten associated with nonattendance of high school students, all of the students continuously enrolled from …

Development Of Ruthenium Vinylbipyridine Modified Electrode Surfaces For Use In Chemiluminescence-Based Detection Systems, Matthew F. Piescinski

Masters Theses

Based upon the chemiluminescent properties of [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and the proven analytical applications of that complex in the detection of easily reduced anions in solution, a chromatographic detection system was designed utilizing an immobilized form of the Ru(ll) complex. The objective was to create, by electropolymerization, a regenerative chemiluminescent surface on a working electrode. Reductive electropolymerization was accomplished by the use of a [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ analog containing the ligand vinylbipyridine. Two analogs, [Ru(vbpy)₃][PF₆]₂ and [Ru(phen)₂(vbpy)][PF₆]₂ were polymerized on platinum, glassy carbon and indium-doped tin oxide working …

A Review Of The Literature On Self-Care Children: A Need For Empirical Studies, Stephanie L. Perry

Masters Theses

The term "self-care child'' refers to a young child who returns from school and remains at home unsupervised for an indefinite period until the parents arrive from work, or one who is alone before school in the mornings. In this paper, the emotional functioning, social functioning, and academic performance of self-care children were compared to adult-supervised children. Also, programs designed for self-care children were examined.

When examining the current literature on the self-care child regarding loneliness, anxiety and behavior problems, susceptibility to peer pressure, sexuality, social functioning, and academic performance, no significant differences were found between self-care and adult-supervised children. …

Cancer Patients' Response To Chemotherapy Teaching On Side Effect Management, Kelly A. Guswiler

Masters Theses

The purpose of this descriptive study was to investigate patients' responses to chemotherapy teaching on drug side effects and side effect management. Concepts of self-care from Orem's theory of Self-Care Deficits provided the conceptual framework.; Nineteen cancer patients were given specific information on chemotherapy side effects and side effect management prior to initiating treatment. Patients maintained a written log of experienced side effects and self-care behaviors that they initiated to manage these effects. Number of side effects, intensity and distress rating of side effects, reported self-care behaviors, and effectiveness of the behaviors were analyzed using percentages. Nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, stomatitis, and …

The Private Renaissance Of J.J. Reeves, Alma J. Watson

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of The Irrelevance Of The Term Neoconservative As Used In American Ideological Debates, Mark C. Stanczak

Masters Theses

This study compared, by analysis of their publications, various people who are considered to be part of the neoconservative movement in the United States. A definition was developed, and a sample of neoconservatives was examined to see if they adhered to the definition. The examination centered around these people's individual views, as published, on economics and the Welfare State; the scope of government in a society; the Cold War and its effect on community; religion; and stability, the state and social justice.

The analysis of their publications leads to the conclusion that there is no cohesive movement that can be …

Standing Time While Engaged In An Upper Extremity Activity Versus Standing Time While Not Engaged In An Upper Extremity Activity, Wendy A. Smith

Masters Theses

The standing time of recent (within four weeks) cerebral vascular accident subjects while engaged in an upper extremity activity (tile trivet) was compared to the same subjects standing time while not engaged in an upper extremity activity. The subjects from a rehabilitation center ranged in age from 30 to 85 years. For each subject three sessions were randomly recorded for each condition. Lights were connected to the knee and buttock pad so that, if activated, they alerted the data collector that the subject was leaning.

The findings from this study indicated that subjects stood longer while engaged in upper extremity …

An Examination And Evaluation Of The Jesus Of The New Age, Kenneth Kun-No Pak

Masters Theses

This thesis examines and evaluates the predominant view

of Jesus "the Christ" among the prominent New Agers. This

view--that Jesus was only a man who acquired mystic knowledge

and power from his experiences with the Essenes and other

mystical religions of the East, and that he manifested and

exemplified the divinity which can be found in each person-generally

opposes orthodox Christian teachings of the

monotheistic divinity of Jesus Christ.

The thesis argues that various claims of these New Agers

are inconsistent (e.g. the reliability of Akashic Record),

unverifiable (e.g. esoterism), and contrary to factual data

(e.g. Notovitch's account of Jesus' …

A Simulation Of A Multi-Hop Communications Network Using A Kinematic Topology Generator And Static Sphere-Packing Power Control, Kevin Charles Davis

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Witches Every Month? The Social Construction Of Premenstrual Syndrome, Suzanne Latham

Masters Theses

Premenstrual syndrome was first reported in 1931, but it was not until the early 1980s that it received widespread attention in the medical literature and the popular press. This thesis is a sociological analysis of how physicians and others were able to define premenstrual problems as an illness. The thesis uses a phenomenological approach, referred to as social constructionism, to explore how medical researchers, physicians, pharmaceutical companies, feminists, various entrepreneurs, and others have attempted to define premenstrual problems to promote their own interests. The analytic method is documentary analysis. The thesis argues that physicians were able to make powerful claims, …

Ethnography Of A Lesbian Community In Michigan, Carol W. Burton

Masters Theses

The purpose of this master's thesis is to describe the structure and workings of a community of women in a major western Michigan metropolitan area, who identify themselves as lesbians, and to describe how this subcommunity relates to the dominant American culture in the area. This study examines the ways in which these lesbians define themselves and their subculture.

To facilitate this research, the researcher participated in the group's meetings, both formal and informal, and spoke with individual members about the history of the group, organizational principles, problems and concerns, formal and Informal rules of conduct, values, and any other …

Parental Attitudes And Opinions Of Central City School District #133, David Daum

Masters Theses

The accountability of the nation’s schools is an area of great public concern. A useful tool that a school district may use in becoming more accountable to the public is a parent opinion inventory. The inventory may serve as one step in the process of bridging the gap between public expectations of the school district and its actual performance. This study measured the opinions of fifty-seven parents about the performance of the Central City school district. The opinions were determined by a fifty-one item inventory issued to parents in grades kindergarten through grade eight. Recommendations, based upon inventory results, were …