Digital Commons Network^™

Input Frequency And Perceived Impact Of An Interactive Newsletter In A Small Organization, Patricia Calle

Masters Theses

A newsletter, based on the results of two tailor-made self-report questionnaires, was implemented in a vegetable by-product manufacturing company with 83 employees. Need for improvement was detected in the formal communication of organizational policies, projects, goals and events for downward and upward communication relative to performance feedback, non-monetary performance incentives, and response to job-related and personal requests. The newsletter was aimed at facilitating the supply of verbal incentives, performance feedback, formal and informal organizational information and participation in different areas. Prompting procedures were designed to encourage employees' participation in the newsletter. Newsletter impact was analyzed in terms of pre- and …

The Socio-Cultural Transformation Of Japanese Medical Systems, Takako Matsunaga

Masters Theses

Medical systems, just as other social institutions, are not stable and, thus, are subject to change. This essay is an analysis of the socio-cultural transformation of Japanese medical systems in general, and of the "health care system" of the cosmopolitan medical system in particular. No medical system is able to provide problem free medical care to any given population. Thus, the current health issues and changes in health seeking/enhancing behavior in contemporary Japan is examined as the reflection of the maladaptive nature of cosmopolitan medicine to its environment.

A Report Of An Internship At The Michigan State Department Of Education, Lansing, Michigan, Reiniera Leroux

Masters Theses

The purpose of this report is to describe an internship conducted at the Michigan State Department of Education. The experience focused on gaining an understanding of the State Board of Education and Adult Extended Learning Services, a unit of the State Department of Education. The intern was also given the task of rewriting and updating one of the Department of Education handbooks: "Administrative Guide for Adult High School."

Chapter I is an introduction and background to the State Department of Education, the State Board of Education, and Adult Extended Learning Services. Chapter I also includes the intern's prospectus.

Chapter II …

A Report Of An Internship With Senior Services, Incorporated, Kalamazoo, Michigan, Monroe H. Johnson

Masters Theses

This report summarizes a 15-week internship with Senior Services, Incorporated, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, served during the Spring and Summer terms, 1983.

The purpose of the internship was to acquaint the intern with the leadership performance, duties, responsibilities, and actions of the executive director and field supervisor in increasing and maintaining a low income minority senior citizen's nutritional outreach service. The objectives of increasing the number of low income minority senior citizen participants and prepared nutritional sites were the major emphasis of this internship. In addition, the intern was involved with proposal writing and the hiring of two outreach workers.

Instructional Leadership: A Comparison Of The Roles Of Principal And Curriculum Director, Bettina K. Brown

Masters Theses

The objective of this report was to relate the experiences and outcomes of a field experience internship in public school administration.

Specifically, the report focused on a comparison and contrast of the roles, responsibilities, and expectation of instructional leadership as reflected in the separate positions of a principal, a curriculum director, and a consolidation of both positions.

Histopathology In Rat Temporal Bones Resulting From Excess Dietary Fluoride In Conjunction With Suspected Water Born Toxins, Donna Lee Healy

Masters Theses

The occurrence of perinatal deaths, bony extoses, and deafness in dog kennels in certain areas of Michigan led The Upjohn Company and Western Michigan University to suspect fluoride toxicity and/or water born toxins. The present project was designed to examine the ability of excess fluoride ingestion and/or the ability of suspected water born toxins to induce histopathology in Sprague-Dawley rats. An otopathological assessment of the rat temporal bones showed no otopathology nor any changes in cochlear dimensions, however, a quantitative assessment of osteoclastic density showed a large increase in the numbers of osteoclasts of spongy bone in the high fluoride …

Using Anthropological Approaches In A Human Service Setting, Steven Alan Erickson

Masters Theses

Public criticism of human service organizations has underlined the fact that there are essential differences between organizations which provide services and organizations which produce goods. As service providers, human service organizations represent an organized response to human needs and problems, but this response is affected by different assumptions about people's ability or inability to meet their own needs. The process of providing services entails a number of interactions at various levels between the organization and the community. These relationships are as complex as the people and social systems of which our pluralistic society is comprised, but there are special manifestations …

Identifying Jungial Personality Type By The Instrument Of Self-Report, Charles Clay Livingston

Masters Theses

This paper examines the instrument of self-report and its use in identifying and measuring the elements of the personality as defined by C. G. Jung. Jung's theory of personality is briefly explained, and self-report as a general instrument of personality assessment is critically examined. Selected research on the construction and use of self-report tests is reviewed and critically evaluated. The author asserts that the bipolar assumption that is often implicit in the construction of test items is not representative of the personality as Jung portrayed it. The author suggests revisions in the construction of test items and a scoring gradient …

A Report Of A Project In The Central Administrative Offices Of The Jenison Public Schools, Gary W. Allen

Masters Theses

The initial part of the manuscript is a log of the author's activities during his internship at Jenison Public Schools. In addition to the daily entries, weekly summaries of the experience are also included. The second section of the manuscript lists the author's objectives for the internship and how these objectives were obtained. The final portion of the manuscript contains three appendices that pertain to the author's internship prospectus, the development of various school calendars for 1982-1983, and a report on job sharing.

The Effects Of Insulin On Hepatic Glucocorticoid Receptor Content In The Diabetic Rat, Jeffrey John Yourick

Masters Theses

The streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat liver was analyzed for glucocorticoid receptor (GCR) content by a saturation and Scatchard analysis. A preliminary study was performed on the stabilization of the cytoplasmic GCR in a frozen cytosol preparation. The addition of 10% glycerol (V/V), 10 mM sodium molybdate, and 0.2 mg/ml trypsin inhibitor resulted in an approximate 20% sparing of GCR content upon freezing.

The hepatic GCR content of diabetic rats was significantly decreased from a control level of 0.1667 ± 0.0142 pmol/mg protein to 0.1094 ± 0.007 pmol/mg protein. Insulin replacement therapy to the diabetic rat dramatically increased the hepatic GCR content. …

A Study Of Financial Management Aspects Of School Business Management, William Paul Le Tarte

Masters Theses

This internship was conducted under the direction of the Associate Superintendent for Administrative Services for Kent Intermediate School District. The scope of the resources available were not restricted to a single school district, but included examples available from the twenty-one districts in Kent County. This provided a composite view of the way districts are managed.

This was further developed by participation at meetings, in-service sessions and conferences of the Grand Valley School District Officials, Southwest Michigan School Business Officials, in meetings with educational lobbyists and leaders of the Michigan School Business Officials, and in meetings with area legislators.

The. experience …

The Creationist Movement: Science, Religion And Ideology, George M. Bevins

Masters Theses

A sample of literature produced by participants in the "creationist movement" is examined in an effort to delineate the ideology of the movement. This ideology is seen as a repertoire of images of science, evolution and society which is used by creationists in their efforts to propagate their movement. Based on this literature, an "ideological substructure of belief" within the creationist movement is described, consisting of their belief in a created normative order in the world and of their fear that this order is breaking down. It is argued that the various particular aspects of the creationists' social ideology, their …

The Effects Of Training In Visual Cognitive Skills On Reading Comprehension, Valerie Joan Croll

Masters Theses

In an effort to design learning materials which de-emphasize the decoding process, and concentrate instead upon cognitive and critical thinking processes, picture study has been chosen as a potentially effective vehicle for providing delivery of programs for remediation of reading problems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of training in visual cognitive skills as an alternative remedial technique for increasing the reading comprehension of children whose reading skills are considered to be lower than expected due to a learning disability. The population was a group of children in grades four, five, and six (n=34) in a …

The Mysterium Coniunctionis: Researches Into The Phenomenology Of The Self, Shirley Savage

Masters Theses

The following paper is the description of a related arts project involving the production of a body of original work incorporating the fields of art and literature. The original work is in the form of a book containing poetry and prose-poems with illustrations. Photographs and copies of the complete work are included in this paper.

The preface deals with the three main influences on the work as a whole. These influences were C. G. Jung, Vincent Van Gogh, and Rainer Maria Rilke. Jung's views are instrumental in the psychological analysis of the work, while Van Gogh provided emotional appeal and …

The Sound And The Theory: A Study Of The Theoretical Position Within Metzian Film Semiotics Of Sound In Cinema, Kathryn L. Ingle

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to identify and critique the theory of sound in film semiotics. In order to accomplish this task, a cursory analysis of the nature and objectives of semiotics generally and cinesemiotics especially has been included. Direct references to the function of sound recording made by pioneer film semiologist Christian Metz, as well as others in that discipline, constitute the object of this study. Finally, a detailed critique of the resulting cinesemiotic position concerning sound in film evaluates this position in light of stated goals.

As is the case with most theories of film, the aural …

Establishing The Essential Building Blocks For Understanding Collective Behavior, Janet L. Heitgerd

Masters Theses

It has been argued by researchers that collective behavior, as a field of study in sociology, lacks important theoretical and methodological developments. This has resulted in limited empirical knowledge of collective behavior. There exist many inadequacies in our present theoretical development. These include a failure to not only specify a social dimension of collective behavior, but also, to separate cause and effect, and to describe collective behavior. Scholars have argued that in the study of collective behavior, we are lacking sound, theoretical perspectives and definitions of collective behavior, which have resulted in poor and unsystematic observations of phenomena.

As a …

A Plan And Guide For The Implementation Of A Computer Curriculum At Southeast Fountain Elementary School, Robert Joseph Baker

Masters Theses

This project was developed to provide an orderly plan for the introduction of microcomputers into the total curriculum. A computer curriculum was developed that became a vibrant part of the total experience at the elementary level. The uniqueness of an elementary curriculum has been the manner in which each subject area complemented the other. Science, for example, has not been taught as an independent content area. It has been taught as an extension of the reading program. Also computer instruction must be blended with the other disciplines.

It was the purpose of this study (1) to show a plan for …

Mechanical Properties Of Alumina For Orthopedic Implant Use, Ho Tong Fang

Masters Theses

"The static fatigue, flexural strength and chemical corrosion of three commercially prepared, polycrystalline aluminas, two of orthopedic implant grade, were measured in demineralized water at 37°C and 70°C. The dissolution of a Ca-rich impurity phase, probably a glass, segregated at the grain boundaries and external surface, appears at least partially responsible for the significant difference in static fatigue of these three aluminas. The present results indicate that the minimum static fatigue in demineralized water, and the highest flexural strength in demineralized water and HF solution are both achieved by the alumina characterized by a low concentration of Ca at the …

Development Of A Public Relations Program For The Newman Community Unit School District #303, Charles E. White

Masters Theses

Public relations is an important part of any school district's total program. To be most effective, a written, planned public relations program should be used. This field experience deals with the development of a written, planned public relations program for the Newman Community Unit School District #303 in Newman, Illinois.

The author attempts to provide information that could be used by other educators who wish to develop a public relations program for their school district. Reasons why educators must provide information about the schools to the public and involve the public with the schools are discussed. The reasons for developing …

Dreamworlds And The Art Of Illustration, Donna Crotchett

Masters Theses

While I was growing up, illustrations made deep impressions upon me. An illustration is a picture that explains and adds interest to the written part of a printed work such as a book. Often overlooked by others, for various reasons, this means of communication played a significant part in my life and art.

The history of illustration is a history of men and women, serious artists, who have produced an enormous amount of high-quality work. Many of their illustrations had their origins in fine art such as early religious painting and mythological themes. A large number of fine artists have …

Analysis Of The Surface Polysaccharides Of R. Trifolii Su843 And Its Sym Plasmid Alterated Mutants, Jauh-Lin Duh

Masters Theses

The Rhizobium trifolii polysaccharides from SU843 and mutants--HC843(pBR1AN), HC843, 8002--in which the sym plasmid is replaced, absent, or mutated by transposon Tn5 were isolated. The surface polysaccharides of genetically altered mutants were compared quantitatively and qualitatively with one another and with the parent strain. The interpretation of these results is discussed in relation to the function of Rhizobium surface polysaccharides in the symbiotic process. The symbiotic ability of SU843 and mutant strains is as follows: (a) SU843, nod⁺, fix⁺; (b) mutant 8002, roa⁺ (still attaches to root hair), hac^-, nod^-; (c) …

Separation Of Mineral Particles In Cyclones Under The Influence Of A Magnetic Field, Kwasi Amoako-Gyampah

Masters Theses

"The separation of mineral particles in a cyclone under the influence of a magnetic field was investigated using an electromagnetic - cyclone arrangement. Feed pulps of dolomite and magnetite were used in the study. Two different cyclone types were investigated: An air-type cyclone arrangement and a conventional cyclone arrangement. Magnetic field strengths of 0 to 3000 gauss (0 - 0.3 Tesla) were used in the study by varying the current through the coils of the electromagnet .

The parameters evaluated in the study were the grades and recoveries of the magnetic concentrates produced, the enrichment ratios, the improvement in recoveries …

Investigation Of Important Surface Characteristics Of A Finned Tube Heat Exchanger, Bobby Dale Stafford

Masters Theses

"Surface characteristics of a finned tube heat exchanger were examined to help predict the contact geometry between metal surfaces. These characteristics were the surface roughness and waviness and the material hardness. A scanning electron microscope was used to observe the surface topography of the fins as well as examining the contact between the aluminum fin and the copper tube.

Comparisons of the surface roughness were then made between heat exchangers having different fin numbers (20, 14, and 6) with the result that as the fin number decreased, the roughness also decreased. For a given fin number, it was discovered that …

Control Of Rock Fragmentation Through Explosive Coupling, Timothy Wayne Warden

Masters Theses

"Both detonation pressure and borehole pressure, resulting from an explosion within blastholes in rock, perform specific functions in the fragmentation of the rock and the generation of ground vibrations. The results of previous investigations would suggest that control of these pressures in the borehole would, to some extent, control the size distribution of the blasted particles. One method of influencing detonation and borehole pressures is by varying the hole diameter in relation to a constant charge diameter, called decoupling, and by varying the medium between the explosive charge and the rock.

This investigation examined the effects of geometric coupling, which …

The Perceived Effectiveness Of The Borgess Human Assistance Program As Measured By A Checklist Of Key Components, Kevin G. Clark

Masters Theses

This study investigated the success and perceived effectiveness of an employee assistance program. Phase I consisted of interviewing representatives of the ten companies that were the most frequent users of the program. Phase II examined the program's annual report. The results were tabulated and compared to a checklist of key components which gauge the effectiveness of a successful employee assistance program (Egdahl and Walsh, 1980). The evidence indicated that the program operates in accord with Egdahl and Walsh's checklist.

A Survey Of Graduates Of A One-Year Clerical Office Block Class —1976-1981— With Recommendations For Curriculum And Course Content Revision, Audrey Lee Watson

Masters Theses

Data were collected by means of a questionnaire sent to 92 Maple Valley Office Block students who graduated in the years 1976-1981 to determine if students are adequately prepared to acquire entry-level clerical/secretarial positions and to adjust to positions in business. Sixty-five questionnaires were returned for a 70% return.

Over 70% of the respondents were employed at the time the survey was conducted. Over 90% indicated the use of keyboarding equipment on the job. Almost 60% of the respondents used shorthand or machine transcription on the job. Frequent job responsibilities included filing, business machine usaqe, telephone usage, receiving visitors, and …

Religious Education In South Australian Public Schools, David I. Kumnick

Masters Theses

In 1972 the Education Act of South Australia was revised so as to make compulsory the teaching of religion in public schools. The major church leaders in South Australia held pro-Christian views about the form the new religious education should assume. Certain factors, most obviously a vigorous humanist campaign conducted during 1974 and 1975, wrought a dramatically different religious education syllabus. Convinced that the Christian religion was not being accorded its proper place, the church leaders finally lodged a united complaint with the Education Department of South Australia in 1979. The problem confronting all concerned South Australian Christians in 1982 …

A Report Of An Internship In The Admissions And Counseling Office At Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Constance M. Speers

Masters Theses

This paper describes an internship which was completed in the Admissions office of a community college in Michigan. A rationale for the internship is presented in Chapter I. An outline of the prospectus objectives is also included in the first chapter. Chapter II describes the experiences encountered during the internship. Administrative experiences with the associate dean of students are related, as are those involved in the accomplishment of two special projects. These projects were: To develop a career guidance program for the college, and to investigate special characteristics of applicants who never matriculated. The third chapter analyzes the internship experience …

Open Marriage And Intimacy: A Perspective For Biblical Marriage Counseling, Alton R. Melton

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Study Of The Contemporary Struggle For Power In Iran, Reza Assadi

Masters Theses

Historically speaking, the Iranian power straggle is not new. It is, however, the contemporary contest for power which is the focus of this thesis. This study analyzes the struggle for power precipitated by the Iranian Revolution of 1979. It integrates information from a variety of sources, examines key conceptual schemes, major theories of revolution, theories about Islamic Marxism, and describes events which influenced various groups, organizations and individuals in Iran to seek power for themselves. A salient feature of the study is an examination of Iranian communism. Efforts are also made at forecasting how the Iranian power struggle is likely …