Digital Commons Network^™

Empowerment Versus Dependency Of Parents With Children In Special Education, Wendy J. Fisher

Masters Theses

This study attempted to determine whether parents of children receiving special education services are being empowered by the present special education system or growing dependent on it. A survey was constructed based upon the three criteria deemed necessary by social policy analyst Charles Murray to yield empowerment. The survey was administered by phone to 50 parents of children receiving special education services. Results indicated that primary source of income and expression of participation do not have an impact on degree of empowerment as measured by the Empowerment/Dependency Survey. Severity of handicap did not predict whether or not parents desired additional …

Egg Removal By Brown-Headed Cowbirds: A Field Test Of The Host Incubation Efficiency Hypothesis, Douglas R. Wood

Masters Theses

Obligate brood parasites, like the Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), lay their eggs in the nests of host species, usually to the detriment of the host's reproductive effort. In addition, Brown-headed Cowbirds often remove one or more host eggs near the time of parasitism. Although several hypotheses exist, the adaptive significance of egg removal has not been clearly established. Peer and Bollinger (in press) proposed the host incubation efficiency hypothesis which states that the number and size of host eggs influences the incubation efficiency of a parasitic egg. Thus, host egg removal by cowbirds should increase the parasitic egg's …

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 …

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 …

Predictors Of Nclex-Rn Success Post 1988, Marie E. Rogers

Masters Theses

This ex post facto correlation design study was completed to compare the relative ability of the National League for Nursing Diagnostic Readiness Test (NLN-DRT), nursing non-clinical grade point average, overall grade point average, and pre-nursing grade point average in predicting NCLEX-RN success. Records of 95 graduates from a particular associate degree nursing program were reviewed. The Pearson r identified the NLN-DRT to have the strongest correlation with NCLEX-RN success. All the independent variables had a high degree of correlation with one another. The multiple regression analysis revealed that the NLN-DRT accounted for 25% of the variance in NCLEX-RN success. The …

Nurse/Physician Perceptions Of The Nurse Practitioner Role, Deborah R. Bambini

Masters Theses

As the role of the nurse practitioner (NP) continues to evolve, ambiguity in the scope of practice remains. This study described perceptions of the nurse practitioner role. This descriptive three group comparative study asked random samples of registered nurses (n = 51) and physicians (n = 46), and a convenience sample of 34 NPs to indicate their agreement with the appropriateness of 30 behaviors for the NP role. The modification of Hupcey's (1994) instrument had an alpha reliability of.97. A Kruskal-Wallis test revealed significant differences (p = {dollar}<{dollar}.001) among the three occupations for every behavior. The largest difference was found relative to defining the role/scope of nurse practitioner practice (X{dollar}\sp2{dollar} = 59.21, df = 2, p =.00). Knowing an NP was found to be a variable with some influence on the responses whereas interest in becoming or hiring an NP did not in most cases. Most physicians (53.3%) and 32% of RNs indicated that nurse practitioners should work under direct supervision only. Seventy three percent of nurse practitioners felt that a collaborative relationship was the best option.

Perceived Stress And Health-Promoting Behaviors In Nursing Students Using Pender's Health Promotion Model, Gail E. Dunham

Masters Theses

The purpose of this descriptive, correlational study was to add support to the literature that there is a relationship between the perceived stress (Student Stress Inventory) that nursing students report and their practice of health-promoting behaviors (Health Promoting Lifestyle Inventory). A convenience sample of 36 first-year associate degree nursing students was obtained. The conceptual framework used was Pender's Health Promotion Model. No relationships were found between demographic variables and perceived stress. Results indicated that subjects reported they engaged in health-promoting behaviors more than sometimes and they perceived themselves overall as slightly stressed. A negative correlation between perceived stress and health-promoting …

The Relationship Among Isokinetic Knee Parameters And Three Functional Tests, Kristen Brinks, Ronda Delong, Tanya Stout

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between knee strength and endurance, as tested by the Biodex{dollar}\sp\circler{dollar} isokinetic system, and the lateral step-up, cross-over hop for distance, and triple hop for distance. Subjects included 20 males and 30 females aged 21-40 years with no history of low back, hip, knee, or ankle injury that was treated by a physician. Bilateral knee flexion and extension strength, power, and endurance was measured at 60, 180 and 300 degrees/second with the hip extended and flexed 115{dollar}\sp\circ{dollar}. Isokinetic data were normalized to body weight and correlated to hop distance which was …

The Effect Of Family Participation On The Outcome Of Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury In Rehabilitation, Grant Middleton, Brett Ransom

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between physical therapists' perceptions and institutional policies relating to family participation in rehabilitation and rehabilitation outcome of patients with traumatic brain injury. Utilizing surveys, we collected information about institutional policy from institutions that were members of the Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in the Midwestern United States. Thirteen institutional surveys provided usable Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores for patients rehabilitated in 1993, which were used as the outcome measure. The therapists' perceptions survey (n = 104) gathered data about the belief of physical therapists relating to family involvement …

A Faunal Study Of The Mecoptera (Insecta) Of Rocky Branch Nature Preserve, Clark County, Illinois, Jimmie W. Griffiths

Masters Theses

The Mecoptera (Insecta) of the Rocky Branch Nature Preserve located near Clarksville, Clark County, Illinois are described. Specimens were collected by diurnal netting, Malaise traps, pitfall traps, and flight traps. Specimens from Rocky Branch in the collections of Eastern Illinois University, the Illinois Natural History Survey at Champaign-Urbana, and Hastings College, Nebraska, were also examined.

A total of 805 specimens from Rocky Branch were collected and/or examined. Nine species representing three families were identified: three Panorpidae (Panorpa speciosa, P. helena and P. banksi); five Bittacidae (Hylobittacus apicalis, Bittacus strigosus, B. stigmaterus, B. pilicornis …

A Comparison Of Two Isotonic Resistance Training Routines For Individuals With Above Average Strength, Craig L. Kruse

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if individuals, possessing above average strength in the bench press exercise, would improve their 1RM more by using an experimental resistance training program as compared to a program of a more traditional nature.

Seventeen male subjects between the age 18 and 26 years, mean age 21.8 years, who were considered to have an above average strength level in the bench press exercise (a bench press strength to body weight ratio, S/BW, greater than 1.00) participated in this study. The subjects had an average S/BW of 1.17. All the subjects trained three alternate …

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 …

Effects Of Ozone During Soybean Seed Development On Seed Vigor, Karen A. Gerlach

Masters Theses

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr. cv 'Essex', 'Forrest' and 'Clark') seed were obtained from Dr. Mulchi of the University of Maryland. Seed from 1989 and 1990 were from plants which were exposed to three regimes of ozone during seed development including charcoal-filtered (no ozone), non-filtered (ambient ozone), and non-filtered + 40 n11^-1 O₃. Seed from 1994 were developed with four pollutant regimes of ozone during seed development including charcoal-filtered (no ozone), non-filtered (ambient ozone), non-filtered + 40 n11^-1, and non-filtered + 500 u11^-1 CO₂. The objective of this study was to assess …

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, …

And The Youth Shall See Visions: The Jewish Experience In Champaign-Urbana And The Founding Of Hillel, Susan J. Roth

Masters Theses

Throughout American history, America's Jews lived in a mixed environment, one that both offered them the possibility of acceptance and demanded a certain level of conformity as its price. While antisemitism in America neither reached the level of virulence nor enjoyed the official sanction that it did in other parts of the world, it nonetheless has almost always been a part of the American Jewish experience, especially during the first half of the twentieth century. Much of American antisemitism was expressed through various forms of social discrimination (that was not always strictly social), justified by the image of "Jewish undesirability," …

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 …

Measurement Of Self-Care Agency In A Noninstitutionalized Elderly Population, Julie A. Nelson-Mcevers

Masters Theses

Major focus should be on the elderly's ability to initiate and perform self-care. Interventions to improve health in this age group are most appropriately based on an assessment of their ability to engage in self-care. Orem's framework guided this descriptive study of self-care ability of a convenience sample of 56 seniors residing within a midwestern community. A revision of the Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale developed by Kearny and Fleischer (1979) was used to measure self-care agency. Relationships between self-care agency and age, gender, living pattern, education, income, and other variables were analyzed. A majority of the subjects perceived their …

A Descriptive Study Of The Needs Of Family Members Of Trauma Patients, Sally Laur Sutkowi

Masters Theses

This study examined the perceived needs of family members of trauma patients using Molter's (1979) Critical Care Family Needs Inventory. The ranking of needs of major and minor trauma patients family members were analyzed to determine differences between these two groups.; A convenience sample of 41 family members of trauma patients were surveyed. They included family members of 17 minor trauma patients and 24 major trauma patients. Minor trauma patients were those patients with Injury Severity Scores 12 or less. Major trauma patients had ISSs scores of 13 or greater. All 45 needs were considered very important by at least …

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 …

Perceived Needs Of Parents Of Critically Ill Children, Linda D. Scott

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to (a) identify the perceived needs of parents of critically ill hospitalized children, (b) identify parental needs as perceived by critical care nurses, and (c) identify the differences in these perceptions.; A descriptive research design with a non-probability convenience sample was used. The sample consisted of 30 parents or primary caretakers of critically ill children and the responses of 30 pediatric critical care nurses. Data were obtained by a structured interview technique. Data analysis included a comparison of the relationship of parental total scores and the nurses' total scores. No significant differences were found …

The Effects Of Partial Unweighting On Hemiplegic Gait, Natasha A. Creaser, Michael W. Jones

Masters Theses

This study investigated the effects of 30% body weight support on gait in two individuals with hemiplegia secondary to stroke. Two subjects with right hemiplegia were tested. Each completed four trials, two full weight bearing and two unweighted 30%, in random order. Each trial consisted of walking six meters on a treadmill at the subjects' self-selected speed. Temporal distance data were collected via Stride Analyzer footswitches. Subjects were also videotaped from the side during all trials. We expected velocity, cadence, stride length, uninvolved limb swing time, and involved limb stance time to increase with unweighting. Subjects 1's results agreed only …

Revisiting The Issue Of Terrorism: An Institutional Analysis Of U.S. Sponsored Terrorism Directed Toward Cuba, Rick A. Matthews

Masters Theses

Consistent with Herman's (1982) call to more critically examine state-sponsored terrorism, this study assesses the sociopolitical and economic context in which the U.S. has terrorized the nation-state of Cuba. While the definitional framework in which the U.S. has traditionally examined acts of terrorism excludes from it the possibility of self incrimination, this research uses a single standard and nondiscriminatory definition which examines the behavior in question and harms done, as opposed to a definition based on power considerations alone. The method in which this research is conducted is qualitative, consistent with the principles of a sociohistorical case study, using an …

An Evolutionary Approach To Allocating Tasks In Hard Real-Time Distributed Systems, Christian Lang

Masters Theses

In real-time systems, correctness not only depends on the result of the computation but also on the time at which this result is available. The violation of timing constraints in hard real-time systems can be critical to human life or environment. Therefore, the scheduling algorithm for distributed systems has to allocate tasks to processing nodes so that no timing constraints can be violated. In addition to timing constraints, tasks have precedence and fault-tolerance constraints.

Static scheduling allocates tasks to processing nodes before the tasks are executed. Static scheduling problems are known to be NP-hard [4]. Therefore, heuristic techniques are necessary …

Subsurface Glacial Geology Of The Area Between The Tekonsha And Kalamazoo Moraines, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, Kim Finkbeiner

Masters Theses

Cross sections profiling the stratigraphy of the glacial sediments were created using the geological logs recorded on water well records. Glacial sediments in the study area comprise a large outwash complex between two moraines. The surficial landforms are the result of the last Wisconsinan advance and retreat through the area.

Cross sections contructed for this project reveal at least three major till units. An additional till unit contains a weathered soil sequence. Therefore, it is possible that this paleosol represents the Sangamon Interglacial period between the Wisconsinan and Illinoian stages. No obvious evidence of movement of the Saginaw Lobe remains …

Wintertime Observations On Pig (Sus Scrofa) Decomposition, David Glynn Mcbride

Masters Theses

Detailed knowledge of the behavior of insects and other arthropods associated with decomposing remains is essential to estimate the time since death. To date, many studies have been conducted on human and animal decomposition rates in warm and/or humid climates, but little is known about decomposition rates in a northern wintertime environment. This study was undertaken to document the progression of decay and arthropod activity under these conditions and provide data that can be utilized for estimating time since death in such climates.

Six stillborn pigs (Sus scrofa Linnaeus) were placed in cages in a woodlot near Western Michigan …

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 …

Estrogen Induced Eosinophil Migration Into The August Rat Uterus Is Associated With Intercellular Adhesion Molecule Expression, Daniel R. Orcutt

Masters Theses

Estrogen causes an influx of eosinophils into the uterus in female rats. The diapedesis of eosinophils out of the vasculature has also been observed in allergic reactions, parasitic infections, and atopic dermatitis, and has been associated with cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs). Antibody blocking studies against ICAM-1/ LFA-1 and VCAM-1/VLA-4 have suggested that both ligand/receptor sets of CAMs are involved in the selective recruitment of eosinophils out of the vasculature. ICAM- 1 is expressed on the vascular endothelium and decreases in expression when IL-4 is introduced. VLA-4 is present on eosinophils and is suspected to allow selective migration of eosinophils out …

The Effects Of Part-Training On Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Skill Acquisition And Retention, David William Hagedorn

Masters Theses

Many thousands of lives could be saved annually in America with the prompt and correct execution of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The bystander is a vital resource in the basic treatment of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, studies have demonstrated that not only is retention of these lifesaving CPR skills poor, but initial acquisition of the CPR skills during training may be inadequate. This paper reviews methods and tools for CPR training, discloses areas of retention loss, and proposes solutions to be explored with further empirical research. With critical skills like CPR, the urgency to better train lay people and medical …

The Education Of Pregnant Adolescents And Adolescent Parents, Margie Christine Moore

Masters Theses

The enormity and seriousness of the problem of adolescent pregnancy in Kent County, in Michigan, and in the United States is documented, with implications given for future generations. Past and present perceptions of the problem are explored, and significant publications by professionals are reviewed. The needs of the young mother are identified. Educational, financial, legal, medical, physical and mental health, housing, and employment are among a confluence of issues confronting the adolescent who bears and rears her child. A variety of current educational programs appropriate for pregnant and parenting adolescents are then presented and summarized. The components of each program …