Digital Commons Network^™

A Descriptive Study Of Offenders Sentenced To Special Alternative Incarceration From 1988-1990 In Kalamazoo County, Sherri Deboef Chandler

Masters Theses

This is a descriptive study of the first two-year cohort of offenders sentenced in Kalamazoo County to Special Alternative Incarceration (SAI). Data were compiled from the Kalamazoo County Probation Department records which indicated 84 young men were sentenced to SAI from its inception in 1988 to 1990. Data were gathered on these offenders spanning 1988 to 1992. Successful graduation from SAI, completion of the probationary period, and recidivism were compared to offense, race, SES, education, employment, and other variables. The data of this group were also compared to national data of those sentenced to Special Alternative Incarceration programs. This group …

The Borders Of A Canvas Tent: An Analysis Of Feminist Utopian Novels, Catherine R. Caldwell

Masters Theses

This thesis is a critical examination of three feminist utopian novels: Woman on the Edge of Time, by Marge Piercy; Herland, by Charlotte Perkins Gillman, and Les Guerilleres, by Monique Wittig. The study, derived from the sociology of knowledge and deconstruction theory, focuses on similarities and differences involving: (a) sexuality; (b) community building; (c) religion; (d) decision making processes, political systems, and modes of production; (e) crime, deviance and political conflict resolution; and (f) child rearing. The analysis demonstrates that utopia may serve to critique dominant ideology. It also shows how utopian novels treat, and suggest possibilities …

Expression Of Integrated And Methylated Hiv-Ltr In Human T-Cells And Monkey Kidney Cells By Frog Virus 3 Infection, Celene M. Spangler

Masters Theses

DNA methylation has been implicated in the suppression of transcription of a large spectrum of eukaryotic genes. Frog virus 3 (FV3) contains genomic DNA that is the most extensively methylated of all known animal viruses. However, FV3 gene expression is tightly regulated in a sequential fashion in infected cells. Therefore, FV3 must have evolved mechanism(s) to overcome the inhibitory effects of DNA methylation. FV3 has been shown to induce expression of methylated foreign genes in transient transfections. This study was designed to establish if this FV3 induced expression of methylated genes could be demonstrated in stable cell lines which contain …

The Effect Of Insulin Mimetics On Enzymes Of Fatty Acid Biosynthesis, Eric A. Berg

Masters Theses

Fatty acid biosynthesis, an insulin regulated pathway, is the process of producing fatty acid chains from 2 and 3 carbon units. Two enzymes in this pathway that insulin affects are glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and fatty acid synthase (FAS). Sodium vanadate and sodium selenate have demonstrated insulin-like effects in several tissue and cell types. These mimetic effects include increasing glucose transport, regulating glycolytic enzymes, normalizing plasma glucose levels and activities of insulin regulated enzymes in diabetic rats. Our goal was to examine effects of sodium vanadate and sodium selenate on fatty acid biosynthesis in two insulin responsive systems: Isolated rat hepatocytes …

The Importance Of Recreational Reading, And Its Impact On Children's Motivation, Attitude Towards Reading, As Well As Reading Achievement, Lisa Marie Digiovanna

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether children's voluntary/recreational reading and their attitudes toward reading would affect their overall, reading achievement. Third, fifth and seventh grade students were the subjects for this study. Student surveys, parent questionnaires, teacher observations and standardized test scores were used to assess students' attitudes, time spent on recreational reading and overall achievement. Students were placed in an "above average", "average", or "below average" achievement group according to overall achievement. Significant differences were found among the three achievement groups. The "above average" and "average" achievers, from all three grade levels, showed greater amounts of …

An International Comparison Of Lower Elementary School Schedules, Barbara Helen Wyns

Masters Theses

International comparisons indicate that U.S. students test below other industrialized countries. Researchers identify a shorter school day and year as a possible reason. While recognizing the fundamental differences from country to country, this study focuses on the measurable variables; days of instruction per year and total hours of instruction for lower elementary students. Comparisons with Japan, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, and the United States, find that U.S. instructional days are fewer, however, the length of day is longer, and that total annual hours are second only to Japan. The amounts of homework and out of school learning are also discussed. The …

The Testing Of A Protocol For Validating Claims Of Facilitated Communication, Jorge Teodoro

Masters Theses

Facilitated Communication (FC), is a new and controversial augmentative communication technique. This study examined the facilitated messages of six severely mentally impaired school children, produced under naturalistic, yet controlled, experimental conditions. The students were removed from the presence of their facilitators and experienced out-of-classroom events. When the students returned, their facilitators read descriptions containing True, False or No Information about the students' experiences. Messages produced in the ensuing facilitation sessions indicated that the facilitators influenced the facilitated messages, although they appeared unaware that they were doing so. Meanwhile, students showed little resistance to the testing procedures. Based on these results …

Social Change And Attitudes Of Educated Elite Toward The Role Of Women In Qatari Society, Jassim Al-Nassr

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate attitudes of educated elite toward \ the role of women in Qatari society. Attitudes were viewed as reactionary, traditional, and liberal.

A questionnaire technique was used to gather data for this study. Five hundred eighty-two questionnaires Were distributed at eighteen Qatari ministries and official establishments. The response rate was 62.37%.

The six hypotheses tested in the study examined the relationships between the independent variables of gender, level of education, major and place of study, religious commitment, and job status, and the dependent variable of attitudes of Qatari educated elite toward the role …

Application Of A Modified Analytical Derivatization Method To The Determination Of Microbial Metabolites In Aquifer Systems, Jie Lu

Masters Theses

The geochemical evolution of Low Molecular Weight Fatty Acids (LMWFA's) in various ground water samples and aquifer solid samples from both contaminated and uncontaminated sites has been studied. An improved analytical method has been established for both qualitative and quantitative determination of LMWFA's. The low molecular weight (LMW) organic acids are metabolic intermediates of the oxidative biodegradation of hydrocarbon contaminants. The hydrocarbons are believed to be the electron donors in these redox reactions. Formic and acetic acids were found to be the major LMWFA's in these ground water samples and aquifer solid samples. Their concentrations increase as the redox condition …

Investigation Of Past Performance And Sources Of Motivation On Team And Self-Efficacy Of Collegiate Soccer Players, Kevin P. Demers

Masters Theses

This study investigated the relationship between past performance and sources of motivation on team and self-efficacy of collegiate soccer players. The subjects of this study were 92 male collegiate soccer players who participated in MIAA competition in the fall of 1992. Data were collected from team and self-efficacy questionnaires modified for this study. A sport motivation scale from Butt's (1987) Sport Protocol was also used to collect data. The findings of this study indicated that (a) past performance is the primary variable in predicting team efficacy; (b) the coach's rating of player ability was a stronger source of self-efficacy than …

Evidence For Dna Methylation-Sensitive Transactivator Mediated Regulation Of The Expression Of An Epstein-Barr Virus Neutralizing Antigen, Sridhar Chalasani

Masters Theses

DNA methylation has a profound effect on the expression of a number of eukaryotic genes. This study demonstrates that an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positive Burkitt's lymphoma cell line, Raji, contains the gene encoding gp350/220 but is not expressed. Frog virus 3 (FV3), an iridovirus, has the ability to overcome the inhibitory effect of DNA methylation. Fusion of FV3-infected cells with Raji cells resulted in expression of gp350/220, suggesting that gp350/220 is regulated by DNA methylation. Further evidence for this hypothesis was obtained by transfecting B95.8 cells with HpaII/HhaI methylated plasmid pLATE-CAT, containing the gp350/220 promoter. Southern blot analyses and a …

Using Differential Outcome To Teach Medication Discriminations To Head Injured Adults, Scott C. Votava

Masters Theses

In attempt to replicate the DOE in teaching medication discriminations, the efficiency of differential outcomes and nondifferential outcomes procedures was compared. Additionally, the effects of the differential outcome procedures and nondifferential outcomes procedures upon generalization probes to novel medications were investigated. Finally, the effects of differential and nondifferential outcome procedures on probes to real medications were investigated. The results showed the differential outcome procedure employed produced the desired discrimination more rapidly than the nondifferential outcome procedure. No conclusive statement can be made regarding data obtained in generalization probes or in probes with real medications.

Diploma Nursing Students' Attitudes Toward Poverty, Elizabeth Louise Phillips

Masters Theses

According to King, stereotyped perceptions may interfere with nurse-client transactions. Therefore, nurses' should possess attitudes which enable them to care for individuals who live in poverty. A descriptive correlational design was used to examine first year and second year diploma nursing students' attitudes toward individuals living in poverty. It was hypothesized that second year diploma nursing students would demonstrate a more positive attitude toward those living in poverty than first year diploma nursing students.; A convenience sample of diploma nursing students (N = 102) completed the "Attitudes about Poverty and Poor Peoples" scale utilized to assess students' attitudes (Atherton et …

Sugar Maple Succession In A Central Illinois Forest, Baber Woods, Rodney W. Davis

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Predator Deterrence In The Central Newt, Notophthalmus Viridescens Louisianensis (Wolterstorff) With Notes On Salamander Antipredator Strategies, Malcolm Mccallum

Masters Theses

The effectiveness of the skin secretions of Notophthalmus viridescens as a predator deterrent has been well documented. Still, there have been documented cases of predation on this salamander. This study investigates the ability of a variety of herptiles to feed on N. viridescens louisianensis.

In the first experiment, plethodonts and efts were fed on alternate weeks to snakes. Latency of response, anatomical location of predator attack, and behaviors displayed by predators and prey were recorded during each trial.

In the second experiment, tongue flick frequency by T. sirtalis to the essence of live N. viridescens louisianensis, Eurycea cirigerra …

A Biosystematic Study Of Three Plant Pathogenic Fungi, Richard James Langham

Masters Theses

Isolates of Chalara australis, Eucalypt Ceratocystis, and Ceratocystis virescens were grown on Potato Dextrose Agar, Malt Extract Agar, and Czapek Agar and examined as part of a biosystematic study on these fungi. Basic micromorphological and macromorphological data on the cultures were recorded and the taxa were found to be morphologically similar. Tissue isolates and single spore isolates were crossed within these taxa and an interspecific cross performed. Chalara australis was found to be either asexual or have only one mating type present in the cultures studied. Eucalypt Ceratocystis was found to have a mating system characteristic of bipolar …

Studies Directed Toward The Synthesis Of Germacranolides Via [2+2] Cycloaddition Followed By Ring Expansion/Elimination Of Β-Lactones, Bryan E. Yates

Masters Theses

Exposure of α-trimethylsilyl β-lactones to magnesium bromide or boron trifluoride etherate in diethyl ether solvent resulted in the smooth generation of β,γ-unsaturated acid derivatives in good yield and isomeric purity. It is believed that this reaction occurs via the formation of a stable tertiary carbocation at the γ-carbon resulting from cleavage of the carbon-oxygen sigma bond due to the complexation of the Lewis acid with the ring oxygen atom. Rapid loss of an adjacent electrofuge then furnishes the unsaturated acids. The β-lactone precursors were prepared by a [2+2] cycloaddition of an aldehyde and an alkyl trimethylsilyl ketene. This method was …

Relative Sensitivities Of Diatoms To Selected Heavy Metals, Jennifer E. Carlson

Masters Theses

Baseline data, including diatom community structure, metal concentrations of water, sediments and periphyton of the Embarras River were determined previously (Vaultonburg, 1991). Data on diatom community structure in conjunction with efforts to identify relative sensitivity of diatoms may be useful in establishing an effective method for biomonitoring metal pollution in the Embarras River and other aquatic systems. The main objectives of this project were: i) develop a bioassay method; ii) evaluate relative toxicities of several metals towards diatoms; and, iii) evaluate relative sensitivities of diatoms toward dissolved metals.

Unialgal cultures of Cyclotella meneghiniana, Navicula vaucheriae, and Nitzschia palea were isolated …

The Development Of A Plan To Prepare For The Quality Review Visit Under The Illinois Public School Recognition System, Michael L. Stivers

Masters Theses

This study examined the development of a School Improvement Plan for the Oblong School District in preparation for a Quality Review visit. The Illinois State Board of Education was mandated by legislation pasted in 1984 and 1992 to evaluate the School Improvement Plan of each school district in Illinois. The steps taken to properly prepare for the Quality Review visit were documented in the study. The recommendations detailed in the paper were developed at the completion of the Quality Review visit and reflect the suggestions of the Quality Review Team. The suggestions outlined in the study should make the process …

The Synthesis And Characterization Of Ruii(Bpy){(Bpyrm)Ruii(Nh3)4}2](Pf6)6 And [Ruii(Bpy)2(Bpyrm)Ruii(Nh3)4](Pf6)4, Rick Anthony Pavinato

Masters Theses

This thesis describes the synthesis of a trimetallic Ru^II complex [Ru^II(bpy){(bpyrm)Ru^II(NH₃)₄}₂](PF₆)₆ and its bimetallic analog [Ru^II(bpy)₂(bpyrm)Ru^II(NH₃)₄](PF₆)₄. The trimetallic species was designed to be the first in a series of complexes where the reduction potential of the "bridging" complex could be varied (relative to the "terminal" sites) through systematic variation in the metal (M) and/or ligand (LL) … Generation of the [Ru^II-M^II-Ru^III] "mixed-valence" complex would then allow …

An Evaluation Of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Community Structure And Sediment Toxicity In Lake Taylorville, Sanhita Datta

Masters Theses

Sediments act as a "sink" for xenobiotics which can be accumulated by a variety of organisms and thereby enter the food chain contaminating fish, wildlife and humans. Although the chemical nature of these substances can be known by direct chemical analysis of the sediments, the significance of the contaminants and their bioavailability should be determined through bioassay techniques. A survey of the benthic macroinvertebrates of Lake Taylorville, a reservoir in central Illinois which is fed by two rivers that drain a primarily agricultural area, revealed a rather depauperate fauna. Subsequent studies were conducted in order to identify the underlying cause …

Training Profiles Of Collegiate Swimmers: A Survey Of Ncaa Division I, Ii, And Iii Coaches About Their Male Freestyle Swimmers During The 1993-94 Swimming Season, Sean M. Cabbage

Masters Theses

The lack of information about how the majority of college swimming teams train encouraged the author to conduct the following study.

A cover letter and questionnaire, regarding training methods, were sent to all 377 NCAA men's swimming coaches (Division I, II, and III) in the United States, as listed in the 1993-94 NCAA Directory. Approximately 50 percent of all surveys were returned with an equal response rate from each of the respective divisions.

Questions regarded team division and size, the coaches experience level and recent training changes, months of peak training during the 1993-94 collegiate season, peak training volume and …

Zooplankton Community Structure As A Function Of Abiotic And Biotic Factors Prior To A Multiphased Restoration Effort, John H. Ensign Jr.

Masters Theses

Lake Taylorville, an impoundment on the South Fork of the Sangamon River, is located just south of Taylorville in Christian County, Illinois. The tributaries of this reservoir drain primarily agricultural areas and contribute to degradation of the reservoir through excessive sediment and nutrient loading. A restoration project is underway which involves construction of sediment basins and dry dams. Analysis of the crustacean zooplankton community has formed an integral part of an intensive limnological investigation of the reservoir during the initial stages of the restoration effort. Seasonal variation in the composition, and density of the major groups was observed. Rotifers (Brachionus …

Carbonyl Homologation Via Α-Trimethylsilyl Β-Lactone Rearrangement: A Nonbasic Wittig Alternative, Yong Zhang

Masters Theses

Our research group has been interested in β-lactones as useful synthetic intermediates. Transformations of β-lactones, generally ring expansion/opening processes initiated by Lewis acids via ionization/cation-rearrangement or elimination mechanisms, provide efficient protocols for the syntheses of biologically important butyrolactones, β,γ-unsaturated carboxylic acids, or butenolides.

α-Trimethylsilyl β-lactones, synthesized via the BF₃- catalyzed [2+2] cycloaddition of trimethylsilylketene to carbonyl compounds, spontaneously undergo ionization and trimethylsilyl group migration to form α,β-unsaturated trimethylsilyl esters. The trimethylsilyl moiety facilitates the ionization process because of its β-cation stabilizing ability. The two-carbon homologated α,β-unsaturated acids are formed in yields from moderate to high (41-99%) upon aqueous …

Frequency Of Attainment Of Plateau In Maximal Oxygen Consumption In Differentially Trained Athletes, Jeffrey Michael Seda

Masters Theses

A plateau in oxygen consumption during exercise testing has been considered a requisite indicator of achievement of true maximal oxygen consumption. The wide range of reported percentages of subjects revealing a plateau (7 to 80 percent) indicates that closer analysis of factors that may influence plateau attainment is necessary. This study examined the frequency of plateau attainment in two groups of differentially trained subjects. One group (TR) of 12 males (ages 18-36) were trained runners and the other group (WL) of 12 males (ages 18-31) consisted of trained weight lifters. The subjects participated in a series of maximal exercise tests …

Field Study On Quality Review In Illinois, Melinda Brookens Ostergren

Masters Theses

The Illinois State Recognition Program, otherwise known as Quality Review, has stringent rules for documenting compliance with requirements regarding information on student demographics, outcomes, assessment standards, expectations, plans for improvement, and reporting that information to the public in a meaningful way. This field study provides new formats for the scoring rubric and auditors' Interpretive Key for the state rules and regulations which make them easier to understand. In addition, it offers model forms for record-keeping so that preparing for an audit visit can be done efficiently, but it offers no solutions to the complex problem of generating change by altering …

The Relative Weight (Wr) Condition Index As A Predictor Of Growth, Prey Abundance And Environmental Conditions, Hongsheng Liao

Masters Theses

We evaluated the relative weight (W_r) condition index for assessment of growth, prey availability and environmental conditions in fish populations. Standard weight (W_s) equations for pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) and golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) from 302 pumpkinseed and 285 golden shiner populations, with well over 10,000 fish of each species, were developed with regression-line-percentile (RLP) technique. The proposed W_s equation in metric units for pumpkinseed is log₁₀W_s = -5.179 + 3.237 log10TL, and for golden shiner is log10W_s = -5.593 + 3.302 log10TL. The English-unit versions of these equations were also developed. …

Artificial Cavity Box Use By Eastern Screech Owl, Otus Asio, Lori A. Davis

Masters Theses

Screech owl use of 29 artificial cavity boxes placed in wooded habitat on a 14.6 hectare study area in east central Illinois was monitored from 1975 through 1993. A total of 28 screech owls were captured a total of 155 times. Two to 4 adults were usually present and 3 broods were reared in the boxes. The time between first and last capture of birds taken 4 or more times ranged from 270 to 2589 days (average 1740 days). Home range of 5 owls captured 8 to 17 times ranged from 0.45 to 6.0 ha. Cavity boxes were used more …

A Rhetorical Analysis Of The Persian Gulf Debates, Daniel F. Hickey

Masters Theses

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to analyze selected senatorial speeches for and against using military force against Iraq.

Hypothesis

It was hypothesized that Richard Weaver's hierarchy of argument will provide a useful framework for the identification of arguments and philosophical inclination of the speakers.

Materials

The primary documents comprising this study were the four speeches found in Vital Speeches of the Day by Senator Robert Dole (R-KS), Senator George Mitchell (D-ME), Senator John C. Danforth (R-MO), and Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA). All were delivered in the Senate between January 10-12, 1991. The speakers chosen were well-respected members of …

A Burkean Analysis Of The Rhetoric Of Sexual Harassment: An Examination Of The Polarization Of Attitudes Related To Consensual Relationships On Campus, Loretta Lovelace Wiman

Masters Theses

A history of sexual harassment traces the recognition and development of the issue as a social problem in the workplace and on college campuses. A review of research literature reveals both percentages of students involved and the effects on those students of academic or teacher/student sexual harassment. A brief overview of institutional policy statements shows that some colleges/universities have responded to the issue with a ban on all consensual amorous relationships between teachers and students; some ban such relationships only when a supervisory relationship also exists, and some do neither. Some policies include sanctions on those who violate bans; others …