Digital Commons Network^™

Fuzzy Based Forebody Vortex Flow Controller For The X-29a Aircraft, Jin Suzuki

Masters Theses

This paper demonstrates the development and performance of A Fuzzy Logic based regulator for an aircraft which is equipped with pneumatic forebody Vortex Flow Controller at high angle-of-attack flight condition. The VFC provides the pilot additional control power at flight conditions where conventional effectors such as rudder and differential flaps lose effectiveness.

Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC) is applied to a mixed bang-bang and conventional type control system. This unique configuration ensures robustness of the system and simplifies the controller design. Performance of the FLC based regulator shows a 10.3% reduction in cost function compared to the system controlled by a …

Assessing The Pragmatic Skills Of Adolescents With And Without Learning Disabilities On A Dramatization Task, Amy L. Juergens

Masters Theses

This study was designed to compare the pragmatic skills of adolescents with and without learning disabilities as measured by a dramatization task. Seventeen high school students with learning disabilities and 17 normal-achieving high school students participated in this study. Twenty scenes were presented verbally to the participants who were instructed to act out the part of a character in each scene, making up the dialogue to fit the scene. The responses were scored for their pragmatic appropriateness and linguistic quality. Task reliability and validity analyses indicated that the dramatization task was an effective measure of key aspects of pragmatic skills. …

The Impact Of Political Instability On Economic Growth: Evidence From Developing Countries, Uisoon Kwon

Masters Theses

This thesis examined the impact of political instability on economic growth. This thesis included forty three developing countries and employed multiple regression analysis. Three hypotheses were tested. First, cross-nationally, political instability may serve to decrease the availability of factors of production. Second, cross-nationally, political instability will decrease the quantity of labor. Third, cross-nationally, political instability may negatively influence the timing and organization of the production process.

The statistical results of multiple regression were not significant at .05 level using t-test. Therefore the null hypotheses were not rejected. Based on statistical results, possible reasons for the statistical insignificance were considered in …

Women In The Fuero Real Of Alfonso X El Sabio: Thirteenth-Century Law And Society, Michelle Martin De Figueroa

Masters Theses

The history of Iberia, unlike her European counterparts, was formed through the interaction of Christians, Jews and Mouslims. Thirteenth-century life, influenced by the Reconquest and friction between these groups, adapted to the turbulent nature of Castilian frontier society. With each military contest, Castilian society evolved to meet the demand placed upon her strained resources and citizenry. Women played a paramount role in this process. Through the use of legal codes as historical sources, the roles, rights and responsibilities of women can be established and assessed. This provides historians with an opportunity to view this period of time and the social …

The Education And Cultural Adaptation: Experiences Of Japanese Children In Foreign Cultures, Akiko Namiki

Masters Theses

This thesis explores the experiences of Japanese children and adolescents who reside in the United States as a consequence of their parents' jobs and examines how they adapted to a local society and how their cultural identities were affected by living in the United States before establishing stable identities. This study was completed by relating existing literature to interviews with a sample of Japanese children and adolescents, their mothers, and their teachers who reside in a Midwestern urban areas.

Experiences of the Japanese children and adolescents were examined in terms of their English language skills, Japanese language skills, family lives, …

Little Golden Bookstm: An Analysis Of Every Child’S Literature, Sandra Ballman-Burke

Masters Theses

Modeling theory proposes that consequences received by the model are considered critical in determining whether or not modeled behaviors will be imitated (Bandura, Ross & Ross, 1961).

Despite the apparent significance of consequences, analyses of children's literature have failed to explore this link. Utilizing feminist research perspectives, I sought to examine variables explored in previous analyses of picture books, with emphasis on consequences received by models. I was interested in (a) consequences received by female and male characters when engaged in instrumental/independent activities (Kortenhaus & Demarest, 1993); (b) the ways in which female and male characters are stereotyped; and (c) …

History, Mission, And Visitors At The Kalamazoo Valley Museum In Kalamazoo, Michigan: A Study Of The Museum As Cultural Practice, Lynnette Z. King

Masters Theses

This study investigates the interrelationship between the museum, its mission, and its visitors. The history of museums in general and the Kalamazoo Valley Museum in particular shows how the mission developed in relationship to culture, community, and individuals. Observations and ethnographic interviews of visitors and staff, as well as drawings made by school children who had visited the museum were used to identify viewers' perceptions of the museum and its mission. The museum is guided by an official stated mission as well as various staff and administrative interpretations of the mission. Although the museum and its mission have changed through …

Analysis Of The Motor Fitness And Strength Of The 1992 Through 1995 Western Michigan University Football Teams, Erick W. Schork

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the motor fitness and strength characteristics of the 1992 through 1995 Western Michigan University football teams. Specifically, performance of the class of 1995 and various playing positions were compared to the performance of the entire team over a 4-year period. Approximately 100 members of the 1992 through 1995 Western Michigan University football teams were measured on tests that determined physical strength and motor fitness ability. These tests included the bench press, squat, hang clean, 20-yard shuttle run, 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and 300-yard shuttle run. ANOVAs or chi-square tests were calculated to …

Rape Law Reform: The Law And Its Perceived Impact, Jennifer D'Ette St. Pierre

Masters Theses

The research examines "model" rape reform legislation in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Interviews were conducted with area judges, attorneys, victim advocates, and law enforcement officers to assess the variety of perceptions regarding the problems that remain for rape victims in the past two decades since reforms have been implemented. Discussion details the perceived successes, failures, and overall impact of reforms. The research identifies problem areas which affect both victims and practitioners within the legal processing of sexual assault cases. The study concludes with recommendations for possible courses of action for abating the difficulties surrounding the crime of rape in the 1990s.

The Implications Of Deweyan Pragmatism For Liberal Democracies, Robert B. Fenneuff

Masters Theses

My research explores John Dewey's political theory in order to determine what practical and theoretical significance it has for liberal democratic nation-states that face significant problems in a number of areas. The problems Dewey's political theory is most concerned with stem from the impact of highly complex modern technology upon the ability of a democratic society to strive closer towards its ideals of freedom , equality, and community. My research shows that Dewey's theory calls for an experimental re-creation of social and political institutions with the purpose of creating an effective means by which society can organize the complex technology …

Geophysical Investigation Of Anomalous Conductivity Associated With A Hydrocarbon Contamination Site, Mike S. Nash

Masters Theses

The high electrical conductivity measured from chemical analyses from ground water below a hydrocarbon contaminated site was the focus of this study. Most theoretical studies have indicated that the electrical conductivity of hydrocarbon contamination is lower than that of the surrounding medium. Geochemical studies at other sites have shown that areas of dissolved fuel oil plume have a higher electrical conductivity. Six methods: Self Potential, Mise-a-la-Masse, Vertical Electrical Sounding, Dipole-Dipole Resistivity Profiling, Electromagnetic Induction, and Ground Penetrating Radar were all used in an attempt to see which method( s) could identify regions of high conductivity.

The findings of this study …

Design And Development Of A User Interface Between Mapics/Db And Factor 5.2, Raghu Pothuri

Masters Theses

An interface program was designed to transfer production data from MAPICS/DB, a MRP II software, to FACTOR 5.2, a Finite Capacity Scheduling software. Since FACTOR 5.2 is designed to be used in a stand-alone mode with its own independent data base, this interface program extracts data from the MRP II System and converts it to formats specified by the Scheduling System. To create a computer model of the manufacturing process, information about manufacturing orders, routings, and production facilities was obtained from MAPICS/DB files. Certain information needed by FACTOR 5.2, which is not available in MAPICS/DB, was supplemented by the program …

Women's Autonomy In Late Anglo-Saxon England Based On The Place-Name Evidence, Norman B. Frost

Masters Theses

My thesis discusses two related and highly significant points and then demonstrates the usefulness of a new methodology, in the form of place names. Firstly it elaborates the importance of presenting accurate women's history to both women and the historical profession as a whole and the necessity for making every attempt to explore any possible resource for accomplishing that goal.

Secondly it addresses the importance of language as an historical tool that can represent a very broad base of a past society in revealing the common cultural thoughts, morals, and ethics of the population within a specific area and time …

Synthesis Of Biologically Active Substituted Chalcones, Kiel Steven Hoff

Masters Theses

Two different synthetic routes to poly-hydroxylated chalcones are investigated. The wittig synthesis and protection of the hydroxyl functionalities by forming the methyl ether followed by the base catalyzed Claissen-schmidt reaction and then deprotection were investigated. It was demonstrated that the protection-condensation- deprotection route was more efficient. The antiviral activity of 2,2', 4' - trihydroxychalcone against the HIV virus is also presented.

Constraints To "Gay Lifestyle": Functioning Within The Social Environment, Valerie A. Paget

Masters Theses

“Gay lifestyle" is a phrase which carries with it many limitations and negative perceptions. In this paper, Adlerian psychology is used to facilitate a more broad understanding of lesbian, gay and bisexual lifestyles. To accomplish this, individual functioning is examined within the context of the social environment. Review of the literature examines the areas of cultural values; moral thought; theories on the etiology of homosexuality; attitudes as cognitive, affective, and behavioral reactions; development of gay and lesbian subcultures; and actual lifestyle functioning of gay, lesbian and bisexual persons. Sociological theories of feminism, constructionism, essentialism. and interactionism are all used to …

The Effect Of The Hapad Longitudinal Metatarsal Arch Pad On Ground Reaction Forces And Rear Foot Angle, William F. Rocker

Masters Theses

The effectiveness of the Hapad Longitudinal Metatarsal Arch Pad (HLMAP) to correct for pronation was investigated using 30 female volunteer student subjects. The investigation consisted of measuring ground reaction forces measured by a force plate and rear foot angle (RFA) measured by video digitization. The repeated measures design consisted of l grouping variable with 3 levels, supinators, mildpronators, and over pronators, and 2 research variables, 10 trials, and pad/no-pad. The results indicated (a) no significant difference for medial or lateral force, propulsive force, vertic al thrust, negative torque among groups, or between pad/no-pad; (b) a significant difference was found for …

Reality Therapy: A Critique With Suggested Modification, Gerald Moran

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

An Emg Analysis Of Five Abdominal Exercises, Teresa E. Brady

Masters Theses

The problem of this study was to compare the basic crunch, Ab Roller Plus, EZ-Krunch, and Resist-A-Ball abdominal exercises. For the Resist-A-Ball, a beginner and advanced abdominal exercise were measured. Subjects performed 5 repetitions of each of the 5 exercises and the 4th repetition of each exercise was analyzed. The dependent variables were peak EMG and time to peak EMG of the rectus abdominis; time spent in the concentric, coupling, and eccentric phases; range of motion for the low back, hip, and trunk; and EMG activity of the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and biceps brachii. The results indicated …

The Effect Of Step Height And Upper Body Involvement On Oxygen Consumption And Energy Expenditure During Step Aerobics, Heidi A. Riker

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of step height and arm involvement on oxygen consumption (VO2), VO2 as a percentage of VO2max, and energy cost during step aerobics. VO2 and Respiratory Exchange Ratio were measured as 12 subjects completed 6 experimental conditions, which consisted of 3 step heights, 4, 6, and 8 in., and 2 arm conditions, with and without arms. Measured VO2 values were also analyzed as a percentage of maximal oxygen consumption to determine if subjects were within the ACSM recommended range of 50% to 85% of VO2max. ANOVAs revealed significant differences in each …

Technological Analysis Of Ceramic Surface Treatments At The Wymer-West Knoll (20be132), A Mississippian Site In Southwestern Michigan, Suzannah Greve-Brown

Masters Theses

Red-slipped and blackened, burnished, shell-tempered ceramics from the Wymer-West knoll are described and analyzed. Such ceramics have not been previously recognized or detailed in south west Michigan. Similar ceramics do occur, however, at Mississippian sites in the upper Illinois and the Mississippi River valleys. The Wymer-West knoll ceramics are thus considered to be possible trade items. An X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy test is utilized in order to compare the red-slipped ceramics with ceramics having other surface treatments. A petrographic thin section analysis is also used to distinguish the potentially imported ceramics from shell-tempered, cordmarked ceramics presumably produced at the site. Results …

Assessment Of The Discriminative Properties Of A Selective D3 Antagonist, Mary-Jo E. Miller

Masters Theses

Two groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats (n= 16) were used in a drug discrimination assay to assess the stimulus properties of PNU-99194A, currently the most selective D₃ dopamine antagonist. Eight rats were trained to discriminate cocaine-HCL (10 mg/kg) from saline and remaining eight rats were trained to discriminate PNU-99194A-HCL (10 mg/kg) from saline. PNU-99194A was tested for substitution (0-40 mg/kg, i.p and s.c.),. antagonism (5-20 mg/kg), and potentiation (5-20 mg/kg) in the animals trained with cocaine. PNU-99194A did not substitute for cocaine at any dose tested. PNU-99194A did not alter cocaine discrimination when administered in combination with the training …

Prototype Implementation Of The Comprehensive Parallel Integration Tool Parint, Jay Ball

Masters Theses

The ParInt project allows users to integrate multivariate functions using parallel computers via different methods encompassed in an easy to use interface. This thesis describes the initial version of the ParInt package. Various pop up windows of the graphical user interface, program procedures, programming paradigms, integration theory, and future considerations are all described.

Influence Of Metal Ions On Brightness Reversion Of Mechanical And Tmp Pulps, Ajay K. Jain

Masters Theses

High-yield mechanical pulps possess high opacity, bulk, compressibility, and excellent printing properties as well. But these pulps are still not suitable for producing high-grade papers because of discoloration. The brightness with age may be due to the presence of lignin, hemicellulose (and even cellulose), resins, metal ions, and additives such as rosin, alum, starch, and other polymers.

This study includes the effects of different metal ions on brightness stability of wood, thermomechanical pulps, chemithermomechanical pulps, and alkaline peroxide mechanical pulps. Also studied were the influences of metal ions on bleached pulps towards brightness loss. The metal ions selected for this …

Implementation Of A Middle School Team Model: A Case Study, Deborah S. Lehmann

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect that a paradigm shift from a junior high departmental model to a middle school team model had in one rural mid-western school district. The relationship between professional development in collaborative teaming and teaching, and the effective use of these skills, was studied. The researcher took the role of participant observer in order to obtain an inside view of the school for this case study. Participants were observed during team meetings and completed a questionnaire that addressed the identified variables related to interdisciplinary teaming, collaborative teaching, professional development, and administrative support. …

Thermal Characterization Of Ground And Surface Waters At The Upjohn Company's Portage Road Manufacturing Facility, William K. Hunsberger

Masters Theses

This study focused on thermal characteristics of the ground water and recharged surface water at The Upjohn Company's (now Pharmacia and Upjohn) Portage Road manufacturing facility. Major objectives were: (a) a compilation and graphical evaluation of historical lower aquifer ground water temperatures; (b) estimates of thermal energy introduced into the ground water system through recharge from Upjohn Pond, and predictions of future production well discharge temperatures; (c) an evaluation of hydraulic conductivity related to changes in water density and viscosity influenced by variable temperature; and (d) the stratigraphy beneath Upjohn Pond.

Records reveal increasing ground water temperatures through time in …

Evolutionary Codesign, Karthikeyan Ethirajan

Masters Theses

We present our approach to hardware/software partitioning for embedded systems based upon Evolutionary Algorithms. We have implemented it in a CAD tool, EvoC - Evolutionary Codesign which does automatic hardware/software partitioning of real-time embedded systems at the system level. Our objective is to find good design configurations that are tuned towards user's preferences. We are able to explore a large, often intractable design space using Evolutionary Algorithms while evaluating solutions having multiple and sometimes conflicting attributes in the light of Multi-Attribute Utility Theory. EvoC provides a generic format for specifying a wide variety of design problems and the implementation assumes …

Childhood Health And Nutrition: An Exploration Of Enamel Hypoplasia Studies Using The Milwaukee County Institutional Grounds Cemetery, 1882-1925, Maura K. Polli

Masters Theses

The focus of this study is the dentition of a Midwestern United States historic almshouse population, the Milwaukee County Institutional Grounds cemetery (MCIG), 1882-1925. A survey of linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) in the anterior dentition of a subsample of this population has been conducted to demonstrate incidences of childhood stress. LEH is symptomatic of extended periods of disease or nutritional stress experienced during the formative years of tooth development.

A subsample of 140 individuals was examined for LEH. The labial surface of the anterior dentition was examined for the frequency and chronological distribution of LEH. The frequency of LEH ranges …

Acculturation Differences Among International Students At Western Michigan University, Kemal Aydin

Masters Theses

The acculturation of international students at Western Michigan University was studied in this thesis. Acculturation variables of perceived prejudice, observance of cultural practices and social ties, and language usage were measured. The results of this study shows that in terms of perceived prejudice, Western Michigan University's international students (except European and Hispanics students) tend to move away from a stimulus. Acculturation and language usage, however, indicate that there is no significant acculturation differences among the respondents. International students at Western Michigan University seem to prefer integration as reflected in a commitment to pluralism. In summary, international students at Western Michigan …

Responsibility, Submission, And Power: Social Factors Which Influence Rural Out-Migration Among Women In Southern Vietnam, Jeffery D. Wright

Masters Theses

This paper examines the circumstances that affect the decisions of young women living in rural southern Vietnam to move to Ho Chi Minh City in search of employment. Issues of power, submission, and responsibility that underlie interpersonal relationships in Vietnam will be discussed with special attention to the way they affect the lives of Vietnamese women. It has been widely suggested that rural out-migration in developing countries is largely economically driven. My own field research in Vietnam during the summer of 1996 suggests that the migration of women in southern Vietnam is not simply an attempt to make more money. …

Determinants Of Worker Perceptions Of Team Effectiveness, Scott D. Mist

Masters Theses

This study measures perceptions of team effectiveness in a research and development organization from data obtained during an evaluation of a Federal Re-Invention Laboratory. The study is a secondary analysis which examines five scales, selected for their ability to measure team performance and satisfaction through the use of several values, behaviors and attitudes. These include empowerment, cohesion, team fitness, culture-power distribution, and culture.

A confirmatory factor analysis was used to analyze the strength of the question items of the scales. The factors were then utilized in four logistic regression analyses of dependent variables.

The analyses showed the relative strength of …