Digital Commons Network^™

Inhibition Of Cytochrome P-450 But Not Neutrophil Depletion Prevents The Pulmonary Toxicity Associated With 1-Nitronaphthalene, Steven Michael Green

Masters Theses

1-Nitronaphthalene (1-NN) is an environmental contaminant that has been shown to cause pulmonary toxicity in rodents. To examine the contribution of cytochrome P-450 to the metabolism and subsequent toxicity of 1-NN, rats were pretreated with chloramphenicol, a suicide substrate of P-450. To determine if inflammation plays a role in 1-NN toxicity, rats were pretreated with cyclophosphamide to deplete neutrophils. In both experiments, morphological analysis of the lower airways was performed with light and electron microscopy. A second group of animals was examined for biochemical indicators of inflammation and cell damage. The parameters examined were cell content, protein content and lactate …

A Classification Of Ecosystem Desertification Using Satellite Imagery, Dzheltyrbas Gulf, 1980-1989, Marni D. Cavis

Masters Theses

This study focused on the development of a land cover classification method for the Dzhiltyrbas Gulf region southeast of the Aral Sea in the former Soviet Union. Desertification of the region was mapped based on ecosystem descriptions taken from a database defining four stages of desertification. Landsat MSS images (bands 1, 2, and 4) were used as the basis for classification. Standard unsupervised and supervised classification methods did not distinguish the level of detail required to map each stage of desertification in each ecosystem. Therefore, the ecosystems had to be defined and classified as separate entities (based on SBI and …

Rolling Friction Research Instrument, John P. Ward

Masters Theses

An instrument has been analyzed, designed and constructed that will accurately measure the rolling resistance of metallic spheres an plane surfaces subjected to normal loading which will produce contact stresses approaching material yield.

A Study Of Effects Of Flotation Conditions On Flotation Efficiency And Fiber Loss, Wiwat Walaipachara

Masters Theses

Three variables: (1) consistency, (2) agitation, and (3) bubble size were studied for their effects on flotation efficiency and fiber loss. Flotation was done by using a Hallimond apparatus. The floated and non-floated portions were quantified by image analysis based on number of ink particles and total area of ink. The percent fiber loss was calculated from solids' weights of both portions. The floated part was analyzed by a KAJAANI instrument for fiber length average and distribution.

The results showed that flotation efficiency increased with agitation but decreased with increasing consistency. Fiber loss increased with consistency but decreased with increasing …

Contracts In Conflict: Perestroika And The Decline Of Soviet Legitimacy, Karl Glenn Hokenmaier

Masters Theses

Gorbachev's perception of the Soviet Union's socio-economic crisis and his subsequent actions to correct the economy and reform the political system were linked with attempts to renegotiate the social contract between the state and the Soviet people. However, reformulation of the social contract was incompatible with the conditions of a second arrangement between the leadership and the nomenklatura--the Soviet ruling class. The failure of Gorbachev's reforms and the decline of Soviet legitimacy were linked to the irreconcilability of the nomenklatura's "political contract" and the social contract.

The construct of the social contract was utilized to represent the Soviet state-society relationship …

William Morris And The Society For The Protection Of Ancient Buildings: Historic Preservation In Victorian Great Britain, Andrea Elizabeth Harger

Masters Theses

This research examines the philosophy of William Morris, how this influenced his founding of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (S.P.A.B.) in 1877, and how this Society functioned in Victorian Great Britain. Two case studies, specifying the S.P.A.B.'s involvement with Westminster Abbey and Edinburgh Castle, are highlighted to detail how the Society operated in secular and ecclesiastical situations. The research concludes with an appraisal of the S.P.A.B. in the twentieth century.

This research emphasizes primary source materials, such as letters and annual reports, from the S.P.A.B archive in London. These materials demonstrate how the S.P.A.B. met their goals …

Community Development Corporations And Their Contributions To Democracy In Chicago, Carl E. Hanssen

Masters Theses

Community development corporations (CDCs) are non-profit, neighborhood-based, real estate developers. They share a common mission to improve social conditions in communities where they work. CDCs were developed based on two distinct models: (1) an intervention model, and (2) a grass-roots model.

This work was predicated on a theory of political science: high levels of social conditions correspond with high levels of democracy. High levels of democracy will be demonstrated by high voter participation. The work of CDCs and their impact on communities in Chicago was analyzed to test this theory.

Four CDCs and corresponding communities were chosen for this study. …

Analysis Of Sandwich Plates Subjected To Blast Loading, Vijay Prasad Bulla

Masters Theses

A dynamic analysis is presented for the bending response of square sandwich plates with isotropic core and facings under blast type pressure. The maximum central deflections of simply supported plates under static and dynamic loadings are compared for various thicknesses and elastic moduli. The deviation of the thick sandwich plate results from the pure-bending theory results is presented for various core properties. Small deflection dynamic iso-response plots are shown for different core rigidities. To study the limits of small deformation linearity for various sandwich plates, non-linear results for deformations under high pressure loads are compared with the linear results. The …

Correlates Of Job Satisfaction Among Private Sector Employees In Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Al-Helelah

Masters Theses

The primary objectives of the present study were to explore the level of job satisfaction and commitment among private sector employees in Saudi Arabia, and to examine the relationship between job satisfaction and employees' commitment.

Seven alternative hypotheses were tested against seven null hypotheses. Chi-square (x^2) was the test statistic for all seven hypotheses. The critical value of chi-square was determined by the degrees of freedom (df) and an alpha level of.05. Three hypotheses were confirmed that related job satisfaction to employees' commitment, satisfaction with length of working hours, and satisfaction with opportunities for interaction with co-workers on the job. …

A Study Of Automated Estimating Of Software Cost, Steven Shouli Wang

Masters Theses

The objectives of this thesis are to survey software cost estimation methods and to discuss how the methods can be applied as conceptual knowledge in a software cost estimation expert database system. The various applications of expert database systems are discussed. Consequently, a new method to approach the software cost estimation has been proposed.

This proposed method is based upon a dozen years of analyzing software cost models which have been done by some dedicated scientists in universities, research organizations, and industry. A CASE tool called IASCE has been designed to assist the project manager to estimate a proposed project …

Attitudes Of Occupational Therapy Students Toward The Mentally Disabled, Patricia Mccarthy

Masters Theses

Thirty-nine undergraduate occupational therapy and fifty-seven entry-level graduate occupational therapy students from eight randomly selected academic programs were surveyed using the Opinions About Mental Illness Scales ([OMI], Cohen and Struening, 1959) and the Mental Health Information Questionnaire ([MHIQ], Nunnally, 1961). Results revealed that both student groups’ knowledge toward the mentally disabled was more similar to the general public’s knowledge. Using a one-tailed t-test to compare the MHIQ factors revealed there was no statistically significant difference between the occupational therapy student groups.

Both student groups’ OMI factor scores were similar to an expert group for Factors A B, and D; however, …

Optimizing Communication Routing In Parallel Computer Architectures, Nikolaos T. Liolios

Masters Theses

This thesis is a research effort to improve on existing algorithms for processor placement and routing on hypercube and 2d-transputer parallel architectures that perform communications through message propagation. Given a set of processors N, randomly distributed on the parallel computer network, the problem is to find an optimal communication routing that minimizes the number of required links and intermediate processors. It was concluded that the spanning tree is the best starting heuristic for the routing problem. For hypercubes an algorithm was developed that outperforms all algorithms in the literature. For 2d-transputers the method of overlap maximization used in VLSI routing, …

Effects Of Checklists And Feedback On Interviewer Documentation Errors, Ann Lynn Linklater

Masters Theses

A multiple baseline design was used to compare the effectiveness of checklists and feedback to improve marketing research telephone interview documentation. Three measures based on the combined errors of four interviewers were obtained: (1) errors per completed interview, (2) errors per interview with errors, and (3) most frequently occurring error in each of three error groups. The effects of three additional factors believed to affect interviewer performance were also investigated: (1) marketing research project, (2) complexity of the interview, and (3) lead worker responsible for editing completed interviews.

Only slight, mostly positive changes were visually evident across the dependent measures. …

Designing A School Wide Discipline Policy Using Staff Involvement, Cynthia A. Ruscett

Masters Theses

This study offers a way of designing a school wide discipline policy for an elementary school. Three components are necessary for successful design, implementation, and support. The first component is to involve as many staff members and parents as possible in making the decisions about the policy. The second component is to review current research pertaining to important components of a discipline policy. The third component is to review current discipline policies in use by effective schools. Next, design a discipline policy tailored to your building's specific needs. The result of this study is a discipline policy completed by an …

Choosing And Using Children's Literature: The Rationales And Instructional Designs Of Preservice Teachers, Nancy J. Gooden

Masters Theses

This study examined the extent to which preservice teachers were aware of gender related issues in their selection and use of children's literature. The review of research provided background information on the subject of gender equity in children's literature and explored the effects of stereotyped attitudes on students' academic performance, self-esteem, and career choices. The application project used three instruments of study: a gender attitude survey, an analysis of preservice teachers' rationales for literature selection, and an examination of preservice teachers' instructional designs. The results of this study indicated that preservice teachers may benefit from additional exposure to gender issues …

Offense Perceived, Appropriate Actions And Possible Solutions: A Research Of Censorship, Sharon K. Van Poolen

Masters Theses

Students at Western Michigan University were asked via a survey to read lyrics and indicate an offensiveness rating. Lyrics containing vulgar or sexual language or derogatory statements about religion received higher offensive ratings. Actions deemed acceptable in response to offensive lyrics include picketing and boycotting. Prevalent themes identified in the lyrics are antagonism toward religion, sexism and unhealthy sexual relations. Groups cited most frequently as potentially harmed by lyrics are children 5-12, adolescents and women. Respondents were questioned about participation in certain activities and what alternatives to direct censorship are acceptable. Most would prefer to be involved indirectly, for example, …

Using American Sign Language With A Direct Instruction Mathematics Program To Affect The Mathematics Achievement Of Deaf Students, Annette J. Bass

Masters Theses

The effectiveness of supplemental instruction using a scripted direct instruction program, Connecting Math Concepts (Englemann & Carnine, 1992), with four lower elementary deaf students was compared to the effectiveness of supplemental instruction in their traditional math curriculum, Mathematics Today (Abbott, 1985). A two-phase multiple baseline design across students was used. During the first phase, the students' achievement on curricula-based math probes was assessed while using the Mathematics Today as a supplement. During the second phase, the students' achievement was assessed while using Connecting Math Concepts as a supplement. The teacher presentation scripts in this program were translated into American Sign …

Study Of Single-Electron Capture From He, Ne And Ar By Low-Energy Ne^Q+ Recoil Ions Using Translational Energy Spectroscopy, Renad Qubaj-Said

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Hydrogeology Of Bonnie Castle And Dustin Lakes And Its Relationship To Groundwater Contamination From The Kl Avenue Landfill, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, Joseph S. Hobin

Masters Theses

The objectives of this investigation were to explain the hydrogeology of Bonnie Castle and Dustin Lakes and to assess the water quality of the lake environments with respect to possible impact from the KL Avenue Landfill.

The surface water/groundwater relationship was determined by the installation of mini-piezometer nests and seepage meters at selected study stations along the shoreline of each lake. Field data were augmented with groundwater and surface water chemical analyses, lake depth profiles and geologic cross-sections.

The result of this research was the characterization of Bonnie Castle Lake as a perched recharge lake and Dustin Lake as a …

Signal Processing With Neural Networks, Pero Smrzlic

Masters Theses

In this study, we introduce the Adaptive Back Propagation (ABP) learning algorithm, computationally superior to the standard Back Propagation. The ABP is based on the new activation function, with its corresponding adaptive learning parameter. By using the combination of computer simulations and analysis in the domain of activation function, the Method of One Hidden layer was developed for the effective utilization of units in one-hidden layer networks. A parallel version of the ABP was designed and implemented on a nCUBE-2 supercomputer with 128 processors.

The simulation results suggested a strong correlation between frequency of signals and the role of hidden …

On Clock Routing Techniques For Vlsi Synchronous Systems, Wasim A. Khan

Masters Theses

The clock signal is vital in maintaining proper dataflow, and thus the total throughput, of a high performance synchronous system.

In this thesis, we develop a clock distribution scheme for high performance systems which maximizes the operating clock frequency. We develop an algorithm which routes a planar clock tree with zero skew, minimum source to sink pathlength, and minimal total wirelength. The algorithm also provides a smooth tradeoff between maximum source to sink pathlength and total wirelength while keeping the clock skew at zero.

In many microprocessor designs, multi-phase clocks are used for improved system design. Routing a multiple clock …

Investigation Of Electron Transfer From Carbonylmetallate Anions To Electron Acceptors, Joseph Kofi Agyin

Masters Theses

This study investigated electron transfer potential of the carbonyl-metallate anions cyclopentadienylirondicarbonyl and methylcyclopentadienyliron-dicarbonyl anions to the electron acceptors 2,2-dinitropropane, 1,1-dinitrocyclohexane, $\alpha$,p-dinitrocumene, methyl cyclopentadienyl-mercury(II) chloride and iodide.

The findings from this study indicated that: (a) the expected products could not be obtained from reactions of the anions with the dinitro-substrates, and (b) the mercurials reacted with the anions but the expected products, (ferrocene and methylferrocene), was the minor product and an unexpected (methyl) cyclopentadienylirondicarbonylmercury(II)-chloride or iodide was the major product.

Laboratory Studies Of Filter Pack Grain-Size Distributions And Hydrophobic Treatments To Enhance The Recovery Of Free-Phase Floating Hydrocarbons, Hugh Garret Heuvelhorst

Masters Theses

Experiments were conducted in laboratory sand tanks to evaluate filter pack design criteria in an effort to improve free-product hydrocarbon recovery from sand aquifers. Filter sands were prepared and installed in the test tanks to examine the relative efficiency of two different grain sizes and two different grain-size distributions to imbibe kerosene from the formation sand and release it to their respective wells. Treatments of different chemical products were applied to other filter sands to create a hydrophobic coating on the grains. The hydrophobic coatings were tested on filter sands of different grain sizes and grain-size distributions and compared to …

A Fracture Analysis Of Glacial Tills In Southwest Michigan, Ralph L. Freed

Masters Theses

Fractures were recorded and measured at seven southwest Michigan glacial till locations to identify geometry and spacing. Strong preferred orientations were shown at azimuths of 110° and 140° for two sites, and at azimuths of 85°, 110°, and 135°, and at 44° and 167° for two sites. Several sites had numerous oblique fractures.

Thirty-eight azimuthal Wenner arrays and four Schlumberger surveys show apparent resistivities vary widely with depth of penetration and material composition. Eleven percent of azimuthal surveys show an elliptical data array coinciding with preferred orientation of an adjacent fracture set. The relationship between azimuthal survey and fractures is …

The Effects Of Composting Of Yard Wastes On The Ground-Water Quality: Wmu Farms Site, Kalamazoo, Michigan, Bryan Kirk Allen

Masters Theses

In the rush to find alternatives to landfilling of yard waste, federal and state agencies have identified composting as the main solution. There is therefore a need to address the possible environmental problems which could be associated with such composting operations. Compost may contain nutrients, organic acids, pesticides, and metals which could leach through soils to the ground water posing a potential contamination problem.

At the WMU Farms Site, two sites have been used for the composting of leaves by the City of Kalamazoo. The physical and chemical hydrogeology of these sites were characterized.

The results suggest that the presence …

The Effect Of Systematic Cursive Instruction On The Length Of Writing Samples, John Kendall Vail

Masters Theses

This research study investigated the effects of a systematic cursive writing instruction program on the quantity of written product generated by sixth grade students identified as having poor cursive writing (legibility). A Direct Instruction curriculum was chosen to remediate the students' cursive writing skills. Subjects received three to nine weeks of four 20-minute sessions per week of cursive instruction. A multiple baseline across subjects design was used. During the baseline phase, students were asked to write a story based on story starters provided. The total number of words generated was determined for each story. In the intervention phase, subjects received …

Nonlinear Dynamic Finite Element Simulation Of Hydroelastic Mounts For Light Weight Vehicles, Talla Jayapal Reddy

Masters Theses

Modern light weight vehicles generate large noise levels, that may need bulky classical rubber mounts to suppress. Hydroelastic mounts can significantly reduce the vibration level of current production automobiles without weight penalty. However, the highly nonlinear behavior of hydroelastic mounts has not been established yet and its use is, therefore, limited to trial and error design methods.

This study discusses the implementation of nonlinear finite element simulation of hydroelastic mounts using the ANSYS finite element code. Fluid elements are limited to linear analysis and therefore are incompatible with the nonlinear hyperelastic elements. A method is proposed to simulate the fluid …

Failure Of Methamphetamine Withdrawal To Produce Behavioral Disruptions In Pigeons, William F. Potter

Masters Theses

Methamphetamine, a widely used recreational drug, is not known to produce physiological dependence. Few studies to date have examined whether behavioral dependence occurs upon sudden withdrawal from methamphetamine. In this study, pigeons (n=4) were trained to respond under a multiple FR 25 IRT > 6-s schedule of reinforcement, allowing for examination of drug effects upon a relatively high rate of responding (FR) and a relatively low rate of responding (IRT > t). Acute adminstrations of methamphetamine showed rate-dependent effects at low doses, while higher doses decreased responding under both schedules. Tolerance was demonstrated for all subjects except one at the highest dose …

Enhanced Retroreflection Of Light From Rough Metal Surfaces, Sivakumar Natarajan

Masters Theses

The optical constants n and k measured by Johnson and Christy (1972) for the noble metals (gold, silver and copper) are used to analyze the relationship between the surface characteristics and the peak height and half-width of the backscattering peak which is observed in the angular distribution of the intensity of diffusely reflected light at a vacuum-metal interface in a direction antiparallel to the original incident beam. Surfaces with surface roughness of heights less than 200 A to 300 A will be considered and a recently developed perturbation treatment will be used in these studies.

The backscattering of light from …

The Effects Of Parental Tutoring On Reading Achievement, Cara K. Krumrie

Masters Theses

Supplemental parent tutoring was investigated to determine its effects on student reading and error rate. This study used a multiple baseline design and was implemented in classrooms at Project Help, a remedial reading center, located on Western Michigan University's campus. Seven subjects were involved in this research, four serving as experimental subjects and three serving as controls. Both groups were observed during their reading checks. Results of the study indicate no observable difference in reading and error rate between those students receiving supplemental home tutoring and those receiving no supplemental tutoring.