Digital Commons Network^™

Metastable Phases Of Mgo-Tio2 Solid Solutions, Liang-Chieh Ma

Masters Theses

Magnesium titanium oxide powders were synthesized by the sol-gel method using alkoxides of magnesium and titanium with different ratios. Matastable phases of qandilite, Mg₂TiO₄, were found with Mg:Ti ratios down to 1.52:1 in lower temperature 600 °C than in the equilibrium condition which is above 1200 °C. Powder samples were examined by neutron powder diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for analysis of structure and oxidation states. Also, samples were tested for the Mg:Ti ratios by induced coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The structure refinements of the samples were done by General Structure Analysis System (GSAS) …

Practical Evaluation Of Psychotropic Medication, Lynne E. Turner

Masters Theses

Surveys indicate that 25-40% of students with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities receive one or more psychotropic medications, however, almost nothing is known concerning how the effects of the medications are monitored. Parents/guardians and teachers were interviewed to ascertain information regarding current monitoring procedures in the home and in the school setting. Additionally information was gathered to ascertain their knowledge regarding: 1) the reason for which their students were prescribed psychotropic medications; 2) the behavioral domains that those medications are intended to affect, 3) the current status of those behavioral domains, and 4) consumers' satisfaction with the pharmacological intervention. …

An Examination Of The Frequency Of Unethical Practices In High School Among 9th Grade Science Students, Russell Joseph Chudy

Masters Theses

This research is a study of 147 high school freshman science students at Forest Hills Central High School. A survey was given to each student regarding academic dishonesty in science classes. This survey was taken voluntarily and each student was given identical surveys. The data was then collected, combined and analyzed. Results indicated that cheating among 9th grade science students occurs every day at Central High School, regardless of sex or academic achievement, and is common practice. Freshman students participate in academically dishonest behavior less currently than they did a year ago. Although they are afraid of getting caught, most …

An Inquiry Into The Application Of A Curriculum Chart In Science Education, Karen R. Fuller

Masters Theses

When a teacher decides how to teach science to the classroom of individuals, the fist consideration to make is how to best meet the needs of the students. It is important to know what their prior knowledge is. A science curriculum chart would work like a checklist where the teachers would write when the student learned a science topic and how they succeeded in learning the science concept. The chart would also show education standards and benchmarks met.

The author surveyed West Michigan teachers, K-12, in order to determine if they would value the use of the chart. The teacher …

Interpretation Of 1 Peter 3:18-22, Jason Hauffe

Masters Theses

This thesis is an extensive exegetical work on 1 Peter 3:18-22. It proposes a much-needed new interpretive scheme that adequately explains the many exegetical, grammatical, and theological mysteries within this notoriously difficult passage. Verse 18 is interpreted as an example of the principle of verse 17 that if it is God's will, it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong. Christ is given as the example par excellence of one who was righteous but suffered in the flesh. He suffered for sinners in order to bring many to God. He was put to death physically, but …

Metal Ion Separation Mediated By Organized Molecular Assemblies, Hong Cao

Masters Theses

We have investigated the separation of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) by the ligands 8-hydroxyquinoline- 5-sulfonic acid and 7-iodo-8-hydroxy-quinoline- 5-sulfonic acid in the presence of the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and the cationic surfactant octyltrimethylammonium bromide (OTAB) . Baseline separations have been achieved by HPLC employing an octadecylsilanized silica (ODS) column. The underlying mechanisms of separation have been determined.

The significant new results of our studies are: (1) separation is not possible without the presence of surfactants and hence organized assemblies; (2) separations can be achieved under submicellar concentrations; (3) the separations are not driven by micelles; and …

Adolescent Drinking And Driving: A Descriptive And Intervention Study, Emalee M. Fields

Masters Theses

Given the high rates of alcohol use and abuse among adolescents in our society, it is not surprising that drinking and driving is also relatively common. This paper starts with a summary of national statistics, which is followed by a critical review of previous interventions. The purpose of this project was to attempt to find an effective drinking and driving intervention for high school students which was relatively inexpensive, less time intensive than past interventions and required little or no training for the facilitator to present. Two related intervention conditions (a video only intervention and a slightly more extensive package …

The Taiwan Issue In Sino-Japanese Relations In The 1990'S, Melanie Kintz

Masters Theses

The Taiwan issue did not figure prominently in the relationship between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Japan between the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations in the 1970s and the early 1990s; other issues dominated and shaped the relationship. However, in the 1990s the Taiwan question re-emerged as a source of disturbance in the relationship between the PRC and Japan. Especially during the so-called missile crisis of 1995-1996, the Taiwan issue was pushed into the world media's center of attention and significantly affected the dynamics of the Sino-Japanese relationship. What accounts for this observable change in the importance of …

The Development Of Occupational Therapy In Kenya, Mindy C. Owens

Masters Theses

Occupational therapy is a profession that is growing throughout the world. Kenya is one country in which occupational therapy is fairly well established. The purpose of this study was to document how occupational therapy has evolved over recent years. A major focus of this study was to identify the educational levels of occupational therapists in Kenya, types of practice settings, prominent diagnoses of patients treated, utilization of rehabilitation services, current trends and practice in occupational therapy, and acquisition, use, and maintenance of adaptive equipment.

The Development of Occupational Therapy in Kenya survey was sent to 28 practicing occupational therapists in …

Powwows As An Arena For Pan-Indian Identity Formation, Megan L. Macdonald

Masters Theses

This study investigates the powwow and its role in pan-Indian identity formation. Powwows are regional gatherings that simultaneously employ sacred and secular rituals, and as such, they provide one arena for the negotiation of American Indian identity in the modern world. Through a discussion of the history and general format of the powwow, I will demonstrate that the powwow is a dynamic locus of cultural transmission through which both reservation and non-reservation Indians are able to construct and maintain identity on tribal as well as inter-tribal (pan-Indian) levels.

To illuminate the process of identity formation within the powwow, this study …

Correlation And Prediction Of Fatigue Crack Growth Rate For Different R-Ratios, Sudip Dinda

Masters Theses

The prediction of fatigue crack growth rate of a structural material is an important aspect by which we can predict the critical or safe crack length and, therefore, avoid the sudden failure of components and structures.

There are numerous models which claim to predict the fatigue crack growth rate, but with the exception of the highly published "crack closure methodology" no other model lived up to the expectation of correlating the fatigue crack growth data or predicting the fatigue crack growth rate for different R-ratios.

In order to find an effective solution to the above problem a study has been …

The Effects Of Televised Violence On Students, Bobbi Jo Kenyon

Masters Theses

Violence among our youth today has skyrocketed, and we continue to hear reports of violent acts and aggressive behavior, especially in our schools. This growing level of negative behavior has prompted many educators and communities to look for an explanation. One suggestion often proposed is that our youth learn violent and antisocial behaviors by watching televised violence.

This paper examines over forty years of laboratory and field research on the effects of televised violence on children. The vast majority of studies conclude that televised violence can lead to behaviors such as aggressiveness, desensitization, and fearfulness. These findings were then compared …

A Comparison Between Stationary And Moving Handlebars During Forward And Backward Pedaling At Various Resistances On An Elliptical Trainer, George Hajiefremides

Masters Theses

The study compared the effects of moving handlebars versus stationary handlebars during forward or backward pedaling on the Precor® EFX™ 556 elliptical trainer. The variables measured were: heart rate, heart rate as a percent of maximum heart rate, relative VO₂, relative VO₂ as a percent of VO₂ max, absolute CE, relative CE, RPE for arms, RPE for chest, RPE for legs and RPE for overall body. The 12 subjects completed four conditions - arm use with FR pedaling, no arm use with FR pedaling, arm use with BK pedaling, and no arm use with BK pedaling, …

The Role Of Groundwater And Surface Water Interaction In The Development Of A 1,4-Dioxane Plume In Scio Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan, James W. Brode

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the hypothesis that groundwater and surface water interaction resulted in the development a 1,4-dioxane plume in a glacial aquifer in Scio Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan.

An industrial solvent, 1,4-dioxane, was detected in the groundwater in the area of study in 1986. This area, referred to in this investigation as the Western Plume, is one of several 1,4-dioxane plumes associated with the Pall/Gelman Sciences Inc. (P/GSI) site, an extensively investigated site of groundwater contamination.

1,4-Dioxane in the Western Plume area was initially believed to be the result of contaminated groundwater transported from a …

Multiple Isotopic Investigation Of Lake Sediments From Northern India, Alice Mwanda

Masters Theses

Stable isotopes ratio of lake sediments can provide valuable environmental information. This possibility has been investigated using radiocarbon dated fossil lake sediments from the Himalayan region of Northern India. The chronology was established using Radiocarbon dating of both organic and inorganic fractions using (AMS). Inorganic ages are older than organic ages. Organic ages are expected to increase stratigraphically, however several anomalous old ages are found in the younger part of the sediments. Final chronology, determined using selected sensible ages identified two periods of sedimentation. The high sedimentation period is characterized by sedimentation rate of 0.8cm/yr and it fairly coincides with …

The Outcomes Of Trauma For Older Adults, Shaun M. Mcmillan

Masters Theses

Previous sociological and public health studies were analyzed to determine the effects of age, gender, mechanism of injury (fall or motor vehicle crash accident), severity of the injury, length of stay and injuries sustained on three binary response variables of discharge disposition ( discharged home, expired, or transferred to a rehabilitation facility) of older adult trauma patients. Three multiple logistic regression models were analyzed to handle the multiple predictors for the three binary response variables of discharge disposition. Over one-half (56%) of respondents were discharged home, whereas one in four patients were transferred to a rehabilitative facility, while the remaining …

A Small Flaw Translates Into Many Miscalculations: A Narrative Criticism Of The Intel Pentium Chip Crisis, Christine H. Hoek

Masters Theses

This study uses the Intel Pentium chip crisis of 1994 to gain an understanding of how technology issues are socially constructed in contemporary American public discourse. Two primary and competing narratives were discovered. First, Intel's narrative minimized the problem and argued that chip flaws are commonplace and the company would replace the chips for anyone who could "prove" the need for a replacement. The consumer' s narrative, conversely, was one in which customers asserted that Intel's policy was paternalistic and instead demanded the replacement of their chips. The narratives were analyzed as the crisis moved through five primary events, with …

A 3-D Biomechanical And Emg Analysis Of Three Mountain Bike Pedal Designs, David Lacy

Masters Theses

The problem of this study was to compare the lower limb kinematics and EMG activity of three bicycle pedal designs. The pedals investigated were a flat pedal platform and two different clip-in pedal designs, float with friction (FF) and spring recentered float (SF). The FF pedals offered 8° of rotational float and the SF pedals offered 10° of rotational float and 3 mm of medial-lateral translation. Sixteen healthy male and female volunteers between the ages of 18 and 29 performed five complete cycles of motion, beginning and ending at ATP, at two cadences under each of the three pedal conditions. …

Playing The Game: Exploring Dialectical Tensions And Co-Cultural Communication Strategies Of Black Males In Predominantly White Organizational Structures, Mark C. Hopson

Masters Theses

As non-dominant group members enter and attempt to succeed within the United States' organizational structures, there continues to be a need for scholarly examination concerning how their communication is impacted by culture and power. This thesis focuses specifically on how discourse is influenced by these factors. It is an exploration of the dialectical tensions that beset the communication of African American males whose interactive success or failure in academic and professional organizations is often associated with the historical differences of culture and power. A review of existing literature addresses the communication dilemmas and co-cultural strategies that "outsiders within" (Collins, 1986), …

A Model For Optimizing The Selection Of Project Delivery Systems Using Analytic Hierarchy Process (Ahp), Arosha De Silva

Masters Theses

The project delivery systems applicable to the construction industry in the U.S. consist of different approaches. This study focuses on three main approaches, (1) Design-Bid-Build (DBB), (2) Design-Build (DB), and (3) Construction Management (CM). Since each construction project is unique, selecting the right project delivery system is a tough decision.

This study develops a decision making system, based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), for selecting the best delivery system for a given construction project. AHP is a decision making mathematical model developed by Thomas L. Saaty and consists of a hierarchical structure. It analyzes several alternatives for a given …

The Urban Landscape Of Health, Hygiene, And Social Control: The Development Of Municipal Services In Battle Creek, Michigan, Jared Lee Barrett

Masters Theses

This thesis is outlining the introduction of municipal water and sewer by using archaeological evidence. First, I will lay out a theoretical framework in which this research will be conducted. It will outline what social control is, how others have examined it, and how is it used by elites to retain their position in society. Next, it will outline the health, social, political, and economic conditions that existed that would give rise to this transition from privies and cisterns to municipal water and sewer services. Then the James and Ellen White site (20CA118) will be used to give evidence of …

Self-Perceived Language Competence And East Asian Students’ Oral Participation In American University Classrooms, Ee Lin Lee

Masters Theses

This study examined English language related competence factors that contribute to East Asian students' (EAS) oral participation levels in American university classrooms. Specifically, this study posited that EAS' self-perceived English communicative competence, English speaking anxiety, and fear of negative evaluation affect their level of oral participation. The results of the statistical analyses supported the hypothesized relationships, indicating (a) EAS' self-perceived English communicative competence correlates positively with their level of oral participation, (b) EAS' reported level of English speaking anxiety correlates negatively with their level of oral participation, and (c) EAS' level of fear of negative evaluation correlates negatively with their …

Earning The Right: Exploring The Communication Strategies Of European Americans In Interracial Relationships, Angela L. Putman

Masters Theses

In a societal context, European Americans are the dominant majority group. However, when European Americans are involved in interracial relationships, they may often find themselves in the minority (numerically speaking) when they interact with their partner's friends and/or family members. This research explores lived experiences of European Americans involved in interracial relationships with African Americans. Specifically, the general question addressed was, "What communication strategies and behaviors do European Americans exhibit when they communicate with their African American partner's friends and/or family members?" The acculturation process and Communication Accommodation Theory were explored in order to provide initial insight into this relatively …

The History Of The Music Therapy Program, Western Michigan University; Its Origin And Development To 1980, Cynthia L. Goodson

Masters Theses

The histories of music therapy programs at colleges and universities in the United States have not been widely researched and documented. The purpose of this study was to examine the history of the music therapy program at Western Michigan University from its origin and development until 1980. Specifically, the author was interested in learning what conditions existed that were favorable to the creation of a music therapy program, the chronological progress of the music therapy program (including the individuals responsible for the program's inception and development), and development and changes in curricula that demonstrated responsiveness to music therapy practice and …

Parties And Realignment: The President’S Role In Political Party Realignment, Kevin B. Dockerty

Masters Theses

Using "The Youth-Parent Socialization Panel Study" that covers 1965-1982, the role of individual presidential candidates in bringing about changes in mass partisanship and party realignment is studied. Previous research has ignored the role of popular, prestigious, charismatic presidential candidates shaping and changing citizens' partisanship. Historical political party realignments guide my research in showing the strong influence of the chief executive in realignment periods.

Following the work of Niemi and Jennings (1991) I expand on their issue model explaining partisan choice by creating a candidate-issues model to provide a more complete explanation of party identification. I specifically look at the presidential …

Home-Care Nurses' Knowledge And Perceived Preparedness To Counsel Patients On Advance Directives, Mary Moran Barr

Masters Theses

This study examined home-care nurses’ knowledge and perceived preparedness to counsel patients on advance directives (ADs). Joyce Fitzpatrick’s “life perspective rhythm” model provided the framework for the thesis. Sixty-two registered nurses actively practicing in home-care in West Michigan were surveyed over a 4-week period. Each nurse completed a 16-question survey, which included an 11-question true-false test of knowledge of ADs. Survey results indicated that nurses who feel prepared to counsel patients are more knowledgeable than those who do not feel prepared to counsel (t=2.89, df=57, p=<0.05). Overall knowledge was high (87.4%) but only 40 nurses (64%) felt prepared to counsel patients on ADs. The study implies that factors other than knowledge may have an impact on preparedness to counsel. Possibilities for further study include more research on education of healthcare providers about ADs, patient education, and the need for mutual discussions on end-of-life care issues in relationship to completing ADs.

Rheology Of Silica Based Inkjet Coatings And Their Filterability, Peeyush Tripathi

Masters Theses

Coating rheology has long been understood to be a key factor in the smooth operation and performance of a coater. As coaters run faster and formulations become more complex, the demands on a coating's rheology grow more stringent.

Silica based coating formulations present unique rheological challenges, thus providing the opportunity for coating formulators to improve their performance through rheological studies under various conditions of shear. Due to rheological restrictions (gelling), silica based coatings are generally applied at 25-26% solids which is very low as compared to calcium carbonate or clay based coating, at 68-70% solids. Consequently, any improvement in coatings …

The Reliability Of Emg Normalization Procedures For Three Muscles Invol Ved In Knee Extension, Gerrik J. Schepel

Masters Theses

This retrospective study analyzed the three muscles involved in knee extension: vastus medialis, rectus femoris, and vastus lateralis. lt was conducted to determine the reliability of normalization procedures when evaluating the EMG response detected from a muscle. During a maximal voluntary isometric contraction {MVIC), the EMG response of the muscle was recorded and the iEMG moment per unit area was determined. The iEMG response ofthe quadriceps muscles during dynamic exercise was normalized using the MVIC. Subjects (N = 44) performed two consecutive MVICs with a 2-min rest between trials at 110°, 90°, 70°, 50°, and 30° of knee flexion, …

General Motors And Toyota: Comparison Of American And Japanese Managerial Cultures, Seiko Yomogita

Masters Theses

In the automobile industry, American culture and Japanese culture impact each other to support economic growth in both countries as one part of globalization. In American companies, religious factors, individualism, and American immigrant history manifest as characteristics of American management styles. In contrast, in Japanese companies, Asian community-based ideology, household concepts, and family kinship manifest as characteristics of Japanese management styles. These differences appear in the relationships between employees and employers, job security, quality control of products, responsibilities of line workers, loyalty of all employees to the company, impact of wearing uniforms, functions of unions, and minority managements.

My thesis …

Women Hunters And Modernity: A Nietzschean Analysis, Deborah S. Wilson

Masters Theses

Patriarchy and false consciousness are two concepts that scholars use to explain why women hunt. I attempt to understand this activity through a perspective that focuses on experience and meaning. Based on interviews with women who hunt, I contend that their accounts correspond with Nietzsche's characterization of Greek tragedy, reflecting a conscious opposition to certain aspects of modernity.