Digital Commons Network^™

Parent Education : A Study Of Compliance And Parental Understanding, Luanne Gloria Machart Lane

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

An Investigation Of The 3 R'S In Early Childhood Special Education : Repetition, Rhyme, And Revisiting, Brenda Jo Nistler

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of The Role Of North Dakota And Minnesota Elementary School Counselors, Elizabeth Plemel-Snell

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Study Of The Relative Importance Of Various Factors Which Motivate Public School Districts To Enter Into Restructuring Consortia, Gary Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Synaptic Acetylcholinesterase And Cholinesterase Development In Mammalian Skeletal Muscle, Yi Feng

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Quantitative Analysis Of The Effects Of Adenosine And Hypoxia On The Proliferative Capacity Of Bovine Retinal Microvascular Pericytes In Vitro., Jon A. Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of adenosine and hypoxia on the proliferation of microvascular pericytes from bovine retina. This was accomplished through: (1) development of in vitro methods which allowed consistent isolation and propagation of homogeneous retinal pericyte cultures; (2) manipulation of oxygen partial pressure in the culture chamber; (3) culture of retinal pericytes in physiologically relevant concentrations of various vasoactive substances.Retinal pericytes were obtained, by homogenization and enzyme digestion, from aseptically isolated bovine retinal vessels. Efficacy of the culture methods in generating a homogeneous population of pericytes was determined using immunocytochemical markers of microvascular …

Speech Coding And Compression Using Wavelets And Lateral Inhibitory Networks, Richard Ricart

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to introduce the concept of lateral inhibition as a generalized technique for compressing time/frequency representations of electromagnetic and acoustical signals, particularly speech. This requires at least a rudimentary treatment of the theory of frames-which generalizes most commonly known time/frequency distributions--the biology of hearing, and digital signal processing. As such, this material, along with the interrelationships of the disparate subjects, is presented in a tutorial style. This may leave the mathematician longing for more rigor, the neurophysiological psychologist longing for more substantive support of the hypotheses presented, and the engineer longing for a reprieve from …

Characterization Of Barium Titanate As An Optical Amplifier, George A. Vogel

Theses and Dissertations

The introduction of two-beam coupling in photorefractive materials has resulted in an extensive amount of research into their use as optical processing/computing elements. This dissertation develops the theoretical equations for two-beam coupling in barium titanate as an optical amplifier. One of the factors which limits the optical gain in photorefractive crystals is the loss of pump beam power to the amplification of parasitic light (beam fanning). This parasitic light is produced by light scattered from the pump beam by imperfections on both the crystal face and within the crystal. Through the analysis of signal and noise amplification as functions of …

Developmentally Appropriate Software: Its Effect On The Language Of Young Children, Janice A. Sherman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect that the use of computer software which has been designated as more or less developmentally appropriate had on the language of young children. The guiding questions for the study were: (1) what common and varied patterns exist in children's language in response to software that has been designated by the Haugland/Shade Developmental Scale as more or less developmentally appropriate, and (2) how do individual and pairs of children respond to software that has been designated as more or less developmentally appropriate for children in their age range? Four pieces of …

Lady, If You Go Into Politics: North Dakota's Women Legislators, 1923-1989, Ann M. Rathke

Theses and Dissertations

Little is known about the seventy-two women who served in the North Dakota legislature between 1923, when women first took seats, and 1989, the state's Centennial year. Their collective story has been absent from major scholarly works about the history of North Dakota, a state which prizes its unique and colorful political heritage. The purpose of this study is to remedy this lack of information.

A variety of published and unpublished sources were consulted, including the records of proposed bills and resolutions. A survey was developed and used to obtain additional biographical and other information about current and former women …

Wild Bill Goes To Washington : A Reassessment Of The Senate Career Of North Dakota's William Langer, Eric P. Bergeson

Theses and Dissertations

William Langer is firmly established as a legend in North Dakota history. The legend began during his controversial terms as attorney general (1916-1920) and governor (1932-1934 and 1936-1938). A maverick in the United States Senate after his election to the upper chamber in 1940, admirers saw him as a civil libertarian and a defender of the "common man." The loyalty and devotion of his constituents increased over the years because of his willingness to do favors for them and because of his considerable campaign skills. However, a study of his papers, the Congressional Record, and newspaper and magazine articles reveals …

Predicting The Performance Of Airborne Antennas In The Microwave Regime, David P. Carroll

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the application of a high-frequency model (Uniform Geometrical Theory of Diffraction) of electromagnetic sources mounted on a curved surface of a complex structure. In particular, the purpose of the study was to determine if the model could be used to predict the radiation patterns of cavity-backed spiral antennas mounted on aircraft fuselages so that the optimum locations for the antennas could be chosen during the aircraft design phase. A review of literature revealed a good deal of work in modeling communications, navigation, identification antennas (blade monopoles and aperture slots) mounted on a wide variety of aircraft fuselages …

Numerical Approximations Of The Green's Functions For A Theoretical Model Of An Aperture Fed Stacked-Patch Microstrip Antenna, Ronald E. Erwert

Theses and Dissertations

The numerical approximations of the Green's functions for a theoretical model of an aperture fed stacked patch microstrip antenna are presented. The Green's functions approximated are those developed by Nazar (AFIT Thesis GE-89D-37), Green's Functions for a Theoretical Model of an Aperture Fed Stacked-Patch Microstrip Antenna. Each complex valued Green's function was written as a function of the source-observer separation. The behavior of each Green's function was analyzed, and it was found that they could all be approximated by three separate functions. The approximating functions were either polynomials or rational functions composed of polynomials. One component could be approximated by …

A Method Of Moments Solution For The Electric Currents On An Aperture-Fed, Stacked Patch Microstrip Antenna, William L. Irvin

Theses and Dissertations

This study presents a method of moments solution for the surface currents and charge distributions on an aperture-fed, stacked patch antenna. To make the solution independent of the antenna excitation technique, an aperture magnetic current distribution is assumed, and the spatial Green's functions of the antenna are used to calculate the tangential fields on the antenna patches and coefficients for a finite series expression of the surface currents and charge densities. The Green's functions of the antenna are modeled with polynomials that are a function of the radial distance separating observer and source locations. The method of moments solution is …

A Compact Optical Associative Memory Using Dynamic Holographic Storage Media And Photorefractive Gain And Attenuation Elements, Thomas J. Burns

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort implemented a compact optical associative memory architecture consisting of a Fabry-Perot Confocal Resonator (FPCR) optical processing environment, two dynamically reprogrammable Lithium Niobate volume holograms, and Barium Titanate gain and attenuation elements. The reduced physical dimensions of the compact optical processing environment make it more adaptable to military applications than previous associative memory designs. The FPCR employs Mangin mirrors designed to reduce spherical aberrations in off-axis rays. The orientation of the gain element's grating vector angle and the model used to predict the profile of the attenuation element were unique to this research effort. The object stored in …

Using Error Detection And Correction Coding For A Turbulent Atmospheric Optical Communications Link, Mark A. Cloutier

Theses and Dissertations

Probability of bit error (Pb) performance for a turbulent, atmospheric, optical, communications link with convolutional error detection and correction coding was investigated. The codes investigated were all rate 1/2 codes with constraint lengths ranging from 3 to 7. It was assumed that the coded data stream was sufficiently interleaved so that the turbulent channel could be considered memoryless. A theoretical bound on P_b, given by Viterbi for a memoryless channel, was used to plot curves of P_b versus the signal intensity of last transmitter. These curves were plotted for three different levels of atmospheric turbulence and three …

An Optically Pumped Molecular Bromine Laser, Jon W. Morrison

Theses and Dissertations

An optically pumped molecular bromine laser was studied to investigate the quenching kinetics state of Br₂. This included characterization of the pressure dependence of the laser output power. The approach was to excite molecular bromine in a sealed cell with a Nd:YAG pumped dye laser. Unresolved side fluorescence and amplified stimulated emission (ASE) spectra were recorded. ASE offered the advantage of a simpler optical system with no externally induced wavelength dependencies. Stimulated emission as a signal monitor offered greater resolution than side fluorescence spectra and facilitated spectroscopic assignment.

Determination Of The Optical Properties Of Organic Thin Films By Spectroscopic Ellipsometry, Mark L. Sward

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis demonstrated the feasibility of determining the optical properties of organic and polymer thin films through the use of Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (SE). Tan Psi and cos Delta data from 300-800 nanometers (NM) were taken with a Rudolph Research s2000 spectroscopic ellipsometer four samples: indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass; five layer poly-benzyl-L glutamate (PBLG) organic film on ITO coated glass; eight layer PBLG film on ITO coated glass; and a thiophene polymer film on a microscope slide. The data sets were fit to a choice of four computer models based on a paper written by Dwight Berreman in 1972. …

Multidisciplinary Modeling And Design Of A Space Structure, Brian K. Cassiday, Lawrence L. Gatchet, John T. Tester, Stephen O. Gaines Ii, Mario N. Moya

Theses and Dissertations

A method is needed to simultaneously integrate several engineering disciplines into one complete model to determine the performance of the system as a whole during the design development. System engineering methodologies are particularly suited to this problem. These methods provide a structured approach to problem formulation and system parameter identification. Bond graphs are also well suited as bond graphs model power flow and energy relationships within subsystems, a characteristic inherent to all dynamic systems. The intent of this research was to demonstrate the use of concurrent engineering theory to systematically model a large flexible space structure involving several engineering disciplines. …

Executive Information Systems For Usaf Hospital Administrators: A Feasibility Assessment, Alan R. Constantian

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigated the feasibility of implementing an executive information system (EIS) for hospital administrators at CONUS-based USAF inpatient medical facilities. A literature search determined that successful system implementation would require that such an EIS be found technically, economically, operationally, and motivationally feasible. Failure to meet any of these feasibility factors would jeopardize successful implementation. Surveys were mailed to each of the administrators and medical systems officers of CONUS- based USAF inpatient medical facilities in order to gather data on these feasibility issues. Approximately eighty percent of the survey population of 66 in each group responded to the survey. There …

Air Force Information Management (Im): A 1990 Snapshot And 1995 Future Look At Air Force Im Needs And Preferred Education/Training Approaches, Richard T. Mcghee

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated 37 training topics which were of interest to Air Force (AF) information managers, Air Force Specialty Code 70XX. The topics were grouped into the following seven information resource related clusters; (1) computer operating systems, (2) data communications, (3) Air Force Standard Systems (PDOS, RAMS, and PCIII), (4) information resource management concepts, (5) AF/IM career field issues, (6) computer hardware, and finally, (7) computer software. Twenty-four graduates of the AF Institute of Technology's (AFIT) Information Resource Management program were asked to provide their perceptions of AF information managers (IMs) current (1990) and needed (1995) knowledge/skill levels on each …

Nato Armaments Cooperation: The Case Of The European Fighter Aircraft, Carlos J. Sancho Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

Difficulties faced by cooperative acquisition programs are identified as the inability to agree on common requirements and the existence of economic or political interests of the partner nations which conflict with or impinge on the program. These are the causes of failure of many of the past cooperative projects undertaken by NATO countries for the purpose of standardization. The study investigated the European Fighter Aircraft (EFA) program in order to find if the same holds true for the EFA and the impact that those difficulties had in the program. The EFA has been subject to the same problems. All the …

The Relationship Between Eating Disorders And Sex-Role Identity, Kristin K. Hall

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Eating Disorders And Sex-Role Identity, Kristin K. Hall

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Security And Involvement In The Parent-Adolescent Relationship, Susan J. Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was the investigation of the dynamics which occur in relationships between parents and their adolescent children. Two hundred and eighty-four adolescents from local high schools were surveyed using the Acquaintance Description Form for Adolescents. They were also asked to take home the Parental Response Questionnaire for their parents to complete. Of these, responses were received from one hundred and seven parents.

Previous research has suggested that differences exist between relationships maintained by adolescent children and their mothers and fathers, particularly on the variables of security and involvement. Fathers have traditionally been described as less secure …

Freedom Of Information And Open Records Laws: Aid Or Hindrance To Government?, Chase H. Boardman

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Integrating Language Arts With Graphic Communications In An Inner City Junior High School, Kurt Proctor

Theses and Dissertations

Teaching the youth of today is becoming an important issue. Alarming statistics prove that the problems of illiteracy and high dropout rates are not decreasing. If nothing is done to change the prospects of the 13 million school-aged children currently at serious risk of school failure, says a coalition of eleven education organizations, these children will grow up to become adults who will drain the economy in welfare and social service costs and seriously hamper the nations ability to compete internationally. L. B. Schorr (1988) states that in 1987,"the one million youngsters who leave high school without graduating will be …

The Effects Of Metals On Growth And Nitrogenase Activity Of The Soil Cyanobacterium, Nostoc Commune Vaucher., Charles Lyle Pederson

Theses and Dissertations

The overall purpose of this study was to provide basic data regarding the influence of metals on a free-living terrestrial cyanobacterium, and to demonstrate the utility of laboratory studies for assigning biological significance to field observations on soil-algal ecology.Because Nostoc commune Vaucher is a subaerial inhabitant of soils, it did not respond favorably to traditional liquid culture techniques. Therefore, a filter-culture technique was developed whereby N. commune was grown as a surface film on membrane filters superimposed on an inorganic nutrient agar. Filter-cultures were established by inoculating sterile cellulose acetate membrane filters with a layer of N. commune. Growth rates, …

Administrator Perceptions Of Legal Assistance In North Dakota, Brad Rinas

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Pioneer Academic Villages Campus Growth At The University Of North Dakota Agriculture College, Jay D. Jerde

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Industrial Technology at the University of North Dakota is involved _in the increased computer use trend. Computer aided drafting, computer aided design, computer numerical control machining, computer controlled robots, and computer aided publishing are all among the growing list of computer applications in the Department. Sharing data between the computers, as well as efficiently utilizing computer peripherals, has become a problem. A local area network was one way to solve the data sharing and peripheral use problem. This study was conducted to develop a local area network for the Department of Industrial Technology, University of North Dakota. …