Digital Commons Network^™

Training Program For Infant And Toddler Caregivers: An Evaluation Of The Effects On Quality Of Care, Marie Doyle

Theses

Caregiver training has been shown to impact the quality of care for infants and toddlers in "out- of- home" settings. This thesis evaluated the effect of a 2 year program implemented at five urban child care centers {17 classrooms). In order to participate in the program, child care centers had to be licensed and had to serve a majority of children living in poverty. Five infant and toddler early care and education experts were selected to provide training and technical assistance to each of the participating sites. Training consisted of a combination of workshops and reflective supervision. The Infant/Toddler Environmental …

Review Of Unnatural Affections: Women And Fiction In The Later 18th Century By George Haggerty, And Empowering The Feminine: The Narratives Of Mary Robinson, Jane West, And Amelia Opie, 1796-1812 By Eleanor Ty, Diane Hoeveler

English Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Parasitoids Of Medfly, Ceratitis Capitata, And Related Tephritids In Kenyan Coffee: A Predominantly Koinobiont Assemblage, R. A. Wharton, M. K. Trostle, R. H. Messing, R. S. Copeland, S. W. Kimani-Njogu, S. Lux, W. A. Overholt, S. Mohamed, J. Sivinski

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Arabica coffee was sampled from two sites in the central highlands of Kenya (Rurima, Ruiru) and one site on the western side of the Rift Valley (Koru). Three species of ceratitidine Tephritidae, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), C. rosa Karsch and Trirhithrum coffeae Bezzi, were reared from sites in the central highlands, and an additional species, C. anonae Graham, was recovered from the western-most site. Ten species of parasitic Hymenoptera were reared from these tephritids. The parasitoid assemblage was dominated by koinobionts. Eight of the species are koinobiont endoparasitoids, but only one idiobiont larval ectoparasitoid was reared, and only one idiobiont pupal …

Isozyme Polymorphism In The Vigna Frutescens-V. Membranacea Complex (Tribe Phaseoleae, Fabaceae), Rémy S. Pasquet, Thierry Vanderborght

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

An electrophoretic comparison of variation at 29 isozyme loci was performed for 21 Vigna accessions belonging to V. frutescens, V. membranacea and V. friesiorum. The results do not fit accepted nomenclature and the taxonomic ranks should be reassessed. V. frutescens, V. friesiorum, and various subspecies of V. membranacea should be considered as putative species, although hybridisation data are needed in order to obtain a clear picture of the organisation of this gene pool. However, the results do not support the existence of two sections, and section Liebrechtsia is merged with section Macrodontae in a newly enlarged section Macrodontae.

The Systemic Redesign Of Manufacturing Systems In Small To Medium Sized Enterprises, John William George Bradford

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

The research problem was to develop a new approach for redesigning manufacturing systems within Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs). Field observation together with literature review showed that methodologies propounded in theory were not being applied in practice. The research presents a new methodology for the systemic redesign of manufacturing systems within SMEs. The methodology consists of a four phase iterative design strategy consisting of Planning, Risk Assessment, Action and Evaluation leading to the next Planning phase. This is given a systemic basis through four perspectives: Structure; People; Process; and Technology; which frame and guide the Planning phase. Prior to …

Composite And Comprehensive Multimedia Electronic Health Care Records, Nichola Jane Salmons

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

The thesis considers the issue of multimedia data utilisation within modem health care delivery and the consequent need for an appropriate patient records system. The discussions centre upon the deployment and utilisation of IT systems, and paper-based patient records within health care establishments (HCEs), and the resultant problems, such as data duplication, inconsistency, unavailability and loss. Electronic Health Care Records (EHCRs) are put forward as a means of obviating the problems defined, and effectively supporting the future development of care provision in a coherent manner. The thesis identifies the barriers to further development of EHCRs with respect to clinical data …

Water From The Moon, Christopher A. Duggan

Theses

During the scalding, dry summer of 1988, it would appear 23-year-old Dennis Dearbome is at a crossroads. More accurately, he is not on a road of any kind. The only child of affluent parents in suburban Minneapolis, Dennis finds his carefree existence at home unceremoniously ended when, after a string of lost jobs on his part, his parents decide to evict him from their house. At the same time, his father, an influential bank president, lands him a position as an illustrator for a small greeting card company. Dennjs can handle the technical demands of the job because of a …

Wireless Local Area Network For Its Communications Using The 220 Mhz Its Spectral Allocation, J. V. Krogmeier, Ness Shroff

JTRP Technical Reports

The objective of this project was to design a radio architecture using the ITS spectral allocations in the 220-222 MHz Land Mobile band which provides a multi-mode operation optimized for point-to-point, mobile, and multiple access communications. A radio performance goal was to achieve greater than 3 bits/second/Hz transmission efficiency for mobile applications, and greater than a 5 bits/second/Hz transmission efficiency for point-to-point applications. An additional important goal of this project was to explore potential ITS applications of the modem technology particularly as applied to an application in sensor telemetry concentration. The fixed point modem will be deployed for remote surveillance …

Fantasy, Trauma, And Gothic Daughters: Frankenstein As Therapy, Diane Hoeveler

English Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

A Comparison Of Behavior Of Children Of Two Parent Families And Children Of Single Parents And Divorced Parents In The Elementary Classroom Setting, Fran Marlene Sprous

Theses

The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the classroom behavior of students from single and divorced homes to behavior of students from intact two parent homes. The study was designed to examine students' delinquent/problem behaviors. In this study four third grade classes were randomly selected from a Midwestern public school district. The teachers were instructed to observe their students (n=90) for one month. Of the 90 students, 48 were males and 42 were females. After one month the teachers were asked to complete the Behavior Scale-2 on the 90 students. Results suggest that there is a significant …

The Development Of The Business Plan For The Real Estate Appraisal Group, Michele L. Suwe

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of developing a business plan for a small home-based real estate appraisal company.

Studies indicate that a large percentage of business ventures fail due to a lack of planning . Many entrepreneurs believe that developing a business plan is not necessary if they do not require financing or have adequate personal expertise to operate a business . Although common to large business ventures , a business plan for the start- up and operations of a small business have been widely overlooked.

In today' s market, entrepreneurs are beginning to take business plans more …

Student Activities And Self-Esteem Of Adolescents, Jennifer Spotanski

Theses

This thesis explores the relationship between adolescent self-esteem and participation in student activities. Conducted in a Midwestern public high school, the study involved 111 tenth-grade students who completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and a questionnaire about their involvement in extracurricular activities. The hypothesis proposed that adolescents who participated in school activities would report higher self-esteem than those who did not. Statistical analyses, including t-tests and Pearson correlations, were used to evaluate the data. Results indicated that both male and female students who participated in at least one activity had significantly higher self-esteem scores than nonparticipants. However, a significant positive correlation …

Attachment Styles And Levels Of Enacted Social Support In Adults, Virginia B. Schenck

Theses

Virginia B. Schenck’s thesis explores how adult attachment styles relate to the actual use of social support—known as enacted social support. While much prior research focuses on perceived support (people’s beliefs about the availability of help), this study shifts focus to what people actually do when they need assistance. Schenck surveyed 110 adults using two self-report measures: the Social Support Behaviors Scale and the Attachment Styles Scale. Participants were categorized into secure, avoidant, and preoccupied attachment styles, though the preoccupied group was too small to analyze statistically. The findings showed that adults with avoidant attachment styles reported significantly lower levels …

Academic Variables Related To Achievement: Academic Self-Concept And Academic Motivation, Anita Janice Steinmann

Theses

This study examined the relationship among academic self-concept (ASC), academic motivation (AMOT), and grade point average (GPA) for 125 sophomores in a suburban Illinois high school. The sample was chosen from a pool of sophomore math classes, which had been separated into three levels of ability: Beginning Algebra, Geometry, and Honors Geometry. The Self-Concept of Ability Scale was used to measure academic self-concept and the Achievement Motivation Scale was administered to measure academic motivation. Through archival review, the researcher calculated GPA for each member of the sample. Results indicated that Academic Motivation had a low positive correlation with GP A. …

Differences In Perceived Parental Nurturance Between At Risk High School Male Adolescents And Male Bright Flight College Freshman Students, Elizabeth A. Rudin

Theses

This study investigates differences in perceived parental nurturance between two distinct groups: at-risk high school male adolescents and academically successful male Bright Flight college freshmen. Using the Parental Nurturance Scale (PNS), the researcher measured each participant’s perception of parental care and support. The hypothesis proposed that at-risk adolescents would perceive significantly lower levels of nurturance compared to their college-bound counterparts. Participants included 15 at-risk students from a midwestern alternative high school and 15 Bright Flight freshmen attending a private university, each selected for their contrasting academic and behavioral profiles.

Findings confirmed the hypothesis: Bright Flight students reported notably higher levels …

Examination Of Post-Tensioned Steel Bridges In Indiana, Hung-I Wu, Mark D. Bowman

JTRP Technical Reports

The purpose of the research study is to conduct an investigation to understand the performance of a relatively new type of bridge construction that involves prestressed (post-tensioned) steel-concrete composite bridge members. Strictly speaking, the technical and economical advantages of this type of structure have been understood for several decades. However, the application of this concept to practice is still very limited due to difficulties associated with the post-tensioning anchorage. The study was thus intended to explore the mechanical behavior of such construction. Both the short-term and long-term bridge performance were evaluated in this study.

The investigation included experimental as well …

Is There A Relationship Between Perceived Spousal Support And Marital Satisfaction Of Female Graduate School Students?, Kelle M. Mccallum

Theses

Deciding to return to graduate school as an adult student creates another role for an individual to fulfill Studies have shown that women. especially. feel role strain or conflict more than men when returning to school Little research has been done on the role the woman's spouse plays in her attempts to complete her degree. This correlational study examined perceived spousal support and marital satisfaction among female graduate school students. Thirty-nine female students volunteered for this study. The volunteers completed the Dyadic Adjustment Scale and the Student Relationships Questionnaire The results suggest there is a significant relationship between perceived spousal …

Children's Literature: Reflections Of The Past, Gina M. Mcandrew

Theses

Thirty picture books for children were reviewed in this study. They were compared on the basis of character development. plot. illustrations. technical aspects and marketability. By using these divisions, parallels were drawn among outstanding works which were then compared to the book written in chapter four.

Results showed that many of the outstanding picture books have withstood the test of time. Their longevity is reflected in their ability to entertain and engross the targeted reader. The task for authors of new books is to capture these time-tested, endearing qualities, ensuring success in the publishing industry.

Relationship Between Locus Of Control And Self-Esteem As Well As Locus Of Control And Life Satisfaction In Persons Who Are Physically Disabled, Patricia Kaye Mitchell

Theses

Although various aspects of adjustment to disability have been addressed in current research literature, little empirical and specific data has been gathered in the areas of locus of control, self-esteem and life satisfaction. This study furthered recent research by addressing the relationship between these variables. Disabled adults who are mobility impaired were selected from various organizations in the St. Louis, Denver and eastern regions of the United States. Sixty subjects in this study completed the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Tennessee Self-Concept Scale-Second Edition (TSCS:2) and the Levenson's Internal, Powerful Others and Chance Scale (1, P and C scale). The …

Effects Of Father-Absence On Male Sex Role, Terri L. Portrell

Theses

This study explored the effects that the presence or absence of a father living in the household has on the sex-role development of male children. With an increasing number of males being reared in fatherless, mother-headed families, it is important to understand this phenomenon. Seventy-two male college students, ages 18 to 25, were subjects. Thirty-six were raised in father-present households, while thirty-six were raised in father-absent, mother-headed households. The Bern Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) was employed to assess each subject's sex-role. Past research suggests that males reared without fathers in the home develop a less masculine sex-role orientation and are far …

Effect Of Fine Aggregate Angularity On Asphalt Mixture Performance, Chih-Jen Lee, Thomas D. White, Terry R. West

JTRP Technical Reports

Superpave aggregate qualification includes the fine aggregate angularity (FAA). Fine aggregate angularity levels used in the Superpave system are below 40, 40 to 45 and above 45. The higher values are specified for layers near the surface and for higher traffic levels. The objective of this study was to address the effect of fine aggregate angularity on asphalt mixture rutting performance. A total of 18 mixtures were designed according to the Superpave volumetric design criteria. A surface mixture utilizing a partially crushed 9.5mm coarse aggregate and a single PG 64-22 binder were utilized. The poor quality coarse aggregate was used …

Secondary Traumatic Stress In Law Enforcement Personnel, William Carl Heusler

Theses

This study was designed to add to the body of empirical knowledge about law enforcement occupational stress utilizing the compassion fatigue/compassion satisfaction model developed by Figley and Stamm. The predictions that intimate contact with trauma victims will increase the risk for compassion fatigue and burnout was evaluated yielding results that established no difference between law enforcement personnel with direct contact and those that had little or no contact with trauma victims. The suggestion that secondary trauma has a cumulative effect on persons exposed over time was also investigated showing that in this population of police officers, a cumulative impact did …

A Comparison Of Body-Esteem In Adolescent Girls Between The Hutterite And Mainstream Western Cultures, Amanda Ann Walgren

Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the cultural basis of body-esteem and negative body image in adolescent females. This study focused on the differences between the culture of the Hutterites, an Anabaptist communal society, and the mainstream Western culture in the same geographic area. The Body-Esteem Scale (Mendelson & White, 1982) was administered to 35 Hutterite and 31 mainstream girls between the ages of 12 and 17. The Hutterite girls were found to have significantly higher body-esteem scores than the mainstream girls. These findings add to the vast amount of research linking body-esteem to cultural factors. Several possible …

A Study Of The Relationship Of Self-Efficacy Of Adolescent Females In A Single-Sex School Versus A Coeducational School, Margaret Wolf

Theses

This study examined the self-efficacy of adolescent girls and its relation to the type of high school they attended, whether it was single-sex or coeducational. A convenient, volunteer sample was used from two high schools in the metropolitan area of St. Louis, Missouri. The 234 adolescents surveyed, ranged from 15 to 18 years of age. The participants were administered the Self-efficacy Scale (SES) after parental permission was received. The two schools conducted the surveys during religion classes. An independent t-test showed that there was a significant difference in the self-efficacy of adolescent females who attend single-sex schools and those who …

Field Implementation Of Bioremediation At Indot Facilities-Phase I, Loring F. Nies, Brett Robert Baldwin, Matthew B. Mesarch

JTRP Technical Reports

Bioremediation is often the most cost-effective and successful technique available for the remediation of soils and groundwater contaminated with organic pollutants (e.g. petroleum). The goal of bioremediation is to stimulate naturally occurring microorganisms to biodegrade the contaminants to harmless products. To be in compliance with EPA regulations all underground fuel storage tanks must have spill, leak and corrosion protection. Many older obsolete tanks had deteriorated to the extent that petroleum products had leaked into the environment. In the past, petroleum contaminated soils were typically excavated, followed by landfilling of the contaminated material. The continued use of landfills for disposal of …

Intimacy In Men: The Androgynous Male, Melissa Jane Hillig

Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between intimacy and masculinity in men. Subjects completed the Bern Sex Role Inventory (BSRI). The scores were then correlated with levels of intimacy, as measured by the Miller Social Intimacy Scale (MSIS). The scores were determined for sixty-two male. middle class, volunteers, aged eighteen and above. The outcome of the study showed a significant inverse correlation between intimacy and masculinity, and a modest positive correlation between femininity and intimacy. Androgynous individuals reported a significantly higher degree of intimacy than masculine individuals.

Optimal Design Of Freeway Incident Response Systems, Raktim Pal, Kumares C. Sinha

JTRP Technical Reports

Several states have introduced service patrol programs to curb the growing adverse impacts of freeway incidents. An efficient patrol program configuration design is needed to ensure appropriate resource allocation. This research seeks to devise a scheme for determining optimally such system characteristics as hours of operation, fleet and crew sizes, dispatching policies, areas of operation, and routing patterns, so that the efficacy of the program is maximized. The interaction of randomly occurring incidents with time-varying traffic adds to the complexity of the problem. The problem is solved using dynamic simulation approaches combined with optimization techniques to incorporate the non-linear impact …

Performance Of Bridge Decks And Girders With Lightweight Aggregate Concrete, J. A. Ramirez, J. Olek, Eric Joseph Rolle, Brian J. Manlone

JTRP Technical Reports

Structural lightweight concrete is a very versatile material and Haydite and Minergy lightweight aggregates can be utilized in the mixture development of concrete for use in girders and decks in bridges. More widespread use of lightweight aggregates (LWA) would result in savings in construction cost due to considerable dead load reduction. The materials phase of this research study evaluated the fresh concrete properties (slump, unit weight, and air content), the mechanical properties of hardened concrete (compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, static and dynamic modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s Ratio, and temperature development), and durability related parameters (air void distribution, freeze-thaw …

Providing Real-Time Traffic Advisory And Route Guidance To Manage Borman Incidents On-Line Using The Hoosier Helper Program, Srinivas Peeta, Jorge L. Ramos, Shyam Gedela

JTRP Technical Reports

This study addresses the issue of whether the message content of variable message signs (VMS) can be used as a control variable to favorably influence traffic conditions in real-time. The focus is on the level of detail of information displayed on the VMS, and not human factor issues. It implies an understanding of driver sensitivity to information content. Also, for real-time implementation, the displayed information should be consistent, timely, and reliable. A framework is developed for optimizing system performance under incidents using the VMS message content as the primary control parameter. It consists of: (i) an efficient control strategy to …

Effects Of Nonstandard Work Schedules On Marital Satisfaction Among Law Enforcement Officers, Annette Marie Jansen

Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a difference in level of marital satisfaction among police officers who worked standard hours (day shift) and those who worked nonstandard hours (afternoon/midnight shifts). Thirty police officers employed during standard hours, and 33 police officers employed during nonstandard hours were administered a demographic questionnaire and the Index of Marital Satisfaction Inventory. Scores were tabulated and it was concluded that there was not a significant difference in marital satisfaction among the two groups (t = -.483; p = .631).