Skin conductances and galvanic skin responses (GSRs) of learning disabled (LD) children and controls were compared during an habituation task and a simple reaction time task, each preceded by a rest period. The two tasks were methodologically equivalent except that only the latter required an active response. LDs had more rapid decline of basal conductances during rest, more rapid habituation of GSRs during tasks, and slower reaction times. In addition, the active task was more sensitive to GSR habituation differences than was the passive task. The results were interpreted in terms of a general arousal deficit in LD children, although the greater sensitivity of the active task in detecting habituation differences was seen as supporting the proposal that LDs have selective arousal dysfunctions. / Master of Science

The significance of the role of advanced composite materials in many engineering applications is increasing.Environmental effects on the material properties of composites is an important aspect of design considerations . To determine the long term influence of the individual contributions of time, temperature, and humidity on composite materials would require extensive numbers of specimens an:f tests. In order to isolate significant variables experiments have been designed for maximum utilization of specimens. Due to wide variation in the information obtained from experimentation, a statistical analysis of the data was conducted. Multiple regression techniques were employed and the significance of the individual variables was tested. This experimental program resulted in the development of response surfaces for the complex moduli of composite materials. / Master of Science

More than any other English Romantic poet, with the possible exception of Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley has been attacked by critics who argue that in both his personal life and in his poetry and prose writings, he was immoral. Regardless of what may be said against Shelley's personal life, as a writer he is profoundly moralistic in almost all of his literary works. This thesis shows, using several of his longer poetic works, selected religious and philosophical essays, and various letters, that Shelley deliberately used the theme of vengeance against tyrannical oppression as an agent for presenting his moral principles. The first chapter introduces Shelley's didactic moral code concerning revenge against tyrannical despotism as revealed in certain philosophical and religious essays, Prometheus Unbound, The Cenci, and The Mask of Anarchy. Chapter II examines the following three philosophical and religious essays by Shelley which illustrate his moral concept of vengeance as this concept relates to tyrannical oppression: "Essay on Christianity," An Address to the Irish People, and A Philosophical View of Reform. The third chapter discusses the moral precepts involved in Prometheus Unbound as they relate to revenge and despotic domination. Chapter IV explains how Shelley, even though sympathizing with Beatrice Cenci, criticized her for not persevering in love, forgiveness, and forbearance as she avenged the incestuous assault committed against her by her tyrannical father. Chapter V explores the moral principles found in The Mask of Anarchy as they relate to revenge and tyrannical oppression. The conclusion reemphasizes Shelley's use of vengeance against tyrannical oppression as a means of presenting his moral principles. / Master of Arts

The objective of this research was to determine whether or not variations in dissolved oxygen concentration above the critical dissolved oxygen concentration affect the kinetic coefficient and settleability of activated sludge. Synthetic substrate loadings of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 were applied to bench scale activated sludge reactors with average mixed liquor volatile suspended solids concentrations of 2000 mg/1. The substrate removal rate coefficient, oxygen uptake coefficients, yield coefficients, and sludge settling properties were evaluated at dissolved oxygen concentrations of 2, 4, 8, and 10 mg/l. The kinetic coefficients were different at each dissolved oxygen concentration investigated but the differences could not be correlated with dissolved oxygen concentration variations. Instead, the variations in the coefficients appeared to be distributed in a random manner due to inaccurate test methods and fluctuating environmental conditions. Sludge settling properties as measured by the sludge volume index and the initial settling velocity were independent of dissolved oxygen concentration. The results of the study indicated dissolved oxygen concentration has no noticeable effect upon the kinetic coefficients and sludge settleability in activated sludge systems operated at loading levels and solids concentrations similar to the ones employed in this study. / Master of Science

Small dimensional changes in six parameters were experimentally studied for their effects on the performance of the bistable fluid amplifier. These dimensional parameters were offset, wall length, control width, power nozzle width, wall flat, and power nozzle shape. The investigation was conducted on a ten times actual size model of a typical, commercially available amplifier. Data were taken for operating conditions of 1 nozzle load and blocked outputs over a range of Reynolds numbers (based on the nominal nozzle width) of 2000 to 6000. Evidence in support of the hypothesis of the coexistence of two, different level, overlapping switch points was presented. The hypothesis was used to explain unusual behavior and to fit smooth and regular curves to the experimental data obtained. The center of the investigation was the six tables of data generated and the method used to obtain figures of the specific dimensional characteristics desired by the user. It was found that the overwhelming influence of operating conditions (Reynolds number and output loading) prevented specific discussion of dimension characteristics without having the user's specific needs or operating conditions specified. From a broad or general look at the dimensional characteristics, it was found that wall-length had the most severe characteristics. It was also found that the wider control width promoted a clean and well-behaved switch absent of two coexistent switch points. For reasons unknown, it was found that the shorter power nozzle shapes made the device extremely sensitive to bias. / Master of Science

The morphological features of <i>Nivatogastrium nubigenum</i> are compared with closely related gastromycetes and lamellate agarics. Only one genus, <i>Pholiota</i> in the Cortinaricaeae, was found to have many features similar to <i>N. nubigenum</i>. The subgenus <i>Flammuloides</i> has many features in common with this gasteromycete. The fruiting bodies and cultural characteristics of <i>P. decorata, P. scamba, P. spumosa, and P. subangularis</i> are compared with <i>N. nubigenum</i>. All of the fungi studied are found in the western United States on conifer wood. Smooth, brown, thick-walled spores, large cystidia, and a somewhat visicid pileus are found in these species. Thick-walled cystidia, similar to those found in <i>P. decorata</i>, are reported for the first time in <i>N. nubigenum</i>. Growth rates, oxidase reactions, and morphological features were found to be similar for <i>N. nubigenum, P. decorata. and P. spumosa</i>. Positive oxidase tests, oidia, amorphous refractive bodies, "textura intricata" and inflated hyphal cells were found in these three similar species. Different media were used and additional morphological features were found that can be used to distinguish the species. / Master of Science

The phase equilibria relationships in the Na₃AlF₆-AlF₃-LiF ternary system have been investigated using a combination of quenching, optical microscopy, DTA, and x-ray powder diffraction techniques. The compatibility relations at 500°C, the binary system Na₃AlF₆-Li₃AlF₆, and the ternary liquidus surface were determined. The liquidus surface was found to contain the following five important invariant points: 1) eutectic - 81% LiF, 9.5% Na₃AlF₆, 9.5% AlF₃ and 685°C 2) eutectic - 56% LiF, 6% Na₃AlF₆, 38% AlF₃ and 585°C 3) eutectic - 37% LiF, 17% Na₃AlF₆, 46% AlF₃ and 620°C 4) peritectic - 30% LiF, 37% Na₃AlF₆, 33% AlF₃ and 660°C 5) reaction point - 65% LiF, 9% Na₃AlF₆, 26% AlF₃ and 675°C The 500°C isothermal section contains 7 three-phase regions and 2 large two-phase regions. The binary system Na₃AlF₆-Li₃AlF₆ contained 2 incongruently melting compounds, many polymorphic transformations, and a eutectic at 690°C and 67 mole % Li₃AlF₆. / Master of Science

A canned whole wheat product was developed. The effects of variety, salt and process time on texture, thiamine content and percent moisture were investigated. A minimum safe process was determined. A safe process was calculated to be 9.5 minutes and 11.5 minutes at 121°C (250°F) for Soft Red Winter (SRW) wheat and Kansas Hard Red Winter (HRW) wheat, respectively. The SRW wheat exhibited a more tender texture, higher thiamine content after processing and a higher percent moisture than the HRW wheat. Salt added during canning increased the toughness of the wheat as compared to no added salt and required an increased process time to achieve a texture similar to the no salt added wheat. Thiamine content was not affected by added salt when calculated on a dry weight basis. Length of process time was directly related to thiamine destruction. Water absorbed by the wheat was found to have a diluting effect on thiamine content of canned wheat. Salt had an inhibiting effect on moisture absorption and the percent moisture was related to toughness. Increased moisture tenderized the product. Excessive moisture at the 64 minute process time resulted in a gummy, unappealing product. Thiamine content of the canned wheat compared favorably with values for other food products such as canned lima beans and peas. / Master of Science

The study was concerned with the communal movement as an illustration of Sorokin's thesis. Sorokin maintains that our culture is moving from a sensate or this-worldly form to an ideational or other-worldly definition of reality. It was shown through the works of Kanter and Fairfield that the utopian ideals expressed by commune members tend toward ideational beliefs. Three variables were chosen as indicative of the trend toward ideational values--alienation from the sensate culture, commitment to a group opposed to the sensate society, and religiosity or belief in the supernatural. Seven communes were selected as a purposive sample--two monasteries, three populations of a Christian community, a Skinnerian commune, and a Hindu group. These were chosen because they were all creedal communes; that is, they all had some core ideology, and because they varied widely in their religious beliefs. Three main hypotheses were tested regarding the relationship between commitment and alienation, the relationship between religiosity and alienation, and the relationship between commitment and religiosity. It was found that the cohesion measure of commitment and belief in God were negatively related to alienation at significant levels. There was no significant relationship between the involvement dimension of commitment, between orthodoxy and alienation, or between commitment and religiosity. The author concluded that several of the measures need modification for use in testing Sorokin's thesis. Nevertheless, it appears that there is a tendency toward ideational beliefs in creedal communes, although the trend is still in its initial stages. / Master of Science

Master of Science