Lupus anticoagulants (LA) have been identified as antiphospholipid antibodies which can alter certain membrane-related endothelial activities, resulting in increased thrombogenesis. The effects of LA-containing patient plasmas on selected thrombosis-related endothelial functions were examined; 68% of 25 patient plasmas exhibited significant antiphospholipid antibody (APA) IgG and/or IgM directed against one of the four phospholipids tested in vitro; 44% exhibited anti-endothelial antibody. Eighty percent of plasmas with anti-endothelial IgM exhibited APA reactive with phosphatidyl inositol; antiphospholipid IgG did not correlate well with antiendothelium IgG. Patient plasmas that significantly stimulated EC PGI2 secretion uniformly exhibited anti-phosphatidyl serine IgM.Multiple mechanisms of induction of LA, and strong association of anti-PS and anti-EC antibody with thrombosis and related disorders were observed.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

The present study investigated the effect of an educational message on the knowledge and choice of infant feeding practices of expectant mothers. A convenience sample totaling 4.2 women attending prenatal classes from one community hospital completed the pre-test questionnaire designed for the study. A content validity jury was employed to increase the reliability and validity of the instrument. The educational message followed the pre-test and included a videocassette, educational handout, and a question and answer period. A total of 36 women returned to complete the post-test questionnaire. The results revealed a significant difference in knowledge level scores beyond the 0.001 level of mothers receiving the educational message. Also, the data revealed a significant difference beyond the 0.001 level in pre-test/posttest scores of bottle- and breast-feeding mothers. There was no significant improvement in mothers choosing to breast-feed following the educational message. The conclusions drawn from the study are that an educational message improves infant feeding knowledge level and may better prepare mothers for their infant feeding choice. The educational message does not influence the mothers' planned infant feeding method.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

This thesis has traced the history and chronological development of the academic Department of Natural Resources at Ball State University by researching printed matter concerning the department and by conducting interviews with the people concerned.The history included recent happenings within the department, i.e., course offering implementations, and dates of the movement from program (1967) to institute (1970) to department (1974). It also included the past history of Ball State Teachers College (which became the present Ball State University) and early interest in natural resources courses first offered in 1919. Of particular interest was the research on the Natural Resources Advisory Committee which met from 1965 to 1973 and which formulated the early aspects of the natural resources program and developed them into the present department.The development of the department was researched using personal and written interviews and was basically an assessment of the progress of the present department. Comments were obtained from Natural Resources Advisory Committee members, past and present faculty, graduates of the department and employees of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The consensus of opinion was that the creation of the department was due to the hard work and dedication of its present chairman, Dr. Clyde Hibbs. / Department of Natural Resources

This study presents the perceptions of media outlets and news consumption habits of a specific audience, the undergraduate student population of Ball State. The perception of credibility, accuracy, and trustworthiness all played important roles in media consumption. This study found little support for the hostile media effect among college students. Many respondents indicated they preferred to get their news in multiple perspectives, rather than just one. Consequently, this study supported the opposing views on hostile media effect in the academic research community. / Department of Journalism

Even though faculty are one of the most important components of a successful learning community, little research discusses the experiences and motivational factors that influence faculty to participate actively in learning community programs. This study at Ball State University helped researchers to understand these factors so that they could alter the learning community environment to make it more favorable for faculty participation. Qualitative research methodology resulted in data being gathered via interviews with faculty members who were identified as active participants in the Freshman Connections program during the fall 2002 semester. An interview guide was revised from a study conducted by Golde and Pribbenow (2000). Data were collected in April 2003. The researcher analyzed the data by identifying thematic connections among the data according to guidelines presented by Seidman (1998). / Department of Educational Leadership

The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship existed betweenhomophobic beliefs and rape myth acceptance in undergraduate students who attendedBall State University. In addition, the effect that gender, organizational affiliation, andClass anding had on these beliefs was measured.The project consisted of 242 undergraduate students who lived in Woody/Shalesand Howick/Williams Halls. The project took place during the spring semester of 2004.The findings indicated that rape myth acceptance (RMA) did correlate with homophobia, and that this correlation was significantly higher in males than in females. The findings also indicated that neither class standing nor group affiliation had a significant effect on either RMA or homophobia. / Department of Educational Studies

This thesis explored the differences between 1981 Ball State University undeclared and declared major matriculates freshmen on selected variables related to persistence. This study did not attempt to make forecasts regarding persistence by the study participants, but rather to serve as a base population from which longitudinal studies examining the relationship between declaration of a major and persistence could be based.Responses to a 60-item questionnaire were tabulated and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. A cross tabulation program was used in generating frequency and percentage data. In addition, chi square and T-test programs were used in reviewing the statistical significance of the differences.The undeclared and declared students were found to differ significantly in thier responses to the following variables: 1) college attendance by others; 2) influence to attend college; 3) Ball State University attendance; 4) major/occupation selection priority; and 5) vocational and academic expectations and experiences.

The study determined if the hip hop culture influenced the collegiate experience, specifically attitude, socialization, and personal goals. Qualitative research methodology resulted in the use of semi-structured interviews. Participants were traditional undergraduate students who self-identified as listening to hip hop music at Ball State University. Data were collected in January and February of 2006.The hip hop culture influenced the socialization of the student participants. Participant attitude was seldom influenced by the hip hop culture. Mainstream hip hop had minimal influence on the personal goals of students. The hip hop culture was more than music to the undergraduate students; it was a way of life and provided the motivation to pursue an education. / Department of Educational Leadership

The object of this study was to determine the current attitudes of Ball State University students toward hazardous waste disposal. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data on political affiliation and ideology, knowledge of the hazardous waste issue. and environmental attitudes. A total of 103 freshmen and 77 seniors returned usable questionnaires for an overall response rate of 49%. Computer analysis of returned questionnaires answering six research questions and forming conclusions. It was determined that there were measurable differences in attitudes between freshmen and senior students. While both groups expressed environmental concern, seniors were more knowledgable of the issues and more thoughtful in their choices. However, several indications were discovered that environmental concern in this survey group will probably not lead to political action.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

There is no abstract available for this dissertation. / Department of Educational Studies