In recent times, the role of statistical methods based on order statistics has become more and more significant in statistical inference. Let Y1 < Y2 < • • • < Yn be the order statistics corresponding to a random sample of a size n from a continuous distribution having probability density function f(x; e), e c S2. The purpose of this thesis is mainly to examine the procedures for estimating the parameter e using order statistics.The usual procedures for estimation of unknown parameters are based on the whole sample without taking into account the order in which the sample is taken or without arranging the observations in order of magnitude. Order statistics and estimations based on order statistics are becoming more popular due to their frequent use in nonparametric inferences and in robust procedures. Procedures based on order statistics are particularly useful when the examined data contain one or more extreme values or outliers.This thesis will provide useful insight to the problem of estimation using order statistics. Some works in this field will be studied, reviewed and updated. Estimation based on order statistics using full and censored samples for small and large data sets will be investigated with reference to continuous distributions, such as the normal distribution. In particular, estimation problems as well as hypothesis testing for location and scale parameters of some continuous distributions and estimation of quantiles based on order statistics will be examined.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

In order to introduce the investigation of the present thesis,let us consider the linear homogeneous differential equation:Z2 d3y/dz3 + Z (bo + Bi Zm + b2z2m) d2y/dz2 + (Co + CiZm + C2Z) dy/dZ+ (diZm-1 + d2Z2m-1) Y = 0Here, m is a positive integer, the variable Z is complex and the constants bi, Ci (i=0,1,2) and di (i=1,2) are complex with b2 ≠ 0. It is also assumed that the roots of the indicial equation are such that the difference of no two of them is congruent to zero modulo m.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

In this master thesis, it is proposed to study the asymptotic behaviour of the solutions of the third order differential equation d3y d2y dyZ2 ____ + z (a0 + a1z) ____ + (b0+b1z+b2z2) ___ + (c0+c1z+c2z2)y = 0 dz3 dz2 dzHere, the variable z and the constants ai (i=0,1), bi, ci (i=0,1,2) are complex with b2 # 0. It is also assumed that no two roots of the indicial equation about the regular singular point z = 0 differ by an integer.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

Ball State University LibrariesLibrary services and resources for knowledge buildingMasters ThesesThere is no abstract available for this thesis.

Considerable interest in oscillating reactions has been generated by the large number of such processes observed in biological systems. Thus the existence of oscillating chemical reactions is well known. However, very few homogeneous chemical systems are known to either exhibit temporal oscillations or to develop spatial structure; that is, one which changes with respect to time and position within the reaction vessel. The only reaction presently known to exhibit both temporal and spatial oscillatory structures is the cerium ion catalyzed oxidation of malonic acid by bromate in a sulfuric acid medium.Temporal oscillations in [ce(IV)]/[ce(III)] were first reported by Belousov in 1959 and development of spatial structure by Zhabotinskii in 1967. The actual oscillations, both temporal and spatial are exhibited with the reagents oscillating from a bright blue to red. The colors whichindicate the variations in the chemical concentrations can be changed by the use of different reagents.Chemical oscillation has several physical and biological significances, particularly biochemical-oscillations at the intracellular level, which permit the organism to adapt in a flexible way to external conditions. The BelousovZhavotinskii reaction, however, is primarily an inorganic redose reaction but is important because, when coupled with the process of diffusion, it is possible to obtain spatial patterns and this can be a foundation for a biochemical theory of morphogenesis. A study of this particular reaction will also enable investigators to better understand and develop a precise theory of chemical oscillation.Several investigations have already been done on this reaction, but have all been primarily chemical in nature. The purpose of this paper therefore is primarily a mathematical analysis of the Belousov-Zhabotinskii reaction. Conditions for stability of the equilibrium solutions and the existence of oscillation will be discussed.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

Ball State University LibrariesLibrary services and resources for knowledge buildingMasters ThesesThere is no abstract available for this thesis.

The purpose of this study is to determine, "Is there a relationship between a diabetic individual's perception of stress and the onset of illness?" Thirty-seven diabetics who were patients in a midwestern hospital in June, 1983 were subjects of this study.Previous non-nursing research has correlated both the onset of diabetes and the exacerbation of illnesses with stress. This study has replicated the work of other biopsychosocial researchers and has particular implications for nursing and its role in prevention of illness.The instrument used to measure stress was the Schedule of Recent Experiences. Stress perception was measured by asking each subject to rate on a Likert scale the amount of stress associated with life events experienced in the past year. The instruments used to measure illness onset were the Signs and Symptoms of Stress Checklist and the Lab Indicators of Stress Checklist. Regression analysis and Pearson Product Moment correlations were used to analyze the data. The hypothesis was accepted with the subjective parameter (p•= <.001) and rejected with the objective parameter.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

This study was devised to test the hypothesis, "Does a preoperative interview between the operating room nurse and the surgical patient effect the nurses' level of empathy toward the patient?" The theoretical and conceptual foundation was based on Carl Rogers' theory that a high level of empathy has a positive effect on therapy outcomes. Nursing research has also demonstrated the importance of empathetic understanding in order to equip the nurse to meet the patient's needs.Two hospitals which had not utilized preoperative interviews were selected, and nurses from one hospital participated in the experimental group which initiated preoperative visits while nurses from the other hospital participated in the control group which did not visit preoperatively. The changes in empathetic levels of the nurses were assessed using the Barrett-Lennard Relationship Helper Scale. Analysis of covariance was used to test the hypothesis which was accepted at .05 significance level.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

C57B1/6 mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma CLLC) are suppressed in their ability to generate cytotoxic T lymphocytes against the LLC tumor associated antigens. Since LLC have previously been shown to secrete the immunosuppressive factor PGE2, indomethacin, a prostaglandine synthetase inhibitor, was administered to LLC-bearing mice in their drinking water to prevent the immunosuppression typical of tumor bearers. The indomethacin treated tumor-bearers displayed an increase in their cytotoxic responses to the LLC tumor associated antigens. Thus the immunosuppression found in mice bearing LLC could be due to prostaglandin synthesis. Production of PGE2 by tumor cells may be a mechanism by which the tumors escape immune mediated destruction.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

Ball State University LibrariesLibrary services and resources for knowledge buildingMasters ThesesThere is no abstract available for this thesis.