This thesis examined the effect of continuous row-cropping on soil structure measured by bulk density and compaction ratings. Undisturbed core samples were collected from the selected sample sites to determine the bulk density. Compaction ratings were obtained by using a Proctor Penetrometer. A total of 192 soil samples were collected for this investigation. Comparisons of mean bulk densities, mean compaction ratings, and mean moisture percentages of the surface and Bt horizons of Blount and Pewamo soils in Delaware County, Indiana under three different field conditions: woods (untilled), field cultivated fields (continuous row-cropped), and plowed fields (continuous row-cropped) were made. This was done by calculating F-ratios and Bayesian Least Significant Difference ratios. Pearson's Product Moment Correlation' Coefficients were also calculated between selected parameters of the data. Conclusions drawn from these statistical analysis were discussed.

The area immediately surrounding a landfill was studied by DC resistivity methods, soil borings, and review of historical data bases to learn if the landfill had released leachate to the ground water and to define the geology and hydrogeology of the site. Property immediately adjacent to the landfill has been proposed as a new landfill site. The geology and hydrogeology of this site were investigated to provide supplemental data for use in planning and operating the new landfill.Although no contaminant plumes were located by resistivity methods, the range in measured resistivity values proved to be sufficiently large to possibly mask existing leachate migration from the landfill. Using the resistivity data base generated through this effort, future resistivity surveys at this site may identify changes indicating contaminant plume formation or migration.Zones of shallow sand and gravel were found (by resistivity methods) to be present at locations that appear to correlate with slightly higher topography and soil type MuB2. This information led to the location and confirmation of other shallow permeable zones in the glacial drift with the same common attributes (soil type MuB2, higher topography and 5 to 15 feet deep sand and gravel). These shallow permeable zones had been omitted from the ground-water monitoring systems for both the Metropolitan Landfill and the proposed Delaware County Landfill. The results of this study were used as the basis for recommendations presented to the local board of health and the state regarding the need for additional ground-water monitoring at the two sites and the suggested locations for such.

The United States population is increasing at a rate that induces the living and working space to expand. This expansion causes humans to put pressure on converting valuable farmlands to urban uses. New residential, industrial, commercial, and socioeconomic factors influence the expansion of a living and working place.Two facets of study are conducted in this research, one of Geography, and Sociology, brought under one research framework. The first purpose is to examine changes in land use in Muncie and Dela are County between 1988 to 1996. Furthermore, it also seeks to study the rate of urban expansion, and direction. The second purpose is to identify the underlying causative factors of urban sprawl.Remotely sensed data is used to determine land use changes, and focused interviews of subjects residing in areas identified as "change" to determine the partial causation of urban sprawl. Research analysis indicated that using remotely sensed data to monitor land use changes is feasible and cost-effective. Further analysis indicates that approximately 1200 acres of agricultural land was converted to urban uses, with the urban expansion moving to the western extremities of the study area. Overall, the analysis indicates the majority of developments were residential and commercial bases.The focused interviews yielded significant information in identifying the partial causation of urban sprawl. The focused interviews of residents living in the areas of change responded Schools as the salient reason for selecting to live in that particular area. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Every year thousands of tons of chemicals are transported by railroad in Delaware County, Indiana. All the rail lines pass through the geographical center of Muncie. Because of population densities close to rail lines is high, the vulnerability is substantial for any kind of chemical spill.To respond to possible emergency problems, the latest technology is needed which can be used in the most efficient and fastest way, so that lives can be protected. GIS can provide detailed, and time sensitive information before and after the disaster, thereby increasing the ability to make better decisions during the time of emergency.According to Gosnell (2004), the Emergency Management Agency of Delaware County is least prepared for any kind of action plan if a chemical spill situation occurs. This research is intended to create an Emergency Management System for a hypothetical chemical spill involving all the five phases of operation using GIS so that it can be a demonstration for the emergency management agency of Delaware County of how such a situation can be planned from its initial stage to final stage of operation thereby the life, property and environment can be protected. / Department of Geography

Breast fed infants appear to grow less rapidly after the first three months of age when compared with current standards from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). The NCHS standards are a composite of two other studies both of which used formula fed infants or infants who were breast fed for a short period of time. Current literature suggests a breast fed infant's deviation from NCHS standards should be considered a normal pattern with no apparent deleterious consequences to a breast fed infant. This study was undertaken to determine whether differences do exist between the growth patterns of breast fed infants in Muncie, Indiana, and NCHS standards, and if so, at what age do the differences become apparent. For this study growth data were gathered for 66 infants. The subjects were women who attended the Obstetrical and Family Practice Clinics of Ball Memorial or were patients of private physicians in Muncie and Delaware County, Indiana and who volunteered to participate in the study. Women who were free of chronic conditions were elgible to participate in the study. A 24-hour data collection period was conducted one day each month for one calendar year or as long as the subjects remained in the study. Immediately before and after each nursing during the 24-hour time period weight measurements were taken and recorded for the infants. Lengths were measured once at this time. The analysis of data from this study is similar to previous studies, and showed that weight gain in particular, but also length gain, of the breast fed infant was slower after three months of age in comparison to NCHS standards and supports the recommendations of others that the weight gain of breast fed infants should not be compared to current NCHS standards and new growth charts based on breast fed infants are needed. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

This thesis explores the function of juvenile detention in Delaware County, Indiana, for the purpose of establishing tentative objectives for the total program.The Juvenile Court Judge and Detention Center Director were interviewed to assist the writer in ascertaining clear descriptive data of detention procedure as well as their views regarding the function of detention.Juvenile Detention Center is defined as a physically restrictive facility for the temporary care of children, who have not attained the age of 18, pending court disposition or transfer to another authority or agency.The most important points examined include the distinction between "secure" and "non-secure" or "shelter" facilities. The facility under study was secure. Confinement was short-term: the average stay being five days. The concept of "program" was analyzed emphasizing that all experiences affect the education of the children, and that the instructor was no conducting a program within a program. The concept of "responsibility" was also examined, particularly with its relationship to "therapy" and "education." The Director clearly and emphatically stated that therapy was not a function in detention, but that education was. The writer's conclusion was that this semantic problem limits the extent to which the children's needs can be met. The tentative objectives and implications were:1. Provide immediate physical, emotional, and psychological care. This objective should be a concern to all staff members, not only the instructor. An integral part of the program includes an immediate shower, clean clothes, and rest. The staff should become involved with the children at an emotional level, showing love and sincere care for their welfare while maintaining reasonable discipline standards.2. Provide educational and recreational activities which are healthful, enjoyable, and are valuable for leisure time, even after the child has-left the Detention Center. A variety of activities would be appropriate including reading, chess, monopoly, ping pong, basketball, volleyball, handball, viewing films, discussion, arts, and crafts. The instructor sought to allow the children a degree of freedom to choose among certain activities and to select films from lists available through community sources. This gave the children a sense of participation in some decisions. It was necessary and valuable to have some children participate whether they wanted to or not; for example, arts and crafts were avoided by some children for awhile, but once involved, many children enjoyed themselves, and learned to express themselves in positive manner.Freedom of expression should be encouraged as long as the expression does not cause physical or emotional harm to others or to one's self. Reading is a skill believed to require continuous practice. A wide variety of literature was provided, including comic books. Many comics seemed valuable as an immediate source to develop a skill the child may use to read other materials in the future, and as a source of multidimensional expression. An example would be the philosophical witticism of Linus or Pogo. Also, many topics include science fiction, which could be enjoyed as adventure or as a critique of man's use of science and technology.Chess is a game valued by many children. It is a game easier to learn than many people realize, yet is of infinite complexity. This is another example of multi-dimensional expression, depending upon the level of experience of the players.The value of physical sports is considered in regard to the exercise derived and as anoutlet for frustrations. Competition has no value to persons who do not believe that they have a chance of winning. Exercise, a practice of skills and cooperation are emphasized before competition. No one who always loses will continue to participate. The threat of failure should be minimized as it is not conducive to learning in any environment. 3. Provide activities which will aid the children in developing more realistic and positive views of themselves.The rationale for this objective is that motivation to lear, that is, to chage one's behavior, is minimal in the person who lacks confidence and/or knowledge about himself. Learning is building upon a foundation, a synthesizing process: perceiving, reacting, constructing.4. Help each child to learn the concept of responsibility. This objective follows, it seems from the previous one: If a positive view of the self is attained, socially responsible behavior will follow if the child accepts the consequences of his behavior as though someone else behaved that way, and he were to be affected by that behavior.Children can grow in confidence, becoming personally and socially responsible when the staff help to clarify the behavioral expectations of them. It would be appropriate to inform the children thoroughly as to general rules of conduct. Reinforcement of acceptable behavior would help to motivate that behavior.Evaluation of this objective would best be made on the basis of behavioral objectives identifying specific characteristics of responsible behavior.

Five darter species were collected from streams and rivers in two Indiana counties to determine patterns of microhabitat selection. Selection was based on three microhabitat variables and included flow (velocity), depth, and substrate. A Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) was also performed at each sampling location to differentiate the habitat quality at each site. Darters were segregated from one or more species present and overlap between species was observed. Specifically, greenside and rainbow darters used intermediate substrate in higher flows and depths relative to fantail, johnny, and orangethroat darters. Fantail and orangethroat darters were found among intermediate-large substrate sizes in reduced flow and depth. Johnny darters preferred small-intermediate substrate in greater depths and lowered flow. Microhabitat use is often driven by competition for food and space. / Department of Biology

The microbial Population of stream leaf litter was examined during the fall and winter of 1976 in Bell Creek, Delaware County, Indiana. Nylon-mesh bags containing leaves were placed in the creek and allowed to become colonized by bacteria and fungi. Of special interest was the enumeration and identification of cellulolytic anaerobic bacteria. This study revealed the presence of these bacteria in all sample cases. These bacteria were generally identified as belonging to the genus Clostridium. Two species of cellulolytic pseudomonads were also isolated. Non-cellulolytic bacteria belonging to the genera Flavobacterium and Beijerinckia were isolated. These aerobic organisms may function indirectly in cellulose degradation by removing toxic byproducts or growth limiting factors.

Cemeteries have both problems and opportunities which have not been considered by land use planners. These problems include the consumption of land that might have a better use, the concealing of below-grade resources, pollution, vandalism and others. The opportunities are that cemeteries have multiple land use potential.A survey of cemeteries in Delaware County, Indiana, brings clearness to policies for American planners. Some of that clearness is that the older abandoned cemeteries have potential for recreation, for open space preservation and for historic preservation. The modern cemeteries which are still receiving burials are living symbols of how society is currently dealing with death. These must be left primarily for this purpose. The future holds the best opportunities. The question for the future is not: "Where shall we put the next cemetery?" But, more clearly, there are two questions--each of which has a separate set of answers. One is: "How do we dispose of the body?" The other is: "How can we improve the memorialization of our loved ones while still respecting the land?" / Department of Urban Planning

This study was designed to investigate and describe suicides in Delaware County over a ten-year period, 1963-1972, and to compare specific factors in the Delaware County suicides with Indiana suicides (1963-1972) and United States suicides (1963-1968). Indiana suicides were also compared with United States suicides for the years 1963-1968.Variables used in the study were as follows: (1) age, (2) race, (3) sex, (4) socioeconomic level, (5) method of self-destruction, (6) marital status, (7) month of death, (8) day of injury, (9) time of day, and (10) place of injury. Hypotheses generated from the variables have been analyzed through the use of the goodness of fit Chi-square test. Other data were summarized in terms of rates, frequencies, and percentages.1) AGESuicide in Delaware County is most prevalent in those 45-64, while Indiana seems to have a relatively high suicide rate in the 65+ age group.2) RACEFrom 1963 to 1972, only two non-white suicides were recorded in Delaware County. Unlike larger cities, Delaware County does not have an increasing non-white suicide rate. The white suicide distribution in Delaware County closely corresponds with the United States white suicide distribution, while Indiana has a somewhat lower white suicide distribution.3) SEXThe ratio of male suicides to female suicides in Delaware County and Indiana is very similar to the United States male female suicide ratio of 3 to 1.4) SOCIOECONOMIC LEVELIn Delaware County the greatest number of suicides was recorded by the middle class, while those in the upper social stratum committed the fewest suicides.5) METHOD OF SELF-DESTRUCTIONThe majority of suicide victims in Delaware County used firearms. Men favored the more violent means such as firearms and hanging, while most of the female suicide victims used poisons. 6) MARITAL STATUSFrom the results of the Delaware County study it would seem that marriage does not offer the protection against suicide that it once did. Over 60 percent of Delaware County suicides were committed by married individuals.7) MONTH OF DEATHSuicide peaks have been recorded for the time periods May June and October-November in Delaware County during the years 1963-1972.8) DAY OF INJURYMost of the Delaware County suicides have occurred during the first three days of the week: Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. The fewest suicides occurred on Friday and Saturday.9) TIME OF DAYFrom 1963 to 1972, more suicides occurred during the hours of noon to 6:00 P.M. However, at least one suicide occurred in each of the 24 hours of the day during this ten-year period. 10) PLACE OF INJURYThe home of the suicide victim is where most suicides occur. In Delaware County, 76 percent of the suicides occurred at the home of the victim.After analyzing the collected data, this investigator found Delaware County suicide distributions to be very similar to those Indiana and the United States for the years 1963-1972. Delaware County seems to typify trends of suicide occurring in the United States.Further studies may be warranted in the areas of female and elderly suicides. Investigations pertaining to the use of firearms as a method of self-destruction also are needed.