The ground work for this research thesis was completed seven years ago when the Dow Pharmaceutical Company selected Muncie, Indiana to test their new rubella vaccine. In the Fall of 1970, 311 seronegative elementary school children were innoculated with HPV-77, DK12 rubella vaccine. Of the 302 children who seroconverted, 98 were available for follow-up six years post innoculation. The participant's sera drawn six years previously was recovered in order to determine a six week and six year post innoculation titer on paired specimens. All 98 children, when retested, has measurable antibody. The geometric mean titer six years post innoculation was 55; a 14% decrease from the geometric titer of 64 six weeks after innoculation. At the six year point in time, there was at least a 9.2% incidence of subclinical reinfection, detected by a fourfold rise in the HI-titer, within the study group.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 10 week aerobic movement program for overweight children on cardiovascular fitness, body composition, self-esteem, and body-esteem. The subjects for the study consisted of 20 children (17 females and 3 males) ages 8-12. One group (n=12) consisted of overweight children and one group <n=8) consisted of average weight children. Cardiovascular endurance was measured in seconds with a two mile walk/Jog In the school halls. Self-concept was measured with the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale. Body-esteem was measured with Mendelson and White's Body-Esteem Scale. A 2x2 univariate statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to determine significance of effect. Overweight and average weight children were the independent variables. Self-esteem, body-esteem, and cardiovascular endurance were the dependent variables. Body composition (tricep skinfold measurement) was used to distinguish the two groups and determine weight loss due to the program. The ANOVA indicated no statistically significant Improvements In cardiovascular endurance, self-esteem and body-esteem in overweight children In comparison with average weight children after a 10 week aerobic movement program. / School of Physical Education

A significant problem for small cities is a lack of a sense of community. In some multicultural cities, land use in such categories as residential, commercial, industrial and educational forms separate uses or locations. Such segregation leads ultimately to a city stagnation which eliminates the essential life of vibrant and healthy cities. People commute from zone to zone only when necessary. Each territory is connected by automobile. Therefore, there is no interrelation which can cause discontinuity and fragmentation. The business zones are vacant at night because nobody lives there. People in the residential zones have few public facilities and places for diverse activities outside their houses within an intimate distance. Nevertheless, to eliminate segregation is not an answer. Each function improves when segregated at a certain level, but it also requires a close interaction with the other functions in order to maintain its vibrancy. / Department of Architecture

This study has contributed to two areas of growing interest and involvement: the knowledge base of public participation in community workshops for design practitioners and Muncie's White River project.Two community workshops were conducted and compared to study their processes and end results. All variables were constant between both workshops with the exception of a video, When the Wind Stops by Dianne Haak and Bernard Wilets, shown at the beginning of only one workshop. The group dynamics of the workshops were reviewed to understand their influence. It was determined that group size, persons conducting the workshops, the video, and the composition of the participants all affected the workshops' process and results.Focusing on the proposed White River Corridor Greenway, participants generated 183 ideas for increasing use and extending ownership of the river to the community. Participants produced 51 benefits, 85 potential physical development, and 47 programs and activities for improving connections to the creation and use of the river greenway. / Department of Landscape Architecture

I proposed a multi-media, multi-genre project that combined visual art, creative nonfiction, poetry, and creative work. Formatted magazine-style, this work began with an invitation to a dinner that I hosted. I envisioned the dinner as a piece of performance art. That is, my guests were writers and artists, and responded to the experience of the dinner throughout the evening. In experimenting with art, words, food, and artists, I wanted to see both the process and the product, how they work by pulling out memory and emotion tied to food. Food and memory work this way. Food and art work this way. Words and art work this way. There are connections everywhere. French poet, playwright, and surrealist artist, Jacques Prevert said once that, "Taking a walk, making a movie, writing a poem...there is no difference." How right. Eating, painting, loving, writing—the beautiful things in life...there is no difference. / Department of English

The Transmittance Device was an architectural installation, constructed as an imposition upon a public evergreen hedge row. The premise behind this exploration was to exploit architecture as a sequence of dynamic human experiences, creating an event or incident. The intention was to initiate a human transfer or violation from one side of a presumed boundary or barrier, to the opposite side. The boundary or barrier metaphorically represented the inherent characteristics human's possess, concerning abidement and conformity, within their normalities of regulated habit.The evolution process included theoretical conception, analysis of past installations, development of objectives, and four proposed projects. The final proposed Device was constructed in September, 1992, adjacent to the Fine Arts Building, on the campus of Ball State University. The Transmittance Device stood for over three weeks, instigating human engagement. The thesis document presents my collection of information gained, questions posed, and aspirations evoked, throughout the process of this exploration.This workbook documents the evolution process of the Transmittance Device. The Transmittance Device is an installation which exploits architecture as an event or incident, occurring as a human participates. Also, it is a construction which attempts to fuse the separation between architecture and sculpture. The document is not to be read as a conclusive narrative, but rather, a working text. The information is compiled in three general sections: architecture, installations, and the Transmittance Device, respectively chronological. The majority of the information presented was collected as scribbled notes, sketches, and study models produced throughout the nine month process (February to November, 1992.) The presentation of the constructed Device IV is presented with process sketches, scaled drawings, and photographs of the built construction. My aspirations are to continue this exploration, building upon the workbook, to never reach an end. / Department of Architecture

Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) was applied to evaluate the "Blue Bag" recycling program in Muncie, IN. Data was collected from the Muncie Sanitary District, a waste recovery facility and from a sample of Muncie residents. Results were analyzed descriptively and statistically and compared in terms of environmental performance to a landfilling option. Recycling resulted in greater greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction and also in larger savings in energy consumption compared to landfilling (an equivalent of savings of $25,800.52 per year). A willingness to pay (WTP) parameter ranged from $0-175 in WTP in taxes/rent per year and a $0-52 range for WTP per trash container collected. The mean value of the welfare improvement corresponded with values obtained by other researchers (Hanley and Spash, 1993), totaling $960,797.65 for the WTP in taxes/rent scenario and $412,819.95 for the WTP per trash container collected scenario. The project's Net Present Values (NPV) were negative under the 3, 5 and 7`%, discount rates (-5209,961.75, -8242,477.73 and -S269,187.38 in the case of an optimistic scenario and -S675,244.83, -657.262.23 and -640,288.54 for the pessimistic scenario, respectfully) if environmental impacts were not taken into consideration. Environmental benefits associated with the Blue Bag program impacted results of the analysis - the project's NPVs were positive under the range of 3, 5 and 7% interest rates (510,569.501.26, 9,704,811.17 and 8,951,068.00 for the optimistic scenario and S 10, l 04,218.17, 9,290,026.68 and 8.579,966.84 in the case of pessimistic scenario, respectfully). It is concluded, that if the Blue Bag program is justified on CBA grounds, it can be considered as a profitable initiative from the social point of view; otherwise, the recycling program's costs outweigh its incomes and the existence and continuation of the Blue Bag program may he questioned. Further studies should be conducted in order to comprehensively test the overall social impacts of the program that could affect results presented in this study. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

This creative project develops a conceptual plan for a "green", Ball State University Field Study Environmental Education Center, LandLab and Dormitory. The proposed design is ecologically responsible in construction and operation, relying upon natural qualities and resources of the site, as sources of renewable energy.In addition to enabling formal environmental education, the proposed facility is intended to foster within its students and guests, a love of life and nature, and an environmental ethic. Strategic and environmentally responsible use and placement of facility systems, variously composed of infrastructure, building, winter garden, and landscape components, results not only in interdisciplinary, experiential learning opportunities, and in replications of natural biomes; but, inherently provides healthy living conditions, in an interior environment ideally suited for human occupancy, with lush vegetation, gushing, gurgling, and splashing water, naturalistic scenery, fresh air, abundant sunlight, and warm temperatures. / Department of Landscape Architecture

Gardens do not grow without human interest; however, human interest is not sufficient to support a garden if soil quality is unsatisfactory. This study asked two questions about gardening in Muncie, Indiana, USA: (1) how interested are residents in gardening? (2) how well can residents garden, based upon selected soil properties? Mailed surveys and telephone calls addressed the first question. Fifty-eight percent of respondents indicated they gardened. Compared to non-gardeners, gardeners rated their soil quality higher, modified soil more comprehensively, and were more interested in helping others garden. Survey response bias and non-response bias occurred. Soil analysis addressed the second question. Soil pH and soil organic matter were satisfactory for gardening. Soil Pb levels were above the federal threshold of 1,200 mg kg-1 in only three (5%) sampling locations. More than adequate, and at times excessive, levels of P and K were found. This thesis includes recommendations for future research. / Soil and gardening in urban environments -- Muncie residents are interested in gardening -- Muncie soil is suitable for gardening. / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

In the early twenty-first century, Americans have been showing a high interest in ghosts and hauntings, as evidenced by the overwhelming amount of supernatural media available. Despite this, there has been little anthropological research specifically investigating the relationship between popular ghost beliefs and America’s largest system of supernatural beliefs- Protestant Christianity. This study uses qualitative research methods to examine the beliefs of Protestants in Muncie, Indiana, and whether they participate in popular ghost culture. Results suggest that while Muncie Protestants do not generally believe in ghosts, they accept the possibility that demonic forces can haunt locations and interact with humans. Most of those informants who do believe in ghosts base their beliefs on personal experiences. However, in the case of demonic beliefs, this was not necessary. Informants state that their beliefs about demons are based on Christian media sources, such as literature and the Internet, rather than church teachings. Although the Muncie Protestants interviewed here consider it dangerous to participate directly in efforts to communicate with the deceased, most consistently watch reality television shows about the paranormal, as the media provides a degree of separation in which they can safely participate in ghost culture. / Department of Anthropology