Digital Commons Network^™

Use Of Multiple Transmitters For 3-D Non-Intrusive Particle Tracking, Jitesh H. Agrawal

Theses

A method for non-intrusive tracking of a particle in 3-dimensional space, based on processing of signals emitted from a transmitter embedded in the particle, is being developed. This method uses a mathematical model, which predicts the induced signal in receivers present in the vicinity of flowing particle, and supporting numerical techniques. Specific application aspects related to improving the accuracy of this method are presented.

The focus here is the development of flexible software capable of processing information coming from multiple transmitters with known distinct spatial orientation. Implementation aspects of modified existing empirical corrections for improving model-reality agreement, and new techniques …

Off-Line Hand-Printed Chinese Character Recognition Based On Stroke Matching, Sunshine Chang

Theses

The specific purpose of this thesis is the automated recognition of the off-line Chinese hand-printed characters by using a blue ball-point pen. Through mask processing, the main components in a Chinese character such as vertical, horizontal, and slant strokes can be extracted. Then, the connected components with the coordinates of the top, bottom, leftmost, and rightmost ends of each stroke extracted are found. From these coordinates, the length and position of each stroke can be computed.

According to the number, relative length, and relative position of each stroke, both of the coarse and fine rule-based classification can be made, and …

Removal Of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons From Water By Air Stripping And Solvent Sublation, Alpana Gami

Theses

Removal of trichloroethylene, monochlorobenzene and 1,3 dichlorobenzene from water by air stripping and solvent sublation into an organic phase was investigated. The sublation solvents used were paraffin oil and decyl alcohol. The rate of removal from water by solvent sublation and air stripping was highest for trichloroethylene, followed by chlorobenzene and finally 1,3 dichlorobenzene. For the three compounds, solvent sublation had the greatest advantage over air stripping in the reduction of emission of the compounds to the atmosphere. For the three compounds, the removal was enhanced at higher flowrate in both air stripping and solvent sublation. For the removal of …

Measurement Of The Reaction To Stress And Meditation Using Brain Wave Coherence And Heart Rate Variability, Christopher B. King

Theses

Measurement of physiological parameters associated with the stress response and the relaxation response caused by various forms of meditation can provide valuable information about the reaction of the body to the mind and to the external environment.

This study used two different techniques to evaluate physiological parameters. The first part examined the meditation response by recording the EEG and calculating the coherence between brain waves originating from different parts of the brain. It was found that high levels of coherence in the alpha portion of the EEG frequency band coincided with a restful state associated with the relaxation response. In …

Preoperative Risk Assessment For Cardiac Surgery Using Piecewise Linear Regression Model, Arifa Zafar

Theses

In the present climate of quality assurance policies, rigorous requirements for informed consent, and a constantly changing patient population, a system of preoperative risk assignment for cardiovascular surgery was developed to monitor and evaluate surgical outcomes. The goal of this work is to estimate the preoperative risk associated with cardiac bypass surgery for patients in different risk categories. These risk categories are determined by the Parsonnet model which is based upon studying the severity of illness. The Parsonnet model assigns a risk value to a range of risk factors consisting of patient attributes and disease parameters. The aggregate of these …

The Baltic States And Tourism Development, Ann-Christine Hellstrand

Theses

Not listed.

Developing Career Satisfaction For Culinarians Through The American Restaurant 2000 A.D., Paul Sorgule

Theses

Not listed.

The Identification Of Work-Environment Factors Effecting Dysfunctional Employee Turnover At A Resort Property: A Case Study, Christopher Menna

Theses

The purpose of this study is to identify a list of work-environment factors present at a resort property that participant employees feel effect employee turnover, and consequently interfere with good customer service. This was accomplished through extensive in-depth interviews conducted with 28 systematically selected employees from all departments of the property studied. The interview schedule utilized was primarily unstructured to provide the respondents with the greatest latitude in expressing their impressions. The results of the interviews revealed specific patterns of responses relating only to the various departments of the participants. The results also revealed two general patterns of responses present …

The Impact Of Videoconferencing On The Corporate Travel Industry, Mary Elizabeth Grieco

Theses

The wave of the future for businesses is technology. New technology is evolving everyday and in particular, the videoconferencing industry is steadily growing. The corporate travel industry may be influenced by videoconferencing. The focus of this study was to identify the impacts of videoconferencing on management decisions for employee travel. A review of literature, focusing on information technology and videoconferencing was completed. Information was gathered by studying industry journals and current publications. A questionnaire was used to collect further research. The survey was sent to decision makers for employee travel. The questionnaire was designed to capture both present and future …

Customer Satisfaction Measures As Indicators Of Sevice Performance, Jon Kemp

Theses

This document contains a study of customer satisfaction measures that indicate service performance. The study was performed with the customers of a facilities maintenance service company and focused specifically on janitorial/ cleaning services provided on a contract basis. A discussion of quality and specifically service quality involving both importance and measurement is provided to set the framework for the study. Dimensions of service quality and customer perceptions of service quality are discussed in detail. Methods used to guide the research, to gather and to refine customer data include the critical incidents technique, focus groups, and item analysis surveys. One final …

A Profile Of Executives From Hotel Management Companies, Dohee Kang

Theses

This project is focused to identify desirable characteristics of hotel executives from hotel management companies. Research is conducted by studying articles in industry periodicals, journals and those involving business management. A questionnaire to 13 hotel management companies is used to obtain objective data as a practical source for this study. The study identified desirable personal and professional characteristics of hotel executives and other related information from the analysis of responses. The findings of this study are the most part accordance with previous studies and with widely held beliefs in the industry. These may be used for reliable criteria in selecting …

Feasibility Of A Cook-Chill System For Medium Sized, Multi-Site Healthcare Facilities, Nancy Leonard

Theses

This research study examined the variables that a hospital foodservice director would analyze when considering the possibility of a Cook-Chill food production system for their facility. Data collection from 84 directors who had been involved in the decision making process, was obtained through the use of a specifically designed survey. Directors were asked questions regarding demographics, employee relations, customer satisfaction, manufacturer preference, and financial data. Results indicated that the foodservice directors maintained or increased the level of customer satisfaction after implementing Cook-Chill . The financial aspects showed a return on investment in a relatively short period of time and in …

Puerto Rico 2000: Building A New Future, Griselle Boria-Marcano

Theses

This study focuses on the identification of limiting conditions affecting the tourism industry in Puerto Rico. In order to provide a clear understanding of the tourism situation of the island, a broad outlook of the tourism performance is presented. It includes an economic background of Puerto Rico and the tourism activity, as well as a discussion of the areas involved and their problematic issues. The information gathered for this study was developed through personal interviews and primary data sources. While searching for problematic issues affecting the tourism industry, eight limits to growth were identified as most relevant: High Hotel Room …

A Decision Making Environment The Healthcare Industry, Terry Ovenshire

Theses

This was a pilot study on the decision making environments in the health care industry. A critical incident questionnaire which was developed by Boone & Kilmann (1988) and later used by Janet Barnard (1992) in her research "Decision Environments of Small Firms" was adapted. The questionnaires were sent to 201 employees at the facility in the first sampling. A response of almost 50% was received, but the food service department was only represented by 3 respondents. It was decided that a second sampling would be sent to that department to assure a large enough set of respondents to use as …

The Eden Alternative, Jennifer Ellen Gettman

Theses

The purpose of this study and program implementation was to integrate animal, plants, and teamwork philosophy into the nursing home environment. The focus of measurement was to identify the therapeutic value of the Eden Alternative in nursing home residents.

Utilizing the Yesavage Geriatric depression scale, 196 residents of a St. Louis based nursing home were studied. Fifty-five percent of the residents were identified of having some depression. Utilizing the long form of the Yesavage tool, residents were questioned to establish a base level of minimal, moderate, and severe depression. In a six-month follow-up, 22% of the severely depressed were reassessed. …

The Downsizing Of American Corporations: Have They Gone Too Far?, Patricia A. Sturm

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of corporate downsizing and its impact on Americans and American businesses. Has it really been the cure-all that most top executives believe it to be, or is it simply a temporary fix that creates additional problems? Whatever the answer, this phenomenon, which began in the early eighties and still exists today, has changed the way corporations do business and the way Americans feel about their jobs.

Over the years executives have made many mistakes as they took a slash and burn type of approach toward eliminating jobs. They found that although this method …

The Analysis And Isolation Of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning Toxins, Seán S. Kelly

Theses

This research was initiated to examine the Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) toxin profiles in mussels (Mytilus edulis) in south-west Ireland. Extensive sampling and testing of shellfish was conducted during the toxic periods of 1991 to 1994. This was the most comprehensive study ever undertaken of toxin profiles in shellfish from a single cultivation area.

A new toxin named dinophysistoxin-2 (DTX-2), which is an isomer of okadaic acid (OA), was the major toxin during prolonged DSP episodes. This toxicity in shellfish occuired soon after high cell counts of Dinophysis acuta were observed. As well as seasonal variability in toxin levels, substantial …

Quality Service In A Large Metropolitan Healthcare Facility's Cafeteria: A Comparison Of Customer Perceptions And Management Perceptions As Measured By Servqual, James Frederiksen

Theses

100% Customer Satisfaction is one of the most critical challenges management in large, metropolitan health-care facilities will face as they move into the next century. To achieve this goal, managers and administrators need to measure the quality of service they provide in their facilities, analyze the data collected to identify areas where improvements are necessary, and finally, develop appropriate actions to implement the necessary improvements. This study focused on determining what implications does a comparison of customer and management/employee perceptions have on a large, metropolitan health-care facility's cafeteria's quality service level? The project sought to answer this question by investigating …

Suicide In The Elderly: A Study Of Physicians Education, Training, And Resources, Garrett Glen Wood

Theses

In the United States, the suicide rate is highest among the elderly community. Moreover, studies have concluded that elderly individuals who commit suicide see a physician 75% of the time within a month of committing the act. Therefore, it is important for physicians to be aware of the high rate of suicide among this age group.

A questionnaire developed by the researcher was sent to 200 practicing physicians associated with a health center located in a moderate sized midwestern suburb 30 miles from a large metropolitan city. The questionnaire was based on a Rockwell and O'Brien (1973) study. Therefore, the …

Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks: Selling Lifelong Learning To Adults, Suzanne Walton

Theses

As St. Charles County continues to grow, more businesses and industries are locating here. Companies often require specialized training for their employees. When companies train their employees, firms will often utilize outside services or consulting firms. With many companies downsizing, many individuals face a mid-life career change. They need to learn new skills, but do not have the time or capital to return to school full time.

Both companies and individuals desire to gain knowledge of new technologies, but not necessarily in the traditional classroom setting with the pressure of homework assignments and tests. While St. Charles County Community College …

Corporate Image: The Role Of Communications In Development And Maintenance, Michelle L. Warner

Theses

This thesis will focus on corporate image - what it is, what it does, why it is necessary and how to develop and maintain it.

The term "corporate identity'' was first coined in the 1960's by Walter Margulies. Corporate identity is the term most commonly used to define a corporation's "sense of self." Corporate image is a direct offshoot of identity. Corporate image is the picture that an audience has of an organization through the accumulation of all received messages.

The bridge between corporate identity and corporate image is corporate communications. The most effective way to manage corporate image is …

Long Term Care Policy And Procedure Manual, Glynis Warters

Theses

This culminating project will focus on the changes that have occurred in the medical world and how those changes have, and will continue to impact the elderly, specifically in the long term care setting .

Over the years the main consideration of health care has changed from direct patient impact to direct dollar impact . With these changes has come the ethical dilemma of providing care for the elderly in a dignified and individualized manner while maintaining a positive cash flow . No longer will society accept mediocre care for the elderly, gone are the days of few and poorly …

The Investigation Of The Needs Of Contemporary Woman And Development Of The Business Plan For Time For You, Ltd., Paula P. Macmann

Theses

This project focuses on the changing roles - and subsequent needs - of today's women.

Society slowly adapts to change; consequently, the responses to women's needs result in some being met, some only being addressed while others are completely ignored.

Still. changes in society have afforded unique opportunities for today's woman. Associated with these opportunities comes challenges. Segments of society continue to hold gender based stereotypical beliefs limiting women to traditional roles. But a new version of women's potential has emerged in the last quarter century. These new attitudes open up a more expanded scope of roles. They also result …

A Comparison On Student Motivation Of Students Who Enroll Voluntarily And Involuntarily A Vocational Training Program, Teresa Ross-Taylor

Theses

The present study compared the motivation of female students who enrolled in a federally funded vocational training program voluntarily with those who enrolled involuntarily. The federal government has mandated that females receiving public aid must complete a trade and obtain full-time employment. The study was conducted from January 1, 1994 through March 31, 1994. Motivation was evaluated by vocational completion, average length of stay (ALOS) , and GED completion. The students have to complete all the required assignments and pass a competency test in the vocational area to be considered a vocational completer. In addition, they were required to complete …

The Impact Of Year-Round School On Stress In Elementary School Teachers, Henriette Ingeborg Baker

Theses

In an effort to assess the impact of year-round school on teacher stress, a sample of 39 elementary school teachers from a year-round school was compared with a sample of 35 teachers from an elementary school in an adjacent district that is on a traditional schedule. A measure of teacher stress, the Teacher stress Inventory (TSI), was administered to the teachers after they had completed one-half of the school year. Analysis of the data revealed that there was no significant difference in stress levels between the year-round teachers and the teachers on the traditional schedule. Stress levels were in the …

An Investigation Into The Development, Design, And Feasibility Of A Comprehensive Breast Diagnostic Center, Kelly W. Emrick

Theses

This thesis will focus on the feasibility of implementing, operating, and managing a free standing comprehensive breast diagnostic center for the detection of breast disease.

The important concern for diagnosis, treatment, and management of breast cancer in women is no new theory to the health care industry. Current public awareness of breast cancer is at an all time high. Every day the American public hears some aspect on the subject, whether it is on the evening news, TIME magazine, or just by word of mouth at the office.

This business plan will provide an all encompassing prospectus for potential investors …

Empirical Research Study Of Rates Of Return On Earnings And Cash Flow, Joseph A. Agiato

Theses

Business valuation texts and reference sources all seem to indicate that the rate of return on cash flow should be between 300 and 600 basis points lower than the rate of return for earnings. Thus, when using a build-up approach to determine the rate of return on cash flow, an addition of between 3 percent and 6 percent is necessary to arrive at a rate of return on earnings. This thesis analyzes the relationship between earnings and cash flow (as dividends) over a two year period from 1993 to 1994.

The purpose of this study was to study the relationship …

The Importance Of Utilizing Older Workers As They Become A More Significant Factor In America's Work Force, Marilyn K. Brown

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of how America's companies are beginning to realize what a valuable asset their older employees have become. These people bring years of experience, knowledge , skill and loyalty to the work place. Contrary to stereotypes of older workers being slow, inflexible, unproductive, costly, uncreative and not adaptable , organizations are discovering that these people in general do not fit this "mold."

Throughout history there has been a change in attitudes toward older individuals. During colonial America, age represented authority, power , arrogance and greed. Around the time of the American Revolution, equality among …

Evolution Of The Workplace: Where Do We Go From Here?, Patricia L. Brockmeyer

Theses

This paper will take the reader on a fascinating journey through the workplace from colonial times to the decade of 2000+. It will be a tumultuous roller coaster ride with victories and sacrifices for both employees and employers. It will begin with the birth of our country when labor was largely concentrated either in agriculture, or people were self employed in retail, or skilled trades. It will identify the somewhat nefarious methods for obtaining servants, from Europe and Africa when indentured servants and slaves provided cheap labor.

Soon the industrial revolution invaded the shores of the new nation and workers …

Breast Cancer: New Cause For Concern, Karen L. Prideaux

Theses

This thesis will focus on the results of eight randomized studies and how these results were utilized by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to change their guidelines for breast cancer screening mammography in women 40-49 years of age.

The incidence of breast cancer has been steadily on the rise since the 1970s. This increase in the number of new cases has caused some individuals to view breast cancer as an epidemic.

To date, research has not answered the question of what causes breast cancer, although their are many theories. Therefore, since the disease can not be prevented, women must rely …