Digital Commons Network^™

Baby Boomers' Feelings On The Relationship Between Price And Quality, Rebecca A. Hudzik-Presson

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of Baby Boomers and the impact their particular generation has upon the type of products they purchase.

Marketing research has indicated that generational data can be very helpful. Generational factors provide a framework for understanding the marketplace. Many marketers who want to appeal to Baby Boomers attempt to recognize what interests Boomers. A fundamental truth is that marketers who take into account age group have an important competitive advantage over those who do not.

Research has also indicated that Baby Boomers show some loyalty to brand names. They look at quality as a …

The Valuation Of Family Limited Partnership Interests, Steven J. Krekeler

Theses

The focus of this report is on using family limited partnerships to reduce wealth transfer taxes. This report will explain how valuation discounts applicable to family limited partnership interests enable wealth to be transferred which avoids gift and estate tax. Furthermore, the report will discuss why some family partnership valuation discounts are accepted by the IRS and others are rejected, including steps taxpayers and their professional advisors can take to increase their chances of success.

Senior family members throughout the U.S. have a growing interest in preserving their wealth for the next generation. Many are not aware that 55% or …

Impact Of Peer-Tutoring On Rural At-Risk Fourth And Fifth Grade Students, Catherine J. Kremer

Theses

This study was designed to assess the impact of one full semester of peer- tutoring on 30 fourth and fifth grade at-risk students in a rural Midwestern community. A paired t - test was performed on the students' Grade Point Average (G.P.A . ) before and after tutoring. Statistical analysis of t he data revealed that students who received peer tutoring experienced a statistically significant gain in academic achievement as measured by G. P .A. Research leading to this study indicated that at - risk students do benefit from same gender peer assistance in homework, reading and math skills when …

Current Trends In Designing A Therapeutic Milieu For The Victims Of Alzheimer's Disease, Nancy J. Allen

Theses

The increasing awareness of the need to appropriately manage victims of Alzheimer's disease has created an explosion of special care units across the country. This research project was designed to investigate the most current trends in caring for these individuals and the complex issues that are involved in the creation and operation of a therapeutic environment. Several existing Alzheimer's special care units in the St. Louis area are examined and compared. The results of this survey reveal the status of these units and how they compare to the desired therapeutic milieu described in this exercise.

Children's Type A Behavior Pattern As It Relates To Self Esteem, Tami N. Earlewine

Theses

The relationship between Type A Behavior pattern in elementary children and their self esteem was examined using 68 students. The participants were third, fourth and fifth graders in the Montgomery County School District in central Missouri, who completed the Coopersmith Self Esteem Inventory (School Form). ln addition these students were also assessed for Type A behavior pattern by their teachers using the Matthew's Youth Test for Health. Correlational results indicated that there was no relationship between a child's Type A behavior pattern and self esteem.

Innovative Business Communication And Its Effect On The Bottom Line, Jane M. Lloyd

Theses

This thesis will examine a variety of business communication styles and show how various forms of communication can have an impact on a company's profitability.

Although a number of variables have been known to contribute to a company's bottom line - sales volume, cost of production, quality of products, etc. - only in the last ten to fifteen years have companies begun to look at the impact their business communication techniques have on productivity.

In these times of downsizing, rightsizing, and reengineering, it is more important than ever to maintain open lines of communication among all levels of employees. It …

Changing Policies Regarding Advertising In Taiwan & Their Impacts, Li-Tzu Yang

Theses

Mass media is not only an important tool to develop social change but also a condition to ensure democracy's continued development. Before the lifting of martial law, newspaper publication was controlled by the KMT Party. This situation meant that the mass media had no freedom and could not decide for themselves what to publish. After the lifting of martial law, Taiwan experienced great changes in politics, economics, society and culture. These huge change were reflected in mass media before and after martial law and are the purpose of this research analysis. Specifically, the role advertising played before the lifting of …

The Relationship Between Attributional Style, Self-Concept, And Class Placement In Students With And Without Learning Disabilities, Lynette Ship

Theses

The current investigation was conducted to examine the relationship between attributional style, self-concept, and class placement in students with and without learning disabilities. Subjects included both students with and without learning disabilities from third, fourth, and fifth grade classrooms. The students who participated in the study were involved in either general or full inclusion programs. Students classified with learning disabilities in the general education program were pulled out for resource room services, while those in the full inclusive programs did not receive pull out services. All students were given the Children's Attributional Style Questionnaire and the Piers-Harris Children's Self-concept Scale. …

Implementation Of The Wavelet-Galerkin Method For Boundary Value Problems, Adam Scheider

Theses

The objective of this work is to develop a systematic method of implementing the Wavelet-Galerkin method for approximating solutions of differential equations. The beginning of this project included understanding what a wavelet is, and then becoming familiar with some of the applications. The Wavelet-Galerkin method, as applied in this paper, does not use a wavelet at all. In actuality, it uses the wavelet's scaling function. The distinction between the two will be given in the following sections of this paper. The sections of this thesis will include defining wavelets and their scaling functions. This will give the reader valued insight …

The Study Of Artificial Space And Metaphysical, Jong-Pil Pyun

Theses

This documentation will describe a journey of abstract art in glass. The process of each of the steps and the aesthetic concerns therein will be narrated in the following interpretation. The purpose of the MFA thesis is to investigate both artificial, negative and positive space and to exemplify metaphysical energy in glass sculpture. My aes thetic intention for the sculpture is to create dynamic, active, and energetic move ment in geometric forms which are symbolic of living creatures. This will be done by employing graphic images of centuries old Korean geometrical patterns. Historical research has allowed me to push traditional …

Development Of A Test Method To Determine The Relative Barrier Performance Of Polymeric Films To Flavor Loss Of Methyl Salicylate, Russell Wright

Theses

The increased use of polymer films to package a wide range of flavor compounds in various products creates a problem in trying to recommend appropriate materials. There is a need to identify tools that enable the engineer to simplify the selection process through ranking the relative adsorption of such compounds with different polymer films. The study of one such compound, Methyl Salicylate, was conducted for polymer films representing commodity and engineering barrier films. The films tested were Polypropylene, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Polyethylene Napthalate, Aclar, and Liquid Crystal Polymer. The testing was conducted with a Thermogravimetric Analyzer to determine the relative amount …

Design Characteristics Unique To The Flexographic Printing Process, Barry Lee

Theses

The flexographic printing process has been used for package printing applications since the late 1800's. Recent improvements in the flexographic technology have enabled flexographic printers to compete in new market areas that have historically been served by roto-gravure or offset lithographic printing. Occurring simultaneously with the flexographic printing improvements has been the infusion of personal computer-based graphic design capabilities. Designers can optimize quality only when they understand the strengths and weaknesses of the printing process that will be used to mass produce their design. Desktop design capabilities and the need for flexographic print quality to match or exceed lithographic and …

The Compression Strength Comparison Of Corrugated Shipping Containers, Printed By Thick And Thin Plate, Worawut Sriratbunterng

Theses

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of direct flexographic printing on the compression strength of the RSC style containers when high quality graphics were printed, using thick and thin plate technology. Three factors were studied including: 1) different plate technology (thick and thin), 2) number of colors being printed (one and three), 3) printing impression (light and heavy). The compression strength comparison of the preprint and the postprint were also examined. The results showed that using the thick plate technology caused a significant reduction in the compression strength of printed containers, compared to either preprint containers …

Evaluation Of Subdivision Methods Used In Octree Ray Tracing Algorithms, Scott Brown

Theses

The non-uniform spatial subdivision technique refined by Andrew Glassner [Glassner 1984] minimizes facet intersection tests (i) by automatically generating a density dependent spatial hierarchy of facet regions (called an octree) and (ii) by only testing facets in regions along the path of the ray. Past research has addressed optimization of the octree ray tracing process by separately improving both the octree traversal method and facet intersection algorithms. This author attempted to further improve the overall approach by attempting to identify new octree construction methods that would decrease the number of traversals required to render the scene. This research focused on …

Devil Went Down To Georgia, Kent Francis

Theses

Not provided.

Hu-Tucker Alogorithm For Building Optimal Alphabetic Binary Search Trees, Sashka Davis

Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to study the behavior of the Hu- Tucker algorithm for building Optimal Alphabetic Binary Search Trees (OABST), to design an efficient implementation, and to evaluate the performance of the algorithm, and the implementation. The three phases of the algorithm are described and their time complexities evaluated. Two separate implementations for the most expensive phase, Combination, are presented achieving 0(n2) and O(nlogn) time and 0(n) space complexity. The break even point between them is experimentally established and the complexities of the implementations are compared against their theoretical time complexities. The electronic version of "The Complete …

Highly Interactive Multimedia Application Design, Woo-Jong Yoo

Theses

None provided.

Beyond Buttons: Explorations In Creative Storytelling, Dominic Amatore

Theses

None provided.

Justification Cost Of Packaging Lines Automation For Canned Chunk Pineapple In Syrup, Tunyarut Viriyapituk

Theses

This study is focused on the cost justification of the different levels of packaging line automation: manual, semi-automatic, and fully automatic of canned chunk pineapple in syrup which is packed in #10 cans. The packaging line criteria and the line designs are established. The suitable machines and the labor input for each step of the packaging line are indicated. In addition, the total machine cost and the total labor input for each level of packaging line automation are shown and compared. As a result, in Thailand, the manual packaging line shows the lowest production cost However, in the US, the …

Experimental Study Of Performance Of Minimum Spanning Tree Algorithms, Alec Berenbaum

Theses

Throughout the study of various theories of algorithms much work has been done in the area of traversal and solving optimization problems on graphs. Some of this work includes studies of finding the Minimal-Cost Spanning Trees (MST) in directed and undirected connected graphs. Several algorithms have been developed for such task. These algorithms tend to differ in performance based on various factors, such as graph density, size of problem spaces, range of weights that can be assigned to the edges of the graphs, edge weight distributions, etc. The data structures used by an algorithm can have a significant impact on …

A Comparison Of Highly Efficient Iterative Linear Solvers, Akbar Chowdhury

Theses

A number of iterative techniques have recently been developed which are extremely efficient at solving systems of linear equations. Of these methods probably the most recognized is the Conjugate Gradient Method (CG). This is an extremely efficient solver and has been used successfully for a number of years now. A newer method proposed initially by Davidson [1] is studied in this paper. This method has proven itself in terms of efficiency by solving the same system (of order 2000) that was solved by the CG method. It converged in approximately 40 iterations, taking less than five minutes to do so[5], …

A Study Of Aeration Effects On Direct Acting Hydraulic Valve Train Systems, Deborah Green

Theses

The amount of research in the area of mass transfer of air as a bubble in hydraulic fluid or lubricant is very limited. There are only a few studies on the interaction of oils with air, especially knowledge of air solubility of the oil and diffusivity of dissolved air in oil, namely aeration. This paper will study the effect of aeration on a direct acting hydraulic valve lifter system in an internal combustion engine. Aeration is, primarily, influenced by hydrodynamic factors such as, design features of the oil system and the physicochemical characteristics of the oil. The direct acting hydraulic …

Composition And Environmental Assessment Of Soils From United Arab Emirates, Torfa Alsheba Khames Alsheriani

Theses

The study focuses on the mineral and chemical composition, the textural characters and environmental assessment of some soils from the UAE. About forty soil samples were collected from AI Ain District and the Eastern Mountain District. Soils in AI Ain and its suburb are strongly influenced by the aeolian sedimentation, while those of the Eastern Mountain are formed in narrow valleys strikingly close to ophiolitic hinterland.

The studied soils· are remarkably impoverished in clay size fraction and clay minerals as well. This is due to the impeded chemical weathering under the prevailing arid climate. Corroborative techniques including X-ray diffraction, infrared …

A Study Of Heat-Seal Strength In The Presence Of Edible Oil Surface Contamination Of Ethylene-Methacrylic Acid Copolymer Films, David Britt

Theses

Packages made from flexible film often use a heat-sealing process to ensure closure. The process involves joining two surfaces of film with heat and pressure across a period of time. Heat-seal problems arise when another substance partially obstructs the film-to-film contact. This substance acts as a surface contaminant. In packaging operations, the product being packaged is often the source of contamination in the sealing process. Testing heat-seal strength is a primary method for evaluating seal performance of flexible film. Test procedures require contaminant-free film samples to maintain accuracy and precision in results. This study altered the test method to explore …

A Comparative Analysis Of A Returnable/Reusable Packaging System, Susan Starks

Theses

The primary objective of this study was to determine if the implementation of a returnable/reusable container system was financially viable for a specific company. The study attempted to document all cost parameters involved in making a capital budgeting decision regarding returnable containers. The specific cost parameters applicable to this project were then identified. The actual cost associated with each parameter was then obtained either through quotation or calculation. Several capital budget decision making cost analysis methods were presented. One method which best represented the project's qualifying factors was then chosen. The analysis was completed and the results were presented. The …

Development And Validation Of Flow-Injection (Continuous-Flow) Elisa Techniques., Declan Gerard Spillane

Theses

A flow-through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed based on affinity chromatography using the determination of ferritin in serum as a model system. In this method, samples and standards are introduced to separate columns containing immobilised anti-ferritin antibody, and antigen bound by solid-phase antibody is subsequently detected using an anti-ferritin-alkaline phosphatase conjugate. To detect immobilised label, p-nitrophenyl phosphate is added and product is developed in the column at room temperature. Following elution of product from the column, the absorbance is measured and the columns are regenerated using a low pH elution. The final developed system requires approximately 1.5 h for the …

Molecular Analysis Of The Factor V-Leiden Mutation In A Cardiac Transplant Patient Population, Caroline Maher

Theses

Venous thrombosis is a serious health problem affecting 1 in 1000 individuals annually. Until recently the pathogenic factors underlying thrombosis were associated with genetic defects in protein C, protein S and antithrombin III. However these were recognised in fewer than 5-10% of thrombotic patients. A breakthrough was made with the discovery of activated protein C resistance (APCr) which is associated in 90% of cases v/herein a G-->A transition in the factor V gene results in an abnormal molecule, Factor V Leiden. APCr is a major risk factor for thrombosis being present in 20-60% of thrombotic patients. Recently a G-^A …

An Economic Assessment Of The Tourism Industry In The Tralee Area And Possible Future Development, Patrick M. Mcelligott

Theses

This study has been carried out at a time when Tralee is trying to develop a viable tourism industry and aims at analysing the impact of this process. It studies Tralee s transition over the last decade from being a commercial town to becoming a recognised tourist destination. The present state of the local tourism product is portrayed and fixture courses of action suggested. This analysis is conducted utilising the views of tourists, tourism operators in the town and current industry thinking. Relevant hterature is examined and questionnaire surveys of tourists and accommodation providers were administered and their results investigated. …

Replacing A Corrugated Carton With A Multiwall Paper Bag For Food Wraps, Dianne Heiler

Theses

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of replacing a corrugated container with a multiwall paper bag for the packaging of food wraps used in the "Quick - Serve" foodservice industry. The study was limited to one specific restaurant chain and for only one size of food wraps. Laboratory testing was used to compare the performance attributes of both package systems. This study will provide a model for quantifying package source reduction when comparing a rigid package design to a flexible one. The results show that, indeed, a multiwall paper bag is a feasible alternative to a …

A Review Of Distributional Methods In The Peoples's Republic Of China, Gaylynn Durkin

Theses

Eastman Kodak Company will begin production of photographic sensitized goods in China in 1998. The purpose of this study was to examine the transportation infrastructure of the country and to estimate whether the distribution environment was likely to be more severe than those previously tested. The study used work previously done by Kodak to examine the magnitude and frequency of package drops in three other countries. While not performing the same instrumented analysis previously undertaken, this study laid the foundation for those types of tests by examining the geography, infrastructure, vehicles and handling cycle used to distribute products in China. …