Digital Commons Network^™

Early Retirement, Julie L. Brown

Theses

The purpose of this study was to show the increasing rate of early retirement offered by corporations as a means of reducing the work force today. The study was also conducted to point out that more and more employees are opting for early retirement and taking the buyout.

A survey of 11 questions was administered to 22 participants from various age groups and employers for the study. The data analysis consisted of the measures of central tendencies: mean, median and mode, along with cross tabulations to test early retirement hypothesis.

The survey results were rather interesting. It was discovered that …

The Motivation Of A Collegiate Level Educator Is Mobility Within The Profession, Andrew V. Carter

Theses

For as long as there have been Colleges and Universities, graduates have been making career decisions. The decision one makes to become a collegiate level educator has been made by thousands since this time. Due to this, the motivations these educators have felt are quite interesting.

This project will examine the motivations of the collegiate level educator. It will attempt to prove that the mobility within education is the greatest motivator.

The reader will become familiarized with history of the educator and the motivations that are present.

After the reader has been brought up to date, the author will attempt, …

The 1986 Tax Reform Act And Its Effect On The Office Building Market In St. Louis County, Pat P. Clark

Theses

Prior to the 1986 Tax Act , the real estate industry enjoyed privileged status granted by the Economic Recovery and Tax Act of 1981 . Because of flagrant abuse of the provisions of the 1981 Act, Congress passed the 1986 Tax Reform Act in order to curtail certain activities in the real estate market that had become unhealthy for the economy of the United States . Therefore, it is the intent of this project to show its readers that the 1986 Tax Reform Act had a negative impact on the office building market in St. Louis County.

The following pages …

Masks: A Viable Option For The Modern Stage, L. Arlene Chapman

Theses

It is the position of this paper that masks have a viable place on the stage today. As we look at the historical usage and at the present views of masks, we will see the mystical effect of masks has not changed. Although our technology has improved, masks still create a mystical illusion for the audience and for the actor. Learning of the many techniques and approaches to mask-making has been a delightful experience. I must thank Niki Juncker for the many times she has cleared my muddled thinking. Without her guidance I am sure this project would not have …

The Health Care Industry: Union Vs. Management, Maria Ciolfi

Theses

'This paper will begin with an overview of the legal enactments which allowed the National Labor Relations Board {NLRB) jurisdiction in the health care sector.. It will discuss the development of the reimbursement system, technological advancements and their. effect on the health care industry.

Based on these issues have developments, several human relations issues have emerged resulting in union activity in the health care environment . A dichotomy arises when both management and labor strive for high quality patient care . Management is forced to operate with in cost constraints , leaving labor to battle for equitable wages and benefits …

Noncommissioned Officer Education : The Need For Academic And Training Standards, Frederick Kelly Read

Theses

The purpose of this paper was to examine the high failure rate at the U. S. Army Reserve's noncommissioned officer academies . Specifically, this paper addressed three hypotheses which may influence the failure rate. The are : (a) The development of a procedures manual for instructors would be beneficial , (b) the current curriculum should be changed, and (c) students should be pre-tested.

To ascertain which of these interventions may reduce the failure rate, the researcher : (a) conducted an extensive literature review, (b) developed opinion surveys for students, instructors, and administrators , and (c) conducted on site visits.

The …

The Benefits And Detriments Of Beer: Health And Economic Impact, James M. Rice

Theses

This thesis will focus on studies which have been conducted showing both the benefits and detriments of beer to health. Further, illegal drugs and beer will be compared, regarding economic impact and effect on users.

In recent years, the beer industry has been attacked by the media and other elements of society. It is considered a detriment to health by some. The negative media attention in recent years has given the beer industry and its products a bad image. Further, in the last 24 months, efforts have been made by supporters of the anti-alcohol movement to equate beer with illegal …

The Struggles For Success: Quality Of Work Life At General Motors Wentzville, Betty Sue Schumpert-Anderson

Theses

The implementation of team concept at General Motors (G.M.) Wentzville (Missouri) appears to be on the road to failure. By tradition, G.M. management and union relationships have been conflicting, but since the 1930's both parties have agreed that a more cohesive working environment would be advantageous for both parties. In the early 1970's General Motors and the United Auto Workers Union signed an agreement to start a new Quality-Of-Work-Life (QWL) program. This agreement lead to the development of team concept at General Motors Wentzville. Wentzville tried to model their team concept program similar to the Japanese but they seemed to …

The Determination Of The Most Important Criteria To The Success Of A Patient Care Hospital Information System, Robin Chris Henson

Theses

The focus of this thesis is the criteria which contribute to the overall success of a patient care hospital information system. A review of the literature discusses each stage of the implementation process in depth as the success of the final implementation is dependent upon the success of each individual phase. There are five major phases which are evident . These include planning, selection, development , training, and conversion. Each phase possesses many elements necessary for the successful completion of that particular phase and for the entrance into the next phase.

As our society progresses out of the "Industrial Age" …

Direct And Inferential Communication: An Investigation Of The Development Of Oral Communication Styles In Children Through Converging Methods, James H. Hoerchler

Theses

In an investigation involving 43 residents of a children's residential treatment facility, communication styles were determined through correlation of data from three converging measures. The participants received commands ranging from unspoken gestures to direct oral instructions. Communication styles were determined through three measures: Physical responses to seven commands (CT), written responses to a variation of the Zajonc line test (LT), and a psychometric instrument (DIPT).

The purpose of this study was twofold: To determine if communication style are observable and measurable, and to design a psychometric instrument specifically for this population, the Direct/Inferential Psychometric Test (DIPT), to measure direct and …

Assessment Of Integration In R & D / Marketing Interface Conditions In The New Product Development Process, Pamela A. Hoffman

Theses

This thesis will focus on the relationship between the Research and Development (R&D) and marketing functions as they relate to the new product development process in a corporate setting.

New product development processes are a complex and dynamic series of activities which require a transition in the organization from a hierarchical structure to a colleague-based, horizontal structure. Cross-departmental teams and project management methods lead to shared responsibilities for new products among R&D, manufacturing, and marketing groups.

Research has established that communication problems, goal conflicts, and a lack of openness often characterize the relationship between R&D and marketing. Research has also …

Development Of A Psychometric Instrument For The Measurement Of Communication Styles, Michael G. Holler

Theses

In an investigation involving 30 subjects. a dichotomous communication-style construct was examined along three dimensions. with the intent to develop a psychometric instrument to measure the placement of individuals on a communication styles continuum . The hypothesized styles of communication were inferential and direct. The construct craws together the verbal. nonverbal. and paralinguistic components of communication into one configuration with some predictability. A single-group research design was used to i:x-oduce a condition in which reception of messages was observable and measurable along a scale. which ranged from extremely inferential to extremely direct. Three converging measurement methods were derived from the …

The Environmental Impact On Management Decisions, Daniel C. Ingham

Theses

This thesis will focus on how the environment will impact management decisions. The impact is measured in dollars when possible,

Management needs to have a working knowledge of how their decisions can impact the environment and ultimately the bottom line. The environmental impact ranges from depletion of the ozone to contamination of groundwater. The potential business changes due to the environment cover the range from the planning to the disposal stages of a product and to include shifts in marketing and advertising strategies.

The environment is getting more attention today from the public than at any other time. The public …

A Qualitative Study Of Battered Women: Historical And Practical Considerations, Patricia Ann Terry

Theses

This study is concerned with battered women and how they define themselves and their roles in society. This study focused on those battered women who were physically abused by the men with whom they lived. Women who were abused emotionally but not physically were excluded from this study.

The methodology employed in this research project was qualitative. A one-hour personal interview using open-ended questions was the method used by the researcher. The sample consisted of eight women who had been married to abusive men.

The intent of the study was to discover how practical and historical considerations impacted on a …

The Impact Of Appraisal Reform On Ad Valorem Appraisal Practices: A Case Study Of Assessment Practices In The State Of Missouri, Steven A. Teague

Theses

This study examines the implications of Title XI of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA) on the practice of real property appraisal, with a focus on its application to ad valorem property assessment in Missouri. FIRREA was enacted in response to the savings and loan crisis, which exposed widespread weaknesses in the appraisal profession and the valuation process used by financial institutions. The paper traces the federal government’s effort to restore confidence in the real estate market through the establishment of uniform appraisal standards and the creation of regulatory oversight mechanisms. Central to this reform …

A Study Of Nine Elderly Tenants In A Program For Assistance In Living And Drug And Food Interaction, Jane Mcintosh Thompson

Theses

Nine elderly tenants living independently in a retirement complex in their apartment in a program for the frail elderly were studied.

This study consisted of interviews of various professionals such as doctors, nurses, social workers, and an executive director; conversations with the tenants, their families, and aides working with the tenants; reading numerous articles and books; announced and unannounced visits to nursing homes, hospitals, and a facility for the handicapped; conversations with some of the residents and staff during the visits; observations of the elderly in the apartment and facilities visited; concluding with a brief study of the medications taken …

A Qualitative Study Of The Experience Of Breast Cancer Surgery: How Women Cope And What They Need, Malone Aderholt

Theses

This is a study of the internal and external experiences of women who have been breast surgery patients and have been forced to make adjustments in many areas of their lives. The study focused on the necessity of the breast cancer patient to face life in an altered state , which affects her physical , social, emotional and sexual well-being , as well as confronting her with the issues of death and dying.

The methodology employed in t his study was qualitative. Information was solicited through the use of informal personal interviews conducted by the researcher . A single one …

A Theoretical Model For Pre-Bereavement Counseling With Hospice Families And Research Into Its Implications Regarding Prevention Of Complicated Mourning, Elise Suzanne Miller

Theses

The proposal for research outlined herein is designed as a method of meeting the emotional needs of hospice patients and their families as they endure one of the most stressful situations in which any family can find itself. It proposes a heretofore untried course of pre-bereavement family counseling and then proposes a research model which may determine whether such intervention can positively affect the relative health of the family members during the period of mourning following the death of the patient. Included is a specific outline of the possible course the pre-bereavement counseling should take as well as a thoroughly …

Implementation Of A Management Information System, Suzanne Margaret Moran

Theses

This project presents a history of occupational medicine and workers' compensation laws in the United States as a prelude to discussing the development of computer systems in occupational health. The history of a private corporate health service is outlined and the development of a management information system for that corporate health service is discussed. A computer instruction manual developed for the management information system is included. The results of an evaluation of the billing system, a major component of the management information system, indicate that the majority of the clients of the corporate health service are pleased with the system.

An Assessment Of A Black Community: Stress Effects Relating To Hypertension, Patricia Edwards Parrish

Theses

The north side of St. Louis was chosen by the author for many reasons. Perhaps the most important reason is the many stressors within the black community which attribute to health problems such as hypertension. Not only is hypertension more prevalent in blacks than whites, but it is also more severe (Butcher & Allen, Dec. 1989). The vital statistics indicate that the mortality risk in black patients with hypertension is approximately two to six times more than in whites.

Some other reasons for its selection are: This community, according to the Sixth District Police Department (Personal Communication, Jan., 1989), is …

Gender Preferences: The New Generation, Denise Kimberly Steele-Harl

Theses

Men and women between the ages of 18 and 29 were the subjects of a study designed to explore their gender preferences for their children , to examine the stated reasons for the preferences, and to consider the implications of these attitudes for the subjects and society as a whole . Four-hundred and forty- three respondents completed a one- page questionnaire addressing these issues and requesting data regarding sex, age , and marital status . The results were then compared to those of previous studies focusing on the issue of gender preference from the 1950s and 1970s. The new generation …

Agency Clustering: A Method To Survive The 1990'S As A Small Independent Insurance Agency, Donald L. Klein

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of the small independent insurance agent and a method to survive in the 1990's.

The small independent insurance agency is faced with a number of problems which may jeopardize the future existence of the independent system as we know it today. These concerns include: lack of market availability; higher premium volumes required by the insurance companies; intense competition from direct writers, captive agents, and national brokerage houses; increased office and operating expenses; and a perpetuation plan £or the business in the event of death, disability or retirement.

Many agents feel that in order …

Using Conformal Mapping To Aid In Computer Animation, Highland Mary Agnello

Theses

Not provided.

A Workshop For Teachers Using Manipulative Math Materials, Connie Rauch Burbes

Theses

The purpose of this paper was to justify the need for teachers to realize the value and accessibility of manipulatives in their classrooms. Principals in the Francis Howell School District felt the need from the comments made from their respective teaching staffs. A flyer sent to all K-2 district teachers describing the purpose of the workshop, substantiated the principals' feelings. A workshop with funding for each participant was set up for July 18. Research of literature and attendance at manipulative workshops by the presenter helped to build the knowledge and techniques that would be used in the presentation. An outline …

The Effects Of Health Promotion On Heart Disease In A Law Enforcement Agency, Scott Anthony Eacret

Theses

This paper demonstrates the validity or health promotion programs in the work place in the areas or health risk factors and health status. It concentrated on the effect that health promotion programs have on heart disease.

The Surgeon General suggests that institutions (e.g., schools, medical settings, and workplaces should provide the time, physical facilities, and behavioral programs that lead to increased participation at low levels or physical activity and to more vigorous exercise activity.

Some indicators that would be useful in convincing corporate managements to commit resources to health promotional projects would be reduction in absenteeism, improvements in staff members …

The Integration Of Marketing Concepts Within The Graphic Design Process, Michelle M. De Meyer

Theses

Not Included

Design And Implementation Of A Systolic Array To Solve The Algebraic Path Problem With The Specific Instance Of The Transistive And Reflexive Closure Of A Binary Relation, David Gene Mccall

Theses

The Algebraic Path Problem (APP) has many practical instances to be solved. The general solution by Robert and Trystram (1986) will be discussed along with the mapping and operation of the algorithm to a systolic array. The specific instance of the APP, the transistive and reflexive closure of a binary relation, will be implemented with a discussion of the different stages ranging from the logic equations to a method of the fabrication.

Drag Reduction In Pipe Flows With Polymer Additives, Daniel W. Grabowski

Theses

Polyethylene Oxides (PEO) with molecular weights of 4 and 6 million and a Polyacrylamide (PAM) with a molecular weight of 15 million, were added to a turbulent pipe flow (15000 < Re < 50000) for drag reduction. The polymer was injected directly into the test section in one scenario, premixed in a tank and then pumped through the test section in the second. The injection addition method was found to be optimal because it subjected the polymer to lower amounts of shear stresses than the premixed addition method. A maximum of 75% reduction in drag was obtained. Even trace concentrations, as low as 2.5 WPPM (weight parts per million) , resulted in as high as 37% reduction in drag. Long thin high molecular weight polymers (PEO) were more effective than coiled high molecular weight polymer (PAM) . For the same molecular structure it was found that the polymer with heavier molecules had better drag reducing characteristics. The polymer with coiled molecules, however, is more resistant to shear stresses which break down the polymer into smaller less effective molecules. It was found that there is a critical concentration for the greatest drag reduction. This concentration is approximately 375 WPPM (.0375% byweight) of PEO for the injection method, and 500 WPPM of PEO for the premixed method. At greater concentrations, the viscosity of the solution increases such that the drag reduction characteristics of the polymer can no longer compensate.

A Low Cost Charging System For The Electrophotographic Process, Michael Dececca

Theses

This design project documents the design of two low cost, easily assembled, easily replaced charging devices useable in the electrophotographic process. The design process begins with the purpose of the chargers and a comparison to previous designs. Manufacturing processes and material selections are covered. Two plastic springs are designed and analyzed using classical equations and finite element analysis. Consideration is given to temperature and time effects on these springs. The major plastic structure (the housing) is analyzed for stress and deflection using finite element analysis with consideration given to thermal and creep effects. Datum selection is discussed. Tolerance analysis is …

Reasoning With Visual Knowledge In An Object Recognition System, Christine Wojnowski

Theses

The impact of artificial intelligence on computer vision has provided various perspectives and approaches to solving problems of the human visual system. Some of the symbolic processing and knowledge-based techniques implemented in vision systems represent a meaningful extension to the low-level, algorithmic processing which has been emphasized since the advent of the computer vision field. The higher-level processes attempt to capture the essence of visual cognition, specifically by encompassing a model of the visual world and the reasoning processes that manipulate this stored visual knowledge and environmental cues. This thesis includes a discussion of existing computer vision systems surveyed from …