Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect Of Acute Alcohol Intoxication On Memory Scan And Memory Span In Working Memory, Dawn M. Kugler

Theses and Dissertations

The efficiency of working memory processes has been studied by many researchers. Verbal ability and intoxication with ethanol are two hypothesized influences on the efficiency of working memory processes. This study looked at these factors across two measures, memory span tasks and memory scan tasks. This study also examined the extent to which verbal ability modulates the effect of alcohol on working memory performance.

Seventy-eight male subjects participated in the present study. Subjects who reported drinking at least two drinks on two separate occasions per week were invited to participate. Subjects were administered the WAIS-R Vocabulary subtest and categorized as …

A Comparative Study Of Dod And Civilian Hospital Inventory Management Systems, Karen A. Lemay

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to determine if one method of inventory management would standardize procedures and minimize costs for Department of Defense and civilian hospitals. This was accomplished by conducting a comparative analysis of inventory management systems, used at Wright-Patterson Medical Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio; Kettering Medical Center, Kettering, Ohio; and Evans US Army Community Hospital, Ft. Carson, Colorado. The literature review examined various inventory management methods used for both general and hospital specific inventories. The thesis concluded that, although different automated systems were used at the three hospitals studied, the basis of each inventory …

Effective Design Of Strategic Control Systems For Air Force Information Management: A Program Evaluation, B. Bruce Cowser

Theses and Dissertations

Strategic planning and implementation and strategic controls offer organizations powerful and essential tools for proactive management. In Information Management (IM), they hold the key to successfully navigating the current turbulent environment. This study was conducted in order to evaluate strategic controls in Air Force Information Management, and to recommend ways to improve them. A model for strategic controls was developed from the literature to serve as a standard for evaluating current programs. Interviews were conducted at three major commands to gather data on the current state of strategic controls. A qualitative analysis methodology was selected, and recommendations include the following …

An Expert System For The Civil Engineering In-Service Work Plan, Philip W. Melancon

Theses and Dissertations

Civil Engineering managers make many decisions each day which could be aided using expert system technology. One of the most important decision processes affecting CE operations is the scheduling of work order to be accomplished each month. A good work order schedule, or In-Service Work Plan (IWP), can ensure that material and manpower resources are fully utilized, that base facilities are properly maintained, and that customers are satisfied. The purpose of this research was to build and test a PC-based prototype expert system to schedule the IWP. Expanding on previous research, a multiplicative weighting technique was developed to provide relative …

Curriculum, Pedagogy And Instruction In Aquatics: A Review Of The Literature., Roman John Horejsi

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is a review of research literature in swimming instruction since 1968. Such a review may be used by swimming instructors as a basis for aquatic instruction and curriculum development.The source of the data for this study was a review of literature from 1968 to the present published by organizations such as the American Red Cross and YMCA, professional journal articles, and textbooks written by recognized authorities.Some disagreement exists in the literature on the best method of adjusting the beginning swimmer to the water and how the initial experience in water relates to the fear of …

College Preparatory Courses Offered And Percentages Of Graduating Seniors Attending Postsecondary Education In Selected Minnesota Public Senior High Schools., John Stewart Backes

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the Minnesota public senior high school curricula (grades 10-12) and determined how many graduating seniors attended postsecondary education after high school. Specific research questions were (1) What percentage of the course offerings available in 1988-89 were college preparatory? (2) What percentage of the courses actually taught were college preparatory? (3) What percentage of the 1988 graduating seniors in Minnesota public schools attended postsecondary education after high school? (4) Did this percentage change during the previous decade?The study included all public school districts in Minnesota that reported 1988-89 Secondary Professional Staff Assignments to the Minnesota State Department of …

Combat Service Support And The Total Force, Lewis A. Germann

Theses and Dissertations

This study determined the minimum essential active Army Total Force Combat Service Support structure required for Contingency Force (CF) operations to provide the Army with the necessary organization for a response to a national crisis. A model called MICROFASTALS, used in combination with LOTUS 1-2-3 software, developed these forces. A literature search provided background information describing: the history of the Total Force Policy to the present; how the Department of Defense and the Army was organized to meet the Total Force initiatives, including an in depth description of the Army CSS structure; the latest National Security and Military Strategy that …

Determining Production Capability In Aircraft Maintenance: A Regression Analysis, Charles R. Jung

Theses and Dissertations

This research analyzed twenty-three maintenance constraint and three production output performance measures for nine SAC aircraft systems. SAS System for Elementary Statistical Analysis is used to analyze twenty-one months of ex post facto maintenance data. Correlation analysis is used to identify maintenance constraints that assist in explaining aircraft maintenance production capability. Forward stepwise regression is used to build predictive models of maintenance production capability for each of the nine aircraft systems. The twenty-three maintenance constraint measures are regressed against three productivity output measures: Mission Capable Rate, Total Not Mission Capable Supply Rate and Total Not Mission Capable Maintenance Rate. The …

Evaluation Of Managerial Challenges Created By Acceleration Of The Installation Restoration Program, Robert L. Vinson Iii

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the distribution of managerial tasks related to the Installation Restoration Program (IRP). Initiated in 1986, the IRP is the DoD program to identify and clean-up hazardous waste sites. Study areas include current distribution of managerial tasks, changes in task distribution needed to accelerate the program, and potential resource constraints. Additionally, the study considers how acceleration of Army and Navy restoration programs could impact the Air Force IRP. The study reveals IRP management is heavily centralized at MAJCOM with most technical work being performed through contracts with service centers. Individual bases have little direct involvement in the program. …

An Analysis Of Base Level Environmental Organizations, John F. Akers Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to try and determine if there was one type of environmental organization which was truly so much more effective than the others that all bases should have it, or if the decision of which type of environmental organization to have should be left entirely to the bases. In addition, I hoped to discover the advantages and disadvantages of each type of organizational structure. I feel that knowing these advantages and disadvantages will greatly aid those individuals making the decisions on environmental organizational structure. In completing this study I turned to the only place the …

Industrial Wastewater Management Practices In Air Force Logistics Command, Patrick J. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The selection of a model plant was based upon criteria established by a review of current literature. The criteria were permit compliance, plant performance, and the adoption of pollution prevention as a corporate environmental philosophy. In this study, private sector firms were examined to identify the best industrial wastewater management practices using a Total Quality Management (TQM) tool called benchmarking. The data gathering process consisted a survey of water pollution control organizations, and a survey of benchmark candidates. The purpose of surveying water pollution control organizations was to objectively identify possible benchmark candidates. A questionnaire was then used to gather …

A Comparative Analysis Of Three Water Treatment Programs For Cooling Tower Systems, Jeffry W. Shea

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the cost and effectiveness of three cooling tower water treatment programs. The programs studied were an acid program developed at WPAFB, a commercial solubilizer program manufactured by Lombardi, Inc, and a crystal modifier program developed by Dias, Inc. The experiment ran for 60 days at which time cost and effectiveness data were collected. Cost comparison was evaluated on the basis of tower performance in MBtu. The costs considered in this experiment were water costs, sewer costs, and chemical costs. All costs were recorded and totaled, then divided by the tower's performance. The effectiveness of each treatment method …

Heuristics For Hospital Inventory Management, Thomas G. Hibson

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the reasoning strategies used by hospital logistics management experts and was conducted at the Wright-Patterson AFB (WPAFB) Medical Center. An expert system was developed to verify the captured strategies. The particular area of interest of this study was the reasoning strategies involved in the reconciliation of the Monthly Stock Status Report within the Medical Logistics Branch. A literature review revealed there were few guidelines as to when and what action to pursue when reconciling the Monthly Stock Status Report. Though there were no references in the literature on expert systems that dealt with this particular report, there …

Application Of Just-In-Time Production Methods In The Defense Industrial Base, Dominic J. Cirello

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the motivation for defense industrial base contractors to switch to Just-In-Time (JIT) production. Areas of interest included the original motivation for the contractor to change to JIT, how they implemented the change, which JIT methods they used, and what benefits they received from switching to JIT. A review of the current literature on the subject of JIT revealed that JIT is a philosophy of production based on inventory reduction, process improvement, and elimination of waste. This philosophy can be supported through the use of a number of different methods, and reductions in both cost and cycle time …

Analysis Of A Waste Minimization Program For Nonhazardous Solid Wastes Utilizing Source Reduction And Recycling Techniques And Its Application To Air Force Installations, Brian F. Mcdermott

Theses and Dissertations

This nation has fallen victim to its own excessive behavior and has created an overabundance of trash, referred to in this thesis as Nonhazardous Solid Waste (NHSW). This situation has created environmental and health problems that can no longer be ignored. All types of communities are affected including Air Force installations. Unfortunately, the AF does not currently have a long term waste management policy or program regarding NHSW minimization. This research concentrates on the application of a NHSW minimization program for AF installations using the two most preferred methods, source reduction and recycling. The development of a comprehensive waste minimization …

A Decision Support System To Assist Manpower Forecasting In The Royal Australian Air Force, Simon J. Kelly

Theses and Dissertations

This study considers a problem that faces Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) manpower and personnel managers. Information decisions on the future force structure of the RAAF officer corps can be made by managers if they have access to objective, valid, reliable forecasts. At present, the RAAF has no standard mechanism to perform forecasts--a variety of tools are used. Given the importance and cost of the manpower resource, one integrated forecasting tool would support manpower decisions greatly. The aim of this research is to address the existing forecasting deficiency in the RAAF and provide an automated system to integrate current forecasting …

An Exploratory Application Of Neural Networks To The Sortie Generation Forecasting Problem, James M. Dagg

Theses and Dissertations

This exploratory study assesses the accuracy of backpropagation neural networks in predicting sortie generations, given pre-specified levels of air base resources. Single hidden layer networks and two-way interaction regression metamodels were fitted to simulated data previously generated by way of a factional design for ten factors at two levels, and subsequently tested (cross-validated) via an independent testing sample. It was determined that regression metamodels were generally superior in predicting unseen cases, while their network counterparts exhibited far better goodness-of-fit characteristics. The research consistently emphasizes that goodness-of-fit in no way necessarily implies goodness-of-prediction, in that different non-equivalent statistical measures are required …

Stockless Medical Materials Management: Applications For The United States Air Force Medical Service, Thomas M. Harkenrider

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to study stockless materials management in an effort to determine if it could improve the Air Force Medical Service's supply operations. The main result of this study was a decision support system (DSS) that would evaluate potential savings if stockless materials management were implemented in an Air Force medical treatment facility (MTF). In the process of developing the DSS, stockless materials management was studied in civilian hospitals that had previously converted to stockless materials management. Data included facility bed size, annual medical supply purchases, pre and post stockless medical supply full time equivalents (FTEs), …

A Cross-Sectional Investigation Of The Effects Of Regional Labor Market Conditions On The Reenlistment Decisions Of Air Force Enlistees, Deanna L. Cooper

Theses and Dissertations

A great deal of literature measuring the relationship between labor market perceptions and voluntary employee turnover exists. However, literature measuring the relationship between general labor market conditions and voluntary employee turnover is scarce. Moreover, to date only one article has included both labor market perceptions and general labor market conditions in testing a voluntary turnover model. This thesis provides a second test of a proposed voluntary turnover model that incorporates both labor market perceptions and general labor market conditions. Using survey data collected by Flores in 1984 and reenlistment data collected by Hoene in 1986, a cross-sectional investigation of the …

Selection Of A Development Methodology For The Acquisition Of Command, Control And Communication Systems, Martin W. Wituszynski

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated command and control projects to see if certain program characteristics help determine the appropriate development methodology. A literature search revealed no previous research in this area; but did identify at least two possible development methodologies, and some suggestions for key characteristics. Four case studies were conducted to study the effects of certain characteristics on the success of the development methodology employed; either conventional or incremental. Requirements definition, availability of a previous system, system complexity, number of subsystems, development experience, user involvement, and funding all appear to impact the appropriateness of the two methodologies investigated.

Effects Of Post-Trial Ethanol Treatment On Memory., Gregory J. Lamberty

Theses and Dissertations

In the past 20 years, a great deal of research has been conducted examining the effects of acute intoxication with alcohol (ethyl alcohol) on human memory. The aim of most of this research has been to determine how alcohol affects the varying "stages" of memory, as well as examining how it might affect different types of memory tasks. A few recent studies (Parker, et al., 1980, 1981) have examined the effects of alcohol on the post-learning processes of memory, independent of acquisition, by administering alcohol immediately after the acquisition of new material. This paradigm allows a stronger inference of any …

The Influence Of Relationship Enhancement Training On Differentiation Of Self., John Montgomery Griffin Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if the level of differentiation of self in married couples could be influenced by an educational model of therapy. In support of this purpose the study was designed to demonstrate whether or not a systematic, easily defined, and repeatable intervention would increase the functional level of differentiation of self, as described by Bowen (1978e). The Relationship Enhancement (RE) skills training program by Guerney (1978a) was selected and incorporated as the independent variable. Changes in five specific measurement scales and a facilitator observation rating served as the dependent variables of interest.The measurement scales …

Armaments Cooperation In The Pacific Rim: An Evaluation Framework For The Selection Of Cooperative Arrangements, Douglas P. Constant

Theses and Dissertations

This study presents factors which require evaluation prior to entering into a cooperative arrangement. The purpose of the research was to create an evaluation framework to assist DOD managers of international projects with a tool to enable the selection of an appropriate cooperative arrangement type. The study was focused on the Pacific Rim and includes two case studies on the Japanese FS-X and the Korean Fighter Plane. Factors were identified through literature research, case studies, and personal interviews. The study concluded with the identification of six basic factors: technology, industrial base, political, economic, program stage, and requestor's motives.

A Contract Management Guide For Air Force Environmental Restoration, Grant S. Bowers

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to examine the extent to which written guidance was available to Air Force contracting officers involved in environmental restoration projects. The study examines literature from sources inside and outside the Air Force, classifies it by source, and extracts guidance from the subject matter. The study indicates that written guidance exists, but is fragmented. As a result, contracting officers lack concise guidance on the special considerations in contracting for environmental restoration. Guidance from the literature is summarized and presented in a stand-along guide appended to the report. The guide is targeted toward new and mid-level contracting officers …

Identifying Federal Contracting Policy Changes To Improve Government Acquisition Of Commercial Space-Launch Capacity, Bryan S. Moon

Theses and Dissertations

The study dealt with expressed congressional intent to promote the commercial space-launch industry and defense management emphasis on government use of commercial contracting methods for the purchase of commercial products. The research problem was to determine what contracting policy changes implementing commercial-like practices would benefit the commercial space-launch industry and federal space-launch acquisition. Commercial-like contracting practices include removal of statutory and regulatory barriers to contracting with the government. To accomplish this, the most significant contractual barriers experienced by the industry in doing business with the government were identified. The study hypothesized possible relationships among barriers, acquisition cost variables, industry well-being …

Expert Opinion On The Department Of Defense Base Closure/Realignment Policy And Process: An Assessment Of The Four Military Value Criteria, Douglas P. Gorgoni

Theses and Dissertations

This research addressed the problem of an assessment, from an Air Force perspective, of the effectiveness of the four criteria measuring military value associated with the 1991 Base Closure/Realignment Commission. The Department of Defense had determined military value to be 'preeminent' among all other considerations in reducing the size of the military basing structure, based on a reduction of the perceived military threat. A literature review was conducted to review the works of previous authors who addressed the research problem. The literature review focused on the processes of the 1988 and 1991 Closure/Realignment Commissions. During phase two of the methodology, …

An Analysis Of Army Transportation Capability To Support The Distribution Of Liquid Propellant In Field Artillery Applications, John S. Lenart Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This study applied a screening technique methodology to systematically obtain organizational consensus in the establishment and ranking of Army surface transportation performance measurement criteria and system design attributes. This performance evaluation model was then used to assess the feasibility of three potential liquid propellant logistics concepts. Two sample groups of subject matter experts from the Army's Transportation and Ordnance (Munitions) Corps participated in the research. The methodology consisted of nominal-interacting group processes, repeated used of the pair comparison instrument, and use of a scoring model to rank-order the ten attributes. Research findings supported the Army's qualitative commitment to ensuring environmental …

The Military Logistics Support Of Humanitarian Relief Efforts During Low-Intensity Conflict, Jangrumetta D. Shine

Theses and Dissertations

This research study was limited to two cases(Afghanistan and Chad) involving humanitarian relief efforts low-intensity conflict. To explore the topic of military logistics support of relief efforts low-intensity conflict, a study of the land, people, government, economy and history of each country was accomplished to provide the background for each humanitarian relief effort. These variables, with a study of the low-intensity conflict aspect, U.S. policy goals, the actual humanitarian relief operation, and the military logistics support provided used to the question: 'What are the key elements to provide successful logistics support of humanitarian relief efforts during low-intensity conflict?

The Organizational Impact Of Smoke Break Management In Strategic Air Command, Glenn G. Hinken

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the organizational impact of smoke break management in Strategic Air Command. Analysis of data from a survey questionnaire showed that although the smoking and smoke break issues touched the majority of the people in SAC and almost every smoker surveyed reported taking smoke breaks, just 27 percent of respondents reported their organization had a smoke break policy. Most of these respondents indicated the policies were lenient in terms of regulating the time and duration of the breaks. Smokers reported spending an average 41.09 minutes per day taking smoke breaks. This figure differed significantly from the time smokers …

Psychosocial Aspects Of Adventitious Blindness, Sharon Goodman

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.