Digital Commons Network^™

Uncovering The Mystery Of Reading Recovery, Corinne Sue Satrom

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

An Environmental History Of The 19th Century Marquette Iron Range, Doug Ottke

Theses and Dissertations

The history of the Marquette Iron Range in the upper peninsula of Michigan is integrally linked to the environment. The natural features of the Marquette Range defined the mode of production on the Range, and conversely, as human systems became more adept in these modes of production they became the most important modifiers of the natural systems.

Settlement on the Marquette Iron Range was closely related to two factors of natural environment: the iron ore formations and the hardwood forest. The distribution of three iron ore formations—principally the Negaunee, but also the Bijiki and other Iron- formations within the Michigamme …

The Spiritual Dimension Of Social Work Practice In And Through Research, Education, And Life Experience, Pauline Kay Burthwick

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years there has been an effort to reintroduce religion and spirituality as tangible constructs into social work education and practice in an effort to incorporate all aspects of the client's system (biological, psychological, social, spiritual) and to understand and appreciate the client's diversity and potential strengths and resources. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of religion and spirituality in the lives of social work practitioners as it relates to their social work practice and to the education of future social workers.

This study was composed of two parts. The first was a secondary data …

Racial Encounters In The American Theatre: Whiteness And Eugene O'Neill, Blackness And August Wilson, C̦Iğdem Üsekes

Theses and Dissertations

Relatively few scholars have investigated racial representations in modern American drama. Even fewer scholars have undertaken to analyze depictions of whiteness in American letters, although “white studies” is slowly assuming legitimacy in the academy in the 1990s. “Racial Encounters in the American Theatre” therefore attempts to bridge this gap in literary and critical studies by examining the black portraiture of Eugene O'Neill and the white portraiture of August Wilson. The work of both playwrights attests to their deep and consistent involvement with their Racial Other, who resurfaces in play after play. Maintaining that the United States resembles a postcolonial society, …

From Self To Other In Oliver Stone's Vietnam Trilogy: Platoon, Born On The Fourth Of July, And Heaven And Earth, Hyeong-Min Kang

Theses and Dissertations

As a Vietnam veteran film director, Oliver Stone has made several controversial films on the Vietnam War and the 1950s. Among his filmography, we can categorize Platoon (1986), Born on the Fourth of July (1989), and Heaven and Earth (1993)-Stone's so called Vietnam Trilogy-as the most direct depictions of the war and its aftermath, whereas The Doors (1991), JFK (1991), and Nixon (1995) examine the broader political and cultural dimension of the war and the era. Throughout his Vietnam films, Stone struggles to find the new America's identity by studying the historical meaning of its past events and characters, because …

Affective And Motivational Components Of The Flow State: Rock Climbing Revisited, Helen Hooper

Theses and Dissertations

The affective and experiential components of the flow state, as outlined by Csikszentmihalyi (1975), have served as a basis for research into optimal experience over the past twenty years, and although adjustments have been made by various researchers, the description of the characteristics remain essentially the same. This study used qualitative methods to further explore this area . With the initial aim of enhancing our understanding of the optimal experiences of rock climbing participants, the present study purposefully sampled fifteen informants representative of the range of characteristics found in the setting. Questioning techniques and analysis methods used in this study …

Predicting Post-Disaster Adjustment After The Red River Flood: An Analysis Of Resource Loss And Pre-Flood Preventative Behaviors, Holly J. Hegstad

Theses and Dissertations

The Conservation of Resources theory postulates that individuals will act to obtain, retain, or protect those resources that are of value to them (Hobfall, 1989). Natural disasters often result in depletion of resources, the extent of which has been found to be a robust predictor of post-disaster adjustment (Freedy, Hobfall, & Ribbe, 1994; Freedy, Shaw, Jarrel, & Masters, 1992; Norris & Uhl, 1993; Smith & Freedy, 1994). Three-hundred-four victims (131 males, 171 females) of the 1997 flood of the Red River returned surveys assessing their levels of preparation, resource losses, and psychopathology 12 to 16 months after the flood. It …

Social Judgement Tendencies As A Function Of Mcmi-Ii And Cati Personality Variables, Allison Noel Pate

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated relationships between personality styles and judgments of others' personality traits using the Free Response Interaction Procedure (FRIP). FRIP participants were 184 female and 68 male college students, mean age 23.9 years. The FRIP consists of two 25-minute interactive sessions, separated by a week or more, in which a participant interacts with three randomly assigned participant partners. After each session, participants use a seven point likert scale to rate themselves and their partners, and predict how their partners will rate them on 14 personality traits. Participants also independently completed the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory - II (MCMI-II) and …

An Analysis Of The Production Flow At Tmi Systems Design Corporation, Loren J. Zavalney

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to perform a detailed analysis of the production process flow at TMI Systems Design Corporation that will help improve the overall efficiency of the manufacturing process. The study was sectioned into three phases. Phase one of this study was to collect data on the manufacturing process. Phase two of this study was to incorporate the manufacturing process data into flow process charts and flow diagrams. Phase three of this study was to create an operations process flow chart for the model W2052 wall cabinet.

Phase one was accomplished by collecting data while observing the …

Stress Associated With Being A Superintendent, John H. Malpert Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Good Practices In Classroom Libraries, Kindergarten Through Second Grade, Michele Boniscavage

Theses and Dissertations

A study of six classrooms was made, two kindergarten, two first grade and two second grade. The purpose of the study, conducted by a school librarian, was to identify and share good practices in classroom libraries. Teachers in an urban district and a suburban district were interviewed about their acquisition methods. Methods of acquisition included book fairs, participation in professional activities, discarded library books, donations, yard sales and school purchases. Students were interviewed about their usage habits, borrowing books, and their favorite books. A description of each library is given including arrangement, displays, furnishing and shelving. The number and type …

Efficient Simulation Via Validation And Application Of An External Analytical Model, Thomas H. Irish

Theses and Dissertations

This research makes significant contributions towards improving the efficiency of simulation studies using an external analytical model. The foundation for this research is the analytical control variate (ACV) method. The ACV method can produce significant variance reduction, but the resulting point estimate may exhibit bias. A Monte Carlo sampling method for resolving the bias problem is developed and demonstrated through a queueing network example. The method requires knowledge of the parameters and approximate distributions of the random variables used to produce the ACV. Often, some of these parameters or distributions are not known. Both parametric and non-parametric alternatives to the …

Reaction Of Arylsulfenyl Chloride Adducts Of Glycals With Vinyl Ethers., Mingming Han

Theses and Dissertations

This Ph.D. dissertation is focused on the stereoselective synthesis of β- C-glycosides. Such carbohydrate derivatives have been found to possess a wide spectrum of physiological activities. They can serve as non-hydrolizable enzyme inhibitors. C-Glycosides have been used as chiral precursors for synthesis of other compounds. The synthesis of β-C-glycosides is based on the fact that, in the presence of Lewis acids, ArSCl adducts of glycals can be converted to active intermediates, episulfonium ions. These intermediates are known to react with a number of C-nucleophiles. In this study, the reaction of ArSCl adducts of glycals with vinyl ethers was investigated. To …

Moderating Effects Of Station Isolation On Antecedents And Consequences Of Fraternization, Tonya M. Luther

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to analyze any differences in reported incidents of fraternization based on relative isolation of location. To fulfill this purpose, a variety of types of fraternization cases were reviewed and analyzed. All data extracted was coded across five factors of fraternization and punishment. Statistical tests determined whether differences in fraternization factors were due to common error or to true differences based on relative isolation of location. Seven different hypotheses relating fraternization and location were tested. Statistical analysis showed that reported fraternization incidents are more likely to be of a sexual nature and involve people of …

The Impact Of Acquisition Reform And Political-Fiscal Variables On Air Force Gao-Protests Processed, Raymond M. Barben

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine whether the Air Force contract protest frequency rises or falls with reforms in the acquisition process, number of AF Contract Actions, number of AF Contract Dollars, AF-GAO Sustain Rate, and/or General Economic Conditions (represented by the U.S. unemployment rate). Specific management questions address the effectiveness of acquisition reform initiatives, a comparison to other external factors, and the identification of AF-GAO Protest trends between 1984 and 1998. The research problem was explored with a thorough literature review and formulation of a multiple regression model. The research identified the need to evaluate the impact …

Implementation Of Earned Value Management Into The Software Acquisition Process, Louis D. Bryan

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to determine the usefulness of Earned Value Management as a program management tool for the Department of Defense acquisition community. In making this determination, the study sought to uncover information about Earned Value Management from the contractor's perspective as well as the government administrator's perspective. It also sought to determine the usefulness of Earned Value Management during the different phases of the software acquisition process. The study utilized a structured questionnaire to acquire the data necessary for analysis. This data was analyzed to compare perceptions of the government and contractor communities in regard to …

A Statistical Analysis Of The Variability Experienced In Dla Administrative And Production Lead Time, Kieran F. Keelty

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the variability experienced in the administrative and production lead times of consumable items managed by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). Assets were categorized based on an item manager's determination that an asset was a problem part, and whether the asset was purchased for stock replenishment or direct vendor delivery. The methodology was a two-sample t-test of aggregated data to determine if significant differences existed between the mean deviations from the system lead times of various combinations of categories. The study produced results indicating that a significant difference did not exist between the mean deviations of problem parts …

Operational Risk Management And Military Aviation Safety, Park D. Ashley

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Class A aviation mishap rate has hovered around 1.5 mishaps per 100,000 flight hours since 1985. Recent attention on Air Force accidents has caused the leadership to seek to reduce its mishap rate. The Army's Class A aviation mishap rate declined after it implemented risk management (RM) principles in 1987. This reduction caught the attention of Air Force leadership who have since stated that the application of operational risk management (ORM) is how the Air Force will reduce, even eliminate, mishaps. With current budget constraints, ORM is considered to be the most cost-effective way the Air Force …

The Effect Of Action Workouts On Aircraft Mission Capability Measurements, Michael P. Allison

Theses and Dissertations

Previous studies concerning quality improvement and the Action Workout Process attempted to define and describe the difficult concept of quality. A logical next step is to study to what extent implementation of a quality improvement program, such as ACC's Action Workout Process, positively or negatively affects performance factors within an Air Force organization. This study focused on exploring the fundamental question of whether there was, as a result of the Action Workout, a noticeable, statistically verifiable, positive or negative change in the mission capability of aircraft assigned to the units carrying out this quality improvement initiative. Research questions were developed …

An Exploratory Analysis Of The Responsiveness Capability Of The Air Expeditionary Wing (Aew) Concept, Robert L. Charlesworth

Theses and Dissertations

Seven AEF deployments have been accomplished in the Southwest Asia area of responsibility; none have met the Air Force's stringent 72 hour criterion. This exploratory study quantifies the responsiveness capability of the AEW concept. Based on a Monte Carlo simulation methodology this study concludes that the on call AEW at Mountain Home AFB does not have the capability to meet the 72 hour criterion. Additionally, this study examined the effect of three departures from the baseline model on responsiveness capability. These departures included: increasing airlift throughput capacity, incorporating limited airlift failure, and employing an air refueling scenario. The simulation models …

Pollution Prevention Cost Savings Using Supply Chain Reengineering, Gregory S. Webb

Theses and Dissertations

Supply chain management was explored as a tool to prevent hazardous waste and reduce operating costs. Previous research had shown that pollution prevention measures were often costly and no expectation of cost savings could be realized. The reengineering of the Air Force hazardous material supply chain brought about by the Hazardous Material Pharmacy Program was tested to evaluate if hazardous waste had been precluded in this effort and if costs had also been avoided. To date, no research had explored the use of supply chain management as a source reducer of hazardous waste. Consequently, little was known or understood of …

Comparison Of The Effects Of Eight-Hour And Twelve-Hour Shifts On Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Production Levels, David P. Collette

Theses and Dissertations

his is a follow-on study that examined the effects of converting a large aircraft maintenance squadron from 8-hour shifts to 12-hour shifts. The squadron studied converted its 24-hour maintenance work force from three 8-hour work shifts to two 12-hour work shifts. Data was collected from four different time periods. Three time periods were used for a primary analysis and all four time periods were used for trend analysis. To determine if the 12-hour work shift was effective, workforce productivity was measured during the different work shift periods. Results showed an increase in two productivity measurements, no-change in two productivity measurements, …

Workplace Violence: Exploring The Dangers For Air Force Leadership, Shawn R. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

The repeated occurrences of workplace violence throughout society today require the Air Force to evaluate its own workplaces and determine if a threat exists. This research explored violence in the workplace and established the possibility that workplace violence can affect the Air Force. Additionally, Air Force Climate Assessment Surveys were evaluated to find information that could be useful in detecting early warning signs of potential workplace violence. A number of examples of violence that occurred within Air Force workplaces highlighted the threat for Air Force leadership. With over 1,680 incidents of workplace violence reported to the AFOSI in a 5-year …

A Methodology For The Analysis And Prediction Of Air Force Enlisted Aircraft Maintenance Personnel Retention Rates Using Economic Statistics, Peter D. Lommen

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of certain national economic indicators on enlisted aircraft maintenance personnel retention rates. To fulfill this purpose, this study builds a linear regression equation that can predict the retention rate using the civilian unemployment rate and the index of 11 leading economic indicators as the independent variables. Journal literature and economic texts were reviewed to identify the indicators as good predictors for changes in employee turnover. The method of linear regression was used to build the model needed to predict the changes in the retention rate. The equation developed with this …

The Challenge Of Maintaining Or Replacing An Aging Airlift Fleet: A Cost/Capability Analysis For The Brazilian Air Force Mobility System, Julio C. Messias

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the high Operational and Support costs incurred, the Brazilian Air Force's (BAF) declining budget has led to the establishment of conservative policies that favor short run solutions for a critical BAF airlift problem of operating an aging fleet. As a result of this policy, service life extensions of older airlift aircraft are the preferred solution. Using an equal airlift capacity approach to examine the Brazilian Air Force mobility system, this research performs a cost comparison analysis between two aircraft currently in operation at Brazilian's airlift command: C-130 Hercules and C-95 Bandeirante. To accomplish the cost analysis, this research develops …

An Ex Post Facto Analysis Of E-3 Maintenance Indicators In The 552d Air Control Wing Since Reorganization Under An Aircraft Generation Squadron Concept, Larry J. Stetz

Theses and Dissertations

Organizational restructuring sometimes occurs in the aircraft maintenance field, yet seldom are in-depth analyses performed after the fact to see if productivity improved. In December 1995, the 552D Air Control Wing restructured its flight line maintenance into an aircraft generation squadron concept. This study looked at before and after maintenance indicators to see if productivity improved. Maintenance data was collected from December 1993 to December 1997. Nineteen maintenance indicators were identified, and the key indicators were analyzed using means comparison and regression analysis to determine if efficiency and effectiveness had increased. The variables Mission Capable rate and Man-hours per Flying …

The Privatization Of The Aerospace Guidance And Metrology Center At Newark Air Force Base, Richard H. Fillman Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The Aerospace Guidance and Metrology Center (AGMC) at Newark AFB was privatized in place as a result of the 1993 BRAC process. This was a first of a kind for the DoD repair depot system. The justification was too much excess depot capacity and by closing Newark the Air Force would rid itself of this excess capacity and obtain savings by privatizing the repair workload. This thesis concentrates on whether excess capacity at AGMC was as large as it was identified and if cost saving had materialized at the depot since the privatization. To determine how well the depot repairs …

Logistic Regression Modeling Of Diminishing Manufacturing Sources For Integrated Circuits, Michael J. Gravier

Theses and Dissertations

The problem of Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) afflicts the Air Force and other armed services in a way unforeseen in the past. The costs of DMSMS manifest themselves both in terms of monetary expense and diminished mission readiness. The current environment of limited defense spending and high operations tempo exacerbates this problem. This thesis draws on available data from the electronics integrated circuit industry to attempt to assess whether statistical modeling offers a viable method for predicting the presence of DMSMS. The research identified logistic regression as a powerful tool for analysis of DMSMS and further developed …

Space-Available Transportation: An Analysis Of The Cost Of Providing 'Free' Travel, Frank J. Long

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to estimate the costs borne by the government for providing space-available travel to eligible uniformed services personnel and their dependents. As the primary provider of the space-available privilege, it is important that the Air Force have an estimate of the burden that the administration of that privilege places on the budget. In January 1993, the Air Force discontinued its 15-year-old practice of charging a fee for space-available travel aboard AMC-owned or controlled aircraft. The fee had been set at $10 in 1978 and was collected to recover a portion of the costs associated with …

Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Leasing Versus Buying Air Force General Purpose Vehicles In The Continental United States, Robert J. Neal Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Given the increasingly aging vehicle fleet and declining vehicle budget, this research performed a cost-benefit analysis of leasing versus buying various Air Force general purpose vehicles for the entire continental United States (CONUS). In contrast to previous analyses, which have examined the leasing versus buying issue on a base-by-base basis, this analysis studies the issue from an Air Force-wide perspective using a cost-buying model. Costs and benefits are calculated for three purchasing options (Air Force ownership, GSA leasing, and commercial leasing) to determine and recommend the best alternative for the Air Force. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is to test the …