Digital Commons Network^™

A New Customer Satisfaction Index For Evaluating Transit Service Quality, Laura Eboli, Gabriella Mazzulla

Journal of Public Transportation

In this paper, an index based on customer perspective is proposed for evaluating transit service quality. The index, named Heterogeneous Customer Satisfaction Index, is inspired by the traditional Customer Satisfaction Index, but takes into account the heterogeneity among the user judgments about the different service aspects. The index allows service quality to be monitored, the causes generating customer satisfaction/ dissatisfaction to be identified, and the strategies for improving the service quality to be defined. The proposed methodologies show some advantages compared to the others adopted for measuring service quality, because it can be easily applied by the transit operators.

Orbital Propagators For Horizon Simulation Framework, Mitra Farahmand

Master's Theses

This thesis describes the models of four common orbital propagators and outlines the process of integrating them into the Horizon Simulation Framework (HSF). The results of the Two-Body, J2, and J4 propagators from the HSF are then compared against the outcomes of these propagators in MATLAB and Satellite Toolkit (STK). The MATLAB algorithms verify the functionality of the propagators and determine the accuracy of the HSF implementation. The compassion against STK validates the formulation of the HSF propagators. In order to equip the HSF with a more precise means of orbit determination, adding the Simplified General Perturbations 4 (SGP4) propagator …

Profiles Of Drug Endangered Children: Investigation In A Clinical Sample, Imanie Samanmali Wijayaratne

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Despite the increase in children born prenatally exposed to methamphetamine, little is known about the cognitive and neuropsychological outcomes of these children. Research specific to prenatal-methamphetamine exposure is extremely limited and has been primarily restricted to rat studies. This research combined with the few studies examining children prenatally exposed to methamphetamine suggests that methamphetamine-exposure is associated with various cognitive and neuropsychological delays and is impacted by both biological and environmental factors. Given the scarcity of research in this area, the current study used archival data from a psychological assessment clinic to (1) describe the frequency of prenatal methamphetamine-exposure cases, (2) …

Observer Reliability Of Cephalometric Landmark Identification On 3-D Mr Images, Michael S. Pollack

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction: Cephalometric analysis is a cornerstone of orthodontic diagnosis, yet much information is lost when 3-dimensional structures are assessed with 2-dimensional methods. CBCT offers 3-dimensional imaging but at the cost of higher levels of ionizing radiation. Magnetic resonance imaging provides 3-dimensional imaging without ionizing radiation and additionally imparts visualization of soft tissue structures. Prior to employing MR images for cephalometric analysis, reliability of landmark identification must be assessed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate intra- and interobserver reliability in 3-dimensional landmark identification using MR images.

Materials and Methods: Fifteen cranial MR images (3.0 T, MP-RAGE) from subjects between …

Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography To Identify A Prediction Model For Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Jodi Parker

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) patients have increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis may reduce morbidity and mortality. Prediction of OSA from imaging may help to identify OSA patients earlier in life. CBCT can be used for OSA diagnostic imaging due to its three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the upper airway and craniofacial complex. Magnification associated with conventional 2D radiography is eliminated with CBCT, and radiation to the patient is significantly less than previous modalities used to measure craniofacial & airway measurements associated with OSA. During a CBCT scan, the patient's image is taken supine, rather than the upright …

Study Of The Four Factor Theory Of Women’S Sexual Function, Julie M. Merrell

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Tiefer, Hall, and Tavris (2002) described factors comprising four categories of female sexual function. They suggested that unique factors need to be examined to understand sexual function in women. Socio-cultural, political, or economic factors, partner and relationship factors, psychological factors, and medical factors were described as aspects of women’s lives that can be the source of sexual dysfunction. In a previous study, Merrell (2007) utilized Tiefer et al’s (2002) four factor model of sexual functioning to examine female sexual functioning looking specifically at body shame, relationship satisfaction, positive and negative affect, sexual self-schema, and overall health. Based on the results …

Influence Of Illumination On Dark Current In Charge-Coupled Device Imagers, Ralf Widenhorn, Ines Hartwig, Justin Charles Dunlap, Erik Bodegom

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

Thermal excitation of electrons is a major source of noise in charge-coupled-device (CCD) imagers. Those electrons are generated even in the absence of light, hence, the name dark current. Dark current is particularly important for long exposure times and elevated temperatures. The standard procedure to correct for dark current is to take several pictures under the same condition as the real image, except with the shutter closed. The resulting dark frame is later subtracted from the exposed image. We address the question of whether the dark current produced in an image taken with a closed shutter is identical to the …

Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 71 - Western Rock Lobster Low Puerulus Settlement Risk Assessment - Draft Report For Public Comment 2009, Rhys Brown

Fisheries Occasional Publications

The Western Rock Lobster Low Puerulus Risk Assessment report is designed to inform the fishing community, stakeholders and general public about the two day workshop that was held on the 1st and 2nd of April 2009 to assess the risks associated with the recent low puerulus settlements that have occurred in the western rock lobster fishery.

A draft report was released for public comment on 1 July 2009 and submissions closed on 30 July 2009. No submissions were received.

Emotional Labor Demands, Wages And Gender: A Within-Person, Between-Jobs Study, Devasheesh P. Bhave, Theresa M. Glomb

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Although research suggests the important role of gender in emotional labour, its effect on the relationship between emotional labour demands and wages has not been examined explicitly. The current study investigates this relationship by testing hypotheses derived from theories of vocational choice and labour market supply and demand. Hypotheses are tested using a unique within-person, between-jobs longitudinal dataset with information on two jobs for each worker in a national sample of U.S. workers (N=5,488). After controlling for relevant variables related to wages, results suggest men incur wage penalties of approximately 6% when moving to occupations with higher emotional labour demands. …

Measurement Of D ± And D 0 Production In Deep Inelastic Scattering Using A Lifetime Tag At Hera, S. Chekanov, M. Derrick, S. Magill, B. Musgrave, D. Nicholass, J. Repond, R. Yoshida, Margarita C. K. Mattingly, P. Antonioli, G. Bari, L. Bellagamba, D. Boscherini, A. Bruni, G. Bruni, F. Cindolo, M. Corradi, G. Iacobucci, A. Margotti, R. Nania, A. Polini, S. Antonelli, M. Basile, M. Bindi, L. Cifarelli, A. Contin, S. De Pasquale, G. Sartorelli, A. Zichichi, D. Bartsch, I. Brock, H. Hartmann

Faculty Publications

The production of D ±- and D 0-mesons has been measured with the ZEUS detector at HERA using an integrated luminosity of 133.6 pb-1. The measurements cover the kinematic range 52<1000 >GeV2, 0.02

Incentives For Experimenting Agents, Johannes Hörner, Larry Samuelson

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

We examine a repeated interaction between an agent, who undertakes experiments, and a principal who provides the requisite funding for these experiments. The repeated interaction gives rise to a dynamic agency cost — the more lucrative is the agent’s stream of future rents following a failure, the more costly are current incentives for the agent, giving the principal an incentive to reduce the continuation value of the project. We characterize the set of recursive Markov equilibria. We also find that there are non-Markov equilibria that make the principal better off than the recursive Markov equilibrium, and that may make both …

Time's Arrow Flies Like A Bird: Two Paradoxes For Avian Circadian Biology, Vincent M. Cassone, Jiffin K. Paulose, Melissa G. Whitfield-Rucker, Jennifer L. Peters

Biology Faculty Publications

Biological timekeeping in birds is a fundamental feature of avian physiology, behavior and ecology. The physiological basis for avian circadian rhythmicity has pointed to a multi-oscillator system of mutually coupled pacemakers in the pineal gland, eyes and hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). In passerines, the role of the pineal gland and its hormone melatonin is particularly important. More recent molecular biological studies have pointed to a highly conserved mechanism involving rhythmic transcription and translation of "clock genes". However, studies attempting to reconcile the physiological role of pineal melatonin with molecular studies have largely failed. Recent work in our laboratory has suggested …

Initial Framework For Measuring And Evaluating Heuristic Problem Solving, Zhisheng Huang, Annette Ten Teije, Frank Van Harmelen, Gaston Tagni, Hansjorg Neth, Lael Schooler, Sebastian Rudolph, Pascal Hitzler, Tuvshintur Tserendorj, Yi Huang, Danica Damljanovic, Angus Roberts

Computer Science and Engineering Faculty Publications

One of the key aspects in the development of LarKC is how to evaluate the performance of the platform and its constituent components in order to guarantee that the execution of a pipeline will match the user’s needs and provide the desired solutions (answers) to the user’s queries. Therefore, in this deliverable, the first in a series three documents concerned with the definition of a Framework for Measuring and Evaluating Heuristic Problem Solving, we make the first steps towards defining such framework by considering the theoretical foundations and principles of evaluation and measurement theory, discussing several important aspects related to …

Policy Overview And Options For Maximizing The Role Of Policy In Geothermal Electricity Development, Elizabeth Doris, Claire Kreycik, Katherine Young

Publications (E)

Geothermal electricity production1 capacity has grown over time because of multiple factors, including its renewable, baseload, and domestic attributes; volatile and high prices for competing technologies; and policy intervention. Overarching federal policies, namely the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA),2 provided certainty to project investors in the 1980s, leading to a boom in geothermal development. In addition to market expansion through PURPA, research and development policies provided an investment of public dollars toward developing technologies and reducing costs over time to increase the market competitiveness of geothermal electricity. Together, these efforts are cited as the primary policy drivers for the …

Experimental And Theoretical Investigation Of Molecular Field Effects By Polarization-Resolved Resonant Inelastic X-Ray Scattering, Stephane Carniato, Renaud Guillemin, Wayne C. Stolte, Loic Journel, Richard Taieb, Dennis W. Lindle, Marc Simon

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Research

We present a combined theoretical and experimental study of molecular field effects on molecular core levels. Polarization-dependent resonant inelastic x-ray scattering is observed experimentally after resonant K-shell excitation of CF₃Cl and HCl. We explain the linear dichroism observed in spin-orbit level intensities as due to molecular field effects, including singlet-triplet exchange, and interpret this behavior in terms of population differences in the 2p_x,y,z inner-shell orbitals. We investigate theoretically the different factors that can affect the electronic populations and the dynamical R dependence of the spin-orbit ratio. Finally, the results obtained are used to interpret the L-shell …

R A Fisher, Design Theory, And The Indian Connection, A. R.P. Rau

Faculty Publications

Design Theory, a branch of mathematics, was born out of the experimental statistics research of the population geneticist R A Fisher and of Indian mathematical statisticians in the 1930s. The field combines elements of combinatorics, finite projective geometries, Latin squares, and a variety of further mathematical structures, brought together in surprising ways. This essay will present these structures and ideas as well as how the field came together, in itself an interesting story. © Indian Academy of Sciences.

Resonance Of Basis-Conjugating Automorphism Groups, Daniel C. Cohen

Faculty Publications

We determine the structure of the first resonance variety of the cohomology ring of the group of automorphisms of a finitely generated free group which act by conjugation on a given basis. © 2009 American Mathematical Society.

How (Not) To Think Like A Punisher, Alice Ristroph

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Blackwell's Creative, Well-Rounded Approach Earns Accolades, Jim Stewart

Furman Magazine

No abstract provided.

Wright Shares Mutual Admiration Society With Students, Jim Stewart

Furman Magazine

No abstract provided.

Dealing With H1n1 Uncertainty, John Roberts

Furman Magazine

No abstract provided.

H. Ted Davis, Teacher And Scholar, Furman University

Furman Magazine

No abstract provided.

Robust Lifetime Measurement In Large-Scale P2p Systems With Non-Stationary Arrivals, Xiaoming Wang, Zhongmei Yao, Yueping Zhang, Dmitri Loguinov

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Characterizing user churn has become an important topic in studying P2P networks, both in theoretical analysis and system design. Recent work has shown that direct sampling of user lifetimes may lead to certain bias (arising from missed peers and round-off inconsistencies) and proposed a technique that estimates lifetimes based on sampled residuals. In this paper, however, we show that under non-stationary arrivals, which are often present in real systems, residual-based sampling does not correctly reconstruct user lifetimes and suffers a varying degree of bias, which in some cases makes estimation completely impossible. We overcome this problem using two contributions: a …

Correlations Between Microbial Indicators, Pathogens, And Environmental Factors In A Subtropical Estuary, Cristina Ortega, Helena M. Solo-Gabriele, Amir Abdelzaher, Mary Wright, Yang Deng, Lillian M. Stark

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether indicator microbes and physical-chemical parameters were correlated with pathogens within a tidally influenced Estuary. Measurements included the analysis of physical-chemical parameters (pH, salinity, temperature, and turbidity), measurements of bacterial indicators (enterococci, fecal coliform, Escherichia coli, and total coliform), viral indicators (somatic and MS2 coliphage), viral pathogens (enterovirus by culture), and protozoan pathogens (Cryptosporidium and Giardia). All pathogen results were negative with the exception of one sample which tested positive for culturable reovirus (8.5 MPN/100 L). Notable physical-chemical parameters for this sample included low salinity (< 1 ppt) and high water temperature (31 °C). Indicator bacteria and indicator virus levels for this sample were within average values typically measured within the study site and were low in comparison with levels observed in other freshwater environments. Overall results suggest that high levels of bacterial and viral indicators were associated with low salinity sites.

Photosynthetic Performance Of Invasive Pinus Ponderosa And Juniperus Virginiana Seedlings Under Gradual Soil Water Depletion, Saadia Bihmidine, N. M. Bryan, K. R. Payne, M. R. Parde, Jane A. Okalebo, Sharon E. Cooperstein, Tala Awada

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Changes in climate, land management and fire regime have contributed to woody species expansion into grasslands and savannas worldwide. In the USA, Pinus ponderosa P. & C. Lawson and Juniperus virginiana L. are expanding into semiarid grasslands of Nebraska and other regions of the Great Plains. We examined P. ponderosa and J. virginiana seedling response to soil water content, one of the most important limiting factors in semiarid grasslands, to provide insight into their success in the region. Photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII, maximum carboxylation velocity, maximum rate of electron transport, stomatal limitation to photosynthesis, water potential, …

Optimisation Methods In Supply Chain Applications: A Review, Waleed Abo Hamad, Amr Arisha

Conference Papers

The competitiveness and dynamic nature of today’s marketplace is due to rapid advances in information technology, short product life cycles and the continuing trend in global outsourcing. Managing the resulting supply chain networks effectively is a complex and challenging task which is imputable to high level of uncertainty in supply-demand, conflict objectives, vagueness of information, numerous decision variables and constraints. With such level of complexity in the environment, supply chain optimisation has a potential to make a significant contribution to resolve the challenges. In this paper, a literature review – based on more than one hundred peer-reviewed articles – of …

527 Committees And The Political Party Network, Seth E. Masket, Richard Skinner, David Dulio

Working Papers

We investigate the links between 527s and other political organizations through the employment histories of 527 staff. We find that 527s are highly central to modern political party networks and are in positions to facilitate coordination within a party and to employ key party personnel. Further, we find important differences between the networks charted out by the two major parties. The Republican Party, the majority party during the period under study, had a more hierarchical network than the Democratic Party did.

Putting Best Practices Into Practice: Implementing Change One Step At A Time, Lisa Radtke Bliss

Faculty Publications By Year

No abstract provided.

Wbio 105.01: Wildlife And People, David E. Naugle

University of Montana Course Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Real Property, Mortgages, And The Economy: A Call For Ethics And Reforms, Shelby D. Green

Pace Law Review

No abstract provided.