Quality Capability Self-diagnosis is a convenient and
economical way to assess the performance of an operating
quality system, as well as a basis for initiating necessary
corrective actions essential to quality improvement and
preparation for certification. This paper describes the
research leading to the development of a cost-effective and
systematic...
The North Pacific humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) population has been increasing at an average annual rate of ~6% since the early 1990s. In northern Southeast Alaska alone, there are now more whales than estimated for the entire North Pacific several decades ago. An understanding of how this growing population is...
Bats represent the second most diverse group of mammals inhabiting the western slopes of the Cascade Range in southern Washington and Oregon Coast Range. Bat populations may well be sensitive to changes in forest age, structure, or distribution, but their nocturnal habits and high mobility render the study of the...
Montane forest vegetation as it occurs on the east flank of the
central Oregon Cascades has provided excellent conditions for a
"natural experiment" in the use of various methodologies in studying
vegetational distribution. This "experiment" has reflected on some
theory and practice for the discipline of plant synecology. Detailed
descriptions,...
Over the past several years, increases in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have coincided with the 2007-2008 recession and the higher rates of unemployment in the U.S. With SNAP being the largest program, in terms of spending embedded in the farm bill, it is likely to see some spending...
Product development efforts are extremely important to a company's success in today's global competitive business environment. Yet, these highly consequential efforts are terribly nebulous to a point that past experiences are inherently underutilized. This thesis demonstrates a methodology to quantify past product development efforts in an attempt to better utilize...
In this thesis I explore the ways in which twenty-first century Americans have access
to Geoffrey Chaucer and his works. I look at issues surrounding Chaucer within the
canon debate, high school history and literature textbooks, and Chaucer in popular
culture, such as in movies like A Knight's Tale. I...
Ship turnaround time at a marine containerport is an important
measure of the port's efficiency and attractiveness. Both the speed
and quality of load planning affect the length of turnaround time
considerably. Past attempts at computerizing the load planning
function have been unsatisfactory and have not reflected the port's
objective...