On October 31, 2000, Singapore Airlines’ Flight SQ0006 crashed into construction equipment 11 seconds after take off and exploded into three pieces. The flight was bound for Los Angeles from Taipei’s Chiang Kai-Shek Airport. There were 159 passengers and 20 crew members on board the flight. The accidents caused 83 fatalities; there were 56 people injured and 40 people escaped unscathed. As it taxied down a closed runway, the aircraft hit a piece of construction equipment and exploded. This thesis uses qualitative methodology to study Singapore Airline’s handling of this crisis from a rhetorical perspective. The dynamic generic framework by Huxman and Bruce (1995) is used to examine the defense rhetoric that Singapore Airlines used to uncover the interactions between the situational (nature of crisis), substantive (posture of company) and stylistic (argument of company) rhetorical makers. There are three findings from this case study. Firstly, the recovery and learning phase of a crisis can be speeded up if investigations are conducted by a neutral party. Secondly, it is important for companies to have well-trained crisis response teams, such as the Buddy system used by Singapore Airlines, as it provides companies with additional critical resources needed to facilitate crisis management. Thirdly, if the relationship between the accused and the accuser needs to be preserved, the accused will likely be constrained to basing arguments on stasis of jurisdiction. / Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Elliott School of Communication / Includes bibliographic references (leaves 50-53) / "May 2006."

Maternal phenylketonuria (MPKU) is a teratogenic syndrome, caused by development of offspring in a uterine environment made toxic by the metabolic imbalance of PKU. The birth defects resulting from untreated MPKU include microcephaly with concomitant mental retardation, growth retardation, and congenital heart defects. Congenital heart defects have been identified and characterized in MPKU offspring, using the BTBR-PAHenu2 mouse MPKU model. Subsequently, this mouse model was used to start investigating the molecular basis of MPKU congenital heart defects. It was determined that three genes involved in heart contractility and development were significantly downregulated in MPKU fetal hearts at 18.5 days postcoitum, compared to non-PKU control offspring. These three genes were troponin T2 (Tnnt2), troponin I3 (Tnni3), and ryanodine receptor 2 (Ryr2). We used the BTBR-PAHenu2 mouse model to further evaluate the relationship between maternal hyperphenylalaninemia and cardiac gene expression in MPKU fetal hearts. It was hypothesized that an association exists between maternal blood phenylalanine (Phe) levels and expression levels of certain cardiac genes. More specifically, our alternate hypothesis stated that elevated maternal blood Phe levels are associated with decreased expression of Tnnt2, Tnni3, and Ryr2 in MPKU fetal hearts. Relative quantification of Tnnt2, Tnni3, and Ryr2 transcript abundance in MPKU fetal hearts was performed using real-time PCR. Linear regression analysis was then performed on relative Tnnt2, Tnni3, and Ryr2 transcript levels as a function of maternal blood Phe concentration. The regression analyses for all three genes were found to be nonsignificant. Therefore, we were unable to reject the null hypothesis, which stated that there is no association between maternal blood Phe levels and the abundance of Tnnt2, Tnni3, and Ryr2 transcripts in MPKU fetal hearts. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Biological Sciences / Includes bibliographic references (leaves 33-39).

Mammalian ovarian organogenesis is characterized temporally by oogonial mitosis, oogonial apoptosis, rescue of germ cells via interaction with somatic cells to form primordial follicles, and entrance into meiosis. Recent studies suggest that germ cell’s activity participate in this process via the production of local regulatory factors. Growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9), a novel transforming growth factor-family member, is expressed in ovaries of various species as a crucial factor in ovarian follicular development. Likewise, the expressional pattern of GDF-9 in nonovarian tissues has remained elusive, as current data continues to support the exclusive expression of GDF-9 within the mammalian ovary. Recently, our lab became interested in the pattern of expression associated with GDF-9 as it pertains to ovarian organogenesis and follicle formation in the neonatal hamster ovary due to the ability to obtain ovaries at specific stages of follicular organization. Further interests include investigating the possible expression of GDF-9 in nonovarian tissues. Consensus oligonucleotide primer pairs spanning at least one intron for GDF-9 were determined by analysis of the gene sequences for human, mouse, rat, bovine, and ovine for use in the hamster. mRNA for GDF-9 in ovarian and non-ovarian tissues was detected by RT/PCR using total RNA. PCR products were sequenced to determine the degree of homology for the gene relative to that of other species (mouse 91%, rat 90%, and human 84%). mRNA for GDF-9 was detected in ovarian samples for all days examined (Days 1, 3, 5, and 6-9 post delivery [Day 0]. This time frame reflects periods of active oogonial mitosis (Days 1 and 3), oogonial atresia (Day 5), and primordial follicle formation (Days 6-9). Translation of GDF-9 was observed prior to primordial follicle development (Day 5). For non-ovarian analysis mRNA, expression of GDF-9 was detected in several tissues (liver, kidney, spleen, and testis) at various stages of growth and development. Furthermore, white blood cells retrieved from adult hamsters revealed mRNA expression of this novel growth factor. Kidney perfusion experiments supported the idea that mRNA expression of GDF-9 in non-ovarian tissues could be the resultant of circulating white blood cells as a 35% reduction was seen in perfused samples. Immunological analyses of hamster ovarian sections detected expression of GDF-9 within the highly vascularized regions of the corpus luteum. In fact, re-investigations of early stage immunological analyses for GDF-9 suggest that mast cells are potential sites of GDF-9 protein expression. Reports suggest that GDF-9 is expressed exclusively in the ovary, specifically within the oocytes, and that expression of GDF-9 is not seen prior to primordial follicle formation. Our results conclude several revolutionary findings pertaining to ovarian and non-ovarian expression of GDF-9. Importantly we report that GDF-9 mRNA is expressed in the ovary prior to and during primordial follicle formation, and after ovarian senescence. And that GDF-9 is non-ovarian specific as previously indicated by scientific literature as we have localized non-ovarian transcription and translation of GDF-9 to white blood cells. Currently, only one type of immunologic cell, mast cells, has been identification to express GDF-9. Further individual white blood cell assays will be required to identify additional specific white blood cell expression of GDF-9. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Biological Sciences / "May 2006."

We present an overview of mathematical models for electrons and holes in semiconductors. We use these to pose some inverse problems for determining the doping profile of a semiconductor. We establish the solvability of the equilibrium equation λ²∆u = e^u−e^(-u)–C in Ω. We also obtain information about the conductivity coefficient in the important case when it is piecewise constant and discontinuous. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics. / Includes bibliographic references (leaves 44-47). / "May 2006."

Pure oblique cutting experiments with conventional cutting tools as well as ultra-sharp tools have been carried out under a wide range of cutting conditions using a linear slide based cutting set-up. The chip flow direction was measured using the 3D Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique of high-speed stereoscopic images and the frictional force direction was determined from forces. It is estimated that the error in chip flow angle measurements using DIC, was approximately ±1°, as was the error in friction force direction measurements from forces. An increasing trend of the angles with an increase in feed and a decreasing trend of the angles with an increase in speeds were observed. It was found that under many conditions, there is a significant difference between the chip flow direction and the friction force direction. This difference decreases with increase in friction co-efficient and with increasing sharpness of the cutting edge. However, with ultra-sharp microtome knives there is a small but finite difference between the chip flow direction and the friction force direction. By the use of DIC to measure the chip flow angle at different points along the back of the chip, it is found that there was no variation in chip-flow angle over the width of the chip. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering / Includes bibliographic references (leaves 65-67)

Seven boys who had received intervention for highly unintelligible speech were tested for metaphonological awareness skills and alphabetic knowledge at the beginning of the summer prior to their entering kindergarten. Five of these boys participated in 12 small-group [2-hour] sessions that incorporated lessons from a comprehensive multisensory early literacy program. Two of the seven boys were not able to participate in the sessions because of summer activity conflicts. Post-treatment scores were compared with pre-treatment scores for each of the boys and for the two groups. Results indicated that the children in the treatment group made substantially greater gains on tasks measuring metaphonological awareness skills and alphabetic principle knowledge during the 6-weeks period than the boys who did not receive services. / Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, College of Health Professions, Dept. of Communication Disorders and Sciences. / "May 2006." / Includes bibliographic references (leaves 62-68)

Machines have become indispensable as part of our day today lives. They have made a stand in various fields like agriculture, construction, mining, materials handling, excavating and general use in industries. Skid Steer loader is one such machine which has the ability to fit into all of these categories. Skid steer loaders are known the world over for versatility and maneuverability. These are agile machines which have become a part of most industries. Their ability of having various attachments makes them proficient in handling tasks, which otherwise would be difficult for a human being. For these skid steer loaders to work to their full potential a skilled operator is required. Among other safety features, these skid steer loaders need to be accountable for the safety of the operator. So the cab mounted on these skid steer loaders need to conform to Roll Over Protective Structure also called as ROPS and Falling Object Protective Structure otherwise known as FOPS standards. There are various standards laid down by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for these ROPS/FOPS cabs on skid steer loaders and other construction and mining equipments world over. This study deals with the composite modeling of ROPS/FOPS cab as per ISO 3471:1994 and ISO 3449:1992 Level I standards for skid steer loaders. In this research, a skid steer loader model with the operator cab is constructed and tested for the ISO standards. A section of the cab is then chosen and its properties are changed to composite properties. An attempt is made to use Glass fiber/epoxy composite materials for the section designed in this study. In addition, a parametric study is carried out on the section to satisfy the current standards in the industry. It is demonstrated that the section with the use Glass fiber/epoxy with a pertinent orientation and thickness may present more energy absorption than the present steel structure. It is demonstrated that the new designed composite section with Glass fiber/epoxy may be more effective than the present steel structure. With the advance in computer simulations, finite element (FE) model of the skid steer loader is used to predict the vehicle behavior in case of roll over. In addition, MSC Patran/Hypermesh has been used as the modeler and LS-Dyna as the solver to run the required simulations. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering / "May 2006." / Includes bibliographic references (leaves 53-54)

The aim of this study is to develop uniform pure bending as an objective test for determining the accuracy of springback prediction by employing different FEA techniques. A complete theoretical solution for the bending moment and change in sheet thickness is available only for uniform pure bending of perfectly plastic sheets. However, plastic hinging develops naturally in simulations of bending perfectly plastic sheets. We have developed a method to prevent plastic hinging and achieve uniform pure bending of sheets by applying constraint equations to nodes along the center fiber. The error in the bending moment for forming (E1), the error due to incomplete unloading during springback (E2), and error in the change of curvature corresponding to the change in bending moment during unloading (E3) are considered independently to get insights into the reasons for discrepancies between finite element analysis and theoretical results for springback. Uniform pure bending is also used to study the bending moment and springback experienced with work-hardening materials. Comparisons have been made with analytical solutions containing minor approximations in terms of the behavior of the material near the center fiber, which is subject to reverse loading. The fact that two different theoretical models for the material undergoing reverse deformation yield results that differ by less than 1% leads to a high degree of confidence in the theoretical models. We have used uniform pure bending to study the inherent springback prediction capability of different types of element analysis, convergence parameters, and discretization level in two different finite element analysis packages, namely MARC and ABAQUS. For simulations in ABAQUS using two dimensional elements and a perfectly plastic material model, the bending moment given by FEA is less than that predicted by the theoretical model by about -3%, indicating lesser springback than that predicted by theory. However for three dimensional elements, the bending moment is higher by about 10% for a relative curvature (%) of 0.2. For a coarse discretization (about 4 elements around a 90° bend), this error increases to about 37%. For a work-hardening material model, two dimensional elements predict 12% less bending moment than the theory, indicating an under-prediction in springback. Shell elements with reduced integration give an under-prediction of springback and show a negative error value between 2% and 10% for the simulations with different integration points, while shell with full integration show a positive total error of abut 3%, indicating a higher springback than predicted by theory. Changing the convergence tolerance value by 100 from the default value shows a 2% change in calculated results. For MARC, the two dimensional elements under-predicts springback by 10%, while the three dimensional elements have shown over-prediction up to 30% in moment calculations. Based on the findings, uniform pure bending is recommended as a benchmark test for identifying the intrinsic accuracy with which springback can be predicted by FEA simulations using different simulation parameters. Uniform pure bending can be used to develop effective guidelines for reliable finite element simulations of springback. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering / "May 2006." / Includes bibliographic references (leaves 52-54)

Today occupant safety is of a prime concern to every car manufacturer. New standards are being set for the safety of the occupant in different crash scenarios like frontal head on collision, angle impacts, side impacts, rear impacts and rollover. Among these standards, frontal impact is one of the fatal crash scenarios that lead to death of scores of people in the United States and across the globe. The automotive mid-rail is the main load carrying/energy-absorbing component in a event of frontal vehicle crash. In the contemporary world, fuel consumption also poses a serious issue that has to be considered. With these constraints in consideration, a lighter and stronger composite material is used in car front rail than steel. Using this material would help in reducing the fuel efficiency without sacrificing the safety of the vehicle. In this research, section modeling of rails is designed to replace the present rail model and the injury sustained by the occupant is recorded. An attempt is made to use Carbon fiber/Epoxy and Glass fiber/epoxy composite materials for the rails. In addition, parametric study is carried out on the rail to find out the maximum possible energy absorbing parameters. It was found that carbon/epoxy rail with a pertinent orientation and thickness was absorbing more energy than the present steel rail. Energy absorption, displacement and the acceleration of the original and section model is compared and discussed in detail. The Ford Taurus model is first validated using the LS-DYNA finite element software package and then dynamic analysis is performed on the original model and the section model according to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208, the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) regulations. The vehicle displacements, Energy absorption and deceleration levels are compared for the steel, carbon-fiber epoxy and glass-fiber epoxy model. The occupant injuries are then evaluated for the full width rigid barrier test at 30 mph and 35 mph using the MADYMO, occupant modeling software package. With the new composite model and the section model the injury levels including, the head, neck and chest injuries are evaluated and compared. It is demonstrated that the new composite rail with carbon/epoxy is more effective than the present steel rail. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering / "May 2006." / Includes bibliographic references (leaves 108-110)

Archaeologists have long recognized the fact that long distance relationships existed in prehistoric societies. There have been many efforts to develop models for a satisfactory explanation for interactions and social change among groups. World Systems Theory, developed by Immanuel Wallerstein, is one such effort to examine mechanisms of inter-societal relationships and a determination of units of analysis for Pre-Columbian societies. To utilize this theory, archaeologists have made modifications and expansions to the theory, determining the advantage of using a world systems perspective, rather than all aspects of the model. An examination of Wallerstein’s theory, as well as assessments and concerns regarding modifications, is examined. The premise that societies do not exist in isolation is one that should concern all archaeologists. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Anthropology. / Includes bibliographic references (leaves 48-57). / "May 2006." / Includes bibliographic references (leaves 48-57)