The determination of wine authenticity and the detection of adulteration are attracting an increasing amount of attention for wine producers, researchers and consumers. Wine authentication and classification based on geographical origin has been widely studied. Most of these studies have achieved successful classification results. However, these studies have involved complicated and expensive procedures. Visible and near infrared spectroscopy (Vis-NIR) is recognized as a rapid and non-destructive technique. In recent years, several studies have been conducted using Vis-NIR spectroscopy to analyze wine for both quantitative and qualitative purposes. The aim of this research was to investigate the geographical classification of wines using Vis-NIR spectroscopy. The effect of temperature and measurement mode (transmission and transflectance) on Vis-NIR spectra was investigated to identify optimal conditions for wine sample analysis. It was found the optimal temperature is between 30 to 35°C and the shorter pathlength measurement condition has better prediction ability. Classification by geographical origin using Vis-NIR spectroscopy was investigated for sixty-three Tempranillo wines from Spain and Australia, and fifty Riesling wines from Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Discriminant partial least square regression (DPLS) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) based on PCA scores were used to perform classification. Over 90% of the Tempranillo wines were correctly classified according to their geographical region using both DPLS and LDA. A classification rate of 72% was achieved for the Riesling wines. Vis-NIR technique provides a similar degree of reliability on wine classification comparable to those obtained using chemical composition. The results of this study demonstrate potential for Vis-NIR spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis as a rapid method for classifying wines by geographical origin. / Thesis (M.Eng.Sc.)--School of Chemical Engineering, 2006.

Two interesting challenges have been created in the traditional transportation planning process through recent adoption of more interactive roles by Federal, State and local transportation agencies and of those representing the communities being impacted by proposed transportation projects. First, the decision-making groups that formerly included solely transportation and related professionals now consist of professionals from state and local agencies and other stakeholders impacted by those proposed projects. Furthermore, the economic justification methodologies commonly used, such as the benefit/cost ratio, no longer provide a sufficient means for evaluation since they now must take account of non-quantifiable or qualitative impacts, such as local quality of life and sustainable development. These new challenges require a new way of thinking, and a new methodology to handle them. A new methodology is required not only to take qualitative performances into consideration, but also to accommodate the diversities created by those in the decision-making process. This research focuses on the alternative evaluation stage as it often demonstrates the above challenges. The objective of the proposed methodology is to develop "a continuous process of learning and understanding through communicative means by virtue of a fair and open framework in developing the group consensus rather than relying solely on the STATUS QUO." The new methodology that combines the advantages of three unrelated components is proposed to reduce the complexities in complex decision situations. The three components include the conflict resolution model (SANTA), the analytical method (AHP), and the group decision support system (GDSS). The proposed methodology also explores a new way to take advantage of the Internet which allows decision makers to make their decisions from any where at any time. A small-scaled pilot study was set up to test the methodology and the software developed according to the framework outlined by the proposed methodology. Many benefits are discovered by the participants' observations without their prior knowledge about the methodology and the software. Those benefits include Flexibility, Accessibility, Transparency, and Efficiency, or FATE. There are two possible applications of this new methodology, i.e., in real-world problem-solving situations and as a learning tool. / Graduation date: 2003

New conceptual work in the judgment and decision-making research arena has suggested a nonconsequentialist perspective to decision-making. From this perspective, an emphasis is placed on emotions during the decision-making process, specifically positing that concurrent emotions may lead to decisions that are nonconsequentialist in nature. In the current study I develop the Nonconsequentialist Decision-Making Model (NDMM) and include indecisiveness as a vital construct in the model. In tune with much new research on emotions during the decision-making process, I examine how being indecisive is a product of negative concurrent emotions, and how indecisiveness affects the decision-making process. Using a natural decision-making setting, the current study had participants discuss the "biggest" decision they are currently facing in their lives. Data was collected regarding indecisiveness, nonconsequentialist dysfunctional decisional coping behavior, and decision difficulty. The findings show strong support for the NDMM and the nonconsequentialist perspective. Furthermore, the indecisiveness construct was measured successfully and showed to be a critical part of the decision-making process when dealing with difficult decisions.

Objective: To explore the decision making approaches used by nurses who chose to work in critical care and factors influencing the process of decision making. Design and methods Qualitative descriptive methods using semi-structured interviews with nurses who had chosen to work in critical care within the past year. Results Ten nurses weighed staying in their current positions with moving to critical care. Two nurses considered two or more specialty units. The nurses used rational-intuitive and satisficing decision making approaches in making their employment decision. Limited knowledge and unrealistic expectations of work life in critical care, pressure from others, and inadequate professional support made nurses’ employment decisions more difficult. Social support, personal values for growth and learning, and paid educational incentives within employment offers facilitated their employment decisions. Conclusions Several factors negatively influenced nurses’ decision making approaches to making an employment decision. Findings revealed the need for decision support interventions focused on making employment choices for nurses.

Objective: To explore the decision making approaches used by nurses who chose to work in critical care and factors influencing the process of decision making. Design and methods Qualitative descriptive methods using semi-structured interviews with nurses who had chosen to work in critical care within the past year. Results Ten nurses weighed staying in their current positions with moving to critical care. Two nurses considered two or more specialty units. The nurses used rational-intuitive and satisficing decision making approaches in making their employment decision. Limited knowledge and unrealistic expectations of work life in critical care, pressure from others, and inadequate professional support made nurses’ employment decisions more difficult. Social support, personal values for growth and learning, and paid educational incentives within employment offers facilitated their employment decisions. Conclusions Several factors negatively influenced nurses’ decision making approaches to making an employment decision. Findings revealed the need for decision support interventions focused on making employment choices for nurses.

Although everyone knows that rational thinking is so important, people still always make some decisions by irrational emotion. Previous studies of making decisions suggest that decision makers mainly maximize their own profit based on economical principle and also with the ability to assess every decision selection¡¦s benefit and cost. They also indicate that most management level decision makers may use analytical, rational and logical ways to analyze every problem they encounter and when it refers to decision making. In our daily life, what do we exactly conform to the suggestion of rational decision making theories? Is irrational decision making with emotional involvement consistent with our daily choice and important decision? People make all kinds of decisions no matter they are important or easy decision for himself /herself or for the others. In other word, decisions build up and make up our life, so it is important to understand what kind of factors affects our step of decision making. Through reviewing of the essays and theses, induction of the interview information, we realize rational and irrational factors intervene into the process of decision making. In terms to decision making, we choose ¡§marriage¡¨ as our research scope, discuss rational and irrational factor affect decision makers¡¦ thinking through the four step of decision making: information collection, development of programs, selection of program and implementation of program. In the step of information collection, individual will search for rational consideration and irrational element. Decision maker will make the decision and influence by irrational factors which include affection, emotion and feeling. When it comes to implementation, some ideas emerge in their mind.

¡§Youtube¡¨ has been published for seven years, and along with the growth of Youtube, various types of online video have also been growing exponentially. Video marketing has become a popular propagation method in business. And also, video marketing is not only used in enterprises, but also used by lots of user to promote themselves successfully. Nowadays, video marketing is becoming one of the most influential propagation media. To make a good video in today¡¦s environment that emphasizing on innovation and speed, we need a systematic video making process. The concept of this research is based on the video toolbox method which includes ¡§tools¡¨, ¡§materials¡¨, and ¡§video making process¡¨. The research method used by this thesis is action research, by making and analyzing videos; we can explore and revise the content of the video toolbox. On the part of ¡§tools¡¨, suitable tools in the appropriate conditions should be organized. On the part of the ¡§materials¡¨, by the process of action research, the materials has been recreated and accumulated. These materials will be the basis of video making in the future. On the part of the¡¨ video making process¡¨, the processes have been improved after every video making, and apply appropriate process for different conditions. The efficiency of the video making is the focal point in this research, but we are also interested in the effect of video propagating. So after every attempt in video making, some tools have been used to analyze the effect of video propagating. The experience would be utilize in the next video making process, and also examine how the video toolbox help to improve the effect of video propagating.

New conceptual work in the judgment and decision-making research arena has suggested a nonconsequentialist perspective to decision-making. From this perspective, an emphasis is placed on emotions during the decision-making process, specifically positing that concurrent emotions may lead to decisions that are nonconsequentialist in nature. In the current study I develop the Nonconsequentialist Decision-Making Model (NDMM) and include indecisiveness as a vital construct in the model. In tune with much new research on emotions during the decision-making process, I examine how being indecisive is a product of negative concurrent emotions, and how indecisiveness affects the decision-making process. Using a natural decision-making setting, the current study had participants discuss the "biggest" decision they are currently facing in their lives. Data was collected regarding indecisiveness, nonconsequentialist dysfunctional decisional coping behavior, and decision difficulty. The findings show strong support for the NDMM and the nonconsequentialist perspective. Furthermore, the indecisiveness construct was measured successfully and showed to be a critical part of the decision-making process when dealing with difficult decisions.

Dissertation (M.A. (Department of Dogmatics and Christian Ethics))--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (S.T.M.)--Yale Divinity School, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 130-136).