Thesis (D. Min.)--Western Seminary, Portland, OR, 2010. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 164-165).

Theses (M.A.)--Marshall University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Includes abstract. Document formatted into pages: contains iii, 86 pages. Bibliography: p.82-86.

Consumer experience plays an increasingly significant role in influencing the success of most businesses. The concept of ‘consumer experience’ has become an important area of study within the disciplines of marketing and consumer behavior. Regardless of its positive attention, this phenomenon has received in recent years; the clarification of consumer experience quality in online communities has remained unclear and needs a detailed theoretical base. In addition, it has been assumed that there is a relation between consumer experience quality and brand loyalty, nevertheless, there is limited research to confirm this theoretical proposition. The purpose of this study is to gain an in-depth perspective on the concept of consumer experience quality and its dimensions in the online community. The Internet has changed the behavior of consumers significantly where individuals have used online communities to interact with one another. These online communities enable individuals to connect globally in order to communicate effectively since inappropriate communication activities can affect the image consumers have formed with a particular organization from online social networks. As a result, the traditional way of communication is changed using interactive platforms. Data was collected through qualitative and quantitative research using an online blog where consumers shared ideas, experiences and interacted with each other about their experiences of Weightwatchers and Slimming World in the United Kingdom. The qualitative research was done by applying Netnography technique that uses content analysis of consumer reviews of their experiences in the Health and Diet online communities. Using the PLS-SEM, the structural model proposed in this study revealed a significant positive relationship between pragmatic experience and overall quality experience. Thus, the current study maintains the notion that pragmatic experience is a key determinant of overall quality experience. In addition, finding of this study suggests that consumers assess their online experience when participating in “health and diet online communities”. These pragmatic components are reflected in the consumers’ benefits gained during interacting with the online community. Furthermore, it was evident that consumers view the online community as important in relation to their feelings and enjoyment because the forum provides them with the opportunities and preferences to share health and diet information with other community members. Consequently, the participants in the “health and diet online communities” will eventually generate moods, feelings and emotional experiences after interacting with each other in order to develop an affective relationship with a company’s brand and products.

xvii, 106 p. : ill., maps. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / This dissertation establishes the age, depositional environment, composition, and climatic conditions for the Cape Blanco flora. The paleotemperature estimated by the Cape Blanco flora, the Temblor flora of California, and the Seldovia flora of Alaska are then compared with sea surface temperatures estimated from oxygen isotope analysis of benthic foraminifera. The unconformity-bound shallow marine sandstone of Floras Lake includes a redeposited tuff bed which contains fossil leaves at Cape Blanco. An 40 Ar/ 39 Ar age of 18.26 ± 0.86 Ma is presented for the tuff as well as a paleomagnetic stratigraphy of the sandstone. Sedimentary structures of the tuff bed are evidence that the tuff was deposited at or just above the strand line. The depth of tuff deposition was shallower than the adjacent marine sands, and this short-lived shoaling may have been a result of increased sediment supply. The fossil flora was an oak forest with numerous species of Fagaceae. Additional components include lanceolate Salicaceae leaves, entire margined Lauraceae, fragmentary Betulaceae, and lobed Platanaceae. Coniferous debris, charcoal, Equisetales, and Typhaceae forms are also figured. Ten leaf forms could not be confidently assigned to established names but are described, figured, and called angiosperm forms 1-10. In total 44 unique forms are identified. The size and margin type of the dicot specimens are quantified, and by comparison with known modern floras, a former mean annual precipitation of 201 (+86, -61) cm and a former mean annual temperature of 18.26 ± 2.6°C are estimated. The paleotemperature of the ∼17.5 Ma Seldovia Flora and the ∼17.5 Ma Temblor Flora are estimated using the same method, establishing a ∼0.7°C per degree of latitude temperature gradient for the northern hemisphere temperate zone. The leaf based gradient is steeper than the sea surface temperature gradient, of ∼0.26°C per degree of latitude as estimated from oxygen isotopic composition of foraminifera collected from ocean sediment cores. Both fossil leaf and isotope methods suggest that the early Miocene was ∼5°C warmer than today. This thesis includes unpublished co-authored material. / Committee in charge: Gregory Retallack, Chairperson, Geological Sciences; Rebecca Dorsey, Member, Geological Sciences; Joshua Roering, Member, Geological Sciences; Barbara Roy, Outside Member, Biology

Natimorto é a morte do produto da gestação, antes da expulsão do corpo materno. Para a mãe, a notícia da morte do filho ainda durante o período da gestação é traumática que, na expectativa de uma vida, encontra o desespero e a tristeza. Este estudo teve como objetivo compreender a experiência da mãe diante do filho natimorto. O referencial teórico adotado foi a teoria do luto e como referencial metodológico, o interacionismo interpretativo para análise das narrativas das nove mães que passaram pela experiência de ter um filho natimorto. Os eventos que marcaram a história das mães neste cenário foram: SENDO SURPREENDIDA PELA MÁ NOTÍCIA, TENDO UM PARTO SEM SENTIDO, SAINDO DE MÃOS VAZIAS E ENFRENTANDO O LUTO SOCIAL. Os dados analisados possibilitaram a compreensão da experiência das mães diante da morte de seu filho durante a gravidez. A morte do bebê no final da gestação, quando caracterizado como natimorto, é incompreensível para a mãe. Ela fica exausta, tem uma profunda dor emocional, acompanhada de um sentimento de vulnerabilidade que a impede de pensar no futuro ou na possibilidade de uma nova gestação. Ver o filho natimorto é um momento significativo e nem sempre a mãe consegue verbalizar o desejo de conhecer, tocar, segurar no colo o seu filho que agora está morto. O processo de luto é vivido de maneira solitária, porque sua tristeza não é compartilhada com a família e amigos, havendo uma preferência para o isolamento devido sentir-se envergonhada por não ter conseguido gerar um filho sadio e por chorar o tempo inteiro. O estudo reforça a necessidade de inserção de informações e conhecimentos dos profissionais de saúde, ainda no ensino de graduação, acerca do processo de luto pertinente a essas mães para oferecer-lhes algum controle sobre a experiência, resgatando, assim, sua autonomia e propiciando-lhes a prevenção de sua saúde física e mental / Stillbirth is the death of the product of gestation, before the expulsion of the maternal body. For the mother, the news of his son\'s death during the period of pregnancy is traumatic, since instead of an expectation of a life, she finds desperation and sadness. This research aimed to understand the mothers experience of having a stillbirth child. The theoretical framework adopted was the grief theory. Interpretative Interactionism was the methodological referential for the biographical narrative analysis of nine mothers who had the experience of having a stillbirth child. The events that determined the mothers history in this scenario were: BEING SURPRISED BY THE BAD NEWS, GIVING A NON SENSE BIRTH, LEAVING WITH EMPTY HANDS AND FACING THE SOCIAL MOURNING. The analyzed data enabled an understanding of mothers experience face to death of her child during pregnancy. The death of the baby in late pregnancy, when characterized as a stillbirth, is incomprehensible to the mother. She becomes exhausted, has a deep emotional pain, followed by a feeling of vulnerability that prevents her from thinking about the future or the possibility of a new pregnancy. To see the stillbirth child is a significant moment and not always the mother can verbalize her desire to know, to touch, to hold her child who is now dead. The grieving process is experienced in a lonely way, since her sadness is not shared with family and friends. They prefer to be alone due to feeling shame for failing to produce a healthy child and they cry all the time. The study reinforces that it is necessary to insert information and knowledge concerning the grief process relevant to these mothers to health professionals, even in undergraduate courses. This would allow them to give those mother some control over the experience, thus recovering their autonomy and allowing them to prevent their physical and mental health

Mental health is an ever-growing crisis among adolescents and young adults, with suicide as second leading cause of death and the number of those negatively affected continually on the rise. Transitions are one of the major stressors prevalent among these age groups, placing individuals at risk for mental health deficits. This quantitative voluntary response comparative study assesses the transitional mental health of pre-nursing students and students in the nursing program at East Tennessee State University. Emailed to all with a declared major of pre-nursing or nursing, this study measured mental health using evidenced based assessment tools. The PHQ-9 for depression and the GAD-7 for anxiety, along with additional demographic information and mental health service usage questions, was sent to and completed by participants. A total of n = 173 responses were received. Of these responses n = 99 or 57.2 percent were nursing students, a participation rate of 9.6 percent, and n = 74 or 42.8 percent were pre-nursing students. The research revealed that depression and anxiety scores were above the cutoff for moderate depression and anxiety in both groups, as well as identified a deficit in availability of mental health resources, with over 10 percent of students unable to access counseling or psychiatric services. Contraindicatory to literature, which predicted improving mental health in the progression through university studies, this study reveals a variable and even worsening trajectory of mental health as students transition into the nursing program and progressed through college.

Inom revisionsbranschen står många revisionsbyråer inför utmaningen med att behålla sina revisorsassistenter. Många tidigare studier har gjorts kring vad som orsakar att ett stort antal anställda tar beslutet att lämna revisionsbranschen. Eftersom fokus tidigare riktats på revisorsassistenten, har revisionsbyråerna och deras arbete kring frågan hamnat i skymundan. Detta väckte intresset av att undersöka hur revisionsbyråer upplever och hanterar den höga personalomsättningen bland revisorsassistenter. För att uppfylla studien syfte har en kvalitativ forskningsmetod använts, i form av semistrukturerade intervjuer med revisorer som uppgetts vara insatta i revisorsassistenternas rotation på revisionsbyrån. Intervjuerna genomfördes med revisionsbyråer i Kristianstad med omnejd. Ämnet har studerats utifrån litteratur inom följande perspektiv: personalomsättning bland anställda, effekter av personalomsättning, managementmetoden Up or Out och motivationsfaktorer. Studiens resultat visar att en majoritet av studiens medverkande byråer inte upplevde sig ha problem med hög personalomsättning bland sina revisorsassistenter. Meningarna var desamma oavsett om revisionsbyrån tillhörde de Big 4-byråerna eller representerade en mindre revisionsbyrå. Studiens resultat visar att de medverkande revisionsbyråerna hanterar den höga personalomsättningen bland revisorsassistenter genom åtgärder som utbildningar, fysiskt och mental stöttning, varierande arbetsuppgifter och medverkan i personliga aktiviteter för att försöka få revisorsassistenten att känna utvecklingspotential och känna sig sedd och därmed är villig att stanna kvar på byrån. Studien kom fram till att storleken på den medverkande byrån, samt om byrån tillhör de Big 4-byråerna eller ej, inte tenderar att ha någon påverkan för hur revisionsbyrån upplever eller hanterar den höga personalomsättningen bland revisorsassistenter. / In the auditing industry, many auditing firms face the challenge of retaining their auditing assistants. Previous research focuses heavily on the perspective of the auditors 'assistants and has asked what factors are behind the auditors' choice in seeking opportunities outside the auditing industry.  Since earlier research has been focused from the audit assistant perspective, the audit firms and their work on how to handle this challenge, has received little attention. It would therefore be interesting to examining how the audit firms perceive and handle the high staff turnover among auditing assistants. To fulfill the study purpose, a qualitative research method has been used, in the form of semi-structured interviews with auditors stated to be familiar with the audit assistants' rotation at the auditing firm. The interviews were conducted with auditing firms in Kristianstad and the surrounding area. The subject has been studied from literature in the following perspective: personnel turnover among employees, effects of staff turnover, management method Up or Out and motivation factors. The results of this study show that a majority of the participating firms did not find themselves having problems with high staff turnover among their auditors' assistants. The opinions were the same whether the audit firm belonged to the “Big 4” or represented a small auditing firm. This study shows that the participating audit firms handle the high staff turnover among auditor assistants through measures such as training, physical and mental support, varying tasks and participation in personal activities to try to get the auditor assistants to feel a potential for professional development, getting acknowledgement, and thus are willing to stay on Office. The study concluded that the size of the participating firms, whether the firm belongs to the “Big 4” or not, does not tend to have any impact on how the audit firms perceives or manages the high staff turnover among auditor assistants.

Because of the relative uniqueness of the runaway experience as it now exists, minimal current research information is available. It was our feeling that knowledge about runaways, their families, and the social agencies which serve them is essential if significant prevention and treatment for the problem were to be implemented by the community. The purpose and scope of this exploratory research was essentially two-fold; to contribute descriptive information about runaway youth and their families to the community, and to evaluate the current populations of two agencies which service them. An underlying goal throughout the research was to utilize the data collected to identify trends in runaway behavior, increase the potential for predictability, and provide some real insight into prevention techniques. Our informal hypothesis was that there is a significant difference in specific variables between runaway and non-runaway populations. We were interested in developing a typology of runaways, identifying those factors which increase a child's probability that he/she will run away. Finally, we wanted to know if different agencies tend to serve a particular kind of runaway who has specific characteristics. These constituted the major goals for this research practicum. Since most law enforcement and social service energy is spent at the point of crisis, this research sought to identify trends in the scope of the problem which would aid preventative services for runaways. Hopefully, the impact of this practicum will influence crucial issues in terms of family dynamics, treatment intervention, community resources, and delinquency prevention. The results of this study will be distributed to the participating agencies and other interested segments of the community. Probably more detailed hypothesis testing will be needed; however, this study forms a base of information for future research. Better assessment of meeting the problem by evaluating all existing services should be a continuing focus for the social service community.

Galerucella pusilla and G. calmariensis have provided successful biological control of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.) in non-tidal areas but only marginal control in areas of tidal influence. While a previous study identified mechanical scour by tidal waters as the main cause of establishment failure, purple loosestrife stem density explained more than 80% of the variability in presence and absence of Galerucella at my study sites in the Columbia River Estuary. A logistic regression model using purple loosestrife stem density, elevation, and their interaction as predictors accurately predicted 92.5% of Galerucella presence or absence observations of a test data set (n= 201). Field data also identified a critical threshold of approximately 32 purple loosestrife stems/m2 , above which Galerucella were present 100% of the time at the release sites.

The line mapping method of Piteau and Martin (1977) was tested on two different rock type road cuts in the Siskiyou National Forest, and was found to be an efficient means of collecting geological data for rock slope stability analysis. The unbiased approach of this method calls for close scrutiny of the outcrops in question, covering more ground than other methods in less time. In turn, this close attention to every crack in the outcrop reveals more about the stability of the slope, and can reveal hidden hazards of rock fall. The supportive systems for analyzing the data - stereonets and computer program packages of Watts (1986) - led to the discoveries of several potential plane and wedge failures which were not initially visible. Also revealed was the fairly stable condition of the massive wedge at Elk River, which appeared to be extremely hazardous. Each potential failure was analyzed for its Factor of Safety under dry and water saturated conditions, and the cohesion necessary to maintain stability was reported.