abstract: Convergent products are products that offer multiple capabilities from different product categories. For example, a smartphone acts as an internet browser, personal assistant, and telephone. Marketers are constantly considering the value of adding new functionalities to these convergent products. This work examines convergent products in terms of the hedonic and utilitarian value they provide along with whether the addition is related to the base product, revealing complex and nuanced interactions. This work contributes to marketing theory by advancing knowledge in the convergent products and product design literatures, specifically by showing how hedonic and utilitarian value and addition relatedness interact to impact the evaluation of convergent goods and services. Looking at a greater complexity of convergent product types also helps to resolve prior conflicting findings in the convergent products and hedonic and utilitarian value literatures. Additionally, this work examines the role of justification in convergent products, showing how different additions can help consumers to justify the evaluation of a convergent product. A three-item measure for justification was developed for this research, and can be used by future researchers to better understand the effects of justification in consumption. This work is also the first to explicitly compare effects between convergent goods and convergent services. Across two experiments, it is found that these two products types (convergent goods versus convergent services) are evaluated differently. For convergent goods, consumers evaluate additions based on anticipated practicality/productivity and on how easily they are justified. For convergent services, consumers evaluate additions based on perceptions of performance risk associated with the convergent service, which stems from the intangibility of these services. The insights gleaned from the research allow specific recommendations to be made to managers regarding convergent offerings. This research also examines the applicability of hedonic and utilitarian value to a special type of advertising appeal: reward appeals. Reward appeals are appeals that focus on peripheral benefits from purchasing or using a product, such as time or money savings, and make suggestions on how to use these savings. This work examines potential interactions between reward appeals and other common advertising elements: social norms information and role clarity messaging. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Business Administration 2012

This thesis presents the results for measured and predicted rotordynamic coefficients and leakage for a convergent-tapered honeycomb seal (CTHC). The test seals had a diameter of 114.968 mm (4.5263 in) at the entrance, and a diameter of 114.709 mm (4.5161 in) at the exit. The honeycomb cell depth was 3.175 mm (0.125 in), and the cell width was 0.79 mm (0.0311 in). Measurements are reported with air as the test fluid at three different speeds: 10,200, 15,200, and 20,200 rpm; with a supply pressure of 69 bar (1,000 psi), with exit-to-inlet pressure ratios from 20% to 50%, and using two rotors that are 114.3 mm (4.500 in) and 114.5 mm (4.508 in) respectively; this enables the same seals to be tested under two different conditions. The q factor, which is just a simple way to quantify taper is defined as the taperangle seal parameter and is calculated using the inlet and exit radial clearance. Two taper-angles parameters were calculated; q = 0.24 for the 114.3 mm (4.500 in) rotor, and q = 0.386 for the 114.5 mm (4.508 in) rotor. The q = 0.24 condition was compared to a constant clearance honeycomb seal (CCHC q = 0) because both sets of data were taken with the same rotor diameter. The direct stiffness, effective stiffness, and direct damping coefficients were larger for q = 0.24. The CTHC q = 0.24 eliminates the direct negative static stiffness obtained with CCHC ( q = 0). The cross-coupled stiffness and damping also were larger for q = 0.24, especially at low frequencies. Effective damping is one of the best indicators in determining the stability of a roughened stator annular gas seal. The frequency at which it changes sign is called the cross-over frequency. In applications, this frequency needs to be lower than the rotorsystem’s first natural frequency. Otherwise, the seal will be highly destabilizing instead of highly stabilizing. The magnitude of effective damping and the cross-over frequency also increases with q for all frequencies. Constant clearance honeycomb seals have less leakage than convergenttapered honeycomb seals. CTHC ( q = 0.24), has approximately 20 percent more leakage than CCHC ( q = 0). The experimental results for rotordynamic characteristics and leakage were compared to theoretical predictions by the two-control-volume developed by Kleynhans and Childs. All rotordynamic coefficients were reasonably predicted for all cases. The model does a better job predicting the cross-coupled stiffness and damping coefficients rather than the direct stiffness and damping coefficients. Also, the two-control-volume model predicts the dynamic characteristics of CCHC ( q = 0) better, and does not predict well the effective stiffness and damping for CTHC q = 0.386.

Similar forces of selection operating on multiple taxa can cause convergent evolution of quantitative traits. When those same forces of selection occur across an environmental gradient a phenotypic cline may evolve. I have conducted an experiment in central Texas to test whether seed oil melting points and proportions of saturated fatty acids have repeatedly evolved to germinate as predicted by theory. Species with lower seed oil melting points and proportions of saturated fatty acids are expected to germinate at cooler temperatures than ones that germinate at warmer temperatures. Field observations were conducted at two sites for one year to characterize germination temperatures of sixteen species. Gas chromatography was utilized to describe the fatty acid compositions and melting points of those species’ triacylglycerol (oil) stores. The field sites produced conflicting results. At one site, all analyses supported the theory. Whereas evidence from the other site either contradicted expectation or was equivocal. Likewise there was some evidence that plants with annual life histories are under stronger selection to evolve melting points that approximate germination temperature than species with perennial life histories. Finally, evidence was found that a higher level of variation in seed oil melting point and percent of saturated fatty acids is maintained in species that were observed to germinate at low temperatures relative to species observed to germinate at higher temperatures. / text

Convergent validity has been used to evaluate the correlation between measurement tools. Delayed discounting has been used in order to determine the impulsivity in a variety of populations. Delayed discounting tasks have historically consisted of long, time consuming surveys. These tasks present participants with questions that relate to smaller sooner, or larger later rewards following various temporal delays. The purpose of the present study was to determine the convergent validity between a brief delayed discounting survey and a long, traditional version of the survey. The traditional survey consisted of 189 questions that contained 7 temporal delays and hypothetical money amounts. The brief survey was created based on the long survey but consisted of only 7 questions. Results from this study indicate that convergent validity did not exist between the two surveys. Keywords: delayed discounting, convergent validity, impulsivity

Predictions are presented for a selected compressor using longer hole-pattern seals with L/D ratios from 0.5 to 2.5. Results were obtained for back-to-back and in-line compressors with the seal located at mid-span and at 82% of rotor span respectively, considering different seal lengths, radial seal clearances, as well as constant clearance and convergent-tapered seal geometries. Predictions of the synchronous rotordynamic coefficients and leakage were estimated using a code developed by Kleynhans and Childs with zero preswirl and constant pressure ratio of 0.5. This code does not include moment coefficients; which can affect the results. Results of all configurations show an increase of stiffness and damping coefficients with increasing seal length. In addition, a significant reduction in leakage (approximately 47 percent) as L/D increases is exhibited for constant clearance and convergent-tapered hole-pattern seals. For the back-to-back compressor, the stability analysis predicts that the system is stable for all speeds and L/D ratios. In fact, the rotor cylindrical-bending mode becomes more stable with lengthening the seals, for both constant clearance and convergent-tapered hole-pattern seals. For constant clearance seals (Case A), the synchronous response at mid-span show a critical speed at 8,000 rpm (cylindrical-bending mode) for all L/D ratios, while a reduction of 85 percent in the peak response is exhibited as L/D increases. Case B, in which the radial clearance is increased as L/D increases to have the same leakage as case A, slightly increases the synchronous response of the model compared to case A. For convergent-tapered seals (Case C), the synchronous response at mid-span shows a higher critical speed (9,000 rpm) for all L/D ratios, and a larger reduction (89 percent) in peak response with increasing L/D, compared to Case A. However, the magnitude of the peak response is larger for convergent-tapered seals than that for constant clearance seals, for all L/D ratios. For in-line compressor, the stability analysis predicts two critical speeds at 6,000 (conical mode) and 18,000 rpm (first bending mode) respectively. Both modes are predicted to be stable for all speed and L/D ratios. Synchronous response at the mid-span for Case A shows the peak response at the first critical speed is slightly reduced as L/D increases while the response at the second critical speed is increased for most of the cases. In addition, the second critical speed is reduced from 18,000 to 13,000 rpm, which is not a concern because it remains above the running speed. This was also the trend for convergent-tapered hole-pattern seal. In addition, the increase of radial clearance in Case B slightly increases the amplitude of vibration, compared to Case A.

Predictions are presented for a selected compressor using longer hole-pattern seals with L/D ratios from 0.5 to 2.5. Results were obtained for back-to-back and in-line compressors with the seal located at mid-span and at 82% of rotor span respectively, considering different seal lengths, radial seal clearances, as well as constant clearance and convergent-tapered seal geometries. Predictions of the synchronous rotordynamic coefficients and leakage were estimated using a code developed by Kleynhans and Childs with zero preswirl and constant pressure ratio of 0.5. This code does not include moment coefficients; which can affect the results. Results of all configurations show an increase of stiffness and damping coefficients with increasing seal length. In addition, a significant reduction in leakage (approximately 47 percent) as L/D increases is exhibited for constant clearance and convergent-tapered hole-pattern seals. For the back-to-back compressor, the stability analysis predicts that the system is stable for all speeds and L/D ratios. In fact, the rotor cylindrical-bending mode becomes more stable with lengthening the seals, for both constant clearance and convergent-tapered hole-pattern seals. For constant clearance seals (Case A), the synchronous response at mid-span show a critical speed at 8,000 rpm (cylindrical-bending mode) for all L/D ratios, while a reduction of 85 percent in the peak response is exhibited as L/D increases. Case B, in which the radial clearance is increased as L/D increases to have the same leakage as case A, slightly increases the synchronous response of the model compared to case A. For convergent-tapered seals (Case C), the synchronous response at mid-span shows a higher critical speed (9,000 rpm) for all L/D ratios, and a larger reduction (89 percent) in peak response with increasing L/D, compared to Case A. However, the magnitude of the peak response is larger for convergent-tapered seals than that for constant clearance seals, for all L/D ratios. For in-line compressor, the stability analysis predicts two critical speeds at 6,000 (conical mode) and 18,000 rpm (first bending mode) respectively. Both modes are predicted to be stable for all speed and L/D ratios. Synchronous response at the mid-span for Case A shows the peak response at the first critical speed is slightly reduced as L/D increases while the response at the second critical speed is increased for most of the cases. In addition, the second critical speed is reduced from 18,000 to 13,000 rpm, which is not a concern because it remains above the running speed. This was also the trend for convergent-tapered hole-pattern seal. In addition, the increase of radial clearance in Case B slightly increases the amplitude of vibration, compared to Case A.

Annular seals are devices, which are used in turboMachinery systems to reduce the flow leakage, and to provide better dynamic stability to the system. Leakage flow can strongly affect cooling quality, heating balance, and efficiency of a turboMachinery system. Due to the fact that annular seals can significantly reduce the flow leakage, and provide the most cost-effective way of enhancing the aerodynamic efficiency, understanding of the flow characteristics through the annular seal configurations is an important subject. Seals are classified in two main groups, which are contacting, and non-contacting seals. Straight annular and convergent seal configurations are characterized as non-contacting seals, and they are widely used in rotating turbocMachinery systems. The flow kinetic energy obtained from the flow pressure is dissipated by the effects of shear stresses along the free shear layers. In addition, viscosity of the flow has an impact on the dissipation rate of the flow kinetic energy. In this research, the leakage characteristics of the straight annular, and convergent seal configurations under specified working conditions are compared to each other. This study aims to investigate which seal configuration exhibits better leakage characteristics with respect to the different seal clearances, shaft speeds, surface roughness heights, and pressure ratios. Commercial code ANSYS Fluent is used to perform the flow simulations for the straight annular and convergent seal configurations. Effects of the seal clearances, shaft speeds, pressure ratios, and surface roughness heights on the leakage rate are analyzed. It was observed that the seal clearance has a significant impact on the flow leakage, and clearance control is an important subject in seal technology. Additionally, dynamic system is compared to the static system, and results showed that shaft speed less than 15,000 rpm has not considerable impacts on the leakage.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--York University, 2008. Graduate Programme in Biology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 87-100). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR51629

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The purpose of this case study was to examine the types of questions a music teacher uses in the classroom and when, and with what frequency, those question types occurred. The questions an experienced general music teacher asked fourth-grade students over the course of five thirty-minute class periods were classified as either procedural/behavioral (36.17%), content (61.97%), or off-topic (1.86%) questions. The content questions were further categorized as either convergent or divergent, as well as whether they were instances of probing, prompting, or redirection. The participant asked an average of approximately 75 questions per class period, and the majority of these (85.84%; n = 200) were convergent. Though previous research has demonstrated the importance of the use of a variety of question types, this knowledge may not have translated to the classroom.