Academic literature on the topic 'Means-ends chain'

Abstract Whether chain scission takes place during mixing of black-filled compounds has been a debatable subject which is yet unsettled. The uncertainty originates from the material system which contains gel. A direct method to evaluate scission is to quantify the change in the number of chain ends, since two chain ends will be newly created on each event of scission. It requires determination of an average molecular weight of the linear components which constitute the gel-containing system. The degree of polymerization denned in the Charlesby-Pinner theory, derived for crosslinking study by means of sol-gel analysis, could be conveniently used for the purpose. The theory, however, cannot be directly applied for black-filled compounds because the composite structure in the compounds does not allow one to satisfy the assumptions made in the theory, i.e., an equal chance of crosslinking for every reactive site. A new technique is developed so that the assumption is satisfied and the sol-gel analysis can be carried out even with black-filled compounds. This technique is applied for numbers of compounds, with the same formulation but mixed under various conditions. A NR and an SBR formulations are used here. The results clearly indicate that chain scission takes place during mixing of both NR and SBR compounds.

The formation of gaseous polystyrene molecular ions [M]+ by means of the technique of field desorption is proposed to involve creation of a charged sample/gas interface and subsequent field evaporation of ions. The molecular ions so formed fragment spontaneously in the gas phase, provided the emitter temperature is sufficiently high. The polystyrene chains rupture near their ends rather than in their centres, which is proposed to be a consequence of efficient charge delocalization. Following collisional activation, the polystyrene chains break up to give low-mass fragment ions. The low-mass fragment ions are proposed to be the result of successive depolymerization steps, following initial direct bond cleavage within the polymer chain.

Abstract A black-filled rubber compound consists of two phases: the free polymer phase, where no particle exists, and the carbon black agglomerate phase, where highly concentrated particles are bound by a small amount of the polymer—so called bound rubber. The Charlesby—Pinner virtual linear number-average molecular weight Mn1 of the polymer in each phase is determined for black-filled compounds to obtain information about the chain end distribution in the compounds. The nominal crosslink density of the bound rubber is also measured by means of the swelling measurement of the “carbon gel” to characterize the crosslink variation in the vulcanizates. The results indicate that the chain end density is much higher in the agglomerate phase than in the free polymer phase due to enhanced chain scission during mixing. The enhancement of scission is considered due to the free radical crosslinking which imposes restriction to chain slippage in the flow field. This together with the previous findings suggests the features of the phase construction in the filled vulcanizates: tightly crosslinked free polymer phase with fewer chain ends, and loosely crosslinked agglomerate phase with more chain ends but, with rather suppressed chain mobility due to the dense nano-scale particles. The features match well with the energy dissipating and the toughened nature of the filled vulcanizates.

Polymer films that contain well-defined patterns can be used in a variety of novel applications. For example such films can serve as the scaffolding in fabricating organic/inorganic composites with controlled architectures. One means of forming patterned films is to anchor the ends of homopolymers onto a substrate (so that the ends are fixed and cannot move) and immerse the system in a poor solvent. The incompatibility between the polymer and solvent drives the system to phase-separate. Since the ends are immobilized however, the polymers can only escape the unfavorable solvent by clustering with neighboring chain s into distinct aggregates or “pinned micelles.” These micelles have a uniform size and spacing, and form a regular array on the surface. In this article, we use theoretical models to extend this concept and show that, by tethering copolymers—chains that contain more than one type of monomer—we can drive the system to form more complicated surface patterns. These copolymer patterns provide a handle for engineering the interaction between surfaces and thus facilitate the fabrication of novel optical devices. If the copolymer films are composed of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains, the surface can also be used as a template for growing biological cells with tailored shapes and sizes.

Recent media and political events illustrate some links between consumption and production. The author explores these links through the concept of commodity chains. This concept has been partially developed in the literature, and an attempt is made to specify this further by means of the illustration of gold. The message is that the ‘geographies of consumption’ literature is insufficient by itself but becomes stronger when joined with a materialist commodity-chain analysis. The author moves from a deconstruction of the images of men and women in gold advertisements, at the consumption end, to the various places of production, beginning with Italian gold jewelry factories, then South African gold mines and apartheid, and third Lesotho, where Basotho men migrate to South African gold mines leaving behind ‘gold widows‘. The material reality of these gold widows stands in contrast to the ‘gold windows' of Tiffany's and the images of women and men in advertisements for gold. The author opines that this sort of analysis necessitates a politics of consumption in which the two ends are reconnected; and that this could lead to a new ‘commercial geography‘.

AbstractA common contemporary view is that the Bible and subsequent Christian thought authorize humans to exploit animals purely as means to human ends. This paper argues that Biblical and Christian thought have given rise to a more complex ethic of animal use informed by its pastoralist origins, Biblical pronouncements that permit different interpretations, and competing ideas and doctrines that arose during its development, and influenced by the rich and often contradictory features of ancient Hebrew and Greco-Roman traditions. The result is not a uniform ethic but a tradition of unresolved debate. Differing interpretations of the Great Chain of Being and the conflict over animal experimentation demonstrate the colliding values inherent in the complex history of Biblical and Christian thought on animals.

Though MIMO systems improve performance of a wireless communication network by the usage of multiple antennas, demand of distinct set of RF chain (i.e., electronic components required for antenna transmission and reception, in wireless communication) for all the antennas leads to an increase in complexity and cost. Antenna selection technique of MIMO has proved to be a good means to solve this issue. Antenna Selection methods find optimal number of antennas required out of the total antennas present in the MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) system. The selection of antenna can be performed at both ends of the communication network i.e., transmitter or receiver. In this paper, an overview of various Transmit Antenna Selection techniques for various MIMO systems is presented.

ABSTRACT Characterization of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis was refined by incorporating new data from isolates obtained from avian sources, from the spleens of naturally infected mice, and from the United Kingdom into an existing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O-chain compositional database. From least to greatest, the probability of avian isolates producing high-molecular-mass LPS O chain ranked as follows: pooled kidney, liver, and spleen; intestine; cecum; ovary and oviduct; albumen; yolk; and whole egg. Mouse isolates were most like avian intestinal samples, whereas United Kingdom isolates were most like those from the avian reproductive tract and egg. Non-reproductive tract organ isolates had significant loss of O chain. Isogenic isolates that varied in ability to make biofilm and to be orally invasive produced different O-chain structures at 25°C but not at 37°C. Hens infected at a 91:9 biofilm-positive/-negative colony phenotype ratio yielded only the negative phenotype from eggs. These results indicate that the environment within the hen applies stringent selection pressure on subpopulations of S. enterica serovar Enteritidis at certain points in the infection pathway that ends in egg contamination. The avian cecum, rather than the intestines, is the early interface between the environment and the host that supports emergence of subpopulation diversity. These results suggest that diet and other factors that alter cecal physiology should be investigated as a means to reduce egg contamination.

碩士<br>元智大學<br>資訊管理學系<br>107<br>This study uses Means-End Chain (MEC) analysis to explore the Chinese-speaking intentions of the Chinese-speaking region and to understand the motivations and behaviors of consumers traveling to Japan. Using MEC theory to measure the product attributes, usage results and personal value generated by traveling to Japan, and explain the attributes, results and values of Japanese tourism in three cities of Taiwan, Hong Kong and mainland China by means of specific content analysis. Keyword data mining of the website platform. The main purpose of this study is to explore the tourist intentions of tourists from three cities in the Japanese region, and to explore the value of tourists from different cities to Japan. According to the results of the study, 11 MEC components were found. Among the three components of Taiwan, the value was determined to be “convenience” and “comfortable life”. The value of the four components of Hong Kong was “comfortable life” and “convenience”. The value of the four components of mainland China is "convenience", "security" and "fun". The conclusions of the study are based on the value ladder diagram to find the differences between the preferences of the three cities. In terms of attributes, the “points of interest” are the first choice for the three cities, and Taiwan will prefer a place of comfort and relaxation. In terms of results, Hong Kong will prefer to save time. This factor, in the final value, shows that mainland China values "fun" and "security."

碩士<br>國立彰化師範大學<br>地理學系<br>100<br>Working holidays are a form of travel that incorporates volunteer service, making them a suitable option for travelers looking for more meaningful travel experiences. As such, the value propositions such travelers seek are different from those of ordinary travelers. This paper uses the Means-End Chain Theory to look at the experiences of travelers, making use of 60 one-on-one interviewees with working holiday participants in Taiwan to draw up hierarchical value maps. From the results, we discovered that the main variables considered with regard to working holidays are the nature and location of the volunteer activities, the diversity of lifestyle and culture, the novelty of the theme, and the available recreational opportunities. The outcomes of working holidays of this type include a deeper experience of the local lifestyle and culture, making friends with like-minded people, learning practical skills, enjoying nature, relieving stress, and enjoying greater opportunities for interpersonal interaction; the main values goals pursued by participants include broader interpersonal networking, concern for the environment, self-understanding, satisfaction, and values transmission. In addition to these findings, this research also found that: 1) “Diversity of lifestyle and culture—In-depth experience of local lifestyle and culture—Respect for differences in lifestyle and culture” is the most important value chain for work-oriented working holidays; 2) “Volunteer activity—making like-minded friends—broadening interpersonal interactions” is the most important value chain for service-oriented working holidays; and 3) “Novelty of theme—Learning practical skills—Concern for the environment” is the most important value chain for paid labor. We hope that these findings will serve as a valuable resource for future activities planning in relevant organizations.

One of the greatest challenges facing the clothing industry worldwide, including South Africa is to provide well fitting garments to a broadly defined target population (Ashdown, Loker & Rucker 2007:1; Schofield, Ashdown, Hethorn, LaBat & Salusso 2006:147). Yu (2004:32) further states that from the consumers’ perspective, physical and psychological comfort as well as appearance play an important role in determining a well fitting garment and these are most likely to be shaped by the individual’s personal values. According to Kaiser (1998:290), personal values refer to standards or principles that guide an individual’s actions and thoughts that help to define what is important by guiding one’s choices or preferences of how the garment should fit. Hence garment fit and the subsequent appearance serves as a personal expression, communicating some personal values to others (Kaiser 1998:290) that can be achieved through the fitting of the garment. When female consumers encounter garment fit problems either through body shapes, garment sizing or garment size label communication, an emotional experience may result due to the failure to attain the personal values they are aiming to uphold or achieve. Cognitive appraisal theory of emotions is one of the theories among others that attempts to understand why people experience emotions. Lazarus (2001:55) defines cognitive appraisal theory of emotions as a quick evaluation of a situation with respect to one’s wellbeing. The answers to these evaluations directly cause the emotions experienced by a person. Since clothing can be used to express personal values to others (Kaiser 1998:146), the social standards appraisal dimension which can be one of the evaluative questions in the theory of cognitive appraisal concerning a situation, was the relevant evaluative component which this study focused on. This appraisal dimension evaluates whether the situation, in this case the negative experience of an ill-fitting garment affects what the consumer aspires to achieve socially through garment fit. Numerous studies such as Horwaton and Lee (2010); Pisut and Connell (2007) and Alexander, Connell & Presley (2005) on the garment fit problems from a consumer’s perspective have mostly been conducted in developed countries with limited research focusing on the consumers and their emotional experiences with garment fit. Understanding the factors that contribution to the garment fit problem currently being faced by female consumers in South Africa is an essential step in creating awareness of how this problem affects female consumers emotionally and the influence it has on their purchasing decisions. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to determine the female consumers’ personal values attributed to garment fit and to identify the emotions resulting from the perceptions of garment fit. This study predominantly employed an exploratory qualitative research approach. Data were collected from a purposive and convenient sample of 62 females from the UNISA – Florida Campus and King David High School in Victory Park in Johannesburg, South Africa through a self-administered questionnaire. Data on the demographic profile that included the ethnicity and age of the participants as well as data on the psychographic profile of the participants concerning frequently patronized clothing retailers, garment fit preferences and self-reported body shapes were collected through closed-ended questions. These data were analysed using the quantitative method of descriptive analysis. In addition to the psychographic profile of the most frequently patronized clothing retailer and garment fit preferences, participants were further requested to provide reasons as to why they mostly patronized the clothing retailer they ranked number 1, and to provide a reason for their preferred garment fit option. Content analysis, a qualitative method, was used to analyse the reasons provided by the participants for both these questions. Content analysis was also performed on additional information on body shape and garment sizing as well as data on garment size label communication. Furthermore, the means-end chain approach through the hard laddering exercises was used to explore and determine the female consumers’ personal values and emotions depicted through the perceptions of garment fit. Data from the hard laddering interviews on body shapes and garment sizing were carefully coded and categorized into attributes, consequences and personal values. Data were presented through the hierarchical value maps (HVMs) which were constructed through the software program Mecanalyst V 9.1. The analysis established that attributes such as quality of garments, various garment styles, availability of sizes, and fashionable styles directed female consumers’ most frequented clothing retailers. These attributes seemed to be aligned with their personal values they seek when shopping for garments. The findings also showed that most female consumers in this study preferred semi-fitting pants, a blouse and garments in general, a reasonable number of the participants preferred tight-fitting pants (31%), and some participants preferred loose-fitting pants, a blouse and garments in general. The specific personal values such as the comfortability of the garment, modesty, cover-up perceived body shape “flaws” and slimming effect which female consumers in this study desire to achieved through clothing also influenced their garment fit preference. With regard to the perceived self-reported body shapes of the participants, the study reflected that the majority of the participants were triangular body shaped. The study further found that female consumers in this study have expectations of how a garment ought to fit their body. Their expectations seem to be shaped by certain personal values such as “confidence”, “freedom” or “look good” which they aspire to achieve through clothing and garment fit. However, due to variations in body shapes, problems of garment sizing they encounter when purchasing ready-to wear garments and the incorrect information communicated on the size labels or the lack thereof, the majority of the female consumers failed to achieve their personal values. As a result mainly negative emotions such as “frustrated”, “sad”, “confused” and “depressed” were expressed by the participants. With regards to the effect of the perceived garment fit on the purchasing decision, the study found that fit of the garment is an important determinant of making a purchase. However, where female consumers in this study showed an interest of purchasing, while aware of some fit problems, the study found that exceptional conditions such as the possibility of altering the garments and design features such as colours that would conceal their perceived “figure flaws, made it easier for them to decide to purchase. The study further highlighted that some participants only purchased their ready-to-wear garment at certain shops where their needs were catered for and only when they had enough time to try-on the garment they intend to purchase instead of relying on the garment sizing and garment size label communication. Where participants indicated they would not purchase a garment with fitting problems, the study found that some female consumers in this study copied the designs of the garments in the clothing retailers and had someone reproduce it for them, whilst a few female consumers refused to purchase a garment whose size label was incorrectly communicated. Lastly the study also revealed that most female consumers thought that body shape, garment sizing and garment size label communication contribute to garment fit problems female consumers are currently facing in South Africa. It is, therefore, recommended that clothing manufacturers consider the various body shapes in their garment charts, know the needs of their target market and also use uniform sizing and size labelling systems that are easily understood by consumers that purchase ready-to-wear garments from retailers in South Africa.<br>Life & Consumer Sciences<br>M. Sc. (Consumer Science)

Many associate the meaning of life with the goal, aim, or end of life, asking themselves what they are living for. When they cannot answer this question, they suspect that their lives are meaningless. Some also believe that all things must have goals in order to be meaningful. But this means that goals must also have goals, ad infinitum, with no final goal that gives meaning to the entire chain. This chapter responds to these concerns by distinguishing between instrumental and terminal value, and arguing that it is incorrect that meaningful lives must have ends to which they are means. A life may be of much worth even if it serves no ulterior purpose.

With the advent of the internet, criminals gained new tools to commit crimes. Crimes in which the use of connected information technologies is essential for the realisation of the offence are defined as cybercrimes. The human factor is often identified as the weakest link in the information security chain, and it is often the behaviour of humans that leads to the success of cybercrimes. In this chapter, end-user characteristics are studied that may predict cybercrime victimisation. This is done by means of a review of the literature and by a study on personality traits. More specifically, personality traits from the big five are tested on victims of three different types of online fraud, phishing, Microsoft fraud, and purchasing fraud, and are compared with norm groups of the Dutch population. This chapter ends with implications for online fraud prevention and possibilities to advance the study of cyber victimisation.

Taking the means-ends approach to e-governance service quality the authors adopt the Parasuraman's ‘Gap Model' to evaluate the antecedents of service performance in an Indian context of government-to-citizen (G2C) service deployment under the national e-governance plan (NeGP) of India. This e-governance initiative in India has been implemented at multiple tiers of the government that integrates administration and service processes at different levels that includes center, state, district, block, and further to the lowest level of governance unit (Panchayat). The authors acknowledge five levels of potential service discrepancies across the service delivery chain, from designing the service policy to achieving citizen satisfaction. These are service conceptualization, service design, service capacity, service offering, and service consumption. Corresponding to these discrepancies, the authors explain six types of potential gaps in e-governance G2C service context: Assessment Gap, Design Gap, Capacity Gap, External Communication Gap, Delivery Gap, and Service Gap. Preliminary strategies to close these gaps are also proposed.

A body is a vessel. A vessel is a body. This metaphor frequently proved irresistible to ancient artisans, yet the conceptual work that it did varied greatly across time and space. A Moche stirrup-spouted vessel in the shape of a human head, perhaps a portrait of a specific individual, is by no means the same as a Protocorinthian aryballos where an elaborately coiffed female head tops the swelling curves of the oil flask beneath (for more on body metaphors in Greek ceramics, see Richard Neer’s essay in this volume). Neither is like a ritual wine beaker in the shape of a fantastical bird, every inch of its cast bronze surface patterned with symmetrical masks.3 But morphology is not meaning. Saying that a vessel is shaped like a body is where the inquiry must begin, not where it ends. In this chapter, I trace the shifting meanings associated with the body metaphor in Maya pottery from the city of Tikal, located in modern Guatemala. Between 300 and 800 CE, there were at least three moments when lids adorned with human heads caused vessels to be read as bodies. Vessels became a medium of fruitful dialogue with the past, as each iteration of the theme clearly drew on previous precedent, but used it to radically different ends. What began as a relatively unpopular adjunct to a predominant world of animal body metaphors on clay serving dishes before 400 CE became a satisfying way to integrate foreign forms in succeeding decades and the key touchstone in a pair of archaizing vessels made out of precious jade centuries later. Within this chain of associations, the bodies invoked became increasingly specific, their meanings more and more politically charged. It is surprisingly difficult to write about an individual vessel in isolation. Bound by the constraints of function and tradition, each vessel is an entry into a series of similar objects. Much of the interest—and what makes the examples here so distinctive—is in the way that they play on the existing constraints and conventions of their genre, eking new meaning out of small but conceptually significant changes in decorative program. Getting at how this is accomplished means paying close attention to each individual vessel, while also thinking about series, context, assemblage, interaction, and intended contents.

An enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is an integrated set of programs that provides support for core organizational activities. ERP is a software infrastructure embedded with “best practices,” or best ways to do business based on common business practices or academic theory. The aim is to improve the cooperation and interaction between all the organizations’ departments, such as the products planning, manufacturing, purchasing, marketing and customer service department. ERP systems is a fine expression of the inseparability of IT and business. As an enabling key technology as well as an effective managerial tool, ERP systems allow companies to integrate at all levels and utilize important ERP systems applications, such as supply-chain management, financials and accounting applications, human resource management and customer relationship management (Boubekri, 2001). ERP systems hold the promise of improving processes and decreasing costs. Furthermore, two important new frontiers for ERP systems are electronic business (e-business) and supply-chain management (Wang and Nah, 2001). The systems can connect with suppliers, distributors, and customers, facilitating the flow, the product and information. ERP systems implementation is costly and complex. In many cases, an ERP system is the largest single investment in any corporate-wide project. The software is expensive, and the consulting costs even more. Meta Group found that the average ERP systems implementation takes 23 months with total owners’ cost of $12 million (Stewart, 2000). The ERP systems implementation is the process where business process and ERP system match each other. Usually the firm has to change the business process per ERP systems. Sometimes most positions have to be redesigned according to the ERP systems. Thus the difficulties and high failure rate in implementing ERP systems have been widely cited in the literature (Davenport, 1998; Kim, Lee, &amp; Gosain, 2005)). The failure percentage of ERP systems was determined by one study as ranging from 40 to 60% and from another study as between 60 and 90% (Langernwalter, 2000; Ptak and Schragenheim, 2000; Yingjie, 2005). Although the failure rates of these ERP implementations have been highly publicized, this has not distracted companies from investing large sums of money on ERP systems (Somers &amp; Nelson, 2004). ERP systems provide companies with the means of integrating their business functions into a unified and integrated business process. As companies implement more enterprise based systems throughout their organizations, the need for integration of these systems becomes even more paramount. Expanding from the functional areas of accounting, human resources, and shop floor control to an enterprise-wide system has become a format for producing full organization integration. Over the past few years, limited research has been conducted about ERP implementation issues: mainly case studies in individual organizations have been reported. That is a motivation toward conducting empirical studies to explore critical factors that affect ERP systems implementation. This study presents the results of an empirical study that surveyed managers from seven corporations, who were identified as having a key role in ERP systems implementation, in order to assess empirically which CSFs are critical in leading a successful implementation of ERP systems. A factor analysis solution was used to derive factors affecting successful ERP implementation. These factors are: ERP implementation management, users aptitudes and communication and technical knowledge. The study reveals that about 81.5 % of the variances in ERP systems implementation were explained by the critical factors identified in the study. The remainder of this article is organized in four sections. First ERP-related literature is reviewed. The next section introduces the research methodology, followed by the presentation of the results. The paper ends with the conclusions and implications for future research and practice.

In this chapter, Robert Pinker discusses Richard Titmuss's role in the making of British social policy studies after World War II. He begins with his impressions of Titmuss and his early experiences, and how his thoughts on the ends and means of social policy developed to maturity. In 1950, Titmuss published Problems of Social Policy, a study of the impact of war on British civil society and the response of the social services. During that same year, he was appointed to the Chair of Social Administration at the London School of Economics. Pinker considers a number of distinctive and often controversial features that characterised Titmuss's collectivist and unitary approach to the discussion of social policy and social problems. He also talks about the ‘conditional’ as opposed to what Titmuss claims is the open-ended nature of altruism and reciprocity in everyday life by focusing on on Titmuss's 1970 book The Gift Relationship.