Showing papers by "Boston College published in 1991"

Effects of Price, Brand, and Store Information on Buyers’ Product Evaluations:

Abstract: The authors report a study of the effects of price, brand, and store information on buyers’ perceptions of product quality and value, as well as their willingness to buy Hypotheses are derived fro

A concept analysis of empowerment

Abstract: In this paper, an objective concept analysis was undertaken to examine the attributes, characteristics and uses of the concept of empowerment. A review of the literature and selected empirical referents indicated that empowerment is a complex and multi-dimensional concept. Within a nursing context, empowerment can be conceptualized as a composite of (a) attributes that relate to the client, (b) attributes that relate to the nurse, and (c) attributes that belong to both the client and the nurse. In a broad sense, empowerment is a process of helping people to assert control over the factors which affect their lives. This process encompasses both the individual responsibility in health care and the broader institutional, organizational or societal responsibilities in enabling people to assume responsibility for their own health. Antecedents to and consequences of empowerment, from a nursing perspective, are presented. To adopt truly an empowerment model in nursing, a radical paradigm shift is needed. The final conclusion is that this concept has great utility for nursing practice, education, administration and research.

Stability of incoherence in a population of coupled oscillators

Abstract: We analyze a mean-field model of coupled oscillators with randomly distributed frequencies. This system is known to exhibit a transition to collective oscillations: for small coupling, the system is incoherent, with all the oscillators running at their natural frequencies, but when the coupling exceeds a certain threshold, the system spontaneously synchronizes. We obtain the first rigorous stability results for this model by linearizing the Fokker-Planck equation about the incoherent state. An unexpected result is that the system has pathological stability properties: the incoherent state is unstable above threshold, butneutrally stable below threshold. We also show that the system is singular in the sense that its stability properties are radically altered by infinitesimal noise.

The Power of Balance: Transforming Self, Society, and Scientific Inquiry

Abstract: Editor’s Introduction: We feel privileged to republish portions of The Power of Balance: Transforming Self, Society, and Scientific Inquiry. Originally published by SAGE in 1991, the book’s copyright has reverted to the author, who wished to share our selection of excerpts as a contribution to this special issue’s theme. Torbert’s body of work has always been about fostering “the development of politics and the political,” at each of the scales highlighted in the book’s title, as well as in all of the domains in which he has served. As he wrote in the original preface to the book, the work was 20 years in the making, and now, nearly 20 years after that, we wish for at least some portions of this classic work to be back in circulation. 2 The “power of balance” as conceived by Torbert represents an integral paradigm of principles, theory, and praxis. Deployed, the paradigm is one that can indeed inform and shape the development of self, society, and scientific inquiry. To explicate that fulsome vision, the book’s fifteen chapters develop the themes of three sections: Theory and Strategy, Heart and Practice, and Vision and Method. Here, we have excerpted from several chapters in Theory and Strategy, and from one chapter in Vision and Method. This means, of course, that we present but a small fraction of this integral classic, leaving out all of the rich, in-depth illustrations, including the author's learning practice as he first attempted to enact the principles. Yet, we hope even this abbreviated form of The Power of Balance supports at least two goals: to offer deployable insights and practices for developing politics and the political; and to take root as part of a foundational canon for integral political thought, research, and praxis. How we readers deploy these principles in our own actions will determine the degree to which self, society, and scientific inquiry transform.

A guide to using the collinearity diagnostics

Abstract: The description of the collinearity diagnostics as presented in Belsley, Kuh, and Welsch's, Regression Diagnostics: Identifying Influential Data and Sources of Collinearity, is principally formal, leaving it to the user to implement the diagnostics and learn to digest and interpret the diagnostic results. This paper is designed to overcome this shortcoming by describing the different graphical displays that can be used to present the diagnostic information and, more importantly, by providing the detailed guidance needed to promote the beginning user into an experienced diagnostician and to aid those who wish to incorporate or automate the collinearity diagnostics into a guided-computer environment.

Distinguishing irony from deception: Understanding the speaker's second-order intention

Abstract: This study investigated how children detect the attitude behind irony and dis· tinguish it from the attitude conveyed by a white lie. Two hypotheses were tested: (1) the ability to distinguish the second-order intentions of the liar vs. ironist (i.e. what each wants the listener to know) should be a prerequisite for the ability to distinguish ironic from deceptive attitude; (2) the presence of distinctive intonations (sarcastic", sincere) should facilitate the distinction between ironic and deceptive attitude. hve- to 7-year-olds heard two stories which ended in either a deceptive or an ironic statement. Children distinguished between the stories in two ways: (a) in terms of whether the speaker wanted the listener to believe him or not (second­ order intention judgement); (b) in terms of whether the speaker was being mean or nice (attitude judgement). In one condition, the final utterances were distinguished by intonation (sarcastic for the irony, sincere for the lie); in the other condition, the utterances were spoken identically, without intonation, in the form of an indirect quote. Results supported the first but not the second hypothesis, Almost all children who failed to make correct second-order judgements also failed to distinguish which speaker was being mean (ironist) and which was being nice (white liar). However, those who succeeded on the second-order question but failed the attitude question were equally distributed across the intonation and no-intonation con­ ditions, Thus, for children of this age, intonation failed to facilitate the ability to distinguish the negative attitude conveyed by irony from the positive attitude conveyed by a white lie.

Water-Protein Interactions: Theory and Experiment

Abstract: CONTENTS PERSPECTIVES AND OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 577 THEORETICAL CALCULATIONS OF PROTEIN-WATER STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 580 Protein Force Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 580 Water Models ........ . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ...... . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .... . . . . . ... 58 1 Energy-Minimization Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... ... . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .... . . . . . ... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 583 Molecular Dynamics Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 585 Limitation s and Uncertainties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 588 EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE FOR PROTEIN-WATER INTERACTIONS .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 589 Water from X-ray and Neutron-Diff raction Experiments .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . .. . .. . . . . 589 Internal Waters in Protein Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 589 Water at Hydrophobic Surfaces. . . . . . . . . ..... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 591 Emer.qing Water-Hydrogen Bonding Patterns/rom Diff raction Analysis ... ... .. ........ . 593 NM R Studies of Water: Correspondence with X-ray Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 596 CONCLUSIONS ... .. . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . .... 598

Commitment and agency in social movements

Abstract: Any movement that hopes to sustain commitment over a period of time must make the construction of a collective identity one of its most central tasks. Social relationships that embody values of participation and community in their concrete practices contribute to empowering people. But such arguments need additional specification before their theoretical potential can be realized. I have taken the coincidence of this talk with the anniversary of the first teach-in against the war in Vietnam and the assassination of Archbishop Romero in El Salvador as a directive for examining these two cases—with an eye toward learning more about how identity building and social relationships in social movement practice foster long-term commitment and agency.

In search of value: how price and store name information influence buyers′ product perceptions

Abstract: Discusses a conceptual model of consumers′ product evaluation that should help marketers′ understanding of price setting. Provides a conceptual model that incorporates acceptable value range and that examines the influence of price and store name information on quality, monetary sacrifice, value, and willingness to buy. Argues that unlike brand name image, which takes considerable time, money and managerial talent to develop, price and retail outlet are two distinct marketing tools for making quick position movements in a competitive market. Concludes that understanding the effects of price and store name information should lead to more effective and efficient behaviour in the marketplace by both buyers and sellers.

The Precautionary Principle: A Fundamental Principle of Law and Policy for the Protection of the Global Environment

Abstract: In the Bergen process, there has been an important debate on the principle of precaution. I will add my strong support to those who say that we cannot delay action until all scientific facts are on our tables. We already know enough to start to act-and to act more forcefully. We know the time it takes from decision through implementation to practical effects. We know that it costs more to repair environmental damage than to prevent it. If we err in our decisions affecting the future of our children and our planet, let us err on the side of caution. We have sufficient scientific evidence to state that action is required. And where uncertainty still exists we must give the environment the benefit of the doubt.

Genes for epilepsy mapped in the mouse

Abstract: The neurological mutant mouse strain E1 is a model for complex partial seizures in humans. The inheritance of epileptic seizures with seven conventional chromosomal markers and over 60 endogenous proviral markers was studied by means of back-crosses of E1 with two seizure-resistant strains, DBA/2J and ABP/LeJ. The major gene responsible for this epileptic phenotype (El-1) was localized to a region distal with respect to the centromere on chromosome 9. At least one other gene, El-2, linked to proviral markers on chromosome 2, also influences the seizure phenotype. In addition, a potential modifier of seizures was detected in the DBA/2J background. The location of El-1 on distal chromosome 9 may allow identification of an epilepsy candidate gene in humans on the basis of conserved synteny with human chromosome 3.

A Typology of Social Partnership Organizations

Abstract: This article develops a typology of social partnership organizations to enhance understanding of the ways these organizations operate in the social arena, as well as their potential for social problem solving. First, social partnerships are carefully defined. Based on the degree of problem "divisibility, " two key determinants of partnership type are derived: the degree of interdependence among organizations involved in problem solving and the organizational level at which the problem is most salient. From these determinants, three "ideal" partnership types in which there is congruence between the determinants are distinguished: programmatic, federational, and systemic. Characteristics of each ideal type are described, and problems with potential hybrid types are discussed. Propositions are then developed, followed by a discussion of implications for practice and research.

Becoming a Reader: The Experience of Fiction from Childhood to Adulthood

Abstract: Introduction 1. Early childhood: the reader as player 2. Later childhood: the reader as hero and heroine 3. Adolescence: the reader as thinker 4. College and beyond: the reader as interpreter 5. Adulthood: the pragmatic reader.

Residential real estate brokerage as a principal-agent problem

Abstract: We analyze the terms of the brokerage contract between a house seller and his agent, using the established literature on the principal-agent problem. Considering the influence of moral hazard and adverse selection, we predict a number of features of the contract. Many of these features are not present in observed contracts. To account for this discrepancy, we discuss certain aspects of the real estate market which are not included in the standard principal-agent model but may explain the difference. Standard principal-agent theory neglects important contract design considerations, namely robustness and costs of complexity. In general, the commission contract performs poorly by failing to allocate risk efficiently or to provide agent incentives. It favors established agents and precludes contractual diversity. Finally, we contrast the brokerage contract for real estate with the dealership contract for used cars, but find no compelling answer as to why there are few used house dealers.

Activity associated with coronal mass ejections at solar minimum - SMM observations from 1984-1986

Abstract: Seventy-three coronal mass ejections (CMEs) observed by the coronagraph aboard SMM between 1984 and 1986 were examined in order to determine the distribution of various forms of solar activity that were spatially and temporally associated with mass ejections during solar minimum phase. For each coronal mass ejection a speed was measured, and the departure time of the transient from the lower corona estimated. Other forms of solar activity that appeared within 45 deg longitude and 30 deg latitude of the mass ejection and within +/-90 min of its extrapolated departure time were explored. The statistical results of the analysis of these 73 CMEs are presented, and it is found that slightly less than half of them were infrequently associated with other forms of solar activity. It is suggested that the distribution of the various forms of activity related to CMEs does not change at different phases of the solar cycle. For those CMEs with associations, it is found that eruptive prominences and soft X-rays were the most likely forms of activity to accompany the appearance of mass ejections.

Information processing and problem solving: the migration of problems through formal positions and networks of ties.

Abstract: A study of the flow of information about organizational problems was conducted. We found that managers often avoided passing problems to formally designated problem solvers and used personal ties to forward information to problem solvers. The strength of ties between individuals had a weak effect on passing problems across professional boundaries.

Equilibrium in Competitive Insurance Markets with Moral Hazard

Abstract: This paper examines the existence and nature of competitive equilibrium with moral hazard. The more insurance an individual has, the less care will he take. Consequently, insurance firms attempt to restrict their clients' aggregate insurance purchases. If individuals' aggregate insurance purchases are observable, each firm will ration the amount of insurance its clients can purchase and insist that they purchase no insurance from other firms. This paper focuses on the alternative situation where firms cannot observe their clients' aggregate insurance purchases. We show that firms will still attempt to restrict their clients' aggregate purchases, but now they must do so indirectly. One possibility is that all firms sell only policies with a sufficiently large amount of coverage that individuals choose to purchase insurance from only one firm. Another possibility is that each firm offers a latent policy in addition to its regular policy. Latent policies are not purchased in equilibrium, but serve to restrict entry. If an entering firm offers a supplementary policy, an individual will purchase not only this policy plus his previous policy but also the latent policy. The latent policy is designed so that the individual reduces effort by enough to render any entering policy unprofitable.

Early self-knowledge and emotional development: Visual self-recognition and affective reactions to mirror self-images in maltreated and non-maltreated toddlers.

Abstract: We examined the association among child maltreatment, socioeconomic status (SES), visual self-recognition, and emotional responses to mirror images. Children were assessed cross-sectionally at 18, 24, and 30 months. The nonmaltreated children spanned two SES groups (lower and middle), and the maltreated children came from the lower SES.

Children's Conceptions of AIDS: A Developmental Analysis

Abstract: Examined causal reasoning about AIDS in children representing three major phases of cognitive development: prelogical, concrete logical, and formal logical thinking. 60 Ss (age groups: 5-7 years, 8-10 years, and 11-13 years) were administered the Concepts of AIDS Protocol. Responses were scored using the developmentally ordered Concepts of Illness Category System. The data confirm that, as a group, children's causal thinking about AIDS parallels the ways in which children think about illness in general. More specifically, the data could be organized in terms of 6 major categories or ways in which children conceptualize AIDS and its causes. The findings provide an initial empirical foundation for AIDS education curricula.

HyperRESEARCH: A computer program for the analysis of qualitative data with an emphasis on hypothesis testing and multimedia analysis

Abstract: This paper describes a software program for Macintosh computers which assists with the analysis of qualitative data. HyperRESEARCH is a HyperCard-based application that allows for qualitative and quantitative analysis of textual, graphic audio, and video materials. HyperRESEARCH performs the following tasks: (1) The coding of text (of any length: a word, phrase, sentence, paragraph, etc.), graphics, coding of audio, video tapes using Tandberg computer controlled tape decks and several types of computer controlled video systems (video disc and video tape). A given segment of text, graphic, audio and video can be assigned multiple codes. (2) Retrieval of coded materials (text, graphics, audio and video segments) enabling the researcher to array all similarly coded material together. (3) The testing of propositions by performing Boolean searches on any code or combination of codes via the use of an expert system. (4) Hypothesis testing using artificial intelligence. The Expert System software technology uses production rules to provide a semi-formal mechanism for theory building and description of the inference process used to draw conclusions from the data. (5) A statistical option which allows for the simple analysis of coded data. The use of HyperRESEARCH as a methodological tool supports important advances in the validation, reliability and generalizability of qualitative data analysis.

Atherectomy of right coronary ostial stenoses : initial and long-term results, technical features and histologic findings

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