Showing papers by "Florida Atlantic University published in 1977"

Contextual Models of Electoral Behavior: The Southern Wallace Vote

Abstract: Many studies have sought to investigate contextual influences on individual electoral behavior using aggregate data. The shortcomings of this approach are discussed, focusing on the relationship between black concentration and southern white support for George Wallace for president in 1968. Through combining aggregate and individual-level data and comparing a series of models, black concentration is found to increase white support for Wallace. Intraregional differences in the relationship between white support for Wallace and local black concentration are equalized when contextual influences at the state level are brought into the analysis. Black concentration contextual effects are independent of those of urbanization, education, or residence in Wallace's home state of Alabama. Relative primary group support for Wallace and relative issue proximity to Wallace are then shown to be the intervening variables linking contextual characteristics and electoral choice.

A shortest path algorithm for grid graphs

Abstract: Grid graphs are a simple class of planar graphs for which the vertices can be assigned integer coordinates so that neighbors agree in one coordinate and differ by one in the other coordinate. Grid graphs arise in applications from the layout design of integrated circuits to idealized models of city street networks. In many applications, a shortest path between two given vertices is needed. The best known algorithms for the shortest path in a general graph of n vertices are of complexity 0(n2). However, if edge lengths are of uniform length, the shortest path can be determined in time 0(n). In this paper, taking advantage of the concept of direction present in grid graphs, an algorithm is developed which is 0(n) in the worst case and 0(√n) in the best case.

Social Class and Criminality

Abstract: Social class variations in self-reported criminality are examined using data from a comprehensive sample of adults in three states. The results prove to be contrary to any current theories concerning the relationship between social class and deviance, particularly the most popular ones that postulate an inverse relationship between the two. But it is shown that these findings are actually consistent with the bulk of previous research which shows the relationship to be problematic. The extant evidence seems to mandate reconceptualization of theories of deviance to minimize social class as a variable. Social class has always been a fundamental variable in sociological study of crime/delinquency, and practically every theory has given socioeconomic status a prominent explanatory role. Although several patterns of relationship between class and crime have been theorized (Hirschi, b), the most popular explanations assume an inverse relationship between class position and criminality (A. Cohen, a; Gove; Merton; Miller). And despite some skepticism (see Box and Ford; Empey, for summaries), the belief has persisted for a long time that the bulk of evidence actually demonstrates such a relationship (Bytheway and May; Cressey, 157; Rossides, 443; Wheeler, 213). So firm is this belief that at least one recent book has been written to account for the "diverse empirical findings that link social inequality and deviant behavior, particularly in American Society" (Hewitt, 3). Further, even though some writers, sobered by the results of some self-report studies, are now careful to limit their generalizations to statements about social class and "officially recorded" crime or delinquency (Cohen and Short, 110-1; Reid, 66-7), confidence that at least that relationship has been established is almost universal (Hood and Sparks, 54). Yet, the literature concerning this issue is unconvincing. For one thing, methodological weaknesses render much of the evidence problematic. Some frequently cited studies report the relationship between class and crime for ecological areas rather than for individuals (Chilton; Lander; Shaw and McKay; Slatin), and several ostensibly relevant investigations have not in fact employed indicators of individual socioeconomic status (B. *This research was supported by NSF Grant GS-31744.

A measure of individual differences in sex stereotyping and sex discrimination: The Macho scale.

Abstract: A personality measure of individual differences in sex-role stereotyping and sex discrimination was developed. The “Macho” scale fulfills satisfactory psychometric criteria of internal consistency ...

Life Cycle Changes and Criminal Propensity

Abstract: The relationship between age and self-reported propensity toward criminal behavior is investigated among a large survey sample, and an attempt is made to explain the observed variations. Results indicate a clear negative relationship between age and criminal propensity which is in part attributed to generational differences and partly to life cycle changes. Efforts to account for the association show this relationship to be exceptionally stable and resistant to explanation. Nevertheless analysis suggests complex interactions among several variables as the appropriate explanation. Language: en

Visual responses in the central nervous system of the scallopPecten ziczac

Abstract: Electrical activity recorded from the lateral lobe of the visceroparietal ganglion in the scallop Pecten ziczac reflects predominatly the visual response to onset of light stimulation, suggesting that shadow reflex mechanisms likely occur elsewhere within the central nervous system.

The informational properties of S1, S2, and the S1–S2 sequence on conditioned suppression

Abstract: The Egger-Miller information hypothesis was tested in a nonoverlapping compound stimulus CER situation. During CER training, S2, the so-called redundant stimulus, acquired greater suppression qualities than S1. However, following CER training, subjects were exposed to test situations in which the independent suppression qualities of S1 and S2 were assessed. S1 was followed by a trace interval, S2 was presented alone, or the S1–S2 sequence was reversed. Results of all test conditions showed minimal suppression to S2, while suppression to S1 was maintained or facilitated. It was suggested that S2, although a redundant predictor of shock occurrence, provides information as to “when” shock is due.

Electron microscopic study of plant-animal cell fusion

Abstract: Avian erythrocytes and protoplasts isolated from mesophyll cells of tobacco plants were suspended in 1% protease, agglutinated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and subsequently fused upon elution of the PEG. The fusion reaction was monitored by scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. SEM studies showed a marked difference in the topography of agglutinated cells. During, and subsequent to fusion, the markedly different surfaces of the two cell types became homogeneous and lines of demarcation between the cells were no longer visible. TEM revealed that adhesion occurred over the entire membrane area between agglutinated cells. Incipient fusion was evidenced by the appearance of vacuoles at the intermembrane surfaces. During initial elution of the PEG, cytoplasmic channels between erythrocytes and protoplasts were evident. With continued elution of the PEG, starch-containing plant chloroplasts and starch grains were seen within erythrocytes and homogenous erythrocyte cytoplasm was present inside plant protoplasts. Cytoplasmic mixing between the two cell types occurred within 3 hours of elution. The frequency of interkingdom fusion was estimated to be 0.5–1%.

The Functional Substitutability of Blacks and Females in the Labor Market: a Closer Look*

Abstract: The interrelationship between labor market discrimination against black males and white females—as reflected in the respective size distributions of their full-time income—is examined for states in...

Male Economic Gain from Female Subordination: A Caveat and Reanalysis

Abstract: This comment speaks directly to the conceptual and methodological shortcomings of a single article (Szymanski, b), but has a broader purpose. Research reports concerning and/or employing income distributional measures have been appearing in the sociological literature with increasing frequency over the past few years. Many of these reports deal with the size distribution of subgroup income not for descriptive purposes, but to make important theoretical points. It is unfortunate that for far too long income distribution has been studied primarily by economists (when it has been studied at all, other than descriptively). This means that sociologists approaching the field without care run the considerable risk of unknowingly accepting the simplifying assumptions of many economists, some of whom are known as much for their concern with statistical rigor as for their seeming dismissal of questions of measurement validity.' Measurement invalidity is the bane of distributional research, and is probably the greatest problem currently facing students of the area.2 The greatest difficulty is that too many aren't even aware that it is a problem. Szymanski is but one case in point. I shall first review the problems of his analysis and interpretation, and then reanalyze his data to arrive at quite different conclusions. Szymanski investigates the economic impact on males of earnings discrimination against females. He concludes: ". . . while men as a whole do not earn more because of sexual discrimination . . . the poorer paid whites do benefit somewhat at the expense of women, while the better paid males lose." This conclusion follows, he claims, from two findings: (1) that male median income is unaffected by discrimination against females; and (2) that male inequality (as measured by the Gini Concentration Ratio) decreases as discrimination against females increases. Given these two, he says, males at the top must lose and those at the bottom must gain. His conclusions, of course, would not follow from his findings even if his findings were correct, which they are not. The assumption that they do follow is based on a misunderstanding of what the Gini is. The Gini is a notoriously poor measure of the well-being of any segment of a Lorenz curve (see Alker and Russet; Bronfenbrenner; Kravis).

Racial Stability and Urban School Desegregation

Abstract: desegregation, concluding that &dquo;the undisputed evidence in this case ... is that when the percent of black pupils in a school approaches 40 more or less the white exodus becomes accelerated and irreversible (676).&dquo; While it is widely assumed that school desegregation results in white withdrawal and eventually in resegregation (Bickel, 1970; Egerton, 1972; Beckler, 1971; Cleghorn, 1970; Ellis, 1971; Guillory, 1972), relatively few studies have rigorously examined the stability of racial balances in desegregated schools. Furthermore, the results of these studies have been mixed. Stinchcombe et al. (1969), in a study of Baltimore from 1955 to

What are the Principles of “Principles of Management”?

Abstract: In this article the authors examine how the principals of management are taught in business schools and discuss what the central ideas of these principals should be. They note that principals in any subject area are determined by what the authors of textbooks say they are and that courses are designed by organizing themes around the topics deemed most important. To determine what is considered most important the authors examined how frequently a topic was brought up in textbooks as well as how many pages were devoted to the topic. They discuss the results of their findings, noting that topics such as environment, planning, organization principals, organization theories and leadership all appeared frequently. They provide charts of their findings and discuss areas of future research.

The Problem of Development in the Non‐Western World

Abstract: Victims of Progress. John H. Bodley. Politics and Society in the Third World. Jean-Yves Calvez. M. J. O'Connell, trans. The Sociology of the Third World: Disparity and Involvement. J. E. Goldthorpe. Enterprise: Industrial Entrepreneurship in Development: Based on Case Studies from the Sudan. K. A. Hammeed. La Pluralite des mondes: Theorie et pratiques du developpement. Institut D'Etudes du Developpement. Economic Development, Peace and International Law. Wil D. Verwey. Preface by B. V. A. Roling, Polemological Studies.

Technical and management notes: A management information system for engineering and research

Abstract: The article describes in practical managerial language 1) management information systems (MIS), 2) the benefits and advantages to be gained by utilizing an MIS, and 3) the major attributes and guidelines for construction. To accomplish its objective it is necessary to note and reference many important practices vital to successful management.

Some Finite Point Geometries

Abstract: Finite sets with distinguished subsets called lines give examples of the theory of balanced incomplete block designs.

Convincing management to think future

Abstract: There is almost unanimous agreement among futurists that without strong support from the top of the organization, a futures group cannot survive. But it is difficult to enlist top management's support for futurism: tunnel vision and shortsightedness (the antitheses of futurist thinking), carefully managed and nurtured, have, in the past, been forces propelling executives to the top.

Operating systems with POPSS

Abstract: It is often difficult to select relevant and reasonable laboratory assignments in an introductory operating systems course. The students are seldom prepared to code intricate portions of an operating system, even if suitable hardware were available for such extensive use. Nevertheless, it is essential that the students gain a quantitative insight into the components and interactions of simple and complex operating systems. An operating system simulator that allows an evaluation of the performances of various operating system configutations without requiring the student to write complicated code would help to solve the dilemma. An operating systems simulator named POPSS is a fine tool for such such use.

Optimum locations for consumers on a theoretical central place landscape

Abstract: Individual consumers on a theoretical central place landscape expend costs for obtaining goods from places of higher order than their home place. This cost is a function of distance between home and higher order places, and the number of trips made to these places. On a hypothetical landscape with five orders of places, travel costs decrease as the order of the home place increases, with least costs at the fifth order center (zero), and greatest at the first order places. No significant relationship is found between distance from home place to the central fifth order metropolis.

Computing the invariant zeros of multivariable systems

Abstract: A computational procedure is given for computing the invariant zeros of equal-input/equal-output systems The algorithm is conceptually simple and computationally easy