Showing papers by "Florida Atlantic University published in 1990"

Peers' perceptions of the consequences that victimized children provide aggressors

Abstract: Fourth- through seventh-grade children (mean age 115 years) estimated the likelihood that various consequences would occur following hypothetical acts of aggression toward victimized and nonvictimized classmates Children also indicated how much they would care if the consequences were to occur When contemplating aggression toward victimized classmates, children were more likely to expect tangible rewards, more likely to expect signs of victim suffering, and less likely to expect retaliation than when considering aggression against nonvictimized classmates Also, when considering aggression toward victimized classmates, children cared more about securing tangible rewards but were less disturbed by the thought of hurting their victims or by the thought of their victims retaliating than when imagining aggression toward nonvictimized classmates The foregoing pattern was stronger for boys than for girls Implications for theories of aggression and for intervention with aggressive and victimized children are discussed Language: en

A dynamic theory of coordination of discrete movement

Abstract: The concepts of pattern dynamics and their adaptation through behavioral information, developed in the context of rhythmic movement coordination, are generalized to describe discrete movements of single components and the coordination of multiple components in discrete movement. In a first step we consider only one spatial component and study the temporal order inherent in discrete movement in terms of stable, reproducible space-time relationships. The coordination of discrete movement is captured in terms of relative timing. Using an exactly solvable nonlinear oscillator as a mathematical model, we show how the timing properties of discrete movement can be described by these pattern dynamics and discuss the relation of the pattern variables to observable end-effector movement. By coupling several such component dynamics in a fashion analogous to models of rhythmic movement coordination we capture the coordination of discrete movements of two components. We find the tendency to synchronize the component movements as the discrete analogon of in-phase locking and study its breakdown when the components become too different in their dynamic properties. The concept of temporal stability leads to the prediction that remote compensatory responses occur such as the restore synchronization when one component is perturbed. This prediction can be used to test the theory. We find that the discrete analogon to antiphase locking in rhythmic movement is a tendency to move sequentially, a finding that can also be subjected to empirical test.

Predicting software development errors using software complexity metrics

Abstract: Predictive models that incorporate a functional relationship of program error measures with software complexity metrics and metrics based on factor analysis of empirical data are developed. Specific techniques for assessing regression models are presented for analyzing these models. Within the framework of regression analysis, the authors examine two separate means of exploring the connection between complexity and errors. First, the regression models are formed from the raw complexity metrics. Essentially, these models confirm a known relationship between program lines of code and program errors. The second methodology involves the regression of complexity factor measures and measures of errors. These complexity factors are orthogonal measures of complexity from an underlying complexity domain model. From this more global perspective, it is believed that there is a relationship between program errors and complexity domains of program structure and size (volume). Further, the strength of this relationship suggests that predictive models are indeed possible for the determination of program errors from these orthogonal complexity domains. >

A complete and parametrically continuous kinematic model for robot manipulators

Abstract: A kinematic modeling convention for robot manipulators is proposed. The kinematic model is named for its completeness and parametric continuity (CPC) properties. Parametric continuity of the CPC model is achieved by adopting a singularity-free line representation consisting of four line parameters. Completeness is achieved through adding two link parameters to allow arbitrary placement of link coordinate frames. The transformations from the world frame to the base frame and from the last link frame to the tool frame can be modeled with the same modeling convention used for internal link transformations. Since all the redundant parameters in the CPC model can be systematically eliminated, a linearized robot error model can be constructed in which all error parameters are independent and span the entire geometric error space. The focus is on model construction, mappings between the CPC model and the Denavit-Hartenberg model, the study of the model properties, and its application to robot kinematic calibration. >

Effects of Repeated Readings on Instructional- and Mastery-Level Readers

Abstract: Research suggests that repeated readings increase fluency and improve recall for learning-disabled (LD) and nondisabled instructional-level readers. The purpose of this study was to establish the comparability of these effects for instructional- and mastery-level readers. Twenty-five LD students were matched on fluency and comprehension with 25 nondisabled students, as determined by performance on two screening passages. In both groups, 17 students read the screening passages at instructional level and 8 students read them at mastery level. All the subjects read two additional passages, one passage once and one three times. In final readings, measures of fluency and accuracy were obtained, and after each final reading, measures of recall were derived. These data were analyzed in 2 x 2 x 2 ANOVAs. Significant main effects were obtained for number of readings on all three measures, and for level on fluency and accuracy. A significant classification (LD or nondisabled) by readings interaction on accu...

Phase Transitions: Foundations of Behavior

Abstract: Synergetic phase transitions afford a special window into the principles of behavior at several levels of desciption. The reason is that instabilities serve to demarcate behavioral patterns, thereby allowing a precise identification of collective variables or order parameters for patterns and their (nonlinear) dynamics. Once the, order parameter dynamics are known for particular experimental model systems, not only can they be derived or synthesized, but a number of steps of generalization becomes possible. Certain essential psychological functions such as the perception of dynamic visual and speech patterns, intentional behavioral change and learning a novel behavioral pattern are addressed here. All observed phenomena may be expressed in dynamical language.

Learning of Aggression

Abstract: Aggression—behavior aimed at harming another person—has environmental and biological determinants. Environmental factors include the degree to which the environment provides aggressive models, reinforces aggression, and frustrates and victimizes the child. Biological factors include the child’s temperament, hormones, and physique. Interplays between heredity and environment are also influential. For example, children born with irritating, hard-to-handle temperaments are especially at risk for eliciting the rejecting, punitive parental reactions that are conducive to aggressive development. This chapter focuses on environmental bases of aggression. Special attention is paid to how environmental factors interact with the child’s cognitions and behaviors to influence the development of aggression.

Regression modelling of software quality: empirical investigation☆

Abstract: The use of software complexity metrics in the determination of software quality has met with limited success. Many metrics measure similar aspects of program differences. Some lack a sound theoretical foundation. Attempts to use these metrics in quantitative modelling scenarios have been frustrated by a lack of understanding of the precise nature of exactly what is being measured. This is particularly true in the application of these metrics to predictive models. The paper investigates some basic issues associated with the modelling process, including problems of shared variance among metrics and the possible relationship between complexity metrics and measures of program quality. The modelling techniques are applied to a sample data set to explore the differences between modelling techniques with raw complexity metrics and complexity metrics that have been simplified through factor analysis. The ultimate objective is to provide the foundation for the use of complexity metrics in predictive models. This, in turn, will permit the effective use of these measures in the management of complex software projects.

The impact of international listings on risk

Abstract: In this paper, we examine the impact of international listing on common-stock risk. While previous research has used event study methodology, our research focuses on permanent shifts in risk. Different measures of risk are estimated to test for intertemporal shifts in risk attributable to an overseas listing. No significant shifts in risk from international listing are documented. The results are robust with respect to the location and year of listing. These findings suggest that: (1) markets are already reasonably well integrated; or (2) listing is an ineffective mechanism for reducing segmentation.

The Introduced Fish Problem and the Aquarium Fish Industry

Abstract: Of the 46 species of foreign fishes known to be established as reproducing populations in open waters of the contiguous United States, approximately 65% are known or presumed to have originated from the aquarium fish trade. Many escaped or were released from aquarium fish culture facilities and some were introduced by aquarists. More than 50 additional, non-established fishes, mostly aquarium species, have been collected in the wild. These introductions, with established populations, have not been restricted to the so-called Sun Belt states, but have occurred throughout the U.S. Because many introductions have resulted in serious negative impcts to native fishes, and most have the potential to do so, it is imperative that the aquarium fish industry and trade take measures to curtail such releases. The means of accomplishing this goal are relatively inexpensive. Industry must assist in public education to reduce introductions by aquarists.

Estimates for the kernel and continuity properties of pseudo-differential operators

Abstract: This work studies the continuity of pseudo-differential operators in H6rmander's class .~emn (cf. [11]) in several function spaces, including L p spaces, Hardy spaces, weak L 1 and BMO. The basic assumption throughout the paper is that 0< Q<= 1, 0<_-6Q. The stress is on sharp conditions over the order and type of the operators. Our point of view is that in many spaces continuity should follow from the functional calculus and simple computations, once L 2 estimates and suitable estimates for the kernel are known. Thus, we prove three different types of estimates for kernels of pseudo-differential operators: pointwise, integral and \"dyadic integral\" in w 1, w 2 and w 5 respectively; the first two types extend [14, p. 1053] and [1, p. 75], the last one may be new. Then we combine these estimates with the L2-continuity results proved in [13] to obtain (L 1, weak L~), (L ~, BMO), (L p, L q) and (H p, L p) continuity conditions that extend or improve results due to C. Fefferman [9], L. H6rmander [11] and J. Alvarez and M. Milman [1] (most results are classic for 6< Q or 6_<-0). We also prove a pointwise estimate for the sharp maximal function (Lf) ~ in terms of the generalized Hardy--Littlewood maximal function Mpf for some pseudo-differential operators L extending [2, p. 424]. It is well-known that these pointwise estimates give weighted L p estimates for L. When 0= 1, pseudo-differential operators of non-positive order are associated to standard kernels, i.e., they are generalized Calderdn--Zygmund operators. However, when ~<1, in order to obtain the best continuity properties, one is led to consider kernels that blow up at the diagonal faster than standard kernels. It is then natural to ask to what extent properties valid for operators associated to stan-

Caring In Nursing: Analysis of Extant Theory

Abstract: Caring in nursing as a substantive area of nursing science has been the focus of considerable scholarly effort. Based on the assumption that caring is the central concept in nursing and is uniquely known and expressed in nursing, this paper focuses on an analysis of major theoretical works related to the concept. Five categories of questions provide a framework for the analysis: ontological, anthropological, ontical, epistemological, and pedagogical.

Model reference adaptive control with constraints for postoperative blood pressure management

Abstract: An approach for adaptive control of blood pressure using sodium nitroprusside is presented. A modified stochastic model reference adaptive control algorithm with a time-varying reference model is developed and used for this purpose. An automatic adjustment of the reference model is proposed in order to optimize the performance of the closed-loop system while meeting clinical constraints imposed on the infusion rate and the mean arterial pressure. Extensive computer simulations show the robustness of the proposed controller in the presence of relatively high noise levels, over the full range of plant parameters and for large parameter variations. >

The affirmative character of U.S. cultural studies

Abstract: This article argues that, as imported to the United States from England by scholars like Lawrence Grossberg and John Fiske, cultural studies often loses much of its critical edge. Its misleading affirmation of the power and independence of media audiences derives from several problems. First, it overestimates the freedom of audiences in reception. Second, it minimizes the commodification of audiences as analyzed by a political‐economic approach. Third, it fails to differentiate between mass advertising and specialized media. Fourth, it confuses active reception with political activity. Finally, it takes the exceptional situation of progressive readings promoted within oppositional subcultures as the norm.

Selecting analogous problems: similarity versus inclusiveness.

Abstract: Students were asked to select one of two analogous problems in order to solve algebra word problems. In Experiment 1, one problem was less inclusive and the other was more inclusive than a test problem. The students judged the complexity and similarity of problems, selected analogous problems, and used the solutions to solve test problems. They performed significantly better on the test problems when given the more inclusive solutions, but used perceived similarity rather than inclusiveness to select analogous problems. The same pattern of results occurred in Experiment 2, in which isomorphic problems replacedthe more inclusive problems. The results show that students are deficient in selecting good analogies, both from the same category (Experiment 1) and from a different category (Experiment 2). Students who saw the analogous solutions (Experiment 3) or were majoring in mathematics (Experiment 4) were more likely to select an isomorphic problem over a less inclusive problem, but were not more likely to select a more inclusive over a less inclusive problem.

A Generational and Sex-Based View of Managerial Work Values

Abstract: In a study of 252 managers' work values for those born during the US baby-boom of 1946–64 and those born before the baby-boom were compared; sex differences also were examined. The most important work value in both groups is accomplishment, but significant differences between groups suggest that baby-boom managers—regardless of sex—base their belief systems more on humanistic/moralistic values than do prebaby-boom managers whose values are more traditionally pragmatic.

An evaluation of an alternating magnetic field device for monitoring tongue movements.

Abstract: Alternating magnetic field devices hold much promise for tracking movements of multiple articulators, including the tongue, in the midsagittal plane. Here, the accuracy, repeatability, and linearity of one such device, the Articulograph AG-100 (Carstens Medizinelektronik GmbH, Gottingen, West Germany), are evaluated. The results indicate that with proper precautions in transducer calibration and placement, the Articulograph can be a useful tool in speech production research.

Leniency effect as a function of rating format, purpose for appraisal, and rater individual differences

Abstract: The effect of rating format and non-performance variables on rating leniency were studied in two law enforcement organizations. One of these variables, trust in the appraisal process, was defined as the extent to which a rater believes that fair and accurate appraisal will be made in the organization. A measure of trust in appraisal accounted for a significant proportion of variance in performance ratings. The purpose of appraisal (i.e., feedback or promotion) also accounted for rating variance. A mixed-standard rating format showed less susceptibility to the non-performance variables on the extent of leniency. Discussion centers on the usefulness of rater and organizational variables in performance appraisal research.

Technical Note: The Effect of Heat Treatment on the Pitting Behavior of SiCw/AA2124

Abstract: A study was initiated at this laboratory to better understand the role of heat treatment on the pitting behavior of SiC/AA2124

Changes and additions in ipomoea section batatas (convolvulaceae)

Abstract: A new species, Ipomoea tabascana, is described from Mexico, and the combination I. batatas var. apiculata is made for plants endemic to Veracruz. Comments on the alliance of I. umbraticola with the section Batatas are given.

The status of women in geography: things change, things remain the same

Abstract: Numbers of women in permanent academic ranks in US geography departments have increased since the 1970s but still constitute only eight percent of geography faculty. Women comprise a quarter of the new doctorates and low-ranking professors, but only 10% of the associate and three percent of full professors, both in large and small departments. One female faculty member in five holds a temporary line. Causes of and solutions to this imbalance are addressed.