Showing papers by "Queen's University published in 1995"
TL;DR: The results indicate that the decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior provides a fuller understanding of behavioral intention by focusing on the factors that are likely to influence systems use through the application of both design and implementation strategies.
Abstract: The Technology Acceptance Model and two variations of the Theory of Planned Behavior were compared to assess which model best helps to understand usage of information technology. The models were compared using student data collected from 786 potential users of a computer resource center. Behavior data was based on monitoring 3,780 visits to the resource center over a 12-week period. Weighted least squares estimation revealed that all three models performed well in terms of fit and were roughly equivalent in terms of their ability to explain behavior. Decomposing the belief structures in the Theory of Planned Behavior provided a moderate increase in the explanation of behavioral intention. Overall, the results indicate that the decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior provides a fuller understanding of behavioral intention by focusing on the factors that are likely to influence systems use through the application of both design and implementation strategies.
8,127 citations
TL;DR: A variety of models that incorporate attitudinal, social, and control factor have been advanced to explain IT usage, but it is unclear whether models such as TAM are predictive of behavior for inexperienced users and whether the determinants of IT usage are the same for experienced and inexperienced users of a system.
Abstract: A variety of models that incorporate attitudinal, social, and control factor have been advanced to explain IT usage, of which the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is the most well know. One goal of such models is to develop diagnostic tools to predict information systems acceptance and facilitate design changes before users have experience with a system. However, empirical tests of these models have generally focused on either systems that were already in use by the study participants, or systems that the participants were familiar with, such as word processing packages and spreadsheets. Given this, it is unclear (1) whether models such as TAM are predictive of behavior for inexperienced users and, more importantly, (2) whether the determinants of IT usage are the same for experienced and inexperiened users of a system.
2,794 citations
TL;DR: Structural equation modelling using maximum likelihood estimation for the four models revealed that the traditional forms of the Theory of Reasoned Action and the theory of Planned Behavior fit the data adequately and resulted in improvements in model prediction.
1,261 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide a synthesis of the conceptual foundations of strategic alliances and explore the role of marketing in strategic alliances, and provide an overview of the marketing role in these alliances.
Abstract: Strategic alliances, a manifestation of interorganizational cooperative strategies, entails the pooling of specific resources and skills by the cooperating organizations in order to achieve common goals, as well as goals specific to the individual partners. Gaining access to new markets; accelerating the pace of entry into new markets; sharing of research and development, manufacturing, and/or marketing costs; broadening the product line/filling product line gaps; and learning new skills are among the motives underlying the entry of firms into strategic alliances. During the last decade, an increasing number of firms have entered into alliances with other firms within the same industry, as well as within other industries. Some firms have progressed well beyond forming isolated alliances to establishing a web of intra- and interindustry, and intra-and international strategic alliances. Against this backdrop, we provide a synthesis of the conceptual foundations of strategic alliances and explore the role of marketing in strategic alliances.
697 citations
TL;DR: 2-Guanidinoethylmercaptosuccinic acid, a competitive inhibitor of CPB, completely inhibits prolongation of lysis by activated TAFI in a purified system and the prolongation induced by II activation in barium-adsorbed plasma, suggesting that TAFi accounts for the antifibrinolytic effect that accompanies prothrombin activation.
691 citations
TL;DR: This paper showed that genetically reduced production of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) can lead to salt-sensitive hypertension in mice with a disruption of the proANP gene.
Abstract: To determine if defects in the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) system can cause hypertension, mice were generated with a disruption of the proANP gene. Homozygous mutants had no circulating or atrial ANP, and their blood pressures were elevated by 8 to 23 millimeters of mercury when they were fed standard (0.5 percent sodium chloride) and intermediate (2 percent sodium chloride) salt diets. On standard salt diets, heterozygotes had normal amounts of circulating ANP and normal blood pressures. However, on high (8 percent sodium chloride) salt diets they were hypertensive, with blood pressures elevated by 27 millimeters of mercury. These results demonstrate that genetically reduced production of ANP can lead to salt-sensitive hypertension.
629 citations
TL;DR: A national survey of multicultural and ethnic attitudes was carried out in June 1991, with a representative sample of 2500 respondents, and oversamples in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver (total N = 3325).
Abstract: A national survey of multicultural and ethnic attitudes was carried out in June 1991, with a representative sample of 2500 respondents, and oversamples in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver (total N = 3325). Scales were developed to assess attitudes towards various aspects of multiculturalism (
589 citations
TL;DR: A model was developed to link the predicted birth weight to a fetal weight curve which outlines how this weight is to be reached in an uncomplicated pregnancy and a formula was derived which describes the median fetal weight at each gestation as a proportion of the optimal term weight.
Abstract: The monitoring of fetal weight is an important aspect of antenatal care. To construct an individually adjustable standard, we developed a model to link the predicted birth weight to a fetal weight curve which outlines how this weight is to be reached in an uncomplicated pregnancy. A formula was derived which describes the median fetal weight at each gestation as a proportion of the optimal term weight, and also defines the 90th and 10th centile curves as normal limits. We analyzed a birth weight database of 38,114 singleton, routine ultrasound-dated pregnancies resulting in term deliveries. By stepwise multiple regression analysis, we derived coefficients for the factors that act as variables on term birth weight in our population. Apart from gestational age and sex, the maternal height, weight at first visit, ethnic group, parity and smoking all have significant and independent effects on birth weight. The variation due to ethnic group appears to be physiological in this population. Smoking is associated with a reduction in birth weight, which is independent of maternal physique and related to the number of cigarettes per day as reported at the first visit. We have developed a software program which calculates, on the basis of pregnancy variables entered at the first visit, an adjusted normal range for fetal size. This can be printed out as a chart and used for antenatal surveillance of growth.
534 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an actuarial approach to predicting sexual recidivism among known sex offenders is illustrated with a reanalysis of follow-up data of rapists and child molesters.
Abstract: An actuarial approach to predicting sexual recidivism among known sex offenders is illustrated with a reanalysis of follow-up data of rapists and child molesters. One hundred seventy-eight sex offenders who had been assessed at a maximum security psychiatric facility were followed for an average of 59 months of opportunity to reoffend. Twenty-eight percent were convicted of a new sex offense and 40% were arrested, convicted, or returned to the psychiatric facility for a violent (including sex) offense. Rapists were more likely to recidivate than child molesters. Psychopathy, measures of previous criminal history, and phallometric indexes of deviant sexual interests were found to be useful predictors of sexual recidivism. A predictor scale was formed by weighting each predictor that was significant in the regression analyses by a number reflecting its univariate correlation with the criterion. A linear relationship (r = .45) was found between scores on the predictor scale and reconviction for a sexual offense.
520 citations
TL;DR: Questions are raised concerning the implicit understanding by academics and practioners alike of the need for business knowledge on the part of systems analysts and other IS professionals and the implications for both education and recruitment are discussed.
Abstract: Changes in the knowledge and skill requirements of information systems (IS) positions were examined by analyzing the content of advertisements for IS professionals placed in four major newspapers over the 20-year period 1970-1990 Three types of jobs were examined: programmers, systems analysts, and IS managers The analysis of the frequency of phrases in these advertisements suggests that job ads for programmers have changed very little -- technical requirements remain high, and business and systems knowledge requirements remain relatively low (although the frequency of mention of business requirements has increased somewhat) IS management positions are also relatively stable (as relected in the makeup of job ads) from the standpoint that business knowledge requirements have remained high, with technical and systems requirements specified less frequently The greatest transition in specified job requirements over this 20-year period has occurred for systems analysts Although this is perhaps not surprising, the nature of this transition is Contrary to expectations, the relative frequency and proportion of stated technical knowledge requirements in ads have increased dramatically, while the relative frequency of business and systems knowledge requirements has actually decreased slightlyThese results raise questions concerning the implicit understanding by academics and practioners alike of the need for business knowledge on the part of systems analysts and other IS professionals Various interpretations of these findings are provided, and the implications for both education and recruitment are discussed
508 citations
TL;DR: In this article, various exchange correlation functionals are tested by calculating potential energy curves of six rare gas diatomic molecules: He 2, Ne 2, Ar 2, HeNe, HeAr, and NeAr.
01 Jan 1995
TL;DR: In this paper, a detailed account of the content analysis method developed at Queen's University Belfast to measure critical thinking during group learning, as used in controlled comparisons between learning in face-to-face and computer conference seminars, is given.
Abstract: This paper gives a detailed account of the content analysis method developed at Queen's University Belfast to measure critical thinking during group learning, as used in our controlled comparisons between learning in face-to-face and computer conference seminars. From Garrison's 5 stages of critical thinking, and Henri's cognitive skills needed in CMC, we have developed two research instruments: a student questionnaire and this content analysis method. The content analysis relies on identifying, within transcripts, examples of indicators of obviously critical and obviously uncritical thinking, from which several critical thinking ratios can be calculated.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors make commodities divisible and incorporate bargaining into the search-theoretic model of money to determine the purchasing power of money (or price), and show that two monetary equilibria always coexist where fiat money is universally accepted.
TL;DR: This paper examined the antecedents of recycling and composting intentions in the context of an integrated waste management behavior model and found that this model fits the data well, helping to explain intentions to engage in recycling.
Abstract: This study examines the antecedents of recycling and composting intentions in the context of an integrated waste management behavior model. This model incorporates a wide variety of important factors from previous research on environmental behavior. The theory of planned behavior provides a theoretical framework to integrate these factors. The model was tested using both recycling and composting data from a sample of more than 700 individuals. Overall, the results suggest that this model fits the data well, helping to explain intentions to engage in recycling and composting.
TL;DR: Low-molecular-weight anionic sulphonate or sulphate compounds synthesized substantially reduced murine splenic AA amyloid progression and interfered with heparan sulphate-stimulated β-peptide fibril aggregation in vitro, suggesting that molecules that interfere with this interaction may prevent or arrest amyloidsogenesis.
Abstract: Amyloid is a term for extracellular protein fibril deposits that have characteristic tinctorial and structural properties. Heparan sulphate, or the heparan sulphate proteoglycan perlecan, has been identified in all amyloids and implicated in the earliest stages of inflammation-associated (AA) amyloid induction. Heparan sulphate interacts with the AA amyloid precursor and the beta-peptide of Alzheimer's amyloid, imparting characteristic secondary and tertiary amyloid structural features. These observations suggest that molecules that interfere with this interaction may prevent or arrest amyloidogenesis. We synthesized low-molecular-weight (135-1,000) anionic sulphonate or sulphate compounds. When administered orally, these compounds substantially reduced murine splenic AA amyloid progression. They also interfered with heparan sulphate-stimulated beta-peptide fibril aggregation in vitro.
TL;DR: In this article, the potential impact of grain boundary design and control on the bulk sensitization and intergranular corrosion resistance of a commercial corrosion resistant nickel-based austenitic alloy: Alloy 600 (UNS N06600) was assessed.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to assess, for the first time, the potential impact of ``Grain Boundary Design and Control`` on the bulk sensitization and intergranular corrosion resistance of a commercial corrosion resistant nickel-based austenitic alloy: Alloy 600 (UNS N06600). Increasing the special grain boundary ({Sigma} {le} 29) frequency in thermomechanically processed Alloy 600 from 37% to 71% has been shown to result in commensurate decreases in bulk intergranular corrosion susceptibility in both the solution annealed and sensitized condition; these findings being attributed to both the intrinsic corrosion resistance, and resistance to solute segregation and precipitation exhibited by structurally-ordered low {Sigma} grain boundaries. These results provide considerable promise for the practical application of grain boundary design and control considerations in the general field of corrosion prevention and control.
TL;DR: PET data provide in vivo evidence that an impaired cognitive-task-induced activation of the anterior cingulate cortex in schizophrenic patients can be significantly modulated by a dopaminergic manipulation.
Abstract: DOPAMINERGIC dysregulation remains an empirical cornerstone for theories concerning the causation of schizophrenia. Evidence for a dopamine system dysfunction in schizophrenia includes the psychosis-inducing effects of dopaminergic agonists1,2 and the antipsychotic potency of dopaminergic antagonists3,4. Here we use positron emission tomography (PET) to examine the regulatory role of dopamine on cortical function in normal subjects and unmedicated schizophrenic patients. Using a factorial experimental design, we compared the effect of dopaminergic manipulation with apomorphine on a neural response to a cognitive task. In the schizophrenic patients, relative to controls, an impaired cognitive activation of the anterior cingulate cortex was significantly modulated by a manipulation of dopaminergic neurotransmission. Thus, after apomorphine, the schizophrenic subjects displayed a significantly enhanced cognitive activation of the anterior cingulate cortex relative to the controls. These data provide in vivo evidence that an impaired cognitive-task-induced activation of the anterior cingulate cortex in schizophrenic patients can be significantly modulated by a dopaminergic manipulation.
08 Oct 1995
TL;DR: In this paper, a comparative evaluation of the proportional-integral, sliding mode and fuzzy logic controllers for applications to power converters is presented, and the mismatch between the characteristics which lead to varying performance is outlined.
Abstract: This paper presents a comparative evaluation of the proportional-integral, sliding mode and fuzzy logic controllers for applications to power converters. The mismatch between the characteristics which lead to varying performance is outlined. This paper also demonstrates certain similarities of both the fuzzy logic controller and sliding mode controller. Sensitivity of these controllers to supply voltage disturbances and load disturbances is studied and results are presented.
TL;DR: Examination of the prediction and generation of music using a multiple viewpoint system, a collection of independent views of the musical surface each of which models a specific type of musical phenomena, concludes that highly predictive theories will produce low‐entropy estimates of a musical language.
Abstract: This paper examines the prediction and generation of music using a multiple viewpoint system, a collection of independent views of the musical surface each of which models a specific type of musical phenomena. Both the general style and a particular piece are modeled using dual short‐term and long‐term theories, and the model is created using machine learning techniques on a corpus of musical examples. The models are used for analysis and prediction, and we conjecture that highly predictive theories will also generate original, acceptable, works. Although the quality of the works generated is hard to quantify objectively, the predictive power of models can be measured by the notion of entropy, or unpredictability. Highly predictive theories will produce low‐entropy estimates of a musical language. The methods developed are applied to the Bach chorale melodies. Multiple‐viewpoint systems are learned from a sample of 95 chorales, estimates of entropy are produced, and a predictive theory is used to...
TL;DR: It is proposed that the activity of fixation cells in the monkey superior colliculus provide a neural correlate of the gap effect, which weakens the powerful state of inhibition which they normally exert upon the saccade generating system, allowing targets to be acquired at shorter reaction times.
Abstract: 1. The reduction in saccadic reaction time associated with the introduction of a period of darkness between the disappearance of an initial fixation point and the appearance of a new peripheral saccade target is known as the gap effect. Fixation cells in the rostral pole of the monkey superior colliculus have been implicated in the control of active visual fixation and suppressing saccadic eye movements. To determine whether specific variations of fixation cell discharge was correlated to the gap effect, we recorded the activity of fixation cells while a monkey generated visually guided saccades with various temporal gaps between the disappearance of the initial fixation point and the appearance of a peripheral saccade target. 2. The saccadic reaction times of the monkey were shortest with gap durations of 200-300 ms and increased with shorter or longer gap durations. The activity of fixation cells followed a similar time course, having a minimum discharge rate 200-300 ms into the gap, and increased activity at the time of target appearance with smaller or larger gap durations. 3. We propose that the activity of fixation cells in the monkey superior colliculus provide a neural correlate of the gap effect. The decrease in activity of fixation cells 200-300 ms into the gap weakens the powerful state of inhibition which they normally exert upon the saccade generating system, allowing targets to be acquired at shorter reaction times.
TL;DR: A new method for active post-marketing surveillance of vaccine safety based on patient records is described, finding an increased relative incidence for convulsions 0-3 days after DTP vaccination.
TL;DR: In this paper, the properties of nanostructured electrodeposits such as hardness, wear resistance and electrical resistivity are strongly affected by grain size, while properties such as thermal expansion, Young's modulus and saturation magnetization show little grain size dependence.
TL;DR: The low penetrance of the mutant gene, the lack of genotype-phenotype correlation, the sex-dependent effect of RET mutations and the variable clinical expression of the disease support the existence of one or more modifier genes in familial HSCR.
Abstract: Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a common congenital malformation (1 in 5 000 live births) due to the absence of autonomic ganglia in the terminal hindgut, and resulting in intestinal obstruction in neonates. Recently, a dominant gene for familial HSCR has been mapped to chromosome sub-band 10q11.2 and the disease has been ascribed to mutations in a tyrosine kinase receptor gene mapping to this region, the RET proto-oncogene. Studying the 20 exons of the RET gene by a combination of denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis and single strand conformation polymorphism in a large series of HSCR patients (45 sporadic cases and 35 familial forms), we found mutations of the RET gene in 50% of familial HSCR, regardless of the length of the aganglionic segment. The mean penetrance of the mutant allele in familial HSCR was significantly higher in males (72%) than in females (51%). Most interestingly, mutations at the RET locus accounted for at least 1/3 of sporadic HSCR in our series. These mutations were scattered along the length of the gene. Finally, among the mutations identified in sporadic cases (16/45), seven proved to be de novo mutations suggesting that new mutations at the RET locus significantly contribute to sporadic HSCR. Taken together, the low penetrance of the mutant gene, the lack of genotype-phenotype correlation, the sex-dependent effect of RET mutations and the variable clinical expression of the disease support the existence of one or more modifier genes in familial HSCR.
TL;DR: In this article, a multicomponent staged model of empathy is outlined, and it is suggested that empathy deficits may be more person-specific than has previously been thought, and the evidence concerning empathy deficits in sex offenders is considered.
TL;DR: In this article, the possibility of a dislocation mechanism in the deformation process of nanocrystalline materials is reviewed and analyzed, by taking the anisotropic characteristic of crystallographic symmetry and different choices of critical shear strength into account, results in a reasonable limit in grain size for applying dislocation pile-up theory to nanocrystine materials.
Abstract: The possibility of a dislocation mechanism in the deformation process of nanocrystalline materials is reviewed and analyzed. The present theoretical calculation, by taking the anisotropic characteristic of crystallographic symmetry and different choices of critical shear strength into account, results in a reasonable limit in grain size for applying dislocation pile-up theory to nanocrystalline materials. The deviation from the Hall—Petch relationship is rationalized in terms of a small number dislocation pile-up mechanism. A composite model is proposed to evaluate the strength of nanocrystalline materials. It is shown that this model can be used for interpreting the various cases observed in Hall—Petch studies. An analytical expression for assessing the creep rate of nanocrystalline materials by a diffusion mechanism, including triple line diffusion, is derived. It is predicted that the creep rate due to triple line diffusion will exhibit a stronger grain size dependence than that due to grain boundary diffusion.
TL;DR: In this article, square wave cathodic current modulation was used to produce nanocrystalline nickel electrodeposits with grain sizes in the range 40-10 nm from saccharin-containing Watts-type baths.
Abstract: Square-wave cathodic current modulation was used to produce nanocrystalline nickel electrodeposits with grain sizes in the range 40–10 nm from saccharin-containing Watts-type baths The optimum plating conditions to synthesize nanocrystals, namely pulse on- and off-time and peak current density, as well as bath pH and temperature, were identified At these plating conditions, the grain size of the electrodeposits was found to decrease with increasing saccharin concentration in the bath The preferred orientation of the deposits progressively changed from a strong (2 0 0) fibre texture for a saccharin-free bath to a (1 1 1) (2 0 0) double fibre texture for a bath containing 10 gl−1 saccharin Transmission electron microscopy showed that the electrodeposits consist of uniform structure with narrow grain-size distribution These deposits, as expected, were found to contain co-deposited sulphur and carbon impurities
TL;DR: Air-coupled capacitance transducers have been manufactured using anisotropic etched silicon backplates and commercially available dielectric films (Kapton and Mylar) as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Air-coupled capacitance transducers have been manufactured using anisotropically etched silicon backplates and commercially available dielectric films (Kapton and Mylar). The small backplate pits which result from etching, provide well ordered and highly uniform air layers between the backplate surface and thin dielectric film. Such uniformity allows the transducers to be manufactured with reproducible characteristics (a property difficult to achieve through conventional manufacturing). Impulse response studies in generation and detection, have indicated well-damped, wideband behavior, with bandwidths extending from >
TL;DR: In this article, a grounded theory approach was taken to the qualitative analysis of the descriptions of thoughts and feelings provided by 26 incarcerated child molesters while describing their most recent or typical offense.
Abstract: A grounded theory approach was taken to the qualitative analysis of the descriptions of thoughts and feelings provided by 26 incarcerated child molesters while describing their most recent or typical offense. The resulting descriptive model comprised nine stages, with three contributing factors that describe the sequence of cognitive and behavioral events that form an offense chain. The model incorporates offender type, offense type, and offers a description of the possible interactions between the various stages and factors. The model was then applied to the offense descriptions of an independent sample of 12 incarcerated child molesters in order to ascertain its cross-sample validity and the reliability of classification. The results suggest that the model has provisional validity and adequate interrater reliability. The theoretical, research, and clinical implications of the descriptive model are then discussed.
TL;DR: In this article, the composition of a worker's skills and the non-observability of a workers ability affect wage and promotion paths within a hierarchical firm structure, and explain why fast-track promotions plans, and other empirical regularities are provided.
Abstract: Within a hierarchical firm structure, this paper details how the composition of a worker's skills and the non-observability of a worker's ability affect wage and promotion paths. Promotionbased compensation schemes derive naturally from the worker's asymmetrically observed ability. Promotion takes place over time and is inefficient since employers strategically exploit their knowledge of an able worker's ability. Conversely, employers may be unable to efficiently demote and retain bad managers without paying bonuses. Employers are led to promote educated employees before their equally or more able, but uneducated, counterparts. Explanations for fast-track promotions plans, and other empirical regularities are provided.
TL;DR: The International RET Mutation Consortium was first convened as part of the Fifth International Workshop on Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, Stockholm, Sweden, in an attempt to analyse the relationship of RET mutation and disease phenotype in the autosomal dominantly inherited multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) syndromes.
Abstract: The International RET Mutation Consortium was first convened as part of the Fifth International Workshop on Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, Stockholm, Sweden, in an attempt to analyse the relationship of RET mutation and disease phenotype in the autosomal dominantly inherited multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) syndromes. Out of 361 families studied, 41% had MEN 2A, 17.7% MEN 2B, 6.4% FMTC and the remaining subjects were unclassified. RET mutations were detected in 87.3% of families overall. Over 93% of MEN 2B families had the RET 918 ATG → ACG mutation, while the most frequent mutation detected in MEN 2A families was cysteine codon 634 (87% of all mutations).