Showing papers by "San Francisco State University published in 1994"

Performance Measurement in a Downside Risk Framework

Abstract: is director o f the Pension Research Institute in Sun Francisco, where he has conducted research projects with such Jirms as Royal Dutch Shell and Aegon Insurance in the Netherlands, Manufacturers Liji Insurance Co. o f Toronto, The Cal@rnia State Teachers Retirement System, and the Marin County Employees Retirement System. Dr. Sortino is also professor offnance at Sun Francisco State University. He holds an M . B.A. fiom U. C. Berkeley, and a Ph.D. infinancefrom the University o f Oregon.

To Extend or Not to Extend: Success Determinants of Line Extensions:

Abstract: The authors study the determinants of line extension success using data on 75 line extensions of 34 cigarette brands over a 20-year period to investigate the relative effects of brand, extension, a...

The impact of Confucianism on organizational communication

Abstract: Confucianism has been identified as the major cultural factor that explains the economic success of the Asian Five Dragons. This paper explores the impact of Confucianism on the organizational communication in these nations, based on the four key principles of Confucian teachings: the hierarchical relationship, the family system, Jen, and the emphasis on education. This study further discusses the influence of these four principles of Confucianism on management behaviors and communication in the organization. Implications of Confucianism influence on organizational communication are also explained.

Evaluating the Effects of Placement of Students with Severe Disabilities in General Education versus Special Classes

Abstract: This program evaluation study was designed to investigate the effects of the placement of students with severe disabilities in general education versus special education classes. Sixteen elementary education programs in California participated. Eight represented the “full inclusion” model of integration, and eight represented the special class model. Two students were selected from each program, with one of the students experiencing more disability and the other student experiencing less disability. A number of key program quality and student outcome variables were measured and, except for an analysis of the individualized education plans (IEPs) of participating students, all measures were based on observations of students in their school programs. The data were analyzed within disability levels. The results indicated that there were differences for the students who were fully included and those who attended special education programs on measures of IEP quality and in the emphasis given to various curricu...

Achievement by All Students within the Context of Cooperative Learning Groups

Abstract: Three elementary-aged students with multiple severe disabilities acquired basic communication and motor skills within cooperative learning activities conducted in their general education classrooms. With gradually fading assistance from the instructor, the members without disabilities of the cooperative learning groups provided cues, prompts, and consequences to promote the learning of the member with disabilities. The results showed that the three students with disabilities not only independently demonstrated targeted basic skills within cooperative academic activities, but also generalized those skills during follow-up sessions to activities with other members of a newly formed cooperative learning group. In addition, tests of achievement of targeted academic objectives by the members without disabilities in their cooperative learning groups indicated that they performed as well as members of a control group within the classroom that did not include a child with severe disabilities and that members of b...

Language development, metalinguistic awareness, and emergent literacy skills of 3-year-old children in relation to social class

Abstract: This is an investigation of the relationships among selected aspects of normal language development, emerging metalinguistic skills, concepts about print, and family literacy experiences in 3-year-old children who vary in their socioeconomic backgrounds. Forty-three normally developing children, whose family incomes ranged from under 100,000, were given 4 tests of language development; 12 metalinguistic tasks measuring phonological awareness, word awareness, and structural awareness; and 2 measures of literacy knowledge. The children's family literacy experiences were described following a parent interview. The data analysis had two main purposes. The first was to examine the family literacy experiences of the children using a qualitative analysis. The second was to describe, in a quantitative way, the relationships among family literacy experiences, socioeconomic factors, language development, metalinguistic performance, and concepts about print. The interview data revealed that, while parents varied in the emphasis they placed on literacy activities, all of the children were at least somewhat involved in literacy activities at home; family report of literacy activities was associated with family income. Quantitative analyses revealed that amount of family literacy involvement and the children's race were related to oral language development, and language development was the most powerful predictor of metalinguistic awareness. When language development was controlled statistically, family literacy and socioeconomic factors had negligible effects on metalinguistic skills; however, knowledge of print concepts was related to metalinguistic performance, especially in the phonological domain, and was associated with the children's family literacy experiences, maternal education, and race.

Processes controlling recruitment of the marine Calanoid copepod Temora longicornis in Long Island Sound: Egg production, egg mortality, and cohort survival rates

Abstract: Three phytoplankton blooms were observed during our 6-month study period and each resulted in increased rates of egg production (EPR) by female Temora longicornis. An EPR of 50 eggs female −1 d −1 was observed during the first bloom (spring bloom, March). The maximum EPR observed during the other blooms (May and July) was 20 and 30 eggs female −1 d −1 . At all other times the EPR was nearly zero. Each pulse in egg production initiated a distinct cohort. Survivorship from egg to adult was low: 3% for the first cohort and 0.8% for the second. The third cohort did not reach maturity. Mortality was highest in the egg stage ― only 10% of the eggs produced survived to first nauplius. Rates of egg mortality were positively correlated with clearance rates of T. longicornis, suggesting cannibalism as a cause of high mortality. However, the clearance rates required would be ∼ 34-fold too high, suggesting a different density-dependent factor, such as disease, viruses, ecto-parasitism or consumption by dinoflagellates. Advection and resting egg production do not appear to explain high rates of egg loss

Psychological, psychosocial, and psychophysiological sequelae in a community affected by a railroad chemical disaster

Abstract: Psychological, psychosocial, and psychophysiological sequelae were studied in a community which had experienced a railroad chemical spill of 19,000 gallons of the toxic pesticide metam sodium. Two hundred twenty exposed residents were compared to 114 controls and paired on age, education, gender, race, and number of children. A clinical interview and physiological measurements (blood pressure, pulse, and cortisol level) were taken, the MMPI-2, IES Scale, Mood Scale, Environmental Worry, Perceived Social Support, and Perceived Control Scale and a questionnaire were administered. Results indicated greater levels of depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms in the spill residents in addition to greater environmental worry and lower perceived social support. Spill residents had higher blood pressure and less fluctuation of cortisol levels than controls. No difference on litigation status was obtained except on the IES, Intrusion and the POMS scales. Chemical disasters are associated with a wide variety of psychological, psychosocial, and physiological distress.

Teaching Preschoolers with Autism to Self-Monitor Their Social Interactions: An Analysis of Results in Home and School Settings:

Abstract: This study examined the effects of a self-monitoring intervention on the social interactions of 3 preschool boys with autism. A multiple baseline across both school and home settings was used to examine several experimental conditions. First, each child with autism participated in daily 5-minute play activities with one nondisabled peer or sibling during an initial baseline period. Following their conduct of social skills training, teachers and parents implemented an intervention that encompassed adult prompting, edible reinforcement contingent on children's positive exchanges, and target children's self-monitoring of their own social behaviors. Three primary results were obtained. First, the self-monitoring package increased each target child's interactions with his peers and/or siblings. Second, the school and home procedures produced comparable impacts on some dimensions of children's social behaviors, but other outcomes were affected differentially. Finally, both adult prompts and reinforcement were s...

Giving Voice: An Inclusive Model of Instruction--A Womanist Perspective.

Abstract: Marginalization occurs when one person's views are valued and voiced at the sociopolitical and historical expense of others. Understanding the individual's polyrhythmic reality gives us a way of giving voice to the multiple and varied realities found in the classroom.

The Homeless Prenatal Program: A Model for Empowering Homeless Pregnant Women

Abstract: The Homeless Prenatal Program (HPP) is one of the first programs in the country to provide comprehensive prenatal services to homeless pregnant women. A formative evaluation was conducted in 1992, indicating that HPP is achieving its program goals of improving birth outcomes and transforming the lives of its clients. Results of the quali tative evaluation are presented, including HPP's service model and approach to empow erment. In this model, empowerment has two central tenets, derived from the special needs of women who are pregnant and homeless: the "mother-child connection," and the principle of "giving back."

Left Coast City: Progressive Politics in San Francisco, 1975–1991

Abstract: When Art Agnos campaigned for mayor of San Francisco in 1987, he articulated and defended the "left" isms liberalism, environmentalism, and populism. He won. Seeing Agnos as a defender of slowgrowth vs. progrowth, the city's progressives had high hopes. But to their disappointment, in the wake of the passage of Proposition M the most restrictive growth control legislation of any large U.S. city Agnos supported waterfront development and proposals to build a new baseball stadium in China Basin and a large residential and business development in Mission Bay. In 1991 Agnos ran for reelection. He lost. "Left Coast City" provides insight into how San Francisco's progressive coalition developed between 1975 and 1991, what stresses emerged to cause splintering within the coalition, and how the coalition fell apart in the 1991 mayoral campaign. Focusing on San Francisco's turbulent political history, non-conformist traditions, and ethnic and cultural diversity, political scientist Richard DeLeon analyzes the successes and failures of the progressive movement as it topples the business-dominated progrowth regime, imposes stringent controls on growth and development, and achieves political control of city hall. Although the movement has achieved national recognition as a possible vanguard of social and political change in this country, DeLeon argues that a new progressive regime has not yet emerged to replace the defunct progrowth regime. Having helped to create chaos out of order, progressive leaders now face the task of creating order out of chaos. "What the city has now is, at best, an antiregime, a transitional political order set up defensively to block the Lazarus-like re-emergence of the old progrowth regime," DeLeon writes. "Such an order cannot last." The key to survival of the progressive movement, he contends, is creation of a progressive urban regime, where public and private entities function together."

Relationship between thymidine metabolism, bacterioplankton community metabolic capabilities, and sources of organic matter.

Abstract: Numerous investigations have been directed at verifying and calibrating methods for measuring bacterioplankton production, particularly methods based on the incorporation of thymidine (TdR) into DNA. Careful examination of these data can provide insights into other aspects of the ecology of aerobic heterotrophic microbial communities. Once method-specific biases are eliminated, these measurements indicate that there are broad-scale patterns in the metabolic fate of TdR, differences that seem to reflect broad differences in community metabolic capabilities. Based on work conducted primarily in San Francisco and Tomales Bays, California, I suggest that the metabolic fate of TdR in a given environment may reflect the relative importance to bacterioplankton nutrition of detritus versus fresh phytoplankton carbon. This is probably due to differences in community composition that result from growth on qualitatively different carbon sources. If true, the metabolic fate of TdR may provide a broadly applicable, but simple, index that can be used to assess the relative importance of these general sources of organic matter. Such an index could be very useful in characterizing lacustrine, estuarine, and nearshore environments.

Convective and Rotational Parameters Associated with Three Tornado Episodes in Northern and Central California

Abstract: An overview of the synoptic and subsynoptic controls on three tornado episodes (seven tornadoes) in northern and central California during December 1992 is presented and compared to the “prototype” documented for the 24 September 1986 mesocyclone-induced F2 event in the Sacramento Valley. Convective and rotational parameters calculated interactively on the Skew T/Hodograph Analysis and Research Programs supported anecdotal evidence that the tornadoes considered in this study were mesocyclone induced. The study indicates that careful subsynoptic analyses and evaluation of buoyancy and shear parameters can establish a mesoscale focus for supercellular development in California “cold sector,” low buoyancy-moderate shear thunderstorm environments.

Genetic population structure of the recently introduced Asian clam, Potamocorbula amurensis, in San Francisco Bay

Abstract: The genetic population structure of the recently introduced Asian clam, Potamocorbula amurensis, in San Francisco Bay was described using starch gel electrophoresis at eight presumptive loci. Specimens were taken from five environmentally distinct sites located throughout the bay. The population maintains a high degree of genetic variation, with a mean heterozygosity of 0.295, a mean polymorphism of 0.75, and an average of 3.70 alleles per locus. The population is genetically homogeneous, as evidenced from genetic distance values and F-statistics. However, heterogeneity of populations was indicated from a contingency chi-square test. Significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and heterozygote deficiencies were found at the Lap-1 locus for all populations and at the Lap-2 locus for a single population. High levels of variability could represent a universal characteristic of invading species, the levels of variability in the source population(s), and/or the dynamics of the introduction. Lack of differentiation between subpopulations may be due to the immaturity of the San Francisco Bay population, the “general purpose” phenotype genetic strategy of the species, high rates of gene flow in the population, and/or the selective neutrality of the loci investigated.

The Prescriptive Relationship in Academic Advising as an Appropriate Developmental Intervention With Multicultural Populations

Abstract: In his seminal 1972 article on academic advising, Burns B. Crookston set a prescriptive advising relationship in opposition to a developmental advising relationship, with the developmental approach proffered as the better way of working with students to promote their growth. We argue that prescriptive advising, rather t han being incompatible with a developmental ap proach to advising, is in fact a significant and necessary part of a thorough developmental advising methodology, one which gives due consideration to individual and group differences and needs. Additionally, it is our position that as part of a developmental advising continuum, the prescriptitte advising relationship is relevant and appropriate for many students of color. Crookston writes that "the traditional relationship between the academic advisor and the student may be described as prescriptiz~e . . . [wherein] the advisor is the doctor and the student the patient." He goes on to argue that in prescriptive advising the student seldom takes responsibility for wrong decisions because the onus of responsibility is placed on the advisor; "if the advice turns out badly the student

The Temporal Evolution of the 4--14 Micron Spectrum of V1974 Cygni (Nova Cygni 1992)

Abstract: We present 4-14 micron spectra of the ONeMg nova V1974 Cygni (Nova Cygni 1992) obtained during 1992 May on the NASA Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO) and from the NASA 1.52 m infrared telescope at Mount Lemmon, Arizona in 1992 October/November with the HIFOGS mid-infrared spectrometer. The spectra at both epochs showed continuum emission from thermal bremstrahlung (free-free radiation) with emission lines from hydrogen and (Ne II), (Ar III), and Ne VI). During May, approximately = 80 days after outburst, the dominant emission lines in the mid-infrared spectra were a blend of three lines (Pf-alpha, Hu-beta, H11-7) near 7.5 microns and (Ne II) at 12.8 microns. By October (approximately 160 days later), the hydrogen emission had virtually disappeared, the (Ne II) 12.8 micron line had weakened considerably, and a pronounced (Ne VI) emission line had appeared at 7.6 microns. This behavior confirms that V1974 Cyg is similar to the prototypical slow ONeMg 'neon nova', Nova QU Vulpeculae (1984 No. 2). The remarkable evolution of the spectrum suggests that the ionization conditions changed drastically between 1992 May and 1992 October. We find that the ejecta of V1974 Cyg were overabundant in neon with respect to silicon by a factor of approximately 10 relative to the solar photosphere. We present new model calculations of infrared sodium forbidden line emission from (Na III) 7.319 microns (Na IV) 9.039 microns, and (Na IV) 21.29 microns that can be compared with recent model predictions of sodium synthesis in ONeMg nova outbursts. We conclude that sodium abundances in ONeMg novae can be determined by observations of infrared coronal lines of sodium that are accssible to the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) and instruments at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF).

Sulfate Reduction and Sediment Metabolism in Tomales Bay, California

Abstract: Sulfate reduction rates (SRR) in subtidal sediments of Tomales Bay, California, were variable by sediment type, season and depth. Higher rates were measured in near-surface muds during summer (up to 45 nmol cm-3 h-1), with lower rates in sandy sediments, in winter and deeper in the sediment. Calculations of annual, average SRR throughout the upper 20 cm of muddy subtidal sediments (about 30 mmol S m-2 d-1) were much larger than previously reported net estimates of SRR derived from both benthic alkalinity flux measurements and bay wide, budget stoichiometry (3.5 and 2.6 mmol m-2 d-1, respectively), indicating that most reduced sulfur in these upper, well-mixed sediments is re-oxidized. A portion of the net alkalinity flux across the sediment surface may be derived from sulfate reduction in deeper sediments, estimated from sulfate depletion profiles at 1.5 mmol m-2 d-1. A small net flux of CO2 measured in benthic chambers despite a large SRR suggests that sediment sinks for CO2 must also exist (e.g., benthic microalgae).

Discrepancies in perceptions held by injured athletes and athletic trainers during the initial injury evaluation.

Abstract: Fifty injured athletes and six athletic trainers participated in this study, the purpose of which was to determine whether perceptions held by the athlete were similar to the perceptions of the athletic trainer during the initial evaluation. We developed a questionnaire to examine six areas: the athlete's understanding of the injury and the rehabilitation program, objective elements, the athlete's frame of reference, type of communication, short-term objectives and long-term goals, and the development of a rehabilitation strategy. A Cohen's kappa was used to determine interrater agreement/disagreement. Fifty-two percent of the athletes reported that they did not understand the rehabilitation process associated with their injury. There were significant discrepancies between the perceptions held by the athlete and the athletic trainer for items in all but one of the six areas examined-the objective elements of the evaluation. It appears that a significant level of miscommunication occurred between the athlete and the athletic trainer during the initial injury evaluation. Athletic trainers need to develop better communication skills so that athletes can gain a better understanding of their injuries and requirements for rehabilitation.

Functional Analysis and Intervention for Disruptive Behaviors of a Kindergarten Student.

Abstract: A functional analysis involving interviews and direct observation was used to analyze the multiple disruptive behaviors of a kindergarten student. Following this analysis, an intervention that combined reinforcement and teacher-cued self-monitoring procedures was implemented using an A-B-A-B withdrawal design. The procedures produced a significant decrease in his disruptive behavior and changes in the functions of disruptions across experimental phases.

Aftermath of a chemical spill: psychological and physiological sequelae

Abstract: Psychological, and psychophysiological sequelae were studied in a community which had experienced a railroad chemical spill of 19,000 gallons of the toxic pesticide metam sodium. Information was collected on 350 persons living in the area of the spill (spill residents) and 114 nonexposed controls, recruited using a randomized sampling strategy, from a nearby similar, but unexposed control town. Psychological measures used were the MMPI-2, POMS, IES Scale, Environmental Worry, Perceived Social Support and Perceived Control Scale. Physiological measurements were two measurements of blood pressure, pulse, and salivary cortisol level, taken both at the beginning and the conclusion of the study. Demographic and medical information was asked in a Questionnaire. Results indicate greater levels of depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms in the spill residents in addition to greater environmental worry and lower perceived social support. Spill odor perception was related to increased psychological and physiological sequelae. The spill residents had higher blood pressure and less fluctuation of cortisol levels than the controls. Comparison of spill residents who were litigants and those who were not, indicates no differences for blood pressure, pulse, and cortisol, MMPI-2, Environmental Worry and the Control Scale. Litigants scored slightly higher on the IES, Intrusion and the POMS scales. No dose/response relationship between distance to the river and evacuation status was obtained. The chemical spills was associated with a wide variety of psychological and physiological reactions.