Showing papers by "San Jose State University published in 1984"

The third persona: An ideological turn in rhetorical theory

Abstract: Wander finally answers his critics (who had various rejoinders to his “The Ideological Turn in Modern Criticism,” CSSJ, Spring 1983), with an extension of his original position, including development of the concept of “the third persona.”

A review of human physiological and performance changes associated with desynchronosis of biological rhythms

Abstract: This review discusses the effects, in the aerospace environment, of alterations in approximately 24-h periodicities (circadian rhythms) upon physiological and psychological functions and possible therapies for desynchronosis induced by such alterations. The consequences of circadian rhythm alteration resulting from shift work, transmeridian flight, or altered day lengths are known as desynchronosis, dysrhythmia, dyschrony, jet lag, or jet syndrome. Considerable attention is focused on the ability to operate jet aircraft and manned space vehicles. The importance of environmental cues, such as light-dark cycles, which influence physiological and psychological rhythms is discussed. A section on mathematical models is presented to enable selection and verification of appropriate preventive and corrective measures and to better understand the problem of dysrhythmia.

Stochastic time-predictable model for earthquake occurrences

Abstract: Recent geophysical studies have indicated that an earthquake recurrence interval and the size of the preceding event are positively correlated. This observation is the basis for the deterministic time-predictable recurrence model of Shimazaki and Nakata. Using the basic assumptions of the time-predictable recurrence model, we develop a stochastic model of earthquake occurrence that incorporates temporal dependence. This paper discusses the formulation of the model and the effect of including temporal dependence. Hazard estimates for a section of the San Andreas fault near Parkfield, where data has suggested time-predictable behavior, are obtained for illustrative purposes. Comparisons are made with the Poisson model. Results indicate that currently used Poisson models may give lower estimates of the seismic hazard when there has been a seismic gap. Of the various sensitivity analyses performed, it is observed that slip rate has the largest effect on exceedence probabilites computed from the stochastic time-predictable model. Therefore, accurate determinations of slip rates (both seismic and aseismic) can substantially reduce the uncertainty in seismic hazard estimates.

Vigilance and task load: in search of the inverted U

Abstract: The 'Inverted-U Hypothesis' states that for a given task, there is an optimal level of workload or demand that yields the highest level of performance. A departure in either direction will result in a monotonically lower performance level, hence an inverted-U-shaped relationship between task demand and quality of performance. Most studies to date have failed to demonstrate the left-hand branch of the curve, that is, the regime in which performance presumably rises as load increases. The purpose of this study was to explore whether low-level additional demand on the monitor would result in improved performance. Four groups of subjects performed a visual monitoring task for 48 min, then two of the four groups were given additional tasks, and a third had potentially distracting information on its display. Results indicated that the two groups with additional demand detected more signals than did the control group or the control-plus-distraction group. There were no significant differences in false alarms.

Spatial Variation of Stratospheric Aerosol Acidity and Model Refractive Index: Implications of Recent Results

Abstract: Recent experimental results indicate that little or no solid ammonium sulfate is present in background stratospheric aerosols. Other results allow straightforward calculation of sulfuric acid/water droplet properties (acidity, specific gravity, refractive index) as functions of stratospheric temperature and humidity. These results are combined with a variety of latitudinal and seasonal temperature and humidity profiles to obtain corresponding profiles of droplet properties. These profiles are used to update a previous model of stratospheric aerosol refractive index. The new model retains the simplifying approximation of vertically constant refractive index in the inner stratosphere, but has sulfuric acid/water refractive index values that significantly exceed the previously used room temperature values. Mean conversion ratios (e.g., extinction-to-number, backscatter-to-volume) obtained using Mie scattering calculations with the new refractive indices are very similar to those obtained for the old indices, because the effects of deleting ammonium sulfate and increasing acid indices tend to cancel each other.

Unionization and absenteeism

Abstract: Until recently any labour economist doing empirical work on unionization was concerned almost exclusively with the effect of unionization on wages. But beginning with Freeman's 1976 analysis of the rich institutional structure of unions, economists have been considering the role of unions in, for example, increasing productivity, lowering quit rates, enhancing fringe benefits, reducing income inequality, improving working conditions, and affecting a variety of other attributes at the workplace. 1 To date, however, no study has directly addressed a question that appears ripe for empirical analysis: Does unionization affect absenteeism? This paper presents results from a study designed to answer that question. The first section presents a simple model of absenteeism. The second section discusses the five mechanisms through which unionization influences absenteeism. The third section describes the data and variable selection. Results from logit regressions are presented in the fourth section and the paper cl...

Concentration of solar radiation by white backed photovoltaic panels.

Abstract: In this paper, we present an analysis of the concentration achieved by white backed photovoltaic panels. Concentration is due to the trapping by light scattered in the refractive plate to which the solar cell is bonded. Using the reciprocity relation and assuming the ideal case of a Lambertian distribution, a detailed model is formulated that includes the effects of the thickness and walls of the concentrator. This model converges to the thermodynamic limit and is found to be consistent with experimental results for a wide range of cell sizes. Finally, the model is generalized to multiple-cell photovoltaic panels.

POPCORN: a Supervisory Control Simulation for Workload and Performance Research

Abstract: A multi-task simulation of a semi-automatic supervisory control system was developed to provide an environment in which training, operator strategy development, failure detection and resolution, levels of automation, and operator workload can be investigated. The goal was to develop a well-defined, but realistically complex, task that would lend itself to model-based analysis. The name of the task (POPCORN) reflects the visual display that depicts different task elements milling around waiting to be released and pop out to be performed. The operator's task was to complete each of 100 task elements that ere represented by different symbols, by selecting a target task and entering the desired a command. The simulated automatic system then completed the selected function automatically. Highly significant differences in performance, strategy, and rated workload were found as a function of all experimental manipulations (except reward/penalty).

Chromosomal Studies and Evolutionary Relationships of an Endangered Species, Reithrodontomys raviventris

Abstract: G- and C-banded karyotypes of Reithrodontomys raviventris were examined to identify the amount and types of chromosomal change that have occurred in this species. The evolutionary origin and phylogenetic relationships of R. raviventris were evaluated by comparing G- and C-band data with six additional species of Reithrodontomys ( fulvescens, creper, mexicanus, megalotis, montanus , and sumichrasti ). Banding homologies indicate that the low diploid number forms ( raviventris, montanus, megalotis , and sumichrasti ) shared a common ancestry and that a major dichotomy exists among these taxa. R. raviventris and R. montanus share a phylogenetic relationship as indicated by 10 shared-derived chromosomal rearrangement events. R. megalotis and R. sumichrasti represent a second well-defined clade. These chromosomal banding data suggest an alternative hypothesis to the traditionally accepted view that R. raviventris is most closely related to R. megalotis .

Changing Balance: Environment and Individual

Abstract: The role of occupational therapy as a process for changing balance from dysfunction to function is discussed in this paper. The individual as the first level environment to be considered for balance in the occupational therapy process is emphasized. The role of purposeful activity as a change determinant and as a valued treatment modality is recognized as a practice factor that needs verification through research in conjunction with systematic study of the occupational therapy process.

Predicting favorite tv program gratifications from general orientations

Abstract: This article tests the relationships between general orientations to TV and gratifications received from favorite programs named by survey respondents. A telephone survey of 302 adults in Santa Clara County, California, found that orientations corresponding to gratifications received were powerful but not unique in predicting program gratifications in regression equations. Demographics were not systematically associated with either orientations or gratifications. But multiple repetitions of statements used to measure both orientations and gratifications presented response consistency as an alternative explanation for orientations' predictive power. Typologies based on comparative strengths of orientations accounted for this consistency and confirmed the predictive power of general orientations to TV as a medium. Involvement was added to the prediction equations but was related only to entertainment gratifications; the results suggest that involvement might be more appropriately considered a gratification ...

Managing creative individuals in high-technology research projects

Abstract: Based on observations of a unique government-industry-university research project, the authors provide prescriptions for sharpening project management skills in three critical areas: (1) conducting values analysis; (2) adopting an appropriate leadership style; and (3) avoiding or reducing demotivators. Attention to values analysis and goal setting at the outset of a project, utilizing an egalitarian participative leadership style which balances technical and interpersonal concerns, can reduce subsequent demotivation of project staff, and enhance project performance.

Room-Temperature Luminescence from Kaolin Induced by Organic Amines

Abstract: Several new, room-temperature luminescent phenomena, resulting from the interaction of kaolin and various amino compounds, have been observed. The emission of light from kaolin pastes (treated with quinoline, pyridine, hydrazine, monoethanolamine, n-butylamine, and piperidine) was shown to decay monotonically over a period of hours to days. More light was released by a given amino compound after it was dried and purified. Hydrazine, in addition to the monotonically decaying photon release, produces delayed pulses of light with peak emission wavelength of 365 nm which last between several hours and several days. These photon bursts are acutely sensitive to the initial dryness of the hydrazine, both in the number of bursts and the integrated photon output. The amount of light and the capacity of the kaolin to produce the delayed burst appeared to be strongly dependent on preliminary heating and on gamma-irradiation, analogous to the dehydration-induced light pulse previously reported from the Ames Research Center. A small, delayed burst of photons occurred when piperidine and n-butylamine were removed by evaporation into an H2SO4 reservoir.

Data as information

Abstract: Shannon's well-known measure of entropy provides a means of measuring the amount of information in a message—regardless of message content. For the particular case of data statements, Ranganathan's faceted classification scheme provides a means of systematically determining the number of meaningful data that can be constructed from a particular set of domains. The two sets of principles, combined, thus provide a structure for deriving meaning from data. This paper discusses such a structure.

Inflight Evaluation of Four Measures of Pilot Workload

Abstract: Four measures of pilot workload were tested in the NASA C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory. The measured included a communications analysis, subjective ratings of workload, subjective ratings of additional factors related to workload, and heart rate. Data were collected for 11 flights, each of which lasted approximately seven hours. Heart rate was found to be significantly higher for the pilot who was flying than for the pilot who was not flying and it varied significantly across flight segments, peaking during landing and take off, particularly for the pilot in the left seat who was resonsible for aircraft control. For both left and right seats, the subjective assessment of stress rather than the subjective assessment of workload was significantly correlated with variation in heart rate. Frequencies of different types of communications varied significantly across segments of flight, however, they were not correlated with subjective ratings of workload. There was a significant difference between the left and right seats in the types of activities that contributed to their workload, however, workload was considered to be equivalent for the two.

Landslide Length-Width Ratios as an Aid in Landslide Identification and Verification

Abstract: Regression analysis of the length-width ratios of 153 rotational, rotational-complex landslides occurring in facies of the semi-consolidated Plio-Pleistocene Santa Clara Formation of northwestern Santa Clara County, California indicate that specific length-width ratios are unique to individual facies. The landslide data upon which these analyses were performed included all previously mapped (regional study and site specific) landslides that had at least one dimension (length or width) in excess of 30 m. An individual length-width ratio was established for all landslide data from a particular facies. Individual landslide length-width ratios which departed greatly from the relationship established by regression analysis were identified as landslides which needed to be field checked. In all cases that were field checked, those tentatively identified as landslides with highly divergent length-width ratios proved to have been misidentified as landslides. As economic realities (time, personnel, and equipment) generally preclude the field checking of all landslides identified by air photo analysis, particularly in regional zoning studies, the use of regionally derived length-width ratios is suggested as one means of selecting those areas that warrant specific field evaluations.

Representation elections in higher education: Occurrence and outcomes

Abstract: This study examines factors related to the occurrence of union representation elections in four-year universities and colleges and the outcomes of those elections (i.e., whether or not faculty opt for collective bargaining). In general, the results indicate that the probability of union victory in an election depends on economic conditions, the structural characteristics of the institution, and union density in higher education. For the most part, however, such indicators of institutional vulnerability are not found to be significant determinants of election occurrences. A major implication of this study is that there is a need to investigate more thoroughly the intraorganizational processes of faculty unions with regard to the allocation of organizing resources in order to understand the spread of faculty unionism. It is also suggested that the findings of this study may cast light on the growth of unionism in other white-collar and professional sectors.

Sex-role behavior and obedience to authority: A field study

Abstract: Obedience by male and female subjects to male and female experimenters was investigated under various conditions of “perceived legitimacy.” The procedure involved an experimenter stopping a subject who was about to cross a street at a particular crosswalk, the subject was then instructed to cross at another designated location. The dependent variable was the level of obedience to these instructions. The four main factorial independent variables were the sex of the experimenter, the sex of the subject, and two conditions of “perceived legitimacy” (presence or absence of a “uniform,” presence or absence of an “explanation”). Significant results were obtained for the uniform and sex of subject main effects (more obedience with a uniform, more disobedience by females). Additional analyses indicated that “older” subjects disobeyed more often than “younger” ones, that “formally” dressed subjects disobeyed more often than “informally” dressed ones, and that ethnic minority group experimenters were disobeyed significantly more often than Caucasian experimenters. Significant interactions were also obtained, mainly due to the behavior of the younger men and the older women. Male and female experimenters were obeyed equally, in general. The results are discussed in relation to sex-role prejudice and discriminatory behavior.

Stress management as a component of occupational therapy in acute care settings.

Abstract: The recent explosion of stress literature in the medical community has created a new awareness of "stress" as a potentially destructive force in itself. Contributing the physical and psychological dysfunction, stress has now been linked with a wide range of diagnoses including cancer, cardiac disease and arthritis. The importance of incorporating stress management activities into daily life is increasingly apparent. Occupational therapists concerned with patients' ability to achieve health enhancing independent living skills are in a key position to help patients master stress management skills and incorporate them into activities of daily living. This article will explore the incorporation of stress management into occupational therapy programming for a variety of acute care patients. It will review the components of stress, the stress cycle, the relaxation response, the occupational therapy role based on a model of human occupation, and will review current programs through case study of four patients: one diagnosed with cancer (leukemia), one with anorexia nervosa, one with chronic pain and the fourth, a patient in medical intensive care.