Showing papers by "San Jose State University published in 1993"

Culture and Organizational Learning

Abstract: Traditionally, theories of organizational learning have taken one of two approaches that share a common characterization of learning but differ in focus. One approach focuses on learning by individuals in organizational contexts; the other, on individual learning as a model for organizational action. Both base their understanding of organizational learning on the cognitive activity of individual learning. However, there is something organizations do that may be called organizational learning, that is neither individuals learning in organizations nor organizations employing processes akin to learning by individuals. This form of organizational learning can be seen in the case of three small workshops that make "the finest flutes in the world." This essay proposes a perspective on organizational learning, drawing on the concept of organizational culture, that can be useful in understanding the case. This perspective provides a fruitful basis for exploring the above distinctions in both theory and practice.

Is the gender difference in mental rotation disappearing

Abstract: Several investigators have used meta-analysis to compare the results of studies of gender differences on various spatial tests and have concluded that the magnitude of the gender difference in spatial ability is decreasing over time. The present study used meta-analytic techniques to compare the effect size (d) of the gender difference in 14 studies published from 1975 to 1992 which administered the Mental Rotations test to adolescents and young adults. Males scored significantly higher than females in all the studies. Analyses of thed's computed for the studies revealed that the magnitude of the gender difference on the mental Rotations test has remained stable over time. Neither the Pearson correlation relating thed's to the publication dates of the studies nor the Z test of the linear contrast relating the publication dates of hte studies to the effect sizes showed a linear change in the size of the gender difference over time. The finding of a stable gender difference on the Mental Rotations test argues against the general conclusion that the gender difference in spatial ability is decreasing.

Cockpit checklists - Concepts, design, and use

Abstract: Although the aircraft checklist has long been regarded as a foundation of pilot standardization and cockpit safety, it has escaped the scrutiny of the human factors profession. The improper use, or nonuse, of the normal checklist by flight crews is often cited as a major contributing factor to aircraft accidents. This paper reports the results of a field study of flight deck checklists and examines this seemingly mundane yet critical device from several perspectives: its functions, format, design, length, and usage, and the limitations of the humans who must interact with it. Certain sociotechnical factors, such as the airline 'culture', cockpit resource management, and production pressures that influence the design and use of this device, are also discussed. Finally, a list of design guidelines for normal checklists is provided. Although the focus of this paper is on the air transport industry, most of the principles discussed apply equally well to other high-risk industries, such as maritime transportation, power production, weapons systems, space flight, and medical care.

Organizational Innovation and Substandard Performance: When is Necessity the Mother of Innovation?

Abstract: This study extends earlier empirical research into organizational decline which has found that substandard performance stimulates innovation in a wide range of manufacturing industries. Using data from 74 U.S. high technology firms, this research investigates the relationship between organizational performance and adoption of an organizational innovation, the decision to join an R&D consortium. The central premise of the study is that a firm's propensity to innovate fluctuates with organizational performance, rather than stemming solely from a firm's inherent characteristics such as size, structure, leadership, etc.. The study found that substandard performance stimulated early joiners of R&D consortia. More risk-averse, high performing firms were found to be late adopters of R&D consortia. However, the relationship between performance and innovation was somewhat more complex than traditionally envisioned. First, a distinct institutionalization effect occurred as R&D consortia became a commonly accepted method of conducting certain types of R&D projects. While substandard performance was necessary to stimulate the early adopters, over time, institutionalization of R&D consortia occurred, risks associated with adoption were lowered, and later adopters were no longer stimulated solely by substandard performance. Second, an adoption decision was observed to involve more than a single, dichotomous organizational choice, but included both an initial adopt/nonadopt component and a related decision involving the timing of adoption early/late. The relationship between organizational performance and innovation emerged only when the effects of the initial adoption decision adopt/nonadopt were separated from the effects of adoption timing early/late. The results here point rather strongly to the need to expand inquiry into the decision-making processes of late adopting firms, which are essentially "imitators," to complement the existing prodigious literature on early adopting, firms, perceived in the traditional literature as "innovators."

Auguste Comte: An Intellectual Biography

Abstract: This volume continues to explore the life and works of Auguste Comte during his so-called second career. It covers the period from the coup d'etat of Louis Napoleon in late 1851 to Comte's death in 1857. During these early years of the Second Empire, Comte became increasingly conservative and anxious to control his disciples. This study offers the first study of the tensions within his movement. Focusing on his second masterpiece, the Systeme de politique positive, and other important books, such as the Synthese subjective, Mary Pickering not only sheds light on Comte's intellectual development but also traces the dissemination of positivism and the Religion of Humanity throughout many parts of the world.

Progress in documentation the complexities of citation practice: a review of citation studies

Abstract: The use of bibliographic citation is a crucial aspect in the creation and dissemination of information. Numerous studies have been done ranging from simple citation counts to more complex bibliographic coupling studies, and from citation classifications to citation motivation studies. This review focusses on the citation studies that have explored the complexities and the underlying norms of the citation process. The major emphasis is placed upon the studies which have dealt with citation functions, citation quality, citation concepts and citation motivation. The international perspectives of citation practice are also discussed.

First graders' cognitive representation of number and understanding of place value: Cross-national comparisons: France, Japan, Korea, Sweden, and the United States.

Abstract: This study represents an attempt to replicate the results of earlier research comparing U.S. and Japanese 1st graders' cognitive representation of number and understanding of place value. First graders from France, Sweden, and Korea were also included in the study. This investigation examines the idea that variability in mathematics performance may be due, in part, to differences in cognitive representation of number that is affected by numerical language characteristics differentiating Asian- and non-Asian-language groups. Comparison of Asian- and non-Asian language speakers revealed that the performance of the children was different across the 2 groups but similar within the groups. There is strong evidence that cognitive representation of number may differ depending on the language spoken

Rough Approximate Operators: Axiomatic Rough Set Theory

Abstract: In rough set theory, the upper and lower approximations are defined in terms of equivalence relation. In this paper, the reverse problem is considered. Let H and L are two abstract operators acting on the power set of U, the universe of discourse. If the two operators satisfy six axioms, then there is an equivalence relation defined on U such that H(X) and L(X) are precisely the upper and lower approximations. The six axioms are adopted from the axioms of Kuratowski’s closure operator. The proof is an easy application of point set topology. Similar results (five axioms) are also obtained for neighborhood systems (a generalized rough set theory) which are based on Frechet (V)spaces. The results can be viewed as a beginning of an axiomatic rough set theory.

Gravity waves generated by a tropical cyclone during the STEP tropical field program: A case study

Abstract: Overflights of a tropical cyclone during the Australian winter monsoon field experiment of the Stratosphere-Troposphere Exchange Project (STEP) show the presence of two mesoscale phenomena: a vertically propagating gravity wave with a horizontal wavelength of about 110 km and a feature with a horizontal scale comparable to that of the cyclone's entire cloud shield. The larger feature is fairly steady, though its physical interpretation is ambiguous. The 110-km gravity wave is transient, having maximum amplitude early in the flight and decreasing in amplitude thereafter. Its scale is comparable to that of 100-to 150-km-diameter cells of low satellite brightness temperatures within the overall cyclone cloud shield; these cells have lifetimes of 4.5 to 6 hrs. These cells correspond to regions of enhanced convection, higher cloud altitude, and upwardly displaced potential temperature surfaces. The temporal and spatial distribution of meteorological variables associated with the 110-km gravity wave can be simulated by a slowly moving transient forcing at the anvil top having an amplitude of 400-600 m, a lifetime of 4.5-6 hrs, and a size comparable to the cells of low brightness temperature.

The phonetics of nasal phonology: theorems and data

Abstract: Publisher Summary Physiologically a nasal speech sound is quite simple: it just involves lowering of the soft palate to a degree sufficient to couple the oral and nasal cavities acoustically. With a concomitant oral closure, a nasal consonant is produced; without it, a nasal vowel. This chapter discusses the extent to which sound patterns in language can be derived, such as theorems from first principles, the latter being facts that are empirically verifiable and pertinent as well to domains other than speech. The function of the speech mechanism may be considered the conversion of static or slowly varying air pressure into the rapid air pressure variations that are called sound. This task is accomplished by what is in effect an interconnected series of chambers whose volumes, and thus, also air pressures, may be varied by piston-like mechanisms and whose input and output of air flow are regulated by various valves.

A Boundary-Layer Model for Mars: Comparison with Viking Lander and Entry Data

Abstract: A 1D boundary-layer model of Mars based on a momentum equation that describes friction, pressure gradient, and Coriolis forces is presented. Frictional forces and convective heating are computed using the level-2 turbulence closure theory of Mellor and Yamada (1974). The model takes into account the radiative effects of CO2 gas and suspended dust particles. Both radiation and convection depend on surface temperatures which are computed from a surface heat budget. Model predictions are compared with available observations from Viking landers. It is concluded that, in general, the model reproduces the basic features of the temperature data. The agreement is particularly good at entry time for the V L-2 site, where the model and observations are within several degrees at all levels for which data are available.

A Structural Model of Scientific Eminence

Abstract: In order to determine the psychological influences contributing to scientific eminence, data from interviews, self-reports, peer ratings, observer ratings, and objective productivity measures were obtained on 99 full professors of physics, chemistry, and biology at major research universities in California. A structural model in which psychological factors were predicted to have a direct influence on both productivity and eminence and an indirect influence on eminence yielded a very good fit to the data. These findings support previous research on scientific creativity and eminence, and extend it by providing the first integrated structural model of scientific eminence.

A New Approach for the Preparation of a Hydride-Modified Substrate Used as an Intermediate in the Synthesis of Surface-Bonded Materials

Abstract: A new approach to produce a hydride-modified support which serves as an intermediate for the synthesis of chromatographic bonded phases is investigated. The procedure, refered to as silanization, involves the controlled deposition of the hydrolysis product of triethoxysilane (TES) or related silanes to preferentially form an SI-H monolayer on inorganic oxide substrates such as silica. Chemical and spectroscopic, as well as thermal, analyses are employed for the characterization of the intermediate. This synthetic route was developed to improve an existing method for producing a surface uniformly covered with active sites required for further modification via SIH addition to terminal olefins.

Head-up auditory displays for traffic collision avoidance system advisories: a preliminary investigation

Abstract: The advantage of a head-up auditory display was evaluated in a preliminary experiment designed to measure and compare the acquisition time for capturing visual targets under two auditory conditions: standard one-earpiece presentation and two-earpiece three-dimensional (3D) audio presentation. Twelve commercial airline crews were tested under full mission simulation conditions at the NASA-Ames Man-Vehicle Systems Research Facility advanced concepts flight simulator. Scenario software generated visual targets corresponding to aircraft that would activate a traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) aural advisory; the spatial auditory position was linked to the visual position with 3D audio presentation. Results showed that crew members using a 3D auditory display acquired targets approximately 2.2 s faster than did crew members who used one-earpiece headsets, but there was no significant difference in the number of targets acquired.

Measurements of halogenated organic compounds near the tropical tropopause

Abstract: The amount of organic chlorine and bromine entering the stratosphere have a direct influence on the magnitude of chlorine and bromine catalyzed ozone losses. Twelve organic chlorine species and five organic bromine species were measured from 12 samples collected near the tropopause between 23.8 deg N and 25.3 deg N during AASE 2. The average mixing ratios of total organic chlorine and total organic bromine were 3.50 +/- 0.06 ppbv and 21.1 +/- 0.8 pptv, respectively. CH3Cl represented 15.1% of the total organic chlorine, with CFC 11 (CCl3F) and CFC 12 (CCl2F2) accounting for 22.6% and 28.2%, respectively, with the remaining 34.1% primarily from CCl4, CH3CCl3, and CFC 113 (CCl2FCClF2). CH3Br represented 54% of the total organic bromine. The 95% confidence intervals of the mixing ratios of all but four of the individual compounds were within the range observed in low and mid-latitude mid-troposphere samples. The four compounds with significantly lower mixing ratios at the tropopause were CHCl3, CH2Cl2, CH2Br2, and CH3CCl3. The lower mixing ratios may be due to entrainment of southern hemisphere air during vertical transport in the tropical region and/or to exchange of air across the tropopause between the lower stratosphere and upper troposphere.

The Articulation of Work Through Interaction

Abstract: This paper offers a set of related concepts for analyzing the interactional mechanics of how work is carried out in organizations, and for analyzing the structural/organizational conditions that bear upon work performance. Our analytic discussion centers around four main concepts: (a) articulation, (b) arrangements, (c) the process of working things out, and (d) stance. These concepts directly connect interaction to work and explain why work performance often bogs down and breaks down.

Isolation and characterization of chenopodin, the 11S seed storage protein of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa)

Abstract: Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), a seed crop from the Andes region of South America, has been reported to have an exceptional seed protein amino acid composition The purpose of this study was to isolate and characterize a major seed storage protein of quinoa, an 11S-type globulin called chenopodin Extraction of quinoa seed protein was optimized with regard to extraction time, salt concentration, and buffer volumes Extraction with 05 M NaCl solubilized polypeptides having molecular weights of 8000-9000, 22 000-23 000, 32 000-39 000, and 50 000 Enrichment of the chenopodin polypeptides (the A subunit group at 32 000-39 000 and the B subunit group at 22 000-23 000) was achieved by acid precipitation of the extract at pH 50 Gel filtration was necessary to purify the native (320 000) chenopodin The disulfide-bonded A (acidic) and B (basic) polypeptides were separated by denaturation, reduction, and alkylation followed by ion-exchange chromatography The amino acid compositions of the A and B polypeptides were similar to those of the acidic and basic subunits from other 11S seed globulins The N-terminal sequence of one of the B polypeptides (GLEETICSARLSENIDDPSKA) was highly homologous to the basic subunits of several other 11S storage proteins, especially to rapeseed cruciferin

Coordinated control of multiple manipulator systems

Abstract: A scheme for controlling multimanipulator systems is presented. The control objective is to coordinate the manipulators to perform parts-matching tasks such as screwing a nut onto a bolt. The task of moving a rigid object can be treated as a special case. Two secondary control objectives, internal force control and load distribution, can be accomplished within the structure of the control law. The internal force control mechanism keeps the internal forces on the object being manipulated at a desirable level. The load distribution mechanism distributes control effort to each manipulator according to a weighting factor. It is also shown that the control algorithm has a modular structure which facilitates its implementation on a multiprocessor computer. The scheme was tested on a planar scara type dual-manipulator system. A series of experimental results is included to demonstrate the system performance under various conditions. >

Itinerant kingship and royal monasteries in early medieval Germany : c. 936-1075

Abstract: List of illustrations Acknowledgements List of abbreviations Introduction 1. German kingship and royal monasteries: the historical and historiographical context 2. Itinerant kingship, royal monasteries and the servitium regis 3. Servitium regis and monastic property 4. Monasteries in the Saxon heartland 5. Monasteries in Westphalia 6. Monasteries in the Saxon-Hessian border 7. Monasteries in Hesse and Thuringia Conclusion Bibliography Index.

Energy levels and correlation crystal-field effects in Er3+-doped garnets.

Abstract: The crystal-field energy-level structures of three different Er 3+ -doped garnet systems are analyzed and compared in this study The garnet hosts are Y 3 Al 5 O 12 (YAG), Y 3 Sc 2 Al 3 O 12 (YSAG) doped with Tm 3+ as a sensitizer ion, and Y 3 Sc 2 Ga 3 O 12 (YSGG) doped with Cr 3+ as a sensitizer ion The focus is on energy levels assigned to Er 3+ ions substituted for Y 3+ at dodecahedral (D 2 symmetry) sites in the cubic garnet lattices

Large-scale solar-wind structure near the Sun detected by Doppler scintillation

Abstract: STUDIES of the solar wind in the inner heliosphere (between the solar-wind source surface at ∼0.01 AU and 0.3 AU) are hampered by the lack of in situ spacecraft measurements. Radio propagation measurements—using both natural1–7 and spacecraft8–14 radio signals—have provided many insights, but information on large-scale solar-wind structure inside 0.3 AU that can be related to coronal features or direct spacecraft measurements at larger distances has nevertheless remained elusive. Here we report the detection of solar-wind structure between 0.08 and 0.53 AU, based on the response of the 13-cm radio signals from the Pioneer Venus Orbiter to electron-density fluctuations and solar-wind speed within this region. These Doppler scintillation measurements were made during the late declining phase of the most recent cycle of solar activity, when the solar wind exhibited recurrent high-speed streams. Near 0.5 AU, we find narrow regions of enhanced scintillation which appear to be associated with compressed plasma at the leading edges of these streams, consistent with previous scintillation measurements15,16. Inside 0.2 AU, however, scintillation enhancements are conspicuously absent from the fast streams, and instead occur in regions where the average solar wind is slow. They exhibit high variability, and appear to be the interplanetary manifestation of coronal mass ejections. The plasma structures giving rise to these enhanced scintillations apparently undergo significant evolution inside 0.3 AU.

Mesoscale disturbances in the tropical stratosphere excited by convection - Observations and effects on the stratospheric momentum budget

Abstract: Aircraft temperature and pressure measurements as well as satellite imagery are used to establish the amplitudes and the space and time scale of potential temperature disturbances over convective systems. A conceptual model is proposed for the generation of mesoscale gravity waves by convection. The momentum forcing that a reasonable distribution of convection might exert on the tropical stratosphere through convectively excited mesoscale gravity waves of the observed amplitudes is estimated. Aircraft measurements show that presence of mesoscale disturbances in the lower stratospheric temperature, disturbances that appear to be associated with underlying convection. If the disturbances are convectively excited mesoscale gravity waves, their amplitude is sufficient that their breakdown in the upper stratosphere will exert a zonal force comparable to but probably smaller than the planetary-scale Kelvin waves.

Analysis of Problems in Routine Controller-Pilot Communication

Abstract: Previous studies of controller-pilot communication have identified communication problems but not how often or why they occur. A more complete picture of these problems requires an understanding of how controllers and pilots successfully communicate during routine operations. We describe a field study of routine controller–pilot communication and the problems that disrupt this communication. Guided by a model of collaboration during communication, voice tapes of communication during terminal operations were coded and analyzed. Two kinds of communication problems were examined: (a) procedural deviations (e.g., partial readbacks) and (b) inaccuracies (e.g., incorrect readbacks). The results suggest that these problems are infrequent events in routine communication. However, they are associated with communication factors such as air traffic control message length and composition and traffic level. These relations suggest potential causes of problems that disrupt routine controller–pilot communication.

Negative addiction in male and female runners and exercisers

Abstract: 72 male and 26 female runners and 60 male and 30 female exercisers were tested on the Negative Addiction Scale of Hailey and Bailey along with demographic questions to examine the relationships among gender, age, years of exercise experience, and addiction to exercise. Analysis showed no differences in addiction scores by age, gender, or type of activity. A trend showed longer involvement in physical activity was associated with higher addiction scores.

Community Interventions To Support Grandparent Caregivers

Abstract: Community interventions and service programs for grandparents raising grandchildren are being identified and tracked through the Brookdale Grandparent Caregiver Information Project. Based on the first year's examination of 124 such programs, an overview of community intervention effort is provided, with special attention to support groups and comprehensive multi-service programs for grandparent caregivers. Lack of funding and institutional support, and the consequent inability to provide child care, were among key obstacles faced, while sponsorship by health and social service agencies often played a vital role in providing in-kind support and part-time professional staff.

Age, circadian rhythms, and sleep loss in flight crews.

Abstract: Age-related changes in trip-induced sleep loss, personality (n = 205), and the pre-duty temperature rhythm (n = 91) were analyzed in crews from various flight operations. Eveningness decreased with age (subjects aged 20-30 were more evening-type than subjects over 40). The minimum of the baseline temperature rhythm occurred earlier with age (earlier in subjects aged 30-50 than in subjects aged 20-30). The amplitude of the baseline temperature rhythm declined with age (greater in subjects aged 20-30 than in subjects over 40). Average daily percentage sleep loss during trips increased with age. Among crewmembers flying longhaul flight operations, subjects aged 50-60 averaged 3.5 times more sleep loss per day than subjects aged 20-30. These studies support previous findings that evening types and subjects with later peaking temperature rhythms adapt better to shift work and time zone changes. Age and circadian type may be important considerations for duty schedules and fatigue countermeasures.

On locating path‐ or tree‐shaped facilities on networks

Abstract: The study of “optimally” locating on a network a single facility of a given total length in the form of a path or a tree was initiated by several authors. We extend these results to the problem of locating p (≥1) such facilities. We will consider “center”, “median”, “max eccentricity”, and “max distance sum” location type problems for p = 1 or p > 1, for general networks and for tree networks, whether a facility contains partial arcs or not, and whether a facility is path-shaped or tree-shaped. These cases lead to 64 problems. We will determine the algorithmic complexity of virtually all these problems. We conclude with a result that may be viewed as a generalization of the p-Median theorem. © 1993 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.