Showing papers by "Texas Christian University published in 1986"

The Extraordinary Educational Attainment of Asian-Americans: A Search for Historical Evidence and Explanations

Abstract: The very high educational attainments of Asian-Americans have roots in the preWorld War II era. Native-born Chineseand Japanese-Americans reached educational parity with majority whites in the early decades of the twentieth century. In this paper, we present an analysis and interpretation of the structural conditions that may have favored the educational progress of Asian-Americans in spite of considerable societal discrimination. Changes in the occupational structure of the Asian-American population and a somewhat positive rate of occupational returns to education appear to be plausible explanations for Asian-American educational gains. Our interpretation is consistent with the middleman minority thesis. Contrary to the popular image, Asian-Americans have not achieved equality in all spheres of American society. Their record of occupational and earnings attainment is positive relative to other minorities, but is still short of parity with the majority population (Chiswick 1983a; Hirschman and Wong 1984; Jiobu 1976; Kitano and Sue 1973; Kuo 1981; Nee and Sanders 1985; Wong 1980b, 1982; Woodrum 1981). In the field of education, however, the record of Asian-Americans is one of consistent high achievement. In 1980, for the central college-going ages of 20 and 21, more than 50 percent of Asian-Americans were enrolled in school compared to about a third of whites at the same ages (U.S. Bureau of the Census 1984). For specific Asian populations, the percentages enrolled (at ages 20-21) *This is a revised version of a paper presented at the 1983 meetings of the American Sociological Association. This research has been supported by a grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HD16309), "Asian-Americans: Immigration and Adaptation." We thank Luis M. Falcon, Keiko Yamanaka, Leslye Wood, and Suzanne M. Sauer for their excellent research assistance. Teresa Sullivan, Suzanne Model, and Victor Nee provided helpful critiques of an earlier version of the paper. Address correspondence to Charles Hirschman, Department of Sociology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853. C 1986 The University of North Carolina Press

Selling Activity and Sales Position Taxonomies for Industrial Salesforces

Abstract: The author develops a comprehensive inventory of selling activities and uses it to analyze the jobs of 1393 salespeople employed by 51 industrial selling organizations. He also develops a taxonomy ...

The structure of executive information systems: an exploratory analysis

Abstract: This paper reports on a study which attempted to identify the structure of executive information systems and evaluate their relationship to decision making. The study centered on answering the question: “Where and how do senior executives get their decision-making information?” The data, provided by five senior executives, were gathered by a variety of means which included personal interviews, questionnaires, and logs of the executives' incoming-information transactions for a two-week period. Our findings support beliefs that senior executives receive much information from the environment, that informal systems play a role equal to that of formal systems, and that computers do not provide much information directly to an executive. The study also found that internal information is important and that preferred sources and media vary with different decision roles. The authors suggest that the scope of MIS and DSS be broadened to match those information networks managers actually rely on in daily practice.

A comparison of forecasts from least absolute value and least squares regression

Abstract: A Monte Carlo simulation is used to compare forecasts from least absolute value and least squares estimated regression equations. When outliers are present, the least absolute value forecasts are shown to be superior to least squares forecasts. The results emphasize the importance of exercising caution when using forecasts from least squares estimated regressions. Use of least absolute value regression (or some other robust regression method) instead of, or as an adjunct to, least squares is recommended. The comparison of forecasts from the two methods provides one way of assessing whether the least squares forecasts have been adversely affected by outliers. If outliers are present, the least absolute value regression forecasts can be used.

Effect of Fish Size on the Filtering Efficiency and Selective Particle Ingestion of a Filter-Feeding Clupeid

Abstract: We developed a model predicting the filtering efficiency of different sizes of filter-feeding gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum. The model is based on the cumulative frequencies of interraker distances of the gill rakers and was corroborated by feeding trials in which gizzard shad ingested different sizes of suspended plastic microspheres and plankton. The proportion of particles removed by fish increased as a function of particle size, leveling off when particle diameters exceeded 35 μm for small fish (7.1–11.1 cm standard length, SL) and 55 μm for large fish (13.6–16.3 cm SL). According to selectivity index values computed from the filtering efficiency model, gizzard shad of 5, 15, and 25 cm SL would selectively feed on particles larger than 19, 40, and 63 μm, respectively. This change in selective particle ingestion may explain why phytoplankton becomes less important in the diet of gizzard shad and why this clupeid shifts its feeding niche as it increases in length.

Polysorbate 80 and E-Ferol Toxicity

Abstract: The relatively recent introduction and use of an intravenous form of a vitamin E preparation (E-Ferol) has been associated with the development of an unusual syndrome and fatalities among low birth weight (less than 1,500 g), premature infants in neonatal intensive care units. We have observed an inhibitory effect by this vitamin E preparation on the in vitro response of human lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA). E-Ferol suppressed the expected response to low doses of PHA. However, this suppression was not due to the alpha-tocopherol acetate (vitamin E) component, because alpha-tocopherol acetate by itself was not inhibitory; in fact, it often enhanced the PHA response. Because a mixture of polysorbate 80 and polysorbate 20 is used as a carrier in E-Ferol, these components were also tested and were found to be responsible for the suppression, especially the polysorbate 80. Concurrent with this suppression of PHA-induced mitogenesis was a decrease in the percentage of T11 lymphocytes.

Organizational power and the information services department: a reexamination

Abstract: In a recent application of the theory of strategic contingencies in three large multinational firms, Lucas found that information services departments were perceived by others as having low levels of power and influence and suggested a variety of reasons for the results. This note continues the application of the theory of strategic contingencies to the information services department by describing a study of intraorganizational power that uses basically the same procedures as the Lucas study and obtains similar results. In an effort to stimulate future power-related research in the information systems area, this note concludes by suggesting several reasons, beyond those given by Lucas, for the levels of power attributed to information services departments.

A simple graphic for assessing influence in regression G

Abstract: The leverage-residual plot (L–R plot) is a graphical display of the leverage and residual values for each case in a regression which facilitates the examination of the relative influences of cases under different influence measures. This plot is also useful in attributing the cause of high influence in a case to its leverage, its residual, or their combined effect. The ability to analyze and compare the various single-case influence measures is a by-product of the L-R plot.

A Metacognitive Curriculum To Promote Children's Reading And Learning

Abstract: This paper summarizes some of the major findings from a research project at the University of Michigan on children's reading comprehension. The basis for the research is the observation that many young or unskilled readers do not use effective strategies to foster comprehension. The instructional studies were designed to promote children's metacognition about reading by informing them how, when and why to use various comprehension strategies. Third- and fifth-grade students received periodic instruction in their classrooms during the year about strategies such as skimming, locating main ideas, making inferences, monitoring comprehension and summarizing information in texts. Their performance on a battery of tests administered before and after instruction was compared to children in other classes who received their customary reading instruction. Children who received the metacognitive curriculum increased their awareness about reading and their use of comprehension strategies. Although the instruc...

Stock splits and implied stock price volatility

Abstract: T his study addresses the issue of stock splits, their effect on the volatility of stock prices, and the prospect of using this change in volatility to make trading profits in the market. We ask the questions: Do option prices following a stock split reflect higher stock volatilities? Can an option trader use this information to make profits in the market? Our findings show that post-split option prices do imply higher stock volatilities, but that the increase is insufficient to allow option traders to profit after considering transactions costs. Our analysis proceeds from earlier research into the price behavior of lower-priced securities. Studies of returns on these securities usually examine stocks of companies that fall into one of two areas: 1) small-capitalization companies whose stocks are lowpriced and generally riskier than higher-priced stocks, and 2) companies whose stocks are lower-priced because the company has recently had a stock split. Studies in the first group' generally show that returns are greater for the lower-priced stocks, even after adjusting for the higher levels of risk of lower-priced stocks. Studies falling into the second group' generally conclude that the volatility of stock returns (risk) appears to increase after the split, although there is no significant change in the level of stock returns after a split. In their study of the possibility of profits from stock splits, Reilly and Drzycimski [14] found that the

Repeated pemoline produces self-injurious behavior in adult and weanling rats.

Abstract: Self-injurious behavior (SIB) is a serious problem among the mentally handicapped and is often accompanied by other repetitive or stereotyped behaviors. Acute administration of high doses of amphetamine or pemoline to rats produces transient SIB which is accompanied by severe deterioration of the behavioral repertoire. Repeated subcutaneous (SC) administration of pemoline to rats produces a high incidence of SIB without the dramatic behavioral changes produced by high doses of oral pemoline. Repeated pemoline increased locomotions and rears and produced intermittent stereotyped sniffing and licking/biting. However, the animals were still able to eat, drink, sleep and groom. Hotplate tests provided no evidence for analgesia. Because SIB is often associated with human developmental disorders, the effect of repeated SC adminstration of pemoline to weanling rats was also investigated. SC injections every 12 hours produced a high rate of SIB in weanling rats.

Chapter 2 The Source of Algal Colonizers on Rock Substrates in a Freshwater Impoundment.

Abstract: The source of algal colonizers onto rock substrates in a eutrophic reservoir was analyzed during the spring diatom pulse by placing sediment traps in and beyond the periphyton growth zone and by scraping intact surfaces of known age. Impingement or “raining” of diatom cells from the water column was more important in the recolonization of rock surfaces than direct encroachment from the adjacent attached community. Relative to substrate-associated standing crops ( = 2.16 × 104cells mm−2), high densities of planktonic and periphytic diatoms impinged from the water column ( = 5.03 × 103cells mm−2d−1), particularly in the upper (surge) zone. Direct encroachment from immediately adjacent populations contributed very little quantitatively (none detected) or qualitatively (6 rare taxa of 67 total diatom taxa found) to the recolonization of denuded surfaces. Storm-induced turbulence reduced natural periphyton densities by up to 47%, with pseudoperiphytic species (e.g., Fragilaria vaucheriae ) exhibiting greater losses than attached forms. The percentage of nonliving diatoms on rock substrates increased during calm periods, prior to storm events.

The Zeigarnik effect and intrinsic motivation: are they the same?

Abstract: The present study focused on delineating the parameters under which intrinsic motivation leads an individual to reengage an activity from those that result in the Zeigarnik effect. In a posttask free-choice period, participants not completing the experimental task displayed more reengagement behavior than participants completing the task (the Zeigarnik effect). When participants were also provided self-efficacious performance feedback via a prearranged competitive outcome manipulation, there was no evidence of the Zeigarnik effect, while there was support for intrinsic motivation from competent self-efficacious performance feedback. Results were discussed in terms of distinguishing between intrinsic motivation and the Zeigarnik effect as sources of reengagement motivation. It was concluded that, in the presence of self-efficacious performance feedback, the competent-incompetent impression was more salient than task-completion feedback.

The Effects of Monitoring on Cooperative Learning

Abstract: The present study explored the effects of the presence and monitoring activity of a third person on dyadic co-operative learning. Eighty-nine participants were recruited from introductory psychology classes and were assigned to one of four groups receiving learning strategy interactions: an individual study group, a dyadic cooperative group without monitors, a triadic group with active monitors, or a triadic group with passive monitors. The monitors in the passive group observed cooperating dyads while the monitors in the active group provided feedback on how well dyads used the cooperative strategy. One descriptive text passage was studied according to the experimental condition and another passage was subsequently studied alone. The results indicated that the dyads without monitors significantly outperformed the individuals on total score on the second passage. Although no other significant differences between groups were found, the mean between groups were suggestive. Implications for the devel...

In vivo voltammetric recording with nafion-coated carbon paste electrodes: additional evidence that ascorbic acid release is monitored.

Abstract: The response of nafion-coated carbon paste electrodes was studied in vitro and in vivo with linear sweep semidifferential voltammetry. In vitro nafion-coated electrodes were insensitive to ascorbic acid (AA) but were equally sensitive to dopamine (DA) as were the uncoated electrodes. In vivo (anterior caudate) nafion-coated electrodes recorded small, poorly defined peaks. However, nafion-coated electrodes were equally responsive to microinfusion of DA as observed with the uncoated electrodes. Nafion-coated electrodes were insensitive to micro-infusion of AA while uncoated electrodes showed a large response to AA. These data suggest that endogenous DA levels are below the sensitivity of carbon paste electrodes in caudate and that the endogenous peaks recorded with uncoated carbon paste electrodes reflect AA.

In situ hydrogen peroxide production may account for a portion of NUV (300-400 nm) inactivation of stationary phase Escherichia coli.

Abstract: — Pre-irradiation of stationary phase cells of Escherichia coli K-12 with broadband near-UV radiation potentiates the lethal effects of subsequent exposure to near-UV radiation plus hydrogen peroxide. Identical fluences failed to modulate killing due to far-UV radiation. These data indicate that biologically revelant levels of hydrogen peroxide may be generated in situ upon the near-UV irradiation of cells.

Selling time: situated transactions in a noninstitutional environment*

Abstract: Salespeople are well known for their artful constructions of strategies They use these strategies to encase the sales transaction and assume that their success is somehow dependent on presentation

Extracellular association and adaptive significance of the bas-relief mucilage pad of achnanthes lanceolata (bacillariophyceae)

Abstract: Glass microscope slides were immersed in the tiny Headwaters of a midwestern stream Achnanthes lanceolata (Breb.) Grunow was the dominant or co-dominant species in 14 out of 15 one-month-old communities over a two-year period. Minutely streaked, periphyton-free areas mostly lacked live diatoms but had cell-free mucilage pads and attached raphe valves of A. lanceolata. These pads, secure or peeling, had a distinct bas-relief impression of the raphe valve. Pad mucilage was associated with the puncta and raphe, and its presence in the puncta of raphe valves maximizes the surface for valve/substrate adhesion. Periphyton-free streaks in otherwise stable periphyton may represent areas where abrasion or grazing had killed or removed cells without dislodging the mucilage-secured raphe valves or valve-free mucilage pads. Important adaptive features of A. lanceolata for resisting graying and/or stream hydrodynamic forces appear to be: a sessile, low-profile, lanceolate life form with rounded apices; an attached rap...

Women's adoption of a business uniform: A content analysis of magazine advertisements

Abstract: This study investigates the extent to which the skirted suit is portrayed as the business uniform for women. A survey of 2,576 advertisements in general interest and business magazines for the first six months of 1963, 1973, and 1983 indicates that business women, especially managers or professionals, are increasingly attired in the skirted suit. However, the skirted suit appears to be a relatively new standard and has not replaced all other acceptable attire for women. Consequences of wearing the skirted suit are discussed.

Exact solution of a three-component system on the honeycomb lattice

Abstract: A model three-component system is considered in which the bonds of a honeycomb lattice are covered by rodlike molecules of types AA, BB, and AB. The ends of molecules near a common lattice site interact with energies epsilon/sub AA/, epsilon/sub BB/, and epsilon/sub AB/. The model is equivalent to an Ising model on the 3-12 lattice. Exacts results are obtained for the two-phase coexistence curves in the isothermal composition plane.

Variations in Dogmatism and Leader-Supplied Information: Determinants of Perceived Behavior in Task-Oriented Groups

Abstract: Perception of group interaction were measured varying four levels of leader-supplied information and respondents' levels of dogematism. Qualitative and quantitative dimensions of leader-supplied information were varied in the study. Dogmatism was found to be a significant factor in the satisfaction respondents had with the group decision. The quality of leader-supplied information was found to have a greater impact upon the dependent measures in the study than the quantity of that information. Implications for leaders of small groups and future small group research are discussed.

Effects of Cooperation and Editing on Instruction Writing Performance

Abstract: The study examined the effects of editing and cooperation on an instruction writing task. Performance on an individual transfer task was also assessed. Eightynine students participated in the experiment. The students’ instructions were scored for communicativeness and completeness. The results of the study showed that dyads significantly outperformed individuals on a communication score and noneditors outperformed editors. Significant differences were also found for the completeness score with editors outperforming individuals on the first task. No significant differences on completeness were found for the transfer task.