Showing papers by "Texas Christian University published in 1995"

A review of multivariate control charts

Abstract: A review of the literature on control charts for multivariate quality control (MQC) is given, with a concentration on developments occurring since the mid-1980s. Multivariate cumulative sum (CUSUM) control procedures and a multivariate exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart are reviewed and recommendations are made regarding their use. Several recent articles that give methods for interpreting an out-of-control signal on a multivariate control chart are analyzed and discussed. Other topics such as the use of principal components and regression adjustment of variables in MQC, as well as frequently used approximations in MQC, are discussed.

Additional Data on Academic Dishonesty and a Proposal for Remediation

Abstract: In this article, we present data from 2,151 upper division undergraduate students regarding the frequency of cheating, reasons for cheating, and influence of penalties on cheating. We also discuss how a model that develops an internalized code of ethics will counteract academic dishonesty.

The network paradigm and the marketing organization

Abstract: Constructs a new management agenda to evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of the marketing organization for the future, reflecting certain key changes in the current marketing environment. Argues that these critical factors impacting on the marketing organization include accelerating both external environmental changes and internal organization developments. Raises many important questions relating to the survival and the future forms of the marketing organization and the implementation of the marketing process. Finds that a prime manifestation of these changes is the development of various types of network organizational forms to implement strategic alliances and inter‐organizational collaborations and partnerships. Proposes a structured approach to mapping the implications for the organization of such changes and the development of an organizational strategy that defines an appropriate role and form for the marketing organization and marketing processes in the corporation of the future.

Second-Career Entrepreneurs: A Multiple Case Study Analysis of Entrepreneurial Processes and Antecedent Variables

Abstract: We use open-ended interviews and focus groups to construct a composite model of activities constituting the entrepreneurial process for seven retirees from a Fortune 100 corporation who started sec...

The Performance of Control Charts for Monitoring Process Variation

Abstract: The Shewhart R–and S–charts are often used to monitor the variability of a quality characteristic of interest. In order to improve the sensitivity of these charting procedures to detecting small shifts in the process standard deviation, runs rules have been suggested. We evaluate the properties of the run length distributions of these charting procedures using a Markov chain approach. We show that the rules commonly used in practice based on the Western Electric Handbook do not have the statistical performance one might expect. Alternative runs rules are provided that provide the same in-control ARL's as the usual X-chart with runs rules. Average run length comparisons are made among various charts for monitoring variability, including cumulative sum charts and exponentially weighted moving average charts. It is shown that detection of decreases in variability is problematic with all of these methods.

Exercise-induced muscle damage: effect on circulating leukocyte and lymphocyte subsets.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of downhill and level running on circulating leukocyte and lymphocyte subsets and T lymphocyte activation. Using a random cross-over design, 10 runners completed two trials of 60 min of level running (0% grade; LR) and downhill running (-10% grade; DHR) at 70% of level VO2max. Blood samples were obtained preexercise and immediately postexercise (POST) and at 1.5, 12, 24, and 48 h of recovery. Creatine kinase activity peaked at 12 h of recovery from DHR and was not significantly altered following LR. The number of total T, CD16+, CD3+CD56+ cells were significantly higher POST DHR compared with LR. Leukocyte and neutrophil counts were significantly higher at 1.5 and 12 h of recovery from DHR compared with LR. The number of activated CD8+ cells (CD25+ CD8+) was significantly higher at 12 h of DHR compared to LR. Total T cells were significantly reduced at various time points during the 48 h of recovery from LR and DHR. In summary, DHR relative to LR resulted in a greater mobilization of lymphocytes (post), neutrophils (1.5-12 h of recovery) and activation of CD8+ cells at 12 h of recovery. In addition, reductions in circulating T lymphocyte subsets occurred following both conditions.

Integrating Skills and Content Knowledge in the Marketing Curriculum

Abstract: Business schools are frequently criticized for focusing too much attention on theories and concepts and not enough attention on communication, decision making, and other skills that are at least as important to career success as content knowledge. This article presents a six-step approach that has been used successfully to integrate skills training into an undergraduate marketing curriculum. The process is general and appropriate for other faculty groups considering systematic integration of skills training into their curricula.

Instrumental learning in toads (Bufo arenarum): reinforcer magnitude and the medial pallium.

Abstract: Two experiments studied the effects of shifts in the amount of water reinforcement on the instrumental performance of toads (Bufo arenarum) using one trial per day. In the first experiment, a shift from a large to a small reward magnitude led to a gradual change in performance without evidence of negative contrast. A shift from large or small reward magnitude to extinction led to similar extinction rates and provided no indication of the magnitude of reinforcement extinction effect. In the second experiment, the gradual change in performance (with no contrast) after a shift from a large to a small reward magnitude was completely eliminated by ablation of the medial pallium. These results provide support for the hypothesis that the medial pallium in amphibians is homologous to the hippocampal formation in mammals and also indicate that species differences in these learning phenomena may be related to the differential development and differentiation of the hippocampal formation.

Organizational learning and continuous improvement

Abstract: Spurred by the globalization of competition, organizational learning and continuous improvement have attracted a great deal of research and managerial interest in recent years. Notwithstanding the growing literature on these topics, there is still considerable conceptual ambiguity about organizational learning and continuous improvement among researchers. The paper clarifies the underlying processes through which organizations “learn,” highlights the role of learning in continuous improvement programs, and shows how an organization may go about building a continuous improvement culture. Specific tools and techniques of organizational learning which may be used in continuous improvement programs are also discussed.

Using Geographic Information Systems to Improve Real Estate Analysis

Abstract: Geographic information systems (GIS) technology provides users with the ability to improve real estate analysis. First, we describe GIS in general and then discuss some GIS real estate applications...

Attentional Difficulties and the Effectiveness of a Visual Representation Strategy for Counseling Drug-Addicted Clients

Abstract: Three hundred thirty-one opioid-addicted clients in methadone treatment were randomly assigned to counselors who used either mappingenhanced or standard counseling. Those counseled with mapping had lower percentages of during-treatment urine specimens that were positive for either cocaine or opiates, and they were rated by their counselors as having higher rapport, motivation, and self-confidence. Clients were further classified into those exhibiting either good or poor attention during an intake interview. The results suggest that clients with poor attention are more likely to have positive urines, but that this tendency appears to be reduced under mapping-enhanced counseling.

Baseline Familiarity in Lie Detection.

Abstract: Subjects judged the veracity of truthful and deceptive communicators after viewing 0, 1, 2, or 4 case‐relevant baseline exposures (familiarity) of truthful communication. A positive linear relationship was found between detection accuracy and amount of baseline familiarity. More specifically, observers who viewed four samples of baseline information judged deception more accurately than observers who viewed zero samples of baseline information. Results also indicated an increase in the frequency of truth judgments across familiarity conditions. This increase, however, only approached statistical significance. Results are discussed and future directions in lie detection research are suggested.

The use of node-link mapping in drug abuse counseling: the role of attentional factors.

Abstract: This study extends previous research on the use of node-link mapping during counseling by addressing the effect that this visual representation technique has on clients with attentional problems. Participants were 13 counselors in a methadone treatment program and their 93 opioid-addicted clients who had been in treatment for more than three months. Both counselors and clients were randomly assigned to mapping-enhanced or standard counseling. Based on a self-report measure assessing attention-related problems of clients, they were categorized as having either adequate or poor levels of attentional stamina and attentional control. Consistent with previous findings, clients in mapping-enhanced counseling had lower percentages of urine samples that were positive for cocaine or heroin. In addition, results suggest that mapping has greater benefits in terms of session attendance and program perception for clients with poor attentional stamina.

Psychological problems and client engagement in methadone treatment.

Abstract: Client attendance at individual counseling sessions in community-based methadone treatment programs was more frequent among clients with self-reported psychological problems at intake. These problems included anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and other symptoms suggesting psychopathology (hallucinations, difficulty controlling violence, etc.). The sample consisted of 462 clients in treatment at least 90 days, divided into two groups of no psychological problems reported at intake (no problems group, N = 341) and two or more problems reported (high problems group, N = 121). The high problems group was twice as likely to attend the treatment program's recommended minimum number of individual counseling sessions (two per month) than was the no problems group, and was more likely to discuss psychological issues in their individual counseling sessions. The high problems group showed significant decreases in drug use and illegal activity in the first 3 months after admission and did not differ significantly from the no problems group on drug-positive urines or illicit activity at month 3. Within the high problems group, clients who attended at least two individual sessions per month reported less cocaine and speedball use during treatment than those who attended fewer sessions.

A carbohydrate loading regimen improves high intensity, short duration exercise performance

Abstract: This investigation examined the effect of a carbohydrate loading regimen on high intensity, short duration run performance. Using a random crossover design, 8 trained runners completed a 15-min submaximal run and a performance run to exhaustion after two dietary treatments. The mixed diet (MD) contained 4.0 +/- 0.5 g.kg-1.d-1 of carbohydrate (CHO) for 6 days. The experimental diet (HCD) contained 4.5 +/- 0.5 g CHO.kg-1.d-1 for 3 days followed by 8.2 +/- 0.4 g CHO kg-1.d-1 for 3 days. Training consisted of daily runs of 90, 40, 40, 20, and 20 min at approximately 75% of VO2max. Day 6 was a rest day, and testing was completed on Day 7. Preexercise lactate, body weight, submaximal VO2, and heart rate did not differ significantly between treatments. Carbohydrate oxidation during submaximal running was higher (p < 0.05) after HCD than after MD. Time to exhaustion in the performance run was longer after HCD compared to MD. Results indicate that a carbohydrate loading regimen increases CHO oxidation during submaximal exercise and improves high intensity, short duration run performance.

Suicidality in a Sample of Methadone Maintenance Clients

Abstract: Previous work has shown that suicide is a significant cause of death among substance abusers, including methadone-maintained clients, and that the prediction of suicidal ideation and behavior is difficult. Preliminary review of data collected at admission on a population of 438 methadone-maintained clients found 55 expressing some level of suicidal behaviors during the course of treatment. These clients were compared with a randomly selected comparison group of 55 nonsuicide clients matched for gender and race/ethnicity on measures of psychological dysfunction, drug use, family dysfunction, and help-seeking behaviors. Results showed that at time of admission suicidal clients reported: 1) more psychological dysfunction as evidenced by higher levels of depression, social dysfunction, hostility, risk-taking, and previous thoughts of suicide; 2) less family support at the present time and during childhood; and 3) more help-seeking behavior as evidenced by self-referral, number of previous treatment episodes, attendance at self-help meetings, and higher scores on motivational measures of desire for help. Differences in preadmission drug-using behaviors were not found between the two groups.

The relationship between position on shore and shell ornamentation in two size-dependent morphotypes of Littorina striata , with an estimate of evaporative water loss in these morphotypes and in Melarhaphe neritoides

Abstract: Shells of small (< 7 mm) Littorina striata are frequently nodulose, but shells of larger individuals are striate. Nodulose L. striata dominated the littoral fringe of a black basalt Azorean shore where daytime rock temperatures rose significantly higher than nearby shores of different rock composition or colour. There was no evidence of intraspecific size-partitioning on the latter shores, where the numbers of striate and nodulose L. striata were approximately equal between high eulittoral (low-shore) and high littoral fringe (high-shore) localities. The prevalence of small L. striata in the littoral fringe is opposite to that usually characteristic of the Littorinidae, where the largest individuals usually occupy the higher positions on the shore. It is hypothesized that small L. striata attain a resting posture better able to minimize heat absorption from the substratum than attained by larger individuals. Smaller individuals also take advantage of both posture and a nodulose shell surface to re-radiate absorbed incident radiant thermal energy more effectively to the atmosphere by convection. Thus, small, nodulose L. striata are especially well adapted to occupy geologically young basaltic rocks commonly found fringing islands of the mid-Atlantic.

Heavy drinking in a population of methadone-maintained clients.

Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between heavy use of alcohol and response to methadone treatment. Method: A sample of clients showing three or more DSM-III-R symptoms (n = 79) were identified and compared with a sample of heavy-drinking clients (n = 108) with less than three alcohol dependency symptoms on admitting characteristics and on tenure in treatment. Results: As expected, clients meeting DSM-III-R dependency criteria were significantly more likely to show evidence of psychological problems and dysfunction of family and peer relations at admission. An unexpected finding was that they were also more likely to remain in treatment longer than drinking clients who did not report dependency. Alcohol dependent clients were significantly more likely to have prior experience with self-help groups, which may reflect less denial and therefore relatively better ability to focus on opiate dependency problems. Conclusions: Failure to differentiate between alcohol dependent a...

Diffusion and optical properties of Nd-doped sol-gel silica glasses

Abstract: Water and acetone neodymium nitrate solutions of up to 2.3 mol/l were used to impregnate porous sol-gel glass by immersing outgassed samples in the liquid for a specified time. Diffusion coefficients of the solvents were determined using the diaphragm technique. Concentrations of the solute in the pores of samples having various average pore diameters were determined from the intensity of 740 nm absorption band. The time dependence of the concentrations at various penetration depths was used to calculate the diffusion coefficients from Fick's law. Concentration gradients inside the materials were produced by controlling the time the sample was exposed to the solution. To maintain the concentration profile during the drying stage of the process, the mobility of the solvent must be faster than that of the solute. When the sample was sintered at 1000 K neodymium was incorporated into the glass network. It was shown that both diverging and converging gradient index lenses can be produced.