Showing papers by "University of North Texas published in 2004"

Measuring Attitude toward the Brand and Purchase Intentions

Abstract: Attitude toward the brand (Ab) and purchase intentions (PI) are two pivotal and popular constructs that have been routinely used by advertising scholars and practitioners. Despite their popularity, standard scales, with known psychometric properties, for measuring Ab and PI are not available. Furthermore, these two constructs might not be empirically distinguishable. On the basis of scales reported in prior studies, the authors develop measures of Ab and PI and assess their psychometric validity within a well-established, attitude toward the ad (Aad) theoretical framework. Implications of their findings are discussed.

Litigation Risk and the Financial Reporting Credibility of Big 4 versus Non‐Big 4 Audits: Evidence from Anglo‐American Countries

Abstract: Prior research suggests that Big 4 auditors provide higher quality audits in the U.S. in order to protect the firm's brand name reputation and to avoid costly litigation. In this study, we examine whether the perceived higher quality of a Big 4 audit is related to auditor litigation exposure or to reputation concerns. Specifically, we utilize an estimable proxy for financial reporting credibility—the ex ante cost of equity capital—to examine whether Big 4 auditors are perceived as providing higher quality audits (relative to non‐Big 4 auditors) in the U.S., and in the less litigious (but economically similar) environments in other Anglo‐American countries during the 1990–99 period. We find that a Big 4 audit is associated with a lower ex ante cost of equity capital for auditees in the U.S. but not in Australia, Canada, or the U.K. Our findings suggest that it is litigation exposure rather than brand name reputation protection that drives perceived audit quality.

Graph-based ranking algorithms for sentence extraction, applied to text summarization

Abstract: This paper presents an innovative unsupervised method for automatic sentence extraction using graph-based ranking algorithms. We evaluate the method in the context of a text summarization task, and show that the results obtained compare favorably with previously published results on established benchmarks.

Mitochondrial localization of estrogen receptor β

Abstract: Estrogen receptors (ERs) are believed to be ligand-activated transcription factors belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily, which on ligand binding translocate into the nucleus and activate gene transcription. To date, two ERs have been identified: ERα and ERβ. ERα plays major role in the estrogen-mediated genomic actions in both reproductive and nonreproductive tissue, whereas the function of ERβ is still unclear. In this study, we used immunocytochemistry, immunoblotting, and proteomics to demonstrate that ERβ localizes to the mitochondria. In immunocytochemistry studies, ERβ was detected with two ERβ antibodies and found to colocalize almost exclusively with a mitochondrial marker in rat primary neuron, primary cardiomyocyte, and a murine hippocampal cell line. The colocalization of ERβ and mitochondrial markers was identified by both fluorescence and confocal microscopy. No translocation of ERβ into the nucleus on 17β-estradiol treatment was seen by using immunocytochemistry. Immunoblotting of purified human heart mitochondria showed an intense signal of ERβ, whereas no signals for nuclear and other organelle markers were found. Finally, purified human heart mitochondrial proteins were separated by SDS/PAGE. The 50,000–65,000 Mr band was digested with trypsin and subjected to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric analysis, which revealed seven tryptic fragments that matched with those of ERβ. In summary, this study demonstrated that ERβ is localized to mitochondria, suggesting a role for mitochondrial ERβ in estrogen effects on this important organelle.

Harmonic Vibrational Frequencies: Scaling Factors for HF, B3LYP, and MP2 Methods in Combination with Correlation Consistent Basis Sets

Abstract: A least-squares approach has been used to determine multiplicative scaling factors for harmonic vibrational frequencies to facilitate comparison with experimentally observed frequencies. The harmonic frequencies were calculated using several of the most popular quantum chemical methods (HF, MP2, and B3LYP) and the correlation consistent family of basis sets (cc-pVxZ and aug-cc-pVxZ, where x = D(2), T(3), or Q(4)). Calculations were performed on 41 organic molecules for which fundamental frequencies are well established. When the derived scaling factors are applied, the percentage of calculated frequencies that deviate less than 3% from the experimental frequencies is 93−97% for B3LYP and 88−92% for MP2 when quadruple-ζ level basis sets are used. Similarly, scaling factors were determined for computing the vibrational components of the thermal contributions to enthalpy and entropy. An additional set of molecules was used in calculating scaling factors for the zero-point vibrational energy.

Polyphase code design for Orthogonal Netted Radar systems

Abstract: Orthogonal netted radar systems (ONRS) can fundamentally improve radar performance by using a group of specially designed orthogonal signals. A novel hybrid algorithm is proposed to numerically optimize such orthogonal polyphase code sets. The proposed algorithm integrates a statistical simulated annealing algorithm with the traditional iterative code selection method and is demonstrated to be effective for the design of polyphase signals used in ONRS. Some of the design results are presented and discussed. The effect of Doppler frequency shift on the performance of the designed signals is also investigated.

Predicting online purchase intentions for clothing products

Abstract: Shopping online for clothing products is gaining in popularity. This study identified the dimensions of online shopping attributes and predictors of the intention to purchase clothes, jewelry, or accessories based on online shopping attributes and demographic variables. A mailing survey was conducted with 303 adults who had a computer at home and had access to the Internet in the USA. The perceived attributes of online shopping consisted of four factors: transaction/cost; incentive programs; site design; and interactivity. The transaction/cost factor and the incentive programs factor, along with demographic variables (gender, income and number of children), were important predictors in determining the intention to purchase clothing, jewelry, or accessories via the Internet. Incentive program also mediated the relationship between education level and online purchase intention. This study provides managerial implications for the future online marketing of clothing products.

Individual Behavior, Culture, and Social Change

Abstract: The principle of operant selection is examined as a prototype of cultural selection, and the role of the social environment is suggested as the critical element in the emergence of cultural phenomena. Operant contingencies are compared to cultural selection contingencies, designated as metacontingencies. Both of these types of contingency relations result in evolving lineages of recurrences that can become increasingly complex in the number and organization of their elements. In addition to its role in the recurring interlocking behavioral contingencies that constitute cultural organization, operant behavior plays another role in cultures. Although the operants of individuals are functionally independent of one another, the behavior of each person may contribute to a cumulative effect that is relevant to the well-being of many people. Similarly, the outcomes of metacontingencies may also contribute to a cumulative effect. The relation between independently evolving operant lineages, or between independently evolving cultural lineages, and their cumulative effect is identified as a macrocontingency. Macrocontingencies do not involve cultural-level selection per se. Effective cultural engineering requires identifying the macrocontingencies that produce less than desirable effects and altering the relevant operant contingencies or metacontingencies to produce change in the cumulative effects.

Complexity and Selection: Implications for Organizational Change

Abstract: In this paper, we argue that numerous dynamic entities make up organizations and that their complexity can be described systematically. We identify three types of organizational complexity: environmental, component and hierarchical. We define the elements of the contingencies of cultural selection as they apply to organizations and propose that organizational change can be understood in terms of selection processes that are analogous to those of behavioral and natural selection.

societal reaction to sex offenders: a review of the origins and results of the myths surrounding their crimes and treatment amenability

Abstract: Examination of societal reaction to sexual offenders reveals a history of harshness exemplified by the sexual psychopath laws of the 1930s. The latest round of legal attempts to control sex offenders uses Severe sentencing laws, civil commitment procedures and community notification statutes to confine and shame sex offenders. This paper shows these laws to be based on popular beliefs about the predatory nature of these men, the probability of their re-offense and their amenability to treatment rather than the facts about the sex offenses and offenders. The severe reaction to sexual offenders is a vindictive one based on myth and misunderstanding that serves many interests. The paper exposes the contradictory myths and skewed emotions that guide our view of sex crimes and compares these with the facts about re-offense rates and the effects of treatment.

Psychopathy and comorbidity in a young offender sample: taking a closer look at psychopathy's potential importance over disruptive behavior disorders.

Abstract: The authors examined the construct of psychopathy as applied to 130 adolescent offenders using 3 psychopathy measures and a broad range of DSM-IV Axis I diagnoses and psychosocial problems. Measures used in the study included the following: (a) Psychopathy Checklist-Youth Version (PCL-YV; A. E. Forth, D. S. Kosson, & R. D. Hare, 2003), (b) Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD; P. J. Frick & R. D. Hare, 2002), (c) a modified version of the Self-Report Psychopathy-II scale (SRP-II; R. D. Hare, 1991b), and (d) the Adolescent Psychopathology Scale (APS; W. M. Reynolds, 1998). Results from this study offer incremental support for the construct validity of psychopathy in youth. Psychopathy evidenced better convergent and discriminant validity results than did the disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs) such as oppositional-defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD). Despite this finding, psychopathy scales nonetheless correlated with other forms of psychopathology at a higher rate than was expected, suggesting that comorbidity is high even when psychopathy is used as a classification scheme. Also, hierarchical multiple regression was used to determine whether psychopathy offered an improvement in the prediction of previous violent and nonviolent offenses. The results for the current study were mixed, with only the PCL-YV significantly predicting previous violent and nonviolent offenses beyond the DBDs. The findings indicate that psychopathy may offer incremental improvement over DBDs with regard to level of comorbidity and perhaps even prediction. However, simply extending the adult construct of psychopathy to youth without considering the array of psychopathology that may accompany adolescent psychopathy could be misleading.

Obesity as a disease: no lightweight matter.

Abstract: The epidemic rise in obesity has fuelled the current debate over its classification as a disease. Contrary to just being a medical condition or risk factor for other diseases, obesity is a complex disease of multifaceted aetiology, with its own disabling capacities, pathophysiologies and comorbidities. It meets the medical definition of disease in that it is a physiological dysfunction of the human organism with environmental, genetic and endocrinological aetiologies. It is a response to environmental stimuli, genetic predisposition and abnormalities, and has a characteristic set of signs and symptoms with consistent anatomical alterations. Excess adipose tissue increases the work of the heart and leads to anatomical changes in this organ. It alters pulmonary, endocrine and immunological functions, all with adverse effects on health. Some of the complications of obesity include cardiovascular disease, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis and cancer. Given the excess mortality, substantial morbidity and the economic toll of obesity, this is a disease that warrants serious attention by the medical community. Obesity's status and acceptance as a disease is pivotal in determining its treatment, reimbursement for treatment and the development of widespread interventions.

2B4 Acts As a Non–Major Histocompatibility Complex Binding Inhibitory Receptor on Mouse Natural Killer Cells

Abstract: Natural killer (NK) cells are critical in the immune response to tumor cells, virally infected cells, and bone marrow allografts. 2B4 (CD244) is expressed on all NK cells and the ligand for 2B4, CD48, is expressed on hematopoietic cells. Cross-linking 2B4 on NK cells with anti-2B4 monoclonal antibody leads to NK cell activation in vitro. Therefore, 2B4 is considered to be an activating receptor. Surprisingly, we have found, using antibody-blocking and 2B4-deficient NK cells, that NK lysis of CD48+ tumor and allogeneic targets is inhibited by 2B4 ligation. Interferon γ production by NK cells is also inhibited. Using a peritoneal tumor clearance assay, it was found that 2B4−/− mice have increased clearance of CD48+ tumor cells in vivo. Retroviral transduction of 2B4 was sufficient to restore inhibition in 2B4−/− primary NK cells. It was found that although mature NK cells express SH2D1A, in vitro–derived NK cells do not. However, both populations are inhibited by 2B4 ligation. This indicates that 2B4 inhibitory signaling occurs regardless of the presence of SH2D1A. These findings reveal a novel role for 2B4 as a non–major histocompatibility complex binding negative regulator of NK cells.

Transformational leadership, goal difficulty, and job design: independent and interactive effects on employee outcomes

Abstract: A field study of 209 leader–follower dyads from 12 different organizations was conducted to test the moderating effects of job enrichment and goal difficulty on the relationship between transformational leadership and three follower outcomes: performance, affective organizational commitment, and organizational citizenship behavior. Moderated regression analyses were conducted to test for direct and moderated relationships. Transformational leadership and job enrichment each had significant main effects. In addition, we found that job enrichment substituted for the effects of transformational leadership on affective commitment, whereas goal setting enhanced relationships between transformational leadership and both affective commitment and performance.

Hippocampal volume and memory performance in a community‐based sample of women with posttraumatic stress disorder secondary to child abuse

Abstract: Childhood abuse is linked to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which follows abuse survivors into adulthood. This study identified the neuropsychological and neuromorphological sequelae of PTSD among prepubescently abused women. Right-handed women aged 20-40 years were placed into PTSD and abuse, abuse only, and normal control groups (n = 17 per group). Participants were screened for trauma history and psychiatric symptoms, demographically matched, and given neuropsychological tests and a magnetic resonance scan of their brain. Women with PTSD did not express significant deficits in memory performance or hippocampal volume when compared with the abuse and normal control groups.

Biomarkers of aging: From primitive organisms to humans

Abstract: Leading biologists and clinicians interested in aging convened to discuss biomarkers of aging. The goals were to come to a consensus, construct an agenda for future research, and make appropriate recommendations to policy makers and the public-at-large. While there was not total agreement on all issues, they addressed a number of questions, among them whether biomarkers can be identified and used to measure the physiological age of any individual within a population, given emerging information about aging and new technological advances. The hurdles to establishing informative biomarkers include the biological variation between individuals that makes generalizations difficult; the overlapping of aging and disease processes; uncertainty regarding benign versus pathogenic age-related changes; the point at which a process begins to do damage to the organism, and, if so, when does it occur; and when to distinguish critical damage from noncritical damage. Finally, and significantly, it is difficult to obtain funding for this research.

Psychopathy in youth and intelligence: an investigation of Cleckley's hypothesis.

Abstract: Cleckley (1941) hypothesized that true or "primary" psychopathic individuals have "good" intelligence. This study examined the relation between psychopathy and intelligence in 122 detained children and adolescents. We used the Psychopathy Checklist–Youth Version (PCL–YV; Forth, Kosson, & Hare, 2003) to assess psychopathy and administered novel intelligence measures to tap diverse interpretations of the intelligence construct (e.g., traditional and triarchic intelligence). Structural equation modeling indicated that dimensions of psychopathy and intelligence were related in unique and important ways. In particular, psychopathy traits reflecting a superficial and deceitful interpersonal style were positively related to intellectual skills in the verbal realm (Kaufman's Brief Intelligence Test [K–BIT]; Kaufman & Kaufman, 1990) and a nontraditional intellectual measure reflecting creativity, practicality, and analytic thinking as measured by Sternberg's Triarchic Abilities Test (STAT; Sternberg, 1993). Finall...

Efficacy and safety profile of treatment with etoricoxib 120 mg once daily compared with indomethacin 50 mg three times daily in acute gout: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract: Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of etoricoxib and indomethacin in the treatment of patients with acute gout. Methods A randomized, double-blind, active-comparator study was conducted at 42 sites. A total of 189 men and women (≥18 years of age) who were experiencing an acute attack (≤48 hours) of clinically diagnosed gout were treated for 8 days with etoricoxib, 120 mg/day (n = 103), or indomethacin, 50 mg 3 times a day (n = 86). The primary efficacy end point was the patient's assessment of pain in the study joint (0–4-point Likert scale) over days 2–5. Safety was assessed by adverse experiences (AEs) occurring during the trial. Results Etoricoxib demonstrated clinical efficacy comparable to that of indomethacin in terms of the patient's assessment of pain in the study joint. The difference in the mean change from baseline over days 2–5 was –0.08 (95% confidence interval –0.29, 0.13) (P = 0.46), which fell within the prespecified comparability bounds of –0.5 to 0.5. Secondary end points over the 8-day study, including the onset of efficacy, reduction in signs of inflammation, and patient's and investigator's global assessments of response to therapy, confirmed the comparable efficacy of the two treatments. The etoricoxib-treated patients had a numerically lower incidence of AEs (43.7%) than did the indomethacin-treated patients (57.0%) and a significantly lower incidence of drug-related AEs (16.5% versus 37.2%; P < 0.05). Conclusion Etoricoxib at a dosage of 120 mg once daily was confirmed to be an effective treatment for acute gout. Etoricoxib was comparable in efficacy to indomethacin at a dosage of 50 mg 3 times daily, and it was generally safe and well tolerated.

Mechanism of primary MC carbide decomposition in Ni-base superalloys

Abstract: Three industrial gas turbine blades made of conventionally cast (CC) IN-738 and GTD-111 and directionally solidified GTD-111 Ni-base superalloys were examined after long-term exposures in service environments. All three blades exhibit similar, service-induced microstructural changes (MCs) including γ′ coarsening and coalescence, excessive secondary M23C6 precipitation, and primary MC degeneration, regardless of the chemical composition and the grain size. Special attention was paid to the primary MC decomposition. It is shown that the primary MC decomposition occurs by carbon diffusion out of the carbide into the γ + γ′ matrix, resulting in the formation of Cr-rich M23C6 carbides near the initial carbide/matrix interface. A transition zone is shown to develop between the original MC core and its perimeter, demonstrating the gradual outward diffusion of carbon and a slight inward increase in nickel concentration. The hexagonal Ni3(TiTa) η-phase was also found in the MC transition zone and on the MC-γ/γ′ interface. The primary MC decomposition can be expressed by the reaction MC + γ/γ′ → M23C6 + η. Finally, it is shown that the grain-boundary (GB) MC decomposes more rapidly than that in the grain interiors. This is consistent with the more rapid GB diffusion that leads to the acceleration of the MC diffusional decomposition processes.

NK Cells Regulate CD8+ T Cell Effector Function in Response to an Intracellular Pathogen

Abstract: We studied the role of NK cells in regulating human CD8+ T cell effector function against mononuclear phagocytes infected with the intracellular pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Depletion of NK cells from PBMC of healthy tuberculin reactors reduced the frequency of M. tuberculosis-responsive CD8+IFN-gamma+ cells and decreased their capacity to lyse M. tuberculosis-infected monocytes. The frequency of CD8+ IFN-gamma+ cells was restored by soluble factors produced by activated NK cells and was dependent on IFN-gamma, IL-15, and IL-18. M. tuberculosis-activated NK cells produced IFN-gamma, activated NK cells stimulated infected monocytes to produce IL-15 and IL-18, and production of IL-15 and IL-18 were inhibited by anti-IFN-gamma. These findings suggest that NK cells maintain the frequency of M. tuberculosis-responsive CD8+IFN-gamma+ T cells by producing IFN-gamma, which elicits secretion of IL-15 and IL-18 by monocytes. These monokines in turn favor expansion of Tc1 CD8+ T cells. The capacity of NK cells to prime CD8+ T cells to lyse M. tuberculosis-infected target cells required cell-cell contact between NK cells and infected monocytes and depended on interactions between the CD40 ligand on NK cells and CD40 on infected monocytes. NK cells link the innate and the adaptive immune responses by optimizing the capacity of CD8+ T cells to produce IFN-gamma and to lyse infected cells, functions that are critical for protective immunity against M. tuberculosis and other intracellular pathogens.

Cluster Core-Level Binding-Energy Shifts: The Role of Lattice Strain

Abstract: Our combined experimental and theoretical analysis of the shifts, with particle size, of core-level binding energies (BE's) of metal nanoparticles on insulating supports, shows that these shifts have an important initial state contribution arising, in large part, because of lattice strain. This contribution of BE shifts has not been recognized previously. Lattice strain changes the chemical bonding between the metal atoms and this change induces BE shifts.

Preparing communities for disasters: issues and processes for government readiness

Abstract: This paper discusses what local governments must do to prepare for various disasters, including terrorist attacks. It provides background information on preparedness and highlights lessons from prior research. It also identifies the process of establishing local ordinances, assessing risk, creating emergency operations plans, acquiring resources, instituting mutual aid agreements, training, exercising and educating the public. Finally, it concludes with recommendations to implement these preparedness measures.

Confirmatory factor analysis of the psychopathy checklist: screening version in offenders with axis I disorders.

Abstract: One hundred forty-nine inpatients within a maximum security psychiatric facility were assessed with the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV; S. D. Hart, D. N. Cox, & R. D. Hare, 1995). Within the total sample, 68% had a psychotic disorder and 30% met criteria for psychopathy. Using confirmatory factor analysis, the authors tested the 2-factor PCL:SV model of psychopathy and recent 3- and 4-factor models. Results indicated good fit for each model, with the 4-factor model showing best overall fit. Structural equation modeling was used to determine which psychopathy factors predicted 6-month follow-up of inpatient aggression. The 2-, 3-, and 4-factor models, respectively, accounted for 16%.27%. and 3l% of the variance in aggression.

Diffusion Studies of Copper on Ruthenium Thin Film A Plateable Copper Diffusion Barrier

Abstract: Diffusion studies were carried out on physical vapor deposited Cu/Ru(∼20 nm)/Si samples using secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Back side SIMS depth profiling revealed well-defined interfaces and showed that Cu interdiffusion was impeded by Ru thin film up to 450°C vacuum annealing. TEM showed a 20-22 nm Ru barrier layer with a columnar microstructure oriented vertically with respect to Si substrate. TEM results corroborate with SIMS data to indicate stability of the Ru film barrier for annealing temperatures up to 450°C. Direct Cu electroplating on ultrathin Ru barrier layers (<20 nm) was investigated in sulfuric acid. The electroplated Cu film is shiny, smooth, and without agglomeration under scanning electron microscopy. Excellent adhesion between interfacial layers was confirmed by the scribe-peel test. The interfacial characterization results indicate that Ru thin film is a promising candidate as a directly plateable Cu diffusion barrier.

A National Perspective on Children with Emotional Disorders

Abstract: Improving the services for children with emotional or behavioral problems has been one of the priorities of the Department of Education for the last four decades. Since its implementation, the Offi...