Showing papers by "University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee published in 1986"

Brief therapy: focused solution development

Abstract: This article describes the form of brief therapy developed at the Brief Family Therapy Center. We have chosen a title similar to Weakland, Fisch, Watzlawick, and Bodin's classic paper, "Brief Therapy: Focused Problem Resolution" (20) to emphasize our view that there is a conceptual relationship and a developmental connection between the points of view expressed in the two papers.

Application of the Similarity Coefficient Method in Group Technology

Abstract: The Similarity Coefficient Method (SCM) is one of the methods used to form the machine cells in group technology applications. Compared to the other methods, SCM incorporates more flexibility into the machine-component grouping process and more easily lends itself to the computer application. The new model improves the existing models based on SCM by dealing with the duplication of bottleneck machines and by employing special data storage and analysis techniques which greatly simplify the machine-component grouping process. The duplication process in the new model is based on the number of inter-cellular moves. Duplication starts with the machine generating the largest number of inter-cellular moves and continues until no machine generates more inter-cellular moves than specified by a threshold value. By changing the threshold value, alternative solutions can be examined. the new model employs the bit-level data storage technique to reduce the storage and computational requirements of the machine...

Dynamics of Consumption and Food Conversion by Lake Michigan Alewives: An Energetics-Modeling Synthesis

Abstract: We developed an energetics model for the alewife Alosa pseudoharengus to evaluate consumption and conversion efficiency processes. We estimated alewife standard metabolism (R) as a function of wet body weight (W, g) and water temperature (T, °C): R (g˙g−1˙d−1) = 0.0073 W−0.215e0.0548T. We estimated maximum daily ration for 15-g, yearling alewives at 20°C to be as much as 37% of their body weight in experiments of 24 h. Modeling simulations based on observed growth in Lake Michigan indicated that yearling alewives may attain close to 70% of their estimated maximum consumption rate during September and October. Simulation results indicated wide seasonal variations in consumption rates; almost 50% of the yearly consumption by an individual adult alewife (age ≥ II) occurs in September and October, suggesting abundant food and possibly relaxed competition during that season. In contrast, adult alewives lose weight during the summer when stratification of Lake Michigan would permit orientation to water...

Structural Adaptations to Environments

Abstract: This paper develops a conceptual model combining ideas from organization theory and industrial economics. According to this model, objective industry environments influence managers' perceptions of their environments, and managers' perceptions influence structural adaptations. As well as industry environments, individuals' characteristics and organizational structures also influence managers' perceptions. In contrast with other models, this model examines managers' perceptions in terms of several dimensions. Managerial choice and organizational slack also influence structural adaptations to environments.

Channel capacity in bits per joule

Abstract: Underwater acoustic telemetry has a total input energy constraint, since the energy is stored in the transmitter's batteries. This work is primarily rephrasing the work in channel capacity in terms of C_{J} bit/J as compared to C bit/s, to emphasize the energy efficiency and to deemphasize the speed of the telemetry. The energy channel capacity C_{J} , for any waveform channel with well-defined capacity C bit/s at signal power S watts, is defined as C/S bit/J. It is shown that for coherent binary frequency shift keying (BFSK) and waveform channels, the supremum of C_{J} over S is approached as S approaches zero. For the Gaussian channel the best coding uses narrow bands with the highest S/N.

Clinical and cost‐saving effects of psychoeducational interventions with surgical patients: A meta‐analysis

Abstract: Meta-analysis of 102 studies was conducted to examine how psychoeducational interventions influence recovery, pain, psychological well-being, and satisfaction with care among hospitalized adult surgery patients. Statistically reliable and positive effects were found on each of these four classes of outcome. Further analyses showed that the effects could not be attributed to biases associated with the decision to publish, low internal validity, measurement subjectively, or a Hawthorne effect. Analyses of the subset of outcomes with most direct cost implications showed that positive, cost-relevant effects were obtained across a wide range of patients, treatment providers, hospital settings, and historic periods.

Mothering behavior and maternal role attainment during the postpartum period.

Abstract: Relationships among subjective and behavioral components of maternal role attainment were investigated separately for 64 primiparous and 60 multiparous mothers. The influence of contextual variables on maternal behavior was also examined. Subjects were medically low risk with normal infants. Attitudes toward themselves and their infants and feelings of self-confidence were measured at 1 to 2 days and 4 to 6 weeks after delivery. At 4 to 6 weeks mothers were also videotaped performing an infant feeding at home. Tapes were rated for maternal sensitivity and responsivity. For primiparas, self-confidence was related to maternal feeding behavior as were maternal age, education, and socioeconomic class. For multiparas, only initial attitude toward self was related to maternal behavior; however, maternal age and infant size were contextual factors related to behavior. Distinctions proposed among subjective and behavioral components are in part supported by the findings of the study.

Maximum acceptable weights and maximum voluntary isometric strengths for asymmetric lifting

Abstract: A laboratory study was conducted to determine the effects of asymmetric lifting on psychophysically determined maximum acceptable weights and maximum voluntary isometric strengths. Thirteen male college students lifted three different boxes in the sagittal plane and at three different angles of asymmetry (30,60 and 90°) from floor to an 81-cm high table using a free-style lifting technique. For each lifting task, the maximum voluntary isometric strength was measured at the origin of lift. The maximum acceptable weights and the static strengths for asymmetric lifting were significantly lower than those for symmetric lifting in the sagittal plane for three box sizes (P<0·01). The decrease in maximum acceptable weight and static strength from the sagittal plane values increased with an increase in the angle of asymmetry (P < 0·01). Box size had no significant effect (P≥ 0·05) on the percentage decrease in maximum acceptable weight or voluntary isometric strength from the sagittal plane values. Correction fac...

Towards a contingency theory of corporate planning: Findings in 48 U.K. companies

Abstract: Among 48 U.K. companies those with more vulnerable core technologies employ more specialist planners, more forecasting and evaluative techniques, in proposal generation and evaluation, irrespective of size. Allowing for size, hostility of market conditions is associated with greater scope, status and involvement of planners, and diversification and divisionalization with formality and scope of planning.

Tolerance of rape: a sexist or antisocial attitude?

Abstract: A prison sample and a community control group were used to develop a scale of Rape Attitudes (tolerance of rape) and to validate a modified version of the Gough Socialization Scale. A university student sample and an adolescent sample completed the Rape Attitudes scale and a scale of attitudes toward heterosexual relationships. Males in the adolescent sample also completed the modified Cough Socialization Scale. For both university students and adolescents, and for both males and females, tolerance of rape was associated with sexist attitudes toward heterosexual relationships. For the male adolescents, tolerance of rape and sexist attitudes were associated with antisocial, delinquent personality tendencies. The relationship between tolerance of rape and sexist attitudes was stronger than the relationship between tolerance of rape and an antisocial personality.

Maternal role attainment and identity in the postpartum period: stability and change.

Abstract: Stability and change in maternal identity and maternal role attainment were examined in 64 medically normal, middleclass primiparous and 58 multiparous women. Using two semantic differential scales, “Myself as Mother” and “My Baby,” for maternal identity and the Pharis (1978) Self-Confidence Scale f

An Examination of the Reduction in the Number of Female Interscholastic Coaches.

Abstract: A substantial reduction in the number of female interscholastic coaches has been reported since 1972. Based on initial work and drawing from the discipline of sociology, this study was designed to examine empirical data regarding why females have dropped out of interscholastic coaching roles. Prus' (1982) career contingencies model served as the theoretical framework for this study. Survey data were collected from 256 present and 105 former female interscholastic coaches. Factor analyses revealed differences between present and former coaches in the general patterns of reasons for entering and leaving coaching. A discriminant analysis indicated significant and specific differences between present and former coaches' reasons for entering and leaving coaching careers revealing differing sets of values and orientations toward coaching.

The Purdue Pegboard: norms for 14- to 19-year-olds.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to collect normative data on the Purdue Pegboard, a test of finger dexterity, for individuals aged 14 to 19 years. Three trials were administered to 176 subjects from the seven-county Milwaukee area. Results indicated that females performed better than males on three out of four subtests, suburban subjects scored better than urban subjects on two of four subtests, and scores increased with age. The normative data collected provide a means of comparing a patient's score with normal individuals of the same sex and age and aid in determining a patient's need for therapy and in setting appropriate treatment goals.

Replacement Costs Under Warranty: Cost Moments and Time Variability

Abstract: We consider a product that is sold under one of the two common warranty policies. Under the "pro rata" warranty policy, a failed item is replaced by a new one or is repaired at a cost prorated to the age of the failed item. Under the "free replacement" warranty policy, replacements or repairs during the warranty period are provided by the supplier free of charge to the buyer. Assuming that successive failure times form a renewal process, we derive moments of the total replacement cost for both policies during the product life cycle 0, t]. We also provide an extension to time-varying failure time distributions in the case of the pro rata warranty policy.

Dicentric chromosomes and the inactivation of the centromere.

Abstract: The origin and behavior of human dicentric chromosomes are reviewed. Most dicentrics between two nonhomologous or two homologous chromosomes (isodicentrics), which are permanent members of a chromosome complement, probably originate from segregation of an adjacent quadriradial; such configurations are the result of a chromatid translocation between two nonhomologous chromosomes, or they represent an adjacent counterpart of a mitotic chiasma. The segregation of such a quadriradial may also give rise to a cell line monosomic for the chromosome concerned (e.g., a 45, X line). Contrary to the generally held opinion, isodicentrics rarely result from an isolocal break in two chromatids followed by rejoining of sister chromatids. In this case the daughter centromeres go to opposite poles in the next anaphase, and the resulting bridge breaks at a random point. This mechanism, therefore, leads to the formation of an isodicentric chromosome only if the two centromeres are close together, or if one centromere is immediately inactivated. Observations on the origin of dicentrics in Bloom syndrome support these conclusions. One centromere is permanently inactivated in most dicentric chromosomes, and even when the dicentric breaks into two chromosomes, the centromere is not reactivated. The appearance and behavior of the "acentric" X chromosomes show that their centromeres are similarly inactivated and not prematurely divided. Two Bloom syndrome lymphocytes, one with an extra chromosome 2 and the other with an extra chromosome 7, each having an inactivated centromere, show that this can also happen in monocentric autosomes.

Selenium uptake and transfer in an aquatic food chain and its effects on fathead minnow larvae

Abstract: The transfer of Se (Na2SeO4) was followed through a laboratory food chain (wateralgae-rotifer-larval fish) and its effect on larval fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Selenium transfer between algae (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) and rotifers (Brachionus calyciflorus) was a function of time and food availability. Selenium concentrations in the rotifers ranged from 46 to 91Μg Se · g−1 dry weight after 5 hr of feeding. Selenium concentrations (±SD) in larval fish reached 61.1±1.1 Μg Se · g−1 dry weight for 9 day-old larvae and 51.7+1.6 Μg Se · g−1 for 17 day-old larvae after 7 and 9 days of feeding with Se-contaminated rotifers, respectively. Final dry weights of larvae fed Se-contaminated rotifers were significantly lower than those of controls, although acute toxicity (mortality) was not demonstrated. The biological halflife of food-derived Se in the larvae was 28 days.

On sufficient conditions for the stability of interval matrices

Abstract: Using Gershgorin's diagonal dominance theorem, new sufficient conditions for the stability of interval matrices are obtained. The new conditions remove a restriction in Heinen's (1983) analysis and are applicable to a wider class of problems than previously possible.

Workaholism, sex, and sex role stereotyping among female professionals

Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between workaholism, sex, and sex role orientation among professionals. The sample consisted of 86 male and 106 female attorneys, physicians, and psychologists/therapists. Results indicated a significant relationship between sex and sex role stereotyping. Among females, workaholics were grouped exclusively in the sex role categories masculine and androgynous. Implications for counseling include increasing awareness of changing sex role attitudes among professional women and possible role conflict that can occur from integration of work and family.

Nonintervention and Human Rights

Abstract: Long a part of the theory and practice of international politics, the principle of nonintervention has traditionally admitted few exceptions. Recently, however, arguments have been advanced that seek to expand the grounds for armed intervention to include a wide range of situations in which violations of human rights have occurred. This paper argues that although in principle the moral justification for intervention to protect human rights is broader than defenders of a strong principle of nonintervention, such as Michael Walzer, are willing to allow, the practical constraints on armed intervention are such that it can never be more than an exceptional remedy for human rights abuses.

Wind-induced internal seiches in Lake Zurich observed and modeled1

Abstract: During August and September 1978, 3 1 current meters and 120 temperature sensors were deployed to record every 10 or 20 min at various depths at 12 moorings (with wind speed and direction at three moorings) in Lake Zurich. We explore here the baroclinic (internal seiche) response to wind impulses, observed as fluctuations in isotherm depth and current speeds. Those fluctuations and their energy spectra are compared with the predictions of two models fitted to basin topography and to the observed average thermal structure: a two-layered variable-depth (TVD) model developed by D. J. Schwab, fitted to basin topography and incorporating a two-dimensional horizontal grid, and C. H. Mortimer’s two-layered modification of a simpler procedure originally developed for surface seiche calculations by A. Defant. The dominant responses to wind impulses were internal seiches of the first longitudinal mode (average period 44 h). Weaker signals from the second (24 h) and third (17 h) modes were also seen in spectra of temperature and current fluctuations. The models displayed patterns of thermocline displacement and current which, in periodicity and structure, were closely similar to those observed. Predictions of the Defant model were less precise, particularly for current. Founded on linear theory and neglecting the effects of rotation, the models were unable to reproduce two features occasionally seen in the lake motions: clockwise or anticlockwise rotation of current direction; and internal surges arising when storms induced large-amplitude downstrokes of the thermocline at one basin end or the other. The lake’s internal response was principally dependent on the timing, strength, and duration of the wind impulse, relative to and interacting with internal seiche motions already in progress.