Principal Solution Research Articles

Components of personal competence and community integration for persons with mental retardation in small residential programs

This study identifies components of personal competence and community adjustment in a national sample of persons with mental retardation living in residential facilities of six or fewer residents. Factor analysis of 65 variables yielded an 8 principal component solution that accounted for approximately half the total variance in the observed variables (49%). The eight identified components of personal competence and community adjustment were labeled (1) Self Care and Functional Personal Living Skills, (2) Community Living Skills, (3) Home Living Skills, (4) Problem Behavior, (5) Community Training Goals and Objectives, (6) Recreation/Leisure Activity, (7) Family Contact/Relationships, and (8) Community Assimilation and Acceptance. The implications of reducing potentially hundreds of indicators of personal competence and community adjustment into relatively few broad internally consistent composite constructs are discussed.

From Criticism to Construction in Modern Critical Legal Theory

The American Critical Legal Studies Movement stands as the most influential critical movement in law since Legal Realism, already exerting a subtle yet pervasive influence on the direction of scholarship in the Anglo-American legal tradition. Yet alongside the emergence of Critical Legal Studies, there is a proliferation of European Critical Theory of law which has its origins in the writings of the contemporary German social theorists Jurgen Habermas and Niklas Luhmann.' The notable characteristic of these modem critical legal theories is their aim to move beyond criticism to the construction of novel conceptions of law which demonstrate the capacity of law both to effect and regulate significant social change. Unlike their predecessors, these modem theorists attempt to show that programmes of social change may be engineered by developing the potential for such change that lies within existing legal rules and doctrines, and not by other non-legal means. Accordingly, this paper does not endeavour to describe the critical element of contemporary critical legal theory but rather to evaluate its success in moving beyond criticism to the required conceptions of law. I shall attempt to show that this reconstructive aim may be accomplished only if two intricate hurdles are overcome. For want of less awkward terms, I call these hurdles 'legal nihilism' and 'circularity'. I shall further contend that the principal solution to these two obstacles is to establish that law has what I shall call 'transformative potential'. The problem of legal nihilism takes two forms.2 Firstly, it manifests itself in a loss of hope in the possibility of moving beyond criticism of law to the creation of a new conception of law. Secondly, it is represented by scepticism of the law's

Asymptotic Integrations of Nonoscillatory Second Order Differential Equations

The linear differential equation (1) $(r(t)x’)’ + (f(t) + q(t))x= 0$ is viewed as a perturbation of the equation (2) $(r(t)y’)’ + (f(t)y = 0$, where $r > 0$, $f$ and $q$ are real-valued continuous functions. Suppose that (2) is nonoscillatory at infinity and ${y_1}$, ${y_2}$ are principal, nonprincipal solutions of (2), respectively. Adapted Riccati techniques are used to obtain an asymptotic integration for the principal solution ${x_1}$ of (1). Under some mild assumptions, we characterize that (1) has a principal solution ${x_1}$ satisfying ${x_1}= {y_1}(1 + o(1))$. Sufficient (sometimes necessary) conditions under which the nonprincipal solution ${x_2}$ of (1) behaves, in three different degrees, like ${y_2}$ as $t \to \infty$ are also established.

The Grandparent Strengths and Needs Inventory: Development and Factorial Validation

Responses for 2,012 Grandparent Strengths and Needs Inventories (GSNI) by grandparents, parents, and grandchildren were factor analyzed to determine if the underlying structure of the instrument fit the hypothesized dimensions suggested by the position of 60 items on six subscales. Two extraction methods, principal components and principal factors analyses, produced 10 factors with prerotation eigenvalues greater than 1.0. A principal component solution set at six factors yielded the "best fit," accounting for 49.2% of the variance. The pattern of item-to-factor correlation suggested that the 60 items tended to fit the hypothesized pattern of subscales. Empirical evidence supported the presence of six dimensions: (a) satisfaction, (b) success, (c) teaching, (d) difficulty, (e) frustration, and (f) information needs as constructs comprising the six subscales of the GSNI.

Asymptotic Integration of the Principal Solution of a Second-Order Differential Equation

Asymptotic Integration of the Principal Solution of a Second-Order Differential Equation

歯科治療に対する社会的イメージの研究

The purpose of this study was to assess the determinants of the image of dental treatments for people. Subjects were 344 persons with or without experience of dental treatment, including 174 males and 170 females. They were administered Cornell Medical Index (CMI) and a questionnaire which had 31 semantic differential scales of the image of dental treatment, and a few items asking the degree of fear of dental treatment and the like. To extract basic dimension of the image of dental treatment, factor analysis of the 31 scales on the image of dental treatment was performed. Varimax rotation of the original principal factor solution indicated that the image is composed of the following three factors: an emotion factor, a dentistry evaluation factor, and a potency factor. A kind of multiple regression analysis called Hayashi's quantification type 1 was applied to the following variables:(1) each of the scores of the extracted factors as predictor variable, and(2) 18 scales of CMI and a few items of the questionnaire such as school, career, gender, and others. The major results of the regression analysis were as follows:(1) the determinants of the variation in the first factor are fear of dental treatment, occupation, and school career, (2) those of the second factor are occupation and school career, (3) those of the third factor are age and graduation, and(4) neither the types of CMI nor the extracted factors of CMI are related to the image of dental treatment.

Some Mathematical Concepts of the Analytic Hierarchy Process

In this paper we give a skeletal outline of the foundations of the Analytic Hierarchy Process and some of its highlights. We also show that the principal eigenvector solution is essential for deriving the scale of priorities from the fundamental scale of judgments given in the matrix.

Stability properties of linear volterra equations

where A(t) and B( t, t + s) are almost periodic in t. When Eq. (E,) is of convolution type; that is, A(t) = A (a constant) and B(t, s) = B(t s), Miller [ 121 and Grossman and Miller [7] have shown that the null solution of (E,) with B( .) E L’(0, co) is uniformly asymptotically stable if and only if the resolvent R(t, s) = R(t s) for (E,) is of class L’(0, cc ). In Section 3, we show (Theorem 3.1) that the null solution of (E,) is uniformly asymptotically stable if and only if sup, a (r a o { 1 Z( t, a)[ + j: IZ(t, s)l ds} < co, where Z(t, s) is the principal matrix solution of (E,) introduced by Becker [ 11. As will be noted later, Z(t, s) is identical with the resolvent R(t, s). Therefore, our Theorem 3.1 is an extension of [ 12,

APPLYING PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS TO SOIL-LANDSCAPE RESEARCH-QUANTIFYING THE SUBJECTIVE

Principal component analysis is a multivariate statistical procedure that can be used to identify factors (correlated subsets of variables) in large data sets. This statistical method appears useful for scientists investigating soil processes, but it has received little attention. Reported applications of principal component analysis share a common fault--subjective, user-specified analytical options apparently are not recognized, for they are not discussed. Reported data sets are often small, have low observations-per-variable ratios, and lack tests of robustness. A large soil data set is used to demonstrate systematic procedures for an optimum rotated principal component solution. This solution retained 21 variables aligned among four "clean" and "logical" factors, and extracted 79% of the variance. Robustness was confirmed by comparison with common factor analysis solutions. When carefully applied, the presented guidelines should enhance scientists' abilities to identify and transfer knowledge about multivariate data sets, and should allow different scientists to independently arrive at similar factor solutions.

A Taylor synthesis for principal solution patterns of multiplicative antenna systems

A multiplicative (cross-correlation) receiving antenna system with a linear aperture can have a power pattern P/sub 0/(u) (the so-called principal-solution power pattern) whose spatial frequency transfer function (SFTF) is uniform over the entire spatial frequency (SF) bandwidth. A modified principal solution system which retains the uniform SFTF except for smooth transitions at the ends of the SF passband is described. The transitions are due to a change in the original pattern P/sub 0/(u), which suffers from high sidelobes, to a Taylor (1955) synthesis pattern P/sub T/(u) which involves a slowly varying envelope pattern. All of the slowly varying envelope sidelobes of P/sub T/(u) are set at the same appropriate low level, e.g. -30 dB. The aperture weighting distributions are free of singularities, unlike those for P/sub 0/(u), and can be sampled to provide the current weightings for a linear multiplicative array.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Asymptotic Theory of Steady Axisymmetrical Needlelike Crystal Growth

The present paper is concerned with the stationary needle crystal growth with arbitrary undercooling. We discuss two classes of asymptotic solutions: (1) the regular-tip solutions; (2) the smooth-root solutions. When the surface tension is nonzero, the regular-tip solutions may not have smooth roots. Among the regular-tip solutions, however, one can identify a “principal regular-tip solution,” which has the best behavior in the far field and is physically acceptable.

An equilibrium analysis of helically symmetries plasmas using boundary element method

The authors present a computational scheme based on boundary-element methods for analyzing helically symmetric equilibrium configurations which are described by the MHD (magnetohydrodynamic) equilibrium equation. To solve the equation numerically, a boundary integral equation is introduced. The authors describe an effective scheme for calculating the principal solution to the equation which includes an infinite series of slow convergence. The vacuum fields enclosed by a helical perfectly conduction shell are calculated on the basis of this scheme. It is shown that the shifts of magnetic surfaces decrease with the helical pitch or the displacement of the helical shell.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Construction of optimized superconducting spin precession magnets for neutron spectroscopy

The design and construction of a superconducting magnet system for a high-resolution neutron spin echo spectrometer. The principal solution for the field shape of optimal precession magnets is B/sub 0/cos/sup 2/( pi z/L). In practical precession magnets, this field shape is approximated by 30 superimposed concentric solenoids with a bore of 80 mm. The required field integral of 1 Tm, providing 10/sup 4/ precession turns, is achieved in a magnet with a length of about 1.5 m. The field in the center is 1.5 T maximum. The relative line integral inhomogeneity of about 10/sup -3/ obtained with such a coil is improved to less than 10/sup -6/ by two in-beam correction coils. The advanced homogeneity level means that after 10000 precession turns the precession angle remains still well defined without using tedious correction procedures.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

AN APPLICATION OF EQUITY THEORY TO INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS (2)

This study was designed to test the applicability of equity theory to interpersonal relations. Questionnaires were administered to male and female undergraduates and female technical college students (N=222). They were asked to assess equity/inequity and emotional qualities of the relationships with their most intimate friends of same sex. Subjects were divided into casual and intimate relationship groups according to their current state (length of relationship and intimacy image).The main results were as follows:1) Varimax rotation of the factor analysis (principal factor solution) on the rated moods produced three factors. They were labeled as“contentment”, “anger”, and“guilt”, respectively. These factors were the same as those posited by Homans (1974).2) Female undergraduates who perceived themselves as equitably treated felt more content than those who perceived inequitably treated, only in casual relationships.3) For male undergraduates and female technical college students, the trends as predicted by equity theory were found in intimate relationships.

Freedom, Contingency, and Things Possible in Themselves

It is well known that a number of very plausible arguments against freedom can be constructed using what appear to be Leibnizian premises. Leibniz was aware of most of these arguments and developed a rich variety of responses to them, including his so-called theory of things possible in themselves. There is no doubt of the importance of this theory: Leibniz repeatedly asserted it from the I 670s until the end of his career. One of his best contemporary commentators has even described it as Leibniz's principal (and most confident) solution to the problem of contingency.' Yet despite its prominence in his writings, the doctrine has

Factor Structure of Newly Designed Verbal Tests

The scores of 61 students on 7 newly constructed verbal tests were analysed using the methods of principal factor solution and varimax rotation. Two factors were extracted whose eigenvalues summed to 4.46 and accounted for 64% of the total variance. The convergent factor, which was responsible for 71% of the total common variance, was comprised of 5 tests, including a remote associates scale with significant loadings. The divergent factor accounted for the remaining 29% of the total common variance and was made up of 2 tests with significant loadings as well.

A test of the measurement equivalence of the revised Job Diagnostic Survey: Past problems and current solutions.

The measurement equivalence of the revised Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS) was studied across samples from five worker populations. Samples included workers at a printing plant, engineers, nurses and nurses' aides, dairy employees, and part-time workers. Data were analyzed according to Jgreskog's model for simultaneous factor analysis in several populations (SlFASP), revealing the five factors contained in Hackman and Oldham's theory of job characteristics. A sixth factor also appeared that apparently resulted from the two different formats used on the instrument. When the data from each group were analyzed separately by principal axes factor analysis, three-, four-, and five-factor solutions appeared. To explain these inconsistencies, a Monte Carlo simulation was conducted. Matrices representing the a priori JDS factor loadings and a hypothetical, lengthened JDS with twice the number of items per factor were used in the simulation with three sample sizes (Ns = 75, 150, and 900). Results suggested that for scales like the JDS, which has only a few items per factor, sample sizes larger than those typically recommended are needed to consistently recover the true underlying structure. The simulation results support our conclusions that the SIFASP solution is preferable to the principal axes solution and that the JDS provides measurement equivalence across worker populations. The multidimensional nature of the job characteristic approach to job design is appealing to both researchers and practitioners because of its potential for diagnosing similarities and differences among jobs. Essentially, the goal of this approach is to provide a job-descriptive language that makes it possible to conceptualize jobs independently of worker skills, abilities, and activities (Fleishman & Quaintance, 1984). Most instruments developed to assess job characteristics are in survey form and are completed by job incumbents (Hackman & Oldham, 1975, 1980; Sims, Szilagyi, & Keller, 1976). For such instruments to be useful and for scale scores to be comparable across workers from different occupations and organizations, the instrument must provide equivalent measurement across diverse worker subpopulations. Equivalence of measurement is obtained when workers performing tasks with the same standing on the latent job characteristic construct give the same average rating (i.e., have the same expected observed score). Currently, no measure of job characteristics has been shown to provide measurement equivalence. For example, one of the most popular measures of job characteristics in the psychology literature is Hackman and Oldham's (1975, 1980) Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS), which was developed to assess five job characteristics across organizations and organizational levels. Despite

Infant Mortality in Europe: Implications for the United States. Statement to the National Commission to Prevent Infant Mortality

Infant mortality is not a health problem. Infant mortality is a social problem with health consequences. The first priority for lowering infant mortality in the United States is not more obstetricians or pediatricians or hospitals, nor even more prenatal clinics or well-baby clinics, but rather to provide more social and educational support to families with pregnant women and infants. This is the number one lesson to be gleaned from the experience of those industrialized countries in the world with the best record for lowering infant mortality. 70% of infant mortality occurs in the first month of life and is closely related to what happens during pregnancy and birth. Here the European experience does not support expanding medically-oriented prenatal care as a high priority in the US. On the other hand every European country, including the more developing ones, has an extensive system of social and financial benefits for families with pregnant women and infants and this should be given urgent priority in the United States. Caesarean section rates in the United States are double to triple those found in all European countries with infant mortality rates lower than the United States. At least one billion dollars are spent every year in the United States on these excessive surgical births with no benefit and with increased risk to both woman and baby. Every country in Europe with perinatal mortality and infant mortality rates lower than the United States uses midwives as the principal and only birth attendant for at least 70% of all births. The European experience shows that a strong independent midwifery profession is an important counterbalance to the obstetrical profession in preventing excessive interventions. The United States should spend far less money on interventionist obstetric care and put more resources into building up a large, strong midwifery profession. For the 30% of infant mortality between one month and 12 months of age, the excess deaths in the United States are related to poor social and economic conditions for these families. The principal solution for this type of infant mortality is not more medical care but, as exists in every European country, a system of social and financial benefits for families with infants. The United States is the only developed country in the world which is not putting an adequate basic minimum of resources into social and financial programs for families with pregnant women and infants. As a WHO staff member and as an American, I hope this Commission will have the vision and courage to start the process of rectifying this situation.

The nature of managerial work roles in Malaysian public enterprises

This paper examines the work roles of public enterprise managers, the classifications of the work roles, and the importance of the work roles across hierarchical levels, functional speciality, business sector and the size of the organisation, based on Mintzberg's framework of managerial roles. The result showed that 105 managers ranked the role of entrepreneur as most important and the role of spokesman as most unimportant in performing their jobs. The principal component solution resulted in three interpretable categories of work roles: internal roles; external roles, and internal-external roles. There were also variations in work role importance across hierarchical levels, functional speciality, business sector and size of the organisation. Implications for further research and management practice are also presented.

A factor analysis and item response theory analysis of an employee honesty test

Although paper and pencil tests of employee honesty are becoming increasingly widespread in industry, a paucity of research exists regarding them. In a recent review of this literature, Sackett and Harris (1984) noted that scant psychometric evidence is available as to their merits or weaknesses. The aim of this paper is to report on the factor and item analysis of one such test. A principal axis solution and item response theory model (1-parameter) were used to examine the data. The factor analysis revealed four readily interpretable factors. With regard to the item analysis, the results indicated that on the whole most of the 40 items showed a reasonable fit to the model. The implications of this research are addressed.