A rapid graphical technique for obtaining radar data time history for close earth orbits

Radar tracking parameters and contact time errors from graphic estimation of radar tracking coverage of near earth orbit

An Exploratory Analysis of the Relationships Between Self-Images, Perceived-Risk, and Purchase Intention Horizons.

The purpose of this study is to examine in some detail the nature of some commonly acknowledged psychological constructs related to consumer behavior. These constructs, perceptual in nature, are self-image and perceived risk. In addition, a third concept of more recent vintage was included: purchase intention expectations, or more simply time perceptions. The focus of the study was an exploration of interrelationships among the three constructs. The following objectives were specified: (1) to analyze the relationship between self-image and ideal self-image across a group of products, across time, and as this relationship relates to risk, (2) to investigate the relationships of the three types of risk (economic, social, and psychological) and overall risk to images, to products, and to time perception, and, (3) to investigate overall relationships which might aid in the interpretation of image and risk perception phenomena. The data required for analysis of these relationships were collected from a sample of adult consumers who reside in selected areas of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. These respondents are representative of a large proportion of American consumers. To the extent possible, instrumentation (to include stimuli) were selected to reflect past research in the areas of self-image and perceived risk. However, this consideration was modified by virtue of the fact that the interrelationships of the constructs was of primary concern. An important aspect of this research was the issues of reliability and validity related to the instrumentation used. These issues were examined in detail, given the limiting nature of theory in the area of construct measurement. This effort pointed out shortcomings in the theory when applied to single-item measurement. Hypotheses were constructed around each construct and around construct interrelationships. Testing of these hypotheses led to the following general conclusions: (1) Evidence of the sought relationships have been found in the data, (2) The relationships are not simple and vary from product to product and from construct to construct, (3) Different products and product groups display variations in risk/image relationships, (4) The various types of risk relate differently to the image factors, (5) Both risk and image factors seem to vary more widely with durable products than with convenience products, (6) In a general way, image congruence is associated with less risk perception, (7) Ownership was indicated as being related to both risk and image variables, (8) Consumer\u27s reports of overall perceived risk predict more accurately than their reports of specific risk types, and (9) The relationship between image matching and purchase intention horizons may not have much meaning for consumers when the concepts are applied to most products. Based on the knowledge gained, a number of suggestions for further research have been generated. These suggestions relate to construct definition and refinement, to constructing and testing specific typologies of consumers, and to consideration of brands of products and other market factors

A Comparison of Quality Improvement Practices in Korea, New Zealand and the United States of America

The focus of this paper is the quality of the organization's product or service, More specifically, this study identifies alternative approaches to quality improvement practised in the United States, Korea and New Zealand, and then groups companies by quality improvement practice, measuring group financial and operating success. Factors reflecting approach to improvement could be identified for performance quality in all three countries, productivity in all three countries, and financial results in U.S.A. and Korea. It can be also observed that for most dependent variables, the regression used multiple factors to explain the relationship. That is, factors which are grouping of improvement approach items, are required to explain quality, productivity, and financial performance. In other words, an individual item, expressed as one approach to quality or productivity improvement, cannot explain performance in a statistically significant manner. Multiple and complex relationships are required to explain performance

Exploring Supervision Fees in Four Probation Jurisdictions in Texas

In 2014, the University of Minnesota's Robina Institute of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice began a multi-state study that was tasked with exploring nationwide variations in the practices and policies of probation violations and revocations. A distinctive finding that grew out of the Robina Institute's work in two Texas counties was that probation supervision fees play a major role throughout the state. Probationers are required as one of 25 standard conditions to pay supervision fees, and—depending on the case— they may have to pay additional program fees, fines, and restitution. Texas probation departments depend on supervision fees for a large share of their operating budgets, and they are responsible for collecting those fees. Because payment of fees is a formal condition of probation, probationers may be sanctioned if they fall delinquent. Additionally, their probation terms may be extended to allow more time to pay, or early termination may be denied. In interviews, some probationers believed they could be revoked to jail or prison for failure to pay supervision fees. However, we heard from probation officers that probationers were not revoked solely for fees. The officers told us that nonpayment may be one reason probationers are revoked, but only when combined with other violations.The Robina Institute was encouraged by other probation chiefs in Texas to add additional counties to our study. To understand the interaction between probation and criminal justice fees in greater depth, the Robina Institute conducted a mixed methods study with 4 probation jurisdictions in Texas. Quantitative data was analyzed to examine the average amount of fees ordered, the breakdown of the fees ordered, and the percent of probationers who were current and delinquent on their fees. The quantitative analysis also examined the outcomes for those who were delinquent on their fees. Qualitative interviews were conducted with probationers to understand how fees impacted them and their experience of probation, as well as how they handled paying their fees. Probation officers were also interviewed to examine how fees were utilized and how officers collected fees.This report highlights some of the findings from qualitative interviews with over 50 probation officers and 46 probationers in 4 probation jurisdictions. A separate report highlights our quantitative findings; future Robina Institute publications will explore the quantitative and qualitative data in greater depth, as well as legal issues associated with the imposition and collection of supervision fees.The first section of this report presents findings from the focus groups with the probation officers. The second section focuses on findings from the probationer focus groups

Efficacy in Emergency Legal Preparedness Underlying the 2014 Ebola Outbreak

From its relative obscurity over the past three decades, Ebola viral disease (“EVD”) emerged as a substantial global biothreat in 2014 and 2015. The current outbreak of varied strains of Ebola, beginning in March 2014 in Guinea, is projected to impact hundreds of thousands of people over months, years, or even indefinitely. As of October 31, 2014, the spread of EVD was concentrated in several Af- rican countries (e.g., Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and an unrelated outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo), with limited additional cases in Nigeria, Senegal, and Mali. Over 2,700 people are known to have died from Ebola in fewer than eight months in Liberia alone; the actual death toll may be far higher. At one point, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) estimated a worst-case scenario of 1.4 million new cases arising largely in already affected countries by early 2015. Reported cases in the affected regions are considerably less than these estimates, but with a fatality rate hovering near 50%, thousands more West Africans may perish before the end of this current outbreak