The Influence of Parental Involvement on ESL Student Learning

This paper investigates the influence that parental involvement that has on the outcomes for English language learning students. This discourse will compare different educational and developmental research. This will incorporate historic and current legislation on English as a Second Language services and discuss the availability and the practicality of these services. Based on findings of researchers such as Lee, Bowen, and Araujo, recommendations for educators and policy makers will be made to promote ESL programs that align with current findings

Multivariate Analyses of Mid-Winter Fattening in Two Species of Passerine Birds

Although the adaptive significance of daily and seasonal fattening of birds has been studied by many investigators (see Odum, 1965; King, 1972; Blem, 1976a), surprisingly little is known about the interactions of proximate and ultimate environmental factors regulating avian lipid levels. An exception is the study by Evans (1969). He found that lipid levels in Yellow Buntings (Emberiza citrinella) were more closely correlated with long-term temperature averages than with temperatures of the day of capture, or the days preceding or following capture. This is an indication that temperature may be more important as an ultimate control of fattening, through natural selection, than as a proximate cue. The relative effects of temperature, photoperiod, and morphological variables on daily lipid levels have not been assessed simultaneously in any species. Mid-winter fattening appears to be a widespread phenomenon in small birds of the temperate zone, but it is well known for only a small number of species (see King, 1972; Blem, 1976a; for reviews). It is known that lipid levels fluctuate and the amounts stored vary with weather conditions, both daily and seasonally. The amplitude of the daily cycle and the magnitude of lipids stored are maximized during mid-winter. Most of the birds have energy reserves for only a few hours of activity in the morning. It has also been found that lipid stores are not greater during favorable weather conditions. This suggests a balance between lipids stored for energy production and energy required for food gathering activities, risks from predation and lethal temperature extremes. Statistical models of the relationship between environmental variables and the amount of lipid reserve began with research by King and Farmer (1966) and Evans (1969). Their results emphasized the importance of climatic variables as both proximate and ultimate factors (also see Vincent and Bedard, 1976). These analyses involved only sim-ple regression techniques or restricted multivariate models involving only a few or single dependent variables. More sophisticated multiple regression techniques and modern computer implementation provide a means of determining the relative importance of several independent variables in the prediction of a dependent variable. This type of analysis is particularly suited to certain aspects of fat deposition in sparrows. Multiple regression analyses provide two potentially important pieces of information about independent variables. The coefficient of determination (R2) is an estimate of the amount of variability explained by the multiple regression coefficient (Zar, 1974) and the standard partial regression coefficients indicate that relative importance of independent variables in the prediction of a dependent variable. Such analyses do not insure that all significant variables have been included or even considered, however, such variables may be later added to the model. In this study the relative importance of a wide range of variables will be investigated. The purpose of the present analysis is threefold: (l) Firstly, an attempt has been made to develop predictive equations which might be used to quantify lipid reserves in passerine birds from measurements of living specimens. Specific points analyzed herein include: (a) how accurately might such equations predict lipid content, and (b) how many birds must be included in the analysis to obtain maximum accuracy. (2) The second emphasis of this study is the identification and comparison of important independent variables and a comparison of the relative importance of morphometric variables with environmental measures. (3) Finally, a comparison will be made of the relative importance of various temperature measures of the day of capture with long-term averages in an attempt to assess the relative selective importance of prolonged temperature regimes. Estimates of lipid content are useful for field studies of pre-migratory fat deposition, the energetics of overnight survival, or any life history phenomena where storage and utilization of energy is crucial. Variables will be measured that will provide relatively precise predictions of the fat content of birds. The success of this attempt will be primarily indicated by the coefficient of determination (R2). Hopefully, models will be generated that will provide a method for studying lipid deposition cycles without tedious fat extraction processess or having to sacrifice large numbers of wild birds

An Empirical Examination of Compensation of REIT Managers

Principal-agent literature finds that manager and owner incentives can be aligned with performance contingent contracts. We investigate the compensation of Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) industry executives. The competitive nature of mortgage and equity markets, in conjunction with the corporate tax exemption available when REITs distribute most of their earnings as dividends, is likely to influence the compensation of REIT managers. Executive compensation is modeled as a function of revenues and unexpected profit. After transforming the model to reduce collinearity and heteroskedasticity, we find compensation to be generally positively related to revenue. We also find unexpected profit to be generally insignificantly related to compensation, but positively related in those cases where it is significant.

Mortgage Lenders' Market Response to a Landmark Regulatory Decision Based on Fair Lending Compliance

Regulation of real estate lending has substantially increased in the past decade. Government efforts to improve compliance with Community Reinvestment Act mandates are evidence of increased emphasis on racial equal opportunity in loan origination. To investigate the impact of these efforts, this paper examines the Federal Reserve Bank rejection of Shawmut National Corporation's application to buy New Dartmouth Bank. Rejection was based on Shawmut's poor compliance with fair-lending guidelines. Testing finds significant negative abnormal stock returns for samples of mortgage lenders on the announcement day of Shawmut's application rejection. In addition, cross-sectional analysis reveals an inverse relationship between national banks' cumulative abnormal returns (CARs) and a measure of fair lending.

U.S.-China strategic dialogue, phase II: conference report

The U.S.-China Strategic Dialogue brought together Chinese and U.S. strategic experts in their personal capacities to discuss to the role of nuclear weapons in Sino-American relations with the aim of minimizing mutual misunderstanding and identifying practical steps for bilateral cooperation. Relatively open discussions on core nuclear issues were held, positive signs on a number of regional topics were visible, and promising avenues for future discussions emerged. The goal of this series of annual meetings has been to identify important misperceptions regarding each side's nuclear strategy and doctrine and highlight potential areas of cooperation or confidence building measures that might reduce such dangers. Beyond that, the conference aims to deepen American understanding of the way China views nuclear weapons, the domestic debates that shape those views, and the degree to which there is change in strategy, doctrine, and force posture in Beijing. Both of the first two meetings have focused their discussions on general perceptions of the utility of nuclear weapons, the nature of current nuclear strategy and operational concepts of each side, regional issues pertaining to nuclear weapons issues, and prospects for cooperation with regard to specific policy areas. (A conference report from the first meeting was published last year and is available from N.P.S. at either the FOUO or unclassified level from this author).Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

U.S.-China strategic dialogue, phase II: conference report

The U.S.-China Strategic Dialogue brought together Chinese and U.S. strategic experts in their personal capacities to discuss to the role of nuclear weapons in Sino-American relations with the aim of minimizing mutual misunderstanding and identifying practical steps for bilateral cooperation. Relatively open discussions on core nuclear issues were held, positive signs on a number of regional topics were visible, and promising avenues for future discussions emerged. The goal of this series of annual meetings has been to identify important misperceptions regarding each side's nuclear strategy and doctrine and highlight potential areas of cooperation or confidence building measures that might reduce such dangers. Beyond that, the conference aims to deepen American understanding of the way China views nuclear weapons, the domestic debates that shape those views, and the degree to which there is change in strategy, doctrine, and force posture in Beijing. Both of the first two meetings have focused their discussions on general perceptions of the utility of nuclear weapons, the nature of current nuclear strategy and operational concepts of each side, regional issues pertaining to nuclear weapons issues, and prospects for cooperation with regard to specific policy areas. (A conference report from the first meeting was published last year and is available from N.P.S. at either the FOUO or unclassified level from this author).Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

The Impact of the California Earthquake on Real Estate Firms' Stock Value

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of the October 17, 1989 California earthquake on the stock value of firms involved in the real estate industry. The impact of the earthquake on real estate-related stock prices is examined. The findings indicate that the earthquake conveyed important new information to the market that was reflected in statistically significant negative stock returns among those firms operating in the San Francisco area. Real estate-related firms operating in other areas of California were generally unaffected by the earthquake.

A Learning Game For Youth Financial Literacy Education In The Teen Grid Of Second Life Three-Dimensional Virtual Environment

Game-like three-dimensional (3D) virtual worlds have become popular venues for youth to explore and interact with friends. To bring vital financial literacy education to them in places they frequent, a multi-disciplinary team of computer scientists, educators, and financial experts developed a youth-oriented financial literacy education game in the Teen Grid of Second Life 3D online virtual world. This paper presents the design and development process of this financial literacy education game, its learning effectiveness in classrooms, and lessons learned from the process

The Impact of Mega-Catastrophes on Insurers: An Exposure-Based Analysis of the U.S. Homeowners’ Insurance Market

Insurance is a key risk-sharing mechanism that protects citizens and governments from the losses caused by natural catastrophes. Given the increase in the frequency and intensity of natural catastrophes over recent years, this article analyzes the performance effects of mega-catastrophes for U.S. insurance firms using a measure of market expectations. Specifically, we analyze the share price losses of insurance firms in response to catastrophe events to ascertain whether mega-catastrophes significantly damage the performance of insurers and whether different types of mega-catastrophes have different impacts. The main message from our analysis is that the impact of mega-catastrophes on insurers has not been too damaging. While the exact impact of catastrophes depends on the nature of the event and the degree of competition within the relevant insurance market (less competition allows insurers to recoup catastrophe losses through adjustments to premiums), our overall results suggest that U.S. insurance firms can adequately manage the risks and costs of mega-catastrophes. From a public policy perspective, our results show that insurance provides a robust means of sharing catastrophe losses to help reduce the financial consequences of a catastrophe event