Think Twice Before Hitting \u27Send\u27: The Strategic Uses of Information in Marketing Channels

This dissertation examines the growing problem of information overload in the context of marketing channels. Information overload occurs when shared information requires more mental resources to process than the mental resources available to the receiver. This research offers strategies to attenuate information overload and examines the impact of information overload on channel outcomes. Strategic uses of information are proposed and conceptualized as a sender\u27s alteration of information volume, content, and/or timing to assist a receiver in processing information. Hypotheses are developed based on the normative perspective of communication from the organizational communication literature. Data from 244 salespeople are analyzed using structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses. The results suggest that information overload undermines shared understanding, while shared understanding enhances coordination and compliance, and reduces conflict. Post hoc analyses further reveal that the effectiveness of strategic uses of information on information overload is contingent on the task nature and receiver characteristics and that some strategies have a U-shaped relationship with information overload. The major contribution of this dissertation is integrating the paradigms of organizational communication and marketing channels literatures and providing an additional perspective in understanding information sharing in channel relationships. Contrary to conventional wisdom, this paper argues that more information sharing is not necessarily better

The Response Of An Hyperpure Germanium Detector To Ionizing Radiation

A basic understanding of the response of semiconductor detectors to ionizing radiation is important for their proper usage and their further development. Such devices may also be used to explore the energy deposition process in semiconductors.;The detailed response of an HPGe detector ({dollar}\sim{dollar}1 cm{dollar}\sp3{dollar} hyperpure Ge with an ion-implanted front contact) to ionizing radiation has been studied with regard to the radiation ionization energy ratio, {dollar}\varepsilon\sb{lcub}\rm ion{rcub}{dollar}/{dollar}\varepsilon\sb0{dollar}, using radioactive {dollar}\alpha{dollar} and {dollar}\gamma{dollar} sources and accelerated ion beams ({dollar}\sp1{dollar}H, {dollar}\sp{lcub}3,4{rcub}{dollar}He, {dollar}\sp7{dollar}Li). The data span the energy range of a few hundred keV to a few MeV. Effects of temperature and bias voltage variation have been investigated. The response to charged particles and {dollar}\gamma{dollar}-rays have been measured simultaneously by using {dollar}\sp{lcub}152{rcub}{dollar}Eu, {dollar}\sp{lcub}60{rcub}{dollar}Co, and {dollar}\sp{lcub}137{rcub}{dollar}Cs {dollar}\gamma{dollar}-ray sources.;Analysis of the results reveals: (1) Contrary to earlier conclusions, a difference of {dollar}\sim{dollar}1% between {dollar}\varepsilon\sb0{dollar} and {dollar}\varepsilon\sb{lcub}\rm\alpha\ or\ p{rcub}{dollar} has been found in Ge, often showing {dollar}\varepsilon\sb{lcub}\rm\alpha,p{rcub}\u3c\varepsilon\sb0{dollar}--results that are qualitatively in accord with the observed behaviour for Si semiconductor detectors; these observations cannot be explained by trapping or recombination effects during the stopping of the ion in the sensitive volume. (2) The functional behaviour of {dollar}\varepsilon\sb\alpha{dollar}/{dollar}\varepsilon\sb0{dollar} and {dollar}\varepsilon\sb{lcub}\rm p{rcub}{dollar}/{dollar}\varepsilon\sb0{dollar} exhibits a non-linear response of the Ge detector as a function of ion energy for a given projectile, which is similar to results observed for Si detectors; the ratios approach unity as the particle energy increases--a result that is to be expected from fundamental considerations. (3) Where comparisons can be made with earlier works, the present results for {dollar}\varepsilon\sb{lcub}\rm ion{rcub}{dollar}/{dollar}\varepsilon\sb0{dollar} are in good quantitative agreement when similar assumptions are included, e.g. the apparent window thickness of the Ge detector is assumed to be independent of ion energy. (4) The energy loss in the window of the Ge detector is found to vary with the energy of the incident particle in a manner that does not agree with the stopping power curve. The apparent thickness of this window region is observed to decrease dramatically with increasing detector temperature ({dollar}\sim{dollar}30% decrease as T increases from 80K to 175K). This observation suggests that the surface layer of the Ge detector does not consist of a simple passive dead layer. The reasons for this behaviour are not presently understood. (5) Pronounced channeling effects are evident in the pulse height spectra as the incidence angle of the ions is rotated with respect to the detector surface normal. These features arise from ion channeling effects in the ion-implanted entrance window region. Monte Carlo calculations of the projectile energy loss under channeling conditions are in qualitative agreement with experimental observations. However, such channeling effects do not account for the deviations of {dollar}\varepsilon\sb{lcub}\rm ion{rcub}{dollar}/{dollar}\varepsilon\sb0{dollar} from unity

Is crime hereditary? An analysis of biological ideas from eugenics to the human genome project.

Eugenics, the idea of improving the biological quality of the human race, has been interrelated with concepts of crime since at least Classical times. The eugenics doctrine has fueled mental institutions and state-owned penitentiaries, as well as manifested itself in popular culture and scientific studies. With a focus on post-1883 American history, I examine the evolving relationship between eugenics and crime through a historical lens and into the modern day to present a stance on the an age-old question: is crime hereditary? I follow the separate but concurrent development of eugenics and the idea of the biological criminal, then I examine the distinct concept of a born criminal through eugenic family studies, court cases, and prison eugenics. Although eugenic criminology has lost momentum, it continues to influence modern thought, particularly in legal proceedings and the use of biological technologies. I identify a return to the biological basis of crime throughout history, and I assert that this tendency will continue with American society accepting increasingly scientific explanations for crime. Thus, based on societal definitions of criminal behavior, crime will inherently be considered hereditary. I argue that the fluid role biology plays is largely based on social climate, and therefore biology does not take precedence over socio-environmental factors-- a mistake that has been committed in the past. With advancing biological and reproductive technologies, novel issues surrounding the biological basis of crime arise: will this result in interventionalist policies before an "at-risk" individual commits a crime? How will this impact our criminal justice system? If criminality carries a biological basis, these issues must be addressed promptly.Polymathic Scholar