Search

Sculpting of structure and function of three-dimensional multicellular tissues depend critically on the spatial and temporal coordination of cellular physical properties. Yet the organizational principles that govern these events, and their disruption in disease, remain poorly understood. My lab works on developing new tools to characterize and understand the role of mechanics in biology. In this talk, I will first introduce our recent progress in characterizing cell and ECM mechanics in 3D and in multicellular systems, such as a breast cancer model. Then I will discuss a recent work reporting the crucial role of interfacial curvature on collective cell migration. Finally, I would also like to discuss the impact of cell mechanics on a verity of critical cell biological functions.

Confucianism has been identified as the major cultural factor that explains the economic success of the Asian Five Dragons (Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan). This paper explores the impact of Confucianism on the organizational communication in these nations, based on the four key principles of confucian teaching: the hierarchical relationship, the family system, "Jen" (benevolence), and the emphasis on education. The paper notes that the confucian emphasis on education at all levels has become one of the most important characteristics of Chinese culture, and the tradition is carried over to every Asian nation, especially the Asian Five Dragons. The paper further discusses the influence of these four principles of Confucianism on management behaviors and communication in the organization. The paper also explains the implication of Confucianism's influence on organizational communication. Three tables presenting Confucian principles and their relation to interpersonal communication, management, and organizational communication are included. (Contains 42 references.) (Author/RS)

A pilot study examined problems encountered by foreign instructors teaching in American colleges. Fourteen Chinese-born instructors teaching in Speech Communication answered a questionnaire containing 12 open-ended questions. Recurring themes were coded from the answers, and then organized into three categories: cultural differences; linguistic level of understanding; and relationship development. Results indicated that: (1) cultural differences was the major difficulty the subjects encountered; (2) deeper meanings of their students' language (including slang, idioms, and jokes) were the linguistic barriers the subjects were trying to overcome; (3) American students tended to use formal language to interact with foreign instructors, limiting establishment of personal relationships; and (4) subjects reported a high degree of satisfaction with teaching. Future studies should examine other ethnic groups besides the Chinese, other fields besides speech communication, and increase the number of participants for more reliable results. (A figure modeling the problems foreign instructors encountered in American colleges is included; 21 references and the questionnaire are attached.) (Author/RS)

A study investigated the conceptual and functional meanings of the concept of conflict from the perspectives of United States culture (a low-context culture) and Chinese culture (a high-context culture). Subjects, 50 American and 48 Chinese graduate students in a midsize northeastern university, were interviewed using a semi-structured format to identify differences and similarities among seven variables pertaining to choice of dominant style in the two groups. Results indicated that: (1) there were many areas where the two groups' definitions converged and overlapped; (2) unpleasant feeling is universal in a conflict situation for both groups; (3) both groups emphasized the importance of giving assistance to their counterparts in a conflict situation; (4) responses were clustered into three general categories--from the subject's perspective, from the perspective of the subject's counterpart, and from the perspectives of personal and group interests; (5) significant differences existed between American interviewees and Chinese interviewees on face, seniority, severity of conflict, and gender variables; and (6) there was a large degree of similarity of rank order between the two groups. Findings suggest general support for assumptions originating from the distinction of low-context versus high-context cultures. Findings also suggest the universal nature of perceptions and feelings shown in conflict situations. (Six tables of data are included; 50 references are attached.) (RS)

A study investigated the relationships between social desirability (the tendency to seek socially and culturally approved behaviors) and argumentativeness, communication apprehension, and communication competence. Using R. Strahan and K. C. Gerbasi's Social Desirability Scales, from a pool of 259 undergraduate students, 70 students were identified as high social desirability individuals and 96 as low social desirability individuals. Both groups completed three instruments measuring argumentativeness, communication competence, and communication apprehension. Results indicated that the high social desirability individuals tend to be more apprehensive, more competent, and less argumentative in the process of communication. (One table of data is included; 45 references are attached.) (Author/RS)

A study investigated differences in self-disclosure, comparing patterns in Americans versus Chinese. Subjects, 198 American college students and 146 Chinese (Taiwan) students studying in the United States, completed a 200-item self-disclosure chart to target persons on special topics. Results of t-tests and analysis of variance indicated that American subjects disclosed more than did Chinese subjects on different conversational topics (opinion, interests, work, financial issues, personality, and body) and to different target persons (including parents, strangers, acquaintances, and intimate friends); and that significant differences regarding disclosure existed between American males and females regarding disclosure to acquaintance males, and between Chinese males and females regarding disclosure to intimate female friends. (Four tables of data are included; 47 references are attached.) (Author/RS)

A study examined the relationships between self-disclosure and perceived intercultural effectiveness. Subjects, 129 foreign students from Asia attending a large midwestern university and a large eastern university in the United States, completed two sets of questionnaires. Results from Pearson product-moment correlation, canonical analysis, and stepwise multiple regression analysis showed: (1) positive relationships between intent, honesty, and positiveness of self-disclosure and intercultural effectiveness; and (2) negative relationships between amount and depth of self-disclosure and intercultural effectiveness. Results of one-way analysis of variance on self-disclosure and intercultural effectiveness further indicated the differences among subjects from different nations. Findings suggest that, for Asians, the amount and depth of self-disclosure were the least important elements in forming an intimate relationship. (Three tables of data are included; 58 references are attached.) (Author/RS)

A study of 142 foreign college students staying in the United States examined the effects of communication adaptability and interaction involvement on cross-cultural adjustment. Further testing was conducted to investigate which of the components of communication adaptability and interaction involvement best predicted the dimensions of cross-cultural adjustment. It was hypothesized that significant and positive relationships existed among communication adaptability, interaction involvement, and cross-cultural adjustment. E. W. Wheeless and R. L. Duran's 20-item Communicative Adaptability Scale was administered to the students, as were D. J. Cegala's 18-item Interaction Involvement Scale and A. Furnham and S. Bochner's 26-item Social Situations Questionnaire. The results supported the hypothesis. Differences among the subjects from diverse countries were reported. (Two tables are included; 50 references are attached.) (Author/SG)