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Selected AbstractsInformal learning and the transfer of learning: How managers develop proficiencyHUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY, Issue 4 2003Michael D. Enos This study examined how the extent to which managers engaged in informal learning, perceptions of support in the transfer environment, and level of managerial proficiency related to transfer of learning in twenty core managerial skills. The results suggested that informal learning is predominantly a social process and that managers with high levels of proficiency who experience low levels of coworker, supervisor, and organizational support learn managerial skills mostly from informal learning and transfer learning more frequently. New perspectives are offered on the interrelationship between informal learning and transfer of learning, the role of metacognition and self-regulation in informal learning, and the influence of informal learning in the development of managerial proficiency. [source] Supporting a diverse workforce: What type of support is most meaningful for lesbian and gay employees?HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2008Ann H. Huffman We examine differences in type of support (i.e., supervisor, coworker, organizational) received by lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) employees and the relationship between type of support and relevant outcomes (job and life satisfaction, outness of sexual orientation). Surveys were administered to 99 LGB individuals, and results indicate that support is best viewed as a multi-dimensional construct composed of supervisor, coworker, and organizational support for LGB employees. Overall, supervisor support was related to job satisfaction, coworker support was related to life satisfaction, and organizational support for LGB employees was related to outness.Thus, support for LGB employees isrelated to important outcomes. Practical suggestions for increasing organizational support for LGB employees are offered. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] The Impact of Contextual Self-Ratings and Observer Ratings of Personality on the Personality,Performance Relationship,JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 2 2006Erika Engel Small This study examined 2 possible ways of increasing the predictive validity of personality measures: using observer (i.e., supervisor and coworker) ratings and work-specific self-ratings of Big Five personality factors. Results indicated that among general self-ratings of Big Five personality dimensions, Conscientiousness was the best predictor of in-role performance, and Agreeableness and Emotional Stability were the best predictors of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Observer ratings of personality accounted for incremental variance in job performance (in-role performance and OCB) beyond that accounted for by general self-ratings. However, contrary to our expectations, work-specific (i.e., contextual) self-ratings of personality generally did not account for incremental variance in job performance beyond that accounted for by general self-ratings. [source] The reduction of psychological aggression across varied interpersonal contexts through repentance and forgivenessAGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR, Issue 3 2006Judy Eaton Abstract Research on the resolution of interpersonal conflict has shown that forgiveness is important in reducing aggression and promoting prosocial interactions following a transgression. Although the benefits of forgiveness have been demonstrated in a variety of relationship contexts, a single theoretical model has not been tested across these different contexts. In this study, we employed an attributional framework to examine the relationship between attributions of responsibility for a transgression, repentance, emotions, forgiveness, and psychological aggression toward three different categories of transgressor: a coworker, a friend, and a romantic partner. One hundred and seven participants were asked to describe a recent transgression with a coworker, a friend, and a romantic partner. In each case, responsibility for the event, the degree to which the transgressor apologized, anger, sympathy, forgiveness, and subsequent psychological aggression toward the transgressor were measured. A basic model of aggression reduction, whereby repentance facilitates forgiveness and reduces psychological aggression, was reliable in each category of transgressor. A comparison of the models showed minor differences in how individuals respond to transgressors. Although coworkers apologized less, they were just as likely to be forgiven as romantic partners and friends. In addition, participants were least likely to respond with psychological aggression when a friend transgressed against them. This research provides a theoretical framework within which to study forgiveness and aggression across a variety of contexts. Aggr. Behav. 32:1,12, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Industry-wide medical surveillance of California flavor manufacturing workers: Cross-sectional resultsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 9 2010Thomas J. Kim MD Abstract Background Two cases of bronchiolitis obliterans in flavor manufacturing workers prompted California health and labor agencies to initiate industry-wide surveillance. Methods Companies' physicians submitted cross-sectional questionnaire and spirometry data for 467 workers in 16 workplaces. We compared prevalence ratios of respiratory symptoms, diagnoses, and abnormal spirometry to a general population sample. We calculated odds ratios for risk factors for spirometric obstructive abnormality. Results Flavoring workers were 2.7 times more likely than the general population to have severe airways obstruction. Risk factors identified for 18 cases with obstruction from six companies included younger age, Hispanic ethnicity, liquid and powder production work, greater company diacetyl usage, and having a coworker with obstruction. Severity of obstruction was related to tenure. At least 12 workers had probable occupational fixed airways obstruction. Conclusions The flavoring industry risk of severe lung disease justifies lowering flavoring exposures and medical screening for secondary prevention until worker safety is demonstrated. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:857,865, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The Assessment of Emergency Physicians by a Regulatory AuthorityACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 12 2006Jocelyn M. Lockyer PhD Abstract Objectives To determine whether it is possible to develop a feasible, valid, and reliable multisource feedback program (360° evaluation) for emergency physicians. Methods Surveys with 16, 20, 30, and 31 items were developed to assess emergency physicians by 25 patients, eight coworkers, eight medical colleagues, and self, respectively, using five-point scales along with an "unable to assess" category. Items addressed key competencies related to communication skills, professionalism, collegiality, and self-management. Results Data from 187 physicians who identified themselves as emergency physicians were available. The mean number of respondents per physician was 21.6 (SD ± 3.87) (93%) for patients, 7.6 (SD ± 0.89) (96%) for coworkers, and 7.7 (SD ± 0.61) (95%) for medical colleagues, suggesting it was a feasible tool. Only the patient survey had four items with "unable to assess" percentages ,15%. The factor analysis indicated there were two factors on the patient questionnaire (communication/professionalism and patient education), two on the coworker survey (communication/collegiality and professionalism), and four on the medical colleague questionnaire (clinical performance, professionalism, self-management, and record management) that accounted for 80.0%, 62.5%, and 71.9% of the variance on the surveys, respectively. The factors were consistent with the intent of the instruments, providing empirical evidence of validity for the instruments. Reliability was established for the instruments (Cronbach's , > 0.94) and for each physician (generalizability coefficients were 0.68 for patients, 0.85 for coworkers, and 0.84 for medical colleagues). Conclusions The psychometric examination of the data suggests that the instruments developed to assess emergency physicians were feasible and provide evidence for validity and reliability. [source] Workplace privacy between coworkersEMPLOYMENT RELATIONS TODAY, Issue 2 2007Lynn D. Lieber First page of article [source] Biotic ligand model of the acute toxicity of metals.ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 10 2001Abstract The biotic ligand model (BLM) of acute metal toxicity to aquatic organisms is based on the idea that mortality occurs when the metal,biotic ligand complex reaches a critical concentration. For fish, the biotic ligand is either known or suspected to be the sodium or calcium channel proteins in the gill surface that regulate the ionic composition of the blood. For other organisms, it is hypothesized that a biotic ligand exists and that mortality can be modeled in a similar way. The biotic ligand interacts with the metal cations in solution. The amount of metal that binds is determined by a competition for metal ions between the biotic ligand and the other aqueous ligands, particularly dissolved organic matter (DOM), and the competition for the biotic ligand between the toxic metal ion and the other metal cations in solution, for example, calcium. The model is a generalization of the free ion activity model that relates toxicity to the concentration of the divalent metal cation. The difference is the presence of competitive binding at the biotic ligand, which models the protective effects of other metal cations, and the direct influence of pH. The model is implemented using the Windermere humic aqueous model (WHAM) model of metal,DOM complexation. It is applied to copper and silver using gill complexation constants reported by R. Playle and coworkers. Initial application is made to the fathead minnow data set reported by R. Erickson and a water effects ratio data set by J. Diamond. The use of the BLM for determining total maximum daily loadings (TMDLs) and for regional risk assessments is discussed within a probabilistic framework. At first glance, it appears that a large amount of data are required for a successful application. However, the use of lognormal probability distributions reduces the required data to a manageable amount. [source] Altered striatal amino acid neurotransmitter release monitored using microdialysis in R6/1 Huntington transgenic miceEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 1 2001B. NicNiocaill Abstract Huntington's disease is an autosomal dominant disease which presents with striatal and cortical degeneration causing involuntary movements, dementia and emotional changes. We employed 16-week-old transgenic Huntington mice (R6/1 line developed by Bates and coworkers) that express exon 1 of the mutant human Huntington gene with 115 CAG triplet repeats. At this age, R6/1 mice do not exhibit an overt neurological phenotype nor any striatal neuronal loss. Using microdialysis, we monitored basal and intrastriatal N-methyl d -aspartate (NMDA, 100 µm, 15 min)- and KCl (100 mm, 15 min)-induced increases in local aspartate, glutamate and GABA release in halothane-anaesthetized transgenic mice and wild-type controls. Basal striatal dialysate glutamate levels were reduced by 42% in R6/1 mice whilst aspartate and GABA levels did not differ from those observed in control mice. Intrastriatal NMDA was associated with significantly greater aspartate (at 15 min) and GABA (at 30 min) levels in the R6/1 mice compared to controls, whilst glutamate release rapidly increased to the same extent in both groups. Intrastriatal KCl was associated with enhanced increases (30 min) in local aspartate and glutamate release in the R6/1 mice above those observed in controls whilst the rapid increase (15 min) in GABA release was similar in both groups. The results provide compelling evidence for specific alterations in both basal, as well as NMDA- and KCl-induced, release of striatal amino acid neurotransmitters in this transgenic model of Huntington's disease, even in the absence of manifest neurodegeneration. [source] Sex Composition, Masculinity Stereotype Dissimilarity and the Quality of Men's Workplace Social RelationsGENDER, WORK & ORGANISATION, Issue 5 2003Sharon R. Bird Previous research suggests that the quality of men's work group social relations varies depending on the sex composition of the work unit. Previous studies also suggest that men derive different benefits from working with other men than with women and that the higher status associated with men and masculinity advantages men in their relations with women workers. Previous sex composition studies tell us little, however, about the extent to which the quality of men's work group social relations with women and other men depends on how well a man fits dominant masculinity stereotypes. Drawing on sex composition and gender constructionist approaches to gender and work I investigate in this study the effects of men's individual similarity to masculinity stereotypes on the affective quality of their social relations with coworkers, given the sex composition of their work groups. The data for this study consist of male, mostly white, non-faculty employees of a public university in the northwest United States. I discuss my results in terms of both individual outcomes and implications for understanding sex and gender inequalities in work organizations. [source] Colloidal Networks: Polymorphic Meniscus Convergence for Construction of Quasi-Periodic Assemblies and Networks of Colloidal Nanoparticles (Adv. Mater.ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 37 201037/2010) Quasi-periodic colloidal networks can be constructed on the basis of polymorphic meniscus convergence (MC) in an air-cavity-embedded, nanocolloidal system, report Sin-Doo Lee and coworkers on p. 4172. Depending on the flow associated with the air-cavities, the colloidal particles are self-organized into nanowires through binary MC, hexagonal networks with Y-junctions through ternary MC and square networks with X-junctions through quaternary MC, reflecting the flow symmetry according to the air-cavity deformation. [source] Political ergonomics, macroergonomic battlesHUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS IN MANUFACTURING & SERVICE INDUSTRIES, Issue 5 2008Leszek Pacholski Humanocentric-oriented social and technological systems have to be perceived as the main source of technological advancement. This source it so attractive that from the point of view of acquisition possibilities it captures the attention of not only business people but also political incumbents who (according to Buchanan's theory) want to satisfy their particular interests. A characteristic feature of social and technological systems is their competitive market position. Taking over these systems by political lobbies with the legitimate usage of intended violence is an example of a contemporary macroergonomic battle. Both of Clausewitz's objectives of war are present: a political objective that is forcing the community that makes up the system to fulfill the politically determined will of the party taking over, and a military objective consisting of an attempt of the moral, social, or even physical destruction of the system leader and its direct coworkers. This article presents a specific example: a case study of a macroergonomic battle fought with a big industrial enterprise. This study serves as a starting point for general methodological premises pertaining to an effective strategy of fighting a macroergonomic battle. The essence of this strategy is learning three so-called exogenic levers of occasional acquisition. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Antecedents and outcomes of workplace incivility: Implications for human resource development research and practiceHUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY, Issue 3 2009Thomas G. Reio Jr. This cross-sectional, correlational study (N = 402) examined the relationships among select demographics, workplace adaptation, employee affect, and incivility and physical health and job satisfaction. The paper-and-pencil survey battery consisted of nine scales. The hypotheses were tested through correlational, factor analytic, and hierarchical regression analytic procedures. Younger males engaged more frequently in uncivil behavior. After statistically controlling for the demographic variables, high negative affect and low degree of establishing relationships with coworkers and supervisors (adaptation) predicted more incivility. For the physical health model, establishing relationships with coworkers and positive affect positively contributed to perceived physical health, while organizational incivility negatively contributed to the dependent variable. As for the job satisfaction model, establishing relationships with coworkers and supervisors and positive affect positively predicted satisfaction, whereas negative affect and incivility made negative contributions to the regression equation. In all cases, the magnitude of effect ranged from medium to large, supporting the theoretical, empirical, and practical relevance of understanding the detrimental effects of uncivil behaviors on organizational outcomes. HRD researchers and professionals are highlighted as possible means for reducing uncivil workplace behaviors and improving organizational performance. [source] Approaches to career success: An exploration of surreptitious career-success strategiesHUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2006Lloyd C. Harris Theorists have forwarded a vast range of career-success determinants, including sociodemographic, social capital, personality, and other behavioral factors. We suggest that existing studies have overconcentrated on the overt behavioral determinants of career success to the detriment of the covert, clandestine, and concealed. Our analysis of two detailed qualitative case studies involving 112 indepth interviews with executives, managers, supervisors, and front-line staff in a large financial services organization and a medium-sized fashionable restaurant group uncovered five main strategies of surreptitious career success. These strategies are obligation creation and exploitation, personal-status enhancement, information acquisition and control, similarity exploitation, and proactive vertical alignment. Our findings indicate that just over 79% of those interviewed (88 of 112) referred to, at some point in their careers, premeditated strategies to enhance their careers that they concealed from coworkers. Consequently, we argue that surreptitious actions are central to employee career-focused activities and fundamental to a more complete understanding of the complexities of career-oriented employee behavior. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Contextual factors in the success of reduced-load work arrangements among managers and professionalsHUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2002Mary Dean Lee The purpose of this study was to consider the role of contextual factors, particularly those related to HR policies and practices, in the success of eighty-two professionals and managers working on a reduced-load basis. Results revealed agreement among senior managers, coworkers, direct reports, and reduced-load managers and professionals themselves that the alternative work arrangements were successful. The key factors seen as facilitating success included individual characteristics and behaviors as well as contextual factors related to job content, work group, organizational culture, and human-resource policies and practices. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Quantum chemical studies on molecular structural conformations and hydrated forms of salicylamide and O-hydroxybenzoyl cyanideINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2005K. Anandan Abstract Ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) methods have been employed to study the molecular structural conformations and hydrated forms of both salicylamide (SAM) and O-hydroxybenzoyl cyanide (OHBC). Molecular geometries and energetics have been obtained in the gaseous phase by employing the Møller,Plesset type 2 MP2/6-311G(2d,2p) and B3LYP/6-311G(2d,2p) levels of theory. The presence of an electron-releasing group (SAM) leads to an increase in the energy of the molecular system, while the presence of an electron-withdrawing group (OHBC) drastically decreases the energy. Chemical reactivity parameters (, and ,) have been calculated using the energy values of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) obtained at the Hartree,Fock (HF)/6-311G(2d,2p) level of theory for all the conformers and the principle of maximum hardness (MHP) has been tested. The condensed Fukui functions have been calculated using the atomic charges obtained through the natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis scheme for all the optimized structures at the B3LYP/6-311G(2d,2p) level of theory, and the most reactive sites of the molecules have been identified. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies have been carried out at the B3LYP/6-311G(2d,2p) level of theory for all the conformers in the gaseous phase on the basis of the method of Cheeseman and coworkers. The calculated chemical shift values have been used to discuss the delocalization activity of the electron clouds. The dimeric structures of the most stable conformers of both SAM and OHBC in the gaseous phase have been optimized at the B3LYP/6-311G(2d,2p) level of theory, and the interaction energies have been calculated. The most stable conformers of both compounds bear an intramolecular hydrogen bond, which gives rise to the formation of a pseudo-aromatic ring. These conformers have been allowed to interact with the water molecule. Special emphasis has been given to analysis of the intermolecular hydrogen bonds of the hydrated conformers. Self-consistent reaction field (SCRF) theory has been employed to optimize all the conformers in the aqueous phase (, = 78.39) at the B3LYP/6-311G(2d,2p) level of theory, and the solvent effect has been studied. Vibrational frequency analysis has been performed for all the optimized structures at MP2/6-311G(2d,2p) level of theory, and the stationary points corresponding to local minima without imaginary frequencies have been obtained for all the molecular structures. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005 [source] Computational linear dependence in molecular electronic structure calculations using universal basis setsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2005D. Moncrieff Abstract Distributed universal even-tempered basis sets have been developed over recent years that are capable of supporting Hartree,Fock energies to an accuracy approaching the sub-,Hartree level. These basis sets have also been exploited in correlation studies, in applications to polyatomic molecules, and in the calculation of electric properties, such as multipole moments, polarizabilities, and hyperpolarizabilities. Jorge and coworkers have also developed universal basis sets and have recently reported applications to diatomic molecular systems. In this article, we compare the molecular calculations reported by Jorge and coworkers with our previous studies. Particular attention is given to the degree of computational linear dependence associated with the various basis sets employed and the consequential effects of the accuracy of the calculated energies. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005 [source] Configuration interaction calculation of electronic g tensors in transition metal complexes,INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 3-4 2001Frank Neese Abstract An algorithm for the calculation of electronic g tensors from configuration interaction (CI) wave functions and its implementation for any ground-state spin S is described. The algorithm can be used together with either single- or multireference CI wave functions but assumes a spatially nondegenerate ground state. A one-electron approximation to the spin,orbit coupling (SOC) operator is used. Presently the implementation uses the INDO/S model of Zerner and coworkers. Results are presented for a representative collection of Cu(II) complexes with N-, O-, and S-containing ligands. The calculations reproduce the trends in the experimental data well and show no systematic errors. For the test set the g values are reproduced with a standard deviation of 0.021. The method has therefore a good cost,performance ratio and is expected to be helpful in chemical and biochemical applications. Further improvements are feasible and necessary and are briefly discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 83: 104,114, 2001 [source] Measuring change in work behavior by means of multisource feedbackINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2006Froukje Jellema Evaluating the effects of interventions is among the most critical issues faced by the field of human resource development today. This study addresses the potential of multisource feedback for training evaluation. The central research question is whether or not it is possible to measure change in work behavior, as a result of training, with multisource feedback in a reliable and valid way. A procedure for training evaluation was developed and three quasi-experimental studies were carried out. The psychometric properties of the multisource feedback instruments used are discussed as well as the training effects that were found. Our conclusion is that in most cases coworkers do not perceive positive changes in the work behavior of training participants. Whenever a training effect is observed, this is observed by the ratee's peers, rather than by the ratee's superiors or subordinates. Overall, the results do not support multisource feedback as an efficient method for training evaluation. However, this does not mean that multisource feedback cannot be used in a training context at all. Two alternative applications are presented. [source] The impact of workplace support and identity on training transfer: a case study of drug and alcohol safety training in AustraliaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 4 2004Ken Pidd Previous research has indicated that the transfer climate of work organisations is an important factor in determining the degree to which knowledge, skills and abilities gained in training transfer to the workplace. In particular, workplace social support from supervisors and coworkers is consistently cited as an important factor that can facilitate or inhibit training transfer. However, research evidence regarding the impact of workplace social support on training transfer is mixed. In order to address this issue a study was conducted to identify under what conditions workplace social support impacts on training transfer. This study evaluated a workplace drug and alcohol training programme, to examine the impact of workplace social support and identification with workplace groups on training transfer. Results indicated that the influence of workplace social support on training transfer was moderated by the degree to which trainees identified with workplace groups that provided this support. This study supports the proposition that in order to fully understand training transfer, and to design effective training programmes, training research and practice needs to focus on both the personal and situational factors that may interact to influence learning and transfer. [source] Immigrants working with co-ethnics: Who are they and how do they fare?INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION, Issue 2 2009Feng Hou Participation in ethnic economies has been regarded as an alternative avenue of economic adaptation for immigrants and minorities in major immigrant-receiving countries. This study examines one important dimension of ethnic economies: co-ethnic concentration at the workplace. Using a large national representative sample from Statistics Canada's 2002 Ethnic Diversity Survey, this study addresses four questions: (1) what is the level of co-ethnic concentration at the workplace for Canada's minority groups? (2) How do workers who share the same ethnicity with most of their co-workers differ from other workers in socio-demographic characteristics? (3) Is higher level of co-ethnic concentration at the workplace associated with lower earnings? (4) Is higher level of co-ethnic concentration at the workplace associated with higher levels of life satisfaction? The results show that only a small proportion of immigrants and the Canadian-born work in ethnically homogeneous settings. In Canada's eight largest metropolitan areas about 10 per cent of non-British/French immigrants share a same ethnic origin with the majority of their co-workers. The level is as high as 20 per cent among Chinese immigrants and 18 per cent among Portuguese immigrants. Among Canadian-born minority groups, the level of co-ethnic workplace concentration is about half the level for immigrants. Immigrant workers in ethnically concentrated settings have much lower educational levels and proficiency in English/French. Immigrant men who work mostly with co-ethnics on average earn about 33 per cent less than workers with few or none co-ethnic coworkers. About two thirds of this gap is attributable to differences in demographic and job characteristics. Meanwhile, immigrant workers in ethnically homogenous settings are less likely to report low levels of life satisfaction than other immigrant workers. Among the Canadian-born, co-ethnic concentration is not consistently associated with earnings and life satisfaction. [source] Improving blood donor screening by nucleic acid technology (NAT)ISBT SCIENCE SERIES: THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTRACELLULAR TRANSPORT, Issue n1 2010M. Schmidt The description of the ABO blood group system by Landsteiner and coworkers marked a sea change in making blood transfusions feasible and safe for a broad range of indications. Nevertheless, with an increase in blood transfusions, side-effects such as transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) became more and more important. A major challenge in transfusion medicine was (and is) to develop screening assays with maximum analytical sensitivity and analytical specificity to reduce the diagnostic window period as much as possible. Until the late 1990s, blood screening for TTIs depended entirely on serological assays. Except for HBV, where the virus can be detected using HBs-antigen assays, tests for the detection of other TTIs relied almost exclusively on antibody detection. These tests, however, are associated with a relatively long diagnostic window period because they detect the response of the immune system to an infection. [source] Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress Plays a Key Role in Aging and ApoptosisIUBMB LIFE, Issue 5 2000Juan Sastre Abstract Harman first suggested in 1972 that mitochondria might be the biological clock in aging, noting that the rate of oxygen consumption should determine the rate of accumulation of mitochondrial damage produced by free radical reactions. Later in 1980 Miquel and coworkers proposed the mitochondrial theory of cell aging. Mitochondria from postmitotic cells use O2 at a high rate, hence releasing oxygen radicals that exceed the cellular antioxidant defences. The key role of mitochondria in cell aging has been outlined by the degeneration induced in cells microinjected with mitochondria isolated from fibroblasts of old rats, especially by the inverse relationship reported between the rate of mitochondrial production of hydroperoxide and the maximum life span of species. An important change in mitochondrial lipid composition is the age-related decrease found in cardiolipin content. The concurrent enhancement of lipid peroxidation and oxidative modification of proteins in mitochondria further increases mutations and oxidative damage to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the aging process. The respiratory enzymes containing the defective mtDNA-encoded protein subunits may increase the production of reactive oxygen species, which in turn would aggravate the oxidative damage to mitochondria. Moreover, superoxide radicals produced during mitochondrial respiration react with nitric oxide inside mitochondria to yield damaging peroxynitrite. Treatment with certain antioxidants, such as sulphur-containing antioxidants, vitamins C and E, or the Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761, protects against the ageassociated oxidative damage to mtDNA and the oxidation of mitochondrial glutathione. Moreover, the EGb 761 extract also prevents changes in mitochondrial morphology and function associated with aging of the brain and liver. [source] The Experiences of Bystanders of Workplace Ethnic HarassmentJOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 10 2007K. S. Douglas Low The present research examined the experiences of individuals who witnessed or knew about ethnic harassment of their coworkers. Through 3 studies, we found that knowledge of other people's harassment was differentiated from personal experiences as a target and was associated with deleterious occupational, health-related, and psychological consequences beyond those accounted for by direct harassment and affective disposition. Ethnicity and gender did not moderate these relationships. Knowledge of others' ethnic harassment can therefore be construed as bystander harassment. Results also indicated that bystander and direct harassment were relatively common occurrences. Both harassment types contributed to how ethnic conflict is experienced. The consequences of ethnic harassment are not restricted to ethnic minority employees. Rather, everyone is at risk from such behaviors. [source] The Early History of Cardiac Surgery in StockholmJOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 6 2003Kjell Radegran M.D. The portal figure is Clarence Crafoord (1899,1983) who already in 1927 had succeeded with the Trendelenburg pulmonary embolectomy operation. He went on to develop lung surgery in general. With foresight he stimulated the chemists of Karolinska Institute to purify heparin, first for prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism and later for use with the heart-lung machine. In 1944 he became the first surgeon to successfully operate on patients with coarctation of the aorta. With Viking Olov Bjork and Ake Senning the heart-lung machine was improved, finally allowing its clinical use in a patient operated in 1954 for a myxoma of the left atrium, with long-term survival. This was the first successful use of the heart-lung machine in Sweden and the second in the world. He and his coworkers, first at the Sabbatsberg hospital and from 1957 at the Karolinska hospital made major contributions to cardiology and radiology, apart from the progresses in cardiac surgery. Contributions such as pressure recording from the left atrium by needle puncture in 1950, the Senning operation for transposition of the great arteries and the first use of a totally implantable cardiac pacemaker in 1958 are indeed medical history. (J Card Surg 2003;18:564-572) [source] Electronic structure of iron(II),porphyrin nitroxyl complexes: Molecular mechanism of fungal nitric oxide reductase (P450nor)JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY, Issue 12 2006Nicolai Lehnert Abstract Density functional calculations are employed to investigate key intermediates of the catalytic cycle of fungal nitric oxide reductase (P450nor). The formal Fe(II),nitroxyl species Fe(II)NO/(,) can principally exist in the two spin-states S = 0 and S = 1. In the S = 0 case, a very covalent FeNO , bond is present, which leads to an electronic structure description that is actually intermediate between Fe(I)NO and Fe(II)NO,. In contrast, the S = 1 case shows a ferrous Fe(II)NO complex with the extra electron being stored in the , system of the porphyrin ligand. Importantly, the Fe(II)NO/(,) species are very basic. The electronic structures and spectroscopic properties of the corresponding N- and O-protonated forms are very different, and unequivocally show that the Mb,HNO adduct (Mb-Myoglobin) prepared by farmer and coworkers is in fact N-protonated. The presence of an axial thiolate ligand enables a second protonation leading to the corresponding Fe(IV)NHOH, species, which is identified with the catalytically active intermediate I of P450nor. This species reacts with a second molecule of NO by initial electron transfer from NO to Fe(IV) followed by addition of NO+ forming an NN bond. This is accompanied by an energetically very favorable intramolecular proton transfer leading to the generation of a quite stable Fe(III)N(OH)(NOH) complex. This way, the enzyme is able to produce dimerized HNO under very controlled conditions and to prevent loss of this ligand from Fe(III). The energetically disfavoured tautomer Fe(III)N(OH2)(NO) is the catalytically productive species that spontaneously cleaves the NOH2 bond forming N2O and H2O in a highly exergonic reaction. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 27: 1338,1351, 2006 [source] Accuracy of free energies of hydration using CM1 and CM3 atomic chargesJOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY, Issue 11 2004Blagovi, Marina Udier Abstract Absolute free energies of hydration (,Ghyd) have been computed for 25 diverse organic molecules using partial atomic charges derived from AM1 and PM3 wave functions via the CM1 and CM3 procedures of Cramer, Truhlar, and coworkers. Comparisons are made with results using charges fit to the electrostatic potential surface (EPS) from ab initio 6-31G* wave functions and from the OPLS-AA force field. OPLS Lennard,Jones parameters for the organic molecules were used together with the TIP4P water model in Monte Carlo simulations with free energy perturbation theory. Absolute free energies of hydration were computed for OPLS united-atom and all-atom methane by annihilating the solutes in water and in the gas phase, and absolute ,Ghyd values for all other molecules were computed via transformation to one of these references. Optimal charge scaling factors were determined by minimizing the unsigned average error between experimental and calculated hydration free energies. The PM3-based charge models do not lead to lower average errors than obtained with the EPS charges for the subset of 13 molecules in the original study. However, improvement is obtained by scaling the CM1A partial charges by 1.14 and the CM3A charges by 1.15, which leads to average errors of 1.0 and 1.1 kcal/mol for the full set of 25 molecules. The scaled CM1A charges also yield the best results for the hydration of amides including the E/Z free-energy difference for N -methylacetamide in water. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 25: 1322,1332, 2004 [source] The reduction of psychological aggression across varied interpersonal contexts through repentance and forgivenessAGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR, Issue 3 2006Judy Eaton Abstract Research on the resolution of interpersonal conflict has shown that forgiveness is important in reducing aggression and promoting prosocial interactions following a transgression. Although the benefits of forgiveness have been demonstrated in a variety of relationship contexts, a single theoretical model has not been tested across these different contexts. In this study, we employed an attributional framework to examine the relationship between attributions of responsibility for a transgression, repentance, emotions, forgiveness, and psychological aggression toward three different categories of transgressor: a coworker, a friend, and a romantic partner. One hundred and seven participants were asked to describe a recent transgression with a coworker, a friend, and a romantic partner. In each case, responsibility for the event, the degree to which the transgressor apologized, anger, sympathy, forgiveness, and subsequent psychological aggression toward the transgressor were measured. A basic model of aggression reduction, whereby repentance facilitates forgiveness and reduces psychological aggression, was reliable in each category of transgressor. A comparison of the models showed minor differences in how individuals respond to transgressors. Although coworkers apologized less, they were just as likely to be forgiven as romantic partners and friends. In addition, participants were least likely to respond with psychological aggression when a friend transgressed against them. This research provides a theoretical framework within which to study forgiveness and aggression across a variety of contexts. Aggr. Behav. 32:1,12, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The Use of Instant Messaging in Working Relationship Development: A Case StudyJOURNAL OF COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION, Issue 4 2005Hee-Kyung Cho This article examines how Instant Messaging (IM) systems help employees of a Korean organization improve their relationships with their coworkers within and across organizational boundaries,within departments, between departments, and outside the organization. We briefly review literature about IM in developing working relationships and build our research questions. We then provide data analysis results based on a survey and structured interviews. Subsequently, in an exploratory case study of two individuals, we extend the analysis of departmental boundaries by including hierarchical levels, job profiles, and different communication purposes. Quantitative Social Network Analysis and visualization are used to analyze the communication pattern of the two individuals. [source] A thermodynamic analysis of the activated sludge process: Application to soybean wastewater treatment in a sequencing batch reactorAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 10 2009Bing-jie Ni Abstract A bioenergetic methodology was integrated with a modified activated sludge model No.1 (ASM1) to analyze the activated sludge process, with the treatment of soybean-processing wastewater as an example. With the bioenergetic methodology established by McCarty and coworkers, the microbial yield was predicted and the overall stoichiometrics for biological reactions involving the key chemical and biological species in activated sludge were established. These obtained parameters were related to the ASM1 model, which was modified after coupling the biological reactions in activated sludge with electron balances. This approach was able to approximately describe the treatment of soybean wastewater by activated sludge in a sequencing batch reactor in terms of substrate utilization, biomass growth, and the elector acceptor consumption. Such an attempt provides useful information for accurate modeling of the complex activated sludge process. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||