Transforming an Organization Through Prototyping: A Case Study

An organizational prototype is a forum to address simultaneously process, behavioral, and cultural change pursuant to business process redesign (BPR). in this case study, IS personnel facilitated organizational prototypes, thereby extending their knowledge of business systems to a new sphere, facilitating business process redesign. Success of the prototypes led to success in obtaining corporate funding for new client/server systems to support the changes in business operations.     

Effect of phytosterol structure on thermal polymerization of heated soybean oil

This study determined the effect of phytosterol structure, including the degree of unsaturation and the presence of an ethylidene group in the side chain, on the thermal polymerization of heated soybean oil. Indigenous tocopherols and phytosterols were removed from soybean oil by molecular distillation. Pure phytosterols were added back to the stripped soybean oil at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 5 mg/g oil (0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 wt-%). These oils were heated at 180 °C over a period of 8 h, and triacylglycerol dimers and polymers, fatty acid composition, and residual phytosterol content were determined. None of the phytosterols prevented triacylglycerol dimer and polymer formation when used at 0.5 mg/g; however, phytosterols with two or more double bonds, regardless of the presence of an ethylidene group in the side chain, provided slight protection when added at 1 mg/g. Ergosterol addition at 5 mg/g reduced polymer formation by 16–20% compared to the control oil, but at this level none of the other phytosterols provided protection of any practical significance. Thus, under the conditions used for this heating study, the degree of phytosterol unsaturation was more important for its anti-polymerization activity than the presence of an ethylidene group.     

The effect of subclinical ketosis in early lactation on reproductive performance of postpartum dairy cows

Data generated from 796 Holstein cows enrolled in a clinical trial to investigate the health effect of a monensin controlled release capsule were analyzed to investigate the association between circulating serum β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentration in the peri-parturient period and subsequent reproductive performance. Overall, accounting for both repeated measures within cow and clustering at the herd level, non-pregnant cows after first insemination tended to have increased circulating BHBA concentrations from 3 wk before calving to 9 wk after calving relative to pregnant cows. Including the interaction between the week of sample collection and pregnancy outcome, non-pregnant cows had higher circulating BHBA concentrations in the second week after calving than cows diagnosed pregnant after first artificial insemination. Within individual weeks, cows with circulating BHBA concentrations ≥1,000 μmol/L in the first week postpartum were less likely to be diagnosed pregnant after first insemination. In the second week postpartum, the cows with circulating BHBA concentrations ≥1,400 μmol/L were significantly less likely to be pregnant after first artificial insemination. A dose response relationship was found when a comparison of the probability of pregnancy after first insemination and duration of elevated circulating ketone bodies was investigated. The probability of pregnancy was reduced by 20% in cows diagnosed subclinically ketotic in either the first or second week postpartum. Nevertheless, cows above the subclinical ketosis threshold in both the first and second week postpartum were 50% less likely to be pregnant after first insemination. Similarly, the median time to pregnancy increased in cows experiencing elevated BHBA concentrations in either (124 d) or both (130 d) the first and second week postpartum relative to cows never experiencing elevated BHBA concentrations (108 d). To further investigate this, the effect of elevated circulating BHBA was permitted to vary with time. The effect decreased with time, such that the daily probability of pregnancy increased similar to nonsubclinically ketotic cows by approximately 160 d in milk. From this analysis, both the relative circulating concentration of BHBA and the duration of elevated circulating BHBA were negatively associated with the probability of pregnancy at first service.     

Risk factors for postpartum uterine diseases in dairy cows

The objective of this observational study was to investigate the risk factors for metritis, purulent vaginal discharge, and cytological endometritis. The hypothesis was that purulent vaginal discharge and cytological endometritis would have different risk factors because they represent distinct manifestations of uterine disease. Data generated from 1,363 Holstein cows (3 herds) enrolled in a randomized clinical trial were used. Calving history, periparturient disease incidence, and body condition score at calving and at 63 d in milk (DIM) were recorded. Serum nonesterified fatty acid concentration was measured once during the week before expected calving. Serum nonesterified fatty acid, β-hydroxybutyric acid, and haptoglobin (Hapto) concentrations were measured at 4 ± 3, 11 ± 3, and 18 ± 3 DIM. Serum progesterone concentration was measured at 21 ± 3, 35 ± 3, 49 ± 3, and 63 ± 3 DIM. Metritis was diagnosed by farm managers within the first 20 DIM using a standardized definition. Cows were examined at 35 ± 3 DIM by a veterinarian for purulent vaginal discharge (mucopurulent or worse vaginal discharge; Metricheck device) and cytological endometritis (≥ 6% polymorphonuclear cells on endometrial cytology; cytobrush device). Statistical analyses were performed using multivariable logistic regression models for each disease, accounting for the random effect of herd. Risk factors for metritis included increased nonesterified fatty acid prepartum (≥ 0.6 mmol/L), dystocia, retained placenta, and increased Hapto in the first week postpartum (≥ 0.8 g/L). Risk factors for purulent vaginal discharge included twinning, dystocia, metritis, and increased Hapto (≥ 0.8 g/L) in the first week postpartum. Risk factors for cytological endometritis included low body condition score at parturition (≤ 2.75), hyperketonemia (≥ 1,100 μmol/L), and increased Hapto (≥ 0.8 g/L) in the first week postpartum. These results support the hypothesis that some of the risk factors for purulent vaginal discharge and cytological endometritis are different, which supports that they are distinct manifestations of uterine disease.     

Controlled trial of the effect of negative dietary cation-anion difference prepartum diets on milk production,reproductive performance,and culling of dairy cows

Our objective was to assess the effects of feeding negative dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) prepartum diets on milk production, reproductive performance, and culling. Cows from 4 commercial farms in Ontario, Canada were enrolled in a pen-level controlled trial from November 2017 to April 2019. Close-up pens (1 per farm) with cows 3 wk before calving were randomly assigned to a negative DCAD (TRT; ?108 mEq/kg of dry matter; target urine pH 6.0–6.5) or a control diet (CON; +105 mEq/kg of dry matter with a placebo supplement). Each pen was fed TRT or CON for 3 mo (1 period), and then switched to the other treatment for the next period (4 periods per farm). Data from 15 experimental units (8 pen treatments in TRT and 7 in CON), with a total of 1,086 observational units (cows), were included. The effect of treatment on milk yield at the first 3 milk recording tests of lactation was assessed with linear regression models accounting for repeated measures. The risk of pregnancy at first artificial insemination and culling by 30, 60, and 305 d in milk (DIM) were analyzed with logistic regression models, and effects on time to first AI, pregnancy, and culling were assessed with Cox proportional hazards models. All models included treatment, parity, and their interactions, accounting for pen-level randomization and clustering of animals within farm with random effects, giving 10 degrees of freedom for treatment effects. Multiparous cows fed TRT produced more milk at the first (42.0 vs. 38.8 ± 1.2 kg/d) and second (44.2 vs. 41.7 ± 1.3 kg/d) milk tests. However, multiparous cows fed TRT tended to have 0.2 percentage units less milk fat content at these tests. Although multiparous cows fed TRT tended to have greater energy-corrected milk at the first test (least squares means ± standard error: TRT = 46.1 ± 0.9 vs. CON = 43.8 ± 1 kg/d), there were no differences observed in energy-corrected milk at the second or third tests. In primiparous cows, there was no effect of treatment on milk production. Multiparous cows fed TRT had greater pregnancy to first insemination (TRT = 42 ± 3 vs. CON = 32 ± 4%) and tended to have shorter time to pregnancy [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.20; 95% CI: 0.96–1.49]. In primiparous cows fed TRT, time to pregnancy was increased (HR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.59–0.99). Culling by 30 DIM tended to be less in TRT (3.3 ± 1.1%) than CON (5.5 ± 1.8%). No effect of treatment on culling by 305 DIM was detected in primiparous cows, but in multiparous cows, the TRT diets decreased the odds of culling (21.3 ± 1.9 vs. 31.7 ± 2.8%) and daily risk of culling to 305 DIM (HR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.46 to 0.89). Under commercial herd conditions, prepartum negative DCAD diets improved milk production and reproductive performance, and reduced culling risk in multiparous cows. In primiparous cows, TRT diets had no effect on milk yield or culling, but increased the time to pregnancy. Our results suggest that negative DCAD diets should be targeted to multiparous cows.     

Properties of rice bran oil‐derived functional ingredients

Lipid ingredients that demonstrate high stability and positive health profiles without the use of trans‐fats are needed in the food supply. Rice bran oil can be fractionated at low temperatures to create a series of spreads that show promise as functional ingredients. A rice bran oil‐derived spread can extend the fry life of soybean oil and can also be incorporated into baked goods such as bread and granola as a trans‐fat free alternative to butter or shortening.     

Form of reference: Sex differences in letters of recommendation.

Studied the use of reference systems in letters of recommendation to determine if status and solidarity norms reflect gender inequality in academia. Patterning of form of reference (i.e., recommender's use of first name, full name, last name, or formal title when referring to the candidate) was examined in 1,049 letters for 284 psychology and sociology candidates for academic positions. Sex of recommender, academic area, and quality of doctoral institution were used as controls. Results show more frequent references by title to females and by first name to males. A 2nd study of 102 academicians' perceptions of the meaning implied by different forms of reference provided the basis for interpreting the findings. As letter readers, Ss interpreted title to mean status and first name to indicate solidarity. Sex differences emerged when Ss were treated as letter writers: Men focused on the solidarity dimension, with first name clearly indicating liking, whereas women emphasized the status norm, using first name primarily to imply low status. Findings suggest that an interpretation of the application of solidarity and/or status norms with form of reference must consider both sex of recommender and sex of applicant. (29 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Old Boys Down Home: Immigration and Social Integration in Halifax

Canadian cities are active competitors in the process of recruiting immigrants to help them increase diversity, improve their economies, and stimulate population growth. This study of Halifax, a small city in eastern Canada, suggests that some features which make the city-region attractive for inter-provincial migrants — such as the easy pace of life, perceptions of homogeneity, and tight social networks — affect the ability of international migrants to integrate in the community.     

Internet–depression link?

Comments on the article by R. Kraut et al (see record 1998-10886-001) regarding links between Internet use and depression. Rierdan expresses conceptual and analytic concerns about whether Kraut et al actually assessed depression in their study or whether they found a relationship between Internet use and "depression" as they assessed it. The author expresses concern regarding the range of scores for Kraut et al study participants on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and argues that the most valid interpretation of the scores is that the Ss in this study had low levels of distress. As a group, they were not depressed before or after the study. The author raises a second analytic issue regarding analytic techniques, arguing that effect sizes for the group were actually very small. The author suggests that the finding of an association between Internet use and distress has few implications for public policy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)