Prompt phonon signals from particle interactions in Si crystals

We discuss the prompt (ballistic and quasidiffuse) phonon physics associated with elementary particle interactions within silicon crystals at temperatures below 1 K, and the differences in the ballistic and quasidiffuse phonon production from primary electron recoils versus primary nuclear recoils within these crystals. We then summarize the results from a growing body of direct experimental evidence on prompt phonon signals from particle detectors bombarded with alphas, x-rays, and neutrons.     

The diffusion of an evidence-based disease guidance system for managing stroke

This paper describes the diffusion of an evidence-based stroke guidance system (SGS) in a field setting through participatory research. SGS enables physicians to review relevant evidence-based literature, from which patient orders are generated for managing cerebrovascular accident. The paper focuses on the question 'what are the barriers and enablers to adopting SOS?' The research site consisted of eight hospitals within two health regions in Alberta, with 47 physicians as the intended users. The data sources consisted of surveys, education sessions, design feedback, field observations, and usage logs. Preliminary results revealed an initial slow rate of adoption that gradually improved with the influence of clinical champions, more effective communication, sustained education, round-the-clock support and continued system refinement. These initial findings suggest that models of technological diffusion can help us better understand the complexities of changing physician practice behaviors.     

The role of performance antecedents and consequences in work motivation: Correction to Komaki, Collins, and Penn.

Reports an error in the original article by Judith L. Komaki, Robert L. Collins, and Pat Penn (Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 67, No. 3, pp. 334-340). An incorrect version of Figure 1 was printed. The correct version is provided. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 1982-26864-001.) Assessed the effects of both antecedents and consequences while keeping supervisory involvement and stimulus changes constant. The safety performance of 200 employees in 4 departments of a processing plant was monitored 3 times/wk over 46 wks. A multiple baseline design was used in which the phases were introduced in steps. Following baseline, the antecedent condition was presented, in which safety rules were explained and safety meetings held, along with frequent supervisor interaction and stimulus changes. Then the performance consequence, feedback, in which a feedback graph was maintained and feedback meetings held, was added. The antecedent condition, even when bolstered by fairly extensive supervisor involvement, resulted in improvements in only 2 out of 4 departments. Only during the consequent condition did performance significantly improve in all departments over baseline and antecedent conditions. Furthermore, employees reported that they preferred obtaining information following their performance. The results confirm that performance consequences such as feedback play a critical role in work motivation and that antecedents alone may not be effective in all cases, even with fairly extensive supervisor involvement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Bubble Sets: Revealing Set Relations with Isocontours over Existing Visualizations

While many data sets contain multiple relationships, depicting more than one data relationship within a single visualization is challenging. We introduce Bubble Sets as a visualization technique for data that has both a primary data relation with a semantically significant spatial organization and a significant set membership relation in which members of the same set are not necessarily adjacent in the primary layout. In order to maintain the spatial rights of the primary data relation, we avoid layout adjustment techniques that improve set cluster continuity and density. Instead, we use a continuous, possibly concave, isocontour to delineate set membership, without disrupting the primary layout. Optimizations minimize cluster overlap and provide for calculation of the isocontours at interactive speeds. Case studies show how this technique can be used to indicate multiple sets on a variety of common visualizations.     

Alkaline degradation of oligosaccharides coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry: a method for sequencing oligosaccharides

A new technique for determining sequence and linkage information of underivatized oligosaccharides is developed using alkaline degradation and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry (MALDI-FTMS). Alkaline degradation (also known as the "peeling" reaction) is a chemical degradation technique that only cleaves the glycosidic bond at the reducing end by beta-elimination to yield a new reducing end. The reaction products are sampled directly with minimal cleanup and monitored by MALDI-FTMS to elucidate the oligosaccharide sequence. Linkage information is provided by cross-ring cleavage fragmentation of the new reducing ends, created by either MALDI source fragmentation or sustained off-resonance irradiation collision-induced dissociation. This method is illustrated by the successful sequence and linkage determination of neutral, branched, fucosylated, and sialylated oligosaccharides. Experiments on differently linked disaccharides are also performed to determine the specificity of the cross-ring cleavage reactions. The power of this technique is enhanced by the Fourier transform mass analyzer, which provides high-resolution, exact mass, and facile tandem mass spectrometry experiments of MALDI-produced ions.     

Design and simulation challenges for FERMI@elettra

FERMI@elettra is a fourth-generation light source user facility under construction at the Elettra Laboratory in Trieste, Italy. The high-quality 1.2 GeV electron beam drives two-seeded Free Electron Lasers (FELs) in the wavelength range 100−10 nm. Wavelength tunability, variable polarization and higher electron beam energies to reach even shorter output wavelengths are also in the machine delivery plan. This paper describes the physics processes that have been modelled to simulate FERMI@elettra and the computer codes used to optimize the machine design. The paper focuses on several design challenges and how these translate into modelling and simulation challenges.