Exploring the impact of instant messaging on subjective task complexity and user satisfaction

Instant messaging (IM) technologies are being rapidly deployed in the workplace. Current studies largely focus on the adoption of IM and how IM is used. Little research has been conducted to understand the potential impact of using IM in the workplace. This paper theorizes and empirically tests how the frequency of IM interruptions and the position power of message sender could interact with an individual’s polychronic orientation, that is, multitasking preference, and jointly influence employee satisfaction and subjective task complexity. The present study illustrates that polychronic knowledge workers are more satisfied with the multitasking work process deploying IM technology than monochronic ones. In addition, the effect of interruptions is dependent upon an individual’s polychronic orientation. The increase in interruption frequency only reduces the process satisfaction of monochronic individuals but not polychronic individuals. Further, the polychronic orientation of message receivers also influences how they process information. When IM messages are sent from their supervisors, monochronic individuals tend to prioritize tasks and perceive a lower level of overall task complexity. The information processing of polychronic individuals seem to be less influenced by the position power of message sender.     

A preliminary assessment of beryllium dust oxidation during a wet bypass accident in a fusion reactor

A beryllium dust oxidation model has been developed at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) by the Fusion Safety Program (FSP) for the MELCOR safety computer code. The purpose of this model is to investigate hydrogen production from beryllium dust layers on hot surfaces inside a fusion reactor vacuum vessel (VV) during in-vessel loss-of-cooling accidents (LOCAs). This beryllium dust oxidation model accounts for the diffusion of steam into a beryllium dust layer, the oxidation of the dust particles inside this layer based on the beryllium–steam oxidation equations developed at the INL, and the effective thermal conductivity of this beryllium dust layer. This paper details this oxidation model and presents the results of the application of this model to a wet bypass accident scenario in the ITER device.     

Investigation of ionic polymer cathode binders for microbial fuel cells

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) air cathodes examined here were made using poly(phenylsulfone) (Radel^®) binders sulfonated to various ion exchange capacities (IECs). We examined the effect of increasing the IEC of poly(phenylsulfone) Radel binders from 0 to 2.54 meq/g on cathode performance using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), impedance, and single chamber air-cathode MFC tests. Unsulfonated Radel, which is a non-ionic, hydrophobic polymer, showed the highest current in LSV tests and the lowest charge transfer resistance. Increasing the binder IEC resulted in a decreased current response in LSV tests and an increased charge transfer resistance from 8 to 23 Ω. It is proposed that the presence of sulfonate groups in the cathode binder impeded the oxygen reduction activity of the cathodes by adsorption of the sulfonate to catalytic sites and by impeding proton diffusion to the catalyst surface. The unsulfonated Radel binder produced the most stable performance, and eventually the highest power density, in MFCs operated over 20 cycles (55 days). These results suggest that the use of a non-ionic binder is advantageous in an MFC cathode to facilitate charge transfer and stable performance in the neutral pH conditions found in MFCs.     

The utility of exercise testing after cardiac transplantation in older patients

We studied here the effects of 8 kinds of kampo-hozais clinically used to treat atopic dermatitis (Shofu-san, Toki-inshi, Unsei-in, Oren-gedoku-to, Ji-zuso-ippo, Jumi-haidoku-to, Juzen-taiho-to, Hochu-ekki-to) on delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), using three types of murine models such as picryl chloride (PC)-induced (contact hypersensitivity), sheep red blood cell (SRBC)-induced (Jones-Mote's reaction) and tuberculin-induced DTH response, in order to clarify and to compare the immunopharmacological action of kampo-hozais. Most of the kampo-hozais investigated here suppressed PC-induced contact hypersensitivity, especially at the inductive phase. Comparing the efficacies of these kampo-hozais on the three types of DTH responses in mice, they were generally divided into 4 groups. Shofu-san significantly reduced PC-induced and tuberculin-induced DTH responses but not a SRBC-induced DTH response. On the other hand, Toki-inshi reduced contact hypersensitivity, tuberculin type DTH response and Jones-Mote's reaction. Ji-zuso-ippo and Juzen-taiho-to suppressed mainly Jones-Mote's reaction, and Unsei-in, Oren-gedoku-to and Jumi-haidoku-to intensively suppressed contact hypersensitivity. We thought that these findings could help us understand how to use these kampo-hozais properly.     

Modeling the National Ignition Facility neutron imaging system

Numerical modeling of the neutron imaging system for the National Ignition Facility (NIF), forward from calculated target neutron emission to a camera image, will guide both the reduction of data and the future development of the system. Located 28 m from target chamber center, the system can produce two images at different neutron energies by gating on neutron arrival time. The brighter image, using neutrons near 14 MeV, reflects the size and symmetry of the implosion "hot spot." A second image in scattered neutrons, 10-12 MeV, reflects the size and symmetry of colder, denser fuel, but with only ～1%-7% of the neutrons. A misalignment of the pinhole assembly up to ±175?μm is covered by a set of 37 subapertures with different pointings. The model includes the variability of the pinhole point spread function across the field of view. Omega experiments provided absolute calibration, scintillator spatial broadening, and the level of residual light in the down-scattered image from the primary neutrons. Application of the model to light decay measurements of EJ399, BC422, BCF99-55, Xylene, DPAC-30, and Liquid A suggests that DPAC-30 and Liquid A would be preferred over the BCF99-55 scintillator chosen for the first NIF system, if they could be fabricated into detectors with sufficient resolution.     

Allocation of attention in dichotic listening: Differential effects on the detection and localization of signals.

In 2 dichotic listening experiments, 96 normal right-handed adults attended selectively to the left and right ear and divided their attention equally between both ears. Participants listened for specified targets and reported the ear of entry. The material consisted of pairs of consonant–vowel syllables in Experiment 1 and pairs of rhyming consonant–vowel–consonant words in Experiment 2. Both experiments yielded a right-ear advantage for detection and for localization. Attention instructions had no effect on detection. However, focusing attention on 1 ear increased the number of targets attributed to that ear while decreasing the number of targets attributed to the opposite ear. The dissociation between detection and localization indicates that volitional shifts of attention influence late (response selection) processes rather than early (stimulus identification) processes. Selective-listening effects can be accounted for by a 2-stage model in which a fixed input asymmetry is modulated by a biased selection of responses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of feed treatment and gender on the flavour and texture profiles of cured and uncured pork cuts. I. Ractopamine treatment and dietary protein level

Equal numbers of barrows (64) and gilts (64) were randomly allocated to two separate diets containing 17·6 and 19·6% crude protein. Subsequently within each gender/diet treatment group, pigs were equally and randomly assigned to two ractopamine treatment groups (i.e. 0 or 20 ppm ractopamine), resulting in 16 pigs per gender/diet/ractopamine subgroup. The feeding trial lasted an average of 41 days, and the pigs went on trial at an average weight of 64·5 kg and were slaughtered at an average weight of 98·2 kg. Five barrows and five gilts were subsampled at random from each gender/diet/ractopamine subgroup for palatability evaluations. Comprehensive palatability evaluations were conducted on both cured and uncured pork cuts. Results revealed no meaningful differences in flavour, texture, or cooking properties attributable to dietary protein level (17·6 vs 19·6% crude protein) or to ractopamine. Thus, within the context of conditions employed in the present study, ractopamine can be administered with different dietary crude protein levels to improve production efficiency and carcass composition, without influencing palatability and cooking properties or consumer acceptance. Gender effects have been reported elsewhere (Jeremiah et al., 1994).     

Irradiation-modification of starch-containing thermoplastic blends. I. Modification of properties and microstructure

Irradiation-modification of the blends of various starches with a synthetic polymer [poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol)] was carried out using an electron beam. The effect of irradiation on neat starches was studies using gel permeation chromatography. Changes in the thermal and mechanical properties of the blends, as well as in their microstructures, were also evaluated. The data indicate, consistent with other reports in literature, that starch molecules fragment under the effect of ionizing radiation, while the EVOH is relatively unaffected. These substantial (mainly physical) modifications to the starch molecules manifest themselves in changes in the thermal behavior of the blends. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of filaments obtained from molten irradiated pellets were quite different from those of control filaments, at least for some starches. Micrographic examination of some blends indicated a correspondence between a modification in the microstructure of the filaments and a change in their mechanical properties. It seems likely that the enhanced mobility of the fragmented starch molecules in the melt is responsible for these changes in the microstructure and concomitantly, the mechanical properties of the blend. Such an irradiation-based physical modification of starch may be of use in tailoring the properties of commercial blends of starches with synthetic thermoplastics. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Current concepts on the role of oxytocin in milk ejection

Timing of oxytocin release may influence milk ejection. Oxytocin is higher in cows after manual premilking stimulation than in cows receiving no stimulation. Premilking stimulation offers no advantages to milk production in short trials but results in shorter times of machine on and higher average rate of milk flow. Enhanced mechanical stimulation does not seem as effective as manual stimulation in short trials. Oxytocin release is multiphasic, and contents in blood decline during milking. Maximal concentrations during milking decrease across lactation. Nonlactating cows also release oxytocin upon udder stimulation and conditioning. Virgin heifers do not respond in the same way to udder stimulation as lactating cows, thus suggesting that sensitivity of the milk ejection reflex depends upon the physiological state of the animal. Cows probably release about one-third of their stores of oxytocin at milking, and it appears that little hormone is necessary for effect at the udder. Basal concentrations of oxytocin decrease from early to midlactation and increase from mid to late lactation and from late lactation to involution. Half-lives, metabolic clearance rates, and entry rates for oxytocin were measured in cattle in various physiological states. Data from these measurements are discussed.