Coming Full Circle: Using Research and Practice to Address 27 Questions About 360-Degree Feedback Programs.

The research evidence addressing practical issues faced when implementing a 360-degree feedback system are reviewed. Notwithstanding the popularity and apparent utility of 360-degree feedback programs, there is a need for clearer translations of research-based knowledge into recommendations for practically applying such programs. This article uses the published research studies that have been conducted on 360-degree feedback programs to address 27 specific questions that often arise in the development, implementation, administration, and interpretation of multisource feedback programs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Examining trends in quantity smoked.

Although the quantity smoked is known to affect smokers' health risks and likelihood of cessation, little is known about trends in quantity smoked and the role of policies in affecting those trends. We examined trends in quantity smoked using a new measure derived from U.S. Department of Agriculture per-capita cigarette consumption (PCC) and smoking prevalence data. We compared this measure to a survey measure of mean cigarettes smoked per day from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Using our measure, we examined trends in quantity smoked at the national level from 1974 to 2004 and for two states, California and Massachusetts. We used regression analysis to distinguish price and other policy-related trends from long-term trends. The derived measure of quantity tracked well with the NHIS measure. Through 1990, changes in quantity were well explained by price changes, with no residual trend in quantity smoked. Since 1990, price showed similar effects, but a downward trend was observed. In California and Massachusetts the initiation of a comprehensive tobacco program as well as price and tax changes were found to explain trends in quantity smoked. Continued progress in reducing the quantity smoked is likely to require the consistent implementation of current policies and the introduction of new policies. Although sustained reductions in quantity smoked may take a long time to affect smokers' health outcomes, sustained reductions appear to be related to cessation. The measure developed in the present study provides a useful tool for tracking trends in quantity smoked.     

Proposing a test model for the computer graphics metafile

The Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM) is an international standard (CGM-ISO 8632) concerned with the storage and transfer of graphical data. It is specified in four parts, which describe the abstract specification and three encodings. The conformance testing of standards, in particular language standards and osi, is a rapidly growing area with many projects being undertaken worldwide. This paper proposes a strategy for testing implementations of the cgm. The first area considered is testing for conformance to the standard. The conclusion is soon reached that, due to the conformance statements within the cgm standard, only analysis (syntax and consistency checking) of the format of the metafile can be achieved. In order to provide more useful and practical information on cgm implementations, further testing is required. Hence, evaluation testing is introduced, and a model is described that could be used to give information on the capability of cgm generators and interpreters.     

Bench-scale investigation of permanganate natural oxidant demand kinetics

A vital design parameter for any in situ chemical oxidation system using permanganate (MnO4-) is the natural oxidant demand (NOD), a concept that represents the consumption of MnO4- by the naturally present reduced species in the aquifer solids. The data suggest that the NOD of the aquifer material from Canadian Forces Base Borden used in our study is controlled by a fast or instantaneous reaction captured by the column experiments, and a slower reaction as demonstrated by both column and batch test data. These two reaction rates may be the result of the reaction of MnO4- with at least two different reduced species exhibiting widely different rates of permanganate consumption (fast rate >7 g of MnO4- as KMnO4/kg/day and slow rate of approximately 0.005 g/kg/day), or a physically/chemically rate-limited single species. The slow NOD reaction prevented fulfillment of the ultimate NOD during the days- to months-long batch experiments and allowed significant early MnO4- breakthrough (>98%) during transport in the column experiments. A large fraction of the organic carbon resisted oxidation over the 21-week duration of the batch experiments. This result demonstrates that NOD estimated from total organic carbon measurements can significantly overpredict the NOD value required in the design of an in situ chemical oxidation application.     

The design of large knowledge-based systems: the example of Digital Equipment's XSEL project

Abstract. This paper discusses the management problems associated with building and implementing large systems. The example described is XSEL, a configuring expert system designed by the Digital Equipment Corporation for worldwide application.
Digital, like many other larger computer manufacturers, had experienced problems in achieving a high level of configuring accuracy when assembling its computer. These problems showed up in the manufacturing plants but originated in the sales offices. They caused difficulties with customers and increased manufacturing and selling costs. The company decided that an expert system could solve the problem.
The processes associated with the design of this successful system created as many human as technical challenges. The paper describes these, discusses how and why they originated, and evaluates Digital's strategies for solving them. It makes some general recommendations for the successful management of major change.     

Component analysis of rigid polyurethane foams

A procedure is described for the analysis of the component parts of a rigid polyurethane foam. The technique can be used to identify the polyol, isocyanate, fire retardant, and blowing agent used in foam manufacture when less than 0.5 g of material is available. Techniques of pyrolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), electron impact (EI) and chemical ionization/mass spectrometry (CI-MS), and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) were essential for component characterization and identification. Foam samples were base-hydrolyzed and the resulting polyols and amines were identified by EI and CI-MS, and HPLC. A combination of CI-MS, Py-GC-MS, and halogen and phosphorus-sensitive chromatographic detectors were used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the fire retardant. The blowing agent was determined by Py-GC-MS. The composition of the foam was confirmed by the synthesis and characterization of a chemically identical foam using known starting materials.