Toward a conceptual model of organizational regression.

This article presents an elaborated model of organizational regression suggesting that, within the framework of general systems and catastrophe theory, organizational units and whole enterprises can be viewed as struggling to attain a state of super-resilience that enables them to cope effectively with a large number of regressive forces. The model comprises 6 phases of organizational regression that occur either in a 10-stage process or in a chaotically unpredictable but behaviorally understandable and orderly sequence. Internal and external regressive forces that constantly pressure an organization toward less effective performance and more primitive behavior are identified. Organizational barriers and balancing forces that counter the regressive pressures are also described, along with the consequences of regression for individuals and enterprises. Several brief case illustrations (e.g., Montgomery Ward, Apple Computer, and General Electric Corporation) are provided to highlight aspects of this conceptual approach. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Isotopic variations of Zn in biological materials

Variations in the isotopic composition of Zn present in various biological materials were determined using high-resolution multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS), following digestion and purification by anion exchange chromatography. To correct for differences in instrumental mass discrimination effects between samples and standards, Cu was employed as an elemental spike. Complementary analyses of Zn separates by sector field ICPMS instruments revealed that the concentrations of the majority of potentially interfering elements were reduced to negligible levels. Residual spectral interferences resulting from (35)Cl(16)O(2)(+), (40)Ar(14)N(2)(+), and (40)Ar(14)N(16)O(+) could be instrumentally resolved from the (67)Zn, (68)Zn, and (70)Zn ion beams, respectively, during measurement by MC-ICPMS. The only other observed interference in the Cu and Zn mass range that could not be effectively eliminated by high-resolution multicollection resulted from (35)Cl(2)(+), necessitating modification of the sample preparation procedure to allow accurate (70)Zn detection. Complete duplication of the entire analytical procedure for human whole blood and hair, as well as bovine liver and muscle, provided an external reproducibility of 0.05-0.12 per thousand (2sigma) for measured delta(66/64)Zn, delta(67/64)Zn, and delta(68/64)Zn values, demonstrating the utility of the method for the precise isotopic analysis of Zn in biological materials. Relative to the selected Zn isotopic standard, delta(66/64)Zn values for biological samples varied from -0.60 per thousand in human hair to +0.56 per thousand in human whole blood, identifying the former material as the isotopically lightest Zn source found in nature to date.     

Unconventional superconductivity and novel quantum order

Superconductors have many unusual properties not observed in normal metals. The superconducting state is attributed to the pairing of electrons. Conventional forms of superconductivity are produced by distortions in the underlying crystal structure of the material. Recently, it has become evident that not all forms of superconductivity can be explained in this way. The way pairing occurs has to be redressed in these materials. Of particular interest is the interplay between magnetism and superconductivity and the consequences this may have on pair formation.     

A preliminary design and structural analysis of the lifting tools for 40° sector sub-assembly and handling ITER components

The purpose-built, ITER tokamak assembly tools, which are to be provided by Korea, should be designed to meet: the assembly plan, space reservations, safety standards, simple operations, efficient maintenance, and so on. It is very important that the ITER assembly tools are able to lift and transfer ITER components or their sub-assemblies to their assembled position safely. Furthermore, the lifting tools will lift and handle very heavy loads that can be more than 1200 tonnes sometimes. Therefore, the ITER lifting tools must be designed to endure these heavy load conditions with regard to their structural integrity. Also, these designs should be verified through an appropriate method. The preliminary design of the sector lifting tool and associated lifting attachments are introduced in this paper. The sector lifting tool was designed especially to lift and handle various ITER components by adjusting the lifting centre. The structural analysis results using ANSYS are described considering the heaviest load condition. The results of the analysis show that; all stresses applied on the lifting tool are lower than the allowable stress of the applied material.     

Applying a critical approach to investigate barriers to digital inclusion and online social networking among young people with disabilities

Despite the seeming ubiquity of young people's Internet use, there are still many for whom access to the Internet and online social networking remains inequitable and patterned by disadvantage. The connection between information technology and young people with disabilities is particularly under‐researched. This article contributes to the field of critical information systems research by exposing significant barriers and facilitators to Internet accessibility for young people with disabilities. It uses Bourdieu's critical theory to explore how the unequal distribution of resources shapes processes of digital inclusion for young people with disabilities. It highlights access needs and experiences that are both disability and non‐disability related. The article draws on interviews in South Australia with 18 young people aged 10–18 years with a physical disability (such as cerebral palsy) or acquired brain injury and with 17 of their family members. Interviews evaluated participants' and parents' reflections on the benefits of a home‐based, goal‐oriented intervention to increase the young person's Internet use for social participation purposes. The Bourdieuian analysis demonstrated how varying levels of accrued individual and family offline capital resources are related to digital/online resources and disability‐specific online resources. This revealed how unequal resources of capital can influence technology use and hence digital inclusion for young people with disabilities. Our study demonstrates that young people with particular types of disabilities require intensive, personalised and long‐term support from within and beyond the family to ‘get online’. We conclude that Internet studies need to more frequently adopt critical approaches to investigate the needs of users and barriers to information technology use within sub‐groups, such as young people with disabilities. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd     

Effects of acute progesterone administration upon responses to acute psychosocial stress in men.

Animal studies suggest that neuroactive steroids, in particular progesterone and its metabolites, have stress-dampening effects. However, few studies have explored these effects in humans. In this study, we investigated the effects of acute progesterone administration on responses to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Healthy men participated in the TSST 3.5 hrs after intramuscular injection of 0, 50, or 100 mg progesterone (N = 16, 14, and 14). We measured cardiovascular (heart rate, blood pressure), hormonal (plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone, cortisol, and noradrenaline), and subjective (e.g., anxiety, arousal) responses to stress in the three groups. Before the TSST, progesterone injections increased plasma levels without altering physiological or subjective states. Stress produced its expected physiological and subjective effects among placebo-treated individuals. Progesterone 50 mg attenuated peak increases in plasma cortisol and reduced changes in negative mood and alertness after stress, yet it increased plasma noradrenaline and systolic blood pressure. Progesterone 100 mg also attenuated stress-induced increases in alertness and arousal, yet it potentiated stress-induced increases in diastolic pressure. Thus, progesterone dampened some of the psychological effects of stress but produced inconsistent effects on physiological stress responses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)