bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of otdr performance with an optical fiber amplifier
Authors: Furukawa Shin‐Ichi , Koyamada Yahei , Sankawa Izumi , Izumita Hisashi 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) displays time‐dependent optical power when light is reflected back to the input edge of an optical fiber, and it can show an abnormal point of an optical fiber and also measure an optical loss. Hence, OTDR has become a useful tool at the time of optical fiber fabrications and also maintenance of optical fibers. Thus, considerable work has been done on the high performance such as dynamic range and high spatial resolution of OTDR.This paper discusses the enhancement of OTDR using optical fiber amplifiers. First, on the basis of signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) calculation, it is demonstrated that the application of an optical amplification as a post‐amplifier for OTDR is quite useful. Next, a two‐stage cascade series Er‐doped fiber amplifier is realized. By cutting off the spontaneously emitted light by means of a fast switching, the output light of 30 dBm is obtained. Finally, in the case of a direct detection OTDR using the optical fiber amplifier, 30.5 dB dynamic range is obtained for 1‐μs pulsewidth and 216 integration. For the coherent detection OTDR, 36 dB is obtained for 1‐μs pulsewidth and 212 integration. Based on these results, the application of optical fiber amplifiers to OTDR is demonstrated clearly to be powerful.
Better than average and better with time: relative evaluations of self and others in the past, present, and future
Authors: Kanten Alf Børre , Teigen Karl Halvor 
Published: July 2007

AbstractEvaluations of self and others in the past, present, and future were examined by asking 385 students to rate themselves or an acquaintance relative to their peers on a number of personality traits. We predicted, and found, evidence for self‐enhancement, as most participants regarded themselves superior to ‘most others’ at all points in time. We also found a better than average improvement effect, as participants considered themselves more superior now, than they were in the past, and expected to become even more superior in the future. Expected improvement in the future was larger than improvement over an equal span of time in the past. It is suggested that favorable self‐constructions are possible to the extent that the past and the future are perceived as ambiguous. Singular acquaintances were also rated better than most others, and were believed to improve over time, but their rate of improvement in the future was smaller than the expected improvement for oneself. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical Methods for Parameter Estimation in Nonlinear Differential Algebraic Equations
Authors: Bock Hans Georg , Kostina Ekaterina , Schlöder Johannes P. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractNonlinear Differential Algebraic Equations (DAEs) are an important class of models for dynamic processes. To establish models that describe the process behavior in a quantitatvely correct way, often parameters in the model have to be determined from observations or measurements of the process.This paper reviews numerical methods for parameter estimation in DAEs. In particular the so‐called boundary value problem approach and a versatile realisation, the multiple shooting method for parameter estimation, are discussed. Several applications are given to show the numerical performance and the wide applicability of the methods. A difficulty that occurs in practical applications is that the experiments performed to obtain measurements for parameter estimation are expensive, but nevertheless do not guarantee satisfactory parameter accuracy. The optimization of one or more dynamic experiments in order to maximize the accuracy of the results of a parameter estimation subject to cost and further technical inequality constraints leads to very complex non‐standard optimal control problems. Newly developed methods for design of optimal experiments for nonlinear processes are briefly discussed. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of intact bacteria
Authors: Meetani Mohammed A. , Shin Yong‐Seung , Zhang Shaofeng , Mayer Richard , Basile Franco 
Published: July 2007

AbstractDesorption electrospray ionization (DESI) mass spectrometry (MS) was used to differentiate seven bacteria species on the basis of their measured DESI‐mass spectral profile. Both gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria were tested and included Escherichia coli, Staphyloccocus aureus, Enterococcus sp., Bordetella bronchiseptica, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella typhimurium. Distinct DESI‐mass spectra, in the mass range of 50–500 u, were obtained from whole bacteria in either positive or negative ion modes in less than 2 mins analysis time. Positive ion DESI‐mass spectral fingerprints were compared using principal components analysis (PCA) to investigate reproducibility for the intraday and the day‐to‐day measurements and the method selectivity to differentiate the bacteria studied. Detailed study of variances in the assay revealed that a large contribution to the DESI‐mass spectral fingerprint variation was the growth media preparation procedure. Specifically, experiments conducted with the growth media prepared using the same batch yielded highly reproducible DESI‐mass spectra, both in intraday and in day‐to‐day analyses (i.e. one batch of growth media used over a 3‐day period versus a new batch every day over the same 3‐day period). Conclusions are drawn from our findings in terms of strategies for rapid biodetection with DESI‐MS. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Age grading: The implicit organizational timetable
Authors: Lawrence Barbara S. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe age distribution within an organization forms an implicit career timetable, and there is evidence that people use their perceptions of this timetable to determine whether their careers are on or off schedule. Questionnaire data were collected from managers (N = 488, 47 per cent) within a large electric utility. The results indicate that managers who see themselves as ‘behind time’ in their careers have more negative attitudes towards work than other managers, even when their perceptions of being ‘behind time’ are inaccurate. However, although these managers continue to have the most negative attitudes, differences between the on and off schedule managers are smaller when their position on the actual career timetable is controlled. Thus, work attitudes are influenced by both individual and demographic factors. Finally, the longer managers remain in the same job, the more likely they are to define themselves as ‘behind time’. This supports other research suggesting that lateral moves within organizations may be an important device for managing the normal ‐limitations of upward movement in managerial careers.
Accounting for the quality of work life
Authors: Mirvis Philip H. , Lawler Edward E. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis study describes the development and issuance of an independent report on the quality of work life in a Corporation. The theory underlying the report, criteria, definitions, measurement procedures, the properties of the measures, and report itself are presented. A survey indicating a favourable reception to the data by stockholders, financial analysts, and employees is analysed. Recommendations for increased collaboration between accountants and behavioural scientists in the measurement and assessment of the quality of work life are presented in an effort to stimulate further research in the development of standardized measures and in the preparation of independent reports on the quality of work life in organizations.
Work values and beliefs in Britain
Authors: Furnham Adrian 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate demographic and belief‐system determinants of, and the relationship between, various standardized self‐report measures concerned with work values and general social attitudes. Over two hundred and fifty adults completed five questionnaires concerned with general, as well as specifically work‐related, beliefs. The correlational analysis showed that the Protestant Work Ethic was strongly positively related with Conservative beliefs but negatively related to the Leisure ethic and Marxist‐related beliefs. Of the demographic variables examined education and vote most strongly differentiated the subjects' work beliefs and values in predictable directions. Thirdly a canonical correlational analysis revealed two variates which indicated that age and education were most closely linked to the dependent belief variables. These results are discussed in terms of the aetiology and relationship between general social and specifically work‐related beliefs.
Self‐reported job burnout among female human service professionals
Authors: Brookings Jeffrey B. , Bolton Brian , Brown Clifford E. , McEvoy Alan 
Published: July 2007

AbstractA sample of 135 female human service professionals completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Staff Burnout Scale for Health Professionals (SBS), along with measures of job satisfaction, role stress, self‐esteem, alienation, and locus of control. Principal components factor analysis of this battery indicates considerable covariation of self‐reported burnout with job dissatisfaction and perceived role stress, and moderate overlap with more general feelings of alienation and low self‐esteem. Item factor analysis of the 22 MBI items resulted in two independent factors, one defined by the Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization items, the other by the Personal Accomplishment items. Item factoring of the SBS produced one large factor which was highly correlated with the MBI exhaustion‐depersonalization factor. Implications of these findings for the construct validity of the MBI and SBS are discussed.
How car and steel workers in different countries see their work
Authors: Heiskanen Tuula Aulikki 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis study is concerned with how car and steel workers in different countries see their work and what features of their work they feel important. The material is drawn from two international projects, namely the car and steel industry studies, both coordinated by the Vienna Centre. The former study was carried out in 15 countries, comprising in all 126 production units from 38 plants and 3214 interviews of workers. The latter study was carried out in 10 countries, in 24 plants and 47 production units, 1576 workers were interviewed.Clear differences were found between countries in how critically the workers were oriented to the burdens and challenges of their work. This was interpreted to reflect country‐specific work assessment standards. However, differences should be seen as differences in emphasis rather than as manifestations of work cultures, which substantially differ from each other. The order of importance among work characteristics was roughly the same from country to country: matters related to physical and economic security were widely considered the most important aspects of work.
Constructive controversy, the Vroom‐Yetton model, and managerial decision‐making
Authors: Tjosvold Dean , Wedley William C. , Field Richard H. G. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractEmpirical tests have indicated that following the Vroom‐Yetton Normative Model of leadership predicts reliably to successful managerial decision‐making. However, it does not consider the kind of social interaction among decision makers. Recent experiments have demonstrated that controversy constructively discussed can facilitate decision‐making. To see whether constructive controversy can supplement the Vroom‐Yetton model, 58 managers enrolled in an executive‐level MBA programme described a successful and unsuccessful decision‐making experience by answering the Vroom‐Yetton questions and by indicating the extent those involved in making the decision experienced constructive controversy. Results indicate that both the Vroom‐Yetton model and constructive controversy are significantly related to successful decision‐making. A regression analysis indicated that constructive controversy accounted for 45 per cent of the variance of decision success whereas the Vroom‐Yetton model accounted for 5 per cent. While the Vroom‐Yetton model is useful at the preplanning stage for choosing a decision style, much greater contribution is provided by constructive discussions of opposing opinions when actually generating the decision.
Work schedule flexibility and family life
Authors: Staines Graham L. , Pleck Joseph H. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis paper explores the implications of work schedule flexibility for family life. Based on data from the 1977 Quality of Employment Survey, it demonstrates that flexibility of work schedules moderates the effects of nonstandard work schedules on family life. That is, nonstandard work schedules tend to have a less negative association with the quality of family life when accompanied by a high level of schedule flexibility. The paper further demonstrates that this tendency of flexibility to act as a buffer against the negative effects of nonstandard work schedules on family life is more pronounced among working women than working men.
Evaluation of alternative models of commitments and job attitudes of professionals
Authors: Lachman Ran , Aranya Nissim 
Published: July 2007

AbstractDifferent and sometimes contradictory assumptions can be found in the literature about the relationships between the commitments of professionals to their profession and to the employing organization, and the consequences of these relationships for other work attitudes. Two of the basic alternative theoretical formulations are examined and their viability tested on a sample of 1206 accountants. One formulation assumes inconsistency between commitments leading to a commitment dilemma, the other assumes congruity between them. The findings point at the latter formulation as the more viable one, and suggests minor modifications in it to improve its fit with the data. The results demonstrate the need to compare competing models in order to increase theoretical clarity and consistency.
Computerized offices in Canada and the United States: Investigating dispositional similarities and differences
Authors: Gattiker Urs E. , Nelligan Todd W. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractA scale measuring computer dispositions was used in order to examine whether computerization of work affects employees similarly or differently in Canada and the United States. The study explores the possibility that employees may differ intraculturally, that is, according to gender, hierarchical level in the firm, and whether they work with intelligent work‐stations or main‐frame terminals. The data indicates that intracultural differences are apparent according to type of computer used, gender, and hierarchical level of the respondents. What concerned U.S. female respondents about computer‐mediated work did not necessarily apply to their Canadian counterparts.
A comparison of different conceptualizations of perceived alternatives in turnover research
Authors: Griffeth Rodger W. , Hom Peter W. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe present study compared the relative predictive validity of different formulations of perceived alternatives in turnover models. These formulations varied according to different levels of specificity and proximity to turnover criteria and were examined within the framework of the Mobley turnover theory (1977; Mobley, Griffeth, Hand and Meglino, 1979). A sample of 244 nurses was administered a survey assessing determinants of turnover. Six months later voluntary turnover data were collected. While intention to quit and turnover were significantly predicted by their antecedents, the results were not entirely supportive of Mobley's theory. Methodological and theoretical reasons were advanced for the inconsistent findings.
The impact of interpersonal environment on burnout and organizational commitment
Authors: Leiter Michael P. , Maslach Christina 
Published: July 2007

AbstractOrganizational commitment and burnout were related to interpersonal relationships of nurses in a small general hospital. Regular communication contacts among personnel were differentiated as supervisor or coworker contact, and these categories were further differentiated into pleasant and unpleasant contacts. The results were consistent with a view of burnout in which emotional exhaustion leads to greater depersonalization which subsequently leads to diminished personal accomplishment. Interpersonal contact with personnel in the organization was related to the development of burnout at each stage. Patterns of pleasant and unpleasant contacts with supervisors and coworkers were related to the three aspects of burnout in a distinct manner. High burnout was related to diminished organizational commitment, which was also related to aspects of the interpersonal environment of the organization. The results are discussed in the context of a comprehensive approach to psychological adjustment to a worksetting.
Proteomic analysis of serum, plasma, and lymph for the identification of biomarkers
Authors: Meng Zhaojing , Veenstra Timothy D. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractProbably no topic has generated more excitement in the world of proteomics than the search for biomarkers. This excitement has been generated by two realities: the constant need for better biomarkers that can be used for disease diagnosis and prognosis, and the recent developments in proteomic technologies that are capable of scanning the individual proteins within varying complex clinical samples. Ideally a biomarker would be assayable from a noninvasively collected sample, therefore, much of the focus in proteomics has been on the analysis of biofluids such as serum, plasma, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, etc. While the discovery of biomarkers has been elusive, there have been many advances made in the understanding of the proteome content of various biofluids, and in the technologies used for their analysis, that continues to point the research community toward new methods for achieving the ultimate goal of identifying novel disease‐specific biomarkers. In this review, we will describe and discuss many of the proteomic approaches taken in an attempt to find novel biomarkers in serum, plasma, and lymph.
Prenatal exposure to cocaine is associated with increased number of spine synapses in rat prelimbic cortex
Authors: Morrow Bret A. , Hajszan Tibor , Leranth Csaba , Elsworth John D. , Roth Robert H. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractPrenatal exposure to cocaine has been associated with cognitive deficits in children and in animal models. An excess activation of pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex has been proposed as a potential cause for these deficits based on previous studies. The goal of this study was to determine if prenatal exposure to cocaine was associated with an increase in the number of excitatory synapses on dendritic spines in layer II/III of the prelimbic cortex. Frontal cortex of young adult male and female rats, exposed to either saline or cocaine (3 mg/kg i.e., twice a day, embryonic day 10–20), were examined using electron microscopy and the number of asymmetric spines synapses were estimated using the physical disector method. Both male and female rats prenatally exposed to cocaine had about twice as many synapses on dendritic spines as the prenatal saline controls. The increase in number of excitatory synaptic inputs associated with prenatal cocaine exposure could contribute to the increased neuronal activation and cognitive deficits noted. Synapse 61:862–865, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ejection fraction and blood pressure are important and interactive predictors of 4‐week mortality in severe acute heart failure
Authors: Adamopoulos Chris , Zannad Faiez , Fay Renaud , Mebazaa Alexandre , Cohen‐Solal Alain , Guize Louis , Juillière Yves , Alla François 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackground:In acute heart failure syndromes (AHFS), the prognostic value of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), although widely accepted, has been recently challenged. In contrast, blood pressure is increasingly gaining ground over LVEF as predictor of mortality. Therefore, it is not clear whether both LVEF and mean arterial pressure (MAP) are independent risk factors in patients with AHFS.Methods and results:The EFICA study enrolled 581 AHFS patients admitted to 60 CCU/ICUs. Survival at 4 weeks was analyzed for all cases with echocardiographic LVEF available on admission (n%355).Four‐week mortality was 23%. Multivariable analysis identified lower LVEF, lower MAP and serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dl as independent correlates of mortality (respectively, OR: 1.27 per 10% decrease, CI: 1.05–1.53, p%0.012; OR: 1.30 per 10 mmHg decrease, CI: 1.15–1.48, p<0.0001; OR: 2.84, CI: 1.64–4.93, p%0.0002).LVEF interacted significantly with MAP (p<0.0001) and the subgroup analysis showed that reduced LVEF was a strong risk factor in patients with MAP ≤90 mmHg (OR: 2.73, CI: 1.23–5.98, p%0.01) but did not reach statistical significance in patients with MAP >90 mmHg.Conclusions:Both LVEF and MAP are important predictors of death in severe AHFS. LVEF can provide additional prognostic information on top of MAP but mainly in patients with low MAP (≤90 mmHg) at admission.
Health of urban Ghanaian women as identified by the Women's Health Study of Accra
Authors: Hill A.G. , Darko R. , Seffah J. , Adanu R.M.K. , Anarfi J.K. , Duda R.B. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of the Women's Health Study of Accra was to provide an assessment of the prevalence of communicable and non‐communicable illnesses.MethodThis was a prospective, community‐based study that included an interview for medical illnesses, a comprehensive physical examination, and laboratory testing. A total of 1328 women were examined at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, University of Ghana.ResultsPrevalent conditions included poor vision (66.8%), malaria (48.7%), pain (42.8%), poor dentition (41.6%), hypertension (40.2%), obesity (34.7%), arthritis (27.1%), chronic back pain (19.4%), abnormal rectal (16.0%) and pelvic examinations (12.7%), HIV in women age 24–29 (8.3%), and hypercholesterolemia (22.7%). Increasing age, lack of formal education, and low‐income adversely affected health conditions.ConclusionThe high prevalence of preventable illnesses in this expanding urban population indicates that the health care services are obligated to develop and provide screening, preventive strategies and treatment for both general health and gynecologic health conditions.
Pre-LGM open-water conditions south of the Drygalski Ice Tongue, Ross Sea, Antarctica
Authors: Finocchiaro Furio , Baroni Carlo , Colizza Ester , Ivaldi Roberta 
Published: July 2007

AbstractA marine sediment core collected from the Nordenskjold Basin, to the south of the Drygalski Ice Tongue, provides new sedimentological and chronological data for reconstructing the Pleistocene glacial history and palaeoenvironmental evolution of Victoria Land. The core consists of an over consolidated biogenic mud covered with glacial diamicton; Holocene diatomaceous mud lies on top of the sequence. Radiocarbon dates of the acid insoluble organic matter indicate a pre-Last Glacial Maximum age (>24kyr) for the biogenic mud at the base of the sequence. From this we can presume that at least this portion of the western Ross Sea was deglaciated during Marine Isotope Stage 3 and enjoyed open marine conditions. Our results are consistent with recent findings of pre-Holocene raised beaches at Cape Ross and in the Terra Nova Bay area.