Capitalizing On Diversity: Interpersonal Congruence In Small Work Groups

We examine interpersonal congruence, the degree to which group members see others in the group as others see themselves, as a moderator of the relationship between diversity and group effectiveness. A longitudinal study of 83 work groups revealed that diversity tended to improve creative task performance in groups with high interpersonal congruence, whereas diversity undermined the performance of groups with low interpersonal congruence. This interaction effect also emerged on measures of social integration, group identification, and relationship conflict. By eliciting self-verifying appraisals, members of some groups achieved enough interpersonal congruence during their first ten minutes of interaction to benefit their group outcomes four months later. In contrast to theories of social categorization, the interpersonal congruence approach suggests that group members can achieve harmonious and effective work processes by expressing rather than suppressing the characteristics that make them unique.Managemen

Being Different Yet Feeling Similar: The Influence Of Demographic Composition And Organizational Culture On Work Processes And Outcomes

Drawing from self-categorization theory, we tested hypotheses on the effects of an organization's demographic composition and cultural emphasis on work processes and outcomes. Using an organizational simulation, we found that the extent to which an organization emphasized individualistic or collectivistic values interacted with demographic composition to influence social interaction, conflict, productivity, and perceptions of creativity among 258 MBA students. Our findings suggest that the purported benefits of demographic diversity are more likely to emerge in organizations that, through their culture, make organizational membership salient and encourage people to categorize one another as having the organization's interests in common, rather than those that emphasize individualism and distinctiveness among members.(.)Managemen

Influence of vertebrae and intervertebral disc on stresses in abdominal aortic aneurysms

Computational modelling of stress-strain states in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAAs) has become an important tool in assessment of their rupture risk in the last decades. As its application potential in clinical practice is increasing with every additional influencing factor considered in the model, many factors have been analysed already. Up-to-date models are based on patient-specific AAA geometry obtained typically from CT-A imaging under a known level of blood pressure. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) is used to create their unloaded geometry [1] which (with other additional features such as residual stresses) may increase the credibility of the results. Material behaviour is also a very important feature to be described correctly. Large deformations of the arterial wall and intraluminal thrombus (ILT) are mostly described using constitutive models based on mean population data gathered from mechanical testing of patient-specific specimens [3]. ILT can be taken into consideration not only for his poroelastic structure reducing the blood pressure on the AAA wall but also for its significant load-bearing contribution. Different mechanical properties across the ILT thickness. Can be considered as a significant feature too. ILT with large thickness also reduces oxygen supply into the AAA wall underneath and consequently changes its mechanical properties (strength)

Avaliação do modelo CANEGRO/DSSAT para quatro cultivares de cana-de-açúcar.

A parametrização do modelo DSSAT/CANEGRO para a realidade brasileira é de grande importância para a obtenção de uma ferramenta para o monitoramento de safras agrícolas e para a elaboração de cenários agrícolas futuros. O presente trabalho enfocou as cultivares R570, NCo376, RB72-454 e SP83-2847 nas condições de Piracicaba/SP. Os dados biométricos foram coletados no Centro de Tecnologia Canavieira, comparando-se os valores observados com as simulações para as seguintes variáveis: perfilhamento, altura de colmo, IAF, número de folhas verdes; e a fitomassa da parte aérea. O modelo apresentou resultados satisfatórios para todas as cultivares testadas, com exceção da NCo376, para a qual houve subestimativa da massa seca da parte aérea (-32%) e índice de área foliar (-13%).CBA 2009

Social Genomics of Healthy and Disordered Internet Gaming

Objectives: To combine social genomics with cultural approaches to expand understandings of the somatic health dynamics of online gaming, including in the controversial nosological construct of internet gaming disorder (IGD). Methods: In blood samples from 56 U.S. gamers, we examined expression of the conserved transcriptional response to adversity (CTRA), a leukocyte gene expression profile activated by chronic stress. We compared positively engaged and problem gamers, as identified by an ethnographically developed measure, the Positive and Negative Gaming Experiences Scale (PNGE-42), and also by a clinically derived IGD scale (IGDS-SF9). Results: CTRA profiles showed a clear relationship with PNGE-42, with a substantial linkage to offline social support, but were not meaningfully associated with disordered play as measured by IGDS-SF9. Conclusions: Our study advances understanding of the psychobiology of play, demonstrating via novel transcriptomic methods the association of negatively experienced internet play with biological measures of chronic threat, uncertainty, and distress. Our findings are consistent with the view that problematic patterns of online gaming are a proxy for broader patterns of biopsychosocial stress and distress such as loneliness, rather than a psychiatric disorder sui generis, which might exist apart from gamers ’ other life problems. By confirming the biological correlates of certain patterns of internet gaming, culturally-sensitive genomics approaches such as this can inform both evolutionary theorizing regarding the nature of play, as well as current psychiatric debates about the appropriateness of modeling distressful gaming on substance addiction and problem gambling

Angiogenic gene expression and vascular density are reflected in ultrasonographic features of synovitis in early Rheumatoid Arthritis: an observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Neovascularization contributes to the development of sustained synovial inflammation in the early stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Ultrasound (US) provides an indirect method of assessing synovial blood flow and has been shown to correlate with clinical disease activity in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. This study examines the relationship of US determined synovitis with synovial vascularity, angiogenic/lymphangiogenic factors and cellular mediators of inflammation in a cohort of patients with early Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients prior to therapeutic intervention with disease modifying therapy or corticosteroids. METHODS: An ultrasound guided synovial biopsy of the supra-patella pouch was performed in 12 patients with early RA prior to treatment. Clinical, US and biochemical assessments were undertaken prior to the procedure. Ultrasound images and histological samples were obtained from the supra-patella pouch. Histological samples were stained for Factor VIII and a-SMA (a-smooth muscle actin). Using digital imaging analysis a vascular area score was recorded. QT-PCR (quantitative-PCR) of samples provided quantification of angiogenic and lymphangiogenic gene expression and immunohistochemistry stained tissue was scored for macrophage, T cell and B cell infiltration using an existing semi-quantitative score. RESULTS: Power Doppler showed a good correlation with histological vascular area (Spearman r--0.73) and angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), Angiopoietin 2 and Tie-2. In addition, lymphangiogenic factors such as VEGF-C and VEGF-R3 correlated well with US assessment of synovitis. A significant correlation was also found between power Doppler and synovial thickness, pro-inflammatory cytokines and sub-lining macrophage infiltrate. Within the supra-patella pouch there was no significant difference in US findings, gene expression or inflammatory cell infiltrate between any regions of synovium biopsied. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound assessment of synovial tissue faithfully reflects synovial vascularity. Both grey scale and power Doppler synovitis in early RA patients correlate with a pro-angiogenic and lymphangiogenic gene expression profile. In early RA both grey scale and power Doppler synovitis are associated with a pro-inflammatory cellular and cytokine profile providing considerable validity in its use as an objective assessment of synovial inflammation in clinical practice

Slope Failure in Loess. A detailed investigation Allandale, Banks Peninsula

This study investigates a slope failure complex in loess at Allandale, Lyttelton Harbour. Literature relevant to the slope stability and strength of Banks Peninsula loessial soils is reviewed. Laboratory and in situ strength testing shows that both C and P layer loess in a partially saturated state displays a significant reduction in undrained shear strength with increasing degree of saturation. Strength reduction can be attributed to reduced pore water tension due to capillary suction which results from an increased degree of saturation. The moisture controlled strength component in partially saturated loess can be defined by any two of dry density, moisture content and degree of saturation. When comparing loess C and P layer remoulded strengths with peak strengths, the P layer is significantly more sensitive to remoulding than C layer. Drained direct shear testing of C layer loess produces remoulded and peak strength parameters of c'=O, Ø'=28.4° and c'=6kPa, Ø '=28.4° respectively. Drained direct shear testing of P layer loess produced remoulded and peak shear strength parameters of c'=O, Ø '=28.4° and c'=20kPa, Ø '=28.4° respectively. The slope failure complex investigated has been formed by an earthflow initiated by a tension crack in C layer loess (which acts as an unconfined leaky aquifer). Subsequent retrogressive upslope and lateral migration of the slope failure complex involves "turfmat slides" in S layer loess which also acts as an unconfined leaky aquifer, and more tension crack initiated earth flows in C layer loess. Back analysis suggests both forms of slope movement may have failed by translational sliding at the base of their respective loess layer, with a piezometric level coincident with the ground surface. Mobilisation of the "turfmat slide", requires drained remoulded shear strengths, whereas mobilisation of the earth flow is more likely to involve drained peak shear strengths

Fused Filament Fabrication Based Additive Manufacturing of Commercially Pure Titanium

Fabrication of titanium components is very cost intensive, partly due to the complex machining and limited recyclability of waste material. For electrochemical applications, the excellent corrosion resistance of pure titanium is of high importance, whereas medium mechanical strength of fabricated parts is sufficient for such a use case. For smaller parts, metal fused filament fabrication MF3 enables the fabrication of complex metallic structures densified during a final sintering step. Pure titanium can be processed to near net shape geometries for electrochemical applications if the parameters and the atmosphere during sintering are carefully monitored. Herein, the influence of thermal debinding and sintering parameters on the fabrication of high density pure titanium using MF3 is investigated. Particular focus is placed on enhancing sintered density while limiting impurity uptake to conserve the high chemical purity of the initial powder material. Relative densities of 95 are repeatedly reached inside the bulk of the samples. An oxygen content of 0.56 amp; 8201;wt as a result of vacuum processing induces the formation of the retained amp; 945; Ti phase 925 amp; 8201;HV0.2 inside the amp; 945; matrix 295 amp; 8201;HV0.2 . Fabricated parts exhibit high mechanical strength, albeit reduced elongation due to remaining pores, and, in terms of electrochemistry, enhanced stability toward anodic dissolutio