Introductory Phase Research Articles

Prolonged gestation: Energy efficiency and renewable energy businesses

AbstractLife cycle theories suggest that businesses evolve through a number of stages: from an embryonic stage of introduction to growth, maturity, and decline. The force that propels their development is consumer acceptance. Industries pass through life cycles as well. However, not all industries pass through each stage of the life cycle, and the duration of stages varies across industries. Some industries skip the slow introductory phase; others avoid the decline stage and are continually revitalised through technological innovation. Still others continue to show substantial promise, but fail to take‐off. It is this industry condition, persistent promise without corresponding growth, that we characterise as extended gestation. We believe that energy efficiency and renewable energy (EERE) businesses in Minnesota face the challenge of extended gestation. In this paper, we review the literature on the traditional stages of industry development, explore some of the factors that may lead an industry to remain in a state of extended gestation, and report the results of a study undertaken to better understand the factors that affect the growth of EERE businesses.

Autofluorescence in onset of gastric mucosal injury induced by hemorrhagic shock in rats

In an attempt to clarify whether gastric mucosal autofluorescence can help us to recognize gastric lesions at the onset of their formation, we investigated the fluorescence generated from the gastric mucosa of rats under ischemia-reperfusion stress. Red-colored fluorescence appeared and began to increase within 5 min after reperfusion. Such an increase in fluorescence did not occur in the gastric mucosa under prolonged ischemia without reperfusion. The epifluorescence microscopy of mucosal cryosections revealed that fluorescence was present even when only superficial mucosal damage occurred. Spectrofluorometric and high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of the fluorescent mucosa extract identified the fluorescent substances as porphyrins. These findings suggested that fluorescent porphyrins are generated in the mucosal layer during the introductory phase of mucosal lesion formation induced by ischemia-reperfusion stress.

Periaqueductal gray lesions do not affect grooming, induced electrically in the hypothalamic paraventricular area in the rat.

Electrical stimulation inducing behavioral responses from the hypothalamus seems to activate systems involved in the execution phase of the behaviour rather than in the introductory or decision-making phase. However, the pathways involved are not fully understood. Projections originating from hypothalamic areas involved in specific behavioral responses are rather complex. The periaqueductal gray (PAG) has been proposed to be an essential output station of hypothalamic behavioral mechanisms. Here we report that lesions of the periaqueductal gray area have no effect on grooming responses evoked by electrical stimulation of the hypothalamic paraventricular area. Neither threshold current intensities needed to evoke grooming, nor latencies were affected 7 or 14 days after lesioning. The lesions caused severe behavioural deficits. Animals did not drink or eat spontaneously, had problems with motor coordination and sometimes showed strong defensive reactions upon touch. However, their grooming responses induced by hypothalamic stimulation were not changed. The PAG may have a modulatory role on grooming behaviour; however, this modulatory effect apparently is overruled during electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus.

Pediatrics: The emerging psychosocial challenges of the AIDS epidemic

HIV has a pervasive and profound effect on the psychological, social and neuropsychological functioning of infected infants, children and their families. This article discusses direct and indirect psychological manifestations of HIV in children. Direct effects are the outcome of the virus acting on the central nervous system and can result in compromised cognitive, language, motor, socio-emotional and motivational functioning. Indirect effects involve psychological responses to the stress of living with a life threatening illness, the social ostracism, disruption in life goals and undergoing frequent invasive and protracted medical procedures. A major focus of this article is to outline and describe a model comprehensive psychosocial support system developed within the Pediatric Branch of the National Cancer Institute. This includes early intervention issues and strategies for working with families during the introductory phase of the treatment program that also provides the framework for a care management approach, salient mental health problems that frequently occur in this group, and appropriate interventions for individuals and families. Attention is also given to dealing with anticipatory loss and bereavement, implementing traditional innovative intervention techniques, and for providing advocacy services concerning possible legal, financial, housing, and educational issues.

VASELIFE OF ZINNIAS UNDER LOW-TECH CONDITIONS

When alternative crops are first introduced, prospective growers often lack the expertise and capitol to enter traditional market channels. Farmers' markets often become the initial market for the crop in its' introductory phase. Postharvest handling practices, requiring significant capitol investment and intense management typically are not economically feasable for the small producer. Little work has been done to provide information on practices to prolong vaselife of specialty cut flowers under less than ideal commercial conditions. A study was conducted to determine the vaselife of field grown zinnias using readily available products for preservatives, no precooling and less than optimum storage and handling practices. Flowers held in a 68 ppm bleach solution had an acceptable vase life of 6.6 days compared to water at 5.7 days and commercial preservative at 8.6 days.

Technological change and the older employee: implications for introduction and training

Abstract How do older employees cope with technological change at their place of work? To answer this question, an exploratory study was conducted in which interviews were held with 34 older employees in the office, 23 supervisors, personnel managers and representatives of workers, and seven computer trainers. The older employees were classified into three groups depending on their dominant form of appraisal of computers: threat/challenge/irrelevant. While participants who experienced computers as a challenge favoured information-seeking activities, older staff members who felt threatened by computers reacted rather passively and often complained about increasing time-pressure and health-related problems. In contrast, members of the group which appraised computers as irrelevant were quite satisfied with their work and consequently reported hardly any coping behaviour. A further analysis showed that organizational factors were closely connected with the dominant form of appraisal. Therefore recommendations are given concerning the introductory phase of technological change and qualificational measures.

Ocean wave energy

Ocean waves may potentially contribute one TW to global energy supply. The time variablity of wave energy can be smoothed by integration with the general energy supply system. Many different wave power plants, some of them multi-purpose, have been proposed, assessed, and cost estimated. After a subsidized introductory phase, wave energy is expected to be economically competitive, helped by the development of new designs and technical improvements, and by historically established experience. Only slight environmental impact is expected. Operation and maintenance may mean an economic boost to coastal societies.

Dustbathing behaviour of laying hens as related to quality of dustbathing material

The dustbathing behaviour of laying hens ( Gallus gallus domesticus) is significantly influenced when either sand or woodshavings are offered as a dustbathing material. Hens that are familiar with both materials prefer sand over woodshavings as a dustbathing material. This preference is also indicated by the findings that hens increased their dustbathing behaviour when they had been transferred from woodshavings to sand, whereas a reverse treatment led to a temporary inhibition of dustbathing. For both substrates, short dustbaths (with a modal duration of up to 5 min) and long dustbaths (of 20–30 min) were found. The former corresponded to the introductory (tossing) phase of the latter (complete) dustbaths. The distributions of dustbath durations and the observations of dustbathing sequences suggest that woodshavings are less effective than sand. The efficiency with which feather lipids are removed when hens dustbathe either in sand or woodshavings after a 17-day dust deprivation supports this suggestion.

Analysis of Menu Trends in Fast Food Industry

The development of fast food industry is critically dependent upon the main product it offers. At the end of growth phase, responding to the first shake out, fast food organizations experienced menu diversification, leading to the differentiation of the "core menu" from the "secondary menu. "Better understanding of various menu trends, past and present, provides useful information needed in planning menus of tomorrow which in turn enhances competitive position of an organization. Upon analysis of the data, four distinctphases were identified: pre-introductory phase, introductoryphase, growth phase, and maturityphase. The Pre-introductory phase in represented by "all you can eat"specials, breakfastbars, snack shops, and introduction of hamburgers. The introductory phase is noted by limited menu and limited service restaurants, equipment refinements, convenience foods. The growth phase is highlighted by theme restaurants, ethnic concepts, nationwide chains, specialized children's and dessert menus, drive-thru service, and menu diversifica tions. The maturity phase is marked by low calorie menus, salad bars and food bars, rich desserts, frozen yogurt, improved sanitation practices, home delivery and spill resistant cups for drive-thru convenience. Lastly, some of the emerging trends are fresh sea food, special menus forsenior citizens, menu simplifications to save labor, gourmet take-out and promotional and seasonal menus. Some of the contributing factors for these changes were/are Prohibition Act of the 1919, highwayconstruction, World Warll, "truth in menu"legislation, high unem ployment of teenagers, customerawareness of nutritional needs, increase in senior citizen population, labor shortages, increase in number of women in work force, legislation on franchise practices, international expansion, personal computers and hospitalityeducation programs.

Approaches to learning in a problem-based medical programme: a developmental study.

In this study we investigate how the introductory phase of the problem-based medical programme in Maastricht affects the study methods of students. On the first day of the academic year, 142 men and women medical students completed the Short Inventory of Study Approaches and again at the end of the introductory period. The study indicates that these study methods are fostered by training in problem-based learning given during the introductory period.

Molecular biological approaches to protein sorting.

The use of recombinant DNA technology to introduce specifically altered genes into epithelial cells has passed through its introductory phase. Enough data have accumulated to indicate the major problems and opportunities for this approach. The greatest opportunity is for locating the features of glycoproteins that are recognized during sorting through the expression of specifically altered proteins in epithelial cells. The results of experiments of this kind briefly summarized here emphasize the need for detailed analyses of the effects of specific mutations on the structure of the mutant proteins. In addition, progress will require quantitative results that have been difficult to obtain to date. To accomplish this, the level of expression of mutant proteins in polarized cells must be higher than previously has been the case. This in turn requires that an effort be made to identify vectors specifically adapted for use in epithelial cells.

Schema training in problem‐based learning

Cognitive models in psychology suggest that information recall and problem solving are highly dependent on so‐called schemata. In this article, we describe the design of two different schema training systems used in the introductory phase of the first year of problem‐based medical study in Maastricht. Pure schema training did not differ from schema training integrated with metacognitive training on when and how to use the schema technique in terms of quality of schemata made. However, the latter approach seems to lead to more frequent and more flexible use of schemata in problem‐based learning.

Prediction of herbicide activity

SummaryThe performance of a herbicide is influenced by a number of factors, such as temperature, humidity, weed species and stage of development of the weed. Trials in glasshouses and climatic chambers have shown that the shape of the dose‐response curve of a herbicide is dependent only on the mode of action of the herbicide. Therefore, the performance of a herbicide under different climatic conditions can be described as a parallel displacement of the dose‐response curve. The same seems to be the case regarding the performance of a herbicide against different weed species or against one weed species at different growth stages. The trial programme is in an introductory phase, but the intention is, on the basis of trials where the influence of the above mentioned factors are quantified, to build up a simulation model that adjusts the dose to the conditions prevailing at the time of spraying. In this paper, the results from trials in climatic chambers to test the effect of a herbicide under different climatic conditions, and glasshouse trials with three weed species at three stages of development, are summarized.

Factors determining the viability of radiation processing in developing countries

In the fifteen years since the introduction of radiation processing to South Africa, four commercial irradiation facilities have been established. These are involved in the processing of a large variety of products, from syringes and prostheses to strawberries and sugar yeast. Three of the facilities are devoted mainly to food irradiation and several thousand tonnes are now processed annually. During this period it was repeatedly experienced that the successful introduction of radiation processing in general, and food radurization in particular, on a commercial scale was critically dependent on the following factors: acceptance by the producer, industry and consumer; initial capital expenditure; running costs and overheads in general; and continous throughput. All of these factors contribute to the processing cost which is the ultimate factor in determing the value/price ratio for the potential entrepreneur and customer of this new technology. After a market survey had identified the need for a new food irradiation facility to cope with the growing interest in commercial food radurization in the Western Cape, the above-mentioned factors were of cardinal importance in the design and manufacture of a new irradiator. The resulting batch-pallet facility which was commisioned in August 1986, is rather inefficient as far as energy utilization is concerned but this shortcoming is compensated for by its low cost, versatility and low hold-up. Although the facility has limitations as far as the processing of really large volumes of produce is concerned, it is particularly suitable not only for developing countries, but for developed countries in the introductory phase of commercial food radurization.

Heavy metal sources and contamination mechanisms in compost production

The main problem for the use of compost in agricultural applications is the high heavy metal content of this soil improver. In this paper the potential sources of heavy metals present in the mixed domestic waste are quantified. The contamination mechanisms in compost production, leaching and direct contamination, are discussed and studied in controlled doping experiments. In these experiments a surplus dosage of specific potential heavy metal sources is added to a compost heap. The leaching process is followed by monitoring the local extra pollution of the surrounding organic waste in time. Information is obtained about the leachability of various components and its characteristic time scale. To avoid leaching from, and direct contamination with non-compostable particles during composting, quite complete separation of these particles from the composting organic waste is required. Several methods are in principle possible. Experimental results obtained in various large scale operations in the Netherlands are reviewed. There are clear indications that the best results are obtained by source separation of the organic waste. In the Netherlands governmental standards will be formulated for compost quality concerning heavy metal contents. These standards are likely to be increasingly restrictive in the years to come. It is argued that mechanical separation may reach these standards in the introductory phase, but eventually only source separation of organic waste has the potential to reach the final restrictive demands.

Nonproliferation Issue of the Pebble Bed High-Temperature Reactor

The constraints of nonproliferation of weapons-grade fuel are most favorably observed in the medium enriched uranium (MEU) fuel cycle of the pebble bed high-temperature reactor, using 20% enriched uranium as feed and thorium as breed material. The cycle can be designed so that the uranium enrichment never exceeds the limitation defined for nonsensitive fuel. In the spent fuel, the amount of fissile plutonium is one order of magnitude lower than for the light water reactor and it is strongly denatured by the even-numbered plutonium isotopes. In the once-through option applied in the introductory phase of the reactor, the proliferation restraints of the plutonium are furnished by the choice of the carbon/heavy metal ratio higher than 450 and of the burnup of 100 MWd/kg heavy metal. The Pu/sub FISS/Pu/sub TOTAL/ is achieved as low as 37%, and the admixing of 8% of /sup 238/Pu would complicate its handling by the decay heat rating. In the closed MEU cycle, the /sup 238/U is continuously separated from the cycle by the use of two different types of fuel elements: Thorium and 20% enriched uranium are inserted into the feed elements, and the uranium recovered from the reprocessing is loaded into the burnup elements,more » without thorium. These elements are removed from the cycle without reprocessing. Again the proliferation risk of the fissile plutonium is minimized because of its very low quantity and high denaturization.« less

The Prospect Programme

This article discusses some of the learning processes involved in the three‐day introductory phase of an open learning programme for unemployed managers. Open learning in this application means the individual having responsibility for setting her or his own learning tasks and choosing processes and timescale.

The Life Skills Development Program

In 1974the Occupational Therapy Section at Dwight Eisenhower Army Medical Center established a Life Skills Development Program for the treatment of the hospitalized acutely ill psychiatric patient. The program used a process which moved the patient through specifically prescribed tasks designed to initiate the development of adaptive behavior. Three basic group areas were formulated. These were values clarification, competency training, and information class. Values clarification was designed as an introductory phase of treatment and was important in building initial rapport and implementing patient involvement. Through carefully selected tasks, the patient was relieved of the burden of initiating the group process and was quickly involved in the discussion of life-related topics leading to the establishment of his own priorities. Competency training included a wide range of material allowing the therapist to teach and the patient to practice skills related to work, socialization, use of free time, and se...

Science related attitudes amongst Victorian catholic primary school teachers

This study is preliminary in nature, and the instrument will require some modification to reduce its length and to further increase the reliability of the attitude scale. None-the-less, in addition to replicating some important aspects of previous studies, and introducing a measurement of primary school teachers' science related attitudes, it does provide valuable data prior to the introduction of the new course guides. When used in conjunction with the findings of a similar survey which is to be conducted in 1983, these data will help to assess the impact of the introductory phase of the course in Victorian Schools.

Reducing the World's Uranium Requirement by the Thorium Fuel Cycle in High Temperature Reactors

The uranium ore requirement under a given world energy demand scenario is studied for the light water reactor, high temperature reactor (HTR), and fast breeder reactor (FBR), respectively. Both HTRs, when operated in the thorium fuel cycle, and FBRs achieve favorable conservation of uranium, but in different chronological periods: the HTR during the introductory phase of the nuclear power for ~100 yr; the FBR during the later phase of saturation for many centuries. The advantages can be combined by introducing both systems in parallel, which brings a definite further improvement. Beyond that, the world uranium requirement can be limited to a total of 5 million Mg if accelerator breeders or fusion-fission hybrids are introduced for breeding 233U out of thorium starting 40 yr from now.