Goal congruence in project teams: does the fit between members' personal mastery and performance goals matter?

Research on team goals rarely considers the impact of congruence in perceptions of personal goals of self versus other members. In this study of 324 members of 64 short-term project teams, polynomial regression analysis was used to explore how congruence in personal and perceived team mastery and performance goals affected individual outcomes. Results indicated that congruence in perceived performance goals elicited greater individual satisfaction and contributions, regardless of goal strength (i.e.. high or low personal performance goals). Conversely, perceived team mastery goals had a greater effect on individual outcomes than did perceived congruence in self-other mastery goals. Congruent self-actual team goals showed weaker but similar relationships to individual outcomes, but contrary to hypotheses, this effect was not mediated by congruence in perceived self-other goals.

The effects of hydrostatic pressure on pertussis toxin-catalyzed ribosylation of G proteins from deep-living macrourid fishes.

To test the effects of hydrostatic pressure on the coupling of receptors to guanyl nucleotide binding reglatory proteins (G proteins) in transmembrane signaling, pertussis toxin (PTX)-catalyzed [32P]ADP-ribosylation was used to probe the guanyl nucleotide-binding proteins Gi and G(o) in brain membranes from four marine teleosts. These macrourids, Coryphaenoides pectoralis, Coryphaenoides cinereus, Coryphaenoides filifer and Coryphaenoides armatus, span depths from 200 to 5400 m. Pertussis toxin specifically labelled proteins of 39-41 kDa. The PTX-catalyzed [32P]ADP-ribosylation reaction was linear for 7 h. Added guanyl nucleotides (guanosine 5'-diphosphate (GDP) and guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate)(GTP[S])) at concentrations up to 1000 microM did not affect ribosylation at atmospheric pressure. Under basal conditions the Gi/G(o) protein population appears to be uncoupled from receptors and bound with GDP. Pressures up to 476 atm were tested in the absence and presence of added guanyl nucleotides, 100 microM GDP and 100 microM GTP[S]. [32P]ADP-ribosylation in brain membranes from the deeper-occurring C. cinereus, C. filifer and C. armatus was not inhibited by increased pressure in the presence of 100 microM GDP. Increasing pressure decreased ribosylation in brain membranes of C. pectoralis. In the presence of 100 microM GTP[S], increased pressure inhibited ribosylation in all species. Pressure appears to enhance the efficacy of GTP[S] in dissociating the heterotrimeric holoprotein.

Gender differences in the acquisition of salary negotiation skills: the role of goals, self-efficacy, and perceived control.

The authors examined the effectiveness of different training programs in men's and women's acquisition of salary negotiation skills. MBA students received a 2-stage training program that provided initial content instruction in negotiation tactics, followed by supplemental training in either goal setting or self-management. After both training sessions, participants conducted salary negotiations with trained confederates who used standardized guides to award salary increases. Results indicated that, although women negotiated lower salaries than men following the initial training, controlling for goals eliminated this difference. Analysis of salary improvements following supplemental training revealed that gender differences were reduced for self-management participants only. Changes in perceived control over the negotiation appeared to mediate this effect. Implications of these findings for understanding training effectiveness are discussed.

The human immunodeficiency virus: knowledge and precautions among anesthesiology personnel.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare actual infectious disease precautions with current recommendations and to determine the influence of age, clinical experience, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) knowledge, previous personal HIV exposure, and education on practices. DESIGN: Direct clinical observations of infectious precautions and preeducation and posteducation surveys of clinical practices and general knowledge of the HIV. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-six anesthesia department members completed a preeducation survey, and 24 completed a posteducation survey. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The survey showed that adequate precautions were used during less than 50% of the routine procedures. Significant positive correlations were found between years of clinical practice and precautions used while inserting vascular catheters. Significant positive correlation was found between years of clinical practice and precautions taken while handling soiled laryngoscopes. Knowledge about the HIV and HIV transmission was limited. We noted a negative correlation between knowledge and precautions during vascular cannulation procedures, emergency department resuscitation, and tracheal suction. More precautions were taken with patients who had proven HIV infections and those at high risk of infection. The posteducation survey demonstrated a significant increase only in the use of gloves during routine procedures. Knowledge scores were only slightly improved and did not significantly reflect infection control practices. CONCLUSIONS: Adequate infectious disease precautions were not taken by anesthesia personnel. An HIV educational program resulted in only a small increase in precautionary measures.