Chemical defense against predation in an insect egg.

The larva of the green lacewing (Ceraeochrysa cubana) (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) is a natural predator of eggs of Utetheisa ornatrix (Lepidoptera, Arctiidae), a moth that sequesters pyrrolizidine alkaloids from its larval foodplant (Fabaceae, Crotalaria spp.). Utetheisa eggs are ordinarily endowed with the alkaloid. Alkaloid-free Utetheisa eggs, produced experimentally, are pierced by the larva with its sharp tubular jaws and sucked out. Alkaloid-laden eggs, in contrast, are rejected. When attacking an Utetheisa egg cluster (numbering on average 20 eggs), the larva subjects it to an inspection process. It prods and/or pierces a small number of eggs (on average two to three) and, if these contain alkaloid, it passes "negative judgement" on the remainder of the cluster and turns away. Such generalization on the part of the larva makes sense, because the eggs within clusters differ little in alkaloid content. There is, however, considerable between-cluster variation in egg alkaloid content, so clusters in nature can be expected to range widely in palatability. To check each cluster for acceptability must therefore be adaptive for the larva, just as it must be adaptive for Utetheisa to lay its eggs in large clusters and to apportion alkaloid evenly among eggs of a cluster.

Burnout and the nursing profession.

The nursing profession is extremely stressful. Career nurses are at risk of burnout from long-term exposure to overwhelming demands. The process of burnout creates serious consequences for both employees and their organizations. The employee with burnout can experience serious emotional and physical problems that can potentially lower productivity. Although the process of burnout has been examined, little has been done to determine the organizational and individual features that may distinguish between low, moderate, and high levels of burnout. This article attempts to explain the process of burnout, different levels of burnout, and organizational and attitudinal factors that may affect burnout. If specific job-related factors increase the likelihood of burnout, then the modification of these factors might actually decrease the incidence of burnout.

Training opportunities and educational requirements for the nurse manager.

It seems inevitable that hospitals must supplement the formal education of its nurse managers. To do this most effectively, hospitals must conduct a formal needs analysis to accurately assess the training needs of the nurses. Perhaps more importantly, an adequate evaluation of all training activity should be conducted to ensure that the trainee has actually learned what is taught; the trainee is satisfied with the training; the trainee has retained the information over time; and the trainee has transferred that training to the job. Since many hospitals report investing a great deal of time and money in these programs, it would be extremely beneficial to them to carefully assess the strengths and weaknesses of their training programs. If the program is not having its intended effect, the hospitals need to know exactly where the deficiencies are and how to correct them. By doing this, nurses will receive the kind of training that will help them to manage effectively in a variety of situations.

Quantitative determination of N-[trans-2-(dimethylamino)-cyclopentyl]-N-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)propan amide, its 2H5-labeled analogue and their N-dealkylated metabolites in dog serum by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

This paper describes the development of a capillary gas chromatographic--mass spectrometric method for the determination of N-[trans-2-(dimethylamino)cyclopentyl]-N-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)propan amide and its metabolites in serum. The method utilizes an automated sample preparation whereby drug, metabolites and internal standard are extracted from polar serum components by adsorption chromatography onto an XAD-type resin. The N-demethylated metabolites are derivatized by acetylation prior to chromatography. Detection is by mass spectrometry with chemical ionization. This method was utilized to determine levels of unlabeled and pentadeuterated drug and their respective metabolites in canine serum after oral co-administration. No significant kinetic isotope effects were observed for either absorption or metabolism.