Testing probability matching and episodic retrieval accounts of response repetition effects in task switching.

This study takes inventory of available evidence on response repetition (RR) effects in task switching, in particular the evidence for RR cost when the task switches. The review reveals that relatively few task-switching studies in which RR effects were addressed have shown statistical support for RR cost, and that almost all are affected by 1 of 2 potential artifacts, either a response bias caused by disallowing stimulus repetitions or the effect of including stimulus repetitions in data analysis. New results with these factors controlled support an episodic retrieval model in which features of the retrieved trace, including the stimulus but also the task, task cue, and response, facilitate or interfere with performance depending on whether they match or mismatch the current processing context. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Tree-to-tree variation in stearic and oleic acid content in seed fat from Allanblackia floribunda from wild stands: Potential for tree breeding

We determined whether Allanblackia floribunda, a forest tree species that is valued for the fat extracted from its seeds, could be genetically improved for fruit/seed production by sampling 17–40 fruits from each of 70 trees that were distributed among four sites in wild stands. Fat was extracted from the seeds, and stearic and oleic acid content of the fat was estimated. Highly significant (P < 0.0001) between- and within-tree variation characterised fruits and seed characters. Between-site phenotypic variation was not significant. Stearic and oleic acid percentages in seed fat ranged from 44.16% to 66.12%, and from 24.95% to 48.42% per tree sample, respectively. Moderate repeatabilities were identified in fruit characters and mean seed mass. Moderate positive relationships were found between stearic and oleic acid percentages. Seed fat profiles were not found to vary with other fruit characters. Twenty “plus trees” were selected for breeding.     

Mini‐blasting for repair work

High chloride content of the concrete had led to corrosion of reinforcement in the brackets supporting the access balconies of a block of flats in Copenhagen; also affected were parts of the balcony decks and some wall panels. Widespread replacement of the suspect components was chosen, including re‐casting of the support brackets in situ. How the old concrete of the brackets was removed by controlled local blasting is described by a member of Demex consulting engineers, who acted as explosive demolition consultants to this project.     

Exploration and exploitation in project-based organizations: Development and diffusion of knowledge at different organizational levels in construction companies

Management studies highlight the importance of an organization's capability to both exploit existing knowledge and technologies for short-term profits and also explore new knowledge and technologies to enhance long-term innovation. Although this paradox recently has received escalating interest in management research, studies dealing with project-levels and project-based organizations (PBOs) are scarce. This conceptual paper discusses how PBOs in the construction industry can manage the exploration/exploitation paradox at different organizational levels. Short-term project focus and decentralization inhibits learning from one point in time and space to another, making it easier to reap the benefits of exploitation than of exploration. Current structural and sequential separation of exploration and exploitation activities at business unit, project portfolio, and project levels do not solve the paradox, due to lack of integrating mechanisms. Hence, PBOs in the construction industry may suffer from inadequate extent of exploration, while the extent of exploitation is not reaching its potential. Cooperative procurement procedures can serve as a basis for facilitating both exploration and exploitation of knowledge and technologies in construction projects.     

Theorizing Inside Activism: Understanding Policymaking and Policy Change from Below

To further our understanding on policymaking and policy change we need to recognize the significance of individual key actors in policy and planning processes. This article theorizes on the characteristics and policy influence of inside activism in which individual public officials act strategically from inside public administration to change government policy and action in line with a civic engagement and value commitment. Based on initial empirical findings from Swedish local government, we argue that inside activism is empirically relevant but not satisfactorily covered by other key actor concepts. We theorize that inside activism is 1) dualistic: open, deliberative, consensus-seeking and tacit, tactical, power-driven; 2) influential through informal networking inside and outside of government; and 3) dynamic as it varies over time and between critical situations. Due to current trends in society and public administration (e.g. governance), we expect inside activism to be increasingly relevant and we encourage further theoretical, empirical as well as normative research and discussion on this phenomenon.     

Epoxy–graphite oxide nanocomposites: Mechanical properties

Graphite oxide (GO) produced by Hummers method was added to epoxy for strengthening purpose. Generally the E‐modulus was increased due to the GO addition; however, depending on the treatment of the GO an increase or decrease was observed for the glass transition temperature. The change in glass transition was a result of changes in the curing behavior. Addition of GO initially increased the curing speed; however, the final curing degree was lower and was dependent on the type of GO added. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43591.     

Numerical Simulations of Lubricating Grease Flow in a Rectangular Channel with and without Restrictions

This article presents numerical simulations of the laminar flow of lubricating greases in a channel with rectangular cross section. Three greases with different consistencies (NLGI grades 00, 1, and 2) have been considered in three different configurations composed of a rectangular channel without restrictions, one rectangular step restriction, and one double-lip restriction. The driving pressure drop over the channel spans from 30 to 250 kPa. The grease rheology is described by the Herschel-Bulkley rheology model, and both the numerical code and rheology model have been validated with analytical solutions and flow measurements using micro-particle image velocimetry.     

Hanging cloths and dangling rods: A unified approach to constraints in computer animation

A simple unified approach for dealing with constraints on real-valued parameters in computer simulations and computer animation is described. The main characteristics of the approach are its flexibility (it works for a variety of constraint-types and it can be implemented to handle both under- and over-constrained systems in a stable way) and its ease for distributed computation. The method is based on the idea of genetic algorithms. The mathematical merits of the method for one constraint-type are discussed in some detail and some examples of applications are given.     

Effect of the Degree of Phosphorylation on the Crystallinity of Native Potato Starch

X-ray diffraction technique, combined with digital image processing was used to compare the crystallinity of native starch from a number of potato varieties, differing in the degree of phosphorylation. The crystallinity was found to decrease linearily with an increased degree of phosphorylation. Based on earlier observations of the gelatinization enthalpies, it was assumed that the C-6 phosphates, which have an orientation out of the α-helices disturb the crystallization of the amylopectin during the starch synthesis. The C-3 phosphates, which are located in the interior parts of the α-helices, are not believed to interfere with the crystal structure.