Interference effects from grammatically unavailable constituents during sentence processing.

Evidence from 3 experiments reveals interference effects from structural relationships that are inconsistent with any grammatical parse of the perceived input. Processing disruption was observed when items occurring between a head and a dependent overlapped with either (or both) syntactic or semantic features of the dependent. Effects of syntactic interference occur in the earliest online measures in the region where the retrieval of a long-distance dependent occurs. Semantic interference effects occur in later online measures at the end of the sentence. Both effects endure in offline comprehension measures, suggesting that interfering items participate in incorrect interpretations that resist reanalysis. The data are discussed in terms of a cue-based retrieval account of parsing, which reconciles the fact that the parser must violate the grammar in order for these interference effects to occur. Broader implications of this research indicate a need for a precise specification of the interface between the parsing mechanism and the memory system that supports language comprehension. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Network politics in an educational organization

The electronic mail (EM) network in a large, multi-campus community college district was used by some employees to gain support for positions contrary to those of the leadership. The case study offered an opportunity to look at technology within an organizational setting. It raised questions about the loose coupling of the educational organization's technical and authority systems, about the strength of coupling among employee groups during the incident, about the boundaries of the EM political activists, and about the power manifested within educational organization's technical and authority systems. A variety of research methods (stages of event progression, fantasy types associated with consciousness-building, and evidence of user technical and rhetorical skills) were used to answer questions about the organization's loosely coupled systems during the EM political incident. Notes were taken of conversations and more formal interviews. From this the technical and authority systems of the institution were described and compared. Results indicated that (1) the loose coupling of the technical and the authority systems made the EM political incident possible; (2) employees were more tightly coupled on organizational goals and more loosely coupled on organizational means; (3) political activists did not make full use of the EM's political medium potential; and (4) when the college district's administration refused to limit anyone's use of the EM network, they reinforced the integrity of both the authority and the technical systems.

Implications included: (1) the potential of some of the research methods for EM study, especially fantasy theme analysis; (2) a political interpretation of EM language, especially flaming; (3) the importance of technical and rhetorical skills for mature EM users; and (4) the role of the authority and technical systems in the debate about appropriate EM network use within an organization.     

OSHA's bloodborne pathogens rule an opportunity/threat

If you supply healthcare linen, OSHA's new ruling comes with a price tag, but it may be a marketing boon as well. The costs of compliance are high--about $1.19 million annually. One of the most costly and important parts of the ruling is the required employer-paid hepatitis B vaccination of employees. But behind the costs, there's good news for the textile rental industry. The opportunity to serve small medical facilities and nursing homes as well as hospitals with reusable healthcare garments could create a revenue source estimated to be at least $177 million a year.     

Knowing healthcare customer needs key to profitable niche marketing

A potential $177 million-a-year market has been opened to textile rental operators, thanks to OSHA's recent ruling on bloodborne pathogens. Healthcare providers nationwide are now searching for solutions to their protective apparel needs. Such customer needs are what drive niche markets. Whether you've been serving the healthcare market for years or are just now targeting it, here are the marketing strategies you need.     

Bloodborne pathogens compliance update. Local OSHA regulations cover textile rental companies in 23 states and two U.S. territories

The last phase of the federal OSHA standard on occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens became effective July 6. However, compliance deadlines may vary in the 23 states and two U.S. territories that have their own OSHA offices. The states and territories have the option of adopting the federal standard or drafting their own plans. Here's a status report on the OSHA-approved state programs for bloodborne pathogens.     

Synthesis and application of core–shell particles as toughening agents for epoxies

Poly(butadiene-co-styrene) [P(B-S)] core-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) shell particles were prepared using a two-step emulsion polymerization. These core-shell particles were used to toughen an epoxy polymer. The role of particle-epoxy interfaces were studied by systematically varying the shell compositions of the core-shell particles such as PMMA, P[MMA-acrylonitrile (AN)], P[MMA-glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)] and P[MMA-divinyl benzene(DVB)]. Therefore, the nature of the particle-epoxy interfaces is varied in terms of physical interactions and chemical bonding. The fracture toughness values of the toughened epoxies were measured using linear elastic fracture mechanics. Results indicate that the morphology of the dispersed particles in the epoxy matrix plays an important role in the toughening of epoxies. This degree of dispersion can be varied by incorporating AN and GMA comonomers in the PMMA shells or by crosslinking the shell. In summary, nanoscale interactions of the rubber-matrix interface do not directly influence fracture toughness, instead, it was found that the nanoscale interactions could be used to control the blend morphology which has a dramatic effect on toughness. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Characterisation and behaviour of Ti/TiO2/noble metal anodes

The morphology, composition and the electrical and electrochemical behaviour of the anodic microporous layer, prepared by the galvanostatic anodisation of Ti after sparking, followed by galvanostatic deposition of Pt or Ir have been investigated. These electrodes are proposed to function as dimensionally stable anodes (DSAs). For Ti/TiO₂/Pt electrodes, Pt is deposited within some of the micropores of the oxide film. In contrast, for Ti/TiO₂/Ir, the metal is deposited preferentially on the top surface. This difference is thought to result from the position of the metal deposition potential with respect to the flat band potential of n-TiO₂. Optical imaging of both types of DSA suggests that only a few sites on the surface are responsible for electron exchange at the DSA-electrolyte interface. C-AFM measurements of Ti/TiO₂/Pt samples subjected to long-term anodic polarisation, suggest that the Ti-noble metal contact is progressively insulated by thickening of the TiO₂ barrier layer, promoting passivation of the DSA. For Ir coated anodes, catalytic activity is directly related to the presence of Ir and to the stability of the catalytic oxide layer. Under Cu electrowinning conditions, the electrochemically formed hydrated Ir oxide was found to be catalytically less stable, than the iridium oxide film subjected to a heat treatment.     

The ageing Australian firefighter: an argument for age-based recruitment and fitness standards for urban fire services

Currently, there is no enforcement of physical standards within Australian fire services post-recruitment, possibly leading to inappropriate fitness and body composition. This study evaluated the impacts of ageing on physical standards of Australian firefighters. Seventy-three firefighters from three different 10-year age groups [25–34 years (n = 27), 35–44 years (n = 27), 45–54 years (n = 19)] volunteered for physical testing using dual-energy X-ray analysis and existing fitness tests used for recruitment by an Australian fire service. Older (45–54 years) participants demonstrated significantly poorer physical standards compared with younger participants including cardiovascular fitness (p < 0.05), strength (p = 0.001) and simulated operational power testing tasks (p < 0.001). Age-related body composition changes were also observed independent of body mass index. Minimum recruitment standards and fitness programs need to account for age-related declines in physical capabilities to ensure that the minimum standard is maintained regardless of age.

Practitioner Summary: Using dual-energy X-ray analysis and established fitness testing protocols, this study aimed to gain an appreciation of the current standards of body composition and fitness of Australian firefighters and the effects of ageing on their physical abilities post-recruitment. The study demonstrated a significant decline in physical standards due to age.