What Do You Do When Things Go Right? The Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Benefits of Sharing Positive Events.

Four studies examined the intrapersonal and interpersonal consequences of seeking out others when good things happen (i.e., capitalization). Two studies showed that communicating personal positive events with others was associated with increased daily positive affect and well-being, above and beyond the impact of the positive event itself and other daily events. Moreover, when others were perceived to respond actively and constructively (and not passively or destructively) to capitalization attempts, the benefits were further enhanced. Two studies found that close relationships in which one's partner typically responds to capitalization attempts enthusiastically were associated with higher relationship well-being (e.g., intimacy, daily marital satisfaction). The results are discussed in terms of the theoretical and empirical importance of understanding how people "cope" with positive events, cultivate positive emotions, and enhance social bonds. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effect of cold work on the precipitation of Ω and θ′ in a ternary Al-Cu-Mg alloy

The effect of plastic deformation on the microstructural evolution of an Al-5.0Cu-0.5Mg (wt pct) ternary alloy was investigated. Hardness measurements and quantitative precipitate analysis were performed on specimens that were water quenched from a solution heat treatment, stretched either 0 or 6 pct and immediately aged at ambient temperature or artificially aged at 200 °C or 250 °C for times up to 3000 hours. Quantitative transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize Ω and θ′ number density, diameter, and thickness as a function of preage mechanical stretch and artificial aging condition. Age hardening curves for naturally and artificially aged specimens revealed an increase in hardness corresponding with a preage stretch. Quantitative TEM verified an increase in the number density and a refinement of precipitates for both Ω and θ′ between the 0 and 6 pct stretch condition for those samples artificially aged. When aged at 200 °C, θ′ exhibited superior coarsening resistance relative to the Ω phase. The quantified Ω coarsening kinetics were greater than similar Ag-containing alloys. To investigate the effects of trace Si additions on subsequent microstructural evolution, a series of Al-Cu-Mg-Si quaternary alloys were produced. The addition of 0.1Si (wt pct) was found to suppress Ω precipitation in most Al-4.0Cu-xMg alloys investigated. These initial results indicate that Ω precipitation may be related to the Mg/Si ratio.     

Toward an understanding of the influence of affective states on attentional tuning: Comment on Friedman and F?rster (2010).

Friedman and F?rster (2010) reviewed an extensive program of research that was consistent with the view that positive affective states broaden, whereas negative affective states narrow, the scope of attention. We applaud their creative investigations into these important psychological questions and appreciate their thorough review. However, recent evidence strongly suggests that the conclusions drawn by Friedman and F?rster need to be tempered, for the recent evidence suggests that motivational intensity rather than affective valence causes the modulations of attentional tuning. That is, affective states of low motivational intensity (e.g., sadness, postgoal positive affect) broaden attention, whereas affective states of high motivational intensity (e.g., disgust, pregoal positive affect) narrow attention. Our viewpoint is that attentional narrowing occurs during affective states of high motivational intensity to aid organisms in acquiring desirable objects and avoiding aversive ones. Attentional broadening occurs during affective states of low motivational intensity to open organisms to new opportunities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Strategic information systems research: An archival analysis

The Journal of Strategic Information Systems (JSIS) has been an international outlet for Information Systems research that focuses on strategic issues since 1991. This paper reports on an analysis of the research published in JSIS to date. The paper presents a preliminary classification system for research topics related to Strategic Information Systems into which all 316 JSIS research papers as at end 2009 are classified. Discussion on changing emphases in topics over time is provided, in the context of the editorial philosophy of the journal. The paper seeks to stimulate discussion on future directions for research in Strategic Information Systems.     

Knowledge Management Competence for Enterprise System Success

This study conceptualizes, operationalises and validates the concept of Knowledge Management Competence as a four-phase multidimensional formative index. Employing survey data from 310 respondents representing 27 organizations using the SAP Enterprise System Financial module, the study results demonstrate a large, significant, positive relationship between Knowledge Management Competence and Enterprise Systems Success (ES-success, as conceived by Gable et al., 2008); suggesting important implications for practice. Strong evidence of the validity of Knowledge Management Competence as conceived and operationalised, too suggests potential from future research evaluating its relationships with possible antecedents and consequences.     

Assessment of the aluminum-rich corner of the Al–Cu–Mg–(Ag) phase diagram

The thermodynamic expressions for the phases found in the aluminum-rich corner of the Al–Cu–Mg–(Ag) system were evaluated and refined to develop a self-consistent database. Microstructural characterization and thermal analysis aided in revising published thermodynamic data for the Al–Cu–Mg and Al–Cu–Mg–Ag systems. To represent the presence of silver an additional interaction energy term was formulated for the S phase, which was completed with the help of ab initio calculations that predicted silver substitution for aluminum within the phase.     

Knee position error detection in closed and open kinetic chain tasks during concurrent cognitive distraction

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the number of breast cancer deaths induced by low dose radiation in breast cancer screening programmes compared with numbers prevented. METHODS: A computer simulation model on the natural history of breast cancer was combined with a model from BEIR-V on induced breast cancer mortality from low levels of radiation. The improvement in prognosis resulting from screening was based on the results of the Swedish overview of the randomised screening trials for breast cancer and the performance of screening in the Netherlands. Different scenarios (ages and intervals) were used to explore the objectives. Sensitivity analyses were carried out for latency period, dose of mammography, sensitivity of the screening test, early detection by screening of induced breast tumours, and new 1996 risk estimates by Howe and McLaughlin. RESULTS: For a screening programme, age group 50-69, two year interval, 2 mGy per view, the balance between the number of deaths induced versus those prevented was favourable: 1:242. When screening is expanded to the age group 40-49 with a one or two year interval the results may be less favourable, that is, 1:66 and 1:97. According to these scenarios and with the Dutch scenario as reference, one breast cancer death from radiation may be expected to occur to save eight extra deaths from breast cancer. If screening was equally effective in young women as in women aged 50-69, the marginal value was 1:+/- 30. Assuming detection of induced cancers by screening could influence the ratios by about 30%, but did not substantially change the conclusions. The new risk estimates by Howe and McLaughlin resulted in five times to eight times favourable ratios breast cancer deaths induced to prevented. Besides age group of screening, dose of mammography is the other determinant of risk. CONCLUSIONS: For screening under the age of 50, the balance between the number of breast cancer deaths prevented by screening compared with the number induced by radiation seem less favourable. Credibility intervals were however wide, because of many uncertainties of radiation risk at very low doses.