Phonological representations and repetition priming

An ubiquitous phenomenon in psychology is the `repetition effect': a repeated stimulus is processed better on the second occurrence than on the first. Yet, what counts as a repetition? When a spoken word is repeated, is it the acoustic shape or the linguistic type that matters? In the present study, we contrasted the contribution of acoustic and phonological features by using participants with different linguistic backgrounds: they came from two populations sharing a common vocabulary (Catalan) yet possessing different phonemic systems. They performed a lexical decision task with lists containing words that were repeated verbatim, as well as words that were repeated with one phonetic feature changed. The feature changes were phonemic, i.e. linguistically relevant, for one population, but not for the other. The results revealed that the repetition effect was modulated by linguistic, not acoustic, similarity: it depended on the subjects' phonemic system

A review of the socio-demographic characteristics affecting the demand for different car-sharing operational schemes

In this paper, socio-demographic factors influencing the demand for different car-sharing forms are examined. An in-depth review of such factors is provided based on the type of shared car service, geographic area, and specific travel demand aspect being considered. Conclusions highlight the differences between car sharing operational schemes. The number of males, young individuals, and people with above-average income among free-floating members is higher than in other car-sharing services. Also, although round-trip car-sharing users appear to be less educated than other car-sharing services users, car-sharing members may follow a more efficient and sustainable lifestyle than the one-way shared car system members. Besides, some suggestions are recommended for future studies. A research gap has been identified regarding the direction of causation between vehicle ownership levels and car-sharing demand. Most studies have worked on the impact of vehicle ownership on car-sharing or simply noted a correlation between the two. However, clarifying any reverse effect would help in better assessing the sustainability of car-sharing services. This overview can guide policymakers, planners, and other stakeholders to enhance the car-sharing program's effectiveness and opt for the best kind of service according to their goals

Bullwhip Effect of a Closed Leep Supply Chain with and Without Information Sharing of Customer Demand

In recent years, companies have become interested in a closed-loop supply chain that is concerned with the recovery pipeline. The expenses of a company can be influenced by large inventories and backlogs due to the bullwhip effect in the supply chain. Previous literature has shown that the bullwhip effect can be decreased by a reverse supply chain. This paper develops a closed-loop supply chain including seven echelons for recovery of end-of-life products. The model considers the order-up-to inventory policy and the exponential smoothing forecasting with a trend method in the system to assist in determining the ordering quantities. The best of the best is the method for this paper to choose a good smoothing parameter and to compare the necessity for information sharing. This test method provides the minimizing cost for the companies and analyzes the type of costs that can be reduced by selecting a good parameter value or utilizing information sharing. Furthermore, it also provides a way to reduce the bullwhip effect and verifies that the bullwhip index and cost are a complement to each other

PENGARUH KNOWLEDGE SHARING ANTAR DOSEN PADA KINERJA PENELITIAN DOSEN

This research was developing a model of knowledge sharing among lecturers and their research performance. Today, the intellectual capital is one of determinant factors for organizational performance. The performance of intellectual capital is largely determined by knowledge sharing activities. This research considered two dimensions of knowledge sharing activities, namely, the type-based knowledge sharing and the use of a method in sharing. The research performance was measured on the frequency of publications and number of scientific papers. Besides, the research also included two moderator variables, namely, culture and information technology application. The literature study and a real system study were used for developing the model. The model was tested by using a structural equation modeling method. This research found that the type-based knowledge sharing has a positive effect on research performance, and the intensity of using diverse sharing methods has also a positive effect on research performance. In addition, proper culture and information technology application have some impacts on increasing research performance. Keywords: knowledge sharing, research performance, intellectual capita

Orbital Josephson effect and interactions in driven atom condensates on a ring

In a system of ac-driven condensed bosons we study a new type of Josephson effect occurring between states sharing the same region of space and the same internal atom structure. We first develop a technique to calculate the long time dynamics of a driven interacting many-body system. For resonant frequencies, this dynamics can be shown to derive from an effective time-independent Hamiltonian which is expressed in terms of standard creation and annihilation operators. Within the subspace of resonant states, and if the undriven states are plane waves, a locally repulsive interaction between bosons translates into an effective attraction. We apply the method to study the effect of interactions on the coherent ratchet current of an asymmetrically driven boson system. We find a wealth of dynamical regimes which includes Rabi oscillations, self-trapping, and chaotic behavior. In the latter case, a full many-body calculation deviates from the mean-field results by predicting large quantum fluctuations of the relative particle number.Comment: Published versio

Induction of labour : the influences on decision making : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Midwifery at Massey University

This thesis presents a study using a general qualitative approach that explores the reasons for induction of labour (IOL) for nulliparous women and the influences for women and Lead Maternity Carers (LMCs) on coming to that decision at a secondary care maternity facility in Auckland. It is part of a larger study that compares the outcomes for women who have had their labour induced and those whose labour began spontaneously. Seventy-nine women and 74 of the LMCs who cared for these women were interviewed prior to induction in the period December 2002 to April 2003. The sample was obtained through the induction booking system used at the maternity facility. Age, ethnicity, LMC type and data relating to the reasons for induction, information received, associated interventions and other methods used to induce labour in the community were collected. The qualitative data from the interviews was analysed using Boyatzis' method of thematic analysis and code development. Results showed that the main reason for induction was post-dates, however secondary influences were identified. The hospital booking system was a cause of inductions being commenced earlier than necessary. It appeared women had minimal information about the risks of induction and were not active participants in the decision making process. Communication between the health professionals, women and maternity facility was sometimes poor and led to the indication for induction being unclear. LMCs displayed a balancing of risk as they were conscious of the current research, previous experiences in relation to induction, expectations of peers, litigation and the concerns of women. Women were focused primarily on the safety of their baby. Induction of labour was viewed by women as having both a positive and negative effect on the birth experience. Information sharing, stereotypes held by practitioners, fear of litigation and the type of relationship the LMC and women worked within appeared to influence the decision making to induce labour. A decision making tool that facilitates communication between all parties and outlines the risks and benefits of induction for women and their babies is one recommendation from the study. Research indicates that if such a tool is held by the woman it can promote informed choice in decision making