The Role of Individual Differences in Executive Attentional Networks and Switching Choices in Multi-Task Management

Individual differences in cognitive processing relate to critical performance differences in real-world environments. Task switching is required for many of them and especially for task management during overload. Research exploring individual differences related to switching behavior (both frequency, and adherence to optimal switch times) is, however, sparse. We examined these relationships here, using the attentional network task to index executive control, and an ongoing tracking task (within a larger suite of concurrent task demands) to examine switching behavior. The results failed to support a general relationship between executive control and frequency in a complex, heterogeneous multi-task environment. However, higher executive control participants more successfully exploited optimal switching times, highlighting the varying role of individual differences in task management, when choice is unconstrained

3D Modelling and Validation of the Optimal Pitch in Commercial CORC Cables

Conductor on a rounded core (CORC\textsuperscript{\textregistered}) cables with current densities beyond 300 A/mm$^{-2}$ at 4.2 K, and a capacity to retain around 90 $\%$ of critical current after bending to a diameter of 3.5 cm, make them a strong candidate for high field power applications and magnets. In this paper, we present a full 3D-FEM model based upon the so-called H-formulation for commercial CORC\textsuperscript{\textregistered} cables manufactured by Advanced Conductor Technologies LLC. The model presented consists of tapes ranging from 1 up to 3 SuperPower 4mm-width tapes in 1 single layer and at multiple pitch angles. By varying the twist pitch, local electromagnetic characteristics such as the current density distribution along the length and width are visualized. Measurements of macroscopical quantities such as AC-losses are disclosed in comparison with available experimental measurements. We particularly focused on the influence of the twist pitch by comparing the efficiency and performance of multiple cables, critically assessing the optimal twist pitch angle.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, CEC/ICMC'21 Conference, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, Advances in Cryogenic Engineerin

The Intrinsic Absorber in QSO 2359-1241: Keck and HST Observations

We present detailed analyses of the absorption spectrum seen in QSO 2359-1241 (NVSS J235953-124148). Keck HIRES data reveal absorption from twenty transitions arising from: He I, Mg I, Mg II, Ca II, and Fe II. HST data show broad absorption lines (BALs) from Al III 1857, C IV 1549, Si IV 1397, and N V 1240. Absorption from excited Fe II states constrains the temperature of the absorber to 2000K < T < 10,000K and puts a lower limit of 10^5 cm^{-3} on the electron number density. Saturation diagnostics show that the real column densities of He I and Fe II can be determined, allowing to derive meaningful constraints on the ionization equilibrium and abundances in the flow. The ionization parameter is constrained by the iron, helium and magnesium data to -3.0 < log(U) < -2.5 and the observed column densities can be reproduced without assuming departure from solar abundances. From comparison of the He I and Fe II absorption features we infer that the outflow seen in QSO 2359-1241 is not shielded by a hydrogen ionization front and therefore that the existence of low-ionization species in the outflow (e.g., Mg II, Al III, Fe II) does not necessitate the existence of such a front. We find that the velocity width of the absorption systematically increases as a function of ionization and to a lesser extent with abundance. Complementary analyses of the radio and polarization properties of the object are discussed in a companion paper (Brotherton et al. 2000).Comment: 30 pages, 9 figures, in press with the Ap

Attachment of Cobalt “Picket Fence” Porphyrin to the Surface of Gold Electrodes Coated with 1-(10-Mercaptodecyl)imidazole

Self-assembled monolayers of 1-(10-mercaptodecyl)imidazole on Au electrodes were used to bind cobalt “picket fence” porphyrin (cobalt 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(α,α,α,α-2-pivalamidophenyl)porphyrin) to the electrode surface. The binding involved coordination of the cobalt center of the porphyrin to the pendant imidazole groups in the monolayer coating. Attempts to coordinate the Co(II) oxidation state of the porphyrin to the coatings were not successful. However, with the Co(III) oxidation state, substantial binding was achieved which persisted even when the Co(III) was reduced to Co(II). Absorption spectra of the attached porphyrin were obtained for both oxidation states of the cobalt center. The remaining axial coordination site on the attached cobalt porphyrin is accessible to ligands, for example, imidazole, in aqueous solution

Circadian Effects on Simple Components of Complex Task Performance

The goal of this study was to advance understanding and prediction of the impact of circadian rhythm on aspects of complex task performance during unexpected automation failures, and subsequent fault management. Participants trained on two tasks: a process control simulation, featuring automated support; and a multi-tasking platform. Participants then completed one task in a very early morning (circadian night) session, and the other during a late afternoon (circadian day) session. Small effects of time of day were seen on simple components of task performance, but impacts on more demanding components, such as those that occur following an automation failure, were muted relative to previous studies where circadian rhythm was compounded with sleep deprivation and fatigue. Circadian low participants engaged in compensatory strategies, rather than passively monitoring the automation. The findings and implications are discussed in the context of a model that includes the effects of sleep and fatigue factors

Improving Predictions for Helium Emission Lines

We have combined the detailed He I recombination model of Smits with the collisional transitions of Sawey & Berrington in order to produce new accurate helium emissivities that include the effects of collisional excitation from both the 2 (3)S and 2 (1) S levels. We present a grid of emissivities for a range of temperature and densities along with analytical fits and error estimates. Fits accurate to within 1% are given for the emissivities of the brightest lines over a restricted range for estimates of primordial helium abundance. We characterize the analysis uncertainties associated with uncertainties in temperature, density, fitting functions, and input atomic data. We estimate that atomic data uncertainties alone may limit abundance estimates to an accuracy of 1.5%; systematic errors may be greater than this. This analysis uncertainty must be incorporated when attempting to make high accuracy estimates of the helium abundance. For example, in recent determinations of the primordial helium abundance, uncertainties in the input atomic data have been neglected.Comment: ApJ, accepte

Dynamics of a colloid-stabilized cream

We use x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy to investigate the dynamics of a high volume fraction emulsion creaming under gravity. The dodecane-in-water emulsion has interfaces stabilized solely by colloidal particles (silica). The samples were observed soon after mixing: as the emulsion becomes compact we discern two regimes of ageing with a cross-over between them. The young emulsion has faster dynamics associated with creaming in a crowded environment accompanied by local rearrangements. The dynamics slow down for the older emulsion although our studies show that motion is associated with large intermittent events. The relaxation rate, as seen from the intensity autocorrelation function, depends linearly on the wave vector at all times; however, the exponent associated with the line shape changes from 1.5 for young samples to less than 1 as the emulsion ages. The combination of ballisticlike dynamics, an exponent that drops below 1 and large intermittent fluctuations has not been reported before.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

The political dimension: added value for cross-cultural analysis:Nozawa and Smits, two CEO's and their public statements

Work-related cultural differences, which were familiarized by scholars such as Hall and Hofstede, offer important concepts to help us understand various forms of cooperation and communication. However, the predominant focus of cultural analysis on collectivistic harmony prevents us from gaining an understanding of strategy and conflict. In an attempt to grasp how conflicts are handled, a political analysis can provide new insights. This is illustrated by a comparative study of two CEOs who gave public statements concerning management failure: Shouhei Nozawa of Yamaichi and Paul Smits of KPN. Their statements were strikingly different in several ways, but the classical insights of cross-cultural analysis can only partly explain the differences. This is where political analysis comes in, focusing on interest relationships, responsibilities and virtues, tactics and strategy