Examining the Effect of Interruptions at Different Breakpoints and Frequencies Within a Task

Research on the effects of interruptions shows that they can be either costly or beneficial depending on which aspects of an interruption are manipulated. One important aspect that contributes to these conflicting results concerns when an interruption occurs. The present study explored how event segmentation theory (EST) can be used to determine optimal moments for an interruption relying on hierarchical task analysis (HTA) to identify coarse and fine event boundaries. Utilizing a 2 X 3 mixed design, undergraduate students completed a trip planning task divided into three task trials. The within-subjects factor was interruption timing, which had three levels: none, coarse breakpoints, and fine breakpoints. The between-subjects factor was interruption frequency, which had two levels: one and three. According to memory for goals theory (MFG), a task representation at a fine breakpoint is large and thus an interruption occurring at this breakpoint increases memory demand and results in performance decrements when compared to an interruption at a coarse breakpoint. In line with this theory, it was hypothesized that interruptions would be more disruptive at fine vs. coarse breakpoints and that as the frequency of interruptions increased, so would the degree of disruption. Last, it was expected that the effects of high frequency interruptions would be more pronounced at fine vs. coarse breakpoints. The dependent measures included resumption lag, task completion time, number of errors, mental workload, and frustration. The findings provided partial support for these predictions. Consistent with MFG theory and EST, participants took longer to resume the primary task and reported higher mental workload and frustration when interruptions occurred at fine breakpoints. Conversely, the effects of interruptions at coarse breakpoints were similar to completing the task without interruption. However, interruption frequency had no effect on performance. In general, these results suggest that the disruptiveness of a single or even a few interruptions is tied to the point within the task hierarchy where it occurs

Implications of Individualism and Collectivism on the Individual\u27s Social Identity

Social Identity Theory attempts to explain why individuals can act primarily as group members and secondarily as individuals and predict how individuals maintain positive social identities. Individuals are motivated to establish social identities to increase self-esteem and reduce uncertainty, and do so by using prototypes to cognitively represent, categorize, and compare in-groups from out-groups. Although Social Identity Theory explains the processes individuals undergo to develop social identities and situate themselves in society, it lacks the framework to explain how culture impacts an individual’s identity and the consequences associated with the contextual nature of a social identity. Individualism and collectivism are two cultural syndromes that can be prototyped by the individual, and when incorporated into a social identity, prescribe distinct cognitions, emotions, values, and self-concepts. As the frame of reference in which social identities are constructed expands and contracts, there are different cultural implications for social identities. This paper will extend Social Identity Theory and evaluate the different cultural implications concerning individual, social, and national levels of identity. We will explain fundamental differences in the way people perceive themselves and their realities, and predict how individualism and collectivism affect social identities as the situation context of changes

Downwind Air Quality Measurements From Poultry and Livestock Facilities

Air samples were collected at and downwind from poultry, dairy and swine facilities during two summer sampling periods. Samples were analyzed, onsite, by an electronic nose and a Jerome meter for H2S concentration. Collected air samples were analyzed using olfactometry and gas chromatography. Data were analyzed to determine specie and site differences for gaseous concentrations and odor. From collected data, equations for downwind concentrations for gaseous compounds and odor were developed. Prediction equations for odor were developed from analytes quantified by gas chromatography. Correlations between olfactometry measures and both electronic nose and gaseous concentrations were determined. H2S was best correlated to odor. Climatic conditions influenced odor, H2S and gaseous compound concentrations. Management practices are an important factor in determining emissions from animal feeding operations; perhaps of equal or greater importance than the specie itself. Identification of specific compounds that likely contribute to malodor and, in particular, relate to observed differences in odors emanating from production facilities of different species, can be used in conjunction with specie-specific siting tools. Concentrations of particulates and gases generated from this study will be used to further develop such tools

Does knuckle popping lead to arthritis?

Q: Does knuckle popping lead to arthritis? Evidence-based answer: No, habitual knuckle popping, or cracking (over the course of several decades) isn't associated with clinical or radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, retrospective cohort and case control studies). However, attempting to pop the knuckles can produce acute soft tissue injury (SOR: C, case reports)

What is the best noninvasive diagnostic test for women with suspected CAD?

Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) may be the most sensitive and specific noninvasive diagnostic test for women with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A, multiple prospective cohort studies). However, stress echocardiography and nuclear medicine perfusion testing are still the best well-tested and readily available alternatives in light of the newness of MDCT and concerns regarding its use (SOR: A, meta-analysis and cohort studies). Standard exercise treadmill testing (ETT) doesn't adequately exclude or confirm CAD in women (SOR: A, multiple prospective cohort studies)

Prospectus, July 22, 2015

STATE OF THE ART: NEW MUSIC CLASS BRINGS RECORDING STUDIO TO PARKLAND; Changes ushered in with construction on campus; Parkland a top choice for health professions; Doctors say teen\u27s HIV in check for 12 years without drugs; David Leake, Director of Parkiand\u27s Staerke! Planetarium; Thousands of athietes prepare for Specia! Olympics this week; $10 bill change rankles descendant of Alexander Hamilton; Planned Parenthood says video part of decadelong harassment; Summer no time for vacation for Parkland baseball; First Gig Rock campers live out rock star dreams; Jon Stewart heads into home stretch at \u27Daily Show\u27https://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2015/1030/thumbnail.jp

Concerted reductive coupling of an alkyl chloride at Pt(IV)

Oxidation of a doubly cyclometallated platinum(II) complex results in two isomeric platinum(IV) complexes. Whereas the trans isomer is robust, being manipulable in air at room temperature, the cis isomer decomposes at −20 °C and above. Reductive coupling of an alkyl chloride at the cis isomer gives a new species which can be reoxidised. The independence of this coupling on additional halide rules out the reverse of an SN2 reaction, leaving a concerted process as the only sensible reaction pathway

Realizing the Potential of Urban Forests: Forests in Cities Workshop Themes and City Case Study Descriptions

Like all forests, forests in cities require resources, science, management, protection, and programming in order to achieve desired conditions. Yet, achieving the desired condition in an urban environment may require new approaches that account for the dynamic and complex nature of the urban setting. These decisions and actions are occurring at the city, park, or site scale. Unlike national parks, or wilderness areas that have a national or state budget, staffing structures, and regulations; forests in cities are regulated and managed primarily at the local municipal scale. This also makes the approaches to forest management planning and policy regulations tailored to individual city governance structures, despite many similar challenges arising at the national level. As part of our Forest in Cities Workshop, we partnered with 12 cities across the United States to create case studies around common themes related to achieving healthy forests as a part of sustainable and healthy cities. Our goal was to provide examples of work on the ground but also provide a lens upon which the work of individual cities could be contextualized as part of common themes and solutions that could be applied broadly. Below we describe the themes of the workshop and the case studies developed by the cities that are included in this special issue

Prospectus, June 24, 2015

Parkland campus to go smoke free, AMP reaching past Parkland campus, \u27Triple Play\u27 plan provides free tech services, 6 killed in California balcony collapse during a party(AP), An Interview with Lisa Costello, Giertz Gallery Director, Urbana’s Market at the Square working to increase fresh food access(City of Urbana), Donald Trump says he’s running for president in 2016(AP), Choosing your own: Definition of race becoming fluid(AP), Confidently Humble, or the time I started beating on the ground with a stick, Smashmouth to headline at Champaign Music Festival(Champaign Park District), Kosovo art installation of dresses supports war rape victims(AP), Obama says US racism ‘not cured,’ makes point with epithet(AP)https://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2015/1012/thumbnail.jp