The role of individual differences in bridging-inference processing was studied. Students (n = 135) read passages of short to moderate length. After each one, they answered corresponding questions about inferences that bridged causally related ideas that were either near or far apart in the text. The main hypothesis was that local bridging-inference processing is facilitated by the reader's predisposition to access pertinent knowledge during comprehension. Regression analyses provided support for this proposal and indicated that greater working-memory capacity and vocabulary knowledge promote inference processing. The following relationships between the predictors and inference processing were proposed: Knowledge access promotes the co-occurrence in working memory of the text ideas and knowledge needed to compute the bridge. Workingmemory capacity enhances the likelihood that needed antecedent ideas will be available to the bridging processes. Vocabulary knowledge may promote inference processing because unfamiliar word meanings place more demands on working-memory resources than do familiar meanings.
Passenger ships carry a large number of people in confined spaces. A case of the new influenza A (H1N1) virus aboard a passenger ship is an expected event and would lead to rapid spread of the virus, if preventive measures are not in place. However, many cruise lines have detailed policies and procedures to deal with cases of influenza like illness (ILI). The EU SHIPSAN and SHIPSAN TRAINET projects include in their objectives guidelines for the prevention and control of communicable diseases aboard passenger ships. A literature review showed that from 1997 to 2005, nine confirmed outbreaks of influenza were linked to passenger ships, with attack rates up to 37%. It is important to establish and maintain a surveillance system for ILI aboard passenger ships, in order to systematically collect data that can help to determine the baseline illness levels. Monitoring these will enable early identification of outbreaks and allow timely implementation of control measures.
A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t Highlights: A case of implementing a combination of ergonomic solutions in a real assembly setting. Workstation redesign and balancing high-risk tasks implemented over the usual production changes and reduced risk factors. Involving stakeholders in the interventions facilitated the acceptance of most changes.
The isometric strength profiles of male and female paraplegics were determined for pull and push strengths in the normal, maximum, and extreme working reach envelopes. A computerized isometric strength measurement system was designed and constructed for the purpose. The strongest pull location was at extreme reach vertically above the shoulder and the strength values for males and females were 473 and 318 newtons (N), respectively. The strongest push location was at maximum reach, at vertical (phi) angle of 45 degrees and at horizontal (theta) angle of 45 degrees for males and at 0 degrees for women and the strength values were 235 and 172 N, respectively. The nature of the strength profiles was found to be similar for both the sexes. The pull and push strengths of the female were 77 and 68% that of the male, respectively.
This study presents a novel means of assessing upper limb tasks by using mechanical energy. Potential energy quantifies six work related activities, studied for 20 working-age non-prosthesis users and three powered below elbow prosthesis users. Two marker trajectories on each of the upper arms, forearms, and hands were captured using a 3-camera VICON 140™ system. Task and arm dominance of non-prosthesis users are highly significant ($p\,{<}\,0.01$) with arm dominance effects being more pronounced for prosthesis users. Qualitative inter-repetition consistency is also concordant with observed increased cumulative trauma disorders among prosthesis users.
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