Analysis of intrinsic diffusivities in multicomponent alloys

In this letter we consider the intrinsic diffusivities in a multicomponent random alloy in terms of the ratios of atom-vacancy exchange frequencies. Using the exact sum rule due to Moleko and Allnatt, which relates phenomenological coefficients in the multicomponent random alloy, we deduce an exact relationship between the intrinsic diffusivities and the ratios of the exchange frequencies. We exemplify the finding with a consideration of binary and ternary random alloys. We show that the new relationship should be robust enough for employment in multicomponent alloys showing non-ideality.     

Mothers and Independent Citizens: Making Sense of Wollstonecraft's Supposed Essentialism

Abstract

Mary Wollstonecraft argues that women must be independent citizens, but that they cannot be that unless they fulfill certain duties as mothers. This is problematic in a number of ways, as argued by Laura Brace in a 2000 article. However, I argue that if we understand Wollstonecraft's concept of independence in a republican, rather than a liberal context, and at the same time pay close attention to her discussion of motherhood, a feminist reading of Wollstonecraft is not only possible but enriching. I will attempt to show, in particular, that the seeds of a feminist argument for co-parenting are to be found in the Vindication of the Rights of Woman.     

Utilisation de l’engagement pour limiter la valorisation des fumeurs chez les adolescents

IntroductionSocial psychology research about commitment has demonstrated that it is possible to change one people's cognition and behavior.ObjectiveThe aim of the present article is to show that commitment can be used as a reduction strategy of smokers’ valorization and smoking normativity in order to reduce smoking.MethodStudents have been followed into a longitudinal study from end of elementary school to 8th grade class. They have been divided into different groups representing the smoking prevention's degree of commitment.ResultsRsults suggest that the sooner they are engaged in schooling, the better is the prevention. Commitment intervention made later in schooling has no influence on students smoking valorization.ConclusionResults will be discussed in terms of commitment theory by highlighting that an intervention using commitment is efficient only if the target is not already committed in an opposite behavior.     

Intrinsic Motivation and Subjective Well-Being: The Unique Contribution of Intrinsic Religious Motivation

The purpose of this study was to determine if the frequently reported positive association between Intrinsic Religious Motivation (IRM) and Subjective Well-being (SWB) is explicable in terms of a more general intrinsic orientation to life that involves secular as well as religious domains. Measures of 3 distinct domains of intrinsic orientation (work, leisure, and religion) were administered to 161 college students along with 4 measures of SWB: satisfaction with life, purpose in life, self-efficacy, and negative affect. Four multiple regressions were performed, 1 to predict each measure of SWB, with the 3 intrinsic orientation scales, gender, and social desirability as the predictors in each regression. Intrinsic religiousness emerged as an independent predictor of satisfaction with life, purpose in life, and self-efficacy. Intrinsic religiousness appears to make a unique contribution to the prediction of SWB.     

Moderating effects of appreciation on relationships between illegitimate tasks and intrinsic motivation: a two-wave shortitudinal study

ABSTRACT

This study investigated possible reciprocal relationships between illegitimate tasks and intrinsic motivation and whether appreciation moderated these relationships. Based on a two-wave panel study across one week and a sample of 366 nurses, we examined whether appreciation buffered effects of illegitimate tasks on reduced intrinsic motivation; or enhanced reversed effects of intrinsic motivation on decreased perceived illegitimate tasks. Additionally, we differentiated whether illegitimate tasks and appreciation were elicited by supervisors, colleagues, or patients. Latent structural equation analyses primarily revealed effects for unnecessary than for unreasonable tasks. Such tasks were predominantly the consequence rather than the cause of intrinsic motivation, and intrinsic motivation increased perceived illegitimate tasks under conditions of low appreciation. Regarding the different sources, most effects were present for illegitimate tasks ascribed by supervisors and for appreciation conveyed by patients. It follows that the perception of illegitimate tasks seems to be a matter of motivation; that the sources of illegitimate tasks and appreciation matter; and that appreciation as a low-budget, but highly powerful practice, is able to facilitate a positive environment where work tasks are less likely to be perceived as illegitimate.     

Platonic Knowledge and the Standard Analysis

Abstract

In this paper I explore Plato’s reasons for his rejection of the so‐called standard analysis of knowledge as justified true belief. I argue that Plato held that knowledge is an infallible mental state in which (a) the knowable is present in the knower and (b) the knower is aware of this presence. Accordingly, knowledge (epistēmē) is non‐propositional. Since there are no infallible belief states, the standard analysis, which assumes that knowledge is a type of belief, cannot be correct. In addition, I argue that Plato held that belief (doxa) is only possible for the sort of being capable of knowledge. This is because self‐reflexivity is necessary for infallible knowledge and self‐reflexivity is only possible if the intellect is immaterial. This capacity for self‐reflexivity is also essential for belief, since beliefs are, paradigmatically, not dispositions but self‐reflexive mental states.     

Self-awareness and emotional intensity

Abstract

Influences of mood on qualitative aspects of cognitive processing are examined within a semantic priming paradigm. The priming effect reflects the reduction of latency for a lexical decision task when a target word is presented in combination with an associatively related prime word. The effect was higher for subjects in whom positive affect had been induced than for a control group, if prime and target were high-associatively related. There was no effect of mood on priming for low-associatively related prime-target pairs. The results are interpreted in terms of a general facilitating influence of mood on spreading activation independent of the affective quality of the processed material.     

Mediation analysis of the association between use of NRT for smoking reduction and attempts to stop smoking

Objectives: Use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking reduction (SR) is linked to higher quit attempt rates than SR without NRT. This study aimed to assess the possible mediating roles of confidence in ability to quit, enjoyment of smoking and motivation to quit in this association.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Main outcome measures: Smokers were asked if they were currently attempting SR, and if they were, whether they were using NRT. Motivation to stop, enjoyment of smoking, confidence in ability to stop, and previous quit attempts, were also assessed.

Results: There was no evidence that confidence in ability to quit or enjoyment of smoking mediated the association between the use of NRT for SR and attempts to quit. Only motivation to stop partially mediated between the use of NRT for SR and attempts to stop (indirect effect: odds ratio 1.08, p?<?0.001).

Conclusion: Although this study is limited by its cross-sectional design, the findings point towards the possibility that the use of NRT to aid SR may promote attempts to stop through increasing motivation to quit but not by increasing confidence or by reducing enjoyment of smoking. Longitudinal studies are required to draw firmer conclusions about the possible mediating effects of motivation to quit.     

Religious experience,religious orientation and schizotypy

The present study examined the relationship between religious orientation and schizotypy, with the prediction that intrinsic religiosity would be negatively associated with schizotypy, and religious experience and extrinsic religiosity would be positively associated with schizotypy. A total of 308 UK adults (132 men; 176 women) completed measures of religious experience, intrinsic orientation towards religion, extrinsic orientation towards religion, schizotypal personality traits and borderline personality. Though the present findings also suggest that the significant relationships between religiosity and schizotypy traits are fragmented, particularly by sex, the findings are consistent with theory that an intrinsic orientation towards religion is associated with lower levels of schizotypy, and religious experience and an extrinsic orientation towards religion is associated with higher levels of schizotypy.     

Energetics and kinetics of surfaces and interfaces in the Fe-Pb system

The energy and the diffusivity of interfaces in the solid Fe-liquid Pb system have been investigated in the temperature range 650-900°C. Grain-boundary grooves are formed at the solid Fe-liquid Pb interface and these have been studied by atomic force microscopy. From the topography of the grooves the relative interfacial energies and interfacial diffusivities are obtained. It is found that liquid Pb does not wet the grain boundaries in Fe. Possible mechanisms for the growth of the grain-boundary grooves are discussed.     

Forgotten variables in memory theory and research

Abstract

Memory research, like other scientific research, disregards many variables in order to bring the full force of the scientific method to bear on clearly important variables. The reasons why memory research attends to certain variables and disregards others emanate largely from theoretical assumptions that distinguish memory systems from other psychological systems, and that distinguish variables intrinsic to memory from those extrinsic to memory. Nevertheless, a number of these ‘forgotten’ variables affect memory performance. Regardless of past practice, it is a mistake for memory research to continue to ignore relevant variables. Doing so introduces measurement error that contaminates memory performance measures, and classification error that precludes the discovery of legitimate memory variables. It is proposed here that if forgotten memory variables are controlled, manipulated, and measured more extensively, then future memory research will have greater power and memory theories will have greater validity.     

Calibration processes in a serial talent test

ObjectivesIn the beginning of serial evaluations, raters assess performances without knowledge about following performances. We assume that judges must observe a certain number of performances to calibrate their judgment scale, leading to systematic biases (avoidance of extreme judgments) in the beginning of judgment series. The present experiment investigates how many performance observations are necessary to calibrate internal judgment scales, leading to consistent judgments.DesignA between-group design was used.MethodVideos of a talent-test were presented in different orders. Every performance was presented in early, medium, and late positions. Thirty participants rated these series and we assessed the effect of performance position on performance evaluations.ResultsWe found calibration biases within the first nine performances; after that, evaluations remained stable and consistent.ConclusionCalibration processes are completed after a specific number of judgments; this implies interesting interventions for consistent judgments independent of the position in a series.     

A second-order relevance logic with modality

In this paper a system, RPF, of second-order relevance logic with S5 necessity is presented which contains a defined, notion of identity for propositions. A complete semantics is provided. It is shown that RPF allows for more than one necessary proposition. RPF contains primitive syntactic counterparts of the following semantic notions: (1) the reflexive, symmetrical, transitive binary alternativeness relation for S5 necessity, (2) the ternary Routley-Meyer alternativeness relation for implication, and (3) the Routley-Meyer notion of a prime intensional theory, as well as defined syntactic counterparts, of the semantic notions of a possible world and the Routley-Meyer ^* operator.     

Autonomy and the Authority of Personal Commitments: From Internal Coherence to Social Normativity

Abstract

It has been argued – most prominently in Harry Frankfurt's recent work – that the normative authority of personal commitments derives not from their intrinsic worth but from the way in which one's will is invested in what one cares about. In this essay, I argue that even if this approach is construed broadly and supplemented in various ways, its intrasubjective character leaves it ill-prepared to explain the normative grip of commitments in cases of purported self-betrayal. As an alternative, I sketch a view that focuses on intersubjective constraints of intelligibility built into social practices and on the pragmatics of how those norms are contested in an ongoing fashion.     

Decomposing intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for exercise: Application to stages of motivational readiness

ObjectivesTwo studies were conducted to evaluate the reliability and predictive validity of measures of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for exercise, and to examine differences in motivation as a function of stage of motivational readiness for exercise.DesignA cross-sectional design was employed in study one, and a longitudinal design was used in study two.MethodsIn study one, 184 healthy college students completed instruments to measure motivation and exercise stage. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations were factor analyzed into subscales and validated in study two on a second sample of college students (n=220) by analyzing shifts in endorsement of motivation subscales from the beginning to end of the academic term.ResultsIn both samples, intrinsic motivation for exercise was most highly endorsed in maintenance and lowest in contemplation stage. All extrinsic motivation subscales except tangible rewards were also most highly endorsed in maintenance compared to other stages. In study two, students in activity classes (n=72) endorsed both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation more than those in lecture classes (n=70). Relative to patterns of physical activity, intrinsic motivation was greater than extrinsic motivation for the continually active group, and decreased for the continually inactive group. Exercise maintenance was fostered by greater intrinsic relative to extrinsic motivation.ConclusionIntrinsic and extrinsic motivation can be decomposed into meaningful subfactors that are differentially related to exercise adoption and maintenance.     

The Importance of Religious Orientation and Purpose in Life for Dying Well: Evidence from Three Case Studies

ABSTRACT

As older adults approach the end of their lives, it is not uncommon to find a decrease in subjective well-being. However, a number of studies have indicated that elders with an intrinsic rather than extrinsic religious orientation often are able to keep a high level of subjective well-being even if they are close to death. In a previous quantitative study, only intrinsic religiosity was indirectly and positively related to subjective well-being in a sample of 103 relatively healthy older adults and 19 hospice patients (aged 61 +), mediated by shared spiritual activities and purpose in life. Extrinsic religiosity, by contrast, was indirectly and negatively related to subjective well-being. To explore in greater depth how religious orientation might influence subjective well-being at the end of life, we used the method of objective hermeneutics to examine semi-structured qualitative interviews with three older male hospice patients (aged 79, 80, and 98) on religion/spirituality and attitudes about death and dying. Results of the analyses revealed that the intrinsically religious respondent maintained his sense of cosmic purpose in life, which continued to be a source of satisfaction for him, unaffected by his terminal illness. The two extrinsically religious respondents, however, did not find solace in their religion and, hence, were unable to cope with their physical and emotional dependence and vulnerability. The findings suggest that an intrinsic religious orientation is most likely to be related to a cosmic sense of purpose in life, which facilitates subjective well-being even in the face of death.     

A Rule-Extension of the Non-Associative Lambek Calculus

An extension L ⁺ of the non-associative Lambek calculus Lis defined. In L ⁺ the restriction to formula-conclusion sequents is given up, and additional left introduction rules for the directional implications are introduced. The system L ⁺ is sound and complete with respect to a modification of the ternary frame semantics for L.     

Voluntariness,Suffering and Euthanasia

Abstract

Dutch euthanasia legislation states that an act of euthanasia is only permissible if it is based on a voluntary request made in a situation of unbearable suffering to which there are no alternatives.The central question of this article is whether these criteria can be satisfied simultaneously. In an analysis of several (partly overlapping) definitions of voluntariness it is argued that there are circumstances in which this question should be answered negatively.The possible incompatibility of the criteria reveals a tension between different defences of the permissibility of euthanasia.     

Mother nature's tolerant ways: Why non-genetic inheritance has nothing to do with evolution

Recently a number of theorists have suggested that evolution can use non-genetic or environmental inheritance to pass on adaptations (e.g. [Mameli, M. (2004). Nongenetic selection and nongenetic inheritance. British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, 55, 35-71]). Furthermore, it has been suggested that non-genetic, or environmental factors, can play a central role in the process of evolution that is not captured by the neo-Darwinian view which places natural selection centre stage (e.g. [Odling-Smee, J. J., Laland, K. N., & Feldman, M. W. (2003). Niche construction: The neglected process in evolution. New Jersey: Princeton University Press]). In this paper we present and clarify neo-Darwinian theory and then take issue with the notions of contemporary gene-centred selection and inheritance that non-genetic inheritance theorists have used. We claim that they have misunderstood the distinction and relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic inheritance and we clarify this with a number of examples from the behavioural and biological sciences. According to this analysis there is no such thing as biologically independent non-genetic inheritance, all extrinsic inheritance is a consequence of traits and dispositions that are intrinsic to an organism and intrinsic design can only be explained through neo-Darwinism. We point to the implications this view has for current conceptions of cultural evolution.     

The Bantu Clerk: A Study of Role Expectations

Summary

In an earlier work an hypothesis of consistency between a number of independent beliefs and attitude, and between a number of independent behaviors and attitude, was developed and tested by survey research. The present study extended the earlier work by investigating the joint relationship of belief and behavior to attitude. Both belief and behavior indices were found to correlate significantly with attitude. Further, the multiple correlation, with attitude as the dependent variable, was significantly stronger than either first-order relationship. This research has implications for specific attitude-belief and attitude-behavior consistencies and for attempts to understand unimpressive relations between behavior and attitude.