Cutting the cord: toward wireless optical intensity interferometry - Horch, Elliott P (SPIE, 2015)
Intensity interferometry, which was first used for obtaining ultra-high-resolution image information in astronomy in the 1960's and 1970's, is now being revived using modern detectors and electronics. This paper explores the possibility of wireless optical interferometry made possible by technological advancements in timing correlation, signal processing, and detector technology. If this can be achieved, then baselines of one to several kilometers may be possible in optical interferometry in the coming years. This would improve the resolution over the current generation of amplitude-based optical interferometers by a factor of at least ten. © COPYRIGHT SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only. © 2015 SPIE.
Keywords: Avalanche diodes; Correlation detectors; Current generation; Detector technology; Interferometry; Optical correlation; Optical interferometer; Optical interferometry; Particle beams; Photon counting; Photons; Signal processing; Single photon avalanche diode; Single photon avalanche diodes; Technological advancement; Timing correlation; Ultra-high-resolution astronomy; Ultrahigh resolution; dept.phy

Observations of binary stars with the differential speckle survey instrument. V. toward an empirical metal-poor mass–luminosity relation - Horch, Elliott P; Altena, William F Van; Demarque, Pierre; Howell, Steve B; Everett, Mark E; Ciardi, David R; Teske, Johanna K; Henry, Todd J; Winters, Jennifer G (The Astronomical Journal, 2015)
In an effort to better understand the details of the stellar structure and evolution of metal-poor stars, the Gemini North telescope was used on two occasions to take speckle imaging data of a sample of known spectroscopic binary stars and other nearby stars in order to search for and resolve close companions. The observations were obtained using the Differential Speckle Survey Instrument, which takes data in two filters simultaneously. The results presented here are of 90 observations of 23 systems in which one or more companions was detected, and six stars where no companion was detected to the limit of the camera capabilities at Gemini. In the case of the binary and multiple stars, these results are then further analyzed to make first orbit determinations in five cases, and orbit refinements in four other cases. The mass information is derived, and since the systems span a range in metallicity, a study is presented that compares our results with the expected trend in total mass as derived from the most recent Yale isochrones as a function of metal abundance. These data suggest that metal-poor main-sequence stars are less massive at a given color than their solar-metallicity analogues in a manner consistent with that predicted from the theory. © 2015. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved..
Keywords: astrometry; binaries: visual; dept.phy; peer-reviewed; techniques: high angular resolution; techniques: interferometric; techniques: photometric

Dynamical masses of young M dwarfs: masses and orbital parameters of gj 3305 ab, the wide binary companion to the imaged exoplanet host 51 eri - Montet, Benjamin T; Bowler, Brendan P; Shkolnik, Evgenya L; Deck, Katherine M; Wang, Ji; Horch, Elliott P; Liu, Michael C; Hillenbrand, Lynne A; Kraus, Adam L; Charbonneau, David; Hillenbrand, Lynne A; Kraus, Adam L; et al. (The Astrophysical Journal, 2015)
We combine new high resolution imaging and spectroscopy from Keck/NIRC2, Discovery Channel Telescope/DSSI, and Keck/HIRES with published astrometry and radial velocities to measure individual masses and orbital elements of the GJ 3305 AB system, a young (∼20 Myr) M+M binary (unresolved spectral type M0) member of the β Pictoris moving group comoving with the imaged exoplanet host 51 Eri. We measure a total system mass of 1.11 ± 0.04 , a period of 29.03 ± 0.50 year, a semimajor axis of 9.78 ± 0.14 AU, and an eccentricity of 0.19 ± 0.02. The primary component has a dynamical mass of 0.67 ± 0.05 and the secondary has a mass of 0.44 ± 0.05 . The recently updated BHAC15 models are consistent with the masses of both stars to within Given the observed masses the models predict an age of the GJ 3305 AB system of 37 ± 9 Myr. Based on the observed system architecture and our dynamical mass measurement, it is unlikely that the orbit of 51 Eri b has been significantly altered by the Kozai-Lidov mechanism. © 2015. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved..
Keywords: astrometry; binaries: close; dept.phy; stars: fundamental parameters; stars: individual (GJ 3305 AB)

A comparison of spectroscopic versus imaging techniques for detecting close companions to kepler objects of interest - Teske, Johanna K; Everett, Mark E; Hirsch, Lea A; Furlan, Elise; Horch, Elliott P; Horch, Elliott P; Howell, Steve B; Ciardi, David R; Gonzales, Erica J; Crepp, Justin R (The Astronomical Journal, 2015)
Kepler planet candidates require both spectroscopic and imaging follow-up observations to rule out false positives and detect blended stars. Traditionally, spectroscopy and high-resolution imaging have probed different host star companion parameter spaces, the former detecting tight binaries and the latter detecting wider bound companions as well as chance background stars. In this paper, we examine a sample of 11 Kepler host stars with companions detected by two techniques - near-infrared adaptive optics and/or optical speckle interferometry imaging, and a new spectroscopic deblending method. We compare the companion effective temperatures (Teff) and flux ratios (FB/FA, where A is the primary and B is the companion) derived from each technique and find no cases where both companion parameters agree within 1σ errors. In 3/11 cases the companion Teff values agree within 1σ errors, and in 2/11 cases the companion FB/FA values agree within 1σ errors. Examining each Kepler system individually considering multiple avenues (isochrone mapping, contrast curves, probability of being bound), we suggest two cases for which the techniques most likely agree in their companion detections (detect the same companion star). Overall, our results support the advantage that the spectroscopic deblending technique has for finding very close-in companions (θ ≲ 0.″02-0.″05) that are not easily detectable with imaging. However, we also specifically show how high-contrast AO and speckle imaging observations detect companions at larger separations (θ ≥ 0.″02-0.″05) that are missed by the spectroscopic technique, provide additional information for characterizing the companion and its potential contamination (e.g., position angle, separation, magnitude differences), and cover a wider range of primary star effective temperatures. The investigation presented here illustrates the utility of combining the two techniques to reveal higher-order multiples in known planet-hosting systems. © 2015. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: binaries: general; dept.phy; peer-reviewed; planetary systems; techniques: high angular resolution; techniques: interferometric; techniques: photometric; techniques: spectroscopic

Speckle interferometry at soar in 2014 - Tokovinin, Andrei; Mason, Brian D; Hartkopf, William I; Mendez, Rene A; Horch, Elliott P (The Astronomical Journal, 2015)
The results of speckle interferometric observations at the Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope (SOAR) telescope in 2014 are given. A total of 1641 observations were taken, yielding 1636 measurements of 1218 resolved binary and multiple stars and 577 non-resolutions of 441 targets. We resolved for the first time 56 pairs, including some nearby astrometric or spectroscopic binaries and ten new subsystems in previously known visual binaries. The calibration of the data is checked by linear fits to the positions of 41 wide binaries observed at SOAR over several seasons. The typical calibration accuracy is 0.°1 in angle and 0.3% in pixel scale, while the measurement errors are on the order of 3 mas. The new data are used here to compute 194 binary star orbits, 148 of which are improvements on previous orbital solutions and 46 are first-time orbits. © 2015. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved..
Keywords: binaries: general; dept.phy; peer-reviewed

Validation of 12 small kepler transiting planets in the habitable zone - Torres, Guillermo; Kipping, David M; Fressin, Francois; Caldwell, Douglas A; Twicken, Joseph D; Ballard, Sarah; Batalha, Natalie M; Bryson, Stephen T; Ciardi, David R; Henze, Christopher E; Howell, Steve B; Isaacson, Howard; et al. (The Astrophysical Journal, 2015)
We present an investigation of 12 candidate transiting planets from Kepler with orbital periods ranging from 34 to 207 days, selected from initial indications that they are small and potentially in the habitable zone (HZ) of their parent stars. Few of these objects are known. The expected Doppler signals are too small to confirm them by demonstrating that their masses are in the planetary regime. Here we verify their planetary nature by validating them statistically using the BLENDER technique, which simulates large numbers of false positives and compares the resulting light curves with the Kepler photometry. This analysis was supplemented with new follow-up observations (high-resolution optical and near-infrared spectroscopy, adaptive optics imaging, and speckle interferometry), as well as an analysis of the flux centroids. For 11 of them (KOI-0571.05, 1422.04, 1422.05, 2529.02, 3255.01, 3284.01, 4005.01, 4087.01, 4622.01, 4742.01, and 4745.01) we show that the likelihood they are true planets is far greater than that of a false positive, to a confidence level of 99.73% (3σ) or higher. For KOI-4427.01 the confidence level is about 99.2% (2.6σ). With our accurate characterization of the GKM host stars, the derived planetary radii range from 1.1 to 2.7 R ⊕. All 12 objects are confirmed to be in the HZ, and nine are small enough to be rocky. Excluding three of them that have been previously validated by others, our study doubles the number of known rocky planets in the HZ. KOI-3284.01 (Kepler-438b) and KOI-4742.01 (Kepler-442b) are the planets most similar to the Earth discovered to date when considering their size and incident flux jointly. © 2015. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved..
Keywords: dept.phy; methods: statistical; planetary systems; stars: individual (KOI-3284 (Kepler-438), KOI-4742 (Kepler-442)); techniques: photometric

On the occurrence rate of hot jupiters in different stellar environments - Wang, Ji; Fischer, Debra A; Horch, Elliott P; Huang, Xu (The Astrophysical Journal, 2015)
Many hot Jupiters (HJs) are detected by the Doppler and transit techniques. From surveys using these two techniques, however, the measured HJ occurrence rates differ by a factor of two or more. Using the California Planet Survey sample and the Kepler sample, we investigate the causes for this difference in the HJ occurrence rate. First, we find that 12.8% ± 0.24% of HJs are misidentified in the Kepler mission because of photometric dilution and subgiant contamination. Second, we explore the differences between the Doppler sample and the Kepler sample that can account for the different HJ occurrence rate. Third, we discuss how to measure the fundamental HJ occurrence rates by synthesizing the results from the Doppler and Kepler surveys. The fundamental HJ occurrence rates are measures of the HJ occurrence rate as a function of stellar multiplicity and evolutionary stage, e.g., the HJ occurrence rate for single and multiple stars or for main-sequence and subgiant stars. While we find qualitative evidence that HJs occur less frequently in subgiants and multiple stellar systems, we conclude that our current knowledge of stellar properties and the stellar multiplicity rate is too limited for us to reach any quantitative result for the fundamental HJ occurrence rates. This concern extends to ηEarth, the occurrence rate of Earth-like planets. © 2015. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Fundamental parameters stars; Methods; Photometric techniques; Radial velocities; Solar-type stars; Statistical planets and satellites; Statistics techniques; dept.phy

Microscopy and team-based interdisciplinary materials research to achieve 21st century skills - Broadbridge, Christine; Sadowski, Thomas; Garofano, Jacquelynn; DaPonte, John S. (Microscopy and Microanalysis, 2014)
Keywords: dept.phy

Recent star formation in the leading arm of the Magellanic Stream - Casetti-Dinescu, Dana I.; Bidin, Christian Moni; Girard, Terrence M.; Méndez, Réne A.; Vieira, Katherine; Korchagin, Vladimir I.; Altena, William F. van (The Astrophysical Journal, 2014)
Strongly interacting galaxies undergo a short-lived but dramatic phase of evolution characterized by enhanced star formation, tidal tails, bridges, and other morphological peculiarities. The nearest example of a pair of interacting galaxies is the Magellanic Clouds, whose dynamical interaction produced the gaseous features known as the Magellanic Stream trailing the pair's orbit about the Galaxy, the bridge between the Clouds, and the leading arm (LA), a wide and irregular feature leading the orbit. Young, newly formed stars in the bridge are known to exist, giving witness to the recent interaction between the Clouds. However, the interaction of the Clouds with the Milky Way (MW) is less well understood. In particular, the LA must have a tidal origin; however, no purely gravitational model is able to reproduce its morphology and kinematics. A hydrodynamical interaction with the gaseous hot halo and disk of the Galaxy is plausible as suggested by some models and supporting neutral hydrogen (H I) observations. Here we show for the first time that young, recently formed stars exist in the LA, indicating that the interaction between the Clouds and our Galaxy is strong enough to trigger star formation in certain regions of the LA—regions in the outskirts of the MW disk (R ∼ 18 kpc), far away from the Clouds and the bridge.
Keywords: Galaxy: general; Magellanic Clouds; dept.phy; galaxies: interactions; stars: early-type

An analytic algorithm to calculate the inclination, ascending node, and semimajor axis of spectroscopic binary orbits using a single speckle measurement and the parallax - Docobo, Jose Angel; Campo, P P; Andrade, Manuel; Horch, Elliott P (Astrophysical Bulletin, 2014)
It is well known that in spectroscopic binary orbits, the inclination, the ascending node, and the semimajor axis remain undetermined, therefore the principal objective of this research is to establish an analytic methodology for the calculation of these parameters for spectroscopic binaries, both single-lined (SB1) and double-lined (SB2). In other words, the goal is to determine their “three-dimensional” orbits using a single speckle measurement (ρ, θ, t) and the parallax (π). Moreover, estimates of the individual masses of each system can also be obtained. The proposed algorithm was successfully applied to SB1 systems: YSC 148 (HD 37393) and CHR 225 (HD 34318), and SB2 systems: LSC 1 Aa1,2 (HD 200077) and Mkt 11 Aa, Ab (HD 358). In this late case, previously determined spectroscopic and visual orbits have been used to compare and contrast the results obtained from them with our results. The methodology presented is especially interesting for those cases in which it is only possible to resolve the spectroscopic binary in the zones of maximum angular separation by optical means thereby making it impossible to avail of sufficient observations in order to calculate the visual orbit. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd. 2014.
Keywords: dept.phy; general; high angular resolution—techniques; interferometric—binaries; techniques

The three-dimensional orbit and physical properties of the binary COU 2031 (WDS 04464+4221, HIP 22196, HD 30090) - Docobo, Jose Angel; Griffin, R F; Tamazian, V S; Horch, Elliott P; Campo, P P (Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2014)
We report a comprehensive study of the binary system COU 2031, based on simultaneous and independent astrometric visual and speckle observations and on radial-velocity measurements. The similarity of the two orbital solutions allows us to obtain not only a consistent 3D orbit and a precise value of the parallax of the system but also to determine the physical properties of the components. © 2014 The Authors.
Keywords: Binaries: spectroscopic; Binaries: visual; Stars: individual: COU 2031; dept.phy; peer-reviewed

Characterization of carbon nanotube growth via CVD synthesis from a liquid precursor - Jenkins, Carol; Cruz, Melissa; Depalma, Jen; Conroy, Michael; Benardo, Barbara; Horbachuk, Michael; Sadowski, Tom; Broadbridge, Christine; Schwendemann, Todd C (International Journal of High Speed Electronics and Systems, 2014)
As novel theories and uses of carbon nanotubes (CNT) advance, it becomes increasingly important to characterize the methods of production. One such method of CNT production uses a liquid phase precursor (hydrocarbon with nanoparticle catalyst mix) that is injected into a tube furnace with a flowing carrier gas. The CNTs are grown in high purity and are collected on the surface of the quartz tube. The system allows for a number of variables to be tested such as growth temperatures, flow rate of the carrier gas, precursor injection rates and variations of precursor mix however, here only thermal effects are considered. Under thermal conditions ranging from 500 to 850°C, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are synthesized and characterized to determine inner and outer diameter as well as tube thickness. © 2014 World Scientific Publishing Company.
Keywords: Carbon nanotube growth; Carbon nanotubes; Carbon nanotubes (CNT); Chemical vapor deposition; Chemical vapor deposition (CVD); Chemical vapor depositions (CVD); Liquid precursors; Liquid-phase precursors; Liquids; Nanoparticle catalysts; Outer diameters; Precursor injection; Thermal condition; Transmission electron microscopy; Transmission electron microscopy (TEM); Tubes (components); dept.phy; peer-reviewed

A high density two-dimensional electron gas in an oxide heterostructure on Si (001) - Jin, Eric N; Kornblum, Lior; Kumah, Divine; Zou, Ke; Broadbridge, Christine; Ngai, J H; Ahn, C H; Walker, Fred (APL Materials, 2014)
We present the growth and characterization of layered heterostructures comprised of LaTiO3 and SrTiO3 epitaxially grown on Si (001). Magnetotransport measurements show that the sheet carrier densities of the heterostructures scale with the number of LaTiO3/SrTiO3 interfaces, consistent with the presence of an interfacial 2-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) at each interface. Sheet carrier densities of 8.9 × 1014 cm-2 per interface are observed. Integration of such high density oxide 2DEGs on silicon provides a bridge between the exceptional properties and functionalities of oxide 2DEGs and microelectronic technologies. © 2014 Author(s).
Keywords: dept.phy

Limits on stellar companions to exoplanet host stars with eccentric planets - Kane, Stephen R; Howell, Steve B; Horch, Elliott P; Feng, Ying; Hinkel, Natalie R; Ciardi, David R; Everett, Mark E; Howard, Andrew W; Wright, Jason T (The Astrophysical Journal, 2014)
Though there are now many hundreds of confirmed exoplanets known, the binarity of exoplanet host stars is not well understood. This is particularly true of host stars that harbor a giant planet in a highly eccentric orbit since these are more likely to have had a dramatic dynamical history that transferred angular momentum to the planet. Here we present observations of four exoplanet host stars that utilize the excellent resolving power of the Differential Speckle Survey Instrument on the Gemini North telescope. Two of the stars are giants and two are dwarfs. Each star is host to a giant planet with an orbital eccentricity >0.5 and whose radial velocity (RV) data contain a trend in the residuals to the Keplerian orbit fit. These observations rule out stellar companions 4-8 mag fainter than the host star at passbands of 692 nm and 880 nm. The resolution and field of view of the instrument result in exclusion radii of 0.″05-1.″4, which excludes stellar companions within several AU of the host star in most cases. We further provide new RVs for the HD 4203 system that confirm that the linear trend previously observed in the residuals is due to an additional planet. These results place dynamical constraints on the source of the planet's eccentricities, place constraints on additional planetary companions, and inform the known distribution of multiplicity amongst exoplanet host stars. © 2014. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved..
Keywords: dept.phy; planetary systems; stars: individual (HD 4203, HD 168443, HD 1690, HD 137759); techniques: Radial velocities; techniques: high angular resolution

High proper motion x-ray binaries from the yale southern proper motion survey - Maccarone, Thomas J.; Girard, Terrence M.; Casetti-Dinescu, Dana I. (Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2014)
We discuss the results of cross-correlating catalogues of bright X-ray binaries with the Yale Southern Proper Motion Catalog (version 4.0). Several objects already known to have large proper motions from Hipparcos are recovered. Two additional objects are found which show substantial proper motions, both of which are unusual in their X-ray properties. One is IGR J17544-2619, one of the supergiant fast X-ray transients. Assuming the quoted distances in the literature for this source of about 3 kpc are correct, this system has a peculiar velocity of about 275 km s-1-greater than the velocity of a Keplerian orbit at its location of the Galaxy and in line with the expectations formed from suggestions that the supergiant fast X-ray transients should be highly eccentric. We discuss the possibility that these objects may help explain the existence of short gamma-ray bursts outside the central regions of galaxies. The other is the source 2A 1822-371, which is a member of the small class of objects which are low-mass X-ray binaries and long (i.e. >100 ms) X-ray pulsars. This system also shows both an anomalously high X-ray luminosity and a large orbital period derivative for a system with its orbital period, and some possible indications of an eccentric orbit. A coherent picture can be developed by adding in the proper motion information in which this system formed in the Perseus spiral arm of the Galaxy about 3 Myr ago and retains a slightly eccentric orbit which leads to enhanced mass transfer. © 2014 The Authors Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Keywords: Proper motions; X-rays: binaries; dept.phy; peer-reviewed

An Earth-Sized Planet in the Habitable Zone of a Cool Star. - Quintana, Elisa; Barclay, Thomas; Raymond, Sean; Rowe, Jason; Bolmont, Emeline; Caldwell, Douglas; Howell, Steve; Kane, Stephen; Huber, Daniel; Crepp, Justin; Lissauer, Jack; Ciardi, David; et al. (Science, 2014)
The quest for Earth-like planets is a major focus of current exoplanet research. Although planets that are Earth-sized and smaller have been detected, these planets reside in orbits that are too close to their host star to allow liquid water on their surfaces. We present the detection of Kepler-186f, a 1.11 ± 0.14 Earth-radius planet that is the outermost of five planets, all roughly Earth-sized, that transit a 0.47 ± 0.05 solar-radius star. The intensity and spectrum of the star's radiation place Kepler-186f in the stellar habitable zone, implying that if Kepler-186f has an Earth-like atmosphere and water at its surface, then some of this water is likely to be in liquid form.
Keywords: Earth; Earth (Planet); Exobiology; Extraterrestrial Environment; Planets; Stars, Celestial; Water; astrobiology; astronomy; atmosphere; cosmic radiation; dept.phy; habitat use; microclimate; priority journal; review; solar system; surface property; water

Use of the gabor filter for edge detection in the analysis of zinc oxide nanowire images - Scanley, B E; Sadowski, Thomas; Pelligra, Candice; Kreider, M E; Osuji, Chinedum O; Broadbridge, Christine (Microscopy and Microanalysis, 2014)
Keywords: dept.phy

Intensity interferometry for the 21st century - Horch, Elliott P.; van Belle, G. T.; Genet, R. M.; Holenstein, B. D. (Journal of Astronomical Instrumentation, 2013)
Advances in detector technology and electronic timing capabilities in recent years have resulted in a new opportunity for ultra-high resolution in astronomy using intensity interferometry. We have been working with this technology and describe here the potential as we see it. Two separate opportunities exist at present: The use of Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) detectors with existing research-grade telescopes and photomultipliers coupled with light bucket telescopes. In the future, there may also be potential for space-based intensity interferometry. While intensity interferometry is not likely to replace amplitude-based interferometry, it does have certain advantages in terms of portability, use of large baselines, narrow-band imaging, and imaging in the blue. We see a new possibility for its use particularly in stellar astrophysics for these reasons. © 2013 World Scientific Publishing Company.
Keywords: Instrumentation: Interferometers; dept.phy; high angular resolution; techniques: Interferometric

Kepler-63b: A giant planet in a polar orbit around a young sun-like star - Sanchis-Ojeda, Roberto; Winn, Joshua N.; Marcy, Geoffrey W.; Howard, Andrew W.; Isaacson, Howard; Johnson, John Asher; Torres, Guillermo; Albrecht, Simon; Campante, Tiago L.; Chaplin, William J.; Davies, Guy R.; Lund, Mikkel N.; et al. (The Astrophysical Journal, 2013)
We present the discovery and characterization of a giant planet orbiting the young Sun-like star Kepler-63 (KOI-63, M⊙Kp = 11.6, T eff = 5576 K, M⊙ = 0.98 M⊙). The planet transits every 9.43 days, with apparent depth variations and brightening anomalies caused by large starspots. The planet's radius is 6.1 ± 0.2 R ⊕, based on the transit light curve and the estimated stellar parameters. The planet's mass could not be measured with the existing radial-velocity data, due to the high level of stellar activity, but if we assume a circular orbit, then we can place a rough upper bound of 120 M ⊙⊕ (3σ). The host star has a high obliquity (ψ = 104°), based on the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect and an analysis of starspot-crossing events. This result is valuable because almost all previous obliquity measurements are for stars with more massive planets and shorter-period orbits. In addition, the polar orbit of the planet combined with an analysis of spot-crossing events reveals a large and persistent polar starspot. Such spots have previously been inferred using Doppler tomography, and predicted in simulations of magnetic activity of young Sun-like stars. © 2013. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved..
Keywords: dept.phy; planetary systems; stars: activity; stars: individual (Kepler-63); stars: rotation; starspots

Exoplanet characterization by proxy: A transiting 2.15 r ⊕ planet near the habitable zone of the late K dwarf Kepler-61 - Ballard, Sarah; Charbonneau, David; Fressin, Francois; Torres, Guillermo; Irwin, Jonathan; Desert, Jean-Michel; Newton, Elisabeth; Mann, Andrew W.; Ciardi, David R.; Crepp, Justin R.; Henze, Christopher E.; Bryson, Stephen T.; et al. (The Astrophysical Journal, 2013)
We present the validation and characterization of Kepler-61b: a 2.15 R ⊕ planet orbiting near the inner edge of the habitable zone of a low-mass star. Our characterization of the host star Kepler-61 is based upon a comparison with a set of spectroscopically similar stars with directly measured radii and temperatures. We apply a stellar prior drawn from the weighted mean of these properties, in tandem with the Kepler photometry, to infer a planetary radius for Kepler-61b of 2.15 ± 0.13 R ⊕ and an equilibrium temperature of 273 ± 13 K (given its period of 59.87756 ± 0.00020 days and assuming a planetary albedo of 0.3). The technique of leveraging the physical properties of nearby “proxy” stars allows for an independent check on stellar characterization via the traditional measurements with stellar spectra and evolutionary models. In this case, such a check had implications for the putative habitability of Kepler-61b: the planet is 10% warmer and larger than inferred from K-band spectral characterization. From the Kepler photometry, we estimate a stellar rotation period of 36 days, which implies a stellar age of >1 Gyr. We summarize the evidence for the planetary nature of the Kepler-61 transit signal, which we conclude is 30,000 times more likely to be due to a planet than a blend scenario. Finally, we discuss possible compositions for Kepler-61b with a comparison to theoretical models as well as to known exoplanets with similar radii and dynamically measured masses.
Keywords: dept.phy; eclipses; planetary systems; stars: individual (Kepler-61, KOI 1361, KIC 6960913)

Spitzer observations of gj 3470 b: a very low-density neptune-size planet orbiting a metal-rich m dwarf* - Demory, Brice-Olivier; Torres, Guillermo; Neves, V.; Rogers, Leslie A.; Gillon, Michaël; Horch, Elliott P.; Sullivan, Peter W.; Bonfils, Xavier; Delfosse, Xavier; Forveille, Thierry; Lovis, Christophe; Mayor, Michel; et al. (The Astrophysical Journal, 2013)
We present Spitzer/IRAC 4.5 μm transit photometry of GJ 3470 b, a Neptune-size planet orbiting an M1.5 dwarf star with a 3.3 day period recently discovered in the course of the HARPS M-dwarf survey. We refine the stellar parameters by employing purely empirical mass-luminosity and surface brightness relations constrained by our updated value for the mean stellar density, and additional information from new near-infrared spectroscopic observations. We derive a stellar mass of and a radius of of M* = 0.539 +0.047-0.043 M⊙ and a radius of R* = 0.568+0.037-0.031 R⊙. We determine the host star of GJ 3470 b to be metal-rich, with a metallicity of [Fe/H] = +0.20 ± 0.10 and an effective temperature of Teff = 3600 ± 100 K. The revised stellar parameters yield a planetary radius Rp= 4.83+0.22-0.21 R⊕that is 13% larger than the value previously reported in the literature. We find a planetary mass M p= 13.9+1.5-1.4 M⊕ that translates to a very low planetary density, ρp = 0.72+0.13 -0.12 g cm-3, which is 33% smaller than the original value. With a mean density half of that of GJ 436 b, GJ 3470 b is an example of a very low-density low-mass planet, similar to Kepler-11 d, Kepler-11 e, and Kepler-18 c, but orbiting a much brighter nearby star that is more conducive to follow-up studies. © 2013. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: dept.phy; planetary systems; stars: individual (GJ 3470); techniques: photometric; techniques: spectroscopic

The mass of KOI-94d and a relation for planet radius, mass, and incident flux - Weiss, Lauren M.; Marcy, Geoffrey W.; Rowe, Jason F.; Howard, Andrew W.; Isaacson, Howard; Fortney, Jonathan J.; Miller, Neil; Demory, Brice-Olivier; Fischer, Debra A.; Adams, Elisabeth R.; Dupree, Andrea K.; Howell, Steve B.; et al. (The Astrophysical Journal, 2013)
We measure the mass of a modestly irradiated giant planet, KOI-94d. We wish to determine whether this planet, which is in a 22 day orbit and receives 2700 times as much incident flux as Jupiter, is as dense as Jupiter or rarefied like inflated hot Jupiters. KOI-94 also hosts at least three smaller transiting planets, all of which were detected by the Kepler mission. With 26 radial velocities of KOI-94 from the W. M. Keck Observatory and a simultaneous fit to the Kepler light curve, we measure the mass of the giant planet and determine that it is not inflated. Support for the planetary interpretation of the other three candidates comes from gravitational interactions through transit timing variations, the statistical robustness of multi-planet systems against false positives, and several lines of evidence that no other star resides within the photometric aperture. We report the properties of KOI-94b (M P = 10.5 ± 4.6 M ⊕, R P = 1.71 ± 0.16 R ⊕, P = 3.74 days), KOI-94c (M P = M ⊕, R P = 4.32 ± 0.41 R ⊕, P = 10.4 days), KOI-94d (M P = 106 ± 11 M ⊕, R P = 11.27 ± 1.06 R ⊕, P = 22.3 days), and KOI-94e (M P = M ⊕, R P = 6.56 ± 0.62 R ⊕, P = 54.3 days). The radial velocity analyses of KOI-94b and KOI-94e offer marginal (>2σ) mass detections, whereas the observations of KOI-94c offer only an upper limit to its mass. Using the KOI-94 system and other planets with published values for both mass and radius (138 exoplanets total, including 35 with M P < 150 M ⊕), we establish two fundamental planes for exoplanets that relate their mass, incident flux, and radius from a few Earth masses up to 13 Jupiter masses: (R P/R ⊕) = 1.78(M P/M ⊕)0.53(F/erg s–1 cm–2)–0.03 for M P < 150 M ⊕, and R P/R ⊕ = 2.45(M P/M ⊕)–0.039(F/erg s–1 cm–2)0.094 for M P > 150 M ⊕. These equations can be used to predict the radius or mass of a planet.
Keywords: dept.phy; planets and satellites: composition; techniques: photometric; techniques: spectroscopic

A sub-Mercury-sized exoplanet. - Barclay, Thomas; Rowe, Jason; Lissauer, Jack; Huber, Daniel; Fressin, Francois; Howell, Steve; Bryson, Stephen; Chaplin, William; Desert, Jean-Michel; Lopez, Eric; Marcy, Geoffrey; Mullally, Fergal; et al. (Nature, 2013)
Since the discovery of the first exoplanets, it has been known that other planetary systems can look quite unlike our own. Until fairly recently, we have been able to probe only the upper range of the planet size distribution, and, since last year, to detect planets that are the size of Earth or somewhat smaller. Hitherto, no planets have been found that are smaller than those we see in the Solar System. Here we report a planet significantly smaller than Mercury. This tiny planet is the innermost of three that orbit the Sun-like host star, which we have designated Kepler-37. Owing to its extremely small size, similar to that of the Moon, and highly irradiated surface, the planet, Kepler-37b, is probably rocky with no atmosphere or water, similar to Mercury. © 2013 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Earth; article; astronomy; atmosphere; dept.phy; irradiance; irradiation; moon; orbit determination; planetary surface; priority journal; size structure; solar system; sun; water

Observations of binary stars with the differential speckle survey instrument. iv. observations of kepler, corot, and hipparcos stars from the gemini north telescope - Horch, Elliott P.; Howell, Steve B.; Everett, Mark E.; Ciardi, David R. (The Astronomical Journal, 2012)
We present the results of 71 speckle observations of binary and unresolved stars, most of which were observed with the DSSI speckle camera at the Gemini North Telescope in 2012 July. The main purpose of the run was to obtain diffraction-limited images of high-priority targets for the Kepler and CoRoT missions, but in addition, we observed a number of close binary stars where the resolution limit of Gemini was used to better determine orbital parameters and/or confirm results obtained at or below the diffraction limit of smaller telescopes. Five new binaries and one triple system were discovered, and first orbits are calculated for other two systems. Several systems are discussed in detail. © 2012. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved..
Keywords: astrometry; binaries: visual; dept.phy; peer-reviewed; techniques: high angular resolution; techniques: interferometric; techniques: photometric

Exploring atomic-scale lateral forces in the attractive regime: a case study on graphite (0001) - Baykara, Mehmet Z.; Schwendemann, Todd C.; Albers, Boris J.; Pilet, N.; Mönig, Harry; Altman, Eric I.; Schwarz, Udo D. (Nanotechnology, 2012)
A non-contact atomic force microscopy-based method has been used to map the static lateral forces exerted on an atomically sharp Pt/Ir probe tip by a graphite surface. With measurements carried out at low temperatures and in the attractive regime, where the atomic sharpness of the tip can be maintained over extended time periods, the method allows the quantification and directional analysis of lateral forces with piconewton and picometer resolution as a function of both the in-plane tip position and the vertical tip-sample distance, without limitations due to a finite contact area or to stick-slip-related sudden jumps of tip apex atoms. After reviewing the measurement principle, the data obtained in this case study are utilized to illustrate the unique insight that the method offers. In particular, the local lateral forces that are expected to determine frictional resistance in the attractive regime are found to depend linearly on the normal force for small tip-sample distances. © 2012 IOP Publishing Ltd.
Keywords: Atomic force; Atomic force microscopy; Atomic scale; Contact areas; Directional Analysis; Frictional resistance; Graphite; Graphite surfaces; Lateral force; Low temperatures; Measurement principle; Non-contact; Normal forces; Picometer resolution; Probe tips; Slip forming; Time-periods; Tip apex; Tip-sample distance; dept.phy

Transit timing observations from kepler. II. confirmation of two multiplanet systems via a non-parametric correlation analysis - Ford, Eric B.; Fabrycky, Daniel C.; Steffen, Jason H.; Carter, Joshua A.; Fressin, Francois; Holman, Matthew J.; Lissauer, Jack J.; Moorhead, Althea V.; Morehead, Robert C.; Ragozzine, Darin; Rowe, Jason F.; Welsh, William F.; et al. (The Astrophysical Journal, 2012)
We present a new method for confirming transiting planets based on the combination of transit timing variations (TTVs) and dynamical stability. Correlated TTVs provide evidence that the pair of bodies is in the same physical system. Orbital stability provides upper limits for the masses of the transiting companions that are in the planetary regime. This paper describes a non-parametric technique for quantifying the statistical significance of TTVs based on the correlation of two TTV data sets. We apply this method to an analysis of the TTVs of two stars with multiple transiting planet candidates identified by Kepler. We confirm four transiting planets in two multiple-planet systems based on their TTVs and the constraints imposed by dynamical stability. An additional three candidates in these same systems are not confirmed as planets, but are likely to be validated as real planets once further observations and analyses are possible. If all were confirmed, these systems would be near 4:6:9 and 2:4:6:9 period commensurabilities. Our results demonstrate that TTVs provide a powerful tool for confirming transiting planets, including low-mass planets and planets around faint stars for which Doppler follow-up is not practical with existing facilities. Continued Kepler observations will dramatically improve the constraints on the planet masses and orbits and provide sensitivity for detecting additional non-transiting planets. If Kepler observations were extended to eight years, then a similar analysis could likely confirm systems with multiple closely spaced, small transiting planets in or near the habitable zone of solar-type stars. © 2012. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: dept.phy; planetary systems; planets and satellites: detection; planets and satellites: dynamical evolution and stability; stars: individual (KIC 3231341, 11512246, KOI 168, 1102, Kepler-23, Kepler-24); techniques: miscellaneous

Kepler-20: a sun-like star with three sub-neptune exoplanets and two earth-size candidates - Gautier, Thomas N.; Charbonneau, David; Rowe, Jason F.; Marcy, Geoffrey W.; Isaacson, Howard; Torres, Guillermo; Fressin, Francois; Rogers, Leslie A.; Désert, Jean-Michel; Buchhave, Lars A.; Latham, David W.; Quinn, Samuel N.; et al. (The Astrophysical Journal, 2012)
We present the discovery of the Kepler-20 planetary system, which we initially identified through the detection of five distinct periodic transit signals in the Kepler light curve of the host star 2MASS J19104752+4220194. From high-resolution spectroscopy of the star, we find a stellar effective temperature T eff = 5455 100 K, a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.01 0.04, and a surface gravity of log g = 4.4 0.1. We combine these estimates with an estimate of the stellar density derived from the transit light curves to deduce a stellar mass of M = 0.912 0.034 M and a stellar radius of R = 0.944 +0.060 -0.095 R. For three of the transit signals, we demonstrate that our results strongly disfavor the possibility that these result from astrophysical false positives. We accomplish this by first identifying the subset of stellar blends that reproduce the precise shape of the light curve and then using the constraints on the presence of additional stars from high angular resolution imaging, photometric colors, and the absence of a secondary component in our spectroscopic observations. We conclude that the planetary scenario is more likely than that of an astrophysical false positive by a factor of 2 × 105 (Kepler-20b), 1 × 105 (Kepler-20c), and 1.1 × 103 (Kepler-20d), sufficient to validate these objects as planetary companions. For Kepler-20c and Kepler-20d, the blend scenario is independently disfavored by the achromaticity of the transit: from Spitzer data gathered at 4.5 μm, we infer a ratio of the planetary to stellar radii of 0.075 0.015 (Kepler-20c) and 0.065 0.011 (Kepler-20d), consistent with each of the depths measured in the Kepler optical bandpass. We determine the orbital periods and physical radii of the three confirmed planets to be 3.70days and 1.91+0.12 -0.21 R ⊕ for Kepler-20b, 10.85days and 3.07+0.20 -0.31 R ⊕ for Kepler-20c, and 77.61days and 2.75+0.17 -0.30 R ⊕ for Kepler-20d. From multi-epoch radial velocities, we determine the masses of Kepler-20b and Kepler-20c to be 8.7 2.2 M ⊕ and 16.1 3.5 M ⊕, respectively, and we place an upper limit on the mass of Kepler-20d of 20.1 M ⊕ (2σ). © 2012 The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: dept.phy; eclipses; planetary systems

Transit timing observations from kepler: III. confirmation of 4 multiple planet systems by a fourier-domain study of anti-correlated transit timing variations - Steffen, Jason H.; Fabrycky, Daniel C.; Ford, Eric B.; Carter, Joshua A.; Désert, Jean-Michel; Fressin, Francois; Holman, Matthew J.; Lissauer, Jack J.; Moorhead, Althea V.; Rowe, Jason F.; Ragozzine, Darin; Welsh, William F.; et al. (Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2012)
We present a method to confirm the planetary nature of objects in systems with multiple transiting exoplanet candidates. This method involves a Fourier-domain analysis of the deviations in the transit times from a constant period that result from dynamical interactions within the system. The combination of observed anticorrelations in the transit times and mass constraints from dynamical stability allow us to claim the discovery of four planetary systems, Kepler-25, Kepler-26, Kepler-27 and Kepler-28, containing eight planets and one additional planet candidate. © 2012 Fermi Research Alliance LLC, Contractor for the U.S. Dept of Energy Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society © 2012 RAS.
Keywords: Celestial mechanics; Methods: data analysis; Stars: individual: KIC 4349452; Stars: individual: KIC 5792202; Stars: individual: KIC 6949607; Stars: individual: KIC 9757613; dept.phy; peer-reviewed

KEPLER-21b: A 1.6 REarth planet transiting the bright oscillating F subgiant star HD179070 - Howell, Steve B.; Rowe, Jason F.; Bryson, Stephen T.; Quinn, Samuel N.; Marcy, Geoffrey W.; Isaacson, Howard; Ciardi, David R.; Chaplin, William J.; Metcalfe, Travis S.; Monteiro, Mário J. P. F. G.; Appourchaux, Thierry; Basu, Sarbani; et al. (The Astrophysical Journal, 2012)
We present Kepler observations of the bright (V = 8.3), oscillating star HD179070. The observations show transit-like events which reveal that the star is orbited every 2.8days by a small, 1.6 R Earth object. Seismic studies of HD179070 using short cadence Kepler observations show that HD179070 has a frequency-power spectrum consistent with solar-like oscillations that are acoustic p-modes. Asteroseismic analysis provides robust values for the mass and radius of HD179070, 1.34 ± 0.06 M ⊙ and 1.86 ± 0.04 R ⊙, respectively, as well as yielding an age of 2.84 ± 0.34Gyr for this F5 subgiant. Together with ground-based follow-up observations, analysis of the Kepler light curves and image data, and blend scenario models, we conservatively show at the >99.7% confidence level (3σ) that the transit event is caused by a 1.64 0.04 R Earth exoplanet in a 2.785755 ± 0.000032day orbit. The exoplanet is only 0.04 AU away from the star and our spectroscopic observations provide an upper limit to its mass of ∼10 M Earth (2σ). HD179070 is the brightest exoplanet host star yet discovered by Kepler. © 2012. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: dept.phy; planetary systems; stars: activity; stars: individual (HD 179070: KIC 3632418); stars: interiors; stars: late-type; stars: magnetic field; stars: oscillations (including pulsations); techniques: photometric

Positive attitudinal shifts with the physics by inquiry curriculum across multiple implementations - Lindsey, Beth A; Hsu, Leonardo; Sadaghiani, Homeyra R; Taylor, Jack W; Cummings, Karen (Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 2012)
Recent publications have documented positive attitudinal shifts on the Colorado Learning Attitudes about Science Survey (CLASS) among students enrolled in courses with an explicit epistemological focus. We now report positive attitudinal shifts in classes using the Physics by Inquiry (PbI) curriculum, which has only an implicit focus on student epistemologies and nature of science issues. These positive shifts have occurred in several different implementations of the curriculum, across multiple institutions and multiple semesters. In many classes, students experienced significant attitudinal shifts in the problem-solving categories of the CLASS, despite the conceptual focus of most PbI courses.
Keywords: dept.phy

Kepler-22b: A 2.4 Earth-radius Planet in the Habitable Zone of a Sun-like Star - Borucki, William J.; Koch, David G.; Batalha, Natalie M.; Bryson, Stephen T.; Rowe, Jason F.; Fressin, Francois; Torres, Guillermo; Caldwell, Douglas A.; Christensen-Dalsgaard, Jørgen; Cochran, William D.; DeVore, Edna; Gautier, Thomas N.; et al. (The Astrophysical Journal, 2012)
A search of the time-series photometry from NASA's Kepler spacecraft reveals a transiting planet candidate orbiting the 11th magnitude G5 dwarf KIC 10593626 with a period of 290 days. The characteristics of the host star are well constrained by high-resolution spectroscopy combined with an asteroseismic analysis of the Kepler photometry, leading to an estimated mass and radius of 0.970 0.060 M and 0.979 0.020 R. The depth of 492 10 ppm for the three observed transits yields a radius of 2.38 0.13 Re for the planet. The system passes a battery of tests for false positives, including reconnaissance spectroscopy, high-resolution imaging, and centroid motion. A full BLENDER analysis provides further validation of the planet interpretation by showing that contamination of the target by an eclipsing system would rarely mimic the observed shape of the transits. The final validation of the planet is provided by 16 radial velocities (RVs) obtained with the High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer on Keck I over a one-year span. Although the velocities do not lead to a reliable orbit and mass determination, they are able to constrain the mass to a 3σ upper limit of 124 M ⊕, safely in the regime of planetary masses, thus earning the designation Kepler-22b. The radiative equilibrium temperature is 262 K for a planet in Kepler-22b's orbit. Although there is no evidence that Kepler-22b is a rocky planet, it is the first confirmed planet with a measured radius to orbit in the habitable zone of any star other than the Sun. © 2012. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: dept.phy; planetary systems; stars: fundamental parameters; stars: individual (Kepler-22, KIC 10593626)

Portable intensity interferometry - Horch, Elliott P; Camarata, Matthew A (2012)
A limitation of the current generation of long baseline optical interferometers is the need to make the light interfere prior to detection. This is unlike the radio regime where signals can be recorded fast enough to use electronics to accomplish the same result. This paper describes a modern optical intensity interferometer based on electronics with picosecond timing resolution. The instrument will allow for portable optical interferometry with much larger baselines than currently possible by using existing large telescopes. With modern electronics, the limiting magnitude of the technique at a 4-m aperture size becomes competitive with some amplitude-based interferometers. The instrumentation will permit a wireless mode of operation with GPS clocking technology, extending the work to extremely large baselines. We discuss the basic observing strategy, a planned observational program at the Lowell Observatory 1.8-m and 1.0-m telescopes, and the science that can realistically be done with this instrumentation. © 2012 SPIE.
Keywords: Aperture sizes; Binary star; Binary stars; Current generation; Intensity interferometry; Interferometers; Interferometry; Large telescopes; Long base line; Mode of operations; Optical intensities; Optical interferometer; Optical interferometry; Optical telescopes; Picosecond timing; Single photon avalanche diode; Single photon avalanche diodes; Stars; Stellar disks; Stellar radii; Telescopes; dept.phy

The infrared light curve of SN 2011fe in m101 and the distance to m101 - Matheson, Thomas; Joyce, Richard R; Allen, Lori E; Saha, A; Silva, David R; Woodvasey, W M; Adams, Joshua J; Anderson, R E; Beck, Tracy L; Bentz, Misty C; Bershady, Matthew A; Binkert, W S; et al. (The Astrophysical Journal, 2012)
We present near-infrared light curves of supernova (SN) 2011fe in M101, including 34 epochs in H band starting 14days before maximum brightness in the B band. The light curve data were obtained with the WIYN High-Resolution Infrared Camera. When the data are calibrated using templates of other Type Ia SNe, we derive an apparent H-band magnitude at the epoch of B-band maximum of 10.85 ± 0.04. This implies a distance modulus for M101 that ranges from 28.86 to 29.17mag, depending on which absolute calibration for Type Ia SNe is used. © © 2012. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved..
Keywords: dept.phy; galaxies: distances and redshifts; galaxies: individual (M101); supernovae: individual (SN 2011fe)

Speckle Observations of Binary Stars with the Wiyn Telescope. Vii. Measures During 2008-2009 - Horch, Elliott P.; Bahi, Lizzie Anne P.; Gaulin, Joseph R.; Howell, Steve B.; Sherry, William Henry; Gallé, Roberto Baena; van Altena, William F. (The Astronomical Journal, 2011)
Five hundred thirty-one speckle measures of binary stars are reported. These data were taken mainly during the period 2008 June through 2009 October at the WIYN 3.5m Telescope at Kitt Peak and represent the last data set of single-filter speckle observations taken in the WIYN speckle program prior to the use of the current two-channel speckle camera. The astrometric and photometric precision of these observations is consistent with previous papers in this series: we obtain a typical linear measurement uncertainty of approximately 2.5mas, and the magnitude differences reported have typical uncertainties in the range of 0.1-0.14 mag. In combination with measures already in the literature, the data presented here permit the revision of the orbit of A 1634AB (= HIP 76041) and the first determination of visual orbital elements for HDS 1895 (= HIP 65982).
Keywords: binaries: visual; dept.phy; peer-reviewed; techniques: high angular resolution; techniques: interferometric; techniques: photometric

Kepler-18b, c, and d: a system of three planets confirmed by transit timing variations, light curve validation, warm-spitzer photometry, and radial velocity measurements* - Cochran, William D.; Fabrycky, Daniel C.; Torres, Guillermo; Fressin, Francois; Désert, Jean-Michel; Ragozzine, Darin; Sasselov, Dimitar; Fortney, Jonathan J.; Rowe, Jason F.; Brugamyer, Erik; Bryson, Stephen T.; Carter, Joshua A.; et al. (Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 2011)
We report the detection of three transiting planets around a Sun-like star, which we designate Kepler-18. The transit signals were detected in photometric data from the Kepler satellite, and were confirmed to arise from planets using a combination of large transit-timing variations (TTVs), radial velocity variations, Warm-Spitzer observations, and statistical analysis of false-positive probabilities. The Kepler-18 star has a mass of 0.97 M ⊙, a radius of 1.1 R ⊙, an effective temperature of 5345K, and an iron abundance of [Fe/H] = +0.19. The planets have orbital periods of approximately 3.5, 7.6, and 14.9 days. The innermost planet "b" is a "super-Earth" with a mass of 6.9 ± 3.4 M ⊕, a radius of 2.00 ± 0.10 R ⊕, and a mean density of 4.9 ± 2.4gcm3. The two outer planets "c" and "d" are both low-density Neptune-mass planets. Kepler-18c has a mass of 17.3 ± 1.9 M ⊕, a radius of 5.49 ± 0.26 R ⊕, and a mean density of 0.59 0.07gcm 3, while Kepler-18d has a mass of 16.4 ± 1.4 M ⊕, a radius of 6.98 ± 0.33 R ⊕ and a mean density of 0.27 ± 0.03gcm3. Kepler-18c and Kepler-18d have orbital periods near a 2:1 mean-motion resonance, leading to large and readily detected TTVs. © 2011. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: dept.phy; planetary systems; stars: individual (Kepler-18, KIC 8644288, 2MASS J19521906+4444467); techniques: photometric; techniques: spectroscopic

Origin of 90° domain wall pinning in Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 heteroepitaxial thin films - Su, Dong; Meng, Qingping; Vaz, Carlos A. F.; Han, Myung-Geun; Segal, Y.; Walker, Fred; Sawicki, Monica; Broadbridge, Christine; Ahn, Chong H. (Applied Physics Letters, 2011)
We describe a transmission-electron-microscopy study of the ferroelectric domains in an epitaxial Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 (PZT) film grown on La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/SrTiO 3(001). We directly observe the pinning of 90 domain walls by pairs of misfit dislocations, respectively, with Burgers vectors a [100] and a [001]. Model calculations based on the elastic theory confirm our finding that, in addition to the depolarization field surrounding the dislocation, the strain field of misfit dislocation-pairs plays the primary role in the formation and pinning of a domains. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.
Keywords: Depolarization fields; Domain walls; Domain-wall pinning; Elastic theory; Epitaxial growth; Ferroelectric domains; Ferroelectricity; Heteroepitaxial thin films; Heterojunctions; Lanthanum compounds; Lead; Manganese oxide; Model calculations; PZT; Strain fields; Zirconium; dept.phy

Domain pinning and valence state switching in Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3/La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 heterostructures - Su, Dong; Vaz, Carlos A. F.; Segal, Y.; Walker, Fred; Ahn, Chong H.; Han, M-G; Sawicki, Monica; Broadbridge, Christine (Microscopy and Microanalysis, 2011)
Keywords: dept.phy

Observations of binary stars with the differential speckle survey instrument. III. measures below the diffraction limit of the WIYN telescope - Horch, Elliott P.; van Altena, William F.; Howell, Steve B.; Sherry, William Henry; Ciardi, David R. (The Astronomical Journal, 2011)
In this paper, we study the ability of CCD- and electron-multiplying-CCD- based speckle imaging to obtain reliable astrometry and photometry of binary stars below the diffraction limit of the WIYN 3.5 m Telescope. We present a total of 120 measures of binary stars, 75 of which are below the diffraction limit. The measures are divided into two groups that have different measurement accuracy and precision. The first group is composed of standard speckle observations, that is, a sequence of speckle images taken in a single filter, while the second group consists of paired observations where the two observations are taken on the same observing run and in different filters. The more recent paired observations were taken simultaneously with the Differential Speckle Survey Instrument, which is a two-channel speckle imaging system. In comparing our results to the ephemeris positions of binaries with known orbits, we find that paired observations provide the opportunity to identify cases of systematic error in separation below the diffraction limit and after removing these from consideration, we obtain a linear measurement uncertainty of 3-4 mas. However, if observations are unpaired or if two observations taken in the same filter are paired, it becomes harder to identify cases of systematic error, presumably because the largest source of this error is residual atmospheric dispersion, which is color dependent. When observations are unpaired, we find that it is unwise to report separations below approximately 20 mas, as these are most susceptible to this effect. Using the final results obtained, we are able to update two older orbits in the literature and present preliminary orbits for three systems that were discovered by Hipparcos. © 2011. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved..
Keywords: binaries: visual; dept.phy; peer-reviewed; techniques: high angular resolution; techniques: interferometric; techniques: photometric

Observations of Binary Stars with the Differential Speckle Survey Instrument. II. Hipparcos Stars Observed in 2010 January and June - Horch, Elliott P.; Gomez, Shamilia C.; Sherry, William Henry; Howell, Steve B.; Ciardi, David R.; Anderson, Lisa M.; van Altena, William F. (The Astronomical Journal, 2011)
The results of 497 speckle observations of Hipparcos stars and selected other targets are presented. Of these, 367 were resolved into components and 130 were unresolved. The data were obtained using the Differential Speckle Survey Instrument at the WIYN 3.5 m Telescope. (The WIYN Observatory is a joint facility of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Indiana University, YaleUniversity, and theNational Optical AstronomyObservatories.) Since the first paper in this series, the instrument has been upgraded so that it now uses two electron-multiplying CCD cameras. The measurement precision obtained when comparing to ephemeris positions of binaries with very well known orbits is approximately 1-2 mas in separation and better than 0.̊ 6 in position angle. Differential photometry is found to be in very good agreement with Hipparcos measures in cases where the comparison is most relevant. We derive preliminary orbits for two systems. © 2011. The American Astronomical Society.
Keywords: Binaries: Visual; Techniques: High angular resolution; Techniques: Interferometric; Techniques: Photometric; dept.phy; peer-reviewed

Team-based interdisciplinary materials research using image processing - Garofano, Jacquelynn; Sadowski, Thomas; DaPonte, John S.; Broadbridge, Christine (2011)
There is an acute and well-documented need for image processing of microscopy data in materials science regarding, for example, the characterization of the structure/property relationship of a given materials system. In our work, image processing has been used as a framework for conducting interdisciplinary team-based research that effectively integrates programs within the Center for Research on Interface Structures and Phenomena (CRISP) Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC), e.g. research experiences for undergraduates (REU), teachers (RET) and high school fellowships. This research resulted from a five-year long collaboration between CRISP and the Physics and Computer Science Departments at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU). This paper will focus on the implementation of team-based research experiences as a vehicle for interdisciplinary science and education. Representative results of several of the studies are presented and discussed. © 2011 Materials Research Society.
Keywords: Characterization; Engineering research; High school; Image processing; Interface structures; Interfaces (materials); Materials research; Materials systems; Research experience; Science and engineering; dept.phy

Characteristics of kepler planetary candidates based on the first data set - Borucki, William J.; Koch, David G.; Basri, Gibor; Batalha, Natalie M.; Boss, Alan P.; Brown, Timothy M.; Caldwell, Douglas A.; Christensen-Dalsgaard, Jørgen; Cochran, William D.; DeVore, Edna; Dunham, Edward W.; Dupree, Andrea K.; et al. (The Astrophysical Journal, 2011)
In the spring of 2009, the Kepler Mission commenced high-precision photometry on nearly 156,000 stars to determine the frequency and characteristics of small exoplanets, conduct a guest observer program, and obtain asteroseismic data on a wide variety of stars. On 2010 June 15, the Kepler Mission released most of the data from the first quarter of observations. At the time of this data release, 705 stars from this first data set have exoplanet candidates with sizes from as small as that of Earth to larger than that of Jupiter. Here we give the identity and characteristics of 305 released stars with planetary candidates. Data for the remaining 400 stars with planetary candidates will be released in 2011 February. More than half the candidates on the released list have radii less than half that of Jupiter. Five candidates are present in and near the habitable zone; two near super-Earth size, and three bracketing the size of Jupiter. The released stars also include five possible multi-planet systems. One of these has two Neptune-size (2.3 and 2.5 Earth radius) candidates with near-resonant periods. © 2011. The American Astronomical Society.
Keywords: Planets and satellites: detection; Surveys; dept.phy

Characteristics of planetary candidates observed by Kepler II : Analysis of the first four months of data - Borucki, William J.; Koch, David G.; Basri, Gibor; Batalha, Natalie M.; Brown, Timothy M.; Bryson, Stephen T.; Caldwell, Douglas A.; Christensen-Dalsgaard, Jørgen; Cochran, William D.; DeVore, Edna; Dunham, Edward W.; Gautier, Thomas N.; et al. (The Astrophysical Journal, 2011)
On 2011 February 1 the Kepler mission released data for 156,453 stars observed from the beginning of the science observations on 2009 May 2 through September 16. There are 1235 planetary candidates with transit-like signatures detected in this period. These are associated with 997 host stars. Distributions of the characteristics of the planetary candidates are separated into five class sizes: 68 candidates of approximately Earth-size (Rp < 1.25 R⊕), 288 super-Earth-size (1.25 R⊕ ≤ R p < 2 R⊕), 662 Neptune-size (2 R ⊕ ≤ Rp < 6 R⊕), 165 Jupiter-size (6 R⊕ ≤ Rp < 15 R ⊕), and 19 up to twice the size of Jupiter (15 R ⊕ ≤ Rp < 22 R⊕). In the temperature range appropriate for the habitable zone, 54 candidates are found with sizes ranging from Earth-size to larger than that of Jupiter. Six are less than twice the size of the Earth. Over 74% of the planetary candidates are smaller than Neptune. The observed number versus size distribution of planetary candidates increases to a peak at two to three times the Earth-size and then declines inversely proportional to the area of the candidate. Our current best estimates of the intrinsic frequencies of planetary candidates, after correcting for geometric and sensitivity biases, are 5% for Earth-size candidates, 8% for super-Earth-size candidates, 18% for Neptune-size candidates, 2% for Jupiter-size candidates, and 0.1% for very large candidates; a total of 0.34 candidates per star. Multi-candidate, transiting systems are frequent; 17% of the host stars have multi-candidate systems, and 34% of all the candidates are part of multi-candidate systems. © 2011. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: dept.phy; planetary systems; planets and satellites: detection; stars: statistics; surveys

Kepler-14b: A Massive Hot Jupiter Transiting an F Star in a Close Visual Binary - Buchhave, Lars A; Latham, David W; Carter, Joshua A; Desert, J M; Torres, Guillermo; Adams, Elisabeth R; Bryson, Stephen T; Charbonneau, David; Ciardi, David R; Kulesa, Craig; Dupree, Andrea K; Fischer, Debra A; et al. (Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 2011)
We present the discovery of a hot Jupiter transiting an F star in a close visual (03 sky projected angular separation) binary system. The dilution of the host star's light by the nearly equalmagnitude stellar companion (∼0.5mag fainter) significantly affects the derived planetary parameters, and if left uncorrected, leads to an underestimate of the radius and mass of the planet by 10% and 60%, respectively. Other published exoplanets, which have not been observed with high-resolution imaging, could similarly have unresolved stellar companions and thus have incorrectly derived planetary parameters. Kepler-14b (KOI-98) has a period of P = 6.790 days and, correcting for the dilution, has a mass of Mp = 8.40+0.35 -0.34 M J and a radius of Rp = 1.136+0.073-0.054 R J, yielding a mean density of ρp = 7.1 ± 1.1 g cm-3. © 2011. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: dept.phy; planetary systems; stars: individual (Kepler-14b, KIC 10264660, 2MASS J19105011+4719589); techniques: photometric; techniques: spectroscopic

Kepler-15b: A hot jupiter enriched in heavy elements and the first kepler mission planet confirmed with the hobby-eberly telescope - Endl, Michael; Macqueen, Phillip J; Cochran, William D; Brugamyer, Erik; Buchhave, Lars A; Rowe, Jason F; Lucas, P W; Isaacson, Howard; Bryson, Steve; Howell, Steve B; Fortney, Jonathan J; Hansen, Terese; et al. (Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 2011)
We report the discovery of Kepler-15b (KOI-128), a new transiting exoplanet detected by NASA's Kepler mission. The transit signal with a period of 4.94days was detected in the quarter 1 (Q1) Kepler photometry. For the first time, we have used the High Resolution Spectrograph (HRS) at the Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) to determine the mass of a Kepler planet via precise radial velocity (RV) measurements. The 24 HET/HRS RVs and 6 additional measurements from the Fibre-fed chelle Spectrograph spectrograph at the Nordic Optical Telescope reveal a Doppler signal with the same period and phase as the transit ephemeris. We used one HET/HRS spectrum of Kepler-15 taken without the iodine cell to determine accurate stellar parameters. The host star is a metal-rich ([Fe/H]= 0.36 ± 0.07) G-type main-sequence star with Teff = 5515 ± 124 K. The semi-amplitude K of the RV orbit is 78.7+8.5 -9.5ms-1, which yields a planet mass of 0.66 ± 0.1 M Jup. The planet has a radius of 0.96 ± 0.06R Jup and a mean bulk density of 0.9 ± 0.2 gcm-3. The radius of Kepler-15b is smaller than the majority of transiting planets with similar mass and irradiation level. This suggests that the planet is more enriched in heavy elements than most other transiting giant planets. For Kepler-15b we estimate a heavy element mass of 30-40 M ⊕. © 2011. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: dept.phy; planetary systems; stars: individual (Kepler-15, KOI-128, KIC 11359879, 2MASS J19444814+4908244); techniques: image processing; techniques: photometric; techniques: radial Velocities; techniques: spectroscopic

The WIYN Speckle Survey: Toward the Thin and Thick Disk Binary Populations - Horch, Elliott P.; van Altena, William F.; Docobo, J. A.; Tamazian, V. S.; Balega, Y. Y. (INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON DOUBLE AND MULTIPLE STARS: DYNAMICS, PHYSICS, AND INSTRUMENTATION, 2011)
The WIYN Observatory speckle program has been in operation since 1997, taking data mainly with a large-format, low-noise CCD detector. However, new instrumentation, first used in 2008, has created the possibility to use two detectors simultaneously, collecting light in two different filters. The program also now has access to two electron-multiplying CCD cameras, which dramatically improve the limiting magnitude of the diffraction-limited imaging capabilities. The application of this instrumentation to an ongoing survey of the Hipparcos Double Stars and other projects is discussed. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.
Keywords: binaries: visual; dept.phy; stars: stellar populations; techniques: high angular resolution; techniques: interferometric; techniques: photometric

Speckle camera observations for the NASA kepler mission follow-up program - Howell, Steve B; Everett, Mark E; Sherry, William Henry; Horch, Elliott P; Ciardi, David R (The Astronomical Journal, 2011)
We present the first results from a speckle imaging survey of stars classified as candidate exoplanet host stars discovered by the Kepler mission. We use speckle imaging to search for faint companions or closely aligned background stars that could contribute flux to the Kepler light curves of their brighter neighbors. Background stars are expected to contribute significantly to the pool of false positive candidate transiting exoplanets discovered by the Kepler mission, especially in the case that the faint neighbors are eclipsing binary stars. Here, we describe our Kepler follow-up observing program, the speckle imaging camera used, our data reduction, and astrometric and photometric performance. Kepler stars range from R = 8 to 16 and our observations attempt to provide background non-detection limits 5-6mag fainter and binary separations of ∼0.05-2.0 arcsec. We present data describing the relative brightness, separation, and position angles for secondary sources, as well as relative plate limits for non-detection of faint nearby stars around each of 156 target stars. Faint neighbors were found near 10 of the stars. © 2011. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: dept.phy; instrumentation: high angular resolution; peer-reviewed; planets and satellites: general; techniques: photometric

The atomic structure and polarization of strained SrTiO3/Si - Kumah, Divine; Reiner, James W.; Segal, Y.; Kolpak, Alexie M.; Zhang, Zhizhi; Su, Dong; Zhu, Yimei; Sawicki, Monica; Broadbridge, Christine; Ahn, Chong H.; Walker, Fred (Applied Physics Letters, 2010)
For thin film devices based on coupling ferroelectric polarization to charge carriers in semiconductors, the role of the interface is critical. To elucidate this role, we use synchrotron x-ray diffraction to determine the interface structure of epitaxial SrTiO3 grown on the (001) surface of Si. The average displacement of the O octahedral sublattice relative to the Sr sublattice determines the film polarization and is measured to be about 0.05 nm toward the Si, with Ti off-center displacements 0.009 nm away from the substrate. Measurements of films with different boundary conditions on the top of the SrTiO3 show that the polarization at the SrTiO3 /Si interface is dominated by oxide-Si chemical interactions. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.
Keywords: Atomic structure; Chemical interactions; Crystal atomic structure; Different boundary condition; Ferroelectric polarization; Interface structures; Polarization; Semiconducting silicon compounds; Silicon; SrTiO; Strontium alloys; Sub-lattices; Synchrotron x ray diffraction; Thin film devices; X ray diffraction; dept.phy

Kepler observations of three pre-launch exoplanet candidates: discovery of two eclipsing binaries and a new exoplanet - Howell, Steve Bruce; Rowe, Jason F.; Sherry, William; von Braun, Kaspar; Ciardi, David R.; Bryson, Stephen T.; Feldmeier, John J.; Horch, Elliott P.; van Belle, Gerard T. (The Astrophysical Journal, 2010)
Three transiting exoplanet candidate stars were discovered in a ground-based photometric survey prior to the launch of NASA's Kepler mission. Kepler observations of them were obtained during Quarter 1 of the Kepler mission. All three stars are faint by radial velocity follow-up standards, so we have examined these candidates with regard to eliminating false positives and providing high confidence exoplanet selection.We present a first attempt to exclude false positives for this set of faint stars without high-resolution radial velocity analysis. This method of exoplanet confirmation will form a large part of the Kepler mission follow-up for Jupiter-sized exoplanet candidates orbiting faint stars. Using the Kepler light curves and pixel data, as well as medium-resolution reconnaissance spectroscopy and speckle imaging, we find that two of our candidates are binary stars. One consists of a late-F star with an early M companion, while the other is a K0 star plus a late M-dwarf/brown dwarf in a 19 day elliptical orbit. The third candidate (BOKS-1) is an r = 15 G8V star hosting a newly discovered exoplanet with a radius of 1.12 RJupiter in a 3.9 day orbit. © 2010 The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Binaries: eclipsing; Brown dwarfs; Planetary systems; dept.phy

Visualizing bone porosities using a tabletop scanning electron microscope - Krishnamoorthy, D.; DaPonte, J.; Broadbridge, C. C.; Daniel, D.; Alter, L. (Visual Information Processing XIX, 2010)
Pores are naturally occurring entities in bone. Changes in pore size and number are often associated with diseases such as Osteoporosis and even microgravity during spaceflight. Studying bone perforations may yield great insight into bone's material properties, including bone density and may contribute to identifying therapies to halt or potentially reverse bone loss. Current technologies used in this field include nuclear magnetic resonance, micro-computed tomography and the field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) 2, 5. However, limitations in each method limit further advancement. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of using a new generation of analytical instruments, the TM-1000 tabletop, SEM with back-scatter electron (BSE) detector, to analyze cortical bone porosities. Hind limb unloaded and age-based controlled mouse femurs were extracted and tested in vitro for changes in pores on the periosteal surface. An important advantage of using the tabletop is the simplified sample preparation that excludes extra coatings, dehydration and fixation steps that are otherwise required for conventional SEM. For quantitative data, pores were treated as particles in order to use an analyze particles feature in the NIH ImageJ software. Several image-processing techniques for background smoothing, thresholding and filtering were employed to produce a binary image suitable for particle analysis. It was hypothesized that the unloaded bones would show an increase in pore area, as the lack of mechanical loading would affect bone-remodeling processes taking place in and around pores. Preliminary results suggest only a slight different in frequency but not in size of pores between unloaded and control femurs.
Keywords: Bone; Computerized tomography; Data processing; Electron microscopes; Electrons; Intracortical; Mammals; Particle analysis; Periosteal; Resonance; Scanning; Scanning electron microscope; Scanning electron microscopy; Threshold; Tomography; dept.phy

Kepler Planet-Detection Mission: Introduction and First Results. - Borucki, William; Koch, David; Basri, Gibor; Batalha, Natalie; Brown, Timothy; Caldwell, Douglas; Caldwell, John; Christensen-Dalsgaard, Jorgen; Cochran, William; DeVore, Edna; Dunham, Edward; Dupree, Andrea; et al. (Science, 2010)
The Kepler mission was designed to determine the frequency of Earth-sized planets in and near the habitable zone of Sun-like stars. The habitable zone is the region where planetary temperatures are suitable for water to exist on a planet's surface. During the first 6 weeks of observations, Kepler monitored 156,000 stars, and five new exoplanets with sizes between 0.37 and 1.6 Jupiter radii and orbital periods from 3.2 to 4.9 days were discovered. The density of the Neptune-sized Kepler-4b is similar to that of Neptune and GJ 436b, even though the irradiation level is 800,000 times higher. Kepler-7b is one of the lowest-density planets (∼0.17 gram per cubic centimeter) yet detected. Kepler-5b, -6b, and -8b confirm the existence of planets with densities lower than those predicted for gas giant planets.
Keywords: Jupiter; article; astronomy; astrophysics; density; dept.phy; gas; irradiation; planetary atmosphere; planetary surface; priority journal; spacecraft; sun; temperature; water

Beta-Test Data On An Assessment Of Textbook Problem Solving Ability: An Argument For Right∕Wrong Grading? - Cummings, Karen; Marx, Jeffrey D.; Singh, Chandralekha; Sabella, Mel; Rebello, Sanjay (2010 PHYSICS EDUCATION RESEARCH CONFERENCE, 2010)
We have developed an assessment of students' ability to solve standard textbook style problems and are currently engaged in the validation and revision process. The assessment covers the topics of force and motion, conservation of momentum and conservation of energy at a level consistent with most calculus-based, introductory physics courses. This tool is discussed in more detail in an accompanying paper by Marx and Cummings. [1] Here we present preliminary beta-test data collected at four schools during the 2009/2010 academic year. Data include both pre- and post-instruction results for introductory physics courses as well as results for physics majors in later years. In addition, we present evidence that right/wrong grading may well be a perfectly acceptable grading procedure for a course-level assessment of this type. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.
Keywords: Problem solving in physics; assessment; dept.phy; introductory physics; right/wrong grading

Bridging the length scales between lithographic patterning and self assembly mechanisms in fabrication of semiconductor nanostructure arrays - Hull, Robert; Floro, J A; Gherasimova, M; Graham, J; Gray, J L; Portavoce, A; Ross, Frances M; Thorp, J (Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2010)
We employ focused ion beam patterning of single crystal Si(100) surfaces to template the assembly of Ge(Si) nanostructure arrays. The evolution and final structures of the templated arrays are determined by combinations of transmission electron, low energy electron microscope, focused ion beam and scanning probe microscopies. It is shown how the positions of individual nanostructures may be controlled to the order of 10 nm. However, to achieve controlled spacings between elements that are in the 10 nm range requires careful matching of the characteristic lengths scales of self assembly mechanisms to the length scales of the external lithographic "forcing functions". © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd.
Keywords: Assembly mechanism; Characteristic length; Electrons; Focused ion beams; Germanium; Ion beams; Lithographic patterning; Low energy electron microscopes; Nanostructure arrays; Nanostructures; Self assembly; Semiconductor nanostructures; Silicon wafers; Single crystal surfaces; Single crystals; Single-crystal Si; Transmission electron; dept.phy

Development of a Survey Instrument to Gauge Students’ Problem-Solving Abilities - Marx, Jeffrey; Cummings, Karen; Singh, Chandralekha; Sabella, Mel; Rebello, Sanjay (2010 PHYSICS EDUCATION RESEARCH CONFERENCE, 2010)
In this paper we discuss the early stages of development of a survey instrument to assess students' problem-solving abilities in a first-term, undergraduate, calculus-based physics course. Specifically, we present our motivation for the development of such a survey, details of a preliminary version of the survey, and some sample items. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.
Keywords: Problem-solving; assessment; dept.phy; introductory physics

Comparison of the ability of quantitative parameters to differentiate surface texture of Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) images - Niedzielski, Bethany; Broadbridge, Christine; Daponte, John S; Gherasimova, Maria (2010)
The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of several texture analysis parameters to differentiate textured samples from a smooth control on images obtained with an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). Surface roughness plays a major role in the realm of material science, especially in integrated electronic devices. As these devices become smaller and smaller, new materials with better electrical properties are needed. New materials with smoother surface morphology have been found to have superior electrical properties than their rougher counterparts. Therefore, in many cases surface texture is indicative of the electrical properties that material will have. Physical vapor deposition techniques such as Jet Vapor Deposition and Molecular Beam Epitaxy are being utilized to synthesize these materials as they have been found to create pure and uniform thin layers. For the current study, growth parameters were varied to produce a spectrum of textured samples. The focus of this study was the image processing techniques associated with quantifying surface texture. As a result of the limited sample size, there was no attempt to draw conclusions about specimen processing methods. The samples were imaged using an AFM in tapping mode. In the process of collecting images, it was discovered that roughness data was much better depicted in the microscope's "height" mode as opposed to "equal area" mode. The AFM quantified the surface texture of each image by returning RMS roughness and the first order histogram statistics of mean roughness, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis. Color images from the AFM were then processed on an off line computer running NIH ImageJ with an image texture plug in. This plug in produced another set of first order statistics computed from each images' histogram as well as second order statistics computed from each images' cooccurrence matrix. The second order statistics, which were originally proposed by Haralick, include contrast, angular second moment, correlation, inverse difference moment, and entropy. These features were computed in the 0°, 45°, 90°, and 135° directions. The findings of this study propose that the best combination of quantitative texture parameters is standard deviation, 0° inverse difference moment, and 0° entropy, all of which are obtained from the NIH ImageJ texture plug in. © 2010 Copyright SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering.
Keywords: AFM; Angular second moment; Atomic force microscopes; Atomic force microscopy; Cluster analysis; Co-occurrence-matrix; Color images; Computer vision; Crystal growth; Deposition; Electric properties; Electrical property; First order; First-order statistics; Graphic methods; Growth parameters; Histogram statistics; Image processing technique; Image texture; Imaging systems; Integrated electronics; Inverse differences; Jet vapor depositions; Material science; Materials; Mean roughness; Microscopes; Molecular beam epitaxy; Molecular beams; New material; Photoresists; Physical vapor deposition; Plug-ins; Processing; Processing method; Quantitative parameters; RMS roughness; Regression analysis; Sample sizes; Second order statistics; Smooth control; Standard deviation; Statistics; Surface morphology; Surface roughness; Surface textures; Surfaces; Tapping modes; Texture analysis; Textures; Thin layers; dept.phy

Valence electron energy-loss spectroscopy of ultrathin SrTiO3 films grown on silicon (100) single crystal - Su, Dong; Yang, Bo; Jiang, Nan; Sawicki, Monica; Broadbridge, Christine; Couillard, M; Reiner, James W; Walker, Fred; Ahn, C H; Zhu, Yimei (Applied Physics Letters, 2010)
Valence electron energy-loss spectroscopy is used to investigate the plasmon excitations of ultrathin SrTiO3 sandwiched between amorphous Si and crystalline Si. Two plasmon excitations were observed, one at 15.8 eV and the other at 28.7 eV. Our calculations, based on dielectric-function theory, suggest that the former peak originates from the coupling of the Si layers and is related to the geometry of the structure, and the latter peak results from the SrTiO3 bulk plasmon after a redshift. Our findings demonstrate the value of valence electron energy-loss spectroscopy in detecting a local change in the effective electron mass. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.
Keywords: Amorphous Si; Amorphous silicon; Crystalline Si; Dissociation; Electron energy loss spectroscopy; Electron scattering; Electrons; Function theory; Plasmon excitations; Plasmons; Red shift; Si layer; Silicon (100); Silicon wafers; Single crystals; SrTiO; Strontium alloys; Ultra-thin; Valence electron energy-loss spectroscopies; dept.phy

Complex oxide interfaces: determination of electronic structure of Oxide–Oxide interfaces by photoemission spectroscopy (adv. mater. 26–27/2010) - Wang, Huiqiong; Altman, Eric I; Broadbridge, Christine; Zhu, Yimei; Henrich, Victor E (Advanced Materials, 2010)
Keywords: dept.phy

Determination of electronic structure of Oxide–Oxide interfaces by photoemission spectroscopy - Wang, Huiqiong; Altman, Eric I; Broadbridge, Christine; Zhu, Yimei; Henrich, Victor E (Advanced Materials, 2010)
A method has been developed to use the finite escape depth of the photoelectrons emitted in ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) to determine the electronic density-of-states at the interface between two dissimilar metal oxides. Ultrathin films of one oxide are grown heteroepitaxially, one monolayer at a time, on a single-crystal substrate of the other oxide, and UPS spectra are taken after each complete monolayer. By comparing experimental UPS spectra with calculated spectra based on specific models of the interfacial structure, the interfacial density-of-states can be extracted. The two oxide systems studied here are NiO-Fe 3O 4 and CoO-Fe 3O 4. The former system is found to have an atomically abrupt interface, with no significant density of interface states. For CoO, however, an interfacial electronic spectrum, different from that of either the substrate or the overlayer, is found. The spatial extent and possible origin of those interfacial states is discussed. © 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH &. Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
Keywords: Cobalt; Cobalt compounds; Density of interface state; Dissimilar metals; Electron energy levels; Electronic density; Electronic spectrum; Electronic structure; Emission spectroscopy; Escape depth; Ferumoxytol; Interfacial density; Interfacial state; Interfacial structures; Luminescence of organic solids; Models, Molecular; Monolayers; Nickel; Oxide films; Oxide systems; Oxide-oxide interfaces; Oxides; Photoelectron Spectroscopy; Photoelectron spectroscopy; Photoemission; Photoemission spectroscopy; Single-crystal substrates; Smelting; Spatial extent; UPS spectra; Ultrathin films; Ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy; article; chemical structure; chemistry; cobalt; cobalt oxide; dept.phy; ferumoxytol; nickel; nickel monoxide; oxide

The eclipse and rebirth of american philosophical pluralism: a history lesson about his-tory - Marsoobian, Armen T (Wisdom, 2016)
Keywords: dept.phi

The path dependence of dynamic traditions and the illusion of cultural AIDS - Volkman, Richard (ACM Sigcas Computers and Society, 2016)
Keywords: dept.phi

Computer ethics beyond mere compliance - Volkman, Richard (Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society, 2015)
Purpose – The paper aims to examine the nature of computer ethics as a field of study in light of 20 years of Ethicomp, arguing that computer ethics beyond mere compliance will have to be pluralistic and sensitive to the starting places of various audiences. Design/methodology/approach – The essay offers a philosophical rather than empirical analysis, but the ideal of open inquiry is observed to be manifest in the practice of Ethicomp. Findings – If computer ethics is to constitute a real engagement with industry and society that cultivates a genuine sensitivity to ethical concerns in the creation, development and implementation of technologies, a genuine sensitivity that stands in marked contrast to ethics as “mere compliance”, then computer ethics will have to persist in issuing an open invitation to inquiry. Originality/value – The celebration of 20 years of Ethicomp is an occasion to reflect on who we are and what we mean to be doing. Inclusive of previous accounts (e.g. Moor and Gotterbarn), while going beyond them, an inquiry-based conception of computer ethics makes room for all the various dimensions of computer ethics. ©Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Keywords: Collaboration; Community evolution; Computer ethics; Information ethics; Philosophy; Teaching innovations; dept.phi; peer-reviewed

Physics iv 10-11 as a Parallel Account - Harry, Chelsea C. (Chronos in Aristotle’s Physics: On the Nature of Time, 2015)
Given the context of the Physics just explored, it will not be a surprise if time (chrόnos) in Aristotle’s analytic of time turns out to be not a being qua itself but an attribute of motion, an interval.
Keywords: Infinite Divisibility; Infinite Time; Internal Inconsistency; Natural Object; Underlying Unity; dept.phi

Time in Context - Harry, Chelsea C. (Chronos in Aristotle’s Physics: On the Nature of Time, 2015)
The key to taking in Aristotle’s treatise on time is to approach it with the understanding that Aristotle was not a philosopher concerned with time —in questions about time or in delimiting the being of time.
Keywords: Accidental Change; Accidental Form; Natural Object; Predicative Change; Privative Form; dept.phi

Excellent online friendships: an Aristotelian defense of social media - Elder, Alexis (Ethics and Information Technology, 2014)
I defend social media's potential to support Aristotelian virtue friendship against a variety of objections. I begin with Aristotle's claim that the foundation of the best friendships is a shared life. Friends share the distinctively human and valuable components of their lives, especially reasoning together by sharing conversation and thoughts, and communal engagement in valued activities. Although some have charged that shared living is not possible between friends who interact through digital social media, I argue that social media preserves the relevantly human and valuable portions of life, especially reasoning, play, and exchange of ideas. I then consider several criticisms of social media's potential to host friendships, and refute or weaken the force of these objections, using this conception of a distinctively human shared life. I conclude that we should use the shared life to evaluate features of social media and norms for users' conduct.
Keywords: Aristotle; Data privacy; Friendship; Information technology; Privacy; Shared activity; Social media; Social networking (online); Social sciences; Valuable component; dept.phi

On the possibility of quantum informational structural realism - Bynum, Terrell Ward (Minds and Machines, 2014)
In The Philosophy of Information, Luciano Floridi presents an ontological theory of Being qua Being, which he calls "Informational Structural Realism", a theory which applies, he says, to every possible world. He identifies primordial information ("dedomena") as the foundation of any structure in any possible world. The present essay examines Floridi's defense of that theory, as well as his refutation of "Digital Ontology" (which some people might confuse with his own). Then, using Floridi's ontology as a starting point, the present essay adds quantum features to dedomena, yielding an ontological theory for our own universe, Quantum Informational Structural Realism, which provides a metaphysical interpretation of key quantum phenomena, and diminishes the "weirdness" or "spookiness" of quantum mechanics. © 2013 The Author(s).
Keywords: Dedomena; Digital ontology; Primordial qubit; Quantum information; Structural realism; dept.phi

Association and asylum - Cavallero, Eric (Philosophical Studies, 2014)
Keywords: dept.phi

Zhuangzi on friendship and death - Elder, Alexis (Southern Journal of Philosophy, 2014)
Zhuangzi suggests that death is a transformation that we commonly and mistakenly think means the end of someone but really just marks a new phase of existence. This metaphysical thesis is presented at several points in the text as an explanation of distinctively Daoist responses to death and loss. Some (such as Wong 2006) take a Daoist response to death, as presented by Zhuangzi, to indicate dual perspectives on friendship and death. But I argue that the metaphysical view sketched above is consistent with a unified perspective, allowing the Daoist to enjoy deep friendships without risking some potential for grief typically associated with strong attachment. However, it leaves the Daoist best suited to friendships with those who endorse the same metaphysics. Furthermore, while the grief associated with the death of a friend is somewhat mitigated, the Daoist has reason to mourn even given this thesis. © 2014 The University of Memphis.
Keywords: dept.phi

Situating the early schelling in the later positive philosophy - Harry, Chelsea C (Comparative and Continental Philosophy, 2014)
This is a translation of the second chapter of F.W.J. Schelling's Abhandlungen zur Erlaüterung des Idealismus der Wissenschaftslehre (1796-1797). It is preceded by a brief introduction in which I situate the chapter within Schelling's oeuvre and suggest that it is not only an early articulation of Schellingian Naturphilosophie, but also prescient, anticipating Schelling's later positive philosophy. © W. S. Maney & Son Ltd 2014.
Keywords: Naturphilosophie; Negative philosophy; Positive philosophy; Schelling; dept.phi

Helping students to see for themselves that ethics matters - Jagger, Suzy; Volkman, Richard (The International Journal of Management Education, 2014)
Business ethics education is experiencing a renaissance as recurring corporate scandals and malpractice over the last decade have ensured that most universities now see the subject as an important and necessary component of any business degree course. As well as integrating professional ethics into their curriculum, Business Schools are also developing standalone ethics courses, showing that they take seriously their responsibility to help prepare the next generation of managers to improve business' track record of transparency, accountability and sustainable development. However what are the learning approaches that will help to bring about real improvements in business ethics learning at university? This paper argues that a holistic approach to ethics teaching is needed, in which students are encouraged to develop ethical knowledge and skills within their personal value systems. In this way ethics does not become something apart but integrated into one's terms of reference. The paper discusses a particular pedagogic approach designed to develop a student's 'critical consciousness' using a student-led learning method in which students actively engage with important concepts and discuss the issues amongst themselves within an environment where they can speak freely. Qualitative interviews with a selection of undergraduates on the compulsory first year professional ethics module provide insight into the impact of the method on attitudes and behaviours. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.
Keywords: Business ethics; Moral sensitivity; Teaching business ethics; Transformational learning; Values and integrity; Virtue ethics; dept.phi

The making of modern Turkey: nation and state in eastern Anatolia, 1913–1950 - Marsoobian, Armen T (Journal of Genocide Research, 2013)
Keywords: dept.phi

Collective intelligence and ethical individualism - Volkman, Richard (ACM Sigcas Computers and Society, 2013)
Keywords: dept.phi

Creating the Journal Metaphilosophy - Bynum, Terrell Ward (Metaphilosophy, 2011)
This brief article describes the circumstances that led to the creation of the journal Metaphilosophy in autumn 1968. A year after I had left graduate school, an unfortunate accident left me flat on my back for several weeks with nothing to do while recuperating from eye surgery. Bored, I decided to do something constructive, so I created a scholarly journal devoted to articles about the nature of philosophy, or how the different schools or branches of philosophy relate to each other, or how philosophy relates to other disciplines. I made up the word "metaphilosophy" to describe such content, and I decided to call the journal by that name. With help from my wife, from my best friend, and from my undergraduate philosophy mentor, the journal Metaphilosophy was launched. © 2011 Metaphilosophy LLC and Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Keywords: dept.phi; editorial board; metaphilosophy; scholarly journal

Health, luck and moral fallacies of the second best - Cavallero, Eric (The Journal of Ethics, 2011)
Individuals who become ill as a result of personal lifestyle choices often shift the monetary costs of their healthcare needs to the taxpaying public or to fellow members of a private insurance pool. Some argue that policies permitting such cost shifting are unfair. Arguments for this view may seem to draw support from luck egalitarian accounts of distributive justice. This essay argues that the luck egalitarian framework provides no such support. To allocate healthcare costs on the basis of personal responsibility would arbitrarily and publicly burden socially detectable risk-takers while undetectable risk-takers continue to get a free ride. That problem is unavoidable even on the assumption that distributive institutions outside the healthcare sector are fully just. In actual, farfrom-just societies, imposing personal liability for the costs of voluntary risk taking would be wrong for an additional reason. Doing so would tend to magnify existing distributive injustices. These conclusions draw attention to two common 'moral fallacies of the second best' that can arise when applying ideal normative theory to matters of institutional design and in real-world policy contexts. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
Keywords: Egalitarianism; Health; Healthcare; Luck; Luck egalitaianism; Personal responsibility; Responsibility; dept.phi; peer-reviewed

Coercion, inequality and the international property regime - Cavallero, Eric (Journal of Political Philosophy, 2010)
Keywords: dept.phi

Philosophy in the Information Age - Bynum, Terrell Ward (Metaphilosophy, 2010)
Abstract: In the past, major scientific and technological revolutions, like the Copernican Revolution and the Industrial Revolution, have had profound effects, not only upon society in general, but also upon Philosophy. Today's Information Revolution is no exception. Already it has had significant impacts upon our understanding of human nature, the nature of society, even the nature of the universe. Given these developments, this essay considers some of the philosophical contributions of two “philosophers of the Information Age”—Norbert Wiener and Luciano Floridi—with regard to the nature of the universe, human nature, the nature of society, and the nature of “artificial agents” such as robots, softbots, and cyborgs.
Keywords: Artificial agents; Cybernetics; Cyborgs; Digital physics; Entropy; Inforg; Information; Information Age; Information Revolution; Information age; Information revolution; Infosphere; Luciano Floridi; Norbert Wiener; Qubits; Robots; Second law of thermodynamics; artificial agents; cybernetics; cyborgs; dept.phi; digital physics; entropy; inforg; information; infosphere; qubits; robots; second law of thermodynamics

Commodification and privacy: a Lockean perspective. - Volkman, Richard (HEC forum : an interdisciplinary journal on hospitals' ethical and legal issues, 2010)
This paper defends the thesis that privacy as a right is derived from fundamental rights to life, liberty, and property and does not permit restricting the commodification of bodily material; however, privacy as life, liberty, property does require conventions that ensure a robust and just market in bodily material. The analysis proceeds by defending a general commitment to liberty and markets, but not in the manner one might expect from a 'doctrinaire' libertarian. Ethical concerns about commodification are legitimate in the context of new medical and information technologies, but these concerns are not sufficiently well defined to justify political conclusions, since not every ethical concern is in itself a political concern, and the best way to resolve certain ethical difficulties is to draw up political boundaries that facilitate the discovery and testing of various solutions to our ethical puzzles. To illustrate the point, I will indicate how privacy as life, liberty, property defines such a dynamic solution to the problems of commodification of human bodily material and slippery information in insurance markets.
Keywords: *Ownership; *Privacy; Civil Rights; Commerce; Commodification; Human Body; Humans; John Locke; Liberalism; Markets; Natural rights; Ownership; Politics; Privacy; art; article; civil rights; commercial phenomena; dept.phi; human; organization and management; politics; privacy

Why information ethics must begin with virtue ethics - Volkman, Richard (Metaphilosophy, 2010)
The information ethics (IE) of Floridi and Sanders is evaluated here in the light of an alternative in virtue ethics that is antifoundationalist, particularist, and relativist in contrast to Floridi's foundationalist, impartialist, and universalist commitments. Drawing from disparate traditional sources like Aristotle, Nietzsche, and Emerson, as well as contemporary advocates of virtue ethics like Nussbaum, Foot, and Williams, the essay shows that the central contentions of IE, including especially the principle of ontological equality, must either express commitments grounded in the particular perspectives we already inhabit, or be without rational or ethical force for us. © 2010 Metaphilosophy LLC and Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Keywords: Ethical individualism; Foundationalism; Information ethics; Particularism; Virtue ethics; dept.phi

Gaming the system: developing an educational game for securing principles of arterial blood gases - Boyd, Cory Ann; Warren, Jonah; Glendon, Mary Ann (Journal of Professional Nursing, 2016)
This article describes the development process for creating a digital educational mini game prototype designed to provide practice opportunities for learning fundamental principles of arterial blood gases. Mini games generally take less than an hour to play and focus on specific subject matter. An interdisciplinary team of faculty from two universities mentored student game developers to design a digital educational mini game prototype. Sixteen accelerated bachelor of science in nursing students collaborated with game development students and playtested the game prototype during the last semester of their senior year in nursing school. Playtesting is a form of feedback that supports an iterative design process that is critical to game development. A 10-question survey was coupled with group discussions addressing five broad themes of an archetypical digital educational mini game to yield feedback on game design, play, and content. Four rounds of playtesting and incorporating feedback supported the iterative process. Accelerated bachelor of science in nursing student playtester feedback suggests that the digital educational mini game prototype has potential for offering an engaging, playful game experience that will support securing the fundamental principles of arterial blood gases. Next steps are to test the digital educational mini game for teaching and learning effectiveness. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Arterial blood gases; Educational digital games; Interdisciplinary collaboration; Mini games; Nursing students; Serious games; arterial blood; blood gas; clinical article; dept.nur; human; learning; nursing education; nursing student; teaching

Disclosure of errors and apology: law and ethics - Westrick, Susan J.; Jacob, Nyshi (JNP-Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 2016)
Error disclosure and apology are evolving concerns for advanced practice nurses who have increased exposure to liability. Error disclosure is required by regulatory agencies and the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses, yet barriers to disclosure exist and nurse practitioners may not be aware of state apology laws that protect some statements from use in civil lawsuits for negligence or malpractice. Two law cases that apply apology laws are reviewed to illustrate these protections. Best practices for error disclosure are presented, and nurse educators are urged to include error disclosure content in nurse practitioner curricula as part of safety and quality education.
Keywords: dept.nur

Enhancing student nurse learning through participation in a community-based educational program for children and families - Krol, Maria; Resha, Cheryl; Glendon, Mary Ann (Journal of Community Health Nursing, 2016)
Health disparities, especially among minorities, persist; obesity is a national concern; and the combined effect can be significant for families and populations. In an effort to address obesity at an early age, the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN), developed the Muevete USA project. Muevete USA (from the Spanish verb for to move) features five lesson plans on healthy lifestyles for children and their families. This article describes Muevete USA, the partnership with a local school of nursing, the implementation of the program at the local level and the emerging program and student outcomes of a successful partnership.
Keywords: Child; Child Health; Community-Based Participatory Research; Humans; Obesity; Schools; Students, Nursing; child; child health; dept.nur; human; nursing student; obesity; participatory research; school

Using Schools of Nursing to Help Fill the Gap - Resha, Cheryl (NASN School Nurse, 2016)
The shortage of school nurses, school nurses covering multiple buildings, and the expanded role of the school nurse has called for innovative ideas to meet the growing health care needs of youth. Partnering with local schools of nursing may be a welcomed strategy. This brief article will share the benefits of hosting student nurses as well as identify ways to begin these partnerships. © 2016 The Author(s).
Keywords: Adult; Curriculum; Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; Female; Humans; Interprofessional Relations; Male; Middle Aged; Organizational Innovation; School Health Services; School Nursing; Schools, Nursing; Students, Nursing; United States; adult; curriculum; dept.nur; education; female; health promotion; human; male; middle aged; nursing education; nursing student; organization; organization and management; partnerships; public relations; school health nursing; school health service; schools of nursing; student nurses

Predictors of types of caregiver burden - Unson, Christine; Flynn, Deborah; Haymes, Elayne; Sancho, Diane; Glendon, Mary Ann (Social Work in Mental Health, 2016)
This study identified the types of caregiver stress and the caregiver and care management characteristics that are associated with this stress. 169 caregivers were recruited from a variety of community settings that cater to caregivers in a New England metropolitan area. They completed the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and a questionnaire concerning their care recipient and caregiving arrangements. Principal Components Analysis on the ZBI resulted in five factors: personal strain/loss, uncertainty/inadequacy, social strain/embarrassment, anger, and dependency. The average age of the caregiver was 59.95 years (SD = 11.75) and the average age of the CR was 83.44 years (SD = 7.88). Of the 169 caregivers, 82% were women, 61.5% daughters/in-law or wives (12.9%), 34.3% were solo caregivers; 16.8% little or no burden, 39.9% reported mild to moderate burden, 35% moderate to severe burden, and 8.4% had severe burden. Dependency (22.4%) and personal strain/loss (13.7%) had the highest proportions reported as “often” to “nearly always.” The ZBI was predicted by only two caregiver characteristics, indicating that it is not sensitive to the experiences of different types of caregivers. Caregivers experience different types of burden depending on their gender, kinship roles, and levels of involvement in the care of their older relative. Solo caregiver status and age (younger) significantly predicted most if not all 5 burden types. Solo and young caregivers experienced the highest levels of caregiver burden. Social work practice must identify the caregiver’s life stage and other and self-expectations in relation to dependency, personal loss, embarrassment, anger, or uncertainty. © 2016 Taylor & Francis.
Keywords: Caregiver burden; United States; adult; aged; anger; caregiver burden; controlled study; dependency; dept.nur; dept.pch; expectation; female; gender; human; human experiment; interview; male; principal component analysis; questionnaire; recipient; social work practice; strain; uncertainty

The lived experience of parental bereavement - Denhup, Christine (Nursing Research, 2015)
Keywords: dept.nur; peer-reviewed; ⛔ No DOI found

School nurses breaking the sounds of silence through advocacy - Resha, Cheryl; Lambert, Dawn (NASN School Nurse, 2014)
Keywords: dept.nur

Effectiveness of a role-modeling intervention on student nurse simulation competency - Aronson, Barbara; Glynn, Barbara; Squires, Timothy (Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 2013)
Novice nurses are often inadequately prepared to respond to complex, patient care situations where patients' conditions deteriorate. Exposure to a video-taped intervention that role-models and reinforces expected behavior of an expert nurse before participation in a simulation may improve student nurse performance in a cost-effective manner. The primary purpose of this quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test study was to assess the preliminary effectiveness of a theory based role-modeling intervention on enhancing student nurse competency in responding to a simulated response to rescue event. Performance was measured by a previously validated Heart Failure Simulation Competency Evaluation Tool (c) (HFSCET). Total mean scores on the HFSCET for the pre-test (59.08) and post-test (87.08) were significantly different (p = .000); students performed better on the post-test after exposure to the role-modeling intervention. A power analysis indicated a large effect size (effect size = .926; alpha = 0.50; power = 0.991). Students who had a greater number of days between the intervention and the post-test had a lower score. This innovative intervention based on established learning theory may change the way educators prepare novice students to achieve expected clinical competencies in graded simulation performance assessments. (c) 2013 International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Intervention; Nursing students; Performance assessment; Simulation; dept.nur

Competency assessment in simulated response to rescue events - Aronson, Barbara; Glynn, Barbara; Squires, Timothy (Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 2012)
Background: Reliable and valid instruments are needed to assess patient safety competencies, specifically nursing students' ability to appropriately respond to simulated rescue events. Methods: This was an instrument development study conducted with 152 senior nursing students in 2 phases. Results: Student groups performed poorly during the simulation scenario, with mean scores on the Heart Failure Simulation Competency Evaluation Tool ranging from 46% to 56%. Interrater reliability increased to .839 after item revision during Phase 2 of the study. Discussion: This simulation competency assessment package is ready to be tested with more diverse student groups and novice nurses in the practice setting. © 2012 International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning.
Keywords: Failure to rescue; Instrument development; Nursing students; Patient safety; Simulation; dept.nur

Nurse practitioners in home health care: an update - Neal‐Boylan, Leslie; Mager, Diana; Kazer, Meredith Wallace (Home Health Care Management & Practice, 2012)
Nurse practitioners are playing an increasingly visible role in home care. The Institute of Medicine in collaboration with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recommends wider use of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and there has been growing interest in using the role in home care.1 However, the physician remains the provider who must sign home health agency paperwork and orders. The "Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act" would allow nurse practitioners to certify Medicare-sponsored treatment plans.2 This article will discuss the status of the nurse practitioner role in home care, the impact of reimbursement on home care services, how the passage of the new act would change current practice, and a vision for the future role of the nurse practitioner in home health care. © 2012 SAGE Publications.
Keywords: Home Health Care Improvement Act; conceptual model; dept.nur; home health care; nurse practitioner; transitional care model

An exploration and comparison of the worklife experiences of registered nurses and physicians with permanent physical and/or sensory disabilities. - Neal-Boylan, Leslie (Rehabilitation nursing : the official journal of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, 2012)
PURPOSE: To examine the worklife experiences of physicians, to further the exploration of the worklife experiences of nurses with disabilities, and to discover how the two healthcare professions compare with each other with regard to these experiences., METHODS: This study employed the research tradition of interpretive naturalistic inquiry and used constant comparative analysis to collect and analyze the data., FINDINGS: Despite the cultural and educational differences between physicians and RNs, their experiences as healthcare professionals with self-identified permanent physical and/or sensory disabilities were very similar. The research team identified five core themes., CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare professionals, including staff and administrators, need to make an effort to retain employees as turnover and predicted shortages are likely to jeopardize the current healthcare system., CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Modifications can be made within both professions to support people with disabilities and to enable them to contribute to their professions using their abilities to think critically, solve problems, and care for patients safely. Copyright © 2012 Association of Rehabilitation Nurses.
Keywords: *Disabled Persons/rh [Rehabilitation]; *Employment; *Nurses; *Physicians; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Career Choice; Disability; Disabled Persons; Disclosure; Emotions; Employment; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nurse; Nurse workforce; Nurses; Patient Safety; Physician; Physicians; United States; Work life; adult; aged; article; comparative study; decision making; dept.nur; disabled person; emotion; employment; female; human; interpersonal communication; male; middle aged; nurse; patient safety; physician

The career trajectories of health care professionals practicing with permanent disabilities. - Neal-Boylan, Leslie; Hopkins, Amy; Skeete, Rachel; Hartmann, Sarah B; Iezzoni, Lisa I; Nunez-Smith, Marcella (Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges, 2012)
PURPOSE: The authors sought to generate insights and hypotheses about the professional experiences of registered nurses and physicians with self-identified disabilities to inform local and national policy conversations on supporting a diverse health care workforce., METHOD: In 2009-2010, the authors conducted in-depth interviews in person and over the telephone with a sample of licensed registered nurses and physicians across the country who self-identified as having a permanent disability. They coded the interview transcripts to identify key themes across the participants' responses., RESULTS: The authors interviewed 10 registered nurses and 10 physicians. Five novel and consistent themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) Living and working with a physical/sensory disability narrows the career choices and trajectories of nurses and physicians, (2) nurses and physicians struggle with decisions regarding whether to disclose and discuss their disabilities at work, (3) nurses and physicians rarely seek legally guaranteed workplace accommodations, instead viewing patient safety as a personal responsibility, (4) interpersonal interactions often reflect the institutional climate and set the tone for how welcome nurses and physicians feel at work, and (5) reactions to workplace disability-related challenges run an emotional spectrum from anger and grief to resilience and optimism., CONCLUSIONS: The responses revealed several missed opportunities for supporting health care professionals with disabilities in the workplace. These findings should inform the continuing debate regarding what defines "reasonable accommodation" and how to create a workplace that is welcoming for nurses and physicians with disabilities.
Keywords: *Attitude of Health Personnel; *Career Choice; *Disabled Persons/px [Psychology]; *Nurses/px [Psychology]; *Physicians/px [Psychology]; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Health Personnel; Humans; Interprofessional Relations; Interviews as Topic; Male; Middle Aged; Truth Disclosure; United States; Workplace/px [Psychology]; dept.nur

Psychological distress during ovarian cancer treatment: improving quality by examining patient problems and advanced practice nursing interventions - O'Sullivan, Cynthia Kline; Bowles, Kathryn H.; Jeon, Sangchoon; Ercolano, Elizabeth; McCorkle, Ruth (Nursing Research and Practice, 2011)
Keywords: dept.nur

Retired RNs: perceptions of volunteering - Cocca-Bates, Katherine C.; Neal-Boylan, Leslie (Geriatric Nursing, 2011)
A qualitative study was done to explore the perceptions of volunteering among retired registered nurses (RNs) in Kansas. Participants were volunteers in formal nursing roles or were using their nursing knowledge and experience in non-nursing roles, such as church work. Regardless of the type of volunteer position, retired RNs reported that they use what they have learned as nurses when they volunteer. Volunteering benefits include enhanced self-worth, intellectual stimulation, reduced social isolation, and opportunities to help others. Increased paperwork, new technology, difficulty finding nursing-specific volunteer opportunities, resistance from health care organizations, and a lack of respect for what these nurses know are challenges and barriers to volunteering. Retired RNs have accumulated years of clinical nursing experience and can be helpful to employed nurses. Health care organizations should launch targeted efforts to recruit and utilize retired RN volunteers. Health care professionals who care for older adults should recommend volunteering as a healthful endeavor. (Geriatr Nurs 2011;32:96-105)
Keywords: dept.nur

Nurses with sensory disabilities: their perceptions and characteristics. - Neal-Boylan, Leslie; Fennie, Kristopher; Baldauf-Wagner, Sara (Rehabilitation nursing : the official journal of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, 2011)
A survey design was used to explore the perceptions and characteristics of registered nurses (RNs) with sensory disabilities and their risk for leaving their jobs. An earlier study found that nurses with disabilities are leaving nursing and that employers do not appear to support these nurses. Work instability and the mismatch between a nurse's perceptions of his or her ability and the demands of their work increase risk for job retention problems. This study's convenience sample of U.S. RNs had hearing, vision, or communication disabilities. Participants completed a demographic form, three U.S. Census questions, and the Nurse-Work Instability Survey. Hospital nurses were three times more likely to be at risk for retention problems. Nurses with hearing disabilities were frustrated at work. Hearing difficulties increased with years spent working as a nurse. Many nurses with sensory disabilities have left nursing. Early intervention may prevent work instability and increase retention, and rehabilitation nurses are ideally positioned to lead early intervention programs.
Keywords: *Communication Disorders; *Disabled Persons; *Employment; *Nursing Staff; *Personnel Management; *Sensation Disorders; Adult; Aged; Communication Disorders; Communication Disorders/rh [Rehabilitation]; Disability; Disability Evaluation; Disabled Persons; Disabled Persons/rh [Rehabilitation]; Employment; Hearing Impaired Persons; Humans; Middle Aged; Nursing Staff; Nursing Staff, Hospital; Nursing shortage; Personnel Management; Persons With Hearing Impairments/rh [Rehabilitation]; Rehabilitation Nursing; Sensation Disorders; Sensation Disorders/rh [Rehabilitation]; United States; Visually Impaired Persons; Visually Impaired Persons/rh [Rehabilitation]; Workforces; adult; aged; article; communication disorder; dept.nur; disability; disabled person; employment; human; middle aged; nursing staff; patient; personnel management; rehabilitation nursing; sensory dysfunction

Sources of caregiver stress among african-americans - Mohammed, S. F.; Unson, C.; Glendon, M.; Dabiri, S. (Gerontologist, 2013)
Keywords: dept.nur; dept.pch; peer-reviewed; ⛔ No DOI found

African american caregiving: sources of stress and modes of coping - Chukwurah, Q.; Unson, C.; Testut, T.; Glendon, M.; Flynn, D. (Gerontologist, 2015)
Keywords: dept.nur; dept.pch; peer-reviewed; ⛔ No DOI found

Dementia and Caregiver Stress: An Application of the Reconceptualized Uncertainty in Illness Theory. - Unson, Christine; Flynn, Deborah; Glendon, Mary Ann; Haymes, Elayne; Sancho, Diane (Issues in mental health nursing, 2015)
The Reconceptualized Uncertainty in Illness Theory (RUIT) was used to investigate antecedents to, appraisals of, and ways of coping with stressful caregiving. Four focus groups with caregivers (8 males and 16 females) of relatives with dementia were conducted; 15 cared for their parents and the remainder cared for their spouses. They were recruited from an adult care center and other community settings in a metropolitan area in New England. The discussions were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Two researchers independently coded the transcripts. Thematic analysis was structured according to the RUIT. The study is unique in its application to caregivers as opposed to patients and to all of the elements of the RUIT. Caregivers experience uncertainty in similar ways to patients with life-altering illness. Symptom severity--lack of personal boundaries, repetitive and aggressive behaviors, and the need for constant care--was the most frequent source of stress. The appraisals were mostly negative and included feelings of resentment, a lack of support from family members, financial strains, and loss of freedom. Self-improvement and self-care were important aspects of coping. Spirituality and humor were other coping skills that respondents used. Not all respondents said they were coping and some also reported that support from health care providers was not always helpful. Nurses can help improve coping by explaining the factors that contribute to caregiver strain and uncertainty, and by assisting caregivers to anticipate the effects of the caregiving role.
Keywords: *Adaptation, Psychological; *Caregivers/px [Psychology]; *Dementia/px [Psychology]; *Stress, Psychological/pc [Prevention & Control]; *Uncertainty; Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Caregivers; Dementia; Dementia/th [Therapy]; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Models, Psychological; Narration; Stress, Psychological; Stress, Psychological/et [Etiology]; Uncertainty; adaptive behavior; adult; aged; caregiver; dementia; dept.nur; dept.pch; etiology; female; human; male; mental stress; middle aged; peer-reviewed; prevention and control; psychological model; psychology; uncertainty; verbal communication; very elderly

Stress process of african-american caregivers: a structural equation model (sem) - Unson, C.; Mohammed, S. F.; Glendon, M.; Testut, T.; Flynn, D.; Evans, M. (Gerontologist, 2016)
Keywords: dept.nur; dept.pch; peer-reviewed; ⛔ No DOI found

Coverage-based lossy node localization for wireless sensor networks - Bao, Forrest Sheng; Pang, Yulei; Zhou, Wujun; Jiang, Wu; Yang, Yinfei; Liu, Yang; Qian, Chen (IEEE Sensors Journal, 2016)
To ensure the function of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), nodes that fail to forward packets must be localized efficiently and then fixed or replaced promptly. The state-of-the-art work frames lossy node localization in WSNs as an optimal sequential testing problem guided by end-to-end data. It combines both the active and passive measurements to minimize the testing cost and the number of iterations. However, this hybrid approach has many limitations. Inspired by the success of coverage-based software debugging, and the similarity between software debugging and lossy node localization, we propose a coverage-based lossy node detection for WSNs. Supported by established statistic theories, this approach greatly boosts the performance. Experiments on randomly generated networks and deployed networks show that the proposed algorithm can significantly reduce testing cost and number of iterations, which are the two optimization goals of previous work. We expect to use this approach for other diagnostic problems in WSNs. © 2001-2012 IEEE.
Keywords: Chi-square test; Chi-square tests; Diagnostic problem; Lossy node localization; Lossy nodes; Network diagnosis; Number of iterations; Optimal sequential; Passive measurements; Program debugging; Sensor nodes; Statistical tests; Wireless sensor network (WSNs); Wireless sensor networks; dept.mat; network diagnosis; wireless sensor network

On nontriangulable polyhedra - Bezdek, Andras; Carrigan, Braxton (Beiträge zur Algebra und Geometrie / Contributions to Algebra and Geometry, 2016)
Triangulations of 3-dimensional polyhedron are partitions of the polyhedron with tetrahedra in a face-to-face fashion without introducing new vertices. Schönhardt (Math. Ann. 89:309–312, 1927), Bagemihl (Amer. Math. Mon. 55:411–413, 1948), Kuperberg (Personal communication 2011) and others constructed special polyhedra in such a way that clever one line geometric reasons imply nontriangulability. Rambau (Comb. Comput. Geom. 52:501–516, 2005) proved that twisted prisms over n-gons are nontriangulable. Our approach for proving polyhedra are nontriangulable is to show that partitions with tetrahedra, which we call tilings, do not exist even if the face-to-face-restriction is relaxed. First we construct a polyhedron which is tileable but is not triangulable. Then we revisit Rambau type twisted prisms. In fact we consider a slightly different class of polyhedra, and prove that these new twisted prisms are nontileable, thus are nontriangulable. We also show that one can twist the regular dodecahedron so that it becomes nontileable, which is abstracted to a new family of nontileable polyhedra, called nonconvex twisted pentaprisms. © 2015, The Managing Editors.
Keywords: Polyhedron; Tiling; Triangulation; dept.mat

Hilbert polynomials of j-transforms - Goto, Shiro; Hong, Jooyoun; Vasconcelos, Wolmer V (Mathematical Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, 2016)
We study transformations of finite modules over Noetherian local rings that attach to a module M a graded module H(x)(M) defined via partial systems of parameters x of M. Despite the generality of the process, which are called j-transforms, in numerous cases they have interesting cohomological properties. We focus on deriving the Hilbert functions of j-transforms and studying the significance of the vanishing of some of its coefficients. Copyright © 2016 Cambridge Philosophical Society.
Keywords: dept.mat

Characterization and comparison of injuries caused by accidental and non-accidental blunt force trauma in dogs and cats - Intarapanich, Nida P; Mccobb, Emily; Reisman, Robert W; Rozanski, Elizabeth A; Intarapanich, Pichai P (Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2016)
Motor vehicle accidents (MVA) are often difficult to distinguish from non-accidental injury (NAI). This retrospective case–control study compared animals with known MVA trauma against those with known NAI. Medical records of 426 dogs and cats treated after MVA and 50 after NAI were evaluated. Injuries significantly associated with MVA were pelvic fractures, pneumothorax, pulmonary contusion, abrasions, and degloving wounds. Injuries associated with NAI were fractures of the skull, teeth, vertebrae, and ribs, scleral hemorrhage, damage to claws, and evidence of older fractures. Odds ratios are reported for these injuries. MVA rib fractures were found to occur in clusters on one side of the body, with cranial ribs more likely to fracture, while NAI rib fractures were found to occur bilaterally with no cranial–caudal pattern. Establishing evidence-based patterns of injury may help clinicians differentiate causes of trauma and may aid in the documentation and prosecution of animal abuse. © 2016 American Academy of Forensic Sciences
Keywords: animal; blunt force trauma; dept.mat; dog; forensic science; injury; motor vehicle accident; non-accidental injury; veterinary

How to guard orthogonal polygons: diagonal graphs and vertex covers - Michael, T S; Pinciu, Val (Discrete and Computational Geometry, 2016)
We extend and unify most known results about guarding orthogonal polygons by introducing the same-sign diagonal graphs of a convex quadrangulation and applying results about vertex covers for graphs. Our approach also yields new theorems and often guarantees two disjoint vertex guard sets of relatively small cardinality. For instance, an orthogonal polygon on n vertices has two disjoint vertex guard sets of cardinality at most (Formula presented.). We give new proofs of Aggarwal’s one-hole theorem and the orthogonal fortress theorem. We prove that an orthogonal polygon with n vertices and any number of holes can be protected by at most (Formula presented.) vertex guards, improving the best known bound of (Formula presented.). Also, an orthogonal polygon with n vertices and h holes can be protected by (Formula presented.) guarded guards, which is best possible when (Formula presented.). Moreover, for orthogonal fortresses with n vertices, (Formula presented.) guarded guards are always sufficient and sometimes necessary. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York (outside the USA).
Keywords: Art gallery theorem; Orthogonal polygon; Vertex cover; Visibility; dept.mat

The orthogonal art gallery theorem with constrained guards - Michael, T S; Pinciu, Val (Electronic Notes in Discrete Mathematics, 2016)
Let P be an orthogonal polygon with n vertices, and let V⁎ and E⁎ be specified sets of vertices and edges of P. We prove that P has a guard set of cardinality at most ⌊(n+3|V⁎|+2|E⁎|)/4⌋ that includes each vertex in V⁎ and at least one point of each edge in E⁎. Our bound is sharp and reduces to the orthogonal art gallery theorem of Kahn, Klawe and Kleitman when V⁎ and E⁎ are empty. © 2016 Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: art gallery theorem; dept.mat; graph coloring; orthogonal polygon; polygon visibility

Early identification of vulnerable software components via ensemble learning - Pang, Yulei; Xue, Xiaozhen; Namin, Akbar Siami (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2016)
Software components, which are vulnerable to being exploited, need to be identified and patched. Employing any prevention techniques designed for the purpose of detecting vulnerable software components in early stages can reduce the expenses associated with the software testing process significantly and thus help building a more reliable and robust software system. Although previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of adapting prediction techniques in vulnerability detection, the feasibility of those techniques is limited mainly because of insufficient training data sets. This paper proposes a prediction technique targeting at early identification of potentially vulnerable software components. In the proposed scheme, the potentially vulnerable components are viewed as mislabeled data that may contain true but not yet observed vulnerabilities. The proposed hybrid technique combines the supports vector machine algorithm and ensemble learning strategy to better identify potential vulnerable components. The proposed vulnerability detection scheme is evaluated using some Java Android applications. The results demonstrated that the proposed hybrid technique could identify potentially vulnerable classes with high precision and relatively acceptable accuracy and recall.
Keywords: Android applications; Artificial intelligence; Ensemble learning; Learning systems; Machine components; Mislabeled data; Prediction techniques; Prevention techniques; Software component; Software testing; Support vector machine; Support vector machines; Vulnerability; Vulnerability detection; dept.mat

The chern numbers and euler characteristics of modules - Ghezzi, Laura; Goto, Shiro; Hong, Jooyoun; Ozeki, Kazuho; Phuong, Tran Thi; Vasconcelos, Wolmer V (Acta Mathematica Vietnamica, 2015)
The set of the first Hilbert coefficients of parameter ideals relative to a module—its Chern coefficients—over a local Noetherian ring codes for considerable information about its structure–noteworthy properties such as that of Cohen-Macaulayness, Buchsbaumness, and of having finitely generated local cohomology. The authors have previously studied the ring case. By developing a robust setting to treat these coefficients for unmixed rings and modules, the case of modules is analyzed in a more transparent manner. Another series of integers arise from partial Euler characteristics and are shown to carry similar properties of the module. The technology of homological degree theory is also introduced in order to derive bounds for these two sets of numbers. © 2014, Institute of Mathematics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) and Springer Science+Business Media Singapore.
Keywords: Buchsbaum module; Cohen-Macaulay module; Euler characteristic; Generalized Cohen-Macaulay module; Hilbert coefficient; Hilbert function; Local cohomology; Parameter ideal; Vasconcelos module; dept.mat

Ideals generated by quadrics - Hong, Jooyoun; Simis, Aron; Vasconcelos, Wolmer V (Journal of Algebra, 2015)
Our purpose is to study the cohomological properties of the Rees algebras of a class of ideals generated by quadrics. For all such ideals I⊂. R=. K[. x, y, z] we give the precise value of depth. R[. It] and decide whether the corresponding rational maps are birational. In the case of dimension d≥. 3, when K=R, we give structure theorems for all ideals of codimension d minimally generated by (d+12)-1 quadrics. For arbitrary fields K, we prove a polarized version. © 2014 Elsevier Inc.
Keywords: Associated graded ring; Castelnuovo regularity; Hilbert coefficients; Primary; Rees algebra; Relation type; Secondary; dept.mat; peer-reviewed

Diversity and anxiety: A case study on collaborative testing - Pang, Yulei; Mugno, Raymond; Xue, Xiaozhen (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2015)
In order to reduce students' test anxiety, collaborative testing was suggested as an evaluation strategy. However, few studies have focused on testing group construction, especially when an important factor, i.e., group diversity is taken into consideration. In this paper we conducted a case study to assess the association between group diversity and test anxiety in collaborative testing. The results observed may indicate that: 1) around 20% of students suffered from test anxiety to some extent in either an individual test or a collaborative test; 2) collaborative testing could alleviate test anxiety, whereas the effect is not statistically significant; 3) there exists a moderate positive correlation between group diversity and test anxiety in collaborative testing. The results of the study may suggest limiting group diversity in collaborative testing in order to alleviate test anxiety. © 2015 IEEE.
Keywords: Collaborative testing; Evaluation strategies; Group diversity; Positive correlations; Students; Testing; collaborative testing; dept.mat; group diversity; test anxiety

Constructing collaborative learning groups with maximum diversity requirements - Pang, Yulei; Mugno, Raymond; Xue, Xiaozhen; Wang, Huaying (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2015)
Due to the considerable advantages of collaborative learning, group work is widely used in tertiary institutions. Previous studies demonstrated that group diversity had positive influence on group work achievement. Therefore, an interesting question that arises is how to achieve maximum group diversity effectively and automatically, especially when the features to be considered are numerous and the number of students is large. In this paper we apply a multi-start algorithm composed by a greedy constructive and strategic oscillation improvement to group students. We evaluated the technique based on a small-scale case study. The results observed indicate that the multi-start algorithm-based grouping model is feasible. It improved the overall and average students diversity within group significantly, and it also enhanced students' collaborative learning outcomes compared to random grouping model. However, we did not find any evidence on monotonic positive relationship between diversity and students' learning outcomes. © 2015 IEEE.
Keywords: Collaborative learning; Education; Engineering education; Group diversity; Grouping model; Learning outcome; Multi-start algorithm; Multistart; Random grouping; Strategic oscillations; Students; Tertiary institutions; dept.mat

Debugging in parallel or sequential: an empirical study. - Pang, Yulei; Xue, Xiaozhen; Namin, Akbar Siami (Journal of Software, 2015)
Keywords: dept.mat

Predicting vulnerable software components through n-gram analysis and statistical feature selection - Pang, Yulei; Xue, Xiaozhen; Namin, Akbar Siami (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2015)
Vulnerabilities need to be detected and removed from software. Although previous studies demonstrated the usefulness of employing prediction techniques in deciding about vulnerabilities of software components, the accuracy and improvement of effectiveness of these prediction techniques is still a grand challenging research question. This paper proposes a hybrid technique based on combining N-gram analysis and feature selection algorithms for predicting vulnerable software components where features are defined as continuous sequences of token in source code files, i.e., Java class file. Machine learning-based feature selection algorithms are then employed to reduce the feature and search space. We evaluated the proposed technique based on some Java Android applications, and the results demonstrated that the proposed technique could predict vulnerable classes, i.e., software components, with high precision, accuracy and recall. © 2015 IEEE.
Keywords: Android applications; Application programs; Artificial intelligence; Computer software; Continuous sequences; Feature extraction; Feature selection; Feature selection algorithm; Forecasting; Java programming language; Learning systems; N-gram; N-grams; Prediction techniques; Research questions; Statistical features; Vulnerability prediction; Wilcoxon test; dept.mat

Guarding polyominoes, polycubes and polyhypercubes - Pinciu, Val (Electronic Notes in Discrete Mathematics, 2015)
We consider variations of the original art gallery problem where the domain is a polyomino, a polycube, or a polyhypercube. An m-polyomino is the connected union of m unit squares called pixels, an m-polycube is the connected union of m unit cubes called voxels, and an m-polyhypercube is the connected union of m unit hypercubes in a d dimensional Euclidean space. In this paper we generalize and unify the known results about guarding polyominoes and polycubes and obtain simpler proofs. We also obtain new art gallery theorems for guarding polyhypercubes. © 2015 Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: Art gallery theorem; Polycube; Polyhypercube; Polyomino; dept.mat

A predator–prey interaction from micro to macro perspectives - Wang, Huaying; Pang, Yulei; Zhang, Luona; Martin, Clyde F (Nonlinear Dynamics, 2015)
This paper deals with predator–prey dynamics in individual and population perspectives. First, we build a discrete Markov model on predator–prey interactions in individual perspective. By shortening the time gap, from discrete time to continuous time, and increasing the number of individuals to infinity, a continuity equation on the predator–prey interactions is derived in a large population regime. Then, with the leading items of the continuity equation, that is the mean-field equation, following the approximate model, which entails qualitative analysis, we can obtain an asymptotically stable closed orbit or simply put, the parameter conditions where equilibrium point exists. These qualitative conclusions are the performance of individual microscopic interactions on macro-level groups, or can be treated as one component of microscopic models of various random statistical average results.This paper explored the accuracy and operability of the model constructed on individual level, which differs from traditional method, constructing population model directly via differential equations and difference equations. Therefore, by operating variables and data from individual behavior, it is probable for us to construct more accurate models for population dynamic. © 2014, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht (outside the USA).
Keywords: Asymptotically stable; Continuity equation; Continuity equations; Continuous time systems; Difference equations; Differential equations; Discrete Markov model; Individual interaction; Macro-level groups; Markov processes; Microscopic interaction; Parameter conditions; Population statistics; Predator prey systems; Qualitative analysis; Stable limit cycle; dept.mat

Parameters governing deviations from the beer-lambert-bouger law for direct transmission - Clark, Aaron S (14th Conference on Cloud Physics/14th Conference on Atmospheric Radiation/Anthony Slingo Symposium, 2014)
Keywords: dept.mat; ⛔ No DOI found

On the link between particle size and deviations from the Beer–Lambert–Bouguer law for direct transmission - Larsen, Michael L; Clark, Aaron S (Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy & Radiative Transfer, 2014)
Ballistic photon models of radiative transfer in discrete absorbing random media have demonstrated deviations from the Beer-Lambert-Bouguer law of exponential attenuation. A number of theoretical constructs to quantify the deviation from the Beer-Lambert-Bouguer law have appeared in the literature, several of which rely principally on a statistical measure related to the statistics of the absorber spatial positions alone. Here, we utilize a simple computational model to explore the interplay between the geometric size of the absorbing obstacles and the statistics governing the placement of the absorbers in the volume. We find that a description of the volume that depends on particle size and the spatial statistics of absorbers is not sufficient to fully characterize deviations from the Beer-Lambert-Bouguer law. Implications for future further theoretical and computational explorations of the problem are explored. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.
Keywords: Beer; Beer-Lambert-Bouguer law; Light transmission; Non-exponential transmission laws; Optical depth; Particle size; Poisson process; Poisson ratio; Stochastic media; Transmission law; dept.mat; numerical model; optical depth; particle size; radiative transfer; stochasticity

A clustering-based grouping model for enhancing collaborative learning - Pang, Yulei; Xiao, Feiya; Wang, Huaying; Xue, Xiaozhen (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2014)
Group work is widely used in tertiary institutions due to the considerable advantages of collaborative learning. Previous studies indicated that the group diversity had positive influence on the group work achievement. Therefore, how to achieve diversity within a group effectively and automatically is an interesting question. In this paper we propose a novel clustering-based grouping model. The proposed technique first employs balanced K-means algorithm to divide the students into several size-balanced clusters, such that the students within the same cluster are more similar (in some sense) to each other than to those in other clusters, then adopts one-sample-each-cluster strategy to construct the groups. We evaluated the proposed technique based on two small-scale case studies. The result observed may indicate that the clustering-based grouping model is feasible and effective. © 2014 IEEE.
Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Case-studies; Collaborative learning; Group diversity; Grouping model; K-means; Learning systems; Novel clustering; Tertiary institutions; balanced K-means; collaborative learning; dept.mat; group diversity; k-Means algorithm

Feature selections for effectively localizing faulty events in GUI applications - Xue, Xiaozhen; Pang, Yulei; Namin, Akbar Siami (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2014)
Due to the complex causality of failure and the special characteristics of test cases, the faults in GUI (Graphic User Interface) applications are difficult to localize. This paper adapts feature selection algorithms to localize GUI-related faults in a given program. Features are defined as the subsequences of events executed. By employing statistical feature ranking techniques, the events can be ranked by the suspiciousness of events being responsible to exhibit faulty behavior. The features defined in a given source code implementing (event handle) the underlying event are then ranked in suspiciousness order. The evaluation of the proposed technique based on some open source Java projects verified the effectiveness of this feature selection based fault localization technique for GUI applications. © 2014 IEEE.
Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Fault localization; Feature extraction; Feature selection algorithm; GUI; GUI applications; Graphic user interface; Graphical user interfaces; Java programming language; Learning systems; Open source software; Open sources; Source codes; Statistical features; Test case; User interfaces; dept.mat; faults localization; feature selection

Rank numbers of graphs that are combinations of paths and cycles - Blake, Brianna; Field, Elizabeth; Jacob, Jobby (Involve, A Journal of Mathematics, 2013)
Keywords: dept.mat

Variation of hilbert coefficients - Ghezzi, Laura; Goto, Shiro; Hong, Jooyoun; Vasconcelos, Wolmer V (Proceedings of the American Mathematical Society, 2013)
For a Noetherian local ring (R, m), the first two Hilbert coefficients, e0 and e1, of the I-adic filtration of an m-primary ideal I are known to code for properties of R, of the blowup of Spec(R) along V (I), and even of their normalizations. We give estimations for these coefficients when I is enlarged (in the case of e1 in the same integral closure class) for general Noetherian local rings. © American Mathematical Society.
Keywords: dept.mat

Guarding orthogonal polygons with h holes: A bound independent of h - Michael, T S; Pinciu, Val (Fall Workshop on Computational Geometry, 2013)
Hoffmann and Kriegel showed that an orthogonal gallery with n vertices and an unspecified number of holes can be protected by at most n/3 vertex guards. We improve this bound to (17n − 8)/52.
Keywords: dept.mat; ⛔ No DOI found

Variation of the first hilbert coefficients of parameters with a common integral closure - Ghezzi, Laura; Goto, Shiro; Hong, Jooyoun; Ozeki, Kazuho; Phuong, Tran Thi; Vasconcelos, Wolmer V (Journal of Pure and Applied Algebra, 2012)
A problem posed by Vasconcelos [33] on the variation of the first Hilbert coefficients of parameter ideals with a common integral closure in a local ring is studied. Affirmative answers are given and counterexamples are explored as well. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: Primary; Secondary; dept.mat

The homology of parameter ideals - Goto, Shiro; Hong, Jooyoun; Vasconcelos, Wolmer V (Journal of Algebra, 2012)
For a Noetherian local ring, we analyze conjectural relationships between the first Hilbert coefficient of a parameter ideal and the first partial Euler characteristic of its Koszul complex. Given their similar role as predictors of the Cohen-Macaulay property, we consider a direct comparison between them. For parameter ideals generated by d-sequences these numbers are related in an explicit formula. We then turn to study of families of parameter ideals that have the same Hilbert function. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.
Keywords: Cohen-Macaulay ring; D-sequence; Euler characteristic; Hilbert coefficient; Hilbert function; dept.mat; peer-reviewed

The equations of almost complete intersections - Hong, Jooyoun; Simis, Aron; Vasconcelos, Wolmer V (Bulletin of the Brazilian Mathematical Society, New Series, 2012)
In this paper we inject four Hilbert functions in the determination of the defining equations of the Rees algebra of almost complete intersections of finite co-length. Because three of the corresponding modules are Artinian, some of these relationships are very effective, with the novel approach opening up tracks to the determination of the equations and also to processes of going from homologically defined sets of equations to higher degrees ones. While not specifically directed towards the extraction of elimination equations, it will show how some of these arise naturally. © 2012 Sociedade Brasileira de Matemática.
Keywords: Castelnuovo-Mumford regularity; Hilbert function; Rees algebra; associated graded ring; balanced ideal; birational mapping; dept.mat; relation type; secondary elimination degree

Efficient constant-velocity reconfiguration of crystalline robots** - Aloupis, Greg; Collette, S bastien; Damian, Mirela; Demaine, Erik D.; Flatland, Robin; Langerman, Stefan; O'Rourke, Joseph; Pinciu, Val; Ramaswami, Suneeta; Sacrist, Vera; Wuhrer, Stefanie (Robotica, 2011)
In this paper, we propose novel algorithms for reconfiguring modular robots that are composed of n atoms. Each atom has the shape of a unit cube and can expand/contract each face by half a unit, as well as attach to or detach from faces of neighboring atoms. For universal reconfiguration, atoms must be arranged in 2 × 2 × 2 modules. We respect certain physical constraints: each atom reaches at most constant velocity and can displace at most a constant number of other atoms. We assume that one of the atoms has access to the coordinates of atoms in the target configuration. Our algorithms involve a total of O(n2) atom operations, which are performed in O(n) parallel steps. This improves on previous reconfiguration algorithms, which either use O(n2) parallel steps or do not respect the constraints mentioned above. In fact, in the settings considered, our algorithms are optimal. A further advantage of our algorithms is that reconfiguration can take place within the union of the source and target configuration space, and only requires local communication. © 2011 Cambridge University Press.
Keywords: Algorithms; Atoms; Constant velocities; Control of robotic systems; Local communications; Mobile robots; Modular robots; Motion planning; Novel algorithm; Path planning; Physical constraints; Reconfiguration algorithm; Robot programming; Robotic systems; Robotics; Target configurations; dept.mat

A group with deep pockets for all finite generating sets - Warshall, Andrew D (Israel Journal of Mathematics, 2011)
We show that the discrete Heisenberg group has unbounded dead-end depth with respect to every finite generating set. We also show that, in contrast, it has bounded retreat depth. © 2011 Hebrew University Magnes Press.
Keywords: dept.mat

Cohen–Macaulayness versus the vanishing of the first Hilbert coefficient of parameter ideals - Ghezzi, Laura; Goto, Shiro; Hong, Jooyoun; Ozeki, Kazuho; Phuong, Tran Thi; Vasconcelos, Wolmer V (Journal of The London Mathematical Society-second Series, 2010)
The conjecture of Wolmer Vasconcelos on the vanishing of the first Hilbert coefficient e1(Q) is solved affirmatively, where Q is a parameter ideal in a Noetherian local ring. Basic properties of the rings for which e 1(Q) vanishes are derived. The invariance of e1(Q) for parameter ideals Q and its relationship to Buchsbaum rings are studied. © 2010 London Mathematical Society.
Keywords: dept.mat

The positivity of the first coefficients of normal Hilbert polynomials - Goto, Shiro; Hong, Jooyoun; Mandal, Mousumi (Proceedings of the American Mathematical Society, 2010)
Let R be an analytically unramified local ring with maximal ideal m and d = dimR > 0. If R is unmixed, then e1I (R) = 0 for every m-primary ideal I in R, where e1I (R) denotes the first coefficient of the normal Hilbert polynomial of R with respect to I. Thus the positivity conjecture on e1I(R) posed by Wolmer V. Vasconcelos is settled affirmatively. © 2010 American Mathematical Society.
Keywords: Associated graded ring; Normal Hilbert polynomial; Normal ideal; Rees algebra; dept.mat

Academic freedom and tenure: Clark atlanta university - Williams, Rebecca J; Betsey, Charles L; Gasman, Marybeth; Grant, Kerry; Rabban, David M (Academe, 2010)
Keywords: dept.mat; ⛔ No DOI found

Trends in alcohol consumption among undergraduate students at a northeastern public university, 2002-2008. - Bulmer, Sandra Minor; Irfan, Syed; Mugno, Raymond; Barton, Barbara; Ackerman, Louise (Journal of American college health : J of ACH, 2010)
OBJECTIVE: This study examined alcohol consumption patterns and trends at a public university in the Northeast from 2002 to 2008., PARTICIPANTS: Stratified random sampling was used to select undergraduate students enrolled in courses during spring semesters in 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2008., METHODS: Data were collected during regularly scheduled classes for 4 measures of alcohol consumption and 5 demographic categories using the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey., RESULTS: Four groups showed significant increases in both frequency and volume of alcohol consumption-students who were female, over 21 years of age or over, living off-campus, or performing well academically. There were no decreasing trends for any demographic group. These results differ from national college health surveys, which have shown alcohol use remaining steady during this period., CONCLUSIONS: Campus-specific trend data can provide unique perspectives and guide programming efforts. These trends suggest a need for new intervention strategies on this campus.
Keywords: *Alcohol Drinking/ep [Epidemiology]; *Public Sector/sn [Statistics & Numerical Data]; *Students/sn [Statistics & Numerical Data]; *Universities/sn [Statistics & Numerical Data]; Alcohol Drinking; Alcohol consumption; College; Connecticut; Data Collection; Drinking; Female; Humans; Male; Public Sector; Risk-Taking; Statistics, Nonparametric; Students; Trends; United States; Universities; Young Adult; adult; article; dept.mat; dept.pch; drinking behavior; female; high risk behavior; human; information processing; male; nonparametric test; organization and management; peer-reviewed; statistics; student; university

Here, There and Everywhere: The Polycentric Consumer - Cleveland, Mark; Prince, Melvin (Springer International Publishing, 2016)
Identity is recognized as a powerful antecedent of behavior. Social identity denotes the incorporation of culture into a person’s self-concept. A strong correspondence exists between identity with a given social unit and commitment to group values/norms, and thus, how much influence the social unit exerts on the person’s attitudes and behaviors. As a psychological construct, social identity research requires probing how individuals subjectively interpret their own affiliation with one or several collectivities. Cultures are increasingly emancipated from geography in the global era. Because contemporary consumers are continuously exposed to a variety of cultural influences, they may develop polycentric identities. As companies and markets integrate, a key international market segmentation topic relates to consumers’ mindsets about home and extraneous countries/cultures, and subsequently, the products connected with these entities. To date, no research has simultaneously examined the interrelationships of consumer ethnocentrism (bias towards products from one’s national culture), consumer xenocentrism (i.e., preference or orientation towards products from a culture other than one’s own), and cosmopolitanism (i.e., a yearning for and adeptness at mastering cultural diversity) in a single study. Employing an online survey, and drawing from a representative sample (n = 269) of American consumers drawn from all 50 states (plus D.C.), this research also examines the correspondence of these identity-relevant constructs within a nomological net of pertinent concepts (all of which are established in the marketing literature): materialism, consciousness-of-kind, external orientation (cultural open-mindedness and consumption of foreign media), global consumption orientation, and natural environment concern. The survey contained a total of 60 scales corresponding to the 8 constructs, along with a series of key demographic measures. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were applied to the construct measures. Various analytical techniques were employed (tests for convergent/discriminant validity, bivariate correlations, t-tests, MANOVA, two-step clustering, as well as path analyses using structural equation modelling) to test the 19 proposed theoretical hypotheses. Most hypotheses were supported, in terms of statistical significance and magnitude, as well as directional valence. Associative network memory theory and signaling theory implicate how consumers decide from a constellation of local, foreign, and global product options. Upon activation of a brand node by way of retrieval cues (product categories, brand names, and so forth), linkages such product attributes and semantic associations (e.g., ingroups/outgroups and corresponding levels of felt identification) become salient. Firms can manipulate signals, including associations towards or away from countries/cultures, to position products and persuade consumers. Vertical segmentation, the conventional approach to adapting marketing strategies, entails developing marketing mixes for each country, from the near limitless combination of demographic, economic and psychographic variables. Due to the globalization of media and the widespread movement of products and peoples across borders a growing number of researchers instead advocate horizontal segmentation, whereby similar groups of consumers are targeted with an essentially uniform marketing strategy, irrespective of where they might live. Individuals’ inward and outward dispositions—towards their own and different countries, cultures, and products—are sound candidate constructs for designing horizontal strategies.
Keywords: Consumer Ethnocentrism; External Orientation; Foreign Medium; Semantic Association; Social Unit; dept.mkt

Here, there and everywhere: a study of consumer centrism - Prince, Melvin; Davies, Mark; Cleveland, Mark; Palihawadana, Dayananda (International Marketing Review, 2016)
Purpose - A first objective is to add insight into how constructs of ethnocentrism, xenocentrism and cosmopolitanism relate to each other. Knowledge of how these constructs overlap or work together in affecting consumer preferences will offer global marketers insights for designing appropriate marketing strategies. The second objective is to extend this knowledge by examining the correspondence of these three constructs to a nomological network of dispositional concepts pertinent for product positioning and market segmentation. The third objective is to empirically examine the extent to which the measures, construct structure and associative relationships are robust in different national research settings. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach - Surveying British and American consumers, this study examines and analyzes the correspondence of these identity-relevant constructs within a nomological net of pertinent concepts: consciousness-of-kind, global consumption orientation, materialism and natural environment concern. Findings - The hypothesized negative links between CET-XEN and CET-COS, and the predicted positive connection between XEN-COS were all confirmed on the latent factor results for the combined data set. The negative correlation between CET-XEN was of a considerably lower magnitude than that for CET-COS. Originality/value - To date, no research has used an identity theory framework and simultaneously examined in a cross-cultural context the interrelationships of consumer ethnocentrism consumer xenocentrism and cosmopolitanism - and their differentiating linkages to a multiplicity of consumer dispositions.
Keywords: Cross-cultural studies; Ethnocentrism; Global marketing; Green issues; Market segmentation; Marketing; dept.mkt; peer-reviewed

An integrative framework of buyer-supplier negative relationship quality and dysfunctional interfirm conflict - Prince, Melvin; Palihawadana, Dayananda; Davies, Mark A. P.; Winsor, Robert D. (Journal of Business-to-business Marketing, 2016)
Purpose: Problems of relationship quality and interfirm conflict in business-to-business settings are serious concerns that need to be addressed. Thus, the authors have engaged in an extensive review to promote an understanding of these complex issues. This article develops an integrated framework for analyzing wide-ranging relations between individual representatives and patterns of interfirm incompatibility for managerial control.Methodology/approach: The review involves numerous sources that include articles and monographs. A theoretical framework is constructed to integrate fragmented empirical data. In particular, social identity and commitment-trust theories are mobilized for this framework.Findings: The review of studies has a substantial consistency with the theoretical framework. The article outlines a causal chain from interpersonal agent dissimilarities to dysfunctional buyer-supplier relations, culminating in interfirm pathological conflict. Moderating factors in the causal chain are: agent identity differentiation (for interpersonal dissimilarity), supplier relations mismanagement (for buyer-supplier relationship quality), and interfirm opportunism (for interfirm pathological conflict). Buyer-supplier interfirm incompatibility mediates the causal link between interpersonal dissimilarity and buyer-supplier relationship quality. Identity differentiation, the validation of one's self-image, is introduced as a process that determines buyer-supplier agent interpersonal dissimilarity judgments. This framework uses a contextual perspective. It describes interactions between observations of micro-level phenomena of interpersonal dissimilarities and macro-level models of interfirm fit. From a managerial perspective, interpersonal relations between individual buyer and supplier agents may be further strengthened by such strategies as expanding the scope of the interpersonal relationship, relaxation of role responsibilities, and volunteering business-related contact referrals.Originality/value: A new theoretical framework has been devised to predict and explain relationship quality and interfirm pathological conflict in the business-to-business context. The framework contributes to the value of the knowledge base by serving as a means for building new diagnostic tools for assessment of interfirm behavioral issues affecting exchanges. New concepts are introduced to enhance current literature on business-to-business marketing. The framework provides concreteindicators that operationally define ideas and enable or improve measurement for empirical modeling.
Keywords: business marketing; dept.mkt; industrial marketing; relationship quality; similarity; supplier compatibility

Knowledge and skills transfer between MBA and workplace - Prince, Melvin; Burns, David J; Lu, Xinyi; Winsor, Robert D (Journal of Workplace Learning, 2015)
Purpose-This paper aims to use goal-setting theory to explain the transfer of knowledge and skills between master of business administration (MBA) and the workplace. Design/methodology/approach-Data were obtained by an online survey of MBA students enrolled in at four US graduate business schools. These were a public and private institution in the Northeast region, a private sectarian institution in the Midwest region and a private institution in the Pacific region. All students worked while attending the university. The sampling frame consisted of each school’s MBA enrollees. Questionnaires were distributed to a random cross-section of part-time students at each graduate school of business representative of returned by 144 students. The profiles of responders were consistent with parameters for the entire MBA student population. Findings-The research shows that multiple goals of reciprocal knowledge and skills transfer may be in harmony and mutually reinforcing. In principle, each goal is more likely to be attained with greater economy of effort than might be surmised. Additionally, the same forces may act similarly to facilitate attainment of two well-integrated goals, in this case transfer betweenMBAstudies and work, as well as between work and MBA studies. Research limitations/implications-The present study involved participants from part-time public and private MBA granting institutions in the USA. The study tested and extended goal-setting theory and introduced the innovative concept of reciprocal transfer. Future studies should seek to generalize the findings to a broader population of part-time MBA students, especially from other nations. Despite its strengths, the findings of this study need to be interpreted in the perspective of some limitations. The current study did not measure transfer climates in either the organization or university settings. Transfer climates undoubtedly have an important bearing on transfer outcomes. Practical implications-Review of the present study suggests that a positive MBA environment is needed to influence motivation to learn and perceptions of the MBA program’s utility, thereby promoting transfer of knowledge and skills to MBA studies from the workplace. A supportive work-to-MBA-studies transfer climate will lead to more active learning of course content that has greater relevance for achieving career goals. Potentially generalizable from the organizational transfer climate literature (Rouiller and Goldstein 1990; Rouiller and Goldstein 1993), positive transfer from work to MBA studies will occur when appropriate situational cues and consequences are present in the program. Social implications-A constructive implication suggested by the findings of this study would be the intervention and transfer management by educators to structure and strengthen the university transfer climate of their part-time MBA programs. Traditionally, the concept of transfer climate has been primarily applied to employee workplace training activity and job performance. The university culture of the MBA student might emphasize and reward continuous learning from workplace experiences. Opportunities at the university should be provided for the exercise of newly acquired workplace skills that reinforce MBA learning experiences. Originality/value-This is the first study that shows how learning goals and performance goals are integrated in the context of a new concept, i.e. reciprocal transfer of knowledge and skills betweenMBA and workplace settings. It also demonstrates, for the first time, the impact of learning and motivation for MBAstudies and perceived utility ofMBAprogram on the extent of transfer of learning and skills from the workplace to the university setting. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Keywords: Knowledge transfer; Learning orientation; Management education; Performance; dept.mkt

The effects of part-time MBA programs on students: the relationships between students and their employers - Prince, Melvin; Burns, David J; Manolis, Chris (The Journal of Education for Business, 2014)
The authors explore how the relationship between part-time master of business administration (MBA) students and their employers changes as students proceed through their MBA program by examining the degree to which students are integrated into their employer organizations. Significant positive relationships observed between students’ progress through their MBA program and the integration factors of coworker support and future prospects with their employers suggest that an MBA education can have a positive effect on employee–employer integration levels. Consequently, in addition to increasing business knowledge and skills, an MBA degree appears to assist with integrating employees and employers. © 2014, Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Keywords: MBA education; coworker support; dept.mkt; graduate education; part-time MBA students; training

Use of comforting to enhance social marketing success A case study - Forbus, Robert; Snyder, Jason L (Social Marketing Quarterly, 2013)
Successful behavioral change is the Holy Grail for social marketers. Meta-analysis demonstrates that effect sizes of behavioral change in social marketing campaigns is typically low. The present case study uses 4 years of survey data from an Alabama weight loss and behavioral change campaign to develop an explanation for why some people are more successful in lifestyle change efforts than others. Comforting, a communicative form of prosocial behavior, produced the greatest magnitude of change when tested as an independent variable on dependent variables, including pounds lost, amount of dairy products and water consumed, and physical activities undertaken. The case study concludes by discussing implications for social marketing academics and practitioners. © The Author(s) 2013.
Keywords: Behavioral change; Comforting; Social marketing campaigns; Social support; Weight loss; dept.mkt

Eighty percent of success is just showing up: how instructor communication impacts business students’ class attendance. - Snyder, Jason L; Cistulli, Mark D; Forbus, Robert (Journal for Excellence in Business & Education, 2013)
Keywords: dept.mkt

Attendance policies, student attendance, and instructor verbal aggressiveness - Snyder, Jason L; Forbus, Robert; Cistulli, Mark D (The Journal of Education for Business, 2012)
The authors utilized an experimental design across six sections of a managerial communications course (N = 173) to test the impact of instructor verbal aggressiveness and class attendance policies on student class attendance. The experimental group received a policy based on the principle of social proof (R. B. Cialdini, 2001), which indicated that for similar students, class attendance was linked to high academic performance. Students also assessed their instructor's level of verbal aggressiveness (D. A. Infante, 1979). Results suggest that instructor verbal aggressiveness did not influence class attendance. However, social proof did positively influence class attendance rates under certain circumstances. The authors discuss the study implications. © 2012, Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Keywords: attendance; dept.mkt; policy; social proof; verbal aggressiveness

A model of trust and compliance in franchise relationships - Davies, Mark A. P.; Lassar, Walfried; Manolis, Chris; Prince, Melvin; Winsor, Robert D. (Journal of Business Venturing, 2011)
Despite the danger of franchisee non-compliance as a severe impediment to overall franchise operation and performance, there is currently minimal understanding of the key factors that lead to these behaviors. Using a foundation of relational exchange theory, we construct and test a model that demonstrates how two distinct forms of trust, based upon perceptions of franchisor integrity and franchisor competence, are critical to explaining the roles that relational conflict and satisfaction play in influencing franchisee compliance. Implications of these findings are then demonstrated to have compelling relevance to the effective management of franchise systems. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Compliance; Conflict; Franchising; Reciprocity; Satisfaction; Trust; dept.mkt

Switching costs and ad agency-client relationship longevity: an exploratory study - Davies, Mark; Prince, Melvin (Services Marketing Quarterly, 2011)
A model of switching costs is applied to ad agency-client relationships using agency theory. Switching costs are comprised of set-up costs that create barriers to switching to new agencies and exit costs that are barriers to severing relationships with current agencies. Switching cost theory offers insights into why large clients can maintain agency relationships. A survey of American clients shows how client size is associated with set-up and exit costs. These relationships are explained through diversity and scope of services, the creative risk associated with major brands, and the need for more sophisticated monitoring, each acting as switching barriers, extending longevity. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Keywords: Account longevity; Client size; Switching costs; dept.mkt

Social Interaction and Employee Health - Forbus, Robert; Snyder, Jason (Journal of Business Management and Change, 2011)
With social interaction, quantity does not equal quality. Persons may have frequent negative social interactions with other persons, such that the interactions are socially undermining, rather than socially supportive. Rook (1984) used regression analysis to demonstrate how negative social interactions impact upon well-being outcomes more powerfully and more consistently than do positive social interactions. Building upon Rook’s work, the present research examines a workplace weight loss intervention and demonstrates the power of socially supportive communication in measures of weight loss and healthy lifestyle changes. Management implications are discussed.
Keywords: Social interaction; dept.mkt; employee health; weight-loss interventions; ⛔ No DOI found

Virtual identities from virtual environments - Prince, Melvin (Handbook of Research on Digital Media and Advertising: User Generated Content Consumption, 2011)
The creation of identities in immersive online digital environments has become commonplace in consumer behavior. Consumers frequently enter into socially networked, computer mediated environments (CME’s) as avatars. A user can design his or her avatar by choosing typologies of facial features, body types and clothing styles. The chapter concerns Avatar analysis as a system for generating and analyzing consumer information of practical value to marketers. Avatar analysis enhances understanding of brand perceptions and meanings, discovers new ways of positioning and differentiating brands, and provides insights for improving the effectiveness of brand communications. Using websites such as Second Life to draw avatars, consumer identity projections are elicited based on consumers’ perceptions and interpretations of their own digital figure drawings i.e., virtual social identities of consumers and brands. These identity projections disclose their real and ideal selves, brand-as-a-person, and imagery of a typical brand user.
Keywords: dept.mkt

Advertising agency compensation, client evaluation and switching costs: an extension of agency theory - Davies, Mark; Prince, Melvin (Journal of Current Issues and Research in Advertising, 2010)
We develop a theory of advertising agency compensation, client evaluation and switching costs, with extensions to agency theory. When clients are exposed to high switching costs, they become more vulnerable to the risk of agency costs. In response, clients can select compensation and evaluation decisions that convey fairness, signal their commitment, and invite agency reciprocity. With high switching costs, outcome-based compensation and formal evaluation procedures are likely. High switching costs are associated with signifi'cant relationship investments, mature relationships, large clients, formal evaluation, and with clients that use their agencies as strategic partners. Clients surveyed in North America support the theory. © 2010 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
Keywords: dept.mkt

A study of marketing standardization and performance of australian, japanese, and U.S. firms - Kustin, Richard Alan (Journal of Asia-pacific Business, 2010)
Given the continued importance of the globalization era, there is an ever-increasing interest in the correlation between marketing mix standardization and the firm's market performance. This issue focuses on the firm's pursuit of global markets in an environment conditional to internal and external market factors. The research examines factors on multinational firm's marketing mix (program and process marketing) from Australia, Japan, and the United States and the impact on market performance. The results are mixed providing some support for marketing standardization and profit performance. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Keywords: Australia; Global Marketing; Japan; Marketing Mix; Profit Performance; Standardization; Strategic Marketing; United States; corporate strategy; dept.mkt; globalization; marketing; multinational enterprise; standardization

Performance and standardization of Australian, Japanese and US firms - Kustin, Richard Alan (Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 2010)
Purpose – Globalization has fostered greater interest in all aspects of standardization theory including the 4Ps of the marketing mix or program and process marketing. The purpose of this paper is to probe the question: “Is there a benefit to the firm's strategy of marketing standardization that correlates positively to the firm's profit?”. Design/methodology/approach – Multinational firms from Australia, Japan and the USA operating in a global environment were studied in order to correlate marketing standardization to profit performance. Several methods of analysis were used including regression and analysis of variance measures. Findings – The results indicate there is increasing support for a strategy of standardizing marketing mix components and contributing to a firm's profit performance. Originality/value – The paper adds to the current literature by providing further empirical research correlating marketing mix standardization to profit. © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Keywords: Australia; Globalization; Japan; Marketing strategy; Standardization; United States of America; dept.mkt

The earth is flat, almost: measuring marketing standardization and profit performance of japanese and U.S. firms - Kustin, Richard Alan (Journal of Global Marketing, 2010)
Globalization has fostered greater interest in all aspects of standardization theory, including the four Ps (product, price, place [distribution], and promotion) of the marketing mix. The study researches the firm's strategy of marketing standardization as it correlates to the firm's profit. Multinational firms from Japan and the United States operating in a global environment were studied in order to correlate marketing standardization to profit performance. The results indicate there is increasing support for a strategy of standardizing marketing mix components and contributing to a firm's profit performance. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Keywords: Global marketing; Global strategy; Globalization; Marketing standardization; Profit performance; dept.mkt

Theory into research practice: reflections and recommendations on collaborative feminist research - Harvey, Rebecca G.; Brown, Kristina S.; Miller, Bobbi J.; Williams-Reade, Jacqueline; Tyndall, Lisa; Murphy, Megan J. (Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 2016)
Six women faculty came together to research their peers asking other women in COAMFTE-accredited programs about their personal and professional identities. The goal of this research was to develop recommendations for the field of Couple/Marriage and Family Therapy to support the engagement and advancement of women faculty. The research collaboration itself became a heuristic, feminist praxis, a co-creation of insight, support network, and professional relationships which had liberating results for the collaborators. We intended to create a research project that would be collaborative, empowering, and transformative for participants; in the process, the collaboration became empowering and transformative for ourselves. This article will reflect on our experiences and provide recommendations for future feminist research teams. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Keywords: clinical article; collaboration; dept.mft; family therapy; female; feminism; feminist research; gender; human; insider/outsider; marriage; university

Queer youth in family therapy - Harvey, Rebecca G.; Fish, Linda Stone (Family Process, 2015)
Trends in popular belief about same-sex relationships have undergone noteworthy change in the United States over the last decade. Yet this change has been marked by stark polarizations and has occurred at varying rates depending upon regional, community, racial, religious, and individual family context. For queer youth and their families, this cultural transformation has broadened opportunities and created a new set of risks and vulnerabilities. At the same time, youth's increasingly open and playful gender fluidity and sexual identity is complicated by unique intersections of class, race, religion, and immigration. Effective family therapy with queer youth requires practitioner's and treatment models that are sensitive to those who bear the burden of multiple oppressions and the hidden resilience embedded in their layered identities. We present case examples of our model of family therapy which addresses refuge, supports difficult dialogs, and nurtures queerness by looking for hidden resilience in the unique intersections of queer youths' lives. These intersections provide transformational potential for youth, their families and even for family therapists as we are all nurtured and challenged to think more complexly about intersectionality, sexuality, and gender. Las tendencias en la creencia popular acerca de las relaciones entre personas del mismo sexo han sufrido un cambio considerable en Estados Unidos durante la ultima decada. Sin embargo, este cambio se ha producido a ritmos diferentes segun las comunidades locales y regionales, y el contexto familiar individual. En el caso de los jovenes queer y sus familias, esta transformacion cultural ha ampliado oportunidades y creado un nuevo conjunto de riesgos y vulnerabilidades. Los jovenes queer y sus familias, al intentar desarrollarse en numerosos contextos, estan marcados por divergencias crueles en actitudes y creencias. Al mismo tiempo, la fluidez del genero y la identidad sexual cada vez mas abiertas y ludicas de los jovenes estan complicadas por intersecciones unicas de clase, raza, religion e inmigracion. Una terapia familiar eficaz con jovenes queer exige modelos de tratamiento y profesionales que sean sensibles a aquellas personas que cargan sobre sus espaldas numerosas opresiones y una resiliencia oculta incorporada en sus identidades multiples. Presentamos ejemplos de casos de nuestro modelo de terapia familiar que aborda el refugio, respalda los dialogos dificiles y apoya la sexualidad alternativa buscando la resiliencia oculta en las intersecciones unicas de las vidas de los jovenes queer. Estas intersecciones ofrecen posibilidades transformacionales para los jovenes, sus familias e incluso los terapeutas familiares mientras nos estimulan y nos desafian a todos a pensar de forma mas compleja acerca de la interseccionalidad, la sexualidad y el genero.
Keywords: Adolescent; Family Relations; Family Therapy; Family therapy; Female; Gay; Gender Identity; Homosexuality; Homosexuality, Female; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Lesbian; Male; Resilience; Social Identification; Social Isolation; Transgender Persons; Transgendered youth; United States; Vulnerable Populations; Young Adult; adolescent; dept.mft; family relation; family therapy; female; gender identity; homosexuality; human; human relation; lesbianism; male; male homosexuality; procedures; psychology; social behavior; social isolation; statistics and numerical data; transgender; vulnerable population; young adult

Substance abuse prevention: perspectives from india’s addiction treatment professionals - Perumbilly, Sebastian A; Anderson, Stephen A (American Journal of Sociology, 2015)
Keywords: dept.mft; peer-reviewed

Mindfulness meditation and art appreciation as meaning-making practices - Yang, Charlie (Academy of Management, 2016)
Mindfulness has recently gained significant attention and momentum in academia and popular culture. There is, however, a paucity of literature on how students make sense of contemplative practices. This paper proposes that mindfulness meditation is not merely a useful tool for stress reduction, but also a metacognitive meaning-making practice.
Keywords: Art appreciations; Contemplative practice; Meaning makings; Metacognitives; Popular cultures; Stress reduction; dept.mgt

Gossip in organizations: from an evolutionary psychological perspective - Yang, Chulguen; Minjock, Robert; Voss, Bernard Edward; Colarelli, Stephen M (Academy of Management, 2014)
Gossip is often portrayed as a trivial and even destructive behavior at work. This paper integrates previous studies on gossip using a multilevel evolutionary framework and proposes a few empirical propositions to develop a more balanced view on gossip as a medium of informal communication in organizations.
Keywords: Evolutionary framework; Informal communication; dept.mgt

Language fluency as a factor in machine translation comprehension - Aiken, Milam; Park, Mina; Lindblom, Tobin (International Conference on Bioinformatics, 2013)
Keywords: dept.mgt

Pernicious performance appraisals: A critical exercise - Stepanovich, Paul L (Journal of Behavioral and Applied Management, 2013)
Keywords: dept.mgt

Telling tales at work: an evolutionary explanation - Yang, Chulguen (Business Communication Quarterly, 2013)
This article explores the adaptive functions of storytelling in the workplace from an evolutionary perspective. Based on the analysis of ethnographic studies on hunter-gatherer and modern work organizations, this article claims that storytelling, as an adapted cognitive device, was selectively retained by natural and sexual selection, because of its survival and reproductive payoff. The narrative production through storytelling is a natural coping mechanism and has been functional in both old and new ways of working life under different ecological conditions. This article also highlights underlying adapted psychological mechanisms of storytelling and discusses some evolutionarily informed practical implications and pedagogical applications. © 2013 by the Association for Business Communication.
Keywords: dept.mgt; narrative; oral presentations; organizational communication

Telling tales at work: an evolutionary psychological explanation - Yang, Chulguen (Academy of Management Proceedings, 2012)
Keywords: dept.mgt

Start-up and hiring practices of immigrant entrepreneurs: An empirical study from an evolutionary psychological perspective - Yang, Chulguen; Colarelli, Stephen M; Han, Kyunghee; Page, Robert A (International Business Review, 2011)
Strong social ties embedded in ethnic communities of immigrant populations have been considered key assets for immigrant entrepreneurs. However, little research has been done on how biological kinship and the biological theories of altruism influence the behavior of ethnic entrepreneurs. In this study, we have applied a neo-Darwinian evolutionary theory of kinship to examine adaptive functions of kin and ethnic altruism in business start-up and hiring practices of Korean immigrant entrepreneurs in the United States. We confirmed that the patterns of help received by Korean entrepreneurs for business start-ups were congruent with an evolutionary perspective on altruism. However, the results for hiring patterns suggested that customer ethnicity trumped kin and co-ethic interests. We close by offering suggestions for future research. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Ethnic nepotism; Evolutionary psychology; Immigrant entrepreneurship; Inclusive fitness theory; Kin altruism; dept.mgt

Biased against whom? The problems of “Group” definition and membership in test bias analyses - Colarelli, Stephen M; Han, Kyunghee; Yang, Chulguen (Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 2010)
Keywords: dept.mgt

Tools of academic library assessment: the user survey - Liebst, Anne; Feinmark, David (Journal of Library Administration, 2016)
Academic libraries are taking a closer look at how well they are serving the needs of their users. As a result assessment activities become more important. In this column, the authors will focus on and describe one major tool of assessment—the user survey. © 2016, Published with license by Taylor & Francis.
Keywords: academic libraries; assessment; dept.lib; libraries—evaluation; library administration; library planning; user surveys

The breath of my life: constructing the self in chen ran’s A private life - Hardenberg, Wendeline A (Women's Studies, 2014)
Keywords: dept.lib

Review of collaboration in libraries and learning environments - Hedreen, Rebecca (Collaborative Librarianship, 2014)
Keywords: dept.lib; ⛔ No DOI found

Time zones, screencasts, and becoming real: lessons learned as a distance librarian - Hedreen, Rebecca (Urban Library Journal, 2012)
Keywords: dept.lib

Building blocks for personal brands - Thomas, Lisa Carlucci (Journal of Web Librarianship, 2011)
Keywords: dept.lib

Design for double rainbow - Thomas, Lisa Carlucci (Journal of Web Librarianship, 2011)
Keywords: dept.lib

Google+ and the commodification of cool - Thomas, Lisa Carlucci (Journal of Web Librarianship, 2011)
Keywords: dept.lib

Libraries, librarians and mobile services - Thomas, Lisa Carlucci (Bulletin of The American Society for Information Science and Technology, 2011)
Keywords: dept.lib

Gone mobile? - Thomas, Lisa Carlucci (Library Journal, 2010)
Keywords: dept.lib; ⛔ No DOI found

Library intranets: trends and enhancements - Thomas, Lisa Carlucci (Journal of Web Librarianship, 2010)
Keywords: dept.lib

Service standards for the Mobile/Social library - Thomas, Lisa Carlucci (Journal of Web Librarianship, 2010)
Keywords: dept.lib

Antiochus IV as the man who will overflow the flood and break its arms (daniel 11.22) - Scolnic, Benjamin (The Bible Translator, 2014)
Keywords: dept.jst; peer-reviewed

Is Daniel 11:1-19 based on a ptolemaic narrative? - Scolnic, Benjamin (Journal for The Study of Judaism, 2014)
Daniel 11 is considered an exceptional Biblical text because of its interest in and accuracy about historical and political events in the Hellenistic world. A recent theory suggests that the author was a former Seleucid scribe; another theory posits the use of a Ptolemaic propaganda document. The approach here will be inductive, reading out from the text to adduce evidence that the author of Daniel 11 either used or reflected the attitudes of Ptolemaic narrative, not necessarily because he was pro-Ptolemaic but because it suited his anti-Antiochene purpose. © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Keywords: Bible; Daniel; Maccabean; Source criticism; dept.jst

Antiochus IV as the scorned prince in dan 11:21 - Scolnic, Benjamin (Vetus Testamentum, 2012)
While most English translations render nbzh in Dan 11:21 as "contemptible, vile, despicable," closer examination will demonstrate that this Biblical Hebrew word should be translated as "spurned, scorned, rejected." Once one understands Dan 11:21 accordingly, other ancient sources can be brought to show that this verse states, in its own thinly-veiled code, that before his rise to power, Antiochus IV, son of the late king Antiochus III and brother of the current king Seleucus IV, had been scorned and had not been given appropriate royal honors. This verse should be seen as another element in the evaluation of Dan 11 as an accurate and important historical source for the events surrounding the rise and rule of Antiochus IV. © 2012 by Koninklijke Brill N.V., Leiden, The Netherlands.
Keywords: Daniel; Hebrew Bible; Old Testament; dept.jst; translation

Current market demand for core competencies of librarianship-a text mining study of american library association's advertisements from 2009 through 2014 - Yang, Qinghong; Zhang, Xingzhi; Du, Xiaoping; Bielefield, Arlene; Liu, Yan Quan (Applied Sciences-Basel, 2016)
As librarianship evolves, it is important to examine the changes that have taken place in professional requirements. To provide an understanding of the current market demand for core competencies of librarianship, this article conducts a semi-automatic methodology to analyze job advertisements (ads) posted on the American Library Association (ALA) Joblist from 2009 through 2014. There is evidence that the ability to solve unexpected complex problems and to provide superior customer service gained increasing importance for librarians during those years. The authors contend that the findings in this report question the status quo of core competencies of librarianship in the US job market.
Keywords: Competency; Job advertisement; Librarianship; Text mining; dept.ils; peer-reviewed

A library in the palm of your hand: mobile services in top 100 university libraries - Liu, Yan Quan; Briggs, Sarah (Information Technology and Libraries, 2015)
What is the current state of mobile services among academic libraries of the country's top 100 universities, and what are the best practices for librarians implementing mobile services at the university level? Through in-depth website visits and survey questionnaires, the authors studied each of the top 100 universities' libraries' experiences with mobile services. Results showed that all of these libraries offered at least one mobile service, and the majority offered multiple services. The most common mobile services offered were mobile sites, text messaging services, e-books, and mobile access to databases and the catalog. In addition, chat/IM services, social media accounts and apps were very popular. Survey responses also indicated a trend towards responsive design for websites so that patrons can access the library's full site on any mobile device. Respondents recommend that libraries considering offering mobile services begin as soon as possible as patron demand for these services is expected to increase.
Keywords: dept.ils; peer-reviewed

Web 2.0 applications' usage and trends in top US academic libraries - Boateng, Frank; Liu, Yan Quan (Library Hi Tech, 2014)
Purpose - This paper aims to explore Web 2.0 technologies usage and trends in the top 100 US academic libraries as exemplified through the academic library websites. Design/methodology/approach - The top 100 universities were selected from the US News & World Report's (USNWR) 2013 ranked list's top 100 of the best colleges in the USA. Content analysis was used in terms of quantitative approach. A checklist was developed as the main research instrument based on other checklists and questionnaires. Each of the selected university library websites was visited within a period of two weeks to explore implementation and usage of web tools, including SNS, blog, RSS, wikis, podcast/vodcast, and social bookmarking/tagging. Findings - All 100 academic libraries had a social media presence on Facebook and Twitter, making SNS the most widely applied Web 2.0 tool. The wild was the least applied Web 2.0 technology, with a 34 percent participation rate. Blog was the second most popular tool with a 99 percent participation rate, followed by RSS and IM/Chat with 97 percent and 91 percent respectively. The vodcast and podcast had 47 percent and 46 percent participation rates respectively, while social bookmarking/tagging were also used by 39 percent of the academic libraries. Research limitations/implications - This study is completely based on publicly available data regarding usage of Web 2.0 applications. Web 2.0 tools used on library intranets were not analyzed for this study. Outcomes suggest that academic libraries are increasingly using Web 2.0 applications to promote themselves, enhance library services, and highlight resources to patrons. Originality/value - This is the first research that draws an overall picture of the usage and trends of Web 2.0 applications in the top 100 US academic libraries. This study demonstrates some noticeable patterns regarding usage, trends, and adoption which are relevant to how Web 2.0 applications are perceived and used within academic libraries. The study provides academic libraries with helpful information to better meet their user needs by effectively applying Web 2.0. Additionally, library managers, librarians and other libraries may also find this research beneficial as they plan to deploy Web 2.0.
Keywords: Academic libraries; Library services; Technology usage; Web 2.0; dept.ils; peer-reviewed

From siloed data to linked data: Developing a social metadata repository - Choi, Yunseon (Wiley, 2014)
Although social data has been investigated and discussed regarding its impact on indexing and retrieval performance on the web, there has been little research conducted on storing or linking social data and identifying bibliographic relationships among social data for further use of social data. In this paper, we discuss our work in progress that aims to develop a social metadata repository which would be an important implication for making social data more valuable and reusable for searching and retrieval. We describe FRBR (Functional Requirements of Bibliographic Records) conceptual model's Entity-Relationship (ER) view on bibliographic relationships and demonstrate how social metadata are encoded in RDA (Resource Description and Access) and how the implicit bibliographic relationships of social data are explicitly represented as RDF (Resource Description Framework) triples (Subject - Predicates - Objects) with links to external sources. We believe that the shareable and linked metadata repository of social data is remarkably significant, not only because it supports the accessibility to related documents, but also because it is clarifying the implicit semantic relationships among social data.
Keywords: FRBR; Linked Data; Metadata; RDA; RDF; Social data; Social tags; dept.ils

The impact of senior citizens' use of online social networks on their cognitive function - Kim, Hak Joon; Kim, Joan (International Journal of Research Studies in Educational Technology, 2014)
Keywords: dept.ils

Reading from an LCD monitor versus paper: Teenagers’ reading performance - Kim, Hak Joon; Kim, Joan (International Journal of Research Studies in Educational Technology, 2013)
Keywords: dept.ils

Using dwell time as an implicit measure of usefulness in different task types - Liu, Chang; Liu, Jingjing; Belkin, Nicholas J; Cole, Michael J; Gwizdka, Jacek (Wiley, 2011)
In this study, we attempted to use dwell time on content pages as a predictor of document usefulness, and evaluated the prediction performance in different types of tasks. A user study was conducted to address this research problem. A total of 32 participants conducted searches associated with 4 different tasks, varying along several task type dimensions. In the study, participants were asked to save documents that were useful for the tasks during the searches. Participants' information-seeking activities were recorded. Using the logged dataset, we used the recursive partitioning method to identify the best threshold (cutoff point) of dwell time to predict which pages would be useful, i.e., be saved by the users. We examined the differences in the threshold and compared the prediction performance for each type of task. Our results indicate that the threshold should be developed according to the type of task users are working on. While the prediction performance using dwell time as the only indicator of document usefulness is acceptable for Factual tasks, it is not good for Intellectual tasks. Our results have implications on IR system design.
Keywords: Dwell time; Personalization; Task type; Usefulness prediction; dept.ils

Search task difficulty: the expected vs. the reflected - Liu, Jingjing; Belkin, Nicholas J (Association for Computing Machinery, 2011)
We report findings on how the user's perception of task difficulty changes before and after searching for information to solve tasks. We found that while in one type of task, the dependent task, this did not change, in another, the parallel task, it did. The findings have implications on designing systems that can provide assistance to users with their search and task solving strategies.
Keywords: Dependent tasks; Designing systems; Predicted difficulty; Reflected difficulty; Searching for informations; Task difficulty; Task type; User's perceptions; dept.ils

Understanding searchers' perception of task difficulty: Relationships with task type - Liu, Jingjing; Liu, Chang; Yuan, Xiaojun; Belkin, Nicholas J (Wiley, 2011)
We report findings that help us better understand the difficulty of tasks which involve information seeking, retrieving, gathering, and use. We examined the data gathered from two interactive information retrieval user studies on how users' perception of task difficulty changes before and after searching for information to solve tasks, and how the difficulty of tasks relates with users' background, previous experience with the tasks, and knowledge of the task topics, etc. The two studies employed carefully designed tasks with different types along several dimensions: task structure (subtasks being dependent upon or parallel with each other), task goal in quality (being specific or amorphous), and naming (being named or unnamed). It was found that while in some types of tasks, users' perceptions of task difficulty did not change before and after working on the tasks, in others, this did, either increasing or decreasing. Specifically, in the dependent-structured task, this did not change. In the parallel-structured or specific/named task, it decreased. In the amorphous/unnamed task, it increased. We also found that users' background factors do not normally correlate with their perceived task difficulty, or perceived difficulty change. In addition to helping understand the dynamic and complex nature of task difficulty, our findings have implications for system design that can provide assistance to users with their search and task solving strategies.
Keywords: Expected difficulty; Reflected difficulty; Task difficulty; Task type; dept.ils

Web 2.0 applications in top Chinese university libraries - Han, Zhiping; Liu, Yan Quan (Library Hi Tech, 2010)
Purpose - This paper aims to explore the status and construction pattern of Web 2.0 technologies employed in top Chinese university libraries, their functionalities and features. Design/methodology/approach - A combination of online survey and content analysis methodology is applied to a sample of 38 top Chinese university libraries' web sites. The Web 2.0 tools are categorized by generally accepted standards with some adjustment for library practices. Data were collected by accessing these university library web sites on two separate occasions during the period of February 10-20, 2009 by utilizing a checklist of 52 questions. Findings - More than two-thirds of the 38 top Chinese university libraries apply one or more kinds of Web 2.0 tools through the basic functions of their web sites. Among six types of tools, Catalog 2.0 and RSS are the most common, while IM, Blog, SNS and Wiki are less frequent. Research limitations/implications - Internal applications that are not publicly accessible contain hidden information that may not be gathered through content analysis since these links usually cannot be found on library web sites. It is difficult to get exact information as to the applications of Web 2.0 in these libraries without an interview method in combination to observation. Originality/value - This study provides an overall picture of Web 2.0 tools developed in top Chinese university libraries, allowing for future evaluation and planning. The implementation of Web 2.0 applications and their constructing pattern is not only indicative of the development of the Chinese digital libraries, but also to their development of digital libraries in the world at large.
Keywords: China; Digital libraries; University libraries; Worldwide web; dept.ils; peer-reviewed

The use of national public library statistics by public library directors - Liu, Yan Quan; Zweizig, Douglas L (The Library Quarterly, 2001)
Keywords: dept.ils; ⛔ No DOI found

Technical service outreach strategies for academic libraries - Toce, Jacqueline; Schofield, Cindy (Technical Services Quarterly, 2011)
The model of a library staff divided into technical and informational service divisions remains common-especially among academic libraries. The authors argue that in many ways it is now the technical services division that is best positioned to provide outreach services to a community-whether at the university or municipal level. Maintaining bibliographic access amid the changing information landscape hinges on a clear understanding of systems, metadata, and traditional organizational skills, all home grown in the back rooms of conventional libraries. The authors cite examples of library outreach that emanated from technical service departments and conclude that the sequestered staffs of the past must make themselves indispensible today by sharing their knowledge and talents, offering services to their communities that require their technical expertise, and advance the mission of the library organization. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Keywords: Academic libraries; Catalogers; Cooperative; Outreach; Service; Southern connecticut state university; Technical services; dept.ils; dept.lib

Book Review: Histories of health in southeast asia: perspectives on the long twentieth century. - Thompson, C. Michele (Pacific Affairs, 2016)
Keywords: book.review; dept.his; ⛔ No DOI found

Captured on the gold coast: “Illegal” enslavement, freedom and the pursuit of justice in dutch courts, 1746–1750 - de Kok, Gerhard; Feinberg, Harvey M. (Journal of Global Slavery, 2016)
In May of 1746, slaving captain Christiaan Hagerop illegally captured ten Gold Coast canoe paddlers, seven of whom were free Africans from Elmina and Fante. Hagerop subsequently sailed to Suriname, where he sold the paddlers into slavery. To appease the relatives of the captured men and to safeguard its reputation among local Africans, the Dutch West India Company (WIC) launched a search for the kidnapped paddlers. Six of the men were eventually located in Suriname in 1749, the seventh having died in slavery. While the Africans were transported back to the Gold Coast via Amsterdam, the WIC tried to have Hagerop extradited to its Gold Coast possessions to receive punishment for his crime. A legal battle over jurisdictional competence ensued in the Dutch Republic, the outcome of which was that the captain was made to stand trial in Amsterdam, but in the end he received very little punishment. © 2016 Copyright 2016 by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Keywords: Africa; Gold Coast; Slave Trade; Suriname; dept.his; wic

Book Review: RECEPTION OF WAR. A.S. bradford) war. antiquity and its legacy. pp. xvi + 176, maps. new york: oxford university press, 2015. cased. ISBN: 978-0-19-538090-3 (978-0-19-538091-0 pbk). - Nakamura, Byron (Classical Review, 2016)
Keywords: book.review; dept.his

The World of Eastern Orthodoxy - Chrissidis, Nikolaos A. (The Oxford Handbook of Early Modern European History, 1350-1750, 2015)
The chapter traces the development of Orthodoxy by focusing on the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Russian Orthodox Church in the early modern period. It is based on the premise that in both cases Orthodoxy faced three main challenges: imperial/political, intellectual, and financial. In both the Ottoman and the Russian empires, the Orthodox Church played important roles in the political, administrative, cultural, economic, ideological, and social lives of the Orthodox believers. Orthodoxy usually provided legitimizing ideological support to state authority, was forced to reckon with Western cultural and theological trends, and also proactively defended its economic interests. For most of the period, the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Russian Orthodox Church maintained constant contacts, even in the face of mutual suspicions of each other’s motives. The chapter argues that early modern Orthodoxy proved adaptive, developed over time, and withstood the challenges it faced, ultimately keeping its symbolic capital largely intact.
Keywords: dept.his

Book Review: Mohammad rihan: the politics and culture of an umayyad tribe: conflict and factionalism in the early islamic period . viii, 231 pp. london and new york: I.B. tauris, 2014. £58. ISBN 978 1 78076 564 8. - Judd, Steven (Bulletin of The School of Oriental and African Studies-university of London, 2015)
Keywords: book.review; dept.his

The early qadariyya - Judd, Steven C. (The Oxford Handbook of Islamic Theology, 2014)
This article discusses the briefly significant Qadariyya movement during the Umayyad period, with an emphasis on how the movement and its adherents were treated in later sources. The article examines the doctrine of human free will advocated by the Qadariyya, exploring the impetus behind their theological viewpoints and the doctrinal complications that accompanied human free will. It also addresses the debate about the origins of both the doctrine and the movement, and the significance of accusations of Christian roots. The article discusses the views ascribed to prominent Qadari leaders, including Maʿbad al-Juhanī and Ghaylān al-Dimashqī, as well as the systematic persecution of the Qadariyya, led by al-Awzāʿī. It also examines the politicization of the Qadariyya and their entanglement with Yazīd (III) b. al-Walīd’s rebellion during the third fitna. Finally, the article addresses the eclipse of the Qadariyya by the Muʿtazilites.
Keywords: dept.his

Reimagining indian country: native american migration and identity in twentieth-century los angeles. - Amerman, Stephen (Journal of American History, 2014)
Keywords: dept.his; peer-reviewed

The indian school on magnolia avenue: voices and images from sherman institute - Amerman, Steve (Ethnohistory, 2014)
Keywords: dept.his

Religious Scholars and the Umayyads: Piety-Minded Supporters of the Marwānid Caliphate - Judd, Steven C. (Culture and civilisation in the Middle East, 2014)
Keywords: Doctrines; History; Judges (Islamic law); History; Muslim scholars; Islamic law; SCSU Faculty Scholar Award; Umayyad dynasty; Islam; award_winner; dept.his; faculty_collection

Map worlds: A history of women in cartography. by will c. van den hoonard - Petto, Christine M (Imago Mundi, 2014)
Keywords: dept.his

Book Review: Jack Johnson, rebel sojourner: boxing in the shadow of the global color line - Rondinone, Troy (International Journal of the History of Sport, 2014)
Keywords: book.review; dept.his

Book Review: A nation of deadbeats: an uncommon history of america's financial disasters - Rondinone, Troy (The Journal of American History, 2013)
Keywords: book.review; dept.his

The caliph and the heretic: ibn sabaʾ and the origins of shī’ism, by sean w. anthony - Judd, Steven C. (Information Systems, 2013)
Keywords: dept.his

A cartel that lasts for centuries: the case of the eastern orthodox church indulgences - Axarloglou, Kostas; Cabolis, Christos; Chrissidis, Nikolaos A (DUTH Research Papers in Economics, 2012)
Keywords: dept.his

Book Review: Lisa fetheringill zwicker. dueling students: conflict, masculinity, and politics in german universities, 1890–1914. (social history, popular culture, and politics in germany.) ann arbor: university of michigan press. 2011. pp. ix, 296. 75.00 - Paddock, Troy (The American Historical Review, 2012)
Keywords: book.review; dept.his

Red power rising: the national indian youth council and the origins of native activism - Amerman, Steve (The Journal of American History, 2011)
Keywords: dept.his; peer-reviewed

Education beyond the mesas: hopi students at sherman institute, 1902–1929 - Amerman, Steve (Western Historical Quarterly, 2011)
Keywords: dept.his

Muhammad and the believers: at the origins of islam. by fred m. donner - Judd, Steven (Journal of the American Academy of Religion, 2011)
Keywords: dept.his

Muslim Persecution of Heretics during the Marwānid Period (64–132/684–750) - Judd, Steven (Al-Masaq: Journal of the Medieval Mediterranean, 2011)
This article traces the emergence of a systematic approach to combating heresy during the Umayyad period. It argues that the Umayyads sought to silence religious dissent by labelling it as heresy and that the doctrinal boundaries of orthodoxy narrowed as the Umayyad period progressed. The article also asserts that Umayyad efforts to impose their vision of orthodoxy were an important precedent for the mihna under the Abbasids. © 2011 Society for the Medieval Mediterranean.
Keywords: Abd al-Malik; Ghaylan al-Dimashqi; Heretic; Hisham; Islam - heresy; Islamic scholar; Mabad al-Juhani; Qadariyya; Theological movement; Ummayad caliph; Ummayad caliphate; dept.his

Rosemont, jr., henry, and roger t. ames, the chinese classic of family reverence: A philosophical translation of the xiaojing - Radice, Thomas (Dao-a Journal of Comparative Philosophy, 2011)
Keywords: dept.his; peer-reviewed

The german myth of the east: 1800 to the present - Paddock, Troy R. E. (German Studies Review, 2010)
Keywords: dept.his; ⛔ No DOI found