Seeing the forest and the trees: using dynamic systems theory to understand “Stress and coping” and “Trauma and resilience” - Keenan, Elizabeth King (Journal of Human Behavior in The Social Environment, 2010)
Although research is beginning to capture the complex interactions of biopsychosocial variables operating within experiences of stressors and trauma, the bodies of research have remained largely separate and limited. This study describes a scaffold of factors and pathways based on principles from dynamic systems theories (DST) to organize the literatures on stress and coping and trauma and resilience. As a process model, DST provides the language to understand both impact and response to stressors and trauma: Not as a list of symptoms but as interactive processes within persons and between persons and their surroundings. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Keywords: Complexity theory; Dynamic systems theory; Stress and coping; Trauma and resilience; dept.swk; peer-reviewed

The Factor of Listening in Karl Jaspers’ Philosophy of Communication - Górniak-Kocikowska, Krystyna (Philosophical Faith and the Future of Humanity, 2012)
Jaspers’ views on communication and his approach to the question of listening, both underwent an evolution in which World War II and the first years thereafter played a crucial role. In this process, Jaspers journeyed from listening to the great minds of the past, through an inward dialogue with them, to one-sided lecturing while his audience was engaged in a straight-line listening, to an intimate dialogue with those he considered like-minded, to a multi-faceted dialogue, and finally to listening to his contemporaries and learning how to practice transactional listening-in-conversation in the process of a multi-layered communication he called a loving struggle. This evolution, paralleled by the transition of Japers’ philosophy from local-centered to world-centered makes his thinking attractive and useful today.
Keywords: German Student; Great Mind; Nazi Regime; Political Involvement; Verbal Communication; dept.phi

Knowledge management and democracy: A critical review of some moral issues and social dilemmas - Gorniak-Kocikowska, K (Organizational Learning and Knowledge: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools and Applications, 2011)
The main problem discussed in this chapter is the question of compatibility between knowledge management in the knowledge economy and democracy in the ICT-driven global society. The assumption is made that democracy is the dominant form of organizing the global society on a variety of levels; and that it is regarded as desirable and morally superior in comparison with other such forms. © 2011, IGI Global.
Keywords: dept.phi

Volunteer tourism in the global South - Jones, Jan Louise (Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 2016)
Keywords: dept.rec

Rating faculty collegiality - Cipriano, Robert E; Buller, Jeffrey L (Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning, 2012)
Keywords: dept.rec

Common types of reading problems and how to help children who have them - Spear-Swerling, Louise (Reading Teacher, 2016)
Patterns of reading difficulty provide an educationally useful way to think about different kinds of reading problems, whether those problems are mainly experiential in nature (e.g., those common among English learners) or associated with disabilities (e.g., those typical of children with dyslexia). This article reviews research on three common patterns of poor reading: specific word-reading difficulties, specific reading-comprehension difficulties, and mixed reading difficulties. The purpose of the article is to explain how teachers can use assessments to identify individual struggling readers' patterns of reading difficulties, and how this information is valuable in differentiating classroom instruction and planning interventions.
Keywords: Diagnostic; Instructional intervention; Instructional strategies; dept.rdg; dept.sed; peer-reviewed; teaching strategies

How Portuguese and American teachers plan for literacy instruction. - Spear-Swerling, Louise; Lopes, Joao; Oliveira, Celia; Zibulsky, Jamie (Annals of Dyslexia, 2016)
This study explored American and Portuguese elementary teachers' preferences in planning for literacy instruction using the Language Arts Activity Grid (LAAG; Cunningham, Zibulsky, Stanovich, & Stanovich, 2009), on which teachers described their preferred instructional activities for a hypothetical 2-h language arts block. Portuguese teachers (N = 186) completed Portuguese versions of a background questionnaire and LAAG electronically, in Survey Monkey; American teachers (N = 102) completed identical English measures using paper and pencil. Results showed that teachers in both groups usually addressed comprehension and reading fluency on their LAAGs and that they also allocated the most time to these two areas. However, American teachers were more likely to include teacher-directed fluency activities, whereas Portuguese teachers were more likely to include fluency activities that were not teacher directed. Significantly more American than Portuguese teachers addressed phonics in their planning, whereas significantly more Portuguese than American teachers addressed writing processes such as revision. Both groups of educators demonstrated large variability in planning, with many teachers omitting important components of literacy identified by researchers, for writing as well as reading. The study highlights the importance of providing teachers with comprehensive, research-based core literacy curricula as well as professional development on key components of literacy. Study findings also suggest significant relationships between orthographic transparency and teachers' instructional planning.
Keywords: *Language Arts; *Literacy; *School Teachers; *Teacher Training; Adult; Comprehension; Cross-linguistic; Curriculum; Female; Humans; Language Arts; Literacy; Male; Phonetics; Portugal; Reading; School Teachers; Teacher Training; Teacher beliefs; Teacher education; Teacher knowledge; United States; Writing; Young Adult; adult; comprehension; curriculum; dept.rdg; dept.sed; female; human; language; literacy; male; phonetics; school teacher; teacher training; young adult

Risk factors associated with decline in functional status among older women in india - Watts, M.; Unson, C.; Evans, M. (Gerontologist, 2016)
Keywords: dept.pch; peer-reviewed; ⛔ No DOI found

Gaps in medical marijuana policy implementation: Real-time perspectives from marijuana dispensary entrepreneurs, health care professionals and medical marijuana patients - Lamonica, Aukje K.; Boeri, Miriam; Anderson, Timothy (Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 2016)
Aims: There is a need for greater understanding of the recursive processes involved in drug policy development and its impact on stakeholders. The aim of this study was to examine the challenges of implementing marijuana policy in Massachusetts, where recent policy shifts have occurred. Methods: Qualitative data were generated from ethnographic field notes, media reports, public records and in-depth interviews with 25 stakeholders, including six medical marijuana dispensary entrepreneurs, eight health care professionals and 11 medical marijuana patients. Data were triangulated using a grounded theory approach. Findings: Stakeholders expressed confusion and misunderstanding, and demonstrated that they held conflicting interpretations of the policy and regulations. Analyses revealed gaps in policy development and implementation that are organised by three specific core implementation processes and the themes of transparency, communication and education. Conclusions: Findings show a need for more transparency in implementation processes, a more effective mode of communicating regulations, and a comprehensive plan for medical marijuana education. Based on our findings, we provide recommendations to help policymakers in the US and other countries considering legalisation of marijuana or other drugs.
Keywords: Cannabis; dept.pch; drug education; education; ethnography; health care provider; policy; public health; qualitative research

Characteristics and attitudes of repeat participants in annual studies of influenza vaccination and aging - Olsen, J. S.; Salberg, J.; Dill, J.; Unson, C.; Kenyon-Pesce, L.; Kuchel, G. A.; McElhaney, J. E. (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2016)
Keywords: dept.pch; peer-reviewed; ⛔ No DOI found

“How should I be?” A photovoice exploration into body image messaging for young women across ethnicities and cultures - Madden, Devin; Breny, Jean M (Health Promotion Practice, 2016)
Photovoice, a community-based participatory research method that allows participants to inform research questions in an intimate way, has proven successful with youth. A diverse group of teenage girls living in New York City were asked to take photographs and reflect on what messages they received and from whom, how these messages translate across cultures and ethnicities, and how these messages are internalized and acted on. The group selected specific photographs to discuss together and themes emerged to answer the research questions; themes were reinforced by journal responses and agreed on by the group at the concluding session. The participants identified the media, peers, and family as cultural influencers on body image but noted that these messages change depending on the delivering medium. Participants not only offered recommendations with policy implications for advertising and media giants but also urged public health practitioners, teachers, and other key stakeholders working with young women of color to simply provide them with more space for talking. While Photovoice served as an effective methodology for gaining a more expansive understanding of how body image messages are received with young women of color, the tool should be considered for youth development interventions that take a community-based participatory approach. © 2015, © 2015 Society for Public Health Education.
Keywords: *Body Image/px [Psychology]; *Ethnic Groups/px [Psychology]; *Photography; Adolescent; Body Image; Community-Based Participatory Research; Culture; Ethnic Groups; Family; Female; Humans; Mass Media; New York; New York City; Peer Group; Photography; Stereotyping; Young Adult; adolescence; adolescent; adolescent health; advertising; body image; child; child/adolescent health, health promotion; cultural anthropology; dept.pch; doctor patient relation; ethnic group; ethnicity; family; female; girl; health promotion; health research; human; human experiment; mass medium; medical research; participatory research; peer group; peer-reviewed; photography; psychology; public health; qualitative research; stereotyping; teacher; transcription regulation; women's health; women’s health; young adult

The mediating role of parenting stress for children exposed to trauma: results from a school-based system of care - Whitson, Melissa L; Bernard, Stanley N; Kaufman, Joy S (Journal of Child and Family Studies, 2015)
Children's exposure to potentially traumatic events is related to negative mental health outcomes. To promote more positive outcomes, protective factors that can buffer the impact of these experiences need to be identified. The present study examined whether lower parental stress might function as a protective factor for children enrolled in a behavioral health system of care. Specifically, the relationship between a history of interpersonal trauma (physical abuse, sexual abuse, and witnessing domestic violence) and internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors were examined, as was the role of parenting stress in helping to explain this relationship. The sample included African American and Latino children (ages 5-19) from low-income families, who have a serious emotional disturbance, and received services in a school-based system of care. Results of path analyses revealed that parenting stress mediated the relationship between trauma exposure and internalizing problem behaviors. For the relationship between trauma exposure and externalizing problem behaviors, mediation approached significance. The findings suggest that family factors, such as parenting stress, could be potential modifiable protective factors for these children. Systems of care can use this information to encourage the implementation of more family-focused treatments and interventions.
Keywords: Children’s behavioral health systems of care; Internalizing and externalizing behaviors; Parenting stress; Protective factors; Trauma; dept.pch

Adolescents' and Young Adults' Perceptions of Electronic Cigarettes for Smoking Cessation: A Focus Group Study. - Camenga, Deepa; MD, MHS; Cavallo, Dana; Kong, Grace; Morean, Meghan; PhD 2, 3; Connell, Christian; Simon, Patricia; Bulmer, Sandra; Krishnan-Sarin, Suchitra (Nicotine Tob Res, 2015)
Introduction: Research has shown that adults perceive that electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are effective for smoking cessation, yet little is known about adolescents and young adults' perceptions of e-cigarettes for quitting cigarette smoking. This study describes middle, high school, and college students' beliefs about, and experiences with, e-cigarettes for cigarette smoking cessation., Methods: We conducted 18 focus groups (n = 127) with male and female cigarette smokers and nonsmokers in 2 public colleges, 2 high schools, and 1 middle school in Connecticut between November 2012 and April 2013. Participants discussed cigarette smoking cessation in relation to e-cigarettes. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis., Results: All participants, regardless of age and smoking status, were aware that e-cigarettes could be used for smoking cessation. College and high school participants described different methods of how e-cigarettes could be used for smoking cessation: (a) nicotine reduction followed by cessation; (b) cigarette reduction/dual use; and (c) long-term exclusive e-cigarette use. However, overall, participants did not perceive that e-cigarette use led to successful quitting experiences. Participants described positive attributes (maintenance of smoking actions, "healthier" alternative to cigarettes, and parental approval) and negative attributes (persistence of craving, maintenance of addiction) of e-cigarettes for cessation. Some college students expressed distrust of marketing of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation., Conclusions: Adolescent and young adult smokers and nonsmokers perceive that there are several methods of using e-cigarettes for quitting and are aware of both positive and negative aspects of the product. Future research is needed to determine the role of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation in this population., (C) Copyright Oxford University Press 2015.
Keywords: Adolescent; Age Factors; Article; Asian; Black person; Caucasian; Connecticut; Electronic Cigarettes; Female; Focus Groups; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Hispanic; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Marketing; Nicotine; Schools; Smoking; Smoking Cessation; Students; Tobacco Use Disorder; United States; Universities; Young Adult; adolescent; adult; age; age distribution; attitude to health; awareness; clinical effectiveness; clinical trial; college student; comparative study; controlled study; dept.pch; electronic cigarette; female; high school student; human; information processing; longitudinal study; male; marketing; middle school student; multicenter study; nicotine; parental approval; parental attitude; prevention and control; priority journal; procedures; psychology; qualitative analysis; school; semi structured interview; sex difference; smoking; smoking cessation; smoking habit; social marketing; social norm; student; tobacco dependence; university; withdrawal syndrome; young adult

Risk behaviors among suburban women who use methamphetamine: social harms and social solutions - Lamonica, Aukje K; Boeri, Miriam W (Journal of Applied Social Science, 2015)
We propose that female methamphetamine users who live in suburbia experience risks for disease transmission stemming from their social environment that remain under the radar of public health surveillance networks. The data analyzed in this article were collected from 2007 to 2011 and were drawn from two sequential studies on methamphetamine use. The studies were conducted in the suburbs of a southeastern U.S. metropolis. We analyzed a total of 65 qualitative interviews with former and active methamphetamine-using women. Data from focus groups also were included in the analysis. The participants’ ages ranged from 18 to 51 years. We identified three major themes with regard to risk behaviors and transmission of infectious diseases: (1) setting risk behaviors such as sharing syringes and homelessness, lack of transportation, and unemployment; (2) sexual risk behaviors such as condom use and having multiple partners; and (3) service-related risks such as risk awareness and prevention behaviors as well as utilization of social services and health care. Our findings point to the pervasive nature of social influences on the risk for infectious disease transmission. We suggest that harm-reduction programs (HRPs) be implemented in suburban communities to increase access to these services. Second, our data support the concept of social recovery for drug users to better their health and social lives holistically. © 2014, © The Author(s) 2014.
Keywords: addiction; dept.pch; drugs; environment; qual-heavy

Opportunities and challenges in work-life extension: perspectives of managers in new zealand and the united states - Unson, C.; Richardson, M.; Mohammed, S. F. (Gerontologist, 2014)
Keywords: dept.pch; peer-reviewed; ⛔ No DOI found

Stress, stigma, and sexual minority status: the intersectional ecology model of LGBTQ health - Mink, Michael D; Lindley, Lisa L; Weinstein, Ali A (Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 2014)
One of the four overarching goals of Healthy People 2020 is to achieve health equity, eliminate health disparities, and improve the health of all groups, including the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) populations. In 2011, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report that drew attention to the unique health disparities experienced by sexual minorities and underscored the need for a comprehensive approach to sexual minority health research. This article proposes a new model of LGBTQ health to help measure, explore, explain, and predict the impact of sexual minority status on health outcomes. The Intersectional Ecology Model of LGBTQ Health (IEM) demonstrates how the relentless hypervigilance of LGBTQ individuals in a heteronormative society impacts health outcomes through the primary vehicles of stigma and chronic, elevated stress. The purpose of the IEM is to guide future research and enhance public health practice for LGBTQ populations. © 2014 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Keywords: LGBTQ health; dept.pch; health ecology model; sexual and gender minority health; social context; stigma; stress cycle

Evaluation of recruitment and retention for a multi-year influenza vaccination trial in healthy and high-risk older adults - Dill, J.; Kenyon-Pesce, L.; Unson, C.; Kuchel, G. A.; McElhaney, J. (Gerontologist, 2013)
Keywords: dept.pch; peer-reviewed; ⛔ No DOI found

Family planning and contraceptive decision-making by economically disadvantaged, African-American women - Hodgson, Eric J.; Collier, Charlene; Hayes, Laura; Curry, Leslie A.; Fraenkel, Liana (Contraception, 2013)
Background: Significant racial disparities exist in the US unplanned pregnancy rate. We conducted a qualitative study using the theory of planned behavior as a framework to describe how low-income, African American women approach family planning. Study Design: Structured focus groups were held with adult, low-income, nonpregnant, African American women in Connecticut. Data were collected using a standardized discussion guide, audio-taped and transcribed. Four independent researchers coded the transcripts using the constant comparative method. Codes were organized into overarching themes. Results: Contraceptive knowledge was limited, with formal contraceptive education often occurring after sexual debut. Attitudes about contraception were overtly negative, with method effectiveness being judged by the presence of side effects. Family and friends strongly influence contraceptive decisions, while male partners are primarily seen as a barrier. Contraceptive pills are perceived as readily accessible, although compliance is considered a barrier. Conclusions: Contraception education should occur before sexual debut, should involve trusted family and community members and should positively frame issues in terms of achieving life goals. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: African American; African-American; Contraception; Family planning; Focus groups; Unplanned pregnancy; adult; article; attitude to health; contraception; dept.pch; family; family planning; female; friend; health education; human; knowledge; lowest income group; medical decision making; oral contraceptive agent; patient compliance

Insights into the experiences of older workers and change: through the lens of selection, optimization, and compensation. - Unson, Christine; Richardson, Margaret (The Gerontologist, 2013)
Purpose: The study examined the barriers faced, the goals selected, and the optimization and compensation strategies of older workers in relation to career change. Method: Thirty open-ended interviews, 12 in the United States and 18 in New Zealand, were conducted, recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed for themes. Results: Barriers to finding and maintaining work included task difficulty, problems with coworkers and management, lack of self-confidence, health/physical limitations, ageism, and stereotyping. Respondents' most frequently selected goals for a new career were the desire to help others, work satisfaction, and acquisition of learning. Seventy-five percent of respondents in paid employment had earning an income as a goal. Optimization strategies included drawing on past experience, assessing skills, seeking careers/organizations that fitted their values, and a willingness to accept lower pay or unpaid work. Attitudinal strategies included focus and persistence, optimism, and positive attitudes toward change. The compensation strategies reported were on-the-job training; help from coworkers, clients, or customers; friends and family social support; and professional networks. Management practices considered helpful were flexible work schedules, supervisors' patience, and formal recognition of the value of older workers. Conclusion: This qualitative study, using the SOC framework, showed that evaluating one's skills and values, being positive about change, and being part of a supportive work environment were key contributors to adaptive competence. © 2012 © The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
Keywords: *Aging/px [Psychology]; *Compensation and Redress; *Employment/px [Psychology]; *Goals; *Self Concept; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Compensation and Redress; Employment; Encore careers; Female; Goals; Humans; Inservice Training; Interviews as Topic; Male; Middle Aged; Models, Psychological; Motivation; Multivariate Analysis; New Zealand; Qualitative Research; SOC; Self Concept; Social Support; United States; Workplace; aged; aging; article; compensation; dept.pch; employment; female; human; in service training; interview; male; middle aged; motivation; multivariate analysis; peer-reviewed; psychological aspect; psychological model; qualitative research; self concept; social support; very elderly; workplace

An Examination of Exposure to Traumatic Events and Symptoms and Strengths for Children Served in a Behavioral Health System of Care. - Whitson, Melissa L; Connell, Christian M; Bernard, Stanley; Kaufman, Joy S (Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 2012)
The present study examined how exposure to traumatic events impacts children with severe emotional disturbance who are being served in a school-based system of care. Multilevel growth curve models were used to examine the relationships between a child's history of traumatic events (physical abuse, sexual abuse, or domestic violence) and behavioral and emotional strengths, internalizing problem behaviors, or externalizing problem behaviors over 18 months. Results indicate that children receiving services (N = 134) exhibited increased emotional and behavioral strengths and decreased internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors from enrollment to 18 months follow-up. Children with a history of traumatic events improved more slowly than children without such a history on both strengths and internalizing problem behaviors, even after controlling for dosage of services received and other characteristics previously found to predict outcomes. Gender was also related to improvement in internalizing symptoms. Results highlight the continued need to assess the impact of exposure to traumatic events for children served in a system of care.
Keywords: children's mental health; dept.pch; emotional and behavioral problems and strengths; multilevel models; peer-reviewed; systems of care; trauma

Healthcare disparities at the crossroads with healthcare reform - Breny, Jean M. (Inquiry-the Journal of Health Care Organization Provision and Financing, 2012)
Keywords: dept.pch; ⛔ No DOI found

“You broke up with me - I am just going to smoke again!” Smoking Cessation Relapse Triggers - Lamonica, Aukje (International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 2012)
Keywords: dept.pch; ⛔ No DOI found

The impact of youth and family risk factors on service recommendations and delivery in a school-based system of care. - Whitson, Melissa L; Connell, Christian M; Bernard, Stanley; Kaufman, Joy S (Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 2011)
The present study examines the impact of child and family risk factors on service access for youth and families in a school-based system of care. Regression analyses examined the relationships between risk factors and services recommended, services received, and dosage of services received. Logistic regression analyses examined the relationship between risk factors and whether or not youth received specific types of services within the system of care. Results revealed that youth with a personal or family history of substance use had more services recommended than youth without these risk factors, while youth with a family history of substance use received more services. Youth with a history of substance use received a significantly higher dosage of services overall. Finally, history of family mental illness was associated with receiving mental health and operational services (e.g., family advocacy, emergency funds). Implications and limitations are discussed.
Keywords: *Adolescent Health Services/sn [Statistics & Numerical Data]; *Mental Health Services/sn [Statistics & Numerical Data]; *School Health Services/sn [Statistics & Numerical Data]; *Substance-Related Disorders/px [Psychology]; Adolescent; Adolescent Health Services; Connecticut; Cross-Sectional Studies; Family Characteristics; Female; Health Services Needs and Demand; Humans; Income; Logistic Models; Male; Mental Health Services; Parents; Questionnaires; Referral and Consultation; Referral and Consultation/sn [Statistics & Numerical Data]; Risk Factors; School Health Services; Schools; Substance-Related Disorders; Substance-Related Disorders/th [Therapy]; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States; addiction; adolescent; article; child health care; cross-sectional study; dept.pch; family size; female; health service; human; income; male; mental health service; parent; patient referral; psychological aspect; questionnaire; risk factor; school; school health service; statistical model; statistics; utilization review

Identification of common and cell type specific LXXLL motif EcR cofactors using a bioinformatics refined candidate RNAi screen in Drosophila melanogaster cell lines - Davis, Melissa B.; SanGil, Inigo; Berry, Grace; Olayokun, Rashidat; Neves, Lori H. (BMC Developmental Biology, 2011)
Background: During Drosophila development, titers of the steroid ecdysone trigger and maintain temporal and tissue specific biological transitions. Decades of evidence reveal that the ecdysone response is both unique to specific tissues and distinct among developmental timepoints. To achieve this diversity in response, the several isoforms of the Ecdysone Receptor, which transduce the hormone signal to the genome level, are believed to interact with tissue specific cofactors. To date, little is known about the identity of these cofactor interactions; therefore, we conducted a bioinformatics informed, RNAi luciferase reporter screen against a subset of putative candidate cofactors identified through an in silico proteome screen. Candidates were chosen based on criteria obtained from bioinformatic consensus of known nuclear receptor cofactors and homologs, including amino acid sequence motif content and context. Results: The bioinformatics pre-screen of the Drosophila melanogaster proteome was successful in identifying an enriched putative candidate gene cohort. Over 80% of the genes tested yielded a positive hit in our reporter screen. We have identified both cell type specific and common cofactors which appear to be necessary for proper ecdysone induced gene regulation. We have determined that certain cofactors act as co-repressors to reduce target gene expression, while others act as co-activators to increase target gene expression. Interestingly, we find that a few of the cofactors shared among cell types have a reversible roles to function as co-repressors in certain cell types while in other cell types they serve as co-activators. Lastly, these proteins are highly conserved, with higher order organism homologs also harboring the LXXLL steroid receptor interaction domains, suggesting a highly conserved mode of steroid cell target specificity. Conclusions: In conclusion, we submit these cofactors as novel components of the ecdysone signaling pathway in order to further elucidate the dynamics of steroid specificity. © 2011 Davis et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Keywords: Amino Acid Motifs; Animals; Co-Repressor Proteins; Computational Biology; Drosophila melanogaster; Ecdysone; Phylogeny; RNA Interference; RNA interference; Receptors, Steroid; Transcription Factors; animal; article; biology; chemistry; corepressor protein; dept.pch; ecdysone; ecdysone receptor; genetics; metabolism; phylogeny; protein motif; steroid receptor; transcription factor

Patterns in office referral data by grade, Race/Ethnicity, and gender - Kaufman, Joy S.; Jaser, Sarah S.; Vaughan, Ellen L.; Reynolds, Jesse S.; Di Donato, John; Bernard, Stanley N.; Hernandez-Brereton, Maria (Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 2010)
Research supports that office referral data is useful in informing programmatic decisions and planning interventions such as Positive Behavior Supports (PBS). Knowledge of patterns of office referrals may facilitate development of interventions that target specific groups. This study examines patterns in office referrals within an urban district by gender, race/ ethnicity and grade. Findings reveal that there are differences by grade that appear to be related to developmental level, with more referrals for aggression in younger students (grades K-6), disrespectful behavior in middle school students (grades 7-8), and attendance problems in high school students. Gender differences in the rate and type of referrals were found, with significantly more referrals for boys' delinquent/aggressive behavior, which may relate to how schools define unacceptable behavior and the data collection method. Finally, there were significantly more referrals for African American/black students than Hispanic students, suggesting that schools consider racial differences when developing behavioral expectations.
Keywords: Office referral data; Positive behavioral supports; Schools; dept.pch

Comprehensive healthcare for the US: an idealized model - Gallup, Peggy A. (Inquiry-the Journal of Health Care Organization Provision and Financing, 2010)
Keywords: dept.pch

Neuroendocrine profiles associated with discrete behavioural variation in Symphodus ocellatus, a species with male alternative reproductive tactics. - Nugent, Bridget M.; Stiver, Kelly A.; Alonzo, Suzanne H.; Hofmann, Hans A. (Molecular Ecology, 2016)
The molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic plasticity are not well understood. Identifying mechanisms underlying alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) in species for which the behavioural and fitness consequences of this variation are well characterized provides an opportunity to integrate evolutionary and mechanistic understanding of the maintenance of variation within populations. In the ocellated wrasse Symphodus ocellatus, the behavioural phenotypes of three distinct male morphs (sneakers, satellites and nesting males), which arise from a single genome, have been thoroughly characterized. To determine the neuroendocrine and genomic mechanisms associated with discrete phenotypic variation and ARTs in S. ocellatus in their natural environment, we constructed a whole-brain de novo transcriptome and compared global patterns of gene expression between sexes and male morphs. Next, we quantified circulating cortisol and 11-ketotestosterone (11-kt), mediators of male reproductive behaviours, as well as stress and gonadal steroid hormone receptor expression in the preoptic area, ventral subpallial division of the telencephalon and dorsolateral telencephalon, critical brain regions for social and reproductive behaviours. We found higher levels of 11-kt in nesting males and higher levels of cortisol in sneaker males relative to other male morphs and females. We also identified distinct patterns of brain region-specific hormone receptor expression between males such that most hormone receptors are more highly expressed in satellites and nesting males relative to sneakers and females. Our results establish the neuroendocrine and molecular mechanisms that underlie ARTs in the wild and provide a foundation for experimentally testing hypotheses about the relationship between neuromolecular processes and reproductive success. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Keywords: *Neurosecretory Systems/ph [Physiology]; *Perciformes/ph [Physiology]; *Reproduction; *Sexual Behavior, Animal; 11-ketotestosterone; Animals; Brain; Brain/me [Metabolism]; Female; Hydrocortisone; Hydrocortisone/bl [Blood]; Male; Nesting Behavior; Neurosecretory Systems; Perciformes; Perciformes/ge [Genetics]; Phenotype; Reproduction; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Testosterone; Testosterone/aa [Analogs & Derivatives]; Testosterone/bl [Blood]; Transcriptome; alternative reproductive tactics; analogs and derivatives; animal; blood; brain; dept.psy; female; gene expression; genetics; hormones; hydrocortisone; male; metabolism; nesting; neurosecretion; peer-reviewed; phenotype; physiology; reproduction; sexual behavior; testosterone; transcriptome

Ocean acidification affects fish spawning but not paternity at CO2 seeps - Milazzo, Marco; Cattano, Carlo; Alonzo, Suzanne H; Foggo, Andrew; Gristina, Michele; Rodolfo-Metalpa, Riccardo; Sinopoli, Mauro; Spatafora, Davide; Stiver, Kelly A; Hall-Spencer, Jason M (Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2016)
Fish exhibit impaired sensory function and altered behaviour at levels of ocean acidification expected to occur owing to anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions during this century. We provide the first evidence of the effects of ocean acidification on reproductive behaviour of fish in the wild. Satellite and sneaker male ocellated wrasse (Symphodus ocellatus) compete to fertilize eggs guarded by dominant nesting males. Key mating behaviours such as dominant male courtship and nest defence did not differ between sites with ambient versus elevated CO2 concentrations. Dominant males did, however, experience significantly lower rates of pair spawning at elevated CO2 levels. Despite the higher risk of sperm competition found at elevated CO2, we also found a trend of lower satellite and sneaker male paternity at elevated CO2 Given the importance of fish for food security and ecosystem stability, this study highlights the need for targeted research into the effects of rising CO2 levels on patterns of reproduction in wild fish. Copyright © 2016 The Author(s).
Keywords: *Carbon Dioxide/ch [Chemistry]; *Perciformes/ph [Physiology]; *Reproduction/ph [Physiology]; *Seawater/ch [Chemistry]; *Sexual Behavior, Animal; Alternative reproductive tactics; Animals; CO2 vent; Carbon Dioxide; Climate change; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Labrid; Labridae; Male; Oceans and Seas; Perciformes; Reproduction; Seawater; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Symphodus ocellatus; acidification; animal; anthropogenic effect; carbon dioxide; carbon emission; chemistry; climate change; concentration (composition); courtship; dept.psy; ecological stability; food security; male; pH; paternity; perciform; physiology; reproduction; reproductive behavior; sea; sea water; sexual behavior; spawning population; sperm competition; wild population

Human choices between variable and fixed rewards in hypothetical variable‐delay and double‐reward discounting procedures - McKerchar, Todd L.; Mazur, James E. (Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 2016)
Prior research has shown that nonhumans show an extreme preference for variable-over fixed-delays to reinforcement. This well-established preference for variability occurs because a reinforcer's strength or “value” decreases according to a curvilinear function as its delay increases. The purpose of the present experiments was to investigate whether this preference for variability occurs with human participants making hypothetical choices. In three experiments, participants recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk made choices between variable and fixed monetary rewards. In a variable-delay procedure, participants repeatedly chose between a reward delivered either immediately or after a delay (with equal probability) and a reward after a fixed delay (Experiments 1 and 2). In a double-reward procedure, participants made choices between an alternative consisting of two rewards, one delivered immediately and one after a delay, and a second alternative consisting of a single reward delivered after a delay (Experiments 1 and 3). Finally, all participants completed a standard delay-discounting task. Although we observed both curvilinear discounting and magnitude effects in the standard discounting task, we found no consistent evidence of a preference for variability-as predicted by two prominent models of curvilinear discounting (i.e., a simple hyperbola and a hyperboloid)-in our variable-delay and double-reward procedures. This failure to observe a preference for variability may be attributed to the hypothetical, rule-governed nature of choices in the present study. In such contexts, participants may adopt relatively simple strategies for making more complex choices.
Keywords: dept.psy; peer-reviewed

A longitudinal follow-up study of happiness and meaning-making - Abe, Jo Ann A. (The Journal of Positive Psychology, 2016)
The long-term outcomes associated with happiness and meaning-making were examined by following up on participants in previous studies on experiential learning an average of 2.5 years later. Measures of happiness and meaning-making were extracted by analyzing the participants' journals using a computerized text-analysis program. Happiness as assessed by a composite measure of positive emotionality showed weak associations with the measures of adaptive functioning, and was negatively correlated with optimism, as well as positively correlated with emotion suppression. By contrast, meaning-making as assessed by composite measures of cognitive processing and self-distancing was robustly positively correlated with almost all measures of adaptive functioning. Regression analyses revealed that the two measures of meaning and their interaction term accounted for 20-24% of the variance in predicting the outcome measures. This study revealed that there may be at times a trade-off between happiness and meaning-making as well as a reversal in their patterns of long-term outcomes.
Keywords: LIWC; dept.psy; follow up; happiness; longitudinal; meaning-making; regression analysis; self-distancing; text-analysis

Ovarian fluid allows directional cryptic female choice despite external fertilization. - Alonzo, Suzanne H; Stiver, Kelly A; Marsh-Rollo, Susan E (Nature Communications, 2016)
In species with internal fertilization, females can favour certain males over others, not only before mating but also within the female's reproductive tract after mating. Here, we ask whether such directional post-mating (that is, cryptic) female mate choice can also occur in species with external fertilization. Using an in vitro sperm competition experiment, we demonstrate that female ovarian fluid (ovarian fluid) changes the outcome of sperm competition by decreasing the importance of sperm number thereby increasing the relative importance of sperm velocity. We further show that ovarian fluid does not differentially affect sperm from alternative male phenotypes, but generally enhances sperm velocity, motility, straightness and chemoattraction. Under natural conditions, female ovarian fluid likely increases the paternity of the preferred parental male phenotype, as these males release fewer but faster sperm. These results imply females have greater control over fertilization and potential to exert selection on males in species with external fertilization than previously thought possible.
Keywords: *Body Fluids/me [Metabolism]; *Choice Behavior/ph [Physiology]; *Fertilization/ph [Physiology]; *Ovary/me [Metabolism]; *Spermatozoa/ph [Physiology]; Animals; Body Fluids; Choice Behavior; Female; Fertilization; Male; Ovary; Perciformes; Perciformes/ph [Physiology]; Reproduction; Reproduction/ph [Physiology]; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Sexual Behavior, Animal/ph [Physiology]; Sperm Count; Spermatozoa; animal; body fluid; decision making; dept.psy; experimental study; female; fertilization; fertilization (reproduction); in vitro study; liquid; male; mate choice; metabolism; ovary; paternity; phenotype; physiology; reproduction; sexual behavior; species; sperm; sperm competition; spermatozoon; spermatozoon count; spermatozoon motility; thinking

Age-related effects of chronic restraint stress on ethanol drinking, ethanol-induced sedation, and on basal and stress-induced anxiety response. - Fernandez, Macarena Soledad; Fabio, Maria Carolina; Miranda-Morales, Roberto Sebastian; Virgolini, Miriam B; De Giovanni, Laura N; Hansen, Cristian; Wille-Bille, Aranza; Nizhnikov, Michael E; Spear, Linda P; Pautassi, Ricardo Marcos (Alcohol, 2016)
Adolescents are sensitive to the anxiolytic effect of ethanol, and evidence suggests that they may be more sensitive to stress than adults. Relatively little is known, however, about age-related differences in stress modulation of ethanol drinking or stress modulation of ethanol-induced sedation and hypnosis. We observed that chronic restraint stress transiently exacerbated free-choice ethanol drinking in adolescent, but not in adult, rats. Restraint stress altered exploration patterns of a light-dark box apparatus in adolescents and adults. Stressed animals spent significantly more time in the white area of the maze and made significantly more transfers between compartments than their non-stressed peers. Behavioral response to acute stress, on the other hand, was modulated by prior restraint stress only in adults. Adolescents, unlike adults, exhibited ethanol-induced motor stimulation in an open field. Stress increased the duration of loss of the righting reflex after a high ethanol dose, yet this effect was similar at both ages. Ethanol-induced sleep time was much higher in adult than in adolescent rats, yet stress diminished ethanol-induced sleep time only in adults. The study indicates age-related differences that may increase the risk for initiation and escalation in alcohol drinking. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: *Alcohol Drinking/px [Psychology]; *Anxiety/px [Psychology]; *Ethanol/ad [Administration & Dosage]; *Hypnotics and Sedatives/ad [Administration & Dosage]; *Stress, Psychological/px [Psychology]; Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Alcohol Drinking; Alcohol Drinking/ae [Adverse Effects]; Alcohol Drinking/bl [Blood]; Animals; Anxiety; Anxiety/bl [Blood]; Anxiety/et [Etiology]; Article; Chronic Disease; Ethanol; Ethanol/to [Toxicity]; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Hypnotics and Sedatives/to [Toxicity]; Male; Rat; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rats, Wistar; Restraint stress; Sprague Dawley rat; Stress, Psychological; Stress, Psychological/bl [Blood]; Stress, Psychological/co [Complications]; Wistar rat; acute stress; adverse effects; age; age distribution; alcohol; alcohol blood level; alcohol consumption; animal; animal behavior; anxiety; blood; body weight; chronic disease; complication; controlled study; corticosterone; corticosterone blood level; dept.psy; drinking behavior; etiology; hypnosis; hypnotic sedative agent; locomotion; male; mental stress; motor activity; mouse; nonhuman; open field test; peer-reviewed; psychology; rat; restrain stress; righting reflex; sedation; sex difference; sleep time; stimulus response; stress

The role of genes involved in stress, neural plasticity, and brain circuitry in depressive phenotypes: Convergent findings in a mouse model of neglect. - Montalvo-Ortiz, Janitza L; Bordner, Kelly A; Carlyle, Becky C; Gelernter, Joel; Simen, Arthur A; Kaufman, Joan (Behavioural brain research, 2016)
Early life neglect increases risk for the development of psychopathologies during childhood and adulthood, including depression and anxiety disorders. We recently reported epigenetic changes in DNA derived from saliva in three genes predicted depression in a cohort of maltreated children: DNA-binding protein inhibitor ID-3 (ID3), Glutamate NMDA Receptor (GRIN1), and Tubulin Polymerization Promoting Protein (TPPP). To validate the role of these genes in depression risk, secondary analyses were conducted of gene expression data obtained from medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) tissue of mice subjected to a model of maternal neglect which included maternal separation and early weaning (MSEW). Anxiety and depression-like phenotype data derived using the elevated plus maze (EPM) and forced swimming test (FST), respectively, were also available for secondary analyses. Behavioral tests were conducted in MSEW and control adult male mice when they were between 65 and 80days old. ID3, GRIN1 and TPPP gene expression in the mPFC were found to significantly predict behavioral differences in the EPM and FST. These results further support the role of these genes in the etiology of depressive and anxiety phenotypes following early life stress. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: *Depression/pa [Pathology]; *Gene Expression Regulation/ph [Physiology]; *Maternal Deprivation; *Neuronal Plasticity/ph [Physiology]; *Prefrontal Cortex/me [Metabolism]; *Stress, Psychological/pa [Pathology]; Animals; Article; C57BL mouse; DBA mouse; DNA-binding protein inhibitor ID-3 (ID3); Depression; Disease Models, Animal; GRIN1 gene; Gene Expression Regulation; Glutamate NMDA receptor (GRIN1); Gprin1 protein, mouse; ID3 gene; Idb3 protein, mouse; Inhibitor of Differentiation Proteins; Inhibitor of Differentiation Proteins/ge [Genetics]; Inhibitor of Differentiation Proteins/me [Metabolism]; Male; Maternal Deprivation; Maze Learning; Maze Learning/ph [Physiology]; Methylation; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred DBA; Microarray Analysis; Neglect; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Nerve Tissue Proteins/ge [Genetics]; Nerve Tissue Proteins/me [Metabolism]; Neuronal Plasticity; Prefrontal Cortex; RNA, Messenger; RNA, Messenger/me [Metabolism]; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/ge [Genetics]; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/me [Metabolism]; Stress, Psychological; Swimming; Swimming/px [Psychology]; TPPP protein, mouse; Tubulin polymerization promoting protein (TPPP); animal; animal experiment; animal model; animal tissue; anxiety; connectome; controlled study; depression; dept.psy; disease activity; disease model; early life stress; gene; gene expression regulation; gene function; gene identification; gene location; genetics; inhibitor of differentiation protein; male; maternal deprivation; maze test; medial prefrontal cortex; mental stress; messenger RNA; metabolism; microarray analysis; molecular dynamics; molecular pathology; mouse; n methyl dextro aspartic acid receptor; nerve cell plasticity; nerve protein; nonhuman; pathology; peer-reviewed; phenotype; physiology; prediction; prefrontal cortex; priority journal; psychology; swimming; tubulin polymerization promoting protein gene

Transgenerational transmission of the effect of gestational ethanol exposure on ethanol Use‐Related behavior - Nizhnikov, Michael E; Popoola, Daniel O; Cameron, Nicole M (Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 2016)
Background: Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) enhances the risk for alcoholism by increasing the propensity to consume alcohol and altering neurophysiological response to alcohol challenge. Trans-generationally transmittable genetic alterations have been implicated in these behavioral changes. To date, transgenerational transmission of PAE-induced behavioral responses to alcohol has never been experimentally investigated. Therefore, we explored the transgenerational transmission of PAE-induced behavioral effects across 3 generations. Methods: Pregnant Sprague Dawley dams received 1 g/kg ethanol (EtOH) or water daily on gestational days 17 through 20 via gavage, or remained untreated in their home cages. To produce second filial (F2) or F3 generations, similarly treated adult F1 or F2 offspring were mated and left undisturbed through gestation. On postnatal day (PND) 14, male and female F1, F2, and F3 offspring were tested for consumption of 5% (w/v) EtOH (in water), or water. Using the loss of righting reflex (LORR) paradigm on PND 42, F1 and F2 adolescent male offspring were tested for sensitivity to acute EtOH-induced sedation-hypnosis at 3.5 or 4.5 g/kg dose. F3 male adolescents were similarly tested at 3.5 g/kg dose. Blood EtOH concentration (BEC) was measured at waking. Results: EtOH exposure increased EtOH consumption compared to both water and untreated control groups in all generations. EtOH-treated group F1 and F2 adolescents displayed attenuated LORR duration compared to the water group. No attenuated LORR was observed in the F3 generation. BEC at waking corroborated with the significant LORR duration differences while also revealing differences between untreated control and water groups in F1 and F2 generations. Conclusions: Our results provide novel behavioral evidence attesting that late gestational moderate EtOH exposure increases EtOH intake across 3 generations and may alter sensitivity to EtOH-induced sedation-hypnosis across 2 generations. © 2016 Research Society on Alcoholism.
Keywords: Alcohol Drinking; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Article; Ethanol; Female; Infant; Intake; Loss of Righting Reflex; Male; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Rat; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Sprague Dawley rat; adult; alcohol; alcoholism; animal; animal experiment; behavior; behavior change; chemically induced; dept.psy; drinking behavior; epigenetics; female; genetics; hypnosis; male; newborn; nonhuman; pregnancy; prenatal exposure; priority journal; progeny; psychology; rat; righting reflex; sedation; transgenerational transmission; wakefulness; water

Very-Brief, Web-Based Interventions for Reducing Alcohol Use and Related Problems among College Students: A Review. - Leeman, Robert F; Perez, Elliottnell; Nogueira, Christine; DeMartini, Kelly S (Frontiers in psychiatry, 2015)
Very-brief, web-based alcohol interventions have great potential due to their convenience, ease of dissemination, and college students' stated preference for this intervention modality. To address the efficacy of these interventions, we conducted a review of the literature to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Fifteen published reports were included. All RCTs meeting criteria for inclusion tested an intervention that featured personalized feedback on students' patterns of alcohol consumption. This review found some evidence to support the efficacy of very-brief, web-based interventions among college students for alcohol use reduction. Several trials, however, reported no evidence of efficacy and the methods of multiple trials raised concerns about potential bias that may have influenced study results. By contrast, this review did not yield evidence to support the efficacy of very-brief, web-based interventions for reduction of alcohol--related problems among college students. We found evidence to support the efficacy of two main types of intervention content: (a) focused solely on personalized normative feedback designed to correct misconceptions about peer alcohol consumption and (b) multi-component interventions. Future research is needed to test enhancements to very-brief, web-based interventions that feature personalized feedback on patterns of alcohol use and to determine for which types of college drinkers (e.g., heavier or lighter drinkers) these interventions are most efficacious. In addition, future studies are needed to test novel, very-brief, web-based interventions featuring approaches other than personalized feedback. In summary, this review yielded some evidence supporting very-brief, web-based interventions in reducing alcohol use but not related problems in college students. Very-brief, web-based interventions are worth pursuing given their convenience, privacy, and potential public health benefit.
Keywords: Computer; Effectiveness; Intervention; Motivational interviewing; Prevention; Review; Technology; Young adult; Youth; alcohol consumption; attitude to health; college student; dept.psy; evidence based practice; follow up; human; outcome assessment; peer group; peer-reviewed; personalized feedback; public health service; randomized controlled trial (topic); sample size; systematic error; very brief web based intervention

Age-related effects of restraint stress on ethanol intake and ethanol-induced narcosis - Pautassi, R. M.; Fernandez, M.; Nizhnikov, M.; Spear, L. P. (Alcohol and Alcoholism, 2015)
Keywords: dept.psy; ⛔ No DOI found

Should police use ACID? Training and credibility assessment using transcripts versus recordings - Colwell, Kevin; James-Kangal, Neslihan; Hiscock-Anisman, Cheryl; Phelan, Vivian (Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, 2015)
There is a need for an applicable system of investigative interviewing and credibility assessment that extends science to practice. Experiment 1: Officers assessed the credibility of colleagues in a face-to-face interaction. Fourteen of sixteen officers were wrong in determining whether their colleague was responding honestly to them or lying to them. Experiment 2 compared untrained officers to officers trained in Assessment Criteria Indicative of Deception (ACID) in their ability to assess the credibility of statements regarding real and mock crimes by analyzing either verbatim transcripts or audio recordings. Officers who were trained in ACID performed significantly better after training than before, and significantly better than a group of officers who were never trained in ACID (89% correct versus 53% correct). No differences emerged due to analyzing transcripts versus recordings. The practical aspects of these results are discussed, including success rate, ease of application, and ease of training. The theoretical discussion includes differential recall enhancement and impression management. Finally, limitations and suggestions for future research are presented.
Keywords: Article; Assessment Criteria Indicative of Deception (ACID); adult; assessment criteria indicative of deception; audio recording; clinical assessment tool; controlled study; credibility assessment; criminal justice; deception; decision making; dept.psy; diagnostic accuracy; differential recall enhancement; human; human experiment; investigative interviewing; police; recall; scoring system; task performance; training; verbal behavior; videorecording; visual stimulation; word recognition; written language

Prenatal ethanol increases ethanol intake throughout adolescence, alters ethanol-mediated aversive learning, and affects μ but not δ or κ opioid receptor mRNA expression - Fabio, María Carolina; Macchione, Ana Fabiola; Nizhnikov, Michael E.; Pautassi, Ricardo Marcos (European Journal of Neuroscience, 2015)
Animal models of prenatal ethanol exposure (PEE) have indicated a facilitatory effect of PEE on adolescent ethanol intake, but few studies have assessed the effects of moderate PEE throughout adolescence. The mechanisms underlying this facilitatory effect remain largely unknown. In the present study, we analysed ethanol intake in male and female Wistar rats with or without PEE (2.0 g/kg, gestational days 17-20) from postnatal days 37 to 62. The results revealed greater ethanol consumption in PEE rats than in controls, which persisted throughout adolescence. By the end of testing, ethanol ingestion in PEE rats was nearly 6.0 g/kg. PEE was associated with insensitivity to ethanol-induced aversion. PEE and control rats were further analysed for levels of μ, δ and κ opioid receptor mRNA in the infralimbic cortex, nucleus accumbens shell, and ventral tegmental area. Similar levels of mRNA were observed across most areas and opioid receptors, but μ receptor mRNA in the ventral tegmental area was significantly increased by PEE. Unlike previous studies that assessed the effects of PEE on ethanol intake close to birth, or in only a few sessions during adolescence, the present study observed a facilitatory effect of PEE that lasted throughout adolescence. PEE was associated with insensitivity to the aversive effect of ethanol, and increased levels of μ opioid receptor transcripts. PEE is a prominent vulnerability factor that probably favors the engagement of adolescents in risky trajectories of ethanol use. © 2015 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Keywords: *Alcohol Drinking/pp [Physiopathology]; *Avoidance Learning/de [Drug Effects]; *Central Nervous System Depressants/to [Toxicity]; *Ethanol/to [Toxicity]; *Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/ci [Chemically Induced]; *Receptors, Opioid, delta/me [Metabolism]; *Receptors, Opioid, kappa/me [Metabolism]; Adolescent; Age Factors; Alcohol Drinking; Animals; Article; Aversive conditioning; Avoidance Learning; Central Nervous System Depressants; Ethanol; Ethanol intake; Female; Male; Opioid receptors; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/pp [Physiopathology]; Prenatal ethanol; RNA isolation; RNA, Messenger; RNA, Messenger/me [Metabolism]; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Receptors, Opioid, delta/ge [Genetics]; Receptors, Opioid, kappa; Receptors, Opioid, kappa/ge [Genetics]; Wistar rat; adolescence; adolescent; age; alcohol; alcohol consumption; alcohol intoxication; animal; animal experiment; animal model; aversion; aversive behavior; aversive conditioning; avoidance behavior; body weight; central depressant agent; chemically induced; controlled study; delta opiate receptor; dept.psy; drinking behavior; drug effects; ethanol intake; facilitation; female; fluid intake; genetics; glyceraldehyde 3 phosphate dehydrogenase; kappa opiate receptor; male; messenger RNA; metabolism; microdissection; motivation; mu opiate receptor; nonhuman; opioid receptors; pathophysiology; place preference; polymerase chain reaction; pregnancy; prenatal ethanol; prenatal ethanol exposure; prenatal exposure; priority journal; protein expression; quantitative analysis; rat; reinforcement; reverse transcription; sigma opiate receptor; sugar intake

Differential emotions theory as a theory of personality development - Abe, Jo Ann A. (Emotion Review, 2015)
In The Face of Emotions, which was Carroll Izard's first major attempt at elaborating his differential emotions theory (DET), he stated that the book presents a theoretical framework for the study of emotions and their role in personality and interpersonal processes. Yet, over the years, his contribution to personality theory has generally been overshadowed by the attention focused on his views on facial expressions and the structure of emotions. This article will begin with a brief overview of the DET perspective on personality development. Then, it will examine how the DET framework can be used to organize recent findings from three lines of research on adult personality. It will conclude with suggestions for future research as well as some personal recollections.
Keywords: dept.psy; differential emotions theory; emotions; personality development

Introduction: special section to honor carroll izard - Abe, Jo Ann A.; Schultz, David (Emotion Review, 2015)
Keywords: dept.psy

Endogenous opioids as substrates for ethanol intake in the neonatal rat: The impact of prenatal ethanol exposure on the opioid family in the early postnatal period. - Bordner, Kelly; Deak, Terrence (Physiology & Behavior, 2015)
BACKGROUND: Despite considerable knowledge that prenatal ethanol exposure can lead to devastating effects on the developing fetus, alcohol consumption by pregnant women remains strikingly prevalent. Both clinical and basic research has suggested that, in addition to possible physical, behavioral, and cognitive deficits, gestational exposure to alcohol may lead to an increased risk for the development of later alcohol-related use and abuse disorders. The current work sought to characterize alterations in endogenous opioid signaling peptides and gene expression produced by ethanol exposure during the last days of gestation., METHODS: Experimental subjects were 4-, 8-, and 12-day old infant rats obtained from pregnant females that were given daily intubations of 0, 1, or 2g/kg ethanol during the last few days of gestation (GDs 17-20). Using real-time RT-PCR, western blotting analysis, and enzyme immunoassays, we examined mRNA and protein for three opioid receptors and ligands in the nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental area, and hypothalamus., RESULTS: Three main trends emerged - (1) mRNA for the majority of factors was found to upregulate across each of the three postnatal ages assessed, indicative of escalating ontogenetic expression of opioid-related genes; (2) prenatal ethanol significantly reduced many opioid peptides, suggesting a possible mechanism by which prenatal exposure can affect future responsiveness towards ethanol; and (3) the nucleus accumbens emerged as a key site for ethanol-dependent effects, suggesting a potential target for additional assessment and intervention towards understanding the ethanol's ability to program the developing brain., CONCLUSION: We provide a global assessment of relatively long-term changes in both opioid gene expression and protein following exposure to only moderate amounts of ethanol during a relatively short window in the prenatal period. These results suggest that, while continuing to undergo ontogenetic changes, the infant brain is sensitive to prenatal ethanol exposure and that such exposure may lead to relatively long-lasting changes in the endogenous opioid system within the reward circuitry. These data indicate a potential mechanism and target for additional assessments of ethanol's ability to program the brain, affecting later responsiveness towards the drug. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: *Alcohol Drinking/pp [Physiopathology]; *Central Nervous System Depressants/pd [Pharmacology]; *Ethanol/pd [Pharmacology]; *Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/de [Drug Effects]; *Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/pp [Physiopathology]; *Receptors, Opioid/me [Metabolism]; Age Factors; Alcohol Drinking; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Article; Brain; Brain/gd [Growth & Development]; Brain/me [Metabolism]; Central Nervous System Depressants; Dynorphins; Dynorphins/ge [Genetics]; Dynorphins/me [Metabolism]; Enkephalins; Enkephalins/ge [Genetics]; Enkephalins/me [Metabolism]; Ethanol; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Gestational Age; MRNA; Male; Ontogeny; Opioids; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Pro-Opiomelanocortin; Pro-Opiomelanocortin/ge [Genetics]; Pro-Opiomelanocortin/me [Metabolism]; Protein; Protein Precursors; Protein Precursors/ge [Genetics]; Protein Precursors/me [Metabolism]; RNA, Messenger; RNA, Messenger/me [Metabolism]; Rat; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Opioid; Receptors, Opioid/ge [Genetics]; Sprague Dawley rat; Western blotting; age; alcohol; alcohol consumption; analysis of variance; animal; animal experiment; animal tissue; beta endorphin; brain; brain development; central depressant agent; controlled study; delta opiate receptor; dept.psy; drinking behavior; drug effects; dynorphin; endorphin; enkephalin; enzyme immunoassay; female; gene expression; gene expression regulation; genetics; gestation period; gestational age; growth, development and aging; hypothalamus; infant; kappa opiate receptor; male; messenger RNA; metabolism; mu opiate receptor; newborn; nonhuman; nucleus accumbens; ontogeny; opiate receptor; pathophysiology; peer-reviewed; perinatal period; postnatal development; pre-prodynorphin; pregnancy; prenatal exposure; preprodynorphin; preproenkephalin; priority journal; proopiomelanocortin; protein; protein precursor

Change in the hedonic value of an aversive stimulus in the presence of a pre-exposed odor. - Kamenetzky, Giselle V; Suarez, Andrea B; Pautassi, Ricardo M; Mustaca, Alba E; Nizhnikov, Michael E (Physiology & behavior, 2015)
Rats exhibit a sensitive period from the time of birth until postnatal day 10 during which they develop preferences for odors even if those odors are paired with a moderately aversive stimulus. It is still unknown whether pre-exposure to an odor produces alterations on intake responses of basic tastants, and on other patterns that indicate a change in the hedonic value of reward, such as nipple grasping behavior. The current study assessed the effect of pre-exposure to an odor immediately after birth on intake responses of appetitive and aversive tastants. The objectives were to assess if 3-hour-old rats adjust their behaviors to obtain different values of appetitive and aversive rewards in the presence of a familiar odor. Specifically we wanted to determine whether the intake of saccharin or quinine, administered through the artificial nipple, increases in the presence of the familiar odor. Results showed that 3-hour-old rats differentially respond to two different concentrations of saccharin and two concentrations of quinine. In the presence of the pre-exposed odor newborn rats increased intake and grasp responses to the artificial nipple containing quinine. This effect disappeared with a higher concentration of quinine. These results suggest that the pre-exposed odor generated a change in the hedonic value of the aversive reward. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: *Avoidance Learning/ph [Physiology]; *Conditioning, Psychological/ph [Physiology]; *Discrimination, Psychological/ph [Physiology]; *Emotions/ph [Physiology]; *Odorants; *Smell/ph [Physiology]; Age Factors; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Appetitive Behavior; Appetitive Behavior/ph [Physiology]; Article; Aversive solutions; Avoidance Learning; Conditioning (Psychology); Discrimination (Psychology); Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Emotions; Female; Male; Newborn rats; Odors; Olfactory learning; Ontogeny; Quinine; Quinine/ad [Administration & Dosage]; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Reaction Time; Reaction Time/de [Drug Effects]; Reaction Time/ph [Physiology]; Saccharin; Saccharin/ad [Administration & Dosage]; Smell; Sprague Dawley rat; Sweetening Agents; age; analgesic agent; animal; animal behavior; animal experiment; appetite; aversion; avoidance behavior; birth; bitter taste; conditioning; controlled study; dept.psy; dose response; drug effects; emotion; exposure; female; food intake; grip strength; gustatory system; male; newborn; nipple; nonhuman; odor; peer-reviewed; perceptive discrimination; physiology; priority journal; quinine; rat; reaction time; reward; saccharin; stimulus; sweetening agent; taste

Can low-level ethanol exposure during pregnancy influence maternal care? An investigation using two strains of rat across two generations. - Popoola, Daniel O; Borrow, Amanda P; Sanders, Julia E; Nizhnikov, Michael E; Cameron, Nicole M (Physiology & behavior, 2015)
Gestational alcohol use is well documented as detrimental to both maternal and fetal health, producing an increase in offspring's tendency for alcoholism, as well as in behavioral and neuropsychological disorders. In both rodents and in humans, parental care can influence the development of offspring physiology and behavior. Animal studies that have investigated gestational alcohol use on parental care and/or their interaction mostly employ heavy alcohol use and single strains. This study aimed at investigating the effects of low gestational ethanol dose on parental behavior and its transgenerational transmission, with comparison between two rat strains. Pregnant Sprague Dawley (SD) and Long Evans (LE) progenitor dams (F0) received 1g/kg ethanol or water through gestational days 17-20 via gavage, or remained untreated in their home cages. At maturity, F1 female offspring were mated with males of the same strain and treatment and were left undisturbed through gestation. Maternal behavior was scored in both generations during the first six postnatal days. Arch-back nursing (ABN) was categorized as: 1, when the dam demonstrated minimal kyphosis; 2, when the dam demonstrated moderate kyphosis; and 3, when the dam displayed maximal kyphosis. Overall, SD showed greater amounts of ABN than LE dams and spent more time in contact with their pups. In the F0 generation, water and ethanol gavage increased ABN1 and contact with pups in SD, behaviors which decreased in treated LE. For ABN2, ethanol-treated SD dams showed more ABN2 than water-treated dams, with no effect of treatment on LE animals. In the F1 generation, prenatal exposure affected retrieval. Transgenerational transmission of LG was observed only in the untreated LE group. Strain-specific differences in maternal behavior were also observed. This study provides evidence that gestational gavage can influence maternal behavior in a strain-specific manner. Our results also suggest that the experimental procedure during gestation and genetic variations between strains may play an important role in the behavioral effects of prenatal manipulations. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: *Central Nervous System Depressants/to [Toxicity]; *Ethanol/to [Toxicity]; *Maternal Behavior; *Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/ci [Chemically Induced]; Alcohol Drinking; Alcohol Drinking/pp [Physiopathology]; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Article; Central Nervous System Depressants; Ethanol; Female; Grooming; Intragastric gavage; Long Evans rat; Male; Maternal Behavior; Maternal care; Posture; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/nu [Nursing]; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/pp [Physiopathology]; Rat; Rats; Rats, Long-Evans; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Species Specificity; Sprague Dawley rat; Time Factors; Transgenerational; alcohol; alcohol consumption; analysis of variance; animal; animal experiment; animal model; body posture; central depressant agent; chemically induced; controlled study; dept.psy; drinking behavior; female; genetic variability; grooming; kyphosis; licking; male; maternal behavior; maternal care; mating; newborn; nonhuman; nursing; parental behavior; pathophysiology; peer-reviewed; pregnancy; prenatal exposure; priority journal; progeny; rat; species difference; time

Neural gene expression profiles and androgen levels underlie alternative reproductive tactics in the ocellated wrasse, symphodus ocellatus - Stiver, Kelly A.; Harris, Rayna M.; Townsend, Jeffrey P.; Hofmann, Hans A.; Alonzo, Suzanne H. (Ethology, 2014)
Discrete variation in reproductive behavior and physiology is observed in diverse taxa. Although it is known that most within-sex alternative reproductive tactics arise as a consequence of phenotypic plasticity, relatively little is known about differential neural gene expression among plastic alternative reproductive phenotypes. In the ocellated wrasse Symphodus ocellatus, males exhibit one of three alternative tactics (nesting, satellite, and sneaker) within a reproductive season, but switch tactics between years. Satellites and sneakers spawn parasitically in dominant (nesting) males' nests, but only nesting males provide parental care. Nesting and satellite males show transient cooperative defense of nests against sneakers. Here, we analyze circulating sex steroid hormone levels and neural gene expression profiles in these three male phenotypes and in females. 11-ketotestosterone (but not testosterone) was highest in nesting males, while estradiol was highest in females. Brain transcriptomes of satellites and females were most similar to each other and intermediate to nesting and sneaker males. Sneakers showed more total expression differences, whereas nesting males showed higher magnitude expression differences. Our findings reveal the surprising extent to which neural gene expression patterns vary across reproductive tactics that vary in a number of social traits, including aggression, territoriality, and cooperation, providing important insights into the molecular mechanisms that may underlie variation in cooperative and reproductive behavior. © 2014 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Keywords: Androgens; Competition; Cooperation; Mating tactic; Microarray; Reproduction; Symphodus ocellatus; dept.psy

Rats' choices with token stimuli in concurrent variable- interval schedules - Mazur, James E. (Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 2014)
Four rats responded on concurrent variable-interval schedules that delivered token stimuli (stimulus lights arranged vertically above each of two side levers). During exchange periods, each token could be exchanged for one food pellet by responding on a center lever, with one response required for each pellet delivery. In different conditions, the exchange requirements (number of tokens that had to be earned before they could be exchanged for food) varied between one and four for the two response levers. The experiments were closely patterned after research with pigeons by Mazur and Biondi (), and the results from the rats in the present experiment were similar. Response percentages on the two levers changed as each additional token was earned, and these patterns indicated that choice was controlled by both the time to the exchange periods and the number of food pellets that were delivered in the exchange period. In some conditions, the exchange requirement was three tokens for each lever, but the token lights were not turned on as they were earned for one of the two keys. The rats showed a slight preference for the lever without the token lights, which may indicate that the token lights were not serving as conditioned reinforcers (a result also found by Mazur and Biondi with pigeons). Overall, these results suggest that, in this choice procedure, the token stimuli served primarily as discriminative stimuli that signaled the temporal proximity and quantity of the primary reinforcer, food.
Keywords: Animals; Choice Behavior; Concurrent variable-interval schedules; Conditioned reinforcers; Conditioning, Operant; Cues; Discriminative stimuli; Hyperbolic discounting; Lever press; Long Evans rat; Male; Rats; Rats, Long-Evans; Reinforcement Schedule; Token Economy; Token stimuli; animal; association; decision making; dept.psy; instrumental conditioning; male; peer-reviewed; rat; reinforcement

Hope, will, purpose, competence, and fidelity: ego strengths as predictors of career identity - Anthis, Kristine (Identity, 2014)
This correlational study examined the relationships among ego strengths and career identity. Self-report data were collected from a sample of university undergraduates (N = 239). Participants completed the Psychosocial Inventory of Ego Strengths and the Vocational Identity Status Assessment. The results revealed gender differences, primarily in career identity. The findings also showed that the unique variance explained in career identity by each ego strength was modest, indicating that the best predictor of career identity is the overall level of ego strengths. Suggestions for future research, such as longitudinal designs to establish ego strengths as developmental precursors of career identity, are provided. © 2014 Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Keywords: dept.psy

Adaptation and Sexual Offending - Camilleri, Joseph A.; Stiver, Kelly A. (Evolutionary Perspectives on Human Sexual Psychology and Behavior, 2014)
Agreement on the causes of sexual offending has eluded scholars because of an emphasis on studying proximate causes—as with crime in general, there are numerous variables that correlate with sexual offending. A more consilient view of sexual offending includes an evolutionary approach that attempts to answer ultimately why such behavior exists. To guide this research, Camilleri (The Oxford handbook of evolutionary perspectives on violence, homicide, and war, New York, 173–196) proposed a typology of sexual offenders that classifies offending based on two dimensions: (1) whether the behavior is an adaptation, by-product, or disorder and (2) if the mechanism is obligate or facultative. Categories resulting from this typology seem to capture the variability of sexual offending behavior. This chapter mostly reviews evidence of how sexual offending could function as an adaptation, draws links from nonhuman behavior literature, and briefly reviews alternative explanations, including by-products and disorders.
Keywords: Antisocial Behavior; Nonhuman Animal; Psychopathic Trait; Sexual Coercion; Sexual Offender; dept.psy

Brief prenatal ethanol exposure alters behavioral sensitivity to the kappa opioid receptor agonist (U62,066E) and antagonist (Nor‐BNI) and reduces kappa opioid receptor expression - Nizhnikov, Michael E; Pautassi, Ricardo Marcos; Carter, Jenna M; Landin, Justine D; Varlinskaya, Elena I; Bordner, Kelly A; Werner, David F; Spear, Norman E (Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 2014)
Background: Approximately 10 to 15% of women consume alcohol (ethanol [EtOH]) during pregnancy in the United States. Even low amounts of EtOH consumption during pregnancy can elicit long-term consequences. Prenatal experience with as few as 3 drinks has been associated with increase problem drinking in adulthood. Such effects are corroborated in rodents; however, the underlying neural adaptations contributing to this effect are not clear. In the current set of experiments, we investigated whether changes in EtOH responding following prenatal EtOH exposure involved kappa opioid receptor activation and expression. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were prenatally exposed to low levels of alcohol (1.0 g/kg) during late gestation (gestational days 17 to 20 [GD17-20]) via intragastric intubation of pregnant dams. Following birth, EtOH intake, kappa- and mu-opioid-induced place conditioning, and kappa opioid receptor expression in mesolimbic brain regions were assessed in infant rats (postnatal days 14 to 15 [PD14-15]) that were offspring of dams given EtOH, vehicle, or untreated, during pregnancy. Results: Animals exposed to prenatal alcohol drank more alcohol later in life and exhibited significant changes in the kappa opioid system. While control subjects found kappa opioid activation aversive, animals exposed to EtOH prenatally exhibited either no aversion or appetitive responding. Further analysis revealed that synaptosomal kappa opioid receptor expression was significantly decreased in brain areas implicated in responding to EtOH. Conclusions: Overall, these data suggest that prenatal EtOH affects kappa opioid function and expression and that these changes may be involved in increased drinking later in life. © 2014 by the Research Society on Alcoholism.
Keywords: Alcohol Drinking; Animals; Brain Chemistry; Conditioning (Psychology); Ethanol; Female; Gene Expression; Infant; Kappa; Male; Naltrexone; Opioid; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Pyrrolidines; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Opioid, kappa; Sprague Dawley rat; Western blotting; agonists; alcohol; alcohol abuse; alcohol consumption; analogs and derivatives; animal; animal experiment; animal tissue; antagonists and inhibitors; article; behavioral science; biosynthesis; brain level; chemically induced; conditioning; controlled study; dept.psy; drinking behavior; drug effects; drug therapy; female; fluid intake; gene expression; gestation period; kappa opiate receptor; kappa opiate receptor antagonist; limbic cortex; male; metabolism; naltrexone; nonhuman; nor bni; norbinaltorphimine; pregnancy; prenatal exposure; priority journal; protein expression; pyrrolidine derivative; rat; spiradoline; spiradoline mesilate; unclassified drug

Development of phonological constancy: 19-Month-Olds, but not 15-Month-Olds, identify words in a non-native regional accent - Mulak, Karen E.; Best, Catherine T.; Tyler, Michael D.; Kitamura, Christine; Irwin, Julia R. (Child Development, 2013)
By 12months, children grasp that a phonetic change to a word can change its identity (phonological distinctiveness). However, they must also grasp that some phonetic changes do not (phonological constancy). To test development of phonological constancy, sixteen 15-month-olds and sixteen 19-month-olds completed an eye-tracking task that tracked their gaze to named versus unnamed images for familiar words spoken in their native (Australian) and an unfamiliar non-native (Jamaican) regional accent of English. Both groups looked longer at named than unnamed images for Australian pronunciations, but only 19-month-olds did so for Jamaican pronunciations, indicating that phonological constancy emerges by 19months. Vocabulary size predicted 15-month-olds' identifications for the Jamaican pronunciations, suggesting vocabulary growth is a viable predictor for phonological constancy development.
Keywords: Acoustic Stimulation; Female; Fixation, Ocular; Humans; Infant; Language Development; Male; Perceptual Masking; Phonetics; Psychomotor Performance; Recognition (Psychology); Speech Perception; Vocabulary; article; auditory stimulation; dept.psy; eye fixation; female; human; infant; language development; linguistics; male; perception; phonetics; physiology; psychomotor performance; recognition; speech perception

Pigeons' choices with token stimuli in concurrent variable-interval schedules: concurrent vi schedules with tokens - Mazur, James E; Biondi, Dawn R (Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 2013)
Twelve pigeons responded on concurrent variable-interval schedules that delivered token stimuli (stimulus lights for some pigeons, and white circles on the response keys for others). During exchange periods, each token could be exchanged for food on a fixed-ratio 1 schedule. Across conditions, the exchange requirements ( number of tokens that had to be earned before they could be exchanged for food) varied between one and four for the two response keys. The main findings were that the pigeons' response percentages varied as a function of the number of tokens earned at any given moment, and they were determined by both the delays to food and by the number of food deliveries in the exchange periods. In some conditions, tokens had to be earned but were not visible during the variable-interval schedules for one or both keys. When one key had visible tokens and the other did not, the pigeons showed a preference for the key without visible tokens. A model based on the matching law and a hyperbolic delay-discounting equation could account for the main patterns of choice responding, and for how response percentages changed as successive tokens were earned. The results are consistent with the view that the token stimuli served as discriminative stimuli that signaled the current delays to food.
Keywords: *Choice Behavior; *Token Economy; Animals; Columbidae; Concurrent variable-interval schedules; Conditioning, Operant; Generalized matching law; Hyperbolic discounting; Keypeck; Male; Models, Psychological; Pigeons; Reinforcement Schedule; Token stimuli; dept.psy; peer-reviewed

Assessment Criteria Indicative of Deception: An Example of the New Paradigm of Differential Recall Enhancement - Colwell, Kevin; Hiscock-Anisman, Cheryl; Fede, Jacquelyn (Applied Issues in Investigative Interviewing, Eyewitness Memory, and Credibility Assessment, 2013)
The present chapter details the historical and conceptual evolution of a new paradigm in statement analysis that has developed over the past 20 years. There has been an increasing awareness of the importance of interviewing designed to facilitate the detection of deception as a necessary component of statement analysis (Colwell, Hiscock, & Memon, 2002; Hartwig & Bond, 2011; Hernández-Fernaud & Alonso-Quecuty, 1997; Koehnken, Schimossek, Ascherman, & Hofer, 1995; Vrij, Fisher, Mann, & Leal, 2006). Subsequently, the work of multiple researchers has created a zeitgeist that has nurtured and informed the development of this new paradigm. This chapter begins by providing a quick overview of the various lines of research that comprise this paradigm. Attention is then given to credibility assessment and statement content criteria that discriminate honest from deceptive responding. Then, the focus is on strategies of impression management and the subjective experience of respondents during an investigative interview. This sets the stage for a discussion of investigative interviewing structure and techniques that facilitate the detection of deception through the process of differential recall enhancement (DRE: Colwell et al., 2012). Finally, this chapter considers in detail an approach to interviewing and assessment that is representative of the new paradigm.
Keywords: Content Criterion; Free Recall; Impression Management; Present Volume; Target Event; dept.psy

Sharing of potential nest sites by Etheostoma olmstedi males suggests mutual tolerance in an alloparental species. - Stiver, Kelly A; Wolff, Stephen H; Alonzo, Suzanne H (PloS one, 2013)
When reproductive competitors tolerate or cooperate with one another, they may gain particular benefits, such as collectively guarding resources or attracting mates. Shared resources may be those essential to reproduction, such as a breeding site or nest. Using the tessellated darter, a species where males but not females compete over potential nest sites, we examined site use and sharing under controlled conditions of differing competitor density. Sharing was observed even when competitor density was low and individuals could have each occupied a potential nest site without same-sex sharing. Males were more likely to share a nest site with one other when the difference in size between them was larger rather than smaller. There was no evidence that female sharing was dependent on their relative size. Fish were generally more likely to use and share larger sites, in accordance with the greater relative surface area they offered. We discuss how one or both sharing males may potentially benefit, and how male sharing of potential nest sites could relate to female mating preferences. Tessellated darter males are known to provide alloparental care for eggs but this occurs without any social contact between the alloparent and the genetic father of the young. Thus, the suggestion that they may also share sites and maintain social contact with reproductive competitors highlights the importance of increased focus on the potential complexity of reproductive systems.
Keywords: *Behavior, Animal; *Nesting Behavior; *Perches/ph [Physiology]; *Reproduction; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Etheostoma olmstedi; Female; Male; Nesting Behavior; Perches; Reproduction; Sexual Behavior, Animal; animal behavior; article; competitor species; controlled study; dept.psy; female; fish; male; male animal; mate choice; nesting; nonhuman; peer-reviewed; population density; population size; sex difference; social behavior; symbiosis

Maternal separation with early weaning: A rodent model providing novel insights into neglect associated developmental deficits - Carlyle, Becky C.; Duque, Alvaro; Kitchen, Robert R.; Bordner, Kelly A.; Coman, Daniel; Doolittle, Eliza; Papademetris, Xenophonios; Hyder, Fahmeed; Taylor, Jane R.; Simen, Arthur A. (Development and Psychopathology, 2012)
Child neglect is the most prevalent form of child maltreatment in the United States, and poses a serious public health concern. Children who survive such episodes go on to experience long-lasting psychological and behavioral problems, including higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, depression, alcohol and drug abuse, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and cognitive deficits. To date, most research into the causes of these life-long problems has focused on well-established targets such as stress responsive systems, including the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. Using the maternal separation and early weaning model, we have attempted to provide comprehensive molecular profiling of a model of early-life neglect in an organism amenable to genomic manipulation: the mouse. In this article, we report new findings generated with this model using chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing, diffuse tensor magnetic resonance imaging, and behavioral analyses. We also review the validity of the maternal separation and early weaning model, which reflects behavioral deficits observed in neglected humans including hyperactivity, anxiety, and attentional deficits. Finally, we summarize the molecular characterization of these animals, including RNA profiling and label-free proteomics, which highlight protein translation and myelination as novel pathways of interest.
Keywords: Animals; Anxiety; Attention; Behavior, Animal; Brain; C57BL mouse; Child; Child Abuse; Chromatin Immunoprecipitation; Developmental Disabilities; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Disease Models, Animal; Epigenesis, Genetic; Humans; Maternal Deprivation; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Prefrontal Cortex; Proteomics; RNA; Weaning; animal; animal behavior; anxiety; article; attention; brain; child; child abuse; chromatin immunoprecipitation; dept.psy; developmental disorder; diffusion tensor imaging; disease model; genetic epigenesis; genetics; human; maternal deprivation; metabolism; mouse; pathophysiology; peer-reviewed; prefrontal cortex; proteomics; psychological aspect; weaning

Choice behavior of pigeons (Columba livia), college students, and preschool children (Homo sapiens) in the Monty Hall dilemma. - Mazur, James E; Kahlbaugh, Patricia E (Journal of Comparative Psychology, 2012)
In the Monty Hall dilemma, an individual chooses between three options, only one of which will deliver a prize. After the initial choice, one of the nonchosen options is revealed as a losing option, and the individual can choose to stay with the original choice or switch to the other remaining option. Previous studies have found that most adults stay with their initial choice, although the chances of winning are 2/3 for switching and 1/3 for staying. Pigeons, college students, and preschool children were given many trials on this task to examine how their choices might change with experience. The college students began to switch on a majority of trials much sooner than the pigeons, contrary to the findings by Herbranson and Schroeder (2010) that pigeons perform better than people on this task. In all three groups, some individuals approximated the optimal strategy of switching on every trial, but most did not. Many of the preschoolers immediately showed a pattern of always switching or always staying and continued this pattern throughout the experiment. In a condition where the probability of winning was 90% after a switch, all college students and all but one pigeon learned to switch on nearly every trial. The results suggest that one main impediment to learning the optimal strategy in the Monty Hall task, even after repeated trials, is the difficulty in discriminating the different reinforcement probabilities for switching versus staying.
Keywords: *Choice Behavior; *Columbidae; Adolescent; Animals; Child, Preschool; Choice Behavior; College students; Columbidae; Female; Games, Experimental; Humans; Male; Monty hall dilemma; Pigeons; Preschool children; Probability; Reinforcement Schedule; Reinforcement probability; Reward; Students; Students/px [Psychology]; Young Adult; adolescent; adult; animal; article; decision making; dept.psy; female; game; human; male; pigeons and doves; preschool child; probability; psychological aspect; reinforcement; reward; student

What lexical decision and naming tell us about reading - Katz, Leonard; Brancazio, Larry; Irwin, Julia; Katz, Stephen; Magnuson, James; Whalen, D. H. (Reading and Writing, 2012)
The lexical decision (LD) and naming (NAM) tasks are ubiquitous paradigms that employ printed word identification. They are major tools for investigating how factors like morphology, semantic information, lexical neighborhood and others affect identification. Although use of the tasks is widespread, there has been little research into how performance in LD or NAM relates to reading ability, a deficiency that limits the translation of research with these tasks to the understanding of individual differences in reading. The present research was designed to provide a link from LD and NAM to the specific variables that characterize reading ability (e.g., decoding, sight word recognition, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension) as well as to important reading-related abilities (phonological awareness and rapid naming). We studied 99 adults with a wide range of reading abilities. LD and NAM strongly predicted individual differences in word identification, less strongly predicted vocabulary size and did not predict comprehension. Fluency was predicted but with differences that depended on the way fluency was defined. Finally, although the tasks did not predict individual differences in rapid naming or phonological awareness, the failures nevertheless assisted in understanding the cognitive mechanisms behind these reading-related abilities. The results demonstrate that LD and NAM are important tools for the study of individual differences in reading.
Keywords: Lexical decision; Naming; RT; Reading ability; dept.hls; dept.psy; peer-reviewed

Cognitive-affective styles associated with position on war - Abe, Jo Ann A. (Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 2012)
This study examined cognitive-affective styles associated with position on the Iraq war by analyzing responses posted on an online discussion forum using a computerized text-analysis program (Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count). Overall, the results were consistent with those obtained in narrative-coding studies. The pro-war group was associated with an external focus and a simplistic style of information processing. The anti-war group was associated with an internal focus and high levels of cognitive processing and negative emotion words. The “neither” group scored the highest on cognitive complexity and positive emotion words, and it was also the most balanced in terms of internal and external focus.
Keywords: Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC); affective style; attitudes toward Iraq War; cognitive style; dept.psy; peer-reviewed

Eye movement dynamics and cognitive self-organization in typical and atypical development - Mirman, Daniel; Irwin, Julia R.; Stephen, Damian G. (Cognitive Neurodynamics, 2012)
This study analyzed distributions of Euclidean displacements in gaze (i.e. “gaze steps”) to evaluate the degree of componential cognitive constraints on audio-visual speech perception tasks. Children performing these tasks exhibited distributions of gaze steps that were closest to power-law or lognormal distributions, suggesting a multiplicatively interactive, flexible, self-organizing cognitive system rather than a component-dominant stipulated cognitive structure. Younger children and children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibited distributions that were closer to power-law than lognormal, indicating a reduced degree of self-organized structure. The relative goodness of lognormal fit was also a significant predictor of ASD, suggesting that this type of analysis may point towards a promising diagnostic tool. These results lend further support to an interaction-dominant framework that casts cognitive processing and development in terms of self-organization instead of fixed components and show that these analytical methods are sensitive to important developmental and neuropsychological differences.
Keywords: Autism; Development; Eye movements; Interaction-dominance; Self-organization; article; autism; cognition; dept.psy; eye movement; human; neuropsychology; speech perception

Teaching professionals to detect deception: the efficacy of a brief training workshop - Colwell, Lori H.; Colwell, Kevin; Hiscock-Anisman, Cheryl; Hartwig, Maria; Cole, Lindsey D.; Werdin, Kathryn; Youschak, Kimberly E. (Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, 2012)
Despite the importance of credibility assessments in forensic settings, research shows that forensic professionals are mediocre at this task. This study tested the efficacy of a 2.5-hour training workshop on Assessment Criteria Indicative of Deception (ACID), a system of investigative interviewing and credibility assessment using verbal content analysis, in a sample of 99 forensic professionals at a maximum-security forensic hospital in the United States. Accuracy in detecting deception was assessed before and after training via written transcripts. Results showed that training improved participants' accuracy, with accuracy rates increasing from 61% to 70%. Implications of the findings and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Keywords: United States; accuracy; adult; article; assessment criterion indicative of deception; clinical assessment tool; deception; deception detection; dept.psy; female; hospital; human; male; nursing staff; psychiatrist; psychologist; registered nurse; social worker; training; verbal cues; vocational education; workshop

A latent class analysis of DSM-IV alcohol use disorder criteria and binge drinking in undergraduates - Beseler, Cheryl L.; Taylor, Laura A.; Kraemer, Deborah T.; Leeman, Robert F. (Alcoholism-Clinical and Experimental Research, 2012)
Background: Adolescent and adult samples have shown that the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV) abuse and dependence criteria lie on a continuum of alcohol problem severity, but information on criteria functioning in college students is lacking. Prior factor analyses in a college sample (Beseler et al., 2010) indicated that a 2-factor solution fit the data better than a single-factor solution after a binge drinking criterion was included. The second dimension may indicate a clustering of criteria related to excessive alcohol use in this college sample. Methods: The present study was an analysis of data from an anonymous, online survey of undergraduates (N = 361) that included items pertaining to the DSM-IV alcohol use disorder (AUD) diagnostic criteria and binge drinking. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to determine whether the criteria best fit a categorical model, with and without a binge drinking criterion. Results: In an LCA including the AUD criteria only, a 3-class solution was the best fit. Binge drinking worsened the fit of the models. The largest class (class 1, n = 217) primarily endorsed tolerance (18.4%); none were alcohol dependent. The middle class (class 2, n = 114) endorsed primarily tolerance (81.6%) and drinking more than intended (74.6%); 34.2% met criteria for dependence. The smallest class (class 3, n = 30) endorsed all criteria with high probabilities (30 to 100%); all met criteria for dependence. Alcohol consumption patterns did not differ significantly between classes 2 and 3. Class 3 was characterized by higher levels on several variables thought to predict risk of alcohol-related problems (e. g., enhancement motives for drinking, impulsivity, and aggression). Conclusions: Two classes of heavy-drinking college students were identified, one of which appeared to be at higher risk than the other. The highest risk group may be less likely to “mature out” of high-risk drinking after college.
Keywords: Adolescent; Alcohol Typology; Alcohol Use Disorders; Alcohol-Related Disorders; College Students; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Ethanol; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Impulsivity; Latent Class Analysis; Male; Risk Factors; Students; Universities; Young Adult; adult; aggression; alcohol consumption; alcohol use disorder criterion; alcoholism; article; binge drinking; clinical assessment tool; college student; controlled study; dept.psy; diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders; disease severity; drinking behavior; female; human; impulsiveness; major clinical study; male; motivation; priority journal; psychological model; undergraduate student

Scaffolding: Relationships among online quiz parameters and classroom exam scores - Anthis, Kristine; Adams, Lisa (Teaching of Psychology, 2012)
The current study examined relationships among online quiz parameters and students' classroom exam scores. The authors analyzed data from undergraduate courses across four semesters. The results revealed that regardless of the different parameters set for the online quizzes, the number of attempts that students made on quizzes was unrelated to their classroom exam scores, yet the amount of time they spent on quizzes was correlated negatively with their classroom exam scores. The results also revealed that students' scores on the online quizzes predicted their classroom exam scores, above and beyond the number of attempts, length of time allowed on quizzes, as well as their SAT Reading and SAT Math scores. The implications of these results are discussed subsequently. Future researchers may wish to provide empirical evidence on how not counting all of students' online quiz scores toward their final grade may influence students' quiz performance, given the anxiety that time limits can foster.
Keywords: attempts; dept.psy; exam scores; online quizzes; time limits

Effects of pre-trial response requirements on self-control choices by rats and pigeons. - Mazur, James E (Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior, 2012)
Parallel experiments with rats and pigeons examined whether the size of a pre-trial ratio requirement would affect choices in a self-control situation. In different conditions, either 1 response or 40 responses were required before each trial. In the first half of each experiment, an adjusting-ratio schedule was used, in which subjects could choose a fixed-ratio schedule leading to a small reinforcer, or an adjusting-ratio schedule leading to a larger reinforcer. The size of the adjusting ratio requirement was increased and decreased over trials based on the subject's responses, in order to estimate an indifference point-a ratio at which the two alternatives were chosen about equally often. The second half of each experiment used an adjusting-delay procedure-fixed and adjusting delays to the small and large reinforcers were used instead of ratio requirements. In some conditions, particularly with the reinforcer delays, the rats had consistently longer adjusting delays with the larger pre-trial ratios, reflecting a greater tendency to choose the larger, delayed reinforcer when more responding was required to reach the choice point. No consistent effects of the pre-trial ratio were found for the pigeons in any of the conditions. These results may indicate that rats are more sensitive to the long-term reinforcement rates of the two alternatives, or they may result from a shallower temporal discounting rate for rats than for pigeons, a difference that has been observed in previous studies.
Keywords: *Choice Behavior; *Conditioning, Operant; *Reinforcement Schedule; Animals; Choice Behavior; Columbidae; Conditioning, Operant; Long Evans rat; Male; Rats; Rats, Long-Evans; Reinforcement Schedule; animal; article; decision making; dept.psy; instrumental conditioning; male; peer-reviewed; pigeons and doves; rat; reinforcement

Positive emotions, emotional intelligence, and successful experiential learning - Abe, Jo Ann A. (Personality and Individual Differences, 2011)
This study explored the role that positive emotions and emotional intelligence play in experiential learning. Students' field practicum journals were analyzed using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count Program (LIWC) and a measure of emotional intelligence was obtained using the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT). Positive emotion words were robustly associated with almost all dimensions of supervisors' ratings of students' performance, but showed weak associations with students' ratings of perceived benefits associated with their practicum experiences. Overall El scores were correlated with several of the supervisor rating items and the Facilitating Thought and Managing Emotions subscales of the El were robustly correlated with many of the student rating items. This study thus yielded a more differentiated view of the role of positive emotions and emotional intelligence in adaptive functioning and underscored the importance of using multiple informants to assess a complex construct such as successful experiential learning. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Emotional intelligence; Experiential learning; LIWC; MSCEIT; Positive emotions; dept.psy

Functional activation for imitation of seen and heard speech - Irwin, Julia R.; Frost, Stephen J.; Mencl, W. Einar; Chen, Helen; Fowler, Carol A. (Journal of Neurolinguistics, 2011)
This study examined fMRI activation when perceivers either passively observed or observed and imitated matched or mismatched audiovisual (”McGurk”) speech stimuli. Greater activation was observed in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) overall for imitation than for perception of audiovisual speech and for imitation of the McGurk-type mismatched stimuli than matched audiovisual stimuli. This unique activation in the IFG during imitation of incongruent audiovisual speech may reflect activation associated with direct matching of incongruent auditory and visual stimuli or conflict between category responses. This study provides novel data about the underlying neurobiology of imitation and integration of AV speech. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Audiovisual; FMRI; Imitation; McGurk effect; Speech perception; Speech production; adult; article; auditory stimulation; brain function; brain region; controlled study; dept.psy; female; functional magnetic resonance imaging; human; human experiment; inferior frontal gyrus; male; priority journal; speech discrimination; speech perception; superior temporal gyrus; task performance; visual stimulation

Effects of neurofibromatosis type 1 on children's development - Haynes, Norris M.; Kirwan, Jacqueline R.; McCrohan, Kelly (Social Work in Public Health, 2011)
In-depth study of the human genome holds the potential to provide needed focus on genetic disorders that affect hundreds of thousands of children and significantly affect their development. Neurofibromatosis Type-1 (NF-1) is one of the most common genetic disorders that affect neurological, cognitive, social, and physical development. NF-1 affects all racial groups and both genders equally. NF-1 occurs in about 1 in 2,500 to 3,300 individuals in the population. The incidence rate at birth is about 0.0004 births in the United States and is growing in prevalence. Children with NF-1 experience a range of psychomotor and cognitive impairments that affect the quality of their social lives and their learning and academic achievements. Interventions to address the psychosocial and educational needs of children with NF-1 include a range of social and academic support services, which are most effective when they are comprehensive, involve a multidisciplinary team of educational and health experts, and include a focus on supporting and empowering family members to be effective caregivers. Efforts to address the needs of children with NF-1 and to provide adequate support to their families have significant policy implications for local, state, and federal officials.
Keywords: *Child Development; *Genome, Human; *Neurofibromatosis 1/px [Psychology]; *School Health Services; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Child Development; Child Welfare; Child, Preschool; Emotions; Female; Genome, Human; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Middle Aged; Neurofibromatosis; Neurofibromatosis 1; Neurofibromatosis 1/di [Diagnosis]; Neurofibromatosis 1/ep [Epidemiology]; Neurofibromatosis 1/ge [Genetics]; Patient Education as Topic; Power (Psychology); Power, Psychological; Prevalence; Risk Factors; School Health Services; Social Change; Social Work; United States; United States/ep [Epidemiology]; Young Adult; adolescent; adult; aged; article; behavior; birth rate; child; child development; child health; child welfare; cognition; dept.psy; disease incidence; disease prevalence; emotion; family empowerment; female; genetics; genome; heritability; human; human genome; infant; male; mental health; middle aged; neurofibromatosis; newborn; patient education; peer-reviewed; preschool child; prevalence; psychological aspect; psychology; risk factor; school health service; school psychologists; school-based interventions; social and emotional development; social change; social policy; social work

Augmenting acid with affective details to assess credibility - Ansarra, Ryan; Colwell, Kevin; Hiscock-Anisman, Cheryl; Hines, Amber; Fleck, Roland; Cole, Lindsey; Belarde, Delyana (European Journal of Psychology Applied to Legal Context, 2011)
There is a need within the criminal justice systems of many countries to create a valid and applicable system of investigative interviewing and credibility assessment. The present study assesses the general validity one such system, called Assessment Criteria Indicative of Deception (ACID). ACID comprises interviewing strategies that facilitate the detection of deception and content criteria that highlight differences in verbal behavior. Sixty university undergraduates performed a staged theft under time pressure and with incentives designed to increase external validity. The participants were interviewed and assessed using the ACID procedure. Half of them were instructed to answer honestly and the other half to deny his/her participation in the theft. Results showed that honest statements were longer, more vividly detailed, and more spontaneously structured than deceptive statements. Also, the addition of affective details as a dependent measure significantly improved the ACID system. Overall, 48 of 60 statements were accurately classified (26 of 30 honest statements and 22 of 30 deceptive statements). The ACID procedure was effective and benefited from the addition of affective details. The strengths and weaknesses of this study are discussed in light of basic research into deception and potential forensic application.
Keywords: Content analysis; Credibility assessment; Detecting deception; Investigative interviewing; Testimony; dept.psy; ⛔ No DOI found

Changes in alan greenspan's language use across the economic cycle: A text analysis of his testimonies and speeches - Abe, Jo Ann A. (Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 2011)
This study examined changes in Alan Greenspan's language use across the economic cycle by analyzing his testimonies and speeches using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count Program (LIWC), which is a widely used text analysis program. Consistent with expectations, Greenspan showed an increase in the composite measure of psychological distancing as well as a decline in the measure of cognitive complexity between the economic expansion and downturn periods. Interestingly, these patterns of changes became more pronounced during the purported economic recovery period. In contrast to the measures of psychological distancing and cognitive complexity, the measure of emotionality remained relatively stable across the economic cycle.
Keywords: Greenspan; LIWC; cognitive complexity; computerized text analysis; dept.psy; peer-reviewed; psychological distancing

Effect of night smoking, sleep disturbance, and their co-occurrence on smoking outcomes - Peters, Erica N.; Fucito, Lisa M.; Novosad, Claire; Toll, Benjamin A.; O'Malley, Stephanie S. (Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 2011)
Recent evidence suggests that smoking during the night is an indicator of nicotine dependence and predicts smoking cessation failure. Night smokers are likely to experience disturbance to their sleep cycle when they wake to smoke, but we are not aware of the prevalence of night smokers' self-reported sleep disturbance. Because sleep disturbance also predicts smoking cessation failure, we examined how the pre-cessation risk factors of night smoking and sleep disturbance, and their co-occurrence, predict smoking cessation failure in a 6-week double-blind randomized controlled trial examining whether naltrexone augments the efficacy of the nicotine patch (O'Malley et al., 2006). Smokers (N = 385) completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (Buysse, Reynolds, Monk, Berman, & Kupfer, 1989) and a single item of waking at night to smoke pre-cessation. Smoking status was determined at weeks 1, 6, 24, and 48 weeks after quitting. The two main findings were: (a) night smokers reported significantly greater sleep disturbance than nonnight smokers; and (b) smokers with co-occurring night smoking and sleep disturbance experienced significantly greater risk for smoking than smokers with neither risk factor. Results suggest that individuals who both wake during the night to smoke and report clinically-significant sleep disturbance represent a high-risk group of smokers. Future smoking cessation treatment might incorporate strategies related to managing these smokers' sleep habits and physiological dependence on nicotine in order to bolster their cessation outcomes.
Keywords: Adult; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Night smoking; Outcome predictors; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; Prevalence; Self Report; Sleep Disorders; Sleep disturbance; Smoking; Smoking Cessation; Smoking cessation; Tobacco Use Disorder; Treatment Outcome; adult; article; cigarette smoking; comorbidity; controlled study; dept.psy; double blind procedure; drug dose comparison; female; high risk patient; human; major clinical study; male; naltrexone; named inventories, questionnaires and rating scales; nicotine patch; night; placebo; prediction; randomized controlled trial; risk factor; sleep disorder; smoking cessation; smoking habit; tobacco dependence; treatment failure; wakefulness

AVSP - Do infants detect A→V articulator congruency for non-native click consonants? - Best, Catherine T.; Kroos, Christian; Irwin, Julia (2011)
Keywords: dept.psy

Effects of time between trials on rats' and pigeons' choices with probabilistic delayed reinforcers. - Mazur, James E; Biondi, Dawn R (Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 2011)
Parallel experiments with rats and pigeons examined reasons for previous findings that in choices with probabilistic delayed reinforcers, rats' choices were affected by the time between trials whereas pigeons' choices were not. In both experiments, the animals chose between a standard alternative and an adjusting alternative. A choice of the standard alternative led to a short delay (1 s or 3 s), and then food might or might not be delivered. If food was not delivered, there was an "interlink interval," and then the animal was forced to continue to select the standard alternative until food was delivered. A choice of the adjusting alternative always led to food after a delay that was systematically increased and decreased over trials to estimate an indifference point--a delay at which the two alternatives were chosen about equally often. Under these conditions, the indifference points for both rats and pigeons increased as the interlink interval increased from 0 s to 20 s, indicating decreased preference for the probabilistic reinforcer with longer time between trials. The indifference points from both rats and pigeons were well described by the hyperbolic-decay model. In the last phase of each experiment, the animals were not forced to continue selecting the standard alternative if food was not delivered. Under these conditions, rats' choices were affected by the time between trials whereas pigeons' choices were not, replicating results of previous studies. The differences between the behavior of rats and pigeons appears to be the result of procedural details, not a fundamental difference in how these two species make choices with probabilistic delayed reinforcers.
Keywords: *Choice Behavior; *Memory, Short-Term; *Probability Learning; *Reinforcement Schedule; Animals; Choice Behavior; Columbidae; Conditioning, Operant; Long Evans rat; Male; Memory, Short-Term; Motivation; Probability Learning; Psychomotor Performance; Rats; Rats, Long-Evans; Reinforcement Schedule; Species Specificity; Time Perception; animal; article; decision making; dept.psy; instrumental conditioning; learning; male; motivation; peer-reviewed; pigeons and doves; psychomotor performance; rat; reinforcement; short term memory; species difference; time perception

Is it the clicker, or is it the question? Untangling the effects of student response system use - Anthis, Kristine (Teaching of Psychology, 2011)
Previous research on the effectiveness of clickers has found their use to be positively associated with exam scores but not without methodological issues that hinder the conclusions that can be drawn. To address these limitations, the current studies isolated the effects of clickers from the effects of questions presented with clickers. Study 1 showed that students who did not use clickers to respond to questions but raised their hands performed better on exams than students who saw the same questions and responded with clickers. Study 2 found no relationship between clicker use and exam scores, which suggests that prior research claims about the effectiveness of clickers may have been premature given that clicker use was confounded with question use in those studies. Suggestions for future research are also provided.
Keywords: SRS; clickers; dept.psy; metacognition

Do infants detect A→V articulator congruency for non-native click consonants? - Best, Catherine T; Kroos, Christian; Irwin, Julia (Proceedings of the International Conference on Audio-Visual Speech Processing (AVSP2011), Aug 31 - Sep 3, 2011, Volterra, Italy, 2011)
Keywords: dept.psy; ⛔ No DOI found

Assessing feigned cognitive impairment in defendants hospitalized for competency restoration: further validation of the TOMI - Colwell, Lori H.; Colwell, Kevin (Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, 2011)
Valid screens for feigned cognitive impairment are a fundamental component of any forensic assessment. The TOMI is a verbally administered, two-alternative forced-choice screen for feigned cognitive impairment in competence to stand trial (CST) evaluations. The present study provided further validation for the use of this tool in a sample of 82 forensic inpatients, the second investigation of the TOMI in a real-world, psycholegal context. Using three independent external criteria-the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) Trial 2 score, TOMM Retention Trial score, and a clinical treatment team decision-and these combined criteria-the Legal Knowledge scale (TOMI-L) evidenced high levels of sensitivity and specificity and excellent negative predictive power (NPP). The General Knowledge scale (TOMI-G) demonstrated poor sensitivity but high specificity and NPP. The authors discuss the utility of both scales in guiding and streamlining more thorough assessments of response styles in CST evaluations.
Keywords: Competency; Forensic assessment; Legal Knowledge scale; Malingering; Test of Malingered Incompetence; Twoalternative forced-choice; adult; analytic method; article; clinical assessment tool; clinical decision making; clinical treatment team decision; cognitive defect; competence; dept.psy; forensic medicine; human; legal aspect; major clinical study; male; psychological aspect; sensitivity and specificity; validation process

Can children with autism spectrum disorders “Hear” a speaking face? - Irwin, Julia; Tornatore, Lauren A; Brancazio, Lawrence; Whalen, D H (Child Development, 2011)
This study used eye-tracking methodology to assess audiovisual speech perception in 26 children ranging in age from 5 to 15 years, half with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and half with typical development. Given the characteristic reduction in gaze to the faces of others in children with ASD, it was hypothesized that they would show reduced influence of visual information on heard speech. Responses were compared on a set of auditory, visual, and audiovisual speech perception tasks. Even when fixated on the face of the speaker, children with ASD were less visually influenced than typical development controls. This indicates fundamental differences in the processing of audiovisual speech in children with ASD, which may contribute to their language and communication impairments.
Keywords: Adolescent; Child; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Child, Preschool; Communication; Female; Humans; Language Development Disorders; Lipreading; Male; Pattern Recognition, Visual; Perceptual Masking; Reference Values; Speech Perception; Verbal Behavior; adolescent; article; autism; child; dept.hls; dept.psy; female; human; interpersonal communication; language disability; lip reading; male; pattern recognition; perception; preschool child; psychological aspect; reference value; speech perception; verbal behavior

Effects of playing wii on well-being in the elderly: physical activity, loneliness, and mood - Kahlbaugh, Patricia E; Sperandio, Amanda J; Carlson, Ashley L; Hauselt, Jerry (Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 2011)
Effects of compensatory strategies offered by Wii technology on physical activity, loneliness, and mood are investigated. Thirty-five individuals (M = 82 years) were randomly assigned to either playing Wii or watching television with a partner for 10 weeks. Physical activity, loneliness, mood, life satisfaction, and health were assessed. The elderly playing Wii had lower loneliness and a pattern of greater positive mood compared to the television group. No differences in life satisfaction or physical activity were found, but loneliness predicted positive mood, and positive mood predicted physical activity. This investigation points to the benefits of using Wii for well-being, particularly social connection and enjoyment. © 2011 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
Keywords: dept.psy; integrative game playing; loneliness; mood; older adult recreation; well-being

The effect of playing the wii on loneliness and mood in the elderly - Kahlbaugh, P. E.; Sperandio, A. J.; Carlson, A. (Gerontologist, 2010)
Keywords: dept.psy; peer-reviewed; ⛔ No DOI found

Distinguishing truthful from invented accounts using reality monitoring criteria - Memon, Amina; Fraser, Joanne; Colwell, Kevin; Odinot, Geralda; Mastroberardino, Serena (Legal and Criminological Psychology, 2010)
Purpose. Previous research has suggested that true and invented memories can be distinguished between using the reality monitoring criteria. Two different coding schemes were used to examine the correct classification of reports as truthful or deceptive on the basis of individual reality-monitoring (RM) criteria. Method. Drawing upon the RM framework the present experiment examined transcripts of verbal accounts of eyewitnesses to a staged event or made up details about the incident. The statements were elicited during a face-to-face cognitive interview (CI) and were analysed by coders trained in the identification of criteria indicative of self-experienced and invented accounts (referred to here as Version 1) and a similar coding method (referred to here as Version 2). Results. A distinction was made between `external memories' (affective, perceptual, and contextual details) and `internal' memories (cognitive operations). For Version 1, the results indicated a higher number of contextual and external details in the descriptions of experienced events and as is commonly found in the deception literature, truthful accounts were longer. For Version 2, temporal and auditory details were more frequent in true accounts. Contrary to prediction, there were also more references to cognitive operations in true accounts. Conclusions. Any forensic application of RM should consider how external factors (characteristics of the event, motivation to deceive, and questioning style) influence the presence of RM criteria.
Keywords: adult; article; coding; cognition; controlled study; dept.psy; female; human; interview; major clinical study; male; memory; monitoring; priority journal; questionnaire; reality monitoring; self concept; verbal communication; witness

Distributed versus exclusive preference in discrete-trial choice. - Mazur, James E (Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes, 2010)
Two experiments on discrete-trial choice examined the conditions under which pigeons would exhibit exclusive preference for the better of two alternatives as opposed to distributed preference (making some choices for each alternative). In Experiment 1, pigeons chose between red and green response keys that delivered food after delays of different durations, and in Experiment 2 they chose between red and green keys that delivered food with different probabilities. Some conditions of Experiment 1 had fixed delays to food and other conditions had variable delays. In both experiments, exclusive or nearly exclusive preference for the better alternative was found in some conditions, but distributed preference was found in other conditions, especially in Experiment 2 when key location varied randomly over trials. The results were used to evaluate several different theories about discrete-trial choice. The results suggest that exclusive preference for one alternative is a frequent outcome in discrete-trial choice. When distributed preference does occur, it is not the result of inherent tendencies to sample alternatives or to match response percentages to the values of the alternatives. Rather, distributed preference may occur when two factors (such as reinforcer delay and position bias) compete for the control of choice, or when the consequences for the two alternatives are similar and difficult to discriminate.
Keywords: *Choice Behavior/ph [Physiology]; *Conditioning, Operant/ph [Physiology]; *Reinforcement Schedule; *Reinforcement, Psychology; Animals; Choice Behavior; Columba; Columbidae; Conditioning, Operant; Discrete-trial choice; Exclusive preference; Male; Pigeons; Probability; Reaction Time; Reaction Time/ph [Physiology]; Reinforcement (Psychology); Reinforcement Schedule; Reinforcer delay; Time Factors; animal; article; decision making; dept.psy; instrumental conditioning; male; physiology; pigeons and doves; probability; reaction time; reinforcement; time

Impression management strategies of deceivers and honest reporters in an investigative interview - Hines, Amber; Colwell, Kevin; Hiscock-Anisman, Cheryl; Garrett, Erika; Ansarra, Ryan; Montalvo, Larissa (European Journal of Psychology Applied to Legal Context, 2010)
Understanding the subjective experience of respondents attempting to convince an investigator will enhance our theoretical knowledge of deception and improve assessment techniques. Discrepancies between respondents' understanding and actual credibility criteria are especially important. Sixty-six participants engaged in a small crime, and were interviewed following a week's preparation. All were provided incentive for convincing the interviewer of the veracity of their statement. Thirty-two were honestly reporting the theft, and thirty-four were responding to avoid being found guilty. After a Reality Interview (a derivative of the Cognitive Interview), participants were asked to describe what was important in convincing the interviewer through open-ended and Liken-type questions. These strategies of impression management are presented here. The basic task of convincing appeared similar for both groups, with participants focused on providing clear and careful stories without contradictions rather than attempting to provide vivid and spontaneously-constructed statements. Deceivers attached more importance to: I) preparing in advance, 2) monitoring and controlling information, and 3) maintaining eye contact. Honest respondents were more concerned with providing correct peripheral detail. Importantly, both groups were reporting much more similarity than difference, and the strategies described are not likely to succeed against verbal content analysis.
Keywords: Credibility; Deception; Interrogation; Testimony; Verbal communication; dept.psy; ⛔ No DOI found

Book Review: Elaine f. weiss, fruits of victory: the woman's land army of america in the great war - Irwin, Julia F (First World War Studies, 2010)
Keywords: book.review; dept.psy

American Republicanism and the fin-de-siècle imperialism debate - O’Hara, Jonathan (Journal of Political Ideologies, 2014)
Aristotelian republicanism rests on an important premise, that persuasion is more virtuous than coercion. Nonetheless, there is an uneasy tension between the two approaches to rule in the republican tradition. This is particularly true with respect to Aristotle’s views on foreign policy, wherein coercive means of bringing about justice among nations may be viewed as much an offspring of republican thought as the exercise of moral suasion to the same end. This article takes this interesting tension in Aristotelian republican thought and attempts to apply it as an exegetical lens for looking into the republican ideological contours of the fin-de-siècle American imperialism debate. Particular attention is paid to how the tension in republican approaches to rule informed and helped give shape to the debate. Analysed through this lens is the rhetoric of two of the debate’s most important exponents, Theodore Roosevelt, advocating greater coercive means, and Carl Schurz, an advocate of moral suasion. © 2014 Taylor & Francis.
Keywords: dept.psc; foreign policy; imperialism; morality; political ideology; social justice

K2 discovers a busy bee: an unusual transiting neptune found in the beehive cluster - Obermeier, Christian; Henning, Thomas; Schlieder, Joshua E.; Crossfield, Ian J. M.; Petigura, Erik A.; Howard, Andrew W.; Sinukoff, Evan; Isaacson, Howard; Ciardi, David R.; David, Trevor J.; Hillenbrand, Lynne A.; Beichman, Charles A.; et al. (The Astronomical Journal, 2016)
Open clusters have been the focus of several exoplanet surveys, but only a few planets have so far been discovered. The Kepler spacecraft revealed an abundance of small planets around small cool stars, therefore, such cluster members are prime targets for exoplanet transit searches. Kepler's new mission, K2, is targeting several open clusters and star-forming regions around the ecliptic to search for transiting planets around their low-mass constituents. Here, we report the discovery of the first transiting planet in the intermediate-age (800 Myr) Beehive cluster (Praesepe). K2-95 is a faint (Kp = 15.5 mag) dwarf from K2's Campaign 5 with an effective temperature of 3471 ±124 K, approximately solar metallicity and a radius of 0.402± 0.050.R⊕ We detected a transiting planet with a radius of3.47+0.78 -0.53R⊕ and an orbital period of 10.134 days. We combined photometry, medium/high-resolution spectroscopy, adaptive optics/speckle imaging, and archival survey images to rule out any false-positive detection scenarios, validate the planet, and further characterize the system. The planet's radius is very unusual as M-dwarf field stars rarely have Neptune-sized transiting planets. The comparatively large radius of K2-95b is consistent with the other recently discovered cluster planets K2-25b (Hyades) and K2-33b (Upper Scorpius), indicating systematic differences in their evolutionary states or formation. These discoveries from K2 provide a snapshot of planet formation and evolution in cluster environments and thus make excellent laboratories to test differences between field-star and cluster planet populations. © 2016. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved..
Keywords: dept.phy; eclipses; peer-reviewed; stars: individual (K2-95); stars: low-mass; techniques: photometric; techniques: spectroscopic

ϒ production in U + U collisions at sNN =193 GeV measured with the STAR experiment ϒ PRODUCTION in U + U COLLISIONS at ⋯ L. ADAMCZYK et al. - Adamczyk, Leszek; Adkins, J. K.; Agakishiev, G.; Aggarwal, M. M.; Ahammed, Zubayer; Alekseev, I. G.; Anderson, Derek; Aoyama, Ryo; Aparin, A.; Arkhipkin, D.; Aschenauer, E. C.; Ashraf, Muhammad Usman; et al. (Physical Review C, 2016)
Keywords: dept.phy; peer-reviewed

Proper motion of the Draco dwarf galaxy from Subaru Suprime-Cam data - Casetti-Dinescu, Dana I.; Girard, Terrence M. (Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2016)
We have measured the absolute proper motion of the Draco dwarf spheroidal galaxy using Subaru Suprime-Cam images taken at three epochs, with time baselines of 4.4 and 7 yr. The magnitude limit of the proper-motion study is i = 25, thus allowing for thousands of background galaxies and Draco stars to be used to perform extensive astrometric tests and to derive the correction to an inertial reference frame. The derived proper motion is (μα, μδ) = (-0.284 ± 0.047, -0.289 ± 0.041) mas yr-1. This motion implies an orbit that takes Draco to a pericentre of ~20 kpc; a somewhat disruptive orbit suggesting that tides might account for the rising velocity-dispersion profile of Draco seen in line-of-sight velocity studies. The orbit is only marginally consistent with Draco's membership to the vast polar structure of Galactic satellites, in contrast to a recent Hubble Space Telescope proper-motion measurement that finds alignment very likely. Our study is a test case to demonstrate that deep imaging with mosaic cameras of appropriate resolution can be used for high-accuracy, ground-based proper-motion measurement. As a useful by-product of the study, we also identify two faint brown-dwarf candidates in the foreground field. © 2016 The Authors Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Keywords: Astrometry; Brown dwarfs; Galaxies: dwarf; Galaxies: individual: Draco; Proper motions; dept.phy; peer-reviewed

Time reversal optical tomography: Detecting and locating tumors in an ex vivo model human breast - Wu, Binlin; Alrubaiee, M.; Gayen, S. K. (Optics and Laser Technology, 2016)
Time reversal optical tomography (TROT), a recently introduced diffuse optical imaging approach, is used to detect, locate, and obtain cross-section images of tumors inside a "model human breast." The model cancerous breast is assembled as a semi-cylindrical slab of uniform thickness using ex vivo human breast tissues with two pieces of tumors embedded in it. The experimental arrangement used a 750-nm light beam from a Ti:sapphire laser to illuminate an end face (source plane) of the sample in a multi-source probing scheme. A multi-detector signal acquisition scheme measured transmitted light intensity distribution on the other end face (detector plane). The perturbations in light intensity distribution in the detector plane were analyzed using TROT to obtain locations of the tumor pieces in three dimensions and estimate their cross sections. The estimated locations and dimensions of targets are in good agreement with the results of a corroborating magnetic resonance imaging experiment. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Biological tissues; Breast Cancer; Breast cancer; Histology; Image reconstruction; Infrared devices; Infrared imaging; Inverse image reconstruction; Light propagation; Light propagation in biological tissues; Location; Magnetic resonance imaging; Medical imaging; Near-infrared imaging; Optical tomography; Sapphire; Signal processing; Thermography (imaging); Time reversal; Tissue; Tumors; dept.phy

Two new long-period giant planets from the McDonald observatory planet search and two stars with long-period radial velocity signals related to stellar activity cycles - Endl, Michael; Brugamyer, Erik; Cochran, William D.; MacQueen, Phillip J.; Robertson, Paul; Meschiari, Stefano; Ramirez, Ivan; Shetrone, Matthew D.; Gullikson, Kevin; Johnson, Marshall C.; Wittenmyer, Robert A.; Horner, Jonathan; et al. (The Astrophysical Journal, 2016)
We report the detection of two new long-period giant planets orbiting the stars HD 95872 and HD 162004 (φ1 Dra B) by the McDonald Observatory planet search. The planet HD 95872b has a minimum mass of 4.6 MJup and an orbital semimajor axis of 5.2 AU. The giant planet φ1 Dra Bb has a minimum mass of 1.5 MJup and an orbital semimajor axis of 4.4 AU. Both of these planets qualify as Jupiter analogs. These results are based on over one and a half decades of precise radial velocity (RV) measurements collected by our program using the McDonald Observatory Tull Coude spectrograph at the 2.7 m Harlan J. Smith Telescope. In the case of φ1 Dra B we also detect a long-term nonlinear trend in our data that indicates the presence of an additional giant planet, similar to the Jupiter-Saturn pair. The primary of the binary star system, φ1 Dra A, exhibits a very large amplitude RV variation due to another stellar companion. We detect this additional member using speckle imaging. We also report two cases - HD 10086 and HD 102870 (β Virginis) - of significant RV variation consistent with the presence of a planet, but that are probably caused by stellar activity, rather than reflexive Keplerian motion. These two cases stress the importance of monitoring the magnetic activity level of a target star, as long-term activity cycles can mimic the presence of a Jupiter-analog planet. © 2016. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: dept.phy; planetary systems; stars: activity; techniques: radial velocities

Refrustration and competing orders in the prototypical Dy2Ti2O7 spin ice material - Henelius, Patrik; Lin, T.; Enjalran, Matthew; Hao, Zhihao; Rau, Jeffrey G.; Altosaar, Jaan; Flicker, Felix; Yavors'kii, T.; Gingras, Michel J. P. (Physical Review B, 2016)
Spin ices, frustrated magnetic materials analogous to common water ice, have emerged over the past 15 years as exemplars of high frustration in three dimensions. Recent experimental developments aimed at interrogating anew the low-temperature properties of these systems, in particular whether the predicted transition to long-range order occurs, behoove researchers to scrutinize our current dipolar spin ice model description of these materials. In this work, we do so by combining extensive Monte Carlo simulations and mean-field theory calculations to analyze data from previous magnetization, diffuse neutron scattering, and specific-heat measurements on the paradigmatic Dy2Ti2O7 spin ice material. In this work, we also reconsider the possible importance of the nuclear specific heat Cnuc in Dy2Ti2O7. We find that Cnuc is not entirely negligible below a temperature ∼0.5 K and must therefore be taken into account in a quantitative analysis of the calorimetric data of this compound below that temperature. We find that in this material, small effective spin-spin exchange interactions compete with the magnetostatic dipolar interaction responsible for the main spin ice phenomenology. This causes an unexpected "refrustration" of the long-range order that would be expected from the incompletely self-screened dipolar interaction and which positions the material at the boundary between two competing classical long-range-ordered ground states. This allows for the manifestation of new physical low-temperature phenomena in Dy2Ti2O7, as exposed by recent specific-heat measurements. We show that among the four most likely causes for the observed upturn of the specific heat at low temperature [an exchange-induced transition to long-range order, quantum non-Ising (transverse) terms in the effective spin Hamiltonian, the nuclear hyperfine contribution, and random disorder], only the last appears to be reasonably able to explain the calorimetric data. © 2016 American Physical Society.
Keywords: CattaneoChristov heat flux; Oldroyd-B fluid; dept.phy; nonlinear analysis

197 candidates and 104 validated planets in k2's first five fields - Crossfield, Ian J M; Ciardi, David R; Petigura, Erik A; Sinukoff, Evan; Schlieder, Joshua E; Schlieder, Joshua E; Howard, Andrew W; Beichman, Charles A; Isaacson, Howard; Dressing, Courtney D; Christiansen, Jessie L; Fulton, Benjamin J; et al. (Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 2016)
We present 197 planet candidates discovered using data from the first year of the NASA K2 mission (Campaigns 0-4), along with the results of an intensive program of photometric analyses, stellar spectroscopy, high-resolution imaging, and statistical validation. We distill these candidates into sets of 104 validated planets (57 in multi-planet systems), false positives, and 63 remaining candidates. Our validated systems span a range of properties, with median values of RP= 2.3 R⊕, P = 8.6 days, Teff = 5300 K, and Kp = 12.7mag. Stellar spectroscopy provides precise stellar and planetary parameters for most of these systems. We show that K2 has increased by 30% the number of small planets known to orbit moderately bright stars (1-4 R R⊕, Kp = 9-13 mag). Of particular interest are planets smaller than 2 R⊕, orbiting stars brighter than Kp = 11.5 mag, 5 receiving Earth-like irradiation levels, and several multi-planet systems - including 4 planets orbiting the M dwarf K2-72 near mean-motion resonances. By quantifying the likelihood that each candidate is a planet we demonstrate that our candidate sample has an overall false positive rate of 15%-30%, with rates substantially lower for small candidates (<2R⊕) and larger for candidates with radii >8 R⊕ and/or with P<3 days. Extrapolation of the current planetary yield suggests that K2 will discover between 500 and 1000 planets in its planned four-year mission, assuming sufficient follow-up resources are available. Efficient observing and analysis, together with an organized and coherent follow-up strategy, are essential for maximizing the efficacy of planet-validation efforts for K2, TESS, and future large-scale surveys. © 2016. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: catalogs; dept.phy; planets and satellites: fundamental parameters; planets and satellites: general; techniques: high angular resolution; techniques: photometric; techniques: spectroscopic

Three temperate neptunes orbiting nearby stars - Fulton, Benjamin J; Howard, Andrew W; Weiss, Lauren M; Sinukoff, Evan; Petigura, Erik A; Isaacson, Howard; Hirsch, Lea A; Marcy, Geoffrey W; Henry, Gregory W; Grunblatt, Samuel K; Huber, Daniel; Huber, Daniel; et al. (The Astrophysical Journal, 2016)
We present the discovery of three modestly irradiated, roughly Neptune-mass planets orbiting three nearby Solartype stars. HD 42618 b has a minimum mass of 15.4±2.4 M⊕, a semimajor axis of 0.55 au, an equilibrium temperature of 337 K, and is the first planet discovered to orbit the solar analogue host star, HD 42618. We also discover new planets orbiting the known exoplanet host stars HD 164922 and HD 143761 (p CrB). The new planet orbiting HD 164922 has a minimum mass of 12.9±1.6 M⊕ and orbits interior to the previously known Jovian mass planet orbiting at 2.1 au. HD 164922 c has a semimajor axis of 0.34 au and an equilibrium temperature of 418 K. HD 143761 c orbits with a semimajor axis of 0.44 au, has a minimum mass of 25±2 M⊕, and is the warmest of the three new planets with an equilibrium temperature of 445 K. It orbits exterior to the previously known warm Jupiter in the system. A transit search using space-based CoRoT data and ground-based photometry from the Automated Photometric Telescopes (APTs) at Fairborn Observatory failed to detect any transits, but the precise, high-cadence APT photometry helped to disentangle planetary-reflex motion from stellar activity. These planets were discovered as part of an ongoing radial velocity survey of bright, nearby, chromospherically inactive stars using the Automated Planet Finder (APF) telescope at Lick Observatory. The high-cadence APF data combined with nearly two decades of radial velocity data from Keck Observatory and gives unprecedented sensitivity to both short-period low-mass, and long-period intermediate-mass planets. © 2016. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved..
Keywords: dept.phy; planetary systems; stars: individual (HD 42618, HD 164922, HD 143761)

Speckle imaging at large telescopes: current results and future prospects - Horch, Elliott P (SPIE, 2016)
In recent years, speckle imaging has proven very useful for certain problems in single-Aperture high-resolution imaging, including searching for faint stellar companions near exoplanet host stars and for satellite imaging. These developments have largely been the result of the availability of electron-multiplying CCD cameras, which allow for greater sensitivity and better photometric linearity when compared with other detectors that have comparable speed. This in turn has led to an increased use for speckle imaging at mid-sized and large telescopes. Some results of these efforts will be discussed, and the outlook for the future of speckle will be given. © 2016 SPIE.
Keywords: CCD cameras; Electron multiplying ccds; Faint Companion Detection; Future prospects; High resolution; High-Resolution Astronomy; High-resolution imaging; Image Reconstruction; Image reconstruction; Interferometry; Large telescopes; Satellite imaging; Single aperture; Speckle; Speckle Imaging; Speckle imaging; Telescopes; dept.phy

SCSI: the southern connecticut stellar interferometer - Horch, Elliott P; Weiss, Samuel A; Rupert, Justin D; Dimaio, Alex J; Nusdeo, Daniel A; Peronio, Pietro; Rech, Ivan; Gulinatti, Angelo; Giudice, Andrea (SPIE, 2016)
The construction of a new prototype visible-light intensity interferometer for use in stellar astronomy is described. The instrument is located in New Haven, Connecticut, at Southern Connecticut State University, but key components of the system are also portable and have been taken to existing research-class telescopes to maximize sensitivity and baseline. The interferometer is currently a two-station instrument, but it is easily expandable to several stations for simultaneous measurement using multiple baselines. The design features single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) arrays, which increase the throughput and signal-To-noise ratio of the instrument. Predicted system performance and preliminary observations will be discussed. © 2016 SPIE.
Keywords: Avalanche diodes; Design features; Intensity Interferometry; Interferometers; Interferometry; Particle beams; Photon Counting; Photon counting; Photons; Signal to noise ratio; Simultaneous measurement; Single Photon Avalanche Diode Arrays; Single photon avalanche diode; Single-photon avalanche diode arrays; Stars; Stellar interferometers; Timing Correlation; Ultra-High-Resolution Astronomy; Ultrahigh resolution; Visible light; dept.phy

Speckle imaging excludes low-mass companions orbiting the exoplanet host star trappist-1 - Howell, Steve B; Everett, Mark E; Horch, Elliott P; Winters, Jennifer G; Hirsch, Lea A; Nusdeo, Dan; Scott, Nicholas J (The Astrophysical Journal, 2016)
We have obtained the highest-resolution images available of TRAPPIST-1 using the Gemini-South telescope and our speckle imaging camera. Observing at 692 and 883 nm, we reached the diffraction limit of the telescope providing a best resolution of 27 mas or, at the distance of TRAPPIST-1, a spatial resolution of 0.32 au. Our imaging of the star extends from 0.32 to 14.5 au. We show that to a high confidence level, we can exclude all possible stellar and brown dwarf companions, indicating that TRAPPIST-1 is a single star. © 2016. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: dept.phy; stars: imaging; stars: individual (TRAPPIST-1, 2MASS J23062928-0502285)

Combinatorial development of antibacterial Zr-Cu-Al-Ag thin film metallic glasses. - Liu, Yanhui; Padmanabhan, Jagannath; Cheung, Bettina; Liu, Jingbei; Chen, Zheng; Scanley, B Ellen; Wesolowski, Donna; Pressley, Mariyah; Broadbridge, Christine C; Altman, Sidney; Schwarz, Udo D; Kyriakides, Themis R; et al. (Scientific Reports, 2016)
Metallic alloys are normally composed of multiple constituent elements in order to achieve integration of a plurality of properties required in technological applications. However, conventional alloy development paradigm, by sequential trial-and-error approach, requires completely unrelated strategies to optimize compositions out of a vast phase space, making alloy development time consuming and labor intensive. Here, we challenge the conventional paradigm by proposing a combinatorial strategy that enables parallel screening of a multitude of alloys. Utilizing a typical metallic glass forming alloy system Zr-Cu-Al-Ag as an example, we demonstrate how glass formation and antibacterial activity, two unrelated properties, can be simultaneously characterized and the optimal composition can be efficiently identified. We found that in the Zr-Cu-Al-Ag alloy system fully glassy phase can be obtained in a wide compositional range by co-sputtering, and antibacterial activity is strongly dependent on alloy compositions. Our results indicate that antibacterial activity is sensitive to Cu and Ag while essentially remains unchanged within a wide range of Zr and Al. The proposed strategy not only facilitates development of high-performing alloys, but also provides a tool to unveil the composition dependence of properties in a highly parallel fashion, which helps the development of new materials by design.
Keywords: *Alloys/ch [Chemistry]; *Aluminum/ch [Chemistry]; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/ch [Chemistry]; *Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques; *Silver/ch [Chemistry]; Alloys; Alloys/pd [Pharmacology]; Aluminum; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pd [Pharmacology]; Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques; Copper; Copper/ch [Chemistry]; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli/de [Drug Effects]; Escherichia coli/gd [Growth & Development]; Escherichia coli/ul [Ultrastructure]; Glass; Glass/ch [Chemistry]; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Silver; Structure-Activity Relationship; Zirconium; Zirconium/ch [Chemistry]; alloy; aluminum; antiinfective agent; atomic force microscopy; chemistry; combinatorial chemistry; copper; dept.phy; drug effect; glass; growth, development and aging; peer-reviewed; silver; structure activity relation; ultrastructure; zirconium

A quintuple star system containing two eclipsing binaries - Rappaport, S; Lehmann, H; Kalomeni, B; Borkovits, T; Latham, D W; Bieryla, Allyson; Ngo, Henry; Mawet, Dimitri; Howell, Steve B; Horch, Elliott P; Jacobs, T L; Lacourse, D; et al. (Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2016)
We present a quintuple star system that contains two eclipsing binaries. The unusual architecture includes two stellar images separated by 11 arcsec on the sky: EPIC 212651213 and EPIC 212651234. The more easterly image (212651213) actually hosts both eclipsing binaries which are resolved within that image at 0.09 arcsec, while the westerly image (212651234) appears to be single in adaptive optics (AO), speckle imaging, and radial velocity (RV) studies. The 'A' binary is circular with a 5.1-d period, while the 'B' binary is eccentric with a 13.1-d period. The γ velocities of the A and B binaries are different by ~10 km s-1. That, coupled with their resolved projected separation of 0.09 arcsec, indicates that the orbital period and separation of the 'C' binary (consisting of A orbiting B) are ≃65 yr and ≃25 au, respectively, under the simplifying assumption of a circular orbit. Motion within the C orbit should be discernible via future RV, AO, and speckle imaging studies within a couple of years. The C system (i.e. 212651213) has an RV and proper motion that differ from that of 212651234 by only ~1.4 kms-1 and ~3 mas yr-1. This set of similar space velocities in three dimensions strongly implies that these two objects are also physically bound, making this at least a quintuple star system. © 2016 The Authors.
Keywords: Binaries: close; Binaries: eclipsing; Binaries: general; Binaries: spectroscopic; Binaries: visual; dept.phy; peer-reviewed

Differential speckle and wide-field imaging for the Gemini-North and WIYN telescopes - Scott, Nicholas J; Howell, Steve B; Horch, Elliott P (SPIE, 2016)
Two new instruments are currently being built for the Gemini-North and WIYN telescopes. They are based on the existing DSSI (Differential Speckle Survey Instrument), but the new dual-channel instruments will have both speckle and "wide-field" imaging capabilities. Nearly identical copies of the instrument will be installed as a public access permanent loan at the Gemini-N and WIYN telescopes. Many exoplanet targets will come from the NASA K2 and TESS missions. The faint limiting magnitude, for speckle observations, will remain around 16 to 17th magnitude depending on observing conditions, while wide-field, high speed imaging should be able to go to 21+. For Gemini, the instrument will be remotely operable from either the mid-level facility at Hale Pohaku or the remote operations base in Hilo. © 2016 SPIE.
Keywords: High resolution imaging; High speed imaging; High-resolution imaging; Image reconstruction; Imaging capabilities; Instrumentation; Interferometry; NASA; Remote operation; Speckle; Speckle interferometry; Survey instruments; Telescopes; Wide field imaging; dept.phy

Speckle interferometry of secondary components in nearby visual binaries - Tokovinin, Andrei; Horch, Elliott P (The Astronomical Journal, 2016)
Statistical characterization of secondary subsystems in binaries helps to distinguish between various scenarios of multiple-star formation. The Differential Speckle Survey Instrument was used at the Gemini-N telescope for several hours in 2015 July to probe the binarity of 25 secondary components in nearby solar-type binaries. Six new subsystems were resolved, with meaningful detection limits for the remaining targets. The large incidence of secondary subsystems agrees with other similar studies. The newly resolved subsystem HIP 115417 Ba,Bb causes deviations in the observed motion of the outer binary from which an astrometric orbit of Ba,Bb with a period of 117 years is deduced. © 2016. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: binaries: visual; dept.phy; peer-reviewed; stars: low-mass

Speckle interferometry at SOAR in 2015 - Tokovinin, Andrei; Mason, Brian D; Hartkopf, William I; Mendez, Rene A; Horch, Elliott P (The Astronomical Journal, 2016)
The results of speckle interferometric observations at the Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope in 2015 are provided, totaling 1303 measurements of 924 resolved binary and multiple stars, and non-resolutions of 260 targets. The separations range from 12 mas to 3.″37 (median 0.″17); the maximum measured magnitude difference is 6.7 mag. We resolved 27 pairs for the first time, including 10 as inner or outer subsystems in previously known binaries, e.g., the 50 mas pair in Cha. Newly resolved pairs are commented upon. We discuss three apparently non-hierarchical systems that have been discovered in this series, arguing that their unusual configurations are the result of projection. The resolved quadruple system HIP 71510 is also studied. © 2016. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved..
Keywords: binaries: general; dept.phy; peer-reviewed

Stellar companions to the exoplanet host stars HD 2638 and HD 164509 - Wittrock, Justin M; Kane, Stephen R; Horch, Elliott P; Hirsch, Lea A; Howell, Steve B; Ciardi, David R; Everett, Mark E; Teske, Johanna K (The Astronomical Journal, 2016)
An important aspect of searching for exoplanets is understanding the binarity of the host stars. It is particularly important, because nearly half of the solar-like stars within our own Milky Way are part of binary or multiple systems. Moreover, the presence of two or more stars within a system can place further constraints on planetary formation, evolution, and orbital dynamics. As part of our survey of almost a hundred host stars, we obtained images at 692 and 880 nm bands using the Differential Speckle Survey Instrument (DSSI) at the Gemini-North Observatory. From our survey, we detect stellar companions to HD-2638 and HD-164509. The stellar companion to HD-2638 has been previously detected, but the companion to HD-164509 is a newly discovered companion. The angular separation for HD-2638 is 0.512±0 002 and for HD-164509 is 0.697 0. 00 ' 2. This corresponds to a projected separation of 25.6±1.9 au and 36.5±1.9 au, respectively. By employing stellar isochrone models, we estimate the mass of the stellar companions of HD-2638 and HD-164509 to be 0.483±0.007-Me and 0.416 0.007 M, respectively, and their effective temperatures to be 3570±8K and 3450±7K, respectively. These results are consistent with the detected companions being late-type M dwarfs. © 2016. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: dept.phy; peer-reviewed; planetary systems; stars: individual (HD 2638, HD 164509); techniques: high angular resolution

Measurement of muscle food spoilage using fluorescence imaging - Wu, Binlin; Dahlberg, Kevin (Proceedings of SPIE, 2016)
Keywords: dept.phy

A new method using multiphoton imaging and morphometric analysis for differentiating chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and oncocytoma kidney tumors - Wu, Binlin; Mukherjee, Sushmita; Jain, Manu (SPIE, 2016)
Distinguishing chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC) from oncocytoma on hematoxylin and eosin images may be difficult and require time-consuming ancillary procedures. Multiphoton microscopy (MPM), an optical imaging modality, was used to rapidly generate sub-cellular histological resolution images from formalin-fixed unstained tissue sections from chRCC and oncocytoma. Tissues were excited using 780nm wavelength and emission signals (including second harmonic generation and autofluorescence) were collected in different channels between 390 nm and 650 nm. Granular structure in the cell cytoplasm was observed in both chRCC and oncocytoma. Quantitative morphometric analysis was conducted to distinguish chRCC and oncocytoma. To perform the analysis, cytoplasm and granules in tumor cells were segmented from the images. Their area and fluorescence intensity were found in different channels. Multiple features were measured to quantify the morphological and fluorescence properties. Linear support vector machine (SVM) was used for classification. Re-substitution validation, cross validation and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were implemented to evaluate the efficacy of the SVM classifier. A wrapper feature algorithm was used to select the optimal features which provided the best predictive performance in separating the two tissue types (classes). Statistical measures such as sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and area under curve (AUC) of ROC were calculated to evaluate the efficacy of the classification. Over 80% accuracy was achieved as the predictive performance. This method, if validated on a larger and more diverse sample set, may serve as an automated rapid diagnostic tool to differentiate between chRCC and oncocytoma. An advantage of such automated methods are that they are free from investigator bias and variability. Copyright © 2016 SPIE.
Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Autofluorescence; Cancer diagnosis; Cells; Classification (of information); Computer aided diagnosis; Cytology; Diagnosis; Diseases; Fluorescence; Harmonic generation; Imaging techniques; Kidney cancer; Learning algorithms; Learning systems; Morphometric analysis; Multi-photon microscopy; Multiphoton microscopy; Nonlinear optics; Support vector machines; Tissue; Tumors; autofluorescence; cancer diagnosis; classification; dept.phy; imaging; kidney cancer; machine learning; morphometric analysis

Observations of binary stars with the differential speckle survey instrument. VI. Measures during 2014 at the Discovery Channel Telescope - Horch, Elliott P.; van Belle, Gerard T.; Davidson, James W.; Ciastko, Lindsay A.; Everett, Mark E.; Bjorkman, Karen S. (The Astronomical Journal, 2015)
We present the results of 938 speckle measures of double stars and suspected double stars drawn mainly from the Hipparcos Catalog, as well as 208 observations where no companion was noted. One hundred fourteen pairs have been resolved for the first time. The data were obtained during four observing runs in 2014 using the Differential Speckle Survey Instrument at Lowell Observatory's Discovery Channel Telescope. The measurement precision obtained when comparing to ephemeris positions of binaries with very well-known orbits is generally less than 2 mas in separation and 0.°5 in position angle. Differential photometry is found to have internal precision of approximately 0.1 mag and to be in very good agreement with Hipparcos measures in cases where the comparison is most relevant. We also estimate the detection limit in the cases where no companion was found. Visual orbital elements are derived for six systems. © 2015. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: astrometry; binaries: visual; dept.phy; peer-reviewed; techniques: interferometric; techniques: photometric

Computational nanocharacterization for combinatorially developed bulk metallic glass - Gossett, Eric; Scanley, Ellen; Liu, Yanhui; Li, Yanglin; Liu, Ze; Sohn, Sungwoo; Schroers, Jan; Broadbridge, Christine; Schwendemann, Todd C. (International Journal of High Speed Electronics and Systems, 2015)
Bulk metallic glasses synthesized at specialized facilities at Yale using magnetron cosputtering are sent to Southern Connecticut State University for elemental characterization. Characterization is done using a Zeiss Sigma VP SEM coupled with an Oxford EDS. Characterization is automated using control software provided by Oxford. Collected data is processed and visualized using computational methods developed internally. Processed data is then organized into a database suitable for web retrieval. This technique allows for the rapid characterization of a combinatorial wafer to be carried out in ~11 hours for a single wafer containing ~600 unique compounds. © 2015 World Scientific Publishing Company.
Keywords: Bulk metallic glass; Combinatorial synthesis; Computational methods; Control software; Glass; Magnetron co-sputtering; Magnetron sputtering; Metallic glass; Nano-characterization; Single wafer; Spectrography; Web retrieval; combinatorial synthesis; computational methods; dept.phy; energy dispersive X-ray spectrography; magnetron sputtering; nano-characterization; peer-reviewed

Combinatorial exploration of color in gold-based alloys - Liu, Jingbei; Liu, Yanhui; Gong, Pan; Li, Yanglin; Moore, Kimberly M.; Scanley, Ellen; Walker, Fred; Broadbridge, Christine; Schroers, Jan (Gold Bulletin, 2015)
Combinatorial approaches comprised of combinatorial magnetron co-sputtering deposition and fast screening methods are introduced to study color as a function of composition in Au-based alloys. The microstructures of the thin films and bulk alloys are identified by X-ray diffraction, and their colors of the alloys are characterized by optical reflectivity. The results reveal that when comparing microstructures and reflectivity, thin films are similar to bulk alloys. In Au-Ag-Cu solid solutions, the color of the ternary alloy follows the rule of mixture. For colors resulting from AuAl2 intermetallic, the color of an alloy scales with the percentage of the intermetallic phase and the deviation from its ideal binary composition. In the Au-Al-Cu library, we found a ∼90 % AuAl2 area fraction compositional window where copper addition can be tuned to improve mechanical properties while keeping purple color, even though Al and CuAl2 phases exist. Moreover, when comparing the color in Au-Cu-Si-Ag amorphous and crystalline state solid solution for the same composition, the colors are essentially identical. © 2015 The Author(s).
Keywords: Aluminum; Amorphous alloys; Amorphous silicon; Amorphousalloys; Binary composition; Color; Combinatorial approach; Crystalline materials; Crystalline state; Decorative thin film coating; Decorative thin films; Gold; Gold alloys; Gold based alloys; Gold coatings; Intermetallic phase; Intermetallics; Magnetron co-sputtering; Magnetrons; Microstructure; Optical reflectivity; Reflection; Silver; Silver alloys; Solid solution; Solid solutions; Thin films; X ray diffraction; dept.phy

Influence of stellar multiplicity on planet formation. III. adaptive optics imaging of kepler stars with gas giant planets - Wang, Ji; Fischer, Debra A.; Horch, Elliott P.; Xie, Ji-Wei (The Astrophysical Journal, 2015)
As hundreds of gas giant planets have been discovered, we study how these planets form and evolve in different stellar environments, specifically in multiple stellar systems. In such systems, stellar companions may have a profound influence on gas giant planet formation and evolution via several dynamical effects such as truncation and perturbation. We select 84 Kepler Objects of Interest (KOIs) with gas giant planet candidates. We obtain high-angular resolution images using telescopes with adaptive optics (AO) systems. Together with the AO data, we use archival radial velocity data and dynamical analysis to constrain the presence of stellar companions. We detect 59 stellar companions around 40 KOIs for which we develop methods of testing their physical association. These methods are based on color information and galactic stellar population statistics. We find evidence of suppressive planet formation within 20 AU by comparing stellar multiplicity. The stellar multiplicity rate (MR) for planet host stars is 0+5-0% within 20 AU. In comparison, the stellar MR is 18% ± 2% for the control sample, i.e., field stars in the solar neighborhood. The stellar MR for planet host stars is 34% ± 8% for separations between 20 and 200 AU, which is higher than the control sample at 12% ± 2%. Beyond 200 AU, stellar MRs are comparable between planet host stars and the control sample. We discuss the implications of the results on gas giant planet formation and evolution. © 2015. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: dept.phy; methods: observational; methods: statistical; planet-star interactions; planetary systems; planets and satellites: formation; techniques: high angular resolution

Oxide 2D electron gases as a route for high carrier densities on (001) Si - Kornblum, Lior; Jin, Eric N.; Kumah, Divine; Ernst, Alexis T.; Broadbridge, Christine; Ahn, Chong H.; Walker, Fred (Applied Physics Letters, 2015)
Two dimensional electron gases (2DEGs) formed at the interfaces of oxide heterostructures draw considerable interest owing to their unique physics and potential applications. Growing such heterostructures on conventional semiconductors has the potential to integrate their functionality with semiconductor device technology. We demonstrate 2DEGs on a conventional semiconductor by growing GdTiO3-SrTiO3 on silicon. Structural analysis confirms the epitaxial growth of heterostructures with abrupt interfaces and a high degree of crystallinity. Transport measurements show the conduction to be an interface effect, ∼9 × 1013 cm-2 electrons per interface. Good agreement is demonstrated between the electronic behavior of structures grown on Si and on an oxide substrate, validating the robustness of this approach to bridge between lab-scale samples to a scalable, technologically relevant materials system. © 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.
Keywords: D electrons; Degree of crystallinity; Electron gas; Electronic behaviors; Heterojunctions; Interface effect; Materials systems; Oxide heterostructures; Oxide substrates; Semiconducting silicon; Semiconductor devices; Silicon; Transport measurements; Two dimensional electron gas; dept.phy

A seismic and gravitationally bound double star observed by Kepler - Appourchaux, T; Antia, H M; Ball, Warrick H; Creevey, O; Lebreton, Y; Verma, Kuldeep; Vorontsov, Sergei V; Campante, T L; Campante, T L; Davies, G R; Davies, G R; Gaulme, Patrick; et al. (Astronomy and Astrophysics, 2015)
Context. Solar-like oscillations have been observed by Kepler and CoRoT in many solar-type stars, thereby providing a way to probe stars using asteroseismology. Aims. The derivation of stellar parameters has usually been done with single stars. The aim of the paper is to derive the stellar parameters of a double-star system (HIP93511), for which an interferometric orbit has been observed along with asteroseismic measurements. Methods. We used a time series of nearly two years of data for the double star to detect the two oscillation-mode envelopes that appear in the power spectrum. Using a new scaling relation based on luminosity, we derived the radius and mass of each star. We derived the age of each star using two proxies: one based upon the large frequency separation and a new one based upon the small frequency separation. Using stellar modelling, the mode frequencies allowed us to derive the radius, the mass, and the age of each component. In addition, speckle interferometry performed since 2006 has enabled us to recover the orbit of the system and the total mass of the system. Results. From the determination of the orbit, the total mass of the system is 2.34-0.33 +0.45 M⊙. The total seismic mass using scaling relations is 2.47 ± 0.07 M⊙. The seismic age derived using the new proxy based upon the small frequency separation is 3.5 ± 0.3 Gyr. Based on stellar modelling, the mean common age of the system is 2.7-3.9 Gyr. The mean total seismic mass of the system is 2.34-2.53 M⊙ consistent with what we determined independently with the orbit. The stellar models provide the mean radius, mass, and age of the stars as RA = 1.82-1.87R⊙, MA = 1.25-1.39 M⊙, AgeA = 2.6-3.5 Gyr; RB = 1.22-1.25 R⊙, MB = 1.08-1.14 M⊙, AgeB = 3.35-4.21 Gyr. The models provide two sets of values for Star A: [1.25-1.27] M⊙ and [1.34-1.39] M⊙. We detect a convective core in Star A, while Star B does not have any. For the metallicity of the binary system of Z ≈ 0.02, we set the limit between stars having a convective core in the range [1.14-1.25] M⊙. © ESO, 2015.
Keywords: Asteroseismology; Binaries: general; Interferometry; Orbits; Seismology; Separation; Speckle; Stars; Stars: evolution; Stars: solar types; asteroseismology; astrometry; binaries: general; dept.phy; stars: evolution; stars: solar-type

A kinematically-distinct RR-Lyrae overdensity in the inner regions of the milky way - Casetti-Dinescu, Dana I; Nusdeo, Daniel A; Girard, Terrence M; Korchagin, V I; Altena, William F Van (The Astrophysical Journal, 2015)
We combine the Siding Spring Survey of RR Lyrae stars with the Southern Proper Motion Catalog 4, in order to detect and kinematically characterize overdensities in the inner halo of the Milky Way. We identify one such overdensity above the Galactic plane, in quadrant 4 of the Galaxy. The overdensity extends at least 20° in longitude, has an average heliocentric distance of 8 kpc with a depth of 4 kpc, and is confined within 4 kpc of the Galactic plane. Its metallicity distribution is distinct from that of the field population having a peak at -1.3 and a pronounced tail to -2.0. Proper motions indicate a net vertical motion away from the plane, and a low orbital angular momentum. Qualitatively, these orbit properties suggest a possible association with ω Centauri's parent satellite. However, comparison to a specific ω Cen N-body disruption model does not give a good match with observations. Line of sight velocities, and more extensive N-body modeling will help clarify the nature of this overdensity. © 2015. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Galaxy: halo; Galaxy: kinematics and dynamics; dept.phy; stars: variables: RR Lyrae; ⚠️ Invalid DOI

Understanding the effects of stellar multiplicity on the derived planet radii from transit surveys: implications for kepler, k2, and TESS - Ciardi, David R; Beichman, Charles A; Horch, Elliott P; Howell, Steve B (The Astrophysical Journal, 2015)
We present a study on the effect of undetected stellar companions on the derived planetary radii for Kepler Objects of Interest (KOIs). The current production of the KOI list assumes that each KOI is a single star. Not accounting for stellar multiplicity statistically biases the planets toward smaller radii. The bias toward smaller radii depends on the properties of the companion stars and whether the planets orbit the primary or the companion stars. Defining a planetary radius correction factor, XR, we find that if the KOIs are assumed to be single, then, on average, the planetary radii may be underestimated by a factor of 〈XR〉 ≈ 1.5. If typical radial velocity and high-resolution imaging observations are performed and no companions are detected, then this factor reduces to 〈XR〉 ≈ 1.2. The correction factor 〈XR〉 is dependent on the primary star properties and ranges from 〈XR〉 ≈ 1.6 for A and F stars to 〈XR〉 ≈ 1.2 for K and M stars. For missions like K2 and TESS where the stars may be closer than the stars in the Kepler target sample, observational vetting (primary imaging) reduces the radius correction factor to 〈XR〉 ≈ 1.1. Finally, we show that if the stellar multiplicity rates are not accounted for correctly, then occurrence rate calculations for Earth-sized planets may overestimate the frequency of small planets by as much as 15%-20%. © 2015. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: binaries: general; dept.phy; planetary systems

Patterned deposition of nanoparticles using dip pen nanolithography for synthesis of carbon nanotubes - Dahlberg, Kevin; Woods, Kelly; Jenkins, Carol; Broadbridge, Christine; Schwendemann, Todd C (Materials Research Society, 2015)
Ordered carbon nanotube (CNT) growth by deposition of nanoparticle catalysts using dip pen nanolithography (DPN) is presented. DPN is a direct write, tip based lithography technique capable of multi-component deposition of a wide range of materials with nanometer precision. A Nanolnk NLP 2000 is used to pattern different catalytic nanoparticle solutions on various substrates. To generate a uniform pattern of nanoparticle clusters, various conditions need to be considered. These parameters include: the humidity in the vessel, temperature, and tip-surface dwell time. By patterning different nanoparticle solutions next to each other, identical growth conditions can be compared for different catalysts in a streamlined analysis process. Fe, Ni, and Co nanoparticle solutions patterned on silicon, mica, and graphite substrates serve as nucleation sites for CNT growth. The CNTs were synthesized by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reaction. Each nanoparticle patterned substrate is placed in a tube furnace held at 725°C during CNT growth. The carbon source used in the growth chamber is toluene. The toluene is injected at a rate of 5 mL/hr. Growth is observed for Fe and Ni nanoparticle patterns, but is lacking for the Co patterns. The results of these reactions provide important information regarding efficient and highly reproducible mechanisms for CNT growth. © 2015 Materials Research Society.
Keywords: Carbon nanotubes; Catalysts; Catalytic nanoparticle; Chemical vapor deposition; Chemical vapor depositions (CVD); Deposition; Dip-pen nanolithography; Lithography; Mica; Nanolithography; Nanoparticle catalysts; Nanoparticle clusters; Nanoparticle solutions; Nanoparticles; Nanotubes; Nickel; Patterned deposition; Patterned substrates; Silicate minerals; Substrates; Synthesis (chemical); Toluene; Vapor deposition; Yarn; dept.phy

High-resolution multi-band imaging for validation and characterization of small kepler planets - Everett, Mark E.; Barclay, Thomas; Ciardi, David R.; Horch, Elliott P.; Howell, Steve B.; Crepp, Justin R.; Silva, David R. (The Astronomical Journal, 2015)
High-resolution ground-based optical speckle and near-infrared adaptive optics images are taken to search for stars in close angular proximity to host stars of candidate planets identi fied by the NASA Kepler Mission. Neighboring stars are a potential source of false positive signals. These stars also blend into Kepler light curves, affecting estimated planet properties, and are important for an understanding of planets in multiple star systems. Deep images with high angular resolution help to validate candidate planets by excluding potential background eclipsing binaries as the source of the transit signals. A study of 18 Kepler Object of Interest stars hosting a total of 28 candidate and validated planets is presented. Validation levels are determined for 18 planets against the likelihood of a false positive from a background eclipsing binary. Most of these are validated at the 99% level or higher, including five newly validated planets in two systems: Kepler-430 and Kepler-431. The stellar properties of the candidate host stars are determined by supplementing existing literature values with new spectroscopic characterizations. Close neighbors of seven of these stars are examined using multi-wavelength photometry to determine their nature and influence on the candidate planet properties. Most of the close neighbors appear to be gravitationally bound secondaries, while a few are best explained as closely co-aligned field stars. Revised planet properties are derived for each candidate and validated planet, including cases where the close neighbors are the potential host stars. © 2015. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Binaries: visual; Planetary systems; Planets and satellites: detection; Planets and satellites: fundamental parameters; Surveys; Techniques: high angular resolution; dept.phy; peer-reviewed

Research Experiences for Students: Interdisciplinary skill development to prepare the future workforce for success - Ferrari, Nicole; Jenkins, Carol; Garofano, Jacquelynn; Day, Deborah A; Schwendemann, Todd C; Broadbridge, Christine (Materials Research Society, 2015)
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs traditionally function as a recruitment vehicle to encourage students to pursue further studies in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and as an opportunity for STEM majors to delve deeper into their chosen fields of study. Based on a critical examination of REU student feedback, evaluators at CRISP (Center for Research on Interface Structures and Phenomena) have found that in addition to these conventional benefits of research-based experiences, the value of interdisciplinary skill development is integral to the REU experience and these contributions may warrant a more formal evaluative definition. Using the emerging 21st Century Skills Framework, CRISP has begun conducting a series of small-scale studies in an effort to define the contribution of student research experiences in cross-disciplinary skill development and the positive effects that exposure to real-world science practices have on refinement of career decisions and vocational success. Using Likert-type survey methods, this study directly examines current and former REU students' perceptions of the importance of interdisciplinary 21st century skills such as creativity, collaboration, communication, information literacy, and problem-solving in their REU experience and their perceived value of these skills in their future and/or current careers. Through better understanding the role these "soft skills" play in student research experiences, CRISP hopes to maximize these interdisciplinary benefits within its REU program to best prepare students for the complex demands of the 21st century workplace. © 2015 Materials Research Society.
Keywords: Amphibious vehicles; Cross-disciplinary; Education; Engineering research; Functions; Information literacy; Interdisciplinary skills; Interface structures; Problem solving; Research Experiences for Undergraduates programs; Research experiences for students; Research-based experiences; Skill development; Students; dept.phy

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