Showing papers by "Albion College published in 2011"
TL;DR: A compact packaging technique for coupling light from a single-mode telecommunication fiber to cryogenic single-photon sensitive devices and achieving coupling losses below 1% is presented.
Abstract: We present a compact packaging technique for coupling light from a single-mode telecommunication fiber to cryogenic single-photon sensitive devices. Our single-photon detectors are superconducting transition-edge sensors (TESs) with a collection area only a factor of a few larger than the area of the fiber core which presents significant challenges to low-loss fiber-to-detector coupling. The coupling method presented here has low loss, cryogenic compatibility, easy and reproducible assembly and low component cost. The system efficiency of the packaged single-photon counting detectors is verified by the "triplet method" of power-source calibration along with the "multiple attenuator" method that produces a calibrated single-photon flux. These calibration techniques, when used in combination with through-wafer imaging and fiber back-reflection measurements, give us confidence that we have achieved coupling losses below 1% for all devices packaged according to the self-alignment method presented in this paper.
187 citations
TL;DR: If barriers to use such as low reimbursement rates and high equipment costs are reduced, telestroke has the potential to diminish the striking geographic disparities of acute stroke care in the United States.
Abstract: Objective: To conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of telestroke—a 2-way, audiovisual technology that links stroke specialists to remote emergency department physicians and their stroke patients—compared to usual care (i.e., remote emergency departments without telestroke consultation or stroke experts). Methods: A decision-analytic model was developed for both 90-day and lifetime horizons. Model inputs were taken from published literature where available and supplemented with western states’ telestroke experiences. Costs were gathered using a societal perspective and converted to 2008 US dollars. Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained were combined with costs to generate incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). In the lifetime horizon model, both costs and QALYs were discounted at 3% annually. Both one-way sensitivity analyses and Monte Carlo simulations were performed. Results: In the base case analysis, compared to usual care, telestroke results in an ICER of $108,363/QALY in the 90-day horizon and $2,449/QALY in the lifetime horizon. For the 90-day and lifetime horizons, 37.5% and 99.7% of 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations yielded ICERs $50,000/QALY, a ratio commonly considered acceptable in the United States. Conclusion: When a lifetime perspective is taken, telestroke appears cost-effective compared to usual care, since telestroke costs are upfront but benefits of improved stroke care are lifelong. If barriers to use such as low reimbursement rates and high equipment costs are reduced, telestroke has the potential to diminish the striking geographic disparities of acute stroke care in the United States. Neurology ® 2011;77:1590–1598
151 citations
TL;DR: This paper explored the role of relationships in the identity development process of a doctoral student and highlighted the effects of relationships and interactions on particular strategies and experiences associated with Stage 2 of doctoral education, and therefore students' identity development.
Abstract: Little research and practice has focused specifically on Stage 2 of the doctoral student experience – the critical transition from ‘dependence to independence’. In the United States, a student completes coursework, passes candidacy exams, and begins the dissertation proposal process during Stage 2. Given the distinct experiences associated with this stage, it is important for researchers, faculty and administrators to understand each stage fully. Our goal is to shed light on how students begin to enact the academic career during this critical transition by specifically exploring the role of relationships in the identity development process. We rely on a theoretical framework that brings together sociocultural perspectives of learning and developmental networks to reveal a connection between relationships and learning. This study highlights the effects of relationships and interactions on particular strategies and experiences associated with Stage 2 of doctoral education, and therefore students' identity d...
138 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of time of day on problem solving were examined and it was found that the reduced inhibitory control associated with non-optimal times of the day would differentially impact performance on the two types of problems.
Abstract: In a study examining the effects of time of day on problem solving, participants solved insight and analytic problems at their optimal or non-optimal time of day. Given the presumed differences in the cognitive processes involved in solving these two types of problems, it was expected that the reduced inhibitory control associated with non-optimal times of the day would differentially impact performance on the two types of problems. In accordance with this expectation, results showed consistently greater insight problem solving performance during non-optimal times of day compared to optimal times of day but no consistent time of day effects on analytic problem solving. The findings indicate that tasks involving creativity might benefit from a non-optimal time of day.
89 citations
TL;DR: It is proposed that RDX-MnO(4)(-) reaction involves direct oxidation of the methylene group (hydride abstraction), followed by hydrolysis of the resulting imides, and decarboxylation of the resultant carboxylic acids to form N(2)O, CO(2), and H( 2)O.
Abstract: The chemical oxidant permanganate (MnO4−) has been shown to effectively transform hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) at both the laboratory and field scales. We treated RDX with MnO4− with the objective of quantifying the effects of pH and temperature on destruction kinetics and determining reaction rates. A nitrogen mass balance and the distribution of reaction products were used to provide insight into reaction mechanisms. Kinetic experiments (at pH ∼ 7, 25 °C) verified that RDX−MnO4− reaction was first-order with respect to MnO4− and initial RDX concentration (second-order rate: 4.2 × 10−5 M−1 s−1). Batch experiments showed that choice of quenching agents (MnSO4, MnCO3, and H2O2) influenced sample pH and product distribution. When MnCO3 was used as a quenching agent, the pH of the RDX−MnO4− solution was relatively unchanged and N2O and NO3− constituted 94% of the N-containing products after 80% of the RDX was transformed. On the basis of the preponderance of N2O produced under neutral pH (mo...
21 citations
TL;DR: This paper examined trends in player productivity and salaries as players age and found that the best players peak about 2 years later than marginal players, and development and depreciation of performance appear to be more pronounced for players with the highest ability levels.
Abstract: Using panels of player pay and performance from Major League Baseball (MLB), we examine trends in player productivity and salaries as players age. Pooling players of all ability levels leads to a systematic bias in regression coefficients. After addressing this problem by dividing players into talent quintiles, we find that the best players peak about 2 years later than marginal players, and development and depreciation of performance appear to be more pronounced for players with the highest ability levels. Within-career variation, however, is less pronounced than between-player variation, and the performance level of players within a given quintile will typically remain lower than the talent level for rookies in the next higher quintile. We also find preliminary evidence that free agents are paid proportionately to their production at all ability levels, whereas young players’ salaries are suppressed by similar amounts.
19 citations
TL;DR: In this longitudinal study, a multitask battery tapping nonverbal memory and language skills was used to assess 60 children at 18, 24, and 30 months of age to focus on the degree to which language, working memory, and deliberate memory skills were linked concurrently to children's Elicited Imitation task performance.
15 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) to represent the model parameters and proved asymptotic results for the DFT coefficients, which allowed identification of statistically significant frequencies to be included in the PARMA model.
Abstract: Periodically stationary times series are useful to model physical systems whose mean behavior and covariance structure varies with the season. The Periodic Auto-Regressive Moving Average (PARMA) process provides a powerful tool for modelling periodically stationary series. Since the process is non-stationary, the innovations algorithm is useful to obtain parameter estimates. Fitting a PARMA model to high-resolution data, such as weekly or daily time series, is problematic because of the large number of parameters. To obtain a more parsimonious model, the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) can be used to represent the model parameters. This article proves asymptotic results for the DFT coefficients, which allow identification of the statistically significant frequencies to be included in the PARMA model.
15 citations
TL;DR: For instance, this paper found that students valued classroom experiences more than textbook reading in psychology courses, and that students perceived they would learn less, enjoy the course less, and find the course more difficult than if an instructor described the textbook as a resource to which students might refer for clarification.
Abstract: To investigate undergraduate students' perceptions of the role of the textbook in psychology courses, the authors surveyed 311 psychology students. Using an online survey, students answered questions about textbook importance, usage, and preferences and about scenarios that described a textbook as a resource or central course element. If an instructor expected students to read and understand textbook material before class, students perceived they would learn less, enjoy the course less, and find the course more difficult than if an instructor described the textbook as a resource to which students might refer for clarification. Results indicated that students valued classroom experiences more than textbook reading. The authors discuss how such preferences may reflect prior reading experiences and instructors' emphases.
13 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a merged-beams technique is used to measure the absolute total charge transfer cross section for C5+ and atomic H over four orders of magnitude in collision energy.
Abstract: Charge transfer (CT) with carbon ions has been identified for a long time as important in both magnetic fusion plasma devices and more recently in solar wind interactions with comets, planets, or neutrals in the heliosphere. A merged-beams technique is used to measure the absolute total charge transfer cross section for C5+ and atomic H over four orders of magnitude in collision energy, from 12,000 eV/u to 0.64 eV/u. The present measurements are compared with previous measurements using an atomic hydrogen target and benchmark available classical trajectory Monte-Carlo and molecular-orbital close-coupling calculations. An increasing cross section below 10 eV/u is attributed to trajectory effects due to the ion-induced dipole attraction between reactants.
12 citations
TL;DR: Umbach argues that while National Socialism did not grow out of bourgeois modernism, some proponents of the bourgeoisie saw the strong state fashioned by National Socialism as a potential mechanism for realizing their designs and were willing to offer that regime their talents as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: path to the future. Moreover, Umbach argues, while National Socialism did not grow out of bourgeois modernism, some proponents of bourgeois modernism saw the strong state fashioned by National Socialism as a potential mechanism for realizing their designs and were willing to offer that regime their talents. Umbach’s arguments will be of considerable interest to German historians and to architectural, urban, and cultural historians. Some will at times be frustrated, however. Umbach is making claims about the entire bourgeoisie over several decades, but it is not always true that architects, planners, designers, and their clients from a few large cities were representative of the bourgeoisie everywhere. Berlin and Hamburg were not always like smaller cities, nor were cities in Prussia the same as all German cities. Historically there were quite different traditions of local government, different patterns of demographic and economic change, different numbers of emigrants and Jews, and so on. Such things surely also helped to shape local bourgeois identities. Umbach makes frequent reference to the psychological makeup of the bourgeoisie, but it is not clear just what that means. She can better document the intentions of the architects and designers than the “unspoken assumptions and practices” that “are not fully conscious” (p. 193). Moreover, one would like to know more about the wishes of the clients, be they individuals or city governments, and how these clients interacted with the architects. Some historians may be put off by casual references to collective memory, longue durée symbols, or the occasional application of semiotics and deconstructionism. Nonetheless, the analytical framework of this book might well be applied to other countries and other periods. For example, disputes about the “modern” in both urban planning and architecture were central to the reconstruction of urban areas all over Europe that were damaged during World War II. Umbach’s study of bourgeois modernism deserves a wide audience.
TL;DR: In this paper, two variables were presented in a 2 × 2 factorial to a population of primarily college students: a mortality salience (MS) variable and an afterlife variable, in which participants read “scientific” accounts that either supported or denied the existence of a literal afterlife.
Abstract: If derogation of out-groups serves the function of bolstering self-esteem, it is possible that this effect can be counteracted by means of existential relief. Two variables were presented in a 2 × 2 factorial to a population of primarily college students: a mortality salience (MS) variable and an afterlife variable, in which participants read “scientific” accounts that either supported or denied the existence of a literal afterlife. Homonegativity was utilised as a dependent measure of out-group derogation. In the predicted manner, mortality salience and afterlife variables interacted to predict significantly different levels of homonegativity. When participants were subconsciously primed with MS, their psychological need to derogate dissimilar others was significantly lowered if they were assured of an afterlife. These results demonstrate that the effects of MS can be attenuated by presenting existential relief through assurance of literal afterlife.
TL;DR: This paper model botnet-related cyber crimes as a result of profitmaximizing decision-making optimization problem from the perspective of botmasters, and introduces the uncertainty level created by the virtual bots to make determining the optimal botnet size infeasible for the botnet operators, and consequently the botnets profitability can fall dramatically.
Abstract: Botnets have become an increasing security concern in today’s Internet Since current technological defenses against botnets have failed to produce results, it has become necessary to think about different strategies Given that money is perhaps the single determining force driving the growth in botnet attacks, we propose an interesting economic approach to take away the root cause of botnet, ie, the financial incentives In this paper, we model botnet-related cyber crimes as a result of profitmaximizing decision-making optimization problem from the perspective of botmasters By introducing the uncertainty level created by the virtual bots, we make determining the optimal botnet size infeasible for the botnet operators, and consequently the botnet profitability can fall dramatically The theoretical model presented here has a large potential to fight off botnet-related attacks of varying revenue patterns Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: In this article, the authors introduced a notation for describing a regular polygon tile with arcs and gave the number of possible decorated tiles, including the special case where no arcs intersect.
Abstract: This paper introduces a notation for describing a regular polygon tile decorated with arcs. Given a tile decorated with a number of arcs having endpoints uniformly spaced around the polygon, the number of possible decorated tiles is given, including the special case where no arcs intersect . The tiles decorated in this manner provide an enormous number of patterns.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the relationship between unanticipated inflation and the earnings innovation extracted from a univariate earnings forecast and found that the relationship has no significant relationship with innovations in conventional earnings.
Abstract: Hooks (1991) argues that the explanatory power of unanticipated inflation in stock return models appears to result from the relationship of unanticipated inflation with the earnings capitalization rate and not the impact inflation has on the level or growth rate of earnings. Here we extend this line of investigation by examining the relationship between unanticipated inflation and the earnings innovation extracted from a univariate earnings forecast. We show that unanticipated inflation has no significant relationship with innovations in conventional earnings. However, we find that unanticipated inflation has a significant positive relationship with the magnitude of the earnings innovation during the 1955-85 period when earnings are adjusted to account for the effects of inflation on firms assets and liabilities.
TL;DR: Bacteria of different phylogenetic groups in epiphytic assemblages on two native Michigan plant species mayapple and cow parsnip when the plant leaves were submerged in fresh water showed dominance of members of the γ-Proteobacterial subclass on both plant species, while community diversity was determined based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
Abstract: We examined the occurrence and diversity of bacteria of different phylogenetic groups in epiphytic assemblages on two native Michigan plant species mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) and cow parsnip (Heracleum maximum) when the plant leaves were submerged in fresh water. Fresh leaves were incubated in triplicate for about a week within a creek in Hasting, Michigan, and in laboratory microcosm to develop mature epiphytic assemblages. We enumerated bacteria in these assemblages by nucleic acid staining (i.e., total direct counts using 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenyllindole) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), while community diversity was determined based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. FISH indicated the dominance of members of the γ-Proteobacterial subclass (20%) on both plant species, while the 16S rRNA gene analysis revealed the predominance of the β-Proteobacteria (51%) on mayapple and the Fermicutes (26%) on cow parsnip, with the Bacteroidetes present equally within the epiphytic assemblages on both plants.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore Bevir's approach to interpretive social science and its implications for his study of governance, and argue that the recovery of not only expert knowledge but also the local knowledge of citizens who are affected by these reforms, ought to play a central role in our understanding of governance.
Abstract: I explore Bevir’s approach to interpretive social science and its implications for his study of governance. I make two arguments: one methodological and one substantive. First, I argue that we should think of the philosophy of interpretive social science as necessarily tied to some chosen method of recovering knowledge, be it local or expert knowledge. Without such a recovery of knowledge, interpretive analysis of local reasoning is impossible. Second, I argue that the recovery of not only expert knowledge - Bevir's primary focus - but also the local knowledge of citizens who are affected by these reforms, ought to play a central role in our understanding of governance.
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: In this paper, the construction of patterns using a decorated triangle is described, and several surprising examples demonstrating the use of this motif are given. But they do not consider the use in large field architectural tilings.
Abstract: Geometric tilings have been a key element of architectural design throughout history. This paper describes the construction of patterns using a decorated triangle and gives several surprising examples demonstrating the use of this motif. Even with this very simple design element, a wealth of interesting patterns is possible. Such patterns can be useful in very large field architectural tilings.
TL;DR: The Generalist's Corner as mentioned in this paper is changing from its familiar interview-style format to one in which leading researchers in various areas of psychology contribute literature reviews in their areas of expertise, providing succinct, up-to-date research findings that they hope teachers will find useful as they teach this material in the introductory course.
Abstract: The Generalist’s Corner first appeared in 1997. Jane Halonen eloquently introduced this section of the journal by saying, ‘‘Anyone who has had the responsibility of teaching the first course in the psychology sequence recognizes the impossibility of keeping up with the burgeoning research in our discipline . . . managing the literature in even one or two interest areas is problematic’’ (p. 64). Although I (Andrew) had taught the introductory course more than 20 times, when I taught it again this past fall for the first time in 4 years, I was firmly reminded of this truism. The Generalist’s Corner will continue its mission to provide teachers of the introductory psychology course with a powerful tool to help them meet this challenge. The column, however, is changing from its familiar interview-style format to one in which leading researchers in various areas of psychology contribute literature reviews in their areas of expertise. These reviews will provide succinct, up-to-date research findings that we hope teachers will find useful as they teach this material in the introductory course. In addition to James Liddle and Todd Shackelford’s article on evolutionary psychology in this issue, you will be seeing future columns on such topics as personality, the history of psychology, developmental psychology, and clinical psychology. We hope you will continue to find the Generalist’s Corner an asset in teaching the introductory course. Over the past several decades, authors have increasingly incorporated a discussion of evolutionary psychology in their introductory psychology textbooks. With this increasing exposure, however, the percentage of textbooks containing inaccurate information about evolutionary psychology has also increased (Cornwell, Palmer, Guinther, & Davis, 2005). As the relatively young field of evolutionary psychology continues to grow and gain acceptance within the psychological community, it is important to provide students with accurate information about this approach to psychology. In this article, we attempt to aid in this endeavor by describing recent findings generated by evolutionary psychological research, addressing several controversies surrounding evolutionary psychology as well as illustrating ways to summarize the field’s core concepts. We hope this information provides instructors with a few new tools and additional knowledge to introduce students to evolutionary psychology.
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: The course of Psychology 101 as discussed by the authors introduces the psychology of learning, the process of changing behavior as a result of experience, and provides a survey of major concepts and issues in conditioning, learning and memory processes.
Abstract: Course is housed in a Social Science department. Class meets M, T, W, & F from 9:10am – 10:00am in Olin 218. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 or permission of instructor. A survey of major concepts and issues in conditioning, learning and memory processes. Emphasizes research dealing with the ways learning and memory interact with other variables such as development and species-typical behavior. This course will introduce you to the psychology of learning, the process of changing behavior as a result of experience. The course will not address how students learn in the classroom (although our material is certainly relevant to that); instead we will focus on basic research in learning, often involving nonhuman animals. Because experience can affect behavior in many ways, the field of learning is a diverse one; we will examine many of its topics. Learning researchers must take great care to ensure that they understand exactly how an experience has affected a behavior; therefore learning studies often involve complicated controls in order to determine the exact nature of the learning that has occurred. By the end of the semester you will be better scientists (or at least better designers of well-controlled experiments) as a result of what you learn in this course. My own interests lie squarely in the realm of Pavlovian conditioning, and it might seem that much of the semester is devoted to this topic. Instrumental learning is so heavily influences by Pavlovian conditioning that the two are hardly separable, and in fact time spent considering Pavlovian matters directly benefits one’s understanding of instrumental learning. An important component of the course will be an examination of scientific articles. Papers will be selected that highlight both what we know about learning and how we know it. If you leave this class understanding how to read scientific articles then this course will have succeeded on at least one front.