Showing papers by "University of Hertfordshire published in 2005"

GAPDH as a housekeeping gene: analysis of GAPDH mRNA expression in a panel of 72 human tissues

Abstract: Quantitative gene expression data are often normalized to the expression levels of control or so-called “housekeeping” genes. An inherent assumption in the use of housekeeping genes is that express...

Robotic assistants in therapy and education of children with autism: can a small humanoid robot help encourage social interaction skills?

Abstract: This article presents a longitudinal study with four children with autism, who were exposed to a humanoid robot over a period of several months. The longitudinal approach allowed the children time to explore the space of robot–human, as well as human–human interaction. Based on the video material documenting the interactions, a quantitative and qualitative analysis was conducted. The quantitative analysis showed an increase in duration of pre-defined behaviours towards the later trials. A qualitative analysis of the video data, observing the children’s activities in their interactional context, revealed further aspects of social interaction skills (imitation, turn-taking and role-switch) and communicative competence that the children showed. The results clearly demonstrate the need for, and benefits of, long-term studies in order to reveal the full potential of robots in the therapy and education of children with autism.

Distances and metallicities for 17 Local Group galaxies

Abstract: We have obtained Johnson V and Gunn i photometry for a large number of Local Group galaxies using the Isaac Newton Telescope Wide Field Camera (INT WFC). The majority of these galaxies are members of the M31 subgroup and the observations are deep enough to study the top few magnitudes of the red giant branch in each system. We previously measured the location of the tip of the red giant branch (TRGB) for Andromeda I, Andromeda II and M33 to within systematic uncertainties of typically <0.05 mag. As the TRGB acts as a standard candle in old, metal-poor stellar populations, we were able to derive distances to each of these galaxies. Here we derive TRGB distances to the giant spiral galaxy M31 and 13 additional dwarf galaxies ‐ NGC 205, 185, 147, Pegasus, WLM, LGS3, Cetus, Aquarius, And III, V, VI, VII and the newly discovered dwarf spheroidal And IX. The observations for each of the dwarf galaxies were intentionally taken in photometric conditions. In addition to the distances, we also self-consistently derive the median metallicity of each system from the colour of their red giant branches. This allows us to take into account the small metallicity variation of the absolute I magnitude of the TRGB. The homogeneous nature of our data and the identical analysis applied to each of the 17 Local Group galaxies ensures that these estimates form a reliable set of distance and metallicity determinations that are ideal for comparative studies of Local Group galaxy properties. Ke yw ords: galaxies: general ‐ Local Group ‐ galaxies: stellar content.

Evidence-based guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders: recommendations from the British Association for Psychopharmacology

Abstract: These British Association for Psychopharmacology guidelines cover the range and aims of treatment for anxiety disorders. They are based explicitly on the available evidence and are presented as recommendations to aid clinical decision making in primary and secondary medical care. They may also serve as a source of information for patients and their carers. The recommendations are presented together with a more detailed review of the available evidence. A consensus meeting involving experts in anxiety disorders reviewed the main subject areas and considered the strength of evidence and its clinical implications. The guidelines were constructed after extensive feedback from participants and interested parties. The strength of supporting evidence for recommendations was rated. The guidelines cover the diagnosis of anxiety disorders and key steps in clinical management, including acute treatment, relapse prevention and approaches for patients who do not respond to first-line treatments.

What is a robot companion - friend, assistant or butler?

Abstract: The study presented in this paper explored people's perceptions and attitudes towards the idea of a future robot companion for the home. A human-centred approach was adopted using questionnaires and human-robot interaction trials to derive data from 28 adults. Results indicated that a large proportion of participants were in favour of a robot companion and saw the potential role as being an assistant, machine or servant. Few wanted a robot companion to be a friend. Household tasks were preferred to child/animal care tasks. Humanlike communication was desirable for a robot companion, whereas humanlike behaviour and appearance were less essential. Results are discussed in relation to future research directions for the development of robot companions.

Intercurrent coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis of chickens: rational, integrated disease management by maintenance of gut integrity.

Abstract: Coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis (NE) are globally common, sometimes intercurrent, diseases of poultry. The risk of NE, due to the Gram-positive bacterium Clostridium perfringens, has increased in recent years because of the voluntary or legally required withdrawal of the use of certain in-feed antibiotic growth promoters with anticlostridial activity. In-feed ionophorous anticoccidial drugs incidentally also possess anticlostridial activity. Such ionophores, although not banned, are usually precluded when live anticoccidial vaccines are used, potentially increasing yet further the risk of NE. This review provides information for the design of rational, integrated management strategies for the prevention and control of coccidiosis and NE in chickens by maintaining gut integrity. Because of differences in local availability of feed ingredients and national legislations regarding antibiotic growth promoters and anticoccidial vaccine licensing, no universal strategy is applicable. The diseases and their interactions are described under the headings of forms of disease, diagnosis, sources of infection, pathophysiological effects, predisposing factors, and control methods. Elements of gut integrity, which influences host predisposition and clinical responses to disease, include physical development, immune competence, gut enzyme activity, mucin production, gut flora and epithelial damage. Experimental studies of coccidiosis and NE are compared, and where possible reconciled, with field observations. Gaps in knowledge and necessary further experiments are identified. Insights are provided regarding interactions between coccidiosis, NE, and the use of live anticoccidial vaccines. Recent changes in NE prevalence in commercial flocks, and their possible causes, are discussed. The necessarily wide range of topics reviewed emphasizes the enormous complexity of this disease combination, and indicates the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in order to reduce its harmful impact on the world's poultry industry.

Observed Properties of Exoplanets: Masses, Orbits, and Metallicities

Abstract: precision (3 m s −1 ) and long duration. The 104 planets detected in this survey have minimum masses (M sin i )a s low as 6MEarth, orbiting between 0.02 and 6 AU. The core-accretion model of planet formation is supported by four observations: 1) The mass distribution rises toward the lowest detectable masses, dN /dM ∝ M −1.0 . 2) Stellar metallicity correlates strongly with the presence of planets. 3) One planet (1.3 MSat) has a massive rocky core, MCore ≈ 70 MEarth. 4) A super-Earth of ∼ 7 MEarth has been discovered. The distribution of semi-major axes rises from 0.3 – 3.0 AU (dN /d log a) and extrapolation suggests that ∼12% of the FGK stars harbor gas-giant exoplanets within 20 AU. The median orbital eccentricity .

An X-Ray Study of Magnetic Field Strengths and Particle Content in the Lobes of FR II Radio Sources

Abstract: We present a Chandra and XMM-Newton study of X-ray emission from the lobes of 33 classical double radio galaxies and quasars. We report new detections of lobe-related X-ray emission in 11 sources. Together with previous detections, we find that X-ray emission is detected from at least one radio lobe in � 75% of the sample. For all of the lobe detections, we find that the measured X-ray flux can be attributed to inverse Compton scattering of the cosmic microwave background radiation, with magnetic field strengths in the lobes between 0.3Beq and 1.3Beq, where the value Beq corresponds to equipartition between the electrons and magnetic field, assuming a filling factor of unity. ThereisastrongpeakinthemagneticfieldstrengthdistributionatB � 0:7Beq.Wefindthatmorethan70%oftheradio lobes are either at equipartition or electron dominated by a small factor. The distribution of measured magnetic field strengthsdiffersfornarrow-andbroad-lineobjects,inthesensethatbroad-lineradiogalaxiesandquasarsappeartobe further from equipartition; however,thisislikelytobeduetoacombinationofprojectioneffectsandworsesystematic uncertainty in the X-ray analysis for those objects. Our results suggest that the lobes of classical double radio sources do not contain an energetically dominant proton population, because this would require the magnetic field energy density to be similar to the electron energy density rather than the overall energy density in relativistic particles. Subject headings: galaxies: active — quasars: general — radiation mechanisms: nonthermal — X-rays: galaxies Online material: color figure

Evidence-based pharmacotherapy of obsessive–compulsive disorder

Abstract: Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a prevalent and disabling lifespan disorder. Clomipramine and the SSRIs have been found to be effective across the range of symptoms, both in acute and longer-term studies. Meta-analyses have reported a larger treatment effect for clomipramine relative to the SSRIs, but this is not supported by evidence from head-to-head comparator studies and, based on their superior safety and tolerability, SSRIs are the preferred option for long-term treatment in most cases. The treatment-effect is usually gradual and partial, and many patients fail to respond adequately to first-line treatment. Pharmacological options for refractory cases include switching SRI, increasing the dose, or augmenting with an antipsychotic agent. Novel strategies are under investigation for this highly morbid group. This paper reviews the key questions related to OCD pharmacotherapy, synthesizing evidence derived from randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses and consensus guidelines.

The influence of subjects' personality traits on personal spatial zones in a human-robot interaction experiment

Abstract: In the present study we investigated human-robot and robot-human approach distances. We found that subjects' personality profiles influence personal spatial zones in human-robot interaction experiments. We tested two hypotheses: first, we predicted that approach distances preferred by humans when interacting with a robot would be comparable to those preferred when humans interact socially with each other. Our experiments involving humans interacting with a mobile robot confirm this hypothesis. However, surprisingly, a large minority of subjects in the experiments took up positions which were significantly closer, suggesting that they were not treating the robot as a "social entity". We then tested the hypothesis that common personality factors exist which could be used to predict subjects' likely approach distance preferences. The subjects' personalities were assessed using several traits from the three-factor Eysenck personality model. Further analysis of the data identified four new factors, different from Eysenck's model, tentatively labeled "proactiveness", "social reluctance", "timidity" and "nervousness". When testing for correlations between approach distances and personality data, "proactiveness" correlates with social distance, i.e. subjects that score higher on this factor come less close to the robot. We discuss the potential suitability of personality factors to predict approach distances in human-robot interaction experiments.

Empowerment: a universal agent-centric measure of control

Abstract: The classical approach to using utility functions suffers from the drawback of having to design and tweak the functions on a case by case basis Inspired by examples from the animal kingdom, social sciences and games we propose empowerment, a rather universal function, defined as the information-theoretic capacity of an agent's actuation channel The concept applies to any sensorimotor apparatus Empowerment as a measure reflects the properties of the apparatus as long as they are observable due to the coupling of sensors and actuators via the environment Using two simple experiments we also demonstrate how empowerment influences sensor-actuator evolution

On the Accretion Origin of a Vast Extended Stellar Disk around the Andromeda Galaxy

Abstract: We present the discovery of an inhomogenous, low surface brightness, extended disklike structure around the Andromeda galaxy (M31) based on a large kinematic survey of more than 2800 stars with the Keck DEIMOS multiobject spectrograph. The stellar structure spans radii from 15 kpc out to ~40 kpc, with detections out to R ~ 70 kpc. The constituent stars have velocities close to the expected velocity of circular orbits in the plane of the M31 disk and typically have a velocity dispersion of ~30 km s-1. The color range on the upper red giant branch shows a large spread indicative of a population with a significant range of metallicity. The mean metallicity of the population, measured from Ca II equivalent widths, is [Fe/H] = -0.9 ± 0.2. The morphology of the structure is irregular at large radii and shows a wealth of substructures that must be transitory in nature and are almost certainly tidal debris. The presence of these substructures indicates that the global entity was formed by accretion. This extended disk follows smoothly on from the central parts of M31 disk out to ~40 kpc with an exponential density law with a scale length of 5.1 ± 0.1 kpc, which is similar to that of the bright inner disk. However, the population possesses similar kinematic and abundance properties over the entire region where it is detected in the survey. We estimate that the structure accounts for approximately 10% of the total luminosity of the M31 disk, and given the huge scale, contains ~30% of the total disk angular momentum. This finding indicates that at least some galactic stellar disks are vastly larger than previously thought and are formed, at least in their outer regions, primarily by accretion.

HE 0437-5439: an unbound hypervelocity main-sequence B-type star

Abstract: We report the discovery of a 16th magnitude star, HE 0437-5439, with a heliocentric radial velocity of +723 ± 3 km s-1. A quantitative spectral analysis of high-resolution optical spectra obtained with the VLT and UVES shows that HE 0437-5439 is a main-sequence B-type star with Teff = 20,350 K, log g = 3.77, a solar (within a factor of a few) helium abundance and metal content, and rotating at v sin i = 54 km s-1. Using appropriate evolutionary tracks, we derive a mass of 8 M☉ and a corresponding distance of 61 kpc. Its Galactic rest-frame velocity is at least 563 km s-1, almost twice the local Galactic escape velocity, indicating that the star is unbound to the Galaxy. Numerical kinematical experiments are carried out to constrain its place of birth. It has been suggested that such hypervelocity stars can be formed by the tidal disruption of a binary through interaction with the supermassive black hole at the Galactic center (GC). HE 0437-5439 needs about 100 Myr to travel from the GC to its present position, much longer than its main-sequence lifetime of 25 Myr. This can only be reconciled if HE 0437-5439 is a blue straggler star. In this case, the predicted proper motion is so small that it can only be measured by future space missions. Since the star is much closer to the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC; 18 kpc) than to the GC, it can reach its position from the center of the LMC. The proper motion predicted in this case is about 2 mas yr-1 (relative to the LMC), large enough to be measurable with conventional techniques from the ground. The LMC origin could also be tested by a high-precision abundance analysis.

Chandra and XMM-Newton Observations of a Sample of Low-Redshift FRI and FRII Radio-Galaxy Nuclei

Abstract: We present spectral results, from Chandra and XMM-Newton observations, of a sample of 22 low-redshift (z 10^{23}$ atoms cm$^{-2}$, that is likely to originate in an accretion flow. We discuss several models which may account for the different nuclear properties of FRI- and FRII-type cores, and also demonstrate that both heavily obscured, accretion-related, and unobscured, jet-related components may be present in all radio-galaxy nuclei. Any absorbed, accretion-related, components in FRI-type galaxies have low radiative efficiencies.

Investigating the Research Approaches for Examining Technology Adoption Issues

Abstract: Adoption of technology, a research topic within the Information Systems area, is usually studied at two levels: organizational level and user level. This paper examines the range of methods used for studying technology adoption issues at both these levels. The approaches were selected after conducting a review of 48 articles on technology adoption and usage, published in peer reviewed journals between 1985 and 2003. The journals reviewed include the MIS Quarterly, Information Systems Research, European Journal of Information Systems, Information Systems Journal, and other relevant journals in the IS area. The findings suggest that the survey method was used predominantly when investigating the topics of user adoption and the usage of technology. In contrast, the case study method is the most widely used when examining adoption issues at the organizational level.

Single particle multichannel bio-aerosol fluorescence sensor

Abstract: We describe a prototype low-cost multi-channel aerosol fluorescence sensor designed for unattended deployment in medium to large area bio-aerosol detection networks. Individual airborne particles down to ~1mum in size are detected and sized by measurement of light scattered from a continuous-wave diode laser (660nm). This scatter signal is then used to trigger the sequential firing of two xenon sources which irradiate the particle with UV pulses at ~280 nm and ~370 nm, optimal for excitation of bio-fluorophores tryptophan and NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) respectively. For each excitation wavelength, fluorescence is detected across two bands embracing the peak emissions of the same bio-fluorophores. Current measurement rates are up to ~125 particles/s, corresponding to all particles for concentrations up to 1.3 x 104 particles/l. Developments to increase this to ~500 particles/s are in hand. Device sensitivity is illustrated in preliminary data recorded from aerosols of E.coli, BG spores, and a variety of non-biological materials.

Ep2- receptor agonists

Abstract: A compound of Formula (I) or a salt, solvate and chemically protected form thereof, wherein: R5 is an optionally substituted C5-20 aryl or C4-20 alkyl group; A is selected from the group consisting of Formulae (Ai), (Aii), (Aiii) D is selected from Formulae (Di), (Dii), (Diii), (Div), (Dv) B is selected from the group consisting of Formulae (Bi), (Bii), (Biii), (Biv) (Bv).

A Minor-Axis Surface Brightness Profile for M31

Abstract: We use data from the Isaac Newton Telescope Wide-Field Camera survey of M31 to determine the surface brightness profile of M31 along the southeast minor axis. We combine surface photometry and faint red giant branch star counts to trace the profile from the innermost regions out to a projected radius of 4° (≈55 kpc), where μV ~ 32 mag arcsec-2; this is the first time the M31 minor-axis profile has been mapped over such a large radial distance using a single data set. We confirm the finding by Pritchet & van den Bergh that the minor-axis profile can be described by a single de Vaucouleurs law out to a projected radius of 14 or ≈20 kpc. Beyond this, the surface brightness profile flattens considerably and is consistent with either a power law of index about -2.3 or an exponential of scale length 14 kpc. The fraction of the total M31 luminosity contained in this component is ≈2.5%. While it is tempting to associate this outer component with a true Population II halo in M31, we find that the mean color of the stellar population remains roughly constant at V - i ≈ 1.6 from 05 to 35 along the minor axis. This result suggests that the same metal-rich stellar population dominates both structural components.

Learning by feeling: evoking empathy with synthetic characters

Abstract: Virtual environments (VEs) are now becoming a promising new technology to be used in the development of interactive learning environments for children. Perhaps triggered by the success of computer games, VEs are seen as an emergent and engaging new way by which children can learn experimental sciences and other disciplines. Inhabiting these IVEs can be agents or intelligent characters that are responsible for events that happen in the environment and make it not predictive or completely controlled. However, to build such environments, in particular, if populated by synthetic characters, one needs to carefully address the problem of how do the learners respond to the characters in the virtual environment. Do learners like the characters? Do learners identify themselves with characters in virtual environments? This relation between learners and characters in virtual environments can be studied in several perspectives. In this paper, we will focus primarily on the issue of empathy as one desirable a...

Developing and validating a tool to measure parenting self-efficacy

Abstract: Aims. This paper reports the development of a tool to measure parenting self-efficacy as an aid to evaluating parenting programmes. Background. Whilst there has been increasing interest in parenting programmes from parents, government and professionals, there is a lack of rigorous evaluation studies of their effectiveness, particularly their longer-term outcomes. Equally, there is little research evidence of the views and experiences of parents themselves. It is important to develop robust outcome measures which draw on well-developed theoretical constructs to measure parents’ perceived abilities to manage their children based on their own views and experiences. Self-efficacy, a self-perception of one's ability to perform competently and effectively in a particular task or setting, may provide such a framework. Methods. Data from 12 focus groups conducted with parents and parenting programme facilitators informed the development of the tool. A thematic analysis of the focus group transcripts identified key items to be included in the self-efficacy instrument, and these were developed into 82 Likert-format statements. A multi-method approach was used to test the instrument for validity and reliability. Findings. Nine domain specific sub-scales of parenting were identified from the analysis of the focus group data. Internal reliability coefficients for the subscales ranged from 0·80 to 0·89, and the overall scale reliability was 0·94. External reliability coefficients ranged from rs = 0·58 (n = 19, P < 0·01) to rs = 0·88 (n = 19, P < 0·01). Conclusion. A valid and reliable tool to measure parenting self-efficacy has been developed, which will aid evaluation of parenting programmes.

Adherence to an exercise prescription scheme: The role of expectations, self‐efficacy, stage of change and psychological well‐being

Abstract: Objectives. Poor rates of adherence to exercise prescription schemes present a potential barrier to the goal of increasing physical activity in patient samples. This study investigated the role of participant expectations, self-efficacy, stage of change and psychological well-being in adherence to a 12-week course of gym based exercise. It also aimed to assess the impact of failure to adhere on self-efficacy and psychological well-being. Method. The 119 participants, referred by their medical practitioner for a course of exercise, completed questionnaires at the start of the course and 77 went on to complete second questionnaires. Objective measures included a range of physiological measures based on gym assessments. Results. Participants typically had high expectations of the scheme. Those who completed the course had more modest expectations of change and came closer to achieving these expected changes than those who dropped out. Initial stage of change and self-efficacy did not discriminate between the two groups. While self-efficacy improved over the scheme for completers, it tended to deteriorate for drop-outs. GHQ scores also failed to improve over time for drop-outs. Conclusion. Overly optimistic expectations of inexperienced exercisers may lead to disappointment and attrition. Interventions to ensure realistic expectations might increase success and prevent potential negative effects of failure.

Millimetre continuum observations of southern massive star formation regions. I. SIMBA observations of cold cores

Abstract: We report the results of a 1.2-mm continuum emission survey toward 131 star-forming complexes suspected of undergoing massive star formation. These regions have previously been identified as harbouring a methanol maser and/or a radio continuum source [ultracompact (UC) H II region], the presence of which is in most instances indicative of massive star formation. The 1.2-mm emission was mapped using the SIMBA instrument on the 15-m Swedish ESO Submillimetre Telescope (SEST). Emission is detected toward all of the methanol maser and UC H II regions targeted, as well as towards 20 others lying within the fields mapped, implying that these objects are associated with cold, deeply embedded objects. Interestingly, there are also 20 methanol maser sites and nine UC H II regions within the fields mapped which are devoid of millimetre continuum emission. In addition to the maser and UC H II regions detected, we have also identified 253 other sources within the SIMBA maps. All of these (253) are new sources, detected solely from their millimetre continuum emission. These ‘mm-only’ cores are devoid of the traditional indicators of massive star formation, (i.e. methanol/OH maser, UC H II regions or IRAS point sources). At least 45 per cent of these mm-only cores are also without mid-infrared Mid-course Space Experiment (MSX) emission. The ‘mm-only’ core may be an entirely new class of source that represents an earlier stage in the evolution of massive stars, prior to the onset of methanol maser emission. Or, they may harbour protoclusters which do not contain any high-mass stars (i.e. below the H II region limit). In total, 404 sources are detected, representing four classes of sources which are distinguished by the presence of the different combination of associated tracer/s. Their masses, estimated assuming a dust temperature of 20 K and adopting kinematic distances, range from 0.5 × 10 1 to 3.7 × 10 4 M� , with an average mass for the sample of 1.5 × 10 3 M� . The H2 number density (nH2 )o fthe source sample ranges from 1.4 × 10 3 to 1.9 × 10 6 cm −3 , with an average of 8.7 × 10 4 cm −3 . The average radius of the sample is 0.5 pc. The visual extinction ranges from 10 to 500 mag with an average of 80 mag, which implies a high degree of embedding. The surface density (� )v aries from 0.2 to 18.0 kg m −2 with an average of 2.8 kg m −2 . Analysis of the millimetre-only sources shows that they are less massive ( ¯

A new population of extended, luminous star clusters in the halo of M31

Abstract: We present three new clusters discovered in the halo of M31 which, although having globularlike colours and luminosities, have unusually large half-light radii, ∼30 pc. They lie at projected galactocentric distances of ≈15 to ≈35 kpc. These objects begin to fill the gap in parameter space between globular clusters and dwarf spheroidals, and are unlike any clusters found in the Milky Way, or elsewhere to date. Colour‐magnitude diagrams, integrated photometric properties and derived King profile fit parameters are given, and we discuss possible origins of these clusters and their relationships to other populations. Ke yw ords: galaxies: individual: M31 ‐ galaxies: star clusters.

The effects of telephone consultation and triage on healthcare use and patient satisfaction : a systematic review

Abstract: Background In recent years there has been a growth in the use of the telephone consultation for healthcare problems. This has developed, in part, as a response to increased demand for GP and accident and emergency department care. Aim To assess the effects of telephone consultation and triage on safety, service use, and patient satisfaction. Design of study We looked at randomised controlled trials, controlled studies, controlled before/after studies, and interrupted time series of telephone consultation or triage in a general healthcare setting. Setting All healthcare settings were included but the majority of studies were in primary care. Method We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EPOC specialised register, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, SIGLE, and the National Research Register and checked reference lists of identified studies and review articles. Two reviewers independently screened studies for inclusion, extracted data, and assessed study quality. Results Nine studies met our inclusion criteria: five randomised controlled trials; one controlled trial; and three interrupted time series. Six studies compared telephone consultation with normal care; four by a doctor, one by a nurse, and one by a clinic clerk. Three of five studies found a significant decrease in visits to GPs but two found an increase in return consultations. In general at least 50% (range = 25.5–72.2%) of calls were handled by telephone consultation alone. Of seven studies reporting accident and emergency department visits, six showed no difference between the groups and one — of nurse telephone consultation — found an increase. Two studies reported deaths and found no difference between nurse telephone consultation and normal care. Conclusions Although telephone consultation appears to have the potential to reduce GP workload, questions remain about its effect on service use. Further rigorous evaluation is needed with emphasis on service use, safety, cost, and patient satisfaction.

Differentiating insight from non-insight problems

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate whether a range of tasks that have been generally classed as requiring insight form an empirically separable group of tasks distinct from tasks generally classed as non-insight. In this study, 24 insight tasks, 10 non-insight tasks, and tests of individual differences in cognitive abilities and working memory were administered to 60 participants. Cluster analysis of the problem-solving tasks indicated that the presumed insight problems did tend to cluster with other presumed insight problems, and similarly the presumed non-insight problems tended to cluster with other presumed non-insight tasks. Performance on presumed insight problems was particularly linked to measures of ideational flexibility with a different pattern of results for the non-insight tasks. Spatial insight problems were linked to spatial flexibility and verbal insight tasks were linked to vocabulary scores. The results are discussed in relation to recent developments of dual process theories of thinking.

GRB 050509B: Constraints on Short Gamma-Ray Burst Models

Abstract: We have obtained deep optical images with the Very Large Telescope at ESO of the first well-localized short-duration gamma-ray burst, GRB 050509b. We observed in the V and R bands at epochs starting at {approx}2 days after the GRB trigger and lasting up to three weeks. We detect no variable objects inside the small Swift/XRT X-ray error circle down to 5{sigma} limiting magnitudes of V = 26.5 and R = 25.2. The X-ray error circle includes a giant elliptical galaxy at z = 0.225, which has been proposed as the likely host of this GRB. Our limits indicate that if the GRB originated at z = 0.225, any supernova-like event accompanying the GRB would have to be over 100 times fainter than normal Type Ia SNe or Type Ic hypernovae, 5 times fainter than the faintest known Ia or Ic SNe, and fainter than the faintest known Type II SNe. Moreover, we use the optical limits to constrain the energetics of the GRB outflow, and conclude that there was very little radioactive material produced during the GRB explosion. These limits strongly constrain progenitor models for this short GRB.