Results of a User Study on 2D Hurricane Visualization

We present the results from a user study looking at the ability of observers to mentally integrate wind direction and magnitude over a vector field. The data set chosen for the study is an MM5 (PSU/NCAR Mesoscale Model) simulation of Hurricane Lili over the Gulf of Mexico as it approaches the southeastern United States. Nine observers participated in the study. This study investigates the effect of layering on the observer's ability to determine the magnitude and direction of a vector field. We found a tendency for observers to underestimate the magnitude of the vectors and a counter‐clockwise bias when determining the average direction of a vector field. We completed an additional study with two observers to try to uncover the source of the counter‐clockwise bias. These results have direct implications to atmospheric scientists, but may also be able to be applied to other fields that use 2D vector fields.     

From dissonance to disidentification: Selectivity in the self-affirmation process.

Two studies examined the relationship between the content of a self-threat and the attractiveness of available self-affirmations (C. M. Steele, 1988). After self-threat was induced by means of a cognitive dissonance procedure, participants' choices for affirmations were examined in order to explore whether the attractiveness of a given affirmation depends on its relevance to the threatened domain of the self-concept. The authors hypothesized that when faced with a threat to a specific self-conception or standard, individuals may forego affirmations within the threatened self-concept domain in favor of affirmations of unrelated, compensatory domains. Both studies supported this hypothesis and further suggested that such selective self-affirmation can lead individuals to modify their self-concepts by identifying with self-aspects that justify dissonant behavior and by disidentifying with the standards that such behavior violates. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Using mechatronics to teach mechanical design and technical communication

It is commonly accepted that hands-on experiences increase both learning and enjoyment during coursework. Mechatronics projects provide both interesting and relevant hands-on experiences for a wide range of topics including design processes, basic mechatronics concepts, technical communication, and working in a group environment. ME2110: Creative Decisions and Design at Georgia Tech integrates mechatronics and technical communication into a sophomore level mechanical design class. This paper describes the course in detail, highlighting the course goals and layout, tools provided to the students, industry involvement, and the main challenges of administering such a course.     

A behavioral probe of the growth of intake potential during the inter-meal interval in the rat.

The rat's willingness to ingest glucose after an initial intraoral intake test was probed by beginning a 2nd intraoral intake test at variable durations (1–220 min). In Exp 1, after an initial meal of 12.5% glucose solution averaging 26.9?±?1.7 ml, the size of the 2nd (probe) meal of the same stimulus increased linearly from 4.0?±?0.9 ml after a 1-min delay to 15.4?±?2.7 ml after a 120-min delay. In Exp 2, intraoral intake of a more concentrated (37.5%) glucose solution rose more slowly as a function of delay from 2.4?±?2.7 ml to 4.9?±?0.6 ml. For each glucose concentration, the linear recovery function and a slope that depends on stimulus concentration are consistent with a role for gastric emptying during the delay in intake recovery. In Exp 3, rats ingested 12.5% or 37.5% glucose to satiety in an initial test and received, after a variable delay, either the same or the other concentration as the probe stimulus. The same volumes were ingested at each delay whether the glucose concentration of the probe stimulus was the same or was switched from that presented in the initial test. This result shows that the taste and caloric properties of the probe stimulus played no role in determining how much of it would be ingested… (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ion-Pairing of Dyclonine with Dyes

This potential for ion-pairing between dyclonine, a local anesthetic, and pharmaceutical dyes commonly used in liquid pharmaceutical formulations was examined. Occurrence of ion-pairing at a pH of 3 was confirmed by shift of the absorption maximum of all five sulfonate-containing dyes, and by measurements of octanol/water partition coefficient and surface tension. There was also an increase in the uptake of dyclonine by phosphatidylcholine liposomes in the presence of a dye (tartrazine) at pH 3 but not at pH 7, where the uncharged anesthetic is dominant.     

Insiders Behaving Badly

This column goes beyond previous insider analyses to identify a framework for a taxonomy of insider threats including both malicious and inadvertent actions by insiders that put organizations or their resources at some risk. The framework includes factors reflecting the organization, the individual, the information technology system, and the environment.     

The moderating impact of sex on the equity–satisfaction relationship: A field study.

Explored whether males' satisfaction with an exchange relationship is more dependent on the equity of that relationship, relative to females'. 26 male and 25 female members of 1 of 3 business lead and referral clubs (1 all female, 1 primarily male, and 1 approximately equal in males and females) rated their own and others' inputs and outcomes into the exchange relationship, as well as their satisfaction with the relationship. Results indicate that satisfaction was lower in a negatively inequitable than equitable relationship and slightly lower in an equitable than positively inequitable relationship. As predicted, the relationship of equity and satisfaction was considerably more pronounced for male than female club members. Further analyses revealed that the equity-satisfaction relationship was especially (a) pronounced for males in the primarily male group and (b) weak for females in an all-female group. The latter findings suggest that the salience of the equity norm may be a joint function of the sex of both members of an exchange relationship. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

New bounds on the number of frictionless fingers requied to immobilize

Using a novel second-order mobility theory that was recently developed by the authors, this article develops new lower bounds on the number of frictionless fingers required to immobilize generic planar objects. We show that any generic smooth or polygonal planar object can be immobilized with three convex fingers or fixtures that have sufficiently flat curvature. Further, if it is possible to specify the fingertip curvature, then any generic smooth or polygonal object can be immobilized with two, possibly concave, fingers. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.