When outcome expectations become habitual: explaining vs. predicting new media technology use from a social cognitive perspective

This study examined the triadic relationship between expected outcomes, habit strength, and media technology use within the model of media attendance (Larose & Eastin, 2004). Mobile phone users (N = 664) were divided into two groups using a stratified random sampling method. Respondents of group one (n = 334) were surveyed on existing mobile phone use, respondents of group two (n = 310) were surveyed on the intention to use mobile video phone. On the basis of structural equation analysis, the results of this study support the assumption that within the model of media attendance existing media use is more likely to be explained by habit strength, and new media use is more likely to be predicted by outcome expectations

CoRoT\,102699796, the first metal-poor Herbig Ae pulsator: a hybrid δ\delta Sct-γ\gamma Dor variable?

We present the analysis of the time series observations of CoRoT\,102699796 obtained by the CoRoT satellite that show the presence of five independent oscillation frequencies in the range 3.6-5 c/d. Using spectra acquired with FLAMES@VLT, we derive the following stellar parameters: spectral type F1V, T$_{\rm eff}$=7000$\pm$200 K, log(g)=$3.8\pm0.4$, [M/H]=$-1.1\pm0.2$, $v$sin$i$=$50\pm5$ km/s, L/L$_{\odot}$=21$^{+21}_{-11}$. Thus, for the first time we report the existence of a metal poor, intermediate-mass PMS pulsating star. Ground-based and satellite data are used to derive the spectral energy distribution of CoRoT\,102699796 extending from the optical to mid-infrared wavelengths. The SED shows a significant IR excess at wavelengths greater than $\sim5 \mu$. We conclude that CoRoT\,102699796 is a young Herbig Ae (F1Ve) star with a transitional disk, likely associated to the HII region [FT96]213.1-2.2. The pulsation frequencies have been interpreted in the light of the non-radial pulsation theory, using the LOSC code in conjunction with static and rotational evolutionary tracks. A minimization algorithm was used to find the best-fit model with M=1.84 M$_{\odot}$, T$_{\rm eff}$=6900 K which imply an isochronal age of t$\sim$2.5 Myr. This result is based on the interpretation of the detected frequencies as $g$-modes of low-moderate $n$-value. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such modes are identified in a intermediate-mass PMS pulsating star. Since CoRoT\,102699796 lies in the region of the HR diagram where the $\delta$ Sct and $\gamma$ Dor instability strips intersect, we argue that the observed pulsation characteristics are intermediate between these classes of variables, i.e. CoRoT\,102699796 is likely the first PMS hybrid $\gamma$ Dor-$\delta$ Sct pulsator ever studied.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures. Accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the RA

Alternative glues for the production of ATLAS silicon strip modules for the Phase-II upgrade of the ATLAS Inner Detector

The Phase-II upgrade of the ATLAS detector for the High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) includes the replacement of the current Inner Detector with an all-silicon tracker consisting of pixel and strip detectors. The current Phase-II detector layout requires the construction of 20,000 strip detector modules consisting of sensor, circuit boards and readout chips, which are connected mechanically using adhesives. The adhesive between readout chips and circuit board is a silver epoxy glue as was used in the current ATLAS SemiConductor Tracker (SCT). This glue has several disadvantages, which motivated the search for an alternative. This paper presents a study concerning the use of six ultra-violet (UV) cure glues and a glue pad for use in the assembly of silicon strip detector modules for the ATLAS upgrade. Trials were carried out to determine the ease of use, the thermal conduction and shear strength, thermal cycling, radiation hardness, corrosion resistance and shear strength tests. These investigations led to the exclusion of three UV cure glues as well as the glue pad. Three UV cure glues were found to be possible better alternatives. Results from electrical tests of first prototype modules constructed using these glues are presented.Comment: 23 pages, to be published in Journal of Instrumentatio

Swift X-ray Observations of Classical Novae

The new gamma-ray burst mission Swift has obtained pointed observations of several classical novae in outburst. We analyzed all the observations of classical novae from the Swift archive up to 30 June, 2006. We analyzed usable observations of 12 classical novae and found 4 non-detections, 3 weak sources and 5 strong sources. This includes detections of 2 novae exhibiting spectra resembling those of Super Soft X-ray binary Source spectra (SSS) implying ongoing nuclear burning on the white dwarf surface. With these new Swift data, we add to the growing statistics of the X-ray duration and characteristics of classical novae.Comment: Accepted for ApJ; this version contains additional material: 18 pages, 16 figure

The effectiveness of interventions targeting physical activity and/or sedentary behaviour in people with Multiple Sclerosis: a systematic review

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A search for non-pulsating, chemically normal stars in the Scuti instability strip using Kepler data

We identify stars in the δ Sct instability strip that do not pulsate in p modes at the 50-μmag limit, using Kepler data. Spectral classification and abundance analyses from high-resolution spectroscopy allow us to identify chemically peculiar stars, in which the absence of pulsations is not surprising. The remaining stars are chemically normal, yet they are not δ Sct stars. Their lack of observed p modes cannot be explained through any known mechanism. However, they are mostly distributed around the edges of the δ Sct instability strip, which allows for the possibility that they actually lie outside the strip once the uncertainties are taken into account.We investigated the possibility that the non-pulsators inside the instability strip could be unresolved binary systems, having components that both lie outside the instability strip. If misinterpreted as single stars, we found that such binaries could generate temperature discrepancies of ∼300 K – larger than the spectroscopic uncertainties, and fully consistent with the observations. After these considerations, there remains one chemically normal nonpulsator that lies in the middle of the instability strip. This star is a challenge to pulsation theory. However, its existence as the only known star of its kind indicates that such stars are rare. We conclude that the δ Sct instability strip is pure, unless pulsation is shut down by diffusion or another mechanism, which could be interaction with a binary companion

An intervention modelling experiment to change GP's intentions to implement evidence-based practice : using theory-based interventions to promote GP management of upper respiratory tract infection without prescribing antibiotics #2

Background: Psychological theories of behaviour may provide a framework to guide the design of interventions to change professional behaviour. Behaviour change interventions, designed using psychological theory and targeting important motivational beliefs, were experimentally evaluated for effects on the behavioural intention and simulated behaviour of GPs in the management of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). Methods: The design was a 2 × 2 factorial randomised controlled trial. A postal questionnaire was developed based on three theories of human behaviour: Theory of Planned Behaviour; Social Cognitive Theory and Operant Learning Theory. The beliefs and attitudes of GPs regarding the management of URTI without antibiotics and rates of prescribing on eight patient scenarios were measured at baseline and post-intervention. Two theory-based interventions, a "graded task" with "action planning" and a "persuasive communication", were incorporated into the post-intervention questionnaire. Trial groups were compared using co-variate analyses. Results: Post-intervention questionnaires were returned for 340/397 (86%) GPs who responded to the baseline survey. Each intervention had a significant effect on its targeted behavioural belief: compared to those not receiving the intervention GPs completing Intervention 1 reported stronger self-efficacy scores (Beta = 1.41, 95% CI: 0.64 to 2.25) and GPs completing Intervention 2 had more positive anticipated consequences scores (Beta = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.46 to 1.98). Intervention 2 had a significant effect on intention (Beta = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.41 to 1.38) and simulated behaviour (Beta = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.19 to 0.74). Conclusion: GPs' intended management of URTI was significantly influenced by their confidence in their ability to manage URTI without antibiotics and the consequences they anticipated as a result of doing so. Two targeted behaviour change interventions differentially affected these beliefs. One intervention also significantly enhanced GPs' intentions not to prescribe antibiotics for URTI and resulted in lower rates of prescribing on patient scenarios compared to a control group. The theoretical frameworks utilised provide a scientific rationale for understanding how and why the interventions had these effects, improving the reproducibility and generalisability of these findings and offering a sound basis for an intervention in a "real world" trial. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00376142This study is funded by the European Commission Research Directorate as part of a multi-partner program: Research Based Education and Quality Improvement (ReBEQI): A Framework and tools to develop effective quality improvement programs in European healthcare. (Proposal No: QLRT-2001-00657)

Some Supplementaries to The Counting Semantics for Abstract Argumentation

Dung's abstract argumentation framework consists of a set of interacting arguments and a series of semantics for evaluating them. Those semantics partition the powerset of the set of arguments into two classes: extensions and non-extensions. In order to reason with a specific semantics, one needs to take a credulous or skeptical approach, i.e. an argument is eventually accepted, if it is accepted in one or all extensions, respectively. In our previous work \cite{ref-pu2015counting}, we have proposed a novel semantics, called \emph{counting semantics}, which allows for a more fine-grained assessment to arguments by counting the number of their respective attackers and defenders based on argument graph and argument game. In this paper, we continue our previous work by presenting some supplementaries about how to choose the damaging factor for the counting semantics, and what relationships with some existing approaches, such as Dung's classical semantics, generic gradual valuations. Lastly, an axiomatic perspective on the ranking semantics induced by our counting semantics are presented.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, ICTAI 201