Scoring Divergent Thinking Tests by Computer With a Semantics-Based Algorithm

Divergent thinking (DT) tests are useful for the assessment of creative potentials. This article reports the semantics-based algorithmic (SBA) method for assessing DT. This algorithm is fully automated: Examinees receive DT questions on a computer or mobile device and their ideas are immediately compared with norms and semantic networks. This investigation compared the scores generated by the SBA method with the traditional methods of scoring DT (i.e., fluency, originality, and flexibility). Data were collected from 250 examinees using the “Many Uses Test” of DT. The most important finding involved the flexibility scores from both scoring methods. This was critical because semantic networks are based on conceptual structures, and thus a high SBA score should be highly correlated with the traditional flexibility score from DT tests. Results confirmed this correlation (r = .74). This supports the use of algorithmic scoring of DT. The nearly-immediate computation time required by SBA method may make it the method of choice, especially when it comes to moderate- and large-scale DT assessment investigations. Correlations between SBA scores and GPA were insignificant, providing evidence of the discriminant and construct validity of SBA scores. Limitations of the present study and directions for future research are offered

Reanalysis of Genetic Data and Rethinking Dopamine\u27s Relationship With Creativity

Several genetic analyses of creativity have recently been reported. A key finding is that dopamine might be related to ideational fluency (Runco, Noble, Reiter-Palmon, Acar, Ritchie, & Yurkovich, 2011) or even to creativity per se (Reuter, Roth, Holve, & Hennig, 2006). Previous analyses have ignored an important part of genetic theory, however, namely the likelihood of polygenetic contributions. Many human characteristics are polygenetic

Problem Construction and Creativity: The Role of Ability, Cue Consistency, and Active Processing

Problem construction has been suggested as the first step in creative problem solving, but our understanding of the underlying process is limited. According to a model of problem construction (Mumford, Reiter-Palmon, & Redmond, 1994), problem construction ability, active engagement in problem construction, and the presence of diverse and inconsistent cues influence creative problem solving. To test these hypotheses, 195 undergraduates were asked to solve 6 real-life problems and complete a measure of problem construction ability. Active engagement in problem construction was manipulated by instructions to the participants. Cue consistency was manipulated by the information presented in the problem situation. The quality, originality, and creativity of the solutions were evaluated. Results indicated that problem construction ability was related to higher quality solutions as well as solutions rated as more original. Problem construction ability also interacted with cue consistency such that individuals with high problem construction ability produced solutions of higher quality and originality when faced with inconsistent cues. The implication of these findings to our understanding of creative problem solving and the problem construction process are discussed

HerschelHerschel/PACS OH Spectroscopy of Seyfert, LINER, and Starburst Galaxies

We investigated the 65$\mu$m, 71$\mu$m, 79$\mu$m, 84$\mu$m, 119$\mu$m, and 163$\mu$m OH doublets of 178 local (0 < $z$ < 0.35) galaxies. They were observed using the $Herschel$/PACS spectrometer, including Seyfert galaxies, LINERs, and star-forming galaxies. We observe these doublets exclusively in absorption (OH71), primarily in absorption (OH65, OH84), mostly in emission (OH79), only in emission (OH163) and an approximately even mix of the both (OH119). In 19 galaxies we find P-Cygni or reverse P-Cygni line profiles in the OH doublets. We use several galaxy observables to probe spectral classification, brightness of a central AGN/starburst component, and radiation field strength. We find that OH79, OH119, and OH163 are more likely to display strong emission for bright, unobscured AGN. For less luminous, obscured AGN and non-active galaxies, we find populations of strong absorption (OH119), weaker emission (OH163), and a mix of weak emission and weak absorption (OH79). For OH65, OH71 and OH84, we do not find significant correlations with the observables listed above. We do find relationships between OH79 and OH119 with both the 9.7$\mu$m silicate feature and Balmer decrement dust extinction tracers in which more dust leads to weaker emission / stronger absorption. The origin of emission for the observed OH doublets, whether from collisional excitation, or from radiative pumping by infrared photons, is discussed.Comment: 29 pages, 10 figures, 5 machine readable tables and 6 supplemental figures available upon reques

Crew Earth Observations: Twelve Years of Documenting Earth from the International Space Station

The Crew Earth Observations (CEO) payload was one of the initial experiments aboard the International Space Station, and has been continuously collecting data about the Earth since Expedition 1. The design of the experiment is simple: using state-of-the-art camera equipment, astronauts collect imagery of the Earth's surface over defined regions of scientific interest and also document dynamic events such as storms systems, floods, wild fires and volcanic eruptions. To date, CEO has provided roughly 600,000 images of Earth, capturing views of features and processes on land, the oceans, and the atmosphere. CEO data are less rigorously constrained than other remote sensing data, but the volume of data, and the unique attributes of the imagery provide a rich and understandable view of the Earth that is difficult to achieve from the classic remote sensing platforms. In addition, the length-of-record of the imagery dataset, especially when combined with astronaut photography from other NASA and Russian missions starting in the early 1960s, provides a valuable record of changes on the surface of the Earth over 50 years. This time period coincides with the rapid growth of human settlements and human infrastructure

The Genetic Basis of Creativity and Ideational Fluency The Genetic Basis of Creativity and Ideational Fluency

Reuter, Roth, Holve, & Hennig (2006) described what they called the first candidate gene for creativity. This study replicated and extended their work for a more careful analysis of five candidate genes: Dopamine Transporter (DAT), Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT), Dopamine Receptor D4 (DRD4), D2 Dopamine Receptor (DRD2), and Tryptophane Hydroxylase (TPH1). Participants were 147 college students who received a battery of tests of creative potential. Multivariate analyses of variance indicated that ideational fluency scores were significantly associated with several genes (DAT, COMT, DRD4, and TPH1). This was apparent in both verbal and figural fluency ideation scores, before and after controlling general intelligence. Yet fluency, alone, is not an adequate measure of creativity, and the index that is by far the most important part of creativity (i.e., originality) had a negligible relationship with the genes under investigation. Hence, in contrast to earlier research, the conclusion offered here is that there is a clear genetic basis for ideational fluency, but that fluency, alone, is not sufficient to predict or guarantee creative performance. Hence, at present, the genetic basis of creativity remains uncertain

Geothermal ground heat exchangers in Malta : thermal performance assessment of infill grouts

The aim of this paper was to assess the thermal conductivity of proprietary grout mixes versus local ones in Malta. Ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems consume 75% less electricity than conventional environmental control systems and have lower maintenance costs. On the other hand the installation costs of GSHPs are comparatively higher. Attention has therefore been focused to try to lower the costs of installing the borehole heat exchange system. The grout is one of the key factors that influence the efficiency of ground source heat pumps, being the principal conductive medium to the natural terrain. This paper explores the variations in the thermal conductivity of different sand-cement grouts. It compares and evaluates options for the suitability of these materials for backfilling vertical boreholes of ground heat exchangers. In this study sixteen different sand-cement grouts have been designed, evaluated and compared with materials, which have been conventionally used to fulfil this purpose. Imported silica sand and local sand mixes were formulated, tested and compared so that the potential use of local sands could be closely examined. Output results prove that local sand-cement grouts improve thermal conductivity values by 27% and are also 17% less expensive when compared to silica sand-cement and bentonite grouts. This win-win scenario points towards improvements in both in thermal conductivity and cost effectiveness when using local resources.peer-reviewe

Emotion and Creativity: Hacking into Cognitive Appraisal Processes to Augment Creative Ideation

Creativity thrives when people experience positive emotions. How to design an interactive system that can effectively make use of this potential is, however, still an unanswered question. In this paper, we propose one approach to this problem that relies on hacking into the cognitive appraisal processes that form part of positive emotions. To demonstrate our approach we have conceived, made, and evaluated a novel interactive system that influences an individual’s appraisals of their own idea generation processes by providing real-time and believable feedback about the originality of their ideas. The system can be used to manipulate this feedback to make the user’s ideas appear more or less original. This has enabled us to test experimentally the hypothesis that providing more positive feedback, rather than neutral, or more negative feedback than the user is expecting, causes more positive emotion, which in turn causes more creativity during idea generation. The findings demonstrate that an interactive system can be designed to use the function of cognitive appraisal processes in positive emotion to help people to get more out of their own creative capabilities

Restoration and PDS Archive of Apollo Lunar Rock Sample Data

In 2008, scientists at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) Lunar Sample Laboratory and Image Science & Analysis Laboratory (under the auspices of the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Directorate or ARES) began work on a 4-year project to digitize the original film negatives of Apollo Lunar Rock Sample photographs. These rock samples together with lunar regolith and core samples were collected as part of the lander missions for Apollos 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17. The original film negatives are stored at JSC under cryogenic conditions. This effort is data restoration in the truest sense. The images represent the only record available to scientists which allows them to view the rock samples when making a sample request. As the negatives are being scanned, they are also being formatted and documented for permanent archive in the NASA Planetary Data System (PDS) archive. The ARES group is working collaboratively with the Imaging Node of the PDS on the archiving

Engaging Students, Teachers, and the Public with NASA Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) Assets

Engaging students, teachers, and the public with NASA Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) assets, including Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) experts and NASA curation astromaterial samples, provides an extraordinary opportunity to connect citizens with authentic aspects unique to our nation's space program. Effective engagement can occur through both virtual connections such as webcasts and in-person connections at educator workshops and public outreach events. Access to NASA ARES assets combined with adaptable resources and techniques that engage and promote scientific thinking helps translate the science and research being facilitated through NASA exploration, elicits a curiosity that aims to carry over even after a given engagement, and prepares our next generation of scientific explorers