Alexithymia, but not Autism Spectrum Disorder, may be Related to the Production of Emotional Facial Expressions

Background A prominent diagnostic criterion of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) relates to the abnormal or diminished use of facial expressions. Yet little is known about the mechanisms that contribute to this feature of ASD. Methods We showed children with and without ASD emotionally charged video clips in order to parse out individual differences in spontaneous production of facial expressions using automated facial expression analysis software. Results Using hierarchical multiple regression, we sought to determine whether alexithymia (characterized by difficulties interpreting one’s own feeling states) contributes to diminished facial expression production. Across groups, alexithymic traits—but not ASD traits, IQ, or sex—were associated with quantity of facial expression production. Conclusions These results accord with a growing body of research suggesting that many emotion processing abnormalities observed in ASD may be explained by co-occurring alexithymia. Developmental and clinical considerations are discussed, and it is argued that alexithymia is an important but too often ignored trait associated with ASD that may have implications for subtyping individuals on the autism spectrum

Mossbauer mineralogy of rock, soil, and dust at Meridiani Planum, Mars: Opportunity's journey across sulfate-rich outcrop, basaltic sand and dust, and hematite lag deposits

The Mössbauer (MB) spectrometer on Opportunity measured the Fe oxidation state, identified Fe-bearing phases, and measured relative abundances of Fe among those phases at Meridiani Planum, Mars. Eight Fe-bearing phases were identified: jarosite (K,Na,H3O)(Fe,Al)(OH)6(SO4)2, hematite, olivine, pyroxene, magnetite, nanophase ferric oxides (npOx), an unassigned ferric phase, and metallic Fe (kamacite). Burns Formation outcrop rocks consist of hematite-rich spherules dispersed throughout S-rich rock that has nearly constant proportions of Fe3+ from jarosite, hematite, and npOx (29%, 36%, and 20% of total Fe). The high oxidation state of the S-rich rock (Fe3+/FeT ~ 0.9) implies that S is present as the sulfate anion. Jarosite is mineralogical evidence for aqueous processes under acid-sulfate conditions because it has structural hydroxide and sulfate and it forms at low pH. Hematite-rich spherules, eroded from the outcrop, and their fragments are concentrated as hematite-rich soils (lag deposits) on ripple crests (up to 68% of total Fe from hematite). Olivine, pyroxene, and magnetite are primarily associated with basaltic soils and are present as thin and locally discontinuous cover over outcrop rocks, commonly forming aeolian bedforms. Basaltic soils are more reduced (Fe3+/FeT ~ 0.2–0.4), with the fine-grained and bright aeolian deposits being the most oxidized. Average proportions of total Fe from olivine, pyroxene, npOx, magnetite, and hematite are 33%, 38%, 18%, 6%, and 4%, respectively. TheMB parameters of outcrop npOx and basaltic-soil npOx are different, but it is not possible to infer mineralogical information beyond octahedrally coordinated Fe3+. Basaltic soils at Meridiani Planum and Gusev crater have similar Fe-mineralogical compositions.Additonal co-authors: P Gütlich, E Kankeleit, T McCoy, DW Mittlefehldt, F Renz, ME Schmidt, B Zubkov, SW Squyres, RE Arvidso

Integrative Mixed Methods Data Analytic Strategies in Research on School Success in Challenging Circumstances

There are both conceptual and practical challenges in dealing with data from mixed methods research studies. There is a need for discussion about various integrative strategies for mixed methods data analyses. This article illustrates integrative analytic strategies for a mixed methods study focusing on improving urban schools facing challenging circumstances. The research was conducted using a concurrent mixed methods approach. The qualitative and quantitative strands of data were analyzed independently through thematic analysis of quali-tative data and factor analysis of survey data, followed by integrative data analytic proce-dures. The integrative data analytic approach included strategies such as parallel integration for member checking, data transformation for comparison, data consolidation for emergent themes, and case analysis for fine-grained descriptions of school profiles. The integrative data analysis process featured the iterative nature of mixing data sources at various points and allowed the researchers to pay attention to emergent insights made available through mixed methods research

Trabalho precário e precarização institucional nos Estados Unidos Precarious work and the institutional precarization in the United States

Este artigo analisa as bases institucionais do trabalho precário nos Estados Unidos através de um duplo processo de precarização: da relação contratual tradicional e, dada a fragmentação do quadro institucional, a inadaptação da lei trabalhista dos Estados Unidos. O texto procura enfatizar a importância do estatuto do trabalhador - a relação contratual de emprego - para o acesso do mesmo aos direitos e benefícios sociais básicos. Os efeitos da recente crise econômica e a resposta das políticas públicas são discutidos na conclusão.<br>We analyze the institutional underpinnings of precarious work in the United States through a double process of precarization: of the traditional contractual relationship and given the fragmented institutional framework and the inadaptation of U.S. labor law. The importance of the employee status - the contractual employment relationship - for access to social rights and basic benefits is emphasized. Effects of the recent economic crisis and public policy response are discussed in conclusion