The Position of Sgr A∗^* at the Galactic Center

The absolute position of the compact radio source at the dynamical center of the Galaxy, Sgr A$^*$, was known only to an accuracy of $0.2''$ in spite of its accurate location with respect to near-IR stellar sources to within 30 milliarcsecond (mas). To remedy this poor positional accuracy, we have selected 15 high-resolution, high-frequency VLA observations of Sgr A$^*$ carried out in the last 13 years and determined the weighted average position with the average epoch 1992.4 to be at $\alpha$, $\delta$[1950] = $17^{\rm h} 42^{\rm m}$ 29\dsec3076$\pm0.0007$, $-28^\circ 59^\prime 18.484\pm0.014^{\prime\prime}$, or $\alpha$, $\delta$[2000] = $17^{\rm h} 45^{\rm m}$ 40\dsec0383$\pm0.0007$, $-29^\circ 00^\prime 28.069\pm0.014^{\prime\prime}$ which agrees with earlier published values to within the $0.2''$ error bars of the earlier measurements. An accurate absolute position of Sgr A$^*$ can be useful for its identification with sources at other wavelengths, particularly, in soft and hard X-rays with implications for the models of a massive black hole at the Galactic center.Comment: 11 pages, one figure and one table. ApJL (in press

A Journey into the Lived Experience: A Review of Janet Salmon\u27s Qualitative Online Interviews Strategies, Design, and Skills

In Janet Salmons Qualitative Online Interviews (2014) she provides researchers with the tools to be innovative in their research interviews. Researchers will have the skills to conduct a qualitative research study using technology. For the purpose of this book she changes the term online research to information and communications technologies (ICTs). Salmons’ uses an EInterview Research Framework, which includes eight categories of questions and designs

Practical Wisdom: A Review of Foundations of Ethical Practice, Research, and Teaching in Psychology and Counseling

In Karen Strohm Kitchener and Sharon K. Anderson’s Foundations of Ethical Practice, Research, and Teaching in Psychology and Counseling (2011) they use the term practical wisdom or prudence as a way to make right decisions in real life situation. The authors lay the foundation for conceptually dealing with ethical problems for psychologists, counselors, students, and trainees. The book is in two parts. In the first six chapters, the authors focus on the foundations of ethical reasoning. The next part focuses on the ethical issues psychologists and counselors are confronted with in their roles

A Data Exchange Standard for Optical (Visible/IR) Interferometry

This paper describes the OI Exchange Format, a standard for exchanging calibrated data from optical (visible/infrared) stellar interferometers. The standard is based on the Flexible Image Transport System (FITS), and supports storage of the optical interferometric observables including squared visibility and closure phase -- data products not included in radio interferometry standards such as UV-FITS. The format has already gained the support of most currently-operating optical interferometer projects, including COAST, NPOI, IOTA, CHARA, VLTI, PTI, and the Keck Interferometer, and is endorsed by the IAU Working Group on Optical Interferometry. Software is available for reading, writing and merging OI Exchange Format files.Comment: 26 pages, 1 figur

Behavioral Antecedents of Fuel Efficiency

The US Department of Defense is the largest institutional petroleum consumer in the world. In addition to the financial cost of petroleum-based fuels, the US DoD generates more CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases than the entirety of modern, industrialized nations like Sweden and Norway. Other dangers and externalities arise from the fuels supply chain, like toxin risks to fuel handlers, and human costs to transport fuel in-theater. Within the DoD, the USAF alone often rivals or exceeds the consumption of all other services combined. While the USAF prefers technical, hardware-based solutions to problems, and has given increasing attention to logistical solutions like route planning and aircraft mix optimization, very little research both in and out of the military looks into the impact of human decision making on fuel consumption. Industrial/organizational psychology, or “IO Psych,” is a growing field in the civilian world. This project applies IO psychometric measurements to investigate the variability within fuel consumption stemming from the choices that human operators make. Three studies are presented, revolving around this common theme. These studies are based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), a behavioral science model emphasizing the kind of deliberate, informed decision making. The first study using meta-analysis indicates the TPB model strongly predicts fuel-efficient behavior. The second study examines car drivers’ eco-friendly behavior. The results of the second study are congruent with the findings of the first study. The third study investigates the ecofriendly behaviors of military cargo pilots in the Air Force. Survey responses were collected from the population of 62 active duty, reserve, and Guard cargo airlift pilots flying the C-130, C-17, and C-5 platforms who flew a combined 477 cargo sorties within the measurement period. The pilots’ responses were compared against a measure of fuel consumption corrected for change to cargo weight. The results of this study indicate that the link between intention and behavior is weak

Systematic Review: Coping and Supports of Family Caregivers for Adults with Serious Mental Illness

Caring for a loved one with serious mental illness is a challenging role to be in. The purpose of this systematic literature review is to integrate the current literature which values the viewpoint of the caregiver regarding their own strength perspective of discovering what coping skills and support systems they have found to be beneficial. The studies included in the review were peer reviewed empirical, qualitative and quantitative studies, representing several countries and age groups. Inclusionary terms for this study included: chronic mental illness or mental illness , some version of the word caregiver, family, related, adapt, cope and long-term. Exclusionary terms included race and dementia. Common themes of strength found in the research included: educating the caregiver about the illness, the behaviors and prognosis, creating partnerships with the loved one and treatment team, finding acceptance of the illness and life situation, living situation effects, the importance of the caregiver caring for and finding support for themselves, finding a new life purpose and planning for the future. Future research would benefit from further evaluating disseminating educational materials, guidelines for development of support groups, training for peer mentoring and future planning into areas of the world that are more rural or limited in availability of services

Antecedents of Fuel Efficiency

Reducing the United States Air Force (USAF)’s fuel use is a major budgetary concern, as the USAF consumes more fuel than the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and all other Department of Defense (DoD) agencies combined. This research focused on fuel efficiency of C-130 Hercules Aircraft Commanders (ACs) by proposing, constructing, and testing a survey measure of behavioral drivers of discretionary pro-environmental professional behaviors among USAF pilots

A Case Study of the Conflicts Women Experience with Tourism and Immigration in Vilcabamba, Ecuador: A Sustainable Livelihoods Perspective

This research is situated in the community of Vilcabamba in the province of Loja, Ecuador. Vilcabamba is a small village in the southern Andes of Ecuador, approximately 28 miles (45km) from Loja city. Many people were drawn to the area because of stories they heard about people there living to be over 100 years old. Books and articles have been written in attempts to establish the veracity of these claims and to explore why the people of Vilcabamba are living so long. This dissertation is a qualitative case study that explores how the recent surge of tourism and immigration in Vilcabamba is impacting the people and sustainable way of life of the village and its surrounding communities. Through gender analysis the study also explores if tourism and immigration are affecting men and women differently and the way that women respond to this impact. The literature review provides different lenses to understand what types of conflicts and opportunities are present in the area and how these conflicts affect the livelihood strategies of the locals. The methodological approach of this research is case study analysis, which explored what is happening to the people of the Vilcabamba community and their land. To explore this phenomenon, I used certain methods developed by ethnographers, such as field observation. The study is based on the experiences of four women living in poverty from the local community of Vilcabamba. I wanted to understand the vulnerabilities that exist for them. I explored the livelihood strategies of women in their everyday lives. The use of the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework assisted me in understanding the concepts of assets and vulnerabilities. This research is expected to contribute to the field of conflict analysis and resolution by elucidating the relationship between gender and tourism in Vilcabamba. It will bring awareness to the issues women experience that keep them rooted in poverty. An exploration of how other communities have met and overcome the challenges of tourism and colonization is presented and the final outcome suggests possible resolutions for social change