Male-Female Workplace Friendships: Third Party Coworkers\u27 Perceptions of and Behavior toward Organizational Peers in Cross-Sex Workplace Friendships

Workplace relationships range from professional working relationships, to workplace friendships, to romantic relationships at work. Cross-sex (male-female) workplace relationships, including friendships, are especially important for women, as research suggests they may help women to break through the glass ceiling. Cross-sex workplace friendships are often perceived as romantic (e.g., Elesser & Peplau, 2006; Marks, 1994) and workplace romances are generally perceived negatively (Cowan & Horan, 2014, in press; Gillen & Chory, 2014a; Horan & Chory, 2009, 2011, 2013; Malachowski, et al., 2012). Guided by equity theory (Adams, 1965) and feminist organizational communication theorizing (Buzzanell, 1994), it is therefore hypothesized that organizational members in cross-sex workplace friendships will also be perceived negatively by their coworkers and targeted for antisocial behaviors. Further, as female members of workplace romances are consistently perceived more negatively than male members, it is hypothesized that female members of cross-sex workplace friendships will be perceived more negatively and will be targeted for antisocial behaviors more than male members. The following dissertation outlines three studies that examine organizational members\u27 perceptions (credibility, motives, unfair advantages, and trust) of and behavior (obstructionism, information manipulation, and aggression) toward cross-sex workplace friendship partners. The first study is formative research employing a questionnaire with open-ended items to survey working adults who have personally observed cross-sex workplace friendships. Study 2 employs scenarios depicting a hypothetical coworker in a variety of workplace relationships (friendship, romance, professional). The third study employs a questionnaire with quantitative measures to survey working adults who have personally observed a cross-sex workplace friendship. Results indicate that although, overall, organizational members\u27 perceptions of cross-sex workplace friendships do not seem to be overwhelmingly negative, organizational members do identify negative implications of these relationships. Further, results provided limited but encouraging support for equity theory. Finally, results indicate that organizational members often perceive that cross-sex workplace friendships are romantic, which is associated with organizational members\u27 perceptions of increased workplace problems and antisocial behavior toward the coworkers in the cross-sex workplace friendships

Association between Secretor status and Norovirus Infection among Children Under 5 years of Age in South-South, Nigeria

Norovirus has been identified to constitute a key biological cause of gastroenteritis worldwide. This study aimed to determine the association between secretor status and norovirus infection among children under 5 years of age with diarrhea in Edo, Bayelsa and Delta States, South-South, Nigeria. Ethical approval was received from participating health institutions before inclusion of patients in this study. A total of 505 participants, consisting of 405 children with diarrhea and 100 apparently healthy children, who served as controls were included in this study. Stool specimens were collected from all participants and analyzed for norovirus using a rapid lateral flow immunoassay kit. Secretor was determined using commercial test kits La and Lb antisera. The overall prevalence of norovirus antigen among children with diarrhea was 18.5%. Secretors were found to significantly have higher prevalence of norovirus in Delta State (OR=0.165; 95% C.I, 0.0048, 0.5609; P=0.0039) when compared to non-secretors, but there were no significant association between norovirus infection and secretor status among subjects in Bayelsa and Edo States. Routine screening for norovirus infection among secretors with diarrhea should be a priority among subjects from Delta State

Mid-J CO Emission From NGC 891: Microturbulent Molecular Shocks in Normal Star Forming Galaxies

We have detected the CO(6-5), CO(7-6), and [CI] 370 micron lines from the nuclear region of NGC 891 with our submillimeter grating spectrometer ZEUS on the CSO. These lines provide constraints on photodissociation region (PDR) and shock models that have been invoked to explain the H_2 S(0), S(1), and S(2) lines observed with Spitzer. We analyze our data together with the H_2 lines, CO(3-2), and IR continuum from the literature using a combined PDR/shock model. We find that the mid-J CO originates almost entirely from shock-excited warm molecular gas; contributions from PDRs are negligible. Also, almost all the H_2 S(2) and half of the S(1) line is predicted to emerge from shocks. Shocks with a pre-shock density of 2x10^4 cm^-3 and velocities of 10 km/s and 20 km/s for C-shocks and J-shocks, respectively, provide the best fit. In contrast, the [CI] line emission arises exclusively from the PDR component, which is best parameterized by a density of 3.2x10^3 cm^-3 and a FUV field of G_o = 100 for both PDR/shock-type combinations. Our mid-J CO observations show that turbulence is a very important heating source in molecular clouds, even in normal quiescent galaxies. The most likely energy sources for the shocks are supernovae or outflows from YSOs. The energetics of these shock sources favor C-shock excitation of the lines.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figures, 6 tables, accepted by Ap

Talocalcaneal Coalition

CASE HISTORY: A 13-year-old male lacrosse athlete presented with gradual onset right ankle pain. Symptoms began at age ten, including multiple ankle sprains. The physician suspected plantar fasciitis and advised gel inserts, NSAID pain relievers, and physical therapy to no avail. The pain persisted as sports became more demanding. His performance continued to decrease, and gait became labored and disjointed, with an occasional limp. PHYSICAL EXAM: Lower extremity examination showed no varus or valgus deformities in the coronal plane. The symptomatic foot dorsiflexion was 20/35, with the knee flexed and extended. Manual strength test scores for plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion were 5/5. No hindfoot motion was observed. Lateral lunge test exhibited abduction of the foot with hip external rotation. Labored gait and a lack of coordination upon ground impact were observed during running. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES: Subtalar Joint Fracture, Calcaneal Stress Fracture, Achilles Tendonitis, Plantar Fasciitis. TESTS & RESULTS: A multiplanar MRI revealed a fibrous coalition of the talocalcaneal facet (TC). Medial facet was conjoined. Mild sprains were observed for both the anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments. Joint effusion from stress-related mild osseous edema was found at the calcaneus. FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Talocalcaneal coalition DISCUSSION: TC is a fibrous connection between the talus and calcaneal bone. The coalition locks the hindfoot in the valgus position. The deformity usually forms around 13-14 weeks of fetal development, and 75% of TC cases are asymptomatic until adolescence. TC accounts for 45% of all tarsal coalitions and is often bilateral. OUTCOME OF THE CASE: Surgical excision of fibrous coalition with autograft buttock fat was performed, followed by four months of physical therapy. Rehabilitation started with aquatic therapy. After four weeks, he had a normal gait and progressed to unilateral movements. Followed by reactive, plyometrics, and unpredictable loads training. RETURN TO ACTIVITY AND FURTHER FOLLOW-UP: After four months, the athlete returned to sport at a pre-operation performance level and continued to show improvement

CO-Dark Star Formation and Black Hole Activity in 3C 368 at z = 1.131: Coeval Growth of Stellar and Supermassive Black Hole Masses

We present the detection of four far-infrared fine-structure oxygen lines, as well as strong upper limits for the CO(2-1) and [N II] 205 um lines, in 3C 368, a well-studied radio-loud galaxy at z = 1.131. These new oxygen lines, taken in conjunction with previously observed neon and carbon fine-structure lines, suggest a powerful active galactic nucleus (AGN), accompanied by vigorous and extended star formation. A starburst dominated by O8 stars, with an age of ~6.5 Myr, provides a good fit to the fine-structure line data. This estimated age of the starburst makes it nearly concurrent with the latest episode of AGN activity, suggesting a link between the growth of the supermassive black hole and stellar population in this source. We do not detect the CO(2-1) line, down to a level twelve times lower than the expected value for star forming galaxies. This lack of CO line emission is consistent with recent star formation activity if the star-forming molecular gas has low metallicity, is highly fractionated (such that CO is photodissociated through much of the clouds), or is chemically very young (such that CO has not yet had time to form). It is also possible, though we argue unlikely, that the ensemble of fine structure lines are emitted from the region heated by the AGN.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Development of Aluminum LEKIDs for Balloon-Borne Far-IR Spectroscopy

We are developing lumped-element kinetic inductance detectors (LEKIDs) designed to achieve background-limited sensitivity for far-infrared (FIR) spectroscopy on a stratospheric balloon. The Spectroscopic Terahertz Airborne Receiver for Far-InfraRed Exploration (STARFIRE) will study the evolution of dusty galaxies with observations of the [CII] 158 $\mu$m and other atomic fine-structure transitions at $z=0.5-1.5$, both through direct observations of individual luminous infrared galaxies, and in blind surveys using the technique of line intensity mapping. The spectrometer will require large format ($\sim$1800 detectors) arrays of dual-polarization sensitive detectors with NEPs of $1 \times 10^{-17}$ W Hz$^{-1/2}$. The low-volume LEKIDs are fabricated with a single layer of aluminum (20 nm thick) deposited on a crystalline silicon wafer, with resonance frequencies of $100-250$ MHz. The inductor is a single meander with a linewidth of 0.4 $\mu$m, patterned in a grid to absorb optical power in both polarizations. The meander is coupled to a circular waveguide, fed by a conical feedhorn. Initial testing of a small array prototype has demonstrated good yield, and a median NEP of $4 \times 10^{-18}$ W Hz$^{-1/2}$.Comment: accepted for publication in Journal of Low Temperature Physic

Synopsis of biological control for European fruit lecanium (Parthenolecanium corni) by parasitoids in North America and preliminary findings in hybrid hazelnut orchards

The European fruit lecanium, Parthenolecanium corni (Bouché) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) is a native insect to North America that causes significant damage to a large variety of fruit and ornamental trees worldwide. Here we provide a summary of the insect’s worldwide distribution and synopsis of all the Hymenopteran parasitoid wasps found to parasitize P. corni in North America from past literature. Additionally, a preliminary parasitoid survey of P. corni was carried out in two hybrid hazel (Corylus avellana × C. americana) plantings as hazelnuts represent a potential new crop for the region. European fruit lecanium, Parthenolecanium corni (Bouché) (Hemiptera: Coccidae), were collected over two sample days in July 2022 from two hybrid hazelnut plantings and their parasitoid fauna recorded. Parasitism rates of P. corni were estimated for hymenopterous parasitoids as well as the entomophagous fungus Ophiocordyceps clavulata (Ascomycota: Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae). Hymenopterous parasitoids were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible. Relationships between parasitism rates (a binomial response) and P. corni density (the predictor variable) were analyzed using binomial generalized linear models. Parthenolecanium corni experienced high parasitism rates: 24.0% by hymenopteran parasitoids, and 63.4% by entomophagous fungi, giving a combined parasitism rate of 87.4%. Wasp and fungal parasitism exhibited contrasting density-dependent relationships. Plants with higher densities of scales experienced lower parasitism rates from hymenopteran parasitoids, but higher scale densities experienced higher parasitism rates from O. clavulata. Further research is needed over the whole adult female life stage of P. corni to learn more about these ecological relationships that could be of great benefit to hybrid hazelnut growers if P. corni becomes a significant pest

Beach Dune Subsurface Hydrodynamics and the Formation of Dune Scarps

The formation of beach scarps is a challenging morphodynamic phenomenon that the coastal community has yet to capture in coastal change models. Understanding scarp formation is crucial to accurately predicting coastal erosion and vulnerability during extreme events, as models without parameters for scarp formation and development severely underpredict total erosion volumes. In models, the transition from planar beach slope to scarp is triggered by the exceedance of an empirical user-defined beach slope. However, little is known about the subsurface physical processes that can precipitate the formation of these highly erosive features. Our work presents results from a near-prototype experiment undertaken to examine both the subsurface and subaerial hydrodynamics involved in the erosion of a beach dune under hurricane conditions. Data was collected during a scaled simulation of Hurricane Sandy on a 1:2.5 scale beach dune in the NSF NHERI O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory Large Wave Flume. Pressure and moisture sensors (f = 100 Hz) buried within the dune tracked the location of the water table over the course of the experiment and captured the influence of wave runup events on pore water pressure and moisture content within the dune. A line-scan lidar (f = 2 Hz) determined the runup elevation of each bore and tracked erosion along a single cross-shore transect throughout the experiment. During the experiment, a vertical scarp formed on the beach face as the water level and wave height increased. Throughout the period of scarp formation, a local increase in the total hydraulic head developed underneath the swash zone. Moisture sensors confirm that the sand in the swash zone was saturated, which indicates a reduction in matric suction from the partially saturated state. Partial momentary liquefaction events, which destabilize surficial sediments on the beach face, were also observed as the scarp forms. Partial momentary liquefaction events are positively correlated with both the total hydraulic head and the swash bore depth. While a reduction in matric suction and an increase in partial momentary liquefaction events can explain some of the slope steepening observed during the experiment, the initial slope discontinuity that developed into the scarp was observed prior to the occurrence of our observations of these instabilities

EXIST: The Ultimate Spatial/Temporal Hard X-ray Survey

The Energetic X-ray Imaging Survey Telescope (EXIST) is a proposed mission to conduct an all-sky imaging hard x-ray (HX) survey (~5–600 keV) with ~0.05mCrab sensitivity (5σ; 6mo.; ~5–100keV) comparable to the ROSAT soft x-ray survey, and to provide the maximum sensitivity and resolution (spatial and temporal) HX imager as the Next Generation GRB mission. Its primary science goals are to i) identify and measure obscured AGN and constrain the accretion luminosity of the universe as well as the cosmic IR background from Blazar spectra coincident with GeV-TeV observations, ii) measure spectra, variability and locations for the faintest GRBs to study the most energetic events in the universe and the earliest epoch of star formation, and iii) study black holes on all scales, from x-ray transients to luminous AGN. EXIST would incorporate a very large area (~8m^2) imaging Cd-Zn-Te detector and coded aperture telescope array with nearly half-sky instantaneous view which images the full sky each orbit. With fixed zenith pointing, it could be mounted on the ISS or a free flyer and would complement both GLAST and Constellation-X science if launched before 2010, as recommended by the Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey

NuSTAR and multifrequency study of the two high-redshift blazars S5 0836+710 and PKS 2149-306

The most powerful blazars are the flat spectrum radio quasars whose emission is dominated by a Compton component peaking between a few hundred keV and a few hundred MeV. We selected two bright blazars, PKS 2149-306 at redshift z=2.345 and S5 0836+710 at z=2.172, in order to observe them in the hard X-ray band with the NuSTAR satellite. In this band the Compton component is rapidly rising almost up to the peak of the emission. Simultaneous soft-X-rays and UV-optical observations were performed with the Swift satellite, while near-infrared (NIR) data were obtained with the REM telescope. To study their variability, we repeated these observations for both sources on a timescale of a few months. While no fast variability was detected during a single observation, both sources were found to be variable in the X-ray band, up to 50%, between the two observations, with larger variability at higher energies. No variability was detected in the optical/NIR band. These data together with Fermi-LAT, WISE and other literature data are then used to study the overall spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of these blazars. Although the jet non-thermal emission dominates the SED, it leaves the UV band unhidden, allowing us to detect the thermal emission of the disc and to estimate the mass of the black hole. The non-thermal emission is well reproduced by a one-zone leptonic model. The non-thermal radiative processes are synchrotron, self-Compton and external Compton using seed photons from both the broad-line region (BLR) and the torus. We find that our data are better reproduced if we assume that the location of the dissipation region of the jet, R_diss, is in-between the torus, (at R_torus), and the BLR (R_torus>R_diss>R_BLR). The observed variability is explained by changing a minimum number of model parameters by a very small amount.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Ap