The Inconvenient Truth About Coronal Dimmings

We investigate the occurrence of a CME-driven coronal dimming using unique high resolution spectral images of the corona from the Hinode spacecraft. Over the course of the dimming event we observe the dynamic increase of non-thermal line broadening in the 195.12Angstrom emission line of Fe XII as the corona opens. As the corona begins to close, refill and brighten, we see a reduction of the non-thermal broadening towards the pre-eruption level. We propose that the dynamic evolution of non-thermal broadening is the result of the growth of Alfven wave amplitudes in the magnetically open rarefied dimming region, compared to the dense closed corona prior to the CME. We suggest, based on this proposition, that, as open magnetic regions, coronal dimmings must act just as coronal holes and be sources of the fast solar wind, but only temporarily. Further, we propose that such a rapid transition in the thermodynamics of the corona to a solar wind state may have an impulsive effect on the CME that initiates the observed dimming. This last point, if correct, poses a significant physical challenge to the sophistication of CME modeling and capturing the essence of the source region thermodynamics necessary to correctly ascertain CME propagation speeds, etc.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, submitted to ApJ - rerouted to ApJ

Deciphering Solar Magnetic Activity: On Grand Minima in Solar Activity

The Sun provides the energy necessary to sustain our existence. While the Sun provides for us, it is also capable of taking away. The weather and climatic scales of solar evolution and the Sun-Earth connection are not well understood. There has been tremendous progress in the century since the discovery of solar magnetism - magnetism that ultimately drives the electromagnetic, particulate and eruptive forcing of our planetary system. There is contemporary evidence of a decrease in solar magnetism, perhaps even indicators of a significant downward trend, over recent decades. Are we entering a minimum in solar activity that is deeper and longer than a typical solar minimum, a "grand minimum"? How could we tell if we are? What is a grand minimum and how does the Sun recover? These are very pertinent questions for modern civilization. In this paper we present a hypothetical demonstration of entry and exit from grand minimum conditions based on a recent analysis of solar features over the past 20 years and their possible connection to the origins of the 11(-ish) year solar activity cycle.Comment: 9 pages - submitted to Frontiers in Solar and Stellar Physic

NONCONSTANT PRICE EXPECTATIONS AND ACREAGE RESPONSE: THE CASE OF COTTON PRODUCTION IN GEORGIA

An adaptive regression model is used to examine the relative importance of cash and government support prices in determining cotton production over time. The results show that the cash price is more important as a source of price information for cotton producers than the government program price. The cash price was shown to have a greater influence on acreage response in every year, including periods thought to be dominated by government commodity programs.Adaptive regression, Cotton acreage response, Price expectations, Crop Production/Industries,

The Depth and Complexity Program Evaluation Tool: A New Method for Conducting Internal Evaluations of Gifted Education Programs

Few program evaluation models unique to gifted education currently exist. The Depth and Complexity Program Evaluation Tool (DC-PET) is a new method for conducting an evaluation of a gifted program that combines the Kaplan Depth and Complexity Model with tools and techniques from the fields of program evaluation and organizational change. The tool was designed to assist local school district personnel in generating data for gifted program improvement by requiring a close examination of critical issues in the field (e.g., defensible differentiation, underserved populations, twice-exceptional learners). The DC-PET is meant to provide a framework for guiding those who have little or no knowledge of the evaluation process using a paper-based workbook and a computer- or tablet-based application. Gifted coordinators from five districts were asked to create one or more evaluation teams consisting of at least five stakeholders willing to pilot the DC-PET. In total, nine evaluation teams comprised of 55 participants were formed. A sample of 40 individuals from seven different school districts was used as a comparison group. Data collected from the treatment group participants included the administration of a pre and post qualitative survey, a pre and post measure of evaluative thinking, weekly status checks, and the opportunity to participate in a focus group. Thirty-seven participants completed pre and post assessments of their evaluation knowledge using a 4-point response scale from 1 (Novice) to 4 (Expert). Mean scores increased after 10-18 hours using the DC-PET (M= 1.46, SD= 0.61 pretest to M= 2.19, SD= 0.57 posttest). An analysis of the pre and post administration of the Evaluative Thinking Inventory (Buckley and Archibald, 2011) revealed a statistically significant interaction between the intervention and time on evaluative thinking using repeated measures ANOVA (F (1,70) = 115.562, p = .027, = .068). Further analysis of between group differences revealed no statistical difference between the treatment group and the comparison group on the pre-study version of the Evaluative Thinking Inventory, F (1,70) = .031, p = .862, meaning both groups began with about the same level of evaluative thinking. However, there was a significant difference between the treatment group and comparison group on the post-study version of the Evaluative Thinking Inventory, (F (1,70) = 4.022, p = .049, = .054). The mean evaluation team member ratings for the degree to which the DC-PET aligned with the 10 empowerment evaluation principles on a scale from 1 (not at all) to 4 (a lot), were 3.21 or greater. Despite early concerns regarding the time commitment and self-doubt regarding the ability to meaningfully participate, eight of the nine evaluation teams successfully completed an evaluation of a gifted program. Participants reported learning new skills and evaluation methods, as well as obtaining a greater appreciation for the importance of evaluation

An Examination of Informed Traders and the Market Microstructure of Real Estate Investment Trusts

A significant body of research exists documenting that REITs perform differently from other types of equity securities, although the reasons for these differences are unclear. This study examines the intraday trading behavior of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). Specifically, intraday REIT returns, volume, trading activity, and bid/ask spread are examined in an attempt to better understand the patterns of intraday information flow for a sample of REITs trading on the NYSE. After controlling for differences in market capitalization, share price, and institutional holdings, this paper analyzes differences between REITs and non-REITs, and between REITs that are widely held by institutions and those that are not. The results suggest that, as a group, REITs exhibit lower average volumes and number of trades than do similar non-REITs. In addition, the findings suggest that mortgage REITs trade at spreads that are wider. Surprisingly, the analysis of institutional ownership suggests that equity REITs that are widely held by institutions exhibit the largest divergence from non-REITs in terms of both intraday trading activity and volume, but at the same time trade closer to non-REITs in terms of bid/ask spread. Overall, the results of this study confirm that REITs are treated differently by investors than similar non-REITs, and the institutional ownership findings suggest that trading activity is less important as a determinant of REIT performance than is the level of institutional ownership.