557 research outputs found
Bigraphical Arrangements
We define the bigraphical arrangement of a graph and show that the
Pak-Stanley labels of its regions are the parking functions of a closely
related graph, thus proving conjectures of Duval, Klivans, and Martin and of
Hopkins and Perkinson. A consequence is a new proof of a bijection between
labeled graphs and regions of the Shi arrangement first given by Stanley. We
also give bounds on the number of regions of a bigraphical arrangement.Comment: Added Remark 19 addressing arbitrary G-parking functions; minor
revision
Primer for the algebraic geometry of sandpiles
The Abelian Sandpile Model (ASM) is a game played on a graph realizing the
dynamics implicit in the discrete Laplacian matrix of the graph. The purpose of
this primer is to apply the theory of lattice ideals from algebraic geometry to
the Laplacian matrix, drawing out connections with the ASM. An extended summary
of the ASM and of the required algebraic geometry is provided. New results
include a characterization of graphs whose Laplacian lattice ideals are
complete intersection ideals; a new construction of arithmetically Gorenstein
ideals; a generalization to directed multigraphs of a duality theorem between
elements of the sandpile group of a graph and the graph's superstable
configurations (parking functions); and a characterization of the top Betti
number of the minimal free resolution of the Laplacian lattice ideal as the
number of elements of the sandpile group of least degree. A characterization of
all the Betti numbers is conjectured.Comment: 45 pages, 14 figures. v2: corrected typo
Physiological Responses in Initial Psychological Interviews
The purpose of this study was to determine the physiological responses of subjects to an initial psychological interview, and to study the effect of physical proximity and touch on these responses. Heart rate and total skin conductance variability were the responses monitored. To assess the subjects\u27 like or dislike of the psychologist interviewer, a measure of interpersonal attraction, the Interpersonal Judgment Scale, was employed. The California Psychological Inventory was utilized to investigate possible personality correlates with the physiological responses.
Sixty females, between the ages of 18 and 28, responded to the California Psychological Inventory and were then connected to the physiological monitoring devices. The subjects\u27 physiological responses were recorded for a 10-minute period in an empty office and then they randomly received one of the following treatments: In treatment I the psychologist entered the counseling office, introduced himself, and sat one foot from the subject while orally administering the Rotter Incomplete Sentences Blank--Adult Form. When the psychologist reached item 15 he stated, Very good, now let\u27s go on to page 2. After the test, the psychologist said, That\u27s all for today, thank you for your help. If you will wait here, the experimenter will be right in. The psychologist then left the office, and the subject responded to the Interpersonal Judgment Scale. Treatment II was identical to treatment I, except the subject was touched three times during the interview, once on the shoulder and twice on the arm. In treatment III the psychologist entered the office, sat behind a desk and followed the procedure outlined in treatment I.
The results indicated that a subject\u27s reaction to an initial psychological interview is a mild to moderate defensive response manifested by an increase in physiological stress levels. Total skin conductance variability increased significantly during the period when the psychologist was in the office. Heart rate increased in 54 out of 60 cases, but did not increase sufficiently enough in magnitude to justify significance.
There were no significant differences between the three treatment groups on heart rate, skin conductance, or interpersonal attraction, and there were no personality correlates which were great enough to be of practical value.
The data collected in the experiment supported the conclusion that a subject\u27s reaction to an initial psychological interview is a mild to moderate stress response manifested by increments in physiological stress levels. Touch and physical proximity do not appear to alter the stress response or the subject\u27s like--dislike attitude toward the psychologist
Sandpiles and Dominos
We consider the subgroup of the abelian sandpile group of the grid graph
consisting of configurations of sand that are symmetric with respect to central
vertical and horizontal axes. We show that the size of this group is (i) the
number of domino tilings of a corresponding weighted rectangular checkerboard;
(ii) a product of special values of Chebyshev polynomials; and (iii) a
double-product whose factors are sums of squares of values of trigonometric
functions. We provide a new derivation of the formula due to Kasteleyn and to
Temperley and Fisher for counting the number of domino tilings of a 2m x 2n
rectangular checkerboard and a new way of counting the number of domino tilings
of a 2m x 2n checkerboard on a M\"obius strip.Comment: 35 pages, 24 figure
Emergency Responders\u27 Perceptions of Mental Health Patients While Providing Care in Rural Areas
Prior research has shown a correlation between public stigma and emergency responders\u27 perceptions of mental health patients while providing care. However, research examining public stigma and emergency responders\u27 perceptions of mental health patients is limited in rural areas. The purpose of this study was to explore possible relationships between the dependent variable, public stigma, and the independent variables: social distance, blameworthiness, and fear of unpredictable behavior. Link\u27s modified labeling theory was the theoretical framework for this study. A sample of 92 emergency responders obtained from Facebook completed a questionnaire that consisted of three Likert scales. A multiple regression showed little correlation between public stigma and social distance, blameworthiness, and fear of unpredictable behavior. Only .077 of the variance in public stigma was explained by the combination of independent variables. This study has demonstrated a possible shift in societal attitudes toward mental illness. It is important to determine the cause of this change in results so that continued education regarding mental health awareness may positively affect social change
How Teachers Modify their Instruction for Education for Employment Students Integrated into Regular Academic Programs at Smithfield High School
The research goals of this study were to determine: 1. What factors determine curriculum modifications by Smithfield High School teachers who instruct and evaluate the academic performance of the Education for Employment student
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