MOST Space Telescope Photometry of the 2010 January Transit of Extrasolar Planet HD80606b

We present observations of the full January 2010 transit of HD80606b from the Canadian microsatellite, Microvariability and Oscillations of Stars (MOST). By employing a space-based telescope, we monitor the entire transit thus limiting systematic errors that result from ground observations. We determine measurements for the planetary radius (R_{p}=0.987\pm0.061R_{Jup}) and inclination (i=89.283^{o}\pm0.024) by constraining our fits with the observed parameters of different groups. Our measured mid-transit time of 2455210.6449\pm0.0034 HJD is consistant with the 2010 Spitzer results and is 20 minutes earlier than predicted by groups who observed the June 2009 transit.Comment: 3 figure

Language Characteristics of Individuals with Down Syndrome

On average, language and communication characteristics of individuals with Down syndrome (the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability) follow a consistent profile. Despite considerable individual variability, receptive language is typically stronger than expressive language, with particular challenges in phonology and syntax. We review the literature on language and literacy skills of individuals with Down syndrome, with emphasis on the areas of phonology, vocabulary, syntax, and pragmatics. We begin by describing the hearing, oral-motor, cognitive, social, and prelinguistic and early nonverbal communication characteristics of individuals with Down syndrome. We conclude with a discussion of clinical implications and research directions

Pragmatic Language Features of Mothers with the FMR1 Premutation are Associated with the Language Outcomes of Adolescents and Young Adults with Fragile X Syndrome

PURPOSE: Pragmatic language difficulties have been documented as part of the FMR1 premutation phenotype, yet the interplay between these features in mothers and the language outcomes of their children with fragile X syndrome is unknown. This study aimed to determine whether pragmatic language difficulties in mothers with the FMR1 premutation are related to the language development of their children. METHOD: Twenty-seven mothers with the FMR1 premutation and their adolescent/young adult sons with fragile X syndrome participated. Maternal pragmatic language violations were rated from conversational samples using the Pragmatic Rating Scale (Landa et al., 1992). Children completed standardized assessments of vocabulary, syntax, and reading. RESULTS: Maternal pragmatic language difficulties were significantly associated with poorer child receptive vocabulary and expressive syntax skills, with medium effect sizes. CONCLUSIONS: This work contributes to knowledge of the FMR1 premutation phenotype and its consequences at the family level, with the goal of identifying modifiable aspects of the child's language-learning environment that may promote the selection of treatments targeting the specific needs of families affected by fragile X. Findings contribute to our understanding of the multifaceted environment in which children with fragile X syndrome learn language and highlight the importance of family-centered intervention practices for this group

The Photobiology of Lutein and Zeaxanthin in the Eye

Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants found in the human retina and macula. Recent clinical trials have determined that ageand diet-related loss of lutein and zeaxanthin enhances phototoxic damage to the human eye and that supplementation of these carotenoids has a protective effect against photoinduced damage to the lens and the retina. Two of the major mechanisms of protection offered by lutein and zeaxanthin against age-related blue light damage are the quenching of singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen species and the absorption of blue light. Determining the specific reactive intermediate(s) produced by a particular phototoxic ocular chromophore not only defines the mechanism of toxicity but can also later be used as a tool to prevent damage

Data Privacy Concerns as a Source of Resistance to Complete Mobile Data Collection Tasks Via a Smartphone App

Smartphones present many interesting opportunities for survey research, particularly through the use of mobile data collection applications (apps). There is still much to learn, however, about how to integrate apps in general population surveys. Recent studies investigating hypothetical willingness to complete mobile data collection tasks via an app suggest there may be substantial resistance, in particular, due to concerns around data privacy. There is not much evidence about how privacy concerns influence actual decisions to participate in app-based surveys. Theoretical approaches to understanding privacy concerns and survey participation decisions would suggest that the influence of the former over the latter is likely to vary situationally. In this paper, we present results from a methodological experiment conducted in the context of a three-wave probability-based online panel survey of the general population as part of the 2019 Swiss Election Study ("Selects") testing different ways of recruiting participants to an app. Questions included at wave 1 about online data privacy concerns and comfort sharing different types of data with academic researchers allow us to assess their impact on both hypothetical willingness to download a survey app for completing questionnaires, to take and share photos, and to share the smartphone's GPS location and actual completion of these tasks. Our findings confirm that general concerns about online data privacy do influence hypothetical willingness to complete mobile data collection tasks, but may be overridden by how comfortable people feel about sharing specific types of data with researchers. When it comes to actual compliance with task requests, however, neither privacy concerns nor comfort sharing data seem to matter. We conclude with recommendations for exploring these relationships further in future app-based studies

Response Burden and Dropout in a Probability-Based Online Panel Study – A Comparison between an App and Browser-Based Design

Survey respondents can complete web surveys using different Internet-enabled devices (PCs versus mobile phones and tablets) and using different software (web browser versus a mobile software application, “app”). Previous research has found that completing questionnaires via a browser on mobile devices can lead to higher breakoff rates and reduced measurement quality compared to using PCs, especially where questionnaires have not been adapted for mobile administration. A key explanation is that using a mobile browser is more burdensome and less enjoyable for respondents. There are reasons to assume apps should perform better than browsers, but so far, there have been few attempts to assess this empirically. In this study, we investigate variation in experienced burden across device and software in wave 1 of a three- wave panel study, comparing an app with a browser-based survey, in which sample members were encouraged to use a mobile device. We also assess device/software effects on participation at wave 2. We find that compared to mobile browser respondents, app respondents were less likely to drop out of the study after the first wave and the effect of the device used was mediated by subjective burden experienced during wave 1

Perspective Chapter: “You Can’t Be What You Can’t See” - A Longitudinal Health Sciences Mentorship Program for Rural Schools

Most rural communities in Washington state are medically underserved. Without health care providers in the community to serve as role models, most rural youth do not envision themselves pursuing health care careers. Increasing the number of students from rural communities pursuing health care careers is arguably the best way to increase the number of providers returning to rural communities to practice. This chapter is a review of an ongoing longitudinal mentorship program designed to expose students in rural and underserved communities to health science careers and to help them develop the academic skills and personal traits needed for success. The program builds across all years of middle and high school and is designed to equip high school graduates for immediate employment or for post-secondary education in the health sciences. The program also has positive effects on the mentors and educates them on the challenges faced by rural and underserved communities. While the impact of the program is being qualitatively assessed, the outcomes on career choices will not be fully known until students graduate and ultimately enter the workforce. There is a high level of confidence that the program will increase the number of ‘home grown’ health care professionals to serve these communities

Reading and Phonological Skills in Boys with Fragile X Syndrome

Reading skills are critical for the success of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Literacy has received little attention in fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited cause of intellectual impairment. This study examined the literacy profile of FXS and tested phonological awareness and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms as predictors of literacy