Who we are in the world: an investigation into psychology and worldview

At the heart of Psychology is the search for understanding — understanding ourselves, understanding others, and understanding our places in the world. At one point or another a person comes to ask themselves fundamental questions about human life, like “Who am I?”, “Why am I here?” and “What will happen to me?” Although these questions are not usually asked out loud, these attempts to make meaning of our lives serve as a reference for our worldviews. In part 1, I take a theory-driven approach to address the questions “What is a worldview?”, and “How is worldview studied psychologically?” In part 2, I introduce a new measure of worldview — The Philosophical Worldview Questionnaire (PWQ) — given to 159 students and address how they describe their worldview using worldview statements, what the benefits of taking the PWQ are, and how well the PWQ fits as a measure of worldview, with directions for the future

SpoT governs Legionella pneumophila differentiation in host macrophages

During its life cycle, Legionella pneumophila alternates between a replicative and a transmissive state. To determine their contributions to L. pneumophila differentiation, the two ppGpp synthetases, RelA and SpoT, were disrupted. Synthesis of ppGpp was required for transmission, as relA spoT mutants were killed during entry to and exit from macrophages. RelA, which senses amino acid starvation induced by serine hydroxamate, is dispensable in macrophages, as relA mutants spread efficiently. SpoT monitors fatty acid biosynthesis (FAB), since following cerulenin treatment, wild-type and relA strains expressed the flaA transmissive gene, but relA spoT mutants did not. As in Escherichia coli , the SpoT response to FAB perturbation likely required an interaction with acyl-carrier protein (ACP), as judged by the failure of the spoT-A413E allele to rescue transmissive trait expression of relA spoT bacteria. Furthermore, SpoT was essential for transmission between macrophages, since secondary infections by relA spoT mutants were restored by induction of spoT , but not relA . To resume replication, ppGpp must be degraded, as mutants lacking spoT hydrolase activity failed to convert from the transmissive to the replicative phase in either bacteriological medium or macrophages. Thus, L. pneumophila requires SpoT to monitor FAB and to alternate between replication and transmission in macrophages.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73309/1/j.1365-2958.2008.06555.x.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73309/2/MMI_6555_sm_Figure_S1.pd

Those Who Teach Can Do: Skill Development Through Undergraduate Teaching

Upon entering the workforce or progressing into a graduate program, undergraduate students are expected to possess a number of both technical and psychological skills, as well as transferable skills, often termed “soft skills” (Appleby, 2003). In addition to coursework, experience through institutional research or undergraduate teaching may provide the necessary opportunities for development of transferable skills. Research presently supports the idea that undergraduate teaching assistants report the acquisition of professional skills through interactions with students and professors (Fingerson & Culley, 2001). These interactions and responsibilities may create similar effects, in terms of professional skill development, to those expected from performing undergraduate research, such as confident communication and leadership (Shalk et al., 2009). Through work as an undergraduate teaching assistant, it is thought that students will develop key knowledge, skills, and characteristics (KSC’s) identified as essential by potential employers through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Information Network (Appleby, 2019). The aim of the present study is to measure gains in teaching assistants’ perceptions of their transferable skills and professional abilities. The researchers have constructed a survey intended to assess students’ perceived competencies and expectations of competencies following completion of the teaching assistant experience. Over the course of three semesters the researchers have surveyed students enrolled in an undergraduate teaching assistant practicum. Students receive course credit and, in addition to gaining professional experience, engage in reflection intended to encourage self-evaluation and integration of professional abilities and goals. The constructed survey is based on the work of Appleby (2007; 2019) and it measures perceived competency in the following domains: integrity, attention to detail, dependability, initiative, flexibility, persistence, communication, goal setting, analytical thinking, self-control, stress tolerance and cooperation. Individual difference measures were also captured, for example, Need for Cognition (Cacioppo et al., 1984) and Brief Resilience Scale (Smith et al., 2008). The researchers also created additional questions to assess the impact of the global pandemic. We hypothesize that this scale will effectively capture gains in perceptions of transferable skills and professional abilities following a TA practicum course. We also hypothesize that individual differences, such as resilience and need for cognition may be correlated. This survey has potential for use with diverse groups of teaching assistants in various departments and educational institutions

Cognitive State Measurement from Eye Gaze Analysis in an Intelligent Virtual Reality Driving System for Autism Intervention

Abstract-Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disabilities with a high prevalence rate. While much research has focused on improving social communication deficits in ASD populations, less emphasis has been devoted to improving skills relevant for adult independent living, such as driving. In this paper, a novel virtual reality (VR)-based driving system with different difficulty levels of tasks is presented to train and improve driving skills of teenagers with ASD. The goal of this paper is to measure the cognitive load experienced by an individual with ASD while he is driving in the VR-based driving system. Several eye gaze features are identified that varied with cognitive load in an experiment participated by 12 teenagers with ASD. Several machine learning methods were compared and the ability of these methods to accurately measure cognitive load was validated with respect to the subjective rating of a therapist. Results will be used to build models in an intelligent VR-based driving system that can sense a participant's real-time cognitive load and offer driving tasks at an appropriate difficulty level in order to maximize the participant's long-term performance

Maternal therapy with Ad.VEGF-A165 increases fetal weight at term in a guinea pig model of fetal growth restriction

OBJECTIVES: We have demonstrated that transient uterine artery VEGF overexpression improves fetal growth in growth restricted sheep pregnancy. We tested this hypothesis in guinea pig pregnancies, where placental physiology more closely resembles that in humans. METHOD: Virgin guinea pigs were nutrient restricted peri-conceptually to create fetal growth restriction (FGR). At day 29-36 (term=65days) at laparotomy Ad.VEGF-A165 or Ad.LacZ (1x1010vp) were applied externally to the uterine circulation using a thermosensitive gel. Dams were sacrificed after 3-8 days or at term. Pups were weighed and tissues sampled for vector spread, VEGF expression and its downstream effects. RESULTS: Ad.VEGF-A165 significantly increased fetal weight at term (88.01±13.36g, n=26) compared to control Ad.LacZ treatment (85.52±13.00g, n=19, p=0.028). Brain, liver, lung weight and crown rump length were significantly larger 3-8 days post-administration, VEGF expression was demonstrated by ELISA and confirmed by immunohistochemistry in transduced tissues. RT-PCR of term samples confirmed vector transduction in target tissues, but the transgene was undetectable in fetal samples. Tissue histological analysis and blood biochemistry/haematological examination was normal. Uterine arteries from Ad.VEGF-A165-treated dams relaxed more completely than those from Ad.LacZ treated dams. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal uterine artery Ad.VEGF-A165 increases fetal growth velocity and term fetal weight in growth restricted guinea pig pregnancy

Facial Scars: Do Position and Orientation Matter?

Background: This study tested the core tenets of how facial scars are perceived by characterizing layperson response to faces with scars. The authors predicted that scars closer to highly viewed structures of the face (i.e., upper lip and lower lid), scars aligned against resting facial tension lines, and scars in the middle of anatomical subunits of the face would be rated less favorably. Methods: Volunteers aged 18 years and older from the United States were recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk to complete a face rating survey. Scars were digitally added in different locations and orientations for a total of 14 unique scars added to each face. Each participant rated 50 different faces on confidence, friendliness, and attractiveness. Data were analyzed using linear mixed effects models. Results: A total of 88,850 ratings [82,990 scarred (93.4 percent)] for attractiveness, friendliness, and confidence were analyzed. In univariate linear mixed effects models, the presence of a facial scar did not significantly impact attractiveness (β = 0.016, SE = 0.014, z = 1.089, p = 0.276). A second set of linear mixed effects models identified interactions between location, subunit placement, and orientation to facial tension lines. Scars located on the lower lid mid subunit perpendicular to facial tension lines were rated less attractive (β = −0.065, SE = 0.028, z = −2.293, p = 0.022). Conclusions: On average, a single well-healed facial scar does not negatively affect first impressions of attractiveness, confidence, or friendliness. Specific scar location and orientation combinations, however, such as a perpendicular scar at the mid-lower eyelid, may result in lower perceived attractiveness, confidence, and friendliness

CdCl2 passivation of polycrystalline CdMgTe and CdZnTe absorbers for tandem photovoltaic cells

© 2018 Author(s). As single-junction silicon solar cells approach their theoretical limits, tandems provide the primary path to higher efficiencies. CdTe alloys can be tuned with magnesium (CdMgTe) or zinc (CdZnTe) for ideal tandem pairing with silicon. A II-VI/Si tandem holds the greatest promise for inexpensive, high-efficiency top cells that can be quickly deployed in the market using existing polycrystalline CdTe manufacturing lines combined with mature silicon production lines. Currently, all high efficiency polycrystalline CdTe cells require a chloride-based passivation process to passivate grain boundaries and bulk defects. This research examines the rich chemistry and physics that has historically limited performance when extending Cl treatments to polycrystalline 1.7-eV CdMgTe and CdZnTe absorbers. A combination of transmittance, quantum efficiency, photoluminescence, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy clearly reveals that during passivation, Mg segregates and out-diffuses, initially at the grain boundaries but eventually throughout the bulk. CdZnTe exhibits similar Zn segregation behavior; however, the onset and progression is localized to the back of the device. After passivation, CdMgTe and CdZnTe can render a layer that is reduced to predominantly CdTe electro-optical behavior. Contact instabilities caused by inter-diffusion between the layers create additional complications. The results outline critical issues and paths for these materials to be successfully implemented in Si-based tandems and other applications

Associations of Facial Proportionality, Attractiveness, and Character Traits.

Background: Facial proportionality and symmetry are positively associated with perceived levels of facial attractiveness. Objective: The aims of this study were to confirm and extend the association of proportionality with perceived levels of attractiveness and character traits and determine differences in attractiveness and character ratings between "anomalous" and "typical" faces using a large dataset. Methods: Ratings of 597 unique individuals from the Chicago Face Database were used. A formula was developed as a proxy of relative horizontal proportionality, where a proportionality score of "0" indicated perfect proportionality and more negative scores indicated less proportionality. Faces were categorized as "anomalous" or "typical" by 2 independent reviewers based on physical features. Results: Across the ratings for all faces, Spearman correlations revealed greater proportionality was associated with attractiveness ( ρ = 0.292, P \u3c 0.001) and trustworthiness ( ρ = 0.193, P \u3c 0.001), while lesser proportionality was associated with impressions of anger (ρ = 0.132, P = 0.001), dominance (ρ = 0.259, P \u3c 0.001), and threateningness ( ρ = 0.234, P \u3c 0.001). Mann-Whitney U tests revealed the typical cohort had significantly higher levels of proportionality (-13.98 versus -15.14, P = 0.030) and ratings of attractiveness (3.39 versus 2.99, P \u3c 0.001) and trustworthiness (3.48 versus 3.35, P \u3c 0.001). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that facial proportionality is not only significantly associated with higher ratings of attractiveness, but also associated with judgements of trustworthiness. Proportionality plays a role in evoking negative attributions of personality characteristics to people with facial anomalies

Visual Attention, Bias, and Social Dispositions Toward People with Facial Anomalies: A Prospective Study with Eye-Tracking Technology.

Background: Facial attractiveness influences our perceptions of others, with beautiful faces reaping societal rewards and anomalous faces encountering penalties. The purpose of this study was to determine associations of visual attention with bias and social dispositions toward people with facial anomalies. Methods: Sixty subjects completed tests evaluating implicit bias, explicit bias, and social dispositions before viewing publicly available images of preoperative and postoperative patients with hemifacial microsomia. Eye-tracking was used to register visual fixations. Results: Participants with higher implicit bias scores fixated significantly less on the cheek and ear region preoperatively (P = 0.004). Participants with higher scores in empathic concern and perspective taking fixated more on the forehead and orbit preoperatively (P = 0.045) and nose and lips (P = 0.027) preoperativel. Conclusions: Participants with higher levels of implicit bias spent less visual attention on anomalous facial anatomy, whereas participants with higher levels of empathic concern and perspective taking spent more visual attention on normal facial anatomy. Levels of bias and social dispositions such as empathy may predict layperson gaze patterns toward those with facial anomalies and provide insights to neural mechanisms underlying the "anomalous is bad" paradigm