Digital Commons Network^™

Theory And Numerics Of Gravitational Waves From Preheating After Inflation, Jean-François Dufaux, Amanda Bergman, Gary Felder, Lev Kofman, Jean-Philippe Uzan

Physics: Faculty Publications

Preheating after inflation involves large, time-dependent field inhomogeneities, which act as a classical source of gravitational radiation. The resulting spectrum might be probed by direct detection experiments if inflation occurs at a low enough energy scale. In this paper, we develop a theory and algorithm to calculate, analytically and numerically, the spectrum of energy density in gravitational waves produced from an inhomogeneous background of stochastic scalar fields in an expanding universe. We derive some generic analytical results for the emission of gravity waves by stochastic media of random fields, which can test the validity/accuracy of numerical calculations. We contrast our …

Evidence For A Population Of High-Redshift Submillimeter Galaxies From Interferometric Imaging, Joshua D. Younger, Giovanni G. Fazio, Jia Sheng Huang, Min S. Yun, Grant W. Wilson, Matthew L.N. Ashby, Mark A. Gurwell, Kamson Lai, Alison B. Peck, Glen R. Petitpas, David J. Wilner, Daisuke Iono, Kotaro Kohno, Ryohei Kawabe, David H. Hughes, Itziar Aretxaga, Tracy Webb, Alejo Martínez-Sansigre, Sungeun Kim, Kimberly S. Scott, Jason Austermann, Thushara Perera, James Lowenthal, Eva Schinnerer, Vernesa Smolčić

Astronomy: Faculty Publications

We have used the Submillimeter Array to image a flux-limited sample of seven submillimeter galaxies, selected by the AzTEC camera on the JCMT at 1.1 mm, in the COSMOS field at 890 μm with ∼2″ resolution. All of the sources - two radio-bright and five radio-dim - are detected as single point sources at high significance (>6 σ), with positions accurate to ∼0.2″ that enable counterpart identification at other wavelengths observed with similarly high angular resolution. All seven have IRAC counterparts, but only two have secure counterparts in deep HST ACS imaging. As compared to the two radio-bright sources …

Vertex Pops And Popturns, Greg Aloupis, Brad Ballinger, Prosenjit Bose, Mirela Damian, Erik D. Demaine, Martin L. Demaine, Robin Flatland, Ferran Hurtado, Stefan Langerman, Joseph O'Rourke, Perouz Taslakian, Godfried Toussaint

Computer Science: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Work In Progress - Designing For Economic Empowerment In Nicaragua, Susannah Howe, Donna Riley, John Farris, Paul Lane, Nola Reinhardt

Engineering: Faculty Publications

Faculty and students in several disciplines at four institutions in the United States and Nicaragua are collaborating on technology entrepreneurship education for economic empowerment in Esteli, Nicaragua. The project aims to demonstrate a new paradigm for development that is rooted in education. The effort will focus on design and delivery of new curriculum for collaborative, interdisciplinary product development. To demonstrate the curriculum, the effort will launch cross-cultural student teams to identify and develop markets, partners, and technology for entrepreneurial ventures in Nicaragua, utilizing Nicaraguan materials and skills. The envisioned long term goal is local economic empowerment and a sound, collaborative …

Unfolding Polyhedra Via Cut-Tree Truncation, Alex Benton, Joseph O'Rourke

Computer Science: Faculty Publications

We prove that an infinite class of convex polyhedra, produced by restricted vertex truncations, always unfold without overlap. The class includes the "domes," providing a simpler proof that these unfold without overlap.

The Slider-Pinning Problem, Audrey Lee, Ileana Streinu, Louis Theran

Computer Science: Faculty Publications

A Laman mechanism is a flexible planar bar-and-joint framework with m ≤ 2n-3 edges and exactly k = 2n-m degrees of freedom. The slider-pinning problem is to eliminate all the degrees of freedom of a Laman mechanism, in an optimal fashion, by individually fixing x or y coordinates of vertices. We describe two easy to implement O(n2) time algorithms.

Modeling T Tauri Winds From He I Λ10830 Profiles, John Kwan, Suzan Edwards, William Fischer

Astronomy: Faculty Publications

The high opacity of He I λ10830 makes it an exceptionally sensitive probe of the inner wind geometry of accreting T Tauri stars. In this line, blueshifted absorption below the continuum results from simple scattering of stellar photons, a situation that is readily modeled without definite knowledge of the physical conditions and recourse to multilevel radiative transfer. We present theoretical line profiles for scattering in two possible wind geometries, a disk wind and a wind emerging radially from the star, and compare them to observed He I λ10830 profiles from a survey of classical T Tauri stars. The comparison indicates …

Supercurrent Survival Under A Rosen-Zener Quench Of Hard-Core Bosons, I. Klich, Courtney Lannert, G. Refael

Physics: Faculty Publications

We study the survival of supercurrents in a system of impenetrable bosons on a lattice, subject to a quantum quench from its critical superfluid phase to an insulating phase. We show that the evolution of the current when the quench follows a Rosen-Zener profile is exactly solvable. This allows us to analyze a quench of arbitrary rate, from a sudden destruction of the superfluid to a slow opening of a gap. The decay and oscillations of the current are analytically derived and studied numerically along with the momentum distribution after the quench. In the case of small supercurrent boosts ν, …

The Zebrafish Fleer Gene Encodes An Essential Regulator Of Cilia Tubulin Polyglutamylation, Narendra Pathak, Tomoko Obara, Steve Mangos, Yan Liu, Iain A. Drummond

Neuroscience: Faculty Publications

Cilia and basal bodies are essential organelles for a broad spectrum of functions, including the development of left-right asymmetry, kidney function, cerebrospinal fluid transport, generation of photoreceptor outer segments, and hedgehog signaling. Zebrafish fleer (flr) mutants exhibit kidney cysts, randomized left-right asymmetry, hydrocephalus, and rod outer segment defects, suggesting a pleiotropic defect in ciliogenesis. Positional cloning flr identified a tetratricopeptide repeat protein homologous to the Caenorhabditis elegans protein DYF1 that was highly expressed in ciliated cells, flr pronephric cilia were shortened and showed a reduced beat amplitude, and olfactory cilia were absent in mutants, flr cilia exhibited ultrastructural defects in …

Band Unfoldings And Prismatoids: A Counterexample, Joseph O'Rourke

Computer Science: Faculty Publications

This note shows that the hope expressed in [ADL+07]--that the new algorithm for edge-unfolding any polyhedral band without overlap might lead to an algorithm for unfolding any prismatoid without overlap--cannot be realized. A prismatoid is constructed whose sides constitute a nested polyhedral band, with the property that every placement of the prismatoid top face overlaps with the band unfolding.

Non-Ossicular Signal Transmission In Human Middle Ears: Experimental Assessment Of The "Acoustic Route" With Perforated Tympanic Membranes, Susan E. Voss, John J. Rosowski, Saumil N. Merchant, William T. Peake

Engineering: Faculty Publications

Direct acoustic stimulation of the cochlea by the sound-pressure difference between the oval and round windows (called the "acoustic route") has been thought to contribute to hearing in some pathological conditions, along with the normally dominant "ossicular route." To determine the efficacy of this acoustic route and its constituent mechanisms in human ears, sound pressures were measured at three locations in cadaveric temporal bones [with intact and perforated tympanic membranes (TMs)]: (1) in the external ear canal lateral to the TM, PTM; (2) in the tympanic cavity lateral to the oval window, POW; and (3) near the round window, PRW. …

Reviewed Work(S): Inigo Jones And The Classical Tradition By Christy Anderson, John E. Moore

Art: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Kahn Chronicle: Fall 2007, Smith College, Kahn Liberal Arts Institute

Kahn Chronicle

Table of Contents:

In the Kahn Spotlight: David Lowenthal & Peter Stallybrass
Announcements
Student Announcements
Narrative : Identity Final Report
Marriage and Divorce Final Report
08-09 Long-Term Project Descriptions
Religious Tolerance Book Publication
07-08 Short-Term Project Descriptions
A Note from the Director

The Emergence Of Organized Feminist Resistance To Sexual Harassment In The United States In The 1970s, Carrie N. Baker

Study of Women, Gender, & Sexuality: Faculty Publications

The first organized resistance to sexual harassment grew out of the women’s movement, emerging at the intersection of activism against employment discrimination and feminist opposition to violence against women. The issue of sexual harassment brought together women’s workplace concerns with resistance to male sexual aggression. In the mid-1970s two organizations formed to focus primarily on sexual harassment—Working Women United in Ithaca, New York, and the Alliance Against Sexual Coercion in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Based on archival materials and interviews, this article documents the early movement against sexual harassment, focusing particularly on the feminist activists who founded these organizations—who they were and …

The Relationship Between Complementary Medicine And Quality Of Life Among Women With Breast Cancer, Nicole Diane. Lombardo

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This exploratory study examines the relationship between complementary medicine and quality of life among women with breast cancer. The objective of this study was to better understand why women choose to use these techniques, which techniques they were using, how effective they perceived them to be, and the overall impact on quality of life. There were twelve women that participated in a semi-structured interview process where they were asked a series of questions about their breast cancer experience. Participant's ages ranged from 32-65 years old, and annual household income varied from less than $30,000 to greater than $75,000. Eleven participants …

Draft Genome Of The Filarial Nematode Parasite Brugia Malayi, Elodie Ghedin, Shiliang Wang, David Spiro, Elisabet Caler, Qi Zhao, Jonathan Crabtree, Jonathan E. Allen, Arthur L. Delcher, David B. Guiliano, Diego Miranda-Saavedra, Samuel V. Angiuoli, Todd Creasy, Paolo Amedeo, Brian Haas, Najib M. El-Sayed, Jennifer R. Wortman, Tamara Feldblyum, Luke Tallon, Michael Schatz, Martin Shumway, Hean Koo, Steven L. Salzberg, Seth Schobel, Mihaela Pertea, Mihai Pop, Owen White, Geoffrey J. Barton, Clotilde K.S. Carlow, Michael J. Crawford, Jennifer Daub, Et Al, Steven A. Williams

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Parasitic nematodes that cause elephantiasis and river blindness threaten hundreds of millions of people in the developing world. We have sequenced the ∼90 megabase (Mb) genome of the human filarial parasite Brugia malayi and predict ∼11,500 protein coding genes in 71 Mb of robustly assembled sequence. Comparative analysis with the free-living, model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans revealed that, despite these genes having maintained little conservation of local synteny during ∼350 million years of evolution, they largely remain in linkage on chromosomal units. More than 100 conserved operons were identified. Analysis of the predicted proteome provides evidence for adaptations of B. malayi …

Unfolding Restricted Convex Caps, Joseph O'Rourke

Computer Science: Faculty Publications

This paper details an algorithm for unfolding a class of convex polyhedra, where each polyhedron in the class consists of a convex cap over a rectangular base, with several restrictions: the cap’s faces are quadrilaterals, with vertices over an underlying integer lattice, and such that the cap convexity is "radially monotone," a type of smoothness constraint. Extensions of Cauchy’s arm lemma are used in the proof of non-overlap.

Risk And Protective Factors Associated With Juvenile Delinquency And Juvenile Sexual Offending Behavior : The Role Of Ethnic Identity, Exposure To Violence, And Parenting Practices And Attachment, Elsa G. Lage

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study examined whether having a strong ethnic identity plays a protective role against juvenile delinquency and sexual offending behavior; the link between having witnessed domestic violence, having been physically abused, and having experienced both types of maltreatment and subsequent juvenile delinquent and sexual offending behavior; and, the link between parental support and attachment versus alienation, inconsistency in parenting, and communication patterns and subsequent juvenile delinquent and juvenile sexually aggressive behaviors. Paper and pencil surveys were collected from 332 sexual abusers and 170 non-sexually offending youth at 6 residential facilities in a Midwestern state. Participants responded to questions regarding traumatic …

Do Personality And Other Individual Differences Affect The Development Of Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms In Male Police Officers?, Megan Kane. Myers

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was undertaken to determine whether personality and other individual differences such as age, race, combat military experience, police experience, job assignment, and job satisfaction were associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms in male police officers. Secondly, I sought to determine if there a police personality distinct from that of the general population. Questionnaire packets containing three instruments were distributed to 109 male police officers. Thirty officers completed and returned the study materials which included: a demographic questionnaire; a personality inventory to assess the domains of neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness; and a trauma scale to assess …

Role Model Development In Young African American Males : Toward A Conceptual Model, Christian Edward Gale

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This theoretical study explores the impact of role models on the adolescent African American male identity development. The study examines the current vulnerable status of African American males in the United States and reveals how they are presently at an overwhelming disadvantage to lead fulfilling and productive lives. In order to understand the phenomenon, this study utilizes literature on general identity development, male identity development, and ethnic identity development, in order to investigate how African American males define themselves and how role models can impact their identity development. Since there is some evidence in current literature that imitation and modeling …

Breast Cancer Survivors' Views Of How Support Groups And Activism Have Affected Their Healing Process, Elizabeth M. Burnworth

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to explore what effects participation in breast cancer support groups and activism had on the lives of breast cancer survivors. The effects of activism and support group participation on healing and the meanings women made of their experiences were documented through women's voices. Themes of general support and outlook on life were also explored. Through the use of in-depth, open-ended, qualitative interviews, twelve women were invited to tell the stories of their illness, activism, and healing. The findings of this study confirmed previous studies, which document the importance of support for breast cancer survivors …

Oh God Where Art Thou? : Does A Relationship To The Divine Help Women From Diverse Religious And Spiritual Backgrounds Make Meaning In The Aftermath Of Intimate Partner Violence? : Implications For Clinical Social Work, Lori Lucia. Donley

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was undertaken in response to recommendations for further investigation by previous researchers regarding resiliency and vulnerability concerning recovery from trauma survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) relevant to their religious and spiritual belief systems. Nine female IPV survivors, who had successfully exited the abusive relationship and identified as actively involved in a religious and/or spiritual tradition were interviewed. Three psychotherapists were interviewed who had professional experience treating this population. A qualitative research design was adopted in order to gather data from subjects considered to be experts in their own experience. Semi-structured open-ended interviews were conducted and coded. Major …

Middle School Teachers' Perceptions Of Their Schools' Formal And Informal Administrative Policies On Children Labeled With Behavioral Problems, Tierra Danielle Watkins

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This exploratory qualitative study was undertaken to identify teachers' perceptions of the formal and informal administrative policies that are used to identify children as having behavioral problems. Additionally, it sought to identify their thoughts regarding the administrative policies on children who have been identified as having behavioral problems. Middle school teachers in the public school system who have at least three years teaching experience were recruited from Philadelphia and New York City Public School Districts. Twelve teachers participated in the study. Participation included answering a demographic questionnaire as well as sitting for a taped interview in which questions were asked …

Sticks And Stones : The Impact Of Negative In-Group Interactions On African American Racial Identity, Donna Christine. Bell

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to identify any relations between African American persons' actual or perceived negative interaction with their racial group and their racial identity. The study worked to answer the question: Is the experience of self-reported negative interactions within the African American community predictive of the level of an individual's racial identity? The hypothesis of this study was that while the existence of these interactions may impact an individual's private regard, it would not impact the centrality of the individual's racial identity. This was a mixed method study using an online survey to gather information from 174 …

Primary Caregiving Fathers : I Was An Interloper In A Woman's World, Meghan L. Cavanaugh

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study sought to ascertain how fathers who are primary caregivers understand their roles as fathers and caregivers. This qualitative, exploratory study aimed to expand the body of knowledge on primary caregiving fathers, which has, to date, largely focused on outcomes-based research. Heterosexual, married men with children under five years of age, who had been primary caregivers for at least six months, were recruited from Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York. Twelve primary caregiving fathers participated in this study. Questions focused on such topics as: 1) the decision-making process; 2) what the participants understood their roles as fathers and primary …

Women's Attitudes And Perceptions About Sexual Fantasy And How It Relates To Sexual Satisfaction In A Committed Relationship, Jillian Marie Weis

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This quantitative study was completed to explore how women's attitudes and perceptions regarding sexual fantasy are related to sexual satisfaction in a committed relationship. Previous research on sexual fantasy focused on frequency of sexual fantasy, gender differences regarding themes of sexual fantasy, level of guilt associated with sexual fantasy, and the acceptance of pornography as sexual fantasy. The survey was presented on the Internet based website, Survey Monkey. Over the course of 30 days, 129 women responded to the survey. The survey included fourteen items that ranged from demographic questions to questions regarding attitudes towards fantasy, and open-ended questions. The …

Exploring Spirituality/Religion Related Interventions Used By Mental Health Workers In Psychotherapy And Counseling, Deanna Wilcoxson Dodd

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study is designed to gain understanding about the question: In what ways do mental health professionals incorporate spiritual and/or religious interventions during psychotherapy? It builds on existing research, focusing on specific interventions that have been carried out in a variety of mental health disciplines. The study is an attempt to further identify and document such interventions. It also explores factors that contribute to the successful use of the interventions within therapy sessions. Twelve highly experienced mental health workers in the eastern United States were interviewed, including clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, pastoral counselors, clinical …

Sometimes Love Ain't Enough : A Study Of The Perceived Relationship Barriers As Reported By 12 Heterosexual African American Women And Men, Stephanie Harris

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The goals of the current study were to explore what barriers African American men and women experience in their past and/or current relationships and to explore in what way, if any, thesis issues correspond with those issues reported by White Americans. This researcher also wanted to examine if gender role issues and racism have contributed to the problems faced by African Americans couples. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 African American men and women, all of whom had a past and/or current heterosexual relationship of two years or longer. Interview questions focused on the troubling issues in the relationship, perceived …

The Experience Of Voluntarily Childless Women In Contemporary New England, Sharon Marie Manning-Kelly

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to gain understanding of the experiences of women who have chosen to remain childless. Voluntarily childless women's experiences of regret and or satisfaction with the decision to not have children are considered against other variables and themes which emerged in review of the literature. This qualitative exploratory study used flexible methods to interview twelve women, located through a process of snowball sampling, who identified themselves as being voluntarily childless. Participants who met criteria were older than the age of 35 and had made a conscious decision at some point in their lives to not …

The Space Between : Transracial Adoptee's Racial Identity And The Role Parents Play In Identity Development, Kristen Denise Mccully

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study explored how transracial adoptees perceive their racial identity and the role that parents play in identity development. In particular, people who participated in this study were asked to reflect on the messages they received about their racial/ethnic identity and how racism may have played into these messages. Interviews were conducted with 12 transracial adoptees who were over the age of 18 at the time of the study. Participants were asked questions about the diversity of the neighborhoods in which they grew up; how their parents recognized their race/ethnicity; how their parents contributed to their racial identity development; how …