bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Creating and Implementing a Virtual Math Tutoring Lab for Undergraduate Students
Authors: Kunkel Curtis
Published: February 2013

This chapter discusses the construction and implementation of a Virtual Math Lab for undergraduate students. The main technology used in the construction of the site was the Livescribe® SmartPen. Pros and cons of using this technology is discussed in detail. In addition, current usage numbers illustrate how the Virtual Math Lab has filled a need that this level of student desperately needed filled.
Videagogy
Authors: Jonas Peter M. , Bradley Darnell J.
Published: February 2013

Capitalist economics posits that increased competition between entrepreneurs in an economy leads to better, more consumer friendly products. As colleges compete for students, the same could be said for how modern learners have driven traditional pedagogy to new heights. In the last 30 years, education has witnessed the transformation of distance learning via the internet and home computing, the growth and inclusion of non-traditional learning methods, and most recently, the growth of a ubiquitous video culture via the usage of digital video recording, phone cameras, and web vehicles such as YouTube. This chapter attempts to connect research with the practical components of using technology in the form of humorous, short videos as a new teaching technique called videagogy: from the words video and pedagogy, pronounced vid-e-ah-go-jee. Using humorous videos and allowing students to select video content brings self-directed learning to students in a non-threatening way that actually makes them laugh out loud.
Video Projects
Authors: Bishop Marianne Castano , Yocom Jim
Published: February 2013

Video projects offer valuable opportunities for students to engage in the academic enterprise and demonstrate what they are learning. This chapter explores what will be referred to as the Helix-Flow: an amalgam synthesizing and strengthening three theoretical frameworks of instruction, including Project-based Learning, Universal Design for Learning, and Bloom’s Taxonomy of Cognitive Domain. The Helix-Flow captures the essence of these three theories and serves as a backdrop for understanding and appreciating video projects as a learning artifact. As a helix, the spirals wrap around the cylinder or cone. Each spiral represents one of the theories and the cylinder or cone represents student engagement with video projects. The spirals or theories support the cone or student engagement with video projects. Each theory or spiral has its own inherent and prescribed set of principles and guidelines. Each theory integrates with the others while keeping its own strengths, providing a comprehensive approach to instruction and student engagement. Each theory scaffolds differentiated instruction. This chapter will also examine the five Rs as guidelines for multimedia projects – Rationale, Roles, Resources, Rubric, and Readiness as well as the design of video assignments, assistance, production phases, and assessment.
On Modeling and Verification of Agent-Based Traffic Simulation Properties in Alloy
Authors: Valente Junia , Araujo Frederico , Wenkstern Rym Z.
Published: February 2013

The advances in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) call for a new generation of traffic simulation models that support connectivity and collaboration among simulated vehicles and traffic infrastructure. In this paper we introduce MATISSE, a complex, large scale agent-based framework for the modeling and simulation of ITS and discuss how Alloy, a modeling language based on set theory and first order logic, was used to specify, verify, and analyze MATISSE’s traffic models.
The Ersatz Brain Project
Authors: Anderson James A. , Allopenna Paul , Guralnik Gerald S. , Ferrente Daniel , Santini John A.
Published: February 2013

The Ersatz Brain Project develops programming techniques and software applications for a brain-like computing system. Its brain-like hardware architecture design is based on a select set of ideas taken from the anatomy of mammalian neo-cortex. In common with other such attempts it is based on a massively parallel, two-dimensional array of CPUs and their associated memory. The design used in this project: 1) Uses an approximation to cortical computation called the network of networks which holds that the basic computing unit in the cortex is not a single neuron but groups of neurons working together in attractor networks; 2) Assumes connections and data representations in cortex are sparse; 3) Makes extensive use of local lateral connections and topographic data representations, and 4) Scales in a natural way from small groups of neurons to the entire cortical regions. The resulting system computes effectively using techniques such as local data movement, sparse data representation, sparse connectivity, temporal coincidence, and the formation of discrete “module assemblies.” The authors discuss recent neuroscience in relation to their physiological assumptions and a set of experiments displaying what appear to be “concept-like” ensemble based cells in human cortex.
Interest of Venture Capital Companies in Open Source-Based New Ventures
Authors: Koch Stefan , Özgür Mürvet Ozan
Published: February 2013

This study focuses on the attitudes of venture capital companies with regard to investments into open source software-based start-ups in Turkey, with a special focus on their preference for different possible business models which these start-ups could be based on. A series of in-depth qualitative interviews has been done with managers of venture capital firms with an IT focus operating in Turkey. Currently, no investments proposal have been received, and an analysis of barriers has resulted in showing lack of support from institutions (especially universities) and insufficient community support, which blocks the development of related expertise. On the other hand, interest exists based on perceptions of open source software-based new ventures as more innovative with higher probability of returns when compared to their proprietary counterparts. This confirms prior theories. For future applications, venture capital firms would prefer dual or hosted business models when investing. Another major outcome is that researchers should step back and focus attention on reasons related with the immaturity of open source-based projects in Turkey.
Developments in E-Entrepreneurship in Turkey and a Case Study of a Startup Company Founded by a Woman Entrepreneur
Authors: Erdör Murat
Published: February 2013

The developments in internet technologies in Turkey in the recent years have led to the opening of countless stores selling products and services online. The accelerated growth in the ecommerce volumes has attracted the attention of foreign investors who have started to invest in such companies. As the consumers’ online shopping habits develop and the interest in the field grows, many startups continue to be founded. The fast expansion of the industry has led to the birth of new professions and sub-industries, already providing significant contribution to the economy. Companies unheard of just a few years ago have caught up with much more established companies in terms of turnover, projects with no promise have turned into huge successes with the right planning and effort. Women entrepreneurs are taking their place in ecommerce, as in many other industries, and they have already proven to be successful in this area too. This study provides information about the developments in the Turkish ecommerce industry as well as the success story of a woman entrepreneur as a case study.
Measuring Shared and Team Situation Awareness of Emergency Decision Makers
Authors: Javed Yasir , Norris Tony
Published: February 2013

Large scale emergencies are usually responded to by a team of emergency managers or a number of sub teams. Team coordination has attracted considerable research interest, especially from the cognitive, human factors, and ergonomic aspects because the shared situation awareness (SSA) and team situation awareness (TSA) of team members is critical for optimal decision making. This paper describes the development of an information system (SAVER) based on SSA and TSA oriented systems design. Validation and evaluation of the implemented design shows that decision performance is improved by the SAVER system.
Conformance Analysis of Organizational Models
Authors: Brandt Christoph , Hermann Frank
Published: February 2013

Organizational models play a key role in today’s enterprise modeling. They usually show up as partial models produced in a distributed and non-synchronized fashion by people with different conceptual understandings. For this reason, there is a major need to organize partial organizational models within a suitable modeling framework, and, moreover, to check their mutual conformance. This builds the basis to integrate the partial organizational models later on into one holistic model of the organization and for model checking certain security, risk, and compliance constraints. In order to attain this goal, the authors present two mutually aligned contributions. The first one is a new enterprise modeling framework—the EM-Cube. The second one is a new approach for checking conformance of models based on the suggested formal modeling technique associated with the proposed framework. They evaluate the potential solution against concrete requirements derived from a real-world scenario coming out of the finance industry.
Functional Method Engineering
Authors: Goyal S. B. , Prakash Naveen
Published: February 2013

Examination of the notion of situation shows that it does not reflect so much the method characteristics as the characteristics of projects/method implementations. By treating methods as functions the authors are able to postulate functional characteristics of methods. By including these in the description of a situation, they are able to describe the functional aspects of a situation. This functional situation can be used for retrieving functionally similar methods. Functional similarity is abstracted out in the notion of functional method. That is, a functional situation gives to the authors a functional method which can correspond to one or more methods. Each method is retrieved and it is then adapted to yield the desired method. Since they rely so heavily on the notion of a function, the authors refer to their approach as functional method engineering. The implications of the approach on CAME tool design are considered and illustrated through a running example.
Multispectral Image Compression, Intelligent Analysis, and Hierarchical Search in Image Databases
Authors: Rubin Stuart , Kountchev Roumen , Milanova Mariofanna , Kountcheva Roumiana
Published: February 2013

In this paper, a new approach is offered for the efficient processing and analysis of groups of multispectral images of the same objects. It comprises several tools: the Modified Inverse Pyramid Decomposition; the invariant object representation with Modified Mellin-Fourier transform, and the hierarchical search in image databases, for which the invariant representation is used. The new approach permits the definition of a large number of parameters, which are used for object analysis and evaluation. When combined with the KASER expert system, this approach yields a flexible tool for the analysis of multispectral images of the same object.
Bregman Hyperplane Trees for Fast Approximate Nearest Neighbor Search
Authors: Naidan Bilegsaikhan , Hetland Magnus Lie
Published: February 2013

This article presents a new approximate index structure, the Bregman hyperplane tree, for indexing the Bregman divergence, aiming to decrease the number of distance computations required at query processing time, by sacrificing some accuracy in the result. The experimental results on various high-dimensional data sets demonstrate that the proposed index structure performs comparably to the state-of-the-art Bregman ball tree in terms of search performance and result quality. Moreover, this method results in a speedup of well over an order of magnitude for index construction. The authors also apply their space partitioning principle to the Bregman ball tree and obtain a new index structure for exact nearest neighbor search that is faster to build and a slightly slower at query processing than the original.
Effects of photoperiod on body size and hormone titres relating to diapause regulation inCotesia vestalis(Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Authors: Hao Zhong-Ping , Zhao Yan-Qun , Yuan Zhong-Qin , Shi Zu-Hua
Published: February 2013

Photoperiods influence diapause beyond the maternal generation inCotesia vestalis(Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). The sizes, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), and juvenile hormone III (JH III) contents in the G1diapausing prepupae, G0nondiapausing prepupae, adults, and G1eggs fromC. vestaliscultures reared under three photoperiods (8:16 hours light:dark, 12:12 hours light:dark, and 16:8 hours light:dark) were measured to investigate the hormones’ roles on maternal information transmission and diapause regulation. Results showed that the body size of G1diapausing prepupae was significantly larger than that of G0nondiapausing prepupae. The sizes of G0prepupae, female abdomens, and G1eggs under eight-hour light were significantly larger than those under 16-hour light. The 20E content in diapausing prepupae was significantly lower than that in nondiapausing prepupae, whereas JH III content did not show significantly difference under the same photoperiod. The 20E content in maternal prepupae, mated females and G1eggs decreased as the light period was reduced. Juvenile hormone III contents in G0-mated females and G1eggs (after oviposition) under three photoperiods showed no significant differences. These findings suggest that 20E may play a critical role in diapause regulation ofC. vestalis, and be used as a maternal environmental message to be transmitted to the next generation.
Role of Secretin-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography in the Evaluation of Patients Following Pancreatojejunostomy
Authors: Anis Munazza , Mortele Koenraad
Published: February 2013

Objective:

This study was conducted to assess the role of secretin-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (S-MRCP) in the evaluation of patients following pancreatico-jejunal anatomosis.

Materials and Methods:

S-MRCP studies (n = 83) performed at Brigham and Women's Hospital between 1/2005 and 7/2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Among these, there were 13 patients (10 females, 3 males; mean age = 45 years, range = 18-74 years) who were evaluated with S-MRCP following pancreatojejunal anatomosis. Single-shot fast spin-echo T2-weighted thick slab dynamic MRCP images obtained before and every minute (for 10 min) after IV injection of secretin (2 mcg/kg body weight of SecreFloTM IV over 1 min) were reviewed retrospectively and independently by 3 readers. Image analysis included measurement of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) diameter and subjective assessment of the grade of visualization of the MPD remnant. The amount of jejunal fluid and visualization of the pancreatico-jejunal anatomosis pre-and post-secretin were also documented. Direct correlation with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) finding was available in six of the 13 cases.

Results:

The MPD diameter and MPD remnant visualization improved post-secretin for 1/3 readers. The number of pancreatico-jejunal anastomoses and the amount of jejunal fillings pre-and post-secretin was seen to improve significantly for 1 of the 3 readers. For Reader 1, the mean MPD diameter in the body of the pancreas, on the pre-and post-secretin image, was 3.2 ± 1.3 mm and 3.8 ± 1.9 mm, respectively. There was no statistical difference in the values pre- and post-secretin in the MPD diameter (P = 0.07), MPD visualization (P = 0.16) and the number of pancreatico-jejunal anastomoses seen (P = 0.125 5/13 pre- and 9/13 post-secretin). Statistical significance was seen in the amount of jejunal filling (P = 0.01) after secretin. For Reader 2, the MPD diameter pre-and post-secretin was 4 ± 2 and 3.9 ± 2.1 mm, respectively (P = 0.89). The MPD visualization (P = 0.19) and degree of jejunal filling (P = 0.7) did not improve significantly. There were 3/13 pancreatico-jejunostomy anastomoses seen pre- and 8/13 seen post-secretin (P = 0.06). The values for Reader 3 reached a statistical significance for the measurement of MPD (P = 0.032). In addition, MPD visualization (P = 0.038), the number of anastomoses seen (P = 0.016) and jejunal filling (P = 0.006) were also significantly improved.

Conclusion:

The addition of intravenous secretin to an MRCP study in the evaluation of patients following pancreatojejunal anastomosis does not significantly impact the visualization of the pancreatic duct. However, secretin may improve the assessment of the pancreatico-jejunal anastomosis.
Environmental perturbation effects on baseline δ15N values and zooplankton trophic flexibility in the southern California Current Ecosystem
Authors: Décima Moira , Landry Michael R. , Popp Brian N.
Published: February 2013

Nitrogen isotopic compositions of zooplankton in the California Current Ecosystem (CCE) are known to vary over inter‐annual scales of climate variability, but the extent to which those changes are driven by variations in baseline phytoplankton δ15N values vs. zooplankton trophic position (TP) is poorly resolved. We use field samples collected during a large natural environmental perturbation, the 1998–1999 alternation between El Niño and La Niña states, to test the ability of large dominant CCE zooplankton Euphausia pacifica and Calanus pacificus to alter their TPs in response to environmental variability. To distinguish trophic changes from variations of δ15N values at the base of the food web, the zooplankton were assayed by Compound Specific Isotope Analysis of Amino Acids (CSIA‐AA). Linear mixed‐effect models were developed to utilize data from all amino acids (AAs), providing greater statistical power than the typical CSIA‐AA approach of using only phenylalanine and glutamic acid. We confirm a significant 15N enrichment of ∼ 2‰ at the base of the food web for all AAs and all zooplankton groups during the 1998 El Niño. This baseline enrichment in 15N has been speculated to occur during El Niño events but never conclusively shown. We also demonstrate a significantly elevated TP, implying increased carnivory during 1998, for E. pacifica while C. pacificus did not alter their TP between years. Lastly, TPs calculated from the standard CSIA‐AA equation with laboratory‐derived constants gave unrealistically low estimates, suggesting an assessment of these variables in situ is needed for an accurate application in natural systems.
Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Krishnan Sundar , Mill Dallen
Published: February 2013

Management of shock in the intensive care unit involves advanced hemodynamic monitoring. Invasive monitoring with central venous lines and pulmonary artery catheters may be inadequate in guiding therapy and improving outcomes. Echocardiography is a reasonably-safe, minimally-invasive diagnostic technique that provides rapid bedside evaluation of ventricular filling and function. While transthoracic echocardiography is the method of choice initially, images can be suboptimal in up to a third of intensive care patients. Transesophageal echocardiography is then required to better evaluate the cause of hemodynamic instability. In addition, transesophageal echocardiography can be used to diagnose other causes of hemodynamic failure (for e.g., pericardial tamponade, pulmonary embolism and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction) and to diagnose intracardiac shunt. Echocardiography is also vital in diagnosing the cause and guiding management in patients with cardiac arrest. Specific training is required for physicians in order to achieve competence in probe insertion, completion of a comprehensive examination and interpretation of the images. In this article, we provide an overview of the indications and complications of the technique and training pathways for the intensivist, followed by transesophageal echocardiography-guided hemodynamic assessment and diagnosis of specific cardiac disorders commonly encountered in the intensive care unit.

How to cite this article

Krishnan S, Mill D. Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Intensive Care Unit. J Perioper Echocardiogr 2013;1(1):4-15.
Tricuspid Valve Dilation in a Case of Ostium Secundum Atrial Septal Defect: Therapeutic Dilemmas in the Perioperative Period and a Call for Building the Evidence
Authors: Singh H , Sethumadhavan J , Jayant A
Published: February 2013

The adult literature on managing tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in left heart disease is in evolution. Tricuspid valve repair in pediatrics, on the other hand has more or less been restricted to disease subsets, such as children developing TR secondary to right ventricular disease or tricuspid valve anomalies. The pediatric literature on ‘acquired’ TR [as in congenital heart diseases, such as atrial septal defect (ASD)] is sparse. Some of the concerns that need to be addressed are thresholds for intervention, optimal annular reduction and methods of surgical reduction (DeVega vs ring annuloplasty). We present a case of a 5 years old female child who primarily presented for closure of her ostium secundum ASD. However, intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed TR and a tricuspid annular dimension beyond z +3 for her size. The surgeon chose to perform a DeVega annuloplasty and both the ASD closure and the annuloplasty were uneventful, postoperative TEE revealed no residual defect, no TR or stenosis. We seek to highlight this case in order to urge a more systematic study of such patients with a local focus since patients in our country present later than usual with asymptomatic heart disease and are more likely to undergo progressive right heart enlargement for a given shunt.

How to cite this article

Sethumadhavan J, Singh H, Jayant A. Tricuspid Valve Dilation in a Case of Ostium Secundum Atrial Septal Defect: Therapeutic Dilemmas in the Perioperative Period and a Call for Building the Evidence. J Perioper Echocardiogr 2013;1(1):24-26.
Incidentally Detected Coronary Artery Fistula Detected on Routine Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography
Authors: Shivaprasad BM , Subash S , Jayant A
Published: February 2013

Coronary artery fistulae (CAF) are rare anomalies. Herein, we describe the use of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the diagnosis and management of CAF. A 3-year-old child diagnosed to have ostium secundum atrial septal defect (OS ASD) was posted for surgical closure under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Post procedure TEE revealed a single continuous turbulent jet toward right atrium near the lateral wall of tricuspid region and was diagnosed as CAF communicating right coronary artery and right atrium. Surgical ligation of the CAF under CPB was done and the child was discharged postoperatively without complications. This case highlights the utility of intraoperative TEE in the diagnosis and management of CAF.

How to cite this article

Subash S, Shivaprasad BM, Jayant A, Puri GD. Incidentally Detected Coronary Artery Fistula Detected on Routine Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography. J Perioper Echocardiogr 2013;1(1):27-29.
Venous Air Embolism during Anterior Lumbar Surgery
Authors: Bader Stephen O , Cho Susie J , Heitz James W
Published: February 2013

The use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has improved the detection of venous air embolism (VAE), especially in the case of small VAE where clinical changes can be subtle and erroneously attributed to volume status or cardiac function. We present a case of VAE in a 62 years old female that occurred during anterior lumbar spine surgery that was diagnosed with the aid of TEE. As anterior lumbar spines surgery is traditionally not associated with VAE, we believe this is the first reported case of VAE in this type of procedure.

How to cite this article

Cho SJ, Bader SO, Heitz JW. Venous Air Embolism during Anterior Lumbar Surgery. J Perioper Echocardiogr 2013;1(1):30-32.
Possible effect of extreme solar energetic particle events of September–October 1989 on polar stratospheric aerosols: a case study
Authors: Mironova I. A. , Usoskin I. G.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. The main ionization source of the middle and low Earth atmosphere is related to energetic particles coming from outer space. Usually it is ionization from cosmic rays that is always present in the atmosphere. But in a case of a very strong solar eruption some solar energetic particles (SEP) can reach middle/low atmosphere increasing the ionization rate up to some orders of magnitude at polar latitudes. We continue investigating such a special class of solar events and their possible applications for natural variations of the aerosol content. After the case study of the extreme SEP event of January 2005 and its possible effect upon polar stratospheric aerosols, here we analyze atmospheric applications of the second sequence of several events that took place over the Autumn 1989. Using aerosol data obtained over polar regions from two satellites with space-borne optical instruments SAGE II and SAM II that were operating during September–October 1989, we found that an extreme major SEP event might have led to formation of new particles and/or growth of preexisting ultrafine particles in the polar stratospheric region. However, the effect of the additional ambient air ionization on the aerosol formation is minor, in comparison with temperature effect, and can take place only in the cold polar atmospheric conditions.
Statistical properties of substorms during different storm and solar cycle phases
Authors: Partamies N. , Juusola L. , Tanskanen E. , Kauristie K.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Substorm properties during different storm phases have been studied using an automated recognition of substorm and storm phases in the auroral electrojet (AL) and ring current (Dst) index data from 1995–2009. The large number of events (about 500 storms and 15 000 substorms) provides statistically reliable distributions, average behaviour and long time series of simple parameters, such as durations and intensities. The phases of storms and substorms have been examined independently. Substorm phases have been further combined to single and multi-cycle events. The former consist of one growth, one expansion and one recovery phase, while the latter include multiple expansion and recovery phases after one growth phase. Our findings show that most substorms take place during non-storm times, and substorms during storm initial phases resemble isolated non-storm time substorms. Both during storm initial phases and non-storm times, the substorm growth phases may last longer than the other substorm phases. Substorm recovery phase is typically the longest phase but its duration also varies most. The longest substorm recovery phase duration was observed during multi-cycle substorms. The longest substorm expansion and storm main phases were found during the years close to the solar maximum. The shortest substorm events (the shortest phase durations) are the single-cycle substorms. The period of expansion onsets during multi-cycle substorms varied hugely for events with a small number of expansion phases. For events with a larger number of expansions, a clearer periodicity of about one hour (median value) was suggested.
Multiple stressors of ocean ecosystems in the 21st century: projections with CMIP5 models
Authors: Bopp L. , Resplandy L. , Orr J. C. , Doney S. C. , Dunne J. P. , Gehlen M. , Halloran P. , Heinze C. , Ilyina T. , Séférian R. , Tjiputra J. , Vichi M.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Ocean ecosystems are increasingly stressed by human-induced changes of their physical, chemical and biological environment. Among these changes, warming, acidification, deoxygenation and changes in primary productivity by marine phytoplankton can be considered as four of the major stressors of open ocean ecosystems. Due to rising atmospheric CO2 in the coming decades, these changes will be amplified. Here, we use the most recent simulations performed in the framework of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5 to assess how these stressors may evolve over the course of the 21st century. The 10 Earth System Models used here project similar trends in ocean warming, acidification, deoxygenation and reduced primary productivity for each of the IPCC's representative concentration parthways (RCP) over the 21st century. For the "business-as-usual" scenario RCP8.5, the model-mean changes in 2090s (compared to 1990s) for sea surface temperature, sea surface pH, global O2 content and integrated primary productivity amount to +2.73 °C, −0.33 pH unit, −3.45% and −8.6%, respectively. For the high mitigation scenario RCP2.6, corresponding changes are +0.71 °C, −0.07 pH unit, −1.81% and −2.0% respectively, illustrating the effectiveness of extreme mitigation strategies. Although these stressors operate globally, they display distinct regional patterns. Large decreases in O2 and in pH are simulated in global ocean intermediate and mode waters, whereas large reductions in primary production are simulated in the tropics and in the North Atlantic. Although temperature and pH projections are robust across models, the same does not hold for projections of sub-surface O2 concentrations in the tropics and global and regional changes in net primary productivity.
An improved chloroform surrogate for chlorine dioxide‐and alum‐treated waters
Authors: Granderson Corey W. , Pifer Ashley D. , Fairey Julian L.
Published: February 2013

Reliable disinfection by‐product (DBP) surrogates could be used to optimize dosing of chemicals for DBP precursor removal. In this study, ultraviolet‐ and fluorescence‐based DBP surrogates were evaluated for two drinking water reservoirs. Free chlorine DBP formation potential (FP) tests were performed on raw waters, alum‐coagulated (AC) waters, and chlorine dioxide‐treated and AC (CD‐AC) waters. On average for the two reservoirs, AC decreased trichloromethane chloroform (TCM) FP by 30 and 42%, whereas CD‐AC decreased TCMFP by 61 and 67%. Fluorescence excitation‐emission matrixes from unchlorinated raw and treated samples were decomposed into component fluorophore groups using parallel factor analysis. Maximum intensity values of four humiclike fluorophore groups were more strongly correlated with TCMFP (R2 > 0.92) than were ultraviolet‐based surrogates (R2 = 0.67–0.84). These results indicate fluorescence parallel factor analysis could be used to track DBP precursor removal and optimize chlorine dioxide and alum doses to curb DBP formation.
MIEX® and PAC for removal of hydrophilic DBP precursors
Authors: Hanigan David , Inniss Enos , Clevenger Thomas E.
Published: February 2013

The objective of this research was to investigate promising materials for potential reduction of disinfection by‐product (DBP) formation resulting from reactions with hydrophilic natural organic matter (NOM), a source of precursors that is difficult to remove with conventional drinking water treatment process units. DBP reduction in other reported research was attributable to greater removal of hydrophobic fractions of NOM. Two nonionic resins were used to fractionate NOM before and after treatment with magnetic ion exchange (MIEX®) and a powdered activated carbon. At the chosen doses of treatment materials, bulk NOM removal remained the same (< 10% difference in dissolved organic carbon after treatment with activated carbon versus MIEX); compared with the powdered activated carbon, however, MIEX provided greater reduction of trihalomethane and haloacetic acid formation potential resulting from reactions with hydrophilic NOM. Therefore, MIEX preferentially removed hydrophilic DBP precursors. Similar results were observed for the transphilic fraction, whereas differences in the hydrophobic fraction were minimal. This research has implications for treatment facilities with elevated levels of highly reactive hydrophilic NOM in their influents and highlights the importance of source water chemistry in the selection of DBP mitigation strategies.
California water rate trends
Authors: Gaur Sanjay , Lim Bryan , Phan Khanh
Published: February 2013

Water rate increases are never popular. Evaluating water survey data from select counties within California from 2003 to 2011 provides insight to better understand trends in total water bills and rate structures.
A Primer on the NPDES Permitting Program for Pesticides
Authors: Fiveash John L.
Published: February 2013

Effective storm water management at major facilities is always a challenge. But with the recent bifurcation of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System under the Clean Water Act to include a separate pesticide general permit, the current administration is setting the stage for other pollutant‐specific permits, which will result in layers of complex storm water regulations.
The Future of Water Infrastructure Asset Management, Part 2: Protect Your Funding … Because All Roads Lead to Finance
Authors: Baird Gregory M.
Published: February 2013

How many master plans, project designs, and innovative engineering approaches have been shelved only to gather dust after hundreds of hours of good engineering work? How many capital‐budgeted and ‐approved projects have been deferred or simply canceled after years of dedicated foresight, project planning, and development? The level of frustration among both public and private engineers has heightened in this new economy, which is fraught with uncertainty and doubt. Operations and maintenance personnel share in the experience, with program reductions, hiring freezes, and resources being stretched so thin that they affect service levels and customer response times.
Tanggap fungsional Menochilus sexmaculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) terhadap Aphis gossypii (Glover) (Homoptera: Aphididae) pada umur tanaman cabai berbeda
Authors:   Jurusan Hama dan Penyakit Tumbuhan, Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Andalas, Nelly Novri , Trizelia Trizelia ,   Jurusan Hama dan Penyakit Tumbuhan, Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Andalas, Syuhadah Qorry ,   Jurusan Hama dan Penyakit Tumbuhan, Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Andalas
Published: February 2013

The lady beetle, Menochilus sexmaculatus is one of the biological control agents that can be used to control aphids. Presently, there is a lack of information about the effectiveness of this beetle to control aphids. The objective of this research was to study the functional response of M. sexmaculatus on Aphis gossypii at different ages of plants. All preys were exposed to one M. sexmaculatus adult for an hour at five different densities of aphids (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 individuals) is four different ages of chilli plants (2,4,6, and 8 weeks). Data were analyzed by ANOVA and logistic regression to determine the type of functional response. The results showed that the ability of M. sexmaculatus to prey was not significant at 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 weeks old chilli plants. At 2 week old chilli plants M. sexmaculatus showed type I of functional response, while at 4, 6 and 8 weeks the functional response were type III.
Perbedaan praktik PSN 3M Plus di kelurahan percontohan dan non percontohan program pemantauan jentik rutin kota Semarang
Authors:   Fakultas Kesehatan Masyarakat Universitas Diponegoro, Nomitasari Dessy Nomitasari , Saraswati Lintang Dian ,   Fakultas Kesehatan Masyarakat Universitas Diponegoro, Ginandjar Praba ,   Fakultas Kesehatan Masyarakat Universitas Diponegoro
Published: February 2013

In 2010 the pilot project of PJR program (routine larvae monitoring) was firstly implemented in Pedurungan village. The program was expected to increase community practice in mosquito eradication program (PSN-plus). The study was aimed to describe the difference of PSN-plus practice in pilot- and nonpilot- PJR villages. This was a comparative survey with cross sectional design. The study subject was household in pilot- and nonpilot-PJR villages which, consisted of 90 respondents each. The selection of study subject used proportional random sampling technique. To measure the of PSN-plus practice, questionnaire and observation sheet were used. Statistical analysis was performed with Chi-Square test. The result showed that PSN-plus practice in pilot village was better than nonpilot one. The statistical test proved the difference of bathtub drain (p value=0.006), closed water containers (p value=0.002), demolished used stuffs (p value=0.001), and hanging clothes habit (p value=0.0001).
Potensi serangga pengunjung bunga sebagai vektor penyakit darah bakteri (Ralstonia solanacearum Phylotipe IV) pada pisang di Sumatera Barat
Authors:   Jurusan Biologi, FMIPA, Universitas Andalas, Mairawita Mairawita , Habazar Trimurti ,   Program Studi Hama dan Penyakit Tanaman, Pascasarjana, Universitas Andalas, Hasyim Ahsol ,   Balai Penelitian Tanaman Sayuran Lembang, Nasir Nasril ,   Program Studi Biologi, Pascasarjana, Universitas Andalas, Suswati Suswati ,   Program Studi Agroteknologi, Fakultas Pertanian, Universitas Medan Area
Published: February 2013

Blood diseases caused by Ralstonia solancearum Phylotype IV is a major cause of production loss of banana in Indonesia, particularly for areas in West Sumatera. Currently there is a lack of information on blood diseases. The objective of this study was to obtain data of insect diversity and its potential as a dissemination agent of R. solanacearum Phylotype IV in West Sumatera. This research was conducted with a purposive sampling method in the Tabek Panjang highlands, District of Baso, Agam Regency and Pasar Usang lowland, district of Batang Anai, Pariaman Regency, West Sumatera. The results showed that banana plants infected by R. solanacearum Phylotype IV have a high diversity of flower-visiting insects. The diversity of insects in the lowlands is higher than that in highland and mainly are dominated by Trigona spp. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Drosophila sp. (Diptera: Drosophilidae). To test the potential of both insect as vector of the blood diseases, isolated and identification of the bacteria using triphenyl tetrazolium medium chlorid (TTC) was used. Result showed that bacteria isolated from both insect are R. solanacearum hence providing evidence of the insect as vector of the blood diseases. Both insects have the potential to be vector of R. solanacearum Phylotype IV in West Sumatera. The identification of the bacteria that causes the disease. The identification of bacteria that is spread by flower visitors insects are R.solanacearum Phylotipe IV.
Teknik perbanyakan massal parasitoid Anagrus nilaparvatae (Pang et Wang) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) dengan kotak plastik
Authors:   Balai Pengkajian Teknologi Pertanian, Meilin Araz , Trisyono Y. Andi ,   Jurusan Hama dan Penyakit Tumbuhan, Fakultas Pertanian, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Martono Edhi ,   Jurusan Hama dan Penyakit Tumbuhan, Fakultas Pertanian, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Buchori Damayanti ,   Departemen Proteksi Tanaman, Fakultas Pertanian, Institut Pertanian Bogor
Published: February 2013

Anagrus nilaparvatae (Pang et Wang) is an egg-parasitoid of rice brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stål). The objective of this study was to develop a mass-rearing technique of A. nilaparvatae. Mass-rearing was done using a plastic box (14 cm × 18.5 cm × 18.5 cm, made of plastic-mica, the upper side equipped with a 10 cm test tube), placed on a tray with rice seedlings containing an estimated of 11,130 eggs of N. lugens. About 355 adult parasitoids were successfully released per box when each box was infested with 50 parasitoids. The number of parasitoids produced were reduced to 164 adults when the infestation was made at 100 parasitoids per box. The emergence of parasitoids started around 07:00 am until 04:00 pm with the highest rate (36.2%) occured at 10:00 am. One plastic box cost only Rp10.000,-; thus the estimate cost to produce one parasitoid using this tecnique was Rp60,- These findings suggest that the plastik box is a simple and inexpensive technique for mass-rearing of A. nilaparvatae.
Recensement et politique
Authors: Beaud Jean-Pierre
Published: February 2013

Le débat sur l’abandon de l’obligation de répondre au questionnaire long du recensement canadien a été l’occasion de poser certaines questions fondamentales (par exemple, sur l’avenir du recensement) et de diffuser certaines connaissances (par exemple, sur la « supériorité » des techniques d’échantillonnage probabiliste et sur les vertus de l’obligation de répondre). Certes, par bien des aspects, la décision du gouvernement conservateur est désastreuse : elle met en péril le crédit d’une institution statistique réputée, elle brisera la chaîne historique des données et rendra périlleuses bien des tentatives d’analyse longitudinale. Les dégâts sont déjà importants. Cela dit, cette décision a aussi conduit à ouvrir un certain nombre de boîtes noires (sur l’utilisation des données tirées du recensement, sur la capacité réelle des individus à répondre aux questions) et à replacer une question (Faut-il s’en tenir à la technologie canadienne du recensement pour collecter des données ?) dans un ensemble d’expériences nationales (abolition du recensement, utilisation des fichiers administratifs, etc.).
L’hétérogénéité des modes de cohabitation des 20-29 ans et des plus de 65 ans dans les régions françaises et espagnoles, à partir des données de recensement
Authors: Valdes Béatrice
Published: February 2013

Cette étude des modes de cohabitation des jeunes adultes âgés de 20 à 29 ans et des personnes âgées de plus de 65 ans, à partir des échantillons de recensement de la base IECM, permet de mettre en évidence une hétérogénéité spatiale des modes de cohabitation, avec non seulement une opposition entre la France et l’Espagne, mais aussi des disparités infranationales entre les régions françaises et espagnoles. On découvre une continuité au-delà de la frontière en matière de corésidence familiale des personnes âgées, résultant d’une permanence des modèles familiaux traditionnels dans le nord de l’Espagne et dans les régions du sud de la France. Les disparités concernant la fréquence de la cohabitation des jeunes adultes sont moins fortes, et correspondent à un phénomène nouveau, plutôt homogène et détaché des « modèles familiaux traditionnels ». La vision cantonale, obtenue à partir des données cantonales du recensement français de 2006, permet de mettre en lumière des différences infrarégionales importantes en matière de corésidence familiale. On discerne clairement une concentration particulière du modèle traditionnel de la « famille souche » dans l’extrême sud-ouest de l’Aquitaine.
The Dynamics of Friendships and Victimization in Adolescence: A Longitudinal Social Network Perspective
Authors: Sentse Miranda , Dijkstra Jan Kornelis , Salmivalli Christina , Cillessen Antonius H. N.
Published: February 2013

This study investigated the development of relational and physical victimization in adolescent friendship networks over time. Using longitudinal social network analysis (SIENA) it was simultaneously tested whether similarity in victimization contributed to friendship formation (selection effects) and whether victimization of friends contributed to changes in victimization (influence effects). This was done for peer‐reported relational and physical victimization separately in two middle schools (total N = 480; N = 220, 47% girls, in School 1; N = 260, 52% girls, in School 2) across three time points (Grades 6 through 8; M ages 11.5–13.5). Gender, ethnicity, and baseline aggression were controlled as individual predictors of victimization. Similarity in physical victimization predicted friendship formation, whereas physical victimization was not influenced by friends' victimization but rather by adolescents' own physical aggression. Peer influence effects existed for relational victimization, in that adolescents with victimized friends were more likely to increase in victimization over time as well, over and above the effect of adolescents' own relational aggression. These selection and influence effects were not further qualified by gender. The results suggested that both selection and influence processes as well as individual characteristics play a role in the co‐evolution of friendships and victimization, but that these processes are specific for different types of victimization. Aggr. Behav. 39 :229‐238, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High‐Concentration Aqueous Dispersions of MoS2
Authors: Yao Yagang , Tolentino Lorenzo , Yang Zhongzheng , Song Xiaojuan , Zhang Wen , Chen Yongsheng , Wong Ching‐ping
Published: February 2013

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets have been attracting increasing research interests due to their unique material properties. However, the lack of a reliable large‐scale production method impedes their practical applications. Here a facile, efficient, and scalable method for the fabrication of high‐concentration aqueous dispersion of MoS2 nanosheets using combined grinding and sonication is reported. The 26.7 ± 0.7 mg/mL concentration achieved is the highest concentration in an aqueous solution reported up to now. Grinding generates pure shear forces to detach the MoS2 layers from the bulk materials. Subsequent sonication further breaks larger crystallites into smaller crystallites, which promotes the dispersion of MoS2 nanosheets in ethanol/water solutions. The exfoliation process establishes a new paradigm in the top‐down fabrication of 2D nanosheets in aqueous solution. In the meantime, MoS2‐based sensing film produced using this approach has successfully demonstrated the feasibility of a low‐cost and efficient NH3 gas sensor using inkjet printing as a viable method.
Unique Antimicrobial Effects of Platelet‐Rich Plasma and Its Efficacy as a Prophylaxis to Prevent Implant‐Associated Spinal Infection
Authors: Li Hongshuai , Hamza Therwa , Tidwell John E. , Clovis Nina , Li Bingyun
Published: February 2013

Platelet‐rich‐plasma (PRP) has attracted great attention and has been increasingly used for a variety of clinical applications including orthopedic surgeries, periodontal and oral surgeries, maxillofacial surgeries, plastic surgeries, and sports medicine. However, very little is known about the antimicrobial activities of PRP. PRP is found to have antimicrobial properties both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the antimicrobial properties of PRP are bacterial‐strain‐specific and time‐specific: PRP significantly (80‐100 fold reduction in colony‐forming units) inhibits the growth of methicillin‐sensitive and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Group A streptococcus, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae within the first few hours but it has no significant antimicrobial properties against E. coli and Pseudomonas. The antimicrobial properties of PRP also depend on the concentration of thrombin. In vivo, an implant‐associated spinal infection rabbit model is established and used to evaluate the antimicrobial and wound‐healing properties of PRP. Compared to the infection controls, PRP treatment results in significant reduction in bacterial colonies in bone samples at all time points studied (i.e. 1, 2, and 3 weeks) and significant increase in mineralized tissues (thereby better bone healing) at postoperative weeks 2 and 3. PRP therefore may be a useful adjunct strategy against postoperative implant‐associated infections.