bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
61.4: Quantization in Medical Imaging Displays — Initial Observer Results for a High‐Luminance‐Range, Dual‐Layer LCD
Authors: Badan Aldo , Guarnieri Gabriele , Ramponi Giovanni , Albani Luigi
Published: August 2010

observer detection performance with 8‐ and 16‐bit grayscale presentation. Eight readers evaluated 532 image pairs using a two‐alternative forced choice experimental design. The image set consisted of synthetic backgrounds generated using the mammography‐like cluster lumpy background (CLB) technique with a dual‐layer approach with parameter values that have been shown to replicate the correlation structure found in digital mammography. The image pats were reviewed in a display device prototype with one million pixels capable of processing and displaying 16‐bit images (up to 65536 luminance values). These image pats were presented either as non‐quantized (full range) images in a 16‐bit presentation scale, or as quantized, 8‐bit images, with a perceptual mapping of gray levels to luminance. The difference in reader performance between reads on quantized image pairs and reads on non‐quantized image pairs were derived using fraction of correct decisions. The variance of our measurements was estimated using a multi‐reader, multi‐case analysis. Average reader performance difference between 16‐ and 8‐bit quantization was 0.065 with an associated standard deviation of 0.048. Our study showed that image quantization is an important factor in visual detection task, that is, a quantization from 16‐ to 8‐bit significantly reduces reader detection performance.
63.3: Multinozzle Printing: A Cost‐Effective Process for OLED Display Fabrication
Authors: Chesterfield Reid J. , Frischknecht Kyle D. , Stainer Matthew , Truong Nugent , Murai Masayuki , Oze Hirokazu , Shiota Akihito , Suzuki Satoshi
Published: August 2010

Cost‐effective and scalable patterning of OLED materials remains a key challenge in order for OLED displays to achieve widespread FPD market penetration. We will review progress on multinozzle jet patterning of small‐molecule emissive layer materials using a Gen. 4 scale printer. Periodic luminance non‐uniformity appears as stitching/swath marks and present a challenge for transitioning this technology from a single to multinozzle printer. Thickness non‐uniformity and/or pass effects, present under certain circumstances, can lead to stitching. We will present solutions to stitching and discuss full color printing methods and TACT for the multinozzle printer.
64.1: Distinguished Paper: A Reduced Voltage Differential Signaling (RVDS) Interface for Chip‐On‐Glass TFT‐LCD Applications
Authors: Lim Jung Pil , Kim Ji Hoon , Baek Dong Hoon , Lee Jae Youl , Lee Jae Chul , Choi Young Min , Park Jae Wan , Ryu Keun Ho , Hong Jong Hoon , Kim Tae Kyung , Lee Woo Sung , Kim Paul , Kim Jong Seon , Choi Yoon Kyung , Lee Myung Hee
Published: August 2010

Reduced Voltage Differential Signaling (RVDS) is a new interface for TFT‐LCD panel with Chip‐On‐Glass (COG) structure which has point‐to‐point topology and voltage mode differential signaling scheme. The display source driver IC with RVDS interface performs higher data rate up to 500Mbps, lower current consumption of 2.2mA, and lower EMI compared with conventional current mode interface.
64.4:Invited Paper: Wireless Panel Architecture Using Lossless Uncompressed 60 GHz Transmissions
Authors: Gilbert Jeffrey M. , Doan Chinh H. , Emami Sohrab , Shung C. Bernard
Published: August 2010

Wireless transmissions have dramatically improved panel placement and interconnection flexibility. In this paper we present a wireless panel architecture where the panel functionality partitioning can be optimized through the use of a 60 GHz high speed wireless link to deliver full fidelity, uncompressed and lossless video at consumer price points. SiBEAM's fully‐integrated all‐CMOS WirelessHD® chipsets enable this architecture via robust transmissions at data rates up to 4 Gbps.
64.5L: Late‐News Paper: A Clock Embedded Differential Signaling (CEDS™) for the Next Generation TFT‐LCD Applications
Authors: Jeon Hyun‐Kyu , Moon Yong‐Whan , Seo Jeong‐II , Na Joon‐Ho , Oh Hyung‐Seog , Han Dae‐Keun , Kang Pil‐Sung , Jeong Yang‐Seok , Park Man‐Gyu , O Seung‐Cheol , Hong Jin‐Cheol , Kim Lee‐Sup
Published: August 2010

A CEDS™ (Clock Embedded Differential Signaling) interface for the next generation TFT‐LCD applications is proposed. The proposed intra‐panel interface reduces the number of signal lines in the TFT‐LCD panel by embedding the clock signal in transmitted data without explicit clock lines, and it provides low EMI, low power consumption and high data rate. The CEDS protocol provides an embedded clock recovery scheme which is based on the delay‐locked loop (DLL). The CEDS interface is verified on a 42‐inch full‐HD (1920×1080) TFT‐LCD panel with the 10‐bit RGB and 120Hz driving technology. The maximum data rate is measured as higher than 1.405Gb/s, with a pixel clock frequency of up to 330MHz.
65.3: 3.1‐Inch Flexible Top‐Emitting AMOLED on Plastic Substrate Driven by Organic Thin Film Transistors
Authors: Yan Jing‐Yi , Chen Hsiang‐Liang , Yeh Shu‐Tung , Liao Jin‐Long , Wu Yen‐Yu , Lin Mei‐Ru , Liao Ko‐Pin , Hung Chu‐Yin , Lee Tzu‐Wei , Cheng Kung‐You , Lee Yen‐Ying , Ho Jia Chong , Ho King‐Yuan , Lin Hung‐Chien , Cheng Chin‐Hung , Wang Pi‐Hsien , Dai Han‐Sheng , Huang Yen‐Shih
Published: August 2010

A 3.1‐inch flexible active matrix OTFT‐OLED display had been demonstrated on the plastic substrate with process temperature below 200°C. To realize the flexible AMOLED, we replace ITO by Ag and develop surface control method to achieve high uniformity OTFT array and the lifetime of half Id is over 5000hrs.
66.2: Effects of Diluters on High Δn and Low Viscosity Negative Δε Liquid Crystals
Authors: Song Qiong , Gauza Sebastian , Sun Jie , Wu Shin Tson , Liang Xiao
Published: August 2010

Lateral difluoro terphenyls exhibit a high birefringence, fairly low viscosity, and modest dielectric anisotropy, but their alignment in a VA cell is often deteriorated at elevated temperatures if their concentration goes high. We have studied the effects of six diluters for lowering the viscosity while stabilizing the VA alignment of the terphenyl host mixture at elevated temperatures. The pros and cons of each diluter are analyzed.
Managing waste from confined animal feeding operations in the United States: the need for sanitary reform
Authors: Graham Jay P. , Nachman Keeve E.
Published: August 2010

Confined food-animal operations in the United States produce more than 40 times the amount of waste than human biosolids generated from US wastewater treatment plants. Unlike biosolids, which must meet regulatory standards for pathogen levels, vector attraction reduction and metal content, no treatment is required of waste from animal agriculture. This omission is of concern based on dramatic changes in livestock production over the past 50 years, which have resulted in large increases in animal waste and a high degree of geographic concentration of waste associated with the regional growth of industrial food-animal production. Regulatory measures have not kept pace with these changes. The purpose of this paper is to: 1) review trends that affect food-animal waste production in the United States, 2) assess risks associated with food-animal wastes, 3) contrast food-animal waste management practices to management practices for biosolids and 4) make recommendations based on existing and potential policy options to improve management of food-animal waste.
A preliminary Ames fluctuation assay assessment of the genotoxicity of drinking water that has been solar disinfected in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles
Authors: Ubomba-Jaswa Eunice , Fernández-Ibáñez Pilar , McGuigan Kevin G.
Published: August 2010

Though microbially safe, concerns have been raised about the genotoxic/mutagenic quality of solar-disinfected drinking water, which might be compromised as a result of photodegradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles used as SODIS reactors. This study assessed genotoxic risk associated with the possible release of genotoxic compounds into water from PET bottles during SODIS, using the Ames fluctuation test. Negative genotoxicity results were obtained for water samples that had been in PET bottles and exposed to normal SODIS conditions (strong natural sunlight) over 6 months. Under SODIS conditions, bottles were exposed to 6 h of sunlight, followed by overnight room temperature storage. They were then emptied and refilled the following day and exposed to sunlight again. Genotoxicity was detected after 2 months in water stored in PET bottles and exposed continuously (without refilling) to sunlight for a period ranging from 1 to 6 months. However, similar genotoxicity results were also observed for the dark control (without refill) samples at the same time-point and in no other samples after that time; therefore it is unlikely that this genotoxicity event is related to solar exposure.
Statistical modelling of the impact of some polyphenols on the efficiency of anaerobic digestion and the co-digestion of the wine distillery wastewater with dairy cattle manure and cheese whey
Authors: Akassou M. , Kaanane A. , Crolla A. , Kinsley C.
Published: August 2010

The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of anaerobic digestion in the treatment of polyphenols (PP) present in olive mill wastewater (OMW) and wine distillery wastewater (WDW). Anaerobic Toxicity Assay (ATA) was conducted to assess the impact of the most representative phenolic compounds present in OMW and WDW: catechol, tannins and p-Coumaric acid, on biogas production. The results from this study show that tannins do not present any inhibitory effect on methanogenesis at a concentration level of 1,664 ppm, whereas catechol has an inhibitory effect at 1,664 ppm. In addition, p-Coumaric acid was strongly inhibitory at 50 ppm. The co-digestion of OMW and WDW with other effluents was proposed as a solution for reducing the load of PP in the anaerobic medium. Biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests were carried out for dairy cattle manure and mixtures of five PP. A central composite design was implemented on the BMP tests to model the biogas production response and the degradation kinetics of PP. The co-digestion of WDW with cattle manure and/or whey was also investigated in BMP tests. The results show that the digestion was optimal at a ratio of 16: 64: 20 (WDW: manure: inoculum) with a maximum biogas yield of 172 mL/g of VS and 66% COD removal.
Province-based self-remediation efficiency of the Tha Chin river basin, Thailand
Authors: Thaipichitburapa P. , Meksumpun C. , Meksumpun S.
Published: August 2010

The Tha Chin River Basin located in the great central basin of Thailand is used for water supply, aquaculture, transportation, and recreation as well as a sink for wastewater discharges. Because of gradual deterioration of water quality and fishery resources, this study aimed to explain recent status of the river self-remediation efficiency that was influenced by nutrient inputs and outputs from the river system. Field surveys were carried out during May 2007 (early rainy season) and October 2007 (late rainy season) within the Tha Chin River located in 4 provinces; Chainat, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, and Samut Sakhon. The nutrient budgets in each province section were analyzed. Results indicated that the river was in eutrophic condition all year round. High nitrogen and phosphorus loads from surrounding agricultural land use, agro-industry, and community continuously flew into the river system. Those nutrient concentrations were higher in the early rainy season than the late rainy season. The lowest river zone (in Samut Sakhon province) indicated highest dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and orthophosphate phosphorus (P) discharges of 145.54 and 36.14 tons/day, respectively. The highest remediation efficiency of the river (ca 60% of the total input) was found in the uppermost area of Suphan Buri province. The lowest remediation efficiency (ca 12%) was found in Samut Sakhon province. From the overall view, long term monitoring of river and estuarine DIN and P should be conducted. To make better condition of aquatic environment and fishery resource in each province-based section, the controls of DIN and P remediation efficiencies (e.g. by effective management of flow speed) at 20 and 50%, respectively, were recommended.
2009 Melbourne metropolitan sewerage strategy: a portfolio of decentralised and on-site concept designs
Authors: Brown V. , Jackson D. W. , Khalifé M.
Published: August 2010

The bulk and retail water companies of the greater Melbourne area are developing the 2009 Metropolitan Sewerage Strategy to provide sustainable sewerage services to 2060. The objective of the strategy is to establish long term principles and near term actions to produce a robust sewage management system for Melbourne. Melbourne's existing sewerage system is largely centralised and discharges to two major treatment plants. Several small satellite treatment plants service local urban areas generally more distant from the centralised system. Decentralised and on-site wastewater systems are options for future sewage management and could play a role in local recycling. A portfolio of 18 on-site and decentralised concept designs was developed, applicable to the full range of urban development types in Melbourne. The concepts can be used in evaluation of metropolitan system configurations as part of future integrated water cycle planning. The options included secondary and tertiary treatment systems incorporating re-use of water for non potable uses, urine separation, black and greywater separation and composting toilets. On-site and cluster treatment systems were analysed. Each option is described by its indicative capital and operating costs, energy use and water and nutrient balances. This paper summarises and compares the portfolio mix of decentralized and on-site options in Melbourne's context.
Library-dependent and library-independent microbial source tracking to identify spatial variation in faecal contamination sources along a Lake Ontario beach (Ontario, Canada)
Authors: Edge T. A. , Hill S. , Seto P. , Marsalek J.
Published: August 2010

Multiple microbial source tracking methods were applied to investigate spatial variation in faecal pollution sources impacting a 1.7 km freshwater beach on Lake Ontario (Canada). The highest E. coli concentrations measured in the study area were from interstitial sand pore water at Sunnyside Beach, reaching 2.6 × 106 CFU/100 ml. These E. coli concentrations exceeded those in the nearby Humber River and Black Creek, which are impacted by combined sewer overflows containing municipal wastewater and by stormwater conveying washoff from the urban area. Library-independent Bacteroidales HF183 analyses identified the more frequent occurrence of municipal wastewater contamination in the Humber River and at a Sunnyside Beach location closest to the mouth of the river. Library-dependent E. coli antibiotic resistance and rep-PCR DNA fingerprinting analyses identified the more frequent occurrence of bird faecal contamination at Sunnyside Beach locations away from the river mouth. These microbial source tracking results raise caution about managing beaches with multiple sources of contamination as a single entity without considering spatial variability in faecal pollution sources and the need for more localized beach management practices.
Technico-economic assessment of groundwater treatment by palladium-on-zeolite-catalyst in comparison to GAC fixed bed adsorbers
Authors: Bayer P. , Schüth C.
Published: August 2010

A technico-economic comparison between palladium-on-zeolite (Pd/Y), and granular activated carbon (GAC) based methods of groundwater clean-up is presented. The treatment concepts are assessed by means of process-based cost functions that can be applied to a broad range of case-specific conditions. The analysis accounts for variability in cost and performance parameters and reduces the interplay of multiple factors to expressive indifference curves that can be used for identifying a favorable technology. The findings for the treatment of halogenated hydrocarbons reveal that the Pd/Y offers advantages compared to GAC use in case of high contaminant concentrations and for the treatment of lower halogenated compounds such as cis-Dichloroethene.
Application of mussels as biosamplers for characterization of faecal pollution in coastal recreational waters
Authors: Roslev P. , Bukh A. S. , Iversen L. , Sønderbo H. , Iversen N.
Published: August 2010

Sources of faecal pollution in coastal recreational waters may be identified by analysing different host associated microorganisms or molecular markers. However, the microbial targets are often present at low numbers in moderately impacted waters, and often exhibit significant temporal and spatial variability in waters with fluctuating faecal loads. This patchy occurrence can limit successful detection of relevant targets in microbial source tracking studies. In this study, we explored the possibility for using the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) as a biosampler for accumulation of faecal bacteria relevant for microbial source tracking. Non-contaminated blue mussels were transferred to three coastal recreational waters affected by faecal pollution of unknown origin. Molecular markers associated with animal and human waste were targeted by PCR and compared in seawater and mussel samples. The results demonstrated that transplanted mussels in simple enclosures accumulated and retained elevated levels of molecular markers associated with different types of faecal pollution. The targets included a novel putative human associated E. coli subgroup B2 VIII clone, and animal and human associated markers in enterococci (esp, M19, M66, M90, and M91). Human (sewage) associated markers including esp and M66 were sometimes not detectable in seawater samples despite known wastewater contamination, whereas the markers were detectable in mussels. We suggest that transplanted mussels should be considered as potential biosamplers in studies focusing on identifying source of faecal pollution in low or moderately impacted recreational waters. Bioaccumulation of molecular markers in mussels for several days may represent the water quality better than traditional grab samples from the water column.
Influence of the employment of adsorption and coprecipitation agents for the removal of PPCPs in conventional activated sludge (CAS) systems
Authors: Serrano D. , Lema J. M. , Omil F.
Published: August 2010

Three activated sludge reactors were operated to improve the removal of organic micropollutants such as Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (PPCPs). Reactor 1 (R1) was operated as a Conventional Activated Sludge reactor (CAS), Reactor 2 (R2) consisted of a CAS unit that was continuously fed with FeCl3 whereas granular activated carbon (GAC) was fed directly into the mixed liquor of Reactor 3 (R3) in order to attain concentrations in the range 100–1,000 mg/L. PPCPs removal rates varied depending on the compound present in each reactor during the entire 220 days of operation. Some substances showed the same behaviour in all reactors, such as the acidic pharmaceuticals naproxen and ibuprofen, which were almost completely removed (>90%). More hydrophobic organic substances, like musk fragrances, were about 90% removed after 40 days of operation in all of the reactors. The main difference between the three reactors was obtained in R3 when the GAC concentrations in the aeration tank were around 500–1,000 mg/L. Under these conditions, the more recalcitrant compounds like diazepam and carbamazepine could be removed by up to 40%, and diclofenac up to 85%. Adsorption isotherms for PPCPs were obtained with activated carbon, and the results were successfully fitted to the Freundlinch equation. The more recalcitrant compounds (carbamazepine, diazepam and diclofenac) had the highest adsorption capacities onto GAC, which is consistent with the behaviour observed in R3 and helps to identify the removal mechanism (adsorption for these compounds, whereas absorption for fragrances).
Solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous determination of several pesticides in water
Authors: Penetra A. , Vale Cardoso V. , Ferreira E. , Benoliel M. J.
Published: August 2010

Contamination of surface and groundwater sources with pesticide residues has been of great concern for a long time and it is a major challenge for the preservation and sustainability of the environment. In order to accomplish the requirements of the European Directive 98/83/EC, we developed and validated an analytical method based on the combination of gas chromatography and tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) using solid-phase extraction as sample preparation. In this work nine pesticides were studied: molinate, simazine, atrazine, terbuthylazine, diazinon, alachlor, metalaxyl, metolachlor and pendimethalin. In order to get the best sensitivity and selectivity for each pesticide, several parameters of the tandem mass spectrometry were optimized using the MRM mode. Good linearity of the detector response was found for all pesticides at concentrations within the tested working range, with linear determination coefficients higher than 0.9988. Recoveries studies in several matrices with different fortification levels were performed, with recoveries between 77 and 115% with RSD lower than 9.5%. The MQLs obtained for these compounds were between 0.013 μg L−1 and 0.022 μg L−1, which were much lower than the maximum level established by the European legislation.
Influence of microbial activity on polar xenobiotic degradation in activated sludge systems
Authors: Majewsky M. , Gallé T. , Zwank L. , Fischer K.
Published: August 2010

The influence of activated sludge quality on the co-metabolic biodegradation of three aminopolycarboxyl acids was investigated for a variety of Luxembourg sewage treatment plants. A combination of biodegradation experiments and respirometric techniques are presented as a reliable approach for the estimation of biokinetics and biological xenobiotic degradation rates that allow for identification of governing parameters such as microbial activity and active biomass. Results showed that biokinetics and degradation rates vary greatly between different plants. The fraction of active biomass on the total suspended solids ranged between 16.9 and 53.7%. Xenobiotic biodegradation rates correlated with microbial activity suggesting a relationship with WWTP performance for carbon and nutrient removal. The biokinetic information can be used to increase the prediction accuracy of xenobiotics removal by individual WWTPs.
Contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing computed tomography (CONNECT) – a clinical problem in daily practice? a multicenter observational study
Authors: Lencioni Riccardo , Fattori Rossella , Morana Giovanni , Stacul Fulvio ,   for The Italian Observational Study Panel
Published: August 2010

Background: Although several studies have examined contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) following computed tomography (CT) procedures under closely controlled clinical trial conditions, less is known about the incidence of CIN (or its key predictive factors) in a “real world” clinical setting.

Purpose: A multicenter, observational registry study was undertaken in Italian hospital radiology departments to retrospectively assess the incidence of CIN in at-risk patients undergoing iodixanol-enhanced CT procedures.

Material and Methods: Each department used center-specific (nonstandardized) CT protocols. Data were available from 493 at-risk patients; most (76.4%) had 1 risk factor for CIN, 19.8% had 2, and 3.4% had 3. In all, 169 patients (34.3%) had reduced renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <60 ml/min/1.73m2). Prophylactic volume expansion was not used in 70.6% of the study population.

Results: The overall incidence of CIN (defined as a ≥44.2 μmol/l [0.5 mg/dl] increase in serum creatinine from baseline 72 h postprocedure) was 2.6%; in the subpopulation of patients with renal impairment (with or without other risk factors), CIN incidence was 4.7%. Multivariate analysis identified renal insufficiency as the only risk factor predictive of CIN (relative risk, 3.850; 95% confidence interval, 1.200–12.348; P=0.023).

Conclusion: In the clinical setting of hospital CT radiology practice, where guideline-recommended strategies for CIN prevention may not be consistently followed, use of the iso-osmolar agent iodixanol appears to be associated with a low incidence of CIN in at-risk patients.
Diffusion tensor imaging of the brain in a healthy adult population: Normative values and measurement reproducibility at 3 T and 1.5 T
Authors: Brander Antti , Kataja Anneli , Saastamoinen Antti , Ryymin Pertti , Huhtala Heini , Öhman Juha , Soimakallio Seppo , Dastidar Prasun
Published: August 2010

Background: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is an increasingly used method for investigation of brain white matter integrity in both research and clinical applications. Familiarity with normal variation of fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and measurement reproducibility is essential when DTI measurements are interpreted in clinical patients.

Purpose: To establish normal values for FA and ADC in a healthy adult population at 1.5 T and 3 T MRI based on region of interest (ROI) analysis, and to study the inter- and intra-observer reproducibility of the measurements.

Material and Methods: Forty healthy volunteers (26 women, 14 men, mean age 38.3, SD 11.6 years) underwent conventional MRI and DTI of the brain, 30 with 3 T and 10 with 1.5 T clinical scanners. ROI-based measurements for FA and ADC values were performed in five different anatomic locations of each hemisphere and in three locations within the corpus callosum. Mean values for FA and ADC for each region were calculated. Inter-observer variation of ROI measurements was evaluated by comparing the results of the two observers, intra-observer variation by repeated measurement of 10 subjects by both observers.

Results: The FA values varied considerably between different regions. The highest values were found in the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum and the lowest in the corona radiata, respectively. In general, ADC values showed less variation; the highest values were found in the body of the corpus callosum and the lowest in the corona radiata. The reproducibility of both inter- and intra-observer measurements also varied regionally. The highest agreement was found for the corpus callosum and the lowest for the corona radiata and centrum semiovale.

Conclusion: In a normal adult population FA and ADC values of the brain white matter show regional variation. The repeatability of the ROI measurements also varies regionally. This regional variability must be acknowledged when these measurements are interpreted in clinical patients.
Pharmacogenetics of Anti-Diabetes Drugs
Authors: DiStefano Johanna K. , Watanabe Richard M.
Published: August 2010

A variety of treatment modalities exist for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). In addition to dietary and physical activity interventions, T2D is also treated pharmacologically with nine major classes of approved drugs. These medications include insulin and its analogues, sulfonylureas, biguanides, thiazolidinediones (TZDs), meglitinides, α-glucosidase inhibitors, amylin analogues, incretin hormone mimetics, and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors. Pharmacological treatment strategies for T2D are typically based on efficacy, yet favorable responses to such therapeutics are oftentimes variable and difficult to predict. Characterization of drug response is expected to substantially enhance our ability to provide patients with the most effective treatment strategy given their individual backgrounds, yet pharmacogenetic study of diabetes medications is still in its infancy. To date, major pharmacogenetic studies have focused on response to sulfonylureas, biguanides, and TZDs. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of pharmacogenetics investigations of these specific anti-diabetes medications. We focus not only on the results of these studies, but also on how experimental design, study sample issues, and definition of ‘response’ can significantly impact our interpretation of findings. Understanding the pharmacogenetics of anti-diabetes medications will provide critical baseline information for the development and implementation of genetic screening into therapeutic decision making, and lay the foundation for “individualized medicine” for patients with T2D.
Dynamic Uncertainty for Compensated Second-Order Systems
Authors: Eichstädt Sascha , Link Alfred , Elster Clemens
Published: August 2010

The compensation of LTI systems and the evaluation of the according uncertainty is of growing interest in metrology. Uncertainty evaluation in metrology ought to follow specific guidelines, and recently two corresponding uncertainty evaluation schemes have been proposed for FIR and IIR filtering. We employ these schemes to compare an FIR and an IIR approach for compensating a second-order LTI system which has relevance in metrology. Our results suggest that the FIR approach is superior in the sense that it yields significantly smaller uncertainties when real-time evaluation of uncertainties is desired.
A Gaussian Mixture Model-Based Continuous Boundary Detection for 3D Sensor Networks
Authors: Chen Jiehui , Salim Mariam B. , Matsumoto Mitsuji
Published: August 2010

This paper proposes a high precision Gaussian Mixture Model-based novel Boundary Detection 3D (BD3D) scheme with reasonable implementation cost for 3D cases by selecting a minimum number of Boundary sensor Nodes (BNs) in continuous moving objects. It shows apparent advantages in that two classes of boundary and non-boundary sensor nodes can be efficiently classified using the model selection techniques for finite mixture models; furthermore, the set of sensor readings within each sensor node’s spatial neighbors is formulated using a Gaussian Mixture Model; different from DECOMO [1] and COBOM [2], we also formatted a BN Array with an additional own sensor reading to benefit selecting Event BNs (EBNs) and non-EBNs from the observations of BNs. In particular, we propose a Thick Section Model (TSM) to solve the problem of transition between 2D and 3D. It is verified by simulations that the BD3D 2D model outperforms DECOMO and COBOM in terms of average residual energy and the number of BNs selected, while the BD3D 3D model demonstrates sound performance even for sensor networks with low densities especially when the value of the sensor transmission range (r) is larger than the value of Section Thickness (d) in TSM. We have also rigorously proved its correctness for continuous geometric domains and full robustness for sensor networks over 3D terrains.
Entre le monde et la clôture : un projet pour l'éducation religieuse des filles du peuple au xviie siècle
Authors: Bonzon Anne
Published: August 2010

Résumé Cet article étudie un Reglement pour les écoles dominicales paru à Beauvais en 1673. S’appuyant sur plusieurs expériences contemporaines, ce projet apparemment sans lendemain envisage la mise en œuvre d’assemblées dominicales consacrées principalement à l’enseignement du catéchisme à des jeunes filles qui travaillent. Un lieu à la fois central et clos au sein de la ville, une maîtresse recrutée pour ses qualités morales, un contrôle clérical assez fort forment le cadre de ces cours. Ceux-ci doivent dispenser une instruction minimale mais ils visent surtout à moraliser la vie entière de jeunes filles amenées, par leurs activités, à subir les multiples tentations de la vie urbaine.
Accumulation of heavy metals in a food fish, Mystus gulio inhabiting Bolgoda Lake, Sri Lanka
Authors: Senarathne P , Pathiratne KAS
Published: August 2010

Bioaccumulation potential of selected heavy metals viz. Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Zn in muscle, gills and liver of food fish, Mystus gulio (Anguluwa) inhabiting in Bolgoda Lake were assessed by analyzing metal levels in the fish collected from four main locations: Weras Ganga, North Lake, Bolgoda Ganga and South Lake. In addition, water and sediment samples were taken concurrently from the sampling locations for determination of the metal levels. The metal levels were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry using standard procedures. Dissolved total metal levels in lake water (in µg L-1) varied depending on the sampling location: Pb 23.2-36.3, Cd 6.1-12.6, Cr 3.9-61.4, Cu 5.7-38, and Zn 11.6-35.1. The sediment associated metals in the lake (in µg g-1 dry weight) showed irregular distribution of metal contamination reflecting many individual metal inputs: Pb 6.5-759.4, Cd 0.8-4.2, Cr 22.6- 214.8, Cu 13.2-135.5 and Zn 58.2-227.6. Metal accumulation levels in the edible muscle tissue (in µg g-1 wet weight) of the fish showed a wide range: Pb, 0.01-24.1, Cd, not detected - 0.3, Cr, 0.01-0.4, Cu, 0.1 - 37.7, and Zn, 2.5-18.5. The levels of Pb in edible muscle of the fish collected from Weras Ganga and Bolgoda Ganga and the level of Cd in the fish from Weras Ganga exceeded the food safety limits specified by the international authorities. Accumulation of metal levels in the liver tissues of the fish was significantly higher than that in the muscle tissue. In the gill tissue, no consistent tissue specific pattern was evident in relation to the accumulated metal levels. The results revealed that Pb and Cd are accumulating in the fish tissues at alarming levels. Accumulated Cd, Cu and Zn levels in the fish collected from Weras Ganga are comparatively higher than the respective levels in the fish from South Lake. The results emphasize the importance of monitoring heavy metals in the food fish species in Bolgoda Lake regularly for the safety of fish consumers.DOI: 10.4038/sljas.v12i0.2214Sri Lanka J. Aquat. Sci. 12 (2007): 61-75
Substrate characteristics and species diversity of marine angiosperms in a micro-tidal basin estuary on the west coast of Sri Lanka
Authors: De Silva KHWL , Amarasinghe MD
Published: August 2010

Diversity of marine angiosperm species (seagrasses) at Kadolkele in Meegamuwa (Negombo) estuary was studied with a view to understanding the effect of substrate characteristics on diversity. Seagrass samples were obtained along three line transects, laid perpendicular to the shoreline at 20 m intervals. Shannon-Wiener index was used to determine the species diversity of seagrasses in the study site at Kadolkele that was divided into three strata, demarcated by the distance, i.e. 0-10 m, 10-20 m and 20-30 m from the shoreline. Comparison of Shannon-Wiener index values indicated that the diversity of first stratum close to the shoreline was significantly different from that of the other two among which no significant difference was found to occur. Substrate pH, soil electrical conductivity, organic mater content and particle size distribution were measured from the substrate samples taken from each stratum. No statistically significant difference was observed with pH (3.92-6.82) and particle size distribution among the three strata. Soil electrical conductivity and organic matter content of stratum 3 however, was significantly different (p< 0.05) from the other two strata. Kadolkele seagrass bed consisted of two species and Halodule pinifolia (5822 shoots m-2) dominated over Halophila ovalis (1030 shoots m-2). The area adjacent (0-3 m) to the mangroves at the shoreline was devoid of seagrasses and H. ovalis was absent in stratum 1, indicating that substrate characteristics have a marginal effect on the species richness of the seagrasses. Although species richness was similar in the other two strata, higher (Shannon) evenness (0.231), despite the relatively low abundance in stratum 2, contributes to its higher species diversity. Present study therefore documents the subtle habitat partitioning of co-existing marine angiosperm species in a limited area in Meegamuwa estuary.DOI: 10.4038/sljas.v12i0.2217Sri Lanka J. Aquat. Sci. 12 (2007): 103-114
Fishery and feeding habits of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) targeted by coastal tuna longlining in the north western and north eastern coasts of Sri Lanka
Authors: Dissanayake DCT , Samaraweera EKV , Amarasiri C
Published: August 2010

Present study analyzed the catch, effort and size distribution of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) caught by coastal tuna longlining in north western and north eastern coastal waters of Sri Lanka from January 2005 to December 2006. Further, the contents of 83 non–empty stomachs were analyzed and the indices such as frequency of occurrence (%F), percentage of number of each food (%N), percentage of wet weight of each food item (%W) and percentage index of relative importance of each food item (%IRI) were calculated for the specimens caught from north western coastal waters from September 2006 to April 2007. Weekly fishery data were collected at major landing sites in north western and north eastern coastal areas. The fishing activities were carried out using Fiberglass Reinforced Boats (FRP) with outboard engine which basically operated in coastal waters during one day trip duration. The fishery was highly seasonal and it related to the monsoon pattern. Fishing started in October and continued until April of the following year in north western coast and from May to September in north eastern area. The estimated figure for total production in north western area (1052 t in 2005 and 3313 t in 2006) was higher than that in the north eastern area (578 t in 2005 and 741 t in 2006) and it was significant in 2006 (P < 0.05). Total fishing effort in north western coast was much higher than in the north eastern coast in both years but the difference was not significant. The log transformed catch per unit effort ln (CPUE+1) values were not significantly different in the two areas. Distribution classes of the length range of yellowfin tuna was within 30 – 150 cm in the catches and dominant length classes laid within the range of 95 to 120 cm and forward shifting of dominant peaks were evident within the fishing season. In the stomachs of yellowfin tuna sampled, on average 33 prey items were found per stomach and dominant prey items were crustaceans, especially the swimming crab, Charybdis smithii followed by fishes belonging to family Sphyraenidae and Engraulididae. Loligo bartrami belonging to family Loliginidae, formed the main cephalopod prey. % IRI of crustaceans was higher than that of fish and cephalopods and this further revealed that the pelagic crab C. smithii is the most important prey item in the diet of yellowfin tuna. DOI: 10.4038/sljas.v13i0.2203Sri Lanka J. Aquat. Sci. 13 (2008): 1-21
Diversity of mangrove crabs in Kadolkele, Negombo eatuary, Sri Lanka
Authors: Priyadarshani SHR , Jayamanne SC , Hirimuthugoda YN
Published: August 2010

The present study was carried out from May 2001 to August 2001 to investigate the diversity, distribution and environmental interactions of mangrove crabs in the Kadolkele mangrove ecosystem associated with the Negombo estuary in the west coast of Sri Lanka. The data on diversity and abundance of crabs, salinity, pH, organic carbon content, moisture and temperature of the soil, ambient air temperature and floral species of mangrove were collected from three 10 m x 50 m belt transects laid perpendicular to the shore. Of the six species of crabs found in the study area, five were identified up to species level. They were Episesarma versicolor, Sesarma smithii, Sesarma guttatum, Metopograpsus thukuhar and Metopograpsus messor. This is the first record of Metopograpsus thukuhar and Sesarma guttatum in Sri Lanka. Diversity of crabs decreased with the increasing distance from the lagoon but the number of crabs present did not vary significantly (p > 0.05). The distribution of the crabs varied with the increasing distance from the lagoon. S. smithii and M. messor were distributed throughout the 50 m distance while M. thukuhar and the unidentified species were restricted to 0-20 m and 0-10 m from the lagoon respectively. E. versicolor and S. guttatum were found towards the landward side (25 - 50 m). The distribution of S. smithii showed a positive correlation (p < 0.05) with the soil salinity and soil moisture content while M. thukuhar, S. guttatum and E. versicolor showed negative correlations (p < 0.05). All species except E. versicolor showed a positive correlation with soil organic carbon content (p < 0.05). M. thukuhar showed a negative correlation with soil pH while S. guttatum and S. smithii showed a positive correlation (p < 0.05). M. thukuhar and unidentified juvenile crabs were found restricted to Rhizophora/Bruguiera zone, while E. versicolor and S. guttatum were confined to the Avicennia /Lumnitzera zone.DOI: 10.4038/sljas.v13i0.2210Sri Lanka J. Aquat. Sci. 13 (2008): 109-121
Measured black carbon deposition on the Sierra Nevada snow pack and implication for snow pack retreat
Authors: Hadley O. L. , Corrigan C. E. , Kirchstetter T. W. , Cliff S. S. , Ramanathan V.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. Modeling studies show that the darkening of snow and ice by black carbon deposition is a major factor for the rapid disappearance of arctic sea ice, mountain glaciers and snow packs. This study provides one of the first direct measurements for the efficient removal of black carbon from the atmosphere by snow and its subsequent deposition to the snow packs of California. The early melting of the snow packs in the Sierras is one of the contributing factors to the severe water problems in California. BC concentrations in falling snow were measured at two mountain locations and in rain at a coastal site. All three stations reveal large BC concentrations in precipitation, ranging from 1.7 ng/g to 12.9 ng/g. The BC concentrations in the air after the snow fall were negligible suggesting an extremely efficient removal of BC by snow. The data suggest that below cloud scavenging, rather than ice nuclei, was the dominant source of BC in the snow. A five-year comparison of BC, dust, and total fine aerosol mass concentrations at multiple sites reveals that the measurements made at the sampling sites were representative of large scale deposition in the Sierra Nevada. The relative concentration of iron and calcium in the mountain aerosol indicates that one-quarter to one-third of the BC may have been transported from Asia.
Impact of seasonal oxygen deficiency on the phosphorous geochemistry of surface sediments along the Western Continental Shelf of India
Authors:   Josia Jacob,   Prosenjit Ghosh, Balchandran K. K. ,   Rejomon George
Published: August 2010

Abstract. The intensification of the natural coastal hypoxic zone over the western Indian shelf in the recent years and its impact on the biogeochemistry and marine life is a matter of concern. This study examines the influence of the seasonal oxygen deficiency on the phosphorus geochemistry of the surface sediments along the western continental shelf of India (WCSI). Speciation of phosphorus along with the geochemical characteristics (total organic carbon – TOC, total nitrogen – TN, and total phosphorus – TP) of the surface sediments and the hydrography of the western continental shelf of India (WCSI) were studied, during late summer monsoon (LSM) and spring intermonsoon (SIM). The hydrography of the WCSI revealed upwelling and associated seasonal oxygen deficiency with denitrifying suboxic conditions along the inner shelf and hypoxic conditions along the outer shelf. High concentrations of dissolved phosphate (PO4) and dissolved Iron (Fe) were also observed in the subsurface water of the inner shelf during LSM. The shelf water of the WCSI was oligotrophic and oxygen rich during SIM. A latitudinal enrichment of TOC, TN and TP in the surface sediments was observed at 13–17° N, along the WCSI during LSM, where seasonal suboxia was intense. Authigenic apatite bound phosphorus (Paut) was the major phosphorus species along the WCSI during LSM whereas detrital flourapatite bound phosphorus (Pdet) was the major species during SIM. Substantial depletion of reactive iron(III)-bound phosphorus (ΔPFe) was observed in the surface sediments of the WCSI during LSM which showed significant correlation with the enrichment of PO4 (ΔPO4) in the overlying water during LSM compared to SIM. PO4 diffusing into the water column from the sediments by reductive dissolution of PPFe probably leads to high dissolved PO4 along the inner shelf water during LSM which agrees with the existing hypothesis. Hence, phosphorus geochemistry of the surface sediments plays a major role in the biogeochemical cycling of phosphorus during periods of seasonal oxygen deficiency along the WCSI. Similar studies carried out along the eastern continental shelf of India (ECSI), where any kind of seasonal oxygen deficiency has not been reported yet, showed an abundance of Pdet (~50% of TP) and Porg (~32% of TP) in the surface sediments. The characteristic hydrographical features of the region such as high terrigeneous input, low production in the surface euphotic layers and greater preservation of labile organic matter in the sediments is also reflected in the phosphorus geochemistry of the surface sediments along ECSI.
A new coupled ice sheet-climate model: description and sensitivity to model physics under Eemian, Last Glacial Maximum, late Holocene and modern climate conditions
Authors: Fyke J. G. , Weaver A. J. , Pollard D. , Eby M. , Carter L. , Mackintosh A.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. The need to better understand long-term climate/ice sheet feedback loops is motivating efforts to couple ice sheet models into Earth System models which are capable of long-timescale simulations. In this paper we describe a coupled model, that consists of the University of Victoria Earth System Climate Model (UVic ESCM) and the Pennsylvania State University Ice model (PSUI). The climate model generates a surface mass balance (SMB) field via a sub-gridded surface energy/moisture balance model that resolves narrow ice sheet ablation zones. The ice model returns revised elevation, surface albedo and ice area fields, plus coastal fluxes of heat and moisture. An arbitrary number of ice sheets can be simulated, each on their own high-resolution grid and each capable of synchronous or asynchronous coupling with the overlying climate model. The model is designed to conserve global heat and moisture. In the process of improving model performance we developed a procedure to account for modelled surface air temperature (SAT) biases within the energy/moisture balance surface model and improved the UVic ESCM snow surface scheme through addition of variable albedos and refreezing over the ice sheet. A number of simulations for late Holocene, Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), and Eemian climate boundary conditions were carried out to explore the sensitivity of the coupled model and identify model configurations that best represented these climate states. The modelled SAT bias was found to play a significant role in long-term ice sheet evolution, as was the effect of refreezing meltwater and surface albedo. The bias-corrected model was able to reasonably capture important aspects of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, including modern SMB and ice distribution. The simulated northern Greenland ice sheet was found to be prone to ice margin retreat at radiative forcings corresponding closely to those of the Eemian or the present-day.