bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
L'institutionnalisation de l'agriculture familiale en Argentine : vers la reformulation d'un référentiel de développement rural
Authors: Gisclard Marie , Allaire Gilles
Published: December 2012

Résumé Cet article se propose de mettre en lumière les idées et les intérêts politiques et économiques qui ont conduit à la récente institutionnalisation de l’agriculture familiale en Argentine. Il analyse les processus qui ont légitimé cette catégorie socio-politique et productive et présente les dispositifs qui témoignent d’une transformation de l’action publique afférente. Le passage d’une politique sociale et palliative à une politique qui vise la professionnalisation et la sectorisation de l’agriculture familiale témoigne de la transformation du référentiel de développement rural et des nouvelles représentations du secteur agricole en Argentine et plus largement dans le Cône Sud. L’agriculture familiale s’identifie désormais à partir de la dimension multifonctionnelle de son activité productive. Cela conduit à une fragmentation du secteur agricole en deux référentiels, un référentiel centré sur l’agriculture familiale et un autre centré sur l’agriculture entrepreneuriale.
Nouvelle agriculture et transformations familiales sur les hauts plateaux du nord-est cambodgien
Authors: Bourdier Frédéric
Published: December 2012

Résumé Les populations indigènes de la province de Ratanakiri ont de tout temps pratiqué l’essartage. Chaque village dispose d’un finage au sein duquel chaque foyer défriche un pan de forêt pour ensemencer du riz pluvial assorti d’une variété élevée de denrées alimentaires secondaires et de produits non consommables. Une agriculture familiale, avec prestations d’entraides élaborées, prédominait sur les haut-plateaux. Les récentes politiques nationales de développement agricoles promeuvent des cultures de rente. Les migrants des plaines renforcent l’économie de marché, exhibent de nouveaux modèles de vie et incitent les populations locales à modifier leur gestion de l’espace. Étant donné que les formes de mises en valeur de l’écosystème naturel sont étroitement liées aux systèmes d’organisations socio-familiales, on est en droit de se demander ce qu’il advient des relations sociales et familiales mises à l’épreuve par ces bouleversements agro-économiques. Le village Pachorn servira d’illustration : l’attention portera sur l’impact des changements agricoles auprès des ménages, en ce qui concerne la nature des relations cadets/aînés, hommes/femmes et parents/enfants.
Une effervescence bien tempérée
Authors: Enriquez Eugène , Rouchy Jean-Claude , Diet Emmanuel
Published: December 2012

Résumé Après 1968 et à la suite de changements au sein de l’ARIP aboutissant à la conception d’une psychosociologie analytique, Connexions a été fondée à un moment de grande effervescence intellectuelle où différentes orientations se sont dégagées à la suite d’échanges et de confrontations animées surtout avec Crozier et Sainsaulieu, avec Lapassade et Lourau, ou encore avec Anzieu et Kaës. La création de la revue a donné une autre dimension à ces échanges, un essor à un esprit de recherche, une exigence de rigueur en rapport à la pratique et à la clinique. Ce pari était risqué étant donné l’originalité de la démarche, le non-conformisme et l’ouverture à des approches différentes. C’est aussi sans doute la cause de sa pérennité et de l’actualité de textes publiés il y a quelques décennies. Ce dialogue entre les deux rédacteurs en chef à l’origine de sa fondation en retrace l’histoire.
Public Information Service for the Disadvantaged in China’s Towns
Authors: Zhang Jianbin
Published: December 2012

This study uses the methods of questionnaire and group discussion to conduct field research in A and B towns, which are located in the eastern developed region and the western undeveloped region of China, respectively. According to comparative study on the status of providing public information service for the disadvantaged between A and B towns, the author finds that the public in A town are superior to the ones in B in terms of information literacy, public information service expenditure, and satisfaction rate of public information service. Similarities exist in terms of differences in accessing public information service between town and village, among social groups, and the causes resulting in imbalance of public information service and features of the information-poor’s group distribution. The author discusses the differences in development policies between city and village, as well as differences in financial investment of public information service, education, and individual’s income level between A and B towns.
Information Hiding Using Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Awad Wasan Shaker
Published: December 2012

This paper aims to find an effective and efficient information hiding method used for protecting secret information by embedding it in a cover media such as images. Finding the optimal set of the image pixel bits to be substituted by the secret message bits, such that the cover image is of high quality, is a complex process and there is an exponential number of feasible solutions. Two new ant-based algorithms are proposed and compared with other algorithms. The experimental results show that ant colony optimization algorithm can find the solution efficiently and effectively by finding the optimal set of pixel bits in a few number of iterations and with least Mean Square Error (MSE) comparable with genetic and genetic simulated annealing algorithms.
Exploring Barriers to Coordination between Humanitarian NGOs
Authors: Tchouakeu Louis-Marie Ngamassi , Maldonado Edgar , Zhao Kang , Robinson Harold , Maitland Carleen , Tapia Andrea
Published: December 2012

Humanitarian nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are increasingly collaborating through inter-organizational structures such as coalitions, alliances, partnerships, and coordination bodies. NGO’s information technology coordination bodies are groups of NGOs aimed at improving the efficiency of ICT use in humanitarian assistance through greater coordination. Despite their popularity, little is known about these coordination bodies, specifically the extent to which they address inter-organizational coordination problems. This paper examines coordination problems within two humanitarian NGO’s information technology coordination bodies. Based on data collected through interviews, observation, and document analysis, despite positive attitudes toward coordination by members, seven of eight widely accepted barriers to coordination still exist among members of these coordination bodies. Further, in a comparison of mandate-oriented, structural and behavioral coordination barriers, research finds mandate issues were most significant and structural factors were found in the greatest numbers. Findings suggest that effective humanitarian NGO’s information technology coordination bodies must pay attention to both organizational design and management issues, although the former are likely to have a greater impact on coordination.
Stigmergic Hyperlink
Authors: Sancho Marques Artur , Figueiredo José
Published: December 2012

Inspired by patterns of behavior generated in social networks, a prototype of a new object was designed and developed for the World Wide Web – the stigmergic hyperlink or “stigh”. In a system of stighs, like a Web page, the objects that users do use grow “healthier”, while the unused “weaken”, eventually to the extreme of their “death”, being autopoieticaly replaced by new destinations. At the single Web page scale, these systems perform like recommendation systems and embody an “ecological” treatment to unappreciated links. On the much wider scale of generalized usage, because each stigh has a method to retrieve information about its destination, Web agents in general and search engines in particular, would have the option to delegate the crawling and/or the parsing of the destination. This would be an interesting social change: after becoming not only consumers, but also content producers, Web users would, just by hosting (automatic) stighs, become information service providers too.
On the Moral Equality of Artificial Agents
Authors: Wareham Christopher
Published: December 2012

Artificial agents such as robots are performing increasingly significant ethical roles in society. As a result, there is a growing literature regarding their moral status with many suggesting it is justified to regard manufactured entities as having intrinsic moral worth. However, the question of whether artificial agents could have the high degree of moral status that is attributed to human persons has largely been neglected. To address this question, the author developed a respect-based account of the ethical criteria for the moral status of persons. From this account, the paper employs an empirical test that must be passed in order for artificial agents to be considered alongside persons as having the corresponding rights and duties.
Cellular Telephones and Social Interactions
Authors: Stern Steven E. , Grounds Benjamin E.
Published: December 2012

Changes in technology often affect patterns of social interaction. In the current study, the authors examined how cellular telephones have made it possible for members of romantically involved couples to keep track of each other. The authors surveyed 69 undergraduates on their use of cellular telephones as well as their relationships and their level of sexual jealously. Results find that nearly a quarter of romantically involved cellular telephone users report tracking their significant other, and evidence shows that tracking behavior correlates with jealousy. Furthermore, participants frequently reported using countermeasures such as turning off their cellular telephones in order to avoid being tracked by others. In conclusion, newer communication technologies afford users to act upon protectiveness and jealousy more readily than before these technologies were available to the general public.
The Middle Ground for Nuclear Waste Management
Authors: Marshall Alan
Published: December 2012

The 2001 terrorist attacks in the USA and the 2011 seismic events in Japan have brought into sharp relief the vulnerabilities involved in storing nuclear waste on the land’s surface. Nuclear engineers and waste managers are deciding that disposing nuclear waste deep underground is the preferred management option. However, deep disposal of nuclear waste is replete with enormous technical uncertainties. A proposed solution to protect against both the technical vagaries of deep disposal and the dangers of surface events is to store the nuclear waste at shallow depths underground. This paper explores social and ethical issues that are relevant to such shallow storage, including security motivations, intergenerational equity, nuclear stigma, and community acceptance. One of the main ethical questions to emerge is whether it is right for the present generation to burden local communities and future generations with these problems since neither local peoples nor future people have sanctioned the industrial and military processes that have produced the waste in the first place.
Virtual Communitas, “Digital Place-Making,” and the Process of “Becoming”
Authors: McKeown Anita
Published: December 2012

In Aristotelian philosophy, the process of change from a lower level of “potentiality” to the higher level of “actuality” is known as “becoming,” or to become more and more of what one is, or capable of “becoming.” For this process to take place, the dissolution of the normative values or understanding of one’s self and context is necessary (Turner, 1968). Such dissolution, although initially destabilising, can create an environment conducive to the values and normal modes of behaviour being reflected upon and transformed. The chapter considers how selected context-responsive projects that use the Internet, develop and harness “communitas” (Turner, 1967) and function as “liminoid” (Turner, 1974) space, facilitating new understandings of place. The virtual manifestations of place highlighted are then reflected upon for their potential in the process of “place-making” to enable the process of “becoming,” for people and the specific location.
Adult Social Care Workforce Analysis in England
Authors: Onggo Stephan
Published: December 2012

Changes in demographic and regulations in social care in England are expected to alter the social care landscape and increase pressure on people working in the adult social care sector, especially those who deliver direct care services. While significant work has been done to understand the demand side of the adult social care system, work on the supply side is considerably limited and analysis has been dominated by methods such as macro- and micro-simulation. This paper demonstrates that system dynamics modelling can be used to understand the dynamics of the social care workforce who deliver direct care services in the formal sector, specifically, to identify the main feedback loops that govern the dynamics of the system, to identify sensitive and influential factors, and to show non-linearity in the system. Therefore, system dynamics should play a more important role in the analysis of adult social care system.
Rendering of 3D Meshes by Feature-Guided Convolution
Authors: Qi Yue
Published: December 2012

The author presents a feature-guided convolution method for rendering a 3D triangular mesh. In Their work, they compute feature directions on the vertices of a mesh and generate noise on the faces of a mesh. After projecting the directions and noise into 2D image space, the author executes convolution to render the mesh. They used three feature directions: a principal direction, the tangent of an isocurve of view-dependent features, and the tangent of an isophote curve. By controlling the value of noise, the author can produce several non-photorealistic rendering effects such as pencil drawing and hatching. This rendering process is temporally coherent and can therefore be used to create artistic styled animations.
Lot Sizing and Dynamic Pricing with Random Yield and Different Qualities
Authors: Li Guo , Gao Tao , Wang Zhaohua , Ma Shihua
Published: December 2012

The literature under random component yield has focused on coordination of supply chain at the determined price, where decision maker chooses its optimal production quantities. The authors consider a centralized system when the price is not determined under both random yield and demand. Type A with perfect quality and type B with imperfect quality are produced due to the random yield. They prove the unique concavity of expected profit in centralized system at determined price. Then dynamic pricing is considered and algorithm is put forward for dynamic pricing. Errors can be sufficiently small as long as some parameters can be set suitably. Apart from lot sizing and dynamic pricing, the authors also provide qualitative insights based on numerical illustration of centralized and decentralized solutions.
A Novel Parameter Optimization Algorithm Based on Immune Memory Clone Strategy
Authors: Fang Zhu , Junfang Wei
Published: December 2012

The performance of support vector machine (SVM) depends on the selection of model parameters, however, the selection of SVM model parameters more depends on the empirical value. According to the deficiency, this paper proposes a parameters optimization method of support vector machine based on immune memory clone strategy (IMC). This method can solve the multi-peak model parameters selection problem better which is introduced by n-folded cross-verification. Tests on standard datasets show that this method has higher precision and faster optimization speed compared with other four methods. The proposed method was applied to bus passenger flow counting. The experimental results show that the method reposed in this paper obtains higher classification accuracy.
Perspectives on Tools for Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning
Authors: Bratitsis Tharrenos , Demetriadis Stavros
Published: December 2012

Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) is a research field which emerged during the past 20 years. The research addressed questions in CSCL including – among others - how groups and individuals learn through peer interaction using specific tools, how small groups interact and develop shared meanings over time, how teachers orchestrate collaborative learning activities in the classroom with the support of technology, how institutions change and create new conditions for teaching and learning, and even how the opportunities for learning change as society adopts new models for education. Following the constructivistic and socio-cultural approaches in learning, numerous CSCL tools have been designed, developed and tested over the years. Although they can be classified in various ways, the distinction between systemic and dialogic types of tools and approaches is adopted in this paper. Following this categorization, four interesting research approaches, each focusing on a different kind of computer mediated tool are presented, designating the diversity of research within the CSCL field.
Engaging and Supporting Students in Exploratory and Collaborative Activities
Authors: Gogoulou Agoritsa , Gouli Evangelia , Grigoriadou Maria
Published: December 2012

e-ECLiP aims to establish a learning environment which promotes students’ active involvement, contributes to the knowledge construction and the development of skills in programming through students’ engagement in exploratory and collaborative activities. The collaboration is facilitated through the ACT tool, a synchronous communication tool that supports mechanisms for adaptation and personalization of the communication as well as for students’ self-regulation. In the study presented, students of secondary education worked with e-ECLiP and collaborated through ACT in the context of a programming course. The results revealed that the educational setting used, the proposed didactical approach, and the context of the activities contributed positively in the comprehension of the loop construct and its application in solving simple problems. Also, the students admitted positively the supported synchronous communication tool and appreciated the provided facilities. It seems that the ACT tool can serve the context of the activities and the supported self-regulation mechanism can help students in improving their collaborative behaviour.
Nomenclature of Moraines and ice-flow features as applied to the glacial map of Canada
Authors: Prest V K
Published: December 2012

This report describes and characterizes the various types of glacial features to be shown on the new Glacial Map of Canada and illustrates some of them by means of stereoscopic photographs; a threefold classification of moraine is given in tabular form under
features transverse to ice-flow, parallel to ice-flow and non-orientated.
Short Communication: Interaction between Rhizoctonia solani and Meloidogyne incognita on chile pepper in soil infested simultaneously with both plant pathogens
Authors: Al-Hammouri A. , Lindemann W. , Sanogo S. , Thomas S. , Steiner R.
Published: December 2012

Al-Hammouri, A., Lindemann, W., Sanogo, S., Thomas, S. and Steiner, R. 2013. Short Communication: Interaction between Rhizoctonia solani and Meloidogyne incognita on chile pepper in soil infested simultaneously with both plant pathogens. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 67–69. The interaction of Rhizoctonia solani and Meloidogyne incognita was examined on chile. The frequency of recovery of Rhizoctonia, Meloidogyne egg counts, the Meloidogyne reproduction factor, and plant growth parameters were measured at 45, 60, and 75 d after soil infestation. The reproduction rate of M. incognita was not affected by the presence of R. solani. Similarly, R. solani infection was not affected by the presence of M. incognita. Neither plant biomass nor plant physiological measurements were affected by co-infectation with R. solani and M. incognita. These results indicate that little or no synergistic effect between R. solani and M. incognita occurred as a result of co-infection, and that no added adverse impact on chile occurred.
The concentration of yeast assimilable nitrogen in Merlot grape juice is increased by N fertilization and reduced irrigation
Authors: Hannam K. D. , Neilsen G. H. , Forge T. , Neilsen D.
Published: December 2012

Hannam, K. D., Neilsen, G. H., Forge, T. and Neilsen, D. 2013. The concentration of yeast assimilable nitrogen in Merlot grape juice is increased by N fertilization and reduced irrigation. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 37–45. Vineyard management practices that can be used to elevate yeast-assimilable nitrogen (YAN) above the 140 mg N L−1required for efficient fermentation are of critical interest. The effects of N fertilization and reduced irrigation frequency on grape juice YAN, fruit composition and yield were examined in a 5-yr study on Merlot (Vitis vinifera L.) vines. Fertilization with N increased the concentration of YAN in grape juice by improving grapevine N status as indicated by petiole N concentrations. Reduced irrigation frequency appeared to have no effect on grape juice YAN status but short-term reductions in the quantity of applied water during the early stages of berry development in 2 of the study years did increase YAN. Juice pH was sometimes increased by reduced irrigation and N application treatments, but levels remained acceptable for wine production. Other measures of fruit composition were less sensitive to irrigation and N fertilization treatments. Inter-annual variability played an important role in determining grape juice YAN, fruit composition and yield. Future work should focus on refining management practices, e.g., the timing of N application, to minimize the effects of annual variability on grape juice YAN concentrations.
Bioactive substances in leaves of two amaranth species,Amaranthus tricolorandA. hypochondriacus
Authors: Khanam Umma Khair Salma , Oba Shinya
Published: December 2012

Khanam, U. K. S. and Oba, S. 2013. Bioactive substances in leaves of two amaranth species, Amaranthus tricolor and A. hypochondriacus. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 47–58. Bioactive substances and phenolic contents of Amaranthus tricolor and A. hypochondriacus leaves were evaluated using four cultivars of each species. Leaf colour attributes (L*, a* and b*) and betacyanins varied widely among the cultivars. The a* value, betacyanins and betaxanthins, appeared to be rich in A. tricolor, whereas betxanthins were twofold higher in A. hypochondriacus. Isoqercetin and rutin were the most abundant flavonoids in all amaranth cultivars. Hyperoside was found only in the A. hypochondriacus cultivar New Aztec. Salicylic acid, syringic acid, gallic acid, vanilic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid and sinapic acid were the most common phenolic acids in all amaranth cultivars. Significant amounts of ellagic acid and sinapic acid were detected in A. hypochondriacus cultivars. Total phenol content (TPC) was found to be strikingly greater than total phenol index (TPI) in A. tricolor than in A. hypochondriacus. All the amaranth cultivars showed a high correlation between total antioxidant activity and total phenol content.
Recurrent Molar Pregnancy: An Obstetric Dilemma?
Authors: Marakani Lakshmi Rathna , Gundabattula Sirisha Rao
Published: December 2012

Approximately 1% of women with a molar pregnancy may have a recurrence. Chemotherapy is not indicated for recurrent molar pregnancies. An adequate interconception interval is important to ensure that the serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) from a new pregnancy does not interfere with the follow-up of the molar pregnancy that is done to detect persistent disease. We discuss the case of a nulliparous woman who had four molar pregnancies and her future reproductive options.

How to cite this article

Marakani LR, Gundabattula SR. Recurrent Molar Pregnancy: An Obstetric Dilemma? Int J Infertility Fetal Med 2012;3(2):63-64.
Difficult Airway with HELLP Syndrome
Authors: Dalal Rutvij Jay , Pandya Seema
Published: December 2012

Pregnancy due to its generalized edematous state is known to have a difficult airway. Preeclampsia makes this difficult airway more difficult and if its coupled with HELLP syndrome which becomes anesthetic's worst nightmare.

We managed a similar case in our hospital, with multisystem involvement, for an emergency cesarean section. Surgery was carried on Proseal LMA (laryngeal mask airway) due to difficult intubation but for definitive airway we resorted to fiber-optic intubation, thus avoiding invasive airway.

How to cite this article

Dalal RJ, Pai H, Pandya S. Difficult Airway with HELLP Syndrome. Int J Infertility Fetal Med 2012; 3(2):65-67.
Interconnectivity vs. isolation of prokaryotic communities in European deep-sea mud volcanoes
Authors: Pachiadaki M. G. , Kormas K. A.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. By exploiting the available data on 16S rRNA gene sequences – spanning over a sampling period of more than 10 yr – retrieved from sediments of the Haakon Mosby mud volcano (HMMV), Gulf of Cadiz (GoC) and eastern Mediterranean (Amsterdam and Kazan mud volcanoes; AMSMV, KZNMV) mud volcanoes/pockmarks, we investigated whether these systems are characterized by high (interconnectivity) or low (isolation) connection degree based on shared bacterial and archaeal phylotypes. We found only two archaeal and two bacterial phylotypes to occur in all three sites and a few more that were found in two of the three sites. Although the number of shared species depends a lot on the analysis depth of each sample, the majority of the common phylotypes were related mostly to cold seep deep-sea habitats, while for some of them their relative abundance was high enough to be considered as key-species for the habitat they were found. As new tools, like next generation sequencing platforms, are more appropriate for revealing greater depth of diversity but also allow sample replication and uniform sampling protocols, and gain wider recognition and usage, future attempts are more realistic now for fully elucidating the degree of specificity in deep-sea mud volcanoes and pockmarks microbial communities.
Lidar signal simulation for the evaluation of aerosols in chemistry transport models
Authors: Stromatas S. , Turquety S. , Menut L. , Chepfer H. , Péré J. C. , Cesana G. , Bessagnet B.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. We present an adaptable tool, the OPTSIM (OPTical properties SIMulation) software, for the simulation of optical properties and lidar attenuated backscattered profiles (β') from aerosol concentrations calculated by chemistry transport models (CTM). It was developed to model both Level 1 observations and Level 2 aerosol lidar retrievals in order to compare model results to measurements: the level 2 enables to estimate the main properties of aerosols plume structures, but may be limited due to specific assumptions. The level 1, originally developed for this tool, gives access to more information about aerosols properties (β') requiring, at the same time, less hypothesis on aerosols types. In addition to an evaluation of the aerosol loading and optical properties, active remote sensing allows the analysis of aerosols' vertical structures. An academic case study for two different species (black carbon and dust) is presented and shows the consistency of the simulator. Illustrations are then given through the analysis of dust events in the Mediterranean region during the summer 2007. These are based on simulations by the CHIMERE regional CTM and observations from the CALIOP space-based lidar, and highlight the potential of this approach to evaluate the concentration, size and vertical structure of the aerosol plumes.
Nietzsche versus the Genetic Fallacy
Authors: Finken Bryan
Published: December 2012

Did Nietzsche rely on genetic fallacies? I argue that while he published two minor instances of the fallacy, he also struggled mightily against a particular breed of genetic fallacy. What he critiqued as a “proof of strength” was in fact a genetic fallacy of the sort that derives the truth of a proposition from positive results that arise from believing it. This theme is a signature of his works and heavily militates against readings of Nietzsche that casually accuse him of fallacy.
Williams, Nietzsche, and Pessimism
Authors: Jenkins Mark P.
Published: December 2012

This article extends recent efforts to investigate Nietzsche through the lens of Bernard Williams and Williams through the lens of Nietzsche by focusing on their respective conceptions of, and attitudes toward, pessimism. Specifically, the article investigates whether Williams should be regarded as endorsing or manifesting tragic or Dionysian forms of pessimism, which Nietzsche valorizes under the term “pessimism of strength,” or whether he is better associated with the Schopenhauerian or romantic pessimism, or even the Socratic optimism, that Nietzsche rejects. The answer is held to turn on the interpretation of Williams's obscure notion of “confidence.”
Influence of Nanofinishes on the Antimicrobial Properties of Fabrics
Authors: Gokarneshan N. , Gopalakrishnan P. P. , Jeyanthi B.
Published: December 2012

This paper critically reviews the influence of the various types of nanomaterials on the antibacterial property of the treated fabrics. The merits of each type of nanomaterial have been compared. The synthesis and application method of each type are highlighted. As the number of microorganisms is growing increasingly resistant to antibiotics, the need to treat fabrics with nano materials becomes important in order to improve the antibacterial efficacy over a range of bacterium and fungi. The various researches reported herein show a promise for wider applications in medical textiles. Nano finishes have been applied on natural materials such as cotton, wool, and silk and also synthetic materials such as PET fabrics, with interesting results.
Effect of Plasma Surface Pretreatment on Ce3+-Doped GPTMS-ZrO2
Self-Healing Coatings on Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Kumar N. , Jyothirmayi A. , Subasri R.
Published: December 2012

A hybrid sol synthesized from an acid-catalyzed hydrolysis and condensation reaction of 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) and zirconium n-propoxide was used as a matrix nanocomposite sol. To this sol, 0.01 M Ce3+ was added as an inhibitor to provide a self-healing coating system. The effect of an atmospheric air plasma surface pretreatment of aluminum alloy substrates prior to coating deposition of Ce3+-doped/undoped GPTMS-ZrO2 sol was studied with respect to corrosion protection. Coatings were generated by a dip coating technique employing a withdrawal speed of 5 mm/s and thermally cured at 130°
C for 1 h. The coated Al surfaces were characterized using potentiodynamic polarization studies and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. They were also subjected to accelerated corrosion testing using neutral salt spray test with 5% NaCl solution after creating an artificial scratch for more than 200 hours to assess the self-healing ability of coatings. It was observed that cerium (III) doping was effective for corrosion protection during long-term exposure to the electrolyte solution, and a plasma surface pretreatment of substrates prior to coating deposition of Ce3+-doped coatings improved the adhesion of coatings that provides enhanced corrosion protection along with self-healing ability exhibited in case of damages/scratches caused in the coating.
Intratherapist Reliability in the Rating of Scapula Posture in Multiple Planes of Reference
Authors: McPhail Steven M. , Dalland Lars Nagelstad , Naess Kaja , Lund Marte , Ytre-Hauge Tore Johan , Holm Sigrid Reiersen , O'Leary Shaun
Published: December 2012

Background. Evaluation of scapular posture is a fundamental component in the clinical evaluation of the upper quadrant. This study examined the intrarater reliability of scapular posture ratings. Methods. A test-retest reliability investigation was undertaken with one week between assessment sessions. At each session physical therapists conducted visual assessments of scapula posture (relative to the thorax) in five different scapula postural planes (plane of scapula, sagittal plane, transverse plane, horizontal plane, and vertical plane). These five plane ratings were performed for four different scapular posture perturbating conditions (rest, isometric shoulder; flexion, abduction, and external rotation). Results. A total of 100 complete scapular posture ratings (50 left, 50 right) were undertaken at each assessment. The observed agreement between the test and retest postural plane ratings ranged from 59% to 87%; 16 of the 20 plane-condition combinations exceeded 75% observed agreement. Kappa (and prevalence adjusted bias adjusted kappa) values were inconsistent across the postural planes and perturbating conditions. Conclusions. This investigation generally revealed fair to moderate intrarater reliability in the rating of scapular posture by visual inspection. However, enough disagreement between assessments was present to warrant caution when interpreting perceived changes in scapula position between longitudinal assessments using visual inspection alone.
Effects of Smoke-water on Photosynthetic Characteristics of Isatis indigotica Seedlings
Authors: Zhou Jie , Fang Lei , Wang Xiao , Guo Lanping , Huang Luqi
Published: December 2012

Smoke-water (SW) had been reported to improve the growth of Isatis indigotica, a Chinese medicinal plant. However, there were very few reports on the mechanism of smoke-water improving plant growth. In this study the effects of smoke-water on the photosynthetic characteristics of I. indigotica seedlings were investigated for the purpose of understanding the mechanism behind this improved plant growth. The results showed that net photosynthetic rate (Pn) was increased by smoke-water, reaching a maximum on 15, 5 and 15 d after treatment with smoke-water at dilutions of 1:500, 1:1000 and 1:2000 respectively. Transpiration rate (Tr) and stomatal conductance (Gs) both showed similar trends to Pn, however, intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) was decreased with smoke-water treatment. The Fv/Fm was not significantly influenced by smoke-water treatment. The ?PSII was markedly promoted with the application of smoke-water (1:1000) compared with the control and the coefficient of photochemical quenching (qP) showed a similar trend to ?PSII. However the coefficient of non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll (NPQ) was decreased with treatment of smoke-water. These findings indicate that smoke-water treatment induce an increase in photosynthesis and suggest the main factors leading to this might be the improved stomatal conductance and the enhanced level of the photochemical efficiency of PSII in leaves.
Determining Fitness to Drive in Older Persons: A Survey of Medical and Surgical Specialists
Authors: Marshall Shawn , Demmings Erin M. , Woolnough Andrew , Salim Danish , Man-Son-Hing Malcolm
Published: December 2012

BackgroundMany specialists encounter issues related to fitness to drive in their practices. We sought to determine the attitudes and practices of Canadian specialists regarding the assessment of medical fitness to drive in older persons.MethodsWe present data from a postal survey of 842 physicians certified in cardiology, endocrinology, geriatric medicine, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopaedic surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, or rheumatology regarding their attitudes and practices relating to the assessment of their patients’ fitness to drive.ResultsOverall response rate was 55.1%. Except for rheumatologists (18%), most specialists reported that fitness to drive is an important issue in their practices (68%). Confidence in the ability to assess fitness to drive was low (33%), and the majority (73%) felt they would benefit from further education. There were significant differences (p < .05) in responses between physicians from different provinces, owing to reporting policies. More geriatricians than neurologists report drivers with mild Alzheimer disease to authorities regardless of reporting policy (mandatory 90.7% vs. 56.0%; non-mandatory 84.1% vs. 40.0%) (p < .05).ConclusionsCanadian specialists accept the responsibility of determining their patients’ fitness to drive but are not fully confident in their ability to do so. However, they are receptive to education to improve their skills in this area.
Multibarrier Disinfection: Pairing GAC and UV to Lower Operating Costs and Increase Efficiency
Authors: Zappa Leo P. , Bircher Keith , Pohlman Richard , Metz Deborah H.
Published: December 2012

Pairing granular activated carbon with ultraviolet treatment and residual disinfectants can lower operating costs, make up for the initial capital investment of such a system, and provide high drinking water disinfection efficiency.
Looking to the Cloud for Clean Water
Authors: Hidaka Carey E.
Published: December 2012

Making better use of the copious data water and wastewater utilities already generate is a way to bring greater efficiencies to operations and maximize budgets as budgets are stretched to address ever‐greater needs from more users and deteriorating infrastructure.
Unannounced Visits From Environmental Regulators, Part 2: What to Do When Your Employee Receives a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena
Authors: Steinmeyer Edwin A. , Fiveash John L.
Published: December 2012

In part 1 (Unannounced Visits From Environmental Regulators, Part 1: Planning Ahead With an REIIP; February 2012) of this two‐part series, we discussed how facility directors and managers can plan ahead for unannounced visits by environmental regulators. If you read that article and followed its recommendations, you have already contacted counsel and developed a regulatory inspection and investigation policy (REIIP). For those who may have gotten a bit of a late start on your REIIP, this article will help.
Effects of a Visual Technology on Mock Juror Decision Making
Authors: Park Jaihyun , Feigenson Neal
Published: December 2012

Two studies explored the effects of lawyers' use of PowerPoint on liability judgments in a case involving statistical evidence. Participants (Study 1, N = 192; Study 2A, N = 180; Study 2B, N = 189) watched videotaped opening statements for plaintiffs and defendant. In general, defendant's responsibility was judged to be greater when plaintiffs used PowerPoint slides than when they did not and less when defendant used PowerPoint slides than when it did not. Furthermore, PowerPoint's impact was greatest when its use was unequal. PowerPoint enhanced persuasion partly through central and partly through peripheral processing. In general, each party's use of PowerPoint increased participants' recall of that party's evidence, which in turn increased defendant's judged responsibility (when plaintiffs used PowerPoint) or reduced it (when defendants used PowerPoint), indicative of central processing. PowerPoint also functioned as a peripheral cue, influencing participants' judgments of defendant's responsibility by affecting their perceptions of the respective attorneys. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Noise covariance estimation for Kalman filter tuning using Bayesian approach and Monte Carlo
Authors: Matisko Peter , Havlena Vladimír
Published: December 2012

Linear time‐invariant systems play significant role in the control field. A number of methods have been published for identification of the deterministic part of a process. However, identification of the stochastic part has had much less attention. This paper deals with estimation of covariance matrices of the noise entering a linear system. The process and measurement noise covariance matrices are tuning parameters of the Kalman filter, and they affect the quality of the state estimation. The noise covariance matrices are generally not known, and their estimation from the measured data is a challenging task. This paper introduces a method for estimation of the noise covariance matrices using Bayesian approach along with Monte Carlo numerical methods. Performance of the approach is tested on various systems and noise properties. The second part of the paper compares Monte Carlo approach with the recently published methods. The speed of convergence is compared with the Cramér–Rao bounds. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Controllable Synthesis of Rich Nitrogen‐Doped Ordered Mesoporous Carbon for CO2 Capture and Supercapacitors
Authors: Wei Jing , Zhou Dandan , Sun Zhenkun , Deng Yonghui , Xia Yongyao , Zhao Dongyuan
Published: December 2012

A controllable one‐pot method to synthesize N‐doped ordered mesoporous carbons (NMC) with a high N content by using dicyandiamide as a nitrogen source via an evaporation‐induced self‐assembly process is reported. In this synthesis, resol molecules can bridge the Pluronic F127 template and dicyandiamide via hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. During thermosetting at 100 °C for formation of rigid phenolic resin and subsequent pyrolysis at 600 °C for carbonization, dicyandiamide provides closed N species while resol can form a stable framework, thus ensuring the successful synthesis of ordered N‐doped mesoporous carbon. The obtained N‐doped ordered mesoporous carbons possess tunable mesostructures (p6m and Im$ \bar 3 $m symmetry) and pore size (3.1–17.6 nm), high surface area (494–586 m2 g−1), and high N content (up to 13.1 wt%). Ascribed to the unique feature of large surface area and high N contents, NMC materials show high CO2 capture of 2.8–3.2 mmol g−1 at 298 K and 1.0 bar, and exhibit good performance as the supercapacitor electrode with specific capacitances of 262 F g−1 (in 1 M H2SO4) and 227 F g−1 (in 6 M KOH) at a current density of 0.2 A g−1.
Childhood lead exposure in an enslaved African community in Barbados: Implications for birthplace and health status
Authors: Schroeder Hannes , Shuler Kristrina A. , Chenery Simon R.
Published: December 2012

Lead was ubiquitous on Caribbean sugar plantations, where it was used extensively in the production of sugar and rum. Previous studies suggest that skeletal lead contents can be used to identify African‐born individuals (as opposed to Creoles) among slave burials found in the New World. To test this hypothesis, we measured lead concentrations in enamel samples from 26 individuals from the Newton Plantation cemetery in Barbados, which was in use from around 1660 to 1820, and compared the results with enamel 87Sr/86Sr measurements that had been previously obtained for the same population. Results show a clear association between low (i.e., below 1 ppm) enamel lead concentrations and higher enamel 87Sr/86Sr ratios which have previously been interpreted as being indicative of African birth, suggesting that individuals with low enamel lead levels were indeed born in Africa as opposed to the New World. Based on these results, we propose that enamel lead measurements provide an effective and inexpensive way to determine African birth from skeletal remains. Furthermore, the lead measurements can provide useful insights into the health status and childhood environment of enslaved Africans during the colonial period. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dietary correlates of temporomandibular joint morphology in the great apes
Authors: Terhune Claire E.
Published: December 2012

Behavioral observations of great apes have consistently identified differences in feeding behavior among species, and these differences have been linked to variation in masticatory form. As the point at which the mandible and cranium articulate, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an important component of the masticatory apparatus. Forces are transmitted between the mandible and cranium via the TMJ, and this joint helps govern mandibular range of motion. This study examined the extent to which TMJ form covaries with feeding behavior in the great apes by testing a series of biomechanical hypotheses relating to specific components of joint shape using linear measurements extracted from three‐dimensional coordinate data. Results of these analyses found that taxa differ significantly in TMJ shape, particularly in the mandibular fossa. Chimpanzees have relatively more anteroposteriorly elongated joint surfaces, whereas gorillas tend to have relatively anteroposteriorly compressed joints. Orangutans were most commonly intermediate in form between Pan and Gorilla, perhaps reflecting a trade‐off between jaw gape and load resistance capabilities. Importantly, much of the observed variation among taxa reflects differences in morphologies that facilitate gape over force production. These data therefore continue to emphasize the unclear relationship between mandibular loading and bony morphology, but highlight the need for further data regarding food material properties, jaw gape, and ingestive/food processing behaviors. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Model predictive control with dynamic pricing and probability inventory of a single supply chain unit
Authors: Niu Jian , Zhao Jun , Xu Zuhua , Shao Zhijiang , Qian Jixin
Published: December 2012

This paper presents a model predictive control (MPC) method for a single supply chain (SC) unit. In order to make the most profit, the prediction of demand and the policy of inventory are the key factors for an SC unit. The ordering is a manipulate variable for an SC unit, and the pricing is introduced as another manipulate variable in this paper. The supposed price has determinate effect on the demand. The demand then can be regarded as a determinate part and a stochastic part. The inventory is regarded as a probability problem because of the stochastic demand. The two manipulate variables bring different dynamics into the SC unit. An MPC is designed, and the two‐time scale characteristic of the two manipulate variables is considered simultaneously for the SC unit. By comparing with MPC without dynamic pricing policy and order‐up‐to‐level policy, we found that the simulation results approve the validity of the MPC with dynamic pricing policy. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Output Feedback H∞ Control Design for the Linear Stochastic System Driven by Both Brownian Motion and Poisson Jumps: A Nonlinear Matrix Inequality Approach
Authors: Lin Xiangyun , Zhang Weihai , Wang Xiangrong
Published: December 2012

We extend the output feedback H∞ control approaches to the stochastic system including Poisson jumps. In this model, both the control and exogenous disturbance simultaneously enter the volatility and jumps. By completing square methods, a nonlinear matrix inequality is used for solving such problems to give the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a compensator.
Adaptive H∞ Control of Piecewise‐Linear Systems with Parametric Uncertainties and External Disturbances
Authors: Liu Kai , Yao Yu , Balakrishnan Venkataramanan , Ma Hongzhong
Published: December 2012

In this paper, we study the adaptive H∞ control problem for piecewise linear systems with parametric uncertainties and external disturbances. Motivated by the vector projection technique and dissipation theory, we propose a piecewise H∞ controller and its associated projection‐type parameter adaptation law, which are capable of guaranteeing the system stability and minimizing the effect of disturbances. Moreover, the common quadratic Lyapunov function method is used such that all of the synthesis conditions are formulated as linear matrix inequities and thus can be solved efficiently. Finally, a numerical example is provided to illustrate the results.