bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Racial Vilification and Freedom of Speech in Australia and Elsewhere
Authors: Gray Anthony
Published: May 2012

This paper considers the difficult balance to be struck between values of freedom of speech and attempts by legislators in a range of jurisdictions to ban racially offensive speech. It compares the position in Australia, where the High Court has established an implied freedom of political communication, with the position in the United States, which has enshrined freedom of speech in its Bill of Rights, and in Canada, which has enshrined such a freedom in its Charter. After reflecting how such provisions have been applied in the context of legislative attempts to curb racially-motivated speech, the paper argues that there are real questions over the constitutional validity of Australia's racial vilification laws, since they interfere with an individual's right to express an opinion, albeit an offensive one. This discussion takes place in the broader context of question marks over the utility of banning speech in an effort to improve race relations, and the marketplace of ideas type philosophy, where it is thought that in free democracies such as those under consideration, individuals need to be exposed to a full range of views and opinions, in order to develop more considered views on important topics, rather than have access to views and opinions controlled by the government.
Investigating Effects of Out-of-Stock on Consumer Stockkeeping Unit Choice
Authors: Che Hai , Chen Xinlei (Jack) , Chen Yuxin
Published: May 2012

Out-of-stock (OOS) is commonly observed in the retail environment with consumer packaged goods, but there have been few empirical studies of the effects of OOS on consumer product choice, because there is a lack of OOS information during households' purchase occasions. The authors study the effects of OOS on consumer stockkeeping unit (SKU) preference and price sensitivity, using a unique data set from multiple consumer packaged goods categories with information on recurring OOS incidents. They obtain several substantive findings: (1) Consumers' price sensitivity tends to be underestimated when OOS is not accounted for in a discrete choice model; (2) for consumers who have shorter interpurchase time, their preference for a SKU is attenuated when it is frequently OOS; and (3) for consumers who purchase from a small number of SKUs, their preference for a SKU is reinforced when facing OOS of other similar SKUs, whereas it is attenuated when facing OOS of other similar and also frequently purchased SKUs. The authors also illustrate that their findings can help retailers evaluate the effect of OOS on category revenue and predict time-varying market shares of SKUs in periods following OOS incidents.
Lifetime Risk Factors Associated with Level of Housing Among Australian Poor
Authors: Braver Taryn , Jenvey Vickii B.
Published: May 2012

We investigated a group of Australians, who lived in extreme poverty, by identifying early life and contemporary disadvantages associated with marginal housing or homelessness. Forty nine marginally housed and 51 homeless participants, who sought emergency relief from Melbourne charities, completed a 25 item questionnaire and a follow‐up interview about their personal, social and material circumstances. Different combinations of early life and contemporary disadvantages predicted either marginal housing or homelessness. Receipt of disability benefits, vocational qualifications and post secondary education were uniquely and inversely associated with homelessness (positively associated with marginal housing). Being older, single and male were uniquely associated with homelessness. Level of housing insecurity among the poor was characterised by accumulation of early life and contemporary disadvantages, differentially predisposing individuals to marginal housing or homelessness.
Age-specific thyroid hormone and thyrotropin reference intervals for a pediatric and adolescent population
Authors: Chaler Eduardo A. , Fiorenzano Romina , Chilelli Carla , Llinares Vanessa , Areny Giselle , Herzovich Viviana , Maceiras Mercedes , Lazzati Juan M. , Mendioroz Mariano , Rivarola Marco A. , Belgorosky Alicia
Published: May 2012

Establishment of reliable reference intervals remains valuable for confirming validity and advancing standardization across methods and populations. Moreover, knowledge of the measurement uncertainty (U) and of the reference change value (RCV) has important applications in clinical chemistry.

Starting from the information available in the laboratory data base (29,901 subjects) an initial selection was carried out by eliminating all subjects with a clinical or laboratory pathological report; data from 7581 0- to 20-year-old subjects (53.87% girls) remained in the study. These subjects, divided into nine age groups, were used to define reference distribution percentiles (2.5th, 50th and 97.5th) of serum thyrotropin (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and free T4 (fT4), as well as U and RCV of these assays.

In early infancy, T4 and fT4 values were higher than in the older age groups. Serum T4 95th percentile reference value, useful for the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism, was 142.9 in 20-year-old boys and 230.4 nmol/L in early infants and serum T3 95th percentile was 2.6 and 3.5 nmol/L, respectively, while fT4 2.5th percentile reference value, useful for the diagnosis of hypothyroidism, was 9.6 and 13.0 pmol/L, respectively. Serum TSH 97.5th percentile showed less age variation, 4.38–4.88 mIU/L. Performance of the four assays resulted in approximately 20% Us, reflecting simple and complex imprecision, trueness, analytical and functional sensitivity. RCV of serum TSH (58.6%) was larger than for thyroid hormones (28.3%–34.7%), probably due to the high biological variation of this hormone.

We have established reference interval for TSH and thyroid hormones, as well as Us for assessing reliability of measurements, and RCVs to alert users on the presence of clinical significant changes.
Age dependence of within-subject biological variation of nine common clinical chemistry analytes
Authors: Carobene Anna , Graziani Maria Stella , Cascio Claudia Lo , Tretti Livia , Cremonese Eveline , Yabarek Teowoldemedhn , Gambaro Giovanni , Ceriotti Ferruccio
Published: May 2012

The knowledge of biological variation (BV) data is important for clinical decisions and as a basis for defining analytical quality specifications. However, in gene\xadrating reliable data of biological variation there are still some unsolved problems, such as age dependence. The aim of our work is to verify this aspect.

Twenty-six subjects divided into three groups by age were studied. Blood samples were collected in lithium heparin tubes for four weeks at one week intervals, on the same day of the week (Tuesday) and at the same time of day (8–9 a.m.) by the same phlebotomist. They were analysed in duplicate for creatinine, urate, calcium, albumin, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, triglycerides and iron. After outlier exclusion by Cochran\u2019s test, components of biological variation were calculated by ANOVA. The significance of the differences between results of the classes was also calculated with the Student\u2019s test (t-test) and the Fisher\u2019s test (F-test).

Excluding albumin, the group 3 results (age range from 78 to 98 years) showed significantly lower CV within subjects (CV

Our data seem to highlight the relevance of the age when choosing the reference subjects for biological variation studies. The level of within-subject biological variation of the elderly group may have been further reduced by the homogeneity of the group constituted by individuals living together in the same nursing home.
Irreducible representations of Baumslag–Solitar groups
Authors: McLaury Daniel
Published: May 2012

In this paper, we classify the finite-dimensional irreducible linear representations of the
Experimental design and inverse problems in plant biological modeling
Authors: Avery Matt , Banks H. T. , Basu Kanadpriya , Cheng Yansong , Eager Eric , Khasawinah Sarah , Potter Laura , Rehm Keri L.
Published: May 2012

We develop a mathematical and statistical framework to model the actions of underlying metabolites for carbon dioxide assimilation in photosynthesis. To illustrate ideas, we use use a dynamical system model proposed by Zhu, de Sturler and Long (2007) which describes the Calvin Cycle in spinach plants through changes in the concentrations of 38 metabolites (state variables) using non-linear enzyme kinetic ordinary differential equations and mass-balance laws that contain a total of 165 parameters. We address the research question “Once a subset of parameters is fixed and the times at which data is collected are determined, can we identify which metabolites we should measure in order to optimize the confidence in our parameter estimates?” Here, we propose two methods: the ad hoc Simple Linear Regression (SLR) method, and the Optimal Design Criterion method. Both methods suggest promise in determining appropriate sets of metabolites to observe for successful implementation of inverse problems.
Übungsklausur ZR Die günstige Playstation
Authors: Rühl Gisela , Schmidt Lars
Published: May 2012

Die Klausur behandelt Standardprobleme aus dem Allgemeinen Teil des BGB – Angebot und Annahme, Auslegung und Anfechtung von Willenserklärungen – eingekleidet in einen Internetkauf. Im Zentrum der Klausur stehen drei Fragen: Erstens, stellt sich das Einstellen von Waren in einen Online-Shop als Angebot dar? Zweitens, handelt es sich
bei einer automatisch generierten Email um eine Willenserklärung?
Drittens, kann eine automatisch generierte Email angefochten werden, wenn der Preis der Ware im Online-Shop aufgrund eines Fehlers der durch den Online-Shop zur Verfügung gestellten Software falsch angegeben wurde? Die Klausur ist vom Schwierigkeitsgrad her im oberen Bereich
angesiedelt.
Laser surgical treatment options for diseases of the upper respiratory tract in horses – An overview
Authors: Ohnesorge Bernhard , Rötting Anna
Published: May 2012

Diseases of the upper respiratory tract in horses can be life-threatening, or more frequently, limit the ability of the equine athlete to perform. Traditional surgical approaches are often invasive and are limited due to anatomic considerations. This article summarizes minimal invasive surgical techniques and in particular, laser surgical techniques useful for treatment of common diseases of the upper respiratory tract in horses.
Use of the holmium yttrium aluminum garnet laser for percutaneous ablation of thoracolumbar discs in dogs: A historical summary
Authors: Bartels Kenneth E.
Published: May 2012

Percutaneous holmium yttrium aluminum garnet (Ho:YAG) laser ablation of the nucleus pulposus of thoracolumbar discs in dogs as a prophylactic procedure for prevention of catastrophic intervertebral disc protrusion/extrusion has been utilized at Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences (CVHS) since 1992. Over 400 animals have been treated using percutaneous laser disc ablation (PLDA) with minimal post-treatment complications and a decreased rate of neurologic recurrence. The purpose of this summary is to provide a brief historical background of this minimally invasive procedure as well as its current status in clinical practice in the USA.
Near infrared ex-vivo bovine and computer model thresholds for laser-induced retinal damage
Authors: Schulmeister Karl , Ullah Rahat , Jean Mathieu
Published: May 2012

Thresholds for thermal damage of the retina were determined with excised bovine eyes and a computer model for 1090 nm laser radiation in the applicable pulse duration regime and for varying retinal laser spot diameters. The thresholds compare well with available rhesus monkey data, further validating the models for absolute threshold predictions and parameter studies including in the near infrared (NIR) range up to about 1340 nm. The variation of the spot size dependence for different pulse durations that was found in an earlier study for the wavelength of 532 nm was confirmed, which supports the proposed amendment of ICNIRP, ANSI and IEC laser and incoherent optical radiation exposure limits. The earlier conclusion that the damage mechanism at threshold determined 24 h and 1 h after exposure for the non-human primate (NHP) model is retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell damage and not thermal coagulation of the sensory retina was confirmed. The data in the NIR range indicate that scattering within the RPE and choroid does not significantly enlarge the effective spot size, and that the rhesus monkey minimal spot
High-resolution two-photon imaging of HE-stained samples in dermatohistopathology – A pilot study on skin tumours
Authors: Göppner Daniela , Mechow Norma , Liebscher Julia , Thiel Erik , Seewald Gunter , Buchholz Anja , Gollnick Harald , Philipp Carsten M. , Schönborn Karl-Heinz
Published: May 2012

Non-invasive two-photon microscopy (TPM) provides a new technique which could become in the future a substitute for hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining of tissue sections of the epidermis and upper and middle dermis as well. High-resolution imaging, in combination with false-colour representation, allows an accurate reproduction of standard microscopy. The vertical skin viewing of epidermis and upper dermis by means of TPM allows for a new histopathological supportive technique, especially in non-melanoma skin cancer such as squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. If it could be used on fresh tissue samples, it could provide an alternative method to Mohs 3D histology, even though the definitive criteria for melanocytic tumours have not yet been sufficiently evaluated.
Call for Papers
Authors: Frank F. , Lilge L. , Philipp C. M. , Sroka R.
Published: May 2012

No abstract available.
Pharmacokinetics of human chorionic gonadotropin after i.m. administration in goats (Capra hircus)
Authors: Saleh M , Shahin M , Wuttke W , Gauly M , Holtz W
Published: May 2012

The present investigation addresses the pharmacokinetics of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), intramuscularly (i.m.) administered to goats. Nine pluriparous does of the Boer goat breed, 2–6 years of age and weighing 45–60 kg, were administered 500 IU hCG (2 ml Chorulon) deep into the thigh musculature 18 h after superovulatory FSH treatment. Blood samples were drawn from the jugular vein at 2 h intervals for the first 24 h, at 6 h intervals until 42 h, and at 12 h intervals until 114 h after administration. After centrifugation, plasma hCG concentrations were determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Pharmacokinetical parameters were as follows: lag time, 0.4 (s.e.m.0.1) h; absorption rate constant, 0.34 (s.e.m.0.002) h; absorption half-life, 2.7 (s.e.m.0.5) h; elimination rate constant, 0.02 (s.e.m.0.002) h; biological half-life, 39.4 (s.e.m.5.1) h; and apparent volume of distribution, 16.9 (s.e.m.4.3) l. The plasma hCG profile was characterized by an absorption phase of 11.6 (s.e.m.1.8) h and an elimination phase of 70.0 (s.e.m.9.8) h, with considerable individual variation in bioavailability and pharmacokinetical parameters. Biological half-life was negatively correlated (P<0.05) with peak concentration (r=−0.76), absorption rate constant (r=−0.78), and elimination rate constant (r=−0.87). The results indicate that after rapid absorption, hCG remains in the circulation for an extended period. This has to be taken into account when assessing the stimulatory response to hCG treatment on an ovarian level.
Suppression of leptin-induced hypothalamic JAK/STAT signalling and feeding response during pregnancy in the mouse
Authors: Ladyman S R , Fieldwick D M , Grattan D R
Published: May 2012

Hyperphagia during pregnancy, despite rising concentrations of the satiety hormone leptin, suggests that a state of leptin resistance develops. This study investigated the satiety response and hypothalamic responses to leptin during pregnancy in the mouse. Pregnant (day 13) and nonpregnant mice received an i.p. injection of either leptin or vehicle and then 24-h food intake was measured. Further groups of pregnant and nonpregnant mice were perfused 2 h after leptin or vehicle injections and brains were processed for pSTAT3 and pSTAT5 immunohistochemistry. Leptin treatment significantly decreased food intake in nonpregnant mice. In pregnant mice, however, leptin treatment did not suppress food intake, indicating a state of leptin resistance. In the arcuate nucleus, leptin treatment increased the number of cells positive for pSTAT3, a marker of leptin activity, to a similar degree in both nonpregnant and pregnant mice. In the ventromedial nucleus (VMN), the leptin-induced increase in pSTAT3-positive cell number was significantly reduced in pregnant mice compared to that in nonpregnant mice. In nonpregnant mice, leptin treatment had no effect on the number of pSTAT5-positive cells, suggesting that in this animal model, leptin does not act through STAT5. In pregnant mice, basal levels of pSTAT5 were higher than in nonpregnant mice, and leptin treatment led to a decrease in the number of pSTAT5-positive cells in the hypothalamus. Overall, these results demonstrate that during pregnancy in the mouse, a state of leptin resistance develops, and this is associated with a reduced sensitivity of the VMN to leptin.
Translation as a professional and creative activity: A metalinguistic perspective
Authors: Riabtseva Nadezhda
Published: May 2012

The paper briefly reviews the achievements and problems in Translation Studies (TS) and the practical tasks TS face at present: teaching translation on a much larger scale, educating teachers of translation, and teaching translation students to think and translate professionally and creatively. To deal with these tasks, the paper proposes a new cognitive model of translation as a professional and creative activity and its practical application. The model integrates two of the most prominent contemporary conceptions: Nikolay Ovchinnikov’s new cognitive theory of mind and Igor Mel’čuk and Jury Apresjan’s “Meaning ⇔ Text” model (of linguistic competence). The main idea of the paper is that translation is a creative linguistic activity and thus its professional acquisition needs professional and up-to-date (meta) linguistic knowledge. Special attention is paid to TS terminology, its organization and application, since the main practical burden of modern TS is to provide a teacher of translation with basic and practice-oriented linguistic and background professional knowledge and terminology helpful in encouraging students to think over translation problems consciously and purposefully.
Effects of Substrate Pre-deposition Annealing and Deposition Parameters on the Properties of RF Sputter-deposited ZnO Films
Authors: Oder T. N. , McMaster M. , Smith A. , Velpukonda N. , Sternagle D.
Published: May 2012

Zinc Oxide thin films were deposited on sapphire substrates by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering from an ultra-high purity ZnO solid target. The ZnO films were deposited on sapphire substrates heated in oxygen and/or in vacuum prior to deposition. Additional parameters investigated included the substrate temperature varied from 25 °C to 600 °C, the deposition gas pressure varied from 5 mTorr to 40 mTorr and the gas flow rate varied from 5 to 30 standard cubic centimeter per minute (sccm). The resulting films were annealed using a rapid thermal processor in N2gas at 900 °C for 5 min. Analyses carried out using photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements indicate that films deposited at 300 °C using Ar:O2(1:1) had the best optical and microstructure qualities. Pre-heating the sapphire substrate in oxygen prior to deposition was found to create a smoother sapphire surface, and this produced a ZnO film with greatly improved qualities. This film had a luminescence peak at 3.362 eV with a full-width-half maximum (FWHM) value of 15.3 meV when measured at 11 K. The XRD 2θ-scans had peaks at 34.4° with the best FWHM value of only 0.10°. Production of high quality ZnO materials is a necessary step towards realizing highly conductive p-type doped ZnO materials which is currently a major goal in research efforts on ZnO.
Optical Transport Properties of Oriented Isotactic Polypropylene and Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite Thin Films
Authors: Sarkar Sabyasachi , Kalakonda Parvathalu , Georgiev Georgi Y. , Iannacchione Germano S. , Cebe Peggy
Published: May 2012

Optical transport through Isotactic Polypropylene (iPP) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposite thin films is important to many applications where optical transmission or polarization are used. Especially interesting is the case where the optical properties are anisotropic as in oriented thin films and the optical transport is different in the direction of orientation and perpendicular to it. Changing the orientation of the film or the polarization of the light can change the way in which the nanocomposite film interacts with light. Our polymer of choice, Isotactic Polypropylene, is one of the most widely used polymers which will increase the applicability of our results. We blended iPP with different concentration of carbon nanotubes (CNTs): 1%, 2% and 5% and oriented the thin film samples using melt-shear at 200°C and 1Hz in a Linkam microscope sharing hot stage. We measured that the index of refraction of the nanocomposites slightly decreased when CNTs are added and that when nanocomposites were shear-oriented at low loading of CNTs the index of refraction showed small difference in directions parallel and perpendicular to the direction of orientation. The extinction coefficient increased therefore it’s tuning in the nanocomposite films by the content of the carbon nanotubes can help devise new materials with the desired values of this property.
Proton Exchange Membrane Synthesized by Pore-Filling Polymerization Technique
Authors: Tay Siok Wei , Liu Zhaolin , Hong Liang
Published: May 2012

Proton exchange membrane with interconnected H+-transfer channels in submicron scale has been synthesized by means of pore filling polymerization. Polysulfone (PSU) membrane containing densely distributed pores is synthesized using the phase inversion approach. The membrane is then filled up with a designed formula consisting of monomers (e.g. 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulphonic acid and N, N’-Methylenebisacrylamide) and a binary solvent. It is undertaken through solution diffusion of the monomer formula into the pores impregnated with the bore liquid. When the PSU matrix loaded with monomers is subjected to polymerization, a uniform distribution of interconnected H+-transfer channels is realized. This special membrane structure gives rise to a maximum ionic exchange capacity of 2.43 meq/g and the highest proton conductivity of 0.2 S/cm. Compared to the commercial Nafion® membrane, the pore-filled membrane significantly enhances the power output of H2-PEM fuel cell.
Theory of volume transitions in polyelectrolyte gels
Authors: Mitra Mithun K. , Muthukumar M.
Published: May 2012

We present the key assumptions and results of a newly developed theory in order to account for the self-consistent cascade effects of counterion condensation and volume collapse of polyeletrolyte gels. In the present theory, the role of the specificity and valency of counterions on the volume transitions are also treated. These features and the fluctuations of monomer concentration and local electrolyte charge density are included on top of the familiar features of the Flory-Huggins theory and the classical rubber elasticity theory in the previously used Flory-Dusek-Patterson-Tanaka theory of polyelectrolyte gels. We have computed the swelling equilibria by satisfying the multicomponent nature of the system and the Donnan equilibria. A few major effects are illustrated in terms of the dependence of volume transition on the solvent quality, temperature, salt concentration, valency and specificity of the counterion, and polymer charge density. Criteria for the emergence of a reentrant volume transition are also derived.
ATOMISTIC SIMULATION OF DISSIPATIVE CHARGE CARRIER DYNAMICS FOR PHOTOCATALYSIS
Authors: Inerbaev Talgat M. , Kilin Dmitri S. , Hoefelmeyer James
Published: May 2012

Photo-excitation of high surface area semiconductor nanorods decorated with surface catalyst particles are investigated. DFT-based simulation is applied to the charge transfer dynamics at the interface of the supported nanocatalyst by modeling dynamics of photo-excitations. The modeling is performed by reduced density matrix method in the basis of Kohn-Sham orbitals. The energy of photo-excitation is dissipating due to interaction with lattice vibrations, treated through non-adiabatic coupling as the electron/hole pair relaxes to the conduction / valence band edges. The methodology is applied to TiO2 nanorod modeled as a periodic anatase (100) slab functionalized by minimalistic nano-clusters or doping. Simulations of these models demonstrate the formation of charge transfer state in both time and frequency domain. Computed charge dynamics leads to creation of positively charged areas on the nanorod surface that is an important prerequisite for oxidation catalysis. Our computation identifies optimal composition and morphology of nanocatalyst for such applications as water splitting for hydrogen production or solar cells.
Network Formation and Electrical Conduction in Carbon Nanotube Modified Polydimethylsiloxane
Authors: Cattin Cyrill , Hubert Pascal
Published: May 2012

The focus of this research is on network formation and electrical conduction in carbon nanotube polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposites. Carbon nanotube network formation prior to and during polymerization was monitored by means of simultaneous electrical and rheological characterization. Processing induced network formation at filler concentrations below statistical percolation was observed, and both the electrical resistivity and the voltage dependence of the sample resistance were found to increase with the degree of polymerization, indicating carbon nanotube separation during polymer cure. Electron tunnelling through insulating polymer layers was identified as the main conduction mechanism. Information about the final network structure and further details about electrical conduction were obtained from the piezoresistive response of the material. Electron tunnelling was found to be dominant at filler concentrations close to the percolation threshold. With increasing filler concentration a densification of the carbon nanotube network was observed, and the resistance behaviour at high filler content was better described by the behaviour of a parallel circuit.
Self-Assembled Gels from Biological and Synthetic Polyelectrolytes.
Authors: Calvert Paul , Limem Skander , McCallum Don , Wallace Gordon , Panhuis Marc in het
Published: May 2012

Inkjet printing of alternate layers of anionic and cationic polyelectrolytes allows organized gels to form with structures similar to those made by layer--by-layer dipping methods but very much faster. Structures of gels formed using slow and fast inkjet printing systems are compared using elemental analysis, swelling and diffusion kinetics as characterization methods. After printing and washing, most sodium or chloride counter-ions are last from the gel, leave only the polymer complex. The swelling properties of the printed and washed gel depend on the deposition rate and on the ratio of the two polymers as originally printed. The synthetic polyelectrolytes reported here can be compared with biological polyelectrolytes reported earlier by us.
Diversity and Abundance of Ectoparasitic Blow FliesProtocalliphora(Diptera: Calliphoridae) and theirNasonia(Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) Parasitoids in Tree Swallow Nests within Agricultural Lands of Southern Québec, Canada
Authors: Daoust S P , Savage J , Whitworth T L , Bélisle M , Brodeur J
Published: May 2012

We described the community composition of the ectoparasitic flies Protocalliphora Hough (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and their Nasonia (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) parasitoids collected from tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot), nests in southern Québec, Canada, in 2008 and 2009. The prevalence of nest infestation by Protocalliphora was 70.8% in 2008 and 34.6% in 2009. The average parasitic burden of Protocalliphora spp. was estimated at 5.53 (±5.61 SD) pupae per nestling for 2008 and 4.66 (±9.31 SD) pupae per nestling for 2009. The percentage of nests containing Protocalliphora pupae parasitized by Nasonia spp. was of 85.3% in 2008 and 67.2% in 2009. Three species of Protocalliphora were collected—Protocalliphora sialia Shannon & Dobroscky, Protocalliphora bennetti Whitworth, and Protocalliphora metallica (Townsend)—and two species of Nasonia, Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) and Nasonia giraulti Darling. This is the first record of P. bennetti and N. giraulti in the province of Québec. Our findings provide further evidence for observation made previously that altricial bird nests are more frequently and more heavily infested by blow flies in western than in eastern North America. Our data also suggest that more than a quarter of the tree swallow within the study area are exposed to high levels of ectoparasitism that could negatively affect their health.
Seasonal Cold Tolerance of Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Authors: Lu Ming-Xing , Liu Zhong-Xian , Wang Xun , Du Yu-Zhou
Published: May 2012

The Asiatic rice borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is an important, widely distributed pest of rice, Oryza sativa L., in China. However, information is lacking about postdiapause levels of cold resistance during periods of normal development. Our results indicate that field larvae of C. suppressalis collected in March 2010 had very low survival if exposed to -21°C. When exposed to test temperatures for 1 h, the LTemp50 and LTemp90 values of C. suppressalis were -18.8 and -20.8°C, respectively. LTime50 and LTime90 values at -16°C (5.1 and 9.6 h) were unexpectedly lower than those at -17°C (7.1 and 18.3 h). For larvae collected in August, mortality at -18°C (with 2-h exposure) was 98% but was only 8% at -6°C (2-h exposure). Maximum cold tolerance of C. suppressalis was observed in larvae collected on 15 January 2011. These data suggest that cold hardiness in C. suppressalis is independent of the diapause state of the insect.
The Effect of Ants on the Population Dynamics of a Protective Symbiont of Aphids, Hamiltonella defensa
Authors: Erickson Daniel M , Wood Elizabeth A , Oliver Kerry M , Billick Ian , Abbot Patrick
Published: May 2012

Mutualists that provide redundant services to the same organism have been shown both to coexist and compete for access to the partner. Aphids, for example, are known to receive protection against natural enemies from both heritable bacterial symbionts as well as ants, which tend aphids in exchange for sugary honeydew excretions. Little is known, however, about how ant attendance might influence interactions between aphids and their protective bacteria. Assuming costs to infection, we hypothesized that protective symbiont prevalence would decrease in the presence of ants, because of duplication of services. We surveyed natural aphid populations and found Hamiltonella defensa, a bacterium that provides resistance to aphids against parasitoid wasps in laboratory settings, among several aphid species, including Obtusicauda frigidae (Oestlund 1886). We excluded ants from protecting O. frigidae aggregations and measured the effect of ant absence on the frequency of parasitoid attack and H. defensa infection in aphid groups. Ant presence did not reduce H. defensa frequency in aphids, likely because ants and H. defensa did not significantly lower parasitoid wasp attack rates. Metabolic costs likely control H. defensa prevalence more than the effect of ant-tending.
Application of modified ADM1 to long-term experiments for methane/hydrogen production from model organic waste
Authors: Soda S. , Wada K. , Okuda M. , Ike M.
Published: May 2012

The modified ADM1 including lactate and ethanol was verified using experimental data for methane/hydrogen production processes from model organic waste. Monosaccharides were presumably degraded into acetate, lactate, butyrate, and ethanol; lactate is further degraded into propionate and acetate; ethanol is degraded into acetate. The methane production experiment was carried out using an 8-L reactor operated at 55°C, pH 6.8, and sludge retention time (SRT) of 7–20 days for 370 days. Concentrations of carbohydrates, monosaccharides, butyrate, propionate, valerate, acetate, and the methane production rate were simulated well by the modified ADM1. The ratio of degradation pathways from monosaccharides to acetate, lactate, butyrate, and ethanol were inferred, respectively, to be 0.4, 0.6, 0.0, and 0.0. The hydrogen production experiment was carried out using a 2-L (1.5L) reactor operated at 35°C, pH 6.0-6.5, and SRT of 0.5–2.0 days for 370 days. The simulation results suggested that all bacterial populations except the sugar-degrading bacteria were washed out from the reactor because of the short SRT. The respective ratios of degradation pathways from monosaccharides to acetate, lactate, propionate, and ethanol were inferred to be 0.55, 0.0, 0.4, and 0.05 at pH 6.5 and 0.7, 0.2, 0.05 and 0.05 at pH 6.0.
Nutrient removal from on-site wastewater in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands in Ireland
Authors: O'Luanaigh N. , Gill L. W.
Published: May 2012

Two horizontal subsurface flow wetlands were constructed on separate sites in Ireland - one to provide secondary treatment and the other to provide a tertiary treatment for single house domestic effluent. A comprehensive analysis over three years provided a robust characterisation of the internal dynamics of the systems with respect to N and P removal. The removal of Total N was only 29% and 30% in the secondary and tertiary treatment wetlands respectively and revealed a drop off in performance over time with a higher release of org-N during summer periods. 15N stable isotope studies confirmed that 35% of the ammonium from the septic tank was passing straight through the process without taking part in any biogeochemical processes. However, the study showed that influent N in both wetlands was being biologically assimilated into organic nitrogen (biomass or plants) and then released again as soluble ammonium – so-called nitrogen “spiraling”. Removal of Total P in the wetlands averaged 45% and 28% respectively. The results also showed that if the annual above ground stem matter was completely removed it would only account for 8.4% and 1.3% of the annual total P-load to the respective wetlands. Accordingly the effluent PO4-P concentrations were still found to be >5 mg/l on average.
Phosphorus removal by the use of apatite in constructed wetlands: Design recommendations
Authors: Molle P. , Martin S. , Esser D. , Besnault S. , Morlay C. , Harouiya N.
Published: May 2012

Phosphorus (P) removal in constructed wetlands (CWs) has received particular attention during the last decades by using specific materials which promote P adsorption/precipitation phenomena. Recent studies have shown an interest in using apatite materials to promote P precipitation onto their surface. About ten years of experiments at different scales (laboratory, pilot, full scale) have passed. The process is now open in France. This paper presents the first design recommendations according to the apatite mineral quality and treatment outlet requirements. Kinetics and their evolution with the material saturation degree are presented based on the k-C* model. The process can achieve 1 mgP.l−1 for long term while using surface P removal filter area of 0.5 m2.p.e.−1. With a low land footprint and high P removal efficiency, the interest of the process also result in the orthophosphates accumulation on a phosphate mineral which makes easier to reuse phosphorus from wastewater once saturated
Nutrient removal and plant biomass of 5 wetland plant species in Singapore
Authors: Sim C. H. , Eikaas H. S. , Chan S. H. , Gan J.
Published: May 2012

Five native plant species (Typha angustifolia, Scirpus mucronatus, Lepironia articulata, Eleocharis dulcis and Phragmites karka) were investigated for their nutrient removal efficiencies in shallow pond systems in Sg Buloh Wetland Reserve with water depth 0.12-0.30 m of a total 160 m2 in area size. The project aimed to investigate nutrient removal rates, removal efficiencies, nutrient storage in plant biomass, and plant growth. Pond water quality before and after planting in fully vegetated ponds improved significantly at 24.4% TP and 64.4% TN reduction in Pond 6. Scirpus mucronatus, Typha angustifolia, Lepironia articulata and Eleocharis dulcis showed high growth rates. Phragmites karka showed low growth rate due to pest attack by aphids. Nutrient concentration in stem/leaf samples of the 5 species were within the ranges of 1% to 3% of dry weight for nitrogen and 0.1% to 0.3% of dry weight for phosphorus. Average daily mass removal rates ranged from 3.5-9.6 kg P ha−1 day−1 and 13.5-33.5 kg N ha−1 day−1. This field trial showed that the 4 species Lepironia articulata, Eleocharis dulcis, Typha angustifolia and Scirpus mucronatus are suitable species in surface flow wetland or shallow pond systems for nutrient removal in tropical environments.
Recycled glass compared to sand as a media in polishing filters for on-site wastewater treatment
Authors: Gill L. W. , Veale P. L. , Murray M.
Published: May 2012

The treatment efficiency of two stratified filters in parallel (one with sand as a media, the other with recycled glass) receiving secondary treated effluent from a single house which also operated as a Bed and Breakfast has been compared over a two year period. A layer of 100 mm of limestone sand was also included in both filters to target phosphorus removal. On average the glass filter performed similarly to the sand filter for all of the monitored parameters. However, within the filters there were some differences in process kinetics between the two systems particularly with respect to nitrogen removal with the glass filter removing almost 1.5 times the total nitrogen load compared to the sand filter. In contrast, phosphorus removal was higher through the sand filter than the recycled glass filter, 51% and 40% respectively. The limestone layer in both filters only accounted for approximately half of the phosphorus removed which was disappointing as adsorption isotherm experiments in the laboratory had shown it to have excellent phosphorus adsorption properties. There was also evidence that the limestone layer was starting to approach saturation particularly in the glass filter with a reduction in removal efficiency apparent over time. Finally, the removal of enteric microorganisms through both filters using the indicator bacteria E. coli was in the range of between 2-3 log removal which, although reasonable compared to other tertiary treatment systems, still left significant numbers of bacteria in the effluent.
Evaluating the treatment performance of a full scale Activated Sludge Plant in Islamabad, Pakistan
Authors: Fatima S. S. , Khan S. Jamal
Published: May 2012

In this study, the performance of wastewater treatment plant located at sector I-9 Islamabad, Pakistan, was evaluated. This full scale domestic wastewater treatment plant is based on conventional activated sludge process. The parameters which were monitored regularly included total suspended solids (TSS), mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD). It was found that the biological degradation efficiency of the plant was below the desired levels in terms of COD and BOD. Also the plant operators were not maintaining consistent sludge retention time (SRT). Abrupt discharge of MLSS through the Surplus Activated sludge (SAS) pump was the main reason for the low MLSS in the aeration tank and consequently low treatment performance. In this study the SRT was optimized based on desired MLSS concentration between 3,000–3,500 mg/L and required performance in terms of BOD, COD and TSS. This study revealed that SRT is a very important operational parameter and its knowledge and correct implementation by the plant operators should be mandatory.
Without households, water management is not integrated
Authors: Harriden K.
Published: May 2012

With the institutional and personal relationship building vital to integrated water resource management (IWRM) in practice stopping at the community scale, households and householders are largely neglected from the framework. Domestic water users are viewed as a homogenous group requiring only continuous, single-use potable supply, with equal, unproblematic access to the supplied water. Reflecting the reality of few households, this construct contributes to the development of inappropriate and ineffective institutional water management policies and practices. Using evidence from Water Diaries conducted in the ACT region, including household adoption of water conservation practices and acceptance of water restrictions, this paper demonstrates that householders are active water managers. Outlining the benefits to IWRM of incorporating household water management expertise, this paper argues it is appropriate to formally include this sector in the IWRM framework.
At Odds: Concerns Raised by Using Odds Ratios for Continuous or
Common Dichotomous Outcomes in Research on Physical Activity and
Obesity
Authors: Lovasi Gina S. , Underhill Lindsay J. , Jack Darby , Richards Catherine , Weiss Christopher , Rundle Andrew
Published: May 2012

Purpose: Research on obesity and the built environment has often featured logistic regression and the
corresponding parameter, the odds ratio. Use of odds ratios for common outcomes such obesity may unnecessarily hinder
the validity, interpretation, and communication of research findings. Methods: We identified three key issues raised by the
use of odds ratios, illustrating them with data on walkability and body mass index from a study of 13,102 New York City
residents. Results: First, dichotomization of continuous measures such as body mass index discards theoretically relevant
information, reduces statistical power, and amplifies measurement error. Second, odds ratios are systematically higher
(further from the null) than prevalence ratios; this inflation is trivial for rare outcomes, but substantial for common
outcomes like obesity. Third, odds ratios can lead to incorrect conclusions during tests of interactions. The odds ratio in a
particular subgroup might higher simply because the outcome is more common (and the odds ratio inflated) compared
with other subgroups. Conclusion: Our recommendations are to take full advantage of continuous outcome data when
feasible and to use prevalence ratios in place of odds ratios for common dichotomous outcomes. When odds ratios must
be used, authors should document outcome prevalence across exposure groups.
Introduction
Authors: P. Suprun Sergey , P. Suprun Anatoly
Published: May 2012

So far, there have been many attempts to interpret experimental facts from the field of
quantum mechanics but all these attempts were made because the models intended to logically resolve
the contradictions at the level of the already established notions without interfering with the geneses of
these notions. Here the grounds for the possible solution of quantum mechanics problems are given
using the psychosemantic approach.
Quantum Computer
Authors: P. Suprun Sergey , P. Suprun Anatoly
Published: May 2012

The problem of observer and system of reference in physics is considered as well as an
object-object and an object-subject approach to a physical description of reality. The evolutionarily
formed methods underlying data processing of the first signal system and the algorithms for assemblage
of sensations into object concepts and representation of reality in a space-time continuum are discussed.
The methods for constructing a mental space as a tool for sign-based description of reality during
information exchange are considered. The problems in understanding the quantum phenomena as the
reality not subject to an object-based description are briefed, and the need in a system and integral
concept as a concept adequate to reality is substantiated. The principles underlying the operation of a
quantum computer, its distinctions from a classical computer, and the difficulties in presentation of the
issues in question using an object-based language are discussed.
Simple and extraction-free spectrophotometric methods for risperidone in pure form and in dosage forms
Authors: Deepakumari Hemavathi , Mallegowda Shiramahally , Vinay Kanakapura , Revanasiddappa Hosakere
Published: May 2012

Two simple, sensitive and extraction-free spectrophotometric methods are
described for the estimation of risperidone (RSP) in both pure and in
pharmaceutical preparations. The proposed methods are based on the formation
of ion-pair complex between RSP and the dyes, bromophenol blue (BPB) in
method A and Phenol red (PR) in method B at room temperature to form yellow
colored products which show maximum absorbance at 410 and at 400 nm in
methods A and B, respectively. Beer's law was obeyed in the concentration
range of 0.5-10 and 0.5-25 ?g mL-1 in methods A and B with apparent molar
absorptivities of 3.43 ? 104 and 0.85 ? 104 L moL-1 cm-1, respectively. The
limit of detection for method A is found to be 0.0056 and for method B is
0.132 ?g mL-1. The composition of the ion-pairs was established by Job?s
method and it was found to be 1:1 for both the methods A and B. The proposed
methods have been applied successfully to the determination of RSP in
pharmaceutical preparations. The results were statistically compared with
those of a reference method by applying the Student?s t-test and F-test. The
methods developed were validated for accuracy and precision by performing
recovery experiments via standard addition technique.
Consumption of woody biomass in industry, commercial, and public facilities in Serbia: Present state and possible contribution to the share of renewable sources in final energy consumption
Authors: Glavonjic Branko , Oblak Leon
Published: May 2012

This paper is the continuation of the presentation of results obtained in
comprehensive researches of woody biomass consumption in Serbia conducted as
a part of the TCP/FAO project ?Wood energy for sustainable rural
development?. The previous paper (No. 3, 2011) showed results of wood fuels
consumption for households heating and this paper shows their consumption for
the needs of industry, commercial and public facilities. Research results
show that total consumption of woody biomass in Serbia in 2010 was 7.41
million m3, out of which 7.03 million m3 was in the form of roundwood and
0.38 million m3 was in the form of wood residue from industry. The biggest
consumers of woody biomass (roundwood, chips, residues) are households with
the participation of 86.54%, followed by the production of wood-based panels
with 4.47% and energy production for own purposes of wood processing
companies with 2.96%. Compared to the officially registered consumption in
energy balance in the amount of 0.281 Mtoe, actual consumption of wood energy
in Serbia in 2010 was 1.37 Mtoe or 4.9 times higher. Participation of wood
energy in final energy consumption in Serbia was 57,300 TJ or 13.6% in 2010.
Current use of wood energy substitutes imports of light heating oil in the
value of 1.3 billion ? or 650 million ? in the case of natural gas
substituting. Use of wood fuel prevented emissions of about 7 million tonnes
of CO2 from fossil fuels.
Self-Other Rating Agreement and Leader-Member Exchange (LMX): A Quasi-Replication
Authors: Barbuto John E. , Singh Matthew , Wilmot Michael P. , Story Joana S. P.
Published: May 2012

Data from a sample of 83 elected community leaders and 391 direct-report staff (resulting in 333 useable leader-member dyads) were reanalyzed to test relations between self-other rating agreement of servant leadership and member-reported leader-member exchange (LMX). Polynomial regression analysis indicated that the self-other rating agreement model was not statistically significant. Instead, all of the variance in member-reported LMX was accounted for by the others' ratings component alone.