If You Provide It, Will They Read It? The Effect of Information on Choices

This paper investigates the effect of information on respondent's choices in an internet survey for measuring the value of water quality improvements in Deckers Creek (DC) watershed in Monongalia and Peterson Counties of West Virginia, USA. A multiattribute, choice experiment and multinomial logit (MNL) models are used in estimating the marginal utilities of restoring the three attributes of DC: aquatic life, swimming safety, and scenic quality. Response times serve as proxy variables regarding whether respondents read or did not read all the information provided in the survey. Response times fell quickly, but then tapered off as they progressed through the various sections of the survey. Results show that the estimated coefficients of subsamples, read and did not read all the information, were statistically different from each other. Based on log likelihood tests of MNL models, two subsamples of the survey population (read and did not read all information) were found to be from different populations. Estimates of marginal utilities reveal that respondents value aquatic life restoration the highest, followed by scenic quality restoration. Average compensating variation estimates for full restoration of the aquatic life and scenic quality attributes are $9 and$ 6 per month per household, respectively, when the subsamples are pooled. However, the individual subsamples resulted in $5 per month for aquatic life and$3 per month for scenic quality for respondents that read the information, while respondents that did not read the information resulted in statistically higher estimates of $16 and$12, respectively. While respondents' motives for not reading the resource information provided is uncertain, results show their values for watershed restoration are substantially higher than respondents that read the information.Demand and Price Analysis,

Bandwidth selection for kernel estimation in mixed multi-dimensional spaces

Kernel estimation techniques, such as mean shift, suffer from one major drawback: the kernel bandwidth selection. The bandwidth can be fixed for all the data set or can vary at each points. Automatic bandwidth selection becomes a real challenge in case of multidimensional heterogeneous features. This paper presents a solution to this problem. It is an extension of \cite{Comaniciu03a} which was based on the fundamental property of normal distributions regarding the bias of the normalized density gradient. The selection is done iteratively for each type of features, by looking for the stability of local bandwidth estimates across a predefined range of bandwidths. A pseudo balloon mean shift filtering and partitioning are introduced. The validity of the method is demonstrated in the context of color image segmentation based on a 5-dimensional space

La Casa di correzione di Firenze (1782-1794). Disciplinamento di “discoli”, “oziosi” e “donne di mala vita”.

La Casa di correzione, istituita da Pietro Leopoldo nella Fortezza da Basso a Firenze nel 1782, fu originariamente pensata come strumento di ausilio ai genitori nell'educazione dei figli, che potevano fare richiesta di iniviarveli quando "discoli", "vagabondi", "oziosi" o libertine se femmine. La Casa di correzione doveva correggerli tramite una reclusione basata sul binomio preghiera-lavoro. Creata a seguito della riforma del 26 maggio 1777, essa fu anche, però, uno strumento di giustizia "economica" nelle mani delle rinnovate forze di polizia, per il mantenimento della quiete pubblica e la prevenzione dei delitti, nella convinzione che "il pronto riparo alli sconcerti piccoli previene i più grandi". Fu il figlio di Pietro Leopoldo, Ferdinando III, a porre fine a questo esperimento nel 1794, animato da una visione forse più garantista della giustizia

PENGEMBANGAN LEMBAR KERJA SISWA (LKS) PRAKTIKUM PEMBUATAN SUSU KACANG KEDELAI BERBASIS INKUIRI TERBIMBING PADA PEMBELAJARAN PEMBUATAN KOLOID

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengembangkan LKS praktikum pada topik pembuatan koloid dari susu kacang kedelai. Metode yang digunakan adalah penelitian dan pengembangan yang terdiri dari studi pendahuluan dan pengembangan model. Sumber datanya adalah tiga bahan ajar buku sekolah sekolah elektronik dan tujuh buku teks, 20 siswa kelas XI salah satu SMA di Bandung, tujuh guru kimia SMA di Bandung, dan tiga dosen Departemen Pendidikan Kimia FPMIPA UPI. Instrumen penelitian menggunakan pedoman wawancara, lembar analisis LKS praktikum, lembar optimasi, lembar observasi keterlaksanaan tahapan inkuiri, rubrik penilaian jawaban siswa terhadap tugas-tugas pada LKS, lembar penilaian guru dan dosen, serta angket respons siswa. Hasil analisis LKS praktikum di sekolah dan survei lapangan menunjukkan karakteristik LKS praktikum yang ada adalah LKS praktikum instruksi langsung/cookbook. Hasil optimasi prosedur pembuatan susu kacang kedelai sebagai berikut : bahan yang digunakan kacang kedelai sebanyak 7 gram yang telah direndam dengan air suhu ruang selama 12 jam, kemudian direbus menggunakan air suhu 80̊C dan waktu praktikum selama 18 menit. Selanjutnya, LKS disusun berdasarkan prosedur yang sudah dioptimasi dan dievaluasi berdasarkan jawaban/respons siswa. Berdasarkan jawaban siswa terhadap tugas dalam LKS tergolong sangat baik (81,61%). Keterlaksanaan LKS praktikum yang dilihat berdasarkan keterlaksanaan tahapan inkuiri adalah sangat baik (100%) yang didukung oleh hasil jawaban siswa terhadap tugas dalam LKS yang tergolong sangat baik (81,61%). Penilaian guru dan dosen terhadap LKS praktikum pada aspek kesesuaian konsep tergolong sangat baik(82,58%), kesesuaian tata bahasa tergolong sangat baik (83,18%), dan kesesuaian tata letak serta perwajahan tergolong sangat baik (88,43%). ---; The purpose of this reaserch is to develop of lab worksheet on the topic make colloidal trough making soybean milk. To achieve these aim, these research applied research and development method that consist of preliminary studies and the development studies. Data source used were chemistry material, there are seven senior high school chemistry text book and three of electronic senior high school chemistry book, XI grade students in Bandung Senior High School, seven Senior High School chemistry teachers, and three chemistry lecturers in Chemistry Departement of Chemistry Education, FPMIPA UPI. The research instrumen used were interview guided, analysis sheet for making colloids lab worksheet, optimazion sheet, implementation of inquiry phases observation sheet, asessment guidelines for students’ answers related to worksheet Task, asessment sheet given to teacher and lecturers and students questionnaire responses. The result of analysis about lab worksheet in the school still direct instruction/cookbook. The results of the optimization procedure of making soybean milk as follows : materials used soybeans as much as 7 grams which had been soaked with water at room temperature for 12 hours, then boiled with water at 80̊C and a experiment for 18 minutes. Furthermore LKS compiled based procedure has been optimized and evaluated based on answers / responses students. Based on students' responses to the task in the LKS is very good (81,61%). Lab worksheet implementation which is based on The inquiry phases that conducted by student were found very good (100%) and supported by students' responses to the task in the LKS is very good (81,61%). Assessment of teachers and lecturers against lab worksheet on the aspect of suitability concept is very good (82,58%), suitability grammar is very good (83,18%), and the suitability of the layout and appearance of is very good (88,43%)

Studying Planarian Regeneration Aboard The International Space Station Within The Student Space Flight Experimental Program

The growing possibilities of space travel are quickly moving from science fiction to reality. However, to realize the dream of long-term space travel, we must understand how these conditions affect biological and physiological processes. Planarians are master regenerators, famous for their ability to regenerate from very small parts of the original animal. Understanding how this self-repair works may inspire regenerative therapies in humans. Two studies conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS) showed that planarian regeneration is possible in microgravity. One study reported no regenerative defects, whereas the other study reported behavioral and microbiome alterations post-space travel and found that 1 of 15 planarians regenerated a Janus head, suggesting that microgravity exposure may not be without consequences. Given the limited number of studies and specimens, further microgravity experiments are necessary to evaluate the effects of microgravity on planarian regeneration. Such studies, however, are generally difficult and expensive to conduct. We were fortunate to be sponsored by the Student Spaceflight Experiment Program (SSEP) to investigate how microgravity affects regeneration of the planarian species Dugesia japonica on the ISS. While we were unable to successfully study planarian regeneration within the experimental constraints of our SSEP Mission, we systematically analyzed the cause for the failed experiment, leading us to propose a modified protocol. This work thus opens the door for future experiments on the effects of microgravity on planarian regeneration on SSEP Missions as well as for more advanced experiments by professional researchers

What you know makes a difference: Physical activity maintenance and adherence of collegiate students

For decades, exercise psychology researchers dismissed health/exercise knowledge as a determinant of physical activity (PA). We sought to overturn this misconception, showing that psychological theory may serve as a basis for informing physical education curriculum. Based on social cognitive and self-determined motivation theories, we examined health/exercise knowledge as a determinant of collegiate students’ PA maintenance (i.e., ≥ 6 months of regular PA involvement); adherence to United States Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) 2008 PA guidelines; and PA types (i.e., aerobic, weight training). Collegiate students (n = 231) provided data via online survey. ANOVA analyses revealed that knowledge scores differentiated: a) participants in the maintenance stage from non-active participants (medium effect size); b) guideline adherents from non-adherents (medium-large effect size); and c) engagement in both PA types compared to only aerobic (large effect size). Males reported significantly higher perceived knowledge than females (medium-large effect size) though actual scores were not significantly different. This study provided evidence that knowledge is relevant to collegiate students’ PA. Future research may aid physical educators in determining knowledge types, based on psychological theory, that increase PA maintenance/adherence

Cerebral small vessel disease, medial temporal lobe atrophy and cognitive status in patients with ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Small vessel disease (SVD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are two common causes of cognitive impairment and dementia, traditionally considered as distinct processes. The relationship between radiological features suggestive of AD and SVD was explored, and the association of each of these features with cognitive status at 1 year was investigated in patients with stroke or transient ischaemic attack. METHODS: Anonymized data were accessed from the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive (VISTA). Medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA; a marker of AD) and markers of SVD were rated using validated ordinal visual scales. Cognitive status was evaluated with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) 1 year after the index stroke. Logistic regression models were used to investigate independent associations between (i) baseline SVD features and MTA and (ii) all baseline neuroimaging features and cognitive status 1 year post-stroke. RESULTS: In all, 234 patients were included, mean (±SD) age 65.7 ± 13.1 years, 145 (62%) male. Moderate to severe MTA was present in 104 (44%) patients. SVD features were independently associated with MTA (P < 0.001). After adjusting for age, sex, disability after stroke, hypertension and diabetes mellitus, MTA was the only radiological feature independently associated with cognitive impairment, defined using thresholds of MMSE ≤ 26 (odds ratio 1.94; 95% confidence interval 1.28-2.94) and MMSE ≤ 23 (odds ratio 2.31; 95% confidence interval 1.48-3.62). CONCLUSION: In patients with ischaemic cerebrovascular disease, SVD features are associated with MTA, which is a common finding in stroke survivors. SVD and AD type neurodegeneration coexist, but the AD marker MTA, rather than SVD markers, is associated with post-stroke cognitive impairment

Pengaruh Penambahan Serat Daun Gewang (Corypha Utan Lam) Terhadap Kuat Lentur Dan Kuat Tarik Belah Beton

Pemanfaatan daun gewang dipilih karena daun gewang dinilai cukup kuat untuk menahan tarik. Berdasarkan hal ini maka daun gewang diproses menjadi serat dan digunakan sebagai bahan tambahan pada beton untuk menambah kekuatan beton.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh penambahan serat daun gewang (corypha utan lam) terhadap kuat lentur dan kuat tarik belah beton serta untuk mengetahui persentase penambahan serat daun gewang (corypha utan lam) yang tepat untuk mencapai kuat lentur dan kuat tarik belah maksimum.Benda uji yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah balok beton dengan ukuran 15 x 15 x 60 cm3 dan silinder beton dengan ukuran tinggi 30 cm dan diameter 15 cm. Mutu beton f'c = 25 MPa.Jumlah benda uji 72 buah dengan 3 sampel pada masing – masing waktu dan perlakuan.Sampel – sampel tersebut diberi penambahan konsentrasi serat 0,25%, 0,50% dan 0,75% terhadap berat semen dimana serat – serat tersebut telah direndam dalam alkali NaOH 5% selama 2 jam dengan panjang serat 3 cm. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penambahan serat daun gewang pada campuran beton dapat meningkatkan kekuatan beton dan juga dapat menahan patahan beton.Persentase penambahan serat daun gewang sebesar 0,75% mempunyai nilai kuat lentur 5,96 MPa dan nilai kuat tarik belah sebesar 3,94 MPa. Dengan demikian hasil penelitian penambahan serat daun gewang pada campuran beton menunjukkan nilai maksimum kuat lentur dan tarik belah beton terdapat pada penambahan serat gewang dengan persentase sebesar 0,75% pada umur 28 hari. Utilization of gewang leaf been selected because leaf of gewang assessed strong enough to hold then tensile. Based on this, leaf of gewang processed become fiber and used as an additive concrete to increase concrete strong. Purpose of this research are to know about the effect of the addition of leaf fibers gewang (Corypah Utan Lam) to the bending strength and concrete crack tensile strength and also to know an exact presentation of addition of leaf gewang fiber (Corypah Utan Lam) to get the bending strength optimum and crack tensile strength optimum. The test specimen used in this research are beam concrete with size 15x15x60 cm3+ and the heightof cylinder concrete is 30 cm with diameter 15 cm. Concrete quality f'c = 25 Mpa.The number of test specimen with 72 pieces with 3 specimen on each time and treatment. Specimen are given the addition of fiber concentration of 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75% by weight of cement where fibers that has been soaked Alkaline NaOH 5% for 2 hours with a fiber length of 3 cm. The result showed that the addition of gewang fiber that used in the concrete mix can increase the strength of concrete and also holding the crack of concrete.Percentage of 0.75% gewangleaf fiber has a bending strength value of 5.96 Mpa and crack tensile strength value divided by 3.94 Mpa. Thus, the result of additional gewang fiber research of the concrete mixture showed the optimum value bending strength and crack tensile concrete are in addition to the percentage of gewang fiber of 0.75% at 28 days