Contamination of Cd and Pb on Milkfish Chanos Chanos Cultured in Seribu Islands, Jakarta

Seribu Islands located in the north of Jakarta Bay; it is potentially polluted by heavy metal such as Cd and Pb. The aims of this study is to prove contamination presumption, by analyzing and determine correlation Cd and Pb concentration in the sediment, in the water and on milkfish Chanos chanos cultured in this area. On this study, we collected water quality data (pH, temperature, dissolve oxygen and salinity) and heavy metals contamination (Cd and Pb) in the sediment, in the water and on milkfish. We compare collected data with quality standar and correlate heavy metal concentration between in the water and in the sediment; in the water and on milkfish organ; and, in the sediment and on milkfish organ. In general, water quality is sufficient enough to support the life of farmed milkfish. Cd and Pb contamination level in the water lied below the quality standard of Ministry of Environment decree No. 51/2004 in the last April and July. However, the contamination exceeds the standard in the last October. The contamination in sediment lied below RNO (1981), EPA (1999) and IACD/CEDA (1997). Gills, viscera and the meat of the milkfish are contaminated with Cd and Pb, yet, still lied below the quality standard of Ministry of Environment Decree No. 51/2004. The results showed that farmed milkfish in Thousand Islands are safe to eat. We also found that the correlation of Cd and Pb contamination between water and sediment is positive. The correlation of Cd is much higher than Pb. The correlation of Cd between water and viscera as well as between sediment and viscera are the most closely related than any other organ

Simultaneous X-ray and Optical Observations of EX Hydrae

The intermediate polar, EX Hydrae, was the object of a large simultaneous multiwavelength observational campaign during 2000 May - June. Here we present the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer photometry and optical photometry and spectroscopy from ground-based observatories obtained as part of this campaign. Balmer line radial velocities and Doppler maps provide evidence for an extended bulge along the outer edge of the accretion disk and some form of extended/overflowing material originating from the hot spot. In addition, the optical binary eclipse possesses an extended egress shoulder, an indication that an additional source (other than the white dwarf) is coming out of eclipse. We also compare the X-ray and optical results with the results obtained from the EUV and UV observations from the multiwavelength data set.Comment: to appear in the Astronomical Journal, April 200

On the secondary star of the cataclysmic variable 1RXS J094432.1+035738

We present V and Rc band photometry and optical near-infrared spectroscopy of the cataclysmic variable 1RXS J094432.1+035738. We detected features of a cool secondary star, which can be modeled with a red dwarf of spectral type M2 (+0.5 -1.0) V at a distance of 433 +- 100 pc.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Probing the Pulsar Wind Nebula of PSR B0355+54

We present XMM-Newton and Chandra X-ray observations of the middle-aged radio pulsar PSR B0355+54. Our X-ray observations reveal emission not only from the pulsar itself, but also from a compact diffuse component extending ~50'' in the opposite direction to the pulsar's proper motion. There is also evidence for the presence of fainter diffuse emission extending ~5' from the point source. The compact diffuse feature is well-fitted with a power-law, the index of which is consistent with the values found for other pulsar wind nebulae. The morphology of the diffuse component is similar to the ram-pressure confined pulsar wind nebulae detected for other sources. The X-ray emission from the pulsar itself is described well by a thermal plus power-law fit, with the thermal emission most likely originating in a hot polar cap.Comment: 9 pages (uses emulateapj.cls), 8 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in Ap

An EUV Study of the Intermediate Polar EX Hydrae

On 2000 May 5, we began a large multi-wavelength campaign to study the intermediate polar, EX Hydrae. The simultaneous observations from six satellites and four telescopes were centered around a one million second observation with EUVE. Although EX Hydrae has been studied previously with EUVE, our higher signal-to-noise observations present new results and challenge the current IP models. Previously unseen dips in the light curve are reminiscent of the stream dips seen in polar light curves. Also of interest is the temporal extent of the bulge dip; approximately 0.5 in phase, implying that the bulge extends over half of the accretion disk. We propose that the magnetic field in EX Hydrae is strong enough (a few MG) to begin pulling material directly from the outer edge of the disk, thereby forming a large accretion curtain which would produce a very broad bulge dip. This would also result in magnetically controlled accretion streams originating from the outer edge of the disk. We also present a period analysis of the photometric data which shows numerous beat frequencies with strong power and also intermittent and wandering frequencies, an indication that physical conditions within EX Hya changed over the course of the observation. Iron spectral line ratios give a temperature of log T=6.5-6.9 K for all spin phases and a poorly constrained density of n_e=10^10-10^11 cm^-3 for the emitting plasma. This paper is the first in a series detailing our results from this multi-wavelength observational campaign.Comment: 27 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

Percepción del paciente hospitalizado respecto a la atención de enfermería en un hospital público

ResumenObjetivoDeterminar y asociar la percepción del paciente hospitalizado respecto a la atención de enfermería con las variables sociodemográficas y estancia hospitalaria en el servicio de medicina de un hospital público.MétodoEstudio cuantitativo, descriptivo y transversal con 50 pacientes de ambos sexos mayores de 18 años atendidos en un servicio de medicina. Para la recolección de datos se utilizó el cuestionario de perfil social y el cuestionario de percepción del paciente de la atención de enfermería.ResultadosSe observó predominio del sexo femenino, edad entre 40 y 49 años, solteros, con secundaria completa y con menos de 5 días de estancia hospitalaria. La atención de enfermería fue categorizada como medianamente favorable. Los componentes Técnico e Interpersonal fueron categorizados como medianamente favorables y el componente Confort desfavorable. Se observó que la mujer percibe mejor la atención de enfermería.ConclusiónLos resultados apuntaron la necesidad de un proceso reflexivo por parte del personal de enfermería para mejorar la atención, la percepción del paciente y brindar un cuidado de calidad.AbstractObjectiveTo determine and associate the perception of the hospitalized patient regarding the nursing attention, using social and demographical variables and hospital stay in the medical service of a public hospital.MethodQuantitative, descriptive and transversal study with 50 patients of both sexes over 18 being treated by a medical service. Data were collected through a social profile questionnaire and a patient questionnaire on their perception of nursing attention.ResultsThere was a prevalence of females, aged between 40 and 49 years old, single, with high-school education and admitted to the hospital for less than 5 days. Nursing attention was categorized as broadly favorable. The Technical and Interpersonal components were categorized as fairly favorable, while Comfort was unfavorable. It was observed that women perceive the nursing attention better than men.ConclusionThe results pointed towards the need for a reflexive process for the nursing staff to improve attention and the patient's perception of this, as well as to offer better quality care

XMM-Newton Observations of PSR B1706-44

We report on the XMM-Newton observations of the young, 102 ms pulsar PSR B1706-44. We have found that both a blackbody plus power-law and a magnetized atmospheric model plus power-law provide an excellent fit to the EPIC spectra. The two scenarios are therefore indistinguishable on a statistical basis, although we are inclined to prefer the latter on physical grounds. In this case, assuming a source distance of ~2.3 kpc, the size of the region responsible for the thermal emission is R~13 km, compatible with the surface of a neutron star. A comparison of the surface temperature of PSR B1706-44 obtained from this fit with cooling curves favor a medium mass neutron star with M~1.45 solar masses or M~1.59 solar masses, depending on two different models of proton superfluidity in the interior. The large collecting area of XMM-Newton allows us to resolve a substructure in the broad soft X-ray modulation detected by Chandra, revealing the presence of two separate peaks with pulsed fractions of 7 +/- 4% and 15 +/- 3%, respectively.Comment: 21 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in Ap

Designing Engaging Learning Experiences in Programming

In this paper we describe work to investigate the creation of engaging programming learning experiences. Background research informed the design of four fieldwork studies to explore how programming tasks could be framed to motivate learners. Our empirical findings from these four field studies are summarized here, with a particular focus upon one – Whack a Mole – which compared the use of a physical interface with the use of a screen-based equivalent interface to obtain insights into what made for an engaging learning experience. Emotions reported by two sets of participant undergraduate students were analyzed, identifying the links between the emotions experienced during programming and their origin. Evidence was collected of the very positive emotions experienced by learners programming with a physical interface (Arduino) in comparison with a similar program developed using a screen-based equivalent interface. A follow-up study provided further evidence of the motivation of personalized design of programming tangible physical artefacts. Collating all the evidence led to the design of a set of ‘Learning Dimensions’ which may provide educators with insights to support key design decisions for the creation of engaging programming learning experiences

Detection of Pulsed X-ray Emission from XMM-Newton Observations of PSR J0538+2817

We report on the XMM-Newton observations of the 143 ms pulsar PSR J0538+2817. We present evidence for the first detections of pulsed X-rays from the source at a frequency which is consistent with the predicted radio frequency. The pulse profile is broad and asymmetric, with a pulse fraction of 18 +/- 3%. We find that the spectrum of the source is well-fit with a blackbody with T^{infty} = (2.12^{+0.04}_{-0.03}) x 10^6 K and N_{H} = 2.5 x 10^21 cm^{-2}. The radius determined from the model fit of 1.68 +/- 0.05 km suggests that the emission is from a heated polar cap. A fit to the spectrum with an atmospheric model reduces the inferred temperature and hence increases the radius of the emitting region, however the pulsar distance determined from the fit is then smaller than the dispersion distance.Comment: 24 pages, 6 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in ApJ. Error in radius calculation corrected, discussion and conclusions remain unchange