Enhancing Virtual Reference: Techniques and Technologies to Engage Users and Enrich Interaction

Virtual reference service has become ubiquitous in academic libraries. The increased adoption of chat technology brings to light some of the challenges of providing high-quality reference service. The lack of a personal connection, increased transaction time, and technical problems are often cited. Techniques, such as conducting a reference interview or using online communication conventions, can make virtual reference as effective as face-to-face reference. Additionally, inclusion of video or Web annotation in the virtual reference session can add an element of personalization that might otherwise be missing. Virtual reference can be an emotionally rich, engaging, and effective form of reference service if these techniques and technologies are adopted.     

Ultraviolet Lamp Output Measurement: A Concise Derivation of the Keitz Equation

An equation relating the measured irradiance and the output power of a fluorescent lamp was derived by Keitz. The equation forms the basis for a new protocol that has been proposed for quantifying the total flux from an ultraviolet lamp. There has been confusion in the literature regarding the spatial distribution of flux from lamp emitters, which has led to emission models that are similar to the Keitz model but are incorrect. The Keitz equation is derived here from first principles in an effort to eliminate the confusion and present a correct method of calculating total flux.     

Incorporation of polyfluorenes into poly(lactic acid) films for sensor and optoelectronics applications

Films of neat and plasticized biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) matrices containing anionic conjugated polyelectrolytes, poly[9,9‐bis(4‐phenoxybutylsulfonate)]fluorene‐2,7‐diyl‐alt‐arylenes, with 1,4‐phenylene and 4,4″‐p‐terphenylene, respectively, as arylene groups or a neutral poly(9,9‐dialkylfluorene) for comparison were prepared by solution casting. These films were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. In addition, the effects of plasticizer on the thermal properties and the oxygen permeability of the PLA films were measured through the oxygen transmission rate. Results show that it is possible to obtain thin, optically transparent and luminescent films with potential in oxygen sensing, exhibiting good thermal and photochemical stability. At high polyelectrolyte content, evidence is found for phase separation and aggregate formation and it is no longer possible to obtain completely homogeneous films. The possibility of incorporating the cationic metal complex tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) into plasticized PLA films containing conjugated polyelectrolytes for dual‐wavelength ratiometric luminescence sensing is also discussed. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Fit‐first to be tied

This poem summarizes the fit‐first method of camera evaluation described in Jim Worthey's “Applications of vectorial color.” The algorithm works with the locus of unit monochromats (LUM) in camera and CIE color‐matching spaces. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2011;     

Analytical average throughput and delay estimations for LTE uplink cell edge users

Estimating average throughput and packet transmission delay for worst case scenario (cell edge users) is crucial for LTE cell planners in order to preserve strict QoS for delay sensitive applications. Cell planning techniques emphasize mostly on cell range (coverage) and throughput predictions but not on delay. Cell edge users mostly suffer from throughput reduction due to bad coverage and consequently unexpected uplink transmission delays. To estimate cell edge throughput a common practice on international literature is the use of simulation results. However simulations are never accurate since MAC scheduler is a vendor specific software implementation and not 3GPP explicitly specified. This paper skips simulations and proposes an IP transmission delay and average throughput analytical estimation using mathematical modeling based on probability delay analysis, thus offering to cell planners a useful tool for analytical estimation of uplink average IP transmission.     

Implementing knowledge building: Analysis of a face‐to‐face discussion by grade‐four students

Abstract:

Researchers say that teachers can implement an educational innovation without adhering to the principles underpinning its design. Such principles may not adequately take typical classroom conditions into account. The goal of this study was to explore tensions between attempts to implement the principles underpinning knowledge building and the influence of contextual factors that compete for the teacher's attention. To this end, we discuss five excerpts from a discussion of the motion of spinning tops held by a class of Grade‐4 students, coming at the end of a five‐month implementation of knowledge building. Each excerpt is followed first by the teacher's perspective and then by the researcher's perspective. Our analysis highlights two tensions that constrain agency, arising from the students’ need for social development and their need to learn scientific concepts. We offer some suggestions for addressing these tensions.