bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Cloud Platform to support Collaboration in Supply Networks
Authors: Andres Beatriz , Sanchis Raquel , Poler Raul
Published: January 2016

Collaboration is a trend in supply networks management, based on the jointly planning, coordination and integration of processes, participating all network entities. Due to the current characteristics of uncertainty in the markets and economic crisis, there is a need to encourage collaboration tools to reduce costs and increase trust and accountability to market requirements. This study presents an overview of the research carried out in the H2020 European Project: Cloud Collaborative Manufacturing Networks (C2NET), which is directed towards the development a cloud platform that consist of, optimization tools, collaboration tools to support and agile management of the network. The collaborative cloud platform allows to collect real time information coming from real-world resources and considering all the actors involved in the process. The collaborative cloud provides real time data gathered from the entire network partners in order to improve their decision-making processes.
Understanding Organisational Engineering.
Authors: Ortiz Bas Angel
Published: January 2016

This paper analyses the concept of organisational engineering by stressing the main functions or phases to be developed and linking them with enperprise management but also emphasizing the differences. The paper also states that organisational engineering is well-founded and robust discipline.
Combined Cognitive-Strategy and Task-Specific Training Affects Cognition and Upper-Extremity Function in Subacute Stroke: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Wolf Timothy J. , Polatajko Helene , Baum Carolyn , Rios Jorge , Cirone Dianne , Doherty Meghan , McEwen Sara
Published: January 2016

The purpose of this study was to estimate the effect of Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (CO–OP) compared with usual occupational therapy on upper-extremity movement, cognitive flexibility, and stroke impact in people less than 3 mo after stroke. An exploratory, single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted with people referred to outpatient occupational therapy services at two rehabilitation centers. Arm movement was measured with the Action Research Arm Test, cognitive flexibility with the Delis–Kaplan Executive Function System Trail Making subtest, and stroke impact with subscales of the Stroke Impact Scale. A total of 35 participants were randomized, and 26 completed the intervention. CO–OP demonstrated measurable effects over usual care on all measures. These data provide early support for the use of CO–OP to improve performance and remediate cognitive and arm movement impairments after stroke over usual care; however, future study is warranted to confirm the effects observed in this trial.
Survey of College Personnel: Preparedness to Serve Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Glennon Tara J.
Published: January 2016

OBJECTIVE. This study explored the perceptions, preparedness, and practices of college personnel regarding support for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

METHOD. Members of the Association on Higher Education and Disability were invited to complete an online survey in 2012. The survey gathered data on training level, understanding of student needs, and supports provided to students with ASD in the areas of academic transitional situations, social activities, sensory needs, attention and organization, self-advocacy and self-disclosure, and emotional regulation.

RESULTS. Of the 315 respondents who completed the survey, 94% were involved in designing needed supports for students with ASD. Of those involved in designing needed supports, 55% indicated the need for additional information and 63% indicated that their institution struggled with outlining the supports needed and would have liked to know more about how to support these students.

CONCLUSION. Opportunities exist for occupational therapy collaboration, consultation, case management, and direct intervention to support college students with ASD.
Efficacy of Compression Gloves in Maintaining Edema Reductions After Application of Compression Bandaging to the Stroke-Affected Upper Limb
Authors: Gustafsson Louise , Patterson Elizabeth , Marshall Kathryn , Bennett Sally , Bower Kylie
Published: January 2016

OBJECTIVE. We explored the efficacy of compression gloves in maintaining the benefits gained from compression bandaging of the stroke-affected upper limb.

METHOD. Four participants completed a single-case (ABC) design study consisting of a baseline period (Phase A) and compression bandaging of the hand and upper limb (Phase B), followed by the application of a compression glove (Phase C). Edema was measured with circumferential tape at five specified points from the phalanx to the midforearm. All measurements were represented graphically for visual analysis, and celeration lines were calculated to indicate the degree of slope within each phase.

RESULTS. Visual analysis indicated fluctuating edema volume during Phase A, decreasing edema volume during Phase B, and a mixed trend during Phase C.

CONCLUSION. Compression gloves had mixed benefits in managing reductions in edema volume poststroke. Further research may consider the material, sizing, and style of glove in the development of a maintenance strategy.
La invocación de los antepasados en "De divinatione" y "De natura deorum" de Cicerón. "Religio e identidad" romana a fines de la república
Authors: Cairo María Emilia
Published: January 2016

La invocación del ideal del mos maiorum, entendido como conjunto de virtudes o rasgos ejemplares de los romanos, ha sido estudiada repetidamente en los textos de Cicerón. Analiza el tópico en relación con la discusión en torno a la identidad romana en textos del siglo I a.C. y delimita tres empleos diferentes: uno al que define como típicamente aristocrático, referido a la ascendencia noble de un individuo en particular; un segundo uso que, en vez de individualizar, amalgama a todos los ancestros en un mismo conjunto y establece una continuidad entre pasado y presente; finalmente, una tercera modalidad que propone una ruptura total entre el mundo de los antepasados y el de los contemporáneos. En este trabajo indagaremos el funcionamiento de este tópico en De diuinatione y De natura deorum de Cicerón. Desde nuestro punto de vista, el ideal del mos maiorum no solamente involucra virtudes éticas y morales sino que también supone una especial actitud con respecto a los dioses y el culto que resulta central en la definición de la identidad romana.
Lucrecio, "De rerum natura": Sentido y coherencia del prólogo
Authors: Ruiz Castellanos Antonio
Published: January 2016

El prólogo del De rerum natura de Lucrecio (1.1-148) parece ser un tema gastado: ha sido tratado decenas de veces tanto por su excelente calidad como por los problemas que plantea. Pero esperamos poder dar un nuevo sentido y solución a ambos aspectos. En primer lugar, el himno a Venus no es una mera convención, sino que respira sentimiento religioso; Venus no personifica a la naturaleza, sino al placer y la felicidad y ni la hegemonía que se dice ejerce Venus, ni las plegarias que contiene el himno contradicen la teología epicúrea. Todavía más, nos parece que el himno constituye una auténtica epifanía religiosa muy propia de la teología epicúrea. En segundo lugar, suponiendo que el autor ha tomado como tema compartido los schemata o grados de dificultad de la intellectio retórica en el texto de 1.50-148, se intentan solucionar las dificultades de coherencia del texto.
La fortuna de la "Artificiosa memoria sive Phoenix" de Pedro de Rávena: entre el éxito y la retractatio
Authors: Merino Jérez Luis
Published: January 2016

La Artificiosa memoria siue Phoenix de Pedro de Rávena tuvo una amplia difusión en la Europa del siglo XVI. Dos son las claves de su éxito: la fama de ilustre memorioso que consiguió forjarse con sus exhibiciones de memoria y el uso de las emociones en la formulación de reglas mnemotécnicas basadas en el humor y el erotismo. Sin embargo, poco antes de morir, en 1508, publicó unas breves Additiones quaedam ad artificiosam memoriam en las que añade algunas reglas nuevas y, sobre todo, renuncia a la norma que aconseja usar la imagen de jóvenes hermosas para elaborar escenas mnemotécnicas. Esta suerte de retractatio se explica en el contexto de la polémica mantenida con algunos teólogos de Colonia
La traducción al latín de algunos términos griegos y su repercusión en los comentarios a los "Aphthonii Progymnasmata"
Authors: Arcos Pereira Trinidad , García del Paso María Dolores
Published: January 2016

En este trabajo hemos examinado comentarios a la traducción al latín del ejercicio de la Fábula de los Progymnasmata de Aftonio para ver cómo afecta la traducción de algunos términos al comentario. Dado que, al traducir de una lengua a otra, difícilmente hay correspondencia exacta, el traductor opta por la solución que estima más adecuada, primando ciertos matices sobre otros y, con frecuencia, llega, incluso, a dotar al término de acepciones en la lengua meta que no existían en la lengua origen. La elección realizada no parece obedecer a otra razón que a preferencias del traductor, pero tiene consecuencias e influye en los comentaristas. Por otra parte, la existencia de un término acuñado no impide que tanto los traductores como los escoliastas creen otros nuevos, tal vez por deseo de mostrar originalidad. Finalmente, la traducción tiene una doble vertiente: de un lado, influye en el entendimiento del concepto y en el comentario, y, de otro, refleja la concepción que de la realidad tiene el traductor.
The Effectiveness of the Logic of English Approach on the Improvement of Reading Skills of Saudi EFL Learners
Authors: Abdel Rahman Mohammed Hassan
Published: January 2016

The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which the use of the Logic of English Approach can improve reading skills of Saudi EFL learners at the college of Preparatory Year Program (PYP), Ula Branch, in Taibah University. The Logic of English Approach attempts to integrate teaching with reading skills such as, reading comprehension, reading fluency, vocabulary, literacy and writing skills. The present study attempts to check only the effectiveness of this approach on the enhancement of reading fluency and comprehension. The Logic of English Approach assumes that the improvement of reading fluency depends on intensive teaching and practice of spelling rules using phonics, phonograms, and word roots Eide (2012). To achieve the aim of this study, quantitative research methodology was conducted. The data were collected from lecturers of Taibah University, arranged in tables, interpreted and compared with past studies. The results match most of the previous research.
An Analysis of the Components of Sport Imagery in Basketball Players
Authors: Deol Nishan Singh , Singh Davinder
Published: January 2016

The present study was aimed to indentify the role of Sport Imagery in performance of basketball players. For this purpose, sixty female basketball players of 19 to 25 years of age were selected. They were divided into three groups; (i.e., N1=20; District, N2=20; State and N3=10 National). To determine level of Sport Imagery among subjects, Sport Imagery Questionnaire, constructed by Hall et al. (1998) was administered. One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed to compare the three groups of basketball. For testing the hypotheses, the level of significance was set at 0.05. Conculdingly from the findings that we can say that significant differences were found among female basketball players (District, State and National) on the sub-variables of Sport Imagery.
Healing Potential of the Cartilage Correlates with Location on the Femoral Head: A Basic Research Using a Rabbit Model
Authors: Yamasaki Takuma , Yasunaga Yuji , Oshima Seigo , Ochi Mitsuo
Published: January 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether healing potential of the femoral cartilage differs according to the site of injury in a rabbit, and whether poor potential of the cartilage repair correlates with the injured site which is not in contact with acetabulum. Furthermore, the efficacy of intraarticular injection of hyaluronic acid into the hip for the cartilage with lower healing potential was evaluated.

Methods

Male Japanese white rabbits were used in this study. Via the posterolateral approach, the articular capsule was incised and a 4 × 4 mm chondral defect was made at the load-bearing area (group A) or at head-neck junction (group B), and intraarticular injection of hyaluronic acid was performed to the group B model (group C).

Results

In group A, histological evaluation at 8 weeks revealed that the chondral defect was filled with cartilaginous tissue. However, in group B, the chondral defect was not filled with any tissue and subchondral bone was exposed. In group C, the defect was filled with synovial-like tissue, and smooth surface was reacquired macroscopically. According to the ICRS score, significant differences were detected between group A and group B, group A and group C, and group B and group C. There were no differences in the radiographic findings among the 3 groups.

Conclusions

The cartilage at head-neck junction of the femoral head had poorer healing potential than that at load-bearing area. Administration of HA could be promising for preventing progression of cartilage degeneration even at head-neck junction.
Rectal Endometriosis: An Exceptional Cause of Large-Bowel Obstruction
Authors: Doh Kwame , Samatar Hassan Farrah , Seck Mamadou , Kammoun Chahir , Woto-Gaye Gisèle
Published: January 2016

Acute large-bowel obstruction (LBO) is an emergency condition that requires early identification and intervention. A rectal tumor is rarely the cause in a young adult. We report the case of a 43-year-old patient who received emergency surgery for an LBO. A rectal tumor was fortuitously discovered during the operation. However, histopathologic examination revealed that the tumor-like mass was in fact rectal endometriosis. Appropriate medical care was established and obtained satisfactory results.
Glyphosate-Resistant Weed Control and Soybean Injury in Response to Different PPO-Inhibiting Herbicides
Authors: Aulakh Jatinder S. , Chahal P. S. , Jhala Amit J.
Published: January 2016

In Nebraska, 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) as well as acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibitor-resistant weeds occur in many soybean fields where herbicides from these modes-of-action have been frequently used in the past. Currently, the protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO)-inhibitors are the only effective herbicides for POST control of both glyphosate- and ALS-inhibitor-resistant weeds in soybean. Greenhouse experiments were conducted in 2014 to evaluate the efficacy of PPO-inhibitors applied POST for the control of three glyphosate-resistant (GR) weeds and potential for soybean injury, when applied at two growth stages. All herbicide treatments controlled 10- and 20-cm tall GR common waterhemp ≥ 95% at 21 DAT. GR giant ragweed and kochia were controlled 86 to 99% when treated at 10-cm height and 78 to 92% at 20-cm height by 21 DAT. Herbicide treatments reduced shoot biomass in the three GR weeds 88 to 100% when treated at 10-cm height and 73 to 100% when treated at 20-cm height, at 21 DAT. Soybean injury and shoot biomass data revealed that acifluorfen and lactofen were more injurious (≥ 17%), whereas fomesafen, and fomesafen plus glyphosate were relatively safer (< 10% injury). Overall, fomesafen and fomesafen plus glyphosate caused least injury to soybean and were more effective in controlling GR common waterhemp, giant ragweed, and kochia compared with acifluorfen and lactofen.
Development and Fertility Restoration of CMS Eggplant Lines Carrying the Cytoplasm of Solanum violaceum
Authors: Krommydas Konstantinos S. , Tzikalios Zisis , Madesis Panagiotis , Bletsos Fotios A. , Mavromatis Athanasios , Roupakias Demetrios G.
Published: January 2016

A functional cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) eggplant line carrying the cytoplasm of Solanum violaceum was developed in the past, but the fertility restoring genes (Rf-genes) were not identified. This work aimed to produce the CMS lines of three Hellenic eggplant cultivars (viz., ‘Langada’, ‘Emi’ and ‘Tsakoniki’) using the cytoplasm of S. violaceum and study the inheritance of the Rf-genes. The respective CMS eggplant lines were developed by the backcross method and examined for their fertility parameters. The results demonstrated that female fertility was not affected by the cytoplasm of S. violaceum. In contrast, the occurrence of three male fertility phenotypes (male sterile, male fertile and potentially male fertile) indicated that male fertility was affected by nuclear/cytoplasmic interactions. Male sterile plants were characterized by indehiscent anthers, low pollen viability and abnormal anther morphology. Male fertile plants formed dehiscent anthers with high pollen viability and normal morphology. Potentially male fertile plants initially formed dehiscent anthers, but in later stages formed exclusively indehiscent anthers. Male fertile plants were obtained in the advanced backcross populations of CMS ‘Tsakoniki’, but not in CMS ‘Langada’ and CMS ‘Emi’. The genetic analysis of fertility restoration indicated that male fertility in the genetic background of cv. ‘Tsakoniki’ is controlled by one essential genetic locus, affected by a secondary modifying locus. Molecular analysis of cp-DNA and mt-DNA in the CMS lines indicated maternal inheritance of the cytoplasm organelles. Our findings demonstrate that the genotype of the eggplant parent can affect the expression of CMS as well as fertility restoration.
Technical Inefficiency Effects in Agriculture—A Meta-Regression
Authors: Djokoto Justice G. , Srofenyo Francis Y. , Arthur Akua A. Afrane
Published: January 2016

A number of studies have examined the effect of study characteristics on mean technical efficiency as the dependent variable. This article departs from these earlier studies by using second-stage inefficiency covariates as key exploratory variables and study characteristics as control variables in a meta-regression. Unlike the vote count method of quantitative review, the parameters of the key variables have desirable properties and enable statistical inferences to be drawn. Additionally, the dependent variable employed is mean technical inefficiency. This is demonstrated using data on technical inefficiency of primary studies in Ghanaian agriculture, fitted to fractional regression models. The appropriate functional form of the fractional regression model is discussed with policy implications.
Comparative Pharmacokinetic of Three Sulfadiazine Suspensions by Oral Administration in Chickens
Authors: Wang Zhi-Qiang , Li Han-Song , Xiao Xia , Wang Jian-Bing
Published: January 2016

The chemotherapeutics, sulfadiazine (SDA) and trimethoprim (TMP), are extensively used in a variety of animal species. In this study, a pharmacokinetic analysis was performed to compare the bioequivalence of a combined SDA and TMP product against existing licensed SDA and TMP formulations in broiler chickens. Three groups of 15 birds were administered a single dose of either the test formulation or a reference oral suspension. The plasma concentration of SDA and TMP were determined by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the maximal plasma concentration (Cmax), area under the curve (AUC), the peak time (Tmax), mean residence time (MRT) and elimination half-life (T1/2), were calculated for SDA. The combined formulation I and II reference suspension exhibited almost identical concentration-time curves, and ANOVA analyses of the pharmacokinetic parameters identified no significant differences between the reference preparations and the test one. Furthermore the AUC and Cmax values of the SDA active ingredient were not significantly different. The I formulation was bioequivalent with both II and III (80-125% and 70–143%, respectively, at the 90% confidence interval). In conclusion, the combined SDA and TMP product was bioequivalent with both existing commercially available SDA suspensions and can be used interchangeably in veterinary medical practice.
A Case Study for Evaluation of GUTD on Soil Compaction and Tractor Performance
Authors: Kamgar Saadat , Savand Roomi Ehsan
Published: January 2016

Machinery traffic on farm and forest caused to problems in environment and economics by Fossil fuel consumption and soil compaction. According to result of investigation, The GUTD (Gear Up and Throttle Down) method was recommended to decrease fuel consumption. But the wide range of machinery applications, soil conditions and experience of drivers or operators need to have index for ensuring the GUTD method is carried out properly. The purpose of this study was evaluation of GUTD method using MF 399 tractor on instantaneous fuel consumption and soil compaction. The tractor was equipped by sensors, a designed electronic circuit and a computer to measure and record parameters such as fuel consumption, forward speed and wheel slip. This field examination was carried out on tilled land with clay-loam soil and then data were analyzed in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Considered factors were included four speed levels (1.6, 3.2, 6.4, 12.8 km h-1), three levels of gear (first, second and third) and two levels of wheel drive (2WD and 4WD). Parameters of cone index and bulk density were used to determine soil compaction.Variations in compaction of before and after tractor passage were calculated in each plot. Statistical analysis in each speed showed that factor of gear in variations of soil compaction was significant at all speeds except 12.8 km h-1 and instantaneous fuel consumption was reduced by GUTD at each of constant speed except the mentioned speed. This research showed that instantaneous fuel consumption can be considered as appropriate index for selecting the best gear and speed in terms of fuel consumption and soil compaction.
Metafrontier Analysis of Technical Efficiency of Wheat Farms in Sudan
Authors: Chebil Ali , Hashim Abdelaziz A. , Hassan Alawia Osman , Abdalla Ishtiag , Tahir Izzat , Assefa Solomon , Yameogo Ouambi
Published: January 2016

The major objective of this study is to estimate the technical efficiencies and technological gap of wheat farms in the major wheat producing areas of Sudan, namely Northern, River Nile, Gezira, and Kassala States of Sudan. A total sample of 951 wheat farms was selected and surveyed in the whole country during 2013. Non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model has been applied to measure the technical efficiency and technological gaps among the regions by means of metafrontier approach. Results show that there is significant inefficiency in wheat farms. The estimated average technical efficiencies with respect to group frontiers for Gezira, Kassala, Northern and River Nile are: 0.52, 0.61, 0.48 and 0.41, respectively. The average technological gap ratios for Gezira, Kassala, Northern and River Nile were 0.82, 0.50, 0.75 and 0.92, respectively. Therefore, the Kassala farms frontier has the most distant to the metafrontier, while the Gezira, Northern and River Nile frontiers have the closest. Our results suggest that farms in the Gezira, Northern, and River Nile regions could improve their productivity through more efficient use of inputs using the existing technologies such as sowing, fertilizer application, irrigation water scheduling, and harvesting at the right time. In contrast, improved technologies generation and dissemination such as integrated pest management in the Kassala region are required to improve wheat productivity.
Effects of ZnO Nanoparticle on Photo-Protection and Insecticidal Synergism of Rotenone
Authors: Chen Xiao-jun , Meng Zhi-yuan , Ren Ya-jun , Gu Hao-tian , Lu Chun-liang
Published: January 2016

Rotenone has an effective insecticidal activity. However, the photodegradation of rotenone under sunlight or UV (ultraviolet light) leads to negative effects on its insecticidal activity and persistence. This study examined the photo-protection of rotenone when exposed to UV combinated with various nanoparticles. The remaining concentration of rotenone was analyzed by LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry) at particular intervals. It indicated that various nanoparticles had different effects and combination with ZnO nanoparticle provided remarkable degree of photo-protection of rotenone in UV radiation. In comparision with ZnO, SiO2 nanoparticle provided moderate degree of photo-protection of rotenone in UV radiation. In addition, TiO2, Fe2O3 and CuO nanoparticle exerted catalytic degradation effects on rotenone to a certain degree.The combination of rotenone and ZnO nanoparticle(4:1) increased the effciency of mortality to the highest compared with the same concentration of sole rotenone or ZnO nanoparticle treatment alone and their co-toxicity coefficient was 128.63. ZnO nanoparticle has good UV photo-protective properties and insecticidal synergism on rotenone. The application of this proposed method can provide significant and practical guidance for improving the photostability and insecticidal activity of rotenone as well as other biopesticides.
Development of End-User Preferred Sweetpotato Varieties
Authors: Baafi Ernest , Manu-Aduening Joe , Gracen Vernon E. , Ofori Kwadwo , Carey Edward E. , Blay Essie T.
Published: January 2016

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) is the fourth most important root and tuber crop in Ghana, in terms of production. Attainment of increased sweetpotato utilization has become an important breeding objective in Ghana recently. The major emphasis in breeding is on the development of farmer/consumer preferred varieties. This study aimed at developing farmer/consumer preferred sweetpotato cultivars for increased utilization in Ghana and beyond. One hundred and fifteen sweetpotato accessions were collected and evaluated at two ecozones in the major and minor cropping seasons in 2011 to identify low sugar parents for hybridization. Two released varieties (Histarch and Ogyefo) and eight breeding lines (AAT-03-025, CIP 442264, CRIWAC 25-10, CRIWAC 30-10, DOS 03-006, CRIWAC 11-10, CIP 440095 and CRIWAC 19-10) were selected and used as parents. Genetic variability was significant for all the traits studied. Sufficient useful genetic variation was present in the materials studied and was exploited to provide for substantial amount of improvement through selection of superior genotypes. Negative heterosis was observed for sugar content and this is very important for breeding because Ghanaians prefer non-sweet varieties. Fifteen percent of the F1 hybrids of Histarch and Ogyefo were non-sweet. These will meet the staple food needs of Ghanaians. Eight hybrids were identified as potential non-sweet varieties for further testing multilocation on-farm for release. These were Ogyefo × Histarch-11, Histarch × Ogyefo-13, Histarch × Ogyefo-52, Histarch × Ogyefo-37, Histarch × Ogyefo-65, Histarch × Ogyefo-88, Histarch × Ogyefo-39 and Histarch × Ogyefo-16.
Influence of Socio-Economic Conditions of Farmers on the Control of Insect Pests of Citrus in Benue State, Nigeria
Authors: Anzaku T. A. K. , Anda D. A. , Umar I. B.
Published: January 2016

Despite the significant losses of citrus fruits due to insect pests damage, not all farmers control the menace of these pests. Control of these pests is inevitable for high quality, sustained and increased production of the product and income for the farmers. It is, therefore, imperative in the study to empirically establish the socio-economic variables of citrus farmers influencing the control of citrus insect pests. To achieve this, data collected from a random sample of 50 commercial citrus farmers from the major producing areas of Benue State in 2014, through the use of questionnaire, were analyzed by employing descriptive statistics and logistic regression model. With the exception of age with a coefficient of -.035, which influenced the control of insect pests negatively, the influence of other variables such as education (.362), experience (.159), gender (.992), income from citrus (.002) and income from other enterprises (.001) were positive, although only education and income earned from citrus were significant at 10% and 1% level of probability, respectively. Control of insect pests of citrus can be better achieved by potential and existing farmers if their education and earning from citrus production are continually and simultaneously increased.
A Case for Reverse Incorporation of Academic Legal Scholarship into Conflict Management Studies
Authors: de Roo Annie
Published: January 2016

A Case for Reverse Incorporation of Academic Legal Scholarship into Conflict Management Studies

The article takes as its point of departure some of the author’s multidisciplinary projects. Special attention is given to the question of whether the disciplines united in the various research team members already constituted a kind of ‘inter-discipline’, through which a single object was studied. The issue of how the disciplinary orientations of the research team members occasionally clashed, on methodological issues, is also addressed.

The outcomes of these and similar multidisciplinary research projects are followed back into legal practice and academic legal scholarship to uncover whether an incorporation problem indeed exists. Here, special attention will be given to policy recommendations and notably proposals for new legislation. After all, according to Van Dijck et al., the typical role model for legal researchers working from an internal perspective on the law is the legislator.

The author concludes by making a somewhat bold case for reverse incorporation, that is, the need for (traditional) academic legal research to become an integral part of a more encompassing (inter-)discipline, referred to here as ‘conflict management studies’. Key factors that will contribute to the rise of such a broad (inter-)discipline are the changes that currently permeate legal practice (the target audience of traditional legal research) and the changes in the overall financing of academic research itself (with special reference to the Netherlands).
Kroniek Europees burgerschap
Authors: van Eijken H.
Published: January 2016

Kroniek Europees burgerschap

In deze kroniek worden de belangrijkste ontwikkelingen in de Europese en nationale rechtspraak van de afgelopen jaren, met een focus op de afgelopen drie jaar, met betrekking tot het Europees burgerschap besproken.
Huawei/ZTE; het Hof van Justitie herstelt de balans bij handhaving van standaard-essentiële octrooien
Authors: Kuipers D.P.
Published: January 2016

Huawei/ZTE; het Hof van Justitie herstelt de balans bij handhaving van standaard-essentiële octrooien

Op 16 juli 2015 heeft het Hof van Justitie de prejudiciële vragen van een Duitse rechtbank beantwoord in de zaak Huawei/ZTE. In die zaak lag de vraag voor of de houder van een zogenoemd Standaard Essentieel Octrooi (SEO) misbruik maakt van een economische machtspositie wanneer hij zich in rechte verzet tegen gebruik van zijn octrooi door een derde die de betreffende standaard toepast zonder daarvoor een licentie van de octrooihouder te hebben verkregen. Het arrest is gewezen naar aanleiding van prejudiciële vragen van het Landgericht Düsseldorf waar de twee Chinese producenten van (mobiele) telecomapparatuur, Huawei en ZTE, een octrooigeschil uitvechten.

HvJ 16 juli 2015, zaak C-170/13, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd/ZTE Corp. en ZTE Deutschland GmbH, ECLI:EU:C:2015:477
Fuzzy State Feedback for Attitude Stabilization of Quadrotor
Authors: Torres Fernando , Rabhi Abdelhamid , Lara David , Romero Gerardo , Pégard Claude
Published: January 2016

In this paper, we propose an application of an algorithm, based on the T-S (Takagi-Sugeno) technique, to stabilize a quadrotor helicopter. After giving the nonlinear model of the vehicle, its representation by a T-S fuzzy model is discussed. Following this, a fuzzy controller is synthesized, which will guarantee the stability of the quadrotor. The proposed T-S controller is designed with measurable premise variables and the conditions of stability are given in terms of linear matrix inequality (LMI). Simulations and real-time experiments using a test-bed platform prove the performance of a PDC control algorithm to stabilize the vehicle robustly at a desired set point.
Social Interaction Test between a Rat and a Robot: A Pilot Study
Authors: del Angel Ortiz Rusalky , Contreras Carlos M. , Gutiérrez-Garcia Ana G. , González Montes Fernando M.
Published: January 2016

The social interaction test is based on spontaneous behaviour observed between pairs of animals, usually rodents. Commonly, the behaviour of one of the members in the dyad is related to the behaviour of its partner; therefore, making accurate predictions about behaviour is difficult, and the behaviour of the dyad cannot be controlled. In the present study, we programmed an e-puck robot with simple behavioural patterns, such as moving around a cage and following and approaching a rat. The results were analysed by comparing behaviour that was displayed by two groups of experimental rats towards different types of partners: (i) in the first group of experimental rats, they interacted with another group of rats and (ii) in the second group of experimental rats, they interacted with the e-puck robot.

Our aim was to study the behaviour of experimental rats in the social interaction test when the interaction partner is a pre-programmed robot, in order to find out whether a rat is able to display social interaction activities in that context. Those activities were evaluated by a structured scheme of possible behaviours, quantified in categories according to currently well-accepted nomenclature and definitions. In order to achieve this goal, we compared the social and non-social behaviour displayed by the experimental rat in rat-rat and rat-robot interactions (such as approaching and following behaviour). We observed predominantly non-social behaviours, such as exploring the cage, when the experimental rats confronted either another rat or the robot. The experimental rats displayed similar periods of approaching, sniffing and crawling (social behaviour), exploring, being quiet, self-grooming and evading (non-social behaviour) in encountering both the rat and the robot. However, in the presence of the robot, the experimental rats displayed long periods of time spent in following, in contrast to short periods of immobility. In the present study, we explored a behavioural repertoire that was classified into the social and the non-social, in which the robot was usually able to elicit social behaviour from the rat. The results of our experiments open possibilities for additional studies on social interaction in robot-live rat dyads (e.g., in predator-prey models).
Reaching the Hard to Reach: Mobile Development Screening Van to the Rescue
Authors: Busillo-Aguayo Joannie , Murawski Wendy , Weiner Ivor
Published: January 2016

Currently more than 15% of children have an emotional, behavioral, or developmental concern. In spite of recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct universal developmental surveillance and screening with children at 9, 18, and 24 months of age, fewer than 30% of children under 6 years of age ever receive a developmental screening. Children in low-income and diverse communities are even less likely to be screened by a medical provider and/or referred for further diagnostic evaluation when predictive concerns are identified. As part of a cross-agency collaborative effort involving a family resource center, a child care resource and referral agency, a regional center for developmental disabilities, and a master's degree program in early childhood education, the Mobile Developmental Screening Van Project conducted outreach to provide free developmental screening with families of children 0-8 years of age in diverse and low-income communities within the greater Los Angeles County. Using the Parent Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) screening tool, 94 children were screened over the course of 6 months, with 33% showing 2 or more predictive concerns that resulted in referrals for further diagnostic evaluation. The feasibility of reaching families in hard to reach communities using a mobile screening van, as well as study limitations and recommendations for next steps, are discussed.
Antenatal care and uptake of HIV testing among pregnant women in sub‐Saharan Africa: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Gunn Jayleen K L , Asaolu Ibitola O , Center Katherine E , Gibson Steven J , Wightman Patrick , Ezeanolue Echezona E , Ehiri John E
Published: January 2016

Introduction

Current guidelines recommend inclusion of HIV testing in routine screening tests for all pregnant women. For this reason, antenatal care (ANC) represents a vital component of efforts to prevent mother‐to‐child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. To elucidate the relationship between ANC services and HIV testing among pregnant women in sub‐Saharan Africa, we undertook an analysis of data from four countries.

Methods

Four countries (Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria and Uganda) were purposively selected to represent unique geographical regions of sub‐Saharan Africa. Using Demographic and Health Survey datasets, weighted crude and adjusted logistic regression models were used to explore factors that influenced HIV testing as part of ANC services. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Arizona.

Results

Pooled results showed that 60.7% of women received HIV testing as part of ANC. Ugandan women had the highest rate of HIV testing as part of ANC (81.5%) compared with women in Mozambique (69.4%), Nigeria (54.4%) and Congo (45.4%). Difficulty reaching a health facility was a barrier in Congo and Mozambique but not Nigeria or Uganda. HIV testing rates were lower in rural areas, among the poorest women, the least educated and those with limited knowledge of HIV. In every country, crude regression analyses showed higher odds of being tested for HIV if women received their ANC services from a skilled attendant compared with an unskilled attendant. After adjusting for confounders, women in the total sample had 1.78 (99% CI: 1.45–2.18) times the odds of having an HIV test as part of their ANC if they went to a skilled attendant compared with an unskilled attendant.

Conclusions

There is a need for integration of HIV testing into routine ANC service to increase opportunities for PMTCT programmes to reach HIV‐positive pregnant women. Attention should be paid to the expansion of outreach services for women in rural settings, and to the training, supervision and integration of unskilled attendants into formal maternal and child health programmes. Education of pregnant women and their communities is needed to increase HIV knowledge and reduce HIV stigma.
Position-dependent plasticity of distinct progenitor types in the primitive streak
Authors: Wymeersch Filip J , Huang Yali , Blin Guillaume , Cambray Noemí , Wilkie Ron , Wong Frederick CK , Wilson Valerie
Published: January 2016

The rostrocaudal (head-to-tail) axis is supplied by populations of progenitors at the caudal end of the embryo. Despite recent advances characterising one of these populations, the neuromesodermal progenitors, their nature and relationship to other populations remains unclear. Here we show that neuromesodermal progenitors are a single Sox2lowTlow entity whose choice of neural or mesodermal fate is dictated by their position in the progenitor region. The choice of mesoderm fate is Wnt/β-catenin dependent. Wnt/β-catenin signalling is also required for a previously unrecognised phase of progenitor expansion during mid-trunk formation. Lateral/ventral mesoderm progenitors represent a distinct committed state that is unable to differentiate to neural fates, even upon overexpression of the neural transcription factor Sox2. They do not require Wnt/β-catenin signalling for mesoderm differentiation. This information aids the correct interpretation of in vivo genetic studies and the development of in vitro protocols for generating physiologically-relevant cell populations of clinical interest.
Computing in fish schools
Authors: Ispolatov Yaroslav
Published: January 2016

A model based on shoaling fish suggests how a group can show decision-making properties beyond those of any one individual.
Room temperature bonding of SiO2 and SiO2 by surface activated bonding method using Si ultrathin films
Authors: Utsumi Jun , Ide Kensuke , Ichiyanagi Yuko
Published: January 2016

The bonding of metal electrodes and insulator hybrid interfaces is one of the key techniques in three-dimensional integration technology. Metal materials such as Cu or Al are easily directly bonded by surface activated bonding at room temperature, but insulator materials such as SiO2 or SiN are not. Using only Si ultrathin films, we propose a new bonding technique for SiO2/SiO2 bonding at room temperature. Two SiO2 surfaces, on which Si thin films were deposited, were contacted in vacuum. We confirmed that the thickness of the layer was about 7 nm by transmission electron microscopy observation and that the layer was non crystalline by electron energy loss spectroscopy analysis. No metal material was found in the bonding interface by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. The surface energy was about 1 J/m2, and the bonding strength was more than 25 MPa. This bonding technique was successfully realized to enable SiO2/SiO2 bonding without a metal adhesion layer.
Pharmacophagy in green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae:Chrysopaspp.)?
Authors: Aldrich Jeffrey R. , Chauhan Kamal , Zhang Qing-He
Published: January 2016

Green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) are voracious predators of aphids and other small, soft-bodied insects and mites. Earlier, we identified (1R,2S,5R,8R)-iridodial from wild males of the goldeneyed lacewing,Chrysopa oculataSay, which is released from thousands of microscopic dermal glands on the abdominal sterna. Iridodial-baited traps attractC. oculataand otherChrysopaspp. males into traps, while females come to the vicinity of, but do not usually enter traps. Despite their healthy appearance and normal fertility, laboratory-rearedC. oculatamales do not produce iridodial. Surprisingly, goldeneyed lacewing males caught alive in iridodial-baited traps attempt to eat the lure and, in Asia, males of otherChrysopaspecies reportedly eat the native plant,Actinidia polygama(Siebold & Zucc.) Maxim. (Actinidiaceae) to obtain the monoterpenoid, neomatatabiol. These observations suggest thatChrysopamales must sequester exogenous natural iridoids in order to produce iridodial; we investigated this phenomenon in laboratory feeding studies. Lacewing adult males fed various monoterpenes reduced carbonyls to alcohols and saturated double bonds, but did not convert these compounds to iridodial. Only males fed the common aphid sex pheromone component, (1R,4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactol, produced (1R,2S,5R,8R)-iridodial. Furthermore, althoughC. oculatamales fed the second common aphid sex pheromone component, (4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactone, did not produce iridodial, they did convert ∾75% of this compound to the corresponding dihydronepetalactone, and wildC. oculatamales collected in early spring contained traces of this dihydronepetalactone. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis thatChrysopamales feed on oviparae (the late-season pheromone producing stage of aphids) to obtain nepetalactol as a precursor to iridodial. In the spring, however, wildC. oculatamales produce less iridodial than do males collected later in the season. Therefore, we further hypothesize that AsianChrysopaeatA. polygamato obtain iridoid precursors in order to make their pheromone, and that other iridoid-producing plants elsewhere in the world must be similarly usurped by maleChrysopaspecies to sequester pheromone precursors.
Sea surface temperature from the new Japanese geostationary meteorological Himawari‐8 satellite
Authors: Kurihara Yukio , Murakami Hiroshi , Kachi Misako
Published: January 2016

Himawari‐8 is a new geostationary meteorological satellite operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The Earth Observation Research Center of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in collaboration with the JMA produces skin sea surface temperatures (SSTs) from Himawari‐8 data. A new quasi‐physical algorithm was used to calculate SSTs. Cloud screening based on the Bayesian inference method was used to detect cloudy pixels. Himawari‐8 SSTs from June to September 2015 were compared with drifting and tropical moored buoy data. This comparison showed a root‐mean‐square difference of ∼0.59 K and a bias of ∼−0.16 K against the buoy data. Positive and variable biases were found in seas along the viewing boundaries.
Intense energetic electron flux enhancements in Mercury's magnetosphere: An integrated view with high‐resolution observations from MESSENGER
Authors: Baker Daniel N. , Dewey Ryan M. , Lawrence David J. , Goldsten John O. , Peplowski Patrick N. , Korth Haje , Slavin James A. , Krimigis Stamatios M. , Anderson Brian J. , Ho George C. , McNutt Ralph L. , Raines Jim M. , Schriver David , Solomon Sean C.
Published: January 2016

The MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) mission to Mercury has provided a wealth of new data about energetic particle phenomena. With observations from MESSENGER's Energetic Particle Spectrometer, as well as data arising from energetic electrons recorded by the X‐Ray Spectrometer and Gamma‐Ray and Neutron Spectrometer (GRNS) instruments, recent work greatly extends our record of the acceleration, transport, and loss of energetic electrons at Mercury. The combined data sets include measurements from a few keV up to several hundred keV in electron kinetic energy and have permitted relatively good spatial and temporal resolution for many events. We focus here on the detailed nature of energetic electron bursts measured by the GRNS system, and we place these events in the context of solar wind and magnetospheric forcing at Mercury. Our examination of data at high temporal resolution (10 ms) during the period March 2013 through October 2014 supports strongly the view that energetic electrons are accelerated in the near‐tail region of Mercury's magnetosphere and are subsequently “injected” onto closed magnetic field lines on the planetary nightside. The electrons populate the plasma sheet and drift rapidly eastward toward the dawn and prenoon sectors, at times executing multiple complete drifts around the planet to form “quasi‐trapped” populations.