bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
El comercio electrónico mediante el uso de tecnología móvil en la pequeña y mediana empresa en Guayaquil
Authors: Carvache Franco Orly
Published: January 2017

Esta investigación descriptiva analizó la relación entre la tecnología móvil y el comercio móvil en las pequeñas y medianas empresas comerciales de Guayaquil, y tuvo como objetivo describir la situación actual tanto en la tecnología que utilizan como en el comercio móvil existente, para establecer directrices que guíen la preparación en la utilización de dicha tecnología y mejorar el comercio móvil actual con vistas al aprovechamiento de oportunidades y al desarrollo comercial que brinda el comercio móvil. Se utilizó una muestra no probabilística de 90 pequeñas y medianas empresas. Se diseñó y aplicó un cuestionario compuesto por 30 preguntas acerca del uso de la tecnología móvil y el comercio móvil, con el apoyo de la observación de sus sitios web en dispositivos móviles. Los resultados obtenidos se presentan en dos aspectos: a) la descripción de la situación de las pequeñas y medianas empresas en cuanto a la utilización actual de la tecnología móvil y el comercio móvil: qué tipo de tecnología utilizan en sus sitios web, aplicaciones para móviles, medios de pago electrónico, marketing en la web, y aprovechamiento de las redes sociales y b) las directrices presentadas en 16 objetivos con sus respectivos indicadores, tanto en infraestructura (sitios web, aplicaciones, medios de pago, comunicación de datos, formación o capacitación). Todo lo que permite encaminar la implementación y mejor utilización de la tecnología móvil y el comercio móvil, para aprovechar las oportunidades de desarrollo comercial. Se describieron las pequeñas y medianas empresas analizadas y la limitada utilización de la tecnología móvil, especialmente, por el software, lo que está relacionado a escasos resultados en el comercio móvil y poco aprovechamiento de las oportunidades que brinda el comercio móvil para el desarrollo comercial de este tipo de empresas.
La legislación ecuatoriana y su rol en la prevención, detección y erradicación del lavado de activos
Authors: Valencia Balladares Irene
Published: January 2017

La terminología lavado de activos ha sido utilizada durante muchas décadas por entidades públicas, como la Policía Nacional, Ministerio del Interior y demás organismos involucrados en su lucha, cuyo propósito es erradicar este mal que aqueja a la sociedad ecuatoriana y que tuvo mayor repunte en la última década. Actualmente, Ecuador es considerado como un país de tránsito de drogas y todo tipo de sustancias psicotrópicas, razón por la cual han suscitado diversos casos de lavados de activos, motivo que justifica el rol de organismos competentes que conforman el CONCLA, a fin de detectar, prevenir y erradicar el desarrollo de esta práctica en territorio nacional. Bajo este contexto el presente artículo, sirve como un punto de partida para entender qué es el lavado de activos, cómo se manifiesta, quiénes lo regulan y qué sanciones se plantean para sus involucrados, con el objetivo de ir frenando de a poco esta práctica delictiva y asegurar el bienestar de los ciudadanos.
Elaboración de jamón cocido de pato criollo (Cairina moschata) bajo en grasa
Authors: Velásquez Rivera Jorge Ruperto , Roca Argüelles Manuel , Díaz Torres Raúl
Published: January 2017

Se elaboraron 16 formulaciones de jamón cocido de pato, las que fueron definidas a partir del empleo del programa Design Expert, utilizando restricciones para los contenidos de carne, antioxidantes y harina de subproductos de palmito. Durante el proceso de optimización quedó demostrado que la incorporación de harina de subproductos de palmito solo es posible a niveles inferiores al 0,5%, lo que significa un incremento poco significativo del contenido de fibra y que los niveles de antioxidantes no deben exceder de 0,1%. A partir de estos resultados, se elaboraron varias fórmulas de jamón cocido de pato conteniendo salvado de arroz. Se demostró que es posible elaborar fórmulas de jamón a base de carne de pato, con un 3% de salvado de arroz, con características físico- químicas y sanitarias que cumplen con la legislación vigente, que poseen características sensoriales aceptables por los consumidores y que pueden ser comercializadas hasta al menos 28 días después de su elaboración.
Ciencia y Tecnología en la formación del profesional
Authors: Rojo González Miguel
Published: January 2017

El autor hace un breve recuento del proceso de surgimiento de las profesiones tal como las conocemos hoy y de los factores endógenos y exógenos que lo hicieron posible derivando del mismo el estrecho vínculo del conocimiento científico y el tecnológico en el saber profesional, y las consecuencias que esto tiene para la formación del profesional. Nos habla entonces de la formación del pensamiento “científico-tecnológico” del profesional que es un problema de singular importancia y de largo alcance cuyo tratamiento exhaustivo excede los límites de este artículo, por lo que se limita a formularlo y ofrecer recomendaciones  para la actividad docente.
Determinación de las propiedades mecánicas de la caña Guadua Angustifolia del Ecuador cuando está sometida a fuerzas axiales
Authors: La Tegola Antonio , Yépez Roca Luis Octavio , Mera Ortíz Walter Vicente , Córdova Alcívar Pedro
Published: January 2017

El objetivo de este trabajo de investigación es la determinación de las propiedades mecánicas de la caña Guadua Angustifolia Kunth de Ecuador, y a través de la metodología experimental determinar los valores de la resistencia a la compresión, a la tracción y su módulo de elasticidad. Se realizaron ensayos estructurales a muestras de caña Guadua obtenidas de plantaciones de Valencia, provincia de Los Ríos, Ecuador para dar un soporte ingenieril y científico a este trabajo. Las muestras fueron sometidas a ensayos de compresión y tracción. La metodología cuantitativa dio base al trabajo empírico de la investigación, para el cual se determinaron cuatro variables independientes que fueron ajustadas a través de la revisión bibliográfica. La metodología de diseño se basó en la mecánica estructural y la norma ISO 22157. El conjunto de las variables será explicado a través del estudio de la información estadística. Los resultados de los ensayos permitieron determinar los valores característicos de las variables de estudio, con los cuales se pueden diseñar y construir estructuras de caña Guadua seguras. Con estos resultados se espera aportar a la creación de la nueva norma ecuatoriana de construcción y diseño estructural de bambú.
Fecundidad, ¿Decisión absoluta de la mujer activa?
Authors: Guzmán Barquet Eduardo , Salazar Raymond María Belén
Published: January 2017

En esta investigación se estudia la relación que existe entre la inserción de la mujer en el mercado como ente activo (ya sea obteniendo una profesión mediante la realización de estudios universitarios, o desarrollando una actividad laboral dependiente o independiente) y la decisión de tener menos hijos. Esta relación supuesta hasta el momento, es especialmente notable en los países más desarrollados, en donde la inclusión de la mujer al mercado empezó mucho tiempo atrás. Esta investigación se realiza con datos obtenidos del Banco Mundial con un rango de 19 años. El trabajo se desarrolla a través de la epistemología popperiana y se basa en la comprobación de la hipótesis plasmada a partir de la pregunta de investigación.
The Effect of Mupirocin- and Fusidic Acid-nasal Packings, Placed after Septoplasty, on the Nasal Bacterial Profile
Authors: Bilici Suat , Durna Yusuf Muhammed , Yigit Ozgur , Karatas Aysel , Cimen Cansu , Fincanci Muzaffer , Gökduman Ali Riza
Published: January 2017

Aim

To examine the effects, after septoplasty, of local antibiotic pomades as an alternative to prophylactic antibiotic use, which is a controversial matter among the otolaryngologists, on nasal flora and bacterial growth.

Material and Method

Nasal packings placed after septoplasty surgery to provide septal stabilization and bleeding control pose a risk in terms of infection. In this study, 106 patients, who were examined by comparing mupirocin- and fusidic acid-soaked packings and antibiotic-free packings, were divided into three groups. Nasal cultures were obtained from each patient twice, before the surgery and on the second day immediately after the packings were removed, and the culture results were statistically compared.

Results

In the mupirocin group (group 2), postoperative normal flora growth rate was significantly higher than in the fusidic acid group (group 3) and the antibiotic-free group (group 1) (p < 0.024). In the mupirocin group (group 2), the gram-positive growth rate in the postoperative period showed a significant decrease when compared when the preoperative period (p < 0.05) (5.7%). In the fusidic acid group (group 3), the postoperative gram-positive rate showed a significant decrease compared with the preoperative period (p < 0.05). In group 2, the postoperative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus rate showed a significant decrease than in the preoperative period (2.9%) (p < 0.05). Similarly, in group 3, the postoperative methicillin-resistant S. aureus rate showed a significant decrease compared with that of the preoperative period (11.1%) (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Use of mupirocin- and fusidic acid-soaked nasal packings after septoplasty significantly decreased, especially, postoperative gram-positive bacterial growth in nasal cultures. Although systemic antibiotherapy was not administered, the lack of local and systemic infection findings was an important result that we obtained in terms of clinical use. Usage advantages of mupirocin and fusidic acid soaked packings are an easily applicable, cost-effective, and safe method.
(Life) Science Funding in Switzerland (2)§
Authors: Dell'Ambrogio Mauro
Published: January 2017

In comparison with other European countries, Switzerland is very well positioned in terms of research funding and output thanks to a large part to the approx. 7 billion CHF annually with which the Swiss Federal Government funds education, research and innovation.
The Swiss Society of Experimental Pharmacology in Times of Change
Authors: Weitz-Schmidt Gabriele , Rüegg Urs
Published: January 2017

Experimental pharmacology is undergoing fundamental changes. This article describes the challenges and opportunities associated with these changes from the perspective of the Swiss Society of Pharmacology (SSEP), the society which aims to advance experimental pharmacology in Switzerland and abroad.
Swiss Light Microscopy Facilities: A Success Story for the last Fifteen Years
Authors: Bauer Christoph R.
Published: January 2017

Core light microscopy facilities have been established at most major Swiss universities and research institutes. Their modern and technically diverse equipment is primarily dedicated to in-house users, but opens increasingly to externals from other academic institutions as well as from
the private sector. A recent survey of Swiss light microscopy facility managers enabled an analysis of the challenges involved in the running of such facilities and highlighted their scientific and economic impact within thier home institutions and beyond.
On-line Monitoring and Control of Fed-batch Fermentations in Winemaking
Authors: Dabros Michal , Genasci Giorgio , Blanchard Lucien , Unterhofer Samuel , Vorlet Olivier , Heidinger Ramón Mira de Orduña , Bourgeois Jean-Pascal
Published: January 2017

The fermentation of yeast in fed-batch mode shows great potential in winemaking because it allows the concentration of sugars to be kept low and constant throughout the process which, in turn, reduces cell stress and leads to a significant decrease in the production of unwanted secondary
metabolites. The implementation of this technique requires reliable on-line analysis of sugar and a robust control strategy to maintain sugar concentrations at defined levels over the course of the fermentation. In this study, a laboratory-scale setup was used to implement and assess a fully
automated fed-batch fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in grape must. Total sugar levels were monitored in-line by FT-MIR ATR spectroscopy and kept constant at 50 g/kg by a modified PI controller regulating the must feed flow rate. Good setpoint tracking and disturbance rejection
were achieved in fermentations of up to four days despite occasional yeast sedimentation on the ATR crystal. The controller parameter adaptation strategy needs to be optimized for longer fermentations.
Structural anisotropy in equal-channel angular extruded nickel revealed by dilatometric study of excess volume
Authors: Kotzurek Jaromir Anatol , Sprengel Wolfgang , Krystian Maciej , Simic Sanja , Pölt Peter , Hohenwarter Anton , Pippan Reinhard , Würschum Roland
Published: January 2017

Structural anisotropy and excess volume in ultra-fine grained high-purity nickel prepared by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) is studied by means of dilatometry and compared with the processing route of high-pressure torsion. Both routes exhibit qualitatively similar three-stage behavior in length change upon defect annealing with a characteristic dependence on the measuring direction related to the deformation axes. Taking into account shape anisotropy of the crystallites, the length change in various directions can be quantitatively analyzed yielding direct access to the concentration of deformation-induced lattice vacancies, the vacancy relaxation, and the grain boundary expansion. The routes A12 and BC12 of ECAP are compared.
Animal Ethics and India: Understanding the Connection through the Capabilities Approach
Authors: Chakraborty Rhyddhi
Published: January 2017

This paper, unveiling the visionary short-sightedness of animal protection, argues for a just vision towards animals in India. Critically analysing the wide range of animal protections in India, the paper finds that in spite of such protections, animals continue to suffer out of unfair and unjust treatments in the country. Considering visionary short-sightedness as the reason behind these unfair and unjust treatments, the paper argues that ensuring the rights of non-human animals to basic capabilities is a fundamental and just vision towards delivering ethical and just actions towards animals. For this, the paper grounds itself on the theoretical foundation of the capabilities approach and makes some policy-level recommendations to protect animals in India.
Justice and Non-Human Animals - Part II
Authors: Attfield Robin , Humphreys Rebekah
Published: January 2017

It is widely held that moral obligations to non-human beings do not involve considerations of justice. For such a view, nonhuman interests are always prone to be trumped by human interests. Rawlsian contractarianism comprises an example of such a view. Through analysis of such theories, this essay highlights the problem of reconciling the claim that humans have obligations to non-humans with the claim that our treatment of the latter is not a matter of justice. We argue that if it is granted that the basic interests of non-human beings sometimes count for more than the peripheral interests of humans, then our understandings of obligation and of justice must be aligned, so that what we say about obligation is not countered by assumptions about the invariable priority of humans in matters of justice. We further consider whether such a conclusion can be endorsed by those who adopt certain alternative theories to contractarianism. We conclude that adherents of a range of theories including sentientism and biocentrism must accept that human interests can sometimes be superseded by animal interests, and that this applies not least in matters of justice.
Factors influencing automatic segmental alignment of sociophonetic corpora
Authors: Fromont Robert , Watson Kevin
Published: January 2017

Automatically time-aligning utterances at the segmental level is increasingly common practice in phonetic and sociophonetic work because of the obvious benefits it brings in allowing the efficient scaling up of the amount of speech data that can be analysed. The field is arriving at a set of recommended practices for improving alignment accuracy, but methodological differences across studies (e.g., the use of different languages and different measures of accuracy) often mean that direct comparison of the factors which facilitate or hinder alignment can be difficult. In this paper, following a review of the state of the art in automatic segmental alignment, we test the effects of a number of factors on its accuracy. Namely, we test the effects of: (1) the presence or absence of pause markers in the training data, (2) the presence of overlapping speech or other noise, (3) using training data from single or multiple speakers, (4) using different sampling rates, (5) using pre-trained acoustic models versus models trained ‘from scratch’, and (6) using different amounts of training data. For each test, we examine three different varieties of English, from New Zealand, the USA and the UK. The paper concludes with some recommendations for automatic segmental alignment in general.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Animals in 2016
Authors:   Animals Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Animals would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Antioxidants in 2016
Authors:   Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Antioxidants would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Performance Evaluation of Well-Insulated Versions of Contemporary Wall Systems—A Case Study of London for a Warmer Climate
Authors: Sajjadian Seyed
Published: January 2017

Climate change and its consequences are of a great concern and the likely increasing temperature would add more dilemmas for the choice of passive design options. The performance of building envelopes is one of the key determinants of energy use and thermal comfort. This research presents an evaluation of commonly used construction systems (lightweight and heavyweight) with different levels of thermal mass. The performance of different construction combinations is quantified on the basis of their impact on thermal comfort and energy consumption for current and future time slices in London, UK where climate change impact is expected to be extreme. A flat model is examined as a case study to model the performance of the construction systems with low, medium and high level of thermal mass. The dynamic thermal simulation software used was DesignBuilder, which employs EnergyPlus as its calculation engine. In essence, this study establishes a new approach for assessing the performance of well-insulated contemporary construction systems on the basis of overall annual thermal comfort hours and energy consumption. Results indicate limited advantage of heavyweight construction systems in a changing climate.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Challenges in 2016
Authors:   Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Challenges would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Design and Optimization of an Inductively Coupled Power Transfer System for the Underwater Sensors of Ocean Buoys
Authors: Fang Cheng , Li Xingfei , Xie Ziming , Xu Jiayi , Xiao Linling
Published: January 2017

Batteries are commonly used as the power source of present underwater sensors of ocean buoys. However, batteries need to be frequently replaced, which is costly. To implement the real-time power supply for a buoy’s underwater sensor, a new inductively coupled power transfer (ICPT) system that consists of two couplers and a closed cable is proposed in this paper. The special closed cable, which is the both mooring cable and transmission media, is designed to diminish the influence of changes on impedance. A model of the particular ICPT system is established. Optimization of system parameters are carried out based on the model and verified by means of the simulations. Resonant compensation is used to improve the power transfer performance. Finally, many experiments are implemented to compare with the original prototype. It is confirmed that this system can help solve the difficulty of the energy limit to a buoy’s underwater sensor.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Forests in 2016
Authors:   Forests Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Forests would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Socio-Environmental and Hematological Profile of Landfill Residents (São Jorge Landfill–Sao Paulo, Brazil)
Authors: Palmeira Wanderley Vivianni , Affonso Fonseca Fernando , Vala Quiaios André , Nuno Domingues José , Paixão Susana , Figueiredo João , Ferreira Ana , De Almeida Pinto Cleonice , Da Silva Odair , Alvarenga Rogério , Machi Junior Amaury , Luiz Savóia Eriane , Daminello Raimundo Rodrigo
Published: January 2017

We are experiencing an unprecedented urbanization process that, alongside physical, social and economic developments, has been having a significant impact on a population’s health. Due to the increase in pollution, violence and poverty, our modern cities no longer ensure a good quality of life so they become unhealthy environments. This study aims to assess the effect of social, environmental and economic factors on the hematologic profile of residents of Santo André’s landfill. In particular, we will assess the effect of social, economic, and environmental factors on current and potential disease markers obtained from hematological tests. The research method is the observational type, from a retrospective cohort, and by convenience sampling in Santo André in the Greater ABC (municipalities of Santo André, São Bernardo do Campo and São Caetano do Sul, southeast part of the Greater São Paulo Metropolitan Area, Brazil). The study determined a socio-environmental profile and the hematologic diseases screening related to a close location to the landfill. The disease manifests itself within a broad spectrum of symptoms that causes changes in blood count parameters. The objective of this work is to show that there is an association between social, environmental and economic factors and a variety of serious disease outcomes that may be detected from blood screening. A causal study of the effect of living near the landfill on these disease outcomes would be a very expensive and time-consuming study. This work we believe is sufficient for public health officials to consider policy and attempt remediation of the effects of living near a landfill.
Fuzzy GML Modeling Based on Vague Soft Sets
Authors: Wei Bo , Xie Qingqing , Meng Yuanyuan , Zou Yao
Published: January 2017

The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) Geography Markup Language (GML) explicitly represents geographical spatial knowledge in text mode. All kinds of fuzzy problems will inevitably be encountered in spatial knowledge expression. Especially for those expressions in text mode, this fuzziness will be broader. Describing and representing fuzziness in GML seems necessary. Three kinds of fuzziness in GML can be found: element fuzziness, chain fuzziness, and attribute fuzziness. Both element fuzziness and chain fuzziness belong to the reflection of the fuzziness between GML elements and, then, the representation of chain fuzziness can be replaced by the representation of element fuzziness in GML. On the basis of vague soft set theory, two kinds of modeling, vague soft set GML Document Type Definition (DTD) modeling and vague soft set GML schema modeling, are proposed for fuzzy modeling in GML DTD and GML schema, respectively. Five elements or pairs, associated with vague soft sets, are introduced. Then, the DTDs and the schemas of the five elements are correspondingly designed and presented according to their different chains and different fuzzy data types. While the introduction of the five elements or pairs is the basis of vague soft set GML modeling, the corresponding DTD and schema modifications are key for implementation of modeling. The establishment of vague soft set GML enables GML to represent fuzziness and solves the problem of lack of fuzzy information expression in GML.
Antidiabetic, Lipid Normalizing, and Nephroprotective Actions of the Strawberry: A Potent Supplementary Fruit
Authors: Mandave Pallavi , Khadke Suresh , Karandikar Manjiri , Pandit Vijaya , Ranjekar Prabhakar , Kuvalekar Aniket , Mantri Nitin
Published: January 2017

The study was designed to assess the effect of different strawberry extracts on glucose levels, lipid profiles, and oxidative stress in nicotinamide-streptozotocin (NIC-STZ) induced diabetic rats. The associated changes were evaluated through biochemical, molecular, and histological assays. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ to albino Wistar rats after treatment with nicotinamide. Aqueous, hydroalcoholic, and alcoholic strawberry extracts were administrated orally to diabetic rats. Treatment of strawberry extracts improved lipid profile, liver function, and serum creatinine and led to a significant increase in antioxidant status in diabetic rats. Real-time PCR expression analysis of genes from the liver of animals treated with strawberry extracts exhibited downregulation of several fatty acid synthesis genes, transcription factors, such as Sterol regulatory Element Binding Transcription factor (SREBP) and Nuclear Factor-κβ (NF-κβ), and inflammatory markers, like Interleukin 6 (IL6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α). Strawberry extracts also upregulated liver Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor-γ (PPAR-γ). Histological examination confirmed the nephroprotective and β-cell regeneration/protection effects of strawberry extracts. The present study demonstrates several beneficial effects of strawberry extracts along with its probable mechanism of action.
Perioperative Search for Circulating Tumor Cells in Patients Undergoing Prostate Brachytherapy for Clinically Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer
Authors: Tsumura Hideyasu , Satoh Takefumi , Ishiyama Hiromichi , Tabata Ken-ichi , Takenaka Kouji , Sekiguchi Akane , Nakamura Masaki , Kitano Masashi , Hayakawa Kazushige , Iwamura Masatsugu
Published: January 2017

Despite the absence of local prostate cancer recurrence, some patients develop distant metastases after prostate brachytherapy. We evaluate whether prostate brachytherapy procedures have a potential risk for hematogenous spillage of prostate cancer cells. Fifty-nine patients who were undergoing high-dose-rate (HDR) or low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy participated in this prospective study. Thirty patients with high-risk or locally advanced cancer were treated with HDR brachytherapy after neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Twenty-nine patients with clinically localized cancer were treated with LDR brachytherapy without neoadjuvant ADT. Samples of peripheral blood were drawn in the operating room before insertion of needles (preoperative) and again immediately after the surgical manipulation (intraoperative). Blood samples of 7.5 mL were analyzed for circulating tumor cells (CTCs) using the CellSearch System. While no preoperative samples showed CTCs (0%), they were detected in intraoperative samples in 7 of the 59 patients (11.8%; preoperative vs. intraoperative, p = 0.012). Positive CTC status did not correlate with perioperative variables, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA) at diagnosis, use of neoadjuvant ADT, type of brachytherapy, Gleason score, and biopsy positive core rate. We detected CTCs from samples immediately after the surgical manipulation. Further study is needed to evaluate whether those CTCs actually can survive and proliferate at distant sites.
Zinc as a Signal to Stimulate Red Blood Cell Formation in Fish
Authors: Chen Yen-Hua , Shiu Jhe-Ruei , Ho Chia-Ling , Jeng Sen-Shyong
Published: January 2017

The common carp can tolerate extremely low oxygen levels. These fish store zinc in a specific zinc-binding protein presented in digestive tract tissues, and under low oxygen, the stored zinc is released and used as a signal to stimulate erythropoiesis (red blood cell formation). To determine whether the environmental supply of zinc to other fish species can serve as a signal to induce erythropoiesis as in the common carp, head kidney cells of four different fish species were cultured with supplemental ZnCl2. Zinc stimulated approximately a three-fold increase in immature red blood cells (RBCs) in one day. The stimulation of erythropoiesis by zinc was dose-dependent. ZnSO4 solution was injected into an experimental blood loss tilapia model. Blood analysis and microscopic observation of the blood cells indicated that, in vivo, the presence of additional zinc induced erythropoiesis in the bled tilapia. In the fish species studied, zinc could be used as a signal to stimulate erythropoiesis both in vitro and in vivo. The present report suggests a possible approach for the induction of red blood cell formation in animals through the supply of a certain level of zinc through either diet or injection.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Information in 2016
Authors:   Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Information would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Journal of Imaging in 2016
Authors:   J. Imaging Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Journal of Imaging would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Preparation, Characterization and Thermo-Chromic Properties of EVA/VO2 Laminate Films for Smart Window Applications and Energy Efficiency in Building
Authors: Srirodpai Onruthai , Wootthikanokkhan Jatuphorn , Nawalertpanya Saiwan , Yuwawech Kitti , Meeyoo Vissanu
Published: January 2017

Thermochromic films based on vanadium dioxide (VO2)/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) composite were developed. The monoclinic VO2 particles was firstly prepared via hydrothermal and calcination processes. The effects of hydrothermal time and tungsten doping agent on crystal structure and morphology of the calcined metal oxides were reported. After that, 1 wt % of the prepared VO2 powder was mixed with EVA compound, using two different mixing processes. It was found that mechanical properties of the EVA/VO2 films prepared by the melt process were superior to those of which prepared by the solution process. On the other hand, percentage visible light transmittance of the solution casted EVA/VO2 film was greater than that of the melt processed composite film. This was related to the different gel content of EVA rubber and state of dispersion and distribution of VO2 within the polymer matrix phase. Thermochromic behaviors and heat reflectance of the EVA/VO2 film were also verified. In overall, this study demonstrated that it was possible to develop a thermochromic film using the polymer composite approach. In this regard, the mixing condition was found to be one of the most important factors affecting morphology and thermo-mechanical properties of the films.
Microhardness and In Vitro Corrosion of Heat-Treated Mg–Y–Ag Biodegradable Alloy
Authors: Vlček Marián , Lukáč František , Kudrnová Hana , Smola Bohumil , Stulíková Ivana , Luczak Monika , Szakács Gábor , Hort Norbert , Willumeit-Römer Regine
Published: January 2017

Magnesium alloys are promising candidates for biodegradable medical implants which reduce the necessity of second surgery to remove the implants. Yttrium in solid solution is an attractive alloying element because it improves mechanical properties and exhibits suitable corrosion properties. Silver was shown to have an antibacterial effect and can also enhance the mechanical properties of magnesium alloys. Measurements of microhardness and electrical resistivity were used to study the response of Mg–4Y and Mg–4Y–1Ag alloys to isochronal or isothermal heat treatments. Hardening response and electrical resistivity annealing curves in these alloys were compared in order to investigate the effect of silver addition. Procedures for solid solution annealing and artificial aging of the Mg–4Y–1Ag alloy were developed. The corrosion rate of the as-cast and heat-treated Mg–4Y–1Ag alloy was measured by the mass loss method. It was found out that solid solution heat treatment, as well artificial aging to peak hardness, lead to substantial improvement in the corrosion properties of the Mg–4Y–1Ag alloy.
The Adsorption Capacity of GONs/CMC/Fe3O4 Magnetic Composite Microspheres and Applications for Purifying Dye Wastewater
Authors: Lv Shenghua , Zhu Linlin , Li Ying , Jia Chunmao , Sun Shiyu
Published: January 2017

Graphene oxide nanosheets (GONs)/carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC)/Fe3O4 magnetic composite microspheres (MCMs) were prepared by enclosing Fe3O4 particles with CMC and GONs in turn. The microstructures of GONs and GONs/CMC/Fe3O4 MCMs were characterized by FTIR, XRD, TEM, and SEM. The effects of GON content, pH value, and adsorption time on the adsorption capacity of the MCMs were investigated. The results show that the GONs/CMC/Fe3O4 MCMs have a greater specific surface area and a strong adsorption capacity for dye wastewater. Meanwhile, the adsorption mechanism was investigated, and the results accorded with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Freundlich isotherm model. The search results indicate that GONs/CMC/Fe3O4 MCMs can be used to purify dye wastewater and has an important potential use in the practical purification of dye wastewater.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Medicines in 2016
Authors:   Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Medicines would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Metabolites in 2016
Authors:   Metabolites Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Metabolites would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016. [...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Minerals in 2016
Authors:   Minerals Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Minerals would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
A High Rate of Non-Compliance Confounds the Study of Whole Grains and Weight Maintenance in a Randomised Intervention Trial—The Case for Greater Use of Dietary Biomarkers in Nutrition Intervention Studies
Authors: Kristensen Mette , Pelletier Xavier , Ross Alastair , Thielecke Frank
Published: January 2017

Observational studies consistently find an inverse relationship between whole-grain intake and weight gain. We aimed to confirm this in an open-label researcher-blinded parallel design randomised trial. A total of 179 overweight/obese women with a habitually low whole-grain intake (<16 g/day) were randomised to a weight maintenance diet with refined-grain (RG) or whole-grain (WG) foods (80 g/day) for 12 weeks after an initial weight loss program over 8 weeks. Body weight and composition was assessed at baseline, after the initial weight loss, and after the 12-week dietary intervention. During the 12-week dietary intervention phase, there were no group differences in changes in body weight and total fat mass %, whereas abdominal fat mass tended to increase more during the dietary intervention phase in the WG compared to the RG group (0.7 (SD 3.6) vs. −0.3 (SD 3.8) %; p = 0.052). Plasma alkylresorcinol concentrations, biomarkers of wholegrain wheat and rye intake, indicated poor compliance, particularly in the WG group, where >60% of participants had alkylresorcinol concentrations below 70 nmol/L, a concentration indicating low or no intake of whole-grain wheat. Further, weight regain was lower than expected in both intervention groups, further supporting a lack of compliance to the post-weight-loss diet. The rate of compliance was too low to conclude any effect of whole grain on weight maintenance, and reinforces the need to use objective measures of compliance in nutrition intervention studies.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Processes in 2016
Authors:   Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Processes would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Robotics in 2016
Authors:   Robotics Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Robotics would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Epipolar Resampling of Cross-Track Pushbroom Satellite Imagery Using the Rigorous Sensor Model
Authors: Jannati Mojtaba , Valadan Zoej Mohammad , Mokhtarzade Mehdi
Published: January 2017

Epipolar resampling aims to eliminate the vertical parallax of stereo images. Due to the dynamic nature of the exterior orientation parameters of linear pushbroom satellite imagery and the complexity of reconstructing the epipolar geometry using rigorous sensor models, so far, no epipolar resampling approach has been proposed based on these models. In this paper for the first time it is shown that the orientation of the instantaneous baseline (IB) of conjugate image points (CIPs) in the linear pushbroom satellite imagery can be modeled with high precision in terms of the rows- and the columns-number of CIPs. Taking advantage of this feature, a novel approach is then presented for epipolar resampling of cross-track linear pushbroom satellite imagery. The proposed method is based on the rigorous sensor model. As the instantaneous position of sensors remains fixed, the digital elevation model of the area of interest is not required in the resampling process. Experimental results obtained from two pairs of SPOT and one pair of RapidEye stereo imagery with different terrain conditions shows that the proposed epipolar resampling approach benefits from a superior accuracy, as the remained vertical parallaxes of all CIPs in the normalized images are close to zero.
Multibeam Interferometer Using a Photonic Crystal Fiber with Two Asymmetric Cores for Torsion, Strain and Temperature Sensing
Authors: Naeem Khurram , Kwon Il-Bum , Chung Youngjoo
Published: January 2017

We present a fiber-optic multibeam Mach-Zehnder interferometer (m-MZI) for simultaneous multi-parameter measurement. The m-MZI is comprised of a section of photonic crystal fiber integrated with two independent cores of distinct construction and birefringence properties characterized for torsion, strain and temperature sensing. Due to the presence of small core geometry and use of a short fiber length, the sensing device demonstrates inter-modal interference in the small core alongside the dominant inter-core interference between the cores for each of the orthogonal polarizations. The output spectrum of the device is characterized by the three-beam interference model and is polarization-dependent. The two types of interferometers present in the fiber m-MZI exhibit distinct sensitivities to torsion, strain and temperature for different polarizations, and matrix coefficients allowing simultaneous measurement of the three sensing parameters are proposed in experiment.
Evaluation of the Performance of the Distributed Phased-MIMO Sonar
Authors: Pan Xiang , Jiang Jingning , Wang Nan
Published: January 2017

A broadband signal model is proposed for a distributed multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) sonar system consisting of two transmitters and a receiving linear array. Transmitters are widely separated to illuminate the different aspects of an extended target of interest. The beamforming technique is utilized at the reception ends for enhancement of weak target echoes. A MIMO detector is designed with the estimated target position parameters within the general likelihood rate test (GLRT) framework. For the high signal-to-noise ratio case, the detection performance of the MIMO system is better than that of the phased-array system in the numerical simulations and the tank experiments. The robustness of the distributed phased-MIMO sonar system is further demonstrated in localization of a target in at-lake experiments.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Separations in 2016
Authors:   Separations Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Separations would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Mapping Interests by Stakeholders’ Subjectivities toward Ecotourism Resources: The Case of Seocheon-Gun, Korea
Authors: Lee Jae-hyuck , Kim Sung-hoon , Kwon Hyuk-soo
Published: January 2017

Ecotourism spatial planning requires the balance of both development and conservation. Through environmental data analysis, many researchers have suggested spatial planning that falls between these two polarizing concepts. Nonetheless, ecotourism development has been criticized as inconsiderate of places that are precious to local residents. The purpose of this study is to map local stakeholders’ perspectives for collaborative planning based on interests regarding ecotourism. Q methodology was used to analyse interest in space and conduct mapping. Upon analysis of a Seocheon ecotourism site, four preference factors that focus on (i) large-scale ecotourism resources and facilities; (ii) mud-flat ecotour villages; (iii) inland agricultural ecotour villages; and (iv) traditional ecotour villages were identified. Additionally, there was a consensus to conserve the harbours and reservoirs actually used by residents. However, there were differing opinions about coastal region development, and thus design alternatives are required. These results are significant because they enable spatial planning by theme and consider the lives of local residents beyond spatial planning based on physical data.
An Occupational Disease Assessment of the Mining Industry’s Occupational Health and Safety Management System Based on FMEA and an Improved AHP Model
Authors: Bao Jiangdong , Johansson Jan , Zhang Jingdong
Published: January 2017

In order to effectively analyze, control, and prevent occupational health risk and ensure the reliability of the weight, a method based on FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis) and an improved AHP (analytic hierarchy process) model was established. The occupational disease of the occupational health and safety management system (OHSAS18001) of the mining industry in the southwest of Hubei Province is taken as an example, the three most significant risk factors (dust, noise, and gas) are selected as the research objects, the FMEA method is used, an expert questionnaire is carried out to establish the comprehensive assessment matrix of each indicator according to the RPN (risk priority number) value, and, finally, a case study is conducted through the FMEA and the improved AHP model The results show that the occupational disease of the mining industry’s occupational health and safety management system belongs to a “general” grade, which is in line with the physical examination results of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Ezhou City in 2015. The improved AHP and FMEA comprehensive assessment model of occupational disease is proved feasible. This method can be incorporated in the process management of the enterprise for the purpose of occupational disease prevention in advance and continuous improvement on the occupational health and safety of employees. Additionally, the area research on this integrated model should be optimized continually in actual situations.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Toxins in 2016
Authors:   Toxins Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Toxins would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Evaluation of the Oh, Dubois and IEM Backscatter Models Using a Large Dataset of SAR Data and Experimental Soil Measurements
Authors: Choker Mohammad , Baghdadi Nicolas , Zribi Mehrez , El Hajj Mohammad , Paloscia Simonetta , Verhoest Niko , Lievens Hans , Mattia Francesco
Published: January 2017

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the most used radar backscattering models (Integral Equation Model “IEM”, Oh, Dubois, and Advanced Integral Equation Model “AIEM”) using a wide dataset of SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) data and experimental soil measurements. These forward models reproduce the radar backscattering coefficients ( σ 0 ) from soil surface characteristics (dielectric constant, roughness) and SAR sensor parameters (radar wavelength, incidence angle, polarization). The analysis dataset is composed of AIRSAR, SIR-C, JERS-1, PALSAR-1, ESAR, ERS, RADARSAT, ASAR and TerraSAR-X data and in situ measurements (soil moisture and surface roughness). Results show that Oh model version developed in 1992 gives the best fitting of the backscattering coefficients in HH and VV polarizations with RMSE values of 2.6 dB and 2.4 dB, respectively. Simulations performed with the Dubois model show a poor correlation between real data and model simulations in HH polarization (RMSE = 4.0 dB) and better correlation with real data in VV polarization (RMSE = 2.9 dB). The IEM and the AIEM simulate the backscattering coefficient with high RMSE when using a Gaussian correlation function. However, better simulations are performed with IEM and AIEM by using an exponential correlation function (slightly better fitting with AIEM than IEM). Good agreement was found between the radar data and the simulations using the calibrated version of the IEM modified by Baghdadi (IEM_B) with bias less than 1.0 dB and RMSE less than 2.0 dB. These results confirm that, up to date, the IEM modified by Baghdadi (IEM_B) is the most adequate to estimate soil moisture and roughness from SAR data.
Repeated Fish Removal to Restore Lakes: Case Study of Lake Væng, Denmark—Two Biomanipulations during 30 Years of Monitoring
Authors: Søndergaard Martin , Lauridsen Torben , Johansson Liselotte , Jeppesen Erik
Published: January 2017

Biomanipulation by fish removal has been used in many shallow lakes as a method to improve lake water quality. Here, we present and analyse 30 years of chemical and biological data from the shallow and 16 ha large Lake Væng, Denmark, which has been biomanipulated twice with a 20-year interval by removing roach (Rutilus rutilus) and bream (Abramis brama). After both biomanipulations, Lake Væng shifted from a turbid, phytoplankton-dominated state to a clear, water macrophyte-dominated state. Chlorophyll a was reduced from 60–80 μg·L−1 to 10–30 μg·L−1 and the coverage of submerged macrophytes, dominated by Elodea canadensis, increased from <0.1% to 70%–80%. Mean summer total phosphorus was reduced from about 0.12 to 0.07 mg·L−1 and total nitrogen decreased from 1.0 to 0.4 mg·L−1. On a seasonal scale, phosphorus and chlorophyll concentrations changed from a summer maximum during turbid conditions to a winter maximum under clear conditions. The future of Lake Væng is uncertain and a relatively high phosphorus loading via the groundwater, and the accumulation of a mobile P pool in the sediment make it likely that the lake eventually will return to turbid conditions. Repeated fish removals might be a relevant management strategy to apply in shallow lakes with a relatively high external nutrient loading.