bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing consumer preferences and willingness to pay for organic tomatoes in Albania: a conjoint choice experiment study
Authors: Skreli Engjell , Imami Drini , Chan Catherine , Canavari Maurizio , Zhllima Edvin , Pire Ergent
Published: June 2017

Albania has potential for developing the organic agriculture sector; however, it is a new industry and constraints abound including lack of consumer preferences information for organic food. Knowledge on consumer preferences and behaviour toward organic (bio) products is crucial for market development benefiting potential entrepreneurs and government policies. They need to know the preference for preferred product attributes and willingness to pay. Tomato, which is the most important vegetable in terms of consumption and production in Albania, is the subject of this study. A conjoint choice experiment with the most important product attributes: production type (bio vs. conventional), production system (open field vs. greenhouse), origin and price were used to design the choice surveys. Four distinct classes have been identified as significant using latent class analysis. The classes are summarized as: bio-ready consumers, price sensitive consumers, variety seeking consumers and quality seeking consumers. Origin played a small influence on preference. Education and income did show some influence on preference for organic tomatoes. Although the organic food market in Albania is in its infancy stage, organic tomatoes are clearly preferred and many consumers are willing to pay a premium price.
Influence of the sowing depth and amount of sugarcane straw on the emergence of Chloris polydactyla and Eleusine indica and their control by herbicides applied pre-emergence
Authors: Malardo Marcelo Rafael , Monquero Patrícia Andrea , Santos Paulo Henrique Vieira dos , Ribeiro Nagilla Moraes , Silva Paulo Vinicius da , Hirata Andreia Cristina da Silva
Published: June 2017

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the sowing depth and amount of sugarcane straw on the soil on the emergence of Chloris polydactyla (‘capim-branco’) and Eleusine indica (Indian goosegrass) and to determine the efficacy of herbicides applied pre-emergence in the control of these species under different straw amount and rainfall regime conditions. The experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications. In the first experiment, the effects of six sowing depths (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 10 cm) and six sugarcane straw amounts (0, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 10 t ha -1) were assessed on the emergence of Indian goosegrass and ‘capim-branco’ in a 6 x 6 factorial arrangement. In the second experiment, the efficacy in the control of these species was evaluated for one control without herbicide and five treatments (indaziflam, metribuzin, tebuthiuron, indaziflam + metribuzin, and indaziflam + tebuthiuron) applied pre-emergence over four straw amounts (0, 1, 2, and 4 t ha-1) in a 6 x 4 factorial arrangement. This experiment was evaluated under two rainfall regimes in separate experiments (simulation of 20 mm of rainfall 1 or 10 days after herbicide application). The ‘capim-branco’ showed a marked reduction in emergence beginning at 2 t ha-1 of straw and a 2 cm sowing depth. For the Indian goosegrass, the decline in emergence mainly occurred beginning at 4 t ha-1 of straw and a 4 cm sowing depth. Only some of the Indian goosegrass plants emerged at the greater sowing depths (8 and 10 cm) and straw amounts (8 and 10 t ha-1), whereas no emergence of the ‘capim-branco’ was observed under these conditions. The treatments with sowing at a 1 cm depth and with 0, 1, 2, and 4 t ha-1 of straw provided the highest emergence percentage for the species. Application of the herbicide indaziflam alone was the only ineffective treatment for the control of the weeds regardless of the amount of straw and the water regime used. We concluded that the increase in the sowing depth and the amount of straw significantly reduced the emergence of the species and that the presence of straw and the dry period interfered with the herbicide efficacy.
Efeito genético, ambiental e interação genótipos x ambientes na qualidade comercial e produtividade de grãos em feijoeiro-comum
Authors: Pereira Helton Santos , Alvares Renata Cristina , Silva Fernanda De Cássia , Faria Luís Cláudio de , Melo Leonardo Cunha
Published: June 2017

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of environmental and genotype x environment (GxE) interaction on the commercial quality and grain yield of common bean for the identification of new cultivars for the South Central and Central regions of Brazil, that combine high adaptability/stability for grain yield, sieve yield (SY) and 100-seed weight (100M). Sixty-two trials were performed in a randomised block design with three replicates in different sowing seasons in the South Central (Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Santa Catarina (SC), Paraná (PR), São Paulo (SP) and Mato Grosso do Sul (MS)) and Central (Goiás (GO) and Distrito Federal (DF)) regions in 2009 and 2010. In the trials, 16 “carioca”-seeded lines were evaluated, and grain yield, SY and 100M were collected. The data were then subjected to individual and joint analyses of variance and to adaptability and stability analyses using the Annichiarico method. Genetic variation was found between the lines for all three traits. Coefficient of determination estimates showed that the genotype effect was more important for commercial quality than for grain yield and that the environmental effect was equally important for all three traits, indicating that the highest possible number of environments should be tested. The highest-yielding lines in the Brazilian Central (CNFC 11954 and CNFC 11959) and South Central (CNFC 11948) regions were different, indicating the importance of GxE interactions for yield. However, the two best lines in the Central Region had low commercial grain quality. Thus, CNFC 11948 will be recommended as the new cultivar selected for broad adaptation because it combines high commercial quality with increased mean grain yield and stability in the South Central Region and better yield and stability than the main controls in the Central Region.
Toxicity effect of Auxemma oncocalyx fraction and its active principle oncocalyxone A on in vitro culture of caprine secondary follicles and in vitro oocyte maturation
Authors: Leiva-Revilla Johanna , Cadenas Jesús , Vieira Luis Alberto , Campello Claudio Cabral , Celestino Juliana Jales de Hollanda , Pessoa Otília Deusdênia Loiola , Apgar Gary Allen , Rodrigues Ana Paula Ribeiro , Figueiredo José Ricardo de , Maside Carolina
Published: June 2017

Crude extract of the heartwood of Auxemma oncocalyx (A. oncocalyx) and its main component i.e., Oncocalyxone A (onco A), have elevated antioxidant and anti-tumoral activity, but studies on the action of these drugs regarding folliculogenesis are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of A. oncocalyx and onco A on the in vitro culture of isolated secondary follicles and on the in vitro maturation of oocytes from caprine antral follicles grown in vivo. Isolated secondary follicles were randomly distributed in six groups; the non-cultured control was immediately fixed upon isolation. The remaining follicles were cultured for 7 days in ?-MEM+ alone (control) or supplemented with DMSO, doxorrubicin, A. oncocalyx or onco A. After culture, follicles were evaluated for antrum formation, growth rate, apoptosis (TUNEL) and cellular proliferation (PCNA), as well as gene expression of Bcl2 and Bax. Additionally, cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated and allocated into five treatments for in vitro maturation: control, cultured only in maturation base medium (TCM 199+); or supplemented with DMSO; DXR; A. oncocalyx or onco A. After in vitro maturation, oocyte chromatin configuration and viability were assessed. After 7 days of culture, there was a reduction (P < 0.05) in the percentage of morphologically intact follicles, antrum formation, growth rate and number of PCNA positive granulosa cells in DXR treatment compared to the other treatments. In the DXR treatment a higher percentage (P < 0.05) of TUNEL positive follicles and higher (P < 0.05) relative BAX:BCL2 mRNA ratio’s were observed. After in vitro maturation of the COCs DXR, A. oncocalyx and onco A treatments had a greater (P < 0.05) percentage of abnormal oocytes and a lower (P < 0.05) percentage of viable oocytes as compared with the control group. However, only DXR and onco A treatments increased (P < 0.05) the percentage of alive oocytes with abnormal chromatin configuration. There were no differences in maturation rates between the control group and DXR, A. oncocalyx and onco A treatments. In conclusion, under our culture conditions, A. oncocalyx and onco A do not exhibit a toxic effect on isolated secondary follicles and on maturation rates of COCs recovered from antral follicles, however, these drugs negatively affected the COCs viability.  Thus, the use of culture biotechnologies as an in vitro secondary follicle culture and in vitro oocyte maturation toxicity testing are appropriated methods to evaluate the possible effects of drugs in folliculogesis.
Morphological characteristics, dry matter production, and nutritional value of winter forage and grains under grazing and split nitrogen fertilization
Authors: Taffarel Loreno Egidio , Oliveira Paulo Sérgio Rabello de , Oliveira Euclides Reuter de , Muniz Elaine Barbosa , Mesquita Eduardo Eustáquio , Costa Patricia Barcellos , Piano Jeferson Tiago , Neres Marcela Abbado , Costa Poliana Ferreira da
Published: June 2017

Morphological characteristics, dry matter production, and nutritional values of winter forage and grains were evaluated. This study was conducted from April 24, 2012 to November 7, 2013 in the Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE), Marechal Cândido Rondon, Brazil. Pastures under one grazing and non-grazing conditions were evaluated under 120 kg N ha-1 fertilization split into two 60 kg N ha-1 treatments. Two pastures received 40 kg N ha-1 three times. IPR 126 oat, BRS Tarumã wheat, and IPR 111 triticale were the test crops. Topdressing with 40 or 60 kg N ha-1 did not change morphological characteristics until 60 d after sowing. Pastures under non-grazing that received 120 kg N ha-1 treatments were taller than the controls, whereas those under grazing that received 80 or 120 kg N ha-1 presented with higher leaf production than did the controls. Total average dry matter (DM) production in 2012 and 2013 was, respectively, 5,275 kg ha-1 and 6,270 kg ha-1 for oat, 3,166 kg ha-1 and 7,423 kg ha-1 for wheat, and 4,552 kg ha-1 and 7,603 kg ha-1 for triticale. Split N fertilization did not cause differences in the levels of crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in the forage. Nevertheless, increases in in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were observed in oat and wheat receiving 60 kg N ha-1 during the first graze. IVDMD did not change in oat, wheat, and triticale forages receiving 80 or 120 kg N ha-1 during the second graze. Grazing did not affect the nutritional values of wheat and triticale grains, but reduced those of oat. Therefore, the results of the present study suggest that grazing lengthens the crop cycles, and so allow the staggered sowing of summer crops.
La participación en la planificación territorial de la formación profesional del sistema educativo: la percepción de los agentes sociales
Authors: Rego-Agraso Laura , Barreira Cerqueiras Eva María , Rial Sánchez Antonio Florencio
Published: June 2017

Este artículo presenta los resultados de una investigación cuyo objetivo esencial fue establecer la relación entre la formación profesional del sistema educativo (FP) y el desarrollo socioeconómico en los entornos comarcales de Galicia. Para ello, se diseñó una metodología descriptiva mixta —cuantitativa y cualitativa— que incluyó la realización de cuatro modelos de cuestionario diferenciados y dirigidos al alumnado de FP, egresados y egresadas, profesorado y empresariado, además de seis entrevistas a las direcciones de los centros de FP, una entrevista al responsable político de la FP en la región y un estudio estadístico del mercado laboral comarcal. Todo ello facilitó la construcción de la perspectiva de los agentes sociales respecto de los procesos de negociación colectiva a la hora de planificar la oferta de FP inicial, así como sus propias prioridades para configurar el mapa formativo de la comarca. Las conclusiones del estudio presentan una realidad en la que la oferta educativa del territorio no se corresponde con las percepciones manifestadas por los agentes sociales involucrados en la FP, por lo cual es necesaria una mayor correspondencia entre el mundo del empleo y el académico. Así pues, resulta de especial utilidad la corresponsabilidad de los dos ámbitos en la planificación educativa de los entornos locales.
Vocational education and training in Switzerland: A gender perspective. From socialisation to resistance
Authors: Lamamra Nadia
Published: June 2017

In Switzerland, dual vocational education and training (VET), which alternates learning at school and training in a host-company, is the most common educational pathway followed by young people after compulsory school. The active involvement of companies in the system provides a strong tie with the labour market and its logics. Consequently, VET functions as its antechamber by preparing young people for gender segregation and discrimination as they are experienced in everyday working life. Based on a qualitative analysis from 46 interviews, this paper analyses VET as a place of occupational, but also of gender socialisation. During their first experience in VET, young people are confronted with the sexual division of labour and the hierarchy between the sexes. In parallel, they learn gender norms related to a specific occupation in a segregated context. At the working place, in relation to co-workers, socialisation can be quite rough for these young people. Finally, the paper will highlight how the apprentices renegotiate the norms and codes and how they resist these assignations, in particular using gender strategies such as defensive virility or muliebrity.
The study of the transformation of segetal flora richness and diversity in selected habitats of southern Poland over a 20-year interval
Authors: Dąbkowska Teresa , Grabowska-Orządała Monika , Łabza Teofil
Published: June 2017

The aim of study was to evaluate diversity of segetal flora and its transformations over a more than 20-year period in 19 field habitats representative for cereal crops of southern Poland. The research hypothesis assumed that: (i) the diversity of habitat conditions determines the abundance of arable land flora, (ii) it also affects farming intensity which is the main cause of the decline in the biodiversity of agrocoenoses.

Based on 415 phytosociological relevés (sampled using the Braun-Blanquet method), weed species richness (Sr), phytosociological constancy of species (S), cover index (D), Shannon’s diversity index (H) and Simpson’s dominance index (C) were determined. Measurements were done for each habitat during two research periods. The results were subjected to ANOVA analysis. To assess the similarities of the studied habitats’ weed flora in each period and their changes over time, Ward’s hierarchical cluster analysis was used. The distance matrix was calculated from Jaccard’s similarity indices. The results are presented in the form of hierarchical trees.

The study showed that species richness of the weed communities and their diversity were strongly determined by habitat conditions. Preservation of the value of the diversity index and even its increase (especially in a considerable part of mountain habitats) showed that extensive methods of reducing weed infestation had remained at a similar level of efficacy during the 20-year interval. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed differences between the first and second study period in the weed communities for habitats of lowland soil complexes. The exception were the habitats with the greatest potential for crop cultivation, located on chernozems and rendzinas. In the mountain habitats, there were no significant changes in the segetal flora during the study interval. An increase in weed flora abundance indicates a lack of threats to the diversity of agrophytocoenoses in this part of Poland.
An efficient ray tracing method for propagation prediction along a mobile route in urban environments
Authors: Hussain S. , Brennan C.
Published: June 2017

This paper presents an efficient ray tracing algorithm for propagation prediction in urban environments. The work presented in this paper builds upon previous work in which the maximum coverage area where rays can propagate after interaction with a wall or vertical edge is described by a lit polygon. The shadow regions formed by buildings within the lit polygon are described by shadow polygons. In this paper, the lit polygons of images are mapped to a coarse grid superimposed over the coverage area. This mapping reduces the active image tree significantly for a given receiver point to accelerate the ray finding process. The algorithm also presents an efficient method of quickly determining the valid ray segments for a mobile receiver moving along a linear trajectory. The validation results show considerable computation time reduction with good agreement between the simulated and measured data for propagation prediction in large urban environments.
The Secretory System and Machinery for Protein Targeting
Authors: Gal Susannah
Published: June 2017

The sections in this article are

Introduction

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Golgi Apparatus

Vacuoles

Secreted Proteins fromArabidopsis

Membrane Proteins

The Mechanism of Membrane Trafficking in Cells

Future Directions
Programmed Cell Death in Plants
Authors: Gray John , Johal Guri S.
Published: June 2017

The sections in this article are

Introduction

Definitions and Emerging Paradigms forPCD

Overview of Cell Death in Plants

Conclusions and Forward Perspectives

Acknowledgements
Chemical Defence in Marine Ecosystems (From
APR
Volume 3)
Authors: Proksch Peter
Published: June 2017

The sections in this article are

Introduction

Marine Natural Products in Allelopathic Interactions

Chemical Defence Against Fouling

Chemical Defences of Marine Invertebrates and Algae Against Consumers

Favoured Allocation of Defensive Metabolites in Vulnerable and Valuable Parts of Marine Invertebrates: Examples in Support of the ‘Apparency Model’ and ‘Optimal Defence Theory’

The Flexible Response: Stress‐Induced Accumulation of Defence Metabolites and Activation of Protoxins

Geographical Patterns of Palatability and Consumer Resistance

Conclusions and Outlook

Acknowledgements
Vacuoles and Plant Defense
Authors: Iglesias Alejandro , Meins Fred
Published: June 2017

The sections in this article are

Introduction

Phytoanticipins and Phytoalexins

Pathogenesis‐Related (PR) Proteins

Post‐Translational Modification, Intracellular Transport and Vacuolar Targeting ofPRProteins

Biotechnological Applications

Concluding Remarks
N‐Type Superconductivity in an Organic Mott Insulator Induced by Light‐Driven Electron‐Doping
Authors: Suda Masayuki , Takashina Naoto , Namuangruk Supawadee , Kungwan Nawee , Sakurai Hidehiro , Yamamoto Hiroshi M.
Published: June 2017

The presence of interface dipoles in self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) gives rise to electric‐field effects at the device interfaces. SAMs of spiropyran derivatives can be used as photoactive interface dipole layer in field‐effect transistors because the photochromism of spiropyrans involves a large dipole moment switching. Recently, light‐induced p‐type superconductivity in an organic Mott insulator, κ‐(BEDT‐TTF)2Cu[N(CN)2]Br (κ‐Br: BEDT‐TTF = bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene) has been realized, thanks to the hole carriers induced by significant interface dipole variation in the spiropyran‐SAM. This report explores the converse situation by designing a new type of spiropyran monolayer in which light‐induced electron‐doping into κ‐Br and accompanying n‐type superconducting transition have been observed. These results open new possibilities for novel electronics utilizing a photoactive SAMs, which can design not only the magnitude but also the direction of photoinduced electric‐fields at the device interfaces.
Gas permeation properties of cellulose acetate/silica nanocomposite membrane
Authors: Najafi Mohaddeseh , Sadeghi Morteza , Bolverdi Ali , Pourafshari Chenar Mahdi , Pakizeh Majid
Published: June 2017

In this study, the effects of silica nanoparticles on the permeability of pure CO2, O2, and N2 gases in cellulose acetate (CA) membrane have been studied. Silica particles were prepared via the sol–gel method through the hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). CA and CA/silica nanocomposite membranes were prepared by thermal phase inversion method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR) analyses were employed to characterize the CA and CA/silica nanocomposite membranes. Gas permeation experiments showed an increase in the permeability of CO2 from 6.32 to 7.3 barrer and a reduction in the permeability of N2 from 0.18 to 0.09 barrer with the increment in silica content of the prepared composite membranes up to 20 wt%. Therefore, CO2/N2 selectivity of the nanocomposite membranes increased by increasing the silica content in the polymer matrix from 30 to 80 for 20 wt% load of silica.
A novel Prussian blue‐magnetite composite synthesized by self‐template method and its application in reduction of hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Cai Wei , Wu Songhai , Liu Yong , Li Danlin
Published: June 2017

A novel Prussian blue (PB)‐Fe3O4 composite has been prepared for the first time by self‐template method using PB as the precursor. According to this method, Fe3O4 nanoparticles distributed uniformly on the surface of PB cube. The feed ratio of sodium acetate to PB has been proved to be a key factor for magnetic properties and electro‐catalysis properties of the composite. Under the experimental conditions, the saturation magnetization value (Ms) of PB‐Fe3O4–2 composite was 22 emug−1, while the Ms value of other samples reduced. The composites also showed a good peroxidase‐like activity for the oxidation of substrate 3,3,5,5‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in the presence of H2O2. The catalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide capacity was PB‐Fe3O4–1> PB‐Fe3O4–2> PB‐Fe3O4–3> PB‐Fe3O4–0, which confirmed the Fe(II) centres in PB surface and Fe3O4 nanoparticles had synergistic effect on catalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide.
Catching invasive Chinese mitten crabs while releasing the endangered European eel and other fish by‐catch: The implications of fyke net design
Authors: Clark Paul F. , Stefanoudis Paris V. , Crimmen Oliver A. , Pearce Dave , Clifton‐Dey Darryl , Morritt David
Published: June 2017

Modifications of a traditional fyke net design were trialled in 42 hauls over 5 months at 42 locations in the Thames estuary, London. These trials were to determine whether the modified nets could be used to catch invasive mitten crabs while at the same time releasing endangered eels, back into the river.

The modifications included rings of different diameters fixed into the netting to provide escape apertures and also a variation in mesh size. A standard, unmodified net was included as a control.

Captured mitten crabs, eels and other fish by‐catch were measured and recorded for all deployed nets. Mitten crabs and eels were caught in all nets except those of the largest mesh size (70 mm) which caught no eels. This may have been the combined effect of the mesh size and it being set on the square, versus the normal diagonal netting which may become increasingly constricted in one axis, under tension. Such a square mesh net could be used to trap crabs of carapace width > 65 mm, while releasing all eels.

The smallest rings, 22 mm internal diameter, inserted into the mesh may have allowed the escape of eels < 35 cm length, but retained larger, market legal, individuals. This suggests that a slightly smaller escape ring could potentially be used to release eels of ≤ 30 cm in length, in line with current regulations.
Inga laurina trypsin inhibitor (ILTI) obstructs Spodoptera frugiperda trypsins expressed during adaptive mechanisms against plant protease inhibitors
Authors: Machado Suzy Wider , de Oliveira Caio Fernando Ramalho , Zério Neide Graciano , Parra José Roberto Postali , Macedo Maria Lígia Rodrigues
Published: June 2017

Plant protease inhibitors (PIs) are elements of a common plant defense mechanism induced in response to herbivores. The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, a highly polyphagous lepidopteran pest, responds to various PIs in its diet by expressing genes encoding trypsins. This raises the question of whether the PI‐induced trypsins are also inhibited by other PIs, which we posed as the hypothesis that Inga laurina trypsin inhibitor (ILTI) inhibits PI‐induced trypsins in S. frugiperda. In the process of testing our hypothesis, we compared its properties with those of selected PIs, soybean Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (SKTI), Inga vera trypsin inhibitor (IVTI), Adenanthera pavonina trypsin inhibitor (ApTI), and Entada acaciifolia trypsin inhibitor (EATI). We report that ILTI is more effective in inhibiting the induced S. frugiperda trypsins than SKTI and the other PIs, which supports our hypothesis. ILTI may be more appropriate than SKTI for studies regarding adaptive mechanisms to dietary PIs.
Cationic Chains of Parent Arsanylboranes and Substituted Phosphanylboranes
Authors: Marquardt Christian , Balázs Gábor , Baumann Josef , Virovets Alexander V. , Scheer Manfred
Published: June 2017

The substituted monomeric phosphanylboranes Ph2P−BH2⋅NMe3 (1) and tBuHP−BH2⋅NMe3 (2) have been used for the synthesis of cationic chain compounds built up by R2P−BH2 units. With a simple synthesis route, the highly stable cations [Me3N⋅H2B−PR1R2−BH2⋅NMe3]+ (1 a, 2 a) and [Me3N⋅H2B−PR1R2−BH2−PR1R2−BH2⋅NMe3]+ (1 b, 2 b) (R1=R2=Ph; R1=H, R2=tBu) are obtained as iodide (I−) salts. The reaction of H2As−BH2⋅NMe3 (3) with IBH2⋅SMe2 leads to [Me3N⋅H2B−AsH2−BH2−AsH2−BH2⋅NMe3][I] (3 a), the longest so far known arsanylborane chain. Compound 3 a reacts with acetonitrile through a formal hydroarsination reaction to form [cyclo‐{As(BH2⋅NMe3)(CMe=NH)2(BH2)}][I] (4). The reported synthetic strategy has proved to be a powerful tool for the formation of small, cationic oligomeric units. All products were comprehensively characterized by X‐ray structure analysis, NMR, IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry in cooperation with DFT calculations.
Linear precoded wavelet OFDM‐based PLC system with overlap FDE for impulse noise mitigation
Authors: Khan Arsla , Shin Soo Young
Published: June 2017

In recent years, power lines have gained significant interest for their use in high‐speed communications because of the already deployed power distribution infrastructure. However, to achieve high data rates with reliability in power line communication (PLC), robust signal processing techniques are required to mitigate channel distortion and noise. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) as a multicarrier modulation technique has been standardized for PLC; however, to further enhance the quality of communication, wavelet OFDM (WOFDM) has been proposed as a suitable choice. In this article, OFDM‐based and WOFDM‐based PLC systems are studied, and overlap frequency domain equalization (OFDE) as a robust and efficient equalization technique is presented. Moreover, to enhance the efficiency of the OFDE, linear precoding (LP) is also suggested for fast Fourier transform and wavelet transform–based filter bank transceivers over the PLC channel. Performance of the proposed LP‐based OFDM‐OFDE and LP‐based WOFDM‐OFDE systems is compared with previously proposed equalization structures in terms of bit error rate, peak‐to‐average power ratio, and computational complexity via computer simulations. Furthermore, the performance of proposed architectures is also compared with classical equalization techniques under impulse noise with different intensities. Results show that not only the proposed LP‐based WOFDM‐OFDE transceiver performs better than the previous equalization models but also the LP‐based OFDM‐OFDE at the expense of slight increment in computational complexity.
An enhanced bilinear pairing based authenticated key agreement protocol for multiserver environment
Authors: Sureshkumar Venkatasamy , Amin Ruhul , Anitha R
Published: June 2017

To circumvent using of multiple single servers, the theory of multiserver communication exists and numerous authentication protocols put forward for providing secure communication. Very recently, Amin‐Biswas proposes bilinear pairing–based multiserver scheme by describing some security pitfalls of Hsieh‐Leu protocol and claims that it is secured against related security threats. However, this paper claims that Amin‐Biswas protocol is still susceptible to off‐line identity and password guessing attack, user untraceability attack, and server masquerading attack. The cryptographic protocol should be attacks‐free for real‐time application. To achieve attacks‐free security, we put forward smart card–based multiserver authentication protocol by using the concept of bilinear pairing operation. The formal method strand space model has been used to prove the correctness of the proposed scheme. Additionally, rigorous security analysis ensures pliability of common security threats. The performance and security features of our scheme are also compared with that of the similar existing schemes. The comparison results show that our protocol achieves more security features with less complexity.
Aptamer‐based Biosensor Developed to Monitor MUC1 Released by Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Karpik Agnieszka E. , Crulhas Bruno P. , Rodrigues Carolina B. , Castro Gustavo R. , Pedrosa Valber A.
Published: June 2017

Electrochemical aptasensors can detect cancer biomarkers such as mucin 1 (MUC1) to provide point‐of‐care diagnosis that is low‐cost, specific and sensitive. Herein, a DNA hairpin containing MUC1 aptamer was thiolated, conjugated with methylene blue (MB) redox tag, and immobilized on a gold electrode by self‐assembly. The fabrication process was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray spectroscopy analysis and electrochemistry techniques. The results evidenced a stable and sensitivity sensor presenting wide linear detection range (0.65–110 ng/mL). Therefore, it was able to precisely detect MUC1 production patterns in normal (RWPE‐1) and prostate cancer cells (LNCaP and PC3). The biosensor has ability to detect MUC1 in complex samples being an efficient and useful platform for cancer diagnosing in early stages and for physiological applications such as cancer treatment monitoring.
Analysis of response behavior of people in fire incidents where residential fire alarms successfully worked
Authors: Sekizawa Ai , Mizuno Masayuki
Published: June 2017

All residential homes in Japan have been required to install residential fire alarms since 2006. According to a survey by Tokyo Fire Department in 2011, the installation rate of residential fire alarms per household within the jurisdiction of the Tokyo Fire Department is 80.6%. The authors carried out an analysis of reports of cases, where residential fire alarms successfully worked. The information in these real fire incident reports is very useful for us to understand the actual circumstances as well as the behavior of the people involved in and nearby a fire incident. In many cases of successful activation of fire alarms for fires originating in a living room and bedroom, the occupants were likely to be in sleeping in the room of fire origin and did not become aware of the fire alarm, even if it sounded. By contrast, other family members and/or neighbors outside the room of fire origin were more likely to hear the sound and initiated the response activity to the fire incident. This indicates the potential for persons in the room of fire origin at the time of fire to be saved by others nearby because of the activation of residential fire alarms, even if they are sleeping and do not respond by themselves to the alarm sound. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pivotal role of hMT+ in long‐range disambiguation of interhemispheric bistable surface motion
Authors: Duarte João Valente , Costa Gabriel Nascimento , Martins Ricardo , Castelo‐Branco Miguel
Published: June 2017

It remains an open question whether long‐range disambiguation of ambiguous surface motion can be achieved in early visual cortex or instead in higher level regions, which concerns object/surface segmentation/integration mechanisms. We used a bistable moving stimulus that can be perceived as a pattern comprehending both visual hemi‐fields moving coherently downward or as two widely segregated nonoverlapping component objects (in each visual hemi‐field) moving separately inward. This paradigm requires long‐range integration across the vertical meridian leading to interhemispheric binding. Our fMRI study (n = 30) revealed a close relation between activity in hMT+ and perceptual switches involving interhemispheric segregation/integration of motion signals, crucially under nonlocal conditions where components do not overlap and belong to distinct hemispheres. Higher signal changes were found in hMT+ in response to spatially segregated component (incoherent) percepts than to pattern (coherent) percepts. This did not occur in early visual cortex, unlike apparent motion, which does not entail surface segmentation. We also identified a role for top–down mechanisms in state transitions. Deconvolution analysis of switch‐related changes revealed prefrontal, insula, and cingulate areas, with the right superior parietal lobule (SPL) being particularly involved. We observed that directed influences could emerge either from left or right hMT+ during bistable motion integration/segregation. SPL also exhibited significant directed functional connectivity with hMT+, during perceptual state maintenance (Granger causality analysis). Our results suggest that long‐range interhemispheric binding of ambiguous motion representations mainly reflect bottom–up processes from hMT+ during perceptual state maintenance. In contrast, state transitions maybe influenced by high‐level regions such as the SPL. Hum Brain Mapp 38:4882–4897, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
fMRI capture of auditory hallucinations: Validation of the two‐steps method
Authors: Leroy Arnaud , Foucher Jack R. , Pins Delphine , Delmaire Christine , Thomas Pierre , Roser Mathilde M. , Lefebvre Stéphanie , Amad Ali , Fovet Thomas , Jaafari Nemat , Jardri Renaud
Published: June 2017

Our purpose was to validate a reliable method to capture brain activity concomitant with hallucinatory events, which constitute frequent and disabling experiences in schizophrenia. Capturing hallucinations using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) remains very challenging. We previously developed a method based on a two‐steps strategy including (1) multivariate data‐driven analysis of per‐hallucinatory fMRI recording and (2) selection of the components of interest based on a post‐fMRI interview. However, two tests still need to be conducted to rule out critical pitfalls of conventional fMRI capture methods before this two‐steps strategy can be adopted in hallucination research: replication of these findings on an independent sample and assessment of the reliability of the hallucination‐related patterns at the subject level. To do so, we recruited a sample of 45 schizophrenia patients suffering from frequent hallucinations, 20 schizophrenia patients without hallucinations and 20 matched healthy volunteers; all participants underwent four different experiments. The main findings are (1) high accuracy in reporting unexpected sensory stimuli in an MRI setting; (2) good detection concordance between hypothesis‐driven and data‐driven analysis methods (as used in the two‐steps strategy) when controlled unexpected sensory stimuli are presented; (3) good agreement of the two‐steps method with the online button‐press approach to capture hallucinatory events; (4) high spatial consistency of hallucinatory‐related networks detected using the two‐steps method on two independent samples. By validating the two‐steps method, we advance toward the possible transfer of such technology to new image‐based therapies for hallucinations. Hum Brain Mapp 38:4966–4979, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Factors associated with the pricing of childhood vaccines in the U.S. public sector
Authors: Chen Weiwei , Messonnier Mark , Zhou Fangjun
Published: June 2017

Vaccine purchase cost has grown substantially over the last few decades. A closer look at vaccine prices reveals that not all vaccines shared the same increasing pattern. Various factors, such as vaccine attributes, competition, and supply shortages, could relate to price changes. In this study, we examined whether a variety of factors influenced the prices of noninfluenza childhood vaccines purchased in the public sector from 1996 to 2014. The association differed among price‐capped vaccines and combination vaccines. There was an increasing time trend in real prices for non‐price‐capped vaccines, which was mostly offset by the effect of market longevity. The effect of competition in lowering prices was more pronounced among non‐price‐capped vaccines when manufacturer and vaccine component fixed effects were excluded. Supply shortage, manufacturer name change, and number of vaccine doses in series showed no effect. The results may help policy makers better understand price behaviors and make more informed decisions in vaccine planning and financing.
Activation of CaMKKβ/AMPKα pathway by 2‐AG in human platelets
Authors: Signorello Maria Grazia , Leoncini Giuliana
Published: June 2017

The objective of this study was to determine whether AMPK is activated by 2‐arachidonoylglycerol (2‐AG) and participates to the cytoskeleton control in human platelets. We found that 2‐AG stimulates the AMPKα activation through a Ca2+/Calmodulin‐dependent pathway as the specific inhibition of the CaMKKβ by STO‐609 inhibits the AMPKα phosphorylation/activation. Moreover, the CaMKKβ/AMPKα pathway activated by 2‐AG is involved in the phosphorylation of cofilin, vasodilator stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), and myosin light chain (MLCs). These proteins participate to actin cytoskeletal remodelling during aggregation. We found that the phosphorylation/activation inhibition of these proteins is associated with a significant reduction in actin polymerization, aggregation, ATP, and α‐granule secretion. Finally, AMPKα activation, Cofilin, VASP, and MLCs phosphorylation are significantly reduced by SR141716, the specific inhibitor of type 1 cannabinoid (CB1) receptor, suggesting that the CB1 receptor is involved in the 2‐AG effect. In conclusion, we have shown that the CaMKKβ/AMPKα pathway is activated by 2‐AG in human platelets and controls the phosphorylation of key proteins involved in actin polymerization and aggregation.
A comparison of temporal variability of observed and model‐based pan evaporation over Uruguay (1973–2014)
Authors: Vicente‐Serrano Sergio M. , Bidegain Mario , Tomas‐Burguera Miquel , Dominguez‐Castro Fernando , El Kenawy Ahmed , McVicar Tim R. , Azorin‐Molina Cesar , López‐Moreno Juan I. , Nieto Raquel , Gimeno Luis , Giménez Agustín
Published: June 2017

This study analyses variability and trends of atmospheric evaporative demand (AED) across Uruguay in the past four decades. Changes were assessed using pan evaporation measurements from 10 meteorological stations and compared to PenPan model calculations, which is a physically based model that employs meteorological data as input. Results demonstrate a high agreement between the observed AED and those estimated from the PenPan model. Both observations and model estimations agree on a high interannual variability in AED, though being statistically insignificant (p > 0.05) at seasonal and annual scales. Given that AED shows high sensitivity to changes in relative humidity and sunshine duration, as a surrogate of solar radiation, the lack of significant trends in the AED observations and estimations over Uruguay can be linked to the insignificant trend found for these climate variables for the period from 1973 to 2014. This is the first study that reports Pan evaporation trends for this part of the world, helping to infill gaps for mid‐latitude Southern Hemisphere areas, which are poorly represented in Pan evaporation trends.
Physical activity participation and the association with work‐related upper quadrant disorders (WRUQDs): A systematic review
Authors: Mansfield Michael , Thacker Michael , Smith Toby
Published: June 2017

Background

Workers in various occupations often report work‐related upper quadrant disorders (WRUQDs). Research has shown that associative factors for WRUQDs include psychosocial and environmental elements, gender and physical activity levels. To date, no review has investigated whether physical activity participation is associated with and/or predicts the development of WRUQDs, so the present study set out to determine this.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted including searches of PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE and CINAHL from inception to 31 March 2017. Quantitative studies, including any outcome measure of physical activity participation and its association with and/or prediction of WRUQDs, were included. One reviewer conducted the search and two reviewers independently assessed eligibility and completed methodological quality assessment using a modified Downs and Black checklist. Data were analysed narratively.

Results

Eight studies were eligible for inclusion in the final review. The quality of these ranged from moderate to high quality. Three studies reported no statistical difference between physical activity participation and the risk of developing WRUQD. Three studies reported a negative and one study a positive association between physical activity participation and WRUQDs. One study reported that little or no physical exercise participation was a risk factor for WRUQD.

Conclusions

There is limited evidence for a negative association between physical activity participation and the development of WRUQDs. However, this was not a consistent finding across all studies included. Further research is indicated in standardizing diagnostic criteria and the measurement of physical activity participation in this patient population.
Stress and strain fields for overdamped slug tests in aquifer materials, and resulting conservation equation
Authors: Chapuis Robert P.
Published: June 2017

Two theories may be used to analyze overdamped variable‐head (slug) tests in aquifer materials. The first theory assumes that the solid matrix strain has a negligible influence. The second theory takes into account some elastic and immediate strain. Something is wrong with these theories because they yield different hydraulic conductivity values. This paper explains what is wrong after establishing the strain‐stress elastic equations for a slug test in 2 ideal conditions: plane strain and spherical symmetry. The equations show that the radial contraction (or elongation) and tangential elongation (or contraction) yield a null volumetric strain. As a result, the conservation is described by the Laplace equation, which is used by the first theory. This first theory is the only one to yield correct solutions. The diffusion equation, with storativity, which is used by the second theory, is physically ill founded for slug tests in aquifers. This new proof scientifically confirms previously raised doubts and experimental proofs that the second theory is ill founded.
Experimental studies on the punch shear characterization of glass/epoxy/CNTs laminate nanocomposites
Authors: Sadeghi Mohammad , Pol Mohammad Hossein
Published: June 2017

The effects of specimen diameter to punch diameter (span ratio) and loading velocity are experimentally studied on quasi‐static punch shear (QS‐PS) properties of laminate nanocomposites. Nanocomposites specimen in this work is composed of 12 layers of plain weave glass fibers with areal density of 200 g/m2 which are made by hand lay‐up method under pressure. Resin is composed of a two‐component epoxy; diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (Epon 828) as the base and modified cycloaliphatic amine (Epikure F‐205) as the curing agent. Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) modified by hydroxide (COOH) are used with 0%, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1% ratio in weight with respect to the matrix. Also, two span ratios (5 and 10) and two loading velocities (5 mm/min and 500 mm/min) are utilized. Test results show that with a half span ratio in neat samples, the total penetration energy is approximately constant but the contact force increases about 20%, displacement at peak load decreases about 57%, and target plate deformation is reduced until full penetration. With increase of loading velocity from 5 to 500 mm/min, total absorbed energy of neat samples is increased about 47%. The results show that carbon nanotubes reduce the strength of the composites in which their failure mechanism is shear type. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E2096–E2105, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
X‐ray photoelectron study of oxides formed on Ni metal and Ni‐Cr alloy surfaces under electrochemical control at 25 °C and 150 °C
Authors: Payne B. P. , Keech P. G. , McIntyre N. S.
Published: June 2017

The oxide chemical composition on metallic Ni and NiCr alloy electrodes has been studied for changes in simulated reactor coolant solution chemistry, through a range of oxidizing potentials and pH settings at 25 °C and 150 °C. Even under strongly reducing conditions, the Ni surface has a 2‐nm layer of oxide and hydroxide from which further oxides form, depending on the subsequent oxidative step. For basic (normal operating) pH conditions and under oxidation potentials near 0 volts (vs. SCE), a predominantly Ni(OH)2 layer is formed that appears to remain relatively stable up to at least 48 hours of oxidation at 150 °C. For the NiCr alloy, similar stability is imparted by a thin film of Cr(OH)3/ Cr2O3 and Ni(OH)2./NiO. Under milder oxidizing (but still basic) conditions, the surface is stabilized by a thin film that is mostly Ni(OH)2/NiO. Under neutral solution conditions, the same oxide/ hydroxide films do not seem to be as effective in stabilizing the surface. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gentherapie zur Behandlung von Netzhauterkrankungen
Authors: Ochakovski G. Alex , Bartz-Schmidt Karl Ulrich , Fischer M. Dominik
Published: June 2017

Eine Reihe von Netzhauterkrankungen hat bekannte genetische Ursachen, die prinzipiell durch Gentherapie behandelt werden können. Diese Übersicht stellt das Prinzip und die Besonderheiten der okulären Gentherapie dar, fasst den aktuellen Stand der Forschung bis hin zur klinischen Anwendung zusammen und gibt einen Ausblick auf aktuelle Entwicklungen der Gentherapie am Auge.