bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Análise bioeconômica do seqüestro florestal de carbono e da dívida ecológica: uma aplicação ao caso do Rio Grande do Sul.
Authors: Sobrinho Valny Giacomelli , Schneider Paulo Renato
Published: June 2016

Apesar das críticas, o Protocolo de Kyoto se tem constituído na principal ferramenta política para enfrentar a mudança climática. No entanto, o único de seus instrumentos que prevê a cooperação entre países industrializados e em desenvolvimento para mitigar as emissões de gases-estufa é o MDL (Mecanismo de Desenvolvimento Limpo). A modalidade florestal do MDL pressupõe que as plantações florestais (florestamento/reflorestamento) podem ajudar na remoção das emissões de dióxido de carbono (o gás-estufa mais representativo) e compensar a perda de florestas naturais. Este estudo se concentra, então, nesse proclamado trade-off. Uma análise bioeconômica, da qual se abstraem variáveis monetárias, é empregada para avaliar o seqüestro florestal de carbono no Rio Grande do Sul. A área florestal do Estado é repartida somente entre florestas nativas e plantadas. Se, de um lado, isso não permite analisar o desmatamento, de outro, esse fenômeno é desprezível no Estado. A repartição do solo é expressa por uma função que reflete a demanda por remoção de emissões. Sua contraparte é a função oferta de emissões que depende das taxas de crescimento econômico. Os resultados mostram como, em última análise, a sustentação do crescimento econômico está condicionada  à situação ecológica (dívida, crédito ou  equilíbrio) de um país ou região. Em cada cenário, confrontam-se as vantagens econômicas e ambientais das estratégias do MDL e da conservação de florestas naturais. No final, estima-se uma taxa de overshoot para a atividade florestal no Rio Grande do Sul ao longo dos últimos 40 anos aproximadamente. As estimativas sugerem que o MDL pode aliviar pressões ambientais somente onde se registre crédito ecológico, onde o endividamento ecológico já esteja em curso, o MDL não substitui a conservação das florestas nativas.
Caracterização morfométrica de frutos e sementes e efeito da temperatura na germinacão de Parkia pendula (Willd.) Benth. ex Walp.
Authors: Câmara Celene de Albuquerque , Neto João Correia de Araújo , Ferreira Vilma Márquez , Alves Edna Ursulino , Moura Flávia de Barros Prado
Published: June 2016

Parkia pendula (Willd.) Benth. ex Walp., é uma espécie arbórea, característica dos estádios iniciais da sucessão, de ocorrência natural no Brasil. Pertence à família Fabaceae, com grande potencial na recuperação de áreas degradadas. O presente trabalho foi conduzido no Centro de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal de Alagoas, objetivando a caracterização morfométrica de frutos e sementes dessa espécie, bem como identificar a melhor temperatura para uso em testes de germinação. O fruto é do tipo legume, deiscente, polispérmico, contendo em média 16 sementes por unidade. Estas apresentam formato elipsoidal, embrião axial, com 10,1 mm de comprimento, 4,9 mm de largura por 3,1mm de espessura. As temperaturas de 25 e 30oC proporcionaram as maiores porcentagem e velocidade de germinação, enquanto que a temperatura de 15oC e acima de 35ºC influenciaram negativamente a germinabilidade das sementes.
Influência de substratos e fósforo na produção de mudas micorrizadas de Acacia mearnsii De Wild.
Authors: Mello Andréa Hentz de , Kaminski João , Antoniolli Zaida Inês , Santos Lílian Castilho dos , Souza Eduardo Lorensi de , Schirmer Guilherme Karsten , Goulart Rafael Machado
Published: June 2016

A inoculação de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMAs) é viável em mudas de espécies florestais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o estabelecimento de duas espécies de FMAs na produção de mudas de Acacia mearnsii em diferentes substratos e doses de fósforo. O experimento constou de cinco tratamentos, sendo dois tratamentos de inoculação de espécies de FMAs, (Glomus clarum Nicolson & Schenck e Glomus etunicatum Becker & Gerdemann) e três tratamentos com diferentes substratos (mecplani, turfa fértil e Neossolo Quartzarênico); com cinco doses de fósforo (0, 50, 100, 500 e 1000 mg.kg-1), e dez repetições. Alto nível de P no substrato não impediu colonização micorrízica das raízes. Os isolados G. clarum e G. etunicatum apresentaram alta eficiência na colonização das raízes da A. mearnsii, e os substratos mecplani e turfa-fértil foram os mais eficientes na produção das mudas.
Utilização da amostragem seqüencial para avaliar a eficiência do parasitismo de Deladenus (Beddingia) siricidicola (Nematoda: Neotylenchidae) em adultos de Sirex noctilio (Hymenoptera: Siricidae).
Authors: Penteado Susete do Rocio Chiarello , Oliveira Edílson Batista de , Iede Edson Tadeu
Published: June 2016

O nematóide Deladenus (Beddingia) siricidicola (Nematoda: Neotylenchidae) é o principal agente de controle de Sirex noctilio (Hymenoptera: Siricidae), vespa-da-madeira. ao esterilizar as fêmeas do inseto, atinge níveis de parasitismo próximos a 100%, com média de 70%. o monitoramento da eficiência do nematóide tem sido realizado pela avaliação da sua presença no aparelho reprodutor de machos e fêmeas do inseto. porém, esse processo é exaustivo e antieconômico quando aplicado a amostras muito grandes. o objetivo desta pesquisa foi testar a técnica da amostragem seqüencial para avaliação da eficiência do parasitismo de Deladenus (Beddingia) siricidicola em adultos de Sirex noctilio, a qual se mostrou como uma alternativa viável, pois se baseia em um tamanho variável de amostra, definido em função dos resultados obtidos durante os levantamentos amostrais, resultando em redução do tamanho da amostra, dos custos da atividade e precisão nos resultados. foram também abordados aspectos do parasitismo por Deladenus (Beddingia) siricidicola.
Utilização de madeiras de Eucalyptus grandis e Eucalyptus dunnii para produção de painéis de partículas orientadas – OSB.
Authors: Iwakiri Setsuo , Albuquerque Carlos Eduardo Camargo de , Prata José Guilherme , Costa Abel Cardoso Buarque
Published: June 2016

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com objetivo de avaliar a viabilidade de utilização de madeiras de Eucalyptus grandis e Eucalyptus dunnii para produção de painéis OSB. Foram produzidos em laboratório painéis com densidade nominal de 0,70 e 1,0 g/cm³, com 100% de partículas de Pinus taeda, Eucalyptus grandis e Eucalyptus dunnii, além de painéis com mistura de 50% de Pinus taeda na camada interna do painel, com 50% de Eucalyptus grandis e 50% de Eucalyptus dunnii.. Os painéis de Eucalyptus grandis com densidade de 0,70 g/cm³, considerada padrão comercial, apresentaram valores de propriedades compatíveis com os requisitos da norma canadense (CSA) e européia EN, e também em relação aos painéis de Pinus taeda usados como testemunhas. Os resultados dos ensaios mecânicos demonstraram incremento expressivo nos valores de MOE e MOR em flexão estática com aumento na densidade do painel, abrindo a probabilidade de uso de painéis com maior densificação para aplicações que requeiram maior resistência do painel OSB. Os resultados desta pesquisa indicam a viabilidade de utilização de madeira de Eucalyptus grandis como espécie alternativa para produção de painéis OSB no Brasil.
Removal of Disinfection By‐product Precursors Using Hybrid Coagulation–Ceramic Membrane Systems
Authors: AlAnsari Amir , Selbes Meric , Karanfil Tanju , Amburgey James
Published: June 2016

The goal of this study was to investigate the removal of organics and disinfection by‐product (DBP) precursors in an optimized pilot‐scale hybrid coagulation–ceramic membrane system treating two surface waters with low specific ultraviolet values (SUVA254< 3 L/mg‐m). The average removal of dissolved organic carbon was 30% with coagulation pretreatment and negligible without coagulation pretreatment. The removal of organics with coagulation pretreatment also resulted in reduction in the formation potential of haloacetic acids, trihalomethanes, and halonitromethanes in the range of 36 to 46%, 18 to 40%, and 10 to 36%, respectively. The removals of dissolved organic nitrogen, haloacetonitriles, and N‐nitrosodimethylamine precursors were found to be negligible. Bromide was not removed from water, which led to an increase in the bromine incorporation factors for halogenated DBPs. The results showed that the implementation of an optimized coagulation pretreatment stage reduced the rate of membrane fouling (80 to 95%) while providing some removal (10 to 50%) of regulated halogenated carbonaceous DBPs.
Bouleverser les codes dans les catalogues de jouets : réactions des enfants et légitimité de la démarche
Authors: Ezan Pascale , Ulrich Isabelle
Published: June 2016

Cet article s’interroge sur la légitimité, du point de vue des enfants, de l’initiative menée par Système U dans ses catalogues de jouets depuis 2012, qui consiste à insérer des visuels rompant avec les normes sexuées. Le principal résultat de l’étude empirique souligne que ces visuels sont rarement repérés par les enfants feuilletant librement le support, mais sont rejetés fortement par les plus jeunes d’entre eux, entre 5 et 7 ans, en pleine acquisition de la constance de genre. Des réflexions sur la manière de revisiter la démarche sont alors exposées afin d’atténuer les clivages sexués des jouets, tout en tenant compte de l’enfant et de son développement.
Quelle utilité des signes de qualité pour les MDD ? Le cas du saumon fumé chez Monoprix
Authors: Larceneux Fabrice , Renaudin Valérie
Published: June 2016

Les enseignes détiennent aujourd’hui de larges portefeuilles de marques de distributeurs (MDD) nécessitant des positionnements clairement différenciés. Soucieuses de faire reconnaître la qualité de leurs produits, elles utilisent de nombreux signes de qualité officiels. Dans cette recherche, nous interrogeons l’efficacité de cette stratégie de marquage de la qualité pour affirmer la supériorité du rapport qualité / prix des MDD sur les marques de producteurs (MDP). Une expérimentation en sortie de caisse permet de constater que les consommateurs sous-estiment la qualité des MDD classiques et premium par rapport à celle de la MDP. Si l’utilisation des labels officiels (AB et Label Rouge) s’avère efficace pour améliorer la qualité perçue des MDD classiques, elle ne l’est pas pour les MDD premium. Un modèle de médiation modérée montre que les labels augmentent l’intention d’achat via la qualité perçue uniquement pour les MDD classiques. Les implications de ces résultats pour les enseignes et de futures voies de recherches sont présentées.
Estimación del valor del regadío a partir del precio de la tierra
Authors: Arias Carlos
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we estimate the value of irrigated land in the province of Leon (Spain) using land prices (irrigated and non irrigated) for two different uses (crop production and pasture) in ten different districts. The value of benefits associated with irrigation can be estimated by comparing the price of an irrigated plot of land with a similar plot of non irrigated land. The logical difficulty of finding these two similar (except for water) plots of land can be overcome using regression analysis where the effect of irrigation on land prices can be estimated after controlling for other differences in the plots of land analyzed. In the present paper, using an econometric model, we estimate the average prices associated with irrigated and non irrigated land. The difference among these average prices is an estimate of the value of irrigation. The results of this paper can be used in the analysis of new irrigation projects.
Especificaciones y consideraciones muestrales en la estimación de la demanda de un espacio natural singular: Las Illas Cíes en Galicia.
Authors: González Gómez Manuel , Polomé Philippe , Prada Blanco Albino
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we present estimates of several specifications of demand for a singular natural area using data from surveys on visitors and non-visitors. The estimates take into account the problems of functional form, measurement of the cost and of the demand, choosing sampling scheme, and handling the sample. Considering these alternatives allows us to select a specification of demand under improved conditions and frees us from initial restrictive hypothesis. The results in terms of prediction of demand and consumer surplus estimates are quite dissimilar, stressing the importance of comparing various specifications that encompass a range of possible options.
Los derechos de propiedad en la agricultura de regadío: Su situación frente al cambio institucional
Authors: Ortiz Miranda Dionisio , Ceña Delgado Felisa
Published: June 2016

The Spanish water economy is within a process of institutional change. The development of this change will be strongly conditioned by the water property rights structure, and this structure –in the context of irrigated agriculture- is defined by a complex net of informal institutions and farmers’ perceptions. The objective of the article is to characterise these property rights –through previous desegregation of its content- in the context of Irrigation Districts of the Guadalquivir basin, in order to analyse how the new institutions could be performed in this environment. Results, based in both the analysis of formal institutions and farmers’ opinion, show (i) the lack of adaptation of new institutions to farmers’ demands, and (ii) some characteristics of the property rights structure which could hinder the institutional change.
Las cuotas lecheras en España: Análisis estructural comparado de los efectos de su gestión
Authors: Calcedo Ordóñez Victoriano
Published: June 2016

The structural change linked to the quota regime has had the same results as in other EC countries. The process is similar to the one in Germany or France. However, the pattern of quota management in Spain is closer to the flexible model in United Kingdom and The Netherlands. On the other hand, the quotas are shared out de facto amongst Autonomous Regions, as quota transactions between them are subject to strong administration limits. More than the separation between quota and land, the interests of Autonomous Regions have taken part as these consider their territory as a locked district, from which no quota can be left out in order to avoid any loss in their wealth.
Estrategias sobre innovación en las empresas multinacionales agroalimentarias
Authors: Alfranca Oscar , Rama Ruth , Von Tunzelmann Nicholas
Published: June 2016

Agrifood multinationals are usually considered the world’s most important innovators in the F&B field and fundamental agents for technological change in the Spanish agrifood sector. The innovative behaviour of agrifood multinational firms issue is interesting because 50% of technology related to food is linked to innovative activities of these kind of firms. This paper includes a survey on several subjects related to innovation in the agrifood industry, such as the economic conditions for innovation production and the persistence of innovation. The main conclusions based on empirical work with patent data are: 1. Agrifood multinationals combine technical and design innovation rather than using one type of innovation as a substitute for the other. 2. Becoming a permanent innovator is relevant for agrifood multinational firms because the stock of knowledge, which is strategically important, is cumulative. 3. Agrifood multinationals are more prone than other multinationals to globalize their R&D activities. This is particularly true for European agrifood multinationals. 4. Agrifood multinationals are multi-technology companies.
Análisis Malmquist y DEA intertemporal de las agriculturas de la Unión Europea
Authors: Aldaz Natalia , A. Millán Joaquín
Published: June 2016

This paper compares two non-parametric programming techniques for the measurement of total factor productivity using panel data: Malmquist indices and an intertemporal-DEA model that allows the calculation of technology and efficiency levels bounds, assuming non-regressive technical change. Both methodologies are applied to the analysis of agricultural productivity in the European Union countries, and several important divergences between models are found. The results suggest lower productivity increases in agriculture than those found in recent literature, with different country ranking concerning productivity growth.
Building brains that can evolve: Challenges and prospects for evo-devo neurobiology
Authors: Striedter Georg F
Published: June 2016

Evo-devo biology involves cross-species comparisons of entire developmental trajectories, not just of adult forms. This approach has proven very successful in general morphology, but its application to neurobiological problems is still relatively new. To date, the most successful area of evo-devo neurobiology has been the use of comparative developmental data to clarify adult homologies. The most exciting future prospect is the use of comparative developmental data to understand the formation of species differences in adult structure and function. An interesting «model system» for this kind of research is the quest to understand why the neocortex folds in some species but not others.
Human brain evolution: How the increase of brain plasticity made us a cultural species
Authors: Gómez-Robles Aida , Sherwood Chet C.
Published: June 2016

Why are humans so different from other primate species? What makes us so capable of creating language, art and music? The specializations in human brain anatomy that are responsible for our unique behavioral and cognitive traits evolved over a very short period of evolutionary time (between six and eight million years). Recent evidence suggests that, alongside a reorganization of the brain and an increase in its size, neural plasticity may also play a major role in explaining the evolutionary history of our species. Plasticity is the propensity of the brain to be molded by external influences, including the ecological, social and cultural context. The impact of these environmental influences in shaping human behavior has been long recognized, but it has been only recently that scientists have started discovering the more pronounced plasticity of human brains compared to our close relatives.
UTICAJ POREZA NA STRANE DIREKTNE INVESTICIJE U BOSNI I HERCEGOVINI
Authors: Damjanović Ivana
Published: June 2016

Rad je usmjeren na istraživanje uticaja poreza na dobit, poreza na plate i drugih vrsta poreza na priliv stranih direktnihinvesticija (SDI) u Bosni i Hercegovini, posmatrajući period od 2006 do 2014 godine.U prvom dijelu obrazložiće se dosadašnja istraživanja na temu poreza na dobit i poreza na plate kao i njihovi efekti naSDI, u okviru čega će biti prikazane i informacije o prilivu SDI u Bosnu i Hercegovinu, kao i o kretanju poreskih stopau državi. Nakon toga će biti objašnjena metodologija i metode prikupljanja podataka. O interpretaciji dobijenih rezultataće biti govora na kraju ovoga rada, gdje će se u tu svrhu koristiti SPSS programa za statističke analize.
УТИЦАЈ ИНФОРМАЦИОНИХ ТЕХНОЛОГИЈА НА ОРГАНИЗАЦИОНЕ ПРОМЈЕНЕ
Authors: Радовановић Јованка
Published: June 2016

У чланку су обрађене специфичности пословања у дигиталној ери. Управљање информационим технологијама ињихов утицај на промјене у организацији, одлучивање и менаџмент, као и рад и живот појединцa, су кључнекомпоненте рада.
Detection of transient synchrony across oscillating receptors by the central electrosensory system of mormyrid fish
Authors: Vélez Alejandro , Carlson Bruce A
Published: June 2016

Recently, we reported evidence for a novel mechanism of peripheral sensory coding based on oscillatory synchrony. Spontaneously oscillating electroreceptors in weakly electric fish (Mormyridae) respond to electrosensory stimuli with a phase reset that results in transient synchrony across the receptor population (Baker et al., 2015). Here, we asked whether the central electrosensory system actually detects the occurrence of synchronous oscillations among receptors. We found that electrosensory stimulation elicited evoked potentials in the midbrain exterolateral nucleus at a short latency following receptor synchronization. Frequency tuning in the midbrain resembled peripheral frequency tuning, which matches the intrinsic oscillation frequencies of the receptors. These frequencies are lower than those in individual conspecific signals, and instead match those found in collective signals produced by groups of conspecifics. Our results provide further support for a novel mechanism for sensory coding based on the detection of oscillatory synchrony among peripheral receptors.
Kvalitet i praksisstudier i sykepleier- og vernepleierutdanning
Authors: Hauge Kari Westad , Brask Ole David , Bachmann Liv , Bergum Inger Elisabeth , Heggdal Wenche Mongstad , Inderhaug Hans , Utheim Grønvik Cecilie Katrine , Julnes Signe Gunn
Published: June 2016

Background: Clinical training in health and social care educations are important in the development of professional competence. Evidence indicates that there are major quality differences in clinical practice in health- and social studies.Purpose: To examine what key players related to clinical practice in nursing and social education believes provides quality.Method: Focus Group Interview where students, supervisor and teachers participated in all groups.Results: Students learning in practice presupposes a knowledge base of the student, a learning environment with adapted responsibilities and coping capabilities, and a relationship with the supervisor who promotes both recognition and needed correction. The supervisor's role can be strengthened through individual competence, clearer support from boss and co-workers, and more emphasis on triangular cooperation with the college.Conclusion: There is a large overlap in the understanding of what in practice is all about quality. The perspectives of the three actors appear primarily as mutually complementary.
Godt – eller godt nok? Hvordan opplever sykepleiere idealer og realiteter i utøvelsen av yrket?
Authors: Christiansen Bjørg , Bjørk Ida Torunn
Published: June 2016

Good work – or good enough? How do nurses perceive ideals and realities in the profession?The purpose of the study is to explore what it entails for nurses to perform good work. It may be challenging to maintain good work when demands of efficiency threaten professional and ethical ideals. How nurses describe expectations they set for themselves and others will also indicate their views on professional identity. The study is qualitative with a descriptive and explorative design, based on individual semi-structured interviews with eight nurses in specialist- and community health care. The data were analyzed in three different interpretational contexts, aiming at an insightful and valid understanding of the text. Findings show that good work was associated with responsible practice and a patient-centered approach. An obligation to update themselves is integrated into their professional identity. Findings show that we can no longer take for granted that nurses handle cross-pressures and value-conflicts in the profession.
Studenters deltakelse i kunnskapsbasert fagutvikling. Pilotprosjekt i steril-assistanse ved videreutdanning i operasjonssykepleie
Authors: Igesund Unni
Published: June 2016

Målet med artikkelen er å synliggjøre hvordan studenter under videreutdanning i operasjonssykepleie kan utvikle funksjonsdyktighet i praksis gjennom deltakelse i fagutviklingsprosjekt hvor de arbeider kunnskapsbasert. En studentevaluering, ved bruk av spørreskjema og studiedialog med studentene, ble gjort ved avslutning av prosjektet. Evalueringen ble beskrevet ved hjelp av deskriptiv statistikk og tematisk analyse. Studentene fikk mulighet til å arbeide kunnskapsbasert og finne svar på en aktuell problemstilling i praksis, og bidra til å utvikle eget fagområde. Funnene fra studentevalueringen blir presentert og diskutert med hensyn til sammenheng mellom læringsutbyttebeskrivelser, læringsaktiviteter og vurdering relatert til J.Biggs modell. Bruk av fagutviklingsprosjekter i utdanningen kan bidra til å utvikle viktig kompetanse, og konstruktivt samarbeid mellom utdanning og klinisk praksis. Dette vil kunne styrke kvaliteten og innfri krav og forventninger til begge institusjonene.
Lag and light-transfer characteristics of amorphous selenium photoconductive film with tellurium-doped layer
Authors: Park Wug-Dong , Tanioka Kenkichi
Published: June 2016

Amorphous selenium (a-Se) high-gain avalanche rushing amorphous photoconductor (HARP) films have been used for highly sensitive imaging devices. To study a-Se HARP films for a solid-state image sensor, current–voltage, lag, spectral response, and light-transfer characteristics of 0.4-µm-thick a-Se HARP films are investigated. Also, to clarify a suitable Te-doped a-Se layer thickness in the a-Se photoconductor, we considered the effects of Te-doped layer thickness on the lag, spectral response, and light-transfer characteristics of 0.4-µm-thick a-Se HARP films. The threshold field, at which avalanche multiplication occurs in the a-Se HARP targets, decreases when the Te-doped layer thickness increases. The lag of 0.4-µm-thick a-Se HARP targets with Te-doped layers is higher than that of the target without Te doping. The lag of the targets with Te-doped layers is caused by the electrons trapped in the Te-doped layers within the 0.4-µm-thick a-Se HARP films. From the results of the spectral response measurement of about 15 min, the 0.4-µm-thick a-Se HARP targets with Te-doped layers of 90 and 120 nm are observed to be unstable owing to the electrons trapped in the Te-doped a-Se layer. From the light-transfer characteristics of 0.4-µm-thick a-Se HARP targets, as the slope at the operating point of signal current–voltage characteristics in the avalanche mode increases, the γ of the a-Se HARP targets decreases. Considering the effects of dark current on the lag and spectral response characteristics, a Te-doped layer of 60 nm is suitable for 0.4-µm-thick a-Se HARP films.
Synthesis and structural characterization of vertical ferromagnetic MnAs/semiconducting InAs heterojunction nanowires
Authors: Kodaira Ryutaro , Hara Shinjiro , Kabamoto Kyohei , Fujimagari Hiromu
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this study is to synthesize vertical ferromagnetic/semiconducting heterojunction nanowires by combing the catalyst-free selective-area growth of InAs nanowires and the endotaxial nanoclustering of MnAs and to structurally and magnetically characterize them. MnAs penetrates the InAs nanowires to form nanoclusters. The surface migration length of manganese adatoms on the nanowires, which is estimated to be 600 nm at 580 °C, is a key to the successful fabrication of vertical MnAs/InAs heterojunction nanowires with atomically abrupt heterointerfaces.
Optical and chemical behaviors of CR-39 and Makrofol plastics under low-energy electron beam irradiation
Authors: El-Saftawy Ashraf Ali , El Aal Saad Ahmed Abd , Hassan Nabil Mohamed , Abdelrahman Moustafa Mohamed
Published: June 2016

In this study, CR-39 and Makrofol plastic nuclear track detectors were irradiated with low-energy electron beams to study the effect of the induced changes on their optical and chemical properties. Surface chemical changes were recorded by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, which showed successive degradation and crosslinking for CR-39 and decomposition for Makrofol. The optical band gap was determined by UV–vis spectroscopy. Also, the parameters of carbon cluster formation and disordering (Urbach’s energy) occurring on plastic surfaces were examined. The intrinsic viscosity changes were investigated as well. As a result, low-energy electron beams were found to be useful for the control of many properties of the surfaces of the investigated detectors.
Feasibility of real-time treatment feedback using novel filter for eliminating therapeutic ultrasound noise with high-speed ultrasonic imaging in ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment
Authors: Takagi Ryo , Jimbo Hayato , Iwasaki Ryosuke , Tomiyasu Kentaro , Yoshizawa Shin , Umemura Shin-ichiro
Published: June 2016

In the conventional ultrasonic monitoring of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment, a significant interval between HIFU shots is required when monitoring target tissue to avoid interference between HIFU noise and RF echo signals. In our previous study, a new filtering method to eliminate only HIFU noise while maintaining tissue signals intact was proposed, and it was shown that the thermal coagulation could be detected during simultaneous HIFU irradiation through off-line processing. In this study, the filtering method and a real-time coagulation detection algorithm were implemented in an ultrasound imaging system, whose use for sequential exposure with multiple foci was demonstrated similarly to a commercial HIFU ablation system. The coagulation was automatically detected by the proposed method during real-time simultaneous HIFU irradiation, and the HIFU exposure time was controlled according to the changes in the tissue. The results imply that ultrasonic monitoring with the filtering and detection methods is useful for true real-time detection of changes in the tissue due to thermal coagulation during HIFU exposure.
Frequency control of sol–gel composite films fabricated by stencil printing for nondestructive testing applications
Authors: Kaneko Tsukasa , Kibe Taiga , Kimoto Keisuke , Nishimura Ryota , Kobayashi Makiko
Published: June 2016

Ultrasonic transducers made of sol–gel composites have been developed for nondestructive testing (NDT) applications in various industrial fields. Stencil printing of sol–gel composite films has been developed for the reduction of fabrication time and cost. However, it was necessary to develop low frequency (<10 MHz) ultrasonic transducers for inspecting industrial structures under severe high-temperature conditions, because high-frequency components suffer attenuation effect caused by high temperature. To realize this, increasing the thickness of Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT)/PZT films fabricated by stencil printing was attempted in this study. The samples were fabricated by single-layer stencil printing with a thick stencil mask and multilayer pure stencil printing with prespraying and postspraying. The film thicknesses were 150–185 µm, and the center frequencies of ultrasonic responses were 6.0–6.4 MHz. Throughout three thermal cycles of up to 370 K, the ultrasonic performance was stable, and the frequency characteristics were not markedly different from the beginning to the end of the test. Therefore, low-frequency ultrasonic transducers were successfully manufactured using a stencil-printing-based technique.
Acoustical environment measurement at a very shallow port: Trial case in Hashirimizu Port
Authors: Ogasawara Hanako , Mori Kazuyoshi
Published: June 2016

Recently, the needs for coastal environment measurement has been increasing for many purposes, such as fishing, weather forecasting, ocean noise measurement for power plants, and coastal security. Acoustical measurement is one of the solutions because it can cover a wide area with few sensors, and it is possible to monitor long term or in real time. In this study, a small-scale reciprocal sound travel experiment was carried out in Hashirimizu Port for coastal environment measurement, such as current speed and water temperature. Since the distance between the surface and the transducer becomes short according to the tidal effect, the direct signal is canceled by the surface-reflected signal under a specific condition. However, even under such a condition, mean water temperature could be estimated from the reciprocal travel time using bottom-reflected signals. The current along the travel path was a reasonable value. It is possible to obtain a special current speed with another reciprocal path, which is in a direction perpendicular to the current travel path.
Effect of medullary cavity in cancellous bone on two-wave phenomenon
Authors: Hachiken Takuma , Nakanishi Shoko , Matsukawa Mami
Published: June 2016

Osteoporotic patients have a larger medullary cavity in their cancellous bone than healthy people. In this study, the effect of the medullary cavity on the two-wave phenomenon was experimentally investigated using a cancellous bone model and a radius bone model. In the cancellous bone model, with the increase in hole (medullary cavity) diameter, the amplitudes of the fast waves became smaller, whereas the amplitudes of the slow waves became larger. In the radius bone model, the fast wave overlapped with the circumferential wave. The slow wave became larger with increasing hole diameter. The analysis of the slow wave thus seems to be useful for the in vivo diagnosis of the degree of osteoporosis.
A prior-knowledge-based threshold segmentation method of forward-looking sonar images for underwater linear object detection
Authors: Liu Lixin , Bian Hongyu , Yagi Shin-ichi , Yang Xiaodong
Published: June 2016

Raw sonar images may not be used for underwater detection or recognition directly because disturbances such as the grating-lobe and multi-path disturbance affect the gray-level distribution of sonar images and cause phantom echoes. To search for a more robust segmentation method with a reasonable computational cost, a prior-knowledge-based threshold segmentation method of underwater linear object detection is discussed. The possibility of guiding the segmentation threshold evolution of forward-looking sonar images using prior knowledge is verified by experiment. During the threshold evolution, the collinear relation of two lines that correspond to double peaks in the voting space of the edged image is used as the criterion of termination. The interaction is reflected in the sense that the Hough transform contributes to the basis of the collinear relation of lines, while the binary image generated from the current threshold provides the resource of the Hough transform. The experimental results show that the proposed method could maintain a good tradeoff between the segmentation quality and the computational time in comparison with conventional segmentation methods. The proposed method redounds to a further process for unsupervised underwater visual understanding.
Effect of barrier capacitance on self-organized structure in dielectric-barrier discharge microplasma
Authors: Mukaigawa Seiji , Fujiwara Kazunobu , Sato Tomohiko , Odagiri Ryo , Kudoh Tomohiro , Yokota Atsuya , Oguni Kyohei , Takaki Koichi
Published: June 2016

We experimentally observed variations in self-organized microgap barrier discharge with changes in barrier capacitance. We also performed a computer simulation using a reaction–diffusion equation. The simulation results showed the same tendency for the lattice spacing and size of filaments as hexagonal pattern structures in discharge experiments. We confirmed that the experimental result of the dependence of voltage on filament number density is consistent with the simulation result. From a theoretical viewpoint, it is possible that the size of filaments of a hexagonal structure caused by Turing instability corresponds to the characteristic wavelength obtained by simple analysis.
Electron extraction mechanisms of a micro-ECR neutralizer
Authors: Takao Yoshinori , Hiramoto Kenta , Nakagawa Yuichi , Kasagi Yusuke , Koizumi Hiroyuki , Komurasaki Kimiya
Published: June 2016

Three-dimensional particle simulations have been conducted to analyze the mechanisms of electron extraction through the orifices of a 4.2 GHz microwave discharge microneutralizer, using a xenon electron cyclotron resonance plasma. The dimensions of the neutralizer are 20 × 20 × 4 mm3, and a ring-shaped microwave antenna and permanent magnets are employed for its discharges. The numerical model is composed of a particle-in-cell simulation with a Monte Carlo collision algorithm for charged particle motions, a finite-difference time-domain method for microwaves, and a finite element analysis for magnetostatic fields. The simulation results have shown that the electrostatic field inside the plasma source has a dominant effect on electron extraction. The extracted electrons move along the magnetic field line to the orifice entrances and the
E
×
B
drift at the orifice edge induces electron extraction.
La lipocalina asociada con la gelatinasa de neutrófilos como factor temprano de predicción de la función retardada del injerto renal
Authors: Nieto-Ríos John Fredy , Serna-Higuita Lina Maria , Ocampo-Kohn Catalina , Aristizábal-Alzate Arbey , Vélez-Echeverry Catalina , Vanegas-Ruiz Juan José , Bedoya Ana María , Lopera Sandra Lucía , Rojano-Held Nury , Giraldo Nelson Darío , Zuluaga-Valencia Gustavo Adolfo
Published: June 2016

Introducción. La función retardada del injerto renal se presenta en 20 a 50 % de los trasplantes renales.
Objetivo. Describir el comportamiento de la lipocalina urinaria asociada a la gelatinasa de neutrófilos en receptores de trasplante renal de donante fallecido y compararlo con el porcentaje de descenso de la creatinina sérica para detectar tempranamente la función retardada del injerto renal.
Materiales y métodos. Se evaluaron los niveles de lipocalina urinaria asociada a la gelatinasa de neutrófilos en una cohorte prospectiva 1, 12, 24 y 48 horas después del trasplante renal, y se compararon diariamente con los de la creatinina sérica hasta el quinto día del trasplante.
Resultados. Se incluyeron en el estudio 79 pacientes con trasplante renal de donante fallecido. La función retardada del injerto renal se presentó en 13 pacientes (16,5 %) y cinco de ellos (6,3 %) necesitaron diálisis en la primera semana. Los valores de lipocalina urinaria asociada a la gelatinasa de neutrófilos en todos los puntos de corte fueron mayores en los pacientes con función retardada del injerto renal (p=0,526, p=0,049, p=0,032 y p=0,001, respectivamente). Se estableció un valor de más de 120 ng/ml a las 48 horas como factor de predicción de la función retardada del injerto, con una sensibilidad de 75 % y una especificidad de 71 %; el valor de creatinina sérica que mejor discriminó la función retardada se presentó a las 48 horas (59,5 %), con una sensibilidad de 92 % y una especificidad de 83 %. En la regresión logística los únicos valores significativos para predecir la función retardada del injerto renal fueron los de la creatinina serica.
Conclusión. Los niveles de lipocalina urinaria asociada a la gelatinasa de neutrófilos a las 48 horas del trasplante renal predijeron la función retardada, incluida la necesidad de diálisis, pero no fueron superiores a los de la creatinina sérica para la detección temprana.
Does our legal minimum drinking age modulate risk of first heavy drinking episode soon after drinking onset? Epidemiological evidence for the United States, 2006–2014
Authors: Cheng Hui G. , Anthony James C.
Published: June 2016

Background. State-level ‘age 21’ drinking laws conform generally with the United States National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 (US), and are thought to protect young people from adverse drinking experiences such as heavy episodic drinking (HED, sometimes called ‘binge drinking’). We shed light on this hypothesis while estimating the age-specific risk of transitioning from 1st full drink to 1st HED among 12-to-23-year-old newly incident drinkers, with challenge to a “gender gap” hypothesis and male excess described in HED prevalence reports.

Methods. The study population consisted of non-institutionalized civilians in the United States, with nine independently drawn nationally representative samples of more than 40,000 12-to-23-year-olds (2006–2014). Standardized audio computer-assisted self-interviews identified 43,000 newly incident drinkers (all with 1st HED evaluated within 12 months of drinking onset). Estimated age-specific HED risk soon after first full drink is evaluated for males and females.

Results. Among 12-to-23-year-old newly incident drinkers, an estimated 20–30% of females and 35–45% of males experienced their 1st HED within 12 months after drinking onset. Before mid-adolescence, there is no male excess in such HED risk. Those who postponed drinking to age 21 are not spared (27% for ‘postponer’ females; 95% CI [24–30]; 42% for ‘postponer’ males; 95% CI [38–45]). An estimated 10–18% females and 10–28% males experienced their 1st HED in the same month of their 1st drink; peak HED risk estimates are 18% for ‘postponer’ females (95% CI [15–21]) and 28% for ‘postponer’ males (95% CI [24–31]).

Conclusions. In the US, one in three young new drinkers transition into HED within 12 months after first drink. Those who postpone the 1st full drink until age 21 are not protected. Furthermore, ‘postponers’ have substantial risk for very rapid transition to HED. A male excess in this transition to HED is not observed until after age 14.
Tetraspanin 8 mediates AEG‐1‐induced invasion and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Akiel Maaged A. , Santhekadur Prasanna K. , Mendoza Rachel G. , Siddiq Ayesha , Fisher Paul B. , Sarkar Devanand
Published: June 2016

Astrocyte‐elevated gene‐1 (AEG‐1) positively regulates tumor progression and metastasis. Here, we document that AEG‐1 upregulates transcription of the membrane protein tetraspanin 8 (TSPAN8). Knocking down TSPAN8 in AEG‐1‐overexpressing human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells markedly inhibited invasion and migration without affecting proliferation. TSPAN8 knockdown profoundly abrogated AEG‐1‐induced primary tumor and intrahepatic metastasis in an orthopic xenograft model in athymic nude mice. Coculture of TSPAN8 knockdown cells with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) markedly inhibited HUVEC tube formation indicating that inhibition of angiogenesis might cause reduction in primary tumor size. TSPAN8 inhibition might be a potential therapeutic strategy for metastatic HCC.
Confluence of density currents over an erodible bed
Authors: Ismail Hassan , Viparelli Enrica , Imran Jasim
Published: June 2016

Results from laboratory experiments on conservative density current confluence are reported. Hydraulic characteristics and morphodynamic consequences of the confluence of two continuous release density currents in a horizontal, 45° asymmetrical junction are examined and compared to those of terrestrial subaerial river junctions. It was observed that density current confluence is markedly different than those in river junctions primarily due to the ease of the dense fluid to convect into the ambient fluid in the junction zone. Upward convection in the junction resulted in low horizontal velocity and shear stresses on the bed of the junction zone, followed by replunging to the layer of neutral buoyancy downstream of the junction where acceleration occurs. In the downstream reach was a distinctive erosional pattern similar to central scouring seen in river junctions but starting at the downstream junction point rather than at the upstream junction point. It was found that terrestrial river models match well with the density current case in terms of maximum velocity downstream of the junction, backwater effect, scour face protrusion into the downstream reach, and maximum scour orientation. Poor matching was found in terms of separation zone dimensions and shape, streamline deviation angle on the junction line, and maximum scour depth.
Quantifying manganese and nitrogen cycle coupling in manganese‐rich, organic carbon‐starved marine sediments: Examples from the Clarion‐Clipperton fracture zone
Authors: Mogollón José M. , Mewes Konstantin , Kasten Sabine
Published: June 2016

Extensive deep‐sea sedimentary areas are characterized by low organic carbon contents and thus harbor suboxic sedimentary environments where secondary (autotrophic) redox cycling becomes important for microbial metabolic processes. Simulation results for three stations in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific with low organic carbon content (<0.5 dry wt %) and low sedimentation rates (10−1–100 mm ky−1) show that ammonium generated during organic matter degradation may act as a reducing agent for manganese oxides below the oxic zone. Likewise, at these sedimentary depths, dissolved reduced manganese may act as a reducing agent for oxidized nitrogen species. These manganese‐coupled transformations provide a suboxic conversion pathway of ammonium and nitrate to dinitrogen. These manganese‐nitrogen interactions further explain the presence and production of dissolved reduced manganese (up to tens of μM concentration) in sediments with high nitrate (>20 μM) concentrations.
Cenozoic deformation and exhumation of the Kampot Fold Belt and implications for south Indochina tectonics
Authors: Fyhn Michael B. W. , Green Paul F. , Bergman Steven C. , Van Itterbeeck Jimmy , Tri Tran V. , Dien Phan T. , Abatzis Ioannis , Thomsen Tonny B. , Chea Socheat , Pedersen Stig A. S. , Mai Le C. , Tuan Hoang A. , Nielsen Lars H.
Published: June 2016

Latest Mesozoic to earliest Cenozoic deformation affected SE Asia's Sundaland core. The deformation event bridges the Mesozoic SE Asian fusion with the Cenozoic era of rifting, translation, basin formation, and the creation of modern SE Asian oceans. Southern Cambodia and Vietnam are central to this shift, but geological investigations of the region are in their infancy. Based on apatite and zircon fission track analyses (AFTA and ZFTA), stratigraphic and structural observations, seismic data, thermal maturity, and igneous rock dating, the geological evolution of southern Cambodia and Vietnam is investigated. Diverse depositional styles, igneous activity, structural deformation and subsurface unconformities testify to a highly variable Phanerozoic tectonic setting. Major latest Cretaceous to Paleocene thrusting and uplift affected the Kampot Fold Belt and surrounding regions and the associated up to ~11 km exhumation probably exceeds earlier denudation events since at least Permian time. The present relief of the Bokor Mountains rising high above the Kampot Fold Belt represents an artifact after differential erosion and only 2.5–4.5 km of erosion affected this area. The latest Cretaceous to Paleocene orogenesis affected much of greater Indochina probably owing to plate collision along eastern Sundaland or a combination of collisions along both east and west Sundaland. AFTA and ZFTA data document protracted cooling of Cretaceous granites and locally elevated thermal gradients persisting a few tens of million years after their emplacement. The thermal gradient had stabilized by early Miocene time, and Miocene cooling probably reflects a renewed denudation pulse driven by either regional tectonism or climate‐enhanced erosion.
New insights into the crust and lithospheric mantle structure of Africa from elevation, geoid, and thermal analysis
Authors: Globig Jan , Fernàndez Manel , Torne Montserrat , Vergés Jaume , Robert Alexandra , Faccenna Claudio
Published: June 2016

We present new crust and lithosphere thickness maps of the African mainland based on integrated modeling of elevation and geoid data and thermal analysis. The approach assumes local isostasy, thermal steady state, and linear density increase with depth in the crust and temperature‐dependent density in the lithospheric mantle. Results are constrained by a new comprehensive compilation of seismic Moho depth data consisting of 551 data points and by published tomography models relative to LAB depth. The crustal thickness map shows a N‐S bimodal distribution with higher thickness values in the cratonic domains of southern Africa (38–44 km) relative to those beneath northern Africa (33–39 km). The most striking result is the crustal thinning (28–30 km thickness) imaged along the Mesozoic West and Central African Rift Systems. Our crustal model shows noticeable differences compared to previous models. After excluding the Afar plume region, where the modeling assumptions are not fulfilled, our model better fits the available seismic data (76.3% fitting; root mean square error = 4.3 km). The LAB depth map shows large spatial variability (90 to 230 km), with deeper LAB related to cratonic domains and shallower LAB related to Mesozoic and Cenozoic rifting domains, in agreement with tomography models. Though crustal and lithosphere thickness maps show similar regional patterns, major differences are found in the Atlas Mountains, the West African Rift System, and the intracratonic basins. The effects of lateral variations in crustal density as well as the nonisostatic contribution to elevation in the Afar plume region, which we estimate to be ~1.8 km, are also discussed.