bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of heroin retail prices in metropolitan France: Discounts, purity and local markets
Authors: Lahaie Emmanuel , Janssen Eric , Cadet‐Taïrou Agnès
Published: December 2015

Introduction and Aims

Field studies have indicated a recent increase in heroin availability and use in France, and yet very little is known about the mechanisms underlying heroin retail prices. This paper offers a first attempt at identifying the determinants of heroin pricing, to measure quantity discounts and assess the influence of purity on street prices, while controlling for a geographical effect.

Design and Methods

Data on heroin samples were collected during 2011 in seven urban areas of metropolitan France. Ordinary least squares regression was used to model the associations between price, quantity, purity and other independent variables.

Results

Quantity remains the most influential variable on heroin pricing. We estimate that a 10% increase in the size of a transaction leads to a 2.3% decrease in the unit price. Assessed purity proved to be significant, although in modest proportion. Sociodemographic characteristics, such as gender, users' experience and relationships with dealers, proved to be insignificant. Heroin retail prices vary according to a geographical gradient related to the routes of entry and distribution.

Discussion and Conclusions

As a credence good, heroin retail prices in France are affected by more than simply the traditional supply and demand relationship. The results of this study also underline the limitations of a quantitative framework and should be complemented by further ethnographic research to obtain an in‐depth understanding of local markets. Policies should be designed to better take local disparities into account.[Lahaie E, Janssen E, Cadet‐Taïrou A. Determinants of heroin retail prices in metropolitan France:Discounts, purity and local markets. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:597–604]
Collagens XV and XVIII show different expression and localisation in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: type XV appears in tumor stroma, while XVIII becomes upregulated in tumor cells and lost from microvessels
Authors: Karppinen Sanna‐Maria , Honkanen Hanne‐Kaisa , Heljasvaara Ritva , Riihilä Pilvi , Autio‐Harmainen Helena , Sormunen Raija , Harjunen Vanessa , Väisänen Marja‐Riitta , Väisänen Timo , Hurskainen Tiina , Tasanen Kaisa , Kähäri Veli‐Matti , Pihlajaniemi Taina
Published: December 2015

As the second most common skin malignancy, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is an increasing health concern, while its pathogenesis at molecular level remains largely unknown. We studied the expression and localisation of two homologous basement membrane (BM) collagens, types XV and XVIII, at different stages of cSCC. These collagens are involved in angiogenesis and tumorigenesis, but their role in cancer development is incompletely understood. Quantitative RT‐PCR analysis revealed upregulation of collagen XVIII, but not collagen XV, in primary cSCC cells in comparison with normal human epidermal keratinocytes. In addition, the Ha‐ras‐transformed invasive cell line II‐4 expressed high levels of collagen XVIII mRNA, indicating upregulation in the course of malignant transformation. Immunohistochemical analyses of a large human tissue microarray material showed that collagen XVIII is expressed by tumor cells from grade 1 onwards, while keratinocytes in normal skin and in premalignant lesions showed negative staining for it. Collagen XV appeared instead as deposits in the tumor stroma. Our findings in human cSCCs and in mouse cSCCs from the DMBA‐TPA skin carcinogenesis model showed that collagen XVIII, but not collagen XV or the BM markers collagen IV or laminin, was selectively reduced in the tumor vasculature, and this decrease associated significantly with cancer progression. Our results demonstrate that collagens XV and XVIII are expressed in different sites of cSCC and may contribute in a distinct manner to processes related to cSCC tumorigenesis, identifying these collagens as potential biomarkers in the disease.
Tropomyosin isoforms differentially modulate the regulation of actin filament polymerization and depolymerization by cofilins
Authors: Robaszkiewicz Katarzyna , Ostrowska Zofia , Marchlewicz Kamila , Moraczewska Joanna
Published: December 2015

The specific functions of actin filaments located in the contractile and cytoskeletal compartments of muscle cells depend on the stability and dynamic polymerization/depolymerization of filaments. Tropomyosins and cofilins control the length and dynamic rearrangement of the filaments, although the mechanisms regulating actin dynamics are not well understood. In the present study, we used in vitro assays to examine the regulation of two cofilin isoforms, constitutive cofilin‐1 and muscle cofilin‐2, by the muscle homodimer Tpm1.1, muscle heterodimer Tpm1.1/Tpm2.2, and the cytoskeletal Tpm3.1. Depolymerization from the pointed end induced by the muscle‐specific cofilin‐2 was inhibited by all tropomyosins, whereas the muscle isoforms were most effective. By contrast, depolymerization by cofilin‐1 was inhibited by Tpm3.1 and Tpm1.1, but not by Tpm1.1/Tpm2.2. Polymerization of G‐actin was inhibited by cofilin‐2, whereas cofilin‐1 had no effect. All three tropomyosins switched on the inhibiting activity of cofilin‐1; however, Tpm3.1 and Tpm1.1 were much more efficient. Cofilin‐2‐induced inhibition of polymerization was affected neither by Tpm1.1, nor by Tpm3.1, but partly relieved by Tpm1.1/Tpm2.2. Cofilins removed tropomyosin isoforms from the filament with different efficiencies, which correlated with the cooperativities of cofilin binding to the F‐actin/tropomyosin complex. Because neither zero‐length, nor long‐arm cross‐linking between tropomyosin and cofilin isoforms was observed, the effects of tropomyosin isoforms on the activities of cofilins were executed allosterically. The results reveal that isoform‐specific interactions with actin filament permit tropomyosins to discriminate between cofilin isoforms and to differentially regulate their activities.
Regulatory role of the cell adhesion molecule nectin‐1 in GABAergic inhibitory synaptic transmission in the CA3 region of mouse hippocampus
Authors: Geng Xiaoqi , Mandai Kenji , Maruo Tomohiko , Wang Shujie , Fujiwara Takeshi , Mizoguchi Akira , Takai Yoshimi , Mori Masahiro
Published: December 2015

Proper operation of a neural circuit relies on both excitatory and inhibitory synapses. We previously showed that cell adhesion molecules nectin‐1 and nectin‐3 are localized at puncta adherentia junctions of the hippocampal mossy fiber glutamatergic excitatory synapses and that they do not regulate the excitatory synaptic transmission onto the CA3 pyramidal cells. We studied here the roles of these nectins in the GABAergic inhibitory synaptic transmission onto the CA3 pyramidal cells using nectin‐1‐deficient and nectin‐3‐deficient cultured mouse hippocampal slices. In these mutant slices, the amplitudes and frequencies of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents were indistinguishable from those in the control slices. In the nectin‐1‐deficient slices, but not in the nectin‐3‐deficient slices, however, the amplitude of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) was larger than that in the control slices, although the frequency of the mIPSCs was not different between these two groups of slices. In the dissociated culture of hippocampal neurons from the nectin‐1‐deficient mice, the amplitude and frequency of mIPSCs were indistinguishable from those in the control neurons. Nectin‐1 was not localized at or near the GABAergic inhibitory synapses. These results indicate that nectin‐1 regulates the neuronal activities in the CA3 region of the hippocampus by suppressing the GABAergic inhibitory synaptic transmission.
Voluntarism, Atonement, and Duns Scotus
Authors: Ward Thomas M.
Published: December 2015

The two most important concepts in Duns Scotus's (1265/6‐1308) theology of the Atonement are satisfaction and merit. Just what these amount to and how they function in his theory are heavily conditioned by two more general commitments: Scotus's voluntarism, which includes the claim that nearly all of God's relations with the created order are contingent; and his formulation of the Franciscan Thesis, which holds that fixing the sin problem is not the primary purpose of God's Incarnation in Christ and that if Adam hadn't sinned God would have become incarnate anyway. In this essay I will discuss the theoretical background of Scotus's atonement theology—his voluntarism and his version of the Franciscan Thesis—before moving on to discuss his understanding of merit and satisfaction, how these are related, and how they relate to the theoretical background. I will engage some important recent scholarly attempts to position Scotus's Atonement theology as not quite as anti‐Anselmian as history has characterized it, arguing that one of these attributes to Scotus an understanding of merit which cannot be Scotus's in fact, since it entails a restriction on divine freedom that Scotus certainly would reject.
The value of geohistorical data in identifying a recent human‐induced range expansion of a predatory gastropod in the Colorado River delta, Mexico
Authors: Smith Jansen A. , Dietl Gregory P.
Published: December 2015

Aim

Throughout the Colorado River basin, numerous dams have captured and diverted the entirety of the basin's c. 1.85 × 1010 m3 year−1 of water, altering the downstream delta ecosystem. In the absence of pre‐dam studies, geohistorical data can play a critical role in reconstructing ecological aspects of the past ecosystem. Here, we use geohistorical data to test the hypothesis that a shell‐drilling naticid gastropod predator, Notocochlis chemnitzii, has recently undergone a human‐induced range expansion to the Colorado River delta (CRD). Based on uncertainty in the literature surrounding the membership of N. chemnitzii in the CRD benthic community before the dams were built, we predicted that, for pre‐dam samples, N. chemnitzii would be absent and there would be less variance in predator size selectivity and drillhole stereotypy.

Location

Colorado River delta, Mexico.

Methods

At two localities we sampled naticid shells and collected bivalve prey from the tidal flat and pre‐dam era cheniers – dune‐like structures composed primarily of molluscan remains. Naticids were sorted and counted by species. Variation in the stereotypic placement of drillholes in the pre‐ and post‐dam construction eras was assessed by grouping drillholes into a nine‐sector grid superimposed on the prey's shell. Predator size was regressed on bivalve prey size to assess variation in predator size selectivity pre‐ and post‐damming of the Colorado River.

Results

As predicted, we found no N. chemnitzii in cheniers of pre‐dam age, whereas another naticid species, Neverita reclusiana, was common. Notocochlis chemnitzii and N. reclusiana were found in the actively forming chenier and on the tidal flat. As expected with the addition of another naticid species, the preferred site of drilling and size selectivity of prey by predators changed significantly between cheniers from the pre‐ and post‐dam construction eras due to variation in prey‐handling behaviour by different naticid species.

Main conclusions

Geohistorical evidence, from body and trace fossils, suggests that N. chemnitzii has recently expanded its geographical range to the CRD, whereas N. reclusiana has long dwelled in the delta. Geohistorical baseline data are an underutilized source of information that can provide unique ecological perspectives for restoration efforts in estuaries of dammed rivers world‐wide.
Performance Pay and Offshoring
Authors: Dinopoulos Elias , Tsoulouhas Theofanis
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we construct a North–South general equilibrium model of offshoring, highlighting the nexus among endogenous effort‐based labor productivity and the structure of wages. Offshoring is modeled as international transfer of management practices and production techniques that allow Northern firms to design and implement performance compensation contracts. Performance–pay contracts address moral hazard issues stemming from production uncertainty and unobserved worker effort. We find that worker effort augments productivity and compensation of those workers assigned to more offshorable tasks. An increase in worker effort in the South, caused by a decline in offshoring costs, an increase in worker skill, or a decline in production uncertainty in the South, increases the range of offshored tasks and makes workers in the North and South better off. An increase in Southern labor force increases the range of offshored tasks, benefits workers in the North, and hurts workers in the South. International labor migration from low‐wage South to high‐wage North shrinks the range of offshored tasks, makes Northern workers worse off and Southern workers (emigrants and those left behind) better off. Higher worker effort in the North, caused by higher worker skills or lower degree of production uncertainty, decreases the range of offshored tasks and benefits workers in the North and South.
Bargains Followed by Bargains: When Switching Costs Make Markets More Competitive
Authors: Pearcy Jason
Published: December 2015

In markets where consumers have switching costs and firms cannot price‐discriminate, firms have two conflicting strategies. A firm can either offer a low price to attract new consumers and build future market share or a firm can offer a high price to exploit the partial lock‐in of their existing consumers. This paper develops a theory of competition when overlapping generations of consumers have switching costs and firms produce differentiated products. Competition takes place over an infinite horizon with any number of firms. This paper shows that the relationship between the level of switching costs, firms' discount rate, and the number of firms determines whether firms offer low or high prices. Similar to previous duopoly studies, switching costs are likely to facilitate lower (higher) equilibrium prices when switching costs are small (large) or when a firm's discount rate is large (small). Unlike previous studies, this paper demonstrates that the number of firms also determines whether switching costs are pro‐ or anticompetitive, and with a sufficiently large (small) number of firms switching costs are pro‐ (anti‐) competitive.
Development and ossification of the feeding apparatus in the larvae of two co‐occurring species of kob (Sciaenidae), Argyrosomus japonicus and Argyrosomus inodorus, in South Africa
Authors: Deary A. L. , Pattrick P. , Strydom N. A.
Published: December 2015

The teeth of the oral jaws of two sympatric species of Argyrosomus, Argyrosomus japonicus and Argyrosomus inodorus, found along the South African coast developed first on the premaxilla and then on the dentary of the lower jaw. Teeth were observed on the premaxilla of A. inodorus [head length (LH) = 1·0 mm; notochord length (LN) = 2·7 mm] at a smaller size than in A. japonicus (LH = 1·2 mm; LN = 4·7 mm). The ventral elements of the gill arches (hypo‐ and basibranchials) were not ossified by the end of preflexion. The fifth ceratobranchial began ossifying and possessed pharyngeal teeth by 1·2 mm LH (LN = 4·7 mm) in A. japonicus and 1·1 mm LH (LN = 3·2 mm) in A. inodorus. To complement the osteological data, stomach contents were also analysed as a proxy for feeding apparatus functionality. Prey were first present in the stomach of A. japonicus at 1·2 mm LH (LN = 4·7 mm) and only 22% of the stomachs contained no prey suggesting that A. japonicus is already actively foraging by preflexion. In comparison, 83% of the stomachs of A. inodorus contained no prey and a single prey item was present in the largest examined specimen (LH = 1·6 mm; LN = 5·4 mm). Elements of the feeding apparatus begin to ossify early during ontogeny. While the overall pattern of ossification is similar between the two species, A. japonicus may be able to begin feeding at smaller head lengths relative to A. inodorus in their nursery habitats.
Ocular anomaly in Atlantic midshipman Porichthys plectrodon (Batrachoidiformes: Batrachoididae) from the Mississippi Canyon, north‐central Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Womble M. R. , Bullard S. A.
Published: December 2015

The first record of an ocular anomaly in Atlantic midshipman Porichthys plectrodon (Batrachoidiformes: Batrachoididae) is reported from a specimen captured in the Mississippi Canyon. The anomalous specimen was bilaterally anophthalmic and the nape and dorsum were darkly pigmented but alizarin staining and histology revealed a complete eye embedded within the cranium beneath a markedly thickened dermal component of the cornea, along with seemingly minor elaboration of the choroid rete between the cornea and lens. Aetiology is indeterminate and beyond the scope of the study materials but barotrauma, infectious disease and previous wounding are doubtful.
Comparison of Edwardsiella ictaluri isolates from different hosts and geographic origins
Authors: Griffin M J , Reichley S R , Greenway T E , Quiniou S M , Ware C , Gao D X , Gaunt P S , Yanong R P E , Pouder D B , Hawke J P , Soto E
Published: December 2015

The intraspecific variability of E. ictaluri isolates from different origins was investigated. Isolates were recovered from farm‐raised catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in Mississippi, USA, tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) cultured in the Western Hemisphere and zebrafish (Danio rerio) propagated in Florida, USA. These isolates were phenotypically homologous and antimicrobial profiles were largely similar. Genetically, isolates possessed differences that could be exploited by repetitive‐sequence‐mediated PCR and gyrB sequence, which identified three distinct E. ictaluri genotypes: one associated with catfish, one from tilapia and a third from zebrafish. Plasmid profiles were also group specific and correlated with rep‐PCR and gyrB sequences. The catfish isolates possessed profiles typical of those described for E. ictaluri isolates; however, plasmids from the zebrafish and tilapia isolates differed in both composition and arrangement. Furthermore, some zebrafish and tilapia isolates were PCR negative for several E. ictaluri virulence factors. Isolates were serologically heterogenous, as serum from a channel catfish exposed to a catfish isolate had reduced antibody activity to tilapia and zebrafish isolates. This work identifies three genetically distinct strains of E. ictaluri from different origins using rep‐PCR, 16S, gyrB and plasmid sequencing, in addition to antimicrobial and serological profiling.
THE EFFECTS OF ANALYST FORECAST PROPERTIES AND COUNTRY‐LEVEL INSTITUTIONS ON THE COST OF DEBT
Authors: Boubakri Narjess , El Ghoul Sadok , Guedhami Omrane , Samet Anis
Published: December 2015

We investigate the link between analyst forecast characteristics and the cost of debt financing in international markets, and the influence of country‐level institutions. Using a sample of 3,768 bond issues from 42 non‐U.S. countries from 1996 to 2014, we find statistically and economically significant evidence that analysts lower bond yield spreads. Furthermore, this relation is stronger in firms operating in countries with weak institutions governing property rights, creditor protection, and disclosure standards. Overall, our findings imply that financial analysts play an important role as information intermediaries, and show that this relation is especially important in countries with weak institutional environments.
An Australian Multi‐Regional Waste Supply‐Use Framework
Authors: Fry Jacob , Lenzen Manfred , Giurco Damien , Pauliuk Stefan
Published: December 2015

The production of waste creates both direct and indirect environmental impacts. A range of strategies are available to reduce the generation of waste by industry and households, and to select waste treatment approaches that minimize environmental harm. However, evaluating these strategies requires reliable and detailed data on waste production and treatment. Unfortunately, published Australian waste data are typically highly aggregated, published by a variety of entities in different formats, and do not form a complete time‐series. We demonstrate a technique for constructing a multi‐regional waste supply‐use (MRWSU) framework for Australia using information from numerous waste data sources. This is the first MRWSU framework to be constructed (to the authors' knowledge) and the first sub‐national waste input‐output framework to be constructed for Australia. We construct the framework using the Industrial Ecology Virtual Laboratory (IELab), a cloud‐hosted computational platform for building Australian multi‐regional input‐output tables. The structure of the framework complies with the System of Environmental‐Economic Accounting (SEEA). We demonstrate the use of the MRWSU framework by calculating waste footprints that enumerate the full supply chain waste production for Australian consumers.
The role of HOX genes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Platais Christopher , Hakami Fahad , Darda Lav , Lambert Daniel W. , Morgan Richard , Hunter Keith D.
Published: December 2015

Recent decades have witnessed the publication of numerous studies reporting alterations in the genome and transcriptome of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Currently, the utilisation of these alterations as biomarkers and targets for therapy is limited and new, useful molecular characteristics are being sought. Many of the published HNSCC gene expression profiles demonstrate alterations in the expression of HOX genes. These are a family of Homeobox‐containing genes which are involved in developmental patterning and morphogenesis in the embryo, and which are often aberrantly expressed in cancer. The 39 HOX genes found in the human genome are arranged in four paralogous groups at different chromosomal loci. These control a wide range of cellular processes, including proliferation and migration, which are relevant in the context of cancer development. In this review article, we will outline the biology of HOX genes in relation to cancer and summarise the accumulating evidence for their role in the development of HNSCC and the possibility that they could be a therapeutic target in this malignancy. We will also identify areas where our current understanding is weak to focus future work and appraise the ongoing strategies for pharmacological intervention.
Maxillary Full‐Arch Immediately Loaded Implant‐Supported Fixed Prosthesis Designed and Produced by Photogrammetry and Digital Printing: A Clinical Report
Authors: Peñarrocha‐Oltra David , Agustín‐Panadero Rubén , Pradíes Guillermo , Gomar‐Vercher Sonia , Peñarrocha‐Diago Miguel
Published: December 2015

The present clinical report describes the use of a photogrammetry system (PICcamera) for obtaining impressions and designing and producing an immediately loaded CAD/CAM provisional fixed prosthesis delivered in the mouth within 24 hours after implant placement in the maxilla. The stereo camera was used to capture the implant positions, automatically taking 350 images in less than 2 minutes. This photogrammetry system takes 10 pictures per second with a margin of error of under 10 μm between two scan bodies, and identifies the spatial position of each implant without physical contact. The three‐dimensional data for each implant are registered in vector format, together with all interrelated implant angles and distances. The information is stored in an STL file (PICfile). Information on soft tissues was obtained from an irreversible hydrocolloid impression that was poured in stone and scanned. An immediately loaded screw‐retained fixed prosthesis was made from acetalic resin using CAD/CAM, and its passive fit was evaluated in the mouth using the Sheffield test and screw resistance test.
Potential of tannin‐rich plants, Leucaena leucocephala, Glyricidia sepium and Manihot esculenta, to reduce enteric methane emissions in sheep
Authors: Archimède H. , Rira M. , Barde D. J. , Labirin F. , Marie‐Magdeleine C. , Calif B. , Periacarpin F. , Fleury J. , Rochette² Y. , Morgavi D. P. , Doreau M.
Published: December 2015

An in vivo trial was conducted in sheep to investigate the effect of three tropical tannin‐rich plants (TRP) on methane emission, intake and digestibility. The TRP used were leaves of Glyricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala and Manihot esculenta that contained, respectively, 39, 75 and 92 g condensed tannins/kg DM. Methane was determined with the sulphur hexafluoride tracer technique. Eight rumen‐cannulated sheep of two breeds (four Texel, four Blackbelly) were used in two 4 × 4 Latin square designs. Four experimental diets were tested. They consisted in a tropical natural grassland hay based on Dichanthium spp. fed alone (C) or in association with G. sepium (G), L. leucocephala (L) or M. esculenta (M) given as pellets at 44% of the daily ration. Daily organic matter intake was higher in TRP diets (686, 984, 1054 and 1186 g/day for C, G, L and M respectively; p < 0.05) while apparent organic matter total tract digestibility was not affected (69.9%, 62.8%, 65.3% and 64.7% for C, G, L and M respectively; p > 0.05). Methane emission was 47.1, 44.9, 33.3 and 33.5 g/kg digestible organic matter intake for C, G, L and M, respectively, and was significantly lower (p < 0.05) for L and M than for G and C. Our results confirm the potential of some TRP to reduce methane production. The strong decrease in methane and the increase in intake with TRPs may be due to their presentation as pellets.
Optimum Level of Dietary n‐3 Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids for Juvenile Sea Cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus
Authors: Liao Mingling , Ren Tongjun , Chen Wei , Jiang Zhiqiang , Yang Huan , Han Yuzhe
Published: December 2015

A feeding trial was conducted to estimate the optimum level of dietary n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) for juvenile sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicas, based on growth performance and fatty acid compositions. Diets with five n‐3 HUFAs levels (0.15, 0.22, 0.33, 0.38, and 0.46%) were fed to sea cucumber juveniles (1.97 ± 0.01 g) once a day for 60 d. The sea cucumbers fed diets containing 0.22% n‐3 HUFAs showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight gain, feed efficiency, and protein efficiency ratio than the sea cucumbers fed diets containing 0.15% n‐3 HUFAs, but not significantly different (P > 0.05) from those of sea cucumbers fed diets containing 0.33, 0.38, and 0.46% n‐3 HUFAs. The sea cucumbers fed diets containing 0.46% n‐3 HUFAs showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher eicosapentaenoic acid and saturated fatty acid than the sea cucumber fed diets containing 0.15% n‐3 HUFAs, but not significantly different (P > 0.05) from those of sea cucumbers fed diets containing 0.22, 0.33, and 0.38% n‐3 HUFAs. The results of growth performance and n‐3 HUFA compositions of body wall indicated that the optimum level of dietary n‐3 HUFAs for juvenile sea cucumber is between 0.22 and 0.46%.
Effects of Broodstock Age and Sperm Collection Time over a Natural Spawning Period on Sperm Cryopreservation in Farmed Greenlip Abalone, Haliotis laevigata
Authors: Liu Yibing , Li Xiaoxu , Xu Tong , Robinson Nicholas , Qin Jianguang
Published: December 2015

This study investigated the effects of broodstock age (2‐ and 3‐yr‐old), and sperm collection time at the beginning, middle, and end of a natural spawning period, on the ability of sperm to tolerate cryopreservation in farmed greenlip abalone, Haliotis laevigata. The quality of sperm was assessed by motility, fertilization rate, plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and acrosome integrity (AI). The sperm collected at the middle of a natural spawning period had significantly higher quality than those collected at the beginning and the end of the spawning period in terms of plasma membrane integrity, MMP, and AI of fresh and post‐thaw sperm, post‐thaw sperm motility, and fertilization rate. No significant difference was found between 2‐ and 3‐yr‐old animals in most quality parameters evaluated. The results suggested that sperm collected during the middle of the spawning season should be used for cryopreservation. The efficiency of genetic improvement programs can be further enhanced by using sperm collected from 2‐yr‐old abalone which has a similar ability to tolerate cryopreservation as 3‐yr‐old counterparts.
Mouth Growth and Prey Selection in Juveniles of the European Long‐snouted Seahorse, Hippocampus guttulatus
Authors: Blanco Andreu , Planas Miquel
Published: December 2015

Abstract

Seahorses are ambush predators that swallow the prey through their tubular snout. In order to better understand mouth growth and its effect on prey preference by juveniles of the seahorse Hippocampus guttulatus, experimental assays were carried out by feeding juveniles (0–30 – d after male's pouch release [dar]) on a mixture of rotifers, Brachionus plicatilis; Artemia nauplii; and copepods; Acartia tonsa. Mouth development in juveniles was accomplished by growth of upper and lower jaws, which were linearly correlated with juvenile length, whereas mouth width (MW) and height (MH) grew exponentially with juvenile size. Additionally, MW and MH were exponentially correlated, so that the transversal section of the mouth increased linearly with juvenile age and length. Gut content and Ivlev' selectivity index demonstrated a permanent rejection of rotifers for the whole experimental period and a clear preference of juveniles for copepods from 0 to 15 dar and for Artemia nauplii afterwards. Results also suggest that juveniles are able to ingest larger prey than those provided as the limiting factor in prey ingestion was not MW, as for many marine fish larvae, but mouth area. A tentative feeding schedule to successfully feed H. guttulatus juveniles from 0 to 30 dar is proposed.
The putative impacts of the non‐native seaweed Sargassum muticum on native communities in tidepools of Southern California and investigation into the feasibility of local eradication
Authors: Smith Jayson R.
Published: December 2015

The ecological impacts of introduced seaweeds have been relatively understudied. Current research suggests that seaweed invasions often result in alterations of native marine communities and disruptions of normal ecosystem functioning, but the effects on native communities can vary among invasive seaweed species, among habitats and over small and large spatial scales. In this study, the impacts of Sargassum muticum, a non‐native brown alga introduced into southern California, USA, several decades ago, were examined by comparing community structure in rocky inter‐tidal pools with and without the seaweed. Sargassum muticum appeared to have little impact on the native community despite measures revealing changes in the abiotic conditions of pools, with S. muticum presence reducing light penetration and ameliorating pool temperature changes during low tides. In other regions and habitat types, S. muticum presence often, but not consistently, resulted in declines in macrophyte diversity and/or abundance and increases in faunal assemblages. The lack of effects of S. muticum in this study, combined with variable impacts by S. muticum and other invasive seaweeds worldwide, suggests that predicting the effects of introduced seaweeds is problematic and warrants further research. Regardless of the effects on native communities, there is often a desire to eradicate or control the spread of non‐native seaweeds. In this study, localized S. muticum eradication attempts, including manipulations of a native canopy and herbivorous urchins, proved unsuccessful as full recovery occurred in ~9 months. While eradication efforts conducted worldwide have resulted in mixed success, there is a trend that early detection and rapid response can increase success, highlighting a need for systematic monitoring and establishment of regional rapid response plans.
Another look at Aquinas's Objections to Capital Punishment
Authors: Marcar G.P.
Published: December 2015

According to Thomas Aquinas, a sovereign government may legitimately execute sinners in pursuance of the common good. Aquinas outlines his defence of Capital Punishment (‘CP’) in the Summa Theologica (‘ST’) 2–2, q.64, a.2 and the Summa Contra Gentiles (‘SCG’), Book 3, Chapter 146. Aquinas's stance on this issue is well known and his argument in favour of CP has been extensively discussed. This article will focus instead on the objections Aquinas raises to the institution of CP in the ST and SCG, along with his responses to these objections. After providing a brief sketch of Aquinas's account of legal punishment, Aquinas's argument for the legitimacy of CP will then be outlined. The objections which Aquinas raises to CP will then be individually examined, along with his reply to each. After examining the underpinnings of Aquinas's objections and responses, the outline of a critique will be offered which draws upon the thought of Augustine and Karl Barth.
Effects of Intrauterine Devices in Mares: A Histomorphological and Immunohistochemical Evaluation of the Endometrium
Authors: Klein V , Müller K , Schoon HA , Reilas T , Rivera del Alamo MM , Katila T
Published: December 2015

Contents

Oestrous suppression by intrauterine devices (IUDs) is caused by prolongation of luteal function, but the biological mechanism is unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate mechanisms which could explain the action of IUDs. Thirty mares were age‐matched and either inseminated (AI, n = 15) or fitted with an IUD (IUD, n = 15) and subsequently divided into four groups: AI‐P, pregnant (n = 8); AI‐N, non‐pregnant (n = 7); IUD‐P, prolonged luteal phase (n = 7); and IUD‐N, normal luteal phase (n = 8). The median ages were 5.5 and 7 years in AI‐P and IUD‐P groups and 14 and 11 years in AI‐N and IUD‐N groups, respectively. On Day 15 after ovulation, an endometrial biopsy was obtained to study histomorphological and immunohistochemical expression patterns of uterine proteins (uteroferrin, UF; uterocalin, UC; uteroglobin, UG), oestrogen and progesterone receptors (ER, PR), proliferation marker Ki‐67 and content of inflammatory cells. Expression of UF was higher in IUD mares; the difference between pregnant and IUD‐P mares was significant. Mares exhibiting a prolonged luteal phase (AI‐P, IUD‐P) showed only mild angiosclerosis and lower expression of both ER and PR than mares with a normal luteal phase (AI‐N, IUD‐N). No significant differences were detected in the numbers of inflammatory cells, with the exception of macrophages, which were more numerous in AI‐P than AI‐N mares. Although inflammatory cells were not detected in IUD mares, increased UF levels may indicate chronic inflammation. Young age and normality of the endometrial blood vessels may improve the efficacy of IUDs.
A Generalized Freud Weight
Authors: Clarkson Peter A. , Jordaan Kerstin , Kelil Abey
Published: December 2015

We discuss the relationship between the recurrence coefficients of orthogonal polynomials with respect to a generalized Freud weight

urn:x-wiley:00222526:media:sapm12105:sapm12105-math-0001with parameters and , and classical solutions of the fourth Painlevé equation. We show that the coefficients in these recurrence relations can be expressed in terms of Wronskians of parabolic cylinder functions that arise in the description of special function solutions of the fourth Painlevé equation. Further we derive a second‐order linear ordinary differential equation and a differential‐difference equation satisfied by the generalized Freud polynomials.
Effect of Chlamydomonas plastid terminal oxidase 1 expressed in tobacco on photosynthetic electron transfer
Authors: Feilke Kathleen , Streb Peter , Cornic Gabriel , Perreau François , Kruk Jerzy , Krieger‐Liszkay Anja
Published: December 2015

The plastid terminal oxidase PTOX is a plastohydroquinone:oxygen oxidoreductase that is important for carotenoid biosynthesis and plastid development. Its role in photosynthesis is controversially discussed. Under a number of abiotic stress conditions, the protein level of PTOX increases. PTOX is thought to act as a safety valve under high light protecting the photosynthetic apparatus against photodamage. However, transformants with high PTOX level were reported to suffer from photoinhibition. To analyze the effect of PTOX on the photosynthetic electron transport, tobacco expressing PTOX‐1 from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Cr‐PTOX1) was studied by chlorophyll fluorescence, thermoluminescence, P700 absorption kinetics and CO2 assimilation. Cr‐PTOX1 was shown to compete very efficiently with the photosynthetic electron transport for PQH2. High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis confirmed that the PQ pool was highly oxidized in the transformant. Immunoblots showed that, in the wild‐type, PTOX was associated with the thylakoid membrane only at a relatively alkaline pH value while it was detached from the membrane at neutral pH. We present a model proposing that PTOX associates with the membrane and oxidizes PQH2 only when the oxidation of PQH2 by the cytochrome b6f complex is limiting forward electron transport due to a high proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane.
PID CONTROLLER TUNING OPTIMIZATION USING GRADIENT DESCENT TECHNIQUE FOR AN ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC SERVO SYSTEM
Authors: Soon Chong Chee , Ghazali Rozaimi , Jaafar Hazriq Izzuan , Syed Hussien Sharifah Yuslinda
Published: December 2015

The prominent performance of electro-hydraulic servo (EHS) system has received a positive admission in the industrial field. EHS system is well known to be disclosed to the parameter variations, disturbances and uncertainties which are affects by the changes in the operating conditions such as friction, internal and external leakage. The complexity and nonlinear characteristic of the EHS system leads to a great challenge in controller development and system modelling. The performance of the utilized controller can be improved in order to achieve its best capability. In this paper, the basic knowledge in optimization of the proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller through Gradient Descent (GD) method was discussed. The PID parameters obtained through Ziegler-Nichols (ZN) tuning method has been optimized using the GD method via MATLAB/Simulink software. The findings illustrate significant improvement in the positioning tracking performance by applying the developed optimization technique. Therefore, the issues that were degraded the EHS system performance have been reduced.
COMPARISON OF THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY FOR HHT-24-CNF-BASED NANOFLUID USING DEIONIZED WATER AND ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Authors: Syed Idrus Syarifah Norfatin , Zaini Nor Salihah , Mohamad Imran Syakir , Abdullah Norli , Mohd Husin Mohd Haizal
Published: December 2015

Carbon nanofibers (CNF) is one of potential nanoparticles that possess superior thermal conductivity. In this study, nanofluids with suspension of CNF in deionized water (DI water) and ethylene glycol (EG) are prepare. Thermal conductivity (TC) of the nanofluids are measured at 6°C, 25°C and 40°C using KD2 Pro Thermal Properties Analyser. The results show that, TC increases with increasing of temperature and CNF loading. Best TC is recorded by 36.7 % enhancement at 40 °C for EG based fluid with 0.9 wt% CNF loading. Meanwhile, for DI water based fluid, best TC enhancement (39.6 %) can be achieved with CNF loading of 0.7 wt% at 40°C. Overall, both based fluid show a promising enhancement in thermal conductivity. However, DI water based fluid show higher TC in comparison to EG based fluid due to the higher TC in standard DI water itself.
MODELLING OF HUMAN EXPERT DECISION MAKING IN RESERVOIR OPERATION
Authors: Wan Ishak Wan Hussain , Ku-Mahamud Ku Ruhana , Md Norwawi Norita
Published: December 2015

Reservoir is one of the structural approaches for flood mitigation and water supply.  During heavy raining season, reservoir operator has to determine fast and accurate decision in order to maintain both reservoir and downstream river water level.  In contrast to less rainfall season, the reservoir needs to impound water for the water supply purposes. This study is aimed to model human expert decision making specifically on reservoir water release decision. Reservoir water release decision is crucial as reservoir serve multi purposes.  The reservoir water release decision pattern that comprises of upstream rainfall and current reservoir water level has been form using sliding window technique.  The computational intelligence method called artificial neural network was used to model the decision making.
SUSTAINABILITY: A NEW MANUFACTURING PARADIGM
Authors: Qureshi Muhammad Imran , Md. Rasli Amran , Jusoh Ahmad , Kowang Tan Owee
Published: December 2015

Recently, many industries adopted lean manufacturing philosophy to improve efficiency through reducing waste for maximization of profit. Most of the manufacturers have benefited the implementation of lean manufacturing through process effectiveness. However, despite of all its effectiveness in the production process, manufacturing industry is facing a real challenge instigated by the stakeholders (i.e. Customers, policy makers, regulatory authorities and society). Stakeholders are consistently pressurizing manufacturers to integrate the social and environmental factor within their production process to protect society and the environment from the negative effects of the manufacturing process, as a result manufacturing process experience continuous adaptation. This adaptation caused technological and procedural shifts, this significantly alter the fundamental manufacturing concepts. Current study provide the basic alterations in the fundamental principles of the green manufacturing paradigm, this adaptation ultimately leads to the new manufacturing paradigm of Sustainable manufacturing. Sustainable manufacturing is a broader concept of manufacturing focused on the integration of social, environmental and economic factors in manufacturing procedures.
SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION OF CLAMPING FORCE CONTROLLER FOR SECONDARY PULLEY OF ELECTRO MECHANICAL DUAL ACTING PULLEY CONTINOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (EMDAP CVT)
Authors: Mat Dzahir Mohd Azwarie , Hussein Mohamed , Supriyo Bambang , Tawi Kamarul Baharin , Che Kob Sabri , Mat Dzahir Mohd Azuwan
Published: December 2015

This paper investigates the performance of clamping force at the secondary pulley actuator of Electro-mechanical Dual Acting Pulley Continuously Variable Transmission (EMDAP CVT) using an identification technique for development of intelligent control. The implementation details are described and the experimental studies conducted in this research are analyzed. To investigate the dynamic response of the system, step input was applied to the EMDAP CVT and clamping forced was measured. The modeling of the system was developed using the Genetic Algorithm (GA). The validation and verification of the obtained model were evaluated using mean squared error (MSE) and correlation test. The performance of the nonlinear approach was compared and discussed based on MSE value. The predictive ability of the model was further observed with unseen data. The result shows that, Nonlinear ARX (NARX) model converges to an optimum solution faster with increasing of model order and the obtained dynamic model also described the system well.
IDENTIFICATION OF MOST SUITABLE BINARISATION METHODS FOR ACEHNESE ANCIENT MANUSCRIPTS RESTORATION SOFTWARE USER GUIDE
Authors: Fardian Fardian , Arnia Fitri , Muchallil Sayed , Munadi Khairul
Published: December 2015

The Aceh Museum stores many digitized ancient manuscripts from hundreds of years ago. The condition of those manuscripts has degraded into several degradation types such as uneven contrast, show through effects, background spots, and text fading, which cause decreasing readability. A binarisation method is used to decrease the degradation effect on ancient manuscripts. Our research team is currently working on developing application software that consists of five binarisation methods, namely Otsu, Niblack, Sauvola, Lu, and Su for ancient manuscript restoration for the Aceh Museum staff to improve documents’ readability. In practice, a user still finds it difficult to choose the best method because there is no method that works best on every ancient manuscript for different types of degradation. This paper intends to determine a binarisation method that suits most manuscript conditions. The method used in this research includes the identification and classification of degradation types from 200 ancient Aceh digital manuscripts, followed by cropping the manuscripts to the size of 256 x 256 pixels. As many as five cropped areas from each degradation type are selected as research samples. These samples are binarisated using the methods. The last step is finding the most suitable binarisation method for each degradation type and classifying which methods are considered to have good readability, and that achieves at least 80% recall and precision values. From our experiments, we found that the Su binarisation methods demonstrate the best performance overall for every degradation type. Otsu, Lu, and Su are suited for uneven background; Sauvola, Lu, and Su are suited for showthrough effects; Otsu, Sauvola, and Su are suited for background spots; and Otsu and Su are suited for both text and background blurring and ‘fox’.
CALCULATION OF ROD FORCE OF THE TRUSS CONSTRUCTION
Authors: Darman F Saragih , Marcedes, Purba , Bambang Winarno
Published: December 2015

The calculation of the forces of truss construction can be determined by graphical method, known as Cremona method and analytical method, known as Ritter method.  Calculations in both ways can take much time and is dependent on the number of connecting points and considerable loading simulations. This paper describes an alternative analytical calculation method, which combines the two methods, namely the connection balance method and the optimization calculation method.  And the last method is available in Microsoft Excel Solver (MES). The connection balance method is the fulfillment of the balance equation of SFx = 0 and SFy = 0 at each joint of the truss. The way of the balance fulfillment in this paper is different from the way of Ritter. In the way of Ritter, the balance fulfillment is applied to each connection point, one by one point. The connection point can be calculated if at the point there are maximum two unknown rod force and minimum one known rod force. While by using the MES program, the balance of connecting point is simultaneously computed for the entire construction. MES program works by simulating/finding the value of variables, and at the same time fulfilling the defined objective function and constraint functions. In this case, the variables are all the rod forces, while the constraint functions are the balance equation at all connecting point. An objective function can be taken from one of the SFx = 0 or SFy = 0 from one connecting point only. This paper has recorded 10 different types of geometric shapes of certain truss construction (statically determined) which can be considered to represent the ones in the field (including the form of Howe, Pratt, and Warren for the roof truss and bridge truss). Then the mathematical models that were adjusted to the MES program were created for each of the ten truss constructions. Based on the created mathematical models, the forces of the rods were then calculated using the MES program. For validation purposes, the calculation results are compared with the calculations result using the analytical Ritter method. It can be concluded that the presented calculation method is highly satisfactory, especially for the analysis of statically determined   truss construction.