bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-traditional Family Forms & the International Dimension of Family Life: A Report on the ERA Seminar, ‘Recent Case Law of the European Court of Human Rights in Family Law Matters’
Authors: Mol Charlotte
Published: June 2016

Non-traditional Family Forms & the International Dimension of Family Life: A Report on the ERA Seminar, ‘Recent Case Law of the European Court of Human Rights in Family Law Matters’

This report discusses the interesting remarks and conclusions made by the speakers at the ERA seminar, ‘Recent Case Law of the European Court of Human Rights in Family Law Matters’, which took place in Strasbourg on 11-12 February 2016. The report starts with a brief discussion on the shifting notion of ‘family life’ in the case law of the ECtHR, then turns to best interests of the child in international child abduction cases, the Court’s recognition of LGBT rights and finally the spectrum of challenges regarding reproductive rights in the Court’s case law. The overarching general trend is that the Court is increasingly faced with issues concerning non-traditional forms of family and with issues caused by the internationalisation of families. How this is seen in the Court’s recent case law and how it effects the various areas of family law is discussed in this report.
Formerly cohabiting parents and parenting plans: Who makes the effort?
Authors: de Bruijn Simon , Poortman Anne-Rigt , van der Lippe Tanja
Published: June 2016

Formerly cohabiting parents and parenting plans: Who makes the effort?

When the Promotion of Continued Parenting and Proper Divorce Act came into force on March 2009 both married and cohabiting Dutch parents of minor children were obliged to draw up a parenting plan when they separate. Parenting plans are not enforceable for cohabiters, however. Using data from the New Families in the Netherlands survey, we examine how many former cohabiters create a parenting plan and how this compares to the number of verbal or no arrangements. We expect that child, parents and relationship characteristics are important for the likelihood that a parenting plan is constructed. Results show that more than half of former cohabiters create a parenting plan. Furthermore, former cohabiters are more likely to draw up a parenting plan if they consult a legal practitioner during their separation process. In addition, the younger the youngest child is, the more likely that former cohabiters will create a parenting plan or make verbal arrangements rather than no arrangements. That is also true for higher educated households and if they opt for residential co-parenting after divorce. Former cohabiters in a high-conflict situation are less likely to develop a parenting plan than make no arrangements.
O direito humano fundamental de autodeterminação e os seus limites éticos frente ao princípio da proteção da dignidade humana
Authors: Baez Narciso Leandro Xavier , Reckziegel Janaína
Published: June 2016

A utilização de seres humanos em pesquisas para o desenvolvimento de novos medicamentos tem sido de fundamental importância para a aquisição de novos conhecimentos científicos relacionados com o tratamento e a cura de doenças que atingem um grande número de seres humanos. Durante a Segunda Guerra Mundial os médicos nazistas chegaram aos limites da utilização de pessoas em pesquisas científicas, criando situações de degradação, mutilação e extermínio dos indivíduos participantes destes experimentos. Esses fatos resultaram, posteriormente, na elaboração do Código de Nuremberg, o qual foi responsável por estabelecer um conjunto limites éticos às pesquisas com seres humanos, destacando-se entre eles, o respeito pela autodeterminação das pessoas, aceitando-se somente o uso de indivíduos que se submetem voluntariamente à experiência médica. Contudo, a autonomia da vontade desses voluntários não pode ser compreendida como absoluta, visto que se deve obedecer alguns limites éticos que impeçam o uso abusivo de sua saúde física e mental. A linha divisória que estabelece os contornos do direito humano fundamental à autodeterminação nessas atividades está justamente na verificação se no caso concreto a submissão do indivíduo à experiência médica atinge a dimensão básica de sua dignidade humana ou não. Para se equacionar essa análise usa-se a teoria de Immanuel Kant em contraste com as teses de Benedeto Croce, demonstrando-se que a dignidade humana possui duas dimensões: uma básica e outra cultural, construindo-se a partir dessa análise um novo conceito de direitos humanos fundamentais, capaz de oferecer ferramentas objetivas para a compreensão dos limites que devem ser impostos à autodeterminação dos indivíduos, quando isso venha colocar em risco a própria dignidade humana.
Decisão do supremo tribunal federal e direitos dos pares homoafetivos: uma (re) leitura à luz dos direitos humanos
Authors: Porto Delmiro Da Silva
Published: June 2016

O Supremo Tribunal Federal – STF, em decisão histórica recente, prolatada nos Autos da Arguição de Descumprimento de Preceito Fundamental nº 132-RJ, reconhece aos parceiros homoafetivos os mesmos efeitos jurídicos que a união estável àqueles que guardam diferença de sexo. Na busca desse reconhecimento, a ação invocou a interpretação “conforme a Constituição”, onde procurou-se mostrar que numa visada sistemática, o direito pleiteado tinha fundo. O Tribunal deu provimento com base nessa hermenêutica contextual, que se fez ao amparo de uma série de princípios constitucionais, em especial os da dignidade da pessoa humana, da igualdade e da liberdade. O valor fundante, porém, que é o humano, embora esteja configurado na rede discursiva da ampla fundamentação, aparece mais de forma tácita, quando se esperava o oposto: que o aspecto humano figurasse mais ao centro e à base dessa argumentação. Chega, por exemplo, a ser dito que a homossexualidade não é doença, nem desvio nem opção, mas orientação sexual. E se fosse tudo isso a um só tempo, por ser doente não teria guarida, ou por ser opção não teria a liberdade de escolha? A presente proposta é de ensaiar uma leitura dessa decisão, a partir da eleição de alguns trechos do discurso (pela exiguidade do espaço), mostrando, numa perspectiva dialética e dedutiva, que à luz dos direitos humanos as minorias, a exemplo dos homossexuais, podem receber a análise de seus pleitos a partir de um filtro mais seguro.
A obrigatoriedade do estudo prévio de impacto ambiental das florestas plantadas diante da necessidade de tratamento e de disposição dos resíduos sólidos
Authors: Maia Fernando Joaquim Ferreira , Sales Marcos Adriano Marques Pessôa
Published: June 2016

Neste trabalho será sustentado que o estudo prévio de impacto ambiental, diante da necessidade de tratamento e de disposição dos resíduos sólidos, deve ser obrigatório para as florestas plantadas. Pretende-se utilizar a retórica como forma de abordagem de métodos e de metodologias que sirvam de instrumento de seleção de hipóteses sobre o bem ambiental e de apresentação de soluções sobre os litígios acerca do meio ambiente. A questão dos resíduos sólidos tem sido muito discutida ao longo dos últimos anos, o crescimento populacional traz consigo o aumento do consumo de produtos, principalmente de rápido descarte, o que aumenta a pressão pela exploração dos recursos naturais, particularmente as florestas nativas. Uma forma encontrada de se atenuar isso são as florestas plantadas, mas que, por outro lado, acarreta também o aumento da quantidade de resíduos e a poluição, principalmente, da água, do solo, da biodiversidade e da atmosfera. Por isso, a pesquisa, a partir da transdisciplinariedade oferecida pelas ciências ambientais e agrárias, tentou uma análise crítica da norma relativa ao impacto sobre o meio ambiente produzido pelos resíduos sólidos gerados pelas mencionadas florestas. Objetiva-se uma maior efetividade da proteção/reprodução do bem ambiental. A obrigatoriedade do estudo prévio de impacto ambiental sobre as florestas plantadas é uma forma de se atenuar os efeitos da expansão da economia de mercado no meio ambiente, traduzidos, principalmente, no acúmulo crescente de lixo e de resíduos industriais.
Editorial
Authors: Mezzaroba Orides , Sanches Samyra Haydêe Dal Farra Naspolini
Published: June 2016

A REVISTA PRISMA JURÍDICO é um periódico semestral criado em 2002, pela Faculdade de Direito da Universidade Nove de Julho. Está classificada no Qualis Periódicos da Capes como B2 e sua missão é publicar artigos inéditos que tenham aderência à área do Direito e análises que envolvam o sistema judicial, sua funcionalidade, diálogos entre sustentabilidade e desenvolvimento no contexto do espaço público e privado.
Sobre os limites da argumentação jurídica: a desconstrução do ativismo judicial fundado na ponderação de princípios e a reinvenção da legitimidade jurídica nos pensamentos de Jürgen Habermas e Chantal Mouffe
Authors: Carvalho Juliana Brina Corrêa Lima de
Published: June 2016

Este trabalho pretendeu, por meio de técnica de pesquisa teórica do tipo descritivo/compreensivo e comparativo, e conforme processo de estudo interdisciplinar e procedimento de análise de conteúdo, problematizar a idéia de legitimidade que é substrato do modelo de ponderação de princípios delineado no bojo do ativismo judicial assumido pela jurisprudência do Tribunal Constitucional Federal alemão (Bundesverfassungsgericht - BVG) e, no Brasil, pelos julgados do Supremo Tribunal Federal – STF. Para tal, estudamos, inicialmente, o pensamento de Robert Alexy acerca da argumentação jurídica, por se constituir como uma das mais influentes interpretações da cultura constitucional alemã a tentar delinear uma metodologia para justificar racionalmente as dificuldades trazidas pela transição da jurisprudência do Bundesverfassungsgericht para o ativismo. Em seguida, procedemos à crítica da teoria da argumentação jurídica de Alexy por meio de duas vertentes: a) as críticas endereçadas por Jürgen Habermas à teoria da argumentação jurídica, no que concerne à subordinação do Direito à Moral, bem como quanto à relativização do caráter deontológico dos princípios; e b) a análise do modelo agonístico de democracia, proposto por Chantal Mouffe, aplicando-o à tentativa de desconstrução da pretensão de legitimidade do método ponderativo, a fim de criticar o modelo de racionalidade que lhe serve de substrato e o atrelamento deste ao modelo de legitimidade fundado na “representação argumentativa”.
PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Legitimidade – Democracia agonística – Teoria discursiva – Teoria da Argumentação Jurídica – ativismo judicial
Reconhecimento e constituição: Ensaio sobre a necessidade de se reconhecer na constituição
Authors: França Mhardoqueu G. Lima
Published: June 2016

O presente trabalho discute a questão do reconhecimento e constituição, proposições que são de relevante valor em sociedades marcadas pela diversidade, como é o caso da brasileira. Esta discussão é norteada pela teoria do reconhecimento de Axel Honneth. A partir da qual tenta demonstrar a necessidade do indivíduo se reconhecer na Constituição, como meio de reduzir as desigualdades e os conflitos sociais, e consequentemente o sentimento de injustiça. Para tanto, primeiramente trata-se dos ideais liberais homogeneizantes do Estado-Nação e da ruptura com estes ideais, num segundo momento trabalha-se a teoria do reconhecimento, para ao final concluir pela necessidade do identificar do indivíduo com a Constituição, por meio do reconhecimento jurídico.
O princípio da ordem pública e a cooperação jurídica internacional
Authors: Campos Neto Carlos Walter Marinho
Published: June 2016

O princípio da ordem pública restringe a concessão de efeitos internos ao direito estrangeiro, em nome da proteção de valores inafastáveis em determinado ordenamento jurídico, o que, na cooperação jurídica internacional, significa a denegação do pleito cooperacional. Todavia, a lei não oferece parâmetros mais concretos de delimitação do conteúdo da ordem pública, investindo o aplicador do direito de significativo grau de discricionariedade, o que acaba gerando imprevisibilidade e insegurança jurídica. A simples associação do instituto à gramática dos direitos humanos não é suficiente para afastar sua relatividade, pois esses direitos podem ser invocados para embasar tanto a concessão como a denegação do pleito cooperacional. A aproximação dos ordenamentos jurídicos nacionais e o aumento em sua interdependência incrementam a necessidade de cooperação entre os Estados, razão pela qual defende-se neste trabalho a adoção da “interpretação internacionalista” como vetor hermenêutico para a determinação do conteúdo da ordem pública.
Considerações sobre a interpretação moral da Constituição: A constitucionalização dos Direitos Fundamentais e os desafios a sua efetivação
Authors: Castro Matheus Felipe de
Published: June 2016

Foi nossa proposta desenvolver nesse artigo uma abordagem crítica sobre o fenômeno de Constitucionalização dos Direitos Fundamentais, especialmente no tocante às transformações e rupturas promovidas pela irradiação dos valores constitucionais a todo o ordenamento jurídico. Observamos que a Constitucionalização dos Direitos Fundamentais se aproximou da Filosofia contemporânea propondo, através de teses antipositivistas, uma hermenêutica constitucional capaz de (re)aproximar o Direito da Moral, com vistas à promoção de justiça material, com o protagonismo do Poder Judiciário. Entretanto, constatamos também os impactos causados por essas teses identificando algumas dificuldades a serem enfrentadas, tais como: a segurança jurídica; a possibilidade de decisões particularistas e o desafio na construção de uma tese moral de validade universal.
El trabajo por Cuenta Propia, incidencias en el nuevo relanzamiento en la aplicación del modelo económico de Cuba en el siglo XXI
Authors: Antúnez Sánchez Alcides Francisco , Martínez Cumbrera Jorge Manuel , Ocaña Báez Jorge Luis
Published: June 2016

El tema tratado erige como problemática el análisis del trabajo por cuenta propia desde la óptica del Derecho Mercantil en Cuba, con énfasis en su régimen jurídico y concreción del Derecho Mercantil cubano y en el perfeccionamiento del nuevo modelo económico cubano en este siglo XXI, destacando la inserción de la figura femenina en esta actividad. Como objetivo nos proponemos determinar la situación actual del trabajo por cuenta propia en el Derecho Mercantil cubano, así como su regulación jurídica. Partiendo del concepto de trabajo por cuenta propia, se fija el cuestionamiento sobre si aceptar o no al cuentapropista como un empresario mercantil individual o no y, la evolución que este ha tenido desde comienzos del triunfo revolucionario hasta la actualidad en sus etapas, por un lado, y por otro, se determinan los requisitos para ejercer las actividades autorizadas, las causas para que su labor quede extinguida y un análisis de las diferentes regulaciones jurídicas encargadas de regular el mismo.
Se emplearon como métodos el exegético jurídico y el histórico lógico. Del análisis de los principios en que se informa la legislación que rige en Cuba para los trabajadores por cuenta propia se aprecia una ruptura conceptual elemental en cuanto a la actividad que pueden desarrollar estos y la que realizan los empresarios individuales, toda vez que la primera se desarrolla solo como complemento de la actividad estatal, siendo renovable la autorización para su ejercicio, con carácter municipal y solo les está permitido actuar de forma personal, mientras que el empresario individual actúa por su propia cuenta y también por cuenta de terceros, pudiendo actuar por medio de representantes, con el límite que pueda establecer la ley para actividades mercantiles, sin limitaciones territoriales.
Significando el divorcio entre la legislación mercantil y las que han sido emitidas por la Administración Pública en relación con esta actividad mercantil, cuyo organismo que ejerce el control y la autorización es el Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social, no registrándose los mismos en el Registro Mercantil, con las obligaciones de contribuir con la legislación tributaria.
As bases metodológicas/epistemológicas da rational choice theory (RCT) e a análise econômica do Direito.
Authors: Strapazzon Carlos Luiz , Tramontina Robison
Published: June 2016

O presente trabalho tem como tema central as bases metodológicas e epistemológicas da Teoria da Escolha racional (RCT), base instrumental da análise econômica do direito (EAL). Pretende expor a base epistemológica da RCT. Sustenta que a epistemologia de Lakatos é o referencial dessa. Desdobra-se, argumentativamente, em três momentos: a) apresentação da metodologia da Análise Econômica do Direito; b) explicitação do ferramental metodológico da RCT expressos nas teorias de Arrow e Downs, respectivamente e c) apreciação critica da base epistemológica da RCT. Adota uma abordagem descritiva-reconstrutiva fundada em técnicas típicas da pesquisa bibliográfica. Palavras-Chave: Análise econômica do Direito – Teoria da escolha Racional – Epistemologia lakatiana.
A tutela das biografias não autorizadas, em face do direito fundamental à preservação da vida privada e da intimidade
Authors: Leandro Xavier Baez Narciso , Concenço Eraldo
Published: June 2016

O presente artigo busca discutir a questão da publicação de biografias não autorizadas, em face do direito fundamental à preservação da vida privada e da intimidade. O estudo foca-se na problemática da colisão de direitos fundamentais, objetivando verificar se podem ser estabelecidos limites para esse tipo de publicação, levando em conta, principalmente, os novos paradigmas inerentes à sociedade da informação. A abordagem inicia destacando os aspectos conceituais e características fundamentais da sociedade da informação, analisando-se a forma como os diversos conteúdos biográficos são rapidamente disseminados nessa nova realidade social. Após, abordam-se os motivos da prática cada vez mais comum da publicação de biografias não autorizadas. E, por fim, avaliam-se os limites que devem ser observados por esse tipo de biografia, em face do direito à privacidade, utilizando-se como parâmetro leading cases discutidos em decisões do Superior Tribunal de Justiça (STJ) e do Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF).
Na companhia de Hermes: em busca do papel hermenêutico da lei no Estado Democrático de Direito
Authors: Andrade Fernanda , Mateiro Mário Martins
Published: June 2016

O papel Hermenêutico da Lei no Estado Democrático de Direito constitui o problema deste trabalho. (i) A partir do mito grego de Hermes, compreende-se a Hermenêutica como filosofia, com universalidade, conhecimento histórico, superação da objetividade da compreensão e indissociabilidade entre pré-compreensão/interpretação/aplicação. A Lei (palavra escrita) não tem um sentido-em-si, porque o sentido lhe é dado pela construção com referência ao intérprete. (ii) Na sequência, trata-se da Lei e do sistema jurídico, compreendendo-se o Direito como um sistema Autopoiético, a Lei como fonte do Direito e o processo Hermenêutico de ingresso da fonte no sistema. (iii) Ainda, investiga-se a relação entre a Lei e a Democracia. Numa sociedade complexa e conflituosa, o Direito encontra, na teoria Autopoiética, a possibilidade de assimilar, de acordo com seus critérios de relevância, os elementos (fontes) de outros sistemas, sem ser a eles indiferente e sem sofrer interferência de fatores exógenos.
Pedestrian Tracking Based on Camshift with Kalman Prediction for Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Guo Lie , Li Linhui , Zhao Yibing , Zhao Zongyan
Published: June 2016

Pedestrian detection and tracking is the key to autonomous vehicle navigation systems avoiding potentially dangerous situations. Firstly, the probability distribution of colour information is established after a pedestrian is located in an image. Then the detected results are utilized to initialize a Kalman filter to predict the possible position of the pedestrian centroid in the future frame. A Camshift tracking algorithm is used to track the pedestrian in the specific search window of the next frame based on the prediction results. The actual position of the pedestrian centroid is output from the Camshift tracking algorithm to update the gain and error covariance matrix of the Kalman filter. Experimental results in real traffic situations show the proposed pedestrian tracking algorithm can achieve good performance even when they are partly occluded in inconsistent illumination circumstances.
Recursive Variational Bayesian Inference to Simultaneous Registration and Fusion
Authors: Zhu Hao , Hu Jinsong , Leung Henry , Zhang Bin
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we propose a novel simultaneous registration and fusion approach for tracking. This method is based on a recursive Variational Bayesian (RVB) algorithm, which is the online variant of the Variational Bayesian (VB) approach. Under the Bayesian framework, the states and parameters are recursively estimated. It is shown by simulation that the proposed RVB method has better estimation performance than the conventional approach.
Grasping Posture Control Design for a Home Service Robot Using an ABC-Based Adaptive PSO Algorithm
Authors: Li Tzuu-Hseng S. , Lin Chih-Jui , Kuo Ping-Huan , Wang Yin-Hao
Published: June 2016

In this paper, a grasping posture control for a robotic arm is developed based on novel adaptive particle swarm optimization (PSO) for the home service robot. To grasp an object using the robotic arm of the home-service robot, both the spatial coordinates of the target and the appropriate collocation of the grasping posture should be examined. In this paper, we present another method for dealing with this problem, which integrates the artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm into the adaptive particle swarm optimization (APSO) algorithm, where the mutation concept of the scout bee in the ABC algorithm is used to increase the diversity of the particles. In addition, adaptive acceleration coefficients and adaptive inertia weight are presented to ameliorate the convergence rate of the PSO algorithm. We name this control scheme AIWCPSO-S, which represents Adaptive Inertia Weight and acceleration Coefficients PSO with the aid of the Scout bee. Performance comparisons of existing ABC, global ABC, adaptive inertia weight PSO, low-discrepancy sequence initialized PSO algorithm with high-order nonlinear time-varying inertia weight (LHNPSO), oscillating triangular inertia weight PSO (OTIWPSO) and AIWCPSO-S algorithms are conducted by computer simulations. The experiment results show that the presented algorithm gives the most correct and fastest convergence capability.
4D Trajectory Generation for Guidance Module of a UAV for a Gate-to-Gate Flight in Presence of Turbulence
Authors: Butt Maaz , Munawar Khalid , Bhatti Umar I. , Iqbal Sohail , Al-Saggaf Ubaid M. , Ochieng Washington
Published: June 2016

Robotic air vehicles are used increasingly in delivering goods especially for safety-of-life applications. This paper discusses a guidance module for trajectory generation of such vehicles. An offline algorithm is developed using a navigation model to produce the required trajectory in the form of time-tagged longitude, latitude and altitude. The process is an essential requirement when an operator has to program a robotic vehicle to travel on the desired course. This problem is addressed scarcely in the relevant literature.

The waypoints are generated for all phases of flight and then modified to cater for the wind disturbance parameters obtained from current meteorological information. The waypoints are uploaded to the vehicle's flight control system memory and reside there for the vehicle to follow. This paper also renders the generated trajectory on Google Earth® using Matlab/Simulink® to test the closed-loop performance. Furthermore, a Dryden wind model is utilized to generate a modified trajectory for turbulent conditions. An operator can make adjustments in the required initial heading angle so the vehicle lands at its destination even in turbulent weather. An empirical formula is also proposed for this purpose. Further work includes design of a control system to follow the generated waypoints.
3D Dynamic Motion Planning for Robot-Assisted Cannula Flexible Needle Insertion into Soft Tissue
Authors: Zhao Yan-Jiang , Wu Wen-Qiang , Zhang Yong-De , Wang Rui-Xue , Peng Jing-Chun , Yu Yan
Published: June 2016

In robot-assisted needle-based medical procedures, insertion motion planning is a crucial aspect. 3D dynamic motion planning for a cannula flexible needle is challenging with regard to the nonholonomic motion of the needle tip, the presence of anatomic obstacles or sensitive organs in the needle path, as well as uncertainties due to the dynamic environment caused by the movements and deformations of the organs. The kinematics of the cannula flexible needle is calculated in this paper. Based on a rapid and robust static motion planning algorithm, referred to as greedy heuristic and reachability-guided rapidly-exploring random trees, a 3D dynamic motion planner is developed by using replanning. Aiming at the large detour problem, the convergence problem and the accuracy problem that replanning encounters, three novel strategies are proposed and integrated into the conventional replanning algorithm. Comparisons are made between algorithms with and without the strategies to verify their validity. Simulations showed that the proposed algorithm can overcome the above-noted problems to realize real-time replanning in a 3D dynamic environment, which is appropriate for intraoperative planning.
Ethnic and gender discrimination in recruitment: Experimental evidence from Finland
Authors: Liebkind Karmela , Larja Liisa , Brylka Asteria
Published: June 2016

We ask (1) how the position of an ethnic (majority or minority) group in the local ethnic hierarchy affects the amount of recruitment discrimination faced by applicants from that group, and (2) whether gender discrimination is dependent on occupational gender stereotypes in the same way among ethnic majority and minority applicants. We use the situation testing method for the first time in Finland: In an experimental study (Study 1), 103 dentistry students made recruitment decisions based on the CVs of three bogus applicants from different ethnic groups (Finnish, Austrian and Polish) and in a field experiment (Study 2), four test applicants (male and female Finns and Russians) with equivalent CVs applied for 1,258 vacant jobs, addressing gender discrimination in relation to occupational gender stereotypes as well as ethnic discrimination. Together these studies cover both skilled (Study 1) and semi-skilled jobs (Study 2) and applicants from ethnic minority groups originating from within as well as outside the EU. Results show that majority group members are more likely to be hired compared to minority members (both Studies) and that minority members from a higher status group are more likely to be hired than those from a lower status group (Study 1). Results also show that male applicants from the majority group were discriminated compared to women in occupations characterised as feminine, while Russian men faced recruitment discrimination compared to Russian women independently of the job’s gender stereotype (Study 2). Implications of recruitment discrimination based on ethnicity and gender are discussed.
Studies on the Biology of Leaf Roller, Ancylis sativa (Liu) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) a Major Pest of Jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana)
Authors: Imtiaz A.Nizamani  , M.Ibrahim Khaskheli  , Aslam Bukero  , Niaz A. Wahocho  , Shafique A. Nizamani  , Naeem A. Qureshi
Published: June 2016

Jujube, Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.is one of the most important fruit crops of Sindh, Pakistan, and isconsumed due to good flavour and high nutritional value. However, the occurrence of Jujube leaf roller Ancylis sativa (Liu) is a major threat to reduce the production of fruits, ultimately causing tremendous economic loss to the growers. The present study is the first comprehensive attempt on biology of Jujube leaf roller. There were five larval stages between egg and pupa. Adults were usually tan or brown, have mottled areas or dark bands. Average size of adult measured 9.53 mm long and 2.85 mm wide, wing span ranging from 16 to19 mm.
Groundwater monitoring in the archaeological site of Ostia Antica (Rome, Italy): first results
Authors: Mastrorillo Lucia , Mazza Roberto , Tuccimei Paola , Rosa Carlo , Matteucci Renato
Published: June 2016

The archaeological site of Ostia Antica hosts the ruins of the ancient roman city called Ostia founded in the VII century B.C. near the mouth of Tiber River. The area was strategically important for Rome, not only for the control of the river, but also for some salt marshes (Ostia Pound). During the XIX century, the whole area was reclaimed and the salt production stopped. Nowadays drainage canals and pumps avoid the flood of zones placed below sea level, keeping dewatering below the ground surface. In February 2014, the site was largely flooded after an exceptional rainfall event and the Superintendence for Archaeological Heritage of Rome ordered the closure for 15 days. Few months later (July 2014) a groundwater monitoring project started with the aim of studying the aquifer response to local rainfall and prevent future damage and groundwater flooding. The activity consisted in water-table monitoring, groundwater electrical conductivity (EC) and temperature continuous measurements, coupled with chemical analysis of major ions. Preliminary results shows the link between water table fluctuations and rainfall distributions. The average elevation of the archaeological area is about 2,5 m a.s.l. and the local water-table depth is of about 0,5 m a.s.l.; groundwater flows from the Tiber River to the reclaimed area according to regional flowpath. Groundwater sampled from three wells is Ca-HCO3 freshwater (600 - 1000 μS/cm), while the sample collected from a well located close to ancient salt storage warehouse (now Ostia Antica museum), is Na-Cl brackish water (about 4000 μS/cm). The chemical evolution of groundwater from summer to winter suggested a possible lateral inflow from the Tiber River, affected by salt-wedge intrusion. The inflow of Ca-Cl, SO4 Tiber’s water with an intermediate salinity could determine salinization of Ca-HCO3 freshwaters and refreshing of Na-Cl brackish water.
Understanding karst environments by thermo-hygrometric monitoring: preliminary results from the Cesi Mountain karst system (Central Italy)
Authors: Di Matteo Lucio , Menegon Simona , Rossi Augusto , Liti Stefano
Published: June 2016

The understanding of karst systems is of paramount importance for the protection and valorisation of these environments. A multidisciplinary study is presented to investigate the possible interconnection between karst features of a karst area located in the south-western part of the Martani chain (Cesi Mountain, Central Italy). This hydrogeological structure contributes to recharge a deep regional aquifer. The latter feeds the high discharge and salinity Stifone springs. In the southwestern part of Martani chain, seven caves have been mapped, five of which are hosted in the Calcare Massiccio Formation. The analysis of thermo-hygrometric data collected since Autumn 2014 into the caves and those from external meteorological stations, showed the timing of the airflow inversion occurring on late winter/early spring and summer/ early autumn. Despite the complexity of the morphology of caves and of conceptual models of airflow pattern, these data seem to indicate that the monitored small caves could be interconnected to a considerably wider cave system. Data here presented coupled with the knowledge on hydrogeological and geological-structural setting of the limestone massif are useful to drive future speleological explorations, aiming to discover new large cavities and to better understand the water recharge process.
Towards elections of the new Committee
Authors: Ducci Daniela , Petitta Marco
Published: June 2016

Not available.
Gustatory-mediated avoidance of bacterial lipopolysaccharides via TRPA1 activation in Drosophila
Authors: Soldano Alessia , Alpizar Yeranddy A , Boonen Brett , Franco Luis , López-Requena Alejandro , Liu Guangda , Mora Natalia , Yaksi Emre , Voets Thomas , Vennekens Rudi , Hassan Bassem A , Talavera Karel
Published: June 2016

Detecting pathogens and mounting immune responses upon infection is crucial for animal health. However, these responses come at a high metabolic price (McKean and Lazzaro, 2011, Kominsky et al., 2010), and avoiding pathogens before infection may be advantageous. The bacterial endotoxins lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are important immune system infection cues (Abbas et al., 2014), but it remains unknown whether animals possess sensory mechanisms to detect them prior to infection. Here we show that Drosophila melanogaster display strong aversive responses to LPS and that gustatory neurons expressing Gr66a bitter receptors mediate avoidance of LPS in feeding and egg laying assays. We found the expression of the chemosensory cation channel dTRPA1 in these cells to be necessary and sufficient for LPS avoidance. Furthermore, LPS stimulates Drosophila neurons in a TRPA1-dependent manner and activates exogenous dTRPA1 channels in human cells. Our findings demonstrate that flies detect bacterial endotoxins via a gustatory pathway through TRPA1 activation as conserved molecular mechanism.
Neural stem cell-encoded temporal patterning delineates an early window of malignant susceptibility in Drosophila
Authors: Narbonne-Reveau Karine , Lanet Elodie , Dillard Caroline , Foppolo Sophie , Chen Ching-Huan , Parrinello Hugues , Rialle Stéphanie , Sokol Nicholas S , Maurange Cédric
Published: June 2016

Pediatric neural tumors are often initiated during early development and can undergo very rapid transformation. However, the molecular basis of this early malignant susceptibility remains unknown. During Drosophila development, neural stem cells (NSCs) divide asymmetrically and generate intermediate progenitors that rapidly differentiate in neurons. Upon gene inactivation, these progeny can dedifferentiate and generate malignant tumors. Here, we find that intermediate progenitors are prone to malignancy only when born during an early window of development while expressing the transcription factor Chinmo, and the mRNA-binding proteins Imp/IGF2BP and Lin-28. These genes compose an oncogenic module that is coopted upon dedifferentiation of early-born intermediate progenitors to drive unlimited tumor growth. In late larvae, temporal transcription factor progression in NSCs silences the module, thereby limiting mitotic potential and terminating the window of malignant susceptibility. Thus, this study identifies the gene regulatory network that confers malignant potential to neural tumors with early developmental origins.
A new synthetic biology approach allows transfer of an entire metabolic pathway from a medicinal plant to a biomass crop
Authors: Fuentes Paulina , Zhou Fei , Erban Alexander , Karcher Daniel , Kopka Joachim , Bock Ralph
Published: June 2016

Artemisinin-based therapies are the only effective treatment for malaria, the most devastating disease in human history. To meet the growing demand for artemisinin and make it accessible to the poorest, an inexpensive and rapidly scalable production platform is urgently needed. Here we have developed a new synthetic biology approach, combinatorial supertransformation of transplastomic recipient lines (COSTREL), and applied it to introduce the complete pathway for artemisinic acid, the precursor of artemisinin, into the high-biomass crop tobacco. We first introduced the core pathway of artemisinic acid biosynthesis into the chloroplast genome. The transplastomic plants were then combinatorially supertransformed with cassettes for all additional enzymes known to affect flux through the artemisinin pathway. By screening large populations of COSTREL lines, we isolated plants that produce more than 120 milligram artemisinic acid per kilogram biomass. Our work provides an efficient strategy for engineering complex biochemical pathways into plants and optimizing the metabolic output.
Polarization induced three-dimensional hole gas in compositionally graded InxGa1−
xN layer
Authors: Enatsu Yuuki , Gupta Chirag , Laurent Matthew , Keller Stacia , Nakamura Shuji , Mishra Umesh K.
Published: June 2016

A polarization-induced three-dimensional hole gas (3DHG) was demonstrated in undoped and compositionally graded In
x
Ga1−

x
N layers. All samples were grown on Ga-face bulk GaN substrates by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. A high hole concentration of 2.8 × 1018 cm−3 was obtained in a 100-nm-thick In
x
Ga1−

x
N layer where the indium composition was graded from x = 0 to x = 0.2. 3DHG density control by varying the indium composition and thickness of a compositionally graded In
x
Ga1−

x
N layer was also demonstrated.
Oxygen additive amount dependence of rate of photoresist removal by H radicals generated on a tungsten hot-wire catalyst
Authors: Yamamoto Masashi , Umemoto Hironobu , Ohdaira Keisuke , Shikama Tomokazu , Nishiyama Takashi , Horibe Hideo
Published: June 2016

We examined an environmentally friendly photoresist removal method using radicals produced by decomposing mixtures of hydrogen and oxygen on a hot tungsten catalyst. The photoresist removal rate increased with the oxygen additive amount (the flow rate ratio of oxygen to hydrogen) up to an optimal amount and then decreased gradually. When the catalyst temperature was 1600 °C, the optimal oxygen additive amount was 1.0% and the removal rate was 1.7 times higher than that in the pure hydrogen system. At 2000 °C, the optimal amount increased to 2.5% but the increase ratio decreased by 1.3 times. At high catalyst temperatures, the absolute removal rate as well as the optimal oxygen additive amount is high, but the increase ratio is low. At the optimal oxygen additive amount, H, O, and OH radicals may exert their effects together to decompose photosensitive polymers.
Computational complexity reduction techniques for real-time and high-resolution medical ultrasound imaging using the beam-space Capon method
Authors: Okumura Shigeaki , Taki Hirofumi , Sato Toru
Published: June 2016

The beam-space (BS) Capon method is an adaptive beamforming technique that reduces computational complexity. However, the complexity is not low enough for real-time imaging. Reducing the number of time-delay and transformation processes from element-space to BS signal processing is required. We propose a technique that replaces the time-delay processes by the multiplication of steering vectors and covariance matrices. In addition, we propose a compensation technique for estimating the intensity accurately. In an experimental study using a 2.0 MHz transmission frequency on a 15 × 10.4 mm2 region of interest, the first side-lobe level, the −6 dB beam width, the intensity’s estimation error, and the calculation time of the conventional method were −15 dB, 0.70 mm, 3.2 dB, and 656 ms. Those of the proposed method were −17 dB, 0.36 mm, 1.6 dB, and 81 ms, respectively. Using our method on three CPUs achieves imaging of 37 frames/s.
DC non-thermal atmospheric-pressure plasma jet generated using a syringe needle electrode
Authors: Matra Khanit
Published: June 2016

Non-thermal plasma jet was generated by applying a dc source voltage between the syringe needle anode with flowing Argon gas and a planar or a hollow copper cathode in an atmospheric-pressure environment. The two operating discharge modes, which were self-pulsing and a continuous discharge mode, these were mainly controlled by the limitations of the current flowing in the discharge circuit. A ballast resistor was an important factor in affecting the limitations of the operating discharge mode. The gas breakdown was initially generated in the self-pulsing discharge mode at the source voltage of 1.2 kV. This was slightly higher than the breakdown voltage at the experimental condition of 1 lpm of Argon and a 1 mm electrode gap distance. The peak self-pulsing discharge currents were up to 15–20 A with a self-pulsing frequency in the range of 10–20 kHz. The continuous discharge mode could be observed at the higher source voltage with the continuous discharge current within the range of a few milliamperes.
Investigation of erosion mechanism of tungsten-based electrode in multiphase AC arc by high-speed visualization of electrode phenomena
Authors: Tanaka Manabu , Hashizume Taro , Imatsuji Tomoyuki , Nawata Yushi , Watanabe Takayuki
Published: June 2016

Electrode phenomena in a multiphase AC arc were successfully visualized using a high-speed observation system with a bandpass filter system to understand the erosion mechanisms of tungsten-based electrodes due to the droplet ejection and electrode evaporation. The obtained results indicated that both droplet ejection and electrode evaporation contributed to the electrode erosion in the multiphase AC arc. The erosion by droplet ejection mainly occurred during the cathodic period, while electrode evaporation mainly occurred during the anodic period. The rates of erosion by droplet ejection and evaporation were estimated to be 6 and 3 g/min, respectively, when the arc current was 100 A. The results of an evaluation of the possible forces acting on the electrode tip suggested that the electromagnetic force was the dominant force in the cathodic period, resulting in droplet ejection.
Effect of microplasma irradiation on skin barrier function
Authors: Shimizu Kazuo , Tran An N. , Blajan Marius
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we introduce the feasibility of atmospheric-pressure argon microplasma irradiation (AAMI) to promote percutaneous absorption. A hairless Yucatan micropig skin was used for this ex vivo study. After AAMI, the disturbance in the stratum corneum (SC) lipids was observed using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Also, an increase in transepidermal water loss and no physical damage on pig skins were confirmed by microscopic observation. These results of AAMI were compared with those of a plasma jet irradiation (PJI) and a tape stripping test (TST) leading to the conclusion that AAMI reduces the barrier function of the skin and could also enhance the transdermal absorption of drugs.
Disinfection of Streptococcus mutans biofilm by a non-thermal atmospheric plasma brush
Authors: Hong Qing , Dong Xiaoqing , Chen Meng , Xu Yuanxi , Sun Hongmin , Hong Liang , Wang Yong , Yu Qingsong
Published: June 2016

This study investigated the argon plasma treatment effect on disinfecting dental biofilm by using an atmospheric pressure plasma brush. Streptococcus mutans biofilms were developed for 3 days on the surfaces of hydroxyapatite (HA) discs, which were used to simulate human tooth enamel. After plasma treatment, cell viability in the S. mutans biofilms was characterized by using 3-(4,5-dimethylazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Compared with the untreated control group, about 90% bacterial reduction in the biofilms was observed after 1 min plasma treatment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination indicated severe cell damages occurred on the top surface of the plasma treated biofilms. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) showed that plasma treatment was effective as deep as 20 µm into the biofilms. When combined with antibiotic treatment using 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate solution, the plasma treatment became more effective and over 96% bacterial reduction was observed with 1 min plasma treatment.
Geriatric syndromes are potential determinants of the medication adherence status in prevalent dialysis patients
Authors: Chao Chia-Ter , Huang Jenq-Wen ,   COGENT (COhort of GEriatric Nephrology in NTUH) study group
Published: June 2016

Background.Geriatric syndromes (GS) exhibit high prevalence in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) under chronic dialysis irrespective of age. We sought to determine whether GS influences medication adherence in ESRD patients.

Methods.A prospective cohort of chronic dialysis patients was assembled. The presence of GS components, including frailty/prefrailty, polypharmacy, and malnutrition, were ascertained through a validated questionnaire, electronic records and chart abstraction, and laboratory tests. The severity of medication non-adherence was defined using the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS). Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed targeting MMAS results and incorporating relevant clinical features and GS.

Results.The prevalence of frailty/pre-frailty, polypharmacy, and hypoalbuminemia/ malnutrition among the enrolled participants was 66.7%, 94%, and 14%, respectively. The average MMAS scores in these dialysis patients were 2 ± 1.7 (range, 0–6), with only 15.7% exhibiting high medication adherence. Multiple regression analyses showed that the absence of frailty/pre-frailty (P= 0.01) were significantly associated with poorer medication adherence, while the presence of polypharmacy (P= 0.02) and lower serum albumin, a potential sign of malnutrition (P= 0.03), were associated with poor adherence in another model.

Conclusion.This study is among the very few reports addressing GS and medication adherence, especially in ESRD patients. Interventions targeting frailty, polypharmacy, and malnutrition might potentially improve the medication non-adherence and symptom control in these pill-burdened patients.
Academe-Industry-Government Collaboration Framework for Sustainable Research, Development and Extension (RDE)
Authors: Torrentira, Jr. Moises C.
Published: June 2016

When sectors collaborate, they effectively contribute to the economic growth. Hence, a collaborative governance framework is developed for the academe, industry and government to sustain their research, development and extension. To generate dimensions of the collaboration, data from key informant interview and comprehensive desk review were processed through thematic content analysis. Typologies of RDE collaboration were identified including capability-building, management partnership, institutional partnership, and reinforcement. In terms of governance, RDE collaboration can be sustained through personal relation, established rapport, and transparency. Political leadership, micro-leadership, and leadership by character can also sustain RDE collaboration. In prioritizing research agenda, stakeholders must be involved and their thrusts and priorities should be considered. The academe's resources and R & E enabling environment, faculty's motivation can also sustain the collaboration. Conditions that inhibit collaborations were also identified but they can be addressed by the identified strategic actions. The study concluded with the formulation of collaborative governance framework between academe, industry, and government for sustainable research, development, and extension. The framework was developed based on the models of collaborative governance, collaborative leadership, prioritized R&E agenda, motivation to conduct RDE projects, and strategic actions to address the R & E collaboration issues.