bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is Bactra bactrana (Kennel, 1901) a novel pest of sweet peppers?
Authors: Roditakis E. , Morin S. , Baixeras J. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThis is the first report of Bactra bactrana (Kennel, 1901) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) attacking a major solanaceous crop, sweet pepper Capsicum annuum L. The infestation was detected in two greenhouses at the area of Tympaki (Southern Crete, Greece). The moth larvae caused typical symptoms of a fruit borer with numerous small holes on the surface of the peppers and extensive damage on the inside of the fruit as a result of the feeding activity. Unknown factors facilitated this major shift in host range since B. bactrana is typically a stem borer of sedges. In addition, the pest status of B. bactrana is currently under question, as in both cases the infestations by the moth were associated with significant yield losses. B. bactrana was moderately controlled with chemicals registered for Lepidoptera management in sweet pepper due to the boring nature of the infestation. Some comparative taxonomic notes are provided to facilitate accurate pest discrimination of related Bactra species. Finally, biological attributes of the species are summarized and are discussed from pest control and ecological perspectives. Because Bactra species have been used in augmentative releases for the control of sage, the implications of our findings on the release of biocontrol agents are placed in perspective.
The Dynamics of Sovereign Credit Risk
Authors: Jeanneret Alexandre 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThis article proposes a structural model for sovereign credit risk with endogenous sovereign debt and default policies. A maximum-likelihood estimation of the model with local stock market prices generates daily model-implied sovereign spreads. This approach explains two-thirds of the daily variation in observed sovereign spreads for emerging and European economies over the 2000–2011 period. Global factors help to further explain the time variation in sovereign credit risk. In particular, sovereign spreads in emerging markets vary with U.S. market uncertainty, whereas European spreads depend on Euro-zone bond factors.
Beyond the Carry Trade: Optimal Currency Portfolios
Authors: Barroso Pedro , Santa-Clara Pedro 
Published: December 2015

AbstractWe test the relevance of technical and fundamental variables in forming currency portfolios. Carry, momentum, and value reversal all contribute to portfolio performance, whereas the real exchange rate and the current account do not. The resulting optimal portfolio produces out-of-sample returns that are not explained by risk and are valuable to diversified investors holding stocks and bonds. Exposure to currencies increases the Sharpe ratio of diversified portfolios by 0.5 on average, while reducing crash risk. We argue that besides risk, currency returns reflect the scarcity of speculative capital.
Dynamic Capital Structure Adjustment and the Impact of Fractional Dependent Variables
Authors: Elsas Ralf , Florysiak David 
Published: December 2015

AbstractResearchers in empirical corporate finance often use bounded ratios (e.g., debt ratios) as dependent variables in their regressions. Using the example of estimating the speed of adjustment toward target leverage, we show by Monte Carlo and resampling experiments that commonly applied estimators yield severely biased estimates, as they ignore that debt ratios are fractional (i.e., bounded between 0 and 1). We propose a new unbiased estimator for adjustment speed in the presence of fractional dependent variables that also controls for unobserved heterogeneity and unbalanced panel data. This new estimator is suitable for corporate finance applications beyond capital structure research.
Morphology and molecular analysis of life-cycle stages of Proctoeces maculatus (Looss, 1901) (Digenea: Fellodistomidae) in the Bizerte Lagoon, Tunisia
Authors: Antar R. , Gargouri L. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe life cycle of Proctoeces maculatus (Looss, 1901) (Digenea, Fellodistomidae) was studied in Bizerte Lagoon (Tunisia). Three sequential hosts appear to be involved: the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819 (Mytilidae) as the first intermediate host; the polychaete Sabella pavonina Savigny, 1822 (Sabellidae), as the second intermediate host; and fishes (Lithognathus mormyrus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Sparidae), Trachinotus ovatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Carangidae) and Sparus aurata Linnaeus, 1758 (Sparidae) as the definitive hosts. It should be noted that S. pavonina was recorded as second intermediate host for P. maculatus for the first time. Molecular confirmation of the morphological identification of the life-cycle stages of this digenean was obtained using partial 28S rDNA sequences. Comparative sequences revealed that the sporocysts and the metacercariae are conspecific but they diverged by 0.3% from the adults. The present results raised the possibility of the existence of cryptic species within the different developmental stages. However, all the present isolates differed from material from Archosargus probatocephalus in the Gulf of Mexico identified as P. maculatus.
Performance pressure enhances speech learning
Authors: MADDOX W. TODD , KOSLOV SETH , YI HAN-GYOL , CHANDRASEKARAN BHARATH 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTReal-world speech learning often occurs in high-pressure situations such as trying to communicate in a foreign country. However, the impact of pressure on speech learning success is largely unexplored. In this study, adult, native speakers of English learned nonnative speech categories under pressure or no-pressure conditions. In the pressure conditions, participants were informed that they were paired with a (fictitious) partner, and that each had to independently exceed a performance criterion for both to receive a monetary bonus. They were then informed that their partner had exceeded the bonus and the fate of both bonuses depended upon the participant's performance. Our results demonstrate that pressure significantly enhanced speech learning success. In addition, neurobiologically inspired computational modeling revealed that the performance advantage was due to faster and more frequent use of procedural learning strategies. These results integrate two well-studied research domains and suggest a facilitatory role of motivational factors in speech learning performance that may not be captured in traditional training paradigms.
Motion planning and implementation for the self-recovery of an overturned multi-legged robot
Authors: Peng Saijin , Ding Xilun , Yang Fan , Xu Kun 
Published: December 2015

SUMMARYThis paper first presents a method of motion planning and implementation for the self-recovery of an overturned six-legged robot. Previous studies aimed at the static and dynamic stabilization of robots for preventing them from overturning. However, no one can guarantee that an overturn accident will not occur during various applications of robots. Therefore, the problems involving overturning should be considered and solved during robot design and control. The design inspirations of multi-legged robots come from nature, especially insects and mammals. In addition, the self-recovery approach of an insect could also be imitated by robots. In this paper, such a self-recovery mechanism is reported. The inertial forces of the dangling legs are used to bias some legs to touch the ground, and the ground reaction forces exerted on the feet of landing legs are achieved to support and push the body to enable recovery without additional help. By employing the mechanism, a self-recovery approach named SSR (Sidewise-Self-Recovery) is presented and applied to multi-legged robots. Experiments of NOROS are performed to validate the effectiveness of the self-recovery motions. The results show that the SSR is a suitable method for multi-legged robots and that the hemisphere shell of robots can help them to perform self-recovery.
HEADROOM APPROACH TO DEVICE DEVELOPMENT: CURRENT AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Authors: Girling Alan , Lilford Richard , Cole Amanda , Young Terry 
Published: December 2015

Objectives:The headroom approach to medical device development relies on the estimation of a value-based price ceiling at different stages of the development cycle. Such price-ceilings delineate the commercial opportunities for new products in many healthcare systems. We apply a simple model to obtain critical business information as the product proceeds along a development pathway, and indicate some future directions for the development of the approach.Methods:Health economic modelling in the supply-side development cycle for new products.Results:The headroom can be used: initially as a ‘reality check’ on the viability of the device in the healthcare market; to support product development decisions using a real options approach; and to contribute to a pricing policy which respects uncertainties in the reimbursement outlook.Conclusions:The headroom provides a unifying thread for business decisions along the development cycle for a new product. Over the course of the cycle attitudes to uncertainty will evolve, based on the timing and manner in which new information accrues. Within this framework the developmental value of new information can justify the costs of clinical trials and other evidence-gathering activities. Headroom can function as a simple shared tool to parties in commercial negotiations around individual products or groups of products. The development of similar approaches in other contexts holds promise for more rational planning of service provision.
Coronary artery collateral flow and its effect on myocardial perfusion in a patient with unilateral pulmonary artery atresia
Authors: Byeon Jae Ho , Jung Mi-Hyang , Youn Ho-Joong 
Published: December 2015

AbstractUnilateral pulmonary artery atresia is a rare congenital defect. The affected lung in unilateral pulmonary artery atresia usually receives its blood supply from many collateral vessels including the coronary artery. We report a case of an elderly woman with suspected anginal symptoms who had a coronary artery fistula functioning as a collateral vessel due to unilateral pulmonary artery atresia.
Microstructure of Concrete with Aggregates from Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling Plants
Authors: Bravo Miguel , Santos Silva António , de Brito Jorge , Evangelista Luís 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThis paper intends to analyze the microstructure of concrete with recycled aggregates (RA) from construction and demolition waste from various Portuguese recycling plants. To that effect, several scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses were performed. Various concrete mixes were evaluated in order to analyze the influence of the RA’s collection point and consequently of their composition on the mixes’ characteristics. Afterward all the mixes were subjected to the capillary water absorption test in order to quantitatively evaluate their porosity. Results from the SEM/EDS analysis were compared with those from capillary water absorption test. The SEM/EDS analysis showed that the bond capacity of aggregates to the new cement paste is greatly influenced by the RA’s nature. On the other hand, there was an increase in porosity with the incorporation of RA.
Wilfried Brutsaert Receives 2015 William Bowie Medal
Authors:   AGU
Published: December 2015

Wilfried Brutsaert was awarded the 2015 William Bowie Medal at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 16 December 2015 in San Francisco, Calif. The medal is for "outstanding contributions to fundamental geophysics and for unselfish cooperation in research."
Andrew F. Nagy Receives 2015 John Adam Fleming Medal
Authors:   AGU
Published: December 2015

Andrew F. Nagy was awarded the 2015 John Adam Fleming Medal at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 16 December 2015 in San Francisco, Calif. The medal is for "original research and technical leadership in geomagnetism, atmospheric electricity, aeronomy, space physics, and related sciences."
Mobile Versorgungseinrichtungen zur Stärkung der Versorgungssicherheit im ländlichen Raum? Eine Analyse von Konzepten und Implementationsanforderungen
Authors: Hämel K. , Kutzner J. , Vorderwülbecke J. 
Published: December 2015

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund: Die Sicherstellung einer bedarfsgerechten Versorgung stellt in ländlichen Regionen Deutschlands eine zunehmende Herausforderung dar. Die Entwicklung von Versorgungsmodellen, die gezielt auf Probleme reagieren und besonders den steigenden Bedarf an Versorgungsleistungen für alte Menschen berücksichtigen, ist daher ein wichtiges Anliegen. Ein Modell, das in anderen Ländern bereits Verbreitung gefunden hat, sind mobile Versorgungseinrichtungen. Bisher gibt es aber keinen Überblick über ihre möglichen Ziele, Funktionsweisen und Implementationsanforderungen.
Methodik: Die vorliegende Überblicksarbeit basiert auf der Auswertung internationaler Literatur und einer Internetrecherche über mobile Versorgungseinrichtungen im ländlichen Raum.
Ergebnisse: Mobile Einrichtungen zielen auf die Vermeidung regionaler Unterversorgung und adressieren besonders vulnerable Bevölkerungsgruppen. In der Literatur werden mobile Einrichtungen beschrieben, die bestimmte Krankheitsbilder fokussieren, ebenso solche, die eine umfassende, teils multiprofessionelle wohnortnahe Primärversorgung leisten. Oft steht die Versorgung von Menschen mit chronischen Krankheiten im Zentrum. Die Implementation mobiler Einrichtungen ist anspruchsvoll; zentrale Anforderungen sind (a) die Ausrichtung am Bedarf der regionalen Bevölkerung, (b) ein nutzerorientierter Zugang und die Förderung der Bekanntheit und Akzeptanz des Angebots sowie (c) die Vernetzung mit bestehenden Versorgungsstrukturen zur Sicherstellung von Versorgungskontinuität. Um diesen Anforderungen gerecht zu werden, ist eine gemeindeorientierte Arbeitsweise bei der Programmentwicklung und -implementation wichtige Grundlage.
Schlussfolgerungen: Mobile Einrichtungen können für die Versorgung ländlicher Regionen Deutschlands ein interessantes Modell darstellen und werden auch hierzulande bereits erprobt. Internationale Erfahrungen stellen einen wichtigen Ausgangspunkt dar und sollten bei der Konzeptentwicklung berücksichtigt werden.
Adaptation to climate change impacts on agriculture and agricultural water management - a review.
Authors: Maskey S. , Bhatt D. , Uhlenbrook S. , Prasad K. C. , Babel M. S. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract

This chapter reviews the global literature on impacts of climate change on agriculture and prospects for adaptation. Sensitivity of agriculture to climate change varies across the globe. Developing countries, where more than 800 million people are already undernourished, will be hardest hit. We review approaches for assessing the impact of climate change on agriculture and irrigation water requirements, and present recent progress in the assessment of adaptation measures. The challenges and constraints associated with climate change impact and adaptation research are critically discussed. The review leads to the conclusion that warmer temperatures will tend to reduce the crop yields in many regions, mainly due to reduction of crop duration associated with water stress during the critical stages of crop development. Although efforts have been made to understand better the climate-crop relationships, there is still limited understanding of the interactions between and relative importance of factors such as elevated ozone and CO2 levels, extreme weather conditions, weed variety, socio-economic changes and adaptation responses. Evaluation of diverse adaptation options from farm to policy level, and covering a range of scales and issues, including availability of resources, constraints and associated uncertainties, are essential to address adequately the impacts of climate and other changes on agriculture. Most of the published studies on adaption focus on modification of existing management practices to improve crop yield, using process-based models. Trade-offs between crop production and resource availability, which influence the farmer's decision making and profitability, have not received substantial attention. More effort is required to incorporate constraints (such as social, financial, institutional, technical and resources) and adaptive responses into the model frameworks that most studies used.
Global water requirements of future agriculture: using WATERSIM.
Authors: Sood A. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract

Currently, agriculture is the biggest consumer of water globally. About 60% of global consumptive water demand is from the agriculture sector. With the world population increasing to about 9 billion, and the per capita GDP rising, the demand for domestic and industrial water will increase in future and compete with the agriculture water demand. Changing climate will exert additional pressure on the agriculture sector. For this study, WATERSIM, a water accounting and global food trade model, was run for three socio-economic scenarios and two climate change scenarios to analyse the water demand of the agriculture sector till 2050. The changes in the agriculture sector's consumptive water demand due to changing population and GDP is examined in relation to other sectors (domestic, industrial and livestock). The increase in water requirement of the agriculture sector under different climate change scenarios is also analysed at regional and global scales.
Impacts of climate change on crop water requirements in Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, China.
Authors: Liu Qin Liu Qin , Yan ChangRong Yan ChangRong , Yang JianYing Yang JianYing , Mei XuRong Mei XuRong , Hao WeiPing Hao WeiPing , Ju Hui Ju Hui 
Published: December 2015

Abstract

Climate change will have important implications in the agriculture of water-short regions, such as Huang-Huai-Hai Plain (3H Plain), where expected warmer and drier conditions might augment crop water requirement (ETc). To evaluate the effect of climate change, a data set consisting of observed daily values of air temperature, relative humidity, sunshine duration and wind speed from five selected weather stations in the 3H Plain and covering the period 1981-2009 was used for estimating reference evapotranspiration (ET0). ET0 was calculated using FAO-56 Penman-Monteith equation; then sensitivity coefficient of ETc of major climatic variables and regional responses of precipitation deficit to climate change were conducted in the 3H Plain. The results showed that a clear drop in solar radiation (SR) was detected and temperatures increased, especially the minimum temperature. Wind speed (WS) decreased significantly in most of the stations, especially from seeding to jointing stages for wheat. No significant change was detected for relative humidity (RH) in 1981-2009. Temperature was the most sensitive variable in general for the plain, followed by SR, WS and RH. The decrease of sensitivity coefficient of solar radiation (SSR) mainly occurred in seeding to jointing stages and heading to maturity stages of winter wheat. Sensitivity coefficient of temperatures (ST) increased in Beijing, Xinxiang, Xuzhou and Yanzhou stations, which means that an increase in temperatures may lead to a larger increase of ETc in these four stations. However, ST decreased in the Shijiazhuang station. With the decrease of WS, ETc will decrease due to the positive coefficient in Beijing and Xinxiang stations. Trends of SRH showed no significant changes in the time series analysis. A positive relationship was detected between precipitation deficit and relative humidity, and the latter was considered the most correlative factor for precipitation deficit.
Impacts of climate change and adaptation in agricultural water management in North China.
Authors: Xia Jun Xia Jun , Mo XingGuo Mo XingGuo , Wang JinXia Wang JinXia , Luo XinPing Luo XinPing 
Published: December 2015

Abstract

Water scarcity is one of the key problems in northern China. Efficient use and management of agricultural water resources is an important challenge in China's agricultural food production under a background of climate change. This chapter addresses issues of impacts of climate change and adaptation in agricultural water management in North China. The goal is to understand better the impacts of climate change on agricultural water resources and what measures should be taken to deal with the adverse effects in the North China Plain (NCP). First, the status of agricultural water resources in NCP was analysed. Second, considering that climate change is likely to exacerbate water stress in this area, and exploring the regional crop response to climate change, this study analysed the spatial variability and evolution of crop yield, evapotranspiration (ET) and water use efficiency (WUE) with a process-based crop model in the NCP and identified the contribution of climate change to their enhancement. Third, the impacts of future climate changes under A2 and B1 scenarios (described later in this chapter) on the wheat-maize double-cropping system are assessed. The results show that under IPCC SRES A2 and B1 scenarios, production of winter wheat will increase with slightly intensified ET; in contrast, summer maize production will slightly decline with a significant increase of ET. Also, with agricultural management, maize is more productive than wheat, in that wheat relies more on irrigation than maize, yield level of maize is higher than that of wheat, the water consumption of maize is lower, and the response of maize yield is larger than that of wheat yield to agricultural management. However, the simulation also suggests that wheat is more resilient to climate change than maize. Therefore to say if wheat or maize is more favourable in the NCP depends on the conditions in the future. Finally, in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change on agricultural water use and realize its sustainable utilization, the key adaptive water management strategies in the agriculture sector and how to improve efficiency of agricultural water use through reforming agricultural water management and policies were examined. The following measures can be implemented to reform agricultural water management and policies: improving the performance of participatory irrigation management reform, establishing a water rights system, reforming agricultural water price, and promoting the adoption of agricultural water-saving technology.
Adaptation strategies to address the climate change impacts in three major river basins in India.
Authors: Kakumanu K. R. , Kuppannan Palanisami Kuppannan Palanisami , Aggarwal P. K. , Ranganathan C. R. , Nagothu U. S. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract

The agriculture sector is highly vulnerable to climate change in many parts of the world. There is an increasing concern among farmers, researchers and policy makers about the potential impacts of climate change on food security and livelihoods. Researchers are using several climate change models to make an assessment of the impacts and identify adaptation strategies. The present chapter reviews the current state of understanding of the climate change impacts on irrigation water in South Asia and specifically on the crop yield and relevant adaptation measures in three major river basins (Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery) in India. Optimization model was used to evaluate the different adaptation practices and their potential to maximize rice production and income, and minimize water use for the mid- and end-century climate-change scenarios. Adaptation practices such as systems of rice intensification, machine transplantation, alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and direct seeding could reduce the water and labour use by 10-15% and stabilize rice production in the long term. The study suggests the need for technology upscaling, which should be backed up with well-planned capacity-building programmes for the farmers.