Value chain analysis for sea cucumber in the Philippines

This study examined the sea cucumber industry in the Philippines through the value chain lens. The intent was to identify effective pathways for the successful introduction of sandfish culture as livelihood support for coastal communities. Value chain analysis is a high-resolution analytical tool that enables industry examination at a detailed level. Previous industry assessments have provided a general picture of the sea cucumber industry in the country. The present study builds on the earlier work and supplies additional details for a better understanding of the industry's status and problems, especially their implications for the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) funded sandfish project "Culture of sandfish (Holothuria scabra) in Asia- Pacific" (FIS/2003/059). (PDF contains 54 pages

Value chain analysis for sea cucumber in the Philippines

This study examined the sea cucumber industry in the Philippines through the value chain lens. The intent was to identify effective pathways for the successful introduction of sandfish culture as livelihood support for coastal communities. Value chain analysis is a high-resolution analytical tool that enables industry examination at a detailed level. Previous industry assessments have provided a general picture of the sea cucumber industry in the country. The present study builds on the earlier work and supplies additional details for a better understanding of the industryÆs status and problems, especially their implications for the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) funded sandfish project ôCulture of sandfish (Holothuria scabra) in Asia- Pacificö (FIS/2003/059).Economic analysis, Trade, Pricing, Echinoderm fisheries, Philippines, Luzon I., Pangasinan, Philippines, Palawan I., ISEW, Philippines, Mindanao I., Davao Gulf,

A Performance Analysis Framework for WiFi/WiMAX Heterogeneous Metropolitan Networks Based on Cross-Layer Design

The communication between network nodes within different protocol domains is often regarded simply as a black box with unknown configuration conditions in the path. We address network heterogeneity using a white box approach and focus on its interconnection processes. To achieve this purpose, a Performance Analysis Framework (PAF) is proposed which is composed of the formalization of the latter using process algebra (PA) and the corresponding teletraffic performance models. In this contribution, we target the IEEE 802.16 and IEEE 802.11 protocols. For the teletraffic models, we extend previous models for such scenario with the inclusion of the following protocol operational parameters (metrics): bit error rate (BER), packet error ratio (PER), and packet length (pl). From the framework teletraffic models, the optimal packet length (OPL), end to end throughput, delay, and packet loss are obtained. The PAF outperforms previous modeling solutions in terms of delay and throughput relative to NS3 simulation results. </jats:p

The relevance of morphological plasticity in the simulation of competition between maize and Datura stramonium

The INTERCOM model was calibrated for Datura stramonium and maize with data from monoculture plots, and used to simulate the competition between the weed and the crop. The model adequately simulated the growth (leaf area index, above-ground biomass, plant height, yield) of both species in monoculture. In competition, the growth of D. stramonium and the competitive effect of D. stramonium on the growth of maize were clearly underestimated. Simulation of competition was improved when the observed morphological adaptations of D. stramonium under competitive light stress, as reflected in dry-matter partitioning, height growth and specific leaf area (SLA) were considered. Model analysis demonstrated that the observed changes in SLA and height growth were more relevant for the increased competitive ability of D. stramonium. The modification of the model in order to simulate the effect of shading by an overtopping species in the SLA of the shaded species improved model simulation of competition

CD28-, CD45RAnull/dim and natural killer-like CD8+ T cells are increased in peripheral blood of women with low-grade cervical lesions

Background: In response to antigen naive CD8+, T cells differentiate into effector cells, which express Natural killer (NK) receptors, lose CD28 expression, and die by apoptosis. However, in smaller quantities, the cells are retained for subsequent exposure to the same antigen. Knowledge is limited regarding whether the percentages of CD28-, Effector memory (EMRAnull/dim), and the CD16+/CD56 + CD8+ T cells of women with low-grade cervical lesions are altered at a systemic level.Methods: We enrolled in this study women controls and women with Human papilloma virus infection (HPV-I) without associated cellular neoplastic changes and with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplastic-I (CIN-I). Flow cytometry (FC) was performed for measurement of CD28-, memory subset, and NK-like CD8 + T cells, and IL-17, IFN-gamma, Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, Interleukin (IL)-10, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-2. Finally, we genotyped the HPV.Results: The CIN-I group increased the CD8 + CD28- and CD16+/56+ T cell percentage compared with that of HPV-I and controls (p &lt;0.01), and CD8 + CCR7-CD45RAnull/dim (EMRAnull/dim) T cells were also increased in the CIN-I group compared with the controls (p &lt;0.01). These two study groups were HPV- genotyped; 49% were HPV18+, and we did not observe differences in cytokine levels among all groups.Conclusions: Increased levels of CD28-, EMRAnull/dim, and CD16+/CD56 + CD8+ T cells of peripheral blood in women with CIN-I may be associated with persistent HPV infection and could exert an influence on progression to cervical cancer. Zapotitlán 2014 Pita-Lopez et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.Central Ltd