bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weed control and crop tolerance of micro-encapsulated acetochlor applied sequentially in glyphosate-resistant soybean
Authors: Jhala Amit J. , Malik Mayank S. , Willis John B.
Published: June 2015

Jhala, A. J., Malik, M. S. and Willis, J. B. 2015. Weed control and crop tolerance of micro-encapsulated acetochlor applied sequentially in glyphosate-resistant soybean. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 973–981. Acetochlor, an acetamide herbicide, has been used for many years for weed control in several crops, including soybean. Micro-encapsulated acetochlor has been recently registered for preplant (PP), pre-emergence (PRE), and post-emergence (POST) application in soybean in the United States. Information is not available regarding the sequential application of acetochlor for weed control and soybean tolerance. The objectives of this research were to determine the effect of application timing of micro-encapsulated acetochlor applied in tank-mixture with glyphosate in single or sequential applications for weed control in glyphosate-resistant soybean, and to determine its impact on soybean injury and yields. Field experiments were conducted at Clay Center, Nebraska, in 2012 and 2013, and at Waverly, Nebraska, in 2013. Acetochlor tank-mixed with glyphosate applied alone PP, PRE, or tank-mixed with flumioxazin, fomesafen, or sulfentrazone plus chlorimuron provided 99% control of common waterhemp, green foxtail, and velvetleaf at 15 d after planting (DAP); however, control declined to ≤40% at 100 DAP. Acetochlor tank-mixed with glyphosate applied PRE followed by early POST (V2 to V3 stage of soybean) or late POST (V4 to V5 stage) resulted in ≥90% control of common waterhemp and green foxtail, reduced weed density to ≤2 plants m−2 and biomass to ≤12 g m−2, and resulted in soybean yields >3775 kg ha−1. The sequential applications of glyphosate plus acetochlor applied PP followed by early POST or late POST resulted in equivalent weed control to the best herbicide combinations included in this study and soybean yield equivalent to the weed free control. Injury to soybean was <10% in each of the treatments evaluated. Micro-encapsulated acetochlor can be a good option for soybean growers for controlling grasses and small-seeded broadleaf weeds if applied in a PRE followed by POST herbicide program in tank-mixture with herbicides of other modes of action.
Impact of cover crop in pre-plant of apple orchards: relationship between crop health, root inhabiting fungi and rhizospheric bacteria
Authors: Manici L. M. , Kelderer M. , Caputo F. , Nicoletti F. , De Luca Picione F. , Topp A. R.
Published: June 2015

Manici, L. M., Kelderer, M., Caputo, F., Nicoletti, F., De Luca Picione, F. and Topp A. R. 2015. Impact of cover crop in pre-plant of apple orchards: relationship between crop health, root inhabiting fungi and rhizospheric bacteria. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 947–958. Replant disease of fruit tree orchards has a multifactorial etiology, mainly due to the decline in soil biodiversity along with an increase in root rot pathogens, which can be principally countered with appropriate cropping practices. Therefore, a study on the impact of cover crops on plant health of young fruit trees in long-term orchards was performed. Bioassays were performed over two consecutive growing cycles using soil from a multigeneration apple orchard affected by replant disease. First, a cycle was performed with three cover crops (alfalfa, barley, marigold) and apple rootstock plantlets; at the end, the above-ground part of the plant was removed and root residues left in the soil. In the second cycle, an apple orchard planting was simulated upon the first experimental design. Changes of diversity and composition of root inhabiting fungi and rhizospheric bacteria were evaluated as well as apple plant growth response to the pre-plant treatments. Results suggest that one cycle with alternate plants was sufficient to induce changes at the rhizosphere level, despite soil microbial resilience caused by the same long-term soil management. Rhizospheric bacteria were generally affected by plant genotype. Findings suggest that all three different cover crops can harbor almost all fungal species that colonize apple in replanted orchards (Fusarium spp., Pythum spp., binucleate Rhizoctonia sp., Cylindrocarpon-like-fungi and a several nonpathogenic saprophytic fungi named “other”), but their infection frequency varied according to the host plant. A single pre-plant break treatment did not overall differ significantly in plant growth of subsequent apple tree; however, break with marigold, which increased abundance of nonpathogenic root inhabiting fungi more than other cover crops, gave significantly higher plant growth than obtained after barley. This study provides evidence about cover-crop potential to increase soil diversity in long-term permanent cropping systems and to manipulate root colonizing fungi involved in crop health.
Variable response of kochia [Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad.] to auxinic herbicides dicamba and fluroxypyr in Montana
Authors: Jha Prashant , Kumar Vipan , Lim Charlemagne A.
Published: June 2015

Jha, P., Kumar, V. and Lim, C. A. 2015. Variable response of kochia [Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad.] to auxinic herbicides dicamba and fluroxypyr in Montana. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 965–972. Herbicide-resistant kochia is an increasing concern for growers in the Northern Great Plains of United States and Canada. The objective of the research was to characterize the response of the three putative auxinic herbicide-resistant kochia inbreds (derived from accessions collected from wheat/chemical fallow fields in northern Montana) to dicamba and fluroxypyr relative to a susceptible (SUS) inbred. A dicamba dose-response study indicated that the three putative resistant inbreds (Chot-01, Chot-02, and Chot-03) had R/S ratios of 1.3 to 6.1 based on the visible control response (I50 values), and R/S ratios of 1.5 to 6.8 based on the shoot dry weight response (GR50 values). Dose-response experiments with fluroxypyr determined I50 R/S ratios of 1.4 to 5.7 and GR50 R/S ratios of 1.6 to 4.0 for the three putative resistant inbreds. The selected inbreds showed variable symptomology (phenotype) in response to dicamba and fluroxypyr. Among the three inbreds, Chot-01 exhibited the least epinasty, stem curling/swelling, and chlorosis/necrosis symptoms, and was resistant to dicamba and fluroxypyr. Growers should diversify their weed management tools to manage further spread of auxinic or multiple herbicide-resistant kochia in the region.
UGRC Ring, soft red winter wheat
Authors: Tamburic-Ilincic Lily , Smid Arend
Published: June 2015

Tamburic-Ilincic, L. and Smid, A. 2015. UGRC Ring, soft red winter wheat. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 1033–1035. UGRC Ring is a soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar registered for Ontario, Canada. It has high grain yield, with good pastry quality (high flour yield, high falling number) and is moderately resistant to powdery mildew. UGRC Ring has good winter hardiness and is well adapted for the winter wheat growing areas of Ontario.
AAC Adagio yellow mustard
Authors: Cheng Bifang , Rakow Gerhard , Olson Todd , Williams David J. , Gugel Richard K.
Published: June 2015

Cheng, B., Rakow, G., Olson, T., Williams, D. J. and Gugel, R. K. 2015. AAC Adagio yellow mustard. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 1043–1045. Mucilage content in yellow mustard (Sinapis alba L.) is an important seed quality parameter for the mustard trade since mucilage contributes to the consistency of prepared mustard products. Some wild type brown-seeded accessions of S. alba have much higher mucilage contents than have been observed in yellow-seeded cultivars and breeding lines. Increasing the mucilage content of cultivated, yellow-seeded S. alba by transferring the high mucilage trait from brown-seeded S. alba was initiated in 2004 at the Saskatoon Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The yellow mustard variety AAC Adagio with high mucilage content [96.8 centistokes (cst) g−1 seed] was successfully developed from crosses between the elite yellow-seeded breeding line SA00-PYM (mucilage: 35.2 cst g−1 seed) and five brown-seeded S. alba accessions (mucilage: 87.5–108.7 cst g−1 seed). AAC Adagio is well-adapted to all mustard growing areas of western Canada.
Compactification de Thurston d’espaces de réseaux marqués et de l’espace de Torelli
Authors: Haettel Thomas
Published: June 2015

We define a compactification of symmetric spaces of noncompact type, seen as spaces of isometry classes of marked lattices, analogous to the Thurston compactification of the Teichmüller space, and we show that it is equivariantly isomorphic to a Satake compactification. We then use it to define a new compactification of the Torelli space of a hyperbolic surface with marked points, and we show that it is equivariantly isomorphic to the Satake compactification of the image of the period mapping. Finally, we describe the natural stratification of a subset of the boundary.
Quantifying sources, transport, deposition, and radiative forcing of black carbon over the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhang R. , Wang H. , Qian Y. , Rasch P. J. , Easter R. C. , Ma P.-L. , Singh B. , Huang J. , Fu Q.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Black carbon (BC) particles over the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau (HTP), both airborne and those deposited on snow, have been shown to affect snowmelt and glacier retreat. Since BC over the HTP may originate from a variety of geographical regions and emission sectors, it is essential to quantify the source–receptor relationships of BC in order to understand the contributions of natural and anthropogenic emissions and provide guidance for potential mitigation actions. In this study, we use the Community Atmosphere Model version 5 (CAM5) with a newly developed source-tagging technique, nudged towards the MERRA meteorological reanalysis, to characterize the fate of BC particles emitted from various geographical regions and sectors. Evaluated against observations over the HTP and surrounding regions, the model simulation shows a good agreement in the seasonal variation in the near-surface airborne BC concentrations, providing confidence to use this modeling framework for characterizing BC source–receptor relationships. Our analysis shows that the relative contributions from different geographical regions and source sectors depend on season and location in the HTP. The largest contribution to annual mean BC burden and surface deposition in the entire HTP region is from biofuel and biomass (BB) emissions in South Asia, followed by fossil fuel (FF) emissions from South Asia, then FF from East Asia. The same roles hold for all the seasonal means except for the summer, when East Asia FF becomes more important. For finer receptor regions of interest, South Asia BB and FF have the largest impact on BC in the Himalayas and central Tibetan Plateau, while East Asia FF and BB contribute the most to the northeast plateau in all seasons and southeast plateau in the summer. Central Asia and Middle East FF emissions have relatively more important contributions to BC reaching the northwest plateau, especially in the summer. Although local emissions only contribute about 10% of BC in the HTP, this contribution is extremely sensitive to local emission changes. Lastly, we show that the annual mean radiative forcing (0.42 W m−2) due to BC in snow outweighs the BC dimming effect (−0.3 W m−2) at the surface over the HTP. We also find strong seasonal and spatial variation with a peak value of 5 W m−2 in the spring over the northwest plateau. Such a large forcing of BC in snow is sufficient to cause earlier snow melting and potentially contribute to the acceleration of glacier retreat.
Characterization of the boundary layer at Dome C (East Antarctica) during the OPALE summer campaign
Authors: Gallée H. , Preunkert S. , Argentini S. , Frey M. M. , Genthon C. , Jourdain B. , Pietroni I. , Casasanta G. , Barral H. , Vignon E. , Amory C. , Legrand M.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Regional climate model MAR (Modèle Atmosphérique Régional) was run for the region of Dome C located on the East Antarctic plateau, during Antarctic summer 2011–2012, in order to refine our understanding of meteorological conditions during the OPALE tropospheric chemistry campaign. A very high vertical resolution is set up in the lower troposphere, with a grid spacing of roughly 2 m. Model output is compared with temperatures and winds observed near the surface and from a 45 m high tower as well as sodar and radiation data. MAR is generally in very good agreement with the observations, but sometimes underestimates cloud formation, leading to an underestimation of the simulated downward long-wave radiation. Absorbed short-wave radiation may also be slightly overestimated due to an underestimation of the snow albedo, and this influences the surface energy budget and atmospheric turbulence. Nevertheless, the model provides sufficiently reliable information about surface turbulent fluxes, vertical profiles of vertical diffusion coefficients and boundary layer height when discussing the representativeness of chemical measurements made nearby the ground surface during field campaigns conducted at Concordia station located at Dome C (3233 m above sea level).
Black carbon, particle number concentration and nitrogen oxide emission factors of random in-use vehicles measured with the on-road chasing method
Authors: Ježek I. , Katrašnik T. , Westerdahl D. , Močnik G.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. The chasing method was used in an on-road measurement campaign, and emission factors (EF) of black carbon (BC), particle number (PN) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) were determined for 139 individual vehicles of different types encountered on the roads. The aggregated results provide EFs for BC, NOx and PN for three vehicle categories: goods vehicles, gasoline and diesel passenger cars. This is the first on-road measurement study where BC EFs of numerous individual diesel cars were determined in real-world driving conditions. We found good agreement between EFs of goods vehicles determined in this campaign and the results of previous studies that used either chasing or remote sensing measurement techniques. The composition of the sampled car fleet determined from the national vehicle registry information is reflective of Eurostat statistical data on the Slovenian and European vehicle fleet. The median BC EF of diesel and gasoline cars that were in use for less than 5 years, decreased by 60 and 47% from those in use for 5–10 years, respectively, the median NOx and PN EFs, of goods vehicles that were in use for less than five years, decreased from those in use for 5–10 years by 52 and 67%, respectively. The influence of engine maximum power of the measured EFs showed an increase in NOx EF from least to more powerful vehicles with diesel engines. Finally a disproportionate contribution of high emitters to the total emissions of the measured fleet was found; the top 25% of emitting diesel cars contributed 63, 47 and 61% of BC, NOx and PN emissions respectively. With the combination of relatively simple on-road measurements with sophisticated post processing individual vehicles EF can be determined and useful information about the fleet emissions can be obtained by exactly representing vehicles which contribute disproportionally to vehicle fleet emissions; and monitor how the numerous emission reduction approaches are reflected in on-road driving conditions.
Determination of atmospheric organosulfates using HILIC chromatography with MS detection
Authors: Hettiyadura A. P. S. , Stone E. A. , Kundu S. , Baker Z. , Geddes E. , Richards K. , Humphry T.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Measurements of organosulfates in ambient aerosols provide insight to the extent of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from mixtures of biogenic gases and anthropogenic pollutants. Organosulfates have, however, proved analytically challenging to quantify, due to lack of authentic standards and the complex sample matrix in which organosulfates are observed. This study presents a sensitive and accurate new analytical method for the quantification of organosulfates based upon ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with negative electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (MS) with the aid of synthesized organosulfate standards. The separation is based upon hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) with an amide stationary phase that provides excellent retention of carboxy-organosulfates and isoprene-derived organosulfates. The method is validated using six model compounds: methyl sulfate, ethyl sulfate, benzyl sulfate, hydroxyacetone sulfate, lactic acid sulfate and glycolic acid sulfate. A straightforward protocol for synthesis of highly pure organosulfate potassium salts for use as quantification standards is presented. This method is used to evaluate the efficiency and precision of two methods of ambient PM2.5 sample extraction. Spike recoveries averaged 98 ± 8% for extraction by ultra-sonication and 98 ± 10% for extraction by rotary shaking. Ultra-sonication was determined to be a better method due to its higher precision compared to rotary shaking. Analysis of ambient PM2.5 samples collected on 10–11 July 2013 in Centreville, AL, USA during the Southeast Atmosphere Study (SAS) confirms the presence of hydroxyacetone sulfate in ambient aerosol for the first time. Lactic acid sulfate was the most abundant compound measured (9.6–19 ng m−3), followed by glycolic acid sulfate (8–14 ng m−3) and hydroxyacetone sulfate (2.7–5.8 ng m−3). Trace amounts of methyl sulfate were detected, while ethyl sulfate and benzyl sulfate were not. Application of this HILIC separation method to ambient aerosol samples further demonstrates its utility in resolving additional biogenic organosulfates.
The CU 2-D-MAX-DOAS instrument – Part 1: Retrieval of 3-D distributions of NO2 and azimuth-dependent OVOC ratios
Authors: Ortega I. , Koenig T. , Sinreich R. , Thomson D. , Volkamer R.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. We present an innovative instrument telescope and describe a retrieval method to probe three-dimensional (3-D) distributions of atmospheric trace gases that are relevant to air pollution and tropospheric chemistry. The University of Colorado (CU) two-dimensional (2-D) multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (CU 2-D-MAX-DOAS) instrument measures nitrogen dioxide (NO2), formaldehyde (HCHO), glyoxal (CHOCHO), oxygen dimer (O2–O2, or O4), and water vapor (H2O); nitrous acid (HONO), bromine monoxide (BrO), and iodine monoxide (IO) are among other gases that can in principle be measured. Information about aerosols is derived through coupling with a radiative transfer model (RTM). The 2-D telescope has three modes of operation: mode 1 measures solar scattered photons from any pair of elevation angle (−20° < EA < +90° or zenith; zero is to the horizon) and azimuth angle (−180° < AA < +180°; zero being north); mode 2 measures any set of azimuth angles (AAs) at constant elevation angle (EA) (almucantar scans); and mode 3 tracks the direct solar beam via a separate view port. Vertical profiles of trace gases are measured and used to estimate mixing layer height (MLH). Horizontal distributions are then derived using MLH and parameterization of RTM (Sinreich et al., 2013). NO2 is evaluated at different wavelengths (350, 450, and 560 nm), exploiting the fact that the effective path length varies systematically with wavelength. The area probed is constrained by O4 observations at nearby wavelengths and has a diurnal mean effective radius of 7.0 to 25 km around the instrument location; i.e., up to 1960 km2 can be sampled with high time resolution. The instrument was deployed as part of the Multi-Axis DOAS Comparison campaign for Aerosols and Trace gases (MAD-CAT) in Mainz, Germany, from 7 June to 6 July 2013. We present first measurements (modes 1 and 2 only) and describe a four-step retrieval to derive (a) boundary layer vertical profiles and MLH of NO2; (b) near-surface horizontal distributions of NO2; (c) range-resolved NO2 horizontal distribution measurements using an "onion-peeling" approach; and (d) the ratios HCHO to NO2 (RFN), CHOCHO to NO2 (RGN), and CHOCHO to HCHO (RGF) at 14 pre-set azimuth angles distributed over a 360° view. Three-dimensional distribution measurements with 2-D-MAX-DOAS provide an innovative, regional perspective of trace gases as well as their spatial and temporal concentration gradients, and they maximize information to compare near-surface observations with atmospheric models and satellites.
Electrodynamic balance measurements of thermodynamic, kinetic, and optical aerosol properties inaccessible to bulk methods
Authors: Steimer S. S. , Krieger U. K. , Te Y.-F. , Lienhard D. M. , Huisman A. J. , Luo B. P. , Ammann M. , Peter T.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Measurements of a single, levitated particle in an electrodynamic balance are an established tool for deriving thermodynamic and material data such as density, refractive index and activities of components of an aqueous solution under supersaturated conditions, where bulk measurements are not possible. The retrieval relies on combining mass-to-charge data and size data from light scattering. Here, we use a combination of low- and high-resolution Mie resonance spectroscopy to obtain radius data, enabling an accurate size determination not only when the particle is in equilibrium, but also when it is out of equilibrium due to kinetic limitation of mass transport. With the data measured under non-equilibrium conditions, it is possible to retrieve the water diffusivity. A challenge is that the radius retrieval by comparing measured light scattering with Mie theory requires the knowledge of refractive index as a function of concentration. Here, we show an iterative retrieval of refractive index and size for compounds for which data cannot be obtained in the bulk either due to lack of sufficient amounts of sample or limited solubility. We demonstrate the measurement strategy and the retrieval of water activity, density, refractive index and water diffusivity for aqueous shikimic acid. Water diffusivity in concentrated shikimic acid decreases by 6 orders of magnitude at 250 K compared to that at room temperature.
Characterisation and optimisation of a sample preparation method for the detection and quantification of atmospherically relevant carbonyl compounds in aqueous medium
Authors: Rodigast M. , Mutzel A. , Iinuma Y. , Haferkorn S. , Herrmann H.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Carbonyl compounds are ubiquitous in the atmosphere and either emitted primarily from anthropogenic and biogenic sources or they are produced secondarily from the oxidation of volatile organic compounds. Despite a number of studies about the quantification of carbonyl compounds a comprehensive description of optimised methods is scarce for the quantification of atmospherically relevant carbonyl compounds. The method optimisation was conducted for seven atmospherically relevant carbonyl compounds including acrolein, benzaldehyde, glyoxal, methyl glyoxal, methacrolein, methyl vinyl ketone and 2,3-butanedione. O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine hydrochloride (PFBHA) was used as derivatisation reagent and the formed oximes were detected by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). With the present method quantification can be carried out for each carbonyl compound originating from fog, cloud and rain or sampled from the gas- and particle phase in water. Detection limits between 0.01 and 0.17 μmol L−1 were found, depending on carbonyl compounds. Furthermore, best results were found for the derivatisation with a PFBHA concentration of 0.43 mg mL−1 for 24 h followed by a subsequent extraction with dichloromethane for 30 min at pH = 1. The optimised method was evaluated in the present study by the OH radical initiated oxidation of 3-methylbutanone in the aqueous phase. Methyl glyoxal and 2,3-butanedione were found to be oxidation products in the samples with a yield of 2% for methyl glyoxal and 14% for 2,3-butanedione after a reaction time of 5 h.
The influence of solar wind variability on magnetospheric ULF wave power
Authors: Pokhotelov D. , Rae I. J. , Murphy K. R. , Mann I. R.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Magnetospheric ultra-low frequency (ULF) oscillations in the Pc 4–5 frequency range play an important role in the dynamics of Earth's radiation belts, both by enhancing the radial diffusion through incoherent interactions and through the coherent drift-resonant interactions with trapped radiation belt electrons. The statistical distributions of magnetospheric ULF wave power are known to be strongly dependent on solar wind parameters such as solar wind speed and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientation. Statistical characterisation of ULF wave power in the magnetosphere traditionally relies on average solar wind–IMF conditions over a specific time period. In this brief report, we perform an alternative characterisation of the solar wind influence on magnetospheric ULF wave activity through the characterisation of the solar wind driver by its variability using the standard deviation of solar wind parameters rather than a simple time average. We present a statistical study of nearly one solar cycle (1996–2004) of geosynchronous observations of magnetic ULF wave power and find that there is significant variation in ULF wave powers as a function of the dynamic properties of the solar wind. In particular, we find that the variability in IMF vector, rather than variabilities in other parameters (solar wind density, bulk velocity and ion temperature), plays the strongest role in controlling geosynchronous ULF power. We conclude that, although time-averaged bulk properties of the solar wind are a key factor in driving ULF powers in the magnetosphere, the solar wind variability can be an important contributor as well. This highlights the potential importance of including solar wind variability especially in studies of ULF wave dynamics in order to assess the efficiency of solar wind–magnetosphere coupling.
Technical Note: Time lag correction of aquatic eddy covariance data measured in the presence of waves
Authors: Berg P. , Reimers C. E. , Rosman J. H. , Huettel M. , Delgard M. L. , Reidenbach M. A. , Özkan-Haller T.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Extracting benthic oxygen fluxes from eddy covariance time series measured in the presence of surface gravity waves requires careful consideration of the temporal alignment of the vertical velocity and the oxygen concentration. Using a model based on linear wave theory and measured eddy covariance data, we show that substantial erroneous fluxes can arise if these two variables are not aligned correctly in time. We refer to this error in flux as the time lag bias. In one example, produced with the wave model, we found that an offset of 0.25 s between the oxygen and the velocity data produced a two-fold overestimation of the flux. In another example, relying on nighttime data measured over a seagrass meadow, a similar offset reversed the flux from an uptake of −50 mmol m−2 d−1 to a release of 40 mmol m−2 d−1. The bias is most acute for data measured at shallow-water sites with short-period waves and low current velocities. At moderate or higher current velocities (> 5–10 cm s−1), the bias usually is insignificant. The widely used traditional time shift correction for data measured in unidirectional flows, where the maximum numerical flux is sought, should not be applied in the presence of waves because it tends to maximize the time lag bias. Based on wave model predictions and measured data, we propose a new time lag correction that minimizes the time lag bias. The correction requires that time series of both vertical velocity and oxygen concentration contain a clear periodic wave signal. Because wave motions are often evident in eddy covariance data measured at shallow-water sites, we encourage more work on identifying new time lag corrections. On that premise, we make all raw data used in this study available to interested users.
Effects of past climate variability on fire and vegetation in the cerrãdo savanna of the Huanchaca Mesetta, NE Bolivia
Authors: Maezumi S. Y. , Power M. J. , Mayle F. E. , McLauchlan K. K. , Iriarte J.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Cerrãdo savannas have the greatest fire activity of all major global land-cover types and play a significant role in the global carbon cycle. During the 21st century, temperatures are projected to increase by ~ 3 °C coupled with a precipitation decrease of ~ 20%. Although these conditions could potentially intensify drought stress, it is unknown how that might alter vegetation composition and fire regimes. To assess how Neotropical savannas responded to past climate changes, a 14 500-year, high-resolution, sedimentary record from Huanchaca Mesetta, a palm swamp located in the cerrãdo savanna in northeastern Bolivia, was analyzed with phytoliths, stable isotopes, and charcoal. A non-analogue, cold-adapted vegetation community dominated the Lateglacial–early Holocene period (14 500–9000 cal yr BP, which included trees and C3 Pooideae and C4 Panicoideae grasses. The Lateglacial vegetation was fire-sensitive and fire activity during this period was low, likely responding to fuel availability and limitation. Although similar vegetation characterized the early Holocene, the warming conditions associated with the onset of the Holocene led to an initial increase in fire activity. Huanchaca Mesetta became increasingly fire-dependent during the middle Holocene with the expansion of C4 fire-adapted grasses. However, as warm, dry conditions, characterized by increased length and severity of the dry season, continued, fuel availability decreased. The establishment of the modern palm swamp vegetation occurred at 5000 cal yr BP. Edaphic factors are the first-order control on vegetation on the rocky quartzite mesetta. Where soils are sufficiently thick, climate is the second-order control of vegetation on the mesetta. The presence of the modern palm swamp is attributed to two factors: (1) increased precipitation that increased water table levels and (2) decreased frequency and duration of surazos (cold wind incursions from Patagonia) leading to increased temperature minima. Natural (soil, climate, fire) drivers rather than anthropogenic drivers control the vegetation and fire activity at Huanchaca Mesetta. Thus the cerrãdo savanna ecosystem of the Huanchaca Plateau has exhibited ecosystem resilience to major climatic changes in both temperature and precipitation since the Lateglacial period.
The importance of year-to-year variation in meteorological and runoff forcing for water quality of a temperate, dimictic lake
Authors: Romarheim A. T. , Tominaga K. , Riise G. , Andersen T.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Natural stochasticity can pose challenges in managing the quality of the environment, or hinder understanding of the system structure. It is problematic because unfavourable stochastic events cancel management efforts and because a favourable stochastic event may overestimate perceived success. This paper presents a variance-based modelling method that can be used to quantify the extent to which natural stochasticity can affect the target environment. We use a case study of a eutrophication assessment of a Norwegian lake, Årungen, using a lake model, MyLake, in order to present the method, and to investigate how this method could assist in answering scientific and management questions. Here we contrasted two effects of nutrient loading in runoff (partially controllable by policies) and meteorology (purely natural stochastic events), illustrated in the case study, in order to achieve the season-by-season quantification of mutually confounding factors of stochastic events. The results indicate that, for example, variation in runoff volume was most prevalent during autumn and winter, while variation in phosphorus inflow was most extensive from late winter to early spring. Thermal-related properties in the lake were well predicted by the model, and showed that the time of thermocline formation varied among years by more than 1 month, from mid-April to mid-May, whereas loading was the most important factor for phytoplankton biomass and water transparency. Mild winters and greater inputs of suspended matter and phosphorus were followed by increased phytoplankton biomass and light attenuation. These findings also suggest that future changes in the global climate may have important implications for local water management decision-making. The present method of disentangling mutually confounding factors is not limited to lake water quality studies and may also provide utility in other types of aquatic system modelling.
A continuous rainfall model based on vine copulas
Authors: Vernieuwe H. , Vandenberghe S. , De Baets B. , Verhoest N. E. C.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Copulas have already proven their flexibility in rainfall modelling. Yet, their use is generally restricted to the description of bivariate dependence. Recently, vine copulas have been introduced, allowing multi-dimensional dependence structures to be described on the basis of a stage by stage mixing of 2-dimensional copulas. This paper explores the use of such vine copulas in order to incorporate all relevant dependences between the storm variables of interest. On the basis of such fitted vine copulas, an external storm structure is modelled. An internal storm structure is superimposed based on Huff curves, such that a continuous time series of rainfall is generated. The performance of the rainfall model is evaluated through a statistical comparison between an ensemble of synthetical rainfall series and the observed rainfall series and through the comparison of the annual maxima.
Land cover changes and forest landscape evolution (1985–2009) in a typical Mediterranean agroforestry system (high Agri Valley)
Authors: Simoniello T. , Coluzzi R. , Imbrenda V. , Lanfredi M.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. The present study focuses on the transformations of a typical Mediterranean agroforestry landscape of southern Italy (high Agri Valley – Basilicata region) that occurred over 24 years. In this period, the valuable agricultural and natural areas that compose such a landscape were subjected to intensive industry-related activities linked to the exploitation of the largest European onshore oil reservoir. Landsat imagery acquired in 1985 and 2009 were used to detect changes in forest areas and major land use trajectories. Landscape metrics indicators were adopted to characterize landscape structure and evolution of both the complex ecomosaic (14 land cover classes) and the forest/non-forest arrangement. Our results indicate a net increase of 11% of forest areas between 1985 and 2009. The major changes concern increase of all forest covers at the expense of pastures and grasses, enlargement of riparian vegetation, and expansion of artificial areas. The observed expansion of forests was accompanied by a decrease of the fragmentation levels likely due to the reduction of small glades that break forest homogeneity and to the recolonization of herbaceous areas. Overall, we observe an evolution towards a more stable configuration depicting a satisfactory picture of vegetation health.
Estimation of upward radiances and reflectances at the surface of the sea from above-surface measurements
Authors: Kleiv Ø. , Folkestad A. , Høkedal J. , Sørensen K. , Aas E.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. During four field days in the years 2009–2011, 22 series of measurement were collected in the Inner Oslofjord. The data consist of recordings of spectral sub-surface and above-surface nadir radiances, as well as spectral downward irradiance in air. The studied wavelengths are 351, 400 nm and the 10 former MERIS channels in the range 413–754 nm. The water-leaving radiance and the reflected radiance at the sea surface can be determined from the measured nadir radiances in water and air. A simpler and much faster method, which determines the radiance reflectance at the surface as well as the water-leaving and reflected radiances solely from the measurements of upward nadir radiance and downward irradiance in air, is presented. A comparison between the quantities determined by the two methods shows that the average relative deviations between their results are less than or equal to 15% for the reflected radiance, at the studied wavelengths. The average relative deviations of the water-leaving radiance at 560 nm is 24%. We consider this to be acceptable uncertainties for a first check of satellite products in coastal waters.
Design impact and significance of non-stationarity of variance in extreme rainfall
Authors: Al Saji M. , O'Sullivan J. J. , O'Connor A.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Stationarity in hydro-meteorological records is often investigated through an assessment of the mean value of the tested parameter. This is arguably insufficient for capturing fully the non-stationarity signal, and parameter variance is an equally important indicator. This study applied the Mann-Kendall linear and Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon step change trend detection techniques to investigate the changes in the mean and variance of annual maximum daily rainfalls at eight stations in Dublin, Ireland, where long and high quality daily rainfall records were available. The eight stations are located in a geographically similar and spatially compact region (< 950 km2) and their rainfalls were shown to be well correlated. Results indicate that while significant positive step changes were observed in mean annual maximum daily rainfalls (1961 and 1997) at only two of the eight stations, a significant and consistent shift in the variance was observed at all eight stations during the 1980's. This period saw a widely noted positive shift in the winter North Atlantic Oscillation that greatly influences rainfall patterns in Northern Europe. Design estimates were obtained from a frequency analysis of annual maximum daily rainfalls (AM series) using the Generalised Extreme Value distribution, identified through application of the Modified Anderson Darling Goodness of Fit criterion. To evaluate the impact of the observed non-stationarity in variance on rainfall design estimates, two sets of depth-frequency relationships at each station for return periods from 5 to 100-years were constructed. The first was constructed with bootstrapped confidence intervals based on the full AM series assuming stationarity and the second was based on a partial AM series commencing in the year that followed the observed shift in variance. Confidence intervals distinguish climate signals from natural variability. Increases in design daily rainfall estimates obtained from the depth-frequency relationship developed from the truncated AM series, as opposed to those using the full series, ranged from 5 to 16% for the 5-year event and from 20 to 41% for the 100-year event. Results indicate that the observed trends exceed the envelopes of natural climate variability and suggest that the non-stationarity in variance is associated with a climate change signal. Results also illustrate the importance of considering trends in higher order moments (e.g. variance) of hydro-meteorological variables in assessing non-stationarity influences.
High-temperature metamorphism during extreme thinning of the continental crust: a reappraisal of the North Pyrenean passive paleomargin
Authors: Clerc C. , Lahfid A. , Monié P. , Lagabrielle Y. , Chopin C. , Poujol M. , Boulvais P. , Ringenbach J.-C. , Masini E. , de St Blanquat M.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. An increasing number of field examples in mountain belts show that the formation of passive margins during extreme continent thinning may occur under conditions of high to very high thermal gradient beneath a thin cover of syn-rift sediments. Orogenic belts resulting from the tectonic inversion of distal margins and regions of exhumed continental mantle may exhibit high-temperature, low-pressure (HT-LP) metamorphism and coeval syn-extensional, ductile deformation. Recent studies have shown that the northern flank of the Pyrenean belt, especially the North Pyrenean Zone, is one of the best examples of such inverted hot, passive margin. In this study, we provide a map of HT-LP metamorphism based on a data set of more than 100 peak-temperature estimates obtained using Raman spectroscopy of the carbonaceous material (RSCM). This data set is completed by previous PT (pressure and temperature) estimates based on mineral assemblages, and new 40Ar–39Ar (amphibole, micas) and U–Pb (titanite) ages from metamorphic and magmatic rocks of the North Pyrenean Zone. The implications on the geological evolution of the Cretaceous Pyrenean paleomargins are discussed. Ages range mainly from 110 to 90 Ma, and no westward or eastward propagation of the metamorphism and magmatism can be clearly identified. In contrast, the new data reveal a progressive propagation of the thermal anomaly from the base to the surface of the continental crust. Focusing on the key localities of the Mauléon basin, Arguenos–Moncaup, Lherz, Boucheville and the Bas-Agly, we analyze the thermal conditions prevailing during the Cretaceous crustal thinning. The results are synthetized into a series of three regional thematic maps and into two detailed maps of the Arguenos–Moncaup and Lherz areas. The results indicate a first-order control of the thermal gradient by the intensity of crustal thinning. The highest grades of metamorphism are intimately associated with the areas where subcontinental mantle rocks have been unroofed or exhumed.
A Study of the Morphological Process in Berom Language
Authors: Bitrus Marcus Pam , Pwajok Dung Ishaya , Ganan Pam Eric
Published: June 2015

This study presents a descriptive analysis of the Berom language morphological process. Data were sourced from related studies in Berom and other languages and from the intuitive knowledge of the writers who are native speakers of the language. Data analysis reveals that the morphological process in Berom is composed of affixation and compounding. The study also shows that the language has two inflectional prefixes: be- & n- that are used to mark plural noun and a derivational prefix: n- that is used for nominalization. Furthermore, the paper reveals that compounding in Berom can be simple or complex and asserts that simple compounding may generate a different word class while complex compounding realize nouns.
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Plant Powders, Cow Dung Ash and Malathion Dust against Callosobruchus Chinensis L. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) On Chickpea in Jole Andegna: Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Tesema Kebebush , Kurabachew Henok , Tadesse Teferra F.
Published: June 2015

Callosobruchus chinensis is one of the major insect pest of chickpea and other stored legume which is known to cause significant yield loss both quantitatively and qualitatively. This investigation was done to study the efficacy of leaf powders of basil (Ocimu basilica L.) and neem (Azadirachta indica), cow dung ash and Malathion dust against bruchid on two chickpea varieties namely Desi (local) and Habru (improved Kabuli). Levels of infestation, weight loss, germination capacity (delete) and germination of the seeds were evaluated monthly up to six months. In the bruchid infested treatment (control), hundred seeds weight, seed germination decreased through time while levels of infestation and weight loss increased. All the tested locally available treatments (cow dung ash, leaf powder of neem and leaf powder of basil) were found to be effective in reducing the damage inflicted by bruchid compared to the control. Malathion dust was observed to be the most effective of all treatment in this study. However, looking in to the side effects of synthetic pesticides, we suggest that the locally available plant powders and cow dung ash which is cheap, ecologically friendly and non-hazardous to human health can play an important role in protection of chickpea during storage against invasion by bruchid.
De verjaring van een 403-vordering
Authors: van der Kraan J.
Published: June 2015

De verjaring van een 403-vordering

Een 403-vordering is een zelfstandige vordering, meestal op de moedervennootschap. Deze vordering onderscheidt zich van de hoofdvordering op de dochtervennootschap. Deze te onderscheiden vorderingen verjaren onafhankelijk van elkaar. Naast de vraag of deze vorderingen onafhankelijk van elkaar verjaren, rijst de vraag of deze vorderingen op verschillende tijdstippen kunnen verjaren. Op basis van verschillende gronden kan dit het geval zijn.

Een hoofdvraag die beantwoord dient te worden om vast te stellen wanneer een 403-vordering verjaart, is wanneer een 403-vordering ontstaat. Er zijn gronden om aan te nemen dat een 403-vordering pas ontstaat nadat de schuldeiser de moedervennootschap tot nakoming heeft aangesproken.
AIFMD: veranderd toezicht op beheerders van beleggingsinstellingen in Nederland
Authors: Boogaard R.J.
Published: June 2015

AIFMD: veranderd toezicht op beheerders van beleggingsinstellingen in Nederland

Met de inwerkingtreding van de AIFMD in de Nederlandse regelgeving is het toezichtregime voor beheerders van beleggingsinstellingen ingrijpend veranderd. Nu het stof rond de eerste implementatieperikelen is neergedaald, kan een tussenbalans worden opgemaakt van de gevolgen van de AIFMD voor de Nederlandse fondsenpraktijk. Dit artikel behandelt ten eerste de vraag welke entiteiten onder de reikwijdte van de AIFMD vallen, en welke daarvan uitgezonderd zijn. Vervolgens wordt ingegaan op de regimes die voor Nederlandse beheerders gelden, met name het ‘lichte’ registratieregime van art. 2:66a Wft, het ‘volledige’ vergunningsregime van art. 2:65 Wft en het grandfathering-regime. Tot slot worden de regimes behandeld die gelden voor buitenlandse beheerders van beleggingsinstellingen die in Nederland actief (willen) zijn door Nederlandse beleggingsinstellingen te beheren of door beleggingsinstellingen aan Nederlandse beleggers aan te bieden.
De NZa: marktmeester én toezichthouder
Authors: Pietermaat Elisabeth
Published: June 2015

De NZa: marktmeester én toezichthouder

Het rapport van de Commissie Borstlap bevat een groot aantal aanbevelingen voor zowel de Nederlandse Zorgautoriteit als de minister van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn & Sport. Een van de aanbevelingen luidt dat moet worden overwogen de regulerings- en toezichttaken van de NZa niet langer in één organisatie onder te brengen. Op die aanbeveling wordt in deze bijdrage nader ingegaan, waarbij uiteraard ook aan de orde komt wat de commissie onder regulering en toezicht verstaat.
Biological Systematics in the Evo-Devo era
Authors: Minelli Alessandro
Published: June 2015

Evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo) suggests a distinction between modular and systemic variation. In the case of modular change, the conservation of the overall structure helps recognizing affinities, while a single, fast evolving module is likely to produce a bonanza for the taxonomist, while systemic changes produce strongly deviating morphologies that cause problems in tracing homologies. Similarly, changes affecting the whole life cycle are more challenging than those limited to one stage. Developmental modularity is a precondition for heterochrony. Analyzing a matrix of morphological data for paedomorphic taxa requires special care. It is, however, possible to extract phylogenetic signal from heterochronic patterns. The taxonomist should pay attention to the intricacies of the genotype→phenotype map. When using genetic data to infer phylogeny, a comparison of gene sequences is just a first step. To bridge the gap between genes and morphology we should consider the spatial and temporal patterns of gene expression, and their regulation. Minor genetic change can have major phenotypic effects, sometimes suggesting saltational evolution. Evo-devo is also relevant in respect to speciation: changes in developmental schedules are often implicated in the divergence between sympatric morphs, and a developmental modulation of ‘temporal phenotypes’ appears to be responsible for many cases of speciation.