bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vertical and lateral flux on the continental slope off Pakistan: correlation of sediment core and trap results
Authors: Schulz H. , von Rad U.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Due to the lack of bioturbation, the varve-laminated muds from the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) off Pakistan provide a unique opportunity to precisely determine the vertical and lateral sediment fluxes in the nearshore part of the northeastern Arabian Sea. West of Karachi (Hab area), the results of two sediment trap stations (EPT and WPT) were correlated with 16 short sediment cores on a depth transect crossing the OMZ. The top of a distinct, either reddish- or light-gray silt layer, 210Pb-dated as AD 1905 ± 10, was used as an isochronous stratigraphic marker bed to calculate sediment accumulation rates. In one core, the red and gray layer were separated by a few (5–10) thin laminae. According to our varve model, this contributes < 10 years to the dating uncertainty, assuming that the different layers are almost synchronous. We directly compared the accumulation rates with the flux rates from the sediment traps that collected the settling material within the water column above. All traps on the steep Makran continental slope show exceptionally high, pulsed winter fluxes of up to 5000 mg m−2 d−1. Based on core results, the flux at the seafloor amounts to 4000 mg m−2 d−1 and agrees remarkably well with the bulk winter flux of material, as well as with the flux of the individual bulk components of organic carbon, calcium carbonate and opal. However, due to the extreme mass of remobilized matter, the high winter flux events exceeded the capacity of the shallow traps. Based on our comparisons, we argue that high-flux events must occur regularly during winter within the upper OMZ off Pakistan to explain the high accumulations rates. These show distribution patterns that are a negative function of water depth and distance from the shelf. Some of the sediment fractions show marked shifts in accumulation rates near the lower boundary of the OMZ. For instance, the flux of benthic foraminifera is lowered but stable below ~1200–1300 m. However, flux and sedimentation in the upper eastern Makran area are dominated by the large amount of laterally advected fine-grained material and by the pulsed nature of the resuspension events at the upper margin during winter.
Early season mesopelagic carbon remineralization and transfer efficiency in the naturally iron-fertilized Kerguelen area
Authors: Jacquet S. H. M. , Dehairs F. , Cavagna A. J. , Planchon F. , Monin L. , André L. , Closset I. , Cardinal D.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. We report on the zonal variability of mesopelagic particulate organic carbon) remineralization and deep carbon transfer potential during the Kerguelen Ocean and Plateau compared Study 2 expedition (KEOPS 2; October–November 2011) in an area of the Polar Front supporting recurrent massive blooms from natural Fe fertilization. Mesopelagic carbon remineralization was assessed using the excess, non-lithogenic particulate barium (Baxs) inventories in mesopelagic waters and compared with surface primary and export productions. Results for this early season study are compared with results obtained earlier (2005; KEOPS 1) for the same area during summer. For the Kerguelen plateau (A3 site) we observe a similar functioning of the mesopelagic ecosystem during both seasons (spring and summer), with less that 30% of carbon exported from the upper 150 m being remineralized in the mesopelagic column (150–400 m). For deeper stations (> 2000 m) located on the margin, inside a Polar Front meander, as well as in the vicinity of the Polar Front, east of Kerguelen, remineralization in the upper 400 m in general represents > 30% of carbon export, but when considering the upper 800 m, in some cases, the entire flux of exported carbon is remineralized. It appears that above the plateau (A3 site) mesopelagic remineralization is not a major barrier to the transfer of organic matter to the sea-floor (close to 500 m). There the efficiency of carbon sequestration into the bottom waters (> 400 m) reached up to 87% of the carbon exported from the upper 150 m. In contrast, at the deeper locations mesopelagic remineralization clearly limits the sequestration of carbon to depths > 400 m. For sites at the margin of the plateau (station E-4W) and the Polar front (station F-L), mesopelagic remineralization even exceeds upper 150 m export, resulting in a null sequestration efficiency to depths > 800 m. In the Polar Front meander, where successive stations form a time series, the capacity of the meander to transfer carbon to depth > 800 m is highly variable (0 to 73 %). The highest carbon transfer efficiencies in the meander are furthermore coupled to intense and complete deep (> 800 m) remineralization, resulting again in a close to zero deep (> 2000 m) carbon sequestration efficiency there.
Variable C : N : P stoichiometry of dissolved organic matter cycling in the Community Earth System Model
Authors: Letscher R. T. , Moore J. K. , Teng Y.-C. , Primeau F.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an important role in the ocean's biological carbon pump by providing an advective/mixing pathway for ~ 20% of export production. DOM is known to have a stoichiometry depleted in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) compared to the particulate organic matter pool, a~fact that is often omitted from biogeochemical-ocean general circulation models. However the variable C : N : P stoichiometry of DOM becomes important when quantifying carbon export from the upper ocean and linking the nutrient cycles of N and P with that of carbon. Here we utilize recent advances in DOM observational data coverage and offline tracer-modeling techniques to objectively constrain the variable production and remineralization rates of the DOM C / N / P pools in a simple biogeochemical-ocean model of DOM cycling. The optimized DOM cycling parameters are then incorporated within the Biogeochemical Elemental Cycling (BEC) component of the Community Earth System Model and validated against the compilation of marine DOM observations. The optimized BEC simulation including variable DOM C : N : P cycling was found to better reproduce the observed DOM spatial gradients than simulations that used the canonical Redfield ratio. Global annual average export of dissolved organic C, N, and P below 100 m was found to be 2.28 Pg C yr−1 (143 Tmol C yr−1), 16.4 Tmol N yr−1, and 1 Tmol P yr−1, respectively with an average export C : N : P stoichiometry of 225 : 19 : 1 for the semilabile (degradable) DOM pool. DOC export contributed ~ 25% of the combined organic C export to depths greater than 100 m.
Nitrous oxide emission hotspots from organic soils in Europe
Authors: Leppelt T. , Dechow R. , Gebbert S. , Freibauer A. , Lohila A. , Augustin J. , Drösler M. , Fiedler S. , Glatzel S. , Höper H. , Järveoja J. , L\\ae rke P. E. , Maljanen M. , Mander Ü. , Mäkiranta P. , Minkkinen K. , Ojanen P. , Regina K. , Strömgren M.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Organic soils are a main source of direct nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, an important greenhouse gas (GHG). Observed N2O emissions from organic soils are highly variable in space and time which causes high uncertainties in national emission inventories. Those uncertainties could be reduced when relating the upscaling process to a priori identified key drivers by using available N2O observations from plot scale in empirical approaches. We used the empirical fuzzy modelling approach MODE to identify main drivers for N2O and utilize them to predict the spatial emission pattern of European organic soils. We conducted a meta study with a total amount of 659 annual N2O measurements which was used to derive separate models for different land use types. We applied our models to available, spatial explicit input driver maps to upscale N2O emissions on European level and compared the inventory with recently published IPCC emission factors. The final statistical models explained up to 60% of the N2O variance. Our study results showed that cropland and grasslands emitted the highest N2O fluxes 0.98 ± 1.08 and 0.58 ± 1.03 g N2O-N m−2 a−1, respectively. High fluxes from cropland sites were mainly controlled by low soil pH-value and deep drained groundwater tables. Grassland hotspot emissions were strongly related to high amount of N-fertilizer inputs and warmer winter temperatures. In contrast N2O fluxes from natural peatlands were predominantly low (0.07±0.27 g N2O-N m−2 a−1) and we found no relationship with the tested drivers. The total inventory for direct N2O emissions from organic soils in Europe amount up to 149.5 Gg N2O-N a−1, which included also fluxes from forest and peat extraction sites and exceeds the inventory calculated by IPCC emission factors of 87.4 Gg N2O-N a−1. N2O emissions from organic soils represent up to 13% of total European N2O emissions reported in the European Union (EU) greenhouse gas inventory of 2011 from only 7% of the EU area. Thereby the model demonstrated that with up to 85% the major part of the inventory is induced by anthropogenic management, which shows the significant reduction potential by rewetting and extensivation of agricultural used peat soils.
Pump schedules optimisation with pressure aspects in complex large-scale water distribution systems
Authors: Skworcow P. , Paluszczyszyn D. , Ulanicki B.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. This paper considers optimisation of pump and valve schedules in complex large-scale water distribution networks (WDN), taking into account pressure aspects such as minimum service pressure and pressure-dependent leakage. An optimisation model is automatically generated in the GAMS language from a hydraulic model in the EPANET format and from additional files describing operational constraints, electricity tariffs and pump station configurations. The paper describes in details how each hydraulic component is modelled. To reduce the size of the optimisation problem the full hydraulic model is simplified using module reduction algorithm, while retaining the nonlinear characteristics of the model. Subsequently, a nonlinear programming solver CONOPT is used to solve the optimisation model, which is in the form of Nonlinear Programming with Discontinuous Derivatives (DNLP). The results produced by CONOPT are processed further by heuristic algorithms to generate integer solution. The proposed approached was tested on a large-scale WDN model provided in the EPANET format. The considered WDN included complex structures and interactions between pump stations. Solving of several scenarios considering different horizons, time steps, operational constraints, demand levels and topological changes demonstrated ability of the approach to automatically generate and solve optimisation problems for a variety of requirements.
WaterMet2: a tool for integrated analysis of sustainability-based performance of urban water systems
Authors: Behzadian K. , Kapelan Z. , Venkatesh G. , Brattebø H. , Sægrov S.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. This paper presents the "WaterMet2" model for long-term assessment of urban water system (UWS) performance which will be used for strategic planning of the integrated UWS. WaterMet2 quantifies the principal water-related flows and other metabolism-based fluxes in the UWS such as materials, chemicals, energy and greenhouse gas emissions. The suggested model is demonstrated through sustainability-based assessment of an integrated real-life UWS for a daily time-step over a 30-year planning horizon. The integrated UWS modelled by WaterMet2 includes both water supply and wastewater systems. Given a rapid population growth, WaterMet2 calculates six quantitative sustainability-based indicators of the UWS. The result of the water supply reliability (94%) shows the need for appropriate intervention options over the planning horizon. Five intervention strategies are analysed in WaterMet2 and their quantified performance is compared with respect to the criteria. Multi-criteria decision analysis is then used to rank the intervention strategies based on different weights from the involved stakeholders' perspectives. The results demonstrate that the best and robust strategies are those which improve the performance of both water supply and wastewater systems.
A global climatology of total columnar water vapour from SSM/I and MERIS
Authors: Lindstrot R. , Stengel M. , Schröder M. , Fischer J. , Preusker R. , Schneider N. , Steenbergen T. , Bojkov B. R.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. A global time series of total columnar water vapour from combined data of the Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) onboard ESA's Environmental Satellite (ENVISAT) and the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) onboard the satellite series of the US Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) is presented. The unique data set, generated in the framework of the ESA Data User Element (DUE) GlobVapour project, combines atmospheric water vapour observations over land and ocean, derived from measurements in the near-infrared and the microwave range, respectively. Daily composites and monthly means of total columnar water vapour are available as global maps on rectangular latitude–longitude grids with a spatial resolution of 0.05° × 0.05° over land and 0.5° × 0.5° over ocean for the years 2003 to 2008. The data are stored in NetCDF files and is fully compliant with the NetCDF Climate Forecast convention. Through the combination of high-quality microwave observations and near-infrared observations over ocean and land surfaces, respectively, the data set provides global coverage. The combination of both products is carried out such that the individual properties of the microwave and near-infrared products, in particular their uncertainties, are not modified by the merging process and are therefore well defined. Due to the global coverage and the provided uncertainty estimates this data set is potentially of high value for climate research. The SSM/I-MERIS TCWV data set is freely available via the GlobVapour project web page (www.globvapour.info) with associated doi:10.5676/DFE/WV_COMB/FP. In this paper, the details of the data set generation, i.e. the satellite data used, the retrieval techniques and merging approaches, are presented. The derived level 3 products are compared to global radiosonde data from the GCOS upper air network (GUAN), showing a high agreement with a root-mean-square deviation of roughly 4.4 kg m−2 and a small wet bias well below 1 kg m−2. Furthermore, the data set is shown to be free of seasonal biases. The consistency of the MERIS and SSM/I retrievals is demonstrated by applying the MERIS retrieval to sun glint areas over ocean.
Sea ice in the Baltic Sea – revisiting BASIS ice, a~historical data set covering the period 1960/1961–1978/1979
Authors: Löptien U. , Dietze H.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. The Baltic Sea is a seasonally ice-covered, marginal sea, situated in central northern Europe. It is an essential waterway connecting highly industrialised countries. Because ship traffic is intermittently hindered by sea ice, the local weather services have been monitoring sea ice conditions for decades. In the present study we revisit a historical monitoring data set, covering the winters 1960/1961. This data set, dubbed Data Bank for Baltic Sea Ice and Sea Surface Temperatures (BASIS) ice, is based on hand-drawn maps that were collected and then digitised 1981 in a joint project of the Finnish Institute of Marine Research (today Finish Meteorological Institute (FMI)) and the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI). BASIS ice was designed for storage on punch cards and all ice information is encoded by five digits. This makes the data hard to access. Here we present a post-processed product based on the original five-digit code. Specifically, we convert to standard ice quantities (including information on ice types), which we distribute in the current and free Network Common Data Format (NetCDF). Our post-processed data set will help to assess numerical ice models and provide easy-to-access unique historical reference material for sea ice in the Baltic Sea. In addition we provide statistics showcasing the data quality. The website www.baltic-ocean.org hosts the post-prossed data and the conversion code. The data are also archived at the Data Publisher for Earth & Environmental Science PANGEA (doi:10.1594/PANGEA.832353).
Effect of climate change and variability on extreme rainfall intensity–frequency–duration relationships: a case study of Melbourne
Authors: Yilmaz A. G. , Hossain I. , Perera B. J. C.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. The increased frequency and magnitude of extreme rainfall events due to anthropogenic climate change, and decadal and multi-decadal climate variability question the stationary climate assumption. The possible violation of stationarity in climate can cause erroneous estimation of design rainfalls derived from extreme rainfall frequency analysis. This may result in significant consequences for infrastructure and flood protection projects since design rainfalls are essential input for design of these projects. Therefore, there is a need to conduct frequency analysis of extreme rainfall events in the context of non-stationarity, when non-stationarity is present in extreme rainfall events. A methodology consisting of, threshold selection, extreme rainfall data (peaks over threshold data) construction, trend and non-stationarity analysis, and stationary and non-stationary Generalized Pareto Distribution (GPD) models was developed in this paper to investigate trends and non-stationarity in extreme rainfall events, and potential impacts of climate change and variability on Intensity–Frequency–Duration (IFD) relationships. The developed methodology was successfully implemented using rainfall data from an observation station in Melbourne (Australia) for storm durations ranging from 6 min to 72 h. Although statistically significant trends were detected in extreme rainfall data for storm durations of 30 min, and 3 and 48 h, statistical non-stationarity tests and non-stationary GPD models did not indicate non-stationarity for these storm durations and other storm durations. It was also found that the stationary GPD models were capable of fitting extreme rainfall data for all storm durations. Furthermore, the IFD analysis showed that urban flash flood producing hourly rainfall intensities have increased over time.
A new method to compute the groundwater recharge for the study of rainfall-triggered deep-seated landslides. Application to the Séchilienne unstable slope (western Alps)
Authors: Vallet A. , Bertrand C. , Fabbri O. , Mudry J.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Pore water pressure built-up by recharge of underground hydrosystems is one of the main triggering factors of deep-seated landslides. Groundwater recharge, which is the contribution of the precipitation to the recharge of the saturated zone, is a significant parameter. However, in landslide studies, methods and recharge area parameters used to determine the groundwater recharge amount are rarely detailed. Currently, no turnkey method has been proposed to simply and accurately estimate the groundwater recharge. In this study, the groundwater recharge is estimated with a soil–water balance based on characterization of evapotranspiration, soil available water capacity and runoff. Although evapotranspiration estimation is a data-demanding method, many landslide sites have limited meteorological datasets. A workflow method is developed to compute daily groundwater recharge. The method requires only temperature and precipitation as inputs. Soil available water capacity and runoff quantities are determined from field observations and spatial datasets using a spatial composite approach before being refined with a sensitivity analysis. The proposed method is developed to be as versatile as possible in order to be readily applied to other landslide sites, and to be sufficiently simple to be used by any specialist who intends to characterise the relationship between rainfall and landslide displacements. Moreover, this method can be applied to any other parameters, as long as these parameters have a relationship with groundwater recharge. This study demonstrates that, for the Séchilienne landslide, the performance of the correlation between rainfall and displacement is significantly improved with groundwater recharge compared to results obtained with precipitation data.
UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY OF NATURAL RUBBER BIOSYNTHESIS. PART II: COMPOSITION AND GROWTH OF IN VITRO NATURAL RUBBER USING HIGH-RESOLUTION SIZE EXCLUSION CHROMATOGRAPHY
Authors: Chiang Cheng Ching K. , Barkakaty Balaka , Puskas Judit E. , Xie Wenshuang , Cornish Katrina , Peruch Federic , Deffieux Alain
Published: June 2014

The superior properties of natural rubber (cis-1,4-polyisoprene [NR]) are a function of its structure and composition, properties that still remain a mystery and that are irreplaceable by any synthetic rubber. NR from guayule (Parthenium argentatum) has been gaining special interest for its hypoallergenic properties while maintaining superior mechanical properties that are commonly associated with the Brazilian rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), the most common source of NR. Techniques exist to isolate washed rubber particles (WRPs) that contain enzymatically active rubber transferase, to study NR biosynthesis, and previous work on the in vitro NR growth in Hevea has demonstrated the presence of around 50 wt% of a low molecular weight ([MW], Mn <10 000 g/mol) fraction. Structural and compositional analyses of this low MW fraction in Hevea are challenging due to the high protein content. We discuss the analysis and composition of guayule latex and WRPs using high-resolution Size Exclusion Chromatography. We also discuss the composition of the soluble fraction of inactive guayule latex using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time of flight mass spectrometry.
Phytohormones Influence on the In-Vitro Regeneration of Saccharum Officinarum L. from Apical Meristem Culture
Authors: Lawyer Ejiroghene Felix , Jamaleddine Z. O. , Lyam P. T. , Borokini I. T. , Adedeji A. A. , Okere A. U.
Published: June 2014

Growth regulators especially auxins and cytokinins are critical for plant in-vitro regeneration. The effect of these plant growth regulators on in-vitro propagation of Saccharum officinarum L (Sugarcane) was investigated. In vitro response of two different varieties of sugarcane (NCS 005 and NCS 008) to Plant Growth Regulators was obtained in this study. Formation of buds was obtained on shoot apical meristem when cultured on MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium supplemented with 0.1mg/l BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine). After two weeks of initiation, regenerated meristem was inoculated into MS (Murashige and Skoog) fortified with different concentrations and combination of cytokinins. Shoot multiplication was optimal on 0.5mg/l BAP + 0.25 mg/l Kin(Kinetin) for NCS 005 variety while for NCS 008 variety, no significant (P≥0.05) difference was observed between 1.5mg/l BAP and 1.5mg/l BAP +0.5mg/l Kin. The best root induction for in vitro derived shoots was obtained on 1.0 mg/l NAA (Naphthalene acetic acid) and 2.0 mg/l IBA( Indole butyric acid) for both varieties of sugarcane within ten days of culture transfer. Successfully established plantlets showed excellent growth response when weaned under regulated green house conditions.
Potential changes in the competitiveness of maize growers in Central Chile through the use of transgenic seed (Bt and RR)
Authors: Diaz Osorio J. , Herrera R. , Valderrama J. , Llanos Ascencio J. L.
Published: June 2014

A number of studies have shown that the use of transgenic seed increases productivity, reduces the quantities of pesticide required to protect crops, and cuts down the labour involved in cultivation. Besides saving time, this reduces manpower requirements and the use of farm machinery, and the use of such seed has had an important economic (and environmental) impact on the production of certain crops. These advantages translate into reduced production costs-particularly so for a number of crops whose international market price has fallen steadily over the last ten years. Current Chilean legislation, however, only allows the multiplication of genetically modified plants whose final product is destined for export. The aim of this work was to compare the production costs associated with conventional and transgenic Bt and RR maize, and therefore to highlight the potential economic benefits to Chile of opening the market to genetically modified seed.
Cost-benefit analysis of almond orchard under regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) in SE Spain
Authors: García J. , Romero P. , Botía P. , García F.
Published: June 2014

A cost-benefit analysis was performed for a mature, commercial almond plantation [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb] cv. Cartagenera in SE Spain to determine profitability under regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) and an irrigation regimen covering 100% crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The plantation was subjected to two drip irrigation treatments for four years: T1 (control)  irrigation providing 100% ETc coverage throughout the growth cycle, and T2 (RDI treatment) an irrigation strategy that provided 100% ETc except during the kernel-filling period, when only 20% ETc coverage was provided. A 28% water saving was achieved with this RDI strategy, while almond production was reduced by only 7%. RDI represented an increase in the efficiency of water use, and cost-benefit analysis showed a 10% mean annual reduction in operating costs compared to the control irrigation regimen. This reduction in costs was basically due to the 28% saving in the cost of water and the corresponding saving in electricity. RDI treatment had a greater short-term than long-term benefit per unit cost. The irrigation costs per kg of almond were 0.76 Euros kg-1 and 0.58 Euros kg-1 under RDI and control conditions respectively. The break-even point was lower under RDI; each kilogram cost 0.05 Euros less to produce than in the control conditions. The results show how RDI, and specifically how this irrigation strategy, may be considered agronomically and economically appropriate in semiarid conditions.
The competitiveness of Spanish tomato export in the European Union
Authors: De Pablo Valenciano J. , Pérez Mesa J. C.
Published: June 2014

This paper examines the export performance of Spanish tomatoes in the European Union (EU). The origins and destinations of Spanish tomato exports are examined: Almería is the main exporting province and Germany the biggest client. The performance of Spains North African competitors in the tomato market (mainly Morocco) is also examined, and the structural competitiveness of the countries that export tomatoes to the EU is analysed. Spain has the greatest advantage in this respect, and the largest inter-industry trade. An export model is developed. This model shows that the export of tomatoes from Almería is not much influenced by shipments from Morocco.
Effects of conjugated linoleic acid addition on its deposition in eggs of laying hens, fed with no other fat source
Authors: Álvarez C. , Cachaldora P. , Méndez J. , García-Rebollar P.
Published: June 2014

An experiment was conducted to investigate the retention of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in eggs of laying hens by replacing 1, 2 or 3% of a control diet with no fat added with a commercial source of CLA. Sixty four 40-weeksold Warren laying hens were used to determine the effect of treatments on productive traits, yolk fatty acids composition and egg quality. The data were collected over a 56-days experimental period, following a 21-days adaptation period. Type of diet did not affect feed intake, laying rate, egg or yolk weight, although weight gain of hens decreased linearly (P < 0.001) with level of CLA inclusion. Concentration of CLA in yolk fat increased with dietary CLA addition, reaching a value of 10.5% for the 3%-CLA diet. Efficiency of retention of CLA decreased linearly (P< 0.001) with level of CLA inclusion, from 24.1 to 18.6% between the extreme diets. An increase of dietary CLA led to an increase of saturated and a decrease of monounsaturated and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.001). These changes were greater at lower levels of CLA inclusion. Sensory evaluation showed that texture of eggs produced at any CLA level was not acceptable for consumption.
The effect of caponization on production indices and carcass and meat characteristics in free-range Extremeña Azul chickens
Authors: Muriel Duran A.
Published: June 2014

This paper reports the effect of caponization on production indices and carcass and meat characteristics in free-range Extremeña Azul chickens. At 11 weeks, capon body weight was significantly lower than that of roosters (p < 0.05), although it was similar at slaughter. There were no significant differences in the corresponding percentages of abdominal fat and eviscerated carcass. However, the corresponding percentages of wings, breast and butchered portions (thighs + drumsticks + wings + breast) were significantly greater (p < 0.05) in capons. However, the corresponding percentages of neck, thighs + drumsticks, and the edible portion of the thighs + drumsticks were greater in roosters (p < 0.05). In tests involving 48 consumers, no significant differences were detected in capon and rooster meat organoleptic characteristics.
K+/Na+ soil-plant interactions during low salt stress and their role in osmotic adjustment in faba beans
Authors: Kamel M. , El-Tayeb M. A.
Published: June 2014

This work examines the responses of faba beans to the external K+/Na+ ratio, the role of inorganic ions Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, H3PO4 and H2SO4, the role of organic solutes, amino acids, soluble proteins and soluble sugars. The plants were treated with 25 mM solutions of NaCl and KCl at 0, 0.425, 1.134, 2.55 and 6.8 K+/Na+ ratios. The different organs of treated plants showed different responses. Leaves were dependent on K+, Na+, Ca2+ and Cl- to readjust their osmotic pressure and decrease their Mg2+ content. Stems were dependent on Na+, Ca2+ and Cl- while roots were dependent on Mg2+ more than other organs. Leaves and stems increased their H3PO4 contents with the increase in external K+. Soluble sugars played the most important role, as organic solutes, in osmotic readjustment. With the increase in external K+ the dependence of roots on soluble sugars decreased. The increase in external K+ increased the leavesamino acid and soluble protein contents.
Multivariate diagnosis of the variability of NIR spectrometers under industrial applications
Authors: Barreiro P. , Henche L. , Ruiz-Altisent M. , Hernández N. , Moya-González A.
Published: June 2014

The transfer of NIR spectroscopy to industry relies on the possibility of real time identification of abnormal spectra as well as uncontrolled sources of variation. This study proposes an unsupervised procedure for the identification under an industrial application of daily events (general changes) and abnormal observations. It consists in defining a spectral database at the beginning of a season, performing a principal component (PC) analysis, and calculating the PC scores over time. Process control statistics (Hotelling T2, Q) are used for multivariate supervision of the industrial application. Within this procedure 10,400 average spectra of onion bulbs were evaluated identifying events in 12 out of 66 work dates, as well as spectral trends throughout the season of 2002.
The identification of homogeneous groups of cattle farms in the mountains of León, Spain
Authors: Serrano Martínez E. , Giráldez García F.J. , Lavín González P. , Bernués Jal A. , Bernués Jal A. , Ruiz Mantecón A.
Published: June 2014

The aim of this work was to establish homogenous groups of cattle farms in the mountains of León, Spain, using the variables selected in a sister paper (this issue). Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to characterise and compare the different farms studied. Two classifications were established, the first taking into account the first seven axes selected by PCA, and the second by taking into account only the first two. A comparison of these systems led to the latter being selected. The final classification system involves eight groups based mainly on the orientation of production, size, productivity per breeding cow, and productivity per work unit.
Characterization of honey from West and South Buenos Aires province, Argentina
Authors: Valle A. , Andrada A. , Aramayo E. , Gil M. , Lamberto S.
Published: June 2014

Pollen analyses were carried out on 33 honey samples from Espinal, Monte de Llanuras y Mesetas and Pampeana phytogeographical Provinces, collected during the 2000-2001 period. Sample processing as well as qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed according to standard techniques. Sixty-seven morphological pollen types were identified. The association of Eucalyptus sp. (E. camaldulensis Dehnh., E. viminalis Labill.), Centaurea sp. (C. solstitialis L., C. calcitrapa L.) and Diplotaxis tenuifolia DC. characterized these honeys. Twelve samples were unifloral: six from Eucalyptus sp., five from Helianthus annuus L., and one from Brassicaceae. Asteraceae and Fabaceae were the most representative botanical families.
Yields and chemical composition of different parts of the common vetch of flowering and at two seed filling states
Authors: Rebolé A. , Alzueta C. , Ortiz L.T. , Barro C. , Rodríguez M.L. , Caballero R.
Published: June 2014

In annual forage legumes such as the common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), in which the pods represent a substantial proportion of the total biomass, the optimum harvesting stage may not adjust to the classical model of decreasing nutritive value after flowering. The effect of harvest time on the yield of the main chemical components of common vetch was evaluated under field conditions typical of the Castilian Plain (Mediterranean continental-type climate under rain-fed conditions). Over two growing seasons (1996-1997 and 1997-1998), plants were harvested at flowering and at two stages during seed filling (characterized by a progressively higher dry matter content of the seed; 280 and 380 g kg-1 respectively). The results show that the greater quality and quantity of the pods offsets the decrease in quality occasioned by the aging of the vegetative plant parts (stems plus leaves). Crude protein yields were not affected by delaying the harvest-time. Starch yields were higher when the plant was harvested during seed-filling. Sugar yields increased between flowering and seed filling in the first growing season but decreased in the second. Yields of structural components such as neutral-detergent fibre, acid-detergent fibre and acid-detergent cellulose, followed a pattern similar to that of crude protein. There therefore appears to be a flexible harvest period ranging from flowering until the beginning of seed filling (seeds with 380 g dry matter kg-1), which may be advantageous when trying to select optimum haymaking conditions.
Fertigation guidelines for furrow irrigation
Authors: Sabillón G.N. , Merkley G.P.
Published: June 2014

A mathematical model was developed to simulate the application efficiency and uniformity of water-soluble fertilizers through furrow irrigation. The model simulates solute mass balance and transport for one-dimensional unsteady flow during the advance and post-advance phases of a furrow irrigation event. The model was programmed to determine the best timing and duration of fertilizer injection using two performance indices: solute application efficiency and solute application uniformity. The results from the model were compared with two sets of field data and were found to be in close agreement in terms of advance trajectories and surface water solute concentrations. Nearly 50,000 simulations were performed with the model and the results were analyzed in terms of best injection start and end times for fertilizer application efficiency and uniformity. It was found that the best injection duration time was from 5 to 15% of the time of cutoff for a complete irrigation. Most of the cases showed that the injection should take place in a relatively short time span, and at a relatively high injection rate.
Short communication. Strain heterogeneity in Mycoplasma pullorum isolates identified by random amplified polymorphic DNA techniques
Authors: Lobo E. , García M.C. , Moscoso H. , Martínez S. , Kleven S.H.
Published: June 2014

Mycoplasmas were isolated from chickens with respiratory problems during field investigations of a concentrated respiratory disease outbreak in western Cuba, 1997. A high percentage of mycoplasma cultures from tracheas and air-sac lesions yielded pure cultures of Mycoplasma pullorum. The aim of the present work was to investigate the heterogeneity among M. pullorum isolates from Cuba and strains from other countries using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) techniques. The results show that the RAPD method may be a useful identification tool for studying the epidemiology of poultry mycoplasmosis in Cuba.
Short communication. Effects of storage time and boiling on root tuber colour in two sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam.)) cultivars
Authors: Martí H. R.
Published: June 2014

The aim of this work was to determine the effect of storage time and boiling on the colour of sweet potato (cvs. Morada INTA and Regal) root tubers. Increasing storage time more strongly reduced the skin chroma (C*) of raw Morada INTA tubers than that of raw Regal root tubers. The skin hue angle (H) of raw Morada INTA tubers increased linearly with storage time; at the end of the experiment values were almost twice those at baseline. The results of this study suggest that the perception of skin-H is influenced by C*. In both cultivars, storage time more strongly affected the colour variables of the boiled than the raw flesh. Boiling led to a reduction in flesh luminosity (L*) and an increase in flesh-H. The interaction between cultivar and storage time appears to regulate the C* and H values of orange-flesh cultivars.
Genetic Algorithm-based Affine Parameter Estimation for Shape Recognition
Authors: Mao Yuxing , Wang Yan , Wang Quanlin , He Wei
Published: June 2014

Shape recognition is a classically difficult problem because of the affine transformation between two shapes. The current study proposes an affine parameter estimation method for shape recognition based on a genetic algorithm (GA). The contributions of this study are focused on the extraction of affine-invariant features, the individual encoding scheme, and the fitness function construction policy for a GA. First, the affine-invariant characteristics of the centroid distance ratios (CDRs) of any two opposite contour points to the barycentre are analysed. Using different intervals along the azimuth angle, the different numbers of CDRs of two candidate shapes are computed as representations of the shapes, respectively. Then, the CDRs are selected based on predesigned affine parameters to construct the fitness function. After that, a GA is used to search for the affine parameters with optimal matching between candidate shapes, which serve as actual descriptions of the affine transformation between the shapes. Finally, the CDRs are resampled based on the estimated parameters to evaluate the similarity of the shapes for classification. The experimental results demonstrate the robust performance of the proposed method in shape recognition with translation, scaling, rotation and distortion.
Effect of Molecular Weight Reduction of Polypeptides on Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitory Activity in Chicken Skin Hydrolysate (Collagen)
Authors: Babji Abdul Salam , Daud Nur Aliah , Husain Salma Gulam
Published: June 2014

Inhibition of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) reduces blood pressure and gives an anti-hypertensive effect. Chicken skin is an undesirable by-product of the poultry industry, disliked by consumer because of the high fat content. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of molecular weight reduction on ACE inhibition activity in chicken skin hydrolysate. Chicken skin is prepared by manually defatting, soaked in acetone and in 0.1M phosphate buffer. Sample hydrolysis is carried out using alcalase enzyme for a duration of 4 hours at 60˚C and pH 9.5. The best degree of hydrolysis (DH), at 4th hour, with value of 49.54 ± 0.79 %, is ultrafiltrated and used in ACE inhibition activity detection. The sample weight ≥ 10 kDa , 3 – 10 kDa and ≤ 3 kDa contains 5.63 ± 0.01 g/L, 2.84 ± 0.06 g/L and 1.07 ± 0.18 g/L peptide content respectively whereas soluble protein content is 0.51 mg/mL for sample weight ≥ 10 kDa, 0.27 mg/mL for sample weight 3 – 10 kDa and 0.23 mg/mL for sample weight ≤ 3 kDa. The ACE inhibition activity in sample weight ≤ 3 kDa is highest with value of 80.38 ± 2.69% followed by sample weight 3 – 10 kDa with a value of 49.40 ± 2.63% and sample weight ≥ 10 kDa with value of 42.73 ± 5.08%. Significant differences ( P ≤ 0.05) exist between sample weight ≤3 kDa and > 3 kDa. This research shows that molecular weight reduction increases ACE inhibition activity.
Los usos del folclore y la construcción de una identidad regional “costeña” y nacional en la obra de Antonio Brugés Carmona, 1940-1950
Authors: Sánchez Mejía Hugues R. , Delgado Santos Adriana
Published: June 2014

In this article we highlight the leading role that a “costeño” intellectual had between 1940 and 1950 in the formation of a regional identity based on folklorization of local artistic expressions (music and dance), and his attempt to articulate a national identity in Colombia. Based on the few writings of this intellectual we intend to show that the construction of a regional identity experienced tensions and negotiations, given the cultural affinities of the author and, above all, the need of the liberal governments and the Colombian state to construct a broader idea of nation.
Análisis institucional multiagente: el problema de estructuración y agencia en la explicación de la emergencia de estructuras de gobernanza
Authors: González-Chavarría Alexander
Published: June 2014

In this article, I undertake a theoretical study of the effects of introducing an updated perspective of structuration in governance models derived from the analytical framework of neo-institutionalism. My argument is that the way different authors have introduced the structural dimension in governance models derived from this framework, generally fails to take sufficient account of recent developments in the sociological debate on structuration and agency. To do so may lead to a multi-agent institutional analysis perspective, which permits us to question the development of governance structures aimed at the intersectorial regulation of social risks with the participation of state and non-state agents in a more suitable manner. This could improve the explanatory power of the neo-institutional framework by explicitly taking into account the problem of social agency in analyzing the emergence of said governance structures.
The transcription factor Pou3f1 promotes neural fate commitment via activation of neural lineage genes and inhibition of external signaling pathways
Authors: Zhu Qingqing , Song Lu , Peng Guangdun , Sun Na , Chen Jun , Zhang Ting , Sheng Nengyin , Tang Wei , Qian Cheng , Qiao Yunbo , Tang Ke , Han Jing-Dong Jackie , Li Jinsong , Jing Naihe
Published: June 2014

The neural fate commitment of pluripotent stem cells requires the repression of extrinsic inhibitory signals and the activation of intrinsic positive transcription factors. However, how these two events are integrated to ensure appropriate neural conversion remains unclear. In this study, we showed that Pou3f1 is essential for the neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs), specifically during the transition from epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) to neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Chimeric analysis showed that Pou3f1 knockdown leads to a markedly decreased incorporation of ESCs in the neuroectoderm. By contrast, Pou3f1-overexpressing ESC derivatives preferentially contribute to the neuroectoderm. Genome-wide ChIP-seq and RNA-seq analyses indicated that Pou3f1 is an upstream activator of neural lineage genes, and also is a repressor of BMP and Wnt signaling. Our results established that Pou3f1 promotes the neural fate commitment of pluripotent stem cells through a dual role, activating internal neural induction programs and antagonizing extrinsic neural inhibitory signals.
The role of photorespiration during the evolution of C4 photosynthesis in the genus Flaveria
Authors: Mallmann Julia , Heckmann David , Bräutigam Andrea , Lercher Martin J , Weber Andreas PM , Westhoff Peter , Gowik Udo
Published: June 2014

C4 photosynthesis represents a most remarkable case of convergent evolution of a complex trait, which includes the reprogramming of the expression patterns of thousands of genes. Anatomical, physiological, and phylogenetic and analyses as well as computational modeling indicate that the establishment of a photorespiratory carbon pump (termed C2 photosynthesis) is a prerequisite for the evolution of C4. However, a mechanistic model explaining the tight connection between the evolution of C4 and C2 photosynthesis is currently lacking. Here we address this question through comparative transcriptomic and biochemical analyses of closely related C3, C3–C4, and C4 species, combined with Flux Balance Analysis constrained through a mechanistic model of carbon fixation. We show that C2 photosynthesis creates a misbalance in nitrogen metabolism between bundle sheath and mesophyll cells. Rebalancing nitrogen metabolism requires anaplerotic reactions that resemble at least parts of a basic C4 cycle. Our findings thus show how C2 photosynthesis represents a pre-adaptation for the C4 system, where the evolution of the C2 system establishes important C4 components as a side effect.
Optimal multisensory decision-making in a reaction-time task
Authors: Drugowitsch Jan , DeAngelis Gregory C , Klier Eliana M , Angelaki Dora E , Pouget Alexandre
Published: June 2014

Humans and animals can integrate sensory evidence from various sources to make decisions in a statistically near-optimal manner, provided that the stimulus presentation time is fixed across trials. Little is known about whether optimality is preserved when subjects can choose when to make a decision (reaction-time task), nor when sensory inputs have time-varying reliability. Using a reaction-time version of a visual/vestibular heading discrimination task, we show that behavior is clearly sub-optimal when quantified with traditional optimality metrics that ignore reaction times. We created a computational model that accumulates evidence optimally across both cues and time, and trades off accuracy with decision speed. This model quantitatively explains subjects's choices and reaction times, supporting the hypothesis that subjects do, in fact, accumulate evidence optimally over time and across sensory modalities, even when the reaction time is under the subject's control.
Monitoring of high-intensity focused ultrasound lesion formation using decorrelation between high-speed ultrasonic images by parallel beamforming
Authors: Sasaki Shoya , Takagi Ryo , Matsuura Keiko , Yoshizawa Shin , Umemura Shin-ichiro
Published: June 2014

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a type of therapeutic treatment in which ultrasound is focused to a target tissue such as cancer to be thermally coagulated. To enhance the safety and accuracy of HIFU treatment, a noninvasive method of monitoring the thermal lesion formation is important. A potential method for this purpose is ultrasound imaging. In this study, high-speed imaging by parallel beamforming was performed using ultrasound RF signals acquired during HIFU exposure, and the distribution of the cross-correlation coefficient between RF frames was calculated to estimate the tissue coagulation. Using high-speed imaging, HIFU can be irradiated quasi-continuously. The result shows that the decorrelation was observed at and around the focal spot of HIFU exposure. The decorrelation was induced by the change in RF signals owing to tissue coagulation, which was confirmed by the fact that the emergence and increase in the number of decorrelated pixels at and around the focal spot corresponded to the start and progress of tissue coagulation.