bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Examination of US Hotel Segment Strategy: Diversified, Concentrated or Balanced?
Authors: Lee Seoki , Xiao Qu , Kang Kyung Ho
Published: December 2011

Segment diversification is a common strategy applied by hotel companies. According to previous research on the modern portfolio theory, a company can reduce risks and thus increase its value with more diversified operations. Such reasoning can certainly apply to the hotel industry in terms of its segment strategy. However, the findings are inconclusive. In particular, other literature argues for more concentrated rather than diversified operations. This study therefore examines the impacts of segment diversification on companies' risk-adjusted performances among publicly traded US hotels. The results suggest that a moderate segment diversification strategy maximizes a company's risk-adjusted performance.
Individual Tourists from the Chinese Mainland to Hong Kong: Implications for Tourism Marketing in Fashion
Authors: Liu Shuk-Ching , Choi Tsan-Ming , Au Raymond , Hui Chi-Leung
Published: December 2011

Since the implementation of the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS), the number of tourists from the Chinese Mainland (CM) to Hong Kong (HK) has increased dramatically. These IVS tourists have huge consumption power and account for 50–70% of the total sales revenue of many HK fashion retailers. In this context, the authors explore the consumer attitudes and preferences of the IVS tourists. Based on a random sampling method involving over 2,000 CM tourists, a questionnaire survey was conducted. The findings show that IVS tourists have complex attitudes towards higher-end brands and their extended products. Moreover, statistically significant results are found in relation to: the comparison of HK consumers with IVS tourists; the analysis of gender attitudes; and the regional analysis. Company interviews have been conducted and specific managerial insights are presented.
Equilibrium and non-equilibrium concepts in forest genetic modelling: population- and individually-based approaches
Authors: Kramer Koen , Van der Werf D. C.
Published: December 2011

The environment is changing and so are forests, in their functioning, in species composition, and in the species’ genetic composition. Many empirical and process-based models exist to support forest management. However, most of these models do not consider the impact of environmental changes and forest management on genetic diversity nor on the rate of adaptation of critical plant processes. How genetic diversity and rates of adaptation depend on management actions is a crucial next step in model development. Modelling approaches of genetic and demographic processes that operate in forests are categorized here in two classes. One approach assumes equilibrium conditions in phenotype and tree density, and analyses the characteristics of the demography and the genetic system of the species that determine the rate at which that equilibrium is attained. The other modelling approach does not assume equilibrium conditions and describes both the ecological —and genetic processes to analyse how environmental changes result in selection pressures on functional traits of trees and the consequences of that selection for tree— and ecosystem functioning. The equilibrium approach allows analysing the recovery rate after a perturbation in stable environments, i.e. towards the same pre-perturbation stable state. The nonequilibrium approach allows, in addition to the equilibrium approach, analysing consequences of ongoing environmental changes and forest management, i.e. non-stationary environments, on tree functioning, species composition, and genetic composition of the trees in forest ecosystem. In this paper we describe these two modelling approaches and discuss advantages and disadvantages of them and current knowledge gaps.
Simulation of silvicultural scenarios and economic efficiency
Authors: Alegria C.
Published: December 2011

Seven silvicultural scenarios for pure and even aged maritime pine stands were simulated using a diameter class growth and yield model, for three levels of site index (low, medium and high). Total and merchantable yield along rotation and mean annual increment at rotation age were simulated. Revenue obtained from sale of standing timber (three commercial thinning and final harvest) was estimated. Costs paid for stand establishment (site preparation and plantation) and treatments (release, pre-commercial thinning and pruning) were also estimated. For each scenario, a cash-flow was simulated and economic efficiency was assessed using the net present value of an infinitive series of rotations (NPVIS) and the internal rate of return (IRR). The economic analysis results proved the selection of an intensive management stand prescription that is used as a guide for reforestation projects, using artificial regeneration by plantation, when the main goal is round wood yield. For areas of natural regeneration, a fully stocked stand prescription, pulp wood yield oriented, was selected. This prescription enables saving in site preparation and plantation costs, being at the moment the most suitable for the existing naturally regenerated maritime pine stands of Portuguese private forest areas.
Climate change and forest plagues: the case of the pine
Authors: Seixas Arnaldo P. , Oliveira I. , Santos J. , Leite S.
Published: December 2011

The pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Den. & Schiff.) (Lep., Thaumetopoeidae) is known as the most defoliating insect in Pinus and Cedrus in many countries. In the last three decades, climate change has led to a substantial expansion of its range and high attack rates in previously unaffected areas were observed. A 3-year analysis of the effect of several climatic elements on the T. pityocampa adult emergence was made and one climatic change scenario was tested in order to predict the insect’s behaviour in the future. Results showed that mean air temperature was the climatic element with the best single regression fit to adult emergence, whereas minimum air temperature and relative humidity provided the best multiple regression fits. Results also demonstrated that higher emergence of adults is often related to a maximum temperature above 30°C, a mean temperature above 23°C, a minimum temperature above 17°C, relative humidity lower than 60% and precipitation values lower than 10 mm. Using the same thresholds for future climatic conditions simulated by the COSMO-CLM model, the period for pine processionary moth emergence will be expanded, starting much sooner. Contrasting with the actual emergence period, the insect is projected to have favorable climatic conditions to start emerging in May. This might have serious implications in forest ecosystems, concerning not only ecological issues, but also forest management.
Changes in the structure and composition of two Pinus nigra subsp. salzmannii forests over a century of different silvicultural treatments
Authors: Tiscar Oliver P.A. , Lucas-Borja M.E. , Candel Pérez D.
Published: December 2011

Silvicultural treatments imply the felling of trees, which can modify species composition and structural diversity. Consequently, it is important to assess the influence of silvicultural treatments on forest composition and structure. The principal objective of this study was to analyze changes in the composition and structural diversity of two forests: Los Palancares y Agregados (Cuenca Mountain Range, Central-east of Spain) and Navahondona (Cazorla Mountain Range, Southeast of Spain), managed under two different silvicultural methods, i.e. shelterwood and selection. Forest inventory data, covering nearly a century of forest management, were used to follow changes in the number of trees and standing volume. Shannon’s index was computed for tree species composition and diameter classes, considering forest comparments as sampling units. Diversity profiles were constructed to follow changes in horizontal diameter class diversity. A partial redundancy analysis (pRDA) was conducted to asses the relative contribution of silvicultural treatments in explaining differences in the current structure of the two study forests. Results showed that silvicultural treatments favoured Spanish black pine and did not benefit other tree species. The number of large trees and the values of Shannon’s index decreased in both forests over the study period, but the forest under the uneven-aged silvicultural method showed higher values for both variables. Implications for sustainable forestry are discussed.
Large-scale determinants of diversity across Spanish forest habitats: accounting for model uncertainty in compositional and structural indicators
Authors: Martín-Queller E. , Torras O. , Alberdi I. , Solana J. , Saura S.
Published: December 2011

An integral understanding of forest biodiversity requires the exploration of the many aspects it comprises and of the numerous potential determinants of their distribution. The landscape ecological approach provides a necessary complement to conventional local studies that focus on individual plots or forest ownerships. However, most previous landscape studies used equally-sized cells as units of analysis to identify the factors affecting forest biodiversity distribution. Stratification of the analysis by habitats with a relatively homogeneous forest composition might be more adequate to capture the underlying patterns associated to the formation and development of a particular ensemble of interacting forest species. Here we used a landscape perspective in order to improve our understanding on the influence of large-scale explanatory factors on forest biodiversity indicators in Spanish habitats, covering a wide latitudinal and altitudinal range. We considered six forest biodiversity indicators estimated from more than 30,000 field plots in the Spanish national forest inventory, distributed in 213 forest habitats over 16 Spanish provinces. We explored biodiversity response to various environmental (climate and topography) and landscape configuration (fragmentation and shape complexity) variables through multiple linear regression models (built and assessed through the Akaike Information Criterion). In particular, we took into account the inherent model uncertainty when dealing with a complex and large set of variables, and considered different plausible models and their probability of being the best candidate for the observed data. Our results showed that compositional indicators (species richness and diversity) were mostly explained by environmental factors. Models for structural indicators (standing deadwood and stand complexity) had the worst fits and selection uncertainties, but did show significant associations with some configuration metrics. In general, biodiversity increased in habitats covering wider topographic ranges and comprising forest patches with more complex shapes. Patterns in other relationships varied between indicators (e.g. species richness vs. diversity), or even were opposed (trees vs. shrubs). Our study (1) allowed deepening the understanding of biodiversity patterns in a large set of Spanish forest habitats and (2) highlighted the increasing complexity of identifying common landscape conditions favouring forest biodiversity as the range of analysed biodiversity aspects is widened beyond the more commonly assessed species richness indicators.
Is forage productivity of meadows influenced by the afforestation of upstream hillsides? A study in NW Patagonia
Authors: Weigandt Mariana , Gyenge Javier , Fernández María Elena , Varela Santiago , Schlichter Tomás
Published: December 2011

Meadows are important reserves of water, with a key role in the maintenance of the biodiversity and productivity of ecosystems. In Patagonia, Argentina, afforestation with fast-growing exotic conifers has slowly but continuously increased over recent decades; though unfortunately, knowledge of the effects of afforestation on water resources remains scarce, with no information at all related to its impact on water dynamics and productivity of meadows located downslope to it. The effects of Pinus ponderosa afforestation on water dynamics (soil moisture contents and groundwater level) and productivity (aboveground forage productivity) of Northwest Patagonia meadows under xeric and humid conditions were analyzed. In the humid meadow, gravimetric soil water content, groundwater level and forage productivity were similar downslope of forested and non-forested slopes, with a trend towards higher forage productivity on the forested slope. In the xeric meadow, gravimetric soil water content was always higher downslope of the non-forested slope, with no difference in groundwater level between treatments. Forage productivity was statistically similar between situations (downslope of forested and non-forested slopes), with a trend towards higher productivity in the zone with higher soil water content. The main difference in the latter was related to differences in soil texture between zones. These results suggest that coniferous plantations located upstream of this type of meadow do not produce a direct effect on its aboveground forage productivity. These systems have high complexity linked to precipitation, geomorphology and previous history of land use, which determine primarily soil water dynamics and consequently, forage productivity.
Black locus (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos L.): technological aspects in relation with the use in solid wood products
Authors: Keil Gabriel , Spavento Eleana , Murace Mónica , Millanes Ana
Published: December 2011

Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Gleditsia triacanthos L, are tree species from USA and both was introduced in Europe. In the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, plantations of these species are scattered, whose wood hasn’t been characterized technologically by standardized tests. The objetive of this job was to characterize technologically Black locus and Honey locust woods, both implanted in the province of Buenos Aires for its inclusion in the timber market. The physical and mechanical properties determined were: content humidity, apparent densities, dimensional changes, Janka hardness, static bending, cut parallel to fibers, compression perpendicular and parallel to fibers. Natural durability was estimated. Black locus and Honey locust woods were medium density and medium stability, hard, resistant to the cut and the compression perpendicular to fibers and showed values medium to low in parameters of static bending and compression parallel to fibers, values to take into account when designing structural elements. Black locus was the most resistant to fungal degradation. Both woods can be considered suitable for high-value uses in the construction and furniture industries (interior and exterior).
Potential crown fire behavior in Pinus pinea stands following different fuel treatments
Authors: Molina Juan Ramon , Rodriguez y Silva F , Herrera M A
Published: December 2011

Forest fires are permanent seasonal threats that have been accentuated in recent years by climate change. Taking this problem into consideration, forest policies must propose courses of action to mitigate the effects of fires on ecosystems and their surrounding population. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness silvicultural treatments of Pinus pinea stands at the polewood stage have on potential fire behavior. Evaluating fire behavior requires a characterization of the fuel at its two levels: surface and crown layers. Given the temporal costs of the latter characterization, field inventory has yielded an equation from which canopy fuel load can be obtained without cutting trees. A complete characterization of the fuel allows for a prediction of fire behavior for each silvicultural treatment and whether or not it will be virulent enough to transfer into crown fire. Polewood stands of P.pinea are susceptible to crown fires because canopy base height is usually overrun by dense and flammable undergrowth. Crown treatments, pruning and crown thinning do not contribute in themselves to eliminating crown fire susceptibility. This study raises the need for joint surface and crown fuel treatments to ensure the effectiveness of extinction efforts. Given current budgetary constraints, fuel treatments are limited to 23.40% of the study area for mitigating possible crown fire impacts on forested area that have a future leading role in the socioeconomic development of surrounding populations.
Valoracion social de las propiedades estéticas de los hayedos en Cataluña
Authors: Vega García Cristina , Burriel López Marta , Alcázar Jorge
Published: December 2011

Se aplican métodos ensayados en otros países (Scenic Beauty Estimation Method, SBE) para la determinación de las cualidades estéticas de masas forestales de interés recreativo a parcelas en diversas localizaciones del haya en Cataluña, abarcando diferencias significativas en estación, origen, edad y forma de masa. Las valoraciones se refieren a las cualidades estéticas de los rodales de haya vistos desde el interior del bosque, es decir, tal como son apreciados por parte de los visitantes de los montes. Las valoraciones se obtienen a través de paneles de observadores en sesiones fotográficas, se transforman a una escala común y se relacionan mediante análisis de regresión a las variables dasométricas tomadas en las parcelas de inventario. El desarrollo de modelos estadísticos que describen preferencias sociales permite medir la aportación de las diferentes variables dasométricas a la mejora estética de las masas de haya, y puede servir como guía en la ordenación de hayedos en que el uso público sea predominante o muy importante.
Temporal progression trends of cypress mortality at permanent plots in a National forest reserve of Austrocedrus chilensis (Patagonia, Argentina)
Authors: El Mujtar Verónica Andrea , Andenmatten Ernesto , Perdomo Marcelo , Letourneau Federico , Grau Oscar , Gallo Leonardo
Published: December 2011

Longevity is a characteristic of forest trees that influences their responses to challenges by biotic and abiotic stresses and the temporal development of symptoms. Monitoring programs have been extensively used to detect the impact of climatic change, air pollution and outbreaks of pathogens on forest health, growth and dynamics. In Argentina, forests of Patagonian cypress are affected since mid twenty century by a mortality process called “mal del ciprés” (cypress mortality), but information about their temporal progression is scarce. In the present work we used a database from a program of dasometric permanent plots to analyse the temporal development of cypress mortality on plot and tree level, and determine qualitatively the spatial distribution of affected trees. Particular pulses of appearance of affected trees shared by all plots, rapid or slow progress of mortality at tree level and a homogeneous distribution of affected trees without a clear pattern of expansion from a central point were determined. The results indicate that the episodic appearance of affected trees can be related with warm and dry climatic periods and suggest that the individuals affected by cypress mortality share some special characteristics such as genetic background, developmental conditions or physiological mechanisms for drought responses.
Valoración del uso recreativo del parque natural de los Calares del Mundo y de la Sima (Albacete, Castilla-La Mancha)
Authors: Samos Almudena , Bernabéu Rodolfo
Published: December 2011

La valoración económica de bienes que carecen de mercado, como son los espacios naturales protegidos, aporta una valiosa información de gestión que puede ser útil en la toma de decisiones tanto sobre las políticas relacionadas con las de protección y conservación del medio ambiente, como también con las de su uso recreativo por los visitantes. En este sentido, con el objetivo de determinar cuál es el valor de uso recreativo de los visitantes al Parque Natural de los Calares del Mundo y de la Sima, se realizaron 410 encuestas en agosto de 2009, utilizando el método de valoración contingente y considerando como vehículo de pago la entrada al mismo. El análisis de los resultados muestra que la máxima disposición al pago de los visitantes por la entrada al parque es de 4,02 € y que el valor de su uso recreativo es de 1.108.358,22 €, lo cual se encuentra en la línea de los resultados obtenidos en otros trabajos realizados en espacios naturales de España.
Short communication. The wilt of winter cucumber in south-eastern Spain caused by Pythium irregulare
Authors: Serrano-Alonso Y. , Melero-Vara J. M.
Published: December 2011

Pythium irregulare was isolated from adult cucumber plants with stem base necrosis, wilt or, frequently, that were dead; symptoms were particularly observed in crops grown in winter in plastic-houses in south eastern Spain. Damage was often important because symptoms develop during the fruit harvesting period. Cucumber plants cv. Nevada sown in late September were inoculated at the 4-7 leaf stage (mid October) with a suspension of propagules of P. irregulare isolated from diseased cucumber or tomato plants. Non-inoculated plants served as controls. Symptoms were recorded weekly until the end of the experiment in mid January and cumulative marketable yields calculated. The experiment was repeated the following year. A high incidence (93.1 and 97.9%) of diseased or dead plants occurred in plots inoculated with isolates of P. irregulare from cucumber, which were significantly more aggressive than tomato isolates. Plants in non-inoculated plots remained symptom free. Yields were significantly lower in plots inoculated with cucumber isolates in both years, mainly due to reductions in the number of fruits rather than fruit weight. This is the first report of P. irregulare as the causal agent of root rot in plastic-houses of cucumber plants in Almería (Spain), one of the world’s largest concentrations of plastic-houses.
Diversification of feeding systems for light lambs: sensory characteristics and chemical composition of meat
Authors: Panea B. , Carrasco S. , Ripoll G. , Joy M.
Published: December 2011

Forty-eight light lambs were used to study the effect of feeding systems on the sensory quality and chemical composition of their meat. Animals were divided into four batches as follows: GR: lambs with dams continuously on pasture until slaughter; GR+S: like GR, but the lambs had free access to concentrate; DRL-GRE: lambs in drylot and ewes with rationed grazing; DRL: lambs in drylot with dams indoors. DRL-GRE and DRL lambs were weaned at age 45 days. All lambs were slaughtered on reaching 22-24 kg live weight. Sensory attributes were not affected by the feeding system; grazing systems would therefore be a good alternative to indoor feeding systems. Meat from grazing lambs (GR and GR+S) presented the lowest values of C18:2 n-6/C18:3 n-3 and n-6/n-3, DRL-GRE lambs yielded intermediate values and DRL lambs the highest values. Ewes’ diet during lactation affects the fatty acid composition of the meat of light lambs. The feeding system affected the relationships between the meat’s sensory characteristics and chemical properties. Discriminant analysis using fatty acid composition was able to distinguish between lambs from each feeding system, and could therefore be used as a tool for traceability.
Short communication. Introgression of late blight (Phytophthora infestans L.) resistance from tuber-bearing Solanum wild species into cultivated potato
Authors: Gabriel J. , Ruiz de Galarreta J. I. , Lopez-Pardo R. , Barandalla L. , Alvarado C. , Ritter E.
Published: December 2011

We have analyzed resistance to (Phytophthora infestans) in five progenies derived from crosses between wild tuberbearing potatoes (Solanum okadae, Solanum canacense, Solanum bukasovii, Solanum jamessii and Solanum raphanifolium) and cultivated diploid potato species (Solanum phureja, Solanum goniocalyx and a dihaploid of Solanum tuberosum). Different levels of resistance to P. infestans, from 11 to 81%, were found in leaves and tubers in the evaluated progenies. This variation indicates a variable number of major genes (R genes), minor genes and/or defeated R-genes, which have been transferred from the parental genotypes. Correlation analyses between leaf and tuber infection levels were low and not significant.
Plant growth, yield and fruit quality of ‘Lane Late’ navel orange on four citrus rootstocks
Authors: Legua P. , Bellver R. , Forner J. , Forner-Giner M. A.
Published: December 2011

This study analyses the influence of four citrus rootstocks, Citrus macrophylla Wester, Gou Tou Chen (Citrus hybrid), C. volkameriana Ten. & Pasq. and Cleopatra mandarin (C. reshni Hort. ex Tan.), on growth, yield and fruit quality on Lane Late navel orange. Trees were grown in a plot in Alicante (Spain), where the soil is clay loam, with pH 8.5 and electric conductivity in the 1/5 extract: 0.643 mmhos cm–1. Yield was weighed during four harvests, fruit quality was determined in 2007 and 2009. Cleopatra mandarin and Gou Tou Chen were found to be the most invigorating rootstocks for ‘Lane Late’ in heavy and calcareous soil. Trees on C. macrophylla rootstock produced the highest cumulative yield (328.81 kg tree–1), without significant differences compared to trees on Cleopatra mandarin (292.41 kg tree–1). Rootstock significantly affected fruit quality variables. C. macrophylla and C. volkameriana would appear to induce the highest fruit weight and ripening index.
Influence of irrigation on the occurrence of organic and inorganic pollutants in soil, water and sediments of a Spanish agrarian basin (Lerma)
Authors: Abrahao R. , Sarasa J. , Causape J. , Garcia-Garizabal I. , Ovelleiro J. L.
Published: December 2011

In order to understand the several possible environmental impacts caused by irrigation, the existence of a study area under transition from unirrigated to irrigated land is a great advantage. This work investigates the presence of 44 pesticides and metabolites, 11 organochlorinated compounds, 17 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 13 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and several metals and metalloids such as Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, Se and Hg, in the soil, water and sediments of an agrarian basin in Northeast Spain. The study area was unirrigated until 2006, when irrigation began. The objective of this work was to verify if the first irrigation years influenced the concentrations of the substances and elements analyzed. The main contaminants detected were organochlorinated compounds, PAHs and metals in the soil; atrazine, desethylatrazine, terbuthylazine, dicofol and pp’-DDT in the water; and PAHs, 1,2,4 trichlorobenzene and metals in the sediments. Until the conclusion of this study, no serious contamination issues existed related to the analyzed substances, and for the moment, irrigation has not signif icantly influenced the concentrations of such substances in the basin. Nevertheless, slightly elevated punctual values were observed for endrin in the soil, pp’-DDT in the water, and Ni and Zn in the sediments.
Identification of a walnut (Juglans regia L.) germplasm collection and evaluation of their genetic variability by microsatellite markers
Authors: Ruiz-Garcia L. , Lopez-Ortega G. , Fuentes Denia A. , Frutos Tomas D.
Published: December 2011

The characterization and evaluation of walnut (Juglans regia) germplasm constitute important aspects of taxonomic analysis and are valuable tools for breeding programs. In this work, a collection of 57 common walnut cultivars, mainly coming from Spain and the USA, has been studied with microsatellite markers. To carry out this work, 32 primer pairs flanking simple sequence repeats previously developed in Juglans nigra were screened to select the loci that presented high polymorphism and that were easier to score. The 19 selected microsatellite markers allowed the discrimination of the studied cultivars, with a total of 97 alleles detected and an average of 5 alleles per locus, confirming that these markers are more suitable tools for walnut identification than other molecular markers studied previously. The genetic similarity estimated from the molecular data clearly separated the Spanish walnuts from the Californian genotypes. Allelic data are presented for use as size standards to assist in correcting laboratory-tolaboratory variation of allele size calling. Some of them are compared with previous results published and the discrepancies found are discussed.
Simple sequence repeat (SSR) vs. sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers for Cynara cardunculus characterization
Authors: Casadevall R. , Martin E. , Cravero V.
Published: December 2011

A little is known about the genetic variability present in globe artichoke, cultivated and wild cardoons. This knowledgeis very important for efficient genetic resources utilization, and to gain a better understanding of genetic structure of thisbotanical varieties. With the aims to determine genetic distances between Cynara cardunculus accessions and to compare two molecular markers systems for their efficiency to differ between botanical varieties, a molecular characterization of sixteen accessions from different geographical origins was performed. Seven SSR and seven SRAP markers were usedfor varieties characterization and to calculate genetic distances between them. Both distance matrices were subjected to cluster analysis. Exclusive SSR alleles were found for globe artichoke and for wild cardoon, but non exclusive alleleswere found for cultivated cardoon. For both markers systems two major groups were identified, one of them includedmostly globe artichoke accessions and the other one grouped mainly cardoons. The differences observed in the sub-clusterconformation with each marker systems may be due to intrinsic characteristics of the markers. Concluding, both kind of molecular markers are valuable tools for studying genetic distances between C. cardunculus accessions although theygive different information. Nevertheless, SSR electrophoretic profiles are simpler to score than SRAP markers becausethey consist of just a few bands. As well, bands are highly informative because of the great number of alleles existing inpopulation and they are codominant markers. In addition, SSR’s use would reduce time and costs.
Meat characteristics of chickens from an F1 cross of two improved Spanish breeds depending on slaughter age
Authors: Miguel J. A. , Escoda L. , Cubilo M. D. , Tor M. , Asenjo B. , Ciria J. , Francesch A.
Published: December 2011

The present study analysed the meat characteristics of i) improved Castellana Negra chickens slaughtered at 18 weeks (CN-18) and ii) F1 crossbred chickens from improved Castellana Negra hens and improved Penedesenca Negracocks (CNPN) slaughtered at 12 weeks and 18 weeks of age (young and adult animals, respectively). Purebred andcrossbred specimens were compared at similar weights (CN-18 and CNPN-12) and ages (CN-18 and CNPN-18). The protein content of the meat was similar for the three types of animals; heavier animals (CNPN-18) had more fat thanthose slaughtered at lower weights (CNPN-12 and CN-18). Adults had a higher saturated fatty acid content and theyoung CNPN chickens had more monounsaturated fatty acids than CN chickens. In the CNPN adults, less water was lost during cooking, which is directly related to the juiciness of the meat. With regard to sensory analysis, a darker colour was observed in the meat as much as the internal fat of adult animals, in addition to greater colour uniformity. The meat of young CNPN birds was juicier, whereas that of the CN chickens was more fibrous. Therefore, we conclude that meat from CNPN chickens presents chemical, physical, and sensorial characteristics that make these animals a genetic base for alternative poultry production.
Irrigation performance and gross water productivity in furrow-irrigated ornamental tree production
Authors: Arbat G. , Puig-Bargues J. , Duran-Ros M. , Barragan J. , Ramirez-de-Cartagena F.
Published: December 2011

In the ornamental plant production region of Girona (Spain), which is one of the largest of its kind in southern Europe, most of the surface is irrigated using wide blocked-end furrows. The objectives of this paper were: (1) to evaluate the irrigation scheduling methods used by ornamental plant producers; (2) to analyse different scenarios in order to assess how they affect irrigation performance; (3) to evaluate the risk of deep percolation; and (4) to calculate gross water productivity. A two-year study in a representative commercial field, planted with Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’, was carried out. The irrigation dose applied by the farmers was slightly smaller than the required water dose estimated by the use of two different methods: the first based on soil water content, and the second based on evapotranspiration. Distribution uniformity and application efficiency were high, with mean values above 87%. Soil water content measurements revealed that even at the end of the furrow, where the infiltrated water depth was greatest, more than 90% of the infiltrated water was retained in the shallowest 40 cm of the soil; accordingly, the risk of water loss due to deep percolation was minimal. Gross water productivity for ornamental tree production was € 11.70 m–3, approximately 20 times higher than that obtained with maize in the same region.
Pollution shadow prices in conventional and organic farming: an application in a Mediterranean context
Authors: Arandia A. , Aldanondo-Ochoa A.
Published: December 2011

Organic farming integrates environmental concerns and criteria within farm management practices in order to reducethe environmental impact of agricultural production. In this paper, the shadow price of two of the main indicators of pollution arising from agricultural practices, nitrogen surplus and impact of pesticides, are calculated and compared in a context of Mediterranean climate and cultures. Results show that it is more costly for organic farms to reduce their levels of pollution emission than for conventional farms. This may be due to the fact that the specific regulations on organic farming restrict agricultural practices to a larger degree than current restrictions affecting conventional farming. These results suggest that organic farming might be an adequate answer to part of the environmental problems provoked by conventional farming.
Thermal conductivity of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seeds
Authors: Kara M. , Ozturk I. , Bastaban S. , Kalkan F.
Published: December 2011

The thermal conductivity of agricultural seeds has been used as engineering parameter in the design of processes and machines for drying, storing, aeration and refrigeration. The thermal conductivity of safflower seeds was determined and its changes with moisture content, bulk density and cultivar investigated. The thermal conductivity values of cv. Remzibey-05 increased from 0.105 to 0.132 W m–1 K–1 and from 0.108 to 0.137 W m–1 K–1 for low and high (loose and dense) bulk densities, respectively, as the moisture content increased from 5.79 to 20.38% db. Likewise, the thermal conductivity values of cv. Dinçer increased from 0.106 to 0.137 W m–1 K–1 and from 0.110 to 0.140 W m–1 K–1 for low and high bulk densities, respectively in the moisture range of 5.07 to 20.30% db. The thermal conductivity values obtained with the high bulk density was higher than those obtained with the low bulk density for both cultivars. The thermal conductivity value of cv. Dinçer seeds was lower than that of cv. Remzibey-05 seeds.
Contribution of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in phosphorus bioavailability and growth enhancement of aerobic rice
Authors: Panhwar Q. A. , Radziah O. , Zaharah Rahman A. , Sariah M. , Mohd Razi I. , Naher U. A.
Published: December 2011

The phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) can solubilize insoluble forms of phosphorous (P) into simple soluble forms that can be taken up by plants. The main focus of this study was to determine the effect of PSB on P availability in presence of different P rates for improved and sustainable rice (Oryza sativa L.) production under aerobic conditions. Triple superphosphate (TSP) at three levels (0, 30 and 60 kg ha–1) and two isolated PSB (Bacillus sp.) strains (PSB9 and PSB16) were tested in glasshouse conditions. Surface sterilized seeds of aerobic rice (M9 variety) were planted in plastic pots containing 3 kg of soil for 60 days. PSB strains exhibited capability of producing organic acids from soil and plant roots and increased yield of aerobic rice. Significantly, high P solubilization (28.7 mg kg–1) and plant uptake (7.94 mg kg–1) was found in PSB16 inoculated treatments at 30 kg ha–1 of P2O5. In this treatment were also observed high leaf chlorophyll content (34.57), photosynthesis rate (7.59 μmol CO2 m–2 s–1) and root development. Isolated strains showed potential to make higher availability of P and increase content of organic acids from soil and roots at lower doses of TSP in aerobic rice. With the production of organic acids (oxalic, malic, succinic and propionic) higher amounts of P in the soil solution increased plant P uptake and resulted in higher plant biomass. The application of these potential inoculants in an appropriate combination with chemical fertilizers could be considered in organic and sustainable aerobic rice cultivation system.
Effect of grinding size and sunflower oil addition on intake, digestibility, rumen function and microbial protein synthesis in sheep fed a dry total mixed ration
Authors: Perez-Torres A. , Sierra I. , De Vega A. , Keli A.
Published: December 2011

An experiment was carried out in which the effect of grinding a dry total mixed ration, based on barley straw, through 6 or 10 mm sieves on intake, digestibility, rumen function and microbial protein synthesis in sheep was assessed. The effect of including 1% sunflower oil as binder was also explored. None of the variables studied was affected by grinding size, hence the 10 mm sieve was recommended due to its lower cost in terms of energy consumed. On the contrary, addition of 1% sunflower oil significantly increased ammonia concentration in the rumen (83 vs. 161 mg L–1; p = 0.002), potential degradabilities (as proportion) of dry matter (0.65 vs. 0.75; p = 0.0037), organic matter (0.68 vs. 0.75; p = 0.0005) and crude protein (0.78 vs. 0.90; p = 0.0004), and fractional rate of degradation (0.066 vs. 0.080 h–1; p = 0.046) and effective degradability, as proportion (0.63 vs. 0.73; p = 0.010), of this latter. Oil addition (1%) is then recommended as binder, although a more economical option than sunflower oil should be explored due to its high cost.
An extended PMP model to analyze farmers’ adoption of deficit irrigation under environmental payments
Authors: Cortignani R. , Severini S.
Published: December 2011

The growing policy pressure to reduce water use could lead to the introduction of environmental payments granted on the basis of the amount of water farmers save. This paper proposes an extension of the PMP Röhm and Dabbert approach in order to consider deficit irrigation crop techniques which are not observed in the reference period. The proposed methodology is applied to an Italian irrigated area to evaluate the likely impact of such environmental payments on water use, cropping patterns, adoption of deficit irrigation techniques and economic results on farms. The analysis shows that the considered payments induce farmers to reduce water use, to adopt deficit irrigation techniques and increase economic results. This latter result occurs because the payments counterbalance the negative impact caused by the reduction of water use.
Patterns of resource allocation in different habitats of Kalimeris intergrifolia in Northeast China
Authors: Yuan Z. N. , Lu J. M. , Chen J. Y. , Jiang S. Z.
Published: December 2011

Understanding parameters that drive plant resource allocation for reproduction in potentially economically and environmentally important species, such as Kalimeris intergrifolia, is essential to maximize production rates. Hence, this study evaluates the characteristics in reproductive resource allocation of two K. intergrifolia communities at a saline-alkali open meadow and at a semi-enclosed secondary broad-leaved forest fringe, in the Songnen plains region of northeast China. Ramets from each habitat type were sampled at three intervals during the ripening stage (June-October). Relative resource distribution was quantified by measuring the dry weight of the above-ground ramet components, including the stem, leaf, corymb and seeds. The results indicated high variability in the distribution of resource allocation for both types, with larger phenotypic plasticity being recorded for the forest fringe than the open meadow. However, the allocation of resources into reproductive organs was higher in the open meadow than in the forest fringe, demonstrating that the open community was advantageous to the reproduction. Furthermore, our results indicate that biomass accumulation determines plant reproductive functioning. However, as resource allocation for reproduction increases, the biomass of above-ground ramet components decreases. Allometry exists in the K. intergrifolia populations when plants are in the ripening stage. Therefore, the future studies will focus on the mechanism of allometry. In conclusion, our study indicate that habitat parameters influence the general quantity of resources utilized for reproduction in this species, suggesting that open habitats should be preferentially targeted for optimal commercial application.
Review. Technologies for robot grippers in pick and place operations for fresh fruits and vegetables
Authors: Blanes C. , Mellado M. , Ortiz C. , Valera A.
Published: December 2011

Robotics has been introduced in industry to replace humans in arduous and repetitive tasks, to reduce labour costs and to ensure consistent quality control of the process. Nowadays robots are cheaper, can work in hostile and dirty environments and they are able to manipulate products at high speed. High speed and reliability and low robot gripper costs are necessary for a profitable pick and place (P&P) process. However, current grippers are not able to handle these products properly because they have uneven shapes, are flexible and irregular, have different textures and are very sensitive to being damaged. This review brings together the requirements and phases used in the process of manipulation, summarises and analyses of the existing, potential and emerging techniques and their possibilities for the manipulation of fresh horticultural products from a detailed study of their characteristics. It considers the difficulties and the lack of engineers to conceive of and implement solutions. Contact grippers with underactuated mechanism and suction cups could be a promising approach for the manipulation of fresh fruit and vegetables. Ongoing study is still necessary on the characteristics and handling requirements of fresh fruit and vegetables in order to design grippers which are suitable for correct manipulation, at high speed, in profitable P&P processes for industrial applications.
Effect of different times and techniques of molybdenum applicationon chickpea (Cicer arietinum) growth and yield
Authors: Valenciano J.B. , Marcelo V. , Miguelez-Frade M.M.
Published: December 2011

Molybdenum (Mo) plays an important role in increasing chickpea yield. In 2009, we studied the effects of different Mo application times and techniques on the response of the Kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum) to Mo nutrition. Pot experiments were conducted under natural conditions using two different soils from northwest Spain and following a factorial statistical pattern (7 × 2) with six replicates for each soil. A treatment of 2 mg Mo pot–1 was added to the pots at six different moments, 1 to 6 weeks after emergence (WAE), using two different application techniques (soil and foliar). Both growth and yield were affected by Mo application, but yield was more affected than total dry matter. The response was greater in the medium acid soil than in the neutral-slightly basic soil. At maturity, plants fertilized at 4 WAE produced a greater seed yield, mainly due to an increase in the number of pods per plant. Foliar Mo application was more effective, and soil Mo application should be carried out earlier in the cycle. An interaction was found between time and technique of Mo application, with the highest  yield being obtained when Mo was applied at 4 WAE using foliar fertilization
Single‐Crystal Germanium Growth on Amorphous Silicon
Authors: McComber Kevin A. , Duan Xiaoman , Liu Jifeng , Michel Jurgen , Kimerling Lionel C.
Published: December 2011

Growing single‐crystal semiconductors directly on an amorphous substrate without epitaxy or wafer bonding has long been a significant fundamental challenge in materials science. Such technology is especially important for semiconductor devices that require cost‐effective, high‐throughput fabrication, including thin‐film solar cells and transistors on glass substrates as well as large‐scale active photonic circuits on Si using back‐end‐of‐line CMOS technology. This work demonstrates a CMOS‐compatible method of fabricating high‐quality germanium single crystals on amorphous silicon at low temperatures of <450 °C. Grain orientation selection by geometric confinement of polycrystalline germanium films selectively grown on amorphous silicon by chemical vapor deposition is presented, where the confinement selects the fast‐growing grains for extended growth and eventually leads to single crystalline material. Germanium crystals grown using this method exhibit (110) texture and twin‐mediated growth. A model of confined growth is developed to predict the optimal confining channel dimensions for consistent, single‐crystal growth. Germanium films grown from one‐dimensional confinement exhibit a 200% grain size increase at 1 μm film thickness compared to unconfined films, while 2D confinement growth achieved single crystal Ge. The area of single crystalline Ge on amorphous layers is only limited by the growth time. Significant enhancement in room temperature photoluminescence and reduction in residual carrier density have been achieved using confined growth, demonstrating excellent optoelectronic properties. This growth method is readily extensible to any materials system capable of selective non‐epitaxial deposition, thus allowing for the fabrication of devices from high‐quality single crystal material when only an amorphous substrate is available.
Detailed Comparative Anatomy of the Extrinsic Cardiac Nerve Plexus and Postnatal Reorganization of the Cardiac Position and Innervation in the Great Apes: Orangutans, Gorillas, and Chimpanzees
Authors: Kawashima Tomokazu , Sato Fumi
Published: December 2011

To speculate how the extrinsic cardiac nerve plexus (ECNP) evolves phyletically and ontogenetically within the primate lineage, we conducted a comparative anatomical study of the ECNP, including an imaging examination in the great apes using 20 sides from 11 bodies from three species and a range of postnatal stages from newborns to mature adults. Although the position of the middle cervical ganglion (MG) in the great apes tended to be relatively lower than that in humans, the morphology of the ECNP in adult great apes was almost consistent with that in adult humans but essentially different from that in the lesser apes or gibbons. Therefore, the well‐argued anatomical question of when did the MG acquire communicating branches with the spinal cervical nerves and appear constantly in all sympathetic cardiac nerves during primate evolution is clearly considered to be after the great apes and gibbons split. Moreover, a horizontal four‐chambered heart and a lifted cardiac apex with a relatively large volume in newborn great apes rapidly changed its position downward, as seen in humans during postnatal growth and was associated with a reduction in the hepatic volume by imaging diagnosis and gross anatomy. In addition, our observation using a range of postnatal stages exhibits that two sympathetic ganglia, the middle cervical and cervicothoracic ganglia, differed between the early and later postnatal stages. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.