bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of extra feeding in mid-pregnancy for three successive parities on lean sows’ productive performance and longevity
Authors: Cerisuelo A. , Sala R. , Gasa J. , Carrión D. , Coma J. , Chapinal N. , Baucells M.D.
Published: February 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of increasing feeding allowance during mid-pregnancy in sows. A total of 103 PIC pregnant sows (mixed parity) were allocated to two treatments: control (C, n = 49) were fed 2.5-3.0 kg d-1 (12.1 MJ ME kg-1) and extra-fed (E, n = 54) received +2.0 kg d-1 of the same feed from day 45 to 85 of gestation over three consecutive cycles. Body weight, backfat thickness (BF) and loin depth were measured on days 45 and 85 of gestation, farrowing and weaning. Litter and sows performance were recorded during lactation and post-weaning. Overall culling rates were 61 and 67% for C and E groups, respectively. After three cycles, E sows showed a positive BF balance in contrast to C sows (E = +1.46 mm and C= -1.81 mm, P < 0.05). In cycle 3, E sows presented greater piglet birth weights than C sows, being mainly evident in sows that were nulliparous at the onset of the experiment (P < 0.05). Extra-fed sows showed a greater incidence of mastitis-metritis-agalactia syndrome than C sows (P = 0.003). Thus, increasing feeding allowance during mid-pregnancy positively affected BF balance and birth weight in nulliparous, but impaired the sows’ ability to produce milk in the long-term.
Seeding patterns and companion grasses affect total forage yield and components of binary red clover–grass mixtures
Authors: Lafrenière Carole , Drapeau Raynald
Published: February 2011

Lafrenière, C. and Drapeau, R. 2011. Seeding patterns and companion grasses affect total forage yield and components of binary red clover–grass mixtures. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 91–97. Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is the most popular seeded legume for forage production in northern Quebec and Ontario because of the poorly drained soils that prevail in these regions. The objective of this experiment was to determine which seeding patterns [mixed within a row (MR), single alternate rows (1+1), or double alternate rows (2+2)] and which companion grasses (smooth bromegrass, Bromus inermis L.; tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb.; orchardgrass, Dactylis glomerata L.; or timothy, Phleum pratense L.), in association with red clover, were best for sustaining the total forage yield of a red clover–grass mixture and how these factors affect red clover and grass components. Test plots were established at Kapuskasing, ON, and Normandin, QC. At each site, two independent seedings were performed and harvested over 3 yr following the seeding year. Total dry matter (DM) yield and contribution of red clover grasses and weeds to total forage yield were measured. The MR pattern gave higher yield over both alternate seeding patterns by nearly 0.5 Mg DM ha−1 at the Normandin site and 1.0 Mg DM ha–1 at the Kapuskasing site. Neither the seeding pattern nor the companion grass species improved significantly the contribution of red clover to total forage yield beyond the second production year even though there were differences between sites. Environmental conditions, principally high precipitation in the fall, and maturity stage at harvest resulted in major differences between sites. Results from this experiment showed that tall fescue and orchardgrass could be good alternatives to timothy or bromegrass in association with red clover given that plots were still productive in the third production year and invasion by weeds was lower.
Relationships of phenotypic stability measures for genotypes of three cereal crops
Authors: Mohammadi R. , Roostaei M. , Ansari Y. , Aghaee M. , Amri A.
Published: February 2011

Multi-environment trial (MET) data are required to obtain stability performance parameters as selection tools for effective genotype evaluation. The main objective of this study was to investigate the interrelationships among nine phenotypic stability methods using grain yield from three sets of cereal experiments [15 durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var. durum) genotypes × 12 environments; 20 bread wheat (T. aestivum L.) genotypes × 18 environments; and 13 barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes × 18 environments]. The experiments were conducted in representative rain-fed areas of Iran in collaboration with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). The combined ANOVA for environments (E), genotypes (G) and G × E interaction was highly significant (P < 0.01) for each set of data, suggesting differential genotypic responses and the need for stability analysis. The inter-relationships among the parameters and their association with mean yield based on Spearman’s rank correlation were determined in each of the three cereal experiments. Highly significant correlations were found between several of the stability measures indicating that several of the statistics probably measure similar aspects of phenotypic stability for these crop species. The AMMI stability value (ASV), variance of regression deviation (S2di) and Wricke’s ecovalence (W2i) were consistently and highly correlated with each other over these crops and, therefore, could be used if selection is to be based primarily on stability. The superiority index (Pi) and geometric adaptability index (GAI), which are related to the dynamic concept of stability showed significant correlation with mean yield over these crops, suggesting Pi and GAI would be the best methods for ranking genotypes across environments. The coefficient of variation (CV), regression coefficient (bi), yield reliability index (Ii), and environmental variance (S2x) showed inconsistent relationships with either the static or dynamic concepts of stability over these crops. The correlation analysis provided a good description of static and dynamic concepts of stability for interpreting the G × E interaction and verified that the groups of stability methods (dynamic vs. static) discriminated genotypes in different fashions in these crops.
Temperature affects dry matter production and net carbon exchange rate of lower-ploidy Fragaria species and species hybrids
Authors: Harbut R.M. , Sullivan J.A. , Proctor J.T.A.
Published: February 2011

Wild species can contribute to a breeding program through their wide adaptability to a range of habitats. In interspecific crosses it is not known how these species may interact in the hybrids. The dry matter production and net carbon exchange rates (NCER) of four lower-ploidy Fragaria species, four species hybrids (synthetic octoploids, SOs) and two cultivars (Allstar and Jewel) were compared under three day/night temperature regimes, low (15°C/10°C), medium (23°C/18°C) and high (30°C/25°C) in growth cabinets. Light intensity was maintained at 425 µmol m-2 s-1 and day length at 14 h. The wild Fragaria species had the highest NCERs across all temperature regimes. High temperatures had a depressing effect on plant dry weight for most genotypes. However, F. nubicola and SO 8245 produced 15 and 33%, respectively, higher plant dry weight at the high temperature compared with the low temperature treatment. Net carbon exchange rates for most species and synthetic octoploids were not significantly affected by high temperature. However, SO 8212 did not survive the high temperature treatment. The lower ploidy Fragaria species can be used to create synthetic octoploids that can maintain net carbon exchange rates and produce plant dry weights that are comparable with those of Fragaria cultivars. The ecological background of the species did not have a negative impact on the plant dry weight and NCER of the synthetic octoploids. Some of the SOs may be sources for improvement of Fragaria cultivars for dry matter production at higher temperatures.
CDC Ptarmigan soft white winter wheat
Authors: Fowler D.B.
Published: February 2011

CDC Ptarmigan is a soft white winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar that is eligible for grades of the Canada Western General Purpose (CWGP) wheat class. The CWGP class was introduced in 2007 to encourage the development and production of cultivars for the biofuel and livestock feed markets in western Canada. CDC Ptarmigan is an intermediate height, very high-yielding, stem and leaf rust susceptible, low protein concentration, soft kernel texture winter wheat cultivar that is adapted to the low rust hazard area of western Canada. A high yield potential of low protein concentration grain make CDC Ptarmigan a good fit for the CWGP class.
Temporal variations of starch and mass in greenhouse tomato leaves under CO2 enrichment
Authors: Edwards Diane , Ehret David , Jolliffe Peter
Published: February 2011

Edwards, D., Ehret, D. and Jolliffe, P. 2011. Temporal variations of starch and mass in greenhouse tomato leaves under CO2enrichment. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 167–177. A plant-based method of guiding CO2 dosing may improve the effectiveness of CO2 enrichment in commercial greenhouse tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) production. The temporal dynamics of two plant response indicators, leaf starch and leaf mass per unit area (LMA) were investigated in commercial and research greenhouses throughout day/night periods, as well as after the onset of CO2 enrichment. Both leaf starch and LMA tended to follow the diurnal profile of light but with 3 to 4 h of lag. The magnitude of the response, especially for starch, was affected by leaf position, CO2 enrichment and light. The highest starch contents were measured between 1400 and 1600 and the lowest levels occurred in the morning between sunrise and 1100. In many cases plants carried over substantial starch in upper leaves from one day to the next, indicating a carbon-surplus state. In the onset experiment leaf starch and LMA increased with 4 d of exposure to CO2 enrichment for mid and upper canopy leaves and continued to increase to the end of the monitoring period (7 d). Leaf starch contents and LMA are indicators of plant carbon status that show potential for guiding CO2 dosing.
Canaryseed (Phalaris canariensis L.) accessions from nineteen countries show useful genetic variation for agronomic traits
Authors: Cogliatti M. , Bongiorno F. , Dalla Valle H. , Rogers W J
Published: February 2011

Fifty-seven accessions of canaryseed (47 populations and 10 cultivars) from 19 countries were evaluated for agronomic traits in four field trials sown over 3 yr in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Genetic variation was found for all traits scored: grain yield and its components (grain weight, grain number per square meter, grain number per head and head number per square meter), harvest index, percent lodging, and phenological characters (emergence to heading, emergence to harvest maturity and heading to harvest maturity). Although genotype × environment interaction was observed for all traits, the additive differences between accessions were sufficient to enable promising breeding materials to be identified. Accessions superior in performance to the local Argentinean population, which in general gave values close to the overall mean of the accessions evaluated, were identified. For example, a population of Moroccan origin gave good yield associated with elevated values of the highly heritable character grain weight, rather than with the more commonly observed grain number per square meter. This population was also of relatively short stature and resistant to lodging, and, although it performed best when sown within the normal sowing date, tolerated late sowing fairly well. Other accessions were also observed with high grain weight, a useful characteristic in itself, since large grains are desirable from a quality point of view. Regarding phenology, the accessions showed a range of 160 degree days (8 calendar days in our conditions) in maturity, which, while not large in magnitude, may be of some utility in crop rotation management. Some accessions were well adapted to late sowing. Grain yield in general was strongly correlated with grain number per square meter. Principal components analysis (PCA) carried out for all characteristics provided indications of accessions combining useful characteristics and identified three components that explained approximately 70% of the phenotypic variation. Furthermore, a second PCA plus regression showed that approximately 60% of the variation in grain yield could be explained by a component associated with harvest index and grain number per square meter. Pointers were provided to possible future breeding targets.Key words: Phalaris canariensis, canaryseed, accessions, yield, phenology, genetics, breeding
Tolerance of three types of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to fluroxypyr plus MCPA ester
Authors: Brown L.R. , Sikkema P.H.
Published: February 2011

Six field trials were conducted over a 3-yr period (2005-2007) near Exeter and Ridgetown, Ontario, to evaluate the tolerance of three types of winter wheat [soft white (SWWW), soft red (SRWW) and hard red (HRWW)] to three rates of fluroxypyr plus MCPA ester (54 + 281.25 g a.i. ha-1; 108 + 562.5 g a.i. ha-1; 216 + 1125 g a.i. ha-1) at two postemergence (POST) application timings [Zadoks 31-32 (POST 1) and Zadoks 33-34 (POST 2)] in the spring. Fluroxypyr plus MCPA ester applied at POST 1 caused no injury to winter wheat. Fluroxypyr plus MCPA ester applied at POST 2 caused as much as 4, 4 and 7% injury 14 d after treatment (DAT) in SWWW, SRWW and HRWW, respectively. Fluroxypyr plus MCPA ester applied at 54 + 281.25 g a.i. ha-1, 108 + 562.5 g a.i. ha-1 and 216 + 1125 g a.i. ha-1 at POST 2 caused up to 1, 6 and 10% injury 14 DAT, respectively. Fluroxypyr plus MCPA ester applied at 216 + 1125 g a.i. ha-1 (POST 2) caused as much as 5, 5 and 12% injury in SWWW, SRWW and HRWW, respectively. Winter wheat height was reduced an average of 3 cm with the high rate of fluroxypyr plus MCPA ester in 2006. There was no significant effect of fluroxypyr plus MCPA ester rate or application timing on the yield of winter wheat. This study concludes that there is an adequate margin of crop safety in winter wheat to fluroxypyr plus MCPA ester applied POST in the spring.
Performance of tropical early-maturing maize cultivars in multiple stress environments
Authors: Badu-Apraku B. , Menkir A. , Ajala S. , Akinwale R. , Oyekunle M. , Obeng-Antwi K.
Published: February 2011

Maize (Zea mays L.) production in west Africa (WA) is constrained by drought, Striga hermonthica infestation and low soil nitrogen (N). Maize varieties resistant to Striga, drought, and low N are ideal for WA, but genotype × environment interaction on these traits are usually significant due to differential responses of cultivars to growing conditions. Three studies were conducted from 2007 to 2009 at five locations in Nigeria to evaluate the performance of selected early-maturing cultivars under drought stress versus well-watered, Striga-infested versus Striga-free, and in low- versus high-N environments. Drought stress reduced grain yield by 44%, Striga infestation by 65%, and low N by 40%. GGE biplot analysis showed that the genotypes TZE-W DT STR C4, Tillering Early DT, TZE-W DT STR QPM C0 and TZE-Y DT STR C4 performed relatively well in all study environments. TZE-W DT STR C4 and TZE Comp3 C1F2 were outstanding under drought, TZE-W DT STR C4, EVDT-W 99 STR QPM C0 and TZE-W DT STR QPMC0 under Striga infestation and Tillering Early DT, EVDT 97 STRC1, TZE-W DT STR C4, and TZE Comp3 C3 under N deficiency. Maize productivity in WA can be significantly improved by promoting cultivation of genotypes that combine high resistance/tolerance to Striga and drought with improved N-use efficiency.
Control of common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.) in corn
Authors: Soltani N. , Shropshire C. , Sikkema P.H.
Published: February 2011

Nine field trials (five with PRE and four with POST herbicides) were conducted in 2006 to 2009 on various Ontario farms with heavy common cocklebur infestations to determine the effectiveness of PRE and POST herbicides for the control of common cocklebur in corn. There was no commercially significant corn injury from the PRE herbicides evaluated. Saflufenacil, saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p, isoxaflutole + atrazine, mesotrione + atrazine and dicamba/atrazine, applied PRE provided 85, 85, 76, 73 and 67% control of common cocklebur in corn 8 wk after emergence (WAE), respectively. Common cocklebur shoot dry weight was reduced 84, 80, 79, 75 and 68% with saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p, isoxaflutole + atrazine, mesotrione + atrazine, saflufenacil and dicamba/atrazine, respectively. There was no effect on corn yield compared with the weedy control with the PRE herbicides evaluated. The application of 2,4-D/atrazine POST resulted in unacceptable injury (28%) in corn. Dicamba/atrazine, dicamba/diflufenzopyr, dicamba and mesotrione + atrazine provided up to 98, 95, 90 and 90% control of common cocklebur 8 wk after application (WAA), respectively. All POST herbicide treatments increased corn yield compared with the non-treated control. Saflufenacil and saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p applied PRE and dicamba, dicamba/diflufenzopyr, dicamba/atrazine or mesotrione + atrazine applied POST have potential to provide good to excellent control of common cocklebur in corn under Ontario environmental conditions.
Control of volunteer adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) with pre- and postemergence herbicides in corn (Zea mays)
Authors: Kramer C. , Soltani N. , Swanton C.J. , Robinson D.E. , Sikkema P.H.
Published: February 2011

Volunteer adzuki bean within a corn crop can decrease corn yield and increase the adzuki bean seed bank. The objective of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of various preemergence (PRE) and postemergence (POST) herbicides for the control of volunteer adzuki bean [Vigna angularis (Willd.) Ohwi & Ohashi] in corn. Trials were conducted at two locations in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009. Experiments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with either seven PRE or ten POST herbicides. Volunteer adzuki bean interference resulted in corn yield losses of 16 to 43%. The PRE herbicides provided variable control. The highest and most consistent control PRE was provided by dicamba/atrazine, which provided 69 to 97% control of volunteer adzuki bean at 4 and 8 wk after emergence (WAE), respectively. Dicamba/atrazine PRE reduced volunteer adzuki bean density and biomass 67 to 97% 10 WAE. Generally, the POST herbicides evaluated provided better and more consistent control of volunteer adzuki bean than the PRE herbicides. Dicamba/atrazine applied POST provided greater than 95% control of volunteer adzuki bean and consistently reduced volunteer adzuki bean density and biomass to the equivalent of the weed-free control. Dicamba/atrazine applied POST resulted in corn yields equivalent to the weed-free control. The best option for controlling volunteer adzuki bean in corn is to apply dicamba/atrazine POST, while the remaining herbicides evaluated provided variable control.
Comparison of the structure and organization of the rrna operons of Bouteloua gracilis and Zea mays
Authors: Aguado-Santacruz Gerardo , Betancourt-Guerra David , Siquerios-Cendón Tania , Arévalo-Gallegos Sigifredo , Rivera-Chavira Blanca , Nevarez-Moorillon Guadalupe , Moreno-Gómez Blanca , Rascón-Cruz Quintín
Published: February 2011

Aguado-Santacruz, G. A., Betancourt-Guerra, D. A., Siquerios-Cendón, T., Arévalo-Gallegos, S., Rivera-Chavira, B. E., Nevarez-Moorillon, G. V., Moreno-Gómez, B. and Rascón-Cruz, Q. 2011. Comparison of the structure and organization of therrnaoperons of Bouteloua gracilisandZea mays. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 107–116. We studied the genomic structure of Bouteloua gracilis chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) and compared it with the sequenced ribosomal RNA spacer region from other cereals. This will allow us to understand chloroplast topology and the recombination ability of cpDNA. The development of potential tools for biotechnology applied to cereals can be focused through the study of cpDNA in family related grasses, such as B. gracilis. cpDNA was prepared from green B. gracilis and Zea mays plants using a modified NaCl method. A 2332 bp intergenic spacer (IGS) region (rrna16S-trnI-trnA-rrna23S) from B. gracilis was sequenced, which showed great similarity (at least 92%) to IGS region from Z. mays, Oryza sativa and Saccharum officinarum. A physical map constructed by Southern hybridization using petA, psbA, psbD, ndhA, rbcL, 16S and 23S rDNA digoxigenin-labelled probes showed low organizational resemblance to maize cpDNA. Moreover, when compared to a similar fragment of Z. mays, a 239 bp intron deletion was found in the trnI gene in the B. gracilis cpDNA. Restriction and hybridization analyses suggested that the B. gracilis cpDNA has a molecular weight of 130 Kb. We expect that the findings reported in this work can be a baseline for increasing our knowledge in chloroplast organization in grasses and for the development of molecular tools.
Forty-six years of genetic improvement in Canadian durum wheat cultivars
Authors: Clarke J.M. , Clarke F.R. , Pozniak C.J.
Published: February 2011

The first durum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum (Desf.) Husn.] cultivar developed in Canada was Stewart 63, registered in 1963. The objective of this paper is to document genetic progress in Canadian durum cultivars since that time. The genetic potential for grain yield in the main durum production area increased by about 0.7% per year and shows no sign of tapering off. This genetic potential has been captured in commercial farm yields, which increased by 1.5% per year during the same period. Grain protein concentration tended to increase slightly over the same time period because of the requirement for minimum protein concentration for cultivar release in Canada. Based on a study of two unselected doubled haploid populations, it was estimated that genetic gain for grain yield was reduced by 8 to 15% because of the negative correlation of protein concentration with yield. Yellow pigment concentration of semolina increased during the study period, especially after the mid 1990s, when higher pigment became an important breeding target. Gluten strength has also been increased since the mid 1990s. Grain cadmium concentration was reduced by about 50% to satisfy the requirements of certain export markets. Resistance to leaf and stem rust was maintained in all cultivars released since Stewart 63. In the past 10 yr, breeding has exploited genetic variation in resistance to Fusarium head blight to produce cultivars such as Brigade and CDC Verona with intermediate levels of resistance. There appears to be remaining genetic variability for all major traits in lines currently in registration trials.
Mineralization of active soil organic carbon in particle size fractions of a Brookston clay soil under no-tillage and mouldboard plough tillage
Authors: Zhang Z.D. , Yang X.M. , Drury C.F. , Reynolds W.D. , Zhao L.P.
Published: February 2011

Soil organic matter is a heterogeneous mixture of organic substances with different compositions and stabilities. To enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, it is helpful to understand the distribution of SOC among the soil particle size fractions, the stabilities of the SOC within each fraction, and the influence of management practices, such as tillage, on SOC mineralization. Hence, the objectives of this study were to determine the distribution and mineralization rate of active SOC in the sand (53-2000 µm), silt (2-53 µm) and clay (<2 µm) size fractions of a Brookston clay soil under a corn-soybean rotation and three tillage scenarios. The tillages included long-term (24 yr) mouldboard plough (MP83), long-term (24 yr) no-till (NT83) and short-term (10 yr) no-till (NT97). Bulk soil from the top 10 cm was dispersed into sand, silt and clay size fractions by applying ultrasound energy (750 J mL-1) to a 1:4 soil:water suspension. The sand, silt and clay fractions of the three tillages were aerobically incubated at 20°C and 30% moisture (wt/wt), and the CO2-C emissions were measured over 103 d. The SOC contents followed the order clay > silt > sand for all three tillages. On a whole-soil basis and averaged over the tillage treatments, 55.8% of the SOC was in the clay size fraction, 37.2% was in the silt fraction and 7.0% was in the sand fraction. Carbon mineralization rate in the incubated samples decreased over time, and was related to both particle size fraction and tillage practice. There was very good agreement between a first-order decay model (Ct= C1 + C0 (1-e-kt)) and measured SOC mineralization rates for all size fractions and tillages. The C mineralization data indicated that: (1) the SOC in the clay and sand fractions was more decomposable than the SOC in the silt fraction; and (2) the SOC associated with the clay and silt fractions was more readily decomposable under no-till than under mouldboard plough.
Classification and fertility status of organically managed fields across Saskatchewan, Canada
Authors: Knight J.D. , Buhler R. , Leeson J.Y. , Shirtliffe S.
Published: February 2011

Records from 60 organically managed fields across Saskatchewan were obtained from 39 farmers. The records contained details of 6 yr of management practices applied to each field and details about the general farm operation under which the individual fields were managed. In addition, soil samples were collected from each field and analysed for available N, P, K and S, pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and soil organic carbon. Soil nutrient availability is reported by soil zone. Using information from the management questionnaire, the 60 fields were classified into four distinct management systems, Perennial, Summerfallow, Cereal, and Diverse, and soil nutrient availability examined according to management system. Despite classification of four systems, only the Perennial and Diverse systems had a functionally (and statistically) significant effect on selected soil properties. Inclusion of alfalfa in rotation (Perennial system) acidified the soil and reduced availability of P and K relative to the Diverse system. According to soil test results, fields in all of the systems and across all soil zones were apparently deficient in available P, deficient to marginally deficient in available N and marginally deficient in available S. Available K levels were generally optimal. Information from this study provides a baseline for fertility of soils under organic production across Saskatchewan. The overall low levels of available P, N and S identified in this study raise questions about the long-term sustainability of these organic systems, as well as the suitability of traditional soil testing for accurately assessing the soil fertility potential of organic managed soils.
Salinization of soil over saline-sodic overburden from the oil sands in Alberta
Authors: Kessler S. , Barbour S.L. , van Rees K.C.J. , Dobchuk B.S.
Published: February 2011

Saline-sodic mine overburden (also referred to as spoil) removed to access the oil sands in the Athabasca region of Alberta is used as backfill in open pits and is also placed in large upland structures. These deposits are reclaimed with a soil cover to support re-vegetation. The chemistry within reconstructed soil profiles over saline-sodic overburden was investigated to determine the nature and spatial distribution of salts in the soils. Four reclamation treatments were compared: three layered covers (35, 50 and 100 cm thick) and one non-layered cover (100 cm thick). Salts have accumulated in the cover soils 15 to 20 cm above the overburden, raising the electrical conductivity in the lower part of the soil to between 4.5 and 6.0 dS m-1, which is beyond the acceptable value for vegetation growth. Salt redistribution was not related to slope position and the pattern of salt ingress suggests that diffusion has been the main mechanism driving salt migration into the soils during the initial 4-yr period following placement. Cover thickness did not affect the extent of salt migration, but the overall quality of the thinner covers (35 and 50 cm) for vegetation growth was compromised by the increased salinity levels.
Soil organic carbon stocks on long-term agroecosystem experiments in Canada
Authors: VandenBygaart A.J. , Bremer E. , McConkey B.G. , Janzen H.H. , Angers D.A. , Carter M.R. , Drury C.F. , Lafond G.P. , McKenzie R.H.
Published: February 2011

Several long-term agroecosystem experiments (LTAEs) across Canada have been maintained for periods of up to a century. Much scientific knowledge of changes in soil properties through time has been learned from these few, highly productive LTAEs. We determined the effects of land management changes (LMC) on soil organic carbon (SOC) by re-sampling 27 LTAEs across Canada using identical sampling and laboratory protocols. Seven LTAEs were sampled comparing perennial to annual cropping and it was found that SOC stocks (0-30 cm) were 9.0 ± 1.5 Mg C ha-1 higher under perennial cropping after an average of 16.9 ± 2.1 yr. This yielded a SOC stock change factor of 0.6 Mg C ha-1 yr-1, comparing favourably to a modelling assessment and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) default factor. In six LTAEs in western Canada, no-tillage increased SOC storage by 3.2 ± 1.3 Mg C ha-1 in the top 15 cm over a period of 23.3 ± 2.7 yr relative to conventional tillage, a rate of SOC storage of 0.14 Mg C ha-1 yr-1. This rate was also similar to that derived by simulation modelling and was slightly lower than the default IPCC rate for subhumid and semi-arid regions. In eastern Canada, where tillage is much deeper than western Canada, SOC storage was not significant differently between the two tillage systems. In six LTAEs in western Canada, removing fallow periods every second or third year in favour of continuous cropping increased SOC storage by 5.2 ± 1.1 Mg C ha-1 yr-1 over 21.8 ± 4.0 yr or an average SOC stock change factor of 0.23 Mg C ha-1 yr-1 to 15 cm depth. This was slightly higher than two independent meta-analyses and rates derived from simulation modelling. The results determined from a re-sampling of LTAEs across Canada provided an invaluable method of validating rates of SOC change concluded by other means.
A construção de estratégias: um estudo de caso no setor avícola
Authors: Alves Ricardo César , Lopes Humberto Elias Garcia
Published: February 2011

Este artigo tem como campo de estudo o processo de formulação de estratégias em uma empresa do setor avícola do Estado de Minas Gerais. O objetivo foi verificar se tal empresa construía suas estratégias de forma deliberada – apoiandose na concepção clássica de estratégia - ou de forma emergente, como resposta às movimentações do ambiente. Metodologicamente, o trabalho foi de caráter qualitativo, com objetivo descritivo e apoiado em um estudo de caso, no qual oito gestores da empresa Alfa foram entrevistados por meio de um roteiro semiestruturado. A análise do conteúdo das entrevistas mostra que a empresa Alfa, ainda tem como padrão formular estratégias como repostas ao ambiente, apesar de se esforçar para implementar processos deliberados de construção. Os planos e processos racionais de construção de estratégias, apesar de serem considerados de grande importância pelos entrevistados, não se mostraram presentes no cotidiano da empresa. Os resultados desta pesquisa são relevantes para a área de Administração devido a dois aspectos: o primeiro deles é indicar que a estratégia – no caso da empresa pesquisada - é formulada principalmente com base em reações ao ambiente e não como fruto de um processo racional de análise e definição; o segundo é indicar que os gestores conhecem a importância desses processos mais racionais de elaboração de estratégias, mas que fatores diversos impedem que eles sejam aplicados na prática.
Análise do sistema de gestão ambiental do laboratório de camarões marinhos da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina – UFSC
Authors: Finger Luciane , Neto Luís Moretto , Vieira Bruna Ghizoni
Published: February 2011

AO aumento da utilização de recursos naturais decorrente do consumismo desenvolvido durante a Revolução Industrial gerou impactos ambientais irreversíveis que, após as décadas de 1960 e 1970, deram início a uma crescente preocupação ambiental. A partir da década de 1990 destacaram-se as iniciativas empresariais, governamentais e não governamentais buscando uma melhor relação do ser humano com o meio ambiente. Neste contexto, eleva-se a importância dos conceitos de Gestão Ambiental e Produção mais Limpa. E é com o intuito de esclarecer a forma como esses processos ocorrem nas organizações que se pesquisou, neste trabalho, a gestão ambiental do Laboratório de Camarões Marinhos – LCM, da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Verificou-se a importância da disseminação dos conhecimentos sobre os processos dentro das organizações e indicou-se a responsabilidade da Universidade na gestão ambiental do laboratório.
Alianças estratégicas: uma análise bibliométrica da produção científica entre 1989 e 2008
Authors: Moran Márcio Roberto , Souza Fernando Ferreira de Araujo , Boaventura João Maurício Gama , Marinho Bernadete de Lourdes , Fischmann Adalberto Américo
Published: February 2011

Considera-se pertinente a organização de dados sobre a produção científica de um período, uma vez que tal movimento contribui para a continuidade das investigações e a evolução de determinada área do conhecimento. O propósito principal deste estudo, portanto, é analisar quantitativamente o que se produziu no campo das alianças estratégicas entre 1989 e 2008. Apoiando-se em técnicas bibliométricas e na pesquisa bibliográfica, foi possível encontrar 66 expressões que conduzem pesquisadores aos mais variados conteúdos sobre o tema em questão. Além disso, a partir de consultas às bases ISI Web of Knowledge e Scopus constituíram-se duas amostras, respectivamente, com 2.747 e 2.813 pesquisas publicadas, que permitiram a identificação dos autores, artigos e periódicos mais referenciados por estudiosos em todo o mundo. Este trabalho, então, torna-se um importante aliado no desenvolvimento de novas ideias, conceitos e perspectivas de abordagens sobre alianças estratégicas.
Examination of the Factor Structure of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire
Authors: Lehman Leigh A. , Woodbury Michelle , Velozo Craig A.
Published: February 2011

OBJECTIVE. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire is a global scale evaluating the impact of upper-extremity disorders. We sought to validate or challenge the unidimensional factor structure of the DASH.

METHOD. Secondary analysis was performed on data collected from outpatient clinics. Factor analysis was performed in two steps, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). To provide further support for unidimensionality, fit statistics were calculated using the Andrich Rasch rating-scale model.

RESULTS. EFA revealed three potential factors (eigenvalues = 18.40, 1.56, and 1.54). CFA was performed fitting a three-factor model. Tucker-Lewis Index (.99) and standardized root mean square residual (.05) values indicated good fit. Comparative fit index (.89) and root mean square error of approximation (.13) did not. When divided into three constructs, only one item misfit.

CONCLUSION. More research is needed to determine situations in which division of the DASH may enhance interpretability.
Driving Simulator Sickness: An Evidence-Based Review of the Literature
Authors: Classen Sherrilene , Bewernitz Megan , Shechtman Orit
Published: February 2011

OBJECTIVE. Guided by the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process (2nd edition; American Occupational Therapy Association, 2008), we conducted an evidence-based review on simulator sickness (SS).

METHOD. We searched Web of Science, PubMed, SafetyLit, Google Scholar, and recently published literature. We used the American Academy of Neurology’s classification criteria to extract data from 10 studies and assign each a level of 1–4, with “1” indicating the highest level of evidence. We grouped studies that addressed SS into client factors, context and environment factors, and activity demands.

RESULTS. Client factors (i.e., older clients [>70 yr; Level B], women [Level B]) and context/environment factors (e.g., refresh rates, scenario design and duration, simulator configuration, and calibration; Level B) probably increase the rates of SS, whereas activity demands (vection, speed of driving, and postural instability; Level C) possibly contribute to SS.

CONCLUSION. We classified factors contributing to SS and identified the need for randomized trials to identify causes of SS.
Update on Geriatric Research in Productive Aging
Authors: Murphy Susan L.
Published: February 2011

The American Occupational Therapy Association’s Centennial VisionAmerican Occupational Therapy Association (2007) articulates the strategic goals for the profession to be science driven and evidence based in major practice areas. In the practice area of productive aging, a previous review of research published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT Murphy, 2010) found mostly basic research with far fewer effectiveness studies. The current review article is divided into two parts. Part 1 provides an update on the types of research published on productive aging in AJOT in the past 2 yr (2009–2010). Part 2 examines the range and scope of occupational therapy effectiveness research on productive aging published in a similar time frame in other occupational therapy journals and outside of the discipline.
Center-of-Pressure Movements During Equine-Assisted Activities
Authors: Clayton Hilary M. , Kaiser LeeAnn J. , de Pue Bonnie , Kaiser Lana
Published: February 2011

We compared anteroposterior and mediolateral range of motion and velocity of the center of pressure (COP) on the horse’s back between riders without disabilities and riders with cerebral palsy. An electronic pressure mat was used to track COP movements beneath the saddle in 4 riders without disabilities and 4 riders with cerebral palsy. Comparisons between rider groups were made using the Mann–Whitney test (p < .05). The two rider groups differed significantly in anteroposterior range of COP motion, mediolateral range of COP motion, and mediolateral COP velocity. Anteroposterior COP velocity did not differ between groups. The results suggest that measurements of COP range of motion and velocity are potentially useful for monitoring changes in balance as an indicator of core stability during equine-assisted activities.
HESS Opinions: Hydrologic predictions in a changing environment: behavioral modeling
Authors: Schaefli B. , Harman C. J. , Sivapalan M. , Schymanski S. J.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Most hydrological models are valid at most only in a few places and cannot be reasonably transferred to other places or to far distant time periods. Transfer in space is difficult because the models are conditioned on past observations at particular places to define parameter values and unobservable processes that are needed to fully characterize the structure and functioning of the landscape. Transfer in time has to deal with the likely temporal changes to both parameters and processes under future changed conditions. This remains an important obstacle to addressing some of the most urgent prediction questions in hydrology, such as prediction in ungauged basins and prediction under global change. In this paper, we propose a new approach to catchment hydrological modeling, based on universal principles that do not change in time and that remain valid across many places. The key to this framework, which we call behavioral modeling, is to assume that there are universal and time-invariant organizing principles that can be used to identify the most appropriate model structure (including parameter values) and responses for a given ecosystem at a given moment in time. These organizing principles may be derived from fundamental physical or biological laws, or from empirical laws that have been demonstrated to be time-invariant and to hold at many places and scales. Much fundamental research remains to be undertaken to help discover these organizing principles on the basis of exploration of observed patterns of landscape structure and hydrological behavior and their interpretation as legacy effects of past co-evolution of climate, soils, topography, vegetation and humans. Our hope is that the new behavioral modeling framework will be a step forward towards a new vision for hydrology where models are capable of more confidently predicting the behavior of catchments beyond what has been observed or experienced before.
Time Remotely Almost Periodic Viscosity Solutions of Hamilton-Jacobi Equations
Authors: Zhang Shilin , Piao Daxiong
Published: February 2011

We study some properties of the remotely almost periodic functions. This paper studies viscosity solutions of general Hamilton-Jacobi equations in the time remotely almost periodic case. Existence and uniqueness results are presented under usual hypotheses.
Regioselective Syntheses of 2,3‐Substituted Pyridines by Orthogonal Cross‐Coupling Strategies
Authors: Koley Moumita , Wimmer Laurin , Schnürch Michael , Mihovilovic Marko D.
Published: February 2011

2‐Aryl/alkylamino‐3‐aryl I and 3‐aryl/alkylamino‐2‐aryl pyridines II, as important potentially bioactive compounds, were synthesized by applying orthogonal cross‐coupling strategies. Combinations of the Suzuki–Miyaura, Liebeskind–Srogl, and Buchwald–Hartwig protocols gave access to the title compounds in a straightforward and operationally simple manner. Full control over the regioselectivity at the 2‐ and 3‐positions was achieved by using 2,3‐dichloropyridine or 3‐iodo‐2‐(methylthio)pyridine as simple, commercially available starting materials. Within this contribution, efficient and high yielding conditions were developed for the Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction of 2‐substituted 3‐chloropyridines, a transformation formerly underrepresented in the literature. For the synthesis of 3‐alkyl/arylamino‐2‐aryl pyridines, the stability of the methylthio group was exploited under Pd‐catalysis in the absence of a copper source. This even enabled the development of an operationally highly facile (semi)‐one‐pot protocol to access the aforementioned compound class that avoided one purification step. A series of products I and II was prepared by using the developed protocols with excellent regioselectivity and good yields.
Photochromism of Rotation‐Hindered Furylfulgides Influenced by Steric Modifications
Authors: Strübe Frank , Siewertsen Ron , Sönnichsen Frank D. , Renth Falk , Temps Friedrich , Mattay Jochen
Published: February 2011

The syntheses of a bicyclic furylfulgide 14 and a (benzofuryl)fulgide 15 with increased steric constraints are described. Their photochromic behaviors were analyzed by means of UV/Vis spectroscopic measurements, X‐ray crystallography, and NMR experiments, and the results were compared to those of the furyl(methyl)fulgide 12 and the furyl(isopropyl)fulgide 13. Compounds 13E and 14E exhibit large quantum yields of 0.57 and 0.53 for the coloration reaction (E) → (C) compared with 12E and 15E (0.23 and 0.17). After irradiation with 350 nm light, 13E and 14E are transformed into the closed (C) forms almost quantitatively, whereas 12E and 15E result in a photostationary state with mixtures of the (E), (Z), and (C) forms. The crystal structures obtained for 13E, 14E, and 15E show that the fulgides adopt cyclizable helical (P)‐Eα conformations with no significant differences in atomic distances in the hexatriene unit. 2D‐ and temperature‐dependent NMR experiments showed that the enantio‐ and diastereotopomerization processes were suppressed in a fulgide for the first time. Compound 14E populates only the Eα conformational state. In contrast, 13E and 15E both exist in the cyclizable Eα and the non‐cyclizable Eβ conformations in solution. Due to the annulated benzene ring, 15E exhibits a higher thermodynamic barrier than 13E, so the “belly roll” process was reduced for 15, but the (E) → (Z) isomerization could not be suppressed. The structural modification of 14 successfully suppressed the (E) → (Z) isomerization as well as the belly roll process. The way in which the isomerization reaction is suppressed by steric hindrance could not be fully elucidated by using these methods.
Concise Route to (–)‐ and (+)‐Aphanorphine
Authors: Medjahdi Mohamed , González‐Gómez José C. , Foubelo Francisco , Yus Miguel
Published: February 2011

This paper presents an application of two recently developed methodologies to the synthesis of naturally occurring (–)‐aphanorphine. The first method involves an indium‐mediated stereoselective α‐aminoallylation of aldehydes to prepare enantioenriched homoallylic amine derivatives. The second is the epoxidation and regioselective opening of the epoxide to afford 2‐substituted 3‐pyrrolidinols. The synthesis was completed by using a reported Friedel–Crafts alkylation and conventional functional‐group manipulation. According to the same route, the O‐methyl derivative of unnatural (+)‐aphanorphine was prepared from (S)‐2‐methylpropane‐2‐sulfinamide.
Prognostic communication preferences of migrant patients and their relatives
Authors: Mitchison D. , Butow P. , Sze M. , Aldridge L. , Hui R. , Vardy J. , Eisenbruch M. , Iedema R. , Goldstein D.
Published: February 2011

Objectives: Migrant patients comprise a significant proportion of Western oncologists' clientele. Although previous research has found that barriers exist in the communication between ethnically diverse patients and health professionals, little is known about their personal preferences for communication and information, or the concordance of views held between patients and family members.

Methods: Seventy‐three patients (31 Anglo‐Australians, and 20 Chinese, 11 Arabic and 11 Greek migrants) and 65 relatives (25 Anglo‐Australians, and 23 Chinese, 11 Arabic and 7 Greek migrants) were recruited through nine Sydney oncology clinics. Following prognostic consultations, participants were interviewed in their preferred language about their experiences and ideals regarding information and communication with oncologists. Interviews were audio‐taped, translated and transcribed, and then thematically analysed using N‐Vivo software.

Results: Consistency was found in patient preferences, regardless of ethnicity, in that almost all patients preferred prognostic information to be delivered in a caring and personalised manner from an authoritative oncologist. Contrary to previous research, migrant patients often expressed a desire for prognostic disclosure. Discordance was found between migrant patients and their families. These families displayed traditional non‐Western preferences of non‐disclosure of prognosis and wanted to actively influence consultations by meeting with oncologists separately beforehand and directing the oncologists on what and how information should be conveyed to patients.

Conclusions: Many of the communication issues facing patients in the metastatic cancer setting are shared amongst Anglo‐Australian and migrant patients alike. Understanding the dynamics within migrant families is also an important component in providing culturally sensitive communication. Future directions for research are provided. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.