bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of six chickpea varieties
for seed yield under autumn and spring sowing
Authors: ILIADIS C.
Published: July 2008

The possibility of increasing seed yield in chickpeas was studied by changing sowing time from spring to autumn in an experiment conducted in central Greece over 4 years. Six chickpea varieties, two susceptible to Ascochyta blight and Sclerotinia diseases and four resistant, were evaluated in two sowing seasons (autumn and spring).

Results showed that autumn sowing in comparison with spring influenced reproductive and growth periods of the varieties as follows: advanced initiation of flowering (April instead of May), increased flowering duration of the varieties from 7 to 13 days and advanced time for harvest, on average up to 4 days when an exceptionally rainy spring prevailed and up to 30 days when exceptionally dry. Due to the above changes induced by autumn sowing, varieties yielded on average from 23–188% (655–1015 kg/ha) more than if they were sown in spring. The largest per cent increase was observed during the year with the driest spring and the smallest during the year with the wettest spring. The two susceptible varieties ‘Thiva’ and ‘Gravia’ when infected by Ascochyta blight and Sclerotinia diseases in autumn sowing, had yields similar to the spring sowing. However, during the years without infection these two varieties yielded more in autumn sowing.
Determination of fertility conversion indices for genic male-sterile rice in China
Authors: LU X. G. , YAO K. M. , YUAN Q. H. , CAO B. , MOU T. M. , HUANG Z. H. , ZONG X. M.
Published: July 2008

The genic male-sterile rice (GMSR) sensitive to photoperiod during the panicle development period is a novel type of germplasm in rice, which is sterile under the long-day condition but fertile under the short-day condition. The fertility is also affected by temperature. A number of GMSR lines have been popularly used in commercial seed production of hybrid rice in China. Because the sterility is decided by environmental factors, a set of fertility conversion indices has been proposed to evaluate the usability and to determine the suitable regions for safe application of these male sterile lines. In the present experiment, 13 photoperiod-sensitive (PGMSR) lines that are dominant in China were sown by stages in the field at Hainan Island (18° 14′ N), Quiyang (26° 35′ N) and Wuhan (30° 38′ N) in China. The fertility and sterility were distinguished on the percentage of seed-setting on the bagged panicles (PBS). The fertility conversion indices were determined on the day-length and temperature regimes and on a fertility quantifying model, and comparison was made between the two methods. Results showed that it was feasible to determine the fertility conversion index of GMSR lines based on data of bagged seed-setting rates in experiments of sowing at different times in the field. Of the 13 sterile lines observed, two of the PGMSR were found to be completely sterile when the length of the day exceeded 12·3 h. Five temperature-sensitive (TGMSR) lines had fertility conversion indices of 24 °C. One of the photoperiod- and temperature-sensitive (PTGMSR) lines showed that steady fertility conversion occurred under the short day in spite of high or low temperature. These GMSR lines are adaptable to the conditions of day-length and temperature in the main rice-growing regions of China and thus of high value in application to seed production.
Effects of soil- and foliar-applied phosphorus fertilizers on the potato (Solanum tuberosum) crop
Authors: ALLISON M. F. , FOWLER J. H. , ALLEN E. J.
Published: July 2008

Twenty-two field experiments in England, done between 1986 and 2000, tested the effects of phosphorus (P) fertilizers on number of tubers and tuber yield in Solanum tuberosum. Applying P fertilizer resulted in statistically significant increases in tuber yield in six experiments and the optimal P application rate ranged from c. 90 to 180 kg P/ha. Statistically significant increases in yield in response to application of P fertilizers were found only in soils that contained < 26 mg Olsen-P/l (< Index 3) and appeared to be associated with increases in ground cover. Statistically significant increases in the number of tubers in response to application of P fertilizer were found only in soils that contained < 16 mg Olsen-P/l (< Index 2) and appeared to be associated with an increase in ground cover by the time of tuber initiation (c. 5–6 week after planting). Each tonne of tuber fresh-weight yield was, on average, associated with removal of 0·39 kg P but regression analysis showed that this value increased as soil Olsen-P increased. Re-analysis of published data showed that whilst the probability of a response to P fertilizer and the optimum P application rate may have been overestimated, some statistically significant responses to P fertilizer did occur when Olsen-P was > 26 mg/l. The absence of yield responses on P Index 3 soils found in the current experiments was attributed to increased use of irrigation that may have increased the availability of soil P. Re-interpretation of data from long-term experiments showed that the agronomic benefits of increasing soil P status by applying more P than is removed by harvested crop parts, are small. Since large P residues, estimated by Olsen-P or degree of soil P saturation, are associated with desorption of P and consequent loss to drainage water it is inadvisable to increase soil P above Index 3. For these reasons, no P fertilizer is recommended for Index 4 soils, an amount equivalent to replacement is recommended for Index 3 soils but up to 110–130 kg P/ha should be applied to Index 0 soils. Applications of foliar P had no effect on number of tubers or tuber yield and this practice cannot be recommended.
Factors affecting the magnesium nutrition of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)
Authors: ALLISON M. F. , FOWLER J. H. , ALLEN E. J.
Published: July 2008

Between 1995 and 1999, eight response experiments tested the effects of magnesium (Mg) fertilizers on the yield of potato crops grown in East Anglia, the Midlands, the West and Southwest of England. In addition, a further six experiments tested the effects of varying nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) supply on the tuber concentrations and uptake of Mg by potato crops. The experiments were done on soils that contained varying amounts of exchangeable Mg and K but were still typical of soils used for potato production.

In the eight response experiments, use of Mg fertilizer had no effect on total tuber fresh weight yield even though yields were often much larger than the national average yield. Increasing the N supply to the crop was often associated with an increase in the concentration of Mg in leaves and stems. This may have been due to N facilitating Mg uptake or a consequence of N delaying canopy senescence and, thus, delaying the translocation of Mg from haulm to tubers. Compared with the effects of N, varying the Mg and K supply to the crop had small and inconsistent effects on crop Mg uptake. Since the experiments also showed that Ca supply and soil K[ratio ]Mg ratio had no effect on crop yield and erratic effects on tissue Mg concentration, fertilizer recommendation systems based on ratios of nutrients in the soil cannot be endorsed. When these current experiments and older, published experiments are taken into account there is little justification for applying Mg fertilizer to soils with Mg Indices > 0 and on soils with Mg Index 0 an application of c. 50 kg Mg/ha would be sufficient.
Accumulation of abscisic acid in cotton fibre and seed of normal and abnormal bolls
Authors: GOKANI SONAL J. , THAKER VRINDA S.
Published: July 2008

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yield and quality is affected by altered fruiting patterns with progress in season. The present study was conducted to analyse normal and altered (abnormal) boll (fruit) development at maturation phase. Both normal and abnormal bolls of the same age groups were analysed for growth in terms of dry weight, water content and endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) content of fibre and seed. Endogenous level of ABA was estimated by using antibodies raised against ABA–protein conjugate. To amplify the reaction, indirect ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay) was performed. A marked decrease in dry matter accumulation (DMA) of seed and fibre was observed in abnormal bolls as the season progressed. Fibre from the abnormal bolls showed marked variation in endogenous ABA content, however, in abnormal seeds water content and endogenous abscisic acid content showed significant variation compared to that of normal bolls. From the results, it is concluded that a marked decrease in seed dry weight may be because of a decrease in water content and accumulation of higher endogenous abscisic acid content, whereas, the major reason for reduced fibre weight may be due to accumulation of endogenous abscisic acid.
A study of the use of the trimesium salt of glyphosate to desiccate and ret flax and linseed (Linum usitatissimum) and of its effects on the yield of straw, seed and fibre
Authors: EASSON D. L. , COOPER K.
Published: July 2008

A replicated field plot experiment was carried out in Northern Ireland in 1996 with flax, cv Ariane, and linseed, cv Flanders, each grown at seed rates of 500, 1000 and 1500 seeds/m2, in which a comparison was made between retting of the standing crop, following desiccation by the trimesium salt of glyphosate (Touchdown, Zeneca Ltd.), and water or dew retting of the pulled crop. Application at 4 litres/ha on 9 August, 33 days after the mid-point of flowering (MPF), achieved both desiccation and partial retting of the crop within 14 days. Over 16% clean long fibre was extracted by scutching the stand-retted flax straw, yielding 800 kg/ha fibre, while water retting achieved 20% extraction and 980 kg/ha yield and dew retting 8·5% and 420 kg/ha respectively. The dew retting was uneven, resulting in high losses during fibre extraction, while water retting for 7 days at 25 °C did not achieve complete retting resulting in a high content of woody fragments in the fibre. Fibre yields increased by almost 50% with the high v. low seed rate. Linseed was less well retted than flax and contained higher levels of impurity in the extracted long fibre which, after retting, yielded 120 to 310 kg/ha at extraction rates of 2·9% to 7·5%.

In a second experiment in 1998 flax cvs. Viola and Evelyn were treated with the timesium salt of glyphosate at rates of 2, 4 or 6 litres/ha 10, 20, 30 or 40 days after MPF on 5 July. Viola desiccated satisfactorily at all spray dates with 4 and 6 litres/ha glyphosate. The 20-day treatment desiccated more slowly than the 30-day and the 2 litres/ha rate did not achieve complete desiccation, but the trimesium salt of glyphosate achieved better desiccation at this timing than that found in earlier studies with the original form of glyphosate. Evelyn desiccated more slowly and less evenly than Viola particularly at the 20-day and 40-day timings. Spraying at MPF+10 days interrupted early development of the seed and fibre significantly reducing yields. Due to slower desiccation the 20-day timing was no better than the 30-day, which was well retted by harvest 44 days after spraying, and gave the highest yield of clean long fibre. The spraying 40 days after MPF was considered too late in the season to be of practical use. It was concluded that retting of standing flax following desiccation with the trimesium salt of glyphosate was more effective than with the earlier formulation and that retting of the standing crop could achieve equivalent or better retting with similar fibre yields to traditional retting methods. The optimum spray timing was found to be about 30 days after MPF with 4 or 6 litres/ha, the lower rate being adequate for glyphosate responsive varieties such as Viola.
Influence of season and environment on fertility of goats in a hot-arid environment
Authors: MELLADO M. , MEZA-HERRERA C. A.
Published: July 2008

Conception rate and prolificacy of dairy and crossbred goats under intensive conditions in an arid environment of northern Mexico (26° 06′ 15′′ N; maximum temperature throughout the year 12–42 °C, mean annual precipitation 186 mm, and RH <40% year-round) were examined with respect to season of mating, ambient temperature and rainfall at mating. The database contained 4194 natural services. Conception of goats inseminated with average maximum ambient temperatures >34 °C was significantly higher (P<0·01) than conception of goats inseminated when the average maximum temperature 3 days before breeding was <34 °C. The warmest season favoured conception rate (70% in spring; P<0·01) as compared to cooler seasons (62% and 64% for summer and autumn, respectively). Conception rate of goats bred when rain was present was 14 percentage points lower (P<0·01) compared to mating with no rain. When maximum temperatures on the day of mating were >34 °C, cooler temperatures 1 to 3 days before or after the day of mating were associated with a significant increase in the number of kids born. When the maximum temperature at mating was >36 °C, prolificacy for goats exposed to higher or lower temperatures 1 day before mating was 1·56 and 1·65, respectively (P<0·05). Similarly, when the maximum temperature at mating was 34–36 °C, prolificacy was higher for goats exposed to cooler temperatures as compared to warmer temperatures 1 day (1·64 v. 1·49; P<0·01) or 3 days (1·63 v. 1·48; P<0·01) after mating, with respect to the temperature on the day of mating. Conclusions were that conception rate was not compromised in non-lactating Alpine, Toggenburg, Granadino and Nubian goats subjected to high environmental temperature in an arid region, but the occurrence of rain at mating depressed breeding efficiency of these animals. Additionally, an increment in litter size is expected with cooler temperatures before or after hot days at time of mating.
Effect of fish on the yield and yield components of rice in integrated concurrent rice–fish systems
Authors: VROMANT N. , DUONG L. T. , OLLEVIER F.
Published: July 2008

Many authors report on the effect of rice–fish culture on rice yields. Some reports show increased rice yields, others show no effect or even decreased yields. To verify the impact of rice–fish culture, data gathered over eight experiments (1995–1999) at the Co Do experimental rice–fish station, Vietnam, were analysed through multiple regressions with rice yield and different yield components as the dependent variables. We used eight independent variables: season, water depth, rice variety, rice seeding rate, and the effective stocking density (ESD) of silver barb, Nile tilapia, common carp and snakeskin gourami. Season had the biggest impact on nearly all dependent variables. Rice yields in the wet season were on average 2·42 t/ha lower as compared to the dry season. Higher water levels decreased the number of panicles/m2 and the rice yield. The rice seeding rate affected the yield component variables, but had no impact on the rice yield. Silver barb feeding decreased the number of panicles/m2 but this was compensated by an increased number of grains/panicle. Snakeskin gourami had a positive effect on panicles/m2 and, together with common carp, on sink capacity, probably through improved nutrient cycling in presence of fish and improved nutrient uptake by the rice plant. Snakeskin gourami had a negative effect on the ripening ability, whereas Nile tilapia had a positive effect. Fish did not have any impact on the rice yield. Increased water level and reduced rice arable area, the main two requirements for rice–fish culture, result in lower rice yields from rice–fish systems as compared to monoculture systems.
Wet–cold preservation of West African yam (Dioscorea spp.) pollen
Authors: DANIEL I. O. , NG N. Q. , TAYO T. O. , TOGUN A. O.
Published: July 2008

Hermetic cold storage without previous drying (wet–cold storage) was experimented for the preservation of yam pollen grains. Pollens collected from white yam D. rotundata and a wild relative, D. praehensilis, were stored at −80, −20, 5, and 15 °C in sealed packs for 2 years. Pollen samples were drawn for in vitro germination tests after 100 and 700 days, and hand pollination was conducted after 365 and 730 days in storage. Pollen germination responses were not significantly different among the two species. Though pollen maintained germination capacity at all the storage temperature regimes, there was a significant loss in the viability of pollen stored at 5 and 15 °C after 100 days of storage. After 700 days in storage, pollens stored at 5 and 15 °C had lost germination capacity while there were no significant differences in the germination of fresh pollen and pollen frozen at −80 and −20 °C. Hand pollination with pollen of D. rotundata frozen at −80 °C for 365 days gave 69·5% fruit set and 50% fruit set after 730 days in storage. From these results, the wet–freeze procedure appears promising to execute the establishment of pollen gene banks for yam breeding and for conservation of haploid gene pool of yams in base collections. A pollen storage protocol based on the procedure is recommended.
Effect of nitrogen on intake and digestibility of a tropical grass grazed by Creole heifers
Authors: BOVAL M. , CRUZ P. , LEDET J. E. , COPPRY O. , ARCHIMEDE H.
Published: July 2008

So far, little has been done on the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on intake and digestibility in tropical grazing conditions. The effect of two nitrogen levels, 0 (NF) and 50 kg/ha (F) for three successive grazing cycles, on organic matter intake (OMi) and digestibility (OMd) for Creole heifers (208 kg live weight) was determined. Two groups of four tethered heifers, allowed 18 kg of dry matter daily, grazed individual NF or F circular areas at 28 re-growth days. The heifers were moved and watered daily. Sward characteristics (height, herbage mass, morphological and chemical composition and in situ tiller measurements), OMi, OMd and feeding behaviour (biting rate, bite size, intake rate, grazing and ruminating times) were evaluated simultaneously per circular area.

Under nitrogen fertilizer, the stems elongated rapidly (by 133%) as did the leaves, but to a lesser extent (by 40%). Consequently, canopy height, leaf and stem masses and crude protein content increased (respectively by 100%, 66%, 186% and 40%), while total bulk density decreased (by 10·5%). Throughout the successive grazing cycles, there was a particular effect on leaf number, both in the F and NF swards, whereas this parameter was not affected by the fertilizer level. Under fertilizer, OMi and OMd were both 9% greater than for the NF sward. The increase in herbage CP content partly explains the rise in OMi, and there is evidence that rumen load has a determining effect on OMi. Leaf mass is the major factor accounting for the 9% increase in OMd under fertilizer regime. On the other hand, whatever the fertilizer regime, OMd was positively influenced by the greater leaf number throughout the grazing cycles. Biting rate, bite size and intake rate were determined respectively by sward height, CP content and stem fraction, whereas grazing and ruminating times were partially influenced by sward characteristics.
Temperature responses of leaf emergence and leaf growth in barley
Authors: TAMAKI M. , KONDO S. , ITANI T. , GOTO Y.
Published: July 2008

Experiments were conducted in controlled environmental chambers to study the effects of temperature on leaf emergence and leaf growth of main stem in winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) plants. Plants of the cultivar, Kikai Hadaka, were grown at constant temperatures between 12·5 to 27·5 °C. The leaf number on the main stems was counted (in Haun units) every day from the emergence of the third leaf until the emergence of the seventh leaf. The area was measured from the second to the sixth leaves on the main stems. The emergence of new leaves was a linear function of time at all temperature regimes. The leaf emergence rate increased with increasing temperature until an optimum temperature of 22·5 °C was reached and then decreased with further increasing temperature, but not significantly, compared with the peak. The leaf emergence rate per degree-day (DD) was slower with increasing temperature. The leaf growth rate increased with increasing temperature until an optimum temperature of 20·0 °C was reached and then declined with further increases in temperature. The leaf growth rate per DD had its maximum at 17·5 °C. The leaf emergence and leaf growth under different temperatures but at the same DD were different. The responses to temperatures for emergence and growth of barley leaves were different. These results suggest that a fully developed concept of the relationship of temperature to plant development and growth is an important aspect of increasing the accuracy of dynamic crop simulation models.
Heterosis, combining ability and genetics for vitamin C, total soluble solids and yield in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) at 1700 m altitude
Authors: BHATT R. P. , BISWAS V. R. , KUMAR N.
Published: July 2008

A study was conducted on a 15×15 diallel set of tomato excluding reciprocals to find out the extent of heterosis, combining ability and nature of gene action for yield with two important quality traits: ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and total soluble solids (TSS). Significant differences among genotypes were obtained for all three traits. Positive high significant heterosis was found for yield (41·97, 157·84 and 28·94%), for ascorbic acid (16·68, 54·57 and 161·33%) and for TSS (25·97, 11·93 and 19·02) over the top, the better parent and the commercial control respectively. The magnitude of variance due to general as well as specific combining ability were highly significant indicating the importance of both additive and non-additive gene action. However degree of dominance (o−2 g/o−2 s) revealed the prevalence of a non-additive gene effect. Cross combinations Arka Vikas×Sel-12 (13·19), KS-10×Pant T-3 (1·66) and EC 818703×EC 13042 (0·88) were best specific combiners for ascorbic acid, total soluble solids and yield/plant. Predominance of non-additive gene action plays a greater role in the inheritance of ascorbic acid and total soluble solids in tomato under hill conditions.
Comparative effectiveness of phosphate-enriched compost and single superphosphate on yield, uptake of nutrients and soil quality under soybean–wheat rotation
Authors: MANNA M. C. , GHOSH P. K. , GHOSH B. N. , SINGH K. N.
Published: July 2008

Low organic matter concentration coupled with low native soil phosphorus (P) concentrations is a major constraint limiting the productivity of a soybean–wheat system on Vertisols in the Indian semi-arid tropics. In a 3-year field study (1996–99), the performance of four different composts obtained from legume straw (Glycine max Merr.L), cereal straw (Triticum aestivum), oilseed straw (Brassica juncea L.) and city rubbish were compared, and also with chemical fertilizers in terms of degree of maturity, quality of compost, improvement in soil organic matter, biological activities of soil and yields of soybean and wheat. Phospho-sulpho-nitrocomposts (phosphocomposts) were prepared containing approximately 2·5 to 4·2% P and 1·4 to 2·3% N, in an aerobic decomposition process for 4 months by adding an aqueous slurry of 1:1 (dry weight) cow dung, 2·2% P in the form of low grade Mussorie phosphate rock (7·5% P), 10% pyrite (S, 22·2%) and 0·5% urea N, and bioinoculums such as the cellulose decomposers Paecilomyces fusisporus and Aspergillus awamori, and P-solubilizing organisms i.e. Bacillus polymyxa and Pseudomonas striata. The maturity indexes were strongly associated with the source of materials, chemical composition and degree of decomposition. The matured composts had lower C/N ratios (8·2 to 21·7) and water soluble carbohydrates (0·23 to 0·43%) and larger ratios of cation exchange capacity/total organic carbon (CEC/TOC) and lignin/cellulose than the initial. The matured compost increased total P, water soluble P, citrate soluble P, total N and NO3-N and the application of phosphocompost at the rate of 10 t/ha gave plant growth dry matter accumulation, seed yield and P uptake by soybean equivalent to single superphosphate at 26·2 kg P/ha. The continuous turnover of enriched phosphocompost increased soil microbial biomass C and the activity of enzymes compared to application of chemical fertilizer.
Is there a better chela to use for geometric morphometric differentiation in brachyuran crabs? A case study usingPachygrapsus marmoratusandCarcinus maenas
Authors: Silva Inês C. , Paula José
Published: July 2008

Landmark-based geometric morphometric methods were used to test which chela is most suitable to use in population differentiation of brachyuran crabs. Two species were analysed:Pachygrapsus marmoratus, a homochelous species, andCarcinus maenas, a heterochelous species. Variance analysis of shape variables and of each chela was calculated to determine which claw presents less variation within populations. The results showed that the right chela ofP. marmoratusis more appropriate to use when the goal is to differentiate populations. InC. maenas, the males major chela and females right chela are more suitable to use, probably due to its heterochely. To test these results, specimens from different geographical locations were compared.Pachygrapsus marmoratuspopulations presented significant differences in manus shape, andC. maenaspopulations had differences in polex size and shape. Differences in carapace shape were also encountered between populations of both species. This phenotypic variation was not corroborated with genetic data, which were obtained using the mitochondrial DNA gene cytochrome oxidase I as a marker. These opposite results suggest that environmental factors, such as diet and parasitism, can be determining shape differentiation.
New data on the reproductive biology of the common guitarfish of the Gulf of Gabès (southern Tunisia, central Mediterranean)
Authors: Enajjar Samira , Bradai Mohamed Nejmeddine , Bouain Abderrahmen
Published: July 2008

The common guitarfish Rhinobatos rhinobatos is abundanly captured along the coast of the Gulf of Gabès (southern Tunisia). The sizes at the first sexual maturity of females and males are 790 and 700 mm total length (TL) respectively. Females are larger than males; the maximum TL for males and females is 1000 and 1200 mm respectively. The smallest gravid female observed is 750 mm TL. Rhinobatos rhinobatos is an aplacental viviparous species. The two ovaries and the two uteri are functional. Mature oocytes and foetuses are symmetrically distributed respectively in ovaries and uteri. Vitellogenesis and gestation occur simultaneously. Gestation lasts 10 to 12 months; parturition occurs from the end of summer to the beginning of autumn. Mating and ovulation take place after parturition. Ovarian fecundity is higher than uterine fecundity; means of 8.95 and 5.34 young per year are respectively calculated. There is a positive relationship between the two categories of fecundity and size of females. The size at birth ranges from 250 to 290 mm TL. The common guitarfish is purely a lecithotrophic species. The chemical balance of development is estimated at 1.02.
Preliminary investigation on the phytoplankton contribution to the mussel diet on the basis of fatty acids analysis
Authors: Biandolino F. , Prato E. , Caroppo C.
Published: July 2008

The composition of fatty acids was studied in the mussels collected in the Mar Grande of Taranto (northern Ionian Sea) during the four seasons. Micro-, nano- and picophytoplankton abundance, biomass and composition have been also evaluated. Fatty acids compositions were investigated for lipid biomarkers to establish the contribution of phytoplankton to the mussel diet. Saturated (SAFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were the most abundant components, followed by polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The seasonal variations in the SAFAs, MUFAs and PUFAs were not significantly different during the whole study period (ANOVA,P < 0.05). The most abundant identified FAs were 16:0 (27.51–33.80% of total FAs), 14:1 (3.35–9.91% of total FAs), 18:1n9 (2.92–8.87%), 16:1 n7 (4.53– 7.61%) and 24:1n9 (0.43–8.84%). The most important PUFAs were 22:2 (2.35–3.48% of total FAs) and also 18:2n-6 (1.66–2.61%). PUFAs were characterized by low percentages of n3 and n6 FAs. Analysis of specific FA markers for diatoms (16:1n7, 20:5n3), phytoflagellates and dinoflagellates (16:0, 18:4n3) showed a negligible contribution of phytoplankton to the mussel diet.
Population dynamics, allometric relationships and reproductive status of Microcosmus sabatieri (Tunicata: Ascidiacea) in the Aegean Sea
Authors: Vafidis Dimitris , Antoniadou Chryssanthi , Chintiroglou Chariton
Published: July 2008

The Mediterranean ascidian Microcosmus sabatieri is among the conspicuous benthic invertebrates, forming dense populations on moderately inclined cliffs. It is an edible species, commercially harvested at the southern part of the Aegean Sea. Considering that the biology of this species has not been adequately studied, a three-year survey was carried out focusing on population structure, allometric relationships and reproductive status of M. sabatieri stocks in Astypalea Island (Dodecanese, south Aegean). Population density showed insignificant temporal variation and lower values at the steeper station, while the pattern of dispersion was random. All measured biometric characters showed high plasticity, especially those related to siphons. All the examined morphometric relationships follow negative allometry. Ascidian length was a good predictor of biomass, and a strong relation was observed between mantle and tunic characters. Gonad somatic index showed a single spawning season per year, in winter. Length–frequency distribution analysis revealed the presence of one mode of medium sized individuals, implying that M. sabatieri stocks are under moderate fishing pressure in the study area.
Using community-based monitoring with GIS to create habitat maps for a marine protected area in Australia
Authors: Monk Jacquomo , Ierodiaconou Daniel , Bellgrove Alecia , Laurenson Laurie
Published: July 2008

In recent years there has been an increase in community-based monitoring programmes developed and implemented worldwide. This paper describes how the data collected from such a programme could be integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS) to create temperate subtidal marine habitat maps. A differential Global Positioning System was utilized to accurately record the location of the trained community-based SCUBA diver data. These georeferenced data sets were then used to classify benthic habitats using an aerial photograph and digitizing techniques. This study demonstrated that trained community-based volunteers can collect data that can be utilized within a GIS to create reliable and cost-effective maps of shallow temperate subtidal rocky reef systems.
Encrusting bryozoan colonies on stones and algae: variability of zooidal size and its possible causes
Authors: Yagunova Ekaterina B. , Ostrovsky Andrew N.
Published: July 2008

This study compared the sizes of zooids in colonies of the cheilostome bryozoanCribrilina annulatacollected from two differing substrata (stones and algae) in three regions of the White and Barents Seas. Zooids of the colonies growing on stones were larger than those in the colonies growing on the thalli of the red algaOdontalia dentata. Size differences of the zooids in the colonies growing on the same substratum in different regions were minor. Three possible explanations for these dimensional differences of zooids are discussed: (1) larvae of different sizes settle on different substrata; (2) ancestrulae of different sizes survive on different substrata; and (3) substrata influence the ancestrulae's size.
Aerobic and anaerobic enzymatic activities ofCalyptogena gallardoi(Vesicomyidae): a clam associated with methane cold seeps off Chile
Authors: González R.R. , Quiñones R.A. , Quiroga E. , Sellanes J.
Published: July 2008

Calyptogena gallardoiis a recently described species of vesicomyid clam associated to the extensive gas-hydrate field reported for the Chilean margin along 35°S to 45°S. Enzymatic analysis in foot, gill and abductor muscle tissues ofC. gallardoicollected in central-south Chile (~36°21′S 73°44′W), show high activities for malate dehydrogenase (MDH), strombine dehydrogenase (STRDH) and alanopine dehydrogenase (ALPDH) and a low activity of citrate synthase (CS) and ETS (electron transport system). Positive significant correlations (log–log scale) were found between enzymatic activities involved in anaerobic metabolism (MDH versus LDH and ALPDH versus STRDH), as well as between CS and opines dehydrogenases. The ratio MDH/LDH or any other opine dehydrogenase assayed was >> 1 in all tissues analysed. These results indicate thatC. gallardoiis highly adapted to the harsh anaerobic conditions of marine chemosynthesis-based communities inhabiting a reduced environment.
A new species of Malacoceros (Polychaeta: Spionidae) from Kick'em Jenny, a hydrothermally active submarine volcano in the Lesser Antilles Arc
Authors: Graff Jason R. , Blake James A. , Wishner Karen F.
Published: July 2008

A new spionid polychaete, Malacoceros jennicus, is described from the crater of a hydrothermally active submarine volcano near Grenada in the Caribbean, Lesser Antilles Arc region. The new species is characterized by having prominent lateral frontal horns on the prostomium, paired eye spots, neurosetae that include simple capillaries, inferior sabre setae, numerous bidentate hooded hooks, and a pygidium bearing four digitiform anal cirri surrounding the anus. Worms were collected in regions of diffuse venting with a suction sampler deployed on an ROV. Specimens representing a range of sizes including sexually mature and reproductive individuals containing eggs and sperm were found. Stable isotope analysis of 13C and 15N indicate mixed feeding on photosynthetic and hydrothermal vent source material.
Leptogorgia ignita, a new shallow-water coral species (Octocorallia: Gorgoniidae) from the tropical eastern Pacific
Authors: Breedy Odalisca , Guzman Hector M.
Published: July 2008

Leptogorgia ignitais a new gorgonian species characterized by its conspicuous bright orange colour, irregular branching pattern and combination of sclerite types in the coenenchyme, all of the same orange colour, with abundance of capstans and blunt spindles, and less abundant acute spindles. The species was found in a shallow water coral community, 4–12 m deep in Samara Bay, Pacific Costa Rica. Morphologically,L. ignitabelongs to theL. rigida-group comprising eight species for the group; 13Leptogorgiaspecies are known for Costa Rica, and 23 for the entire eastern Pacific. The new species is described, illustrated and compared to the other valid taxa of the group.
Mirror for princes or vizor for viziers: The twelfth-century Arabic popular encyclopedia Mufīd al-‘ulūm and its relationship with the anonymous Persian Bahr al-fawā'id
Authors: VAN GELDER GEERT JAN
Published: July 2008

There are close links between the anonymous Persian twelfth-century Bahr al-fawā'id, translated by Julie Scott Meisami as The sea of precious virtues: a medieval mirror for princes (Salt Lake City, 1991) and an Arabic work entitled Mufīd al-‘ulūm wa-mubīd al-humūm, variously attributed but probably by a certain Jamāl al-Din Abū ‘Abd Allāh Muhammad Ihn Ahmad al-Qazwīnī who wrote it in 551/1156, only a few years before the Persian work was completed (at some time between 1159 and 1162, according to Meisami). The article provides a summary of the contents of Mufīd al-‘ulūm, which has been printed several times but which has never been studied in any detail, and discusses the parallels with and differences from Bahr al-fawā'id.
The ewer of Ibn Jaldak (623/1226) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art: the inquiry into the origin of the Mawsilī School of metalwork revisited
Authors: AL-HARITHY HOWAYDA
Published: July 2008

Among his many studies of Mawsilī metal work, D.S. Rice focuses on a group of five objects produced by a single workshop, that of Ahmad al-Dhakī al-Mawsilī, between 620/1223 and 640/1242. Among them the Cleveland ewer (620/1223) and the Louvre basin made for the Ayyūbid Sultān al-‘Ādil II (636–8/1238–40). One object, only briefly described by Rice and not studied in detail, for Rice did not have access to it at that time, is the ewer of Ibn Jaldak, the subject of this article. The aim of this paper is to revisit the question of origin of the Mawsilī School of metalwork through the close examination of this single object—the Maxsilī ewer now in the Metropolitan Museum (no. 91.1.586) made by Ibn Jaldak in 623/1226. The ewer represents a turning point in the development of Mawsilī metalwork and a key piece to the puzzle. By tracing its origin the article attempts to shed light on the larger question of the origin of the Mawsilī School and its metalworkers.
Official monks and reclusive monks: focusing on the salvation of women
Authors: KENJI MATSUO
Published: July 2008

This paper, which deals with Kamakura New Buddhism, falls into two parts. The first concerns my own model for understanding Kamakura New Buddhism, based upon a critical distinction between two types of Buddhist monk, kansō [symbol ommitted] and tonseisō [symbol ommitted] In the second part, I apply this model to the salvation of women, comparing the different attitudes to the issue taken by the kansō and tonseisō. I introduce my own model in the hope that it will provide a better understanding of Kamakura New Buddhism. Before explaining my own model, however, I offer a survey of research on this topic in particular, the well-known Exoteric-Esoteric model of Kuroda Toshio.
Transitivity alternation and neutral-verbs in Korean
Authors: YEON JAEHOON
Published: July 2008

Although the way in which the transitivity alternation is realized differs from language to language, it is common cross-linguistically that a pair of morphologically related verbs participate in the alternation. Korean, an agglutinative language, employs derivational suffixes to indicate alternations in transitivity. On the other hand, there are some verbs used either transitively or intransitively with no addition of suffixes or any alternation of the root verbs, but with the object of the transitive verb the same as the subject of the intransitive. We have named this kind of verb the ‘neutral-verb’ and established some morphosyntactic and semantic criteria for neutral-verbs to distinguish the various pseudo-neutral-verb constructions from true neutral-verb constructions. We have observed the semantic differences between the analytic passives and the intransitive form of neutral-verbs on the one hand, and between the analytic causatives and the transitive form of neutral-verbs on the other.
Some Sri Lankan medical manuscripts of importance for the history of Sout Asian traditional medicine
Authors: LIYANARATNE JINADASA
Published: July 2008

This paper is a philological study of twelve Sri Lankan medical manuscripts preserved in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, and the Cambridge University Library. It shows the impact of Buddhism on the development of traditional medicine in South Asia and the important role played by South Indian Vaidyas in the propagation of medical knowledge in Sri Lanka. Those Vaidyas appear to have been well versed in Siddha medicine and proficient in both Sinhala and Tamil languages. Only the historical and cultural aspects revealed in these documents are dealt with here. The therapeutic aspect is no less important in view of the large number of medicinal prescriptions, some of which are said to be of proven efficacy. The material presented may be of interest to students of the history of medicine and medical anthropology.
Adoption, acknowledgement of paternity and false genealogical claims
in Arabian and Islamic societies
Authors: LANDAU-TASSERON ELLA
Published: July 2008

The common view of adoption in pre-Islamic times is that it was widespread,
that adoptees were the legal equals of biological sons, and that the institution
was abolished with the advent of Islam. In the first part of this study I
question the first two of these views. In the second part I argue that adoption,
acknowledgement of paternity and false genealogical claims are three distinct
practices, although scholars often confuse one with another. I explain the
differences between them, and identify the sources of the confusion.
Finally, I briefly mention Islamic alternatives to adoption.
The balsam of Matariyya: an exploration of a medieval panacea
Authors: MILWRIGHT MARCUS
Published: July 2008

The products derived from the balsam tree (probably a cultivar of
Commiphora opobalsamum [L.] Engl.) were employed extensively
in medicine during the medieval period. This article presents a preliminary
survey of the Arabic and European texts which discuss the varied medical uses
of balsam. The analysis of the medical applications of balsam is organized
into broad categories according to groups of illnesses and treatments. Although
other sources of medicinal oleo-resin were available in the medieval period,
the balsam gathered from the trees in the walled plantation at Matariyya in
Egypt enjoyed a pre-eminent status. It is argued that the great regard shown
to balsam in medieval medicine must be seen in the wider context of the history
and legends associated with Matariyya and the earlier plantations in Palestine.
A new copper-plate grant of Harsavardhana from the Punjab, year 8
Authors: AGRAWAL ASHVINI
Published: July 2008

In this paper a newly discovered copper-plate grant, dated year 8 of the
Harsa era (A.D. 614–15), along with the seal, of
mahārājādhirāja
Harsavardhana of the Pusyabhūti dynasty, has been deciphered,
edited and studied for the first time. Discovered in a village in the Nabha
district, Punjab, the inscription is the earliest of the three
known epigraphs of this ruler and the only one from Punjab. The other two—the
Banskhera copper-plate (year 22) and the Madhuban copper-plate (year 25) are
from Uttar Pradesh. This is the only one of Harsa's inscriptions that
has been discovered along with the seal that was attached to it. The grant
refers to the donation of a village named Pannarāngaka in the Darikkāni
visaya of the Jayarata bhukti to a Brahmin named Ulūkhasvāmin
of Bhārgava gotra for the increase of merit and fame of Harsa's
parents and elder brother Rājyavardhana.
On the reconstruction of the Shenxian zhuan
Authors: BARRETT T. H.
Published: July 2008

The Shenxian zhuan is a biographical (or hagiographical) collection of great importance to our understanding of the formation of the Taoist religion in the early centuries of the Common Era.
The self-organizing consciousness
Authors: Perruchet Pierre , Vinter Annie
Published: July 2008

We propose that the isomorphism generally observed between the representations composing our momentary phenomenal experience and the structure of the world is the end-product of a progressive organization that emerges thanks to elementary associative processes that take our conscious representations themselves as the stuff on which they operate, a thesis that we summarize in the concept of Self-Organizing Consciousness (SOC).
Artifacts and cognition: Evolution or cultural progress?
Authors: Bridgeman Bruce
Published: July 2008

Lack of symmetry of stone tools does not require that hominids making asymmetric tools are incapable of doing better. By analogy, differences between stone tools of early humans and modern technology arose without genetic change. A conservative assumption is that symmetry of stone artifacts may have arisen simply because symmetrical tools work better when used for striking and chopping rather than scraping.
Rediscovery and the cognitive aspects of toolmaking: Lessons from the handaxe
Authors: Calvin William H.
Published: July 2008

Long before signs of staged toolmaking appeared, Homo erectus made symmetrical tools. The handaxe is a flattened tear-drop shape, but often with edges sharpened all around. Before we assign their obsession with symmetry to an aesthetic judgment, we must consider whether it is possible that the symmetry is simply very pragmatic for one particular use in the many suggested.
Mentalism, information, and consciousness
Authors: Carlson Richard A.
Published: July 2008

The target article addresses important empirical issues, but adopts a nonanalytic stance toward consciousness and presents the mentalistic view as a very radical position that rules out informational description of anything other than conscious mental states. A better mentalistic strategy is to show how the structure of some informational states is both constitutive of consciousness and necessary for psychological functions.
Is symmetry of stone tools merely an epiphenomenon of similarity?
Authors: Derēgowski J. B.
Published: July 2008

It is proposed that symmetry of stone tools may derive from perceptual similarity rather than from cognitively more complex awareness of symmetry. Although encodement of shapes necessarily involves symmetry (as evidenced by the confusability of enantiomorphs), it does not imply awareness of symmetry. Responses of relatively simple organisms, such as bees, support the notion that the processes involved are likely to be perceptual.
What sort of representation is conscious?
Authors: Dienes Zoltan , Perner Josef
Published: July 2008

We consider Perruchet & Vinter's (P&V's) central claim that all mental representations are conscious. P&V require some way of fixing their meaning of representation to avoid the claim becoming either obviously false or unfalsifiable. We use the framework of Dienes and Perner (1999) to provide a well-specified possible version of the claim, in which all representations of a minimal degree of explicitness are postulated to be conscious.
The limited roles of unconscious computation and representation in self-organizational theories of mind
Authors: Ellis Ralph D.
Published: July 2008

In addressing the shortcomings of computationalism, we should not throw the baby out with the bathwater. That consciousness is not merely an epiphenomenon with optional access to unconscious computations does not imply that unconscious computations, in the limited domain where they do occur (e.g., occipital transformations of visual data), cannot be reformulated in a way consistent with a self-organizational view
Deriving intentionality from artifacts
Authors: Jordan J. Scott
Published: July 2008

Cognitive psychologists tend to treat intentionality as a control variable during experiments, yet ignore it when generating mechanistic descriptions of performance. Wynn's work brings this conflict into striking relief and, when considered in relation to recent neurophysiological findings, makes it clear that intentionality can be regarded mechanistically if one defines it as the planning of distal effects.
Was early man caught knapping during the cognitive (r)evolution?
Authors: Masters Rich , Maxwell Jon
Published: July 2008

Wynn describes a revolution in cognitive abilities some 500,000 years ago, which added new sophistication to the curiosity of early man – the ability to form hypotheses. This derivative of archaic curiosity is a fundamental feature of learning, and it is our contention that the naive hypothesis testing behavior of early man will have left a distinctive trail in the archaeological record.
Consciousness and unconsciousness of logical reasoning errors in the human brain
Authors: Houdé Olivier
Published: July 2008

I challenge here the concept of SOC in regard to the question of the consciousness or unconsciousness of logical errors. My commentary offers support for the demonstration of how neuroimaging techniques might be used in the psychology of reasoning to test hypotheses about a potential hierarchy of levels of consciousness (and thus of partial unconsciousness) implemented in different brain networks.
Coincidental factors of handaxe morphology
Authors: Nowell April
Published: July 2008

Handaxe morphology is thought to be the first example of the imposition of arbitrary form. Handaxes may thus inform researchers about shared mental templates and evolving cognitive abilities. However, many factors, not related to changes in cognition (e.g., material type, function, resharpening processes), influence handaxe shape over time and space. Archaeologists must control for these factors before making inferences concerning cognition.