bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differential survival and growth of wild and cultivated seedlings of columnar cacti: Consequences of domestication
Authors: Guillén Susana , Casas Alejandro , Terrazas Teresa , Vega Ernesto , Martínez‐Palacios Alejandro
Published: December 2013

• Premise of the study: Studies of domestication of cacti in the Tehuacán Valley have identified morphophysiological divergences between wild and cultivated populations. To determine whether such divergences are associated with differential survivorship in xeric and mesic environments characterizing wild and cultivated habitats, respectively, we hypothesized that seedlings from cultivated populations are less tolerant of xeric environments and that differences between wild and cultivated populations are greater in species with higher management intensity.

• Methods: We compared size, survivorship, and absolute and relative growth rates (AGRs, RGRs) in shade and humidity gradients of seedlings from wild and cultivated populations of Stenocereus pruinosus, S. stellatus, Polaskia chichipe, and Escontria chiotilla. These species represent a range of management intensity, from highest to lowest, respectively.

• Key results: Seedlings of cultivated populations were larger than those of wild populations in all species studied. The AGRs were significantly different in P. chichipe and E. chiotilla associated with management, whereas the RGRs and seedling survival were significantly different in S. pruinosus and P. chichipe throughout the shade gradient tested. We also found significant differences in seedling survival among humidity treatments in E. chiotilla and among shade treatments in P. chichipe.

• Conclusions: Artificial selection favoring larger fruits favors larger seeds and seedlings. Seedling survivorship and growth of managed plants are generally higher in mesic environments apparently because of natural selection associated with habitat conditions. Such differences may contribute to morphophysiological divergences between wild and cultivated populations. Interspecific differences might be associated with adaptations to the natural environments where each species occurs.
Synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes from unprocessed colemanite
Authors: Kalay Saban , Yilmaz Zehra , Çulha Mustafa
Published: December 2013

Colemanite (Ca2B6O11·5H2O) is a natural and new precursor material for the synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). BNNTs have been synthesized from unprocessed colemanite for the first time. The reaction parameters such as time, catalyst type, catalyst amount and temperature were optimized. It was found that the BNNT formation follows the base growth mechanism, which was initiated with a complex of boron nitride (BN) and iron atoms. The obtained BNNTs were characterized by using SEM, TEM, and spectroscopic techniques such as UV–vis, Raman, FTIR and XRD. The BNNTs were randomly oriented and multi-walled with an outer diameter of 10–30 nm and a wall thickness of 5 nm. This novel BNNT synthesis method can be used to obtain high yield, low cost and pure BNNTs.
3-Pyridinols and 5-pyrimidinols: Tailor-made for use in synergistic radical-trapping co-antioxidant systems
Authors: Valgimigli Luca , Bartolomei Daniele , Amorati Riccardo , Haidasz Evan , Hanthorn Jason J , Nara Susheel J , Brinkhorst Johan , Pratt Derek A
Published: December 2013

The incorporation of nitrogen atoms into the aromatic ring of phenolic compounds has enabled the development of some of the most potent radical-trapping antioxidants ever reported. These compounds, 3-pyridinols and 5-pyrimidinols, have stronger O–H bonds than equivalently substituted phenols, but possess similar reactivities toward autoxidation chain-carrying peroxyl radicals. These attributes suggest that 3-pyridinols and 5-pyrimidinols will be particularly effectiveco-antioxidants when used in combination with more common, but less reactive, phenolic antioxidants such as 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT), which we demonstrate herein. The antioxidants function in a synergistic manner to inhibit autoxidation; taking advantage of the higher reactivity of the 3-pyridinols/5-pyrimidinols to trap peroxyl radicals and using the less reactive phenols to regenerate them from their corresponding aryloxyl radicals. The present investigations were carried out in chlorobenzene and acetonitrile in order to provide some insight into the medium dependence of the synergism and the results, considered with some from our earlier work, prompt a revision of the H-bonding basicity value of acetonitrile to β2H of 0.39. Overall, the thermodynamic and kinetic data presented here enable the design of co-antioxidant systems comprising lower loadings of the more expensive 3-pyridinol/5-pyrimidinol antioxidants and higher loadings of the less expensive phenolic antioxidants, but which are equally efficacious as the 3-pyridinol/5-pyrimidinol antioxidants alone at higher loadings.
La panoplia en los vasos del Tossal de Sant Miquel (Llíria). Ensayo de interpretación iconográfica
Authors: Pérez Ferrandis Susana Rosa
Published: December 2013

El conjunto de más de 225 vasos con decoración figurada encontrados en El Tossal de Sant Miquel (TSM) de Lliria, con una cronología que se encuadra en la segunda etapa del Ibérico Pleno, entre los siglos III a.C. a principios del II a.C, y publicados por vez primera en el Corpus Vasorum Hispanorum, ofrece una iconografía rica en elementos armamentísticos. A través de su análisis se pretende determinar si existe una panoplia edetana y si ésta varía según los llamados «Estilos I y II». (Ballester, 1935, 1954; Bonet, 1995; Aranegui et alii, 1997b; Pérez Ballester, Mata, 1998; Izquierdo, Pérez Ballester, 2005).
Introduzione ai Ragni italiani (Arachnida Araneae)
Authors: Trotta Alessio
Published: December 2013

Il lavoro comprende una parte introduttiva generale, che tratta della morfologia esterna, della biologia e dell’ecologia dei ragni, a cui seguono cenni sulla raccolta, la conservazione, lo studio degli stessi e un glossario dei termini scientifici (italiani e inglesi) impiegati. La seconda parte è costituita dalle chiavi dicotomiche - in versione italiana e inglese - relative alle 49 famiglie e a 249 generi di ragni italiani (i 126 generi di Linyphiidae sono esclusi dalla chiave). Seguono una lista dei 375 generi e delle 1534 specie di ragni sinora noti per l’Italia - aggiornata al 30 dicembre 2004 - l’indice analitico e 352 titoli bibliografici utilizzati, per la massima parte, per la compilazione delle chiavi. La riproduzione di 505 figure costituisce il complemento iconografico indispensabile per la utilizzazione delle chiavi dicotomiche proposte.
Comments on some systematic and nomenclatural questions in Aphodiinae with descriptions of new genera and on Italian taxa (Coleoptera Aphodiidae)
Authors: Dellacasa Marco , Dellacasa Giovanni
Published: December 2013

Systematic, nomenclatural and distributional problems of Aphodiinae, primarily in the Italian fauna, are considered. Four new genera are described: Nobiellus n. gen., Bodiloides n. gen., Planolinellus n. gen., Planolinoides n. gen. and three genera, Parabodilus Hollande & Thérond, 1999, Rhodaphodius Ádám, 1994 and Bodilopsis Ádám 1994, are restored as valid genera. Relative systematic positions are discussed, and new combinations for pertinent species are proposed. Several colour variations are described. Aphodius (Liothorax) wilsonae Maté & Angus, 2005 is considered n. syn. of Liothorax niger (Illiger, 1798).
Coleotteri Idroadefagi del Parco Nazionale d’Odzala (Repubblica del Congo) (Coleoptera Haliplidae, Dytiscidae, Noteridae)
Authors: Bilardo Armando , Rocchi Saverio
Published: December 2013

Questo lavoro è dedicato ai Coleotteri Idroadefagi raccolti in otto località del Parco Nazionale d’Odzala (Repubblica del Congo); complessivamente sono elencate 73 specie (1 Haliplidae, 65 Dytiscidae e 7 Noteridae). Gli autori descrivono due nuove specie: Copelatus poungai n. sp. (gruppo erichsonii, sottogruppo atrosulcatus), vicina a C. andreinii Régimbart, 1905, C. compertus Guignot, 1956 e C. occultus Bilardo & Rocchi, 1995 distinguibile per la forma del pene; Copelatus mbokoensis n. sp. (gruppo erichsonii, sottogruppo vigintistriatus), vicina a C. ambiguus Bertrand & Legros, 1975 ed a C. singularis Bilardo & Rocchi, 1995 distinguibile per la forma del pene. Venti specie di Ditiscidi sono segnalate per la prima volta per il territorio congolese (Repubblica del Congo e Repubblica Democratica del Congo). Sono infine fornite osservazioni su alcune delle specie raccolte.
Primeros datos sobre la fauna de Coleópteros acuáticos de los humedales del acuífero de Los Arenales (Meseta Norte, España) (Coleoptera Adephaga y Polyphaga)
Authors: Valladares Luis Felipe , Miguélez David
Published: December 2013

Se presentan los primeros datos de la fauna de Coléopteros acuáticos de las charcas del acuífero de los Arenales, una zona de meseta situada al sur del río Duero, en el Centro de España. Se han identificado 39 especies repartidas entre las familias Haliplidae (1), Dytiscidae (16), Helophoridae (6), Hydrophilidae (8), Hydraenidae (5), Dryopidae (1), Elmidae (1) y Heteroceridae (1), la mayoría de las cuales son nuevas citas para las provincias de Valladolid (27 de 34) y Segovia (8 de 11). Estos resultados muestran una fauna relativamente pobre, con una elevada proporción de especies transibéricas y sin endemismos ibéricos. Desde un punto de vista faunístico destacan las citas de Hygrotus lagari (Fery, 1992) y Ochthebius meridionalis Rey, 1885.
Considerazioni preliminari sui cicli vitali e strategie riproduttive di alcune specie di Dytiscidae nella pianura padana (Coleoptera)
Authors: Toledo Mario
Published: December 2013

Le osservazioni effettuate su 25 specie provenienti da 12 località della pianura padana, hanno permesso di tracciare un primo, provvisorio, profilo della biologia riproduttiva e dei cicli vitali delle comunità di Dytiscidae in questo territorio. L’esame dei cicli vitali è stato effettuato utilizzando le categorie bionomiche di Nilsson (1986a) per il nord Europa, comparandone le definizioni con le situazioni riscontrate in pianura padana, dove finora tre tipi di cicli vitali sono stati riscontrati: i cicli numero 1), 4) e 5) sensu Nilsson (1986a). Il primo ciclo alle nostre latitudini si è rivelato più complesso che in Europa settentrionale; infatti esso può essere a sua volta suddiviso in 2 categorie: 1a) specie univoltine che si riproducono in un periodo limitato della bella stagione; 1b) specie univoltine, ma forse anche bi o plurivoltine che si riproducono continuamente o in più periodi della bella stagione. È infatti probabile che alcune specie che in nord Europa sono univoltine, alle nostre latitudini siano bivoltine o plurivoltine; ciononostante non esistono ancora prove che sia in effetti così. La presenza di due specie di Ilybius del gruppo chalconatus in pianura padana, pur non essendo ancora state studiate biologicamente, fa presumere che anche il ciclo n. 3) possa essere rappresentato in questo territorio. Rispetto al nord Europa, in una comunità della pianura padana le larve compaiono in anticipo o in ritardo, a seconda che si tratti di riproduttori primaverili o autunnali e gli stadi preimmaginali in media sono più brevi rispetto allo stadio adulto; questo in relazione anche al periodo riproduttivo in generale più lungo alle nostre latitudini. Infine, sono discussi brevemente il concetto di core-species in una comunità a Dytiscidae e le diverse preferenze ambientali in relazione alla riproduzione.
Re-descriptions of larvae of Hoperius and Meladema and phylogenetic implications for the tribe Colymbetini (Coleoptera Dytiscidae)
Authors: Alarie Yves , Hughes Samantha
Published: December 2013

New descriptions of the larvae of Meladema lanio (Fabricius), M. coriacea Laporte and Hoperius planatus Fall are provided. Characters from larval morphology are analyzed to infer the phylogenetic relationships of the genera Meladema Laporte and Hoperius Fall with other genera of the tribe Colymbetini (Colymbetinae). Larvae of Meladema are unique among other Colymbetini being characterized by the presence of a variable number of additional setae along the dorsal margin of both femora and tibiae. Larvae of Hoperius reveal to be remarkably modified and autapomorphic being characterized by a short antennomere II, the presence of a variable number of secondary setae on antennomeres I - II and maxillary palpomere, an elongate maxillary palpus, and a narrow and elongate mandible. A parsimony analysis based on 30 informative larval characters is carried out. Whereas the 12 most parsimonious trees support the placement of Meladema as sister to Neoscutopterus J. Balfour-Browne, the relative position of Hoperius remains unresolved within the Colymbetini. Larvae of Meladema share with those of Neoscutopterus: (i) the presence of additional setae both on the frontoclypeus and parietale, (ii) the presence of a large number of secondary setae on trochantera, (iii) the absence of spinulae along ventral margin of mesotibia and mesotarsus and (iv) the presence of additional setae both on abdominal segment VIII.
Coléoptères aquatiques Adephaga de la chaîne rifaine marocaine (Coleoptera Gyrinidae, Haliplidae, Noteridae, Hygrobiidae, Dytiscidae)
Authors: Bennas Nard , Sàinz-Cantero Carmen Elisa
Published: December 2013

Une étude sur 4041 individus adultes de Coléoptères aquatiques Adephaga récoltés dans diverses localités de la chaîne rifaine marocaine a permis l’identification de 61 espèces dont une (Hydroporus memnonius) s’avère nouvelle pour le Maroc et 6 pour le territoire rifain. Les données obtenues lors des prospections et la compilation des citations bibliographiques concernant ce groupe d’insectes, ont permis la réalisation de l’inventaire des 81 espèces connues jusqu’à présent pour les neuf provinces faisant partie du Rif.
Il popolamento a Scarabeidi degradatori delle Marche. I. Catalogo sistematico e corologico (Coleoptera Scarabaeoidea)
Authors: Bellucci Sara , Barbero Enrico , Agoglitta Rossana , Zunino Mario
Published: December 2013

Sono stati riuniti i dati, pubblicati e inediti, sui coleotteri Geotrupidae e Scarabeidae degradatori delle Marche (Italia centro-orientale). L’informazione, sempre sottoposta ad analisi critica, proviene da dati originali, di bibliografia, e da quelli ricavati dallo studio diretto di collezioni pubbliche e private. Per ogni specie è riportata una scheda bibliografica, la distribuzione geografica generale ed i dati di bionomia. E’ registrato un totale di 33 specie per complessive 138 località.Viene confermata la presenza di 4 specie di Scarabeidae già citate per la Regione ma non riferite nella recente “Checklist e distribuzione della Fauna Italiana” (Carpaneto et al., 2005), più un’ulteriore specie che risulta nuova per le Marche. Il numero delle località indagate si incrementa sensibilmente nei confronti della letteratura. Vengono citati, per la loro importanza generale, anche alcuni lavori che non coinvolgono direttamente l’area.
Pseudoscorpioni d’Italia XLII. Chthoniidae cavernicoli di Sardegna (Pseudoscorpiones)
Authors: Gardini Giulio
Published: December 2013

Lo studio di Pseudoscorpioni raccolti in grotte della Sardegna nel decennio 1996 - 2006 consente di individuare 12 specie di Chthoniidae riferibili ai generi Chthonius C. L. Koch, 1843 (10 specie) e Spelyngochthonius Beier, 1955 (2 specie), di cui due nuove per la scienza: Chthonius (E.) sardous n. sp. (mf, loc. typ.: Cagliari, Domusnovas, Grotta Rolfo 1301 Sa/CA), riferita al gruppo C. concii - poseidonis - grafittii, e Spelyngochthonius dewaelei n. sp. (mf, loc. typ.: Cagliari, Armungia, Grotta Su Pittiolu de Gospuru 1865 Sa/CA), ad affinità incerte. Sono ridescritti i tipi di Chthonius (E.) cassolai Beier, 1973 e a questa specie sono attribuite popolazioni cavernicole ed endogee della Sardegna orientale; si sottolineano le sue affinità con C. parmensis Beier, 1963 e C. bauneensis Callaini, 1983. La ridescrizione dei tipi di Chthonius (E.) siculus Beier, 1961 consente di attribuire le popolazioni cavernicole del Sulcis, del Gerrei e dell’Ogliastra, in parte precedentemente riferite a questa specie, a C. (E.) concii Beier, 1953; le citazioni di Chthonius (E.) maltensis Mahnert, 1975 relative a esemplari di grotte della Sicilia sono ugualmente da riferirsi a C. concii. Sono provvisoriamente attribuiti a Spelyngochthonius sardous Beier, 1955 esemplari di grotte dell’Isola di Tavolara e dell’Iglesiente. È proposta una chiave analitica delle specie del genere Spelyngochthonius Beier, 1955.
Le Termiti italiane. Catalogo topografico e considerazioni zoogeografiche (Isoptera)
Authors: Sbrenna Giovanni , Sbrenna Micciarelli Anna
Published: December 2013

Nel presente lavoro vengono analizzate le distribuzioni geografiche nelle regioni italiane delle due specie di termiti viventi in Italia: Kalotermes flavicollis (Fabricius, 1793) e Reticulitermes lucifugus (Rossi, 1792). Per ogni specie viene fornita una descrizione sintetica, l’elenco delle località dove è stata individuata e brevi osservazioni di carattere zoogeografico. Sono inoltre fornite notizie degli ultimi studi sulla sistematica dei taxa viventi in Italia. Complessivamente le località dove le due specie sono state identificate sono rispettivamente 286 per K. flavicollis e 369 per R. lucifugus. Il numero più alto di segnalazioni proviene dalle due isole Sicilia e Sardegna.
Note sulle specie italiane di Sinechostictus del gruppo decoratus (Coleoptera Carabidae)
Authors: Bonavita Paolo , Vigna Taglianti Augusto
Published: December 2013

Sono pubblicati i risultati dello studio delle specie italiane di Sinechostictus del gruppo decoratus: Sinechostictus decoratus (Duftschmid, 1812), S. elongatus (Dejean, 1831) e S. tarsicus (Peyron, 1858). Sulla base dell’esame di oltre 300 esemplari, viene ribadita la netta separazione a livello specifico tra S. elongatus e S. tarsicus, prima ritenute conspecifiche. Per ciascuna specie sono riportate anche le immagini dell’aspetto generale, le figure degli apparati genitali, maschili e femminili, e le cartine di distribuzione. E’ infine proposta una semplice chiave dicotomica basata su caratteri esterni, che permette di identificare più agevolmente le tre specie del gruppo decoratus presenti in Italia.
Studi tassonomici su Leptodirinae di Bulgaria, con revisione dei generi Beskovia e Beronia e checklist delle specie conosciute (Coleoptera Cholevidae)
Authors: Giachino Pier Mauro , Guéorguiev Borislav V.
Published: December 2013

Sono forniti dati tassonomici e corologici su Leptodirinae di Bulgaria, con particolare riferimento ai generi Bureschiana Guéorguiev, 1963, Rhodopiola Guéorguiev, 1960, Beskovia Guéorguiev, 1960, Beronia Guéorguiev, 1960, Bulgariella Karaman, 1958, Netolitzkya Mueller, 1913 ed Hexaurus Reitter, 1885. Viene definita una “linea filetica di Bulgariella” alla quale appartiene il solo genere Bulgariella Karaman, 1958 e una “linea filetica di Beronia” alla quale appartiene il solo genere Beronia Guéorguiev, 1960. È proposta la seguente sinonimia: Vratzaniola pandurskii Dupré, 2000 = Radevia hanusi Knirsch, 1925 n. syn. Sono descritte le seguenti nuove specie: Beskovia tranteevi n. sp. (Bulgaria, regione prebalcanica occidentale, grotta “Bezimenna 22” (= grotta senza nome 22) presso la stazione ferroviaria di Karlukovo, distr. Lovecˇ); Beskovia beroni n. sp. (Bulgaria, Stara planina occidentale, Ponor planina, grotta “Kozarskata pesˇtera” presso la stazione di Lâkatnik, distr. Svoge); Beronia andreevi n. sp. (Bulgaria, Stara planina occidentale, grotta “Ajducka dupka” presso vil. Prevala, distr. Cˇiprovci e grotta “Vodni pecˇ” presso vil. Dolni Lom, distr. Vidin); Hexaurus beroni n. sp. (Bulgaria, Stara planina centrale, Kaloferska planina, grotta “Duhaloto” presso il quartiere di Vidima nella città di Aprilci, distr. Lovecˇ).
A revision of the genus Mecistes (Coleoptera Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Zoia Stefano
Published: December 2013

A revision of the Afrotropical genus Mecistes Chapuis, 1874 is provided and its relations to the Oriental genus Apolepis is pointed out. Five new taxa are described: M. audisioi n. sp. (Rep. South Africa), M. grobbelaarae n. sp. (Rep. South Africa), M. thompsoni n. sp. (Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Rep. South Africa), M. ziliolii n. sp. (Rep. South Africa), M. zimbabweensis n. sp. (Zimbabwe); a lectotypus is designated for M. chapuisi Jacoby, 1900 and a neotypus is designated for M. tarsalis Chapuis, 1874. The following synonymies are established: M. saudica Medvedev, 1997 n. syn. of M. seriatus Lefèvre, 1885, M. indigaceus Jacoby, 1898 n. syn. of M. tarsalis Chapuis, 1874. A key to species is given
Giuseppe Vachino (1912-2008)
Authors: Casale Achille
Published: December 2013

Il 4 dicembre 2008 si è spento serenamente nella sua casa di Ivrea, curato fino all’ultimo istante dalla sua affezionatissima figlia Maura, Giuseppe Vachino, “Nino” per gli amici, cioè per tutti.
Lepidotteri del Parco Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi (Marche, Italia centrale)
Authors: Teobaldelli Adriano
Published: December 2013

Sono esposti i risultati delle ricerche faunistiche sui Lepidotteri del Parco Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi (Marche, Italia centrale). Sono state rinvenute 506 specie appartenenti a 25 famiglie. Di ogni specie vengono riportate le località e le date di raccolta. Otto specie sono nuove per il territorio marchigiano, altre 21 erano sinora note solo dei Monti Sibillini e aree limitrofe. Sono presenti 9 endemiti e specie, come Apatura ilia e Gegenes nostrodamus, molto sporadiche e localizzate nella regione. L’area considerata presenta una elevata biodiversità.
Luigi Magnano
Authors: Colonnelli Enzo
Published: December 2013

Il 3 luglio 2009, nel giorno del suo ottantaquattresimo compleanno, Luigi Magnano ci ha lasciati per sempre, dopo una non lunga ma penosa malattia che lo aveva costretto da alcuni mesi ad interrompere la sua intensa attività.
Caratterizzazione di una taxocenosi a coleotteri Scarabeidi degradatori. Proposte per il monitoraggio degli effetti del cambio climatico tramite l’analisi di un gruppo indicatore (Coleoptera Scarabaeoidea)
Authors: Agoglitta Rossana , Badulato Giusy , Galassi Gaia , Garaffa Botta Giada , Zunino Mario
Published: December 2013

È stata analizzata la biodiversità α, β stagionale e la diversità corologica in una taxocenosi a Coleotteri Scarabaeoidea degradatori. I campionamenti sono stati effettuati in un’area compresa nel territorio del Comune di Isola del Piano (PU) da ottobre 2001 a ottobre 2002. La biodiversità α è stata calcolata con gli indici di Shannon, H’max e J; la biodiversità β totale e stagionale è stata calcolata con la formula di Whittaker modificata da Harrison et al. (1992); la biodiversità β fra coppie di date è stata calcolata con la stessa formula, come riespressa da Koleff et al. (2003). Dai risultati ottenuti è emersa l’ipotesi che un protocollo di monitoraggio dei possibili effetti del cambiamento climatico prenda in considerazione almeno la variazione dell’effetto versante, la biodiversità β temporale, parametri fenologici e corologici.
Critical food and nutrition-related issues in Life Sciences curricula for public South African schools
Authors: De Villiers Rian , Fraser William J.
Published: December 2013

The United Nations adopted eight Millennium Development Goals in 2000. Five of these target issues are in respect of poverty and hunger, reduction in child mortality, improving maternal health, the fighting of HIV, AIDS, malaria and other diseases, and the assurance of environmental sustainability. Relationships between nutrition, food, hunger and poverty are discussed. In the second part of the article we speculate on how some philosophical and paradigmatic approaches may influence curriculum design and curriculum development. Some policy changes regarding knowledge acquisition, knowledge development, the achievement of specific educational objectives and learners’ awareness of critical social trends, as set out in the introductory part of the article, are explored. The reader’s attention is then drawn to the reconstruction of societies through planned curriculating and the strengthening of learners’ moral identities. The representation of critical food and nutrition-related issues are explained regarding the Science and Technology curriculum in the three South African schooling phases, namely the Intermediate Phase (Grades 4–6), the Senior Phase (Grades 7–9) and the Further Education and Training Phase (Grades 10–12). Reference is made to aspects such as energy and transfer of energy, food chains, energy and movement, photosynthesis, nutrients and food, ecosystems, food webs, food processing, water purification and balance in the ecosystem, conservation of the ecosystem, healthy diet planning, energy transformation to support life, animal nutrition, population ecology and the human impact on the environment, as well as current crises.
A Retrospective Analysis of Interruptive versus Non-interruptive Clinical Decision Support for Identification of Patients Needing Contact Isolation
Authors: Li X. , Grein J. , Bell D.S. , Silka P. , Pevnick J.M.
Published: December 2013

Background: In determining whether clinical decision support (CDS) should be interruptive or non-interruptive, CDS designers need more guidance to balance the potential for interruptive CDS to overburden clinicians and the potential for non-interruptive CDS to be overlooked by clinicians.

Objectives: (1)To compare performance achieved by clinicians using interruptive CDS versus using similar, non-interruptive CDS. (2)To compare performance achieved using non-interruptive CDS among clinicians exposed to interruptive CDS versus clinicians not exposed to interruptive CDS.

Methods: We studied 42 emergency medicine physicians working in a large hospital where an interruptive CDS to help identify patients requiring contact isolation was replaced by a similar, but non-interruptive CDS. The first primary outcome was the change in sensitivity in identifying these patients associated with the conversion from an interruptive to a non-interruptive CDS. The second primary outcome was the difference in sensitivities yielded by the non-interruptive CDS when used by providers who had and who had not been exposed to the interruptive CDS. The reference standard was an epidemiologist-designed, structured, objective assessment.

Results: In identifying patients needing contact isolation, the interruptive CDS-physician dyad had sensitivity of 24% (95% CI: 17%-32%), versus sensitivity of 14% (95% CI: 9%-21%) for the non-interruptive CDS-physician dyad (p = 0.04). Users of the non-interruptive CDS with prior exposure to the interruptive CDS were more sensitive than those without exposure (14% [95% CI: 9%-21%] versus 7% [95% CI: 3%-13%], p = 0.05).

Limitations: As with all observational studies, we cannot confirm that our analysis controlled for every important difference between time periods and physician groups.

Conclusions: Interruptive CDS affected clinicians more than non-interruptive CDS. Designers of CDS might explicitly weigh the benefits of interruptive CDS versus its associated increased clinician burden. Further research should study longer term effects of clinician exposure to interruptive CDS, including whether it may improve clinician performance when using a similar, subsequent non-interruptive CDS.

Citation: Pevnick JM, Li X, Grein J, Bell DS, Silka P. A retrospective analysis of interruptive versus non-interruptive clinical decision support for identification of patients needing contact isolation. Appl Clin Inf 2013; 4: 569–582

http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2013-04-RA-0021
Water uptake is independent of the inferred composition of secondary aerosols derived from multiple biogenic VOCs
Authors: Alfarra M. R. , Good N. , Wyche K. P. , Hamilton J. F. , Monks P. S. , Lewis A. C. , McFiggans G.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. We demonstrate that the water uptake properties derived from sub- and super-saturated measurements of chamber-generated biogenic secondary organic aerosol (SOA) particles are independent of their degree of oxidation, determined using both online and offline methods. SOA particles are formed from the photooxidation of five structurally different biogenic VOCs, representing a broad range of emitted species and their corresponding range of chemical reactivity: α-pinene, β-caryophyllene, limonene, myrcene and linalool. The fractional contribution of mass fragment 44 to the total organic signal (f44) is used to characterise the extent of oxidation of the formed SOA as measured online by an aerosol mass spectrometer. Results illustrate that the values of f44 are dependent on the precursor, the extent of photochemical ageing as well as on the initial experimental conditions. SOA generated from a single biogenic precursor should therefore not be used as a general proxy for biogenic SOA. Similarly, the generated SOA particles exhibit a range of hygroscopic properties, depending on the precursor, its initial mixing ratio and photochemical ageing. The activation behaviour of the formed SOA particles show no temporal trends with photochemical ageing. The average κ values derived from the HTDMA and CCNc are generally found to cover the same range for each precursor under two different initial mixing ratio conditions. A positive correlation is observed between the hygroscopicity of particles of a single size and f44 for α-pinene, β-caryophyllene, linalool and myrcene, but not for limonene SOA. The investigation of the generality of this relationship reveals that α-pinene, limonene, linalool and myrcene are all able to generate particles with similar hygroscopicity (κHTDMA ~0.1) despite f44 exhibiting a relatively wide range of values (~4 to 11%). Similarly, κCCN is found to be independent of f44. The same findings are also true when sub- and super-saturated water uptake properties of SOA are compared to the averaged carbon oxidation state (OSC) determined using an offline method. These findings do not necessarily suggest that water uptake and chemical composition are not related. Instead, they suggest that either f44 and OSC do not represent the main dominant composition-related factors controlling water uptake of SOA particles, or they may emphasise the possible impact of semi-volatile compounds on limiting the ability of current state-of-the-art techniques to determine the chemical composition and water uptake properties of aerosol particles.
Deformities in larvae and juvenile European lobster (Homarus gammarus) exposed to lower pH at two different temperatures
Authors: Agnalt A.-L. , Grefsrud E. S. , Farestveit E. , Larsen M. , Keulder F.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. The ongoing warming and acidification of the world's oceans are expected to influence the marine ecosystems, including benthic marine resources. Ocean acidification may especially have an impact on calcifying organisms, and the European lobster (Homarus gammarus) is among those species at risk. A project was initiated in 2011 aiming to investigate long-term effects of ocean acidification on the early life-cycle of lobster under two temperatures. Larvae were exposed to pCO2 levels of ambient water (water intake at 90 m depth), medium 750 (pH = 7.79) and high 1200 μatm pCO2 (pH = 7.62) at temperatures 10 and 18 °C. The water parameters in ambient water did not stay stable and were very low towards the end of the experiment in the larval phase at 10 °C,with pH between 7.83 and 7.90. At 18°, pH in ambient treatment was even lower, between 7.76 and 7.83, i.e. close to medium pCO2 treatment. Long-term exposure lasted 5 months. At 18 °C the development from stage 1 to 4 lasted 14 to 16 days, as predicted under optimal water conditions. Growth was very slow at 10 °C and resulted in three larvae reaching stage 4 in high pCO2 treatment only. There were no clear effects of pCO2 treatment, on either carapace length or dry weight. However, deformities were observed in both larvae and juveniles. The proportion of larvae with deformities increased with increasing pCO2 exposure, independent of temperature. In the medium treatment about 23% were deformed, and in the high treatment about 43% were deformed. None of the larvae exposed to water of pH >7.9 developed deformities. Curled carapace was the most common deformity found in larvae raised in medium pCO2 treatment, irrespective of temperature, but damages in the tail fan occurred in addition to a bent rostrum. Curled carapace was the only deformity found in high pCO2 treatment at both temperatures. Occurrence of deformities after five months of exposure was 33 and 44% in juveniles raised in ambient and low pCO2 levels, respectively, and 21% in juveniles exposed to high pCO2. Deformed claws were most often found in ambient and medium treatment (56%, followed by stiff/twisted walking legs (39%) and puffy carapace (39%). In comparison, at high pCO2 levels 71% of the deformed juveniles had developed a puffy carapace. Overall, about half of the deformed juveniles from the ambient and medium pCO2 treatment displayed two or three different abnormalities; 70% had multiple deformities in the high pCO2 treatment. Some of the deformities in the juveniles may affect respiration (carapace), the ability to find food, or sexual partners (walking legs, claw and antenna), and ability to swim (tail-fan damages).
Net global warming potential and greenhouse gas intensity in a double-cropping cereal rotation as affected by nitrogen and straw management
Authors: Huang T. , Gao B. , Christie P. , Ju X.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. The effects of nitrogen and straw management on global warming potential (GWP) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) in a winter wheat–summer maize double-cropping system on the North China Plain were investigated. We measured nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and studied net GWP (NGWP) and GHGI by calculating the net exchange of CO2 equivalent (CO2-eq) from greenhouse gas emissions, agricultural inputs and management practices, as well as changes in soil organic carbon (SOC), based on a long-term field experiment established in 2006. The field experiment includes six treatments with three fertilizer N levels (zero N (control), optimum and conventional N) and straw removal (i.e. N0, Nopt and Ncon) or return (i.e. SN0, SNopt and SNcon). Optimum N management (Nopt, SNopt) saved roughly half of the fertilizer N compared to conventional agricultural practice (Ncon, SNcon), with no significant effect on grain yields. Annual mean N2O emissions reached 3.90 kg N2O-N ha−1 in Ncon and SNcon, and N2O emissions were reduced by 46.9% by optimizing N management of Nopt and SNopt. Straw return increased annual mean N2O emissions by 27.9%. Annual SOC sequestration was 0.40–1.44 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 in plots with N application and/or straw return. Compared to the conventional N treatments the optimum N treatments reduced NGWP by 51%, comprising 25% from decreasing N2O emissions and 75% from reducing N fertilizer application rates. Straw return treatments reduced NGWP by 30% compared to no straw return because the GWP from increments of SOC offset the GWP from higher emissions of N2O, N fertilizer and fuel after straw return. The GHGI trends from the different nitrogen and straw management practices were similar to the NGWP. In conclusion, optimum N and straw return significantly reduced NGWP and GHGI and concomitantly achieved relatively high grain yields in this important winter wheat–summer maize double-cropping system.
Estimating spatial variation in Alberta forest biomass from a combination of forest inventory and remote sensing data
Authors: Zhang J. , Huang S. , Hogg E. H. , Lieffers V. , Qin Y. , He F.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. Uncertainties in the estimation of tree biomass carbon storage across large areas pose challenges for the study of forest carbon cycling at regional and global scales. In this study, we attempted to estimate the present biomass carbon storage in Alberta, Canada, by taking advantage of a spatially explicit dataset derived from a combination of forest inventory data from 1968 plots and spaceborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) canopy height data. Ten climatic variables together with elevation, were used for model development and assessment. Four approaches, including spatial interpolation, non-spatial and spatial regression models, and decision-tree based modelling with random forests algorithm (a machine-learning technique), were compared to find the "best" estimates. We found that the random forests approach provided the best accuracy for biomass estimates. Non-spatial and spatial regression models gave estimates similar to random forests, while spatial interpolation greatly overestimated the biomass storage. Using random forests, the total biomass stock in Alberta forests was estimated to be 3.11 × 109 Mg, with the average biomass density of 77.59 Mg ha−1. At the species level, three major tree species, lodgepole pine, trembling aspen and white spruce, stocked about 1.91 × 109 Mg biomass, accounting for 61% of total estimated biomass. Spatial distribution of biomass varied with natural regions, land cover types, and species. And the relative importance of predictor variables on determining biomass distribution varied with species. This study showed that the combination of ground-based inventory data, spaceborne LiDAR data, land cover classification, climatic and environmental variables was an efficient way to estimate the quantity, distribution and variation of forest biomass carbon stocks across large regions.
Forecasting wind-driven wildfires using an inverse modelling approach
Authors: Rios O. , Jahn W. , Rein G.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. A technology able to rapidly forecast wildlfire dynamics would lead to a paradigm shift in the response to emergencies, providing the Fire Service with essential information about the on-going fire. The article at hand presents and explores a novel methodology to forecast wildfire dynamics in wind-driven conditions, using real time data assimilation and inverse modelling. The forecasting algorithm combines Rothermel's rate of spread theory with a perimeter expansion model based on Huygens principle and solves the optimisation problem with a tangent linear approach and a forward automatic differentiation. Its potential is investigated using synthetic data and evaluated in different wildfire scenarios. The results show the high capacity of the method to quickly predict the location of the fire front with a positive lead time (ahead of the event). This work opens the door to further advances framework and more sophisticated models while keeping the computational time suitable for operativeness.
Coseismic slip inversion based on InSAR arc measurements
Authors: Wang C. , Ding X. , Li Q.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. We present a new method for inverting coseismic slip distribution based on arc measurements of InSAR interferograms. The method only solves the integer ambiguities on the selected arcs so that the challenging task from global unwrapping of low coherence interferograms can be avoided. The simulated experiment results show that the new method recovered the given slip distribution well in different coherence quality level. However, the conventional method with global interferogram unwrapping fails when the interferogram has some isolated areas. In addition, the new method is capable of using surface rupture offset data gathered in the field. We apply the proposed method to study the 2010 Yushu, China Ms = 7.1 earthquake. Inclusion of field data can help to enhance the results of fault slip inversion. It derives a maximum slip of ∼3 m, larger than the published coseismic slip results on this event, but agreeing with the largest offset of 3.2 m from field investigation.
Evaluating the extreme precipitation events using a mesoscale atmosphere model and satellite based precipitation product
Authors: Yucel I. , Onen A.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. Quantitative precipitation estimates are obtained with more uncertainty under the influence of changing climate variability and complex topography from numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. On the other hand, hydrologic model simulations depend heavily on the availability of reliable precipitation estimates. Difficulties in estimating precipitation impose an important limitation on the possibility and reliability of hydrologic forecasting and early warning systems. This study examines the performance of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model and the Multi Precipitation Estimates (MPE) algorithm in producing the temporal and spatial characteristics of the number of extreme precipitation events observed in the West Black Sea Region of Turkey. Precipitations derived from WRF model with and without three-dimensional variational (3-DVAR) data assimilation scheme and MPE algorithm at high spatial resolution (4 km) are compared with gauge precipitation. WRF-derived precipitation showed capabilities in capturing the timing of precipitation extremes and in some extent the spatial distribution and magnitude of the heavy rainfall events wheras MPE showed relatively weak skills in these aspects. WRF skills in estimating such precipitation characteristics are enhanced with the application of 3-DVAR scheme. Direct impact of data assimilation on WRF precipitation reached to 12% and at some points there exists quantitative match for heavy rainfall events, which are critical for hydrological forecast.
Modelling the NO emissions from wildfires at the source level
Authors: Pérez-Ramirez Y. , Santoni P.-A. , Darabiha N.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. There is a growing interest to characterize fire plumes in order to control air quality during wildfire episodes and to estimate the carbon and ozone balance of fire emissions. A numerical approach has been used to study the mechanisms of NO formation at the source level in wildfires given that NO plays an important role on the formation of ground-level ozone. The major reaction mechanisms involved in NO chemistry have been identified using reactions path analysis. Accordingly, a two-step global kinetic scheme in the gas phase has been proposed herein to account for the volatile fuel-bound nitrogen (fuel-N) conversion to NO, considering that the volatile fraction of fuel-N is released as NH3. Data from simulations using the PSR code from CHEMKIN-II package with a detailed kinetic mechanism (GDF-kin® 3.0) have been used to calibrate and evaluate the global model under typical wildfire conditions in terms of the composition of the degradation gases of vegetation, the equivalence ratio, the range of temperatures and the residence time.
Effect of different dietary strategies on gas emissions and growth performance in post- weaned piglets
Authors: Montalvo G. , Morales J. , Pineiro C. , Godbout S. , Bigeriego M.
Published: December 2013

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of different dietary strategies in post-weaned piglets on gas emissions and animal performance. Eighty piglets were allotted in ten environmentally-controlled chambers. Piglets were fed with five different isoenergetic diets: control, low protein (LP), inclusion of sugar beet pulp (SBP), addition of benzoic acid (BA) and a combination of LP, SBP and BA (LP+SBP+BA). The gases analyzed were ammonia (NH3), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2). For NH3, the most effective treatment was LP, with a reduction of 61%. The LP+SBP+BA reduced NH3 emission by 51%, the inclusion of SBP by 43% and the least effective technique was BA, which decreased by 9.5%, compared to control. The CH4 emission was reduced by 30% for LP, but was increased by 23% for SBP and 24.6% for LP+SBP+BA. Benzoic acid did not differ from control group. The N2O emission did not show statistically differences, and CO2 and carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) emission increased with LP+SBP+BA (14 and 15% respectively), but were not affected by other diets. No effect of dietary treatment was observed on the growth performances compared with control group (p >0.05). We can conclude that the best technique to reduce NH3 emission was LP. Inclusion of SBP decreases NH3 emission, but can increase greenhouse gas emissions. It would be interesting to evaluate the effect of higher percentages of BA because the promising results. Combining techniques is not a good strategy to obtain an additive effect in gas emissions reduction.
Quality and efficiency of apple orchard protection affected by sprayer type and application rate
Authors: Sedlar A. D. , Bugarin R. M. , Nuyttens D. , Turan J. J. , Zoranovic M. S. , Ponjican O. O. , Janic T. V.
Published: December 2013

The goal of this work was to evaluate the potential of reduced application rates in apple trees as well as the potential of selective spray applications by using sensor-based tree detection techniques in Serbian fruit production. Their economical and biological effect was evaluated based on the quality and efficiency of the crop protection and techno-economic analysis. Results showed that during suitable weather conditions and with properly adjusted sprayer settings, a reduced application rate of 381 L ha-1 gave same quality of crop protection as a medium application rate of 759 L ha-1. A two-year efficiency trial on Venturia inaequalis and Podosphaera leucitricha infecting apple also showed that there was no significant difference in crop protection results for different types of orchard application techniques and application rates. The techno-economic analysis showed that selective application should be introduced in practice in areas >3-ha given that the cost of their introduction pays off after 2-3 seasons. Every subsequent season would give a clear economic profit. Besides the economic benefits, selective application technique also has a significant positive ecological effect due to reduction of spray losses and the amount of plant protection products used.
The effect of breed in a hot environment on some welfare indicators in feedlot cattle
Authors: Dikmen S.
Published: December 2013

Heat stress has an important effect on the welfare of livestock and causes significant changes in biological functions. This study was carried out to investigate the behavioral differences of Brown Swiss (BS) and Holstein (H) feedlot cattle reared in a hot environment. All of the cattle were housed in a semi-open feedlot barn. The individual behavioral response variables measured were feeding, drinking, rumination, standing, resting, locomotor activity and elimination (urinating and defecating). For each animal, behavioral observations were recorded at 10 min intervals for 1 h starting at 06:00, 10:00, 13:00, 16:00, 20:00 and 23:00 h. The effect of breed, time of the day and hour of observation and the interactions of these factors were included in the model. The data were analyzed using the PROC GLM procedure in SAS. There were significant interactions between breed and time of observation for rumination (p0.05). BS cattle exhibited more frequent standing behavior at 13:00 h, whereas H cattle exhibited more frequent standing behavior at 16:00 h (p<0.01). The welfare of male H feedlot cattle was concluded to be more affected than that of male BS feedlot cattle when the ambient temperature was high (at 13:00 h).