bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ellagic acid inhibits melanoma growth in vitro
Authors: Jensen James Daniel , Dunn Jeffrey H. , Luo Yuchun , Liu Weimin , Fujita Mayumi , Dellavalle Robert P.
Published: December 2011

Ellagic is a polyphenolic compound with anti-fibrotic and antioxidant properties as well as exhibits antitumor properties against various cancer cells in vitro. There are few studies, however, which examine the effects of ellagic acid on melanoma. In the present study, we observe effects of ellagic acid on melanoma cells in vitro. Three metastatic melanoma cell lines (1205Lu, WM852c and A375) were examined to determine the effects of ellagic acid on melanoma cell viability, cell-cycle, apoptosis, NF-κβ activity, and IL-1β & IL-8 secretion. Cell viability assays demonstrated that ellagic acid possesses an inhibitory effect on cell proliferation at concentrations between 25 and 100 µM. In addition, ellagic acid promoted G1 cell cycle arrest, increased levels of apoptosis and decreased synthesis of IL-1β and IL-8 in melanoma cells. Ellagic acid also decreased NF-κβ activity, suggesting at least one potential mechanism by which ellagic acid may exert its effects in melanoma cells. Our findings support further investigation into prospective roles for ellagic acid as a therapeutic, adjuvant, or preventive agent for melanoma.
Prevalence of Dihydrofolate Reductase Gene Mutations in Plasmodium falciparum Isolate from Pregnant Women in Nigeria
Authors: Ojurongbe Olusola , Tijani Bukola D. , Fawole Adegboyega A. , Adeyeba Oluwaseyi A. , Kun Juergen F.
Published: December 2011

We assessed the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum and the frequency of the dhfr triple mutation that is associated with antifolate drug resistance among P. falciparumisolates obtained from pregnant women in Ilorin, Nigeria. The study included 179 women in the second and third trimester of pregnancy who have been exposed to intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) with sulfadoxinepyrimethamine. Thick and thin blood films and PCR were used for malaria parasite detection. Blood group and hemoglobin concentration were also determined. Mutations in P. falciparum dhfr were analyzed by sequencing DNA obtained from blood spots on filter paper. Prevalence of P. falciparum in the population (PCR corrected) was 44.1% (79/179) with 66.7% and 33.3% in the second and third trimester, respectively. Primigravide (51.3%) were more infected than multigravide (48.7%) but the difference was not statistically significant. Women in blood group A had the highest P. falciparum malaria infection (30.8%). The mean hemoglobin concentration was lower among those infected with malaria parasite. Also, more women with the malaria parasite (38.4%) had anemia compare to those without (21.4%). The prevalence of the P. falciparum dhfr mutant alleles was 64.1%, 61.5%, 38.5%, and 12.8% for I51, R59, N108 and T108, respectively. None of the samples had the L164 mutation. The combined triple dhfr mutation (51 + 59 + 108) in the population was 17.9% (7 of 39). Also, the prevalence of the triple mutant alleles was not significantly associated to the number of doses of SP taken by the women. These findings highlight the need for a regular assessment of IPTp/SP efficacy, and evaluation of possible alternative drugs.
Cerebral venous thrombosis: diagnosis dilemma
Authors: Chiewvit Pipat , Piyapittayanan Siriwan , Poungvarin Niphon
Published: December 2011

Cerebral venous thrombosis is increasing common disease in daily practice with sharing clinical nonspecific symptoms. This disorder is potentially lethal but treatable, oftenly it was overlooked in both clinical and radiologic in routine practice.  Whenever, clinical suspected, prompt investigation by noninvasive imaging such as conventional technique of CT, MR or advanced modilities such as CTV, MRV will helpful in prompt diagnosis and treatment. These imaging modalities may reveal either direct sign( visualization of intraluminal clot) and indirect signs ( paranchymatous change, intracranial hemorrhage). By using of effective treatment will improve the prognosis of the patient. This review summarizes insights into etiology, incidence, imaging modalities and current of the treatment.
 
Negative Pressure Treatment for Necrotizing Fasciitis after Chemotherapy
Authors: Melchionda Fraia , Pession Andrea
Published: December 2011

We describe 2 cases of children with malignant disease who developed severe mucositis with perineal necrotizing fasciitis during severe neutropenia after chemotherapy. Treatment with topical negative pressure therapy with silver foam dressing, together with large spectrum antibiotics, resolved the problem with complete closure of the wound after 30 and 36 days of treatment, respectively.
A Comparison of Questionnaire and Physiological Data in Predicting Future Chronic Disease Risk Factor Status in an Employee Population
Authors: Szymanski Linda , Pate Russell R. , Dowda Marsha , Blair Steven N. , Howe Henry G. , Parker Gwynne , Blair Aaron
Published: December 2011

Background.

The ideal screening tool for worksite health screening programs has not yet been identified, and the effectiveness of screening programs in predicting future chronic disease risk factors status is not well understood. This study compared two commonly used screening tools, health-related questionnaires and measurement of physiological parameters, in terms of their ability to predict future chronic disease risk factor status in an employee population.

Methods.

Data were collected over a 10-year period from Liberty Corporation employees (N = 723). Baseline evaluation included the administration of questionnaires and measurement of physiological data. Follow-up evaluation measured physiological data only. Regression analyses identified the statistically significant predictors of future risk factor status using 1) baseline questionnaire data; 2) baseline physiological data; and 3) both questionnaire and physiological data as predictor variables.

Results.

Although both screening methods were able to predict future risk factor status, R2 values were higher in models including baseline physiological measures than models including questionnaire data only. Adding questionnaire data to physiological data provided little or no additional predictive ability.

Discussion.

These results suggest that physiological data, particularly baseline measures of a risk factor, are more predictive of future risk factor status than questionnaire data.
Formative Research on Smoking Cessation Program Attributes Preferred by Smokers
Authors: Spoth Richard
Published: December 2011

Background.

This article reports formative research procedures used to identify smoking cessation program attributes preferred by smokers. A theoretical rationale and a program development framework are presented.

Methods.

Findings from a series of qualitative and small sample quantitative studies were used to evaluate smoker response to specific program materials, and to identify a comprehensive set of preferred smoking cessation program attributes. These findings guided the development of a telephone survey administered to a random sample of 205 smokers interested in quitting.

Results.

The 205 smokers completing telephone interviews frequently indicated preferences for program features having little to do with specific cessation methods used. Low demand on time, endorsements by medical authorities, relaxation instructions, weight control techniques, and a substantial research base were often cited as being most preferred. Overall, chisquare analyses provided minimal support for significant relationships between preferences and sociodemographic or smoking history variables.

Discussion.

The benefits of combining qualitative and quantitative research methods in cessation program development efforts are noted. Implications for further research are discussed, particularly those concerning multiattribute analysis of consumer preferences.
Past and Future Priorities in Health Promotion in the United States: A Survey of Experts
Authors: Miller Cheryl , Tricker Ray
Published: December 2011

Background.

The purpose of this study was to determine past and future priorities of the health promotion industry. Parameters included target markets, program staff, ethical issues, corporate programs, and program sites.

Methods.

This study focused on the predictive perceptions of 76 prominent health and fitness professionals. Participants completed an inventory designed to compare past and future practices in health promotion. The Wilcoxon rank-sign test was used to determine changes in perceived importance from past to future periods.

Results.

The most important markets in the future were women and the elderly. Predictions regarding staffing included an expected increase in staff size in many program settings, a high importance rating for marketers and health educators, and standardized training and certification for health promotion personnel. Many employers in the future were predicted to link medical care costs and reimbursements with lifestyle behaviors, support confidentiality of health status information, and offer voluntary participation in health promotion programs to all employees. Employers were also predicted to provide more healthful work environments.

Discussion.

Future success of these projected programs will depend upon administrative flexibility, creativity, and strategic planning.
Worksite Wellness Programs: Incremental Comparison of Screening and Referral Alone, Health Education, Follow-up Counseling, and Plant Organization
Authors: Erfurt John C , Foote Andrea , Heirich Max A.
Published: December 2011

Background.

Worksite wellness programs vary considerably in their design. This study tested four models to compare effectiveness at controlling high blood pressure, obesity, and cigarette smoking.

Methods.

Baseline screening was conducted in four manufacturing plants. Site 1 offered screening only, with referral recommendations for those found to have CVD risks. Site 2 also provided health education information and classes. Site 3 added routine follow-up counseling and a menu of intervention types, and Site 4 added social organization within the plant. Random samples of 400 to 500 employees were rescreened at the end of three years.

Results.

Major improvements in risk levels were found with the addition of routine follow-up counseling and a menu of interventions (Sites 3 and 4, compared with Sites 1 and 2). More hypertensives entered treatment and showed greater reductions in blood pressure. Participation in worksite weight loss and smoking cessation programs was significantly increased, and those who participated showed significantly better maintenance of improvements where follow-up was provided.

Discussion.

The program models that offered short-term interventions promoted through local media suffered in comparison with models that included personal outreach to people at risk, a variety of health improvement intervention modalities, and ongoing follow-up counseling to help people make decisions and sustain health improvements.
Bosnia Charges Genocide: Moral Claims and the Politics of State-building in a Divided Society
Authors: Catic Maja
Published: December 2011

This article examines the relationship between moral claims and political demands made by the Bosniak elites against the backdrop of Bosnia’s Genocide Case at the International Court of Justice. The article demonstrates how in the post-Dayton period, the Genocide Case became an integral element of the statebuilding strategy seeking the constitutional and territorial overhaul of the Dayton Bosnian state and the restoration of the pre-Dayton, unitary state, consistent with the interests and the identity of the Bosniak majority. Situating the Genocide Case in the realm of the ‘politics of entitlement’ characteristic of many divided societies, this article argues that the Bosniak statebuilding strategy compounds the challenges faced by Bosnia’s post-conflict, divided society.
European Security, East and West: The Significance of the Missile Shield Proposal
Authors: Peterson James W.
Published: December 2011

The Missile Shield Proposal, with the intended emplacement both of its radar site in the Czech Republic and of its anti-missile interceptors in Poland, emerged from the Bush Administration in the United States, a NATO partner to the West, and was directed at threats emanating from the East. As such, it became for a time a meeting place between American and Czech security goals. A range of political pressures eventually came to bear upon the proposal. External political pressures included Russian anxiety about the real target of the missile shield itself, while internal pressures entailed serious political party and public concerns in the Czech Republic. In spite of those pressures, the executive leadership in both countries approved the plan in mid-2008. However, following the American elections later in 2008, President Obama cancelled the project in the fi rst year of his administration. At the same time, his attention to the urgency of European security led him to endorse a substitute proposal that would offer a similar level of security. Thus, the senior NATO partner to the West continued to maintain a priority on protection of the Czech Republic and other European neighbors against dangers in the East.
Pharyngeal Mucoceles in Dogs: 14 Cases
Authors: Benjamino Kevin P. , Birchard Stephen J. , Niles Jacqui D. , Penrod Kimberly D.
Published: December 2011

This report describes the clinical features of a series of dogs with pharyngeal salivary mucoceles. A retrospective study of 14 dogs with pharyngeal mucocele was performed. Medical records from 1983 to 2003 were reviewed for information regarding signalment, clinical signs, diagnosis, surgical procedures, and short-term and long-term outcome. Miniature and toy poodles were common breeds in the study population, and 79% of the dogs were male. The most common presenting sign was dyspnea (50%). Diagnosis was by fine-needle aspirate, which revealed a mucoid substance in 93% of dogs. Histopathology of the excised salivary glands revealed lymphoplasmacytic inflammation in all dogs that had histopathology performed. Forty-three percent of the dogs had a cervical mucocele on the same side as the pharyngeal mucocele. Surgical therapy was performed in 13 dogs, which consisted of excision of the mandibular and sublingual salivary glands, excision of the mucocele, or marsupulization of the mucocele. Only two dogs had recurrence of the pharyngeal mucocele. In this study, pharyngeal mucoceles occurred in predominantly small dogs that frequently presented with respiratory signs. Surgical treatment was successful in most dogs.
Switching from Intravitreal Ranibizumab to Bevacizumab for
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Yamada Kisaburo , Kimoto Kenichi , Kono Hirofumi , Kubota Toshiaki
Published: December 2011

Purpose. To report our experiences in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treated initially with intravitreal ranibizumab and then switched to bevacizumab. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 7 patients (7 eyes) who were treated with monthly injections of intravitreal ranibizumab and then switched to injections of bevacizumab (every 6 weeks) for six months. The best-corrected visual acuity measurements (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed at the baseline examination and then at each visit. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for the statistical analysis. Results. Following three monthly ranibizumab treatments, there was no significant difference in the BCVA, while the foveal retinal thickness (FRT) significantly decreased (). Switching from ranibizumab to bevacizumab resulted in maintenance (57.2%) of the BCVA and a further decrease in the FRT () after 6 months. Conclusions. Switching to intravitreal bevacizumab may be effective in patients who wish to discontinue intravitreal ranibizumab treatment due to the high cost.
Regeneration in multi-species in Serra da Lousã
Authors: Gonçalves A.C. , Carvalho Oliveira A.
Published: December 2011

Stand regeneration is one of the most important aspects of silviculture as it ensures stand and production perpetuity. Regeneration occurs after one or several disturbances releasing growing space, usually after the elimination of some adult trees. In Northern and Central Portugal many maritime pine old growth stands have natural regeneration of several broadleaved species, in particular sweet chestnut and English oak. In multi-species stands regeneration and recruitment analysis should consider both density and diversity measures. A series of permanent plots established in Serra da Lousã made it possible to characterise the existing natural regeneration and its evolution with two successive measurements in 2001 and 2009. All individuals with a diameter at breast height equal or less than 5 cm were considered as regeneration. Their recruitment was evaluated in 2009 and analysed as a function of absolute stand density measures and seven diversity indices. The results revealed that recruitment rate was high and that there was a trend towards a balance in terms of species and their proportions, while maintaining a tendency towards clustering and segregation according to the Clark and Evans and the Pielou indices, respectively.
Challenges for evaluating process-based models of gas exchange
Authors: Grote R. , Korhonen J. , Mammarella I.
Published: December 2011

Physiologically-based (or process-based) models are commonly applied to describe plant responses mechanistically in dependence on environmental conditions. They are increasingly evaluated with eddy-covariance measurements that integrate carbon and water exchange of an area of several hectares (called the fetch). However, almost all models applied to date in such exercises have considered only the dominant tree species and neglected other species that contributed to the measured gas exchange rates-either in separate patches or in mixture. This decreases the transferability of the model from one site to another because the contributions from other species might be different. It is therefore a major challenge in modeling today to separate the measured gas exchanges by sources. In this study, a detailed physiologically-based biosphere model is applied that allows distinguishing between tree species in mixed forests, considering them as «vegetation cohorts» that interact with each other. The sensitivity of the model to different assumptions about how different tree species contribute to an integrated measurement of standscale gas exchange is investigated. The model exercise is carried out for a forest site in Finland with dominant Scots pine but presence of significant amounts of Norway spruce and birch. The results demonstrate that forest structure affects simulated gas exchange rates indicating a possible importance of considering differences in physiological properties at the species level. It is argued that the variation of stand structure within the range of eddy-covariance measurements should be better accounted for in models and that inventory measurements need to consider this variation.
Soil dynamics and carbon stocks 10 years after restoration of degraded land using Atlantic Forest tree species
Authors: Rodrigues Nogueira L. Jr. , De Moraes Gonçalves J.L. , Lex Engel V. , Parrotta J.
Published: December 2011

Brazil’s Atlantic Forest ecosystem has been greatly affected by land use changes, with only 11.26% of its original vegetation cover remaining. Currently, Atlantic Forest restoration is receiving increasing attention because of its potential for carbon sequestration and the important role of soil carbon in the global carbon balance. Soil organic matter is also essential for physical, chemical and biological components of soil fertility and forest sustainability. This study evaluated the potential for soil recovery in contrasting restoration models using indigenous Atlantic Forest tree species ten years after their establishment. The study site is located in Botucatu municipality, São Paulo State-Brazil, in a loamy dystrophic Red-Yellow Argisol site (Typic Hapludult). Four treatments were compared: i) Control (Spontaneous Restoration); ii) Low Diversity (five fast-growing tree species established by direct seeding); iii) High Diversity (mixed plantings of 41 species established with seedlings) and; iv) Native Forest (well conserved neighboring forest fragment). The following soil properties were evaluated: (1) physical- texture, density and porosity; (2) chemical- C, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Al and pH; (3) biological-microbial biomass. Litter nutrient concentrations (P, S, K, Ca and Mg) and C and N litter stocks were determined. Within ten years the litter C and N stocks of the Low Diversity treatment area were higher than Control and similar to those in both the High Diversity treatment and the Native Forest. Soil C stocks increased through time for both models and in the Control plots, but remained highest in the Native Forest. The methods of restoration were shown to have different effects on soil dynamics, mainly on chemical properties. These results show that, at least in the short-term, changes in soil properties are more rapid in a less complex system like the Low Diversity model than in the a High Species Diversity model. For both mixed plantation systems, carbon soil cycling can be reestablished, resulting in increases in carbon stocks in both soil and litter.
New models to predict of the increment in volume for mixed forests in the State of Durango, Mexico
Authors: Reyes-Muñoz J.L , Aguirre-Calderón O.A. , Jímenez-Pérez J. , Treviño-Garza E.J. , Jurado E. , González-Laredo R.F.
Published: December 2011

Thirty models were evaluated to predict the timber yield in 28 Permanent Silvicultural Research Plots (SPIS), in the Ejido Pueblo, Durango, Mexico. The most predominant plant association is the corresponding to mixed stands of Pinus and Pinus-Quercus, besides the vegetation associated to these forests. The models in their logarithmic form incorporate 10 competition indexes (IC) independent of the distance, 3 indexes of density (ID), besides the variable age and height at the average level of the stand. The new mathematical models relate in an indirect way the effect of the competition and the density in the growth of trees present in the stand. According to the variance analyses and the hypothesis tests, it was found that the best IC incorporated in a mathematical model for the prediction of the increment in volume was the competition index of area basal density (IABN), the competition index of diameter quadratic density (IDCN), the competition index of area basal total density (IABTN) and the competition index of maximum total height (IHMAX). The best models present a high level of accuracy with Prob > |t| = 0.0001 and values average of 0.99 in R2. The best models presented average values of R2 = 0.99 and a highly significant level of accuracy (Pr > |t| = 0.0001).
15 years of Forest Certification in the European Union. Are we doing things right?
Authors: Gafo Gómez-Zamalloa María , Caparrós Alejandro , San-Miguel Ayanz Alfonso
Published: December 2011

Forest certification is one of the most important issues that have entered the forest sector in the past 15 years. There are many detractors and supporters of this instrument, but merely looking at the number of hectares certified and products carrying the logo of certification, one cannot deny that certification has gained importance, year after year. The overall objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of 15 years of forest certification in the EU forest-based sector, using the Delphi method. The analysis leads to the conclusion that the impact of certification in the EU forestbased sector is positive-neutral with respect to ecological aspects, positive-negative on the economic and positiveneutral on the social ones. However, its positive effect is limited, due to the fact that the changes needed for the certification are minor. An improvement in the information to both society and local people by the actors involved in forest certification could increase the positive impact on the sector.
Potential and supply costs of wood chips from forests in Soria, Spain
Authors: Anttila Perttu , Asikainen Antti , Laitila Juha , Broto Miguel , Campanero Ignacio , Lizarralde Iñigo , Rodríguez Francisco
Published: December 2011

Soria is a forested province in Northern Spain. The utilization level of the forests in Soria is low at present, but it is predicted to rise in the future. Because of the high altitude, heating is also needed. These form a good basis for increasing the use of wood chips in energy production. In this study, a procedure to estimate the potential of wood chip from forests and their procurement costs was adapted to Spanish conditions. The harvesting potential was estimated to be between 140,000 m3 and 280,000 m3 in 2010, and to double by 2030. Cost-supply curves were provided to aid in the planning of heating plant investments. Compared to European cost levels, the procurement costs in Soria are not high.
Absence of effects on nutrient budgets after insect defoliation
Authors: Fernández Cristina , Vega José A. , Bara Salvador , Alonso Margarita , Fonturbel Teresa
Published: December 2011

Nutrient export via streamflow after the defoliation by Gonipterus scutellatus Gill. in a Eucalyptus globulus Labill. watershed in Galicia (NW Spain) was monitored from 1999 to 2006. The effects of such defoliation on nutrients balance had not been previously evaluated. Insect defoliation caused no significant changes in streamflow nutrient concentrations during the period of study compared with the pre-perturbation period and nutrient exports in streamflow were compensated via precipitation in all cases. The results presented here show that in spite of the reduction in E.globulus growth caused by the defoliation, nutrient balances were positive, suggesting a minor impact in the soil-plant system nutrient budget.
Clonal propagation and cryogenic storage of the medicinal plant Stevia rebaudiana
Authors: Shatnawi M. A. , Shibli R. A. , Abu-Romman S. M. , Al-Mazra’awi M. S. , Al Ajlouni Z. I. , Shatanawi W. A. , Odeh W. H.
Published: December 2011

Successful clonal propagation of Stevia rebaudiana was achieved using microshoots as a primary step for in vitro conservation. Maximum proliferation was obtained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.5 mg L–1 benzyl amino purine and 0.2 mg L–1 indole-3-butyric-acid (IBA). Auxin increased rooting percentage of shoots at concentration of 0.4 mg L–1 IBA, indole-3-acetic-acid or naphthalene acetic acid and no rooting occurred without plant growth regulator. A survival of 90% was achieved when rooted explants were acclimatized in vivo in 1 soil: 1 perlite: 1 peat. In vitro S. rebaudiana shoots were successfully stored for up to 32 weeks on MS medium supplemented with an appropriate concentration of sucrose, sorbitol or mannitol, at 24 ± 2°C. After 32 weeks, 93.6% of the shoots were able to survive. Moreover, 89.3% of them were able to regrow when stored under light conditions. Cryopreservation by vitrification was successfully achieved (65.6% regrowth) when shoot tips were precultured on a medium supplemented with 0.4 M sorbitol for 2 d, followed by loading shoot tips with 80% concentrated plant vitrification solution 2 (PVS2) for 20 min; then dehydrated with 100% PVS2 for 60 min at 0°C prior to storage in liquid nitrogen. This procedure is easy to handle and produced a high levels of shoot formation. This protocol could be useful for longterm storage of S. rebaudiana germplasm.
Effect of amaranth residues (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) on weed control and yield or radish, onion and carrot
Authors: Tejeda-Sartorius O. , Vaquera-Huerta H. , Cadena-Iñiguez J.
Published: December 2011

Studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of dry residue of amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. var. Azteca) stem on weed growth and yield of radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. Champion), onion (Allium cepa L. var. Cambray), and carrot (Daucus carota L. var. Nantes), in order to determine the inhibitory effect of amaranth. The treatments were established under field conditions: 1) aqueous extract (AE); 2) soil-incorporated residue (S-IR); 3) surface-applied residue (S-AR); 4) unaltered soil control (U-S/C); 5) soil-incorporated control (S-I/C). The soil type at the study site was loamy-sand, with bulk density 1.47 m–3, containing 2.1% organic matter. The species with the largest number of plants and highest dry weight in the three vegetables were Simsia amplexicaulis (Cav.) Pers., and a group of Gramineae grasses. Weed reduction was observed with treatments S-AR and S-IR related to the respective controls (U-S/C and S-I/C). Generally, decrease in plant number and dry weight in both treatments varied from 60% to 97% during the vegetable cycle. Radish yield decreased significantly with S-AR and S-IR; whereas that of onion and carrot increased significantly with S-AR. The results indicate that amaranth residue, incorporated or surface applied may control some weeds in radish, onion, and carrot. The surface-applied residue has potential to increase the yield of onion and carrot. However, it is necessary to find optimal residue management conditions for its application in the field to avoid reduction in yield of sensitive crops like radish, and/or when the residue is incorporated.
Influence of the geometry on the numerical simulation of the cooling kinetics of cucumbers
Authors: Silva W. P. , Silva C. M. D. P. S. , Nascimento P. L. , Carmo J. E. F. , Silva D. D. P. S.
Published: December 2011

In this paper, the effect of the geometric representation of cucumbers on the numerical simulation of its cooling kinetics is studied. It is supposed that the diffusion model with boundary condition of the third kind satisfactorily describes the cooling, and that the thermo-physical parameters are constant during the process. The geometries used to represent the cucumber are: infinite cylinder, finite cylinder, and ellipsoid. The diffusion equation was solved through the finite volume method, with a fully implicit formulation, using cylindrical and generalized coordinates. The convective heat transfer coefficient and the thermal diffusivity were determined through optimization, using the inverse method. The best model in the representation of the cucumber’s shape was the ellipsoid, but the time demanded in its optimization was about 66 times greater than the time for the infinite cylinder.
Short communication. Mutual pheromone antagonism in two sympatric corn borers, Sesamia nonagrioides and Ostrinia nubilalis, under field conditions
Authors: Lopez-Alonso C. , Eizaguirre M. , Albajes R.
Published: December 2011

In previous studies, we demonstrated cross-antagonism in pheromone perception between pheromone componentsof the two corn (Zea mays L.) borers Sesamia nonagrioides Lefèbvre (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in the laboratory and in the field. The two pheromone components identified as responsible for this cross-antagonism were Z 11-16:Ald, a minor component of S. nonagrioides pheromone, and Z 11-14:Ac, the main component of the pheromone of the Z-strain of O. nubilalis, which inhibited the response of O. nubilalis and S. nonagrioides, respectively. Here, we study this antagonism phenomenon in the field by air permeation of maize plots with each of the two components separately and measurement of mating in caged couples of the two corn borers on treated and untreated plots during three years. A significant reduction in mating rates was observed on the permeated plots: 7% for S. nonagrioides and 12% for O. nubilalis. When dispenser charges (200 ng) were increased by 50% and 75% in the third year, no decrease in mating rates was recorded at either of the increased concentrations. On the other hand, the use of large cages resulted in an increase of 8% to 12% in the percentage of unmated females in each of the two corn borers suggesting that at more realistic field corn borer densities, 0,1 couples/plant instead of the 2 couples/plant used in this experiment, cross-antagonism in the two corn borers could be higher than that recorded in small cages.
Short communication. Response of bacterial community composition to long-term applications of different composts in agricultural soils
Authors: Ros M. , Knapp B. A. , Peintner U. , Insam H.
Published: December 2011

Differences in the bacterial community composition of agricultural soils caused by a long-term (12 year) application of different composts were identified by cultivation-dependent and -independent methods (PCR-DGGE and 16S rRNA clone libraries). The number of colony forming units indicated that the successive incorporation of organic amendments increased the bacterial abundance (6.41-5.66 log10 cfu g–1dry soil) compared to control and mineral soils (5.54-3.74 log10 cfu g–1 dry soil). Isolated bacteria were dominated by Actinobacteria, whereby compost-amended soils and green compost-amended soils showed, respectively, higher number of members of Actinobacteria (100% and 64%) than control and mineral soils (50% and 40%). The 16S rRNA clone libraries were dominated by Proteobacteria (43%), Acidobacteria (21%) and Actinobacteria (13%). Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were most abundant in compost amended soils while Acidobacteria were more frequently found in mineral fertilizer and control soils. Partial 16S rRNA gene clone libraries revealed a higher bacterial diversity than cultivation. In conclusion, we found differences of bacterial community composition with a cultivation approach and clone libraries between compost amended soils and control and mineral soil.
Short communication. Genetic diversity within Scorpiurus species from the Iberian Peninsula estimated using ITS DNA sequences
Authors: Visnevschi-Necrasov T. , Harris D. J. , Faria M. A. , Pereira G. , Nunes E.
Published: December 2011

Scorpiurus muricatus and Scorpiurus vermiculatus have been proposed as possible subjects for breeding programs to improve their potential as forage crops. However, prior to this genetic diversity between these species and within distinct populations should be assessed. We estimated diversity between populations from the Iberian Peninsula using ITS 1 and ITS 2 nuclear DNA sequences. Twelve haplotypes from 25 individuals were determined, and a network of relationships produced. Our results indicate considerable haplotypic diversity, but no deep subdivisions either within S. muricatus or between the two species. This means that no potential barriers to the proposed breeding programs were identified.
Effects of nutrition and irrigation on sweet pepper production in volcanic tuff
Authors: Gul A. , Tuzel Y. , Tuzel I. H. , Irget M. E. , Kidoglu F. , Tepecik M.
Published: December 2011

In this study aimed at increasing sustainability in soilless cultivation, volcanic tuff was used as substrate and the tested plant material was blocky type pepper (cv. 4-Ever F1). Three experimental factors were evaluated: cultivation system (open or closed), nutrient composition (N1, N2, N3, N4) and irrigation frequency (I1, I2, I3, I4). Macro nutrient concentrations of N2, N3 and N4 were 2-, 3- and 4-fold of N1. Concentrations of micronutrients were the same for all treatments. Irrigation was started when indoor solar radiation reached 6, 4, 2 and 1 MJ m–2 in the treatments I1, I2, I3 and I4, respectively. As a sustainable soilless technique, closed system was found to be recommendable by incorporating the treatment N4 + I2 to provide high yield and quality for blocky type pepper production. In the case of an open system, N2 + I4 proved to be the most efficient strategy.
Strain analysis of a glass-fibre-reinforced polyester under dynamic loads
Authors: Silvera A. , Vazquez J. , Vinssac V.
Published: December 2011

Strain on fibreglass-reinforced polyester was analysed for different types of stress-strain patterns to determine the existence of a critical point on the respective diagrams. This critical point defines the maximum strain value prior to a steep and abrupt increase that causes failure. «Useful life» should, therefore, be regarded to be the number of cycles associated with the critical point rather than the number associated with failure. The tests conducted in this study showed that the number of critical point cycles was around 95% of the yield point cycles. The degradation rate of the material tested under different loads was found with an analytical model applied to the most common strain pattern. The model proposed also showed that the stress ratio, R, was related to elastic modulus degradation. When studied for load state values of 10 to 16% of the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), material life expectancy was found to be 104 to 107 cycles. No fatigue limit appeared for these values, however. Immersion of the material in water and subsequent drying under ambient conditions was found not affecting either deformation or deformation-related variables. Finally, a model was developed to predict life expectancy from the maximum strain values.
Spatial distribution of Cydia fagiglandana (Zeller) in an exploited holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) forest
Authors: Jimenez-Pino A. , Maistrello L. , Lopez-Martinez M. A. , Ocete-Rubio M. E. , Soria-Iglesias F. J.
Published: December 2011

Cydia fagiglandana (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a carpophagous insect which affects the quality and viability of the fruits of beech, oak and chestnut trees. The majority of the works on this species in holm oak woods dealt with assessing its damages. No investigations have yet been performed on the spatial distribution of this pest, although this element is one of the key features to take in account in order to develop proper integrated management programs. The present study, performed during a four years period in an exploited holm oak forest area in Southern Spain, investigated the spatial distribution of C. fagiglandana integrating classic methods based on dispersion rates and distribution fitting together with the elaboration of population density maps based on GIS. Our results showed that the infestation rate progressively decreased from 0.339 in 2001 to 0.102 in 2004. Density maps for C. fagiglandana also show an heterogeneous and aggregated distribution of this insect and a spatio-temporal stability in this area. It is concluded that during the four years of the study inter-specific competition with the weevil Curculio elephas was the factor that most affected the spatial distribution of C. fagiglandana in the experimental plot.
Evaluation of ethylene production by ten Mediterranean carnation cultivars and their response to ethylene exposure
Authors: Ebrahimzadeh A. , Jimenez-Becker S. , Manzano-Medina S. , Jamilena-Quesada M. , Lao-Arenas M. T.
Published: December 2011

Vase life is one of the most important characters of postharvest cut flower quality. The onset of ethylene production and the amount of ethylene produced by flowers vary with the carnation cultivar, and thus influence their vase life. In the present study, differences in ethylene production and the response to exogenous ethylene among carnation cultivars were evaluated. Ten different cultivars: ‘Baltico’, ‘Domingo’, ‘Exotica’, ‘Famosa’, ‘Kiro’, ‘Madame Augier’, ‘Master’, ‘Mundo’, Pilar’ and ‘Reina’were studied. Five flowers for each cultivar were exposed for 8 hours to 1 μL L–1 exogenous ethylene concentration. Ethylene production, fresh weight and water uptake was measured daily throughout theexperiments. The 10 different cultivars studied showed clear differences in vase life, ethylene production, onset timein ethylene production and response to exogenous ethylene. The shortest vase life was for ‘Exotica’ flowers which wasonly 11.6 days, while ‘Baltico’ and ‘Pilar’ lasted 2.5-3 times longer than ‘Exotica’. Most of the investigated cultivarsshowed notable increases in the amount of ethylene. However, ‘Baltico’ and ‘Pilar’ flowers produced only a traceamount of ethylene and had the longest vase life. Results showed that cultivars with a long vase life (‘Baltico’ and‘Pilar’) display high ethylene responsiveness and, in contrast, cultivars with a short vase life (‘Exotica’ and ‘Mundo’) present low responsiveness. The decline in fresh weight of cut flowers observed in the last phase of their vase life occurred earlier in short-lived cultivars than in the longer-lived ones.
Short communication. N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N-phenylurea(4-CPPU) enhances in vitro direct shoot organogenesis of Citrus aurantium L. epicotyl segments compared to other commonly used cytokinins
Authors: Roussos P. A. , Dimitriou G. , Voloudakis A. E.
Published: December 2011

The effect of three concentrations of five different cytokinins, i.e. 6-benzylamino purine, 2-isopentyl adenine, kinetin (Kin), thidiazuron and N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N-phenylurea (4-CPPU), was evaluated on the in vitro direct shoot organogenesis of epicotyl explants of sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.). The basal medium used was that of Murashige and Tucker and epicotyl explants were incubated in medium supplemented with the prementioned cytokinins for 45 days. The addition of Kin and 4-CPPU in the medium enhanced the direct shoot organogenesis of sour orange epicotyl segments. The concentration of each of these two cytokinins which gave the best results, was combined with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or α-naphthalene acetic acid (α-NAA) at concentrations ranging from 0.01 mg L–1 to 0.2 mg L–1. The inclusion of IAA at 0.2 mg L–1 in the medium with 4-CPPU at 0.05 mg L–1 resulted in 100% successful direct shoot organogenesis, while the combination of Kin at 0.25 mg L–1 with IAA or α-NAA each at 0.01 mg L–1 presented equally high organogenesis percentages (91.7%). The incubation of the produced shoots, in medium supplemented with either indole-3-butyric acid or α-NAA resulted in high rooting percentages (up to 90%) and the rooted explants were successfully acclimatized under mist (85%). Although 4-CPPU has been used in in vitro cultureof various species, this is the first report on its use in the direct shoot organogenesis of citrus species and could be ofgreat value in citrus genetic transformation protocols using epicotyl segments, since this cytokinin resulted in theabsolute organogenesis percentage.
Manual GPS guidance system for agricultural vehicles
Authors: Amiama-Ares C. , Bueno-Lema J. , Alvarez-Lopez C. J. , Riveiro-Valiño J. A.
Published: December 2011

In this paper, the performance of a manual GPS guidance system to assist farming operations is evaluated. The distribution of granular fertilizer was simulated in order to discretize areas with excessive application of fertilizers and areas with fertilizer application rates below the intended rate. The path of travel followed by a tractor with the manual GPS guidance system was analysed and compared with a commercial parallel tracking system and without guidance assistance. In addition, the analysis evaluated how the use of manual GPS guidance systems improves the performance of field operations that require large distances between passes. Under the experimental conditions used, the best results were obtained using a commercial parallel tracking system but, for our purposes, small differences were observed between the results obtained with the commercial system and the results obtained with the developed manual GPS guidance system, getting pass-to-pass average error values of 0.26 and 0.73 m, respectively. The results obtained with both systems were significantly better than the results obtained when no guidance assistance was used. In our trials, area with appropriate fertilizer rate was clearly increased when guidance assistance was used. Values of area with correct fertilizer rate applied ranged between 87% with commercial parallel tracking and 59% without guidance assistance. The use of the manual GPS guidance system presented in this paper has proved sufficient to obtain good results for mechanical fertilizer spreading.
Arbuscular mycorrhiza, rhizospheric microbe populations and soil enzyme activities in citrus orchards under two types of no-tillage soil management
Authors: Wang P. , Zhang J. J. , Xia R. X. , Shu B. , Wang M.Y. , Wu Q.S. , Dong T.
Published: December 2011

The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) status [total AM colonization (RLT), percentage of root length with arbuscules (RLA) and vesicles (RLV), spore density and hyphal length density], microbial populations and soil enzyme activities were investigated in citrus (Satsuma Mandarin grafted on Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf) orchards. Two types of no-tillage soil management, natural grass cover and use of herbicides, were employed in these orchards. The citrus AM colonization (37.26-70.09%) was high in all the experimental orchards sampled. The highest RLA (43.83%), spore density (384.63 spores/100 g soil), hyphal length density (4.09 m g–1 soil), rhizospheric microbial populations and enzyme activities were observed in the orchards with a natural grass cover, and the lowest values, except urease activity, were found in the orchards treated with herbicides. Spore density, hyphal length density, catalase activity and phosphatase activity varied notably between no-tillage/natural grass and no-tillage/herbicides treated orchards in the soil layers above 40 cm. A correlation analysis showed that the hyphal length density and organic matter were significantly positively correlated. Soil enzyme activities, except phosphatase, were strongly correlated with the bacteria populations. The data presented here demonstrates that the RLA, spore density, hyphal length density, rhizospheric microbe populations and enzyme activities were significantly better in the soil layers above 40 cm of orchards with a natural grass cover than herbicidetreated soils. So, the establishment of a natural grass cover benefits soil quality in citrus orchards in Southern China.
Field-evaluation of DRAINMOD-S for predicting soil and drainage water salinity under semi-arid conditions in Turkey
Authors: Kale S.
Published: December 2011

The aim of this study was to determine the reliability of DRAINMOD-S for simulating water management in irrigated land and to simulate drainage system design criteria to ensure high crop yields for the western part of the Central Kızılırmak Basin in Turkey. The model was tested under arid conditions using field data for winter wheat and corn. Daily water-table depth, drain outflows and drainage water salinity were monitored throughout the growing season. Soil salinities were measured to a depth of 1.00 m from the soil surface. The reliability of the model was evaluated by comparing measured and predicted values of the daily ground water table depth, drain outflows, drainage water and soil salinity during each season, and relative crop yield. Good agreement was found between the measured and predicted values. Absolute deviation was 5.68 cm for water table depth, 10.13 mm for drain outflows, 0.66 dS m–1 for drainage water salinity, and ranged from 0.51 to 0.96 dS m–1 for soil salinity. The corresponding coefficients of efficiency (E) were between 0.48 and 0.95. The results also showed that Drainmod -S can be recommended as a useful tool for design and evaluation of irrigation and drainage systems in salt-affected soils under arid and semi-arid climates.