bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of evapoconcentration on dissolved organic carbon concentration and quality in lakes of SW Greenland
Authors: ANDERSON N. JOHN. , STEDMON COLIN A. 
Published: December 2006

Summary1. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration was determined for a range of lakes of varying conductivity (30–4000 μS cm−1) in the low Arctic of SW Greenland. DOC concentration range from <1 to >100 mg C L−1, occasionally approaching 200 mg C L−1 in meromictic, oligosaline lakes. DOC concentration was strongly related to [log10] conductivity and total nitrogen.2. Peak DOC concentrations (>80 mg L−1) occur in lakes located approximately 50 km from the present ice sheet margin, a zone of low effective precipitation; evaporative concentration is the first‐order control on DOC concentration. Lakes at the coast and closer to the ice margin had lower DOC concentrations (<20 mg C L−1). Local factors, notably the presence or absence of an outflow and catchment morphometry, resulted in considerable variability in concentration (20–100 mg C L−1) within the area of maximum concentration around 51°W.3. Despite their high DOC concentration, these lakes are essentially colourless. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) absorption (a375) was low in most lakes (<10 m−1) with maximum values (approximately 20 m−1) occurring in one humic‐stained lake in the area. Absorption values corrected for DOC concentration () were very low (<0.6 m2 g−1 C) for all lakes apart from those at the coast, perhaps reflecting greater allochthonous inputs at these sites.4. S, the spectral slope coefficient, ranged from 16 to 27 μm−1 and was weakly correlated with DOC concentration. Both a375 and S showed similar distribution patterns along the sampling gradient as did DOC, with maximum values at approximately 51°W. High and low S may indicate fresher, more rapidly flushed, systems with less degraded DOM or greater inputs from their catchments.5. The lakes closer to the head of the fjord with higher conductivity, had low (<0.2 m2 g−1 C) and high S (>21 μm−1) and this may reflect increasingly longer lake water residence times, greater DOM age and photochemical degradation.
Fluctuating deposition of ocean water drives plant function on coastal sand dunes
Authors: GREAVER TARA L. , STERNBERG LEONEL S. L. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractSea‐level rise will alter the hydrology of terrestrial coastal ecosystems. As such, it becomes increasingly important to decipher the present role of ocean water in coastal ecosystems in order to assess the coming effects of sea‐level rise scenarios. Sand dunes occur at the interface of land and sea. Traditionally, they are conceived as freshwater environments with rain and ground water as the only water sources available to vegetation. This study investigates the possibility of ocean water influx to dune soils and its effect on the physiology of sand dune vegetation. Stable isotopes are used to trace the path of ocean water from the soil to the vegetation. Soil salinity, water content and δ18O values are measured concurrently with stem water and leaf tissue of eight species during the wet and dry season and from areas proximal and distal to the ocean. Our results indicate the dune ecosystem is a mixed freshwater and marine water system characterized by oceanic influence on dune hydrology that is spatially heterogeneous and fluctuates temporally. Ocean water influx to soil occurs via salt spray in areas 5–12 m from the ocean during dry season. Accordingly, vegetation nearest to the sea demonstrate a plastic response to ocean water deposition including elevated integrated water use efficiency (δ13Cleaf) and uptake of ocean water that comprised up to 52% of xylem water. We suggest physiological plasticity in response to periodic ocean water influx may be a functional characteristic common to species on the leading edge of diverse coastal habitats and an important feature that should be included in modeling coastal ecosystems. Rising sea level would likely cause a repercussive landward shift of dune species in response to encroaching maritime influences. However, human development would restrict this process, potentially causing the demise of dune systems and the protection from land erosion they provide.
Prediction of legume silage digestibility from various laboratory methods
Authors: Rinne M. , Olt A. , Nousiainen J. , Seppälä A. , Tuori M. , Paul C. , Fraser M. D. , Huhtanen P. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryThe potential of different laboratory methods to predict legume silage organic matter digestibility (OMD) in vivo was evaluated by using data from thirty‐three pure legume silages in seven experiments. The samples were analysed for crude protein concentration, cell wall composition, in vitro digestibility by the methods of Tilley and Terry [Journal of the British Grassland Society, 18 (1963), 104–111; OMDT&T], pepsin‐cellulase solubility (OMS) and gas production (OMDGAS), and for indigestible neutral‐detergent fibre concentration in situ (INDF). The relationships between the results obtained by the laboratory methods and in vivo OMD, all expressed as ratios, were studied using linear univariate regression models with experiment as a random variable (mixed model). Legume silage digestibility could be estimated with acceptable accuracy by different in vitro methods, but not from the chemical composition of the samples. The highest accuracy in OMD prediction was found with OMS (RMSE 0·0113; R2 = 0·965) followed by OMDGAS (RMSE 0·0149; R2 = 0·944), OMDT& T (RMSE 0·0149; R2 = 0·940) and INDF (RMSE 0·0168; R2 = 0·925). The relationships between the in vitro methods and in vivo digestibility are not universal, and should be determined separately for each laboratory and type of forage. Part of the error in OMD prediction can be attributed to errors in in vivo OMD determination.
Effects of date of autumn closing and timing of winter grazing on herbage production in winter and spring
Authors: Hennessy D. , O'Donovan M. , French P. , Laidlaw A. S. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractGrowth of grass herbage in Ireland is highly seasonal with little or no net growth from November to February. As a result, feed demand exceeds grass supply during late autumn, winter and early spring. At low stocking rates [≤2 livestock units (LU) ha−1], there is potential to defer some of the herbage grown in autumn to support winter grazing. This study examined the effects of four autumn‐closing dates and four winter‐grazing dates in successive years on the accumulation of herbage mass and on tiller density in winter and subsequent herbage production at two sites in Ireland, one in the south and one in the north‐east. Closing swards from grazing in early and mid‐September (north‐east and south of Ireland respectively) provided swards with >2 t DM ha−1 and a proportion of green leaf >0·65–0·70 of the herbage mass above 4 cm, with a crude protein (CP) concentration of >230 g kg−1 DM and dry matter digestibility (DMD) of >0·700. The effects of autumn‐closing date and winter‐grazing date on herbage production in the subsequent year varied between the two sites. There was no significant effect of autumn‐closing date in the north‐eastern site whereas in the south earlier autumn closing reduced the herbage mass in late March by up to 0·34 t DM ha−1 and delaying winter grazing reduced the herbage mass in late March by up to 0·85 t DM ha−1. The effects of later grazing dates in winter on herbage mass continued into the summer at the southern site, reducing the herbage mass for the period from late March to July by up to 2 t DM ha−1. The effects of imposing treatments in successive years did not follow a consistent pattern and year‐to‐year variation was most likely linked to meteorological conditions.
Genetic patterns of tenElymusspecies from the Tibetan and Inner Mongolian plateaus of China
Authors: Yan X. B. , Guo Y. X. , Zhou H. , Lu B. R. , Wang K. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractGenetic diversity was investigated for forty populations of tenElymusspecies from the Tibetan and Inner Mongolian plateaus of China using allozyme and micro‐satellite markers. The two assays differed in the amount of polymorphism detected. Micro‐satellites detected the higher amounts of polymorphism. For allozymes and micro‐satellite markers, between populations of each species, the proportion of polymorphic loci, heterozygosity and Shannon's Information index ranged from 0·1667 to 0·833, and 0·455 to 1·00, respectively, 0·0800 to 0·2528 and 0·1622 to 0·3619, respectively, and 0·1173 to 0·3769 and 0·2248 to 0·5318 respectively. As for gene flow at the species and population levels, limited gene flow was found between populations within species and between species. From a geographical standpoint, samples from different regions showed a range of values. Populations from the Tibetan Plateau of China had higher genetic variation than from the Inner Mongolian plateau both using allozyme and micro‐satellite markers.
Comparative defoliation tolerance of temperate perennial grasses
Authors: Cullen B. R. , Chapman D. F. , Quigley P. E. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe defoliation tolerance of cultivars of four temperate perennial pasture grasses, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, cv. Yatsyn1), phalaris (Phalaris aquatica cv. Australian), tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae cv. Demeter) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata cv. Porto), was determined under controlled conditions over a period of 12 weeks. Undefoliated plants were compared with defoliated plants, where only half of one leaf was left intact at the initial defoliation, and leaf regrowth was harvested every 3–4 d. The growth responses measured were plant tiller number, dry weight, relative leaf regrowth rate, root:shoot ratio, sheath:stem ratio and specific leaf weight. All species showed morphological adaptations that potentially increased their ability to tolerate defoliation (e.g. increased allocation to shoot at the expense of roots and lower specific leaf weights) but cocksfoot was found to be the most defoliation‐tolerant and perennial ryegrass the least. The adaptation that favoured cocksfoot most strongly was high sheath:stem ratio, which, it is proposed, allowed it to maintain photosynthesis and a level of carbon supply sufficient to support regrowth throughout the experiment. The strategy of perennial ryegrass which favours leaf growth and leads to rapid leaf turnover rates made it particularly susceptible to defoliation under the conditions of this experiment. This highlights the likely importance of defoliation‐avoidance responses in explaining the well‐known grazing resistance of this species. Phalaris and tall fescue showed responses that were intermediate between the other two species. The importance of defoliation‐avoidance mechanisms and implications for grazing management are discussed.
Daily carbohydrate accumulation in eight tall fescue cultivars
Authors: Shewmaker G. E. , Mayland H. F. , Roberts C. A. , Harrison P. A. , Chatterton N. J. , Sleper D. A. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractEight cultivars of tall fescue (Loliumarundinaceum Schreb., S.J. Darbyshire = Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), Barcel, Kenhy, Kentucky‐31, Missouri‐96, Mozark, Stargrazer, C‐1 (an experimental selection), and HiMag, were sampled at 2‐h intervals during daylight on four cutting dates. Cultivars varied in concentrations of carbohydrate fractions but accumulation rates were not different. Daily mean total non‐structural carbohydrate (TNC) concentrations for cutting dates in May, July, August and September declined from 239 to 231, 143 and 120 g TNC kg−1 adjusted dry weight (ADW) respectively. Concentrations of fructans were highest in July but sucrose, glucose and starch concentrations were highest in May. Sucrose was the largest contributor proportionately to TNC daily means across accessions in May (0·33), August (0·30) and September (0·38). Glucose composed an equivalent proportion of TNC in the August harvest. Starch concentration was highest in May at 53 g kg−1 ADW and lowest in August at 23 g kg−1 ADW. The TNC concentration increased by 22·4 (May), 16·8 (July), 21·0 (August) and 30·8 g kg−1 ADW (September) from dawn to dusk. Forage samples taken to estimate preference by ruminants or for TNC analyses should be cut and preserved within 1 h to control the diurnal variation of TNC proportionately within 0·05. Tall fescue should generally be cut between noon and sunset for TNC concentrations to be greater than the daily mean.
Occurrence of endophytes in grasses native to northern China
Authors: Wei Y. K. , Gao Y. B. , Xu H. , Su D. , Zhang X. , Wang Y. H. , Lin F. , Chen L. , Nie L. Y. , Ren A. Z. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractA survey of grass species associated with Neotyphodium and Epichloë fungal endophytes was made in the permanent grasslands of northern China. A total of 41 grass species, 56 sites and 172 local populations were examined to reveal endophytic infection of native grasses. Twenty‐five of the forty‐one species of grasses (proportionately 0·61) were infected by endophytes: twenty‐two species had a mean infection rate of 0·01–0·50 and only three species had a mean infection >0·50. Of the 172 local populations examined, however, proportionately 0·72 were not infected, 0·181 had an infection rate of 0·01–0·50 and 0·099 had an infection rate of 0·51–1·00. Two genera of grasses, Cleistogenes and Koeleria, as well as twenty plant species, were previously unknown endophytic hosts in China. High infection rates (0·86–1·00) of plants of Achnatherum sibiricum were detected at all eleven sites studied. Other grasses in which high infection rates were found were Agropyron mongolicum, Roegneria turczaninovii, Agropyron elongate, Poa palustris and Poaangustifolia. It was concluded that endophytes are found widely in natural grass populations and that endophyte–grass interactions may have effects on ecosystems and livestock in the grasslands of northern China.
Effects of a range‐of‐motion exercise programme
Authors: Tseng Chien‐Ning , Chen Cheryl Chia‐Hui , Wu Shiao‐Chi , Lin Li‐Chan 
Published: December 2006

Abstract Title. Effects of a range‐of‐motion exercise programme Aim.  This paper reports an evaluation of a range‐of‐motion exercise programme aimed at improving joint flexibility, activity function, perception of pain, and depressive symptoms in a sample of stroke survivors in long‐term care facilities.Background.  The benefits of physical rehabilitation for stroke survivors have been well established. There is, however, little empirical data on the effects of a simple nurse‐led range‐of‐motion exercise programme in improving function for these people.Method.  A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 1999 with 59 bedridden older stroke survivors in residential care. Participants were randomly assigned to usual care or one of two intervention groups. The 4‐week, twice‐per‐day, 6 days‐per‐week range‐of‐motion exercise protocols were similar in both intervention groups, and consisted of full range‐of‐motion exercises of the upper and lower extremities. To test the effect of different degrees of staff involvement, in intervention group I, a Registered Nurse was present to supervise participants performing the exercises, while intervention group II involved a Registered Nurse physically assisting participants to achieve maximum range‐of‐motion within or beyond their present abilities.Results.  Both intervention groups had statistically significant improvement in joint angles, activity function, perception of pain and depressive symptoms compared with the usual care group (P < 0·05). Post hoc comparison revealed that the joint angles in intervention group II were statistically significantly wider than in both the other groups (P < 0·01).Conclusions.  A simple nurse‐led range‐of‐motion exercise programme can generate positive effects in enhancing physical and psychological function of bedridden older people with stroke. Further studies are needed to investigate the long‐term effects of the programme in maximizing function, reducing care utilization and enhancing quality of life for this population.
Living in the city: can anyone become an ‘urban exploiter'?
Authors: Kark Salit , Iwaniuk Andrew , Schalimtzek Adam , Banker Eran 
Published: December 2006

AbstractAim As urban landscapes expand, shifts in biodiversity are occurring. This is leading biogeographers and ecologists to consider human‐dominated landscapes in their current work. One question that arises is: what characterizes those species that are widespread in the most highly urban environments compared with those restricted to less urbanized areas in the city? Here, we aim to identify the traits that enable species to become urban exploiters, i.e. to dominate highly urbanized surroundings. Identifying these traits may help us better predict and possibly mitigate the biotic homogenization occurring in these areas.Location Israel in general, with special focus on the city of Jerusalem.Methods Combining literature and field‐based data for birds in Israel we compared phenotypic, behavioural and life‐history traits between urban exploiters and urban adapters. The latter occur in urban landscapes, but are characteristic of the less urbanized parts of the city. We then examined the trends along a finer field‐sampled gradient of increasing urbanization from sub‐natural to downtown areas within the city of Jerusalem.Results Urban exploiters and adapters differed primarily in social structure and migratory status: exploiters were significantly more social and sedentary than urban adapters. Clear trends were also seen for dietary preferences along a gradient of increasing urbanization in Jerusalem, such that, with increasing urbanization, the proportion of granivorous species increased whereas the proportion of species feeding on invertebrates declined. In contrast, neither relative brain size nor behavioural flexibility, as measured by feeding innovations, differed significantly among urban exploiters and adapters in Israel or along the urbanization gradient in Jerusalem specifically.Main conclusions The results of our study suggest that being successful in more vs. less urbanized environments in the city is not necessarily a factor of brain size nor of how flexible and behaviourally innovative the species is; rather, it depends on a combination of traits, including diet, degree of sociality, sedentariness and preferred nesting sites.
Analysis of factors implicated in the recent decline of Australia's mammal fauna
Authors: McKenzie N. L. , Burbidge A. A. , Baynes A. , Brereton R. N. , Dickman C. R. , Gordon G. , Gibson L. A. , Menkhorst P. W. , Robinson A. C. , Williams M. R. , Woinarski J. C. Z. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractAim  To assess whether eight factors thought to be involved in the extinction process can explain the pattern of recent decline in Australia's mammal fauna.Location  Australia.Methods  We compiled the first comprehensive lists of mammal species extant at the time of European settlement in each of Australia's 76 mainland regions, and assigned a current conservation status to each species in each region to derive an index of faunal attrition. We then sought to explain the observed region‐to‐region variation in attrition (the dependent variable) by building a series of models using variables representing the eight factors.Results  A strong geographically based pattern of attrition emerged, with faunal losses being greatest in arid regions and least in areas of high rainfall. The Akaike information criterion showed support for one model that explained 93% of the region‐to‐region variation in attrition. Its six variables all made independent contributions towards explaining the observed variation. Two were environmental variables, namely mean annual rainfall (a surrogate for regional productivity) and environmental change (a measure of post‐European disturbance). The other four were faunal variables, namely phylogenetic similarity, body‐weight distribution, area (as a surrogate for extent of occurrence), and proportion of species that usually shelter on the ground (rather than in rock piles, burrows or trees).Main conclusions  In combination with historical evidence, the analysis provides an explicit basis for setting priorities among regions and species. It also shows that the long‐term recovery of populations of many species of Australian mammals will require introduced predator suppression as well as extensive habitat management that includes controlling feral herbivores. Specifically, habitat management should restore aspects of productivity relevant to the types of species at risk and ensure the continual availability of suitable refuges from physiological stressors.
A review of the benefits of whole body exercise during and after treatment for breast cancer
Authors: Kirshbaum Marilyn N 
Published: December 2006

Aim.  A current critical review of the literature was deemed necessary to evaluate the strength of evidence to inform clinical practice.Background.  Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in empirical literature surrounding the benefits of exercise for breast cancer patients.Methods.  A systematic search strategy was used to identify relevant literature. Twenty‐nine articles were retained for critical review, appraised for quality and synthesized.Results.  Many early studies had limited internal and external validity. Recent studies were considerably more rigorous and robust. Consistent support for all types of aerobic exercise was most evident in studies of patients during adjuvant cancer treatments (chemotherapy and radiotherapy), compared with post‐treatment studies. The evidence which suggested that aerobic exercise limits cancer‐related fatigue was particularly strong. For other patient concerns, the empirical support was less robust, however, the potential for beneficial and measurable patient outcomes was indicated for cardiopulmonary function, overall quality of life, global health, strength, sleep, self‐esteem and reduced weight gain, depression, anxiety and tiredness.Conclusions.  Additional studies with higher methodological quality are required in this clinically relevant area to substantiate current indications particularly for patient subgroups (e.g. older people, those with advanced cancer and the disadvantaged).Relevance to clinical practice.  It is important for all healthcare professionals involved in the care of individuals affected by breast cancer to be aware of the evidence surrounding the benefits of exercise and to encourage patients to increase physical activity and improve their overall health and well‐being.