bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Next generation of elevated [CO2] experiments with crops: a critical investment for feeding the future world
Authors: AINSWORTH ELIZABETH A. , BEIER CLAUS , CALFAPIETRA CARLO , CEULEMANS REINHART , DURAND‐TARDIF MYLENE , FARQUHAR GRAHAM D. , GODBOLD DOUGLAS L. , HENDREY GEORGE R. , HICKLER THOMAS , KADUK JÖRG , KARNOSKY DAVID F. , KIMBALL BRUCE A. , KÖRNER CHRISTIAN , KOORNNEEF MAARTEN , LAFARGE TANGUY , LEAKEY ANDREW D. B. , LEWIN KEITH F. , LONG STEPHEN P. , MANDERSCHEID REMY , MCNEIL DAVID L. , MIES TIMOTHY A. , MIGLIETTA FRANCO , MORGAN JACK A. , NAGY JOHN , NORBY RICHARD J. , NORTON ROBERT M. , PERCY KEVIN E. , ROGERS ALISTAIR , SOUSSANA JEAN‐FRANCOIS , STITT MARK , WEIGEL HANS‐JOACHIM , WHITE JEFFREY W. 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTA rising global population and demand for protein‐rich diets are increasing pressure to maximize agricultural productivity. Rising atmospheric [CO2] is altering global temperature and precipitation patterns, which challenges agricultural productivity. While rising [CO2] provides a unique opportunity to increase the productivity of C3 crops, average yield stimulation observed to date is well below potential gains. Thus, there is room for improving productivity. However, only a fraction of available germplasm of crops has been tested for CO2 responsiveness. Yield is a complex phenotypic trait determined by the interactions of a genotype with the environment. Selection of promising genotypes and characterization of response mechanisms will only be effective if crop improvement and systems biology approaches are closely linked to production environments, that is, on the farm within major growing regions. Free air CO2 enrichment (FACE) experiments can provide the platform upon which to conduct genetic screening and elucidate the inheritance and mechanisms that underlie genotypic differences in productivity under elevated [CO2]. We propose a new generation of large‐scale, low‐cost per unit area FACE experiments to identify the most CO2‐responsive genotypes and provide starting lines for future breeding programmes. This is necessary if we are to realize the potential for yield gains in the future.
Differential Effects of a Saturated and a Monounsaturated Fatty Acid on MHC Class I Antigen Presentation
Authors: Shaikh S. R. , Mitchell D. , Carroll E. , Li M. , Schneck J. , Edidin M. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractLipid overload, associated with metabolic disorders, occurs when fatty acids accumulate in non‐adipose tissues. Cells of these tissues use major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules to present antigen to T cells in order to eliminate pathogens. As obesity is associated with impaired immune responses, we tested the hypothesis that the early stages of lipid overload with saturated fatty acids (SFA) alters MHC class I antigen presentation. Antigen presenting cells (APC) were treated with either the saturated palmitic acid (PA), abundant in the high fat Western diet, or the monounsaturated oleic acid (OA), a component of the Mediterranean diet. PA‐treatment lowered APC lysis by activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes and inhibited APC ability to stimulate naïve T cells. Inhibition of immune responses with PA was due to a significant reduction in MHC class I surface expression, inhibition in the rate of APC–T‐cell conjugation, and lowering of plasma membrane F‐actin levels. OA‐treatment had no effect on antigen presentation and upon exposure with PA, prevented the phenotypic effects of PA. OA‐treatment conferred protection against changes in antigen presentation by accumulating fatty acids into triglyceride‐rich lipid droplets of APC. Our findings establish for the first time a link between the early stages of lipid overload and antigen presentation and suggest that dietary SFA could impair immunity by affecting MHC I‐mediated antigen presentation; this could be prevented, paradoxically, by accumulation of triglycerides rich in monounsaturated fatty acids.
Hypolipidaemic effects of potato protein and fish protein in pigs
Authors: Spielmann J. , Kluge H. , Stangl G. I. , Eder K. 
Published: June 2008

SummaryThis study was performed to assess the effects of potato protein and fish protein on concentrations of lipids in plasma and lipoproteins and the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism in pigs used as an animal model. Therefore, 27 young male pigs with an average body weight of 22 kg were fed diets supplemented with protein extracted from potatoes (containing 849 g protein/kg dry matter), Alaska Pollack fillet as a source of fish protein (containing 926 g crude protein/kg dry matter) or casein which was used as control, for 3 weeks. Diets were formulated to supply identical amounts of each protein to the pigs by the three protein sources, namely 116 g/day in first week and 150 g/day in the second and third week. Pigs fed potato protein had lower concentrations of cholesterol in plasma and LDL than pigs fed casein (p < 0.05); no effect was observed on concentrations of HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Pigs fed fish protein had lower cholesterol concentrations in plasma, LDL and HDL, and lower triglyceride concentrations in triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins than pigs fed casein (p < 0.05). mRNA concentrations of genes involved in bile acid synthesis and cholesterol uptake were higher in pigs fed fish protein than in pigs fed casein (p < 0.05); no effect on these genes was observed in pigs fed potato protein. Expression of genes involved in lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation was not altered by fish protein. In conclusion, this study shows that fish protein and potato protein lower plasma cholesterol concentrations in pigs. The hypocholesterolaemic effect of fish protein might be in part caused by a stimulation of bile acid synthesis; the reason for the hypocholesterolaemic effect of potato protein requires further elucidation.
Characterization and Pathogenic Relationships of Rhizoctonia solani Isolates in a Potato–Rice System and their Sensitivity to Fungicides
Authors: Thind Tarlochan S. , Aggarwal Rohit 
Published: June 2008

AbstractPotato is planted after rice in several parts of Punjab in India and both crops are attacked by Rhizoctonia solani Kühn. Potato tubers showing black scurf and rice plants affected by sheath blight were collected from different regions of the state and the isolates of R. solani so obtained were studied to determine their variability and to ascertain their cross‐infectivity and response to fungicides. Potato isolates of R. solani did not infect rice plants but some rice isolates were weakly pathogenic on potato, the sclerotia being less firmly attached on tuber surface, indicating a possible unsuccessful attempt of rice isolates to infect potato. Rice isolates (66.6%) grew faster (>20 mm colony growth per 24 h) than those of the potato isolates (15–20 mm growth rate per 24 h). Hyphal width of isolates from both hosts varied from 7.2 to 12.1 μm. Colony growth of most potato isolates (61.2%) was appressed, whereas that of most rice isolates (53.3%) was fluffy. Rice isolates (73.3%) formed larger sclerotia (1.5–2.0 mm in diameter) than those of the potato isolates (0.5–1.0 mm in diameter). Anastomosis studies indicated that potato isolates belonged to AG‐3 and AG‐5 groups while rice isolates belonged to the AG‐1‐1‐A group. Representative R. solani isolates from the two hosts showed significant variation in response to fungicides (i.e. carbendazim, carboxin, pencycuron, propiconazole and validamycin) based on their ED50 and ED90 values.
Evaluation of Compost Amendments for Control of Vascular Wilt Diseases
Authors: Markakis Emmanouil A. , Tjamos Sotirios E. , Chatzipavlidis Iordanis , Antoniou Polymnia P. , Paplomatas Epaminondas J. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractVascular wilt fungal pathogens cause heavy economic losses to a wide range of crops; amongst them are Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis (FOM) and Verticillium dahliae Kleb. Several strategies for controlling these pathogens have been introduced, such as soil solarization, resistant rootstocks and biological control. In this study, the suppressive ability of seven different compost amendments and the plant growth‐promoting rhizobacterium Paenibacillus alvei K165 (with proven activity against V. dahliae) were tested against FOM in melon and V. dahliae in eggplant. It was shown that K165 had a suppressive effect against the pathogens in all experiments. On the contrary, the composts exhibited a narrow spectrum of effectiveness against the pathogens. Two composts were effective against V. dahliae and one against FOM. Moreover, we investigated the potential of the various compost samples and K165 to induce resistance in an Arabidopsis thaliana–V. dahliae or FOM model system. It was demonstrated that three composts and K165 were effective against V. dahliae; whereas, one compost and K165 were effective against FOM. In a naturally V.dahliae infested field, the ability of K165 to enhance the suppressive effect of one of the compost amendments, was evaluated. It was demonstrated that fortification of the compost with strain K165 significantly reduced disease severity, whereas the single application of the compost was not sufficient to significantly protect the plants.
Factors Affecting Biological Control of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum by Fungal Antagonists
Authors: Huang Hung‐Chang , Erickson R. Scott 
Published: June 2008

AbstractStudies were conducted to determine the effects of soil moisture (9, 16 or 24% w/w) and temperature (5, 15, 20 or 25°C) on the control of sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum by five fungal agents in sterile and natural field soil. All five biocontrol agents were effective in reducing the survival of sclerotia of S. sclerotiorum in sterile soil under dry (9% moisture) or wet (24% moisture) conditions at 20°C, but only Coniothyrium minitans was effective in natural soil. Coniothyrium minitans was the most effective in reducing sclerotial viability at the temperature range of 15–25°C. Trichoderma virens was effective against sclerotia of S. sclerotiorum to a lesser extent than C. minitans, and in non‐autoclaved soil, it performed best at 25°C. Although Epicoccum purpurascens, Talaromyces flavus and Trichothecium roseum were effective against sclerotia of S. sclerotiorum in some instances, they were less effective than C. minitans and T. virens. Sclerotia of S. sclerotiorum conditioned for myceliogenic germination were more vulnerable to attack by the biocontrol agents than dormant sclerotia. The implications are discussed with respect to enhancement of biological control of crop diseases caused by S. sclerotiorum in different geographic regions.
Diversity and temporal variation of peracarid fauna (Crustacea: Peracarida) in the shallow subtidal of a sandy beach: Playa América (Galicia, NW Spain)
Authors: Moreira Juan , Gestoso Loreto , Troncoso Jesús S. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractPeracarids (Crustacea: Peracarida) are an important component of soft‐sediment faunas and are considered good indicators of quality of water and sediments. Nevertheless, little is known about diversity of peracarid crustaceans on the shallow subtidal sediments of Playa América, a sandy beach in the Ensenada de Baiona (Galicia, NW Spain). Therefore, the peracarid fauna of its shallow subtidal zone was studied in a fine‐sand site at 4‐m depth from February 1996 to February 1997. Monthly sampling yielded a total of 4753 individuals belonging to 60 species. Amphipods were dominant in number of individuals and species followed by cumaceans. The assemblage showed a stable composition in species through the year and was numerically dominated by a few species, namely the amphipods Siphonoecetes kroyeranus and Microprotopus maculatus and the cumacean Pseudocuma longicorne. These species showed large monthly fluctuations in abundance, with maximal values between summer and autumn.
The ignored but common nemertine Psammamphiporus elongatus from the Galician beaches (Spain), affected by the Prestige oil spill
Authors: Herrera‐Bachiller Alfonso , García‐Corrales Pedro , Roldán Carmen , Junoy Juan 
Published: June 2008

AbstractNemerteans have been recorded in several studies of the sandy beaches, but usually these specimens have been only regarded as members of the Phylum, with no attempt at identification at any taxonomic level. This lack of identification is partly because of the sampling procedures used to collect beach macroinfauna. Nemerteans are fragile and need special care. They must be isolated and observed in vivo before using histological procedures, which must be employed for the taxonomical studies. This study deals with a sandy beach hoplonemertean, Psammamphiporus elongatus (Stephenson 1911), only known for seven specimens from the Firth of Clyde (UK). This species is recorded for the first time from the Galician sandy beaches (NW Spain) where it reaches its maximum abundance. The species is described and illustrated and new data on its morphology and ecology are provided. The species was apparently affected by the ‘Prestige’ oil spill, and would be a good indicator of beach quality.
The sandy beach macrofauna of Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia)
Authors: Pérez‐Domingo Silvia , Castellanos Carolina , Junoy Juan 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThis study describes the macrofauna of the three beaches situated in central Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia): Ouderef, Gabès and Zarrat. The Gulf of Gabès has the largest tides in the Mediterranean and the beaches showed a wide intertidal zone. The beaches were sampled once during the spring low tides of June 2005. A transect was extended at each beach, from above the drift line to below the swash line at five sampled levels; at each level six 0.05 m2 replicates were taken to a depth of 30 cm and sieved through a 1‐mm mesh, and the organisms collected and preserved. The three beaches showed a different physical environment. Sediment type was medium sand at the steeper Ouderef beach, fine sands at Gàbes beach, and very fine sands at the flatter Zarrat beach. The total number of species collected was 31: 12 crustaceans, 10 polychaetes, four molluscs and five insects. The supralittoral and mediolittoral zones were very different. The supralittoral zone was dominated by Talitrus saltator and insects. The most abundant mediolittoral species were the amphipod crustacean Bathyporeia guilliamsoniana at Ouderef beach (23069 ind.m−1), the surf clam Donax trunculus at Gabès beach (60711 ind.m−1) and the spionid polychaete Scolelepis mesnili at Zarrat beach (18345.6 ind.m−1).
Structure and distribution of the benthic macrofauna on a Northwest African sandy beach close to a freshwater river discharge
Authors: Chaouti Abdellatif , Colombini Isabella , Fallaci Mario , Gagnarli Elena , Chelazzi Lorenzo , Bayed Abdellatif 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe effects of the freshwater discharge of the Oued Sebou River on the macroinfauna, was studied on the sandy beach of Mehdia through the analysis of the abiotic parameters and of the macrozoobenthos. In autumn 2002 and spring 2003, three beach sites, each with two transects, localized at 50, 3500 and 5720 m from the river mouth respectively, were studied. Positive correlations were recorded for beach slope and pH whereas negative ones were obtained for organic matter content and salinity at increasing distances from the river mouth. Significant differences between beach sites and seasons occurred for median grain size, organic matter content and pH. For each beach site, mean macroinfauna abundance varied between 30 and 100 ind.·m−2 and in spring there was a significant correlation between this parameter and the increasing distance from the river mouth. No significant correlation was instead found between species richness and the increasing distance, although the farthest beach site from the mouth had the highest number of species during both seasons. The results indicated the importance of organic matter content and salinity for the macrofaunal abundance whereas the diversity indices were more affected by beach slope and grain size. The results showed that there was no clear spatial trend in compound indices of the macrofauna across the sampled sites and the influence of the river discharge of Sebou River did not seem to be significant and consistent on the macrobenthos of this mesotidal shore. Comparison with microtidal shores revealed the influence of the tidal excursion and swell characteristics on the response of the benthic structures of sandy beaches to discharges of freshwater.
Assessing inter‐beach differences in semi‐terrestrial arthropod assemblages on Maltese pocket sandy beaches (Central Mediterranean)
Authors: Deidun Alan , Schembri Patrick J. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe distinctiveness of macrofaunal assemblages on different sandy beaches in the Maltese Islands was previously suggested by different single‐season studies. A multi‐seasonal sampling programme using pitfall trapping was implemented on four Maltese beaches to test the occurrence of this phenomenon. A total of 29,302 individuals belonging to 191 species were collected over a 2‐year period, during which the beaches were sampled once per calendar season. A total of 77 species were recorded from single Maltese beaches only, of which nine were psammophiles. Non‐metric multidimensional scaling analyses of pitfall trap species‐abundance data resulted in a weak separation pattern, with samples grouping mainly in terms of beach and island rather than in terms of season or year of sampling, No physical variable could conclusively explain these patterns. It is concluded that although operating on Maltese beaches, macrofaunal assemblage distinctiveness is weaker than originally thought and can be attributed to the presence/absence or abundance of just a few psammophilic species. It is postulated that this phenomenon may be related to the ‘pocket beach’ nature of Maltese beaches, where headlands on either side of the beach to a large extent prevent the occurrence of longshore currents, resulting in semi‐isolation of the populations of psammophilic species. A large number of single‐beach records reported in this study highlight the high degree of beta diversity and spatial heterogeneity of Maltese beaches, and the conservation importance of the individual beach macrofaunal assemblages.
Can sandy beach molluscs show an endogenously controlled circatidal migrating behaviour? Hints from a swash rig experiment
Authors: Vanagt Thomas , Vincx Magda , Degraer Steven 
Published: June 2008

AbstractMany macrofaunal species inhabiting exposed sandy beaches are dependent on the swash for their nutrition and migration and are highly adapted to the harsh physical conditions of the swash. The most important physical factors that determine the distribution and behaviour of swash related fauna, next to the swash itself, are sediment grain size and beach slope. Crucial swash parameters are swash period and swash velocity. Studying the influence of these factors on the animals in the field is often very difficult and it is almost impossible to identify which factor causes what effect. Crucial knowledge about the direct role of the swash itself is lacking. Therefore, a device that generates swash waves on an artificial beach under laboratory conditions was designed: the swash rig. In the swash rig, full and independent control on sediment grain size, beach slope, swash velocity and swash period is present. This will allow us to do a variety of experiments on the influence of each of these factors, independently or combined, on swash fauna. In one such experiment, Olivella semistriata– a dominant surfing gastropod on Ecuadorian sandy beaches – was placed in the swash rig during rising and falling tide and subjected – under constant conditions – to an equal wave regime. During falling tide, and in absence of any tidal cue, almost all specimens moved downshore, as they would in the field; hardly any specimens moved upshore. During upcoming tide, however, there was noticeable upward migration in the swash rig, and half of the runs showed a net upward migration. Contrary to the common understanding that the behaviour of sandy beach molluscs is entirely environmentally driven, this experiment hints at the presence of an endogenous circatidal clock, which is used to direct the tidal migration of the species.
Responses of talitrid amphipods to a gradient of recreational pressure caused by beach urbanization
Authors: Veloso V. G. , Neves G. , Lozano M. , Perez‐Hurtado A. , Gago C. G. , Hortas F. , Garcia Garcia F. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractDemands for public outdoor recreation and urbanization are a potential source of environmental disturbances, particularly on sandy beaches. These habitats have therefore experienced rapid degradation worldwide. Talitrid amphipods, which are common inhabitants of sandy beaches, are probably good indicators of such disturbances. In this study, we evaluated the responses of the two amphipods Talitrus saltator and Atlantorchestoidea brasiliensis to human pressure on Spanish and a Brazilian beach, hypothesizing that disregarding species differences, their population sizes will decline under urbanized conditions. The Barra da Tijuca (Brazil) and Levante (Spain) beaches have mixed landscapes with varying levels of development, and each has a protected area (MPA) adjacent to urbanized sites. Numbers of talitrids as well as visitors were compared among sites on each beach. Talitrids were most abundant at the protected sites. This was true of both beaches, even though temporal patterns of human activity were quite different, with Levante experiencing sharp declines in the number of visitors during its harsh winter. Urbanized sites did not experience high Talitrid densities even during a period of low human pressure. On this basis, T. saltator and A. brasiliensis were considered good indicators of urbanization and recreational activities on sandy beaches. MPAs were found to be very important for the successful conservation of the talitrid populations. A feasible method of managing human pressure and thereby conserving beach biodiversity therefore seems to be the establishment of beach MPAs.
Ecological effects of coastal armoring on sandy beaches
Authors: Dugan Jenifer E. , Hubbard David M. , Rodil Iván F. , Revell David L. , Schroeter Stephen 
Published: June 2008

AbstractUse of coastal armoring is expected to escalate in response to the combination of expanding human populations, beach erosion, and sea level rise along the coasts. To provide a conceptual framework, we developed hypotheses concerning the ecological effects of beach habitat loss associated with coastal armoring. As beaches narrow in response to armoring, dry upper intertidal zones should be lost disproportionately, reducing the habitat types available and the diversity and abundance of macroinvertebrates. Predators, such as shorebirds, could respond to a combination of (i) habitat loss; (ii) decreased accessibility at high tides; and (iii) reduced prey availability on armored beaches. To examine those predictions, zone widths and the distribution and abundance of macroinvertebrates and birds were compared on paired armored and unarmored segments of narrow bluff‐backed beaches in southern California. Our results supported the predictions and revealed some unexpected effects of armoring on birds. Dry upper beach zones were lacking and mid‐beach zones were narrower (>2 times) year‐round on armored segments compared to adjacent unarmored segments. The abundance, biomass and size of upper intertidal macroinvertebrates were also significantly lower on armored segments. Shorebirds, most of which were foraging, responded predictably with significantly lower species richness (two times) and abundance (>3 times) on armored segments. Gulls and other birds (including seabirds), which use beaches primarily for roosting, were also significantly lower in abundance (>4 times and >7 times respectively) on armored segments, an important unexpected result. Given the accelerating pressures on sandy beaches from coastal development, erosion and rising sea levels, our results indicate that further investigation of ecological responses to coastal armoring is needed for the management and conservation of these ecosystems.