bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of mineralogy, geochemistry and grain size in badland development in Pisticci (Basilicata, southern Italy)
Authors: Summa V. , Tateo F. , Medici L. , Giannossi M. L. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractMineralogical, geochemical and grain‐size composition of soil and pore‐water chemistry parameters were characterized on both eroded (south‐facing) and non‐eroded (north‐facing) clayey‐silt slopes in the Basilicata region (southern Italy).Only a few grain‐size parameters and clay mineralogy discriminate eroded from non‐eroded substrates. Compared with the latter, the former have fractions of over 63 µm and 1–4 µm lower and fractions 4–63 µm higher. Grain‐size characters of crusts did not discriminate with respect to substrate.Bulk rock mineralogy was not distinctive, but the clay mineral assemblage shows that the eroded slope is enriched in kaolinite, mixed layers (illite–smectite) and chlorite, whereas illite decreases, although overlaps are common.Chemical data enable discrimination between eroded and non‐eroded slopes. pH, SAR (sodium adsorption ratio), TDS (total dissolved salts) and PS (percentage of sodium) are distinctive parameters for both eroded and non‐eroded slopes. TDS increases in depth in the non‐eroded slope, whereas the maximum TDS is just below the crust in the eroded one. On average, eroded substrates are higher in pH, SAR and PS than non‐eroded ones. The ESP (exchangeable sodium percentage) of the eroded slope has a higher value than the non‐eroded one. Crusts are less dispersive than eroded substrates, and non‐eroded substrates behave as crusts. This suggests that the portion of the slope most severely exposed to weathering tends to stabilize, due to strong decreases in SAR, PS and ESP. Several diagrams reported in the literature show similarly anomalous crust samples on eroded slopes, compared with other samples coming from greater depths on eroded slopes. In the present case study, the exchangeable form of Na characterizes crusts more than the soluble form.This study describes the erosional mechanism, which involves morphological and geographic exposure and climatic elements, as well as grain size, mineralogy, chemistry and exchangeable processes of soils. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Clinopodium ascendens (Jordan) Sampaio from Madeira
Authors: Castilho Paula , Liu Kai , Rodrigues Ana Isabel , Feio Sónia , Tomi Félix , Casanova Joseph 
Published: December 2006

AbstractClinopodium ascendens (Jordan) Sampaio [synonyms = Calamintha ascendens Jordan = C. officinalis Moench ssp. ascendens (Jord.) Mateo = C. sylvatica Bromf. ssp. ascendens (Jord.) P.W. Ball] is a small herbaceous plant with a very strong and distinctive mint aroma. The plant is known for its medical uses in folk medicine and as a spice in Italian kitchens. In Madeira Island, Clinopodium ascendens, known locally as ‘neveda’, grows wild along the shady paths of the Laurissilva forest. The local population uses the leaves of calamint as a mouth freshener and to alleviate headache and toothache. The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of the aerial parts of C. ascendens growing wild in Madeira was analysed by a combination of CC, GC, GC–MS, 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR. The oil was dominated by C3 oxygenated p‐menthane derivatives: cis‐isopulegone (75.2%), pulegone (6.9%), neoiso‐isopulegol (6.0%) and trans‐isopulegone (4.5%). The whole essential oil was tested against a variety of bacteria, both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative, and two fungi; it exhibited remarkable activity against Escherichia coli and was active against Agrobacterium tumefasciens and Staphylococcus aureus and the phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea. It was ineffective against Streptococcus faecium, Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A probabilistic investigation of infiltration in the vadose zone: proposal for a new formula of infiltration rate
Authors: Carlier Erick 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe infiltration rate in the unsaturated zone is analysed from a probabilistic point of view. It is shown that the empirical formulas of Horton and Kostiakov, without apparent physical basis, are explained in a probabilistic approach. Horton's formula reflects a Markovian process contrary to Kostiakov's formula. This approach made it possible to explain why Kostiakov's formula is more powerful than that of Horton. A new equation of infiltration is proposed. The three formulas were compared, for four types of soil, with the model of van Genuchten based on the Richards equation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transient and reversible nephrotoxicity of sarin in rats
Authors: Bloch‐Shilderman Eugenia , Levy Aharon 
Published: December 2006

AbstractOrganophosphate (OP) poisoning, which inhibits cholinesterase activity, leads to severe cholinergic symptoms. Effective and quick management of these symptoms is considered critical to the clinical outcome. Acute renal damage following exposure to OP insecticides has been reported. Similar complications might occur following exposure to OP nerve agents, however, this subject has been studied only sporadically. In the present study, the effect of the nerve agent sarin on renal function was examined in rats. A single dose of sarin (∼0.9 LD50) led to a significant reduction (of 45%) in renal function during the first 2 days post exposure, as exhibited by evaluation of the glomerular filtration rate, through measuring the clearance of 99mTc‐DTPA. The urine volume was reduced by 50%, the urine specific gravity increased to 104% of the control value and massive hematuria and glucosuria were recorded 24–48 h post exposure. In addition, around 60% decrease in urine electrolytes was monitored during the first 2 days following exposure, with a recovery after 8 days. Post mortem gross inspection of the bladder, 24 h post exposure, revealed severe edema and hemorrhage. Treatment with the muscarinic antagonist atropine and the oxime TMB‐4, at excessive doses administered 1 min post exposure, did not prevent most renal impairments. It has been concluded that sarin caused an acute renal dysfunction, possibly accompanied by bladder damage. These impairments were reversible, recovered spontaneously within 3–8 days, and were probably related to the state of shock and hypovolemia caused by the poisoning. However, if renal impairments are left unattended, they might contribute to the overall toxic manifestation and as a result aggravate the clinical state of intoxicated casualties. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pelvic growth: Ontogeny of size and shape sexual dimorphism in rat pelves
Authors: Berdnikovs S. , Bernstein M. , Metzler A. , German R.Z. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe mammalian pelvis is sexually dimorphic with respect to both size and shape. Yet little is known about the differences in postnatal growth and bone remodeling that generate adult sexual dimorphism in pelvic bones. We used Sprague‐Dawley laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus), a species that exhibits gross pelvic size and shape dimorphism, as a model to quantify pelvic morphology throughout ontogeny. We employed landmark‐based geometric morphometrics methodology on digitized landmarks from radiographs to test for sexual dimorphism in size and shape, and to examine differences in the rates, magnitudes, and directional patterns of shape change during growth. On the basis of statistical significance testing, the sexes became different with respect to pelvic shape by 36 days of age, earlier than the onset of size dimorphism (45 days), although visible shape differences were observed as early as at 22 days. Males achieved larger pelvic sizes by growing faster throughout ontogeny. However, the rates of shape change in the pelvis were greater in females for nearly all time intervals scrutinized. We found that trajectories of shape change were parallel in the two sexes until age of 45 days, suggesting that both sexes underwent similar bone remodeling until puberty. After 45 days, but before reproductive maturity, shape change trajectories diverged because of specific changes in the female pelvic shape, possibly due to the influence of estrogens. Pattern of male pelvic bone remodeling remained the same throughout ontogeny, suggesting that androgen effects on male pelvic morphology were constant and did not contribute to specific shape changes at puberty. These results could be used to direct additional research on the mechanisms that generate skeletal dimorphisms at different levels of biological organization. J. Morphol., 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Linking form and function of the fibrous joints in the skull: A new quantification scheme for cranial sutures using the extant fish Polypterus endlicherii
Authors: Markey Molly J. , Marshall Charles R. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe aim of this study is to connect specific sutural morphologies with the specific types of deformation they experience. To meet this goal, we quantified the morphologies of the interfrontal (IF), interparietal (IP), and frontoparietal (FP) sutures in the extant fish Polypterus endlicherii, and used our published measurements of in vivo deformation of these sutures during feeding to infer how suture morphology and function are connected. Specifically, we found that three relatively simple measures of cross‐sectional suture complexity (i.e., the ratio of total sutural length to its shortest end‐to‐end length; amount of sutural overlap; and size of the largest interdigitation) can be used to distinguish between the IF, FP, and IP sutures, which exhibit very different cross‐sectional shapes and responses to loading. Interestingly, these differences in cross‐sectional morphology are not reflected by the linear traces of these sutures on the surface of the skull, implying that cross‐sectional shape of a suture must be known to infer the loading conditions it experiences. Plotting the three cross‐sectional metrics against one another to yield a sutural morphospace shows that the IF, IP, and FP sutures define regions that are largely distinct from one another. Our previous measurements of strain across these sutures suggested that the FP region would lie between the IF and IP regions; instead, the FP region is largely set apart from the other two fields. Based on this discovery, and on the locations of cranial muscles, we propose a new model of deformation in the skull of P. endlicherii during feeding, in which rotation parallel to the skull roof is combined with bending, subjecting the FP suture to complex shearing. Finally, although the sutures of P. endlicherii appear to be significantly less complex than those of mammals, these fish sutures show a similar range of morphologies and perform similar functions as do mammalian sutures. J. Morphol., 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ultrastructural examination of spermiogenesis within the testis of the ground skink, Scincella laterale (Squamata, Sauria, Scincidae)
Authors: Gribbins Kevin M. , Mills Erin M. , Sever David M. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractAlthough the events of spermiogenesis are commonly studied in amniotes, the amount of research available for lizards (Sauria) is lacking. Many studies have described the morphological characteristics of mature spermatozoa in lizards, but few detail the ultrastructural changes that occur during spermiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the subcellular events of spermiogenesis within the temperate ground skink (Scincella laterale). The morphological data presented here represent the first complete ultrastructural study of spermiogenesis within the Scincidae clade. Samples of testes from 20 specimens were prepared using standard techniques for transmission electron microscopy. Many of the ultrastructural changes occurring during spermiogenesis within the ground skink are similar to that of other saurians. However, there were a few unique characteristics that to date have not been described during spermiogenesis in other lizards. For example, during early round spermatid development within the ground skink testis, proacrosomal granules begin to form within the acrosomal vesicle before making contact with the apex of the nucleus. Also, a prominent microtubular manchette develops during spermiogenesis; however, the circular component of the manchete is absent in this species of skink. This developmental difference in manchette formation may lead to the more robust and straight mature spermatozoa that are common within the Scincidae family. These anatomical character differences may be valuable nontraditional sources that along with more traditional sources (i.e., mitochondrial DNA) may help elucidate phylogenetic relationships, which are historically considered controversial at best, among species within Scincidae and Sauria. J. Morphol., 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Do collisions inside the collision cell play a relevant role in CID‐LIFT experiments?
Authors: Moneti Gloriano , Francese Simona , Mastrobuoni Guido , Pieraccini Giuseppe , Seraglia Roberta , Valitutti Giovanni , Traldi Pietro 
Published: December 2006

AbstractCollision experiments are a valid approach to characterize the ionic species generated by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI). When a time‐of‐flight analyzer is employed, three different approaches are available for these experiments: the postsource decay (PSD), the LIFT and the MALDI‐TOF/TOF. The last two are of particular interest because of the overcoming of the PSD problems related to mass calibration of the product ion spectra.Experiments performed by LIFT on linear or cyclic peptides, in presence or in absence of collision gas in the collision cell, gave evidence of an unexpected behavior: the two spectra were practically superimposable, and in the former case only a few new fragmentation channels were activated with low yield. These results mean that the selected ion exhibits a large amount of internal energy, capable of promoting fragmentation processes in the time window corresponding to the flight time between ion source and the acceleration electrode placed after the collision cell.Experiments performed by varying the plume density show that this internal energy uptake occurs in the expanding plume, through multiple collisions. The LIFT data have been compared with those achieved by collisions of ESI‐generated [MH]+ ions of angotensin II performed under ‘in‐source’ conditions and by triple‐quadrupole experiments. The obtained results show a strong similarity among the spectra, indicating that the internal energy uptake in a MALDI source is comparable with that of 40‐eV ions colliding with Ar in a triple‐quadrupole instrument. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of decreasing soil water content on seminal lateral roots of young maize plants
Authors: Kuchenbuch Rolf O. , Ingram Keith T. , Buczko Uwe 
Published: December 2006

AbstractSoil micropores that contain water at or below field capacity cannot be invaded by seminal or first‐order lateral roots of maize plants because their root diameters are larger than 10 μm. Hence, at soil‐water levels below field capacity plant roots must establish a new pore system by displacement of soil particles in order to access soil water. We investigated how decreasing soil water content (SWC) influences growth and morphology of the root system of young maize plants. Plants were grown in rhizotrons 40 cm wide, 50 cm high, and approximately 0.7 cm thick. Five SWC treatments were established by addition of increasing amounts of water to soil and thorough mixing before filling the rhizotrons. No water was added to treatments 1–4 throughout the experiment. Treatment 5 was watered frequently throughout the experiment to serve as a control. Seminal‐root length and SWC in soil layers 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40, and 40–50 cm were measured at intervals of 2–3 d on scanner images by image analysis. At 15 d after planting, for treatments 1–4 shoot dry weight and total root length were directly related to the amount of water added to the soil, and for treatments 4 and 5, total root length and shoot dry weights were similar. Length of seminal roots visible at the transparent surface of the rhizotron for all treatments was highest in the uppermost soil layer and decreased with distance from the soil surface. For all layers, seminal‐root elongation rate was at maximum above a SWC of 0.17 cm3 cm–3, corresponding to a matric potential of –30 kPa. With decreasing SWC, elongation rate decreased, and 20% of maximum seminal root elongation rate was observed below SWC of 0.05 cm3 cm–3. After destructive harvest for treatment 1–4, number of (root‐) tips per unit length of seminal root was found uninfluenced over the range of initial SWC from 0.10 to 0.26 cm3 cm–3. However, initial SWC close to the permanent wilting point strongly increased number of tips. Average root length of first‐order lateral (FOL) roots increased as initial SWC increased, and the highest length was found for the frequently watered treatment 5. The results of the study suggest that the ability to produce new FOL roots across a wide range of SWC may give maize an adaptive advantage, because FOL root growth can rapidly adapt to changing soil moisture conditions.
Effects of cadmium on growth parameters of endophyte‐infected endophyte‐free ryegrass
Authors: Ren Anzhi , Gao Yubao , Zhang Liang , Xie Fengxing 
Published: December 2006

AbstractA greenhouse hydroponic experiment was conducted to study the effects of cadmium (Cd) on growth parameters of endophyte‐infected (EI) and endophyte‐free (EF) perennial ryegrass. The results showed that Cd stress (0.18 mM Cd) affected all measured plant parameters, regardless of whether they were endophyte‐infected or endophyte‐free. Endophyte infection enhanced tillering ability and reduced leaf elongation under conditions of Cd stress. Endophyte infection tended to reduce leaf and leaf‐sheath biomass of control plants (0 Cd), but tended to alleviate the detrimental effects of Cd regarding shoot biomass. As far as net–photosynthetic rate and maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm ratio) were concerned, no difference was observed between EI and EF leaves. Like other grasses, perennial ryegrass can accumulate Cd, and Cd concentrations in different organs were in the following order: root > sheath > leaf. Endophyte‐infected ryegrass accumulated more Cd than EF ryegrass, especially in the shoots.
Genotypic variation for phosphorus uptake dinitrogen fixation in cowpea on low‐phosphorus soils of southern Cameroon
Authors: Jemo Martin , Abaidoo Robert C. , Nolte Christian , Horst Walter J. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractIn cowpea, efficient N2‐fixing genotypes are being selected to promote sustainable cropping systems in southern Cameroon (SC). However, N2 fixation and growth of these genotypes are largely hampered by low levels of soil plant‐available P. To evaluate the genotypic variation in N2 fixation and P uptake among cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) genotypes, field experiments were conducted over two years on two acid soils low in available P. The experiments were laid out in a split‐block design with four replications on typic (TK) and rhodic (RK) Kandiudult soils with seven cowpea genotypes. Phosphorus (P) fertilizers were applied on the main plots with 0 kg P, 30 kg P ha–1 as triple superphosphate (TSP) and 90 kg P ha–1 as Togo phosphate rock (PR). Nodule dry matter (DM), shoot DM, grain yield, and P uptake of cowpea significantly varied with site, P application, and genotype (p < 0.05). The N2 fixation of the cowpea genotypes ranged from 29 to 51 kg N ha–1 on both TK and RK soils and was significantly increased with P application. Significant genotypic variations in N2 fixation were observed with superior ability of the genotypes IT89KD‐391 and IT90K‐59 to fix N2. The harvest index (HI) did not significantly differ between soils and P application levels (p > 0.05). Four genotypes were selected to investigate root mechanisms responsible for efficient P acquisition in pot experiments. The results suggest that a better root infection by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in genotype IT90K‐59 and root morphological and physiological characteristics in IT89KD‐391 were the most important factors for increasing P uptake.
Influence of N form on growth photosynthesis of Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants
Authors: Brück Holger , Guo Shiwei 
Published: December 2006

AbstractMany plant species are characterized by pronounced sensitivity to sole ammonium supply and exhibit growth depression and particularly reduced leaf growth rates. Stress symptoms under sole ammonium supply may be related to perturbation of photosynthetic processes, e.g., low rates of net CO2 assimilation, low quantum yield, reduced stomatal conductance, and carboxylation capacity. The results of three experiments with French bean plants supplied with an N concentration of 5 mM illustrate significantly lower dry mass and specific leaf area, reduced leaf expansion, and higher chlorophyll and N content of ammonium‐ compared to nitrate‐supplied plants. Light‐saturated rates of CO2 assimilation (Amax) per unit leaf area were higher under ammonium compared to nitrate supply while no significant effects of N form on quantum yield and Amax per unit leaf weight and chlorophyll were found. Maximal carboxylation (Vcmax) and electron‐transport (JMax) rates were significantly higher under ammonium supply only in one of three experiments. Vcmax was linearly related to total leaf N, the slope of the regression was similar with both N forms, the x‐axis intercept was significantly higher for ammonium‐ compared to nitrate‐supplied plants. The ratio Vcmax : JMax was not affected by N form. It is concluded that ammonium supply had no negative effects on the operation of photosynthetic protein‐enzyme complexes.
Montezuma pine nutrient status as affected by alder densities nitrogen fertilization
Authors: López‐López Miguel A. , Aguirre‐Bravo Celedonio , Reich Robin 
Published: December 2006

AbstractLiterature reports both positive and negative effects of N‐fixing alders on conifer growth in alder‐conifer stands. Such divergent effects probably result from poorly understood species interactions. The aim of this work was to examine how varying alder‐to‐pine ratios (APRs) and N fertilization affect pine nutrient status. A pseudo‐experiment was installed in each of two areas of regeneration (AR) with different amounts of radiation reaching alder. The experimental approach consisted of a series of pseudoreplicated plots with five APRs within each AR. Half of each plot received 200 kg N ha–1. Data were interpreted by vector analysis. Alders in the AR 1987 induced needle‐biomass reductions, K deficiency, and P accumulation in pine needles. However, nutrient availability increased with the proportion of alders in the AR 1989, where alders received high sunlight due to a less dense pine stand. Nitrogen fertilization increased needle biomass and N in three out of five alder proportions where alders were sunlight‐limited. In the other stand, with the exception of the no‐alder and A4 plots, positive effects of N fertilization increased with decreasing alder density. We conclude that sunlight‐limited alders may not positively affect associated‐species growth even in N‐limited sites.