Effects of mechanical stress in under-sized clams, Tapes philippinarum: a laboratory approach

The present study is a first attempt at evaluating the effects of repeated disturbance, such as that caused by mechanical fishing systems, on the target species, Tapes philippinarum, intensively exploited in the Lagoon of Venice (North-East Italy). In particular, in free-access fishing grounds, detrimental effects of dredging may be suffered by under-sized clams, which are disturbed by fishing tools many times throughout their lives before they are collected. Similar mechanical stress conditions are experienced by T. philippinarum in licensed areas, where they are farmed in aquaculture conditions and undergo the harmful impact of hydraulic dredging. To evaluate the effects of short-term mechanical stress, under-sized clams were subjected to experimental shaking in the laboratory, and detrimental effects on their well-being were investigated by applying the biomarker approach. Changes in physiological, biochemical and behavioural responses were evaluated by determining scope for growth, adenylate energy charge, survival in air time, reburrowing time, and shell damage level. Responses highlighted general worsening in clam condition as mechanical stress increased. Among the various measurements, survival in air and reburrowing time appeared particularly suitable as indices, their responsiveness and applicability suggesting their use in assessing mechanical stress due to dredging in field conditions.     

Review: The strobilurin fungicides

The original article to which this Correction refers was published in Pest Management Science 58 (7): 649–662 (2002).Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of clear-felling on runoff in two small watersheds in Central Sweden

Small watersheds were used in a study of the effect of clear-felling on runoff from coniferous forest areas in Central Sweden. After a 3-year calibration period, two watersheds were clear-felled (on one of them the slash was left and on the other slash was removed) and a third was left as a reference.Runoff under forested conditions was 271 and 246 mm year^?1, respectively for the treated watersheds, while the precipitation measured 732 mm year^?1 as a mean for the investigated period. Clear-felling resulted in an increase in runoff of 119 and 75% (371 and 215 mm per year), respectively. The increase occurred during the period of snowmelt (April–May) and the period without snow (June–October). During winter (November–March) a very small increase in runoff was noted. The effect of clear-felling on runoff appears to be greater than has been reported from most other Scandinavian investigations.The increase in runoff during snowmelt is probably due to an increased snow accumulation in the clear-felled area as compared to the forest. The increased runoff for the period without snow is explained by reduced transpiration from the vegetation and reduced evaporation caused by an increased aerodynamic resistance.No effects of slash removal could be detected, probably because of the natural variation between the two treated watersheds.     

Effect of Freeze-Dried Red Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Leaf Supplementation on Biochemical and Anthropometrical Parameters in Overweight and Obese Individuals: a Pilot Study

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Obesity is an important public health concern and is directly related with chronic noncommunicable diseases that affect the health of millions of people around the...     

Near extinction of a large, widely distributed fish

Are extinctions of marine vertebrates as rare and unlikely as current data indicate? Long-term research surveys on the continental shelf between the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and southern New England reveal that one of the largest skates in the northwest Atlantic, the barndoor skate (Raja laevis), is close to extinction. Forty-five years ago, research surveys on St. Pierre Bank (off southern Newfoundland) recorded barndoor skates in 10% of their tows; in the last 20 years, none has been caught, and this pattern of decline is similar throughout the range of the species.