Correction to: Individual based modelling of fish migration in a 2-D river system: model description and case study

Landscape Ecology - In the original publication of the article, the third author name has been misspelt. The correct name is given in this Correction. The original version of this article was revised.     

The scale of landscape effect on seed dispersal depends on both response variables and landscape predictor

Landscape Ecology - Landscape structure can affect seed dispersal, but the spatial scale at which such effect is maximized (scale of effect, SoE) is unknown. We assessed patterns and predictors of...     

精准喷雾控制装置的设计与制作

为了实现精准喷雾,设计并制作了一套基于51单片机的精准喷雾自动/手动两种模式切换的控制装置。在自动模式下,单片机根据现场信号输入模块提供的作物病虫害情况分别打开或关闭对应的电磁阀;手动模式下,由面板手动开关分别控制各个电磁阀打开或关闭。经田间试验测定,该喷雾控制装置能够在自动或手动模式下实现精准喷雾作业控制。     

Defining the validity of a biochemical index of soil quality

 The native soils of Galicia (NW Spain) exhibit a biochemical equilibrium such that total soil N is a function of five biochemical and microbiological parameters: microbial biomass C, mineralized N, phosphomonoesterase, β-glucosidase and urease activities. To investigate whether the ratio of the total N calculated from biochemical soil properties (Nc) and the total N as measured by the Kjeldahl method (Nk; Nc/Nk) can be used as an index of soil quality, we determined these variables and consequently the ratio in three kinds of disturbed soils: an artificially Cu-contaminated soil, two lignite mine soils, and a number of arable soils. In none of the studied soils did the individual biochemical parameters respond consistently to the factors influencing soil quality, but in all cases soil degradation was reflected by the Nc/Nk value, which differed more or less markedly from 100%. Nc/Nk can therefore be used for the rapid evaluation of soil degradation, since it distinguishes among biochemically balanced soils, soils in a transient state of high microbiological and biochemical activity and degraded soils. It can also serve as a reliable basis for the rapid calculation of the "ecological dose" (ED₅₀) of soil pollutants. The use of Nc/Nk as an objective index of the biochemical quality of soils is recommended. Received: 20 December 1998     

Adsorption of whey protein isolate at the oil-water interface as a function of processing conditions: a rheokinetic study

In this paper we present surface dynamic properties (interfacial tension and surface dilational properties) of a whey protein isolate with a high content of beta-lactoglobulin (WPI) adsorbed on the oil-water interface as a function of adsorption time. The experiments were performed at constant temperature (20 degrees C), pH (5), and ionic strength (0.05 M). The surface rheological parameters and the interfacial tension were measured as a function of WPI concentration (ranging from 1 x 10(-)(1) to 1 x 10(-)(5)% w/w) and different processing factors (effect of convection and heat treatment). We found that the interfacial pressure, pi, and surface dilational modulus, E, increase and the phase angle, phi, decreases with time, theta, which should be associated with WPI adsorption. These phenomena have been related to diffusion of the protein toward the interface (at short adsorption time) and to the protein unfolding and/or protein-protein interactions (at long-term adsorption) as a function of protein concentration in solution and processing conditions.     

Supercritical fluid extraction of pesticides from a table-ready food composite of plant origin (gazpacho)

Supercritical fluid carbon dioxide extraction (SFE) has been evaluated for the extraction of 17 organohalogen and organophosphate pesticides in gazpacho (a table-ready food composite containing crude vegetables, white bread, vegetable oil, water, and other minor components) using anhydrous magnesium sulfate as drying agent. The effects of different parameters, such as fat content in gazpacho composites, magnesium sulfate/gazpacho ratio, supercritical fluid volume, pressure, temperature, and static modifier additions, on SFE recoveries from spiked gazpacho samples have been studied. Analyses were performed by gas chromatography (GC) with flame photometric (FPD), electron capture (ECD), and mass spectrometry (MSD) detectors. In most experiments, recoveries obtained for the nonpolar organohalogen pesticides were lower than those obtained for the most polar organophosphate pesticides, but overall pesticide recoveries determined by using the optimal SFE conditions indicate that SFE could be used to determine pesticide residue levels in gazpacho.     

1-methylcyclopropene increases storability and shelf life in climacteric and nonclimacteric plums

The effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) at three different doses (0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 microL L(-1)) on the ripening processes of a climacteric, cv. Santa Rosa, and a suppressed climacteric type, cv. Golden Japan, plum was studied. For both cultivars, positive effects were observed in terms of inhibition of ethylene production and delays of the physical, chemical, and biochemical changes associated with ripening. 1-MCP-treated plums were firmer with lower weight loss, reduced degrees Brix/titratable acidity ratios, and lower color changes during cold storage and subsequent shelf life at 20 degrees C than controls. For most factors, the effectiveness of 1-MCP was dose-dependent in Santa Rosa but dose-independent for Golden Japan.     

Effect of harvesting and drying conditions on chlorophyll levels of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr)

Chlorophyll in soybean represents a downgrading factor for the crops. Five Brazilian cultivars were harvested between R(6) and R(8) stage of development (Fehr & Caviness scale) and dried at 25 degrees and 40 degrees C. The effect of maturity stages and two drying conditions after harvest were studied to achieve reduction of moisture and chlorophylls to acceptable levels. When seeds were dried at 25 degrees C, even harvesting at early stages of development such as R(6), the green pigments were almost degraded, and 16 ppm of chlorophyll were found at maximum, accompanied by loss of moisture. Moisture and chlorophyll declines as seed matures, but at intermediary stages (R(6)-R(7)), chlorophyll degrades first, so the rate of moisture loss should not be used to predict chlorophyll contents. At 40 degrees C, complete degradation of chlorophyll pigments is only achieved when seeds are swathed from R(7) stage up, otherwise the seed quality could be compromised. Slow drying allows almost complete removal of green pigments, even when seeds are swathed a few days before the physiological maturity stage.     

Tillage effects on microbial biomass and nutrient distribution in soils under rain-fed corn production in central-western Mexico

Quantifying how tillage systems affect soil microbial biomass and nutrient cycling by manipulating crop residue placement is important for understanding how production systems can be managed to sustain long-term soil productivity. Our objective was to characterize soil microbial biomass, potential N mineralization and nutrient distribution in soils (Vertisols, Andisols, and Alfisols) under rain-fed corn (Zea mays L.) production from four mid-term (6 years) tillage experiments located in central-western, Mexico. Treatments were three tillage systems: conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT) and no tillage (NT). Soil was collected at four locations (Casas Blancas, Morelia, Apatzingán and Tepatitlán) before corn planting, at depths of 0–50, 50–100 and 100–150 mm. Conservation tillage treatments (MT and NT) significantly increased crop residue accumulation on the soil surface. Soil organic C, microbial biomass C and N, potential N mineralization, total N, and extractable P were highest in the surface layer of NT and decreased with depth. Soil organic C, microbial biomass C and N, total N and extractable P of plowed soil were generally more evenly distributed throughout the 0–150 mm depth. Potential N mineralization was closely associated with organic C and microbial biomass. Higher levels of soil organic C, microbial biomass C and N, potential N mineralization, total N, and extractable P were directly related to surface accumulation of crop residues promoted by conservation tillage management. Quality and productivity of soils could be maintained or improved with the use of conservation tillage.     

Chemical authentication of extra virgin olive oil varieties by supervised chemometric procedures.

This work has focused on discriminating extra virgin olive oils from Sabina (Lazio, Italy) by olive fruit variety (cultivar). A set of oils from five of the most widespread cultivars (Carboncella, Frantoio, Leccino, Moraiolo, and Pendolino) in this geographical area was analyzed for chemical composition using only the Official Analytical Methods, recognized for the quality control and commercial classification of this product. The obtained data set was converted into a computer-compatible format, and principal component analysis (PCA) and a method based on the Fisher F ratio were used to reduce the number of variables without a significant loss of chemical information. Then, to differentiate these samples, two supervised chemometric procedures were applied to process the experimental data: linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and artificial neural network (ANN) using the back-propagation algorithm. It was found that both of these techniques were able to generalize and correctly predict all of the samples in the test set. However, these results were obtained using 10 variables for LDA and 6 (the major fatty acid percentages, determined by a single gas chromatogram) for ANN, which, in this case, appears to provide a better prediction ability and a simpler chemical analysis. Finally, it is pointed out that, to achieve the correct authentication of all samples, the selected training set must be representative of the whole data set.