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Demand for fresh‐cut fruit and vegetables is increasing, in the face of global population growth and new interest in plant‐based diets. At the same time, year‐round supply across the world of popular vegetables means that post‐harvest losses, which can be significant, need to be minimized in the face of complex global supply chains and markets. Sweet corn (Zea mays L.) is harvested before physiological maturity when the kernel has high water and sugar concentrations making it a very perishable fresh produce and effective post‐harvest handling essential to reduce losses and ensure quality. Taste, aroma and colour are the main customer‐appreciated characteristics, hence the most important to preserve. Among the sweet corn post‐harvest disorders, loss of sweetness, dehydration, fungal growth and post‐cooking browning are the biggest issues impacting sweet corn quality, leading to post‐harvest losses. The critical factor driving these losses in sweet corn is temperature. Sweet corn is not a chilling sensitive product and has high sugar content. For this reason, temperatures as close as 0°C and the appropriate use of packaging films to create an altered gas composition with high CO2 and low O2 concentrations can significantly prevent post‐harvest decay. The use of low temperatures and effective choice of appropriate packaging films can control sweet corn respiration rates and prevent microorganism growth, subsequently delaying quality loss. This comprehensive review assembles a description of the most customer‐appreciated sweet corn characteristics. And it describes the major sweet corn post‐harvest challenges and provides a summary of four approaches to improve post‐harvest quality in this popular fresh‐cut vegetable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing urgency to develop and deploy sustainable sources of energy to reduce our global dependency on finite, high-carbon fossil fuels. Lignocellulosic feedstocks, used in power and liquid fuel generation, are valuable sources of non-food plant biomass. They are cultivated with minimal inputs on marginal or degraded lands to prevent competition with arable agriculture and offer significant potential for sustainable intensification (the improvement of yield without the necessity for additional inputs) through advanced molecular breeding. This article explores progress made in next generation sequencing, advanced genotyping, association genetics, and genetic modification in second generation bioenergy production. Using poplar as an exemplar where most progress has been made, a suite of target traits is also identified giving insight into possible routes for crop improvement and deployment in the immediate future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors discuss strategies for bioenergy crop management with less impact on food production and the environment. They mention the schemes, one is the management of bioenergy crops for biodiversity and assist ecosystem service providers (ESPs) and another is the strategic location of bioenergy plantations. They explore the environmental impact of these crops and the policy agendas for sustainable agriculture.

Ackee canners often harvest mature fruits that are placed on sun racks to complete ripening (indicated by podopening). It is unknown whether the nutrient composition of rack-ripened fruits differs from those completely ripened on trees. This study compares proximate, mineral and fatty acid composition of raw, mature arils of tree-ripened and rackripened fruits. Proximate and mineral compositions were determined, using standard methods, for composite samples of tree-ripened fruits collected from eleven different trees, and for ackees allowed to rack-ripen in the sun over three days. Fatty acid profiles were established by GC-MS analysis of the trans-methylated ackee oils. It was found that rack-ripened ackees had a higher percentage crude fat and crude protein, but lower moisture levels than the tree-ripened ackees (p < 0.05). Mineral contents were similar. Higher quantities of oleic acid and linoleic acid (p < 0.05) were found in the oils of tree-ripened fruits, while a higher proportion of stearic acid (p < 0.05) was present in rack-ripened fruits. In conclusion, the nutritional profiles of tree-ripened and rack-ripened ackees were generally similar. Higher quantities of crude fat and crude protein in rack-ripened ackees were probably a direct consequence of lower residual moisture in the said ackees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Vegetation plays a key role in both the global carbon and water cycles. Therefore, the representation of leaf-level fluxes of carbon and water in process-based land-surface schemes is central to accurately predicting these surface exchanges on a larger scale. Leaf-level models of photosynthesis used in such schemes are commonly based on the equations of , which were founded on the assumption that differences in the drawdown of CO2 from sub-stomatal cavities (c i ) to the site of carboxylation inside chloroplasts (c c ) were negligible. Recent research, however, indicates an important role for this additional internal pathway of CO2 transfer (g i ) in photosynthesis. This work therefore combined fieldwork and modelling to assess the impact of g i on estimation of key photosynthetic parameters, and on the accuracy of simulated photosynthesis (A net ) and stomatal conductance (g s ) in a coupled model of leaf-level A net and g s embedded in a land-surface scheme. It was shown that, in a fast growing poplar genotype (Populus nigra), the photosynthetic parameter V max was sensitive to g i . Determination of V max under the assumption of finite g i led to estimates of V max in well-watered trees that were, on average, 52% higher than values calculated on a c i basis. Drought induced declines in all key photosynthetic parameters measured were observed (V max , J max and g i ), in addition to a two-fold increase in photosynthetic biochemical capacity upon re-watering. Reasons for this and the implications for land-surface modelling are discussed. It was shown that inclusion of a constant (non-water stressed) internal conductance to CO2 in a coupled model of leaf-level A net and g s did not improve the accuracy of these simulated fluxes. It was concluded that, for application within a land-surface scheme, currently, accurate calibration of V max potentially has a greater impact on simulated A net and g s than the inclusion of additional, fine-scale leaf-level processes such as g i . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: There is an increasing demand for renewable resources to replace fossil fuels. However, different applications such as the production of secondary biofuels or combustion for energy production require different wood properties. Therefore, high-throughput methods are needed for rapid screening of wood in large scale samples, e.g., to evaluate the outcome of tree breeding or genetic engineering. In this study, we investigated the intra-specific variability of lignin and energy contents in extractive-free wood of hybrid poplar progenies (Populus trichocarpa × deltoides) and tested if the range was sufficient for the development of quantitative prediction models based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Since lignin is a major energy-bearing compound, we expected that the energy content of wood would be positively correlated with the lignin content. Results: Lignin contents of extractive-free poplar wood samples determined by the acetyl bromide method ranged from 23.4% to 32.1%, and the calorific values measured with a combustion calorimeter varied from 17260 to 19767 J g-1. For the development of calibration models partial least square regression and cross validation was applied to correlate FTIR spectra determined with an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) unit to measured values of lignin or energy contents. The best models with high coefficients of determination (R² (calibration) = 0.91 and 0.90; R² (crossvalidation) = 0.81 and 0.79) and low root mean square errors of cross validation (RMSECV = 0.77% and 62 J g-1) for lignin and energy determination, respectively, were obtained after data pre-processing and automatic wavenumber restriction. The calibration models were validated by analyses of independent sets of wood samples yielding R² = 0.88 and 0.86 for lignin and energy contents, respectively. Conclusions: These results show that FTIR-ATR spectroscopy is suitable as a high-throughput method for lignin and energy estimations in large data sets. Our study revealed that the intra-specific variations in lignin and energy contents were unrelated to each other and that the lignin content, therefore, was no predictor of the energy content. Employing principle component analyses we showed that factor loadings for the energy content were mainly associated with carbohydrate ring vibrations, whereas those for lignin were mainly related to aromatic compounds. Therefore, our analysis suggests that it may be possible to optimize the energy content of trees without concomitant increase in lignin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the hybrid operating suite, an operating room (OR) outfitted with state-of-the art endovascular imaging equipment in the U.S. It provides a description of the room, its components, and the available equipment inside it. The procedures performed in the hybrid suite are discussed. It also offers several considerations when planning a hybrid operating room including what procedures to be performed, who will perform, and how often the procedures be undertaken. A few of the healthcare facilities where hybrid ORs can be found are listed and included in the list are Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, Chester County Hospital in Westchester, New York, and Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey.

In this article the author examines the "Kitab al-Asrar," or "The Book of Secrets," a work dealing with alchemical processes, such as making gold, written in the 10th century by the Persian physician Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi. The central focus of the article is the author's contention that the "Kitab al-Asrar" is an early form of a modern laboratory manual and that such documents existed a thousand years ago. The article discusses the organizational structure and the procedural methodology at the "Kitab al-Asrar."

Growing seasons are getting longer, a phenomenon partially explained by increasing global temperatures. Recent reports suggest that a strong correlation exists between warming and advances in spring phenology but that a weaker correlation is evident between warming and autumnal events implying that other factors may be influencing the timing of autumnal phenology. Using freely rooted, field-grown Populus in two Free Air CO2 Enrichment Experiments (AspenFACE and PopFACE), we present evidence from two continents and over 2 years that increasing atmospheric CO2 acts directly to delay autumnal leaf coloration and leaf fall. In an atmosphere enriched in CO2 (by ∼45% of the current atmospheric concentration to 550 ppm) the end of season decline in canopy normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) – a commonly used global index for vegetation greenness – was significantly delayed, indicating a greener autumnal canopy, relative to that in ambient CO2. This was supported by a significant delay in the decline of autumnal canopy leaf area index in elevated as compared with ambient CO2, and a significantly smaller decline in end of season leaf chlorophyll content. Leaf level photosynthetic activity and carbon uptake in elevated CO2 during the senescence period was also enhanced compared with ambient CO2. The findings reveal a direct effect of rising atmospheric CO2, independent of temperature in delaying autumnal senescence for Populus, an important deciduous forest tree with implications for forest productivity and adaptation to a future high CO2 world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The consequences of increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide for long-term adaptation of forest ecosystems remain uncertain, with virtually no studies undertaken at the genetic level. A global analysis using cDNA microarrays was conducted following 6 yr exposure ofPopulus ×  euramericana(clone I-214) to elevated[CO2] in a FACE (free-air CO2 enrichment) experiment.• Gene expression was sensitive to elevated[CO2] but the response depended on the developmental age of the leaves, and< 50 transcripts differed significantly between different CO2 environments. For young leaves most differentially expressed genes were upregulated in elevated[CO2], while in semimature leaves most were downregulated in elevated[CO2].• For transcripts related only to the small subunit of Rubisco, upregulation in LPI 3 and downregulation in LPI 6 leaves in elevated CO2 was confirmed byanova. Similar patterns of gene expression for young leaves were also confirmed independently across year 3 and year 6 microarray data, and using real-time RT–PCR.• This study provides the first clues to the long-term genetic expression changes that may occur during long-term plant response to elevated CO2.New Phytologist(2005)doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2005.01450.x© New Phytologist(2005) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In certain classes of services, the client's role in the service delivery process often extends beyond the face-to-face exchange. With compliance dependent services (CDS), the client is expected to continue to perform for him or herself once away from the service provider in order to ensure positive outcomes and customer satisfaction (Dellande and Gilly, 1998). This study examined the effectiveness of written provider communication in influencing client motivation and role clarity in CDS. Two exploratory investigations examining written provider communication were conducted. In study 1, written material of three different types of health care related CDS (dialysis, prenatal care and weight loss) were examined; in study 2, dialysis written material was further examined. The findings suggest that, in the majority of the materials examined, written provider communication does not seem to clearly communicate the consequences of noncompliance (a source of customer motivation). However, the materials examined were effective in clarifying the client's external service roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the effects of free-air carbon dioxide (CO [sub 2]) enrichment on the leaves of the fast-growing tree Populus X euramericana. Influence of increased cell expansion and cell production to the effects of elevated (CO [sub 2]); Exhibition of basipetal gradient of leaf development; Importance of rate and timing of cell production in determining leaf size.

Root growth and respiration in elevated CO2 (700 μmol mol-1) was studied in three tree species, Fraxinus excelsior L., Quercus petraea, L. and Pinus sylvestris L. grown in open-top chambers (OTCs) during a long-term exposure (20 months), during which root systems were allowed to develop without restriction imposed by pots. Root growth, measured as root length using root in-growth bags was increased significantly in trees exposed to elevated CO2, although the magnitude of the response differed considerably between species and with time of sampling, the greatest effect observed after 6 months in ash (ratio of elevated: ambient, e:a; 3.40) and the smallest effect observed in oak (e:a; 1.95). This was accompanied by changes in specific root length, with a significant decrease in all species after 6 months, suggesting that root diameter or root density were increased in elevated CO2. Increases in root length might have resulted from an acceleration in root cell expansion, since epidermal cell size was significantly increased in the zone of elongation in ash root tips (P < 0.05). Contrasting effects of elevated CO2 were observed for root carbohydrates, with significant increases in soluble sugars for all species (P < 0.05), but both increases and decreases in starch content were observed, depending on species, and producing a significant interaction between species and CO2 (P < 0.001). Exposure to elevated CO2 increased the total root d. wt for whole trees of all three species after 8 months of exposure, although the magnitude of this effect, in contrast to the root in-growth study, was greatest in Scots pine and smallest in ash. No significant effect of elevated CO2 was observed on the root: shoot ratio. Further detailed analysis of whole root systems after 20 months confirmed that species differences in root responses to elevated CO2 were apparent, with increased coarse and fine root production in elevated CO2 for Scots pine and ash respectively. Lateral root number was increased in elevated CO2 for all species, as was mean root diameter. Root respiration rates were significantly reduced in elevated CO2 for all three species. These results provide firm evidence that exposure of trees to future CO2 concentrations will have large effects on root system development growth, carbohydrate status and respiration. The magnitude and direction of such effects will differ, depending on species. The consequences of such responses for the three species studied are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) enrichment and soil water deficit on the water use efficiency (WUE) and growth of Sanguisorba minor Scop. (salad burnet) and Anthyllis vulneraria L. (kidney vetch), growing in controlled environments. Instantaneous WUE (IWUE) increased in both species in elevated CO2, with a higher average increase in unwatered (UW) A. vulneraria over the drying cycle. Total plant WUE of A. vulneraria increased in elevated CO2 and under water deficit: the UW plants in elevated CO2 had higher WUE and reduced water loss. By contrast, thee was only an effect of water supply on S. minor: total plant WUE increased and water loss decreased in the UW plants in both CO2 treatments. Total apparent root length (ARL) of both species increased with CO2 enrichment and in UW S. minor total ARL was increased. By contrast, for A. vulneraria, total ARL of UW plants increased in ambient CO2, but decreased in elevated CO2 as compared with well-watered (WW) plants. Shoot dry weight (SDW) and root dry weight increased in both species (WW and UW) with CO2 enrichment. For UW S. minor, SDW decreased relative to WW plants in both CO2 treatments. By contrast, ANOVA showed no significant effect of water supply on SDW oft vulneraria. Leaflet length increased in both species in elevated CO2 and decreased following drought. Cell wall tensiometric extensibility (%P) increased in expanding leaves of S. minor in elevated CO2 and for both species %P decreased in the UW plants as compared with those WW. Leaf water potential (Ψ) of both species was lower in growing leaves of WW plants in elevated CO2. Water deficit reduced the Ψ of growing leaves in both CO2 treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf extension was stimulated following exposure of three interamerican hybrid poplar clones (Populus trichocarpa × P. deltoides); 'Unal', 'Boelare', and 'Beaupre' and a euramerican clone 'Primo' (Populus nigra × P. deltoides) to elevated CO2 in controlled environment chambers. For all three interamerican clones the evidence suggests that this was the result of increased leaf cell expansion associated with enhanced cell wall extensibility (WEx), measured as tensiometric increases in cell wall plasticity. For the interamerican clone 'Boelare', there was also a significant increase in cell wall elasticity following exposure to elevated CO2 (P ≤ 0.001). The effect of elevated CO2 in stimulating cell wall extensibility was confirmed in a detailed spatial analysis of extensibility made across the lamina of expanding leaves of the clone 'Boelare. For two of the interamerican hybrids, 'Unal' and 'Beaupre', both leaf cell water potential (ψ) and turgor pressure (P) were lower in elevated than in ambient CO2. By contrast, no significant effects on the cell wall properties or leaf water relations for the euramerican hybrid 'Primo' were observed following exposure to elevated CO2, suggesting that the mechanism for increased leaf extension in elevated CO2 differed, depending on clone. The cumulative total length of leaves of 'Boelare' grown in elevated CO2 was significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) and since leaf number was not significantly increased in any inter-american clone it is hypothesized that final leaf size was stimulated in elevated CO2 for these clones. By contrast, there was no significant effect of CO2 on cumulative total leaf length for the euramerican clone 'Primo', but leaf number was significantly increased by elevated CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diurnal measurements of leaf or leaflet extension, water relations and cell wall extensibility (&phis;) were made on young growing leaves of four chalk downland herbs (Sanguisorba minor Scop., Lotus corniculatus L., Anthyllis vulneraria L. and Plantago media L.) growing in controlled environment cabinets and exposed to either ambient or elevated CO2. This study revealed differences in the effect of CO2 and the control of leaf growth between the four species. Leaf extension rate (LER) increased significantly at night (average over 8 h) in elevated CO2 for S. minor, A. vulneraria and P. media with a significant increase over the first 4 h of darkness for S. minor, L. corniculatus and P. media, whilst for S. minor and P. media average day-time LER (over 16 h) also increased significantly in elevated CO2 as compared with ambient CO2. Water potential (Ψ), solute potential (Ψ), turgor pressure (P), yield turgor (Y) and the effective turgor for growth (Pe) were measured using psychrometers. Solute potentials of S. minor, A. vulneraria and P. media decreased significantly following exposure to elevated CO2 with a significant reduction in Ψ, during the day in A. vulneraria. Turgor pressure increased significantly in elevated CO2 as compared with ambient CO2 in A. vulneraria but there was no effect of elevated CO2 on P in the other species. No effects of CO2 on Ψ, Y or Pe were observed. Leaf cell wall extensibility (&phis;) increased significantly in leaves of S. minor, L. corniculatus and P. media exposed to elevated CO2, whereas in A. vulneraria, there was no effect of CO2 on extensibility. These results suggest that the mechanism by which elevated CO2 promotes leaf growth differs between species since in S. minor, L. corniculatus and P. media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of ambient (345 μl l-1)and elevated (590 μl l-1)CO2 on the root and shoot growth of four native chalk grassland herbs: Sanguisorba minor Scop. (salad burnet), Lotus corniculatus L. (birdsfoot trefoil), Anthyllis vuineraria L. (kidney vetch) and Plantago media L. (hoary plantain). Elevated CO2 had contrasting effects on both shoot and root growth of the four species studied. Both leaf expansion and production were stimulated by elevated CO2 for S. minor L. corniculatus and P. media, whilst for A. vulneraria, only leaflet shape appeared to be altered by elevated CO2, with the production of broader leaflets, compared with those produced in ambient CO2. After 100 d shoot biomass was enhanced in elevated CO2for S. minor and L. corniculatus, whilst there was no effect of elevated CO2 on shoot biomass for A. vulnerariaor P. media. Contrasting effects of CO2 were also apparent for measurements of specific leaf area (SLA), which increased for L. corniculatus, decreased for A. vulneraria and remained unaltered for S. minor and P. media in elevated compared with ambient CO2. Elevated CO2 also had contrasting effects on both the growth and morphology of roots. rite accumulation of root biomass was stimulated following exposure to elevated CO2 for S. minor and L. corniculatus whilst there was no effect on root biomass for A. vulneraria or P. media. Root length was measured on three occasions during the 100 d and revealed that exposure to elevated CO2 promoted root extension in S. minor, L. cornicvlatus and P. media, but not in A. vulneraria. Specific root length (SRL, length per unit dry weight) was increased in elevated CO2 for one species, P. media, whilst the root to shoot ratio of all four species remained unchanged by CO2. These results show that four native herbs differ in their response to CO2, suggesting that the structure of this plant community may be altered in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biophysical parameters controlling leaf expansion in hybrid poplar (Populus nigra L. × P. deltoides Bartr. cx Marsh = P. x euramericana) were measured for first-year cuttings growing under controlled conditions, with or without ozone fumigation. As individual leaves expanded, leaf water potential remained constant whilst solute potential declined and rurgor (P) increased from approximately 0.5 MPa to over 10 MPa as leaf size increased. Yield turgor (Y) measured by stress-relaxation of leaf discs within psychrormeters, increased from approximately 0-2 MPa to over 1.0 MPa during the same period. As the value of Y approached that of P. the effective turgor for growth (P- Y) declined and became zero as leaf growth ceased. Cell wall extensibility (measured as percentage plasticity by the `Instron' technique) was related to leaf growth rate such that highest values of plasticity corresponded to maximum rates of growth. As growth ceased, wall extensibility declined to very low values. Fumigation with 50 nl l-1 ozone for 16 h d-1 had no effect on any of the measured parameters with the result that growth and mature leaf size were unaffected by comparison with control plants receiving charcoal-filtered air. Additional episodes of 120 nl l-1 ozone on three consecutive days during the period of maximum leaf growth similarly had no effect on expansion or final leaf size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transplants of beech, Fagus sylvatica, L. were planted in 1 m plastic tubes containing a mixture of peat and grit and sunk into the ground inside open-top chambers at a site in southern Britain. Chambers were ventilated with either charcoal-filtered or unfiltered air and water was withheld from half of the trees within each chamber. The influence of air quality on the growth and development of roots and interactions between air quality and drought were investigated. During May and June 1988 the growth of fine (diameter < 1.5 mm) and large roots (diameter > 15 m) was not significantly altered by air quality. A destructive harvest conducted in July revealed that trees exposed to ambient pollution had significantly longer roots (P < 0.05) compared with trees grown in filtered air, despite slightly less root dry weight (not statistically significant). Specific root length (SRL, root length per unit root dry weight) was also significantly larger (P < 0.05) for trees grown in the unfiltered chambers and exposed to pollution, suggesting a root system which was not only longer but also consisted of thinner roots, compared with the roots of trees grown in clean air. The effects of pollution were more pronounced for roots in the lower half of the 1 m profile. During August 1988, water was withheld from half of the trees within each chamber. Well-watered trees exposed to unfiltered air had significantly less root dry weight (P < 0.05) compared with well-watered trees grown in filtered air, although root length and SRL were both greater for trees grown in unfiltered air compared with those grown in filtered air. Again the effects were more pronounced lower in the root profile. Withholding water resulted in less root length being produced irrespective of air quality treatment, suggesting that trees exposed to pollution would not necessarily be more susceptible to drought-stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to O3 alone has not yet been shown to reproduce the symptoms of the various types of spruce decline which have been identified in Europe. However, there is increasing evidence that this pollutant has physiological effects which interact with those of other environmental factors in ways which may be important in determining tree condition and growth. The effects of O3 episodes and drought on O3 uptake, gas exchange and water relations of Picea abies (L.) Kant. and P. sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. were investigated in two experiments. In the first a rapidly drying soil mixture was used, and seedlings of P. abies were exposed to short (2 h) daily episodes of O3 at 80 nl 1&sup-1; on each day of a 5 d drought. Photosynthesis (A) and stomatal conductance (gs) were significantly decreased (P = 001) by water deficit and as a consequence, uptake of O3 by the plants was also significantly decreased. Exposure to O3 did not affect A or gOs for this species. In the second experiment a soil mixture designed to give a slower development of water deficit was used and 1 + 1 transplants of P. sitchensis were exposed to a single O3 episode (up to 100 nI1&sup-1; for 3 h) after water had been withheld for 7 or 14 d. Höfler diagrams showed that mild water deficits did not affect shoot water relations. However, O3 significantly increased solute potential (φOs) after 7 d of drought, an effect which was lost after 14 d of drought. Flux of O3 to the watered plants was greater than to the unwatered plants at all concentrations, the effect being more marked at higher concentrations. This effect was partly attributable to the greater stomatal conductances recorded for the well watered plants, but was also partly due to stomatal opening caused by O3, an effect which was diminished or reversed for unwatered plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transplants of beech (Figus sylvatica L.) were grown in open-top chambers ventilated with either charcoal-filtered or unfiltered air. From May until September measurements of stomatal conductance to water vapour (g.) were made on trees in the chambers. On six out of seven occasions, leaves which had expanded during the first Hush (initial shoot extension, during May) in unfiltered air, had lower stomatal conductances, compared with those grown in filtered air; this was significant on three occasions (P < 0.05). Leaves which expanded later in the season (second flush or lammas growth) responded differently to the air quality treatments, with greater stomatal conductances recorded for trees exposed to unfiltered air. Measurements of leaf (psychrometry) and shoot (pressure bomb) water relations indicated that air quality had little effect on turgor pressure (P). Values of solute (φs) and water (φw) potential were higher for trees grown in unfiltered air. Trees were transported to the laboratory for measurement of photosynthesis (A), transpiration (E) and stomatal conductance (gs). Measurements of CO2 uptake were also made whilst the CO2 concentration within the leaf (Ci) was experimentally controlled (A/C, analysis). This revealed that higher rates of photosynthesis for lammas leaves grown in unfiltered air were due to enhanced regeneration of RuBP (increased Jmax P < 0.08). Carboxylation efficiency (dA/dCi) and percentage stomatal limitation were not significantly altered by air quality. Jmax and dA/dCi were similarly reduced following exposure to drought regardless of the air quality treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary aim of the study was to quantify the effects of photosynthetically-active radiation (PAR) on extension of leaves of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.). Plants grown at 250 μmol m-2 s1 were exposed to a range of fluence rates (0 680 μmol m-2 s-1) whilst enclosed in Perspex chambers in which temperature, vapour pressure deficit and photoenvironment were all controlled. Measurements of leaf extension, water relations, and cell wall extensibility (WEX) were made at the end of a 3 h exposure period. For leaves of birch, reducing the fluence rate resulted in reduced leaf extension and a lowering of WEX. Exposure of sycamore seedlings for 3 h to different values of PAR had little effect on the growth of leaves and WEX remained constant. The characteristics of net photosynthesis also differed for the two species and photosynthesis and wall loosening may be linked. Since natural woodland shadelight, in addition to reduced PAR, also has reduced R/FR ratio, a second group of seedlings were placed in a photoenvironment which simulated shadelight (low PAR, R/FR) for 28 d. This treatment reduced extension rate and final leaf size for both species. Measurements of extension, water relations and WEX made when seedlings were exposed to shadelight whilst held in the Perspex chambers revealed differences in the control of leaf growth for the two species. It is confirmed that leaves of birch are highly responsive to changes in PAR with cell wall loosening the most likely process controlling this response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf growth of first year seedlings of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth,) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) was measured continuously using linear variable transducers (LVTDs) when shoots were enclosed in small Perspex chambers, in which temperature, vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and photon fluence rate were all controlled. A new method was used to measure the yield turgor (Y) of growing leaves. The VPD of air in the chamber was altered so that transpiration rate was changed. Turgor pressures, measured using thermocouple psychrometers, and growth rates varied as a result of this treatment, and the relationship between leaf growth and turgor pressure (P) and the turgor pressure at which growth ceased (F) could he measured within a very short time period using well-watered plants. The value of Y was constant for illuminated and darkened leaves of both species, but Y was higher for sycamore leaves (Y = 0.250 MPa) compared with the value for birch leaves (Y = 0.071 MPa). Cell wall extensibility (m, MPa[sup-1]h[sup-1]) was calculated from the slope of the line relating turgor pressure to growth. For leaves of birch, there was a significant increase in pu when leaves were illuminated (m, dark = 1.3 x 10[sup-2] MPa[sup-1]h[sup-1]; m, light = 4.6 x 10[sup-2] MPa[sup-1]), similar in magnitude to the increase in wall extensibility measured previously by mechanical analysis of killed leaf tissue (WEX, the plasticity of tissue subjected to a uni-axial stress). No change in was detected when darkened sycamore leaves were illuminated (mn, dark = 4.2 x l0[sup-2] MPa[sup-1] h[sup-1]; m, light = 4.4 x 10[sup-2] MPa[sup-1] h[sup-1]). The results confirm earlier work on the factors controlling the diurnal patterns of leaf growth of these two species and suggest that leaf growth of birch is primarily limited by cell wall loosening hut that the growth of sycamore leaves may be limited by leaf turgor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf extension of one-year-old seedlings of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.), was measured using linear variable transducers (LVDTs) interfaced to a microcomputer. Birch and sycamore seedlings exhibited contrasting patterns of leaf extension during a diurnal cycle with a 16 h photoperiod. Birch leaves grew more rapidly when illuminated; growth during the photoperiod was approximately doubled when compared with growth in the dark. Mean relative growth rates±SE at 'lights-on + 3 h' and 'lights-off+5 h' were 0.0136±0.0016 and 0.0066±0.0005 h-1 respectively. In direct contrast, growth of sycamore leaves was increased when leaves were darkened; mean relative growth rates ± SE at 'lightson± 3 h' and 'lights-off+ 5 h' were 0.0056±0.0005 and 0.0094±0.0008 h-1 respectively. When leaves of birch and sycamore were darkened, increased leaf turgor was measured in both species, but only in sycamore was this higher night-time turgor associated with a higher rate of leaf growth. Cell wall extensibility (WEX), ah indication of the ability of cell walls to loosen and extend irreversibly, and cell surface pH were assessed in darkened and illuminated leaves of both species. An increase in WEX was measured when birch leaves were illuminated (P<0.001) and this was accompanied by a decline in cell surface pH (P<0.001). However, when leaves of sycamore were illuminated, WEX declined (P < 0.05) and cell surface pH increased (P< 0.001). The ability of these species to survive beneath a woodland canopy is discussed in relation to the cellular factors controlling their leaf growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information about the experiences of two philosophers Gail Taylor and David Rehorick about phenomenology. What follows is the story of how two searchers criss-crossed paths, and came to collaborate on the question of how they might advance their understanding of the phenomenological and hermeneutical domains. Gail Taylor and David Rehorick first met as students in each other's respective courses, one taught outside an academic environment, the other taught within. In the spring of 1993, David took Gail's adult education course, a workshop that explored how poets enter their exterior and interior worlds, retrieving voice through experimental foray. Arising from their reciprocal student-teacher experiences, they recognized a shared interest in the nature of experience and in its expression as-is. They wanted to uncover the relationship between this "is" and its articulation, and search the implications of this relationship for educational enterprise. They met to explore some of the elements of this "aporia," playing with ideas that evolved from their singular and collaborated perspectives. David first encountered the phenomenological domain in 1971; Gail became aware of this orientation in 1993. The article also offers a brief account of their initial experiences.

Artificial turves composed of 7 chalk grassland species (Festuca ovina L.; Briza media L.; Bromopsis erecta (Hudson) Fourr.; Plantago media L.; Sanguisorba minor Scop.; Anthyllis vulneraria L. and Lotus corniculatus L.) were grown from seed and exposed to two seasons of elevated (600 μmol mol–1) and ambient (340 μmol mol–1) CO2 concentrations in free air CO2 enrichment (ETH-FACE, Zurich). The turves were clipped regularly to a height of 5 cm and assessed for above ground biomass production and relative abundance based on accumulated clipped dry biomass as well as by point quadrat recording. Below ground biomass production was assessed with root in-growth bags during the second season of growth. Increases in total biomass (> 30%) were noted in elevated CO2, but the differences did not become significant until the second season of growth. Individual species’ biomass varied in response to elevated CO2, with significant increases in biomass in elevated CO2 turves for both legume species, and no significant CO2 effect on S. minor or P. media. An initial positive CO2 effect on biomass of combined grass species was reversed by the end of the experiment with less biomass and a significantly smaller proportion of total biomass present in elevated CO2, which was attributed primarily to changes in proportion of F. ovina. Species relative abundance was significantly affected by elevated CO2 in the final 4 of the 6 clip events, with the legume species increasing in proportion at the expense of the other species, particularly the grasses. Root length and dry weight were both significantly increased in elevated CO2 (77% and 89%, respectively), and these increases were greater than increases in shoot biomass (36%) from the same period. Species responses to elevated CO2, within the model community, were... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protected areas and renewable energy generation are critical tools to combat biodiversity loss and climate change, respectively. Over the coming decades, expansion of the protected area network to meet conservation objectives will be occurring alongside rapid deployment of renewable energy infrastructure to meet climate targets, driving potential conflict for a finite land resource. Renewable energy infrastructure can have negative effects on wildlife, and co-occurrence may mean emissions targets are met at the expense of conservation objectives. Here, we assess current and projected overlaps of wind and solar photovoltaic installations and important conservation areas across nine global regions using spatially explicit wind and solar data and methods for predicting future renewable expansion. We show similar levels of co-occurrence as previous studies but demonstrate that once area is accounted for, previous concerns about overlaps in the Northern Hemisphere may be largely unfounded, although they are high in some biodiverse countries (e.g., Brazil). Future projections of overlap between the two land uses presented here are generally dependent on priority threshold and region and suggest the risk of future conflict can be low. We use the best available data on protected area degradation to corroborate this level of risk. Together, our findings indicate that while conflicts between renewables and protected areas inevitably do occur, renewables represent an important option for decarbonization of the energy sector that would not significantly affect area-based conservation targets if deployed with appropriate policy and regulatory controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses a collaboration between university instructors and adult basic education (ABE) teachers to ensure effective implementation of instructional strategies. Commitment from the instructors and ABE teachers; Continuous interaction; Collegial relationship.

California has large and diverse biomass resources and provides a pertinent example of how biomass use is changing and needs to change, in the face of climate mitigation policies. As in other areas of the world, California needs to optimize its use of biomass and waste to meet environmental and socioeconomic objectives. We used a systematic review to assess biomass use pathways in California and the associated impacts on climate and air quality. Biomass uses included the production of renewable fuels, electricity, biochar, compost, and other marketable products. For those biomass use pathways recently developed, information is available on the effects—usually beneficial—on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and there is some, but less, published information on the effects on criteria pollutants. Our review identifies 34 biomass use pathways with beneficial impacts on either GHG or pollutant emissions, or both—the "good." These included combustion of forest biomass for power and conversion of livestock‐associated biomass to biogas by anaerobic digestion. The review identified 13 biomass use pathways with adverse impacts on GHG emissions, criteria pollutant emissions, or both—the "bad." Wildfires are an example of one out of eight pathways which were found to be bad for both climate and air quality, while only two biomass use pathways reduced GHG emissions relative to an identified counterfactual but had adverse air quality impacts. Issues of high interest for the "future" included land management to reduce fire risk, future policies for the dairy industries, and full life‐cycle analysis of biomass production and use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising atmospheric CO2 concentration is a key driver of enhanced global greening, thought to account for up to 70% of increased global vegetation in recent decades. CO2 fertilization effects have further profound implications for ecosystems, food security and biosphere‐atmosphere feedbacks. However, it is also possible that current trends will not continue, due to ecosystem level constraints and as plants acclimate to future CO2 concentrations. Future predictions of plant response to rising [CO2] are often validated using single‐generation short‐term FACE (Free Air CO2 Enrichment) experiments but whether this accurately represents vegetation response over decades is unclear. The role of transgenerational plasticity and adaptation in the multigenerational response has yet to be elucidated. Here, we propose that naturally occurring high CO2 springs provide a proxy to quantify the multigenerational and long‐term impacts of rising [CO2] in herbaceous and woody species respectively, such that plasticity, transgenerational effects and genetic adaptation can be quantified together in these systems. In this first meta‐analysis of responses to elevated [CO2] at natural CO2 springs, we show that the magnitude and direction of change in eight of nine functional plant traits are consistent between spring and FACE experiments. We found increased photosynthesis (49.8% in spring experiments, comparable to 32.1% in FACE experiments) and leaf starch (58.6% spring, 84.3% FACE), decreased stomatal conductance (gs, 27.2% spring, 21.1% FACE), leaf nitrogen content (6.3% spring, 13.3% FACE) and Specific Leaf Area (SLA, 9.7% spring, 6.0% FACE). These findings not only validate the use of these sites for studying multigenerational plant response to elevated [CO2], but additionally suggest that long‐term positive photosynthetic response to rising [CO2] are likely to continue as predicted by single‐generation exposure FACE experiments. Plant responses to future, elevated atmospheric CO2 from single‐generation FACE experiments were compared with those observed in naturally high carbon dioxide springs, following multi‐generation exposure. Responses for a panel of traits, including enhanced photosynthesis and reduced stomatal conductance, were broadly conserved suggesting that FACE experiments are a good proxy for long‐term, multi‐generational responses to this facet of the changing climate. These findings have implications for enhanced global greening, since our data suggest that vegetation will not acclimate to elevated, CO2 growth stimulation is likely to persist. Similarly, the data are relevant for future plant breeding and conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irrigation, the practice of artificially supplementing the water available to crops, accounts for 70% of global freshwater abstractions. Since water supply is increasingly under threat from climate change, implementing novel deficit irrigation techniques - the practice of applying less than the optimum amount of water required by the crop- is a pressing priority for future horticulture. Several studies show that deficit irrigation not only saves water, but may also improve crop quality, for example in fruit trees, wine grapes and culinary herbs such as mint. Here we synthesise current knowledge and practice on irrigation in herb crop production, since dietary trends in recent decades have shown a rise in popularity of fresh produce including culinary herbs, but there has been little progress in developing irrigation techniques and scheduling in such crops. We find strong evidence that water deficit can improve crop quality for several leafy herb crops. This includes increase in essential oils, aroma and quality, alongside increases in the plant metabolites that contribute to antioxidant potential. Despite these positive findings, this review also highlights a gap in understanding the application of deficit irrigation technologies to commercial herb crop systems and suggests further innovation and research is required in this area of precision horticulture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To optimise trade-offs provided by future changes in grassland use intensity, spatially and temporally explicit estimates of respective grassland productivities are required at the systems level. Here, we benchmark the potential national availability of grassland biomass, identify optimal strategies for its management, and investigate the relative importance of intensification over reversion (prioritising productivity versus environmental ecosystem services). Process-conservative meta-models for different grasslands were used to calculate the baseline dry matter yields (DMY; 1961–1990) at 1 km 2 resolution for the whole UK. The effects of climate change, rising atmospheric [CO 2 ] and technological progress on baseline DMYs were used to estimate future grassland productivities (up to 2050) for low and medium CO 2 emission scenarios of UKCP09. UK benchmark productivities of 12.5, 8.7 and 2.8 t/ha on temporary, permanent and rough-grazing grassland, respectively, accounted for productivity gains by 2010. By 2050, productivities under medium emission scenario are predicted to increase to 15.5 and 9.8 t/ha on temporary and permanent grassland, respectively, but not on rough grassland. Based on surveyed grassland distributions for Great Britain in 2010 the annual availability of grassland biomass is likely to rise from 64 to 72 million tonnes by 2050. Assuming optimal N application could close existing productivity gaps of ca. 40% a range of management options could deliver additional 21 ∗ 10 6 tonnes of biomass available for bioenergy. Scenarios of changes in grassland use intensity demonstrated considerable scope for maintaining or further increasing grassland production and sparing some grassland for the provision of environmental ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the guest editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including the use of social media and technology in fashion design, recreation of the recycled garment into new fashion dresses without affecting the environment, and supply chain management.

Vegetation exerts large control on global biogeochemical cycles through the processes of photosynthesis and transpiration that exchange CO2 and water between the land and the atmosphere. Increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations exert direct effects on vegetation through enhanced photosynthesis and reduced stomatal conductance, and indirect effects through changes in climatic variables that drive these processes. How these direct and indirect CO2 impacts interact with each other to affect plant productivity and water use has not been explicitly analysed and remains unclear, yet is important to fully understand the response of the global carbon cycle to future climate change. Here, we use a set of factorial modelling experiments to quantify the direct and indirect impacts of atmospheric CO2 and their interaction on yield and water use in bioenergy short rotation coppice poplar, in addition to quantifying the impact of other environmental drivers such as soil type. We use the JULES land-surface model forced with a ten-member ensemble of projected climate change for 2100 with atmospheric CO2 concentrations representative of the A1B emissions scenario. We show that the simulated response of plant productivity to future climate change was nonadditive in JULES, however this nonadditivity was not apparent for plant transpiration. The responses of both growth and transpiration under all experimental scenarios were highly variable between sites, highlighting the complexity of interactions between direct physiological CO2 effects and indirect climate effects. As a result, no general pattern explaining the response of bioenergy poplar water use and yield to future climate change could be discerned across sites. This study suggests attempts to infer future climate change impacts on the land biosphere from studies that force with either the direct or indirect CO2 effects in isolation from each other may lead to incorrect conclusions in terms of both the direction and magnitude of plant response to future climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying processes underlying the genetic and morphological differences among populations is a central question of evolutionary biology. Forest trees typically contain high levels of neutral genetic variation, and genetic differences are often correlated with geographic distance between populations [isolation by distance ( IBD)] or are due to historic vicariance events [isolation by colonization ( IBC)]. In contrast, morphological differences are largely due to local adaptation. Here, we examined genetic (microsatellite) and morphological (from a common garden experiment) variation in Populus nigra L., European black poplar, collected from 13 sites across western Europe and grown in a common garden in Belgium. Significant genetic differentiation was observed, with populations from France displaying greater admixture than the distinct Spanish and central European gene pools, consistent with previously described glacial refugia ( IBC). Many quantitative traits displayed a bimodal distribution, approximately corresponding to small-leaf and large-leaf ecotypes. Examination of nine climatic variables revealed the sampling locations to have diverse climates, and although the correlation between morphological and climatic differences was significant, the pattern was not consistent with strict local adaptation. Partial Mantel tests based on multivariate summary statistics identified significant residual correlation in comparisons of small-leaf to large-leaf ecotypes, and within the small-leaf samples, but not within large-leaf ecotypes, indicating that variation within the small-leaf morphotype in particular may be adaptive. Some small-leaf populations experience climates very similar to those in large-leaf sites. We conclude that adaptive differentiation and persistent IBC acted in combination to produce the genetic and morphological patterns observed in P. nigra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composition and amounts of dust or particulate matter (PM) vary greatly in the atmosphere and particulates can have major adverse impacts on human health. Since PM 10 deposition to foliage can improve air quality, there have been a number of studies of PM 10 amounts on the surface of urban vegetation. Much less is known about PM in agricultural areas, although PM 10 can be harmful to vegetation and, for food crops, have the potential to be ingested. Here we have quantified PM across the agricultural landscape of California, measuring the amounts present on the foliage of 18 crops at 21 locations. The amounts of particulates present varied (0.17–6.9 gm-2) and PM loads on leaves in the south and east of the area were higher than those in the northern and westerly locations. Our findings suggest that the amounts of particulates on the surface of agricultural crops can be high; exceeding the usual range of values for urban areas. Our data indicate that agricultural crops grown in regions like California and the Mediterranean where summer rainfall is largely absent and drip rather than spray irrigation is used are more vulnerable to PM accumulation and to any adverse effects resulting from these deposits. Microscopic analysis of PM 10 on foliage showed that in these agricultural areas wind-blown soil particles make up 74.2% of the PM 10 present; this is thus a very significant source. A small number of microplastic particles (2.2%) were also identified on foliage. We suggest that PM and microplastics could impact food and forage quality and that more work is needed to examine PM deposition to crops and their range of impacts. [Display omitted] • Little is known on particulate matter deposition and impacts in agriculture. • Particulates (PM 10) can be harmful to vegetation and to human health if ingested. • Particulates amount on crops can be high; exceeding the usual range in urban areas. • In agriculture soil & microplastics make up 74.2 and 2.2 % of leaf surface dust. • Dust effects food & forage quality; more work is needed on deposition & impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathways to decarbonisation are commonly explored by government and industry through the use of energy system models. However, such models rarely consider where new energy infrastructure might be located. This is problematic as the spatial context of new renewable energy infrastructure will determine, in part, the environmental, social, and technical impacts of the energy transition. This paper presents the ADVENT-NEV model which brings together innovations in energy and natural capital modelling to identify the optimal locations of multiple renewable energy technologies at a national scale and high spatial resolution. Using Great Britain as a case study, the results show how the spatial distribution of renewable energy technologies changes when a natural capital approach is taken. In particular, the least-cost locations for onshore wind farms and bioenergy crops are highly influenced by the value of carbon sequestration, or emissions associated with their land use change. Siting using a natural capital approach produced appreciable ecosystem service benefits, such that the overall welfare gain to society was estimated at nearly £25 B. Overall, this paper demonstrates that understanding the geospatial context of the energy transition is essential to identifying which renewable energy pathways are consistent with decarbonisation and environmental objectives. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: There is momentum, globally, to increase the use of plant biomass for the production of heat, power and liquid transport fuels. This review assesses the evidence base for potential impacts of large-scale bioenergy crop deployment principally within the UK context, but with wider implications for Europe, the USA and elsewhere. We focus on second generation, dedicated lignocellulosic crops, but where appropriate draw comparison with current first-generation oil and starch crops, often primarily grown for food. For lignocellulosic crops, positive effects on soil properties, biodiversity, energy balance, greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation, carbon footprint and visual impact are likely, when growth is compared to arable crops. Compared to replacement of set-aside and permanent unimproved grassland, benefits are less apparent. For hydrology, strict guidelines on catchment management must be enforced to ensure detrimental effects do not occur to hydrological resources. The threat of climate change suggests that action will be required to ensure new genotypes are available with high water use efficiency and that catchment-scale management is in place to secure these resources in future. In general, for environmental impacts, less is known about the consequences of large-scale deployment of the C4 grass Miscanthus, compared to short rotation coppice (SRC) willow and poplar, including effects on biodiversity and hydrology and this requires further research. Detailed consideration of GHG mitigation and energy balance for both crop growth and utilization suggest that perennial crops are favoured over annual crops, where energy balances may be poor. Similarly, crops for heat and power generation, especially combined heat and power (CHP), are favoured over the production of liquid biofuels. However, it is recognized that in contrast to heat and power, few alternatives exist for liquid transportation fuels at present and research to improve the efficiency and energy balance of liquid transport fuel production from lignocellulosic sources is a high current priority. Although SRC, and to a lesser extent energy grasses such as Miscanthus, may offer significant benefits for the environment, this potential will only be realized if landscape-scale issues are effectively managed and the whole chain of crop growth and utilization is placed within a regulatory framework where sustainability is a central driver. Land resource in the UK and throughout Europe will limit the contribution that crops can make to biofuel and other renewable targets, providing a strong driver to consider sustainability in a global context. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Baby salad leaves of salad roquette, arugula in the U.S. (Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa) had an increased postharvest shelf life of 2 to 6 days, while lollo rosso lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. 'Ravita') and red chard [Beta vulgaris L. var. flavescens (Lam.) Lam] baby salad leaves had increased shelf life of 1 to 2 days when harvested at the end of the day compared with leaves harvested at the start of the day. We have shown that improved shelf life of salad roquette and lollo rosso following end-of-day harvest was correlated with altered biophysical characteristics of the cell walls, with increased cell wall extensibility (percent plasticity and elasticity) measured at end of day. Leaf turgor pressure (P, MPa) was also highest in salad roquette and red chard at the end of day. Improved shelf life following 'end of day' harvest was also associated with the accumulation of leaf sucrose in salad roquette but not lollo rosso and red chard following daily photosynthesis. Diurnal alterations of leaf starch concentration were detected in lollo rosso and red chard but not in salad roquette. The degree of leaf shelf life extension in salad roquette and red chard was further associated with the peak rates of leaf photosynthetic activity. These data suggest that, depending on species, significant improvements to postharvest shelf life could be achieved through the rescheduling of time of day for harvest and also provide relevant information on the selection of traits for future genetic improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short-rotation coppice Salix genotypes of differing biomass yields were studied over two growing seasons with the long-term aim of identifying traits definitive of high yield for the breeding of elite energy crops. In the first season, basic leaf and stem traits were measured in six Salix genotypes, to identify morphological characteristics associated with high biomass yields. Thereafter, S. viminalis L. ‘L78183’ (low yield) and the hybrid genotype S. schwerinii E. Wolf× S. viminalis L. ‘Tora’ (high yield) were compared. Maximum stem heights and stem diameters increased with biomass yield. ‘Tora’ produced more sylleptic branches on the leading stems than ‘L78183’. Leaf traits differed significantly between the two genotypes: individual leaf area and cell number per leaf was greater in ‘Tora’, whereas cell area was greater in ‘L78183’, suggesting that final leaf areas were attained in ‘Tora’ through the production of many, small cells, and in ‘L78183’ through fewer, large cells. Leaf extension rates were higher in ‘Tora’ than ‘L78183’. This result was mirrored for leaf production rate. Leaf area index, examined at two coppice stages, was higher in ‘L78183’ (values of 2.06 and 1.67) than in ‘Tora’ (maximum value 1.43) which had a very open canopy. Furthermore, A/Ci analysis revealed the low-yielding genotype as the most photosynthetically efficient at the individual leaf level whereas light response curves suggest that ‘Tora’ utilised light more efficiently. The results presented in this study suggest that leaf extension rate, final leaf size and cell number per leaf may be indicative of yield, and may be useful as selection criteria for potentially high-yielding hybrids for biomass use. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led hospital-to-home transitional care intervention versus usual care on mental functioning (primary outcome), physical functioning, depressive symptoms, anxiety, perceived social support, patient experience, and health service use costs in older adults with multimorbidity (≥ 2 comorbidities) and depressive symptoms. Design and setting: Pragmatic multi-site randomized controlled trial conducted in three communities in Ontario, Canada. Participants were allocated into two groups of intervention and usual care (control). Participants: 127 older adults (≥ 65 years) discharged from hospital to the community with multimorbidity and depressive symptoms. Intervention: This evidence-based, patient-centred intervention consisted of individually tailored care delivery by a Registered Nurse comprising in-home visits, telephone follow-up and system navigation support over 6-months. Outcome measures: The primary outcome was the change in mental functioning, from baseline to 6-months. Secondary outcomes were the change in physical functioning, depressive symptoms, anxiety, perceived social support, patient experience, and health service use cost, from baseline to 6-months. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed using ANCOVA modeling. Results: Of 127 enrolled participants (63-intervention, 64-control), 85% had six or more chronic conditions. 28 participants were lost to follow-up, leaving 99 (47 -intervention, 52-control) participants for the complete case analysis. No significant group differences were seen for the baseline to six-month change in mental functioning or other secondary outcomes. Older adults in the intervention group reported receiving more information about health and social services (p = 0.03) compared with the usual care group. Conclusions: Although no significant group differences were seen for the primary or secondary outcomes, the intervention resulted in improvements in one aspect of patient experience (information about health and social services). The study sample fell below the target sample (enrolled 127, targeted 216), which can account for the non-significant findings. Further research on the impact of the intervention and factors that contribute to the results is recommended. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT03157999. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the occurrence of memory-influenced biases in gymnastic judging. Factors influencing memory biases in gymnastic judging; Dissociations of memory performance; Changes in the levels of processing research.

SummaryParticulate pollution is a serious health problem throughout the world, exacerbating a wide range of respiratory and vascular illnesses in urban areas. The use of trees to reduce the effects of these pollutants has been addressed in the literature, but has rarely been quantified. The aim of the present study was to quantify the effectiveness of five tree species - pine (Pinus nigra var. maritima), cypress ( × Cupressocyparis leylandii), maple (Acer campestre), whitebeam (Sorbus intermedia), poplar (Populus deltoides × trichocarpa ‘Beaupré’) - in capturing pollutant particles. This was achieved by exposing them to NaCl droplets of approximately 1 μm diameter at a range of windspeeds in two windtunnels. The deposition velocity (Vg) and particle trapping efficiency (Cp) were calculated from these exposures. In addition, a variable dependent on foliage structure [Stokes number (St)] was correlated with Cp to gauge the effect of tree morphology on particle capture. Maximum Cp values ranged from 2.8% for P. nigra, to 0.12% and 0.06% for P. trichocarpa × deltoides and A. campertre, respectively. The finer, more complex structure of the foliage of the two conifers (P. nigra and C. leylandii) explained their much greater effectiveness at capturing particles. The data presented here will be used to model the effectiveness of tree planting schemes in improving urban air quality by capturing pollutant particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Water supply limits agricultural productivity of many crops including lettuce. Identifying cultivars within crop species that can maintain productivity with reduced water supply is a significant challenge, but central to developing resilient crops for future water-limited climates. We investigated traits known to be related to water-use efficiency (WUE) and yield in lettuce, a globally important leafy salad crop, in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) lettuce mapping population, produced from a cross between the cultivated Lactuca sativa L. cv. Salinas and its wild progenitor L. serriola L. Results: Wild and cultivated lettuce differed in their WUE and we observed transgressive segregation in yield and water-use traits in the RILs. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis identified genomic regions controlling these traits under well-watered and droughted conditions. QTL were detected for carbon isotope discrimination, transpiration, stomatal conductance, leaf temperature and yield, controlling 4–23 % of the phenotypic variation. A QTL hotspot was identified on chromosome 8 that controlled carbon isotope discrimination, stomatal conductance and yield under drought. Several promising candidate genes in this region were associated with WUE, including aquaporins, late embryogenesis abundant proteins, an abscisic acid-responsive element binding protein and glutathione S-transferases involved in redox homeostasis following drought stress were also identified. Conclusions: For the first time, we have characterised the genetic basis of WUE of lettuce, a commercially important and water demanding crop. We have identified promising candidate genomic regions determining WUE and yield under well-watered and water-limiting conditions, providing important pre-breeding data for future lettuce selection and breeding where water productivity will be a key target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this study, we investigated the impact of elevated atmospheric CO2 (ambient + 350 μmol mol–1) on fine root production and respiration in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings. After six months exposure to elevated CO2, root production measured by root in-growth bags, showed significant increases in mean total root length and biomass, which were more than 100% greater compared to the ambient treatment. This increased root length may have lead to a more intensive soil exploration. Chemical analysis of the roots showed that the roots in the elevated treatment accumulated more starch and had a lower C/N-ratio. Specific root respiration rates were significantly higher in the elevated treatment and this was probably attributed to increased nitrogen concentrations in the roots. Rhizospheric respiration and soil CO2 efflux were also enhanced in the elevated treatment. These results clearly indicate that under elevated atmospheric CO2 root production and development in Scots pine seedlings is altered and respiratory carbon losses through the root system are increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Delivering fresh, safe, high quality and long shelf life lettuce is a key challenge. • Poor shelf life leads to major crop waste, largely overlooked in breeding programmes. • Research has identified genetic variation for post-harvest quality. • We outline multiomic datasets, genetic and genomic resources for lettuce breeding. Societal awareness of healthy eating is increasing alongside the market for processed bagged salads, which remain as one of the strongest growing food sectors internationally, including most recently from indoor growing systems. Lettuce represents a significant proportion of this ready-to-eat salad market. However, such products typically have a short shelf life, with decay of post-harvest quality occurring through complex biochemical and physiological changes in leaves and resulting in spoilage, food waste and risks to health. We review the functional and quantitative genetic understanding of lettuce post-harvest quality, revealing that few findings have translated into improved cultivar development. We identify (i) phytonutrient status (for enhanced antioxidant and vitamin status, aroma and flavour) (ii) leaf biophysical, cell wall and water relations traits (for longer shelf life) (iii) leaf surface traits (for enhanced food safety and reduced spoilage) and (iv) chlorophyll, other pigments and developmental senescence traits (for appearance and colour), as key targets for future post-harvest breeding. Lettuce is well-placed for rapid future exploitation to address postharvest quality traits with extensive genomic resources including the recent release of the lettuce genome and the development of innovative breeding technologies. Although technologies such as CRISPR/Cas genome editing are paving the way for accelerated crop improvement, other equally important resources available for lettuce include extensive germplasm collections, bi-parental mapping and wide populations with genotyping for genomic selection strategies and extensive multiomic datasets for candidate gene discovery. We discuss current progress towards post-harvest quality breeding for lettuce and how such resources may be utilised for future crop improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]