We report about successful winter survival of a tropical plant Pistia stratiotes in a natural thermal stream Topla in Slovenia in temperate climate zone in central Europe. Only 2 years after its first occurrence in 2001 P. stratiotes managed to cover most of the water body where the thermal springs ...

Pitaya is a crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plant that is normally grown in subtropical regions, but it would be useful to cultivate this crop in temperate regions. In this study, we measured concentrations of organic acids and carbohydrates, and activities of the enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), malic enzyme (ME), and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) in pitaya grown in a temperate zone, and compared the diurnal changes in these components between winter and summer. In summer, the diurnal changes in malate, citrate, and starch in pitaya were typical of starch-using CAM plants. Activities of PEPC and ME also showed typical CAM-type diurnal patterns in summer. In particular, changes in ME activity were closely associated with changes in malate content. In winter, changes in malate content showed a typical CAM pattern, although the amount accumulated was only half of that accumulated in summer, however, the citrate content in winter remained at an almost constant low level throughout the day. PEPC and ME activities were almost constant through the day in winter, however, PEPC activity in winter was similar to its minimum level in summer, whereas ME activity in winter was similar to its maximum level in summer. MDH activity was higher in summer than in winter, but there was no distinct diurnal pattern observed in either summer or winter. These results suggest that pitaya shows normal photosynthesis and metabolism in summer. In winter, however, malate accumulation is restricted, result in decreased concentrations of downstream products and metabolites. This may be because of decreased PEPC activity and increased ME activity during the night in winter. Our results suggest that temperature is not the only factor that affects CAM in this plant, because the summer temperature in this study was similar to the winter temperature in our previous study, which was carried out in a subtropical region (Ishigaki Island). Furthermore, diurnal profiles of metabolites and enzyme activities in both regions were similar in summer and winter; therefore, daylength may also be an important environmental factor.   

... Coastal, and Estuarine Processes in Temperate Zones (Montevideo, Uruguay), High Latitude Processes ... E1), ENSO and Interannual Climate Variability (Lima, Per=FA), Temperate Terrestrial Ecosystems ...

In order to time reproduction to coincide with favorable conditions, animals use environmental cues to up- and down-regulate the reproductive axis appropriately. Although photoperiodic cues are one of the best studied of such environmental cues, animals also attend to others such as temperature, food availability, rainfall and social cues. Such non-photic cues are expected to be particularly important for tropical species and temperate-zone species that exhibit flexible or opportunistic breeding schedules. In this study, we investigate the use of non-photic cues, specifically food availability and social cues, to time the initiation of reproductive development in the pine siskin (Spinus pinus), a temperate-zone songbird with a flexible breeding schedule. Following winter solstice, males we...

Appropriate timing and rate of cold deacclimation and the ability to reacclimate are important components of winter survival of perennials in temperate and boreal zones. In association with the progressive increase in atmospheric CO(2) , temperate and boreal winters are becoming progressively milder, and temperature patterns are becoming irregular with increasing risk of unseasonable warm spells during the colder periods of plants' annual cycle. Because deacclimation is mainly driven by temperature, these changes pose a risk for untimely/premature deacclimation, thereby rendering plant tissue vulnerable to freeze-injury by a subsequent frost. Research also indicates that elevated CO(2) may directly impact deacclimation. Hence, understanding the underlying cellular mechanisms of how deacclimation and reacclimation capacity are affected by changes in environmental conditions is important to ensure winter survival and the sustainability of plant sources under changing climate. Relative to cold acclimation, deacclimation is a little studied process, but the limited evidence points to specific changes occurring in the transcriptome and proteome during deacclimation. Loss of freezing tolerance is additionally associated with substantial changes in cell/tissue-water relations and carbohydrate metabolism; the latter also impacted by temperature-driven, altered respiratory metabolism. This review summarizes recent progress in understanding the physiological mechanisms of deacclimation and how they may be impacted by climate change. PMID:22583023

Climate change might have profound effects on the nitrogen (N) dynamics in the cultivated landscape as well as on N transport in streams and the eutrophication of lakes. N loading from land to streams is expected to increase in North European temperate lakes due to higher winter rainfall and changes in cropping patterns. Scenario (IPCC, A2) analyses using a number of models of various complexity for Danish streams and lakes suggest an increase in runoff and N transport on an annual basis (higher during winter and typically lower during summer) in streams, a slight increase in N concentrations in streams despite higher losses in riparian wetlands, higher absolute retention of N in lakes (but not as percentage of loading), but only minor changes in lake water concentrations. However, when taking into account also a predicted higher temperature there is a risk of higher frequency and abundance of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in lakes and they may stay longer during the season. Somewhat higher risk of loss of submerged macrophytes at increased N and phosphorus (P) loading and a shift to dominance of small-sized fish preying upon the key grazers on phytoplankton may also enhance the risk of lake shifts from clear to turbid in a warmer North European temperate climate. However, it must be emphasised that the prediction of N transport and thus effects is uncertain as the prediction of regional precipitation and changes in land-use is uncertain. By contrast, N loading is expected to decline in warm temperate and arid climates. However, in warm arid lakes much higher N concentrations are currently observed despite reduced external loading. This is due to increased evapotranspiration leading to higher nutrient concentrations in the remaining water, but may also reflect a low-oxygen induced reduction of nitrification. Therefore, the critical N as well as P loading for good ecological state in lakes likely has to be lower in a future warmer climate in both north temperate and Mediterranean lakes. To obtain this objective,adaptation measures are required. In both climate zones the obvious methods are to change agricultural practices for reducing the loss of nutrients to surface waters, to improve sewage treatment and to reduce the storm-water nutrient runoff. In north temperate zones adaptations may also include re-establishment of artificial and natural wetlands, introduction of riparian buffer zones and re-meandering of channelised streams, which may all have a large impact on, not least, the N loading of lakes. In the arid zone, also restrictions on human use of water are urgently needed, not least on the quantity of water used for irrigation purposes.

Airflow window is highly useful in conserving building energy, and lessens the comfort problems caused by glazing. In this study, the thermal performance of a natural airflow window was examined through the use of a dynamic model, developed based on the integrated energy balance and airflow networks. The validity of the model was first tested by measured data obtained from a prototype installed at an environmental chamber. The application in the subtropical and temperate climate zones were then examined with the typical weather data of Hong Kong and Beijing. The findings confirmed that the natural airflow window can achieve substantial energy saving in both cities, and the reversible window frame is only required for Beijing, a location with hot summer and cold winter. The space cooling load via fenestration in Hong Kong, a subtropical city, can be reduced to 60% of the commonly used single absorptive glazing. In Beijing, as an example of the temperate climate, this can be reduced to 75% of the commonly used double glazing configuration in the summer period, and the space heat gain can be improved by 46% in the winter period.

... climate variability. The IAI recognizes that many factors contribute to interannual climate ... Coastal, and Estuarine Processes in Temperate Zones (Montevideo, Uruguay), High Latitude Processes ...

Beef cows in the subtropical USA must be adapted to the stressors of the environment, typically supplied by using Brahman (Br) breeding. Calves produced in the region, however, are usually grown and finished in more temperate regions, and have a perceived reputation for poor ADG and feed efficiency during finishing. Compromised fertility and carcass quality often associated with the Br have increased interest in tropically adapted Bos taurus breed types. The objective of this study was to evaluate 3 breeds [An = Angus (Bos taurus, temperate); Br (B. indicus, tropical); and Ro = Romosinuano (B. taurus, tropical)] and all possible crosses during various segments of post-weaning growth, and for feed efficiency during the finishing phase. Steer calves (n = 473) born over 3 yr were weaned in late September, backgrounded for at least 21 d (BKG), shipped 2,025 km to El Reno, OK, in October, fed a preconditioning diet for 28 d (RCV), grazed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) pasture from November to May (WHT), finished on a conventional feedlot diet (FIN), and serially harvested after approximately 95, 125, and 150 d on feed. Body weight and ADG during each segment were tested using a mixed model that included calf age at weaning, year (Y), breed of sire (SB), breed of dam (DB), and interactions. In addition, winter treatment (continuous wheat or reduced grazing of wheat with supplement) was included for the wheat and feedlot phases. Sire within SB × SB [and pen (barn × year) for feedlot phase] were considered random. The SB × DB interaction was significant for all traits (P temperate zones, winter is the period when productivity of tropically adapted cattle is compromised. PMID:22247114

In order to time reproduction to coincide with favorable conditions, animals use environmental cues to up- and down-regulate the reproductive axis appropriately. Although photoperiodic cues are one of the best studied of such environmental cues, animals also attend to others such as temperature, food availability, rainfall and social cues. Such non-photic cues are expected to be particularly important for tropical species and temperate-zone species that exhibit flexible or opportunistic breeding schedules. In this study, we investigate the use of non-photic cues, specifically food availability and social cues, to time the initiation of reproductive development in the pine siskin (Spinus pinus), a temperate-zone songbird with a flexible breeding schedule. Following winter solstice, males were housed on a 12L:12D photoperiod with either access to a preferred food, a potential mate (social cue), or both. Control birds received only maintenance diet and no mate. Access to a preferred food had a significant positive effect on testis size and circulating luteinizing hormone (LH). However, we found no effect of social treatment on reproductive development. The effect of the food treatment on reproductive development did not appear to result from effects on body mass or fat, as neither measure differed across treatments. The food treatment influenced not only reproductive physiology, but also reproductive behavior in this species, as access to seeds had a positive effect on affiliation of pairs. This study demonstrates that food is a potent stimulus for the initiation of reproductive development in pine siskins. PMID:22569115

Freshwater turtles have an extraordinary physiological ability to endure dive times that can range from days to months using aquatic respiration. In cryptodires (e.g., white-lipped mud turtle Kinosternon leucostomum) aquatic respiration is via buccal or cutaneous routes whereas in pleurodires (e.g., Fitzroy River turtle Rheodytes leukops), it is achieved primarily via specialized cloacal bursae. This study records the voluntary diving performance of the western sawshelled turtle Myuchelys bellii in Bald Rock Creek from the temperate zone of the Murray?Darling Basin of Australia. Myuchelys bellii has a moderately specialized cloacal bursae morphology compared to other pleurodiran turtles and displays impressive dive durations spanning more than 15?days during the winter months. This is attr...

Summary 1.-Pike (Esox lucius) is a key and flexible piscivore in many fresh waters of the northern temperate zone, but no previous studies have provided a continuous long-term perspective on its diet in response to changing environmental conditions. Here, we describe its winter diet from 1976 to 2009 in the North and South Basins of the lake of Windermere, U.K., where climate change, eutrophication and species introductions have combined to induce fundamental changes in the fish community. 2.-A total of 6637 adult pike (fork length 390 to 1090-mm) was examined and found to have consumed a total of 4436 fish prey of which 98% of individuals identifiable to species comprised native Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus), brown trout (Salmo trutta), perch (Perca fluviatilis) and pike and non-nativ...

Many temperate-zone animals use changes in photoperiod to time breeding. Shorter term cues, like food availability, are integrated with photoperiod to adjust reproductive timing under unexpected conditions. Many mice of the genus Peromyscus breed in the summer. California mice (Peromyscus californicus), however, can breed year round, but tend to begin breeding in the winter. Glial cells may be involved in transduction of environmental signals that regulate gonadotrophin releasing hormone I (GnRH) activity. We examined the effects of diet and photoperiod on reproduction in female California mice. Mice placed on either short days (8L:16D) or long days (16L:8D) were food restricted (80% of normal intake) or fed ad libitum. Short day-food restricted mice showed significant regression of the re...

Field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L., FP) is a winter annual species of the mustard family (Brassicaceae) that is widely distributed throughout temperate North America and which can serve in a winter rotational cycle with conventional crops, thus not displacing existing agricultural production or ne...

The austral westerlies strongly influence precipitation and ocean circulation in the southern temperate zone, with important consequences for cultures and ecosystems. Global climate models anticipate poleward retreat of the austral westerlies with future warming, but the available paleoclimate records that might test these models have been limited to South America and New Zealand, are not fully consistent with each other and may be complicated by influences from other climatic factors. Here we present the first high-resolution diatom and sedimentological records from the winter rainfall region of South Africa, representing precipitation in the equatorward margin of the westerly wind belt during the last 1400 yr. Inferred rainfall was relatively high ?1400-1200 cal yr BP, decreased until ?950 cal yr BP, and rose notably through the Little Ice Age with pulses centred on ?600, 530, 470, 330, 200, 90, and 20 cal yr BP. Synchronous fluctuations in Antarctic ice core chemistry strongly suggest that these variations were linked to changes in the westerlies. Equatorward drift of the westerlies during the wet periods may have influenced Atlantic meridional overturning circulation by restricting marine flow around the tip of Africa. Apparent inconsistencies among some aspects of records from South America, New Zealand and South Africa warn against the simplistic application of single records to the Southern Hemisphere as a whole. Nonetheless, these findings in general do support model projections of increasing aridity in the austral winter rainfall zones with future warming.

Seagrasses, marine flowering plants, are widely distributed along temperate and tropical coastlines of the world. Seagrasses have key ecological roles in coastal ecosystems and can form extensive meadows supporting high biodiversity. The global species diversity of seagrasses is low (Zostera marina, typically occurring in estuaries and lagoons. The Temperate North Pacific has high seagrass diversity with Zostera spp. in estuaries and lagoons as well as Phyllospadix spp. in the surf zone. The Mediterranean region has clear water with vast meadows of moderate diversity of both temperate and tropical seagrasses, dominated by deep-growing Posidonia oceanica. The Temperate Southern Oceans bioregion includes the temperate southern coastlines of Australia, Africa and South America. Extensive mead...

Little is known of the population dynamics of long-range insect migrants, and it has been suggested that the annual journeys of billions of nonhardy insects to exploit temperate zones during summer represent a sink from which future generations seldom return (the "Pied Piper" effect). We combine data from entomological radars and ground-based light traps to show that annual migrations are highly adaptive in the noctuid moth Autographa gamma (silver Y), a major agricultural pest. We estimate that 10-240 million immigrants reach the United Kingdom each spring, but that summer breeding results in a fourfold increase in the abundance of the subsequent generation of adults, all of which emigrate southward in the fall. Trajectory simulations show that 80% of emigrants will reach regions suitable for winter breeding in the Mediterranean Basin, for which our population dynamics model predicts a winter carrying capacity only 20% of that of northern Europe during the summer. We conclude not only that poleward insect migrations in spring result in major population increases, but also that the persistence of such species is dependent on summer breeding in high-latitude regions, which requires a fundamental change in our understanding of insect migration. PMID:22927392

This paper summarises experimental results obtained in a study of GMAW temper-bead on low alloyed steel with austenitic consumables. Temper-bead on low alloyed steel with austenitic consumables is mainly used for repairing operations of heavy components such as vessel reactor of nuclear power plants. Experimental work aims at showing the performance of GMAW compared to GTAW and the consequences of GMAW temper-bead on 2OMND5 heat affected zones. (authors)

Birds that are year-round residents of temperate and tropical regions have divergent life histories. Tropical birds have a slower -pace of life-, one characteristic of which includes lower peak metabolic rate and daily activity levels. Temperate resident birds are faced with seasonal variation in thermogenic demand. This challenge is met with seasonally increased peak metabolic rate during winter. These thermogenic demands are much lower in birds that are year-round tropical residents. By measuring peak (summit) metabolic rate in tropical and temperate resident bird species during summer and winter, we asked whether tropical birds exhibit seasonality in peak metabolic rate, and if the direction of seasonality differs between tropical and temperate species. We measured summit metabolism in ...

Under conditions of sub-aureole natural zones of the temperate belt, almost all of the natural ... salt marsh-solonetzic, solonetzic-steppe, dry steppe, steppe, forest steppe ... ground water using the landscape identification method. In the regions ...

Background: A variety of Serfling-type statistical algorithms requiring long series of historical data, exclusively from temperate climate zones, have been proposed for automated monitoring of influenza sentinel surveillance data. We evaluated three alternative statistical approaches where alert thr...

On sandy beaches of southern Shikoku, one temperate-zone crab, Ocypode stimpsoni, and two tropical and subtropical crabs, O. sinensis and O. ceratophthalma, co-occur, dwelling in individual burrows. Their distribution patterns, food habits, and physiological condition were investigated seasonally. Among the three species, O. sinensis was distributed in the highest zone vegetated with Vitex rotundifolia and Calystegia soldanella and was well segregated from the others except during its juvenile stage. It fed on terrestrial invertebrates and terrestrial plants. The distribution of O. ceratophthalma overlapped with that of O. stimpsoni; O. ceratophthalma mainly fed on terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates whereas O. stimpsoni fed on detritus and diatoms together with terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates. Ocypode ceratophthalma was poor in hepatopancreas index late in autumn and rarely overwintered, with the result that almost the entire population consisted of immature individuals. It is likely that the population of O. ceratophthalma in southern Shikoku is maintained by a supply of larvae from more southern regions. It is possible that O. stimpsoni, which is competitively inferior to O. ceratophthalma due to its smaller adult size, may become extinct in southern Shikoku if the recent rise in air temperature during winter enables more individuals of O. ceratophthalma to thrive there.   

If an increase in winter rainfall is foreseen in temperate areas like in Belgium, a shorter recharge season is also expected leading possibly in an uncertain trend for the total recharge of the aquifers. An integrated hydrological model (MOHISE) was developed in order to study the impact of climate...

Abstract The survival of seedlings in temperate climate habitats depends on both temporal and spatial factors. The interaction between an internal seed dormancy mechanism and the ruling environmental conditions allows accurate cueing of germination. We analysed how environmental signals interact in seeds of temperate forest pioneer species, increasing the seed-s chances of germinating in the right place at the right time. Digitalis purpurea and Scrophularia nodosa are two small-seeded herbaceous species that typically grow in vegetation gaps in European temperate forests. Seeds of both species are partially dormant at the time of dispersal in summer. This primary dormancy is released in autumn and early winter, resulting in a minimal level of physiological dormancy by late winter and early...

Terrestrial plants are powerful climate sentinels because their annual cycles of growth, reproduction and senescence are finely tuned to the annual climate cycle having a period of one year. Consistency in the seasonal phasing of terrestrial plant activity provides a relatively low-noise background from which phenological shifts can be detected and attributed to climate change. Here, we ask whether phytoplankton biomass also fluctuates over a consistent annual cycle in lake, estuarine-coastal and ocean ecosystems and whether there is a characteristic phenology of phytoplankton as a consistent phase and amplitude of variability. We compiled 125 time series of phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a concentration) from temperate and subtropical zones and used wavelet analysis to extract their dominant periods of variability and the recurrence strength at those periods. Fewer than half (48%) of the series had a dominant 12-month period of variability, commonly expressed as the canonical spring-bloom pattern. About 20 per cent had a dominant six-month period of variability, commonly expressed as the spring and autumn or winter and summer blooms of temperate lakes and oceans. These annual patterns varied in recurrence strength across sites, and did not persist over the full series duration at some sites. About a third of the series had no component of variability at either the six- or 12-month period, reflecting a series of irregular pulses of biomass. These findings show that there is high variability of annual phytoplankton cycles across ecosystems, and that climate-driven annual cycles can be obscured by other drivers of population variability, including human disturbance, aperiodic weather events and strong trophic coupling between phytoplankton and their consumers. Regulation of phytoplankton biomass by multiple processes operating at multiple time scales adds complexity to the challenge of detecting climate-driven trends in aquatic ecosystems where the noise to signal ratio is high. PMID:20819814

Winter wheat is one of major grain crops in China. To scientifically map cropping patterns, it is very important to understand the area of its viable cultivation zone in China. Based on published data, geographical information, national climate data, and the MaxEnt model, the relationship between the distribution of the winter wheat cultivation zone and climate was established. The main indices controlling the distribution of the winter wheat cultivation zone were analyzed to reveal climatic suitability. The main controls on winter wheat distribution in China were: the negative accumulation of daily mean temperatures below 0^oC during winter (i.e., negative accumulated temperature), annual mean extreme minimum temperatures, potential evapotranspiration, and annual precipitation. For winter...

Insects are highly successful animals inhabiting marine, freshwater and terrestrial habitats from the equator to the poles. As a group, insects have limited ability to regulate their body temperature and have thus required a range of strategies to support life in thermally stressful environments, including behavioural avoidance through migration and seasonal changes in cold tolerance. With respect to overwintering strategies, insects have traditionally been divided into two main groups: freeze tolerant and freeze avoiding, although this simple classification is underpinned by a complex of interacting processes, i.e. synthesis of ice nucleating agents, cryoprotectants, antifreeze proteins and changes in membrane lipid composition. Also, in temperate and colder climates, the overwintering ability of many species is closely linked to the diapause state, which often increases cold tolerance ahead of temperature-induced seasonal acclimatisation. Importantly, even though most species can invoke one or both of these responses, the majority of insects die from the effects of cold rather than freezing. Most studies on the effects of a changing climate on insects have focused on processes that occur predominantly in summer (development, reproduction) and on changes in distributions rather than winter survival per se. For species that routinely experience cold stress, a general hypothesis would be that predicted temperature increases of 1 degree C to 5 degrees C over the next 50-100 years would increase winter survival in some climatic zones. However, this is unlikely to be a universal effect. Negative impacts may occur if climate warming leads to a reduction or loss of winter snow cover in polar and sub-polar areas, resulting in exposure to more severe air temperatures, increasing frequency of freeze-thaw cycles and risks of ice encasement. Likewise, whilst the dominant diapause-inducing cue (photoperiod) will be unaffected by global climate change, higher temperatures may modify normal rates of development, leading to a decoupling of synchrony between diapause-sensitive life-cycle stages and critical photoperiods for diapause induction. In terms of climate warming and potential heat stress, the most recent predictions of summer temperatures in Europe of 40 degrees C or higher in 50-75 years, are close to the current upper lethal limit of some insects. Long-term data sets on insect distributions and the timing of annual migrations provide strong evidence for 'positive' responses to higher winter temperatures over timescales of the past 20-50 years in North America, Europe and Asia. PMID:20190123

In recent decade, large areas of acid rain have appeared in China. With the increasing emission of SO{sub 2} and NO{sub x} year by year, the acidity of precipitation has increased, and the acid rain area is expanding. Presently, the acid rain in China has become the third largest area of acid rain in the world, next to Europe and North America. The Chinese government took action against acid rain and planned a five-year National Acid Deposition Research Project. The space-time distribution and variation of rain acidity described in this paper is a part of this project. China is a large country. The area is almost equal to that of Europe. Its climate varies greatly and spans the tropics, subtropics, temperate and frigid zone. There is a varied topography including mountain, hilly country, desert and plain, on the other hand the distribution of anthropogenic sources are not even. All of the human and natural factors caused different chemical composition in different parts of China, the acidity of precipitation varies also. The acidity of the precipitation is the most important parameter in the acid rain research. In order to obtain the regional representative distribution of rain acidity, National Acidic Deposition Research Monitoring Network with 261 monitoring sites was established in 1992. This paper summarizes the rain acidity of 21355 precipitation samples, and gave the annual, seasonal, and the monthly pH contours. Results show that the acid rain area has expanded from the south during winter. Regional differences of monthly acid precipitation exists, generally, the rain acidity level is higher during summer and fall and lower during winter and spring in the northern provinces. The 9 opposite is the case in the southern provinces. The central areas are in a transitional situation. The geographical distribution and temporal variation of rain acidity are quite different from North America and Europe.

The effects of a severe typhoon (9918 Bart) on a bird community in a warm temperate forest, southern Japan, in 1999, were investigated. The total abundance and number of species showed clear seasonality in normal years, and were higher during winter mostly due to the influx of winter visitor species. The composition of dietary and foraging guilds also changed among seasons. Among the dietary guilds, frugivores/granivores and omnivores increased in winter, whereas insectivores decreased in winter. As for the foraging guilds, forest interior- or edge-dependent species increased in winter, whereas generalists remained constant. Therefore, I examined the effects of typhoon 9918 Bart in winter and in summer, comparing the data sets from three years before and two years after its passage. In the first winter after the typhoon, the abundance of birds was significantly lower than in all three control years, however it recovered to the same level as the control years in the second winter. In contrast, in both the first and second summer after the typhoon, bird abundance was significantly higher than in the control years. The effects of the typhoon also differed among the dietary and foraging guilds. The winter dominant frugivores/granivores were fewer in the first winter leading to a decrease in total bird abundance in that season, whereas the increase in omnivores and insectivores resulted in the increased total bird abundance in summer. The reduction in forest interior-dependent species led to the lower total abundance in winter, and the increase in forest edge-dependent species may have led to the increase in total bird abundance both in winter and in summer. These different responses among different foraging and dietary guilds affected total bird abundance in concert. The disturbance event (typhoon) appeared to cause opposing effects on total bird abundance in winter and in summer.   

* Here we investigated photosynthetic traits of evergreen species under a deciduous canopy in a temperate forest and revealed the importance of CO2 assimilation during winter for annual CO2 assimilation. * Saplings were shaded by the canopy trees from spring through to autumn, but were less shaded during the winter months. Photosynthetic rates at light saturation (Aarea) were lower during winter than during the growing season. Aarea was higher in Camellia, Ilex and Photinia than in Castanopsis, Cleyera and Quercus during the winter, but differed little during summer and autumn. * Estimated daily CO2 assimilation (Aday) was higher during the winter than during the growing season in Camellia, Ilex and Photinia but was higher than that during the growing season only at the beginning and end of winter in Castanopsis, Cleyera and Quercus. Aday was higher in Camellia, Ilex and Photinia than in Castanopsis, Cleyera and Quercus but differed little among them during the growing season. * These results reveal the importance of winter CO2 assimilation for the growth of Camellia, Ilex and Photinia. Furthermore, differences in annual CO2 assimilation among species are strongly modified by species-specific photosynthetic traits during the winter under deciduous canopy trees. PMID:15720697

Along the French coast of the Bay of Biscay, the seasonal progression of phytoplankton presents specific hydrographic conditions compared to other temperate areas due to the influence of two large river plumes (Loire and Gironde). However, in spite of the occurrence of a microphytoplankton bloom during winter and phosphate limitation in spring, the dynamics of the planktonic food web on the continental shelf of the Bay seem to correspond with the characteristics typical of temperate oceans with the dominance of herbivory during spring and the development of the microbial food web under the stable post-bloom environment. Existing plankton data from recent scientific cruises were combined with inverse and network analyses to construct five model ecosystems between late winter and late spring...

The objective of this study was to report on some aspects of marine cladoceran reproduction in Guanabara Bay. Samples were collected during 1985 using a conical net with 200 microm mesh. Two species were identified: Penilia avirostris and Pseudevadne tergestina. Both species disappeared from the plankton in winter. Two months before this phenomenon, parthenogenetic females displayed reduction in brood size, while gamogenetic individuals appeared among the populations. This sequence of events is generally typical of marine cladoceran populations in temperate waters. PMID:15622851

Temperate lakes can be ice covered for several months each year, yet little is known about the behaviour and activity of the fish during the cold season. As northern pike represents the top of the food web in many northern temperate lakes and may structure the ecosystem both directly and indirectly, a detailed understanding of the behaviour of this species during winter is important. We continuously monitored the activity of adult northern pike (Esox lucius) in a small temperate lake from late summer to winter for two consecutive years using an automatic acoustic positional telemetry system. Four subsample periods representing different temperature regimes from each year were chosen for further investigation. The results revealed that pike activity was similar between seasons. In all periods, a distinct diel pattern, showing increased activity during day as compared to night, was evident. Our findings indicate that the fish component of temperate lentic ecosystems can be more active during the cold season than previously assumed. This may have implications for the structuring effect of pike on the lower trophic levels

AA2219 (Al-6%Cu) was butt welded in T87 temper (solution heat-treated, cold worked and precipitation hardened) and T6 temper (solution heat-treated and precipitation hardened) using electron beam welding (EBW). Variables studied were base metal temper condition and mode of EBW. Mechanical properties of the weld joint and fracture toughness at fusion zone (FZ) and heat-affected zone (HAZ) were evaluated and compared with those of the base metal. Results showed that EB welds have higher joint efficiency and fracture toughness than that of gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). Fracture toughness of T6 base metal was found to be higher than its T87 counterpart. When welded, FZ and HAZ in T87 showed higher fracture toughness than that of T6; HAZ was the toughest. Pulsed current (PC) EB weld showed m...

The present study aimed to investigate the seasonal epidemiological prevalence of gastro-intestinal nematodes (GINs) of goats with respect to sex and age of the host in the Kashmir valley from 1 February 2005 to 31 January 2007. A total of 1267 goats were examined [faecal examination: 938 (year 1: 470; year 2: 468); gastro-intestinal (GIT) examination: 329 (year 1: 175; year 2: 154)]. The overall prevalence of GIN infection in these animals was 54.3% (year 1: 54.8%; year 2: 53.8%; P = 0.842). The different parasites reported with their respective prevalences (%) were: Haemonchus contortus (48.3); Bunostomum trigonocephalum (30.1); Chabertia. ovina (29.8); Ostertagia circumcincta (29.8); Nematodirus spathiger (25.2); Trichostrongylus spp. (25.1); Oesophagostomum columbianum (23.5); Trichuris ovis (19.0); and Marshallagia marshalli (16.6). The mean maximum prevalence of GIN infection (faecal examination: 75.6 +/- 0.20; GIT examination: 85.3 +/- 0.95), faecal egg counts (2552 +/- 85.7) and average worm burden (333.25 +/- 2.25) were found in the summer and they were lowest in winter (prevalence: faecal examination, 23.2 +/- 0.95; GIT examination, 12.7 +/- 0.20; faecal egg counts: 134.15 +/- 9.15; and average worm burden: 79.8 +/- 52.2), with significant differences between the seasons (P or = 0.05). Thus seasonal dynamics and age of the host animals significantly influenced the prevalence of GIN infection. The above findings will be helpful in devising the appropriate control strategies for GINs of goats reared under the traditional husbandry system in temperate agro-climatic conditions in the Kashmir valley as well as in similar climatic zones of other parts of the world. PMID:19627625

Human Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most prevalent arthropod-borne infection in temperate climate zones around the world and is caused by Borrelia spirochetes. We have identified 10 variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) loci present within the genome of Borrelia burgdorferi and subsequently developed ...

The region under study is the Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA) which includes the Caribbean Sea with adjacent coastlines, the Gulf of Mexico, Bermuda and the coast of South America down to the tropical/temperate transitional zone near Uruguay. There are several examples of genetic breaks within the C...

The handbook reviews the key palaeoecological methods applied to primarily organic lake and mire deposits, with particular attention being paid to Holocene environmental changes in the temperate zone. The palaeoecological studies include dating methods, and the book contents contain a chapter on radiometric dating. This chapter has been selected by INIS and indexed separately. (U.K.).

Tall fescue is a cool-season perennial grass that is widely utilized for grazing in a region covering the transition zone between the temperate northeast and the subtropical southeast Although tall fescue is well adapted to the climate and soils in the region, an endophytic fungus infects fescue pla...

Countries with the highest labor productivity overwhelmingly lie in the world's temperate climatic zones far away from the equator. The question we address is whether climatic conditions as measured by distance from the equator remain correlated with labor productivity after other variables are take...

Natural rubber is an irreplaceable raw material vital to industry, transportation, medicine and defense, which is largely produced from clonal plantations of Hevea brasiliensis in South-east Asia. Temperate-zone rubber-producing crops are greatly desired to increase biodiversity, protect supplies, ...

• Temperature is projected to increase more during the winter than during the summer in cold regions. The effects of winter warming on reproductive effort have not been examined for temperate plant species. • Here, we report the results of experimentally induced seasonal winter warming (0.4 and 2.4°C increases in growing and nongrowing seasons, respectively, using warmed and ambient open-top chambers in a Tibetan Plateau alpine meadow) for nine indeterminate-growing species producing multiple (single-flowered or multi-flowered) inflorescences and three determinate-growing species producing single inflorescences after a 3-yr period of warming. • Warming reduced significantly flower number and seed production per plant for all nine multi-inflorescence species, but not for the three single-inflorescence species. Warming had an insignificant effect on the fruit to flower number ratio, seed size and seed number per fruit among species. The reduction in seed production was largely attributable to the decline in flower number per plant. The flowering onset time was unaffected for nine of the 12 species. Therefore, the decline in flower production and seed production in response to winter warming probably reflects a physiological response (e.g. metabolic changes associated with flower production). • Collectively, the data indicate that global warming may reduce flower and seed production for temperate herbaceous species and will probably have a differential effect on single- vs multi-inflorescence species. PMID:22591333

In autumn, winter wheat and temperate forage grasses, such as orchardgrass, timothy, and perennial ryegrass, accumulate fructan, which is a kind of fructose-based oligo- and polysaccharide. The fructan content in their crown tissue reaches more than 30% of their dry weight before snow cover, and this increase in fructan content is associated with both the freezing tolerance and the snow mold resistance of winter crops in the northern region of Japan. These crops mainly accumulate the ?(2,6)-linked levan type of fructan, and their structure and composition vary among wheat and grasses. We cloned several kinds of genes encoding fructosyltransferase and fructan exohydrolase from these plants, and analysis of the expression of fructosyltransferase revealed varietal differences in wheat under field conditions and low-temperature responses in grasses. Further investigation of the control of fructan metabolism through molecular biology and genetics should lead to the development of methods for improving the over-wintering ability of these crops.   

Paleosols and Pleistocene loess-paleosol sequences preserve important information on landscape stability and soil formation, paleoclimate, and paleoenvironment. The nature of clay mineral assemblages (mineral composition of the clay fraction, conditions and paleoclimate. Interpretation of the time sequence of climate/environmental change however requires careful determination of pedogenic mineral phases from phases altered by later diagenesis. Red clays and paleosols in Hungary overlain by loess-paleosol sequences were studied. Elemental oxide analyses of red clays and paleosols were determined by X-ray florescence (XRF), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) was used for mineral identification and oriented specimens for clay mineral analyses. In this study, we aim to determine the temporal changes of clay minerals due to chemical weathering and time. Upper Pliocene red kaolinitic clay contains typically disordered kaolinite, mixed-layer smectite/kaolinite, smectite and little gibbsite. It could be formed in the local subaerial weathering crust in warm, humid, subtropical or monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) which is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. Kaolinite together with gibbsite in this type of the studied red clays can be inherited from pre-Pliocene lateritic soils, potentially formed during the Eocene-Middle Miocene. A temperate wet condition can be suggested for the Late Pliocene. Lower Pleistocene red (or "reddish") clay contains relatively fresh material (illite, chlorite), the weathering products are predominantly smectite and goethite formed under warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Csb). This subtype of the Mediterranean climate experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, winters are rainy and can be mild to chilly. Mid-Pleistocene paleosols of the loess-paleosol sequences and red clays contain similar material as the underlying red clays belonging to the Lower Pleistocene unit. The slightly but significantly lesser degree of weathering (more illite and chlorite, less smectite) indicates cooling of the climate. Based on the results, the climatic conditions were similar to the previously discussed. It was also Csb, but cooler with less precipitation. Results from geochemical climofunctions applied to Upper Pliocene-Lower Pleistocene red clays and paleosols located in the Carpathian Basin, and clay mineralogy, indicate that the paleoclimate was considerably more humid and warmer during the Late Pliocene-Early Pleistocene, in comparison to modern values. This contribution was made possible through financial support by 'Developing Competitiveness of Universities in the South Transdanubian Region (SROP-4.2.1.B-10/2/KONV-2010-0002)' and Austrian Agency for International Education & Research, financed by the Scholarship Foundation of the Republic of Austria (OeAD). It was additionally supported by the János Bolyai Research Scholarship of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

Mercury is released to the atmosphere from natural and anthropogenic sources. Due to its persistence in the atmosphere, mercury is subject to long range transport and is thus a pollutant of global concern. Mercury emitted to the atmosphere enters terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems which act as sinks but also as sources of previously emitted and deposited mercury when the accumulated mercury is emitted back to the atmosphere. Studying the factors and processes that influence the behaviour of mercury from terrestrial sources is thus important for a better understanding of the role of natural ecosystems in the mercury cycling and emission budget. A study was conducted over ten months (November 2006 to August 2007) at Elora, Ontario, Canada to measure gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), reactive gaseous mercury (RGM) and particulate bound mercury (HgP) as well as GEM fluxes over different ground cover spanning the four seasons typical of a temperate climate zone. GEM concentrations were measured using a mercury vapour analyzer (Tekran 2537A) while RGM and HgP were measured with the Tekran 1130/1135 speciation unit coupled to another mercury vapour analyzer. A micrometeorological approach was used for GEM flux determination using a continuous two-level sampling system for GEM concentration gradient measurement above the soil surface and crop canopy. The turbulent transfer coefficients were derived from meteorological parameters measured on site. A net GEM volatilization (6.31 ± 33.98 ng mM-2 hr-1, study average) to the atmosphere was observed. Average GEM concentrations and GEM fluxes showed significant seasonal differences and distinct diurnal patterns while no trends were observed for HgP or RGM. Highest GEM concentrations, recorded in late spring and fall, were due to meteorological changes such as increases in net radiation and air temperature in spring and lower atmospheric mixing height in fall. Highest GEM fluxes (18.1 ng m-2 hr-1, monthly average) were recorded in late spring but also during specific events in winter and fall. The main factors influencing the GEM flux were soil moisture content, soil temperature, precipitation events and ground cover. These trends indicate that the soil surface could be a significant mercury source in spring and summer seasons but also under specific meteorological conditions during the winter and fall.

A 617 site palaeobotanical dataset for the Mid to Late Miocene is presented. This dataset is internally consistent and provides a comprehensive overview of vegetational change from 15.97 to 5.33 Ma. The palaeobotanical dataset has been translated into the BIOME4 classification scheme to enable direct comparison with climate model outputs. The vegetation change throughout the Langhian, Seravallian, Tortonian and Messinian is discussed. The data shows that the Langhian, which includes the end of the Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum, represents a world significantly warmer than today. The high northern latitudes were characterised by cool-temperate forests, the mid-latitudes by warm-temperate mixed forests, the tropics by tropical evergreen broadleaf forests and Antarctica by tundra shrub vegetation. Cool-temperate mixed forest existed during the Seravallian in the high northern latitudes, a reduction in warm-temperate mixed forests in the mid latitudes and a loss of tundra on Antarctica was noted. Tortonian vegetation distribution indicates that further cooling had occurred since the Seravallian. The major changes in vegetation include the first evidence for cold taiga forest in the high northern latitudes and a further reduction of warm-temperate mixed forests. By the Messinian, this cooling trend had eliminated warm-temperate mixed forests from the western USA and Australia and had formed mid-latitude deserts. Despite the cooling trend throughout the Mid to Late Miocene, the vegetation distribution of all four reconstructed stages reflect the vegetation of a world warmer than the pre-industrial conditions. The latitudinal distribution of bioclimatic zones suggests that the latitudinal temperature gradient for the Langhian would have been significantly shallower than at present and has gradually, but asymmetrically, become more modern towards the end of the Miocene. First the southern hemisphere distribution of bioclimatic zones became more modern, probably due to the climatic effects of a fully glaciated Antarctica. The northern hemisphere bioclimatic zone gradient continued to be shallower than modern throughout the Miocene and slowly became more modern by the Messinian.

A detailed facies study of Early Permian strata within NE Svalbard reveals a fundamental change of the depositional setting, from a restricted-marine, warm-water carbonate platform to an open-marine, temperate-water, mixed siliciclastic-carbonate ramp. The uppermost strata of the Gipshuken Formation (Templet and S?rfonna members; Sakmarian?early Artinskian?) consist of microbialites (algal mats), mudstones, bioclastic/peloidal limestones, carbonate breccias and Microcodium facies reflecting peritidal platform areas and supratidal sabkhas. A mixed heterozoan/reduced photozoan assemblage indicates temperate-water conditions within neighboring deeper, open-marine mid-platform areas, while warm-water conditions still prevailed within inner platform zones. In contrast, the lowermost strata of t...

The study of climate change, mainly air temperature and snow cover depth, is a key to understanding of modern trends in evolution of cryolithozone and response of geosystems of the North. Greenhouse and technogenic effects influence the cryolithozone and permafrost as well. Scenarios of substantial warming, temperate warming, and cooling were considered in our research. Weather station records show that the last so called “Earth Global Warming”, which started in 1960-1970s was initially most pronounced in Subarctic and Temperate zones. Maximum warming rate was observed in the 1980s. In Russia, the areas of warming in 20th century were Central Yakutia and Transbaikal, while in the European and Far East Russia the rate of warming was rather small. Later, the warming trend was observed only locally and new areas of maximum rates of warming appear within Russian cryolithozone. In 2000s, warming gradually extends to the Arctic regions while it slows down in Subarctic. Thermal regime of permafrost generally follows the climate change. Geocryological monitoring data evidence the rise of ground temperature at the depth of zero annual amplitude in the north of West Siberia by 0.2 to 1.4°C and in European Russia by 0.1 to 0.7°C. In these regions, slight trend of snow accumulation growth was also observed. At the same time, in Central Yakutia, though climate warms, permafrost temperature does not show increase due to reduction of snow depth in the last decades. In West Siberia, Urengoi gas field, ground temperatures in 1975-1993 increased by 1 to 1.5°C due to natural climate fluctuations (some times up to 2 to 3.5°C). Human impact added 1 to 1.5°C, this last being tightly linked to the effect of engineering structures. Some slowing of thaw and stabilization of ground temperature around 0°C is observed as incoming heat is consumed by phase transition in the near-surface layer. I was instrumentally detected that permafrost table lowered by 5-8 m and more at the forested and shrubby sites. According to our calculations, during the last 30 years, the southern limit of patchy near-surface permafrost shifted northward by 100-120 km in West Siberia, and by 20-50 km in European Russia. Continuous permafrost area in Russia reduced by 1,000,000 km2 (15%) compared to 1960-70-s. This also means changes in hydrology and hydrogeology, occurrence of new and activation of existing exogenic processes, reduction of bearing capacity of the ground used as foundations for roads, pipelines and so on. Climate change became evident also in the landscape appearance of geosystems of the North. In 1975-1980 at the left bank of Pur-river (West Siberia) thin larch forests could be met only at the hill tops of southern forest-tundra zone. Observations in 2007-2008 showed a mass expansion of larch northward into the former forest-free hilltops of northern forest-tundra. Moreover, in 1999 in southern tundra sub-zone at the hill tops 2-3-year old larch undergrowth 10-20 cm high was observed as well, though during several subsequent cold, with little snow winters those larch trees were frost-killed. In High Russian Arctic the ground temperature is not uniform: at Belyi Island (73.5° N) it varies from 11 to 7°C; at Frantz-Joseph Zemlia Archipelago (80.5° N) - from 11.5 to 10.5°C.

Compared to agricultural lands, forests are complex ecosystems as they can involve diverse plant species associations, several vegetative strata (overstorey, shrubs, herbaceous and other annual plant layer) and multi-layered soil profiles (forest floor, hemi-organic and mineral layers). A high degree of variability is thus generally observed in radionuclide transfers and redistribution patterns in contaminated forests. In the long term, the soil compartment represents the major reservoir of radionuclides which can give rise to long-term plant and hence food contamination. For practical reasons, the contamination of various specific forest products has commonly been quantified using the aggregated transfer factor (T{sub ag} in m{sup 2} kg{sup -1}) which integrates various environmental parameters including soil and plant type, root distribution as well as nature and vertical distribution of the deposits. Long lasting availability of some radionuclides was shown to be the source of much higher transfer in forest ecosystems than in agricultural lands. This study aimed at reviewing the most relevant quantitative information on radionuclide transfers to forest biota including trees, understorey vegetation, mushrooms, berries and game animals. For both radiocaesium and radiostrontium in trees, the order of magnitude of mean T{sub ag} values was 10{sup -3} m{sup 2} kg{sup -1} (dry weight). Tree foliage was usually 2-12 times more contaminated than trunk wood. Maximum contamination of tree components with radiocaesium was associated with (semi-)hydromorphic areas with thick humus layers. The transfer of radionuclides to mushrooms and berries is high, in comparison with foodstuffs grown in agricultural systems. Concerning caesium uptake by mushrooms, the transfer is characterized by a very large variability of T{sub ag}, from 10{sup -3} to 10{sup 1} m{sup 2} kg{sup -1} (dry weight). For berries, typical values are around 0.01-0.1 m{sup 2} kg{sup -1} (dry weight). Transfer of radioactive caesium to game animals and reindeer and the rate of activity reduction, quantified as an ecological half-life, reflect the soil and pasture conditions at individual locations. Forests in temperate and boreal regions differ with respect to soil type and vegetation, and a faster decline of muscle activity concentrations in deer occurs in the temperate zone. However, in wild boar the caesium activity concentration shows no decline because of its special feeding habits. In the late phase, i.e. at least a few months since the external radionuclide contamination on feed plants has been removed, a T{sub ag} value of 0.01 m{sup 2} kg{sup -1} (fresh weight) is common for {sup 137}Cs in the muscles of adult moose and terrestrial birds living in boreal forests, and 0.03 m{sup 2} kg{sup -1} (fresh weight) for arctic hare. Radiocaesium concentrations in reindeer muscle in winter may exceed the summer content by a factor of more than two, the mean T{sub ag} values for winter ranging from 0.02 to 0.8 m{sup 2} kg{sup -1} (fresh weight), and in summer from 0.04 to 0.4 m{sup 2} kg{sup -1}. The highest values are found in the year of initial contamination, followed by a gradual reduction. In waterfowl a relatively fast decline in uptake of {sup 137}Cs has been found, with T{sub ag} values changing from 0.01 to 0.002 m{sup 2} kg{sup -1} (fresh weight) in the three years after the contaminating event, the rate being determined by the dynamics of {sup 137}Cs in aquatic ecosystems.

The relief and geophysical characteristics of the sea floor in the Drake Passage-Scotia Sea zone have been studied quite well in general. The oceanic floor within this zone is usually considered as a collage of small fragments of the continental bridge and of young oceanic plates formed by spreading under the large-scale motions of large lithospheric plates. The authors suppose an alternative version of the genesis of the Drake Passage-Scotia Sea lithospheric zone as an area of large fragments of the continental bridge subjected to basification under the conditions of temperate extension and local rifting.

The physiological basis of photosynthesis during winter was investigated in saplings of five evergreen broad-leaved species (Camellia japonica L., Cleyera japonica Thunb., Photinia glabra (Thunb.) Maxim., Castanopsis cuspidata (Thunb.) Schottky and Quercus glauca Thunb.) co-occurring under deciduous canopy trees in a temperate forest. We focused on temperature dependence of photosynthetic rate and capacity as important physiological parameters that determine light-saturated rates of net photosynthesis at low temperatures during winter. Under controlled temperature conditions, maximum rates of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylation and electron transport (Vcmax) and Jmax, respectively) increased exponentially with increasing leaf temperature. The temperature dependence of photosynthetic rate did not differ among species. In the field, photosynthetic capacity, determined as Vcmax and Jmax at a common temperature of 25 degrees C (Vcmax(25) and Jmax(25)), increased until autumn and then decreased in species-specific patterns. Values of Vcmax(25) and Jmax(25) differed among species during winter. There was a positive correlation of Vcmax(25) with area-based nitrogen concentration among leaves during winter in Camellia and Photinia. Interspecific differences in Vcmax(25) were responsible for interspecific differences in light-saturated rates of net photosynthesis during winter. PMID:16356922

In eusocial species, the size of the superorganism is the summed sizes of its component individuals. Bergmann's rule, the cline of decreasing size with decreasing latitude, applies to colony size in ants. Using data from the literature and our own collections, we show that colony sizes of tropical ant species are on average 1/10th the size of temperate species. The patterns holds for 5 of 6 subfamilies and 15 of 16 genera tested. What causes this trend Larger colonies of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, are better able to protect the queen (the colony's reproductive tissue) against food shortage, likely by sacrificing workers (it's somatic tissue). Days of queen survival follows the allometry M[sup 0.25]. We propose that the shorter growing seasons in temperate latitudes cull small-colony species through over-wintering starvation.

The present study has demonstrated the expression of HSP60, HSP70, HSP90, and UBQ in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) during different seasons in three different age groups (Groups I, II, and III with age of 0?2, 2?5, and >5 years, respectively) of goats of tropical and temperate regions. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was applied to investigate mRNA expression of examined factors. Specificity of the desired products was documented using analysis of the melting temperature and high-resolution gel electrophoresis to verify that the transcripts are of the exact molecular size predicted. The mRNA expression of HSP60, HSP90, and UBQ was significantly higher (P?P?winter season in tropical region goats. However, in the temperate region...

Temper bead welding technique is one of the most important repair welding methods for large structures for which it is difficult to perform the specified post weld heat treatment. In this study, appropriate temper bead welding conditions to improve the characteristics of heat affected zone (HAZ) are studied using pressure vessel steel SQV2A corresponding to ASTM A533 Type B Class 1. Thermal/mechanical simulator is employed to give specimens welding thermal cycles from single to quadruple cycle. Charpy absorbed energy and hardness of simulated CGHAZ by first cycle were degraded as compared with base metal. Improvability of these degradations by subsequent cycles is discussed and appropriate temper bead thermal cycles are clarified. When the peak temperature lower than Ac1 and near Ac1 in the second thermal cycle is applied to CGAHZ by first thermal cycle, the characteristics of CGHAZ improve enough. When the other peak temperatures (that is, higher than Ac1) in the second thermal cycle are applied to the CGHAZ, third or more thermal cycle temper bead process should be applied to improve the properties. Appropriate weld condition ranges are selected based on the above results. The validity of the selected ranges is verified by the temper bead welding test. (orig.)

Temperate species of turtles hatch from eggs in late summer. The hatchlings of some species leave their natal nest to hibernate elsewhere on land or under water, whereas others usually remain inside the nest until spring; thus, post-hatching behavior strongly influences the hibernation ecology and physiology of this age class. Little is known about the habitats of and environmental conditions affecting aquatic hibernators, although laboratory studies suggest that chronically hypoxic sites are inhospitable to hatchlings. Field biologists have long been intrigued by the environmental conditions survived by hatchlings using terrestrial hibernacula, especially nests that ultimately serve as winter refugia. Hatchlings are unable to feed, although as metabolism is greatly reduced in hibernation,...

Mollisols are common in South America. They cover about 8.87 ? 107 ha, 1.3 ? 107 ha and 4.3 ? 106 ha in Argentina, Uruguay and Southern Brazil respectively, which is 11.5% of the world total. Most of South American Mollisols were developed on Pleistocene and Holocene sediments and lie within the limits of the temperate zone, though the extreme north is bordering subtropical and the extreme south is within a cold-temperate zone. All suborders of Mollisols occur in Argentina, the most extensive being Udolls followed by Ustolls, whereas only Udolls, Aquolls and Albolls occur in Uruguay. Vertisols in Uruguay have many properties similar to Mollisols, and the occurrence of Vertisols is strongly associated with Mollisols. The Pampean Mollisols are a significant component of the global breadbaske...

The compaction of arable soils caused by driving over them with agricultural machinery poses a serious problem in numerous agricultural regions across temperate climate zones. The risk of compaction is particularly high in early spring or late autumn when soils are wet. This is why driving over soils frozen near the surface is recommended in some cases in temperate climate zones to prevent soil compaction. However, no findings have been available about the thickness of frozen soil required to effectively prevent compaction when the soil is driven over. In one experiment, soil physical measurements were carried out on the topsoil after a single pass with a tractor (4100kg wheel load, 80kPa inflation pressure) over an unfrozen variant, a variant with 2-3cm frost covering and a variant with 5...

Liaotung oak (strictly named as Quercus wutaishanica Mayr, but usually called Q. liaotungensis Koidz) is the main dominant tree species in deciduous broad-leaved forests and mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests occupying the warm-temperate zone and temperate zone of China. It plays important roles in soil and water conservation. We collected occurrence data of Liaotung oak together with environmental variables, and used 24 environmental layers as indicators of climate, human disturbance and soil characteristics (at a spatial resolution of 5 arc-min) across China. The genetic algorithm for rule-set prediction (GARP) was used to predict the potential distribution area of Liaotung oak. Forward selection, Monte Carlo permutation tests and variation partitioning methods were used to identi...

Pilot plant trials with the horizontal vessel were completed. Design of a third pressurized vessel and an offgas cleaning and tempering system was completed. Installation is now underway. A basic study and a pre-engineering design of a 350,000-metric ton/y demonstration plant were completed, and efforts are underway to develop such a demonstration plant at a host steel company. Foreign filings have been prepared for the two-zone countercurrent smelter (patent applied for). Work with a water model of two-zone smelter was completed. The horizontal smelter program was completed. Trials were conducted to determine how sulfur is partitioned among the hot metal, slag, and offgas. Design of offgas cleaning and tempering loop was completed.

The study provides information to more reliably estimate the value of conservation tillage in a temperate climate. Tillage effects on yield and weeds were evaluated in field experiments at two sites in SW Germany between 1999 and 2010. Tillage varied at site Ihinger Hof from mouldboard plough (P), chisel plough (CP), rototiller (RTT), varying P and CP (VAR), to no tillage (NT), partially combined with stubble tillage (S). Tillage at site Meiereihof was S/P, S/CP, and NT. Crop rotations included winter wheat (WW, Triticum aestivum), triticale (TR, Triticosecale), oat (OA, Avena sativa), silage maize (SM, Zea mays) and oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus) at Ihinger Hof, and winter wheat, spring barley (SB, Hordeum vulgare), silage maize, sugar beets (SBE, Beta vulgaris) and faba bean (FB, Vic...

Radon (222Rn) and carbon dioxide were monitored simultaneously in soil air under a cool-temperate deciduous stand on the campus of Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan. Both 222Rn and CO2 concentrations in soil air varied with atmospheric (soil) temperature in three seasons, except for winter when the temperature in soil air remained constant at 2?3°C at depth of 80 cm. In winter, the gaseous components were influenced by low-pressure region passing through the observation site when the ground surface was covered with snow of ~1 m thickness. Carbon isotopic analyses of CO2 suggested that CO2 in soil air may result from mixing of atmospheric air and soil components of different origins, i.e. CO2 from contemporary soil organic matter and old carbon from deeper source, to varying degrees, depe...

Plants respond to the changing seasons to initiate developmental programmes precisely at particular times of year. Flowering is the best characterized of these seasonal responses, and in temperate climates it often occurs in spring. Genetic approaches in Arabidopsis thaliana have shown how the underlying responses to changes in day length (photoperiod) or winter temperature (vernalization) are conferred and how these converge to create a robust seasonal response. Recent advances in plant genome analysis have demonstrated the diversity in these regulatory systems in many plant species, including several crops and perennials, such as poplar trees. Here, we report progress in defining the diverse genetic mechanisms that enable plants to recognize winter, spring and autumn to initiate flower d...

Little information is available on the sleeping cluster pattern and retiring behavior of Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana). Here, we provide observational data on a provisioned free-ranging band in the Qinling Mountains, central China. The results suggest that winter night activity of R. roxellana is a compromise between antipredator and thermoregulatory strategies and an adaptation to ecological conditions of their temperate habitat. Monkeys retired between 1804 and 1858 h in winter. In support of the antipredation hypothesis, all monkeys slept in trees at night, whereas 18.8% of individuals slept on the ground during the day. Also, the study band was more spatially cohesive at night than in daytime, with shorter distances between one-male units. Keeping warm is critica...

The granary weevil Sitophilus granarius is an important pest in grain stores throughout temperate regions. The larval parasitoid Lariophagus distinguendus is a potential candidate for biological control of this pest. In cooler climates the successful use of this parasitoid depends on its ability to survive low temperatures during winter. Investigations have been carried out at the DPIL to determine development rates of L. distinguendus at temperatures down to 15°C. Furthermore, an investigation was set up to simulate conditions in a grain store during winter. Grain infested with S. granarius and L. distinguendus was gradually cooled to a target temperature of 5°C and maintained there for 15 weeks. The grain was then gradually transferred to room temperature and emergence of S. granarius and L. distinguendus was registered. Preliminary results of these investigations will be presented.

Abstract Tall fescue is an important temperate grassland species globally, but in many regions the effects of drought, heat and poor grazing management, reduce its persistence in summer. Furthermore, poor ground cover and low tiller population density (TP) in winter result in low radiation capture and thus limited potential to increase the low growth rates at that time. Knowledge of the effect of fertilization, defoliation managements and establishment methods on demography of tall fescue would help to improve sward management for better persistence and winter growth. Accordingly, an experiment was carried out in Pergamino, Argentina, to study the effects of two N- fertilizer levels, two grazing frequencies and two seeding row arrangements upon tall fescue TP demography. Herbage mass, till...

Variation in cold hardiness was studied in the laboratory for the nondiapausing eggs of nine Aedes (Stegomyia) species from eastern Asia and Pacific islands, ranging from the tropics to the cool-temperate zone. Species included were Aedes aegypti (L.), Aedes albopictus (Skuse), Aedes flavopictus Yamada, Aedes galloisi Yamada, Aedes hensilli Farner, Aedes palauensis Bohart, Aedes paullusi Stone and Farner, Aedes riversi Bohart and Ingram, and Aedes scutellaris (Walker). For species with distributions covering two or three climatic zones, at least one population was included from each zone, except for Ae. aegypti (subtropical populations were unavailable). Some eggs of four species confined to the tropical zone survived short exposure to freezing temperature (> or = -5 degrees C) when humidity was high. There were inter- and intraspecies variations in cold hardiness of nondiapausing eggs. Cold hardiness in each climatic zone differed in that populations of species with more northerly distributions were more cold-hardy than species with southerly distributions. In Ae. albopictus and Ae. flavopictus that cover three climatic zones, populations from cooler regions were more cold-hardy than populations from warmer regions. A possibility of southern species without diapausing eggs to colonize temperate eastern Asia was discussed. PMID:21485356

This article outlines the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission's requirements on emergency planning of the PNPP-I. Although the regulation in emergency planning is similar to that of the U.S., certain characteristics and conditions peculiar to the Philippine situation are taken into consideration. The Emergency Planning zone boundaries are based on terrain and climatological characteristics of the site and consider the radionuclides food pathways which are distinctly different from that of temperate countries.

Along the French coast of the Bay of Biscay, the seasonal progression of phytoplankton presents specific hydrographic conditions compared to other temperate areas due to the influence of two large river plumes (Loire and Gironde). However, in spite of the occurrence of a microphytoplankton bloom during winter and phosphate limitation in spring, the dynamics of the planktonic food web on the continental shelf of the Bay seem to correspond with the characteristics typical of temperate oceans with the dominance of herbivory during spring and the development of the microbial food web under the stable post-bloom environment. Existing plankton data from recent scientific cruises were combined with inverse and network analyses to construct five model ecosystems between late winter and late spring and to investigate the structure and the function of the food web. The analysis of those models confirmed that the absolute amount of biogenic carbon export from the planktonic food web follows a continuum from high carbon export to depth when the microphytoplankton winter bloom is not consumed by grazers to carbon recycling within the microbial food web after the spring bloom when the water column is strongly stratified. Therefore, the winter spring period corresponds to a situation of high export. The particular hydrological conditions of the Bay of Biscay are not altering the capacity of the planktonic food web to export the greatest absolute amount of carbon during spring to plankton predators such as small pelagic fishes. However, this study showed that, in proportion to the primary production, the relative amount of biogenic carbon export to higher trophic levels does not vary considerably among the three types of planktonic food web function. Bacterial activity seems to have a higher control on relative export than phytoplankton size structure.

We examined nitrate assimilation in several tree species to test the hypothesis that plant N acquisition is highest in early spring due to the N demands of leaf growth and the seasonal availability of soil N. Specifically, we advance the idea that trees acquire N most actively during the leaf expansion period, which serves to offset growth-dilution of foliar N. However, it has been observed that boreal species expand their leaves more rapidly than do temperate species, suggesting that they exhibit a different seasonal pattern of N acquisition than do temperate species. To examine these relationships we measured leaf nitrate reductase activity (NRA) as a proxy for nitrate assimilation, leaf expansion rates, and foliar N concentrations on three boreal tree species and three temperate tree species throughout their leaf expansion period. An evergreen species (Quercus glauca) and two deciduous species (Acer palmatum and Zelkova serrata) were investigated in temperate Japan, and three deciduous species Alnus crispa, Betula papyrifera and Populus tremuloides were chosen in a boreal forest in interior Alaska, US. The patterns of foliar N concentrations were very similar across all six species, but the mean leaf expansion period was shorter in the boreal species (about 25 days) than in temperate species (about 29 days). All temperate species showed clear peaks of leaf NRA in the middle of leaf expansion period, suggesting that leaves partly compensate for the N dilution during expansion via foliar nitrate assimilation, and that plant nitrate acquisition was effectively timed to coincide with soil N availability generally increased in early spring. By contrast, peak NRA in the boreal species were observed in different stage of leaf expansion, but as in the temperate species declined to very low levels after the leaves were fully expanded. Our results demonstrate that plant nitrate assimilation is concentrated during leaf expansion in spring and early summer, but declines to very low levels during the remaining part of the growing season. This high rate of acquisition in early spring may reflect the seasonal nature of soil nitrate dynamics as well as acquisition of N liberated over-winter in both biomes.

OBJECTIVE: At temperate latitudes, 1-5% of the population suffer from winter depression; during winter, mood difficulties tend to increase but may be alleviated by bright light therapy. Unlike indoor workers, outdoor workers are exposed to therapeutic levels of sunlight during winter. We hypothesized that outdoor work may protect against mood difficulties and depression. METHOD: We studied this hypothesis among 2910 civil servants from Århus, Denmark, who participated in a survey in January-February 2009. Mental symptoms (N=422) defined a common case category that we broke down into two parts: depression (N=66) and mood difficulties but no depression (N=356). A total of 222 controls were also sampled from the study population. All 644 participants reported the extent of outdoor work. RESULTS: The confounder-adjusted odds ratio (OR) of mood difficulties showed a decreasing trend by increasing hours of outdoor work of borderline statistical significance. The OR was 0.63 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.34-1.18)] for those working outdoors for >2 hours a day. No such effect was suggested for depression. CONCLUSION: Our study is limited by its cross-sectional design and low statistical power but nevertheless suggests that outdoor work during winter may protect against mood difficulties. If this finding holds true it may have significant impact on workers' health as well as public health in general. Therefore, further studies are recommended.

Climatic conditions impact biotransformation and transfer of solutes. Therefore, they modify solute emissions in streams. Studying these modifications requires long term and detailed monitoring of both internal processes and river loads, which are rarely combined. The Kervidy-Naizin catchment, implemented in 1993, is part of the French network of catchment for environmental research (SOERE RBV, focused on the Critical Zone). It is an intensive agricultural catchment located in a temperate climate in Western France (Brittany) (Molenat et al., 2008; Morel et al., 2009). It presents shallow aquifers due to impervious bedrock. Both hydrology and water chemistry are monitored with a daily time step since 2000-01, as well as possible explanatory data (land use, meteorology, etc.). Concentrations in major anions in this catchment are extremely high, which make people call it a "saturated" catchment. We identified annual patterns for chloride, sulphate, dissolved organic and inorganic carbon and nitrate concentration variations. First, we considered the complete set of concentration data as function of the time. From that, we foresaw 3 cyclic temporal patterns. Then, from representing the concentrations as function of meteorological parameters, intra-annual hysteretic variations and their inter-annual variations were clearly identified. Our driving question is to know if and how climatic conditions are responsible for variations of the patterns in and between years. In winter, i.e. rainy and cold period, rainfall is closely linked to discharge because of a direct recharge to the shallow groundwater. Reversely, in transition periods (spring and fall) and hot periods, both rainfall and temperature influences discharge in relation to their range of variations. Moreover, biological processes, driven by temperature and wetness, also act during these periods. On the whole, we can emphasize the specificity of water chemistry patterns for each element. Noticeable differences between hot and cold years and between wet and dry years can mainly be observed during spring and autumn period, i.e. when combining variations of rainfall and temperature. Further jointed statistical analyses between water chemistry and meteorology have to be carried on. References Molenat, J., Gascuel-Odoux, C., Ruiz, L., and Gruau, G. (2008). Role of water table dynamics on stream nitrate export and concentration. in agricultural headwater catchment (France). Journal of Hydrology 348, 363-378. Morel, B., Durand, P., Jaffrezic, A., Gruau, G., and Molenat, J. (2009). Sources of dissolved organic carbon during stormflow in a headwater agricultural catchment. Hydrological Processes 23, 2888-2901.

The oriental persimmon (Diospyros kaki) is native to China, where it has been cultivated for centuries. In its native China more than two thousand different persimmon cultivars exist. Persimmons are best suited in areas of moderate winters and relatively mild summers (USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 10)....

The lake is in an advanced stage of eutrophication with the consequent symptoms of hypolimnetic oxygen depletion, winter fish kills, algal blooms, dense macrophyte growths in the shallows and the littoral zones of the lake, gradual siltation of the lake a...

The susceptibility to intergranular corrosion was evaluated in distinct regions of radial friction welded joints of super 13 Cr martensitic stainless steel, using the electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation test in the double loop version (DL-EPR). The thermal cycle and the plastic deformation associated to radial friction process alter significantly the microstructure of heat affected zone and thermo-mechanically affected zone, fact that causes a low value in the I{sub r}/I{sub a} ratio of these regions in comparison to the quenching and tempering condition of the base metal. (author)

Precipitation hardening in commercial welded joints of heat resisting 12Kh1MF-Sh steels under high temperature service conditions as well as microstructure of a weld zone in initial state were investigated. It is shown that high temperature tempering (710-740 deg C, 3h) prevents precipitation hardening in 12Kh1MF- Sh weld metal during long-term service up to 2x10/sup 5/h at 565 deg C, decreases a hardness level of weld metal and a heat affected zone and stabilizes hardness on aging.

Influenza epidemics occur periodically during the winter season in temperate areas. Characteristic features of winter include low temperature and low humidity. Humidity is expressed in two different ways: absolute humidity (AH) defined as absolute amount of water in the air, and relative humidity (RH) defined as the relative proportion of water in the air in comparison to the maximum water vapor. There have been many arguments for RH as a determinant factor for influenza epidemics. On the other hand, we have been putting emphasis on AH on the basis of our epidemiological observations. In this context, a recent experimental and theoretical study by other investigators has shown that AH correlates with influenza survival, transmission, and seasonality. Accordingly, we collected meteorological and influenza epidemiological data from 46 prefectures in temperate Japan for 1991-1995 and 1999-2009, and analyzed 2,392 sets of weekly compiled data for each season year by using multiple linear regression analysis, in which the numbers of influenza cases were regarded as a function of AH and RH. We found that the standardized partial regression coefficient for AH was consistently stronger than that for RH with statistical significance. In addition, AH increased and decreased significantly at the time of the epidemic onset and subsidence in seven and twelve out of fourteen influenza seasons, respectively, whereas RH did so in none and two out of fourteen influenza seasons. Thus, we have substantiated our quarter-century-old assertion that AH strongly correlates with the onset and subsidence of influenza epidemics.   

The high strength Al-Zn-Mg alloy used in the aerospace industry is strengthened by coherent G.P. zones and semicoherent ?? phase. However, this series of aluminum alloys are susceptible to stress corrosion cracking (SCC), particularly when aged to the peak-aged state of T6 temper. In this study, the effect of microstructure on mechanical properties and stress corrosion cracking of the alloy was investigated for alloys tempered to T6, RRA, Two-Step and T7 conditions by tensile test in air, SCC test and polarization test in a 3.5%NaCl solution. It is shown that the improvement in SCC resistance correlates very well with the size of matrix precipitates and grain boundary precipitates. T7 temper can produce larger sizes of both the matrix precipitates and grain boundary precipitates than that of T6, RRA and Two-step tempers, causing a decrease in the length and density of dislocation lines, which results in the decrease of stress concentration at grain boundary and greatly improving the SCC resistance. The addition of Sc and Zr to high strength Al-Zn-Mg alloys has been found to simultaneously improve the tensile strength and SCC resistance.   

Although zonation patterns of the standing vegetation along a water depth gradient in wetlands have been well described, few studies have explored whether such patterns also occur in the seed bank. This study examined patterns of the seed bank along a water depth gradient in three vegetation types (submerged zone, floating-leaved zone, and emergent zone) of a subtropical lakeshore marsh, Longgan Lake, China. Submerged zone is the deepest water and never exposed its soil to air, and was dominant by submerged species; floating-leaved zone is waterlogged soil even during drawdown and was dominant by Nelumbo nucifera; emergent zone is rarely exceeded 1?m water depth during the wet season (summer and autumn), and the marsh soil was usually exposed to air during drawdown (winter and spring), and...

Dissimilar friction stir welds of aluminum alloys AA5086 in annealed and AA6061 in T6 temper conditions were investigated in terms of residual stress, grain structure and precipitation distribution in different zones of the welded joints. Optical metallography and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize microstructures of different zones of the welds. In addition, residual stress profile and local mechanical properties of different zones were evaluated employing X-ray diffraction method and digital image correlation technique. It was found that softening in the AA6061-T6 side occurs in regions with weld peak temperature higher than 300??C. The micro-hardness profile results and TEM investigations also showed that thermo-mechanical affected zone of AA6061 side with large ...

In recent years, implications associated with groundwater contamination have increased the efforts of researchers studying solute transport through the unsaturated soil zone near the ground surface (vadose zone). Success in tracking the movement of water, solutes, and the development of vadose zone hydrologic models requires high-quality field data. However, near continuous, spatially distributed soil moisture and matric potential data sets are rare because conventional soil parameter instrumentation is point-based and labor intensive. An automated vadose zone monitoring system (AVM) was developed to complement a set of manually monitored instrument arrays in an effort to address the quality and quantity of data collected in the vadose zone. Tracer (tritium) movement was evaluated for winter and summer irrigation applications on a forested field plot on the Atlantic Coastal Plain in South Carolina. Tritiated water was applied in two pulse events through an irrigation system and breakthrough data were measured from soil cores, suction lysimeters and soil vapor wells in the field. Measured breakthrough data for both winter and summer tracer applications were compared to solute transport solutions and modeled using numerical modeling software. The data from automated and manual sampling systems were used to evaluate the results of a one dimension hydrologic model that predicted the movement of water and a tracer (tritium) movement associated with winter and summer irrigation events.

Nitrate?N and Fluoride concentrations were analyzed in shallow and unconfined ground water aquifers of Kanpur district along the Ganges Alluvial Plain of Northern India. Kanpur district was divided into three zones namely, Bithore, Kanpur City and Beyond Jajmau and sampling was carried out three seasons (summer, monsoon and winter). The data set consisted of the results of water samples from around 99 India Mark II hand Pumps, which were analyzed for summer monsoon and winter seasons. In Bithore zone, 19% of the samples exceeded the BIS (Bureau of India Standards) limit 10.2?mg/l as nitrate?N and as high as 166?mg/l as nitrate?N was observed. 10% and 7% samples in Kanpur city and beyond Jajmau zone respectively, exceeded the BIS limit. The Frequency distribution histogram of nitrate?N reve...

Data. In addition to a standard suite of snow observations across Northern Eurasia and its surroundings, we used in our study the national snow survey data set archived at the Russian Institute for Hydrometeorological Information. The last dataset has routine snow surveys run throughout the cold season each decade (during the intense snowmelt, each 5 days) at all meteorological stations of the former USSR, thereafter, in Russia since 1966. Prior to 1966 snow surveys are also available but the methodology of observations has substantially changed at that year. Therefore, this analysis includes only data of more than1000 Russian stations from 1966 to 2009 that have a minimal number of missing observations. Surveys run separately along all types of environment typical for the site for 1 to 2 km, describing the current snow cover properties such as snow density, depth, water equivalent, and characteristics of snow and ice crust. Background. During the past 128 years (since 1881), the annual surface air temperature in Northern Eurasia has increased by 1.5° C and in the winter season by 3° C. Nearby to the north in the Arctic Ocean, the late summer sea ice extent decreased by 40% exposing a near-infinite source of water vapor for the dry Arctic atmosphere in early cold season months. As a result of these processes the following changes in snow cover characteristics have been observed: (a) in autumn the dates of the onset of snow cover have not changed noticeably despite the strong temperature increase in this season; (b) in late spring, snow cover extent has decreased, retreating by 1 to 2 weeks earlier during the past 40 years; and (c) in the cold season maximum snow depth and SWE (at open areas) have increased over most of Russia. In the western half of Eurasian continent days with thaw became more frequent. Snowmelt duration and ice crust changes. Over Northern Eurasia, the snowmelt process can be lengthy but even the first such melt initiates a process of snow metamorphosis on its surface changing snow albedo and generating snow crust as well as on its bottom generating ice crust. Once formed, the crusts will not disappear until complete snowmelt. These crusts have numerous modes of impact on the wild birds and animals in the Arctic environment as well as on domesticated reindeers. In extreme cases, the crusts may kill some wild species and prevent reindeers' migration and feeding. In the temperate zone, the ice crust can affect the winter crop yield. The warming and earlier snowmelt worldwide signal that the 'shoulder' spring period when ice crust remains on the ground may shorten. However, earlier and more frequent thaw occurrence may cause an opposite tendency and lengthen the period with the ice crust. Our study reveals substantial changes in the snow and ice crust characteristics that have practical importance for wildlife and human activity in the Arctic as well as in the major agricultural regions of Russia. Among the two competing factors that can cause a systematic change in the ice crust characteristics over the humid half of Northern Eurasia, i.e., the increase in thaws due to strong regional warming and a potential shortening of the period of snowmelt, the second factor appeared to be more significant during the past 43 years. In particular, the entire process of the spring snowmelt has become shorter in duration and (taking into account a parallel rise in the snow depth across most of Russia) more intense. This might contribute to increasing frequencies and severity of spring floods, and require further studies.

16MND5 Steel or A508 Cl3 is used for manufacture by forging of nuclear reactor vessels. This material presents a good compromise in term of tenacity and yield stress, its microstructure is mainly bainitic tempered. Because of the chemical composition local variation and process of development, this material presents microstructural heterogeneities which can locally modify the properties of damage. In particular, some zones present a martensitic microstructure. The goal of this thesis is to bring some explanations on the influence of the microstructure; more particularly, size of the crystallographic entities and their spatial distribution on the local behaviour of 16MND5 steel. Two microstructures were elaborated for this purpose, a tempered bainitic microstructure and a tempered martensitic microstructure. An experimental characterization was carried out on the two microstructures in order to determine morphology, spatial distribution of the crystallographic orientations and tensile behaviour. A deposit of micro grid was carried out on tensile specimens to determine the experimental deformation field on a beforehand EBSD analyzed zone. The determination of the tensile behaviour allowed the identification of a multi crystalline behaviour law by a reverse method using the density of dislocation on each system of slip. This behaviour law was used in simulations with a finite element method to simulate the local mechanical field of the two microstructures and to compare with the obtained experimental deformation fields. It results, a good adequacy between simulations and experiments and the description of the influence of the neighbor grain's orientation on the local behaviour. (author)

This study compares the synoptic-dynamic relationship between two phases of the Pacific/North American (PNA) pattern and winter precipitation isotopes at 73 sites across the contiguous USA. We use the spatial pattern of isotope slope—the rate of changes in precipitation isotope ratios with distance—to identify features in the seasonal precipitation isotope fields related to climatic patterns, PNA positive and PNA negative. Our results show relationships between zones of high isotope slopes and the spatial position of the polar jet stream and juxtaposition of air masses associated with the PNA pattern. During a positive PNA winter, zones of high isotope slope in the eastern USA shift southward. This change is coincident with a southward displacement of the polar jet stream in this region, which leads to a greater frequency of polar air masses and 18O-depleted isotope values of precipitation in the region. In the western USA, zones of high slope shift eastward during the positive PNA winter, associated with more frequent penetration of tropical air masses that bring 18O-enriched precipitation to the region. Differences in ?18O/temperature relationships between the PNA-positive and -negative winters and contrasting ?18O/temperature behaviors in the eastern and western USA provide support for the role of variation in moisture source and transport as a control on the isotopic patterns. These findings highlight the importance of synoptic climate driven by PNA pattern in determining the spatial patterns of precipitation isotopes and provide constraints on paleo-water isotope interpretation and modern isotope hydrological processes.

The broad-scale distribution of terrestrial ecosystem complexes is determined in large part by climate and can be altered by climatic changes due to natural causes or due to human activities such as those leading to increasing atmospheric CO/sub 2/ concentration. Classifications that recognize the dependence of natural vegetation on climate provide one means of constructing maps to display the impact of climatic change on the geography of major vegetation zones. A world map of the Holdridge Life-Zone Classification, developed from approximately 8000 meteorological records, is compared with a Holdridge Map with average temperature increments simulated by a model of climate under elevated atmospheric CO/sub 2/ concentration. The largest changes are indicated at high latitudes, where the simulated temperature increase is largest and the temperature intervals defining life zones are smallest. Boreal Forest Zones are replaced by either Cool Temperate Forest or Cool Temperate Steppe, depending on average precipitation. Changes in the tropics are smaller. However, in some regions, Subtropic Moist Forest is replaced by Tropical Dry Forest. 29 references, 5 figures, 1 table.

Direct evaporative cooling can be profitable in hot arid climates, whereas favourable situations are not frequent in temperate zones. First the climate limits to direct operation are set on the psychrometric diagram. Then an alternative process is considered that can provide free cooling via evaporation for a lot of climatic conditions not particularly dry and very common in temperate climate: indirect evaporative cooling. Air is cooled in an adiabatic humidification process, and then in turn the same air is used to reduce - via a heat exchanger - the temperature of a second stream of air, whose moisture content consequently remains unchanged. The cooling effect is particularly strong when the air to be humidified is the ambient air being discharged.The potential of indirect evaporative co...

The present work evaluates the two-layer technique on the heat affected zone (HAZ) of AISI 4140 steel welded with different heat input levels between the first and second layer. The weld heat input levels selected by the Higuchi test were 5/5, 5/10, and 15/5 kJ/cm. The evaluation of the refining and/or tempering of the coarsened grain HAZ of the first layer was carried out using metallographic tests, microhardness measurements, and the Charpy-V impact test. The tempering of the first layer was only reached when the weld heat input ratio was 5/5 kJ/cm. The results of the Charpy-V impact test showed that the two-layer technique was efficient, from the point of view of toughness, since the toughness values reached were greater than the base metal for all weld heat input ratios applied. The re...

The armoured flexible conveyor is in wide use throughout the coal mining industry. It suffers from a tendency to failure by several modes, of which the unpredictable one, hydrogen embrittlement, is the greatest cause for concern. Experiments were carried out on a range of tempered tensile specimens of the steel (similar to 4340) using the slow strain rate method. Results show that this steel is susceptible to environmental attack in aqueous solutions. This is especially so in the temper embrittlement zone where the attack is intergranular. A hydrogen embrittlement mechanism is suspected since work with amounts of sodium sulphide additions to the environment solution (3.5% NaCl) increased intergranularity and embrittlement. Furthermore, other experiments with chloroplatinic acid have the reverse effect, reducing the amount of intergranularity and embrittlement. In conclusion rapid failure by the hydrogen embrittlement mode is likely to occur in certain favourable conditions, i.e. in environmental solutions where chlorides and sulphides are present. 187 references.

Climate change is expected to promote migration of species. In ecotones, areas of ecological tension, disturbances may provide opportunities for some migrating species to establish in otherwise competitive environments. The size of and time since disturbance may determine the establishment ability of these species. We investigated gap dynamics of an old-growth red pine (Pinus resinosa Sol. ex Aiton) forest in the Great Lakes?St. Lawrence forest in northern Ontario, Canada, a transition zone between temperate and boreal forest. We investigated the effects of gaps of different sizes and ages on tree species abundance and basal area. Our results show that tree species from the temperate forest further south, such as red maple (Acer rubrum L.), red oak (Quercus rubra L.), and white pine (Pinus...

Purpose Primary pyomyositis in immunocompetent children in non-tropical regions (countries with temperate climates) is very uncommon. It is rarely found in the intrapelvic muscles, and even more rarely in the obturator muscles. We try to draw attention to the potential occurrence in these conditions. Methods Five new cases of primary obturator-muscle pyomyositis in immunocompetent children aged between 6 and 11 years in a temperate climate are presented. They present with symptoms as follows: fever, pain (thigh, abdominal, inguinal, and/or hip pain), and limp. Three of them had no hip movement limitation. All of them had tenderness in the perineum zone. Results Laboratory tests may reveal high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) counts, but depend on the lengt...

The photoperiodic response of diapause induction is studied in females of five subtropical and warm-temperate zone populations of Nezara viridula (L.) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in Japan (26.4-34.7N; 127.4-135.7E). Laboratory tests at 25 C demonstrate that both warm-temperate and subtropical populations have pronounced photoperiodic responses of adult diapause induction. Under short-day conditions (LD 10 : 14 h), 73-100% of females enter diapause, whereas, under long-day conditions (LD 15 : 9 h), 87-100% of females are nondiapause and reproduce. When the critical photoperiod for diapause induction is plotted against the latitude of origin of each population, the data points do not show the expected tendency of increasing critical photoperiod northwards but, instead, vary between 12 h 15 m...

Soil-crop simulator model is an effective tool for providing decision on agricultural management. APSIM (Agricultural Production Systems Simulator) was developed to simulate the biophysical process in farming system, and particularly in the economic and ecological features of the systems under climatic risk. The current literatures revealed that APSIM could be applied in wide zone, including temperate continental, temperate maritime, sub-tropic and arid climate, and Mediterranean climates, with the soil type of clay, duplex soil, vertisol, silt sandy, silt loam and silt clay loam. More than 20 crops have been simulated well. APSIM is powerful on describing crop structure, crop sequence, yield prediction, and quality control as well as erosion estimation under different planting pattern. PMID:12418269

Partially melted zone (PMZ) of aluminium alloy welds is an important region and requires careful attention. This is mainly because PMZ in these materials is weak link in the weldments and is significantly affected by welding parameters. Microstructure changes in PMZ are related not only to welding heat input and techniques, but also depend on the initial thermal history of alloy (for example, whether it is in T6 or T87 condition etc.). Interestingly, not many detailed studies were available in this respect. In the present work, effect of prior thermal temper and welding techniques mainly continuous and pulsed current gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) on the PMZ behaviour of AA2219 alloy was studied. Susceptibility to liquation was found to be high in T6 temper of AA2219 alloy than in T87. Pulsed current technique was found to improve the resistance to the susceptibility to liquation in PMZ.

Recent results suggest that the wild ancestor of the horse, the Przewalski horse, exhibits signs of a hypometabolism. However, there are speculations that domestic animals lost the ability to reduce energy expenditure during food shortage and adverse environmental conditions. Therefore, we investigated physiological and behavioural strategies employed by a robust domesticated horse breed, the Shetland pony, over the course of a year under temperate conditions by measuring ambient temperature (T(a)), subcutaneous temperature (T(s)), locomotor activity (LA), lying time, resting heart rate, body mass and body condition score. Ten animals were kept on pasture in summer and in open stables in winter; further, in winter the animals were allocated into one control and one feed-restricted group of five animals each to simulate natural seasonal food shortage. The annual course of the mean daily T(s) of all horses showed distinct fluctuations from a mean of 35.6±0.5°C, with higher variations in summer than in winter. Diurnal amplitudes in T(s) were highest (Phorses seem to have maintained the capacity for seasonal adaptation to environmental conditions by seasonal fluctuations in their metabolic rate. PMID:22399650

An investigation was conducted to understand the electrochemical and metallurgical processes governing the transition from localized corrosion attack to SCC initiation involved in Al-Li-Cu alloy AA2096 as a function of isothermal aging heat treatment. SCC screening conducted on bluntly notched specimens in 0.6 M NaCl alternate immersion revealed two distinct and separate windows of IGSCC susceptibility as a function of temper. Stress corrosion failure in susceptible tempers involved pitting, pit coalescence to form fissures, intergranular corrosion within fissures and stress corrosion cracking. Diagnostics were performed to elucidate whether differences in localized corrosion behavior and/or IGSCC susceptibility as a function of temper influenced the overall susceptibility to SCC initiated from smooth specimens. Serial time exposures in the alternate immersion environment enabled documentation of localized corrosion site evolution in terms of corrosion type and resultant geometry. The evolution consisted of several distinct stages: pit initiation at constituent particles, coalescence of corrosion sites along bands of constituent particles forming corrosion fissures, and intergranular/intersubgranular corrosion at the base of these fissures in SCC susceptible tempers. Stress corrosion cracking occurred at the base of these corroded regions. However, sharp intersubgranular cracks did not form until fissures reached a certain depth by an intergranular/intragranular corrosion process. All tempers pitted or formed cathodic trenches at constituent particles and, subsequently, formed elongated corrosion fissures, but the transition to corrosion at metallurgical interfaces/intergranular cracking was controlled by a complex combination of metallurgical susceptibility, speculated occluded site chemistry development, and stress. Electrochemical testing defining critical potentials of alloy phases (i.e., second phase precipitates, solute depleted zones) as a function of temper was performed to explain the differences in localized corrosion site evolution as a function of temper. This thesis contributes to the understanding of stress corrosion cracking in AA2096, sheds light on the metallurgical culprit(s) responsible for SCC in Al-Li-Cu-Ag alloys, and provides detailed information regarding the transition from localized corrosion to stress corrosion cracking in machined notched specimens in AA2096. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Occupants? preferences for air movement in naturally ventilated buildings have been extracted from a database of three thermal comfort surveys conducted in the humid subtropical climate zone in China, during winter, spring, and summer seasons. The distribution of draft sensation shows that only 25.7, 38.5, and 28.7% of the subjects in winter, spring, and summer, respectively, felt that the available air movement was just right, suggesting that indoor air velocity may be a big problem in naturally ventilated buildings in humid subtropical China. Air movement preferences show that 15.8, 61.3, and 80.6% of subjects in winter, spring, and summer, respectively, wanted more air movement. Only a handful of subjects wanted less air movement than they were actually experiencing in any season, sugge...

In consideration of the climatic characteristics of different climatic zones, the annual energy consumption of existing buildings before and after reconstruction in hot summer and warm winter regions of South China and cold regions of North China is analyzed in this paper using DOE-2 dynamic cold and heat load simulation software. For cold regions of North China, the annual comprehensive energy saving benefits of existing buildings reconstruction in summer and winter should be analyzed, and the cost savings in the initial investment for heat resource and electricity construction should also be included at the same time. While for hot summer and warm winter regions of South China, the building energy saving should focus on new buildings. The building energy saving reconstruction and the fea...

A comparison among Chinese employees in three different climatic areas revealed different scores on five work values of Hofstede?s model. With regard to power distance, temperate regions showed greater scores than colder-than-temperate and hotter-than-temperate regions. In terms of masculinity, the results showed that temperate regions have greater scores than colder-than temperate and hotter-than-temperate regions. Regarding collectivism, hotter-than-temperate regions also showed a higher collectivism score than did colder-than-temperate regions. With regard to uncertainty avoidance, temperate regions showed greater scores than colder-than-temperate and hotter-than-temperate regions, even though colder-than-temperate and hotter-than-temperate regions did not present any significant differ...

Abstract We estimated long term trends of ocean acidification in surface waters in latitudinal zones from 3 N to 33 N along the repeat hydrographic line at 137 E in the western North Pacific Ocean. Estimates were based on the observational records of oceanic CO2 partial pressure and related surface properties over the last two decades. The computed pH time series both for 25 yr in winter (late January early February) and for 21 yr in summer (June July) exhibited significant decreasing trends in the extensive subtropical to equatorial zones, with interannual variations that were larger in summer. The calculated rates of pH decrease ranged from 0.0015 to 0.0021 yr 1 (average, 0.0018 0.0002 yr 1) in winter and from 0.0008 to 0.0019 yr 1 (average, 0.0013 0.0005 yr 1) in summer. The thermodynam...

The quantitative analysis of diatom assemblages preserved in 52 samples from the Bellingshausen and the Amundsen Seas provides the first comprehensive view on the distribution of diatoms in surface sediments of the eastern and central Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean. On a latitudinal transect along 120^oW, diatom valve accumulation rates (AR) reach maximum values (8-10x10^8 valves m^-^2yr^-^1) in a zone extending over ca. 900km between the Antarctic Polar Front and the maximum average winter sea ice extent and exceed those ARs obtained from an eastern transect along 90^oW by one order of magnitude. Lowest diatom concentrations (1-3x10^6 valves g^-^1) were encountered in sediments of the Sea Ice Zone, affected by winter and summer sea ice. The accumulation rate pattern of the most abun...

Members of the core pooids represent the most important crops in temperate zones including wheat, barley, and oats. Their importance as crops is largely due to the grain, particularly the storage capabilities of the endosperm. In this study, a comprehensive survey of grain morphology and endosperm organization in representatives of wild and cultivated species throughout the core pooids was performed. As sister to the core pooid tribes Poeae, Aveneae, Triticeae, and Bromeae within the Pooideae subfamily, Brachypodium provides a taxonomically relevant reference point. Using macroscopic, histological, and molecular analyses distinct patterns of grain tissue organization in these species, focusing on the peripheral and modified aleurone, are described. The results indicate that aleurone organi...

Recent discoveries suggest that photoheterotrophs (rhodopsin-containing bacteria (RBs) and aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs (AAPs)) and chemoautotrophs may be significant for marine and freshwater ecosystem productivity. However, their abundance and taxonomic identities remain largely unknown. We used a combination of single-cell and metagenomic DNA sequencing to study the predominant photoheterotrophs and chemoautotrophs inhabiting the euphotic zone of temperate, physicochemically diverse freshwater lakes. Multi-locus sequencing of 712 single amplified genomes, generated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and whole genome multiple displacement amplification, showed that most of the cosmopolitan freshwater clusters contain photoheterotrophs. These comprised at least 10–23% of bacte...

Abstract Aim Cloud forests of northern Mesoamerica represent the northern and southern limit of the contact zone between species otherwise characteristic of North or South America. Several phylogeographic studies featuring temperate conifer species have improved our understanding of species responses to environmental changes. In contrast, conifer species that presumably colonized northern Mesoamerica from South America are far less studied. A phylogeographic study of Podocarpus matudae (Podocarpaceae) was conducted to identify any major evolutionary divergences or disjunctions across its range and to determine if its current distribution is associated with pre Quaternary climatic and/or long distance dispersal events. Location Northern Mesoamerica (Mexico and Guatemala). Methods Sixteen po...

Surface temperatures and thickness-derived temperatures from a network of 63 well-distributed radiosonde stations have been used to estimate global and zonal annual and seasonal temperatures anomalies for the period 1958 through the summer of 1986. These anomaly estimates were made using a 1958-1977 reference period mean. Anomaly estimates are provided for surface, troposphere (850-300 mb), tropopause layer (300-100 mb), and low stratosphere (100-50 mb); (100-30mb) layers and for polar (60{degrees}-90{degrees}), temperate (30{degrees}-60{degrees}), subtropical (10{degrees}-30{degrees}), and equatorial (10{degrees}N - 10{degrees}S) zones, as well as the tropics, both hemispheres, and the world.

Global warming will bring about a temperature elevation, and the habitat of vectors of infectious diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever, will spread into subtropical or temperate zone. The purpose of this study is to simulate the spreading of these diseases through reexamination of existing data and collection of some additional information by field survey. From these data, the author will establish the relationship between meteorological conditions, vector density and malaria occurrence. And then he will simulate and predict the malaria epidemics in case of temperature elevation in southeast Asia and Japan.

Abstract Aim- We investigated the phylogeography, geographical variation in leaf morphology, freezing tolerance and climatic niches of two widespread evergreen sister oak species (Quercus) in the series Virentes. Location- South-eastern USA, Mexico and Central America. Methods- Nuclear microsatellites and non-recombining nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences were obtained from trees throughout the range of two sister lineages of live oaks, represented by Quercus virginiana in the temperate zone and Q. oleoides in the tropics. Divergence times were estimated for the two major geographical and genetic breaks. Differentiation in leaf morphology, analysed from field specimens, was compared with the molecular data. Freezing sensitivities of Q. virginiana and Q. oleoides populations were assesse...

Cryptococcus gattii has becoming more prevalent in temperate climate zones, during the past decades. We describe a C. gattii serotype B infection in an immunocompetent Italian patient with sclerosing cholangitis. The patient traveled once to Eastern Canada and otherwise no other countries than Italy were visited. Molecular analysis revealed that the C. gattii isolate belong to genotype AFLP4/VGI and has mating-type ? which is the most common genotype in the Mediterranean environment. The C. gattii strain was found to be closely related, but not identical, to other C. gattii strains from the Mediterranean area.

The environmental impacts of growing biomass for energy, especially for liquid automotive fuels, are potentially large. They are sensitive to the low power production per unit area (high land requirement) and to net energy balances. Initial quantitative estimates were made for impacts per unit power within several classes of impacts, and conversely, for limits to power produced if one avoids worst-class impacts. The following types of biomass energy technologies are considered: ethanol and methanol from grains and residues (temperate zone); jojoba wax (semi-tropical); ethanol from sugar cane and root crops (tropics); and silviculture for methanol via gasification.

Abstract Lichens are symbioses between fungi (mycobionts) and photoautotrophic green algae or cyanobacteria (photobionts). Many lichens occupy large distributional ranges covering several climatic zones. So far, little is known about the large-scale phylogeography of lichen photobionts and their role in shaping the distributional ranges of lichens. We studied south polar, temperate and north polar populations of the widely distributed fruticose lichen Cetraria aculeata. Based on the DNA sequences from three loci for each symbiont, we compared the genetic structure of mycobionts and photobionts. Phylogenetic reconstructions and Bayesian clustering methods divided the mycobiont and photobiont data sets into three groups. An amova shows that the genetic variance of the photobiont is best expl...

We present the first case of intracerebral abscess after blood-borne infection with non-toxigenic Vibrio cholerae (non-01). The patient was a 66 year-old woman who was infected after swimming in Danish seawater during an unusually hot summer. She had predisposing haemochromatosis and a skin lesion on the ankle. We treated the patient with meropenem and ciprofloxacin for six weeks followed by ciprofloxacin for four weeks, and she recovered with hemiparesis and speech impairment. Marine Vibrio species may produce intracranial infection in predisposed individuals, even in temperate climate zones. PMID:22348672

Host selection in blood-sucking arthropods has important evolutionary and ecological implications for the transmission dynamics, distribution and host-specificity of the parasites they transmit. The black salt-marsh mosquito (Aedes taeniorhynchus Wiedemann) is distributed throughout tropical to temperate coastal zones in the Americas, and continental populations are primarily mammalphilic. It is the only indigenous mosquito in the Galapagos Islands, having colonised the archipelago around 200,000years ago, potentially adapting its host selection, and in the process, altering the dynamics of vector mediated pathogen interactions in the archipelago. Here, we use blood-meal analysis and PCR-based parasite screening approach to determine the blood-feeding patterns of A. taeniorhynchus in the G...

In phylogenetically related plant species, hybridization can influence their current genetic structure. Long-lasting hybridization may be related to persistence in shared glacial refugia, where the differential abilities of each species to survive could have provided adaptations to changing environmental conditions. In temperate South American forests at the Patagonia region, the pattern of Quaternary glaciations offered several opportunities for refuge. At mid-latitudes (42° to 44° S), particular topographic characteristics determined different glaciation patterns, defining the existence of a transitional zone. We studied two widespread Nothofagus species (Nothofagus pumilio, Nothofagus antarctica) characterized by contrasting plasticity. We screened 40 coupled populations with three cpDN...

Determining underlying factors that foster deforestation and delineating forest areas by levels of susceptibility are of the main challenges when defining policies for forest management and planning at regional scale. The susceptibility to deforestation of remaining forest ecosystems (shrubland, temperate forest and rainforest) was conducted in the state of San Luis Potosi, located in north central Mexico. Spatial analysis techniques were used to detect the deforested areas in the study area during 1993?2007. Logistic regression was used to relate explanatory variables (such as social, investment, forest production, biophysical and proximity factors) with susceptibility to deforestation to construct predictive models with two focuses: general and by biogeographical zone. In all models, def...

The stable isotope composition of waters (delta2H, delta18O) can be used as a natural tracer of hydrologic processes in systems affected by acid mine drainage. We investigated the delta2H and delta18O values of pore waters from four oxidizing sulfidic mine tailings impoundments in different climatic regions of Chile (Piuquenes at La Andina with Alpine climate, Cauquenes and Carén at El Teniente with Mediterranean climate, and Talabre at the Chuquicamata deposit with hyperarid climate). No clear relationship was found between altitude and isotopic composition. The observed displacement of the tailings pore waters from the local meteoric water line toward higher delta18O values (by approximately +2 per thousand delta18O relative to delta2H) is partly due to water-rock interaction processes, including hydration and O-isotope exchange with sulfates and Fe(III) oxyhydroxides produced by pyrite oxidation. In most tailings, from the saturated zone toward the surface, isotopically different zones can be distinguished. Zone I is characterized by an upward depletion of 2H and 18O in the pore waters from the saturated zone and the lowermost vadose zone, due to ascending diffused isotopically light water triggered by the constant loss of water vapor by evaporation at the surface. In zone II, the capillary flow of a mix of vapor and liquid water causes an evaporative isotopic enrichment in 2H and 18O. At the top of the tailings in dry climate a zone III between the capillary zone and the surface contains isotopically light diffused and atmospheric water vapor. In temperate climates, the upper part of the profile is affected by recent rainfall and zone III may not differ isotopically from zone II. PMID:17410777

In temperate grasses, such as wheat (Triticum sp.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), earliness per se (eps) is defined as the intrinsic difference in flowering time of fully vernalized plants grown under long day conditions. The main task of our investigations was to confirm and refine the chromosomal position of the previously mapped Eps-3A m locus in einkorn wheat (Shindo et al. in Genome 45:563?569, 2002; Hori et al. in Breed Sci 57:39?45, 2007). To this end, 110 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were phenotypically and genotypically evaluated. The population had been obtained from a cross between an early flowering X-ray mutant KT3-5 (T. monococcum L.) of cultivated spring type and a wild wheat line KT1-1 of T. boeoticum Boiss. (winter type). Heading time evaluations under greenhouse cond...

In many temperate estuarine areas, ongoing climatic changes are expected to lead to higher seawater temperatures, to increased inflow of freshwater and nutrients (due to increased rainfall) and to altered light conditions. During the last two decades, several winters have been unusually mild in southern Finland, and the subsequent springs have been early. This may have consequences for the seasonality of many species, including the bladder-wrack, Fucus vesiculosus, whose reproductive cycle may be especially sensitive. In the present study, F. vesiculosus receptacles from the field were weighed regularly during three warm (early) springs and compared with receptacles from three cold (late) springs. On average, the first sign of receptacle growth in the field occurred 5?6?weeks earlier and r...

Air-conditioning and heat pumping performance of R32/R152a mixture is measured in the composition range of 20-50% R32 with an interval of 10% for the comparison with HCFC22 in a water source heat pump bench tester. Tests are carried out under the same capacity in the bench tester equipped with a variable speed open type compressor at the evaporation and condensation temperatures of 7/45 degreeC and -7/41 degreeC for summer and winter conditions, respectively. Test results show that the compressor power of R32/R152a mixture is up to 13.7% lower than that of HCFC22 while the coefficient of performance (COP) of R32/R152a mixture is up to 15.8% higher than that of HCFC22. From the view point of energy efficiency, R32/R152a mixture is excellent as compared to HCFC22. Compressor discharge temper...

Vertical distributions of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrogen (DON) and phosphorous (DOP) were studied in the Southern Adriatic basin in two contrasting periods: autumn (high stratification) and winter (high extent of mixing). These data provide the first observations of dissolved organic matter (DOM) stoichiometry in a key area of the Mediterranean Sea. DOC and DON values are similar to those reported for other areas of the Mediterranean Sea as well as for tropical and temperate regions of the oceans. Surface DOP values are about one order of magnitude lower than those reported for the oceanic waters, confirming the low availability of P in the Mediterranean Sea. Consequently, surface DOM (C:N:P=1189-1411:86-88:1) has higher proportions of C and N with respect to P than in the oceans...

This research was performed to resolve temperature requirement for embryo growth, dormancy break and seed germination of Aconitum lycoctonum, an Eurasian perennial herb growing in deciduous forests. The dormancy strategy of A. lycoctonum was compared with that of other Ranunculaceae species growing in the temperate deciduous forest habitat. Seeds of A. lycoctonum germinate immediately after embryo growth is completed during winter and seedlings subsequently emerge in early spring. Experiments in controlled conditions revealed that (1) embryo growth and germination only occurred at low temperatures (<10degreeC), (2) a high-temperature pre-treatment was not required for germination, and (3) application of gibberellic acid did not overcome the chilling requirement. Based on these results, see...

Influenza epidemics, enabled by viral antigenic drift, occur invariably each winter in temperate climates. However, attempts to correlate the magnitude of virus change and epidemic size have been unsatisfactory. The incidence of influenza is not typically measured directly, but rather derived from the incidence of influenza-like illness (ILI), a clinical syndrome. Weather factors have been shown to influence the manifestation of influenza-like symptoms. We fitted an influenza transmission model to time series of influenza-like illness as monitored from 2003 to 2010 by two independent symptomatic surveillance systems (Influenzanet and EISN) in three European countries. By assuming that seasonality only acts upon the manifestation of symptoms, the model shows a significant correlation betwee...

Summary 1. Changes to the natural flow regime of a river caused by flow regulation may affect waterborne seed dispersal (hydrochory), and this may be an important mechanism by which regulation affects riverine plant communities. We assessed the effect of altered timing of seasonal flow peaks on hydrochory and considered the potential implications for plant recruitment. 2. We sampled hydrochory within five lowland rivers of temperate Australia, three of which are regulated by large dams. These dams are operated to store winter and spring rains and release water in summer and autumn for agriculture. At three sites on each river, hydrochory was sampled monthly for 12-months using passive drift nets. The contents of the drift samples were determined using the seedling-emergence method. 3. More...

The aim of this study was to characterize differences in the thermal and structural behavior between different sized native milk fat globules. A novel microfiltration process permits the selection of native small fat globules (SFG, 1-3 microm) and large fat globules (LFG, >5 microm) in raw milk, that were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) coupled to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). There were no major differences in triglyceride crystalline structures between SFG and LFG, after eliminating thermal history and the influence of cooling rates. The three main 3L and 2L crystalline structures appearing under slow cooling existed regardless of globule size. The supercooling increased for the SFG, mainly due to heterogeneous nucleation in winter milk, and also to compositional variations in spring milk. Differences appeared regarding stabilized crystalline forms at 20 degrees C and subsequent cooling: the SFG contained less 2L triglyceride structures than the LFG. These results can be important in dairy manufactures using tempering periods. PMID:15555609

Collapsible loess-derived soils are prone to soil piping erosion, where enlargement of macropores may lead to a subsurface pipe network and eventually to soil collapse and gully development. This study aims at understanding the main factors controlling spatial patterns of piping in loess-derived soils under a temperate climate. To map the spatial distribution of piping and identify the environmental controls on its distribution, a regional survey was carried out in a 236km^2 study area in the Flemish Ardennes (Belgium). Orthophotos taken at optimal field conditions (winter) were analyzed to detect piping in open landscapes and ground thruthing was systematically done through field surveys. In total, 137 parcels having 560 collapsed pipes were mapped. Dimensions of the sinkholes and local s...

The relationship between Amscat scatterometer measurements during Fasinex (the Frontal Air-Sea Interaction Experiment) and surface winds, waves, and surface stress is studied. Fasinex, which took place during the winter/spring of 1985-1986, focused on an oceanic front in the subtropical convergence zone southwest of Bermuda. Particular attention is given to data collected on February 18 when the Ku-band scatterometer measured the radar cross sections along two 80-km flight paths that ran north-south, approximately perpendicular to the front boundary.

Seawater solar ponds are being evaluated as a means of reducing heat losses from thermal refuge areas in outdoor mariculture ponds during cold weather. The thermal refuge areas are intended to provide a reliable means of protecting fish crops from lethal cold water temperatures in the winter months. A continuous filling technique is demonstrated for use in gradient zone maintenance of the seawater solar ponds. The technique allows indefinite operation of the refuge areas with a minimal amount of fresh water.

Three years of eddy-covariance flux measurements from two deciduous forest stands were compared, one from a temperate mixed wood stand at Camp Borden, Ontario, and one from a boreal aspen stand near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. The objective was to gain increased understanding of the processes that control net ecosystem productivity (NEP) and to contrast the responses of boreal and temperate deciduous forest ecosystems to interannual climatic variability. Results showed that in the boreal ecosystem, interannual differences in NEP were primarily controlled by early spring temperatures. Whereas the warm spring temperatures which caused early leaf out and increased photosynthesis but no effect on respiration in the boreal zone, resulted only in early leaf out but also in increased respiration and drought stress in the temperate ecosystem. The contrasting impact of the warm spring temperatures on annual NEP at the two sites illustrates the complexity of interpreting climatic impacts on the forest carbon balance. It is likely that warmer temperatures and drier soil conditions impact differently on ecosystem respiration and ecosystem photosynthesis. They may also have different impacts on growth and maintenance respiration versus soil microbial respiration. 33 refs., 3 tabs., 5 figs.

The functioning of many ecosystems and their associated resilience could become severely compromised by climate change over the 21st century. We present a global risk analysis of terrestrial ecosystem changes based on an aggregate metric of joint changes in macroscopic ecosystem features including vegetation structure as well as carbon and water fluxes and stores. We apply this metric to global ecosystem simulations with a dynamic global vegetation model (LPJmL) under 58 WCRP CMIP3 climate change projections. Given the current knowledge of ecosystem processes and projected climate change patterns, we find that severe ecosystem changes cannot be excluded on any continent. They are likely to occur (in > 90% of the climate projections) in the boreal-temperate ecotone where heat and drought stress might lead to large-scale forest die-back, along boreal and mountainous tree lines where the temperature limitation will be alleviated, and in water-limited ecosystems where elevated atmospheric CO{sub 2} concentration will lead to increased water use efficiency of photosynthesis. Considerable ecosystem changes can be expected above 3 K local temperature change in cold and tropical climates and above 4 K in the temperate zone. Sensitivity to temperature change increases with decreasing precipitation in tropical and temperate ecosystems. In summary, there is a risk of substantial restructuring of the global land biosphere on current trajectories of climate change.

This article documents the results of an industry survey of weld repair practices and describes the results of experimental evaluations performed on service-aged 2{1/4}Cr-1 Mo steel piping using SMAW with both conventional postweld heat treatments and temper bead repair techniques. The overall results of this program provide substantial evidence that service-aged piping systems can be successfully weld repaired with and without postweld heat treatments and that life extension by several decades is achievable under the right design and repair conditions. Weld repairs performed on degraded exservice welds resulted in restoration or improvement of tensile and creep properties. Microhardness test results within the heat-affected zone of each weldment indicated that the temper bead weld repairs produced only slightly higher peak hardness values than those measured for the fully postweld heat treated repairs. Finally, in terms of toughness, temper bead weld repairs consistently produced higher impact properties than those measured for the postweld heat treated weldments. Gas tungsten arc weld repairs with postweld heat treatment resulted in the best combination of tensile strength, uniform microhardness distribution across the weld, Charpy toughness, and creep rupture life.

We estimated the summer and winter abundance of marine birds in Prince William Sound, Alaska, following the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, examined changes in population size between pre-spill and post-spill surveys, and compared pre- to post-oil spill population trends in the oiled zone of the Sound relative to trends in the unoiled zone. Ninety-nine species of birds were observed on surveys. Estimated populations of 15 to 32 species/species groups demonstrated declines over the 17-19 year period between pre- and post-spill surveys. However, because of the long time period between surveys, we could not directly associate overall population declines with the oil spill.

CO[sub 2] laser beam welds were produced between Ti-6Al-4V and Beta-C[trademark] sheet. Three different nominal fusion zone chemical compositions were obtained by varying the laser beam location relative to the joint centerline and thereby melting different quantities of each base metal. Fusion zone microstructures exhibited fine, columnar-shaped beta grains comprised of retained-beta phase and martensite, with the proportion of martensite increasing with an increase in the quantity of Ti-6Al-4V nominally in the fusion zone. The location of these phases within the fusion zone was influenced by macrosegregation, which originated from incomplete mixing of the melted base metals and the occurrence of transverse-solute banding during solidification. Postweld aging heat treatment at 482 C/20 h and 538 C/8 h resulted in extremely fine alpha precipitation within the retained-beta phase regions and tempering of the martensite. These fusion zone microstructures exhibited high hardnesses and strengths superior to those of the Ti-6Al-4V and Beta-C base metals, but low ductility (Ti-6Al-4V and Beta C within the weld fusion zone generally had a minimal effect on the average hardness and ductility.

Diatom biostratigraphy for the latest early Miocene to earliest Pliocene of California is updated by new correlations to absolute time, and additional secondary datum levels (first and last occurrences) are identified. As yet, late middle Miocene to latest Miocene (14-6 Ma) diatom datum levels have not been correlated directly with magnetic stratigraphy in the northeast Pacific. Absolute ages are estimated indirectly by correlating northeast Pacific diatom datum levels with tropical Pacific diatom datum levels, which are correlated directly with magnetic stratigraphy. DSDP sections in the northeastern Pacific (Sites 470, 472) and northwestern Pacific (Site 438) contain mixtures of tropical and temperate diatom species. Graphical correlation techniques applied to these sections correlate temperate datum levels to tropical datum levels and, hence, to magnetic stratigraphy. Absolute ages for these datum levels are then estimated using magnetic time scales. W.A. Berggren et al suggested a new correlation of magnetic anomaly 5 (8.92-10.42 Ma) with magnetic polarity Chron 11, rather than with Chron 9. Significant changes in absolute age estimates from late middle Miocene to early late Miocene diatom zones and subzones are as follows: base of Denticulopsis hustedtii-D. lauta zone = 13.8 Ma; base of subzone b = 12.7 Ma; base of subzone c = 11.4 Ma; base of subzone d = 8.9 Ma; base of D. hustedtii zone = 8.4 Ma; top of D. hustedtii zone (base of Thalassiosira antiqua zone) = 7.6 Ma. Graphical correlation techniques have been applied to stratigraphic sections from Newport Beach, Naples coastal bluffs, Lompoc, Monterey, and the type Luisian area near Paso Robles, as well as from DSDP Sites 173, 468, 469, and 470, and have identified 31 secondary diatom datums and 4 silicoflagellate datums that are the most useful for correlations.

It is well known that winter chilling is necessary for the flowering of temperate trees. The chilling requirement is a criterion for choosing a species or variety at a given location. Also chemistry products can be used for reducing the chilling-hours needs but make our production more expensive. This study first analysed the observed values of chilling hours for some representative agricultural locations in Spain for the last three decades and their projected changes under climate change scenarios. Usually the chilling is measured and calculated as chilling-hours, and different methods have been used to calculate them (e.g. Richarson et al., 1974 among others) according to the species considered. For our objective North Carolina method (Shaltout and Unrath, 1983) was applied for apples, Utah method (Richardson et al. 1974) for peach and grapevine and the approach used by De Melo-Abreu et al. (2004) for olive trees. The influence of climate change in temperate trees was studied by calculating projections of chilling-hours with climate data from Regional Climate Models (RCMs) at high resolution (25 km) from the European Project ENSEMBLES (http://www.ensembles-eu.org/). These projections will allow for analysing the modelled variations of chill-hours between 2nd half of 20C and 1st half of 21C at the study locations.

This study evaluates the possible effects of climate modifications induced by increasing trace gas concentrations in the atmosphere, on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) yield and water demand in France. CERES-wheat and CERES-maize models are used with two French weather series and soil conditions. Weather variables were varied from present conditions, as simulated by various global climate models (GCMs). This chapter emphasizes the process of model calibration and the consequent uncertainties in final simulated results. Under the simulation conditions: (i) season lengths are shortened under climate change scenarios; (ii) yield decreases under climate change alone, but the decrease can be somewhat counteracted by direct CO{sub 2} effects on the crop, up to a 5 C temperature increase; and (iii) water use decreases under climate changes. Even if the large diversity of French climates and soils prohibits generalization of these results to the entire country, the main conclusions are: (i) under both temperate and Mediterranean climates, winter cereal yields will not be decreased by future conditions, provided that irrigation supply is not limiting under dry conditions and (ii) under temperate climate, maize could take advantage of development phase shrinkage and improve its radiation use efficiency. Changing sowing date produces varying results according to weather scenario, plant, and location. A more precise knowledge of initial soil water or temperature under changing conditions is necessary before optimal agronomic adaptation to future climate can be suggested.

Abstract in english Enteric fevers and dysenteries showed, during the period 1940-44, a summer prevalence in brazilian cities of the temperate zone. The distribu¬tion of the diseases by four-months periods, selected in acordance with the highest of lowest values of rainfall, mean temperature and absolute humidity induced to suppose that, in those cities, and also in tropical ones, both enteric fevers and dysenteries were closely associated with such climatic factors: enteric fevers mainly w (more) ith absolute humidity and temperature, and dysenteries with humidity and rainfall. Correlation coefficients, statistically significant, have been obtained comparing monthly waves of climatic factors and corresponding waves of prevalence of the diseases. For enteric fevers, clear associations have been disclosed: with temperature variations in all temperate cities (coefficients ranging from + 0.42 to + 0.75, higher with mean temperature in the previous month) and in two of the four tropical cities (from + 0.26 to ± 0.30); with absolute humidity variations in cities of the first group (from + 0.51 to 0.71) and in the tropical city of Rio ( + 0.26 ± 0.12 and + 0.28 ± 0.12); and also with rainfall variations but only in two temperate cities (from + 0.28 to + 0.64). For dysenteric diseases, in cities of temperate zone similar associations have been found with absolute humidity (values of r, ranging from + 0.32 to + 0.45), with temperature (from + 0.26 to + 0.44); and with rainfall only in Curitiba ( + 0.25 ± 0.12). Recife (tropical city) yielded two significant values : r = ? 0.27 ± 0.12 (correlation with mean temperature in the same month) and r = + 0.40 ± 0.11 and -h 0.37 ± 0.11 (between monthly morbidity rates and rainfall, respectively in the same month and in the previous one). Deaths by diarrhea and enteritis, in the cities of the temperate zone, prevailed in spring-summer seasons, also in four-months periods of highest temperature and humidity, for those cities and for the tropical ones, with the exception of Belem in which percentages were identical to those of opposite periods. Still with the exception of Belem, in all cities studied positive correla¬tion coefficients, statistically significant, have been obtained with temperature variations (ranging from + 0.25 to + 0.65 in tropical cities, and from + 0.47 to + 0.76 in temperate zone) and with humidity variations (from + 0.34 to + 0.44 in the first group, and from + 0.43 and + 0.74 in the second) . With rainfall, only Rio (in the tropical region) showed a significant value for r ( + 0.26 ±0:12); similarly in S. Paulo and Curitiba, the values ranged from + 0.46 to + 0.56, while in Porto Alegre there were found ? 0.26 ± 0.12 and ? 0.32 ± 012, for rainfall variations in the same and previous months.

For the purpose of understanding the transport and deposition mechanisms and the air-water distribution of some volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons (VCHCs), their atmosphere/aquatic environment concentration ratio was evaluated. In addition, for the purpose of differentiating VCHC behaviour in a temperate climate from its behaviour in a polar climate, the atmosphere/aquatic environment concentration ratio evaluated in matrices from temperate zones was compared with the concentration ratio evaluated in Antarctic matrices. In order to perform air samplings also at rigid Antarctic temperatures, the sampling apparatus, consisting of a diaphragm pump and canisters, was suitably modified. Chloroform, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, tetrachloromethane, 1,1,2-trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene were measured in air, water and snow using specific techniques composed of a purpose-made cryofocusing-trap-injector (for air samples) and a modified purge-and-trap injector (for aqueous samples) coupled to a gas chromatograph with mass spectrometric detection operating in selected ion monitoring mode. The VCHCs were retrieved in all the investigated matrices, both Italian and Antarctic, with concentrations varying from tens to thousands of ng m(-3) in air and from digits to hundreds of ng kg(-1) in water and snow. The atmosphere/aquatic environment concentration ratios were always found to be lower than 1. In particular, the Italian air/water concentration ratios were smaller than the Antarctic ones, by reason of the higher atmospheric photochemical activity in temperate zones. On the other hand, the Antarctic air/snow concentration ratios proved to be largely in favour of snow with respect to the Italian ratios, thus corroborating the hypothesis of a more efficient VCHC deposition mechanism and accumulation on Antarctic snow. PMID:19541344

In Puerto Rico, respiratory diseases affect a significant percentage of the population, and it is possible that the environmental factors unique to the island, such as easterly winds, dense vegetation, and high humidity, may increase the concentration of airborne biological particulates that could distress susceptible individuals. As most studies characterized fungal spores and pollen in temperate zones, we wanted to describe their concentrations in a tropical zone. The Allergenco® (MK3) spore trap was used to monitor airborne spores and pollen concentrations for 12 months starting on May 2005. During the length of the study, silicone grease-coated microscope slides captured 12 impacts daily, which were then stained with calcofluor and observed under the microscope with bright field and ul...

The utilization of solar energy for active and passive applications in buildings requires the careful selection of materials that have, high thermal storage capacity, thermal insulation efficiency, and a balance of the two. The choice is not easy to make notably when the building falls in a temperate climatic zone. The selection of materials for usage in buildings is examined. First, the optimal economic thickness of an insulation material is determined very accurately using the minimum life-cycle cost method and the annual heating degree days (AHDDs) for different sites. From this, the optimal thermal transmittance (U-value) for the building structure in a given climatic zone is determined. Second, a graphic relationship between U-value vs AHDDs is established. Third, annual energy savings in kWh ton/sup -1/ of insulation material is calculated. From this, the pay-back period of energy consumed in manufacturing the installed thermal insulation material is calculated.

Large quantities of archeology and literature records indicate that during the Shang Dynasty and a part of the Zhou Dynasty of Chinese history, about 2000 BC to 1000 BC, there once were wild elephants living in North China. For a long time, it was believed that all of these elephants belonged to the species Elephas maximus. Many scholars suggested that this phenomenon could show a much higher temperature at that time. However, as the research of Chinese historical climate has already indicated, even in the Megathermal Maximum, most of the parts of North China were still controlled by the climate of the Warm Temperate Zone, not the Subtropic Zone. This paper presents evidence suggesting that the so-called ''wild elephants'' in North China during that time belonged to Palaeoloxodon sp., not ...

Phenological observations gathered from a network established in Quebec since 1971 have been used to achieve a phenoclimatic regionalization of the agricultural territory. In order to verify that these zones reflect climatic differences and, if they do, to understand the nature of these differences, they have performed multivariate analyses combining phenological and meteorological data. Phenological zonation emphasizes a thermal gradient related to plant location. Thermal contrasts among zones are greatest in spring whereas equalization occurs during the summer. These results stress the importance of spring climatic conditions on plant adaptation in a temperate climate. Phenological classification of meteorological records with the use of discriminant functions presents a valuable approach to assess the influence of climatic variability on plant acclimation potential. This study confirms the complementarity assumption between climate and phenology and illustrates the usefulness of phenological information to characterize the bioclimatic potential of a territory.

Abstract Dual-phase (DP) steels are suitable candidates for automotive applications due to their high strength and ductility. These advanced mechanical properties result from the special microstructure of the DP steel with 5-20% martensite phase in a soft ferrite matrix. However, during welding, which is an important process in automotive industry, this special microstructure is destroyed. In this research the characterization of Gas Metal Arc (GMA) welded joining zones was performed by optical microscopy and hardness mapping. Tensile tests were also performed keeping the welded portion in the gauge length. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used for the fracture investigation. From the characterization and tensile tests, the soften zones were found, which are caused by the tempered ma...

Single and double sided partial penetration friction stir butt welds, in a rolled, quenched and tempered steel (RQT-701), were produced at The Welding Institute (TWI) under controlled process conditions. The residual strain distributions in the longitudinal and transverse directions have been measured using energy dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The measured strains were indicative of longitudinal tensile residual stresses at levels greater than the 0.2% yield stress of the parent metal in both the single and double pass welds. In both cases, the maximum tensile strain was found in the parent metal at the boundary of the heat affected zone (HAZ). Microstructural analysis of the welds was carried out using optical microscopy and hardness variations were also mapped across the weld-plate cross-section. The maximum hardness was observed in the mixed bainite/martensite structure of the weld nugget on the advancing side of the stir zone. The minimum hardness was observed in the HAZ.

Oxygen uptake rates and microdistributions of O2 in sediment of Aarhus Bay, Denmark, were studied over a year. Oxygen uptake was determined in the laboratory by 3 methods: (a) total O2 uptake in closed cores, (b) O2 flux through the diffusive boundary layer and (c) O2 consumption within the oxic surface zone. The O2 consumption rates in the oxic surface layer, calculated from (b) and (c) using molecular diffusion coefficients of O2, closely agreed and accounted for 70 % of the total O2 uptake. The O2 uptake rates strongly depended on in situ O2 concentrations in the overlying seawater, which in the bay varied from 100 % air saturation during winter to 23 % during summer. The potentially higher O2 respiration during the summer months was counteracted by a lower O2 concentration in the bottom water, which led to a small seasonal variation in O2 uptake. Depth of the oxic sediment zone reached 5.1 mm during winter, narrowed down rapidly to a few mm upon settling of a spring phytoplankton bloom, and was only 1.2 mm during summer. Modeling of O2 consumption from O2 microprofiles showed zero-order kinetics, i.e. constant O2 consumption rates throughout the oxic zone during winter. Enhanced O2 consumption was found at the oxic-anoxic interface during summer, presumably due to reducing solutes which diffused up from anoxic layers. Sediment O2 uptake was impeded by 3 to 5 % during winter and by 12 to 16 % during summer due to transport resistance through the 300-mu-m thick diffusive boundary layer. Results demonstrate the importance of the boundary layer for sediment O2 uptake and its regulation.

Many elements of the ocean circulation depend on the Southern Ocean wind field, however Quaternary cool climate westerlies are poorly understood. We use an atmospheric general circulation model HadAM3 to simulate wind changes over a large variety of cool climates. We show that extra-tropical latitudes which experience the most intense sea surface temperature (SST) cooling anomalies show the largest changes in the westerlies, mainly in the winter season. New sea ice, formed under the cooler conditions, slows the surface westerlies winds by up to 2.8 ms-1 in winter. Together SST and sea ice affects produce complex bimodal change patterns. The seasonally dependent response to changes in sea ice and SST, plus the inability of simple wind statistic to convey the changes, explain the disagreements found between previous observations and modelling studies. In general the wind maximum tends to increase and move north with the hemispheric meridional temperature gradient. Tropical temperature reductions strongly affect the wavenumber-3 southern hemisphere pattern producing differing responses across different sectors of the southern ocean, again dominated by wintertime changes. However, the total mean Southern Ocean shear stress (which may drive the ACC) depends strongly on the hemispheric temperate gradient and is almost independent of experiment details.

Temporal variations in the relationships among plant nutrient concentrations, soil properties and arbuscular-mycorrhizal (AM) fungal dynamics were studied along a topographic and saline gradient in a temperate grassland soil. Soil and plant (Lotus tenuis, Paspalum vaginatum, Stenotaphrum secundatum) samples were collected on four seasonally based occasions. The morphology of AM root colonization had a similar pattern in the plants studied. Maximum arbuscular colonization occurred at the beginning of the growing season in late winter and was minimal in late summer, but maximal vesicular colonization occurred in summer and was minimal in winter, suggesting a preferential production of these morphological phases by the fungus with respect to season. The greatest arbuscular colonization was associated with the highest N and P concentrations in plant tissue, suggesting a correspondence with increases in the rate of nutrient transfer between the symbiotic partners. Water content, salinity and sodicity in soil were positively associated with AM root colonization and arbuscule colonization in L. tenuis, but negatively so in the grasses. There were distinct seasonally related effects with respect to both spore density and AM colonization, which were independent of particular combinations of plant species and soil sites. PMID:18205811

Understanding the degree of genetic exchange between subspecies and populations is vital for the appropriate management of endangered species. Blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) have two recognized Southern Hemisphere subspecies that show differences in geographic distribution, morphology, vocalizations and genetics. During the austral summer feeding season, the Antarctic blue whale (B. m. intermedia) is found in polar waters and the pygmy blue whale (B. m. brevicauda) in temperate waters. Here, we genetically analyzed samples collected during the feeding season to report on several cases of hybridization between the two recognized blue whale Southern Hemisphere subspecies in a previously unconfirmed sympatric area off Antarctica. This means the pygmy blue whales using waters off Antarctica may migrate and then breed during the austral winter with the Antarctic subspecies. Alternatively, the subspecies may interbreed off Antarctica outside the expected austral winter breeding season. The genetically estimated recent migration rates from the pygmy to Antarctic subspecies were greater than estimates of evolutionary migration rates and previous estimates based on morphology of whaling catches. This discrepancy may be due to differences in the methods or an increase in the proportion of pygmy blue whales off Antarctica within the last four decades. Potential causes for the latter are whaling, anthropogenic climate change or a combination of these and may have led to hybridization between the subspecies. Our findings challenge the current knowledge about the breeding behaviour of the world's largest animal and provide key information that can be incorporated into management and conservation practices for this endangered species. PMID:23137299

A fuel test assembly known as ACO-3 duct made out of a fully tempered ferritic/martensitic steel (HT-9) was previously irradiated in the Fast Flux Test Reactor Facility (FFTF) up to 155 dpa at a temperature range of 380-504°C. The microstructures of the samples from 5 different zones along the face of the duct were analyzed using a combination of TEM based techniques, SANS and APT. A high density of Cr rich a' precipitates together with moderate density G-phase precipitates with an average sizes of 5 and 11 nm respectively were found at 20 dpa, 380°C zone. It was found that the precipitations of the second phases are more sensitive to temperature then the dose. In general, the density of both precipitates decreases with increasing irradiation temperature. No significant change is observed in average size of a' while the average size of G-phase precipitates increases up to 27 nm at 440°C. Voids are seen at 100 (410°C) and 155 (440°C) dpa zones but none was detected at 96 dpa (466°C) zone. In contrast to what is reported in the literature, no laves or Chi phases were found in any of the zones.

Metal (Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Mn, Cu, and Zn) concentrations in different fish species sampled from two distinct (phytoplankton- and macrophyte-dominated) lake zones of a large, shallow freshwater lake, Taihu Lake, were investigated. Concentrations of most metals in muscle of the small-sized fish (Protosalanx hyalocranius, Pseudorasbora parva, and Rhodeus ocellatus) were always significantly higher than those of the large-sized (Carassius auratus, Cyprinus carpio, and Aristichthys nobilis) and carnivorous fish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, Cultrichthys erythropterus, and Erythroculter ilishaeformis). Metal accumulation in the small-sized fish from the phytoplankton-dominated lake zone was always greater than those from the macrophyte-dominated lake zone in summer. However, no significant differences were observed between the two lake zones for most metals in the small-sized fish collected in winter. Metal accumulation in gills, liver, and intestine of the large-sized fish from the phytoplankton-dominated lake zone was generally greater than those from the macrophyte-dominated lake zone in summer. The presence of distinct ecological regions in the lake might affect the metal distribution in the small-sized or large-sized fish. For the carnivorous fish, however, metal concentrations in fish tissues from the two different lake zones were not significantly different, suggesting that metal accumulation in carnivorous fish might be less influenced by the ecological status of the lake. PMID:23009814

Perfluorocarbon tracers were released continuously from several surface locations and one power plant stack location during the winter (30 days) and summer (50 days) intensive studies as part of Project MOHAVE. Tracers were released in winter from the Mohave Power Plant (MPP) and Dangling Rope, UT, located on the shore of Lake Powell near Page, AZ; and in summer from MPP, the Tehachapi Pass between the Mojave Desert and the Central Valley in California, and El Centro, CA, on the California-Mexico border. At the Tehachapi tracer release site six-hour pulses of a separately identifiable perfluorocarbon tracer were released every four days in order to assess the time for the tracer to clear the monitoring network. Daily 24-hr integrated samples were collected at about 30 sites in four states. Limited tracer concentration data with higher time resolution is also available. Graphical displays and analyses identify several regional transport paths, including a convergence zone in the Mojave Desert, the importance of terrain channeling, especially in winter, and a relationship between 24-hr maximum influence function and distance that may prove useful as a scoping tool and to test regional scale air quality models. In winter, Dangling Rope tracer was routinely transported through the entire length of the Grand Canyon, while in summer, MPP tracer was routinely transported over most of Lake Mead. PMID:10842938

We estimated long-term trends of ocean acidification in surface waters in latitudinal zones from 3 deg N to 33 deg N along the repeat hydrographic line at 137 deg E in the western North Pacific Ocean. Estimates were based on the observational records of oceanic CO{sub 2} partial pressure and related surface properties over the last two decades. The computed pH time series both for 25 yr in winter (late January to early February) and for 21 yr in summer (June-July) exhibited significant decreasing trends in the extensive subtropical to equatorial zones, with interannual variations that were larger in summer. The calculated rates of pH decrease ranged from 0.0015 to 0.0021 yr-1 (average, 0.0018 +- 0.0002 yr-1) in winter and from 0.0008 to 0.0019 yr-1 (average, 0.0013 +- 0.0005 yr-1 ) in summer. The thermodynamic effects of rising sea surface temperature (SST) accounted for up to 44% (average, 15%) of the trend of pH decrease in the subtropical region in winter, whereas a trend of decreasing SST slowed the pH decrease in the northern subtropical region (around 25 deg N) in summer. We used the results from recent trends to evaluate future possible thermodynamic changes in the upper ocean carbonate system

To study the effects of and interactions among feed types, seasons, and agroecological zones on the total fungal viable count and aflatoxins B1 (AFB1), B2 (AFB2), G1 (AFG1), and G2 (AFG2) production in poultry feed, an experiment was conducted using three-factorial design. A total of 216 samples of poultry feed ingredients, viz. maize, wheat, rice, cotton seed meal (CSM), and finished products, that is, starter and finisher broilers' rations, were collected from Peshawar, Swat, and D. I. Khan districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, during the winter, spring, summer, and autumn seasons of the year 2007/2008. Analysis of variance showed that there was a complex interaction among all these factors and that this influenced the total fungal viable count and relative concentrations of the aflatoxins produced. Minimum total culturable fungi (6.43 × 10(3) CFUs/g) were counted in CSM from D. I. Khan region in winter season while maximum (26.68 × 10(3) CFUs/g) in starter ration from Peshawar region in summer. Maximum concentrations of AFB1 (191.65 ng/g), AFB2 (86.85 ng/g), and AFG2 (89.90 ng/g) were examined during the summer season whereas the concentration of AFG1 was maximum (167.82 ng/g) in autumn in finisher ration from Peshawar region. Minimum aflatoxins were produced in the winter season across all the three agroecological zones. PMID:22544639

Amidst growing concerns over the melting of the Himalayas? snow and glaciers, we strive to answer some of the questions related to snow cover changes in the Himalayan region covering Nepal and its vicinity using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) snow cover products from 2000 to 2008 as well as in-situ temperature data from two high altitude stations and net radiation and wind speed data from one station. The analysis consists of trend analysis based on the Spearman?s rank correlation on monthly, seasonal and annual snow cover changes over five different elevation zones above 3,000?m. There are decreasing trends in January and in winter for three of the five elevation zones (all below 6,000?m), increasing trends in March for two elevation zones above 5,000?m and increasi...

In the Baltic Sea eutrophication processes have accelerated in the past 50 years of the 20th century and presently there exists a major ecological problem for this sea. The Polish coastal zone of the southern Baltic Sea is the recipient of riverine inputs from two major sources, namely the Odra and Vistula, as well as a number of smaller rivers along the central coast. Hence, the entire coastal zone remains under severe anthropogenic pressure. The variability of nutrient concentrations, especially the winter nutrient pool in the euphotic zone, summer level of total nitrogen and total phosphorus, together with such eutrophication indicators as water oversaturation with oxygen and the summer oxygen minimum, were analysed in the data time series 1959-2001. The temporal trends were investigated using linear regression and the non-parametric Whirsch test. The future characteristics of the Baltic Sea are discussed taking into account the development of driving forces. PMID:15245983

Mid-winter movements of up to several hundreds of kilometres are typical for many migratory bird species wintering in Africa. Unpredictable temporary food concentrations are thought to result in random movements of such birds, whereas resightings and recoveries of marked birds suggest some degree of site fidelity. Only detailed (e.g. satellite) tracking of individual migrants can reveal the relative importance and the causes of site choice flexibility and fidelity. The present study investigates how mid-winter movements of a Palaearctic-African migratory raptor, Montagu's harrier Circus pygargus, in the Sahel of West Africa are related to the availability of food resources. Thirty harriers breeding or hatched in northern Europe were satellite tracked (2005-2009). On average, four home ranges, each separated by c. 200 km, were visited during one overwinter stay in the Sahel. Wintering home ranges were similar in size to breeding season home ranges (average over wintering and breeding home range size c. 200 km(2) ), and harriers showed high site fidelity between years. Most preferred habitat types in the Sahel were mosaics of grass- and cropland, indicating similar habitat preferences in both the breeding- and wintering seasons. The main prey of Montagu's harriers in the Sahel were grasshoppers Acrididae. Highest grasshopper numbers in the field occurred at relatively low vegetation greenness [normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values 0·17-0·27]. We used NDVI as a proxy of food availability for harriers. During their overwinter stay, Montagu's harriers moved in a South-South-western direction between consecutive home ranges. The birds selected areas within the range of NDVI values associated with high grasshopper numbers, thus tracking a 'green belt' of predictable changes in highest grasshopper availability. Contrary to earlier hypotheses of random movements in the Sahelian-wintering quarters, the present study shows that Montagu's harriers visited distinct home ranges, they were site-faithful and tracked seasonal changes in food availability related to previous rainfall patterns, caused by the shifting Intertropical Convergence Zone. Itinerancy may be the rule rather than an exception among insectivorous birds wintering in African savannahs. PMID:23137184

Abatract The results of biogeochemical and microbiological studies of three small lakes in southwestern Arkhangelsk province are presented. The lakes differ in their morphometric characteristics, thermal and oxygen regimes, and the extent of anthropogenic impact they experience. In the periods of summer and winter stratification, anaerobic water layers with higher phosphates, ammonium, and sulfide sulfur (hydrogen sulfide) are found to form in the bottom horizon of deep-water zones of the lakes. The highest concentrations of sulfide sulfur (150?210 ?g dm?3) were recorded in the shallow Beloe Lake during winter low-water period, while in summer, sulfide concentration did not differ from those obtained in other lakes (?10 ?g dm?3). The abundance of sulfate-reducing bacteria in lake bottom se...

Seasonal variations in nutrient inputs are described for the main rivers (Loire and Vilaine) flowing into the northern Bay of Biscay. The river plumes are high in N/P ratio in late winter and spring, but not in the inner plume during the summer. Conservative behavior results in most nutrients entering the estuary and eventually reaching the coastal zone. Temporal and spatial aspects of phytoplankton growth and nutrient uptake in the northern Bay of Biscay distinguish the central area of salinity 34 from the plume area. The first diatom bloom appears offshore in late winter, at the edge of the river plumes, taking advantage of haline stratification and anticyclonic ?weather windows.?? In spring, when the central area of the northern shelf is phosphorus-limited, small cells predominate in th...

The north eastern Arabian Sea and the north western Bay of Bengal within the Indian exclusive economic zone were explored for their environmental characteristics during the winter monsoons of 2000 and 2001 respectively. The two regions were found to respond paradoxically to comparable intensities of the atmospheric forcing. There is an asymmetry in the net heat exchange of these two basins with atmosphere because of the varying thickness of barrier layer. During winter, the convective mixing in the Arabian Sea is driven by net heat loss from the ocean, whereas the Bay of Bengal does not contribute to such large heat loss to the atmosphere. It appears that the subduction of high saline Arabian Sea water mass is the mechanism behind the formation of a barrier layer in the northeast Arabian S...

Antioxidant status of Nacella (P) magellanica and Mytilus edulis related with heavy metal in sediment and tissues were analysed in five stations close to Ushuaia city in winter and spring. The principal component analysis produced a two-dimensional pattern of the degree of similarity between sites. The Industrial–Urban Contamination Index (IUCI) showed that the Industrial Zone (IZ) and Oil Marine Station (OMS) represent areas with anthropic inputs. Heavy metals have differential association with biomarkers depending on the species. In limpets, digestive gland presented major activities of enzyme defence in winter and gonads have shown higher values of Catalase (CAT) during spring while lipid peroxidation (LPO) presented higher values in IZ. For mussels CAT and LPO increased in spri...

Fat crystallisation behaviours in dark chocolates from varying particle size distribution (PSD) (D90 of 18, 25, 35 and 50mm) was studied, yielding products from different temper regimes (optimal temper, over-temper and under-temper), and their effects on mechanical properties and appearance evaluated. Microstructures of derived products were determined using stereoscopic binocular microscopy. Wide variations in mechanical properties and appearance were noted in products from different particle size and temper regimes. Particle size (PS) was inversely related with texture and colour, with the greatest effects noted in hardness, stickiness and lightness at all temper regimes. Over-tempering caused significant increases in product hardness, stickiness with reduced gloss and darkening of produ...

The early to middle Miocene Nullarbor Limestone forms the vast, karsted Nullarbor Plain in southern Australia, and may be the most extensive Miocene carbonate deposit described to date. These carbonates were deposited at southern paleolatitudes of ~ 40°S and are interpreted to be subtropical to warm-temperate in character because of the presence of certain genera of tropical coralline algae (rhodoliths and articulated types), large benthic foraminifera, tropical molluscs, zooxanthellate corals, and micrite envelopes. Facies are dominated by skeletal grainstones and floatstones that accumulated in three interpreted paleoenvironments: (1) seagrass banks (upper photic zone), (2) rhodolith pavements (lower photic zone), and (3) open seafloors (lower photic to subphotic zone). A decrease of tropical components from west to east across the platform implies that warm oceanic currents (possibly related to a proto-Leeuwin Current), as well as a period of warm climate (Miocene Climatic Optimum), resulted in subtropical deposition at southern latitudes. The Southern Ocean extended inboard ~ 450 km from the shelf edge during Nullarbor Limestone deposition, but interpreted paleodepths did not extend much below the base of the photic zone. A small slope angle (~ 0.02°) over a wide shelf (~ 300,000 km2) implies deposition on an epeiric platform or epeiric ramp. A Miocene barrier reef was likely coeval with Nullarbor Limestone deposition. Therefore, the inboard portion of the Nullarbor Limestone can be considered part of an extensive back-reef lagoon system on a rimmed epeiric platform, perhaps attaining a size similar to the modern Great Barrier Reef system.

Single pass, full penetration, thick-section (10 cm) electron beam weldments of high integrity were made of 3Cr-1.5Ml-0.1V steel using a 100 kW Sciaky electron beam welder. The weldment was characterized using microhardness measurements, Charpy V-notch impact, tensile, and guided bend tests. Microstructural characterization was done using both optical and electron microscopy. The mechanical properties results showed the electron beam weldments had properties that matched those of the base metal. A hardness minimum within the heat-affected zone (HAZ) was observed on either side of the fusion zone. Such a minimum is commonly observed in ferritic steel weldments, although this region was very narrow compared to the weldments made by other conventional processes. Microstructural characterization of the weld revealed that the fusion zone and immediately surrounding HAZ contained retained austenite between the bainite laths. Further away from the fusion zone, the HAZ structure consisted of bainite and proeutectoid ferrite, which corresponded to the drop in the microhardness, and resulted in a minimum. Tempered bainite was observed beyond this minimum in the HAZ. 14 figs., 2 tabs.

The ability to classify and monitor Arctic multiyear sea ice cover using multispectral passive microwave data is studied. Sea ice concentration maps during several summer minima have been analyzed to obtain estimates of ice surviving the summer. The results are compared with multiyear ice concentrations derived from data the following winter, using an algorithm that assumes a certain emissivity for multiyear ice. The multiyear ice cover inferred from the winter data is approximately 25 to 40% less than the summer ice cover minimum, suggesting that even during winter when the emissivity of sea ice is most stable, passive microwave data may account for only a fraction of the total multiyear ice cover. The difference of about 2 {times} 10{sup 6} km{sup 2} is considerably more than estimates of advection through Fram Strait during the intervening period. It appears that as in the Antarctic, some multiyear ice floes in the Arctic, especially those near the summer marginal ice zone, have first-year ice or intermediate signatures in the subsequent winter. A likely mechanism for this is the intrusion of seawater into the snow-ice interface, which often occurs near the marginal ice zone or in areas where snow load is heavy. Spatial variations in melt and melt ponding effects also contribute to the complexity of the microwave emissivity of multiyear ice. Hence the multiyear ice data should be studied in conjunction with the previous summer ice data to obtain a more complete characterization of the state of the Arctic ice cover. The total extent and actual areas of the summertime Arctic pack ice were estimated to be 8.4 {times} 10{sup 6} km{sup 2}, respectively, and exhibit small interannual variability during the years 1979 through 1985, suggesting a relatively stable ice cover.

Fractional Cauchy problems replace the usual first order time derivative by a fractional derivative. A tempered fractional derivative provides an attractive alternative, and is closely connected to the tempered stable process. This paper develops classical solutions and stochastic analogues for tempered fractional Cauchy problems in a bounded domain $D\\subset \\rd$ with Dirichlet boundary conditions. Stochastic solutions are constructed via an inverse tempered stable subordinator, whose tail index corresponds to the order of the tempered fractional time derivative.

Abstract in spanish Pteridophytes that indicate environmental alteration in the temperate forest of San Jerónimo Amanalco, Texcoco, México. Pteridophytes that indicate environmental alteration in the San Jerónimo Amanalco temperate forest, Texcoco, Mexico. The patterns of distribution of 26 pteridophyte species were studied as possible indicators of environmental alteration in the temperate forest of San Jerónimo Amanalco, Texcoco, State of Mexico. The presence and abundance of the pteri (more) doflora was studied in relation to edaphic, topographic and vegetation variables in 100 sampling locations within an area of 494 hectares. The relationship between these variables was studied using Canonical Correspondence Analysis. Five landscapes were recognized in the study zone according to the degree of deterioration: severe erosion, erosion, mountain with moderate reversible deterioration, mountain with no evident deterioration, and canyon with no evident deterioration. Cheilanthes bonariensis and Pellaea ternifolia are indicators of environmental degradation. The taxa that only grow in landscapes without apparent alteration are Adiantum andicola, Adiantum poiretii, Argyrochosma incana, Asplenium blepharophorum, Dryopteris pseudo filix-mas, Equisetum hyemale and Pteris cretica. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (2): 641-656. Epub 2008 June 30. Se estudiaron los patrones de distribución de 26 especies de pteridofitas como posibles indicadoras de alteración ambiental en los bosques templados de San Jerónimo Amanalco, Texcoco, Estado de México. La presencia y abundancia de la pteridoflora se relacionó con variables edáficas, topográficas y de vegetación en 100 sitios de muestreo en un área de 494 ha. Con base en el Análisis Canónico de Correspondencia se pudo explorar la relación entre variables. Se determinaron cinco paisajes en el área de estudio con base al grado de deterioro: erosión severa, erosión, montaña con deterioro moderado reversible, montaña sin deterioro aparente y cañada sin deterioro aparente. Cheilanthes bonariensis y Pellaea ternifolia son indicadores de deterioro ambiental. Los táxones que únicamente crecen en paisajes sin alteración aparente son: Adiantum andicola, Adiantum poiretii, Argyrochosma incana, Asplenium blepharophorum, Dryopteris pseudo filix-mas, Equisetum hyemale y Pteris cretica

The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of egg shedding (percentage of egg-positive faecal samples) and faecal egg counts (FEC) over 13 months in two different breeds of ewes, both pregnant and non-pregnant, in a mountainous region of central Mexico. Additionally, the effect of ivermectin and albendazole treatments on FEC reduction was recorded. The study also aimed to relate temperature and rainfall to FEC. The gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) third-stage larvae genera recovered from both faeces and grassland pastures in a temperate region were also assessed. Faecal samples were collected from ewes at monthly intervals for 13 months to investigate the FEC population of GIN larvae, their concentration and genera in grass samples collected from grazed and rested pastures. Egg-shedding frequency ranged from 0 to 92% and FEC from 0 to 12,000 eggs per g faeces (epg), with counts in Suffolk higher than in Dorset ewes. The identified genera were Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Teladorsagia, Cooperia, Oesophagostomum, Bunostomum, Nematodirus and Strongyloides. Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus were the most common genera. The number of L3 was higher in grazing lands than in those at rest. The highest FEC were recorded in the dry season due to peripartum, but the highest L3 counts were recorded in the rainy season. The coexistence of species of different geographical distributions at this site may be because there is a confluence of Nearctic and Neotropical geographic regions; thus, despite the temperate climate, tropical species can be found. Additionally, this study suggests that increasing temperatures could favour the presence of different tropical GIN species together with typical temperate-zone GIN species. PMID:22380595

After more than half a century of paleoenvironmental investigations, disagreements persist as to the nature of vegetation type and climate of the Bering land bridge (BLB) during the late Wisconsin (Sartan) glacial interval. Few data exist from sites on the former land bridge, now submerged under the Bering and Chukchi Seas. Two hypotheses have emerged during the past decade. The first, based on pollen data from Bering Sea islands and adjacent mainlands of western Alaska and Northeast Siberia, represents the likely predominant vegetation on the Bering land bridge during full-glacial conditions: graminoid-herb-willow tundra vegetation associated with cold, dry winters and cool, dry summer climate. The second hypothesis suggests that dwarf birch-shrub-herb tundra formed a broad belt across the BLB, and that mesic vegetation was associated with cold, snowier winters and moist, cool summers. As a step towards resolving this controversy, a sediment core from Norton Sound, northeastern Bering Sea was radiocarbon dated and analyzed for pollen content. Two pollen zones were identified. The older, bracketed by radiocarbon ages of 29,500 and 11,515 14C yr BP, contains pollen assemblages composed of grass, sedge, wormwood, willow, and a variety of herb (forb) taxa. These assemblages are interpreted to represent graminoid-herb-willow tundra vegetation that developed under an arid, cool climate regime. The younger pollen zone sediments were deposited about 11,515 14C yr BP, when rising sea level had begun to flood the BLB. This younger pollen zone contains pollen of birch, willow, heaths, aquatic plants, and spores of sphagnum moss. This is interpreted to represent a Lateglacial dwarf birch-heath-willow-herb tundra vegetation, likely associated with a wetter climate with deeper winter snows, and moist, cool summers. This record supports the first hypothesis, that graminoid-herb-willow tundra vegetation extended into the lowlands of the BLB during full glacial conditions of the late Wisconsin. ?? 2008 Regents of the University of Colorado.

Four seasonal hydrographic sampling cruises, covering a grid of 36 stations, were organized in the area of Strymonikos and Ierissos Gulfs, in Northern Greece, during 1997 1998. The aim of the study was to provide insight into the spatial and seasonal variability of physical and chemical oceanographic parameters, to define the baroclinic circulation, and to describe the dynamics of Strymon River plume area and the related freshwater and nutrient transport processes. Results, in all cruises, indicated the relatively limited contribution of river inputs, the strong influence of Black Sea Water (BSW) in the gulf's hydrography, and the summer intrusion of Levantine Intermediate Water in the outer Strymonikos Gulf. The baroclinic circulation (5/40 dbar) revealed the presence of mesoscale and smaller-scale features (meanders, frontal zones and eddies), associated with Strymon and Richios River discharges. Freshwater input covered the surface nearshore zone of Strymonikos Gulf, classifying the area as a ‘wide shelf’ region. The total freshwater content in the gulf was calculated to vary from 12.6×106 to 65.8×106 m3 in the summer and winter period, respectively. This variability leads to a freshwater residence time ranging between 5 and 48 days, according to the Strymon River flow conditions. A distinct nutrient gradient was observed between freshwater inflow, the mixed plume zone and the remaining Strymonikos Gulf. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and phosphorus (DIP) concentrations followed opposite temporal variability patterns, with DIN being exhausted in the summer and increased in the winter. DIN:DIP ratios illustrate that the system appears shifting from a winter phosphorus limitation to a summer nitrogen limitation behavior.

To gain insights into the mechanisms of abrupt climate change within interglacials, we have examined the characteristics and spatial extent of a prominent, climatically induced vegetation setback during the Holsteinian interglacial (Marine Isotope Stage 11c). Based on analyses of pollen and varves of lake sediments from Dethlingen (northern Germany), this climatic oscillation, here termed the "Older Holsteinian Oscillation" (OHO), lasted 220 years. It can be subdivided into a 90-year-long decline of temperate tree taxa associated with an expansion of Pinus and herbs, and a 130-year-long recovery phase marked by the expansion of Betula and Alnus, and the subsequent recovery of temperate trees. The climate-induced nature of the OHO is corroborated by changes in diatom assemblages and ?18O measured on biogenic silica indicating an impact on the aquatic ecosystem of the Dethlingen paleolake. The OHO is widely documented in pollen records from Europe north of 50° latitude and is characterized by boreal climate conditions with cold winters from the British Isles to Poland, with a gradient of decreasing temperature and moisture availability, and increased continentality towards eastern Europe. This pattern points to a weakened influence of the westerlies and/or a stronger influence of the Siberian High. A comparison of the OHO with the 8.2 ka event of the Holocene reveals close similarities regarding the imprint on terrestrial ecosystems and the interglacial boundary conditions. Hence, in analogy to the 8.2 ka event, a transient, meltwater-induced slowdown of the North Atlantic Deep Water formation appears as a plausible trigger mechanism for the OHO. If correct, meltwater release into the North Atlantic may be a more common agent of abrupt climate change during interglacials than previously thought. We conclude that meltwater-induced climate setbacks during interglacials preferentially occurred when low rates of summer insolation increase during the preceding terminations facilitated the persistence of large-scale continental ice-sheets well into the interglacials.

Using 15 year stream records from two forested northern boreal catchments, coupled with soil frost experiments in the riparian zone, we demonstrate the complex inter-annual control on [DOC] and export during snowmelt. Stream [DOC] varied by a factor of 2 during those 15 years with no consistent trend. Based on our long-term analysis, we demonstrate, for the first time, that stream water [DOC] is strongly linked to the climatic conditions during the preceding winter, but that there is also a long-term memory effect in the catchment soils, related to the extent of the previous export from the catchment. Hydrology had a first order control on the inter-annual variation in concentrations, and the length of the winter was more important than the memory effect. By removing the effect of discharge on [DOC], using a conceptual hydrological model, we could detect processes that would otherwise have been overshadowed. A short and intense snowmelt gave higher [DOC] in the stream. During a prolonged snowmelt, one soil layer at the time might have been "flushed" from easily exported DOC, resulting in slightly lower stream [DOC] during such years. We found that longer and colder winters resulted in higher [DOC] during the subsequent snowmelt. A soil frost manipulation experiment in the riparian soils of the study catchment showed that the DOC concentrations in the soil water increased with the duration of the soil frost. A high antecedent DOC export during the preceding summer and autumn resulted in lower concentrations during the following spring, indicating a long-term "memory effect" of the catchment soils. In a nearby stream draining mire, we found a different response to hydrology but similar response to climate and memory effect. The inter-annual variation in snowmelt DOC exports was mostly controlled by the amount of runoff, but the variability in [DOC] also exerted a significant control on the exports, accounting for 15% of the variance in exports. We conclude that winter climatic conditions can play a substantial role in controlling stream [DOC] in ways not previously understood. These findings are especially important for northern latitude regions expected to be most affected by climate change. It's difficult to directly translate this to a future climate change prediction. If warmer winters with less insulating snow cover increase the soil frost, the results from the soil frost manipulation experiment then suggest increasing [DOC] in a future climate. At the same time the statistical analysis of the stream records suggest that a shorter and warmer winter would decrease the [DOC]. Our results do, however, highlight the role of winter climate for regulating DOC in areas with seasonally frozen soils which should be considered when resolving the sensitivity of stream [DOC] to global environmental change.

We examine the types of icings (aufeis) in the river basins of Primorski Krai. An assessment is made of the conditions for their formation in autumn and winter and for their decay in the spring-summer time. Depending on the type of icings, we identified the character of their impact on the main components of landscape: relief, hydrological regime of streams, soil, vegetation, etc. The emphasis in this study is on the icing formations in the zone of seasonally frozen earth materials and, to a lesser extent, in areas of permafrost islands.

The coupling of heat and power production is particularly interesting in urban areas where these energies present several common factors: an equivalent seasonal variation, with a winter demand largely superior to the summer demand, and a highly concentrated localization in dense urban zones, therefore inducing a minimization of network losses and transport infrastructure requirements, with the advantages of energy savings and pollution reductions. The 1995 situation of cogeneration in France is examined and its potential development is discussed, depending on legal, economical and political conditions. A 1000 MW capacity potential could be reached

Various kinds of biological fixation processes of CO2 were evaluated from the various viewpoints. Afforestation of tropical and temperate areas, greening of desert, biomass energy production in these areas by energy plantation, coastal mangrove plantation, fertilization with nitrogen and phosphate to outer ocean and coastal, upwelling zone fertilization with iron, and coral reef expansion combined with OTEC (ocean thermal energy conversion) were comparatively investigated as the selected measures. As a result, the cost of CO2 fixation by cultivation of sea weed and plankton was much higher than that of afforestation. The iron fertilization method which was considered to be one of the high CO2 reduction potentials might be economical. However, its effect could not be quantitatively evaluated. The afforestation of tropical and temperate areas seemed to be most feasible in a short term from the viewpoints of economy and environment. It was suggested that the establishment of a systematic water management technology could make greening and afforestation of desert. 76 refs., 27 figs., 28 tabs.

For many years, the petroleum industry has employed martensitic stainless steels for wellhead and valve applications, and increasing use has been made of 13%Cr-4%Ni alloys. This material type was originally developed as a cast alloy (e.g., ASTM A487/A487M-89a Grade CA6NM). The combination of a low-carbon content and the addition of 3.5 to 4.5% nickel produces a fine, lath martensite structure which, after a tempering heat treatment, can exhibit superior mechanical properties. Thus, CA6NM and its forged variant ASTM A182/A182M-91 F6NM find application for production fluids containing CO{sub 2} and H{sub 2}S environments, particularly when hardening occurs, as is the case with fusion welds. Sensitivity to sulfide SCC increases at high material hardness levels, and the NACE MR0175 standard limits 13%Cr-4%Ni alloys to HRC 23 maximum for sour service. Attainment of such a hardness level requires careful consideration of tempering procedure. In this paper, the roles of welding procedure, material composition and postweld heat treatment are examined in relation to producing the minimum hardness levels in the weld zone.

The TAO model of Transformation of Added Organic materials (AOM) calibrated on AOMs and substrates of temperate areas was used to assess the transformations in soil of carbon and nitrogen forms of AOMs: raw materials, selected mixtures and composts from Ouagadougou urban wastes. AOMs were studied in terms of chemical and biochemical contents and for their C and N mineralization during incubations in a typical Ferric Lixisol of the sub-urban agriculture of Ouagadougou. The TAO model was used to predict the transformations of C (very labile, resistant and stable organic C) and N (very labile, resistant and stable organic N, produced and immobilized inorganic N) forms driven by AOM biochemical data. Without any change in calibration formulae, TAO predicted accurately the C transformations and inorganic N production of most of the tested AOMs, with a tendency to slightly overestimate C mineralization of previously well-composted materials and re-mineralization of immobilized N. Complementary adjustments using more complete data from laboratory experiments are suggested, but the model agrees with other data collected in the field and appears as a promising tool to optimise the management of urban wastes in the tropical area as well as for agro industrial organic fertilizers of the temperate zone. This application suggests ways to improve the management of urban wastes aiming to optimize agricultural yields, system sustainability and C sequestration in soil. PMID:20851592

This paper presented a new alloying concept for high-strength seamless heavy-wall line pipes. A microstructure containing lower bainite, acicular ferrite, and a small proportion of tempered martensite was used to achieve additional strength and toughness. Additional elements of Mo, V, and Nb were alloyed for increased strength properties. The steel was made using an electric-arc process. Secondary metallurgy and vacuum degassing processes were used to lower the sulfur, phosphorous, and nitrogen content of the steel. Ingots were heated in a rotary furnace to rolling temperature and then pierced, and cross-rolled to form hollow pipes. The seamless line pipe was then heat-treated by austenitizing, water quenching, and tempering. The pipe was rotated during the quenching procedure to achieve uniform cooling, and a water jet was forced through the pipe bore to improve cooling conditions on the inside surface of the pipe. The pipes were then evaluated for their toughness properties; corrosion behavior; tensile properties; and strain-aging properties. Girth welds were performed to assess the pipe's weldability. Post-weld heat treatments were then used to assess the heat affected zone (HAZ) and base metal properties. Hardness surveys and Charpy impact tests were conducted at -40 degrees C. Results of the tests showed that the pipe material can be adjusted to meet various requirements. It was concluded that the alloyed steel combined high strength and good toughness properties for thick-walled pipe materials, and exhibited high resistance to the effects of sour gas. 8 refs., 3 tabs., 16 figs.

Biologists have long searched for mechanisms responsible for the increase in species richness with decreasing latitude. The strong correlation between species richness and climate is frequently interpreted as reflecting a causal link via processes linked to energy or evolutionary rates. Here, we investigate how the aggregation of clades, as dictated by phylogeny, can give rise to significant climate-richness gradients without gradients in diversification or environmental carrying capacity. The relationship between climate and species richness varies considerably between clades, regions and time periods in a global-scale phylogenetically informed analysis of all terrestrial mammal species. Many young clades show negative richness-temperature slopes (more species at cooler temperatures), with the ages of these clades coinciding with the expansion of temperate climate zones in the late Eocene. In carnivores, we find steeply positive richness-temperature slopes in clades with restricted distributions and tropical origins (e.g. cat clade), whereas widespread, temperate clades exhibit shallow, negative slopes (e.g. dog-bear clade). We show that the slope of the global climate-richness gradient in mammals is driven by aggregating Chiroptera (bats) with their Eutherian sister group. Our findings indicate that the evolutionary history should be accounted for as part of any search for causal links between environment and species richness. PMID:20335205

Six Earth system models of intermediate complexity that are able to simulate interaction between atmosphere, ocean, and land surface, were forced with a scenario of land cover changes during the last millennium. In response to historical deforestation of about 18 million sq km, the models simulate a decrease in global mean annual temperature in the range of 0.13-0.25 C. The rate of this cooling accelerated during the 19th century, reached a maximum in the first half of the 20th century, and declined at the end of the 20th century. This trend is explained by temporal and spatial dynamics of land cover changes, as the effect of deforestation on temperature is less pronounced for tropical than for temperate regions, and reforestation in the northern temperate areas during the second part of the 20th century partly offset the cooling trend. In most of the models, land cover changes lead to a decline in annual land evapotranspiration, while seasonal changes are rather equivocal because of spatial shifts in convergence zones. In the future, reforestation might be chosen as an option for the enhancement of terrestrial carbon sequestration. Our study indicates that biogeophysical mechanisms need to be accounted for in the assessment of land management options for climate change mitigation. (orig.)

The population genetic structure of a reef-dwelling aeolid nudibranch, Pteraeolidia ianthina ( Angas, 1864 ) (Gastropoda, Mollusca), was investigated by analyzing the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene region, including 18S and 5.8S rRNA genes and the ITS1 region (545 bp). Among 235 individuals from 10 localities in the northwestern Pacific, two genetically distinct groups were detected: Groups A and B, which are separated by a minimum sequence difference of 5.3% (p-distance). The marked genetic differentiation of these two groups, even in localities where both co-occur, suggests that they are distinct species, although intergroup hybrids were observed in very low frequency. Within-population genetic variability was low in Group A, but high in Group B. Geographic analysis of between-population genetic distance and "allele" sharing data indicated three subgroups within Group A (temperate Japan, Ryukyus + Philippines, and Guam), whose distribution ranges appear to have some relationship to climate zones (temperate and subtropics + tropics) and ocean currents (Kuroshio and North Equatorial Currents). Within Group B detected only from three subtropic and tropic localities, however, genetic distances between populations were much smaller than those in Group A, and thus no significant geographic pattern was found. These differences in genetic variability and population structure between Groups A and B may reflect differences in biological features between them, such as the duration of the pelagic larval stage. Furthermore, some morphological differences were observed between Groups A and B. These observations provide further support for the suggestion that the two groups are separate species. PMID:22639805