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Food security and environmental conservation are two of the greatest challenges facing the world today. It is predicted that food production must increase by at least 70% before 2050 to support continued population growth, though the size of the world's agricultural area will remain essentially unchanged. This updated and thoroughly revised second edition provides in-depth coverage of the impact of environmental conditions and management on crops, resource requirements for productivity and effects on soil resources. The approach is explanatory and integrative, with a firm basis in environmental physics, soils, physiology and morphology. System concepts are explored in detail throughout the book, giving emphasis to quantitative approaches, management strategies and tactics employed by farmers, and associated environmental issues. Drawing on key examples and highlighting the role of science, technology and economic conditions in determining management strategies, this book is suitable for agriculturalists, ecologists and environmental scientists.

Purpose To examine the effects of caffeinated coffee consumption on intraocular pressure (IOP), ocular perfusion pressure (OPP), and ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) in those with or at risk for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods We conducted a prospective, double-masked, crossover, randomized controlled trial with 106 subjects: 22 with high tension POAG, 18 with normal tension POAG, 20 with ocular hypertension, 21 POAG suspects, and 25 healthy participants. Subjects ingested either 237 ml of caffeinated (182 mg caffeine) or decaffeinated (4 mg caffeine) coffee for the first visit and the alternate beverage for the second visit. Blood pressure (BP) and pascal dynamic contour tonometer measurements of IOP, OPA, and heart rate were measured before and at 60 and 90 min after coffee ingestion per visit. OPP was calculated from BP and IOP measurements. Results were analysed using paired t -tests. Multivariable models assessed determinants of IOP, OPP, and OPA changes. Results There were no significant differences in baseline IOP, OPP, and OPA between the caffeinated and decaffeinated visits. After caffeinated as compared with decaffeinated coffee ingestion, mean mm Hg changes (±SD) in IOP, OPP, and OPA were as follows: 0.99 (±1.52, P <0.0001), 1.57 (±6.40, P =0.0129), and 0.23 (±0.52, P <0.0001) at 60 min, respectively; and 1.06 (±1.67, P <0.0001), 1.26 (±6.23, P =0.0398), and 0.18 (±0.52, P =0.0006) at 90 min, respectively. Regression analyses revealed sporadic and inconsistent associations with IOP, OPP, and OPA changes. Conclusion Consuming one cup of caffeinated coffee (182 mg caffeine) statistically increases, but likely does not clinically impact, IOP and OPP in those with or at risk for POAG.

We investigated the population genetic structure of the invasive plant Hieracium aurantiacum (Asteraceae), a facultative apomict. We generated amplified fragment length polymorphism fingerprints for H. aurantiacum samples from across its invasive range in North America ( \\documentclass{aastex} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{bm} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{pifont} \\usepackage{stmaryrd} \\usepackage{textcomp} \\usepackage{portland,xspace} \\usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \\usepackage[OT2,OT1]{fontenc} \\newcommand\\cyr{ \\renewcommand\\rmdefault{wncyr} \\renewcommand\\sfdefault{wncyss} \\renewcommand\\encodingdefault{OT2} \\normalfont \\selectfont} \\DeclareTextFontCommand{\\textcyr}{\\cyr} \\pagestyle{empty} \\DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6} \\begin{document} \\landscape $$N=226$$ \\end{document} ) and from six other North American native and invasive Hieracium species ( \\documentclass{aastex} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{bm} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{pifont} \\usepackage{stmaryrd} \\usepackage{textcomp} \\usepackage{portland,xspace} \\usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \\usepackage[OT2,OT1]{fontenc} \\newcommand\\cyr{ \\renewcommand\\rmdefault{wncyr} \\renewcommand\\sfdefault{wncyss} \\renewcommand\\encodingdefault{OT2} \\normalfont \\selectfont} \\DeclareTextFontCommand{\\textcyr}{\\cyr} \\pagestyle{empty} \\DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6} \\begin{document} \\landscape $$N=60$$ \\end{document} ). Almost no genetic variability was found in the North American H. aurantiacum across locations from Alaska and Oregon to Pennsylvania and Ontario ( \\documentclass{aastex} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{bm} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{pifont} \\usepackage{stmaryrd} \\usepackage{textcomp} \\usepackage{portland,xspace} \\usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \\usepackage[OT2,OT1]{fontenc} \\newcommand\\cyr{ \\renewcommand\\rmdefault{wncyr} \\renewcommand\\sfdefault{wncyss} \\renewcommand\\encodingdefault{OT2} \\normalfont \\selectfont} \\DeclareTextFontCommand{\\textcyr}{\\cyr} \\pagestyle{empty} \\DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6} \\begin{document} \\landscape $$\\mathrm{clonal}\\,\\,\\mathrm{diversity}\\,=0.035$$ \\end{document} ). In contrast, other Hieracium species showed a range of clonal diversities ( \\documentclass{aastex} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{bm} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{pifont} \\usepackage{stmaryrd} \\usepackage{textcomp} \\usepackage{portland,xspace} \\usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \\usepackage[OT2,OT1]{fontenc} \\newcommand\\cyr{ \\renewcommand\\rmdefault{wncyr} \\renewcommand\\sfdefault{wncyss} \\renewcommand\\encodingdefault{OT2} \\normalfont \\selectfont} \\DeclareTextFontCommand{\\textcyr}{\\cyr} \\pagestyle{empty} \\DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6} \\begin{document} \\landscape $$\\mathrm{range}\\,=0.154{\\mbox{--}} 1.0$$ \\end{document} ). The single H. aurantiacum genotype that dominated the North American invaded range was identical to a sample from the native range (Czech Republic), where low genetic diversity has also been reported. However, we did find evidence of hybridization between H. aurantiacum and at least one other nonnative Hieracium species in North America, indicating that the generation of novel hybrid genetic combinations may be an important factor in this invasive group of Hieracium taxa. Our findings suggest that sexual recombination and genetic diversity are not essential for successful plant invasion and that phenotypic plasticity alone may provide the flexibility necessary for the establishment of H. aurantiacum in diverse habitats.

Low temperatures limit the poleward distribution of many species such that the expansion of geographic range can only be accomplished via evolutionary innovation. We have tested for physiological differences among closely related species to determine whether their poleward latitudinal ranges are limited by tolerance to cold. We measured lower temperature tolerance (LT50) among a group of intertidal pulmonate snails from six congeneric species and nine locales. Differences in tolerance are placed in the context of a molecular phylogeny based on one mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase subunit I) and two nuclear (histone 3 and a mitochondrial phosphate carrier protein) markers. Temperate species from two separate lineages had significantly lower measures of LT50 than related tropical species. Range differences within the temperate zone, however, were not explained by LT50. These results show that multiple adaptations to cold and freezing may have enabled range expansions out of the tropics in Melampus. However, northern range limits within temperate species are not governed by cold tolerance alone.

Aims Vascular perfusion may be impaired in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG); thus, we evaluated a panel of markers in vascular tone-regulating genes in relation to POAG. Methods We used Illumina 660W-Quad array genotype data and pooled P -values from 3108 POAG cases and 3430 controls from the combined National Eye Institute Glaucoma Human Genetics Collaboration consortium and Glaucoma Genes and Environment studies. Using information from previous literature and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, we compiled single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 186 vascular tone-regulating genes. We used the ‘Pathway Analysis by Randomization Incorporating Structure’ analysis software, which performed 1000 permutations to compare the overall pathway and selected genes with comparable randomly generated pathways and genes in their association with POAG. Results The vascular tone pathway was not associated with POAG overall or POAG subtypes, defined by the type of visual field loss (early paracentral loss ( n =224 cases) or only peripheral loss ( n =993 cases)) (permuted P ≥0.20). In gene-based analyses, eight were associated with POAG overall at permuted P <0.001: PRKAA1 , CAV1 , ITPR3 , EDNRB , GNB2 , DNM2 , HFE , and MYL9. Notably, six of these eight (the first six listed) code for factors involved in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity, and three of these six ( CAV1 , ITPR3 , and EDNRB) were also associated with early paracentral loss at P <0.001, whereas none of the six genes reached P <0.001 for peripheral loss only. Discussion Although the assembled vascular tone SNP set was not associated with POAG, genes that code for local factors involved in setting vascular tone were associated with POAG.

Cross-sectional studies show that adults who grew up in conflict-ridden two-parent families or who experienced parental divorce report lower levels of psychological and marital well-being than do other adults. However, previous research has been unable to determine how parental marital conflict, divorce, and children's long-term outcomes are related. Using a 12-year longitudinal study, we find that the consequences of parental divorce depend on parental marital conflict prior to divorce. In high-conflict families, children have higher levels of well-being as young adults if their parents divorced than if they stayed together. But in low-conflict families, children have higher levels of well-being if their parents stayed together than if they divorced. In marriages that do not end in divorce, parental marital conflict is negatively associated with the well-being of offspring.

Loomis comments on an article by Reich et al that presents data on leaf life span that are important for assessing costs and returns of carbon and nitrogen over a leaf's entire life.

Psychological dependence to the opioid analgesic morphine is attributable to the rewarding properties of the drug, and its evolution can be divided into two distinct phases: development and maintenance. Both phases can be studied using conditioned place preference (CPP). To determine whether the two phases can be influenced by pre-treatment with gabapentin-like compounds. CPP to morphine was used to demonstrate the rewarding properties of morphine in the presence or absence of gabapentin-like compounds. In-vivo microdialysis in the nucleus accumbens was used to determine the effects of gabapentin or pregabalin on morphine-induced dopamine release. Pretreatment with either gabapentin (10-100 mg/kg p.o.) or pregabalin (3-30 mg/kg p.o.) attenuated CPP induced by a submaximal dose of morphine (0.75 mg/kg). Neither gabapentin nor pregabalin had any effect alone in the CPP test. Both gabapentin-like compounds blocked the effect of morphine (0.75 mg/kg s.c.) to increase the release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens. Studies of the maintenance of CPP to morphine showed CPP was maintained for at least 4 days after the initial test. In a second experiment, it was found that pregabalin (injected once, 24 h after CPP had been demonstrated) was able to reverse morphine-induced CPP. Neither gabapentin nor pregabalin induced CPP, but both compounds blocked the development of CPP to morphine and also blocked morphine's effects on dopamine release. Furthermore, pregabalin blocked the maintenance of morphine-induced CPP. It is concluded that gabapentin-like compounds, which have no intrinsic rewarding properties, may have some therapeutic use in the treatment of opioid dependence.

\"Food security and environmental conservation are two of the greatest challenges facing the world today. It is predicted that food production must increase by at least 70% before 2050 to support continued population growth, though the size of the world's agricultural area will remain essentially unchanged. This updated and thoroughly revised second edition provides in-depth coverage of the impact of environmental conditions and management on crops, resource requirements for productivity and effects on soil resources. The approach is explanatory and integrative, with a firm basis in environmental physics, soils, physiology and morphology. System concepts are explored in detail throughout the book, giving emphasis to quantitative approaches, management strategies and tactics employed by farmers, and associated environmental issues. Drawing on key examples and highlighting the role of science, technology and economic conditions in determining management strategies, this book is suitable for agriculturalists, ecologists and environmental scientists\"--