A physiological and biophysical model of coppice willow (Salix spp.) production yields for the contiguous USA in current and future climate scenarios.

High-performance computing has facilitated development of biomass production models that capture the key mechanisms underlying production at high spatial and temporal resolution. Direct responses to increasing [CO2 ] and temperature are important to long-lived emerging woody bioenergy crops. Fast-growing willow (Salix spp.

Metabolic and nutritional profile differences among Mexican, Mexican-American and Non-Hispanic White children.

Objective: To compare somatometric variables, lipid profile, diet, and physical activity between Mexican children living in México (MEX), and Mexican-American (MXA) and Non-Hispanic White (NHW) children from the United States (US) to examine the possible influence of ethnicity and residency on these factors.

Material And Methods: Six to twelve years old children data from a study from central México and the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was compared. Data were categorized to examine the effect of residency (MEX vs.

Bivariate genome-wide association analysis of the growth and intake components of feed efficiency.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI), two major components of feed efficiency in cattle, were identified in a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Uni- and multi-SNP models were used to describe feed efficiency in a training data set and the results were confirmed in a validation data set. Results from the univariate and bivariate analyses of ADG and DMI, adjusted by the feedlot beef steer maintenance requirements, were compared.

Improved sensitivity of DNA microarrays using photonic crystal enhanced fluorescence.

DNA microarrays are used to profile changes in gene expression between samples in a high-throughput manner, but measurements of genes with low expression levels can be problematic with standard microarray substrates. In this work, we expand the detection capabilities of a standard microarray experiment using a photonic crystal (PC) surface that enhances fluorescence observed from microarray spots. This PC is inexpensively and uniformly fabricated using a nanoreplica molding technique, with very little variation in its optical properties within- and between-devices.

Multivariate analysis and visualization of soil quality data for no-till systems.

To evidence the multidimensionality of the soil quality concept, we propose the use of data visualization as a tool for exploratory data analyses, model building, and diagnostics. Our objective was to establish the best edaphic indicators for assessing soil quality in four no-till systems with regard to functioning as a medium for crop production and nutrient cycling across two Illinois locations. The compared situations were no-till corn-soybean rotations including either winter fallowing (C/S) or cover crops of rye (Secale cereale; C-R/S-R), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa; C-R/S-V), or their mixture (C-R/S-VR).