ALBERT

Description: Effects of seawater p CO 2 changes on the calcifying fluid of scleractinian corals Biogeosciences Discussions, 9, 2655-2689, 2012 Author(s): S. Hohn and A. Merico Rising atmospheric CO 2 concentrations due to anthropogenic emissions induce changes in the ocean carbonate chemistry and a drop in ocean pH. This acidification process is expected to harm calcifying organisms like coccolithophores, molluscs, echinoderms, and corals. A severe decline in coral abundance is, for example, expected by the end of this century with associated disastrous effects on reef ecosystems. Despite the growing importance of the topic, little progress has been made with respect to modelling the impact of acidification on coral calcification. Here we present a model for a coral polyp that simulates the carbonate system in four different compartments: the seawater, the polyp tissue, the coelenteron, and the calicoblastic layer. Precipitation of calcium carbonate takes place in the metabolically controlled calicoblastic layer beneath the polyp tissue. The model is adjusted to a state of activity as observed by direct microsensor measurements in the calcifying fluid. Simulated CO 2 perturbation experiments reveal decreasing calcification rates under elevated p CO 2 despite strong metabolic control of the calcifying fluid. Diffusion of CO 2 through the tissue into the calicoblastic layer increases with increasing seawater p CO 2 leading to decreased aragonite saturation in the calcifying fluid of the coral polyp. Our modelling study provides important insights into the complexity of the calcification process at the organism level and helps to quantify the effect of ocean acidification on corals.

Description: The role of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica in the cycling of trace elements Biogeosciences Discussions, 9, 2623-2653, 2012 Author(s): C. Sanz-Lázaro, P. Malea, E. T. Apostolaki, I. Kalantzi, A. Marín, and I. Karakassis The aim of this work was to study the role of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica on the cycling of a wide set of trace elements (Ag, As, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Tl, V and Zn). We measured the concentration of these trace elements in the different compartments of P. oceanica (leaves, rhizomes, roots and epibiota) in a non-polluted seagrass meadow representative of the Mediterranean and calculated the annual budget from a mass balance. We provide novel data on accumulation dynamics of many trace elements in P. oceanica compartments and demonstrate that trace element accumulation patterns are mainly determined by plant compartment rather than by temporal variability. Epibiota was the compartment which showed the greatest concentrations for most trace elements. Thus, they constitute a key compartment when estimating trace element transfer to higher trophic levels by P. oceanica . For most trace elements, translocation seemed to be low and acropetal. Zn, Cd, Sr and Rb were the trace elements that showed the highest release rate through decomposition of plant detritus, while Cs, Tl and Bi the lowest. P. oceanica acts as a sink of potentially toxic trace elements (Ni, Cr, As and Ag), which can be sequestered, decreasing their bioavailability. P. oceanica may have a relevant role in the cycling of trace elements in the Mediterranean.

Description: A framework of imitating real human gait in 3D from monocular video of an uncalibrated camera directly and automatically is proposed. It firstly combines polygon-approximation with deformable template-matching, using knowledge of human anatomy to achieve the characteristics including static and dynamic parameters of real human gait. Then, these characteristics are processed in regularization and normalization. Finally, they are imposed on a 3D human motion model with prior constrains and universal gait knowledge to realize imitating human gait. In recognition based on this human gait imitation, firstly, the dimensionality of time-sequences corresponding to motion curves is reduced by NPE. Then, we use the essential features acquired from human gait imitation as input and integrate HCRF with SVM as a whole classifier, realizing identification recognition on human gait. In associated experiment, this imitation framework is robust for the object’s clothes and backpacks to a certain extent. It does not need any manual assist and any camera model information. And it is fitting for straight indoors and the viewing angle for target is between 60° and 120°. In recognition testing, this kind of integrated classifier HCRF/SVM has comparatively higher recognition rate than the sole HCRF, SVM and typical baseline method.

Description: Tabu search has become acceptable worldwide as one of the most efficient intelligent searches applied to various real-world problems. There have been different modifications made to the generic tabu search in recent years to achieve better performances. Among those reviewed in the introduction of this paper, the adaptive tabu search (ATS) has incorporated the backtracking and the adaptive search radius mechanisms that help accelerate the search and release it from a local solution lock. The paper explains an enhancement made to the ATS to accomplish multipath ATS (MATS) algorithms. Performances of the ATS and the MATS are evaluated using surface optimization problems, and results are presented in the paper. Finally, the MATS is applied to solve a real-world vehicle control problem.

Description: A new genus of Orchidaceae (Polystachyinae), Chelystachya Mytnik & Szlach. is described and illustrated basing on results of molecular and morphological studies. It is related to Polystachya Hook. but is distinct in having large, single-noded, spherical, succulent pseudobulbs flattened on the substratum, pendent and densely pubescent inflorescence, lowermost lip, and lip veins directed to the lip base. Results of phylogenetic analyses based on plastid markers validate the reason for a new genus. Keys for determination of all genera of the subtribe Polystachyinae and both species of Chelystachya are included. Two new combinations are made. A comprehensive description and full synonymy, as well as detailed ecological, phenological and distribution data and a list of 125 examined specimens are provided for each taxon treated. Because Polystachya affinis Lindl. is considered a holotype of Polystachya Hook. sect. Affines Kraenzl., this name is automatically a synonym of the newly introduced generic name Chelystachya . Other species of the former section Affines are classified within the section Humiles . Content Type Journal Article Category Journal article Pages 15-27 DOI 10.2478/v10119-011-0017-7 Authors Joanna Mytnik-Ejsmont, Department of Plant Taxonomy and Nature Conservation, Gdańsk University, Al. Legionów 9, 80-441 Gdańsk, Poland Dariusz L. Szlachetko, Department of Plant Taxonomy and Nature Conservation, Gdańsk University, Al. Legionów 9, 80-441 Gdańsk, Poland Marcin Górniak, Department of Plant Taxonomy and Nature Conservation, Gdańsk University, Al. Legionów 9, 80-441 Gdańsk, Poland Journal Biodiversity: Research and Conservation Print ISSN 1897-2810 Journal Volume Volume 23 Journal Issue Volume 23, Volume 23 / 2011

Description: Barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of important winter cereals in the world and has been the subject of numerous genetic investigations. Studies of its genetic diversity based on germplasm have a significant impact on crop breeding and conservation of genetic resources. This study was conducted to reveal the genetic diversity in barley landraces from Korean, Chinese and Japanese populations and evaluate the discrimination ability of SSR markers, distributed uniformly throughout the barley genome. Seven SSR primers were used to screen a set of 737 diverse barley landraces from Korea, China and Japan. The observed number of alleles per locus (Na), the effective number of alleles (Ne), and the mean gene diversity (He) were 11.14, 3.6245 and 0.7048, respectively. The number of alleles per locus was highest in Chinese landraces (8.9 alleles), followed by Korean (8.6) and Japanese (6.4). In this regard, HVKASI primer may be useful to distinguish Japanese landraces from others, as this unique allele was only detected at 175 bp in Japanese landraces. The average value of genetic distance was D=0.935. The largest genetic distance (D=1.209) among the three regional (representing each country in general) populations was found between Korean and Japanese populations. Based on the UPGMA dendrogram, four major groups can be distinguished at the similarity value of 0.43. The scatter plot showed overlapping in the central part amongst 3 groups of barley landraces. SSR markers are a powerful tool to examine functional diversity. Rich barley gene pool can be very useful for meeting current and future challenges in barley raising. Content Type Journal Article Category Journal article Pages 3-13 DOI 10.2478/v10119-011-0018-6 Authors Sang Ku Park, National Plant Quaratine Service, Incheon, Republic of Korea Dong Jin Lee, Department of Crop Science and Biotechnology, Dankook University, Chungnam 330-714, Republic of Korea Hyung-Jin Baek, National Institute of Agricultural Science, RDA, Suwon 441-707, Republic of Korea Jeongran Lee, National Institute of Agricultural Science, RDA, Suwon 441-707, Republic of Korea Muhammad Farooq, Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan Journal Biodiversity: Research and Conservation Print ISSN 1897-2810 Journal Volume Volume 23 Journal Issue Volume 23, Volume 23 / 2011

Description: The Cracow-Częstochowa Upland is an important mesoregion for the maintenance of Phyllitis scolopendrium (L.) Newman and its habitat with the Phyllitido-Aceretum Moor 1952 association. Studies in the Wodąca Valley focused on: the determination of the actual numerical force and quantitative changes in hart's-tongue resources between 1999 and 2009, a comparison of these results with literature, as well as on the indication of appropriate solutions for conservation purposes and for tourist exploitation of the Jurassic outcrops. Results of these studies provide scientific arguments for the maintenance of Phyllitis scolopendrium in the Wodąca Valley, on the edge of its European range. Content Type Journal Article Category Journal article Pages 75-82 DOI 10.2478/v10119-011-0016-8 Authors Stanisław Wika, Department of Geobotany and Nature Protection, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia, Jagiellońska 28, 40-032 Katowice, Poland Alicja Barć, Department of Geobotany and Nature Protection, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia, Jagiellońska 28, 40-032 Katowice, Poland Journal Biodiversity: Research and Conservation Print ISSN 1897-2810 Journal Volume Volume 23 Journal Issue Volume 23, Volume 23 / 2011

Description: The syntaxonomical classification and characteristics of synusial epigeic and epiphytic bryophyte communities of forest coenoses of forest-steppe zone of Ukraine is presented in this paper. Content Type Journal Article Category Journal article Pages 71-73 DOI 10.2478/v10119-011-0013-y Authors Svetlana V. Gapon, Poltava State Pedagogical University namend after Korolenko, Ostrogradsky str. 2, Poltava, 36003, Ukraine Journal Biodiversity: Research and Conservation Print ISSN 1897-2810 Journal Volume Volume 23 Journal Issue Volume 23, Volume 23 / 2011

Description: Xerothermic grasslands from three stands in the surroundings of the town of Pilica in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland were investigated. It was ascertained that they represent two phytosociological units: Adonido-Brachypodietum (with two variants) and Silene otites-Thymus austriacus community. Moreover, phytocoenoses with a high contribution of xerothermic plants ( Thymus-Anthyllis vulneraria community) were found in some places on the abandoned fields. On the basis of the comparison of new data and old phytosociological relevés, only slight changes over 30 years were observed. The differences concerned mostly the coverage of particular species. However, some plants disappeared and other were new (e.g. seedlings of trees and shrubs). Generally, these species were not too frequent and had inconsiderable cover. The changes which occurred manifested themselves also in the differences of mean values of some ecological indicators and in the increase of competitors, as well as clonal species. Content Type Journal Article Category Journal article Pages 59-70 DOI 10.2478/v10119-011-0019-5 Authors Beata Babczyńska-Sendek, Department of Geobotany and Nature Protection, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia, Jagiellońska 28, 40-032 Katowice, Poland Agata Kloczkowska, Department of Geobotany and Nature Protection, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia, Jagiellońska 28, 40-032 Katowice, Poland Agnieszka Błońska, Department of Geobotany and Nature Protection, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia, Jagiellońska 28, 40-032 Katowice, Poland Journal Biodiversity: Research and Conservation Print ISSN 1897-2810 Journal Volume Volume 23 Journal Issue Volume 23, Volume 23 / 2011

Description: Oenothera oehlkersii Kappus ex Rostański - a new species of Polish flora - was found on the Przemyśl Foothills. The species is a hybrid between Oe. glazioviana Micheli in Mart. and Oe. suaveolens Desf. ex Pers. In this paper, authors present some features useful in recognizing the parental species and the hybrid one. Content Type Journal Article Category Journal article Pages 57-58 DOI 10.2478/v10119-011-0015-9 Authors Mateusz Wolanin, Department of Botany, University of Rzeszów, A. Zelwerowicza 4, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland Monika Woźniak, Botanic Garden, Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian University, Kopernika 27, 31-501 Kraków, Poland Journal Biodiversity: Research and Conservation Print ISSN 1897-2810 Journal Volume Volume 23 Journal Issue Volume 23, Volume 23 / 2011