Agricultural landscapes between intensification and abandonment: the expectations of the public in a Central-Alpine cross-border region

The aim of this study is to find out what locals and tourists in a Central-Alpine, multilingual cross-border region expect from an Alpine landscape, with a special focus on agriculture. Using a standardised questionnaire, we carried out more than 3500 face-to-face interviews with locals and tourists in Tyrol (Austria) and South Tyrol (Italy). The questionnaire comprised (1) content-related questions and (2) questions to collect demographic data on the interviewees. We employed nonparametric methods to analyse the survey results and differences between demographic groups. More than 70% of the study participants liked traditional land-use and did not have major reservations about agricultural intensification or extensification. Of those interviewed, 73% were in favour of giving public financial support to farmers. The findings obtained in this study suggest broad acknowledgement and acceptance of environmental compensation schemes and the maintenance of extensive and traditional land-use systems.     

Inactivation kinetics of apple polyphenol oxidase in different pressure–temperature domains

The impact of high hydrostatic pressure and temperature on the stability of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was studied in cloudy apple juice. Application of 200–500 MPa near room temperature or heat treatment at 45–55 °C at ambient pressure caused an increase of PPO activity of up to 65% in freshly squeezed apple juice. Combined pressure–temperature inactivation experiments with fully activated PPO (5 min treatment at 400 MPa and 20 °C) were carried out in the range of 0.1–700 MPa and 20–80 °C. Enzyme inactivation kinetics followed a 2.2 order reaction scheme at all pressure–temperature conditions tested. A polynomial model was successfully applied to describe the rate of PPO inactivation as a function of pressure and temperature and was used to construct a pressure–temperature isokinetic diagram. This diagram clearly showed synergistic effects of pressure and temperature on the inactivation of apple PPO at pressures above 300 MPa and antagonistic effects at lower pressures. Compared to ambient pressure conditions, temperatures required to inactivate PPO in apple juice were increased 10–15 °C at 100–300 MPa.

Industrial relevance

High pressure processing of fresh fruits is gaining popularity in the food industry because of its ability to inactivate microorganisms and some enzymes near room temperature with little impact on flavour or nutritional attributes of the food. However, quantitative data regarding the impact of process parameters on the target reaction are required to economically utilise this technology. This paper provides a mathematical model describing the combined effect of pressure, temperature and treatment time on the inactivation of PPO in cloudy apple juice.     

The temporal,PFGE and resistance pattern associations suggest that poultry products are only a minor source of human infections in Western Finland

In order to compare human and retail poultry meat thermophilic Campylobacter isolates originating in a regional area in Western Finland, minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs) for six antimicrobials (96 isolates) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) (102 isolates) were analysed. Campylobacter spp. were detected in 10.5% out of 305 fresh poultry products studied; 29 (90.5%) isolates were identified as Campylobacter jejuni. Among the 70 human isolates, 66 (94.3%) isolates were identified as C. jejuni. Only one C. jejuni domestic poultry isolate showed resistance (ampicillin), whereas domestic human C. jejuni isolates were more commonly resistant to ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, ampicillin and tetracycline. The resistance in foreign human isolates was significantly more common than among domestic isolates. PFGE analysis with KpnI restriction enzyme resulted in 59 different PFGE types among the poultry and human isolates. Three types were detected first in poultry meat and thereafter during the following month in domestic human samples, whereas the other conjoint types were detected only after many months. This study suggests that poultry products play only a minor role in human campylobacteriosis in the study area and that the resistance found in domestic human isolates is not likely related to retail poultry meat products.     

Photoinduzierte Elektronenübertragungsreaktionen zwischen aromatischen Diazoniumkationen und Anionen

Photoinduced Electron Transfer between Arenediazonium Cations and Anions Anions X^⊖ can act as donors in electron transfer reactions to photoexcited arenediazonium ions. The yield of the arene formed in this reaction increases with decreasing electrochemical oxidation potential E of X^⊖ (X^⊖ = BPh₄^⊖, Br^⊖, HOOC COO^⊖, Cl^⊖, BF₄^⊖). The oxidized donor X· (Cl·, ·COO^⊖) and aryl radicals Ar· benig intermediates of the reductive dediazoniation of ArN₂^⊖ can be detected by spin trapping with nitrosodurene (ND) and phenyl-tert-butylnitrone (PBN). A solvent effect in the electron transfer reaction is interpreted in terms of ion pairing, where the electron transfer is favored by preorientation and a short distance between the electron donor and the acceptor previous to excitation of ArN₂^⊖ by light.     

Distribution of the actin cytoskeleton during the cell cycle of Yarrowia lipolytica and the visualization of the tubulin cytoskeleton by immunofluorescence

Actin distribution was examined during the cell cycle of the dimorphic yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, showing the correlation between bud growth, nuclear migration and rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton. The results correspond with observations made in cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, S. uvarum and Candida albicans. Localization of actin was also determined in hyphal cells, where actin is stained predominantly in the tip and also at the septum of hyphae. The standard methods used for tubulin immunostaining in S. cerevisiae and C. albicans cells were adapted for application in Y. lipolytica. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mapping Resistance to Argentinean Fusarium (Graminearum) Head Blight Isolates in Wheat

Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat, caused by Fusarium graminearum (Schwabe), is a destructive disease worldwide, reducing wheat yield and quality. To accelerate the improvement of scab tolerance in wheat, we assessed the International Triticeae Mapping Initiative mapping population (ITMI/MP) for Type I and II resistance against a wide population of Argentinean isolates of F. graminearum. We discovered a total of 27 additive QTLs on ten different (2A, 2D, 3B, 3D, 4B, 4D, 5A, 5B, 5D and 6D) wheat chromosomes for Type I and Type II resistances explaining a maximum of 15.99% variation. Another four and two QTLs for thousand kernel weight in control and for Type II resistance, respectively, involved five different chromosomes (1B, 2D, 6A, 6D and 7D). Furthermore, three, three and five QTLs for kernel weight per spike in control, for Type I resistance and for Type II resistance, correspondingly, involved ten chromosomes (2A, 2D, 3B, 4A, 5A, 5B, 6B, 7A, 7B, 7D). We were also able to detect five and two epistasis pairs of QTLs for Type I and Type II resistance, respectively, in addition to additive QTLs that evidenced that FHB resistance in wheat is controlled by a complex network of additive and epistasis QTLs.     

Operational performance of grid‐connected PV systems on buildings in Germany

This paper presents operational performance results of grid‐connected PV systems in Germany, as collected and elaborated for the Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) of the International Energy Agency (IEA). Performance ratios obtained from 235 PV installations in Germany and from 133 PV plants in other countries are compared and discussed. For Germany, a significant rise in PV system performance and reliability was observed for new PV installations due to higher component efficiencies (e.g., inverter) and increased availabilities. There is a lack of long‐term experience in performance and reliability of PV systems, owing to the absence of monitoring programmes. As an outcome of IEA PVPS collaborative work, Task 2 provides reliable and worldwide monitoring performance data and results (www.task2.org). Technical and operational data is available for system planning and comparison, for teaching and training purposes as well as for future developments of financing schemes (e.g., feed‐in‐tariffs) in order to stimulate the PV market. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.