Different litter mixtures decomposed for 435 days in pots filled with sand and containing an individual seedling from one of four different tree species. We found both additive and negative non-additive effects (NAE) of litter mixing on mass loss, whereas N loss showed negative and positive NAE of litter mixing. If litter from the two tree species, Platonia insignis and Goupia glabra were present, litter mixtures showed more positive and more negative NAE on N loss, respectively. Overall, decomposition, and in particular non-additive effects, were only weakly affected by the presence of tree seedlings.

Litter mass loss weakly yet significantly decreased with increasing fine root biomass in presence of Goupia seedlings, but selleck not in the presence of seedlings of any other tree species. Our results Screening Library clinical trial showed strong litter composition effects and also clear, mostly negative, non-additive effects on mass loss and N loss. Species identity of tree seedlings can modify litter decomposition, but these live plant effects remain quantitatively inferior to litter composition effects.”
“Nowadays, the cultivation of energy crops is, in most cases, directly or indirectly subsidized at EU and global levels. However, their financial viability, i.e. sustainable profitability in the absence of subsidies, is not too remote any more given the increasing cost of fossil

fuels, pressing environmental concerns, and the rapid technological progress in the renewable energies field.\n\nThis analysis presents a number of case studies examining the viability of the most promising oil and sugar crops for the production of first-generation biofuels. The presented outputs of this work indicate that today, the viability of energy crops, such as rapeseed (Brassica napus), Brassica carinata, sunflower and sweet sorghum, MG-132 order can be attained under favorable conditions. Detailed cost analysis of these crops in various European regions leads to the estimation of profitability and illustrates their financial profile. Comparative analyses are

made with the most widespread conventional food crops, such as wheat and maize.\n\nThe results of the study have shown that first-generation oil producing crops in Europe are worth cultivating under current support regimes and under favorable market conditions. In view of the prevailing instability in the price of crops, the farmer has to make decisions on a rather short-term basis. Sweet sorghum in southern Europe appears to be a very promising proposition for the production of bioethanol, as it appears much more efficient than cereals and sugarbeets, which are used today in the bioethanol industry. (C) 2010 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd”
“Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent cancers worldwide, with a high mortality.