bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mahogany Conservation: Status and Policy Initiatives
Authors: Rodan Bruce D. , Newton Adrian C. , Verissimo Adalberto
Published: August 2009

Genuine or American mahogany is obtained from trees of the genus Swietenia (S. mahagoni, S. macrophylla, and S. humilis), and is one of the premier timbers of international commerce. The trade in mahogany commenced almost five centuries ago with S. mahagoni from the Caribbean; but following ‘commercial’ extinction of this resource, trade became centred on mahogany populations in South and Central America (S. macrophylla). The trade in mahogany is predominantly from primary forests, and has led to population and genetic resource declines — particularly in the Caribbean and Central America. More recently, there have been an increasing number of ‘commercial’ extinctions in South America. As the resource declines, pressures mount to accelerate the illegal extraction of mahogany from National Parks and lands reserved for indigenous (‘Indian’) peoples. Inability to control this trade threatens mahogany populations and genetic resources throughout its range, at the same time adversely affecting the livelihoods of indigenous peoples in the process.

Mahogany often regenerates poorly following logging operations that are conducted using current management practices, and further research is required to determine the optimum biological and economic conditions for in situ silviculture. Attempts to cultivate mahogany in plantations have met with little success in the Americas, due mainly to effects of the shoot-borer (Hypsipyla grandella), a moth larva that damages terminal shoots, so leading to excessive branching and reduced timber value (Figs 3 and 4). The success of mahogany plantations in the neotropics will require the development of an integrated pest-management system, perhaps involving the incorporation of pestresistant genotypes within agro-forestry or mixed plantation systems.

It is vital that appropriate silvicultural and trade practices are adopted to ensure sustainable mahogany extraction, while at the same time conserving an adequate population and genetic resource-base. To this end, effective trade monitoring and resource-regulation measures must be introduced to assist in controlling illegal trade and to encourage a scientifically managed, sustainable, utilization of mahogany. Two of the three mahogany species, S. humilis and S. mahagoni, have been listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The third and only other recognized species of Swietenia, S. macrophylla, should also be considered for listing in CITES Appendix II, thereby benefiting from the international trade-monitoring and resource regulation requirements consequent upon such listing.
The History of Lake Hornborga: A Lesson in Wetland Function and Management from Sweden
Authors: Pehrsson Olof
Published: August 2009

The shallow Lake Hornborga in southern Sweden has been used by Man for more than 9,000 years, primarily for fishing and hunting but latterly also for cattle-grazing and hay-making. The water-level of the Lake has varied considerably during climatically different periods of time. Changes between dry and wet periods have caused different vegetation-types to predominate, but have probably also effectively counterbalanced a tendency to become overgrown. During the last two centuries the water-level of the Lake has been lowered intentionally five times. Originally, the aim was to counteract spring flooding, but later the reason was to obtain more arable land. The Lake is, however, most famed for its abundance and diversity of bird-life, which is dependent on the local hydrological regime, vegetation, and land-use.
A Buffer Zone for Biodiversity Conservation: Viability of the Concept in Nepal's Royal Chitwan National Park
Authors: Nepal Sanjay K. , Weber Karl E.
Published: August 2009

A buffer zone for RCNP is considered an effective means to mitigate and contain the Park–local people conflict. Its creation adjacent to the National Park will enable local people to engage in multiple-use activities that will provide benefits not only to themselves but protect the Park's integrity as well. Except for the much-degraded Barandabar Forest, the other small parcels of forest that exist around the Royal Chitwan National Park are highly inadequate to provide additional wildlife protection and environmental conservation. RCNP does not have any area that, to date, is exclusively designated as a buffer zone. The Barandabar Forest is still envisaged as an additional protection to the Park, although continual grazing, lopping of branches and twigs from trees, and timber extraction, by the local people, have extensively diminished its biological values.
Five Potential New Crops for Arid Lands
Authors: Hinman C. Wiley , Cooke Allan , Smith Richard I.
Published: August 2009

In view of the increasing rate of world-wide desertification in many arid and semi-arid land situations, certain plants that produce human or animal feedstuffs or industrially useful by-products under such hostile environments deserve the most serious attention.
Himalayan Mountaineering Expedition Garbage
Authors: Cullen Ross
Published: August 2009

Expedition garbage is an unfortunate by-product of Himalayan mountaineering expeditions. High transport costs, lack of concern amongst climbers, and lack of direction by authorities, results in squalid garbage heaps around mountain campsites. Growth in numbers of expeditions, climbers, and trekkers, to the Himalaya necessitates prompt action to prevent despoliation of those areas.

Such despoliation of campsites by inadequate treatment or unsatisfactory disposal practices cannot be halted by reliance on improved climber behaviour alone. Host-country authorities must develop and enforce more comprehensive guidelines and policies for garbage disposal than currently prevail. A combination of burning and transport to pits off-site seems likely to be typically the best disposal practice to follow. A combination of change in expedition behaviour, provision of leadership in garbage disposal, and use of environmental protection levies, seems necessary to combat the problem of growing squalor at campsites and expanding desecration of surrounding areas.
Problems of Protection Against Piping and Surface Erosion in Central Tunisia
Authors: Baillie Ian C. , Faulkner P.H. , Espin G.D. , Levett M.J. , Nicholson B.
Published: August 2009

The formation of quasi-tubular voids in the subsoil, known as ‘piping’, is an important form of subsoil erosion that arises when substantial volumes of subsurface lateral throughflow pass through dispersible subsoils. Amongst the environmental factors that favour the development of piping are high contents of expansible clay minerals, a severe dry season, and convexities in the slope profile. The first two of these are characteristic of considerable areas in Central Tunisia.

In addition to natural slope-convexities, further topographic loci for pipe initiation and development are provided by the artificial convexities introduced into the slope profile by the construction of conservation banks. The earthworks are designed as protection against surface erosion processes, which prevail for most of the year in this part of Tunisia. However, it appears that the banking is particularly vulnerable to piping, which is causing considerable disruption. Australian experience indicates that banking should be used very sparingly on soils which are at all prone to piping, and that care is needed in both the alignment and construction of such banks as are deemed unavoidable.
Environment and Law: A Perspective from Developing Countries
Authors: Biswas Asit K.
Published: August 2009

Environmental law is an important tool for environmental management. A review of the environmental legislation existing in developing countries presents a very diverse picture. Generally speaking, the Asian countries have for the most part well-established and often highly-developed legal systems, which, when necessary, can assimilate new legal mechanisms and legislation for environmental management without undue turbulence. In contrast, the African countries have not on the whole made environmental protection a part of the fundamental laws that exist at present.

Poor effectiveness of environmental legislation in developing countries should be a matter of very serious concern. Such poor effectiveness is primarily due to two major problems: a piecemeal, unsystematic legal approach to environmental management, and the lack of effective implementation of existing environmental legislation—irrespective of how good it may be to deal with the overall problem.
Public Understanding and Appreciation of the Biosphere Reserve Concept
Authors: Kellert Stephen R.
Published: August 2009

The Biosphere Reserve concept potentially appears to be an extremely important basis for enhancing global land protection—particularly, although not exclusively, in developing countries. Far more clarification and education will be required, however, to produce the level of public appreciation that will be necessary to make this concept an effective force for conservation. It may be argued that a clear delineation of the Biosphere Reserve concept is less important than an adequate public understanding of the values to be derived from this land protection strategy. While this distinction may be useful, it would seem that the potential benefits of the Biosphere Reserve would be considerably enhanced by far more precise public appreciation of the meaning and intent of this land designation category.
Threats to Unique Wildlife Through Indian Habitat Destruction
Authors: Oza G.M.
Published: August 2009

Over the years, the problems facing conservation have changed. The 20th century has been characterized by two pertinent traits—concern for wildlife and the explosive growth of human population—both destined to loom larger and larger as the century progressed. As an example, the soaring demands for food, timber, and housing, have led to the destruction of the natural abode—the forests of Gujarat—of much of the beautiful Indian wildlife.
Tropical Forests: The Main Deforestation Fronts
Authors: Myers Norman
Published: August 2009

Tropical moist forests are being depleted at an ecobiome-wide rate of c. 2% per year. Certain countries are losing very little forest, while others are losing it at a rate of twice the average, and a few at a rate several times higher. An initial assessment of 14 ‘deforestation fronts’ — being areas that feature the most intensive, widespread, and rapid, deforestation — reveals that they currently feature 43% of all deforestation in 25% of tropical moist forests' expanse.

There is urgent need for additional documentation of these deforestation fronts, and to monitor their evolving status — especially of those that look likely to lose forest cover at ever-more rapid rates. Even more important, the analysis allows us to derive criteria for major foci of deforestation, thus enabling us to anticipate new fronts while they are still emergent. In turn, this affords opportunity for preventive measures in the form of ‘silver bullet’ strategies on the part of conservationists, forestry experts, land-use planners, and policymakers. An early-warning system would go far towards supplying us with a more substantive and methodical understanding of depletive processes overtaking tropical forests.
Park–People Relations in Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal: A Socio-economic Analysis
Authors: Heinen Joel T.
Published: August 2009

Park-people interactions in Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, located in the lowlands of Southeastern Nepal, were studied intensively over a two-years' period from 1986 to 1988, through a variety of economic and attitu-dinal surveys. The Reserve had been established for the conservation of wild Water Buffalo and migratory waterfowl, and protects some of the most important wetland habitat in Nepal; it is therefore vital for the conservation of biodiversity on a national and regional level. The results showed that people in the area are dependent on the Reserve for the collection of grasses etc. which they use as building materials, while the Reserve provides fish which are sold cheaply in local markets. Other products, such as fuel-wood, edible and medicinal plants, and seeds, are occasionally collected legally in the Reserve.

Despite the measurable benefits, attitudes about the Reserve are generally poor in the region, at least among local inhabitants who do not understand its main raisons d'être. The best predictors of attitudes were the caste or ethnic group and the literacy rate of the family of the respondent, and not the socio-economic standing of, or the direct cost to, the respondent due to crop damage by wildlife. These results suggest that religious inculcation, societal discrimination, and education, may all play a role in shaping attitudes and therefore influencing park-people relations. Short-term solutions to park-people conflicts should include more education and extension programmes on the part of the Reserve's management, and legal efforts to return at least some control to local villages.
Soil Compaction as a Constraint to Tree Growth in Tropical & Subtropical Urban Habitats
Authors: Jim Chi Yung
Published: August 2009

Of the many forms of above- and below-ground stresses facing urban trees, physical soil limitations are generally among the most persistent and least amenable to amelioration. Soil compaction is a common soil malady that afflicts many planting-sites and causes tree decline. The concept of soil structure in terms of porosity and moisture-suction is reviewed, to provide a basis for the interpretation of compaction as structural degradation. The reorganization of solid and interstitial void constituents, which can result in increased dentity of packing, is related to some fundamental physical and physico-chemical soil properties.

Compaction brings about changes in a wide spectrum of related geometric and other soil attributes, the consequences of which are often inimical to plant growth. Many deliberate and inadvertent actions in urban areas increase packing density, which can be diagnosed through some field and laboratory tests. The harmful effects of compaction is exertedviamechanical impediment and other indirect impacts on root growth. Excessively loose soils and soil crusts are discussed in the light of compaction concepts and in relation to tree growth.

A wide range of measures could be adopted to alleviate the problems of soil compaction. Preventive actions taken before tree planting are preferred to post-planting remedies which are cumbersome, and injurious to roots. Soils at planting sites could be partially improved by various mechanical means to reduce packing density and enhance aggregation. Coarse-textured materials with inherently high strength and resistance to dense packing could provide a stable medium for tree growth. The installation of subsurface aeration and drainage pipes could alleviate the ill-effects of compaction. Care should be taken to avoid structural degradation in stockpiling and construction activities.
Eye growth in sharks: Ecological implications for changes in retinal topography and visual resolution
Authors: LITHERLAND LENORE , COLLIN SHAUN P. , FRITSCHES KERSTIN A.
Published: August 2009

The visual abilities of sharks show substantial interspecific variability. In addition, sharks may change their habitat and feeding strategy throughout life. As the eyes of sharks continue to grow throughout the animal’s lifetime, ontogenetic variability in visual ability may also occur. The topographic analysis of the photoreceptor and ganglion cell distributions can identify visual specializations and assess changes in visual abilities that may occur concurrently with eye growth. This study examines an ontogenetic series of whole-mounted retinas in two elasmobranch species, the sandbar shark,Carcharhinus plumbeus, and the shortspine spurdog,Squalus mitsukurii, to identify regional specializations mediating zones for improved spatial resolution. The study examines retinal morphology and presents data on summation ratios between photoreceptor and ganglion cell layers, anatomically determined peak spatial resolving power, and the angular extent of the visual field. Peak densities of photoreceptors and ganglion cells occur in similar retinal locations. The topographic distribution of neurons in the ganglion cell layer does not differ substantially with eye growth. However, predicted peak spatial resolution increases with eye growth from 4.3 to 8.9 cycles/deg inC. plumbeusand from 5.7 to 7.2 cycles/deg inS. mitsukurii. The topographic distribution of different-sized ganglion cells is also mapped inC. plumbeus, and a population of large ganglion cells (soma area 120–350μm2) form a narrow horizontal streak across the retinal meridian, while the spatial distribution of ordinary-sized ganglion cells (soma area 30–120μm2) forms anareain the central retina. Species-specific retinal specializations highlight differences in visually mediated behaviors and foraging strategies betweenC. plumbeusandS. mitsukurii.
On the Possibility of Kantian Retributivism
Authors: LANDA DIMITRI
Published: August 2009

One of the most potent motivations for retributivist approaches to punishment has been their apparent connection to an ethical background shaped by the Kantian notion of morally autonomous and rational human agency. The present article challenges the plausibility of this connection. I argue that retributivism subverts, rather than embodies, the normative consequences of moral autonomy, justifying a social practice that conflicts with the considered judgments that the proper recognition of moral autonomy would authorize. The core of my case is the analysis of whether a punishment should be understood as a restriction of a criminal's freedom properly understood. I argue that the affirmative view faces serious difficulties that have not been, and are not likely to be, resolved by retributivist justifications that draw their support from Kantian moral theory.
Why Hobbes' State of Nature is Best Modeled by an Assurance Game
Authors: MOEHLER MICHAEL
Published: August 2009

In this article, I argue that if one closely follows Hobbes' line of reasoning inLeviathan, in particular his distinction between the second and the third law of nature, and the logic of his contractarian theory, then Hobbes' state of nature is best translated into the language of game theory by an assurance game, and not by a one-shot or iterated prisoner's dilemma game, nor by an assurance dilemma game. Further, I support Hobbes' conclusion that the sovereign must always punish the Foole, and even exclude her from the cooperative framework or take her life, if she defects once society is established, which is best expressed in the language of game theory by a grim strategy. That is, compared to existing game-theoretic interpretations of Hobbes, I argue that the sovereign plays a grim strategy with the citizens once society is established, and not the individuals with one another in the state of nature.
Truth and Acceptance Conditions for Moral Statements Can Be Identical: Further Support for Subjective Consequentialism
Authors: FORSCHLER SCOTT
Published: August 2009

One of Peter Railton's arguments against subjective consequentialism is that it would erase the distinction between truth conditions and acceptance conditions for moral statements. It is assumed that if moral statements describe objective facts, as do scientific facts, then there should be times when, as in science, we are wholly justified via our currently available evidence in accepting a statement which is actually false. This analogy does not hold, because ethics is about the justifiability of our responses to situations, not about facts which entail evidence we may not have complete access to, as is the case in science. For this and other reasons, objective versions of consequentialism should be abandoned, and subjective versions developed.
Rule-Consequentialism and Irrelevant Others
Authors: PORTMORE DOUGLAS W.
Published: August 2009

In this article, I argue that Brad Hooker's rule-consequentialism implausibly implies that what earthlings are morally required to sacrifice for the sake of helping their less fortunate brethren depends on whether or not other people exist on some distant planet even when these others would be too far away for earthlings to affect.
On Feldman's Theory of Happiness
Authors: BLACKSON THOMAS
Published: August 2009

Fred Feldman conceives of happiness in terms of the aggregation of attitudinal pleasure and displeasure, but he distinguishes intrinsic from extrinsic attitudinal pleasure and displeasure and excludes extrinsic attitudinal pleasure and displeasure from the aggregation that constitutes happiness. I argue that Feldman has not provided a strong reason for this exclusion
FISH spots microdeletion in heart defects
Authors: Ferraz-Gameiro P. , Ferrão J. , Mendes C. , Pires L. M. , Matoso E. , Carreira I. M.
Published: August 2009

The 22q11.2 microdeletion is found in most of DiGeorge and velocardiofacial syndromes. These individuals have a wide range of anomalies including congenital heart disease, palatal abnormalities, characteristic facial features, hypocalcaemia, immune deficiency, and learning difficulties. Congenital heart disease, particularly conotruncal malformations are associated with 29% of deletions. This syndrome may be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, but the majority of patients (93%) have a de novo deletion. To access the presence of the microdeletion in those individuals whose phenotipic changes suggested abnormalities in chromosome 22, a study has been made in several children with congenital heart defects.
ERK activation in noradrenergic and serotonergic brainstem nuclei in chronic pain upon noxious stimulation and antidepressants treatment
Authors: Borges G. , Berrocoso E. , Ortega-Alvaro A. , Micó J. A. , Neto F. L.
Published: August 2009

Chronic neuropathic pain is a pathology that affects thousands of people worldwide. Antidepressants have been prescribed for the treatment of this sort of pain but the mechanisms underlying their analgesic action remain unknown. Extracellular-signal regulated kinases (ERKs) are being implicated in pain transmission and modulation as well as in the pathophysiology of depression. In order to clarify some of the mechanisms which might be related to the analgesic effect of antidepressants, we started by evaluating possible changes in the pattern of activation of ERKs in rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI), an experimental model of chronic
TEM identification of Pseudo-nitzschia species from Lisbon Bay (NE Atlantic)
Authors: Amorim A. , Veloso V. , Frazão B. , de Matos A. P. Alves
Published: August 2009

Several species of the chain-forming marine diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia produce domoic acid (DA), a neuroexcitant amino acid, responsible for a human amnesic syndrome after consumption of toxified shellfish (ASP). Since 1995, the Portuguese monitoring program has regularly detected the presence of DA in shellfish. So far only P. australis has been implicated, and references therein. Identification of the causative species of Pseudo-nitzchia in natural samples is hampered by difficulties in identification at the light microscope level. Recent studies have shown that ultrastructural details of the wall, observed by transmission electron microscopy, allow the identification of species in good agreement with the phylogenetic and biological species concept.
Characterization of Monocarboxylate Transporters' expression in prostate carcinoma
Authors: Gomes Nelma , Vizcaíno José Ramón , Pinheiro Céline , Baltazar Fátima
Published: August 2009

Highly proliferative cancer cells maintain high rates of glycolysis, producing large amounts of acids, mainly lactic acid. Despite this fact, only the interstitial pH of tumours is low, while the intracellular pH of tumours is either normal or higher than that of normal tissues. Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) are transmembrane proteins that, by promoting the efflux of the accumulating acids, constitute one of the most important mechanisms in the maintenance of tumour intracellular pH. MCTs play a central role in cellular metabolism and are essential for the transport of metabolically important monocarboxylates, such as lactate, across the plasma membrane.
Morphometric and molecular study of corpus cavernosum of the rat after longterm high-fat diet intake
Authors: Tomada I. , Tomada N. , Almeida H. , Vendeira P. , Neves D.
Published: August 2009

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is considered equivalent to endothelial dysfunction and thus an early manifestation of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Atherosclerosis that is frequently provoked by regular consumption of high-fat diet (HFD) has been recently recognized as a chronic inflammation condition associated to vessel lipid deposition and vascular smooth cells proliferation that together impair endothelium-dependent relaxation of corpus cavernosum (CC) smooth muscle. It is also well established that HFD regular intake by its own induces endothelial dysfunction. The main objective of this study was to evaluate effects of HFD continuous intake on atherosclerosis progression of CC vessels of the rat. Due to their intervention on atherosclerosisrelated vascular remodelling pathways, angiopoietins (Ang1, Ang2) expression in erectile tissue of this rat experimental model was characterized.
Young WI-38 human fibroblasts apoptosis after to staurosporine exposure: a preliminary assessment
Authors: Leal-Seabra F. , Matos L. , Almeida H.
Published: August 2009

Human fibroblasts cell culture is an important technique for the study of cell biology under various conditions, as exposure to apoptotic stimuli such as UV radiation or hydrogen peroxide administration or chemotherapeutic agent derivatives from staurosporine (STP). STP, isolated from Streptomyces staurospores, is a general inhibitor of protein kinases, and is commonly used to induce apoptosis in a variety of cell in cultures as tumor cell lines, lymphocytes, neurons and osteoblasts. The mechanism by which STP induce cell death is still unkown. Some studies refer that STP induced cell death courses with cytochrome c release, caspase-dependent pathway activation, especially caspase-3, and is inhibited by Bcl-2 overexpression. However cell death still occurs after caspase inhibition by z-VAD-fmk suggesting that caspase independent pathway is also activated.
Ultrastructure of the earthworm calciferous gland. A preliminary study
Authors: Méndez J. , Rodríguez J. B. , Álvarez-Otero R. , Briones M. J. I. , Gago-Duport L.
Published: August 2009

The earthworm species belonging to the Lumbricidae family (Annelida, Oligochaeta) posses a complex oesophageal organ known as “calciferous gland” which secretes a concentrated suspension of calcium carbonate. Previous studies have demonstrated the non-crystalline structure of this calcareous fluid representing an interesting example of biomineralisation.
Copper exposure failed to induce caspase-3 activation in gills of the teleost fish, Oreochromis niloticus
Authors: Calejo M. , Monteiro S. M. , Fontaínhas-Fernandes A. , Sousa M.
Published: August 2009

Copper, an essential trace element, becomes toxic when its concentration exceeds certain natural levels. Recent in vitro studies demonstrated that copper overload of cells may induce apoptosis through caspase-3 activation. However, the precise mechanism of copper-induced apoptosis in fish is still unclear, even less in O. niloticus where no studies have been reported so far. Accordingly, the main aim of this study was to find if copper induces apoptosis in Oreochromis niloticus gill, through the caspase pathway. Additionally, we intended to evaluate the potential use of activated caspase-3 expression as a waterborne copper biomarker.
Leaf trichomes of Portuguese Lavandula species: a comparative morphological study
Authors: Zuzarte M. R. , Dinis A. M. , Canhoto J. , Salgueiro L.
Published: August 2009

Lavandula species are aromatic plants that produce and accumulate essential oils in different types of glandular trichomes. The oils protect the aerial parts of the plant against herbivores and pathogens, and are of great economic value for fragrance, pharmaceutical, food and flavour industries. In Portugal there are five spontaneous species of Lavandula which are included in three different sections: Section Lavandula (L. latifolia), Section Pterostoechas (L. multifida) and Section Stoechas (L. luisieri, L. pedunculata, L. viridis). Our preliminary observations showed that these species have a high diversity of trichomes. This, associated with the fact that trichome morphology is often referred as an useful characteristic for systematic purposes, led us to investigate leaf trichome morphology in the five Portuguese species, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Ultrastructural aspects of a NaCl-adapted potato cell line
Authors: Queirós F. , Almeida D. , Fidalgo F.
Published: August 2009

Salinity is one of the major factors limiting plant development and crop productivity. Damage to plants exposed to salinity has been ascribed to ion toxicity, water deficit, nutrient imbalance and oxidative stress. The physiological and biochemical aspects of salt tolerance in plants have attracted considerable interest, but few studies have been carried out to study the ultrastructural changes in plant cells adapted to salinity. These changes may be helpful in elucidating the mechanisms of salt tolerance at cellular level. In plants exposed to salinity, alterations of cell walls and structure of cellular membranes, the swelling of thylakoids and a decrease in the amount of grana stacking in chloroplasts, and the vacuolation of cells have been observed n1, 21.
Fibre types in the skeletal muscle of blackspot seabream (Pagellus bagaraveo, Brunnich) juveniles: a histochemical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study
Authors: Silva P. , Valente L. M. P. , Malhão F. , Galante M. H. , Monteiro R. A. F. , Rocha E.
Published: August 2009

The aim of this work was to gain insights into the muscle fibre phenotype and ultrastructure in blackspot seabream juveniles, a potential candidate for Portuguese aquaculture. Firstly, we used a panel of isoform-specific antibodies as well as histochemical staining for myosin ATPase and for SDH enzyme activity (a marker for mitochondrial content and oxidative metabolism) to identify myosin expression. Secondly, muscle fibre types were also identified by their fine structure where powerful approaches contributed to understand the muscle fibre phenotype of blackspot seabream juveniles. We observed that the main part of the musculature consisted of fast-white fibres, with a narrow strip of slow-red fibres situated superficially adjacent to the lateral line. A zone of intermediate-pink muscle fibres was inserted between those muscle domains (Fig.1).
Observation of Hierarchical Porous BaTiO3 Derived from Hard Template
Authors: Hou R. Z. , Ferreira P. , Vilarinho P. M.
Published: August 2009

The morphology control at the mesoscale, via the design of size, shape, surface, interface, porosity and patterning of the meso-components, has gained increasing attention in the recent past and is expected to endue materials with novel functions. Most reports on mesoporous materials are on amorphous silica or simple oxides with amorphous or polycrystalline framework. It is still quite challenging to achieve functional multi-metal-oxides possessing highly porous structure. On the other hand, the synthesis and characterization of nano-sized ferroics has recently become important since it was predicted a dependence, for instance of the ferroelectric response, on the size and morphology. Moreover, the combination of different materials at the nanoscale creating multifunctional nanocomposites, where new properties resulting from scale, interface and defect phenomena are expected, is a new field that requires exploitation. Crystal size, surface area, surface curvature, and charges on the surface singnificantly influence the physical properties of ferroics at the nano-scale. Within our studies of the porous ferroelectrics, we have prepared BaTiO3 crystals with nanoporosity inside with a sol-precipitation process involving polymer or surfactant micelles. In this work, we present the microscopic characterization of porous BaTiO3 derived from hard matrix.
Electron-microscopic observation of BaTiO3 prepared by additive assisted aqueous synthesis
Authors: Maxim F. , Ferreira P. , Vilarinho P. M. , Aimable A. , Bowen P.
Published: August 2009

Bulk barium titanate (BaTiO3) has found widespread applications especially in multi-layered ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) and embedded decoupling capacitors (EDC). In the last years, the interest in one-dimensional (1D) nanostructured ferroelectric systems (nanotubes, nanowires, nanorods, nanobelts, nanofibers) is increasing. Recently theoretical studies reported an enhancement of ferroelectricity in 1D systems. Although the hydrothermal and aqueous synthesis of equiaxed barium titanate powders have been thoroughly investigated the growth of barium titanate anisotropic nanoparticles still less known. Indeed it is particularly dificult to modify the crystal habit by hydrothermal and related methods. However it is expected that the presence of some additives during the synthesis will change the growth kinetics.
Nanostructure Analysis of Sol-gel PZT Thin Films Derived from Different Chemical Routes
Authors: Wu Aiying , Vilarinho P. M.
Published: August 2009

Lead zirconate - lead titanate (PZT) materials are commercially important piezoelectric and ferroelectrics in a wide range of applications, such as data storage (dynamic access and ferroelectric random access memories) and sensing and actuating devices. PZT with the morphotropic phase boundary composition offers the highest piezoelectric response and at the present there are no fullydeveloped alternative materials to PZT. The importance of PZT associated with the continuous requirements of device miniaturization, imposes the development of high quality PZT thin films with optimized properties. Concomitantly due to the dependence of the final properties of thin films on the details of the microstructure a thoroughly analysis at the local scale of their microstructure is necessary. Sol-gel method, is one of the Chemical Solution Deposition techniques used to prepare oxide thin films, such as PZT. Starting from a solution, a solid network is progressively formed via inorganic polymerisation reactions. Most metal alkoxides used for sol-gel synthesis are highly reactive towards hydrolysis and condensation. Therefore their chemical reactivity has to be tailored via the chemical modification (or complexation) of metal alkoxides to avoid uncontrolled reactions and precipitation. For PZT sol gel thin film preparation, two chemical routes are frequently used depending on the nature of the molecular precursor, namely methotoxyethanol (MOE) route and diol-route.
Electron microscopy characterization of W-O multilayers
Authors: Parreira N. M. G. , Polcar T. , Pei Y. T. , Galvan D. , De Hosson J. Th. M. , Cavaleiro A.
Published: August 2009

In the decorative field, besides the optical characteristics needed for achieving desired colours, the material should have suitable properties able to assure the daily use of the component without significant degradation. Oxides are well known materials with a high wear and corrosion resistance which make them a preferential choice of coatings for environmental protection. However, the intrinsic colours possible to be achieved in a single oxide system are very limited. For example in W-O system, besides the different tonalities of grey, only the dark blue can be obtained for slightly substochiometric WO3 compound. The pallet of colours exhibited by WO3 coatings is due to interferometric effects. Recently, it was shown that playing with the gradient of the chemical composition of W-O layers it was possible to tune the global colour of the coatings, which made this system an attractive candidate for decorative applications.
Three Dimensional Macroporous Calcium Phosphates Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Teixeira S. , Ferraz M. P. , Monteiro F. J.
Published: August 2009

Bone tissue engineering is a promising area that aims at developing implants capable of repairing and/ or substituting damaged or lost bone tissue. Ceramics are widely used for bone tissue engineering purposes and in this study, hydroxyapatite porous scaffolds were produced using the polymer replication method. With this method, it was possible to obtain scaffolds with specific demands adequate to tissue engineering purposes namely: macroporosity, microporosity and interconnected porosity. Polyurethane sponges were used as templates and impregnated with a ceramic slurry at different ratios being afterwards sintered following a specific thermal cycle. The characteristics of the hydroxyapatite porous scaffolds were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy and micro computer tomography (μ-CT). Human bone marrow cells (HBMC) were isolated and cultured on the scaffolds for 28 days and SEM was used as a tool to assess cell morphology and distribution.
Microscopic study of bacteria-textile material interaction for hygienic purpose
Authors: Malheiro J. M. M. , Salvado L. R. S.
Published: August 2009

Underwear is the most intimate form of dress, and feminine panties are particularly in close contact with genital mucosa, vulvar skin and perineum area. In fact, despite some controversy, the textile material has been pointed out as promoter of vaginal infection, trough changes on the normal skin physiology. The physiology of vulvar skin is very specific in terms of temperature (≈ 34°C), moisture and pH (< 4.7). This region is also colonized by a very specific microflora that is essential either to protect against pathogenic microorganisms, either to maintain healthy conditions of temperature, moisture and pH.
Nanocomposite Ag Thin Films With Interactive Topography
Authors: Piedade A. P. , Nunes J. , Vieira M. T.
Published: August 2009

Synthesis of nanostructures has triggered continuous interest in the nanoscience field due to their potential application such as catalysis and biomaterials. Among these systems the possibility of producing nano- microporous surfaces with various controlled structures and pore sizes has increased the interest in the field owing to a better control over the particle's size and location.
Using SEM techniques for failure analysis of critical aeroengine components
Authors: Silva J. M. , Infante V. , Brito A. S.
Published: August 2009

Aeroengine components operate under particularly severe conditions, including the combination of both high mechanical stresses and elevated temperatures in chemically aggressive environments. These normal operational requirements will eventually promote both cyclic and time dependent failure mechanisms related with creep-fatigue damages. Therefore, the use of adequate preventive inspection techniques is mandatory in order to maximize safety and reliability levels of these components during service. However, there are some occasional and unpredictable material failures which must be conveniently investigated in order to avoid future hazardous situations. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) can play a major role in the context of evaluation of failed components, allowing the observation of fracture surfaces and other material's features which are essential to the identification of some particular failure mechanisms.
Intermixing in Ni/Al multilayer thin films
Authors: Simões S. , Viana F. , Ramos A. S. , Vieira M. T. , Vieira M. F.
Published: August 2009

Self-propagating exothermic reactions are known to occur in multilayer films with alternating layers of a transition metal and a light element. The high velocity of these reactions, associated with high heat release rate, convert these systems in a unique heat source. The possibility of tailoring such a heat source to meet the needs of a particular process is very attractive to applications such as brazing or solid-state diffusion bonding. The solid state reactions occurring in Ni and Al multilayer thin films, produced by d.c. magnetron sputtering with bilayer thickness (period) of 5, 14 and 30 nm, were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). DSC results demonstrated that reaction temperature and heat released increase with the period of Ni/Al multilayer thin films.
Cells spreading on Micro-fabricated Silica Thin film Coatings
Authors: Pelaez-Vargas A. , Ferrell N. , Fernandes M. H. , Hansford D. , Monteiro F. J.
Published: August 2009

From a biomaterials perspective, it is now understood that success in the osseointegration of a dental implant is conditioned by its “macro”, “micro” and “nano” scale features. Macro-scale roughness is necessary to improve primary stabilization in the post-surgical phase inducing a peri-implant thin fibrous layer. However, the more complex process in the true cell-material interaction is dependent on micro and nano scale phenomena. There is clear evidence that cell adhesion, proliferation, organization and phenotype are modulated at the micro-scale and that protein absorption is fundamentally a process conditioned at nano-scale.
Ferroelectric Domain Structure of PZT Tetragonal Single Crystals Analysed by Scanning Probe Microscopy
Authors: Pérez J. A. , Bdikin I. K. , Senos A. M. R. , Mantas P. Q. , Kholkin A. L.
Published: August 2009

From the application point of view, the most interesting compositions in the lead zirconate titanate solid solutions, PbZrxTi1-xO3 (PZT), are those near the centre of the phase diagram, where tetragonal and rhombohedral phases are separated by a boundary nearly independent on temperature. The composition of this so-called morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) is approximately 52/48 at room temperature. The piezoelectric coefficients, electromechanical coupling coefficients, dielectric permittivity and remnant polarization measured on ceramic samples reach a maximum in this region, not necessarily at the same composition, which explains why these compositions are technologically so interesting.
Influence of the (citric acid/calcium) ratio on Hap particles synthesis
Authors: Santos C. , Martins M. , Almeida M. M. , Costa M. E. V.
Published: August 2009

Calcium phosphate (CaP) particles aimed at specific applications including dental defect filling, bone tissue engineering and drug delivery may be engineered by different methods based on solution chemical precipitation. The understanding of CaP particle morphology evolution during precipitation is of great scientific interest not only from a fundamental point of view but also because morphology directly or indirectly determines the applicability of the particle. Citrate ion, widely known as a minor bone component, plays an important role as crystal habit modifier and crystal growth inhibitor. However the prediction of CaP growth morphologies in presence of citrate ion is still a challenging issue because the mechanism of citrate and CaP interactions is not yet clearly understood.
Integrating peatlands and permafrost into a dynamic global vegetation model: 1. Evaluation and sensitivity of physical land surface processes
Authors: Wania R. , Ross I. , Prentice I. C.
Published: August 2009

Northern peatlands and permafrost soils are associated with large carbon stocks. Rising temperatures are likely to affect the carbon balance in high‐latitude ecosystems, but to what degree is uncertain. We have enhanced the Lund‐Potsdam‐Jena (LPJ) dynamic global vegetation model by introducing processes necessary to simulate permafrost dynamics, peatland hydrology, and peatland vegetation. The new version, LPJ‐WHy v1.2, was used to study soil temperature, active layer depth, permafrost distribution, and water table position. Modeled soil temperatures agreed well with observations, apart from a Siberian site where the soil is insulated by an extensive shrub layer. Water table positions were generally in the range of observations, with some exceptions. Simulated active layer depth showed a mean absolute error of 44 cm when compared to observations, but the error was reduced to 25 cm when the soil type for seven sites was manually corrected to mirror local conditions. A sensitivity test, in which temperature and precipitation were varied independently, showed that soil temperatures and active layer depths increased more under higher temperatures when precipitation was increased at the same time. The sensitivity experiment suggested persisting wet conditions in peatlands even under temperature increases of up to 9°C as long as annual precipitation is allowed to increase with temperature to the extent indicated by climate model experiments.
Atmospheric inverse estimates of methane emissions from Central California
Authors: Zhao Chuanfeng , Andrews Arlyn E. , Bianco Laura , Eluszkiewicz Janusz , Hirsch Adam , MacDonald Clinton , Nehrkorn Thomas , Fischer Marc L.
Published: August 2009

Methane mixing ratios measured at a tall tower are compared to model predictions to estimate surface emissions of CH4 in Central California for October–December 2007 using an inverse technique. Predicted CH4 mixing ratios are calculated based on spatially resolved a priori CH4 emissions and simulated atmospheric trajectories. The atmospheric trajectories, along with surface footprints, are computed using the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) coupled to the Stochastic Time‐Inverted Lagrangian Transport (STILT) model. An uncertainty analysis is performed to provide quantitative uncertainties in estimated CH4 emissions. Three inverse model estimates of CH4 emissions are reported. First, linear regressions of modeled and measured CH4 mixing ratios obtain slopes of 0.73 ± 0.11 and 1.09 ± 0.14 using California‐specific and Edgar 3.2 emission maps, respectively, suggesting that actual CH4 emissions were about 37 ± 21% higher than California‐specific inventory estimates. Second, a Bayesian “source” analysis suggests that livestock emissions are 63 ± 22% higher than the a priori estimates. Third, a Bayesian “region” analysis is carried out for CH4 emissions from 13 subregions, which shows that inventory CH4 emissions from the Central Valley are underestimated and uncertainties in CH4 emissions are reduced for subregions near the tower site, yielding best estimates of flux from those regions consistent with “source” analysis results. The uncertainty reductions for regions near the tower indicate that a regional network of measurements will be necessary to provide accurate estimates of surface CH4 emissions for multiple regions.