bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatio-Temporal Modelling of Dust Transport over Surface Mining Areas and Neighbouring Residential Zones
Authors: Matejicek Lubos , Janour Zbynek , Benes Ludek , Bodnar Tomas , Gulikova Eva
Published: June 2008

Projects focusing on spatio-temporal modelling of the living environment need to manage a wide range of terrain measurements, existing spatial data, time series, results of spatial analysis and inputs/outputs from numerical simulations. Thus, GISs are often used to manage data from remote sensors, to provide advanced spatial analysis and to integrate numerical models. In order to demonstrate the integration of spatial data, time series and methods in the framework of the GIS, we present a case study focused on the modelling of dust transport over a surface coal mining area, exploring spatial data from 3D laser scanners, GPS measurements, aerial images, time series of meteorological observations, inputs/outputs form numerical models and existing geographic resources. To achieve this, digital terrain models, layers including GPS thematic mapping, and scenes with simulation of wind flows are created to visualize and interpret coal dust transport over the mine area and a neighbouring residential zone. A temporary coal storage and sorting site, located near the residential zone, is one of the dominant sources of emissions. Using numerical simulations, the possible effects of wind flows are observed over the surface, modified by natural objects and man-made obstacles. The coal dust drifts with the wind in the direction of the residential zone and is partially deposited in this area. The simultaneous display of the digital map layers together with the location of the dominant emission source, wind flows and protected areas enables a risk assessment of the dust deposition in the area of interest to be performed. In order to obtain a more accurate simulation of wind flows over the temporary storage and sorting site, 3D laser scanning and GPS thematic mapping are used to create a more detailed digital terrain model. Thus, visualization of wind flows over the area of interest combined with 3D map layers enables the exploration of the processes of coal dust deposition at a local scale. In general, this project could be used as a template for dust-transport modelling which couples spatial data focused on the construction of digital terrain models and thematic mapping with data generated by numerical simulations based on Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations.
Computational Modeling of the Electrochemical System of Lipase Activity Detection
Authors: Puida Mantas , Ivanauskas Feliksas , Ignatjev Ilja , Valinčius Gintaras , Razumas Valdemaras
Published: June 2008

This paper presents computational modeling of response kinetics of bioelectroanalytical system based on solid supported lipase substrate and lipase interaction. The model assumes that lipase substrate is formed by dripping and drying a small amount of the ethanol solution of 9-(5’-ferrocenylpentanoyloxy)nonyl disulfide (FPONDS) and that lipase is capable of cleaving FPONDS ester bonds via hydrolysis mechanism. Two mathematical models have been developed and evaluated trough computational simulation series by comparing them to experimental data. The results of simulation demonstrate that a good fitting might be obtained only taking into account non-linear substrate wash off process.
Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Forest Fire Risk and Danger Using LANDSAT Imagery
Authors: Saglam Bülent , Bilgili Ertugrul , Dincdurmaz Bahar , Kadiogulari Ali Ihsan , Kücük Ömer
Published: June 2008

Computing fire danger and fire risk on a spatio-temporal scale is of crucial importance in fire management planning, and in the simulation of fire growth and development across a landscape. However, due to the complex nature of forests, fire risk and danger potential maps are considered one of the most difficult thematic layers to build up. Remote sensing and digital terrain data have been introduced for efficient discrete classification of fire risk and fire danger potential. In this study, two time-series data of Landsat imagery were used for determining spatio-temporal change of fire risk and danger potential in Korudag forest planning unit in northwestern Turkey. The method comprised the following two steps: (1) creation of indices of the factors influencing fire risk and danger; (2) evaluation of spatio-temporal changes in fire risk and danger of given areas using remote sensing as a quick and inexpensive means and determining the pace of forest cover change. Fire risk and danger potential indices were based on species composition, stand crown closure, stand development stage, insolation, slope and, proximity of agricultural lands to forest and distance from settlement areas. Using the indices generated, fire risk and danger maps were produced for the years 1987 and 2000. Spatio-temporal analyses were then realized based on the maps produced. Results obtained from the study showed that the use of Landsat imagery provided a valuable characterization and mapping of vegetation structure and type with overall classification accuracy higher than 83%.
Chemical Characterization of Dew Water Collected in Different Geographic Regions of Poland
Authors: Polkowska Żaneta , Błaś Marek , Klimaszewska Kamila , Sobik Mieczysław , Małek Stanisław , Namieśnik Jacek
Published: June 2008

The results of a dew monitoring program performed in Poland with the aim to outline the chemical composition of dew water in meteorological context are presented. Dew samples were collected from eight measurement stations from August 2004 to November 2006. Taking into account the type of land use and characteristics of pollutant emission, sampling sites were divided into the following categories: rural, coastal urban and inland urban stations. Selected anions and cations as well as formaldehyde and sum of phenols were determined. The average TIC (Total Inorganic Ionic Content) values in dew samples ranged from 0.83 to 3.93 between individual stations with 10.9 meq/L as the highest daily value of TIC measured. The average TIC values observed in dew at all stations were at a similar level (2.46 meq/L) when compared with hoarfrost (2.86 meq/L). However, these values were much higher in comparison with other kinds of atmospheric water like precipitation (wet only; 0.37 meq/L) or fog/cloud (1.01 meq/L). The pH values of dew water ranged from 5.22 to 7.35 for urban coastal stations, from 5.67 to 8.02 for urban inland stations and from 4.16 to 8.76 for dew samples collected in the rural area. HCHO was found in 97 % of dew samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.010 to 5.40 meq/L. Excluding stations near the seashore, where the contribution of Na+ and Cl- increased, the most important ions were sulphates. A very low contribution of NO3- and noticeable increase of Ca2+ which were not observed in the case of precipitation and fog water, were typical in all stations. The contribution of ammonium ion was two times higher at rural stations as a result of agricultural ammonia emissions. The strongest correlations were noticed between the sum of acidifying anions SO42- + NO3- and Ca2+ ion for all urban and rural stations. A very strong correlation was also observed for Na+ and Cl- ions in urban coastal stations, as a natural consequence of the location of these stations close to the sea. It was proved that thermal stratification, direction of circulation and local breeze circulation control the atmospheric chemistry at ground level, where dew is formed. The highest TIC values at urban stations were associated with anticyclonic weather, while at rural sites with cyclonic weather situations. The chemistry of dew water in urban coastal stations was closely related to local breeze circulation in the warm season, mainly in the form of diurnal breeze causing a significant increase of the concentration of Na+ and Cl-ions. Thus, dew can be a good indicator of the atmospheric pollution level at a given site. Taking into account both high TIC values and the annual water equivalent estimated at around 50 mm, dew is a considerable factor of wet deposition, responsible for an additional 60 % of pollutant input into the ground when compared with precipitation.
Construction of probability distributions in high dimension using the maximum entropy principle: Applications to stochastic processes, random fields and random matrices
Authors: Soize Christian
Published: July 2008

The construction of probabilistic models in computational mechanics requires the effective construction of probability distributions of random variables in high dimension. This paper deals with the effective construction of the probability distribution in high dimension of a vector‐valued random variable using the maximum entropy principle. The integrals in high dimension are then calculated in constructing the stationary solution of an Itô stochastic differential equation associated with its invariant measure. A random generator of independent realizations is explicitly constructed in this paper. Three fundamental applications are presented. The first one is a new formulation of the stochastic inverse problem related to the construction of the probability distribution in high dimension of an unknown non‐stationary random time series (random accelerograms) for which the velocity response spectrum is given. The second one is also a new formulation related to the construction of the probability distribution of positive‐definite band random matrices. Finally, we present an extension of the theory when the support of the probability distribution is not all the space but is any part of the space. The third application is then a new formulation related to the construction of the probability distribution of the Karhunen–Loeve expansion of non‐Gaussian positive‐valued random fields. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implicit boundary method for analysis using uniform B‐spline basis and structured grid
Authors: Burla Ravi K. , Kumar Ashok V.
Published: July 2008

Several analysis techniques such as extended finite element method (X‐FEM) have been developed recently, which use structured grid for the analysis. Implicit boundary method uses implicit equations of the boundary to apply boundary conditions in X‐FEM framework using structured grids. Solution structures for test and trial functions are constructed using implicit equations such that the boundary conditions are satisfied even if there are no nodes on the boundary. In this paper, this method is applied for analysis using uniform B‐spline basis defined over a structured grid. Solution structures that are C1 or C2 continuous throughout the analysis domain can be constructed using B‐spline basis functions. As a structured grid does not conform to the geometry of the analysis domain, the boundaries of the analysis domain are defined independently using equations of the boundary curves/surfaces. Compared with conforming mesh, it is easier to generate structured grids that overlap the geometry and the elements in the grid are regular shaped and undistorted. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the performance of these B‐spline elements. The results are compared with analytical solutions as well as with traditional finite element solutions. Convergence studies for several examples show that B‐spline elements provide accurate solutions with fewer elements and nodes compared with traditional FEM. They also provide continuous stress and strain in the analysis domain, thus eliminating the need for smoothing stress/strain results. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
FE/FMBE coupling to model fluid–structure interaction
Authors: Schneider S.
Published: July 2008

In this paper, a finite element (FE)/fast multipole boundary element (FMBE)‐coupling method is presented for modeling fluid–structure interaction problems numerically. Vibrating structures are assumed to consist of elastic or sound absorbing materials. An FE method (FEM) is used for this part of the solution. This structural sub‐domain is embedded in a homogeneous fluid. The case where the boundary of the structural sub‐domain has a very complex geometry is of special interest. In this case, the BE method (BEM) is a more suitable numerical tool than FEM to account for the sound propagation in the homogeneous fluid. The efficiency of the BEM is increased by using FMBEM. The BE‐surface mesh required is directly generated by the FE‐mesh used to discretize the structural sub‐domain and the absorbing material. This FE/FMBE‐coupling method makes it possible to predict the effects of arbitrarily shaped absorbing materials and vibrating structures on the sound field in the surrounding fluid numerically. The coupling method proposed is used to study the acoustic behavior of the lining of an anechoic chamber and that of an entire anechoic chamber in the low‐frequency range. The numerical results obtained are compared with the experimental data. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self-Reported Symptoms of Cold Intolerance in Workers with Injuries of the Hand
Authors: Graham Brent , Schofield Michel
Published: July 2008

Cold intolerance is a well-recognized complication of crushing injuries and amputations in the hand. These symptoms are usually thought to resolve within 2 years of injury. The objectives of our study were to determine the prevalence and course over time of self-reported symptoms of cold intolerance in workers with hand injuries. Files from a large worker's compensation carrier were randomly selected from index years 2, 4, 6, and 10 after a claim was made. Cohorts comprising cases with diagnostic codes corresponding to traumatic hand injuries and codes referring to non-trauma diagnoses in the hand were assembled for each of the years under consideration. A questionnaire was mailed to a total of 7,088 asking questions related to the symptom of cold intolerance. Twenty-five percent of the surveys were returned. Over 90% of trauma patients from all 4 years reported symptoms of cold intolerance. The rate of cold intolerance in the non-trauma group was between 59% and 69%. Individuals reporting cold intolerance indicated worsening over time in 50% of cases and improvement in only 9%. The severity of injury did not appear to be a factor in the development of cold intolerance. Symptoms of cold intolerance are highly prevalent in workers with significant hand injuries. Workers with non-trauma hand conditions also report a substantial prevalence of this symptom. The development of cold intolerance is not related to injury severity. The symptoms remain either static or deteriorate slightly over time. Improvement is experienced by less than 10% of patients.
Atypical Triggering at the Wrist Due to Intratendinous Infiltration of Tophaceous Gout
Authors: Sano Kazufumi , Kohakura Yoshitake , Kimura Kazumasa , Ozeki Satoru
Published: July 2008

This is a report of a 41-year-old male with triggering of the long finger flexor digitorum superficialis tendon at the wrist secondary to tophaceous gout. The tophus was severely infiltrating the tendon, and a tenotomy of the FDS tendon was performed. Preoperatively, the lesion could not be distinguished from a neoplasm.
Sulfur Nanoparticles Synthesis and Characterization from H2S Gas, Using Novel Biodegradable Iron Chelates in W/O Microemulsion
Authors: Deshpande Aniruddha S , Khomane Ramdas B , Vaidya Bhalchandra K , Joshi Renuka M , Harle Arti S , Kulkarni Bhaskar D
Published: July 2008

Sulfur nanoparticles were synthesized from hazardous H2S gas using novel biodegradable iron chelates in w/o microemulsion system. Fe3+–malic acid chelate (0.05 M aqueous solution) was studied in w/o microemulsion containing cyclohexane, Triton X-100 andn-hexanol as oil phase, surfactant, co-surfactant, respectively, for catalytic oxidation of H2S gas at ambient conditions of temperature, pressure, and neutral pH. The structural features of sulfur nanoparticles have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), diffused reflectance infra-red Fourier transform technique, and BET surface area measurements. XRD analysis indicates the presence of α-sulfur. TEM analysis shows that the morphology of sulfur nanoparticles synthesized in w/o microemulsion system is nearly uniform in size (average particle size 10 nm) and narrow particle size distribution (in range of 5–15 nm) as compared to that in aqueous surfactant systems. The EDS analysis indicated high purity of sulfur (>99%). Moreover, sulfur nanoparticles synthesized in w/o microemulsion system exhibit higher antimicrobial activity (against bacteria, yeast, and fungi) than that of colloidal sulfur.
Scanned Probe Oxidation onp-GaAs(100) Surface with an Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Jian Sheng-Rui , Juang Jenh-Yih
Published: July 2008

Locally anodic oxidation has been performed to fabricate the nanoscale oxide structures onp-GaAs(100) surface, by using an atomic force microscopy (AFM) with the conventional and carbon nanotube (CNT)-attached probes. The results can be utilized to fabricate the oxide nanodots under ambient conditions in noncontact mode. To investigate the conversion of GaAs to oxides, micro-Auger analysis was employed to analyze the chemical compositions. The growth kinetics and the associated mechanism of the oxide nanodots were studied under DC voltages. With the CNT-attached probe the initial growth rate of oxide nanodots is in the order of ~300 nm/s, which is ~15 times larger than that obtained by using the conventional one. The oxide nanodots cease to grow practically as the electric field strength is reduced to the threshold value of ~2 × 107 V cm−1. In addition, results indicate that the height of oxide nanodots is significantly enhanced with an AC voltage for both types of probes. The influence of the AC voltages on controlling the dynamics of the AFM-induced nanooxidation is discussed.
Characteristics of High α‐Linolenic Acid Accumulation in Seed Oils
Authors: Rao Suryadevara , Abdel‐Reheem Mohammed , Bhella Resham , McCracken Charles , Hildebrand David
Published: July 2008

Modern diets are often deficient in ω‐3 fatty acids and additional dietary sources of ω‐3 fatty acids are useful. In order to investigate the molecular basis of the high accumulation of the ω‐3 fatty acid, α‐linolenic acid (18:3), in three different plants, flax (Linum usitatissimum), Dracocephalum moldavica, and Perilla frutescens ω‐3 desaturase activity, transcript levels, and 18:3 in‐vivo synthesis were examined. The 18:3 content was found to be higher at the later developmental stage of D. moldavica (68%) compared with P. frutescens (59%) and flax (45%) cotyledons. The 18:3 and 18:2 contents in both PC and TAG were determined during various stages of seed development for all three plants in addition to soybean (Glycine max). Northern blot analysis data of three different stages of D. moldavica, flax, and P. frutescens compared with moderately low 18:3 producers, soybean (Glycine max), and Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica napus, (8–10% 18:3) at a stage of zygotic embryo development of high triglyceride synthesis showed that ω‐3 desaturase mRNA levels were higher in all three high 18:3 producers, flax, D. moldavica and P. frutescens. This indicates that the high level of α‐linolenic acid in TAG may be largely controlled by the level of ω‐3 desaturase gene expression. However, the PC versus TAG fatty acid composition data suggested that along with ω‐3 desaturase other enzymes also play a role in 18:3 accumulation in TAG, and the high accumulators have a selective transfer of α‐linolenic acid into TAG.
Thehobo-related elements in themelanogasterspecies group
Authors: DE FREITAS ORTIZ MAURO , SILVA LORETO ELGION LUCIO
Published: July 2008

Thehobo-related sequences (hRSs) were considered as degenerate and inactive elements until recently, when one mobilizable copy was described. Using this sequence as the initial seed to search for homologous sequences in 12 availableDrosophilagenomes, in addition to searching for these sequences by PCR and Southern blot in nine other species, we found homologous sequences in every species of theDrosophila melanogasterspecies subgroup. Some evidence suggests that these non-autonomous sequences were kept mobilizable for at least 0·4 million years. Also, some very short sequences with miniature inverted-repeat transposable element (MITE) characteristics were found among thesehRSs. ThesehRSs and their ‘MITE-like’ counterparts could provide a good example of the steps proposed in models that describe the MITEs origin.
Spontaneous mutations in diploidSaccharomyces cerevisiae: another thousand cell generations
Authors: HALL DAVID W. , MAHMOUDIZAD ROD , HURD ANDREW W. , JOSEPH SARAH B.
Published: July 2008

Previously we performed a 1012-generation mutation accumulation (MA) study in yeast and found that a surprisingly large proportion of fitness-altering mutations were beneficial. To verify this result and assess the impact of sampling error in our previous study, we have continued the MA experiment for an additional 1050 cell generations and re-estimated mutation parameters. After correcting for biases due to selection, we estimate that 13% of the mutations accumulated during this study are beneficial. We conclude that the high proportions of beneficial mutations observed in this and our previous study cannot be explained by sampling error. We also estimate the genome-wide mutation rate to be 13·7×10−5mutations per haploid genome per cell generation and the absolute value of the average heterozygous effect of a mutation to be 7·3%.
Does RNA interference influence meiotic crossing over inDrosophila melanogaster?
Authors: CROSS ERIC W. , SIMMONS MICHAEL J.
Published: July 2008

Mutations in the RNA interference (RNAi) genesaubergine(aub),homelessandpiwiwere tested for effects on the frequency, distribution and coincidence of meiotic crossovers in the long arm of the X chromosome. Some increases in crossover frequency were seen in these tests, but they may have been due to a maternal effect of the balancer chromosomes that were used to maintain the RNAi mutations in stocks rather than to the RNAi mutations themselves. These same balancers produced strong zygotic interchromosomal effects when tested separately. Mutations inaubandpiwidid not affect the frequency of crossing over in the centric heterochromatin of chromosome II; nor did a balancer chromosome III.
Intestinal helminths in a population of children from the Kashmir valley, India
Authors: Wani S.A. , Ahmad F. , Zargar S.A. , Dar P.A. , Dar Z.A. , Jan T.R.
Published: July 2008

In any geographical area, surveys of the prevalence of intestinal helminths are necessary to suggest appropriate control measures. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminth infections in children of the Kashmir valley and to identify the risk factors. Stool samples were collected from 2256 children from rural as well as urban areas of the Kashmir valley. The samples were examined by simple smear and zinc sulphate concentration methods. Intensity of the infection was quantified by Stoll's egg-counting technique. Infection by at least one intestinal helminth was found in 71.18% of the sampled population. The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was highest (68.30%), followed by Trichuris trichiura (27.92%), Enterobius vermicularis (12.67%) and Taenia saginata (4.60%). Light (57.1%) to moderate (42.8%) intensity of infection was observed for A. lumbricoides, while the majority of the infected children (92.3%) harboured a light intensity of infection for T. trichiura. The age group, rural or urban residence, type of water source, boiled or unboiled water, type of defecation site, level of personal hygiene and maternal education were associated with helminth infection. Adequate control measures are urgently needed to combat the high prevalence of intestinal helminths and risk factors in the children of Kashmir valley.
The genus Fuscidea ( Fuscideaceae, lichenized Ascomycota) in North America
Authors: FRYDAY Alan M.
Published: July 2008

The species of the genus Fuscidea occurring in North America are revised. Two new species, Fuscidea appalachensis Fryday and F. texana Fryday, are described from eastern North America and southern Texas, respectively. Three new combinations are also made in Fuscidea: Lecidea aleutica Degel. is shown to be a distinct species and not a synonym of Fuscidea lowensis (H. Magn.) R. Anderson & Hertel as previously suggested and is here recognized as F. aleutica (Degel.) Fryday; non-sorediate, apotheciate specimens from eastern North America previously referred to F. recensa (Stirt.) Hertel, V. Wirth & Vězda are recognized as Fuscidea recensa var. arcuatula (Arnold) Fryday; and Fuscidea scrupulosa (Eckf.) Fryday is shown to be the correct name for Fuscidea subreagens (H. Magn.) Oberholl. & V. Wirth. Fuscidea subfilamentosa (Zahlbr.) Brako is shown to be a member of the Lecidea hypnorum group and the new combination Lecidea subfilamentosa (Zahlbr.) Fryday is made, and Lecidea gyrodes H. Magn., described from Tennessee, is shown to be a synonym of F. recensa var. arcuatula. Fuscidea cyathoides (Ach.) V. Wirth & Vězda, F. kochiana (Hepp) V. Wirth & Vězda and F. lightfootii (Sm.) Coppins & P. James are considered not to have been correctly reported from North America.
Studies on Phyllopsora ( Ramalinaceae) in Peru
Authors: TIMDAL Einar
Published: July 2008

Twenty species of Phyllopsora are recognized in Peru, 8 of which are described as new: P. atrocarpa, P. brakoae, P. glaucescens, P. labriformis, P. lacerata, P. lividocarpa, P. nigrocincta, and P. soralifera. Four new combinations are proposed: Phyllopsora cinchonarum (Fée) Timdal, P. glaucella (Vain.) Timdal, P. leucophyllina (Nyl.) Timdal, and for an extra-Peruvian species, P. sorediata (Aptroot & Sparrius) Timdal. The genera Squamacidia and Triclinum are synonymized with Phyllopsora and sorediate species are included in the genus for the first time. Phyllopsora chodatinica, P. swinscowii, and the acid deficient chemotype of P. furfuracea are new to the neotropics and P. cuyabensis, P. glaucella and P. leucophyllina are new to Peru. A key to the Peruvian species is provided.
Nutrient availability at different altitudes in a tropical montane forest in Ecuador
Authors: Soethe Nathalie , Lehmann Johannes , Engels Christof
Published: July 2008

We measured macronutrient concentrations in soils and leaves of trees, shrubs and herbs at 1900, 2400 and 3000 m in an Ecuadorian tropical montane forest. Foliar N, P, S and K concentrations in trees were highest at 1900 m (21.7, 2.2, 1.9 and 10.0 mg g−1). At 2400 and 3000 m, foliar concentrations of N, P, S and K were similar to nutrient concentrations in tropical trees with apparent nutrient deficiency, as presented in literature. Unlike foliar nutrient concentrations, the amounts of plant-available nutrients in mineral soil were not affected by altitude or increased significantly with increasing altitude. High C:N ratios (25:1 at 2400 m and 34:1 at 3000 m) and C:P ratios (605:1 at 2400 m and 620:1 at 3000 m) in the soil organic layer suggested slow mineralization of plant litter and thus, a low availability of N and P at high altitudes. Foliar N:P ratios were significantly higher at 2400 m (11.3:1) than at 3000 m (8.3:1), indicating that at high altitudes, N supply was more critical than P supply. In conclusion, the access of plants to several nutrients, most likely N, P, S and K, decreased markedly with increasing altitude in this tropical montane forest.
Above-ground biomass and productivity in a rain forest of eastern South America
Authors: Chave Jérôme , Olivier Jean , Bongers Frans , Châtelet Patrick , Forget Pierre-Michel , van der Meer Peter , Norden Natalia , Riéra Bernard , Charles-Dominique Pierre
Published: July 2008

The dynamics of tropical forest woody plants was studied at the Nouragues Field Station, central French Guiana. Stem density, basal area, above-ground biomass and above-ground net primary productivity, including the contribution of litterfall, were estimated from two large permanent census plots of 12 and 10 ha, established on contrasting soil types, and censused twice, first in 1992–1994, then again in 2000–2002. Mean stem density was 512 stems ha−1 and basal area, 30 m2 ha−1. Stem mortality rate ranged between 1.51% and 2.06% y−1. In both plots, stem density decreased over the study period. Using a correlation between wood density and wood hardness directly measured by a Pilodyn wood tester, we found that the mean wood density was 0.63 g cm−3, 12% smaller than the mean of wood density estimated from the literature values for the species occurring in our plot. Above-ground biomass ranged from 356 to 398 Mg ha−1 (oven-dry mass), and it increased over the census period. Leaf biomass was 6.47 Mg ha−1. Our total estimate of aboveground net primary productivity was 8.81 MgC ha−1 y−1 (in carbon units), not accounting for loss to herbivory, branchfalls, or biogenic volatile organic compounds, which may altogether account for an additional 1 MgC ha−1 y−1. Coarse wood productivity (stem growth plus recruitment) contributed to 4.16 MgC ha−1 y−1. Litterfall contributed to 4.65 MgC ha−1 y−1 with 3.16 MgC ha−1 y−1 due to leaves, 1.10 MgC ha−1 y−1 to twigs, and 0.39 MgC ha−1 y−1 to fruits and flowers. The increase in above-ground biomass for both trees and lianas is consistent with the hypothesis of a shift in the functioning of Amazonian rain forests driven by environmental changes, although alternative hypotheses such as a recovery from past disturbances cannot be ruled out at our site, as suggested by the observed decrease in stem density.
Growth of Bauhinia thonningii trees and saplings over a decade in a savanna in Zambia: interactions of climate, fire and source of regeneration
Authors: Chidumayo Emmanuel Ngulube
Published: July 2008

The present study investigated how climate and plant size affect the growth of Bauhinia thonningii and how fire and source of regeneration (grown from coppice versus seedlings) might modify the results. The study was conducted over a period of 10 y, from 1997 to 2007, at a savanna site in central Zambia. Trees were marked and monitored throughout the entire period; they showed a phase of declining growth (1998–2003) and a phase of low growth (2004–2007). During the phase of declining growth autocorrelation was high but either weakened or disappeared during the phase of low growth. After adjusting data for autocorrelation, climate factors and tree size accounted for between 14% and 35% of the variation in annual tree radial growth. However, the growth responses of trees to climate factors and tree size varied with the source of regeneration (i.e. coppice or seedling) and fire treatment. Trees of seedling origin were only affected by climate factors and tree size when exposed to annual burning whereas all trees of coppice origin were significantly affected by climate factors and tree size, regardless of the fire treatment. However, basal radial growth of saplings that were monitored for 4 y (2003–2007) was significantly influenced by maximum temperature and rainfall that accounted for 33–47% of the variance in annual radial growth under fire protection. Saplings recovered from shoot die-back during the cool dry season by resprouting in the hot dry season and this annual die-back slowed the height growth of B. thonningii saplings.
Annual flooding, survival and recruitment in a rodent population from the Niger River plain in Mali
Authors: Crespin Laurent , Papillon Yves , Abdoulaye Doukary , Granjon Laurent , Sicard Bruno
Published: July 2008

Multimammate rats of the genusMastomysare among the most widespread pest species in Africa. Previous studies ofMastomyspopulation dynamics have generally reported variation in abundance but few have investigated the demographic parameters underlying this variation, and in particular recruitment. Capture-mark-recapture data were collected forMastomys erythroleucusseveral times a year from 2000 to 2004 at a site annually flooded by the Niger River in Mali. Closed-population models were used to estimate population abundance. Both seniority (a parameter inversely linked to recruitment) and survival probabilities were estimated by capture-mark-recapture models. The impacts of water level, population abundance and cumulative rainfall were assessed for each demographic parameter. Survival probabilities (local survival) were negatively correlated with water level, suggesting that rodents emigrated out of the study zone during flooding. As for seniority probabilities, 86% of temporal variation was explained by a model with season, abundance, water level and the interaction between abundance and water level. This suggests that density-dependence in recruitment was mediated by intraspecific competition for food or refuge from floodwaters, or by predation. The flood of the Niger River greatly impactsMastomys erythroleucuspopulation dynamics, affecting both survival and seniority probabilities.
Effects of land-use/land-cover changes on land crab,Cardisoma guanhumi, abundance in Puerto Rico
Authors: Govender Yogani , Sabat Alberto M. , Cuevas Elvira
Published: July 2008

The land crabCardisoma guanhumipopulations have been on the decline in Puerto Rico for the last three decades. While some studies suggest overexploitation and pesticides as causing the observed population declines, the effect of land-use/land-cover (LULC) changes have not been investigated. In this study we compared the abundance and size ofCardisoma guanhumiin five different LULC types (mangroves, grasslands, forest, urban and industrial), and investigated the relationship between differences in physical microhabitat conditions among the LULC types with crab abundance and size. Although no significant differences in size were found among the different LULC types, crabs were significantly less abundant in grassland sites. Surface soil temperature, depth to groundwater and air temperature were found to vary significantly among the LULC types. Of these, only surface soil temperatures had a significant negative relationship with crab abundance. It appears that high variation in soil temperature and a high groundwater table observed in the grasslands is most detrimental to crabs. Interestingly, during the time when land crab populations declined there was corresponding change of LULC from agriculture to grasslands.Cardisoma guanhumiis resilient to changes in LULC, however, changes that alter their access to groundwater and escape from high soil temperature reduce their habitat.
Variation in soil biological characteristics on an elevational gradient in the montane forest of north-west Argentina
Authors: Abril Adriana B. , Bucher Enrique H.
Published: July 2008

Montane tropical and subtropical rain forests are complex ecosystems, characterized by marked rainfall and temperature gradients with altitude, which in turn control the vegetation altitudinal zones (Hueck 1978). Montane forests are often referred to as cloud forests in recognition of the important influence of a dense and frequent cloud cover that conditions forest structure and functioning (Bautista-Cruz & del Castillo 2005, Holder 2004).
Ant community structure along an extended rain forest–savanna gradient in tropical Australia
Authors: van Ingen Laura T. , Campos Ricardo I. , Andersen Alan N.
Published: July 2008

In mixed tropical landscapes, savanna and rain-forest vegetation often support contrasting biotas, and this is the case for ant communities in tropical Australia. Such a contrast is especially pronounced in monsoonal north-western Australia, where boundaries between rain forest and savanna are often extremely abrupt. However, in the humid tropics of north-eastern Queensland there is often an extended gradient between rain forest and savanna through eucalypt-dominated tall open forest. It is not known if ant community structure varies continuously along this gradient, or, if there is a major disjunction, where it occurs. We address this issue by sampling ants at ten sites distributed along a 6-km environmental gradient from rain forest to savanna, encompassing the crest and slopes of Mt. Lewis in North Queensland. Sampling was conducted using ground and baited arboreal pitfall traps, and yielded a total of 95 ant species. Mean trap species richness was identical in rain forest and rain-forest regrowth, somewhat higher in tall open forest, and twice as high again in savanna woodland. The great majority (78%) of the 58 species from savanna woodland were recorded only in this habitat type. MDS ordination of sites based on ant species composition showed a continuum from rain forest through rain-forest regrowth to tall open forest, and then a discontinuity between these habitat types and savanna woodland. These findings indicate that the contrast between rain forest and savanna ant communities in tropical Australia is an extreme manifestation of a broader forest-savanna disjunction.
A weak relationship between crown architectural and leaf traits in saplings of eight tropical rain-forest species in Indonesia
Authors: Takahashi Koichi , Mikami Yumi
Published: July 2008

There are two trade-offs at the levels of leaves and crowns, i.e. assimilation capacity per leaf mass is greater for shorter-lived leaves, and unbranched species grow faster in height by allocating carbon more to trunk than to leaves and branches compared with highly branched species. The hypotheses were tested that the degree of branching (LTB) correlates with leaf traits and that height growth rate is negatively correlated with the degree of branching and leaf life span (LLS) by examining saplings of five canopy and subcanopy species, two shrub species and one invasive subshrub species (Clidemia hirta) in a tropical rain forest, West Java, Indonesia. Of the eight species, the most and least branched species wereCastanopsis acuminatissimaandMacaranga semiglobosa, respectively. Leaf traits examined were leaf size, LLS, leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf nitrogen concentration per mass (Nmass) and per area. LLS tended to be positively correlated with LMA, and negatively correlated withNmass. Leaf size was negatively correlated withLTB, but the other leaf traits were not correlated withLTB. The height growth of the eight species was low, irrespective ofLTBand LLS, for understorey individuals. The height growth of gap individuals was negatively correlated with LLS for the eight species, and also negatively withLTBfor the seven species other than one subshrub species. Thus, the degree of branching was correlated with leaf size only among the five leaf traits, and both leaf life span and the degree of branching affected the height growth of gap individuals, except for the subshrub species.
Sex ratio, size distribution and nitrogen resorption in the dioecious tree species Bursera morelensis (Burseraceae)
Authors: Pavón Numa P. , de Luna Ramírez Irving
Published: July 2008

Dioecious plant populations have generally been considered to maintain sex ratios of 1:1 (Allen & Antos 1993, Carroll & Mulcahy 1993, Charnov 1982). The sex ratio does, however, change if the plants are growing in a stressful environment, often being male-biased under these conditions (Ortiz et al. 1998, 2002). This pattern has been explained by differences in how the sexes resolve their respective energy requirements (Obeso et al. 1998). Females generally assign more resources to reproduction in comparison to growth and maintenance than do males, and they are smaller and longer-lived (Allen & Antos 1993, Nicotra 1999, Obeso et al. 1998, Willson 1983). Thus their higher reproductive costs take a toll on females, modifying the population sex ratio in favour of males (Allen & Antos 1993, Lovett-Doust & Lovett-Doust 1988). However, in order to determine the reproductive cost it is necessary to consider the compensatory mechanisms (Obeso 2002). These reduce the reproductive cost and include plastic response in terms of plant architecture and plant physiology. For example, nutrient resorption is a process that may help decrease dependence on nutrient intake, thereby constituting an important nutrient economy mechanism that can also reduce the reproductive cost if a significant proportion of the nutrients had been reassigned to reproduction (Killingbeck 1986, Obeso 2002).
Field Guide to the Rattans of Africa . Terry Sunderland.
Authors: Van Valkenburg J.
Published: July 2008

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A REVISION OF PARABOEA (GESNERIACEAE)
Authors: Xu Zhaoran , Burtt †B. L. , Skog L. E. , Middleton D. J.
Published: July 2008

The genus Paraboea Ridl. (Gesneriaceae) is revised. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, southern China, India (Assam), Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi), Laos, Malaysia (Peninsular and Borneo), Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, mostly from limestone habitats. Eighty-nine species and five varieties are recognised. Four new species and one new variety are described: Paraboea apiensis Z.R.Xu, Paraboea argentea Z.R.Xu, Paraboea graniticola Z.R.Xu, Paraboea paraprimuloides Z.R.Xu and Paraboea harroviana var. ovata Z.R.Xu. In addition two taxa are highlighted as possible new species but are not described here due to insufficient material. The treatment includes one new combination for a species, Paraboea harroviana (Craib) Z.R.Xu, one new combination for a variety, Paraboea schefferi var. ambigua (C.B.Clarke) Z.R.Xu, one new status for a variety, Paraboea rufescens var. tomentosa (Barnett) Z.R.Xu, and one new name, Paraboea primuloides Z.R.Xu. Fifty-one line drawings are included. A key is presented and all taxa are described. Preliminary conservation assessments are given.
Special issue on English intensifiers
Authors: MÉNDEZ-NAYA BELÉN
Published: July 2008

Degree modifiers, degree words or intensifiers are linguistic elements which convey the degree or the exact value of the quality expressed by the item they modify. They are typically adverbs, as in very hot, really interesting, greatly appreciate or completely absurd, but adjectives may also fulfil this function, as in utter nonsense. As noted by Bolinger (1972: 18), degree words offer a picture of ‘fevered invention’, and without any doubt constitute one of the major areas of grammatical change and renewal in English (Brinton & Arnovik 2006: 441), especially from the Early Modern English period onwards (Peters 1993). It is therefore no surprise that degree modifiers have attracted so much scholarly attention from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present day. Pioneering studies, such as those by Stoffel (1901), Borst (1902) and Fettig (1934), provide comprehensive inventories of intensifying adverbs in both modern and earlier English, as well as valuable insights into how they originated. In the last decade, however, intensifiers have become the object of renewed interest; this can be attributed in part to the development of computerized corpora, and also to advances in theoretical linguistics, more specifically in the study of semantic change and of grammaticalization processes. This renewed interest has focused, for example, on the individual histories of particular degree items as seen from the perspective of grammaticalization, on the competition of different intensifiers within a given period and across time, and on their distribution across different social groups, varieties or registers.
Booster prefixes in Old English – an alternative view of the roots of ME forsooth
Authors: LENKER URSULA
Published: July 2008

Prefixes attached to adjectives/adverbs which are functionally equivalent to booster adverbs, i.e. booster prefixes, are frequent in both Present-day German and Old English. Among the Old English booster prefixes, whose inventory is here discussed in a first survey, for- is by far the most frequent, with respect to both types and tokens. In a more detailed analysis, the study investigates the Old English roots of ME forsooth(e), an emphasizer which became highly frequent at the beginning of Middle English. Forsooth is commonly considered to be a univerbated and lexicalized form of an Old English prepositional phrase for soþ ‘for truth’ (comparable to PDE indeed (< ‘in the deed’) or in fact). Yet analyses of the inventory of booster prefixes in Old English and the booster prefix for- in particular show that an alternative etymology may be suggested: Old English for soþ can also be analysed as the (endingless) accusative singular neuter of the adjective forsoþ ‘very true’.
On the history ofdownright
Authors: MÉNDEZ-NAYA BELÉN
Published: July 2008

Using data retrieved from a variety of diachronic corpora and theOEDquotation database, this diachronic study sheds light on the origin and development of the degree function of a low-frequency intensifier, Englishdownright, both as an adverb (it's downright rude) and as a reinforcing adjective (downright nonsense). The history ofdownrightillustrates the interplay between lexicalization and grammaticalization in the evolution of a single item and provides a good example of the crucial role of context and inferencing in semantic change, and of two different trajectories in the development of intensifiers (adjunct > degree modifier, and descriptive adjective > affective adjective > intensifier).
Möglicher Auslöser des dekompensierten chronisch komplexen Tinnitus mit einem Therapieansatz analog zur Behandlung der Epilepsie
Authors: Coors H. , Stadtlaender H. , Otto V. , Schmidt W.
Published: July 2008

Coxsackieviren sind für zahlreiche Erkrankungen des Menschen verantwortlich. Die Durchseuchung der Bevölkerung ist deshalb auch prozentual hoch. Im Vordergrund unserer Betrachtung (Arbeitshypothese) steht die Beteiligung der Coxsackieviren bei dem chronisch dekompensierten komplexen Tinnitus. In welchem Umfang eine Erkrankung des Zentralnervensystems durch Cocksackieviren und der unmittelbaren Folge einer Tinnituserkrankung steht, könnte eine Überprüfung des Antikörpertiters auf Coxsackieviren ergeben. Der Befall der Hörbahn durch Coxsackieviren könnte zu einer Übererregung der Hörbahn führen, vergleichbar einem epileptischen Herd. Davon ausgehend ist ein Behandlungsversuch mit einem Antiepileptikum sinnvoll. Der Sinn der Arbeitshypothese besteht darin, auf einen möglichen, neuen diagnostischen, wie auch therapeutischen Weg zu weisen, der von entsprechenden Kliniken weiter verfolgt werden sollte. Den Autoren ist bewusst, dass die Ergebnisse der bisherigen kleinen Patientenzahl keine Relevanz besitzen.
A three‐dimensional coupled model of the western Black Sea plankton dynamics: Seasonal variability and comparison to SeaWiFS data
Authors: Tsiaras K. P. , Kourafalou V. H. , Davidov A. , Staneva J.
Published: July 2008

The main physical and biological processes that control the seasonal cycle of the plankton dynamics over the Western Black Sea were explored by means of a three‐dimensional, 7‐compartment, on‐line coupled biophysical model that was developed for this study. Adopting high frequency forcing in terms of air‐sea interaction and Danube river inputs, we performed a simulation of the coupled model during the 2002–2003 period. A series of 8‐day Chl‐a SeaWiFS images provided a validation tool that guided us, along with available in situ measurements, to the improvement of model parameterizations and the calibration of the biological parameters. The simulation of the seasonal phytoplankton variability over the entire Western Black Sea, extending from the highly eutrophic river influenced area to the open sea area, was a major challenge that made necessary the representation of both the spatial and time variability of several processes. Despite the model simplicity, the simulated Chl‐a patterns presented a good agreement as compared to the SeaWiFS and in situ data. During winter, phytoplankton in coastal areas was shown to be limited by light availability, primarily due to the increased particulate matter concentrations, as a result of resuspension from the sediment and the increased river loads. During summer, the primary production was mostly sustained by riverine nutrients and regeneration processes and thus was strongly linked to the evolution of the Danube plume. The limiting nutrients showed deviations from the observed concentrations, indicating the necessity for a more realistic phytoplankton growth model.