bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Evx1/Evx1as gene locus regulates anterior-posterior patterning during gastrulation
Authors: Bell Charles C. , Amaral Paulo P. , Kalsbeek Anton , Magor Graham W. , Gillinder Kevin R. , Tangermann Pierre , di Lisio Lorena , Cheetham Seth W. , Gruhl Franziska , Frith Jessica , Tallack Michael R. , Ru Ke-Lin , Crawford Joanna , Mattick John S. , Dinger Marcel E. , Perkins Andrew C.
Published: May 2016

Thousands of sense-antisense mRNA-lncRNA gene pairs occur in the mammalian genome. While there is usually little doubt about the function of the coding transcript, the function of the lncRNA partner is mostly untested. Here we examine the function of the homeotic Evx1-Evx1as gene locus. Expression is tightly co-regulated in posterior mesoderm of mouse embryos and in embryoid bodies. Expression of both genes is enhanced by BMP4 and WNT3A, and reduced by Activin. We generated a suite of deletions in the locus by CRISPR-Cas9 editing. We show EVX1 is a critical downstream effector of BMP4 and WNT3A with respect to patterning of posterior mesoderm. The lncRNA, Evx1as arises from alternative promoters and is difficult to fully abrogate by gene editing or siRNA approaches. Nevertheless, we were able to generate a large 2.6 kb deletion encompassing the shared promoter with Evx1 and multiple additional exons of Evx1as. This led to an identical dorsal-ventral patterning defect to that generated by micro-deletion in the DNA-binding domain of EVX1. Thus, Evx1as has no function independent of EVX1, and is therefore unlikely to act in trans. We predict many antisense lncRNAs have no specific trans function, possibly only regulating the linked coding genes in cis.
Improved intra-array and interarray normalization of peptide microarray phosphorylation for phosphorylome and kinome profiling by rational selection of relevant spots
Authors: Scholma Jetse , Fuhler Gwenny M. , Joore Jos , Hulsman Marc , Schivo Stefano , List Alan F. , Reinders Marcel J. T. , Peppelenbosch Maikel P. , Post Janine N.
Published: May 2016

Massive parallel analysis using array technology has become the mainstay for analysis of genomes and transcriptomes. Analogously, the predominance of phosphorylation as a regulator of cellular metabolism has fostered the development of peptide arrays of kinase consensus substrates that allow the charting of cellular phosphorylation events (often called kinome profiling). However, whereas the bioinformatical framework for expression array analysis is well-developed, no advanced analysis tools are yet available for kinome profiling. Especially intra-array and interarray normalization of peptide array phosphorylation remain problematic, due to the absence of “housekeeping” kinases and the obvious fallacy of the assumption that different experimental conditions should exhibit equal amounts of kinase activity. Here we describe the development of analysis tools that reliably quantify phosphorylation of peptide arrays and that allow normalization of the signals obtained. We provide a method for intraslide gradient correction and spot quality control. We describe a novel interarray normalization procedure, named repetitive signal enhancement, RSE, which provides a mathematical approach to limit the false negative results occuring with the use of other normalization procedures. Using in silico and biological experiments we show that employing such protocols yields superior insight into cellular physiology as compared to classical analysis tools for kinome profiling.
Quantization Effects on Complex Networks
Authors: Wang Ying , Wang Lin , Yang Wen , Wang Xiaofan
Published: May 2016

Weights of edges in many complex networks we constructed are quantized values of the real weights. To what extent does the quantization affect the properties of a network? In this work, quantization effects on network properties are investigated based on the spectrum of the corresponding Laplacian. In contrast to the intuition that larger quantization level always implies a better approximation of the quantized network to the original one, we find a ubiquitous periodic jumping phenomenon with peak-value decreasing in a power-law relationship in all the real-world weighted networks that we investigated. We supply theoretical analysis on the critical quantization level and the power laws.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is Associated with Increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Type 1 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Zhang Lei , Guo Kaifeng , Lu Junxi , Zhao Fangya , Yu Haoyong , Han Junfeng , Bao Yuqian , Chen Haibing , Jia Weiping
Published: May 2016

A growing body of evidence suggests that NAFLD is associated with an increased risk of incident CVD events both in patients without diabetes and in those with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, no published data are available regarding the association between NAFLD and C-IMT in T1DM. A total of 722 patients (371 men) with T1DM were included in this cross-sectional study. The main outcome measures were detection of NAFLD, C-IMT and classical risk factors. The mean age of the subjects was 46.2 years, and 51.1% were male. The prevalence of NAFLD was 15.9%. NAFLD patients had a markedly greater C-IMT (0.81 ± 0.25 vs. 0.69 ± 0.18 mm; p < 0.001) and frequency of carotid plaque (28.9% vs. 16.9%; p < 0.05) than those without fatty liver. Moreover, the differences in C-IMT remained after adjusting for potential confounders. A stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that age (standardized β, 0.326; p < 0.001), NAFLD (standardized β, 0.151, p < 0.001), and hsCRP (standardized β, 0.115, p = 0.008) were independently associated with C-IMT in all subjects. Our data show NAFLD is associated with elevated C-IMT in T1DM independent of conventional cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Strongly Modulated Friction of a Film-Terminated Ridge-Channel Structure
Authors: He Zhenping , Hui Chung-Yuen , Levrard Benjamin , Bai Ying , Jagota Anand
Published: May 2016

Natural contacting surfaces have remarkable surface mechanical properties, which has led to the development of bioinspired surface structures using rubbery materials with strongly enhanced adhesion and static friction. However, sliding friction of structured rubbery surfaces is almost always significantly lower than that of a flat control, often due to significant loss of contact. Here we show that a film-terminated ridge-channel structure can strongly enhance sliding friction. We show that with properly chosen materials and geometrical parameters the near surface structure undergoes mechanical instabilities along with complex folding and sliding of internal interfaces, which is responsible for the enhancement of sliding friction. Because this structure shows no enhancement of adhesion under normal indentation by a sphere, it breaks the connection between energy loss during normal and shear loading. This makes it potentially interesting in many applications, for instance in tires, where one wishes to minimize rolling resistance (normal loading) while maximizing sliding friction (shear loading).
CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Immunity to Geminiviruses: Differential Interference and Evasion
Authors: Ali Zahir , Ali Shakila , Tashkandi Manal , Zaidi Syed Shan-e-Ali , Mahfouz Magdy M.
Published: May 2016

The CRISPR/Cas9 system has recently been used to confer molecular immunity against several eukaryotic viruses, including plant DNA geminiviruses. Here, we provide a detailed analysis of the efficiencies of targeting different coding and non-coding sequences in the genomes of multiple geminiviruses. Moreover, we analyze the ability of geminiviruses to evade the CRISPR/Cas9 machinery. Our results demonstrate that the CRISPR/Cas9 machinery can efficiently target coding and non-coding sequences and interfere with various geminiviruses. Furthermore, targeting the coding sequences of different geminiviruses resulted in the generation of viral variants capable of replication and systemic movement. By contrast, targeting the noncoding intergenic region sequences of geminiviruses resulted in interference, but with inefficient recovery of mutated viral variants, which thus limited the generation of variants capable of replication and movement. Taken together, our results indicate that targeting noncoding, intergenic sequences provides viral interference activity and significantly limits the generation of viral variants capable of replication and systemic infection, which is essential for developing durable resistance strategies for long-term virus control.
Synthesis and structures of stable phosphorus zwitterions derived from mesoionic 4-trifluoroacetyl-1,3-oxazolium-5-olates
Authors: Saijo Ryosuke , Uno Hidemitsu , Mori Shigeki , Kawase Masami
Published: May 2016

Trialkyl phosphites were evaluated as phosphorus nucleophiles for addition to mesoionic 4-trifluoroacetyl-1,3-oxazolium-5-olates (1), thereby producing tetravalent phosphorus zwitterions (2) in good yields.
Ab initio studies on the spin-forbidden cooling transitions of the LiRb molecule
Authors: You Yang , Yang Chuan-Lu , Zhang Qing-Qing , Wang Mei-Shan , Ma Xiao-Guang , Liu Wen-Wang
Published: May 2016

A laser cooling scheme has been constructed using a spin-forbidden transition of the LiRb molecule.
A theoretical assessment of microplastic transport in river catchments and their retention by soils and river sediments
Authors: Nizzetto Luca , Bussi Gianbattista , Futter Martyn N. , Butterfield Dan , Whitehead Paul G.
Published: May 2016

The presence of microplastics in soils and surface waters is a problem of growing concern.
Dodecylated lignin-g-PLA for effective toughening of PLA
Authors: Ren Wei , Pan Xiaoyong , Wang Guan , Cheng Weiren , Liu Ye
Published: May 2016

PLA toughening agent: selectively dodecylated lignin-graft-PLA obtained which improves the elongation of PLA by 40 times.
Hyperglycemia induced structural and functional changes in human serum albumin of diabetic patients: a physico-chemical study
Authors: Neelofar Km , Arif Zarina , Alam Khursheed , Ahmad Jamal
Published: May 2016

Structural and functional changes in glycated-HSA, isolated from diabetic patients, suggests it has a significant role in diabetes progression and kidney dysfunction.
Polyquinoneimines for lithium storage: more than the sum of its parts
Authors: Tian Bingbing , Ning Guo-Hong , Tang Wei , Peng Chengxin , Yu Dingyi , Chen Zhongxin , Xiao Yinglin , Su Chenliang , Loh Kian Ping
Published: May 2016

A straightforward synthetic strategy for the construction of electrode materials is demonstrated by the polymerization of two kinds of electrochemically active organic monomers without sacrificing specific capacity.
Highly water-dispersible magnetite nanoparticle supported-palladium–β-cyclodextrin as an efficient catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura and Sonogashira coupling reactions
Authors: Salemi H. , Kaboudin B. , Kazemi F. , Yokomatsu T.
Published: May 2016

A novel highly water-dispersible and recoverable magnetite supported palladium–β-cyclodextrin complex as efficient catalyst in Suzuki–Miyaura and Sonogashira carbon–carbon coupling reactions.
Facile morphology controlled synthesis of nanostructured Co3O4 films on nickel foam and their pseudocapacitive performance
Authors: Fan Huiqing , Zhong Yuan , Chang Ling , Zhu Shasha , Wang Kai , Shao Haibo , Wang Jianming , Zhang Jianqing , Cao Chu-nan
Published: May 2016

The as-synthesized 3D hierarchically porous Co3O4 network film on nickel foam shows prominent pseudocapacitive performance.
Silanization as a versatile functionalization method for the synthesis of polymer/magnetite hybrid nanoparticles with controlled structure
Authors: Schoth Alexander , Keith Alasdair D. , Landfester Katharina , Muñoz-Espí Rafael
Published: May 2016

We compare the use of different trimethoxysilane compounds for the surface functionalization of magnetite nanoparticles and their subsequent incorporation in hybrid particles formed byin situminiemulsion polymerization.
Facile fabrication of an organic semiconductor/graphene microribbon heterojunction by self-assembly
Authors: Zhang Jianfeng , Xu Xinjun , Yao Chuang , Li Lidong
Published: May 2016

Organic semiconductor/graphene microribbon heterojunction has been fabricated by a facile self-assembly procedure and demonstrated enhanced photoconductivity performance.
The Return of the Vulnerable Plaque: Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging of a Case of a Late In-Stent Restenotic Chronic Total Occlusion
Authors: Patel Pranav , Grewal Alisha , Mohar Prabhsimran , Kern Morton , Mohar Dilbahar
Published: May 2016

Although the use of drug-eluting stents (DES) has dramatically decreased the incidence of in-stent restenosis (ISR), concerns regarding the late manifestations of ISR remain. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging provides unique insights into characteristics and patterns of ISR. We report a case of late DES ISR with unusual heterogeneous intracoronary luminal characteristics suggestive of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque activity by OCT imaging. This case demonstrates that late ISR after DES may involve more than mere neointimal hyperplasia with lesion-associated craters, septae, and neoatherosclerosis. The use of OCT provides novel insights into the mechanisms and potential biology of the late DES ISR.
A proposal and a theoretical analysis of an enhanced surface plasmon coupled emission structure for single molecule detection
Authors: Uddin Shiekh Zia , Tanvir Mukhlasur Rahman , Talukder Muhammad Anisuzzaman
Published: May 2016

We propose a structure that can be used for enhanced single molecule detection using surface plasmon coupled emission (SPCE). In the proposed structure, instead of a single metal layer on the glass prism of a typical SPCE structure for fluorescence microscopy, a metal-dielectric-metal structure is used. We theoretically show that the proposed structure significantly decreases the excitation volume of the fluorescently labeled sample, and simultaneously increases the peak SPCE intensity and SPCE power. Therefore, the signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity of an SPCE based fluorescence microscopy system can be significantly increased using the proposed structure, which will be helpful for enhanced single molecule detection, especially, in a less pure biological sample.
Daily methane emissions and emission intensity of grazing beef cattle genetically divergent for residual feed intake
Authors: Velazco J. I. , Herd R. M. , Cottle D. J. , Hegarty R. S.
Published: May 2016

As daily methane production (DMP; g CH4/day) is strongly correlated with dry matter intake (DMI), the breeding of cattle that require less feed to achieve a desired rate of average daily gain (ADG) by selection for a low residual feed intake (RFI) can be expected to reduce DMP and also emission intensity (EI; g CH4/kg ADG). An experiment was conducted to compare DMP and EI of Angus cattle genetically divergent for RFI and 400-day weight (400dWT). In a 6-week grazing study, 64 yearling-age cattle (30 steers, 34 heifers) were grazed on temperate pastures, with heifers and steers grazing separate paddocks. Liveweight (LW) was monitored weekly and DMP of individual cattle was measured by a GreenFeed emission monitoring unit in each paddock. Thirty-nine of the possible 64 animals had emission data recorded for 15 or more days, and only data for these animals were analysed. For these cattle, regression against their mid-parent estimated breeding value (EBV) for post-weaning RFI (RFI-EBV) showed that a lower RFI-EBV was associated with higher LW at the start of experiment. Predicted dry matter intake (pDMI), predicted DMP (pDMP) and measured DMP (mDMP) were all negatively correlated with RFI-EBV (P < 0.05), whereas ADG, EI, predicted CH4 yield (pMY; g CH4/kg DMI) were not correlated with RFI-EBV (P > 0.1). Daily CH4 production was positively correlated with animal LW and ADG (P < 0.05). The associations between ADG and its dependent traits EI and pMY and predicted feed conversion ratio (kg pDMI/kg ADG) were strongly negative (r = –0.82, –0.57 and –0.85, P < 0.001) implying that faster daily growth by cattle was accompanied by lower EI, MY and feed conversion ratio. These results show that cattle genetically divergent for RFI do not necessarily differ in ADG, EI or pMY on pasture and that, if heavier, cattle with lower RFI-EBV can actually have higher DMP while grazing moderate quality pastures.
Effects of small changes in riparian forest complexity on aquatic insect bioindicators in Brazilian subtropical streams
Authors: Siegloch A. E. , Schmitt R. , Spies M. , Petrucio M. , Hernández M. I. M.
Published: May 2016

Riparian forests have positive effects on water quality and biodiversity. However, most studies have only tested the effects of distinct vegetation types or streams with and without forests, despite the fact that riparian forests differ in degrees of complexity. The aim of the present study was to test whether riparian forest complexity affected the composition and abundance of the Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) taxa across a small environmental gradient. We also measured whether EPT genera or feeding groups responded to changes in riparian forest complexity. The study was conducted in two protection areas (i.e. Lagoa do Peri Municipal Park, PERI; and the Permanent Protection Area of Ratones, RAT) of Santa Catarina Island, Brazil. Primary production increased in streams with lower canopy percentage, and EPT assemblages differed among streams with different riparian forest complexity. In RAT, the water quality and forest variables affected EPT composition; however, in PERI, only water quality variables were important. Indicator species analysis based on genera suggested Kempnyia (Plecoptera) and Zelusia (Ephemeroptera) to be indicative of streams with greater forest complexity, whereas Farrodes (Ephemeroptera) was significant in streams of intermediate riparian forest complexity; however, no one functional group dominated. The results of the present study show that small changes in riparian forest complexity influence the composition of EPT insects in subtropical streams.
A Zoological Revolution?
Authors: F. Recher Harry , F. Recher Harry
Published: May 2016

In May, I attended a one-day forum arranged by the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales and The Australian Museum in Sydney, Australia. The purpose of the forum was to discuss proposals to use native fauna to assist in their own survival. The forum was titled A Zoological Revolution. The idea of a revolution in zoology, much less in biological conservation was novel, the proposals to be debated were controversial, and the Hallstrom Theatre was packed. The number of animal activists in the audience promised an enthusiastic exchange of ideas and I was not disappointed.
In defence of small habitat islands: Termites (Isoptera) in the Western Australian central wheatbelt, and the importance of dispersal power in species occurrence
Authors: Abensperg-Traun Max , Abensperg-Traun Max
Published: May 2016

Ecological theory has long undervalued the contribution of small remnants of native vegetation to nature conservation. This study provides data on colony persistence of remnant-dependent wood-eating termites in 28 remnants of mature wandoo (Eucalyptus capillosa) trees in paddock situations in the agricultural south-west of Western Australia. Remnants ranged in size from 2 to 30 trees, and in spatial isolation from 50 to 650 m. All remnants have been exposed to livestockrelated disturbance for >40 years. This study found that (1) Small remnants of eucalypt trees on farms retain important functional representatives, i.e., wood-eating termites for nutrient-cycling, and high species numbers. (2) Seventeen species have the capacity to establish and maintain colonies in remnants =5 trees. (3) Spatial isolation has no significant influence on the total number of termite species. (4) The number of trees (r = 0.60) and quantity of dead wood in the remnant (r = 0.86) were significant indicators of total termite species number. Larger remnants with low quantities of wood supported few termites, however. (5) Rare as well as common species persisted in small remnants. (6) Alate wing-size was a significant indicator of the occurrence of the six most common termite species in remnants (r = 0.84). The implication of isolation effects for rare species with limited powers of dispersal is self-evident, as is the need for the creation of habitat linkeages to reduce the effects of spatial isolation on the native fauna.
The Other 99%. The Conservation and Biodiversity of Invertebrates
Authors: Reid T.
Published: May 2016

The importance of invertebrates as the most significant component of biodiversity is often overlooked. A four-day conference held in 1997 and the subsequent published transactions, examine the reasons why society ignores invertebrates. There is a need for change in the perception and value of invertebrates, if Australia is to conserve its unique biodiversity and achieve ecological sustain ability in farming, fisheries and forestry.
Introduction to Papers on Seagrass Conservation
Authors: Waycott Michelle , Kenworthy Jud
Published: May 2016

The following ten papers are the proceedings of a symposium on "seagrass conservation issues" held at the meeting of the Society for Conservation Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia (July 13?16, 1998).
Marine Management: Marine Conservation
Authors: Lavery Paul
Published: May 2016

The research papers in this volume highlight some of the major issues in marine conservation and offer some exciting insights into future directions for research and management. It is particularly pleasing that the issue focuses on seagrasses, a component of marine biodiversity that is well recognized and with profound ecological significance, but has suffered widespread decline in its distribution over the past half century. The absence of any accurate inventory of seagrass resources makes it difficult to accurately assess the cumulative impact of human activity on them. However, the need to conserve seagrasses is well recognized and it is exciting to see the significant advances being made in bringing conservation biology techniques to seagrass research. The work of Waycott and Kenworthy (this issue) is clearly showing dramatic differences in the life-history strategies, genetic diversity and population structure of different seagrasses. It suggests that seagrasses are far from the homogenous organism that they seem to have been viewed as up until now. This also supports findings elsewhere which suggest that many of the classic paradigms regarding seagrass biology and ecology are based on inappropriate generalizations from a few species. For example, the work of Paling and others (in this issue) challenges the generally held view that we are unlikely to be able to transplant temperate species of seagrass back into disturbed areas.
Threatened Birds of the World
Authors: Recher Harry
Published: May 2016

This magnificent volume begins with the words "Extinction is final." In one of six forewords, Stephen Garnett comments that "Oceania is well used to extinction" with nearly half of all known bird extinctions since 1500 occurring in the region. Russ Mittermier informs us that the world stands at the opening of one of the great extinction events in planetary history. Not all is despair. James Clements tells us that there are "refreshing rays of light" and cites the reservation of 13 million hectares of rainforest as protected areas. He quotes Peru's Minister of Foreign Relations as saying that "one of the marks of civilization is the regard men bestow on wild things". What then is the state of the world's avifauna: no more authoritative account is available than Threatened Birds of the World.
The dynamics and conservation of a spatially subdivided avian population in a fragmented landscape
Authors: W. Luck Gary
Published: May 2016

Many bird species have declined in abundance in the agricultural regions of southern Australia, The mechanisms underlying these declines and the viability of the remaining populations are largely unknown, A number of species exist as spatially subdivided populations in heavily fragmented landscapes. Metapopulation and source-sink theory have influenced thinking on the dynamics of subdivided populations, but the general applicability of these theories is uncertain. I examined the dynamics of a subdivided population of the Rufous Treecreeper Climacteris ruta, a declining woodland passerine, occupying a fragmented, agricultural landscape in southwestern Australia. I determined if local populations could replace themselves without immigration and estimated population growth rates for the periods 1998-1999 and 1999-2000. I also examined the influence of movement between local populations on the viability of the entire subdivided population. Out of four geographically defined local populations, only one was above replacement, and only in one year of the study. Fledgling productivity and recruitment in the remainder were not sufficient to compensate for breeding female mortality. Long-term population growth estimates were <1 for all local populations, but variability in demographic rates suggested that the status of these populations may fluctuate over time. Also, there appeared to be sufficient movement between local populations, and into the study area from nearby habitat remnants, to slow or halt any decline in local population size, Within- and between-local-population processes appeared to be important to the viability of the treecreeper population during the two years of the study, and this is consistent with the general principles of metapopulation theory. I compared the dynamics of the treecreeper population occupying the fragmented landscape with one occupying a continuously wooded landscape and found that the latter had population growth rates >1, suggesting it may be an important population source and vital to the regional viability of the species.
Altitudinal diversity gradients and the theory of island biogeography - an explanation
Authors: Ogden John
Published: May 2016

As part of a wider discussion of forest diversity in New Zealand, Ogden (1995) pointed out that the area available between any pair of contours on a conical mountain decreased with altitude in parallel with the decrease in species richness. This correlation is confounded with other environmental variables, such as temperature, which have been widely considered to be causal in the diversity decline. However, generalization has been elusive, and the supposed causal mechanisms are often couched in vague terms such as "harshness". Ogden chose to emphasize area, and invoked the theory of island biogeography of MacArthur and Wilson (1967) by drawing parallels between islands and successively superimposed areas on mountains. Kingston (this issue) objected, mainly on the grounds that the theory of island biogeography refers to "isolated" areas and deals with the equilibrium between immigration and extinction, on which Ogden presented no evidence. In the light of these criticisms the data presented in Ogden (1995) is re-assessed here. I conclude that the "area hypothesis" is at least as good as any other for "explaining" (correlating with) elevational diversity trends. Area is itself correlated with environmental heterogeneity, which is presumably more important as a causal agent. However, Kingston's insistence on the need for evidence on immigration and extinction to support the application of island biogeography theory is acknowledged.
Farming as if we belong
Authors: C. Lefroy E.
Published: May 2016

Two fundamental changes in attitude are required before efforts to develop sustainable agricultural systems will be successful. Firstly, the deeply held and often unexamined views we have of our relationship with the natural world, particularly the view of nature as a commodity, must be challenged. Secondly, we must question our continuing faith in a knowledge-based world view as the best way to solve problems that are a consequence of that view. The history of agricultural settlement in Western Australia is an example of the view of nature as a commodity that led to failed agricultural schemes at great social and environmental costs.
"Jangarri": economics, environment, society
Authors: English Garry
Published: May 2016

A BRIEF description of my formative years and the location of my early development provides clues to my philosophy about life which influences my approach to farming. I was fortunate to have had the experience of an upbringing on the land during the 1940s, at Kukerin in the wheatbelt, and 19S0s, in the Mount Barker region, in southwestern Australia. It was a period of rapid change when mechanization brought about development that far outstripped long-term planning. Huge areas of the Jarrah Eucalyptus marginata forest were cleared and burnt to make way for agriculture. The sandplains rich in flora and fauna were easily cleared for extensive agriculture. These changes left me with a feeling of regret and those who follow my generation will never know what we have lost. This period was a time when education taught the basics of life and when good "life" values were inculcated with sayings, morals and mottoes. Two of these I have never forgotten: "waste not, want not"; and "good, better, best, never let it rest, till your good is better, and your better best". They have been guiding principles for me. I also hold to the sentiment that nature and experience are the best teachers and that nothing is more certain than change.
"Payneham Vale": integrated whole farm Planning
Authors: S. Watkins R.
Published: May 2016

IN 1908, Ron's grandfather, Issac Gray, took up an uncleared block of land 15 km north of Frankland in the south-west of Western Australia (see Fig. 1, Hobbs 2003). During that time he ran a few cattle in the bush and clearing of the native woodlands of Wandoo (white gum) Eucalyptus wandoo, J arrah E. marginata and Marri (Redgum) E. calophylla was slow and tedious. Ron's parents took over the farm in 1947, and with the advent of the bulldozer, clearing of Watkin's property and surrounding district began in earnest during the 1950s. Clearing continued as fast "as money permitted", until almost the last natural vegetation was knocked down in 1978 (Fig. 1). Annual pastures with some cropping (for supplementary feed) were the main source of fodder for sheep and cattle.
The vertebrate fauna of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area
Authors: M. Driessen Michael , A. Mallick Stephen
Published: May 2016

The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area encompasses an area of 1.38 million hectares, or approximately 20% of the island state of Tasmania. The World Heritage Area plays a significant role in the conservation of Tasmania's fauna and natural biological processes. The area supports 30 species of terrestrial mammal including three endemic species (91% of total Tasmanian species), 120 species of terrestrial bird including 10 endemic species (76% of state total), 14 species of terrestrial reptile including seven endemic species (67% of state total), seven species of frog including three endemic species (64% of state total), 16 species of freshwater fish including four endemic species (64% of state total), and 68 species of marine fish including one endemic species (14% of state total). A number of vertebrate species are entirely restricted to the World Heritage Area (Moss Froglet, Pedra Branca Skink, Mountain Skink, Pedder Galaxias, Swamp Galaxias and Western Paragalaxias, while the migratory Orange-bellied Parrot breeds only within the World Heritage Area. A number of other species have the majority of their Tasmanian range within the World Heritage Area (Broad-toothed Rat, Ground Parrot, Southern Emu-wren, Tasmanian Tree Frog, Northern Snow Skink, Southern Snow Skink, Bathurst Harbour Skate and the Clarence Galaxias). The World Heritage Area also supports a range of threatened mammal, bird, reptile and fish species. Of the 44 species of introduced vertebrates which have established feral populations in Tasmania, only seven species (16% of state total) have a significant presence within the World Heritage Area and pose a potential threat to the area's integrity. The diversity and endemism of the vertebrate fauna of the World Heritage Area reflects the Gondwanan origins of much of the fauna of western Tasmania, the repeated glaciation of the area during the Pleistocene, and subsequent pulses of speciation among certain taxa.
News from the Australasian Section
Authors: Davis Rob , Firestone Karen
Published: May 2016

Welcome to the Society for Conservation Biology-Australasia Region "News and Views" section of Pacific Conservation Biology. Each issue of Pacific Conservation Biology, this space will be dedicated to the news and views of our section. This forum is open to all members of the section and is intended to be an exchange for information and opinions. We encourage you to make good use of this unique opportunity and forward any submissions to Nicola Nelson at Nicola. Nelson@vuw.ac.nz
Conservation in the Internet Age: Threats and Opportunities
Authors: Cancilla Damien
Published: May 2016

When opened the package from Pacific Conservation Biology and looked at the book that I was to do my first review on, my first thought was "What have I got myself into". I was looking at a collection of papers that were written by experts in various fields, of which I knew nothing about. As I prepared to slog through all the technical information about networks and social interactions, I realized that this was not just a collection of technical papers, but a well-constructed look at how the Internet has and will affect the way conservation occurs across the globe over the next few decades.
Australasian Section of the Society for Conservation Biology
Authors: Firestone Karen
Published: May 2016

Hello to all Australasian section members of SCB and welcome to our second edition of official association with Pacific Conservation Biology.
Identifying priority areas for conservation action in agricultural landscapes
Authors: F. Bennett Andrew , Mac Nally Ralph
Published: May 2016

Farming for food, fibre and other products for human consumption is a dominant land-use throughout the world. Rural landscapes are also critical to the conservation of flora and fauna, and the maintenance of ecological processes on which all of life depends. In Australia, excessive clearing of native vegetation in the most productive agricultural landscapes has had profound environmental and social consequences. Restoration of these landscapes is an enormous challenge that offers the opportunity to shape the future of Australia, environmentally, socially and economically. In this paper we address the issue of identifying priority areas for conservation in agricultural landscapes. The spatial location of conservation actions in rural landscapes is important because it affects the degree of representation of the biota, the level of protection for rare and threatened species, the adequacy of habitats for species and communities and their future viability, the maintenance of ecological processes, and the integrity of habitats. However, because most land in agricultural regions is privately owned, effective implementation of restoration goals in preferred locations requires understanding of social processes, recognition of pragmatic issues in land management and financial commitment by the wider Australian society. We briefly review the strengths and limitations of some current approaches to determining priority locations for conservation action, including the use of general principles, species-based approaches, quantitative approaches for assessing representativeness, and "bottom-up" approaches based on landholder action. There is no single ?best? solution: the most effective approach or combination of approaches depends on the objectives for restoration and the circumstances in the area where restoration will occur. An important consideration is the quality of the data available for the area, particularly detailed vegetation maps and knowledge of the status and habitat requirements of species that occur there. We summarize five stages that form a logical sequence in restoration programmes and highlight some of the issues at each stage. As the outcomes of the present continent-wide experiment in restoration cannot be fully evaluated for many decades, it is prudent that a range of alternatives are trialed and monitored for their effectiveness and success.
Australia's marine conservation
Authors: H. Talbot Frank
Published: May 2016

The world's handling of marine living resources has been clearly less than successful. In particular our abuse of the natural bounty of fisheries has been disgraceful, with most major stocks overfished, and some of the richest, like the cod on the West Atlantic Grand Banks, virtually destroyed. Greed and politics have played their part, but scientists have also been to blame. Setting "maximum sustainable yields" in highly variable systems has proved impossible. Almost irresistable pressures from fishers in good years and a rapid increase in fishing technology and navigation has set the scene for these disasters. Coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove forests, some of the world's most productive ecosystems, have been. degraded, cleared and fragmented as a consequence of growing human populations, over-exploitation, and poor hinterland management. As we have watched and researched the deterioration of our marine world we have learned many of the reasons, but our responses have been extremely slow.
Native species dominate the millipede fauna in a second-rotation Pinus radiata plantation in Tasmania, Australia
Authors: Mesibov Robert
Published: May 2016

Soil-dwelling millipedes were methodically hand-sampled in two second-rotation Pinus radiata stands in Stoodley Plantation in north-central Tasmania. Eleven of 14 species collected were natives, and native millipedes comprised 83% of the 1 456 identified specimens. The average millipede catch in 40 x 0.5 m2 quadrats was 74 individuals/m2. All nine of the native species of Chordeumatida, Polydesmida and Polyzoniida found in the survey had previously been collected in native forest within a 10 km radius of the pine plantation. Historical records indicate that Stoodley Plantation was established on abandoned farmland, and the two sampled areas have carried P. radiata for at least 60 years. The survey results support the suggestion that plantation development on cleared farmland can assist in local-scale conservation of native invertebrates.
Terrifying tourists and wary wallabies: responses of macropodid species to the presence of humans
Authors: G. King Narelle , B. Higginbottom Karen , J. Bauer Johannes
Published: May 2016

The responses of four species of macropodid to humans at a wildlife sanctuary were investigated experimentally. Bridled Nailtail Wallabies Onychogalea faenata, Red-necked Wallabies Macropus rufogriseus and Swamp Wallabies Wallabia bicolor all spent less time feeding, resting, grooming, interacting and more time looking up or moving in the five minutes after being approached by the researcher. Eastern Grey Kangaroos M. giganteus, Red-necked Wallabies and Bridled Nailtail Wallabies fled at shorter distances from an approaching researcher in a vehicle than from a researcher on foot. The proportion of macropodids found in grassland compared with forest was not significantly affected by a recent tour.
Achieving Sustainable Freshwater Systems: A Web of Connections
Authors: Cumbers Michelle
Published: May 2016

The question being asked around the globe is ?how to satisfy the water demands of an everexpanding human population while at the same time protecting the aquatic ecosystems and ecological services upon which all life depends? (p. 1). Achieving Sustainable Freshwater Systems addresses this question with the purpose of encouraging an integrated, cooperative and adaptive approach to sustaining wetlands and water resources.
News from the Australasian Section of the Society of Conservation Biology
Authors: Firestone Karen , Davis Rob
Published: May 2016

Hello to all SCB members. Please remember that this is your newsletter. The Section Board does not just want to report to the membership on our activities, but would like to see the News and Views section used as a sounding board for our members. Given that we are lucky enough to live or work in one of the nicest regions in the world, with its unique flora and fauna and, unfortunately, a host of conservation problems, we are convinced there must be many interesting issues, stories and dilemmas out there. We are also fortunate enough to have this superb forum for disseminating conservation research, policy, or management ideas ? and it is all yours! We invite you to take advantage of this unique opportunity and send any articles, information, requests ? in fact, just about anything that you would like to see aired in this newsletter.
An inventory of the invertebrates of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area
Authors: A. Mallick Stephen , M. Driessen Michael
Published: May 2016

This paper summarizes the information contained in an inventory of invertebrates recorded from the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (WHA). The WHA covers an area of 1.38 million hectares in the western half of Tasmania. A total of 1397 terrestrial/freshwater species from 293 families in nine phyla are listed as occurring in the WHA. The most diverse phylum is the Uniramia (904 species, 172 families), followed by the Chelicerata (179 species, 56 families), Aschelminthes (Rotifera: 90 species, 22 families), Crustacea (88 species, 21 families), Mollusca (69 species, 14 families), Annelida (57 species, five families), Platyhelminthes (eight species, one family), and the Onychophora and Nemertea (one species each). Sixty-three marine and estuarine species from six phyla are listed for the limited area of marine/estuarine habitat within the WHA. The terrestrial/freshwater WHA invertebrate fauna is characterized by high Tasmanian endemism (46.7% of species are Tasmanian endemics), and a high proportion of species with a predominantly western-Tasmanian distribution and/or a restricted geographical range. The WHA includes the globally unique Bathurst Harbour estuarine system. The marine and estuarine invertebrate fauna of the estuary is largely undescribed, but is likely to show very high levels of Tasmanian and local endemicity. The characteristics of the WHA invertebrate fauna reflect the extant habitats of the area, as well as past geological and climatic processes that have led to their development. The WHA contains 16 threatened invertebrate species, while a total of 34 introduced terrestrial and seven introduced marine invertebrate species have been recorded from the WHA. The invertebrate fauna of the WHA contributes substantially to the World Heritage faunal values of the area. Formal description of currently undescribed material from Bathurst Harbour is likely to substantially add to the World significance of the WHA. The high level of protection afforded the WHA makes the area important for long-term invertebrate fauna conservation in Tasmania. A full inventory of species can be viewed on the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment (DPIWE) website (www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au).
COLLAPSE: How Societies Choose To Fail Or Survive
Authors: Williams Graeme
Published: May 2016

Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive by Jared Diamond revolves around the ominous notion that societies manipulate their destiny based on ecological perspicacity. Diamond compels readers to consider why through history, particular societies flourished, while others waned into oblivion. Do the jungle-festooned relics of ancient civilizations hold cryptic lessons relevant to the modern world? Diamond believes so and to decipher these, guides readers through an inter-continental time voyage to demystify the self-induced phenomenon of ?ecocide?.
Threatened plant communities of Western Australia. 2 The seasonal clay-based wetland communities of the South West
Authors: Gibson N. , J. Keighery G. , N. Lyons M. , J. Keighery B.
Published: May 2016

The communities of seasonal clay-based wetlands of south-west Australia are described. They are amongst the most threatened In Western Australia. It is estimated that >90% of the original extent of these communities has been cleared for agriculture, and the remaining areas, despite largely occurring in conservation reserves, are threatened by weed invasion and rising saline groundwater. Thirty-six taxa are identified as claypan specialists occurring in six floristic communities. Composition was strongly correlated with rainfall and edaphic factors. The most consistent attribute shared between the seasonal clay-based wetlands of south-west Australia, and the analogous vernal pools systems of California, Chile, and South Africa was the widespread conversion of these wetlands to agricultural systems. The south-west Australia wetlands had a richer flora, different lifeform composition, higher species richness but fewer claypan specialists than the vernal pools of California. The dissimilarity in the regional floras and vegetation types from which the pool floras were recruited explain these differences.
Collections in space and time: geographical patterning of native frogs, mammals and reptiles through a continental gradient
Authors: A How R. , A Cowan M.
Published: May 2016

Native frog, mammal and reptile specimen data in the Western Australian Museum were examined from the western third of the Australian continent covering nearly 22 degrees of latitude and 16 degrees of longitude and encompassing tropical, desert and temperate regions. The timing of specimen data collection and collecting effort were evaluated and show that large areas of the State remain poorly sampled. The great majority of the collections have been made over the last 50 years and taxonomic status of many vertebrate species is still in review with several new species being described. Systematic surveys need to be undertaken to address the inadequacy of information on vertebrate fauna distributions over large tracts of the desert and pastoral areas of Western Australia. The distribution of taxa endemic to Western Australia, threatened and priority taxa as well as restricted?range endemic taxa were examined over equal areas based on the 1 :250 000 map series that covers the western third of the Australian continent. Endemic taxa are focused in the south-west of the state and along the west coast, while restricted-range endemics are more frequently distriooted along the west and northwestern coasts. Threatened and priority taxa show a similar pattern to that of endemic taxa. The similarity of areas across Western Australia, based on the composition of their vertebrate fauna, indicates that there are four broad regions corresponding to the tropical north, the mesic south-west, the semi-arid southwestern interior and the arid Pilbara and desert areas. Additionally, regional areas defined under the IBRA scheme were examined for the number of sampling locations, endemic taxa in the various fauna! groups and the richness of taxa recorded. The Pilbara bioregion, one of the best-sampled areas of the State, showed limited concordance between vertebrate taxa similarity in half-degree cells and subregional boundaries and relatively high heterogeneity in vertebrate fauna distribution across the bioregion.