bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disturbance history and stand dynamics in tall open forest and riparian rainforest in the Central Highlands of Victoria
Authors: SIMKIN ROHAN , BAKER PATRICK J.
Published: August 2008

Abstract  Spatial heterogeneity in the intensity of past disturbances has directly influenced the structure and composition of present‐day forests around the world. In south‐eastern Australia infrequent, high‐intensity wildfires are a major part of the historical disturbance regime. While these fires are often assumed to produce even‐aged stands, spatial heterogeneity in fire intensity due to highly variable topography may lead to more complex forest age structures. Our study describes the influence of disturbance on the age structure and dynamics of a mosaic of tall, open eucalypt forest, cool temperate rainforest and mixed species forest surrounding Bellel Creek in the Central Highlands of Victoria using dendrochronological techniques. We were particularly interested in the impacts of the 1939 Black Friday fire and its effects on forest age structure and subsequent stand development patterns. Within our study site tall open forest displayed two distinct age cohorts: (i) trees that established immediately after the 1939 fire and accounted for the majority of individuals in the forest, and (ii) scattered groups of older trees estimated to be approximately 200–250 years old. Cool temperate rainforest and mixed forest were also dominated by the post‐1939 fire age cohort. However, a greater proportion of trees in these forest types survived the 1939 fire relative to the tall open forest. The impact of the 1939 fire on the growth of surviving trees was highly variable but generally short‐lived. In most cases growth decreased after the 1939 fire, but generally returned to prefire levels within 1–3 years. Non‐fire disturbances were limited to small‐scale branch‐ and tree‐fall events, although the extreme snowstorm of 1977 appears to have caused extensive damage to rainforest communities. Our study demonstrates the opportunities for dendroecological studies to reconstruct historical dynamics and disturbance patterns in Australian forests and provides important insights into variation in landscape‐scale fire impacts and their effect on subsequent forest development patterns.
A protocol for assessment and integration of vegetation maps, with an application to spatial data sets from south‐eastern Australia
Authors: KEITH DAVID A. , SIMPSON CHRISTOPHER C.
Published: August 2008

Abstract  Maps are important tools in natural resource management. Often, there may be multiple maps that represent the same resource, which have been constructed using very different philosophies and methods, at different scales, for different dates and areas. In such cases, conservation planners and other natural resource managers are faced with a choice of map that will best serve their decision making. However, the best available information for a given purpose is often a combination of data from a number of different source maps. In this paper we present a protocol for assessing and integrating multiple maps of vegetation for a particular area of interest. The protocol commences with a consideration of management or policy context and technical issues to determine the basic specifications for the map. It then defines and assesses a set of measurable attributes, representing the concepts of theme, accuracy, precision and currency, for all candidate maps available for compilation. The resulting ranks for accuracy, precision and currency are used to compute a suitability index, which is used to assemble a composite map from the most suitable candidate maps. The final step in the protocol is to display spatial patterns in thematic consistency, accuracy, precision and currency for the composite map. We demonstrate the application of the protocol by constructing a map that discriminates structurally intact native vegetation from cleared land for the whole of New South Wales, south‐eastern Australia. The source data include 46 maps that cover various parts of the region at various scales and which were made at different dates using different methods. The protocol is an explicit and systematic method to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of alternative data sets. It implements spatial integration in a way that promotes overall accuracy, precision and currency of map data. It also promotes transparent reporting of map limitations, to help map users accommodate risks of map errors in their decision making, and to inform priorities for future survey and mapping.
Epigeous macrofungal succession in the first five years following a wildfire in karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) regrowth forest in Western Australia
Authors: ROBINSON RICHARD M. , MELLICAN AMANDA E. , SMITH ROBERT H.
Published: August 2008

Abstract  Following a wildfire in 17–25‐year‐old regrowth karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) forest in the southwest of Western Australia, plots were established in burnt and similarly aged unburnt forest to monitor the fruiting of macrofungi. Thirty‐six plots on 10 sites (five burnt, five unburnt) were surveyed over a 5‐year period. Plots were surveyed every 2 weeks in the macrofungal fruiting season (April to October) and monthly for the remainder of each year. A total of 332 species were recorded. Fire did not impact significantly on mean species richness. However, a distinct mycoflora was recorded on burnt sites, and species composition on burnt sites changed substantially for each year following the fire and after 5 years was still different from that on unburnt sites. Nineteen percent of species recorded were regarded as being present as a direct result of the fire. The study also demonstrated the variable nature of macrofungal sporophore production in the absence of disturbance and the importance of regular sampling. Five distinct succession groups of post‐fire fungi were recognized. The adaptive traits of post‐fire fungi in relation to fire and the management of fire for macrofungal diversity are discussed.
Distinguishing colonisation modes from spatial structures in populations of the cushion plantAzorella madreporicain the high‐Andes of central Chile
Authors: FAJARDO ALEX , QUIROZ CONSTANZA L. , CAVIERES LOHENGRIN A.
Published: August 2008

Abstract We developed multiplea priorihypotheses to link the observed spatial patterns with colonisation processes in the high alpine cushion plant,Azorella madreporica. We conducted this study in the Molina River basin (33°20′ S, 70°16′ W, 3600 m a.s.l.), in the Andes of central Chile, approximately 50 km east of Santiago. We mapped and measured size (as a surrogate for age) of individual cushions in two populations and used a standard spatial analytical tool (semivariograms) to test our alternativea priorihypotheses related to colonisation mode of the cushion species. In both populations, the size distribution ofA. madreporicareflected a negative exponential or inverse‐J pattern, typical of uneven‐aged populations, where most of the cushions belonged to relatively smaller size classes, in effect, a regular success in the establishment of seedlings, where all size classes of cushions were represented in the population. The results were site‐specific, where best‐fit semivariograms for spatial cushion's size distribution suggested a gradual colonisation in one population and an episodic colonisation in the other population. Microsite distribution proved to be homogeneous at both sites. Thus, the study of the spatial explicit size‐age population distribution of an alpine species provides valuable information about the frequency, magnitude and site variation of the reproductive pulses in these harsh environments.
Tissue distribution of dexamethasone in canine ocular compartments following topical application of dexamethasone‐21‐isonicotinate and oxytetracycline HCl
Authors: Kaiser T. , Werner A. , Bäumer W. , Kietzmann Manfred
Published: August 2008

Objective  To study the dexamethasone (DXM) concentration at different time points in various compartments of the canine eye following topical application of DXM‐21‐isonicotinate and oxytetracycline hydrochloride

Animals studied  Thirty dogs to be euthanized for reasons not related to this study were selected and their ocular health status evaluated. Selected animals were treated with DXM‐oxytetracycline ointment and euthanized after 6, 11 or 16 h.

Procedure  The concentration of DXM was determined in the following compartments of the eye: third eyelid, cornea, aqueous humor, iris, lens, vitreous body and choroid/retina. The DXM concentration in the eye was measured by radioimmunoassay. The applied amount of DXM was 0.04 mg in 0.2 mL ointment. Dogs were treated once with Corti Biciron® eye ointment (DXM‐21‐isonicotinate and oxytetracycline hydrochloride, S & K Pharma, Perl, Germany) and were euthanized 6, 11 and 16 h after treatment.

Results  At 6 h following topical application the mean DXM concentration was highest in the anterior structures of the eye (third eyelid: 18 ng/g, cornea: 36 ng/g). The concentration in the posterior structures was below detection level. A decreased DXM concentration in the anterior structures was measured 11 and 16 h after treatment.

Conclusion  It could be demonstrated that therapeutically relevant concentrations of DXM after a single topical administration are only achieved in anterior structures of the eye. A dosing interval of 6–11 h is recommended to achieve therapeutic drug concentration in those structures. The posterior structures of the eye are not reached by topical administration.
Penetrating keratoscleroplasty and bimodal grafting for treatment of limbal melanocytoma in a dog
Authors: Norman Joanna C. , Urbanz Jennifer L. , Calvarese Sara T.
Published: August 2008

A 6‐year‐old, male neutered, German Shepherd dog presented for evaluation of a dark limbal mass OS. Based on the signalment and clinical findings, a presumptive diagnosis of limbal melanocytoma was made. Additionally, OU demonstrated corneal changes consistent with chronic superficial keratitis. Full thicknessen blocresection of the limbal mass was followed with reconstruction and grafting using both frozen cornea and bulbar conjunctiva. Nitrous oxide cryotherapy was utilized as an adjunctive modality for residual neoplastic cell destruction. Histopathologic evaluation confirmed the presumptive diagnosis. At 18 months postoperatively, there was no evidence of recurrence of the limbal melanocytoma. The dog was treated long‐term with both topical steroid and tacrolimus 0.03% for control of the chronic superficial keratitis.
Sympathetic influence on the pupillary light response in three red‐eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans)
Authors: Dearworth James R. , Cooper Lori J.
Published: August 2008

Objective  We investigated the effects of phenylephrine and its combination with vecuronium bromide on the iris of turtles to determine if the pupillary light response is affected by sympathetic innervation.

Animal studied  Three red‐eared slider turtles, Trachemys scripta elegans.

Procedure  Diameters of light‐adapted pupils were tracked before and after topical application of drugs to eyes. Phenylephrine was applied independently; in a second group of trials, vecuronium bromide was applied with phenylephrine.

Results  Rates of pupil dilation in response to drugs were quantified by fitting data with time constant (τ) equations. Phenylephrine dilated the pupil 24%, τ = 29 min. Combination of phenylephrine with vecuronium bromide increased the pupil size 35%, and dilation was more rapid, τ = 14 min. We also were able to predict these time constants by performing different mathematical operations with an equation developed from a prior study using only vecuronium bromide. When this equation was subtracted from the equation for eyes treated with both vecuronium bromide and phenylephrine, the difference gave the observed τ for phenylephrine; when added to phenylephrine, the sum closely matched the τ for eyes treated with vecuronium bromide and phenylephrine. Further, the τ for vecuronium bromide treated eyes was predicted by subtracting the equation for phenylephrine from that of eyes treated with both vecuronium bromide and phenylephrine.

Conclusions  Our results suggest that sympathetic innervation interacts with the parasympathetic pathway to control the pupillary light response in turtles.
Study of retinal microvessels in a Rhesus monkey model of chronic high intraocular pressure
Authors: Kong Xiang‐Mei , Sun Xing‐Huai , Yu Dao‐Yi , Guo Wen‐Yi , Yu Xiao‐Bo
Published: August 2008

Objective  To investigate the changes in retinal vessels, especially macular capillaries, under high IOP using the Rhesus monkey high IOP model.

Methods  The trabecular meshwork of the adult Rhesus monkey was cauterized by laser to induce increased IOPs with different degrees of damage. The eyeballs were enucleated, and the optic nerves were stained with toluidine blue in semithick slices. Part of the retina was observed under electron microscope, and the rest was stained by the ADPase method. The damage levels of the optic nerve were evaluated by axon count, and the pathological appearance of the macular capillaries were observed.

Results  Five mildly damaged eyes, three moderately damaged eyes and three severely damaged eyes were evaluated. Dense and intact perifoveal vascular rings were observed in all the eyes. The vessels’ area percentages, as well as area, perimeter and diameter of the foveal avascular zones, were measured, and no statistically differences were found among different groups (P‐values were 0.269, 0.500, 0.951, and 0.555 separately). The ultra structures of the normal capillaries showed regular tubes and intact basement membranes, while lipoid substances in capillary tubes, swollen mitochondria in endothelial cell bodies, and uneven basement membranes were found in the high IOP‐damaged eyes.

Conclusions  Compared with normal eyes, no obvious differences were found in macular microvessels and foveal avascular zones in the Rhesus monkey model of high IOP. However, presence of swollen mitochondria in endothelial cells and lipoid substances in capillary tubes might suggest that high IOP could damage the capillary endothelial cells.
The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial and European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer risk calculators indicating a positive prostate biopsy: a comparison
Authors: Van Den Bergh Roderick C.N. , Roobol Monique J. , Wolters Tineke , Van Leeuwen Pim J. , Schröder Fritz H.
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE

To assess the potential problem that different tools for predicting a positive outcome of prostate biopsy can produce divergent outcomes in the same man, by comparing the risk calculators based on the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) and the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) range of 0.2–30.0 ng/mL, the prediction curves of ‘virtual’ standard study participants were evaluated using both prediction tools. The effects of prostate volume, digital rectal examination, transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS), previous negative biopsy, family history, race, and age were also assessed.

RESULTS

Important differences in underlying study design and populations between the PCPT and ERSPC cause an essential discrepancy between the risk calculators. In the PCPT there were few biopsies in the higher PSA ranges, and in the ERSPC in the lower PSA ranges. Both risk indicators have incorporated some variables that are not used in the other, because they were insignificant in multivariate analysis. TRUS and especially prostate volume (not available in the PCPT) have a considerably larger effect on predictions in comparable PSA ranges than race, age, family history of prostate cancer, and previous negative biopsy (indicators that were excluded in ERSPC).

CONCLUSIONS

Before using risk calculators users must consider the properties of the underlying populations and what are the included or unavailable risk factors, and compare these to the patient. When these prerequisites are disregarded, dissimilarities will result in grossly inaccurate predictions for individual patients.
Liberalizing NAFTA Rules of Origin: A Dynamic CGE Analysis
Authors: Georges Patrick
Published: August 2008

Most computable general‐equilibrium (CGE) studies assessing the welfare impact of moving from a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to a deeper form of integration, for example a customs union (CU), typically proxy the integration as the adoption of a common external tariff toward the rest of the world. However, a CU is also an arrangement that allows for the elimination of FTAs' preferential rules of origin (ROO), which is typically not captured in CGE studies. This paper addresses the issue using a multicountry, multisector dynamic CGE model. Although the removal of distortionary ROO is likely to lower the unit costs of production within North America, it may also deteriorate North American terms of trade with the rest of the world. Thus, the net effect of the removal of NAFTA ROO on welfare is ambiguous and is an empirical issue.
Passthrough of Exchange Rate and Tariffs into Import Prices of India: Currency Depreciation versus Import Liberalization*
Authors: Mallick Sushanta , Marques Helena
Published: August 2008

This paper examines the extent of passthrough of exchange rate and tariff changes into import prices using sectoral panel data (at the two‐digit SITC level) for the post‐reform period in India (1990–2001). After having controlled for unobserved effects that might have an impact on the import prices by using sector dummies, we find that on average exchange rate passthrough (ERPT) is a dominant effect compared to tariff rate passthrough (TRPT) in explaining changes in India's import prices. The sectoral panel results suggest that the passthrough of exchange rates and tariff rates varies across products. ERPT into import prices is significant in 12 industries, whereas TRPT is significant only in six industries, with full passthrough. However, ERPT is incomplete only in four industries, but TRPT is incomplete in 36 industries, which means that firms exporting to India more frequently adopt strategies to maintain their market share against tariffs than against exchange rate changes. The sectoral differences in passthrough seem to be related to the sector's share in total imports and the sector's effective protection rate. Hence, India's relatively high levels of protection have an impact on the behavior of foreign exporters.
Experiencing Conversations: Bridging the Gap between Discourse and Activity
Authors: SANNINO ANNALISA
Published: August 2008

The article introduces the Vygotskian tradition in the realist theoretical discussion of the structure‐agency problem. Archer's concept of internal conversation is discussed in terms of internalization and externalization of conversational dynamics. The article addresses in particular the methodological issue of observing how external events trigger internal use of language, and how these internal dynamics are externalized. The experience of talk is proposed as a conceptual key to the understanding of internal conversations and of the relation between structured activity and agency. The experience of talk is defined with the help of the notions of emotional experience, personal sense and inner speech, as they are conceptualized in activity theory and in particular in the works of L.S. Vygotsky and A.N. Leont’ev. Students’ experiences of critical conversational events with teachers are analyzed on the basis of written autobiographical accounts. The experience of talk emerges from the analysis as a form of emotional experience in which the horizon of the individual's subjective view relates to specific circumstances external to the individual. Autobiographical accounts of critical conversations are suggested as a type of data which allows access to the experience of talk.
Trauma‐Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Children and Parents
Authors: Cohen Judith A. , Mannarino Anthony P.
Published: August 2008

Trauma‐focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF‐CBT) for children and parents is an evidence based treatment approach for traumatised children. Evaluation of TF‐CBT includes several randomised controlled trials, effectiveness studies and ongoing studies for children experiencing sexual abuse, domestic violence, traumatic grief, terrorism, disasters and multiple traumas. The model of TF‐CBT described here is a flexible, components‐based model that provides children and parents with stress management skills prior to encouraging direct discussion and processing of children’s traumatic experiences. TF‐CBT components are summarised by the acronym PRACTICE: Psychoeducation, Parenting skills, Relaxation skills, Affective modulation skills, Cognitive coping skills, Trauma narrative and cognitive processing of the traumatic event(s), In vivo mastery of trauma reminders, Conjoint child‐parent sessions, and Enhancing safety and future developmental trajectory. Currently this model of TF‐CBT is being adapted and implemented both within the USA and internationally.
Demographic Consequences of Terrestrial Habitat Loss for Pool‐Breeding Amphibians: Predicting Extinction Risks Associated with Inadequate Size of Buffer Zones
Authors: HARPER ELIZABETH B. , RITTENHOUSE TRACY A. G. , SEMLITSCH RAYMOND D.
Published: August 2008

Abstract:  Much of the biodiversity associated with isolated wetlands requires aquatic and terrestrial habitat to maintain viable populations. Current federal wetland regulations in the United States do not protect isolated wetlands or extend protection to surrounding terrestrial habitat. Consequently, some land managers, city planners, and policy makers at the state and local levels are making an effort to protect these wetland and neighboring upland habitats. Balancing human land‐use and habitat conservation is challenging, and well‐informed land‐use policy is hindered by a lack of knowledge of the specific risks of varying amounts of habitat loss. Using projections of wood frog (Rana sylvatica) and spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) populations, we related the amount of high‐quality terrestrial habitat surrounding isolated wetlands to the decline and risk of extinction of local amphibian populations. These simulations showed that current state‐level wetland regulations protecting 30 m or less of surrounding terrestrial habitat are inadequate to support viable populations of pool‐breeding amphibians. We also found that species with different life‐history strategies responded differently to the loss and degradation of terrestrial habitat. The wood frog, with a short life span and high fecundity, was most sensitive to habitat loss and isolation, whereas the longer‐lived spotted salamander with lower fecundity was most sensitive to habitat degradation that lowered adult survival rates. Our model results demonstrate that a high probability of local amphibian population persistence requires sufficient terrestrial habitat, the maintenance of habitat quality, and connectivity among local populations. Our results emphasize the essential role of adequate terrestrial habitat to the maintenance of wetland biodiversity and ecosystem function and offer a means of quantifying the risks associated with terrestrial habitat loss and degradation.
New Genetic Approach to Detecting Individuals of Rare and Endangered Species
Authors: LAWRENCE HAYLEY A. , TAYLOR GRAEME A. , CROCKETT DAVID E. , MILLAR CRAIG D. , LAMBERT DAVID M.
Published: August 2008

Abstract:  Many rare and endangered species are difficult to locate, observe, and study. Consequently, many individuals, breeding pairs, and even populations of such species could remain undetected. Genetic markers can potentially be used to detect the existence of undiscovered individuals and populations, and we propose a method to do so that requires 3 conditions. First, sampling of the known population(s) of the target species must be comprehensive. Second, the species must display a reasonable level of philopatry and genetic structuring. Third, individuals must be able to be caught outside of breeding locations (e.g., at courtship or feeding areas, in flight), and the level of recapture must be reasonably high. We applied our method to the Chatham Island Taiko (Pterodroma magentae), one of the world's most endangered seabirds. We sequenced the Taiko mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and both copies of a fragment of the duplicated domain I of the control region. Twenty‐one haplotypes were revealed, including 4 (19%) not found in birds at known burrows. These results suggest there are more burrow groups yet to be located. The species is a pelagic gadfly petrel that inhabits land only in the breeding season during which it is nocturnal and nests in burrows. Taiko burrows are situated in dense forest in a remote area of Chatham Island, and are consequently difficult to locate and study. It is important that all Taiko burrows be discovered to enable monitoring and protection of the birds from exotic predators.
Current Status of Marine Protected Areas in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: GUARDERAS A. PAULINA , HACKER SALLY D. , LUBCHENCO JANE
Published: August 2008

Abstract: Marine protected areas (MPAs), including no‐take marine reserves (MRs), play an important role in the conservation of marine biodiversity. We document the status of MPAs and MRs in Latin America and the Caribbean, where little has been reported on the scope of such protection. Our survey of protected area databases, published and unpublished literature, and Internet searches yielded information from 30 countries and 12 overseas territories. At present more than 700 MPAs have been established, covering more than 300,000 km2or 1.5% of the coastal and shelf waters. We report on the status of 3 categories of protection: MPAs (limited take throughout the area), MRs (no‐take throughout the area), and mixed‐use (a limited‐take MPA that contains an MR). The majority of protected areas in Latin America and the Caribbean are MPAs, which allow some or extensive extractive activities throughout the designated area. These 571 sites cover 51,505 km2or 0.3% of coastal and shelf waters. There are 98 MRs covering 16,862 km2or 0.1% of the coastal and shelf waters. Mixed‐use MPAs are the fewest in number (87), but cover the largest area (236,853 km2, 1.2%). Across Latin America and the Caribbean, many biogeographic provinces are underrepresented in these protected areas. Large coastal regions remain unprotected, in particular, the southern Pacific and southern Atlantic coasts of South America. Our analysis reveals multiple opportunities to strengthen marine conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean by improving implementation, management, and enforcement of existing MPAs; adding new MPAs and MRs strategically to enhance connectivity and sustainability of existing protection; and establishing new networks of MPAs and MRs or combinations thereof to enhance protection where little currently exists.
Amphibian Commerce as a Likely Source of Pathogen Pollution
Authors: PICCO ANGELA M. , COLLINS JAMES P.
Published: August 2008

Abstract:  The commercial trade of wildlife occurs on a global scale. In addition to removing animals from their native populations, this trade may lead to the release and subsequent introduction of nonindigenous species and the pathogens they carry. Emerging infectious diseases, such as chytridiomycosis caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), and ranaviral disease have spread with global trade in amphibians and are linked to amphibian declines and die‐offs worldwide, which suggests that the commercial trade in amphibians may be a source of pathogen pollution. We screened tiger salamanders involved in the bait trade in the western United States for both ranaviruses and Bd with polymerase chain reaction and used oral reports from bait shops and ranavirus DNA sequences from infected bait salamanders to determine how these animals and their pathogens are moved geographically by commerce. In addition, we conducted 2 surveys of anglers to determine how often tiger salamanders are used as bait and how often they are released into fishing waters by anglers, and organized bait‐shop surveys to determine whether tiger salamanders are released back into the wild after being housed in bait shops. Ranaviruses were detected in the tiger salamander bait trade in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico, and Bd was detected in Arizona bait shops. Ranaviruses were spread geographically through the bait trade. All tiger salamanders in the bait trade were collected from the wild, and in general they moved east to west and north to south, bringing with them their multiple ranavirus strains. Finally, 26–73% of anglers used tiger salamanders as fishing bait, 26–67% of anglers released tiger salamanders bought as bait into fishing waters, and 4% of bait shops released tiger salamanders back into the wild after they were housed in shops with infected animals. The tiger salamander bait trade in the western United States is a useful model for understanding the consequences of the unregulated anthropogenic movement of amphibians and their pathogens through trade.
Places of Privileged Consumption Practices: Spatial Capital, the Dot–Com Habitus, and San Francisco's Internet Boom
Authors: Centner Ryan
Published: August 2008

Drawing from interviews and fieldwork with former dot–com workers in San Francisco, this article examines how their spatialized consumption practices formed exclusionary places of privilege during the city's millennial boom of internet companies. I focus especially on the personalized deployment of uneven social power in situations where space is at stake. After considering how this group differed from a history of other urban newcomers, I develop a framework for addressing their spatial effects as gentrification involving privileged consumption practices that surpass residential encroachments. I argue there is an exertion of spatial capital that represents the misrecognition of territorial claims, enabling this cohort to literally take place. I show this through several consumption practices that convert to and from economic, cultural, and social capital. A concluding discussion reflects on the usefulness of this case and framework for reinvigorating key urban–sociological analytics while confronting influential but unsociological characterizations of contemporary city life.
Contextualizing Impressions of Neighborhood Change: Linking Business Directories to Ethnography
Authors: Joe Schlichtman John , Patch Jason
Published: August 2008

This article suggests a research tool, the temporal map, for ethnographers to employ in supplementing the accounts of urban change provided by local informants. Such a map, created using city business directories, can provide an external validity check to ethnographic research. The authors’ tool allows urban ethnographers to extend contemporary ethnographic accounts backward to a period prior to the beginning of fieldwork. It provides a geo–temporal contextualization by fitting fragmented, geographically and historically specific ethnographic accounts into a broader area and across a broader period of time. The authors show how two ethnographic case studies were enhanced by such temporal maps. Their cases involve a redeveloped central business district in North Carolina and a gentrified neighborhood in New York City.
Effect of asiaticoside on hypertrophic scar in the rabbit ear model
Authors: Ju‐lin Xie , Shao‐hai Qi , Tian‐zeng Li , Bin Huang , Jing‐ming Tang , Ying‐bin Xu , Xu‐sheng Liu , Bin Shu , Hui‐zhen Liang , Yong Huang
Published: August 2008

Background:  Previous observations suggested that asiaticoside had a possible antiscaring effect. However, the precise pathological mechanism still remain unknown. We questioned whether asiaticoside might alleviate the formation of hypertrophic scar by affecting the expression of Transform growth factor β (TGF‐β)/Smad signaling.

Aims:  To investigate the effect of asiaticoside on the expression of TGF‐β/Smad signaling in the rabbit ear model of hypertrophic scar and to clarify the mechanism of asiaticoside on the scar treatment.

Methods:  The rabbit model with hypertrophic scar was created and applied topically with a low‐dose (0.5%) or high‐dose (1%) asiaticoside three times daily for 1, 2 or 3 months and then we examined the changes of macroscopic and histopathologic characteristics of scars, and the expression of TGF‐β1 and Smad protein was studied by applying reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.

Result:  Asiaticoside could remarkably alleviate the scar in the rabbit ear model. Western blotting showed that the asiaticoside could decrease TGF‐β1 expression, and further study revealed that asiaticoside could remarkably enhance the expression of inhibitory Smad7, but it had no effect on the expression of Smad2.

Conclusion:  Asiaticoside suggested a possible antiscaring effect probably by enhancing the expression of inhibitive Smad7.
Primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma in a baboon (Papio sp.)
Authors: Aloisio Fabio , Dick, Jr. Edward J. , Hubbard Gene B.
Published: August 2008

Background  Primary neuroendocrine carcinomas of the liver have rarely been reported in humans and domestic animals, but not in non‐human primates.

Methods  We describe the morphologic and immunohistochemical features of a primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma found in a 29‐year‐old female baboon.

Results and conclusions  The neoplasm was characterized by multiple solid nodules that were multifocally distributed in the liver. Metastases were not observed. Histologically, the neoplasm was composed of cords and nests of epithelial cells arranged in a neuroendocrine pattern, occasionally forming glandular and rosette‐like structures. On immunohistochemical evaluation, the neoplastic cells were immunopositive for pancytokeratin, chromogranin A, neuron‐specific endolase, and synaptophysin and were negative for vimentin, S100 protein, glucagon, and insulin.
No Conventional Function for the Conventional Kinesin?
Authors: Muresan Virgil , Muresan Zoia
Published: August 2008

A paper by DeGiorgis et al. (DeGiorgis JA, Petukhova TA, Evans TA, Reese TS. Kinesin‐3 is an organelle motor in the squid giant axon. Traffic 2008; DOI: 10.1111/j.1600‐0854.2008.00809.x) in this issue of Traffic reports on the identification and function of a second squid kinesin, a kinesin‐3 motor. As expected, the newly discovered motor associates with axoplasmic organelles in situ and powers motility along microtubules of vesicles isolated from squid axoplasm. Less expected was the finding that kinesin‐3 may be the predominant motor for anterograde organelle movement in the squid axon, which challenges the so far undisputed view that this function is fulfilled by the conventional kinesin, kinesin‐1. These novel findings let us wonder what the real function of kinesin‐1 – the most abundant motor in squid axons – actually is.
THIN‐LAYER DRYING OF SPINACH LEAVES IN A CONVECTIVE DRYER
Authors: DOYMAZ IBRAHIM
Published: August 2008

In the present work, spinach samples were dried using a pilot‐scale cabinet‐type convective dryer. Drying experiments were conducted using a constant air velocity of 1.2 m/s and four drying air temperatures of 50, 60, 70 and 80C. Drying rate increased with the increase in air temperature and thus reduced the drying time. The experimental drying data of spinach were applied to four moisture ratio models, namely, the Henderson and Pabis, Lewis, Page, and logarithmic models. Nonlinear regression analysis was performed to relate the parameters of the model with the drying conditions. The performance of these models is evaluated by comparing the coefficient of determination, R2, and the reduced chi‐square,χ2, between the observed and predicted moisture ratios. Among all the models, the logarithmic model was found to be the best for explaining the drying characteristics of spinach leaves. The effective moisture diffusivity varied from 6.590 × 10−10to 1.927 × 10−9 m2/s over the temperature range studied, with an activation energy of 34.35 kJ/mol for spinach leaves.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Drying, which is the oldest of food preservation practiced by humans, is the most important process to preserve agricultural products because it has a great effect on the quality of the dried products. The objective in drying foods is the reduction of the moisture content to a level that allows safe storage over an extended period. In this study, the drying kinetics of spinach leaves was studied in a convectional hot air dryer. The effect of air temperature on drying behaviors was determined. For the optimal products, the drying characteristics, namely, drying time and rehydration ratio, are considered. The dried spinach leaves could be used in the preparation of foods like puree, soups and baked products.
HARDNESS OF COOKED RICE AS AFFECTED BY VARIETIES, COOLING METHODS AND CHILL STORAGE
Authors: MA YING , SUN DA‐WEN
Published: August 2008

Rice is an important carbohydrate source in daily catering, and also one of the main components in some ready meals. Ready meals containing cooked rice should be cooled quickly for storage. In this research, air blast cooling and cold room cooling were used to cool cooked rice. The effect of cooling condition, rice variety and chill storage on the textural property, especially hardness, of cooked rice was investigated. Results show that air blast cooling can significantly reduce the cooling time and weight loss as compared with cold room cooling for the three varieties (Thai jasmine rice, long grain rice and Japanese rice). The cooling methods can also significantly affect the hardness of cooked rice depending on the rice variety. Thai jasmine rice has lower amylose content; therefore, hardness was generally lower than that of the other two varieties. During the chill storage at 4C, the hardness was increased for all samples except for cooked Thai jasmine rice cooled by air blast cooling, indicating that fast cooling time can inhibit or slow down the starch retrogradation during chill storage for low‐amylose‐content rice.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

In the food industry, ready meals are usually kept at 4 or −18C for longer shelf life. However, the retrogradation of rice starch takes place very easily during the storage, and storage temperature can significantly affect the behavior of cooked rice. In both domestic and international markets, the end‐use quality of rice has significant impact on its market value and acceptability to consumers. Therefore, the behavior of cooked rice is interesting to food scientists and technologists because it profoundly affects the quality, acceptability and shelf life of the rice‐containing dishes. The current research will provide further information for the food industry on the effect of cooling condition, rice variety and chill storage on the textural property, especially hardness, of cooked rice.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CHAMBER TEMPERATURE CHANGE DURING VACUUM COOLING
Authors: ZHAO RUI , CHEN ERTONG , LIN MEIYING , SUN DA‐WEN , XU BINKAI
Published: August 2008

In order to investigate the dynamic changing pattern of the chamber temperature with chamber pressure during vacuum cooling, 10 repeated experiments were conducted to evaluate the time‐dependent temperature and pressure in the vacuum chamber during vacuum cooling of water. Water was chosen in the experiment as it is the main component of most foods. The results showed that the temperature in the vacuum chamber significantly depended on variation in pressure at different pumping stages. The temperature changes in the chamber generally followed a certain pattern. In the early stage of vacuum cooling, the chamber temperature dropped very quickly (0.26 K/s), while at the end of vacuum cooling, it increased rapidly (0.22 K/s), and was about 11.8 K higher than the ambient temperature when the vacuum was released with ambient air flowing back to the chamber.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Vacuum cooling is a rapid cooling method for the food industry; further understanding of the vacuum cooling mechanism can help to control and improve this cooling process. Temperature changing pattern and distribution affects the quality of the food product in vacuum cooling process. As the main component of most foods is water, it is necessary to investigate the dynamic temperature changing pattern and distribution with vacuum pressure during vacuum cooling of water so that the information obtained could be used as a reference for vacuum cooling of food products.
ENHANCEMENT OF ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES BY THE FOOD‐GRADE MONOLAURIN MICROEMULSION SYSTEM
Authors: FU XIAOWEI , ZHANG MINGZHOU , HUANG BIN , LIU JUN , HU HUAJUN , FENG FENGQIN
Published: August 2008

Monolaurin (M) is a potential natural antimicrobial agent used in foods. It is considered to have an antimicrobial activity against gram‐positive bacteria. A monolaurin microemulsion (MME) system inhibited the growth of Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium digitatum. Microemulsions (MEs) are transparent, isotropic solutions of oil, surfactant, cosurfactant and water, which are thermodynamically stable and have been much studied in terms of pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. The growth of B. subtilis was inhibited more strongly by MME than by M. A similar pattern was observed for E. coli, A. niger and P. digitatum, although an enhanced inhibition by MME system over that obtained in comparable M alone was not observed.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Monolaurin is considered to have an antimicrobial activity against gram‐positive bacteria but not against gram‐negative bacteria. A monolaurin microemulsion system inhibited the growth of Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium digitatum, and will be regarded as a “natural” antimicrobial preservative.
APPLICATION OF ATTRITION‐MILLED SOY FLOUR IN A BEVERAGE APPLICATION
Authors: JARRARD M. , HUNG Y.‐C. , PHILLIPS R.D.
Published: August 2008

A soy beverage mix was created using thermally treated, attrition‐milled soy powder, anticaking agent (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%) and adjunct ingredients (salt, sugar, carrageenan, calcium phosphate) commonly found in a soy beverage. Thermal processing of defatted soy flake at specific moisture levels (30, 35 and 40%) from two different sources was evaluated for effective denaturation of the soy trypsin inhibitor complexes. Identification of an optimal thermal treatment was then used to produce a soy flake milled in a cyclone‐assisted attrition mill. Soy beverage mixes were homogenized with a handheld blender at solution temperatures of 4, 30, and 70C. Separation rates were highest at all treatment levels consisting of the 70C solution temperature (1.67 mL/min) and were lowest for all treatment levels at 4C (0.55 mL/min). Thermal treatment of defatted soy flake resulted in solutions with lower viscosities (87.32 and 151.90 cP for Archer Daniels Midland Co. and L‐Star, respectively).

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This article establishes the milling conditions to create an instant soy beverage system. The soy drink mix can be easily used by consumers to make soy beverage or soymilk and is stable for up to 10 min.
N‐Fmoc‐Protected(α‐Dipeptidoyl)Benzotriazoles for Efficient Solid‐Phase Peptide Synthesis by Segment Condensation
Authors: Katritzky Alan R. , Yoshioka Megumi , Narindoshvili Tamari , Chung Alfred , Khashab Niveen M.
Published: August 2008

N‐Fmoc‐protected(α‐aminoacyl)benzotriazoles 1a–d readily afford chiral N‐Fmoc‐protected‐α‐dipeptides 2a–f (77–89%). Compounds 2a–f are further converted into N‐Fmoc‐protected(α‐dipeptidoyl)benzotriazoles 3a–f (71% average yield). Under mild microwave irradiation, 3a–f are used in solid‐phase peptide segment condensation syntheses to give tri‐, tetra‐, penta‐, hexa‐, and heptapeptides (20–68%).
Reversible and Competitive Cinnamoyl Triazole Inhibitors of Tissue Transglutaminase
Authors: Pardin Christophe , Roy Isabelle , Lubell William D. , Keillor Jeffrey W.
Published: August 2008

A series of 15 cinnamoyl triazole derivatives was prepared by Cu(I)‐catalyzed azide/alkyne [3+2]‐cycloaddition reactions and examined as inhibitors of guinea‐pig liver transglutaminase. Several compounds exhibited activity as reversible inhibitors that were competitive with acyl donor transglutaminase substrates. For example, triazole 4d has a Ki value of 174 nm and represents one of the most potent reversible transglutaminase inhibitors reported to date.
Concentrations of Functional Lipids in Abraded Fractions of Hulless Barley and Effect of Storage
Authors: Liu K.S. , Moreau R.A.
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT:  Hulless barley kernels were sequentially abraded to achieve 4%, 8%, 16%, 24%, 32%, and 40% removal. Abraded fines, kernels, and ground kernels were stored at 35 °C and 75% relative humidity for 3 wk. Stored samples were extracted and the levels of oil, free phytosterols, tocopherols (Ts), and tocotrienols (T3s) were analyzed and compared with freshly abraded fractions. The results revealed that oil, sterols, and Ts were concentrated in the outer layers, particularly in the germ layer. In whole kernels, homologues of both Ts and T3s showed the same ranking order in concentrations as α > γ > β > δ. The homologue composition of Ts remained the same but that of T3s changed across the kernel. The %T3 in total tocols increased in fractions with increasing endosperm tissue. Storage caused no change in oil and Ts but significant changes in sterols and T3s. The changes were differential among T3 isomers, with α‐T3 decreasing and δ‐T3 increasing. The degradation of α‐T3 was accelerated in fractions with more endosperm tissue. Grinding kernel samples before storage accelerated sterol degradation but had a limited effect on changes of T3s. A 2nd experiment using a different hulless barley line and ambient storage for 6 mo confirmed all the findings except that the changing trend for sterols was inconsistent. These results provide practical information to those who wish to produce a barley fraction enriched with a particular functional lipid and maintain stability of their products.
Synthesis and Analysis of Kinematics/Statics of a Novel 2SP̱S+SP̱R+SP Parallel Manipulator
Authors: Lu Yi , Shi Yan , Li Shi-Hua , Tian Xing-Bin
Published: August 2008

This paper proposes a systematic methodology for dimension synthesis, kinematics, and statics of a novel 2SP̱S+SP̱R+SP parallel manipulator with 3DOF. First, a workspace is varied and analyzed by varying the orientation of a revolute joint, and an optimum orientation of revolute joint is determined. Second, the inverse displacement is analyzed, and the formulas are derived for solving general inverse/forward velocities and accelerations. Third, the geometric constraints of constrained forces are determined and the formulas are derived for solving the active/constrained forces.
Point-Line Distance Under Riemannian Metrics
Authors: Zhang Yi , Ting Kwun-Lon
Published: August 2008

A point-line is the combination of a directed line and an endpoint on the line. A pair of point-line positions corresponds to a point-line displacement, which is known to be associated with a set of rigid body displacements whose screw axes are distributed on a cylindroid. Different associated rigid body displacements generally correspond to different distances under Riemannian metrics on the manifold of SE(3). A unique measure of distance between a pair of point-line positions is desirable in engineering applications. In this paper, the distance between two point-line positions is investigated based on the left-invariant Riemannian metrics on the manifold of SE(3). The displacements are elaborated from the perspective of the soma space. The set of rigid body displacements associated with the point-line displacement is mapped to a one-dimensional great circle on the unit sphere in the space of four dual dimensions, on which the point with the minimum distance to the identity is indicated. It is shown that the minimum distance is achieved when an associated rigid body displacement has no rotational component about the point-line axis. The minimum distance, which has the inherited property of independence of inertial reference frames, is referred to as the point-line distance. A numerical example shows the application of point-line distance to a point-line path generation problem in mechanism synthesis.