bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnosing moisture transport using D/H ratios of water vapor
Authors: Strong Mel , Sharp Zachary D. , Gutzler David S.
Published: February 2007

Water vapor transport paths into the American Southwest were deduced from a high temporal resolution record of hydrogen isotope compositions of atmospheric water vapor (δDwv) collected over a six‐week period in late spring, 2005, at Albuquerque, New Mexico. Daily fluctuations of δDwv routinely exceeded 20‰ in magnitude, while δDwv variations up to 80‰ occurred on the time scale of weather (a few hours to ∼ a week). Vertical profiles of δDwv in the lower troposphere exhibited considerable structure that cannot be ascertained from standard meteorological measurements. Trajectory analyses provide consistent evidence that the large temporal variations of surface δDwv and vertical variations of δDwv are primarily due to advection of water from different source regions. The lack of mixing inferred from our analyses indicates that δDwv can be used as a sensitive tracer of the moisture transport history of air parcels.
Meridional ozone gradients in the African upper troposphere
Authors: Sauvage B. , Thouret V. , Cammas J.‐P. , Brioude J. , Nédélec P. , Mari C.
Published: February 2007

This study presents regular observations from the MOZAIC data base over Africa (1994–2004) to highlight the role of Hadley cells in tropical ozone production. We show the presence in the African upper troposphere (9–12 km) of a minimum of ozone and of a maximum of relative humidity that both follow the meridional migration of the Inter‐Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). We suggest that mechanisms contributing to meridional ozone gradients (0.3 to 1.5 ppbv deg−1) on both sides of the ozone minimum in the 20°S–20°N latitude band are (1) the vertical transport of relatively poor ozone air masses by tropical convection, and (2) the photochemical production of ozone in upper‐level branches of the Hadley circulation. Depending on the season and on the meridional side of the ITCZ, ozone precursors injected in the ascending branch of the ITCZ include biomass burning, biogenic, lightning and anthropogenic emissions.
Streaming current generation in two‐phase flow conditions
Authors: Linde N. , Jougnot D. , Revil A. , Matthäi S. K. , Arora T. , Renard D. , Doussan C.
Published: February 2007

Self‐potential (SP) signals that are generated under two‐phase flow conditions could be used to study vadose zone dynamics and to monitor petroleum production. These streaming‐potentials may also act as an error source in SP monitoring of vulcanological activity and in magnetotelluric studies. We propose a two‐phase flow SP theory that predicts streaming currents as a function of the pore water velocity, the excess of charge in the pore water, and the porosity. The source currents that create the SP signals are given by the divergence of the streaming currents, and contributions are likely to be located at infiltration fronts, at the water table, or at geological boundaries. Our theory was implemented in a hydrogeological modeling code to calculate the SP distribution during primary drainage. Forward and inverse modeling of a well‐calibrated 1D drainage experiment suggest that our theory can predict streaming potentials in the vadose zone.
High crystallinity Si‐ferrihydrite: An insight into its Néel temperature and size dependence of magnetic properties
Authors: Berquó Thelma S. , Banerjee Subir K. , Ford Robert G. , Penn R. Lee , Pichler Thomas
Published: February 2007

Ferrihydrite, an antiferromagnetic iron oxyhydroxide with resulting magnetization due to uncompensated spins, is of great importance for the cycling of many trace metals in the environment. Four ferrihydrite samples prepared with 1.3 to 3.5 wt% of Si at different synthesis temperatures (7.5°C, 22°C, 50°C, and 75°C) were studied by temperature‐dependent hysteresis loops, ZFC/FC susceptibility curves, ac susceptibility and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The incorporation of Si into the ferrihydrite during synthesis changed the properties of this mineral. Interestingly, seven sharp lines were observed in the X‐ray diffraction pattern of the ferrihydrite samples prepared at 50°C and 75°C. In general, both XRD and magnetism demonstrate that particle size decreased (from 23 nm to 2 nm) and particle size distribution narrowed as the synthesis temperature was lowered. Those samples prepared between 7.5°C and 50°C showed the expected superparamagnetic behavior of ferrihydrite below 300 K. The ferrihydrite prepared at 75°C was unusually coarse‐grained and had a blocking temperature above 300 K. Extrapolation of induced magnetization from the largest particles with the highest crystallinity allowed an estimate of a ferrihydrite Néel temperature of around 422 K. We also present XRD and magnetic data from large natural Si‐ferrihydrite collected from a marine shallow‐water hydrothermal area that formed at a temperature of approximately 88°C.
Shoaling and shoreline dissipation of low‐frequency waves
Authors: van Dongeren A. , Battjes J. , Janssen T. , van Noorloos J. , Steenhauer K. , Steenbergen G. , Reniers A.
Published: February 2007

The growth rate, shoreline reflection, and dissipation of low‐frequency waves are investigated using data obtained from physical experiments in the Delft University of Technology research flume and by parameter variation using the numerical model Delft3D‐SurfBeat. The growth rate of the shoaling incoming long wave varies with depth with an exponent between 0.25 and 2.5. The exponent depends on a dimensionless normalized bed slope parameter β, which distinguishes between a mild‐slope regime and a steep‐slope regime. This dependency on β alone is valid if the forcing short waves are not in shallow water; that is, the forcing is off‐resonant. The β parameter also controls the reflection coefficient at the shoreline because for small values of β, long waves are shown to break. In this mild‐slope regime the dissipation due to breaking of the long waves in the vicinity of the shoreline is much higher than the dissipation due to bottom friction, confirming the findings of Thomson et al. (2006) and Henderson et al. (2006). The energy transfer from low frequencies to higher frequencies is partly due to triad interactions between low‐ and high‐frequency waves but with decreasing depth is increasingly dominated by long‐wave self‐self interactions, which cause the long‐wave front to steepen up and eventually break. The role of the breaking process in the near‐shore evolution of the long waves is experimentally confirmed by observations of monochromatic free long waves propagating on a plane sloping beach, which shows strikingly similar characteristics, including the steepening and breaking.
Bora event variability and the role of air‐sea feedback
Authors: Pullen Julie , Doyle James D. , Haack Tracy , Dorman Clive , Signell Richard P. , Lee Craig M.
Published: February 2007

A two‐way interacting high resolution numerical simulation of the Adriatic Sea using the Navy Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM) and Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS®) was conducted to improve forecast momentum and heat flux fields, and to evaluate surface flux field differences for two consecutive bora events during February 2003. (COAMPS® is a registered trademark of the Naval Research Laboratory.) The strength, mean positions and extensions of the bora jets, and the atmospheric conditions driving them varied considerably between the two events. Bora 1 had 62% stronger heat flux and 51% larger momentum flux than bora 2. The latter displayed much greater diurnal variability characterized by inertial oscillations and the early morning strengthening of a west Adriatic barrier jet, beneath which a stronger west Adriatic ocean current developed. Elsewhere, surface ocean current differences between the two events were directly related to differences in wind stress curl generated by the position and strength of the individual bora jets. The mean heat flux bias was reduced by 72%, and heat flux RMSE reduced by 30% on average at four instrumented over‐water sites in the two‐way coupled simulation relative to the uncoupled control. Largest reductions in wind stress were found in the bora jets, while the biggest reductions in heat flux were found along the north and west coasts of the Adriatic. In bora 2, SST gradients impacted the wind stress curl along the north and west coasts, and in bora 1 wind stress curl was sensitive to the Istrian front position and strength. The two‐way coupled simulation produced diminished surface current speeds of ∼12% over the northern Adriatic during both bora compared with a one‐way coupled simulation.
Microstructure measurements and heat flux calculations of a triple‐diffusive process in a lake within the diffusive layer convection regime
Authors: Sánchez X. , Roget E.
Published: February 2007

Microstructure measurements of a triple‐diffusive staircase with a stability ratio of 1.1 are presented. Data were recorded at Lake Banyoles, a small lake in Catalonia, Spain, with a warm, salty, and turbid underground inflow. Turbulent scales are well resolved in the two observed convective layers and allow determination of the dissipation rates of the turbulent kinetic energy, ɛ, and of the turbulent temperature fluctuations, χ, which are found to be 3.3 × 10−7 C2/s and 2.7 × 10−9 W/kg for one of the layers and 5.9 × 10−7 C2/s and 3.8 × 10−9 W/kg for the other. Thermal spectra for the convective layers look universal in viscous‐diffusive and viscous‐convective subranges. Characteristic vertical displacements within convective layers could also be obtained on the basis of Thorpe scales and were found to be 0.3 times the layer thickness. Vertical convective fluctuations were estimated and found to be of the order of 10−4 m/s. When turbulent fluxes were determined within the convective layers on the basis of microstructure data and compared to those at the diffusive interfaces, they showed a stationary state with a mean thermal flux of 3.5 × 10−6 C m/s. A comparison of experimental heat fluxes to different models favors the scaling model of Grossman and Lohse (2000) for Rayleigh‐Bénard convection and the double‐diffusive convection model of Fernando (1979a, 1979b) for low stability. If the 4/3 power law is assumed, then the parameterization proposed by Taylor (1988) for diffusive interfaces at low values of the density ratio is also in accordance with our data.
Effect of the change of bottom depth on the penetration of Kuroshio water onto the East China Sea shelf
Authors: Seung Young Ho
Published: February 2007

A theoretical problem of the penetration of a western boundary current, driven by a cross‐stream sea level difference, onto a shallow basin to the west of the current is put forth to account for the penetration of the Kuroshio onto the East China Sea (ECS) shelf and formation of the Tsushima Warm Current. Different from previous studies, this study assumes that the change of bottom depth is the primary factor determining the penetration. For a given depth of the shallow basin, the penetration depends on two external parameters: speed of the western boundary current, V0, and surface elevation of the current at the edge of the shallow basin, Z0. Two penetration modes emerge, depending on the magnitude of the inertia of penetration. For sufficiently large inertia, which is favored by large Z0 and hindered by large V0, penetration occurs in the form of a free jet, mode “J.” Otherwise, it is in the form of a coastal current, mode “C.” Volume transport of the penetration is maximized in mode “J.” In general, volume transport, width, and speed of the penetrating current increase with Z0, although the latter two are slightly more dependent on V0 in mode “C.” The model considered in this study predicts that the penetration of the Kuroshio onto the ECS shelf is of mode “J,” as indicated by observations. The volume transport of the penetration is somewhat overestimated, possibly because bottom friction is ignored in this model. Although this model is highly idealized, it allows one to gain insight into the behavior of the Kuroshio penetrating onto the shallow ECS shelf.
Atmospheric controls on the annual cycle of North African dust
Authors: Engelstaedter Sebastian , Washington Richard
Published: February 2007

Dust emitted from desert regions and transported in the atmosphere has been recognized for its potential to alter the Earth's climate and environments. Satellite data show that the largest source regions of dust (i.e., hot spots) are located in dry, nonvegetated areas of West Africa and central Chad. Dust emissions from these sources follow a distinct seasonal cycle. Whereas our understanding of processes controlling the dust cycle of the Chad dust source has been improved through recent studies, our understanding of the West African sources is limited because of the remoteness of the sources and lack of surface observations. Using a satellite‐derived dust index and reanalysis atmospheric fields, we show that the annual dust cycle at the West African dust hot spots is not related to changes in mean surface wind strength but is linked to small‐scale high‐wind events. We find that the annual dust cycle correlates well with changes in near‐surface convergence associated with the annual north‐south movement of the Inter‐Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). Dust emissions in West Africa are highest in June coinciding with the crossing of the convergence zone on its northward bound over the dust hot spots. The increase in convergence leads to enhanced surface gustiness suggesting that dry convection associated with an increase in the occurrence of small‐scale high‐wind events and vertical velocity are the main processes controlling the annual dust cycle at the West African dust sources.
Relaxin Family Peptide Receptors – former orphans reunite with their parent ligands to activate multiple signalling pathways
Authors: Halls M L , van der Westhuizen E T , Bathgate R A D , Summers R J
Published: February 2007

The relaxin family peptides, although structurally closely related to insulin, act on a group of four G protein‐coupled receptors now known as Relaxin Family Peptide (RXFP) Receptors. The leucine‐rich repeat containing RXFP1 and RXFP2 and the small peptide‐like RXFP3 and RXFP4 are the physiological targets for relaxin, insulin‐like (INSL) peptide 3, relaxin‐3 and INSL5, respectively. RXFP1 and RXFP2 have at least two binding sites – a high‐affinity site in the leucine‐rich repeat region of the ectodomain and a lower‐affinity site in an exoloop of the transmembrane region. Although they respond to peptides that are structurally similar, RXFP3 and RXFP4 demonstrate distinct binding properties with relaxin‐3 being the only peptide that can recognize these receptors in addition to RXFP1. Activation of RXFP1 or RXFP2 causes increased cAMP and the initial response for both receptors is the resultant of Gs‐mediated activation and GoB‐mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase. With RXFP1, an additional delayed increase in cAMP involves βγ subunits released from Gi3. In contrast, RXFP3 and RXFP4 inhibit adenylate cyclase and RXFP3 causes ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Drugs acting at RXFP1 have potential for the treatment of diseases involving tissue fibrosis such as cardiac and renal failure, asthma and scleroderma and may also be useful to facilitate embryo implantation. Activators of RXFP2 may be useful to treat cryptorchidism and infertility and inhibitors have potential as contraceptives. Studies of the distribution and function of RXFP3 suggest that it is a potential target for anti‐anxiety and anti‐obesity drugs.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 677–691. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707140
Nitric oxide fails to confer endogenous antiarrhythmic cardioprotection in the primate heart in vitro
Authors: Pabla R , Curtis M J
Published: February 2007

Background and purpose:

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in cardiac pathophysiology remains controversial. According to data from several studies using rat and rabbit isolated hearts, NO is an endogenous cardioprotectant against reperfusion‐induced ventricular fibrillation (VF). Thus, if cardiac NO production is abolished by perfusion with L‐NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methylester (L‐NAME) (100 μM) there is a concomittant increase in the incidence of reperfusion‐induced VF, with L‐NAME's effects on NO and VF prevented by L‐ (but not D‐) arginine co‐perfusion. To make a better estimate of the clinical relevance of these findings, 100 μM L‐NAME was tested in primate hearts under similar conditions.

Experimental approach:

Marmoset (Callithrix jaccus) hearts, isolated and perfused, were subjected to 60 min left regional ischaemia followed by 10 min reperfusion in vitro. The ECG was recorded and NO in coronary effluent measured by chemiluminescence.

Key results:

L‐NAME (100 μ
M) decreased NO in coronary effluent throughout ischaemia and reperfusion (e.g. from 3720±777 pmol min−1 g−1 in controls to 699±98 pmol min−1 g−1 after 5 min of ischaemia) and, during ischaemia, lowered coronary flow and reduced heart rate, actions identical to those seen in rat and rabbit hearts. However, the incidence of reperfusion‐induced VF was unchanged (20%, with or without L‐NAME).

Conclusions and implications:

A species difference exists in the effectiveness of endogenous NO to protect hearts against reperfusion‐induced VF. The present primate data, which presumably take precedence over rat and rabbit data, cast doubt on the clinical relevance of NO as an endogenous, antiarrhythmic, cardioprotectant.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 893–898. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707143
Effects of natural and novel synthetic jasmonates in experimental metastatic melanoma
Authors: Reischer D , Heyfets A , Shimony S , Nordenberg J , Kashman Y , Flescher E
Published: February 2007

Background and purpose:

No current treatment reliably affects the course of metastatic melanoma. Consequently, novel approaches to the control of metastasis are actively sought. The overall goal of the present study was to identify new anti‐metastatic agents active against melanoma cells.

Experimental approach:

Two directions were taken: 1. To determine whether the natural plant hormone methyl jasmonate, which kills cancer cells selectively, can suppress the characteristic metastatic behavior of B16‐F10 melanoma cells; 2. To synthesize and identify novel jasmonate derivatives with better cytotoxic and anti‐metastatic activities than methyl jasmonate.

Key results:

We found that methyl jasmonate suppressed B16‐F10 cell motility and inhibited the development of experimental lung metastases of these cells. Furthermore, methyl jasmonate suppressed the motility of a sub‐clone of these cells over‐expressing P‐glycoprotein and exhibiting multidrug resistance. The synthetic derivative Compound I (5,7,9,10‐tetrabromo derivative of methyl jasmonate, the most active derivative) had greater cytotoxic potency (IC50, 0.04mM) than methyl jasmonate (IC50, 2.6mM). Compound I prevented B16‐F10 cell adhesion efficiently and inhibited the development of lung metastases at a much lower dose than methyl jasmonate.

Conclusions and Implications:

Natural and synthetic jasmonates have anti‐metastatic actions. Further development of these agents for the suppression of metastasis in melanoma and other types of cancer is warranted.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 738–749. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707146
Inhibitors of monoacylglycerol lipase as novel analgesics
Authors: Hohmann A G
Published: February 2007

2‐Arachidonoylglycerol (2‐AG) is an endogenous cannabinoid (endocannabinoid) lipid whose functions remain poorly understood. Guindon and colleagues report the novel finding that exogenous application of 2‐AG induces peripheral antinociceptive effects that are mediated, at least in part, by actions at peripheral cannabinoid CB2 receptors. URB602, a recently described inhibitor of monoacylglycerol lipase, an enzyme that catalyzes 2‐AG hydrolysis in vivo, also induced peripheral antinociceptive effects and enhanced the actions of 2‐AG. Peripheral analgesic mechanisms represent promising therapeutic targets for suppressing pain in the absence of unwanted central nervous system side‐effects (e.g. psychoactivity) associated with activation of central CB1 receptors. The therapeutic potential of inhibitors of 2‐AG deactivation for the treatment of inflammatory pain is discussed.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 673–675. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707153
A comparison of the pharmacological properties of guinea‐pig and human recombinant 5‐HT4receptors
Authors: Vickery R G , Mai N , Kaufman E , Beattie D T , Pulido‐Rios T , O'Keefe M , Humphrey P P A , Smith J A M
Published: February 2007

Background and purpose:

5‐HT4receptor agonists are used therapeutically to treat disorders of reduced gastrointestinal motility. Since such compounds are evaluated in guinea‐pigs, we cloned, expressed and pharmacologically characterized the guinea‐pig 5‐HT4and human 5‐HT4(b)splice variant, which share 95% homology. The functional properties of guinea‐pig 5‐HT4(b)receptors were compared with native receptors in guinea‐pig colon.

Experimental approach:

Membrane radioligand binding and whole cell cAMP accumulation assays were used to determine the affinities, potencies and intrinsic activities (IA). Contraction of the guinea‐pig distal colon longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus preparation (LMMP) was monitored to evaluate functional activity.

Key results:

pKivalues for guinea‐pig and human recombinant receptors, and guinea‐pig striatum 5‐HT4receptors, were in agreement, as were the potency and IA values for guinea‐pig and human 5‐HT4receptors expressed at a similar density (∼0.2 pmol mg−1protein). Tegaserod was a potent (pEC50=8.4 and 8.7, respectively), full agonist at both guinea‐pig and human 5‐HT4receptors. In contrast, in the LMMP preparation, tegaserod was a potent, partial agonist (pEC50=8.2; IA=66%).

Conclusions and implications:

Close agreement between the pharmacological properties of guinea‐pig and human 5‐HT4receptors support the use of guinea‐pig model systems for the identification of 5‐HT4receptor therapeutics. However, the mechanisms underlying the different agonist properties of tegaserod in recombinant and isolated tissue preparations, and the extent to which these impact the clinical efficacy of tegaserod as a prokinetic agent, remain to be determined.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2007)150, 782–791. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707154
PTEN, the Achilles' heel of myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury?
Authors: Mocanu M M , Yellon D M
Published: February 2007

Myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury leading to myocardial infarction is one of the most frequent causes of debilitation and death in man. Considerable research has been undertaken to investigate the possibility of reducing myocardial infarction and increasing cell survival by activating certain endogenous prosurvival signaling pathways. Thus, it has been established that the activation of the PI3K (Phosphoinositide‐3 kinase)/Akt (Protein kinase B, PKB) signaling pathway is essential for protection against ischaemia/reperfusion injury. This pathway has been shown to be activated by mechanical procedures (e.g. pre and post conditioning) as well as by a number of pharmacological agents. Although the activation of this prosurvival signaling pathway induces the phosphorylation of a large number of substrates implicated in increased cell survival, when activated over a prolonged period this pathway can have detrimental consequences by facilitating unwanted growth and malignancies. Importantly PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten), is the main phosphatase which negatively regulates the PI3K/Akt pathway. In this review we discuss: a) the significance and the limitations of inhibiting PTEN in myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury; b) PTEN and its relationship to ischaemic preconditioning, c) the role of PTEN in the development of tolerance to chronic administration of drugs known to limit infarction by activating PI3K/Akt pathway when given acutely, and d) the possible role of PTEN in the ischaemic/reperfused diabetic heart. The experimental evidence discussed in this review illustrates the importance of PTEN inhibition in the protection of the heart against ischaemia/reperfusion injury.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 833–838. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707155
The role of the amino acid residue at α1:189 in the binding of neuromuscular blocking agents to mouse and human muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Authors: Purohit P G , Tate R J , Pow E , Hill D , Connolly J G
Published: February 2007

Background and Purpose:

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) are valuable therapeutic targets. To exploit them fully requires rapid assays for the evaluation of potentially therapeutic ligands and improved understanding of the interaction of such ligands with their receptor binding sites.

Experimental Approach:

A variety of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) were tested for their ability to inhibit the binding of [125I]α‐bungarotoxin to TE671 cells expressing human muscle AChRs. Association and dissociation rate constants for vecuronium inhibition of functional agonist responses were then estimated by electrophysiological studies on mouse muscle AChRs expressed in Xenopus oocytes containing either wild type or mutant α1 subunits.

Key results:

The TE671 inhibition binding assay allowed for the rapid detection of competitive nicotinic AChR ligands and the relative IC50 results obtained for NMBAs agreed well with clinical data. Electrophysiological studies revealed that acetylcholine EC50 values of muscle AChRs were not substantially altered by non‐conservative mutagenesis of phenylalanine at α1:189 and proline at α1:194 to serine. However the α1:Phe189Ser mutation did result in a 3‐4 fold increase in the rate of dissociation of vecuronium from mouse muscle AChRs.

Conclusions and implications:

The TE671 binding assay is a useful tool for the evaluation of potential therapeutic agents. The α1:Phe189Ser substitution, but not α1:Pro194Ser, significantly increases the rate of dissociation of vecuronium from mouse muscle AChRs. In contrast, these non‐conservative mutations had little effect on EC50 values. This suggests that the AChR agonist binding site has a robust functional architecture, possibly as a result of evolutionary ‘reinforcement’.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 920–931. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707156
A Green and Efficient Synthesis of 9-Aryl-3,4,5,6,7,9-hexahydroxanthene-1,8-dione using a Task-Specific Ionic Liquid as Dual Catalyst and Solvent
Authors: Ma Jingjun , Zhou Xin , Zang Xiaohuan , Wang Chun , Wang Zhi , Li Jingci , Li Qing
Published: February 2007

A green and efficient method for the preparation of 9-aryl-3,4,5,6,7,9-hexahydro-1H-xanthene-1,8(2H)-dione has been developed using functionalized ionic liquids as a catalyst and a reaction medium. The nature of both the counter anion and cation influence the catalytic performance of the ionic liquids. The ionic liquid can be recycled and reused without apparently loss of activity.
Stakeholder expectations for environmental assurance in agriculture: lessons from the pastoral industry
Authors: Pahl L. I. , Sharp R.
Published: February 2007

This paper outlines the expectations of a wide range of stakeholders for environmental assurance in the pastoral industries and agriculture generally. Stakeholders consulted were domestic consumers, rangeland graziers, members of environmental groups, companies within meat and wool supply chains, and agricultural industry, environmental and consumer groups. Most stakeholders were in favour of the application of environmental assurance to agriculture, although supply chains and consumers had less enthusiasm for this than environmental and consumer groups. General public good benefits were more important to environmental and consumer groups, while private benefits were more important to consumers and supply chains. The ‘ideal’ form of environmental assurance appears to be a management system that provides for continuous improvement in environmental, quality and food safety outcomes, combined with elements of ISO 14024 eco-labelling such as life-cycle assessment, environmental performance criteria, third-party certification, labelling and multi-stakeholder involvement. However, market failure prevents this from being implemented and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. In the short term, members of supply chains (the people that must implement and fund environmental assurance) want this to be kept simple and low cost, to be built into their existing industry standards and to add value to their businesses. As a starting point, several agricultural industry organisations favour the use of a basic management system, combining continuous improvement, risk assessment and industry best management practice programs, which can be built on over time to meet regulator, market and community expectations.
Environmental motivation and monitoring by landholders in north-east Victoria: fact, fantasy and future implications for catchment management
Authors: Reid C. L. , Ridley A. M.
Published: February 2007

This paper reports on the social and business profiles of 39 landholders (in three groups) in north-east Victoria, participating in an Environmental Management Systems (EMS) project, and their motivations for participating in EMS. The level and type of record keeping, formal monitoring, use of electronic technology, and interest or capacity to monitor their environmental performance were also assessed because this is a crucial part of the EMS process and one that research has not reported on to date. Landholder participation in EMS was mostly for reasons of wanting to better account for sustainability issues in farm management. Most participants recorded rainfall, soil test results, production measures and chemical use (in total 69–97%); however, 31% kept no chemical records. Few kept records of remnant native vegetation, pasture management, weeds, pest animals or native fauna. Electronic record keeping systems were used by 26% of participants. Almost all owned a computer and over 70% used the internet and email. To assess interest and capacity to monitor environmental performance, participants were introduced to a water balance calculation tool (this being a locally relevant issue) and asked to calculate their own values. Most participants needed two to three visits to gain confidence to perform the calculations and most did not view the tools as being of much relevance. This was in strong contrast to previous work carried out in the southern Riverina of New South Wales. We conclude that environmental monitoring is more important for catchment management authorities (CMAs) and state agencies than for landholders. If CMAs are to assess how on-farm actions lead to improved environmental performance, there is a need to collect information remotely, invest in monitoring or provide incentives for farmers. There appears to be insufficient record keeping and monitoring by landholders to trace chemical residue problems. This, in addition to a lack of environmental monitoring, means that farmers in north-east Victoria cannot substantiate either ‘clean’ or ‘green’ claims. Future work should focus on awareness and education in natural resource management, as well as improved record keeping and monitoring. Some form of recognition will be needed if the majority of farmers are to participate in environmental programs. Introductory EMS training provides a means of improving business outcomes, documentation and improving environmental management.
Improving environmental management in Australian horticulture: critical factors for the implementation of EMS
Authors: Hopkins W. E. , Ashcroft W. J. , Boland A.-M.
Published: February 2007

In a highly competitive global marketplace, Australian horticulture has traded on its ‘clean’ and ‘green’ image for many years. Although product quality, food safety and freedom from chemical residues (‘clean’) are routinely monitored, ‘green’ credentials are less readily proven. Social and market pressures for demonstration of environmentally responsible production are increasing with the introduction of product standards such as EUREPGAP. An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a potential tool to demonstrate environmental management, achieve environmental outcomes and manage risks, but is EMS appropriate for application to Australian horticulture? Major drivers for the Australian horticulture sector to address its environmental management performance are outlined. EMS is examined as a tool for achieving this outcome by exploring six factors that will influence its effectiveness: (i) complexity and diversity of the horticulture sector, (ii) the variety of expectations surrounding EMS programs, (iii) whether they can achieve environmental outcomes, (iv) whether they will be adopted by farmers, (v) scepticism towards assurance schemes and (vi) links with other programs and policy instruments. It is proposed that these factors are critical to the appropriate implementation of EMS in horticulture, and must be considered and addressed in the design, implementation and evaluation stages.
Assessing the role of a four-stage approach for improving the compatibility of Environmental Management Systems and Quality Assurance
Authors: Seymour E. J. , Ridley A. M. , Noonan J.
Published: February 2007

Environmental Management Systems (EMS) have been adapted by different agricultural industries to suit their needs and to align with other requirements such as Quality Assurance (QA). There are stronger drivers for EMS in some industries (e.g. seafood and cotton) than others (e.g. broadacre industries such as grains and livestock). This paper explores the issue of facilitating the wider uptake or adoption and diffusion of EMS in the broadacre industries, particularly through assessing the EMS preparedness of these industries, proposing a staged approach and investigating the compatibility between EMS and QA schemes. We explore these themes, based on the national grains EMS pilot projects conducted from 1999 to 2002 and research within the lamb industry. A four-stage approach for EMS and QA alignment is proposed in response to reviewing an evaluation survey conducted with farmers from EMS groups in the grain and lamb industries and through exploration of the compatibility of EMS and QA schemes. Within the four-stage approach, the ISO 14001 certified EMS is the highest level, with the lowest stage comprising on-farm self-assessment and introduction to the concept of EMS. All stages are compatible with ISO 14001. In exploring the relationship between QA and EMS, we found that EMS and many QA schemes that fully comply with Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point principles such as Safe Quality Food are compatible in their philosophy of continuous improvement. This allows farmers to understand, identify and manage the hazards and risks in their business that might impact on food safety, product consistency and the environment. We conclude, in the absence of market drivers, a low level environmental awareness-raising process through self-assessment is likely to be more realistic for broadacre farmers than more complex systems such as ISO 14001.
Priority environmental issues for monitoring - mismatch between farmers and catchment management perspectives
Authors: Ridley A. M. , Seymour E. J. , Huhn K.-J. , Park G.
Published: February 2007

Monitoring is an essential part of an environmental management system (EMS) if landholders are to demonstrate improved environmental performance. This paper reports results of two surveys to determine environmental issues and priorities for monitoring. The first survey was conducted on 12 EMS pilot projects, and the second on 18 catchment management organisations in Australia. With the exception of pastoral zones, EMS facilitators identified moderate to major issues in land condition, water balance, riparian zone, native vegetation condition and pests. Water quality issues were rated as minor to moderate problems. Issues raised by the greatest number of respondents were water balance problems and weed and pest issues. Catchment managers reported widespread degradation issues in land condition, water balance problems, altered water flow, water quantity and availability and water quality. Degradation of the riparian zone and native vegetation were also reported. Both EMS facilitators and catchment management organisations understood the need for environmental monitoring; however, few EMS pilot projects have addressed it. This was due, in part, to a lack of readily available tools and concentration on the EMS process itself. Tools of most interest to facilitators were soil erosion risk, soil test interpretation, soil structure assessment, soil health, water leakage and perenniality, water quality, riparian zone management, herbicide resistance, greenhouse emissions and energy use. Facilitators also suggested that tools should be delivered in several formats, but workshops delivered by experts were of most interest. Catchment managers had realistic and pragmatic views about the role of landholder monitoring in assessing catchment outcomes and there is a mismatch between landholder monitoring and catchment reporting requirements. Landholders are likely to monitor only what is in their direct interests and this will be mainly on land condition. We conclude that on-farm environmental monitoring conducted by landholders will be of limited use for catchment management organisation reporting. However, it will be very important in helping farmers to make more informed decisions about their environmental management, together with education and support. The issue of catchment condition monitoring and reporting requires serious attention as current monitoring and reporting is likely to be inadequate.
Using the EMS process as an integrative farm management tool
Authors: Carruthers G.
Published: February 2007

The use of a management process, described in the Environmental Management System (EMS) standard AS/NZS ISO 14001:2004, to develop integrated farm management plans was examined on dairy farms in Australia. Key research questions were whether the ‘Plan–Do–Check–Act’ management cycle could: (i) adequately identify diverse target areas highlighted by a range of stakeholders, (ii) assist with setting on-farm management priorities and targets, as well as planning actions and monitoring and (iii) provide for integrated management across relevant business areas. Project outcomes demonstrated that the EMS process could identify diverse targets, highlight monitoring issues, guide development of integrated farm plans and achieve business, environmental and social outcomes. Using the EMS process, and supported by skilled and knowledgeable EMS mentors, farmers devised solutions to natural resource management issues that additionally addressed farm productivity and business issues. Increased adoption of management processes inherent in EMS should lead to enhanced integration of on-farm management of environmental, quality, occupational health and safety, and social issues. It could also assist in meeting and evaluating catchment, regulatory and community outcomes.
Preparing Australian broadacre agriculture for environmental scrutiny using Environmental Management Systems: implications for extension services
Authors: Ridley A. M.
Published: February 2007

Environmental Management Systems (EMS) have been trialled in the broadacre industries across Australia. This paper outlines the trends in extension service provision, comments on changes needed if environmental issues are to become higher priority and discusses institutional issues. For EMS in Australia to become a mainstream farm business management activity there needs to be sufficient private good outcomes for land managers to adopt them and sufficient public good outcomes for public money to be invested in their implementation. As there are few market drivers at present, extension and incentives are likely to be needed to facilitate their uptake. Evaluation of likely cost-effective public good outcomes is needed for continued public sector investment. Regardless of whether EMS or similar schemes are provided by the public or private sector, if they are to become mainstream there needs to be a move from the dominant extension models used by the public sector (group facilitation and empowerment) to a programmed learning approach. Building on a ‘personalised consultant’ model is recommended for land managers prepared to pay for information to maintain their competitive edge. For more ‘traditional’ land managers, partnerships with the public sector through Landcare networks and regional natural resource management bodies and rural resellers are more realistic. There is large need for formalised training of both public and private extension providers. The institutional arrangements and current alignment and supportiveness for EMS between state agencies, farmer organisations and regional natural resource management bodies is highly variable across the states, but currently appears strongest in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. Australian broadacre industries are globally exposed in being prepared to take on increased environmental scrutiny. It will take many years to reduce this risk given the large and dispersed nature of the broadacre industries. All players, especially governments, regional organisations, peak farmer and peak industry groups need to take a more proactive role in funding and implementing EMS or similar type schemes if they believe there are long-term benefits in doing so. The alternative is to wait for a crisis and be limited to taking a reactive approach to environmental accountability.
Adoption of environmental assurance in pastoral industry supply chains - market failure and beyond
Authors: Pahl L. I.
Published: February 2007

This paper describes adoption rates of environmental assurance within meat and wool supply chains, and discusses this in terms of market interest and demand for certified ‘environmentally friendly’ products, based on phone surveys and personal interviews with pastoral producers, meat and wool processors, wholesalers and retailers, and domestic consumers. Members of meat and wool supply chains, particularly pastoral producers, are both aware of and interested in implementing various forms of environmental assurance, but significant costs combined with few private benefits have resulted in low adoption rates. The main reason for the lack of benefits is that the end user (the consumer) does not value environmental assurance and is not willing to pay for it. For this reason, global food and fibre supply chains, which compete to supply consumers with safe and quality food at the lowest price, resist public pressure to implement environmental assurance. This market failure is further exacerbated by highly variable environmental and social production standards required of primary producers in different countries, and the disparate levels of government support provided to them. Given that it is the Australian general public and not markets that demand environmental benefits from agriculture, the Australian government has a mandate to use public funds to counter this market failure. A national farm environmental policy should utilise a range of financial incentives to reward farmers for delivering general public good environmental outcomes, with these specified and verified through a national environmental assurance scheme.
Environmental Management Systems in the Australian lamb industry: challenges and opportunities for family farms
Authors: Huhn K.-J. , Seymour E. J. , Ridley A. M.
Published: February 2007

An Environmental Management System (EMS) has been piloted in the Victorian lamb industry by two producer groups, one with an export focus and one with a domestic focus. We report on producers’ motivation to become involved in EMS, their current environmental performance in 15 aspects of farm management estimated through self-assessment and their experiences with an entry level EMS process. Producers were surveyed to assess motivation for participating before commencing. The results showed a major motivation was concern for the environment and an expressed ‘feeling’ of being responsible for the environmental impacts of their farming activities, both on and beyond the farm. Results from the completion of a self-assessment workbook indicate that producers on average scored well (>66%) in the management of more traditional farming aspects such as livestock and pastures and less well (<49%) in non-traditional aspects such as energy efficiency. All producers in the pilot project have progressed from self-assessment to implementing part of or a full EMS. This has provided insights into producer readiness for adoption with most supporting a staged approach and entry at a low level. We conclude that without market drivers, progress to ISO 14001 certification is not practical for most ‘small’ lamb producers. This supports the concept of a staged approach to EMS as being more achievable than immediate progress to ISO 14001 certification in the first instance because there are insufficient private benefits for most producers. We conclude that producers will need considerable extension support if EMS is to be adopted by more than a minority of producers (even the lower level approaches). Although environmentally motivated producers are likely to be interested in a Stage 2 EMS with extension support, incentives are likely to be required if the majority of producers are to embrace EMS.
Hypothesis. Air embolisms exsolving in the transpiration water - the effect of constrictions in the xylem pipes
Authors: Canny Martin J. , Sparks Jed P. , Huang Cheng X. , Roderick Michael L.
Published: February 2007

When water flows through a constriction, air can come out of solution (i.e. it can exsolve). This phenomenon is manifested in the transpiration stream of plants. Observations of gas in functioning xylem prompted a hypothesis predicting the daily balance between air and water in wood: a sudden fall in water content at sunrise, followed by an increase in water content during the day. An extended record by time domain reflectometry of volumetric water content (VWC) every 2 h throughout a summer shows the detailed pattern of change of VWC during 25 individual days, giving good agreement with the hypothesis. This hypothesis has wide-ranging consequences for experiments using cut plant parts. Perfusing aqueous solutions through excised xylem also can exsolve air from the water, causing declines in flow. The location of such air was investigated in cryo-fixed perfused vine stems by cryo-scanning electron microscopy. Bubbles formed at residual walls of perforation plates in small vessels, and filled many large vessels. The input surface is revealed as a major source of exsolved air. Precautions to reduce this effect are outlined and discussed.
Black coloration in leaves of Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens'. Leaf optics, chromaticity, and internal light gradients
Authors: Hatier Jean-Hugues B. , Gould Kevin S.
Published: February 2007

Black-pigmented leaves occur only rarely in nature, possibly because their efficiency of light capture for photosynthesis is low. Using near-isogenic morphs of black- and green-leafed Ophiopogon planiscapus Nakai Nigrescens', we tested the possibility that black pigmentation restricts the transmission of PAR within the leaf. We measured chromaticity coordinates of black and green leaf phenotypes, quantified their pigments and optical properties, and followed the transmission profiles of red, blue and green light through lamina tissues. Chroma and lightness values for the black leaves were comparable to those of a black paint standard, and were lower than those for the green phenotype, or for green and anthocyanic leaves of three other species. The adaxial surface of black leaves absorbed 95% incident quanta, and reflected 4% across the entire 400-700�nm waveband. There were no obvious structural differences between black and green leaves. Black coloration correlated with luxuriant concentrations of both chlorophylls and anthocyanins in superficial mesophyll. Profiles of transmission of red and blue light were similar in green and black leaves. In contrast, green light was restricted to uppermost palisade mesophyll layers in black leaves, but was transmitted to more central mesophyll in green leaves.