bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Forest Conversion and Degradation in Papua New Guinea 1972–2002
Authors: Shearman Phil L. , Ash Julian , Mackey Brendan , Bryan Jane E. , Lokes Barbara 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTQuantifying forest change in the tropics is important because of the role these forests play in the conservation of biodiversity and the global carbon cycle. One of the world's largest remaining areas of tropical forest is located in Papua New Guinea. Here we show that change in its extent and condition has occurred to a greater extent than previously recorded. We assessed deforestation and forest degradation in Papua New Guinea by comparing a land‐cover map from 1972 with a land‐cover map created from nationwide high‐resolution satellite imagery recorded since 2002. In 2002 there were 28,251,967 ha of tropical rain forest. Between 1972 and 2002, a net 15 percent of Papua New Guinea's tropical forests were cleared and 8.8 percent were degraded through logging. The drivers of forest change have been concentrated within the accessible forest estate where a net 36 percent were degraded or deforested through both forestry and nonforestry processes. Since 1972, 13 percent of upper montane forests have also been lost. We estimate that over the period 1990–2002, overall rates of change generally increased and varied between 0.8 and 1.8 percent/yr, while rates in commercially accessible forest have been far higher—having varied between 1.1 and 3.4 percent/yr. These rates are far higher than those reported by the FAO over the same period. We conclude that rapid and substantial forest change has occurred in Papua New Guinea, with the major drivers being logging in the lowland forests and subsistence agriculture throughout the country with comparatively minor contributions from forest fires, plantation establishment, and mining.
Zinc and cadmium accumulation in cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) host plants and developmental instability
Authors: Görür Gazi 
Published: February 2009

AbstractDevelopmental instability in morphological characters can occur during individual development due to various environmental stresses. Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is often used as a measurement of developmental instability, but within‐environment variation (CVe) is also considered an indicator of developmental instability. Cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) populations were reared on zinc‐ (Zn) or cadmium‐ (Cd) contaminated cabbage and radish plants. Developmental instability indicators were measured and their relations with fitness were explored. Results revealed that cabbage aphids exposed to Cd and Zn displayed considerable developmental instability, particularly fluctuating asymmetry. Differences in developmental instability between the two metals were also detected, as well as differences between the two developmental instability measurements. For almost all measured traits, FA was greater on Cd‐ and Zn‐contaminated compared to non‐contaminated host plants. In contrast, CVe of some traits was greater on non‐contaminated host plants, yet for other traits CVe was greater on contaminated host plants. There were also non‐significant inverse relationships between FA and fitness of cabbage aphid populations. Due to weak correlations between FA and different patterns of two developmental instability measurements, this study does not support the hypothesis that developmental instability is a useful bioindicator of environmental quality.
Chronic exposure to elevated levels of manganese and nickel is not harmful to a cosmopolitan detritivore, Megaselia scalaris (Diptera: Phoridae)
Authors: Sorensen Mary A. , Chase‐Dunn C. Mae , Trumble John T. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractEnvironmental contamination with metals such as manganese (Mn) and nickel (Ni) often results in elevated concentrations of these metals in plant tissues. At high concentrations, these metals are known to have detrimental effects on certain insect herbivores. Using laboratory bioassays and artificial diet, we investigated the development and survival of a cosmopolitan insect detritivore, Megaselia scalaris (Diptera: Phoridae), exposed to concentrations of Mn and Ni reaching 2600 mg Mn/kg and 5200 mg Ni/kg dry mass (dm) in artificial diet. Surprisingly, Ni and Mn at the concentrations tested did not harm this fly. Treatment groups from diets with 260–2600 mg Mn/kg dm and 1300–5200 mg Ni/kg dm had significantly shorter larval development times, overall times to adult emergence, and both pupariation and pupal eclosion times compared to a control group. Wing length of females, a correlate of adult fitness, was also greater in metal treatment groups. Other measures including rate of egg hatch, percentage of emerging flies that were female, and wing length of male flies, were not significantly different in metal treatment groups. We conclude that Megaselia scalaris is tolerant of exceptionally high levels of Mn and Ni.
Cadmium in insects after ash fertilization
Authors: Lodenius Martin , Josefsson Jussi , Heliövaara Kari , Tulisalo Esa , Nummelin Matti 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAsh fertilization of forests returns nutrients to forest ecosystems and has a positive effect on soil pH, but it also may elevate Cd concentrations of forest biota. Cadmium concentrations of some forest insects (Formica ants, carabids and Coleopteran larvae from decaying wood) were investigated in southern Finland, where two plots were fertilized with wood ash, while two other plots represented unfertilized control plots. In ants, mean Cd concentration was 3.6 ± 1.4 mg/kg, with nest workers having significantly higher concentrations than workers trapped in pitfall traps. Concentrations at fertilized and unfertilized plots were similar. In carabid beetles, the average Cd concentration of Carabus glabratus was 0.44 ± 0.36 mg/kg, with no significant difference between control plots and fertilized plots. In another carabid beetle, Pterostichus niger, mean Cd concentration was higher at fertilized plots compared to control plots. We conclude that the variation of Cd concentrations in the insects studied is more efficiently controlled by species‐specific differences than fertilization history of the forest floor.
POLYSACCHARIDES FROM MULBERRY LEAF IN RELATION TO THEIR ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND ANTIBACTERIAL ABILITY
Authors: WANG FANG , LI JIANRONG , JIANG YUEMING 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT Polysaccharides play important roles in physiological and pathological effects. Experiments were conducted to compare various methods of polysaccharides extracted from a mulberry leaf using the orthotropic test, and then to determine the optimum extraction conditions. The antioxidant activity and antibacterial ability of mulberry polysaccharides were also evaluated. In this study, the optimum extraction conditions of mulberry polysaccharides were determined to be a ratio of mulberry leaf to water solution of 1:40 (w/v) for 1 h at 80C. Under these optimum conditions, a polysaccharide yield (11.3%) was obtained. Furthermore, the most effective enzymatic removal of proteins from mulberry polysaccharides was achieved using 2.5% protease for a 2.5‐h reaction at 40C, with 73.2% of the protein removal proportion and 86.4% of the polysaccharide proportion, while application of active carbon was the best treatment to remove pigments present in mulberry polysaccharides, with 81.4% of the pigment removal proportion and 71.7% of the polysaccharide proportion. In addition, the antioxidant activity and bactericidal ability of mulberry polysaccharides were evaluated. This study indicated that mulberry polysaccharides exhibited an obvious antioxidant activity in a dose‐dependent manner and distinct antibacterial ability. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThere is increasing interest of utilizing polysaccharides from plant sources for their bioactive activities. As extraction conditions greatly influence polysaccharide yield and quality, great attention has been paid to the efficient extraction of polysaccharides from mulberry leaf. In this study, the optimum extraction conditions of polysaccharides from mulberry leaf were obtained using a ratio of mulberry leaf to water solution of 1:40 (w/v) for 1 h at 80C. Application of protease was the most effective in removing proteins, while active carbon was the best treatment to remove pigments present in mulberry polysaccharides. Moreover, mulberry polysaccharides exhibited a strong antioxidant activity and a good antibacterial ability. This study can help better utilize mulberry polysaccharides, especially as a readily accessible source of natural antioxidants and/or possible antibacterial agents in food or pharmaceutical industry.
IMAGE PROCESSING AND PHYSICO‐MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BASIL SEED (OCIMUM BASILICUM)
Authors: RAZAVI SEYED M.A. , BOSTAN A. , REZAIE M. 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT Various physical properties of basil seed (Ocimum basilicum) were investigated at a moisture content of 5.32% (wet basis). In order to present a quick and an accurate method for measuring small seed dimensions, the image processing data was compared with the one measured experimentally, and the correlations between these were determined. The average length, width and thickness obtained by image processing and micrometer methods were 3.216, 3.220, 1.838, 1.840, 1.363 and 1.374 mm, respectively. The average projected area, sphericity and roundness evaluated by image processing were 4.407 mm2, 0.95 and 0.54, respectively. However, the average geometric mean diameter, arithmetic mean diameter, surface area and sphericity calculated theoretically based on micrometer data were 2.009, 2.145 mm, 12.796 mm2 and 0.62, respectively. The average unit mass, 1,000 grain mass, volume, true density, bulk density and porosity were measured as 0.0020 and 2.23 g; 7.55 mm3; 1,038; 340.24 kg/m3; and 67.2%, respectively. The friction coefficient ranged from 0.300 for basil seed on glass up to 0.547 on plywood surface. The filling and funning angles of repose were established as 14.64° and 12.35°, respectively. The terminal velocity was 4.26 m/s, and textural properties including rupture force, hardness and toughness were determined as 537.4, 926.13 g and 246.32 g/mm, respectively.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSAccording to the small size of some seeds, dimension measurement is difficult and time consuming; therefore, developing a rapid, easy, accurate and nondestructive method seems to be necessary. In recent years, computer vision system (CVS) has been increasingly used in the agricultural and food industry. Some examples of CVS application in food industry are: classification of cereal grains, evaluation of pork color, measurement and classification of corn whiteness, automated sorting of pistachio nuts, quality inspection of bakery products, inspection of Golden Delicious apples, detection of pinhole damage in almonds and detection of bones in fish and chicken; therefore, we decided to examine the possibility and accuracy of this technique for measuring seed dimension for the first time.In this study, in addition to introducing the CVS system for dimension measurement, the physico‐mechanical properties of basil seed have been determined, which is necessary for the design of equipment for harvesting, transporting, cleaning, packing, processing, etc.
Assessment of drainage discharge for widening the M1 motorway between junctions 25 and 28
Authors: Greenstock A. C. , Ravening J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe method of how surface water from highway drainage systems is assessed has been refined and the changes have been implemented towards achieving compliance with the Water Framework Directive (WFD). This directive has identified the need to significantly improve the surface water quality in the United Kingdom and Europe. Our road network plays a significant part in achieving a legacy of better environmental standards, and developments in the assessment and control of the drainage discharge, demonstrate commitment towards this. This paper discusses some of these changes and presents how the M1 Widening project addressed the requirement of obtaining appropriate source data.
Myth and Science: Their Varying Relationships
Authors: Segal Robert A. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe relationship between myth and science is a subject as old as that of myth and science themselves. The position on the issue taken by modern theories of myth can be divided chronologically by the centuries. In the nineteenth century, myth and science were commonly taken to be incompatible. One could not consistently accept both. Because moderns were assumed to be scientific, the choice had already been made for them: they had to abandon myth. In the twentieth century, by contrast, myth and science were usually taken to be compatible, so that one could consistently accept both. Moderns were still assumed to be scientific, but myth was now re‐characterized to accommodate science. Only recently, with the rise of postmodernism, has the deference to science assumed by both nineteenth‐ and twentieth‐century theorists been challenged. This article concentrates on the varying positions on myth and science taken in both centuries by those for whom myth and science intersect rather than diverge. Whether, as the ‘mission’ of the twenty‐first century, myth can be brought back to the world – the world explained by science – is finally considered with the case of Gaia.
Parcel Data for Research and Policy
Authors: Manson Steven M. , Sander Heather A. , Ghosh Debarchana , Oakes J. Michael , Orfield, Jr Myron W. , Craig William J. , Luce, Jr Thomas F. , Myott Eric , Sun Shipeng 
Published: February 2009

AbstractParcel data, or information about individual plots of land, may be used to examine a broad range of social and environmental issues. While analog parcel information has long been available, the move towards digital georeferenced data offers a more readily available means of using detailed structural and land use information. Parcels map onto useful units of analysis such as individuals and households, and serve as the foci of policy institutions tasked with functions such as taxation, schooling, zoning, or public health. The promise of digital parcel data is offset by challenges related to format, availability, maintenance, quality, augmentation, and confidentiality. We examine the use of digital parcel data in research and policy with special reference to land use, public health, education, and environmental applications. We also make recommendations for improving and using parcel datasets.
The Virtuous Discourses of Private Communities
Authors: Kenna Therese E. , Dunn Kevin M. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis article reviews research on the contemporary marketing of private communities. Ultimately, the success of this marketing relies upon some existing or insipient consumer preferences. The urban studies literature offers at least five related sets of explanations for the emergence of desires for privatised residential communities, which we outline in this article. Yet, the research to date on the selling of private residential communities has tended to investigate specific features of private communities (e.g. demand, supply, representation and discourse) and has eschewed a more holistic encapsulation of the phenomenon. We use this article to propose a holistic approach that contemplates the ‘virtuous cycles’ that favour private community growth.
Early decline of the HCV core antigen can predict SVR in patients with HCV treated by Pegylated interferon plus ribavirin combination therapy
Authors: FUJINO Tatsuya , NAKAMUTA Makoto , AOYAGI Yoko , FUKUIZUMI Kunitaka , TAKEMOTO Ryosuke , YOSHIMOTO Tsuyoshi , MIYAHARA Toshihiko , HARADA Naohiko , SAKAI Hironori , NAKASHIMA Manabu , ENJOJI Munechika 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVE:  Pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy is now a popular treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C; however, the reported sustained virologic response (SVR) rate remains at nearly 50% in genotype 1b infected patients. Therefore, it is of clinical benefit to be able to predict the effect of combination therapy on individual patients earlier in the treatment. We estimated the predictive serum HCV core antigen levels for SVR in the early therapeutic stage of combination therapy.METHODS:  The HCV core antigen in patients with high‐level HCV viremia, in whom standard PEG‐IFNα2b plus RBV combination therapy had been completed, was measured at baseline and at 3, 7, 14, 28 and 84 days of treatment, and their SVR was determined at 24 weeks after treatment. Sixty genotype 1b‐ and 30 genotype 2‐infected patients were included.RESULTS:  Thirty (50%) genotype 1b and 27 (90%) genotype 2 patients achieved a SVR. In genotype 1b patients the decline of HCV core antigen levels was statistically different between the SVR and non‐SVR groups. When we defined a separation level at 500 fmol/L, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy for SVR at day 7 was 79.4%, 88.5%, 90%, 76.7%, and 83.3%, respectively. In genotype 2 patients, there was no significant difference in the HCV core antigen values between the SVR and non‐SVR groups.CONCLUSION:  In genotype 1b patients, 500 fmol/L of HCV core antigen level at day 7 was the best predictor for therapeutic response in the early stage of treatment.
Effects of gut barrier dysfunction and NF‐κB activation on aggravating mechanism of severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: WANG Yi Lin , ZHENG Yun Jiang , ZHANG Zi Ping , SU Jing Ying , LEI Ruo Qing , TANG Yao Qing , ZHANG Sheng Dao 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVE:   To study the effects of gut‐derived endotoxin translocation and NF‐κB activation on the aggravating mechanism of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and of treatment with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) on rats with SAP.METHODS:   SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (SO), SAP group, SAP + lipopolysaccharide(LPS) group, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) treatment group and LPS group. Biochemical parameters and cytokines were examined in the serum. Multiple organs pathological slices were examined. Expression of NF‐κB mRNA in the liver tissue was detected by RT‐PCR. Activation of NF‐κB by the method of streptomycin avidin‐peroxidase (SP) and expression of NF‐κB p65 protein and its binding activity were analyzed by Western blot and electrophoretic mobidity shift assay (EMSA).RESULTS:   Compared with sham operation group, the concentration of TNF‐α, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and diamine oxidase (DAO) in serum significantly increased in SAP + LPS group (P < 0.05). Pathological changes were markedly observed in tissues and the expression of NF‐κB mRNA in the liver significantly increased (P < 0.05) also, the activation of NF‐κB and binding activity of NF‐κB p65 protein in the liver markedly increased (P < 0.01) in SAP + LPS group. Treatment with PDTC markedly reduced concentration of ALT, DAO and TNF‐α, and the expression of NF‐κB, and the pathologic scores, as well as significantly decreased the expression of NF‐κB p65 protein.CONCLUSION:   The activation and overexpression of NF‐κB may participate in the aggravating mechanism of SAP. Treatment with PDTC has a protective effect on multiple organs damage in SAP.
DNA barcode divergence among species and genera of birds and fishes
Authors: WARD ROBERT D. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractCOI DNA barcoding is increasingly recognized as a significant new tool for the recognition and identification of animal species. Here, publicly available barcode data are compiled and analysed for birds (657 species) and fishes (1088 species). The proportion of species that cannot be barcode‐distinguished by this marker is approximately 6.4% for birds and 2.1–2.5% for fishes. At all hierarchical taxonomic levels (species, genera, family, order, class), fish show greater mean COI divergence than birds. If two samples are barcode‐identical, then for both birds and fishes, the probability that they are from the same species is 98–99%. The probability of conspecificity rapidly drops as divergence increases. At 2% COI divergence, this probability approximates to 1% for birds and 3% for fishes. The apparent difference between birds and fishes might partially reflect currently unrecognized cryptic species complexes in the latter. These probability estimates derive from pooled samples of birds and pooled samples of fishes, and will not apply in all situations. Recently evolved species complexes will have higher proportions of species that are barcode‐identical. As barcode data accumulate, more refined statistical analyses will become possible.
Evidence for shifting baseline syndrome in conservation
Authors: Papworth S.K. , Rist J. , Coad L. , Milner‐Gulland E.J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractShifting baseline syndrome (SBS) is often referred to as a key issue for conservation, yet there is little evidence for its existence. The presence of SBS could influence the validity of participatory monitoring, local ecological knowledge, community based conservation, and conservation education. We outline two forms of SBS: (1) generational amnesia, where knowledge extinction occurs because younger generations are not aware of past biological conditions and (2) personal amnesia, where knowledge extinction occurs as individuals forget their own experience. Two conditions are essential to the identification of SBS: (1) biological change must be present in the system and (2) any perceived changes must be consistent with the biological data. If age or experience‐related differences in perception are then found, generational amnesia may be occurring. Alternately, if individuals believe current conditions also occurred in the past, personal amnesia may be occurring. Previous studies have not fully addressed these conditions, and hence cannot provide indisputable evidence for the existence of SBS. We present three case studies to examine these issues, which demonstrate both forms of SBS. Shifting baseline syndrome is no longer a cautionary tale, but instead is a real problem for those using human perceptions of change to inform conservation policy‐making or management.
Multifocal electroretinography amplitudes increase after photocoagulation in areas with increased retinal thickness and hard exudates
Authors: Lövestam‐Adrian Monica , Holm Kristina 
Published: February 2009

Abstract.Purpose:  This study aimed to evaluate local response on multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) and to assess retinal thickness with optical coherence tomography (OCT) after focal laser treatment in areas with retinal oedema and exudates in patients with diabetic retinopathy.Methods:  Twelve diabetes patients (aged 60 ± 14 years, diabetes duration 16 ± 8 years) treated with focal or grid photocoagulation in areas with retinal oedema and/or exudates underwent mfERG and OCT before and 3 months after treatment. The average thickness (in μm) in any of the nine sectors (defined according to the ETDRS) treated with photocoagulation was measured. Amplitudes and implicit times were analysed in corresponding areas on the mfERG.Results:  Mean mfERG amplitudes increased after photocoagulation (21.5 ± 8.0 nV/deg2 versus 16.8 ± 6.1 nV/deg2; p = 0.012), whereas no difference was seen in implicit times. Mean OCT values in the treated regions were lower at follow‐up (272 ± 23 μm versus 327 ± 79 μm; p = 0.013). No correlation was seen between changes in mfERG response and changes in OCT values. The decrease in retinal thickness was correlated with the number of laser spots applied (p = 0.002).Conclusions:  Focal argon laser treatment is effective in reducing retinal thickness. In addition, treated areas tend to show improved retinal function as demonstrated by increased amplitudes on mfERG.