Abstract: A short-term glasshouse experiment was carried out with two grassland soils to investigate phosphorus (P) availability and associated processes in the rhizosphere of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don.) using a thin slicing technique. Results showed that readily extracted forms of soil inorganic P were depleted by both ryegrass and radiata pine, although depletion zones extended further adjacent to radiata pine (5 mm) compared with ryegrass (3 mm). Accumulation of bicarbonate extractable organic P occurred in rhizosphere soil under both ryegrass and radiata pine, which was related to increased levels of microbial biomass. Enhanced depletion of sodium hydroxide extractable organic P apparent in the rhizosphere of radiata pine compared with ryegrass was related to the presence of greater concentrations of water-soluble organic C, microbial biomass and higher alkaline phosphatase and phosphodiesterase enzyme activities. These results confirmed that microbial and enzyme activities played an important role in the mineralization of soil organic P, particularly under radita pine.

Abstract: Palm oil is an excellent choice for food manufacturers because of its nutritional benefits and versatility. The oil is highly structured to contain predominantly oleic acid at the sn2-position in the major triacylglycerols to account for the beneficial effects described in numerous nutritional studies. Oil quality and nutritional benefits have been assured for the variety of foods that can be manufactured from the oil directly or from blends with other oils while remaining trans-free. The oxidative stability coupled with the cost-effectiveness is unparalleled among cholesterol-free oils, and these values can be extended to blends of polyunsaturated oils to provide long shelf-life. Presently the supply of genetic-modification-free palm oil is assured at economic prices, since the oil palm is a perennial crop with unparalleled productivity. Numerous studies have confirmed the nutritional value of palm oil as a result of the high monounsaturation at the crucial 2-position of the oil's triacylglycerols, making the oil as healthful as olive oil. It is now recognized that the contribution of dietary fats to blood lipids and cholesterol modulation is a consequence of the digestion, absorption, and metabolism of the fats. Lipolytic hydrolysis of palm oil glycerides containing predominantly oleic acid at the 2 position and palmitic and stearic acids at the 1 and 3 positions allows for the ready absorption of the 2-monoacrylglycerols while the saturated free fatty acids remain poorly absorbed. Dietary palm oil in balanced diets generally reduced blood cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides while raising the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Improved lipoprotein(a) and apo-A1 levels were also demonstrated from palm oil diets; an important benefits also comes from the lowering of blood triglycerides (or reduced fat storage) as compared with those from polyunsaturated fat diets. Virgin palm oil also provides carotenes apart from tocotrienols and tocopherols that have been shown to be powerful antioxidants and potential mediators of cellular functions. These compounds can be antithrombotic, cause an increase of the prostacyclin/thromboxane ratio, reduce restenosis, and inhibit HMG-CoA-reductase (thus reducing) cholesterol biosynthesis). Red palm oil is a rich source of beta-carotene as well as of alpha-tocopherol and tocotrienols.

Abstract: Despite the fact that West African tropical forests are the most fragmented in Africa, there has been no published research on biodiversity in these fragments. To determine how forest birds respond to five fac- tors—patch size, patch isolation, canopy density, abundance of large trees, and proximity to forest edge—in these forests, we surveyed 60 species of forest birds on 121 transects (2.5 ha each) in 35 forest fragments in the semideciduous forest zone of Ghana. Species richness per transect increased with patch size over the en- tire range of patch sizes observed (3-33,000 ha). The diversity of forest birds (22 species) on a single transect in a large forest patch was similar to the cumulative diversity (25 species) on all 17 transects in 13 small patches. Twenty-two of 60 species were area sensitive, 15 of which were never found in small patches. These results suggest that only large forests will conserve many species of West African forest birds. Nine species were edge sensitive, 7 of which were also area sensitive. However, forest structure near patch edges was not consistent with bird responses to canopy and tree density, suggesting that mechanisms other than microcli- mate or structural changes (perhaps predation or nest parasitism) underlie the response of most species that are sensitive to both edge and area. Regression of critical patch size (the smallest patch size in which a species was detected) on logarithm of body mass (an index of home range size) for 22 area-sensitive species suggests that area-sensitive species are unlikely to occur in patches smaller than several home-range areas. Canopy density influenced 13 species (11 positively, 2 negatively), and abundance of large trees influenced 8 species (3 positively, 5 negatively). Forest birds did not respond to isolation (distance from a patch to a large forest) for isolation distances of 1-25 km, suggesting that island biogeographic mechanisms had less influence on birds than other potential mechanisms of area sensitivity. Although small patches contributed little to the con- servation of forest birds—species found in small patches were well represented in large patches—small patches are probably important for supporting generalist bird species that provide ecological services in the agricultural matrix and serving as nuclei for future ecosystem recovery. Colapso de la Avifauna en Fragmentos de Bosque en Africa Occidental Resumen: A pesar de que los bosques tropicales de Africa Occidental son los mas fragmentados en Africa, no existe informacion publicada sobre la biodiversidad de esos fragmentos. Para determinar como responden las aves de bosque a cinco factores (tamano del fragmento, aislamiento del fragmento, densidad del dosel, abundancia de arboles grandes y proximidad al borde bosque) en estos bosques, tomamos muestras de 60 es- pecies a lo largo de 121 transectos (2.5 Ha cada uno) en 35 fragmentos de bosque en la zona de bosque semideciduo en Ghana. La riqueza de especies por transecto incremento con el tamano del fragmento en todo el rango de tamanos de fragmento (3 a 30,000 Ha). La diversidad de aves de bosque (22 especies) a lo largo de un solo transecto fue comparable a la diversidad acumulada (25 especies) en 17 transectos en 13 fragmentos pequenos. Veintidos de 60 especies fueron sensibles al tamano del fragmento, de las cuales 15 nunca fueron encontradas en fragmentos pequenos. Estos resultados sugieren que muchas especies de aves de bosque en Africa Occidental se conservaran solo en fragmentos grandes. Nueve especies fueron sensibles al borde del bosque, de las cuales 7 tambien fueron sensibles al tamano del fragmento. Sin embargo, la estruc- tura del bosque cerca del borde de los fragmentos no se correlaciono con las respuestas de las aves a los cinco factores, lo que sugiere que en la respuesta de muchas especies sensibles tanto al borde como al area sub- yacen mecanismos distintos al microclima o cambios estructurales ( probablemente depredacion o parasi-

Abstract: We investigated the interaction of elevated CO2 and/or (Ozone) O3 on the occurrence and severity of aspen leaf rust (Malampsora medusae Thuem. f. sp. tremuloidae) on trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides MIchx.) Furthermore, we examined the role of changes in leaf surface properties induced by elevated CO2 and/or O3 in this host-pathogen interaction.

Abstract: Conservation biologists often must apply novel approaches to address critical issues before they have been thoroughly validated by scientific studies. One technique of particular interest is the use of indicator species as a shortcut to assess ecological conditions or species assemblages too difficult to measure directly (e.g., Landres et al. 1988; McGeoch 1998; Caro & O'Doherty 1999). It is necessary to acknowledge the inherent complexity of natural ecosystems and the need for reliable indicators or surrogate measures. Whereas the spatial aspects of forest fragmentation have received much attention, less focus has been put on the temporal dimension, on what has been called forest continuity, or the uninterrupted, site-specific pres.ence in time of a forest stand or components thereof (Nilsson et al. 1995). Concern has risen that many forestdwelling organisms are strongly dependent on continuously present forest stands or structural components, partly because these organisms are poor dispersers and therefore unable to recolonize secondary stands that emerge after logging (Duffy & Meier 1992). Thus, a break in continuity is the temporal counterpart of fragmentation in space. If assemblages of forest organisms are not replaceable within reasonable time, it has been suggested that forest continuity should be the prime criterion for the selection of forest reserves (Nilsson et al. 1995). During the last decade, it has been proposed that indicator species be used to identify forest stands with long-term continuity of structural components, especially old-growth or old-growth-resembling stands (e.g., Tibell 1992; 0kland 1996; Selva 1996; Bredesen et al. 1997; Lindblad 1998). Recently, the indicator-species concept has been applied in forest survey programs,

Abstract: In order to investigate rodent host specificity of European hantaviruses, experimental infection of colonized and wild-trapped rodents was performed. In addition to the natural rodent reservoir, Clethrionomys glareolus, Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) could infect colonized Microtus agrestis and Lemmus sibiricus, but not Syrian hamsters or Balb/C mice. Neither C. glareolus, nor M. agrestis, could be readily infected by Tula hantavirus (TULV). Wild-trapped Apodemus flavicollis and A. agrarius, the natural reservoirs of Dobrava (DOBV) and Saaremaa (SAAV) hantaviruses, respectively, could both be infected by SAAV. NMRI mice could also be infected by SAAV, but with lower efficiency as compared to Apodemus mice. Balb/C and NMRI laboratory mice, but not C. glareolus, could be infected by DOBV. To our knowledge, this is the first time DOBV and SAAV have been shown to infect adult laboratory mice. Moreover, potential hantavirus spillover infections were investigated in wild-trapped rodents. In addition to the natural host C. glareolus, we also found M. arvalis and A. sylvaticus with a history of PUUV infection. We did not find any C. glareolus or A. sylvaticus infected with TULV, a hantavirus which is known to circulate in the same geographical regions of Belgium, J. Med. Virol. 68:581–588, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Abstract: An improved micropropagation protocol has been developed for teak (Tectona grandis) Nodal explants placed on MS medium supplemented with 222 μM benzylaminopurine and then serially transferred to fresh medium after 12, 24, 48 and 72 h gave maximum culture establishment (768%) Establishment was reduced when explants were retained in the initial culture medium longer than 12 h Explants collected in May showed maximum (768%) response Placement of the explants on MS medium supplemented with 222 μM benzylaminopurine and 057 μM indole-3-acetic acid resulted in the maximum average number of shoots In vitro raised micro shoots were rooted ex vitro by dipping in indole-3-butyric acid (98 mM) for 2 min followed by planting in polyethylene pots containing a soil:vermiculite (1:1 v/v) mixture This treatment resulted in 779% survival of the plantlets They were weaned in a glasshouse and finally moved to an agro-net shade house

Abstract: The intuitive and logical answer to the question of how the tundra-taiga interface will react to global warming is that it should move north and this is mirrored by many models of potential treeline migration. Northward movement may be the eventual outcome if climatic warming persists over centuries or millennia. However, closer examination of the tundra-taiga interface across its circumpolar extent reveals a more complex situation. The regional climatic history of the tundra-taiga interface is highly varied, and consequently it is to be expected that the forest tundra boundary zone will respond differently to climate change depending on local variations in climate, evolutionary history, soil development, and hydrology. Investigations reveal considerable stability at present in the position of the treeline and while there may be a long-term advance northwards there are oceanic regions where climatic warming may result in a retreat southwards due to increased bog development. Reinforcing this trend is an increasing human impact, particularly in the forest tundra of Russia, which forces the limit of the forested areas southwards. Local variations will therefore require continued observation and research, as they will be of considerable importance economically as well as for ecology and conservation.

Abstract: Rainbow trout were exposed to a secondary treated, thermomechanical/bleached kraft pulp and paper effluent in 12,000-L, flow-through exposure tanks at an environmental research facility located at a pulp and paper mill in Kawerau, New Zealand. Trout (age, 2+ years) were obtained from a local hatchery and exposed either to upstream river water or a nominal concentration of 12% (v/v) effluent diluted in upstream river water. Three treatment groups were used: Effluent exposure that started approximately three months before gonadal growth (eight-month total exposure), effluent exposure that started approximately halfway through gonadal development (two-month total exposure), and trout exposed to reference water alone for the total duration of the experiment. Trout were sacrificed just before spawning; exposure, growth, and reproductive endpoints were assessed during and at the termination of the experiment. Reduction in growth was observed in both sexes in the eight-month treatment group relative to the river water reference treatment group. No differences were observed in condition factor or liver size in either treatment. Females in the eight-month exposure group also had significantly lower ovary weight. The two-month exposure group showed no differences from the reference group in growth or somatic indices. Estradiol and testosterone were reduced in blood samples taken from the eight-month exposure group by four months into the experiment as compared to the reference treatment. Steroid and vitellogenin levels in individual female trout from this treatment were significantly correlated with gonadosomatic indices (GSI) measured at the termination of the experiment. The GSI was not correlated strongly or consistently with pregnenolone, nor were any treatment-related pregnenolone differences observed, indicating that the steroid hormone reductions likely were not related to cholesterol side-chain cleavage. Male trout showed significant induction of vitellogenin and lower I 1-ketotestosterone during the experiment (only the eight-month group was examined), but this did not result in any significant differences in testes development. Thus, this study has shown an impact of pulp mill effluent exposure on the reproductive physiology of female trout that appeared to be hormonally mediated. Furthermore, the effect could only be manifest when the exposure was initiated before the start of gonad development.

Abstract: Objective— In human atherosclerotic lesions, degranulated mast cells are found in the vicinity of macrophage foam cells. Mast cell granules contain tryptase, a tetrameric serine protease requiring glycosaminoglycans for stabilization. No endogenous inhibitors have been described for tryptase, and the physiological functions of the enzyme are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of human tryptase on the integrity of high density lipoprotein (HDL)3 and on its ability to release cholesterol from cultured mouse macrophage foam cells. Methods and Results— Incubation of HDL3 with tryptase led to degradation of its apolipoproteins. Tryptase predominantly degraded a quantitatively minor subfraction of HDL3 that is lipid poor, exhibits electrophoretic pre-β mobility, and contains either apolipoprotein A-I or apolipoprotein A-IV as its sole apolipoprotein. Moreover, tryptase caused functional changes in HDL3 by destroying its ability to promote high-affinity efflux of cholesterol from macrophage foam cells, ie, the pre-β-HDL-dependent component of the process. Human aortic proteoglycans increased the ability of tryptase to proteolyze HDL3, suggesting that the proteoglycan-rich extracellular matrix of the arterial intima provides an appropriate environment for the extracellular actions of tryptase. Conclusions— By depleting pre-β-HDL, mast cell tryptase may impair the initial step of reverse cholesterol transport and will then favor cellular accumulation of cholesterol during atherogenesis.

Abstract: Graft copolymerization of acrylamide onto Cassia tora gum was studied in an aqueous medium using ceric ammonium nitrate-nitric acid as the redox initiator. To optimize the reaction conditions for obtaining maximum percent grafting, the concentrations of Cassia tora gum, ceric ammonium nitrate, acrylamide, and nitric acid, time, and temperature were varied. Results are discussed and a reaction mechanism is proposed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3250–3255, 2002

Abstract: D. Don) veneers. Spectral data obtained from 1.2×2.4 m veneer sheets was corellated against stiffness data obtained from 6-ply mini-LVL panels prepared from the sheet. This paper describes the method used to prepare the mini-LVL test pieces and the results of multivariate regression of NIR spectra with the test piece stiffness. The results show the potential for using NIR spectroscopy for on-line assessment of veneer stiffness prior to layup of plywood or LVL panels. Selection of high stiffness veneers for layup would enable engineered panels of high uniform stiffness to be produced.

Abstract: The effect of moisture content (MC) and temperature on the stress wave velocity and signal frequency spectrum through sapwood has been investigated. It was discovered that in 2.5 m long green boards only low frequencies were present in the transmitted signal, while for boards less than 500 mm long, the much higher resonance frequency of the transducer was dominant. For green boards between 0.5 and 2.5 m both low and high frequency components were present. The frequency spectrum was monitored for a 540 mm long board over a range of moisture contents and temperatures. When the MC was below 30% the transmitted signal waveform consisted almost entirely of the transducer resonance frequency, while at higher moisture contents, low frequency components predominated. The frequency spectrum of the transmitted signal was little affected by temperature, but it was affected by the type of transducers used. The effect of temperature and moisture content on stress wave velocity was studied and is displayed in the form of a three dimensional graph.

Abstract: The rhizome of Actaea racemosa L., commonly called black cohosh, is a popular botanical dietary supplement used to treat female health concerns. The rhizomes used in black cohosh products are often collected from the wild. To ensure quality control, it is imperative that plants be correctly identified. This paper examines the use of the DNA fingerprinting technique, AFLP, as an analytical means of identifying A. racemosa from three other closely related sympatric species. To this end, 262 AFLP markers were generated, and one unique fingerprint was identified for A. racemosa, whereas two, six, and eight unique fingerprints were identified for the closely related species A. pachypoda, A. cordifolia, and A. podocarpa, respectively. Two commercial black cohosh products were also subjected to AFLP analysis and shown to contain only A. racemosa. The results of this study suggest that AFLP analysis may offer a useful method for quality control in the botanical dietary supplements industry.

Abstract: The ameliorative effect of Dalbergia sissoo, planted on sodic land at Sultanpur (26° 10′–26° 40′N, 81° 45′–82° 30′E), India, in a tropical environment, was studied at 3, 6 and 9 years of age. The soil properties of the sites improved significantly, showing marked reduction in pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) and an increase in organic carbon, nitrogen and availability of nutrients in the soil. The significant reduction in Na ion was found in all the age groups. Results showed an improvement in the soil moisture regime due to increased infiltration rate (cm hr−1), soil permeability (cm2), water-holding capacity, field capacity and pore space whereas, the bulk density decreased significantly after successive years of planting. The effect on soil attributes was confined to surface soil in the young plantation and deeper in older plantation. Therefore, the study clearly indicated that the sodic soil could be desodified by growing D. sissoo plantations on these degraded sites. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract: Short-interval water level measurements using automatic water level recorder in a deep well in an unconfined crystalline rock aquifer at the campus of NGRI, near Hyderabad shows a cyclic fluctuation in the water levels. The observed values clearly show the principal trend due to rainfall recharge. Spectral analysis was carried out to evaluate correlation of the cyclic fluctuation to the synthetic earth tides as well as groundwater withdrawal time series in the surrounding. It was found that these fluctuations have considerably high correlation with earth tides whereas groundwater pumping does not show any significant correlation with water table fluctuations. It is concluded that earth tides cause the fluctuation in the water table. These fluctuations were hitherto unobserved during manual observations made over larger time intervals. It indicates that the unconfined aquifer is characterised by a low porosity.

Abstract: The phenomenon of wood shrinkage by losing moisture can be analysed at four levels: molecular, ultrastructural, microstructural and macrostructural levels. To predict the shrinkage of wood cells, the model of Barber and Meylan is modified in the current work to reflect combined effects of shrinkage of the cell wall, changes of the lumen shape and effects of rays and bordered pits. Where a piece of wood contains a multi-layer of earlywood and latewood or multi-layer of normal and defect wood with variable properties, a model is proposed to relate the total, measurable shrinkage to the shrinkage of each layer. The model can be applied to a specimen with asymmetric properties through the thickness. In such a board, bow (or crook), cup and twist are often observed. The modified and proposed models involve several mechanical properties of the cell wall which are difficult to measure. These properties vary with wood types, such as earlywood, late wood, compression wood, or wood with spiral grain. However, an alternative method may be used to obtain these properties from experimentally measured shrinkage data, and this method will be presented in a subsequent paper.