Averting biodiversity collapse in tropical forest protected areas

The rapid disruption of tropical forests probably imperils global biodiversity more than any other contemporary phenomenon(1-3). With deforestation advancing quickly, protected areas are increasingly becoming final refuges for threatened species and natural ecosystem processes. However, many protected areas in the tropics are themselves vulnerable to human encroachment and other environmental stresses(4-9). As pressures mount, it is vital to know whether existing reserves can sustain their biodiversity. A critical constraint in addressing this question has been that data describing a broad array of biodiversity groups have been unavailable for a sufficiently large and representative sample of reserves. Here we present a uniquely comprehensive data set on changes over the past 20 to 30 years in 31 functional groups of species and 21 potential drivers of environmental change, for 60 protected areas stratified across the world's major tropical regions. Our analysis reveals great variation in reserve `health': about half of all reserves have been effective or performed passably, but the rest are experiencing an erosion of biodiversity that is often alarmingly widespread taxonomically and functionally. Habitat disruption, hunting and forest-product exploitation were the strongest predictors of declining reserve health. Crucially, environmental changes immediately outside reserves seemed nearly as important as those inside in determining their ecological fate, with changes inside reserves strongly mirroring those occurring around them. These findings suggest that tropical protected areas are often intimately linked ecologically to their surrounding habitats, and that a failure to stem broad-scale loss and degradation of such habitats could sharply increase the likelihood of serious biodiversity declines.

Hardening and corrosion behaviour of copper added SUS 304H austenitic steels subjected to thermal cycling

This research was aimed at determining optimum Cu content for the alloy design of SUS 30411 austenitic steels having enhanced heat and corrosion resistance. Samples of the steel containing 1, 3, and 5 wt.% Cu were subjected to repeated heating and cooling to a temperature of 760 degrees C and to a maximum of 15 cycles. Hardness measurement and the corrosion behaviour in 1M NaCl solution were evaluated. The hardness increases with an increase in the number of heating cycles for the three compositions. The hardening response to the thermal cycles is however higher for the 1 wt.% Cu composition and decreases with an increase in the Cu wt.%. The SUS 30411 steel containing 3 wt.% Cu exhibited the least susceptibility to corrosion in the 1M NaCl solution irrespective of the number of heating cycles. The SUS 30411 steel containing 1 wt.% Cu was found to exhibit the highest susceptibility to corrosion for all heating cycles compared.

Healing time for the growth of thin films on patterned substrates

The healing times for the growth of thin films on patterned substrates are studied using simulations of two discrete models of surface growth: the Family model and the Das Sarma-Tamborenea (DT) model. The healing time, defined as the time at which the characteristics of the growing interface are ``healed'' to those obtained in growth on a flat substrate, is determined via the study of the nearest-neighbor height difference correlation function. Two different initial patterns are considered in this work: a relatively smooth tent-shaped triangular substrate and an atomically rough substrate with singlesite pillars or grooves. We find that the healing time of the Family and DT models on aL x L triangular substrate is proportional to L-z, where z is the dynamical exponent of the models. For the Family model, we also analyze theoretically, using a continuum description based on the linear Edwards-Wilkinson equation, the time evolution of the nearest-neighbor height difference correlation function in this system. The correlation functions obtained from continuum theory and simulation are found to be consistent with each other for the relatively smooth triangular substrate. For substrates with periodic and random distributions of pillars or grooves of varying size, the healing time is found to increase linearly with the height (depth) of pillars (grooves). We show explicitly that the simulation data for the Family model grown on a substrate with pillars or grooves do not agree with results of a calculation based on the continuum Edwards-Wilkinson equation. This result implies that a continuum description does not work when the initial pattern is atomically rough. The observed dependence of the healing time on the substrate size and the initial height (depth) of pillars (grooves) can be understood from the details of the diffusion rule of the atomistic model. The healing time of both models for pillars is larger than that for grooves with depth equal to the height of the pillars. The calculated healing time for both Family and DT models is found to depend on how the pillars and grooves are distributed over the substrate. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Efecto de diferentes niveles de Moringa oleifera en la alimentación de vacas lecheras criollas sobre el consumo, producción y composición de la leche

El presente estudio se realizó en la finca "Santa Rosa" propiedad de la Universidad Nacional Agraria, localizada geográficamente a los 12°08'15" latitud Norte y a los 86°09'36" longitud Este, en el departamento de Managua, en los meses de mayo a agosto del 2003, con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto de diferentes niveles de Moringa oleífera en la ración de vacas lecheras criollas sobre el consumo, producción y composición de la leche. Se utilizaron 6 vacas de la raza Reyna con un peso promedio de 387 ± 48 kg entre la 2 y 3 lactancia, las que fueron pesadas, desparasitadas, vitaminadas y alojadas individualmente. El diseño experimental utilizado fue un Doble Cuadrado Latino 3 x 3. Cada período experimental tuvo una duración de 5 semanas de las cuales las 3 primeras semanas eran de adaptación a los tratamientos y las otras 2 semanas de evaluación y recolección de datos. Los tratamientos evaluados fueron: Tl (Heno de Brachiaria brizantha + melaza+ 3 kg MS Moringa oleífera), T2 (Heno de Brachiaria brizantha +melaza+ 2 kg MS Moringa oleífera) y T3 (Heno de Brachiaria brizantha + melaza). Las variables estudiadas fueron: consumo de MS, producción de leche, % de grasa, % de proteína y % de sólidos totales en la leche, así como sus características organolépticas (color, sabor y olor). Se realizó análisis de varianza y comparaciones de medias con la Prueba de Tukey utilizando MINITAB, versión 12.0. Los resultados en el análisis de varianza (P<0,05) mostraron que el mayor consumo y la mayor producción de leche se obtiene con el T1 (6.71 kgMS/vaca/día y 3.09 kg de leche/vaca/día) el que difiere estadísticamente (P< 0.01) del T3 (3.27 kgMS/vaca/día y 1.80 kg de leche/vaca/día) pero no difiere significativamente (P> 0.05) del T2 (5.78 kgMS /vaca/día y 2.83 kg de leche/vaca/día). No se encontró efecto significativo de los tratamientos sobre la composición química de la leche (% de grasa, % de proteína y % de sólidos totales) y sus características organolépticas (olor, sabor, color).

Letras, 1982-1983, nº 6-7 (número completo)

Contenido: Editorial – La personalidad del maestro Ángel J. Battistessa / Octavio N. Derisi – Soneto del cumpleaños, opus 80 / Ángel J. Battistesa – Plácemes, evocaciones y semblanzas – Una reelaboración estilística de Enrique Larreta / Arturo Berenguer Carisomo – Battistessa traductor de Dante / Eugenio Castelli – El problema de la lengua y otros aspectos americanistas en la obra de Andrés Bello / Graciela M. Pucciarelli de Colantonio – Góngora y la poesía pura / Celina Sabor de Cortazar – Maestros e ingratitudes / Elso Darío Di Bernardo – Cuatro clases de modificadores causales con “porque” / Ofelia Kovacci – Un Calisto o Romeo anónimo del siglo XVI / Rafael Lapesa – Lectura retórica de Facundo / Luisa López Grigera – Cautivos en la literatura argentina del siglo XX / Luis Martínez Cuitiño – Aproximaciones a Benito Lynch y su obra / María Luisa Montero – Nota a un cuento de Jorge Luis Borges / Eithel Orbit Negri – Ardientes hebras, do s’ilustra el oro / Germán Orduna – La escritura de Manuel Gálvez / Antonio Pagés Larraya – Ulises de Joyce: el laberinto y el secreto / Rosa E. M. D. Penna – La composición de las “figuras” en “El mundo por de dentro” / Melchora Romanos – Celos, aun del aire, matan (de Juan Hidalgo y Pedro Calderón de la Barca) en versión de nuestro tiempo / Beatriz Entenza de Solare – Doctrina metafísica tradicional del Romance de la Infantina Encantada / Aquilino Suárez Pallasá – La Sagrada Escritura en “Morada del cielo”, de Fray Luis de León / Teresa Herraiz de Tresca – Expresiones de agasajo y de recuerdo – Homenaje universitario y académico – En la perspectiva del tiempo

UK guidance on the initial evaluation of an infant or an adolescent with a suspected disorder of sex development

It is paramount that any child or adolescent with a suspected disorder of sex development (DSD) is assessed by an experienced clinician with adequate knowledge about the range of conditions associated with DSD. If there is any doubt, the case should be discussed with the regional team. In most cases, particularly in the case of the newborn, the paediatric endocrinologist within the regional DSD team acts as the first point of contact. The underlying pathophysiology of DSD and the strengths and weaknesses of the tests that can be performed should be discussed with the parents and affected young person and tests undertaken in a timely fashion. This clinician should be part of a multidisciplinary team experienced in management of DSD and should ensure that the affected person and parents are as fully informed as possible and have access to specialist psychological support. Finally, in the field of rare conditions, it is imperative that the clinician shares the experience with others through national and international clinical and research collaboration. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Aquaculture Asia, Vol.13, No.2, pp.1-56, April-June 2008

Peter Edwards writes on rural aquaculture: From integrated carp polyculture to intensive monoculture in the Pearl River Delta, South China. Better management practices for Vietnamese catfish. Ipomoea aquatica – an aquaculture friendly macrophyte. A status overview of fisheries and aquaculture development in Pakistan with context to other Asian countries. The changing face of post-grad education in aquaculture: contributing to soaring production and sustainable practices. Hatchery management in Bangladesh. Production of Cirrhinus molitorella and Labeo chrysophekadion for culture based fisheries development in Lao PDR Part I: Captive spawning. Application of ipil-ipil leaf meal as feed Ingredient for monosex tilapia fry (Oreochromis niloticus) in terms of growth and economics. Fermented feed ingredients as fish meal replacer in aquafeed production Aquaculture and fishing management in coastal zone demarcation: the case of Thailand. Reservoir fisheries of freshwater prawn – success story of an emerging culture-based giant freshwater prawn fishery at Malampuzha Dam in Kerala, India. Determining and locating sea cage production area for sustainable tropical aquaculture. SPC Pacific-Asia marine fish mariculture technical workshop: “Farming Marine Fishes for our Future”. Developing Better Management Practices for Marine Finfish Aquaculture. Breeding and seed production of silver pompano (Trachinotus blochii, Lacepede) at the Mariculture Development Center of Batam. Potential of silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) as a new candidate species for aquaculture. NACA Newsletter.

Aquaculture Asia, Vol. 11, No. 1, pp.1-36, January - March 2006

*Table of Contents* Research & farming techniques Nursery rearing of Puntius goniotus: A preliminary trial K.N. Mohnta, J.K. Jena & S.N. Mohanty Artemia enrichment and biomass production for larval finfish and shellfish culture A.S. Ninawe Vembanad Lake: A potential spawner bank of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii on the southwest coast of India Paramaraj Balamurugan, Pitchaimuthu Mariappan & Chellam Balasundaram Seed production of mud crab Scylla serrata at the Rajiv Gandhi Center for Aquaculture, Tamil Nadu, India Mohamed Shaji, Emilia T. Quinitio, Thampi Samraj, S. Kandan, K. Ganesh, Dinesh Kumar, S. Arulraj, S. Pandiarajan, Shajina Ismail and K. Dhandapan. Sustainable aquaculture Fish wastes in urban and suburban markets of Kolkata: Problems and potentials Kausik Mondal, Anilava Kaviraj & P.K. Mukhopadhyay People in aquaculture Peter Edwards writes on rural aquaculture: Farming carps in leased ponds by groups of poor women in Chandpur, Bangladesh Aquatic animal health Lymphocystis disease and diagnostic methods in China Jing Xing, Xiuzhen Sheng & Wenbin Zhan Asia-Pacific Marine Finfish Aquaculture Network Mesocosm technology advances grouper culture in northern Australia Elizabeth Cox, Peter Fry & Anjanette Johnston

Aquaculture Asia, Vol. 10, No. 4, pp.1-42, October-December 2005

*Table of Contents* Sustainable aquaculture Peter Edwards writes on rural aquaculture: Small-scale pond culture in Bangladesh. People in aquaculture Community based aquaculture - issues and challenges H.K. De and G.S. Saha. Aquaculture as an action programme: An exercise in building confidence and self worth. B. Shanthi, V.S. Chandrasekaran, M. Kailasam, M. Muralidar, T. Ravisankar,.C. Saradad and M. Krishnan The STREAM Column: Transforming policy recommendations into pro-poor service provision Graham Haylor. Research & farming techniques. Grow out of juvenile spotted Babylon to marketable size in earthen ponds II: Polyculture with seabass. S. Kritsanapuntu, N. Chaitanawisuti, W. Santhaweesuk and Y. Natsukari Asia-Pacific Marine Finfish Aquaculture Network. Influence of economic conditions of importing nations and unforeseen global events on grouper markets. Sih Yang Sim. Present status of hatchery technology for cobia in Vietnam. Nhu Van Can. Report on grouper hatchery training course in Indonesia. Nguyen Quoc Thai. Aquatic animal health. Biosecured and improved penaeid shrimp production through organic nursery raceway system in India. Felix. S. and M. Samaya Kannan. Management of monogenean parasites in brackishwater finfish. K.P. Jithendran, M. Natarajan and I.S. Azad. Vembanad Lake: A potential spawner bank of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii on the southwest coast of India. Paramaraj Balamurugan, Pitchaimuthu Mariappan & Chellam Balasundaram.

Aquaculture Asia, Vol. 8, No. 1, pp.1-58, January-March 2003

*Table of Contents* Sustainable Aquaculture Fertilization, soil and water quality management in small-scale ponds part II:Soil and water quality management S. Adhikari Fisheries and aquaculture activities in Nepal Tek Gurung Peter Edwards writes on rural aquaculture: A knowledge-base for rural aquaculture Farmers as Scientists: Commercialization of giant freshwater prawn culture in India M.C. Nandeesha Aquaculture in reservoir fed canal based irrigation systems of India – a boon for fish production K.M. Rajesh, Mridula R. Mendon, K. N. Prabhudeva and P. Arun Padiyar Research and Farming Techniques Production and grow-out of the Black-lip pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera Idris Lane Breeding of carps using a low-cost, small-scale hatchery in Assam, India: A farmer proven technology S.K. Das Genes and Fish: Hybridisation – more trouble than its worth? Graham Mair Breeding and culture of the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra in Vietnam R. Pitt and N. D. Q. Duy The potential use of palm kernel meal in aquaculture feeds Wing-Keong Ng Using a Simple GIS model to assess development patterns of small-scale rural aquaculture in the wider environment Simon R. Bush Aquaculture fundamentals: Getting the most out of your feed Simon Wilkinson Marine finfish section Status of marine finfish aquaculture in Myanmar U Khin Kolay Regional training course on grouper hatchery production Aquatic Animal Health Advice on aquatic animal health care: Problems in Penaeus monodon culture in low salinity areas Pornlerd Chanratchakool

Aquaculture Asia, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp.1-47, April-June 2003

*Table of Contents* Sustainable Aquaculture Peter Edwards writes on rural aquaculture: Peri-urban aquaculture in Kolkata A case of informal shrimp farmers association and its role in sustainable shrimp farming in Tamil Nadu, India M. Kumaran, N. Kalaimani, K. Ponnusamy, V.S. Chandrasekaran, D. Deboral Vimala Diffusion and adoption of shrimp farming technologies M. Kumaran, K. Ponnusamy and N. Kalaimani Farmers as Scientists: Aquaculture education in India - opportunities for global partnership M.C. Nandeesha Information system of fish germplasm resources in China Yang Ningsheng, Ge Chanshui, Ouyang Haiying, Yuan Yongming Status and development needs of freshwater crustacean aquaculture in China Xu Pao Research and Farming Techniques Aquaculture fundamentals: Getting the most out of your feed Part II: The role of macronutrients Simon Wilkinson Fish breeding in captivity - some innovative adaptations of technology by Bengal farmers N.R. Chattopadhyay Scientific guidelines for farmers engaged in freshwater prawn farming in India Vishal Saxena Marine Finfish Section News and publications Status and development of mariculture in Indonesia Ketut Sugama Aquatic Animal Health Use of probiotics in larval rearing of new candidate species Rehana Abidi Advice on aquatic animal health care: Problems in shrimp culture during the wet season (Thai/English languages) Pornlerd Chanratchakool