Resettling,disconnecting or displacing? Attending to local sociality,culture and history in disaster settings

In many disaster settings, top‐down responses emphasise ‘expert‐led’ solutions that often involve relocating disaster‐affected communities. While the intention might be to move people from harm's way and facilitate recovery, failure to attend to local pre‐disaster circumstances as well as the interplay between power, resilience and vulnerability within and around affected communities often sees resettlement reconfigure as displacement or disconnection. This oversight may even usher in a new phase of dispossession and disadvantage for marginalised groups (particularly in colonial settings). This paper explores experiences in Australia, Japan and Taiwan to reflect on what issues of local sociality, local culture and local resilience need to be attended to in framing ‘better’ disaster responses.     

Degradation of ioxynil by a soil fungus, Fusarium solani

A fungus, Fusarium solani, isolated from the soil, degraded ioxynil (3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxyben-zonitrile) in pure culture into at least eight products. Five products were detected in the organic fractions extracted from a culture grown in [¹⁴C]cyano-labeled ioxynil. Three additional products were separated by ion-exchange chromatography of the acidified aqueous phase. Cultures grown in the presence of [¹⁴C]ring-labeled ioxynil produced the same products in the organic extract and four to five products in the aqueous phase. The cyano-carbon of ioxynil was released as CO₂ at a faster rate than that of ring-carbons and was released after the initial ring cleavage. Two of the metabolites were identified as 3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxybenzamide and 3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid.     

The uptake and distribution of radioselenium in the larvae of Fasciola hepatica and its snail host Lymnaea columella

Radiolabeled metacercariae of Fasciola hepatica were obtained in vivo by incubating infected Lymnaea columella snails with 20 muCi radioselenomethione (75Se-M) per snail in 5 ml of water for 5 h, or in vitro by incubating a batch of unlabeled F. hepatica metacercariae with 75Se-M for 24 h. Radioassay showed that only 5% of the 75Se-M was incorporated into maritas (juvenile flukes) from the in vivo labeled metacercariae. The inner cyst wall of in vivo labeled metacercariae contained 46% of the total activity, of which 21% was dissolved in the excysting medium. The outer, tan-colored cyst wall contained 49% of the radioactivity. Through diffusion/attachment, maritas from in vitro labeled metacercariae could occasionally be labeled with 0.4% of the total radioactivity. However, the activity was lost after inoculation into the body of mice. The outer and inner cyst walls of in vitro labeled metacercariae contained 92% and 7.6%, respectively, of the total activity. Microautoradiography demonstrated that 75Se-M was evenly distributed in the body of marita and the cyst wall of inner and outer layers from an in vivo labeled metacercaria. A 9 X 4 micron rectangularly-shaped aggregate of Ag degree grains was present on the outer periphery of the inner cyst wall. Microautoradiography of in vitro labeled metacercariae demonstrated a significant concentration of Ag degree grains on the cyst walls. The ventral plug contained fewer Ag degree grains per unit area compared to the other portion of the inner cyst wall. Uptake and distribution of 75Se-M in the snail host were also studied. It appeared that rediae and cercariae tended to concentrate the label in the foot, the mantle and the digestive gland. Little or no radioactivity was present in the areas where F. hepatica larvae were not found.     

Yohimbine increases plasma insulin concentrations and reverses xylazine-induced hypoinsulinemia in dogs

Xylazine (1.1 mg/kg of body weight, IV), an alpha 2-adrenoreceptor agonist, suppressed the increase in plasma insulin concentration induced by glucose (0.6 g/kg, IV) in dogs. Yohimbine (0.11 mg/kg, IV), an alpha 2-adrenoreceptor antagonist, given 5 minutes after xylazine, reversed effects of xylazine, whereas yohimbine alone increased plasma insulin and decreased plasma glucose concentrations. Seemingly, alpha 2-adrenoreceptors exert a negative control of insulin release.     

Expression and the molecular forms of neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin and matrix metalloproteinase 9 in canine mammary tumours

Neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a new biomarker for renal injury. It is also involved in tumorigenesis of different human cancer types. The oncogenic role of NGAL is related to its molecular forms, and heterodimer formation with matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) promotes human breast cancer (HBC) invasion and metastasis. To date, the levels of NGAL and NGAL/MMP9 complex have not yet been explored in canine mammary tumours (CMTs). Hence, this study aimed to investigate whether NGAL and its molecular forms could be the biomarker for CMT diagnosis. To this end, expression profile of NGAL and MMP9 in mammary epithelial cells as well as in urine samples were detected. By immunohistochemistry staining, NGAL was expressed at variable levels. Unlike HBC, a significant reduction in NGAL expression was demonstrated in benign and malignant CMTs as compared with normal controls. Additionally, NGAL expression was significantly reduced in dogs with metastatic CMTs. By contrast, the mean score of MMP9 expression in ascending order was normal groups, benign, and malignant CMTs. Interestingly, analysis of the molecular form revealed the NGAL/MMP9 complex presents in most mammary tissues and urine of dogs with benign or malignant CMTs, whereas the complex was absent in samples from dogs without CMTs. In conclusion, NGAL and MMP9 are ubiquitously expressed in canine mammary epithelial cells in normal and cancerous status. However, the NGAL/MMP9 complex exclusively presents in mammary tissues and urine of dogs with tumours.     

Placental lesions caused by pseudorabies virus in pregnant sows

Pathologic and viral investigations were done on 13 fetal placentas and 23 aborted fetuses associated with naturally occurring pseudorabies in swine. Of the 13 fetal placentas examined, 7 (53.8%) had various degrees of necrotizing placentitis. The lesions were characterized by coagulative necrosis of the chorionic fossae and by intranuclear inclusions in degenerating trophoblasts and occasionally in mesenchymal cells. In addition, a mild inflammatory cell reaction was observed in the mesenchyma. Numerous viral particles, ultrastructurally indistinguishable from herpesvirus, were observed by electron microscopy in the affected chorionic membrane. Large aggregates of herpesvirus virions were demonstrated in the nucleus and cytoplasm of degenerated trophoblasts and mesenchymal cells. Of the 23 aborted fetuses examined, 22 (95.6%) had typical coagulative necrosis in the liver, spleen, adrenal glands, and visceral lymph nodes. Inclusions similar to those in the chorionic placenta were observed in the parenchymal cells of those organs, on the margins of necrotic areas. Pseudorabies virus was isolated from various organs of the aborted fetuses, but virus isolation from the placentas was not attempted. In a survey of 52 affected sows, sera from 49 (94.2%) neutralized the isolated virus. The findings indicated that the placental lesions caused by the virus were primary. The study also indicated the merit of routine examination of aborted fetal placentas and fetuses for diagnosis of pseudorabies.     

林丹粉剂拌合储粮防治害虫的研究——不同拌合方式的防虫效果及残留量

本試驗是1962年結合生产进行的。結果表明,粮堆中拌合百万分之5的林丹粉剂,以全部拌合防治效果最好;分层或表层拌合的,防治效果较差。无論那种拌合方式都可以有效地防治麦蛾;在原始害虫不多的情况下,对米象、长角谷盜和谷蠹也有良好防治效果,但对防治鋸谷盜和米虱,效果不明显。用百万分之5的林丹粉剂拌合小麦,加工后,林丹的残留量在机制粉中为百万分之1.1—2.5,石磨制粉中为百万分之1.7—3.9,麸皮中为百万分之4.8—10.4。表层拌合的小麦加工成面粉后,为百万分之0.3,麸皮中为百万分之1.2。全部拌合的稻谷加工后,大米及米糠中分別为百万分之0.57—1.0和4.6—12.0,分层拌合的稻谷加工品中則分別为百万分之0.42和2.0。全部拌合的玉米,加工成玉米粉后为百万分之1.9—3.7。上述拌合浓度,对种子发芽率没有影响。     

Chemical and physical changes required for producing dimensionally stable wood-based composites

Summary The springback of compressed wood caused by built-up internal stresses results in excessive thickness swelling of wood-based composites when exposed to moisture. Steam pretreatment can cause partial hydrolysis of hemicellulose for both hardwoods and softwoods which markedly increases the compressibility of wood and in turn significantly reduces the build-up of internal stresses in composites during hot pressing. This steam pretreatment process is a very effective method for producing dimensionally stable wood-based composites. Mild steam pretreatments (e.g. 3 to 4 min at 1.55 MPa) cause a significant reduction of the water insoluble xylan content in hardwoods and the amount of xylan, mannan and galactan in softwoods without any apparent changes in the cellulose or lignin content.The authors wish to thank G. Bastien and B. S. Lethbridge for technical assistance. W. Schwald is grateful to the Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Vienna, Austria for granting an Erwin-Schrödinger scholarship (Proj. No. J0128C)     

On mechanical behavior of traditional timber shear wall in Taiwan II: simplified calculation and experimental verification

In the previous report of this ongoing study, results of an extensive field survey were collated and a theoretical model was proposed to predict the mechanical behavior of timber shear walls of traditional design in Taiwan. The initial objective of the present report was to propose a simplified calculation method for estimating the initial stiffness and yield strength of traditional timber shear walls. Based on the results of the field survey, a total of 15 full-scale specimens were tested to verify the theoretical model and simplified calculation proposed previously. Good agreement was found from comparison of analytical and experimental results. The results of this study show that the friction behavior between board units and beams plays the major role in resisting the lateral force applied on the timber shear wall, followed by the resistance supplied by embedment. The resistance provided by bamboo nails is minor due to the small section. Another trend found was that for set dimensions of a timber shear wall, the board width can be increased to obtain higher stiffness and strength of the shear wall.     

Enzymatic production of galactooligosaccharides by beta-galactosidase from Bifidobacterium longum BCRC 15708

The production of galactooligosaccharides (GOSs) by transgalactosylation using beta-galactosidase from Bifidobacterium longum BCRC 15708 was studied. Other than lactose, galactose, and glucose, two types of GOSs, tri- and tetrasaccharides, were formed after beta-galactosidase action on 40% lactose. Trisaccharides were the major type of GOS formed. Generally, an increase of the initial lactose concentration in the reaction mixture resulted in a higher GOS production. A maximum yield of 32.5% (w/w) GOSs could be achieved from 40% lactose solution at 45 degrees C, pH 6.8, when the lactose conversion was 59.4%. The corresponding productivity of GOSs was 13.0 g/(L.h). Transgalactosylation activity of beta-galactosidase from a test organism showed a relatively lower sensitivity toward glucose and galactose than that from other organisms. The addition of 5% or 10% glucose or galactose to the reaction mixture did not significantly (p>0.05) reduce the transgalactosylation reaction of beta-galactosidase.