Committing to regional cooperation: ASEAN,globalisation and the Shin Corporation – Temasek Holdings deal

This paper investigates the relationship between regional and national identities in the age of globalisation, with particular reference to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). For members of ASEAN, economic integration is seen as a necessary step forward in order to (i) reduce reliance on Western countries during times of economic crisis and (ii) speed up the recovery process in the aftermath of a crisis. The concept of an ASEAN Economic Community represents a step towards achieving this goal. However, by means of a case study, this paper demonstrates that the idea of an ASEAN Economic Community does not yet have sufficiently solid foundations. Cracks appear when member states act in response to national interest. Given the frequency of friction between member nations, and the fact that ASEAN members are quite diverse in both economic and cultural respects, there is still much more to be done to realise the objective of forming an effective and credible regional economic group. In this paper some suggestions are offered that might assist with the achievement of this goal.     

The impact of forest service litigation success on administrative appeals of proposed fuels reduction actions

In this paper, we explore empirically whether the USDA Forest Service's litigation success rate in each Forest Service region helps explain the persistent regional effects noted by Laband et al. (Laband, D.N., González-Cabán, A., and Hussain, A. (2006). “Factors That Influence Administrative Appeals of Proposed USDA Forest Service Fuels Reduction Actions,” Forest Science, 52(5): 477–488.) with respect to the pattern of administrative appeals of proposed fuels reduction actions. We find strong evidence of an inverse relationship between the Forest Service's litigation success rate and the likelihood of administrative appeal of proposed fuels reduction actions on public lands. However, inclusion of this variable explains only about 20% of the region-specific impact noted in Laband et al. (Laband, D.N., González-Cabán, A., and Hussain, A. (2006). “Factors That Influence Administrative Appeals of Proposed USDA Forest Service Fuels Reduction Actions,” Forest Science, 52(5): 477–488.), which continues to command additional investigation.     

Morphology and ontogeny of directly differentiating shoot buds and somatic embryos in Santalum album L.

Santalum album L.is a commercially important tree that yields essential oil of high medicinal value.Regeneration research through organogenesis and embryogenesis has been documented but no report depicts comparative ontogeny of directly differentiating shoot buds(SB)and somatic embryos(SE).In the present study aseptic seedling derived hypocotyl segments(HC)and hypocotyl+root junction(HC+R)were used to induce SBs and SEs,respectively.Ontogenic differences between the structures were confirmed using scanning electron microscopy and histological analysis.MS medium containing 6-benzyladenine or BA(2.5μM)produced highest number of direct SB,while MS+BA(7.5μM)proved suitable for higher frequency of SE differentiation.The differentiating structures attained growth when transferred to MS medium containing a combination of BA and anaphthalene acetic acid or silver nitrate(AgNO3).A combination of indole-3-butyric acid and silver nitrate(AgNO3)in half-strength woody plant medium and lesser osmotic concentration(2%sucrose),induced rhizogenesis.     

乌鲁木齐市四个不同点地衣形态结构及重金属含量的比较研究

[目的]探讨地衣形态结构特征、地衣体重金属含量和大气重金属污染三者之间的关系.[方法]采自乌鲁木齐市近郊区花儿沟、仓房沟、西山农场和南山小渠子的丽石黄衣(Xanthoria elegans(Link)Th.Fr)和碎茶渍(Lecanora argopholis (Ach) Ach.)作为实验材料进行形态结构和重金属含量比较并分析与大气污染之间的关系.[结果]4个区域地衣样品形态结构有差异.长势变化程度依次为仓房沟＞西山农场＞花儿沟＞南山小渠子.各采样点丽石黄衣地衣体内重金属含量之间有显著性差异.4个样点重金属综合污染程度依次为仓房沟＞西山农场＞花儿沟＞南山小渠子.[结论]仓房沟是Fe、Mn、Zn和Pb污染区,西山农场是Cr、Mn和Pb污染区,花儿沟是Cr污染区.地衣形态结构特征、地衣体重金属含量和大气重金属污染之间具有显著的相关性,即大气重金属含污量是地衣体重金属含量增减的直接原因,地衣体重金属含量的增加导致地衣形态变化的主要因素之一.大气重金属污染是导致地衣形态变异以及地衣消亡的致命性因素之一.     

焉耆盆地小麦地土壤重金属污染及生态风险

从新疆焉耆盆地采集35个小麦地土壤样品,测定其中As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb和Zn 8种重金属元素的含量,采用内梅罗污染指数(NPI)、潜在生态风险指数(RI)和生态风险预警指数(IER)对小麦地土壤重金属污染及生态风险进行评价。结果表明:焉耆盆地小麦地Cd含量平均值超出国家土壤环境质量二级标准的11.12倍,Cd、Cr、Ni、Pb和Zn含量的平均值分别超出新疆灌耕土背景值的55.58、1.32、1.48、3.21倍和4.47倍。小麦地Cd、Pb和Zn呈现重度污染,Cr和Ni轻度污染,As和Cu轻微污染,Mn无污染;研究区NPI平均值为7.93(呈现重度污染状态),RI平均值为342.95(属于较强生态风险水平),IER平均值为5.68(属于重警级别),土壤RI和IER从研究区北向南部呈现逐渐增加趋势。小麦地Ni、Pb与Zn主要受到人为污染源的影响,Cu、Mn和Cr主要受到土壤地球化学特征的控制,As和Cd可能受人为污染和自然因素共同影响。综上认为,Cd是焉耆盆地小麦地主要的污染因子和生态风险因子,对研究区耕地Cd污染应予关注。     

Distinct association of an alphasatellite and a betasatellite with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus</Emphasis> in field-infected cucurbit

Leaf samples of Cucurbita pepo with yellow mosaic disease symptoms were collected in 2012. Rolling circle amplification and PCR amplification with begomovirus-specific primers confirmed the presence of an Old World bipartite begomovirus, an alphasatellite and a betasatellite. Molecular analysis of full-length sequences showed that Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (DNA-A) is associated with its cognate DNA-B, Papaya leaf curl betasatellite and a novel alphasatellite. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an alphasatellite and a betasatellite associated with a bipartite begomovirus.     

Effect of species grouping and site variables on aboveground biomass models for lowland tropical forests of the Indo-Malay region

Key message

This study assessed the effect of ecological variables on tree allometry and provides more accurate aboveground biomass (AGB) models through the involvement of large samples representing major islands, biogeographical zones and various succession and degradation levels of natural lowland forests in the Indo-Malay region. The only additional variable that significantly and largely contributed to explaining AGB variation is grouping based on wood-density classes.

Context

There is a need for an AGB equation at tree level for the lowland tropical forests of the Indo-Malay region. In this respect, the influence of geographical, climatic and ecological gradients needs to be assessed.

Aims

The overall aim of this research is to provide a regional-scale analysis of allometric models for tree AGB of lowland tropical forests in the Indo-Malay region.

Methods

A dataset of 1300 harvested trees (5 cm ≤ trunk diameter ≤ 172 cm) was collected from a wide range of succession and degradation levels of natural lowland forests through direct measurement and an intensive literature search of principally grey publications. We performed ANCOVA to assess possible irregular datasets from the 43 study sites. After ANCOVA, a 1201-tree dataset was selected for the development of allometric equations. We tested whether the variables related to climate, geographical region and species grouping affected tree allometry in the lowland forest of the Indo-Malay region.

Results

Climatic and major taxon-based variables were not significant in explaining AGB variations. Biogeographical zone was a significant variable explaining AGB variation, but it made only a minor contribution on the accuracy of AGB models. The biogeographical effect on AGB variation is more indirect than its effect on species and stand characteristics. In contrast, the integration of wood-density classes improved the models significantly.

Conclusion

Our AGB models outperformed existing local models and will be useful for improving the accuracy on the estimation of greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in tropical forests. However, more samples of large trees are required to improve our understanding of biomass distribution across various forest types and along geographical and elevation gradients.

     

Gross protein value units in the standardisation of rations for Fayoumi chicks

For the standardisation of rations for Fayoumi chicks, gross protein value unit (G.P.V.U.) was introduced; this was taken to mean the amount of supplementary protein that would stimulate as much growth as 3 per cent casein protein having gross protein value of 100.

Three total protein levels were tested in diets containing the same productive energy levels (1800kcal./kg.) and G.P.V.U.’s (30 per kg. of food). Since no significant differences in chick growth were recorded up to 8 weeks of age it was concluded that it is practical to adjust the energy :protein ratio between productive calories and G.P.V.U.’s per kg. of food irrespective of the total protein in the diets of growing Fayoumi chicks.     

Comparison of the effects of butorphanol–midazolam–medetomidine and butorphanol–azaperone–medetomidine in wild common palm civets (Paradoxurus musangus)

ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy of butorphanol–azaperone–medetomidine (BAM) and butorphanol–midazolam–medetomidine (BMM) protocols for immobilization of wild common palm civets (Paradoxurus musangus) with subsequent antagonization with atipamezole.Study designProspective, randomized, blinded clinical trial.AnimalsA total of 40 adult wild common palm civets, 24 female and 16 male, weighing 1.5–3.4 kg.MethodsThe civets were randomly assigned for anesthesia with butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine (0.6, 0.6 and 0.2 mg kg^–1, respectively; group BAM) or with butorphanol, midazolam and medetomidine (0.3, 0.4 and 0.1 mg kg^–1, respectively; group BMM) intramuscularly (IM) in a squeeze cage. When adequately relaxed, the trachea was intubated for oxygen administration. Physiological variables were recorded every 5 minutes after intubation. Following morphometric measurements, sampling, microchipping and parasite treatment, medetomidine was reversed with atipamezole at 1.0 or 0.5 mg kg^–1 IM to groups BAM and BMM, respectively. Physiological variables and times to reach the different stages of anesthesia were compared between groups.ResultsOnset time of sedation and recumbency was similar in both groups; time to achieve complete relaxation and tracheal intubation was longer in group BAM. Supplementation with isoflurane was required to enable intubation in five civets in group BAM and one civet in group BMM. All civets in group BAM required topical lidocaine to facilitate intubation. End-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure was lower in group BAM, but heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, peripheral hemoglobin oxygen saturation and mean arterial blood pressure were not different. All civets in both groups recovered well following administration of atipamezole.Conclusions and clinical relevanceBoth BAM and BMM combinations were effective for immobilizing wild common palm civets. The BMM combination had the advantage of producing complete relaxation that allowed intubation more rapidly.     

Wheat grain yield,phosphorus uptake and soil phosphorus fraction after 23 years of annual fertilizer application to an Andosol

A field experiment was conducted on an Andosol to evaluate wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield, P and N uptake and soil P fraction after long-term fertilization (no fertilizer, NPK, NP, NK and PK treatments). Application rates of N, P and K fertilizers were 100, 65 and 83 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ by ammonium sulfate, superphosphate, and potassium chloride, respectively. Phosphorus fertilization was critical for grain yield since the NK treatment did not increase yield compared with no fertilizer treatment. Agronomic efficiency of P was greater than agronomic efficiency of N, although apparent recovery of P and N were 17 and 53%, respectively. Combination application of fertilizer P and N resulted in the greatest grain yield over 23-year cultivation. Interaction impact on grain yield between P and N ranged from 71 to 109%, and was greater than the values for cereals in the earlier works. The N/P ratios of wheat decreased by P application and increased by N application. The N/P ratios in NPK and NP treatments were higher than the values attaining maximum yield for cereal crops reported by other works.