Forest dynamics after selective timber harvesting in Papua New Guinea

Forest dynamics after timber harvesting is a major issue for tropical forest managers and communities. Timber harvesting provides income to communities and governments and resources to industry but it has also been identified as a potential contributor to deforestation and degradation of tropical forests. In Papua New Guinea (PNG) harvesting is primarily occurring in accessible primary forests however, the fate of these forests under current harvesting practices is poorly understood.In this study we investigated the impacts of selective harvesting on stand structure, growth and dynamics, recovery and degradation, and species diversity. We also assessed the impacts of forest fire after the 1997-98 El Nino on basal area (BA) growth and mortality rates of natural tropical forests in PNG. For this study we used data from 118 (105 in selectively harvested and 13 in un-harvested forest), one-hectare permanent sample plots distributed across the country and measured for over 15 years by the PNG Forest Research Institute (PNGFRI). We analysed data from 84 of these plots in harvested forest to examine temporal trends in stand condition following harvesting. Mortality rates were investigated in 10 of the 21 plots in harvested forest that were burned during the 1997-98 El Nino drought with sufficient data for analyses. We tested a model developed in Queensland tropical forests to determine whether or not a critical threshold residual BA existed for the recovery of harvested tropical forests in PNG. Results from a logarithmic regression analysis of the relationship between starting BA (BA at first census) and stand BA increment after selective harvesting showed a positive increase in BA growth (r² = 0.74, p < 0.05). However, there was no critical threshold in residual BA that determined whether a harvested forest was likely to degrade or recover BA growth after harvesting. Our analyses suggested that the response to harvesting was variable, with the majority of un-burned plots (75%) showing an increase in BA and remainder a decrease. Average BA of selectively-harvested tropical forests was about 17 m² ha⁻¹ ± 4.17 (SD). Average annual increment in BA across the 84 un-burned plots was 0.17 m² ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ ± 0.62 (SD). Thus these forests generally show capacity to recover after selective harvesting even when the residual BA is low. A proportion of the BA increment is made up of non-commercial pioneer species that originate in significant gaps after harvesting. On burned plots, BA is affected by high mortality rates. The fate of these forests will depend on the degree of future harvesting, potential conversion to agriculture and the impact of fire and other disturbances.     

Aligned multiwalled carbon nanotube membranes

An array of aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was incorporated across a polymer film to form a well-ordered nanoporous membrane structure. This membrane structure was confirmed by electron microscopy, anisotropic electrical conductivity, gas flow, and ionic transport studies. The measured nitrogen permeance was consistent with the flux calculated by Knudsen diffusion through nanometer-scale tubes of the observed microstructure. Data on Ru(NH3)6(3+) transport across the membrane in aqueous solution also indicated transport through aligned CNT cores of the observed microstructure. The lengths of the nanotubes within the polymer film were reduced by selective electrochemical oxidation, allowing for tunable pore lengths. Oxidative trimming processes resulted in carboxylate end groups that were readily functionalized at the entrance to each CNT inner core. Membranes with CNT tips that were functionalized with biotin showed a reduction in Ru(NH3)6(3+) flux by a factor of 15 when bound with streptavidin, thereby demonstrating the ability to gate molecular transport through CNT cores for potential applications in chemical separations and sensing.     

A comparison of chemical and physical methods for treating French fries to produce an acceptable microwaved product

Frozen par-fries were processed in January and February using BelRus and Russet Burbank potatoes which were obtained from the same source and held under the same storage conditions. Prior to par-frying the raw potato slices were treated chemically or physically in order to increase the amount of bound water, or to remove water. At each processing date total solids of the raw and treated tissue were determined. Par-fries were analyzed for fat content. Treated samples were microwave heated and evaluated for sensory qualities as compared to frozen par-fries heated in a conventional oven. In no cases were the microwaved fries superior to the oven-heated fries in color, flavor, or texture. Drying the blanched fries in an oven for 10 min. prior to par-frying produced a microwaved product that was quite similar to the oven-heated fries, particularly in the case of the BelRus potatoes. In all cases BelRus potatoes absorbed less fat on par-frying than did Russet Burbank potatoes.     

Results of a phase II clinical trial on the use of ifosfamide for treatment of cats with vaccine-associated sarcomas

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical activity and toxic effects of ifosfamide when used to treat cats with vaccine-associated sarcoma (VAS). ANIMALS: 27 cats with a nonresectable, recurrent, or metastatic VAS. PROCEDURE: Each cat received ifosfamide (900 mg/m(2) of body surface area) as an IV infusion during a 30-minute period. Diuresis by infusion of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution and administration of mesna were used to prevent urothelial toxicosis. Treatments were administered every 3 weeks, and tumor response was assessed after the second treatment. All ifosfamide-associated toxic effects were graded in accordance with predetermined criteria. RESULTS: 61 treatments were administered to 27 cats (median, 2 treatments/cat; range, 1 to 4 treatments/cat). After ifosfamide treatment, 1 cat had a complete response and 10 had partial responses for an overall response rate of 11 of 27 (41%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 25% to 59%). Responses lasted from 21 to 133 days (median, 70 days; 95% CI, 60 to 113 days). The acute dose-limiting toxicosis was neutropenia, which was detected 5 to 28 days (median, 7 days) after treatment. Median nadir neutrophil count was 1,600 cells/muL (range, 200 to 5,382 cells/microL). Nine (33%) cats had adverse gastrointestinal effects (primarily salivation during the ifosfamide infusion and inappetence after treatment). Two cats were euthanatized because of severe nephrotoxicosis, and 1 cat developed pulmonary edema during diuresis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ifosfamide has antitumor activity against VAS in cats and is tolerated well by most cats. Ifosfamide should be evaluated as an adjuvant treatment for cats with VAS.     

Sodium iodide I 131 treatment of dogs with nonresectable thyroid tumors: 39 cases (1990-2003)

OBJECTIVE: To determine outcome for dogs with nonresectable thyroid carcinomas treated with sodium iodide I 131 and identify factors associated with outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. Animals-39 dogs. PROCEDURES: A definitive or presumptive diagnosis of thyroid tumor was made on the basis of cytologic or histologic examination, abnormal accumulation of sodium pertechnetate Tc 99m during scintigraphy, or both, and dogs were treated with sodium iodide I 131. Dogs with cervical thyroid tumors were evaluated 3 to 6 weeks after 131I therapy, and residual tumor was resected when feasible. RESULTS: Prior to 131I therapy, 32 dogs had a solitary mass and 7 had metastases; 21 were hyperthyroid, 16 were euthyroid, and 2 were hypothyroid. Median survival time for dogs with local or regional tumors (ie, stage II or III) was significantly longer (839 days) than median survival time for dogs with metastasis (366 days). Tumor site (cervical vs ectopic), dose of sodium iodide I 131, age, body weight, treatment (131I therapy alone vs 131I therapy followed by surgery), and serum T4 concentration prior to 131I therapy were not significantly associated with survival time. Three dogs died of radioiodine-associated myelosuppression within 3 months after treatment, but no specific factor associated with development of toxicosis was identified. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that 131I therapy may result in prolonged survival times in dogs with nonresectable thyroid tumors, regardless of serum thyroxine concentration prior to treatment. Dogs undergoing 131I therapy should be monitored for signs of bone marrow suppression.     

Chemical composition and nutritional quality of soybean meals prepared by extruder/expeller processing for use in poultry diets

This research examined variation in chemical composition and nutrient quality of soybeans (SBs) and soybean meals (SBMs) produced at seven commercial extruder/expeller plants in the United States (experiment 1), as well as differences in amino acid digestibilities when roosters were fed SBMs extruded at 121, 135, 150, or 160 degrees C at a U.S. pilot processing plant (experiment 2). In experiment 1, limited variation existed in the composition of SBs arriving at the plants, whereas substantial differences were noted in amino acid composition and protein quality of the resultant SBMs. In experiment 2, the SBMs extruded at 121 and 135 degrees C were underprocessed as noted by high urease activities and lower amino acid digestibilities. Soybean meals extruded at 150 and 160 degrees C resulted in higher amino acid digestibilities and lower urease activities, indicating adequate processing. Large variation exists in the nutritional quality of extruder/expeller SBMs currently in the marketplace. Optimal processing temperatures should be >135 degrees C, and temperatures as high as 165 degrees C do not result in overprocessing.