Matching Area Research Articles

Assessing climatic suitability of Pinus radiata (D. Don) for summer rainfall environment of southwest China

Originating from a very restricted natural distribution Pinus radiata has become one of the most widely planted exotic pine species in the world, particularly in winter and uniform rainfall environments of the Southern Hemisphere. This paper describes a new climatic profile for the species that identifies summer rainfall areas in southwest China where the species may be suitable for environmental planting on degraded lands to reduce soil erosion. The new climatic profile delineates the climatic requirements of P. radiata through six climatic factors. It includes the absolute minimum temperature as a measure of frost risk in the continental climatic environment and also has lower temperature and rainfall limits than profiles previously developed for commercial plantations. Digital elevation models are developed at both regional and national scales to provide a surrogate of the three-dimensional geographic space of the target area for the spatial interpolation of climatic data. Areas with climatic conditions that match the new climatic profile are mapped using ArcInfo GIS. A chi-square statistic is used to evaluate the influence of each climate variable in the profile in determining the spatial limit of the mapped area. At the national scale, a climatically suitable area of more than 266,000 km 2 across three provinces in southwest China is identified. Mean maximum temperature of the hottest month and the length of dry season appear to be the major factors limiting the spatial extent of matched areas at this broad scale. The results of climate matching for the Minjiang dry valley area in particular correspond well with the growth performance of experimental plantings in the field. At this regional scale, mean annual precipitation and mean minimum temperature of the coldest month are the major factors constraining the spatial extent of climatically suitable areas. The mapped areas can help define the working limits and serve as indicative zones for environmental plantings of P. radiata aimed at reducing soil erosion in southwest China. They will also enhance our understanding of the fundamental climatic niche and the potential geographical range of P. radiata.

Improved radar rainfall estimation at ground level

Abstract. A technique has been developed to provide an estimate of the rainfall reaching the earth's surface by extrapolating radar data contained aloft to ground level, simultaneously estimating unknown data in the radar volume scan. The technique has been developed so as to be computationally fast, to work in real time and comprises the following steps. A rainfall classification algorithm is applied to separate the rainfall into two separate types: convective and stratiform rainfall. Climatological semivariograms based on the rainfall type are then defined and justified by testing, which result in a fast and effective means of determining the semivariogram parameters anywhere in the radar volume scan. Then, extrapolations to ground level are computed by utilising 3-D Universal and Ordinary Cascade Kriging; computational efficiency and stability in Kriging are ensured by using a nearest neighbours approach and a Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) matrix rank reduction technique. To validate the proposed technique, a statistical comparison between the temporally accumulated radar estimates and the Block Kriged raingauge estimates is carried out over matching areas, for selected rainfall events, to determine the quality of the rainfall estimates at ground level.

Ab Interno Trabeculectomy: Development of a Novel Device (Trabectome???) and Surgery for Open-Angle Glaucoma

To design an instrument to selectively remove trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal inner wall (SCIW), and demonstrate its effectiveness by histologic analysis of treated cadaveric human tissue. The design parameters of the instrument were the ability to permanently remove a segment of trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal inner wall without causing damage to surrounding tissue, and to allow use with standard anterior segment surgical techniques and equipment via an ab interno approach. Treatment was applied to 20 segments of human corneoscleral rims. The treated areas were examined using a confocal microscope and compared with matching areas in untreated controls and simulated goniotomy. The resultant instrument system surgically removes the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal inner wall from an anterior chamber approach. It consists of a disposable surgical handpiece with irrigation, aspiration, and electrocautery to focally ablate the target tissues. The attached console includes a high-frequency (550 KHz) electrosurgical generator and irrigation/aspiration controlled by a foot pedal. Histologic examination of specimens treated with the Trabectome displayed disruption of the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal inner wall without damage to surrounding structures. The specimens treated by simulated goniotomy displayed significant damage to the outer wall of Schlemm's canal and the surrounding sclera. The controls showed no disruption or damage to any tissues. The Trabectome system is designed for performing trabeculectomy via an ab interno approach. It successfully removed sections of trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal inner wall with less injury to the adjacent tissue compared with goniotomy knife in vitro. Theoretically, this procedure should provide direct access of aqueous humor to Schlemm's canal.

Tuberculosis in cattle: the results of the four-area project

The four-area project was undertaken to further assess the impact of badger removal on the control of tuberculosis in cattle herds in Ireland. It was conducted between 1997 and 2002 in matched removal and reference areas in four counties, namely Cork, Donegal, Kilkenny and Monaghan, representing a wide range of Irish farming environments. In the removal areas, a proactive programme of badger removal was conducted, on two or three occasions each year, whereas in the reference areas, badger removal was entirely reactive following severe outbreaks of tuberculosis amongst cattle. A detailed statistical analysis of this study has already been presented by Griffin et al. [13]; this paper presents further, mainly descriptive, findings from the study. In total, 2,360 badgers were captured in the removal areas of which 450 (19.5%) were considered positive for tuberculosis and 258 badgers were captured in the reference areas, with 57 (26.1%) positive for tuberculosis. The annual incidence of confirmed herd restrictions was lower in the removal area compared to the reference area in every year of the study period in each of the four counties. These empirical findings were consistent with the hazard ratios found by Griffin et al. [13]. Further, the effect of proactive badger removal on cattle tuberculosis in the four-area project and in the earlier east-Offaly project, as measured using the number of reactors per 1,000 cattle tested, were very similar, providing compelling evidence of the role of badgers in the epidemiology of tuberculosis in Irish cattle herds. The validity of the four-area project was discussed in detail. Efforts to minimise badger-to-cattle transmission in Ireland must be undertaken in association with the current comprehensive control programme, which has effectively minimised opportunities for cattle-to-cattle transmission.

Dynamic Contour Tonometry

With tonometers currently in use intraocular pressure is indirectly determined by measuring a physical quantity related to a specified deformation of the cornea. We present a new principle of direct, continuous, and transcorneal intraocular pressure measurement, describe its theoretical foundation, and evaluate its application on the basis of an in vitro model. On a living human eye an optimized pressure-sensitive contact surface was determined by performing pressure measurements with differently shaped tonometer heads. Based on these results and on the theoretical model, a Dynamic Contour Tonometer was constructed and validated on eye bank bulbi against a manometric reference pressure. A concave contact surface with a radius of curvature of 10.5 mm creates a distribution of forces between the central contour matching area of the tip and the cornea that equals the forces generated by the internal pressure of the eye. A sensor integrated into the surface having the same contour measures the intraocular pressure closely to the manometric reference pressure in human cadaver eyes. The accuracy of the tonometer appears to be unaffected by variations in corneal properties. Dynamic Contour Tonometry eliminates most of the systematic errors arising from individual changes of corneal properties that adversely influence all types of applanation tonometers. The advantage of measuring the true pressure in combination with the capability of registering dynamic pressure fluctuations discloses new tonometric opportunities to diagnose and classify different types of glaucoma.

Wavelet Transform Based 3D Scattered Data Processing in Binocular Micro Stereovision System

In micro stereovision system, false matching due to the randomicity of image signal makes 3D reconstruction data contain a large amount of abnormal data in the form of noise (pulse noise, Gauss noise). In order to obtain a more accurate 3D reconstruction shape, a novel method of 3D scattered data processing, which is a combination of wavelet transform and extended Vector Median Filters, is proposed to use wavelet transform to realize primary denosing, and use extended Vector Median Filters to further denoise thereby achieving higher precision 3D measurement. In wavelet based denosing, wavelet based edge detector in vector space removes edge abnormal points effectively, moreover, boundary tracking is used to prune out the image background from the matching area to remove exterior abnormal points. Then the local areas determined by edges are filtered by extended vector median filter. Experimental results indicate that the method proposed is effective to removing abnormal data from the 3D reconstructed data and enables 3D measurement position accuracy to reach 3 m µ .

Global climate matching: Satellite imagery as a tool for mapping vineyard suitability

Climate is the principal driver in determining both vineyard location and the type of wine produced at a global scale. Satellite imagery has a long history of application in climate monitoring, modelling and prediction. The processing of temporal sequences of such imagery reveals valuable seasonal information at a fine spatial scale. However, this rich source of spatial and temporal climate information has yet to be exploited by the wine producing industry. Here, the potential of large-scale satellite imagery is outlined and illustrated by developing an approach to identify potential future vineyard locations. Satellite imagery processed to extract seasonal information is initially tested in its capacity to map accurately existing wine production regions. It is then utilised to locate potential new regions through finding and matching areas of similar climate to already well established regions. Results reveal great potential in global satellite imagery to provide cost-effective, accurate means of new vineyard location. The extension of the approach to regional-scale mapping and the study of global warming effects is also described.

Grassland regeneration and reconstruction: the role of grazing animals

Grassland regeneration and reconstruction: the role of grazing animals

The impact of badger removal on the control of tuberculosis in cattle herds in Ireland

In Ireland, the herd prevalence of bovine tuberculosis has remained stable for several decades, and in common with several other countries, progress towards eradication has stalled. There is evidence in support of the potential role of infected badgers (Meles meles, a protected species) in bovine tuberculosis in Ireland and Britain. However, this evidence on its own has not been sufficient to prove disease causation. Field trials are likely to offer the best opportunity to define this role. Building on the earlier East Offaly project, our objectives were to assess the impact of badger removal on the control of tuberculosis in cattle herds in Ireland. The study was conducted from September 1997 to August 2002 in matched removal and reference areas (average area of 245.1 km 2) in four counties: Cork, Donegal, Kilkenny and Monaghan. Badger removal was intensive and proactive throughout the study period in the removal areas, but reactive (in response to severe tuberculosis outbreaks in cattle) in the reference areas. Removal intensity in the removal and reference areas during the first 2 years of the study averaged 0.57 and 0.07 badgers/km 2/year, respectively. The outcome of interest was restriction of cattle herds due to confirmed tuberculosis, where tuberculous lesions were detected in one or more animals. Data were analysed using logistic regression (modelling the probability of a confirmed herd restriction) and survival analysis (modelling time to a confirmed herd restriction). During the study period, there was a significant difference between the removal and reference areas in all four counties in both the probability of and the time to a confirmed herd restriction due to tuberculosis. In the final year of the study, the odds of a confirmed herd restriction in the removal (as compared to the reference areas) were 0.25 in Cork, 0.04 in Donegal, 0.26 in Kilkenny and 0.43 in Monaghan. Further, the hazard ratios (removal over reference) ranged from 0.4 to 0.04 (a 60–96% decrease in the rate at which herds were becoming the subject of a confirmed restriction).

Remote Islands Reveal Rapid Rise of Southern Hemisphere Sea Debris

A generation of people have now grown up thinking that shorelines strewn with anthropogenic artefacts is normal. Yet this pehnomenon is just a few decades old and aesthetics and beach cleanups are only the tip of the iceberg - plastics at sea are poisoning, choking and starving large animals and transporting small organisms to places they've never been. It is now widely acknowledged that one of the great threats to global biodiversity is establishment of pest species, yet little is known of thier latest vector, our miracle material - plastic. Annual clear ups in the northern hemisphere show only little recent increases in marine litter but this study of remote southern shores and islands shows drastic increases in accumulation across the entire southern hemisphere over 3 decades. Although there is much variability, typically now >2 items per m per year strand at the equator and items now carry hitchhikers to the most southern shores of the Southern Ocean. The number of people per area of the globe match almost exactly the amount of rubbish stranding on the shores at any latitude. The rate of change seems most extreme on the shores of subAntarctic islands. Plastics are pushing pole-wards and the wilderness shores around Antarctica are becoming symbols of our waste culture.

Sequential shape-and-solder-directed self-assembly of functional microsystems.

We demonstrate the fabrication of packaged microsystems that contain active semiconductor devices and passive components by using a directed self-assembly technique. The directed self-assembly is accomplished by combining geometrical shape recognition with site-specific binding involving liquid solder. Microfabricated components with matching complementary shapes, circuits, and liquid solder-coated areas were suspended in ethylene glycol and agitated by using a turbulent liquid flow to initiate the self-assembly. Microsystems were obtained by sequentially adding components of different types. Six hundred AlGaInP/GaAs light-emitting diode segments with a chip size of 200 microm were assembled onto device carriers with a yield of 100% in 2 min. Packaged light-emitting diodes formed with yields exceeding 97% as a result of two self-assembly steps in 4 min. This self-assembly procedure, based on geometrical shape recognition and subsequent binding to form mechanical and electrical connections, provides a high distinguishing power between different components and a route to nonrobotic parallel assembly of electrically functional hybrid microsystems in three dimensions.

Neuroprotective effects of an immunosuppressant agent on diffusion/perfusion mismatch in transient focal ischemia.

The immunosuppressant FK506 (tacrolimus) exerts potent neuroprotection following focal ischemia in animals; however, the separate effects of FK506 on the ischemic core and penumbra have not been reported. The ischemic penumbra is clinically defined as the difference between a large abnormal area on perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) and a smaller lesion on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). The goal of this study was to determine the effect of FK506 on DWI/PWI match and mismatch areas in transient focal ischemia in rats. Twelve rats were subjected to 1 hr of transient middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion, and given an intravenous injection of a placebo (N = 6) or 1 mg/kg FK506 (N = 6) immediately before reperfusion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed during MCA occlusion, and 0.5, 1, and 24 hr after reperfusion. FK506 significantly protected the ischemic brain only in the mismatch cortex where the initial apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was normal and there was a mild reduction of cerebral blood flow (CBF). This is the first report to describe the protective effects of FK506 on ischemic penumbra, as measured by DWI/PWI mismatch. The findings provide direct evidence for the utility of DWI/PWI mismatch as a guideline for therapeutic intervention with FK506.

Dysmyelination and reduced myelin basic protein gene expression by oligodendrocytes of SHP-1-deficient mice.

We have shown previously that myelin-forming oligodendrocytes express the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 and that myelin formation was decreased in SHP-1-deficient motheaten mice compared to that in normal littermates. These studies suggested a potential importance for SHP-1 in oligodendrocyte and myelin development. To address further this possibility, we analyzed myelin formation by microscopy and myelin basic protein (MBP) gene expression in motheaten mice at ages when myelination occurs in the developing central nervous system (CNS). Furthermore, we correlate these findings with MBP gene expression in oligodendrocytes grown in vitro. We have found that CNS myelination was significantly reduced in SHP-1-deficient mice relative to their normal littermates at multiple times during the active period of myelination. Under electron microscopy, greater numbers of axons in spinal cords of motheaten mice were either unmyelinated or had thinner myelin sheathes compared to those in matched areas of normal littermates. Accordingly, MBP protein and mRNA levels were reduced in SHP-1-deficient mice compared to that in the CNS of normal littermates. In vitro, O1(+) oligodendrocytes from motheaten mice expressed much less MBP than O1(+) oligodendrocytes of normal littermates indicating an alteration in oligodendrocyte differentiation. The latter correlated with reduced MBP mRNA relative to cerebroside galactosyl transferase (CGT) gene mRNA in SHP-1-deficient oligodendrocytes in purified cultures. We propose that SHP-1 is a critical regulator of developmental signals leading to terminal differentiation and myelin sheath formation by oligodendrocytes.

Recent spread of Dracophyllum scrub on subantarctic Campbell Island, New Zealand: climatic or anthropogenic origins?

AbstractAim The vegetation of subantarctic Campbell Island consists mainly of lowland Dracophyllum scrub and upland tussock grassland and tundra. Soon after the island was discovered in 1810, occupation by sealers and whalers led to localized burning and cutting of scrub. Further burning and cutting took place as a result of sheep farming between 1894 and 1931. Since the earliest photographs and vegetation descriptions of the island in the late nineteenth century, scrub cover has expanded markedly. Also, since the 1960s, the island has become warmer and drier. The aim of this paper is to quantify scrub changes as depicted in photo‐sequences from the island, and to establish if the spread of scrub is a result of the cessation of anthropogenic activities or a response to global warming.Location Campbell Island, an isolated island 600 km south of New Zealand mainland (52°33.7′S, 169°09′E).Methods Changes in scrub cover in the island were established through analysis of 33 photographic sequences in the island, the earliest photos dating back to 1888. Visual estimates were made of percentage woody cover in matching areas of repeat photographs, and of changes in scrub distribution with altitude and landscape type.Results Dracophyllum scrub was restricted at the time of the first photographs (1888) relative to its present extent, and earlier written observations suggest that there had been little change from the 1840s. Scrub cover has subsequently increased in most areas. Most of the spread occurred after the cessation of farming. Change has mostly consisted of a thickening and expansion of pre‐existing scrub patches. There is no indication that the upper elevational limit of scrub has increased.Main conclusions Initial reduction of scrub was probably due to anthropogenic fire in the early nineteenth century, although it is possible that less favourable climates had also restricted its distribution. Failure of the scrub to regenerate significantly between 1840 and c. 1895 may also have been a consequence of generally cooler, wetter climates at this time. Rapid scrub expansion began between the end of farming and burning in 1931 and 1988 when the remaining feral sheep were removed. Sheep grazing in the absence of fire reduced competition, and encouraged regeneration and growth of woody scrub. Spread was probably assisted by a pronounced shift to warmer, drier climates in the second half of the twentieth century. Upper elevational limits of scrub have not increased, suggesting that factors other than summer temperature are controlling scrub line in this superoceanic environment.

Fetal programming and future disease

Recent epidemiological studies have demonstrated a close relationship between low birth weight and a high predisposition to arterial hypertension, hyperlipidemia and non-insulin-dependent diabetes in adulthood. These findings may coexist as Syndrome X, more recently named as Metabolic Syndrome, and understood as precursory of coronary heart disease and cerebral stroke. It is conceivable that fetal adaptation to the adverse conditions of intrauterine environment can determine permanent metabolic alterations that could bring repercussions in the adult life. Intrauterine programming or Barker’s Theory established a basis for population and experimental research, new possible causal factors of cardiovascular disease in adult life in addition to the well known genetic and environmental factors. The earliest evidence showing the relation between Intrauterine Growth Restriction and occurrence of adult cardiovascular diseases stems from retrospective epidemiological studies. This line of study began with an analysis of the birth registry in England and Wales. Geographic areas with a high recent incidence of coronary heart disease match areas showing a high rate of infant mortality in the beginning of the twentieth century. These findings present a paradox, because such diseases have always been associated with the wealthy population. Therefore, research was conducted to find a relationship between fetal under nutrition and future occurrence of hypertension or coronary heart disease in those adults. These studies gave origin to the intrauterine programming theory, based on sample evaluation of the English population. Research centered on 16.000 births in Hertfordshire, between 1911 and 1930 show that death rate from ischemic cardiac disease was higher in adults that had presented birth weights less than 2,500 grams. Another study carried out in Sheffield which included birth weight and gestational age confirmed the Hertfordshire study, but showed no relationship between prematurity and adult hypertension. Similar associations were observed in the United States and in the South of India. The hypothesis that certain adult diseases originate in fetal life is reasonable. However, much of the evidence is inadequately supported by faulty data interpretation or statistical errors. The cause effect relationship between low birth weight and hypertension needs more accurate population growth analysis, including fetal biology, follow-up during childhood and adolescence, and determination of adult body mass index. These adjustments become necessary due to a perceived change of growth pattern that may occur during the development process.

Optical 3D surface digitizing in forensic medicine: 3D documentation of skin and bone injuries

Photography process reduces a three-dimensional (3D) wound to a two-dimensional level. If there is a need for a high-resolution 3D dataset of an object, it needs to be three-dimensionally scanned. No-contact optical 3D digitizing surface scanners can be used as a powerful tool for wound and injury-causing instrument analysis in trauma cases. The 3D skin wound and a bone injury documentation using the optical scanner Advanced TOpometric Sensor (ATOS II, GOM International, Switzerland) will be demonstrated using two illustrative cases. Using this 3D optical digitizing method the wounds (the virtual 3D computer model of the skin and the bone injuries) and the virtual 3D model of the injury-causing tool are graphically documented in 3D in real-life size and shape and can be rotated in the CAD program on the computer screen. In addition, the virtual 3D models of the bone injuries and tool can now be compared in a 3D CAD program against one another in virtual space, to see if there are matching areas. Further steps in forensic medicine will be a full 3D surface documentation of the human body and all the forensic relevant injuries using optical 3D scanners.

Influence of variations in cost factors in structural optimisation of heat recovery systems with moist air streams

Optimal solutions of heat recovery systems at paper machines (HRS), where both the specific heat flow rates and the overall heat transfer coefficients are strongly nonlinear, were analysed in respect of the influence of variations in the hot utility price (HU-price) and the annuity factor. A model for structural optimisation that takes into account the nonlinearities of the HRS was applied. In the study the variations in the areas and the topologies over a large range of HU-price and annuity factor were analysed. The sensitivity of the solutions on the nonlinear area costs was studied by solving the problem with varying total area costs, relative to the area cost of the optimal solution. The dependence of the total HRS-cost, the individual match areas and the hot utility consumption was analysed. The individual areas of the included matches showed particular variations at the boundaries of the topology changes.

Spatial variation in the power of mountain streams in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, New Mexico

The principle indicator of river energy expenditure, stream power, has a significant influence on many forms and process attributes of the fluvial system, yet few basin-wide analyses of stream power variations have ever been conducted. Recent studies hypothesize a peak in the mean stream power distribution in small (10 km 2)- to intermediate (100 km 2)-sized basins. To test hypothetical stream power profiles in a high mountain setting, 129 cross-sections of stream networks within the Costilla basin of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado were measured for channel form, local sediment conditions, and basin characteristics. Geomorphic and hydrologic analysis of these river sites throughout the Costilla basin yielded evidence of abundant local control over fluvial processes and forms. Within the basin, the spatial deviations of stream power from the hypothetical patterns derived from hydraulic geometry, in some cases >200% deviation, match areas of specific geologic and hydrogeologic control. As an alternative to traditional hydraulic descriptions of downstream channel form, a probabilistic process–response model can incorporate local and basin-scale variables and allow more realistic feedback mechanisms than in traditional regime theory. The probabilistic nature of this type of model also allows prediction of multiple modes of channel adjustment, an ever-present challenge to extremal and physically based simulations.

Capacitive-loaded interstitial antenna for perfect matching

A coaxial-cable capacitive-loaded interstitial antenna (CCIA) is proposed for 2.45 GHz. The capacitive load contributes to almost perfect matching and desirable heating area. The measured return loss of the CCIA is −28.377 dB, which may be considered as the best among those reported. Owing to this excellent result, the CCIA can also be applied for treatment of deep-seated tumours or cancer.

Treatment of reticular leg veins with a 1064 nm long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser

Background: Millisecond-pulsed Nd:YAG lasers have been developed for the treatment of reticular leg veins. Objective: We evaluated the effectiveness of a single treatment with a 50 millisecond 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of reticular veins of the lower extremity. Methods: Twenty patients with reticular veins measuring 1.0 to 3.0 mm in diameter received one treatment with a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser (Coolglide, Altus, Burlingame, Calif) at fluences of 100 J/cm2 and 50 millisecond pulse duration. Symmetric matched areas that were left untreated served as the control. Eleven patients were pretreated with a topical anesthetic cream for 1 hour before treatment and wore compression stockings for 5 days after treatment. Nine patients were treated without topical anesthesia and did not wear compression stockings. Percent clearing and side effects were determined by 3 nontreating physicians (at each respective site) comparing projected Kodachrome images 1 month and 3 months after treatment. Patients also performed a self-assessment of their results. Results: Two-thirds of vessels measuring 1 to 3 mm in diameter cleared more than 75% with one treatment. Larger vessels appeared to improve more than smaller vessels. Immediate treatment discomfort was tolerable. Side effects were minimal and included superficial thrombosis, delayed bruising, hyperpigmentation, and matting. Conclusion: Millisecond-pulsed Nd:YAG lasers used with 50 millisecond pulses are effective in the treatment of reticular leg veins. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2003;48:76-81.)