A Blue Spectral Shift of the Hemoglobin Soret Band Correlates with the Age (Time Since Deposition) of Dried Bloodstains

The ability to determine the time since deposition of a bloodstain found at a crime scene could prove invaluable to law enforcement investigators, defining the time frame in which the individual depositing the evidence was present. Although various methods of accomplishing this have been proposed, none has gained widespread use due to poor time resolution and weak age correlation. We have developed a method for the estimation of the time since deposition (TSD) of dried bloodstains using UV-VIS spectrophotometric analysis of hemoglobin (Hb) that is based upon its characteristic oxidation chemistry. A detailed study of the Hb Soret band (λmax = 412 nm) in aged bloodstains revealed a blue shift (shift to shorter wavelength) as the age of the stain increases. The extent of this shift permits, for the first time, a distinction to be made between bloodstains that were deposited minutes, hours, days and weeks prior to recovery and analysis. The extent of the blue shift was found to be a function of ambient relative humidity and temperature. The method is extremely sensitive, requiring as little as a 1 µl dried bloodstain for analysis. We demonstrate that it might be possible to perform TSD measurements at the crime scene using a portable low-sample-volume spectrophotometer

Forestry for a low carbon future. Integrating forests and wood products in climate change strategies

Following the introduction, Chapter 2 provides an overview of mitigation in the forest sector, addressing the handling of forests under UNFCCC. Chapters 3 to 5 focus on forest-based mitigation options – afforestation, reforestation, REDD+ and forest management – and Chapters 6 and 7 focus on wood-product based options – wood energy and green building and furnishing. The publication describes these activities in the context of UNFCCC rules, assessing their mitigation potential and economic attrac tiveness as well as opportunities and challenges for implementation. Chapter 8 discusses the different considerations involved in choosing the right mix of options as well as some of the instruments and means for implementation. Chapter 8 also highlights the co-benefits generated by forest-based mitigation and emphasizes that economic assessment of mitigation options needs to take these benefits into account. The concluding chapter assesses national commitments under UNFCCC involving forest miti gation and summarizes the challenges and opportunities

Carbon forestry economic mitigation potential in India, by land classification

Mitigation potential, Carbon price, GTAP, AEZ, India, Forest mitigation,

Global cost estimates of reducing carbon emissions through avoided deforestation

Tropical deforestation is estimated to cause about one-quarter of anthropogenic carbon emissions, loss of biodiversity, and other environmental services. United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change talks are now considering mechanisms for avoiding deforestation (AD), but the economic potential of AD has yet to be addressed. We use three economic models of global land use and management to analyze the potential contribution of AD activities to reduced greenhouse gas emissions. AD activities are found to be a competitive, low-cost abatement option. A program providing a 10% reduction in deforestation from 2005 to 2030 could provide 0.3– 0.6 Gt (1 Gt = 1 X 10'5 g) CO2'yr-1 in emission reductions and would require $0.4 billion to$1.7 billion.yr-1 for 30 years. A 50% reduction in deforestation from 2005 to 2030 could provide 1.5–2.7 Gt CO2'yr-1 in emission reductions and would require $17.2 billion to$28.0 billion.yr-1. Finally, some caveats to the analysis that could increase costs of AD programs are described

Definitions for hydration changes of hydrogel lenses

Authors of studies on the hydration characteristics of hydrogel lenses have used a variety of definitions to describe the changes observed with exposure of the lenses to different environments. This has resulted in difficulties in the interpretation of published data. In particular, the single term "percentage dehydration" has been used to denote different mathematical expressions for alterations to the lens composition. A detailed theoretical analysis of hydrogel hydration levels is presented to examine definitions for lens hydration changes, compare results obtained under different definitions and propose appropriate usage for the alternative definitions according to the aspect of lens performance under consideration. The interrelationships between the commonly used definitions of dehydration are shown to be independent of initial lens mass but dependent on initial water content. Typically, higher water content lenses undergo considerably larger mass changes than lower water content lenses, an effect that may be masked if these changes are presented as changes of water content. There are a number of clinical consequences of lens dehydration, the importance of which will vary depending on the initial lens water content. It is therefore essential when comparing different water content lenses on the basis of the extent of dehydration to do so with respect to a specific clinical consequence rather than in general terms

Land Evaluation and Forestry Management

Changes in the land use should be based on properties of the site, requirements of the technology, and needs of the people. In planning for forestry there are decisions of two kinds: allocation of land between forestry and agriculture, and decisions about kinds of forest management. Land evaluation for forestry provides a means of assessing the suitability of land for different kinds of use (FAO (1984) Land evaluation for forestry. FAO forestry paper 48, Rome). The requirements of forestry, under specified management systems, are compared with data from basic surveys (soil, climate, vegetation). The results, in terms of land suitability, are assessed on the basis of conservation, in economic terms, sustainability, and the needs and opinions of stakeholders (farmers, foresters, government). Land use planning is the process of putting the results of land evaluation into practice. The requirements of different kinds of planning are so varied that it is not possible to set out a precise set of procedures, but ten basic stages can be followed (FAO (1989a) Guide-lines on land use planning. Inter-departmental working group on land use planning. FAO, Rome)