Forest genetic resources conservation and management: National consultative workshops of seven South and Southeast Asian countries

The reports included in this volume come from seven national consultative workshops within the ITTO funded project on forest genetic resources, ”Strengthening National Capacity and Regional Collaboration for Sustainable Use of Forest Genetic Resources in Tropical Asia”. The project started in February 2006 and ended in 2009, and was carried out by seven participating countries: Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand. This volume results from a collaboration amongst FRIM, Bioversity International and APAFRI

Forest genetic resources conservation and management: Status in seven South and Southeast Asian countries

This compilation of the national status reports from the seven participating countries of the ITTO Project is thesecond joint documentation of national activities for the conservation and management of forest genetic resources in South and South-east Asian countries. The reports in this publication were provided by the National Focal Points of the ITTO project countries during the years 2007-2009, and they capture updates in the conservation and management activities and initiatives in the project countries since the inception workshop of the APFORGEN Programme in 2003. The implementation of the ITTO project is supported by FRIM, in collaboration with APAFRI and Bioversity International

Genomic insights into rapid speciation within the world’s largest tree genus Syzygium

Species radiations, despite immense phenotypic variation, can be difficult to resolve phylogenetically when genetic change poorly matches the rapidity of diversification. Genomic potential furnished by palaeopolyploidy, and relative roles for adaptation, random drift and hybridisation in the apportionment of genetic variation, remain poorly understood factors. Here, we study these aspects in a model radiation, Syzygium, the most species-rich tree genus worldwide. Genomes of 182 distinct species and 58 unidentified taxa are compared against a chromosome-level reference genome of the sea apple, Syzygium grande. We show that while Syzygium shares an ancient genome doubling event with other Myrtales, little evidence exists for recent polyploidy events. Phylogenomics confirms that Syzygium originated in Australia-New Guinea and diversified in multiple migrations, eastward to the Pacific and westward to India and Africa, in bursts of speciation visible as poorly resolved branches on phylogenies. Furthermore, some sublineages demonstrate genomic clines that recapitulate cladogenetic events, suggesting that stepwise geographic speciation, a neutral process, has been important in Syzygium diversification

Scaling behaviors of transient noise current in organic field-effect transistors

Top-contact and bottom-gate organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) based on poly(3-hexylthiophene), P3HT polymer has been fabricated with thermal treatment condition. Transient noise currents of the OFETs are measured at various source-drain voltages ranging from 0 V to -60 V with respect to a fixed gate voltage of -60 V. The results from conventional power spectral density method are compared with the more robust Detrended Fluctuation Analysis. The latter has been proven to be reliable for fractal signals particularly in the presence of nonstationary effects. Interesting transitions between multiscaling and monoscaling behaviors are observed in the power spectral density as well as the Detrended Fluctuation Analysis plots for different applied source-drain voltage V-ds. Uncorrelated white noise characteristics are observed for noise current measured at low V-ds, meanwhile 1/f noise-like scaling behaviors are observed at intermediate V-ds. At higher V-ds, the noise characteristics appeared to be close to Brownian-like power-law behavior. The scaling characteristics of the transient noise current can be related to the charge carrier dynamics. It is also found that large numbers of trap centers are induced when the device is stressed at high applied V-ds. The existence of these trap centers would disperse charge carriers, leading to 1/f type noise that could diminish the presence of Brownian noise in a very short time. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Burst strength of carbon fibre reinforced HDPE strip pipeline repair system: a numerical and experimental approach

Oil and gas pipelines are susceptible to various forms of damage where repair mechanisms have since been developed for rehabilitation. Once installed, structural health monitoring often incurs excessive costs and defects rectification of the repaired pipeline becomes a major challenge. Finite element analysis (FEA) provides a rapid route to predict the behaviour of the rehabilitated pipelines under prescribed in-service conditions. In this paper, burst strength of a commercially available composite sleeve repair system, Helicoid Epoxy Sleeve (HES)™, which combines the use of carbon fibre strip and epoxy grout as reinforcement to damaged pipe, was investigated through experimental and numerical approaches. Design standards for subsea pipelines are used in the calculation of design pressure and burst pressure. In the experimental setup, API 5L X52 steel pipe was machined with 50% metal loss defect in wall thickness to simulate external corrosion. Results from design calculations, experimental and FEA showed good correlation with margin less than 10%

Gold catalysed growth of silicon nanowires and core-shell heterostructures via solid-liquid-solid process and galvanic displacement

Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) were first synthesised using Au coated p type Si (100) substrate via the solid-liquid-solid (SLS) process. The growth parameters were selectively varied to achieve various stages of growth for studying their effects on the morphology and microstructures of the nanowires (NWs). The SLS growth of SiNWs is discussed in the context of the experimental conditions used. Straight NWs of large aspect ratios, good crystallinity and morphology were generally obtained at a growth temperature of 1000 degrees C along with some worm-like amorphous structures. Te-Si NW core-shell structures were subsequently obtained via post-growth galvanic displacement of the SiNWs in an acidic HF electrolyte containing HTeO(2)(+) ions. The core-shell structures obtained were decorated with Te nanoparticles. This increases the NW surface areas and should have great potential in non-reflecting, photovoltaic and thermoelectric applications. Growth study on the SiNWs and Te-Si core-shell structures is presented using various microscopy, diffraction and probe based techniques for structural, morphological and chemical characterisations

Evidence-based guidelines on the use of opioids in chronic non-cancer pain--a consensus statement by the Pain Association of Singapore Task Force

Item does not contain fulltextINTRODUCTION: While opioids are effective in carefully selected patients with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP), they are associated with potential risks. Therefore, treatment recommendations for the safe and effective use of opioids in this patient population are needed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multidisciplinary expert panel was convened by the Pain Association of Singapore to develop practical evidence-based recommendations on the use of opioids in the management of CNCP in the local population. This article discusses specific recommendations for various common CNCP conditions. RESULTS: Available data demonstrate weak evidence for the long-term use of opioids. There is moderate evidence for the short-term benefit of opioids in certain CNCP conditions. Patients should be carefully screened and assessed prior to starting opioids. An opioid treatment agreement must be established, and urine drug testing may form part of this agreement. A trial duration of up to 2 months is necessary to determine efficacy, not only in terms of pain relief, but also to document improvement in function and quality of life. Regular reviews are essential with appropriate dose adjustments, if necessary, and routine assessment of analgesic efficacy, aberrant behaviour and adverse effects. The reasons for discontinuation of opioid therapy include side effects, lack of efficacy and aberrant drug behaviour. CONCLUSION: Due to insufficient evidence, the task force does not recommend the use of opioids as first-line treatment for various CNCP. They can be used as secondor third-line treatment, preferably as part of a multimodal approach. Additional studies conducted over extended periods are required