Effects on the maternofetal unit of the rabbit model after substitution of the amniotic fluid with perfluorocarbons

Objectives: Exchanging amniotic fluid (AF) with perfluorocarbon (PFC) may serve as a medium for fetoscopic surgery. This study evaluates the distribution and physiologic effects of intraamniotic PFC as a medium for fetoscopy. Methods: Fetuses of 17 pregnant rabbits underwent either exchange of the AF with PFC, electrolyte solution (ES), or control. The quality of vision during fetoscopy was assessed in AF and PFC. After 6 h, we determined the distribution of PFC in the maternofetal unit. Results: Quality of vision during fetoscopy was better in PFC than with AF. There was no difference in fetal survival between the study groups. PFC was demonstrated on X-ray in the pharynx of 4 fetuses, and the esophagus in 1. Conclusions: PFC provided an ideal medium for fetoscopy without fetal compromise. Copyright (c) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel

Coulomb induced positive current-current correlations in normal conductors

In the white-noise limit current correlations measured at different contacts of a mesoscopic conductor are negative due to the antisymmetry of the wave function (Pauli principle). We show that current fluctuations at capacitive contacts induced via the long range Coulomb interaction as consequence of charge fluctuations in the mesoscopic sample can be {\it positively} correlated. The positive correlations are a consequence of the extension of the wave-functions into areas near both contacts. As an example we investigate in detail a quantum point contact in a high magnetic field under conditions in which transport is along an edge state.Comment: Revtex, 4 pages includes 2 figure

Perspectives and problems of the tourist industry development in Asia-Pacific region

The article is devoted to the problems of potential and challenges of tourism industry development in the countries of Asia-Pacific region. It suggests a range of measures to be taken to promote the industry in the area. In particular, it develops the idea concerning improving countries’ accessibility, working out the infrastructure at heritage / tourist sites, improving living standards and eliminating crime. Thus, to insure accessibility to all the countries and areas of Asia-Pacific region, it is necessary to development of land, air and water-based transportation facilities, to support thematic tour circuits and publishing annual public events directories. Next, to create a proper infrastructure at heritage sites, a special attention should be given to accommodation and food service, educational videos about heritage sites, the combination of local and foreign cuisine, quality of water, toilet facilities, primary healthcare, local handicrafts, amusement parks and other entertainment facilities, banking facilities, and waste disposal facilities. Then, to improve standards of living, industrial development in the interior regions should be encouraged, cheap land available, and tax holidays introduced. And finally to eliminate crime in Asia-Pacific region the emphasis should be made on improving drug control policy; in particular, on making it more comprehensive and globalized.Статья посвящена проблемам потенциала и проблемам развития туристической индустрии в странах Азиатско-Тихоокеанской области.Предлагается, ряд мер, которые необходимо принять для содействия промышленности в области. В частности развивается идея о повышении доступности стран, разработка инфраструктуры наследия / туристических объектов, повышение уровня жизни и ликвидации преступности. Таким образом, чтобы обеспечить доступность для всех стран и территорий Азиатско-Тихоокеанского региона, необходимо развитие наземных, воздушных и водных транспортных средств,для транспортировки, необходимо поддержать тематические туристические кругообороты и публикацию ежегодных справочников общественных мероприятий. Затем, чтобы создать надлежащую инфраструктуру в объектах наследия, особое внимание должно быть уделено договоренности и общественному питанию, образовательным видео об объектах наследия, комбинации местной и иностранной кухни, качестве воды, туалетов, основного здравоохранения, местных изделий кустарного промысла, луна-парков и других средств для развлечения, банковских услуг и средств вывоза отходов. Затем чтобы улучшить уровень жизни, промышленное развитие во внутренних регионах должно быть поощрено, дешевая доступная земля, и введенные освобождения от налогов. И наконец устранить преступность в Азиатско-Тихоокеанском регионе акцент должен быть сделан на контроле над наркотиками

Diversity of response and effect traits provides complementary information about avian community dynamics linked to ecological function

Functional diversity metrics based on species traits are widely used to investigate ecosystem functioning. In theory, such metrics have different implications depending on whether they are calculated from traits mediating responses to environmental change (response traits) or those regulating function (effect traits), yet trait choice in diversity metrics is rarely scrutinized. Here, we compile effect and response traits for British bird species supplying two key ecological services—seed dispersal and insect predation—to assess the relationship between functional diversity and both mean and stability of community abundance over time. As predicted, functional diversity correlates with stability in community abundance of seed dispersers when calculated using response traits. However, we found a negative relationship between functional diversity and mean community abundance of seed dispersers when calculated using effect traits. Subsequently, when combining all traits together, we found inconsistent results with functional diversity correlating with reduced stability in insectivores, but greater stability in seed dispersers. Our findings suggest that trait choice should be considered more carefully when applying such metrics in ecosystem management

Momentarily Excessive Construction As The Basis For Protoadaptation

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137522/1/evo04677.pd

Interacting effects of climate change and habitat fragmentation on drought-sensitive butterflies

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency of some climatic extremes. These may have drastic impacts on biodiversity, particularly if meteorological thresholds are crossed, leading to population collapses. Should this occur repeatedly, populations may be unable to recover, resulting in local extinctions. Comprehensive time series data on butterflies in Great Britain provide a rare opportunity to quantify population responses to both past severe drought and the interaction with habitat area and fragmentation. Here, we combine this knowledge with future projections from multiple climate models, for different Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs), and for simultaneous modelled responses to different landscape characteristics. Under RCP8.5, which is associated with ‘business as usual’ emissions, widespread drought-sensitive butterfly population extinctions could occur as early as 2050. However, by managing landscapes and particularly reducing habitat fragmentation, the probability of persistence until mid-century improves from around zero to between 6 and 42% (95% confidence interval). Achieving persistence with a greater than 50% chance and right through to 2100 is possible only under both low climate change (RCP2.6) and semi-natural habitat restoration. Our data show that, for these drought-sensitive butterflies, persistence is achieved more effectively by restoring semi-natural landscapes to reduce fragmentation, rather than simply focusing on increasing habitat area, but this will only be successful in combination with substantial emission reductions