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Objectives: To determine 1) rates of offer and uptake of a home visit provided through Ontario's universal Hospital Stay and Postpartum Home Visiting Program, and 2) predictors of acceptance of a home visit.Methods: Women were eligible to participate if they had given birth vaginally to a live singleton infant, were being discharged with the infant to their care, were competent to give consent, and could communicate in one of the four study languages. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect data from 1,250 women recruited from five hospitals across the province; 890 (71.2%) women completed a structured telephone interview 4 weeks following discharge.Results: Most women (81.4% to 97.8%) reported having received a telephone call from a public health nurse, although not necessarily within 48 hours of discharge. While the offer of a home visit reportedly was high across sites, there were statistically significant differences in rates of acceptance (40.8% to 76.2%). Important predictors of acceptance were first live birth, lower social support, lower maternal rating of services in labour and delivery, poorer maternal self-reported health, probable postpartum depression, lower maternal rating of services on the postpartum unit, and breastfeeding initiation.Conclusion: The home visiting component of the universal program is reaching most women through telephone follow-up. However, rates of acceptance of a home visit differed greatly across study sites. The findings suggest that it is women with specific problems or needs who are accepting a visit. Further research is necessary to guide the development of evidence-based programs and policies regarding postpartum nurse home visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate measuring, mapping, and monitoring of mangrove forests support the sustainable management of mangrove blue carbon in the Asia-Pacific. Remote sensing coupled with modeling can efficiently and accurately estimate mangrove blue carbon stocks at larger spatiotemporal extents. This study aimed to identify trends in remote sensing/modeling employed in estimating mangrove blue carbon, attributes/variations in mangrove carbon sequestration estimated using remote sensing, and to compile research gaps and opportunities, followed by providing recommendations for future research. Using a systematic literature review approach, we reviewed 105 remote sensing-based peer-reviewed articles (1990 - June 2023). Despite their high mangrove extent, there was a paucity of studies from Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Papua New Guinea. The most frequently used sensor was Sentinel-2 MSI, accounting for 14.5 % of overall usage, followed by Landsat 8 OLI (11.5 %), ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 (7.3 %), ALOS PALSAR (7.2 %), Landsat 7 ETM+ (6.1 %), Sentinel-1 (6.7 %), Landsat 5 TM (5.5 %), SRTM DEM (5.5 %), and UAV-LiDAR (4.8 %). Although parametric methods like linear regression remain the most widely used, machine learning regression models such as Random Forest (RF) and eXtreme Gradient Boost (XGB) have become popular in recent years and have shown good accuracy. Among a variety of attributes estimated, below-ground mangrove blue carbon and the valuation of carbon stock were less studied. The variation in carbon sequestration potential as a result of location, species, and forest type was widely studied. To improve the accuracy of blue carbon measurements, standardized/coordinated and innovative methodologies accompanied by credible information and actionable data should be carried out. Technical monitoring (every 2-5 years) enhanced by remote sensing can provide accurate and precise data for sustainable mangrove management while opening ventures for voluntary carbon markets to benefit the environment and local livelihood in developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Mangroves in Southeast Asia provide numerous supporting, provisioning, regulating, and cultural services that are crucial to the environment and local livelihoods since they support biodiversity conservation and climate change resilience. However, Southeast Asia mangroves face deforestation threats from the expansion of commercial aquaculture, agriculture, and urban development, along with climate change-related natural processes. Ecotourism has gained prominence as a financial incentive tool to support mangrove conservation and restoration. Through a systematic literature review approach, we examined the relationships between ecotourism and mangrove conservation in Southeast Asia based on scientific papers published from 2010 to 2022. Most of the studies were reported in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, respectively, which were associated with the highest number of vibrant mangrove ecotourism sites and largest mangrove areas compared to the other countries of Southeast Asia. Mangrove-related ecotourism activities in the above countries mainly include boat tours, bird and wildlife watching, mangrove planting, kayaking, eating seafood, and snorkeling. The economic benefits, such as an increase in income associated with mangrove ecotourism, have stimulated infrastructural development in ecotourism destinations. Local communities benefited from increased access to social amenities such as clean water, electricity, transportation networks, schools, and health services that are intended to make destinations more attractive to tourists. Economic benefits from mangrove ecotourism motivated the implementation of several community-based mangrove conservation and restoration initiatives, which attracted international financial incentives and public-private partnerships. Since mangroves are mostly located on the land occupied by indigenous people and local communities, ensuring respect for their land rights and equity in economic benefit sharing may increase their intrinsic motivation and participation in mangrove restoration and conservation initiatives. Remote sensing tools for mangrove monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, and integrated education and awareness campaigns can ensure the long-term conservation of mangroves while sustaining ecotourism's economic infrastructure and social amenities benefits., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no potential real or perceived conflict of interest. Authors Ewane Basil Ewane, Jorge F. Montenegro, Redeat Daneil, Austin Blanton, Freddie McTavish, Luisa Fernanda Valasquez-Camacho, Pavithra S. Pitumpe Arachchige, G.A. Pabodha Galgamuwa, Shalini A.L. King, Shruthi Srinivasan, Meshal M. Abdullah, Wan Shafrina Wan Mohd Jaafar, Tarig Ali, and Midhun Mohan are affiliated with Ecoresolve Inc. Ewane Basil Ewane, Jorge F. Montenegro, and Midhun Mohan were also employed by BlueForests Inc. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Tropical rainforests of Latin America (LATAM) are one of the world's largest carbon sinks, with substantial future carbon sequestration potential and contributing a major proportion of the global supply of forest carbon credits. LATAM is poised to contribute predominantly towards high-quality forest carbon offset projects designed to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, halt biodiversity loss, and provide equitable conservation benefits to people. Thus, carbon markets, including compliance carbon markets and voluntary carbon markets continue to expand in LATAM. However, the extent of the growth and status of forest carbon markets, pricing initiatives, stakeholders, amongst others, are yet to be explored and extensively reviewed for the entire LATAM region. Against this backdrop, we reviewed a total of 299 articles, including peer-reviewed and non-scientific gray literature sources, from January 2010 to March 2023. Herein, based on the extensive literature review, we present the results and provide perspectives classified into five categories: (i) the status and recent trends of forest carbon markets (ii) the interested parties and their role in the forest carbon markets, (iii) the measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) approaches and role of remote sensing, (iv) the challenges, and (v) the benefits, opportunities, future directions and recommendations to enhance forest carbon markets in LATAM. Despite the substantial challenges, better governance structures for forest carbon markets can increase the number, quality and integrity of projects and support the carbon sequestration capacity of the rainforests of LATAM. Due to the complex and extensive nature of forest carbon projects in LATAM, emerging technologies like remote sensing can enable scale and reduce technical barriers to MRV, if properly benchmarked. The future directions and recommendations provided are intended to improve upon the existing infrastructure and governance mechanisms, and encourage further participation from the public and private sectors in forest carbon markets in LATAM., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no potential real or perceived conflict of interest. Authors Marcela Rondon, Ewane Basil Ewane, Jorge F. Montenegro, Austin Blanton, Judith Pons, and Midhun Mohan, were employed by the company Ecoresolve Inc. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Climate change is being felt across all human and natural systems in Aotearoa New Zealand and is projected to worsen this decade as impacts compound and cascade through natural system and sectoral dependencies. The effectiveness of adaptation is constrained by how fast greenhouse gas emissions are reduced globally, the pace of change, the frequency and progression of impacts, and the capacity of our natural, societal and political systems to respond. We explore how these systems and sectors interact with existing and projected climate change stressors by categorising climate change impacts (Trends and Events) and consequential thresholds (Thresholds), and by grouping systems and sectors by types (Typologies). This approach has identified commonalities and differences between the typologies which are illustrated with examples. Critical constraints and opportunities for adaptation have been identified to guide sector adaptation decision-making and for ongoing adaptation progress and effectiveness monitoring. Constraints are found across all sectors, and opportunities exist to address them through modelling and projections, monitoring frameworks, decision tools and measures, governance coordination and integration of the Māori worldview of the relationship between humans and nature. However, limits to adaptation exist and will increase over time unless all sectors and all nations urgently reduce their emissions., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

Myrtle rust, caused by the fungus Austropuccinia psidii , is a serious disease, which affects many Myrtaceae species. Commercial nurseries that propagate Myrtaceae species are prone to myrtle rust and require a reliable method that allows previsual and early detection of the disease. This study uses time-series thermal imagery and visible-to-short-infrared spectroscopy measurements acquired over 10 days from 81 rose apple plants ( Syzygium jambos ) that were either inoculated with myrtle rust or maintained disease-free. Using these data, the objectives were to (i) quantify the accuracy of models using thermal indices and narrowband hyperspectral indices (NBHI) for previsual and early detection of myrtle rust using data from older resistant green leaves and young susceptible red leaves and (ii) identify the most important NBHI and thermal indices for disease detection. Using predictions made on a validation dataset, models using indices derived from thermal imagery were able to perfectly (F1 score = 1.0; accuracy = 100%) distinguish control from infected plants previsually one day before symptoms appeared (1 DBS) and for all stages after early symptoms appeared. Compared with control plants, plants with myrtle rust had lower and more variable normalized canopy temperature, which was associated with higher stomatal conductance and transpiration. Using NBHI derived from green leaves, excellent previsual classification was achieved 3 DBS, 2 DBS, and 1 DBS (F1 score range = 0.89 to 0.94). The accurate characterization of myrtle rust during previsual and early stages of disease development suggests that a robust detection methodology could be developed within a nursery setting. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license., Competing Interests: The author(s) declare no conflict of interest.

Advances in remote sensing combined with the emergence of sophisticated methods for large-scale data analytics from the field of data science provide new methods to model complex interactions in biological systems. Using a data-driven philosophy, insights from experts are used to corroborate the results generated through analytical models instead of leading the model design. Following such an approach, this study outlines the development and implementation of a whole-of-forest phenotyping system that incorporates spatial estimates of productivity across a large plantation forest. In large-scale plantation forestry, improving the productivity and consistency of future forests is an important but challenging goal due to the multiple interactions between biotic and abiotic factors, the long breeding cycle, and the high variability of growing conditions. Forest phenotypic expression is highly affected by the interaction of environmental conditions and forest management but the understanding of this complex dynamics is incomplete. In this study, we collected an extensive set of 2.7 million observations composed of 62 variables describing climate, forest management, tree genetics, and fine-scale terrain information extracted from environmental surfaces, management records, and remotely sensed data. Using three machine learning methods, we compared models of forest productivity and evaluate the gain and Shapley values for interpreting the influence of categorical variables on the power of these methods to predict forest productivity at a landscape level. The most accurate model identified that the most important drivers of productivity were, in order of importance, genetics, environmental conditions, leaf area index, topology, and soil properties, thus describing the complex interactions of the forest. This approach demonstrates that new methods in remote sensing and data science enable powerful, landscape-level understanding of forest productivity. The phenotyping method developed here can be used to identify superior and inferior genotypes and estimate a productivity index for individual site. This approach can improve tree breeding and deployment of the right genetics to the right site in order to increase the overall productivity across planted forests., (Copyright © 2020 Bombrun, Dash, Pont, Watt, Pearse and Dungey.)

A data set of very high-resolution visible/near infrared hyperspectral images of young Pinus contorta trees was recorded to study the effects of herbicides on this invasive species. The camera was fixed on a frame while the potted trees were moved underneath on a conveyor belt. To account for changing illumination conditions, a white reference bar was included at the edge of each image line. Conventional preprocessing of the images, i.e., dividing measured values by values from the white reference bar in the same image line, failed and resulted in bad quality spectra with oscillation patterns that are most likely due to wavelength shifts across the sensor's field of view (smile effect). An additional hyperspectral data set of a Spectralon white reference panel could be used to characterize and correct the oscillations introduced by the division, resulting in a high quality spectra that document the effects of herbicides on the reflectance characteristics of coniferous trees. While the spectra of untreated trees remained constant over time, there were clear temporal changes in the spectra of trees treated with both herbicides. One herbicide worked within days, the other one within weeks. Ground-based imaging spectroscopy with meaningful preprocessing proved to be an appropriate tool for monitoring the effects of herbicides on potted plants.

Phenotyping is the accurate and precise physical description of organisms. Accurate and quantitative phenotyping underpins the delivery of benefits from genetic improvement programs in agriculture. In forest trees, phenotyping at an equivalent precision has been impossible because trees and forests are large, long-lived, and highly variable. These facts have restricted the delivery of genetic gains in forestry compared to other agricultural sectors. We describe a landscape-scale phenotyping platform that integrates remote sensing, spatial information systems, and genomics to facilitate the delivery of greater gains enabling forestry to catch up with other sectors. Combining remote sensing at a range of spatial and temporal scales with genomics will ultimately impact on tree breeding globally., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A new Pd(II)-catalyzed cascade sequence for the formation of polyheterocycles, from simple starting materials, is reported. The sequence is applicable to both indole and pyrrole substrates, and a range of substituents are tolerated. The reaction is thought to proceed by a Pd(II)-catalyzed C-H activated Heck reaction followed by a second Pd(II)-catalyzed aza-Wacker reaction with two Cu(II)-mediated Pd(0) turnovers per sequence. The sequence can be considered a formal [4 + 2] heterocyclization.

C-H activation offers huge potential in the generation of complex structures from simple starting materials. Herein we report the development of a highly diastereoselective palladium(II) catalyzed C-H functionalization cascade to produce novel, unsaturated polyheterocycles from simple diene-tethered heterocyclic starting materials. The reaction is applicable to both indole and pyrrole based substrates and tolerates a wide range of functional group substitutions around the heteroaromatic core. The polyheterocyclic products are formed as single diastereoisomers, with two new stereocenters formed in a single step.

Wind is the major abiotic disturbance in New Zealand's planted forests, but little is known about how the risk of wind damage may be affected by future climate change. We linked a mechanistic wind damage model (ForestGALES) to an empirical growth model for radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) and a process-based growth model (cenw) to predict the risk of wind damage under different future emissions scenarios and assumptions about the future wind climate. The cenw model was used to estimate site productivity for constant CO2 concentration at 1990 values and for assumed increases in CO2 concentration from current values to those expected during 2040 and 2090 under the B1 (low), A1B (mid-range) and A2 (high) emission scenarios. Stand development was modelled for different levels of site productivity, contrasting silvicultural regimes and sites across New Zealand. The risk of wind damage was predicted for each regime and emission scenario combination using the ForestGALES model. The sensitivity to changes in the intensity of the future wind climate was also examined. Results showed that increased tree growth rates under the different emissions scenarios had the greatest impact on the risk of wind damage. The increase in risk was greatest for stands growing at high stand density under the A2 emissions scenario with increased CO2 concentration. The increased productivity under this scenario resulted in increased tree height, without a corresponding increase in diameter, leading to more slender trees that were predicted to be at greater risk from wind damage. The risk of wind damage was further increased by the modest increases in the extreme wind climate that are predicted to occur. These results have implications for the development of silvicultural regimes that are resilient to climate change and also indicate that future productivity gains may be offset by greater losses from disturbances., (© 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background and Aims: Allometric relationships and the determination of critical buckling heights have been examined for Pinus radiata in the past. However, how they relate to more mature Pinus radiata exhibiting a wide range of stem diameters, slenderness and modulus of elasticity (E) at operationally used stand densities is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between Pinus radiata stand structure variables and allometric scaling and critical buckling height., Methods: Utilizing a Pinus radiata Nelder trial with stand density and genetic breed as variables, critical buckling height was calculated whilst reduced major axis regression was used to determine scaling exponents between critical height (Hcrit), actual height (H), ground line diameter (D), slenderness (S), density-specific stiffness (E/ρ) and modulus of elasticity (E)., Key Results: Critical buckling height was highly responsive to decreasing diameter and increasing slenderness. Safety factors in this study were typically considerably lower than previously reported margins in other species. As density-specific stiffness scaled negatively with diameter, the exponent of 0·55 between critical height and diameter did not meet the assumed value of 0·67 under constant density-specific stiffness. E scaled positively with stem slenderness to the power of 0·78., Conclusions: The findings suggest that within species density-specific stiffness variation may influence critical height and the scaling exponent between critical height and diameter, which is considered so important in assumptions regarding allometric relationships.

Biosecurity agencies need robust bioeconomic tools to help inform policy and allocate scarce management resources. They need to estimate the potential for each invasive alien species (IAS) to create negative impacts, so that relative and absolute comparisons can be made. Using pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa sensu lato) as an example, these needs were met by combining species niche modelling, dispersal modelling, host impact and economic modelling. Within its native range (the Mediterranean Basin and adjacent areas), T. pityocampa causes significant defoliation of pines and serious urticating injuries to humans. Such severe impacts overseas have fuelled concerns about its potential impacts, should it be introduced to New Zealand. A stochastic bioeconomic model was used to estimate the impact of PPM invasion in terms of pine production value lost due to a hypothetical invasion of New Zealand by T. pityocampa. The bioeconomic model combines a semi-mechanistic niche model to develop a climate-related damage function, a climate-related forest growth model, and a stochastic spread model to estimate the present value (PV) of an invasion. Simulated invasions indicate that Thaumetopoea pityocampa could reduce New Zealand's merchantable and total pine stem volume production by 30%, reducing forest production by between NZ$1,550 M to NZ$2,560 M if left untreated. Where T. pityocampa is controlled using aerial application of an insecticide, projected losses in PV were reduced, but still significant (NZ$30 M to NZ$2,210 M). The PV estimates were more sensitive to the efficacy of the spray program than the potential rate of spread of the moth. Our novel bioeconomic method provides a refined means of estimating potential impacts of invasive alien species, taking into account climatic effects on asset values, the potential for pest impacts, and pest spread rates.

Thermoinhibition is the decline in germinability within a seed population as soil temperatures increase above the optimum for germination. Hydrothermal time (HTT) models have been developed that describe the thermoinhibition response as a function of increases in the threshold water potential for seed germination [seed base water potential, Ψ(b) (G)]. Although these models assume a normal distribution of Ψ(b) (G) and a linear upward shift in Ψ(b) (G) with increasing temperature, little research has tested these assumptions. Using germination data obtained from four unrelated plant species, we fitted HTT models that use the Weibull and normal distribution to describe Ψ(b) (G) and compared the accuracy and bias of these two HTT models. For all four species, Ψ(b) (G) and germination were more accurately described by the Weibull than the normal distribution HTT model. At supra-optimal temperatures, Ψ(b) (G) of the earliest germinating seeds showed little thermoinhibition effect so that the seeds germinated very rapidly under moist conditions. However, for the rest of the population, Ψ(b) (G) increased progressively in response to supra-optimal temperatures so that the slower germinating seeds were thermoinhibited. The fitted HTT models reveal aspects of seed thermoinhibition that appear to have adaptational value under variable conditions of soil temperature and moisture., (© 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

Mesophyll conductance, g(m), may pose significant limitations to photosynthesis and may be differentially affected by nutrition and genotype in Pinus radiata D. Don. Simultaneous measurements of gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence were made to determine g(m), using the constant J method (Harley, P.C., F. Loreto, G. Di Marco and T.D. Sharkey. 1992. Theoretical considerations when estimating the mesophyll conductance to CO(2) flux by analysis of the response of photosynthesis to CO(2). Plant Physiol. 98:1429-1436), in a fast- and a slow-growing clone of P. radiata grown in a greenhouse with a factorial combination of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) supply. Values of g(m) increased linearly with the rate of photosynthesis at saturating irradiance and ambient CO(2) concentration, A(sat) (g(m) = 0.020A(sat), r(2) = 0.25, P < 0.001) and with stomatal conductance to CO(2) transfer, g(s) (g(m) = 1.16g(s), r(2) = 0.14, P < 0.001). Values of g(m) were greater than those of stomatal conductance, g(s), and the ratio (g(m)/g(s)) was not influenced by single or combined N and P additions or clone with a mean (+/-SE) value of 1.22 +/- 0.06. Relative limitations to mesophyll conductance, L(m) (16%) to photosynthesis, were generally greater than those imposed by stomata, L(s) (13%). The mean (+/-SE) CO(2) concentration in the intercellular air spaces (C(i)) was 53 +/- 3 mumol mol(-1) lower than that in the atmosphere (C(a)). Mean (+/-SE) CO(2) concentration in the chloroplasts (C(c)) was 48 +/- 2 mumol mol(-1) lower than C(i). Values of L(s), L(m) and CO(2) diffusion gradients posed by g(s) (C(a) - C(i)) and g(m) (C(i) - C(c)) did not significantly differ with nutrient supply or clone. Mean values of V(cmax) and J(max) calculated on a C(c) basis were 15.4% and 3.1% greater than those calculated on a C(i) basis, which translated into different slopes of the J(max)/V(cmax) relationship (C(c) basis: J(max) = 2.11V(cmax), r(2) = 0.88, P < 0.001; C(i) basis: J(max) = 2.43V(cmax), r(2) = 0.86, P < 0.001). These results will be useful for correcting estimates of V(cmax) and J(max) used to characterize the biochemical properties of photosynthesis for P. radiata.

Carbon (C) flux and partitioning responses of Pinus radiata (D. Don) clones to a factorial combination of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) supply were estimated in small trees growing in a greenhouse over 44 weeks. Our objective was to use a C budget approach at the plant level to examine how a factorial combination of N and P additions and genotype modify gross primary production (GPP), net primary production (NPP), absolute C fluxes apportioned to aboveground net primary production (ANPP), aboveground plant respiration (APR), total belowground carbon flux (TBCF) and the partitioning of GPP to ANPP, APR and TBCF. Single N or P additions increased plant NPP and GPP similarly, but their combined effects exceeded those of their individual contributions. Nitrogen and to a lesser extent P additions enhanced carbon-use efficiency (CUE, NPP:GPP) and C partitioning to ANPP at the expense of TBCF. The fraction of GPP partitioned to APR was invariant to N or P additions. The ratio of soil respiration (FS) to TBCF was significantly greater in the low-N low-P addition treatment (61%) than in those treatments with single or combined N and P additions (49%). The slowest growing clone partitioned a significantly smaller fraction of GPP to ANPP (29%) than one of the faster-growing genotypes (33%). This research provides insight into how N and P regulate the C fluxes and partitioning in individual plants. Our results contribute to explaining clonal variation in aboveground growth rates and suggest that greater gains in CUE and partitioning to ANPP occur with addition of N rather than P supply.

Several longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) and bark beetles (Scolytinae) have been accidentally introduced to New Zealand and are now widespread and abundant. In particular Arhopalus ferus (Mulsant) represents a significant quarantine risk for export timber. Because of this risk timber is fumigated with methyl bromide. Six different light traps baited with different colors (yellow, red, green, white, UV-black light [UV-BL], and UV-black-light-blue [UV-BLB]) were investigated for their population monitoring potential and as a push-pull (incorporating mass trapping) alternative control technique. UV-BLB light traps captured an order of magnitude more A. ferus (122 individuals per night) than yellow light traps (eight individuals per night). The bark beetles Hylurgus ligniperda (F.) and Hylastes ater (Paykull) were most attracted to UV-BL lights that captured 2-4 times more beetles than traps baited with other wavelengths. Results suggest that light traps provide a sensitive method for population monitoring. The responses of these wood borers and bark beetles to different colored light traps provide an opportunity to apply a push-pull control technique. The management of these species could be improved by minimizing the visual attractiveness (push) of wood processing facilities through a conversion to low intensity yellow site lighting, combined with the strategic placement of UV light traps for mass-trapping of residual populations (pull). Light management on its own is unlikely to eliminate the quarantine risk entirely; however, it is likely to reduce populations substantially and contribute toward the aim of reducing methyl bromide use.

The influence of defoliation on nitrogen (N) re-translocation and the source for N remobilisation by the invasive shrub, Buddleia davidii Franch. (buddleia) was determined. Eighty plants were grown over two growing seasons, and half were repeatedly defoliated by removing 66% of their leaf area. During the second season, the N supply was labelled with 15 N (10 atom% enrichment), to distinguish the use of stored N (unlabelled) from N taken up by roots (labelled) for growth. Defoliation significantly decreased root (39%) and total biomass (26%). Old leaves were the main source of N for remobilisation which was accelerated and increased (by 50% in the second season) in response to defoliation. In spring, root uptake of N increased by 57% in defoliated plants. Thus, defoliation induced changes in N remobilisation and uptake as compensatory growth increased the demand for N. Continued leaf removal decreased the pool of stored N and caused a significant decline in biomass production, especially in roots (39%) and flowers (31%). This has important implications for the efficacy of defoliation as a control measure, as smaller roots suggest a reduced capacity for uptake of nutrients from the soil and reduced flower production may assist in reducing the invasive spread of the species. These findings clearly show that, although the success of B. davidii is associated, in part, with efficient remobilisation of N from storage, this advantage can be overcome by continued defoliation.

Responses of photosynthesis (A) to intercellular CO(2) concentration (C(i)) were measured in a fast- and a slow-growing clone of Pinus radiata D. Don cultivated in a greenhouse with a factorial combination of nitrogen and phosphorus supply. Stomatal limitations scaled with nitrogen and phosphorus supply as a fixed proportion of the light-saturated photosynthetic rate (18.5%) independent of clone. Photosynthetic rates at ambient CO(2) concentration were mainly in the V(cmax)-limited portion of the CO(2) response curve at low-nitrogen supply and at the transition between V(cmax) and J(max) at high-nitrogen supply. Nutrient limitations to photosynthesis were partitioned based on the ratio of foliage nitrogen to phosphorus expressed on a leaf area basis (N(a)/P(a)), by minimizing the mean square error of segmented linear models relating photosynthetic parameters (V(cmax), J(max), T(p)) to foliar nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations. A value of N(a)/P(a) equal to 23 (mole basis) was identified as the threshold separating nitrogen (N(a)/P(a) < or = 23) from phosphorus (N(a)/P(a) > 23) limitations independent of clones. On an area basis, there were significant positive linear relationships between the parameters, V(cmax), J(max), T(p) and N(a) and P(a), but only the relationships between T(p) and N(a) and P(a) differed significantly between clones. These findings suggest that, in genotypes with contrasting growth, the responses of V(cmax) and J(max) to nutrient limitation are equivalent. The relationships between the parameters V(cmax), J(max), T(p) and foliage nutrient concentration on a mass basis were unaffected by clone, because the slow-growing clone had a significantly greater leaf area to mass ratio than the fast-growing clone. These results may be useful in discriminating nitrogen-limited photosynthesis from phosphorus-limited photosynthesis.

Background and Aims: Although density-specific stiffness, E/rho, (where E is Young's modulus and rho is wood density) is often assumed constant by the elastic similarity model, and in determination of critical buckling height (H(crit)), few studies have tested this assumption within species. Here this assumption is tested for Pinus radiata growing across an environmental gradient, and theory is combined with data to develop a model of Young's modulus., Methods: Analyses use an extensive series of environmental plots covering the range of climatic and edaphic conditions over which P. radiata is grown in New Zealand. Reduced major axis regression was used to determine scaling exponents between log-log plots of H(crit) vs. groundline diameter (D), and E/rho vs. D. Path analysis was used to identify significant direct and indirect (through stem slenderness) edaphic and climatic influences on E., Key Results: Density-specific stiffness exhibited 3-fold variation. As E/rho scaled positively with D, the exponent of 0.95 between H(crit) and D exceeded the assumed value of 0.67 under constant E/rho. The final path analysis model included mean air temperature in early autumn (T(aut)) and slenderness as significant (P < 0.05) positive direct influences on E. Tree leaf area index and T(aut) were indirectly associated with E through their significant (P < 0.05) positive direct relationship with stem slenderness. Young's modulus was most sensitive to T(aut), followed by stem slenderness then leaf area index, and the final model explained 76 % of the variance in E., Conclusions: The findings suggest that within species E/rho variation may influence H(crit) and the scaling exponent between D and H(crit) so important in assumptions regarding allometric relationships. The model presented may provide a useful means of determining variation in E, E/rho and H(crit) across environmental gradients.

In the course of a screening programme for the detection of fetal neural tube abnormalities by measurement of maternal plasma alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), 57 patients were identified who had plasma AFP levels of less than 7 units/ml at 15-20 weeks gestation. follow-up at the time of screening included requests to confirm that the patient was pregnant and also to repeat the AFP test. Tow patients were lost to follow-up and of the remaining 55, 17 patients (31 per cent) were subsequently shown not to have a live fetus and 31 patients (56 per cent) had incorrect estimates of gestation. No particular reason for the very low plasma AFP could be identified in the other seven patients.

In a follow-up study of 104 subjects referred for genetic counselling between 1965 and 1969 all were at risk of having children with a variety of serious genetic disorders. Most subjects were in social classes III and IV, were married, in their late 20s, and already had an affected child. Sixty-three per cent. were referred by hospital consultants, 27% by their general practitioners, and 10% were self-referrals. All of those counselled appeared to have appreciated the genetic implications, although four overestimated the risks and 11 underestimated the risks.Of those at high risk (greater than 1 in 10) of having an affected child 10 out of 55 couples "planned" further pregnancies despite the risks. In two this was because they had been unable to adopt a child, in four because they had no living children and the disorders in question usually resulted in stillbirth or death in infancy so that the "burden" of an affected child would be of relatively short duration, and one mother had had antenatal diagnosis and selective abortion. Most of the couples in the low-risk group (less than 1 in 20) were reassured and planned further pregnancies.