James Cook University

About: James Cook University is a education organization based out in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Coral reef. The organization has 9101 authors who have published 27750 publications receiving 1032608 citations. The organization is also known as: JCU.

The Consensus Glossary of Temporal Database Concepts - February 1998 Version.

Abstract: This document1 contains definitions of a wide range of concepts specific to and widely used within temporal databases. In addition to providing definitions, the document also includes explanations of concepts as well as discussions of the adopted names.

Malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia: a systematic review of observational studies.

Abstract: The aim of this systematic review was to ascertain the malignant transformation rate of oral leukoplakia and the associated risk factors. Method: Published literature was searched through several search engines from 1960 to the end of December 2013. The inclusion criteria included 'leukoplakia', 'pre-cancer', 'malignant transformation', 'follow-up' and 'outcome'. Two reviewers extracted the data independently and also assessed the quality of evidence. Results: The search strategy resulted in 1032 abstracts or full-text articles, of which 24 met the inclusion criteria. There was much variation in the definitions used by the various authors in their original reports to define oral leukoplakia or in the criteria used to recruit their patients for follow-up. The estimated overall (mean) malignant transformation rate for the total population described in these 24 studies amounts to 3.5% (405/11423), with a wide range between 0.13% and 34.0%. Based on the evidence presented, the features that stand out as significant determinants contributing to malignant potential of OL include advanced age, female sex, leukoplakia exceeding 200 mm2, non-homogeneous type (eg. erythroleukoplakia) and the higher grades of dysplasia. Conclusion: The review indicates that drawing meaningful evidence-based conclusions are difficult from retrospective studies of this nature. However, many of the determinants exposed in the review require further investigation by well-designed prospective studies.

Intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) in trinuclear and tetranuclear complexes of iron, ruthenium, and osmium.

Abstract: Electron and energy transfer are ubiquitous in biological, chemical, and physical processes, which has led to extensive multidisciplinary research efforts to elucidate the factors influencing mechanistic pathways. Of considerable importance in these studies have been investigations of intramolecular electron and energy transfer within polymetallic assemblies as a result of the diversity (coordination number, ligand environment, stereochemistry, and redox characteristics) provided by the metal centers in such structures. Because of their multicomponent nature, these structures have considerable design potential to exploit the cooperation between the metals and/or other redox-active centers. Novel photochemical molecular devices (PMDs) may be constructed which are capable of performing useful light- and redox-induced functionsincluding artificial photosynthesis and photoinduced energy- and electron-transfer processes in light-harvesting “antenna” systems. Metallosupramolecular assemblies have also been designed to mimic the photoinduced charge separation function in photosynthetic organisms, in an attempt to elucidate the complex electron- and energy-transfer mechanisms which occur in natural systems. The possibility of multiple electron transferby absorption of several photons by linked chromophores, or the design of systems which generate more than one electron upon absorption of one photonhas significant implications in catalytic schemes, as well as understanding long-range electron transfer in biological systems, and the conductivity of “molecular wires”. In molecules involving delocalized unpaired electrons, polarizability may be present so that the species exhibit interesting nonlinear optical or magnetic properties. Polypyridyl complexes of the d^6 metals Fe^II, Ru^II, and OsII have attracted particular attention as the basis of these assemblies due to a combination of favorable photophysical and redox characteristics, the longevity of their excited states, and their chemical inertness in a variety of oxidation states. An important feature of these complexes is the capability of systematic variation of the ground- and excited-state properties by the judicious choice of the coordinating ligands.

Participatory scenario planning in place-based social-ecological research: insights and experiences from 23 case studies

Abstract: Participatory scenario planning (PSP) is an increasingly popular tool in place-based environmental research for evaluating alternative futures of social-ecological systems. Although a range of guidelines on PSP methods are available in the scientific and grey literature, there is a need to reflect on existing practices and their appropriate application for different objectives and contexts at the local scale, as well as on their potential perceived outcomes. We contribute to theoretical and empirical frameworks by analyzing how and why researchers assess social-ecological systems using place-based PSP, hence facilitating the appropriate uptake of such scenario tools in the future. We analyzed 23 PSP case studies conducted by the authors in a wide range of social-ecological settings by exploring seven aspects: (1) the context; (2) the original motivations and objectives; (3) the methodological approach; (4) the process; (5) the content of the scenarios; (6) the outputs of the research; and (7) the monitoring and evaluation of the PSP process. This was complemented by a reflection on strengths and weaknesses of using PSP for the place-based social-ecological research. We conclude that the application of PSP, particularly when tailored to shared objectives between local people and researchers, has enriched environmental management and scientific research through building common understanding and fostering learning about future planning of social-ecological systems. However, PSP still requires greater systematic monitoring and evaluation to assess its impact on the promotion of collective action for transitions to sustainability and the adaptation to global environmental change and its challenges.

Declining coral calcification in massive Porites in two nearshore regions of the northern Great Barrier Reef

Abstract: Temporal and spatial variation in the growth parameters skeletal density, linear extension and calcification rate in massive Porites from two nearshore regions of the northern Great Barrier Reef (GBR) were examined over a 16-year study period. Calcification rates in massive Porites have declined by approximately 21% in two regions on the GBR � 450km apart. This is a function primarily of a decrease in linear extension (� 16%) with a smaller decline in skeletal density (� 6%) and contrasts with previous studies on the environmental controls on growth of massive Porites on the GBR. Changes in the growth parameters were linear over time. Averaged across colonies, skeletal density declined over time from 1.32gcm � 3 (SE 50.017) in 1988 to 1.25gcm � 3 (0.013) in 2003, equivalent to 0.36%yr � 1 (0.13). Annual extension declined from 1.52cmyr � 1 (0.035) to 1.28cmyr � 1 (0.026), equivalent to 1.02%yr � 1 (0.39). Calcification rates (the product of skeletal density and annual extension) declined from 1.96gcm � 2 yr � 1 (0.049) to 1.59gcm � 2 yr � 1 (0.041), equivalent to 1.29%yr � 1 (0.30). Mean annual seawater temperatures had no effect on skeletal density, but a modal effect on annual extension and calcification with maxima at � 26.71C. There were minor differences in the growth parameters between regions. A decline in coral calcification of this magnitude with increasing seawater temperatures is unprecedented in recent centuries based on analysis of growth records from long cores of massive Porites. We discuss the decline in calcification within the context of known environmental controls on coral growth. Although our findings are consistent with studies of the synergistic effect of elevated seawater temperatures and pCO2 on coral calcification, we conclude that further data on seawater chemistry of the GBR are required to better understand the links between environmental change and effects on coral growth.