High‐resolution studies of hydrological problems of the near‐surface zone can be better accomplished by applying ground‐probing radar (GPR) and geoelectrical techniques. We report on GPR measurements (500 and 900 MHz antennae) which were carried out on a sorted, clean sand, both in the laboratory and at outdoor experimental sites. The outdoor sites include a full‐scale model measuring 5 × 3 × 2.4 m3 and a salinity site measuring 7.0 × 1.0 × 0.9 m3 with three buried sand bodies saturated with water of various salinities. Our studies investigate the capability of GPR to determine the pore water content and to estimate the salinity. These parameters are important for quantifying and evaluating the water quality of vadose zones and aquifers. The radar technique is increasingly applied in quantifying soil moisture but is still rarely used in studying the problems of water salinity and quality. The reflection coefficient at interfaces is obtained from the amplitude spectrum in the frequency and time domains and is confirmed by 1D wavelet modelling. In addition, the GPR velocity to a target at a known depth is determined using techniques of two‐way traveltime, CMP semblance analysis and fitting an asymptotic diffraction curve. The results demonstrate that the reflection coefficient increases with increasing salinity of the moisture. These results may open up a new approach for applications in environmental problems and groundwater prospecting, e.g. mapping and monitoring of contamination and evaluating of aquifer salinity, especially in coastal areas with a time‐varying fresh‐water lens. In addition, the relationship between GPR velocity and water content is established for the sand. Using this relationship, a subsurface velocity distribution for a full‐scale model of this sand is deduced and applied for migrated radargrams. Well‐focused diffractions separate single small targets (diameter of 2–3 cm, at a depth of 20–180 cm and a vertical interval of 20 cm). The results underscore the high potential of GPR for determining moisture content and its variation, flow processes and water quality, and even very small bodies inside the sand or soil.

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In natural communities, species are embedded in networks of direct and indirect interactions. Most studies on indirect interactions have focused on how they affect predator-prey or competitive relationships. However, it is equally likely that indirect interactions play an important structuring role in mutualistic relationships in a natural community. We demonstrate experimentally that on a small spatial scale, dense thickets of endemic Pandanus plants have a strong positive trait-mediated indirect effect on the reproduction of the declining endemic Mauritian plant Trochetia blackburniana. This effect is mediated by the endemic gecko Phelsuma cepediana moving between Pandanus thickets, a preferred microhabitat, and nearby T. blackburniana plants, where it feeds on nectar and pollinates the plants. Our findings emphasize the importance of considering plant-animal interactions such as pollination at relatively small spatial scales in both basic ecological studies and applied conservation management. Online enhancements: appendix figures.abstract: In natural communities, species are embedded in networks of direct and indirect interactions. Most studies on indirect interactions have focused on how they affect predator-prey or competitive relationships. However, it is equally likely that indirect interactions play an important structuring role in mutualistic relationships in a natural community. We demonstrate experimentally that on a small spatial scale, dense thickets of endemic Pandanus plants have a strong positive trait-mediated indirect effect on the reproduction of the declining endemic Mauritian plant Trochetia blackburniana. This effect is mediated by the endemic gecko Phelsuma cepediana moving between Pandanus thickets, a preferred microhabitat, and nearby T. blackburniana plants, where it feeds on nectar and pollinates the plants. Our findings emphasize the importance of considering plant-animal interactions such as pollination at relatively small spatial scales in both basic ecological studies and applied conservation management.

Chimerism after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) was investigated by flow cytometry analysis of red blood cells (RBCs) and of reticulocytes using a series of selected monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies directed against ABO, Rhesus, Kell, Duffy or MNSs antigens. The method allows the routine detection of less than 0.1% of positive cells in artificial mixed field populations. Blood samples from 135 patients undergoing BMT were investigated around days 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 180, and then every 6 months after transplantation. Characteristic patterns showing expression of donor red blood cell antigens (expansion markers) and concomitant decrease of recipient specific antigens (depletion markers) within days 16-20 were observed for 125 successfully engrafted patients. Distinct patterns were obtained in 10 patients. A delay in engraftment was evidenced in four patients by the absence of chimerism during the first 6 months without any sign of relapse. Re-appearance of recipient RBCs and reticulocytes was observed in five patients; it was consistent with relapse that was later confirmed by clinical, haematological and cytogenetic studies. Finally, a stable and partial chimerism with 20% of RBCs expressing a marker from the recipient was observed in one patient without any sign of relapse. The reported investigation demonstrated that flow cytometry of RBCs and reticulocytes represents a powerful method to efficiently monitor bone marrow transplanted patients on a long-term basis.

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