bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mercury in sediments of harbor areas of the Baltic Sea: compilation of data and comparison of legislation in the individual countries
Authors: Dembska Grażyna
Published: December 2017

Mercury is a very toxic chemical element and presents a very high level of chemical and biological activity. Long-term emissions of this element into the environment created a global pool of mercury, as a result of mercury forms has been constantly mobilised, deposited and re-mobilised up till now. The continued releases increase the overall values of the global mercury cycle in the air, water, sediments/soil as well as flora and fauna. Port sediments, which containing large deposits of mercury compounds may constitute a potential threat to the marine environment. Moreover harbour basins, which are mainly located in the estuary areas, can be exposed on the pollutants collected by the river flowing through the whole basin area. Furthermore, some contamination can be also supplied to the harbour areas as a result of cargo handling, ship traffic, the discharge of industrial and municipal wastewater etc. These contamination are largely deposited in the benthic sediments.
This study summarizes results of mercury concentration in the sediments collected from the marine ports of the Baltic Sea (31 ports). Additionally, it references them to the existing legislation of the individual countries. These data came from the various sources: scientific articles, data submitted by different ports, port-related organisations within the framework of the project SMOCS [35], as well as own research..It has been found differences between each country's legal system. These are related to the different limit values used for the contamination assessment of mercury in port sediments. Another issue is an application of different analytical methodologies in environmental survey. The common analytical methodolody for the determination of mercury compounds together with defined similar limit values for the polluted sediments seems to be extremly important issue in terms of planning as well as managing Baltic Sea port’s sediments
Fatores associados à adesão ao tratamento antirretroviral em adultos infectados pelo HIV: estudo transversal
Authors: Zuge Samuel Spiegelberg , Primeira Marcelo Ribeiro , Remor Eduardo , Magnago Tânia Solange Bosi de Souza , Paula Cristiane Cardoso de , Padoin Stela Maris de Mello
Published: December 2017

Objetivo: analisar os fatores associados à adesão ao tratamento antirretroviral em adultos que vivem com HIV. Método: estudo transversal, com 179 adultos atendidos em serviço especializado, no Sul do Brasil. Foi utilizado o “Cuestionário para la Evaluación de la Adhesión al Tratamiento Antiretroviral” (CEAT-VIH) e análise estatística descritiva e inferencial (Regressão de Poisson). Resultados: dos participantes, 83,2% foram classificados em não adesão ao tratamento. Estiveram associados à não adesão o menor nível de escolaridade, a dificuldade de manutenção do acompanhamento ambulatorial, a propensão para alcoolismo, a mudança no estilo de vida e a utilização de medicações psiquiátricas. Conclusões: o diagnóstico precoce de adesão possibilita o planejamento de ações educativas focadas nas características associadas à não adesão.
Níveis de estresse e qualidade de vida de professores do ensino superior
Authors: Santos Marcos Paulo Gonçalves dos , Silva Karla Kristine Dames da
Published: December 2017

Objetivo: avaliar os níveis de estresse e de qualidade de vida de professores de uma instituição federal de nível superior. Método: estudo transversal, realizado com 35 professores de um Instituto Federal, no Rio de Janeiro, em dezembro de 2015. Os participantes foram avaliados através do Inventário de Sintomas de Stress para Adultos de Lipp e do questionário World Health Organization Quality Of Life-Bref. Foi realizada correlação entre estresse e qualidade de vida, e valores de p<0,05 foram considerados significativos. Resultados: verificou-se que 46% da amostra possuem sintomas de estresse. A média da qualidade de vida dos professores foi considerada como regular.  Uma correlação inversa moderada foi observada entre estresse e qualidade de vida (r=-0,5; p<0,03). Conclusões: parte da amostra possui sintomas de estresse e estes podem proporcionar uma piora da qualidade de vida. Estes sintomas podem não estar unicamente relacionados com fatores ocupacionais.
Características sociodemográficas e gineco-obstétricas de adolescentes assistidas em serviço de planejamento familiar
Authors: Queiroz Maria Veraci Oliveira , Vasconcelos Mônica Medeiros , Alcântara Caroline Magalhães de , Fé Martha Campos de Moura , Silva Amanda Newle de Sousa
Published: December 2017

Objetivo: caracterizar adolescentes assistidas em serviço de planejamento familiar quanto aos aspectos sociodemográficos, ginecológicos e obstétricos. Método: estudo transversal, retrospectivo, com abordagem quantitativa. População de 145 adolescentes, com idade de 13 a 19 anos, de um Serviço de Planejamento Familiar com dados secundários, de hospital público de Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil. Análise estatística realizada através do programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences versão 20.0, e dados descritos e apresentados em tabelas. Resultados: prevaleceram idades de 15 a 17 anos (45,5%) e união conjugal (89,7%). A média de idade da menarca igual 11,88 + 1,52, da iniciação sexual de 14,01 + 1,53, e da primeira gestação de 15,06 + 1,71. A maioria (75,1%) teve uma gestação. O tipo de parto que prevaleceu foi o normal (52,2%). Conclusão: observaram-se carências de cuidados individuais às adolescentes para fortalecimento da autonomia e escolhas de práticas sexuais seguras.
How and why do number-space associations co-vary in implicit and explicit magnitude processing tasks?
Authors: Georges Carrie , Hoffmann Danielle , Schiltz Christine
Published: December 2017

Evidence for number-space associations in implicit and explicit magnitude processing tasks comes from the parity and magnitude SNARC effect respectively. Different spatial accounts were suggested to underlie these spatial-numerical associations (SNAs) with some inconsistencies in the literature. To determine whether the parity and magnitude SNAs arise from a single predominant account or task-dependent coding mechanisms, we adopted an individual differences approach to study their correlation and the extent of their association with arithmetic performance, spatial visualization ability and visualization profile. Additionally, we performed moderation analyses to determine whether the relation between these SNAs depended on individual differences in those cognitive factors. The parity and magnitude SNAs did not correlate and were differentially predicted by arithmetic performance and visualization profile respectively. These variables, however, also moderated the relation between the SNAs. While positive correlations were observed in object-visualizers with lower arithmetic performances, correlations were negative in spatial-visualizers with higher arithmetic performances. This suggests the predominance of a single account for both implicit and explicit SNAs in the two types of visualizers. However, the spatial nature of the account differs between object- and spatial-visualizers. No relation occurred in mixed-visualizers, indicating the activation of task-dependent coding mechanisms. Individual differences in arithmetic performance and visualization profile thus determined whether SNAs in implicit and explicit tasks co-varied and supposedly relied on similar or unrelated spatial coding mechanisms. This explains some inconsistencies in the literature regarding SNAs and highlights the usefulness of moderation analyses for understanding how the relation between different numerical concepts varies between individuals.
The interaction of procedural skill, conceptual understanding and working memory in early mathematics achievement
Authors: Gilmore Camilla , Keeble Sarah , Richardson Sophie , Cragg Lucy
Published: December 2017

Large individual differences in children’s mathematics achievement are observed from the start of schooling. Previous research has identified three cognitive skills that are independent predictors of mathematics achievement: procedural skill, conceptual understanding and working memory. However, most studies have only tested independent effects of these factors and failed to consider moderating effects. We explored the procedural skill, conceptual understanding and working memory capacity of 75 children aged 5 to 6 years as well as their overall mathematical achievement. We found that, not only were all three skills independently associated with mathematics achievement, but there was also a significant interaction between them. We found that levels of conceptual understanding and working memory moderated the relationship between procedural skill and mathematics achievement such that there was a greater benefit of good procedural skill when associated with good conceptual understanding and working memory. Cluster analysis also revealed that children with equivalent levels of overall mathematical achievement had differing strengths and weaknesses across these skills. This highlights the importance of considering children’s skill profile, rather than simply their overall achievement.
Processing the order of symbolic numbers: A reliable and unique predictor of arithmetic fluency
Authors: Vogel Stephan E. , Haigh Trent , Sommerauer Gerrit , Spindler Melanie , Brunner Clemens , Lyons Ian M. , Grabner Roland H.
Published: December 2017

A small but growing body of evidence suggests a link between individual differences in processing the order of numerical symbols (e.g., deciding whether a set of digits is arranged in ascending/descending order or not) and arithmetic achievement. However, the reliability of behavioral correlates measuring symbolic and non-symbolic numerical order processing and their relationship to arithmetic abilities remain poorly understood. The present study aims to fill this knowledge gap by examining the behavioral correlates of numerical and non-numerical order processing and their unique associations with arithmetic fluency at two different time points within the same sample of individuals. Thirty-two right-handed adults performed three order judgment tasks consisting of symbolic numbers (i.e., digits), non-symbolic numbers (i.e., dots), and letters of the alphabet. Specifically, participants had to judge as accurately and as quickly as possible whether stimuli were ordered correctly (in ascending/descending order, e.g., 2-3-4; ●●●●-●●●-●●; B-C-D) or not (e.g., 4-5-3; ●●●●-●●●●●-●●●; D-E-C). Results of this study demonstrate that numerical order judgments are reliable measurements (i.e., high test-retest reliability), and that the observed relationship between symbolic number processing and arithmetic fluency accounts for a unique and reliable portion of variance over and above the non-symbolic number and the letter conditions. The differential association of symbolic and non-symbolic numbers with arithmetic support the view that processing the order of symbolic and non-symbolic numbers engages different cognitive mechanisms, and that the ability to process ordinal relationships of symbolic numbers is a reliable and unique predictor of arithmetic fluency.
Lalat predator Coenosia humilis Meigen (Diptera: Muscidae) pada pertanaman kentang: pola aktivitas harian, pemangsaan, dan pengaruh aplikasi insekisida
Authors: Harwanto Harwanto , Hidayana Dadan , Maryana Nina , Rauf Aunu
Published: December 2017

Field and laboratory studies were conducted on potatoes in pangalengan during April until October 2001, with the objectives to determine the daily activity pattern of the predatory fly Coenosia humilis Meigen (Diptera: Muscidae), to study the behavior of predator as well as level predation, and to evaluate effects of two cultural practices on population of flies. Our research revealed. that C. humilis were more active during morning and afternoon. Predatory flies attacked  by capturing the flying preys, and then sucked preys body content. The preys were generally small insects. About 60% of the preys were found to be agromyzed files, Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) (Diptera: Agromyzidae). In laboratory each predator consumed 23.5 leafminer flies per day. Insecticide application significantly suppressed the predator and at the same time promoted the leafminer population.
Penampilan hama pelipat daun Cnaphalocrosis medinalis imigran dan parasitoid elasmus sp. di pertanaman padi
Authors: Effendi Baehaki Suherlan
Published: December 2017

Cnaphalocrosis medinalis (Guenee) is a potential rice pest. The research was conducted at Subang district, used randomized block design. The big plot with 80 m x 100 m is planed by Ciherang rice variety. The big plot is divided to two plots with each size 40 m x 100 m. The first plot controlled by fipronil insecticides, but another one do not controlled us untreated plots. The untreated plot is divided to 160 small plots with size 5 m x 5 m. Observation on 30 hills per plot of randomize three plots every weeks. The result of this research show that abundance of larvae and pupae of leap folder on Ciherang variety was bimodel with two peaks. These curve indicated that leaf folder development reach two generation in one season. The relationship curve between rice plant old and leaf damage was linear curve with correlated value was 87%, but relationship curve with correlated value was 95%. The leaf folder more develop on the vegetative phase than on generative phase. The existent of larvae parasitoid, Elasmus sp is very late and abundance began of 70 days rice old with 14.8 % larvae parasitism. In the nearest harvest the larvae parasitism up to 94.4%. Amount of  parasitoid is very high to reach 225 parasitoid per larvae on 70 days rice old. Analog rice growth on dry season 2002 a leaf damage level was 5-50% and effect to yield losses was 833.3 kg/ha grain dry harvested or loosing income was Rp. 1,085,550.
Artropoda yang berasosiasi pada ekosistem tanaman lada
Authors: Trisawa Iwa Mara , Laba I Wayan , Atmadja Warsi Rahmat
Published: December 2017

Association of Arthropod on Pepper Plant Ecosystem. Ecosystem management of pepper between cover crops, Arachis pintoii, cropping system with corn, soybean and limited weeding. The objectives of this research was to find out biodiversity of arthropod on the paper ecosystem. This experiment was conducted in Lampung since May to September 2002. They are divided 5 treatments they are paper with A. pintoii, pepper with corn, pepper with soybean, pepper with limited weeding and control. The randomize blok design was used 44 kind of arthropods. The status of arthropod are: fitofag (47.73%), omnivorus (6.82%), natural enemies (34.09%) and pollination (11.36%). Distribution of each species was various at each treatment, between 26-34 species. The lowest population was found on pepper with corn, while on the highest population were occurred on the pepper with A. pintoii and control. The insect population of Acrididae, Tetrigidae, Grylidae (Orthroptera), Blattidae, Drosophillidae and Farmicidae always higher than an other insect. In this research were found 10 ordo of arthropod. Hymenoptera (Formicidae) and Araneida are dominant of arthropod and distributed at all treatment. Arthropod at pepper plant was the most abundant at pepper plan with A. pintoii. In the pepper standing plant it were only found three other, they are Hymenoptera, Araneida and Hemiptera. Beside at pepper plant and pepper standing plant, some of arthropod was found associated with A. pintoii, corn, soybean weed. Other of Orthoptera mainly grasshopper was dominating at all of plant.
Kelimpahan Aedes spp. di kota semarang, purwokerto dan yogyakarta
Authors: Wahyuningsih Nur Endah , Dharmana Edi , Kusnawati Endang , Sulistiawan Aris , Purwanto Edy
Published: December 2017

Abundance of Aedes spp. in Semarang, Purwokerto and Yogyakarta. In Indonesia, Dengue Fever has a high morbidity rate. Incidence Rate (IR) during 39 years (1968-2007) showed a tendency to increase 00-30 per 100,000 populations, but the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) shows a decrease trend from 40% to 1.6%. Method of mosquito control that is mostly done today is chemical control methods. Unfortunately, this method is not always. A survey to find out the composition of the Aedes mosquito species in the field needs to as the first step to improve the method of vector control. This study employed a descriptive survey method, be done, taking eggs and adult mosquitoes from the three cities. From each city. Eggs and adult mosquitoes of Aedes spp from 90 ovitraps and 18 field locations were taken. Eggs obtained from Semarang, Purwokerto and Yogyakarta are 1835, 833, 1345, from 27 (30%), 22 (24,44%) and 25 (27,7%) ovitraps respectively, consisting of species A. aegypti and A. albopictus. A. aegypti and A. albopictus adults obtained in Semarang 17 (5%) and 323 (95%), in Purwokerto 6 (7%) and 81 (93%), while in Yogyakarta, 36 (25%) and 105 (75%) respectively. Research results show that in three cities A albopictus was more abundant than the A. aegypti.
Keefektifan Telenomus remus (Nixon) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) dalam mengendalikan hama tanaman bawang daun Spodoptera exigua Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Buchori Damayanti , Herawati Erna Dwi , Sari Adha
Published: December 2017

The objective of this research is to study the effectiveness of T. remus as biocontrol agent for S. exigua. The study was conducted by releasing a set of T. remus females on potted onion plants that have been attacked by S. exigua. Three different parasitism level was artificially created by releasing different numbers of females: low rate parasitism (release of 4 adult females), moderate parasitism (7 females) and high parasitism level (11 females). The result of this study showed that T. remus is effective to control S. exigua population. Up to 48.2% of S. exigua. population was able to be suppressed by the high parasitism level. Rate of parasitisation was more when more adult female T. remus was released. Release of 11 adult female of T. remus can increase the population level of the parasitoid up to 24.1 times than the initial population. This express that T. remus is a mortality factor which can regulate the population of S. exigua. However, the succesfull parasitisation of T. remus is also dependent on environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, food, and host suitability.
Potensi Insektisida Pasak Bumi (Eurycoma longifolia Jack) terhadap Hama Kubis Crocidolomia pavonana (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)
Authors: Lina Eka Chandra , Aarneti Arneti , Prijono Djoko , Dadang Dadang
Published: December 2017

The research was conducted at Laboratory of Insect Physiology and Toxicology of Plant Protection Department of Bogor Agricultural University from May to July 2008. Leaves, twigs, barks, and roots of Eurycoma longifolia (Pasak bumi) were extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol solvens. The extraction was used single method and level method. Insecticidal activity of each extract has been examined in laboratory to major cabbage pests Crocidolomia pavonana using leaf residual method. Methanol root extract from single method and level method caused 100 and 75.5% mortality of insect test respectively. Hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of leaves, twigs, and barks have low insecticidal activity. The antifeedant effect worked at insect test and varied depends on concentration level. Antifeedant effect also contributed to mortality of larvae along with toxicity of each extract.
Peran insektisida botani ekstrak biji mimba untuk konservasi musuh alami dalam pengelolaan serangga hama kapas.
Authors: Sunarto Dwi Adi , Nurindah Nurindah
Published: December 2017

Natural Enemies Conservation: The Role of Neem-seed Extracts for Natural Enemies Conservation Used of Cotton Insect Pest Control. Insects associated with cotton plant are numerous, as the plant bears extrafloral nectar. More than 90 species of natural enemies are reported and identified. They could manage the cotton pest, keeping the pest population is under action threshold level when their presence is considered in scouting and action threshold concept. However, most of cotton farmers are insecticide-spray-minded people who think that insecticide sprays is a must in cotton cultivation. This behavior is unfavorable for the natural enemies in building their population so they can act as an effective mortality factor for the pest. Neem seed extract (NSE) is toxic to herbivores but relatively safe for natural enemies, so that it could be used as a substitute for synthetic chemical insecticides. Therefore, NSE is recommended to be used for conserving natural enemies in cotton agro ecosystem.
Evaluasi Produktivitas Kutu Lak, Laccifer lacca Kerr. (Hemiptera: Kerridae) pada Tiga Jenis Tanaman Inang
Authors: Rostaman Rostaman , Suryatna Bambang Sugeng
Published: December 2017

Lac insects (Laccifer lacca Kerr) live parasitically on “kosambi” plants, and produce resins that are called lac. Lac are used for electronics, printing, textile, clothing, cosmetics, and food industry. The insects also live on various plants. The goal of this research was to evaluate the population quality of Lac insect that live on three host plants. The best parameter for population quality was biomass or lac production. Three host plants were inoculated by broods. The result showed that “kosambi” was the best host plant for the insect due to higher biomass (i.e lac production) than “kabesak putih” and “kabesak hitam” plants.
Keanekaragaman Serangga pada Bunga Tomat (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) di Lahan Pertanian Organik
Authors: Fajarwati Mosi Retnani , Atmowidi Tri , Dorly Dorly
Published: December 2017

Study on the diversity of insect visitors on tomato flowers were conducted at Bina Sarana Bakti (BSB) organic farm, Cisarua, West Java. Diversity of insects were observed by observational method, an 10 m2 area of tomato plants in the morning, mid-day, and afternoon. Observations were conducted during 20 days. Diversity of visiting insects were analyzed by Shannon diversity and its evenness. Similarity of visiting insects between time of observations were analyzed by Jaccard similarity index. In organic farm, insect visitors of tomato plants consist of six orders belonging to eight species. Insect visitors of tomato flowers were dominated by Thrips sp. (Thysanoptera) and Hylaeus sp. (Hymenoptera). Hylaeus sp. was a main pollinator of tomato plants. Diversity of insect visitors in the morning and mid-day was higher than in the afternoon. Evenness of insect visitors of tomato flowers between observation times were relatively equal.
STATIC AND DYNAMIC SORPTION OF NUCLEIC ACIDS AND PROTEINS ON SURFACE OF SORBENTS MODIFIED WITH NANOLAYERS OF POLYMERS
Authors: Liaw Der-Jang , Zybin Dmitry I. , Prostyakova Anna I. , Yagudaeva Elena Yu. , Vikhrov Alexander A. , Ishchenko Anatoly A. , Zubov Vitaly P. , Kapustin Dmitry V.
Published: December 2017

Sorption properties of composite silica sorbents modified with nanolayers of fluoropolymers; polyanilines and polyaramides containing aromatic nitrogen; fluorine; as well as donor and acceptor fragments; with respect to nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and proteins differing in molecular weight and pI are considered. The use of the investigated sorbents in the sample preparation for molecular diagnostics (in particular; in the PCR analysis) not only provides a one-step isolation of nucleic acids; but also allows the isolation and simultaneous purification of protein compounds from the impurities presented in the initial mixture. For the first time; the properties of these materials are compared in the static sorption regime using the compact spin-columns and in the regime of dynamic sorption by the method of spectral-correlation interferometry. The effect of the chemical composition; morphology; and surface charge of these polymer coatings on their sorption properties was studied. Possible mechanisms of sorption of biopolymers on the investigated sorbents are discussed. The use of the developed approaches to the analysis of properties of the sorbents as well as the obtained data open new possibilities for the synthesis of composite sorbents with specific properties. PANI and polyaramides were shown to demonstrate the similar sorption properties when interacting with nucleic acids; but they differ in a various extent in the retention of various proteins. In a neutral aqueous medium (optimal for separation of biopolymers) polyaramides; although did not retain DNA; had a weaker affinity to proteins as compared to PANI. Since the recovery of DNA passed through the PANI-coated silica was the maximal among the particulate adsorbents; the PANI-modified composites were preferred as the carriers for the single-step isolation of nucleic acids from complex biological mixtures. The article cites the results of systematic studies of the authors in the development of sorbents for one-step separation and isolation of biopolymers from complex biological mixtures.Forcitation:Liaw D.-J.; Zybin D.I.; Prostyakova A.I.; Yagudaeva E.Yu.; Vikhrov A.A.; Ishchenko A.A.; Zubov V.P.; Kapustin D.V. Static and dynamic sorption of nucleic acids and proteins on surface of sorbents modified with nanolayers of polymers. Izv. Vyssh. Uchebn. Zaved. Khim. Khim. Tekhnol. 2018. V. 61. N 1. P. 4-22
System and/as Contingency: Quentin Meillassoux and the Ethics of Chance
Authors: Kennedy Kevin
Published: December 2017

In recent years, the relation between contingency and systematic claims to the absolute has again come to play an important role in Continental philosophy. This essay takes a closer look at how this relation is developed in the works of French philosopher Quentin Meillassoux. It argues
that a specific demand for systematic knowledge underlies not only Meillassoux's ontology, but also his ethics, which come into conflict with his own systematic aspirations in certain key areas, most notably in his attempt to derive an ethico-political model of subjectivity from his theory
of contingency. The essay furthermore explores whether Meillassoux's monism of chance, by systematizing contingency and declaring it a universal principle, does not in fact deprive the contingent of its contingent character, introducing a reductive stability that condemns the subject to a
passive waiting ultimately lacking in ethical significance.
Pretreatment platelet count predicts survival outcome of patients with de novo non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Zhang Qianying , Dai Kanchun , Bi Laixi , Jiang Songfu , Han Yixiang , Yu Kang , Zhang Shenghui
Published: December 2017

Background

Pretreatment platelet count has been reported as a potential tool to predict survival outcome in several solid tumors. However, the predictive value of pretreatment platelet count remains obscure in de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) excluding acute promyelocytic leukemia (M3).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of 209 patients with de novo non-M3 AML in our institute over a period of 8 years (2007–2015). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the optimal platelet (PLT) cutoff in patients. We analyzed the overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) using the log-rank test and Cox regression analysis.

Results

By defining the platelet count 50 × 109/L and 120 × 109/L as two cut-off points, we categorized the patients into three groups: low (<50 × 109/L), medium (50–120 × 109/L) and high (>120 × 109/L). On univariate analysis, patients with medium platelet count had longer OS and DFS than those with low or high platelet count. However, the multivariate analysis showed that only longer DFS was observed in patients with medium platelet count than those with low or high platelet count.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that pretreatment platelet count has a predictive value for the prognosis of patients with non-M3 AML.
Function of JARID2 in bovines during early embryonic development
Authors: Fu Yao , Xu Jia-Jun , Sun Xu-Lei , Jiang Hao , Han Dong-Xu , Liu Chang , Gao Yan , Yuan Bao , Zhang Jia-Bao
Published: December 2017

Histone lysine modifications are important epigenetic modifications in early embryonic development. JARID2, which is a member of the jumonji demethylase protein family, is a regulator of early embryonic development and can regulate mouse development and embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation by modifying histone lysines. JARID2 can affect early embryonic development by regulating the methylation level of H3K27me3, which is closely related to normal early embryonic development. To investigate the expression pattern of JARID2 and the effect of JARID2-induced H3K27 methylation in bovine oocytes and early embryonic stages, JARID2 mRNA expression and localization were detected in bovine oocytes and early embryos via qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence in the present study. The results showed that JARID2 is highly expressed in the germinal vesicle (GV), MII, 2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell, 16-cell and blastocyst stages, but the relative expression level of JARID2 in bovine GV oocytes is significantly lower than that at other oocyte/embryonic stages (p < 0.05), and JARID2 is expressed primarily in the nucleus. We next detected the mRNA expression levels of embryonic development-related genes (OCT4, SOX2 and c-myc) after JARID2 knockdown through JARID2-2830-siRNA microinjection to investigate the molecularpathwayunderlying the regulation of H3K27me3 by JARID2 during early embryonic development. The results showed that the relative expression levels of these genes in 2-cell embryos weresignificantly higher than those in the blastocyst stage, and expression levels were significantly increased after JARID2 knockdown. In summary, the present study identified the expression pattern of JARID2 in bovine oocytes and at each early embryonic stage, and the results suggest that JARID2 plays a key role in early embryonic development by regulating the expression of OCT4, SOX2 and c-myc via modification of H3K27me3 expression. This work provides new data for improvements in the efficiency ofin vitroembryo culture as well as a theoretical basis for further studying the regulatory mechanisms involved in early embryonic development.
The 1.06 frequency ratio in the cochlea: evidence and outlook for a natural musical semitone
Authors: Bell Andrew , Jedrzejczak W. Wiktor
Published: December 2017

A frequency ratio of about 1.06 often appears in cochlear mechanics, and the question naturally arises, why? The ratio is close to that of the semitone (1.059) in music, giving reason to think that this aspect of musical perception might have a cochlear basis. Here, data on synchronised spontaneous otoacoustic emissions is presented, and a clustering of ratios between 1.05 and 1.07 is found with a peak at 1.063 ± 0.005. These findings reinforce what has been found from previous sources, which are reviewed and placed alongside the present work. The review establishes that a peak in the vicinity of 1.06 has often been found in human cochlear data. Several possible cochlear models for explaining the findings are described. Irrespective of which model is selected, the fact remains that the cochlea itself appears to be the origin of a ratio remarkably close to an equal-tempered musical semitone, and this close coincidence leads to the suggestion that the inner ear may play a role in constructing a natural theory of music. The outlook for such an enterprise is surveyed.
Mearns Rock: Twenty-six Years and Twenty-six photos that Put a Human Dimension on Long term Recovery Following the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
Authors: Mearns Alan
Published: December 2017

During the course of a ten-year detailed shoreline monitoring program in Prince William Sound it became evident that the author's annually repeated, human-scale time-series color photos of recovering shoreline sites inspired appreciation of the variability of shoreline marine life on the part of managers, citizens and educators. One of these sites is “Mearns Rock”, a segment of an oiled “set-aside” shoreline centered on a human-sized boulder. With the help of staff and citizen volunteers, this remote site has been photographed every summer for 26 years yielding a human-scale view of dramatic year-to-year changes in the abundance of mussels, seaweeds and other inter-tidal marine life. In the years following oiling in 1989, seaweeds and mussels flourished, but a few years later the oil was gone and the scene was barren of life: a few years after that, life again flourished. Indeed, life on “the Rock” has undergone four major episodes of boom and bust during the past quarter century, testifying to the huge variability that would otherwise not be noticed by people other than scientists and their time series graphics buried in reports. In this paper I present the inspiration for the continued photo-monitoring, the contributions by volunteers, the photos and associated graphics, and especially examples of how the photo-series has been used in web-sites, films and books to inspire students, educators, staff and managers to learn more about variability of marine life and how difficult it is to determine when an injured resource has “recovered”. An accompanying poster will offer details about the photo-monitoring at this and eight other sites in the Sound.
The Potential Of The Single, Dual And Quad-Pol SAR Data On Oil Slicks Detection
Authors: Genovez P. , Freitas C. , Sant'Anna S. , Bentz C. , Lorenzzetti J.
Published: December 2017

During the oil spills response actions, the rapid location and mapping of the oil slicks at sea surface is needed, as well as the characterization of different types of oils, avoiding false alarms whenever possible. In this way, all information provided by remote sensors can be useful to improve the strategies to cleanup oceanic regions and to protect the vulnerable coastal areas, minimizing possible environmental damages.

Synthetic Aperture Radars (SAR) are widely used for this purpose, due to their potential for systematic data acquisition covering large areas with near real time delivery capability, offering different spectral and spatial resolutions, swaths, incidence angles and polarization channels.

Since the nineties automatic and semiautomatic algorithms have been developed to detect low backscatter regions related with oil slicks aiming to assist large scale monitoring initiatives. Traditionally, the majority of the SAR data used have commonly been acquired with wide swaths in single or dual-pol channels. However during the emergency situations, where the position of the oil spills are known, polarimetric SAR data (Pol SAR) can be used to provide detailed information about the occurrences, as well as to minimize the false alarms interference. Recent studies, using several polarimetric attributes, have been investigating the potential of dual, quad and compact polarization modes to detect different backscatter mechanisms in biogenic and mineral oil slicks, probably related with different chemical properties and thicknesses variations.

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the potential and the trade-offs provided by single, dual and quad-polarized data to detect oil slicks at sea surface. To accomplish this, a set of SAR data acquired by RADARSAT-2 [quad-polarized] and Sentinel-1 [dual-polarized] were processed and classified using a region classifier named Pol Class based on stochastic distances.

The Pol Class was used because of its potential to use proper statistical modeling to process SAR data in different formats. This work uses the Intensity and the Polarimetric modules to classify the SAR data. The Polarimetric module is used to evaluate all complex information contained in the Pol SAR data, and the Intensity module provides the dual and single-polarized channels assessment, making feasible to compare the advantages of using all possible polarimetric combinations.

The expectation is to contribute with the scientific community evaluation about the trade-offs provided by the single, dual and quad-polarized SAR data applied to oil detection, considering as reference the needs of the operational use during both, routine monitoring and emergency situations.
Consultants with Military Background
Authors: BRYANT BRIAN
Published: December 2017

The smallest of the nation's uniformed armed services, the United States Coast Guard's basic missions relate to maritime safety, mobility, and security; national defense, and natural resources protection. It is responsible for enforcement of maritime laws and marine environmental pollution response.

The Coast Guard offers many career opportunities for enlisted personnel, including Marine Science Technician (MST). MSTs conduct marine-safety activities such as investigating pollution incidents and monitoring pollution clean-ups. Possible scientific duties include responding to oil and hazardous-materials spills, observing and forecasting weather.

An increasing number of civilian employers are becoming more aware of the unique strengths former military personnel can bring with them to a consultant position. A consultant is someone who has expertise in a specific area or areas and offers unbiased opinions and advice for a fee.

There are many reasons why the private and public sector need consultants for problem solving. One very important reason; Government regulatory compliance. Government regulations at all levels are constantly changing, and companies are frequently not prepared or trained to comply. Consultants may be retained to provide expertise to assist a company in complying economically, efficiently, and with the least amount of trauma to the organization. They can also be hired to provide in-house training to keep staff informed of new management and supervisory techniques or technical knowledge and to improve employee safety.

Successful consultants often possess certain attributes. They can be identified with good physical and mental health, professional etiquette and courtesy, stability of behavior and self-confident. In addition to these skills, here are two military-related attributes that most companies find attractive and will help any organization simplify the task at hand.

Loyalty to the Team. Military personnel bring with them an intrinsic understanding of how loyalty adds to team proficiency and builds trust in a work environment. For business leaders looking to make an improvement in their company, military personnel often outperform other candidates as proven team players, as demonstrated by hard work, motivation, and dedication.

Reliable Work Ethic. Knowing the importance of adhering to a schedule and consistently performing well at work demonstrates professional maturity. One of the most difficult challenges to hiring professionals is being able to accurately judge candidates in these areas. Through service, training, and lifestyle, former military personnel will typically have the work ethic that any business owner would be thrilled to replicate in all of the organization's employees.
The best way to the protection of the marine environment from oil spills impacts is the strengthening of available oil spill liability and compensation regimes or the funding of oil spill preparedness and strengthening of oil spill combat capabilities
Authors: Gunasekara A J M
Published: December 2017

The total volume of oil spilled and the number of spills has declined significantly over the past forty years. However, oil spills are no longer considered as an unavoidable. The ship source oil pollution still remains a potentially important risk to the local economies and the marine environment which can cause major economic loss and severe damages to the coastal and marine environment. The international regulatory framework to deal with liability and compensation in the event of ship source oil pollution has evolved over the past three decades. The available international legal regime for oil pollution liability and compensation is playing a great role in governing a discharge of oil into the sea by ensuring liability for polluters and compensation for victims of pollution. Despite the fact that the total cost of the oil spill cannot be compensated through the available international civil liability regime and entire damages caused to the marine environment cannot be compensated or recovered. This paper examined the application and limitations of available liability and compensation mechanism for the protection marine pollution and compare the benefit of the establishment of a funding mechanism for the strengthening of the level of oil spill preparedness and the civil liability regime for the protection of the coastal and marine environment. In addition, this paper reviews the funding mechanism adopted by the countries to the strengthening the level of oil spill preparedness taken into account the polluter pays principle without a putting extra burden for the general taxpayers. The establishment of a system for the funding of oil spill preparedness using the polluter pay principle has immensely helped to improve the oil spill response capabilities and protection of the marine environment of coastal states which adopted a unique funding mechanism by applying the polluter pay principle. This paper recommends the among other thing review the available compensation and liability regime for the protection of the marine environment and recommend to adopt and apply a uniform funding mechanism for the strengthening of the level of oil spill preparedness taken into account the polluter pay principle for the protection of the marine environment and improve the status quo.
Oiled Wildlife Response Training, OWRT: An International training course for readiness and preparedness in oiled wildlife response
Authors: Pearson H , Chilvers BL , Ziccardi M , Frankfurter G , Morgan KJ , White BJ , Clumpner C , Mills-Parker K
Published: December 2017

During an oil spill, the response to oiled wildlife is a highly publicized and scrutinized activity. When oil threatens wildlife, there is high public and media interest due to the high intrinsic value and vulnerability of the natural environment and wildlife within. The effectiveness and speed of an oiled wildlife response can significantly influence media coverage and the overall public perception of the impacts of a spill and the effectiveness of a spill response. Wild base, Massey University, New Zealand and the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, University of California at Davis, USA, have teamed up to write and deliver the world's first University-led on-line and face to face oiled wildlife response training courses (OWRT) for the international market. World leaders in higher education and oiled wildlife research, Massey University and UC Davis are the only two universities in the world with comprehensive oiled wildlife readiness and response teams. The OWRT courses on offer allow for multiple pathways to be undertaken to meet specific organisational oiled wildlife response needs from training entry-level personnel in rehabilitation, field operations or facility development, to team leaders in planning and preparation and managers of an oiled wildlife response. Theoretical courses are delivered online utilizing modern and interactive technology, with face-to-face delivery of practical skills. Courses have been developed using internationally recognised good practice standards, based on intended learning outcomes, ensuring specific skills necessary for key roles in a comprehensive readiness program. Having trained and in-house oiled wildlife response staff expands your organisations response and readiness capabilities. When the world is watching, speed is critical to both protect wildlife and to foster a positive public perception. www.owrt.org
Managing Risks to Wetlands Through Low Impact Response Methods and Ecological Approaches
Authors: Dallyn Sherree
Published: December 2017

Canada's petroleum hydrocarbon pipeline network extends for approximately 830,000 kilometres1. These pipelines carry a variety of refined and non-refined products including, natural gas liquids, heavy oil, synthetic oil, diluent, produced water, etc. With over 14%2 of Canada consisting of wetlands, the potential for pipeline releases to significantly impact these important ecosystems is considerable. Containment, recovery and remediation of wetlands is very complex. Historically, these ecosystems were drained, excavated and then sometimes backfilled, or hydraulically altered to accommodate water recovery and disposal. SWAT Consulting Inc. employs a number of low impact technologies, practices and strategies to contain and recover spilled fluids from wetlands using Net Environmental Benefit Analysis (NEBA) as a tool for restoration and or enhancement while balancing the ecological integrity of the wetland system.

SWAT's low impact objectives focus on environmental integrity throughout every aspect of the release, from response to recovery and restoration. After determining the unique components to each wetland ecosystem, SWAT customizes low impact techniques to access the site, contain the spill, remove contaminants and restore the ecosystem.

SWAT has implemented numerous low impact spill response, recovery and remediation techniques throughout North America. In this presentation, SWAT presents various case studies from spills into different types of wetlands. In these case studies, the contaminants of concern were contained and removed from the ecosystems using these low impact methods without sacrificing ecological integrity. We will discuss methods to access targeted recovery points, in-situ biodegradable containment systems, focused recovery based on examining contaminant interaction with specific environmental components and enhanced bioremediation applications. By comparing laboratory verified data, electromagnetic surveys and other assessment information from these ecosystems, SWAT will demonstrate a drastic reduction in contaminants, and an overall regeneration and restoration of function in these ecosystems.