Coupled 186Os and 187Os evidence for core-mantle interaction

Osmium isotopic analyses of picritic lavas from Hawaii show enrichments in the osmium-186/osmium-188 ratio (186Os/188Os) of 0. 008 to 0.018%, relative to a chondritic upper mantle, that are positively correlated with enrichments in 187Os/188Os of 5.4 to 9.0%. The most viable mechanism to produce these coupled 186Os and 187Os enrichments is by addition of 0.5 to 1 weight percent of outer core metal to a portion of the D" layer and subsequent upwelling of the mixture. These data suggest that some plumes originate at the core-mantle boundary and that Os isotopes may be used to distinguish plumes derived from shallow versus deep mantle sources.     

Theories of governance and Pacific microstates: The cautionary tale of Tuvalu

Abstract: This paper questions the popularity of governance frameworks in explaining development failures and proposing new models of development for Pacific states. Such popularity is attributed to how problems are selected and framed (the doomsday scenario of demographic and environmental collapse, weakening of the state, and an upsurge in corruption) but also, and most importantly, to the recent hegemony of neo‐liberal theory in political economy. Taking the MIRAB microstate of Tuvalu as a counterexample, each of those pillars of governance theory is seen to be lacking or to require a more nuanced form of understanding. A brief analysis of how the dominant Protestant church fits into traditional and modern systems of administration illustrates the complexity of local issues. The essay concludes with a discussion of how the neo‐liberal governance orthodoxy lacks the critical insight into power and agency afforded by Foucault's concept of governmentality.     

Microbiological evaluation of dressing procedures for crocodile carcases in Queensland

SUMMARY Microbiological testing of crocodiles during the dressing procedure has shown that sanitising the skin before skinning reduces the bacterial count on the skin and that dipping crocodile meat in 1.3% acetic acid solution effectively reduces bacterial levels. The total bacterial count on the processed meat sample was comparable with that obtained in the beef, pork and lamb industries. Salmonellae were isolated from 14 of the 72 carcases. Most (65%) of these isolates were in Salmonella subspecies III, formerly classified as Arizona.     

Economic impact and public costs of confined animal feeding operations at the parcel level of Craven County,North Carolina

Conflicts have arisen between communities and operators of confined animal feeding as farms have become bigger in order to maintain their competitiveness. These conflicts have been difficult to resolve because measuring and allocating the benefits and costs of livestock production is difficult. This papers demonstrates a policy tool for promoting compromise whereby the community gets reduced negative impacts from livestock while at the same time continues to benefit from livestock jobs, taxes, and related economic activity. Public economic benefits and public economic costs of confined animal feeding operations are estimated for every farm and affected house in Craven County, North Carolina. The results show public economic benefits of $5.7 million and public economic costs of $5.7 million and public economic costs of 2.2 million, but that the ratio of benefits to costs for individual farm-house pairs varies in important ways across the 26 hog farms in Craven County.     

Photosensitivity of the circadian rhythm and of visual receptors in carotenoid-depleted Drosophila

Drosophila melanogaster was raised on aseptic diets, with and without beta-carotene. The sensitivity of visual receptors in the carotenoid-depleted flies was lowered 3 log units, but the photosensitivity of the circadian rhythm was not affected. This result suggests that the chromophore of the photopigment which mediates light effects on the circadian rhythm is not a carotenoid derivative.     

Risk characterisation and management of sewage sludge on agricultural land-implications for the environment and the food-chain

The disposal of sewage wastes may cause severe environmental problems as was graphically demonstrated with pollution on Sydney's ocean beaches in recent years. Sewage sludges contain valuable plant nutrients and organic matter which can improve the fertility and structure of the soil. However, human parasites, pathogenic micro-organisms and chemicals capable of causing soil contamination, phytotoxicity and residues in animal products may also be present. Although sewage sludge is frequently spread on agricultural land overseas, it is not common in Australia and most states do not have specific regulations to minimise risk and promote good practice. A sludge-to-land program began in the Sydney region in 1990. It follows guidelines written by NSW Agriculture to encourage beneficial agricultural use of sludge by adoption of environmentally sustainable practices. This article describes the major risks to the food-chain and the environment, which may be associated with applying sewage sludge to agricultural land. It summarises how the risks are managed, and where further research data are required.