The role of science and scientists in marine environmental policy and management

The role of science and scientists in environmental policy and management is and has been an important, complex, and controversial subject for many years. The objective of this study is to determine how science and scientists interact in environmental policy formation and management and how science is or could be used in the development of policy which can ultimately be used as a basis for effective resource management plans. In the very broad sense this study attempts to evaluate the general hypothesis that Scientists do not play a role in promoting or encouraging science as a means of changing attitudes and opinions of management and the public so as to influence public policy and ultimately environmental management. . The use of science in establishing well developed management plans for coral reef areas in Australia\u27s Great Barrier Reef; Jamaica\u27s - Ocho Rios Marine Park System; St. Croix\u27s - Buck Island; Anguilla; the Netherlands Antilles - including Bonaire and Curacao Marine Parks; Puerto Rico\u27s - La Parguera National Marine Sanctuary; and several of the Florida State reefs such as Key Largo and Looe Key Marine Sanctuaries were examined through analysis of management plans. The second component of the study involved structured interviews with a number of scientists and managers. These individuals included scientists who had been working on coral reefs as well as managers of these systems--individuals who have an interest in formulating public policy as well as those who do not have. The general hypothesis was divided into a number of statements or subhypotheses which were examined to help evaluate the hypothesis. Close-ended questions allowed determination of the reasons why scientists and/or managers feel the way they do in their responses. Appropriate statistics were used to determine if there is a difference in the way scientists perceive their role, as compared to how managers perceive the role of scientists. The null hypothesis that no significant difference exists between attitude of scientists and managers could not be rejected. The general hypothesis was accepted both by scientists and managers

Probing the catalytic properties of Ni-based bimetallic phosphides for deep hydrodesulfurization

Global demand for transportation fuels continues to rise while environmental standards for sulfur impurities in fuels have become more stringent. Upgrading crude oil feed stocks via deep hydrodesulfurization (HDS) is necessary to meet the ultra-low sulfur standards for transportation fuels. Transition metal phosphides (e.g. Ni2P, Ru2P) represents a new class of hydrotreating catalysts that show promise for improved HDS properties relative to conventional molybdenum sulfide based catalysts. Incorporating a second metal into Ni2P can influence the surface properties and be used to tailor the catalytic properties (activity, selectivity) for improved hydrotreating performance. Bimetallic phosphides catalysts having the formulas NixM­­­2-x­P/SiO2 (M = Ru, Rh) were synthesized over a range of compositions. Metal hypophosphite precursors prepared via incipient wetness were reduced via temperature programmed reduction (TPR). The resulting catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and CO chemisorption. HDS properties were probed using 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) as a model compound. The XRD patterns showed single phase and phase-segregated materials having average crystallize sizes of 5-10 nm. CO chemisorption measurements showed an increase in active site density for the higher nickel content catalysts (e.g. Ni1.85Ru0.15P/SiO2). HDS measurements were carried out using a model feed of 1000 ppm 4,6-DMDBT in decalin over a range of temperatures (533-653 K). A substantial increase in the TOFs and HDS activity was observed for the bimetallic phosphides having high nickel contents. For the NixRh2-xP/SiO2 series, the product selectivity was observed to change with metal composition; for Rh-rich phases (x \u3c 0.25), the hydrogenation product (3,3’-dimethylbicyclohexane) was favored while for Ni-rich compositions (x \u3e 0.25) the partially hydrogenated product (3,3’-dimethylcyclohexylbenzene) dominated

Ripple Effects: How In Re Ripple Labs Inc. Litigation Could Signal The Beginning of the End of the Payment Platform

Ripple Labs provides an international payment network that allows financial institutions to transfer money more cheaply and quickly than traditional international payments. Ripple’s native digital currency, XRP, supports global payments by acting as intermediate currency between different currencies, eliminating correspondent bank’s need to hold deposits in foreign currencies. In an ongoing class action lawsuit, XRP purchasers claim that the digital asset qualifies as a security under federal securities laws and that Ripple illegally offered and sold XRP as an unregistered security. Given Ripple’s rising prominence as a tool for financial institutions, this pending case will impact cryptocurrency markets and international payments. Because XRP is most likely a security subject to regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), this matter poses an existential threat to the Ripple network. This note examines the legal issues leading up to the Ripple litigation and explains why XRP is most likely a security. It concludes by discussing the SEC’s likely approach to Ripple’s unregistered Initial Coin Offering (ICO)

Associations phytoplanctoniques indicatrices de la pollution par le zinc

Quatre bioessais in vitro ont été réalisés pour évaluer la réponse des communautés phytoplanctoniques naturelles à différentes concentrations de zinc (2,5; 10; 20 - 25 et 40 - 50 mg.l-1). Les essais réalisés au cours des quatre saisons , ont été menés en conditions contrôlées pendant un mois avec des échantillonnages tous les 2-3 jours.La réponse algale fut variable selon la saison et dépendante des concentrations en Zinc, des espèces algales, de la densité de l' inoculum et de la température. 2,5 et 10 mg Zinc.l-1 dans le milieu de culture ont stimulé la croissance de certaines diatomées; à une concentration de Zinc de 20-25 mg.l-1Chlorella vulgaris (Chlorophyceae) s'est particulièrement développée, et, dans des systèmes contenant 40-50 mg Zinc.l-1 une mortalité importante a été généralement trouvée, à l'exception de Chlorella vulgaris et de quelques espèces de diatomées qui se sont montrées tolérantes au zinc: Cyclotella meneghiniana, Gomphonema parvulum, Navicula sp., Nitzschia palea, Nitzschia sp., Pinnularia biceps, Synedra acus et Synedra ulna var. amphirrhynchus. Les Cyanophyceae, les Euglenophyceae, les Tribophyceae, les Chrysophyceae, les Zygophyceae et les Dinophyceae ont été particulièrement sensibles. En présence d' inoculums abondants, la sensibilité au Zinc a été observée à partir de 25 mg.l-1 (automne-20°C, printemps-20°C et été-25°C); par contre, en présence d'inoculums peu denses, elle est apparue dès 10 mg.l-1 (hiver-15°C). De manière générale, à mesure que la concentration de Zinc augmentait, Chlorella vulgaris Biej. est devenue graduellement, le taxon dominant; ce qui a eu pour conséquence une diminution de la diversité du système algal testé. Des communautés plus simples se sont alors développées, dominées presque toutes par des espèces tolérantes au Zinc.In order to study the response of native phytoplanktonic communities to different zinc concentrations (2.5, 10, 20 - 25 and 40 - 50 mg.l-1), four bioassays in vitro were carried out. They were conducted in autumn, winter, spring and summer under controlled conditions during a month and the samplings were performed each 2-3 days.The algal responses were variable according to the season and zinc-concentration, species, inoculum density and temperature dependent. 2.5 and 10 mg.l-1 of Zinc in the test medium caused a stimulatory effect on the growth rate of certain diatoms; with 20-25 mg.l-1 of Zinc the development of Chlorella vulgaris (Chlorophyceae) was stimulated, and with 40-50 mg.l-1 of Zinc it was generally found important mortality rates except for Chlorella vulgaris and for some tolerant diatom species: Cyclotella meneghiniana, Gomphonema parvulum, Navicula sp., Nitzschia palea, Nitzschia sp., Pinnularia biceps, Synedra acus and Synedra ulna var. amphirrhynchus. The Cyanophyceae, Euglenophyceae, Tribophyceae, Chrysophyceae, Zygophyceae and Dinophyceae were particularly sensitive to Zinc. In presence of abundant inoculums, the sensivity to Zinc was observed up to 25 mg.l-1 (autumn-20°C, spring-20°C and summer-25°C) while in presence of smaller inoculums the sensivity manifested up to 10 mg.l-1 (winter-15°C). In general, as Zinc concentration increased, Chlorella vulgaris gradually became the dominant taxon and thus, a decrease in the specific diversity of the assayed algal system made of Zinc-tolerant species was observed

A spinning top model of formal structure and informal behaviour: dynamics of advice networks in a commercial court

The longitudinal study of advice networks among 240 judges at the Commercial Court of Paris permits the examination of learning as an interactive process. We argue that a spinning top model is a useful heuristic for intra-organizational learning in dynamic advice networks. This model proposes that a stabilized elite preserves accumulated knowledge in a community that overall experiences high turnover and systematic job rotation, and hence runs the danger of inadequately sharing knowledge among its members. We test the model by analyzing the structure and dynamics of advice networks among judges at the Commercial Court of Paris. This dynamic structure reflects the informal homophilous preferences among judges organized in a strong formal system, a high relational turnover in the selection of advisors, and the emergence of an elite of senior advisors that stabilizes the learning process - much like the behavior of a spinning top. This case study also identifies an endogenous process of increasing and then decreasing centralization of this network over time, raising questions about the maintenance of the stability of the pecking order and about the relationship between learning and seniority. Results illustrate the importance of dynamic over static network analysis and call for a renewed attention to formal structure in organizations

Metamorphosis, entropy, and seduction : selected moments from the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo by Moriyama & Teshima

The Canadian Embassy in Tokyo by Toronto's Moriyama & Teshima is the representation of a metatemporal continuum. Raymond Moriyama, partner-in-charge of the project, conceived of the privately financed building as an intricate tableau of determined absolutes that equally serve him and his patron, the Canadian federal government. This thesis is a theoretical study exploring three selected spaces from the Embassy which are analysed as architectural moments. The exterior envelope, the median fourth floor, and the theatre space are established as produced by and producers of metamorphosis, entropy, and seduction. The emphasis of the materialist discussion is placed on the conservative socio-political catalysts which arbitrate the practice of architecture in the context of a global capitalism bent on privileging governmental and corporate mercantile interests

Visite + : innover dans l’interactivité

Innovation culturelle et technologique, le concept Visite+ a comme point de départ la prise en compte des pratiques culturelles des visiteurs. Les initiateurs de l’expérience montrent comment cet outil crée pour les visiteurs un lien nouveau avec le musée au-delà de la simple visite et suscite, dans le cadre d’une recherche-développement collective, une remise en question des formats classique de collaboration entre une institution muséale et un laboratoire de recherche