Lichenometric dating (lichenometry) and the biology of the lichen genus rhizocarpon:challenges and future directions

Lichenometric dating (lichenometry) involves the use of lichen measurements to estimate the age of exposure of various substrata. Because of low radial growth rates and considerable longevity, species of the crustose lichen genus Rhizocarpon have been the most useful in lichenometry. The primary assumption of lichenometry is that colonization, growth and mortality of Rhizocarpon are similar on surfaces of known and unknown age so that the largest thalli present on the respective faces are of comparable age. This review describes the current state of knowledge regarding the biology of Rhizocarpon and considers two main questions: (1) to what extent does existing knowledge support this assumption; and (2) what further biological observations would be useful both to test its validity and to improve the accuracy of lichenometric dates? A review of the Rhizocarpon literature identified gaps in knowledge regarding early development, the growth rate/size curve, mortality, regeneration, competitive effects, colonization, and succession on rock surfaces. The data suggest that these processes may not be comparable on different rock surfaces, especially in regions where growth rates and thallus turnover are high. In addition, several variables could differ between rock surfaces and influence maximum thallus size, including rate and timing of colonization, radial growth rates, environmental differences, thallus fusion, allelopathy, thallus mortality, colonization and competition. Comparative measurements of these variables on surfaces of known and unknown age may help to determine whether the basic assumptions of lichenometry are valid. Ultimately, it may be possible to take these differences into account when interpreting estimated dates

Politicising the just transition: linking global climate policy, nationally determined contributions and targeted research agendas

During the 2018 COP24 meeting in Poland, the Just Transition received particular emphasis, with the adoption of the “Solidarity and Just Transitions Silesia Declaration”. It represented commitments to take seriously the impact of climate change and climate change policy on workers and surrounding communities. To date, however, UNFCCC historical contexts and commitments have rarely been recognised in the academic literature. This paper reviews the link of the Just Transition to UNFCCC processes and labour unions before critically considering the current academic treatment of the agenda and in particular, the under emphasis of Nationally Determined Contributions. It then presents a series of research recommendations centred on a concern for how best to use this political background to leverage tangible impact

Eficácia das lactonas macrocíclicas sistêmicas (ivermectina e moxidectina) na terapia da demodicidose canina generalizada Efficacy of systemics macrocyclic lactones (ivermectin and moxidectin) for the treatment of generalized canine demodicosis

Avaliou-se a eficácia de lactonas macrocíclicas (ivermectina e moxidectina) sobre a eventual ocorrência de efeitos colaterais e acompanharam-se, após a alta parasitológica, por 12 meses, os cães tratados, visando detectar a recidiva do quadro dermatopático. Dos 63 animais, 59% eram fêmeas, 76% apresentavam precisa definição racial e 67% tinham pelame curto. A ivermectina (0,6mg/kg/dia) foi administrada por via oral a 31 cães, e a moxidectina (0,5mg/kg/cada 72 horas), pela mesma via, a 32 animais. Os tempos médios para a obtenção da primeira negativação do exame parasitológico do raspado cutâneo e para a consecução da alta foram, respectivamente, de 90 e 130 dias para a ivermectina e de 108 e 147 dias para a moxidectina. A ivermectina acarretou menos (16,1%) efeitos colaterais em relação à moxidectina (37,5%) (P=0,03). As recidivas foram, respectivamente, 10,3% e 13% para ivermectina e moxidectina. Não houve diferença entre os dois protocolos de terapia quanto aos percentuais de recidiva (P=0,67) e eficácia (P=0,61). Ambas as lactonas macrocíclicas mostraram-se eficazes: ivermectina 89,7% e moxidectina 87%.<br>The efficacy of ivermectin and moxidectin for treatment of generalized canine demodicosis, was evaluated to detect the eventual occurrence of side effects caused by the use of these drugs, and to follow the treated dogs for 12 months after obtaining parasitologic cure. Of 63 dogs, 59% were females, 76% were defined as purebred and 67% had short hair. Ivermectin (0.6mg/kg/daily) was orally administered to 31 dogs and moxidectin (0.5mg/kg/every 72 hours) to 32 dogs. The average number of days to obtain the first negative skin scraping results and the parasitologic cure were, respectively, 90 and 130 days for ivermectin, and 108 and 147 days for moxidectin. Ivermectin caused fewer side effects (16.1%) than moxidectin (37.5%) (P<0.05). The percentages of relapse were, respectively, 10.3% and 13.0% when ivermectin and moxidectin were administered. No difference between protocols of therapy was found for percentage of relapse (P>0.67) and efficacy (P>0.61). Both drugs were effective and safe to treat generalized canine demodicosis: ivermectin 89.7% and moxidectin 87.0%