Virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes in human MRSA ST398 isolates in Austria

This study determined the genetic background of virulence and resistance genes of MRSA ST398 in Austria. From 2004 up to 2008 a total of 41 human isolates of MRSA ST398 were investigated for virulence and resistance gene patterns using DNA microarray chip analysis. Highly similar virulence gene profiles were found in 29 (70·7%) of the isolates but genes encoding Panton-Valentine leukocidin, enterotoxins, or toxic shock syndrome toxin were not detected. Genes conferring resistance to tetracycline and erythromycin-lincosamide were common as all but one of the isolates exhibited tetM and/or tetK, which are involved in tetracycline resistance, and 12 (29·9%) were positive for ermC, conferring resistance to erythromycin/lincosamide. SplitsTree analysis showed that 40 isolates were closely related. Changes in virulence and resistance gene patterns were minimal over the observed time perio

Towards a sustainable and equitable blue economy

The global rush to develop the \u2018blue economy\u2019 risks harming both the marine environment and human wellbeing. Bold policies and actions are urgently needed. We identify five priorities to chart a course towards an environmentally sustainable and socially equitable blue economy

Gravity of human impacts mediates coral reef conservation gains

Coral reefs provide ecosystem goods and services for millions of people in the tropics, but reef conditions are declining worldwide. Effective solutions to the crisis facing coral reefs depend in part on understanding the context under which different types of conservation benefits can be maximized. Our global analysis of nearly 1,800 tropical reefs reveals how the intensity of human impacts in the surrounding seascape, measured as a function of human population size and accessibility to reefs (“gravity”), diminishes the effectiveness of marine reserves at sustaining reef fish biomass and the presence of top predators, even where compliance with reserve rules is high. Critically, fish biomass in high-compliance marine reserves located where human impacts were intensive tended to be less than a quarter that of reserves where human impacts were low. Similarly, the probability of encountering top predators on reefs with high human impacts was close to zero, even in high-compliance marine reserves. However, we find that the relative difference between openly fished sites and reserves (what we refer to as conservation gains) are highest for fish biomass (excluding predators) where human impacts are moderate and for top predators where human impacts are low. Our results illustrate critical ecological trade-offs in meeting key conservation objectives: reserves placed where there are moderate-to-high human impacts can provide substantial conservation gains for fish biomass, yet they are unlikely to support key ecosystem functions like higher-order predation, which is more prevalent in reserve locations with low human impacts

Meeting fisheries, ecosystem function, and biodiversity goals in a human-dominated world

The worldwide decline of coral reefs necessitates targeting management solutions that can sustain reefs and the livelihoods of the people who depend on them. However, little is known about the context in which different reef management tools can help to achieve multiple social and ecological goals. Because of nonlinearities in the likelihood of achieving combined fisheries, ecological function, and biodiversity goals along a gradient of human pressure, relatively small changes in the context in which management is implemented could have substantial impacts on whether these goals are likely to be met. Critically, management can provide substantial conservation benefits to most reefs for fisheries and ecological function, but not biodiversity goals, given their degraded state and the levels of human pressure they face

Historical Reconstruction Reveals Recovery in Hawaiian Coral Reefs

Coral reef ecosystems are declining worldwide, yet regional differences in the trajectories, timing and extent of degradation highlight the need for in-depth regional case studies to understand the factors that contribute to either ecosystem sustainability or decline. We reconstructed social-ecological interactions in Hawaiian coral reef environments over 700 years using detailed datasets on ecological conditions, proximate anthropogenic stressor regimes and social change. Here we report previously undetected recovery periods in Hawaiian coral reefs, including a historical recovery in the MHI (∼AD 1400–1820) and an ongoing recovery in the NWHI (∼AD 1950–2009+). These recovery periods appear to be attributed to a complex set of changes in underlying social systems, which served to release reefs from direct anthropogenic stressor regimes. Recovery at the ecosystem level is associated with reductions in stressors over long time periods (decades+) and large spatial scales (>103 km2). Our results challenge conventional assumptions and reported findings that human impacts to ecosystems are cumulative and lead only to long-term trajectories of environmental decline. In contrast, recovery periods reveal that human societies have interacted sustainably with coral reef environments over long time periods, and that degraded ecosystems may still retain the adaptive capacity and resilience to recover from human impacts

A method for the visualization of secondary Dauphiné twinning in α -quartz

It is shown that the piezooptic effect allows direct observation of Dauphiné twins in α-quartz under uniaxial stress in X direction by use of the Schlieren technique. In conjunction with measurements of the piezoelectric polarization charge as a function of applied force this method may be used to study the dynamics of twinning. A sequence of pictures is presented showing the formation and growth of a twin domain.On montre que l'effet piézooptique permet, en utilisant la strioscopie, l'observation directe des macles du Dauphiné sous l'action d'une contrainte uniaxiale appliquée le long de l'axe polaire (X). Cette méthode peut être utilisée avec une mesure simultanée de la charge induite par l'application de la force pour l'étude du mouvement des macles du Dauphiné. Des photographies, montrant la formation et le développement d'une macle du Dauphiné sont présentées

The observation of reversible elastic dauphiné twinning in α-quartz

Under uniaxial load applied in the direction of the polar X 1-axis Dauphiné twins are formed in α-quartz. By measuring the net polarization charge of the stressed crystal as well as by direct visualization of the twins it was observed that these twins have a pronounced tendency to disappear on removal of the load.Dans un cristal de quartz une contrainte uniaxiale parallèle à l'axe polaire (X1) crée des macles du Dauphiné. Des mesures de charges de polarisation ainsi que des observations optiques montrent que les macles disparaissent lors de la suppression de la contrainte mécanique

Linkages between social systems and coral reefs

In this chapter, we synthesize empirical and theoretical research from a range of fields to explore key social–ecological interactions in coral reefs. First, we systematically review the current status of research on human interactions with coral reefs to better understand where current research is directed, and where it is lacking. Second, we provide a framework for better understanding the complex interactions between people and reefs. Finally, we highlight opportunities for moving beyond research that merely demonstrates human impacts on reefs and toward innovative solutions space that can enhance human benefits while preserving the ecological integrity of coral reefs.\ud \ud Among many scientists and managers there has been a pervasive assumption that human society is somehow separate from reefs. Yet, with the exception of a few extremely remote locations, most coral reefs are complex peopled seascapes [491,2306] that are increasingly being characterized as linked or coupled "social–ecological systems" (SESs) [1194]. The SES concept is based on the recognition that the delineation between ecosystems and society is arbitrary; they are instead intricately connected [231,233]. Anthropogenic actions alter the structure and function of ecosystems, just as resource pools and ecosystem services can help define the well-being of coastal societies (Figure 22.1). Understanding key social–ecological linkages can help to better define not only the problems affecting coral reefs, but also the solutions necessary to sustain them.\ud \ud In this chapter, we examine the state of the literature on coral reef SESs and provide a framework to help guide future research. We first assess the literature, reviewing studies that have quantified how coral reefs have been impacted by different types of human activities and socioeconomic conditions. Central to the conceptual organization of our review is the social science concept of proximate (or sometimes referred to as proximal) and distal (or sometimes called ultimate) drivers.\ud \ud Proximate drivers are those that directly impact coral reefs. These can include impacts such as overfishing, land-based pollution, introduction of invasive species, climate change, and other threats

Integrating customary practices and institutions into comanagement of small-scale fisheries:

This pioneering volume provides a blueprint for managing the challenges of ocean conservation using marine historical ecology—an interdisciplinary area of study that is helping society to gain a more in-depth understanding of past human-environmental interactions in coastal and marine ecosystems and of the ecological and social outcomes associated with these interactions. Developed by groundbreaking practitioners in the field, Marine Historical Ecology in Conservation highlights the innovative ways that historical ecology can be applied to improve conservation and management efforts in the oceans. The book focuses on four key challenges that confront marine conservation: (1) recovering endangered species, (2) conserving fisheries, (3) restoring ecosystems, and (4) engaging the public. Chapters emphasize real-world conservation scenarios appropriate for students, faculty, researchers, and practitioners in marine science, conservation biology, natural resource management, paleoecology, and marine and coastal archaeology. By focusing on success stories and applied solutions, this volume delivers the required up-to-date science and tools needed for restoration and protection of ocean and coastal ecosystems