What's wrong with the scrum laws in rugby union? - Judgment, truth and refereeing

Officiating and the role of officials in sport are crucial and often decisive factors in sports contests. Notable contributions in philosophy of sport include Collins (2012), Russell (1997; 1999), McFee (2011) & Mumford (2006) have brought a sharp philosophical focus to highlight that justice and desert of sport contests, in part, rely on officiating truths (performances) that arise from an appropriate admixture of epistemic (judgments) and metaphysical (actions) ingredients. This paper provides a rigorous and original philosophical analysis of the problems of obeying the rules and of applying the rules of sport. The paper focuses on a particular phase of play in rugby union, namely the scrum. It is fair to say that the scrum has become a focus of criticism and bewilderment. Elite televised rugby is damaged as a spectacle because too much time is wasted setting and re-setting scrums. Furthermore, our trust in the fairness of games is eroded because the scrum is a ‘lottery’ when it comes to officiating. In this paper, we identify two fundamental structural problems which contribute to the scrum controversy. First, drawing on Mumford (2006) and Collins (2012) we argue that officials cannot make reliable judgments about scrums because they cannot see what they need to see. Secondly, we argue that players cannot follow the laws of the scrum even if they have a strong desire to do so. Laws which can’t be followed are, according to Fuller (2000) defective. Consequently, the scrum is not only potentially dangerous but also flawed in terms of its capacity to actualize an intended part of the game

Nanoparticles for Applications in Cellular Imaging

In the following review we discuss several types of nanoparticles (such as TiO2, quantum dots, and gold nanoparticles) and their impact on the ability to image biological components in fixed cells. The review also discusses factors influencing nanoparticle imaging and uptake in live cells in vitro. Due to their unique size-dependent properties nanoparticles offer numerous advantages over traditional dyes and proteins. For example, the photostability, narrow emission peak, and ability to rationally modify both the size and surface chemistry of Quantum Dots allow for simultaneous analyses of multiple targets within the same cell. On the other hand, the surface characteristics of nanometer sized TiO2allow efficient conjugation to nucleic acids which enables their retention in specific subcellular compartments. We discuss cellular uptake mechanisms for the internalization of nanoparticles and studies showing the influence of nanoparticle size and charge and the cell type targeted on nanoparticle uptake. The predominant nanoparticle uptake mechanisms include clathrin-dependent mechanisms, macropinocytosis, and phagocytosis

Assessment of coastal management options by means of multilayered ecosystem models

This paper presents a multilayered ecosystem modelling approach that combines the simulation of the biogeochemistry of a coastal ecosystem with the simulation of the main forcing functions, such as catchment loading and aquaculture activities. This approach was developed as a tool for sustainable management of coastal ecosystems. A key feature is to simulate management scenarios that account for changes in multiple uses and enable assessment of cumulative impacts of coastal activities. The model was applied to a coastal zone in China with large aquaculture production and multiple catchment uses, and where management efforts to improve water quality are under way. Development scenarios designed in conjunction with local managers and aquaculture producers include the reduction of fish cages and treatment of wastewater. Despite the reduction in nutrient loading simulated in three different scenarios, inorganic nutrient concentrations in the bay were predicted to exceed the thresholds for poor quality defined by Chinese seawater quality legislation. For all scenarios there is still a Moderate High to High nutrient loading from the catchment, so further reductions might be enacted, together with additional decreases in fish cage culture. The model predicts that overall, shellfish production decreases by 10%–28% using any of these development scenarios, principally because shellfish growth is being sustained by the substances to be reduced for improvement of water quality. The model outcomes indicate that this may be counteracted by zoning of shellfish aquaculture at the ecosystem level in order to optimize trade-offs between productivity and environmental effects. The present case study exemplifies the value of multilayered ecosystem modelling as a tool for Integrated Coastal Zone Management and for the adoption of ecosystem approaches for marine resource management. This modelling approach can be applied worldwide, and may be particularly useful for the application of coastal management regulation, for instance in the implementation of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive

Modelagem das perdas causadas por Sitophilus zeamais e Rhyzopertha dominica em trigo armazenado Modeling of the losses caused by Sitophilus zeamais and Rhyzopertha dominica in stored wheat

Modelaram-se as perdas associadas à infestação de S. zeamais e R. dominica em trigo armazenado. Durante 90 dias de armazenagem, avaliaram-se a população de insetos, a umidade dos grãos, o percentual de grãos danificados por insetos, o peso hectolítrico e a perda de matéria seca da massa de grãos, em temperaturas de 16 a 36 °C. Segundo a Norma Brasileira de Classificação e Comercialização, o trigo que ultrapassar 1,5% de grãos danificados é classificado como "abaixo do padrão"e os modelos calculam que seria necessária uma população de S. zeamais de 180 insetos kg-1 para se atingir o percentual de 1,5% de grãos danificados, associado a umedecimento de 0,13%, redução no peso hectolítrico de 0,4 kg hL-1 e perda de 0,7% de matéria seca. Para R. dominica, uma população de 64 insetos kg-1 leva a 1,5% de grãos danificados, juntamente com o umedecimento de 0,07%, redução de 0,5 kg hL-1 no peso hectolítrico e perda de 0,5% de matéria seca. Em populações de mesmo tamanho, R. dominica foi mais prejudicial que S. zeamais. Dentre os fatores de perda e classificação comercial do trigo, o percentual de grãos danificados foi o mais influenciado pelo crescimento populacional dos insetos.<br>The losses in wheat storage associated with infestation of S. zeamais and R. dominica were modeled. In the course of 90 days of storage, insect population, moisture content, percentage of weight loss of insect damaged grains, test weight per hectoliter and dry matter loss of wheat grains were evaluated at 16-36 °C. In conformity with the Brazilian Classification and Commercialization Standards, the designation "below standard"is applied to wheat that contains more than 1.5% of insect damaged grains and the models predict that in case of S. zeamais a population of 180 insects kg-1 would be necessary to achieve 1.5% of damaged grains, associated with a moisture content of 0.13%, test weight reduction of 0.4 kg hL-1 and 0.7% of dry matter loss. For R. dominica, 64 insects kg-1 would be necessary to achieve 1.5% damaged grains, associated with a moisture content of 0.07%, test weight reduction of 0.5 kg hL-1 and 0.5% of dry matter loss. For equal size populations, the R. dominica was more harmful than S. zeamais. Among loss, grade and class factors for wheat, percent weight loss of insect damaged grains was more affected by the insect population growth