Indirect effects between deer, mice, and the gypsy moth in a forest community

White-tailed deer are ecosystem engineers that dramatically alter forest understory vegetation. Consequently, deer can impact many species in a forest through both direct and indirect effects. One species that deer may indirectly affect is the gypsy moth, whose pupae are preyed upon by the white-footed mouse. Through alterations to understory habitat of mice, deer may reduce mouse predation on gypsy moth pupae. In this study, I tested for indirect effects of deer on the gypsy moth by comparing mouse abundance, vegetation properties, and predation on pupae inside, and outside, of long-term deer exclosures. Overall, I did not find evidence for indirect effects of deer on the gypsy moth. There was little effect of the exclosures on mouse abundance, predation rates, and habitat measures. High mouse abundances, which likely resulted from a large acorn mast the previous year, may be obscuring indirect effects that would be detected at lower mouse abundances

International procedural regulation in the common interest: the role of fact-finding and evidence before the International Court of Justice

BACKGROUND: By developing international law, international courts can also contribute to the protection and promotion of community interests. The ICJ, in particular, is capable of promoting community interests by adjudicating inter-State claims. However, one of the main obstacles faced by the World Court relates to the existing tension between the bilateral nature of its own proceedings and the multilateral nature of the conflicting substantive law. OBJECTIVE: Considering that procedure may guide and shape the application of substantive law, it will be argued that it should itself be interpreted and developed in a manner to ensure community interests. The objective of the research project is to access the ways in which ICJ procedural rules can be adjusted and tailored for multiparty aspects in order to protect community interests and enhance international court’s legitimacy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Qualitative analysis of extensive and specialized bibliography. Implementation of deductive method. RESULTS: Most procedural rules can be adjusted for multiparty aspects with the aim of protecting community interests and enhancing the international court’s legitimacy. This research project identified the need to expand the following procedural rules:  intervention of third parties; participation of non-State actors as amici curiae; fact-finding powers; and rules of evidence.    CONCLUSIONS: This article argues that the Court should assume expanded procedural powers in order to ensure the effective application of substantive law whenever community interests are at issue. In particular, this article identified two issues that deserve further analysis with a view to promoting the interests of the international community: fact-finding in complex cases involving community interests, which includes the need for independent expertise and guidance on cross-examination issues; and transparency in the production of documentary evidence and its consequences in community interests’ cases

Primary biliary cirrhosis presenting with ascites and a hepatic hydrothorax: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>We report an unusual presentation of primary biliary cirrhosis.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present the case of a 66-year-old white British woman who presented to the Accident and Emergency department with ascites and unilateral pleural effusion (hepatic hydrothorax). Following a liver biopsy, the diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis was made.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>It is important to consider the diagnosis of hepatic cirrhosis when presented with a unilateral pleural effusion in both the presence and absence of ascites.</p

Avaliação do aporte de fósforo em efluentes de sistemas de cultivo intensivo de Litopenaeus vannamei em viveiro com solo impermeabilizado e o possível impacto ambiental

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Aquicultura, Florianópolis, 2015.A demanda mundial por alimentos vem aumentando a pressão sobre os recursos naturais devido a intensificação dos sistemas produtivos. Dentre as atividades de aquicultura, a carcinicultura mundial apresenta um rápido crescimento nos últimos anos. No Brasil esta atividade passa por uma discreta expansão associada a uma redução de produtividade. Nos últimos anos os sistemas de cultivos de camarões marinhos foram aprimorados e modelos fechados sem renovação de água vêm apresentando êxito operacional. A impermeabilização do solo, característica de destaque dos sistemas de cultivos intensivos, pode proporcionar alteração na dinâmica de concentração de fósforo total na coluna d?água. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar o aporte de fósforo total oriundo do cultivo intensivo de Litopenaeus vannamei, em viveiros impermeabilizados com geomembrana, através de dois métodos de avaliação de impacto ambiental: carga máxima admissível e pegada hídrica cinza. O estudo foi conduzido na fazenda Experimental Yakult ? UFSC. Os resultados obtidos nas análises de água durante a despesca indicaram concentração média de fósforo total no efluente de 2,68 mg L¯¹. A estimativa de carga máxima admissível de fósforo total suportada pela Lagoa da Cruz não foi excedida pelo efluente gerado pela fazenda, desconsiderando outras fontes de poluição. A pegada hídrica resultou em um volume de água de 68% do utilizado na produção. Em curto prazo não foram observados efeitos nocivos da fazenda Yakult-UFSC na Lagoa da Cruz. Recomenda-se a avaliação de impactos em longo prazo para observar os efeitos em cascata no ecossistema aquático.Abstract : Global demand for food is increasing pressure on natural resources due to intensification of production systems. Among the aquaculture activities, the shrimp farming in mundial ambit is growing rapidly in recent years. In Brazil this activity undergoes a slight expansion associated with reduced of productivity. In the last years, the marine shrimp production systems have been upgraded and solutions without water exchange presented operational success. Soil sealing, important characteristic of intensive cropping systems, can provide changes in the dynamics of total phosphorus concentration in the water column. The objective of this study was to identify the total phosphorus input by the intensive cultivation of Litopenaeus vannamei in ponds lined with waterproof geomembrane, using two methods of evaluation of environmental impact: maximum permissible load and gray water footprint. The study was conducted at the Experimental Farm Yakult - UFSC. The results obtained from water analysis during the harvesting indicated average concentration of total phosphorus in the effluent of 2.68 mg L¯¹. The estimated maximum permissible load of total phosphorus supported by Lagoa da Cruz has not been exceeded by the effluent generated by the farm, excluding other sources of pollution. The water footprint resulted in a water volume of 68% used in production. In the short term were observed harmful effects of Yakult-UFSC farm on Lagoa da Cruz. It is recommended to long-term impact evaluation to observe the ripple effects in the aquatic ecosystem

A EXECUÇÃO DO DIREITO DA INTEGRAÇÃO DO MERCOSUL: UMA LIMITAÇÃO DA AUTONOMIA DOS ESTADOS PARTES

Este artigo pretende analisar o grau de autonomia dos Estados partes na execução ou implementação do direito da integração do MERCOSUL. Parte-se do pressuposto de que os Estados partes dispõem de autonomia institucional e procedimental na execução do direito da integração, pois determinam os órgãos competentes e os procedimentos a serem utilizados na incorporação do direito proveniente das instituições do bloco. Entretanto, impõe-se uma limitação gradual da referida autonomia, com vistas a enquadrar a margem de manobra estatal, privilegiando-se, consequentemente, a aplicação uniforme do direito do bloco, sem a qual haveria patente insegurança jurídica. Nessa linha, será avaliada a adequação das iniciativas do direito derivado do MERCOSUL que atuam para limitar tal autonomia, bem como avançadas críticas ao mecanismo em vigor

L’affaire des Immunités Juridictionnelles de l’Etat (Allemagne c. Italie): La Cour Internationale de Justice à contre-sens de l’évolution du Droit International

The purpose of this article is to assess the jurisdictional immunities of the State case before the International Court of Justice. In view of the position adopted by the majority of the members of the Court, the present article aims at critically examining the arguments that tend to consider that there is a conflict between State immunity and the rules of jus cogens, by arguing that the distinction between procedural and substantive rules is artificial and formalistic. In addition, State immunity is of a relative nature when serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, having the status of jus cogens rules, are concerned. It is necessary to carry out a progressive approach of State practice in the field of State immunities, which takes into account the current development of international law and the appearance of individuals as subjects of international law.Cet article vise à évaluer l’affaire des Immunités juridictionnelles de l’État devant la Cour internationale de justice. Compte tenu de la position adoptée par la majorité des membres de la Cour, le présent article vise à porter un oeil critique sur les arguments qui tendent à considérer qu’il existe un conflit entre l’immunité étatique et les règles de jus cogens, en argumentant que la distinction entre les règles de procédure et de fond s’avère être artificielle et formaliste. En outre, l’immunité de l’Etat revêt un caractère relatif lorsque sont en jeu de graves violations des Droits de l’Homme et du Droit International Humanitaire ayant le statut de règles de jus cogens. Il est nécessaire d’effectuer une lecture progressiste de la pratique étatique dans le domaine des immunités étatiques, compte tenu de l’évolution actuelle du Droit International et de l’apparition des individus en tant que sujets de Droit International.Cet article vise à évaluer l’affaire des Immunités juridictionnelles de l’État devant la Cour internationale de justice. Compte tenu de la position adoptée par la majorité des membres de la Cour, le présent article vise à porter un oeil critique sur les arguments qui tendent à considérer qu’il existe un conflit entre l’immunité étatique et les règles de jus cogens, en argumentant que la distinction entre les règles de procédure et de fond s’avère être artificielle et formaliste. En outre, l’immunité de l’Etat revêt un caractère relatif lorsque sont en jeu de graves violations des Droits de l’Homme et du Droit International Humanitaire ayant le statut de règles de jus cogens. Il est nécessaire d’effectuer une lecture progressiste de la pratique étatique dans le domaine des immunités étatiques, compte tenu de l’évolution actuelle du Droit International et de l’apparition des individus en tant que sujets de Droit International

Abordagem sistêmica para diagnóstico da vocação competitiva e desenvolvimento microrregional :: o caso de Blumenau /

Dissertação (Mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico