Dynamics of the public concern and risk communication program implementation

Abstract

The public concern about electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure varies due to different reasons. A part of them are connected with the better and higher quality of information that people receive from science, media, Internet, social networks, industry, but others are based on good communication programs performed by the responsible institutions, administration and persons. Especially, in Bulgaria, public concern follows interesting changes, some of them in correlation with the European processes of concern, but others following the economic and political processes in the country. Here, we analyze the dynamics of the public concern over the last 10 years. Our explanation of the decrease of the people’s complaints against EMF exposure from base stations for mobile communication is as a result of our risk communication program that is in implementation for >10 years.     

桃园节肢动物群落相对丰盛度的季节动态研究

以合肥市杏花林果科技示范园为例,研究了桃园节肢动物群落物种的组成和数量,对植食类、捕食类、寄生类和其它类4种功能类群的相对丰盛度作了详尽的阐述。捕食类同植食类的相对丰盛度变化趋势一致,说明捕食类节肢动物是桃树生长期植食类害虫的重要天敌。     

Development and implementation of a database system to manage a large-scale mouse ENU-mutagenesis program

A mouse ENU-mutagenesis program at RIKEN GSC has been initiated to conduct a large-scale, genome-wide, early- and late-onset phenotypic screen of mutant mice. We screened about a hundred mice every week with a comprehensive set of phenotype assays including behavioral tests based on a modified SHIRPA protocol, blood tests (both clinical biochemical testing and hemogram), and measurement of locomotor activity in their home cages. To manage the entire program, we developed a client/server architecture database system and named it MUSDB (Mutagenesis Universal Support DataBase). It manages mouse husbandry, mating protocols, procedures for ENU injection and phenotypic screens, phenotype inheritance tests, preservation of sperm and organs, and other materials generated during the program. We have implemented MUSDB in quite a large-scale system that includes 150 client computers. It has, helped reduce typographical errors and provided simple and efficient operation via its front-end user interface. It significantly contributed to the communication within and between workgroups in the program and in the accumulation of various phenotypic and inheritance data.     

桃园节肢动物群落的多样性、均匀度和相对稳定性季节动态

对桃园节肢动物群落进行了系统调查,并对数据进行了数学分析．结果表明,群落与植食动物亚群落的多样性指数相关系数为0．9480,两者极显著相关;群落与捕食动物亚群落的多样性指数相关系数为0．7855,两者极显著相关;两个亚群落的多样性均与群落多样性有关,两个亚群落多样性指数间相关系数为0．6741,两者显著相关;群落多样性指数与群落均匀度指数问相关系数为0．7870,两者极显著相关;群落多样性指数与两个亚群落均匀度指数之间均不相关．群落多样性指数(H’),与捕食性动物个体数(Sd)和植食性动物个体数(Sz)之比值(Sd／Sz)相关系数为0．8112,两者极显著相关;与群落物种数(Sz)和个体数(Si)之比值(Sz／Si)相关系数为0．9188,两者极显著相关;与捕食动物类群(科)数(Spl)和植食动物类群(科)数(Szl)之比值(Spl／Szl)不相关。     

桃园生草对桃树节肢动物群落多样性与稳定性的影响

对种植白三叶草的桃园(生草桃园)和非生草桃园的桃树节肢动物群落进行分析比较.结果表明:生草桃园桃树天敌、中性类群和植食类群数量分别是非生草桃园的1.48、1.84和0.64倍,而节肢动物群落个体总数无显著差异;与非生草桃园相比,生草桃园桃树节肢动物群落丰富度(83.733±4.932)、多样性(4.966±0.110)和均匀性指数(0.795±0.014)均显著升高,而优势度指数(0.135±0.012)显著降低.稳定性指数S/N、Sd/Sp与非生草桃园均无显著差异,但Nn/Np、Nd/Np及Sn/Sp均显著高于非生草桃园.生草桃园桃树节肢动物群落多样性与稳定性指数N/Np、Sd/Sp、S/N存在显著的负相关关系,而与Nn/Np、Sn/Sp无相关性;非生草桃园多样性与稳定性指数Nn／Np、Nd/Np存在显著的正相关关系,而与其他稳定性指数无显著相关性.     

Current use of the EPA uncertainty factor approach in New Jersey standards and risk assessment

The derivation of the uncertainty factors used in the construction of reference doses for 61 chemicals of regulatory concern to the state of New Jersey were evaluated. Frequency of use of uncertainty factor variables was enumerated with the aim of providing a guide to existing methodology in the analysis of critical studies by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.     

Population prevalence of hereditary breast cancer phenotypes and implementation of a genetic cancer risk assessment program in southern Brazil

In 2004, a population-based cohort (the Núcleo Mama Porto Alegre - NMPOA Cohort) was started in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil and within that cohort, a hereditary breast cancer study was initiated, aiming to determine the prevalence of hereditary breast cancer phenotypes and evaluate acceptance of a genetic cancer risk assessment (GCRA) program. Women from that cohort who reported a positive family history of cancer were referred to GCRA. Of the 9218 women enrolled, 1286 (13.9%) reported a family history of cancer. Of the 902 women who attended GCRA, 55 (8%) had an estimated lifetime risk of breast cancer ≥ 20% and 214 (23.7%) had pedigrees suggestive of a breast cancer predisposition syndrome; an unexpectedly high number of these fulfilled criteria for Li-Fraumeni-like syndrome (122 families, 66.7%). The overall prevalence of a hereditary breast cancer phenotype was 6.2% (95%CI: 5.67-6.65). These findings identified a problem of significant magnitude in the region and indicate that genetic cancer risk evaluation should be undertaken in a considerable proportion of the women from this community. The large proportion of women who attended GCRA (72.3%) indicates that the program was well-accepted by the community, regardless of the potential cultural, economic and social barriers.     

Effect of a community-based weight management program on weight loss and cardiovascular disease risk factors

Objective: The purpose of our retrospective database analysis was to describe and evaluate the outcomes of a weight loss intervention in a community medical wellness center. Research Methods and Procedures: Four hundred eighteen overweight and obese adults entered the program between 2001 and 2004. Forty‐seven percent completed the 6‐month program designed using standards and recommendations established by the NIH, the American Dietetic Association, and the American Academy of Sports Medicine. Data analysis was limited to 198 participants (142 women, 56 men) completing the program. Results: Individuals completing the 6‐month program averaged a weight loss of 7.3% in men and 4.7% in women. Fasting lipids and blood glucose improved in both genders regardless of age. Outcomes including BMI and lipids improved in women regardless of menopausal status or hormone replacement therapy. There was a significant correlation between percentage weight loss and number of weekly counseling sessions attended and number of visits to the wellness center for exercise. Discussion: Participants who complete a structured community‐based weight management program can achieve significant weight loss and improvement in cardiovascular risk factors regardless of age, gender, or menopausal status. Our analysis suggests that national treatment guidelines/recommendations for weight management can be effectively implemented in a community medical wellness center. The relatively high drop‐out rate associated with this program suggests the need to identify strategies and techniques to enhance adherence and completion of programs.     

Avermectins in arthropod vector management - prospects and pitfalls

The proven impact of avermectins against a wide variety of arthropod vectors suggests that this new family of compounds holds promise in reducing the incidence of vector-borne disease. Experimentally, decreased survival and abundance of various vector species indicate that certain vector populations may be so manipulated. In addition, sublethal effects on individuals include lengthened development, decreased fecundity and diminished parasite uptake. Enthusiasm must be cautious, given possible impacts on non-target species and the eventual development of resistance. Here Mark Wilson emphasizes that the present challenge is to study how this new toxin may be integrated into vector-management schemes that already employ multiple, diverse interventions. Ultimately, the value of such action must be measured not simply in terms of reduced vector abundance, but also with the more complex equation of reduced parasite transmission in mind.     

New Guinea highland origin of a widespread arthropod supertramp

The biologically and geologically extremely diverse archipelagos of Wallacea, Australasia and Oceania have long stimulated ecologists and evolutionary biologists. Yet, few molecular phylogenetic analyses of the terrestrial fauna have been carried out to understand the evolutionary patterns. We use dense taxon and character sampling of more than 7000 bp DNA sequence data for a group of diving beetles ranging from the Holarctic throughout Asia to as far east as French Polynesia. We here show that an ecologically diverse, common and widespread (Portugal to New Zealand) arthropod supertramp species originated in the highlands of New Guinea, ca 6.0–2.7 Myr ago. The approximately 25 closely related species are narrow endemics in Australasia/Oceania. The ancestor of this clade colonized that region from Eurasia ca 9–7 Myr ago. Our finding contradicts the widely held view of local endemism as an evolutionary dead end, as we find multiple peripatric speciation events within the Pleistocene and complex colonization patterns between the Oriental and Australian zoogeographic regions, including the recolonization of Eurasia, jumping across Wallace''s line and colonization of continental Australia out of New Guinea. Our study strongly highlights the importance of dispersal over water gaps in shaping biogeographic patterns.     

Evaluation of a large healthy lifestyle program: informing program implementation and scale-up in the prevention of obesity

Background

The Healthy Lifestyle Program for women (HeLP-her) is a low-intensity, self-management program which has demonstrated efficacy in preventing excess weight gain in women. However, little is known about the implementation, reach, and sustainability of low-intensity prevention programs in rural settings, where risk for obesity in women is higher than urban settings. We aimed to evaluate a low-intensity healthy lifestyle program delivered to women in a rural setting to inform development of effective community prevention programs.

Methods

A mixed method hybrid implementation and evaluation study, guided by the RE-AIM framework (addressing the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance), was undertaken. Data collection tools included anthropometric measures, program checklists, questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews with participants and local stakeholders. The RE-AIM self-audit tool was applied to assess evaluation rigor.

Results

Six hundred and forty-nine women from 41 relatively socio-economic disadvantaged communities in Australia participated: mean age 39.6 years (±SD 6.7) and body mass index of 28.8 kg/m² (±SD 6.9). A between-group weight difference of ?0.92 kg (95% CI ?1.67 to ?0.16) showed program effectiveness. Reach was broad across 41 towns with 62% of participants reporting influencing some of the health behaviors of their families. Strong implementation fidelity was achieved with good retention rates at 1 year (76%) and high participant satisfaction (82% of participants willing to recommend this program). Over 300 multi-level community partnerships were established supporting high adoption. Stakeholders reported potential capacity to implement and sustain the prevention program in resource poor rural settings, due to the low-intensity design and minimal resources required.

Conclusions

Our comprehensive RE-AIM evaluation demonstrates that an evidence-based obesity prevention program can be successfully implemented in real-world settings. The program achieved broad reach, effectiveness, and satisfaction at the community and stakeholder level, revealing potential for program sustainability. The evaluation addressed implementation knowledge gaps to support future obesity prevention program scale-up.

Trial registration

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN 12612000115831 [http://www.anzctr.org.au/].

     

Sulfate Reduction in Peat from a New Jersey Pinelands Cedar Swamp

Microbial sulfate reduction rates in acidic peat from a New Jersey Pine Barrens cedar swamp in 1986 were similar to sulfate reduction rates in freshwater lake sediments. The rates ranged from a low of 1.0 nmol cm⁻³ day⁻¹ in February at 7.5- to 10.0-cm depth to 173.4 nmol cm⁻³ day⁻¹ in July at 5.0- to 7.5-cm depth. The presence of living Sphagnum moss at the surface generally resulted in reduced rates of sulfate reduction. Pore water sulfate concentrations and water table height also apparently affected the sulfate reduction rate. Concentrations of sulfate in pore water were nearly always higher than those in surface water and groundwater, ranging from 26 to 522 μM. The elevated pore water sulfate levels did not result from the evapotranspiratory concentration of infiltrating stream water or groundwater, but probably resulted from oxidation of reduced sulfur compounds, hydrolysis of ester sulfates present in the peat, or both. The total sulfur content of peat that had no living moss at the surface was 164.64 ± 1.5 and 195.8 ± 21.7 μmol g (dry weight)⁻¹ for peat collected from 2.5 to 5.0 and 7.5 to 10.0 cm, respectively. Organosulfur compounds accounted for 84 to 88% of the total sulfur that was present in the peat. C-bonded sulfur accounted for 91 to 94% of the organic sulfur, with ester sulfate being only a minor constituent. Reduced inorganic sulfur species in peat from 2.5 to 7.5 cm were dominated by H₂S-FeS (68%), while pyritic sulfide was the predominant inorganic sulfur species in the peat from depths of 7.5 to 10.0 cm (75%).     

Vegetation management shapes arthropod and bird communities in an African savanna

Habitat heterogeneity is a key driver of the diversity and distribution of species. African savannas are experiencing changes in their vegetation structure causing shifts towards increased woody plant cover, which results in vegetation structure homogenization. Given the impact that increasing woody plant cover has on patterns of animal use, resource managers across Africa are implementing habitat management practices that are intended to reduce woody plant cover. To understand the ecological implications of various habitat management practices on arthropod and bird communities, we leveraged large‐scale tree clearing and subsequent mowing in an African savanna to understand how changes in both the herbaceous layer and woody plant cover (i.e., structural heterogeneity) may shape arthropod and bird communities at the local scale. We focused on four replicated treatments: (1) annual summer mow, (2) annual winter mow, (3) >5 years since last mow (rest), and (4) an adjacent unmanipulated savanna to act as a control. We found that the mowing treatments significantly influenced vegetation structure both with respect to tree density and herbaceous layer. Both arthropod and bird community composition varied across treatments. Grass biomass was the best predictor of arthropod richness and abundance, with arthropods selecting for areas with high biomass. Insectivorous bird richness and abundance was driven by tree density (i.e., perching locations) and not arthropod abundance. Our results suggest that vegetation management practices contribute to habitat heterogeneity at the landscape scale and increase bird species richness through species turnover. However, we caution that if a single vegetation management practice dominates the landscape, it is plausible that it could lead to the simplification of the avian community.     

桃园茶翅蝽的发生危害与防治研究进展

随着农药减施等果园害虫绿色防控技术推广应用,茶翅蝽Halyomorpha halys在重要的水果种植区域内危害日益严重,有从次要害虫发展为主要害虫的趋势。而桃树作为少数茶翅蝽可以完成整个生活史的果树之一,被害尤为严重。虽有化学药剂对茶翅蝽取得较好的防治效果,但其飞行能力强,易产生抗药等特点,导致防治非常困难。因此,对茶翅蝽的生物防治和生态调控方法愈发得到重视,特别是天敌昆虫得到广泛研究和应用。茶翅蝽的主要天敌是寄生蜂,利用天敌昆虫可以有效控制茶翅蝽的种群数量。此外,基于茶翅蝽嗅觉行为反应构建的"推-拉"防控策略研究得以开展,以达到对茶翅蝽种群的生态调控。本文综述了茶翅蝽对桃生产过程中的危害现状及特点、生态学习性及现阶段防治措施等,并着重总结了针对茶翅蝽成虫的潜在生物防治方法,为茶翅蝽的绿色防控提供新思路。     

Methods and approaches for the management of arthropod border incursions

Biological invasions are increasing and are strongly associated with negative agricultural, economic and ecological impacts. It is increasingly recognized that the primary focus in minimizing biological invasions should be to prevent initial entry of alien species. However, exclusion of terrestrial arthropods such as insects and mites is difficult, in part because of their relatively small size, cryptic habits, broad physiological tolerances and close association with various internationally traded goods. Here we discuss methods, approaches, management and intervention systems used by border biosecurity agencies to prevent entry of inadvertently transported arthropods. We examine the at-border systems that exist for the detection and identification of and response to alien arthropods, and discuss the constraints and challenges present in these systems. We critically review current border biosecurity systems and discuss their relative efficacy. We then discuss additional measures and key areas that could be addressed that may further improve these systems. These include: (1) the application of appropriate sampling strategies; (2) employment of suitable inspection methods adequate to detect small and hidden arthropods; and (3) thorough recording of methods, organisms detected and both negative and positive results of inspections. We emphasize that more research is needed on taxonomy, biology, genetics, distribution, host and disease associations, impacts and pathways of introductions for invasive arthropods. Of critical importance is the compilation of complete and accurate invasive species lists and high-risk species watch-lists. The adoption of these recommendations will contribute to improved biosecurity systems for the exclusion of alien, invasive and pest arthropods.     

Principles of formation of the environment friendly program of management of arthropod pests and their enemies in an apple orchard agroecosystem in the North Caucasus

Ecological inefficiency of conventional IPM programs for apple orchard protection in the North Caucasus results from arbitrary use of compounds producing opposite ecological effects, i.e., broad-spectrum chemical insecticides after environment-friendly selective ones, which destroys the apple orchard agroecosystem. The investigation was aimed at developing an effective and ecologically acceptable program with alternation of environment-friendly compounds which act along the same vector to preserve the populations of natural enemies of the pests and thus to stabilize the apple orchard agroecosystem, i.e., create an ecological type of orchard. In this kind of orchards, broad-spectrum chemical pesticides are prohibited whereas selective biological compounds (including synthetic ones) and methods are welcomed. The test runs of the resulting pest and enemy management (PEM) programs based both on bioregulators (Insegar, Match, Dimilin) and bio-insecticides (Phytoverm™, Lepidocid™, etc.) in 2007 and 2009 demonstrated their high efficiency: the apple fruit damage by codling moth was 1.2% and 0.3%, respectively. The test of sticky bands fixed on apple tree trunks to prevent ants from getting to the crowns showed a significant increase in the abundance of predaceous bugs which sharply reduced the green apple aphid population.