Objective and Perceived Risk Estimates of Travel Modes in the Norwegian Public

The aim of this study was to identify groups of travel mode users, based on objective risk estimates, and examine overall differences in demographic characteristics, perceived risk, worry, perceived control when using travel modes, trust in authorities, and safety motivation. The results were based on a self-completion questionnaire survey about risk perception and travel mode use in a representative sample of the Norwegian public (n = 1864). In addition, aggregate-level data on accidents in transport were used to establish the “objective risk” for various travel modes. The respondents were split into two clusters. The first cluster was characterized by a relatively greater objective risk for accidents related to public travel modes as well as related to being a pedestrian, while the second cluster was characterized by a higher risk level related to motorized private modes of transportation. There was a significant overall difference in the risk estimates among the members of the two clusters. There was also an overall difference in risk perception and other risk-related judgments due to which risk estimate-based cluster the respondents belonged. Associations between objective risk estimates, perceived risk, and worry are discussed in relation to cluster differences in objective risk.     

Long-term biomonitoring of lichen and bryophyte biodiversity at Burnham Beeches SAC and global environmental change

Long-term monitoring began 20 years ago at Burnham Beeches Site of Special Interest (SSSI), National Nature Reserve (NNR) and European Special Area of Conservation (SAC) lying 40 km west of London as a consequence of the authorization of an application to extract gravel from an adjacent site lying north of Slough Trading Estate. Dust monitoring (sticky pads) and photographic monitoring, recording and image analysis was instigated in 1992 on Parmelion communities to assess changes in lichen growth, health and community composition. Long-term monitoring identifies that the lichen flora on free-standing trees has undergone rapid expansion from a near dominance by the SO₂-tolerant ‘acidophyte’ species Lecanora conizaeoides and Hypogymnia physodes following reductions in SO₂ concentrations. Long-term influences of low levels of eutrophication, gaseous pollutants (particularly globally rising background ozone concentrations) on lichen and bryophyte communities and succession under changing climatic conditions are unknown. Soil–plant relationships, lichen–invertebrate interactions and a pollution legacy must also be considered.     

“What Dr Venter did on his holidays”: exploration,hacking, entrepreneurship in the narratives of the Sorcerer II expedition

The Sorcerer II is the highly mediatized and spectacular Venter Institute's ship that circumnavigated the planet between 2003 and 2006 to collect and classify marine microbial genomes. We analyze Craig Venter's public communication activities and strategies especially focusing on the images of science and scientist he proposes: that of an eighteenth-century “savant” and nineteenth-century naturalist devoted to the exploration of new worlds, and that of the hacker, hero of informational capitalism. Emphasizing his independence from both academy and industry, but building strong alliances with both spheres and with the media, Craig Venter sails the oceans of the contemporary biotechnologies' market, interpreting a specific typology of the relationship between science and society, enterprises, universities.     

Beyond and within public engagement: a broadened approach to engagement in biobanking

Social studies on biobanking have traditionally focused on public engagement, that is, engagement with donors, patients and the general public as an important factor of sustainability. In this article, we claim that, in order to fully understand the way biobanks work, it is necessary to pay attention to a number of other actors, which have an equal, if not greater, impact on their practices and strategies. This means taking a broadened approach to biobank engagement. By using data collected from interviews with different biobank experts based in five different countries (UK, Canada, Finland, Spain and Iceland), we identify seven communities, including the public, that emerge as relevant. Such relationships condition the way biobanks develop, act and plan. The discussion illustrates how the relationships with those seven communities are articulated. We conclude that there is a need for a broadened approach to biobank engagement in order to understand biobank sustainability.     

Aggressiveness spectrum and genetic variability of Fusarium spp. on rice and wheat varieties

Abstract

A total of 106 Fusarium spp. were isolated from infected roots and soil samples of wheat and rice. Of the 106 isolates, 32 from wheat, and 74 from rice, were isolated. Six Fusarium spp. (F. oxysporum, F. moniliforme, F. poae, F. graminearum, F. tricinctum and F. equiseti) were identified at specie level. In aggressiveness tests Fusarium spp. root rot causing fungi were screened out into different aggressiveness classes according to disease severity scales. The aggressiveness of Fusarium spp. was studied on wheat varieties (Inqalab-91 and chakwal-86) and on rice varieties (Basmati-385 and IRRI-6) under controlled conditions. The overall total number of aggressive isolates was higher in rice than in wheat. However, the percentage of severely aggressive isolates was high in wheat, whereas the percentage of moderately and slightly aggressiveness isolates was high in rice. In rice, five isolates were non-aggressive and on wheat 17 were non-aggressive. Random Amplified Polymorphism DNAs (RAPDs) were used to study the polymorphism and genetic variations within the population of Fusarium spp. that established to study correlation between taxonomical and genetical characters of fungi. Five random primers were used P1 (5′-AGGAGGACCC-3′), P2 (5′-ACGAGGGACT-3′), PE7 (5′-AGATGCAGCC-3′), P14 (5′-CCACAGCACG-3′) and PE20 (5′-AACGGTGACC-3′). Each of the 10-mer primers produced results based on the respective banding patterns they generated in present investigations. Primers distinguished the F. oxysporum, F. moniliforme, F. graminearum, F. tricinctum, F. poa and F. equiseti. All the tested primers yielded amplification products, and that were reproducible. Although there was some intraspecific variation with primers, some strains were similar and some were different in banding pattern. In F. oxysporum, F. moniliforme, F. graminearum, F. tricinctum, F. poa and F. equiseti were seen clustered close to one another but each primer separated them unambiguously. All primer (P1, P2, P14, PE7 and PE20) combination produced 62 bands. All primers have shown interspecific and intraspecific variations in banding patterns.     

Newspaper Portrayals,Local Policies,and Dog-Supportive Public Space: Who's Wagging Whom?

ABSTRACT

Dog-walking promotes physical activity and positive social interactions, and thus dog-walking has implications for people's physical and mental health. As a result, experts in public health have endorsed designing and managing public space to support dog-walking. Nevertheless, the presence of dogs in public space is subject to negotiation and can be controversial. Generally, municipal governments or local councils exercise political jurisdiction over both dogs and public space. As a case study, we systematically collected and analyzed a local newspaper's portrayals of issues relating to dog-walking in public space. Our purpose was to understand how public and policy agendas were being represented by local media, during a period of time when local policies on dog ownership and dog-supportive public space were being reviewed and revised. The analysis involved three phases: 1) thematic content analysis; 2) issue framing analysis; and 3) policy analysis. Thematically, we found that social conflict predominated. In terms of issue framing, local policy and individual dog owner behavior were both problematized. Over time, the policy agenda evolved to emphasize the design and management of public space, especially park land. Policy-makers presented this emphasis on public space as a proactive strategy to reduce social conflict and to promote compliance with existing rules on dog ownership. When it comes to promoting dog-walking to benefit animal welfare and human health, our findings underscore the importance of paying close attention to local policies and media coverage. In fact, we found that endogenous conflict and public controversies can actually represent significant opportunities to bring about positive changes in the lives of humans and nonhuman animals.     

Filling the Ark: Animal Welfare in Disasters

ABSTRACT

Populations of feral domestic cats and free-roaming, owned cats have increased throughout the United States, affecting wildlife and public health and warranting attention from a variety of management agencies. The contentious issue of feral cat management requires a greater understanding of public attitudes towards cats and preferences. We used an anonymous internet survey of randomly selected Athens-Clarke County, Georgia households to identify general public perceptions of domestic cats and preferences for cat management. We examined factors that may influence attitudes towards cats, and management including: knowledge about cats, experiences with cats and demographic variables. Results indicate that more residents have positive experiences with feral cats than negative, cat owners have greater knowledge of cats than non-cat owners, and animal welfare or conservation organization membership has a significant effect on attitudes towards cats. A majority of survey respondents agreed that more effective feral cat management is needed yet did not approve of trap-neuter-release (TNR) legislation recently passed in Athens-Clarke County. Logistic regression revealed that residents' attitudes were found to be more important than experiences or knowledge in supporting cat management legislation. Cat sanctuaries were found to be the most acceptable option to reduce feral cat populations (56%), followed by TNR (49%) and capturing and euthanizing cats (44%).     

Homelessness and dog ownership: an investigation into animal empathy,attachment, crime,drug use,health and public opinion

Abstract

A sample of 51 homeless people in Cambridge, UK completed a questionnaire featuring adapted Animal Empathy and Companion Animal Bonding Scales. Concepts of crime, drug use, and health matters amongst the homeless, both dog owning and non-dog owning, were investigated, as well. Ninety members of the general public completed a similar questionnaire which sought their opinions on homeless people who own dogs. There was a highly significant difference (p < 0.01) between the homeless and the securely housed on their animal empathy and attachment scores, with the homeless sample displaying higher values. Gender and dog ownership status had no effect on these scores. A near significant result (U = 2, n₁ = 13, n₂ = 58, p = 0.06) was revealed for animal empathy scores of those who gave money to dog-owning homeless people and those who gave to non-dog owning homeless people. Of the public respondents, women were significantly more likely to show concern for a homeless person's dog's welfare than men (X²₍₁₎ = 8.5, p < 0.01), and of the homeless respondents, non-dog owners were significantly more likely than dog owners to believe that having a dog helped initiate conversations with the public (X²₍₁₎ = 4.0, p < 0.05). Highly significant differences (U = 10, n₁ = 31, n₂ = 20, p < 0.01) were found for medical care use between the dog-owning and non-dog owning homeless, and health scores showed a reversed trend compared to that expected for the general population, with dog owners scoring lower than non-dog owners.     

Microbicide surface nano-structures

Abstract

The prevention of infectious diseases is a global challenge where multidrug-resistant bacteria or “superbugs” pose a serious threat to worldwide public health. Microtopographic surfaces have attracted much attention as they represent a biomimetic and nontoxic surface antibacterial strategy to replace biocides. The antimicrobial effect of such natural and biomimetic surface nanostructures involves a physical approach which eradicates bacteria via the structural features of the surfaces without any release of biocides or chemicals. These recent developments present a significant proof-of-concept and a powerful tool in which cellular adhesion and death caused by a physical approach, can be controlled by the micro/nanotopology of such surfaces. This represents an innovative direction of development of clean, effective and nonresistant antimicrobial surfaces. The minireview will cover novel approaches for the construction of nanostructures on surfaces in order to create antimicrobial surface in an environmentally friendly, nontoxic manner.