ISO 14001 in state regulatory offices: A survey of activities

Is ISO 14001 just for the private sector? The answer is definitely “No.” The survey in this article was conducted to better understand how ISO 14001/Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) was being addressed by state agencies around the country. The survey goals were to determine where the focus on ISO 14001/EMSs is within state government, what the level of interest is, and how far states have progressed toward some form of use or recognition of ISO 14001. During the months that this survey was conducted, the progress at the state and federal levels was remarkable. Many states are aggressively moving forward and encouraging the investigation of ISO 14001 implementation. There is a well coordinated effort between several states (the Multi-State Working Group) to gather data on ISO 14001 effectiveness in a consistent manner. The cooperation between EPA and the states is beginning to solidify, with federal dollars going to state-managed pilot programs, and EPA has stepped forward with a more organized effort led by the Office of Reinvention.     

Renewable resource management and extinction

Several authors have noted that extinction of a biological resource could be consistent with a policy of maximizing the discounted present value of economic rent. However, the arguments put forward in support of this assertion have hitherto been based on autonomous models. In this note we discuss the nonautonomous case, which turns out to be considerably more difficult to analyze.     

The economics of fishing and modern capital theory: A simplified approach

While the link between fisheries economics and capital theory has long been recognized, fisheries economics has, until the last few years, developed largely along nondynamic lines. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that, with the aid of optimal control theory, fisheries economics can without difficulty be cast in a capital-theoretic framework yielding results that are both general and readily comprehensible.We commence by developing a dynamic linear autonomous model. The static version of the fisheries economics model is seen to be the equivalent of a special case of the dynamic autonomous model. The model is then extended, first by making it nonautonomous and second, nonlinear. Problems arising therefrom, such as multiple equilibria, are considered.     

Effect of pH on Anti-Rotavirus Activity by Comestible Juices and Proanthocyanidins in a Cell-Free Assay System

Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) and grape (Vitis labrusca) juices, and these species?? secondary plant metabolites [i.e., proanthocyanidins (PACs)] possess antiviral activity. An understanding of the mechanism(s) responsible for these juices and their polyphenolic constituents?? direct effect on enteric virus integrity, however, remains poorly defined. Using the rotavirus (RTV) as a model enteric virus system, the direct effect of manufacturer-supplied and commercially purchased juices [Ocean Spray Pure Cranberry 100?% Unsweetened Juice (CJ), Welch??s 100?% Grape Juice (GJ), 100?% Concord (PG) and 100?% Niagara juices (NG)] and these species?? cranberry (C-PACs) and grape PACs (G-PACs) was investigated. Loss of viral capsid integrity in cell-free suspension by juices and their PACs, and as a factor of pH, was identified by an antigen (RTV) capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. At native and an artificially increased suspension at or near pH 7, loss of viral infectivity occurred after 5?min, in the order CJ?>?NG?=?GJ?>?PG, and PG?>?GJ?=?NG?=?CJ, respectively. Antiviral activity of CJ was inversely related to pH. Grape, but not cranberry PACs, displayed a comparatively greater anti-RTV activity at a suspension pH of 6.7. Anti-RTV activity of C-PACs was regained upon reduction of RTV-cranberry PAC suspensions to pH 4. An alteration or modification of Type A PAC (of V. macrocarpon) structural integrity at or near physiologic pH is suggested to have impacted on this molecule??s antivirus activity. Type B PACs (of V. labrusca) were refractive to alternations of pH. Significantly, findings from pure system RTV?CPAC testing paralleled and in turn, supported those RTV-juice antiviral studies. Electron microscopy showed an enshroudment by PACs of RTV particles, suggesting a blockage of viral antigenic binding determinants. The implications of our work are significant, especially in the interpretation of PAC (and PAC-containing food)?CRTV interactions in the differing [pH] conditions of the gastrointestinal tract.     

Sequential climate decisions under uncertainty: An integrated framework

We develop an integrated framework for evaluating sequential greenhouse gas abatement policies under uncertainty. The analysis integrates information concerning the magnitude, timing, and impacts of climate change with data on the likely effectiveness and cost of possible response options. Reduced-scale representations of the global climate system, drawn from the MIT Integrated Global System Model, form the empirical basis of the analysis. The method is illustrated in application to emissions control policies of the form considered under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.     

Evaluating Contact Techniques: Assessing the Impact of a Regulator’s Intervention on the Health and Safety Performance of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

This study reports on the development of an evaluation methodology for assessing quantitatively and qualitatively the effectiveness of seminar and mass-mailing contact techniques. These techniques are used to augment traditional health and safety inspections at commercial and industrial premises in the United Kingdom. One of the major findings is that specific aims and objectives for the intervention should be developed prior to the communication exercise. This is crucial for any subsequent measurement of effectiveness, as the intended effect needs to be considered before the communication exercise takes place. Developing more systematic approaches to evaluation is an important step in helping to learn from previous experiences, that is, to build upon the foundations of good practice and avoid repeating mistakes. In time the results of systematic evaluations can be used to inform future policy making, which may help to create more effective risk reduction strategies.     

Effects of vegetation cover, presence of a native ant species, and human disturbance on colonization by Argentine ants

The spread of non-native invasive species is affected by human activity, vegetation cover, weather, and interaction with native species. We analyzed data from a 17-year study of the distribution of the non-native Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) and the native winter ant (Prenolepis imparis) in a preserve in northern California (U.S.A.). We conducted logistic regressions and used model selection to determine whether the following variables were associated with changes in the distribution of each species: presence of conspecifics at neighboring sites, distance to development (e.g., roads, buildings, and landscaped areas), proportion of vegetation cover taller than 0.75 m, elevation, distance to water, presence of both species at a site, temperature, and rainfall. Argentine ants colonized unoccupied sites from neighboring sites, but the probability of appearance and persistence decreased as distance to development, vegetation cover, and elevation increased. Winter ants appeared and persisted in sites with relatively high vegetation cover (i.e., highly shaded sites). Presence of the 2 species was negatively associated in sites with high vegetation cover (more winter ants) and sites near development (more Argentine ants). Probability of colonization of Argentine ants decreased where winter ants were most persistent. At sites near development within the preserve, abundant Argentine ant populations may be excluding winter ants. The high abundance of Argentine ants at these sites may be due to immigration from suburban areas outside the preserve, which are high-quality habitat for Argentine ants. In the interior of the preserve, distance from development, low-quality habitat, and interaction with winter ants may in combination exclude Argentine ants. Interactions among the variables we examined were associated with low probabilities of Argentine ant colonization in the preserve.     

Nuchal glands: a novel defensive system in snakes

Of the various chemical defensive adaptations of vertebrates, nuchal glands are among the most unusual. First described in a Japanese natricine snake, Rhabdophis tigrinus, in 1935, these organs are embedded under the skin of the neck region as a series of paired glands that have neither lumina nor ducts. The major chemical components of the glandular fluid are bufadienolides, which are cardiotonic steroids also found in the skin secretion of toads. Here we review early studies of nuchal glands and briefly introduce our recent findings on the sequestration of bufadienolides from consumed toads and the maternal provisioning of those sequestered compounds. We summarize behavioral studies associated with the antipredator function of the nuchal glands, which have been conducted during our more than decade-long collaboration. Results of preliminary analyses on the possible costs of toad-eating and on the ultrastructure of the nuchal glands are also presented. Finally, we discuss the evolutionary origin of the nuchal glands and suggest future directions designed to understand the biological importance of these novel vertebrate organs, which have evolved in a limited number of snake species.