The fungal microcosm of the internodes of Spartina alterniflora

The internodal area of growing cord grass (Spartina alterniflora Loisel) is a microcosm colonized by the mycelium and heretofore unreported hyphopodial appendages of the fungus Sphaerulina pedicellata. As the plant matures and this area senesces during the late summer and fall, sexual stages of this and other fungi develop. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that this biomass supports bacterial growth and is grazed by nematodes and mites.     

New denitrifying bacteria isolated from Red Sea sediments

Sediments of various newly discovered deeps in the Red Sea were analyzed for the occurrence of denitrifying bacteria. The samples were collected in 1972 during the Valdivia cruises. Among the 27 different samples investigated, 17 revealed both coccoid and rod-shaped bacteria when enriched in complex nutrient broth (with 10% NaCl). Denitrifiers were recorded abundantly in the sediments, their population decreasing from some 10⁶/g in the surface material to only a few in the subsediment. A total of 16 pure cultures of denitrifying bacteria were isolated from the Suakin-and Thetis-deeps and studied morphologically, physiologically and biochemically. Genetics (molar percentage of guanine plus cytosine, % GC) and numerical taxonomy were included to reveal relationships and improve taxonomic classification. Fifteen isolates were described as Gram-negative, aerobic and facultative anaerobic (with NO ₃ ^- as H⁺-acceptor), polarly flagellated rods (Pseudomonas spp.); one was an inmotile, Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic coccus. None of the 15 Pseudomonas-isolates could be identified with one of the denitrifying species so far described and recognized. The strains should be regarded as hitherto undescribed denitrifying marine bacteria.Supported by the Bundesministerium für Forschung und Technologie, Bonn, Germany (FRG).     

Trace metals in the hair of habitants of the Ok Tedi region, Papua New Guinea

It has long been known that mining activity can markedly change the level and distribution of certain heavy metals in the adjacent environment. This pollution can be quite widespread and long lasting and often has deleterious effects on the health of local populations. In the present study scalp hair was used as the biopsy material because of its ease of collection and long history of use in this connection. Hair was collected from all the local villages in the vicinity of the mine site, as well as from Papua New Guinean nationals from other provinces, and European expatriates who were employed by the mining company and who were resident in the area. Hair from local people showed a remarkably high iron content by comparison with previously studied populations. The extreme variations in hair iron levels were reflected in the differential distribution of levels according to location, age and sex. Hair cadmium was also high in the population studied. Hair copper, lead, zinc and mercury all appeared to be within 'normal' limits by comparison with other general populations. These results are discussed in the context of the environmental and social impact of the mining operations on the local people.     

Exploratory analysis of the safety climate and safety behavior relationship

Problem: Safety climate refers to the degree to which employees believe true priority is given to organizational safety performance, and its measurement is thought to provide an “early warning” of potential safety system failure(s). However, researchers have struggled over the last 25 years to find empirical evidence to demonstrate actual links between safety climate and safety performance.Method: A safety climate measure was distributed to manufacturing employees at the beginning of a behavioral safety initiative and redistributed one year later.Results: Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that perceptions of the importance of safety training were predictive of actual levels of safety behavior. The results also demonstrate that the magnitude of change in perceptual safety climate scores will not necessarily match actual changes (r=0.56, n.s.) in employee's safety behavior.Discussion: This study obtained empirical links between safety climate scores and actual safety behavior. Confirming and contradicting findings within the extant safety climate literature, the results strongly suggest that the hypothesized climate-behavior-accident path is not as clear cut as commonly assumed.Summary: A statistical link between safety climate perceptions and safety behavior will be obtained when sufficient behavioral data is collected.Impact on Industry: The study further supports the use of safety climate measures as useful diagnostic tools in ascertaining employee's perceptions of the way that safety is being operationalized.