DECISION-MAKING IN THE DEVLOPMENT OF URBAN WATERFRONTS FOR PARK/BUSINESS USE1

Abstract: Opportunities for the development of an amalgam of park and leisure-oriented commercial establishments in urban-core waterfont settings exist in many U.S. cities. Public awareness of the need to enhance the environmental quality of these waterfont areas has resulted in a demand for planning and implementation action. However, the lack of understanding of urban political systems has been an inhibiting factor in the development of this park/ business concept. The major factors that influence the decision-making process leading to the development of urban-core waterfronts for park/business use are identified inthis paper. Understanding this decision-making process can aid project implementation and avoid waste of planning effort in time, dollars, and productivity.     

The first trimester ‘combined test’ for the detection of Down syndrome pregnancies in 4939 unselected pregnancies

The high detection rate (DR) for Down syndrome (DS) pregnancies which can be achieved by measuring fetal nuchal translucency (NT) early in pregnancy can be improved by combining it with placental hormones [pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and free β-human chorionic gonadotrophin (fβ-hCG)] and maternal age (‘combined test’). In this study we wanted to assess the DR using the ‘combined test’ in an unselected population of self-referred pregnant women at a false-positive rate (FPR) of about 5%. NT, PAPP-A, fβ-hCG and maternal age were measured in all women with singleton pregnancies who booked for delivery in our hospital from 1 December 1997 to 31 April 2000 and who were between 10 and 13 completed weeks of gestation [crown–rump length (CRL) 35–70 mm]. The specific DS risk was calculated using the computer program Alpha Version 5aa (Logical Medical Systems, London, UK). A total of 4939 women were tested. Out of 14 DS pregnancies that occurred during this period of time, 12 were detected with the test. A total of 246 women had a false-positive test result in a non-DS pregnancy (FPR 5.0%). This makes the ‘combined test’ by far the best test for the detection of DS pregnancies in a low-risk population. The constant increase in maternal age at the time of delivery can also lead to an improved DR if a simple age-dependant protocol for DS detection is used, but only at the price of a much higher number of amniocenteses and subsequent abortions. The DR for DS can be increased much more markedly using the ‘combined test’ with a FPR that still remains at the level as it was in the early 1970s. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Transfer of the fungicide vinclozolin from treated to untreated plants via volatilization

Head lettuce plantlets (Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata) were potted, treated with vinclozolin at the six-leaf stage according to application standards and allowed to dry for 24 h. The potted plantlets were then placed in either growth chambers with controlled temperature (20 and 25 degrees C, respectively) or in a greenhouse (approximately 12 degrees C), together with untreated spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and standardized grass cultures (Lolium multiflorum Lam. ssp.) While the treated lettuce pots remained in the respective growing compartments until the end of the experiments, spinach and grass were exposed to the compartment air for 24 h and their shoot material was analyzed for vinclozolin by GC-ECD and GC-high resolution mass spectrometry. Exposure and analysis of untreated spinach and grass were carried out at two- or three-day intervals during the course of the experiments. Also, air samples were taken from the compartments at intervals and analyzed for vinclozolin. Maximum vinclozolin concentration in the growth chamber air was about 330 ng m(-3) while vinclozolin contamination of the untreated plants ranged from 50 to 200 microg kg(-1) FW (fresh weight). In the greenhouse atmospheric vinclozolin concentration reached approximately 15 ngm(-3) and maximum contamination of spinach and grass were 30-40 microg kg(-1) FW. Our data clearly show that unintended contamination of plants growing in the vicinity of vinclozolin-treated plants can occur even if the fungicide layer is completely dry. Implications for safety testing and food plants are discussed.     

Genotoxic effects of metals on human salivary gland tissue and lymphocytes as detected by the Comet assay

The etiology of salivary gland malignancies still remains unclear. Metal compounds are of special interest since they show ubiquitous presence in the environment, are present in many working places, and are accepted (co-)carcinogens in some other malignancies. Metals enter the body as xenobiotics by inhalation or ingestion. This study investigated the genotoxic potential of sodium dichromate (Na₂Cr₂O₇), nickel sulfate (NiSO₄), cadmium sulfate (CdSO₄) and zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) on human salivary gland cells and lymphocytes. Macroscopically healthy tissue of salivary glands was harvested from 46 patients during surgery and isolated to single cells by enzymatic digestion. The cells were incubated with Na₂Cr₂O₇, NiSO₄, CdSO₄ or ZnCl₂. Na₂Cr₂O₇ was also incubated in combination with the other metal compounds listed. Carcinogenic and co-carcinogenic effects of cadmium were tested by incubation with Na₂Cr₂O₇ and consecutive repair intervals. DNA damage and repair were evaluated by the Comet assay, determining DNA-strand breaks. The extent of damage was quantified using a digital analysis system. Na₂Cr₂O₇ produced significantly enhanced DNA-strand breaks in human salivary gland tissue and lymphocytes. All other metal compounds exerted no damaging effect on both cell types. Co-incubation of Na₂Cr₂O₇ with the other metals revealed a significant additive effect only for CdSO₄. Specific analysis of the influence of cadmium showed a reduction of DNA-repair after Na₂Cr₂O₇-induced strand breaks in salivary gland cells. This study provides evidence that exposure to distinct metals may significantly contribute to malignant salivary gland tumors. In consequence, further studies as epidemiological and toxicological data are warranted to determine the role of distinct metals as potential (co-) carcinogens.     

Identification of sperm proteins as candidate biomarkers for the analysis of reproductive isolation in Mytilus: a case study for the enkurin locus

Sperm proteins of the marine sessile mussels of the Mytilus edulis species complex are models to investigate reproductive isolation and speciation. This study aimed at identifying sperm proteins and their corresponding genes. This was aided by the use of monoclonal antibodies that preferentially bind to yet unknown sperm molecules. By identifying their target molecules, this approach identified proteins with relevance to Mytilus sperm function. This procedure identified 16 proteins, for example, enkurin, laminin, porin and heat shock proteins. The potential use of these proteins as genetic markers to study reproductive isolation is exemplified by analysing the enkurin locus. Enkurin evolution is driven by purifying selection, the locus displays high levels of intraspecific variation and species-specific alleles group in distinct phylogenetic clusters. These findings characterize enkurin as informative candidate biomarker for analyses of clinal variation and differential introgression in hybrid zones, for example, to understand determinants of reproductive isolation in Baltic Mytilus populations.