The relationship between lunar periodicity and activity of fish-parasitic gnathiid isopods in the Caribbean

Gnathiid isopod larvae are members of the marine demersal zooplankton community and are common ectoparasites of coral reef fishes, emerging from the substratum, mostly at night and crepuscular periods to feed on fish blood. Given that the activity of many marine organisms is often linked to changes in the phase of the moon, we examined the relationship between lunar phase and activity in gnathiid isopods on Caribbean reefs. We employed two sampling methods to quantify gnathiid activity: (1) Emergence traps set on reefs over a 24 h period; and (2) live fish placed in cages on reefs and retrieved during night and dawn peaks in gnathiid activity. These were compared during discrete phases as well as a continuous metric, the lunar “angle”, and an estimate of ambient light availability (luminance). Lunar phase and angle varied in their statistical effect on gnathiid activity patterns by sampling method and/or year. Luminance had a significant but inconsistent effect on measures of gnathiid activity. Our results suggest that changes in the lunar cycle are not a strong predictor of gnathiid activity at our shallow reef study sites.     

Logistic regression and fuzzy logic as a classification method for feral fish sampling sites

This study presents a classification method combining logistic regression and fuzzy logic in the determination of sampling sites for feral fish, Nile Tilapia (Tilapia rendalli). This method statistically analyzes the variable domains involved in the problem, by using a logistic regression model. This in turn generates the knowledge necessary to construct the rule base and fuzzy clusters of the fuzzy inference system (FIS) variables. The proposed hybrid method was validated using three fish stress indices; the Fulton Condition Factor (FCF) and the gonadossomatic and hepatossomatic indices (GSI and HSI, respectively), from fish sampled at 3 different locations in the Rio de Janeiro State. A multinomial logistic regression allowed for the FIS construction of the proposed method and both statistical approaches, when combined, complemented each other satisfactorily, allowing for the construction of an efficient classification method regarding feral fish sampling sites that, in turn, has great value regarding fish captures and fishery resource management.     

Sexual orientation harassment in the workplace: When do observers intervene?

Little is known about when and why observers of harassment incidents choose to intervene. On the basis of a model of observer intervention by Bowes‐Sperry and O'Leary‐Kelly (2005), we examined situational (directness of harassment, relationship to target, knowledge of target orientation, recurrence beliefs) variables as potential predictors of observer decisions to intervene when witnessing sexual orientation harassment. We also examined how costs and benefits analysis and recurrence beliefs relate to the level and immediacy of involvement. Relationship to the target, directness of the harassment, recurrence beliefs, knowledge of target orientation, and costs evidenced some connections to the nature of intervention. We discussed implications for organizations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Applying models of employee identity management across cultures: Christianity in the USA and South Korea

Identity management refers to the decisions individuals make about how they present their social identities to others. We examined cross‐cultural differences in distancing and affirming identity management strategies of Christian‐identified employees utilizing samples from the USA and South Korea. Religious centrality, risks of disclosure, pressure to assimilate to organizational norms, and nation were key antecedents of chosen identity management strategies. Risks of disclosure and pressure to assimilate related to more distancing and less affirming strategies when religious centrality was low, but nation served as a boundary condition for the moderating effects of religious centrality. Distancing strategies related to negative outcomes regardless of religious centrality, but affirming strategies only related to positive outcomes when religious centrality was low. We discuss how this work contributes to theoretical and practical understanding of identity management in the workplace and across cultures. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

纳滤膜在洁霉素废水浓缩分离中的应用

考察了DLNF₂-30(0.24m²)、MPS-44(1.4m²) 2种卷式纳滤膜串联运行时对洁霉素废水中残余洁霉素的浓缩性能.实验结果表明,当进水中洁霉素浓度为200mg/L 时,对废水浓缩10～20倍后洁霉素浓度可浓缩至2000mg/L 以上,满足回用要求,浓缩时间为60～70h.在浓缩过程中,COD_Cr的截留率始终高于80%,洁霉素截留率始终高于90%,且洁霉素的回收率高于90%.     

Kinetic effect of humic acid on alachlor degradation by anodic Fenton treatment

Contamination of water often results from the heavy use of agricultural chemicals, and the disposal of aqueous pesticide waste is a concern. Anodic Fenton treatment (AFT) has been shown to be a successful remediation method for pesticides in solution, but the effect of soil on the degradation kinetics of pesticides using this method has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to study the effect of humic acid, as a soil surrogate, on the degradation kinetics of alachlor [2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl-N-(methoxymethyl) acetamide], a heavily used herbicide that has been studied in pure aqueous solution by AFT. The AFT consists of a controlled constant delivery of Fenton reagents, using an electrochemical half-cell to deliver ferrous iron. Alachlor was quickly degraded by AFT, and the kinetics were found to obey the previously developed AFT model well. Degradation of alachlor by AFT in humic acid slurry showed that when the amount of humic acid was increased, alachlor degradation was significantly slowed down and the degradation kinetics were shifted from the AFT model to a first-order model. Further experimentation indicated that humic acid not only competes with alachlor for hydroxyl radicals, reducing the degradation rate of the target compound, but also buffers the slurry at near neutral pH, blocking regeneration of ferrous ion from ferric ion and subsequently shifting the kinetics to first order. Degradation of several other pesticides in humic acid slurry also followed first-order kinetics. These results imply that higher concentrations of Fenton reagents will be required for soil remediation.     

Do the designated drivers of college students stay sober?

PROBLEM: By numerous accounts, alcohol abuse is considered the number one drug problem facing young people today. Alcohol consumption and its negative consequences, especially those due to drinking and driving, continue to have devastating effects on the college student population. METHOD: This field study examined the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels of male and female designated drivers (DD), non-DD, and their respective passengers as they were leaving drinking establishments in a university town. Also investigated were the effects of group size and gender on DD use. RESULTS: A 2 Gender x 2 Driver type (DD vs. non-DD) analysis of variance (ANOVA) for BAC indicated significant main effects for Gender and Driver type, with higher BAC for men and non-DD (p's<.001). A significant Gender x Driver type interaction (p<.05) was primarily due to female DD having lower BAC than male DD. In addition, larger groups were more likely to have a DD. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Results indicate that the success of DD programs may be influenced by group size and a DD's gender. While larger groups are more likely to have a DD, students riding home with a male DD may still be at risk for the negative consequences of drunk driving.     

Landscapes for tomorrow

Seven different landscapes that might realistically represent the Yorkshire Dales National Park in the lifetime of the present generation were created out of detailed interviews with policy managers, landowners and farmers. These landscapes were imaged in the form of water colour paintings, then incorporated with appropriate explanatory commentary into a large graphic display, a video sequence, a floor game and a leaflet. The interpretive material was taken to the public as a touring exhibition, travelling around the National Park over two consecutive summers. The exhibition was designed to be participatory: its purpose to discover how far people could grasp the processes leading to landscape change, become aware of why these forces were happening and become sufficiently concerned for the future to participate in the creation of landscape design of their choice. The results revealed that the approach experimented with was successful in meeting its aims, that those less conversant with the issues were more influenced than those already familiar with some of the causes of change and that participatory interpretation can be a highly educative and enjoyable experience.