Assessment of general condition of fish inhabiting a moderately contaminated aquatic environment

The assessment of general condition of fish in the moderately contaminated aquatic environment was performed on the European chub (Squalius cephalus) caught in September 2009 in the Sutla River in Croatia. Although increases of the contaminants in this river (trace and macro elements, bacteria), as well as physico-chemical changes (decreased oxygen saturation, increased conductivity), were still within the environmentally acceptable limits, their concurrent presence in the river water possibly could have induced stress in aquatic organisms. Several biometric parameters, metallothionein (MT), and total cytosolic protein concentrations in chub liver and gills were determined as indicators of chub condition. Microbiological and parasitological analyses were performed with the aim to evaluate chub predisposition for bacterial bioconcentration and parasitic infections. At upstream river sections with decreased oxygen saturation (～50 %), decreased Fulton condition indices were observed (FCI: 0.94 g?cm^?3), whereas gonadosomatic (GSI: 2.4 %), hepatosomatic (HSI: 1.31 %), and gill indices (1.3 %) were increased compared to oxygen rich downstream river sections (dissolved oxygen ～90 %; FCI: 1.02 g?cm^?3; GSI: 0.6 %; HIS: ～1.08 %; gill index: 1.0 %). Slight increase of MT concentrations in both organs at upstream (gills: 1.67 mg?g^?1; liver: 1.63 mg?g^?1) compared to downstream sites (gills: 1.56 mg?g^?1; liver: 1.23 mg?g^?1), could not be explained by induction caused by increased metal levels in the river water, but presumably by physiological changes caused by general stress due to low oxygen saturation. In addition, at the sampling site characterized by inorganic and fecal contamination, increased incidence of bacterial bioconcentration in internal organs (liver, spleen, kidney) was observed, as well as decrease of intestinal parasitic infections, which is a common finding for metal-contaminated waters. Based on our results, it could be concluded that even moderate contamination of river water by multiple contaminants could result in unfavourable living conditions and cause detectable stress for aquatic organisms.     

Evaluating global interest in biodiversity and conservation

The first target of the Convention for Biological Diversity (Aichi target 1) was to increase public awareness of the values of biodiversity and actions needed to conserve it—a key prerequisite for other conservation targets. Monitoring success in achieving this target at a global scale has been difficult; however, increased digitization of human life in recent decades has made it easier to measure people's interests at an unprecedented scale and allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of Aichi target 1 than previously attempted. We used Google search volume data for over a thousand search terms related to different aspects of biodiversity and conservation to evaluate global interest in biodiversity and its conservation. We also investigated the correlation of interest in biodiversity and conservation across countries to variables related to biodiversity, economy, demography, research, education, internet use, and presence of environmental organizations. From 2013 to 2020, global searches for biodiversity components increased, driven mostly by searches for charismatic fauna (59% of searches were for mammal species). Searches for conservation actions, driven mostly by searches for national parks, decreased since 2019, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic inequality was negatively correlated with interest in biodiversity and conservation, whereas purchasing power was indirectly positively correlated with higher levels of education and research. Our results suggest partial success toward achieving Aichi target 1 in that interest in biodiversity increased widely, but not for conservation. We suggest that increased outreach and education efforts aimed at neglected aspects of biodiversity and conservation are still needed. Popular topics in biodiversity and conservation could be leveraged to increase awareness of other topics with attention to local socioeconomic contexts.     

Targeting the Vulnerable: A Review of the Necessity and Feasibility of Targeting Vulnerable Households

This article examines whether it is possible to target vulnerable households within a geographically defined area. It looks first at the justification for targeting and then reviews recent practical experience in actually trying to reach vulnerable groups. As complex emergencies increasingly last longer, strategies to target vulnerable households are common in the protracted phase of the emergency. While this is often necessary because of a decline in resources, it is not always justified by an improvement in nutritional status or food security of the beneficiary population.
Common target groups are the poor and the malnourished, but in complex emergencies these are not always the most vulnerable. Moreover, recent practical experience has shown considerable difficulties in targeting the poor. Methods to target the poor rely on community-based relief committees, whose priorities are not necessarily the same as those of external agencies. This paper gives examples of such targeted assistance programmes in Kenya, south Sudan and Tanzania. The paper concludes that situations where targeting vulnerable households is justified and feasible are extremely limited. It is suggested that if targeting has to be done because of scarce resources, this should be done on a geographical basis and on the basis of nutritional status. Case-study material shows that it is essential to understand the political determinants of vulnerability and to design methods that will reach the most vulnerable.     

Single umbilical artery stenosis associated with intrauterine fetal death post-transfusion

Single umbilical artery is among the most common funicular vascular anomalies. In contrast, umbilical artery stenosis is rare, and has only been reported in three-vessel cords. We describe a case of single umbilical artery stenosis in a fetus with no associated malformations. Intrauterine fetal death occurred at 28weeks' gestation following cordocentesis and intravascular transfusion for Rhesus alloimmunization. Single umbilical artery stenosis may place the fetus at increased risk, particularly in cases requiring interventions involving cord manipulation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Trade union support following an underground explosion

We examined emotional support offered by a trade union and psychological distress four months after an underground explosion in a South Africa gold mine, which caused 63 fatalities and five injuries. The disaster occurred the day after the end of a three-week, industry-wide strike by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). Statistically controlling for industrial relations stress, no psychological distress differences were recorded between the experimental group (21 NUM members who were underground at the time of the blast) and a control group of 22 NUM members employed at a different gold mine in the region. Union emotional support interacted with exposure to the disaster: Whereas union support was significantly and inversely related to psychological distress for the experimental group, the relationship was non-significant for the control group. Results are discussed in terms of the importance of trade unions as a source of social support.     

Does nutritional surveillance have a role to play in early warning of food crisis and in the management of relief operations?*

A major area of investment in data collection in developing countries has been that of nutritional surveillance and monitoring. From recent debate it is clear that there is currently no consensus on the potential role of nutritional status as an early warning indicator. The author presents a synthesis of the broad spectrum of views on the role nutritional surveillance could or should have in early warning. Conceptual problems and technical difficulties are reviewed in the light of recent experiences in Africa and Asia. The author raises a number of issues for future discussion in this ongoing debate.