Studies on digestion and the fine structure of digestive caeca in Eurydice pulchra (Crustacea: Isopoda)

In the carnivorous isopod Eurydice pulchra Leach the mid-gut caeca have a pH of 5.6 and produce a strong acid proteinase, a lipase and a carbohydrase. Electron microscope studies of the digestive caeca of starved and fed animals show that secretion is merocrine and may originate from a complex involving the basal cell membrane and associated mitochondria, producing lysosomes. Absorbed materials, in fed animals, appear to take the form of neutral lipid bodies, glycogen, and proteinaceous crystals, the latter forming within the golgi complex. Digestion of both lipid and protein inclusions was observed to occur intra-cellularly by fusion with free lysosomes. Secretion and absorption may occur in the same cell, and the scheme for the sequence of epithelial cell stages is proposed.     

Local authorities and sustainable development: Turning policies into practical action through performance review—a case study of the London borough of hackney

Local authorities are increasingly undertaking policy initiatives which aim to achieve local sustainability. Indeed, the rapid development in this area since its first tentative steps in the late 1980s is very impressive. However, it is legitimate to question whether any real progress has been made in improving local environmental conditions. This is almost impossible to determine as very few have translated policy rhetoric into measurable environmental achievement. Although the development of sustainability indicators will, in the long term, provide some means of measuring success, few authorities have the necessary precursor for its achievement in place: performance-based environmental programmes. This important stage of development has been all but missed in the rush for national and international credibility, often at the expense of local communities and their environment rather than for their benefit. This paper examines the activities of one local authority, the London Borough of Hackney, and its efforts to translate policy principals into practical Action for the Environment through the mechanism of performance review. It is concluded that performance review has a valuable role to play in achieving environmental improvements to help move society towards sustainability but, like any mechanism, there are limitations in its use which need to be acknowledged if it is to be used effectively. These are explored in detail in the paper in the hope that they assist others when developing similar performance-based environmental programmes.     

The role of environmental impact assessment in coal production and utilization

Large-scale exploitation of fossil fuels and nuclear power can have an adverse effect on the human and natural environment. That need not be the case, if the effect on the environment is carefully assessed to ensure the development of a sustainable approach. This paper examines the process of environmental impact assessment (EIA) for coal from an international perspective. The concept of EIA is not new. A formalized process of EIA was introduced in the USA in 1970, and more recently similar legislation has been implemented in other countries. The member states of the European Community are required to adopt EIA regulations, as set out in Directive 85/337/EEC. Elsewhere, in Japan and Australia, there are requirements for EIA and a growing need for the process can be seen in developing countries. A comparison is made of the EIA process for coal in the international arena, and exemplary procedures are highlighted. Potential problems such as delays, modifications and additional costs are analysed, and the benefits of EIA, both to industry and environment, are discussed. A database of coal-related EIA would facilitate an exchange of information on the subject.     

Renewable energy projects

The promotion of renewable energy during the last decade did not result in widescale application of the technology. In many cases, technologies were promoted before they were commercially viable or were inappropriately selected for the particular end-use application. In other cases, a lack of local technical expertise and support infrastructure was absent to sustain the technology once it had been placed in the field. There was also a loss of donor interest and funding for renewables concomitant with the decline in oil prices. This paper attempts to summarize lessons learned from this decade of experience with renewable energy and to offer criteria and suggestions for future activities in transferring renewable energy technology.     

ASSESSMENT OF STORMWATER RUNOFF FOR RECYCLE IN COOLING TOWERS AT KSC,FLORIDA1

ABSTRACT: In addition to measuring the quantity of stormwater runoff generated during ten rainfall events from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) area of Kennedy Space Center (KSC), historical rainfall records were also used for determining the feasibility of implementing a program of stormwater recycling to air conditioning cooling towers. It was projected that 0.182 million gallons per day (MGD) of runoff would be generated from the VAR area during a year of average rainfall (48 inches); only 0.117 MGD is required for coolant makeup water in the VAR area. Due to the seasonal variations in rainfall, stormwater recycling may not always meet all the cooling water demands.     

Prenatal diagnosis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection: A preliminary report

Eight patients were referred for prenatal diagnosis for suspected fetal cytomegalovirus infection (CMV): six for documented first-trimester infection and two for abnormal ultrasound evaluation suggestive of fetal infection. Three methods of diagnosis were employed: (1) amniotic fluid viral cultures and CMV-specific IgM in fetal serum; (2) amniotic fluid cultures and detection by polymerase chain reaction amplification of CMV-specific DNA in chorionic villi; and (3) detection of CMV-specific DNA in villus samples only. Amniotic fluid cultures detected all cases of infection, but CMV-specific IgM was not a reliable indicator of infection in any case. DNA analysis correlated well with both culture results and clinical outcome.     

The Nutrient Status of Some Graminaceous Species in Britain. 2. Deschampsia Flexuosa (L.) Trin

Above-ground biomass of Deschampsia flexuosa from 40 sites throughout Britain was analysed for concentrations of elements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and Na), with matching analyses of nutrient levels in the soils, together with pH and LOI. Seasonal variation in the nutrients was also studied in detail at one of the sites. the grass was found on acid sites ranging between pH 3.1 and 4.7. the soil humus content varied widely, and there were significant correlations between that and elements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn and Na) in the soil. Concentrations of zinc and manganese in the plant material were the only elements that significantly correlated with extractable levels in the soils. Tissue concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium declined throughout the growing season, whereas the other elements showed a tendency to build up until the end of September. Calcium, magnesium and manganese concentrations then declined as growth ceased. the results are compared with above-ground concentrations of minerals in other plants and the growth strategy of this perennial grass.