Fusulinoideans from the early Midian (late Middle Permian) Metadoliolina dutkevitchi-Monodiexodina sutchanica Zone of the Senkina Shapka section, South Primorye, Far East Russia.

Fusulinoideans from the Metadoliolina dutkevitchi-Monodiexodina sutchanica Zone of the lower part of the Chandalaz Formation in the Senkina Shapka section in South Primorye, Far East Russia, are described. The fusulinoidean zone is assigned to the early Midian (=Capitanian: late Middle Permian) based mainly on the morphologie and biostratigraphic characteristics of Metadoliolina dutkevitchi. Previously, a Midian age has been established for the Metadoliolina dutkevitchi-Monodiexodina sutchanica Zone by the coexistence of Lepidolina species. However, the occurrence of Lepidolina with the two zonal species in this area has not been verified by the illustration of Lepidolina specimens. We examined a fusulinoidean-bearing sample from the Metadoliolina dutkevitchi-Monodiexodina sutchanica Zone, and three fusulinoidean species, Monodiexodina sutchanica, Pseudofusulina sp. and Metadoliolina dutkevitchi, are de-scribed and illustrated.

Global review of permian Tyloplecta muir-wood and cooper, 1960 (Brachiopoda): morphology, palaeobiogeographical and palaeogeographical implications

A global review of the stratigraphical and geographical distribution of Tyloplecta reveals that the genus ranges in age from Kungurian to Changhsingian (Middle to Late Permian). Tyloplecta first evolved in South China in the Kungurian (late Early Permian). The genus went through its first diversification in the Guadalupian, suffered a major extinction at the end of the Guadalupian, and re-diversified in the Wuchiapingian. T. yangtzeensis persisted into the Changhsingian as the only survivor of the genus involved in the end-Permian mass extinction. Palaeogeographically, South China is not only the centre of origin for the genus but also an area of diversification and evolution. In addition to South China, Tyloplecta has also been recorded from the Far East Russia, Japan, central Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Qiangtang Terrane of Tibet, Salt Range, Iran, Armenia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and Slovenia. This geographic spread suggests that Tyloplecta was primarily restricted to the Palaeotethys and is indicative of warm-water palaeoequatorial conditions. Its presence in some of the northeast Asian terranes (e.g., parts of Japan and Far East Russia) and in the Salt Range (Pakistan) and central and north Iran (part of the Cimmerian microcontinents) demonstrate that the genus invaded the middle palaeolatitudinal regions in both hemispheres during the late Middle Permian in response to increased shallow marine biotic communications between Cathaysia in the eastern Palaeotethys and southern Angaraland, and between Cathaysia and Peri-Gondwanaland. The invasion of Tyloplecta (and some other taxa) into the southern shore waters of Angaraland may be explained by assuming ocean surface current connections and close palaeogeographical proximities between the South China, Sino-Korea and Bureya blocks. In comparison, the invasion of Tyloplecta into the Peri-Gondwanaland region is more likely a result of reduced palaeogeographical distance between South China and Peri-Gondwanaland and the appearance of the Cimmerian microcontinents as migratory stepping stones.

An overview of Permian marine stratigraphy and biostratigraphy of Mongolia

This paper summarizes the spatial distribution, stratigraphical divisions and biostratigraphical zonation schemes of Permian marine deposits in Mongolia. Where appropriate, correlations of the various Permian marine biostratigraphical units with those of adjacent regions are also reviewed and discussed. In general, Permian marine sequences are developed in two separate basins: one in central and northeastern Mongolia where the Permian stratigraphy and marine faunas bear strong similarities with those of the Transbaikal, Verkhoyansk and Kolyma–Omolon regions of southern and eastern Russia; and the other in southeastern Mongolia where the Permian marine faunas and rock sequences are closest to those of northeast China and southern Primorye of Far East Russia.

Business ethics : practical proposals

While most people agree that the inculcation of ethical awareness is desirable, the means of stimulating this awareness vary among companies, industries and cultures. The fundamental question surrounding the difference between social responsibility and ethics is addressed. Guidelines for establishing ethical priorities from both the individual, group and organisational perspectives are provided.

Rhynchopora and blasispirifer (brachiopoda) from the middle permian of the Hida Gaien belt, Central Japan, and their paleobiogeographical significance

Two Permian brachiopod genera, Rhynchopora King and Blasispirifer Kulikov, are reported for the first time from the Middle Permian, lower part of the Moribu Formation in the Hida Gaien Belt, central Japan. The Moribu species are closely compared with similar forms from the Middle Permian Barabash Formation (lower Chandalaz Series) in the Barabash area of South Primorye, Russian Far East. The discovery of these two genera, which exhibit close relationships with Middle Permian brachiopod faunas of South Primorye and the broad Boreal Realm, implies that tha Hida Gaien Belt was paleobiogeographically and paleogeographically close to the western part (Voznesenka Belt) of South Primorye, both situated in a middle latitudinal setting in the Northern Hemisphere on the southeastern side of the Bureya Block and lay proximal to and slightly northeast of the Sino-Korea Block during the Permian.

Using domestic law in the fight against obesity : an introductory guide for the Pacific

Contents: Acknowledgements -- What is the purpose of this introductory guide? -- Why use domestic laws in the fight against obesity? -- What must be considered when using domestic laws in the fight against obesity? -- The Agreement on Agriculture -- The SPS Agreement -- The TBT Agreement -- Which approach is best used in the fight against obesity? -- Pricing controls -- Restrictions on supply -- Labelling requirement -- How might a regulatory approach be justified? -- Where to from here? -- Conclusion -- References

Closing the gap? Building surveyors in Oceania

Purpose – The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has implemented a policy to expand its influence around the world. Quantity or construction surveyors had an established presence and history of working overseas, offering their services particularly in the Middle- and Far-East. Property surveyors found the transition to working in European Union (EU) countries relatively straightforward and numerous UK property consultancies have European, Asian, North American and Oceanic offices. Furthermore UK-based firms establishing partnerships with overseas real estate firms expanded significantly over the past decade. Building surveying (BS) is a different case. Small numbers work in commonwealth countries but it is limited and in many countries professional and academic qualifications are not recognised. This paper aims to consider the extent of the barriers and opportunities facing RICS chartered building surveyors (CBS) in Oceania (taken as Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji) and whether the gap is closing.
Design/methodology/approach – A desktop study reviewed the political, economic and sociological issues that affect the employment opportunities and professional services CBS offer throughout the world. Six opportunities and ten barriers were put to the RICS Oceania Building Surveying Faculty to ascertain their perceptions of these barriers and opportunities. No previous study had identified barriers and opportunities in Oceania for the BS and this research adopted a census survey of RICS practitioners currently employed in the region and the results form the most comprehensive picture of the current position.
Findings – Many respondents felt that stronger links and/or mergers with the different Oceania professional property and surveying bodies would open a large field of opportunities to the CBS. Some provided comments on future business opportunities, for example “leaky buildings,”"dilapidations/‘ make good’ work”, and seemed to be in general agreement that, as businesses came to know the benefits of protecting themselves from rogue tenants (and landlords) by using the services of a CBS, then opportunities would continue to rise. The principal barrier is communicating those skills and the value they add.
Research limitations/implications – The limitations that affected this research were time constraints and communicating with surveyors in Oceania, to whom the authors were not permitted direct access. The research methodology methods were, with hindsight, not ideal for the type and range of data that the researchers sought.
Originality/value – The research will be of use to building surveyors and providers of building-surveying education in Oceania.

The emergence of the global workplace : opportunities and barriers for building surveyors in Oceania

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) the professional body representing surveyors in the UK, has implemented a policy to globalise in order to meet the challenges and opportunities the global marketplace was creating for its members as well as protecting and serving its interests (RICS, 1999). Quantity surveyors had a presence and history of employment outside the UK, particularly in the Middle and Far East. Real estate surveyors found the transition to working in European Union (EU) countries relatively straightforward and numerous UK real estate organisations have European, Asian, North American and Oceanic offices. Additionally UK based firms establishing partnerships with overseas real estate firms expanded significantly over the previous decade. Building Surveying is different. Small numbers worked in commonwealth countries but in most countries their professional and academic qualifications were not recognised. With the changes implemented by the RICS, this paper examines the barriers and opportunities facing RICS Chartered Building Surveyors (CBS) in Oceania (taken as Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji).

A desk top study reviewed the political, economic and sociological variables affecting employment opportunities and professional services which were put to the RICS Oceania Building Surveying Faculty. No previous study had been undertaken to identify the specific barriers and opportunities in Oceania for the BS and this research adopted a census survey of RICS practitioners currently employed in the region and the results form the most comprehensive picture of the current position. The findings are that some of the opportunities and barriers will change in significance over time. The main barriers to growth were perceived as lack of support from a Euro focussed RICS and the difficulties associated with being perceived as outsiders. Opportunities were perceived as emerging in new areas of professional services such as sustainability and energy efficiency.

Re-thinking Middle Eastern democracy : lessons from ancient Mesopotamia

The issue of Middle Eastern democracy has long inspired lively academic debate and research from across the ideological and political spectrum. Despite their differences, much of this work measures the successes and failures of Middle Eastern democracy against the Western model, with its antecedents in the political machinations found in Athens during the 5th century B.C. However, there is growing evidence to suggest that the history of democracy began on the other side of the Occidental/Oriental line and can be traced as far back as the early Mesopotamian myths of Enuma Elish, through to the grand empires of the Babylonians, Assyrians, Egyptians and Phoenicians. In the interest of fostering a liberal, democratic and egalitarian Middle East, this paper concludes by suggesting that one strategy for re-thinking the Middle East’s democratisation is to engage the powerful discourses of the Middle East’s ancient, and democratic, past.

Wallace lines in eastern Gondwana : palaeobiogeography of Australasian permian brachipoda

The present Australian continent was a major component of the north eastern peninsula of Gondwana, itself the southern region of Pangaea, during the Permian period. Surrounding what is now Australia, were additional elements of north eastern Gondwana that are now incorporated into the tectonically complex regions of New Zealand, New Caledonia, the island of New Guinea, Timor, south east Asia, the Himalaya and southern Tibet. India was to the west and south west and Antarctica to the south. Marine water temperatures ranged from cold to temperate and tropical as Permian global climates ameliorated, global surface ocean circulation systems warmed, and due to rifting and northward drifting of some terranes.

Provincialism of global marine faunas was pronounced during the Permian and hence refined biostratigraphical correlations are often fraught with difficulty. The 'middle' Permian stratotypes approved by the International Subcommission on the Permian System have little direct relevance to correlations within the Gondwanan Region at the level of operational biostratigraphical zonal schemes. Brachiopoda are a dominant marine benthonic faunal element of Permian Gondwanan faunas and they provide refined correlations between marine basins within a specific faunal province. Modem faunal provinces are recognised by the distribution patterns of species and genera belonging to a single family or superfamily such as the Papilionoidea within the Insecta. This review provides an example from Permian Brachiopoda, using the distribution data of genera and subgenera of the superfamily Ingelarelloidea, in order to demonstrate the ability to define provinces and their 'Wallace lines' of demarcation between provinces in the geological past.

Middle eastern refugees in fortress Australia