Hydrocarbon gar in sediments of the Costa Rica ubduction zone

At the active continental margin off Costa Rica substantial amounts of hydrocarbon gases are encountered in sediments. The molecular composition (C1-C3) of free hydrocarbon gas as well as the isotopic composition (d13C of methane and ethane and D of methane) was analysed on core samples (ranging between 50 and 380 m depth) collected at sites 1040-1043 which was drilled during ODP Leg 170. In addition, the molecular composition of the C1-C3 hydrocarbons and the d13C composition of C1 and C2 hydrocarbons was determined on adsorbed gas from selected depth intervals at Site 1041 (50-380 mbsf). The molecular composition, and stable carbon and hydrogen isotope signature of low molecular weight hydrocarbons from core sediments and gas pockets indicate that most of the gas was generated by microbial CO2-reduction. Beside d13C values of about -80 per mil for methane (which is typical for microbially- generated methane) extremely light d13C values of -55 per mil were measured for ethane. The carbon isotope composition of methane and ethane, as well as the C1/(C2+C3) ratio display distinct trends with increasing depth. Gas mixing calculations indicate that the percentage of thermally-generated ethane increases from 10% at about 75 mbsf to almost 80% at 380 mbsf. The fraction of thermogenic methane in this depth interval is calculated to range from 0.03 to 1.8% of the total methane. The small contribution of thermogenic methane would increase the d13C value by <1 per mil. Therefore, the increase of d13C of methane (by about 12 per mil) with depth cannot be explained by gas mixing alone. Instead, the observed d13C trend is caused by successive isotope depletion of the methane precursor within the sedimentary organic matter due to progressing microbial gas generation.

Planktonic foraminifera abundance in sediments of ODP Leg 170 sites

From October to December in 1996, Sites 1039 through 1043 were drilled on the lower continental slope and the bottom of the Middle American Trench. Planktonic foraminifers were obtained from 377 samples of the total 487 examined. The Pliocene- to Pleistocene-age sediments of Sites 1039 and 1043 are continuous from Zones N19 through N23. At Sites 1039 and 1040, middle Miocene sediments are also continuous, encompassing Zones N8 through N12. The sequences of the upper part of Sites 1040, 1041, 1042, and 1043 are décollements, tentatively assignable to Zone N19 for Sites 1040, 1041, and 1042 and to Zone N22 for Site 1043. The oldest sediments of these sites are assigned to Zone N7 (latest early Miocene), ~17 Ma in age.

Calcareous nannofossil abundance and datums of sediments from ODP Leg 170 sites

Three Pleistocene, five Pliocene, and thirteen late and middle Miocene calcareous nannofossil datums have been identified in the Leg 170 cored sequences collected from a transect across the Middle America Trench off the Nicoya Peninsula. Although some nannofossil zones could not be delineated, particularly in the Pliocene and upper Miocene, there appears to be a complete or very nearly complete Pleistocene through lower Miocene section at Sites 1039 and 1040. The oldest assemblages, observed at Site 1039 and 1040, are latest early Miocene in age (nannofossil Zone NN4). These assemblages are associated with gabbro intrusions into the basal sediments (one contact metamorphic hornfels sample contains relict nannofossils), indicating an age for the intrusion event of between 15.6 and 18.2 Ma at both Sites 1039 and 1040. Reference Site 1039, located on the Cocos plate, provides the best-preserved sequence of sediments of late Pleistocene to latest early Miocene age. The sediments cored in the prism sections at Sites 1040, 1041, 1042, and 1043 all indicate that the age of nannofossil assemblages in the prism sediments, including the toe, wedge, and apron, are all Pleistocene with a considerable amount of upper Miocene reworking. A period of low sediment accumulation rates (~5.3 m/m.y.) is recorded for Pliocene and upper Miocene sediments at Sites 1039, 1040, and 1043. Pliocene calcareous nannofossil assemblages characteristic of the ~2.5- to 3.75-m.y. time interval (nannofossil Zones NN16 and equivalent nannofossil Subzones CN12b and CN12a) were not resolved at any site. Nannofossil Zones NN15, NN14, NN13, and NN12 (early late Pliocene to early Pliocene) could not be resolved at any site either because of the absence of marker species. Within the Miocene at Sites 1039 and 1040, nannofossil Zones NN10-NN6 were difficult to differentiate because of the absence of several species that define the zonal boundaries. These intervals, where the nannofossil zones have not been resolved or are partially resolved, are primarily composed of carbonate ooze deposited during an ~8.5-m.y. (2.5-11 Ma) low sediment accumulation rate time interval. The absence of many of the marker species is attributed to warmer water conditions during those periods. Many of the same marker species are absent in the sediments recovered from nearby Deep Sea Drilling Project Site 155 in the Panama Basin.

A discussion of Fashion Victims: Various responses to the report by War on Want, Critical Perspectives on International Business, Vol. 3 Iss: 2, pp.170 - 185

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a selection of responses to the report Fashion Victims, published by War on Want in December 2006. It offers a range of viewpoints presented by members of the Editorial Advisory Board of CPOIB. These are presented in chronological order of submission. There is some cross-reference by contributors to the work of others, but no attempt is made to present a unified argument. Design/methodology/approach – Presents the full contributions of involved participants, without mediation or editorial change. Findings – A number of different perspectives are presented on the central issue that is summarised by the opening heading in War on Want’s report – “How cheap is too cheap?” It is seen that the answer to this question is very much dependent upon the standpoint of the respondent. Originality/value – In presenting this form of commentary, members of the CPOIB Editorial Board seek to stimulate debate about an issue of concern to contemporary society, without resort to the time delay and mediating processes of peer-review normally attached to academic writing. It is hoped that this discussion will provoke further contributions and a widening of the debate. Keywords Corporate social responsibility, Multinational companies, Conditions of employment, Trade unions

DNA cleavage in red light promoted by copper(II) complexes of -amino acids and photoactive phenanthroline bases

Ternary copper(II) complexes [Cu(L-trp)(B)(H2O)](NO3) ( 1–3) and [Cu(L-phe)(B)(H2O)](NO3) ( 4–6) of L-tryptophan (L-trp) and L-phenylalanine (L-phe) having phenanthroline bases (B), viz. 1,10-phenanthroline (phen, 1 and 4), dipyrido[3,2-d:2,3-f]quinoxaline (dpq, 2 and 5) and dipyrido[3,2-a:2,3-c]phenazine (dppz, 3 and 6), were prepared and characterized by physico-chemical techniques. Complexes 3 and 6 were structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography and show the presence of a square pyramidal (4 + 1) CuN3O2 coordination geometry in which the N,O-donor amino acid (L-trp or L-phe) and N,N-donor phenanthroline base bind at the equatorial plane with an aqua ligand coordinated at the elongated axial site. Complex 3 shows significant distortion from the square pyramidal geometry and a strong intramolecular – stacking interaction between the pendant indole ring of L-trp and the planar dppz aromatic moiety. All the complexes display good binding propensity to the calf thymus DNA giving an order: 3, 6 (dppz) > 2, 5 (dpq) > 1, 4 (phen). The binding constant (Kb) values are in the range of 2.1 × 104–1.1 × 106 mol-1 with the binding site size (s) values of 0.17–0.63. The phen and dpq complexes are minor groove binders while the dppz analogues bind at the DNA major groove. Theoretical DNA docking studies on 2 and 3 show the close proximity of two photosensitizers, viz. the indole moiety of L-trp and the quinoxaline/phenazine of the dpq/dppz bases, to the complementary DNA strands. Complexes 2 and 3 show oxidative DNA double strand breaks (dsb) of supercoiled (SC) DNA forming a significant quantity of linear DNA along with the nicked circular (NC) form on photoexposure to UV-A light of 365 nm and red light of 647.1 nm (Ar–Kr laser). Complexes 1, 5 and 6 show only single strand breaks (ssb) forming NC DNA. The red light induced DNA cleavage involves metal-assisted photosensitization of L-trp and dpq/dppz base resulting in the formation of a reactive singlet oxygen (1O2) species.

Sapientia, 1988, Vol. XLIII, nº 170 (número completo)

Contenido: La realidad del concepto de la trascendentalidad y pridcamentalidad (Cont.) / Octavio Nicolás Derisi – El entender como posesión : la función gnoseológica del verbo mental (Cont.) / J. L. González Alió -- ¿El alma humana “entre intelectual en potencia”, según Tomás de Aquino? / Ricardo Marimón Batlló – Notas y comentarios -- Bibliografía

Diário da Constituinte [gravação de vídeo] : [programa n. 170 A]

Sessão extraordinária da Assembleia Nacional Constituinte (ANC) discutirá a Reforma Agrária, um debate que promete colocar, lado a lado nas galerias, representantes da UDR (União Democrática Ruralista) e dos trabalhadores rurais. O Deputado Gonzaga Patriota (PMDB-PE) explica o posicionamento do PMDB sobre a Reforma Agrária. O Deputado Victor Fontana (PFL-SC) informa ser necessário ter, ao lado das desapropriações de terras improdutivas, uma política agrícola. O Deputado Mário Assad (PFL-MG) considera que há necessidade de se fazer uma reforma agrária sem paixão, que atenda as contingências dos produtores rurais. Imagens de pessoas assinando a emenda popular da Reforma Agrária. José Francisco, Presidente da Confederação Nacional dos Trabalhadores Agrícolas (CONTAG), estima que são mais de quatrocentas mil assinaturas colhidas. Francisco Whitaker, Presidente do Grupo Pró-Participação Popular, declara que se o povo não conseguir tudo o que quer agora, que tenha oportunidade de propor melhorias mais tarde. O Deputado Brandão Monteiro (PDT-RJ) defende plebiscitos para que o povo se manifeste sobre o sistema de governo e sobre o mandato do Presidente Sarney. O Deputado Virgílio Guimarães (PT-MG) propõe plebiscitos para aprovar ou rejeitar o texto final da Constituição e para determinados temas mais importantes. O Deputado José Lourenço (PFL-BA) declara que o mandato que recebeu do povo baiano lhe transfere autoridade para redigir a Constituição e, portanto, é contra plebiscitos. O Deputado Haroldo Lima (PC do B-BA) afirma que é justa a consulta pública. O Deputado Bernardo Cabral (PMDB-AM) questiona que, se a Constituição não for aprovada no plebiscito, então haveria a necessidade de criar outra Constituinte.

Diário da Constituinte [gravação de vídeo] : [programa n. 170]

Donas de casa fazem ato público no Congresso, ao entregar proposta de emenda popular estabelecendo concessão de aposentadoria às mulheres que trabalham no lar. Lúcia Pacífico, representante do Movimento das Donas de Casa de Minas Gerais, declara que a proposta de aposentadoria corrige injustiça social. O Plenário Pró-Participação Popular na Constituinte apresentou 350.000 assinaturas pedindo instrumentos que garantam a participação do povo na elaboração das leis. A Deputada Moema São Thiago (PDT-CE) considera que o que está em jogo é o avanço ou o retrocesso da democracia. O Deputado Geraldo Alckmin (PMDB-SP) informa que a emenda popular é muito forte, ela traz a legitimidade daquilo que o povo deseja e torna mais fidedigna a Constituinte em relação aos anseios da sociedade. Em discurso, O Deputado Ulysses Guimarães (PMDB-SP) prometeu empenho para que as emendas populares se transformem em leis. Em mesa redonda, coordenada pelo Primeiro Secretário da Assembleia Nacional Constituinte (ANC), Deputado Marcelo Cordeiro (PMDB-BA), constituintes analisam a questão econômica. Sessão extraordinária da ANC discutiu ontem: redivisão territorial, fortalecimento dos estados e municípios e a reforma tributária. O Deputado Gastone Righi (PTB-SP) almeja que o país seja dividido administrativamente em União e municípios, com o fim dos governos estaduais na Constituição. O Deputado Siqueira Campos (PDC-GO) defende a divisão do Estado de Goiás para que seja criado o Estado de Tocantins e defende a realização de um plebiscito para definir a questão.

On the nutrition of Polyphemus pediculus (L.). [Translation from: Trudy Instituta Biologii Vnutrennykh Vodnany 12(15) 170-174, 1966.]

Many sides of the biology of Polyphemus pediculus are adequately studied at the present time. Most complicated is the question of its feeding. Dissection does not give an idea of the composition of the food, since Polyphemus strongly grinds its food with its mandibles. For clarification of the composition of the food of Polyphemus pediculus, the authors carried out in July and August 1962 a series of experiments with the application of radio-carbon methods in order to judge the degree of utilization of one or other foods by the quantity of C14, accumulated in the body of the crustacean after feeding. Particular attention in these experiments was given to the question of the possibility of the utilization by polyphemus of plant food - bacteria, algae and detritus.

On the population dynamics of Eudiaptomus gracilis Sars and Heterocope borealis Fischer in the Bodensee-Obersee. Part B. Eudiaptomus gracilis Sars. [Translation from: Trudy Instituta Biologii Vnutrennykh Vodnany 12(15) 170-174, 1966.]

Experimental research was conducted to study the development of eggs of Eudiaptomus gracilis Sars. The egg production was studied as well as the population dynamics. Factors like losses in the lake and through the effluent Rhine at Konstanz were considered.