Legislative document.

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Legislative and regulatory measures for preventing alcohol-related drownings and near-drownings

Objective: Alcohol contributes to about 30% of drowning fatalities associated with recreational aquatic activity and to 35% of drownings associated with boating. We consider regulatory and legislative strategies for preventing such deaths. Methods: We contacted water police in each Australian State and Territory to identify legislation creating alcohol-related offences for operators of recreational boats in their jurisdiction and to determine whether they conducted random breath testing (RBT). We also sought information from all 152 (81 urban and 71 rural) local government councils in NSW regarding restrictions on consumption of alcohol in public places within their shires. Results: Four Australian States (New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia) have legislation prescribing maximum blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) for operators of recreational boats; all support this with RBT Western Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory define more general offences for operating vessels while under the influence, of alcohol. Prohibitions or restrictions on consumption of alcohol in public places exist in 78 of the 86 shires in NSW that responded: 69 councils had alcohol-free zones, 53 restricted consumption of alcohol in public parks and reserves, and 33 had prohibitions or restrictions in some aquatic environments. Conclusions/implications: Legislation restricting BACs for recreational boat operators should be adopted in all Australian States and Territories. Optimal legislation would require that all occupants of recreational boats are required to comply with prescribed BAC levels, including when vessels are at anchor. Extension of by-laws prohibiting or restricting the consumption of alcohol specifically in aquatic environments warrants consideration.

The effect of organic mulch amendments on the physical and chemical properties and revegetation success of a saline-sodic minespoil from central Queensland, Australia

Saline-sodic clay minespoil materials excavated during open-cut coal mining in central Queensland, Australia, pose significant challenges for revegetation, particularly where suitable topsoil capping is not available. We examined the ability of sawdust or straw mulch amendments to ameliorate the adverse properties of these minespoils and improve the success of revegetation efforts. In laboratory studies, mulch application improved infiltration, increased soil moisture retention and reduced surface crust strength. In the field, mulches incorporated to a depth of 0.15 m at application rates of at least 20 t/ha straw or 80 t/ha sawdust were needed to mitigate against capillary rise of salts during drying cycles and support satisfactory vegetation cover. Further research is needed to determine whether improvements are maintained beyond the 4-year trial period reported here.

CULTURA POLÍTICA BRASILEIRA, PRÁTICAS PENTECOSTAIS E NEOPENTECOSTAIS: A presença da Assembléia de Deus e da Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus no Congresso Nacional (1999-2006)

Esta tese apresenta uma análise das práticas políticas de parlamentares pentecostais e neopentecostais da Assembléia de Deus e Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus no Congresso da República do Brasil, de 1999 a 2006. Compara essas práticas pentecostais e neopentecostais com padrões de comportamento da cultura política brasileira e as ações correspondentes do Estado nacional como preservador dessa mesma cultura. São estudados os agentes religiosos citados desde a investida que suas igrejas fizeram na política nacional, a partir da Constituinte de 1987-1988, mas o corte temporal são as duas legislaturas, de 1999 até 2006. O foco principal da análise é a Frente Parlamentar Evangélica constituída em 2003. O envolvimento de pentecostais e neopentecostais em casos de corrupção e apropriação de recursos públicos, conhecidos como mensalão e máfia dos sanguessugas , é amplamente abordado no último capítulo deste trabalho.(AU)