A computer software package for assessing and managing risks posed by experiments with genetically modified fish and shellfish

Assessment and management of risk is needed for sustainable use of genetically modified aquatic organisms (aquatic GMOs). A computer software package for safely conducting research with genetically modified fish and shellfish is described. By answering a series of questions about the organism and the accessible aquatic ecosystem, a researcher or oversight authority can either identify specific risks or conclude that there is a specific reason for safety of the experiment. Risk assessment protocols with examples involving transgenic coho salmon, triploid grass carp and hybrid tilapia are described. In case a specific risk is identified, the user is led to consider risk management measures, involving culture methods, facilities design and operations management, to minimize the risk. Key features of the software are its user-friendly organization; easy access to explanatory text, literature citations and glossary; and automated completion of a worksheet. Documented completion of the Performance Standards can facilitate approval of a well designed experiment by oversight authorities.

O uso do vídeo na educação

Este trabalho objetivou verificar como vem sendo utilizada a videoeducação na educação presencial, buscando elaborar um levantamento dos problemas que podem surgir de sua utilização na educação à distância com mediação da informática E@D. Para isso, partiu-se da verificação de como ela vem sendo abordada na educação presencial e de que forma o cinema, enquanto obra de arte presentificado nos espaços educativos, contribui para a construção do conhecimento; e, em que medida, a videoeducação poderá ser potencializada, na E@D, visando à construção desse conhecimento. Foram considerados os conceitos de linguagem, em Saussure, e a questão sociointerativa, em Vigotsky. Paralelamente, no viés de Iser e Eco, mostrou-se a proficiência do leitor na construção do conhecimento. A investigação das NTICs no universo educacional fundamentadas por Lévy e Morin, e por Nóvoa, apontam em que medida o professor está preparado para esse advento e, se não, como ele incorpora o novo paradigma de aprendizagem, agora permeada pela cultura midiática, levando-nos a concluir que a videoeducação ainda não se constituiu como um recurso estratégico na ocupação dos espaços educativos, nem tampouco, nas interações cotidianas promovidas pelos sujeitos sociais

Ecological computer programs: the importance of being friendly

A discussion is presented on the topic of statistical data analysis in the field of ecology, emphasizing the importance of computer programmes being user friendly for the ecologist. Particular reference is given to TWINSPAN, CANOCO and PATN and the applications of these programmes to tropical fisheries and coastal zone management.

SUNLIGHT: a computer program for calculation of daily solar radiation

This paper presents an algorithm and software (available from ICLARM) for estimating the possible amount of sunlight that may fall on any location of the earth, any day of the year, as might be required for ecological modelling.

A Test of Computer-assisted Matching Using the North Pacific Humpback Whale, Megaptera novaeangliae, Tail Flukes Photograph Collection

Testing was conducted of a computer-assisted system for matching humpback whale tail flukes photographs. Trials with a 12,000-photographs database found no differences in match success between matching by computer and matching by comparing smaller catalogs ranging in size from 200 to 400 photographs. Tests with a 24,000-photographs database showed that, on average, the first match was found after examining about 130 photographs whether the photograph quality was excellent, good, or poor. Match success did not appear to be strongly related to whether the tail flukes had especially distinctive markings or pigment patterns (recognition quality). An advantage of computer-assisted matching is the ability to compare new photographs to the entire North Pacific collection, where no bias is introduced based on expectation of resightings within or between specific areas, or based on expectation of behavioral role (e.g. matching “known” females to “known” females).