Allocating scarce resources for endangered species recovery

This article examines the relationship between fiscal year 1990 Fish and Wildlife Service spending on endangered species recovery and the priority ranking assigned by the Fish and Wildlife Service to particular species. The focus of the analysis is on the extent to which resources were allocated to species assigned higher priority rankings. The major conclusions are: species' recovery priority rank is not related to funding decisions by the Fish and Wildlife Service; some of the individual factors that make up the overall priority ranking—recovery potential and conflict with development—are correlated to funding decisions; and the likelihood of receiving some Fish and Wildlife Service recovery funding was greater for mammals, birds, and fish.     

Participatory methodologies and the product development process: the experience of Mixtec craftswomen in Mexico

This paper presents a product development methodology for use with indigenous rural workers. It is based on the revival of cultural and social values, with a focus on the conservation of natural resources. Illustrated by the case of Mixtec craftswomen in Mexico, this paper shows how poor groups can improve their living conditions through innovation and the diversification of their products. The process combines techniques of product development based on marketing, with a participatory focus and continuous improvement, in order to develop a unique and high‐quality product that can be more successfully marketed. The craftswomen are now able to plan their production and can evaluate and commercialise their products.     

Evaluation of the modified zinc test and the acid phosphatase test as preliminary screening methods in sexual assault case material.

The modified zinc test and a commercially available acid phosphatase test were compared as to their screening parameters according to the microscopical finding of spermatozoa in cases of alleged sexual assault. The study involved 65 pieces of evidence material. It was found that the modified zinc test has a higher sensitivity and higher predictive values than the acid phosphatase test. However, when both tests are combined in parallel, the sensitivity and the negative predictive value could be raised to 99%. This finding suggests that a negative result obtained from the parallel combination of the modified zinc test and the acid phosphatase test predicts very well that no spermatozoa will be found at microscopical examination. Since the latter technique is the only one to give absolute proof of the seminal origin of stains or traces, the parallel combination of the zinc test and the acid phosphatase test might be useful in sorting out these cases or materials that deserve further investigation by more elaborate techniques.     

Principles and juridical limits to human embryo research]

This work intends to provide a wide scope of the legal situation in Brazil referred to Human Embryos and how it has been developed through the 20th century. Across the last century, the human being got the possibility of making genetic experiments with human embryos. Our main goal is to assume the future responsibility of these actions through a juridical and ethical point of view.     

In vitro changes in human spermatozoa exposed to gastric juice: laboratory findings as a support for forensic practice

Samples of complete human semen were incubated in gastric juice for different time periods at 37 degrees C, and by simulating the post-mortem temperature decrease of the human body. The changes in the spermatozoa were similar in both experiments. Short incubation specimens were examined directly with interference contrast microscopy and showed an almost immediate immobilization of spermatozoa when they were brought in contact with gastric juice. Specimens with longer incubation periods were stained with alcalic fuchsine and examined by immersion microscopy. There was a morphologically stable plateau for the heads of the spermatozoa for up to 6 h of incubation. The tails disappeared progressively in the first 45 min. After more than 6 h of incubation a progressive swelling and lysis of the heads was observed. Spermatozoa could be recognized for up to 7 days of incubation.