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Biologists have raised objections to a new canal in Nicaragua, but in this Essay I argue that dire predictions of environmental catastrophe are exaggerated. I present an alternative view based on my research experience in Panama, where Canal operations foster forest conservation. Currently in Nicaragua, the rate of forest loss is so rapid that the canal cannot make it worse. Rather, I contend, adoption of international standards in canal construction could lead to net environmental and social benefits for the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Guibin Zhang (1,2), David J. Ellis (2), Andrew G. Christy (2), Lifei Zhang (1), Shuguang Song (1) Keywords: Rutile; Thermometry; Eclogite; Western China Abstract: Four Zr-in-rutile thermometry calibrations are applied to eclogites from Western China. Here, we show that if rutile grows in equilibrium with Qtz and Zrn, and is isolated inside garnet, it preserves its Zr composition and does not undergo compositional change due to cation exchange with the host garnet. It thus preserves the composition for the P--T conditions of its formation and the growth zoning of the host garnet. For the HP/UHP metamorphic temperature, the Tomkins et al. (J Metamorph Geol 25:703--713, 2007) calibration yields temperatures that agree well with previous studies, whereas the other three calibrations (Zack et al. in Contrib Mineral Petrol 148:471--488, 2004 Watson et al. in Contrib Mineral Petrol 151:413--433, 2006 Ferry and Watson in Contrib Mineral Petrol in 154:429--437, 2007), which do not include a pressure correction, give systematically lower temperatures. Zr contents of rutile inclusions within garnet show systematic decrease from garnet core to rim. The rutile inclusions in garnet rims contain the lowest Zr content, similar to that in the matrix. Analyses confirm that the pressure plays a significant role in modifying the primary temperature dependence of the Zr content of rutile. Rutiles trapped in garnets are unable to re-equilibrate easily during retrogression, but those in the matrix can do so, providing retrograde P--T path information. Author Affiliation: (1) MOE Key Laboratory of Orogenic Belts and Crustal Evolution, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China (2) Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia Article History: Registration Date: 31/12/2009 Received Date: 24/06/2009 Accepted Date: 30/12/2009 Online Date: 13/01/2010 Article note: Communicated by T. L. Grove. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi: 10.1007/s00410-009-0486-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Byline: John M. Ferry (1), Matthias Gottschalk (2) Keywords: Contact metamorphism; Carbonate rocks; Saline fluids; Fluid immiscibility; Time-integrated fluid flux; Mineral reactions; Oxygen isotope alteration Abstract: Calculated phase equilibria involving minerals and [H.sub.2]O--CO.sub.2--NaCl fluid lead to predictions of how infiltration of rock by [H.sub.2]O--NaCl fluids with X .sub.NaCl in the range 0--0.3 (0--58 wt% NaCl) drives the reactions calcite + quartz = wollastonite + CO.sub.2 and dolomite = periclase + calcite + CO.sub.2. Calculations focus on metamorphism in four aureoles that together are representative of the normal P--T conditions and processes of infiltration-driven contact metamorphic reactions. The effect of salinity on the spatial extent of oxygen isotope alteration was also computed. The time-integrated input fluid flux (qdeg) that displaces the mineral reaction front an increment of distance along the flow path always increases with increasing X .sub.NaCl. For input fluids with salinity up to approximately five times that of seawater (X .sub.NaCl a$? 0.05), values of qdeg required to explain the spatial extent of decarbonation reaction are no more than 1.1--1.5 times that computed assuming the input fluid was pure [H.sub.2]O. For more saline fluids, values of qdeg may be up to 1.4--7.9 times that for pure [H.sub.2]O. Except for reaction in the presence of halite and vapor (V), infiltration of [H.sub.2]O--NaCl fluids expands the region of oxygen isotope alteration relative to the size of the region of mineral reaction. The expansion is significant only for saline fluids with X .sub.NaCl aY= ~0.1. Immiscible fluid phase separation and differential loss of the liquid (L) or V phase from the mineral reaction site increases the amount of reactive fluid required to advance the mineral reaction front compared to conditions under which equilibration of minerals and fluid is attained with no loss of L or V. Decarbonation reactions driven by infiltration of fluids with even modest seawater-like salinity can explain the occurrence of salt-saturated fluid and solid halide inclusions in contact metamorphosed carbonate rocks. Author Affiliation: (1) Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA (2) GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Division 3, Geodynamics and Geomaterials, Telegrafenberg, 14773, Potsdam, Germany Article History: Registration Date: 17/03/2009 Received Date: 20/11/2008 Accepted Date: 16/03/2009 Online Date: 05/04/2009 Article note: Communicated by J. Hoefs.

The world’s second largest maritime disaster occurred on September 26th 2002, the sinking of the Senegal’s state run ferry Le Joola, killing 1863 passengers. In the wake of the sinking, it became clear that the state of Senegal held liability for the ferry’s failure; the government readily admitted its errors and several ministers either stepped down or were removed from their positions. In many ways, this case, at least on the surface, looks like a classic example of a state crime – illegal activities carried out by the state or state agencies. However, despite unequivocal governmental responsibility, we suggest that this was not simply a case of state crime. Rather, a thorough investigation and analysis of the reasons and forces behind the Le Joola sinking suggest that international institutions, primarily the World Bank, bear culpability for the disaster due to the way in which their policies and economic development demands altered Senegal’s social, economic and political structures. In conclusion, we offer a criminological analysis of the catalysts leading to the reinstatement of the state run ferry to the coastal waters and the subsequent actions taken by the State of Senegal and of International Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zhang, S. and Wang, J., 2015. Analysis of South Korea Sewol sunken ferry accident based on behavioral safety. South Korea Sewol ferry accident was analyzed based on behavior-based accident causation '2-4' model. The direct behavioral causes of this tragedy were Captain Lee's absence on the bridge in the dangerous range of sailing and a sudden turn made by Park Han-kyul. The important cause of the accident for further expansion was Captain Lee's false command. He didn't get passengers ready for evacuation in the first time. Another important causes leading to the accident were the overloading of cargo and the lack of ballast water on board. The decisive causes of the accident were the defects about Chonghaejin Marine Company's safety management system and safety culture, such as the lack of training and safety investment. Measures should be taken to provide similar accidents from governments, supervision departments, marine companies and schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the crisis management with reference to Zeebrugge ferry disaster. For a re-constructive analysis of decision making and management dynamics in major emergency situations to be accurate and objective, one essential element is a detailed description and precise assessment of the way each of actors involved have perceived and experience the chain of events. Public authorities should not only pursue an ostrich policy, they must also make realistic risk analyses. The different phases of crisis management should be prevention and preparation; management of the actual emergency situation and migration of the consequence and recovery. Once an analysis, prognosis and taxation of risks have been made, authorities involved must decide what to do with it. Preparations for crisis management can be evaluated by using a general checklist of criteria, based on lessons from the past. The management of crisis is like continuing acrobatics between over and underreaction. There should be a central unit of the crisis management staff which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 52 weeks every year.