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NSIS Volume 44, Part 2

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10222/70979

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  • ItemOpen Access
    By-laws of the Nova Scotian Institute of Science (revised 2008)
    (Nova Scotian Institute of Science, 2008) Nova Scotian Institute of Science
  • ItemOpen Access
    NSIS Presidential Address and Reports from Council Officers, Session 2006-2007
    (Nova Scotian Institute of Science, 2008) Nova Scotian Institute of Science
  • ItemOpen Access
    Turmeric: Not So Spicy After All
    (Nova Scotian Institute of Science, 2008) Harris, Robert G.
    Turmeric, also known as saffron Indian, prepared from the rhizome of Curcuma longa L. has an aromatic pepper-like, but somewhat bitter taste and gives curry dishes their characteristic yellowish colour. Curcumin, a non-toxic constituent of turmeric is responsible for the yellow colour, but importantly also has pharmacological potential. Many trials investigating the efficacy of curcumin against cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, cystic fibrosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among others have been carried out in vitro with encouraging results. These findings point to the antioxidant properties of curcumin as an important factor in its effectiveness. The problem of retention in vivo, however, and thus its bioavailability, is a major negative aspect which requires much further study.
  • ItemOpen Access
    Pseudoscience and the Paranormal: Obligations and Opportunities for Scientists and Science Educators
    (Nova Scotian Institute of Science, 2008) Loxton, Jason
    Despite increasing reliance on science and technology in everyday life, public surveys conducted over the past decade have shown consistently low levels of general science literacy, both factual and conceptual, and correspondingly high levels of belief in pseudoscience and the paranormal. Scientists and science educators have largely failed to effectively counter these beliefs through traditional education and outreach initiatives, suggesting a new approach is in order. In the academic setting, general science instruction shows little effect on pseudoscientific belief, but trial projects show that pedagogical approaches that directly engage these beliefs are both popular with students and effective at increasing skepticism.
  • ItemOpen Access
    The Nova Scotian Institute of Science Student Awards 2007
    (Nova Scotian Institute of Science, 2008)
  • ItemOpen Access
    Risk Estimates: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sydney Harbour Sediments and Lobster
    (Nova Scotian Institute of Science, 2008) King, Thomas L.
    For nearly a century, the effluents from the Sydney Tar Ponds were discharged into Muggah Creek. As this creek opens into the South Arm of Sydney Harbour, this discharge resulted in appreciable levels of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) being deposited in the Harbour sediments. Because surveys showed that lobsters captured in the South Arm of the Harbour contained substantial levels of benzo[a]pyrene, a known carcinogen, the lobster fishery in the South Arm of the Harbour was closed in 1982. Prior to the closure, the cancer lifetime risk for those eating lobsters from this area was approximately 3 times greater than the provincial acceptable level. Following the closure, the lifetime cancer risk declined to levels considered to be acceptable. Computed non-cancer hazards were deemed acceptable prior to the closure and decreased following it. A more extensive risk assessment will evaluate the site further and provide valuable information on fisheries decisions for this area.
  • ItemOpen Access
    Heavy Metal Distributions in the Waters of Sydney Harbour, Nova Scotia
    (Nova Scotian Institute of Science, 2008) Yeats, P.A.; Dalziel, J.A.
    Four surveys of total Hg and dissolved Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations in Sydney Harbour waters were conducted between 1999 and 2001. Suspended particulate matter samples were analysed for Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and 22 other metals. The measurements were made to establish environmental context for toxicological studies, provide ground-truthing data for water quality modelling, and investigate estuarine geochemistry of heavy metals in a harbour subject to significant anthropogenic input. Despite the long history of metal contamination in Sydney Harbour, metal concentrations are almost all below water quality guidelines for estuarine or marine waters. The distributions of total Hg and dissolved Cu, Fe and Mn show that freshwater inputs are important contributors of these metals to the harbour. For Cu, Fe and Mn, additional inputs to the central part of South Arm are evident from the metal vs. salinity relationships. Particulate Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ag and Zn distributions also show evidence of inputs in the central part of the harbour. Sewage appears to be the major, but not sole, source for these metals.
  • ItemOpen Access
    Sources and Distribution of Metal Contamination in Surficial Sediments of Sydney Harbour, Nova Scotia
    (Nova Scotian Institute of Science, 2008) Loring, D.H.; Yeats, P.A.; Milligan, T.G.
    Geochemical studies in Sydney Harbour indicate that its sediments are contaminated to varying degrees with ’pollution’ metals such as As, Cd, Hg and Pb. Results based on the analyses of 119 surface sediment samples show that above background concentrations of Ag, As, Bi, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mo, P, Pb, Sb, and Zn occur in the sandy muds and muds adjacent to the urban and industrial development on the east side of the South Arm and the Sydney River estuary. The distributions of these metals are more strongly controlled by the individual anthropogenic sources of the metals than by the natural depositional patterns. Flocculation and deposition of anthropogenic material in the immediate vicinity of the sources is of greater importance than the more general dispersal, flocculation and settling of fine grained material in the harbour. Organic matter, which is a significant component of many of these inputs, plays an important role in the sequestering and settling of the metals close to the sources. The distributions of Al, Ba, Co, Cr, Fe, Li, Ni, Sr, Ti and V, on the other hand, are controlled by the dispersal, flocculation, settling and resuspension of fine grained aluminosilicate-bearing sediments in response to natural depositional conditions.
  • ItemOpen Access
    Assessment of Environmental Conditions in Sydney Harbour, Nova Scotia: General Introduction
    (Nova Scotian Institute of Science, 2008) Yeats, P.A.
  • ItemOpen Access
    Squalene in Nova Scotian Deep-Sea Sharks and in the Pacific Eulachon
    (Nova Scotian Institute of Science, 2008) Ackman, R.G.; Timmins, A.
    The occurrence of the hydrocarbon, squalene, in diverse marine organisms is not uncommon, but quantities of commercial interest are generally limited to the livers of a few members of the shark family. Nova Scotia shallow-water dogfish lack this component in their liver oil. An opportunity to compare several liver oils from deepwater exploratory catches, however, yielded diverse results, confirming its presence in deeper water species. A Pacific eulachon fish body oil rich in squalene was analysed also and the results were compared with the oils from deep sea sharks.
  • ItemOpen Access
    Are Industrialized Fisheries Sustainable?
    (Nova Scotian Institute of Science, 2008) Longhurst, Alan
    Fish stock assessment and management is currently based on the concept of sustainable surplus production. This essay argues that this concept is fallacious and that the assessment/management models which assume its existence are overly simplistic. The analysis explores some of the other issues which should be considered in any stock management regime: these include the dynamic responses of marine ecosystems to physical forcing, the real significance of the extraordinary fecundity of teleosts, the indeterminate growth pattern of fish and its consequences for the reproductive efficiency of older individuals, so that truncation of the older year classes, an apparently inevitable consequence of fishing, will hasten stock collapses. The long-term future of modern fisheries is not bright.
  • ItemOpen Access
    New Distribution Records for Flowering Plants in Antigonish County, Nova Scotia
    (Nova Scotian Institute of Science, 2008) Taylor, Barry R.; Ferrier, Jonathan; Lauff, Randolph; Garbary, David J.
    Distributions of over 50 species of flowering plants from Antigonish County, Nova Scotia are presented based on collections made primarily over the last ten years. Some of these are new county records representing range extensions from the western and central parts of the province. Many are new records for the eastern mainland and north shores of the province. Rare species discussed are Asclepias incarnata, Comandra umbellata and Triosteum aurantiacum. Several species, including Asparagus officinalis, Centaurea cyanus, Lathyrus latifolius, Lysimachia nummularia, and Origanum vulgare, likely represent recent or older garden escapes. Sedum ochroleucum is reported outside of cultivation for the first time from Nova Scotia, based on a single population that has been established for at least two years.