No abstract

No abstract

This report is an overview of the current state of the science relative to environmental endocrine disruption in humans, laboratory testing, and wildlife species. Background information is presented on the field of endocrinology, the nature of hormones, and potential sites for endocrine disruption, with specific examples of chemicals affecting these sites. An attempt is made to present objectively the issue of endocrine disruption, consider working hypotheses, offer opposing viewpoints, analyze the available information, and provide a reasonable assessment of the problem. Emphasis is placed on disruption of central nervous system--pituitary integration of hormonal and sexual behavioral activity, female and male reproductive system development and function, and thyroid function. In addition, the potential role of environmental endocrine disruption in the induction of breast, testicular, and prostate cancers, as well as endometriosis, is evaluated. The interrelationship of the endocrine and immune system is documented. With respect to endocrine-related ecological effects, specific case examples from the peer-reviewed literature of marine invertebrates and representatives of the five classes of vertebrates are presented and discussed. The report identifies some data gaps in our understanding of the environmental endocrine disruption issue and recommends a few research needs. Finally, the report states the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Science Policy Council's interim position on endocrine disruption and lists some of the ongoing activities to deal with this matter.

A Michelson-type spectral interferometer that uses a common beam path for the reference and the sample arms is described. This optical arrangement is more compact and stable than the more commonly used dual-arm interferometer and is well suited for frequency-domain optical coherence tomography of biological samples. With a 16-bit CCD camera, the instrument has sufficient dynamic range and resolution for imaging to depths of 2 mm in scattering biological materials. Images obtained with this spectral interferometer are presented, including cross-sectional images in a Xenopus laevis tadpole.

Ecological risk assessments evaluate the likelihood of adverse ecological effects caused by stressors related to human activities such as draining of wetlands or release of chemicals. The term stressor is used to describe any chemical, physical, or biological entity that can induce adverse effects on ecological components (i.e., individuals, populations, communities, or ecosystems). In this review article, a historical perspective on ecological risk assessment activities at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is followed by a discussion of the EPA's “Framework Report,” which describes the basic elements for conducting an ecological risk assessment. The “Framework Report” is neither a procedural guide nor a regulatory requirement within the EPA. Rather, it is intended to foster a consistent approach to ecological risk assessments within the Agency, identify key issues, and define terminology.

No abstract

No abstract

Restorative justice (RJ) emerged in the late 1970s as an alternative to conventional youth and criminal justice practices. Since this time, RJ has experienced rapid growth in theory and practice. At the same time, much of this growth has come from expansion in lower-end criminal justice responses to crime, and in the increasing use of the term "restorative" for a widening host of practices and interventions. RJ has also faced problems related to its increasing institutionalization, resulting in divergence from earlier aims and goals. In this paper, we set forth what we see as the four biggest challenges facing the future of RJ, namely problems related to definition, institutionalization, displacement and relevance of RJ practices.We follow with discussion of possible future directions of RJ.