Dynamic Field Experiments in Development Economics: Risk Valuation in Morocco, Kenya, and Peru

The effective design and implementation of interventions that reduce vulnerability and poverty require a solid understanding of underlying poverty dynamics and associated behavioral responses. Stochastic and dynamic benefit streams can make it difficult for the poor to learn the value of such interventions to them. We explore how dynamic field experiments can help (i) intended beneficiaries to learn and understand these complicated benefit streams, and (ii) researchers to better understand how the poor respond to risk when faced with nonlinear welfare dynamics. We discuss and analyze dynamic risk valuation experiments in Morocco, Peru, and Kenya.poverty, risk and uncertainty, dynamics, experiments, Kenya, Morocco, Peru, International Development, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Risk and Uncertainty,

Transitions in the computational power of thermal states for measurement-based quantum computation

We show that the usefulness of the thermal state of a specific spin-lattice model for measurement-based quantum computing exhibits a transition between two distinct "phases" - one in which every state is a universal resource for quantum computation, and another in which any local measurement sequence can be simulated efficiently on a classical computer. Remarkably, this transition in computational power does not coincide with any phase transition, classical or quantum, in the underlying spin-lattice model.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, v4 published versio

Lethal Injection, Politics, and the Future of the Death Penalty

“Welcome and Keynote:” Stephen Bright, Harvey Karp Visiting Lecturer at Yale Law School, and President and Senior Counsel with the Southern Center for Human Rights. (9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.) “The Death Penalty Today: Lethal Injection Issues:” Panel 1 featured Deborah W. Denno, Arthur A. McGivney Professor of Law at Fordham University School of Law; Joel Zivot, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Surgery at Emory University School of Medicine, and Medical Director of the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit at Emory University Hospital; Eric Berger, Associate Professor of Law at Nebraska College of Law; and Frank Green, Reporter for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Jim Gibson, Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Professor of Law at the University of Richmond School of Law, served as moderator. (10:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m.) “The Shifting Politics of the Death Penalty:” Panel 2 featured Mark Earley, former Attorney General of Virginia; Richard B. Roper, Partner with Thompson & Knight LLP, Corinna Barrett Lain, Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Professor of Law at the University of Richmond School of Law; and Stephen Smith, Professor of Law at Notre Dame Law School. Henry L. Chambers, Professor of Law at the University of Richmond School of Law, served as moderator. (1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.) “The Future of the Death Penalty:” Panel 3 featured John Douglass, Professor of Law at the University of Richmond School of Law; Brandon L. Garrett, Professor of Law at the University of Virginia School of Law; and Richard Dieter, Executive Director of the Death Penalty Information Center. Mary Kelly Tate, Professor of Law at the University of Richmond School of Law, served as moderator. (2:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Treat to Target: A Proposed New Paradigm for the Management of Crohn's Disease.

International audience: The traditional management of CD, based on progressive, step-wise treatment intensification with re-evaluation of response according to symptoms, does not improve long-term outcomes of CD and places patients at risk for bowel damage. The introduction of novel therapies and the development of new approaches to treatment in rheumatoid arthritis led to better outcomes for patients. Prominent among these is a "treat to target" strategy that is based on regular assessment of disease activity using objective clinical and biological outcome measures and the subsequent adjustment of treatments. This approach is complementary to the concept of early intervention in high risk patients. This review evaluates current literature on this topic and proposes a definition for the concept treating to targets for Crohn's disease

NCBI GEO: mining millions of expression profiles—database and tools

The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) is the largest fully public repository for high-throughput molecular abundance data, primarily gene expression data. The database has a flexible and open design that allows the submission, storage and retrieval of many data types. These data include microarray-based experiments measuring the abundance of mRNA, genomic DNA and protein molecules, as well as non-array-based technologies such as serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) and mass spectrometry proteomic technology. GEO currently holds over 30 000 submissions representing approximately half a billion individual molecular abundance measurements, for over 100 organisms. Here, we describe recent database developments that facilitate effective mining and visualization of these data. Features are provided to examine data from both experiment- and gene-centric perspectives using user-friendly Web-based interfaces accessible to those without computational or microarray-related analytical expertise. The GEO database is publicly accessible through the World Wide Web at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo

Limited evolution of West Nile virus has occurred during its southwesterly spread in the United States

AbstractAnalysis of partial nucleotide sequences of nine West Nile virus strains isolated in southeast Texas during June–August 2002 revealed a maximum of 0.35% nucleotide variation from a New York 1999 strain. Two sequence subtypes were identified that differed from each other by approximately 0.5%, suggesting multiple introductions of virus to this area. Analysis of sequences from cloned PCR products for one strain revealed up to 0.6% divergence from the consensus sequence at the subpopulation level. The presence of unique patterns of small numbers of mutations in North American West Nile strains studied to date may suggest the absence of a strong selective pressure to drive the emergence of dominant variants

Environmental Effects of Sediment Transport Alteration and Impacts on Protected Species: Edgartown Tidal Energy Project

The Islands of MarthaâÃÂÃÂs Vineyard and Nantucket are separated from the Massachusetts mainland by Vineyard and Nantucket Sounds; water between the two islands flows through Muskeget Channel. The towns of Edgartown (on MarthaâÃÂÃÂs Vineyard) and Nantucket recognize that they are vulnerable to power supply interruptions due to their position at the end of the power grid, and due to sea level rise and other consequences of climate change. The tidal energy flowing through Muskeget Channel has been identified by the Electric Power Research Institute as the strongest tidal resource in Massachusetts waters. The Town of Edgartown proposes to develop an initial 5 MW (nameplate) tidal energy project in Muskeget Channel. The project will consist of 14 tidal turbines with 13 providing electricity to Edgartown and one operated by the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth for research and development. Each turbine will be 90 feet long and 50 feet high. The electricity will be brought to shore by a submarine cable buried 8 feet below the seabed surface which will landfall in Edgartown either on Chappaquiddack or at Katama. Muskeget Channel is located between MarthaâÃÂÃÂs Vineyard and Nantucket. Its depth ranges between 40 and 160 feet in the deepest portion. It has strong currents where water is transferred between Nantucket Sound and the Atlantic Ocean continental shelf to the south. This makes it a treacherous passage for navigation. Current users of the channel are commercial and recreational fishing, and cruising boats. The US Coast Guard has indicated that the largest vessel passing through the channel is a commercial scallop dragger with a draft of about 10 feet. The tidal resource in the channel has been measured by the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth and the peak velocity flow is approximately 5 knots. The technology proposed is the helical Gorlov-type turbine positioned with a horizontal axis that is positively buoyant in the water column and held down by anchors. This is the same technology proposed by Ocean Renewable Power Company in the Western Passage and Cobscook Bay near Eastport Maine. The blades rotate in two directions capturing the tides energy both during flood and ebb tides. The turbines will be anchored to the bottom and suspended in the water column. Initial depth of the turbines is expected to be about 25 feet below the surface to avoid impacting navigation while also capturing the strongest currents. The Town of Edgartown was initially granted a Preliminary Permit by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on March 1, 2008, and has recently received a second permit valid through August 2014. The Preliminary Permit gives Edgartown the exclusive right to apply for a power generation license for power generated from the hydrokinetic energy in the water flowing in this area. Edgartown filed a Draft Pilot License Application with FERC on February 1, 2010 and an Expanded Environmental Notification Form with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office at the same time. It expects to file a Final License Application in late 2013. Harris Miller Miller & Hanson (HMMH) of Burlington Massachusetts is acting as the Project Manager for the Town of Edgartown and collaborating with other partners of the project including the University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth's Marine Renewable Energy Center and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. HMMH was awarded a grant under the Department of Energy's Advanced Water Program to conduct marine science and hydrokinetic site-specific environmental studies for projects actively seeking a FERC License. HMMH, on behalf of the Town, is managing this comprehensive study of the marine environment in Muskeget Channel and potential impacts of the tidal project on indicator species and habitats. The University of Massachusetts School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) conducted oceanographic studies of tidal currents, tide level, benthic habitat, and potential for biofouling and foundation scouring. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, cooperating with SMAST, developed an oceanographic model to predict changes in sediment transport as a result of the proposed tidal energy project. Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies prepared background material on protected species - including whales, seals, and sea turtles - in the project area and implemented an initial tagging program to record location specific information on seals and sea turtles. HMMH communicated research plans and findings with local stakeholder groups, state and federal resource agency staff, and the ocean power industry. The information is being used to prepare environmental permit applications and obtain approvals for project construction

The synthesis and analysis of lignin-bound Hibbert ketone structures in technical lignins

This work was supported by EPSRC Ph.D. studentships (EP/1518175 (DMB), EP/1517938 (AN)), the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (Ph.D. studentship to DMB), CRITICAT Centre for Doctoral Training (Ph.D. studentship to IP; EP/L016419/1), EPSRC grants EP/J018139/1 and EP/K00445X/1 (SOJO) and an EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowship (CSL).Understanding the structure of technical lignins resulting from acid-catalysed treatment of lignocellulosic biomass is important for their future applications. Here we report an investigation into the fate of lignin under acidic aqueous organosolv conditions. In particular we examine in detail the formation and reactivity of non-native Hibbert ketone structures found in isolated organosolv lignins from both Douglas fir and beech woods. Through the use of model compounds combined with HSQC, HMBC and HSQC-TOCSY NMR experiments we demonstrate that, depending on the lignin source, both S and G lignin-bound Hibbert ketone units can be present. We also show that these units can serve as a source of novel mono-aromatic compounds following an additional lignin depolymerisation reaction.PostprintPeer reviewe

Corridors of clarity: four principles to overcome uncertainty paralysis in the Anthropocene

Global environmental change challenges humanity because of its broad scale, long-lasting, and potentially irreversible consequences. Key to an effective response is to use an appropriate scientific lens to peer through the mist of uncertainty that threatens timely and appropriate decisions surrounding these complex issues. Identifying such corridors of clarity could help understanding critical phenomena or causal pathways sufficiently well to justify taking policy action. To this end, we suggest four principles: Follow the strongest and most direct path between policy decisions on outcomes, focus on finding sufficient evidence for policy purpose, prioritize no-regrets policies by avoiding options with controversial, uncertain, or immeasurable benefits, aim for getting the big picture roughly right rather than focusing on details

Yellow Fever Virus Infectivity for Bolivian Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes

The absence of urban yellow fever virus (YFV) in Bolivian cities has been attributed to the lack of competent urban mosquito vectors. Experiments with Aedes aegypti from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, demonstrated infection (100%), dissemination (20%), and transmission of a Bolivian YFV strain (CENETROP-322)