The integrated dynamic land use and transport model MARS

Cities worldwide face problems like congestion or outward migration of businesses. The involved transport and land use interactions require innovative tools. The dynamic Land Use and Transport Interaction model MARS (Metropolitan Activity Relocation Simulator) is part of a structured decision making process. Cities are seen as self organizing systems. MARS uses Causal Loop Diagrams from Systems Dynamics to explain cause and effect relations. MARS has been benchmarked against other published models. A user friendly interface has been developed to support decision makers. Its usefulness was tested through workshops in Asia. This paper describes the basis, capabilities and uses of MARS

Estimates Of Sea Scallop (Placopecten Magellanicus) Incidental Mortality From Photographic Multiple Before-After-Control-Impact Surveys

After several decades of stock decline, the Atlantic sea scallop ( Placopecten magellanicus) resource has rebounded to become one of the most valuable fisheries in the United States. The continued sustainability of this fishery is supported by catch limits determined by annual stock projection models. Incidental mortality is an important term in these projection models, but is historically difficult to measure. Current estimates are derived from field experiments that relied heavily on qualitative observations and as a result are based on limited data with low precision. To better quantify incidental mortality, a multiple before-after-control-impact experimental design was used to measure the effect of scallop dredging on the disposition of sea scallops that remain uncaptured on the seafloor following dredging. An autonomous underwater vehicle was used to collect color photographs and side-scan sonar images of the seafloor before and after controlled dredge treatments in the mid-Atlantic and Georges Bank regions. Approximately 170,000 photographs were annotated for instances of mortality. Dredge-induced incidental mortality of 2.5% and 8% was estimated for the mid-Atlantic Bight and Georges Bank sites, respectively, a difference that is likely attributable to the relatively harder substrate of the scallop habitat on Georges Bank that results in greater physical trauma to the uncaptured scallops. This study provides a quantitative estimate of incidental mortality using a noninvasive platform that offers precise mission navigation for repeated surveys. The spatial scale and distribution of the study sites are broad relative to past incidental mortality studies, and the substrate types at each are common in the sea scallop fishery. Estimated mortality rates are lower than the values currently used in fishery stock models and suggest the existing values are conservative, but likely appropriate estimates for management purposes

Collaborative research and development (R&D) for climate technology transfer and uptake in developing countries: Towards a needs driven approach

While international cooperation to facilitate the transfer and uptake of climate technologies in developing countries is an ongoing part of climate policy conversations, international collaborative R&D has received comparatively little attention. Collaborative R&D, however, could be a potentially important contributor to facilitating the transfer and uptake of climate technologies in developing countries. But the complexities of international collaborative R&D options and their distributional consequences have been given little attention to date. This paper develops a systematic approach to informing future empirical research and policy analysis on this topic. Building on insights from relevant literature and analysis of empirical data based on a sample of existing international climate technology R&D initiatives, three contributions are made. First, the paper analyses the coverage of existing collaborative R&D efforts in relation to climate technologies, highlighting some important concerns, such as a lack of coverage of lower-income countries or adaptation technologies. Second, it provides a starting point for further systematic research and policy thinking via the development of a taxonomic approach for analysing collaborative designs. Finally, it matches characteristics of R&D collaborations against developing countries’ climate technology needs to provide policymakers with guidance on how to Configure R&D collaborations to meet these needs

Homological Localisation of Model Categories

One of the most useful methods for studying the stable homotopy category is localising at some spectrum E. For an arbitrary stable model category we introduce a candidate for the E–localisation of this model category. We study the properties of this new construction and relate it to some well–known categories

Use of supplementary aggregates in mortars produced using a novel lime drying technique

Formulated Lime mortars suitable for long-term storage in silos or bags can be produced by adding quicklime to wet, as-received quarried sand. However, sands with high water content may require the addition of so much quicklime that would alter the mortar proportioning. This work investigates the possibility to replace part of the lime-dried sand with dry crushed mixed glass cullet and calcium carbonate aggregate to allow greater control over mortar formulations. It is shown that the use of glass yields a similar or slightly weaker product, depending upon curing regime, than the control whilst calcium carbonate generates the strongest mortar

Methodological bias in cluster randomised trials

Background: Cluster randomised trials can be susceptible to a range of methodological problems. These problems are not commonly recognised by many researchers. In this paper we discuss the issues that can lead to bias in cluster trials. Methods: We used a sample of cluster randomised trials from a recent review and from a systematic review of hip protectors. We compared the mean age of participants between intervention groups in a sample of 'good' cluster trials with a sample of potentially biased trials. We also compared the effect sizes, in a funnel plot, between hip protector trials that used individual randomisation compared with those that used cluster randomisation. Results: There is a tendency for cluster trials, with evidence methodological biases, to also show an age imbalance between treatment groups. In a funnel plot we show that all cluster trials show a large positive effect of hip protectors whilst individually randomised trials show a range of positive and negative effects, suggesting that cluster trials may be producing a biased estimate of effect. Conclusion: Methodological biases in the design and execution of cluster randomised trials is frequent. Some of these biases associated with the use of cluster designs can be avoided through careful attention to the design of cluster trials. Firstly, if possible, individual allocation should be used. Secondly, if cluster allocation is required, then ideally participants should be identified before random allocation of the clusters. Third, if prior identification is not possible, then an independent recruiter should be used to recruit participants

The complex relationship between household income of family caregivers, access to palliative care services and place of death : A national household population survey

BACKGROUND: Previous work shows that more affluent patients with cancer are more likely to die at home, whereas those dying from non-cancer conditions are more likely to die in hospital. Family caregivers are an important factor in determining place of death. AIM: To investigate associations between family caregivers' household income, patients' access to specialist palliative care and place of patients' death, by level of personal end-of-life care. DESIGN: A cross-sectional community household population survey. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Respondents to the Household Survey for England. RESULTS: One-third of 1265 bereaved respondents had provided personal end-of-life care (caregivers) (30%). Just over half (55%) of decedents accessed palliative care services and 15% died in a hospice. Place of death and access to palliative care were strongly related ( p < 0.001). Palliative care services reduced the proportion of deaths in hospital ( p < 0.001), and decedents accessing palliative care were more likely to die at home than those who did not ( p < 0.001). Respondents' income was not associated with palliative care access ( p = 0.233). Overall, respondents' income and home death were not related ( p = 0.106), but decedents with caregivers in the highest income group were least likely to die at home ( p = 0.069). CONCLUSION: For people who had someone close to them die, decedents' access to palliative care services was associated with fewer deaths in hospital and more home deaths. Respondents' income was unrelated to care recipients' place of death when adjusted for palliative care access. When only caregivers were considered, decedents with caregivers from higher income quartiles were the least likely to die at home. Family caregivers from higher income brackets are likely to be powerful patient advocates. Caregiver information needs must be addressed especially with regard to stage of disease, aim of care and appropriate interventions at the end of life

Prenatal Lead Levels, Plasma Amyloid β Levels, and Gene Expression in Young Adulthood

Background: Animal studies suggest that early-life lead exposure influences gene expression and production of proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD)