Cross-analysis of the accessibility instruments

In the following, we look at how the different accessibility instruments presented in section 3 compare on the different aspects: background, conceptual framework and theoretical underpinnings, operational aspects, relevance for planning practice, strengths and limitations, and visualization. We identify, per item, significant similarities and differences and reflect on potential implications for the following steps of the Action

Evaluation of EPAS1 variants for association with bovine congestive heart failure [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

Background: Bovine congestive heart failure (BCHF) has become increasingly prevalent in feedlot cattle in the Western Great Plains of North America. BCHF is an untreatable complex condition involving pulmonary hypertension that culminates in right ventricular failure and death. A protein variant of hypoxia-inducible factor 2 alpha (HIF2α, encoded by the endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1 gene, EPAS1) was previously reported to be associated with pulmonary hypertension at altitudes exceeding 2,000 m. Our aim was to evaluate EPAS1 haplotypes for association with BCHF in feedlot cattle raised at moderate altitudes (1,200 m). Methods: Paired samples of clinical cases and unaffected controls were collected at four feedlots in Nebraska and Wyoming. Each pair (n =102) was matched for source, pen, breed type, sex, arrival date, and management conditions. Cases were identified by animal caretakers, euthanized, and diagnosis was confirmed at necropsy. Cases were derived from 30 different ranch operations, with the largest source contributing 32. Animals were tested for eight EPAS1 haplotypes encoding 36 possible different diploid combinations. Results: The common, ancestral EPAS1 haplotype encoding HIF2α with alanine (A) at position 606 and glycine (G) at position 610 was equally frequent in cases and controls (0.67). The EPAS1 variant haplotype reported to be associated with disease (encoding threonine (T) at position 606 and serine (S) at position 610) was not enriched in cases compared with controls (0.21 and 0.25, respectively). Frequencies of other EPAS1 haplotypes (e.g., encoding Q270, L362, or G671) were each less than 0.05 overall. McNemar’s test with 45 discordant pairs showed the linked T606/S610 variant was not associated with BCHF (OR = 0.73, CI 0.38 -1.4, p-value = 0.37). Conclusions: HIF2α polypeptide variants were not significantly associated with BCHF in feedlot cattle at moderate altitudes. Thus, a wider search is needed to identify genetic risk factors underlying this disease

Effect of Parameters on Oxychlorination of Tert-Butyl Ethers

The effect of concentration, molar ratios of reagents, pH, and temperature on formation of chloro-organic products in reaction of tert-butyl ethers with chloride ions and hydrogen peroxide has been determined. A significant effect of Cl− ions and H2O2 molar ratios on the rate of chloro-organic product formation has been observed. Studies on oxychlorination of tert-butylethyl ether (ETBE) at pH 7, 3.5, and 2.5 have been carried out. It was found that introduction of hydronium ions into the reaction system considerably hastened the process of chloro-organic product formation. Hydronium ions contribute to the formation of the reactive tert-butyl carbocation, which undergoes secondary reactions in the presence of reactive forms of chlorine and oxygen. Moreover, the effect of temperature on ETBE (tert-butylethyl ether) and MTBE (tert-butylmethyl ether) conversions was verified. The reactions of MTBE and ETBE oxychlorination were carried out at temperatures of 5°C, 20°C, and 35°C

Standardizing data reporting in the research community to enhance the utility of open data for SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance

SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in wastewater is being rapidly developed and adopted as a public health monitoring tool worldwide. With wastewater surveillance programs being implemented across many different scales and by many different stakeholders, it is critical that data collected and shared are accompanied by an appropriate minimal amount of meta-information to enable meaningful interpretation and use of this new information source and intercomparison across datasets. While some databases are being developed for specific surveillance programs locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally, common globally-adopted data standards have not yet been established within the research community. Establishing such standards will require national and international consensus on what meta-information should accompany SARS-CoV-2 wastewater measurements. To establish a recommendation on minimum information to accompany reporting of SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in wastewater for the research community, the United States National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Coordination Network on Wastewater Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 hosted a workshop in February 2021 with participants from academia, government agencies, private companies, wastewater utilities, public health laboratories, and research institutes. This report presents the primary two outcomes of the workshop: (i) a recommendation on the set of minimum meta-information that is needed to confidently interpret wastewater SARS-CoV-2 data, and (ii) insights from workshop discussions on how to improve standardization of data reporting