Arctic Standards: Recommendations on Oil Spill Prevention, Response, and Safety in the U.S. Arctic Ocean

Oil spilled in Arctic waters would be particularly difficult to remove. Current technology has not been proved to effectively clean up oil when mixed with ice or when trapped under ice. An oil spill would have a profoundly adverse impact on the rich and complex ecosystem found nowhere else in the United States. The Arctic Ocean is home to bowhead, beluga, and gray whales; walruses; polar bears; and other magnificent marine mammals, as well as millions of migratory birds. A healthy ocean is important for these species and integral to the continuation of hunting and fishing traditions practiced by Alaska Native communities for thousands of years.To aid the United States in its efforts to modernize Arctic technology and equipment standards, this report examines the fierce Arctic conditions in which offshore oil and gas operations could take place and then offers a summary of key recommendations for the Interior Department to consider as it develops world-class, Arctic-specific regulatory standards for these activities. Pew's recommendations call for improved technology,equipment, and procedural requirements that match the challenging conditions in the Arctic and for full public participation and transparency throughout the decision-making process. Pew is not opposed to offshore drilling, but a balance must be achieved between responsible energy development and protection of the environment.It is essential that appropriate standards be in place for safety and for oil spill prevention and response in this extreme, remote, and vulnerable ecosystem. This report recommends updating regulations to include Arctic specific requirements and codifying temporary guidance into regulation. The appendixes to this report provide substantially more detail on the report's recommendations, including technical background documentation and additional referenced materials. Please refer to the full set of appendixes for a complete set of recommendations. This report and its appendixes offer guidelines for responsible hydrocarbon development in the U.S. Arctic Ocean

The acquisition of mental verbs: A systematic investigation of the first reference to mental state

It is generally recognized that the ability to contemplate and communicate about the knowledge, beliefs, and goals of oneself and others is a benchmark of human cognition. Yet, little is known about the beginnings of this ability, in large measure because methods for accurately assessing very young children's ability have been unavailable. Here we present the results of using a method of convergent analyses of naturally occurring speech to assess the young child's ability to contemplate and communicate about mental state. The first study describes the frequency and function of verbs of mental reference such as think and know in the speech of one child from 2;4 to 4;0. The second examines shorter samples of speech collected from 30 two-year-olds over a 6 month period. Results from both studies suggest that the earliest uses of mental verbs are for conversational functions rather than for mental reference. First attempts at mental reference begin to appear in some children's speech in the second half of the third year. Since most of the children studied exhibited the linguistic knowledge necessary to make reference to mental states, we conclude that the absence of such reference earlier suggests that still younger children lack awareness of such states, or at the very least, an understanding of their appropriateness as topics of conversation.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/25073/1/0000504.pd

Ground vehicle control at NIST: From teleoperation to autonomy

NIST is applying their Real-time Control System (RCS) methodology for control of ground vehicles for both the U.S. Army Researh Lab, as part of the DOD's Unmanned Ground Vehicles program, and for the Department of Transportation's Intelligent Vehicle/Highway Systems (IVHS) program. The actuated vehicle, a military HMMWV, has motors for steering, brake, throttle, etc. and sensors for the dashboard gauges. For military operations, the vehicle has two modes of operation: a teleoperation mode--where an operator remotely controls the vehicle over an RF communications network; and a semi-autonomous mode called retro-traverse--where the control system uses an inertial navigation system to steer the vehicle along a prerecorded path. For the IVHS work, intelligent vision processing elements replace the human teleoperator to achieve autonomous, visually guided road following

Phase 1 Study of the E-Selectin Inhibitor GMI 1070 in Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia

Background\ud \ud Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disorder of hemoglobin that leads to a variety of acute and chronic complications. Abnormal cellular adhesion, mediated in part by selectins, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of the vaso-occlusion seen in sickle cell anemia, and selectin inhibition was able to restore blood flow in a mouse model of sickle cell disease.\ud \ud Methods\ud \ud We performed a Phase 1 study of the selectin inhibitor GMI 1070 in patients with sickle cell anemia. Fifteen patients who were clinically stable received GMI 1070 in two infusions.\ud \ud Results\ud \ud The drug was well tolerated without significant adverse events. There was a modest increase in total peripheral white blood cell count without clinical symptoms. Plasma concentrations were well-described by a two-compartment model with an elimination T1/2 of 7.7 hours and CLr of 19.6 mL/hour/kg. Computer-assisted intravital microscopy showed transient increases in red blood cell velocity in 3 of the 4 patients studied.\ud \ud Conclusions\ud \ud GMI 1070 was safe in stable patients with sickle cell anemia, and there was suggestion of increased blood flow in a subset of patients. At some time points between 4 and 48 hours after treatment with GMI 1070, there were significant decreases in biomarkers of endothelial activation (sE-selectin, sP-selectin, sICAM), leukocyte activation (MAC-1, LFA-1, PM aggregates) and the coagulation cascade (tissue factor, thrombin-antithrombin complexes). Development of GMI 1070 for the treatment of acute vaso-occlusive crisis is ongoing

Planning, implementation, and first results of the Tropical Composition, Cloud and Climate Coupling Experiment (TC4)

The Tropical Composition, Cloud and Climate Coupling Experiment (TC4), was based in Costa Rica and Panama during July and August 2007. The NASA ER-2, DC-8, and WB-57F aircraft flew 26 science flights during TC4. The ER-2 employed 11 instruments as a remote sampling platform and satellite surrogate. The WB-57F used 25 instruments for in situ chemical and microphysical sampling in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL). The DC-8 used 25 instruments to sample boundary layer properties, as well as the radiation, chemistry, and microphysics of the TTL. TC4 also had numerous sonde launches, two ground-based radars, and a ground-based chemical and microphysical sampling site. The major goal of TC4 was to better understand the role that the TTL plays in the Earth's climate and atmospheric chemistry by combining in situ and remotely sensed data from the ground, balloons, and aircraft with data from NASA satellites. Significant progress was made in understanding the microphysical and radiative properties of anvils and thin cirrus. Numerous measurements were made of the humidity and chemistry of the tropical atmosphere from the boundary layer to the lower stratosphere. Insight was also gained into convective transport between the ground and the TTL, and into transport mechanisms across the TTL. New methods were refined and extended to all the NASA aircraft for real-time location relative to meteorological features. The ability to change flight patterns in response to aircraft observations relayed to the ground allowed the three aircraft to target phenomena of interest in an efficient, well-coordinated manner

GLIMPSE: I. A SIRTF Legacy Project to Map the Inner Galaxy

GLIMPSE (Galactic Legacy Infrared Mid-Plane Survey Extraordinaire), a SIRTF Legacy Science Program, will be a fully sampled, confusion-limited infrared survey of the inner two-thirds of the Galactic disk with a pixel resolution of \~1.2" using the Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) at 3.6, 4.5, 5.8, and 8.0 microns. The survey will cover Galactic latitudes |b| <1 degree and longitudes |l|=10 to 65 degrees (both sides of the Galactic center). The survey area contains the outer ends of the Galactic bar, the Galactic molecular ring, and the inner spiral arms. The GLIMPSE team will process these data to produce a point source catalog, a point source data archive, and a set of mosaicked images. We summarize our observing strategy, give details of our data products, and summarize some of the principal science questions that will be addressed using GLIMPSE data. Up-to-date documentation, survey progress, and information on complementary datasets are available on the GLIMPSE web site: www.astro.wisc.edu/glimpse.Comment: Description of GLIMPSE, a SIRTF Legacy project (Aug 2003 PASP, in press). Paper with full res.color figures at http://www.astro.wisc.edu/glimpse/glimpsepubs.htm

The Vehicle, 1967, Vol. 9 no. 1

Vol. 9, No. 1 Table of Contents Commentarypage 3 PoofMolly J. Evanspage 4 PreludeMike Baldwinpage 5 UntitledMike Baldwinpage 5 Where is Tomorrow?Paula Bresnanpage 6 Could It Be Or NotMary Hoeggerpage 7 PsalmAnthony Griggspage 7 Where Am I Going?William A. Framepage 8 Out of DarknessMarilyn Henry Hoodpage 9 She CriedMolly J. Evanspage 12 When I MoveAnthony Griggspage 13 Hi Ya, MorningWilliam A. Framepage 13 Summer Twilight ThoughtsSteve Allenpage 14 Too MuchBill Moserpage 16 Ink SketchWilliam A. Framepage 17 No. 1Molly J. Evanspage 18 Youth, So Hated and DamnedJeff Hendrickspage 18 GoneJackie Jaquespage 19 The JesterWilliam A. Framepage 20 ReflectionMike Baldwinpage 20 No. 3Molly J. Evanspage 21 EpitaphBill Moserpage 22 I Take A Long-Out-of-Use BookAnthony Griggspage 23https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1016/thumbnail.jp

The Vehicle, 1967, Vol. 9 no. 1

Vol. 9, No. 1 Table of Contents Commentarypage 3 PoofMolly J. Evanspage 4 PreludeMike Baldwinpage 5 UntitledMike Baldwinpage 5 Where is Tomorrow?Paula Bresnanpage 6 Could It Be Or NotMary Hoeggerpage 7 PsalmAnthony Griggspage 7 Where Am I Going?William A. Framepage 8 Out of DarknessMarilyn Henry Hoodpage 9 She CriedMolly J. Evanspage 12 When I MoveAnthony Griggspage 13 Hi Ya, MorningWilliam A. Framepage 13 Summer Twilight ThoughtsSteve Allenpage 14 Too MuchBill Moserpage 16 Ink SketchWilliam A. Framepage 17 No. 1Molly J. Evanspage 18 Youth, So Hated and DamnedJeff Hendrickspage 18 GoneJackie Jaquespage 19 The JesterWilliam A. Framepage 20 ReflectionMike Baldwinpage 20 No. 3Molly J. Evanspage 21 EpitaphBill Moserpage 22 I Take A Long-Out-of-Use BookAnthony Griggspage 23https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1016/thumbnail.jp

Helicobacter pylori and cancer among adults in Uganda

Data from Africa on infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are sparse. Therefore, as part of an epidemiological study of cancer in Uganda, we investigated the prevalence and determinants of antibodies against H. pylori among 854 people with different cancer types and benign tumours. Patients were recruited from hospitals in Kampala, Uganda, interviewed about various demographic and lifestyle factors and tested for antibodies against H. pylori. In all patients combined, excluding those with stomach cancer (which has been associated with H. pylori infection), the prevalence of antibodies was 87% (723/833) overall, but declined with increasing age (p = 0.02) and was lower among people who were HIV seropositive compared to seronegative (p <0.001). Otherwise, there were few consistent epidemiological associations. Among those with stomach cancer, 18/21 (86%) had anti-H. pylori antibodies (odds ratio 0.8, 95% confidence intervals 0.2–2.9, p = 0.7; estimated using all other patients as controls, with adjustment for age, sex and HIV serostatus). No other cancer site or type was significantly associated with anti-H. pylori antibodies. The prevalence of H. pylori reported here is broadly in accord with results from other developing countries, although the determinants of infection and its' role in the aetiology of gastric cancer in Uganda remain unclear

La Imagen y la Narrativa como Herramienta para el Abordaje en Escenarios de Violencia. Departamento Cundinamarca y Norte de Santander

Los escenarios de conflicto armado y violencia en Colombia siguen impetuosamente marcados en diferentes poblaciones del país, estropeando así, la cultura colectiva de los pobladores, sus prácticas sociales y sus labores económicas, dejando en ellos un lunar que los señala y le reprime florecer fácilmente en la sociedad. Actualmente las víctimas de la violencia tienen que vivir, no, con la impresión que les ha dejado los hechos violentos en sus poblaciones, sino que deben batallar para ajustarse a una sociedad relegada que arduamente les ofrece oportunidades. Por consiguiente, en la exposición de la actividad se utiliza el enfoque de la narrativa y elementos como la foto voz que nos facultan comprender la realidad de un contexto de violencia de un modo distinto y claro, generando nuevas ideas o conceptos de una forma creativa, permitiendo así que el emisor transmita sus sentimientos a través de las imágenes obtenidas y que el receptor entienda lo que innegablemente está pasando en un contexto determinado. En consecuencia, tomamos como base el lugar donde reside cada integrante del grupo, exteriorizara a través del ejercicio de foto voz toda aquella fisionomía cultural y de violencia sobresaliente de cada contexto, a través de una participación y empoderamiento de tal forma que se generaran estrategias de intervención en cada comunidad. Finalmente, las actividades desarrolladas durante el diplomado de profundización y acompañamiento en escenarios de violencia, nos posibilito comprender a través del análisis de los relatos propuestos, el sentir de emociones como el dolor y rechazo de las víctimas que las propulsaba a reconsiderar la realidad actual que viven. A si mismo se plantearon una serie de interrogaciones circulares, reflexivas y estratégicas permitiendo la orientación a la creación y desarrollo de las estrategias de intervención planteadas. Para finalizar, se configura el análisis reflexivo del desarrollo del ejercicio denominado foto voz. Cada ejercicio concede una aproximación real a estos contextos a los que se debe encarar un profesional de la psicología en su cotidianidad, en los que debe implicarse, empoderarse y crear engranajes participativos que logren constituir las mejores estrategias de intervención para un crecimiento colectivo propicio de la comunidad intervenida.The scenarios of armed conflict and violence in Colombia continue to be impetuously marked in different populations of the country, thus spoiling the collective culture of the settlers, their social practices and their economic work, leaving a mole in them that indicates them and represses them to easily flourish in the society. Currently, victims of violence have to live, no, with the impression that violent events have left on their populations, but they must struggle to adjust to a relegated society that offers them opportunities arduously. Therefore, in the exhibition of the activity, the narrative approach and elements such as the photo voice are used that enable us to understand the reality of a context of violence in a different and clear way, generating new ideas or concepts in a creative way. thus allowing the sender to transmit his feelings through the images obtained and for the receiver to understand what is undeniably happening in a given context. Consequently, we take as a basis the place where each member of the group resides, externalize through the exercise of photo voice all that outstanding cultural and violence physiognomy of each context, through participation and empowerment in such a way that strategies of intervention in each community. Finally, the activities developed during the in-depth training and accompaniment in violence scenarios enabled us to understand, through the analysis of the stories proposed, the feeling of emotions such as pain and rejection of the victims that propelled them to reconsider the current reality that they live. A series of circular, reflective and strategic questions were raised to himself, allowing the orientation to the creation and development of the proposed intervention strategies. Finally, the reflective analysis of the development of the exercise called photo voice is configured. Each exercise grants a real approach to these contexts that a psychology professional must face in their daily lives, in which they must get involved, empower themselves and create participatory mechanisms that manage to constitute the best intervention strategies for a favorable collective growth of the intervened community