27 research outputs found
Cosmic Explorer: The U.S. Contribution to Gravitational-Wave Astronomy beyond LIGO
This white paper describes the research and development needed over the next decade to realize "Cosmic Explorer," the U.S. node of a future third-generation detector network that will be capable of observing and characterizing compact gravitational-wave sources to cosmological redshifts
Lifetime economic impact of the burden of childhood stunting attributable to maternal psychosocial risk factors in 137 low/middle-income countries
The first 1000 days of life is a period of great potential and vulnerability. In particular, physical growth of children can be affected by the lack of access to basic needs as well as psychosocial factors, such as maternal depression. The objectives of the present study are to: (1) quantify the burden of childhood stunting in low/middle-income countries attributable to psychosocial risk factors; and (2) estimate the related lifetime economic costs.; A comparative risk assessment analysis was performed with data from 137 low/middle-income countries throughout Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, North Africa and the Middle East, and sub-Saharan Africa. The proportion of stunting prevalence, defined as <-2 SDs from the median height for age according to the WHO Child Growth Standards, and the number of cases attributable to low maternal education, intimate partner violence (IPV), maternal depression and orphanhood were calculated. The joint effect of psychosocial risk factors on stunting was estimated. The economic impact, as reflected in the total future income losses per birth cohort, was examined.; Approximately 7.2 million cases of stunting in low/middle-income countries were attributable to psychosocial factors. The leading risk factor was maternal depression with 3.2 million cases attributable. Maternal depression also demonstrated the greatest economic cost at 10.0 billion) and IPV (29.3 billion per birth cohort.; The cost of neglecting these psychosocial risk factors is significant. Improving access to formal secondary school education for girls may offset the risk of maternal depression, IPV and orphanhood. Focusing on maternal depression may play a key role in reducing the burden of stunting. Overall, addressing psychosocial factors among perinatal women can have a significant impact on child growth and well-being in the developing world
Characterizing Gravitational Wave Detector Networks: From A to Cosmic Explorer
Gravitational-wave observations by the Laser Interferometer
Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and Virgo have provided us a new tool to
explore the universe on all scales from nuclear physics to the cosmos and have
the massive potential to further impact fundamental physics, astrophysics, and
cosmology for decades to come. In this paper we have studied the science
capabilities of a network of LIGO detectors when they reach their best possible
sensitivity, called A#, and a new generation of observatories that are factor
of 10 to 100 times more sensitive (depending on the frequency), in particular a
pair of L-shaped Cosmic Explorer observatories (one 40 km and one 20 km arm
length) in the US and the triangular Einstein Telescope with 10 km arms in
Europe. We use a set of science metrics derived from the top priorities of
several funding agencies to characterize the science capabilities of different
networks. The presence of one or two A# observatories in a network containing
two or one next generation observatories, respectively, will provide good
localization capabilities for facilitating multimessenger astronomy and
precision measurement of the Hubble parameter. A network of two Cosmic Explorer
observatories and the Einstein Telescope is critical for accomplishing all the
identified science metrics including the nuclear equation of state,
cosmological parameters, growth of black holes through cosmic history, and make
new discoveries such as the presence of dark matter within or around neutron
stars and black holes, continuous gravitational waves from rotating neutron
stars, transient signals from supernovae, and the production of stellar-mass
black holes in the early universe. For most metrics the triple network of next
generation terrestrial observatories are a factor 100 better than what can be
accomplished by a network of three A# observatories.Comment: 45 pages, 20 figure
An Ecodevelopmental Framework for Engaging Diverse Youth in Foster Care and Their Families Into Technology-Based Family Intervention Research Trials
Family-based interventions delivered via telehealth are a promising mode for overcoming barriers to behavioral health treatment among youth in foster care and their families. There is a dearth of research, however, regarding effectiveness of these interventions for youth in foster care, who commonly exhibit complex behavioral health treatment needs. Clinical research in this area directly relates to equity in service access and quality for these youth and families, with numerous barriers and enabling factors to consider in order to improve engagement in clinical trials and bolster the evidence base. We present a framework to better understand the multi-systemic factors impacting youth and family engagement in clinical research on family-based telehealth interventions, drawing on relevant theory, including the bioecological model and ecodevelopmental theory. We also draw on our experiences conducting technology-based clinical research through the Family Telehealth Project, an evaluation of a brief family-based affect management intervention designed specifically for youth in foster care and their families, as a case example. Recommendations for promoting engagement in clinical research on family-based telehealth interventions with diverse youth in foster care and their families are provided
The Changing Presentation of the American Indian
In this book, which grew out of a landmark NMAI symposium in 1995, Native and non-Native scholars and museum professionals explore issues concerning the representation of Indians and their cultures by museums in North America. Traditional museum exhibitions of Native American art and culture often represented only the past, ignoring the living Native voice. Today, museums have begun to incorporate the Native perspective in their displays. Even more dramatic is the increasing number of Indian-run museums. These essays explore the relationships being forged between museums and Native communities to create new techniques for presenting Native American culture
The Changing Presentation of the American Indian
In this book, which grew out of a landmark NMAI symposium in 1995, Native and non-Native scholars and museum professionals explore issues concerning the representation of Indians and their cultures by museums in North America. Traditional museum exhibitions of Native American art and culture often represented only the past, ignoring the living Native voice. Today, museums have begun to incorporate the Native perspective in their displays. Even more dramatic is the increasing number of Indian-run museums. These essays explore the relationships being forged between museums and Native communities to create new techniques for presenting Native American culture
Additional file 1 of SLIC-Occ: functional segmentation of occupancy images improves precision of EC50 images
Additional file 1. Figure S1. AICc images for phantom data showing 1- and 2-parameter selection for both voxel-level and cluster-level in coronal, axial, and sagittal views. Figure S2. Occmax images for phantom data showing the maximum occupancy estimated for both voxel-level and cluster-level in coronal, axial, and sagittal views. Figure S3. AICc images for human occupancy data showing 1- and 2-parameter selection for both voxel-level and cluster-level in coronal, axial, and sagittal views. Figure S4. Occmax images for human occupancy data showing the maximum occupancy estimated for both voxel-level and cluster-level in coronal, axial, and sagittal views. Figure S5. a Precision and b accuracy (Eq. 10) of EC50 for a background cluster region with true EC50 = 10 ng/mL using different m and K combinations. K is the number of initial clusters, and m is weighting coefficient spatial distance over the temporal distance. Vertical dash line represents the selected value of m for the reported case. Note: m and K were selected for analysis of both phantom and human data based on similar calculations for multiple regions on the phantom data. Figure S6. a Precision and b accuracy (Eq. 10) of EC50 for putamen region with true EC50 = 50 ng/mL using different m and K combinations. K is the number of initial clusters, and m is weighting coefficient spatial distance over the temporal distance.Vertical dash line represents the selected value of m for the reported case. Note: m and K were selected for analysis of both phantom and human data based on similar calculations for multiple regions on the phantom data
Intense exercise increases dopamine transporter and neuromelanin concentrations in the substantia nigra in Parkinson’s disease
Abstract Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons. Exercise has been reported to slow the clinical progression of PD. We evaluated the dopaminergic system of patients with mild and early PD before and after a six-month program of intense exercise. Using 18F-FE-PE2I PET imaging, we measured dopamine transporter (DAT) availability in the striatum and substantia nigra. Using NM-MRI, we evaluated the neuromelanin content in the substantia nigra. Exercise reversed the expected decrease in DAT availability into a significant increase in both the substantia nigra and putamen. Exercise also reversed the expected decrease in neuromelanin concentration in the substantia nigra into a significant increase. These findings suggest improved functionality in the remaining dopaminergic neurons after exercise. Further research is needed to validate our findings and to pinpoint the source of any true neuromodulatory and neuroprotective effects of exercise in PD in large clinical trials