MARGINAL EFFECTS OF LAND CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASE FACTORS ON RURAL LAND VALUES

Hedonic models estimate the marginal effect of land characteristics and factors that contribute to a purchase decision on rural land values in submarkets of north Louisiana. While size of tract and mix of land use have expected impacts on rural land values, forces that motivate the buyer also affect price.Land Economics/Use,

Enzyme activity in terrestrial soil in relation to exploration of the Martian surface

Urease activity in soil is persistent for long periods under low water, low temperature, and sterile regimes, and it was suggested that some form of enzyme-protective mechanism exists in soil. Dublin soil was extracted by sonication in water followed by adding a mixture of salts. Urease activity is associated with the organo-mineral complex thus obtained and is resistant to the activities of proteolytic enzymes. Clay free soil organic matter prepared subsequently by filtration also exhibits urease activity which is resistant to proteolysis. Models consisting of enzymes with bentonite and lignin were found to mimic this resistance to proteolysis. A model system is presented which suggests both the origin and location of soil ureases and a reason for their persistence in nature

A novel measure of changes in force applied to the Perruchet Effect.

The reaction time (RT) version of the Perruchet Effect demonstrates a concurrent dissociation between RTs to respond and conscious expectancy of the outcome across runs of repeated trials. Consequently, the Perruchet Effect is considered strong evidence for multiple learning processes. This conclusion, however, relies on the RT trend being driven by associative learning rather than, as some have argued, US recency or priming mechanisms. Recent research examining the mechanisms underlying the RT trend do so by examining motor activity associated with the response. With this aim in mind, the current study developed, and assessed the usefulness of, a novel method to measure changes in the amount of force applied to the response button in an RT Perruchet paradigm. The results obtained could not be explained by a single mechanism, but suggest multiple factors underlying the RT version of the Perruchet effect

Does directly observed therapy improve tuberculosis treatment? More evidence is needed to guide tuberculosis policy

Abstract Background Tuberculosis (TB) now ranks alongside HIV as the leading infectious disease cause of death worldwide and incurs a global economic burden of over $12 billion annually. Directly observed therapy (DOT) recommends that TB patients complete the course of treatment under direct observation of a treatment supporter who is trained and overseen by health services to ensure that patients take their drugs as scheduled. Though the current WHO End TB Strategy does not mention DOT, only “supportive treatment supervision by treatment partners”, many TB programs still use it despite the fact that the has not been demonstrated to be statistically significantly superior to self-administered treatment in ensuring treatment success or cure. Discussion DOT is designed to promote proper adherence to the full course of drug therapy in order to improve patient outcomes and prevent the development of drug resistance. Yet over 8 billion dollars is spent on TB treatment each year and thousands undergo DOT for all or part of their course of treatment, despite the absence of rigorous evidence supporting the superior effectiveness of DOT over self-administration for achieving drug susceptible TB (DS-TB) cure. Moreover, the DOT component burdens patients with financial and opportunity costs, and the potential for intensified stigma. To rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of DOT and identify the essential contributors to both successful treatment and minimized patient burden, we call for a pragmatic experimental trial conducted in real-world program settings, the gold standard for evidence-based health policy decisions. It is time to invest in the rigorous evaluation of DOT and reevaluate the DOT requirement for TB treatment worldwide. Summary Rigorously evaluating the choice of treatment supporter, the frequency of health care worker contact and the development of new educational materials in a real-world setting would build the evidence base to inform the optimal design of TB treatment protocol. Implementing a more patient-centered approach may be a wise reallocation of resources to raise TB cure rates, prevent relapse, and minimize the emergence of drug resistance. Maintaining the status quo in the absence of rigorous supportive evidence may diminish the effectiveness of TB control policies in the long run.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134652/1/12879_2016_Article_1862.pd

Electronic textile reparability

The market for electronic textiles is predicted to expand rapidly, with great benefits expected from some products, at the same time as creating large and challenging waste stream. The amalgamation of electronics with textiles can lead to shortened product lifetimes, as breakage of either the electronics or textile components can lead to product failure. Reparability is therefore crucial, extending electronic textile lifetimes and decreasing the overall volume of waste produced. Three commercially available electronic textile garments were examined. The assessment revealed varying degrees of reparability, from batteries that could not be replaced to fully rechargeable and removable components. Standard clothing care processes, such as washing and ironing, could limit maintenance and cause irreversible damage to electronic components. Running counter to the design and engineering objective of full integration between textile and electronics, a modular approach to electronic textiles, where electronics are held in pockets rather than integrated into textile structures, should be reconsidered to prolong product lifetime by enabling maintenance and repair. Labelling could inform users about appropriate care of the electronics within electronic textiles, but presence of electronics was not always mentioned. The findings of this study provide rich descriptive data about the reparability of products in a rapidly growing market