Trends of U.S. Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides and Volatile Organic Compounds

Using an array of unit root and structural break tests we find that the trend behavior of two air pollutants, Nitrogen Oxides (NOX) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), is substantially different. VOCs emissions are found to be trend-stationary with a break at the time the Clean Air Act of 1970 was passed whereas NOX emissions are found to be difference-stationary. The presence and location of a trend break in the NOX emissions depends on the test used, whether the break date is known or unknown in advance, the null hypothesis specification, and on data transformations.

Recruitment of Dok-R to the EGF receptor through its PTB domain is required for attenuation of Erk MAP kinase activation

AbstractDok (for downstream of tyrosine kinases) proteins are a newly identified family of docking molecules that are characterized by the presence of an amino-terminal pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, a central putative phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain and numerous potential sites of tyrosine phosphorylation [1–6]. Here, we explore the potential role of the Dok family member Dok-R (also known as p56Dok2 or FRIP) in signaling pathways mediated by the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. An intact PTB domain in Dok-R was critical for its association with two PTB-binding consensus sites on the EGF receptor and the PH domain further contributed to stable in vivo binding and tyrosine phosphorylation of Dok-R. Multiple sites on Dok-R were tyrosine-phosphorylated following EGF stimulation; phosphorylated Tyr276 and Tyr304 are proposed to dock the tandem Src homology 2 (SH2) domains of the p21Ras GTPase-activating protein rasGAP and Tyr351 mediates an association with the SH2 domain of the adapter protein Nck. Interestingly, we have found that Dok-R could attenuate EGF-stimulated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation independently of its association with rasGAP. Together, these results suggest that Dok-R has an important role downstream of growth factor receptors as a potential negative regulator of signal transduction

Guest Artist Recital: Nina Falk, Viola; Paul Jones, Piano; March 25, 1975

Hayden AuditoriumTuesday EveningMarch 25, 19757:00 p.m

Toddler milk advertising in Australia: the infant formula ads we have when we don’t have infant formula ads

The Marketing in Australia of Infant Formula: Manufacturers’ and Importers’ Agreement (MAIF) prevents manufacturers and importers from advertising infant formula. However, toddler milks, which share brand identities with infant formula, are advertised freely; and recent research suggests consumers fail to distinguish between advertising for infant formula and for toddler milk. This study examined whether Australian parents recalled having seen advertisements for ‘formula’. Most respondents (66.8%) reported seeing an advertisement for infant formula, with those who had only seen non-retail advertising more than twice as likely to believe that they had seen such an advertisement as those who had only seen retail advertising. This suggests that toddler milk advertisements are functioning as defacto infant formula advertisements in Australia. Thus the MAIF is failing to achieve its stated purpose

Guidance on Stimulus Materials

PACHELBEL WP4 “Stimulus Materials” uses findings from WP3 (Policy Assumptions) and from additional sources to prepare stimulus materials for the group-based process “STAVE” implemented in WP5. The output was material to inform and stimulate the group-based process. The material was of two types: a set of questionnaires common to all partners (EVOC/CAPA/SIMI questionnaires), and material that is issue-specific and individually produced for each country. EVOC/CAPA/SIMI short questionnaires serve as a comparative tool between countries, giving insight on the social construction of “sustainable consumption” across the PACHELBEL population. Partners asked participants to fill out the set individually at the first meeting of the STAVE group, results were then analyzed and data were fed back for discussion by group participants at their second meeting. A “re-test” was then conducted at the third of three group meetings. The present report details the representations revealed through this methodology – but moreover the impact of applying such a technique in STAVE groups in France, Germany, Romania, Spain, Sweden and the UK (where the methodology was slightly altered). The issue-and-country-specific material consists of an informative simulated newspaper article on the particular issue addressed in a given STAVE process, and/or other materials (for example, humorous drawings). The report details how this material was developed, and the experience of applying these stimulus materials in each country. On this basis, guidance for future STAVE processes is offered. Foremost among observations is that PACHELBEL stimulus materials serve a purpose that is distinct from that of “group exercises” as developed in WP5. The materials contributing to the formation of a group identity, a reflexive group norm, and a shared information basis. As such, stimulus materials prepare the group for a cooperative investigative process

Distribution of variants in multiple vitamin D-related loci (DHCR7/NADSYN1, GC, CYP2R1, CYP11A1, CYP24A1, VDR, RXRα and RXRγ) vary between European, East-Asian and Sub-Saharan African-ancestry populations

BackgroundThe frequency of vitamin D-associated gene variants appear to reflect changes in long-term ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) environment, indicating interactions exist between the primary determinant of vitamin D status, UVB exposure and genetic disposition. Such interactions could have health implications, where UVB could modulate the impact of vitamin D genetic variants identified as disease risk factors. However, the current understanding of how vitamin D variants differ between populations from disparate UVB environments is limited, with previous work examining a small pool of variants and restricted populations only.MethodsGenotypic data for 46 variants within multiple vitamin D-related loci (DHCR7/NADSYN1, GC, CYP2R1, CYP11A1, CYP27A1, CYP24A1, VDR, RXRα and RXRγ) was collated from 60 sample sets (2633 subjects) with European, East Asian and Sub-Saharan African origin via the NCBI 1000 Genomes Browser and ALFRED (Allele Frequency Database), with the aim to examine for patterns in the distribution of vitamin D-associated variants across these geographic areas.ResultsThe frequency of all examined genetic variants differed between populations of European, East Asian and Sub-Saharan African ancestry. Changes in the distribution of variants in CYP2R1, CYP11A1, CYP24A1, RXRα and RXRγ genes between these populations are novel findings which have not been previously reported. The distribution of several variants reflected changes in the UVB environment of the population’s ancestry. However, multiple variants displayed population-specific patterns in frequency that appears not to relate to UVB changes.ConclusionsThe reported population differences in vitamin D-related variants provides insight into the extent by which activity of the vitamin D system can differ between cohorts due to genetic variance, with potential consequences for future dietary recommendations and disease outcomes