Environmental and genetic influences on early attachment

Attachment theory predicts and subsequent empirical research has amply demonstrated that individual variations in patterns of early attachment behaviour are primarily influenced by differences in sensitive responsiveness of caregivers. However, meta-analyses have shown that parenting behaviour accounts for about one third of the variance in attachment security or disorganisation. The exclusively environmental explanation has been challenged by results demonstrating some, albeit inconclusive, evidence of the effect of infant temperament. In this paper, after reviewing briefly the well-demonstrated familial and wider environmental influences, the evidence is reviewed for genetic and gene-environment interaction effects on developing early attachment relationships. Studies investigating the interaction of genes of monoamine neurotransmission with parenting environment in the course of early relationship development suggest that children's differential susceptibility to the rearing environment depends partly on genetic differences. In addition to the overview of environmental and genetic contributions to infant attachment, and especially to disorganised attachment relevant to mental health issues, the few existing studies of gene-attachment interaction effects on development of childhood behavioural problems are also reviewed. A short account of the most important methodological problems to be overcome in molecular genetic studies of psychological and psychiatric phenotypes is also given. Finally, animal research focusing on brain-structural aspects related to early care and the new, conceptually important direction of studying environmental programming of early development through epigenetic modification of gene functioning is examined in brief

Life Cycle Management of Infrastructures

By definition, life cycle management (LCM) is a framework “of concepts, techniques, and procedures to address environmental, economic, technological, and social aspects of products and organizations in order to achieve continuous ‘sustainable’ improvement from a life cycle perspective” (Hunkeler et al.\ua02001). Thus, LCM theoretically integrates all sustainability dimensions, and strives to provide a holistic perspective. It also assists in the efficient and effective use of constrained natural and financial resources to reduce negative impacts on society (Sonnemann and Leeuw\ua02006; Adibi et al.\ua02015). The LCM of infrastructures is the adaptation of product life cycle management (PLM) as techniques to the design, construction, and management of infrastructures. Infrastructure life cycle management requires accurate and extensive information that might be generated through different kinds of intelligent and connected information workflows, such as building information modeling (BIM)

Exploration of Shared Genetic Architecture Between Subcortical Brain Volumes and Anorexia Nervosa

In MRI scans of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), reductions in brain volume are often apparent. However, it is unknown whether such brain abnormalities are influenced by genetic determinants that partially overlap with those underlying AN. Here, we used a battery of methods (LD score regression, genetic risk scores, sign test, SNP effect concordance analysis, and Mendelian randomization) to investigate the genetic covariation between subcortical brain volumes and risk for AN based on summary measures retrieved from genome-wide association studies of regional brain volumes (ENIGMA consortium, n = 13,170) and genetic risk for AN (PGC-ED consortium, n = 14,477). Genetic correlations ranged from − 0.10 to 0.23 (all p > 0.05). There were some signs of an inverse concordance between greater thalamus volume and risk for AN (permuted p = 0.009, 95% CI: [0.005, 0.017]). A genetic variant in the vicinity of ZW10, a gene involved in cell division, and neurotransmitter and immune system relevant genes, in particular DRD2, was significantly associated with AN only after conditioning on its association with caudate volume (pFDR = 0.025). Another genetic variant linked to LRRC4C, important in axonal and synaptic development, reached significance after conditioning on hippocampal volume (pFDR = 0.021). In this comprehensive set of analyses and based on the largest available sample sizes to date, there was weak evidence for associations between risk for AN and risk for abnormal subcortical brain volumes at a global level (that is, common variant genetic architecture), but suggestive evidence for effects of single genetic markers. Highly powered multimodal brain- and disorder-related genome-wide studies are needed to further dissect the shared genetic influences on brain structure and risk for AN

The environmental effects of the Integrated Approach to the Manure problem (IAM)

Voor de emissies van de Nederlandse lanbouw in de periode 1997-2030 worden de schattingen gepresenteerd die worden verwacht bij uitvoering van de meest recente voorstellen voor het mestbeleid. Deze emissieschattingen zijn gebruikt als input voor berekeningen van veranderingen in de milieukwaliteit. De resultaten zijn in 2000 gerapporteerd in de vijfde Nationale Milieuverkenning 2000-2030, welke weer diende als input voor het vierde Nationale Milieubeleidsplan dat in juni 2001 werd gepubliceerd. Er wordt een methode bescreven die is gebruikt om schattingen te maken van de manier waarop boeren zullen reageren op het voorgestelde beleid en de gevolgen daarvan op de omvang van de veestapel, de mestproductie, het gebruik van mest en de regionale verdeling ervan en de daaruit resulterende emissies naar de bodem (van stikstof en fosfaat) en naar de lucht (van ammoniak). Vanaf 2002 mogen veehouders alleen vee houden voor zover kan worden aangetoond dat de verwachte mestproductie kan worden afgezet binnen de gebruiksnormen uit de EU-nitraatrichtlijn. Daartoe moeten veehouders zelf over voldoende grond beschikken of (aanvullend) contracten afsluiten voor de afzet van mest. De tweede hoeksteen van het nieuwe mestbeleid is een stelsel van nationale verliesnormen voor stikstof en fosfaat, aangevuld met regulerende heffingen.This report presents estimated levels of emissions over the period 1997 - 2030 from Dutch agriculture responding to the latest policy proposals to abate the manure problem. These emission estimates were used as input for calculation of environmental quality developments. The results were reported in the fifth National Environmental Outlook 2000-2030, which was published in 2000 and served as the scientific basis for the fourth National Environmental Policy Plan, developed by the Dutch government and published in June 2001. This report describes the method used to estimate farmers' response to the policy proposals, the subsequent impact on animal numbers, manure production, manure application and regional distribution and resulting emissions to soil (of nitrogen and phosphate) and air (of ammonia). Starting in 2002 farmers may only raise animals when they can guarantee the disposal of the expected manure production within the boundaries set by the EU nitrate direc-tive. This can either be done by having sufficient land at one's disposal or by fixing manure disposal contracts with other land owners. The second corner-stone of the manure policy is a set of national emission standards for nitrogen and phosphate, accompanied by levies. Emissions (or losses) are established per farm on a per hectare basis using a bookkeeping system, accounting for all commercial input (except phosphate chemical fertilizers) and output of nutrients.DG

The environmental effects of the Integrated Approach to the Manure problem (IAM)

This report presents estimated levels of emissions over the period 1997 - 2030 from Dutch agriculture responding to the latest policy proposals to abate the manure problem. These emission estimates were used as input for calculation of environmental quality developments. The results were reported in the fifth National Environmental Outlook 2000-2030, which was published in 2000 and served as the scientific basis for the fourth National Environmental Policy Plan, developed by the Dutch government and published in June 2001. This report describes the method used to estimate farmers' response to the policy proposals, the subsequent impact on animal numbers, manure production, manure application and regional distribution and resulting emissions to soil (of nitrogen and phosphate) and air (of ammonia). Starting in 2002 farmers may only raise animals when they can guarantee the disposal of the expected manure production within the boundaries set by the EU nitrate direc-tive. This can either be done by having sufficient land at one's disposal or by fixing manure disposal contracts with other land owners. The second corner-stone of the manure policy is a set of national emission standards for nitrogen and phosphate, accompanied by levies. Emissions (or losses) are established per farm on a per hectare basis using a bookkeeping system, accounting for all commercial input (except phosphate chemical fertilizers) and output of nutrients.Voor de emissies van de Nederlandse lanbouw in de periode 1997-2030 worden de schattingen gepresenteerd die worden verwacht bij uitvoering van de meest recente voorstellen voor het mestbeleid. Deze emissieschattingen zijn gebruikt als input voor berekeningen van veranderingen in de milieukwaliteit. De resultaten zijn in 2000 gerapporteerd in de vijfde Nationale Milieuverkenning 2000-2030, welke weer diende als input voor het vierde Nationale Milieubeleidsplan dat in juni 2001 werd gepubliceerd. Er wordt een methode bescreven die is gebruikt om schattingen te maken van de manier waarop boeren zullen reageren op het voorgestelde beleid en de gevolgen daarvan op de omvang van de veestapel, de mestproductie, het gebruik van mest en de regionale verdeling ervan en de daaruit resulterende emissies naar de bodem (van stikstof en fosfaat) en naar de lucht (van ammoniak). Vanaf 2002 mogen veehouders alleen vee houden voor zover kan worden aangetoond dat de verwachte mestproductie kan worden afgezet binnen de gebruiksnormen uit de EU-nitraatrichtlijn. Daartoe moeten veehouders zelf over voldoende grond beschikken of (aanvullend) contracten afsluiten voor de afzet van mest. De tweede hoeksteen van het nieuwe mestbeleid is een stelsel van nationale verliesnormen voor stikstof en fosfaat, aangevuld met regulerende heffingen

CLEAN2.0, Model for calculation of nitrogen and phosphate emissions from agriculture. Description of the model

Voor de berekening en de beoordeling van de beleidsmaatregelen op stikstof- en fosfaatemissies naar de bodem en ammoniakemissie naar lucht in Nederland, is op het RIVM het model CLEAN1.0 ontwikkeld. Het acroniem CLEAN staat voor 'Crops, Livestock and Emissions from Agriculture in the Netherlands'. Dit rapport geeft een complete beschrijving van het model CLEAN2.0.To calculate and evaluate the effects of policy on the nitrogen and phosphate emissions to the soil and the ammonia emission to the air, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) developed the model CLEAN1.0. The acronym CLEAN stands for Crops, Livestock and Emissions from Agriculture in the Netherlands. This report describes the model of the second version CLEAN2.0.RIV

CLEAN2.0, Model for calculation of nitrogen and phosphate emissions from agriculture. Description of the model

To calculate and evaluate the effects of policy on the nitrogen and phosphate emissions to the soil and the ammonia emission to the air, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) developed the model CLEAN1.0. The acronym CLEAN stands for Crops, Livestock and Emissions from Agriculture in the Netherlands. This report describes the model of the second version CLEAN2.0.Voor de berekening en de beoordeling van de beleidsmaatregelen op stikstof- en fosfaatemissies naar de bodem en ammoniakemissie naar lucht in Nederland, is op het RIVM het model CLEAN1.0 ontwikkeld. Het acroniem CLEAN staat voor 'Crops, Livestock and Emissions from Agriculture in the Netherlands'. Dit rapport geeft een complete beschrijving van het model CLEAN2.0