Water Policies: Regions with Open-Pit Lignite Mining (Introduction to the IIASA Study)

There is an apparent need for the analysis of long-term regional water policies to reconcile conflicting interests in regions with open-pit lignite mining. The most important. interest groups in such regions are mining, municipal and industrial water supply, agriculture as well as the "environment". A scientifically sound and practically simple policy-oriented system of methods and computerized procedures has to be developed. To develop such a system is part of the research work in the Regional Water Policies project carried out at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in collaboration with research institutes in the German Democratic Republic, Poland, and in other countries as well. A test area that includes typical water-related elements of mining regions and significant conflicts and interest groups has been chosen. The first stage in the analysis is oriented towards developing a scenario generating system as a tool to choose "good" policies from the regional point of view. Therefore a policy-oriented interactive decision support model system is under development, considering the dynamic, nonlinear and uncertain systems behaviour. It combines a model for multi-criteria analysis in planning periods with a simulation model for monthly systems behaviour. The paper outlines the methodological approach. describes the test region in the GDR, and the submodels for the test region

Exploring the sensitivity of Northern Hemisphere atmospheric circulation to different surface temperature forcing using a statistical-dynamical atmospheric model

Climate and weather conditions in the mid-latitudes are strongly driven by the large-scale atmosphere circulation. Observational data indicate that important components of the large-scale circulation have changed in recent decades, including the strength and the width of the Hadley cell, jets, storm tracks and planetary waves. Here, we use a new statistical-dynamical atmosphere model (SDAM) to test the individual sensitivities of the large-scale atmospheric circulation to changes in the zonal temperature gradient, meridional temperature gradient and global-mean temperature. We analyze the Northern Hemisphere Hadley circulation, jet streams, storm tracks and planetary waves by systematically altering the zonal temperature asymmetry, the meridional temperature gradient and the global-mean temperature. Our results show that the strength of the Hadley cell, storm tracks and jet streams depend, in terms of relative changes, almost linearly on both the global-mean temperature and the meridional temperature gradient, whereas the zonal temperature asymmetry has little or no influence. The magnitude of planetary waves is affected by all three temperature components, as expected from theoretical dynamical considerations. The width of the Hadley cell behaves nonlinearly with respect to all three temperature components in the SDAM. Moreover, some of these observed large-scale atmospheric changes are expected from dynamical equations and are therefore an important part of model validation

Exploring the sensitivity of Northern Hemisphere atmospheric circulation to different surface temperature forcing using a statistical–dynamical atmospheric model

Climate and weather conditions in the mid-latitudes are strongly driven by the large-scale atmosphere circulation. Observational data indicate that important components of the large-scale circulation have changed in recent decades, including the strength and the width of the Hadley cell, jets, storm tracks and planetary waves. Here, we use a new statistical–dynamical atmosphere model (SDAM) to test the individual sensitivities of the large-scale atmospheric circulation to changes in the zonal temperature gradient, meridional temperature gradient and global-mean temperature. We analyze the Northern Hemisphere Hadley circulation, jet streams, storm tracks and planetary waves by systematically altering the zonal temperature asymmetry, the meridional temperature gradient and the global-mean temperature. Our results show that the strength of the Hadley cell, storm tracks and jet streams depend, in terms of relative changes, almost linearly on both the global-mean temperature and the meridional temperature gradient, whereas the zonal temperature asymmetry has little or no influence. The magnitude of planetary waves is affected by all three temperature components, as expected from theoretical dynamical considerations. The width of the Hadley cell behaves nonlinearly with respect to all three temperature components in the SDAM. Moreover, some of these observed large-scale atmospheric changes are expected from dynamical equations and are therefore an important part of model validation.</p

A numerical sensitivity study -The effectiveness of RFID-based ore tracking through a simulated coarse ore stockpile and the impacts of key process variables

Available online 24 August 2023The ability to understand ore characteristics in real-time during mining processes is vital for ensuring product quality control. However, it is challenging to continuously track ore flow from the mine to the mill due to the blending of ore batches, especially within stockpiles. This paper presents a numerical study of copper ore tracking through a coarse ore stockpile. A discrete element model of a 3D stockpile was created using the EDEM software to evaluate the effectiveness of using RFID tags for ore tracking. To identify the primary variables and their effect on ore transport and tracking through the stockpile, a sensitivity study was conducted to investigate a range of process variables, such as ore size distribution, ore size range, RFID tag size, wall friction, the trajectory of charging particles and stockpile charging methods. The results show that the stockpile model is not sensitive to variables such as the ore size distribution, ore size range and RFID tag size, while wall friction, stockpile feed belt speed, segregation in the ore flow region and contact model have a significant effect on ore blending within the stockpile. It was found that the overall performance of RFID-based ore tracking through the stockpile is poor. For cases with only one or a few tags per ore batch the order in which the tags are read did not provide a good representation of the ore distribution for most scenarios This sensitivity study provides insights into new tracking strategies given the poor performance of RFID tracking shown by the simulation study.Juan Chen, Tien-Fu Lu, Dylan Peukert, Peter Dow

Image quality assessment of the right ventricle with three different delayed enhancement sequences in patients suspected of ARVC/D

Histopathologic findings in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) are replacement of the normal myocardium with fatty and fibrous elements with preferential involvement of the right ventricle. The right ventricular fibrosis can be visualised by post-gadolinium delayed enhancement inversion recovery imaging (DE imaging). We compared the image quality of three different gradient echo MRI sequences for short axis DE imaging of the right ventricle (RV). We retrospectively analysed MRI scans performed between February 2005 and December 2008 in 97 patients (mean age: 41.2 years, 67% men) suspected of ARVC/D. For DE imaging either a 2D Phase Sensitive (PSIR), a 2D (2D) or a 3D (3D) inversion recovery sequence was used in respectively 38, 32 and 27 MRI-examinations. The RV, divided in 10 segments, was assessed for image quality by two radiologists in random sequence. A consensus reading was performed if results differed between the two readings. Image quality was good in 24% of all segments in the 3D group, 66% in the 2D group and 79% in the PSIR group. Poor image quality was observed in 51% (3D), 10% (2D), and 2% (PSIR) of all segments. Exams were considered suitable for clinical use in 7% of exams in the 3D group, 75% of exams in the 2D group and 90% of exams of the PSIR group. Breathing-artifacts occurred in 22% (3D), 59% (2D) and 53% (PSIR). Motion-artifacts occurred in 56% (3D), 28% (2D) and 29% (PSIR). Post-gadolinium imaging using the PSIR sequence results in better and more consistent image quality of the RV compared to the 2D and 3D sequences

The Max b-HLH-LZ Can Transduce into Cells and Inhibit c-Myc Transcriptional Activities

The inhibition of the functions of c-Myc (endogenous and oncogenic) was recently shown to provide a spectacular therapeutic index in cancer mouse models, with complete tumor regression and minimal side-effects in normal tissues. This was achieved by the systemic and conditional expression of omomyc, the cDNA of a designed mutant of the b-HLH-LZ of c-Myc named Omomyc. The overall mode of action of Omomyc consists in the sequestration of Max and the concomitant competition of the Omomyc/Max complex with the endogenous c-Myc/Max heterodimer. This leads to the inhibition of the transactivation of Myc target genes involved in proliferation and metabolism. While this body of work has provided extraordinary insights to guide the future development of new cancer therapies that target c-Myc, Omomyc itself is not a therapeutic agent. In this context, we sought to exploit the use of a b-HLH-LZ to inhibit c-Myc in a cancer cell line in a more direct fashion. We demonstrate that the b-HLH-LZ domain of Max (Max*) behaves as a bona fide protein transduction domain (PTD) that can efficiently transduce across cellular membrane via through endocytosis and translocate to the nucleus. In addition, we show that the treatment of HeLa cells with Max* leads to a reduction of metabolism and proliferation rate. Accordingly, we observe a decrease of the population of HeLa cells in S phase, an accumulation in G1/G0 and the induction of apoptosis. In agreement with these phenotypic changes, we show by q-RT-PCR that the treatment of HeLa cells with Max* leads to the activation of the transcription c-Myc repressed genes as well as the repression of the expression of c-Myc activated genes. In addition to the novel discovery that the Max b-HLH-LZ is a PTD, our findings open up new avenues and strategies for the direct inhibition of c-Myc with b-HLH-LZ analogs

Schumpeter: Theorist of the Avant-Garde

This paper argues that Schumpeter’s 1911 edition of ‘Theory of Economic Development’ can be fruitfully read as a theory of the avant-garde, in line with such theories developed by artistic avant-garde around the same time, in particular by the Italian Futurists. In particular it will show that both Schumpeter and other avant-garde theorists sought to break with past (1), identify an avant-garde who could force that break (2), find new ways to represent the dynamic world (3), embrace the new and dynamic (4) and promote a perpetual dynamic process, instead of a specific end-state or utopia (5). This new reading helps us to understand the cultural meaning of this seminal text in economics. Secondly it greatly facilitates our understanding of the differences with the later interwar German edition and English edition, which were more cautious in their embrace of the new, less focused on the individual qualities of the entrepreneur and placed more emphasis on historical continuity. Thirdly this reading suggests a different reason for the bifurcation between Schumpeter and the rest of the Austrian school of economics. Traditionally this split is explained by Schumpeter’s affinities with the Lausanne School, this paper instead suggests that the crucial break between Schumpeter on the one hand and Böhm-Bawerk, Wieser and later members of the Austrian School on the other hand is their theory of and attitude toward social change

Leveraging analytics to produce compelling and profitable film content

Producing compelling film content profitably is a top priority to the long-term prosperity of the film industry. Advances in digital technologies, increasing availabilities of granular big data, rapid diffusion of analytic techniques, and intensified competition from user generated content and original content produced by Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) platforms have created unparalleled needs and opportunities for film producers to leverage analytics in content production. Built upon the theories of value creation and film production, this article proposes a conceptual framework of key analytic techniques that film producers may engage throughout the production process, such as script analytics, talent analytics, and audience analytics. The article further synthesizes the state-of-the-art research on and applications of these analytics, discuss the prospect of leveraging analytics in film production, and suggest fruitful avenues for future research with important managerial implications

Co-Localization of the Oncogenic Transcription Factor MYCN and the DNA Methyl Binding Protein MeCP2 at Genomic Sites in Neuroblastoma

MYCN is a transcription factor that is expressed during the development of the neural crest and its dysregulation plays a major role in the pathogenesis of pediatric cancers such as neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. MeCP2 is a CpG methyl binding protein which has been associated with a number of cancers and developmental disorders, particularly Rett syndrome.Using an integrative global genomics approach involving chromatin immunoprecipitation applied to microarrays, we have determined that MYCN and MeCP2 co-localize to gene promoter regions, as well as inter/intragenic sites, within the neuroblastoma genome (MYCN amplified Kelly cells) at high frequency (70.2% of MYCN sites were also positive for MeCP2). Intriguingly, the frequency of co-localization was significantly less at promoter regions exhibiting substantial hypermethylation (8.7%), as determined by methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) applied to the same microarrays. Co-immunoprecipitation of MYCN using an anti-MeCP2 antibody indicated that a MYCN/MeCP2 interaction occurs at protein level. mRNA expression profiling revealed that the median expression of genes with promoters bound by MYCN was significantly higher than for genes bound by MeCP2, and that genes bound by both proteins had intermediate expression. Pathway analysis was carried out for genes bound by MYCN, MeCP2 or MYCN/MeCP2, revealing higher order functions.Our results indicate that MYCN and MeCP2 protein interact and co-localize to similar genomic sites at very high frequency, and that the patterns of binding of these proteins can be associated with significant differences in transcriptional activity. Although it is not yet known if this interaction contributes to neuroblastoma disease pathogenesis, it is intriguing that the interaction occurs at the promoter regions of several genes important for the development of neuroblastoma, including ALK, AURKA and BDNF