809 research outputs found

    OPTION WEALTH AND BEQUEST VALUES: THE VALUE OF PROTECTING FUTURE GENERATIONS FROM THE HEALTH RISKS OF NUCLEAR WASTE STORAGE

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    We devise a simple model of intergenerational altruism under uncertainty. We present an estimable form of the model that relies on a few, plausible, assumptions. We apply the model to data collected in a survey of Southern Nevadans concerning the proposed Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository in Nye County, NV. We find strong evidence of a bequest motive. Approximately one third of the option wealth lost by households near the repository can be attributed to costs to future generations.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

    The Use of Knowledge Management Methodologies to Improve the Practice of Supply Chain Management: The Case of the Bullwhip Effect

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    Supply Chain Management is a critically important approach toward producing and delivering goods and services in a cost-effective, timely manner. However, many SCM systems in practice exhibit the bullwhip effect, a tendency towards increasing variability in demand as this type of information migrates downwards in the producing supply chain. We argue that one can reduce the size of the bullwhip effect through the judicious use of knowledge management technologies. We have advanced our arguments through several propositions, and we have derived a set of testable hypotheses from two of these propositions in order to demonstrate how one would go about verifying these arguments. We have identified two different general research methodologies in order to provide a multiple methodological approach to gaining greater confidence in the propositions. It now remains to carry out this plan of research

    Teaching Courses Online: A Review of the Research

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    This literature review summarizes research on online teaching and learning. It is organized into four topics: course environment, learners’ outcomes, learners’ characteristics, and institutional and administrative factors. The authors found little consistency of terminology, discovered some conclusive guidelines, and identified developing lines of inquiry. The conclusions overall suggest that most of the studies reviewed were descriptive and exploratory, that most online students are nontraditional and Anglo American, and that few universities have written policies, guidelines, or technical support for faculty members or students. Asynchronous communication seemed to facilitate in-depth communication (but not more than in traditional classes), students liked to move at their own pace, learning outcomes appeared to be the same as in traditional courses, and students with prior training in computers were more satisfied with online courses. Continued research is needed to inform learner outcomes, learner characteristics, course environment, and institutional factors related to delivery system variables in order to test learning theories and teaching models inherent in course design

    Daily Fermented Whey Consumption Alters the Fecal Short-Chain Fatty Acid Profile in Healthy Adults

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    FUNDING: This study was funded by A.Vogel Bioforce AG, Roggwil, Switzerland. NS was co-funded by the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition (University of Aberdeen) and A.Vogel Bioforce AG. The Rowett Institute (University of Aberdeen) receives financial support from the Scottish Government Rural and Environmental Sciences and Analytical Services (RESAS). ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: We thank all the volunteers which contributed their time and efforts into enrolling and completing the trial. Further, we are grateful for the staff at the Human Nutrition Unit and Analytical Services at the Rowett Institute for supporting the research and assisting when needed. We would like to thank Brennan Martin at the Center for Genome Enabled Biology of Medicine for his assistance in DNA sequencingPeer reviewedPublisher PD

    Novel Mechanism of Attenuation of LPS-Induced NF-Kappab Activation by the Heat Shock Protein 90 Inhibitor, 17-N-Allylamino-17-Demethoxygeldanamycin, in Human Lung Microvascular Endothelial Cells

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    Heat shock protein (hsp) 90 inhibition attenuates NF-kappaB activation and blocks inflammation. However, the precise mechanism of NF-kappaB regulation by hsp90 in the endothelium is not clear. We investigated the mechanisms of hsp90 inhibition by 17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) on NF-kappaB activation by LPS in primary human lung microvascular endothelial cells. Transcriptional activation of NF-kappaB was measured by luciferase reporter assay, gene expression by real-time RT-PCR, DNA binding of transcription factors by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, protein-protein interaction by coimmunoprecipitation/immunoblotting, histone deacetylase (HDAC)/histone acetyltransferase enzyme activity by fluorometry, and nucleosome eviction by partial microccocal DNase digestion. In human lung microvascular endothelial cells, 17-AAG-induced degradation of IKBalpha was accomplished regardless of the phosphorylation/ubiquitination state of the protein. Hence, 17-AAG did not block LPS-induced NF-kappaB nuclear translocation and DNA binding activity. Instead, 17-AAG blocked the recruitment of the coactivator, cAMP response element binding protein binding protein, and prevented the assembly of a transcriptionally competent RNA polymerase II complex at the kappaB elements of the IKBalpha (an NF-kappaB-responsive gene) promoter. The effect of LPS on IKBalpha mRNA expression was associated with rapid deacetylation of histone-H3(Lys9) and a dramatic down-regulation of core histone H3 binding. Even though treatment with an HDAC inhibitor produced the same effect as hsp90 inhibition, the effect of 17-AAG was independent of HDAC. We conclude that hsp90 inhibition attenuates NF-kappaB transcriptional activation by preventing coactivator recruitment and nucleosome eviction from the target promoter in human lung endothelial cells

    Vive la difference! Celebrating and supporting autistic psychiatrists with autistic doctors international

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    Aims We aim to raise awareness of the existence and value of autistic doctors in psychiatry and to also signpost psychiatrists who are or suspect they might be autistic towards peer support. Method Autism refers to a lifelong difference in how people communicate and interact with the world. These differences lead to strengths and challenges with individual profiles which include special interests, hyper-focus, and often sensory differences and anxiety. Autism has an estimated prevalence of 1-2%, which is likely an underestimate. It was noted that there was little in the way of advocacy for autistic doctors around the world. Anecdotal evidence also suggested possible issues of misunderstanding and stigmatisation of autistic doctors. As such, there was a need to tackle this to promote positive change. MD founded the group Autistic Doctors International (ADI) in 2019 to foster camaraderie, advocacy and support. ADI has flourished with 250+ members currently. In a recent member poll, 24 of 180 respondents identified themselves as psychiatrists – second only to general practice (n = 54). Several other consultant psychiatrists are known to self-identify as autistic but have not formally joined due to the fear of disclosure. The group has additionally supported multiple doctors to tackle prejudice and discrimination in the workplace / training environment. It has also brought together autistic doctors with academic interests and has generated multiple academic outputs in the form of publications, research grants and conference posters/papers regarding autism. Result Psychiatrists, and doctors in general, are a self-selecting group for many autistic strengths such as hyper-focus, curiosity, self-motivation, a desire to study social communication, attention to detail, pattern recognition, problem solving and empathy, which, contrary to prevailing stereotypes, can be marked in autism. The increasing numbers of doctors joining ADI supports the assumption that autistic individuals are safe and effective clinicians. It is worth noting that many members are not ‘doctors in difficulty’. Those who have been able to achieve suitable accommodations, often without realising why they were needed, have flourished. Such accommodations and outcomes are in line with the neurodiversity movement, which promotes a view of autism as difference, rather than pure disability or disorder. This aims to challenge stereotypes and the tragedy narrative surrounding autism. Conclusion Autism awareness is increasing amongst doctors but more open discussion is still needed in order to facilitate appropriate peer and workplace support. This is likely to improve mental wellbeing and resilience for autistic psychiatrists

    "They go for gender first"

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    There have been many recent media reports about the online harassment of women journalists working in technology, particularly the video gaming industry. However, little research has focused on this aspect, by looking at specific occupations, or analysing the implications for women and society. This paper is a feminist study of the experiences of sexist abuse of a sample of women journalists writing about technology. It is a commentary on the results of a questionnaire-based study of 102 women (and their approximately 300 comments) that work in what has emerged as one of the frontlines of the struggle for gender equality. The research looks at the extent of the abuse, the harm it causes and how women are reacting to it. Most of the participants have experienced abuse, many have changed their working practices and some have disguised their identity to avoid it. An examination of their comments suggests that sexist abuse is now often normalised, alongside a new kind of "invisible" feminism. It also reveals a mood of defiance and an appetite for radical change to address the problems of exclusion and loss of identity. Overall, results indicate that the abuse is damaging women’s lives and impacting journalism and society in a negative way
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