A Systematic Review of Civil and Environmental Infrastructures for Coastal Adaptation to Sea Level Rise

Rising levels of seas and oceans due to global warming could drastically affect the daily lives of residents in coastal belts and lowland areas. Many of the most heavily populated regions in the world have been developed on the shorelines. Sea-level rise could directly affect the serviceability of urban structures and infrastructures of coastal regions; effects may include intrusion of salt water into drinking water resources, submergence of roads and railways, flowing of seawater into wastewater networks, and exacerbating land subsidence. These reasons have urged climate-change and infrastructure resilience researchers to focus on methods for prediction and prevention of SLR effects on urbanization systems. Most of the studies have concentrated on environmental aspects or modeling of flooding, however, there is a lack of research on behavior of urban lifelines for long-term planning. Hence, the resilience of coastal cities has become of more interest in recent years. This paper presents a meta- analysis and review of existing literatures on the impacts of SLR on civil infrastructure. We categorize these impacts based on different types of infrastructures (e.g. water, transportation, energy) and regions. The review provides i) an intensive coverage of the existing literature on adaptations ii) an exploration of current gaps and challenges in civil infrastructures in different regions of the world and iii) the engineering perspective of SLR besides managing directions to be useful for engineers, advisory committees, policy makers, and scholars for future studies

The effects of exposure to images of others’ suffering and vulnerability on altruistic, trust-based, and reciprocated economic decision-making

In this paper we explored the effects of exposure to images of the suffering and vulnerability of others on altruistic, trust-based, and reciprocated incentivized economic decisions, accounting for differences in participants’ dispositional empathy and reported in-group trust for their recipient(s). This was done using a pictorial priming task, framed as a memory test, and a triadic economic game design. Using the largest experimental sample to date to explore this issue, our integrated analysis of two online experiments (total N = 519), found statistically consistent evidence that exposure to images of suffering and vulnerability (vs. neutral images) increased altruistic in-group giving as measured by the “triple dictator game”, and that the manipulation was significantly more effective in those who reported lower trust for their recipients. The experimental manipulation also significantly increased altruistic giving in the standard “dictator game” and trust-based giving in the “investment game”, but only in those who were lower in in-group trust and also high in affective or cognitive empathy. Complementary qualitative evidence revealed the strongest motivations associated with increased giving in the experimental condition were greater assumed reciprocation and a lower aversion to risk. However, no consistent effects of the experimental manipulation on participants’ reciprocated decisions were observed. These findings suggest that, as well as altruistic decision-making in the “triple dictator game”, collaboratively witnessing the suffering of others may heighten trust-based in-group giving in the “investment game” for some people, but the effects are heterogeneous and sensitive to context

Investigation of the Adenosine A(2A) Receptor on the Enhanced Rewarding Effects of Nicotine and Dopamine D2 Receptor Signaling in a Novel Heritable Model of Drug Abuse Vulnerability

Investigation of the adenosine A(2A) receptor on the enhanced rewarding effects of nicotine and dopamine D2 receptor signaling in a novel heritable model of drug abuse vulnerability Seth E. Turney, Loren D. Peeters, Olivia A. Jennings, Liza J. Wills, Russell W. Brown Many years ago, our laboratory along with a collaborator established that neonatal treatment of the dopamine (DA)D2-like receptor agonist quinpirole (NQ) to rats induces an increase in DAD2 receptor sensitivity throughout the animal’s lifetime, which has validity to schizophrenia (SZ) and a number of clinical conditions. These clinical conditions, which include SZ but also bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and major depression all demonstrate increased drug abuse vulnerability, especially to cigarette smoking. Based on this permanent change in DAD2 sensitivity, we bred NQ-treated male and female rats with their NQ-treated or neonatal saline (NS)-treated counterparts. This F1 generation also demonstrated increases in DAD2 signaling, both behaviorally as well as through DAD2 signaling mechanisms. We have shown both d enhanced behavioral responding to nicotine on the conditioned place preference (CPP) and behavioral sensitization paradigms. These F1 offspring of NQ-treated rats also demonstrated increases of G-protein dependent and G-protein independent DAD2 signaling. Interestingly, the adenosine A(2A) receptor forms a mutual inhibitory heteromer with the DAD2 receptor. Adenosine is a known neuromodulator that can increase or decrease synaptic transmission in the brain, and there exists a hypothesis that adenosine dysfunction is the primary system which is disrupted in SZ which leads to changes in the dopamine and other neurotransmitter systems. The drug CGS 21680, an A(2A) agonist which stimulates the A(2A) receptor, is known to decrease DAD2 signaling and has been shown to block nicotine behavioral sensitization. A major focus in this project is on the adenosine A(2A) receptor as a novel pharmacological treatment target, since it is known that antipsychotic drugs which are often used to treat SZ and these other clinical conditions which have increased DAD2 signaling produce deleterious side effects, and novel medications are needed. Results here revealed that a 0.09 mg/kg dose of CGS 21680 was effective to block enhanced nicotine CPP and changes in DAD2 G-protein independent signaling in F1 generation rats. Interestingly, CGS 21680 did not affect G-protein dependent signaling in F1 generation animals, suggesting that the mechanism through which it is working may not be through the traditional DAD2 signaling mechanism. Future work is designed to analyze underlying mechanisms of this effect

Citizen-Science for the Future: Advisory Case Studies From Around the Globe

The democratization of ocean observation has the potential to add millions of observations every day. Though not a solution for all ocean monitoring needs, citizen scientists offer compelling examples showcasing their ability to augment and enhance traditional research and monitoring. Information they are providing is increasing the spatial and temporal frequency and duration of sampling, reducing time and labor costs for academic and government monitoring programs, providing hands-on STEM learning related to real-world issues and increasing public awareness and support for the scientific process. Examples provided here demonstrate the wide range of people who are already dramatically reducing gaps in our global observing network while at the same time providing unique opportunities to meaningfully engage in ocean observing and the research and conservation it supports. While there are still challenges to overcome before widespread inclusion in projects requiring scientific rigor, the growing organization of international citizen science associations is helping to reduce barriers. The case studies described support the idea that citizen scientists should be part of an effective global strategy for a sustained, multidisciplinary and integrated observing system

Behavioural Risk Factors in Mid-Life Associated with Successful Ageing, Disability, Dementia and Frailty in Later Life: A Rapid Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet and low levels of physical activity significantly contribute to the burden of illness in developed countries. Whilst the links between specific and multiple risk behaviours and individual chronic conditions are well documented, the impact of these behaviours in mid-life across a range of later life outcomes has yet to be comprehensively assessed. This review aimed to provide an overview of behavioural risk factors in mid-life that are associated with successful ageing and the primary prevention or delay of disability, dementia, frailty and non-communicable chronic conditions. METHODS: A literature search was conducted to identify cohort studies published in English since 2000 up to Dec 2014. Multivariate analyses and a minimum follow-up of five years were required for inclusion. Two reviewers screened titles, abstracts and papers independently. Studies were assessed for quality. Evidence was synthesised by mid-life behavioural risk for a range of late life outcomes. FINDINGS: This search located 10,338 individual references, of which 164 are included in this review. Follow-up data ranged from five years to 36 years. Outcomes include dementia, frailty, disability and cardiovascular disease. There is consistent evidence of beneficial associations between mid-life physical activity, healthy ageing and disease outcomes. Across all populations studied there is consistent evidence that mid-life smoking has a detrimental effect on health. Evidence specific to alcohol consumption was mixed. Limited, but supportive, evidence was available relating specifically to mid-life diet, leisure and social activities or health inequalities. CONCLUSIONS: There is consistent evidence of associations between mid-life behaviours and a range of late life outcomes. The promotion of physical activity, healthy diet and smoking cessation in all mid-life populations should be encouraged for successful ageing and the prevention of disability and chronic disease.This work was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), invitation to tender reference DDER 42013, and supported by the National Institute for Health Research School for Public Health Research. The scope of the work was defined by NICE and the protocol was agreed with NICE prior to the start of work. The funders had no role in data analysis, preparation of the manuscript or decision to publish.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from PLOS via http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.014440

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in a UK university identifies dynamics of transmission

AbstractUnderstanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission in higher education settings is important to limit spread between students, and into at-risk populations. In this study, we sequenced 482 SARS-CoV-2 isolates from the University of Cambridge from 5 October to 6 December 2020. We perform a detailed phylogenetic comparison with 972 isolates from the surrounding community, complemented with epidemiological and contact tracing data, to determine transmission dynamics. We observe limited viral introductions into the university; the majority of student cases were linked to a single genetic cluster, likely following social gatherings at a venue outside the university. We identify considerable onward transmission associated with student accommodation and courses; this was effectively contained using local infection control measures and following a national lockdown. Transmission clusters were largely segregated within the university or the community. Our study highlights key determinants of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and effective interventions in a higher education setting that will inform public health policy during pandemics.</jats:p

Three Essays on Adverse Events and Student Outcomes

This dissertation contains three essays on the impact of unexpected adverse events on student outcomes. All three attempt to identify causal inference using plausibly exogenous shocks and econometric tools, applied to rich administrative data. In Chapter 2, I present evidence of the causal effects of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake on tertiary enrolment and completion. Using the shock of the 2011 earthquake on high school students in the Canterbury region, I estimate the effect of the earthquake on a range of outcomes including tertiary enrolment, degree completion and wages. I find the earthquake causes a substantial increase in tertiary enrolment, particularly for low ability high school leavers from damaged schools. However, I find no evidence that low ability students induced by the earthquake complete a degree on time. In Chapter 3, I identify the impact of repeat disaster exposure on university performance, by comparing outcomes for students who experience their first earthquake while in university, to outcomes for students with prior earthquake exposure. Using a triple-differences estimation strategy with individual-by-year fixed effects, I identify a precise null effect, suggesting that previous experience of earthquakes is not predictive of response to an additional shock two years later. The final chapter investigates the impact of injuries sustained in university on academic performance and wages, using administrative data including no-fault insurance claims, emergency department attendance and hospital admissions, linked with tertiary enrolment. I find injuries, including minor injuries, have a negative effect on re-enrolment, degree completion and grades in university