Examining the impact of heterogeneous nitryl chloride production on air quality across the United States

The heterogeneous hydrolysis of dinitrogen pentoxide (N₂O₅) has typically been modeled as only producing nitric acid. However, recent field studies have confirmed that the presence of particulate chloride alters the reaction product to produce nitryl chloride (ClNO₂) which undergoes photolysis to generate chlorine atoms and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). Both chlorine and NO₂ affect atmospheric chemistry and air quality. We present an updated gas-phase chlorine mechanism that can be combined with the Carbon Bond 05 mechanism and incorporate the combined mechanism into the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling system. We then update the current model treatment of heterogeneous hydrolysis of N₂O₅ to include ClNO₂ as a product. The model, in combination with a comprehensive inventory of chlorine compounds, reactive nitrogen, particulate matter, and organic compounds, is used to evaluate the impact of the heterogeneous ClNO₂ production on air quality across the United States for the months of February and September in 2006. The heterogeneous production increases ClNO₂ in coastal as well as many in-land areas in the United States. Particulate chloride derived from sea-salts, anthropogenic sources, and forest fires activates the heterogeneous production of ClNO₂. With current estimates of tropospheric emissions, it modestly enhances monthly mean 8-h ozone (up to 1–2 ppbv or 3–4%) but causes large increases (up to 13 ppbv) in isolated episodes. This chemistry also substantially reduces the mean total nitrate by up to 0.8–2.0 μg m⁻³ or 11–21%. Modeled ClNO₂ accounts for up to 6% of the monthly mean total reactive nitrogen. Sensitivity results of the model suggest that heterogeneous production of ClNO₂ can further increase O₃ and reduce TNO₃ if elevated particulate-chloride levels are present in the atmosphere

Embodying Womanhood? Doing Pregnancy, Doing Research

This volume is a collection of research papers which deem gender identities to be dynamic and multiple categories, refusing resolutely to reduce their complexity to fit neat extant binaries. It attempts to grapple with the dialectic which emerges from the fact that while there is a certain resistance to being labeled in contemporary discourses on sexuality, gender identities actively influence how we interpret the world and how we function within it: we exist amongst patterns, models, and behaviours, as well as among people who virtually demand to be labeled, because to them, this forms the basis of a stable identity. Various cultural perspectives and realities are here given voice, bringing to bear upon the reader the need to identify privileges they might take for granted, but which are unobtainable elsewhere. As the curtain of one’s own cultural context is lifted, this volume hopes that these privileges are – even if for a moment – no longer invisible

Emission measurements of alkenes, alkanes, SO2, and NO2 from stationary sources in Southeast Texas over a 5 year period using SOF and mobile DOAS

A mobile platform for flux measurements of VOCs (alkanes and alkenes), SO2, and NO2 emissions using the Solar Occultation Flux (SOF) method and mobile differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) was used in four different studies to measure industrial emissions. The studies were carried out in several large conglomerates of oil refineries and petrochemical industries in Southeast and East Texas in 2006, 2009, 2011, and 2012. The measured alkane emissions from the Houston Ship Channel (HSC) have been fairly stable between 2006 and 2011, averaging about 11,500kg/h, while the alkene emissions have shown greater variations. The ethene and propene emissions measured from the HSC were 1511kg/h and 878kg/h, respectively, in 2006, while dropping to roughly 600kg/h for both species in 2009 and 2011. The results were compared to annual inventory emissions, showing that measured VOC emissions were typically 5-15 times higher, while for SO2 and NO2 the ratio was typically 0.5-2. AP-42 emission factors were used to estimate meteorological effects on alkane emissions from tanks, showing that these emissions may have been up to 35-45% higher during the studies than the annual average. A more focused study of alkene emissions from a petrochemical complex in Longview in 2012 identified two upset episodes, and the elevation of the total emissions during the measurement period due to the upsets was estimated to be approximately 20%. Both meteorological and upset effects were small compared to the factor of 5-15, suggesting that VOC emissions are systematically and substantially underestimated in current emission inventories

Membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase activity is regulated by the endocytic collagen receptor Endo180.

The molecular interactions leading to organised, controlled extracellular matrix degradation are of central importance during growth, development and tissue repair, and when deregulated contribute to disease processes including cancer cell invasion. There are two major pathways for collagen degradation: one dependent on secreted and membrane-bound collagenases, the other on receptor-mediated collagen internalisation and intracellular processing. Despite the established importance of both pathways, the functional interaction between them is largely unknown. We demonstrate here, that the collagen internalisation receptor Endo180 (also known as CD280, uPARAP, MRC2) is a novel regulator of membrane-bound matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) activity, MT1-MMP-dependent MMP-2 activation and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) activity. We show close correlation between Endo180 expression, collagen accumulation and regulation of MT1-MMP cell-surface localisation and activity. We directly demonstrate, using collagen inhibition studies and non-collagen-binding mutants of Endo180, that the molecular mechanism underlying this regulation is the ability of Endo180 to bind and/or internalise collagens, rather than by acting as an interaction partner for pro-uPA and its receptor uPAR. These studies strongly support a functional interaction between two distinct collagen degradation pathways, define a novel mechanism regulating MT1-MMP activity and might have important implications for organised collagen clearance in the pericellular environment

Research on the Geography of Agricultural Change: Redundant or Revitalized?

Future research directions for agricultural geography were the subject of debate in Area in the late 1980s. The subsequent application of political economy ideas undoubtedly revived interest in agricultural research. This paper argues that agricultural geography contains greater diversity than the dominant political economy discourse would suggest. It reviews ‘other’ areas of agricultural research on policy, post-productivism, people, culture and animals, presenting future suggestions for research. They should ensure that agricultural research continues revitalized rather than redundant into the next millennium

Probe-dependent negative allosteric modulators of the long-chain free fatty acid receptor FFA4

High-affinity and selective antagonists that are able to block the actions of both endogenous and synthetic agonists of G protein–coupled receptors are integral to analysis of receptor function and to support suggestions of therapeutic potential. Although there is great interest in the potential of free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFA4) as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of type II diabetes, the broad distribution pattern of this receptor suggests it may play a range of roles beyond glucose homeostasis in different cells and tissues. To date, a single molecule, 4-methyl-N-9H-xanthen-9-yl-benzenesulfonamide (AH-7614), has been described as an FFA4 antagonist; however, its mechanism of antagonism remains unknown. We synthesized AH-7614 and a chemical derivative and demonstrated these to be negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) of FFA4. Although these NAMs did inhibit FFA4 signaling induced by a range of endogenous and synthetic agonists, clear agonist probe dependence in the nature of allosteric modulation was apparent. Although AH-7614 did not antagonize the second long-chain free fatty acid receptor, free fatty acid receptor 1, the simple chemical structure of AH-7614 containing features found in many anticancer drugs suggests that a novel close chemical analog of AH-7614 devoid of FFA4 activity, 4-methyl-N-(9H-xanthen-9-yl)benzamide (TUG-1387), will also provide a useful control compound for future studies assessing FFA4 function. Using TUG-1387 alongside AH-7614, we show that endogenous activation of FFA4 expressed by murine C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells is required for induced differentiation of these cells toward a more mature, adipocyte-like phenotype

Overcoming barriers in HPV vaccination and screening programs

The Human Papillomavirus Prevention and Control Board brought together experts to discuss optimizing HPV vaccination and screening programs. Board members reviewed the safety profile of licensed HPV vaccines based on clinical and post-marketing data, reaching a consensus that current safety data is reassuring. Successful vaccination programs used well-coordinated communication campaigns, integrating (social) media to spread awareness. Communication of evidence supporting vaccine effectiveness had beneficial effects on the perception of the vaccine. However, anti-vaccination campaigns have threatened existing programs in many countries. Measurement and monitoring of HPV vaccine confidence over time could help understand the nature and scale of waning confidence, define issues and intervene appropriately using context-specific evidence-based strategies. Finally, a broad group of stakeholders, such as teachers, health care providers and the media should also be provided with accurate information and training to help support prevention efforts through enhanced understanding of the risks and benefits of vaccination. Similarly, while cervical cancer screening through population-based programs is highly effective, barriers to screening exist: awareness in countries with population-based screening programs, access for vulnerable populations, and access and affordability in low-and middle-income countries. Integration of primary and secondary prevention has the potential to accelerate the decrease in cervical cancer incidence