Environmental Policy Across Terrestrial Space

This dissertation examines spatial heterogeneity that results from various environmental policies. In Chapter 1, I provide a comprehensive overview of each dissertation chapter. Chapter 2 (with Ed Rubin) demonstrates that most coal-fueled power plants are located on or near jurisdictional (county or state) borders. We find that coal-fired power plants are disproportionately sited on downwind borders (within county or state). Natural gas plants---much lower polluters---do not exhibit this behavior. Motivated by the inferred strategic siting, we use an atmospheric dispersion model developed by NOAA to estimate various aspects of the ``pollution transport problem.'' We find that nearly 90% of coal-based particulate matter leaves its state of origin within 48 hours of release. Chapter 3 (with Mark Colas) examines the effects of stringent land-use regulations on national carbon emissions. We develop and estimate a general equilibrium model of residential sorting and energy consumption. We find that relaxing land-use restrictions in California leads to a 0.6% drop in national carbon emissions. The mechanism behind this drop is straightforward. California cities have a temperate climate, carbon-efficient power plants, and high land-use regulations. These land-use regulations inflate housing prices, thus keeping households out of California cities. When households live outside of California, they emit more carbon on average, and therefore national carbon emissions are higher due to California's land-use regulations. In Chapter 4, I simulate the labor market effects of a carbon tax across the continental United States. To recover the welfare impacts of a carbon tax, I build and estimate a spatial equilibrium model that features heterogeneous households. I incorporate a rich level of heterogeneity into the model that allows me to answer: (1) who is most affected by a carbon tax, (2) how much the burden of a carbon tax is borne on different households, and (3) where the households are that bear the greatest burden from the tax. I find that workers without a college degree in manufacturing bear a disproportionate share of the tax incidence. Chapter 5 concludes this dissertation. This dissertation includes previously both previously published and unpublished and co-authored material

Development of single pass drilling technology through investigations in drilling burr elimination

Issued as final reportLockheed Marti

Three-compartment body composition changes in elite rugby league players during a super league season, measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

This study investigated the acute changes in body composition that occur over the course of a competitive season in elite rugby league players. Twenty elite senior players from an English Super League rugby league team underwent a total-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan at 3 phases of a competitive season: preseason (February), midseason (June), and postseason (September). Body mass (BM), fat mass (FM), lean mass, percentage body fat, and bone mineral content (BMC) were reported at each phase. Between the start and midpoint of the season, BM, lean mass, FM, and body fat percentage showed no significant change (p > 0.05); however, BMC was significantly increased (+0.71%; 30.70 ± 38.00 g; p 0.05); however, significant changes were observed in lean mass (-1.54%; 1.19 ± 1.43 kg), FM (+4.09%; 0.57 ± 1.10 kg), and body fat percentage (+4.98%; 0.78 ± 1.09%; p < 0.05). The significant changes in body composition seen over the latter stages of the competitive season may have implications for performance capabilities at this important stage of competition. An increase in FM and decrease in lean mass may have a negative effect on the power/BM ratio, and therefore may be a cause for concern for playing, coaching, and medical staff. Coaching and strength and conditioning staff should aim to prescribe appropriate training and nutritional practices with the aim of maintaining the players' optimal body composition until the conclusion of the competitive season, in order that performance capabilities are maximized over the entire competition period

Temporal Coherence in Ultradian Sleep EEG Rhythms

Background: Previous work has indicated that low temporal coherence of ultradian sleep electroencephalographic rhythms is characteristic of depressed patients and of depressed women, in particular. It may also be evident in one quarter of those at high risk, based on a family history of depression. Methods: The present study evaluated temporal coherence of sleep electroencephalographic rhythms in 41 adolescent girls with a maternal history of depression (high risk) and 40 healthy controls (low risk). The entire sample was followed clinically every 6 months for 2 years. Results: Temporal coherence was significantly lower among the high-risk girls than in controls. Regression analyses predicted group from coherence values and correctly classified 70% of the high-risk group with a false-positive rate of 5% among controls. Moreover, 54% of the high-risk girls were identified with extreme low coherence. On clinical follow up, 14 girls showed depressive symptoms, 9 in the high-risk group (22.5%) and 5 controls (12.2%). Six met DSM-IV criteria for firstepisode major depressive disorder, five high-risk and one control. Most importantly, 41% of those identified as having the most abnormal coherence values either showed symptoms of depression or met diagnostic criteria upon follow up. Conclusions: Low temporal coherence is evident in adolescent girls at high risk for depression. The more abnormal the coherence, the greater the risk of a first episode of major depressive disorder within 2 years of sleep study, approximately 10 times greater than in controls. Biol Psychiatry 2002;51:446–456 © 2002 Society of Biological Psychiatryhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/60181/1/Morehouse, 2002.pd

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Shows High Genetic Diversity and Ecological Niche Specificity among Haplotypes in the Maya Mountains of Belize

The amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has been implicated in amphibian declines around the globe. Although it has been found in most countries in Central America, its presence has never been assessed in Belize. We set out to determine the range, prevalence, and diversity of Bd using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and sequencing of a portion of the 5.8 s and ITS1-2 regions. Swabs were collected from 524 amphibians of at least 26 species in the protected areas of the Maya Mountains of Belize. We sequenced a subset of 72 samples that had tested positive for Bd by qPCR at least once; 30 samples were verified as Bd. Eight unique Bd haplotypes were identified in the Maya Mountains, five of which were previously undescribed. We identified unique ecological niches for the two most broadly distributed haplotypes. Combined with data showing differing virulence shown in different strains in other studies, the 5.8 s - ITS1-2 region diversity found in this study suggests that there may be substantial differences among populations or haplotypes. Future work should focus on whether specific haplotypes for other genomic regions and possibly pathogenicity can be associated with haplotypes at this locus, as well as the integration of molecular tools with other ecological tools to elucidate the ecology and pathogenicity of Bd

Ultra-high-speed micro-milling machine

Issued as final reportMohawk Innovative Technolog