Search

Bike share, e-bike share, and e-scooter systems (shared micro-mobility) are gaining popularity throughout the United States and internationally, but the optimal system design has not been determined. This study investigated motivators and deterrents to the use of such systems in the Pacific Northwest with secondary data, participant observations, depth interviews, and an on-line survey to users and non-users. The survey was administered in all cities in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho that have shared micro-mobility systems. The strongest motivators reported were exercise and enjoyment. The strongest deterrents were weather, danger from automobile traffic, and insufficient bike lanes and paths. The latter two deterrents might be alleviated through continued improvements to infrastructure; however, the weather cannot be changed, and neither can hills. Data were fitted to the Theory of Reasoned Action and the resulting recommendation is to promote popular motivators of exercise and enjoyment and emphasize personal benefits more than social appearances. more...

Background: It is well established that hearts with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are energy starved as reflected by a decreased phosphocreatine to ATP ratio that corresponds to increased ADP and decreased free energy of ATP hydrolysis (ΔG ~ATP ). Notably, worsened energetics precedes hypertrophy in development of HCM and mitochondrial mutations impeding ATP synthesis frequently lead to a hypertrophic phenotype similar to HCM. It remains unclear whether targeted strategies to boost mitochondrial ATP synthesis may improve chronically depressed diastolic function and contractile reserve. Here we hypothesize that saturating mitochondria with an accessible substrate, butyrate, acutely improves energetics and function in HCM. Methods and Results: Isolated hearts from 6 months old mice with HCM due to R403Q myosin mutation (R403Q) vs. the wild type littermates (WT) were studied using 31 P NMR spectroscopy to measure ATP synthesis, ADP and ΔG ~ATP at low (LW) and high workload (HW) and HW plus 4 mM butyrate (HWB). As expected, compared to WT, R403Q hearts showed: ↑ATP synthesis associated with a trend for ↑rate pressure product (RPP, p=0.08) at LW but were unable to increase these parameters further at HW. Energetics (↑ADP and ↓ΔG ~ATP ) were depressed at LW and worsened further at HW. Diastolic dysfunction (↑EDP) developed at HW. Butyrate perfusion (HWB) significantly improved all energetic and contractile parameters in R403Q hearts. Conclusion: Here we show that mouse hearts with HCM due to myosin R403Q mutation have worsened energetics despite a higher ATP synthesis rate at baseline. With higher work demand R403Q hearts are unable to dynamically increase ATP synthesis or work. Acute saturation with butyrate enables a further increase in ATP synthesis, normalizing energetics and improving diastolic function and contractile reserve. Thus, our results suggest that targeting mitochondrial function may be a promising strategy in management of HCM. more...

OBSERVAT��RIO DE POL��TICAS P��BLICAS, EMPREENDEDORISMO E CONJUNTURA DA USCS (CONJUSCS) Sob a Dire����o da Pr��-Reitoria de Gradua����o e da Pr��-Reitoria de P��s-Gradua����o, o Observat��rio �� formado por professores, alunos e parceiros convidados. O Observat��rio tem como objetivo elaborar e publicar, periodicamente, notas t��cnicas no campo das Pol��ticas P��blicas, Empreendedorismo e Conjuntura. Expediente ���14�� Carta de Conjuntura (outubro 2020), https://www.uscs.edu.br/boletim/369 more...

Insects, weeds, and plant pathogens destroy ~40% of all food in the world despite the use of ~3 billion kilograms of pesticides each year and cost ~ $32 billion per year. Most or 68% of the pesticides applied in the United States are herbicides. more...

The World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations report that the prevalence of human diseases during the past decade is rapidly increasing. Population growth and the pollution of water, air, and soil are contributing to the increasing number of human diseases worldwide. Currently an estimated 40% of world deaths are due to environmental degradation. The ecology of increasing diseases has complex factors of environmental degradation, population growth, and the current malnutrition of about 3.7 billion people in the world. more...

World crop losses to pests are estimated to be about 35%. Mammal and bird losses appear to be more severe in the tropics and subtropics than in the temperate region, but these losses are low compared with losses to the three major pest groups of insects, pathogens, and weeds. In addition to the 35% preharvest loss an estimated 20% postharvest loss results from another group of pests, primarily microorganisms, insects, and rodents. Although pesticides are often considered to be the most important control technology for pests, biological and cultural controls in fact are more important than pesticides when a comparison is based on managed acres. The Hessian fly, a serious pest of wheat, is effectively controlled on at least a third of Hessian fly infested acreage by Hessian fly resistant varieties. Corn rootworms are controlled successfully in about 60% of US corn acreage by employing crop rotations. more...

The last few years have seen an explosion in the number and size shared micro-mobility systems (“SMMS”) across the United States. Some of these systems have seen extraordinary success and the potential benefit of these systems to communities is considerable. However, SMMS have repeatedly ran into legal barriers that either prevent their implementation entirely, confuse and dissuade potential users, or otherwise limit SMMS’s potential positive impact. This paper reflects a detailed study of state laws relating to SMMS and the platforms commonly used in these systems. The study uncovered many inconsistencies with micro-mobility laws across the country. Currently, many states lack clear definitions for these emerging forms of transportation, which do not otherwise fit neatly in the categories contemplated by existing law. Several states lack clear, state-level policies, which has led to discrepancies between state and local regulations. Further, there are several areas of micro-mobility law that are sharply inconsistent between states. All of these differences leave users confused as to what the law is and may discourage them from riding. A number of states are attempting to remedy inconsistencies and legislative silence by passing and proposing laws that regulate the use of electric bikes (“e-bikes”) and electric scooters (“e-scooters”), but even these efforts are unlikely to bring the consistency that is needed. Federal authorities should act to create uniform laws and work with states to adopt them, otherwise, the lack of a legal infrastructure may threaten to stifle the innovation and undermine SMMS’s promised returns. more...

We discuss the sustainability of natural and human systems in the United States in relation to 21st century threats associated with energy scarcity, climate change, the loss of ecosystem services, the limitations of neoclassical economics, and human settlement patterns. Increasing scarcity and the decreasing return on investment for existing conventional energy reserves are expected to significantly reduce the amount of affordable energy for societal needs and demands. This will also make dealing with the predicted impacts of climate change more difficult and expensive. Climate change will threaten the present sustainability of natural environments, agriculture, and urban areas but these impacts will manifest themselves differentially across the landscape. The impacts of projected climate change will make living in arid regions of the southern Great Plains, the Southwest, and the southern half of California increasingly difficult. Accelerated sea-level rise and increased frequency of strong hurricanes will increase the vulnerability of natural and human systems along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts while making them less sustainable. Ecosystem services provided by natural environments form the basis for the human economy everywhere and are also at risk from climate change impacts and overuse. Decreasing energy availability, climate change, and continued degradation of ecosystem services are likely to make continued economic growth difficult if not impossible. The capacity of neoclassical economics to effectively deal with these growing threats is limited. The areas of the country most compromised by these 21st century trends are likely to be the southern Great Plains, Southwest, southern California, the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and densely populated areas everywhere, but especially in the northeast, Midwest, and southern California. more...

Orientadora: Profa. Dra. Camila Caldeira Nunes Dias Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Humanas e Sociais, 2017. O objeto de estudo se encontra situado no campo da política criminal. O programa "São Paulo Contra o Crime" foi categorizado como uma política pública de segurança, sendo que em sua análise foi utilizado o método qualitativo. Buscou-se identificar os principais elementos que dão sustentação ao programa, a começar pela organização policial, e depois na análise do Sistema Estadual de Coleta de Estatísticas Criminais. Por outro lado, considerou-se os principais problemas que dizem respeito a análise criminal. Após, foi elaborado uma análise genealógica do programa, buscando descrever o meio político no qual esse programa foi inserido. Além disso, foi elaborada a análise de desempenho, com o acompanhamento dos resultados dos quatro trimestres de 2014 e 2015. Por fim, essa política pública foi observada como um instrumento de governamentalização da segurança pública, garantindo o governo dos policiais e das populações de risco. The object of study is situated in the field of criminal policy. The "São Paulo Against Crime" program was categorized as a public security policy, and the qualitative method was used in its analysis. The main elements that give support to the program were identified, starting with the police organization, and later in the analysis of the State System of Collection of Criminal Statistics. On the other hand, it was considered the main problems that concern the criminal analysis. Afterwards, a genealogical analysis of the program was elaborated, trying to describe the political environment in which this program was inserted. In addition, a performance analysis was elaborated, with the monitoring of the results of the four trimesters of 2014 and 2015. Finally, this public policy was observed as an instrument of governance of public security, guaranteeing the government of police and risk populations . more...

Annual grain crops are planted on about 70% of the world's cropland and provide 80% of the world's food. Currently annual grains dominate grain production. Perennial grains offer many important opportunities to produce grains in a more environmentally, economically, and energetically sound manner. Thus, major research efforts are needed to develop perennial grains to help feed the growing and malnourished world population. These grains would also aid in diversifying agriculture. more...

Several physical and chemical factors limit the production of biofuels, such as the complex process required for the conversion of plant biomass into ethanol. For example, fossil energy inputs needed for the production of ethanol from corn is 1.59 liters per liter of ethanol. One of the many factors limiting energy output from biomass is the extremely low fraction of sunlight reaching a hectare that is captured by the plants. On average only about 0.1% of the sunlight is captured by green plants per year. more...

JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE AT THE CROSSROADS: GRAPPLING WITH IDEOLOGY AND HISTORY IN THE NEW NEPALI CONSTITUTION

In this paper the environmental impact of current agriculture practices is reviewed. Soil loss (along with soil fertility), increasing water demand from agricultural practices and environmental pollution caused by the intensive use of agrochemicals, are among the most pressing issues concerning agriculture sustainability. Biodiversity loss due to land use change and emission of greenhouse gasses from agricultural activities are also causes for concern. A number of alternative agricultural practices are also presented that can help to make agriculture less environmentally damaging by reducing the use of natural resources, limiting inputs and preserving soil fertility and biodiversity. We think that there is room for a different and more ecological agriculture and that research should be implemented in order to better assess the potential and constraints of the different options. However, notwithstanding the great achievements of the “Green Revolution,” the world will need 70 to 100% more food by 2050. So a... more...

The authors of this paper have been involved in contentious discussion of the EROI of biomass-based ethanol. This contention has undermined, in the minds of some, the utility of EROI for assessing fuels. This paper seeks to understand the reasons for the divergent results. more...

World malnutrition is a serious problem. Food security for the poor depends on an adequate supply of food and/or the ability to purchase food. The World Health Organization reports that more than 3.7 billion people worldwide are malnourished because of shortages of calories, protein, several vitamins, iron, and iodine. People can die because of shortages of any one or a combination of these nutrients. In the world today there are more than 6.8 billion humans. Based on current rates of increase, the world population is projected to double to more than 13 billion in about 58 years. At a time when the world population continues to expand at a rate of 1.2% per year, adding more than a quarter million people daily, providing adequate food becomes an increasingly difficult problem. The need to increase and make more rational food production, to conserve natural resources, and to reduce food (crop) losses to pests is critical. Also critical is a need to reduce human population numbers. Cropland, water and energy resources are inadquate to support the current 6.8 billion people on earth. more...

Nearly 60% of the world’s human population is malnourished and the numbers are growing. Shortages of basic foods related to decreases in per capita cropland, water, and fossil energy resources contribute to spreading malnutrition and other diseases. The suggestion is that in the future only a smaller number of people will have access to adequate nourishment. In about 100 years, when it is reported that the planet will run out of fossil energy, we suggest that a world population of about two billion might be sustainable if it relies on renewable energy technologies and also reduces per capita use of the earth’s natural resources. more...

Rule of Law reform efforts in developing areas face daunting challenges: (1) the stigma of imperialism when Western-style institutions are imposed, (2) the unwillingness of local communities to embrace the reforms, and (3) a severe shortage of resources — human, physical, and financial. more...

In light of the rise in childhood obesity rates and the influence of the food system on fossil fuel use, this article analyzes current school meals in Baltimore and makes suggestions for school meal reform based on both childhood nutrition and environmental resource use. The nutrient content and estimated energy costs of a typical school lunch are compared with a proposed alternate meal. The study indicates that healthier meals can significantly limit fossil fuel energy inputs for harvesting, production, processing, packaging, and transportation. The authors also provide strategies for developing menus that are both more nutritious and more energy efficient. more...

For centuries famine arose as a seemingly endless series of acute, regional and unanticipated events; it has transformed into a phenomenon, global in scale and continuous in nature. Half the world’s human population perpetually suffers some form of malnourishment, from either a scarcity of calories, protein or micronutrients or from a combination of these. Sheer population size has rendered the scale of suffering unprecedented. Perpetual famine has emerged during an era of abundant and relatively inexpensive soil, water and energy resources, improving crop yields, and a benign climate. However, the twentieth century trends of resource degradation, diminishing growth in crop yields and a warming atmosphere will likely continue, latently and perhaps synergistically impacting agricultural production, and therefore, threatening food security in the twenty-first century. Assuming some proportional relationship between food security and these resources, famine is here projected to greatly increase in the coming decades, severely impacting billions of people. more...

As shortages of fossil energy, especially oil and natural gas, become evident, the United States has moved to convert corn grain into ethanol with the goal to make the nation oil independent. Using more than 20% of all U.S. corn on 15 million acres in 2007 was providing the nation with less than 1% of U.S. oil consumption. Because the corn ethanol project has been a disaster, there is growing interest to develop cellulosic ethanol. Wood, grasses, and crop residues are being proposed as sources for ethanol fuel. Though it may seem beneficial to use renewable plant materials for biofuel, the use of crop residues and other biomass for biofuels raises major concerns about energy balance, food security, and environmental problems. more...

In an energy-scarce future, ecosystem services will become more important in supporting the human economy. The primary role of ecology will be the sustainable management of ecosystems. Energy scarcity will affect ecology in a number of ways. Ecology will become more expensive, which will be justified by its help in solving societal problems, especially in maintaining ecosystem services. Applied research on highly productive ecosystems, including agroecosystems, will dominate ecology. Ecology may become less collegial and more competitive. Biodiversity preservation will be closely tied to preservation of productive ecosystems and provision of high ecosystem services. Restoration and management of rich natural ecosystems will be as important as protection of existing wild areas. Energy-intensive micromanagement of ecosystems will become less feasible. Ecotechnology and, more specifically, ecological engineering and self-design are appropriate bases for sustainable ecosystem management. We use the Mississipp... more...

The rapidly growing world population and rising consumption of biofuels intensify demands for both food and biofuels. This exaggerates food and fuel shortages. The use of food crops such as corn grain to produce ethanol raises major nutritional and ethical concerns. Nearly 60% of humans in the world are currently malnourished, so the need for grains and other basic foods is critical. Growing crops for fuel squanders land, water and energy resources vital for the production of food for human consumption. Using corn for ethanol increases the price of US beef, chicken, pork, eggs, breads, cereals, and milk more than 10% to 30%. In addition, Jacques Diouf, Director General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, reports that using food grains to produce biofuels is already causing food shortages for the poor of the world. Growing crops for biofuel not only ignores the need to reduce fossil energy and land use, but exacerbates the problem of malnourishment worldwide. more...