Neighborhood Environment Perceptions and the Likelihood of Smoking and Alcohol Use

Citation: Jitnarin, N., Heinrich, K. M., Haddock, C. K., Hughey, J., Berkel, L., & Poston, W. S. C. (2015). Neighborhood Environment Perceptions and the Likelihood of Smoking and Alcohol Use. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(1), 784-799. doi:10.3390/ijerph120100784Neighborhood characteristics are important correlates for a variety of health outcomes. Among several health risk behaviors, smoking and alcohol use have significant consequences. Perceptions of neighborhood problems are associated with depressive symptoms, lower physical activity, and lower quality of life. However, it is unclear which perceived aspects of neighborhoods might be related to smoking and drinking. We examined whether perceived neighborhood characteristics were associated with smoking and drinking patterns using data from US metropolitan Midwestern area adults. Participants completed surveys including sociodemographic characteristics, neighborhood perceptions, behavioral and psychological health. For men, negative perceptions of neighborhood infrastructures were significant predictors for smoking and binge drinking. Among women, no perceived environmental factors were associated with smoking or drinking. However, education was a significant negative predictor for smoking. As age increased, the likelihood of using cigarettes, heavy and binge drinking in women decreased significantly. Depression was a positive predictor for smoking and heavy drinking in men and women, respectively. These findings indicate that the perceived neighborhood infrastructure was predictive of health behaviors among men, even after adjusting for key confounders. Closer attention may need to be paid to the role of neighborhood environmental characteristics along with individual-level characteristics in influencing unhealthy behaviors

INVESTIGATION OF ULTRAFAST ELECTRON AND PROTON TRANSFER PROCESSES IN COPPER-ANTHRAQUINONE DONOR-ACCEPTOR MOLECULES

We have investigated the photochemistry of molecular dyads composed of a light absorbing Cu(I) diimine species co-valently linked to an anthraquinone moiety (CuAnQ). These donor-acceptor molecules serve as Earth-abundant prototypes for studying charge accumulation mechanisms in donor-acceptor-donor triads. We have utilized ultrafast optical and NIR spectroscopy to study the kinetics of the electron transfer, taking advantage of the optical and NIR signatures of the AnQ− radical anion. After excitation into a ¹MLCT band, we observe electron transfer from Cu to AnQ in 10’s of picoseconds, forming a charge-separated state (CSS). The assignment of the CSS to Cu²⁺AnQ− was confirmed by spectroelectrochemical study of the Cu⁺AnQ− species. The CSS relaxes back to the ground state in 3 nanoseconds. In the presence of a protic solvent, the charge-separated state further transforms into a new species. The spectral changes suggest this product results from protonation of the AnQ− into the semiquinone radical (HAnQ•). Accompanying this protonation is an extension of the charge-separated state lifetime from 3 ns to 15 ns. These results provide promise for future studies on the CuAnQCu triad, which can potentially form the double reduced Cu²⁺AnQ²−Cu²⁺ and Cu²⁺HAnQCu²⁺ CSSs. Preliminary experiments which indicate CO₂ binding to the Cu²⁺AnQ− and Cu²⁺HAnQ• CSSs are still underway

Questioning the rise of gelatinous zooplankton in the World's oceans

During the past several decades, high numbers of gelatinous zooplankton species have been reported in many estuarine and coastal ecosystems. Coupled with media-driven public perception, a paradigm has evolved in which the global ocean ecosystems are thought to be heading toward being dominated by “nuisance” jellyfish. We question this current paradigm by presenting a broad overview of gelatinous zooplankton in a historicalcontext to develop the hypothesis that population changes reflect the human-mediated alteration of global ocean ecosystems. To this end, we synthesize information related to the evolutionary context of contemporary gelatinous zooplankton blooms, the human frame of reference forchanges in gelatinous zooplankton populations, and whether sufficient data are available to have established the paradigm. We conclude that the current paradigm in which it is believed that there has been a global increase in gelatinous zooplankton is unsubstantiated, and we develop a strategy for addressing the critical questions about long-term, human-related changes in the sea as they relate to gelatinous zooplankton blooms

The Effect of Electronic Flight Bag Use on Pilot Performance during an Instrument Approach

For years, paper-based navigation aids have been an integral part of safely operating an aircraft. While these tools have served their purpose well, the technology to replace them with a more productive and efficient device may have arrived. Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) have quickly become popular for both commercial and private use. This study analyzed the effect EFBs have on pilot performance in a single pilot environment by evaluating the performance of instrument rated pilots at a large  southeastern flight school. The participants (N=14) were asked to complete two instrument approaches in a flight training device. One approach was executed using an Apple iPad® equipped with ForeFlight™ software (the EFB), while paper charts were utilized during the other approach. Deviations in altitude, heading, airspeed, and localizer course from instrument pilot practical test standards were recorded, as was the  time taken for each participant to configure the approach. Statistical  analysis was conducted to determine if a difference existed between the two methods. The results showed a statistically significant increase in every analyzed performance metric when using the EFB. A survey of participants’ perceived workload during the approaches was also conducted, which  revealed participants felt using the EFB decreased their workload

TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives