tag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:/all?page=39Journal of Brief Ideas: Ideas from the last week2015-03-05T16:33:53Ztag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:Idea/1122015-03-05T16:33:53Z2015-03-14T17:13:30ZThe impact of country-specific social capital on implementing multilateral environmental protection treatieshttp://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15857It is no secret that the 21st century will pose dramatic challenges to ecosystem stability and biodiversity as a result of human interventions over the last 200 years. What is also very clear is that human societies will be significantly impacted by these detrimental trends. Climate impacts coupled with poor environmental management practices associated with human development, especially in urban areas, are liable to cause widespread devastation in the coming decades. So far, efforts to organize a concerted global effort to mitigate these trends has proved meek and success elusive. I posit that a large part of the relative success and failure of specific countries is significantly tied to extant social capital dynamics within the country. Social capital expressed as trust and network integration and assimilation within the populace and with regard to their institutions likely has a dramatic effect on the country's success in ratification and implementation of environmental management and protection treaties negotiated in multilateral settings. I propose to study social capital trends and analyze levels against implementation progress and benchmark achievement. Sirakov, Martintag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:Idea/1102015-03-04T19:24:00Z2015-03-12T11:06:36ZThe relationship between healthcare administrative costs and physician-reported efficiency measures: an international comparison.http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15842Comparative analysis of international health systems has increased in recent years, serving to inform systemic transformations undertaken (Singapore) or explored (Vermont). Much of this analysis has focused on comparisons of various healthcare financing schemes.
This analysis explores the relationship between healthcare administrative costs and physician-reported efficiency measures across ten industrialized countries, using OECD data to determine the percentage of national health expenditures spent on health administration and insurance (PHEHA) – a measure that allows a par comparison of administrative efficiency across countries with various health financing arrangements – and Commonwealth Fund surveys of physicians in the same countries.
PHEHA was compared to two physician-reported measures of administrative inefficiency: (1) “Doctors report time spent on administrative issues related to insurance or claims is a major problem” and (2) “Doctors report time spent getting patients needed medications or treatment because of coverage restrictions is a major problem”. The correlation (Pearson’s r) between PHEHA and (1) was 0.67, and between PHEHA and (2) was 0.73.
The relationship between PHEA and indicators of administrative inefficiency provides context for a number of additional subjects of investigation, including the relationship between health system administrative structure and physician workforce planning, job satisfaction, and opportunities for labor savings associated with administrative simplification.Gamlin, Ryantag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:Idea/1072015-03-01T19:29:46Z2015-03-02T06:00:49ZA Novel Approach to Potentially Improve SNR in Gravitational Wave Detectionhttp://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15736Gravitational wave detection aims to measure extremely weak vibration signals that are deeply drowned in noise. Therefore, improving Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) is crucial for such detection systems including laser interferometer gravitational wave observatory-LIGO.
In order to detect the vibration A which is induced on the Measuring Mass M by a certain astronomical event X, we deliberately add a reference vibration B. Then, we detect the combined vibration of A+B (instead A) on the Measuring Mass and study the cross-correlation between A+B vs. B. Most importantly, since A is extremely weak, we believe it is best to generate B using radiation pressure created by Reference Laser irradiation against M. In this case, we can easily change the characteristics of the Reference Laser by performing encode changes (pseudo randomly encoding for example) to modulate the Reference Laser’s frequency.
As we adjust the amplitude/frequency/phase of B to try to match A’s amplitude, frequency and phase (and/or opposite phase), our hypothesis is that the resulted resonances' peak can produce a much higher SNR performance.
NING, JINGtag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:Idea/1062015-02-28T13:28:44Z2017-06-26T13:01:14ZA Neural Calendar in the Human Brainhttp://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15723The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus is the principal component of the mammalian biological clock, the neural timing system that generates and coordinates a broad spectrum of physiological, endocrine and behavioral circadian rhythms. The pacemaker of the SCN oscillates with a near 24-hour period and is entrained to the diurnal light-dark cycle. Consistent with its role in circadian timing, investigations in rodents and non-human primates furthermore suggest that the biological clock is also the locus of the brain's endogenous calendar, enabling organisms to anticipate seasonal environmental changes.
Although human beings are not considered to be particularly photoperiodic many of the seasonal cycles of human biology are under environmental control and seem to be driven by an endogenous clock synchronized with the seasons. Whether humans indeed have a seasonal timekeeper and where it is located is unknown. It could well be that the neuronal changes and adaptations in humans that occur in response to a seasonally changing environment are driven by an endogenous circannual clock located in the SCN, and that this neural calendar is reset by the seasonal fluctuations in photoperiod.
Hofman, Micheltag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:Idea/1052015-02-27T16:18:32Z2015-02-28T06:00:21ZSuggestion: Is a change in perception necessary to modulate cognitive conflict?http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15703It has been suggested that when in a highly focused state, some individuals can better utilise attentional resources allowing them to ignore stimuli which may be distracting. Further, it has been postulated that hypnosis is nessesary in alleviating cognitive conflict that impairs task specific attentional processing. Indeed, it has been determined that the use of suggestion including a perceptual change after posthypnotic induction can reduce cognitive conflict that hinders performance on a flanker task [(1)](http://pss.sagepub.com/content/17/8/721.short).
See [here](http://link.springer.com/article/10.3758%2FBF03203267) for more information on the flanker task.
However, a posthypnotic induction is not always required to reduce cognitive conflict, and often suggestion alone is sufficient [2](http://pss.sagepub.com/content/17/2/91.short). With this in mind, research has yet to determine whether suggestion can modulate cognitive conflict without directly targeting a change in ones perception.
Preliminary findings amongst an undergraduate sample high in suggestibility, who were provided with a brief suggestion (i.e. gaze will be captured like a magnet / attention will be completely absorbed by the central letter / any other letters are irrelevant), demonstrated no difference in accuracy on a flanker task between those provided with or without the suggestion prior to the task.
These findings suggest that the use of suggestion without the inclusion of a perceptual change is not sufficient in altering attentional processes that subsequently reduce cognitive conflict in the flanker task.
Akram, Umairtag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:Idea/1032015-02-27T08:56:20Z2023-04-22T15:39:45ZDevelop a human-readable formal language for complex scientific modelshttp://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15700Much modern research is based on complex models for complex systems. Examples are biological macromolecules, climate models, or systems biology. These models are too complex for publishing in journal articles. They currently exist only in the heads of a few experts and embedded in simulation software, inaccessible for inspection by peers. Most users of simulation software have no precise knowledge of the models they are applying. See [here](http://dx.doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.3978.2) for an in-depth discussion.
Such models should be encoded in [formal languages](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formal_language) designed for this purpose. In contrast to programming languages, these languages are designed for simplicity and readability by humans. Formalized complex models can then be used for testing simulation software, and read as input by future simulation software. They can also be worked on by software tools similar to today's computer algebra systems, and published as datasets.
The idea is similar to the use of [specification languages](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specification_language) for software. A specification for scientific software would consist of several models plus a task to be performed based on these models. A formal language for scientific models would be a hybrid of a software specification language and a notation like [OpenMath](http://www.openmath.org/).
Hinsen, Konradtag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:Idea/1022015-02-26T18:36:48Z2023-02-07T02:09:55ZMarine sponge-associated bacteria: A new source for Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs)http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15691Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) possess a wide range of well-established industrial applications and being considered as alternate for fossil-fuel derived/synthetic plastics. Major research efforts are currently focusing on increasing the ability to produce these materials in an economically competitive manner so that their widespread use will become more economic and commercially viable. Diverse bacteria from various environments have been sourced for production of PHAs and literature evidenced that the marine microbes are scarcely explored for PHAs synthesis. Marine sponges (Porifera) are recognized as a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites and they harbor a remarkable array of microorganisms constitute 30-50% of the sponge-mesohyl, occurring mostly as intracellular endosymbionts. The competition between these sponge-associated microbes may create a stressful environment, which may favor the synthesis of PHAs by bacteria. Inclusion of storage substances such as PHAs is a common bacterial strategy that increases survival in stressful and fluctuating environment. Hence, I proposed a hypothesis that given the nutrient deplete environment that prevail within marine sponges that their bacterial endosymbionts are likely to produce a diverse range of PHAs, given that such an ecosystem is likely to enrich for PHA producing bacteria and which will ultimately end-up with new classes of biopolymers discovery for commercial applications.Ganesan, Sathiyanarayanantag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:Idea/1002015-02-26T07:17:06Z2015-02-27T06:01:10ZModifying astronauts' microbiome may enhance prevention from commensal bacteria caused infections at microgravity conditionhttp://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15686Since in 2020s, astronauts will be expected to build a colony at Mars without return. And in a report named 'Microbial responses to microgravity and other low-shear environments' by Nickerson et al. at 2004, it is stated that Salmonella typhimurium, known for causing food-borne illness, can change its genome to become more virulent after just a few days in space. That's why, modification of astronauts' microbiome gets importance so that infectious diseases might be prevented and antibiotic tolerance might be reduced.
On the other hand, a recent report, named 'Salmonella typhimurium intercepts Escherichia coli signaling to enhance antibiotic tolerance', showed that the intestinal pathogen Salmonella typhimurium increases its antibiotic tolerance in response to the bacterial signaling molecule indole, even though Salmonella typhimurium does not natively produce indole. So that this intestinal pathogen can benefit from indole signaling produced by Escherichia coli and/or other intestinal commensal bacteria.
To conclude, modifying indole pathway of Escherichia coli and/or other commensal bacteria of astronauts with the help of synthetic biology techniques may prevent from intestinal bacteria caused infections caused by microgravity.Tastan, Cihantag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:Idea/982015-02-25T19:48:53Z2015-03-02T16:22:45ZFrom global to local: making international sustainable development goals relevant at the watershed scalehttp://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15664In 2015, the United Nations is likely to adopt 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 15s), with 169 associated targets. These goals are intended to improve on the Millennium Development Goals by addressing key systemic barriers such as inequality, unsustainable consumption, weak institutional capacity and environmental degradation (Stevance et al., 2015). The 169 targets are specific and allow managers (at any spatial scale) to assess progress toward the goals. However, sustainable development is complex, requiring society to make choices. For example, increased investments in agriculture can advance food security, but can degrade water resources and biodiversity (Stevance et al., 2015). If society is to make progress toward these sustainable development goals, there must be concerted action at the local scale. If local watershed management is to be sustainable and meet the broader needs of society, it must be conducted in ways that advance society’s broader goals. Chaves and Alipaz (2007) offered a Watershed Sustainability Index (WSI) that incorporates hydrologic, environmental, life and quality metrics. There is a significant opportunity to adapt the WSI to more explicitly incorporate the SDG 15s. The new index should be flexible, allowing stakeholders in each watershed to set priorities and assess progress toward locally relevant goals. Perry, Jimtag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:Idea/952015-02-24T16:36:39Z2015-02-25T06:00:25ZLimiting the Risks and Effects of Dry Cargo Liquefaction with Drying Filler Materialhttp://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15635All too frequently, cargo ships transporting bulk cargo sink because of dry cargo liquefaction. By mixing cargo material (CM) with a non-reactive Drying Filler Material (DFM) the cargo hold could be filled completely regardless of the amount of CM to be transported, thus reducing the space in which the material inside the cargo hold can move. Due to the drying properties of the DFM, humidity in the CM could be reduced and stored in DFM particles, reducing the risk of liquefaction in the first place. Essentially one would add cat litter: just like cat litter, the DFM would bind humidity. Regular cat litter, made e.g. of bentonite, turns into clumps, which is what you want to avoid because you want to maintain the overall volume. Bigger items, such as wood pellets, though, might be more suitable. Potentially a better DFM must be engineered artificially. At the end of the journal CM and DFM would have to be separated. This would add some complications and costs to the overall process but might provide a way to reduce risks to the lives of seafarers.Kirchner, Stefan