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Review of the Department of Defense Research Program on Low-Level Exposures to Chemical Warfare Agents
by National Research Council of the National AcademiesResearch related to chemical warfare agents (CWAs) has historically focused on life threatening battlefield effects caused by high level exposures to the agents, not effects associated with exposures to low concentrations of them. In this report, low level concentrations refers to exposures that may not have any immediate observed health effects, but may produce delayed health effects months or years later. Recently, there has been increased concern about the potential health effects of exposures to CWAs at low concentrations. This report reviews the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Research Plan for obtaining toxicologic and other relevant data to assess risk to military personnel. The CWAs of concern include the following nerve and vesicant agents: tabun, sarin, soman, cyclosarin, VX, and sulfur mustard. The report discusses the health effects of exposure to low levels of these agents and provides guidance to DOD on appropriate risk assessment methods for assessing toxicologic risk to military personnel from low-level exposures to CWAs. The report concludes that DOD’s Research Plan is well planned and many of the proposed research tasks are likely to provide valuable information to DOD in protecting military personnel.
Review of the Department of Energy's Genomics: GTL Program
by National Research Council of the National AcademiesThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) promotes scientific and technological innovation to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States. Recognizing the potential of microorganisms to offer new energy alternatives and remediate environmental contamination, DOE initiated the Genomes to Life program, now called Genomics: GTL, in 2000. The program aims to develop a predictive understanding of microbial systems that can be used to engineer systems for bioenergy production and environmental remediation, and to understand carbon cycling and sequestration. This report provides an evaluation of the program and its infrastructure plan. Overall, the report finds that GTL’s research has resulted in and promises to deliver many more scientific advancements that contribute to the achievement of DOE’s goals. However, the DOE’s current plan for building four independent facilities for protein production, molecular imaging, proteome analysis, and systems biology sequentially may not be the most cost-effective, efficient, and scientifically optimal way to provide this infrastructure. As an alternative, the report suggests constructing up to four institute-like facilities, each of which integrates the capabilities of all four of the originally planned facility types and focuses on one or two of DOE’s mission goals. The alternative infrastructure plan could have an especially high ratio of scientific benefit to cost because the need for technology will be directly tied to the biology goals of the program.
Review of the Department of Labor's Site Exposure Matrix Database
by Institute of Medicine Committee on the Review of the Department of Labor's Site Exposure Matrix (SEM) Database Board on the Health of Select PopulationsBeginning with the development of the atomic bomb during World War II, the United States continued to build nuclear weapons throughout the Cold War. Thousands of people mined and milled uranium, conducted research on nuclear warfare, or worked in nuclear munitions factories around the country from the 1940s through the 1980s. Such work continues today, albeit to a smaller extent. The Department of Energy (DOE) is now responsible for overseeing those sites and facilities, many of which were, and continue to be, run by government contractors. The materials used at those sites were varied and ranged from the benign to the toxic and highly radioactive. Workers at DOE facilities often did not know the identity of the materials with which they worked and often were unaware of health risks related to their use. In many instances, the work was considered top secret, and employees were cautioned not to reveal any work-related information to family or others. Workers could be exposed to both radioactive and nonradioactive toxic substances for weeks or even years. Consequently, some of the workers have developed health problems and continue to have concerns about potential health effects of their exposures to occupational hazards during their employment in the nuclear weapons industry. In response to the concerns expressed by workers and their representatives, DOL asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to review the SEM database and its use of a particular database, Haz-Map, as the source of its toxic substance-occupational disease links. Accordingly, this IOM consensus report reflects careful consideration of its charge by the committee, and describes the strengths and shortcomings of both. To complete its task, IOM formed an ad hoc committee of experts in occupational medicine, toxicology, epidemiology, industrial hygiene, public health, and biostatistics to conduct an 18-month study to review the scientific rigor of the SEM database. The committee held two public meetings at which it heard from DOL Division of Energy Employee Occupational Illness Compensation (DEEOIC) representatives, the DOL contractor that developed the SEM database, the developer of the Haz-Map database, DOE worker advocacy groups, and several individual workers. The committee also submitted written questions to DOL to seek clarification of specific issues and received written responses from DEEOIC. The committee's report considers both the strengths and weaknesses of the SEM and the Haz-Map databases, recognizing that the latter was developed first and for a different purpose. The committee then discusses its findings and recommends improvements that could be made in both databases with a focus on enhancing the usability of SEM for both DOL claims examiners and for former DOE workers and their representatives. Review of the Department of Labor's Site Exposure Matrix Database summarizes the committee's findings.
Review of the Draft 2014 Science Mission Directorate Science Plan
by National Research Council Space Studies Board Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences Committee on the Assessment of the NASA Science Mission Directorate 2014 Science PlanNASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is engaged in the final stages of a comprehensive, agency-wide effort to develop a new strategic plan at a time when its budget is under considerable stress. SMD's Science Plan serves to provide more detail on its four traditional science disciplines - astronomy and astrophysics, solar and space physics (also called heliophysics), planetary science, and Earth remote sensing and related activities - than is possible in the agency-wide Strategic Plan. Review of the Draft 2014 Science Mission Directorate Science Plan comments on the responsiveness of SMD's Science Plan to the National Research Council's guidance on key science issues and opportunities in recent NRC decadal reports. This study focuses on attention to interdisciplinary aspects and overall scientific balance; identification and exposition of important opportunities for partnerships as well as education and public outreach; and integration of technology development with the science program. The report provides detailed findings and recommendations relating to the draft Science Plan.
Review of the Draft Interagency Report on the Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States
by Engineering Medicine National Academies of ScienceThe U.S. National Climate Assessment (NCA; Melillo et al., 2014) identified a number of ways in which climate change is affecting or is likely to affect, people, infrastructure, natural resources, and ecosystems. Those impacts in turn have the potential for important current and future consequences for human health. Research on these impacts is active, with strong evidence to support some aspects and research still in progress for others. Therefore, there is a need to assess our understanding of how the impacts of climate change on the environment can create stressors that can affect human health in a number of dimensions both now and in the future. <P> In response to this need, the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) has initiated an interagency Assessment on the Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States. The Assessment is intended to inform public health authorities, other planning and policy entities, and the general public. It extends the work begun under the 2008 Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.6 (USGCRP, 2008) Analyses of the Effects of Global Change on Human Health and Welfare and Human Systems and the third NCA released in 2014.
Review of the Environmental Protection Agency's Draft IRIS Assessment of Formaldehyde
by The National Academy of SciencesFormaldehyde is ubiquitous in indoor and outdoor air, and everyone is exposed to formaldehyde at some concentration daily. Formaldehyde is used to produce a wide array of products, particularly building materials; it is emitted from many sources, including power plants, cars, gas and wood stoves, and cigarettes; it is a natural product in come foods; and it is naturally present in the human body as a metabolic intermediate. Much research has been conducted on the health effects of exposure to formaldehyde, including effects on the upper airway, where formaldehyde is deposited when inhaled, and effects on tissues distant from the site of initial contact. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released noncancer and cancer assessments of formaldehyde for its Intergated Risk Information System (IRIS) in 1990 and 1991, respectively. The agency began reassessing formaldehyde in 1998 and released a draft IRIS assessment in June 2010. Given the complexity of the issues and the knowledge that the assessment will be used as the basis of regulatory decisions, EPA asked the National Research Council (NRC) to conduct an independent scientific review of the draft IRIS assessment. In this report, the Committee to Review EPA's Draft IRIS Assessment of Formaldehyde first addresses some general issues associated with the draft IRIS assessment. The committee next focuses on questions concerning specific aspects of the draft assessment, including derivation of the reference concentrations and the cancer unit risk estimates for formaldehyde. The committee closes with recommendations for improving the IRIS assessment of formaldehyde and provides some general comments on the IRIS development process.
Review of the MEPAG Report on Mars Special Regions
by Committee to Review the MEPAG Report on Mars Special RegionsPlanetary protection is a guiding principle in the design of an interplanetary mission, aiming to prevent biological contamination of both the target celestial body and the Earth. The protection of high-priority science goals, the search for life and the understanding of the Martian organic environment may be compromised if Earth microbes carried by spacecraft are grown and spread on Mars. This has led to the definition of Special Regions on Mars where strict planetary protection measures have to be applied before a spacecraft can enter these areas. At NASA's request, the community-based Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) established the Special Regions Science Analysis Group (SR-SAG2) in October 2013 to examine the quantitative definition of a Special Region and proposed modifications to it, as necessary, based upon the latest scientific results. Review of the MEPAG Report on Mars Special Regions reviews the conclusions and recommendations contained in MEPAG's SR-SAG2 report and assesses their consistency with current understanding of both the Martian environment and the physical and chemical limits for the survival and propagation of microbial and other life on Earth. This report provides recommendations for an update of the planetary protection requirements for Mars Special Regions.
Review of the National Defense Intelligence College's Master's Degree in Science and Technology Intelligence
by Committee for the Review of the Master's Degree Program for Science Technology Intelligence ProfessionalsThe National Research Council (NRC) was asked by the National Defense Intelligence College (NDIC) to convene a committee to review the curriculum and syllabi for their proposed master of science degree in science and technology intelligence. The NRC was asked to review the material provided by the NDIC and offer advice and recommendations regarding the program's structure and goals of the Master of Science and Technology Intelligence (MS&TI) program. The Committee for the Review of the Master's Degree Program for Science and Technology Professionals convened in May 2011, received extensive briefings and material from the NDIC faculty and administrators, and commenced a detailed review of the material. This letter report contains the findings and recommendations of the committee. "Review of the National Defense Intelligence College's Master's Degree in Science and Technology Intelligence" centers on two general areas. First, the committee found that the biological sciences and systems engineering were underrepresented in the existing program structure. Secondly, the committee recommends that the NDIC faculty restructure the program and course learning objectives to focus more specifically on science and technology, with particular emphasis on the empirical measurement of student achievement. Given the dynamic and ever-changing nature of science and technology, the syllabi should continue to evolve as change occurs.
Review of the Research Program of the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership: Second Report (2008)
by National Research Council of the National AcademiesThe FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership is a collaborative effort among the Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Council for Automotive Research (USCAR), and five major energy companies to manage research that will enable the vision of a clean and sustainable transportation energy future. It envisions a transition from more efficient internal combustion engines (ICEs), to advanced ICE hybrid electric vehicles, and to enabling a private-sector decision by 2015 on hydrogen-fueled vehicle development. At the request of DOE, the NRC has undertaken an effort to provide biennial reviews of the progress of the research program. Phase I of that review was described in a book issued in 2005. This second book presents an assessment of the progress in the research program management areas as well as the responses of program management to recommendations provided in the Phase I report. Covered in this second book are major crosscutting issues; vehicle subsystems; hydrogen production, delivery, and dispensing; and an overall assessment of the program.
Review of the Research Program of the U.S. DRIVE Partnership
by Committee on Review of the U.S. DRIVE Research Program Phase 4Review of the Research Program of the U. S. DRIVE Partnership: Fourth Report follows on three previous NRC reviews of the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership, which was the predecessor of the U. S. DRIVE Partnership (NRC, 2005, 2008a, 2010). The U. S. DRIVE (Driving Research and Innovation for Vehicle Efficiency and Energy Sustainability) vision, according to the charter of the Partnership, is this: American consumers have a broad range of affordable personal transportation choices that reduce petroleum consumption and significantly reduce harmful emissions from the transportation sector. Its mission is as follows: accelerate the development of pre-competitive and innovative technologies to enable a full range of efficient and clean advanced light-duty vehicles (LDVs), as well as related energy infrastructure. The Partnership focuses on precompetitive research and development (R&D) that can help to accelerate the emergence of advanced technologies to be commercialization-feasible. The guidance for the work of the U. S. DRIVE Partnership as well as the priority setting and targets for needed research are provided by joint industry/government technical teams. This structure has been demonstrated to be an effective means of identifying high-priority, long-term precompetitive research needs for each technology with which the Partnership is involved. Technical areas in which research and development as well as technology validation programs have been pursued include the following: internal combustion engines (ICEs) potentially operating on conventional and various alternative fuels, automotive fuel cell power systems, hydrogen storage systems (especially onboard vehicles), batteries and other forms of electrochemical energy storage, electric propulsion systems, hydrogen production and delivery, and materials leading to vehicle weight reductions.
Review of the Research Strategy for Biomass-Derived Transportation Fuels
by National Research CouncilA Review of the Research Strategy for Biomass-Derived Transportation Fuels
Review of the U.S. Department of Defense Air, Space, and Supporting Information Systems Science and Technology Program
by Technology Program Committee on Review of the U.S. Department of Defense Air Space Systems ScienceA Review of the U.S. Department of Defense Air, Space, and Supporting Information Systems Science and Technology Program
Reviewing Earth Science: The Physical Setting
by Thomas McGuireYou are embarking on an adventure. Adventures are known for the challenges and accomplishments they bring. However, hardships are also part of the process. The challenge will be to understand Earth's systems. As you read, you will notice bold-faced words within the text. These words are defined in the text where you see them. In addition, you will find them in the Glossary. Words printed in italics are words that have been defined in an earlier chapter or other science-related words you should know. <p><p> Rather than just memorizing numerous facts, you will be expected to use information sources, such as the Earth Science Reference Tables, to help you gain an understanding of our planet. These tables are printed near the back of this book. They should be used in class, during labs, and for reference during tests. Reviewing Earth Science: The Physical Setting, Second Edition, will help you place factual information in context. This skill will allow you to answer challenging questions. <p> Each section of text is followed by a set of questions. In addition, there are Chapter Review questions, which are divided into the Part A, Part B, and Part C types that you will find in the Regents Exam. Each chapter also has a Problem Solving Activity. This wealth of questions provides practice in answering multiple-choice items and questions that require longer answers. In many cases, these questions test your ability to apply your knowledge and skills in new ways.
Reviewing Earth Science: The Physical Setting (3rd edition)
by Thomas McguireTo provide a thorough, moderately priced review of a national standards-based one-year High School/Middle School course in Earth Science. In addition, it provides a complete review of the New York State Core Curriculum for the Physical Setting-Earth Science.
Reviewing Intermediate-Level Science: Preparing for Your Eighth-Grade Test
by Paul S. Cohen Jerry Deutsch Anthony V. SorrentinoTextbook to prepare students for the NY 8th-grade science test.
Reviewing Intermediate-Level Science: Preparing for Your Eighth-Grade Test
by Paul S. Cohen Anthony V. SorrentinoThis book provides a complete review of intermediate-level science to help you prepare for your Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Written Test. The text consists of 13 chapters. These cover topics in life, physical, and Earth science, as well as the scientific method, the history and nature of scientific inquiry, and the interactions of science, technology, and society.
Reviewing: Biology
by Rick HallmanThis review book provides a complete review of a one-year biology course that meets the NYS Living Environment Core Curriculum. Includes four recent Regents exams.
Reviews in Computational Chemistry
by Abby L. Parrill Kenneth B. LipkowitzThe Reviews in Computational Chemistry series brings together leading authorities in the field to teach the newcomer and update the expert on topics centered on molecular modeling.• Provides background and theory, strategies for using the methods correctly, pitfalls to avoid, applications, and references• Contains updated and comprehensive compendiums of molecular modeling software that list hundreds of programs, services, suppliers and other information that every chemist will find useful• Includes detailed indices on each volume help the reader to quickly discover particular topics• Uses a tutorial manner and non-mathematical style, allowing students and researchers to access computational methods outside their immediate area of expertise
Reviews in Computational Chemistry, Volume 28
by Kenny B. Lipkowitz Abby L. ParrillThe Reviews in Computational Chemistry series brings together leading authorities in the field to teach the newcomer and update the expert on topics centered around molecular modeling, such as computer-assisted molecular design (CAMD), quantum chemistry, molecular mechanics and dynamics, and quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR). This volume, like those prior to it, features chapters by experts in various fields of computational chemistry. Topics in Volume 28 include: Free-energy Calculations with Metadynamics Polarizable Force Fields for Biomolecular Modeling Modeling Protein Folding Pathways Assessing Structural Predictions of Protein-Protein Recognition Kinetic Monte Carlo Simulation of Electrochemical Systems Reactivity and Dynamics at Liquid Interfaces
Reviews in Computational Chemistry, Volume 31 (Reviews in Computational Chemistry)
by Kenny B. Lipkowitz Abby L. ParrillThe Reviews in Computational Chemistry series brings together leading authorities in the field to teach the newcomer and update the expert on topics centered on molecular modeling, such as computer-assisted molecular design (CAMD), quantum chemistry, molecular mechanics and dynamics, and quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR). This volume, like those prior to it, features chapters by experts in various fields of computational chemistry. Topics in Volume 31 include:Lattice-Boltzmann Modeling of Multicomponent Systems: An IntroductionModeling Mechanochemistry from First PrinciplesMapping Energy Transport Networks in ProteinsThe Role of Computations in CatalysisThe Construction of Ab Initio Based Potential Energy SurfacesUncertainty Quantification for Molecular Dynamics
Reviews in Computational Chemistry, Volume 32 (Reviews in Computational Chemistry #32)
by Abby L Parrill Kenny B LipkowitzREVIEWS IN COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY THE LATEST VOLUME IN THE REVIEWS IN COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY SERIES, THE INVALUABLE REFERENCE TO METHODS AND TECHNIQUES IN COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY Reviews in Computational Chemistry reference texts assist researchers in selecting and applying new computational chemistry methods to their own research. Bringing together writings from leading experts in various fields of computational chemistry, Volume 32 covers topics including global structure optimization, time-dependent density functional tight binding calculations, non-equilibrium self-assembly, cluster prediction, and molecular simulations of microphase formers and deep eutectic solvents. In keeping with previous books in the series, Volume 32 uses a non-mathematical style and tutorial-based approach that provides students and researchers with easy access to computational methods outside their area of expertise. The chapters comprising Volume 32 are connected by two themes: methods that can be broadly applied to a variety of systems, and special considerations required when modeling specific system types. Each in-depth chapter contains background and theory, strategies for using the methods correctly, mini-tutorials and best practices, and critical literature reviews highlighting advanced applications. Essential reading for both newcomers and experts in the area of molecular modeling, this state-of-the-art resource: Covers topics such as non-deterministic global optimization (NDGO) approaches and excited-state dynamics calculations Contains a detailed overview of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and simulation methods Presents methodologies for investigating chemical systems that form microphases with periodic morphologies such as lamellae and cylinders Features step-by-step tutorials on applying techniques to probe and understand the chemical dynamics exhibited in a system Includes detailed subject indices on each volume in the series and up-to-date compendiums of molecular modeling software, services, programs, suppliers, and other useful information Reviews in Computational Chemistry, Volume 32 is a must-have guide for computational chemists, theoretical chemists, pharmaceutical chemists, biological chemists, chemical engineers, researchers in academia and industry, and graduate students involved in molecular modeling.
Reviews in Fluorescence 2007
by Chris D GeddesThis is the fourth volume in the Reviews in Fluorescence series. To date, three volumes have been both published and well received by the scientific community. Several book reviews in the last few years have also favourably remarked on the series. In this 4th volume we continue the tradition of publishing leading edge and timely articles from authors around the world. We thank the authors for their timely and exciting contributions. We hope you will find this volume as useful as past volumes, which promises to be just as diverse with regard to fluorescence-based content.
Reviews in Fluorescence 2008
by Chris D. GeddesThis is the fifth volume in the Reviews in Fluorescence series. To date, four volumes have been both published and well received by the scientific community. Several book reviews in the last few years have also favourably remarked on the series. In this 5th volume we continue the tradition of publishing leading edge and timely articles from authors around the world. We thank the authors for their timely and exciting contributions. We hope you will find this volume as useful as past volumes, which promises to be just as diverse with regard to fluorescence-based content.
Reviews in Fluorescence 2010
by Chris D. GeddesReviews in Fluorescence 2010, the seventh volume of the book serial from Springer, serves as a comprehensive collection of current trends and emerging hot topics in the field of fluorescence and closely related disciplines. It summarizes the year’s progress in fluorescence and its applications, with authoritative analytical reviews specialized enough to be attractive to professional researchers, yet also appealing to the wider audience of scientists in related disciplines of fluorescence. Reviews in Fluorescence offers an essential reference material for any lab working in the fluorescence field and related areas. All academics, bench scientists, and industry professionals wishing to take advantage of the latest and greatest in the continuously emerging field of fluorescence will find it an invaluable resource. Key features: Accessible utility in a single volume reference. chapters authored by known leading figures in the fluorescence field, new volume publishes annually, comprehensive coverage of the year's hottest and emerging topics, each Reviews in Fluorescence volume is citable (ISI) and indexed. Reviews in Fluorescence 2010 topics include: Novel Metal-based Luminophores for Biological Imaging. hydration Dynamics of Probes and Peptides in Captivity, how does tobacco etch viral mRNA get translated? A fluorescence study of competition, stability and kinetics, synchronous Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Its Applications in Clinical Analysis and Food Safety Evaluation, quantitative molecular imaging in living cells via FLIM, a Multiparametric Imaging of Cellular Coenzymes for Monitoring Metabolic and Mitochondrial Activities, optimal Conditions for Live Cell Microscopy and Raster Image Correlation Spectroscopy (RICS).
Reviews in Fluorescence 2015
by Chris D GeddesReviews in Fluorescence 2015, the eighth volume of the book serial from Springer, serves as a comprehensive collection of current trends and emerging hot topics in the field of fluorescence and closely related disciplines. It summarizes the year’s progress in fluorescence and its applications, with authoritative reviews specialized enough to be attractive to professional researchers, yet also appealing to the wider audience of scientists in related disciplines of fluorescence.<P><P> Reviews in Fluorescence offers an essential reference material for any research lab or company working in the fluorescence field and related areas. All academics, bench scientists, and industry professionals wishing to take advantage of the latest and greatest in the continuously emerging field of fluorescence will find it an invaluable resource.