5,190 Matching Annotations
  1. Aug 2021
    1. the (basic) case reproduction number (R0)

      The basic reproduction number is the average number of secondary cases that can be produced by one case in a completely susceptible population. \(R_0\) higher than 1 indicates that an epidemic will continue, and \(R_0\) lower than 1 is a sign for the epidemic to end.

    2. 95%CI

      The confidence interval is a range that is likely to contain the true population parameter with a confidence level specified by the percentage.

      In this case, there is a 95% probability that the confidence interval of 2.54-3.29 contains the average delay of arrival of COVID-19.

    1. medullary cords

      Medullary describes the inside, and cords refer to the early structures that will become an organism's gonads.

      A critical step in sex development of males is when medullary cord cells differentiate into Sertoli cells. If the cords degenerate, the sex cords will instead develop into an ovary - the female gonad.

    2. morphology

      Morphology is the study of the structure of an organism. This often includes observations about the size or shape of an organism.

      Here the authors describe the Kdm6b-deficient embryo gonads as having a structure that looks like a developing female.

    1. Cause AreasProblems people work on, and concepts related to those problems.Global health and developmentAid and paternalismBurden of diseaseDewormingEconomic growthEducationFamily planningForeign aidForeign aid skepticismGlobal povertyImmigration reformMalariaMass distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated netsMicronutrient programsResearch into neglected tropical diseasesSmallpox Eradication ProgrammeTobacco controlUniversal basic incomeGlobal Catastrophic Risk (other)AsteroidsBiosecurityCivilizational collapseCuban Missile CrisisClimate changeClimate engineeringConservationDystopiaExistential risks from fundamental physics researchGeomagnetic stormsGreat power conflictHuman extinctionManhattan ProjectNuclear warfareNuclear winterNuclear disarmament movementPandemic preparednessRussell–Einstein ManifestoTerrorismTrinitySupervolcanoWeapon of mass destructionAnimal welfareAnimal product alternativesCorporate cage-free campaignsCultured meatDietary changeFarmed animal welfareFish welfareInvertebrate welfareLogic of the larderMeat-eater problemSpeciesismWelfare biologyWild animal welfareBuilding effective altruismAltruistic motivationBuilding effective altruismCommunityCompetitive debatingConsultancyEffective altruism educationEffective altruism groupsEffective altruism in the mediaEffective altruism messagingEffective altruism outreach in schoolsEvent strategyField buildingFundraisingGlobal outreachMoral advocacyMovement collapseNetwork buildingPublic givingRequest for proposalScalably using labourValue driftValue of movement growthOther causesAnti-aging researchArmed conflictAutonomous weaponCause candidatesCause XCluster headachesCognitive enhancementCOVID-19 pandemicCriminal justice reformElectoral reformGlobal priorities researchInstitutional decision-makingLand use reformLess-discussed causesLife extensionLife sciences researchLocal priorities researchMental healthMeta-scienceMoral circle expansionNear-term AI ethicsResearchRisks from malevolent actorsSpace colonizationGlobal Catastrophic Risk (AI)AI alignmentAI boxingAI ethicsAI forecastingAI governanceAI risksAI safetyAI skepticismAI takeoffAI winterAnthropic captureArtificial intelligenceArtificial sentienceBasic AI driveCapability control methodCollective superintelligenceComprehensive AI ServicesComputation hazardHuman-level artificial intelligenceIndirect normativityInfrastructure profusionInstrumental convergenceIntelligence explosionMalignant AI failure modeMind crimeMotivation selection methodOracle AIOrthogonality thesisPerverse instantiationQuality superintelligenceSovereign AISpeed superintelligenceSuperintelligenceTool AIWhole brain emulation
    2. Other ConceptsConcepts that apply to multiple causes, or the entire project of trying to do more good.Moral PhilosophyAnimal cognitionAnimal sentienceApplied ethicsAstronomical wasteAxiologyClassical utilitarianismCluelessnessConsciousness researchConsequentialismCosmopolitanismDemandingness of moralityDeontologyEthics of existential riskEthics of personal consumptionExcited vs. obligatory altruismFuture of humanityHedonismHedoniumInfinite ethicsIntrinsic value vs. instrumental valueIntrospective hedonismIntuition of neutralityLongtermismMetaethicsMoral offsettingMoral patienthoodMoral uncertaintyMoral weightNaive vs. sophisticated consequentialismNegative utilitarianismNon-wellbeing sources of valueNormative ethicsNormative uncertaintyOther moral theoriesPain and sufferingPatient altruismPerson-affecting viewsPersonal identityPhilosophy of mindPopulation ethicsPrioritarianismSentienceSubjective wellbeingSuffering-focused ethicsUniverse's resourcesUtilitarianismValenceVirtue ethicsWelfarismWellbeingLong-Term Risks and FlourishingAlternative foodAnthropogenic existential riskAnthropic shadowBroad vs. narrow interventionsCompound existential riskDecisive strategic advantageDefense in depthDifferential progressEstimation of existential riskExistential catastropheExistential riskExistential risk factorExistential securityFermi paradoxFlourishing futuresGlobal catastrophic riskGlobal catastrophic biological riskHellish existential catastropheHinge of historyIndirect long-term effectsInstitutions for future generationsLong reflectionLong-term futureNatural existential riskNon-humans and the long-term futureS-riskSingletonSpeeding up developmentState vs. step riskTechnological completion conjectureTime of perils hypothesisTiming of existential risk mitigationTotal existential riskTrajectory changesTransformative developmentTranshumanismUnknown existential riskUnprecedented risksValue lock-inVulnerable world hypothesisWarning shotDecision Theory and RationalityAcausal tradeAlternatives to expected value theoryAltruistic coordinationAltruistic wagerAnthropicsBayesian epistemologyBounded rationalityCause neutralityCause prioritizationCognitive biasCounterfactual reasoningCredal resilienceCrucial considerationDebunking argumentDecision theoryDecision-theoretic uncertaintyDefinition of effective altruismDisentanglement researchDoomsday argumentEpistemic deferenceEpistemologyEvolution heuristicExpected valueFanaticismFermi estimationForecastingGame theoryIdeological Turing testInformation hazardInside vs. outside viewInstrumental vs. epistemic rationalityIntervention evaluationLong-range forecastingMarginal charityMeasuring and comparing valueModel uncertaintyModelsMoral cooperationMoral psychologyMoral tradePrediction marketsPrinciple of epistemic deferencePsychology researchRandomized controlled trialsResearch methodsReversal testRisk aversionScope neglectSimulation argumentStatistical methodsStatus quo biasThinking at the marginUnilateralist's curseValue of informationEconomics and FinanceAdjusted life yearBlockchainCost-benefit analysisDivestmentImpact investingInternational tradeMacroeconomic policyMechanism designMicrofinanceWelfare economicsPolitics, Policy, and CultureBallot initiativeConflict theory vs. mistake theoryCultural evolutionCultural lagCultural persistenceDemocracyElectoral politicsGlobal governanceInternational organizationInternational relationsLawLeadershipMisinformationPeace and conflict studiesPolarityPolicyPolitical polarizationProgress studiesSafeguarding liberal democracySocial and intellectual movementsSpace governanceSystemic changeSurveillanceTotalitarianismEffective GivingCash transfersCertificate of impactCharity evaluationConstraints on effective altruismCost-effectivenessCost-effectiveness analysisDiminishing returnsDonation choiceDonation matchingDonation pledgeDonation writeupDonor lotteriesEffective altruism fundingFunding high-impact for-profitsGiving and happinessImpact assessmentImportanceInterpersonal comparisons of wellbeingInvestingITN frameworkMarket efficiency of philanthropyMarkets for altruismNeglectednessOrg strategyPhilanthropic coordinationPhilanthropic diversificationProblem frameworkRoom for more fundingSocially responsible investingTemporal discountingTiming of philanthropyTractabilityVolunteeringWorkplace activismCareer choiceAcademiaCareer capitalCareer choiceCareer frameworkEarning to giveEffective altruism hiringEntrepreneurshipExpertiseFellowships & internshipsIndependent researchJob satisfactionOperationsPersonal fitPublic interest technologyReplaceabilityResearch careersResearch training programsRole impactSoftware engineeringSupportive conditionsWorking at EA vs. non-EA orgsOtherAtomically precise manufacturingChinaComputational power of the human brainComputroniumCryonicsEuropean UnionExtraterrestrial intelligenceFabianismGene drivesHistoryHistory of philanthropyIndiaInformation securityIterated embryo selectionKidney donationRationality communityPhilippinesPhilosophic RadicalsQueen's Lane Coffee HouseReligionRussiaScientific progressSemiconductorsUnited States politicsUtilitarian SocietyTransparency
    1. sequenced

      DNA and RNA are molecules that provide the code for cells to carry out their functions. They are composed of a small number nucleotides and the order of these nucleotides determines function. Sequencing allows us to determine what the order of nucleotides within a DNA or RNA molecule.

    2. Neolithic revolution

      When humans transitioned from small migrating groups of hunter gatherers to more stationary settlements that focused on farming and raising animals. This led to a significant growth in population sizes.

    3. divergence time

      The point where rinderpest and measles virus became different species. Virus species are distinguished by a variety of criteria including structural factors, host range, the disease they cause, and genetic similarities.

    4. bronchopneumonia

      Pneumonia is a type of infection causes by a variety of organisms that inflames the lungs. Bronchopneumonia is a type of pneumonia that causes inflammation of a part of the lungs called the alveoli. This inflammation makes it difficult for the lungs to get enough air.

    5. substitution saturation

      This occurs when a nucleotide is switched at the same spot in a gene sequence multiple times. It makes it seem like the rate of sequence divergence is lower than what it actually is.

    6. purifying selection

      Selection refers to natural selection the process by which organisms that are better adapted for their environment survive and produce more offspring. Natural selection causes the evolution of species. Purifying selection removes harmful variations from the population by ensuring those individuals produce fewer offspring.

  2. Jul 2021
    1. bioorthogonal chemistry

      A new approach to conducting chemical reactions in which reactants must react rapidly and selectively with each other under physiological conditions. Two key and relevant features of bioorthogonal reactions are high selectivity and compatibility with naturally occurring functional groups.

    2. metabolic engineering

      Metabolic engineering is the production of specific target chemicals in high yield and stereoselectivity by altering the metabolic pathways. Metabolic pathways are changed via recombinant DNA technology.

    3. recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli.

      At the theoretical level, the steps needed for obtaining a recombinant protein are straightforward. Take your gene of interest, clone it, transform it into the host of choice (here it is E. coli), induce, and then the protein is ready for purification and characterization.

    1. ozonesonde

      A sonde is an instrument that measures and transmits information about a remote location.

      An ozonesonde is a device that is carried by a balloon into the atmosphere. As it travels, it transmits ozone concentration information back to a station on the ground.

    2. Chemistry and Climate Model Intercomparison (CCMI)

      The CCMI project develops models that describe how atmospheric chemistry and climate interact with each other.

      The primary focus of the project is understanding atmospheric ozone.

    3. Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer/Ozone Monitoring Instrument (TOMS/OMI)

      TOMS and OMI are instruments used to measure the total ozone in the atmosphere.

      The TOMS data set has provided a record of total atmospheric ozone since 1978. OMI was launched in 2004 to continue the collection of ozone data.

      Both data sets are merged to obtain a more complete record of the ozone layer over time.

    4. Solar Backscatter Ultra-Violet satellite

      The SBUV is an instrument that measures the amount of ozone in the atmosphere.

      The instrument, mounted on a weather satellite, measures the sunlight reflected back from the Earth.

      Since ozone is known to reflect light at a particular wavelength, the amount of light reflected at this wavelength indicates how much ozone is present in the atmosphere.

    5. heterogeneous chlorine and bromine chemistry

      Heterogeneous chemistry is a chemical process that involves different phases of matter.

      Here, it refers to gaseous chlorine and bromine reacting on the surface of condensed phase cloud particles.

    6. polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) particles

      Polar stratospheric clouds form under extremely cold winter conditions in the Arctic and Antarctic.

      They support the destructive halogen chemistry responsible for ozone depletion.

    7. lidar

      Lidar stands for "light detection and ranging" and is a technique for measuring the distance to an object. It involves shining a laser on the object and measuring the time it takes for the light to be reflected back.

    1. geocoded repository

      Geocoding is a process to transform commonly text-based descriptions of locations (e.g., addresses) to coordinates on the Earth's surface. Geocoding allows further mapping and spatial analysis using various software. In a geocoded repository, all data are attributes to spatial coordinates.

    1. Bayesian

      Refers to a branch of statistics based on Bayes' theorem. This theorem is used to update the probability or likelihood of a hypothesis or proposed explanation as more information is available. This method allows for inference or the ability to draw conclusions about a larger group based on a smaller sample.

    2. live-attenuated vaccine

      A vaccine is a substance that causes the body to recognize and stop a disease-causing agent via a type of protein called antibodies. Antibodies combine with proteins on the surface of invading pathogens and alert the immune system. A live-attenuated vaccine uses a weakened for of a virus to cause this immune response.

  3. Jun 2021
    1. niche broadening

      A niche is an organism's role in its ecosystem, describing how it utilizes the resources and interacts with living and nonliving factors of its environment.

      Niche broadening is when a species expands its roles in its habitat to enhance its chances of survival.

    1. order of magnitude

      An order of magnitude is a comparison of size used when the item being compared is 10 times larger or smaller than the item it is being compared to. The difference between 1 and 10 is an order of magnitude, as is the difference between 10 and 100. The difference between 1 and 100 is 2 orders of magnitude, and the difference between 1 and 1000 is 3 orders of magnitude.

    2. population density

      Population density is a measurement of how many people live in a particular area. It is often expressed as people per square mile or kilometer. A city is a location with a high population density, while a desert is a location with a low population density.

  4. Apr 2021
    1. APCs

      Antigen-presenting cells. Specialized immune cells which allow T cells to be exposed to the antigens present in the body. This allows T cells to become activated so they can target those pathogens or diseased cells.

  5. Mar 2021
    1. triaxial accelerometer

      A sensor that provides simultaneous measurements in three (x, y, and z) orthogonal directions. It analyzes vibrations caused by movement to infer orientation and acceleration of the device.

    2. self-healability

      Chemically engineered materials have been integrated into the electronics that allow the device to self-repair even after multiple breaks.

      This device utilizes a material called polyimine that repairs itself through bond exchange reactions.

    3. dynamic mechanical analyzer

      A device used to study and characterize materials. A sinusoidal stress is applied to the material and the strain is measured. It is most effectively used to measure the viscoelastic behavior of polymers.

    4. hyperelastic

      Describes an ideally elastic material which the stress-strain relationship is derived from a strain energy density function. The stress does not vary linearly with strain, so it's flexibility is very high.

    5. depolymerization

      The process of converting a polymer into a monomer or monomers.

      This process is triggered by an increase in thermal energy in the system that cannot be used (entropy).

    6. failure strain

      A measure of how much a material can be elongated (strained) before it fails (breaks).

      A measure of ~4% means it can be stretched to be about 4% longer before it breaks.

    7. FEA

      A method of numerically solving differential equations for mathematical modeling.

      The problem is broken into smaller, finite elements that can be expressed as algebraic equations. These equations can then be assembled into a larger system of equations that models the entire problem.

  6. Feb 2021
    1. Thermoelectrics

      This is a object that produces electricity by a difference of temperatures. This can also be described as an object that involves the relation between temperature and electrical condition

    2. syringe

      a tube with a nozzle and piston or bulb for sucking in and ejecting liquid in a thin stream, used for cleaning wounds or body cavities, or fitted with a hollow needle for injecting or withdrawing fluids.

    3. electrowetting

      This is the modification of the wetting properties of a surface, typically hydrophobic, with an applied electric field.

      Uses for electrowetting include applications on lenses, electronic displays, and separating oil-water mixtures.

    4. spectral

      This comes from the electromagnetic spectrum, the range of wavelengths or frequencies over which electromagnetic radiation extends, of visible light, which ranges from approximately 400nm to 700nm.

    5. Semiconductor

      A solid substance that has a conductivity between that of an insulator and that of most metals, either due to the addition of an impurity or because of temperature effects. One common semiconductor are silicon chips used in electronics.

    6. ultraviolet (UV)

      Is a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelength from 10nm to 400 nm, shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays. UV radiation is present in sunlight, and constitutes about 10% of the total electromagnetic radiation output from the Sun.

    7. iridophores

      These are iridescent chromatophores, and chromatophores are cells that produce color, of which many types are pigment-containing cells, or groups of cells, found in a wide range of animals including amphibians, fish, reptiles, crustaceans and cephalopods.

    8. prosthetics

      This is an artificial device that replaces a missing body part. The reason for why this part my be missing may be a result of many different reasons, but these devices are utilized with the intention to restore the normal functions of the missing body part.

    9. infrared

      A form of light that is slightly above our visible light spectrum. Since it is not within our visible light spectrum, it is invisible to the naked eye, but it still provides useful applications in nature and everyday life such as remote controls for your television.

    10. microfluidic networks

      A group or system that deals with the behavior, manipulation, and precise control of fluids that are constrained to a small scale. This often deals with objects that are measured to be in the tens to hundreds of micrometers.

    11. soft polymers

      Materials belonging to this category include things made up by smaller units called monomers. However, this category contains many monomers arranged in a way that keeps the overall object flexible and non rigid.

    1. FTIR

      One of the most common methods of spectroscopy. The sample is exposed to infrared light and data is collected to determine how much light is absorbed or released by the sample.

      To convert the raw data into an actual spectrum, a Fourier transform must be performed.

    2. thermoset polyimine matrix

      Thermoset: applying heat to harden or cure the material. This creates the matrix encapsulating the device.

      Thanks to the healing ability of the polyimine and the liquid nature of the eutectic LM circuitry, bonds can be reformed and reshaped throughout the device.

    3. dynamic covalent

      Upon thermosetting, dynamic covalent bonds are formed between the atoms that can readily assemble and disassemble. This gives the polyimines their unique healing ability.

    4. ECG sensor

      An electrocardiogram sensor records the pathway of electrical impulses throughout the heart. This data can be used to monitor the heart's condition and response to physical exertion.

    5. transimination

      A reaction that converts an -imine compound into smaller monomers/oligomers. The researchers discovered this reaction to be useful for separating the chip components and LM from the matrix by solubilizing the these monomers/oligomers in methanol.

    6. eutectic LM

      Eutectic: a mixture of substances that melts and solidifies totally at the same temperature, which is lower than the melting points of the individual constituents.

      Eutectic LM: A mixture of liquid metals.

    1. peristaltic motion

      Involuntary movements of the longitudinal and circular muscles, primarily in the digestive tract but occasionally in other hollow tubes of the body, that occur in progressive wavelike contractions

    2. active pharmaceutical ingredient (API)

      Any substance or mixture of substances intended to be used in the manufacture of a drug product and that, when used in the production of a drug, becomes a functional ingredient in the drug product