bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping Environmental Impacts of Rapid Urbanisation and Deriving Relationship between NDVI, NDBI and Surface Temperature: A Case Study
Authors: Saini V
Published: December 2021

Urbanisation is a complex global phenomenon driven by unorganised expansion, increased immigration, and population explosion. Changes in land cover are one of the most critical components for managing natural resources and monitoring environmental impacts in this context. In the present study, a hybrid classification approach was applied to Landsat data to get insight into the urbanisation of the Chandigarh capital region from 2000 to 2020. The results demonstrate an increasing urbanisation tendency on the city’s outskirts, particularly in the north-western and southern directions. The most considerable alterations were seen in the class vegetation as it swiftly transformed to built-up regions. Two indices, namely NDVI and NDBI and surface temperature images, were also derived from studying their inter-relationships. The paper suggests a positive linear relationship between surface temperature and NDBI while a negative correlation between NDVI and NDBI. Such studies may help city planners to take timely and appropriate efforts to reduce the environmental consequences of urbanisation.
Rock Slope Stability Evaluation on The Construction of New Road Shortcut 4 Border City of Singaraja – Mangwitani, Bali
Authors: Sasangka D J
Published: December 2021

Shortcut 4 new national road development project on Singaraja - Mangwitani section Bali found a potential rock slide slope problem. An outcrop of igneous rock with an intensive joint was not expected to be encountered previously. The excavation work in road construction had to pay attention to the stability of the resulting rock slope considering that apart from the potential for slope failure, rock slope could also threaten the bridge abutment building in front of it. The location of the rock slope was on the edge of Lake Bratan which is geologically part of the early Holocene volcanic rocks, namely mountain rocks composed of tuff, lava and volcanic breccia. Anisotropic andesite slope was controlled by a discontinuous plane with a certain pattern. Rock Quality Assessment was carried out by the Rock Mass Rating (RMR) method and Slope Mass Rating (SMR) for slope stability evaluation. The planar, tople and wedge potensial slope failure were evaluated. The potential for planar slope failure has a value of SMR 30.18 (Unstable), 57.6 (Partialy Stable) for wedge slope failure potential and 47.6 (Partialy Stable) for tople slope failure potential. The SMR value indicated that the rock slope requires engineering threatment to become stable.
Spatial Patterns of Expertise Suitability in the Ruminant SubSector of Subang Regency, West Java Province
Authors: Rachmita N , Wibowo A , Koestoer R H
Published: December 2021

One of the causes of the high open unemployment rate for vocational school graduates is the incompatibility of the competency skills held with the potential of the available area. Subang Regency is one area that has considerable potential in the agricultural sector. The study aims to analyze the spatial pattern of expertise in vocational schools based on ruminant commodities in Subang Regency to support agricultural vocational schools according to their superior capacity. This research was conducted using a combined LQ (Location Quotient) analysis to identify the base area and combine physical and non-physical geographic components applying the spatial approach to identify the area’s carrying capacity. The research concluded that Jalancagak, Dawuan, and Cipeundeuy Sub-Districts are the most suitable sub-districts for addressed competency as Ruminant Agribusiness expertise because there are villages with a variety of basic commodities, physical and non-physical aspects of geography that are categorized as high so that the competence of Ruminant Agribusiness expertise carried out according to its carrying capacity. This research also found the expertise suitability competencies based on the village level, as upgrading scale, so that the carrying capacity that supports SMK is known precisely.
Anatomical Comparison of Two Grammatophyllum spp. (Orchidaceae) Species and Their Specific Ecological Adaptation
Authors: Ishmah S , Metusala D , Nisyawati  , Supriatna J
Published: December 2021

The genus Grammatophyllum (Orchidaceae) has two sections with a very different habitus. The Grammatophyllum from section “Grammatophyllum” has a long cylindrical pseudobulb with linear leaves, while the Grammatophyllum section “Gabertia” has a shorter pseudobulb with a larger diameter and broader lanceolate shaped leaves. The study is aimed to compare the anatomical characters of leaf and root between G. speciosum (representation of “Pattonia” section) and G. scriptum (representation of “Gabertia” section). Leaf and root sections were obtained using the mini-microtome with liquid preservation method in 10 replications. Data were analyzed statistically using a t-test at 5% significance. The results showed significant differences between the two species in the leaf’s primary vascular bundle area, velamen area, number of velamen layers, root’s cortex area, and stele area. Future research with more organs and parameters being explored and experimental research regarding its anatomical response to drought is suggested.
The Seawater Heavy Metal Content of the Mining Port Close to the Residential Area in the Morowali District
Authors: Delly J , Mizuno K , Soesilo T E B , Gozan M
Published: December 2021

Mining port operations are complex and can cause various forms of pollution. Analysis of seawater pollution from mining ports is required and complicated because of the various types of pollution, sources, effects, and different characteristics. This study examines the content of heavy metals in seawater in residential areas very close to mining ports. The method used sampling in three different places, examining seawater’s heavy metal properties. Secondary data of the quality of seawater was obtained from the results of data monitoring carried out by the company periodically since the port was built as a comparison material from the results of sample inspection. The results of this study indicate that the waters around the settlements contain heavy metals. The composition of Cd was 10%, Pb was125%, Cu was 625%, Ni was 760%, and Zn was 300% above the standard of seawater quality for the Port Area set by the Indonesian government, which did not match the yearly reports (secondary data). On the other hand, community activities also have a minor role as a source of pollution. Therefore, it is essential to do further research with a focus on finding sources of pollution.
Flyover Development Risk Analysis: Review of The Construction Phase Efforts to Minimize Environmental Impact
Authors: Martono D N , Gusdini N
Published: December 2021

The increase of road segments are needed to overcome traffic congestion in Special Capital Region of Jakarta. Flyover is one of the efforts made to add road segments. The construction of flyovers will change the initial landscape and initial environmental tone. This change affects environmental, social, and economic conditions. All risks in construction activity must be managed to minimize their negative impact. Risks management starts with risk analysis by identification significant impact. This research aims to analyze the risks arising from the construction of flyovers. This analysis was carried out on the Becakayu flyover, which only began operating in 2017. Environmental risk is calculated based on parameters of opportunity, magnitude, level, frequency, and sensitivity of risks that may arise. Based on the results of the analysis, it was found that the construction of flyovers had a moderate risk to the environment during the construction phase. To minimize the risks that may arise, it is necessary to manage the risks that may arise through the construction process that meets the standards, the use of well-maintained equipment, the use of hazard signs, and the measurement of environmental quality during the construction phase.
Application of Threaded System, Rice Husk Ash Addition, Filtering, and Geomembrane to Increase Salt Production in Ambulu Village, Cirebon
Authors: Gozan M , Alhamid M I , Amir N , Efendy M
Published: December 2021

Salt farmers in Indonesia generally carry out simple land processing to produce NaCl levels below 90% and productivity below 80 tons/ha. Several separate efforts have been made to increase the quantity and quality of salt in traditional salt production systems. This work examines the threaded system, additive addition, and geomembrane to increase salt production in Ambulu Village, Cirebon, West Java, Indonesia. The result showed that the quality of salt increases compared to the traditional process. The quality of the salt can be improved. The traditional method of observation contains 91% NaCl. Using a combination of Threaded applications and additives increases the NaCl content by up to 94%. Adding Geomembrane technology from the two previous technologies resulted in salt with a NaCl content of 96%. At the same time, the amount of salt production from Indonesia has also increased to 155 tons/ha, compared to the traditional method, which is 80-90 tons/ha.
Reverse Logistics Analysis on Household Electronic Waste Management Using System Dynamics Simulation Approach
Authors: Putri N J , Kusumastuti R D
Published: December 2021

E-waste is the fastest-growing type of waste in the world. The formal sector can play a role in managing waste according to environmental standards and minimizing the risk of fraction recovery with supporting facilities. However, the formal sector of e-waste management simply cannot compete with its informal sector, which has a dominant role in Indonesia. This study aims to identify what factors influence formal sector e-waste management, how it is currently performing, and to design better policies for e-waste management. This research uses the System Dynamics approach to view the complex systems of e-waste management holistically. In Jakarta, public awareness and the competition with the informal sector were the biggest challenge in this industry. The results show that public awareness-raising policies can gradually improve reverse logistics performance and economic benefits. In addition, the WEEE Processing Fund policy can double the performance and economic benefits.
Supporting Clean Energy in the ASEAN: Policy Opportunities from Sustainable Aviation Fuels Initiatives in Indonesia and Malaysia
Authors: Atmowidjojo A , Rianawati E , Chin B L F , Yusup S , Quitain A T , Assabumrungrat S , Yiin C L , Kiatkittipong W , Srifa A , Eiad-ua A
Published: December 2021

Sustainable aviation fuels is a strategic long-term solution for zero-carbon aviation industry by 2050, thus underscoring the need to accelerate the deployment through reforms in the relevant key areas. Aligned to the agenda, this paper aims to study the policy opportunities for drop-in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) deployment in the ASEAN by considering the initiatives undertaken. by Indonesia and Malaysia. Four areas are used as coding framework to assess the current status, challenges, and policy opportunities, namely (1) policy, strategy, and reforms; (2) standards and certification system; (3) economic instruments; and (4) international integration. First, the current status and challenges within each country is assessed. Indonesia has shown a more command-and-control approach with an upfront SAF blending mandate. However, it needs to be supported by several compliance measures. Malaysia, on the other hand, has conducted country assessments but no SAF-specific policy has been issued yet. Both countries still lack the economic instruments, while international integration is still relatively under-explored with only limited inter-regional partnerships. As the biggest palm-oil producing countries, Indonesia and Malaysia possess enormous potentials to lead the region in deploying SAF, thus more initiatives are urged.
Indonesia’s Road to Fulfill National Renewable Energy Plan Target in 2025 and 2050: Current Progress, Challenges, and Management Recommendations – A Small Review
Authors: Budiarto A W , Surjosatyo A
Published: December 2021

Indonesia has a large amount of energy consumption, domestically and industrially. Indonesia’s energy mix is still dominated by fossil fuels and coals, with the percentage of 35.64% and 50% respectively in 2020. This is caused by Indonesia’s rich supply of oil and coal, even though experts have predicted that these supplies will run out in 10 years ahead. One option to preserve Indonesia’s energy security is to start using renewable energy. Indonesia’s renewable energy potential is predicted to be around 443 GW of installed capacity, and already made renewable energy mix percentage target of 23% in 2025 and 31% in 2050 in their National Energy Plan. However, Indonesia’s renewable energy percentage in their 2020 national energy mix is only 14.71%. Therefore, to reach their national renewable energy target, Indonesia needs to solve their problems by finding the right actions and strategies in their energy management through stakeholders such as the government, public, and investors. This review will be made by using the literature based research method.
Carbon Emissions from the Transportation Sector during the Covid-19 Pandemic in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Nurjani E , Hafizha K P , Purwanto D , Ulumia F , Widyastuti M , Sekaranom A B , Suarma U
Published: December 2021

Government policies to curb the Covid-19 pandemic have drastically changed the pattern of energy demand worldwide. Closed borders and international travel bans have changed consumption patterns and reduced transport use, thus significantly lowering carbon emissions in several countries, particularly urban areas in the Southeast Asia region. Based on these conditions, the study aimed to analyze carbon dioxide emissions generated by the transportation sector in the Special Region of Yogyakarta during the pandemic. The required data, serving as research objects, included fuel consumption, fuel sales, transportation sector activities, road sections, and road density derived from the Transportation Department’s traffic cameras and BPS-Statistics Indonesia. Google Form was also used to collect information for fuel consumption pattern analysis. The Covid-19 - Google Global Mobility Report was used to map trends of change in the respondents’ activity and mobility. The results showed that, from 2019 to 2020, the fuel consumption decreased by 74 kL/year and the CO2 emissions by 169,865 tons/year. Government policies, including the large-scale social activity restrictions implemented for the first time in the region, have influenced community mobility trends across different categories of places.
Study of Household Willingness to Pay to Improve Solid Waste Management at Residential
Authors: Ismail Y
Published: December 2021

Households at residential paid for the facilities of solid waste, but usually unsatisfied service. This study aimed to evaluate the household willingness to pay for solid waste management facilities and analyze the model of willingness to pay for solid waste management facilities at Cikarang residential. Quantitative research with a survey using a questionnaire to collect the data. The population used was housewife live at Cikarang residential at least recent five years and manage the solid waste from her house. Data analysis using multiple regression to find that the household willingness to pay model. The factors of willingness to pay preferences used were awareness, perception, and preferences. The result showed the willingness to pay households for solid waste management on average is 37,800 IDR, and the total fee paid on average is 37,350 IDR. There is no significant difference between that two amounts. Preference variable significance affects willingness to pay preferences, while awareness and perception variables were not. The regression model was: Willingness to pay preferences = 2.499 + 0.468 preference + é.
Planning of Waste Management using Zero Waste Approach at SMAN 14 Bandung, Indonesia
Authors: Tariska R M , Juwana I , Sutadian A D
Published: December 2021

SMAN 14 is one of the educational institutions that still adhere to waste management with a liner system, namely waste generated and disposed of in the final disposal site. In addition, SMAN 14 Bandung is a school with the title of an independent Adiwiyata School with environmental insight, but this school has not paid attention to managing its waste. This study aims to plan waste management with zero-waste approach so that the amount of waste sent to landfills is zero. Calculation of zero waste index (ZWI) was performed for a school scale wherein the results of ZWI were used for evaluation and as a basis for the future planning of solid waste management. Sampling measurements were carried out using the load count analysis method. The waste generated is 37,544 kg/day. With a composition of 13.12% organic, 60.42% plastic, 20.957% paper, 0.36 % metal, and a mixture of 5.14% with a zero-waste index of 0.80, the substitution of material savings of 30.09 kg, the substitution of energy 953.94 MJ, greenhouse effect reduction 26.89 Kg/CO2e, and water-saving -232.02 L. Furthermore, through this planning, the estimation of cost reduction was as much as Rp. 23,315 a day.
The Impact of Sustainable Environmental Innovation on Companies’ Financial Performance in Far East Asia for the Period of 2012-2019
Authors: Seraphine I , Rokhim R
Published: December 2021

This study aims to determine the effect of environmental innovation on companies’ financial performance. The total sample used in this research is 275 publicly listed companies operating in China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines for the period of 2012-2019. In constructing the analysis, this study uses balanced panel data and robust fixed effect model. The result suggests insignificant relationship between environmental innovation and companies’ financial performance in the short-term. While in the longer term, this study shows a significant relationship between environmental innovation and companies’ financial performance. However, there are inconsistencies still found in the relationship between the two variables due to negative and positive associations in the regression result. This is mainly because the innovation success can be affected by other factors such as the innovation management and the market introduction timing as well. Thus, future research needs to take those factors into account when trying to identify the impact of innovation on financial performance.
Opportunity and Risk Adaptation in Environmental Management System
Authors: Anandagiri N K , Nowo M D , Syahnoedi H U
Published: December 2021

Organizations, in general, use Environmental Management System (EMS) from ISO 14001:2015 Standard. During the preparation phase, they shall determine their risks and opportunities following Risk Management System (RMS). EMS’s newest standard emphasizes the risks, as potential adverse impact, and the opportunities, like potential beneficial impact. However, Organizations tend to use the RMS to manage the threat only while putting aside the opportunity. This traditional paradigm should be changed to optimize the “opportunities” that can proactively trigger the action to achieve breakthroughs, especially in environmental performance. This research was conducted qualitatively and compared the literature studies with the selected informants’ experiences. From the in-depth interviews analysis result, EMS practitioners know the ”opportunity” potential role to improve the current management system, but not easy to be implemented. The main reasons why the “opportunity” is not popular are limitations in understanding methods of quantification of “opportunity,” habits in controlling adverse risks, and “opportunity” concepts considered uncommon and still new.
A Description of Dayak Iban’s Traditional Knowledge on Customary Forest Management in West Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: Leo S , Supriatna J , Mizuno K
Published: December 2021

Deforestation and land tenure conflict are two of the biggest threats happening in Borneo and Kalimantan. Dayak Iban has been affected by the negative impacts of these threats, considering they are forest dwellers dependent on forest resources as their primary living resources. This study is aimed to describe the traditional knowledge and customary law of the Iban people on managing their customary forest and its resources sustainably. This study was carried out in Sungai Utik Hamlet, where a small Iban community inhabits the Kapuas Hulu Regency with diverse ecosystems and forest resources. This study has applied an inductive approach and in-depth interviews to obtain information from three informants and the results were described qualitatively. The Iban community in Sungai Utik is demonstrated to have customary laws on managing customary forests and practicing swidden cultivation to meet their food needs. The community has a way to pass the traditional knowledge to the next generations through traditional schools. Through preserving traditional knowledge, the Iban community proved to be able to survive and adapt in this modern era. The implementation and integration of traditional and modern forest management would protect the forest from threats and improve the community’s well-being significantly.
Community Empowerment in Resolving the Complexity of Waste Management
Authors: Brotosusilo A , Negoro H A , Sudrajad R , Velentina R A
Published: December 2021

Complexity of waste management makes this problem can not resolved in short-term. Therefore, to resolved this problem in the long-term, needs community participation. Based on that, this article aims to indentified factors that influence the level of individual participation regarding waste disposal. Results survey of Indonesian Family Life Survei was used as data source. 25,000 respondents were used as samples. The waste score is significant related with individual participation score. The years of schooling have positive impact to the repondent waste. Individual enthusiasm and participation on social activities held on their environment will also raise their waste score, such as local meetings, village rehabilitation, youth group activities, religious activities, and family prosperity training. Therefore, community empowerment can be as one effort to resolve the complexity of waste management.
Community Behavior in Controlling Aedes aegypti Mosquito Breeding Places before and during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ernawati K , Farras R M , Zakiyyah A , Hayu M , Salsabila A P , Aulia M L , Kurnianingsih I , Rifqatussa’adah
Published: December 2021

The COVID-19 epidemic has brought more people into their homes, so it is hoped that their behavior towards dengue mosquito nests in their homes will improve. The design of this study was cross-sectional with a consecutive sampling approach in data collection, which was conducted between May 6, 2020 – May 9, 2020, in Indonesia. Data was collected using a questionnaire (google form) which was assessed with ten indicators. Data analysis was carried out by using the average difference test to determine differences in people’s behavior. The analysis results showed no significant difference (p>0.005) with the community’s behavior in controlling the dengue vector before and during the pandemic. Suggestions that need to be made are continuous education about DHF and efforts to prevent transmission by eradicating mosquito nests.
Environmental Assessment of Relationships and Mutual Influences in the System “Protective Forest Plantations – Anthropogenic Landscapes”
Authors: Abu Deeb S , Tkachenko T , Mileikovskyi V
Published: December 2021

Protective forest plantations (PFP) play an essential functional role in the operation of anthropogenic landscapes (AL). A study of processes in the system “PFP-AL” was conducted in the Boguslav agroforestry state, Kyiv region, Ukraine, to maintain sustainability. A method of ecological monitoring has been proposed to achieve environmental equilibrium stability. The calculations show the stable state of the ecosystem. A graphic-analytical method for quantitative assessment of the potential adverse effects of natural resource management has been proposed. It is shown that additional compensation of adverse effects is necessary, which can be performed by green structures.
Dynamic hyaluronic acid hydrogel with covalent linked gelatin as an anti-oxidative bioink for cartilage tissue engineering
Authors: Shi Wen , Fang Fang , Kong Yunfan , Greer Sydney E , Kuss Mitchell , Liu Bo , Xue Wen , Jiang Xiping , Lovell Paul , Mohs Aaron M , Dudley Andrew T , Li Tieshi , Duan Bin
Published: December 2021

In the past decade, cartilage tissue engineering has arisen as a promising therapeutic option for degenerative joint diseases, such as osteoarthritis, in the hope of restoring the structure and physiological functions. Hydrogels are promising biomaterials for developing engineered scaffolds for cartilage regeneration. However, hydrogel-delivered mesenchymal stem cells or chondrocytes could be exposed to elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the inflammatory microenvironment after being implanted into injured joints, which may affect their phenotype and normal functions and thereby hinder the regeneration efficacy. To attenuate ROS induced side effects, a multifunctional hydrogel with an innate anti-oxidative ability was produced in this study. The hydrogel was rapidly formed through a dynamic covalent bond between phenylboronic acid grafted hyaluronic acid (HA-PBA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) and was further stabilized through a secondary crosslinking between the acrylate moiety on HA-PBA and the free thiol group from thiolated gelatin. The hydrogel is cyto-compatible and injectable and can be used as a bioink for 3D bioprinting. The viscoelastic properties of the hydrogels could be modulated through the hydrogel precursor concentration. The presence of dynamic covalent linkages contributed to its shear-thinning property and thus good printability of the hydrogel, resulting in the fabrication of a porous grid construct and a meniscus like scaffold at high structural fidelity. The bioprinted hydrogel promoted cell adhesion and chondrogenic differentiation of encapsulated rabbit adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells. Meanwhile, the hydrogel supported robust deposition of extracellular matrix components, including glycosaminoglycans and type II collagen, by embedded mouse chondrocytes in vitro. Most importantly, the hydrogel could protect encapsulated chondrocytes from ROS induced downregulation of cartilage-specific anabolic genes (ACAN and COL2) and upregulation of a catabolic gene (MMP13) after incubation with H2O2. Furthermore, intra-articular injection of the hydrogel in mice revealed adequate stability and good biocompatibility in vivo. These results demonstrate that this hydrogel can be used as a novel bioink for the generation of 3D bioprinted constructs with anti-ROS ability to potentially enhance cartilage tissue regeneration in a chronic inflammatory and elevated ROS microenvironment.
Canalization acoustic phonon polaritons in metal-MoO3-metal sandwiched structures for nano-light guiding and manipulation
Authors: Yan Qizhi , Chen Runkun , Yuan Zhu , Li Peining , Zhang Xinliang
Published: December 2021

We theoretically propose and study in-plane anisotropic acoustic phonon polaritons (APhPs) based on a layered structure consisting of a monolayer (or few layers) α-phase molybdenum trioxide (α-MoO3) sandwiched between two metal layers. We find that the APhPs in the proposed sandwiched structures are a canalization (highly directional) electromagnetic mode propagating along with the layers and at the same time exhibit extreme electromagnetic-field confinement surpassing any other type of phonon-polariton modes. When a double layer of α-MoO3 is sandwiched by two Au layers, twisting the two α-MoO3 layers can adjust the interlayer polaritonic coupling and thus manipulate the in-plane propagation of the highly confined APhPs. Our results illustrate that the metal-MoO3-metal sandwiched structures are a promising platform for light guiding and manipulation at ultimate scale.
Manipulating the directional emission of monolayer semiconductors by dielectric nanoantenna arrays
Authors: Liu Pengbo , Zhang Zhenghe , Lang Man , Lu Wanli , Bai Ping , Chen Zefeng , Wang Shaojun , Li Xiaofeng
Published: December 2021

Collective Mie resonances in silicon (Si) nanoparticle arrays (NPAs) feature low absorption losses and strong field enhancement extending to a large area. They provide a high-efficient scheme to manipulate the emission properties of monolayer semiconductors. However, the poor quality factor of the current reported Si NPA limits the performance of light-emitting devices. It is mainly due to the constituent materials of nanoparticles being amorphous or polycrystalline Si, which have higher absorption coefficients in comparison with monocrystalline silicon (c-Si) among the visible band. This invited paper demonstrates a versatile technique to integrate the atomic layers onto the c-Si NPA. We show that our method can fully preserve the monolayer sample. We further investigate the directional emission tailored by the NPA with different diameters by combining back-focal-plane imaging and reciprocity simulations. The flexible tune of the geometry parameters of NPAs can offer many possibilities to control and manipulate the emission from monolayer semiconductors by engineering their photonic environments.
NASA maps the inside of Mars
Authors: Cooper Keith
Published: December 2021

NASA’s Insight mission has used seismic waves to map the inside of the red planet for the first time, as Keith Cooper reports.
Physicists fabricate a non-radiating antenna
Authors: Cartlidge Edwin
Published: December 2021

An international team of physicists has created a non-radiating source of electromagnetism by placing antennas inside a hollow dielectric disc.
X-ray flares spotted from behind a black hole
Authors: Jarman Sam
Published: December 2021

X-ray flares originating from behind a black hole have been observed for the first time.
Climate ‘code red’ for humanity
Authors: Randall Ian
Published: December 2021

The latest report from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says that the current trend of rising temperatures may take thousands of years to reverse.
Exploring other worlds
Authors: Xin Ling
Published: December 2021

Ling Xin talks to Su Yan from the National Astronomical Observatories of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences, about China’s rise in lunar science
Competitive instincts
Authors: Crease Robert P
Published: December 2021

Physicists are competitive, but that doesn’t make them cutthroat, argues Robert P Crease.
Physics for biological breakthroughs
Authors: Hiscott Laura
Published: December 2021

It might not sound like an obvious place for a physicist to work, but the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is highly multidisciplinary, employing people from across all scientific fields. Laura Hiscott speaks to Wolfgang Huber, a physicist at EMBL who uses his mathematical skills to contribute to the life sciences.
Ask me anything: Joanne O’Meara
Authors: Hiscott Laura
Published: December 2021

Joanne O’Meara is professor of physics at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. She has a PhD in medical physics, and has done postdoctoral research at Tufts University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her outreach activities frequently include shows for schoolchildren and short segments on physics for the TV show Daily Planet.
Using video consultation technology between care homes and health and social care professionals: a scoping review and interview study during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Warmoth Krystal , Lynch Jennifer , Darlington Nicole , Bunn Frances , Goodman Claire
Published: December 2021

Background

the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected care home residents’ and staffs’ access to health care and advice. Health and social care professionals adapted rapidly to using video consultation (videoconferencing) technology without guidance. We sought to identify enablers and barriers to their use in supporting care home residents and staff.

Methods

a scoping review of the evidence on remote consultations between healthcare services and care homes. Interviews with English health and social care professionals about their experiences during the pandemic. Findings were synthesised using the non-adoption, abandonment, scale-up, spread, sustainability framework.

Results

18 papers were included in the review. Twelve interviews were completed. Documented enablers and barriers affecting the uptake and use of technology (e.g. reliable internet; reduced travelling) resonated with participants. Interviews demonstrated rapid, widespread technology adoption overcame barriers anticipated from the literature, often strengthening working relationships with care homes. Novel implementation issues included using multiple platforms and how resident data were managed. Healthcare professionals had access to more bespoke digital platforms than their social care counterparts. Participants alternated between platforms depending on individual context or what their organisation supported. All participants supported ongoing use of technologies to supplement in-person consultations.

Conclusions

the evidence on what needs to be in place for video consultations to work with care homes was partly confirmed. The pandemic context demolished many documented barriers to engagement and provided reassurance that residents’ assessments were possible. It exposed the need to study further differing resident requirements and investment in digital infrastructure for adequate information management between organisations.
Multidisjunctivism’s no solution to the screening-off problem
Authors: Hua Haiming
Published: December 2021

Naïve realism is the view that veridical experiences are fundamentally relations of acquaintance to external objects and their features, and multidisjunctivism is the conjunction of naïve realism and the view that hallucinatory experiences don’t share a common fundamental kind. Multidisjunctivism allegedly removes the screening-off worry over naïve realism, and the relevant literature suggests that multidisjunctivism is one of the naïve realist responses to the worry. The present paper argues that the multidisjunctive solution is implicitly changing the subject, so the impression that the multidisjunctivist is addressing the screening-off problem is illusory.
Persistent white matter changes in recovered COVID-19 patients at the 1-year follow-up
Authors: Huang Sihong , Zhou Zhiguo , Yang Danhui , Zhao Wei , Zeng Mu , Xie Xingzhi , Du Yanyao , Jiang Yingjia , Zhou Xianglin , Yang Wenhan , Guo Hu , Sun Hui , Liu Ping , Liu Jiyang , Luo Hong , Liu Jun
Published: December 2021

There is growing evidence that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can affect the CNS. However, data on white matter and cognitive sequelae at the 1-year follow-up are lacking. Therefore, we explored these characteristics in this study.

We investigated 22 recovered coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and 21 matched healthy controls. Diffusion tensor imaging, diffusion kurtosis imaging and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging were performed to identify white matter changes, and the subscales of the Wechsler Intelligence scale were used to assess cognitive function. Correlations between diffusion metrics, cognitive function and other clinical characteristics were then examined. We also conducted subgroup analysis based on patient admission to the intensive care unit.

The corona radiata, corpus callosum and superior longitudinal fasciculus had a lower volume fraction of intracellular water in the recovered COVID-19 group than in the healthy control group. Patients who had been admitted to the intensive care unit had lower fractional anisotropy in the body of the corpus callosum than those who had not. Compared with the healthy controls, the recovered COVID-19 patients demonstrated no significant decline in cognitive function. White matter tended to present with fewer abnormalities for shorter hospital stays and longer follow-up times.

Lower axonal density was detected in clinically recovered COVID-19 patients after 1 year. Patients who had been admitted to the intensive care unit had slightly more white matter abnormalities. No significant decline in cognitive function was found in recovered COVID-19 patients. The duration of hospital stay may be a predictor for white matter changes at the 1-year follow-up.
Towards therapeutic non-invasive electrical modulation of brain circuits in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Oswal Ashwini
Published: December 2021

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Driving motor cortex oscillations modulates bradykinesia in Parkinson’s disease’ by Guerra et al. (doi: 10.1093/brain/awab257).
Days of Antibiotic Spectrum Coverage: A Novel Metric for Inpatient Antibiotic Consumption
Authors: Kakiuchi Satoshi , Livorsi Daniel J , Perencevich Eli N , Diekema Daniel J , Ince Dilek , Prasidthrathsint Kunatum , Kinn Patrick , Percival Kelly , Heintz Brett H , Goto Michihiko
Published: December 2021

Background

Days of therapy (DOT), the most widely used benchmarking metric for antibiotic consumption, may not fully measure stewardship efforts to promote use of narrow-spectrum agents and may inadvertently discourage the use of combination regimens when single-agent alternatives have greater adverse effects. To overcome the limitations of DOT, we developed a novel metric, days of antibiotic spectrum coverage (DASC), and compared hospital performances using this novel metric with DOT.

Methods

We evaluated 77 antibiotics in 16 categories of antibacterial activity to develop our spectrum scoring system. DASC was then calculated as cumulative daily antibiotic spectrum coverage (ASC) scores. To compare hospital benchmarking using DOT and DASC, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients admitted to acute care units within the Veterans Health Administration system in 2018. Antibiotic administration data were aggregated to calculate each hospital’s DOT and DASC per 1000 days present (DP) for ranking.

Results

The ASC score for each antibiotic ranged from 2 to 15. There was little correlation between DOT per 1000 DP and DASC per DOT, indicating that lower antibiotic consumption at a hospital does not necessarily mean more frequent use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics. The differences in each hospital’s ranking between DOT and DASC per 1000 DP ranged from −29.0% to 25.0%, respectively, with 27 hospitals (21.8%) having differences >10%.

Conclusions

We propose a novel composite metric for antibiotic stewardship, DASC, that combines consumption and spectrum as a potential replacement for DOT. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether benchmarking using the DASC will improve evaluations of stewardship.
Infection With the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta Variant Is Associated With Higher Recovery of Infectious Virus Compared to the Alpha Variant in Both Unvaccinated and Vaccinated Individuals
Authors: Huai Luo Chun , Paul Morris C , Sachithanandham Jaiprasath , Amadi Adannaya , Gaston David C , Li Maggie , Swanson Nicholas J , Schwartz Matthew , Klein Eili Y , Pekosz Andrew , Mostafa Heba H
Published: December 2021

Background

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant of concern (VOC) B.1.617.2 (Delta) displaced B.1.1.7 (Alpha) and is associated with increases in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, greater transmissibility, and higher viral RNA loads, but data are lacking regarding the infectious virus load and antiviral antibody levels in the nasal tract.

Methods

Whole genome sequencing, cycle threshold (Ct) values, infectious virus, anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels, and clinical chart reviews were combined to characterize SARS-CoV-2 lineages circulating in the National Capital Region between January and September 2021 and differentiate infections in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals by the Delta, Alpha, and B.1.2 (the predominant lineage prior to Alpha) variants.

Results

The Delta variant displaced the Alpha variant to constitute 99% of the circulating lineages in the National Capital Region by August 2021. In Delta infections, 28.5% were breakthrough cases in fully vaccinated individuals compared to 4% in the Alpha infected cohort. Breakthrough infections in both cohorts were associated with comorbidities, but only Delta infections were associated with a significant increase in the median days after vaccination. More than 74% of Delta samples had infectious virus compared to <30% from the Alpha cohort. The recovery of infectious virus with both variants was associated with low levels of local SARS-CoV-2 IgG.

Conclusions

Infection with the Delta variant was associated with more frequent recovery of infectious virus in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals compared to the Alpha variant but was not associated with an increase in disease severity in fully vaccinated individuals. Infectious virus was correlated with the presence of low amounts of antiviral IgG in the nasal specimens.
Limited Evidence for Use of a Black Race Modifier in eGFR Calculations: A Systematic Review
Authors: Marzinke Mark A , Greene Dina N , Bossuyt Patrick M , Chambliss Allison B , Cirrincione Lauren R , McCudden Christopher R , Melanson Stacy E F , Noguez Jaime H , Patel Khushbu , Radix Asa E , Takwoingi Yemisi , Winston-McPherson Gabrielle , Young Bessie A , Hoenig Melanie P
Published: December 2021

Background

Commonly used estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equations include a Black race modifier (BRM) that was incorporated during equation derivation. Race is a social construct, and a poorly characterized variable that is applied inconsistently in clinical settings. The BRM results in higher eGFR for any creatinine concentration, implying fundamental differences in creatinine production or excretion in Black individuals compared to other populations. Equations without inclusion of the BRM have the potential to detect kidney disease earlier in patients at the greatest risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), but also has the potential to over-diagnose CKD or impact downstream clinical interventions. The purpose of this study was to use an evidence-based approach to systematically evaluate the literature relevant to the performance of the eGFR equations with and without the BRM and to examine the clinical impact of the use or removal.

Content

PubMed and Embase databases were searched for studies comparing measured GFR to eGFR in racially diverse adult populations using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease or the 2009-Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration-creatinine equations based on standardized creatinine measurements. Additionally, we searched for studies comparing clinical use of eGFR calculated with and without the BRM. Here, 8632 unique publications were identified; an additional 3 studies were added post hoc. In total, 96 studies were subjected to further analysis and 44 studies were used to make a final assessment.

There is limited published evidence to support the use of a BRM in eGFR equations.
Smash the Thing: William Kentridge, Classical Antiquity, and hisRefusal of TimeinO Sentimental Machine
Authors: Agbamu Samuel
Published: December 2021

This article examines a 2018 exhibition of William Kentridge’s work, entitled O Sentimental Machine, at the Liebieghaus Skulpturensammlung in Frankfurt. This exhibition placed the South African artist’s work in confrontation with the museum’s collections, which offer an overview of sculpture from antiquity to early modernity. The exhibition draws together themes explored in Kentridge’s sustained engagement with Greek and Roman antiquity: critiques of triumphant narratives of history; questions of memorialization and ruination; and the probing of narratives of enlightenment, which begin with Plato’s allegory of the cave (Rep. 514a–521b). The first half of the article considers Kentridge’s dialogues with Greek and Roman antiquity in his wider works before turning to his Triumphs and Laments (2016), a series of images telling the story of Rome, imprinted on the embankment walls of the Tiber. The second half focuses on O Sentimental Machine, paying particular attention to The Refusal of Time, a piece presented at the exhibition. The article argues that this piece offers a compelling challenge to narratives of ‘civilisation’, at the centre of which lie hegemonic notions of time, underpinned by constructions of the classical tradition. Kentridge thus offers a vision for emancipatory engagements with Greek and Roman antiquity.
Cognitive Skills and Economic Preferences in the Fund Industry
Authors: Farago Adam , Holmén Martin , Holzmeister Felix , Kirchler Michael , Razen Michael
Published: December 2021

We investigate the impact of cognitive skills and economic preferences on fund managers' professional decisions by running a battery of experiments with them. First, we find that fund managers’ risk tolerance positively correlates with fund risk when accounting for fund benchmark, fund category and other controls. Second, we show that fund managers’ ambiguity tolerance positively correlates with the funds’ tracking error from the benchmark. Finally, we report that cognitive skills do not explain fund performance in terms of excess returns. However, we do find that fund managers with high cognitive reflection abilities compose funds at lower risk.
Illegal: The Recourse to Force to Recover Occupied Territory and the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War
Authors: Ruys Tom , Silvestre Felipe Rodríguez
Published: December 2021

The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, and its lingering aftermath, have put the fundamental and largely unsettled question of the jus ad bellum in the spotlight: when part of one state’s territory is occupied by another state for a prolonged duration, can the former state have lawful recourse to military force to recover its land? Prior to the 2020 conflict, the Nagorno-Karabakh region was widely regarded as belonging de jure to Azerbaijan, but as being unlawfully occupied – for more than 25 years – by Armenia. Accordingly, was Azerbaijan entitled to claim self-defence to lawfully recover it, even though the pre-2020 territorial status quo in the region had existed for more than a quarter of a century? In addition, could Azerbaijan invoke self-defence again in the near or distant future to recover those remaining parts of territory that continue to be outside of its control now that a new ceasefire is being enforced in the region? The answers to these questions have ramifications that extend far beyond the Caucasus, being of relevance for a wide range of pending conflicts around the globe. Upon closer scrutiny, the present authors believe that a negative answer is in order.
The year in cardiovascular medicine 2021: dyslipidaemia
Authors: Tokgozoglu Lale , Orringer Carl , Ginsberg Henry N. , Catapano Alberico L.
Published: December 2021

The past year was an exciting time for clinical lipidology when we learnt more about existing therapies as well as therapies targeting novel pathways discovered through genetic studies. LDL cholesterol remained the main target and a variety of drugs to lower LDL cholesterol through different mechanisms were explored. Emerging evidence on the atherogenity of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins led to renewed interest in lowering them with new treatments. Lp(a) was back in focus with evidence on causality and new targeted therapeutics which dramatically lower Lp(a) levels. We will be able to personalise lipid lowering therapy further with this enriched armamentarium once we have the results of the cardiovascular outcome studies with some of these new agents.