bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of Carryable Intravenous Drip Frame with Automatic Balancing
Authors: Wu Ming-Feng , Chen Chia-Shan , Chen I-Shan , Kuo Tz-Hau , Wen Chih-Yu , A. Sethares William
Published: January 2020

Due to the inconvenience of the conventional intravenous drip frame, the piggyback intravenous drip frame is developed to improve the mobility of the patient. However, the current design of the drip frame leads to a lack of balance control and increment of blood returning. To this end, the proposed system aims to solve this problem, and a fuzzy proportionalintegral–derivative control technique is developed to demonstrate the system feasibility. Accordingly, a reliable balanced system can be applied to facilitate patients’ movements and ensure patient safety with compensating the inclination angle of the drip frame such that the reduction of blood returning and the balance control of the piggyback intravenous drip frame can be achieved.
Living Standards in One-Person Households of the Elderly Population
Authors: Piekut Marlena
Published: January 2020

The number of one-person households of the elderly continues to rise in developed countries. The study assesses the standard of living in this type of households. The aim of this study is to explore the standard of living of single older adults (60+) in Poland by focusing on the relationship between demographic and socio-economic factors as well as their objective financial situation and subjective satisfaction on their financial and consumption standards. To evaluate the standard of living in one-person households run by people aged 60 and over, the aggregate (composite) indicator was designed, based on the Economic Living Standard Index method. The key issues relating to multifaceted aspects of sustainable development are both the level and the quality of life. It can be concluded that the elderly people running one-person households constitute a group that is heterogeneous due to their different socio-economic and demographic characteristics, which in turn affect their various living standards. The highest standard of living can be noticed in the households run by white-collar workers, self-employed persons and well educated persons. The lowest standard of living can be observed in the households run by groups of people including farmers, people having income from social sources (without pensions), living on supplementary welfare allowance and persons with lower education level (secondary, primary or less). Remedial measures should be taken for these social groups. The key factors determining the standard of living in one-person households of the elderly are socioeconomic status and education level.
A HAZOP with MCDM Based Risk-Assessment Approach: Focusing on the Deviations with Economic/Health/Environmental Impacts in a Process Industry
Authors: Marhavilas Panagiotis K. , Filippidis Michail , Koulinas Georgios K. , Koulouriotis Dimitrios E.
Published: January 2020

A joint-analysis by the use of (i) the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) technique of Typical-Analytical-Hierarchy-Process (T_AHP) and Fuzzy-Analytical-Hierarchy-Process (F_AHP) with (ii) the Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) method respectively, was conducted in a sour-crude-oil process industry (SCOPI), focusing on the deviations with economic/health/environmental impact. Consequently, the intention of this paper is dual; that means the first one is the presentation and application of the traditional HAZOP method on a SCOPI, and the second one the illustration and usage of the combined HAZOP_TAHP/FAHP framework in the previous referred industry, via the resulted hazards with economical, health and also environmental impacts, unveiling the sustainable dimension of this approach. The choice of the particular SCOPI for executing the HAZOP process is greatly powerful for the implementation of this approach, due to the plentiful hazards that the process includes, and due to its sophisticated design, as well. Originally, the conventional HAZOP study was carried out for finding out the potential destructive causes of abnormal circumstances in the SCOPI’s establishment. Subsequently, the defined (by HAZOP) hazards with particular economic, health and environmental impacts were elaborated by the T_AHP and F_AHP techniques in order to broaden the HAZOP results and prioritize the risks in the worksite of the SCOPI. It is worthwhile mentioning that this joint-analysis can afford a reliable base to enhance procedure safety and upgrade the occupational health safety’s level (OHS). Likewise, it might be a constructive means for the decision-makers to: (i) evaluate the urgent situation of the restricted resources’ investment, in measures of preventing particular deviations (like the ones with economical, health and environmental consequences), and (ii) to endorse the sustainable growth of this industry, taking into account that a significant part of literature utilized the issue of sustainability as a frame for the development of OHS RAA techniques.
Indigenous Knowledge and Seasonal Calendar Inform Adaptive Savanna Burning in Northern Australia
Authors: McKemey Michelle , Ens Emilie , Rangers Yugul Mangi , Costello Oliver , Reid Nick
Published: January 2020

Indigenous fire management is experiencing a resurgence worldwide. Northern Australia is the world leader in Indigenous savanna burning, delivering social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits. In 2016, a greenhouse gas abatement fire program commenced in the savannas of south-eastern Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, managed by the Indigenous Yugul Mangi rangers. We undertook participatory action research and semi-structured interviews with rangers and Elders during 2016 and 2019 to investigate Indigenous knowledge and obtain local feedback about fire management. Results indicated that Indigenous rangers effectively use cross-cultural science (including local and Traditional Ecological Knowledge alongside western science) to manage fire. Fire management is a key driver in the production of bush tucker (wild food) resources and impacts other cultural and ecological values. A need for increased education and awareness about Indigenous burning was consistently emphasized. To address this, the project participants developed the Yugul Mangi Faiya En Sisen Kelenda (Yugul Mangi Fire and Seasons Calendar) that drew on Indigenous knowledge of seasonal biocultural indicators to guide the rangers’ fire management planning. The calendar has potential for application in fire management planning, intergenerational transfer of Indigenous knowledge and locally driven adaptive fire management.
Taking a Future Generation’s Perspective as a Facilitator of Insight Problem-Solving: Sustainable Water Supply Management
Authors: Nakagawa Yoshinori
Published: January 2020

Human societies face various unsustainability problems, often characterized as “wicked” in the sense that they have no single definitive formulation. Thus, the role of creativity or insight in solving such problems has attracted a lot of attention from scholars. Therefore, this study investigated how an emerging methodology, Future Design (and its unique intervention of asking problem solvers to take a future generation’s perspective), can facilitate insight problem solving (IPS) and the generation of sustainable solutions. In a municipality in Japan, nine officers from a bureau responsible for water supply management participated in a series of seven Future Design workshops. In two groups, these officers created visions of water supply management 30 years into the future, taking the perspective of a future generation working in the same municipality. On the basis of in-depth transcription analyses of these workshops, we obtained a hypothetical framework demonstrating that four factors mediate the influence of perspective taking on IPS: (a) Discounting the present generation’s cost, (b) contrasting the future with the present, (c) deconstructing hierarchy, and (d) intellectual joy. While the first three mediators (a, b, and c) were considered to be contributors to the problem reframing and IPS via constraint relaxation, the fourth (d) was considered to do so via positive interpretation. Further, the reason why taking a future generation’s perspective is likely to lead to sustainable solutions, useful for the future—rather than the present—generation, is also discussed.
Effects of Returning Granular Corn Straw on Soil Humus Composition and Humic Acid Structure Characteristics in Saline-Alkali Soil
Authors: Chen Xiaodong , Wu Jinggui , Opoku-Kwanowaa Yaa
Published: January 2020

Returning straw plays an important role in protecting the environment and maintaining the sustainable development of agriculture. In this research, we explored the effects of returning granular corn straw on soil humus composition and humic acid structural characteristics in a typical saline-alkali soil. This study was conducted in Jilin province. A randomized block design consisting of nine plots with three treatments in three replicates was used for this study. The treatments were granular corn straw (GS), coarse corn straw (CS), and control (CK). The results show that treatments GS and CS both increased the contents of soil humus and its components in the soil compared to CK. However, treatment GS recorded the highest significant increase in soil humus carbon (HEC), fulvic acid carbon (FAC), and humic acid carbon (HAC) by 17.59%, 8.32%, and 26.51%, respectively. Comparing the two straw treatments, it was found that the relative intensities of treatment GS at 2920 and 2850 cm−1 were higher than treatment CS by 1.58% and 72.49%, respectively. The relative intensities of treatment GS at 1720 cm−1 and 1620 cm −1 were lower than treatment CS by 52.2% and 30.43%, respectively. Moreover, an analysis of soil humic acid (HA) through an infrared spectrum, fluorescence spectrum, and principal components analysis (PCA) showed that the application of straw makes the structure of HA aliphatic, simple, and younger, and also promotes the continuous renewal of humus. In this study, the application of granular corn straw effectively improved the soil humus content and humic acid structural characteristics and is thus highly recommended.
Designing for Circularity—Addressing Product Design, Consumption Practices and Resource Flows in Domestic Kitchens
Authors: Hagejärd Sofie , Ollár Anita , Femenías Paula , Rahe Ulrike
Published: January 2020

Both the daily use and renewal of kitchens significantly contribute to the overall environmental impact of domestic buildings. To identify design implications related to circular consumption in domestic kitchens, 20 household interviews and one focus group session were performed, investigating how kitchens are used and transformed to meet households’ wants and needs. This study determined that daily kitchen resource use is greatly affected by kitchen design and that typical kitchen design generally does not promote sustainable resource use. Key factors that support minimization of resource use in the kitchen are the availability and planning of storage and workspaces. Furthermore, kitchens should be equipped with functions that enable households to use energy and water efficiently. Regarding kitchen renewal, various motivations that may initiate kitchen renovations can be summarised as follows: (1) Functional demands and changing needs, (2) aesthetic demands and changing trends, (3) obsolescence due to wear, and (4) linkage to another home renovation. This article concludes that a combination of design strategies is needed to reach a higher level of kitchen circularity. Moreover, these design strategies must be accompanied by circular business models and efforts to increase awareness of the environmental impact related to activities in and involving the kitchen.
Linking Environmental Regulation and Financial Performance: The Mediating Role of Green Dynamic Capability and Sustainable Innovation
Authors: Xing Xinpeng , Liu Tiansen , Shen Lin , Wang Jianhua
Published: January 2020

This study develops a multiple mediating model for exploring the link between environmental regulation and financial performance through green dynamic capability, sustainability exploration/exploitation innovation, based on the data from 355 Chinese manufacturing firms. Empirical results support a mediating role of green dynamic capability and sustainability exploration/exploitation in the link between environmental regulation and financial performance, respectively. What’s more, our findings indicate that environmental regulation can help improve financial performance via two multiple mediating paths, i.e., green dynamic capability and sustainability exploration innovation, as well as green dynamic capability and sustainability exploitation innovation. These key findings will help to understand how important green dynamic capability and sustainable innovation is when Chinese manufacturing firms establish a business-politics tie.
Influence Factors of Spatial Distribution of Urban Innovation Activities Based on Ensemble Learning: A Case Study in Hangzhou, China
Authors: Wang Jiwu , Liu Nina , Ruan Yichen
Published: January 2020

Innovation is an inevitable way for cities to achieve sustainable development. The occurrence of innovation activities is a complex systemic behavior. Its spatial distribution has some location selection laws, which are the result of interaction and feedback between various spatial influence factors. We explain the impact mechanism from the microscale using a street unit in a city. Hangzhou was selected as a case study. First, we systematically selected factors influencing the spatial distribution of innovation activities as the independent variable based on the demands of innovation subjects. Patents were used as the dependent variable to represent the spatial distribution of innovation activities. Second, ensemble algorithms (Boosting) were used to analyze the influence contribution of independent variables to dependent variables. Then, based on the aspects of innovation driving force, which are innovation resources and innovation environments, relevant factors were divided into the following seven categories: innovation industry concentration, knowledge intensity, innovative talent resources, service facilities, external transportation convenience, public transportation convenience, and ecological environment. We interpreted the impact mechanism and made corresponding suggestions for urban innovation space planning.
State Intervention in Land Supply and Its Impact on Real Estate Investment in China: Evidence from Prefecture-Level Cities
Authors: Su Xing , Qian Zhu
Published: January 2020

State intervention in land supply can be a powerful tool in shaping real estate investment. Yet, few studies have examined the effect of central state intervention on land supply at the municipal level and the impact of land supply on real estate investment with respect to different tiers of prefecture-level cities in China. Varying central–local dynamics of land supply in different tiers of cities, and the often taken-for-granted relationship between land supply and real estate investment, warrant further investigation. This study aims to fill these gaps. It is found that the multi-purposed central land policy and the varying land leasing strategies adopted by different tiers of cities contribute to the varying land supply trajectories, calling for more nuanced and better-tailored central land policies that focus on the socioeconomic conditions of cities. The general significant and positive correlation between land supply and real estate investment, revealed by a panel regression analysis incorporating 280 prefecture-level Chinese cities, suggests that land supply control can function as a critical tool in governing real estate investment in China, which also sheds light on the governance and promotion of sustainable real estate markets in other parts of the world. This study also reveals a higher possibility of land speculation in first- and second-tier cities than that of low-tier cities. The nuanced correlations between land supply and real estate investment and the varying land development strategies employed in different tiers of Chinese cities imply that the effectiveness of land supply intervention in shaping healthy real estate investment may depend on local contingencies, calling for meticulous and tailored governance on land supply and real estate investment behaviors.
Community-Driven Sports Events as a Vehicle for Cultural Sustainability within the Context of Forced Migration: Lessons from the Amsterdam Futsal Tournament
Authors: Spaaij Ramón , Schaillée Hebe
Published: January 2020

Participation in sport can act as a means or context for enhancing the social inclusion of migrants and refugees. Research has examined if and how mainstream sport organizations’ practices of engaging newly arrived migrants and refugees are effective in supporting participation in sustainable and culturally appropriate ways. Little is known, however, about the impact of community-driven sports events on sustainable participation by migrants and refugees. This paper examines this question with an analytical focus on community sustainability and the role of culture in sport event sustainability practices. The authors draw on ethnographic fieldwork with the Amsterdam Futsal Tournament (AFT), a sports event organized by Somali diaspora community members, to consider how event organizers and participants seek to promote cultural sustainability in a diaspora sport context. The fieldwork comprised 49 semi-structured interviews, participant observation before, during and after the event, and digital ethnography of event-related social media. The findings show the importance of cultural sustainability as a driver of community-driven sport sustainability practices, but also indicate how this driver is closely linked to addressing organizational and individual sustainability. The analysis demonstrates how the AFT can serve as a catalyst for the expansion of sport and community events among Somali diaspora communities.
Enablers of Entrepreneurial Activity across the European Union—An Analysis Using GEM Individual Data
Authors: Vodă Ana Iolanda , Butnaru Gina Ionela , Butnaru Rodica Cristina
Published: January 2020

The objective of this study involves identifying the influence of different perceptual attributes on the likelihood of engaging in early-stage entrepreneurial activities (TEA). The study correspondingly applies individual data based on the statistics gathered from Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Adult Population Survey database for 18 European Countries in 2007 and 2014. We performed several logistic regression analyses in order to test the influence of some entrepreneurial attributes on the propensity to engage in TEA. We identified four perceptual determinants: Capability to identify opportunity; having the skills, knowledge and experience to start up a business; fear of failure; and knowing other entrepreneurs. We tested their effect along with some control variables and interaction effects. The results confirm the importance of these factors in explaining entrepreneurial activities across different economies.
Making Regional Sense of Global Sustainable Development Indicators for the Arctic
Authors: Nilsson Annika E. , Larsen Joan Nymand
Published: January 2020

Since the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted in 2015, efforts are underway to identify indicators for monitoring progress. However, perceptions of sustainability are scale and place specific, and there has also been a call for Sustainable Development Goals and indicators that are more relevant for the Arctic than the global perspectives. Based on earlier and ongoing efforts to identify Arctic Social Indicators for monitoring human development, insights from scenario workshops and interviews at various locations in the Barents region and Greenland and on studies of adaptive capacity and resilience in the Arctic, we provide an exploratory assessment of the global SDGs and indicators from an Arctic perspective. We especially highlight a need for additional attention to demography, including outmigration; indigenous rights; Arctic-relevant measures of economic development; and social capital and institutions that can support adaptation and transformation in this rapidly changing region. Issues brought up by the SDG framework that need more attention in Arctic monitoring include gender, and food and energy security. We furthermore highlight a need for initiatives that can support bottom–up processes for identifying locally relevant indicators for sustainable development that could serve as a way to engage Arctic residents and other regional and local actors in shaping the future of the region and local communities, within a global sustainability context.
A Graphical Tool to Estimate the Air Change Efficiency in Rooms with Heat Recovery Systems
Authors: Meiss Alberto , Padilla-Marcos Miguel Ángel , Poza-Casado Irene , Álvaro-Tordesillas Antonio
Published: January 2020

Indoor air quality in buildings must be guaranteed for the health and comfort of the occupants. In order to assess the ventilation strategy of a considered room, the parameter of the air change efficiency ( ε a ) can be used. The objective of this work is to provide designers with a graphical tool for a reliable estimate of the value of ε a of a room. The temperature gradient between the outdoor air supply and the indoor air is so low that the ventilation flow can be assumed as isothermal when high-efficiency heat recovery systems are used. By means of charts, the optimal location of the openings for a better ε a can be determined during the design process, in order to subsequently apply them. It is concluded that it is very important to consider the ε a in the case of openings located in facing walls given that its range varies between 40% and 65%. In contrast, its use can be obviated in the case of openings located in non-facing walls, as the value of ε a obtained is close to 50%; this means a perfect mixing air flow pattern, which is the reference value for the estimation of the indoor air quality (IAQ) in the different national regulations.
The Impacts of Asparagus Extract Fractions on Growth and Fumonisins Biosynthesis in Fusarium Proliferatum
Authors: Witaszak Natalia , Lalak-Kańczugowska Justyna , Waśkiewicz Agnieszka , Stępień Łukasz
Published: January 2020

Asparagus is a genus consisting of over two hundred species of perennial plants. Fusarium proliferatum is a major asparagus pathogen and it biosynthesizes a variety of mycotoxins, of which fumonisins B are prevalent. Our previous studies on F. proliferatum strains indicated that asparagus extract affects the expression of FUM1 gene, encoding polyketide synthase, a key enzyme of the FUM gene cluster governing the biosynthesis of fumonisins. An asparagus-derived F. proliferatum strain increased fumonisin B1 production after extract fractions’ addition, reaching the maximum 2 or 24 h after treatment. The cultures yielded between 40 and 520 mg of dry weight of mycelia after 14 days of cultivation. The differences in fungal biomass amounts between the whole extract and its fractions may result from synergistic effect of all bioactive compounds present in asparagus extract. Among extract fractions, the methanolic fraction had the highest effect on the dry weight of the mycelium reaching about a 13-fold increase compared to the control. Furthermore, we measured the relative expression of the FUM1 gene. Due to the possible antifungal activity of tested extract fractions, future research will be focused on the identification of the Asparagus officinalis L. compounds responsible for this activity.
Regulation of Transcription Factor E2-2 in Human Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells by Monocyte-Derived TNFα
Authors: Dewald Hannah K. , Hurley Harry J. , Fitzgerald-Bocarsly Patricia
Published: January 2020

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are innate immune cells and potent producers of interferon alpha (IFNα). Regulation of pDCs is crucial for prevention of aberrant IFN production. Transcription factor E2-2 (TCF4) regulates pDC development and function, but mechanisms of E2-2 control have not been investigated. We used freshly-isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with toll-like receptor 7, 9, and 4 agonists to determine which factors regulate E2-2. After activation, pDCs decreased E2-2 expression. E2-2 downregulation occurred during the upregulation of costimulatory markers, after maximal IFN production. In congruence with previous reports in mice, we found that primary human pDCs that maintained high E2-2 levels produced more IFN, and had less expression of costimulatory markers. Stimulation of purified pDCs did not lead to E2-2 downregulation; therefore, we investigated if cytokine signaling regulates E2-2 expression. We found that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) produced by monocytes caused decreased E2-2 expression. All together, we established that primary human pDCs decrease E2-2 in response to TNFα and E2-2 low pDCs produce less IFN but exhibit more costimulatory molecules. Altered expression of E2-2 may represent a mechanism to attenuate IFN production and increase activation of the adaptive immune compartment.
Development of Antibodies with Broad Neutralization Specificities against HIV-1 after Long Term SHIV Infection in Macaques
Authors: Gao Nan , Gai Yanxin , Meng Lina , Wang Chu , Zhang Xin , Wang Wei , Qin Chuan , Yu Xianghui , Gao Feng
Published: January 2020

Non-human primates (NHP) are the only animal model suitable to evaluate the protection efficacy of HIV-1 vaccines. It is important to understand how and when neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) with specificities similar to those of human broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) develop in NHPs. To address these questions, we determined plasma neutralization specificities in two macaques which developed neutralization breadth after long-term simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) infection and identified neutralization escape mutations by analyzing the env sequences from longitudinal plasma samples. Neutralization activities targeting V2, CD4bs, V3 and gp120-gp41 interface only became detectable in week 350 plasma from macaques G1015R and G1020R using 25710 env mutants. When mapped with CAP45 env mutants, only V2 specificity was detected at week 217 and persisted until week 350 in G1015R. Neutralization escape mutations were found in CD4bs and V2 regions. However, all of them were different from those resistant mutations identified for human bnAbs. These results show that nAbs with specificities similar to human bnAbs are only detectable after long-term SHIV infection and that neutralization escape mutations in macaques are different from those found in HIV-1-infected individuals. These findings can have important implications in the best utilization of the NHP model to evaluate HIV-1 vaccines.
Effects of TDP2/VPg Unlinkase Activity on Picornavirus Infections Downstream of Virus Translation
Authors: Holmes Autumn C. , Zagnoli-Vieira Guido , Caldecott Keith W. , Semler Bert L.
Published: January 2020

In this study, we characterized the role of host cell protein tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 2 (TDP2) activity, also known as VPg unlinkase, in picornavirus infections in a human cell model of infection. TDP2/VPg unlinkase is used by picornaviruses to remove the small polypeptide, VPg (Virus Protein genome-linked, the primer for viral RNA synthesis), from virus genomic RNA. We utilized a CRISPR/Cas-9-generated TDP2 knock out (KO) human retinal pigment epithelial-1 (hRPE-1) cell line, in addition to the wild type (WT) counterpart for our studies. We determined that in the absence of TDP2, virus growth kinetics for two enteroviruses (poliovirus and coxsackievirus B3) were delayed by about 2 h. Virus titers were reduced by ~2 log10 units for poliovirus and 0.5 log10 units for coxsackievirus at 4 hours post-infection (hpi), and by ~1 log10 unit at 6 hpi for poliovirus. However, virus titers were nearly indistinguishable from those of control cells by the end of the infectious cycle. We determined that this was not the result of an alternative source of VPg unlinkase activity being activated in the absence of TPD2 at late times of infection. Viral protein production in TDP2 KO cells was also substantially reduced at 4 hpi for poliovirus infection, consistent with the observed growth kinetics delay, but reached normal levels by 6 hpi. Interestingly, this result differs somewhat from what has been reported previously for the TDP2 KO mouse cell model, suggesting that either cell type or species-specific differences might be playing a role in the observed phenotype. We also determined that catalytically inactive TDP2 does not rescue the growth defect, confirming that TDP2 5′ phosphodiesterase activity is required for efficient virus replication. Importantly, we show for the first time that polysomes can assemble efficiently on VPg-linked RNA after the initial round of translation in a cell culture model, but both positive and negative strand RNA production is impaired in the absence of TDP2 at mid-times of infection, indicating that the presence of VPg on the viral RNA affects a step in the replication cycle downstream of translation (e.g., RNA synthesis). In agreement with this conclusion, we found that double-stranded RNA production (a marker of viral RNA synthesis) is delayed in TDP2 KO RPE-1 cells. Moreover, we show that premature encapsidation of nascent, VPg-linked RNA is not responsible for the observed virus growth defect. Our studies provide the first lines of evidence to suggest that either negative- or positive-strand RNA synthesis (or both) is a likely candidate for the step that requires the removal of VPg from the RNA for an enterovirus infection to proceed efficiently.
The Origin of Sand and Its Colour on the South-Eastern Coast of Spain: Implications for Erosion Management
Authors: Asensio-Montesinos Francisco , Pranzini Enzo , Martínez-Martínez Javier , Cinelli Irene , Anfuso Giorgio , Corbí Hugo
Published: January 2020

Sand colour can give important information about mineral composition and, consequently, sediment source areas and input systems. Beach appearance, which is mostly linked to sand colour, has a relevant economic function in tourist areas. In this paper, the colour of 66 sand samples, collected along both natural and nourished beaches in the western Mediterranean coast of Spain, were assessed in CIEL*a*b* 1976 colour space. The obtained results showed relevant differences between natural and artificially nourished beaches. The colour of many nourished beaches generally differs from the native one because the origin of the injected sand is different. The native sand colour coordinates’ range is: L* (40.16–63.71); a* (−1.47–6.40); b* (7.48–18.06). On the contrary, for nourished beaches’ the colour range is: L* (47.66–70.75); a*(0.72‒5.16); b* (5.82–18.82). Impacts of beach nourishment on the native sand colour were studied at San Juan beach, the most popular one along the study area. Nourishment works were performed after severe erosion, usually linked to anthropic activities/structures and storm events, but also to increase beach width and hence benefit tourism.
Designing Human Rights for Duty Bearers: Making the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation Part of Everyday Practice at the Local Government Level
Authors: Carrard Naomi , Neumeyer Hannah , Pati Bikash Kumar , Siddique Sabiha , Choden Tshering , Abraham Tseguereda , Gosling Louisa , Roaf Virginia , Alvarez-Sala Torreano Jorge , Bruhn Sören
Published: January 2020

In most countries, local governments bear primary responsibility for ensuring everyone has access to water and sanitation services. For the human rights to water and sanitation to move from recognition to realisation, they need to become part of the everyday practice of local authorities. Yet the potential for the human rights to water and sanitation to practically inform local efforts towards inclusive, sustainable service delivery has received limited attention to date, with human rights discourse more typically focusing on national and international levels or on building the capacity of rights holders to claim their rights from government. There is considerable opportunity to consider how human rights can constructively inform local government efforts to expand and improve services. This Communication article presents a novel approach to making human rights relevant and actionable for local authorities. Developed by a consortium of WASH-focused organisations and informed by design thinking, the Making Rights Real approach combines user-centred materials showing how human rights can inform local action, with a process of constructive engagement between civil society and local government professionals. The Making Rights Real approach has been applied in 12 countries by 37 civil society organisations to date. In this paper, we describe the development and features of the Making Rights Real approach, share initial results from its implementation, and reflect on the potential for the approach to catalyse transformational change towards local realisation of the human rights to water and sanitation.
Combining Tools from Edge-of-Field to In-Stream to Attenuate Reactive Nitrogen along Small Agricultural Waterways
Authors: Goeller Brandon C. , Febria Catherine M. , McKergow Lucy A. , Harding Jon S. , Matheson Fleur E. , Tanner Chris C. , McIntosh Angus R.
Published: January 2020

Reducing excessive reactive nitrogen (N) in agricultural waterways is a major challenge for freshwater managers and landowners. Effective solutions require the use of multiple and combined N attenuation tools, targeted along small ditches and streams. We present a visual framework to guide novel applications of ‘tool stacking’ that include edge-of-field and waterway-based options targeting N delivery pathways, timing, and impacts in the receiving environment (i.e., changes in concentration or load). Implementing tools at multiple locations and scales using a ‘toolbox’ approach will better leverage key hydrological and biogeochemical processes for N attenuation (e.g., water retention, infiltration and filtering, contact with organic soils and microbes, and denitrification), in addition to enhancing ecological benefits to waterways. Our framework applies primarily to temperate or warmer climates, since cold temperatures and freeze–thaw-related processes limit biologically mediated N attenuation in cold climates. Moreover, we encourage scientists and managers to codevelop N attenuation toolboxes with farmers, since implementation will require tailored fits to local hydrological, social, and productive landscapes. Generating further knowledge around N attenuation tool stacking in different climates and landscape contexts will advance management actions to attenuate agricultural catchment N. Understanding how different tools can be best combined to target key contaminant transport pathways and create activated zones of attenuation along and within small agricultural waterways will be essential.
Flow-Mediated Vulnerability of Source Waters to Elevated TDS in an Appalachian River Basin
Authors: Merriam Eric R. , Petty J. Todd , O’Neal Melissa , Ziemkiewicz Paul F.
Published: January 2020

Widespread salinization—and, in a broader sense, an increase in all total dissolved solids (TDS)—is threatening freshwater ecosystems and the services they provide (e.g., drinking water provision). We used a mixed modeling approach to characterize long-term (2010–2018) spatio-temporal variability in TDS within the Monongahela River basin and used this information to assess the extent and drivers of vulnerability. The West Fork River was predicted to exceed 500 mg/L a total of 133 days. Occurrence and duration (maximum = 28 days) of—and thus vulnerability to—exceedances within the West Fork River were driven by low flows. Projected decreases in mean daily discharge by ≤10 cfs resulted in an additional 34 days exceeding 500 mg/L. Consistently low TDS within the Tygart Valley and Cheat Rivers reduced vulnerability of the receiving Monongahela River to elevated TDS which was neither observed (maximum = 419 mg/L) nor predicted (341 mg/L) to exceed the secondary drinking water standard of 500 mg/L. Potential changes in future land use and/or severity of low-flow conditions could increase vulnerability of the Monongahela River to elevated TDS. Management should include efforts to increase assimilative capacity by identifying and decreasing sources of TDS. Upstream reservoirs could be managed toward low-flow thresholds; however, further study is needed to ensure all authorized reservoir purposes could be maintained.
Effect of Age on Laparoscopic Surgery and Postoperative Chemotherapy in Elderly Patients With Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Kim Hyun Hee , Ihn Myong Hoon , Lee Yun Hee , Lee Jihyoun , Yun Sangchul , Cho Sung Woo
Published: January 2020

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the postoperative complications of laparoscopic colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery and the adverse events of postoperative chemotherapy in elderly patients compared to younger patients and to identify the factors influencing the termination of postoperative chemotherapy.Methods: Between June 2015 and May 2018, 188 patients with CRC underwent laparoscopic surgery with curative intent. Patients aged ≥ 70 were defined as elderly. Postoperative complications and adverse events of chemotherapy were assessed by using the Clavien-Dindo classification and the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, respectively. The clinicopathological factors were analyzed retrospectively.Results: Seventy-eight patients were considered elderly with a mean age of 77.5 ± 5.5 years. Overall postoperative complications occurred in 68 patients (36.2%). Age and primary tumor location were independent predictors of overall postoperative complications. Smoking history was the only independent predictor of major postoperative complications. Of 113 patients who were recommended postoperative chemotherapy, 90 patients (79.6%) received postoperative chemotherapy. Overall adverse events occurred in 40 patients (44.4%). The American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification and chemotherapy regimen were significantly associated with overall adverse events. The chemotherapy regimen was the only factor significantly associated with severe adverse events. Of 90 patients, postoperative chemotherapy could not be completed in 11 (12.2%). Age was the only factor significantly associated with stopping postoperative chemotherapy (P = 0.003).Conclusion: This study shows that laparoscopic CRC surgery and postoperative chemotherapy were feasible in elderly patients. Further efforts are needed to ensure that elderly patients have the opportunity to make informed decisions regarding postoperative chemotherapy.
The Management of Retained Rectal Foreign Body
Authors: Kim Ju Hun , Um Eunhae , Jung Sung Min , Shin Yong Chan , Jung Sung-Won , Kim Jae Il , Heo Tae Gil , Lee Myung Soo , Jun Heungman , Choi Pyong Wha
Published: January 2020

Purpose: Because insertion of a foreign body (FB) into the anus is considered a taboo practice, patients with a retained rectal FB may hesitate to obtain medical care, and attending surgeons may lack experience with removing these FBs. We performed this study to evaluate the clinical characteristics of Korean patients with a retained rectal FB and propose management guideline for such cases based on our experience.Methods: We retrospectively investigated 14 patients between January 2006 and December 2018. We assessed demographic features, mechanism of FB insertion, clinical course between diagnosis and management, and outcomes.Results: All patients were male (mean age, 43 years) and presented with low abdominal pain (n = 2), anal bleeding (n = 2), or concern about a retained rectal FB without symptoms (n = 10). FB insertion was most commonly associated with sexual gratification or anal eroticism (n = 11, 78.6%). All patients underwent general anesthesia for anal sphincter relaxation with the exception of 2 who underwent FB removal in the emergency department. FBs were retrieved transanally using a clamp (n = 2), myoma screw (n = 1), clamp application following abdominal wall compression (n = 2), or laparotomy followed by rectosigmoid colon milking (n = 2). Colotomy and primary repair were performed in four patients, and Hartmann operation was performed in one patient with fecal peritonitis. No morbidity or mortality was reported. All patients refused postextraction anorectal functional and anatomical evaluation and psychological counseling.Conclusion: Retained rectal FB is rare; however, colorectal surgeons should be aware of the various methods that can be used for FB retrieval and the therapeutic algorithm applicable in such cases.
Thirty-Day Readmission After Elective Colorectal Surgery for Colon Cancer: A Single-Center Cohort Study
Authors: Chung Jun Seong , Kwak Han Deok , Ju Jae Kyun
Published: January 2020

Purpose: There is a concern that enhanced recovery after surgery may affect other proposed quality measures, including the rate of readmission due to early discharge. We examine the 30-day readmission rate, risk factors associated with readmission after elective colorectal surgery for colon cancer, causes of readmission, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) in a single institution.Methods: We retrospectively investigated 292 patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery for colon cancer between 2010 and 2015. Baseline data including age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, preoperative comorbidities, previous operation history, TNM stage, surgical approach, operation time, gas passage time, and length of hospital stay were obtained. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with 30-day readmission.Results: A total of 229 patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery were enrolled. Twenty-four patients were readmitted 30 days after discharge. The most common readmission diagnoses were wound bleeding or surgical site infection. Multivariate analysis indicated that patients who had preoperative hepatic disease were at the highest risk of readmission (odds ratio [OR], 8.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.35–10.61). Survival outcomes were significantly better in the nonreadmitted group (OS, P=0.00; DFS, P=0.04).Conclusion: This study identified that preoperative comorbidities including hepatic and pulmonary diseases were associated with higher readmission rates after elective colorectal surgery. Moreover, the most common cause of readmission in patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery was wound bleeding or surgical site infection.
Clinicopathologic Analysis of Lateral Margin Measured by Whole-Mount Section in T3 Rectal Cancer
Authors: Nam Soomin , Hong Youngki , Choi Yoon Jung , Kang Jung Gu
Published: January 2020

Purpose: Total mesorectal excision is a standard technique for rectal cancer. The whole-mount section can encompass the entire specimen, so it is a more appropriate for measuring circumferential margin than conventional section. We analyzed the clinical characteristics and prognosis based on lateral margins measured by whole-mount sections.Materials and Methods: Medical records of patients who were operated on for T3 rectal cancer from 2005 to 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. A total of 154 patients were included. The slides of the whole-mount sections were re-reviewed by a single pathologist.Results: We divided the groups according to the length of the lateral margin (LM: 1mm, 1.5mm and 2mm). There was significantly frequent lymphovascular invasion and N state was higher when LM was short in all groups. There were more micrometastasis in group LM
Calibration of Gas Analysis Devices
Authors: Kozubovsky V. R.
Published: January 2020

Gas analyzers, especially toxic and explosive devices, are usually measuring equipment. Therefore, it is very important to ensure their metrological parameters. For this purpose, their metrological certification is carried out periodically. However, this procedure is quite costly and is carried out by metrological centers that put state sea­ler seals and write a suitable device for operation or not. The interval of the calibration interval is usually more than 1 year and during this period the metrological parameters of the device change and it becomes unsuitable (from the point of view of metrological centers) for operation. Device developers, when writing “inter-calibration interval, for example, 1 year”, they guarantee the preservation of metrological parameters for 1 year. If a longer period has elapsed, the instrument must be set up before calibration. However, the device is customized by the developer or a qualified professional. As a rule, the owner of the appliance does not have such an opportunity and the state verifier lacks it.
Therefore, it is very important that the owner of the device is able to independently check its performance. There are many met­hods of calibration of the instrument — for example, partial darke­ning of the working channel, introduction of a sealed cuvette with a certain concentration of the measured gas into the working channel, etc. [1-6]. But all of them have certain disadvantages both in terms of a large error and the possibility of their implementation in option.
The Relationship of Spirituality and Mental Health to Recidivism
Authors: Stewart Chris , Rapp Lisa , Drum Lori
Published: January 2020

This study examined the relationship of adolescent spirituality and mental health to recidivism in a sample of incarcerated adolescent males. Mental health has been strongly linked to adolescent problematic behavior, including delinquency and subsequent recidivism.  Adolescent spirituality however, has not been explored to the same degree as mental health. There is little understanding for example, as to whether spirituality may act as a protective factor in regard to adolescent recidivism; particularly in the presence of other important factors. Both multidimensional measures and a longitudinal design were employed to explore spirituality and mental health during participation in, and after discharge from, a boot camp. Results support the likely importance of adolescent spirituality as a protective factor in regard to recidivism.
Introduction to the Special Issue: Sometimes You Have to Bend Your Knees
Authors: Darrell Linda , Kelly Micheal
Published: January 2020

Hard conversations are needed to move our country from the racially polarized position we currently find ourselves in. This Special edition of Social Work and Christianity is the result of the courage, tenacity and faith of a group of Christian Social Work professionals who engaged in the process of difficult conversations. As you read through the introduction and the articles presented in this edition, we are sure you will be intrigued and hopefully prompted to critically think about the need to engage in your own challenging conversations as a way to begin bridging the racial divide in our country. As co-editors of this special edition, we were challenged to deeply reflect on our indiviual life experiences, recognizing our differences as well as the things we had in common. We each struggled with our beliefs as they pertained to the level of racial division within our communities, churches and professions. We were honored to review the number of articles submitted, and contemplated how we would introduce this edition. Racial Reconciliation from a Christian perspective is a process we as Christian Social Workers  must be engaged in to meet the command of our Christian faith "A new command I give you:Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another". John 13:34
Editorial: Introduction from the Editor in Chief
Authors: Hoyt-Oliver Jane
Published: January 2020

There is no abstract for this article