Returning Individual Tap Water Testing Results to Research Study Participants after a Wildfire Disaster

After the devastating wildfire that destroyed most of the town of Paradise, California in 2018, volatile organic compounds were found in water distribution pipes. Approximately 11 months after the fire, we collected tap water samples from 136 homes that were still standing and tested for over 100 chemicals. Each participant received a customized report showing the laboratory findings from their sample. Our goal was to communicate individual water results and chemical information rapidly in a way that was understandable, scientifically accurate, and useful to participants. On the basis of this process, we developed a framework to illustrate considerations and priorities that draw from best practices of previous environmental results return research and crisis communication, while also addressing challenges specific to the disaster context. We also conducted a follow-up survey on participants’ perceptions of the results return process. In general, participants found the results return communications to be understandable, and they felt less worried about their drinking water quality after receiving the information. Over one-third of the participants reported taking some kind of action around their water usage habits after receiving their results. Communication with participants is a critical element of environmental disaster research, and it is important to have a strategy to communicate results that achieves the goals of timeliness, clarity, and scientific accuracy, ultimately empowering people toward actions that can reduce exposure.

Quality of meta-analyses of non-opioid, pharmacological, perioperative interventions for chronic postsurgical pain: a systematic review

BackgroundIn an attempt to aggregate observations from clinical trials, several meta-analyses have been published examining the effectiveness of systemic, non-opioid, pharmacological interventions to reduce the incidence of chronic postsurgical pain.ObjectiveTo inform the design and reporting of future studies, the purpose of our study was to examine the quality of these meta-analyses.Evidence reviewWe conducted an electronic literature search in Embase, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Published meta-analyses, from the years 2010 to 2020, examining the effect of perioperative, systemic, non-opioid pharmacological treatments on the incidence of chronic postsurgical pain in adult patients were identified. Data extraction focused on methodological details. Meta-analysis quality was assessed using the A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2) critical appraisal tool.FindingsOur search yielded 17 published studies conducting 58 meta-analyses for gabapentinoids (gabapentin and pregabalin), ketamine, lidocaine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and mexiletine. According to AMSTAR 2, 88.2% of studies (or 15/17) were low or critically low in quality. The most common critical element missing was an analysis of publication bias. Trends indicated an improvement in quality over time and association with journal impact factor.ConclusionsWith few individual trials adequately powered to detect treatment effects, meta-analyses play a crucial role in informing the perioperative management of chronic postsurgical pain. In light of this inherent value and despite a number of attempts, high-quality meta-analyses are still needed.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021230941.

Assessment of the Feedstock Availability for Covering EU Alternative Fuels Demand

Modern economies rely on the efficiency of their transportation sector; however, the environmental impact of the sector remains a growing concern. Among the various proposed solutions, the production and deployment of alternative fuels is a major option. However, concerns exist that the actual availability of sustainable feedstock might lower the current level of ambition. This paper addresses this issue by reviewing recent studies and policy targets, to match forecasts for expected demand and feedstock availability for road, aviation, and maritime sectors in the EU in 2030. The existing literature is fragmented and based on a variety of different approaches, and a consistent assessment of the potential overall demand for transport is still missing. In spite of the challenges posed by the numerous uncertainties, this research provides an estimate of potential European demand for alternative fuels that ranges between 20 and 33 Mtoe. We aimed to answer the question about the availability of sustainable feedstock to cover this potential demand. The analysis confirmed, even under very conservative assumptions, that feedstock may not be the major barrier today. Other issues, such as the feedstock costs, the price volatilities, the existing logistical infrastructures, etc., are relevant aspects contributing to the puzzle. Whilst feedstock is present across European regions, a critical element which requires detailed analysis at the implementation value chain level is the effectiveness of its sustainable mobilisation alongside the synergies and trade-offs that may arise.

Rating Risk Factors Related to Dangerous Goods Transportation and Selecting an Ideal Warehouse Location

Considering the environment and human life, the importance of dangerous goods transportation should be carefully considered. Preventing damages during this transportation, anticipating the dangers, and minimizing the risks are vital components for businesses, human life, and the environment. Therefore, reducing/minimizing risks in dangerous goods transportation is a critical element of vital importance. This chapter is aimed to rate the risk factors related to dangerous goods transportation and select the most ideal warehouse locations due to the their importance for human and environmental health. There are a number of factors for that purpose. There are six provinces in the Eastern Black Sea region having the strategic function and structure. According to the decision makers' views and judgments, three provinces are determined in terms of dangerous goods transportation. Picture fuzzy sets-based AHP-TOPSIS methodology was used to analyze the problem of dangerous goods transportation and the most ideal warehouse location selection.

Empowering Multilingual Learners Through Critical Liberating Literacy Practices in English-Dominated Speech Communities

This chapter explores the nuances of critical literacy reviewing the influence of the sociocultural context and the critical element that arises from the individuals who negotiate their identities as they interact with others in a variety of settings. The perspective adopted here focuses on multilingual learners as they engage in literacy practices in English, the dominant language, within schooled environments resulting in hybrid productions within a Third Space, which is a metaphorical setting that promotes expansive learning. Such literacy productions consider the lived-in experiences of the individuals and their personal histories as tools for learning with the potential to liberate themselves from the dominant literacy practices. The chapter includes a discussion of the role and status of English to empower non-dominant groups within English-speaking settings.

Polarization-Insensitive Beam Splitter with Variable Split Angles and Ratios Based on Phase Gradient Metasurfaces

The beam splitter is a common and critical element in optical systems. Traditional beam splitters composed of prisms or wave plates are difficult to be applied to miniaturized optical systems because they are bulky and heavy. The realization of the nanoscale beam splitter with a flexible function has attracted much attention from researchers. Here, we proposed a polarization-insensitive beam splitter with a variable split angle and ratio based on the phase gradient metasurface, which is composed of two types of nanorod arrays with opposite phase gradients. Different split angles are achieved by changing the magnitude of the phase gradient based on the principle of Snell’s law of refraction, and different split ratios are achieved by adding a phase buffer with different areas. In the designed four types of beam splitters for different functions, the split angle is variable in the range of 12–29°, and the split ratio is variable in the range of 0.1–1. The beam splitter has a high beam splitting efficiency above 0.3 at the wavelength of 480–600 nm and a weak polarization dependence. The proposed beam splitter has the advantages of a small size and easy integration, and it can be applied to various optical systems such as multiplexers and interferometers for integrated optical circuits.

Critical Factors in Process Quality of Engineering Construction Projects during Building Design Phase

Quality in construction is an important topic in the design phase due to the quick change in technological advancement. The current study focuses on the identification, measurement, and analysis of the critical elements which impact the process quality of building construction projects during the design stage in Pakistan. Elements were graded using the conservative Relative Importance Index (RII) and Grey Absolute Decision Analysis (GADA). The findings indicate that during the design phase, the critical element impacting process quality is the quality of codes and standards and was facilitated using a questionnaire survey. Similarly, the teamwork of parties in design firms and constructability analysis of the design are key factors during the design phase in Pakistan. Measures for the improvement of process quality in Pakistan were suggested. The building construction projects need to be modified to cover the important aspects of constructability analysis, continuous working on training programs, and many other related activities. These are performed through a proper commitment to continuous quality improvement in building construction projects. The results are important for improving process quality during the construction projects' design phase.

The Mechanisms of the Transportation Land Transfer Impact on Economic Growth: Evidence from China

Accessibility to transportation is a crucial factor for economic growth. Transportation land, defined as the land used to support transportation infrastructure, such as city and inter-city rail, ports, and air travel, is a critical element for constructing transportation facilities and has attracted increasing attention from researchers and policy makers. Transportation land transfer (TLT) is defined as the act by which the state transfers transportation land-use rights to a land user (collective or individual) within a certain period of time as the land owner (all land in China is owned by the state). The land user pays a land-use right transfer fee to the state. This article first reveals the multidimensional effect between TLT and economic growth based on data from China’s 30 provinces for 2007–2019. The study found the following. (1) A continuous increase in the availability of transportation land is vital to ensure sustainable economic growth, and the construction of transportation land between adjacent areas has positive spatial spillover effects. (2) These positive effects work through three mechanisms, i.e., increased employment, industrial interactions, and improvements in economic operational efficiency, with a time lag. (3) The positive effects of TLT on economic growth have significant heterogeneous moderating effects on the differences in the economic development stage, the level of industrial structure, and urbanization rate. The study expands the front-end to back-end analysis of land use, provides a reference for countries and regions at different stages of development to promote economic growth using transportation land construction, and presents beneficial insights for governments to efficiently avoid the mismatch of transportation land resources.

132 Assessment Tools to Measure Clinical Reasoning While Attending Simulation-Based Courses

Clinical reasoning is interconnected with decision-making which is a critical element to ensure patient safety [1]. To avoid practice mistakes, healthcare professionals should be competent with effective clinical reasoning skills. To develop effective clinical reasoning skills, healthcare professionals should get the chance to practise and be exposed to various experiences and levels of patient complexities. Simulation can immerse learners in scenarios that mimic clinical situations, simultaneously mitigating safety risks and increasing standardization in healthcare education [2]. Through simulation, learners can get the chance to practise clinical reasoning with focussed learning opportunities [3]. Several assessment tools have been used to measure clinical reasoning while attending simulation-based activities. However, we would like to explore the most valid and reliable tools to assess clinical reasoning while attending simulation, in addition to finding out whether these tools have considered the seniority and competency levels of their users.A scoping review was undertaken to answer the questions: What are the best available valid and reliable tools to evaluate clinical reasoning while attending simulation-based activities? Do we have valid and reliable clinical reasoning assessment tools for simulation that measure clinical reasoning considering different seniority and competency levels? We searched Medline, Scopus, Education Research Complete, and Google Scholar to identify relevant recent primary research conducted on this topic from 2000 onwards. The search included MeSH topics of: ‘Clinical reasoning’, ‘Simulation-based courses’ and ‘Clinical Reasoning tools’. The inclusion criteria were primary studies that described the use of tools measuring clinical reasoning while attending simulation-based courses. Two independent researchers agreed on the inclusion of the identified papers for full-text review. This review followed the review guidelines of Joanne Briggs institute.There are valid and reliable tools to evaluate clinical reasoning while attending simulation which is Clinical Reasoning Evaluation Simulation Tool CREST [1]; Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric LCJR [4]; Creighton Competency Evaluation Instrument Creighton C-SEI- Tool [5]. However, the validity and reliability of these tools were tested on undergraduate student nurses, and there was no consideration for different seniority and competence levels, and applicability to other healthcare professions.There is an adequate number of tools to measure clinical reasoning while attending simulation. However, there is a significant basis to test the reliability and validity of these tools against different competence and seniority levels, and applicability to other healthcare professions.

China will see off challengers in EV batteries

Significance The battery is the most expensive and performance-critical element of an electric vehicle (EV). China's dominance in the sector therefore has strategic implications, because the global transition towards EVs is key to achieving international targets to mitigate climate change, and to individual nations’ wealth generation prospects. Impacts The car industry worldwide will increasingly depend on access to cost-effective batteries, which in the short term means Chinese suppliers. China’s dominance of the battery supply chain and fast-growing EV market ties foreign automotive leaders to Chinese partners and markets. Extensive government support would be needed to compete with Chinese firms’ dominance in the battery and critical mineral supply chains.