The evolution of extraordinary self-sacrifice

From a theoretical perspective, individuals are expected to sacrifice their welfare only when the benefits outweigh the costs. In nature, however, the costs of altruism and spite can be extreme, as in cases of irreversible sterility and self-destructive weaponry. Here we show that “extraordinary” self-sacrifice—in which actors pay costs that exceed the benefits they give or the costs they impose on recipients—can evolve in structured populations, where social actions bring secondary benefits to neighboring kin. When given information about dispersal, sedentary actors evolve extraordinary altruism towards dispersing kin. Likewise, when given information about dispersal and kinship, sedentary actors evolve extraordinary spite towards sedentary nonkin. Our results can thus be summed up by a simple rule: extraordinary self-sacrifice evolves when the actor’s neighbors are close kin and the recipient’s neighbors are not.

How can we govern large-scale Green infrastructure for multiple water security benefits?

Traditional, limited purpose grey infrastructure has failed to address the world's interrelated water challenges. Improving water security will increasingly require more integrated responses. This paper examines large-scale green infrastructure (LSGI), planned natural or hybrid systems that materially affect water security at the watershed scale, as one such response. This paper examines key challenges for governing and financing LSGI, which hinder its broader use. We report on four case studies located in the United States where LSGI is being employed to improve water security. Through analysis of these case studies and related literature, we identify three themes important for LSGI governance: cost sharing, performance monitoring, and legitimization. First, we hypothesize that formal cost sharing based on the multiple benefits LSGI provides could enable wider adoption, but find that in these examples cost sharing is limited and informal. Second, our research suggests that expanding performance monitoring to encompass key secondary benefits could help clarify how the benefits and burdens of a project are distributed across stakeholders, facilitate cost sharing, and enhance project legitimacy. Finally, LSGI will require further legitimization – developing a broader perception that LSGI is an appropriate alternative or complement to grey infrastructure – to develop as a viable contributor to water security.

Towards a Cross-Sectoral View of Nature-Based Solutions for Enabling Circular Cities

A framework developed by the COST Action Circular City (an EU-funded network of 500+ scientists from 40+ countries; COST = Cooperation in Science and Technology) for addressing Urban Circularity Challenges (UCCs) with nature-based solutions (NBSs) was analyzed by various urban sectors which refer to different fields of activities for circular management of resources in cities (i.e., reducing use of resources and production of waste). The urban sectors comprise the built environment, urban water management, resource recovery, and urban farming. We present main findings from sector analyses, discuss different sector perspectives, and show ways to overcome these differences. The results reveal the potential of NBSs to address multiple sectors, as well as multiple UCCs. While water has been identified as a key element when using NBSs in the urban environment, most NBSs are interconnected and also present secondary benefits for other resources. Using representative examples, we discuss how a holistic and systemic approach could facilitate the circular use of resources in cities. Currently, there is often a disciplinary focus on one resource when applying NBSs. The full potential of NBSs to address multifunctionality is, thus, usually not fully accounted for. On the basis of our results, we conclude that experts from various disciplines can engage in a cross-sectoral exchange and identify the full potential of NBSs to recover resources in circular cities and provide secondary benefits to improve the livelihood for locals. This is an important first step toward the full multifunctionality potential enabling of NBSs.

ANOREXIA AS A WAY TO SUPPRESS THE LIBIDO OF TEENAGERS

This article examines the phenomenology of the secondary benefits of anorexia, namely, the use of this symptom to suppress libido in adolescents and young girls with hypertrophied internal and external religious prohibition on the part of parents to manifest their growing sexuality, due to physiology. The causes of anorexia are described in many scientific works, but the peculiarities of the influence of religious attitudes of parents on the formation of anorexia in adolescents are poorly disclosed. This article reveals the psychological mechanisms (replacing aggression and secondary benefits) that keep the problem and make it impossible to achieve a result in the treatment of this ailment. The article presents a sample of those who applied to a psychological center for help from parents of adolescents suffering from anorexia and at the same time having strong religious prejudices, which, in our opinion, affects the occurrence and retention of a negative symptom under certain circumstances. For successful therapy and prevention of anorexia, we have established what circumstances can contribute to the occurrence of anorexia in adolescents from families with a strong religious orientation. The key point in working with the girls with whom we managed to conduct psychoanalytic sessions was their temporary disconnection from their religious beliefs until a conscious choice in the future. This serves as a prerequisite for an effective solution to the problem, since the existing doubts about religion, what is good / bad, right / wrong, create a certain neurotic pressure and can lead to consequences such as anorexia.

Single session per oral endoscopic myotomy and trans oral incisionless fundoplication – can we prevent reflux in patients with achalasia?

Background and study aims The rate of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is concerning. Endoscopic anti-reflux methods, such as Trans Oral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF), are crucial for the long-term success of POEM, especially if they can be performed in the same session. Methods We completed a proof-of-concept canine pilot study (n = 6) to assess safety and feasibility of POEM and TIF in a single session (POEM-TIF). Subsequently, POEM-TIF was also performed in patients with achalasia (n = 5). Herein, we report on the safety, technical and clinical success of the first-in-human cases with symptom follow-up at 1, 3 and 6 months and pH testing at 6 months. Results POEM was completed successfully in six canines (3 anterior and 3 posterior myotomies), followed by TIF in the same session. Necropsy and extensive testing demonstrated no evidence of mucosal injury and no leaks. The reconstructed valve was 220 to 240 degrees, 3 to 4 cm in length, and resulted in concomitant esophageal lengthening (2–5 cm). Using similar principles, the first-in-human cases were performed without intraprocedural or delayed adverse events. pH testing at 6 months showed that four of five patients had no evidence of GERD (DeMeester > 14.72), and in one case, there was evidence of esophagitis. Conclusions Single session POEM-TIF appears to be safe and feasible. Early clinical human data suggests that it may be able to reduce post POEM GERD, however the additional secondary benefits such as lengthening and straightening of the esophagus, may prove to be equally important for the long-term success of POEM.

Impact of Social Distancing and Travel Restrictions on Non–Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Non–COVID-19) Respiratory Hospital Admissions in Young Children in Rural Alaska

Hospitalizations due to non-coronavirus disease 2019 (non-COVID-19) respiratory illnesses decreased dramatically after social distancing was implemented in a high-risk population in rural Alaska; an unprecedented decline compared to the past 10 respiratory seasons. This demonstrates the potential secondary benefits of implementing social distancing and travel restrictions on respiratory illnesses.

Secondary benefits of family member participation in treatments for childhood disorders : a multilevel meta-analysis

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Family-based treatments for children with mental health, physical health, and developmental disorders often convey secondary benefits to caregivers and siblings who participate in those treatments. Yet, there are no systematic evaluations of these secondary benefits, which suggests that current estimates of the effectiveness of family treatments do not accurately represent the full scope of benefits to participants. In the present study, a three-level meta-analysis was used to (a) characterize the nature and quality of research on the secondary benefits of family-based treatments for childhood disorders, (b) synthesize the findings and estimate an overall effect size of family-based treatments on secondary benefits across 7 domains of childhood disorders, and (c) evaluate the influence of moderators (e.g., characteristics of participants, treatments, and methods) on secondary benefits. Results from 133 studies revealed multiple strengths in the research literature, including frequent use of standardized treatments, random assignment of participants to treatment conditions, and comparison of family-based treatments to usual services. The meta-analysis examined 422 effect sizes and showed that family-based treatments produced small but statistically significant secondary benefits (d = 0.25) relative to individually focused comparison conditions. In addition, moderator analyses revealed that the extent of secondary benefits was influenced by characteristics of the measures, with a smaller effect for measures when information was provided by male caregivers. The findings of this study have implications for administrators, policymakers, and treatment providers who make decisions about interventions that are delivered to families of children with a wide range of disorders.

Effect of Cover Crop on Farm Profitability and Risk in the Southern High Plains

Cover cropping has been promoted for improving soil health and environmental quality in the southern High Plains (SHP) region of the United States. The SHP is one of the more productive areas of the country and covers a large landmass, including parts of Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas. This region faces challenges in sustainable crop production due to declining water levels in the Ogallala Aquifer, the primary source of water for irrigated crop production. This study examines the impact of integrating cover crops in the winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L)-based rotations on farm profitability and risk in the SHP. The study combines experimental yield data with other secondary information, including market prices, to conduct simulation analysis and evaluate the risk involved in introducing cover crops in a wheat-fallow cropping system. The results show that, due to the additional monetary costs involved, none of the cover crop options is economically viable. However, when secondary benefits (erosion control and green nitrogen) or government subsidies are included in the analysis, one of the cover crop options (peas) dominates the fallow alternative. Moreover, when the secondary benefits and a government subsidy are combined, two cover crop alternatives (peas and oats) emerge as more profitable options than leaving land fallow. These results highlight the importance of agricultural research and extension programs that are making a concerted effort to develop more productive farming techniques and increase public awareness about the long-term benefits of adopting soil health management systems such as cover cropping in the SHP region.