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The pollution of the environment by plastics is a global problem that is real and needs to be resolved urgently. The authors argue that banning the use of plastic is not a reasonable and rational solution for the problem because plastics have many useful applications. Solutions to the problem must involve developing scientific approaches as well as global efforts and strategies. The world’s approach needs to be guided by an economic model that eliminates or minimizes the amount of plastics in the waste stream. As long as most plastic materials are not made from a single polymer, then the idea of “recycling 100% of plastics” is so far an unrealistic solution. The development of biodegradable plastics is still far from being an effective solution because besides being expensive and having limitations in engineering applications when compared to petroleum-based ones, biodegradable plastics still require specific conditions for their biodegradation. Comprehensive studies on microplastic particles are needed, focusing mainly on the source of the particles, their distribution, transport, fate in different environments, and toxicological effects and mechanisms. Since plastic pollution is a global problem, its minimization will require an increased international cooperation platform and partnerships at a global level. While current technologies and strategies are not solving the environmental problem caused by waste plastic, the most effective solution would be to adopt the first two levels of the waste management hierarchy, which are “reduce” and “reuse”.

Typing is a ubiquitous daily action for many individuals; yet, research on how these actions have changed our perception of language is limited. One such influence, deemed the QWERTY effect, is an increase in valence ratings for words typed more with the right hand on a traditional keyboard (Jasmin & Casasanto, 2012). Although this finding is intuitively appealing given both right-handed dominance and the smaller number of letters typed with the right hand, an extension and replication of the right-side advantage is warranted. The present paper re-examined the QWERTY effect expanding to other embodied cognition variables (Barsalou, 1999). First, we found that the right-side advantage is replicable to new valence stimuli. Further, when examining expertise, right-side advantage interacted with typing speed and typeability (i.e., alternating hand key presses or finger switches), portraying that both skill and procedural actions play a role in judgment of valence on words.

In this work the potential of moving moss-bags, fixed to bicycles, to intercept particulate matter (PM) and linked metal(loid)s was tested for the first time. Seven volunteers carried three moss-bags for fifty days while commuting by bicycle in the urban area of Antwerp, Belgium. Moreover, one bike, equipped with mobile PM samplers, travelled along four routes: urban, industrial, green route and the total path, carrying three moss-bags at each route. The saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) signal and chemical composition (assessed by HR-ICP-MS) of the moss samples indicated that the industrial route was the most polluted. Element fluxes (i.e., the ratio between element daily uptake and the specific leaf area) could discriminate among land uses; particularly, they were significantly higher in the industrial route for Ag, As, Cd and Pb; significantly lowest in the green route for As and Pb; and comparable for all accumulated elements along most urban routes. A comparison with a previous experiment carried out in the same study area using similar moss-bags at static exposure points, showed that the element fluxes were significantly higher in the mobile system. Finally, PM2.5 and PM10 masses measured along the four routes were consistent with element fluxes.

BACKGROUND: Clinical guidelines recommend patients with aortic stenosis (AS) being considered for transcatheter aortic valve implantation or surgical aortic valve replacement to participate in shared decision-making (SDM) with a heart valve team (HVT). Data supporting these recommendations are limited. This project gathered data on feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a decision aid (DA) in decision-making for patients with severe AS deciding between transcatheter aortic valve implantation and surgical aortic valve replacement. METHODS: This institutional review board-approved randomized pilot trial assigned eligible patients to receive either the American College of Cardiologys DA for patients with AS or usual care. Patients were surveyed after their visit regarding knowledge, treatment-preference concordance, SDM (SDM process and CollaboRATE Scales), and decisional conflict. Patients were followed for 3 months to collect data on treatment received. RESULTS: Of 62 patients approached, 59 (95%) consented and participated. The average age of participants was 72 years, they were 100% white, and 32% of them were female. Intervention patients had higher knowledge scores (75.6 vs 65.5) and more frequently reported CollaboRATE top scores (67% vs 33%) than usual care patients. No other group comparisons reached significance. Patients who saw both members of the HVT before survey completion reported higher SDM process scores than those who saw only 1 specialist (3.1 vs 2.4). CONCLUSIONS: The study exceeded enrollment targets, indicating feasibility. Results suggest the American College of Cardiologys DA improved patient knowledge and communication scores. Patients who met with both members of the HVT reported higher SDM. These observations highlight the importance of SDM and multidisciplinary HVT assessment in the management of severe AS.

The pollution of the environment by plastics is a global problem that is real and needs to be resolved urgently. The authors argue that banning the use of plastic is not a reasonable and rational solution for the problem because plastics have many useful applications. Solutions to the problem must involve developing scientific approaches as well as global efforts and strategies. The world's approach needs to be guided by an economic model that eliminates or minimizes the amount of plastics in the waste stream. As long as most plastic materials are not made from a single polymer, then the idea of "recycling 100% of plastics" is so far an unrealistic solution. The development of biodegradable plastics is still far from being an effective solution because besides being expensive and having limitations in engineering applications when compared to petroleum-based ones, biodegradable plastics still require specific conditions for their biodegradation. Comprehensive studies on microplastic particles are needed, focusing mainly on the source of the particles, their distribution, transport, fate in different environments, and toxicological effects and mechanisms. Since plastic pollution is a global problem, its minimization will require an increased international cooperation platform and partnerships at a global level. While current technologies and strategies are not solving the environmental problem caused by waste plastic, the most effective solution would be to adopt the first two levels of the waste management hierarchy, which are "reduce" and "reuse". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This article presents the results of the research on real coal charges of different compositions intended for coking with loading into the chamber by the stamping method. The results of the study established that with an increase in the content of coal at a low stage of metamorphism and a decrease in the content of coal at a high stage of metamorphism in the charges, a decrease in the quality indicators of the coke obtained from them leads to a decrease in the yield of coke. At the same time, there is a gradual decrease in the compaction of the charges from 22.5 to 21.1 kPa; their expansion pressure decreases from 6.8 to 5.9 kPa; and the work of stamping decreases from 8966 to 6822 J. It was also discovered that with the increase in the degree of grinding of the charge, and, accordingly, with the decrease in the average diameter of its particles, the work of stamping coal charges decreases from 7407 to 6238 J. The results can be used in the manufacturing of blast furnace coke by stamping coal charges.

Barrier coastlines and their associated ecosystems are rapidly changing. Barrier islands/spits, marshes, bays, and coastal forests are all thought to be intricately coupled, yet an understanding of how morphologic change in one part of the system affects the system altogether remains limited. Here we explore how sediment exchange controls the migration of different ecosystem boundaries and ecosystem extent over time using a new coupled model framework that connects components of the entire barrier landscape, from the ocean shoreface to mainland forest. In our experiments, landward barrier migration is the primary cause of back‐barrier marsh loss, while periods of barrier stability can allow for recovery of back‐barrier marsh extent. Although sea‐level rise exerts a dominant control on the extent of most ecosystems, we unexpectedly find that, for undeveloped barriers, bay extent is largely insensitive to sea‐level rise because increased landward barrier migration (bay narrowing) offsets increased marsh edge erosion (bay widening). Plain Language Summary: Barrier coastlines consist of barrier islands or spits, salt marshes, bays, and mainland forest. To understand how the migration and change in size of one ecosystem influences the others, we develop a new computer model that simulates the exchange of sediment between all ecosystems. Using this model, we find that salt marshes adjacent to barriers are rapidly lost when the barrier migrates and its sediment is washed onto the marsh, but can potentially expand and recover when the barrier is not migrating. Additionally, we find that changing the rate of sea‐level rise in the model does not significantly change the size of the bay because the effects of sea‐level rise on barrier migration and marsh edge erosion offset each other. Our simulations suggest that these interactions among different ecosystems result in complex evolution of coastal barrier systems and can be a leading cause of change. Key Points: Cross‐landscape interactions are explored in new model framework connecting entire barrier system from shoreface to mainland forestSimulations suggest barrier migration leads to rapid back‐barrier marsh loss, while barrier stability enables back‐barrier marsh recoveryBay extent is insensitive to sea‐level rise rates because of offsetting responses from barrier migration and marsh‐edge erosion processes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We report the case of an acute cerebellitis following COVID-19 in 32-year-old man who presented with a life-threatening critical cerebellar syndrome contrasting with normal paraclinical findings. Despite this fulminant critical presentation, the patient fully recovered in 37 days after early treatment with high-dose steroids and intravenous immunoglobulins. This case highlights the need for clinicians to be aware of acute cerebellitis following COVID-19, despite normal laboratory, imaging and electroencephalography findings and the importance to start appropriate treatment as soon as possible.

Objective: Shared decision making (SDM) is recommended for common pediatric conditions; however, there are limited data on measures of SDM in pediatrics. This study adapted the SDM Process scale and examined validity and reliability of the scale for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment decisions. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of caregivers (n = 498) of children (aged 5-13) diagnosed with ADHD, who had made a decision about ADHD medication in the last 2 years. Surveys included the adapted SDM Process scale (scores range 0-4, higher scores indicate more SDM), decisional conflict, decision regret, and decision involvement. Validity was assessed by testing hypothesized relationships between these constructs. A subset of participants was surveyed a week later to assess retest reliability. Results: Pediatric Caregiver version of the SDM Process scale (M = 2.8, SD = 1.05) showed no evidence of floor or ceiling effects. The scale was found to be acceptable (<1% missing data) and reliable (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.74). Scores demonstrated convergent validity, as they were higher for those without decisional conflict than those with decisional conflict (2.93 vs 2.46, P < .001, d = 0.46), and higher for caregivers who stated they made the decision with the provider than those who made the decision themselves (3.0 vs 2.7; P = .003). Higher scores were related to less regret (r = -0.15. P < .001), though the magnitude of the relationship was small. CONCLUSIONS: The adapted Pediatric Caregiver version of the SDM Process scale demonstrated acceptability, validity and reliability in the context of ADHD medication decisions made by caregivers of children 5-13. Scores indicate pediatricians generally involve caregivers in decision making about ADHD medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]