How to reduce the carbon footprint of the agricultural sector? Factors influencing farmers' decision to participate in carbon sequestration programs.

Mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon in agricultural soils through humus formation is a crucial component of sustainable agriculture. Humus programs that are designed to incentivize farmers to build more humus are still recent innovations, so current knowledge about farmers' motivation to participate is limited. This study examines the adoption of non-governmental humus programs to promote carbon sequestration by analyzing farmers' willingness to participate in humus programs and influential factors. We specifically investigate behavioral factors underlying farmers' adoption of humus programs using the Theory of Planned Behavior. To this end, we collected data using an online survey with 190 German farmers and applied partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results show that (i) perceived economic benefits, (ii) the actions of fellow farmers, and (iii) farmers' sense of responsibility with regard to climate change have a statistically significant influence on farmers' intention to participate in a humus program. In contrast, the perceived ecological benefits, political pressure, the possibility of establishing humus-building measures, and prior knowledge of humus programs have no statistically significant influence. Our findings suggest that farmers' decision to participate in humus programs is strongly influenced by the financial benefits, but the actions and thoughts of other farmers, as well as their own moral claims regarding climate change, also play a crucial role. We found that farmers lack knowledge about the registration and general functioning of humus programs, which can currently be one of the biggest barriers to participation in such initiatives.

Chiral Monitoring Across Both Enantiomeric Excess and Concentration Space: Leveraging Quantum Cascade Lasers for Sensitive Vibrational Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy.

Recently, high-throughput quantum cascade laser-based vibrational circular dichroism (QCL-VCD) technology has reduced the measurement time for high-quality vibrational circular dichroism spectra from hours to a few minutes. This study evaluates QCL-VCD for chiral monitoring using flow-through measurement of a changing sample in a circulating loop. A balanced detection QCL-VCD system was applied to the enantiomeric pair R/S-1,1'-bi-2-naphthol in solution. Different mixtures of the two components were used to simulate a racemization process, collecting spectral data at a time resolution of 6 min, and over three concentration levels. The goal of this experimental setup was to evaluate QCL-VCD in terms of both molar and enantiomeric excess (EE) sensitivity at a time resolution relevant to chiral monitoring in chemical processes. Subsequent chemometric evaluation by partial least squares regression revealed a cross-validated prediction accuracy of 2.8% EE with a robust prediction also for the test data set (error = 3.5% EE). In addition, the data set was also treated with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), which also achieved a robust prediction. Due to the operating principle of LASSO, the obtained coefficients constituted a few discrete spectral frequencies, which represent the most variance. This information can be used in the future for dedicated QCL-based instrument design, gaining a higher time resolution without sacrificing predictive capabilities.

Quantum Cascade Laser-Based Vibrational Circular Dichroism Augmented by a Balanced Detection Scheme.

Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) constitutes a powerful technique, enabling the determination of the absolute configuration of molecules without the need for specialized reagents. While delivering critical information, VCD signals commonly are several orders of magnitude weaker than classical absorbance signals, which so far necessitated long measurement times to achieve acceptable signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) in VCD experiments. We present here an improved setup for the measurement of VCD in the range between 5.6 and 6.5 µm. Employing an external cavity quantum cascade laser (EC-QCL) as a high-power light source, we collected spectra with competitive noise levels in less than 5 min. The basis for this improvement was a balanced detection module combined with an optical path catered to VCD measurements. With the stabilization provided by the two-detector setup, noise originating from the laser source could be suppressed effectively. Noise level improvement up to a factor of 4 compared to the classical single detector EC-QCL-VCD could be reported. Compared to commercial Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) instruments, the presented setup offers measurement time reductions of a factor of at least 6, with comparable noise levels. The applicability of the setup for qualitative and quantitative VCDs was proven. With the comparatively high temporal resolution provided, the monitoring of optically active processes will be possible in future applications.

Mental Health Problems in Girls Who Committed Sexual Offenses: Similarities and Differences Compared to Girls With Non-sex Offenses and Boys With Sex Offenses.

Female juvenile offenders have only recently shifted into the focus of research. Moreover, a specific subgroup, female juveniles who sexually offended (JSO) are greatly overlooked. Therefore, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding the characteristics of female JSOs. The aim of the current study was to explore mental health problems (MHP) of female JSOs in more detail. Moreover, we compared their mental health with female juveniles who committed non-sexual offenses (JNSOs) and male JSOs. The sample comprised 33 female JSOs (Mean age 14.5, SD 1.8), 33 age-matched female JNSOs, and 33 age-matched male JSOs. We used the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-version 2 to examine MHP. Although both internalizing and externalizing MHP were not uncommon in female JSOs, they reported fewer problems than female JNSOs. No differences were found between female and male JSOs. With regard to their mental health profile, female JSOs resemble male JSOs more than female JNSOs. These results should be taken into account in the assessment and treatment of this group. However, more research is needed.

In situ based surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for the fast and reproducible identification of PHB producers in cyanobacterial cultures.

The production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) by autotrophic fermentation of cyanobacteria has received increasing interest in the light of carbon emission reducing process strategies. Biotechnological approaches are in development to optimize the yield of PHB, including adapted cultivation media, characterized by a limitation of key nutrients: cyanobacteria accumulate PHB as energy storage molecules under limited growth conditions. Since there is an increasing demand for fast, simple and reliable analytics, we report the establishment of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as a suitable monitoring tool for up scaled PHB production processes. Both, pure Ag-colloids mixed with bacterial culture, and in situ prepared colloids (Ag-Synechocystis), generated on the cell surface directly, were successfully applied and evaluated for this purpose. SERS measurements with in situ prepared Ag-colloids improved the reproducibility of Raman signals from 54.8% to 93.9%. The measurement time could be reduced significantly, completing our secondary goal. The quality of classically and in situ prepared Ag-colloids was monitored by zeta potential measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) respectively. For data interpretation and statistical model-building an in house written code in the open source software RStudio was implemented. It was applied for the differentiation of PHB producers at the cellular level, revealing heterogeneities within sample groups regarding the PHB amount accumulated. The results obtained using the statistical model were validated as well and were complementary to the reference HPLC analysis. Therefore, a fast and reliable identification in situ SERS tool for the selection of the most promising cyanobacterial PHB production was established.

Burn-induced cardiac dysfunction increases length of stay in pediatric burn patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiac function and clinical outcomes in perioperative pediatric burn patients. Transesophageal echocardiography data were collected on 40 patients from 2004 to 2007. Of the 40 patients who received exams, a complete set of cardiac parameters and outcome variables was obtained in 26 patients. The mean age of the patients was 9.7 ± 0.9 years, and the mean TBSA burn size was 64 ± 3%. Patients were divided into two groups based on systolic function. One group represented patients with ejection fractions of >50% and the other ≤50%. Clinical variables were then compared among the groups. In our cohort, systolic dysfunction was observed in 62% of patients (EF ≤ 50%). Systolic dysfunction was associated with a statistically significant increase in number of surgeries, ventilator days, and length of stay in the intensive care unit. The length of stay in patients with preserved systolic function and those with systolic dysfunction was 34.3 ± 3.3 days and 67.2 ± 4.0 days, respectively. Diastolic function measurements were obtained in 65%, and 88% had evidence of diastolic dysfunction. Diastolic dysfunction was not associated with any statistically significant correlations. This study lends evidence to the well-supported basic science models showing cardiac dysfunction after burns. Additionally, it shows that cardiac dysfunction can have clinical consequences. To our knowledge, this is the first study that shows the clinical sequelae of systolic dysfunction in the perioperative pediatric burn population.

Relation of left-ventricular dyssynchrony by phase analysis of gated SPECT images and cardiovascular events in patients with implantable cardiac defibrillators.

BACKGROUND: Left-ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony could be measured by gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). This study examined the relation between the degree of dyssynchrony and outcome in patients with implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs). METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 70 patients with ICD and LV ejection fraction (EF) <.40 by gated MPI (performed within 6 weeks of the device implantation). The images were re-processed using phase analysis to derive phase standard deviation (SD) and histogram bandwidth. All-cause mortality and appropriate ICD shocks were identified as the primary endpoint. There were 87% men, aged 62 +/- 11 years. The EF was 26 +/- 8% (range 12%-39%). The phase SD was 51 degrees +/- 20 degrees (range 12 degrees -99 degrees ) and the histogram bandwidth was 157 degrees +/- 72 degrees (range 21 degrees -327 degrees ). The SD and bandwidth were significantly greater than corresponding values in patients with normal EF (15.8 +/- 11.8 degrees and 42.0 +/- 28.4 degrees , respectively, P < .0001, each). At 1 year, 8 patients (11%) died or had shocks. The patients with events had higher phase SD than those without events (60 +/- 5 degrees vs 50 +/- 21 degrees , P = .002). The histogram bandwidth was also higher in those with events (185 +/- 37 vs 154 +/- 75, P = .07). All patients with event had a phase SD >or= 50 degrees , while none of the patients with a phase SD < 50 degrees (N = 26) had an event (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: The severity of LV dyssynchrony by phase analysis in patients with LV dysfunction, and ICD is associated with increased risk of death and appropriate ICD shock; a phase SD < 50 degrees was associated with no events at 1 year.

Safety of regadenoson in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Regadenoson is a selective A(2A) receptor agonist that was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for vasodilator stress myocardial perfusion imaging. Because the drug is cleared by renal excretion, its safety in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) needs to be determined. We studied 277 consecutive patients with ESRD who had undergone regadenoson stress gated single photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging and compared their side effect profile and safety outcome to those of 134 patients with normal kidney function. The ESRD group included 164 men (59%) and the control group included 73 men (54%; p = NS). The patients with ESRD were younger than the controls (52 +/- 11 years vs 61 +/- 12 years; p <0.001). The myocardial perfusion imaging findings were abnormal in 53 patients (19%) with ESRD and in 24 patients in the control group (18%; p = NS). The left ventricular ejection fraction was 57 +/- 12% in the ESRD group and 64 +/- 12% in the control group (p <0.001). The changes in heart rate and systolic blood pressure (from baseline to peak stress) were 20 +/- 12 beats/min versus 22 +/- 13 beats/min and -11 +/- 24 mm Hg versus -12 +/- 23 mm Hg in the ESRD and control groups, respectively (p = NS for both). Very few patients in either group reported symptoms during the stress test. No medication-related hospitalizations, serious events, or death occurred in either group within 30 days of the study. In conclusion, this is the first study to document the safety of regadenoson in a large number of patients with ESRD. The drug was well tolerated, and the hemodynamic and side effect profiles were similar to those of patients with normal renal function.

Clonidine induces nitric oxide- and prostaglandin-mediated vasodilation in healthy human skin.

Sustained sympathetic activation not only leads to vasoconstriction but also might induce paradox vasodilation. This study was performed to explore whether and how alpha(2)-receptor stimulation mediates this vasodilation. We investigated 11 healthy subjects in 33 dermal microdialysis (MD) sessions. After nerve trunk blockade, MD fibers were inserted and perfused with physiological saline until skin trauma-related vasodilation subsided. Thereafter, fibers were perfused with either clonidine solutions (10(-3), 5 x 10(-4), 10(-4) mol/l), N(G)-monomethyl-l-arginine (L-NMMA; nitric oxide synthase blocker), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA; cyclooxygenase blocker), or combinations of these. Laser-Doppler scanning of the investigated skin revealed that clonidine not only induces vasoconstriction but subsequently also vasodilation with higher concentrations (P < 0.001). In contrast, both L-NMMA and ASA induced vasoconstriction (P < 0.001). By coapplication of 10(-3) mol/l clonidine with L-NMMA or ASA, vasodilation was partially prevented (P < 0.001). Our results demonstrate that sustained alpha(2)-receptor stimulation induces vasodilation in a dose-dependent way, which is mediated by nitric oxide and prostaglandin mechanisms in human skin.

Tunable photonic crystal circuits: concepts and designs based on single-pore infiltration.

We demonstrate that the infiltration of individual pores of certain two-dimensional photonic crystals with liquid crystals and (or) polymers provides an efficient platform for the realization of integrated photonic crystal circuitry. As an illustration of this principle, we present designs for monomode photonic crystal wave-guides and certain functional elements, such as waveguide bends, beam splitters, and waveguide intersections. These devices exhibit very low reflection over broad frequency ranges. In addition, we discuss the inherent tunability of these devices that originates in the tunability of the infiltrated material.