Finding the attractor of anger: Bridging the gap between dynamic concepts and empirical data

Although it accounts for the prototypical course of emotions, the attractor concept has hardly ever been used empirically. Authors applied Empirical Differential Equations (EDE) to frequent (hourly) anger ratings to find the attractor of anger. The attractor concept, its neurological basis, and EDE are explained. The attractor of anger follows an underdamped oscillator, and is affected by the capacity to inhibit prepotent responses. Anger accelerates less fast when inhibitory control increases. Results stress the internal dynamics of emotions, and help to bridge the gap between concepts from dynamic systems theory and empirical dat

Response to Dr Greenwood’s Comments on “Extending the Double-Hertz Model to Allow Modeling of an Adhesive Elliptical Contact”

© 2018, The Author(s). An adhesive elliptical contact is normally found in microscale applications that involve cylindrical solids, crossing at an angle between 0° and 90°. Currently, only one model is available to describe the elliptical contact’s surface interaction: the approximate Johnson–Kendall–Roberts (JKR) model which is limited to soft materials. In this paper, a new adhesive elliptical model is developed for a wide range of adhesive contacts by extending the double-Hertz theory, where adhesion is modeled by the difference between two Hertzian pressure distributions. Both Hertzian pressures are assumed to have an equivalent shape of contact areas, the only difference being in size. Assuming that the annular adhesive region is obtained by the area difference between the two Hertzian contact areas, the pull-off force curves can be calculated. In the limiting case of an adhesive circular contact, the results are very close to results from the existing models. However, for an adhesive elliptical contact in the JKR domain, lower pull-off forces are predicted when compared to the JKR values. Unlike the developed model, the shape of the JKR contact area varies throughout contact. Results show, particularly for conditions close to the JKR domain, that it is important to take into account that the adhesive region is the result of the two Hertzian contact areas having a non-equivalent shape

Measurements of the Exerted Pressure by Pelvic Circumferential Compression Devices

Data on the efficacy and safety of non-invasive Pelvic Circumferential Compression Devices (PCCDs) is limited. Tissue damage may occur if a continuous pressure on the skin exceeding 9.3 kPa is sustained for more than two or three hours. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the pressure build-up at the interface, by measuring the PCCD-induced pressure when applying pulling forces to three different PCCDs (Pelvic Binder((R)) , SAM-Sling ((R)) and T-POD((R)) ) in a simplified model. The resulting exerted pressures were measured at four 'anatomical' locations (right, left, posterior and anterior) in a model using a pressure measurement system consisting of pressure cuffs. The exerted pressure varied substantially between the locations as well as between the PCCDs. Maximum pressures ranged from 18.9-23.3 kPa and from 19.2-27.5 kPa at the right location and left location, respectively. Pressures at the posterior location stayed below 18 kPa. At the anterior location pressures varied markedly between the different PCCDs. The circumferential compression by the different PCCDs showed high pressures measured at the four locations using a simplified model. Difference in design and functional characteristics of the PCCDs resulted in different pressure build-up at the four locations. When following the manufacturer's instructions, the exerted pressure of all three PCCDs tested exceeded the tissue damaging level (9.3 kPa). In case of prolonged use in a clinical situation this might put patients at risk for developing tissue damage

Bridging the research-implementation gap in IUCN Red List assessments

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species is central in biodiversity conservation, but insufficient resources hamper its long-term growth, updating, and consistency. Models or automated calculations can alleviate those challenges by providing standardised estimates required for assessments, or prioritising species for (re-)assessments. However, while numerous scientific papers have proposed such methods, few have been integrated into assessment practice, highlighting a critical research-implementation gap. We believe this gap can be bridged by fostering communication and collaboration between academic researchers and Red List practitioners, and by developing and maintaining user-friendly platforms to automate application of the methods. We propose that developing methods better encompassing Red List criteria, systems, and drivers is the next priority to support the Red List.Peer reviewe

Towards a greater dialogue on disability between Muslims and Christians

Attitudes to disability and disabled people by Muslims – focusing on attitudes in the Middle East and North Africa - and Christians – focusing on the West (here taken to mean Europe, North America and Australasia) - were examined through a grounded theory literature search, with the study being divided into three phases of reading and analysis. The aims of study were to develop a dialogue on disability between the two cultures, to inform an understanding of the attitudes to disability in the two cultures, and to inform cultural practice in promoting support and equality in both cultures. The study finds that Islam and Christianity have much in common and are a force for good in promoting and developing disability equality in both Muslim and Christian cultures

Global trends in biodiversity and ecosystem services from 1900 to 2050

Despite the scientific consensus on the extinction crisis and its anthropogenic origin, the quantification of historical trends and of future scenarios of biodiversity and ecosystem services has been limited, due to the lack of inter-model comparisons and harmonized scenarios. Here, we present a multi-model analysis to assess the impacts of land-use and climate change from 1900 to 2050. During the 20th century provisioning services increased, but biodiversity and regulating services decreased. Similar trade-offs are projected for the coming decades, but they may be attenuated in a sustainability scenario. Future biodiversity loss from land-use change is projected to keep up with historical rates or reduce slightly, whereas losses due to climate change are projected to increase greatly. Renewed efforts are needed by governments to meet the 2050 vision of the Convention on Biological Diversity

Integraal waterbeheer : kritische zone en onzekerheden : integraal hoofdrapport

In het kader van het Nationaal Modellen- en Datacentrum (NMDC) is in 2011 het NMDC innovatieproject 'Integraal waterbeheer - van kritische zone tot kritische onzekerheden' gestart (www.nmdc.eu). Dit project heeft tot doel om de modellen voor bodem, water, vegetatie en klimaat(verandering) door samenwerking beter op elkaar aan te laten sluiten, daarbij beter geschikt te maken om effecten van klimaatverandering te berekenen en om de verschillende typen onzekerheden bij dit soort studies in beeld te brengen. Het project is uitgevoerd door Alterra, Deltares, KNMI, PBL en TNO. In twee cases (Baakse Beek en Walcheren) hebben zij hun state-of-the-art modellen voor meteo, gewasgroei, vegetatie-ontwikkeling, hydrologie en geologie ingezet en aan elkaar gekoppeld. Dit rapport behandelt integraal de resultaten van het innovatieproject. De resultaten van de case voor de Baakse Beek zijn specifiek opgenomen in een NMDC deelrapport (Van Ek et al., 2012). Voor de case Walcheren wordt verwezen naar een artikel in voorbereiding (Kroes, J. et al., 2013). De resultaten bieden nieuwe inzichten in de vocht- en zouthuishouding van de bodem, potenties voor grondwaterafhankelijke natuur en groei van landbouwgewassen in het huidige klimaat en projecties voor klimaatverandering rond 2050. In het project zijn verschillende methoden toegepast om inzicht te krijgen in verschillende onzekerheden, hetgeen voor dergelijke integrale (model)studies praktische aanknopingspunten biedt voor de analyse van onzekerheden en effectieve samenwerking tussen de instituten

Nationwide comprehensive gastro-intestinal cancer cohorts: the 3P initiative

Background: The increasing sub-classification of cancer patients due to more detailed molecular classification of tumors, and limitations of current trial designs, require innovative research designs. We present the design, governance and current standing of three comprehensive nationwide cohorts including pancreatic, esophageal/gastric, and colorectal cancer patients (NCT02070146). Multidisciplinary collection of clinical data, tumor tissue, blood samples, and patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures with a nationwide coverage, provides the infrastructure for future and novel trial designs and facilitates research to improve outcomes of gastrointestinal cancer patients. Material and methods: All patients aged ≥18 years with pancreatic, esophageal/gastric or colorectal cancer are eligible. Patients provide informed consent for: (1) reuse of clinical data; (2) biobanking of primary tumor tissue; (3) collection of blood samples; (4) to be informed about relevant newly identified genomic aberrations; (5) collection of longitudinal PROs; and (6) to receive information on new interventional studies and possible participation in cohort multiple randomized controlled trials (cmRCT) in the future. Results: In 2015, clinical data of 21,758 newly diagnosed patients were collected in the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Additional clinical data on the surgical procedures were registered in surgical audits for 13,845 patients. Within the first two years, tumor tissue and blood samples were obtained from 1507 patients; during this period, 1180 patients were included in the PRO registry. Response rate for PROs was 90%. The consent rate to receive information on new interventional studies and possible participation in cmRCTs in the future was >85%. The number of hospitals participating in the cohorts is steadily increasing. Conclusion: A comprehensive nationwide multidisciplinary gastrointestinal cancer cohort is feasible and surpasses the limitations of classical study designs. With this initiative, novel and innovative studies can be performed in an efficient, safe, and comprehensive setting

Nationwide comprehensive gastro-intestinal cancer cohorts: the 3P initiative

Background: The increasing sub-classification of cancer patients due to more detailed molecular classification of tumors, and limitations of current trial designs, require innovative research designs. We present the design, governance and current standing of three comprehensive nationwide cohorts including pancreatic, esophageal/gastric, and colorectal cancer patients (NCT02070146). Multidisciplinary collection of clinical data, tumor tissue, blood samples, and patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures with a nationwide coverage, provides the infrastructure for future and novel trial designs and facilitates research to improve outcomes of gastrointestinal cancer patients. Material and methods: All patients aged ≥18 years with pancreatic, esophageal/gastric or colorectal cancer are eligible. Patients provide informed consent for: (1) reuse of clinical data; (2) biobanking of primary tumor tissue; (3) collection of blood samples; (4) to be informed about relevant newly identified genomic aberrations; (5) collection of longitudinal PROs; and (6) to receive information on new interventional studies and possible participation in cohort multiple randomized controlled trials (cmRCT) in the future. Results: In 2015, clinical data of 21,758 newly diagnosed patients were collected in the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Additional clinical data on the surgical procedures were registered in surgical audits for 13,845 patients. Within the first two years, tumor tissue and blood samples were obtained from 1507 patients; during this period, 1180 patients were included in the PRO registry. Response rate for PROs was 90%. The consent rate to receive information on new interventional studies and possible participation in cmRCTs in the future was >85%. The number of hospitals participating in the cohorts is steadily increasing. Conclusion: A comprehensive nationwide multidisciplinary gastrointestinal cancer cohort is feasible and surpasses the limitations of classical study designs. With this initiative, novel and innovative studies can be performed in an efficient, safe, and comprehensive setting

Antiaromatic interaction in the 9-methoxybicyclo[4.2.1]nona-2,4,7-trien-9-yl cation. Evidence of orbital symmetry control over 4p-electron interactions

Ionization reactions of anti-9-chloro-9-methoxybicyclo[4.2.l]nona-2,4,7-trie(n8e) proceed without skeletal rearrangements under conditions of short life. Rate constants were measured for the reaction of 8 and its more saturated analogues with pyridine. From the relatively low reaction rate of triene 8 it is concluded that the [4.2.1] cation is destabilized consequent to the homoantiaromatic interaction between the cationic center and the butadiene moiety. In addition to the kinetic results, the presence of this type of interaction is revealed by a NMR study of the 9-methoxybicyclo[4.2.1]nona-2,4-dien-9-cya1t ion (21) and the 1 I-methoxybicyclo[4.4. l]undeca-2,4,8-trien-ll-ylc ation (25) under conditions of long life, Le., superacid media. The IH and I3C NMR data point to an interaction of the cationic center with one of the double bonds of the butadiene moiety. Obviously the mode of homoconjugative interaction is controlled by orbital symmetry