Doing Greater Good, While Doing No Individual Harm: A Public Health Approach to Human Trafficking Using a Human Rights-Centered Model

Human trafficking (i.e., modern slavery) includes myriad forms of sex and labor trafficking. Widely ranging estimates of the prevalence of human trafficking are commonly cited; at the same time, accurate data on these phenomena remain elusive, and assumptions rather than empirical evidence about the nature, targets, and proliferation of trafficking often dominate public policy discourse. In this paper, we describe the ways in which this lack of accurate data on basic prevalence rates has led to key limitations in anti-trafficking work. First, this lack of data prevents a clear understanding of the problem of trafficking. Second, this deficit limits our ability to target effective interventions for trafficking. Third, a lack of accurate data prohibits the measurement of the impact of anti-trafficking initiatives. Finally, large estimates of trafficking risk creating both panic and helplessness among the public and policymakers. Historically, trafficking prevalence data has been monitored by either law enforcement or NGOs, both of which approach this problem with their respective biases and limitations. Conceptualizing and approaching trafficking as a public health problem offers a multidisciplinary synthesis of advantages. However, this approach also has inherent risks. This paper critically appraises existing systems of data collection for human trafficking and outlines arguments for a public health approach to trafficking, including an analysis of risks and benefits. We synthesize literature on ethics, human rights, and public health to propose a model for developing a system that is simultaneously ethical, human rights-centered, and optimally effective. We also connect critical issues in considering equity of benefits versus risks when implementing a model for public health data collection on human trafficking activity

The Application of Electrospray Ionization Coupled to Ultrahigh Resolution Mass Spectrometry for the Molecular Characterization of Natural Organic Matter

Mass spectrometry has recently played a key role in the understanding of natural organic matter (NOM) by providing molecular-level details about its composition. NOM, a complex assemblage of organic molecules present in natural waters and soils/sediments, has the ability to bind and transport anthropogenic materials. An improved understanding of its composition is crucial in order to understand how pollutants interact with NOM and how NOM cycles through global carbon cycles. In the past, low-resolution (\u3e 3000) mass analyzers have offered some insights into the structure of NOM, but emerging ultrahigh resolution (\u3e 200000) techniques such as electrospray ionization (ESI) coupled to Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) have significantly advanced our knowledge of NOM chemistry. Here, a review of the recent literature on the advancements of NOM characterization and the applications of mass spectrometry to this central task is presented. Various methods for the analysis and display of the extremely complex mass spectra, such as the van Krevelen diagram and Kendrick mass defect analysis, are discussed. We also review tandem mass spectrometry techniques employed to gain structural information about NOM components. Finally, we show how ESI-FT-ICR-MS has been applied to examine specific issues that are important to the NOM scientific community, such as NOM reactivity, transport and fate, degradation, and existence of components, which are indicators of NOM origin. In general, ultrahigh resolution provided by FT-ICR-MS is essential for the complete separation of the thousands of peaks present in the complex NOM mixture and will clearly lead to additional future advancements in the areas of aquatic, soil, and analytical chemistry. Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Compositional Features of Japanese Humic Substances Society Standard Soil Humic and Fulvic Acids by Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry and X-Ray Diffraction Profile Analysis

The composition of humic acids (HAs) and Fulvic Acids (FAs) from Inogashira (Umbric Andosol) and Dando (Dystric Cambisol) soils authorized as standard samples by the Japanese Humic Substances Society was characterized using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) 11 band profile analysis. In FTICR-MS, the number of peaks that molecular formulas were assigned to was 2549-2913 for the FAs and 1943-2457 for the HAs. Molecular formulas with H/C and O/C ratios similar to condensed hydrocarbons were dominant in both the HAs, while those with H/C and O/C ratios similar to lignin were more abundant in the Dando HAs than in the Inogashira HAs. In both the FAs, molecular formulas having H/C and O/C ratios similar to lignin, condensed hydrocarbons, and tannins were dominant. The double bond equivalent (DBE), an index of the degree of unsaturation, was in the range of 0-30. However, larger DBE values of 26-30 were observed only in the Inogashira HAs with a larger degree of humification. The XRD results also showed that the Inogashira HAs contain larger amounts of condensed aromatic structures with a higher condensation degree. Relative content of carbon layer planes estimated from the peak area of the 11 band profile analysis, which could be estimated only for HAs, was 0.48-1.68 nm (4-37 rings) in the Inogashira HAs and 0.48-1.20 nm (4-19 rings) in the Dando HAs

Naturally Present Fatty Acids as Internal Calibrants for Fourier Transform Mass Spectra of Dissolved Organic Matter

The analysis of dissolved organic matter ( DOM) by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry ( FTICR- MS) has gained wide interest recently, driven primarily by its ultrahigh resolving power and mass accuracy. Accurate calibration of mass spectra is a key step to successfully decipher the DOM components. We propose a simple and accurate method to internally calibrate the peaks in the complex spectra without the need to add a calibrant. Mass spectra of DOM samples from the Dismal Swamp, Virginia, and the lower Chesapeake Bay display the presence of naturally occurring fatty acids which can be readily recognized and calibrated with accuracies \u3c 0.1 ppm. Once calibrated with fatty acids, approximately 80% of all peaks in the DOM mass spectra can be assigned unique molecular formulas with accuracies \u3c 0.4 ppm. Although the formula errors for the assigned molecular formulas do increase with increasing m/z, the dynamic range of the fatty acids used as calibrants is sufficient because high m/z values (\u3e 600) have formulas with an average error of \u3c 0.6 ppm. Because fatty acids are ubiquitous components of most DOM, this approach is applicable to a large variety of DOM samples. © 2008, by the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography, Inc

TEnvR: MATLAB-Based Toolbox for Environmental Research

With the advancements in science and technology, datasets become larger and more multivariate, which warrants the need for programming tools for fast data processing and multivariate statistical analysis. Here, the MATLAB-based Toolbox for Environmental Research TEnvR (pronounced ten-ver ) is introduced. This novel toolbox includes 44 open-source codes for automated data analysis from a multitude of techniques, such as ultraviolet-visible, fluorescence, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies, as well as from ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry. Provided are codes for processing data (e.g., spectral corrections, formula assignment), visualization of figures, calculation of metrics, multivariate statistics, and automated work-up of large datasets. TEnvR allows for efficient data analysis with minimal by-hand manual work by the user, which allows scientists to do research more efficiently. This manuscript is supplemented with a detailed tutorial, example data, and screenshots, which collectively provide instructions on how to use all codes. TEnvR is novice-friendly and experience in programming with MATLAB is not required. TEnvR fulfills the need for a concise MATLAB-based toolbox for working with environmental data and will be updated annually to keep pace with the latest advances and needs for computational work in the environmental sciences

Using Global Positioning System Technology to Manage Human-Black Bear Incidents at Yosemite National Park

Managing human–bear (Ursus spp.) incidents is a top management priority in national parks inhabited by bears. Yosemite National Park (Yosemite), located in the Sierra Nevada in California, USA, receives up to 5 million visitors annually. It is also home to 300–500 black bears (U. americanus). Yosemite has an extensive history of black bear research, educational programs, and innovative solutions for reducing human–bear incidents. Despite this, human–bear incidents peaked in 1998 at 1,584. The resulting political fallout led to Yosemite receiving funds to expand its bear management program, including increasing its staffing and garbage pick-up, and improving the park’s bear-resistant infrastructure. In 2011, Yosemite reached a milestone when it recorded only 114 human–bear incidents—a 93% decrease from the 1998 high. To sustain this lower level of incidents while facing shrinking budgets and increasing visitation, bear managers turned to more modern technology. From 2014–2018, we evaluated the effectiveness of using global positioning system (GPS) collars to manage bears more proactively, increase staff and public engagement with bears, and gain insight into the bears’ spatial and temporal movements. The GPS collars were effective in achieving these goals, while also improving both our time management and our communication with park management. By the end of November 2018, Yosemite had recorded only 22 human–bear incidents—a 99% decrease from the 1998 high. The GPS collars are now an integral part of the Yosemite bear management program. We provide recommendations on how GPS technology may help other parks reduce human–bear incidents

Characterization of Terrestrial Dissolved Organic Matter Fractionated by pH and Polarity and Their Biological Effects on Plant Growth

Background: Humic substances are ubiquitous in the environment, complex mixtures, and known to be beneficial to plant growth. To better understand and identify components responsible for plant growth stimulation, a terrestrial aquatic DOM sample was fractionated according to pH and polarity, obtaining acid-soluble and acid-insoluble portions, as well as acid-soluble hydrophobic and hydrophilic fractions using C18. The various fractions were characterized then evaluated for their biological effects on plant growth using bioassays with corn at two carbon rates. Results: Approximately 43% and 57% of the carbon, and 31% and 69% of the iron, was found in the acid-insoluble and acid-soluble fractions, respectively. Upon separating the acid-soluble portion using C18 extraction, about 64% and 36% of the carbon (and 96% and 4% of the iron) was present in the hydrophilic and hydrophobic fractions, respectively. The acid-insoluble portion was more aromatic and less oxygenated than the acid-soluble fraction. The hydrophilic filtrate was oxygen-rich and contained mostly tannin-like molecules, while the hydrophobic retentate was more aromatic and lignin-like. During bioassay testing, it was found that more hydrophilic samples (those that are more oxygenated) yielded the highest response for shoot measurements. For root measurements, the lower DOC rate (0.01 mg/L C) gave better results than the higher DOC rate (0.1 mg/L C). Also, the hydrophobic, less oxygenated acid-insoluble sample performed better than the more hydrophilic acid-soluble portion. The polarity fractions at the lower carbon application showed that larger root systems occurred when there was more hydrophobic C18 retentate material present. The opposite was true for the root system at the higher carbon application, where larger roots existed when more hydrophilic C18 filtrate material was present. Conclusions: Compositional differences were found when comparing the acid-soluble versus acid-insoluble portions and the hydrophobic versus hydrophilic C18 fractions, and activity with respect to plant stimulation was discerned. While a carbon rate affect was observed during foliar application to corn plants (with the lower carbon rate generally yielding the best biological stimulation), the various observed trends indicate that plant response is due to not only the amount of carbon present but also the type of carbon

Parent–child interactions during pediatric venipuncture: Investigating the role of parent traits, beliefs, and behaviors in relation to child outcomes

Background: The social context is critical to children’s pain, and parents frequently form a major aspect of this context. We addressed several gaps in our understanding of parent–child interactions during painful procedures and identified intrapersonal contributions to parental affective responses and behaviors. We used the pain empathy model framework to examine parent–child interactions during venipuncture to determine predictors of parent distraction and reassurance. Aims: We examined relations among parent and child behaviors along with parent fear and child pain and fear. We empirically tested the contribution of top-down influences in predicting the use of two common parent utterances, reassurance and distraction during venipuncture, including parent beliefs about these behaviors. Methods: Venipunctures of 100 5- to 10-year-old children were filmed, and parent–child interactions were coded using the full 35 item Child Adult Medical Procedure Interaction Scale. Two codes were of particular interest: reassurance and distraction. Self-report measures included child fear and pain, parent fear, trait anxiety, empathy, pain catastrophizing, and beliefs about reassurance and distraction. Results: Findings supported original Child–Adult Medical Procedure Interaction Scale codes linking parent “distress-promoting” behaviors with poorer child outcomes and parent “coping-promoting” behaviors with improved child outcomes. Parent traits accounted for a small portion of the variance in parent reassurance and distraction. Conclusions: Findings are consistent with research on coping and distress promoting behaviors. Using a novel framework of the pain empathy model, we found that parent traits largely did not predict their procedural behaviors, which were more strongly related to child distress behaviors during the needle and parent beliefs about the behaviors