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The article focuses on the challenges and opportunities faced by therapists in developing portfolio careers in the counseling profession. It discusses the experiences of various practitioners who have diversified their careers by combining client sessions with other forms of work, such as management consultancy, writing, entrepreneurship, and digital media. It further highlights the reasons behind opting for portfolio careers.

Introduction A steadily rising opioid pandemic has left the US suffering significant social, economic, and health crises. Machine learning (ML) domains have been utilized to predict prolonged postoperative opioid (PPO) use. This systematic review aims to compile all up-to-date studies addressing such algorithms’ use in clinical practice.Methods We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science using the keywords “machine learning,” “opioid,” and “prediction.” The results were limited to human studies with full-text availability in English. We included all peer-reviewed journal articles that addressed an ML model to predict PPO use by adult patients.Results Fifteen studies were included with a sample size ranging from 381 to 112898, primarily orthopedic-surgery-related. Most authors define a prolonged misuse of opioids if it extends beyond 90 days postoperatively. Input variables ranged from 9 to 23 and were primarily preoperative. Most studies developed and tested at least two algorithms and then enhanced the best-performing model for use retrospectively on electronic medical records. The best-performing models were decision-tree-based boosting algorithms in 5 studies with AUC ranging from .81 to .66 and Brier scores ranging from .073 to .13, followed second by logistic regression classifiers in 5 studies. The topmost contributing variable was preoperative opioid use, followed by depression and antidepressant use, age, and use of instrumentation.Conclusions ML algorithms have demonstrated promising potential as a decision-supportive tool in predicting prolonged opioid use in post-surgical patients. Further validation studies would allow for their confident incorporation into daily clinical practice.

This article discusses the topic of bioplastics and their potential benefits and challenges. Bioplastics are plastics made from organic materials other than petroleum and can be engineered to decompose. However, the decomposition of bioplastics depends on the environment and can vary. There are different types of bioplastics, each with its own properties and decomposition rates. While bioplastics offer some hope for composting, there are concerns about their energy-intensive production and potential impact on food production. The article also highlights the need for compatibility between the composting industry's definition of compostable and the bioplastic manufacturers' definition. [Extracted from the article]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses articles in the issue on topics including CPD (Continuing Professional Development) and career development, ethics and good practice and client presenting issues and case studies.

The National Academy of Sciences has released a report exploring the connection between soil health and human health. The report suggests that healthy soil contributes to healthy people, although the relationship is not well understood. While organic food is often seen as a way to promote soil health, the reality is more complex. The report also highlights the importance of compost and biosolids in improving soil health, but raises concerns about contaminants in these materials. The Organic Certification program, which sets standards for organic food production, may need to be reevaluated in light of new understandings of soil health. [Extracted from the article]

Plastic waste is a significant environmental issue, with an estimated 34 million tons generated annually, the majority of which ends up in landfills or oceans. Recycling rates for plastic are low, with only about 9% of plastic waste being recycled. Different types of plastic have unique properties that make recycling challenging, and the most common approach is mechanical recycling, which involves shredding and heating the plastic to make new products. Chemical recycling, which breaks down the plastic into its monomers, is a more expensive but potentially promising method. The United States lags behind Europe in plastic recycling rates, and recycling practices can vary by location. While efforts to reduce plastic waste are important, living a completely plastic-free life is not practical for most people. [Extracted from the article]

Compost is beneficial for urban soils as it provides organic matter and improves water absorption, making lawns more drought-resistant. However, some municipalities are hesitant to use compost due to concerns about phosphorus and water quality. While nitrogen and phosphorus can cause eutrophication, compost can help mitigate this issue. Phosphorus only moves sideways and can be bound by clays in the soil, reducing its movement into water. By measuring phosphorus saturation ratios, it is possible to determine if compost is a suitable solution for reducing phosphorus runoff. Additionally, designer composts can be created by adding iron or aluminum to increase phosphorus binding capacity. Overall, compost can be a valuable tool for improving water quality and should be considered as a solution rather than a concern. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the concept of reciprocity with nature and the potential benefits of using biosolids and composts as tools for giving back to the environment. The author, Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer, emphasizes the importance of taking only what is needed and leaving some for others, while also recognizing and respecting the animate beings in nature. The author suggests that biosolids and composts can be viewed as valuable resources that provide important soil nutrients and contribute to the natural cycle. The article highlights the positive effects of using these materials in restoring polluted sites and promoting plant growth. The author concludes by advocating for a shift in perspective and providing individuals with the tools and motivation to contribute to environmental solutions. [Extracted from the article]

A peer-reviewed paper published in Nature Cities claims that urban agriculture has six times the carbon intensity of conventional agriculture. The paper is based on survey results from gardens in France, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. The authors used a model called Ecoinvent to calculate emissions, but the assumptions in the model were not shared. The study found that urban farms had lower emissions than traditional agriculture within three years of establishment, while individual and collective urban gardens had higher emissions. The paper acknowledges the benefits of urban agriculture, such as better eating habits and a connection to nature and neighbors, but suggests that current practices may need improvement. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) October 2023 report on methane emissions from landfilled food waste, emphasizing that the report conclusively states that landfilling food scraps generates substantial methane. Topics include the use of older data in the report, highlighting the EPA's reliance on outdated estimates and emphasizing the need for more current and realistic data to address the significant environmental impact of methane emissions.