bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Backscattered Solar Lyman-$\alpha $ Emission as a Tool for the Heliospheric Boundary Exploration
Authors: Baliukin Igor , Bertaux Jean-Loup , Bzowski Maciej , Izmodenov Vladislav , Lallement Rosine , Provornikova Elena , Quémerais Eric
Published: July 2022

This review summarizes our current understanding of the outer heliosphere and local interstellar medium (LISM) inferred from observations and modeling of interplanetary Lyman-$\alpha $
α
emission. The emission is produced by solar Lyman-$\alpha $
α
photons (121.567 nm) backscattered by interstellar H atoms inflowing to the heliosphere from the LISM. Studies of Lyman-$\alpha $
α
radiation determined the parameters of interstellar hydrogen within a few astronomical units from the Sun. The interstellar hydrogen atoms appeared to be decelerated, heated, and shifted compared to the helium atoms. The detected deceleration and heating proved the existence of secondary hydrogen atoms created near the heliopause. This finding supports the discovery of a Hydrogen Wall beyond the heliosphere consisting of heated hydrogen observed in HST/GHRS Lyman-$\alpha $
α
absorption spectra toward nearby stars. The shift of the interstellar hydrogen bulk velocity was the first observational evidence of the global heliosphere asymmetry confirmed later by Voyager in situ measurements. SOHO/SWAN all-sky maps of the backscattered Lyman-$\alpha $
α
intensity identified variations of the solar wind mass flux with heliolatitude and time. In particular, two maxima at mid-latitudes were discovered during solar activity maximum, which Ulysses missed due to its specific trajectory. Finally, Voyager/UVS and New Horizons/Alice UV spectrographs discovered extraheliospheric Lyman-$\alpha $
α
emission. We review these scientific breakthroughs, outline open science questions, and discuss potential future heliospheric Lyman-$\alpha $
α
experiments.
Untargeted metabolomic analysis of thoracic blood from badgers indicate changes linked to infection with bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis): a pilot study
Authors: Bauman James Scott , Pizzey Richard , Beckmann Manfred , Villarreal-Ramos Bernardo , King Jonathan , Hopkins Beverley , Rooke David , Hewinson Glyn , Mur Luis A. J.
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in cattle, represents a major disease burden to UK cattle farming, with considerable costs associated with its control. The European badger (Meles meles) is a known wildlife reservoir for bTB and better knowledge of the epidemiology of bTB through testing wildlife is required for disease control. Current tests available for the diagnosis of bTB in badgers are limited by cost, processing time or sensitivities.

Materials and Methods

We assessed the ability of flow infusion electrospray—high-resolution mass spectrometry (FIE-HRMS) to determine potential differences between infected and non-infected badgers based on thoracic blood samples obtained from badgers found dead in Wales. Thoracic blood samples were autoclaved for handling in a containment level 2 (CL2) hazard laboratory.

Results

Here we show the major differences associated with with M. bovis infection were changes to folate, pyrimidine, histidine, glycerophospholipid and phosphonate metabolism.

Conclusions

Our studies have indicated differences in the metabolomic signature of badgers found dead in relation to their infection status, suggesting metabolomics could hold potential for developing novel diagnostics for bTB in badgers. As well as highlighting a potential way to handle samples containing a highly pathogenic agent at CL2 for metabolomics studies.
Processed Electroencephalogram-Based Monitoring to Guide Sedation in Critically Ill Adult Patients: Recommendations from an International Expert Panel-Based Consensus
Authors: Rasulo Frank A. , Hopkins Philip , Lobo Francisco A. , Pandin Pierre , Matta Basil , Carozzi Carla , Romagnoli Stefano , Absalom Anthony , Badenes Rafael , Bleck Thomas , Caricato Anselmo , Claassen Jan , Denault André , Honorato Cristina , Motta Saba , Meyfroidt Geert , Radtke Finn Michael , Ricci Zaccaria , Robba Chiara , Taccone Fabio S. , Vespa Paul , Nardiello Ida , Lamperti Massimo
Published: July 2022

Background

The use of processed electroencephalography (pEEG) for depth of sedation (DOS) monitoring is increasing in anesthesia; however, how to use of this type of monitoring for critical care adult patients within the intensive care unit (ICU) remains unclear.

Methods

A multidisciplinary panel of international experts consisting of 21 clinicians involved in monitoring DOS in ICU patients was carefully selected on the basis of their expertise in neurocritical care and neuroanesthesiology. Panelists were assigned four domains (techniques for electroencephalography [EEG] monitoring, patient selection, use of the EEG monitors, competency, and training the principles of pEEG monitoring) from which a list of questions and statements was created to be addressed. A Delphi method based on iterative approach was used to produce the final statements. Statements were classified as highly appropriate or highly inappropriate (median rating ≥ 8), appropriate (median rating ≥ 7 but < 8), or uncertain (median rating < 7) and with a strong disagreement index (DI) (DI < 0.5) or weak DI (DI ≥ 0.5 but < 1) consensus.

Results

According to the statements evaluated by the panel, frontal pEEG (which includes a continuous colored density spectrogram) has been considered adequate to monitor the level of sedation (strong consensus), and it is recommended by the panel that all sedated patients (paralyzed or nonparalyzed) unfit for clinical evaluation would benefit from DOS monitoring (strong consensus) after a specific training program has been performed by the ICU staff. To cover the gap between knowledge/rational and routine application, some barriers must be broken, including lack of knowledge, validation for prolonged sedation, standardization between monitors based on different EEG analysis algorithms, and economic issues.

Conclusions

Evidence on using DOS monitors in ICU is still scarce, and further research is required to better define the benefits of using pEEG. This consensus highlights that some critically ill patients may benefit from this type of neuromonitoring.
Profitability comparison of active and passive energy efficiency improvements in public buildings
Authors: Knuutila Mirika , Kosonen Antti , Jaatinen-Värri Ahti , Laaksonen Petteri
Published: July 2022

Buildings and construction are responsible for about 40% of the energy and process-related CO2 emissions worldwide. At present, the renewal rate of building stock is relatively low, for example in Finland, which is the case under study in this work, it is 1.5% per year. With respect to the target of a carbon neutral world by 2050, the effect on emissions of existing building stock must be considered. In this paper, we present the results of analysis of energy efficiency improvement investment in 12 city-owned buildings in two Finnish cities. Using measured heat and electrical energy consumption data, a model was developed for analyzing the impact of active and passive energy efficiency improvement investment options per building. The examined active technologies were heat pumps, solar photovoltaic panels, and heat recovery in ventilation system, and the passive improvement compared was structural improvements in the building envelope. The results show that investments in energy efficiency improvements can reduce the yearly energy-related operating costs of the buildings by 35% on average. The study further finds that usually investment in active energy efficiency improvements provides a bigger return on investment than passive improvements. The profitability of examined measures makes Public–Private Partnership a feasible way to provide funding for renovation of public buildings.

Graphical abstract
Prevalence Estimates of Symptom Feigning and Malingering in Spain
Authors: Puente-López Esteban , Pina David , López-López Reyes , Ordi Héctor González , Bošković Irena , Merten Thomas
Published: July 2022

Symptom feigning and malingering should be evaluated in forensic contexts due to their important socio-economic consequences. Despite this, to date, there is little research in Spain that evaluates its prevalence. The aim of this study was to investigate this issue using the perception of the general population, students, and professionals of medicine and forensic psychology. Three adapted questionnaires were applied to a total of 1003 participants (61.5% women) from 5 different groups. Approximately two-thirds of participants reported knowing someone who feigned symptoms, and one-third disclosed feigning symptoms themselves in the past. Headache/migraine, neck pain, and anxious–depressive symptoms were the most commonly chosen. Experts in psychology and forensic medicine estimated a prevalence of 20 to 40% of non-credible symptom presentations in their work settings and reported not having sufficient means to assess the distorted presentation of symptoms with certainty. Professionals and laypersons alike acknowledge that non-credible symptom presentations (like feigning or malingering) are relevant in Spain and occur at a non-trivial rate, which compares with estimates in other parts of the world.
Developing a Simulation to Foster Prospective Mathematics Teachers’ Diagnostic Competencies: the Effects of Scaffolding
Authors: Schons Christian , Obersteiner Andreas , Reinhold Frank , Fischer Frank , Reiss Kristina
Published: July 2022

To assess individual students’ abilities and misconceptions in mathematics, teachers need diagnostic competencies. Although research has addressed the quality of teachers’ diagnostic competencies in recent years, it is not very clear how to foster these competencies effectively in the course of prospective teachers’ university education. Research suggests that simulations with instructional support are promising tools for fostering complex competencies. We have developed a simulation that aims at measuring and fostering prospective primary school teachers’ competencies to assess students’ mathematical abilities and misconceptions based on their written task solutions. In this study, we analysed data from prospective primary school mathematics teachers who used one of three different versions of the simulation. Two versions contained a specific type of scaffolding, while the third version did not contain scaffolding. Specifically, the two scaffolding types werecontent-related scaffoldingthat emphasized the use of specific pedagogical content knowledge, andstrategic scaffoldingthat emphasized diagnostic activities. The results suggest that integrating scaffolding into the simulation did not substantially influence participants’ overall perception of the simulation regarding presence, authenticity, or perceived cognitive load. Compared to participants in a control group without intervention, participants who used the simulation with scaffolding had higher diagnostic accuracy regarding overall assessment of students’ competence level. However, only content-related scaffolding but not strategic scaffolding or no scaffolding tended to improve participants’ competence in identifying students’ specific misconceptions. The results provide a first empirical basis for further development of the simulation.
A Review of Deep Learning CT Reconstruction: Concepts, Limitations, and Promise in Clinical Practice
Authors: Szczykutowicz Timothy P. , Toia Giuseppe V. , Dhanantwari Amar , Nett Brian
Published: July 2022

Purpose of Review

Deep Learning reconstruction (DLR) is the current state-of-the-art method for CT image formation. Comparisons to existing filter back-projection, iterative, and model-based reconstructions are now available in the literature. This review summarizes the prior reconstruction methods, introduces DLR, and then reviews recent findings from DLR from a physics and clinical perspective.

Recent Findings

DLR has been shown to allow for noise magnitude reductions relative to filtered back-projection without suffering from “plastic” or “blotchy” noise texture that was found objectionable with most iterative and model-based solutions. Clinically, early reader studies have reported increases in subjective quality scores and studies have successfully implemented DLR-enabled dose reductions.

The future of CT image reconstruction is bright; deep learning methods have only started to tackle problems in this space via addressing noise reduction. Artifact mitigation and spectral applications likely be future candidates for DLR applications.
Patient-reported outcome measures in individuals with amelogenesis imperfecta: a systematic review
Authors: Appelstrand S. B. , Robertson A. , Sabel N.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a hereditary condition which affects the composition and structure of enamel in terms of hypoplasia and/or hypomineralization. The condition severely affects patients facing such difficulties as hypersensibility, loss of tooth substance and poor aesthetics. The objective is to perform a systematic review of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in patients with amelogenesis imperfecta.

Methods

Inclusion criteria were articles written in English, including PROMs from patients with amelogenesis imperfecta. The databases PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched on April 27, 2022, and eligible articles were screened. Exclusion criteria were articles based on proxy reports and single case reports.

Results

405 studies were screened in terms of title and abstract, with 31 articles eligible for full-text screening, resulting in a total of 11 articles eligible for inclusion, (articles including 4–82 patients). The content was analyzed, resulting in the outcome divided into seven domains: Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL), Dental fear, Esthetics, Psychosocial factors, Function, Dental hypersensitivity, and Treatment outcome.

Conclusion

The limited quantity of research on PROMS from patients with AI indicates a significant impact of OHRQoL and daily life. A large variety of approaches have been presented in the articles. Patients report concerns of esthetics, hypersensitivity, function, and a general impact on well-being and social interaction. This highlights the importance for the need of early dental treatment.

Prospero registration number

256875.
Regulating Gambling-Like Video Game Loot Boxes: a Public Health Framework Comparing Industry Self-Regulation, Existing National Legal Approaches, and Other Potential Approaches
Authors: Xiao Leon Y. , Henderson Laura L. , Nielsen Rune K. L. , Newall Philip W. S.
Published: July 2022

Purpose of Review

Loot boxes are gambling-like monetisation mechanics in video games that are purchased for opportunities to obtain randomised in-game rewards. Gambling regulation is increasingly being informed by insights from public health. Despite conceptual similarities between loot boxes and gambling, there is much less international consensus on loot box regulation. Various approaches to regulating loot boxes are reviewed via a public health framework that highlights various trade-offs between individual liberties and harm prevention.

Recent Findings

Many countries have considered regulation, but as yet only a few countries have taken tangible actions. Existing regulatory approaches vary greatly. More restrictively, Belgium has effectively ‘banned’ paid loot boxes and prohibits their sale to both children and adults. In contrast, more liberally, China only requires disclosure of the probabilities of obtaining potential rewards to provide transparency and perhaps help players to make more informed purchasing decisions. Most other countries (e.g., the UK) have adopted a ‘wait-and-watch’ approach by neither regulating loot box sales nor providing any dedicated consumer protection response. Industry self-regulation has also been adopted, although this appears to elicit lower rates of compliance than comparable national legal regulation.

Many potential public health approaches to loot box regulation, such as expenditure limits or harm-reducing modifications to loot box design (e.g., fairer reward structures), deserve further attention. The compliance and clinical benefits of existing interventions (including varying degrees of regulation, as adopted by different countries, and industry self-regulation) should be further assessed. The current international variation in loot box regulation presents opportunities to compare the merits of different approaches over time.
Centering Indigenous Voices: The Role of Fire in the Boreal Forest of North America
Authors: Christianson Amy Cardinal , Sutherland Colin Robert , Moola Faisal , Gonzalez Bautista Noémie , Young David , MacDonald Heather
Published: July 2022

Purpose of Review

Indigenous perspectives have often been overlooked in fire management in North America. With a focus on the boreal region of North America, this paper provides a review of the existing literature documenting Indigenous voices and the historical relationship of Indigenous peoples in northern North America to fire and landscapes that burn.

Recent Findings

Early research on the topic explored how Indigenous people used fire in the boreal forest, with most research coming out of case studies in northern Alberta. Emerging research in the last two decades has broadened the geographic focus to include case studies in Alaska, Ontario, Labrador, and other regions in North America. This broadening of focus has shown that the diversity of Indigenous peoples in North America is reflected in a diversity of relationships to fire and landscapes that burn. Of note is an emerging interest in Indigenous fire knowledge in the wake of settler colonialism.

Indigenous peoples in the boreal forest have applied fire on their landscapes to fulfill numerous objectives for thousands of years. More than a tool, Indigenous peoples in the boreal view fire as an agent, capable of movement, destruction and creation, acting on the landscape to create order, within a living, connected environment. Unfortunately, restrictions on the application of Indigenous fire knowledge and practice initiated during early colonial times remains a contemporary challenge as well.
What You See May Be What You Want: Mate Copying in a Natural Setting
Authors: Anderson Ryan C. , Armstrong Ashleigh A.
Published: July 2022

Objectives

The phenomenon of mate copying (MC) suggests that an individual’s romantic desirability varies, to some degree, as a function of their romantic experiences. By manipulating relationship history, this research aimed to determine whether male desirability varied similarly for static stimuli (photographs) as it did for dynamic stimuli (short clips). Here we present 2 studies examining this idea.

Methods

In both studies heterosexual women aged 18–34 were recruited from social media and evaluated the desirability of men, before and after being given information about the level of relationship experience the men had previously had (either ‘none’, ‘some’, or ‘lots’).

Results

In Study 1 (N = 278), we employed static images of men and Study 2 (N = 66) was methodologically similar but employed dynamic stimuli. Study 1 indicated that a man’s desirability to heterosexual women increased when it was revealed that he had a moderate amount of relationship experience but decreased if he had none. Results from Study 2 suggested that desirability was not affected by an individual’s relationship experience.

Conclusions

MC was indicated when stimuli were static, but not when they were dynamic. These results suggest that MC may be a phenomenon that exists to a greater extent when stimuli are less informative.
Lessons on maintaining assessment integrity during COVID-19
Authors: Almossa Samar Yakoob , Alzahrani Sahar Matar
Published: July 2022

In an era where conditions for education are rapidly changing globally, online assessment presents several opportunities as well as challenges in the higher education landscape. The forceful transition from face-to-face to online assessments, as part of the emergency implementation of online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has affected teaching, learning, and assessment experiences worldwide. This study explores how faculty members in Saudi universities secured their online assessment during phase one of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research aims were: 1) identifying faculty assessment practices before the onset of COVID-19 and comparing these with practices during the pandemic, and 2) identifying the major challenges faced by the faculty members of the study in securing their online assessment to ensure that academic integrity and assessment standards remained intact. Data were collected from seven university professors through a self-reporting survey, followed by semi-structured interviews. The faculty members found the pandemic period to be the best time to change their assessment methods, and incorporate innovative ideas that conformed to both their own beliefs and students’ needs. The factors that influenced the faculty’s assessment alterations were their personal beliefs and learnings from others’ experiences, in addition to the guidelines issued by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education. The results of this study have implications for the development of post-COVID-19 assessment practices and professional development priorities.
Simultaneous determination of enthalpy of mixing and reaction using milli-scale continuous flow calorimetry
Authors: Steinemann Finn L. , Rütti David P. , Moser Marlies , Georg Alain G. , Meier Daniel M.
Published: July 2022

A simultaneous determination of the enthalpy of mixing and reaction in a scalable continuous milli-scale flow calorimeter is investigated. As obtained calorimetric data is pivotal for the safety assessment of chemical reactions and processes. The acid-catalysed selective, homogeneous hydrolysis of acetic anhydride with half-lives from a few seconds to a few minutes is investigated as a model reaction. For the enthalpy of mixing 7.2 ± 2.8 kJ/mol and for the enthalpy of reaction −60.8 ± 2.5 kJ/mol were determined. For reactions that show complete conversion in the continuous reactor, a technique is introduced to further improve the accuracy of the reaction enthalpy determination. Thereby, the resolution of the observed temperature profile is increased by measuring the profile at different flow rates. Applying this procedure, the reaction enthalpy of −62.5 kJ/mol was determined which is in good agreement with literature values for this model reaction.

Graphical abstract
New tricks and emerging applications from contemporary azobenzene research
Authors: Fedele Chiara , Ruoko Tero-Petri , Kuntze Kim , Virkki Matti , Priimagi Arri
Published: July 2022

Azobenzenes have many faces. They are well-known as dyes, but most of all, azobenzenes are versatile photoswitchable molecules with powerful photochemical properties. Azobenzene photochemistry has been extensively studied for decades, but only relatively recently research has taken a steer towards applications, ranging from photonics and robotics to photobiology. In this perspective, after an overview of the recent trends in the molecular design of azobenzenes, we highlight three research areas where the azobenzene photoswitches may bring about promising technological innovations: chemical sensing, organic transistors, and cell signaling. Ingenious molecular designs have enabled versatile control of azobenzene photochemical properties, which has in turn facilitated the development of chemical sensors and photoswitchable organic transistors. Finally, the power of azobenzenes in biology is exemplified by vision restoration and photactivation of neural signaling. Although the selected examples reveal only some of the faces of azobenzenes, we expect the fields presented to develop rapidly in the near future, and that azobenzenes will play a central role in this development.
Improved Churn Causal Analysis Through Restrained High-Dimensional Feature Space Effects in Financial Institutions
Authors: Hason Rudd David , Huo Huan , Xu Guandong
Published: July 2022

Customer churn describes terminating a relationship with a business or reducing customer engagement over a specific period. Customer acquisition cost can be five to six times that of customer retention, hence investing in customers with churn risk is wise. Causal analysis of the churn model can predict whether a customer will churn in the foreseeable future and identify effects and possible causes for churn. In general, this study presents a conceptual framework to discover the confounding features that correlate with independent variables and are causally related to those dependent variables that impact churn. We combine different algorithms including the SMOTE, ensemble ANN, and Bayesian networks to address churn prediction problems on a massive and high-dimensional finance data that is usually generated in financial institutions due to employing interval-based features used in Customer Relationship Management systems. The effects of the curse and blessing of dimensionality assessed by utilising the Recursive Feature Elimination method to overcome the high dimension feature space problem. Moreover, a causal discovery performed to find possible interpretation methods to describe cause probabilities that lead to customer churn. Evaluation metrics on validation data confirm the random forest and our ensemble ANN model, with %86 accuracy, outperformed other approaches. Causal analysis results confirm that some independent causal variables representing the level of super guarantee contribution, account growth, and account balance amount were identified as confounding variables that cause customer churn with a high degree of belief. This article provides a real-world customer churn analysis from current status inference to future directions in local superannuation funds.
Hong Kong
Authors: Lee Ching Kwan
Published: July 2022

How did Hong Kong transform itself from a 'shoppers' and capitalists' paradise' into a 'city of protests' at the frontline of a global anti-China backlash? CK Lee situates the post-1997 China–Hong Kong contestation in the broader context of 'global China.' Beijing deploys a bundle of power mechanisms – economic statecraft, patron-clientelism, and symbolic domination – around the world, including Hong Kong. This Chinese power project triggers a variety of countermovements from Asia to Africa, ranging from acquiescence and adaptation to appropriation and resistance. In Hong Kong, reactions against the totality of Chinese power have taken the form of eventful protests, which, over two decades, have broadened into a momentous decolonization struggle. More than an ideological conflict between a liberal capitalist democratizing city and its Communist authoritarian sovereign, the Hong Kong story, stunning and singular in its many peculiarities, offers lessons about China as a global force. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Flight control strategy for jet transport in severe clear-air turbulence based on flight data mining
Authors: Chang R.C. , Wang Y. , Jiang W.
Published: July 2022

This paper presents a new concept of the control strategy in prevention program for the airlines to prevent the injuries of passengers and crew members for transport aircraft. A twin-jet transport aircraft encountered severe clear-air turbulence at transonic flight in descending phase is the study case of the present paper. The nonlinear and unsteady flight controllability models based on flight data mining and the fuzzy-logic modeling of artificial intelligence technique, are utilised to support this new concept. The proposed flight controllability models with the function of nonlinear dynamic inversion are employed to provide flight control strategy through flight simulations of dynamic inversion process; it is an innovation in mathematical modelling of aerospace engineering. Since the sudden plunging motion with the abrupt change in attitude and gravitational acceleration (i.e. the normal load factor) to affect the flight safety the most, hazard mitigation is a great concern for the aviation community. The present study is initiated to examine possible mitigation concepts of accident prevention to provide a training course for loss of control in-flight program to the airlines.
Epistemic Paternalism via Conceptual Engineering
Authors: KITSIK EVE
Published: July 2022

This essay focuses on conceptual engineers who aim to improve other people's patterns of inference and attention by shaping their concepts. Such conceptual engineers sometimes engage in a form of epistemic paternalism that I call paternalistic cognitive engineering: instead of explicitly persuading, informing and educating others, the engineers non-consultatively rely on assumptions about the target agents’ cognitive systems to improve their belief forming. The target agents could reasonably regard such benevolent exercises of control as violating their sovereignty over their own belief formation. This is a pro tanto reason against such engineering. In addition to the relevant projects of conceptual engineering, paternalistic cognitive engineering plausibly includes certain kinds of nudging and evidence suppression. I distinguish the sovereignty-based concern from other ethical worries about conceptual engineering and discuss how one might justify the relevant conceptual engineering projects despite the sovereignty-based reason against them.
Stories of emperors, sultans, and cities: comparing protagonists in the histories of Doukas and Leonardo Bruni
Authors: Kinloch Matthew
Published: July 2022

One of the defining features of the Byzantine historiographical tradition is the dominant narrative roles played by emperors and, in the later period, by Ottoman sultans. This article explores this characteristic feature of the tradition through comparative analysis of the structuring roles occupied by such characters in the fifteenth-century History of Doukas and the protagonistic role of the Florentine people in the contemporary History of the Florentine People by Leonardo Bruni. Transhistorical comparison, organized around two case studies, serves to denaturalize the roles played by emperors and sultans in both Byzantine and modern historiography.
Preventive and Avoidant Behaviors Followed by Jordanians During COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Darawad Muhammad W. , Othman Elham H. , Saleh Ali , Rezk-Hanna Mary
Published: July 2022

Objective:

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), individuals’ compliance with protective behaviors was the most effective strategy to break the infection chain and prevent disease spread, even with vaccine availability and use. Understanding protective behaviors within the Jordanian context will shape health promotion campaigns and guide decision-makers to facilitate required resources and support Jordanian citizens. The objective of this study was to identify personal protective (preventive and avoidant) measures used by the Jordanian population during the COVID-19 pandemic to protect themselves from infection.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study with an exploratory, descriptive design was used to collect data using an online self-reported questionnaire from Jordanian people. The survey included the Protection from Infection Scale and the Infection Avoidance Scale.

Results:

A total sample of 1053 Jordanian citizens was included in the study. The participants exhibited a moderate level of self-care behaviors and high levels of protective and infection avoidance behaviors. Their most common behaviors were getting enough sleep, wearing masks, washing hands, and avoiding travel to infected areas. Contrariwise, the least adopted behaviors were exercising, wearing gloves, and leaving their jobs or schools.

Conclusions:

During pandemics, policy-makers must understand public concerns and protective behaviors, then provide them with tailored education through health promotion campaigns to enhance healthy behaviors.
Implementation of Multi-level Interventions to Mitigate Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant at a PUBLIC UNIVERSITY in Southern United States
Authors: Arbuthnot Keena N. , Christofferson Rebecca C. , Trapido Edward J. , Pardue John H. , Perret John N. , Tate William F.
Published: July 2022

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, navigating the implementation of public health measures in a politically charged environment for a large state entity was challenging. However, Louisiana State University (LSU) leadership developed and deployed an effective, multi-layered mitigation plan and successfully opened in-person learning while managing cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the fourth surge. We describe the plan to provide a framework for other institutions during this and future responses. The goals were 3-fold: maintain a quality learning environment, mitigate risk to the campus community, and ensure that LSU operations did not contribute to health-care stress. As of September 2022, LSU has achieved high compliance with interventions and relatively low virus activity on campus compared with peer institutions. This university model can serve as a template for similar implementation plans in the context of complex socio-political and economic considerations.
Age- and sex-based differences in the moral intuitions of American early adolescents
Authors: Bretl Brandon L. , Goering Marlon
Published: July 2022

This study sought to explore the validity of a latent-factor model of moral intuition development during early adolescence. The 3-Factor Character Foundations Survey (CFS-3) was used to assess the moral intuitions of early adolescents (n = 850, mean = 12.4 years old, SD = 0.96) under a moral foundations theory framework. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the psychometric validity of the three latent factor constructs (autonomy, loyalty and empathy), and partial metric invariance was established to allow for the comparison of latent factor means between four age- and sex-based groups coinciding with averages for pubertal onset. Results support prior findings of greater latent factor means for females in all three factors when compared with males in the 11–12-year-old age group. Additionally, 13–14-year-old females exhibited lower latent factor means in autonomy and loyalty factors when compared with 11–12-year-old females. This resulted in 13–14-year-old females remaining higher in empathy and autonomy but showing no difference in loyalty when compared with 13–14-year-old males. The results are interpreted through the lens of attachment theory, socio-cultural influence and certain limitations of the survey instrument itself. Suggestions for future studies are proposed.
On the Hardy–Littlewood–Chowla conjecture on average
Authors: Lichtman Jared Duker , Teräväinen Joni
Published: July 2022

There has been recent interest in a hybrid form of the celebrated conjectures of Hardy–Littlewood and of Chowla. We prove that for any$k,\ell \ge 1$and distinct integers$h_2,\ldots ,h_k,a_1,\ldots ,a_\ell $, we have:$$ \begin{align*}\sum_{n\leq X}\mu(n+h_1)\cdots \mu(n+h_k)\Lambda(n+a_1)\cdots\Lambda(n+a_{\ell})=o(X)\end{align*} $$

for all except$o(H)$values of$h_1\leq H$, so long as$H\geq (\log X)^{\ell +\varepsilon }$. This improves on the range$H\ge (\log X)^{\psi (X)}$,$\psi (X)\to \infty $, obtained in previous work of the first author. Our results also generalise from the Möbius function$\mu $to arbitrary (non-pretentious) multiplicative functions.
Environmental air sampling for detection and quantification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in clinical settings: Proof of concept
Authors: Middelkoop Keren , Koch Anastasia S. , Hoosen Zeenat , Bryden Wayne , Call Charles , Seldon Ronnett , Warner Digby F. , Wood Robin , Andrews Jason R.
Published: July 2022

Objective:

Novel approaches are needed to understand and disrupt Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission. In this proof-of-concept study, we investigated the use of environmental air samplings to detect and quantify M. tuberculosis in different clinic settings in a high-burden area.

Design:

Cross-sectional, environmental sampling.

Setting:

Primary-care clinic.

Methods:

A portable, high-flow dry filter unit (DFU) was used to draw air through polyester felt filters for 2 hours. Samples were collected in the waiting area and TB room of a primary care clinic. Controls included sterile filters placed directly into collection tubes at the DFU sampling site, and filter samplings performed outdoors. DNA was extracted from the filters, and droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) was used to quantify M. tuberculosis DNA copies. Carbon dioxide (CO2) data loggers captured CO2 concentrations in the sampled areas.

Results:

The median sampling time was 123 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 121–126). A median of 121 (IQR, 35–243) M. tuberculosis DNA copies were obtained from 74 clinic samplings, compared to a median of 3 (IQR, 1–33; P < .001) obtained from 47 controls. At a threshold of 320 DNA copies, specificity was 100%, and 18% of clinic samples would be classified as positive.

Conclusions:

This proof-of-concept study suggests that the potential for airborne M. tuberculosis detection based on M. tuberculosis DNA copy yield to enable the identification of high-risk transmission locations. Further optimization of the M. tuberculosis extraction technique and ddPCR data analysis would improve detection and enable robust interpretation of these data.
Onset of large-scale convection in wall-bounded turbulent shear flows
Authors: Cossu Carlo
Published: July 2022

Large-scale coherent rolls are observed frequently in unstably stratified turbulent wall-bounded flows where they influence strongly the turbulent transport and the mean flow properties. Here we address the question of their genesis by means of a linear stability analysis of the turbulent mean flow where a model of turbulent Reynolds stresses is embedded in the linear stability operator. We use the unstably stratified turbulent channel flow as a testbed for the analysis. We show that the onset of large-scale convection is associated to the linear instability of the mean flow to large-scale streamwise-uniform coherent rolls of aspect ratio$A \approx 3\unicode{x2013}3.3$when the friction Richardson number exceeds$|Ri_{\tau,c}|=0.86$. This corresponds to critical Rayleigh numbers that increase with the Reynolds number approximately as$Ra_c \approx 0.04\,Re_b^{1.8}$. These results are consistent with those obtained in recent direct numerical simulations performed in the same setting. It is also found that if turbulent Reynolds stresses are not modelled in the linear operator used in the stability analysis, then predictions are not consistent with direct numerical simulations results.
The Influence of the Commercial Speech Doctrine on the Development of Tobacco Control Measures
Authors: Melillo Margherita
Published: July 2022

Among the attempts to oppose tobacco control legislation, the tobacco industry has alleged violations of its right to commercial speech. While the disputes that took place in some jurisdictions like the United States (US), Canada, or the European Union (EU) have been already analyzed, much less is known about how, globally, this doctrine has influenced the adoption of tobacco control measures. This article contributes to filling this gap by illustrating how the commercial speech doctrine influenced the negotiations of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Moreover, using the Tobacco Control Database of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, it shows that arguments on commercial speech have been used to challenge tobacco control measures in an increasing number of countries.
Balancing the Scales: The Role of the Canadian Supreme Court in Weighing Commercial Speech and Public Health
Authors: Cinà Margherita M. , Nardi Francesca E.
Published: July 2022

The Supreme Court of Canada has established that commercial speech is protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and that commercial speech exists along a continuum of utility and value, which is balanced against objectives such as public health. This article examines jurisprudence to determine when infringements on commercial speech are acceptable, analyzing considerations of evidence, rational connections between policies and outcomes, proportionality, and minimal impairment.
Right to Commercial Speech in India: Construing Constitutional Provisions Harmoniously in Favor of Public Health
Authors: Subramanian Sujitha , Gokani Nikhil , Aneja Kashish
Published: July 2022

This article examines the right to commercial speech that has been read into the right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India. Restrictions on this right are only permitted if they come within the ambit of the exhaustive list of reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2), under which public health is notably absent. Nevertheless, through the doctrine of harmonious construction, the Indian judiciary have adopted a purposive interpretation to circumvent the omission of public health by carving up freedom of commercial speech into two parts: protected speech which furthers public interest and unprotected speech which is purely commercial. Moreover, the Indian courts have construed these provisions in light of the right to life under Article 21 and the health-related Directive Principles of State Policy under Part IV of the Constitution. This article concludes that judicial creativity in India has consistently been used in favor of protecting public health.
Restricting Unhealthy Food and Beverage Advertising in Brazil: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Barbosa Isabel , Leite Fábio , Britto Carla
Published: July 2022

In Brazil, the normative landscape around advertising is complex, not the least because of limitations inherent to dispute resolution mechanisms. Focusing on unhealthy food and beverages, this case study identifies some challenges and opportunities around advertising restrictions, including in relation to freedom of speech.
The Right to Free Commercial Speech in South Africa and its Tension with Public Health Interventions
Authors: Kruger Petronell , Mafuyeka Mikateko , Karim Safura Abdool
Published: July 2022

Marketing restrictions to promote public health invoke competing rights, including the right to free commercial speech which for-profit entities use to protect their freedom to market products without undue regulation. The right to free commercial speech in South Africa has been developed through case law since the adoption of the first democratic constitution in South Africa in 1996. This article examines the impact of this recent judgment and the lessons for policy makers to ensure effective regulation of marketing practices in South Africa.
Public Reason, Public Comments, and Public Charge: A Case Study in Moral & Practical Reasoning in Federal Rulemaking
Authors: Fabi Rachel , Zahn Lauren
Published: July 2022

The “public charge” rule is a long-standing immigration policy that seeks to determine the likelihood that a prospective immigrant will become dependent on the government for subsistence. When the Trump administration sought to expand the criteria that would count against an applicant for permanent residency to include public benefits historically excluded from the calculation, thousands of commenters wrote to oppose or support the proposed changes. This paper explores the moral and practical reasons commenters provided for their position on the public charge rule and considers the value of the public comment process for immigration, health, and social policy.
Immigration Law, Public Health, and the Future of Public Charge Policymaking
Authors: Daval C. Joseph Ross
Published: July 2022

U.S. immigration law has excluded noncitizens likely to become a “public charge” since 1882. When the Trump administration proposed a new Rule expanding the interpretation of that exclusion in 2018, over 55,000 people wrote public comments. These comments, overwhelmingly opposed to the change, are the subject of Rachel Fabi and Lauren Zahn’s insightful article in this issue of The Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics. The themes they identify resonate with the history of the public charge exclusion, which has always reflected a tension between two aims of American governance — to provide for those in need of assistance, and to shape the nation’s citizenry according to ideals of self-sufficiency.
TheOSHA COVID-19 Caseand the Scope of the Occupational Safety and Health Act
Authors: Rothstein Mark A.
Published: July 2022

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) for COVID-19 applicable to private sector employers with 100 or more employees. Among other things, the ETS required employers either to mandate employee vaccination or weekly testing and wearing masks.
Regressive Federalism, Rights Reversals, and the Public’s Health
Authors: Hodge James G. , Piatt Jennifer L. , Barraza Leila , White Erica N.
Published: July 2022

As the United States emerges from the worst public health threat it has ever experienced, the Supreme Court is poised to reconsider constitutional principles from bygone eras. Judicial proposals to roll back rights under a federalism infrastructure grounded in states’ interests threaten the nation’s legal fabric at a precarious time. This column explores judicial shifts in 3 key public health contexts — reproductive rights, vaccinations, and national security — and their repercussions.
For the Common Good: Philosophical Foundations of Research Ethics by Alex John London
Authors: O’Brien Jaime , Vinarcsik Lou , Wilson Yolonda
Published: July 2022

Written in response to what he recognizes as the problematic philosophical underpinnings of “orthodox research ethics,” Alex John London’s For the Common Good reimagines what is called for in any effort to create a better system of oversight and regulation in biomedical research. London weaves a common thread — justice — through this historical and critical account of the practice of research ethics and its organization of stakeholders, institutions and regulations. By introducing the idea of “a common good” London reframes the narrative and responsibilities of the research ethics field to demonstrate that scientific research and regard for the rights and welfare of individuals are not mutually exclusive. This impressive monograph encourages its readers to push past the limitations of traditional research ethics to consider the context in which the discipline is embedded. That is, rather than settling for analysis at the level of researchers and research participants alone, London encourages us to expand our inquiry to encompass a wider array of stakeholders who co-labor in the social undertaking of biomedical knowledge production. London accomplishes the difficult task of upstream analysis — turning his attention to the conditions and assumptions which create ethical dilemmas rather than applying a retrospective ethical salve to injuries near-guaranteed by a broken system. As opposed to the limited domain of orthodox research ethics (researchers, participants, and the institutional bodies which regulate interaction between the two) London also considers the role and contributions of affected communities, pharmaceutical firms, philanthropic organizations, and journal editors among others.