bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soundscape Assessment for Indoor Spaces: A case of the Higher Education Environment
Authors: Kamal Ayat K. , Ismail Mostafa R. , Mayhoub Mohammed S.
Published: August 2022

As a concept, an indoor soundscape is an innovative approach to building environments with a shape that "sounds good," meeting the preferences and needs of the occupants and established according to their unique indoor soundscape perception. This paper presents the assessment of the indoor soundscape regarding objective acoustic parameters such as the equivalent noise levels (Leq) and the reverberation time (RT), and subjective method including a questionnaire survey (n = 403) in three buildings of Engineering in Al-Azhar university. The data analyses were conducted using SPSS v.21 statistical software. Overall, results show that indoor assessment is associated with five factors that are: acoustic environment factors, demographics and social factors, sound sources, duration and time of measurement, and non-acoustic parameters. The conceptual framework showed the relations between the acoustic environment, built environment, and auditory perception of university students and staff. Various buildings present a series of acoustic problems based on different activities that change the perception of users, so the outcomes feature the importance in the future considering the type of activity as a key factor in assessing the effects of noise on humans.
Passive measures for energy-efficient economic class housing units in national housing projects
Authors: Ismaeel Walaa S.E.
Published: August 2022

This study investigates passive building design measures and how they may differ according to the surrounding context. This particularly stands as an important consideration for economic class housing units which are seen as repetitive cluster units of the same architectural design plan. These units have a typical design that does not respond to their contexts, hence, the study proves with evidence that the building performance varies from one city to another, taking three cities Cairo, Alexandria and Aswan of different climatic zones. This is carried through a series of computer simulations using a validated software program to investigate the effect of adding passive design measures on building performance e.g. thermal walls, double glazing system, and shading devices. The results verified the significant difference in building energy performance in the three studied cities. It also showed that shading devices are a common passive design measure that contributed towards reducing energy consumption in the prototype building in the three cities. This showed the necessity of integrating proper passive design features in economic class housing units because they represent a repeated prototype building.
Experimental Investigation of the Axial Behaviour for Battened Tubular Columns
Authors: Amoush Essam A
Published: August 2022

This paper describes a series of experiments on batten tubular specimens with various slenderness ratios. The experimental study was employed to satisfy the expectations of behaviour and axial load capability of battened tubular columns. Twelve specimens composed of four tubes having different global column slenderness and various ratios of the unbraced chord slenderness-to-the global column slenderness were chosen to cover stub, short and medium columns. The tubes were assembled with welded batten plates. A numerical model with a thin shell element considered both geometric and material nonlinearities was used to verify the experimental results. Tests result showed different failure modes, such as local, local-flexural and flexural buckling. By comparing, the finite element and tested results have a good agreement. The results revealed the strength of the battened columns, which was related to the effect of global slenderness and spacers on the buckling behaviour. Additionally, the stub, short and medium column strengths were enhanced by 8%, 25%, and 78%; respectively, when the number of spacers increased to four batten plates. Eventually, predicted strengths of the battened column by AISC and EC3 specifications were slightly un-conservative.
Mapping street vendors and informal economy effects in public spaces
Authors: Elsayed Mohamed A. , Ashour Ayman , Elshater Abeer , Elfayoumi Mohamed A. , Mahmoud Shehab
Published: August 2022

Economic and urban planning research differ in determining the emergence of the informal economy. The literature describes the informal economy as the hidden economy in various terms. When it comes to the development of the informal sector, economic and urban planning studies are not on equal terms. It’s common to link the rise of the informal sector to the increase of organised economic activity in the formally organised economy, such as tax systems and competitiveness. This study aims to develop a method for assessing the impact of street sellers on the visual appearance of public spaces. This research used mixed methods comprised of Geographical Information System (GIS) and semi-structured interviews with vendors in the selected cases. Mapping four case studies in Cairo show that street vendors occupied public places, walkways, and site coordination features. The final observations shed some light on the necessity of further investigation into street vendors in diverse situations in various locations in Cairo.
Preliminary Study of Landslide Hazard in Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan using Digital Elevation Model
Authors: Polawan S M , Raharjanti N A
Published: August 2022

The Kalimantan Island is part of the Sundaland crust, namely the Eurasian Continental Plate. The plate is moving to the southeast colliding with the Indo-Australian plate which is moving north. Whereas for Kutai Kartanegara Regency in the Kalimantan Island position is far from the collision zone, so it is relatively stable tectonically. This is important to research that is, due to tectonic processes that occurred earlier, resulting in the formation of geological structures, especially faults. The purpose of the study was to determine the morphotectonic and landslide hazards in the Kutai Kartanegara Regency, where this research was carried out quantitatively with data collection techniques, then analyse landslide hazards based on data; DEM (Digital Elevation Model) including the slope, slope direction, and slope length for vulnerability analysis, geological data from Regional Geological Maps, which include rock formations, distances from faults data and administrative boundary spatial data in the form of vector GIS for the preparation of landslide hazard maps. The result showing Kutai Kartanegara predominantly categorized as moderate to high hazard zone. The low hazard zone covering 9.88% area, moderate hazard zone covering 35.81% area, and 54.31% area is high hazard zone of landslide. The analysis showing that the hazard of the research area consist predominantly sedimentary rocks and controlled by structural geology identified as thrust fault, strike slip fault, and fold which include in Anticlinorium Samarinda. Those lithology and geological structure features along with the slope are identified as controlling factor to the landslide hazard in the research area.
Parameters test on time migration with Kirchhoff method on 2D synthetic data with dipping event and its reflector structural changes
Authors: Datametriana Aurum , Suryanto Wiwit
Published: August 2022

This paper describes the effect of parameter variation with Kirchhoff migration in post-stack seismic data. Parameters tested covering velocity, aperture, and maximum dip. The data used in this work was generated from velocity and density models with gaussian syncline and anticline layer boundaries. This work is the effect of parameter changes on the model and conclude best applied parameters for Kirchhoff migration in certain model created.
Seasonal comparison of groundwater level and quality in the catchment of the Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia
Authors: Chhuon Kong , Eang Khy Eam , Chork Vuthy
Published: August 2022

Groundwater in the floodplain of Tonle Sap Lake has been used for domestic, agriculture, and small industries. The variation of surface water availability and increasing demand, cause the increasing of groundwater extraction especially during dry season. So far, the study on groundwater resources is extremely limited comparing to surface water in the Tonle Sap catchments. So that, this study focusses on groundwater quality and level from 27 wells in Kompong Thom, Siem Reap, and Preh Vihear province. Seasonal variation of groundwater level shows that groundwater level in Siem Reap is about 1.5m and 4.3m below the ground surface in rainy season and dry season respectively while in Kampong Thom province it is about 0.7m and 2m below the ground surface in rainy season and dry season, respectively. from in situ measurement, some parameters such as pH ranged from 4.1 to 8.1, total dissolved solid from 21 to 1200 mg/L, turbidity from 0 to 88 NTU, temperature from 28 to 31°C, ORP from −2.2 to 424mV, and EC from 35 to 2000 μSm/cm. The concentrations of major ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, Cl−, SO4
2− and HCO3
−) were approximate or under the permissible value and it was suitable for irrigation.
The Correlation between Rainfall, Temperature, Relative Humidity, and Rice Field Productivity in Aceh Besar
Authors: Chairani S
Published: August 2022

Various factors could affect rice field productivity, such as climate, management practices, and soil properties. Aceh Besar had experienced long drought, higher temperature, shifted seasons, and the decrease yield of rice productivity due to climate change. This research aimed to analyze the correlation between climate variables and rice field productivity, such as rainfall and mean, minimum, and maximum temperatures, relative humidity in Aceh Besar District. The monthly climate data and the rice field productivity data were employed for 10 (2011-2020) and 8 (2011-2018) consecutive years, respectively. The correlation between the climate variables were calculated using Pearson coefficient correlation. The results showed that rainfall and maximum temperature were positively correlated, as well as rainfall and relative humidity. In contrary, rainfall and mean temperature, rainfall and minimum temperature, rainfall and rice field productivity were negatively correlated. The latest indicating that rainfall did not impact the rice field productivity in Aceh Besar. It was quite contradictive to the reality in the field that significantly experiencing the long drought, higher temperature, shifted seasons and the decrease yield of rice field productivity. This was due to the lack of climate data employed that required longer period preferably 30 to 50 years which was not available.
Assessment of Agricultural Irrigation water from Groundwater in Lobalain District, Rote Ndao Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia
Authors: Riady Rony Rahmad , Wilopo Wahyu
Published: August 2022

Determination of water availability for irrigation consists of quantity and quality. However, water quality is generally often neglected. This study aims to determine the groundwater quality in order to meet the standard of agricultural irrigation quality standard in the Lobalain District, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. The results showed that the groundwater quality with a predominantly pH value did not meet the standard. The none restriction on use class dominated the total dissolved solids (TDS) value. The average electrical conductivity (EC) value is less than 750 μs/cm. The chloride is dominated by less than the tolerance threshold (Cl-<4.0 meq/l), for sulfate (SO4), which is within the threshold (<20 meq/l), and the nitrate (NO3N) dominated as slight to moderate. The boron (B) showed positive results, which in all areas was very satisfactory because it is below the tolerance threshold (B<0.7 mg/l). The sodium percentage (Na%) analysis was dominated by excellent and good class, and the excellent category dominated the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR). Eight locations are highly recommended as agricultural irrigation sources due to their groundwater quality. Only one location is not recommended in Kuli Village because only three parameters (Na%, EC, and Cl-) meet the irrigation water quality standard.
Can port concrete infrastructures be optimized to promote algal and macrofaunal colonisation in the marine intertidal zone? Case study of Port Haliguen (Brittany, France)
Authors: Lapinski M , Perrot M , Sauleau P
Published: August 2022

Various studies highlight the efficiency of working on the nature of port infrastructures (materials, structure design for water retention and creation of microhabitats) in order to improve ecological functions in and around port areas. The aim of this work which was carried out at Port Haliguen (Brittany, France) was to study the colonisation of different types of concrete formulations, including 3D-printed concrete, assumed as more favourable for sessile marine life due to their intrinsic characteristics (surface pH, roughness, porosity). During the first year, no differences were shown between the settlement of algae and macrozoobenthos on each of the formulations regardless of the water level. Percentages of coverage were extremely high after only 5 months and mean diversities were not different. However, the finer grain porous concrete showed a great potential to promote the settlement of the engineer speciesFucus vesiculosuson vertical seawalls. The 3D-printed concrete formulation appears to date to be compatible with marine life colonisation. The advantages of this new technologies to create complex habitats could be of great interest applied to the integration of large scale eco-engineered strategies in urbanized shoreline areas such as ports in Brittany.
Development of laboratory tests to measure the growth kinetic of micro-algae of concrete in marine environment and comparison to in-situ experiments
Authors: Morin V , Duchand S , Dubois-Brugger I , Perrot M , Lapinski M , Vacher S
Published: August 2022

Climate change associated with population growth drive the building sector’s innovation in developing new ecological and sustainable concrete solutions. Regarding marine environment the rise of sea level is a main concern for several big cities across the world. New sea defense infrastructure around cities is expected to rise in the coming years. This will not be possible and accepted without any ecological compensation and thus by developing new ecological concrete range. The development of Bio-active concrete is one part of the solution: in addition to their conventional structural performance, these concrete promote marine bio-fouling and biodiversity. To reach this objective, a laboratory test was developed to screen different concrete surfaces and compositions. The bio-receptivity capacity of a concrete surface is measured by the amount of micro-algae on the concrete surface after four weeks test. This quick lab test supported the development of a new range of concretes called Bi-Layer porous concrete made up of one structural layer and one highly porous bio-active layer. These concrete were implemented as quay walls and reefs in Mediterranean and Atlantic sea. Very promising results were obtained after 18 months of immersion regarding bio-fouling activity and micro-algae diversity on the concrete confirming the results given by the laboratory test.
Solent oyster enhancement reef concrete colonisation trials
Authors: Collins K J , Hauton C , Jensen A C , Mallinson J J
Published: August 2022

The Interreg funded project RECIF (2012-2015) developed waste shell concrete formulations specifically for artificial reefs. Its successor MARINEFF continues these evaluating further formulations to maximise both physical performance and endurance with biological attractiveness. Four formulations were produced by ESITC Caen for trials based on combinations of two cement types (CEM II and CEM IV) with either coarse aggregate or crushed oyster shells replacing 20% of the aggregate. The most extensive colonisation trials were carried out with 5x5x2cm blocks by both UK and French partners. These test blocks also had smooth and rough faces. This paper describes the results of Southampton biological colonisation trials. Four blocks, one of each formulation along with an oyster shell cut to the same area were secured in a framework and pairs of these were suspended vertically at 6 fully saline sites around the Solent region (Calshot, Beaulieu River, Hamble River, Itchen River, Portsmouth and Langstone Harbours) from May to August 2019. On recovery these were analysed for Total Biomass, Algae (PAM & %cover), Anemones (n), Ascidians (%cover), Barnacles (n & % cover), Bryozoans (%cover), Hydroids (%cover), Mytilus edulis (n), Pomatoceros sp. (n), Sponges (%), Spirorbis sp (n). There were considerable differences in colonisation between the sites which are described in detail, but overall in terms of overall biomass the formulation using CEM V and 20% oyster shell performed as well as the oyster shell. Given that it is accepted that oysters are attracted to natural shell substrate, this concrete was promising for the choice mix of the final oyster reef modules deployed at Calshot, September 2020.
In-situ mineralized homogeneous collagen-based scaffolds for potential guided bone regeneration
Authors: Li Zhengwei , Du Tianming , Gao Chongjian , Tang Lan , Chen Kinon , Liu Juan , Yang Jirong , Zhao Xiaoli , Niu Xufeng , Ruan Changshun
Published: August 2022

For guided bone regeneration (GBR) in clinical orthopedics, the importance of a suitable scaffold which can provide the space needed for bone regeneration and simultaneously promotes the new bone formation cannot be overemphasized. Due to its excellent biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and similarity in structure and composition to natural bone, the mineralized collagen-based scaffolds have been increasingly considered as promising GBR scaffolds. Herein, we propose a novel method to fabricate an in-situ mineralized homogeneous collagen-based scaffold (IMHCS) with excellent osteogenic capability for GBR by electrospinning the collagen solution in combination with essential mineral ions. The IMHCS exhibited homogeneous distribution of apatite crystals in electrospun fibers, which helped to achieve a significantly higher tensile strength than the pure collagen scaffold (CS) and the scaffold with directly added nano-hydroxyapatite particles (HAS). Furthermore, the IMHCS had significantly better cell compatibility, cell migration ratio, and osteogenic differentiation property than the HAS and CS. Therefore, the IMHCS not only retains traditional function of inhibiting fibroblast invasion, but also possesses excellent osteogenic differentiation property, indicating a robust alternative for GBR applications.
Xeno-free bioengineered human skeletal muscle tissue using human platelet lysate-based hydrogels
Authors: Fernández-Garibay Xiomara , Gómez-Florit Manuel , Domingues Rui M A , Gomes Manuela E , Fernández-Costa Juan M , Ramón-Azcón Javier
Published: August 2022

Bioengineered human skeletal muscle tissues have emerged in the last years as new in vitro systems for disease modeling. These bioartificial muscles are classically fabricated by encapsulating human myogenic precursor cells in a hydrogel scaffold that resembles the extracellular matrix. However, most of these hydrogels are derived from xenogenic sources, and the culture media is supplemented with animal serum, which could interfere in drug testing assays. On the contrary, xeno-free biomaterials and culture conditions in tissue engineering offer increased relevance for developing human disease models. In this work, we used human platelet lysate (PL)-based nanocomposite hydrogels (HUgel) as scaffolds for human skeletal muscle tissue engineering. These hydrogels consist of human PL reinforced with aldehyde-cellulose nanocrystals (a-CNC) that allow tunable mechanical, structural, and biochemical properties for the 3D culture of stem cells. Here, we developed hydrogel casting platforms to encapsulate human muscle satellite stem cells in HUgel. The a-CNC content was modulated to enhance matrix remodeling, uniaxial tension, and self-organization of the cells, resulting in the formation of highly aligned, long myotubes expressing sarcomeric proteins. Moreover, the bioengineered human muscles were subjected to electrical stimulation, and the exerted contractile forces were measured in a non-invasive manner. Overall, our results demonstrated that the bioengineered human skeletal muscles could be built in xeno-free cell culture platforms to assess tissue functionality, which is promising for drug development applications.
Efficient combination and enhancement of high-power mid-infrared pulses in plasmas
Authors: ZHU Xinglong
Published: August 2022

High-power intense optical sources in the mid-to-long wavelength infrared region are very attractive for a wide range of fields from fundamental research to materials science and biology applications. However, there are still significant challenges in extending long-wavelength infrared pulses into the relativistic regime using conventional optical techniques. Here, based upon a new type of plasma-based optical method, we present an efficient scheme capable of combining several high-power long-wavelength infrared laser pulses into one single, more intense pulse, thus bringing the intensity of the output pulse to the relativistic regime. Such intense infrared pulses will open up new possibilities for strong-field physics and ultrafast applications. Furthermore, this is beneficial to understand the underlying physics and nonlinear processes of modulation, propagation and energy transfer of high-power intense laser pulses in plasmas.
Social Genomics of Methamphetamine Use, HIV Viral Load, and Social Adversity
Authors: Li Michael J , Richter Emily I , Okafor Chukwuemeka N , Kalmin Mariah M , Dalvie Shareefa , Takada Sae , Gorbach Pamina M , Shoptaw Steven J , Cole Steven W
Published: August 2022

Background

Social genomics has demonstrated altered inflammatory and type I interferon (IFN) gene expression among people experiencing chronic social adversity. Adverse social experiences such as discrimination and violence are linked to stimulant misuse and HIV, conditions that dysregulate inflammatory and innate antiviral responses, leading to increased HIV viral replication and risk of chronic diseases.

Purpose

We aimed to determine whether methamphetamine (MA) use, unsuppressed HIV viral load (VL) (≥200 c/mL), and experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) (past 12 months) predicted inflammatory and type I IFN gene expression in HIV-positive Black and Latinx men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods

Participants were 147 HIV-positive Black and Latinx MSM recruited from the mSTUDY, a cohort of 561 MSM aged 18–45 in Los Angeles, CA, of whom half are HIV-positive and substance-using. Transcriptomic measures of inflammatory and type I IFN activity were derived from RNA sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and matched to urine drug tests, VL, and survey data across two time points 12 months apart. Analysis used linear random intercept modeling of MA use, unsuppressed VL, and experienced IPV on inflammatory and type I IFN expression.

Results

In adjusted models, MA use predicted 27% upregulated inflammatory and 31% upregulated type I IFN expression; unsuppressed VL predicted 84% upregulated type I IFN but not inflammatory expression; and experienced IPV predicted 31% upregulated inflammatory and 26% upregulated type I IFN expression.

Conclusions

In Black and Latinx MSM with HIV, MA use, unsuppressed VL, and experienced IPV predicted upregulated social genomic markers of immune functioning.
Development of Noun Phrase Complexity Across Genres in Children’s Writing
Authors: Durrant Philip , Brenchley Mark
Published: August 2022

Complex noun phrases (NP) are central to mature academic writing and often a focus of explicit teaching. The National Curriculum in England, for example, requires specific components of NP complexity to be taught at specific educational stages. However, the evidence base for such practices is unclear. Research on the emergence of NP components is both limited and dated. Moreover, some work has suggested that NP development is late-occurring and genre-specific, calling into question curricular guidance which specifies teaching from the earliest years and which makes no mention of genre. Analysing 240 texts written by children in England aged six to 16, this study shows that overall complexity develops at a roughly constant rate from primary school onwards. Increases are principally driven by postmodification, especially relative clauses and proposition phrases. By the end of their mandatory education, children make some use of genre distinctions evident in adult writing. However, there are also clear patterns of overuse and underuse of particular NP components. Key distinctive features are examined in context to understand the roles NP components play in writing development.
pcnaDeep: a fast and robust single-cell tracking method using deep-learning mediated cell cycle profiling
Authors: Gui Yifan , Xie Shuangshuang , Wang Yanan , Wang Ping , Yao Renzhi , Gao Xukai , Dong Yutian , Wang Gaoang , Chan Kuan Yoow
Published: August 2022

Computational methods that track single cells and quantify fluorescent biosensors in time-lapse microscopy images have revolutionized our approach in studying the molecular control of cellular decisions. One barrier that limits the adoption of single-cell analysis in biomedical research is the lack of efficient methods to robustly track single cells over cell division events. Here, we developed an application that automatically tracks and assigns mother–daughter relationships of single cells. By incorporating cell cycle information from a well-established fluorescent cell cycle reporter, we associate mitosis relationships enabling high fidelity long-term single-cell tracking. This was achieved by integrating a deep-learning-based fluorescent proliferative cell nuclear antigen signal instance segmentation module with a cell tracking and cell cycle resolving pipeline. The application offers a user-friendly interface and extensible APIs for customized cell cycle analysis and manual correction for various imaging configurations.

Availability and implementation

pcnaDeep is an open-source Python application under the Apache 2.0 licence. The source code, documentation and tutorials are available at https://github.com/chan-labsite/PCNAdeep.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Rifapentine With and Without Moxifloxacin for Pulmonary Tuberculosis in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (S31/A5349)
Authors: Pettit April C , Phillips Patrick P J , Kurbatova Ekaterina , Vernon Andrew , Nahid Payam , Dawson Rodney , Dooley Kelly E , Sanne Ian , Waja Ziyaad , Mohapi Lerato , Podany Anthony T , Samaneka Wadzanai , Savic Rada M , Johnson John L , Muzanyi Grace , Lalloo Umesh G , Bryant Kia , Sizemore Erin , Scott Nigel , Dorman Susan E , Chaisson Richard E , Swindells Susan ,   for the Tuberculosis Trials Consortium (TBTC) Study 31/AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) A5349 study team
Published: August 2022

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) Trials Consortium Study 31/AIDS Clinical Trials Group A5349, an international randomized open-label phase 3 noninferiority trial showed that a 4-month daily regimen substituting rifapentine for rifampin and moxifloxacin for ethambutol had noninferior efficacy and was safe for the treatment of drug-susceptible pulmonary TB (DS-PTB) compared with the standard 6-month regimen. We explored results among the prespecified subgroup of people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PWH).

Methods

PWH and CD4+ counts ≥100 cells/μL were eligible if they were receiving or about to initiate efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy (ART). Primary endpoints of TB disease-free survival 12 months after randomization (efficacy) and ≥ grade 3 adverse events (AEs) on treatment (safety) were compared, using a 6.6% noninferiority margin for efficacy. Randomization was stratified by site, pulmonary cavitation, and HIV status. PWH were enrolled in a staged fashion to support cautious evaluation of drug–drug interactions between rifapentine and efavirenz.

Results

A total of 2516 participants from 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Americas were enrolled. Among 194 (8%) microbiologically eligible PWH, the median CD4+ count was 344 cells/μL (interquartile range: 223–455). The rifapentine-moxifloxacin regimen was noninferior to control (absolute difference in unfavorable outcomes −7.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI] −20.8% to 6.0%); the rifapentine regimen was not noninferior to control (+7.5% [95% CI, −7.3% to +22.4%]). Fewer AEs were reported in rifapentine-based regimens (15%) than the control regimen (21%).

Conclusions

In people with HIV-associated DS-PTB with CD4+ counts ≥100 cells/μL on efavirenz-based ART, the 4-month daily rifapentine-moxifloxacin regimen was noninferior to the 6-month control regimen and was safe.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT02410772.
Rethinking the Blackstone Ratio with Global Public Opinion: Crime Control and Due Process
Authors: Xiong Moulin
Published: August 2022

Both the Blackstone ratio and due process are cornerstones of classical philosophy in criminal law and justice around the world. However, less consideration has been paid to contemporary society and whether the public shares this theoretical approach. Using data from four waves of the International Social Survey Programme, examining public attitudes towards controlling habitual criminals and suspected terrorists across countries, I offer evidence for how preference towards authorities’ reactions (a proxy of fear of crime) affects preferences about judicial errors. My analysis shows that (i) the public supports the authorities in taking action against criminals and terrorists without a court order, though in different proportions depending on the specific means at hand; (ii) the apparent paradox of public support for the elegance of due process and fear of crime can be explained by the difficult reality of controlling criminals; (iii) absolute proponents consider type one errors to be worse and thus will not support any measures being taken, while absolute proponents consider type two errors to be worse and steps therefore need to be taken to prevent communities from the risk from crime or terrorist attacks; (iv) members of the public who favour proactive policing are significantly less likely to consider type one errors to be worse than type two; and (v) citizens across countries share the above features in a longitudinal survey. Legislators, law professors, and criminologists in transitional risk societies around the world should reconsider their justification of anti-Blackstonian theory and the crime control model.
Regulating the Role of Religion in Society in an Era of Change and Secularist Self-doubt: Why European Courts Have Been Right to Adopt a Hands-Off Approach
Authors: McCrea Ronan
Published: August 2022

Why have the European Court of Human Rights and Court of Justice of the European Union adopted such a hands-off approach in relation to the steady stream of national measures that have intensified limits on religious expression in, and influence over, the public realm? This article argues that the intensifying of these limits can be seen, in part, as reflective of a justified loss of confidence in previously dominant, deterministic narratives that saw secularization of society as inevitable. In response, many states are attempting to harness the power of the law to push a secularization process that they previously regarded as inevitable. The article suggests that, while these laws are sometimes troubling, given the scale, pace and unprecedented nature of the religious change Europe is undergoing, how coexistence and freedom of and from religion can best be preserved cannot but be an open question. It concludes that in these circumstances, judges in pan-European courts have been correct to avoid attempting to identify ideal solutions and to impose them across the board.
Preoperative percutaneous needle indigo carmine and lipiodol mixture marking in lung segmentectomy
Authors: Matsui Takuya , Takahashi Yusuke , Nakada Takeo , Sakakura Noriaki , Hasegawa Takaaki , Sato Yozo , Inaba Yoshitaka , Haneda Hiroshi , Okuda Katsuhiro , Nakanishi Ryoichi , Kuroda Hiroaki
Published: August 2022

OBJECTIVES

For successful nodule localization and appropriate surgical margin distances in pulmonary segmentectomy for patients with lung malignancies, the effectiveness and feasibility of preoperative marking using an indigo carmine and lipiodol mixture remain unclear.

METHODS

Patients who underwent thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy with (marking group, n = 69) and without (non-marking group, n = 265) preoperative marking at our institution from January 2013 to March 2020 were retrospectively reviewed and compared in terms of surgical outcomes. All markings were performed using a fine needle to percutaneously inject an indigo carmine and lipiodol mixture under the guidance of computed tomography fluoroscopy.

RESULTS

Successful localization was achieved in 66 (96%) patients, of whom 62 (94%) underwent dye pigmentation and 4 (6%) underwent intraoperative fluoroscopy. On images, the marking group showed a significantly longer distance between the lung surface and tumour [mm, 9 (1–17) vs 0 (0–10); P < 0.01] and smaller maximum tumour size [mm, 16 (11–21) vs 17 (13–23); P = 0.03] and consolidation tumour ratio [0.4 (0.3–1) vs 0.8 (0.4–1); P < 0.01] than the non-marking group. Both groups had comparable operative outcomes, perioperative complications, pulmonary function changes and surgical margin distances [mm, 20 (15–21) vs 20 (15–20); P = 0.96] without any local recurrence on the surgical margin. Propensity score-matching analysis also showed similar findings for both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy with preoperative marking using an indigo carmine and lipiodol mixture may be an acceptable therapeutic option for small malignancies located in deep lung parenchyma.
Government finance and imposition of serfdom after the Black Death
Authors: Peters Margaret E
Published: August 2022

After the Black Death, serfdom disappeared in Western Europe while making a resurgence in Eastern Europe. What explains this difference? I argue that serfdom was against the interests of the sovereign and was only imposed when the nobility, who needed serfdom to maintain their economic and political standing, had leverage to impose their will. The nobility gained this power through financing the state. Using data from the fourteenth through the eighteenth centuries, I show that serfdom was imposed and strengthened in areas where sovereigns had few other resources to finance the state.
Lost individual income due to severe health events: life-course perspective in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966
Authors: Rissanen Ina , Nerg Iiro , Ala-Mursula Leena , Korhonen Marko
Published: August 2022

Background

Severe health events may lead to reduced income among survivors. Importantly, individuals’ risks for both severe health events and for lower income are shaped by early life course. Our aim was to consider early-life factors in determining lost individual income after stroke, heart attack and cancer between ages 18 and 50.

Methods

A population-based Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (N = 12 058) was used. Early-life factors were collected since mid-pregnancy until age 16 years and used to match all persons with stroke, heart attack, or cancer (n = 995) with four controls. Registered annual individual income development 15 years before and after the event was compared between cases and propensity score matched controls using time-to-event mixed models, stratified for sex.

Results

Compared to controls, a new decreasing income trend emerged among women after stroke (logarithmic income per time −0.54; 95% CI −0.88 to −0.20), whereas men getting stroke showed declining earnings already by the time of the event, further declining after stroke (−1.00, −1.37 to −0.63). Getting heart attack was associated with a new declining trend both in women (−0.68; −1.28 to −0.09) and men (−0.69, −1.05 to −0.32). Income declined also among control men (−0.24, −0.34 to −0.14), who had higher income but were less educated than control women.

Conclusions

Stroke and heart attack but not cancer have exogenous deleterious effects on individual economy, independently of early-life factors. The effects accelerate by time. Negative income trend in control men shows that severe health events do not explain all decrease in income.
Limited microbiome differences in captive and semi-wild primate populations consuming similar diets
Authors: Kuthyar Sahana , Watson Karli , Huang Shi , Brent Lauren J N , Platt Michael , Horvath Julie , Gonzalez-Martinez Janis , Martínez Melween , Godoy-Vitorino Filipa , Knight Rob , Dominguez-Bello Maria Gloria , Amato Katherine R
Published: August 2022

Gut microbial communities are shaped by a myriad of extrinsic factors, including diet and the environment. Although distinct human populations consistently exhibit different gut microbiome compositions, variation in diet and environmental factors are almost always coupled, making it difficult to disentangle their relative contributions to shaping the gut microbiota. Data from discrete animal populations with similar diets can help reduce confounds. Here, we assessed the gut microbiota of free-ranging and captive rhesus macaques with at least 80% diet similarity to test the hypothesis that hosts in difference environments will have different gut microbiomes despite a shared diet. Although we found that location was a significant predictor of gut microbial composition, the magnitude of observed differences was relatively small. These patterns suggest that a shared diet may limit the typical influence of environmental microbial exposure on the gut microbiota.
Optimization of high-pressure processing-assisted extraction of pectic polysaccharides from three berries
Authors: Hu Xinxin , Yu Chengxiao , Ahmadi Shokouh , Wang Yuying , Ye Xingqian , Hou Zhiqiang , Chen Shiguo
Published: August 2022

Background and objectives

High-pressure processing (HPP) is a promising assistive method to extract pectic polysaccharides with high rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) domain and berries are sources of such pectic polysaccharides. This study extracts pectic polysaccharides from goji berry, raspberry, and cranberry, examines how HPP influences the pectic polysaccharide structure of three berries, and provides a basis for the extraction and modification of pectic polysaccharides with specific structure and bioactivity.

Materials and methods

An orthogonal test was performed to optimize the HPP-assisted alkali method to extract the high yield and high RG-I content pectic polysaccharides from three berries. Structural information of pectic polysaccharides extracted by the HPP method and conventional methods were compared from the perspectives of monosaccharide composition, molecular weight, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Results

For raspberry, the optimal conditions consisted of a pressure of 500 MPa, a pH of 13, and a pressure-holding time of 12 min, while the optimal conditions for goji berry and cranberry were both 400 MPa, pH 13, and 15 min. Under the optimal conditions, the yields for goji berry, raspberry, and cranberry were 10.49%, 16.63%, and 17.52%, respectively, and RG-I contents were 81.85%, 83.30%, and 63.22%, respectively. HPP showed an effect to degrade homogalacturonan backbones and side chains and increase the RG-I content to some extent.

Conclusion

HPP-assisted alkali method was revealed to be an efficient method to extract high RG-I content pectic polysaccharides, especially for cranberry, and was a potential method to modify pectic polysaccharide structure in a certain way.
Hampshire’s Gypsy Rehabilitation Centres: Welfare and Assimilation in Mid-20th Century Britain
Authors: Hinks Jim , Taylor Becky
Published: August 2022

Through examination of a ‘Gypsy rehabilitation’ scheme in 1960s Hampshire, this article explores the position of England’s hereditary nomads at the height of Britain’s interventionist welfare state. We show how, while the scheme’s focus on enforced settlement appeared specific to Gypsies, it formed part of a spectrum of assimilatory methods used against other non-conforming groups. Equally, in the scheme’s collapse in the 1970s, we see echoes of the larger shift towards ‘race relations’ and the seeds of multiculturalism. We thus argue for the integration of research into racialized groups, including Gypsies and Travellers, within wider historiographies of twentieth-century Britain.
Is mood associated with perception of recovery? Preoperative depression versus postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery
Authors: Mennander Ari A
Published: August 2022

The author alone is responsible for the Invited Commentary, which does not necessarily reflect the policy of the Journal.
Asthma inflammatory phenotypes on four continents: most asthma is non-eosinophilic
Authors: Pembrey Lucy , Brooks Collin , Mpairwe Harriet , Figueiredo Camila A , Oviedo Aida Y , Chico Martha , Ali Hajar , Nambuya Irene , Tumwesige Pius , Robertson Steven , Rutter Charlotte E , van Veldhoven Karin , Ring Susan , Barreto Mauricio L , Cooper Philip J , Henderson John , Cruz Alvaro A , Douwes Jeroen , Pearce Neil ,   the WASP Study Group, Pearce Neil , Pembrey Lucy , Robertson Steven , van Veldhoven Karin , Rutter Charlotte E , Langan Sinead , Thorne Sarah , Davoren Donna , Henderson John , Ring Susan , Brierley Elizabeth , Fitzgibbon Sophie , Scoltock Simon , Hill Amanda , Cruz Alvaro , Figueiredo Camila , Barreto Mauricio , Santana Cinthia Vila Nova , Pimentel Gabriela , Lima Gilvaneide , Lima Valmar Bião , Fernandes Jamille , Carneiro Tamires Cana Brasil , Andrade Candace , Queiroz Gerson , Pires Anaque , Silva Milca , Cerqueira Jéssica , Cooper Philip , Chico Martha , Ardura-Garcia Cristina , Falcones Araceli , Oviedo Aida Y , Zambrano Andrea , Douwes Jeroen , Brooks Collin , Ali Hajar , Burmanje Jeroen , Mpairwe Harriet , Nambuya Irene , Tumwesige Pius , Namutebi Milly , Nnaluwooza Marble , Mukasa Mike
Published: August 2022

Background

Most studies assessing pathophysiological heterogeneity in asthma have been conducted in high-income countries (HICs), with little known about the prevalence and characteristics of different asthma inflammatory phenotypes in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study assessed sputum inflammatory phenotypes in five centres, in Brazil, Ecuador, Uganda, New Zealand (NZ) and the United Kingdom (UK).

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 998 asthmatics and 356 non-asthmatics in 2016–20. All centres studied children and adolescents (age range 8–20 years), except the UK centre which involved 26–27 year-olds. Information was collected using questionnaires, clinical characterization, blood and induced sputum.

Results

Of 623 asthmatics with sputum results, 39% (243) were classified as eosinophilic or mixed granulocytic, i.e. eosinophilic asthma (EA). Adjusted for age and sex, with NZ as baseline, the UK showed similar odds of EA (odds ratio 1.04, 95% confidence interval 0.37–2.94) with lower odds in the LMICs: Brazil (0.73, 0.42–1.27), Ecuador (0.40, 0.24–0.66) and Uganda (0.62, 0.37–1.04). Despite the low prevalence of neutrophilic asthma in most centres, sputum neutrophilia was increased in asthmatics and non-asthmatics in Uganda.

Conclusions

This is the first time that sputum induction has been used to compare asthma inflammatory phenotypes in HICs and LMICs. Most cases were non-eosinophilic, including in settings where corticosteroid use was low. A lower prevalence of EA was observed in the LMICs than in the HICs. This has major implications for asthma prevention and management, and suggests that novel prevention strategies and therapies specifically targeting non-eosinophilic asthma are required globally.
Do Populists Really Reject Expert Judgment?: Expert Consensus and Support for Clean Water Act Protections
Authors: Bergan Daniel E , Lapinski Maria Knight , Turner Shawn
Published: August 2022

Recent work on voting behavior and political attitudes has established the relevance of anti-intellectual (Merkley, 2020; Motta, 2018), anti-science (Mede & Schafer, 2020; Rekker, 2021) and anti-expertise (Brewer, 2020; Oliver & Rahn, 2016) attitudes in politics. However, the increasing relevance of anti-expertise attitudes raises a paradox, as one of the most well-established claims of the persuasion literature concerns the influence of expert sources on attitudes (O’Keefe, 2016; Pornpitakpan, 2004). The current paper explores the influence of messages based on public and expert consensus, as well as the interaction of these messages with expressed mistrust of experts relative to the public. The issue we explore concerns environmental regulations relating to water, an issue on which partisan elites are divided, but one that has not played a highly salient role in recent political discourse. We find that mistrust of experts is negatively related to support for these regulations, as expected, but that, contrary to prior research, increases in mistrust of experts in fact enhanced the impact of the expert message. We discuss potential explanations for why this pattern of results differs from prior work.
A smart, practical, deep learning-based clinical decision support tool for patients in the prostate-specific antigen gray zone: model development and validation
Authors: Song Sang Hun , Kim Hwanik , Kim Jung Kwon , Lee Hakmin , Oh Jong Jin , Lee Sang-Chul , Jeong Seong Jin , Hong Sung Kyu , Lee Junghoon , Yoo Sangjun , Choo Min-Soo , Cho Min Chul , Son Hwancheol , Jeong Hyeon , Suh Jungyo , Byun Seok-Soo
Published: August 2022

Objective

Despite efforts to improve screening and early detection of prostate cancer (PC), no available biomarker has shown acceptable performance in patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) gray zones. We aimed to develop a deep learning-based prediction model with minimized parameters and missing value handling algorithms for PC and clinically significant PC (CSPC).

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from 18 824 prostate biopsies collected between March 2003 and December 2020 from 2 databases, resulting in 12 739 cases in the PSA gray zone of 2.0–10.0 ng/mL. Dense neural network (DNN) and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) models for PC and CSPC were developed with 5-fold cross-validation. The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) was compared with that of serum PSA, PSA density, free PSA (fPSA) portion, and prostate health index (PHI).

Results

The AUROC values in the DNN model with the imputation of missing values were 0.739 and 0.708 (PC) and 0.769 and 0.742 (CSPC) in internal and external validation, whereas those of the non-imputed dataset were 0.740 and 0.771 (PC) and 0.807 and 0.771 (CSPC), respectively. The performance of the DNN model was like that of the XGBoost model, but better than all tested clinical biomarkers for both PC and CSPC. The developed DNN model outperformed PHI, serum PSA, and percent-fPSA with or without missing value imputation.

Discussion

DNN models for missing value imputation can be used to predict PC and CSPC. Further validation in real-life scenarios are need to recommend for actual implementation, but the results from our study support the increasing role of deep learning analytics in the clinical setting.

Conclusions

A deep learning model for PC and CSPC in PSA gray zones using minimal, routinely used clinical parameter variables and data imputation of missing values was successfully developed and validated.