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Does darkness increase the risk of certain types of crime? A registered report article
No full textEvidence about the relationship between lighting and crime is mixed. Although a review of evidence found that improved road/ street lighting was associated with reductions in crime, these reductions occurred in daylight as well as after dark, suggesting any effect was not due only to changes in visual conditions. One limitation of previous studies is that crime data are reported in aggregate and thus previous analyses were required to make simplifications concerning types of crimes or locations. We addressed this issue by working with a UK police force to access records of individual crimes. We used these data to determine whether the risk of crime at a specific time of day is greater after dark than during daylight, using a case and control approach to analyse ten years of crime data. We compared counts of crimes in ‘case’ hours, that are in daylight and darkness at different times of the year, and ‘control’ hours, that are in daylight throughout the year. From these counts we calculated odds ratios as a measure of the effect of darkness on risk of crime. The results supported our three hypotheses: 1) The risk of overall crime occurring after dark was greater than during daylight (OR: 1.28, 95%CI: 1.23–1.34); 2) The risk of crime occurring after dark varied depending on crime category, with five out of fourteen crime categories having odds ratios greater than 1.0; and 3) The risk of crime occurring after dark varied depending on geographical area, with 25 out of 172 Middle Super Output Areas in South Yorkshire having odds ratios greater than 1.0. Our results suggest darkness increases the risk of Bicycle Theft, Burglary, Criminal damage, Robbery – personal, and Vehicle offences, and that some areas may be at more risk of crime occurring after dark than others. These findings suggest the crime types where outdoor lighting may help reduce the risk of crime after dark
Determination of both wet and dry mass of water-soluble polymers adsorbed on planar silica using a quartz crystal microbalance
No full textIt is well-established that polymer adsorption at a model planar interface can be studied using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). Normally, this technique reports both the adsorbed mass of polymer chains plus any bound or entrained solvent molecules. Thus the total adsorbed amount significantly exceeds that reported by optical reflectometry or determined from adsorption isotherms obtained for colloidal substrates using a supernatant depletion assay. Herein we report a new QCM approach whereby the dry adsorbed amount, Γdry, is obtained directly from the wet (solvated) adsorbed amount, Γwet, by switching from a liquid flow to a flow of nitrogen gas. The latter conditions lead to complete removal of the solvent, leaving only the desolvated adsorbed polymer chains. This strategy is exemplified for the adsorption of two well-known nonionic water-soluble polymers, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PNVP), from aqueous solution onto a model planar substrate (silica). These two systems were selected to facilitate direct comparison with the literature, which validates this new approach
Cumulative exposure to childhood adversity and risk of adult psychosis: a dose–response meta-analysis
No full textBackground
Past meta-analyses have confirmed robust associations between childhood traumatic experiences and the risk of psychosis. However, the dose–response relationship between cumulative adversity exposure and psychosis risk observed in some, but not all, previous studies in this area has not been specifically scrutinized or substantiated via recommended meta-analytic methods. This meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the available evidence on dose–response effects between childhood trauma and psychosis outcomes.
Methods
PsycINFO, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI, and WANFANG were searched from inception to July 2024 to identify observational studies reporting odds ratios for psychosis outcomes across multiple levels of childhood trauma exposure. Dose–response effects were extracted from eligible studies and synthesized via robust error meta-regression analyses.
Results
Twenty-one studies comprising 59,975 participants were included in the meta-analysis. A significant nonlinear relationship was observed between the number of childhood adversities and the risk of future psychosis experiences (p for nonlinearity = .021). The pooled odds ratio for psychosis increased from 1.76 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39–2.22) for 1 exposure to 6.46 (95% CI: 4.37–9.53) for 5+ exposures compared to no traumatic experience.
Conclusions
This meta-analysis provides robust evidence for a dose–response relationship between cumulative childhood adversity and psychosis risk, with nonlinear patterns suggestive of an accelerating, more pronounced, risk at higher levels of trauma exposure. These findings underscore the importance of considering childhood traumatic experiences as a putative and potentially causative risk factor for psychotic experiences, as well as early prevention and intervention efforts targeting childhood adversity to reduce the risk of psychosis
The Path to Driving Aggression and Crash Risk: The Role of Metacognition and Anger Rumination in Anger Expression Among Chinese Drivers
No full textDriving anger and aggressive anger expression are prevalent in China, leading to road crashes. While potential associations between metacognitive beliefs about worry and control, anger rumination, and anger expression have been reported, limited research focuses on these relationships within the context of driving anger. This study aims to examine the associations between metacognition, anger rumination, driving-related anger (trait driving anger and aggressive anger expression) and crash risk (traffic penalty points and crash involvement), along with testing the psychometric properties of the Measure for Angry Drivers (MAD) among Chinese drivers. Participants (
) completed the MAD, the short form of the Metacognition Questionnaire (MCQ-30), the Anger Rumination Scale (ARS), the short version of the Driving Anger Expression Inventory (DAX), and several questions related to their demographic background, traffic violations and crash involvements. A three-factor structure comprising 23 items of MAD was confirmed (Danger posed by others, Travel delays and Aggression from others), demonstrating good reliability, convergent validity, and criterion validity. Additionally, drivers who were involved in crashes in the past 3 years reported higher total MAD scores. The structural model revealed that trait driving anger influenced anger rumination both directly and indirectly through increased maladaptive metacognitive beliefs. Also, trait driving anger and anger rumination jointly contributed to aggressive anger expression, which in turn significantly predicted crash risk. The current findings demonstrate that the Chinese version of MAD is appropriate for assessing trait driving anger and the necessity of regulating anger rumination and aggressive expressions by modifying maladaptive metacognitive beliefs
Injectable magnesium-bisphosphonate MOF-based bone adhesive prevents excessive fibrosis for osteoporotic fracture repair
No full textCurrent treatments for osteoporotic fractures primarily target bone-resorbing osteoclasts, but they often fail to address fibrosis—a buildup of fibrous tissue that disrupts bone healing. This fibrosis is frequently triggered by bisphosphonates, which, while effective in reducing bone loss, also activate fibroblasts and impair callus formation. Here we show that an injectable hydrogel bone adhesive composed of magnesium-alendronate metal-organic frameworks (Mg-ALN MOF) embedded in a gelatin/dialdehyde starch network can simultaneously suppress bone resorption and reduce fibrosis. The Mg-ALN MOF adhesive binds firmly to irregular bone surfaces and degrades under acidic osteoporotic conditions, gradually releasing Mg2+ ions. These ions competitively bind to sclerostin (SOST), thereby interrupting the SOST/TGF-β signaling pathway that promotes fibroblast activation and abnormal collagen deposition. This dual-action mechanism significantly enhances fracture healing, resulting in a 27.8% improvement in flexural strength. Our findings suggest a promising therapeutic strategy that combines mechanical support with targeted regulation of both bone resorption and pathological fibrosis
Structural and mechanical scaling law behaviour in folded protein hydrogel networks
No full textFolded protein hydrogels are generating significant interest for their potential as functional biomaterials with
tuneable properties. A detailed understanding of the relationship between their mechanics and structure would
reveal their hierarchical design principles and provide rich opportunities for the design of biomaterials for
specific medical and healthcare applications. Inspired by theories from soft matter physics, we have investigated
the scaling behaviour of the protein volume fraction (ϕ) and its relationship to the underlying structure and
mechanics of the protein network through a combination of rheology and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS).
Using the globular protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model system and photoactivated chemical crosslinking to retain the colloid-like folded protein structure, we have identified a two-regime behaviour in the
storage moduli as a function of ϕ, reminiscent of the strong- and weak- link regimes in a colloidal flocculated
model. SANS reveals a heterogeneous protein network structure with fractal-like clusters connected by intercluster regions. Network parameters such as the number of proteins in an average cluster and correlation length scale with ϕ, in line with predictions from the de Gennes blob model. Such distinction between the mechanical
and structural scaling relationships provides evidence of a cross-length scale behaviour where intercluster links
are important in defining the macroscopic shear response of the system. Insights gained from our integrated
structural and mechanical approach will support the future development of novel biomaterials which exploit the
folded and functional properties of the protein building block and its responsiveness to mechanical and
biochemical cues
Synthetic Homing Endonuclease Gene Drives to Revolutionise Aedes aegypti Biocontrol - Game Changer or Pipe Dream?
No full textThe effect of motorcycle park-and-ride on the performance of Transit-Oriented Development and transit ridership: a case study of Greater Jakarta
No full textIntegrating land use and transportation systems, notably through the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) paradigm, is increasingly vital in urban metropolitan regions. Park-and-Ride (P&R) facilities are integral parts of TOD, facilitating seamless transition from private vehicles to public transit, which through to mitigate traffic congestion in urban areas. Employing a quantitative data analysis that combines primary surveys and secondary data collection, this study assesses the performance of TOD stations in Greater Jakarta (GJ), with a specific focus on the impact of formal and informal P&R provisions. A node-place model is developed, that encompasses both formal and informal P&R spaces, to analyse the relationships between land use activities and transportation accessibility at TOD stations. The findings reveal that P&R facilities, particularly informal motorcycle parking, positively influence transit ridership. Integrating P&R improves transit accessibility, particularly for motorcycle users facing limited public transport coverage. The study highlights the role of P&R facilities in supporting sustainable urban mobility and identifies key factors influencing TOD performance. Based on modelling and data analysis, the study proposes policy interventions, including optimizing land use, enhancing pedestrian networks, and integrating transportation accessibility, with a particular focus on effectively managing both formal and informal P&R facilities for cars and motorcycles
Epistemic injustice and the rule of law
No full textThe law closely associates itself with justice and an open process that in theory gives equal epistemic opportunity to all. Nevertheless, as a growing literature has shown, legal systems also routinely produce epistemically unjust outcomes. This chapter seeks to explain why legal systems can become epistemically unjust, and to provide a preliminary outline of what might need to change about law if we are to solve this problem. The chapter argues that epistemic injustice arises from the law’s commitment to protecting its own inner normativity. This commitment leads it to treat perspectives and experiences that contradict the assumptions on which its normativity is based as ‘epistemic dirt’, ideas which are out of place in the law’s ordered world and which must be rejected to preserve that order. This problem emerges from fundamental aspects of the legal system, and addressing it will therefore require us to begin by reconceptualising the idea of the rule of law and recognising that it must also embed a commitment to giving legal subjects equal epistemic dimension
Realising co-benefits of climate action
No full textCo-benefits of climate action are additional positive consequences that result from mitigation or adaptation measures. These might be a boost to prosperity, enhanced wellbeing or the protection of biodiversity. Whilst there are a growing number of instances of co-benefits being included in decision making on climate action, this is often not the case.
This report synthesises the academic literature on co-benefits and presents four case studies that explore different aspects of co-benefits of climate action. It sets out five recommendations to ensure that these co-benefits are realised more consistently and that negative trade-offs are minimised