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Avoiding the Thin Veneer of Legality; Structural and Institutional Factors Impacting Judicial Scrutiny in a National Security Context
No full textDiscussions surrounding the role of judicial oversight in the national security context often revolve around discussions of appropriate standards of review and levels of deference for judges to take. While answering these doctrinal questions remains essential, the question of whether there are non-doctrinal factors which may influence how judges review executive action is relatively understudied. This article uses the so-called double-lock authorisation mechanism under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 to show how structural and institutional factors may influence judicial decision-making in a national security context. These factors are not universal rather they are specific to the oversight mechanism in question. For the double-lock they are the issues with proximity to the executive, lack of inter partes argument, appointment procedures to the Investigatory Powers Commission and the ability for the executive to appeal a judicial commissioner’s decision. However, this points towards the need to evaluate non-doctrinal factors in other judicial oversight mechanisms going forward
‘The transition home with a premature baby’: How prepared are parents for discharge from NICU: A narrative review
Get PDFAims: To systematically review qualitative studies, investigating how prepared parents are for discharge home from NICU with their premature baby. Design: A qualitative narrative review and thematic synthesis of selected qualitative research evidence. Data sources: Searches were found between December 2022 and March 2023. Electronic databases (CINAHL, PsycINFO, PUBMED, Science Direct) were used. Additionally, Google Scholar for grey literature. Studies were searched within the ten-year time frame. Review methods: Seven primary studies met the inclusion criteria and were appraised for quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool. Qualitative data was collected, therefore creating a thematic synthesis. Results: Seven qualitative studies published between 2018 and 2022 were appropriate for inclusion. The studies range internationally, concentrating on parent\u27s and nurse\u27s perceptions around preparation for NICU discharge, with a premature baby. Four main themes were identified: communication, training, parental mental health, and empowerment. Conclusion: A high percentage of parents felt prepared for discharge. However, some parents felt mixed feelings, causing anxiety pre and post discharge. Education and training, alongside parental involvement, empowerment, and communication showed improvement. However, although health care professionals utilise these skills, parents still transition home feeling both excited and nervous. Therefore, there is a poor understanding of how prepared parents are for discharge. Impact: The outcomes of this review show the value of utilising the family centred care approach in NICU, incorporating strong communication skills and empowerment for parents. Furthermore, preparation for discharge should be considered from the moment the baby is born, creating ongoing preparation for discharge from admission
A sensory investment syndrome hypothesis: Personality and predictability are linked to sensory capacity in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus
Get PDFCorrelated phenotypic traits (i.e., syndromes) may manifest as associations between different behavioural types or between behavioural and non-behavioural phenotypes. While syndromes research is extensive, correlations involving behavioural type and sensory morphology have yet to be investigated. Sensation is essential in decision-making and should be correlated with behavioural phenotypes involved in risk response, including boldness. We investigated correlations between boldness and sensory capacity in Pagurus bernhardus hermit crabs, taking repeat measures of startle response durations to assess hermit crab personality and predictability. The correlation between startle response and the sensillar density (i.e., number of sensilla per unit surface area) of both chelipeds was assessed using Bayesian-fitted double hierarchical general linear models. Negative correlations between these traits support the existence of a syndrome linking sensory capacity and behavioural type, hereafter distinguished as a ‘sensory investment syndrome’. Increasing sensillar density on the major claw also corresponded with reduced within-individual variation, or predictability, in startle response duration. By revealing a correlation between sensory and behavioural phenotypes, our results demonstrate the importance of considering sensory morphology and performance in behavioural ecology and show how sensory investment syndromes might support behavioural strategies that help to maximise fitness
Unveiling novel bladder cancer associations from multicentred primary and secondary care electronic health records by machine learning: a case-control study
Get PDFObjectiveThe rising incidence and mortality in bladder cancer (BC) underscore the importance of identifying asscociated features. Current reliance on haematuria as a primary indicator for BC proves inadequate. While mining electronic health records (EHRs) offer potential of identifying BC-related signals, traditional data-driven methods struggle with high-dimensional datasets. This study aims to uncover novel BC-associated clinical signals by developing Parsimony-driven cAtegory-balaNced binary Signal extractor for Primary Care EHRs (PanSPICE) tailored to extremely high-dimensional data linked from multi-centres.MethodsWe collected BC cases and control patients (n = 64,884) linked at patient-level from Welsh nationwide databases, yielding 48,261 features in primary care settings. The PanSPICE approach begins with information gain to pre-rank features, then applies Retentive Stickiness Binary Particle Swarm Optimisation (RSBPSO) combined with C5.0 classification tree to overcome computational barriers in feature selection. A two-layer optimisation treated clinical signals in care processes (POC), diagnoses (DIAG), and medications (MED) separately to prevent feature masking. A tailored fitness function for RSBPSO to simultaneously optimise model performance and feature sparsity. Associations of the selected features were interpreted using logistic regression models adjusted for deprivation indices.ResultsThe PanSPICE identified 38 optimal features (AUC (area under the curve) = 0.81, 95 % CI: 0.80–0.82), including urinary tract infections (OR = 2.19, 95 % CI: 2.05–2.14) and inverse associations with stroke (OR = 0.64, 95 % CI: 0.54–0.74) and dementia (OR = 0.25, 95 % CI: 0.17–0.35). Gender stratification revealed female-specific urine glucose testing association (OR = 1.24, 95 % CI: 1.08–1.43). Certain medications, such as trimethoprim, were positively associated with BC, while others, including ramipril and prednisolone, showed protective effects.ConclusionThe PanSPICE enables efficient high-dimensional EHR analysis, revealing under-recognised potential BC risk profiles and protective comorbidities. Gender-specific differences in BC associations highlight the importance of gender-stratified analyses, while computational advances provide a template for EHR-based clinical discovery. Findings warrant further mechanistic research into neurological protective pathways
Newspapers and Schooling: A Comparative Field Analysis of England and Germany
Get PDFThis study establishes a field analytic approach for investigating and comaparing the influence of the print news media on educational politics in England and Germany. We identify cases from each country where national, regional and local newspapers act as intermediaries between actors engaged in discussions about schools and then subject these to field analyses focused on the form and content of press coverage. This allows us to identify in each country the role of newspapers as sites of political debate, as political actors and as shapers of public opinion
Combined crystallographic study of king scallop (Pecten maximus) shells using SEM, EBSD and Raman spectroscopy
Get PDFThe shells of Pecten maximus (king scallop) are composed primarily of polycrystalline calcitic calcium carbonate, with a crucial aragonitic prismatic myostracum layer that facilitates soft tissue attachment and contributes to mechanical strength. Despite its importance, the impact of environmental stressors, such as metal contamination, on the myostracum remains underexplored. Hence, this study\u27s main goal was to shed light on the microstructure and crystallography of king scallop shells, particularly the myostracum region, using a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis, and Raman spectroscopy. This approach was chosen to develop new protocols that integrate imaging techniques for a systematic analysis of pollution effects on shell growth and properties. Such an understanding is crucial for assessing the impact of environmental contamination on shell structure and composition. We compared samples from a metal contaminated site (Laxey) with those from non-contaminated site (Bradda) around the Isle of Man, to determine which structural and crystallographic information is detectable using the selected microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. SEM imaging showed a similar myostracum organization in specimens from both sites, with elongated, oriented grains. However, the non-contaminated site shell had more regular and elongated grains, while the shell from the contaminated site exhibited a broader grain size distribution, visible via electron channeling contrast and backscattered electron detection. EBSD analysis confirmed that both types exhibited well-crystallized aragonite in the myostracum, with slight differences in grain orientation and grain size with co-orientation indicating a marginal reduction in crystallographic alignment in the contaminated site shell. Raman maps reveal shifts in peak positions, indicating crystallite strain and differences in grain size. These variations may be related to a biological adaptation aimed at toughening the shell, but pollution could disrupt this crystallization process, weakening the shell. The combination of these techniques can advance our understanding of the microstructural alterations caused by metal contamination, highlighting its potential impact on the structural integrity of the shell. This study is a proof of principle study showing how a combination of different established imaging techniques can provide complementary and novel insights into the structure and composition of the king scallop myostracum. This systematic approach aims to develop new evaluation approaches for the study of the effects of environmental pollutants on the crystallography and microstructure of marine bivalve shells and hence their resilience
Enrichment of Pasteurized Dairy Product and Brownie With Edible Insect (Tenebrio molitor) to Analyze Acceptance Using Check-All-That-Apply Methodology
Get PDFInsect proteins, especially from Tenebrio molitor (TM), are emerging as sustainable alternatives to conventional proteins. This study aimed to design and evaluate TM-enriched food formulations for individuals with increased protein needs, assessing their nutritional, physicochemical, and sensory properties, and exploring feasibility. Two sensory evaluations were conducted using the Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) method. The first (CATA1) assessed the direct incorporation of TM powder (32 g/100 g) into a pasteurized dairy product (D) with hazelnut (DTM1H), hazelnut–vanilla (DTM1HV), or vanilla (DTM1V) aroma. DTM1HV reached 52.4% acceptability. The second (CATA2) evaluated brownies with three formulations: D and TM powder (BDTM1), TM powder (BTM1), and TM powder and TM protein hydrolysate (BTM2). Hydrolysate-based formulation had a significantly higher protein-to-lipid ratio, offering a better nutritional profile than those with only TM powder. Physicochemical analysis showed BTM2 improved cohesiveness and elasticity (p \u3c 0.05), while higher TM powder (BTM1) increased hardness and bitterness (p \u3c 0.05). In BTM2, bitterness suppressed sweetness and reduced liking (p \u3c 0.05). Correlation analysis showed strong positive associations between crumb and crust color acceptability (r = 0.72–0.80), and between sponginess in hand and in mouth (r = 0.65–0.91). Sweetness also correlated positively with global aspect (r = 0.53–0.67). These findings support that hazelnut–vanilla aroma enhances dairy product acceptability, while TM protein hydrolysate contributes to improved nutritional and sensory profiles in high-protein formulations
Relationships Between Guanxi of Mega Individuals, Social Support, and Dual Innovation Performance: The Moderating Effect of Interpersonal Capitalization Competence
Get PDFThe purpose of this research is to explore the mechanism by which strong or weak guanxi constructed by mega individuals with interpersonal skills affect incremental or breakthrough innovation performance. Based on the questionnaire of 525 mega individuals, this study has verified that strong guanxi cannot directly affect the incremental innovation performance, but the intermediary variables need Indirect effects of emotional, instrumental, and information support). In addition, the affection support obtained by mega individuals has no positive impact on breakthrough innovation performance. Meanwhile, it is also verified that information support plays a mediating role in weak guanxi and breakthrough innovation performance, as well as in strong guanxi and incremental innovation performance; instrumentality support and affection support play a mediating role in mega individuals strong guanxi and incremental innovation performance; interpersonal capitalization competence has a positive moderating role in between strong guanxi and instrumentality support
Variation in Corneal Biomechanical Properties Following Continuous Cross-Linking Treatment
No full textBackgroundThis retrospective study aimed to evaluate the ecacy of transepithelial accelerated corneal cross-linking when applied separately (transEpi ACXL) or combined with phototherapeutic keratectomy (transPTK ACXL) in keratoconic eyes using biomechanical parameters.MethodsThe study included eyes with progressive keratoconus treated with either continuous transEpi ACXL or transPTK ACXL with 6 months of follow-up. The following parameters were assessed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively: biomechanically corrected intraocular pressure (bIOP), maximum and mean keratometry (Kmax and Km), minimum and central corneal thickness (MCT and CCT), corneal coma, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), deformation amplitude ratio at the apex and 2 mm nasal/temporal (DAR2), integrated inverse radius (IIR), stiffness parameter at rst applanation (SP-A1), highest concavity time (HCT) and two versions of stress-strain index (SSIv1 and SSIv2).ResultsA total of 75 eyes from 72 patients were included (31 in the transEpi ACXL group and 44 in the transPTK ACXL group). Both groups exhibited significant reductions in IIR, and increases in SSIv1 and SSIv2 (all P \u3c 0.05). The improvements in Kmax, coma, and SSIv2 were greater in the transPTK ACXL group than in the transEpi ACXL group (all P \u3c 0.05). The relative difference in SSIv2 (SSIv2Rdif) exceeded those of other biomechanical parameters in both groups (transEpi ACXL: SSIv2Rdif \u3e DAR2Rdif, IIRdif; transPTK ACXL: SSIv2Rdif \u3e DAR2Rdif, IIRRdif, SP-A1Rdif, HCTRdif, and SSIv1Rdif, all P \u3c 0.05).ConclusionsTransPTK ACXL resulted in better biomechanical and visual benefits in comparison with transEpi ACXL 6 months after treatment. SSIv2 demonstrated superior performance in assessing the efficacy of corneal cross-linking