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Human factors barriers to retrofitting historic residential properties in Edinburgh
Get PDFEdinburgh has one of the highest concentrations of historic buildings in the UK outside of London, with more than 10,000 listed buildings and 50 conservation areas where modifications of properties are restricted for heritage conservation purposes. Like many cities, Edinburgh also has an ambitious net zero aspiration to significantly reduce average household electricity and gas consumption, which necessitates changes that may not be permitted in protected properties. This paper examines the interlinked human factor challenges to retrofitting protected historic residential properties in Edinburgh, using data from a 2023 City of Edinburgh Council public consultation on building heritage conservation and climate change adaptation. The results showed that whilst financial cost is a major barrier for historic property-owners to improve the energy efficiency and climate change resilience of their homes (as indicated by 70% of all respondents), other human factors in the planning process and wider construction industry also contribute to the larger national challenge of retrofitting and adapting the historic building stock. These barriers contribute to Edinburgh residents’ overall negative perception of retrofitting or adapting historic residential properties, and an erosion of trust of the local authority, leading to both potential loss of heritage architectural characteristics and lagging rate of old buildings needing energy retrofits
The Increased Early Onset Colorectal Cancer in South East Scotland Is Indicative of a Wider UK Problem
Get PDFBackground and Aims: Colorectal cancer (CRC) in those younger than age 50 (early onset colorectal cancer: EOCRC) is reported to be increasing. We aimed to determine whether trends in incidence regionally were being reproduced across the UK. We investigate clinically important differences between CRC cases older (LOCRC) and younger than 50 years of age. Methods: The South East Scotland Cancer Network (SCAN) database was interrogated for CRC within NHS Lothian (2002–2019). Public Health Scotland and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) publish cancer data for Scotland, England, and Wales (1993–2019). Population figures were gathered from National Records of Scotland and ONS data. Joinpoint analysis was performed to assess significant Annual Percentage Change (APC) in CRC incidence trends. Results: In NHS Lothian, there has been a steady significant increase in EOCRC with an APC of 2.87 (p < 0.05) cumulating with an incidence rate of 10.5/100,000 in 2019. This was most evident in males and those aged 30–39. Across Scotland, England, and Wales, there have been similarly significant increasing trends of EOCRC. EOCRC was more likely to be referred as routine priority (23.2% vs. 4.0%, p < 0.001) and diagnosed at a later stage (AJCC stage 3/4), with 62.8% compared with 52.5% in the LOCRC, p < 0.001. There was better overall 5-year survival for EOCRC (p = 0.005). Conclusions: The incidence of EOCRC is increasing within NHS Lothian and across the UK. Awareness of EOCRC is essential to improve the current problems with delayed diagnosis and advanced stage disease
The genetic isolation of planktonic foraminifera in the North Pacific gyre and adjacent marginal seas
Get PDFGaining insight into the speciation processes prevailing in the modern open ocean requires a comprehensive understanding of the spatial dynamics of the planktonic species that inhabit it, calibrated against time. The high-resolution fossil record of the planktonic foraminifera not only provides such insight but also plays a crucial role in the study of past climate. Both rely on understanding how species relate to the current physical and ecological character of the oceanic water masses they inhabit. Within global single cell barcoding and metabarcoding studies of planktonic foraminifera, the North Pacific subtropical and subpolar gyres remain under-sampled, with the capacity to harbour unrecognised ecologically distinct cryptic species. Targeting this issue, Globigerina bulloides specimens were collected during 12 cruises and near shore sampling campaigns throughout the Northern Pacific and marginal seas. Using standard molecular approaches, 406 specimens were genetically characterised and combined with 42 publicly available sequences to provide a fully comprehensive overview of G. bulloides diversity throughout the North Pacific. Of ten globally recognised genotypes, six (Ia, Ic, Id, IIa, IId, IIf) inhabit the water masses south of the Subpolar Front, with only a single genotype (IIe) inhabiting the vast Subpolar gyre and marginal seas. Genetic isolation was found to prevail throughout both the western subtropical waters (Types Ic and Id) and subpolar waters (Type IIe) of the North Pacific together with the North and South Pacific eastern boundary currents (Type IId). Unlike the Atlantic, bipolarity does not occur between the North Pacific and the Southern Ocean subpolar/polar pelagic biomes
Associations between environmental conditions and infection of respiratory syncytial virus in Japan: a spatiotemporal analysis
Get PDFRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) poses a significant disease burden among children under five worldwide. Yet systematic analyses of how complex environmental factors are associated with RSV transmission are still lacking in many countries. We introduced a novel three-stage data-driven framework to assess the impacts of environmental factors, including meteorological conditions, air pollutants, and extreme weather, on RSV infections from a spatiotemporal perspective. It includes: (1) spatiotemporal patterns of RSV transmission; (2) a hierarchical model (HSDLNM) to examine associations between environmental factors and RSV transmission, estimating relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI); and (3) an interpretable machine learning model, Gaussian Process Boosting, to predict RSV infections using historical environmental data. We validated the applicability of the proposed framework in Japan. Weekly data on the number of newly lab-confirmed RSV positive cases, meteorological factors, and air pollutants were collected from 47 Japanese prefectures (2013-2019). We identified the meteorological thresholds strongly linked to elevated RSV infections, particularly weekly average temperature below 10°C (RR=1.10) or above 20°C (RR=1.13) and weekly average relative humidity below 60% (RR=1.04) or above 70% (RR=1.06). Short-term exposure to particulate matter of 2.5μm (PM_2.5), is associated with elevated infection risk. Additionally, historical environmental data aid in forecasting RSV activities in Japan. This study presents the relationships between environmental factors and RSV infections in Japan. Our framework could be applied to areas with similar RSV seasonality to further understand environmental impacts regionally. This research helps inform policy decisions on RSV prophylaxis strategies, supporting cost-effective measures for controlling and preventing early transmission
Using multi-method data for more accurate research findings
Get PDFThe vast majority of personality research is based on a single method: self-reports. As about half of the variance in single-method trait scores is the result of systematic biases and random error, it is likely that most research findings are biased, even well-replicated ones. While some ‘significant’ associations may be entirely artefactual, most are likely to be underestimated, sometimes by as much as 50 %. Unfortunately, this is rarely discussed explicitly, let alone addressed empirically. After explaining the causes and extent of the problem, we argue that it can be effectively addressed by combining personality trait self-ratings with those of knowledgeable informants. To underscore the feasibility of multi-method research, we review recent large-scale studies that have combined self-reports and informant reports to provide more accurate answers to key questions in personality research, such as the heritability of traits and their association with important life outcomes. Since most associations are likely to be underestimated in typical single-method studies, multi-method studies will likely reveal higher correlations with commensurately stronger theoretical and practical implications. For example, single-method studies may have underestimated heritability by around a third and the predictability of life satisfaction from personality traits by around half. Personality psychologists have made great progress in incentivizing more reliable research; it is now time for the field to incentivize valid research, too
Confirmation of a hyperendemic focus of porcine cysticercosis in Northern Uganda: Prevalence and risk factor analysis:An hyperendemic focus of porcine cysticercosis in Northern Uganda
No full textBACKGROUND: Taenia solium (T. solium), a neglected zoonotic tapeworm transmitted between humans and pigs, is a leading cause of acquired epilepsy in endemic areas where it is propagated by poor sanitation and pig husbandry practices. The World Health Organisation (WHO) NTD roadmap 2021-2030, recommended that targeted control interventions need to be initiated, and intensified in T. solium hyperendemic areas. Geospatial risk maps have identified Northern Uganda as a potential hyperendemic area. This study aimed to validate these findings and provide contextual evidence to support design and implementation of targeted interventions to control the parasite.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 in four districts of northern Uganda. Blood samples were collected for serological analysis from 1049 pigs drawn from 714 households. Self-reported and observational data, and environmental variables from secondary sources were also collected. A subset of the seropositive pigs was dissected to confirm the presence of the parasite. The crude prevalence was adjusted for the test's sensitivity (Se = 0.867) and specificity (Sp = 0.947). Risk factors for seropositivity were evaluated using generalized mixed-effects models run in both R and Stata statistical software.RESULTS: The prevalence of porcine cysticercosis in this area was 17.4% (15.1- 19.7; 95% CI). Pig level predictors of infection were pigs that were eight months or older (odds ratio (OR)=1.88; p = 0.001), and non-local breeds of the pig (OR=1.7; p = 0.01). Household-level risk factors included the use of borehole water, (OR=6.39; P = 0.001), free-roaming pigs (OR=1.92; p = 0.023), whilst the presence of a toilet in the compound was protective (OR=0.64, p = 0.05).CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm that the study area is hyperendemic for T. solium infections, as the geospatial risk maps predicted. To achieve the targets laid out in the 2021-2030 WHO roadmap for control of NTDs, this region requires intensified targeted control interventions, preferably targeting both human and porcine hosts using the One Health approach.</p
Exploring the Relationship between Dietary Intake and Clinical Outcomes in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients Stratified by Serum Albumin Levels: A 12-Year Follow-Up Using Fine-Grained Electronic Medical Records Data
No full textEnd-stage renal disease (ESRD) significantly impacts patients’ quality of life and poses substantial socioeconomic burdens. Dietary interventions are crucial for managing ESRD, yet high-quality evidence and analysis specifically linking diet to mortality outcomes is scarce. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive study involving 656 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients over 12 years, with an average follow-up every 3 months. Dietary intake was meticulously recorded using a 3-day dietary record method, integrated with detailed health records and outcomes. We employed a 2-stage model to evaluate nonlinear relationships between dietary nutrients and mortality risk, accounting for various confounding factors. Findings: Our analysis revealed that 14 out of 26 nutritional elements lack guidelines for ESRD and PD patients, with 13 showing significant associations with mortality. For example, while guidelines suggest a dietary protein intake of 1.0 to 1.2 g/kg/d, our findings indicate an optimal range of 0.88 to 1.13 g/kg/d. Similarly, the recommended dietary energy intake of 25 to 35 kcal/kg/d was refined to 26 to 42 kcal/kg/d. We identified that 69% of dietary intake–outcome relationships are nonlinear, especially in patients with poor health status. Interpretations: Our study provides detailed dietary intake thresholds that correlate with improved prognosis in ESRD patients, enhancing current guidelines. The findings highlight the importance of personalized nutritional management and underscore the nonlinear nature of nutrient–disease relationships, particularly in severely ill patients. This approach can refine dietary recommendations and improve patient care in ESRD.<br/
Balancing act:A neural trade-off between coherence and creativity in spontaneous speech
No full textEffective communication involves a delicate balance between generating novel, engaging content and maintaining a coherent narrative. The neural mechanisms underlying this balance between coherence and creativity in discourse production remain unexplored. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between coherence and creativity in spontaneous speech, with a specific focus on the interaction among three key neural networks: the Default Mode Network, Multiple Demand Network, and the Semantic Control Network. To this end, we conducted a two-part analysis. At the behavioural level, we analysed speech samples produced in response to topic cues, computing measures of global coherence (indexing the degree of connectedness to the main topic) and Divergent Semantic Integration (DSI; reflecting the diversity of ideas incorporated in the narrative). Coherence and divergence in speech were negatively correlated, suggesting a trade-off between maintaining a coherent narrative structure and incorporating creative elements. At the neural level, higher global coherence was associated with greater activation in the Multiple Demand Network, emphasising its role in organising and sustaining logical flow in discourse production. In contrast, functional connectivity analyses demonstrated that higher DSI was related to greater coupling between the Default Mode and Multiple Demand Networks, suggesting that creative speech relies on a dynamic interplay between associative and executive processes. These results provide new insights into the cognitive and neural processes underpinning spontaneous speech production, highlighting the complex interplay between different brain networks in managing competing demands of being coherent and creative
Discrete codebook world models for continuous control
No full textIn reinforcement learning (RL), world models serve as internal simulators, enabling agents to predict environment dynamics and future outcomes in order to make informed decisions. While previous approaches leveraging discrete latent spaces, such as DreamerV3, have demonstrated strong performance in discrete action settings and visual control tasks, their comparative performance in state-based continuous control remains underexplored. In contrast, methods with continuous latent spaces, such as TD-MPC2, have shown notable success in state-based continuous control benchmarks. In this paper, we demonstrate that modeling discrete latent states has benefits over continuous latent states and that discrete codebook encodings are more effective representations for continuous control, compared to alternative encodings, such as one-hot and label-based encodings. Based on these insights, we introduce DCWM: Discrete Codebook World Model, a self-supervised world model with a discrete and stochastic latent space, where latent states are codes from a codebook. We combine DCWM with decision-time planning to get our model-based RL algorithm, named DC-MPC: Discrete Codebook Model Predictive Control, which performs competitively against recent state-of-the-art algorithms, including TD-MPC2 and DreamerV3, on continuous control benchmarks. See our project website www.aidanscannell.com/dcmpc
Prevalence and psychiatric correlates of loneliness in UK university students
No full textUniversity students remain vulnerable to the experience of loneliness and comorbid psychiatric difficulties, as evidenced in countries worldwide. In the present study, we examined the prevalence of loneliness among UK university students whilst assessing the association between multiple psychiatric risk factors. Here, N=1408 students completed eight validated measures: Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale; Patient Health Questionnaire; The Mood Disorder Questionnaire; The Sleep Condition Indicator; The Perceived Stress Scale; Suicidal Behaviours Questionnaire-Revised; The Prodromal Questionnaire 16; and the University of California Loneliness Scale. Moderate to severe levels of loneliness was reported by approximately two thirds of students (78.98%). Loneliness was significantly associated with each psychiatric symptom. After accounting for shared variance between symptoms, linear regression analyses determined loneliness to be significantly related to perceived stress, depression, psychotic like experiences and suicidal ideation. We demonstrate the exceedingly high prevalence of loneliness amongst large sample of UK university students, whilst highlighting the prominent role of depression, psychotic experiences, perceived stress, and suicidal ideation. Whilst highlighting the primacy of tailored interventions for lonely students, future work should explore contextual factors faced by UK university students
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