Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sedentary Time and Behaviour in Children and Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aim of this meta-analysis was to quantify the change in sedentary time during the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on health outcomes in the general population. One thousand six hundred and one articles published after 2019 were retrieved from five databases, of which 64 and 40 were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. Studies were grouped according to population: children (<18 years), adults (18–64 years) and older adults (>65 years). Average sedentary time was calculated, with sub-analyses performed by country, behaviour type and health outcomes. Children were most affected, increasing their sedentary time by 159.5 ± 142.6 min day−1, followed by adults (+126.9 ± 42.2 min day−1) and older adults (+46.9 ± 22.0 min day−1). There were no sex differences in any age group. Screen time was the only consistently measured behaviour and accounted for 46.8% and 57.2% of total sedentary time in children and adults, respectively. Increases in sedentary time were negatively correlated with global mental health, depression, anxiety and quality of life, irrespective of age. Whilst lockdown negatively affected all age groups, children were more negatively affected than adults or older adults, highlighting this population as a key intervention target. As lockdowns ease worldwide, strategies should be employed to reduce time spent sedentary. Trial registration: PROSPERO (CRD42020208909).

Soil classification at Muaro Baru beach of Padang City using CPT data

Many semi-empiric correlations have been developed to estimate geotechnical parameters based on Cone Penetration Test (CPT) data for various types of soils. This paper aims to classify soil types based on CPT data with several semi-empiric correlations and compare the results of some of these correlations. In this study, the field CPT and the laboratory test were carried out on soil from two closely spaced locations in the estuary area of Muaro Baru, Padang city. The CPT data was used to determine the soil type using several semi-empirical correlations, namely; friction ratios, Schertmann (1978), Robertson and Campanella (1983), and Robertson et al. (1986), then updated by Robertson in 2010. Soil Behaviour Type (SBT) is based on the cone resistance (qc), sleeve friction (qs), and friction ratio (Rf). The Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) is also used to classify soils using sieve analysis. The results showed that from the several semi-empirical correlations obtained compatibility soil classification and soil profiles.

A framework for estimating crime location choice based on awareness space

This paper extends Crime Pattern Theory, proposing a theoretical framework which aims to explain how offenders’ previous routine activity locations influence their future offence locations. The framework draws on studies of individual level crime location choice and location choice in non-criminal contexts, to identify attributes of prior activities associated with the selection of the location for future crime. We group these attributes into two proposed mechanisms: reliability and relevance. Offenders are more likely to commit crime where they have reliable knowledge that is relevant to the particular crime. The perceived reliability of offenders’ knowledge about a potential crime location is affected by the frequency, recency and duration of their prior activities in that location. Relevance reflects knowledge of a potential crime location’s crime opportunities and is affected by the type of behaviour, type of location and timing of prior activities in that location. We apply the framework to generate testable hypotheses to guide future studies of crime location choice and suggest directions for further theoretical and empirical work. Understanding crime location choice using this framework could also help inform policing investigations and crime prevention strategies.

Inference and Influence of Large-Scale Social Networks Using Snapshot Population Behaviour without Network Data

Population behaviours, such as voting and vaccination, depend on social networks. Social networks can differ depending on behaviour type and are typically hidden. However, we do often have large-scale behavioural data, albeit only snapshots taken at one timepoint. We present a method that jointly infers large-scale network structure and a networked model of human behaviour using only snapshot population behavioural data. This exploits the simplicity of a few-parameter, geometric socio-demographic network model and a spin-based model of behaviour. We illustrate, for the EU Referendum and two London Mayoral elections, how the model offers both prediction and the interpretation of our homophilic inclinations. Beyond offering the extraction of behaviour-specific network-structure from large-scale behavioural datasets, our approach yields a crude calculus linking inequalities and social preferences to behavioural outcomes. We give examples of potential network-sensitive policies: how changes to income inequality, a social temperature and homophilic preferences might have reduced polarisation in a recent election.

Kompleks Narcyza: wzór — cechy — elementy. Stare metody i coraz bardziej aktualne problemy

Narcissus complex: Pattern and traits. Old concepts and problems that keep being validIn this paper I ponder on the dominance of the “narcistic culture,” or a culture in which narcissism disseminates as a basic behaviour type, with its characteristic values inspired by Ruth Bene­dict’s idea. I describe the “narcissism culture” typologically: I put it in an opposition towards the “culture of common good” and characterise it as a diffusive net of traits inspired by Alfred L. Kroe­ber’s idea, which actualises itself in concrete local conditions. “Narcissism culture” is based upon individualism, ambition, and care for keeping up the image, while distancing itself from the “culture of common good,” i.e. community oriented, honour, caring for keeping up the image and reputation. The conditions for the narcissism to spread were possible because or were created by industrialisa­tion, with its six traits indicated by Alvin Toffler: standardisation, specialisation, synchronisation, concentration, maximalisation, and centralisation, whereas due to the development of capitalism the narcistic behaviours were reinforced and gained social importance.

Bayesian identification of soil stratigraphy based on soil behaviour type index

The cone penetration test (CPT) has been widely used to determine the soil stratigraphy (including the number N and thicknesses HN of soil layers) during geotechnical site investigation because it is rapid, repeatable, and economical. For this purpose, several deterministic and probabilistic approaches have been developed in the literature, but these approaches generally only give the “best” estimates (e.g., the most probable values) of N and HN based on CPT data according to prescribed soil stratification criteria, providing no information on the identification uncertainty (degrees-of-belief) in these “best” estimates. This paper develops a Bayesian framework for probabilistic soil stratification based on the profile of soil behaviour type index Ic calculated from CPT data. The proposed Bayesian framework not only provides the most probable values of N and HN, but also quantifies their associated identification uncertainty based on the Ic profile and prior knowledge. Equations are derived for the proposed approach, and they are illustrated and validated using real and simulated Ic profiles. Results show that the proposed approach properly identifies the most probable soil stratigraphy based on the Ic profile and prior knowledge, and rationally quantifies the uncertainty in identified soil stratigraphy with consideration of inherent spatial variability of Ic.

Rheological behaviour in the interaction of lecithin and guar gum for oil-in-water emulsions

The effects of guar gum and lecithin concentrations (1, 0.75, and 0.5%wt) on the stability of oil in water emulsion were investigated. All emulsions can be stabilized at the studied concentrations of stabilizers. The samples tested by steady shear flow and dynamic viscoelasticity tests were carried out to characterize the rheological behaviour of emulsions as influenced by concentration. Emulsions presented a non-Newtonian behaviour type with shear thinning and flow curves that could be described by the Carreau model. The dynamic viscoelastic properties characterized by an oscil­latory frequency sweep under small deformation conditions showed fluid-like viscoelastic behaviour. The interaction of the stabilizers in the mixture with each other at the interface appears to play a decisive role for the stabilization of emulsions.