Assessing the affective quality of soundscape for individuals: Using third-party assessment combined with an artificial intelligence (TPA-AI) model.

When investigating the relationship between the acoustic environment and human wellbeing, there is a potential problem resulting from data source self-correlation. To address this data source self-correlation problem, we proposed a third-party assessment combined with an artificial intelligence (TPA-AI) model. The TPA-AI utilized acoustic spectrograms to assess the soundscape's affective quality. First, we collected data on public perceptions of urban sounds (i.e., inviting 100 volunteers to label the affective quality of 7051 10-s audios on a polar scale from annoying to pleasant). Second, we converted the labeled audios to acoustic spectrograms and used deep learning methods to train the TPA-AI model, achieving a 92.88 % predictive accuracy for binary classification. Third, geographic ecological momentary assessment (GEMA) was used to log momentary audios from 180 participants in their daily life context, and we employed the well-trained TPA-AI model to predict the affective quality of these momentary audios. Lastly, we compared the explanatory power of the three methods (i.e., sound level meters, sound questionnaires, and the TPA-AI model) when estimating the relationship between momentary stress level and the acoustic environment. Our results indicate that the TPA-AI's explanatory power outperformed the sound level meter, while using a sound questionnaire might overestimate the effect of the acoustic environment on momentary stress and underestimate other confounders.

GIS-based fuzzy comprehensive evaluation of urban flooding risk with socioeconomic index system development.

Due to the climate change-induced extreme rainfall, urban flooding risk is one of the major concerning risks in the near future with accelerating occurrence frequency and intensity. To systematically evaluate the socioeconomic impacts induced by urban flooding, this paper proposed a GIS-based spatial fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) framework for local government to efficiently take contingency measures especially under urgent rescue conditions. The risk-assessing procedure could be investigated in 4 aspects: 1) application of the hydrodynamic model to simulate the depth and extent of inundation; 2) quantification of the impact of flooding with 6 methodically picked evaluation indexes concerning the transportation attenuation, residential security, and tangible and intangible monetary losses according to depth-damage functions; 3) implementing FCE method: comprehensive evaluation of urban flooding risk with the diverse socioeconomic indexes by fuzzy theory; and 4) presenting the risk maps of single and multiple impact factors intuitively in ArcGIS platform. The detailed case study in SA city validates the effectiveness of the adopted multiple index evaluation framework, which could help detect higher risk areas with low transport efficiency, high economic loss, high social impact, and high intangible damage. The results of single-factor analysis can also provide feasible suggestions for decision-makers and other stakeholders. Theoretically, the proposed method tends to improve the evaluation accuracy as the inundation distribution can be simulated by hydrodynamic model rather than subjective prediction with hazard factors, while the impact quantification with flood-loss models can also directly reflect the vulnerability of involved factors instead of empirical weight analysis of traditional methods. Besides, the results illustrate that the areas with higher risk levels reasonably coincide with severe inundation situations and dense hazard-bearing bodies. This systematic evaluation framework can support applicable references for further extension to other similar cities.

Systematic Review of Efficacy of Interventions for Social Isolation of Older Adults.

Background: The social isolation of older people is a growing public health concern. The proportion of older people in society has increased in recent decades, and it is estimated that ~40% of the population will be aged 50 or above within the next few decades. This systematic review aims to summarize and renew knowledge of the effectiveness of existing interventions for alleviating social isolation of older adults. Methods: Relevant electronic databases, including Cochrane Library, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and Web of Science, were searched by a systematic evaluation method. Eligible randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies were published between 1978 and 2021 in English or Chinese. The primary and secondary outcomes were social isolation and loneliness. The quality of the included RCTs was scored by the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool to assess their quality. Two independent reviewers extracted data, using a standardized form. Narrative synthesis and vote-counting methods were used to summarize and interpret study data. Results: Twenty-four RCTs were finally included in this review. There was evidence of substantial heterogeneity in the interventions delivered. The overall quality of included studies indicated a low-to-medium risk of bias. Eighteen of 24 RCTs showed at least one dimension effect on reducing social isolation. The interventions with accurate targeting of clients in social and public places had more obvious effect. The interventions in which older people are active participants also appeared more likely to be effective. In addition, group intervention activities and individual intervention interviews were effective in improving structural social support; mixed intervention, and group intervention on training support significantly improved functional social support. Conclusions: This study suggests that group and mixed intervention targeting of older adults could be helpful for alleviating social isolation problems. The use of modern technology for remote services could also present good results. More well-conducted RCTs of the effectiveness of social interventions for alleviating social isolation are needed to improve the evidence base. Especially as the debating results of remote interventions, further research in this field should be conducted.

Assessing the Impact of Street-View Greenery on Fear of Neighborhood Crime in Guangzhou, China.

Previous literature has examined the relationship between the amount of green space and perceived safety in urban areas, but little is known about the effect of street-view neighborhood greenery on perceived neighborhood safety. Using a deep learning approach, we derived greenery from a massive set of street view images in central Guangzhou. We further tested the relationships and mechanisms between street-view greenery and fear of crime in the neighborhood. Results demonstrated that a higher level of neighborhood street-view greenery was associated with a lower fear of crime, and its relationship was mediated by perceived physical incivilities. While increasing street greenery of the micro-environment may reduce fear of crime, this paper also suggests that social factors should be considered when designing ameliorative programs.

[Design and experimental study of internal fixator for the reconstruction of lumbar isthmus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical applicability and value of internal fixator for the reconstruction of lumbar isthmus in the treatment of lumbar vertebral spondylolysis and to lay a foundation for its clinical application. METHODS: Six teen healthy goats weighing 22.65-31.22 kg were selected to establish the models of vertebral spondylolysis at L5, which thereafter were randomized into two groups (n=8): bone graft group in which 0.8-1.1 g fresh autogenous bone was transplanted into the isthmus spondylolysis area, and internal fixation with bone graft group in which internal fixator was installed before transplanting 0.8-1.1 g fresh autogenous bone into the isthmus spondylolysis area. All animals were killed 8 weeks after operation to receive imaging, topographic anatomy and histology detection. Meanwhile, biomechanics test was performed by using 5 donated vertebral body specimens (4 males and 1 female aged 35-51 years old). The left isthmus of Ls vertebra was transected to serve as lumbar vertebral spondylolysis model. A mini-displacement sensor was put at the transected ends of the isthmus. Then loading was conducted with a constant velocity of 2 mm/min by electronic omnipotent tester simulating the direction of fixation force of the internal fixator, and the deformation value of the transected ends was collected by a dynamic data collector and analyzer. The loading was continued until the vertebra specimens were damaged. The deformation of displacement sensor and the closure of transected ends of the lumbar isthmus were observed. RESULTS: All the goats behaved normally shortly after operation, and no nerve injury induced by operation and no wound infection occurred. Bilaterally oblique X-ray films of lumbar vertebra and topographic anatomy 8 weeks after operation showed the fusion rate of the internal fixation and bone graft group and the bone graft group was 100% and 62.5%, respectively, indicating there was a significant difference (P < 0.05). Histology observation showed 3 goats in the bone graft group presented empty bone trabecula, empty bone lacuna and the disappearance of osteocytes at the transected ends of lumbar isthmus; while in the internal fixation and bone graft group, the bone trabecula grew into cancellous structures with hematopoietic and fatty bone marrow tissue inside, and parts of the bone trabecula had various degrees of mosaic-like pattern. During the upload, the biomechanics test and data processing results showed when the external load was 40 N, the deformation of displacement sensor was identified and the gap between the transected ends of lumbar isthmus started to close; then with the increase of external load, the displacement sensor tended to ascend in a linearity manner; while when the external load was 212 N, the displacement sensor had no further deformation, the gap between the transected ends of lumbar isthmus was completely closed, and the pressor effect appeared. CONCLUSION: The internal fixator for the reconstruction of lumbar isthmus has mechanical effects of stabilizing and elevating pressure with a high fusion rate.

[Value of imaging in the diagnosis of primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of bone].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the imaging feature of primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the bone (PBMFH) by the conventional radiography, CT and MRI, and to evaluate these different imaging methods in its diagnosis. METHODS: The imaging data of conventional radiography, CT and MRI of 35 patients with pathologically confirmed PBMFH were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Though the imaging appearance of PBMFH varied in different cases, all the imaging findings of malignant bone tumors were revealed. The common imaging appearance on the conventional radiography and CT were eccentric, aggressive, osteolytic destructions of various types located at the ends of extremities with extraosseous soft tissue masses, but periosteal reaction was rare. Heterogeneous signal intensities on T(1)WI and T(2)WI were common MRI changes but not specific. CONCLUSION: Primary malignant bone fibrous histiocytoma, a rare primary malignant bone tumor, is most frequently located in the long bone. Conventional radiography is still the first and main choice and is taken as an essential means of diagnosis. CT and MRI are quite important in demonstrating the details and extent of the disease such as soft tissue, cortical destruction, periosteal reaction, calcification and necrosis. The imaging characteristics may be of value in differentiating MFH from the other malignant bone tumors. Furthermore, MRI may also be valuable in assessing the efficacy of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, as well as in distinguishing recurrence from postoperative or post-radiation changes.