Public Attitudes Toward Crime and Incarceration in Finland

The following paper provides insights into Finland’s criminal justice system and discusses the policies that emphasize using prison for rehabilitation, not merely for punishment. These methods of prevention and rehabilitation, in conjunction with correctional and educational staff within and outside the prison walls, have contributed to consistently low recidivism rates in Finland. This study discusses many ideological similarities between public opinions towards criminals and crime in Finland and the United States. Like Americans, Finns are intolerant of crime and violence, yet open to the idea of alternative forms of punishment, especially for non-violent and juvenile offenders. People in both countries tend to believe criminals are not born into a criminal life and that societal factors play a role in creating criminal behavior. This study sheds light on both the public support for ex-offenders’ rehabilitation in Finland and the extent to which Americans support alternative forms of punishment. It also provides a narrative of the disconnect between public opinion and what public officials think public opinion is

Cellular innate immune responses to lung resection via video-assisted thoracospic surgery (VATS) and thoracotomy: predictors of post-operative pneumonia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The pathophysiology of post-operative pneumonia following lung resection is poorly understood despite it being the most common complication which may lead to death. The role of the acute inflammatory response following lung resection, in particular innate immune cells, was investigated and used to identify biomarkers for post-operative pneumonia. Comparison of inflammatory responses to resection undertaken by video-assisted thorascopic surgery (VATS) and thoracotomy was also evaluated.METHODS: Patients undergoing lung resection for suspected bronchogenic carcinoma were recruited. Objective pre-defined criteria were used to diagnose pneumonia. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was conducted in the contra-lateral lung pre- and post-operatively to measure cellular composition and cytokines. Blood was sampled preoperatively and 6-, 24- and 48-hours post-operatively primarily to assess neutrophil phagocytic capacity, monocyte subsets, monocyte cytokine responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation and serum cytokine responses. Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) was also measured at these time points. Patient groups were compared using paired or student t-tests together with ANOVA/ANCOVA modelling. The predictive strength of the biomarkers identified was tested.14 patients developed pneumonia. Pre-operatively, a blood neutrophil count above 5.04x10⁹/L had a relative risk (RR) for pneumonia of 3.3 (95% confidence interval (CI95) 1.1-10.1), and a BAL cell count of greater than 1.04x10⁵/ml had a RR of 3.4 (CI95 1.3-9.0), whilst LPS-stimulated monocyte secretion of IL-12 of less than 0.15 pg/ml/pg protein had a RR of 3.0 (CI951.2-7.3). At 24 hours post-operatively, LPS-stimulated release from monocytes of IL-10 greater than 1.99 pg/ml/pg protein (RR 4.1, CI95 1.3- 12.3) and IL-6 greater than 414 pg/ml/pg protein (RR 3.1, CI₉₅ 1.2-8.1) were predictive of pneumonia.CONCLUSION: Lung resection is associated with significant early pro- and anti-inflammatory responses. VATS resection invoked significantly lower levels of serum cytokines and albumin changes compared with thoracotomy suggesting VATS lobectomy should be the surgical treatment strategy of choice for early stage lung cancer. No difference in neutrophil function or monocyte function was however observed between the surgical groups. Clinical benefits of this reduced inflammation need to be evaluated in a larger cohort of patients. Relative pre-operative leucocytosis in blood and BAL together with monocyte hyper-responsiveness in the early post-operative period is associated with the development of pneumonia. These findings warrant further investigation for their predictive power in accurately identifying post-operative pneumonia. Ultimately, they may be incorporated into a risk stratification model enabling targeted prophylactic or earlier therapeutic intervention.RESULTS: 40 patients were recruited. 26 patients (65%) underwent major lung resection using VATS and 14 (35%) thoracotomy. There was a post-operative blood monocytosis (p<0.0005) with an absolute expansion of classical and intermediate monocytes (p=0.001) and a relative fall in non-classical monocytes (p<0.005). Post-operatively blood monocytes became more pro-inflammatory with an overall significant increase in IL-8 (p=0.034) and TNF-α (p=0.028) together with an increase in IL-6 (p=0.028) and IL-10 by 48 hours (p=0.010). VATS was associated with a smaller release of IL-10 only (p=0.011). There was a general trend towards post-operative reduction in neutrophil phagocytosis of zymosan (in suspension) on ANOVA modelling (p=0.047). Lung 2 resection led to an increase in serum cytokines IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 which peaked at 24hrs before falling (p<0.0005). ANOVA modelling confirmed significantly lower levels of serum cytokines in VATS patients compared with thoracotomy (p=0.026 for IL-6, p=0.018 for IL-8 p=0.047 for IL-10). No significant post-operative change was found for IL-1ß, TNF-α and IL-12p70 (p>0.05). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood samples demonstrated a relative post-operative leucocytosis due principally to neutrophilia. A relative blood lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia developed post¬ operatively (p<0.0005). VATS was associated with a lower fall in serum albumin (p=0.001). BALF from the non-operated lung became more pro-inflammatory immediately post-operatively with an increase in IL-6 (p<0.0005), IL-8 (p=0.017), IL- 10 (p=0.018) and IL-ip (p=0.002). eNO tended to fall post-operatively which reached significance at 48 hrs (p=0.029)

Meeting Report: Biomedical Science Conference on Thursday 14th April 2016 at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) Cambridge Campus, UK

Attendance: This meeting brought together staff, postgraduate students taking ARU’s MSc in Biotechnology (led by Havovi Chichger), and finalists taking ARU’s BSc (Hons.) in Biomedical Science (led by Claire Pike). Approximately 140 students and 20 staff attended. The conference was timetabled for the undergraduate module Current Advances in Biomedical Science (led by Richard Jones) and the MSc module Professional and Ethical Practice in Industry (led by Grisha Pirianov). Aims and ambitions: The aims of this conference were as follows: to provide good value for grant money; to improve course communities; to strengthen relationships between staff and students; to help integration between UK and international students; to strengthen links between ARU, the Biochemical Society and the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS); to encourage interest in exciting research; and to add to the learning on the courses. Knowledge accumulated during the conference will be assessed at the end of the modules during written examinations. Plenary lectures: Speakers explained cutting-edge research techniques, their results and what they mean for biomedical science. Mike Harrison (School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds) outlined how the rotary ATPases function as nano-scale motors that drive biology. His lecture illustrated the physiological roles of the rotary ATPases, their structure and organisation, how they work, their regulation and control, and inhibitor binding and therapeutic potential. Grisha Pirianov (Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences, ARU) discussed current technology for drug discovery and validation for treatment of inflammatory based vascular diseases such as aneurysms. Dominika Gruszka (Francis Crick Institute) lectured on studies of protein folding, misfolding and aggregation performed with Jane Clarke (Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge) and Jennifer Potts (Department of Biology, University of York). Dominika outlined the following: the basis of the protein folding problem; factors that can lead to protein denaturation; examples of experimental techniques used to study protein folding; the process of protein misfolding and aggregation including causes and examples of amyloidosis; and the formation of biofilms on implanted medical devices. Manal Mohammed (Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences, ARU) discussed how modern molecular, DNA sequencing and computational tools are enabling us to prepare for, and react to, outbreaks of infectious diseases that are difficult to treat. Students’ contributions: Students presented coursework posters that reflected their own developing and wide-ranging biomedical and industrial science interests. The posters were assessed by staff on the day. For the undergraduates, first prize was awarded to the poster entitled, “Cephalosomatic anastomosis: the proposition for the human head transplant” created by Gabriele Saba, Anton Zolotukhin, Lewis Mudway and Johnathan Willgress. Joint second prize was awarded to the posters, “Is 3D cell culture a better predictor of LD50 than 2D cell culture and how does it compare to in-vivo results?” by David Glasspool, and, “Does saturated fat intake increase the risk of coronary disease?” by Ololade Adenaike, Ernest Asamoah, Rita Cappiello and Khadijat Mansaray. The postgraduates presented case studies of biotechnology companies. First prize was awarded to the poster, “Horizon Discovery Group plc” by Sabastina Amoako. Joint second prize was awarded to the posters, “Oxitec Limited,” by Ada Luisa Soto Chavarria and, “Novabiotics,” by Thilini Kanchana Wickremasinghe. Anonymous comments regarding the conference provided by students in module evaluations included the following: “The lecturers were very enthusiastic with very interesting current research topics”; “I liked that the lecturers are current researchers in the subjects they are talking about”; and “Presenting a poster was enjoyable and a good way of being assessed.” Head of Department’s Comments: Jocelyn Pryce (Acting Head of the Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences at ARU) said that, “The students were able to apply the knowledge they have gained throughout their degree to their specialist interests, allowing them to showcase their work and success. This resulted in presentations of high quality posters and evidence of excellent critical defence of each subject area. This conference is growing in strength with each year and we would like to thank the Biochemical Society and the ARU Extra Curricular Fund and for their continued support in identifying new ways to increase the student experience. ” Funding: This conference was funded by a Biochemical Society Sponsored Events Grant (£500) and an ARU Extra Curricular Event Award (£1500). These awards supported student poster prizes, packed lunches, light refreshments during session breaks, and travel costs for the external visiting speakers

Biochemical Society sponsors event at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge

Attendance: This meeting brought together staff, postgraduate students taking ARU’s MSc in Biotechnology (led by Philip Warburton), and finalists taking either ARU’s BSc in Biomedical Science (led by Claire Pike) or University Centre Harlow’s (UCH) BSc in Bioscience (led by Linda King and Matt Webster). Approximately 135 students and 22 staff attended. The conference included undergraduates taking the module Current Advances in Biomedical Science (led by Richard Jones) and MSc students taking the module Professional and Ethical Practice in Industry (led by Benjamin Evans). Aims and ambitions: The aims of this conference were as follows: to provide good value for grant money; to improve course communities; to strengthen relationships between staff and students; to help integration between UK and international students; to strengthen links between ARU, UCH, the Biochemical Society and the Institute of Biomedical Science; to encourage interest in exciting research; and to add to the learning on the courses. Knowledge accumulated during the conference will be assessed at the end of the modules during written examinations. Plenary lectures: Speakers explained cutting-edge research techniques, their results and what they mean for biomedical science. Dominika Gruszka (Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge) gave a lecture on studies of protein folding, misfolding and aggregation performed with Jane Clarke (Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge) and Jennifer Potts (Department of Biology, University of York). Dominika outlined the following: the basis of the protein folding problem; factors that can lead to protein denaturation; examples of experimental techniques used to study protein folding; the process of protein misfolding and aggregation including causes and examples of amyloidosis; and the formation of biofilms on implanted medical devices. Mike Harrison (School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds) outlined how the rotary ATPases function as nano-scale motors that drive biology. His lecture illustrated the physiological roles of the rotary ATPases, their structure and organisation, how they work, their regulation and control, and inhibitor binding and therapeutic potential. Philip Warburton (Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences, ARU) explained high-throughput sequencing methodologies, and how advances in DNA sequencing could lead to hospital-based whole-genome sequencing at birth and personalised medicine within healthcare. Benjamin Evans (Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences, ARU) discussed how modern molecular and computational tools are enabling us to prepare for, and react to, outbreaks of infectious diseases. Students’ contributions: Students presented coursework posters that reflected their own developing and wide-ranging biomedical and industrial science interests. The posters were assessed by staff on the day. For the undergraduates, first prize was awarded to the poster entitled, “Gene therapy for cystic fibrosis: can lentivirus deliver?” created by Sandra Sullivan, Milagrosa Sparrow, Nicola Brown and Alice Mussett. Second prize was awarded to the poster, “Can poly glycerol sebacate (PGS) be used to produce bio-compatible corneal stroma substitutes?” by Ashleigh Mitcham, Glenda Fellows and Charlotte Thomas. Third prize was awarded to the poster, “Could three-parent babies be the future for prevention of mitochondrial disease?” by Azhar Mohamudally, Dan Jiang, Susan Chizema and Roxana Buruiana. For the postgraduates, first prize was awarded to the poster, “AquaBounty: a case study,” by Joshua Kerr. Second prize was awarded to the poster, “Case study: Vernalis,” by Charys Presland-Palmer. A special prize was given to David McQuarrie for representing the finalists on University committees. Joseph Batchelor took photographs on the day. Jocelyn Pryce (Acting Head of the Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences at ARU) said that, “The conference was a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their work. They applied the knowledge they have gained throughout their degree to their specialist interests, as each group selected their own poster topic. This resulted in enthusiastic presentations of high quality posters.” Anonymous comments regarding the conference provided by students in module evaluations included the following: “It’s great to be taught about the practical reality of research, and to hear from guest speakers. The conference day was very enjoyable. Presenting the poster was really fun.”; “Fantastic – great speakers.”; “I liked the opportunity to attend the conference day. There was a good mix of speakers and lectures were informative.” Funding: Jocelyn Pryce and Richard Jones thank the Biochemical Society for a Sponsored Events Grant (£500) and Julie Walkling and Helen Valentine for allocating an ARU Extra Curricula Event Award (£1500). These awards supported student poster prizes, packed lunches, light refreshments during session breaks, and travel costs for the external visiting speakers

Meeting Report: Biomedical Research Conference

This meeting brought together staff from the Department of Life Sciences at Anglia Ruskin University and the 150 final-year BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science students taking the ‘Current Advances in Biomedical Science’ module led by Richard Jones. The module aimed to promote students’ career prospects and interest in exciting research through employability, studentship and biomedical research conference days at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in semester 2, 2014. The venue for all three conference days was the Mumford Theatre at ARU’s Cambridge Campus. The Mumford Theatre has excellent acoustics and normally hosts theatre companies. Knowledge accumulated during these days was assessed at the end of the module using a 1 hour written examination

Control theory for principled heap sizing

We propose a new, principled approach to adaptive heap sizing based on control theory. We review current state-of-the-art heap sizing mechanisms, as deployed in Jikes RVM and HotSpot. We then formulate heap sizing as a control problem, apply and tune a standard controller algorithm, and evaluate its performance on a set of well-known benchmarks. We find our controller adapts the heap size more responsively than existing mechanisms. This responsiveness allows tighter virtual machine memory footprints while preserving target application throughput, which is ideal for both embedded and utility computing domains. In short, we argue that formal, systematic approaches to memory management should be replacing ad-hoc heuristics as the discipline matures. Control-theoretic heap sizing is one such systematic approach

STATURE AND LOAD AFFECT THE WALK TO RUN TRANSITION SPEED

Military personnel are often required to march “in-step” while carrying heavy loads. For example, the two speeds required to complete the role fitness test for the British Army are close to the preferred walking speed and preferred walk-to-run transition speed (PTS) for healthy adults when unloaded. PTS depends on anthropometry, including stature. Walking at speeds markedly different to PTS has been associated with increased metabolic cost and increased joint loading. There is also limited research into how this PTS is affected by load carriage. To minimise the risk of injury, there is a need to understand how load carriage affects PTS. This study found PTS for male and female personnel decreased with increased load carried, and that female personnel tended to transition from walking to running earlier than male personnel. The relationship between PTS and stature became more positive as load increased, irrespective of sex. Due to the association between deviating from preferred walking gait and increases in joint loading, these findings may have implications for the risk of injury in military personnel who are required to march “in-step”