How Living in the ‘Hood Affects Risky Behaviors Among Latino and African American Youth

Using data from a natural experiment in Denver, we investigate whether the initiation of running away from home, aggressive or violent behavior, and marijuana use during adolescence are statistically related to the neighborhood contexts in which low-income Latino and African American youth were raised. Our analysis is based on retrospective child, caregiver, household, and neighborhood data for a sample of approximately 850 Latino and African American youth whose families were quasi-randomly assigned to public housing operated by the Denver (CO) Housing Authority during part of their childhood. We used Cox PH models and accelerated failure time models to estimate ethnic differentials in the hazards and timing of initiation of these risky behaviors during adolescence. We found that multiple dimensions of neighborhood context—especially safety, ethnic and nativity composition, and socioeconomic status—strongly and robustly predicted initiation of running away, aggressive or violence behavior, and marijuana use during adolescence

A 3D Visual Interface for Critiquing-based Recommenders: Architecture and Interaction

Nowadays e-commerce websites offer users such a huge amount of products, which far from facilitating the buying process, actually make it more difficult. Hence, recommenders, which learn from users' preferences, are consolidating as valuable instruments to enhance the buying process in the 2D Web. Indeed, 3D virtual environments are an alternative interface for recommenders. They provide the user with an immersive 3D social experience, enabling a richer visualisation and increasing the interaction possibilities with other users and with the recommender. In this paper, we focus on a novel framework to tightly integrate interactive recommendation systems in a 3D virtual environment. Specifically, we propose to integrate a Collaborative Conversational Recommender (CCR) in a 3D social virtual world. Our CCR Framework defines three layers: the user interaction layer (3D Collaborative Space Client), the communication layer (3D Collaborative Space Server), and the recommendation layer (Collaborative Conversational Recommender). Additionally, we evaluate the framework based on several usability criteria such as learnability, perceived efficiency and effectiveness. Results demonstrate that users positively valued the experience

Making Ends Meet: Differences in Neighborhood Family Care Resources in Detroit’s Ethnic-Racial Communities in the Post-COVID Era

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has had a global reach, immigrant and racial-ethnic minority women have carried the burden of making ends meet while also being the primary caregivers of children and older adults in their families. This paper uses Detroit, Michigan as a case study to examine the links between the availability of family care resources and women’s labor force participation rates during the pandemic and their implications for the post-COVID era. We employ data from the U.S. Bureau of the Census, Detroit area community surveys, Michigan’s Licensing and Regulatory Affairs registry of licensed child and elder care facilities, and digital archives from the City of Detroit’s Department of Neighborhoods to assess these patterns. ArcGIS software was used to plot child care and elder care resources in seven racial-ethnic and immigrant communities in Detroit against 2020 labor force participation rates. Findings underscore low labor force participation rates across most neighborhoods, wide variations in available family care resources, and the presence of child care deserts. Results suggest that low labor force participation rates during the past two years of the pandemic were exacerbated by limited availability of neighborhood family care resources, underscoring the need for system reform

The Role of Acculturation in the Civic Engagement of Latino Immigrants

Despite continued growth and dispersion of the Latino immigrant population in the United States, the lingering effects of a sluggish national economy and growing anti-immigrant sentiments have contributed to ongoing marginalization and exclusion, further hindering their participation in American civic life. Despite these challenges, Latino immigrants have remained engaged, yet the factors and processes that facilitate participation in American society remain poorly understood. Data from the Latino National Survey and focus groups with Latino immigrants were used to examine how variations in levels of acculturation, demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status (SES), and characteristics of the immigrant experience influence the civic engagement of Latino immigrants in American society. We found that citizenship, length of residence in the United States, and higher SES enhanced civic engagement, while brown skin color, migration for economic reasons, and Mexican ancestry decreased participation. The level of acculturation significantly moderated the effects of these contextual factors

Study of a sol-gel precursor and its evolution towards ZnO

The processes involved in the assembly of zinc acetate dihydrate {Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O} and ethanolamine (H2NCH2CH2OH), with or without 2-methoxyethanol as solvent, have been analysed by infrared spectra, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, powder X-ray diffraction and computational studies. Thermal evolution of the mixtures was characterized by thermoanalytical and structural techniques (thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy). Computational studies together with experiments served to thoroughly describe the precursor and its decomposition. The thermal decomposition of the mixture and its transformation into crystalline ZnO take place in a temperature range between 50 and 450 °C through different processes. With solvent, the processes need temperatures 90 oC higher with respect to the mixture without solvent, and ZnO arises at 250 ºC

Role of Ethanolamine on the Stability of a Sol-Gel ZnO ink

This work presents a detailed structural and chemical characterization of the system formed by zinc acetate dihydrate (ZAD) and ethanolamine (EA) with methoxyethanol (ME), in order to describe its stability. The origin of the mixture degradation during storage at room conditions is analyzed. Complementary computational (or theoretical) DFT calculations on the precursor formed in this reaction in ME and those of EA (free or in the same solvent) and in the presence or absence of CO2, light or both simultaneously are also reported in order to clarify the relative weight of these factors in the degradation process. In all cases, the models were tested as potential energy minimum and their photo-absorption spectra were simulated. The calculations show that the monomeric species formed in this process tend to assembly into dimers, which are more photosensitive and reactive than the monomer. Our results explain the experimental observations and provide a better understanding of the role played by EA, ME and CO2 in the formation of ZnO and, consequently, allow optimizing the technological processes to prepare these films

Intraoperative adenosine for pheochromocytoma with myocardial infarction and SARS-CoV-2: case report

Feocromocitoma; COVID-19; Adenosina trifosfatoPheochromocytoma; COVID-19; Adenosine triphosphateFeocromocitoma; COVID-19; Adenosina trifosfatIntroduction: Pheochromocytomas are neuroendocrine tumors capable of synthetizing, storing and releasing catecholaminergic hormones that may lead to life-threatening hemodynamic instability. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the risks and perioperative complexity of the patients undergoing pheochromocytoma-associated adrenalectomy. This article discusses the use of adenosine for the management of hypertensive crisis during this intervention, as well as the need to individualize the suitable timing for surgery after recent COVID-19 infection. Case presentation: This article discusses the case of a patient with a finding of right adrenal incidentaloma; further studies determined a metanephrines secreting pheochromocytoma. Following hospital admission for preoperative optimization, the eve of the procedure the patient developed an acute myocardial infarction and subsequently SARS-CoV-2 symptomatic infection. Intraoperatively, hypertensive peaks were managed with continuous adenosine perfusion. The patient was discharged after 48 hours. Conclusions: Preoperative optimization positively influences the intraoperative management of patients with pheochromocytoma. The intraoperative use of adenosine allows for adequate and safe control of hypertensive crises. Each situation must be individualized in patients pending surgery, with a recent COVID-19 infection

Effects of a primary care-based multifactorial intervention on physical and cognitive function in frail, elderly individuals : A randomized controlled trial

Background: Detecting and managing frailty at early stages can prevent disability and other adverse outcomes. The study aim was to evaluate whether a multifactorial intervention program could modify physical and cognitive frailty parameters in elderly individuals. Methods: We conducted a multicenter, randomized, single-blind, parallel-group trial in community-living prefrail/frail elderly individuals in Barcelona. A total of 352 patients, aged ≥65 years old with positive frailty screening, was randomized into two groups to receive a 12-week multidisciplinary intervention or usual care, with concealed allocation. The intervention consisted of: exercise training, intake of hyperproteic nutritional shakes, memory training, and medication review. Main outcome assessments with multivariate analysis were conducted at 3 and 18 months. Results: A total of 347 participants (98.6%) completed the study, mean age 77.3 years, 89 prefrail subjects (25.3%), and 75.3% female (n = 265). Eighteen-month assessments were performed in 76% of the sample. After 3 and 18 months, adjusted means difference between-groups showed significant improvements for the intervention group in all comparisons: Short Physical Performance Battery score improved 1.58 and 1.36 points (p <.001), handgrip strength 2.84 and 2.49 kg (p <.001), functional reach 4.3 and 4.52 cm (p <.001), and number of prescriptions decreased 1.39 and 1.09 (p <.001), respectively. Neurocognitive battery also showed significant improvements across all dimensions at 3 and 18 months. Conclusions: A physical, nutritional, neurocognitive, and pharmacological multifaceted intervention was effective in reversing frailty measures both at short-term and 18 months. Lasting benefits of a multi-intervention program among frail elderly individuals encourage its prioritization

Aspectos epidemiológicos da mortalidade infantil em um estado do Nordeste do Brasil

Objective: To analyze infant mortality in the State of Piauí, during the period 2004-2014. Methods: Epidemiological, descriptive study with secondary data extracted from DATASUS, in which the population was composed of all infant deaths of mothers residing in Piauí, in the period 2004-2014. Results: Despite the fluctuations, there was a decline in the infant mortality coefficient and its components, neonatal and post-neonatal. In addition, most deaths could be minimized through actions directed at women in the pregnancy-puerperal cycle and the newborn. Conclusion: It has been shown that there is a need for improvement in maternal and child health care in Piauí so that infant mortality reaches the levels of more developed world regions.Objetivo: Analizar la mortalidad infantil en el estado de Piauí, en el período 2004-2014. Métodos: Estudio epidemiológico, descriptivo, utilizando datos secundarios extraídos de DATASUS, donde la población se compone de todos las óbitos infantiles de madres que viven en Piauí, en el período 2004-2014. Resultados: A pesar de las fluctuaciones, se produjo una disminución en la tasa de mortalidad infantil y sus componentes, neonatal y la mortalidad post-neonatal. Por otra parte, la mayoría de las muertes podrían minimizarse a través de acciones dirigidas a las mujeres durante el embarazo y el parto y el cuidado del recién nacido. Conclusión: Se ha demostrado que existe una necesidad de mejora en la atención a la salud maternoinfantil en Piauí para que la mortalidad infantil alcance niveles de las regiones del mundo más desarrolladas:Objetivo: Analisar a mortalidade infantil no Estado do Piauí, no período de 2004-2014. Métodos: Estudo epidemiológico, descritivo, com dados secundários extraídos do DATASUS, em que a população foi composta por todos os óbitos infantis de mães residentes no Piauí, no período de 2004-2014. Resultados: Apesar das flutuações, houve declínio no coeficiente de mortalidade infantil e nos seus componentes, neonatal e pós-neonatal. Ademais, a maioria dos óbitos poderia ser minimizada através de ações voltadas à mulher no ciclo gravídico-puerperal e ao recém-nascido. Conclusão: Evidenciou-se que existe a necessidade de melhoria na atenção à saúde materno-infantil no Piauí para que a mortalidade infantil atinja níveis de regiões mundiais mais desenvolvidas

Brain ApoA-I, ApoJ and ApoE Immunodetection in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy

ApoA-I; ApoE; Cerebral amyloid angiopathyApoA-I; ApoE; Angiopatía amiloide cerebralApoA-I; ApoE; Angiopatia amiloide cerebralCerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a common cause of lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in elderly individuals and it is the result of the cerebrovascular deposition of beta-amyloid (Aβ) protein. CAA is frequently found in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), although it has an independent contribution to the cognitive deterioration associated with age. Specific apolipoproteins (Apo) have been associated with Aβ fibrillization and clearance from the brain. In this regard, in the present study, we analyzed the brain levels of ApoE, ApoA-I, and ApoJ/clusterin in autopsy brains from 20 post-mortem cases with CAA type I, CAA type II, with parenchymal Aβ deposits or without Aβ deposits. Our objective was to find a possible differential pattern of apolipoproteins distribution in the brain depending on the CAA pathological presentation. The protein expression levels were adjusted by the APOE genotype of the patients included in the study. We found that ApoE and ApoJ were abundantly present in meningeal, cortical, and capillary vessels of the brains with vascular Aβ accumulation. ApoE and ApoJ also deposited extracellularly in the parenchyma, especially in cases presenting Aβ diffuse and neuritic parenchymal deposits. In contrast, ApoA-I staining was only relevant in capillary walls in CAA type I cases. On the other hand, ICH was the principal cause of death among CAA patients in our cohort. We found that CAA patients with ICH more commonly had APOEε2 compared with CAA patients without ICH. In addition, patients who suffered an ICH presented higher vascular ApoE levels in brain. However, higher ApoE presence in cortical arteries was the only independent predictor of suffering an ICH in our cohort after adjusting by age and APOE genotype. In conclusion, while ApoE and ApoJ appear to be involved in both vascular and parenchymal Aβ pathology, ApoA-I seems to be mainly associated with CAA, especially in CAA type I pathology. We consider that our study helps to molecularly characterize the distribution subtypes of Aβ deposition within the brain