Los Alamos National Laboratory Research Articles

Relationship between social capital and post-partum antiretroviral therapy adherence among women living with HIV in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Background: Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is crucial for preventing vertical transmission of HIV and maternal deaths. While the literature is replete with studies on ART adherence, the role of social capital in adherence to ART is less studied. Drawing from the social cognitive theory, this study examines the relationship between social capital and post-partum adherence to ART. Methods: We analysed data from 481 post-partum women with HIV in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Adherence to ART was measured using a validated scale, capturing self-reported medication-taking behaviours. Social capital was assessed using a pre-validated tool, encompassing indicators of social engagement, support networks and community connectedness. We used logistic regression models to examine social capital and ART adherence associations, while controlling for relevant covariates. Results: Participants mean age was 32.9 (SD ± 5.76) years. After adjusting for age, education level, alcohol use, status disclosure to partner, marital status, desire for more children, employment status and living arrangements, social capital was significantly associated with higher odds of ART adherence (p = 0.004, AOR 1.09; 95% CI 1.03–1.16). Conclusion: We found evidence in support of the role of social capital in ART adherence. Strengthening social support networks and addressing psychosocial factors could improve adherence to ART. As such, policymakers and programme managers should consider the role of social capital in designing interventions to improve ART adherence. Future research should explore the mechanisms through which social capital impacts ART adherence.

Mental well-being of sexual minority individuals: Exploring the role of intraminority stress

AbstractThe recently posed intraminority gay community stress theory states that sexual minority (SM) men may experience stress within their community resulting in lower levels of mental well-being. However, only few quantitative studies have evaluated this theory, and none of these studies examined the impact of intraminority stress on the mental well-being of SM female populations. In Dutch-speaking SM individuals who were assigned male at birth (N = 293) and SM individuals who were assigned female at birth (N = 527), this exploratory study examined associations between the four facets of intraminority stress and five mental health symptoms. When controlling for demographics and minority stress, intraminority stress was positively associated with psychological distress, body dissatisfaction, and interpersonal awareness in both SM male and SM female individuals, while positive associations with timidity were only found in the latter. As for the intraminority stress facets, particularly the SM community’s focus on competition and exclusion of social diversity seem to impact the mental well-being of SM individuals. The results support the notion that intraminority stress – along with minority stress – has important value in explaining mental health problems in SM male and SM female populations. Future research may examine how intraminority stress relates to the protective effects of community connectedness and having a sense of belonging, and to what extent and how intraminority stress should be addressed in interventions for stress-sensitive mental health symptoms in SM populations.

'I can feel sad about it and I can worry, but inside I know everything happens for a reason': personal experiences in the aftermath of the March 15 Christchurch mosque attacks.

On 15 March 2019, a white supremacist gunman sequentially attacked two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, killing 51 people aged from 3 to 77 years and bullet-injuring 40 more. Approximately 250 people survived the atrocity, and many more family and community members have been directly or indirectly affected. To develop an understanding of the personal experiences of some of those affected, including effects on daily life and well-being, in the 18-30 months following the attacks. Qualitative thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 21 men and women from September 2020 to August 2021 was performed. Participants were drawn from a larger quantitative study and included injured, bereaved, witnesses, family members and those from the wider Muslim community in Christchurch. Four superordinate themes were identified: being overwhelmed in the midst of chaos; experiencing silent and enduring impact; living similarly, but differently; and gaining meaning and growth. These themes captured ongoing distress inclusive of physical symptoms, family and community relationship dynamics and connectedness, secondary stressors, and diversity in coping and growth. For most, the centrality of Islam as a faith tradition was woven throughout. Consistent with previous literature, post-trauma reactions were pervasive and varied. This appeared to be compounded by secondary stressors in this cohort, such as sociopolitical circumstances, demographic diversity, the COVID-19 pandemic and justice processes. Findings also revealed a strong spiritual thread in the experiences of this minority faith community, shedding light on a complex interaction between recovery and post-traumatic growth.

Navigating who I was and who I am online: How people with dementia use social media platforms to support identity.

A diagnosis of dementia can have a powerful impact on identity, and social media platforms offer promising avenues for identity expression and reconciliation. Addressing limited research in this area, we used semi-structured interviews to explore how 10 people with dementia used social media to navigate their identity. Our thematic analysis produced four themes, showing how social media platforms afford unique opportunities for self-expression, visibility, and association, thereby empowering users to maintain their sense of self, challenge stereotypes, and foster community connections. Additionally, social media facilitated a multifaceted and holistic sense of identity beyond the confines of diagnosis. While there were concerns about online self-disclosure, sharing experiences of dementia had therapeutic benefits, aiding in acceptance and adjustment. Participants also leveraged social media to establish continuity between their pre- and post-diagnostic selves, providing a sense of stability amid uncertainty. With the increasing prevalence of social media use among people with dementia, proactive measures by healthcare professionals, policymakers, technology developers, and carers are required to cultivate online experiences that are safe, supportive, and inclusive of people with dementia.

Nitrogen fixation in the North Atlantic supported by Gulf Stream eddy-borne diazotrophs

Mesoscale oceanic eddies contribute to the redistribution of resources needed for plankton to thrive. However, due to their fluid-trapping capacity, they can also isolate plankton communities, subjecting them to rapidly changing environmental conditions. Diazotrophs, which fix dinitrogen (N2), are key members of the plankton community, providing reactive nitrogen, particularly in large nutrient-depleted regions such as subtropical gyres. However, there is still limited knowledge about how mesoscale structures characterized by specific local environmental conditions can affect the distribution and metabolic response of diazotrophs when compared with the large-scale dynamics of an oceanic region. Here we investigated genetic diazotroph diversity and N2 fixation rates in a transect across the Gulf Stream and two associated eddies, a region with intense mesoscale activity known for its important role in nutrient transport into the North Atlantic Gyre. We show that eddy edges are hotspots for diazotroph activity with potential community connectivity between eddies. Using a long-term mesoscale eddy database, we quantified N2 fixation rates as up to 17 times higher within eddies than in ambient waters, overall providing ~21 µmol N m−2 yr−1 to the region. Our results indicate that mesoscale eddies are hotspots of reactive nitrogen production within the broader marine nitrogen cycle.

Determinants of Solar Home Systems Adoption among Riverine Island Dwellers: A Case Study of Sirajganj District in Bangladesh

Purpose: This study aims to identify the determinants of solar home systems adoption among riverine island dwellers, focusing on the Sirajganj district in Bangladesh. Methodology: The research, based on a comprehensive survey of 200 households, utilized logistic regression analysis and descriptive statistics. Findings: The study finds that ‘education of the household head’, ‘access to credit’, and ‘monthly household income’ significantly affected solar home systems adoption at different level of significance. Factors leading to adopt solar home systems included lack of electricity access, focus on energy security, and cost savings, along with access to loans or installments and community connections. Conversely, non-adopters faced barriers such as perceived high initial costs, lack of installment facilities, and insufficient awareness. Practical Implications: The study highlights the importance of credit accessibility, educational background, and household income in promoting solar home systems adoption. Policymakers and stakeholders can use these insights to tailor interventions addressing specific determinants and encourage widespread adoption. Originality/Value: This research provides valuable new insights into promoting sustainable energy initiatives in similar contexts. Limitations: The study's limitations include its small sample size and potential regional variations. Further research is recommended to validate and extend these findings across diverse geographical settings.

Positive LGBT+ Identity, Interpersonal Discrimination, and Satisfaction with Life: A Cross-National Comparison Between LGBT+ People in the UK, Italy, and Turkey

The present study explored how identity authenticity and LGBT+ community connectedness may mediate the effects of interpersonal discrimination on life satisfaction in a sample of LGBT+ participants across three counties. We used a cross-sectional online survey to collect data and paper questionnaires. Participants were 723 LGBT+ people (56.6% females): 308 (42%) of participants were from the UK, 245 (34%) from Italy, and 170 (24%) from Turkey. Participants’ age ranged from 18–60 years (M = 33.83, SD = 11.55). Analysis of variance and multigroup mediation models implemented through path analysis were performed. The associations of interpersonal discrimination with identity authenticity and connectedness to the LGBT+ community showed cross-country variations. The association between interpersonal discrimination and identity authenticity was stronger in Italy than in the UK but non-significant in Turkey. Interpersonal discrimination showed a negative association with connectedness to the LGBT+ community in Italy and the UK, with Italy exhibiting the strongest effect. Conversely, this association was positive in Turkey. Irrespective of the country, life satisfaction showed a negative association with interpersonal discrimination and positive associations with identity authenticity and connectedness to the LGBT+ community. This study provides valuable insights into the differences and similarities between the experiences of LGBT+ people in the UK, Italy, and Turkey. The social and policy implications that emerge from the study highlight the relevance of addressing structural stigma in different cultures and emphasize the need for targeted interventions and supportive policies at the supranational level to improve the quality of life of LGBT+ individuals.

Project Yarn Circle: development and pilot evaluation of a cultural connection suicide prevention program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people

ABSTRACT Background Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people experience markedly higher suicide mortality than non-Indigenous youth in Australia, yet there is little evidence of effective preventative strategies. Many are misaligned to the needs of First Nations young people due to a lack of consideration of protective factors such as community and cultural connection. Objective To date no research has examined whether increasing cultural connectedness may reduce Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth suicidality. The current study outlines the development, implementation, and pilot evaluation of Project Yarn Circle, a school-based suicide prevention initiative utilising cultural education and connection. Method Project Yarn Circle was piloted by an Indigenous owned and managed youth mental health organisation, delivering 5 weekly sessions to 276 young people at 9 schools in Southeast Queensland, Australia, between 2019 and 2023. Sessions connected students to cultural knowledge and practices (stories, painting, dance, Indigenous languages) with Elders and local cultural knowledge facilitators. Results Pre- and post-program evaluation questionnaires completed 6–8 weeks apart found that participants had significantly lower suicidal ideation (GHQ-18-SS), pre 7.16, post 6.61, p = .043 higher positive ideation/reasons for living (PANSI-PI) pre 22.44, post 23.60, p = .009, and higher self-esteem (RSES) pre 16.55, post 23.60, p = .005. Analyses of cultural connectedness items co-designed for this evaluation study and validated using Exploratory Factor Analysis found that students demonstrated greater cultural identity clarity, peer cultural competence, strength from culture, salience of cultural continuity and sense of belonging. Conclusions These findings provide new evidence towards utilising cultural connectedness as an intervention mechanism in Indigenous youth suicide prevention.

The importance of public familiarity for sense of belonging in Brisbane neighborhoods

ABSTRACT A large proportion of neighborhood social life occurs in communal places and takes the form of brief encounters with fellow residents who are personally unknown but visually recognizable and familiar. Public familiarity is effortless to maintain but is not socially benign. In this study, we draw on a survey of 1,000 Australian residents to assess the benefits of familiarity and examine the mediating role of public familiarity in the association between neighborhood use and sense of belonging and attachment. Our results demonstrate that public familiarity partially mediates the association between neighborhood use and sense of belonging. Public familiarity is associated with stronger feelings of comfort and a higher likelihood of helping others in an emergency. We suggest that designing neighborhood places to facilitate public familiarity, by installing features that encourage lingering, is a low-cost approach to enhancing community connection and belonging which may help to prevent loneliness.

Prediction and observation of regional infrasound from the OSIRIS REx re-entry capsule

Infrasonic signals produced by bolides and space debris passing through atmosphere are frequently observed at notable stand-off distances. The acoustic energy radiated from such objects is dominated by the aero-acoustic Mach cone which exhibits a highly directional radiation pattern dependent on the velocity of the object relative to the surrounding atmosphere. Recently, a mapping of the Mach cone geometry into acoustic ray tracing methods has enabled efficient regional simulation of infrasonic ensonification from such sources. In September 2023, the OSIRIS REx sample capsule returned to Earth as part of a NASA supported asteroid study and a number of institutions deployed sensors to measure geophysical signatures of the event. The anticipated capsule trajectory was combined with historical atmospheric data for September in the western United States to predict likely regional ensonification during re-entry. Los Alamos National Laboratory infrasound experts deployed microbarometer arrays in locations predicted to be ensonified and were able to identify signals with arrival times and direction-of-arrival consistent with the capsule re-entry. An overview of the predictions, field deployments, and identified signals will be presented.

ExaFEL: extreme-scale real-time data processing for X-ray free electron laser science

ExaFEL is an HPC-capable X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) data analysis software suite for both Serial Femtosecond Crystallography (SFX) and Single Particle Imaging (SPI) developed in collaboration with the Linac Coherent Lightsource (LCLS), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and Los Alamos National Laboratory. ExaFEL supports real-time data analysis via a cross-facility workflow spanning LCLS and HPC centers such as NERSC and OLCF. Our work therefore constitutes initial path-finding for the US Department of Energy's (DOE) Integrated Research Infrastructure (IRI) program. We present the ExaFEL team's 7 years of experience in developing real-time XFEL data analysis software for the DOE's exascale supercomputers. We present our experiences and lessons learned with the Perlmutter and Frontier supercomputers. Furthermore we outline essential data center services (and the implications for institutional policy) required for real-time data analysis. Finally we summarize our software and performance engineering approaches and our experiences with NERSC's Perlmutter and OLCF's Frontier systems. This work is intended to be a practical blueprint for similar efforts in integrating exascale compute resources into other cross-facility workflows.

Gender minority stressors and psychological distress among Chinese transgender and gender-diverse people: Pride as a protector and community connectedness as a compensator.

Gender minority stressors and psychological distress among Chinese transgender and gender-diverse people: Pride as a protector and community connectedness as a compensator.

Cerium doped yttrium aluminum perovskite scintillator as an absolute ultracold neutron detector.

The upcoming UCNProBe experiment at Los Alamos National Laboratory will measure the beta decay rate of free neutrons with different systematic uncertainties than previous beam-based neutron lifetime experiments. We have tested a new 10B-coated Yttrium Aluminum Perovskite (YAP:Ce) scintillator and present its properties. The advantages of the YAP:Ce scintillator include its high Fermi potential, which reduces the probability for upscattering of ultracold neutrons (UCN), and its short decay time, which increases sensitivity at high counting rates. Birks' coefficient of YAP:Ce was measured to be (5.56-0.30+0.05)×10-4 cm/MeV. The loss of light due to the 120nm 10B-coating was measured to be about 60%, and the loss of light from YAP:Ce due to transmission through a deuterated polystyrene scintillator was about 50%. The efficiency for neutron capture on the 10B coating was (86.8 ± 2.6)%, and a measurement using UCN showed that the YAP:Ce crystal counted 8%-28% more UCN compared to a ZnS:Ag screen. The difference may be due to the uneven coating of 10B on the rough surface of ZnS:Ag.

Restorative and regenerative green spaces for vulnerable communities in social housing: The impact of a community greening program

Vulnerable communities represent the most at-risk populations facing inequities and negative health, economic and social wellbeing outcomes. Community gardening has emerged globally as a community-based remedy to reduce these inequities and enhance wellbeing. This paper examines the psychological, socio-cultural and health impact of social housing design that includes access to, and engagement with green spaces. The project was multi-disciplinary and used mixed-method research to examine the impact of community gardening for people in social housing. Two interrelated studies were conducted; study 1 involved 33 social housing gardeners in a pre-post program survey. Statistically significant improvements were found in participants' satisfaction with personal wellbeing, health, and community connectedness; as well as increased gardening skills, positive social experiences, and time spent in nature. Study 2 involved 34 semi-structured interviews conducted with program facilitators and partner organisation staff. Results uncovered that participant's engagement with gardening was restorative and regenerative. Four salient themes emerged from our mixed methods study: 1) connection to self; 2) connection to others, 3) connection to place; and 4) connection to purpose. The findings showcase some of the key principles of a successful social and nature prescription intervention for vulnerable people. Community gardening was shown to amplify civic pride and bolster community resilience. Our research suggests the broad impact of community gardening on participant outcomes for vulnerable populations and enhances the capacity of practitioners to translate research into policy and practice for sustainable, restorative residential communities.

Does the apple fall far from the tree? A meta-analysis linking parental factors to children's intrinsic and extrinsic goals.

Self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2017) has highlighted the differential roles that intrinsic life goals (for personal growth, close relationships, community connections, and physical health) and extrinsic life goals (i.e., for wealth, image, and status) play in supporting well-being. Less is known about how orientations toward these two types of aspirations develop. It is likely that early environmental influences, namely one's parents, impact individuals' aspirations. We address this gap by systematically reviewing the links between relevant parents' characteristics and the intrinsic and extrinsic goals of their children. We identified 49 eligible reports. Children's intrinsic aspirations were higher when parents provided a need-supportive environment (characterized by support for autonomy, relatedness, and competence) and when they endorsed intrinsic aspirations themselves, whereas children's extrinsic aspirations were higher when parents exhibited extrinsic aspirations themselves, promoted the pursuit of extrinsic aspirations, and provided environments characterized by need frustration. Therefore, fostering basic psychological need satisfaction may support children's intrinsic aspiring. In addition, parents should also be mindful of their own extrinsic goals, as they may influence extrinsic aspirations in their children and possibly compromise their well-being over the long term. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Recruitment of a U.S. Nation-Wide Sample of Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth

PurposeTransgender and gender diverse youth (TGDY) can be a challenging population to reach because of limitations related to parental/guardian consent and concerns about privacy. This pilot study's purpose was to assess the feasibility of recruiting a US nation-wide longitudinal sample of TGDY through social media, and to compare participants who completed the Wave 1 survey only to TGDY who completed both Wave 1 and Wave 2 surveys. MethodsAdolescents (aged 14–17 years) who identified as TGDY were recruited through social media and invited to complete two online surveys across a 3-month period. Surveys included measures of mental health, substance use, and community connection. ResultsThe Wave 1 sample included 252 TGDY, with 183 (73%) retained at Wave 2. There were few differences (i.e., gender identity; sex assigned at birth) between Wave 1–only participants and those retained at Wave 2. DiscussionFindings demonstrate the feasibility of recruiting a U.S. nation-wide longitudinal sample of TGDY through social media, providing an important platform for conducting research to improve well-being of TGDY.

The HIV Environmental Riskscape: The Roles of HIV Sexual Risk and Resilience Factors among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men: Findings from the Real Talk Project.

Black and African American men who have sex with men (Black MSM) experience the greatest proportion of new HIV infections in the United States. To address this challenge, a better understanding of the HIV environment riskscape including both risk and resilience factors is warranted among Black MSM. Research indicates that stress is associated with increased HIV sexual risk behaviors. Further, behavioral factors such as serosorting and community level factors including social support and community connection are resilience factors that protect against risk behaviors. The present study examines whether everyday stress is associated with HIV sexual risk behavior, as well as the role of risk and resilience factors among 125 Black MSM recruited in the Real Talk study. The Real Talk project examined the relationships between resilience, HIV risk behaviors, and HIV prevention strategy among a sample of Black MSM. Using generalized estimating equations, our results indicate a positive association between everyday stress and engaging in condomless anal intercourse only after adjusting for risk, resilience, and correlate variables. Similarly, having multiple sex partners and using substances during sex also show positive associations with condomless anal intercourse. Resilience factors of engaging in serosorting and being connected to both the Black and gay communities were negatively associated with condomless anal intercourse. Future prevention research and programming should focus on both risk and resilience factors to mitigate new HIV infections among Black MSM.

Loss of safe spaces: Ambiguous loss and minority stressors of BIPOC LGBTQ+ communities amidst the covid-19 pandemic

As the world came to a halt in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, oppressed communities were at the forefront of distress from isolation, lack of resources, and connection. A vast amount of literature has emphasized the necessity of safe spaces and impact of minority stressors on Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus (BIPOC LGBTQ+) communities. However, few have begun to explore relationships among ambiguous loss of safe spaces and minority stressors from pandemic isolation. This study aimed to explore the experiences of BIPOC LBGTQ+ communities during the Covid-19 pandemic using a convergent mixed methodical approach. Through cross-sectional survey, quantitative data examined relationships between minority stressors, LGBTQ community connection, and family environment and support at home (n = 164). Through 7 focus groups, qualitative data captured themes surrounding loss, online connection, trust, and redefinition of safe spaces (n = 29). An integrated discussion utilizing an integrated theoretical framework of minority stress, Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems, and intersectionality is then presented. Lastly, limitations and future directions are discussed.

Evaluating the microbiological dynamics and physicochemical characteristics of the soil on slopes and flats in alpine mining regions with different reclamation times

AbstractEcological restoration in alpine open‐pit mines significantly impacts microbial communities and soil characteristics, yet early adaptive responses in mine dump slopes and flats are not well understood. Thus, using high‐throughput sequencing analysis of 16S rRNA amplicon study, our study uses spatial sequence rather than time successional sequence to investigate early‐stage changes in soil microbe and physicochemical properties in alpine mining land reclamation in Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. The pH range of the treatment location was neutral to alkaline from 7.5 to 8.0. In 2021, conductivity is higher on slopes than on flats; however, by 2019 or before, conductivity is higher on flats than on slopes after soil reclamation. The CEC is lower for slopes and flats in 2021, but it rises for both as reclamation time lengthens. Gradual increase in soil organic matter and other nutrients and higher overall nutrient content on the flat than on the slope. The bacterial community connections during mine reclamation and restoration are as follows: Proteobacteria > Acidobacteriota > Bacteroideta > Actinobacteria > Firmicutes. Their abundance varies throughout the bacterial community. Important bacteria such as Sphingomonas, Bacillus, Lysobacter, norank‐f‐norank‐o‐Vicinamibacterales and Ferruginibacter also appeared in the reclamation process. Fertilization of side slopes can result in notable changes to the qualities of the soil, according to data from the Qinghai West Copper Mining Area. Through appropriate approaches and regular monitoring, better reclamation outcomes can be reached in the first year with more plentiful soil microorganisms on slopes.

The subjective wellbeing of people living with Multiple Sclerosis in Australia: insights from the Personal Wellbeing Index

ObjectivesSubjective wellbeing has been defined as an individual’s personal appraisal of their quality of life. Subjective wellbeing is associated with positive health behaviours and improved coping abilities. This study aimed to investigate the subjective wellbeing of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), using the novel Personal Wellbeing Index, and make comparisons with the general population.MethodsCross-sectional data was obtained from the Australian Multiple Sclerosis Longitudinal Study and the How Is Your Life Australian general population study in August-October 2020. Subjective wellbeing was measured as life satisfaction using the Personal Wellbeing Index. This instrument measures life satisfaction globally and in seven life domains, allowing the importance of domain-specific life satisfaction to be explored. Descriptive and multivariable regression analyses were conducted.ResultsOne thousand six hundred eighty-three MS and 1,021 general population participants entered the study (mean age 52.4 and 58.6; female 79.9% and 52.4%, respectively). For people living with MS the most important life domains were standard of living and achieving in life. The domain of personal health was more influential for people living with MS (p < 0.01) than the general population. The life domains most susceptible to MS-related disability were personal health, achieving in life, and community connectedness (p < 0.01 for these domains).ConclusionPersonal health and achieving in life are key domains through which the subjective wellbeing of people living with MS is modified. This study recommends the development of interventions to support healthy perceptions of illness and continued employment as paramount in improving the subjective wellbeing of people living with MS.