Heavy Use Research Articles

FBG‐driven simulation for virtual augmentation of fluoroscopic images during endovascular interventions

AbstractEndovascular interventions are procedures designed to diagnose and treat vascular diseases, using catheters to navigate inside arteries and veins. Thanks to their minimal invasiveness, they offer many benefits, such as reduced pain and hospital stays, but also present many challenges for clinicians, as they require specialized training and heavy use of X‐rays. This is particularly relevant when accessing (i.e. cannulating) small arteries with steep angles, such as most aortic branches. To address this difficulty, a novel solution that enhances fluoroscopic 2D images in real‐time by displaying virtual configurations of the catheter and guidewire is proposed. In contrast to existing works, proposing either simulators or simple augmented reality frameworks, this approach involves a predictive simulation showing the resulting shape of the catheter after guidewire withdrawal without requiring the clinician to perform this task. This system demonstrated accurate prediction with a mean 3D error of 2.4 1.3 mm and a mean error of 1.1 0.7 mm on the fluoroscopic image plane between the real catheter shape after guidewire withdrawal and the predicted shape. A user study reported an average intervention time reduction of 56 when adopting this system, resulting in a lower X‐ray exposure.

The impact of schizophrenia genetic load and heavy cannabis use on the risk of psychotic disorder in the EU-GEI case-control and UK Biobank studies.

The association between cannabis and psychosis is established, but the role of underlying genetics is unclear. We used data from the EU-GEI case-control study and UK Biobank to examine the independent and combined effect of heavy cannabis use and schizophrenia polygenic risk score (PRS) on risk for psychosis. Genome-wide association study summary statistics from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium and the Genomic Psychiatry Cohort were used to calculate schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder (CUD) PRS for 1098 participants from the EU-GEI study and 143600 from the UK Biobank. Both datasets had information on cannabis use. In both samples, schizophrenia PRS and cannabis use independently increased risk of psychosis. Schizophrenia PRS was not associated with patterns of cannabis use in the EU-GEI cases or controls or UK Biobank cases. It was associated with lifetime and daily cannabis use among UK Biobank participants without psychosis, but the effect was substantially reduced when CUD PRS was included in the model. In the EU-GEI sample, regular users of high-potency cannabis had the highest odds of being a case independently of schizophrenia PRS (OR daily use high-potency cannabis adjusted for PRS = 5.09, 95% CI 3.08-8.43, p = 3.21 × 10-10). We found no evidence of interaction between schizophrenia PRS and patterns of cannabis use. Regular use of high-potency cannabis remains a strong predictor of psychotic disorder independently of schizophrenia PRS, which does not seem to be associated with heavy cannabis use. These are important findings at a time of increasing use and potency of cannabis worldwide.

Long- vs short-access cocaine alters behavioral inhibition for cocaine in male rats

Impulsivity and behavioral inhibition are measures commonly associated with substance misuse, particularly cocaine use disorder. However, patterns of impulsive behaviors have been shown to differ based on cocaine use history and level of cocaine dependence. Extended cocaine access, which more closely models neural and behavioral changes that take place during the development of problematic cocaine use, has been shown to decrease behavioral inhibition in comparison to limited cocaine access. However, previous preclinical studies investigating these relationships have been mostly correlational and only utilize non-drug rewards. This study aims to utilize a differential rates of low reinforcement (DRL) schedule to investigate the impact of extended access to cocaine on behavioral inhibition toward a cocaine reinforcer. Male Sprague Dawley rats first self-administered intravenous cocaine infusions on a DRL schedule of reinforcement before being split into two groups: one given 6-h extended cocaine access (LgA) and one given 1-h short cocaine access (ShA) for 10 daily sessions. Following a washout period, the rats were placed back on DRL cocaine self-administration sessions. Results revealed that LgA rats showed impaired performance on the behavioral inhibition measure during the DRL self-administration sessions compared to baseline DRL performance and compared to ShA post-access behavioral inhibition measures. These results indicate that extended cocaine access impairs an organism's behavioral inhibition toward future cocaine use, indicating that those individuals with a history of heavy cocaine use will have impaired behavioral inhibition toward future cocaine use.

Psychosis associated with cannabis withdrawal: systematic review and case series.

Abrupt cessation of heavy cannabis use can cause a withdrawal syndrome characterised by irritability, anxiety, insomnia, reduced appetite and restlessness. Recent reports have also described people in whom cannabis withdrawal immediately preceded the acute onset of psychosis. To identify cases of psychosis associated with cannabis withdrawal. We completed a systematic review of the literature, which comprised case reports, case series and other studies. We also searched a large electronic database of psychiatric healthcare records. The systematic review identified 44 individuals from 21 studies in whom cannabis withdrawal preceded the development of acute psychosis. In the health record study, we identified another 68 people, of whom 47 involved a first episode of psychosis and 21 represented further episodes of an existing psychotic disorder. Almost all people were daily cannabis users who had stopped using cannabis abruptly. Individuals who continued to use cannabis after the acute psychotic episode had a much higher risk of subsequent relapse than those who abstained (odds ratio 13.9 [95% CI: 4.1 to 56.9]; χ2 = 20.1, P < 0.00001). Abrupt cannabis withdrawal may act as a trigger for the first episode of psychosis and a relapse of an existing psychosis. Acute psychotic symptoms can emerge after the cessation, as well as following the use, of cannabis.

Evaluating the association between alcohol sweetness preference, alcohol harm, and alcohol value.

Alcohol use disorder is prevalent, and various risk factors inform drinking onset and drinking patterns. Existing data suggest that alcohol sweet taste preference may be associated with harmful levels of alcohol use and alcohol-related harm. The present exploratory study aimed to characterize people's first alcohol use experience, probe the association between sweet taste preferences and drinking patterns over time, and evaluate the relationship between sweet taste preferences and behavioral economic variables. Participants (N = 277) were recruited through Prolific and completed an assessment of first alcohol exposure, current and historic drinking patterns, alcohol demand, and delay discounting. Participants reporting preference for less sweet alcohol beverages consumed the most drinks per week both currently and during their period of the heaviest use. Trends emerged such that rank order decreases in alcohol consumption were observed from those reporting transitioning from sweet to less sweet preference, then less sweet to sweet preference, and finally consistent sweet taste preference reporting the lowest consumption. Similar associations were observed for alcohol use disorder symptoms counts and alcohol demand intensity. These data broadly suggest that sweet taste preferences in alcohol consumption may serve as an important factor modulating patterns of alcohol use across the lifespan. In terms of translational implications, these data suggest that commonly used sucrose fades in preclinical research may reflect the trend in taste preferences of the majority of the population but do not mirror the typical onset (or course) of chronic, maladaptive drinking behaviors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Frequency is not enough: Characterizing heterogenous patterns of cannabis use intensity among reservation-area American Indian youth

BackgroundReservation-area American Indian (AI) youth use cannabis at significantly higher rates than their national counterparts. This discrepancy is concerning, as cannabis use—particularly heavy use—can negatively impact adolescents’ health. Studies primarily use frequency to classify cannabis use intensity; however, frequency alone may not fully capture heterogenous patterns of use. This study aimed to classify AI adolescents’ cannabis use based on multiple intensity indicators, and to investigate interclass differences in problematic characteristics and outcomes of use. MethodsParticipants were 799 reservation-area AI youth (7–12th grade) reporting 12-month cannabis use. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was used to distinguish cannabis use intensity patterns based on frequency, typical intoxication levels and duration. Auxiliary tests using R3STEP and BCH 3-step procedures were used to assess class predictors (age, initiation age, sex) and interclass differences in simultaneous drug use, stress-motivated use, problems quitting and cannabis-related consequences. ResultsFour classes emerged: Light Use (LU; 19 %), Occasional Intoxication (OI; 32 %), Mid-frequency Use(MU; 28 %), and Heavy Use (HU; 21 %). Age and initiation age correlated with membership odds in a heavier use class. Interclass differences in problematic characteristics and outcomes occurred between all classes, particularly for stress-motivated use and cannabis-related consequences—with HU reporting the most problematic characteristics and negative outcomes. ConclusionThese findings suggest that accounting for multiple dimensions of usage intensity may be important in studies examining cannabis use and related problems among AI adolescents. Tailoring intervention programming to address complex cannabis use patterns, with particular focus on stress-coping skills and harm reduction, can ensure AI youth most at risk for cannabis problems gain maximal benefit from prevention efforts.

Adolescent alcohol exposure disrupts episodic-like memory by impairing dopamine synapses in the mouse prelimbic cortex

Heavy alcohol use during adolescence has a significant impact on cognitive functions, such as episodic memory, even after detoxification. However, in animal models, defects in episodic memory by adolescent alcohol exposure have not been consistently replicated, and thus, the brain regions and systems that are involved remain to be elucidated. Here, we show that adolescent alcohol exposure impairs episodic memory through the impairment of the dopamine system in the prelimbic region (PrL) of the medial prefrontal cortex in both females and males. Using mice as a model, we first show that adolescent alcohol exposure disrupts episodic-like memory in female and male adult mice. We then show that adolescent alcohol exposure decreases dopaminergic presynaptic terminals in the PrL in female and male mice. This decrease persists into adulthood. Finally, we show that the adult application of a D1 dopamine receptor agonist into the PrL of adolescent alcohol-exposed mice rescues episodic-like memory in female and male mice. Together, our results identify that dopaminergic synapses in the PrL play critical roles in the effects of adolescent alcohol use on episodic memory and provide a potential strategy to reverse memory deficits caused by adolescent alcohol use in both sexes.

FATORES DE RISCOS DE QUEDAS EM IDOSOS INSTITUCIONALIZADOS: UMA REVISAO INTEGRATIVA DA LITERATURA

This work aims to point out the main causes of falls in institutionalized elderly people, taking into account the hypothetical factors linked to the natural process of physiological aging, lack of adequacy of long-term care institutions, heavy use of medications, degenerative diseases and hereditary diseases. The study aims to identify the main causes of falls in the elderly, so that there is prevention and reduction in hospitalization. This is an integrative literature review with exploratory objectives through bibliographic research. The searches for articles took place in the main databases, Scielo, Lilacs, Pubmed with a time frame of ten years. The search results provided 49 articles, after going through the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 8 articles were selected for writing the results and discussion. Studies show that long-term care institutions are not prepared to receive these elderly people, due to a lack of infrastructure, inadequate ergonomics and the lack of assistance with a multidisciplinary team for the elderly.

Phosphatidylethanol measures in patients with severe COVID-19-associated respiratory failure identify a subset with alcohol misuse.

Clinical trials in patients with COVID-19 have exclusively used self- or proxy-reporting to characterize alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to measure an objective biomarker of recent alcohol use in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19-associated respiratory failure who were enrolled in an investigational clinical trial to determine the prevalence of alcohol misuse, and to explore the relationship of alcohol use with outcomes. We conducted a substudy of patients enrolled in the multicenter, phase 2, adaptive platform design, Investigation of Serial Studies to Predict Your Therapeutic Response with Imaging And molecular Analysis in COVID-19 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04488081), conducted at 20 hospital systems across the United States. Three hundred and fifty-five patients with available red blood cell (RBC) samples and 60-day follow-up assessments were included. RBCs were utilized to measure phosphatidylethanol (PEth). Prespecified thresholds of PEth were utilized to stratify patients into groups: low/no alcohol use (PEth < 20 ng/mL), significant alcohol use (PEth 20-200 ng/mL), and heavy alcohol use (PEth ≥ 200 ng/mL). In this cohort, 17% of patients met criteria for significant alcohol use, while 4% met criteria for heavy alcohol use. Alcohol misuse was associated with diminished odds for home discharge, though this finding did not achieve statistical significance. In a cohort of patients with severe COVID-19 enrolled in a clinical trial, alcohol consumption of two or more standard drinks per day was present among 21%, approximating the proportion of patients with diabetes, and raising the possibility that alcohol consumption alters risk for severe viral pneumonia. Undetected alcohol misuse among clinical trial participants has the potential to influence study outcomes or contribute to adverse events.

Tracing Toxic Agency—Exploring the Open-Air Museums and Their Contaminated Vernacular Buildings

In Norwegian museums, the built heritage is closely connected to a conservation history that involves the heavy use of toxic substances. This article explores the role of these toxic substances within the context of contemporary cultural heritage. Viewing cultural heritage as a network of relationships, the article raises the following questions: In this network of relations, what type of agency or affect do the toxins have? To what extent do we observe their impact on power dynamics, discussions about restoration principles, restoration solutions, and the understanding of heritage ontology? Through three contemporary case studies from Norwegian museums, we discover that toxins affect both formal and informal built heritage networks, shaping power dynamics. Additionally, museum staff’s practices are influenced by these toxins as they engage with and manage the built heritage in novel ways. Furthermore, the materiality of museum buildings themselves is subject to change due to these toxic substances.

Assessing the Complex Impact of Smoking Habits on Allergic Rhinitis: A National Cross-Sectional Study.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) significantly affects quality of life and generates socioeconomic costs. The impact of smoking habits, including the use of conventional cigarettes (CC) and electronic cigarettes (EC), on AR prevalence and management remains controversial. To investigate the association between smoking status (CC and EC use) and AR prevalence and management among Koreans, data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VII (2018) and VIII (2019-2021) were analyzed. This cross-sectional study included 22,290 participants aged ≥19 years from the KNHANES. Smoking status was self-reported, and urinary cotinine levels were measured to assess nicotine exposure. Statistical analyses, including logistic regression, were employed to examine the relationships between smoking status, cotinine levels, and AR prevalence and management. In univariable logistic regression analysis, compared to non-smokers, electronic cigarette (EC) users showed a 35.8% increased risk of allergic rhinitis (AR), while conventional cigarette (CC) users had a 27.7% lower risk. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, CC users demonstrated a 20.3% lower risk, but no significant association was found among EC users. High cotinine levels (>500 ng/ml) were inversely related to AR prevalence. Among heavy CC users with high cotinine levels, a 35% reduced risk of AR was observed, but after adjusting for confounders, the association was no longer significant, suggesting that other variables may mediate this relationship. Smoking status is associated with the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) in Koreans, and heavy use of conventional cigarettes (CC) shows a negative correlation with AR prevalence.

Recommendations for the Design and Implementation of Alcohol Pharmacotherapy Trials: Perspectives of Women With HIV Participating in the WHAT-IF Study.

Naltrexone for alcohol reduction has been poorly studied in women with HIV (WWH), for whom heavy alcohol use is associated with negative HIV outcomes. This study offers recommendations for researchers conducting alcohol pharmacotherapy trials among PWH as suggested by WWH who participated in an alcohol pharmacotherapy trial in Florida. The WHAT-IF? Study enrolled WWH with a history of heavy alcohol use in Miami, Florida, into a clinical trial where participants were randomized to receive naltrexone or placebo to assess effectiveness among WWH. Twenty participants (mean age, 49 years; 85% Black/African American) completed interviews that included questions about barriers to participation and recommendations for future researchers and WWH. Interviews were analyzed using a reflexive thematic approach. We identified six recommendations: 1) increasing opportunities for study engagement, 2) fostering positive relationships to support change, 3) addressing medication concerns, 4) considering structural barriers to participation, 5) improving alcohol-related education, and 6) preventing fraudulent participation. Positive relationships included both study staff and external support. Medication concerns included cost, accessibility, and adherence. Structural barriers included transportation, substance use, and mental health conditions. Better education included information on the risks of alcohol use and encouraging women to quit. Overall, women reported having positive experiences in the WHAT-IF? trial, and many recommended that the study continue. Future alcohol pharmacotherapy studies could consider these recommendations when working with women from underserved communities, including WWH. Additionally, these recommendations could be applied to increase alcohol pharmacotherapy uptake and adherence in clinical practice.

Community-level responses and environmental fate of metformin in freshwater mesocosms.

The type 2 diabetes drug metformin is among the most frequently prescribed, dispensed, and consumed pharmaceuticals worldwide; and its heavy use and poor breakdown means it is consequently detected in various wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents and surface waters. The resulting environmental concentrations of metformin can have adverse impacts on aquatic ecosystems. An 8-week in-lake mesocosm experiment was conducted in a freshwater boreal lake at the IISD-Experimental Lakes Area (Ontario, Canada) to determine the environmental fate and effects of metformin. Mesocosms were assigned to nominal concentrations of 0, 5, or 50 μg L-1 metformin, in replicates of four. Biotic communities (i.e. microbial, phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthic macroinvertebrate) were assessed and complementary Lemna gibba and Daphnia magna bioassays were conducted in the laboratory. Metformin was extremely stable during the 8-week experiment, with mean measured concentrations of 0.00, 5.42, and 42.79 μg L-1 in mesocosm surface waters for the 0, 5, and 50 μg L-1 treatments, respectively. While trace amounts of metformin were detected in mesocosm sediments, the compound was primarily found in the water column. After over 1 year following metformin additions, the mean loss of metformin from surface water was 94.0 % and 91.0 % for the 5 and 50 μg L-1 treatment groups, respectively. No adverse effects of metformin treatment on the diversity, abundance, or biomass of microbial, phytoplankton, zooplankton, or benthic macroinvertebrate communities were found. Additionally, no survival or reproductive effects were observed in the 21-d Daphnia magna bioassays and no significant effects were observed in the 7-d Lemna gibba growth assays. No substantial metformin transformation to guanylurea was observed in mesocosm surface waters or sediments, likely due to a lack of bacterial degradation occurring within mesocosms relative to WWTPs.

Examining Community Preferences for Adaption and Dissemination of an Efficacious Brief Intervention on Alcohol Use and Sexual Behavior

Compared to other age groups, 18- to 25-year olds (young adults) are more likely to engage in heavy alcohol use and inconsistent contraceptive use, increasing their susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy. The Studying Alcohol and Related Risks (STARR) intervention was efficacious in reducing young adult alcohol-related risky sexual behavior, including reducing the number of casual sexual partners and alcohol use prior to sex. We conducted a qualitative study to guide the adaptation of the STARR intervention to include additional content on contraceptive use and prepare for dissemination of the intervention to a community audience. We conducted 10 focus groups with young adults (n = 16) and semistructured interviews with local community stakeholders (n = 12) to examine: (a) intervention characteristics, such as compatibility, adaptability, and design and packaging and (b) dissemination and communication channels. Focus groups and interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. Participants found the proposed intervention acceptable and highlighted the need to promote STI prevention among young adults. Participants viewed text-based interventions as accessible and effective. Key considerations included developing personalized messages from credible sources, using gender-inclusive language, and sending messages at strategic timepoints. Social media (Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok), events, and campus resources were described as avenues to create awareness and disseminate information about the proposed intervention. Findings demonstrate the need for innovative and tailored young adult health programs that incorporate multilevel dissemination strategies. This study highlights the need for implementation activities that will improve the adoption and dissemination of evidence-based programs, particularly among young adults.

Soil Physico-chemical Responses to Integrated Nutrient Management in Lentil Intercropped with Bhimal (Grewia optiva) in Agroforestry vs. Open Systems

The growing concern over health risks associated with the heavy use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in India, which have been linked to rising cancer cases, underscores the need for sustainable agricultural practices. Integrated Nutrient Management offers a promising solution to enhance soil fertility and support crop health, especially for lentil cultivation within agroforestry systems. This study, conducted at Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, examined the effects of INM on the soil’s physical and chemical properties when lentils were intercropped within a Grewia optiva (Bhimal) agroforestry system in the mid-hills region of Himachal Pradesh. The experiment evaluated various combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers, including T1: Recommended Dose of Fertilizer, T2: Farmyard Manure, T3: Vermicompost, T4: Goat Manure, T5: 50% Recommended dose of fertilizer + 50% Farm yard manure, T6: 50% Recommended dose of fertilizer + 50% Vermicompost, T7: 50% Recommended dose of fertilizer + 50% Goat Manure, and T8: Control. These treatments were applied in plots both under the Bhimal-based agroforestry system (S1) and in open field conditions (S2), with three replications per treatment following a factorial randomized block design. Key physical parameters such as bulk density, particle density, porosity, and soil moisture were measured alongside chemical properties, including soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon content, and the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Data collected over two years was analyzed using R Statistical Software, revealing that INM significantly improved soil properties in the agroforestry system compared to the control. Notably, 100% FYM emerged as the most effective treatment, enhancing soil porosity, moisture, pH, and nutrient availability (N, P, and K). Improvements in soil structure and nutrient levels were particularly evident in the second year, positively impacting lentil growth and yield. The study highlights the potential of INM to promote sustainable, chemical-free agriculture in hilly areas, offering valuable recommendations for farmers and policymakers focused on sustainable agriculture. Specifically, 100% FYM is recommended for improving soil health and crop productivity in the mid-hill region of Himachal Pradesh, providing a model for similar agro-ecological zones aiming to reduce chemical inputs and support human health.

Reshaping the field: technocratic facts, high wheat yields, and the making of an ecological disaster

ABSTRACT Today the Yaqui Valley, a renowned farming region in northern Mexico, is a top emitter of greenhouse gas. Made famous as the birthplace of the Green Revolution, the high-yielding seeds that transformed the world’s farming were engineered in the research station located in the valley. Research led by agronomist Norman Borlaug not only transformed seeds but significantly altered the contemporary understanding of fertilizer use. Five times as much fertilizer as had previously been used became part of the needed recipe to produce high yields of wheat. Decades later, soil and groundwater contamination could be traced to the heavy use of agrochemicals. This article examines pre-1970s writings, both scientific publications and an oral history, to understand how this leap in fertilizer use became normalized and persisted for nearly seven decades.

Greater smoking intensity may be linked to early smoking initiation among Filipinos: Evidence from the 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey Philippines.

Understanding the relationship between age at smoking initiation and later smoking intensity is crucial for assessing future health consequences of smoking early and informing strategies to prevent and reduce tobacco use. This study explores the relationship between the two smoking-related behaviors among Filipino daily smokers. Secondary data analyses from the 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey Philippines were performed. This study covers those who were reported to be daily smokers. The outcome of interest was smoking intensity, measured as the number of manufactured cigarettes consumed per day, while the main predictor was age at smoking initiation. Data from 2260 participants were analyzed. Negative binomial regression was used to test for the relationship between age at smoking initiation and smoking intensity while controlling for sociodemographic variables and other smoking-related behaviors. The average age at which daily smoking commenced was 20.93 (SD=6.35) years, while the average number of manufactured cigarettes consumed per day was 9.50 (SD=7.26). Age at smoking initiation was a significant predictor of smoking intensity, even after controlling for potential confounders. Each additional year in the age at which smoking was initiated was associated with a 1.55% decrease in smoking intensity in the adjusted model (β= -0.0155, p<0.0001). Other predictors of smoking intensity were current age (β=0.0072; 95% CI: 0.0050-0.0094, p<0.0001), sex (β= -0.1146; 95% CI: -0.2157 - -0.0136, p=0.0262), and smoking rules at home (β=0.1807; 95% CI: 0.1175-0.2439, p<0.0001). Greater smoking intensity may be linked to early smoking initiation among Filipino adult daily smokers. The results may support interventions that target younger ages to curb heavy tobacco use at later ages.

Environmental Impact of Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence

Very often arguments are put forward that replacing in-person meetings by online events or using digital technologies to do collaborative research will lower the pressure on the environment (Spencer 2023). But is this actually true? The obvious impacts, such as the carbon footprint of using digital technologies, are often overlooked. The electricity (even if green alternatives exist) used to run and cool the ever-growing number of large data centers has been regularly cited (Monteclaro 2023) as the largest contributor to this impact. Recent studies (Bordage 2019), however, tend to show that other actors (mostly the users) in the domain of digital technologies, appear to have an even greater impact. Additionally, ethical considerations and habitat degradation issues resulting from mining for the components to build professional and personal digital devices contribute to the problems. The deployments of networks have also a non-negligible share in the calculation of the actual digital impact on the environement (Bordage 2019). The tremendous increase of generated data, information exchanges, algorithms to run digital applications due to the larger use of AI in all scientific fields, in all sectors of the policy making, industry and civil society will increase the environmental impact of digital technologies even more. However, depending on the purpose of the AI technology, if its usage can demonstrate a reduction of negative environmental impacts, mitigation solutions can be envisaged. For example, if AI allows better land planning or better identification of species, it could balance out the digital environmental impact. In terms of online versus in-person or hybrid meetings, the issue is not as easy as one may think. For in-person meetings, especially in topics like biodiversity information, almost everyone is using devices such as laptops, tablets or smartphones, even encouraged by the organizers and speakers, making live demos, or doing online polls requiring the use of digitial technologies (e.g., Mentimeter). Totally online meetings make heavy use of the networks, dataflows and devices, even if it can be argued that the impact of the flights is removed from the equation. Hybrid meetings combine both the impacts of fully in-person or fully online options, also encouraging local participants to interact with the online participants and potentially demultiplying the environemental impact even more. Mitigation aspects to take into account are the added value of social interactions, learning about localhost's culture and biodiversity, and input to the local economies and infrastructures to welcome business tourism for large conferences. Efforts made to make onsite meetings greener play an important role, by wisely choosing the location and how catering is handled with local products and diminishing the use of one-use-only cups and cutlery. The debate on which meeting options are the best, is far from being closed and will continue into the future. This presentation will show recent analyses conducted, among others, by the European Institutes for Sustainable IT (information technology), to demystify common assumptions on major responsibilities in terms of environmental impact or carbon footprints of digital technologies. Tips and tricks to lower everyone's overall digital impact will be provided as well as encouraging the actors in biodiversity information to sign the Sustainable IT charter or even act further to get the highest Sustainable IT label for their institutions.

The correlation between non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR) with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: an analysis of the population-based NHANES (2017-2018).

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a spectrum of liver disorders, from benign steatosis to more severe conditions like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, with risks of progressing to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR) indicates lipid metabolic dysregulation and is associated with increased risks of various diseases. This study examines the relationship between NHHR and NAFLD to evaluate NHHR as a potential predictive biomarker for NAFLD. Data from the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used for cross-sectional analysis. After excluding individuals with incomplete data, hepatitis infections, heavy alcohol use, and those under 18, the study included 2,757 adults. The relationship between NHHR and NAFLD was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression, including subgroup analysis and interaction testing. Among the 2,757 participants (mean age 49.91 years), 44.9% had NAFLD. NHHR showed a significant positive association with NAFLD, with an unadjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.71 and a fully adjusted OR of 1.45. Quartile analysis revealed a 228% higher prevalence of NAFLD in the highest NHHR quartile, with an OR of 3.28. This positive association was consistent across various subgroups. Our findings suggest that elevated NHHR is positively correlated with the prevalence of NAFLD and possesses predictive value. We recommend that future research validate the clinical utility of NHHR, particularly for early detection of high-risk individuals and guiding personalized interventions.

Mixed method evaluation of factors influencing the adoption of organic participatory guarantee system certification among Vietnamese vegetable farmers

AbstractIn markets where vegetables are commonly cultivated with heavy use of synthetic pesticides, it is particularly important for consumers to be able to identify genuine organic produce. Organic Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) certification offers smallholder farmers an affordable way to build trust among consumers and secure premium prices for their organic produce. In Vietnam, the demand for vegetables with no, or low, pesticide residues is growing. The attractiveness of PGS certification should increase accordingly, but the number of organic PGS certified farmers in Vietnam are stagnating or even decreasing. The aim of this study is to explain this paradox by investigating the factors that influence the adoption of organic PGS certification among Vietnamese vegetable farmers. We follow a mixed methods approach, combining a qualitative analysis of farmer interviews (n = 62) and a quantitative analysis of a farm survey data (n = 434) using a sample selection model that estimates adoption contingent on farmers’ awareness of PGS certification. Drawing on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, we found that social relationships and positive attitudes towards farming and the environment drive the adoption of organic PGS. Barriers include insufficient knowledge of organic farming techniques, labour shortages, and ageing farmers. At the systemic level, support by (non-)governmental institutions facilitates adoption, but challenges such as lower yields and limited access to premium markets remain. To promote organic PGS among Vietnamese vegetable farmers, efforts should focus on disseminating organic farming techniques that boost yields, alleviate labour demands, and ensure secure markets for premium-priced organic vegetables.