High Segregation Research Articles

The association of residential racial segregation with health among U.S. children: A nationwide longitudinal study

Residential racial segregation in the U.S. has been hypothesized as a fundamental cause driving health disparities across racial groups. Potential mechanisms include economic and social marginalization, subsequent constrained opportunities, and high stress. Yet evidence on residential segregation's association with health among Black and White children—particularly longitudinally—is sparse. This study aims to address this gap. We used data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), a national longitudinal study of U.S. households, analyzing information on 1,251 Black and 1,427 White children who participated in the Child Development Supplement (CDS) at least twice (survey waves 1997, 2002, 2007, 2014). We fit individual fixed-effects models to estimate the within-person association of neighborhood-level residential segregation, measured with local Getis-Ord G* statistics, with three outcomes (general health, weight status, and behavioral problems). We examined heterogeneous effects by age and sex. We also examined associations between health and childhood segregation trajectories, i.e., the pattern of children's residential segregation exposures from birth through when their health outcomes were measured, providing additional insight on dynamic experiences of segregation. In fixed effects models, among Black children, higher segregation was associated with worse self-rated health, especially for Black children who were older (aged 11–17 years). In trajectory models, among White children, moving out of highly segregated neighborhoods was associated with a lower probability of poor self-rated health, while moving into those neighborhoods or back and forth between neighborhood types were both associated with increased behavioral problems. Our findings highlight the importance of early-life residential segregation in shaping persistent racial health disparities, as well as the costs of segregation for all children living in highly segregated neighborhoods.

Spatial Distribution of Cladocera in a Stratified Palaearctic Lake

The spatial distribution of 39 species of Chydoridae, representing seven families, was examined in a stratified Palaearctic lake in Poland (Lake Piaseczno). Thirty-one of the species living in that lake were found to exist exclusively in the littoral zone. No species were found exclusively in the pelagic zone; in this zone, eight species were identified, but all of these were also quite abundant in the littoral zone. Almost all species of Chydoridae and all species of Macrothricidae were found only in littoral, whereas Daphnidae and Sididae families comprised species either restricted to the littoral or occurring in both pelagic and littoral zones. Two Bosminidae species, in turn, displayed quite a consistent distribution in both biotic zones, but differed in their habitat preferences. On the other hand, species of Polyphemidae and Leptodoridae exhibited littoral and littoral-pelagic distributions, respectively. Few species occurred in one habitat only. Most species, despite showing clear preferences for a distinct habitat (or habitats), were also present at lower densities throughout the littoral zone, or the whole lake, in the case of limnetic species. Archetype analysis showed that cladocerans were distributed along the entire gradient of macrophyte characteristics and habitat depth. Among Chydoridae, which displayed the strongest attachment to habitats overgrown by macrophytes, few species showed above 50% similarity to the archetype representing species living among submerged macrophytes with the highest plant per volume infested. Furthermore, many littoral species, including these of the Macrothricidae family, P. pediculus and S. mucronata, avoided staying in habitats with particularly complicated spatial architecture. Regarding their distribution in relation to depth, cladocerans could be grouped into species found in the whole littoral zone, species settling in relatively shallow parts of the littoral zone, species found mainly in habitats 3–6 m deep and species settling throughout the lake. Archetype analysis showed negligible similarity between cladocerans and the archetype representing species living in macrophyte-free habitats in the deepest parts of the lake. The study provides quantitative support showing that cladocerans display a distribution threshold at one time in one lake. Although this group of aquatic invertebrates is widely suspected of being ecologically flexible and tolerant to environmental gradients, individual species showed high spatial segregation according to depth and habitat architecture.

Neighborhood segregation and cognitive change: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

We investigated associations between neighborhood racial/ethnic segregation and cognitive change. We used data (n = 1712) from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Racial/ethnic segregation was assessed using Getis-Ord (Gi*) z-scores based on American Community Survey Census tract data (higher Gi* = greater spatial clustering of participant's race/ethnicity). Global cognition and processing speed were assessed twice, 6 years apart. Adjusted multilevel linear regression tested associations between Gi* z-scores and cognition. Effect modification by race/ethnicity, income, education, neighborhood socioeconomic status, and neighborhood social support was tested. Participants were on average 67 years old; 43% were White, 11% Chinese, 29% African American/Black, 17% Hispanic; 40% had high neighborhood segregation (Gi* > 1.96). African American/Black participants with greater neighborhood segregation had greater processing speed decline in stratified analyses, but no interactions were significant. Segregation was associated with greater processing speed declines among African American/Black participants. Additional follow-ups and comprehensive cognitive batteries may further elucidate these findings. A study of neighborhood racial/ethnic segregation and change in cognition. Study was based on a racially and geographically diverse, population-based cohort of older adults. Racial/ethnic segregation (clustering) was measured by the Getis-ord (Gi*) statistic. We saw faster processing speed decline among Black individuals in segregated neighborhoods.

Fabrication of Highly Compacted Green Body Using Multi-Sized Al Powder under a Centrifugal Force

This study investigates the application of centrifugal force for the compaction of metal powder. Previous studies using the centrifugal force for manufacturing the green bodies were focused on fine powders with narrow particle size distribution or binary mixtures. This study explores the particle packing of multi-sized powder. Aluminum alloy powder with a particle size less than 100 µm and polymer binder were admixed and compacted in the centrifugal casting with ranging magnitudes of centripetal acceleration. Three different centrifugal forces were tested: 700, 1800, and 3700 G. The microstructure of the green bodies was then observed on the SEM micrographs. The obtained green bodies had high packing densities ranging from 62 to 69%. The packing density and median particle size increase at the positions further away from the center of rotation of the centrifuge with an increase of centrifugal force. The effect of centrifugal force on the segregation of particles was investigated through the quasi-binary segregation index. The segregation phenomena was not observed at 700 G, but clear particle segregation was found at higher centrifugal forces. The increase of the centrifugal force resulted in higher segregation with finer particles moving to the inner part of the spinning mold, with a significant change in the size of particles located closer to the center of rotation. Overall, the centrifugal process was found to produce highly compacted green bodies while yielding a segregation effect due to wide particle size distribution.

A-site deficient Sr0.9Ti0.3Fe0.7O3−δ perovskite：A high stable cobalt-free oxygen electrode material for solid oxide electrochemical cells with excellent electrocatalytic activity and CO2 tolerance

Recently, SrTi0.3Fe0.7O3−δ (STF) has been investigated as a highly stable oxygen electrode material for solid oxide electrochemical cells (SOCs) with a sufficiently low resistance for cell operation at temperatures of > 700 °C. However, in general, the STF electrode performance is limited at temperatures of ≤ 700 °C due to the low oxygen surface exchange coefficient, which is mainly caused by high Sr surface segregation. To improve the electrode performance, Sr0.9(Ti0.3Fe0.7)O3−δ (A-STF) with an A-site-deficient design is developed to reduce the Sr content and thus reduce the Sr surface segregation, thereby providing a unique combination of excellent oxygen electrode performance and long-term stability. The A-site deficiency reduces the electrode polarization resistance by > 3 times at 600 °C and clearly improves the oxygen diffusion and surface exchange coefficients due to the decrease of Sr surface segregation. The A-STF electrode exhibits stable performance in the fuel cell and electrolysis modes at 1 A cm−2 > 1200 h. The stability of STF-based oxygen electrodes in a CO2-enriched atmosphere is investigated, and the results indicate that A-STF exhibits excellent CO2 tolerance.

Abstract 32: Patterns of segregation among diverse Hispanic/Latino adults- implications for cancer prevention

Abstract Background: Residential segregation has been associated with cancer incidence and mortality. Hispanic/Latinos (HL) experience moderate to high residential segregation. Purpose: This study investigates levels of racial and ethnic residential segregation and racialized economic concentrations at the extremes in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). Methods: We used baseline data from 16,415 HL adults enrolled in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos between 2008-2011 from the Bronx, NY; Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; and San Diego, CA. Segregation measures were calculated from census tract-level (2006-2010 American Community Survey and 2010 decennial census). We measured residential segregation using the % HL Gini coefficient, to capture variability of HL residents within the census tract, and the isolation index, to capture the probability that HL residents come into contact with other members of the same minority group. We measured racialized economic (race/ethnicity + income) concentration using the Index of Concentration at the Extremes (ICE), to capture spatial social polarization at the extremes. We compared means of HCHS/SOL population characteristics using linear regression and adjusted Wald tests for continuous, binary, and categorical variables, respectively, calculated from weighted complex samples analyses. Results: On average, overall segregation was moderate to high (M±SE): Gini (0.39 ± 0.00); Isolation (0.76 ± 0.01); ICE (race: -0.64 ± 0.01; income: -0.29 ± 0.01; race + income: -0.26 ± 0.01). HL adults who were older (> 65 y: 0.80 ± 0.01; 45-65 y: 0.77 ± 0.008; 18-44 y: 0.75 ± 0.75, p = .000) and foreign/territory-born residing in US <10 years (0.81 ± 0.009; p = 0.000; foreign/territory-born residing in US >=10 years: 0.76 ± 0.01; vs. US born: 0.70 ± 0.01) and preferred Spanish (0.79 ± 0.01; p = .000 vs. English: 0.69 ± 0.007) experienced higher racial/ethnic segregation as measured by the Isolation index. HL of Cuban (0.42 ± 0.006, p = 0.049) vs. all other heritage experienced the as measured by the % HL Gini index. We found higher levels of racialized economic segregation among foreign/territory-born residing in US <10 years (-0.32 ± 0.01) vs. foreign/territory-born residing in US >= 10 years (-0.26 ± .01) and US born (-0.21 ± 0.01; p = 0.000); individuals that preferred Spanish (-0.28 ± 0.01) vs. English (-0.21 ± .01; p = 0.000); and self-reported Cuban heritage (-0.42 ± 0.01; p = .000) vs all other heritage. Conclusion: Using multiple, measures of segregation, we found that HL adults who were older, foreign born, and preferred Spanish experienced moderate and high levels of segregation. It is important for future work to examine the impact of racial/ethnic and economic segregation on social determinants of cancer disparities within segregated environments among diverse HL. Citation Format: Catherine M. Pichardo, Jesse J. Plascak, Lisa A. Sanchez-Johnsen, Amber Pirzada, Amanda L. Roy, Margaret S. Pichardo, Earle C. Chambers, Sheila F. Castañeda, Ramon A. Durazo-Arvizu, Krista M. Perreira, Tanya P. Garcia, Matthew Allison, Jordan Carlson, Martha L. Daviglus, Gregory A. Talavera, Linda C. Gallo. Patterns of segregation among diverse Hispanic/Latino adults- implications for cancer prevention [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 32.

Hemispheric functional segregation facilitates target detection during sustained visuospatial attention.

Visuospatial attention is strongly lateralized, with the right hemisphere commonly exhibiting stronger activation and connectivity patterns than the left hemisphere during attentive processes. However, whether such asymmetry influences inter‐hemispheric information transfer and behavioral performance is not known. Here we used a region of interest (ROI) and network‐based approach to determine steady‐state fMRI functional connectivity (FC) in the whole cerebral cortex during a leftward/rightward covert visuospatial attention task. We found that the global FC topology between either ROIs or networks was independent on the attended side. The side of attention significantly modulated FC strength between brain networks, with leftward attention primarily involving the connections of the right visual network with dorsal and ventral attention networks in both the left and right hemisphere. High hemispheric functional segregation significantly correlated with faster target detection response times (i.e., better performance). Our findings suggest that the dominance of the right hemisphere in visuospatial attention is associated with an hemispheric functional segregation that is beneficial for behavioral performance.

Challenges in School‐To‐Work Transition in Germany and Austria: Perspectives on Individual, Institutional, and Structural Inequalities

Transitions between schools, vocational education and training (VET), and work pose important challenges for young people that influence their well‐being and social positioning now and in the future. The young people themselves experience the transition phase as the formation stage of their aspirations and goals. In this process, young people are confronted with the expectations and assessments of relevant others—such as parents, teachers, employers, and career counsellors—and by the requirements that are defined in sociopolitical and institutional contexts. In these contexts, criteria of successful transitions and risky transitions worthy of special support are made relevant. German and Austrian employment-centred transition regimes are characterised by relatively high standardisation and segregation as well as a strong VET system linked to the labour market. This thematic issue brings together contributions that examine challenges in these transitions from different perspectives and related facets of social inequality. The articles address different transitions (mostly school‐to‐VET, but also school‐to‐school or unemployment to work) and their different phases: aspiration formation, changing aspirations, challenges in transitions, and concrete problems in transition processes like disconnectedness or unemployment. The articles on social inequalities are related to class, ethnicity, gender, and (dis)ability. We also place importance on balancing different methods to bring together findings from quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, and participatory research.

Beta-band network modularity in resting-state EEG negatively correlates with level of intelligence

IntroductionRecent studies mostly focus on the links between measures of alpha-band EEG networks and intelligence. However, associations between wide frequency range EEG networks and general intelligence level remain underresearched.ObjectivesIn this study in a student sample we aimed to correlate the intelligence level and graph metrics of the sensors/sources-level networks constructed in different frequency EEG bands.MethodsWe recorded eyes-closed resting-state EEG in 28 healthy participants (21.4±2.1 y.o., 18 females, 1 left-handed). The Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices Plus (‘SPM Plus’, 60 figures) was used as an intelligence measure. We constructed networks for all possible combinations of sensors/sources-level and 4-8, 8-13, 13-30, or 4-30 Hz frequency bands using Weighted Phase-Lag Index (wPLI), and calculated four graph metrics (Characteristic Path Length, Clustering Coefficient, Modularity, and Small World Index) for each network. Spearman correlation (with Holm-Sidak correction) was applied to characterize the relations between the SPM Plus scores and all the network metrics.ResultsSPM Plus scores varied from 35 to 57 (mean 45.3±4.2), and the intelligence level negatively correlated with Modularity in beta-band (r = -0.63, pcorr = 0.0253).ConclusionsHigh modularity may reflect relatively high segregation, but not integration, of networks (Girn, Mills, Christoff, 2019). Accordingly, our findings may shed light on the neural mechanisms of the general inefficiency of global cognitive processing in the case of intellectual decline related to different mental disorders. Funding: This research has been supported by the Interdisciplinary Scientific and Educational School of Lomonosov Moscow State University ‘Brain, Cognitive Systems, Artificial Intelligence’.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Habitat use and activity patterns of ungulates in a tropical rainforest of southern México

Baird’s tapir (Tapirella bairdii), white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari), and collared peccary (Dicotyles tajacu) sympatrically occur in the Lacandon Forest of Chiapas, México. These species contribute to maintain ecosystem dynamics through herbivory, seed dispersal, and seed predation, constituting important prey for large carnivores and hunters. We analyzed activity patterns and habitat use of the three focal species to assess the degree of temporal and spatial habitat segregation among them in Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve (REBIMA) and surrounding communities. Between February and October 2015 we deployed camera-traps during 8,463 camera-trap days to estimate the presence and activity of tapirs and peccaries in two habitat types: “conserved” (REBIMA), and “transformed” (community forests; AFC). Habitat use and activity patterns of tapirs and peccaries were assessed through logistic regression models. We found that Baird’s tapir was almost exclusively nocturnal with a trend towards crepuscular activity, while both peccary species were diurnal, therefore showing a high daily temporal segregation from the tapir. Both peccary species were similarly active in the two study sites, while tapirs were more active in continuous forest within the protected area. The occurrence of tapirs and white-lipped peccaries depended on the presence and proximity of water sources and roads. Our results suggest that spatial segregation of the habitat allows coexistence of both peccary species in the study area. AFC have potential for maintaining populations of tapirs and peccaries in the Lacandon Forest. Conserving these forests by local communities is essential to ensure the persistence of these mammals.

MP31-12 HIGH LEVELS OF HIDDEN SEGREGATION EXIST FOR BLACK AND WHITE PATIENTS UNDERGOING CANCER SURGERY WITHIN THE SAME HOSPITAL

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 May 2022MP31-12 HIGH LEVELS OF HIDDEN SEGREGATION EXIST FOR BLACK AND WHITE PATIENTS UNDERGOING CANCER SURGERY WITHIN THE SAME HOSPITAL Lillian Lai, Addison Shay, Sitara Murali, Phyllis Yan, and John Hollingsworth Lillian LaiLillian Lai More articles by this author , Addison ShayAddison Shay More articles by this author , Sitara MuraliSitara Murali More articles by this author , Phyllis YanPhyllis Yan More articles by this author , and John HollingsworthJohn Hollingsworth More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000002580.12AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Black patients are significantly more likely to suffer complications following surgery than their white counterparts, even when treated at the same facility. But why would racial disparities in surgical outcomes exist within a hospital? Emerging data from the cardiac surgery literature suggest one possibility: Black and white patients appear to be systematically cared for by different teams of physicians around their operation. To examine whether such hidden segregation exists for patients undergoing major cancer surgery, we analyzed national Medicare data. METHODS: We identified Black and white Medicare beneficiaries with cancer who underwent cystectomy, colectomy, pancreatectomy, or lung resection between 2010 and 2018. After determining all physicians involved in each patient’s surgical episode (index hospitalization to 90 days post discharge), we aggregated across episodes at a given hospital to construct the procedure-specific team of physicians. To measure hidden segregation, we calculated the hospital’s dissimilarity index. This index, ranging from 0-1, captures the extent to which physicians who treated Black patients overlapped with those who treated white patients. When it equals 1, physicians at the hospital treated only Black or only white patients. We fit multivariable regression models to determine factors associated with treatment at a high segregation hospital. RESULTS: The median level of hidden segregation was high for all procedures (cystectomy 0.94; colectomy 0.82; pancreatectomy 0.89; lung resection 0.89) but varied across hospitals (Figure 1). On multivariable regression, with the exception of cystectomy, Black patients had lower odds than white patients to be treated at a hospital with high hidden segregation (colectomy OR 0.44 [95% CI 0.36 to 0.53]; pancreatectomy OR 0.55 [95% CI 0.31 to 0.98]; lung resection OR 0.40 [95% CI 0.33 to 0.50]). Consistent across all procedures, medium and high socioeconomic status were associated with higher odds of treatment at a hospital with high hidden segregation. CONCLUSIONS: There exist high levels of hidden segregation for Black and white patients undergoing major cancer surgery within the same hospital. This finding helps shed light on persistent racial disparities in surgical outcomes. Source of Funding: NCI T32 CA180984 for LYL © 2022 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 207Issue Supplement 5May 2022Page: e526 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2022 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Lillian Lai More articles by this author Addison Shay More articles by this author Sitara Murali More articles by this author Phyllis Yan More articles by this author John Hollingsworth More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF DownloadLoading ...

Spaces of Segregation and Health: Complex Associations for Black Immigrant and US-Born Mothers in New York City.

Black immigrants are a growing proportion of the Black population in the USA, and despite the fact that they now comprise nearly a quarter of Black urban residents, few studies address the relationships between racial segregation and maternal and birth outcomes among Black immigrants. In this study of birth outcomes among US-born and immigrant Black mothers in New York City between 2010 and 2014, we applied multilevel models, assessing the association between segregation (measured through a novel kernel-based measure of local segregation) and adverse birth outcomes (preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW; < 2500g)) among African-born, Caribbean-born, and US-born Black mothers. We found that African-born and Caribbean/Latin American-born Black mothers had a significantly lower incidence of PTB compared with US-born Black mothers (7.0 and 10.1, respectively, compared with 11.2 for US-born mothers). We also found disparities in the incidence of infant LBW by nativity, with the highest incidence among infants born to US-born mothers (10.9), compared with African-born (6.9) and Caribbean-born mothers (9.0). After adjusting for maternal (maternal age; higher rates of reported drug use and smoking) and contextual characteristics (neighborhood SES; green space access), we found that maternal residence in an area with high Black segregation increases the likelihood of PTB and LBW among US-born and Caribbean-born Black mothers. In contrast, the association between segregation and birth outcomes was insignificant for African-born mothers. Associations between tract-level socioeconomic disadvantage and birth outcomes also varied across groups, with only US-born Black mothers showing the expected positive association with risk of PTB and LBW.

Placing a housing lens on neighbourhood disadvantage, socioeconomic position and mortality

Placing a housing lens on neighbourhood disadvantage, socioeconomic position and mortality

The influence of structural racism, pandemic stress, and SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy with adverse birth outcomes

BACKGROUNDStructural racism and pandemic-related stress from the COVID-19 pandemic may increase the risk of adverse birth outcomes.OBJECTIVEOur objective was to examine associations between neighborhood measures of structural racism and pandemic stress with 3 outcomes: SARS-CoV-2 infection, preterm birth, and delivering small-for-gestational-age newborns. Our secondary objective was to investigate the joint association of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and neighborhood measures with preterm birth and delivering small-for-gestational-age newborns.STUDY DESIGNWe analyzed data of 967 patients from a prospective cohort of pregnant persons in New York City, comprising 367 White (38%), 169 Black (17%), 293 Latina (30%), and 87 Asian persons (9%), 41 persons of other race or ethnicity (4%), and 10 of unknown race or ethnicity (1%). We evaluated structural racism (social/built structural disadvantage, racial-economic segregation) and pandemic-related stress (community COVID-19 mortality, community unemployment rate increase) in quartiles by zone improvement plan code. SARS-CoV-2 serologic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed on blood samples from pregnant persons. We obtained data on preterm birth and small-for-gestational-age newborns from an electronic medical record database. We used log-binomial regression with robust standard error for clustering by zone improvement plan code to estimate associations of each neighborhood measure separately with 3 outcomes: SARS-CoV-2 infection, preterm birth, and small-for-gestational-age newborns. Covariates included maternal age, parity, insurance status, and body mass index. Models with preterm birth and small-for-gestational-age newborns as the dependent variables additionally adjusted for SARS-CoV-2 infection.RESULTSA total of 193 (20%) persons were SARS-CoV-2–seropositive, and the overall risks of preterm birth and small-for-gestational-age newborns were 8.4% and 9.8%, respectively. Among birthing persons in neighborhoods in the highest quartile of structural disadvantage (n=190), 94% were non-White, 50% had public insurance, 41% were obese, 32% were seropositive, 11% delivered preterm, and 12% delivered a small-for-gestational-age infant. Among birthing persons in neighborhoods in the lowest quartile of structural disadvantage (n=360), 39% were non-White, 17% had public insurance, 15% were obese, 9% were seropositive, 6% delivered preterm, and 10% delivered a small-for-gestational-age infant. In adjusted analyses, structural racism measures and community unemployment were associated with both SARS-CoV-2 infection and preterm birth, but not small-for-gestational-age infants. High vs low structural disadvantage was associated with an adjusted relative risk of 2.6 for infection (95% confidence interval, 1.7–3.9) and 1.7 for preterm birth (95% confidence interval, 1.0–2.9); high vs low racial-economic segregation was associated with adjusted relative risk of 1.9 (95% confidence interval, 1.3–2.8) for infection and 2.0 (95% confidence interval, 1.3–3.2) for preterm birth; high vs low community unemployment increase was associated with adjusted relative risk of 1.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.2–1.5) for infection and 1.6 (95% confidence interval, 1.0–2.8) for preterm birth. COVID-19 mortality rate was associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection but not preterm birth or small-for-gestational-age infants. SARS-CoV-2 infection was not independently associated with birth outcomes. We found no interaction between SARS-CoV-2 infection and neighborhood measures on preterm birth or small-for-gestational-age infants.CONCLUSIONNeighborhood measures of structural racism were associated with both SARS-CoV-2 infection and preterm birth, but these associations were independent and did not have a synergistic effect. Community unemployment rate increases were also associated with an increased risk of preterm birth independently of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Mitigating these factors might reduce the impact of the pandemic on pregnant people.

A New Flow Cytometry-Based Single Platform for Universal and Differential Serodiagnosis of HTLV-1/2 Infection.

In the present work, we developed and evaluated the performance of a new flow cytometry-based single platform, referred to as “FC-Duplex IgG1 (HTLV-1/2)”, for universal and differential serodiagnosis of HTLV-1/2 infection. The proposed technology employs a system for detection of IgG1 antibodies in a single competitive immunofluorescence platform by flow cytometry using fluorescently labeled MT-2/MoT cell line mix coupled to a highly sensitive development system (Biotin/Streptavidin/Phycoerythrin). The stability of fluorescent labeling and the antigenicity of MT-2 and MoT cell lines were confirmed upon storage at −20°C for 2, 6, and 12 months. The anti-HTLV-1/2 IgG1 reactivity, expressed as percentage of positive fluorescent cells (PPFC), was evaluated for each target antigen along the titration curve of test serum samples (1:32 to 1:4,096). Upon selection of target cell line and serum dilutions with higher segregation score between groups, the performance of “FIX” and “FIX & PERM” protocols was evaluated. The “FIX” protocol presented excellent performance indices (Se = 92%/Sp = 94%/AUC = 0.96; Se = 96%/Sp = 100%/AUC = 0.99) for the universal (HTLV-1/2 vs. NI) and differential (HTLV-1 vs. HTLV-2) diagnosis of HTLV-1 infection, respectively. Optimization of the “FIX” protocol using the principle of synchronous and asynchronous pairwise analysis further improved the performance of “FC-Duplex IgG1 (HTLV-1/2)”, using the “FIX” protocol for differential diagnosis of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 infections (Se = 100%/Sp = 100%/AUC = 1.00). In conclusion, the “FC-Duplex IgG1 (HTLV-1/2)” method represents an innovation in the biotechnology segment with the potential to compose a serological kit for differential diagnosis of HTLV-1/2 infection for reference laboratories and blood centers.

Socioeconomic inequalities and the surface heat island distribution in Santiago, Chile

Surface urban heat islands (SUHIs) are an important socio-environmental problem associated with large cities, such as the Santiago Metropolitan Area (SMA), in Chile. Here, we analyze daytime and nighttime variations of SUHIs for each season of the year during the period 2000–2020. To evaluate socioeconomic inequities in the distribution of SUHIs, we establish statistical relationships with socioeconomic status, land price, and urban vegetation. We use the MODIS satellite images to obtain the land surface temperatures and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) through the Google Earth Engine platform. The results indicate more intense SUHIs during the nighttime in the eastern sector, coinciding with higher socioeconomic status and larger green areas. This area during the day is cooler than the rest of the city. The areas with lower and middle socioeconomic status suffer more intense SUHIs (daytime and nighttime) and match poor environmental and urban qualities. These results show the high segregation of SMA. Urban planning is subordinated to land prices with a structure maintained over the study period. The lack of social-climate justice is unsustainable, and such inequalities may be exacerbated in the context of climate change. Thus, these results can contribute to the planning of the SMA.

Dissociated brain functional connectivity of fast versus slow frequencies underlying individual differences in fluid intelligence: a DTI and MEG study

Brain network analysis represents a powerful technique to gain insights into the connectivity profile characterizing individuals with different levels of fluid intelligence (Gf). Several studies have used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and slow-oscillatory resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) to examine the anatomical and functional aspects of human brain networks that support intelligence. In this study, we expand this line of research by investigating fast-oscillatory functional networks. We performed graph theory analyses on resting-state magnetoencephalographic (MEG) signal, in addition to structural brain networks from DTI data, comparing degree, modularity and segregation coefficient across the brain of individuals with high versus average Gf scores. Our results show that high Gf individuals have stronger degree and lower segregation coefficient than average Gf participants in a significantly higher number of brain areas with regards to structural connectivity and to the slower frequency bands of functional connectivity. The opposite result was observed for higher-frequency (gamma) functional networks, with higher Gf individuals showing lower degree and higher segregation across the brain. We suggest that gamma oscillations in more intelligent individuals might support higher local processing in segregated subnetworks, while slower frequency bands would allow a more effective information transfer between brain subnetworks, and stronger information integration.

Feasibility study of implementing gamma-ray computed tomography on measuring aggregate distribution and radiation shielding properties of concrete samples

Aggregate segregation is one of the key defects that impair the performance of concrete at fresh and hardened stages. This study aims to assess the feasibility of using an advanced technique to identify/scan/determine the aggregate segregation of concrete elements and determine radiation shielding properties of the concrete. The gamma-ray computed tomography (γ-CT) technique was employed to study aggregate distribution/dispersion in self-consolidating concrete (SCC). Accordingly, two SCC mixtures with moderate segregation (MS) and high segregation (HS) levels were cast and compared with highly stable SCC with no segregation (NS). The γ-CT scans were located on three different levels of concrete specimens located at the top-level (L1), middle-level (L2), and bottom-level (L3). A Cs-137 (660 keV emission) was used as a gamma-ray source to measure the linear attenuation coefficient per unit chord length at each level. Alternating minimization (AM) algorithm was utilized for cross-sectional image reconstruction based on the attenuation coefficient of the material density and the elements atomic number that represent the materials. A phantom of three Plexiglas layers was used to pre-validate the technique’s ability to identify aggregate locations. Moreover, the γ-CT scans of the concrete samples were compared with selected sections using the image processing method. The findings confirmed that the γ-CT technique can determine the level of segregation in the investigated samples. Further, it has been found that the presence of the aggregate enhanced the radiation shielding properties by up to ∼25%. The linear attenuation values were used to quantify the aggregate distribution of the concrete samples.

Effects of Fines Content and Type, and Coarse Aggregate Size on the Workability Properties of Self-Compacting Concretes

Self-compacting concretes (SCC) were prepared with 10 mm and 16 mm coarse aggregate sizes and using limestone powder (LS) and fly ash (FA) as fine material. The amount of fines in concrete, where the amount of cement and the water / cement ratio were kept constant, was increased in 36 dm3 increments up to 108 dm3. The effect of the type and amount of fines and coarse aggregate size on flowing, passing, segregation and blocking properties of SCCs were examined. Experimental results indicated that slump flow increases with increasing fines content. Opposite to this, V-funnel times increased with increasing fines content, however, they were shorter for FA than those of LS, which can be attributed the balling and lubrication effect of the former and arching effect of the latter particles. For both fines, higher segregation was obtained for SCCs with 16 mm than those of 10 mm. The SCCs with low amount of fines displayed higher blocking step in general and FA-added concretes had higher segregation than those of LS. The difference in the behaviors of LS and UK added concretes is most probably due to the differences in the particle shape and surface properties.

Solubility and segregation of B in paramagnetic fcc Fe

Boron solubility and segregation in paramagnetic (PM) fcc iron have been investigated by means of DFT calculations. The results focus on the Boron site preference in both bulk and coincidence site lattice model $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}5$ (012) GB in fcc Fe and evaluate the validity of different model approaches for modeling the PM state. Boron and PM fcc iron are predicted to form an interstitial solid solution. The PM state model and pressure correction have been introduced into the 0 K DFT calculations to evaluate Boron solubility in fcc Fe as a function of its thermal lattice expansion within the temperature range of 0--1670 K. The relatively high segregation energy of Boron of about $\ensuremath{-}$1.57 eV to both interstitial and substitutional GB sites at 0 K is predicted to substantially decrease with thermal lattice expansion, reaching the value of about $\ensuremath{-}$0.3 eV at the lattice parameter of fcc Fe corresponding to 1670 K. The contribution of the PM state to the segregation energy was found to be of the order of 0.1 eV compared to the nonmagnetic calculations.