Principal Component Factor Analysis Research Articles

Assessment of water quality and source apportionment of pollution in a tropical river in eastern India: A study utilizing multivariate statistical tools and the APCS-MLR receptor model.

The Mundeswari River, an ecologically distressed river in eastern India, has been subjected to water quality deterioration largely due to anthropogenic activities in its vicinity. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the current state of pollution in the river and assess the appropriateness of river water for irrigation, given its extensive use for agricultural purposes. Monthly water quality monitoring was undertaken at four distinct sampling sites (SP1-SP4) over a two-year period (2020-2022), considering seventeen water quality parameters. This research employed principal component analysis/factor analysis (PCA/FA) and absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) receptor modelling. These methodologies were used to discern and quantify potential sources of pollution influencing the water quality of the Mundeswari River. The study revealed that the water quality of the Mundeswari River was most degraded during the pre-monsoon season. Among the four sampling sites, SP3 exhibited the highest level of pollution with mean biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) values of 5.36mg/L and 44.72mg/L, respectively. According to the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), there was considerable spatial and seasonal disparities (P < 0.05) in most water quality parameters. The PCA/FA extracted four latent pollution sources, accounting for 81.5% of the total variance. The primary factors influencing the quality of river water are natural weathering processes, discharge of domestic effluent and waste, and agricultural runoff. The APCS-MLR receptor model further revealed that agricultural drainage factors and the discharge of domestic effluent and waste had a greater impact on the Mundeswari River. The investigation concluded that the mean values of all indicators for irrigation suitability were below the defined threshold limits, indicating that the water of the studied river appears suitable for irrigation. The outcomes of this study may significantly contribute to the formulation of sustainable strategies for the ecological rejuvenation of the Mundeswari River.

Acculturating to multiculturalism: a new dimension of dietary acculturation among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander women in the San Francisco Bay Area, USA

BackgroundDietary acculturation is the process by which diet and dietary practises from the environment of origin are retained or changed and/or those prevalent in a new environment are adopted. Despite rapid population growth the U.S., knowledge gaps exist on characterising dietary acculturation among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities (AANHPI). This study characterise dietary patterns in a sample representative of AANHPI on key demographic characteristics.MethodsData were from a 2013–2014 population-based case-control study in the San Francisco Bay Area, U.S. Survey items were adapted from dietary acculturation scales developed for AANHPI populations. Validated measures assessed social capital, social standing, discrimination and immigration experiences. A principal components factor analysis was conducted to characterise dietary patterns of acculturation.ResultsThree dietary patterns were identified: “Asian,” “Western,” and a distinct “Multicultural” factor. Respondents reporting a high-Asian diet tended to also report smaller social networks, higher levels of stress, and, among those born outside of the U.S., an educational standing that was better before immigration. Respondents reporting a high-Western diet tended to also report the highest level of discrimination. Those reporting a high-Multicultural diet tended to report higher neighbourhood collective efficacy.ConclusionsThe finding of a distinct “Multicultural” factor beyond the typical “Asian” and “Western” factors may reflect the multidirectional relationships between culture, diet, and dietary behavior, in which origin and destination cultures interact in complex ways and where foods from multiple ethnicities intermix.

Addressing type Ia supernova color variability with a linear spectral template

Type Ia Supernovae (SNeIa) provided the first evidence of an accelerated expansion of the universe and remain a valuable probe to cosmology. They are deemed standardizable candles due to the observed correlations between their luminosity and photometric quantities. This characteristic can be exploited to estimate cosmological distances after accounting for the observed variations. There is however a remaining dispersion unaccounted for in the current state-of-the-art standardization methods. In an attempt to explore this issue, we propose a simple linear 3-component rest-frame flux description for a light-curve fitter. Since SNIa intrinsic color index variations are expected to be time-dependent, our description builds upon the mathematical expression of the well-known Spectral Adaptive Light Curve Template 2 (SALT2) for rest-frame flux, whilst we drop the exponential factor and add an extra model component with time and wavelength dependencies. The model components are obtained by performing either Principal Component Analysis (PCA) or Factor Analysis (FA) onto a representative training set. The constraining power of the model dubbed Pure Expansion Template for Supernovae (PETS) is evaluated and we found compatible results with SALT2 for Ωm0 and ΩΛ0 within 68% uncertainty between the two models, with PETS’ fit parameters exhibiting non-negligible linear correlations with SALT2’ parameters. For both PCA and FA model versions we verified that the first component mainly describes color index variations, proving it is a dominant effect on SNIa spectra. The model nuisance parameter which multiplies the color index variation-like fit parameter shows evolution with redshift in an initial binned cosmology analysis. This behavior can be due to selection effects and should be further investigated with higher redshift SNeIa samples. Overall, our model shows promise, as there are still a few aspects to be refined; however, it still falls short in reducing the unaccounted dispersion.

Validity and Reliability of the German Vocal Fatigue Index in Adults With Voice Disorders.

Vocal fatigue-related symptoms, frequent in patients with voice disorders, are reliably quantifiable with the Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI) in several languages. The main aim of this work was to investigate the content and construct validity of the German Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI-D) by comparison with the German Voice Handicap Index 9 international (VHI9i) and the Vocal Tract Discomfort Scale (VTD). Moreover, the scale and retest reliability were investigated. In a prospective cohort study at two tertiary care hospitals, 93 adults with all types of voice complaints filled out the VFI-D, the VHI-9i, and the VTD. Eighty-one adults (Mage = 53.5 years, SD = 15.7) completed them one time, and additional 12 patients (Mage = 53.8 years, SD = 15.6) did a test-retest, completed them twice at an interval of 1 week. The validity was assessed by Spearman's rho and Mokken scaling and the reliability by a factor analysis and a two-tailed t test. Mokken scaling has proven the VFI-D as one-dimensional questionnaire (one cluster, r = .95). All VFI-D items could be assigned to one of three factors according to principal component and principal axis factor analysis. Although Factor 1 related best to the VHI9i (∅ rs = .76) and Factor 2 to the VTD (∅ rs = .74), Factor 3 correlated moderately with the VHI9i (rs = .34) and weakly with the VTD (rs = .25). Results from the first and second VFI-D completion agreed strongly (t = -1.78, p = .10). In this study, the content and construct validity of the VFI-D were confirmed. Also, both scale reliability with identical factors as those in the original study and retest reliability were verified. The VHI9i and VTD were highly indicative of VFI-D Factors 1 and 2, respectively. No correlation between Factor 3 and the other questionnaires was determined. Future research should evaluate which characteristics are specific to vocal fatigue versus general voice disorder-related symptoms.

Waste separation intention of households in Sri Lanka

Abstract The effective practice of waste separation at the source is crucial for achieving sustainable development and promoting the reduce, reuse, and recycle concept. This practice should be adopted by both households and business organisations. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the factors that influence the intention of waste separation at the household level in Sri Lanka. For this purpose, a random selection of 388 households representing the entire country was undertaken. Independent variables, including attitude, perceived cost benefits, moral norms, inconvenience, and rules and regulations, were examined in relation to their impact on the dependent variable, which was the intention of waste separation. A 5-point Likert scale questiommaire was utilised to assess each of these variables. The methodology employed in this study included principal component analysis, factor analysis, and Structural Equation Model (SEM) to establish the underlying model. The results of the analysis revealed the significance of attitude, perceived cost benefits, and moral norms at a 5% significance level. Interestingly, although inconvenience exhibited a negative influence on intention, its significance was not established. Furthermore, while existing literature commonly attributed local government rules and regulations as a significant factor, the model indicated a positive and insignificant relationship. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of positive attitudes, perceived benefits in terms of cost, and adherence to moral norms in fostering the intention for waste separation. Despite the negative impact of inconvenience not reaching statistical significance, it remains a noteworthy consideration. Additionally, the unexpected positive and insignificant relationship with local government rules and regulations prompts further exploration.

Subjective Study on Pediatric Emergency Department Nurses′ Perceptions of Urgency Using Q Methodology

PurposeIn the emergency department (ED), triage significantly impacts patient safety. Therefore, triage nurses must make decisions accurately and timeously. This study aims to investigate how South Korean pediatric emergency nurses perceive urgency and classify severity using the Q methodology, which examines individuals’ subjectivity. MethodsWe collected 84 statements from a Q population based on a literature review and interviews, and selected 33 Q samples. The P samples included 30 pediatric emergency nurses at a Seoul tertiary-care hospital. The principal component factor analysis method was employed to analyze data using the PC-QUANL program. ResultsFour urgency perception types were identified among pediatric ED nurses. Type 1: “Experiential coping”; Type 2: “Careful reasoning”; Type 3: “Patient-centered thinking”; and Type 4: “Intuitive prediction.” These types appear to be an integrated process of knowledge and clinical experience that considers children’s characteristics and developmental stages. ConclusionsThis study may serve as a basis for future education to improve pediatric ED nurses’ urgency judgment and severity classification skills.

학교 부적응 청소년이 인식한 부모-자녀 의사소통에 관한 주관성 연구

Objectives The purpose of this study is to find out the types and characteristics of subjective perceptions of parent-child communication experiences perceived by school maladjusted adolescents using the Q methodology. Methods For this purpose, a Q population was formed through prior research and interviews, and 33 Q samples were confirmed. And for purposive sampling, a P sample was selected from 30 middle and high school students who were being educated at an entrusted educational institution due to school maladaptive behavior, and principal component factor analysis was conducted using the classification process of the Q sample and the PC-QUANL program. Results As a result of the study, by applying Satir's communication model, the characteristics of each type were classified into four types : Type 1 is ‘congruent type’, Type 2 is ‘blaming type’, Type 3 is ‘placating type’, and Type 4 is ‘super-reasonable type’. The characteristics could be examined from the perspective of maladjusted youth. Conclusions This study examined the types and characteristics of subjective perception from the perspective of children on the subject of parent-child communication through the Q methodology. If research subjects(parent's perspective, etc.) and research area(school, friends, etc.) are expanded in the future, and related research results are integrated and subdivided by type, it is expected to serve as basic data for solving practical problems of adolescents' school maladjustment and dysfunctional communication.

Human biomonitoring of PCDDs, PCDFs, and PCBs in women living in a Northern Italy industrial area.

In Brescia, a highly industrialized city in the Lombardy Region (Northern Italy) classified as a SIN (Contaminated Site of National Interest), a human biomonitoring study was carried out on breast milk of two groups of women residing in areas with presumably different levels of exposure to polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorodibenzofurans, and polychlorobiphenyls. This study was aimed at evaluating the possible difference between women living in Brescia and women living far from it but in the same Region. Between 2016 and 2018, 82 women were enrolled (41 "exposed" subjects and 41 "not exposed"), breast milk samples were collected, and a specific questionnaire was administered to the donors. Data obtained were processed by robust regression and Principal Component Factor Analysis. The differences in concentration between the two groups were significant for all the classes of analytes (except for PCDDs). The concentration increase rates from the not exposed to the exposed group resulted highly significant: some PCB congeners showed increase rates more than 1000 ng/g lb per one-unit change of the independent variable. Among the variables significantly associated with the observed concentrations, age showed the greatest influence, while BMI showed a counteracting effect. Consumption of vegetable oil and fruit resulted to possibly influence the chemicals body burden. For the not exposed group, the levels appear to be in line with the decreasing trend (2001-2018) observed for these contaminants in Italy.

Supervised Dynamic PCA: Linear Dynamic Forecasting with Many Predictors

This paper proposes a novel dynamic forecasting method using a new supervised Principal Component Analysis (PCA) when a large number of predictors are available. The new supervised PCA provides an effective way to bridge the gap between predictors and the target variable of interest by scaling and combining the predictors and their lagged values, resulting in an effective dynamic forecasting. Unlike the traditional diffusion-index approach, which does not learn the relationships between the predictors and the target variable before conducting PCA, we first re-scale each predictor according to their significance in forecasting the targeted variable in a dynamic fashion, and a PCA is then applied to a re-scaled and additive panel, which establishes a connection between the predictability of the PCA factors and the target variable. We also propose to use penalized methods such as the LASSO to select the significant factors that have superior predictive power over the others. Theoretically, we show that our estimators are consistent and outperform the traditional methods in prediction under some mild conditions. We conduct extensive simulations to verify that the proposed method produces satisfactory forecasting results and outperforms most of the existing methods using the traditional PCA. An example of predicting U.S. macroeconomic variables using a large number of predictors showcases that our method fares better than most of the existing ones in applications.

Spatiotemporal characteristics and potential pollution factors of water quality in the eastern route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in China

The eastern route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP-ER) in China, an open-channel cross-basin project, is exposed to multiple potential pollution sources and has changing hydrodynamic conditions between diversion and non-diversion periods. After a decade of pollution control efforts, it is imperative to perceive the water quality conditions and identify potential pollution factors for further maintenance. Combining the water quality identification index (WQII) and multivariate statistical techniques (MSTs), this study conducted an exploratory analysis in SNWDP-ER, based on the monitoring data in 2020–2021. The monitoring and WQII results show that the overall water quality in SNWDP-ER is satisfactory and meets the Class III requirements in China Environmental Quality Standard for Surface Water, except for total nitrogen (TN) which falls into Class V or even worse. The periodic alternations of flow direction between diversion and non-diversion periods tend to deteriorate water quality, particularly in the initial stage of alternations. Water quality appears more stable during the diversion period, and impounding lakes along the project are crucial to water environment restoration in this period. Due to the positive influence brought by the self-purification and environmental carrying in the Luoma Lake, Nansi Lake, and Dongping Lake, water quality exhibits an enhancing trend from upstream to downstream in the Lianghu and Jiaodong reaches. Besides, the monitoring stations in Shandong reach exhibit significant divisional heterogeneity under hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) with the Nansi Lake and Dongping Lake as the demarcation points, and the results of factor analysis/principal component analysis (FA/PCA) further identified the contributions of mining, shipping, and land use to each section. Based on the findings, the study recommends implementing wastewater discharge control, abandoned mines remediation, and continued water quality monitoring for further maintenance and improvement in SNWDP-ER.

Caracterización del sistema caprino de producción extensiva en el Altiplano de Tamaulipas, México

In Tamaulipas extensive goat production systems in the semi-arid region of the Altiplano contribute annually with the production of 41% of live animals and 87% of milk in the state. The objective of the study was to characterize the goat production units in the municipalities of Jaumave, Bustamante and Tula, in which a significant number of production units are located. Through the application of structured surveys conducted in December 2021 and January 2022, socioeconomic, nutritional, productive, reproductive, and sanitary information was obtained from 40 goat production units. Data was analyzed using principal component factor analysis and a cluster analysis with the Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS version 24). Four factors (management, production, grazing and reproduction) explained most of the total variation of the data and four groups of production units were determined. The characterization of the extensive goat production system in the Altiplano of Tamaulipas is described in general terms with management and production variables. However, the analysis of the typologies of production units showed heterogeneity in the system, in this sense, the differences between the means of the groupings that stood out the most were zootechnical purpose, reproduction, production and annual income. Underfeeding, scarce water sources and poor reproductive management are associated with low productivity and high animal mortality.

Nutritional Quality Assessment of Miscellaneous Cassava Tubers Using Principal Component Analysis and Cluster Analysis.

Cassava is a staple crop in developing countries because its starchy roots provide essential dietary carbohydrates. The aim of this research was to conduct a comprehensive inquiry and scientific evaluation of the nutritional value of cassava tubers. Eight nutritional characteristics were examined in native and imported cassava variants: starch, reduced sugar, anthocyanins, protein, dietary fiber, quinic acid, vitamin C, and dry matter content. Principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to minimize the dimensionality of the nutritional markers. A scientific assessment technique was developed to calculate a composite score for the various cassava samples. Analysis of the data revealed noticeable variance among the samples' nutritional indicators, suggesting varying degrees of association. Starch had a substantial positive link with lower sugar, protein, and dry matter content (p < 0.01). Anthocyanins and quinic acid interacted favorably (p < 0.05), and a positive link between protein and dry matter content was observed (p < 0.05); however, protein and dietary fiber interacted negatively (p < 0.05). The contribution rate of the top three PCA factors was over 76%, demonstrating that these factors incorporated the primary information acquired from the eight original nutritional indices, while maintaining excellent representativeness and impartiality. The experimental results showed a preliminary nutritional grade for 22 cassava tuber samples. The top five types were Guangxi Muci, Gui Cassava 4, Glutinous Rice Cassava, Huifeng 60, and Dongguan Hongwei. In the cluster analysis, the levels of similarity between the data showed that the 22 types of cassava tubers could be grouped into five categories, each with their own set of nutrients. This study promotes the directed breeding of cassava species and offers a theoretical foundation for creating and using various cassava varieties. Furthermore, this work lays the groundwork for a systematic and dependable technique for the quality assessment, comprehensive evaluation, and reasonable classification of cassava species and similar crops.

Item-reduced Forgotten Joint Score provides adequate psychometric properties in ACLR patients.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate content validity, test-retest reliability, internal consistency, construct validity, responsiveness and floor/ceiling effects of Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) for assessing functions in activities of daily living (ADL) following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and perform an item reduction of FJS. Swedish-speaking ACLR patients in one surgical clinic were eligible. Content validity was evaluated through patient responses and patient and expert clinician relevance ratings, omitting items with low relevance. Principal component factor analysis, Cronbach's ⍺, paired t test, correlations between FJS and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Cohen's d effect sizes (ESs) andstandardized response mean (SRM) were used to evaluate internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity andresponsiveness. Floor/ceiling effects were calculated. FJS was expected to reveal one dominant factor, a Cronbach's ⍺ between 0.70 and 0.95, correlations >0.50 to all KOOS subscores, highest for ADL, moderate ES and SRM, floor/ceiling effects <15%. One hundred and seventy-six participants (103 for assessing internal consistency, construct validity, responsivenessand floor/ceiling effects; 73 for assessing test-retest reliabilityand content validity) were included. Item reduction yielded a nine-item FJS (FJS-9). FJS-12 and FJS-9 demonstrated sufficient content validity (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.5-3.1, respectively, 2.9-3.3). FJS-9 was found unidimensional, and FJS-12 was multidimensional. Cronbach's ⍺ was 0.94 for FJS, and the intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.90. FJS showed significant correlations >0.65 to all KOOS subscales, moderate ES and SRM > 0.50. No floor/ceiling effects were found. FJS-9 demonstrated adequate validity for the evaluation of joint awareness in ACLR patients and can be a valuable tool to assess ADL and joint awareness. Level III.

Advancing a revised UB-DBQ: A new insight into driver behaviour and older passenger injuries in urban buses

IntroductionOlder individuals in China face a heightened risk of injuries on urban buses. While the Driving Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ) effectively gauges drivers' behaviours and predicts injury involvement, the link between aberrant driving and older passenger injuries among urban bus drivers remains underexplored. This study refines the UB-DBQ for urban bus drivers, probing its association with older passenger injuries. MethodsThe Urban Bus Driving Behaviour Questionnaire (UB-DBQ) was adapted, incorporating unique aspects of urban bus driving. An online survey, based on this revised UB-DBQ, was administered to 710 Chinese urban bus drivers in August 2022. Using principal component factor analysis and oblique rotation-promax, a four-factor UB-DBQ emerged. Correlation and difference tests analysed the relationship between driving behaviours and older passenger injury incidents. ResultsThe four-factor UB-DBQ offers a robust fit for Chinese urban bus drivers. Analysis revealed a prevalence of positive driving behaviours, offset by fewer aberrant actions, including aggression, errors, and violations. Notably, higher numbers of older passengers heightened aggressive and erroneous driving behaviours. A notable trend emerged: drivers largely attributed injuries to older passengers, a sentiment growing with more older passengers aboard. Crucially, driver self-assurance in safety and aggressive behaviour were key predictors of injuries involving older adult passengers. ConclusionsThe revised UB-DBQ serves as an effective tool for assessing urban bus driver behaviour and older passenger injury incidents in China. These insights emphasize the need for tailored driver training and risk strategies in line with the unique demands of urban bus driving in China. The UB-DBQ holds potential for shaping more precise and effective transport safety policies.

Measuring the psychological burden of women with pelvic floor complaints: The psychometric characteristics of a new instrument.

To be able to optimize pelvic healthcare, it would be helpful to specifically assess women's psychological burden with pelvic floor complaints. In the absence of such an instrument, a new instrument was developed to measure this burden in women who seek help. In previous research, a comprehensive overview was yielded of women's restrictions and distress with pelvic floor complaints, and a conceptual model was developed of seven types of distress that were reflected by 33 statements. The present study was performed to investigate the psychometric properties of the new instrument, termed the Pelvic Floor Complaint-related Psychological Burden Inventory (PFC-PBI). In an online survey data was collected from women with and without pelvic floor complaints on the 33 statements. The internal consistency of the types of distress was tested using item-total correlation analysis, Principal Component and Confirmatory Factor Analyses were performed, and the convergent and divergent validity of the types of distress was examined against existing questionnaires using the Multi-Trait Multi-Method methodology. Based on the factor analyses, a 10-item instrument was tested. Outcomes show excellent internal consistency of this instrument, comprising a single component. The PFC-PBI demonstrated satisfactory convergent and divergent validity. This new measure appears to be a promising tool to inventory the psychological burden of women suffering from pelvic floor complaints. Research into its further development, implementation, and clinical use appears warranted.

The Impact of Multiple Crises on the Economy. A Comparative Analysis of GFC, COVID-19 and the Ukraine War Period

Abstract This paper aims to analyze the correlation between the gross domestic product (GDP) and its components as well as the Harmonized Consumer Price Index (HICP) total, electricity and gas by deploying principal components analysis and factor analysis on wards linkage and compare the results for GFC period, COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine period for EU27, Romania, Greece, Italy and Hungary. The result obtained show that each crisis has its specificity given their different source, GFC was borne in the financial system the COVID-19 crisis in the medical crisis and the war in Ukraine a military one and that starting with 2020 the economy has faced multiple crisis. Government consumption is found to be one of the significant variables for all crisis as a result of the efforts made by the governments to limit the negative effects of the GFC, pandemic and the war in Ukraine and HICP electricity and HICP gas due to the impact of COVID-19 on the supply chain prior to the war in Ukraine and the shortage of personnel, as well due to the sanctions applied to Russia and the fact that it is the main exporter for the European Union.

스포츠 안전사고 중요요인에 대한 참여자와 지도자의 인식유형 분석 및 비교

This study aimed to identify the types of perceptions of sports participants and instructors on major factors of sports safety accidents using the Q methodology and to compare the perspectives of the two groups. A total of 25 Q-samples were constructed through various prior studies and interviews, and 10 sports participants and 10 sports instructors were selected as P-samples. The collected data were analyzed using Q Methodology Software, and principal component factor analysis and varimax factor rotation were conducted. As a result, three types of sports participants (prioritizing institutional responsibility, prioritizing advanced prevention, and prioritizing the role of participant) and three types of sports instructor (prioritizing the role of instructor, prioritizing the active role of participants, and prioritizing environmental factors) were identified. In addition, similarities between the two types of perceptions were found between the institutional responsibility type - prioritizing the role of instructor type and between prioritizing the role of participant type and prioritizing the active role of participants type.

Are sun exposure time, dietary patterns, and vitamin D intake related to the socioeconomic status of Portuguese children?

To investigate the association among sun exposure time, vitamin D intake, dietary patterns, and socioeconomic status in Portuguese children. Participants aged 3-11 years (50.1% females) were recruited from public and private schools (n = 118) in the districts of Coimbra (n = 2980), Lisbon (n = 3066), and Porto (n = 2426). Parents reported their children's daily sun exposure time during the summer season and reported children's food consumption, including vitamin D food sources, using standardized questionnaires. Parents' education level was used as a proxy measure to the socioeconomic status (SES). The principal component factor analysis (PCA) method was used to identify dietary patterns. The eight dietary patterns identified were labeled in: "fast food", "rich in vitamin D", "sugary drinks", "vitamin D", "candies", "supplements", "rich in calcium" and "vegetables/healthy". Linear regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between sun exposure time and dietary patterns according to SES. A total of 4755 children were included. Children from high SES had significantly longer sun exposure time (p < .001) and more frequently consumed vitamin D supplements (p < .001). "Fast food" pattern showed a negative association with sun exposure time in medium and high SES (p = .014 and p < .001, respectively). Children with lower SES spend less time exposed to the sun, consume fewer dietary sources of vitamin D, and consume more foods rich in fat and sugar.

C-reactive protein concentrations diverge as a function of substance use disorder: A pre-registered replication in a clinical sample

BackgroundInflammatory biomarkers may differentiate clinical disorders, which could lead to more targeted interventions. Analyses within a clinical sample (May et al., 2021) revealed that females with substance use disorders (SUD) exhibited lower C-reactive protein (CRP) and higher interleukin (IL)-8 and −10 concentrations than females without SUD who met criteria for mood/anxiety disorders. We aimed to replicate these findings in a new sample. MethodsHypotheses and analyses were preregistered. Treatment-seeking individuals with mood/anxiety disorders and/or SUD (N = 184) completed a blood draw, clinical interview, and questionnaires. Participants were categorized as SUD+ (45F, 43M) and SUD- (78F, 18M). Principal component analysis (PCA) of questionnaire data resulted in two factors reflecting appetitive and aversive emotional states. SUD group and nuisance covariates (PCA factors, age, body mass index [BMI], medication, nicotine [and hormones in females]) predicted biomarker concentrations (CRP, IL-8, and IL-10) in regressions. ResultsIn females, the omnibus CRP model [F(8, 114) = 8.02, p <.001, R²-adjusted =.32] indicated that SUD+ exhibited lower CRP concentrations than SUD- (β = −.33, t = −3.09, p =.002, 95% CI [-.54, −.12]) and greater BMI was associated with higher CRP levels (β =.58, t = 7.17, p <.001, 95% CI [.42,.74]). SUD+ exhibited higher IL-8 levels than SUD- in simple but not omnibus regression models. ConclusionFindings across two samples bolster confidence that females with SUD show attenuated CRP-indexed inflammation. As SUD+ comorbidity was high, replication is warranted with respect to specific SUD classes (i.e., stimulants versus cannabis).

Lipoprotein subclasses are associated with Hepatic steatosis: insights from the prospective multicenter imaging study for the evaluation of chest pain (PROMISE) clinical trial

ObjectivesTo determine the relationship between lipoprotein particle size/number with hepatic steatosis (HS), given its association with traditional lipoproteins and coronary atherosclerosis. MethodsIndividuals with available CT data and blood samples enrolled in the PROMISE trial were studied. HS was defined based on CT attenuation. Lipoprotein particle size/number were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used for dimensionality reduction. The association of PCA factors and individual lipoprotein particle size/number with HS were assessed in multivariable regression models. Associations were validated in an independent cohort of 59 individuals with histopathology defined HS. ResultsIndividuals with HS (n=410/1,509) vs those without (n=1,099/1,509), were younger (59±8 vs 61±8 years) and less often females (47.6 % vs 55.9 %). All PCA factors were associated with HS: factor 1 (OR:1.36, 95 %CI:1.21–1.53), factor 3 (OR:1.75, 95 %CI:1.53–2.02) and factor 4 (OR:1.49; 95 %CI:1.32–1.68) were weighted heavily with small low density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride-rich (TRL) particles, while factor 2 (OR:0.86, 95 %CI:0.77–0.97) and factor 5 (OR:0.74, 95 %CI:0.65–0.84) were heavily loaded with high density lipoprotein (HDL) and larger LDL particles. These observations were confirmed with the analysis of individual lipoprotein particles in PROMISE. In the validation cohort, association between HS and large TRL (OR: 8.16, 95 %CI:1.82–61.98), and mean sizes of TRL- (OR: 2.82, 95 %CI:1.14–9.29) and HDL (OR:0.35, 95 %CI:0.13–0.72) were confirmed. ConclusionsLarge TRL, mean sizes of TRL-, and HDL were associated with radiographic and histopathologic HS. The use of lipoprotein particle size/number could improve cardiovascular risk assessment in HS.