Similar Factors Research Articles

Influence of matching network and frequency on the effective quality factor and performance of a miniature radio frequency ion thruster

The radio frequency ion thruster (RIT) is an electric propulsion device that utilizes radio frequency (RF) power to ionize propellants; thus, its performance is influenced by the frequency and matching network of the RF. In this study, an L&T type wide-range matching network was employed to experimentally investigate the performance of a miniature RIT with 4 cm diameter at different frequencies. The experimental results show that changing the matching parameters of the L&T network at the same frequency leads to changes in the effective quality factor and varying performances of the thruster; under similar effective quality factors, changing the frequency does not significantly affect the performance of the thruster; however, the plasma resistance exhibits frequency dependence. As the frequency increases, the effective collision frequency increases, leading to an increase in plasma resistance, which is beneficial for improving the performance of the thruster at high frequencies. Finally, a set of methods for quickly comparing the performance of RITs was summarized based on the effective quality factor. These research results are also instructive for improving the ionization of induction-coupled discharge devices of other sizes.

Evaluating the Release of Different Commercial Orally Modified Niacin Formulations In Vitro.

To evaluate the release profile of different modified-release oral formulations of niacin, such as immediate-release (IR) powder and tablets, timed-release (TR) caplets, extended-release (ER) capsules, and controlled-release (CR) tablets, to assure their defined release pattern and correlate this release with their matrix polymers. Niacin is used to manage hyperlipidemia by reducing cutaneous flushing and hepatotoxicity adverse events. The release profiles of different types of modified-release dosage forms depend on the types of coating materials (polymers) used in the matrix formation. Although different types of niacin formulations exist, none of the niacin dissolution profiles have been evaluated and compared in the literature. Four commercial orally modified-release niacin brands were collected from a local CVS pharmacy retail store, in Miami, FL, USA. The in vitro release study was conducted in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) conditions. The results of the release patterns of four niacin-modified dosage forms (IR, ER, TR, and CR) were aligned with their release definitions. However, the CR dosage form did not follow an ideal release pattern. The release rate of niacin in vitro was pH dependent, which was confirmed by the similarity factor (f2) results. All the f2 comparison values were below 50 in both the SIF and SGF media, while all the comparisons were below the f2 values for all brands in the SIF media.

A proposed method for optimizing coal pillar design using coalfield-specific uniaxial compressive strength

The research described considers whether the variability in coal material strength, as derived through a series of uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) tests, could be used to indicate the variability in coal pillar strength. The aim is to be able to use a distribution of UCS tests as input into the coal pillar strength calculation. This will allow the pillar design to be expressed in terms of a probability of failure rather than as the commonly used safety factor. To achieve this, the bulk strength factor associated with commonly used pillar strength formulae was replaced with a distribution of UCS results divided by an adjustment factor. The factor was determined so as to ensure that the resulting bulk strength does not deviate from the statistically determined bulk strength published in the original formulae. This approach enabled pillar strength distributions to be obtained using industry-accepted strength formulae, subsequently allowing for a probability of failure to be calculated for a specific pillar design. Using a regional coal material strength curve as a baseline, coalfields in which the coal is stronger than the regional mean can be identified and the pillar designs optimized. This is based on the stronger coals achieving lower probabilities of failure at similar safety factors. The research has considered actual UCS data from multiple mines in the Mpumalanga coalfields of South Africa, and has proved that the variability in material strength between coalfields could allow for some optimization using the proposed approach. Based on the data used in the study, a 2.78% increase in extraction could be achieved. However, further research will be required to validate the results of the study in an underground environment.

Hyperuricemia and gout increased the risk of long-term mortality in patients with heart failure: insights from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BackgroundThe prevalence of hyperuricemia, gout, and heart failure (HF) is on the rise, and these conditions often share similar risk factors. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship among hyperuricemia, gout, HF, and all-cause mortality.MethodsThe data on nonpregnant participants aged ≥ 20 years with or without hyperuricemia, gout, and HF from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001–2018 and 2007–2018 were included in this study. The binary logistic regression, Kaplan–Meier curve, Cox proportional-hazards model, and restricted cubic spline analysis were employed to evaluate the relationship among hyperuricemia, gout, HF, and all-cause mortality.ResultsOf 204,179,060 and 223,702,171 weighted eligible participants, 40,044,228 (19.6%) and 9,158,600 (4.1%) had hyperuricemia and gout, respectively. Older age, diabetes, stroke, and coronary artery disease were the risk factors for HF among patients with hyperuricemia and gout. The median survival time was 7.00 years and 6.25 years and the 5-year survival rate was 59.9% and 55.9% for patients with HF and hyperuricemia and those with HF and gout, respectively. Patients with hyperuricemia or gout were 2.46 and 2.35 times more likely to have HF and 1.37 and 1.45 times more likely to experience all-cause mortality compared with those who did not exhibit these conditions. The restricted cubic spline showed a nonlinear correlation between uric acid levels and HF and a J-shaped correlation between uric acid levels and all-cause mortality.ConclusionsAmbulatory patients with hyperuricemia or gout were more likely to have HF compared with those without hyperuricemia or gout. Patients with HF with hyperuricemia or gout were more likely to experience all-cause mortality in the long-term follow-up.

Clinical outcome assessment trends in clinical trials-Contrasting oncology and non-oncology trials.

Clinical outcome assessments (COAs) are key to patient-centered evaluation of novel interventions and supportive care. COAs are particularly informative in oncology where a focus on how patients feel and function is paramount, but their incorporation in trial outcomes have lagged that of traditional survival and tumor responses. To understand the trends of COA use in oncology and the impact of landmark efforts to promote COA use, we computationally surveyed oncology clinical trials in ClinicalTrials.gov comparing them to the rest of the clinical research landscape. Oncology trials were identified using medical subject heading neoplasm terms. Trials were searched for COA instrument names obtained from PROQOLID. Regression analyses assessed chronological and design-related trends. Eighteen percent of oncology interventional trials initiated 1985-2020 (N = 35,415) reported using one or more of 655 COA instruments. Eighty-four percent of the COA-using trials utilized patient-reported outcomes, with other COA categories used in 4-27% of these trials. Likelihood of COA use increased with progressing trial phase (OR = 1.30, p < 0.001), randomization (OR = 2.32, p < 0.001), use of data monitoring committees (OR = 1.26, p < 0.001), study of non-FDA-regulated interventions (OR = 1.23, p = 0.001), and in supportive care versus treatment-focused trials (OR = 2.94, p < 0.001). Twenty-six percent of non-oncology trials initiated 1985-2020 (N = 244,440) reported COA use; they had similar COA-use predictive factors as oncology trials. COA use increased linearly over time (R = 0.98, p < 0.001), with significant increases following several individual regulatory events. While COA use across clinical research has increased over time, there remains a need to further promote COA use particularly in early phase and treatment-focused oncology trials.

An Ethnographic Study Exploring the Effect of Family on the Development of Entrepreneurial Intentions of Its Younger Members in the Delhi-NCR Region of India

Abstract The study uses data from an ethnographic study of 32 family members from six families from New Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), India, to develop our understanding of entrepreneurial intentions in the younger members of middle-class families of India. The study identifies two critical familial influences, generational congruence and the need to maintain harmony, along with the presence of feministic values, as factors that impact the development of entrepreneurial intentions. The study further confirms that the need to conform to a social image impacts the decisions taken by family members. By highlighting the significant influence that family can have on the development of entrepreneurial intentions, this research points out gaps in how current policies and programs target entrepreneurship development in transforming economies like India. While the limited geographic scope of this study makes the findings applicable only to families in New Delhi and NCR and less generalizable overall, it further highlights the need to conduct similar studies across other parts of India, as well as other countries with similar cultural dimensions as India. The researchers suggest focussing policies towards promoting trust and confidence in entrepreneurship as a potential career option and highlighting the benefits of pursuing entrepreneurship amongst the masses by keeping in mind the cultural and geographic differences across the country. The novelty of this study lies firstly in its methodological approach, where entrepreneurial intentions are evaluated via short ethnographies. Secondly, with a strong focus on Indian family dynamics, the authors have identified novel influences that could apply to other transforming economies with similar social-cultural factors to India.

Conceptualising the characteristics of the indicators of a neighbourhood sustainability assessment framework in a developing country context

Sustainability Indicators (SIs) emerged to monitor progress towards sustainable development which has led to the development of large quantity of indicators locally at the various scales of spatial development. This paper utilizes 23 SIs that were distilled in engagement with both residents and institutional stakeholders responsible for neighbourhood delivery in metropolitan Lagos. The aim is to conceptualise how these indicators can be characterised in terms of their attributes in a way they can be compared with indicators developed in other contexts. Drawing extensively from literature on how indicators can be described, the 23 indicators were characterised based on their typology in an assessment framework, weight, and ranking, and balance (i.e. contextual, procedural, and integrational). Findings showed that while there are some similarities in the characteristics of the indicators when compared to existing Neighbourhood Sustainability Assessment Frameworks (NSAFs), there are areas of differences which are primarily driven by contextual factors. As major area of contribution, this article could serve as a starting point, and basis for comparison with indicators developed in other African cities with similar contextual factors and sustainability challenges. This paper contributes significantly to the argument that SIs are context-specific and transference of sustainability solutions may be quite challenging.

Family history and breast cancer risk for Asian women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundStudies of women of European ancestry have shown that the average familial relative risk for first-degree relatives of women with breast cancer is approximately twofold, but little is known for Asian women. We aimed to provide evidence for the association between family history and breast cancer risk for Asian women by systematically reviewing published literature.MethodsStudies reporting the familial relative risk of breast cancer for Asian women were searched in three online databases and complemented by a manual search. Odds ratios (ORs) for the association between family history and breast cancer risk were pooled across all included studies and by subgroups in terms of the type of family history, age, menopausal status and geographical region.ResultsThe pooled OR for women who have a first-degree relative with breast cancer was 2.46 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.03, 2.97). There was no evidence that the familial risk differed by the type of affected relative (mother versus sisters), the woman’s age (< 50 years versus ≥ 50 years), menopausal status (pre versus post) and geographical region (East and Southeast Asia versus other regions) (all P > 0.3). The pooled ORs for women of Asian ancestry with a family history in any relative were similar for those living in non-Asian countries (2.26, 95% CI: 1.42, 3.59) compared with those living in Asian countries (2.18, 95% CI: 1.85, 2.58).ConclusionsFamily history of breast cancer is associated with an approximately twofold relative risk of breast cancer for Asian women, which is of similar magnitude to that observed for women of European ancestry. This implies that similar familial factors are implicated in breast cancer risk between women of European and Asian ancestries. Genetic factors are likely to play a substantial role in explaining the breast cancer familial risk for Asian women, as similar risks were observed across different living environments and cultures.

Associations and gastrointestinal symptoms in women with endometriosis in comparison to women with irritable bowel syndrome: a study based on a population cohort

BackgroundEndometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have similar symptoms, pathogenesis, and risk factors. These diagnoses often coexist and are frequently misdiagnosed leading to diagnostic delays. This study of a population-based cohort aimed to investigate associations relating to endometriosis and IBS and to compare gastrointestinal symptoms between endometriosis and IBS.MethodThe study cohort included women from the Malmö Offspring Study with information about endometriosis and IBS diagnoses from the National Board of Health and Welfare. The participants answered a questionnaire about lifestyle habits, medical and drug history, and self-reported IBS. The visual analog scale for IBS was used to estimate gastrointestinal symptoms the past 2 weeks. Endometriosis diagnosis and self-reported IBS were used as dependent variables to study associations with age, body mass index (BMI), education, occupation, marital status, smoking, alcohol habits, and physical activity using logistic regression. Mann-Whitney U Test or Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to calculate the differences in symptoms between groups.ResultsOf the 2,200 women with information from medical records, 72 participants had endometriosis; 21 (29.2%) of these had self-reported IBS. Of the 1,915 participants who had answered the questionnaire, 436 (22.8%) had self-reported IBS. Endometriosis was associated with IBS (OR:1.86; 95%CI:1.06–3.26; p = 0.029), as well as with age 50–59 years (OR:6.92; 95%CI:1.97–24.32; p = 0.003), age ≥ 60 years (OR:6.27; 95%CI:1.56–25.17; p = 0.010), sick leave (OR:2.43; 95%CI:1.08–5.48; p = 0.033), and former smoking (OR:3.02; 95%CI:1.19–7.68; p = 0.020). There was an inverse association with BMI (OR:0.36; 95%CI:0.14–4.91; p = 0.031). IBS was associated with endometriosis (OR:1.77; 95%CI:1.02–3.07; p = 0.041) and sick leave (OR:1.77; 95%CI:1.14–2.73; p = 0.010), with a tendency to association with smoking (OR:1.30; 95%CI:0.98–1.72; p = 0.071). When excluding participants using drugs associated with IBS, the condition was associated with current smoking (OR:1.39; 95%CI:1.03–1.89; p = 0.033) and inversely with age 50–59 years (OR:0.58; 95%CI:0.38–0.90; p = 0.015). There were differences in the gastrointestinal symptoms between IBS and healthy participants, but not between endometriosis and IBS or healthy participants.ConclusionThere were associations between endometriosis and IBS, without differences in gastrointestinal symptoms. Both IBS and endometriosis were associated with smoking and sick leave. Whether the associations reflect causality or depend on common risk factors and pathogenesis remains to be determined.

A CO2 and H2O Gas Analyzer with Reduced Error due to Platform Motion

Abstract One long-standing technical problem affecting the accuracy of eddy correlation air–sea CO2 flux estimates has been motion contamination of the CO2 mixing-ratio measurement. This sensor-related problem is well known but its source remains unresolved. This report details an attempt to identify and reduce motion-induced error and to improve the infrared gas analyzer (IRGA) design. The key finding is that a large fraction of the motion sensitivity is associated with the detection approach common to most closed- and open-path IRGA employed today for CO2 and H2O measurements. A new prototype sensor was developed to both investigate and remedy the issue. Results in laboratory and deep-water tank tests show marked improvement. The prototype shows a factor of 4–10 reduction in CO2 error under typical at-sea buoy pitch and roll tilts in comparison with an off-the-shelf IRGA system. A similar noise reduction factor of 2–8 is observed in water vapor measurements. The range of platform tilt motion testing also helps to document motion-induced error characteristics of standard analyzers. Study implications are discussed including findings relevant to past field measurements and the promise for improved future flux measurements using similarly modified IRGA on moving ocean observing and aircraft platforms.

Stimulus control and delayed outcomes in a human causality judgment task.

Three experiments examined the impact of delayed outcomes on stimulus control of causal judgments using an interdimensional generalization procedure. Human participants rated the causal effectiveness of responses on multiple schedules, and then underwent a generalization test. In Experiment 1, a 3 s unsignaled outcome delay reduced ratings of causal effectiveness, relative to an immediate outcome, but had higher ratings compared to a component lacking outcomes. In a generalization test, incremental generalization gradients, indicating inhibitory control, were found for the stimulus associated with delayed outcomes when comparison was with immediate outcomes; but decremental gradients, indicating excitatory control, were found when the comparator lacked outcomes. In Experiment 2, signaled 3 s outcome delays produced higher causal ratings than unsignaled delays; with unsignaled delays producing incremental (inhibitory) and signaled delays producing decremental (excitatory), generalization gradients when compared against each other. In Experiment 3, relative to immediate outcomes, unsignaled delays produced incremental (inhibitory) gradients and signaled delays produced no gradient. These findings suggest similar factors may control judgments of causality as control conditioned responding. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Spatial Synergism a Planning Instrument Sustainable Tourism Village

This study aims to: 1) identify factors that can facilitate the occurrence of spatial synergism in tourism villages, and 2) find and determine the level of undesirable conditions and conditions expected from spatial synergism in tourism villages. Research data were collected using in-depth interviews and using nominal group technique (NGT. Key informants are 5 people and respondents are 15 people determined based on purposive sampling. All data were analyzed with a qualitative analysis approach. The results of the study found that the historical similarity factor, the proximity factor, the hereditary similarity factor, the solidarity factor, the potential similarity factor, and the problem similarity factor are factors that influence the occurrence of spatial synergism in tourism villages. In addition, it was also found that the level of conditions expected from the spatial synergy of tourism villages is to have one plan, one region, one organization, one regulation, and one management. While the level of conditions that are not desirable from the spatial synergism of the tourism village is that it does not have planning (spatial and non-spatial) and professional managers or institutions, sectoral egos appear and discriminatory treatment, disrupts or limit local community activities and culture, does not involve the role of Penta helix tourism actors, carrying out unfair competition in tourism promotion and not using digital technology. This study suggests that a more in-depth study is carried out regarding spatial synergism, especially the process of spatial synergism.

Prospect First – Dig Then! Investigations of Mining and Metallurgical Features in Kosovo

Inspired by the Römisch-Germanische Kommission (RGK) in Frankfurt and the Archaeological Institute of Kosovo, the first mining archaeological/archaeometallurgical surveys were conducted in Kosovo in 2009-2011 by the Deutsches Bergbau-Museum Bochum (DBM) / German Mining Museum Bochum. We conducted the surveys mainly in cooperation with the Archaeological Institute of Kosovo. After the approval of two project phases by the DFG in 2012, five field campaigns were carried out (2013-15, 2017/18). The mining archaeologically oriented excavations were also carried out based on extensive prospection work by magnetometer prospection, geoelectric and pedological drillings. Initially used in different areas – magnetometer prospection and “Pürckhauer” drillings in settlement areas and on smelting sites, geoelectric investigations in mining areas - it became more and more clear that the combination of the methods would be a promising approach and added value for the clarification of features, also and especially in mining areas. The specific combination of the methods makes it possible, particularly in the case of extensive fields of mining depressions such as those found in the Shashkoc/Janjevo area, to get ideas of their size and, above all, the shape of the shaft entrances, not just the depth, as initially planned. The shape of the mouth holes may be a very important indication of the age of the shafts, which in turn influences the planned excavations. Thus, unnecessary excavations can be avoided. Therefore, in the past two campaigns a whole series of mining depressions were investigated in this way. In order to evaluate and compare the measurement results, targeted excavations were then carried out in the upper areas of the shafts. Although there are restrictive conditions such as different soil types, magnetic and electric disturbances and similar factors that may impede the measurement results, the combination of methods has provided considerable benefit and created a systematic working basis, future investigation can build on.

Clinical and molecular features of NDM-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in a multicenter study in Israel

BackgroundNDM-producing Acinetobacter baumannii (NDMAb) were reported sporadically worldwide but little is known about the transmission, epidemiology and clinical features of NDMAb-infected patients. The goals of this study were to characterize (1) the epidemiology and clinical features of NDMAb–infected patients; (2) the microbiological and molecular features of NDMAb isolates and (3) the transmission networks of NDMAb within healthcare facilities.MethodsThe study was conducted at the Tel-Aviv Sourasky, Rambam and Sha’are-Zedek Medical centers (TASMC, RMC and SZMC, respectively) in Israel. All cases detected between January 2018 and July 2019 were included. Phylogenetic analysis was based on core genome SNP distances. Clonal transmission was defined according to molecular (≤ 5 SNP) and epidemiological criteria (overlapping hospital stay). NDMAb cases were compared at a ratio of 1:2 with non-NDM carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAb) cases.ResultsThe study included 54 NDMAb-positive out of 857 CRAb patients, including 6/179 (3.3%) in TASMC, 18/441 (4.0%) in SZMC and 30/237 (12.6%) in RMC. Patients infected by NDMAb had similar clinical features and risk factors as patients with non-NDM CRAb. The length-of-stay was higher in NDMAb cases (48.5 days vs. 36 days, respectively, p = 0.097) and the in-hospital mortality was similarly high in both groups. Most isolates (41/54, 76%) were first detected from surveillance culture. The majority of isolates harbored the blaNDM−2 gene allele (n = 33), followed by the blaNDM−1 (n = 20) allele and the blaNDM−4 allele (n = 1). The majority of isolates were related within the ST level to other isolates in SZMC and RMC: 17/18 and 27/30 isolates, respectfully. The common ST’s were the blaNDM−1 harboring ST-2 (n = 3) and ST-107 (n = 8) in SZMC and the blaNDM−2 harboring ST-103 in SZMC (n = 6) and in RMC (n = 27). All blaNDM alleles were located within a conserved mobile genetic environment flanked by the ISAb125 and IS91 family transposon. Clonal transmission was identified in most hospital-acquired cases in RMC and SZMC.ConclusionNDMAb constitutes a minor part of CRAb cases and are clinically similar to non-NDM CRAb. Transmission of NDMAb occurs mostly by clonal spread.

Extrapleural harvesting of the internal thoracic artery - impact on early postoperative results and pulmonary function.

The internal thoracic artery (ITA) has proven to be the best graft for surgical myocardial revascularization, especially in the configuration left ITA (LITA) to the anterior descending branch of left coronary artery (LAD). Its harvesting is usually accompanied by pleurotomy, followed by drainage tube placement into the pleural cavity, using the so called intrapleural method. Extrapleural technique for LITA harvesting is also practiced in many cardiac surgery centers and with this technique the pleura is left intact.

The impact of self-identification with global consumer culture on eWOM generation: a test of global consumer culture theory

ABSTRACT Generating positive electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) has become a goal of many advertisers, including many brands in the growing global market for luxury brands. To better understand factors related to the generation of eWOM in this market, a cross-cultural study investigating the factors associated with eWOM is conducted. Data was collected from two nations, Iran and the U.S. through an online questionnaire to examine whether consumers’ level of self-identification with global consumer culture (along with other factors) plays a key role in generating eWOM. Findings of this research are supportive of global consumer culture theory in that they suggest that there is a cross-national segment of luxury consumers who are influenced by similar factors both within the two countries and across the pooled sample from both countries. Specifically, we find that in addition to being exposed to global culture eWOM, materialistic and cosmopolitan, self-brand expression is important to this group and contributes to eWOM generation. Our findings suggest that appeals consistent with global consumer culture, can allow global luxury brands to enhance eWOM in a way such that these consumers help to promote their brands.

Mixed Plantations Improve Soil Bacterial Similarity by Reducing Heterogeneous Environmental Selection

Monocultures and mixed plantations have long been applied in forestry and landscape restoration to maximize the benefits of plantations. These different plantations can have unpredictable effects on the forest ecosystem. Monocultures and mixed plantations may influence soil bacterial communities, yet the underlying mechanisms of the soil bacterial community similarity response to monocultures and mixed plantations are still unknown. This study aimed to unravel how the community assembly processes and their associated factors mediate soil bacterial community similarity among monocultures and mixed plantations. We present a conceptual model to understand the mechanisms controlling soil bacterial community similarity among monocultures and mixed plantations. We tested these conceptual model hypotheses and the underlying mechanisms by conducting experiments in three plantation forest regions in southern China. We found that different monocultures led to a highly dissimilar environment, which increased heterogeneous selection and resulted in a high dissimilarity of soil bacterial communities among monocultures. Compared with monocultures, mixed plantations afford more similar environmental conditions for soil bacterial communities and decrease the heterogeneous selection process, leading to a higher soil bacterial similarity among mixed plantations. In addition, we demonstrate that stochastic processes are also the dominant driver in determining the soil bacterial community similarity among mixed plantations. Overall, the conversion from monocultures to mixed plantations affects the community assembly process by altering environmental similarity and edaphic factors, subsequently determining the similarity of soil bacterial communities. Our study can provide scientific guidance for exploring the role of mixed plantations in forest management.

Disparities in adherence to retesting guidelines in women with Trichomonas vaginalis infection

Trichomoniasis is the most prevalent nonviral sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Numerous studies have shown disproportionately higher prevalence rates in non-Hispanic Black women. Because of the high rates of reinfection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends retesting women treated for trichomoniasis. Despite these national guidelines, there are few studies examining adherence to retesting recommendations for patients with trichomoniasis. Adherence to retesting guidelines has been shown in other infections to be an important determinant of racial disparities. This study aimed to describe Trichomonas vaginalis infection rates, evaluate adherence to retesting guidelines, and examine characteristics of women who were not retested according to the guidelines in an urban, diverse, hospital-based obstetrics and gynecology clinic population. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients from a single hospital-based obstetrics and gynecology clinic who were tested for Trichomonas vaginalis between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2019. Descriptive statistics were used to examine guideline-concordant testing for reinfection among patients with trichomoniasis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify characteristics associated with testing positive and with appropriate retesting. Subgroup analyses were performed for patients who were pregnant and tested positive for Trichomonas vaginalis. Among the 8809 patients tested for Trichomonas vaginalis, 799 (9.1%) tested positive at least once during the study. Factors associated with trichomoniasis included identifying as non-Hispanic Black (adjusted odds ratio, 3.13; 95% confidence interval, 2.52-3.89), current or former tobacco smoking (adjusted odds ratio, 2.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.94-2.65), and single marital status (adjusted odds ratio, 1.96; 95% confidence interval, 1.51-2.56). Similar associated factors were found in the pregnant subgroup analysis. For women with trichomoniasis, guideline-concordant retesting rates were low across the entire population, with only 27% (214/799) of patients retested within the recommended time frame; 42% (82/194) of the pregnant subgroup underwent guideline-concordant retesting. Non-Hispanic Black women had significantly lower odds of undergoing guideline-recommended retesting than non-Hispanic White women (adjusted odds ratio, 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.31-0.92). Among patients tested according to guideline recommendations, we found a high rate of Trichomonas vaginalis positivity at retesting: 24% in the entire cohort (51/214) and 33% in the pregnant subgroup (27/82). Trichomonas vaginalis infection was identified at a high frequency in a diverse, urban hospital-based obstetrics and gynecology clinic population. Opportunities exist to improve on equitable and guideline-concordant retesting of patients with trichomoniasis.

Adaptive phenotypic plasticity induces individual variability along a cognitive trade-off

Animal species, including humans, display patterns of individual variability in cognition that are difficult to explain. For instance, some individuals perform well in certain cognitive tasks but show difficulties in others. We experimentally analysed the contribution of cognitive plasticity to such variability. Theory suggests that diametrically opposed cognitive phenotypes increase individuals' fitness in environments with different conditions such as resource predictability. Therefore, if selection has generated plasticity that matches individuals’ cognitive phenotypes to the environment, this might produce remarkable cognitive variability. We found that guppies, Poecilia reticulata , exposed to an environment with high resource predictability (i.e. food available at the same time and in the same location) developed enhanced learning abilities. Conversely, guppies exposed to an environment with low resource predictability (i.e. food available at a random time and location) developed enhanced cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control. These cognitive differences align along a trade-off between functions that favour the acquisition of regularities such as learning and functions that adjust behaviour to changing conditions (cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control). Therefore, adaptive cognitive plasticity in response to resource predictability (and potentially similar factors) is a key determinant of cognitive individual differences.

Rural-urban disparities in pregestational and gestational diabetes in pregnancy: Serial, cross-sectional analysis of over 12 million pregnancies.

To compare trends in pregestational (DM) and gestational diabetes (GDM) in pregnancy in rural and urban areas in the USA, because pregnant women living in rural areas face unique challenges that contribute to rural-urban disparities in adverse pregnancy outcomes. Serial, cross-sectional analysis. US National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Natality Files from 2011 to 2019. A total of 12 401 888 singleton live births to nulliparous women aged 15-44 years. We calculated the frequency (95% confidence interval [CI]) per 1000 live births, the mean annual percentage change (APC), and unadjusted and age-adjusted rate ratios (aRR) of DM and GDM in rural compared with urban maternal residence (reference) per the NCHS Urban-Rural Classification Scheme overall, and by delivery year, reported race and ethnicity, and US region (effect measure modification). The outcomes (modelled separately) were diagnoses of DM and GDM. From 2011 to 2019, there were increases in both the frequency (per 1000 live births; mean APC, 95% CI per year) of DM and GDM in rural areas (DM: 7.6 to 10.4 per 1000 live births; APC 2.8%, 95% CI 2.2%-3.4%; and GDM: 41.4 to 58.7 per 1000 live births; APC 3.1%, 95% CI 2.6%-3.6%) and urban areas (DM: 6.1 to 8.4 per 1000 live births; APC 3.3%, 95% CI 2.2%-4.4%; and GDM: 40.8 to 61.2 per 1000 live births; APC 3.9%, 95% CI 3.3%-4.6%). Individuals living in rural areas were at higher risk of DM (aRR 1.48, 95% CI 1.45%-1.51%) and GDM versus those in urban areas (aRR 1.17, 95% CI 1.16%-1.18%). The increased risk was similar each year for DM (interaction p = 0.8), but widened over time for GDM (interaction p < 0.01). The rural-urban disparity for DM was wider for individuals who identified as Hispanic race/ethnicity and in the South and West (interaction p < 0.01 for all); and for GDM the rural-urban disparity was generally wider for similar factors (i.e. Hispanic race/ethnicity, and in the South; interaction p < 0.05 for all). The frequency of DM and GDM increased in both rural and urban areas of the USA from 2011 to 2019 among nulliparous pregnant women. Significant rural-urban disparities existed for DM and GDM, and increased over time for GDM. These rural-urban disparities were generally worse among those of Hispanic race/ethnicity and in women who lived in the South. These findings have implications for delivering equitable diabetes care in pregnancy in rural US communities.