States Population Research Articles

Mapping review of register-based cohort studies of bipolar disorder.

Register-based cohorts allow us to better understand bipolar disorder over a life course. They are inclusive and their long-term data collection provides a longer scope than most clinical trials. This mapping review provides an overview of register-based cohort studies of bipolar disorder to inform researchers of the strengths and limitations to this body of research and identify gaps for future research. A systematic search was performed of Medline, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases. Cohort studies were included if they focused on bipolar disorder and had a minimum of 1 year of longitudinal data. Studies needed to be from databases that monitor the whole state or national population. A descriptive analysis of the studies' populations and methodology provides an overview of this field of study and identifies evidence gaps. A hundred and forty-six studies were included. The majority were from databases in Taiwan (n = 63), Denmark (n = 38), Sweden (n = 23), and Finland (n = 11). Forty-eight studies focused on aetiological questions. Sixty prognostic studies identified cohorts with bipolar disorder and described the impact of the illness by considering comorbidity, prescribing patterns, social functioning, and mortality. Thirty-six treatment studies focused on the efficacy and adverse effects of pharmaceuticals and ECT. No studies focused on psychological treatments. Bipolar disorder research should include register-based cohorts with greater geopolitical and cultural diversity. Custodians of health registers should consider how non-pharmaceutical interventions such as psychotherapy are captured. Register-based cohorts investigating treatments of bipolar disorder should consider long-term social outcomes alongside the usual clinical outcomes.

Comparative Evaluation of Three Screening Methods (Conventional, Molecular and Immunological) in the Diagnosis of Overt and Latent TB Infection in Mixed Population in Cross River State, Nigeria

Comparative Evaluation of Three Screening Methods (Conventional, Molecular and Immunological) in the Diagnosis of Overt and Latent TB Infection in Mixed Population in Cross River State, Nigeria

Deciphering the spatial organization of fibrotic microenvironment in silica particles-induced pulmonary fibrosis

Silicosis represents a form of interstitial lung disease induced by the inhalation of silica particles in production environments. A key pathological characteristic of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis is its localized tissue heterogeneity, which presents significant challenges in analyzing transcriptomic data due to the loss of important spatial context. To address this, we integrate spatial gene expression data with single-cell analyses and achieve a detailed mapping of cell types within and surrounding fibrotic regions, revealing significant shifts in cell populations in normal and diseased states. Additionally, we explore cell interactions within fibrotic zones using ligand-receptor mapping, deepening our understanding of cellular dynamics in these areas. We identify a subset of fibroblasts, termed Inmt fibroblasts, that play a suppressive role in the fibrotic microenvironment. Validating our findings through a comprehensive suite of bioinformatics, histological, and cell culture studies highlights the role of monocyte-derived macrophages in shifting Inmt fibroblast populations into profibrotic Grem1 fibroblast, potentially disrupting lung homeostasis in response to external challenges. Hence, the spatially detailed deconvolution offered by our research markedly advances the comprehension of cell dynamics and environmental interactions pivotal in the development of pulmonary fibrosis.

Quantum state engineering in a five-state chainwise system by generalized coincident pulse technique.

In this paper, an exact analytical solution is presented for achieving coherent population transfer and creating arbitrary coherent superposition states in a five-state chainwise system by a train of coincident pulses. We show that the solution of a five-state chainwise system can be reduced to an equivalent three-state Λ-type one with the simplest resonant coupling under the assumption of adiabatic elimination together with a requirement of the relation among the four coincident pulses. In this method, the four coincident pulses at each step all have the same time dependence, but with specific magnitudes. The results show that, by using a train of appropriately coincident pulses, this technique not only enables complete population transfer, but also creates any desired coherent superposition between the initial and final states, while the population in all intermediate states is effectively suppressed. Furthermore, this technique can also exhibit a one-way population transfer behavior. The results are of potential interest in applications where high-fidelity multi-state quantum control is essential, e.g., quantum information, atom optics, formation of ultracold molecules, cavity QED, nuclear coherent population transfer, and light transfer in waveguide arrays.

The association between dental caries and serum crp in the us adult population: evidence from NHANES 2015–2018

BackgroundDental caries remains one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide, affecting 29.4% of the global population. Despite numerous efforts to diagnose, predict, and prevent dental caries, the incidence continues to rise. Salivary biomarkers provide a non-invasive means for early detection of various oral conditions. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a key marker, elevated in both oral and general inflammatory conditions such as diabetes, periodontitis and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Considering the emerging connection between oral and systemic health, it is worth exploring the various factors associated with this widespread disease. This study investigates the association between CRP levels and dental caries in the United States population, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).MethodsThe study analyzed data from the 2015–2018 NHANES cycles, focusing on a nationally representative sample of individuals aged 30 years and above. Weighted multivariable negative binomial and logistic regression analyses were employed to explore the relationship between dental caries and CRP levels, adjusting for age, gender, race, education level, diabetes status, and gum disease.ResultsThe results of the negative binomial regression analysis demonstrated a positive association between higher CRP levels and an increased mean number of dental caries (Adjusted Mean Ratio [AMR] = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.3 – 2; P: < 0.001). The logistic regression analysis showed that individuals with higher CRP levels have a 50% increase in the odds of developing dental caries (AOR: 1.5, CI: 1.2 – 1.9; P: < 0.01).ConclusionThe results of this cross-sectional study of the U.S. population highlight the positive association between high CRP levels and increased dental caries. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the integration of oral and systemic health care. Further research is necessary to deepen our understanding of the mechanistic relationship between CRP levels and dental caries.

Decoherence ensures convergence of non-adiabatic molecular dynamics with number of states.

Non-adiabatic (NA) molecular dynamics (MD) is a powerful approach for studying far-from-equilibrium quantum dynamics in photophysical and photochemical systems. Most NA-MD methods are developed and tested with few-state models, and their validity with complex systems involving many states is not well studied. By modeling intraband equilibration and interband recombination of charge carriers in MoS2, we investigate the convergence of three popular NA-MD algorithms, fewest switches surface hopping (FSSH), global flux surface hopping (GFSH), and decoherence induced surface hopping (DISH) with the number of states. Only the standard DISH algorithm converges with the number of states and produces Boltzmann equilibrium. Unitary propagation of the wave function in FSSH and GFSH violates the Boltzmann distribution, leads to internal inconsistency between time-dependent Schrödinger equation state populations and trajectory counts, and produces non-convergent results. Introducing decoherence in FSSH and GFSH by collapsing the wave function fixes these problems. The simplified version of DISH that omits projecting out the occupied state and is applicable to few-state systems also causes problems when the number of states is increased. We discuss the algorithmic application of wave function collapse and Boltzmann detailed balance and provide detailed FSSH, GFSH, and DISH flow charts. The use of convergent NA-MD methods is highly important for modeling complicated quantum processes involving multiple states. Our findings provide the basis for investigating quantum dynamics in realistic complex systems.

Computational Assessment of Novel Ruthenium Phenoxazine‐Based Complexes as Photosensitizers in Photodynamic Therapy

A computational examination of two new polypyridyl ruthenium complexes, containing meldola blue (MDB) and nile blue (NB) chromophores, is here reported in order to assess the applicability of phenoxazine‐containing complexes in photodynamic therapy (PDT). The designed complexes, named Ru‐3ENB and Ru‐3EMDB, are based on a recently synthesized Ru(II)‐based complex bearing a bipyridyl‐ethynyl‐Nile Red (NR) ligand and proposed for PDT applications. DFT outcomes elucidated how the replacement of NR with MDB induces a red shift of the maximum absorption wavelength within the therapeutic window, up to 638 nm. A change in the molecular orbitals involved in the population of excited states was observed upon chromophore substitution that results in ISC kinetic significantly faster than that computed for the synthesized complex Ru‐3ENR.

Impact of Vaccination Rates, Pre-Pandemic Life Expectancy, Economic Status and Age on COVID-19 Excess Mortality Across United States.

This study investigates factors influencing pandemic mortality rates across U.S. states during different waves of SARS-CoV-2 infection from February 2020 to April 2023, given that over one million people died from COVID-19 in the country. We performed statistical analyses and used linear regression models to estimate age-adjusted and unadjusted excess mortality as functions of life expectancy, vaccination rates, and GDP per capita in U.S. states. States with lower life expectancy and lower GDP per capita experienced significantly higher mortality rates during the pandemic, underscoring the critical role of underlying health conditions and healthcare infrastructure, as reflected in these factors. When categorizing states by vaccination rates, significant differences in GDP per capita and pre-pandemic life expectancy emerged between states with lower and higher vaccination rates, likely explaining mortality disparities before mass vaccination. During the Delta and Omicron BA.1 waves, when vaccines were widely available, the mortality gap widened, and states with lower vaccination rates experienced nearly double the mortality compared to states with higher vaccination rates (Odds Ratio 1.8, 95% CI 1.7-1.9, p < 0.01). This disparity disappeared during the later Omicron variants, likely because the levels of combined immunity from vaccination and widespread infection across state populations became comparable. We showed that vaccination rates were the only significant factor influencing age-adjusted mortality, highlighting the substantial impact of age-specific demographics on both life expectancy and GDP across states. The study underscores the critical role of high vaccination rates in reducing excess deaths across all states, regardless of economic status. Vaccination rates proved more decisive than GDP per capita in reducing excess deaths. Additionally, states with lower pre-pandemic life expectancy faced greater challenges, reflecting the combined effects of healthcare quality, demographic variations, and social determinants of health. These findings call for comprehensive public health strategies that address both immediate interventions, like vaccination, and long-term improvements in healthcare infrastructure and social conditions.

Realization of high performance optical power limiting (OPL) materials by introducing OPL-active metal alkynyl segments into side chains of Pt(II) polyynes

To date, it is still a great challenge to realize high optical power limiting (OPL) ability with excellent visible light transmittance at the same time for organic OPL materials. For example, the carbazole-based Pt(II) polyynes usually showed good visible light transmittance but weak OPL ability. In this work, we designed and synthesized two high performance OPL materials by introducing OPL-active metal alkynyl segments into the side chain of carbazole-based Pt(II) polyynes for the first time. Arranging metal alkynyl in side chains could effectively disrupt the π-conjugation between the polymer backbones and side chains, thus the developed polymers showed excellent visible light transmittance. In addition, with more OPL-active metal alkynyl groups in the side chain, the developed polymers were expected to show good OPL performance at the same time. To further improve the OPL performance, we utilized the triphenylamine and triarylboron groups to manipulate the involvement of the Pt(II) center in transition processes, which could effectively influence the intersystem crossing to enhance the population of triplet states. As a result, the Pt(II) polyyne CzTPA with the triphenylamine group linked to OPL-active metal alkynyl groups in side chains displayed the best OPL performance with the figure of merit σex/σo of up to 7.17, which was much higher than that of state-of-the-art OPL material C60. Therefore, this work demonstrates a promising strategy to develop high performance OPL materials possessing both strong OPL ability and impressively high visible light transmittance at the same time.

Measurement of the fluorescence decay rate of 2 PJ3 positronium

The fluorescence decay rate of 2 PJ3 positronium (Ps) atoms [Γfl] has been experimentally determined using a Stark-mixing technique. Ground-state Ps atoms were optically excited in an electric field to states containing both 2 PJ3 and 23S1 components. The relative state populations were controlled via an applied mixing electric field, and a larger, pulsed, electric field was used to induce rapid quenching of the system after a fixed time delay. The dependence of the quenching signal on the mixing field strength was used to determine the relative and populations of the mixed states, whose decay rates are determined by the intrinsic self-annihilation and fluorescence decay rates. The measurements were compared to a trajectory simulation and Stark-mixing model, using the fluorescence decay rate as a free parameter. By finding the best agreement between the data and simulations we obtain Γfl=299±25µs−1, which is consistent with the mean theoretical value of 313.343±0.003µs−1. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Chiral Perovskite Heterostructure Films of CsPbBr3 Quantum Dots and 2D Chiral Perovskite with Circularly Polarized Luminescence Performance and Energy Transfer.

This work reports the synthesis of chiral perovskite heterostructure films by combining a two-dimensional (2D) chiral (R-/S-MBA)2PbI4 perovskite with CsPbBr3 quantum dots (QDs). The as-synthesized chiral heterostructure films exhibit obvious circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) properties, even though pure 2D chiral perovskite cannot present photoluminescence. It indicates that the chirality of the excited state of the QDs originates from the 2D chiral perovskite. The circular polarization-resolved transient absorption (TA) spectra further demonstrate that the CPL response of heterostructure films originates from the energy transfer between the chiral perovskite layer and QDs layer and the suppression of spin relaxation, which induces the imbalance of the spin population of excited states in QDs layer. In addition, the photoluminescence (PL), circular dichroism (CD), and CPL spectra of these heterostructure films can be controlled by varying the thickness and component of the chiral perovskite layer, which demonstrates that the anion exchange between chiral perovskite and CsPbBr3 QDs can tune the chemical composition and optoelectronic properties due to the low bonding energy difference between them and decrease the strain within the QDs layer to reduce the radiative recombination lifetime. This work provides guidance for the synthesis of chiral perovskites with a strong CPL response and further provides insight into the origination of CPL.

Weathering the cutbacks: the buffering role of representative bureaucracy in environmental policy implementation

ABSTRACT With a focus on environmental policy implementation in the U.S., this study argues that resource constraints in a more racially and ethnically representative government have a less severe impact on policy implementation outputs for minority-populated communities. The analysis suggests that while a more representative government enhances regulatory enforcement outputs for communities with large minority populations in states with sufficient financial resources for environmental agencies, agencies facing spending cutbacks diminish those outputs as bureaucratic representation increases. There are no discernible effects of staffing levels or cutbacks on policy implementation outputs, regardless of the minority representation in the public workforce.

Interface engineering of the dz2 electrons mobility for single atom catalytic activity and selectivity

Transition metal singlet embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon material (M-N-C) has been demonstrated as a promising electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst; however, the unsatisfying activity and production selectivity have hampered its widespread applications in energy storage and conversion technologies. Herein, interface engineering by facilitating M-N-C catalysts (M from 3d to 4d electron-containing elements) with MXene has been utilized to regulate their ORR performance. It is found that the charge transfer occurring within the interface not only tunes the electron occupancy of the 3d/4d orbitals of the metal site, but also delocalizes the population of the dz2 states. This alternation enhances the mobility of the electrons and promotes the 4e catalytic process thermodynamically. Meanwhile, the formation of ∗HOOH, the key reaction intermediate for 2e reaction, is hindered due to the alleviation of the binding capacity, which is beneficial to improve production selectivity. This study provides foundational understanding for the ORR catalytic mechanism at the atomic level and opens up new avenues for designing high-demanded electrocatalysts.

The TBI Model Systems Neighborhood Socioeconomic Disadvantage Index (TBIMS-NSDI): Development and Comparison to Individual Socioeconomic Characteristics.

To create a census-based composite neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation index (NSDI) from geocoded residential addresses and to quantify how NSDI aligns with individual-level socioeconomic factors among people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Community. People enrolled in the TBI Model Systems National Database (TBIMS NDB). Secondary analysis of a longitudinal cohort study. The TBIMS-NSDI was calculated at the census tract level for the United States population based on a principal components analysis of eight census tract-level variables from the American Community Survey. Individual socioeconomic characteristics from the TBIMS NDB were personal household income, education (years), and unemployment status. Neighborhood:Individual NSDI residuals represent the difference between predicted neighborhood disadvantage based on individual socioeconomic characteristics versus observed neighborhood disadvantage based on the TBIMS-NSDI. A single principal component was found to encompass the eight socioeconomic neighborhood-level variables. It was normally distributed across follow-up years 2, 5, and 10 post-injury in the TBIMS NDB. In all years, the TBIMS-NDSI was significantly associated with individual-level measures of household income and education but not unemployment status. Males, persons of Black and Hispanic background, Medicaid recipients, persons with TBI caused by violence, and those living in urban areas, as well as in the Northeast or Southern regions of the United States, were more likely to have greater neighborhood disadvantage than predicted based on their individual socioeconomic characteristics. The TBIMS-NSDI provides a neighborhood-level indicator of socioeconomic disadvantage, an important social determinant of outcomes from TBI. The Neighborhood:Individual NSDI residual adds another dimension to the TBIMS-NSDI by summarizing how a person's socioeconomic status aligns with their neighborhood socioeconomics. Future studies should evaluate how both measures affect TBI recovery and life quality. Research studying neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage may improve our understanding of how systemic adversity influences outcomes after TBI.

Demographic differences in perceived effectiveness for policies to prevent school shootings: results from a representative survey in New Jersey

ObjectiveTo determine what firearm policies New Jersey residents believe will prevent school shootings and the extent to which this varies by sex, firearm ownership status, and political affiliation.MethodsA representative sample of New Jersey residents (N = 1,018) was collected via the Eagleton Center on Public Interest Polling (ECPIP). Data were weighted to reflect the state's population. Participants were asked to rate how helpful they perceived different firearm-related policies to be for preventing school shootings.ResultsFindings indicate that participants perceived universal and expanded background checks, increased mental health funding, and requiring a license for firearm purchases as most effective for preventing school shootings. Arming school personnel, prayer in schools, decreasing the number of entrances at schools, and secure storage requirements were viewed as less effective. Firearm ownership, sex, and political affiliation significantly influenced perceptions of the effectiveness of these policies.ConclusionThe study examined the perceived effectiveness of policies to prevent school shootings. The study highlights disparities and commonalities in policy support among different groups, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts to address gun violence in schools.

Assessing The Relationship Between Demand And Accessibility For Pediatric Ophthalmology Services By State In The United States.

To investigate the relationship between public demand for pediatric ophthalmology services and the accessibility of such services on a statewide basis in the United States, focusing on strabismus care. Using Google Trends data, search volumes for "strabismus" were analyzed from January 2014 to December 2023. Pediatric ophthalmologist availability was assessed via the American Academy of Ophthalmology directory, normalized for state population size to create a relative demand index. Additional metrics from the United States Census Bureau and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided socioeconomic and health data. Correlation coefficients were used to explore relationships between search volumes, specialist availability, vision screening, socioeconomics, and demographic factors. The data revealed variability in public interest in pediatric ophthalmology across states, with Alaska showing the highest relative search volume for strabismus. The data also indicated notable disparities in pediatric ophthalmologist density, with North Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming having no pediatric ophthalmologists. A significant correlation was identified between pediatric ophthalmologist availability and vision screening (R = 0.486, p < 0.001). Negative correlations were observed between the relative demand index and urbanization (R = -0.388, p = 0.007), as well as the strabismus prevalence (R = -0.455, p = 0.001), indicating that urbanization and specialist distribution influence eyecare demand and access. The findings highlight disparities in accessibility and demand for pediatric ophthalmology services across the US, influenced by urbanization and distribution of healthcare professionals. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions to improve access to care and bridge gaps in pediatric ophthalmology service provision.

Statewide Community College Promise Programs: An Event History Analysis

ABSTRACT Between the 2014 adoption of the Tennessee Promise Act and 2019, 16 states enacted their own statewide promise program policies making community college tuition free for numerous students. In this study, we sought to determine which state-level factors predicted the adoption of a statewide promise program policy. Using data from 2013 to 2019, we conducted an event history analysis to identify state-level political, economic, social, and higher education system conditions that predicted promise program policy adoption. Partisan control of state government, total state population, percentage of state population identified as white, and percentage of state appropriations allocated to community colleges were associated with statewide promise program policy adoption. Our findings suggest that there is no single factor or grand narrative that results in promise program policy adoption. Instead, the results highlight the complexities within the policymaking process.

Virtual Pooled Registry-Cancer Linkage System: an improved method for ascertaining cancer diagnoses.

The National Cancer Institute funds many large cohort studies that rely on self-reported cancer data requiring medical record validation. This is labor intensive, costly, and prone to underreporting or misreporting of cancer and disparity-related differential response. US population-based central cancer registries identify incident cancer within their catchment area, yielding all malignant neoplasms and benign brain and central nervous system tumors with standardized data fields. This manuscript describes the development, implementation, and features of a system to facilitate linkage between cohort studies and cancer registries and the release of cancer registry data for matched cohort participants. The Virtual Pooled Registry-Cancer Linkage System (VPR-CLS) provides an online system to link cohorts with multiple state cancer registries by 1) securely transmitting a study file to registries, 2) providing an optimized linkage algorithm to generate preliminary match counts, and 3) providing a streamlined process and templated forms for submitting and tracking data requests for cohort participants who matched with registries. In 2022, the VPR-CLS launched with 45 registries, covering 95% of the US state populations and Puerto Rico. Registries have linked with 15 studies having 14 273-10.9 million participants. Except in 1 study, linkage sensitivity ranged from 87.0% to 99.9%. Numerous registries have adopted the VPR-CLS templated institutional review board-registry application (n = 39), templated data use agreement (n = 25), and central institutional review board (n = 16). The VPR-CLS markedly improves ascertainment of cancer outcomes and is the preferred approach for determination of outcomes from cohort studies, postmarketing surveillance, and clinical trials.

The Oral Medicine workforce and impact on access to care in the United States

The objective of this study was to characterize the current oral medicine (OM) workforce by examining the distribution of OM diplomates (OMDs) across the Unites States and to determine the need for expanding access to care. The OMD access was calculated based on the OMDs per 10,000 state population from the 2020 US Census data as well as their distance from state capitals and most populated cities. OMD penetrance in hospitals and cancer centers was assessed at National Cancer Care Network (NCCN) cancer centers, and Best Hospitals as reported in the 2022 US News and World Report (USNWR). OMDs are present in 64% of the states with an uneven geographic distribution. Primary workplaces included dental schools (47%), hospitals (30%), and private practices (19%). Of the OMDs in private practice, 57% limited their practice to OM. OMDs were noted at 28% of NCCN cancer centers, 30% of USNWR Best Hospitals for Cancer, and 20% of USNWR Best Hospitals. There is low density and uneven distribution of OMDs with approximately one-third of the population without access to an OMD in their state, thus limiting access to care. This suggests both vast opportunities for growth and expansion of OM, as well as challenges in developing and training the necessary workforce. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol YEAR;VOL:page range).

Optimization of oral isavuconazole dose for population in special physiological or pathological state: a physiologically based pharmacokinetics model-informed precision dosing.

To recommend precision dosing and improve therapeutic efficacy against invasive fungal disease, a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model (PBPK) of oral isavuconazole (ISA) was established and used to explore its disposition across populations in different physiological and pathological states. Twenty-five pharmacokinetic (PK) studies of oral ISA were identified through a systematic search of PubMed. Concentration-time data were extracted using WebPlotDigitizer. Physiochemical parameters were obtained from published literature and DrugBank. Model development and simulation used the Simcyp population-based simulator, and visual predictive check and predictive error were used for the model evaluation. Probability of target attainment and the cumulative fraction of response analyses were performed for dose optimization. The developed PBPK model was successfully validated in different populations. Most predicted concentration-time points aligned with the observed data, with acceptable predictive errors for the critical parameters. We predicted the PK profiles and parameters of ISA in a population with severe hepatic impairment (HI), a population with obesity and paediatric patients aged 1 to less than 6 years old. The probability of target attainment and cumulative fraction of response analyses indicated that the population with severe HI should have half the maintenance dose. The population with obesity and population with severe HI should have a loading dose of 300 mg every 8 h for 2 days. For paediatric patients aged 1 to less than 6 years old, a weight-based dosing regimen (5.38 mg/kg) of ISA was suggested. The predicted value aligns with observations, suggesting ISA's potential predictability in PK profiles for other populations. The recommended dosing regimens increase our understanding of the use of ISA in special populations.