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This paper examines the impact of demographic change on political perceptions, specifically attitudes toward the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. Utilizing data from the 2020 Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey, we explore how changes in county-level nonwhite populations influence whether individuals label the event as a protest or an insurrection. Our findings reveal a curvilinear relationship: respondents in counties with moderate increases in nonwhite populations are more likely to view the event as an insurrection, while those in counties with substantial increases tend to see it as a protest. This pattern holds across racial groups but is primarily driven by respondents who did not vote for President Trump. The study shows the broader implications of demographic shifts on political stability and social cohesion, highlighting how changes in racial and ethnic composition shape interpretations of major political events. These insights are crucial for understanding voter behavior and political messaging in the 2024 presidential election.
According to International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines, all species must be assessed against all criteria during the Red Listing process. For organismal groups that are diverse and understudied, assessors face considerable challenges in assembling evidence due to difficulty in applying definitions of key terms used in the guidelines. Challenges also arise because of uncertainty in population sizes (Criteria A, C, D) and distributions (Criteria A2/3/4c, B). Lichens, which are often small, difficult to identify, or overlooked during biodiversity inventories, are one such group for which specific difficulties arise in applying Red List criteria. Here, we offer approaches and examples that address challenges in completing Red List assessments for lichens in a rapidly changing arena of data availability and analysis strategies. While assessors still contend with far from perfect information about individual species, we propose practical solutions for completing robust assessments given the currently available knowledge of individual lichen life-histories.
Between 1899 and 1902, Anglo-French archaeologist George Bonsor carried out an exploration of the Scilly Isles (United Kingdom). At that time the archipelago was believed to be the Cassiterides or Tin Islands mentioned by authors such as Strabo, Pliny the Elder and Ptolemy – an idea first posited by William Camden in his Britannia (1586). Adopting Camden’s theory and guided by ancient literature on the Cassiterides – which refers to the Phoenicians as the first controllers of this trade route – Bonsor sought traces of the Phoenicians and their tin trade in the Scilly Isles, becoming the first person to conduct such research from an archaeological perspective. Not having found any evidence, his exploration remained unpublished and went mostly unnoticed in debates about the Tin Islands over following decades. This paper presents a brief historiographical account on the Cassiterides before and after the explorations, as well as a critical analysis of Bonsor’s field notes regarding his use of ancient sources and his archaeological method. The analysis carried out suggests that Bonsor’s archaeological exploration has been overlooked thus far and that a new assessment of his work is required.
The Brazil Nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa, Lecythidaceae) is a species of considerable historical, economic and ecological importance in South America. Radiocarbon dating indicates some individuals can live from hundreds to more than 1000 years, which means they have the potential to reconstruct deep time growth patterns and their relationship to anthropogenic management or climate change from pre-colonial to present times. However, age estimates vary considerably amongst trees dated with different methods (i.e. tree-ring analysis, radiocarbon-dating, and repeated diameter measurements). Here we analyze living Brazil Nut trees growing in four distinct regions across the Brazilian Amazon using two dating methods: tree-ring counting and radiocarbon dating. Our results show that the congruence between the two methods varies amongst regions, and the highest congruence is found at the site of Tefé, Amazonas. This region features archaeological sites with anthropogenic Terra Preta soils, and is known for its long-term human forest management. This management likely enhanced light and nutrient availability, which possibly enabled the trees to grow at higher rates and form annual rings. Our findings highlight the need for better understanding of the growth of Brazil Nut trees for ecological research, but also the potential of dendrochronology for exploring climate change and human-forest interactions in the Amazon Basin.
The “Post-COVID Syndrome” affects approximately 10% of people who have been infected with Covid-19. These people have a physical and mental impact.
Objectives
The objective of this study is to analyze factors related to poorer mental health in these patients from primary health care.
Methods
Cross-sectional study. The study population was post-COVID-19 patients aged 18 years or older and treated by Primary Health Care (PHC). The main variable was Affective state through the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire. The rest of the variables were: Socio-demographic variables, number of residual symptoms, cognitive using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), physical functioning variable will be measured by Sit to Stand Test and Sleep quality through the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). A bivariate analysis and also a lineal multivariate model were developed. Ethics approval was granted by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Aragón (PI21/139 and PI21/454).
Results
A total of 100 individuals participated, of whom, 80 were women and 20 were men. The median scores in HADS was 16 and the interquartile range was 12. Multilevel analysis shows that better physical functioning (sit to stand test) and worse sleep quality (Insomnia severity index) are predictors of worse affective state. The models explain 36.5% of the HADS variance.
Conclusions
It is relevant to take account these variables in the treatment of the affective state of patients with long covid.
To compare the long-term vaccine effectiveness between those receiving viral vector [Oxford-AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1)] or inactivated viral (CoronaVac) primary series (2 doses) and those who received an mRNA booster (Pfizer/BioNTech) (the third dose) among healthcare workers (HCWs).
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective cohort study among HCWs (aged ≥18 years) in Brazil from January 2021 to July 2022. To assess the variation in the effectiveness of booster dose over time, we estimated the effectiveness rate by taking the log risk ratio as a function of time.
Results:
Of 14,532 HCWs, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was confirmed in 56.3% of HCWs receiving 2 doses of CoronaVac vaccine versus 23.2% of HCWs receiving 2 doses of CoronaVac vaccine with mRNA booster (P < .001), and 37.1% of HCWs receiving 2 doses of ChAdOx1 vaccine versus 22.7% among HCWs receiving 2 doses of ChAdOx1 vaccine with mRNA booster (P < .001). The highest vaccine effectiveness with mRNA booster was observed 30 days after vaccination: 91% for the CoronaVac vaccine group and 97% for the ChAdOx1 vaccine group. Vacine effectiveness declined to 55% and 67%, respectively, at 180 days. Of 430 samples screened for mutations, 49.5% were SARS-CoV-2 delta variants and 34.2% were SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants.
Conclusions:
Heterologous COVID-19 vaccines were effective for up to 180 days in preventing COVID-19 in the SARS-CoV-2 delta and omicron variant eras, which suggests the need for a second booster.
Natural disasters are becoming more common and destructive. There is a critical need to build accessible legal services for vulnerable populations that suffer disproportionately from natural disasters. Law schools, legal clinics, and law professors are well-positioned to serve vulnerable and marginalized communities and can address the issues of poverty and race that exacerbate the harm caused by natural disasters. Access to justice and civil legal aid after natural disasters should be rooted in preparedness and planning before the disaster. Understanding the nature of natural disasters, the ecosystem of response systems, existing networks, common legal issues, and the typical arc of recovery will help law schools, legal clinics, and lawyers prepare and plan for response. The models and lessons discussed in this chapter may help provide increased post disaster legal services to vulnerable people to empower them with confidence and tools to serve their communities. This chapter builds on lessons learned from previous natural disasters and offers information and insights on responsive program design, professionalism, and disaster response systems. Building a framework for institutional responses in the legal academy can advance and improve access to justice for vulnerable communities recovering after a disaster so that they can survive, rebuild and return home.
Depression treatment recommendations seldom include chronic illness comorbidity.
Objectives
To describe the rationale and methods for a cluster-randomized trial (CRT) in primary care clinics (PCC) comparing a computer-assisted psychoeducational (CAPE) intervention to usual care (UC) for depressed patients with hypertension or diabetes.
Methods
Two-arm, single-blind CRT in Santiago, Chile. Eight PCC will be randomly assigned to the intervention or UC. A total of 360 depressed individuals aged 18 or older PHQ-9 scores ≥ 15 and hypertension or diabetes will be recruited. Patients with alcohol/substance abuse; current treatment for depression, bipolar disorder, or psychosis; illiteracy; severe impairment; and residents in long-term care facilities will be excluded. Patients in the intervention will receive eight CAPE sessions by trained therapists, structured telephone calls to track progress, and usual medical care for chronic diseases. Psychologists and psychiatrists will regularly supervise therapists. To ensure continuity of care, the PCC team will meet monthly with a research team member. Patients in UC will receive standard medical and depression treatment. Three, six, and twelve months after enrollment, outcomes will be assessed. The primary outcome will be a 50% reduction in baseline PHQ-9 scores at six months. Intention-to-treat analyses will be used.
Results
A previous, small-scale pilot study provided valuable insights for study design.
Conclusions
This study will provide first-hand evidence on the effectiveness of a CAPE for depressed patients with chronic diseases at PCC in a Latin American country.
One of the most important aspects of genetic evaluation (GE) is the definition of contemporary groups (CG), commonly defined as animals of the same sex born in the same herd, year and season. The objective of this study was to use an aridity index (AI) to classify season and evaluate the implications on the GE of Braunvieh cattle. A data set with 32 777 and 22 448 birth weight (BW) and weaning weight adjusted to 240 days (WW) records, respectively, was used to compare two methods of classification of climatic seasons to be used in the definition of CG for GE models. The first method considered rain season criterion (RC), and the second method is a proposed classification using an AI. Both methods were compared using two approaches. The first approach examined differences in mixed models using the RC and AI season to select the best model for BW and WW, evaluated by different goodness of fit measures. The second approach considered fitting a GE model including the season classifications into the CG structure. Lower probability values for season effect and better goodness of fit measures were obtained when the season was classified according to the AI. Results showed that although differences are small, the AI allows a better model fitting for live-weight traits than RC and revealed a re-ranking effect on expected progeny differences data. Further analysis with other traits would demonstrate the extended utility of AI indicators to be considered for fitting models under a climatic change environment.
We investigated real-world vaccine effectiveness for Oxford-AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1) and CoronaVac against laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among healthcare workers (HCWs).
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective cohort study among HCWs (aged ≥18 years) working in a private healthcare system in Brazil between January 1, 2021 and August 3, 2021, to assess vaccine effectiveness. We calculated vaccine effectiveness as 1 − rate ratio (RR), with RR determined by adjusting Poisson models with the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection as the outcome and the vaccination status as the main variable. We used the logarithmic link function and simple models adjusting for sex, age, and job types.
Results:
In total, 13,813 HCWs met the inclusion criteria for this analysis. Among them, 6,385 (46.2%) received the CoronaVac vaccine, 5,916 (42.8%) received the ChAdOx1 vaccine, and 1,512 (11.0%) were not vaccinated. Overall, COVID-19 occurred in 6% of unvaccinated HCWs, 3% of HCWs who received 2 doses of CoronaVac vaccine, and 0.7% of HCWs who received 2 doses of ChAdOx1 vaccine (P < .001). In the adjusted analyses, the estimated vaccine effectiveness rates were 51.3% for CoronaVac, and 88.1% for ChAdOx1 vaccine. Both vaccines reduced the number of hospitalizations, the length of hospital stay, and the need for mechanical ventilation. In addition, 19 SARS-CoV-2 samples from 19 HCWs were screened for mutations of interest. Of 19 samples, 18 were the γ (gamma) variant.
Conclusions:
Although both COVID-19 vaccines (viral vector and inactivated virus) can significantly prevent COVID-19 among HCWs, CoronaVac was much less effective. The COVID-19 vaccines were also effective against the dominant γ variant.
The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a test to evaluate dietitian's clinical competence (CC) about nutritional care in patients with early chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study was conducted through five steps: (1) CC and its dimensions were defined; (2) test items were elaborated, and choice of response format and scoring system was selected; (3) content and face validity were established; (4) test was subjected to a pilot test and those items with inadequate performance were removed; (5) criterion validity and internal consistency for final validation were established. A 120-items test was developed and applied to 207 dietitians for validation. Dietitians with previous CKD training obtained higher scores than those with no training, confirming the test validity criterion. According to item analysis, Cronbach's α was 0⋅85, difficulty index 0⋅61 ± 0⋅22, discrimination index 0⋅26 ± 0⋅15 and inter-item correlation 0⋅19 ± 0⋅11, displaying adequate internal consistency.
We report the nearly complete mitochondrial genome of Rhabdosynochus viridisi – the first for this genus – achieved by combining shotgun sequencing of genomic and cDNA libraries prepared using low-input protocols. This integration of genomic information leads us to correct the annotation of the gene features. The mitochondrial genome consists of 13,863 bp. Annotation resulted in the identification of 12 protein-encoding genes, 22 tRNA genes and two rRNA genes. Three non-coding regions, delimited by three tRNAs, were found between the genes nad5 and cox3. A phylogenetic analysis grouped R. viridisi with three other species of diplectanid monogeneans for which mitochondrial genomes are available.
The role of anthropometric status on dengue is uncertain. We investigated the relations between anthropometric characteristics (height, body mass index and waist circumference (WC)) and two dengue outcomes, seropositivity and hospitalisation, in a cross-sectional study of 2038 children (aged 2–15 years) and 408 adults (aged 18–72 years) from Bucaramanga, Colombia. Anthropometric variables were standardised by age and sex in children. Seropositivity was determined through immunoglobulin G antibodies; past hospitalisation for dengue was self-reported. We modelled the prevalence of each outcome by levels of anthropometric exposures using generalised estimating equations with restricted cubic splines. In children, dengue seropositivity was 60.8%; 9.9% of seropositive children reported prior hospitalisation for dengue. WC was positively associated with seropositivity in girls (90th vs. 10th percentile adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) = 1.19; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.36). Among adults, dengue seropositivity was 95.1%; 8.1% of seropositive adults reported past hospitalisation. Height was inversely associated with seropositivity (APR = 0.90; 95% CI 0.83–0.99) and with hospitalisation history (APR = 0.19; 95% CI 0.04–0.79). WC was inversely associated with seropositivity (APR = 0.89; 95% CI 0.81–0.98). We conclude that anthropometry correlates with a history of dengue, but could not determine causation. Prospective studies are warranted to enhance causal inference on these questions.
In recent years, a variety of efforts have been made in political science to enable, encourage, or require scholars to be more open and explicit about the bases of their empirical claims and, in turn, make those claims more readily evaluable by others. While qualitative scholars have long taken an interest in making their research open, reflexive, and systematic, the recent push for overarching transparency norms and requirements has provoked serious concern within qualitative research communities and raised fundamental questions about the meaning, value, costs, and intellectual relevance of transparency for qualitative inquiry. In this Perspectives Reflection, we crystallize the central findings of a three-year deliberative process—the Qualitative Transparency Deliberations (QTD)—involving hundreds of political scientists in a broad discussion of these issues. Following an overview of the process and the key insights that emerged, we present summaries of the QTD Working Groups’ final reports. Drawing on a series of public, online conversations that unfolded at www.qualtd.net, the reports unpack transparency’s promise, practicalities, risks, and limitations in relation to different qualitative methodologies, forms of evidence, and research contexts. Taken as a whole, these reports—the full versions of which can be found in the Supplementary Materials—offer practical guidance to scholars designing and implementing qualitative research, and to editors, reviewers, and funders seeking to develop criteria of evaluation that are appropriate—as understood by relevant research communities—to the forms of inquiry being assessed. We dedicate this Reflection to the memory of our coauthor and QTD working group leader Kendra Koivu.1
Abnormalities in the semantic and syntactic organization of speech have been reported in individuals at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis. The current study seeks to examine whether such abnormalities are associated with changes in brain structure and functional connectivity in CHR individuals.
Methods.
Automated natural language processing analysis was applied to speech samples obtained from 46 CHR and 22 healthy individuals. Brain structural and resting-state functional imaging data were also acquired from all participants. Sparse canonical correlation analysis (sCCA) was used to ascertain patterns of covariation between linguistic features, clinical symptoms, and measures of brain morphometry and functional connectivity related to the language network.
Results.
In CHR individuals, we found a significant mode of covariation between linguistic and clinical features (r = 0.73; p = 0.003), with negative symptoms and bizarre thinking covarying mostly with measures of syntactic complexity. In the entire sample, separate sCCAs identified a single mode of covariation linking linguistic features with brain morphometry (r = 0.65; p = 0.05) and resting-state network connectivity (r = 0.63; p = 0.01). In both models, semantic and syntactic features covaried with brain structural and functional connectivity measures of the language network. However, the contribution of diagnosis to both models was negligible.
Conclusions.
Syntactic complexity appeared sensitive to prodromal symptoms in CHR individuals while the patterns of brain-language covariation seemed preserved. Further studies in larger samples are required to establish the reproducibility of these findings.
Fewer than 200 radiocarbon (14C) dates with secure contextual information are available for Cuba, making it challenging to reconstruct Caribbean indigenous population dynamics, their identities and interactions. In this paper, we discussed 21 accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C dates from two mounds (M1 and M2) at the Playa del Mango site (Granma province, Cuba), traditionally associated with the Banwaroid stone tool tradition. The ΔR calculated for the site was –132.0 ± 176 and –164.0 ± 68. The chronology of burials from the peripheral area of M2 suggested that the cemetery was continuously used from at least cal BC 116–AD 241 (2 σ). The domestic area of M2 was used at minimum between cal BC 55–AD 435 (2 σ), which encompasses the use of the funerary areas. An isolated human tooth from M1 [cal AD 125–435 (2 σ)] suggested that this funerary area is later than the one at the periphery of M2, and possibly contemporaneous with the later formation of the M2 shell midden. The archaeological assemblage of the “Banwaroid tradition” is widely distributed in Cuba, and mixed with other archaeological traditions, supporting that a complex web of human interactions took place in the Caribbean in precolonial times.
The aim of this study was to determine whether diabetic patients who were depressed present a decrease of brain serotonergic activity compared to diabetic patients without depression or patients with depression but without diabetes. Determination was made with plasma free fraction of l-tryptophan (FFT) and intensity-dependent auditory-evoked potentials (IDAEPs).
Methods
Thirty seven adolescents were studied (20 type 1 diabetic subjects: 9 with depression, 11 without depression), 9 controls and 8 subjects with only depression. FFT, glucose, glycated hemoglobin, free fatty acids, albumin and IDAEPs were determined.
Result
All diabetic patients showed a significant decrease of FFT. The group diabetic subjects with depression presented a steeper slope of the amplitude-intensity function of N1/P2 component, suggesting a higher reactivity of the auditory cortex in comparison to diabetic subjects without depression, subjects with only depression, and controls. This was associated with lower plasma FFT. Diabetic subjects with depression had a deficiency of metabolic control due to poor treatment adherence.
Conclusions
These findings suggest an enhanced deterioration of brain serotonergic neurotransmission in diabetic subjects with depression with abnormal responses of the auditory cortex. The N1/P2 component of IDAEP is proposed as a noninvasive indicator of brain serotonergic tone that differentiates depressed from nondepressed diabetic patients.
Antidepressants can induce SIADH and it can be a serious complication. It is frecuently asociated with SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) but this syndrome can be caused by another antidepressants, drugs and another causes can be involved.
Objectives
We report the clinical course of an antidepressants induced SIADH with SSRIs and Mirtazapine and propose psychopharmacologic alternatives.
Methods
We describe the case of a 25 years old man, hypertensive in treatment with thiazides, polytraumatized as a result of a suicide attempt. The patient was treated with Sertraline and a SIADH occurred. Stopped Sertraline and diuretics and then, the patient was treated with Mirtazapine and Bisoprolol but hyponatremia was persistent. Then we use Trazodone and the sodium levels were normalized.
Results
Hyponatremia is a potentially dangerous side effect of antidepressants and is not exclusive to SSRIs. Current evidence suggests a relatively higher risk of hyponatremia with SSRIs and venlafaxine, especially when combined with patient risk factors. In our case, the risk was increased by the polytrauma and thiazide diuretics. Although, according to the literature, the risk associated with mirtazapine is moderate, in our case, hyponatremia was persistent and sodium levels were normalized when stopped Mirtazapine and started Trazodone.
Conclusion
We have to take into account risk factors associated with SIADH and modify them as far as possible. Trazodone could be an alternative treatment for patients with SIADH.
Emergency situations related to mental disorders represent a significant proportion of all medical emergencies. Over the last years we have been witness to an upturn in the incidence of psychiatry emergency service because to change of mood.
Objective
To determine the profile of the patient who requires psychiatric attention with changing of mood in our area in different seasons.
Methodology
This is a prevalence and prospective study in which the dependent variable is taken as change of mood and we also use three more independent variables that are age sex and seasonality. The seasonality (spring period and summer period) will be at the same time the form of divided the population in two groups to compare.
Results
Out of all the consultations for changing of mood in the emergency service during the first period (113 patients), 34% were men and 66% were women. The age range of 36–50 years was more frequent for women and the age range of 51–65 years was more frequent for men.in the second period (with 162 patients), 137 women (86%) and 25 men (14%).in this case, the most common age range was 36–50 years, both for women and for men.
Conclusions
The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with changing of mood assessed by the emergency service are described from a naturalistic approach.
Which Chi2 we will discover if the population who has been taken between woman and man is significant and with the median, we will also determine if the age ranges are enough significant to confirm our hypothesis.
Disclosure of interest
The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.