Low-Cost Sensor Performance Intercomparison, Correction Factor Development, and 2+ Years of Ambient PM Monitoring in Accra, Ghana.

Particulate matter air pollution is a leading cause of global mortality, particularly in Asia and Africa. Addressing the high and wide-ranging air pollution levels requires ambient monitoring, but many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remain scarcely monitored. To address these data gaps, recent studies have utilized low-cost sensors.

Wintertime Air Quality across the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: Concentration, Composition, and Sources of Fine and Coarse Particulate Matter.

The Kathmandu Valley in Nepal experiences poor air quality, especially in the dry winter season. In this study, we investigated the concentration, chemical composition, and sources of fine and coarse particulate matter (PM, PM, and PM) at three sites within or near the Kathmandu Valley during the winter of 2018 as part of the second Nepal Ambient Monitoring and Source Testing Experiment (NAMaSTE 2). Daily PM concentrations were very high throughout the study period, ranging 72-149 μg m at the urban Ratnapark site in Kathmandu, 88-161 μg m at the suburban Lalitpur site, and 40-74 μg m at rural Dhulikhel on the eastern rim of the Kathmandu Valley.

Aerosol Mass Spectral Profiles from NAMaSTE Field-Sampled South Asian Combustion Sources.

Unit mass resolution mass spectral profiles of nonrefractory submicron aerosol were retrieved from undersampled atmospheric emission sources common to South Asia using a "mini" aerosol mass spectrometer. Emission sources including wood- and dung-fueled cookstoves, agricultural residue burning, garbage burning, engine exhaust, and coal-fired brick kilns were sampled during the 2015 Nepal Ambient Monitoring and Source Testing Experiment (NAMaSTE) campaign. High-resolution peak fitting estimates of the mass spectra were used to characterize ions found within each source profile and help identify mass spectral signatures unique to aerosol emissions from the investigated source types.

Estimating and Testing Random Intercept Multilevel Structural Equation Models with Model Implied Instrumental Variables.

This study develops a new limited information estimator for random intercept Multilevel Structural Equation Models (MSEM). It is based on the Model Implied Instrumental Variable Two-Stage Least Squares (MIIV-2SLS) estimator, which has been shown to be an excellent alternative or supplement to maximum likelihood (ML) in SEMs (Bollen, 1996). We also develop a multilevel overidentification test statistic that applies to equations at the within or between levels.

An introduction to model implied instrumental variables using two stage least squares (MIIV-2SLS) in structural equation models (SEMs).

Structural equation models (SEMs) are widely used to handle multiequation systems that involve latent variables, multiple indicators, and measurement error. Maximum likelihood (ML) and diagonally weighted least squares (DWLS) dominate the estimation of SEMs with continuous or categorical endogenous variables, respectively. When a model is correctly specified, ML and DWLS function well.

Recognition of Emotions from Situational Contexts and the Impact of a Mind Reading Intervention in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The present research examined recognition of basic (happy, fear, sad) and self-conscious (pride, embarrassment, guilt) emotions from situational contexts in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and neurotypical children (Study 1). Results showed that children with ASD were less accurate in recognizing fear, embarrassment, and guilt situations than neurotypical children. Additionally, the research explored whether recognition of these emotions from situational contexts could be improved in children with ASD after a 4-week computerized emotion intervention (Study 2).

Harmonizing altered measures in integrative data analysis: A methods analogue study.

In the current study, we used an analogue integrative data analysis (IDA) design to test optimal scoring strategies for harmonizing alcohol- and drug-use consequence measures with varying degrees of alteration across four study conditions. We evaluated performance of mean, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and moderated nonlinear factor analysis (MNLFA) scores based on traditional indices of reliability (test-retest, internal, and score recovery or parallel forms) and validity. Participants in the analogue study included 854 college students (46% male; 21% African American, 5% Hispanic/Latino, 56% European American) who completed two versions of the altered measures at two sessions, separated by 2 weeks.

Simplifying the implementation of modern scale scoring methods with an automated R package: Automated moderated nonlinear factor analysis (aMNLFA).

When generating scores to represent latent constructs, analysts have a choice between applying psychometric approaches that are principled but that can be complicated and time-intensive versus applying simple and fast, but less precise approaches, such as sum or mean scoring. We explain the reasons for preferring modern psychometric approaches: namely, use of unequal item weights and severity parameters, the ability to account for local dependence and differential item functioning, and the use of covariate information to more efficiently estimate factor scores. We describe moderated nonlinear factor analysis (MNLFA), a relatively new, highly flexible approach that allows analysts to develop precise factor score estimates that address limitations of sum score, mean score, and traditional factor analytic approaches to scoring.

Proneness to guilt, shame, and pride in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and neurotypical children.

Unlabelled: Self-conscious emotions (e.g., guilt, shame, and pride) are complex emotions that require self-reflection and self-evaluation, and are thought to facilitate the maintenance of societal norms and personal standards.

A quantitative approach to evaluating the GWP timescale through implicit discount rates.

The 100-year global warming potential (GWP) is the primary metric used to compare the climate impacts of emissions of different greenhouse gases (GHGs). The GWP relies on radiative forcing rather than damages, assumes constant future concentrations, and integrates over a timescale of 100 years without discounting; these choices lead to a metric that is transparent and simple to calculate, but have also been criticized. In this paper, we take a quantitative approach to evaluating the choice of time horizon, accounting for many of these complicating factors.

Advancing the Study of Adolescent Substance Use Through the Use of Integrative Data Analysis.

A wealth of information is currently known about the epidemiology, etiology, and evaluation of drug and alcohol use across the life span. Despite this corpus of knowledge, much has yet to be learned. Many factors conspire to slow the pace of future advances in the field of substance use including the need for long-term longitudinal studies of often hard-to-reach subjects who are reporting rare and episodic behaviors.

An Empirical Assessment of the Sensitivity of Mixture Models to Changes in Measurement.

The current study explored the extent to which variations in self-report measures across studies can produce differences in the results obtained from mixture models. Data ( = 854) come from a laboratory analogue study of methods for creating commensurate scores of alcohol- and substance-use-related constructs when items differ systematically across participants for any given measure. Items were manipulated according to four conditions, corresponding to increasing levels of alteration to item stems, response options, or both.

Changes in droplet surface tension affect the observed hygroscopicity of photochemically aged biomass burning aerosol.

This study examines the hygroscopic and surface tension properties as a function of photochemical aging of the aerosol emissions from biomass burning. Experiments were conducted in a chamber setting at the UC-Riverside Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) Atmospheric Processes Lab using two biomass fuel sources, manzanita and chamise. Cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) measurements and off-line filter sample analysis were conducted.

Benefits of two mitigation strategies for container vessels: cleaner engines and cleaner fuels.

Emissions from ocean-going vessels (OGVs) are a significant health concern for people near port communities. This paper reports the emission benefits for two mitigation strategies, cleaner engines and cleaner fuels, for a 2010 container vessel. In-use emissions were measured following International Organization for Standardization (ISO) protocols.

Emergency medicine resident performed bedside ultrasonography of the gallbladder in non-fasted healthy volunteers.

Background: Gallbladder ultrasonography is a commonly performed test in the emergency department. It is unknown whether a non-fasting state alters the visualization of the gallbladder by emergency medicine (EM) residents.

Objectives: We conducted this study to determine whether EM residents are able to visualize the gallbladder in volunteers who have recently consumed a fatty meal.

Effect of a four-week course of interleukin-10 on cytokine production in a placebo-controlled study of HIV-1-infected subjects.

Interleukin (IL)-10 suppresses synthesis of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha, IL-1beta, and interferon (IFN)gamma. Since pro-inflammatory cytokines have been implicated in the production of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), cytokine synthesis in whole blood cultures were determined during a 4-week course of subcutaneous IL-10 injections in 33 HIV-1-infected patients. Patients were randomized into four groups: placebo (nine), IL-10 at 1 microg/kg/day (nine), IL-10 at 4 microg/kg/day (six) and IL-10 at 8 microg/kg three times per week (nine).

The effects of the Roche AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR UltraSensitive Test versions 1.0 and 1.5 viral load assays and plasma collection tube type on determination of response to antiretroviral therapy and the inappropriateness of cross-study comparisons.

Background: Because there are limited head-to-head data comparing antiretroviral combinations, physicians are tempted to rely on cross-trial comparisons to evaluate the relative efficacy of HIV drugs. However, a variety of factors can confound these comparisons, resulting in misleading or invalid conclusions.

Objectives: To compare and evaluate the use of: (i) versions 1.

Body fat and other metabolic effects of atazanavir and efavirenz, each administered in combination with zidovudine plus lamivudine, in antiretroviral-naive HIV-infected patients.

Background: Protease inhibitor treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals has been linked to the development of lipodystrophy. The effects of atazanavir on body fat distribution and related metabolic parameters were examined in antiretroviral-naive patients.

Methods: HIV-positive patients with CD4 cell counts > or = 100 cells/mm3 were randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms: (1) atazanavir, 400 mg given once daily, plus efavirenz placebo; or (2) efavirenz, 600 mg given once daily, plus atazanavir placebo; each drug was administered with fixed-dose zidovudine (300 mg) and lamivudine (150 mg) given twice daily, and patients were treated for at least 48 weeks.

Atazanavir--a once-daily HIV protease inhibitor that does not cause dyslipidemia in newly treated patients: results from two randomized clinical trials.

Protease inhibitor (PI) treatment can result in dyslipidemia in a significant proportion of patients. Atazanavir (ATV) is a once-daily PI that has not been associated with clinically relevant increases in total cholesterol (TC), fasting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), or fasting triglyceride (TG) concentrations. The objectives of this paper were to evaluate lipid profiles in untreated patients, and investigate the frequency and severity of dyslipidemia in the same individuals after treatment with ATV or nelfinavir (NFV) for 48 weeks.

Long-term cardiovascular risk with protease inhibitors and management of the dyslipidemia.

This report reviews current data pertaining to the development of dyslipidemia during treatment with protease inhibitors and the associated risk for cardiovascular disease in patients who have the human immunodeficiency virus. Most protease inhibitors used to manage the human immunodeficiency virus and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome are associated with prompt, marked, and sustained increases in serum lipid levels that are consistent with an increased 10-year risk for coronary heart disease as determined in the Framingham Heart Study. Management of lipid elevations in patients who use protease inhibitors is discussed.

Comparison of once-daily atazanavir with efavirenz, each in combination with fixed-dose zidovudine and lamivudine, as initial therapy for patients infected with HIV.

Background: Atazanavir, an azapeptide protease inhibitor (PI), has pharmacokinetics that allow once-daily dosing, and it is not associated with significant PI-associated dyslipidemia.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled, 2-arm study comparing the antiviral efficacy and safety of atazanavir 400 mg administered once daily with efavirenz 600 mg administered once daily in combination with open-label fixed-dose zidovudine plus lamivudine twice daily. The 810 treatment-naive patients were stratified by HIV RNA level.

Long-term efficacy and safety of atazanavir with stavudine and lamivudine in patients previously treated with nelfinavir or atazanavir.

The purpose of the study was to determine long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability of atazanavir plus stavudine/lamivudine in 346 HIV-infected patients previously treated with atazanavir or nelfinavir. BMS AI424-044 is an ongoing, multicenter, international, open-label, rollover/switch study initiated in June 2001. Patients completing >or=48 weeks in trial BMS AI424-008 with a plasma HIV RNA viral load <10,000 copies/mL were eligible to continue on atazanavir (400 or 600 mg) or to switch from nelfinavir to atazanavir (400 mg) once daily.

Dose-ranging, randomized, clinical trial of atazanavir with lamivudine and stavudine in antiretroviral-naive subjects: 48-week results.

Objective: To compare the efficiency and safety of atazanavir and nelfinavir in antiretroviral-naive patients.

Design: Randomization to atazanavir 400 mg or 600 mg once daily; nelfinavir 1250 mg twice a day, plus lamivudine and stavudine.

Methods: A blinded (to the atazanavir dose), 48-week trial in patients with HIV-1 RNA > or = 2000 copies/ml, CD4 cell count > or = 100 x 10(6) cells/l.