Understanding the Jobs-Affordable Housing Balance in the Richmond Region

The mismatch between location of jobs and housing has a significant impact on the efficiency and quality of life within metropolitan areas. A well-planned region strives to be a “community of short distances.” A wide range of housing choices located close to employment centers could shorten commuting distances and substantially reduce government outlays for transportation facilities, reduce household transportation expenses, and increase feasibility of pedestrian movement. These needs are particularly important to families earning modest wages. CURA, with support from The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia and the Richmond Association of Realtors, has analyzed the spatial pattern of lower-wage jobs and lower-cost housing within the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The analysis reveals how low-cost housing and modest-wage jobs in the Richmond region are not well-balanced. Few areas in which modest-wage jobs cluster have comparable levels of low-cost housing. The established suburban areas north, west, and south of Richmond’s urban center have a large number of retail and service jobs that pay modest wages, yet these areas provide few affordable-dwelling units for these wage earners. The second part of this study addressed a major obstacle to the construction of new, affordable-housing units: fears. Many new, affordable dwelling units, by financial necessity, will be built at higher densities and smaller size to reduce cost. Homeowners in nearby neighborhoods often oppose construction of these units over fear of reduced property values, higher crime, and other factors. Six higher-density, 3 lower-cost housing projects were studied for their impact on the nearby middle-income neighborhoods. Documentation of home sale prices, assessment values, and crime rates before and after construction of the more affordable dwelling units did not reveal any notable long-term impact on crime rates, property values, or property sales

A new revolutionary practice: operaisti and the 'refusal of work' in 1970's Italy

The social protest that engulfed Italy in the 1970s found a theoretical analysis in the work of the operaisti. Through a series of concepts, they outlined a new revolutionary practice that aimed to return to a more authentic reading of Marxism. This article focuses on the notion of ‘refusal of work’ and the ancillary concept of ‘appropriation’ and examines how these theoretical tools emerged out of radical protest in factories and were put forward by the operaisti as a central plank of a revolutionary strategy for the working clas

Experimental Acoustic Investigation of Rotor Noise Directivity and Decay in Multiple Configurations

In the framework of the MATIM project, an acoustic test campaign was conducted on a platform derived from a commercial-class quadcopter within the CIRA semi-anechoic chamber. A dedicated rotor rig allowed systematic measurements of thrust, torque, and shaft speed together with near- and far-field noise using ten calibrated 1/2-inch precision microphones. Three configurations were examined: an isolated rotor, the same rotor mounted on an aluminium quadcopter plate, and the full four-rotor assembly. The resulting data set, acquired over 3000–8000 rpm, documents the azimuthal directivity and radial decay of tonal and broadband noise while separating motor, propeller, and installation contributions. Analysis shows that a nearby rigid plate scatters part of the sound field towards frontal and oblique observers and produces a shielding effect in the rotor plane. The combined operation of four rotors further redistributes energy and broadens blade-passing frequency harmonics. The database is intended as a benchmark for aeroacoustics codes and for the development of reduced-order models

Interventricular Septal Hematoma Complicating Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing: A Case Report—The Devil Is Not So Black as He Is Painted

Background: This case report outlines the presentation of an emerging complication arising from left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP). Case summary: A 43-year-old male with no history of cardiac problems experienced recurrent episodes of syncope with no prodromal symptoms. During monitoring in the emergency department, the patient underwent an episode of asystole, leading to LBBAP implantation. The procedure encountered technical challenges, resulting in an interventricular septal hematoma and subsequent ventricular arrhythmias. Despite initial concerns, conservative management led to resolution, demonstrated through echocardiographic follow-ups. Discussion: This report underscores the significance of ventricular arrhythmias as indicators of interventricular septal hematoma, providing insights into its diagnosis, management, and implications for LBBAP procedures

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D as Predictor of Renal Worsening Function in Chronic Kidney Disease. Results From the PASCaL-1,25D Study

BackgroundHeterogeneous progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) toward dialysis advocates improving in renal care management. Diagnosis and staging of CKD relies on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria. Tubular biomarkers emerged as new predictors of worsening renal function (WRF), due to partial inaccuracy of eGFR and existing WRF in non-proteinuric patients. Active vitamin D is synthesized in renal tubules and participates to mineral adaptation in CKD. Circulating 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] was poorly investigated as a biomarker of endocrine tubular function and predictor of WRF.ObjectiveInvestigate capability of 1,25(OH)2D to predict parathormone (PTH) increase and WRF in CKD stage 3–4.MethodsPASCaL-1,25D was an observational, prospective, monocentric study. Primary outcomes were absolute and 20% increase in PTH, and WRF defined as 20% reduction in eGFR or dialysis initiation at 6 months.ResultsSeventy-one patients completed follow up. Absolute increase in PTH (1–84) was independently predicted by lower 1,25(OH)2D levels (p = 0.0134). No association was detected between 1,25(OH)2D and iPTH increase. Higher 1,25(OH)2D was associated with reduced risk of WRF at univariate analysis [OR 0.89 (95% CI 0.86–0.93), p = 0.006]. The 1,25(OH)2D/PTH (1–84) ratio was associated with non-significant 84% risk reduction for WRF [OR 0.16 (95% CI 0.06–0.41), p = 0.05]. Low 1,25(OH)2D reached 100% sensitivity in predicting WRF in CKD stage 3 (AUC 9.909, p &amp;lt; 0.0001) and non-elderly patients (AUC 0.883, p &amp;lt; 0.0001). Machine learning models retained 1,25(OH)2D/PTH (1–84) as relevant predictor of WRF together with eGFR and albuminuria. Age influenced interaction between renal and mineral biomarkers.Conclusion1,25(OH)2D deserves attention as biomarker of tubular health, and sensible predictor of WRF on the short run among non-elderly patients affected by stage 3 CKD. The 1,25(OH)2D/PTH (1–84) ratio may represent a composite biomarker of tubular reserve/endocrine response to the transition from adaptive to maladaptive equilibrium in CKD-MBD.</jats:sec

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D as Predictor of Renal Worsening Function in Chronic Kidney Disease. Results From the PASCaL-1,25D Study

BACKGROUND: Heterogeneous progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) toward dialysis advocates improving in renal care management. Diagnosis and staging of CKD relies on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria. Tubular biomarkers emerged as new predictors of worsening renal function (WRF), due to partial inaccuracy of eGFR and existing WRF in non-proteinuric patients. Active vitamin D is synthesized in renal tubules and participates to mineral adaptation in CKD. Circulating 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)(2)D] was poorly investigated as a biomarker of endocrine tubular function and predictor of WRF. OBJECTIVE: Investigate capability of 1,25(OH)(2)D to predict parathormone (PTH) increase and WRF in CKD stage 3–4. METHODS: PASCaL-1,25D was an observational, prospective, monocentric study. Primary outcomes were absolute and 20% increase in PTH, and WRF defined as 20% reduction in eGFR or dialysis initiation at 6 months. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients completed follow up. Absolute increase in PTH (1–84) was independently predicted by lower 1,25(OH)(2)D levels (p = 0.0134). No association was detected between 1,25(OH)(2)D and iPTH increase. Higher 1,25(OH)(2)D was associated with reduced risk of WRF at univariate analysis [OR 0.89 (95% CI 0.86–0.93), p = 0.006]. The 1,25(OH)(2)D/PTH (1–84) ratio was associated with non-significant 84% risk reduction for WRF [OR 0.16 (95% CI 0.06–0.41), p = 0.05]. Low 1,25(OH)(2)D reached 100% sensitivity in predicting WRF in CKD stage 3 (AUC 9.909, p < 0.0001) and non-elderly patients (AUC 0.883, p < 0.0001). Machine learning models retained 1,25(OH)(2)D/PTH (1–84) as relevant predictor of WRF together with eGFR and albuminuria. Age influenced interaction between renal and mineral biomarkers. CONCLUSION: 1,25(OH)(2)D deserves attention as biomarker of tubular health, and sensible predictor of WRF on the short run among non-elderly patients affected by stage 3 CKD. The 1,25(OH)(2)D/PTH (1–84) ratio may represent a composite biomarker of tubular reserve/endocrine response to the transition from adaptive to maladaptive equilibrium in CKD-MBD

Data_Sheet_1_1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D as Predictor of Renal Worsening Function in Chronic Kidney Disease. Results From the PASCaL-1,25D Study.pdf

BackgroundHeterogeneous progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) toward dialysis advocates improving in renal care management. Diagnosis and staging of CKD relies on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria. Tubular biomarkers emerged as new predictors of worsening renal function (WRF), due to partial inaccuracy of eGFR and existing WRF in non-proteinuric patients. Active vitamin D is synthesized in renal tubules and participates to mineral adaptation in CKD. Circulating 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] was poorly investigated as a biomarker of endocrine tubular function and predictor of WRF.ObjectiveInvestigate capability of 1,25(OH)2D to predict parathormone (PTH) increase and WRF in CKD stage 3–4.MethodsPASCaL-1,25D was an observational, prospective, monocentric study. Primary outcomes were absolute and 20% increase in PTH, and WRF defined as 20% reduction in eGFR or dialysis initiation at 6 months.ResultsSeventy-one patients completed follow up. Absolute increase in PTH (1–84) was independently predicted by lower 1,25(OH)2D levels (p = 0.0134). No association was detected between 1,25(OH)2D and iPTH increase. Higher 1,25(OH)2D was associated with reduced risk of WRF at univariate analysis [OR 0.89 (95% CI 0.86–0.93), p = 0.006]. The 1,25(OH)2D/PTH (1–84) ratio was associated with non-significant 84% risk reduction for WRF [OR 0.16 (95% CI 0.06–0.41), p = 0.05]. Low 1,25(OH)2D reached 100% sensitivity in predicting WRF in CKD stage 3 (AUC 9.909, p 2D/PTH (1–84) as relevant predictor of WRF together with eGFR and albuminuria. Age influenced interaction between renal and mineral biomarkers.Conclusion1,25(OH)2D deserves attention as biomarker of tubular health, and sensible predictor of WRF on the short run among non-elderly patients affected by stage 3 CKD. The 1,25(OH)2D/PTH (1–84) ratio may represent a composite biomarker of tubular reserve/endocrine response to the transition from adaptive to maladaptive equilibrium in CKD-MBD.</p

A survey on preferences, attitudes, and perspectives of Italian urology trainees: implications of the novel national residency matching program

Background: Since 2014, a new residency program selection process has been established with a national examination. The aim of this study was to assess characteristics, career goals, and practice preferences of current Italian urology residents. Methods: A web-based survey of 25 items performed from May 2021 to September 2021 was sent to 585 Italian urology residents. Descriptive analyses were conducted to describe the surveys' domains: demographics characteristics, studies, plans for fellowship training, interest in the urology field, and career expectations. Results: Four hundred and one residents completed the online survey (response rate 68.5%). Most residents were male (70.3%), with a median of 29 (IQR 28-31) years. Urology was the first chosen School in 325 (81.0%) cases, and 174 (43.4%) trainees have chosen to remain in the same University. Uro-oncology was the main field, and endourology the main subspeciality of interest, respectively. More than 40.0% of residents expressed a good level of satisfaction for the training urological course. 232 (57.2%) residents were strongly interested in seeking a hospital career, followed by private career (43.4%) and academic career (20%). Conclusions: After the introduction of the novel national residency matching program the Italian Urology trainees showed a good satisfaction level. Further improvements of the Italian residency programs should be focused on the training network within and outside the main School of Urology