scholarly journals Swedish conditions? Characteristics of locations the Swedish police label as vulnerable

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manne Gerell ◽  
Mia Puur ◽  
Nicklas Guldåker
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Registry Data ◽  
Regression Coefficients ◽  
Foreign Born ◽  
Criminal Networks ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Mixed Effect Models ◽  
Several Variables ◽  
Deprived Neighborhoods ◽  
Local Residents

Deprived neighborhoods where criminal networks have a negative impact on local residents are in Sweden labeled as vulnerable neighborhoods by the police. The method used by the police to classify such neighborhoods is largely based on police perceptions, which raises issues around subjectivity and potential biases. The present study explores the characteristics of such neighborhoods based on registry data over sociodemographics and crime. The data used is a grid (N=116 660) of 250x250 meter vector grids with data on population, foreign background, employment, age characteristics, household types and eight types of crime. Generalized mixed effect models of vector grids nested in municipalities were fitted to analyze the characteristics of vector grids classified as vulnerable (N=1678). Several variables are significantly associated with a vector grid being classified as vulnerable, with the share of population that is foreign born and share with parents foreign born being the strongest predictors. In addition, we consider whether there are systematic differences between municipalities, and develop a model based on regression coefficients to predict whether a vector grid is vulnerable or not. The model re-classifies 39.8% of the vector grids, identifying locations that statistically resemble vulnerable neighborhoods but are not classified as such and vice versa.

scholarly journals Organisational determinants and consequences of diagnostic discrepancy in two large patient groups in the emergency departments: a national study of consecutive episodes between 2008 and 2016

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Line Stjernholm Tipsmark ◽  
Børge Obel ◽  
Tommy Andersson ◽  
Rikke Søgaard
Keyword(s):  
Hip Fracture ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Medical Specialty ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
National Study ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Mixed Effect Models ◽  
Large Patient ◽  
Patient Groups

Abstract Background Diagnostic discrepancy (DD) is a common phenomenon in healthcare, but little is known about its organisational determinants and consequences. Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate this among selected emergency department (ED) patients. Method We conducted an observational study including all consecutive ED patients (hip fracture or erysipelas) in the Danish healthcare sector admitted between 2008 and 2016. DD was defined as a discrepancy between discharge and admission diagnoses. Episode and department statistics were retrieved from Danish registers. We conducted a survey among all 21 Danish EDs to gather information about organisational determinants. To estimate the results while adjusting for episode- and department-level heterogeneity, we used mixed effect models of ED organisational determinants and 30-day readmission, 30-day mortality and episode costs (2018-DKK) of DDs. Results DD was observed in 2308 (3.3%) of 69,928 hip fracture episodes and 3206 (8.5%) of 37,558 erysipelas episodes. The main organisational determinant of DD was senior physicians (nonspecific medical specialty) being employed at the ED (hip fracture: odds ratio (OR) 2.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.15–3.51; erysipelas: OR 3.29, 95% CI 2.65–4.07). However, 24-h presence of senior physicians (nonspecific medical specialty) (hip fracture) and availability of external senior physicians (specific medical specialty) (both groups) were negatively associated with DD. DD was associated with increased 30-day readmission (hip fracture, mean 9.45% vs 13.76%, OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.28–1.66, p < 0.001) and episode costs (hip fracture, 61,681 DKK vs 109,860 DKK, log cost 0.58, 95% CI 0.53–0.63, p < 0.001; erysipelas, mean 20,818 DKK vs 56,329 DKK, log cost 0.97, 95% CI 0.92–1.02, p < 0.001) compared with episodes without DD. Conclusion DD was found to have a negative impact on two out of three study outcomes, and particular organisational characteristics seem to be associated with DD. Yet, the complexity of organisations and settings warrant further studies into these associations.

scholarly journals A hierarchical bivariate meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy to provide direct comparisons of immunoassays vs. indirect immunofluorescence for initial screening of connective tissue diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Elaine Orme ◽  
Carmen Andalucia ◽  
Sigrid Sjölander ◽  
Xavier Bossuyt
Keyword(s):  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Indirect Immunofluorescence ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Connective Tissue Diseases ◽  
Test Accuracy ◽  
Initial Screening ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Mixed Effect Models

AbstractObjectivesTo compare indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) against immunoassays (IAs) as an initial screening test for connective tissue diseases (CTDs).MethodsA systematic literature review identified cross-sectional or case-control studies reporting test accuracy data for IIF and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (FEIA), chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) or multiplex immunoassay (MIA). The meta-analysis used hierarchical, bivariate, mixed-effect models with random-effects by test.ResultsDirect comparisons of IIF with ELISA showed that both tests had good sensitivity (five studies, 2321 patients: ELISA: 90.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 80.5%, 95.5%] vs. IIF at a cut-off of 1:80: 86.8% [95% CI: 81.8%, 90.6%]; p = 0.4) but low specificity, with considerable variance across assays (ELISA: 56.9% [95% CI: 40.9%, 71.5%] vs. IIF 1:80: 68.0% [95% CI: 39.5%, 87.4%]; p = 0.5). FEIA sensitivity was lower than IIF sensitivity (1:80: p = 0.005; 1:160: p = 0.051); however, FEIA specificity was higher (seven studies, n = 12,311, FEIA 93.6% [95% CI: 89.9%, 96.0%] vs. IIF 1:80 72.4% [95% CI: 62.2%, 80.7%]; p < 0.001; seven studies, n = 3251, FEIA 93.5% [95% CI: 91.1%, 95.3%] vs. IIF 1:160 81.1% [95% CI: 73.4%, 86.9%]; p < 0.0001). CLIA sensitivity was similar to IIF (1:80) with higher specificity (four studies, n = 1981: sensitivity 85.9% [95% CI: 64.7%, 95.3%]; p = 0.86; specificity 86.1% [95% CI: 78.3%, 91.4%]). More data are needed to make firm inferences for CLIA vs. IIF given the wide prediction region. There were too few studies for the meta-analysis of MIA vs. IIF (MIA sensitivity range 73.7%–86%; specificity 53%–91%).ConclusionsFEIA and CLIA have good specificity compared to IIF. A positive FEIA or CLIA test is useful to support the diagnosis of a CTD. A negative IIF test is useful to exclude a CTD.

scholarly journals Neurophysiological and behavioural effects of conventional and high definition tDCS

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Masina ◽  
Giorgio Arcara ◽  
Eleonora Galletti ◽  
Isabella Cinque ◽  
Luciano Gamberini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Response Times ◽  
Power Reduction ◽  
Alpha Power ◽  
High Definition ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
State Dependency ◽  
Mixed Effect Models ◽  
Beta Power ◽  
Neurophysiological Data ◽  
Spectrum Density

AbstractHigh-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) seems to overcome a drawback of traditional bipolar tDCS: the wide-spread diffusion of the electric field. Nevertheless, most of the differences that characterise the two techniques are based on mathematical simulations and not on real, behavioural and neurophysiological, data. The study aims to compare a widespread tDCS montage (i.e., a Conventional bipolar montage with extracephalic return electrode) and HD-tDCS, investigating differences both at a behavioural level, in terms of dexterity performance, and a neurophysiological level, as modifications of alpha and beta power as measured with EEG. Thirty participants took part in three sessions, one for each montage: Conventional tDCS, HD-tDCS, and sham. In all the conditions, the anode was placed over C4, while the cathode/s placed according to the montage. At baseline, during, and after each stimulation condition, dexterity was assessed with a Finger Tapping Task. In addition, resting-state EEG was recorded at baseline and after the stimulation. Power spectrum density was calculated, selecting two frequency bands: alpha (8–12 Hz) and beta (18–22 Hz). Linear mixed effect models (LMMs) were used to analyse the modulation induced by tDCS. To evaluate differences among the montages and consider state-dependency phenomenon, the post-stimulation measurements were covariate-adjusted for baseline levels. We observed that HD-tDCS induced an alpha power reduction in participants with lower alpha at baseline. Conversely, Conventional tDCS induced a beta power reduction in participants with higher beta at baseline. Furthermore, data showed a trend towards a behavioural effect of HD-tDCS in participants with lower beta at baseline showing faster response times. Conventional and HD-tDCS distinctively modulated cortical activity. The study highlights the importance of considering state-dependency to determine the effects of tDCS on individuals.

scholarly journals Recombining Your Way Out of Trouble: The Genetic Architecture of Hybrid Fitness under Environmental Stress

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zebin Zhang ◽  
Devin P Bendixsen ◽  
Thijs Janzen ◽  
Arne W Nolte ◽  
Duncan Greig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Stress ◽  
Evolutionary Potential ◽  
Genetic Trait ◽  
Hybrid Fitness ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Mixed Effect Models ◽  
Hybrid Genome ◽  
Chromosome Associations ◽  
Low Coverage ◽  
Negative Epistasis

Abstract Hybridization between species can either promote or impede adaptation. But we know very little about the genetic basis of hybrid fitness, especially in nondomesticated organisms, and when populations are facing environmental stress. We made genetically variable F2 hybrid populations from two divergent Saccharomyces yeast species. We exposed populations to ten toxins and sequenced the most resilient hybrids on low coverage using ddRADseq to investigate four aspects of their genomes: 1) hybridity, 2) interspecific heterozygosity, 3) epistasis (positive or negative associations between nonhomologous chromosomes), and 4) ploidy. We used linear mixed-effect models and simulations to measure to which extent hybrid genome composition was contingent on the environment. Genomes grown in different environments varied in every aspect of hybridness measured, revealing strong genotype–environment interactions. We also found selection against heterozygosity or directional selection for one of the parental alleles, with larger fitness of genomes carrying more homozygous allelic combinations in an otherwise hybrid genomic background. In addition, individual chromosomes and chromosomal interactions showed significant species biases and pervasive aneuploidies. Against our expectations, we observed multiple beneficial, opposite-species chromosome associations, confirmed by epistasis- and selection-free computer simulations, which is surprising given the large divergence of parental genomes (∼15%). Together, these results suggest that successful, stress-resilient hybrid genomes can be assembled from the best features of both parents without paying high costs of negative epistasis. This illustrates the importance of measuring genetic trait architecture in an environmental context when determining the evolutionary potential of genetically diverse hybrid populations.

Association of fine particulate matter with glucose and lipid metabolism: a longitudinal study in young adults

2021 ◽  
pp. oemed-2020-107039
Author(s):  
Jingyi Qin ◽  
Wei Xia ◽  
Gaodao Liang ◽  
Shunqing Xu ◽  
Xiuge Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Healthy Adults ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Glucose And Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Mixed Effect Models ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Linear Mixed Effect Models

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate whether PM2.5 exposure in a highly polluted area (>100 µg/m3) affects glucose and lipid metabolism in healthy adults.MethodsWe recruited 110 healthy adults in Baoding city, Hebei, China, and followed them up between 2017 and 2018. Personal air samplers were used to monitor personal PM2.5 levels. Eight glucose and lipid metabolism parameters were quantified. We performed the linear mixed-effect models to investigate the relationships between PM2.5 and glucose and lipid metabolism parameters. Stratified analyses were further performed according to sex and body mass index (BMI).ResultsThe concentration of PM2.5 was the highest in spring, with a median of 232 μg/m3 and the lowest in autumn (139 μg/m3). After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that for each twofold increase in PM2.5, the median of insulin concentration decreased by 5.89% (95% CI −10.91% to −0.58%; p<0.05), and ox-LDL increased by 6.43% (95% CI 2.21% to 10.82%; p<0.05). Stratified analyses indicated that the associations were more pronounced in females, overweight and obese participants.ConclusionsExposure to high PM2.5 may have deleterious effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. Females, overweight and obese participants are more vulnerable.

scholarly journals Prospective study of vitrectomy for epiretinal membranes in patients with good best-corrected visual acuity

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Nakashizuka ◽  
Yorihisa Kitagawa ◽  
Yu Wakatsuki ◽  
Koji Tanaka ◽  
Koichi Furuya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Foveal Thickness ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Epiretinal Membranes ◽  
Central Foveal Thickness ◽  
Mixed Effect Models ◽  
Corrected Visual Acuity ◽  
Good Group ◽  
Final Observation ◽  
Best Corrected Visual Acuity

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of epiretinal membrane removal in patients with good best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) for improving visual function and quality of life (QOL). Methods: This prospective case study compared 37 subjects with preoperative BCVA≦logMAR0.046 (Good group) to 35 patients with logMAR BCVA 0.52–0.10 (Moderate group) at 3 and 6 months. Linear mixed-effect models were used for statistical analysis. The primary outcome was the horizontal metamorphopsia score (MH) at 6 months postoperatively (post-6 M), while secondary outcomes were postoperative BCVA, vertical metamorphopsia score (MV), aniseikonia, stereopsis and central foveal thickness. In the Good group, QOL was assessed using the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25) at 6 and 12 months. Results: MH was significantly improved at post-3 M and post-6 M in the both groups but there were no significant differences between the two groups. MV showed no improvement at the final observation in either group. LogMAR BCVA was significantly improved at post-6 M in the Good group, which had significantly better vision than the Moderate group. Preoperative vertical and horizontal aniseikonia scores remained unchanged in the Good group at post-6 M but worsened in the Moderate group. The NEI VFQ-25 score improved in the Good group, reflecting improved general health, general vision, and mental health. Conclusions: Early epiretinal surgery was effective for MH, BCVA, aniseikonia, and QOL.

scholarly journals Changes in the biomass of scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees in Europe since 1940

2021 ◽  
pp. 6-22
Author(s):  
А.В. Лебедев ◽  
В.В. Кузьмичев
Keyword(s):  
Wood Density ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Wood Properties ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Pine Tree ◽  
Mixed Effect Models ◽  
The Face ◽  
Long Term Trends ◽  
Linear Mixed Effect Models

Сосна обыкновенная является одной из основных лесообразующих пород Европы, а ее древесина находит широкое применение в лесопромышленном комплексе. При оценке углерододепонирующих функций считается, что конверсионные коэффициенты являются константными по времени. Последние исследования показывают, что происходящие климатические изменения оказывают существенное влияние на прирост древесины и ее свойства. Цель данного исследования – выявление долговременных тенденций в изменении биомассы фракций деревьев сосны обыкновенной в Европе, происходящих с 1940 г. Для проверки гипотезы о влиянии календарного года на биомассу фракций деревьев проводился регрессионный анализ с применением линейных моделей смешанных эффектов. Проведенный статистический анализ позволил выявить достоверное влияние (при p < 0,05) календарного года только на биомассу стволов в коре. Наиболее сильно изменения проявляются для деревьев в молодняках и средневозрастных насаждениях, где происходит формирование наибольшего радиального прироста. Для крупномерных стволов, согласно результатам моделирования, снижение биомассы стволов в коре не прослеживается. В ближайшие десятилетия в результате продолжающихся климатических изменений процесс снижения биомассы и плотности древесины крупномерных стволов должен усилиться. Выявленные изменения биомассы сопровождаются снижением плотности древесины, что происходит в результате увеличения в структуре годичного прироста более рыхлой и менее плотной ранней древесины. Таким образом, в условиях ускоряющихся темпов роста древесных растений объемы стволов и запасы древесины не должны напрямую пересчитываться в депонированный углерод с учетом исторических значений конверсионных коэффициентов. Это также следует учитывать при мониторинге, моделировании и использовании углерода и биомассы в лесах в условиях глобальных изменений. Scots pine is one of the main forest-forming species in Europe, and its wood is widely used in the timber industry. When evaluating carbon-depositing functions, the conversion rations are assumed to be constant over time. Recent studies show that the ongoing climatic changes have a significant impact on the growth of trees and wood properties. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify long-term trends in the change in the biomass of Scots pine tree fractions in Europe since 1940. To test the hypothesis about the influence of the calendar year on the biomass of tree fractions, regression analysis was performed using linear mixed-effect models. The performed statistically analysis made it possible to reveal a significant effect (p < 0.05) of the calendar year only on the biomass of the trunks in the bark. The changes are most pronounced for trees in young and middle-aged stands, where the formation of the greatest radial growth occurs. For large-sized trunks, according to the simulation results, the biomass of the stems in the bark is not traced. In the coming decades, as a result of ongoing climate change, the decline in biomass and wood density of largesized stems should intensify. The revealed changes in biomass are accompanied by a decrease in wood density, which occurs as a result of an increase in the structure of the annual growth of looser and less dense early wood. Thus, in the context of accelerating growth rates of woody plants, the volume of trunks and wood stock should not be directly converted into deposited carbon, considering the historical values of conversion rations. This should also be considered when monitoring, modeling and using carbon and biomass in forests in the face of global change.

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