Interactions between Ambient Air Particles and Greenness on Cause-specific Mortality in Seven Korean Metropolitan Cities, 2008–2016

This study aims to investigate the association of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 μm (PM10) and greenness with cause-specific mortality and their interactions in seven Korean metropolitan cities. We obtained the annual standardized cause-specific mortality rates, annual mean concentration of PM10, and annual Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for 73 districts for the period 2008–2016. We used negative binomial regression with city-specific random effects to estimate the association of PM10 and greenness with mortality. The models were adjusted for potential confounders and spatial autocorrelation. We also conducted stratified analyses to investigate whether the association between PM10 and mortality differs by the level of greenness. Our findings suggest an increased risk of all causes examined, except respiratory disease mortality, with high levels of PM10 and decreased risk of cardiovascular-related mortality with a high level of greenness. In the stratified analyses, we found interactions between PM10 and greenness, but these interactions in the opposite direction depend on the cause of death. The effects of PM10 on cardiovascular-related mortality were attenuated in greener areas, whereas the effects of PM10 on non-accidental mortality were attenuated in less green areas. Further studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of the Consistency of Simultaneously Acquired Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8 Imagery on Plastic Covered Greenhouses

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs12122015 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 2015 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Manuel Ángel Aguilar ◽

Rafael Jiménez-Lao ◽

Abderrahim Nemmaoui ◽

Fernando José Aguilar ◽

Dilek Koc-San ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vegetation Index ◽

Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽

Coefficient Of Determination ◽

Landsat 8 ◽

Surface Reflectance ◽

Remote Sensing Techniques ◽

Image Pairs ◽

Study Sites ◽

High Level ◽

Sentinel 2

Remote sensing techniques based on medium resolution satellite imagery are being widely applied for mapping plastic covered greenhouses (PCG). This article aims at testing the spectral consistency of surface reflectance values of Sentinel-2 MSI (S2 L2A) and Landsat 8 OLI (L8 L2 and the pansharpened and atmospherically corrected product from L1T product; L8 PANSH) data in PCG areas located in Spain, Morocco, Italy and Turkey. The six corresponding bands of S2 and L8, together with the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), were generated through an OBIA approach for each PCG study site. The coefficient of determination (r2) and the root mean square error (RMSE) were computed in sixteen cloud-free simultaneously acquired image pairs from the four study sites to evaluate the coherence between the two sensors. It was found that the S2 and L8 correlation (r2 > 0.840, RMSE < 9.917%) was quite good in most bands and NDVI. However, the correlation of the two sensors fluctuated between study sites, showing occasional sun glint effects on PCG roofs related to the sensor orbit and sun position. Moreover, higher surface reflectance discrepancies between L8 L2 and L8 PANSH data, mainly in the visible bands, were always observed in areas with high-level aerosol values derived from the aerosol quality band included in the L8 L2 product (SR aerosol). In this way, the consistency between L8 PANSH and S2 L2A was improved mainly in high-level aerosol areas according to the SR aerosol band.

Download Full-text

Assessing Spatial Limits of Sentinel-2 Data on Arable Crops in the Context of Checks by Monitoring

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs12142195 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (14) ◽

pp. 2195 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Blanka Vajsová ◽

Dominique Fasbender ◽

Csaba Wirnhardt ◽

Slavko Lemajic ◽

Wim Devos

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Vegetation Index ◽

Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽

Policy Framework ◽

Pixel Size ◽

Control Approach ◽

Continuous State ◽

Ndvi Time Series ◽

High Level ◽

Sentinel 2

The availability of large amounts of Sentinel-2 data has been a trigger for its increasing exploitation in various types of applications. It is, therefore, of importance to understand the limits above which these data still guarantee a meaningful outcome. This paper proposes a new method to quantify and specify restrictions of the Sentinel-2 imagery in the context of checks by monitoring, a newly introduced control approach within the European Common Agriculture Policy framework. The method consists of a comparison of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) time series constructed from data of different spatial resolution to estimate the performance and limits of the coarser one. Using similarity assessment of Sentinel-2 (10 m pixel size) and PlanetScope (3 m pixel size) NDVI time series, it was estimated that for 10% out of 867 fields less than 0.5 ha in size, Sentinel-2 data did not provide reliable evidence of the activity or state of the agriculture field over a given timeframe. Statistical analysis revealed that the number of clean or full pixels and the proportion of pixels lost after an application of a 5-m (1/2 pixel) negative buffer are the geospatial parameters of the field that have the highest influence on the ability of the Sentinel-2 data to qualify the field’s state in time. We specified the following limiting criteria: at least 8 full pixels inside a border and less than 60% of pixels lost. It was concluded that compliance with the criteria still assures a high level of extracted information reliability. Our research proved the promising potential, which was higher than anticipated, of Sentinel-2 data for the continuous state assessment of small fields. The method could be applied to other sensors and indicators.

Download Full-text

Visceral obesity is associated with clinical and inflammatory features of asthma: A prospective cohort study

Allergy and Asthma Proceedings ◽

10.2500/aap.2020.41.200054 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (5) ◽

pp. 348-356

Author(s):

Ke Deng ◽

Xin Zhang ◽

Ying Liu ◽

Gai Ping Cheng ◽

Hong Ping Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

Negative Binomial ◽

Immunoglobulin E ◽

Asthma Management ◽

Visceral Obesity ◽

Negative Binomial Regression ◽

Visceral Fat Area ◽

Increased Risk

Background: Although studies have consistently linked obesity and asthma, the potential influence of visceral obesity on asthma has not been well investigated. Objective: To study the associations of visceral fat area (VFA) and clinical and inflammatory features of asthma and to further explore the effects of VFA on the future risk of asthma exacerbation. Methods: A 12-month prospective cohort study based on the Australasian Severe Asthma Network was designed to observe patients with stable asthma grouped by the median value of VFA. The clinical and inflammatory features of asthma were compared between the low VFA (VFAlow) and high VFA (VFAhigh) groups. Relationships between VFA and clinical and inflammatory features of asthma were analyzed by using correlation analysis. Univariate and multivariable negative binomial regression analyses were performed to investigate the association of VFA with exacerbations within a 12-month follow-up period. Results: The patients in the VFAhigh group were older and had a longer asthma duration. Interleukin (IL) 6 and IL-8 in sputum were higher, whereas fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and blood eosinophils were lower in the VFAhigh group. Gender-differentiated correlations of VFA with clinical and inflammatory variables were observed in age, FeNO, immunoglobulin E, blood total white cells and neutrophils, and sputum IL-1β and IL-8. Furthermore, compared with the VFAlow group, the VFAhigh group was at significantly increased risk of moderate-to-severe exacerbations (adjusted incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.55 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.06‐2.28; p = 0.025), severe exacerbations (adjusted IRR 2.25 [95% CI, 1.26‐4.04]; p = 0.007), and emergency visits (adjusted IRR 5.33 [95% CI, 1.78‐17.16]; p = 0.003). Conclusion: The level of VFA was associated with specific clinical and inflammatory characteristics of asthma. Furthermore, VFA, as an independent risk factor, was associated with an increased risk of exacerbations. It indicated that VFA would provide more potential clinical implications for asthma management.

Download Full-text

Behavioural difficulties in early childhood and risk of adolescent injury

Archives of Disease in Childhood ◽

10.1136/archdischild-2019-317271 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 105 (3) ◽

pp. 282-287

Author(s):

Amrita Bandyopadhyay ◽

Karen Tingay ◽

Ashley Akbari ◽

Lucy Griffiths ◽

Helen Bedford ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Negative Binomial ◽

Negative Binomial Regression ◽

Activity Level ◽

Injury Incidence ◽

Injury Rates ◽

Risk Of Injury ◽

Academic Qualification ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Receive Treatment

ObjectiveTo evaluate long-term associations between early childhood hyperactivity and conduct problems (CP), measured using Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and risk of injury in early adolescence.DesignData linkage between a longitudinal birth cohort and routinely collected electronic health records.SettingConsenting Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) participants residing in Wales and Scotland.Patients3119 children who participated in the age 5 MCS interview.Main outcome measuresChildren with parent-reported SDQ scores were linked with hospital admission and Accident & Emergency (A&E) department records for injuries between ages 9 and 14 years. Negative binomial regression models adjusting for number of people in the household, lone parent, residential area, household poverty, maternal age and academic qualification, child sex, physical activity level and country of interview were fitted in the models.Results46% of children attended A&E or were admitted to hospital for injury, and 11% had high/abnormal scores for hyperactivity and CP. High/abnormal or borderline hyperactivity were not significantly associated with risk of injury, incidence rate ratio (IRR) with 95% CI of the high/abnormal and borderline were 0.92 (95% CI 0.74 to 1.14) and 1.16 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.52), respectively. Children with borderline CP had higher injury rates compared with those without CP (IRR 1.31, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.57).ConclusionsChildren with high/abnormal hyperactivity or CP scores were not at increased risk of injury; however, those with borderline CP had higher injury rates. Further research is needed to understand if those with difficulties receive treatment and support, which may reduce the likelihood of injuries.

Download Full-text

Student-inflicted injuries to staff in schools: comparing risk between educators and non-educators

Injury Prevention ◽

10.1136/injuryprev-2017-042472 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 116-122 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Katherine E Schofield ◽

Andrew D Ryan ◽

Craig Stroinski

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

General Education ◽

Injury Risk ◽

Negative Binomial ◽

Negative Binomial Regression ◽

Acting Out ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Educational Assistants ◽

Reduction Methods ◽

Rate Ratios

ObjectiveStudent-inflicted injury to staff in the educational services sector is a growing concern. Studies on violence have focused on teachers as victims, but less is known about injuries to other employee groups, particularly educational assistants. Inequities may be present, as educational assistants and non-educators may not have the same wage, benefits, training and employment protections available to them as professional educators. We identified risk factors for student-related injury and their characteristics among employees in school districts.MethodsWorkers’ compensation data were used to identify incidence and severity of student-related injury. Rates were calculated using negative binomial regression; risk factors were identified using multivariate models to calculate rate ratios (RR) and 95% CIs.ResultsOver 26% of all injuries were student-related; 8% resulted in lost work time. Special and general education assistants experienced significantly increased risk of injury (RR=6.0, CI 5.05 to 7.15; RR=2.07, CI 1.40 to 3.07) as compared with educators. Risk differed by age, gender and school district type. Text analyses categorised student-related injury. It revealed injury from students acting out occurred most frequently (45.4%), whereas injuries involving play with students resulted in the highest percentage of lost-time injuries (17.7%) compared with all interaction categories.ConclusionStudent-inflicted injury to staff occurs frequently and can be severe. Special education and general assistants bear the largest burden of injury compared with educators. A variety of prevention techniques to reduce injury risk and severity, including policy or environmental modifications, may be appropriate. Equal access to risk reduction methods for all staff should be prioritised.

Download Full-text

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among people experiencing homelessness in Toronto during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

10.1101/2021.09.21.21263713 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Linh Luong ◽

Michaela Beder ◽

Rosane Nisenbaum ◽

Aaron Orkin ◽

Jonathan Wong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Negative Binomial ◽

Negative Binomial Regression ◽

Infection Rates ◽

Individual Site ◽

Site Characteristics ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Binomial Regression ◽

Great Heterogeneity ◽

The Relationship ◽

Over Time

Background: People experiencing homelessness are at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study reports the point prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection during testing conducted at sites serving people experiencing homelessness in Toronto during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also explored the association between site characteristics and prevalence rates. Methods: The study included individuals who were staying at shelters, encampments, COVID-19 physical distancing sites, and drop-in and respite sites and completed outreach-based testing for SARS-CoV-2 during the period April 17 to July 31, 2020. We examined test positivity rates over time and compared them to rates in the general population of Toronto. Negative binomial regression was used to examine the relationship between each shelter-level characteristic and SARS-CoV-2 positivity rates. We also compared the rates across 3 time periods (T1: April 17-April 25; T2: April 26-May 23; T3: May 24-June 25). Results: The overall prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 8.5% (394/4657). Site-specific rates showed great heterogeneity with infection rates ranging from 0% to 70.6%. Compared to T1, positivity rates were 0.21 times lower (95% CI: 0.06, 0.75) during T2 and 0.14 times lower (95% CI: 0.043, 0.44) during T3. Most cases were detected during outbreak testing (384/394 [97.5%]) rather than active case finding. Interpretation: During the first wave of the pandemic, rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection at sites for people experiencing homelessness in Toronto varied significantly over time. The observation of lower rates at certain sites may be attributable to overall time trends, expansion of outreach-based testing to include sites without known outbreaks and/or individual site characteristics.

Download Full-text

Epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 cases in non-Italian nationals notified to the Italian surveillance system

10.1101/2020.09.22.20199398 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Massimo Fabiani ◽

Alberto Mateo-Urdiales ◽

Xanthi Andrianou ◽

Antonino Bella ◽

Martina Del Manso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Surveillance System ◽

Negative Binomial ◽

Healthcare Access ◽

Delayed Diagnosis ◽

Case Fatality ◽

Negative Binomial Regression ◽

Adjusted Relative Risk ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

Background International literature suggests that disadvantaged groups are at higher risk of morbidity and mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection due to poorer living/working conditions and barriers to healthcare access. Yet, to date, there is no evidence of this disproportionate impact on non-national individuals, including economic migrants, short-term travellers, and refugees. Methods We analysed data from the Italian surveillance system of all COVID-19 laboratory-confirmed cases tested positive from the beginning of the outbreak (20th of February) to the 19th of July 2020. We used multilevel negative-binomial regression models to compare the case-fatality rate and the rate of admission to hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) between Italian and non-Italian nationals. The analysis was adjusted for differences in demographic characteristics, pre-existing comorbidities, and period of diagnosis. Results We analysed 213,180 COVID-19 cases, including 15,974 (7.5%) non-Italian nationals. We found that, compared to Italian cases, non-Italian cases were diagnosed at a later date and were more likely to be hospitalised [(adjusted relative risk (ARR)=1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.33-1.44)] and admitted to ICU (ARR=1.19, 95% CI: 1.07-1.32), with differences being more pronounced in those coming from countries with lower HDI. We also observed an increased risk of death in non-Italian cases from low-HDI countries (ARR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.01-1.75). Conclusions A delayed diagnosis in non-Italian cases could explain their worse outcomes compared to Italian cases. Ensuring early access to diagnosis and treatment to non-Italians could facilitate the control of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and improve health outcomes in all people living in Italy, regardless of nationality.

Download Full-text

Education-related inequalities in cause-specific mortality: First estimates for Australia using individual-level linked census and mortality data

10.1101/2020.09.21.20193516 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jennifer Welsh ◽

Grace Joshy ◽

Lauren Morgan ◽

Kay Soga ◽

Hsei-Di Law ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Education ◽

Causes Of Death ◽

Negative Binomial ◽

International Comparisons ◽

Negative Binomial Regression ◽

Medical Intervention ◽

Mortality Data ◽

Individual Level ◽

Specific Mortality ◽

Inequalities In Mortality

Background: Socioeconomic inequalities in mortality are evident in all high-income countries and ongoing monitoring is recommended using linked census-mortality data. Using such data, we provide first estimates of education-related inequalities in cause-specific mortality in Australia, suitable for international comparisons. Methods: Using Australian Census (2016) linked to 13-months of Death Registrations data (2016-17), we estimated relative rates (RR) and rate differences (RD, per100 000 person-years), comparing rates in low (no qualifications) and intermediate (secondary school) with high education (tertiary), for individual causes of death (among those 25-84y) and grouped according to preventability (25-74y), separately by sex and age group, adjusting for age, using negative binomial regression. Results: Among 13.9M people contributing 14 452 732 person-years, 84 743 deaths occurred. We observed inequalities in most causes of death for each age-sex group. Among men aged 25-44y, absolute and relative inequalities (low versus high education) were largest for injuries, e.g. transport accidents (RR=10.1 [95%CI: 5.4-18.7], RD=21.1 [15.9-26.3]). Among those aged 45-64y, inequalities were greatest for chronic diseases, e.g. lung cancer (men RR=6.6 [4.9-8.9], RD=55.6 [51.1-60.1]) and ischaemic heart disease (women RR=5.8 [3.7-9.1], RD=19.2 [17.0-21.5]), with similar patterns for people aged 65-84y. When grouped according to preventability, inequalities were large for causes amenable to behaviour change and medical intervention for all ages and causes amenable to injury prevention among young men. Conclusions: Australian education-related inequalities in mortality are substantial, generally higher than international estimates, and related to preventability. Findings highlight opportunities to reduce them and the potential to improve the health of the population.

Download Full-text

Outdoor transmission of COVID-19: Analysis of windspeed

10.1101/2021.02.05.21251179 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sean A. P. Clouston ◽

Olga Morozova ◽

Jaymie R. Meliker

Keyword(s):

Population Size ◽

Negative Binomial ◽

Negative Binomial Regression ◽

Daily Temperature ◽

Susceptible Population ◽

Initial Wave ◽

Outdoor Transmission ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Binomial Regression ◽

Very High

AbstractBackgroundTo examine whether outdoor exposures may contribute to the COVID-19 epidemic, we hypothesized that slower outdoor windspeed is associated with increased risk of transmission when individuals socialize outside.MethodsDaily COVID-19 incidence reported between 3/16/2020-12/31/2020 was the outcome. Average windspeed and maximal daily temperature were derived from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Negative binomial regression was used to model incidence, adjusting for susceptible population size.ResultsCases were very high in the initial wave but diminished quickly once lockdown procedures were enacted. Unadjusted and multivariable-adjusted analyses revealed that warmer days with windspeed <5.5 MPH had increased COVID-19 incidence (aIRR=1.50, 95% C.I.=[1.25-1.81], P<0.001) as compared to days with average windspeed ≥5.5 MPH.ConclusionThis study suggests that outdoor transmission of COVID-19 may occur by noting that the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in the summer was highest on days when wind was reduced.

Download Full-text

Socioeconomic status during youth and risk of car crash during adulthood. Findings from the DRIVE cohort study

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health ◽

10.1136/jech-2020-214083 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. jech-2020-214083

Author(s):

Holger Mőller ◽

Kris Rogers ◽

Patricia Cullen ◽

Teresa Senserrick ◽

Soufiane Boufous ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Low Socioeconomic Status ◽

Negative Binomial ◽

Negative Binomial Regression ◽

Road Transport ◽

Crash Risk ◽

Young Drivers ◽

Car Crash ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Single Vehicle

BackgroundYoung drivers of low socioeconomic status (SES) have a disproportionally high risk of crashing compared with their more affluent counterparts. Little is known if this risk persists into adulthood and if it differs between men and women.MethodsWe used data from a 2003/2004 Australian survey of young drivers (n=20 806), which included measures of drivers’ demographics and established crash risk factors. These data were linked to police-reported crash, hospital and death data up to 2016. We used negative binomial regression models to estimate the association between participants’ SES, with car crash.ResultsAfter adjusting for confounding, drivers of lowest SES had 1.30 (95% CI 1.20 to 1.42), 1.90 (95% CI 1.25 to 2.88), 3.09 (95% CI 2.41 to 3.95) and 2.28 (95% CI 1.85 to 2.82) times higher rate of crash, crash-related hospitalisation, crash in country areas and crash on streets with a speed limit of 80 km/hour or above compared with drivers of highest SES, respectively. For single-vehicle crashes, women in the lowest SES groups had 2.88 (95% CI 1.83 to 4.54) times higher rate of crash compared with those in the highest SES group, but no differences were observed for men from different SES groups.ConclusionYoung drivers who lived in areas of low SES at the time of the survey had a sustained increased risk of crash over the following 13 years compared with drivers from the most affluent areas. Our findings suggest that in addition to traditional measures, road transport injury prevention needs to consider the wider social determinants of health.

Download Full-text