ABSTRACT
In this paper, a comparative analysis between the PM2.5 concentration in downtown Quito, Ecuador, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the previous five years (from 2015 to 2019) was carried out. Here, in order to fill in the missing data and achieve homogeneity, eight datasets were constructed, and 35 different estimates were used together with six interpolation methods to put in the estimated value of the missing data. Additionally, the quality of the estimations was verified by using the sum of squared residuals and the following correlation coefficients: Pearson's r, Kendall's τ, and Spearman's ρ. Next, feature vectors were constructed from the data under study using the wavelet transform, and the differences between feature vectors were studied by using principal component analysis and multidimensional scaling. Finally, a robust method to impute missing data in time series and characterize objects is presented. This method was used to support the hypothesis that there were significant differences between the PM2.5 concentration in downtown Quito in 2020 and 2015-2019.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Pandemics , Communicable Disease Control , Research Design , Particulate MatterABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Particulate matter ≤10 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10) and diet quality are risk factors for systemic inflammation, which is associated with preterm birth (PTB). PM10 and a pro-inflammatory diet (assessed by the Dietary Inflammatory Index [DII®]) have been individually evaluated as causes of PTB and differences by offspring sex have been reported for the DII. However, additional studies are needed to evaluate joint effects of these associations to inform intervention efforts. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the independent and joint effects of PM10 and energy-adjusted DII (E-DII) on PTB risks. METHODS: PM10 estimates were generated from daily citywide averages for 1216 pregnant women from three subcohorts of the Early Life Exposures in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants study using data from the Mexico City Outdoor Air Monitoring Network. Among a subset of participants (N = 620), E-DII scores were calculated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Cox Proportional Hazards models were run for select periods during pregnancy and entire pregnancy averages for E-DII and PM10. We assessed for potential non-linear associations using natural splines. RESULTS: In adjusted models, PM10 exposure was associated with increased risks of PTB for a range of values (58-72 µg/m3) during the second trimester, while negative associations were seen during the second (≥74 µg/m3) and third trimesters (55-65 µg/m3). Analyses conducted using distributed lag models for periods closer to delivery (max lag = 90) did not show negative associations between PM10 exposure and preterm birth, and indeed positive significant associations were observed (estimates and figures). E-DII was not associated with PTB and there was no evidence of effect modification by infant sex. There was no evidence of interaction between PM10 and E-DII and the risk of preterm birth. DISCUSSION: Associations between PM10 and PTB in Mexico City varied over time and across levels of PM10. Our findings of negative associations in the second and third trimesters, which are contrary to the hypothesized relationship between PM10 and PTB, may be due to a number of factors, including live birth bias and the exposure period evaluated. Differences in results for the periods evaluated suggest that PM10 from shorter exposure windows may play a more proximal role in initiating preterm labor.
Subject(s)
Air Pollutants , Air Pollution , Premature Birth , Air Pollutants/analysis , Air Pollutants/toxicity , Air Pollution/analysis , Diet/adverse effects , Dietary Exposure , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Maternal Exposure/adverse effects , Mexico/epidemiology , Particulate Matter/analysis , Particulate Matter/toxicity , Pregnancy , Premature Birth/chemically induced , Premature Birth/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The present study was conducted on pair aged commercial laying breeder strains (Hy-Line Brown and Hy-Line W-36) to evaluate genetic differences of eggshell and bone quality. In addition, egg production performance, mortality rate, internal organs and reproductive measurements were determined. Correlation coefficients among some eggshell and bone traits were calculated. White layer breeder hens had significantly higher percentages of hen-day and hen-housed egg production compared to the brown one. Brown Hy-Line layer breeder strain had better eggshell quality compared to W-36 Hy-Line layer breeder strain. The white layer breeder strain had a significantly higher relative oviduct weight compared to the brown one. Brown layer breeder strain recorded the higher humerus width in comparison with the white one. Tibia bone weight of brown layer breeder strain was significantly heavier by 22.87% as compared to the white strain. Moreover, the brown breeder strain recorded the higher figure of tibia width, thickness, and strength. In conclusion, at the end of the laying cycle, brown Hy-Line layer breeder strain exhibited better eggshell quality, body weight and tibia bone quality than those of W-36 breeder strain. Positive correlation coefficients were detected between humerus bone strength and both eggshell thickness and strength in brown and white strains.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Egg Shell/anatomy & histology , Egg Shell/chemistry , Correlation of DataABSTRACT
The present study was conducted on pair aged commercial laying breeder strains (Hy-Line Brown and Hy-Line W-36) to evaluate genetic differences of eggshell and bone quality. In addition, egg production performance, mortality rate, internal organs and reproductive measurements were determined. Correlation coefficients among some eggshell and bone traits were calculated. White layer breeder hens had significantly higher percentages of hen-day and hen-housed egg production compared to the brown one. Brown Hy-Line layer breeder strain had better eggshell quality compared to W-36 Hy-Line layer breeder strain. The white layer breeder strain had a significantly higher relative oviduct weight compared to the brown one. Brown layer breeder strain recorded the higher humerus width in comparison with the white one. Tibia bone weight of brown layer breeder strain was significantly heavier by 22.87% as compared to the white strain. Moreover, the brown breeder strain recorded the higher figure of tibia width, thickness, and strength. In conclusion, at the end of the laying cycle, brown Hy-Line layer breeder strain exhibited better eggshell quality, body weight and tibia bone quality than those of W-36 breeder strain. Positive correlation coefficients were detected between humerus bone strength and both eggshell thickness and strength in brown and white strains.
Subject(s)
Animals , Egg Shell/anatomy & histology , Egg Shell/chemistry , Correlation of DataABSTRACT
Pearson correlation coefficients between 40K, 226Ra and 232Th activities and the total Fe phase fractions yielded by Mössbauer spectroscopy have been calculated for soils of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Total fractions of Fe phases have been obtained from the relative fractions reported in previous works weighted by the Fe soil content and the recoilless-fraction of each Fe phase. An approximate method based on the relationship between the Mössbauer spectral absorption area (obtained from the 57Fe Mössbauer data) and the total Fe concentration (determined by colorimetric methods, after microwave assisted acid digestion of soil samples) has been used for the first time to determine the Fe concentration in soils with an accuracy of 15%. Protocol to extend the method for unknown samples is also discussed. The determined new coefficients differ from those reported previously. A significant and positive correlation between the total fraction of Fe2+ and the 40K activity values has been obtained. This result validates the hypothesis put forward in a previous work, i.e., that illite captures the 40K existing in the soil. In addition, with the new approximation, the Pearson correlation coefficients for the other natural radionuclides give values that indicate that the methodology reported here is appropriate to study the correlations between the activity values with the total fractions of Fe phases.
Subject(s)
Iron/analysis , Soil Pollutants, Radioactive/analysis , Soil/chemistry , Spectroscopy, Mossbauer , ArgentinaABSTRACT
Se probó la Escala de Adhesión al Tratamiento de la Diabetes Mellitus tipo II-versión III (EATDM-III©), la cual estaba compuesta por los factores apoyo familiar, organización y apoyo comunal, ejercicio físico, control médico, higiene y autocuidado, dieta y valoración de la condición física. La investigación se realizó en centros de salud públicos de la zona norte de Costa Rica, y se aplicó a una muestra de 59 personas de ambos géneros entre febrero y marzo de 2006. El instrumento demostró una confiabilidad alta (á=0,92). Se obtuvieron correlaciones significativas (p<0,05) entre cada factor y en la relación factores-escala total. La EATDM-III© es un instrumento valioso para medir la adhesión al tratamiento en personas con diabetes mellitus tipo II.
The Adhesion to the Treatment of the Diabetes Mellitus type II (EATDM-III©) scale was proved, which was composed by the factors Familiar Support, Organization and Communal Support, Physical Exercise, Medical checkup, Hygiene and Self-Care, Diet and Valuation of the Physical Training Conditions. The investigation was made in public health centers of the North Zone of Costa Rica, n=59, both genders, it takes place during February-March of 2006. The instrument demonstrated a high reliability (á=0,92). Significant correlations were obtained (p<0,05) between each factor and in the total relation factor-Scale. The EATDM-III© is an valuable instrument to measure the adhesion to the treatment in people with Diabetes Mellitus type II.
ABSTRACT
Se probó la Escala de Adherencia al Tratamiento de la Diabetes Mellitus tipo IIversión III (EATDMIII©), la cual estaba compuesta por los factores Apoyo Familiar, la Organización y Apoyo Comunal, el Ejercicio Físico, el Control Médico, el Higiene y Autocuidado, la Dieta y la Valoración de la Condición Física. La investigación se realizó en el Hospital Dr. Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia, Costa Rica, n=104 personas de ambos sexos, durante los meses de febreromarzo de 2006. El instrumento demostró una confiabilidad alta (á=0,88). Se obtuvieron correlaciones significativas entre cada factor y en la relación factoresEscala total. La EATDMIII© es un instrumento valioso para medir la adherencia al tratamiento en personas con Diabetes Mellitus tipo II.
The Scale for Treatment Adherence in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus version III (EATDMIII©) was tested. It was compounded by the following factors: Family Support, Organization and Community Support, Physical Exercise, Medical Control, Hygiene and SelfCare, Diet and Assessment of Physical Condition. The research was developed at Dr. Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia Hospital, Costa Rica, n=104 subjects, both genders, during the months of FebruaryMarch 2006. The instrument showed a high reliability (á=0,879) and several significant correlations inter factors and between factors and the total scale. The EATDMIII© is a valuable instrument to measure the treatment adherence in people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.