Category: Statistics

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 May 26. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-20918-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The case of a sea breeze where the mean daily PM10 concentration reached the recommended limit value for human health for the period from 2007 to 2009 at the air quality station AMS3 Split-1 in Split, Croatia, is analysed. The Pennsylvania State University/National Center for Atmospheric Research (PSU/NCAR) atmospheric model MM5 and the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model are used to simulate the lower atmospheric flow and dispersion within 100 km from the coast. The simulation is made with four point sources in the hinterland of Split: Kaštel-Sućurac, Solin and Klis, where the local cement plants are located, and Vranjic, where an asbestos-cement plant is located. Statistical analysis and rotational statistics showed good agreement of the measurement data with the modelled wind speed and direction at 10 m and temperature at 2 m height. The backward trajectories show that the pollutants are caught in the sea breeze circulation from all sources and in the early afternoon the plume is placed over parts of Split from all sources. From the peak concentrations during the selected day, it can be concluded that pollution from Kaštel-Sućurac had the greatest impact on the high PM10 concentrations measured at the Split-1 station.

PMID:35619005 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-022-20918-3

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 May 27. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-20189-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This paper examined the impact of green finance and financial technology on economic growth by utilizing statistics between 1990 to 2000 gathered from 50 US states and regions. A two-step generalized GMM was used to analyze the link between green finance, financial technology, and continued economic growth using panel regression analysis. We found that the US green finance sector had grown significantly and such growth was accompanied by an increase in the usage of non-combustible energy and an advancement in the green finance economic forum. This research concludes that green financing has a beneficial impact on all three components of continued financial development. There is a favorable influence of financial technology on green finance in environmental and economic dimensions, although the link between green banking and investment performance is only somewhat affected by technology. When total emissions increased, non-oil energy usage did not grow and initiatives for renewable energy initiatives were lacking. As a result, there was a decline in the growth of green finance. Green funding and total emissions had a significant impact on the US non-combustible energy usage as did explicit policy changes. The recommendation is also canvassed to strengthen the adoption of green financing policies, increase the use of non-combustible energy, and build an alternative energy economy. It also offers three policy recommendations for policymakers, namely, to improve the integration of banking technology with green finance, develop a corporate environmental approach to manage and control state authorities in increasing green finance productivity, and generate medium- and long-term favorable steps to support green finance in the financial market.

PMID:35619012 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-022-20189-y

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 May 26. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-20767-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The groundwater vulnerability assessment is known as a useful tool for predicting and prevention of groundwater pollution. This study targets the DRASTIC, evidential belief function (EBF), and logistic regression (LR) models to assess vulnerability in Kabul aquifers, Afghanistan Country. The growth of urban sprawl, groundwater overexploitation, and lack of suitable municipal sewage systems as anthropogenic sources have been the main potential to increase groundwater contaminants such as nitrate in the study area. The vulnerability map has been developed based on various effective factors including altitude, slope (percentage rise), aspect, curvature, land-use type, drainage density, distance from river, annual mean precipitation, net recharge, geology/lithology units, the impact of the vadose zone, aquifer media, depth to water (unsaturated zone), saturated zone, drawdown, and hydraulic conductivity. To identify groundwater pollution, the spatial variation of nitrate concentration data in 2018 was considered indication of groundwater pollution. Based on descriptive statistics, the value of 2.65 mg/l (the median of the pixel values of nitrate map) was selected as a threshold to differentiate the occurrence and non-occurrence of pollution. The groundwater quality data were selected and randomly divided into two datasets for training and validation, including 70% and 30%, respectively. The success-rate and prediction-rate curves were computed based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC) to estimate the efficiency of models. The ROC-AUC of success rates for EBF, LR, and DRASTIC models were estimated to be 67%, 66%, and 52%, respectively. Moreover, the ROC-AUC of the prediction rates of the EBF, LR, and DRASTIC models were obtained 61%, 63%, and 55%, respectively. Based on correlation between mean nitrate concentration and the mean vulnerability indexes in each model, the EBF model is the most compatible with the current developed vulnerability zones as the role of mankind in changing the environment in real conditions in comparison to LR and DRASTIC models.

PMID:35619000 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-022-20767-0

Trends Psychiatry Psychother. 2022 May 26;44. doi: 10.47626/2237-6089-2021-0396. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication, social interaction, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Some studies have shown that substances derived from Cannabis sativa improve the quality of life of autistic children without causing serious adverse effects, thus providing a therapeutic alternative.

METHOD: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a cannabis extract rich in cannabidiol (CBD) in autistic children. Sixty children, aged between 5 and 11 years, were selected and divided into two groups: the treatment group, which received the CBD-rich cannabis extract, and the control group, which received the placebo, both used the product for a period of 12 weeks. Statistical analysis was done by two-factor mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA two way).

RESULTS: Significant results were found for social interaction [F(1,116)=14.13, p=0.0002)], anxiety [F(1,116)=5.99, p=0.016], psychomotor agitation [F(1,116)=9.22, p=0.003)], number of meals a day [F(1,116)=4.11, p=0.04)] and concentration [F (1,48)=6.75, p=0.01], the latter being significant only in mild autism spectrum disorder. Regarding safety, it was found that only three children in the treatment group (9.7%) had adverse effects, namely dizziness, insomnia, colic and weight gain.

CONCLUSION: CBD-rich cannabis extract was found to improve one of the diagnostic criteria for ASD (social interaction), as well as often co-existing features, and to have few serious adverse effects.

PMID:35617670 | DOI:10.47626/2237-6089-2021-0396

J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2022 May 26. doi: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000000788. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine motor vehicle crash frequency and risk factors following moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

SETTING: Eight TBI Model Systems sites. Participants: Adults (N = 438) with TBI who required inpatient acute rehabilitation.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional, observational design.

MAIN MEASURES: Driving survey completed at phone follow-up 1 to 30 years after injury.

RESULTS: TBI participants reported 1.5 to 2.5 times the frequency of crashes noted in the general population depending on the time frame queried, even when accounting for unreported crashes. Most reported having no crashes; for those who experienced a crash, half of them reported a single incident. Based on logistic regression, age at survey, years since injury, and perception of driving skills were significantly associated with crashes.

CONCLUSION: Compared with national statistics, crash risk is higher following TBI based on self-report. Older age and less time since resuming driving were associated with lower crash risk. When driving was resumed was not associated with crash risk. These results do not justify restricting people from driving after TBI, given that the most who resumed driving did not report experiencing any crashes. However, there is a need to identify and address factors that increase crash risk after TBI.

PMID:35617669 | DOI:10.1097/HTR.0000000000000788

Am J Public Health. 2022 May 26:e1-e5. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2022.306828. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Objectives. To test whether the prevalence of reported psychological distress increased among working-age adults in the United States between 1999 and 2018. Methods. I examined psychological distress in the past 30 days using the Kessler-6 Distress Scale, completed by 403 223 participants aged 25 to 64 years across 20 annual waves of the National Health Interview Study conducted from 1999 to 2018. I examined overall and demographic-specific trends. Results. The prevalence of psychological distress in the past 30 days increased from 16.1% in 1999-2000 to 22.6% in 2017-2018, an increase of 6.5 percentage points (95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.6, 7.3) or 40% from 1999-2000 levels. Statistically significant increases in the prevalence of distress were observed across all age, gender, race/ethnicity, and educational attainment subgroups examined. Rates of serious psychological distress increased from 2.7% in 1999-2000 to 4% in 2017-2018, an increase of 1.3 percentage points (95% CI = 0.9, 1.6). Conclusions. Since 1999, there has been an upward trend in reported psychological distress among working-aged adults in the United States. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print May 26, 2022: e1-e5. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306828).

PMID:35617656 | DOI:10.2105/AJPH.2022.306828

Am J Public Health. 2022 May 26:e1-e5. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2022.306853. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A Fruit and Vegetable Prescription program (12-16 weeks, 2018-2020) was implemented at community health centers serving rural communities in the northwestern United States. The impact of the program on type 2 diabetes control was evaluated. Reductions in mean hemoglobin A1C were statistically significant (P < .01). The percentage of participants with critically high blood glucose levels (A1C > 9%) decreased from 76% (114/151) to 41% (62/151; P < .01). The findings mirror those of similar programs. The sustainability of these beneficial interventions, however, relies on improved access to preventive care. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print May 26, 2022: e1-e5. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306853).

PMID:35617654 | DOI:10.2105/AJPH.2022.306853

J Patient Saf. 2022 May 25. doi: 10.1097/PTS.0000000000001044. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the association between nursing care left undone in pediatrics and factors related to nursing staff characteristics and work environment.

METHODS: The data of the present study were extracted from our RN4CAST@IT-Ped database, a cross-sectional observational study, which included 13 hospitals belonging to the Italian Association of Paediatric Hospitals. Through convenience sampling, nurses and pediatric nurses providing direct care in routine pediatric wards were enrolled in the study. Data aggregated by clinical care area were analyzed, through descriptive and inferential statistics methods using IBM SPSS 22.0 software.

RESULTS: We collected data from 399 pediatric nurses working in surgical wards, 1208 in medical wards, and 631 in critical care units. Some of the investigated factors have shown an association with the risk of omitting essential nursing activities, like health care judged of poor quality, patient safety judged as poor, and nurses’ intention-to-leave the job. For every nursing activity under investigation, we found some significant statistical associations.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results are consistent with the international literature showing that nurses miss some activities more frequently. Understanding the associations underpinning care left undone could be a starting point for the implementation of patient-centered care and the improvement of the quality and safety of care in pediatric settings, as well as the work environment.

PMID:35617633 | DOI:10.1097/PTS.0000000000001044

J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2022 May 25. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-21-01272. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Although regarded as conservative treatment, casting is not without risk. Injuries may be sustained during application, during cast valving, through the immobilization process, or during cast removal. We developed an experimental model to investigate safe parameters for the appropriate length of time between fiberglass cast application and bivalving for cast saw use.

METHODS: A hospital sheet was rolled into a mock “arm” on which short-arm fiberglass casts were formed. An appropriate cast saw technique was used with complete withdrawal of the saw blade from the cast material between cuts. A total of 10 casts were made for control/no vacuum (N = 5) and study/vacuum (N = 5) groups. The temperature of the saw blade was measured at 1-minute increments beginning at 3 minutes after fiberglass submersion in water. A mixed factor analysis of variance assessed differences in temperature change over time between groups with a statistical threshold of P < 0.05.

RESULTS: Casts that set for 7 minutes were associated with lower blade temperatures compared with casts that set for 3, 4, 5, and 6 minutes. The average temperature increases for the 3- to 7-minute set times without the use of vacuum were 10.08 (± 1.42), 9.38 (±1.31), 9.32 (±1.85), 8.54 (±2.10), and 5.62°F (±2.42), respectively, and with the use of vacuum, they were 9.40 (±1.14), 8.36 (±1.64), 7.84 (±2.05), 7.30 (±3.14), and 4.82°F (±2.59), respectively. Independent of vacuum use, the change in temperature was significantly different from the maximum temperature (3 minutes) beginning at 7 minutes (all P < 0.043).

DISCUSSION: A minimum of 7 minutes of set time for a fiberglass cast before attempting to bivalve using segmented cuts is associated with the smallest increase in temperature of the saw blade. Blade temperature was not affected with the vacuum enabled. Clinicians can demonstrate best practices to minimize the risk of cast saw injuries.

PMID:35617643 | DOI:10.5435/JAAOS-D-21-01272

J Patient Saf. 2022 May 22. doi: 10.1097/PTS.0000000000001045. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to measure the patient safety culture and the current practice of patient safety goals in China.

METHODS: This cross-sectional survey was conducted between November 2020 and November 2021. The 12-dimensions Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture questionnaire and the 14-items Survey on the Current Practice of Patient Safety Goal questionnaire were electronically distributed to 8164 healthcare providers across 26 provinces in China. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multivariate linear regression.

RESULTS: A total of 8164 surveys were received, of which 7765 were valid and analyzed. The average positive response rate for the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture survey was 69.68% (43.41%-91.54%). The percentage of positive responses in 5 dimensions (organizational learning, teamwork within units, feedback about error, management support for safety, and teamwork across units) was above the control limits, and 3 (nonpunitive response to error, staffing, and frequency of event reporting) were below the control limits. The average positive response rate for the Survey on the Current Practice of Patient Safety Goal survey was 96.11%. Patient safety culture was positively related to the current practice of patient safety goals (r = 0.34, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study concludes that although healthcare providers in China feel positively toward patient safety culture and practicably toward patient safety goals, considerable work is still needed to promote a patient safety movement.

PMID:35617631 | DOI:10.1097/PTS.0000000000001045