Spatial Modeling and Analysis of Heat-Related Morbidity in Maricopa County,Arizona

The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of a confluence of demographic, socioeconomic, housing, and environmental factors that systematically contribute to heat-related morbidity in Maricopa County, Arizona, from theoretical, empirical, and spatial perspectives. The present study utilized ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) to analyze health data, U.S. census data, and remotely sensed data. The results suggested that the MGWR model showed a significant improvement in goodness of fit over the OLS regression model, which implies that spatial heterogeneity is an essential factor that influences the relationship between these factors. Populations of people aged 65+, Hispanic people, disabled people, people who do not own vehicles, and housing occupancy rate have much stronger local effects than other variables. These findings can be used to inform and educate local residents, communities, stakeholders, city managers, and urban planners in their ongoing and extensive efforts to mitigate the negative impacts of extreme heat on human health in Maricopa County.     

Spatial clusters of daily tobacco consumption before and after a smoke-free policy implementation

This study assessed the spatial dependence of daily tobacco consumption and how it is spatially impacted by individual and neighborhood socioeconomic determinants, and tobacco consumption facilities before and after a smoke-free implementation.Individual data was obtained from the Bus Santé, a cross-sectional survey in Geneva. Spatial clusters of high and low tobacco consumption were assessed using Getis-Ord Gi*.Daily tobacco consumption was not randomly clustered in Geneva and may be impacted by tobacco consumption facilities independently of socioeconomic factors and a smoking ban. Spatial analysis should be considered to highlight the impact of smoke-free policies and guide public health interventions.     

The superspreading places of COVID-19 and the associated built-environment and socio-demographic features: A study using a spatial network framework and individual-level activity data

Previous studies observed that most COVID-19 infections were transmitted by a few individuals at a few high-risk places (e.g., bars or social gathering venues). These individuals, often called superspreaders, transmit the virus to an unexpectedly large number of people. Further, a small number of superspreading places (SSPs) where this occurred account for a large number of COVID-19 transmissions. In this study, we propose a spatial network framework for identifying the SSPs that disproportionately spread COVID-19. Using individual-level activity data of the confirmed cases in Hong Kong, we first identify the high-risk places in the first four COVID-19 waves using the space-time kernel density method (STKDE). Then, we identify the SSPs among these high-risk places by constructing spatial networks that integrate the flow intensity of the confirmed cases. We also examine what built-environment and socio-demographic features would make a high-risk place to more likely become an SSP in different waves of COVID-19 by using regression models. The results indicate that some places had very high transmission risk and suffered from repeated COVID-19 outbreaks over the four waves, and some of these high-risk places were SSPs where most (about 80%) of the COVID-19 transmission occurred due to their intense spatial interactions with other places. Further, we find that high-risk places with dense urban renewal buildings and high median monthly household rent-to-income ratio have higher odds of being SSPs. The results also imply that the associations between built-environment and socio-demographic features with the high-risk places and SSPs are dynamic over time. The implications for better policymaking during the COVID-19 pandemic are discussed.     

Geographic patterns and socioeconomic differences in the nutritional quality of household packaged food purchases in the United States

BackgroundIt is unclear whether dietary quality varies by geography in the US.PurposeAssess patterns in packaged food purchases (PFPs).MethodsWe characterized variation in PFP quality from 2008 to 2018 by 1) examining geographic clustering and 2) using regression analysis to control for household characteristics.ResultsLower quality purchases clustered in the Southeast and Appalachia, whereas higher quality purchases clustered in the West and Northeast. Spatial patterns were similar for low socioeconomic households but not high socioeconomic households. Geographic differences in quality remained after controlling for demographic composition.ConclusionThis analysis should inform research into systemic drivers of PFP quality.     

2011—2019年不同时期荆州市一二期梅毒时空特征对比分析

目的 分析荆州市不同时期一二期梅毒的时空分布变化情况,为合理配置卫生资源提供参考。方法 收集2011—2019年荆州市一二期梅毒疫情资料,根据发病率高低,将荆州市一二期梅毒疫情分为2011—2013年（高）、2014—2016年（中）、2017—2019年（低）3个时期,采取趋势面、空间自相关和时空扫描分析3个时期一二期梅毒在时空上的变化趋势。结果 2011—2019年,荆州市累计报告一二期梅毒4 715例,年均发病率为9.19/10万,发病率呈下降趋势（P<0.01）。趋势面分析得出荆州市一二期梅毒的高发区域逐步从西北部（2011—2013年）向中部转移（2017—2019年）。全局空间自相关分析显示,荆州市一二期梅毒发病率在2011—2013年、2014—2016年呈正相关,且有空间聚集性（Moran’s I=0.333 6、0.210 5,均P<0.01）。局部空间自相关分析显示,一二期梅毒高值聚集区2011—2013年主要集中在公安县、荆州区、沙市区、江陵县的部分乡镇（P<0.05）,2014—2016年主要集中在荆州区、沙市区、监利县的部分乡镇（P<0.05）,2017—2019年主要集中在监利县、沙市区的部分乡镇（P<0.05）。时空扫描结果显示,主聚集区在公安县、江陵县,共24个乡镇（街道）,聚集时间为2011年4月11日至2011年8月15日（RR=4.14,LLR=93.55）。结论 3个时期荆州市一二期梅毒均存在空间聚集性,高发区域逐步缩小,2017—2019年监利县、沙市区的部分乡镇为疫情高发地区,应加强对该地区的防控工作。     

Clinical outcomes in pediatric tibial lengthening and deformity correction: a comparison of the Taylor Spatial Frame with the Orthex Hexapod System

PurposeComparison of two hexapod frame systems in paediatric tibial deformity correction; the Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) and Orthex Hexapod System.MethodsPaediatric patients with congenital and acquired tibial deformities treated with either TSF (between 2014 and 2016) or Orthex (between 2017 and 2019) frames were included in a retrospective comparative study. Outcome measures were healing index, pin infection rate, regenerate quality and density, software residual rate, deformity correction accuracy, strut exchanges and quality of life (QoL).ResultsThe TSF group had 17 patients (18 frames) and the Orthex group had 21 patients (25 frames). The most common indications for tibial deformity correction were fibular hemimelia (14) and septic or traumatic growth arrest (8). The median time in frame was 230 days (TSF) versus 203 days (Orthex) (p= 0.06). The mean lengthening achieved was 54 mm (TSF) and 51 mm (Orthex) (p = 0.41). The healing index was 41 days/cm (TSF) versus 43 days/cm (Orthex) (p = 0.70). Pin site infections occurred more in the TSF cohort (40%) than in the Orthex cohort (18%) (p < 0.001). The regenerate in the Orthex group showed higher density at three months (p = 0.029) and was more homogenous (p = 0.023) at six months after frame application. Strut exchanges were less frequent with the Orthex system (p < 0.0001). QoL measures were similar in both cohorts (p = 0.92).ConclusionsThis is the first study to compare two hexapod designs in paediatric orthopaedics. The Orthex system showed superiority in regenerate quality and a significant reduction in pin site infection rates. Both systems delivered predictable and accurate limb deformity correction.Level of evidenceIII     

The geographic distribution of un-immunized children in Ontario,Canada: Hotspot detection using Bayesian spatial analysis

BackgroundIn Ontario, Canada, little is currently known about the extent to which un-immunized children may cluster geographically. Our objectives were to: describe the geographic distribution of fully un-immunized children; identify geographic clusters (hotspots) of un-immunized children; and to characterize the contribution of spatial effects and covariates on hotspots, where found.MethodsOur analytic cohort consisted of Ontario students aged 7–17 years in the 2016–2017 school year. We defined students as un-immunized if they had zero doses of any vaccine and a non-medical exemption recorded in Ontario’s registry. We calculated unadjusted proportions of un-immunized students by Census Subdivision (CSD) and then used a sequential approach to identify hotspots starting first with hotspot identification at the CSD level and then probed identified hotspots further by Dissemination Area (DA) and including covariates. Hotspots were identified using the Besag-York-Mollie Bayesian spatial model and were defined as areas with >95% probability of having two times the proportion of un-immunized students, relative to the province overall.ResultsWe identified 15,208 (0.94%) un-immunized children within our cohort consisting of more than 1.61 million students. Unadjusted proportions of un-immunized students varied greatly by geography, ranging from 0% to 21.5% by CSD. We identified 16 hotspot CSDs which clustered in five distinct areas, all of which were located in southern Ontario. The contribution of covariates and spatial effects on the risk of having un-immunized students varied greatly across hotspot areas.ConclusionsAlthough the provincial proportion (0.94%) of un-immunized students is small, geographical clustering of such students is evident in Ontario and in some areas presents an important risk for future outbreaks. Further qualitative work within these hotspot areas would be a helpful next step to better characterize the factors associated with vaccine refusal in these communities.     

贵州省2015—2018年涂阳肺结核流行及空间分布特征分析

目的 分析2015—2018年贵州省涂阳肺结核发病的流行及空间分布特征,为全省传染性肺结核防治工作提供依据。方法 数据来源于结核病管理信息系统,整理2015—2018年贵州省88个县（市、区）涂阳肺结核患者登记信息和人口数据,采用ArcGIS 10.0软件构建地理信息数据库、结果可视化、空间自相关分析。结果 2015—2018年贵州省共报告涂阳肺结核45 560例,年均发病率为31.93/10万,总体呈下降趋势,居前3位地区为:安顺、毕节、铜仁市,最低为六盘水市;冬、夏季（1—2月、5—8月）为疫情高发时间,男性发病数均高于女性（发病数比为2.01∶1）,农民、年龄≥60岁人群发病数最多;涂阳肺结核报告发病率全局空间自相关Moran’s I介于0.069～0.254之间（2016、2017年P＜0.05）,热点主要在望谟县,冷点地区主要在花溪、观山湖、万山区。结论 贵州省涂阳肺结核发病存在空间聚集,应对农民、男性、老年患者等高风险人群和高发病率及热点地区给予重点关注和政策倾斜,增加肺结核专项经费和人力资源等的投入,加大宣传教育,开展创新模式有效发现和管理患者,从而降低涂阳肺结核发病率。     

用于评价动物社交偏好程度的新方法

目的：利用一种改进的三箱社交装置评价动物的社交偏好程度,并探索该方法的可行性。方法：采用注意力缺陷多动障碍(ADHD)大鼠作为社交障碍模型动物,以同源大鼠（WKY)大鼠和Wistar大鼠作为对照组,模型组采用治疗ADHD的临床常用中成药小儿黄龙颗粒（1.88 g/kg、3.75 g/kg）灌胃给药16 d。利用改进的三箱社交箱,以待测鼠在陌生鼠侧密切交流区的时间、频次、路程及相关比例作为行为学指标,检测该方法对社交行为评价的可行性。结果：与Wistar大鼠组比较,模型组大鼠与WKY组大鼠在密切交流区域及有陌生鼠侧区域的时间显著减少（P<0.01）,其他指标如频次、路程及比例也均有不同程度减少,小儿黄龙颗粒两剂量均能增加模型大鼠上述各指标数值。结论：该方法能准确捕捉动物的社交行为特征,实现对动物社交偏好程度的全面、客观评价。