Examination Of Temporal Trends Research Articles

Evaluation of spatial and temporal changes in illicit drug use in the Taipei metropolitan area via wastewater-based epidemiology

Taiwan, identified as pivotal in the Asian drug trafficking chain, has been experiencing a surge in illicit drug-related issues. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a promising approach for comprehensive evaluation of actual illicit drug usage. This study presents the first WBE investigation of illicit drug consumption in Taiwan based on the analysis of wastewater from four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Taipei metropolitan area. Additionally, it demonstrates a high correlation between the amounts of illicit drugs seized and influent concentrations over an extended period of time. The reliability of solid-phase extraction and analysis via high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) was validated for 16 illicit drugs (methamphetamine, ketamine, cocaine, codeine, methadone, morphine, meperidine, fentanyl, sufentanil, para-methoxyamphetamine (PMA), para-methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), cathinone, methcathinone, mephedrone (MEPH), and 4-methylethcathinone (4-MEC)). Methamphetamine, ketamine, and 4-MEC were consistently detected in all wastewater samples, underscoring their prevalence in the Taipei metropolitan area. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and ammonia nitrogen (ammonia N) were employed to reduce uncertainty in estimations of population size during back-calculation of illicit drug consumption. The results indicate that methamphetamine was the most consumed drug (175–740 mg day−1 1000 people−1), followed by ketamine (22-280 mg day−1 1000 people−1). In addition, urban-related WWTPs exhibited higher consumption of methamphetamine and ketamine than did the suburban-related WWTP, indicating distinct illicit drug usage patterns between suburban and urban regions. Moreover, an examination of temporal trends in wastewater from the Dihua WWTP revealed a persistent predominance of ketamine and methamphetamine, consistent with statistical data pertaining to seizure quantities and urine test results. The study provides encouraging insight into spatial and temporal variations in illicit drug usage in the Taipei metropolitan area, emphasizing the complementary role of WBE in understanding trends in illicit drug abuse.

Spatio-temporal changes in racial segregation and diversity in large US cities from 1990 to 2020: a visual data analysis

Urban populations in large US cities exhibit racial and ethnic diversity, yet they remain residentially segregated. The examination of temporal trends in segregation and diversity is crucial for sociologists and urban planners. In this study, we investigate the spatio-temporal changes in segregation and diversity across 61 major US cities, utilizing data from four US Censuses conducted between 1990 and 2020. Unlike previous studies, our approach relies on visual data analysis, enabling us to capture the overarching changes in racial coresidence during this period. We employ four distinct perspectives – geographical, temporal, groups evolution, and desegregation scale limit – to visualize and analyze the data. Geographical analysis uncovers a decrease in regional disparities in urban diversity and segregation since 1990, as urban racial integration extends beyond West Coast and Southwestern cities to encompass the entire US. Through temporal analysis, we observe a general trend of rapidly increasing diversity and gradual reduction in segregation, albeit with varying rates across different cities. Groups evolution analysis reveals that cities grouped based on their diversity and segregation metrics in 1990 follow the overall trend toward larger diversity and smaller segregation while preserving group’s coherence but not their distinctiveness. Finally, the desegregation scale limit perspective suggests that, on average, over the 1990 to 2020 period, the desegregation scale has started to subceed the lower limit of the census block. By employing these diverse analytical perspectives, our study provides a comprehensive understanding of the changes in racial segregation and diversity within US cities over the past three decades.

Offshore energy structures in the North Sea: Past, present and future

Offshore man-made structures (MMS) such as oil and gas (O&G) platforms, pipelines and wind energy developments are present in shelf seas worldwide and can potentially influence ecosystem dynamics and services. The number, type and age of these structures is changing as the wind energy sector expands whilst O&G structures reach the end of economic viability and are decommissioned. The North Sea is an area which supports major offshore energy production and consequently has a particularly high density of MMS which, according to the OSPAR 98/3 decision, will need to be removed after cessation of operations. To inform effective policy decisions, a comprehensive understanding of the impact of MMS on North Sea ecosystem is required. A major challenge to this is the lack of a comprehensive MMS database with up-to-date and accurate metadata (e.g. structure type, installation date) and locations. We found that existing databases are spatially restricted and/or contain conflicting locational data and, when present, metadata. When used in scientific studies to support policy decisions, such gaps and errors limit inference and could lead to spurious results. Here we develop a comprehensive spatial database of MMS including O&G platforms, pipelines and wind turbines in the North Sea. This allowed examination of temporal trends in how North Sea MMS have changed in number, type and location. The generated database will be useful for a range of stakeholders ranging from ecologists, engineers, policymakers, industry advisors and geoscientists. Indeed, such a database is fundamental for robust research studies required to inform effective and sustainable policy decisions, including review of the OSPAR 98/3 regulation.

An examination of temporal trends in health behaviors among United States children, adolescents, and adults from 2005 to 2016

Introduction Lifestyle-related health behaviors are major contributors to preventable chronic diseases. We aimed to characterize temporal trends in health behaviors of US children, adolescents, and adults and examine the association of sociodemographic characteristics with clustering of unhealthy behaviors. Methods The study population included 46,793 participants from the 2005 to 2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from three age groups: children (aged 2–11), adolescents (aged 12–19), and adults (aged ≥20). We calculated weighted prevalences of unhealthy behaviors—poor diet quality, low physical activity, screentime, fast food consumption, smoking (adolescents and adults), alcohol use, and short sleep duration (adults)—for each survey wave to examine temporal trends across age groups. Multivariable logistic regression estimated associations of sociodemographic characteristics with unhealthy behavior clustering (≥2 behaviors), stratified by age. Results Results of the study demonstrated that between 2005 and 2016, the proportion of children and adolescents not meeting the physical activity guidelines increased and screentime increased among all ages. Dietary quality improved and smoking prevalence declined among adolescents and adults, while fast food consumption declined among adolescents. Unhealthy behavior clustering among children increased by 13%. The odds of unhealthy behavior clustering were higher among children and adolescents that were older, non-Hispanic Black, or lived in unmarried households, and among adults who were younger, non-Hispanic black, had lower educational attainment, were uninsured or had public insurance, and had lower poverty-to-income ratios. Conclusion The findings suggest that screentime and physical inactivity are growing areas of concern in the U.S. population, and that disparities in adherence to multiple healthy behaviors may contribute to disparities in chronic diseases.

Population structure and genetic diversity of U.S. wheat varieties.

The United States is a major wheat producer with more than a century of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) research and breeding. Using a panel of 753 historical and modern wheat varieties grown in the United States from the early 1800s to present day, we examined population structure and changes in genetic diversity. We used previously mapped high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers from the wheat 90K SNP array for genotyping. The wheat varieties had a slight hierarchical population structure based on growth habit and then by kernel color within spring varieties and by kernel hardness within winter varieties, which corresponds with geographical distribution of the varieties. Classifying varieties by market class, which is a combination of habit, hardness, and color, accounted for the greatest amount of variation (13.3%). We did not find evidence of decreased genetic diversity of either spring or winter varieties after the release of the first semidwarf wheat variety in 1961. On the contrary, northern and Pacific spring varieties, hard red spring (HRS), hard white spring (HWS), and soft white winter (SWW) had increases in both SNP and haplotype genetic diversity after 1961. The soft white spring (SWS) and soft red winter (SRW) market classes already had high genetic diversity in varieties before 1961 and showed some evidence of decreased diversity after 1961. Examination of temporal trends in genetic diversity also did not indicate long-term decline in diversity despite occasional fluctuations.

Inpatient Laparoscopic Hysterectomy in the United States: Trends and Factors Associated With Approach Selection

Study ObjectiveTo examine utilization patterns of different laparoscopic approaches in inpatient hysterectomy and identify patient and hospital characteristics associated with the selection of specific laparoscopic approaches. DesignUsing data from the 2007 to 2012 National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS), we identified adult women undergoing inpatient laparoscopic hysterectomy for nonobstetric indications based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Benign cases were categorized based on laparoscopic approach, classified as total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH), laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH), or laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH). We assessed changes in the use of these approaches during 2007 to 2012, and used multinomial logistic regression to examine the association of patient and hospital characteristics with the choice of laparoscopic approach in 2012. The NIS sample weights were applied to generate nationally representative estimates. Design ClassificationRetrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification III). SettingHospital inpatient care nationwide. PatientsFemale adult patients in the NIS database who underwent an inpatient laparoscopic hysterectomy between 2007 and 2012. InterventionInpatient laparoscopic hysterectomy. Measurements and Main ResultsOf the inpatient laparoscopic hysterectomies performed in 2012, 83.2% were for benign indications. The TLH approach accounted for 48.3% of all laparoscopic hysterectomies, followed by LAVH at 37.3% and LSH at 14.4%. Robotic assistance was reported in 45.0% of all cases and 72.3% of malignant hysterectomies. An examination of temporal trends during 2007 to 2012 demonstrates a shift in the laparoscopic approach from LAVH toward TLH, with a slight decrease in LSH. Patient race/ethnicity, income, indication for hysterectomy, and comorbid conditions, as well as hospital teaching status, urban/rural location, bed size, type of ownership, and geographic region, were significantly associated with the choice of laparoscopic approach. ConclusionBenign laparoscopic hysterectomy is increasingly performed as TLH rather than LAVH. In addition to clinical factors, the selection of laparoscopic approach is influenced by patient socioeconomic and hospital characteristics.

Fall-related sub-acute and non-acute care and hospitalised rehabilitation episodes of care: what is the injury burden?

Falls are the leading cause of injury in older people. Rehabilitation services can assist individuals to improve mobility and function after sustaining a fall-related injury. However, the true effect of fall-related injury resulting in hospitalisation is often underestimated because of failure to consider sub-acute and non-acute care provided following the acute hospitalisation episode. This study aims to describe the sub-acute and non-acute health service use of individuals hospitalised in New South Wales (NSW), Australia for a fall-related injury during 2000-01 to 2008-09, to examine the burden of fall-related inpatient rehabilitation hospital admissions from 1998-99 to 2010-11 and to estimate future demand for fall-related inpatient rehabilitation admissions in NSW to 2020. Retrospective review of sub-acute and non-acute records linked to hospital admission records during 2001-02 to 2008-09 in NSW. Analysis of temporal trends from 1998-99 to 2010-11 and projections to 2020 for rehabilitation-related (ICD-10-AM: Z47, Z48, Z50, Z75.1) inpatient hospital admissions. There were 4317 individuals with a fall-related injury admitted to hospital and subsequently admitted for sub-acute and non-acute care; 84% of these were aged 65+ years; 70.4% were female and 27.2% had femur fractures. For the rehabilitation-related admissions, total mean functional independence measure (FIM) scores improved significantly (from 78.4 to 94.6; P<0.0001) between admission and discharge. Fall-related inpatient rehabilitation episodes increased by 9.1% each year between 1998 and 2011 for individuals aged 65 years and older and are projected to rise to 50000 admissions annually by 2020. This is the first study to provide an epidemiological profile of individuals using sub-acute and non-acute care in NSW using linked data. Improvements in data validity and reliability would enhance the quality of the sub-acute and non-acute care data and its ability to be used to inform resource use in this sector. The examination of temporal trends using only the inpatient hospital admissions provides a guide for resource implications for inpatient rehabilitation services. What is known about this topic? Fall-related injuries that result in inpatient hospital admissions are increasing in Australia. However, the extent of the effect of fall-related injuries in the sub-acute and non-acute sector remains unknown, due to data limitations. What does this paper add? Provides the first epidemiological profile of individuals who fall and go on to use sub-acute and non-acute care in NSW using linked data. It highlights where improvements in data quality in the sub-acute and non-acute care data could be made to improve their usefulness to inform resource use in this sector. What are the implications for clinicians? Fall injury prevention and healthy ageing strategies for older individuals remain a priority for clinicians. The current and projected future resource implications for inpatient rehabilitation and follow-up services provide an indication for clinicians of future demand in this area as the population ages. However, data quality needs to improve to provide clinicians with strongly relevant guidance to inform clinical practice.

Temporal trends in oncology product approvals in the United States, 1986–2005

6131 Background: No systematic examination of temporal trends in oncology approvals in the United States (US) has been conducted. Methods: Internal databases at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were queried to determine the number of first-time approvals for New Molecular Entities (NMEs) (both traditional drugs and therapeutic biologics) for oncology indications between the years 1986 and 2005, inclusive; 1986 was the first year for which database records were available for both drugs and biologics. Correlation analysis was used to analyze the data for time-dependent changes in approvals and approval rates. Results: During the period examined, 70 NMEs received first-time approval for an oncology indication ( Table ); 52 (74%) were drugs and 18 were biologics. The median annual number of approvals was 3 (range, 1 to 7); the maximum number of approvals during the period examined occurred in 2004. Statistical analysis showed a weak positive correlation between the number of oncology approvals and time, and between the proportion of applications approved as a percentage of all oncology product applications and time. Conclusions: Available data suggest that the number and rate of oncology product approvals has remained stable in the US over the last two decades. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Impact of Peritoneal Dialysis Dose Guidelines on Clinical Outcomes

The objective was to review the rationale for the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) recommendations for adequacy of peritoneal dialysis and to evaluate the impact of these recommendations on clinical practice and patient survival. The K/DOQI recommendations were based on large observational studies; the target weekly Kt/V value of 2.0 assumed equivalence of peritoneal and renal clearances. This assumption is no longer considered correct. The impact on clinical practice was evaluated by an examination of temporal trends before and after publication of the guidelines in 1997. In the United States and The Netherlands, there had been a trend toward increased delivered total Kt/V prior to 1997, and there was no acceleration in this trend after 1997. Two randomized clinical trials have implemented these guidelines with increased peritoneal Kt/V (or creatinine clearance) used to achieve the K/DOQI target in the intervention group. This was not associated with improved survival, compared to a lower Kt/V, in either of the randomized clinical trials. Among the explanations for the failure to improve outcome are potential adverse effects of increasing the dialysis dose. These include increased intraperitoneal pressure associated with increased exchange volume, failure to increase clearance of middle molecules, and increased exposure to glucose. Strategies that increase peritoneal clearance without exposure to these potential adverse effects include more-frequent exchanges rather than increased exchange volume, and decreased exposure to glucose and glucose degradation products. Pending such studies, current K/DOQI guidelines should be updated in a timely manner.

Examination of temporal trends in the incidence of childhood leukaemias and lymphomas provides aetiological clues.

The age-sex distributions and temporal trends in incidence of leukaemia and lymphoma from the Manchester Children's Tumour Registry (MCTR), 1954-1998, are reported. This 45-year study includes 1795 children, all of whom had a histologically and/or cytologically verified leukaemia or lymphoma. At the time of their diagnoses all the children were under 15 years of age and were resident in a geographically defined area of northwest England covered by the MCTR. Log-linear modelling identified significant linear increases in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) (average annual increase 0.7%; P= 0.005) and in Hodgkin's disease (HD) (1.2%, P=0.04), but not in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), nor in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The increase in ALL was most pronounced amongst males, aged 1-4 years, and is likely to be due to precursor B-cell leukaemias. The increases in ALL and HD are discussed in relation to current hypotheses suggesting a role for infection. Additionally, a non-linear cohort effect was identified for NHL (P= 0.008), which may indicate the involvement of environmental factors other than infection.

Physiological changes in red spruce seedlings during a simulated winter thaw.

We evaluated net photosynthesis, respiration, leaf conductance, xylem pressure potential (XPP) and cold hardiness in red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) seedlings exposed to either a continuous thaw (CT) or a daytime thaw with freezing nights (FN) for 8 days during mid-winter. Physiological differences between CT and FN seedlings were evident for all measured parameters. However, the temporal expression of treatment differences varied among parameters. When compared to FN seedlings, CT seedlings had higher rates of respiration following 24 h of treatment, and a higher net photosynthetic rate, leaf conductance and XPP after 48 h of treatment. The CT seedlings were significantly less cold tolerant than the FN seedlings following 4 days of thaw, whereas FN seedlings did not deharden over the 8 days of treatment. Examination of temporal trends among thaw-associated changes in physiology suggested that, although greater carbon exchange occurred as stomatal conductance increased, the transition from negative to positive net photosynthesis was not the result of increases in conductance, but may have been associated with thaw-induced increases in XPP. Because thaw-associated changes in gas exchange and cold hardiness were offset in time, we conclude that, if changes in these processes are physiologically linked, the linkage is indirect.

Parasuicide and Alcohol: a 20 Year Survey of Admissions to a Regional Poisoning Treatment Centre

The relationship between alcohol dependence, alcohol consumption and parasuicide was studied among patients admitted over a twenty year period (1968-87) to a regional poisoning treatment centre in Edinburgh. Both alcohol dependence and consumption of alcohol at the time of the parasuicidal act were reported more commonly by men than by women. An examination of temporal trends showed little change among male patients, while the proportion of females diagnosed as alcohol dependent or consuming alcohol at the time of the act tended to increase over time. A comparison of alcohol dependent (AD) and non-alcohol dependent (non-AD) parasuicides over the period 1982-87 revealed differences in respect of sociodemographic characteristics (the AD group containing more unemployed, especially long term) clinical variables (the AD group being more likely to have acted suicidally and to have received psychiatric treatment in the past, yet less likely to be currently diagnosed psychiatrically ill), family features and social problems. The implications of the study findings for research and service delivery are mentioned.

The Three Sides of a Biface

Three different sorts of bifacial tools-by-products of the shaping process, cores, and long use-life tools-are used to consider the role mobility plays in producing variability in hunter-gatherer lithic technologies. The relations among tool roles, raw-material distribution, and mobility as well as the archaeological consequences of the different roles are key factors. An examination of temporal trends in the use of bifacial implements in the Carson Sink of western Nevada shows how the proposed perspective on lithic technology can help to elucidate change in mobility strategies. A shift from the use of bifaces as cores to an infrequent use of bifaces as tools suggests a shift from logistical to short-term residential use of the raw-material-poor Carson Sink; a later shift to the use of small, frequently unifacial, nonresharpenable points may indicate a shift to target-specific hunting strategies.