Nine-year incident diabetes is predicted by fatty liver indices: the French D.E.S.I.R. study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Fatty liver is known to be linked with insulin resistance, alcohol intake, diabetes and obesity. Biopsy and even scan-assessed fatty liver are not always feasible in clinical practice. This report evaluates the predictive ability of two recently published markers of fatty liver: the Fatty Liver Index (FLI) and the NAFLD fatty liver score (NAFLD-FLS), for 9-year incident diabetes, in the French general-population cohort: Data from an Epidemiological Study on the Insulin Resistance syndrome (D.E.S.I.R).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>At baseline, there were 1861 men and 1950 women, non-diabetic, aged 30 to 65 years. Over the follow-up, 203 incident diabetes cases (140 men, 63 women) were identified by diabetes-treatment or fasting plasma glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/l. The FLI includes: BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides and gamma glutamyl transferase, and the NAFLD-FLS: the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, insulin, alanine aminotransferase, and asparate aminotransferase. Logistic regression was used to determine the odds ratios for incident diabetes associated with categories of the fatty liver indices.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In comparison to those with a FLI < 20, the age-adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for diabetes for a FLI ≥ 70 was 9.33 (5.05-17.25) for men and 36.72 (17.12-78.76) for women; these were attenuated to 3.43 (1.61-7.28) and 11.05 (4.09 29.81), after adjusting on baseline glucose, insulin, hypertension, alcohol intake, physical activity, smoking and family antecedents of diabetes; odds ratios increased to 4.71 (1.68-13.16) and 22.77 (6.78-76.44) in those without an excessive alcohol intake. The NAFLD-FLS also predicted incident diabetes, but with odds ratios much lower in women, similar in men.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These fatty liver indexes are simple clinical tools for evaluating the extent of liver fat and they are predictive of incident diabetes. Physicians should screen for diabetes in patients with fatty liver.</p

Comparison of Visceral Fat and Liver Fat as Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome

The principal objective of this study was to determine whether visceral fat or liver fat is a more relevant risk factor for metabolic syndrome. A total of 98 subjects aged 18-65 yr, who visited a health promotion center in a university hospital, were enrolled in this study. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed based on the modified National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III report (NCEP-ATPIII) criteria. We defined the visceral obesity as a visceral fat area of ≥ 100 cm2 which was acquired by CT at the L4-5 level. To evaluate fatty liver, we applied a liver-to-spleen attenuation ratio ≤ 1.1 as measured by CT at the T12 level. We employed binary logistic regression models that used the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome as a dependent variable and age, sex, and the presence or absence of visceral obesity and fatty liver as independent variables. Visceral obesity was not found to be an independent variable as a risk factor of metabolic syndrome (odds ratio 2.7; 95% confidence interval 0.55-13.30), but fatty liver was found to be significant in this model (odds ratio 71.3; 95% CI 13.04-389.53). Our study suggests that liver fat may be a more important risk factor than visceral fat in terms of its association with metabolic syndrome

Identifying Transit Timing Variations in K2 and TESS light curves

Aims. The aim of this work is to investigate any presence of transit timing variations (TTVs) in a sample of observed targets that has light curves in both K2 mission data and TESS mission data.  Methods. The original sample utilised here was one from the doctoral thesis of D. Soto (2020) with candidates from K2 data. Cross-referencing for corresponding light curves in TESS was done with a customised Python script created for the purposes of this work, automating the process of obtaining light curves using only one mission ID. A transit search was performed on the light curves of each mission separately with the Python software package OpenTS. The candidates with transits in both light curves were subjected to a TTV search using the Python software package PyTTV. The PyTTV software utilises both mission light curves in creating a joint light curve.  Results. Orbital periods, Porb, and transit center times, t0, for 30 targets were updated using joint light curves from the K2 and TESS missions. Seventeen of these systems are found to have non-linear trends in their transit times. These also have constraints for the periods and amplitudes of the TTVs.  The disposition distribution of the 30 systems is that 19 candidates are unregistered candidates, ten are registered planetary candidates or TOIs and eight are registered known planets.  Conclusions. Out of the reference sample by D. Soto (2020) consisting of 564 targets, 257 targets had a corresponding TESS light curve. Out of the 257 targets, a new sample of 45 targets was contrived through a transit search where they all show distinct transits in both missions light curves. Out of these, fifteen targets were not suitable for a TTV search. A final sample of 30 targets are presented, with seventeen targets showing signs of TTVs and thirteen targets showing a linear trend. The parameters of orbital period and transit centre times are updated for all 30 final candidates. Seventeen candidates are shown to have variations in the transit times and are presented with diagnostics. The candidates with transit timing variations should be further investigated for potential validation or follow-up observations. The unregistered candidates as well as the planetary candidates and TOIs should be considered for follow-up observations or similar validation, to confirm or discard a planetary status.

Identifying Transit Timing Variations in K2 and TESS light curves

Aims. The aim of this work is to investigate any presence of transit timing variations (TTVs) in a sample of observed targets that has light curves in both K2 mission data and TESS mission data.  Methods. The original sample utilised here was one from the doctoral thesis of D. Soto (2020) with candidates from K2 data. Cross-referencing for corresponding light curves in TESS was done with a customised Python script created for the purposes of this work, automating the process of obtaining light curves using only one mission ID. A transit search was performed on the light curves of each mission separately with the Python software package OpenTS. The candidates with transits in both light curves were subjected to a TTV search using the Python software package PyTTV. The PyTTV software utilises both mission light curves in creating a joint light curve.  Results. Orbital periods, Porb, and transit center times, t0, for 30 targets were updated using joint light curves from the K2 and TESS missions. Seventeen of these systems are found to have non-linear trends in their transit times. These also have constraints for the periods and amplitudes of the TTVs.  The disposition distribution of the 30 systems is that 19 candidates are unregistered candidates, ten are registered planetary candidates or TOIs and eight are registered known planets.  Conclusions. Out of the reference sample by D. Soto (2020) consisting of 564 targets, 257 targets had a corresponding TESS light curve. Out of the 257 targets, a new sample of 45 targets was contrived through a transit search where they all show distinct transits in both missions light curves. Out of these, fifteen targets were not suitable for a TTV search. A final sample of 30 targets are presented, with seventeen targets showing signs of TTVs and thirteen targets showing a linear trend. The parameters of orbital period and transit centre times are updated for all 30 final candidates. Seventeen candidates are shown to have variations in the transit times and are presented with diagnostics. The candidates with transit timing variations should be further investigated for potential validation or follow-up observations. The unregistered candidates as well as the planetary candidates and TOIs should be considered for follow-up observations or similar validation, to confirm or discard a planetary status.

Fastighetsbolagens finansiering : En studie om fastighetsbolagens nya finansieringsalternativ

Författare: Narina Bengtsson och Victor Friis-Liby Handledare: Eva BerggrenTitel: Fastighetsbolagens finansiering – En studie om fastighetsbolagens nyafinansieringsalternativ Bakgrund och problem: Kapitaltunga bolag som fastighetsbolag är ständigt i behov avkapital. Bankkredit som alltid varit det vanligaste och mest använda finanseringsalternativethar i större utsträckning ersatts med företagsobligationer och preferensaktier. Marknaden försvenska företagsobligationer har växt de senaste åren och fastighetsbolagen står idag för tvåtredjedelar av de totala preferensaktierna på Stockholmsbörsen. Efter den senaste finanskrisensvarade myndigheterna med att ta fram Basel III – regelverket, som ställer striktarekapitaltäckningskrav för bankerna. Med anledning av hur marknaden har utvecklats med nyafinansieringsalternativ och införandet av Basel III - regelverket vill vi undersöka hurfastighetsbolagen resonerar kring finansiering i nuläget. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att undersöka om de svenska börsnoterade fastighetsbolagens valav finansiering har förändrats efter finanskrisen 2008.Avgränsning: Studien bortser från fastighetsbolag som inte är börsnoterade och verksamheterutanför Sverige. Studien bortser också från de delar av kapitalmarknaden som inte berörfastighetsbolag och därför inte är aktuella för studien. Studien går igenom Basel III -regelverket som en följd av finanskrisen men vi kommer inte gå in djupare på orsaken tillfinanskrisen. Metod: Vi har gjort en kvalitativ studie på tre svenska börsnoterade fastighetsbolag. Slutsats: Basel III har enligt vår studie inte påverkat fastighetsbolagens tillgång till kapital pådet sättet som tidigare studier pekat på. Förändringen på marknaden beror på flera faktorer isamverkan som alla påverkat fastighetsbolagens val av finansiering. Vi kommer fram till attPecking order teorin inte är aktuell längre eftersom olika finansieringsalternativ idagkombineras för att diversifiera finansieringsrisken. Marknaden har förändrats sedan Peckingorder teorin utvecklades och det är därför inte längre möjligt att göra analyser på samma sättsom tidigare. Idag påverkas marknaden av flera faktorer samtidigt, vilket innebär attfastighetsbolagens finansieringsbeteende bara är en del av informationen att ta hänsyn till. Anledningen tros bland annat vara att vi idag är mer globalt integrerade än tidigare vilketinnebär att tillgången till information är större. Dessutom påverkas marknaden av flerstörningar nu än tidigare. Räntederivat, certifikatprogram och preferensaktier är alla nyafinansieringsalternativ som används av fastighetsbolagen och som inte tas upp i Pecking order teorin

Fastighetsbolagens finansiering : En studie om fastighetsbolagens nya finansieringsalternativ

Författare: Narina Bengtsson och Victor Friis-Liby Handledare: Eva BerggrenTitel: Fastighetsbolagens finansiering – En studie om fastighetsbolagens nyafinansieringsalternativ Bakgrund och problem: Kapitaltunga bolag som fastighetsbolag är ständigt i behov avkapital. Bankkredit som alltid varit det vanligaste och mest använda finanseringsalternativethar i större utsträckning ersatts med företagsobligationer och preferensaktier. Marknaden försvenska företagsobligationer har växt de senaste åren och fastighetsbolagen står idag för tvåtredjedelar av de totala preferensaktierna på Stockholmsbörsen. Efter den senaste finanskrisensvarade myndigheterna med att ta fram Basel III – regelverket, som ställer striktarekapitaltäckningskrav för bankerna. Med anledning av hur marknaden har utvecklats med nyafinansieringsalternativ och införandet av Basel III - regelverket vill vi undersöka hurfastighetsbolagen resonerar kring finansiering i nuläget. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att undersöka om de svenska börsnoterade fastighetsbolagens valav finansiering har förändrats efter finanskrisen 2008.Avgränsning: Studien bortser från fastighetsbolag som inte är börsnoterade och verksamheterutanför Sverige. Studien bortser också från de delar av kapitalmarknaden som inte berörfastighetsbolag och därför inte är aktuella för studien. Studien går igenom Basel III -regelverket som en följd av finanskrisen men vi kommer inte gå in djupare på orsaken tillfinanskrisen. Metod: Vi har gjort en kvalitativ studie på tre svenska börsnoterade fastighetsbolag. Slutsats: Basel III har enligt vår studie inte påverkat fastighetsbolagens tillgång till kapital pådet sättet som tidigare studier pekat på. Förändringen på marknaden beror på flera faktorer isamverkan som alla påverkat fastighetsbolagens val av finansiering. Vi kommer fram till attPecking order teorin inte är aktuell längre eftersom olika finansieringsalternativ idagkombineras för att diversifiera finansieringsrisken. Marknaden har förändrats sedan Peckingorder teorin utvecklades och det är därför inte längre möjligt att göra analyser på samma sättsom tidigare. Idag påverkas marknaden av flera faktorer samtidigt, vilket innebär attfastighetsbolagens finansieringsbeteende bara är en del av informationen att ta hänsyn till. Anledningen tros bland annat vara att vi idag är mer globalt integrerade än tidigare vilketinnebär att tillgången till information är större. Dessutom påverkas marknaden av flerstörningar nu än tidigare. Räntederivat, certifikatprogram och preferensaktier är alla nyafinansieringsalternativ som används av fastighetsbolagen och som inte tas upp i Pecking order teorin

How do consumers experience online gambling marketing? : A qualitative study on online gambling companies marketing and how it’s perceived in different

Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur konsumenter ser på spelbolagens marknadsföring generellt men i synnerhet inom generationerna X&amp;Y. Studien har genomförts med en kvalitativ metod med semistrukturerade intervjuer med åtta informrmanter, fyra från generation X och fyra från generation Y. Det insamlade materialet analyserades sedan med hjälp av tematisk analysmetod. Studien resulterade i att sex av åtta informanter upplever spelreklamen som negativ eftersom den, enligt dem inte är måttfull. Samma sex informanter upplever inte heller att de blir särskilt påverkade av den spelreklam som de utsätts för. Två informanter tillhörande generation Y ansåg att spelreklamen har en positiv påverkan på dem, vilket troligen kan förklaras med att båda informanterna är konsumenter av spel.The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how consumers view online gambling companies and their marketing generally but in particular within the generations X&amp;Y. This thesis uses a qualitative method with semi structured interviews with eight informants, four from generation X and four from generation Y. The collected material is later analysed with the help of a thematic analysis. The result of this thesis shows that six out of eight informants are experiencing gambling commercial as something negative since it’s, according to them not moderate. The same six informants are also experiencing that the online gambling marketing isn’t affecting them. Two of the informants belonging to generation Y felt that the gambling marketing can have a positive effect on them, which can be explained by the fact that both informants are consumers of online gambling. This thesis is written in Swedish

Organizational aspects to consider in order to implement machine learning and create business value : A qualitative study on a technology industry leader

This thesis investigates the relationship between technology, specifically machine learning and business value. By incorporating fundamentals of today such as a socio technical perspective and the fourth industrial revolution, commonly referred to as Industry 4.0 and this thesis will explain if machine learning can create business value in the organization as well as what organizational aspects a company needs to obtain in order to create business value from its data.  This was achieved through a qualitative study by conducting semi-structured interviews with a technology industry leader, two experts on the subject and complemented with closely evaluated sources gathered from articles, journals, published literature, websites and case studies.  The analysis of this thesis is based on an analytical framework that concludes five organizational aspects. It shows a clear relationship between the five organizational aspects the analysis is based on in regards to data and internal structure that needs close consideration in order to create business value from data as well as the possibilities of implementing and utilizing machine learning. By having a socio technical perspective in mind the analysis shows and confirms the theories this thesis is based on as well as it gives a nuanced perspective on an industry that primarily focuses on technical factors.  The researchers conclude that apart from the five organizational aspects the analysis is based on, a sixth aspects needs to be incorporated as well. By conducting a study on a large technology industry leader as well as two additional experts on the subject, the researchers conclude that machine learning can benefit large parts of the organization as well as the workforce employed.

Merton-KMV - Användbar vid riskvärdering av företag?

Studiens syfte är att undersöka om och hur tidigt Merton-KMV kan förutspå konkurser och om dessa prediktioner kan räknas som säkra. Vidare syftar studien att undersöka om olika konjunkturlägen påverkar modellens prediktionsförmåga. Syftet med att undersöka detta är för att ta reda på om modellen kan vara ett användbart verktyg för den individuella investeraren när det gäller riskvärdering av företag

Resource Use and Societal Costs for Crohn's Disease in Sweden

Background: The usual onset of Crohn's disease (CD) is between 15 and 30 years of age, thus affecting people during their most economically productive period in life. Methods: This study intended to estimate societal costs and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Swedish patients in different stages of CD. Cross-sectional data on disease activity (measured with the Harvey-Bradshaw Index [HBI]), direct medical resource use, work productivity, and HRQoL (assessed using the 15D instrument) were collected for 420 patients by questionnaires to patients, to the treating physician, and from medical records. Based on HBI, current treatment, and response to treatment, patients were classified into the following disease states: Remission, Response, Active, Refractory, and Surgery. Results: The average 4-week cost per patient in 2007 was estimated at (sic)721 (USD 988), of which 64% was due to lost productivity. The total 4-week cost of care was (sic)255 (USD 349) in Remission, (sic)831 (USD 1138) in Response, (sic)891 (USD 1220) in Active, (sic)1360 (USD 1864) in Refractory, and (sic)16984 (USD 23269) in Surgery. HBI was the most important predictor of costs of care-a 1-point increase in HBI increased total costs by 25% (P < 0.001). HRQoL differed between the disease states: 0.92 in Remission, 0.90 in Response, 0.82 in Active, 0.81 in Refractory, and 0.77 in Surgery. Conclusions: Patients in remission have the lowest costs and the highest HRQoL. Patients responding to treatment have lower costs of care than patients with high disease activity who are not treated or do not respond to treatment:. Thus, total costs of care might be reduced by efficient treatment