Increased demand for rapid access to UK magnetic observatory data : implications for quality control procedures

During the last decade the demand for magnetic observatory data has steadily increased both from the scientific community and in particular from commercial organisations. Not only are the quantity of data products greater now but the speed at which they are delivered is faster and the quality of the data provided better. The modern user requirements for timely data have prompted the need for improved automatic procedures utilising the new technologies available. This has to be balanced against the user requirements for accuracy, which necessitate rigorous quality control procedures. While some of these have been automated, as is shown in the flow diagram, there remains a requirement for human interpretation and action if and when the data contain errors. Software development to reduce this human intervention is on-going

Rule Out (R/O) Vasculitis

When imaging patients for vasculitis, the goals are: (1) to determine if there is evidence of acute or subacute cerebral injury and (2) to assess the contour of the major intracranial arteries. An additional but still experimental goal is (3) to determine if there are areas of altered perfusion that suggest active small vessel disease. Standard MR images and diffusion‐weighted imaging are used to detect and determine the age of parenchymal lesions. The 3‐D TOF MRA helps evaluate the large and medium vessels. Perfusion‐weighted imaging may detect regions of altered relative blood flow and blood volume. This unit contains a basic protocol for the evaluation of stable patients as well as an alternative protocol for unstable patients.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145238/1/cpmia0106.pd

Psychiatric characterization of children with genetic causes of hyperandrogenism

Objective: Very little is known about the mental health status in children with genetic causes of hyperandrogenism. This study sought to characterize psychiatric morbidity in this group. Design/methods: Children (8-18 years) with the diagnosis of classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) or familial male precocious puberty (FMPP) underwent a semi-structured psychiatric interview, the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version. According to sex and the literature, incidence of identified psychopathology was compared between the two endocrinological groups. We evaluated 72 patients: 54 CAH (21 females) and 18 FMPP. Results: Twenty-four (44.4%) CAH patients and 10 (55.6%) FMPP patients met the criteria for at least one lifetime psychiatric diagnosis. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was present in 18.2% of CAH males, 44.4% of FMPP males, and one case (4.8%) in CAH females. A high rate of anxiety disorders was also found in all the three groups (17-21%). Relative to females with CAH, the FMPP patients exhibited higher rates of ADHD. Age at diagnosis and the treatment modalities were not associated with psychopathology. Rates of psychiatric disorder, specifically ADHD and anxiety disorders, were higher than in the general population. Conclusion: Although anxiety disorders may occur at an increased rate in children with chronic illness, androgens may contribute to higher risk for psychopathology in pediatric patients with genetic cause of excess androgen. Early diagnosis and treatment of childhood hyperandrogenism is essential for optimal development. The results suggest that assessment for psychiatric disorders should be part of the routine evaluation of these patients

Do Interactions Between Environmental Chemicals and the Human Microbiome Need to Be Considered in Risk Assessments?

One of the most dynamic and fruitful areas of current health‐related research concerns the various roles of the human microbiome in disease. Evidence is accumulating that interactions between substances in the environment and the microbiome can affect risks of disease, in both beneficial and adverse ways. Although most of the research has concerned the roles of diet and certain pharmaceutical agents, there is increasing interest in the possible roles of environmental chemicals. Chemical risk assessment has, to date, not included consideration of the influence of the microbiome. We suggest that failure to consider the possible roles of the microbiome could lead to significant error in risk assessment results. Our purpose in this commentary is to summarize some of the evidence supporting our hypothesis and to urge the risk assessment community to begin considering and influencing how results from microbiome‐related research could be incorporated into chemical risk assessments. An additional emphasis in our commentary concerns the distinct possibility that research on chemical–microbiome interactions will also reduce some of the significant uncertainties that accompany current risk assessments. Of particular interest is evidence suggesting that the microbiome has an influence on variability in disease risk across populations and (of particular interest to chemical risk) in animal and human responses to chemical exposure. The possible explanatory power of the microbiome regarding sources of variability could reduce what might be the most significant source of uncertainty in chemical risk assessment.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151980/1/risa13316_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151980/2/risa13316.pd

The Economic Burden of Prematurity in Canada

Background Preterm birth is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality among infants worldwide, and imposes considerable burden on health, education and social services, as well as on families and caregivers. Morbidity and mortality resulting from preterm birth is highest among early (< 28 weeks gestational age) and moderate (28–32 weeks) preterm infants, relative to late preterm infants (33–36 weeks). However, substantial societal burden is associated with late prematurity due to the larger number of late preterm infants relative to early and moderate preterm infants. Methods The aim in this study was to characterize the burden of premature birth in Canada for early, moderate, and late premature infants, including resource utilization, direct medical costs, parental out-of-pocket costs, education costs, and mortality, using a validated and published decision model from the UK, and adapting it to a Canadian setting based on analysis of administrative, population-based data from Québec. Results Two-year survival was estimated at 56.0% for early preterm infants, 92.8% for moderate preterm infants, and 98.4% for late preterm infants. Per infant resource utilization consistently decreased with age. For moderately preterm infants, hospital days ranged from 1.6 at age two to 0.09 at age ten. Cost per infant over the first ten years of life was estimated to be $67,467 for early preterm infants,$52,796 for moderate preterm infants, and id="mce_marker"0,010 for late preterm infants. Based on population sizes this corresponds to total national costs of id="mce_marker"23.3 million for early preterm infants, $255.6 million for moderate preterm infants,$208.2 million for late preterm infants, and $587.1 million for all infants. Conclusion Premature birth results in significant infant morbidity, mortality, healthcare utilization and costs in Canada. A comprehensive decision-model based on analysis of a Canadian population-based administrative data source suggested that the greatest national-level burden is associated with moderate preterm infants due to both a large cost per infant and population size while the highest individual-level burden is in early preterm infants and the largest total population size is in late preterm infants. Although the highest medical costs are incurred during the neonatal period, greater resource utilization and costs extend into childhood

Using data science as a community advocacy tool to promote equity in urban renewal programs: An analysis of Atlanta's Anti-Displacement Tax Fund

Cities across the United States are undergoing great transformation and urban growth. Data and data analysis has become an essential element of urban planning as cities use data to plan land use and development. One great challenge is to use the tools of data science to promote equity along with growth. The city of Atlanta is an example site of large-scale urban renewal that aims to engage in development without displacement. On the Westside of downtown Atlanta, the construction of the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the conversion of an underutilized rail-line into a multi-use trail may result in increased property values. In response to community residents' concerns and a commitment to development without displacement, the city and philanthropic partners announced an Anti-Displacement Tax Fund to subsidize future property tax increases of owner occupants for the next twenty years. To achieve greater transparency, accountability, and impact, residents expressed a desire for a tool that would help them determine eligibility and quantify this commitment. In support of this goal, we use machine learning techniques to analyze historical tax assessment and predict future tax assessments. We then apply eligibility estimates to our predictions to estimate the total cost for the first seven years of the program. These forecasts are also incorporated into an interactive tool for community residents to determine their eligibility for the fund and the expected increase in their home value over the next seven years.Comment: Presented at the Data For Good Exchange 201

Rule Out (R/O) Intracranial Aneurysm

When imaging patients for intracranial aneurysm, the goals are: (1) to assess the contour of the intracranial arteries, particularly in he regions of the ACOM (anterior communicating artery), PCOM (posterior communicating artery), ICA (internal carotid artery) bifurcation, MCA (middle cerebral artery) trifurcation, basilar tip, and PICA (posterior inferior cerebellar artery); (2) to assess the anatomy of the Circle of Willis and direction of flow, and; (3) to determine if there is evidence of a recent subarachnoid bleed. This unit describes a that can be used for standard imaging of aneurysm in stable patients. An is described for situations when there is concern for vasospasm and infarction.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145398/1/cpmia0102.pd

Cerebral Infarct/Intracranial Cerebrovascular Disease

Imaging goals for intracranial cerebral vascular disease are (1) to assess the degree of parenchymal injury and identify intraparenchymal hemorrhage; (2) to determine if there are areas of altered perfusion that may be at risk for future injury; and (3) to assess the intracranial arteries (patency as well as direction of flow). This unit describes a that can be used to evaluate stable patients with acute, subacute, or chronic cerebrovascular symptoms. An is also given for cases of hyperacute strokes or cerebrovascular symptoms in an unstable patient.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145276/1/cpmia0101.pd

Phytoremediation—An Overview

The use of plants (directly or indirectly) to remediate contaminated soil or water is known as phytoremediation. This technology has emerged as a more cost effective, noninvasive, and publicly acceptable way to address the removal of environmental contaminants. Plants can be used to accumulate inorganic and organic contaminants, metabolize organic contaminants, and encourage microbial degradation of organic contaminants in the root zone. Widespread utilization of phytoremediation can be limited by the small habitat range or size of plants expressing remediation potential, and insufficient abilities of native plants to tolerate, detoxify, and accumulate contaminants. A better understanding and appreciation of the potential mechanisms for removing contaminants from the root zone and the interaction between plants, microorganisms, and contaminants will be useful in extending the application of phytoremediation to additional contaminated sites