184 research outputs found
Test of Convergence in Agricultural Factor Productivity: A Semiparametric Approach
No full textWe tested for club convergence in U.S. agricultural total factory productivity using a sigma convergence test. We used the same club of states as used by McCunn and Huffman as well as different states within 10 clubs identified by the cluster analysis. Results showed convergence was evident only in a few club groups. Clusters group identified using a statistical method identified only converging clubs. Variables affecting total factor productivity among states were identified using parametric, semiparametric and nonparametric methods. Semiparametric and nonparametric methods gave a better fit than a parametric method as indicated by the specification test. Our results indicated that health care expenditure, public research and extension investment, and private expenditure are important variables impacting total factor productivity differences across states.Clubs, sigma convergence, cluster analysis, semiparametric and nonparametric methods, Productivity Analysis, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,
Dietary B‐vitamin and C‐reactive protein in people with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
No full textSample-Plot Size and Diameter Moments/Percentiles Prediction Model Effects on Stand Diameter Distribution Recovery Accuracy
No full textThere have been several studies that aim to determine the most superior Weibull parameter recovery approach of specifying a given forest stand’s Weibull diameter distribution, but no consensus has been made. The lack of agreement could be attributed to studies using different moments/percentile prediction models as well as using different plot size data. This study investigates how plot size and prediction model form affects the performance for moments, hybrid, and percentile Weibull parameter recovery approaches. Five plot sizes and three moments/percentile prediction models were used to determine their effects. Weibull parameters were calculated using each recovery method for each plot size and moments/percentile prediction model combination. Each combination’s diameter distribution was recovered and assessed using absolute error index. Results showed that plot size affected rank of precision for parameter recovery methods. Findings suggest that order statistics may be important in recovering Weibull distribution parameters from stand diameter summary statistics
High prevalence and genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus in people living with HIV in Kathmandu, Nepal
No full textDietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids and C‐reactive protein in persons with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
No full textAssociation Between Serum Selenium and Serum C-Reactive Protein Concentrations in Persons Infected With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
No full textSerum Zinc Concentration and C-Reactive Protein in Individuals with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: the Positive Living with HIV (POLH) Study
No full textLow zinc levels and chronic inflammation are common in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Zinc deficiency may promote systemic inflammation, but research on the role of zinc in inflammation among HIV-positive individuals taking account of antiretroviral therapy is lacking. We assessed the association between serum zinc and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration in a cohort of HIV-positive individuals. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 311 HIV-positive individuals (177 men and 134 women) aged 18–60 years residing in Kathmandu, Nepal. High-sensitive or regular serum CRP concentrations were measured by the latex agglutination nephelometry or turbidimetric method, and zinc concentrations were measured by the atomic absorption method. Relationships were assessed using multiple linear regression analysis. The geometric means of zinc in men and women were 73.83 and 71.93 ug/dL, respectively, and of CRP were 1.64 and 0.96 mg/L, respectively. Mean serum CRP concentration was significantly decreased with increasing serum zinc concentration across zinc tertiles (P for trend=0.010), with mean serum CRP concentration in the highest tertile of serum zinc concentration was 44.2 % lower than that in the lowest tertile. The mean serum CRP concentrations in men and women in the highest tertile of serum zinc concentrations were 30 and 35.9% lower, respectively, than that in the lowest tertile (P for trend=0.263 and 0.162, respectively). We found a significant inverse relation between log zinc and log CRP concentrations (beta for 1 unit change in log zinc; β=−1.79, p=0.0003). Serum zinc concentration may be inversely associated with serum CRP concentration in HIV-positive individuals
Recommended from our members
Assessment of Gambling and Co-occurring Mental and Behavioral Health Disorders: Implications for Public Health
No full textGambling is a very popular form of entertainment and socialization in the US and is generally considered a safe form of recreational activity. There is some evidence of associations between positive health outcomes, as well as poor behavioral and mental health conditions with gambling. However, the relationship between recreational gambling and risk health behaviors has been under researched and thus poorly understood. The 2011 Massachusetts Expanded Gaming Act provides the impetus to understand gambling related problems prior to the introduction of new gambling opportunities. The objectives of the study are twofold: (1) examine associations between recreational gambling and, behavioral and mental health disorders, (2) provide a description of health care services used and costs associated with pathological gambling and co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Study data was derived from the 2008 and 2013 Massachusetts Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) as well as the All Payers Claim Data from 2009 to 2013. This study finds significant associations between recreational gambling and co-occurring behavioral and mental health conditions which include nicotine use, alcohol abuse and poor mental health status. These findings persist with increasing risk when gambling is dissected by frequency which suggests that the overall assessment of gambling participation tends to obscure related health risks. Further, individuals with pathological gambling are important consumers of health care; they utilize a variety of use a variety of health care services and health care institutions. Approximately 491.0 (in 2013 dollars). Study findings provide critical baseline information on the risk factors of co-occurring conditions associated with recreational gambling as well as health care utilization patterns and costs associated with pathological gambling prior to gambling expansion in Massachusetts. These findings have significant public health implications for the need for increased surveillance of gambling related problems.Public HealthDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.
HIV symptom burden and anemia among HIV-positive individuals: cross-sectional results of a community-based positive living with HIV (POLH) study in Nepal.
No full textPrevious research has reported high rates of anemia in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in hospital or tertiary care settings. The objective of this community-based study was to measure the prevalence of anemia and describe the risk factors, with a specific emphasis on HIV symptom burden, in PLWHA in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 319 PLWHA residing in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. We recruited participants from five non-governmental organizations in the Kathmandu Valley. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used.Our study found a 55.8% prevalence of anemia in PLWHA in the Kathmandu Valley. The prevalence of anemia among the participants with first, second, third, and fourth quartiles of HIV symptom burden was 44.8%, 49.3%, 60.3%, and 69.6%, respectively. Compared to the participants with lowest level of HIV symptom burden, the participants with highest level of HIV symptom burden were more likely to have anemia (adjusted odds ratio = 2.14; 95% confidence interval = 1.07 to 4.30).Due to a high prevalence of anemia in a community-based sample of PLWHA, HIV patients should be counseled on their risk of developing anemia and encouraged to seek timely care for HIV symptoms
Recommended from our members
MULTI-LEVEL BARRIERS TO ART ADHERENCE AMONG HIV-INFECTED WOMEN IN RURAL ESWATINI: A MIXED METHODS APPROACH
No full textEswatini has the highest global prevalence of HIV despite universal access to free treatment. Lack of compliance continues to be a significant challenge for HIV care and management programs throughout the country. Studies investigating barriers to antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, particularly in women, who are the most vulnerable to HIV infections, are limited. The disproportionate impact of HIV on women can be attributed to multiple risk factors at the individual, household, and community/structural levels. Women living in rural settings are particularly at risk as a result of socio-cultural and environmental vulnerabilities such as oppressive traditional practices, intimate partner violence, and limited access to financial resources. We employed a mixed methods exploratory sequential design to investigate barriers associated with ART adherence among HIV-infected women living in rural Eswatini. The qualitative phase of the study included four focus group discussions (FGDs n=41) with HIV-infected rural women, and in-depth interviews of healthcare workers (n=8). Data analysis used open and axial coding techniques, with interpretation following the social ecological model. The quantitative phase involved in-person survey interviews of HIV-infected women (n=166) and logistic regression models were used to examine the extent to which critical barriers affected ART adherence. Intrapersonal barriers to ART adherence include: hunger, side effects of ART, personal stress, stigma, and forgetfulness. Lack of food, lack of disclosure of HIV status, and limited and financial resources were identified as critical barriers at the household level. Community/ institutional barriers included: lack of privacy, travel time, transportation costs, excessive alcohol use, maltreatment, gossip, and long waits at clinics. Of twenty barriers identified from the qualitative phase, nine (hunger, hunger-related medication side effects, feelings of stress, forgetfulness, mode of transport, age, gossip, maltreatment by clinic staff, and community support) were significantly associated with ART adherence. Numerous factors across multiple levels interact and influence ART adherence. Collectively, our findings pinpoint priority areas to target for development, testing, and evaluation of future interventions aimed at increasing HIV medication adherence among one of the most vulnerable segments of Eswatini’s population, HIV-infected women in rural communities.Public HealthDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.
- …
