In our article “Database Reconstruction Is Not So Easy and Is Different from Reidentification”, we show that reconstruction can be averted by properly using traditional statistical disclosure control ...(SDC) techniques, also sometimes called legacy statistical disclosure limitation (SDL) techniques. Furthermore, we also point out that, even if reconstruction can be performed, it does not imply reidentification. Hence, the risk of reconstruction does not seem to warrant replacing traditional SDC techniques with differential privacy (DP) based protection. In “Legacy Statistical Disclosure Limitation Techniques Were Not an Option for the 2020 US Census of Population and Housing”, by Simson Garfinkel, the author insists that the 2020 Census move to DP was justified. In our view, this latter article contains some misconceptions that we identify and discuss in some detail below. Consequently, we stand by the arguments given in “Database Reconstruction Is Not So Easy:: :”.
Abstract Background The chilla or grey fox ( Lycalopex griseus ) is a native species from continental Chile and neighboring areas of Argentina. It was introduced to Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego in ...1951 and began to increase its abundance, to the chagrin of local sheep ranchers. Since 1998, its hunting has been authorized. Here we update information on the density, abundance, and activity of this fox in the Chilean sector of Tierra del Fuego Island, to evaluate its population trend since the last census conducted by the Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG) in 2007. Methods and results We carried out two fox censuses on a 941-km transect on public roads, divided into eight routes, from October to November (spring) of 2021 and 2022, following the same design used by SAG for the fox assessments carried out from 1999 to 2007. We report a reduction of > 50% in the density and abundance of chilla foxes with respect to the 2007 estimate, which could be attributed to the interference by free-ranging dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris ), through restricting the use of space by the fox, while transmitting diseases and parasites, and to human hunting pressure and vehicle collisions. Discussion The chilla fox decline highlights the need for an in-depth study to determine the ecological and socioeconomic impact of this exotic species on the ecosystems of Tierra del Fuego Island and the desirability of its management, if needed.
Cigarette smoking significantly contributes to preventable illness, death, and economic costs. Despite overall reduction in national smoking rates, disparities persist between demographic groups and ...geographic regions. While some studies have explored urban–rural differences in smoking prevalence, gaps exist in understanding localized patterns. This study focuses on examining smoking rates and related factors at the census tract level in McLennan County, Texas, a county that contains a mixture of urban, peri-urban, and rural areas. This study uses census tract level aggregate sociodemographic, smoking, and health-related data from the American Community Survey and the PLACES Project City Health Dashboard. Geospatial analyses mapped co-occurrence of high prevalence of smoking, mental and physical distress, and co-occurrence of lower routine medical check-ups, household income, and education. Multiple linear regression modeled associations between smoking and sociodemographic, and health-related factors. Geospatial analyses identified census tracts with co-occurring high prevalence of smoking, mental and physical distress, and co-occurrence of lower routine medical check-ups, household income, and education level in McLennan County. Regression analyses identified that smoking rates were positively correlated with frequent physical distress (
p
< 0.0001) and negatively correlated with the proportion of routine medical check-ups (
p
< 0.0001) and the proportion living in poverty (
p
= 0.0002). This study found significant variations in smoking rates, physical and mental distress, medical check-ups, and sociodemographic factors between neighboring census tracts which geospatial analyses examining larger geographic units may have overlooked. Future research should focus on obtaining individual-level and community-level data to develop more targeted interventions sensitive to specific community contexts.
Aim The aim of this study was the evaluation of Tuberculosis (TB) surveillance system in Southern Iran. Background TB is one of the most important infectious diseases that has been common since ...ancient times. Methods This is a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study that was conducted by the census method using the TB Surveillance System on 77 patients with tuberculosis in the southern region of Kerman province in Iran. The study was conducted over one year, from April 2020 to March 2021. Statistical tests were used by SPSS version 20 to analyze the data. Results 90.62% of the patients were cured and the rest experienced treatment failure and absenteeism. The average and standard deviation of the interval between the onset of the first symptom and the diagnosis and discovery of the disease were 88 and 93 days, respectively. Regarding the treatment duration, 95.5% of the cases followed the prescribed duration while the remaining cases did not. Among the affected patients, 34.8% had a history of hospitalization, while the rest had no such history. The average hospitalization duration was 12.92 days, with a standard deviation of 9.94 days. The longest hospital stay was 60 days, while the shortest was 2 days. Conclusion We need to have a suitable program for early diagnosis of TB, compliance with the length of treatment, and training of private and public centers to strengthen the care system. Additionally, we should strengthen the process of the directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) program to control TB.
Cancer Statistics, 2008 Jemal, Ahmedin; Siegel, Rebecca; Ward, Elizabeth ...
CA: a cancer journal for clinicians,
March/April 2008, Letnik:
58, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Each year, the American Cancer Society estimates the number of new cancer cases and deaths expected in the United States in the current year and compiles the most recent data on cancer incidence, ...mortality, and survival based on incidence data from the National Cancer Institute, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries and mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics. Incidence and death rates are age‐standardized to the 2000 US standard million population. A total of 1,437,180 new cancer cases and 565,650 deaths from cancer are projected to occur in the United States in 2008. Notable trends in cancer incidence and mortality include stabilization of incidence rates for all cancer sites combined in men from 1995 through 2004 and in women from 1999 through 2004 and a continued decrease in the cancer death rate since 1990 in men and since 1991 in women. Overall cancer death rates in 2004 compared with 1990 in men and 1991 in women decreased by 18.4% and 10.5%, respectively, resulting in the avoidance of over a half million deaths from cancer during this time interval. This report also examines cancer incidence, mortality, and survival by site, sex, race/ethnicity, education, geographic area, and calendar year, as well as the proportionate contribution of selected sites to the overall trends. Although much progress has been made in reducing mortality rates, stabilizing incidence rates, and improving survival, cancer still accounts for more deaths than heart disease in persons under age 85 years. Further progress can be accelerated by supporting new discoveries and by applying existing cancer control knowledge across all segments of the population.
Agriculture is one the main drivers of bird decline in both Europe and North America. While it is clear that agricultural practices and changes in the rural landscape directly and indirectly affect ...bird communities, we still do not know the extent to which these impacts might change across broad spatial and temporal scales. To address this question, we combined information on agricultural activities with occurrence and abundance of 358 bird species across five time periods spanning 20 years in Canada. As a proxy for agricultural impact, we used a combined index that included different agricultural metrics, such as cropland and tillage area and area treated with pesticides. We found that agriculture impact was negatively associated with bird diversity and evenness across all 20 years studied, but these associations seemed to vary by region. We found good support for an overall negative association between agriculture impact and bird diversity and evenness in the Eastern and Atlantic regions but weaker associations in the Prairies and Pacific. These findings suggest that agricultural activities result in bird communities that are less diverse and disproportionately benefit certain species. The spatial variation in the impact of agriculture on bird diversity and evenness we observed is likely a result of regional differences in the native vegetation, the type of crops and commodities produced, the historical context of agriculture, as well as the native bird community and the extent of their association with open habitat. Thus, our work provides support for the idea that the on-going agricultural impact on bird communities, while largely negative, is not uniform, and can vary across broad geographic regions.
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•Agricultural practices and landscape negatively impact bird communities in Canada.•Agricultural activities result in bird communities that are less diverse.•The strength of the agriculture impact varies by geographic region.•Agriculture had a similar association with bird communities over a 20-year period.
People with diabetes can suffer from diverse complications that seriously erode quality of life. Diabetes, costing the United States more than $174 billion per year in 2007, is expected to take an ...increasingly large financial toll in subsequent years. Accurate projections of diabetes burden are essential to policymakers planning for future health care needs and costs.
Using data on prediabetes and diabetes prevalence in the United States, forecasted incidence, and current US Census projections of mortality and migration, the authors constructed a series of dynamic models employing systems of difference equations to project the future burden of diabetes among US adults. A three-state model partitions the US population into no diabetes, undiagnosed diabetes, and diagnosed diabetes. A four-state model divides the state of "no diabetes" into high-risk (prediabetes) and low-risk (normal glucose) states. A five-state model incorporates an intervention designed to prevent or delay diabetes in adults at high risk.
The authors project that annual diagnosed diabetes incidence (new cases) will increase from about 8 cases per 1,000 in 2008 to about 15 in 2050. Assuming low incidence and relatively high diabetes mortality, total diabetes prevalence (diagnosed and undiagnosed cases) is projected to increase from 14% in 2010 to 21% of the US adult population by 2050. However, if recent increases in diabetes incidence continue and diabetes mortality is relatively low, prevalence will increase to 33% by 2050. A middle-ground scenario projects a prevalence of 25% to 28% by 2050. Intervention can reduce, but not eliminate, increases in diabetes prevalence.
These projected increases are largely attributable to the aging of the US population, increasing numbers of members of higher-risk minority groups in the population, and people with diabetes living longer. Effective strategies will need to be undertaken to moderate the impact of these factors on national diabetes burden. Our analysis suggests that widespread implementation of reasonably effective preventive interventions focused on high-risk subgroups of the population can considerably reduce, but not eliminate, future increases in diabetes prevalence.
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