Study Background. The Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) is an NHLBI-funded observational study of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in adults 65 years or older conducted across four field centers. The original predominantly Caucasian cohort of 5201 persons was recruited in 1989-1990 from random samples of the Medicare eligibility lists and an additional 687 African- Americ ans were enrolled subsequently for a total sample of 5888. Starting in 1989, and continuing through 1999, participants underwent annual extensive clinical examinations. Follow-up for events remains ongoing through the present. The CHS methods paper is published (Xxx Xxxxxxxxx 1991; 1: 263- 76).
Study Background. The Framingham Heart Study began in 1948 under the direction of the National Heart Institute (now known as the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute). The objective of the Framingham Heart Study was to identify the common factors or characteristics that contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD) by following its development over a long period of time in a large group of participants who had not yet developed overt symptoms or CVD or suffered a heart attack or stroke. Researchers recruited 5,209 men and women between the ages of 30 and 62 from the town of Framingham, Massachusetts and began the first round of extensive physical examinations and lifestyle interviews that they would later analyze for common patterns related to CVD development. Since 1948, the study participants have continued to return to the study every two years for a detailed medical history, physical examination and laboratory tests. In 1971, the study enrolled a second generation – 5,124 of the original participants’ adult children and their spouses – to participate in similar examinations. In April, 2002 the study began enrollment of a third generation of participants, the grandchildren of the original cohort. Periodic exams have continued on all three generations since each started. The FHS is a joint project of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and Boston University.
Study Background. (Prepared by PCI) Peru Copper began an intensive drilling program in late 2003, and with the assistance of outside consultants began studies in the areas of geology, metallurgy, water resources, tailings dam, resource definition and mine planning, pit slope design, community relations, and environmental. As the studies progressed, the Company made the decision to conduct a pre-feasibility study to incorporate all of the study results into one comprehensive document, and to hire an engineering company to develop capital and operating cost estimates for the processing plant and infrastructure. Cost estimates by others for the mine and tailings dam, and leaching, SX-EW are also incorporated into the study.
Study Background. The stakeholders of the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and the San Xxxx River Endangered Fish Recovery Program have been collecting large quantities of data on stocked and wild endangered fishes. These data are stored in separate datasets at individual program offices. Currently, fish are crossing between basins and it is difficult to identify individual fish and capture histories. The sharing of data between stakeholders is not streamlined and the current system impedes thorough data analysis. Furthermore, there is a need for an efficient way to collate data from the increasing number of Passive Interrogation Arrays. A web-based master database is needed to improve efficiency of data entry and retrieval, and to prevent duplication of records and efforts between stakeholders. The master database will standardize content and provide convenient, easy access to all available data. This will benefit the stakeholders and all involved by streamlining data.
Study Background. The data for this analysis comes from the Infant Nutrition, Immunology, and Diarrhea (or, Nutrición, Inmunología y Diarrea Infantil [NIDI]) study conducted in El Alto, Bolivia from June 2013 through March 2015 (61, 62). The primary aim of the NIDI study was to assess the role of chronic undernutrition in the immunogenic response to RV1 in infants. Bolivia was selected as the study setting in part for its high prevalence of undernutrition and high incidence of diarrheal disease (63). Bolivia also has an established rotavirus vaccine program and has offered RV1 vaccines free-of-charge since 2008 (55). Two hospitals, Los Andes and Corea, were selected for recruitment in the mostly indigenous city of El Alto, named for its high elevation of over 4,000m (64). Additionally, a partner laboratory at the University Mayor de San Xxxxxx (UMSA) was available in the neighboring city of La Paz. Detailed descriptions of participant recruitment and data collection have been published previously (61, 62). Briefly, 461 infants and their mothers were recruited during well-child or vaccination visits, prior to the first dose of RV1. Infants were excluded from enrolment if they had acute illness, known HIV exposure, or congenital malformations. Infant-mother pairs were followed for a target of at least 12 months, with 7 scheduled hospital-based visits throughout the study period, and a home visit 4-7 days after the first dose of RV1 (Figure 1). Infant blood samples were collected at Visit 2 (immediately prior to the first dose of RV1; around 2 months of age) and again at Visit 6 (approximately two months after the second dose of RV1; around 6 months of age). Infant vaccination cards were presented by mothers at each study visit, and data were recorded by study staff. Morbidity and clinical data were recorded at each visit, and sociodemographic data were collected at Visits 1 and 8. At the time of data collection, all information was recorded on paper records. Data were later computerized through double-data entry in REDcap. Biologically implausible points and discrepancies were rechecked against the paper records, and corrected or set to missing. Laboratory data were double-entered and reconciled in Microsoft Excel. Trained hospital phlebotomists drew blood using sterile and disposable Safety- Lok™ 23-gauge winged needles and trace-metal-free EDTA Vacutainers® (BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ). Study staff isolated blood plasma per Vacutainer® instructions. The supernatant was stored i...
Study Background. 1.1. Xxxx Xxxx was traditionally an important industrial base in Hong Kong. As time evolves, Kowloon East is transforming into an attractive core business district (CBD) with commercial buildings, shopping malls and hotels gradually taking roots in this area. Together with the adjacent Kowloon Bay Business Area and the Kai Tak Development Area, the Xxxx Xxxx Business Area (KTBA) would become a future economic, commerce, tourism and leisure hub in Kowloon East.
1.2. The road design in KTBA was based on the standards for an industrial area where pedestrian pavements were relatively narrow with loading/unloading areas along the roads. Given that the pedestrian and traffic flows have been ever increasing, these facilities are no longer able to meet and cater for the needs of KTBA under transformation. This would also restrict the future development of this area. The key issues of KTBA include: Pedestrian Environment： • Congested Pedestrian Pavements • Common Pedestrian and Vehicular Conflicts • Underutilized Back Alleys • Demand for Open Space and Greening Road Conditions： • Local Traffic Congestion • Frequent Kerbside Activities • Illegal Parking Problem • Road Network Not Coping with the Need of Transformation
1.3. We understand the public have strong aspirations for improving the pedestrian environment and traffic conditions in KTBA. In this connection, the Energizing Kowloon East Office (EKEO) of the Development Bureau commissioned the Pedestrian Environment Improvement Scheme for Transformation of KTBA Feasibility Study (this Study). The objectives of this Study are to review and assess the pedestrian environment and traffic conditions of KTBA and to formulate feasible improvement schemes and proposals, in order to improve the pedestrian connections and traffic network as well as to strengthen the accessibility from the MTR Xxxx Xxxx and Ngau Tau Kok Stations to KTBA and towards the waterfront. The overall vision is:
1.4. We would proactively seek opportunities to improve the pedestrian facilities, promote greening, beautify the landscape and streetscape, add facilities including at-grade pedestrian crossings, footbridges and subways, etc. to strengthen the connection to various spots with the aim to improve the overall pedestrian environment in KTBA. We would also explore the existing traffic issues in KTBA in order to formulate appropriate improvement proposals.
Study Background. 1A number of studies have looked into the labour market integration issues of refugees and have shown that they may be highly motivated than other non-economic migrants; but they integrate slow, are more difficult to employ, have more difficulties to organize self-employment and hence suffer also from lower earnings. This results mainly from insufficient education and low host country language proficiency. 2While integration can prove challenging, it can also be seen as an opportunity for the EU. From an economic point of view, migration flows are observed to contribute to the labour market of their host society through: filling gaps in low and high-skilled occupations; addressing labour market imbalances; contributing more in taxes or benefits than they receive; spurring innovation, and, thereby, economic growth. • 3Language training should not hold a person back from finding work and participate in society. Language training should be tailored to the personal situation, skills and qualifications of the individual refugee and combined with work practice. • For ‘work-ready’ individuals, flexible on-the-job/combined language training would ideally be available to make ‘work first’ pathways a true and sustainable alternative for refugees. • Creating labor market ‘fast-tracks’ for work-ready or highly skilled asylum seekers and refugees is valuable. This requires close collaboration with employers and the education sector to define ‘work- readiness’, in order to recognise qualifications and provide adequate job opportunities, or to adapt on-the-job training schemes. • Educational systems and social partners are essential to determine if skills and qualifications through education employment. Cultural differences, staff capacities and competences need to be considered in all approaches to assess skills and qualifications. 1xxxxx://xxx.xxx.xx/Documents/RSCAS/Research/ArchivesInstitutionsGovernanceDemocracy/20181205-Keynote- 3 xxxxx://xx.xxxxxx.xx/social/BlobServlet?docId=20661&langId=en
Study Background. The JHS is a large, community-based, observational study whose participants were recruited from urban and rural areas of the three counties (Xxxxx, Madison and Xxxxxx) that make up the Jackson, Mississippi metropolitan statistical area (MSA). Participants were enrolled from each of 4 recruitment pools: random, 17%; volunteer, 30%; currently enrolled in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (XXXX) Study, 31%; and secondary family members, 22%. Recruitment was limited to non-institutionalized adult African Americans 35-84 years old, except in the family cohort where those 21 to 34 years of age were eligible. The final cohort of 5,301 participants includes 6.59% of all African American Xxxxxxx MSA residents aged 35-84 (N-76,426, US Census 2000). Major components of each exam include medical history, physical examination, blood/urine analytes and interview questions on areas such as: physical activity; stress, coping and spirituality; racism and discrimination; socioeconomic position; and access to health care. At 12-month intervals after the baseline clinic visit (Exam 1), participants are contacted by telephone to: update information; confirm vital statistics; document interim medical events, hospitalizations, and functional status; and obtain additional sociocultural information. Questions about medical events, symptoms of cardiovascular disease and functional status are repeated annually. Ongoing cohort surveillance includes abstraction of medical records and death certificates for relevant International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes and adjudication of nonfatal events and deaths.
Study Background. The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study is a study examining the development and determinants of clinical and subclinical cardiovascular disease and its risk factors. It began in 1985-6 with a group of 5115 black and white men and women aged 18-30 years. The participants were selected so that there would be approximately the same number of people in subgroups of race, gender, education (high school or less and more than high school) and age (18-24 and 25-30) in each of 4 centers: Birmingham, AL; Chicago, IL; Minneapolis, MN; and Oakland, CA. These same participants were asked to participate in follow-up examinations during 1987-1988 (Year 2), 1990-1991 (Year 5), 1992-1993 (Year 7), 1995-1996 (Year 10), 2000-2001 (Year 15), and 2005-2006 (Year 20). A majority of the group has been examined at each of the follow-up examinations (90%, 86%, 81%, 79%, 74%, and 72%, respectively). While the specific aims of each examination have varied, data have been collected on a variety of factors believed to be related to heart disease. These include conditions with clear links to heart disease such as blood pressure, cholesterol and other lipids, and glucose. Data have also been collected on physical measurements such as weight and skinfold fat as well as lifestyle factors such as substance use (tobacco and alcohol), dietary and exercise patterns, behavioral and psychological variables, medical and family history, and other chemistries (e.g., insulin). In addition, subclinical atherosclerosis was measured via echocardiography during Years 5 and 10, computed tomography during Years 15 and 20, and carotid ultrasound during Year 20.
Study Background of this thesis presented the findings from a comprehensive systematic review and meta- analysis conducted to explore if there was an association between a range of mental and physical health and lifestyle-related risk factors and MCI or dementia in ageing military veterans (see Appendix A for the PROSPERO registration). This chapter provided a premise for the epidemiological analysis conducted in subsequent chapters of this thesis.
