Non-linear models for black carbon exposure modelling using air pollution datasets.

Black carbon (BC) is a product of incomplete combustion, present in urban aerosols and sourcing mainly from road traffic. Epidemiological evidence reports positive associations between BC and cardiovascular and respiratory disease. Despite this, BC is currently not regulated by the EU Air Quality Directive, and as a result BC data are not available in urban areas from reference air quality monitoring networks in many countries. To fill this gap, a machine learning approach is proposed to develop a BC proxy using air pollution datasets as an input. The proposed BC proxy is based on two machine learning models, support vector regression (SVR) and random forest (RF), using observations of particle mass and number concentrations (N), gaseous pollutants and meteorological variables as the input. Experimental data were collected from a reference station in Barcelona (Spain) over a 2-year period (2018-2019). Two months of additional data were available from a second urban site in Barcelona, for model validation. BC concentrations estimated by SVR showed a high degree of correlation with the measured BC concentrations (R2 = 0.828) with a relatively low error (RMSE = 0.48 µg/m3). Model performance was dependent on seasonality and time of the day, due to the influence of new particle formation events. When validated at the second station, performance indicators decreased (R2 = 0.633; RMSE = 1.19 µg/m3) due to the lack of N data and PM2.5 and the smaller size of the dataset (2 months). New particle formation events critically impacted model performance, suggesting that its application would be optimal in environments where traffic is the main source of ultrafine particles. Due to its flexibility, it is concluded that the model can act as a BC proxy, even based on EU-regulatory air quality parameters only, to complement experimental measurements for exposure assessment in urban areas.

[Structure and metric properties of a questionnaire to measure disability in mobility activities in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (DIAMO-COPD questionnaire)]. / Estructura y propiedades métricas de un cuestionario para medir discapacidad en las actividades de movilidad en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (cuestionario DIAMO-EPOC).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to adapt a disability questionnaire in mobility activities (DIAMO-EPOC) incorporating scales based on the conceptual framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, and to examine its structure, reliability and validity in a cohort of patients with COPD. METHODS: A total of 137 patients with stable COPD were recruited. Two scales of 4 items each were designed and their structure was verified by exploratory factor analysis and multitrait scaling analysis. Additionally, reliability indices (internal consistency and test-retest) were calculated. Construct validity was analysed by known groups and convergence-divergence. RESULTS: The questionnaire had 2 scales, with 4 items each, corresponding to the domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health "change and maintain the position of the body" and "walk and move". The reliability and internal consistency of the scales were acceptable and the test-retest was excellent with an ICC of 0.86 and 0.94, respectively. The scales showed a moderate association with dyspnoea, health status and muscle strength and a different score among participants with different physical performance in the Short Physical Performance Battery. CONCLUSIONS: The 2 scales of the DIAMO-EPOC questionnaire are one-dimensional and have a solid internal consistency, test-retest stability and validity, allowing the identification of specific areas of limited mobility in patients with COPD.

Testing the performance of sensors for ozone pollution monitoring in a citizen science approach.

Tropospheric ozone (O3) is an environmental pollutant of growing concern, especially in suburban and rural areas where the density of air quality monitoring stations is not high. In this type of areas citizen science strategies can be useful tools for awareness raising, but sensor technologies must be validated before sensor data are communicated to the public. In this work, the performance under field conditions of two custom-made types of ozone sensing devices, based on metal-oxide and electrochemical sensors, was tested. A large array of 132 metal-oxide (Sensortech MICS 2614) and 11 electrochemical (Alphasense) ozone sensors, built into 44 sensing devices, was co-located at reference stations in Italy (4 stations) and Spain (5). Mean R2 between sensor and reference data was 0.88 (0.78-0.96) and 0.89 (0.73-0.96) for Captor (metal-oxide) and Raptor (electrochemical) nodes. The metal-oxide sensors showed an upper limit (approximately 170 µg/m3) implying that these sensors may be useful to communicate mean ozone concentrations but not peak episodes. The uncertainty of the nodes was 10% between 100 and 150 µg/m3 and 20% between 150 and 200 µg/m3, for Captors, and 10% for >100 µg/m3 for Raptors. Operating both types of nodes up to 5 months did not evidence any clear influence of drifts. The use of these sensors in citizen science can be a useful tool for awareness raising. However, significant data processing efforts are required to ensure high data quality, and thus machine learning strategies are advisable. Relative uncertainties should always be reported when communicating ozone concentration data from sensing nodes.

Valoración de aspectos objetivos y subjetivos en las percepciones de la calidad de los pacientes con cervicalgia mecánica que han recibido fisioterapia en centros de atención primaria / Evaluation of objective and subjective aspects in the perception of quality among patients receiving physiotherapy for mechanical neck pain in primary care centers

ObjetivoValorar la influencia de aspectos objetivos y subjetivos en las percepciones de calidad de los pacientes con cervicalgia mecánica que han recibido fisioterapia en centros de atención primaria.Material y métodosUn estudio mixto (cuali-cuantitativo) fue llevado a cabo en dos fases. En una primera fase, se realizó un estudio cualitativo usando la técnica de grupo focal y se diseñó un cuestionario con 24 ítems. En una segunda fase, se entregó el cuestionario en mano a los pacientes. El método de reclutamiento fue de conveniencia. Se entregó un total de 176 cuestionarios y el número total de participantes que respondieron al cuestionario fue 142. Un análisis factorial con varimax fue aplicado para analizar el porcentaje de explicación de cada aspecto objetivo y subjetivo.ResultadosLa tasa de respuesta ha sido del 80,7%. El análisis factorial ha proporcionado 6 factores o componentes que explican la influencia objetiva y subjetiva de ciertos aspectos en las percepciones de calidad de los pacientes. Dos factores han sido claramente subjetivos, 3 factores han sido objetivos y subjetivos y 1 solo claramente objetivo. Estos aspectos han sido relacionados con la estructura y las instalaciones, con la organización y con la comunicación e información.ConclusionesLos aspectos subjetivos no pueden ser excluidos de las percepciones de los pacientes. Algunas de las medidas objetivas y subjetivas son independientes mientras que otras medidas están implicadas entre sí. Los fisioterapeutas deben considerar tanto aspectos objetivos como subjetivos cuando se tienen en cuenta las percepciones de los pacientes de la calidad del tratamiento que reciben(AU)

ObjectiveTo evaluate the influence of subjective and objective aspects on the perception of quality among patients with mechanical neck pain receiving physical therapy in primary care centers.Material and methodsA mixed study (qualitative and quantitative) was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, a qualitative study was performed using focus group techniques and a 24-item questionnaire was designed. In the second phase, the questionnaire was given to patients. Convenience recruitment was used. Of the 176 questionnaires provided, 142 were completed. To analyze the percentage of explanation for each objective and subjective aspect, a factorial analysis with varimax was applied.ResultsThe response rate was 80.7%. The factorial analysis provided six factors or components that explained the objective or subjective influence of certain aspects on patients¿ perceptions of quality. Of these six components, two included clearly subjective aspects, three included objective and subjective aspects and only one was clearly objective. These aspects were related to structure and installations, organization and communication and information.ConclusionsSubjective features cannot be excluded from patients¿ perceptions. Some objective and subjective measures are independent while others are interrelated. Physiotherapists should bear both objective and subjective aspects in mind when considering patients¿ perceptions of the quality of the treatment received (AU)

Validez y fiabilidad del informe del usuario sobre agentes físicos y modalidades de terapia manual en pacientes con cervicalgia mecánica que han recibido tratamiento fisioterápico en unidades de atención primaria / Validity and reliability of the patient report on physical agents and modalities of manual therapy in patients with mechanical neck pain who received physical therapy in primary care units

Objetivos Estudiar la validez y fiabilidad de la información proporcionada por los pacientes de fisioterapia de atención primaria comparándola con la información de los registros clínicos de fisioterapia, respecto a la aplicación de agentes físicos y modalidades de terapia manual para el tratamiento de la cervicalgia mecánica.Material y métodosSe construyó un cuestionario que fue pilotado en 5 unidades de fisioterapia en diferentes centros de atención primaria. El método de reclutamiento de los pacientes fue de conveniencia reclutando a todos los pacientes potenciales que acudieron a los respectivos centros de atención primaria. A un total de 176 pacientes con cervicalgia mecánica subaguda o crónica se les entregó un cuestionario o autoinforme, que estaba compuesto por 9 ítems sobre agentes físicos y modalidades de terapia manual. Un total de 142 pacientes participaron (80,7% de los sujetos seleccionados). Comparamos los autoinformes de los pacientes con los datos de los registros de fisioterapia, usando la sensibilidad, la especificidad, el índice kappa y la concordancia.ResultadosGeneralmente, la sensibilidad y la especificidad han sido bajas (< 75%) para terapia manual y altas (> 75%) para agentes físicos. El índice Kappa ha sido aceptable (> 0,4) en algunos ítems, concretamente en los ítems relacionados con microondas, onda corta, tracción, ultrasonidos y TENS.ConclusionesUn autoinforme del paciente sobre el tratamiento de la cervicalgia mecánica puede ser válido para agentes físicos y masaje, pero no es válido para estiramientos cervicales y movilización cervical(AU)

Objectives Study the validity and reliability of the information provided by patients of primary care physiotherapy compared with information from records of physical therapy on the application of physical agents and modalities of manual therapy for the treatment of mechanical neck pain.Material and methodsWe constructed a questionnaire that was piloted in five physiotherapy units in different primary care centers. The method of patient recruitment was convenience recruiting potential patients attending the respective primary care. A total of 176 patients with subacute or chronic mechanical neck pain were given a questionnaire or self-report, which was composed of 9 items on physical agents and modalities of manual therapy. A total of 142 patients participated (80.7% of subjects selected.) We compared self-reported data for patients with records of physical therapy, using the sensitivity and specificity levels, Kappa index and concordance.ResultsGenerally, the sensitivity and specificity was low (< 75%) for manual therapy and high (> 75%) for physical agents. The Kappa index was acceptable (> 0,4) in some items, specifically items related to microwave, shortwave, traction, ultrasound and TENS.ConclusionsA patient self-report on the treatment of mechanical neck pain may be valid for physical agents and massage, but is not valid for cervical stretching and mobilization(AU)

Fiabilidad y validez del informe del usuario como instrumento de medida / Reliability and validity of the self-report as a measuring instrument

Objetivo Revisar la evidencia científica publicada sobre la fiabilidad y validez del informe del usuario en el ámbito sanitario.Estrategia de búsqueda Búsqueda en la base de datos Pubmed (1 enero de 1996–1 enero de 2007). Selección de estudios y datos Todos los artículos identificados se revisaron primero por el título y por el resumen utilizando los criterios de elegibilidad.Síntesis de resultados y conclusionesSe encuentra evidencia sobre la fiabilidad y validez del informe del usuario como fuente de información útil y válida sobre aspectos de carácter técnico relativos al diagnóstico de algunas enfermedades generalmente crónicas, a la realización de algunos procedimientos de screening de cáncer, y a la aplicación de algunas modalidades terapéuticas para el tratamiento del cáncer de mama. No se ha encontrado ningún estudio sobre el informe del usuario que sea fiable y válido para poder evaluar la calidad de la atención en fisioterapia (AU)

Objective To review the scientific evidence published on the reliability and validity of the self-report in health care.Research strategyThe search was performed in the Pubmed database (1 January 1996–1 January 2007).Studies and data selectionAll articles identified were reviewed first by the title and by the abstract using the eligibility criteria.Results and conclusionsThere is evidence of the reliability and validity of the self-report as a source of useful, valid information on technical aspects related to the diagnosis of some generally chronic diseases, the performance of some cancer screening procedures and the application of some therapeutic modalities for breast cancer treatment. No studies on self-report were found to be reliable and valid for assessing the quality of care in physiotherapy (AU)

[Infectious disease and sociodemographic characteristics of foreign immigrants in the Central Penitentiary for Men in Barcelona]. / Enfermedades infecciosas y características sociodemográficas de los inmigrantes extranjeros del Centro penitenciario de Hombres de Barcelona.

BACKGROUND: Immigration from socioeconomically under-developed countries is relatively recent in our country. Analyzing the impact of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis among these populations is of particular interest with regard to public health. METHODS: Case study and tests conducted at the Male Prison Facility in Barcelona from January 1, 1996 to September 30, 1996, the cases being the foreign immigrants from socioeconomically underdeveloped countries, and the checks of the native prisoners paired by age (+/- 5 years). A description is provided of the epidemiological and sociodemographic characteristics of the immigrants, and a comparison is drawn between the two populations. RESULTS: 450 prisoners, 300 native and 150 immigrants. Sixty-three percent (63%) of the immigrants were from the Maghreb, 72% being in this country illegally, 55% having resided in our country for over 5 years and 53% not living with any family members. The immigrants used less injected drugs that the native prisoners (OR: 0.2; IC95% 0.09-0.41), had less HIV infection (OR: 0.2; IC95% 0.05-0.49) and lived to a lesser extent with family (OR: 0.2; IC95% 1.011-0.36). No differences were found to exist with regard to infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis nor tubercular disease. The legal immigrants were older (OR: 1.07; IC95% 1.01-1.13) lived to a greater extent with family (OR: 2.7; IC95% 1.23-5.80) and drank more alcohol (OR: 1.7; IC95% 1.07-2.59) than the illegal residents. CONCLUSIONS: The native prisoners had HIV to a greater extent than the immigrants, the use of injected drugs, more common among the natives, bearing an influence on this aspect. As regards the immigrants, the high degree of illegal residence and the absence of a stable core family comprise indicators of a situation of being socially disadvantaged.