Social determinants of spatial inequalities in COVID-19 outcomes across England: A multiscale geographically weighted regression analysis

A variety of factors are associated with greater COVID-19 morbidity or mortality, due to how these factors influence exposure to (in the case of morbidity) or severity of (in the case of mortality) COVID-19 infections. We use multiscale geographically weighted regression to study spatial variation in the factors associated with COVID-19 morbidity and mortality rates at the local authority level across England (UK). We investigate the period between March 2020 and March 2021, prior to the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination program. We consider a variety of factors including demographic (e.g. age, gender, and ethnicity), health (e.g. rates of smoking, obesity, and diabetes), social (e.g. Index of Multiple Deprivation), and economic (e.g. the Gini coefficient and economic complexity index) factors that have previously been found to impact COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. The Index of Multiple Deprivation has a significant impact on COVID-19 cases and deaths in all local authorities, although the effect is the strongest in the south of England. Higher proportions of ethnic minorities are associated with higher levels of COVID-19 mortality, with the strongest effect being found in the west of England. There is again a similar pattern in terms of cases, but strongest in the north of the country. Other factors including age and gender are also found to have significant effects on COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, with differential spatial effects across the country. The results provide insights into how national and local policymakers can take account of localized factors to address spatial health inequalities and address future infectious disease pandemics.

Impact of aryloxy initiators on the living and immortal polymerization of lactide

This report describes two different methodologies for the synthesis of aryl end-functionalized poly(lactide)s (PLAs) catalyzed by indium complexes.

Star-shaped PHB–PLA block copolymers: immortal polymerization with dinuclear indium catalysts

The first example of a one-component precursor to star-shaped polyesters, and its utilization in the synthesis of previously unknown star-shaped poly(hydroxybutyrate)–poly(lactic acid) block copolymers, is reported.

The influence of low-intensity laser therapy on bone healing

OBJECTIVE

Low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) is defined to supply direct biostimulative light energy to the cells. While several studies have demonstrated that LILT has stimulating effects on bone cells and can accelerate the repair process of the bone, others reported delayed fracture healing or no effects after LILT. The aim of this article was to review the studies evaluating the biomodulation effects of LILT on bone-derived stem cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To access relevant articles, searching in three electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct was conducted until April 2012. The key words used were low-level laser, low-intensity laser, low-power laser therapy, stem cell, bone marrow stem cell, bone and osteoblast. The articles that met the eligibility criteria were included in this review of literature.

RESULTS

Twenty-five relevant articles (13 in vitro and 12 animal studies) were included. Eleven in vitro studies showed positive results with regard to acceleration of cell proliferation and differentiation. All animal studies showed improved bone healing in sites irradiated with low-intensity laser.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of the reviewed articles, low intensity laser therapy can accelerate bone healing in extraction sites, bone fracture defects and distraction osteogenesis, provided proper parameters were applied.

New trends in image data compression

This paper gives an overview of a number of advanced techniques for image compression, which are under investigation in the Signal Processing Laboratory at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology of Lausanne. Various applications ranging from High definition television (HDTV) to multimedia will be discussed. In particular, systems based on subband decomposition, edge based representation, as well as symmetries will be presented.