Background: The goal of this study was to improve upon methodological limitations of previous studies to determine the existence and source of differences in the cardiac care of individuals with a history of depression or schizophrenia. The selected outcomes were three cardiac procedures: catheterization, percutaneous transluminal coronary angiography (PTCA), and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG); and three cardiac pharmaceuticals: beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and statins. Methods: This population-based retrospective cohort study consisted of 309, 790 individuals diagnosed with an AMI and admitted to an acute care hospital in Ontario between April 1, 1995 and March 31, 2009. The time-to-intervention for the depression and schizophrenia was estimated and compared to those without a mental disorder using Cox Proportional Hazards regression. Subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate the interaction between well-established confounders and the receipt of a cardiac intervention. Results: Persons with a history of depression were found to be more likely to receive a catheterization (HR=1.42, 95% CI=1.34-1.50) or PTCA (HR=1.48, 95% CI=1.40-1.57) if they had no previous CVD history, but were less likely to receive a catheterization (HR=0.71, 95% CI=0.51-0.99) or PTCA (HR=0.64, 95% CI=0.39-1.06) if they had a CVD history. In addition individuals with depression were less likely to receive a CABG, especially if they had a history of CVD (HR=0.38, 95% CI=0.24-0.60). Persons with a history of schizophrenia were found to be just as likely to receive a catheterization (HR=0.90, 95% CI=0.70-1.15) or a PTCA (HR=0.83, 95% CI=0.62-1.11). The likelihood of receiving a beta-blocker or statin was comparable or higher for persons with a history of depression (HR=1.07, 95% CI=1.03-1.11; 1.27, 95% ii i CI=1.22-1.32, respectively) and comparable for persons with a history of schizophrenia (HR=0.90, 95% CI=0.79-1.02; HR=0.97, 95% CI=0.83-1.14, respectively), with a small but significant prior drug use effect modification. Interpretation: Persons with depression or schizophrenia with no CVD history are just as likely to receive most recommended cardiac care interventions compared to those without a mental disorder. The source of the differences in care for individuals with a CVD history with depression and schizophrenia needs to be further explored. / Thesis (Master, Community Health & Epidemiology) -- Queen's University, 2012-01-26 11:17:27.964

This dissertation investigates the determinants of China's exports and regional economic growth, the direction of causality between foreign direct investment (FDI) and exports; and convergence analysis among Chinese provinces. The study firstly discusses the evolutional process of China's foreign trade regime through comparing the strategies and policies before 1978 with those after 1978. It is emphasised that the export-promotion development policies result in the recent basic export patterns and characteristics. Furthermore, the study reviews the existing literature on exports, FDI, and convergence/growth determinants in the case of China. The empirical work comprises three parts. Firstly, fixed-effects ordinary least squares (OLS) and random-effects generalised least squares (GLS) panel data estimators are applied to test the determinants of provincial exports from 1994 to 2003. It is found that FDI, geographical location, investment in manufacturing innovation, and human capital have significant influences on regional export performance. Secondly, the augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) tests are carried out to test stationarity and the Granger causality tests are conducted to test the causal direction between FDI and exports, based on monthly national data from January, 2002 to June, 2006. The empirical results indicate that there is a one-way complementary causal link from FDI inflows to China's export flows. Thirdly, three methods, beta convergence, sigma convergence, and Markov Chain analysis, are used to do convergence debate among China's regions and the standard OLS cross-section and random-effects GLS panel data are applied to test the conditional convergence. The results suggest that the convergence hypothesis does not hold in China between 1994 and 2003 and there is a sign of conditional convergence, conditioning the explanatory variables such as exports, human capital, and population growth. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Economics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

This dissertation investigates the determinants of China's exports and regional economic growth, the direction of causality between foreign direct investment (FDI) and exports; and convergence analysis among Chinese provinces. The study firstly discusses the evolutional process of China's foreign trade regime through comparing the strategies and policies before 1978 with those after 1978. It is emphasised that the export-promotion development policies result in the recent basic export patterns and characteristics. Furthermore, the study reviews the existing literature on exports, FDI, and convergence/growth determinants in the case of China. The empirical work comprises three parts. Firstly, fixed-effects ordinary least squares (OLS) and random-effects generalised least squares (GLS) panel data estimators are applied to test the determinants of provincial exports from 1994 to 2003. It is found that FDI, geographical location, investment in manufacturing innovation, and human capital have significant influences on regional export performance. Secondly, the augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) tests are carried out to test stationarity and the Granger causality tests are conducted to test the causal direction between FDI and exports, based on monthly national data from January, 2002 to June, 2006. The empirical results indicate that there is a one-way complementary causal link from FDI inflows to China's export flows. Thirdly, three methods, beta convergence, sigma convergence, and Markov Chain analysis, are used to do convergence debate among China's regions and the standard OLS cross-section and random-effects GLS panel data are applied to test the conditional convergence. The results suggest that the convergence hypothesis does not hold in China between 1994 and 2003 and there is a sign of conditional convergence, conditioning the explanatory variables such as exports, human capital, and population growth. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Economics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

This diploma paper analyses selected parts of a development potential on the South Bohemian region community level. It inquires into the differences among these municipalities due to their budgets and resident migration. The theoretical part characterizes municipalities as territorial units, their budgets and selected social economic and demographic indicators. Selected territorial units are further characterized and specified from a social economic and migration point of view. The practical part examines the development and trends of relative and absolute social economic and demographic indicators and their potential influence on the occurrence of the municipality disparities. This analysis consists of a quantitative part (with the indicators from the years 2001 {--} 2008) and a qualitative part which focuses on the South Bohemian municipality structure. The qualitative part also compares particular indicators of the South Bohemian municipalities in the years 2001 and 2008. Cluster analysis with the Gini coefficient was applied. One sub-section of the practical part focuses on three selected municipalities (Dubné, Kvilda, Litvínovice) and characterizes all their social economic and demographic variables orientated on budget revenues.

In the US, the incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer (PCa) are higher among African American men compared to European American men. Obesity is an important risk factor of PCa. Obesity is known to alter the gene expression profiles in prostate tumors. This study evaluates the impact of obesity and the expression of obesity-related genes on the progression of PCa in African American men. The primary outcome of interest is biochemical recurrence (BCR) of PCa. There were 48 African American prostate cancer patients in the study. The tissue samples included 42 normal tissues, 40 Prostate Intraepithelial Neoplasia (PIN) and 45 tumor tissues (127 tissue samples in total). We assembled 99 obesity-related genes and determined the levels of their expression in the three types of tissue samples using Nanostring Technologies. An ANOVA test was used to compare the means for gene expression among normal, PIN and tumor tissue samples. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) to determine the association between obesity and BCR as well as gene expression and BCR. Results were regarded as statistically significant if p-values were less than 0.05. A Kaplan Meier Curve was constructed to depict the survival time and time to event (BCR) among obese and non-obese African American prostate cancer patients. Patients were followed up from the date of first surgery to the date of biochemical recurrence or date of last follow-up. Statistical analysis was done with SAS 9.4 software. Forty-three obesity-related genes were statistically significantly associated with biochemical recurrence. There was no association between obesity and biochemical recurrence (BCR) in obese African American men compared to non-obese African American men (OR= 2.03, 95% CI = 0.22 - 18.77, p-value= 0.53). Twenty genes showed an upward trend in gene expression among normal, PIN and tumor tissue samples including ADIPOR1, AKRIC4, ALOX12, ALOX15, CRYBB2, EIF5A, ERG, GNPDA2, HNF1B, HSD3B1, KLK4, LEP, MC4R, MTCH2, PCSK1, PIK3CB, SLC2A2, STAT1, SULT1A1, YY1. The probability of survival (not having BCR) is lower in obese African American men compared to non-obese African American men as indicted in the Kaplan Meier curve. In other words, the probability of developing BCR is higher in obese African American men compared to non-obese African American men. We did not find a significant association between obesity and biochemical recurrence. However, we elucidated some obesity-related genes that could explain PCa carcinogenesis. Further studies are needed to determine functional significance of these selected obesity-related genes and the role they play in encouraging PCa progression in African American men.

The diploma thesis is focused on creation of the composite indicators and their interpretation in the region of Southeast Asia. The indicators are chosen from three crucial fields of development, namely economic, social, and environmental field. The thesis also deals with regional disparities. Three countries were chosen representing the former area of Indochina, and Thailand as their closest neighbour. The theoretical part provides a basic overview of the key definitions and characteristics related to the issues. In the analytical part five composite indicators from each field of development are computed to evaluate the situation in the chosen countries. Correlation, cluster analysis, and regional disparities evaluation are contained in the analytical part as well. Finally, the data are assessed and recommendations are proposed.

This thesis is focused on demographic disparities among selected microregions in Zlin region. Thesis has two parts -- theoretical and practical. Theoretical part is literal research which includes definition of microregions and regional disparities, its definition, classification and approach of regional development theories. Practical part is composed of demographic analysis based on Czech statistic office data from 2000 to 2012. First of all demographic indicators are calculated and compared (among microregions as well as among microregions, Czech Republic and Zlin region). Then the main convergence tendencies in population development are indentified by beta and sigma convergence methods. To conclude, future population development is predicted.

The main topic of the dissertation is mapping of regional disparities in Czech Republic. It is focused at regions of NUTS 3 level. NUTS 3 coresponds the level of lowest territorial administrative region of state administration (district and region level). The dissertation is devided in two parts, theoretical and practical. Theoretical part includes solutions from scholar literature and reliable sources. Practical part is oriented on regional differences in economic and social dimension. The research of regional disparities by selected indicators is the key part of this dissertation. The dissertation aim is quantification of regional differences and follow-up evaluation of applied measures towards regions.

La vision de la profondeur ou communément appelée « vision 3D » permet d'interpréter les relations spatiales tridimensionnelles entre les objets de la scène visuelle et confère à l'homme une grande précision dans ses interactions avec l'environnement. La vision 3D repose sur de nombreux mécanismes d'analyse du signal visuel dont la plupart gardent tout leur pouvoir informationnel lors de la stimulation d'un seul œil (indices monoculaires) mais dont certains nécessitent la stimulation des deux yeux (indices binoculaires). Cette thèse se concentre sur les mécanismes nécessitant les deux yeux qui mettent en jeu la différence de point de vue entre les deux yeux, aussi appelée disparité rétinienne. Les travaux présentés dans cette thèse s'inscrivent suivant deux approches majeures : une approche par la modélisation avec la simulation de l'extraction de la disparité rétinienne au niveau cortical et une approche expérimentale avec l'étude de l'influence de la disparité rétinienne sur l'attention visuelle pendant l'exploration de scènes visuelles stéréoscopiques avec enregistrements oculométriques. Le modèle proposé est construit en utilisant les données physiologiques du cortex visuel primaire V1 disponibles dans la littérature. Il effectue une estimation de la disparité rétinienne à partir des réponses modélisées des cellules simples et complexes de V1. Nous adoptons une approche bio-inspirée à deux niveaux. Le premier concerne l'architecture globale d'organisation et d'interaction des cellules corticales réalisant l'extraction d'informations à différentes fréquences spatiales, orientations et disparités, pour obtenir une estimation locale de la disparité rétinienne. Le second niveau concerne la configuration des cellules corticales implémentées comme des opérateurs de filtrage spatial. La partie expérimentale se divise elle-même en deux parties. En effet, l'utilisation de données oculométriques d'exploration de scènes 3D nécessite une étape préalable de calibration. Ainsi, nous développons une méthode de calibration 3D permettant de suivre la profondeur du regard à partir des coordonnées binoculaires enregistrées par oculométrie. Ensuite, nous analysons l'influence de la disparité rétinienne sur l'exploration visuelle de différentes catégories de scènes naturelles basées sur la présence d'indices de profondeur monoculaires et binoculaires. Nous étudions l'influence de la dominance oculaire, du biais de centralité et du biais de profondeur sur l'exploration pour chaque catégorie d'image. Un modèle de saillance 2D se montre inadapté pour prédire les zones saillantes en 3D mais également en 2D. L'information de profondeur doit être intégrée dans le calcul de la saillance grâce à la disparité rétinienne et grâce aux autres indices de profondeur pour expliquer pleinement l'exploration 2D et 3D. / Depth vision or « 3D vision » can interpret tridimensional spatial relations between objects in a visual scene and gives humans a good precision of interaction with their environment. 3D vision uses several kinds of mechanisms to analyze visual signal. Some keep their power during a monocular stimulation (monocular depth cues) but others need a binocular stimulation (binocular depth cues). This thesis focuses on the binocular mechanism which uses the difference of point of view between the two eyes (also called retinal disparity). The work presented in this thesis follows two main approaches: the modeling of the retinal disparity extraction at the cortical level, and an experiment to analyze the influence of retinal disparity on visual attention during the exploration of natural stereoscopic scenes with eye tracking recording. The proposed model is built from physiologic data of primary visual cortex V1 found in the literature. Our model makes an estimation of the retinal disparity from modeled responses of simple and complex cells of V1. We take a bio-inspired approach at two levels. The first level concerns the global architecture of the organization and the interaction of cortical cells which extract the information at different spatial frequencies, orientations and disparities. The second level concerns the configuration of cortical cells implemented like spatial filters. The experimental part is subdivided into two parts. Indeed, the use of eye-tracking data of 3D scenes exploration needs a calibration step. Hence, we developed a 3D calibration method allowing us to track the depth of the gaze from the recorded binocular coordinates. Then, we analyze the influence of retinal disparity in the visual exploration of different categories of natural scenes based on the presence of monocular and binocular depth cues. The ocular dominance, the central bias and the depth bias are also studied in this paradigm. We show that a 2D saliency model is not adapted to predict the salient zone during 3D viewing but also during 2D viewing. The depth information must be integrated in saliency computation thanks to retinal disparity and monocular depth cues to explain fully the visual exploration both in 2D and 3D.

Entender a relação entre riqueza de espécies e diversidade de nichos ecológicos pode auxiliar a compreensão dos diferentes processos que governam a coexistência de espécies. Caracterizar o nicho de diversas espécies não é trivial, e o nicho é frequentemente estudado a partir de características morfológicas. A massa corpórea está relacionada com características metabólicas, fisiológicas, comportamentais e ecológicas das espécies e então é ideal para estudos ecológicos que envolvem muitas espécies e localidades. Em teoria, um aumento na riqueza de espécies poderia ocorrer tanto pela expansão do espaço de nicho total, quanto pelo empacotamento de nicho, ou mesmo por uma combinação de ambos. Neste trabalho utilizamos massa corpórea de mamíferos terrestres para investigar a ocupação do morfoespaço e a relação dessa ocupação com a riqueza de espécies tanto em assembleias locais, quanto em biotas continentais. No primeiro capítulo desta dissertação, investigamos a variação espacial da disparidade morfológica de mamíferos terrestres e sua relação com a riqueza de espécies. Utilizamos os dados de distribuição geográfica de 4146 espécies para determinar a composição de assembléias locais em um grid com células com 1º de lado. Para cada assembleia, calculamos quatro medidas de disparidade morfológica utilizando massa corpórea como um descritor da morfologia de mamíferos. Comparamos as medidas de disparidade de cada célula com o que seria esperado de acordo com dois modelos nulos (um global e outro regional) que diferem em relação ao pool utilizado para reamostragem. No segundo capítulo, investigamos o efeito da extinção da megafauna e os possíveis efeitos das extinções atuais na distribuição de massa de mamíferos terrestres. De acordo com trabalhos anteriores a distribuição de massa de mamíferos tornou-se bimodal 40 milhões de anos atrás e assim se manteve até o final do Pleistoceno, quando foi modificada pela extinção da megafauna, tornando-se unimodal. Ajustamos dois modelos concorrentes (bimodal e unimodal assimétrico) às distribuições de massa corpórea dos mamíferos de todo o globo e de cada continente separadamente em três momentos de tempo: Final do Pleistoceno, Holoceno e Antropoceno. Os resultados obtidos nos dois capítulos, apesar de observados em escalas muito distintas, sugerem um padrão de empacotamento de nichos nos Neotrópicos. Esse padrão não é influenciado pela extinção da megafauna, e se deve à diversificação de grupos específicos no continente sul americano. Grande parte das espécies dos grupos endêmicos são arborícolas sugerindo a importância das florestas tropicais na diversificação de mamíferos desse continente. Nossos resultados também sugerem que a perda das espécies ameaçadas de extinção no Antropoceno irão resultar em mudanças significativas na África e na Eurásia, dois continentes menos afetados pelas extinções do Pleistoceno / Understand the relation between species richness and ecological niche diversity might help to understand processes behind species coexistence. However, to quantify species niche is not easy and a ecomorfological approach is often used instead. Body mass is related to several life history traits such as metabolism, physiology, behaviour and ecology, thus being the ideal trait for studies comparing many different species and localities. In theory, increases in species richness could be attained by an expansion of total niche space or by niche packing, or even by a combination of both. Here we use terrestrial mammals body mass to investigate morphospace occupation and its relation to species richness in both local assemblages and continental biotas. In the first chapter, we investigate the spatial variation of morphological disparity of terrestrial mammals and its relation to species richness. We used species distributions of 4146 species to determine the composition of local assemblages in a grid of 1º cells. For each assemblage we measured four morphological disparity metrics using body mass as a surrogate of mammalian morphology. We compared the observed disparity measures for each cell with the expected distribution given by two null models (one global and other regional) that differ for the species pool used to perform resamples. In the second chapter we investigated the effect of megafauna extinctions and possible effects of ongoing extinctions on the body mass distribution of terrestrial mammals. Previous studies suggest that the body mass distribution of mammals became bimodal 40 million years ago and so remained until the end of the Pleistocene, when it was modified by megafauna extinction and became unimodal. We fitted two concurring models (a bimodal and a skewed unimodal) to the body mass distribution of global mammals and of each continent separately in tree time frames: Late Pleistocene, Holocene and Anthropocene. The results from both chapters, although from observation in different scales, suggest a pattern of niche packing on the Neotropics. This pattern is not biased by the recent megafauna extinction, but is due to the diversification of clades specific to the South American continent during its period of isolation. A high proportion of the species in these endemic groups is arboreal suggesting the importance of tropical forests in the diversification of mammals in this continent. Our results also suggest that the possible loss of endangered species in the Anthropocene will result in meaningful changes in Africa and Eurasia, two continents that where less affected by Pleistocene extinctions