published_or_final_version / Geography / Master / Master of Philosophy

This Diploma thesis engages in problematic of the identification of needs and evaluation of risks by offenders of crime acts in the standpoint of developing the prediction tool, which could be used as a common tool in a prison and justice profession. This thesis is divided into two parts - the theoretical one and the empirical one. In the first - theoretical - part I introduce the basic concept of the evaluation of risks and its utilization in current prediction tools. I also mention here a historical development of these tools and their dividing according to the usage of statistical or dynamical factors. After that I also shortly introduce these days most common used tools in other countries. Then I focus on the development of czech (czechoslovak) evaluation tools and their specifics. Last chapter of the theoretical part introduces SARPO project in the meaning of slight description of its history and showing main ideas. Data analysis is based on dataset from SARPO 1 research (2009), which had to verify SARPO 1 utility tool. Besides the presentation of results and characteristics of dataset I will verify the propriety of designed mathematical model for calculation of risk through first and also second validization essay. Part of the analysis is also suggestion of alternative model for prediction...

Jiang, Qiaolei. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 293-328). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

This study evaluated a mandatory fitness assessment and counseling program designed to reduce coronary risk factors related to diet and exercise. The study was conducted at a southwestern graduate level theological institution. There were 19 mandatory and 22 voluntary participants. Each subject initially had either high blood pressure, high percentage body fat, or high total cholesterol. Significant changes were made within both groups regarding body fat percentage and diastolic blood pressure. Total cholesterol levels decreased for the voluntary group only. The mandatory group significantly improved their exercise level, yet still showed a significantly less positive attitude towards exercise. Overall, the fitness assessment and counseling was somewhat beneficial for both the mandatory and voluntary groups.

Background. With increasing personal affluence and changes in lifestyle, there is rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Hong Kong. Approximately 60% of diabetic subjects in Hong Kong are asymptomatic and previously undiagnosed. Since diabetes carries significant mortality and morbidity risk, it is important to diagnose these subjects early for intervention. There are many known factors associated with development of type 2 diabetes. Some are remediable such as obesity, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, while some are non-remediable such as age and past history of gestational diabetes. Identifying high-risk subjects will increase the yield and cost-effectiveness of screening program for diabetes and related risk factors and provide useful epidemiological information on the natural history of these diseases. / Methods. I used data from several cross-sectional and prospective studies of which I was the principal investigator or one of the co-investigators to test these hypotheses. The studies include mainly the following: (1) A public utility company workforce survey on cardiovascular risk factors in 1990 (n=1513). (2) Chinese subjects with risk factors for diabetes who underwent 75 gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) screening at the Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) between 1988 and 1995 (n=3718). (3) The 'United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service' (UCNCHS) primary health screening program database in 1997 (n=17764). / Objectives & hypothesis. I aimed to study the various factors associated with the development of type 2 diabetes in Hong Kong Chinese. With this information, I can design a screening method to early identify those subjects who are at high-risk for diabetes. I hypothesize the following: (1) Many risk factors for diabetes in Caucasians are also applicable to Hong Kong Chinese. (2) The presence of multiple factors increases the risk of diabetes in a linear fashion. (3) Chinese subjects are at risk of developing diabetes at a lower threshold of obesity, which is one of the most important risk factors for type 2 diabetes. / Results. Based on a cohort of 1513 asymptomatic subjects from a workforce survey, those in the top quartile of body mass index (BMI), as compared to those in the lowest quartile, had a 4 to 10-fold increased risk of diabetes and a 2.5 to 5-fold increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) for men and women. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) / Ko Tin Choi. / "May 2005." / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-01, Section: B, page: 0173. / Thesis (M.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 264-283). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / School code: 1307.

Xu Liying. / "April 2004." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 159-175) / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Background and objective. Ultrasonic evaluation of carotid intima media thickness (IMT) has been widely used as a surrogate of atherosclerosis. Few studies have specifically examined risk factors related to subclinical atherosclerosis (SA) among early postmenopausal women, in particular in the Chinese population. There is also little information on the distribution of IMT in Asian midlife women. We described the prevalence of SA, as determined by IMT and carotid plaque, and the associated risk factors in early postmenopausal Chinese women in Hong Kong. / Conclusions. Our findings showed that age, SBP, HDL-C, and LDL-C were independent predictors of IMT, while age, LDL-C, and abdominal obesity were independent predictors of the presence of plaque. The optimal IMT cutoff of 0.783 mm was defined and that a prevalence of SA (IMT ≥ 0.783 mm) of 38.6% was found among 'healthy' early postmenopausal Chinese women in Hong Kong. / Methods. 518 women aged 50 to 64 years, and within 10 years since menopause were recruited from random telephone dialing. Women with surgical menopause, established cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and severe disease conditions such as cancer and renal failure were excluded. Sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle factors were obtained based on standardized questionnaires. Fasting blood sample was also obtained. B-mode ultrasound was used for measuring IMT at 12 sites of the carotid arteries and plague index, which is the sum of the grades (ranged from 0 to 3) at the 6 segments. The relations between traditional risk factors, and other potential risk factors such as inflammatory markers, as well as lifestyle factors including physical activity, dietary intake, and psychological factors with SA were also assessed. / Results. The mean IMT +/- SD was 0.76 +/- 0.12 mm, with a range from 0.53 to 1.00 mm. IMT was higher on the far wall than on the near wall (P<0.01), and differ among segments (greatest at the bulb and least at the ICA) (P<0.01). One-fifth of women had at least 1 plaque in the carotid artery with most of the plaque occurred in the bulb area. IMT increased with age, and was positively associated with carotid plaque. With the use of receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, the optimal cutoff IMT for diagnostic plaque was 0.783 mm, at which sensitivity and specificity was 80.5% and 75.1%, respectively. The prevalence of SA was 38.6%. Among the traditional risk factors, systolic blood pressure (SBP), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were associated with high IMT. Abdominal obesity assessed by waist circumference (WC) and waist hip ratio (WHR) was also found to be positively associated with IMT. Stepwise multiple regression showed that age, SBP, HDL-C, and LDL-C were independent predictors of IMT. Multiple logistic regression showed that women with LDL-C ≥ 130 mg/dL were associated with a 2.4-fold (95% CI 1.5-3.7) higher risk of having plaque compared to those with LDL-C < 130 mg/dL. In addition, women with abdominal obesity (WHR ≥ 0.85) had a 1.7-fold (95% CI 1.08-2.67) higher risk of having plaque than women with WHR < 0.85 after adjustment for age, and potential confounders including physical activity, dietary intakes etc. Significant inverse associations were observed between physical activity and indices of obesity, as well as fasting blood glucose, while psychological perceived stress and trait anxiety were independent risk factors for both total cholesterol and LDL-C. / Yu Ho-yan. / "February 2006." / Adviser: Suzanne C. Ho. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-11, Section: B, page: 6350. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 220-256). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

ABSTRACT ASSESSING BASELINE AND POST-DISCHARGE RISK FACTORS IN SUBJECTS WITH AND WITHOUT SLEEP APNEA UNDERGOING ENDOSCOPY WITH DEEP SEDATION Background: Outpatient procedures encompass over 60% of all surgeries in the United States, and the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) remains high among adult surgical ambulatory patients. Ambulatory surgery poses problems for patients with OSA because narcotics and anesthetics used during surgery can complicate the negative effects of OSA, leading to cardiac events, brain hypoxia, and even death. This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of cardiopulmonary risk factors among post endoscopic patients with diagnosed and undiagnosed sleep apnea. Methods: The study involved a prospective, descriptive cross-sectional design and incorporated a pre-test or post-test data collection approach, using Actigraphy, pulse oximetry and 24-hour ECG monitoring via Bluetooth technology to monitor outpatients undergoing endoscopy with deep Propofol sedation. Patients were recruited pre-procedure to obtain a resting baseline ECG, and pre-procedure values were then monitored post procedure continuously for 24 hours. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. A target sample included 50 adult outpatients from a Florida suburban endoscopy center. Results: Pulse oximetry and Actigraph scores revealed no difference based on OSA. The ANOVA for oxygen desaturation events and sleep quality indices reflected no differences across groups. Sleep quality had no measurable influence on adverse events and was similar across groups; participants diagnosed with OSA slept longer than those in the untreated or no OSA group. Regressions for sleep quality indices reflected no differences among groups. Conclusions: There remains a lack of literature on cardiopulmonary and ECG indicators of cardiac risks in patients with OSA in the 24 hours following discharge from ambulatory surgery. This dissertation characterized the ECG at baseline and post-discharge among post-endoscopy outpatients with OSA and without OSA. Further research is recommended.

Department of Psychology, University of Newcastle. Bibliography: leaves 69-78.

Kiruna, a Swedish community situated 300 km north of the Arctic Circle, has a very high mortality in ischemic heart disease (IHD). Acase-control study was undertaken to find out if the risk factors for IHD or their impact differed from those in other populations. The survey methods comprised questionnaires, physical examinations, laboratory tests, a food diary, ecological studies, and a register study. The study group consisted of 219 men who had suffered an acute myocardial infarction (cases) and 438 men without known ischemic heart disease (controls). The main risk factors were: a family history of IHD, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and smoking. Also psycho-social risk factors like lack of job support constituted a risk factor. Cholesterol ester and adipose tissue triglyceride fatty acids have a slower turn-over rate than other routinely analysed lipids and lipoproteins and thus reflect dietary habits over a longer period of time. They were measured in a subset of our cohort, showing that the cases, judged from lipid and fatty acid composition, lived on a diet comparable to that of the controls. A prospective diet diary showed few differences between cases and controls and between the whole cohort and a reference cohort in Uppsala in the central part of Sweden. Most notable differences were a low level of y-tocopherol, a low proportion of linoleic acid, and a high proportion of palmitic acid in serum cholesterol esters and adipose tissue triglycerides in the Kiruna cohort. The expected reduced morbidity in ischemic heart disease related to alcohol consumption was not seen in our material. This finding was further examined in an ecological study on a national Swedish level, longitudinally, cross-sectionally, and with time-series methodology. There was an inverse correlation between wine consumption and mortality in IHD for women but no correlation between the consumption of beer and distilled spirits, and mortality in IHD. Heart failure, a common sequela of IHD, has an increasing incidence in a hospital-based population. In spite of improved treatments the prognosis has not improved during the last seven years and is still as bad as or worse than that of many malignant diseases. Male sex and high age implied a worse prognosis. Consumption of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) for pain relief resulted in a greater risk of developing an acute myocardial infarction in our cohort. This was further examined in an ecological study on anational Swedish level also showing a correlation between ASA consumption and mortality in IHD both in the geographical and the longitudinal analysis for the surveyed years, but not in the time series analysis. / <p>Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå university, 1996, härtill 7 uppsatser.</p> / digitalisering@umu