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Aim Methods Results Conclusion To assess the prevalence of overweight among Swedish 4 year olds in 2018, 2020 and 2022, taking socioeconomic variables into account.Aggregated regional data on children's body mass index were collected. The socioeconomic Care Need Index (CNI), foreign background, low education, being a single parent, low income and childhood poverty, were assessed. The differences in overweight, including obesity, were tested for Sweden and for regions.Data were available for 303 843 children, representing 87% of children born in 2014, 2016 and 2018. Overweight or obesity were found in 11 177 (11.4%) of children in 2022, decreasing from 2020 (13.3%, p < 0.001) but at the same level as in 2018. Regional low CNI, low level of foreign background, education and income as well as being a single parent were associated with a higher prevalence of overweight or obesity in all cohorts (p < 0.001). In regions with high levels of childhood poverty, overweight or obesity were more prevalent during (p = 0.009) and after the pandemic (p < 0.001).Three national cohorts demonstrate that the increase in overweight during the COVID‐19 pandemic has returned to pre‐pandemic levels, but the inequalities in health associated with socioeconomic vulnerability of the regions remained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In times of emergent emphases on how climate change will affect welfare societies, welfare policies and individuals' welfare and vice versa, this study investigates public support for welfare and environmental policies and concerns. Since previous research and literature have pointed towards a socioeconomic divide between the welfare agenda and the environmental agenda in terms of public support, this article makes a thorough socioeconomic analysis of public welfare and environmental attitudes. The article analyses data from an original study in the context of Sweden (n = 1529). Through multinomial logistic regression analysis this study investigates if and which socioeconomic factors increase the likelihood of expressing mutual support for welfare and environmental policies and concerns compared to expressing support for welfare or environmental policies and concerns in isolation, as well as no support at all. The results indicate that both low and high socioeconomic status factors increase the likelihood of expressing mutual welfare and environmental support. These factors are low - to middle-range income levels, high educational attainment and low - to high-status occupations. Accordingly, this study finds that individuals expressing mutual welfare and environmental support are less easily placed in the low to high socioeconomic continuum. This suggests that we need to go beyond the two established theoretical perspectives of self-interest and personal capabilities when explaining mutual welfare and environmental support and, for example, direct the attention to factors and theoretical points of departure that take post-materialism and non-economic dimensions into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of many religious cults are visible in late antiquity in Anatolia. Especially the saints accelerated the construction of religious structures with their effects on the development and shaping of the religious structure of most settlements on the borders of Anatolia and the empire. Over time, this contributed to the development of cities and their enrichment. The differing saint cults have great importance in the Black Sea and its immediate surroundings as well as in other Anatolian regions. It was determined that the saints, who had effective powers in the Black Sea Region, were mostly influenced by pagan cults and the permanent and settled beliefs of regions. It is seen in various places from west to east such as Karadeniz Ereğlisi, Safranbolu, Bartın, Amasra, Sinop; The contribution of saints such as Alypios Stylites, Georgios, Hyakinthos, Hypatius, Anthimus, Niketas, Nikholaos, Philaretos, Phokas, Stephanos and Theodoros to the religious belief, structuring and socioeconomy of the region has been studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meeting sustainable food production challenges requires efficient ways to manage nutrients and mitigate the losses of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to water. Future nutrient management therefore requires a clearer understanding of the relative influence of soils, geology, farm practice, landscape and weather on the propensity for nutrients to be lost to water. Within the Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP), environmental, agronomic and socioeconomic data have been gathered since 2009, using the same experimental methodology in five mesoscale river catchments, and one karst spring zone, covering a range of soils, landscapes and farming systems. The ACP has contributed to a better understanding of nutrient mobilisation and transfer pathways and highlighted the influence of the physical and chemical environment as well as agricultural and meteorological drivers on diffuse nutrient loss to ground and surface waters. The environmental quality standards were breached for N and/ or P in some of the catchments, but for different reasons and not always clearly linked to the source pressures within the catchment. There are clearly no one-size-fits-all solutions for mitigation of nutrient losses to water. A better understanding of the underlying processes is required to identify critical source areas, to select mitigation strategies, when to implement them and to build realistic expectations of their impact. Sustainability in an agricultural setting is not confined to environmental issues, but also includes social, economic and innovative aspects. To maximise farmers’ uptake of environmental measures, the actions should encompass all these aspects of sustainability. Integrated knowledge transfer is key. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perlis was seldom in the limelight since it was part of Kedah. From the 14th to 17th century, seven generations of the Kedah Sultanate had thrived in Kota Si Puteh (in Kubang Pasu District) since it was located approximately three miles from the border of Perlis or 18 to 19 miles if the distance is measured from Perlis river to Kuala Perlis beach. This article will discuss the modernisation and socioeconomic development during the reign of Raja Syed Alwi Jamalullail in Perlis between 1905 to 1943. The objectives of this research is to discuss how Raja Syed Alwi managed to restore the economic problems of Perlis once he ascended the throne. The objective of this article is to discuss the socio-economic development during his reign. The methodology of the study is a qualitative method based on historical discipline. This study found that during the reign of Raja Syed Alwi Jamalullail, there was a process of modernisation and some development in socioeconomic aspects. Although in the early stages of his reign he had faced financial issues, he managed to solve those problems, formed the Perlis State Council Meeting and planned some socio-economic developments that led to modernisation for the state of Perlis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An important aspect of end-of-life care is the place of death. A majority of cancer patients prefer home death to hospital death. At the same time, the actual location of death is often against patient's last-known wish. The aim of this study was to analyze whether socioeconomic factors influence if Swedish palliative cancer patients die at home or at a hospital. There is no previous study on location of death encompassing several years in Swedish cancer patients. Methods: Data was collected from the Swedish Register of Palliative Care for patients diagnosed with brain tumor, lung, colorectal, prostate or breast cancer recorded between 2011 and 2014. The data was linked to the Swedish Cancer Register, the Cause of Death Register and the Longitudinal Integration Database for health-insurance and labor-market studies. A total of 8990 patients were included. Results: We found that marital status was the factor that seemed to affect the place of death. Lack of a partner, compared to being married, was associated with a higher likelihood of dying at a hospital. Conclusion: Our findings are in line with similar earlier studies encompassing only 1 year and based on patients in other countries. Whether inequalities at least partly explain the differences remains to be investigated. Patients dying of cancer in Sweden, who do not have a life partner, may not have the option of dying at home due to lack of informal support. Perhaps the need of extensive community support services to enable home death have to improve, and further studies are warranted to answer this question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, socioeconomic factors and gender may have an impact on the adherence to and non-persistence with LLT. Methods: This was a nationwide register-based cohort study that included 6192 individuals with T1D aged ≥ 18 years who were registered in the Swedish National Diabetes Register and had initiated novel use of LLT. Information on socioeconomic parameters (source: Statistics Sweden) and comorbidity (source: National Patient Register) was collected. The individuals were followed for 36 months, and adherence to LLT was analyzed according to age, socioeconomics and gender. The medication possession ratio (MPR; categorized into ≤ 80% and > 80%) and non-persistence (discontinuation) with medication was calculated after 18 and 36 months. Results: Individuals older than 53 years were more adherent to LLT (MPR > 80%) than those younger than 36 years (odds ratio [(OR] 1.30, p < 0.0001) at 36 months. Women were more adherent and less prone to discontinue LLT at 18 months (OR 1.05, p = 0.0005 and OR 0.95, p = 0.0004, respectively), but not at 36 months. Divorced individuals were less adherent than married ones (OR 0.93, p = 0.0005) and discontinued LLT more often than the latter (OR 1.06, p = 0.003). Education had no impact on adherence, but individuals with higher incomes discontinued LLT less frequently than those with lower incomes. Individuals with a country of origin other than Sweden discontinued LLT more often. Conclusion: Lower adherence to LLT in individuals with T1D was associated with male gender, younger age, marital status and country of birth. These factors should be considered when evaluating adherence to LLT in clinical practice, with the aim to help patients achieve full cardioprotective treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to promote farming of guinea fowl and to diversify the sources of income of Ivorian farmers, a survey was conducted in 2016 in 15 regions (197 farmers) out of a total of 31 regions in Ivory Coast. The aims were 1) to establish a better knowledge of guinea fowl farming; 2) to assess the level of technical knowledge of farmers; and 3) to establish a global typology of farmers based on their socio-economic profile, the goal of the farming (sale or consumption), and their level of technical knowledge. The sampling was realized according to a snowball type design (chain referral sampling method) a non-probabilistic method where farmers were selected not from a sampling frame but from the friendship network of existing farmers of the sample. Guinea fowl farming was undertaken by persons from all the social levels with no distinctions due to sex, religion, ethnic group, or level of education. For farmers with more than 48 guinea fowl and farmers who were Muslims, farming was a source of income. Owners of guinea fowl under 60 yr old, Christians and atheists kept a part of their production for their own consumption and marketed the remainder of the flock. Incubation was primarily accomplished by a laying hen, with an estimated hatching rate of 72%. In our survey, 68.5% of the farmers had a good practical knowledge of guinea fowl farming. The identified weaknesses of guinea fowl farming in the regions where the survey took place were the absence of knowledge of guinea fowl farming and the poverty of farmers who could not afford incubators nor provide a good nutrition to their animals. The future development of this farming will have to take into account all these weaknesses that are also limitations to this development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore secular trends in physical activity in relation to socioeconomic position in middle-aged women, with focus on whether the social gaps have become wider, narrower, or remain unchanged. Design: Cohort comparisons between two representative samples of women, recruited in 1980-81 and 2004-05 as a part of the Population Study of Women in Gothenburg. Setting: Gothenburg, the second largest city of Sweden, with ≈ 450 000 inhabitants. Subjects: Population-based cohorts of 38- and 50-year-old women, invited in 1980-81 and 2004-05 to free health examinations. The study population in 1980 was n = 477, 38- and 50-year-old women born in 1930 (n = 355) and 1942 (n = 122), and in 2004 n = 500, 38- and 50-year- old women born in 1966 (n = 207) and 1954 (n = 293). Main outcome measure: Physical activity at work and leisure time. Socioeconomic position was defined based on socio-occupational group and level of education. Physical activity during work and leisure time was based on questionnaires. Results: On average 38- and 50-year-old women were more physically active at work and leisure time in 2004-05 compared to 1980-81; odds ratio (OR) for increase over time for physical activity at work for 38-year-olds: 2.59, (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.65-4.07), and for 50-year-olds: OR 2.09 (1.52-2.88); OR for increase physical activity leisure time in 38-year-olds: 1.93 (1.25-2.98), and in 50-year-olds 2.04 (1.49-2.79). There were no significant differences between socioeconomic groups in physical activity levels changes over time. Conclusion: Women in different socioeconomic groups improved their physical activity at work and leisure time to the same extent from 1980 to 2004, indicating that the socioeconomic gap in physical activity is neither increasing nor decreasing. Key Points:   The gap in physical activity levels between socioeconomic groups seems to have remained stable for middle-aged women the last 25 years.   • However, women were more physically active in 2004 at work and during leisure time, independent of socioeconomic position, compared to 1980.   • It remains a great challenge to create structures that enable these behaviours for all social groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work aimed to analyze the events that occur in the geographical space resulting from the fishing activity of associations of fishermen and fish farmers of the municipality of Apodi, aiming to meet living and working conditions and mount a socioeconomic profile of 35 families of fishermen. For this, we used primary and secondary data for obtaining information that guided us in the course of the study. In a first moment the research constitutes a brief history on fishing and fishermen's colonies in the country and the influence of traditional communities. In a second moment for the characterization of the study area followed by discussion of the results obtained by analyzing and characterizing the area searched and the socioeconomic profile of anglers in the municipality. The factors analyzed pointed to an intensification of the social and economic problems experienced and perceived by fishermen. But on the other hand, the permanence and persistence of in giving continuity to the fishing activity, even on a small scale, point to the need to ensure the multiple use of natural resources in the County. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to examine the use pattern and potentiality of livestock farming in the Uttarakhand Himalaya, India. We collected and compared data on livestock population and production in 13 districts of Uttarakhand (2001–14) and noted that number of milching livestock, improved hen and milk production increased during the period. Meanwhile, population of sheep, goat, lamb and indigenous hen has decreased. The study reveals that livestock farming, including cattle, milching animals, goat and sheep has high potential in livelihood sustainability. Similarly, dairy farming has a prominent role in economic development as it shares 69.1% gross income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The rationale behind screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) is to prevent ischemic stroke. Socio-demographic differences are expected to affect screening uptake. Geographic differences may provide further insights leading to targeted interventions for improved uptake. The objective of this study was to evaluate geographic and socio-demographic differences in uptake of AF screening in the population-based study STROKESTOP I. Methods STROKESTOP was carried out in two Swedish counties with a total population of 2.3 million inhabitants. Half of the residents aged 75–76 years were randomized to the screening arm: invitation to clinical examination followed by ambulant ECG recording. Information on each invited person's residential parish (n = 157) was used. On parish-level, aggregated data for the participants and non-participants, respectively, were obtained with respect to socioeconomic variables: educational level, disposable income, immigrant and marital status. Geo-maps displaying participation ratios were estimated by hierarchical Bayes methods. Results The overall participation rate was similar in men and women but lower in Stockholm, 47.6% (5665/11,903) than in Halland, 61.2% (1495/2443). Participation was clearly associated with the socioeconomic variables. Participation not taking into account socioeconomy varied more markedly across the parishes in the Stockholm county (range: 0.65–1.26) than in the Halland county (0.94–1.27). After adjustment for socioeconomic variables, a geographic variation remained in Stockholm, but not in Halland. Conclusion Participation in AF screening varied according to socioeconomic conditions. Geographic variation in participation was marked in the Stockholm county, with only one screening clinic. Geo-mapping of participation yielded useful information needed to intervene for improved screening uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: while there is a trend towards a compression of disability, secular trends in physiological frailty have not been investigated. The aim of this paper was to report physiological frailty in two cohorts of 75-year olds examined in 1987 and 2005. Methods: a repeated cross-sectional study. Two population-based birth cohorts of community-dwelling 75-year olds from Gothenburg, Sweden, born in 1911-12 (n = 591) and 1930 (n = 637) were examined with identical methods in 1987 and 2005. Measures were three frailty criteria from Fried's frailty phenotype: low physical activity, slow gait speed and self-reported exhaustion. Results: seventy-five-year olds examined in 2005 were less frail according to the criteria low physical activity compared with those examined in 1987 (3 versus 18%, P < 0.001).This was seen both in women and in men, and among those with basic and more than basic educational level. Further, men with basic education were less frail in 2005 compared with those in 1987 in slow gait speed (non-significant when adjusted for body height) and low self-rated fitness, while no cohort differences were seen in men with more than basic education. Women with more than basic education were less frail in 2005 compared with those in 1987 in slow gait speed and self-rated fitness, while no cohort difference was seen in women with basic education. Conclusion: less 75-year olds were physiologically frail in 2005 compared with those in 1987, with the exception of women with low educational level, suggesting that this is a disadvantaged group that needs to receive particular attention with regard to physiological frailty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ostreopsis blooms are addressed with a coupled natural - human systems perspective. • Recurrent exposure to Ostreopsis blooms may have chronic effects on human health. • Beach monitoring and surveillance in summer effectively prevent human health. • Confirmed alert thresholds are 3·104 cells L-1 water or 2·105 cells·g FW-1 macroalgae. • Potential economic impacts of increasing Ostreopsis blooms cannot be projected yet. This paper summarizes the research conducted by the partners of the EU co-funded CoCliME project to ascertain the ecological, human health and economic impacts of Ostreopsis (mainly O. cf. ovata) blooms in the NW Mediterranean coasts of France, Monaco and Spain. This knowledge is necessary to design strategies to prevent, mitigate and, if necessary, adapt to the impacts of these events in the future and in other regions. Ostreopsis proliferations in the Mediterranean have been related to massive mortalities of benthic organisms and to symptoms of respiratory and cutaneous irritation in humans. A six-year epidemiologic study in a Ostreopsis hot spot in Catalonia and the accumulated experience of the French Mediterranean National Ostreopsis Surveillance Network confirm the main effects of these blooms on human health in the NW Mediterranean. The impacts are associated to direct exposure to seawater with high Ostreopsis cell concentrations and to inhalation of aerosols containing unknown irritative chemicals produced under certain circumstances during the blooms. A series of mild acute symptoms, affecting the entire body as well as the ophthalmic, digestive, respiratory and dermatologic systems have been identified. A main remaining challenge is to ascertain the effects of the chronic exposure to toxic Ostreopsis blooms. Still, the mechanisms involved in the deletereous effects of Ostreopsis blooms are poorly understood. Characterizing the chemical nature of the harmful compounds synthesized by Ostreopsis as well as the role of the mucus by which cells attach to benthic surfaces, requires new technical approaches (e.g., metabolomics) and realistic and standardized ecotoxicology tests. It is also necessary to investigate how palytoxin analogues produced by O. cf. ovata could be transferred through the marine food webs, and to evaluate the real risk of seafood poisonings in the area. On the other hand, the implementation of beach monitoring and surveillance systems in the summer constitutes an effective strategy to prevent the impacts of Ostreopsis on human health. In spite of the confirmed noxious effects, a survey of tourists and residents in Nice and Monaco to ascertain the socioeconomic costs of Ostreopsis blooms indicated that the occurrence of these events and their impacts are poorly known by the general public. In relationship with a plausible near future increase of Ostreopsis blooms in the NW Mediterranean coast, this survey showed that a substantial part of the population might continue to go to the beaches during Ostreopsis proliferations and thus could be exposed to health risks. In contrast, some people would not visit the affected areas, with the potential subsequent negative impacts on coastal recreational and touristic activities. However, at this stage, it is too early to accurately assess all the economic impacts that a potentially increasing frequency and biogeographic expansion of the events might cause in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Undernutrition is a major public health problem on the globe particularly in the developing regions. The objective of the current study was to assess the prevalence of undernutrition in different age groups and examine the relationship of the disease to parasitic and socioeconomic factors among communities in Harbu Town, northeastern Ethiopia. Methods: Stool samples of the study participants were examined for intestinal helminth infections using the Kato-Katz method. Blood specimens were diagnosed for Plasmodium infection using CareStartTM Malaria Pf/Pv Combo test. The blood type was determined from blood samples using antisera A and antisera B. In addition, the height and weight of the study participants was measured and information about their socioeconomic and sociodemographic characteristics was collected. Results: Out of 484 individuals examined, 31.8% were undernourished and 32.0% were infected with intestinal helminths. The odds of undernutrition significantly decreased with an increase in the age of individuals. The prevalence of undernutrition in adults was significantly higher in males than in females and in those who had latrines than in those who did not have the facility. The odds of undernutrition in the 5 to 19 years age group was significantly higher in those who did not wash their hands before eating than in those who did. The prevalence of undernutrition in children younger than five years was significantly lower in those whose families were educated and had less than 5 family size compared to those with illiterate families and family size of greater than 5, respectively. However, the prevalence of undernutrition was similar in individuals who were infected and not infected with intestinal helminths. The intensity of Schistosoma mansoni infection was significantly higher among individuals of blood type A compared to those of type O. Conclusions: Prevalence of undernutrition was higher in children than in adults and the association of sex and socioeconomic factors with undernutrition showed variation with age. However, helminth infection was not related with undernutrition in all age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine factors associated with low persistence in patients initiated on drug treatment for hypertension. Methods: Cohort study using medical records for patients with hypertension in 48 Swedish primary healthcare centres. Data were linked to national registers on dispensed drugs, hospitalizations, outpatient hospital consultations, deaths, migration, and socioeconomy. We identified 5225 patients (55 % women, mean age 61 years) initiated on antihypertensive drug treatment during 2006-2007. Persistence was measured for two years by the dispensed drugs. Patients with a gap of >30 days between end of dispensed supply and the next dispensed prescription were classified as non-persistent. This was calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate hazard ratios for discontinuation. Potential predictors included age, gender, blood pressure before initiation of therapy, cardiovascular comorbidity, educational level, country of birth, and income. Results: Among patients with a dispensed first prescription, 26 % discontinued treatment during the first year, and a further 9 % discontinued during the second year. Discontinuation (all adjusted) was more common in men ( P = 0.002) and in younger patients (30-49 years, P < 0.001). Systolic ( P < 0.001) but not diastolic blood pressure was positively associated with persistence. Native-born Swedish citizens and patients born in the other Nordic countries had lower discontinuation rates than those born outside the Nordic countries ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: Major determinants of discontinuation of antihypertensive drug treatment are male sex, young age, mild-to-moderate systolic blood pressure elevation, and birth outside of Sweden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A proper prosthetic treatment plan has its starting point in the knowledge of the biological factors as well as of the component materials. The doctor should always take into account patients wished and to combine them with the biological, the socio-economical and psychological factors. The aim of this article is to underline the necessity of the correlation between the structure of a prosthetic treatment plan and the biopsiho- social economy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study aims to find predictors of anti-osteoporosis drug (AOD) use. Known risk factors of osteoporosis, i.e., age, hip fracture, and corticosteroid use were found to be predictors of AOD use, in addition to a number of other drugs used. Higher socioeconomic position did not favor the use of AOD. Introduction: This study deals with studying predictors of anti-osteoporosis drug treatment in Norwegian women and men. Methods: All Norwegian women and men ≥50 years were included ( n = 1,407,392). Data were taken from different data sources, (1) the Norwegian Prescription Database (drug use in 2004-2005); (2) the Nationwide Census 2001 (marital status, education and resident county); (3) the National Hip Fracture Database (hip fractures 2003-2005); and (4) the National Population Register (date of death/emigration). We estimated the hazard ratios (HR) for incident treatment by Cox proportional hazard regression. Results: In 2005, 10,332 women (1.5 %) and 1,387 men (0.2 %) were new users of anti-osteoporosis drugs (incident treatment). Age was a statistically significant predictor of incident treatment in both women and men, with HR ranging from 1.7 to 3.2 (per 10 years). A middle educational level in men strongly predicted incident treatment [HR 2.0 (CI 1.1-3.8)], but not in women after full adjustment. A previous hip fracture, increasing number of drugs used and use of corticosteroids were all predictors of incident treatment in both genders after adjustments. Corticosteroid use [HR = 4.0 (CI 3.8-4.2)] had a higher HR for incident treatment than hip fracture [HR = 2.0 (CI 1.8-2.3)]. Marital status and area of residency were not predictors of incident treatment in either gender, after adjustments. The predictors of prevalent treatment were only slightly different from incident treatment in 2005. Conclusions: Age, previous hip fracture, number of drugs used, and use of corticosteroids were positively related to treatment in both genders. In men, a middle educational level predicted treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Small-scale fisheries in Europe face an uncertain situation from different pressures that undermine its social and economic viability in the near future. We investigate the issue of sustainability and options for future development of small-scale fisheries by means of a case study in Majorca (Balearic Islands; W Mediterranean). We analysed the socio-economic status of this small-scale fishery by means of economic indicators derived from data obtained through questionnaires. Our results show that the economic profitability of this activity is low and that, under the current economic situation small-scale, fishing has limited attractiveness, a situation similar to other Mediterranean small-scale fisheries. However, as a producer of high-quality fresh fish fetching comparatively high prices, small-scale fishing should have a viable future if the factors identified as responsible for the low economic viability could be redressed (such as excessive fishing pressure on the resource because it is shared with other commercial or recreational fishers; inadequate pricing system). Reducing the conflicts with other users of the coastal zone, by appropriate spatial zonation (combined with the already existing network of MPAs), is a measure that receives a favourable opinion from professional fishers, while diversifying the activity by combining professional fishing with tourism-fishing is less attractive to professional fishers in the Majorca Island. This model of development is both acceptable to the stakeholders involved in the fishery and in line with current European policies (Marine Strategy Framework directive) which favour forms of spatial planning as fisheries management measures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Water and air quality have long received much attention from scientific and legislative institutions, and public awareness for these issues is good, but soils have long been comparatively ignored. Soils contain a very high, but mostly unknown biodiversity, and soil biology remains an understudied topic. Soil organisms are a key factor for soil development and in turn depend on soils as a habitat. Bioindication tools based on a fraction of known soil diversity are certainly imperfect but are implemented in order to achieve soil protection goals at policy level. Bioindication tool selection results from compromises between biological and socioeconomic (e.g. effectiveness, cost) constraints. A further challenge is the multi-functional uses of soils and divergent interest, which hampers progress in regulatory policy. Soils are considered as an economic resource (i.e. surface) and their value therefore strongly relies on the land-use type (agriculture, industry, “unproductive” biotope, etc). But soils are also a natural resource (i.e. volume) which environmental and societal functions depend on its intrinsic properties and biological quality. In this article I review the reasons for the low interest in soils, and particularly their biological component, among politicians and the public, and show the existing gap between soil biodiversity and soil policy. In Switzerland, direct and indirect approaches are used to regulate and monitor soils but these do not include biological parameters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Traditional cereal crop production is uneconomic, and diversification in cropping system is necessary in mountain regions. A pilot project was introduced on medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) cultivation with semi-processing and market strategy. Fast growing MAPs with high economic potential were given priority. A cooperative society was organized for quality control and proper marketing. Farmers got additional income with sale of MAPs that could improve socioeconomy. In the depressing scenario of the deteriorating farming condition, emerging experience of MAPs farming give hope for better living standard of mountain peoples. Cultivation of economically viable MAPs can improve socioeconomy of farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 1999-2005, the Belize Valley Archaeological Reconnaissance Project excavated Pook's Hill (PKH-1), a single plazuela group located in the Roaring Creek Valley, Cayo District, Belize. Artifacts recovered at Pook's Hill date predominantly to the Late and Terminal Classic (AD. 700-950) and can be stratigraphically segregated into two distinct occupation phases, namely a Late Classic (AD. 700-830) and a Terminal Classic-Early Postclassic (AD. 830-9507+) phase. The chipped chert and chalcedony tools from the two phases were included in a combined program of low- and high-power use-wear analysis to reconstruct aspects of the socioeconomy. The results of the analyses reveal that the site's inhabitants produced and used both formal and informal tools for a wide variety of subsistence and domestic tasks, and for the production of some utilitarian items. Stone tool use-wear evidence and the recovery of small quantities of other artifacts suggest that the Maya from Pook's Hill produced more valuable objects of bone, stone, and shell, although it is difficult to accurately identify craft-production activities at the site from the context of recovery. Despite some variation in the specific activities undertaken with the chipped stone tools over time, the organization of lithic technology at Pook's Hill did not change significantly from the Late Classic into the Early Postclassic period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Time trends in overweight, obesity and underweight among 10-year-old children were investigated between 1999 and 2003 with attention to gender and areas with different socioeconomic status (SES).Material:The study was performed in Stockholm County, where schools within eight different SES areas were randomly sampled. In selected schools, data on height and weight were abstracted from school health records of 2416 ten-year-old boys and girls examined by school nurses in 1999 and 2183 examined in 2003.Results:Among boys, the prevalence of overweight was 21.6% in 1999 and 20.5% in 2003 (difference −1.1% (95% confidence interval (CI), −4.6; 2.4)) and for obesity 3.2 and 3.8% (difference 0.6% (95% CI, −0.9; 2.2)). Among girls overweight decreased from 22.1 to 19.2% (difference −2.9% (95% CI, −6.3; 0.6)) and obesity from 4.4 to 2.8% (difference −1.6% (95% CI, −3.1; 0.0)). There was a marginally significant difference in obesity trends in girls versus boys (P=0.051). The prevalence of underweight decreased nonsignificantly both in boys and in girls. Strong gradients, with more obesity and overweight in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, were observed in both genders in 2003. Differences between SES areas were also seen in 1999 but were more pronounced in 2003. Among boys divergent trends in obesity were observed between 1999 and 2003, with evidence for increases in less affluent areas only.Conclusion:This population-based study of 10-year-olds indicates that rates of obesity, overweight and underweight are stable in Stockholm County. However, obesity is more prevalent in relatively less advantaged SES.International Journal of Obesity (2008) 32, 1525–1530; doi:10.1038/ijo.2008.104; published online 15 July 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a mathematical link between Schelling's socio-economic model of segregation and the physics of clustering. We replace the economic concept of "utility" by the physics concept of a particle's internal energy. As a result cluster dynamics is driven by the "surface tension" force. The resultant segregated areas can be very large and can behave like spherical "liquid" droplets or as a collection of static clusters in "frozen" form. This model will hopefully provide a useful framework for studying many spatial economic phenomena that involve individuals making location choices as a function of the characteristics and choices of their neighbors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To explore time trends in population total cholesterol. Design and setting. Five population-based cross-sectional surveys, 1986–2004 in the northern Sweden MONICA study included 8827 men and women. Results. Age-adjusted cholesterol level declined in men, 25–64 years old, from 6.38 to 5.78 mmol L−1 and in women from 6.32 to 5.51 mmol L−1. Between 1994 and 2004, subjects 65–74 years old were included, and their levels also decreased, in men from 6.35 to 5.76 mmol L−1 and in women from 7.11 to 6.24 mmol L−1. The decrease was continuous over surveys and age groups, except in young and middle-aged men where no further decline was found after 1999. Cohorts born 1920–1939 showed decreased cholesterol over the period, whilst no change was noted for those born thereafter. In 2004, one-fourth of men and one-third of women 25–74 years achieved levels below 5.0 mmol L−1. Subjects with low educational level, body mass index ≥25 or smokers all had higher cholesterol levels which persisted during the 18-year period. In 2004, the 9% who used lipid-lowering drugs are estimated to contribute, at most, to 0.13 mmol L−1 lower cholesterol in the population. Conclusion. Large decreases in cholesterol levels occurred in the 18-year period. Less smoking may contribute to, and increasing obesity attenuate, this trend whilst lipid-lowering drugs have had little effect until recently. Socio-economic inequalities persist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relation between socioeconomic status and allergic diseases in childhood is controversial. Some studies have proposed childhood asthma to be more common in families with low socioeconomic status, while sensitization to airborne allergens seems to be more frequent in individuals with higher socioeconomic status in childhood.To assess the relation between socioeconomic status and asthma, rhinitis and sensitization in an unselected prospective birth cohort.Four thousand and eighty-nine families with children born 1994–1996 in predefined areas of Stockholm answered questionnaires on environmental factors, socioeconomic status (parental occupation), and symptoms of allergic disease at birth, 1, 2 and 4 years of age. Blood samples taken at 4 years from 2614 children were analysed for specific IgE to common airborne and food allergens. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for various outcomes in relation to socioeconomic status were estimated with a multiple logistic regression model, adjusting for potential confounders such as heredity for allergic diseases, maternal smoking, short duration of breastfeeding and house construction.There was a decreasing risk of asthma and rhinitis with increasing socioeconomic status. The OR for asthma was 0.33 (95% CI 0.17–0.66) and for rhinitis 0.50 (0.32–0.79) comparing the highest and the lowest socioeconomic groups, with a tendency to stronger effects in those with heredity for allergic disease. The risk of sensitization to food allergens also decreased with increasing socioeconomic status; OR 0.65 (0.41–1.02) in the highest socioeconomic group (Ptrend=0.03), which was not clearly seen for airborne allergens.Asthma, rhinitis and sensitization is more common in lower than in higher socioeconomic groups after adjustment for traditional risk factors. This may be related to additional uncontrolled differences in life style and environmental exposures between the groups, and calls for further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foreign citizens today constitute 5% of the Swedish population. While several epidemiological investigations have dealt with dental care habits in the Swedish population, very little is known about the dental care habits of immigrants. This constitutes a factor of uncertainty in the planning of dental care. A random sample of 170 Finnish immigrants, 20-80 years old, in the community of Huddinge was selected. They were summoned to the Faculty Clinics for interview and clinical and radiographic examination. 143 persons appeared for examination. The interview showed that 46.6% of the subjects had never visited a dentist in Sweden though 80% of them intended to remain in Sweden. 19.8% still made more or less regular use of dental services in Finland. The low frequency of utilization of dental services is mainly due to the difficulty in obtaining dental care, lack of knowledge of Swedish, lack of interest and fear of pain. According to the present study Finns in Sweden utilize dental services to a smaller extent than Swedes. The decision of principle adopted by the Swedish parliament in 1968 that immigrants shall be able to live under the same conditions as the Swedes seems not to be fully achieved with regard to the dental care of Finnish immigrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variation of habitats and resources important for farmland birds seems to be only partly captured by ordinary statistics on land-use and agricultural production. For instance, densities of rodents being prey for owls and raptors or structures of rural architecture providing nesting sites for many species are central for bird diversity but are not reported in any official statistics. Thus, modelling species distributions, population abundance and trends of farmland birds may miss important predictive habitat elements. Here, we involve local socio-economy factors as a source of additional information on rural habitat to test whether it improves predictions of barn owl occurrence in 2768 churches across Poland. Barn owls occurred in 778 churches and seemed to prefer old churches made of brick located in regions with a milder climate, higher share of arable land and pastures, low road density and low levels of light pollution. Including data on local unemployment, the proportion of elder citizens, commune income per citizen, the share of citizens with high education and share of farmers among working population improved the model substantially and some of these variables predicted barn owl occurrence better than several land-use and climate data. Barn owls were more likely to occur in areas with high unemployment, a higher proportion of older citizens in a local population and higher share of farmers among working population. Importantly, the socio-economy variables were correlated with the barn owl occurrence despite all climatic, infrastructure and land-use data were present in the model. We conclude that the socio-economy of local societies may add important but overlooked information that links to spatial variation in farmland biodiversity. Unlabelled Image • Barn owl prefers grasslands, fields, old churches and regions with mild climate. • Socio-economy (unemployment, income, etc.) also predicts barn owl occurrence. • Socio-economy may add overlooked information that links to farmland biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]