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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]

The growing uncertainty of available petroleum reserves and the associated environmental impacts from the usage of fossil fuels has led to a worldwide search for renewable energy sources. Biodiesel is currently placed at the forefront as the most viable alternative fuel for compression ignition engines as it can be produced from renewable sources through simple cost-effective transesterification, while being compatible with existing infrastructures. Despite these, biodiesel is still not economically feasible for large-scale adoption at present day, mainly due to the high cost of conventional feedstocks. Governmental policies, fiscal incentives and emissions laws have all shown to encourage the uptake of biodiesel in the early stages of market development. The rapid growth enjoyed by the biodiesel industry thereafter has raised concerns of various ethical issues, which must be addressed if the industry is to maintain its positive growth. The strategies required for a stable and sustained biodiesel industry will predominantly be based on the principles of a free market with minimal artificial interventions from policy makers, and the appropriate technological advances in production techniques and feedstocks options to stay competitive economically. This paper reviews the recent trends in global policies and legislative measures governing the economy of the biodiesel industry, and how these will impact the future outlook of the industry as a whole. Historical backgrounds and pertinent issues on socioeconomical and ethical aspects of the industry are also addressed here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars have explained the cluster development in terms of the evolution of local knowledge and collective learning. How this 'tacit' knowledge impacts small versus large firms remains largely unexplored. Pakistan is a leading textile exporter in the world. This paper profiles the socio-economy of an internationally competitive textile industry cluster of SMEs in the Faisalabad region of Pakistan and presents how the agglomeration helped the small enterprises, and not so much the large textile firms, to overcome the growth constraints and supported them to compete nationally and abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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]

Objectives. To analyse different aspects of health-related quality of life factors among members of reindeer-herding families. Study design. Cross-sectional study based on data from a comprehensive survey. Methods. The health-related quality of life (SF-36) factors were analysed on 99 (56 men, 43 women) adult members of reindeer-herding families. Comparisons were made between the reindeer-herding family members and a Swedish reference population. Associations between mental and physical component summary measures and a number of sociodemographic, biomedical, physical, psychosocial and socio-economic variables were analysed with multivariate regression statistics. Results. Men scored higher than women on physical and social function and vitality. The average scores on the subscales for the reindeer-herding family members were similar to those of the Swedish reference population, except for reindeer-herding men who scored higher on physical function and lower on bodily pain. For women, the quality of life was related to age, sense of coherence, lifestyle and behavioural variables, as well as to issues such as diseases among close relatives, social networks and the economy of their business. For men, it was mainly related to musculoskeletal pain conditions, age, sense of coherence and physical and psychosocial working conditions. Conclusions. Men and women of the reindeer-herding families need partly different conditions to enjoy a high quality of life. From the results, it might be predicted that poor somatic and psychosocial health, increased intrusion from exploiters on the grazing land and declining profit in reindeer husbandry constitute important threats to a good quality of life among members of reindeer-herding families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Study Objective: Socioeconomic status and race are important determinants of health care access in the United States. The purpose of our study was to evaluate whether these factors influence use of laparoscopic hysterectomy for management of benign gynecologic diseases. Design: Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-3). Setting: Data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample, 1998 to 2002. Patients: All records of women with primary discharge diagnosis of uterine leiomyomas or menorrhagia who underwent hysterectomy (laparoscopy or abdominal) were included in the study. Interventions: Race (Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic, or other), median household income (<$25 000, $25 000–$34 999, $35 000–$44 999, or ≥$45 000), and insurance status (private, Medicare, Medicaid, or other) were evaluated as determinants of laparoscopic surgical intervention. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate likelihood of laparoscopic approach to hysterectomy. Measurements and Main Results: Of 341 487 records for hysterectomy, 295 857 were performed by abdominal and 45 630 by laparoscopic approach. In adjusted analyses, African-Americans, Hispanics, and other ethnicities were less likely to undergo laparoscopic hysterectomy; adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.44 (0.42–0.45), 0.58 (0.55–0.61), and 0.68 (0.64–0.72), respectively, as compared with Caucasians. As compared with women with median income of less than $25000, laparoscopic approach was more commonly performed on women with median household income $25000 to $34999, 1.18 (1.10–1.26); $35000 to $44999, 1.13 (1.0–1.21); and $45000 and above, 1.14 (1.06–1.22). As compared with women with Medicaid, laparoscopic approach was more likely to be performed on women with private insurance: 1.45 (1.42–1.62). Conclusion: In the United States, median household income, insurance status, and race appear to be important independent determinants of access to laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign diseases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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]

Land degradation by soil erosion is a socioeconomic and environmental problem facing many developing countries. Application of stonewall terraces for soil moisture conservation is vital to reducing the environmental impacts of this phenomenon. To this end, a field plot experiment was conducted in the study area along with the use of a closed-ended questionnaire. The object of the experiment was to study the socioeconomic impacts of soil erosion on local farmers and their adoption of the stonewall terrace technique. The study showed a higher net profit in areas that had implemented terrace conservation practices than in areas that had not (i.e., 3.5 to 6 times higher net profit). Correlation analysis indicated that the farmers’ perceptions, land ownership, and geomorphology were significantly related to the farmers’ incentives and willingness to adopt terraces as soil conservation measures ( P < 0.05), although the correlations were negative. Smallholder farmers (52% of the interviewed farmers) were involved in the sale of the agricultural land for urban uses, largely because of the high price and immediate returns offered. However, the associated land use changes warrant greater involvement of both the private and public sectors. This cooperation may be accomplished through the introduction of a long-term agricultural loan system and the development of proper legislation accompanied by a comprehensive and durable infrastructure and service system with the goal of reducing the negative impact of land use changes and encouraging sustainable use of resources. [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]

Objective: To determine risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalisation among children and adolescents., Design: Nationwide, population-based cohort study., Setting: Norway from 1 March 2020 to 30 November 2021., Participants: All Norwegian residents<18 years of age., Main Outcome Measures: Population-based healthcare and population registries were used to study risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection, including socioeconomic factors, country of origin and pre-existing chronic comorbidities. All residents were followed until age 18 years, emigration, death or end of follow-up. HRs estimated by Cox regression models were adjusted for testing frequency. Further, risk factors for admission to the hospital among the infected were investigated., Results: Of 1 219 184 residents, 82 734 (6.7%) tested positive by PCR or lateral flow tests, of whom 241 (0.29%) were admitted to a hospital. Low family income (adjusted HR (aHR) 1.26, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.30), crowded housing (1.27, 1.24 to 1.30), household size, age, non-Nordic country of origin (1.63, 1.60 to 1.66) and area of living were independent risk factors for infection. Chronic comorbidity was associated with a slightly lower risk of infection (aHR 0.90, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.93). Chronic comorbidity was associated with hospitalisation (aHR 3.46, 95% CI 2.50 to 4.80), in addition to age, whereas socioeconomic status and country of origin did not predict hospitalisation among those infected., Conclusions: Socioeconomic factors, country of origin and area of living were associated with the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, these factors did not predict hospitalisation among those infected. Chronic comorbidity was associated with higher risk of admission but slightly lower overall risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

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]

The impacts of multihazards have become more pronounced over the past few decades globally. Multiple hazards and their cascading impacts claim enormous losses of lives, livelihoods, and built environment. This paradigm prompts integrated and multidisciplinary perspectives to identify, characterize, and assess the occurrence of multihazards and subsequently design countermeasures considering impending multihazard scenarios at the local level. To this end, we considered one of the most egregious transboundary watersheds, which is regarded as a multihazard hotspot of Nepal, to analyze the underlying causes and cascade scenarios of multihazards, and their associated impacts. In this paper, geophysical, hydrometeorological, and socioeconomic perspectives are formulated to characterize the watershed from the dimension of susceptibility to multihazard occurrence. To characterize the complex dynamics of transboundary multihazard occurrence, insights have been presented from both the Nepali and the Chinese sides. Individual case studies and the interrelation matrix between various natural hazards are also presented so as to depict multihazard consequences in the transboundary region. The sum of the observations highlights that the watershed is highly vulnerable to a single as well as multiple natural hazards that often switch to disasters. [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]

Background: Obesity among children and adolescents is a worldwide public health concern. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) incidence are increasing, with heredity and socioeconomic status as possible risk factors. How these factors affect the risk of childhood obesity remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between obesity and parental diabetes among 12-year-olds in Sweden, and how it relates to parental education level. Methods: We used data collected within the Exploring the Iceberg of Celiacs in Sweden (ETICS) study, a cross-sectional multicenter national screening study for celiac disease in 12-year-old children. Relative risk (RR) and confidence interval (CI) were calculated for the association between parental diabetes and obesity, also stratifying for gender and highest parental education. Results: Among 11,050 children, for both children with parental T1D and T2D, 31% of the children were overweight or obese, compared with 21% among other children. Comparing those with parental T1D with those without parental T1D within gender, boys had a statistically significant higher risk [RR 1.6 (95% CI 1.3-2.0)], and girls had a nonsignificant increased risk [RR 1.3 (95% CI 0.95-1.8)], of being overweight. For children with parental T2D, both boys and girls had a statistically significant increased risk of 1.5. Parental education showed no sign of influencing the RRs. Conclusions: Parental diabetes is associated with an increased risk of overweight among children, independent of parental education. Concomitant parental diabetes and overweight should be particularly alarming criteria when prioritizing preventive interventions at an early age.