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Does formal public transport serve the city well? The importance of semiformal transport for the accessibility in Medellín, Colombia
Accessibility to public transport is a fundamental component of connecting individuals to urban services. Guided by the UN Habitat Sustainable Development Goal 11.2, which aims to ensure accessible, safe, affordable, and sustainable transport systems for all, our study focuses specifically on accessibility as a key dimension of achieving this goal and its implications for social and spatial equity. In this study, we employ the walking distance indicator proposed by the responsible working group of UN Habitat to calculate accessibility to public transport. Because underlying population data are an essential parameter for the indicator, we compare three distinct population datasets – cadaster-based population data, remote sensing-based population data, and a global dataset – to investigate spatial variations in accessibility across the city of Medellín, Colombia. Furthermore, we examine the impact of both formal public transport and the local semiformal minibus system (paratransit), analyzing differences across formal and informal settlement types of the city, as well as the influence of socio-economic factors. Our findings suggest that remote sensing based population data can serve as a valuable data source, albeit with limitations for global population data. Particularly, our results highlight the significance of the semiformal local minibus system in enhancing accessibility to public transport, despite ongoing expansions of the metro system by responsible authorities, which have led to considerable improvements in accessibility. Notably, we observe that residents with lower socio-economic status and those living in informal settlements experience longer walking distances to public transport stops, highlighting spatial and socio-economic disparities in accessibility. Overall, our study underscores the complex interplay between transport infrastructure, socio-economic factors, and urban development, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address spatial and socio-economic disparities in public transport accessibility.
Preeclampsia prediction with maternal and paternal polygenic risk scores: the TMM BirThree Cohort Study
Abstract Genomic information from pregnant women and the paternal parent of their fetuses may provide effective biomarkers for preeclampsia (PE). This study investigated the association of parental polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for blood pressure (BP) and PE with PE onset and evaluated predictive performances of PRSs using clinical predictive variables. In the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study, 19,836 participants were genotyped using either Affymetrix Axiom Japonica Array v2 (further divided into two cohorts—the PRS training cohort and the internal-validation cohort—at a ratio of 1:2) or Japonica Array NEO (external-validation cohort). PRSs were calculated for systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and PE and hyperparameters for PRS calculation were optimized in the training cohort. PE onset was associated with maternal SBP-, DBP-, and PE-PRSs and paternal SBP- and DBP-PRSs only in the external-validation cohort. Meta-analysis revealed overall associations with maternal PRSs but highlighted significant heterogeneity between cohorts. Maternal DBP-PRS calculated using “LDpred2” presented the most improvement in prediction models and provided additional predictive information on clinical predictive variables. Paternal DBP-PRS improved prediction models in the internal-validation cohort. In conclusion, Parental PRS, along with clinical predictive variables, is potentially useful for predicting PE.
Metal-organic double layer to stabilize selective multi-carbon electrosynthesis
Optimization of satellite-based communication links
Satellite communication (SATCOM) is crucial for global connectivity, particularly in remote far-flung areas. Typically, these links are established by connecting a Satcom Remote Terminal to a Satcom Hub Station. However, relying on a single Hub Station does not offer redundancy, leaving remote terminals isolated in case of a Hub Station failure. To provide redundancy, the remote terminals are shifted to a secondary Hub Station. However, several limitations and challenges are associated with the available methodologies for shifting of remotes to the secondary Hub Station. This research addresses the challenges associated with the implementation of redundancy/ Disaster Recovery (DR) mode in a Satcom Network to improve reliability and efficiency of Satcom links. An optimized model has been developed for Satcom Remote Modems to automatically switch to a secondary Hub Station during a primary Hub Station failure. The technique was tested in a real Satellite Communication Network, showing improved results compared to traditional methods.
Neuromuscular dynamics during isometric knee contractions: effects of target force, knee angle, and tibial rotation on force steadiness
High-temperature ferrimagnetic order triggered metal-to-insulator transition in CaCu3Ni2Os2O12
Results of an international survey on the use and perceptions of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA)
Background and objectives Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) are valuable tools for airway management in anaesthesia and offer advantages in various scenarios. However, due to a lack of data, for many aspects of its application no standards and clear limitations are used. Methods Between May 15th and June 15th 2023, a link to an online-based survey was sent via email to members of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC). The survey included 16 questions on attitudes regarding weight limit, patient positioning, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) limits, surgical procedures, their duration and ventilation modes when using LMA as well as level of experience and nationality. Results The survey was sent to 7145 recipients, 345 of whom completed the survey. The respondents came from 54 countries, including 31 from European countries. 121 anaesthetists (31.9%) reported considering an upper limit of Body-Mass-Index (BMI) when using a LMA (median 35 kg/m²), 186 (49.1%) reported a maximum duration of use (median 120 minutes), 223 anaesthetists (58.8%) reported a PEEP limit (median 5 mBar) and 238 (62.8%) a PIP limit (median 22,5 mBar). 179 (47.2%) use LMA only in supine position, 53 (14%) in supine and prone position and 147 (38.8%) in supine, side and prone position. The majority (n=322; 85%) do not use LMA for procedures with increased intra-abdominal pressure such as laparoscopy. Conclusion The results of this survey demonstrate very heterogeneous practices and perceptions of ESAIC anaesthetists regarding the use of LMA in different circumstances. Our data suggest that there is no consistent or widely accepted strategy on these issues. Anaesthetists should have a strong interest in resolving these uncertainties by conducting international randomised prospective trials.
Effect of bone marrow blood versus peripheral blood on the hemostatic balance of osteoblasts and endothelial cells
Deconvolution of cell types and states in spatial multiomics utilizing TACIT
Utilization of screening services on cervical cancer and associated factors among female health workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Background Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide and the second most common cancer in women in Ethiopia with the disease claiming the lives of more than 340, 000 women globally in 2020. A well organized and arranged screening is one of the key intervention strategies in the reduction of the incidence and mortality from the disease. Healthcare workers, being the front line in health delivery system, are expected to play a critical role in cervical cancer screening. This being the fact on the ground, the gap on the cervical cancer screening service utilization and the factors influencing it among female health workers in Ethiopia is not well elucidated. We aim to explore the magnitude of the screening uptake and associated factors among female healthcare providers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods Institution-based cross-sectional study using stratified multi-stage sampling technique was done from June 05 to July 05, 2023 among female health workers in Addis Ababa. The data was collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics like mean, median, and proportion were used to summarize the data. Bivariable regression analysis was used to measure the association between the dependent and independent variables, while multivariable regression analysis was used to determine the independent associations. Variables with P-value≤ 0.25 on bivariable model were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed to measure the strength of association, and statistical significance was declared at P< 0.05. Results A total of 432 study participants were enrolled in the final analysis with the response rate of 100%. Out of the total participants, 243 (56.3%) were nurses, and 183 (42.4%) were of age 30 years and above. In this study, only 19.4% (84/432) and 31.2% (57/183) among all participants and the targeted groups (age ≥30 years), respectively, have utilized the screening services. The lack of attention was the main reason identified hindering the screening service utilization (32.5%) while the promoter factors being awareness about screening methods (48.8%) and physician recommendation (26.2%). On Multivariable model; participant age ≥30 years (AOR=1.6, 95%CI1.15–3.37), being married (AOR=6.1, 95%CI 2.42–15.06), and working in cervical cancer screening units (AOR=3.7, 95%CI1.01–12.12), respectively had an independent association with the screening service utilization. Similarly, the study participants knowledge of the etiology, knowledge of cigarette smoking as risk factor, and visual inspection with acetic acid as screening method had shown an independent association with screening service utilization, (AOR=1.6, 95%CI=1.01–12.12), (AOR=4.1, 95%CI1.68–9.76), (AOR=14.2, 95%CI3.77–53.32), respectively. Conclusion The low screening services utilization among the targeted age group of female health workers is alarming. The lack of attention and feeling of healthy were hindering factors among those not yet screened, while those screened were motivated by the awareness created and physician recommendation. Continual awareness creation and training of female healthcare providers on cervical cancer and its screening is recommended to improve the screening service uptake by the women in the population.
Evaluation of LNR and modified N stage systems for prognostic stratification of metastatic lymph nodes in stage III colorectal Cancer
Electron transfer engineering of artificially designed cell factory for complete biosynthesis of steroids
Life stressors, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and gestational diabetes by race/ethnicity
Background In the United States, adverse pregnancy outcomes, including hypertension before pregnancy (HTN), pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) [gestational hypertension and preeclampsia] and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) continue to increase. Stressful life events (SLEs) such as serious illness, divorce, are known to impact adverse birth outcomes, e.g., preterm birth, especially among Black women, low-income women, and other minority women than White women. However, there is limited evidence on SLEs adverse pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, the objective of this study is to provide an overview of trends in stressful life events from 2009 to 2020 and their impacts on hypertension before pregnancy, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and gestational diabetes mellitus in the United States and to understand these effects by race/ethnicity. Methods A secondary analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention national Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data from 2009 to 2020 was performed. SLEs, HTN before pregnancy, PIH, and GDM, were examined with data visualizations and multivariable weighted log-binomial modeling. Results Any SLE prevalence was 66% to 72%, with Black women having higher SLEs than White women. SLE was associated with HTN before pregnancy (ARR = 1.082), PIH (ARR = 1.059), and GDM (ARR = 1.030). Effects of race/ethnicity differed across these outcomes. Conclusion Greater SLE is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Black women continue to experience higher SLEs and are at higher risk of HTN before pregnancy and PIH. The findings of this study indicate there is an interplay between SLEs, HTN before pregnancy, PIH, and GDM, as well as race/ethnicity. This information is vital for public health efforts to reduce the disparities in adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Long-term outcomes of reduced-dose bleomycin in electrochemotherapy for basal cell carcinoma in elderly patients
Demultiplexing and barcode-specific adaptive sampling for nanopore direct RNA sequencing
Abstract Nanopore direct RNA sequencing (dRNA-seq) enables unique insights into RNA biology. However, applications are currently limited by the lack of accurate and cost-effective sample multiplexing. Here we introduce WarpDemuX, an ultra-fast and highly accurate adapter-barcoding and demultiplexing approach for dRNA-seq with SQK-RNA002 and SQK-RNA004 chemistries. WarpDemuX enhances speed and accuracy by fast processing of the raw nanopore signal, use of a light-weight machine-learning algorithm and design of optimized barcode sets. We demonstrate its utility by performing rapid phenotypic profiling of different SARS-CoV-2 viruses through multiplexed sequencing of longitudinal samples on a single flowcell, identifying systematic differences in transcript abundance and poly(A) tail lengths during infection. Additionally, integrating WarpDemuX into sequencing control software enables real-time enrichment of target molecules through barcode-specific adaptive sampling, which we demonstrate by enriching low abundance viral RNA. In summary, WarpDemuX represents a broadly applicable, high-performance, economical multiplexing solution for dRNA-seq, facilitating advanced (epi-) transcriptomic research.
Empowering entity synonym set generation using flexible perceptual field and multi-layer contextual information
Automatic generation of entity synonyms plays a pivotal role in various natural language processing applications, such as search engines, question-answering systems, and taxonomy construction. Previous research on generating entity synonym sets has typically relied on approaches that involve sorting and pruning candidate entities or solving the problem in a two-stage manner (i.e., initially identifying pairs of synonyms and subsequently aggregating them into sets). Nevertheless, these approaches tend to disregard global entity information and are susceptible to error propagation issues. This paper introduces an innovative approach to generating entity synonym sets that leverages a flexible perception mechanism and multi-layer contextual information. Firstly, to determine whether to incorporate new candidate entities into synonym sets, the approach integrates a neural network classifier with a flexible perceptual field. Within the classifier, the approach builds a three-layer interactive network, and connects the entity layer, set layer, and sentence layer to the same embedding space to extract synonym features. Secondly, we introduce a dynamic-weight-based algorithm for synthesizing entity synonym sets, leveraging a neural network classifier trained to generate entity synonym sets from the candidate entity vocabulary. Finally, extensive experimental results on three public datasets demonstrate that our approach outperforms other comparable approaches in generating entity synonym sets.
The spatiotemporal and multilevel impacts of metro on urban environmental protection
Stereopy: modeling comparative and spatiotemporal cellular heterogeneity via multi-sample spatial transcriptomics
A study on monthly sales forecasting of new energy vehicles in urban areas using the WOA-BiGRU model
To accurately predict the sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in Chinese cities and explore the applicability of optimization algorithms for GRU models in forecasting urban NEV sales., this paper conducts a spatiotemporal analysis of urban NEV sales data. The Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) is then employed to optimize the parameters of the Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit (BiGRU) model, thereby proposing a WOA-BiGRU-based model for monthly sales prediction for urban NEVs. Its prediction results are compared with those of the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The research findings are as follows: The growth of NEV sales has reversed the declining trend of overall automobile sales in China; Cities with higher NEV sales are predominantly concentrated in four major economic hubs--the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and Chengdu-Chongqing. Optimization techniques such as WOA can improve the accuracy of GRU models in predicting city-level sales of NEV. The WOA-BiGRU model outperforms both the standalone BiGRU and PSO models, achieving a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 3051.89, which is 526.18 lower than the BiGRU model and 104.72 lower than that of the PSO model. This study improves the accuracy of monthly sales prediction for urban NEVs, offering critical insights for the development of the NEV industry in China, the deployment of charging infrastructure, the stabilization of the power grid, and emission reduction in the transportation sector.