Indoor air quality of urban public transportation stations in China: Based on air quality evaluation indexes

Indoor air quality (IAQ) of urban public transportation stations (UPTS) has adverse health impacts on the station employees and commuters. However, there is a lack of comprehensively evaluations of IAQ in waiting rooms of UPTS. Therefore, it is crucial to select appropriate air quality indexes (including fuzzy synthetic index (B), comprehensive index (P), I1 index, and indoor air quality index (IAQI)) to assess air quality and potential health risks. Our study is a subsample of the CPPEHS 2019 study, which included 224 UPTS in 126 cities of China. We found that P index showed an excellent air quality rate of 95.96% in the railway stations and 83.19% in the inter-city bus stations. The P index was correlated with UPTS usage years, useable area, and per passenger useable area. Furthermore, waiting rooms in UPTS with good (OR = 1.9187, 95% CI: 1.1204, 3.2859) and bad (OR = 2.0854, 95% CI: 1.2182, 3.5698) air quality evaluated by P index had a higher risk of rhinitis compared to those with excellent air quality. Similarly, UPTS with good (OR = 2.2202, 95% CI: 1.3427, 3.6711), bad (OR = 1.7897, 95% CI: 1.0807, 2.9637), and serious (OR = 1.7478, 95% CI: 1.0098, 3.0250) air quality evaluated by P index were associated with a higher risk of pharyngitis. These findings suggested that P index is the optimal index for assessing air quality in UPTS, while IAQI may exaggerate indoor air pollution and the B index may underestimate it. Overall, this study aims to identify and evaluate the more suitable air quality index (P) in nationwide UPTS, providing valuable insights for control of IAQ and guiding the air quality management and standards.

Vehicular traffic noise modelling of urban area-a contouring and artificial neural network based approach

Road traffic vehicular noise is one of the main sources of environmental pollution in urban areas of India. Also, steadily increasing urbanization, industrialization, infrastructures around city condition causes health risks among the urban populations. In this study, we have explored noise descriptors (L₁₀, L₉₀, L_dn, LNI, TNI, NC), contour plotting and find the suitability of artificial neural networks (ANN) for the prediction of traffic noise all around the Dhanbad township in 15 monitoring stations. In order to develop the prediction model, measuring noise levels of five different hours, speed of vehicles, and traffic volume in every monitoring point have been studied and analyzed. Traffic volume, percent of heavy vehicles, speed, traffic flow, road gradient, pavement, road side carriageway distance factors were taken as input parameter, whereas L_Aeq as output parameter for formation of neural network architecture. As traffic flow is heterogenous which mainly contains 59%, two wheelers and different vehicle specifications with varying speeds also affect driving and honking behavior which constantly changing noise characteristics. From radial noise diagrams shown that average noise levels of all the stations beyond permissible limit and the highest noise levels were found at the speed of 50-55 km/h in both peak and non-peak hours. Noise descriptors clearly indicate high annoyance level in the study area. Artificial neural network with 7-7-5 formation has been developed and found as optimum due to its sum of square and overall relative error 0.858 and .029 in training and 0.458 and 0.862 in testing phase respectively. Comparative analysis between observed and predicted noise level shows very less deviation up to ± 0.6 dB(A) and the R² linear values are more than 0.9 in all five noise hours indicating the accuracy of model. Also, it can be concluded that ANN approach is much superior in prediction of traffic noise level to any other statistical method.

Bayesian modeling for pro-environmental behavior data: sorting and selecting relevant variables

Pro-environmental behaviors towards climate change can be measured and evaluated in different fields. Typically, surveys are the standard tool for extracting personal information regarding this phenomenon. However, statistical modeling for these surveys is not straightforward, as the response variable is often not explicit. Hence, we propose a set of methodological procedures to deal with pro-environmental behavior data. First, validity evidence through a factorial analysis. Second, indexes are created from factor scores, where one of the latent factors summarizes a target variable. Third, a Beta regression is used to model the index of interest. Fourth, the inferential process is performed from a Bayesian perspective, in which posterior probabilities are used to sort and select the relevant variables. Finally, suitable models are obtained, and conclusions can be drawn from them. As a motivation, we used data from two Chilean surveys to illustrate our methodology as well as interpret and discuss the results.

Production costs, economic viability, and risks associated with compost bedded pack, freestall, and drylot systems in dairy farms

The adoption of intensive production systems, such as compost bedded pack (CB) and freestall (FS), has increased recently in tropical regions, mainly replacing the drylot system (DL). Thus, our objectives were to compare production costs, economic outcomes, and risk of dairy operations in CB, FS, and DL systems. We collected data from 2 181 Brazilian farms over 120 consecutive months; 960 farms (144 CB, 133 FS, and 683 DL) met our selection criteria. All costs were modeled for two animal production categories: milking cows and non-milking animals. We used a regression model that included linear and quadratic parameters, and we added the production system as a fixed variable for all parameters tested with this model. Consultant, year, herd, and herd × system interaction were included in the model as random variables. Further, we simulated annual technical and economic indexes per farm. In addition, we developed a risk analysis to measure the probability of negative profit of the farms based on a 14-year historical series of milk prices. All production costs were affected by the system. Feed, medicine, sundry, and labor costs per farm per year were greater in DL farms when milk yield (MY) was greater than 3 500 L/day. The variables such as milk yield, assets per liter, asset turnover rate, return on assets, operational profit, profit per cow, and per liter of milk variables were greater in CB and FS with high MY (>3 000 L/day). Nonetheless, DL had the greatest economic indexes with a lower MY (<3 000 L/day), lower operating costs, and greater economic outcomes. The risk analysis indicated that the probability of negative profit (risk) was reduced for CB and FS as MY increased, but DL had the lowest risk with low MY levels. In conclusion, we suggest DL as the most attractive system for farms with MY between 150 and 3 000 L of milk/day as the DL had the lowest risk and the greatest profit in this production scale. Despite similar outcomes for CB and FS in most of the farms, the profit per cow ($/year), assets turnover rate (%), risk (%) and expected profit ($/L) analysis indicated that CB could be recommended for farms with MY greater than 3 200 L of milk/day, whereas based on risk (%) and expected profit ($/L), FS would be the most profitable system in dairies producing more than 8 000 L of milk/day per farm.

An empirical study of factors associated with height-for-age z-scores of children aged 6-23 months in northwest Rwanda: the role of care practices related to child feeding and health

We aimed to identify the factors influencing child height-for-age z-scores (HAZ) as a measure of child nutritional status in Rwanda, and to examine the role of child feeding and health practices. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 379 children (aged 6-23 months) and their mothers in northwest Rwanda. Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire. An infant and young child feeding practices index (ICFI) and health practices index (HPI) were developed and categorised into tertiles, and linear regression analyses were performed to assess their association with child HAZ. Overall, mothers of non-stunted children exhibited better feeding and health practices than those of stunted children. ICFI was positively associated with child HAZ. We found an adjusted mean HAZ difference of 0·14 between children whose mothers were in high ICFI tertile compared with those in low tertile. Neither HPI nor any of its components were significantly associated with child HAZ. Other factors that were positively associated with child HAZ were infant birth weight (P < 0·001) and maternal height (P < 0·001). Child age, sex (male) (P < 0·05) and altitude (P < 0·05) were negatively associated with child HAZ. Diarrhoea (P < 0·05) and respiratory infections (P < 0·05) were negatively associated with HAZ in younger children aged 6-11 months. Policies to reduce stunting in this population must focus on both pre- and postnatal factors. Appropriate child feeding practices, particularly breast-feeding promotion and improvement in children's dietary diversity combined with measures to control infections should be given priority.

Market capitalization: Pre and post COVID-19 analysis

This research paper focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on Indian Stock Market and shares performance. In other words, the article analyses the market capitalization correlation between the performances of shares and the growth of the share market, using the stock market data of Pre and post COVID-19 status by comparing the data from Jan’20 to Jun’20. The variables have positive and statistically strong significance on the changes in the market’s performance and the value of its market capitalization.

Early pregnancy diagnoses based on physiological indexes of dairy cattle: a review

With the development of standardization and scaling in the dairy farming industry, timely and accurate pregnancy diagnosis is required to improve the benefits of breeding by shortening the calving interval. However, the current pregnancy diagnostic methods cannot meet the requirements of the industry. Here, we review changes in the physiological indexes and in the function and morphological status of the reproductive organs of dairy cows at the early stages of pregnancy. In addition, the corresponding pregnancy diagnostic methods based on certain indexes are well development, and the pregnancy diagnostic approaches based on remote sensing and automation technology have become inevitable trends in the industry. These applications will reveal physiological regularities in pregnancy and benefit the detailed management of dairy cows during early pregnancy.

Histological and inflammatory analysis to diagnostic method of proximal gingivitis by flossing

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess with histological and inflammatory analysis the use of flossing as a diagnostic method for detecting proximal gingivitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a diagnostic accuracy paper composed of two different studies. In the first study, three groups were identified based on papilla status: bleeding (+) with both methods (N = 26); bleeding (+) with dental floss, but no bleeding (-) with probing (N = 26); and no bleeding (-) with either method (N = 26). One papilla from all 78 participants was biopsied and analyzed for the determination of inflammatory infiltrate and percentage of collagen fibers. Sensibility, specificity, positive and negative predictive, and accuracy values were analyzed. In the second study, the volume of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was analyzed in 49 participants with flossing+/probing- and flossing-/probing- at contralateral proximal sites. The GCF volume was compared between these sites (n = 172).

RESULTS

Significantly greater frequencies of moderate/intense inflammation were found in the flossing+/probing+ (100%) and flossing+/probing- (92.3%) groups compared to those in the flossing-/probing- (0%) group. Significantly different percentages of collagen fibers were found among the three groups (flossing+/probing+ (40.90 ± 3.68); flossing+/probing- (45.78 ± 4.55); flossing-/probing- (60.01 ± 36.66)) (P < 0.001). Dental floss increased the balance between sensitivity and specificity values and showed highest positive predictive (100%) and accuracy (97%) values. Among the 172 sites evaluated, positive bleeding sites had a significantly greater volume of GCF (38 (27-68)) than negative sites (25 (16-51)) (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that flossing can be used as a diagnostic method for proximal gingivitis in subjects with no history of periodontitis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Dental floss can be used as a complementary diagnostic method for proximal gingivitis in adults without clinical attachment loss in clinical practice as well as epidemiology studies.

Available prognostic models for risk stratification of diffuse large B cell lymphoma patients: a systematic review

The International Prognostic Index (IPI) has been used for risk stratification for a long time in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Based on new clinical and biological prognostic markers, many new prognostic models have been described. This review aims to present the progress in development and validation of these prognostic models. A comprehensive literature review was performed to identify studies that proposed a new prognostic model in DLBCL. A total of 38 studies met the inclusion criteria. The IPI, revised IPI (R-IPI), and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)-IPI were the most studied prognostic indexes, externally validated and commonly used to compare to other models. Despite an increasing number of prognostic models have been proposed lately, most of them lack external validation. Further studies, that combine biological and clinical markers with prognostic significance, are needed to determine the optimal prognostic tool for more personalized treatment approach to DLBCL patients.

Methods for quantitative measurement of tooth wear using the area and volume of virtual model cusps

Purpose

Clinicians must examine tooth wear to make a proper diagnosis. However, qualitative methods of measuring tooth wear have many disadvantages. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and evaluate quantitative parameters using the cusp area and volume of virtual dental models.

Methods

The subjects of this study were the same virtual models that were used in our former study. The same age group classification and new tooth wear index (NTWI) scoring system were also reused. A virtual occlusal plane was generated with the highest cusp points and lowered vertically from 0.2 to 0.8 mm to create offset planes. The area and volume of each cusp was then measured and added together. In addition to the former analysis, the differential features of each cusp were analyzed.

Results

The scores of the new parameters differentiated the age and NTWI groups better than those analyzed in the former study. The Spearman ρ coefficients between the total area and the area of each cusp also showed higher scores at the levels of 0.6 mm (0.6A) and 0.8A. The mesiolingual cusp (MLC) showed a statistically significant difference (P<0.01) from the other cusps in the paired t-test. Additionally, the MLC exhibited the highest percentage of change at 0.6A in some age and NTWI groups. Regarding the age groups, the MLC showed the highest score in groups 1 and 2. For the NTWI groups, the MLC was not significantly different in groups 3 and 4. These results support the proposal that the lingual cusp exhibits rapid wear because it serves as a functional cusp.

Conclusions

Although this study has limitations due to its cross-sectional nature, it suggests better quantitative parameters and analytical tools for the characteristics of cusp wear.

Characterization and remediation of sample index swaps by non-redundant dual indexing on massively parallel sequencing platforms

BACKGROUND

Here we present an in-depth characterization of the mechanism of sequencer-induced sample contamination due to the phenomenon of index swapping that impacts Illumina sequencers employing patterned flow cells with Exclusion Amplification (ExAmp) chemistry (HiSeqX, HiSeq4000, and NovaSeq). We also present a remediation method that minimizes the impact of such swaps.

RESULTS

Leveraging data collected over a two-year period, we demonstrate the widespread prevalence of index swapping in patterned flow cell data. We calculate mean swap rates across multiple sample preparation methods and sequencer models, demonstrating that different library methods can have vastly different swapping rates and that even non-ExAmp chemistry instruments display trace levels of index swapping. We provide methods for eliminating sample data cross contamination by utilizing non-redundant dual indexing for complete filtering of index swapped reads, and share the sequences for 96 non-combinatorial dual indexes we have validated across various library preparation methods and sequencer models. Finally, using computational methods we provide a greater insight into the mechanism of index swapping.

CONCLUSIONS

Index swapping in pooled libraries is a prevalent phenomenon that we observe at a rate of 0.2 to 6% in all sequencing runs on HiSeqX, HiSeq 4000/3000, and NovaSeq. Utilizing non-redundant dual indexing allows for the removal (flagging/filtering) of these swapped reads and eliminates swapping induced sample contamination, which is critical for sensitive applications such as RNA-seq, single cell, blood biopsy using circulating tumor DNA, or clinical sequencing.

Automatic Quantification of Radiographic Wrist Joint Space Width of Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective: Wrist joint space narrowing is a main radiographic outcome of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Yet, automatic radiographic wrist joint space width (JSW) quantification for RA patients has not been widely investigated. The aim of this paper is to present an automatic method to quantify the JSW of three wrist joints that are least affected by bone overlapping and are frequently involved in RA. These joints are located around the scaphoid bone, viz. the multangular-navicular, capitate-navicular-lunate, and radiocarpal joints. Methods: The joint space around the scaphoid bone is detected by using consecutive searches of separate path segments, where each segment location aids in constraining the subsequent one. For joint margin delineation, first the boundary not affected by X-ray projection is extracted, followed by a backtrace process to obtain the actual joint margin. The accuracy of the quantified JSW is evaluated by comparison with the manually obtained ground truth. Results: Two of the 50 radiographs used for evaluation of the method did not yield a correct path through all three wrist joints. The delineated joint margins of the remaining 48 radiographs were used for JSW quantification. It was found that 90% of the joints had a JSW deviating less than 20% from the mean JSW of manual indications, with the mean JSW error less than 10%. Conclusion: The proposed method is able to automatically quantify the JSW of radiographic wrist joints reliably.

SIGNIFICANCE

The proposed method may aid clinical researchers to study the progression of wrist joint damage in RA studies.Objective: Wrist joint space narrowing is a main radiographic outcome of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Yet, automatic radiographic wrist joint space width (JSW) quantification for RA patients has not been widely investigated. The aim of this paper is to present an automatic method to quantify the JSW of three wrist joints that are least affected by bone overlapping and are frequently involved in RA. These joints are located around the scaphoid bone, viz. the multangular-navicular, capitate-navicular-lunate, and radiocarpal joints. Methods: The joint space around the scaphoid bone is detected by using consecutive searches of separate path segments, where each segment location aids in constraining the subsequent one. For joint margin delineation, first the boundary not affected by X-ray projection is extracted, followed by a backtrace process to obtain the actual joint margin. The accuracy of the quantified JSW is evaluated by comparison with the manually obtained ground truth. Results: Two of the 50 radiographs used for evaluation of the method did not yield a correct path through all three wrist joints. The delineated joint margins of the remaining 48 radiographs were used for JSW quantification. It was found that 90% of the joints had a JSW deviating less than 20% from the mean JSW of manual indications, with the mean JSW error less than 10%. Conclusion: The proposed method is able to automatically quantify the JSW of radiographic wrist joints reliably.

SIGNIFICANCE

The proposed method may aid clinical researchers to study the progression of wrist joint damage in RA studies.

Clinical oral dryness score: evaluation of a new screening method for oral dryness

The purpose of this study was to explore the association of the clinical oral dryness score (CODS) with salivary flow rates, xerostomia inventory (XI), and bother index (BI). 147 patients were screened using CODS, which determined 10 features of oral dryness. Each feature contributed 1 point, and the total score varied from 0 to 10. Unstimulated (UWS), chewing-stimulated (CH-SWS) and acid-stimulated (A-SWS) whole salivary flows and the XI and BI were measured. Associations were explored with a bootstrapped Spearman rank correlation test (1000 × bootstrapping). Based on unstimulated salivary flow, 55 patients were classified as hyposalivators, 31 as low salivators, 48 as normosalivators and 13 as high salivators. Median CODS in the hyposalivation group was 5 (IQR 3–6) compared with 3 (IQR 2–5) in the low salivation group, 2 (IQR 1–4) in the normal salivation group and 2 (IQR 1–2.5) in the high salivation group. Significant associations between CODS and the other parameters were only found in the hyposalivation group between CODS and UWS (ρ(53) = − 0.513; p < 0.01), between CODS and CH-SWS (ρ(53) = − 0.453; p < 0.01), between CODS and A-SWS (ρ(53) = − 0.500; p < 0.01), CODS and XI (ρ(53) = 0.343; p < 0.001) and between CODS and BI (ρ(53) = 0.375; p = 0.01). In patients with hyposalivation, CODS is associated with unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow and XI and BI. CODS alone or a combination of CODS with a subjective measure, such as the XI or BI, could be recommended during routine clinical assessment to detect hyposalivation.

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in children and adolescents: A systematic review

BACKGROUND AND AIM

A decreased adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) may be related to a rise in chronic non-communicable diseases from childhood onward. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the available literature regarding MD adherence in children and adolescents, and focusing, more specifically, on the association of MD adherence with demographic and anthropometric variables, body composition, lifestyle, and diet adequacy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A search of scientific literature was carried out on PUBMED, SCOPUS, Clinical Trials Results, Google Scholar, and British Library Inside for studies published in the last 20 years. Fifty-eight papers were finally included according to the following criteria: MD adherence evaluated through a quantifying score or index, age 2-20 years, sample size >200 participants, observational or intervention studies regarding the general population. The KIDMED index was the most widely used scoring system. MD adherence widely varied within the Mediterranean countries for both children and adolescents, with also large differences among various European countries, while few data are available for non-Mediterranean countries. Most of the eligible studies showed that MD adherence was directly associated with physical activity (and possibly with diet adequacy) and inversely with sedentary behavior, while the results for gender, age, socioeconomic status and weight status were not consistent.

CONCLUSIONS

Further validation of MD indexes in terms of reproducibility and consistency with the MD is needed. At the same time, more prospective cohort and intervention studies may better elucidate the relationships of MD adherence with behavioral and health outcomes.

Gender inequality and violence against women in Spain, 2006-2014: towards a civilized society

Objective

Considering both the economic crisis of 2008 and the Gender Equality Law (2007), this study analyses the association between gender inequality in Spanish Autonomous Communities (AC) and intimate partner violence (IPV) from 2006 to 2014 in terms of socio-demographic characteristics.

Methods

Ecological study in the 17 Spanish AC on the correlation between the reported cases by IPV and deaths and the Gender Inequality Index and its dimensions: empowerment, participation in the labour market and adolescent birth rates; and their correlation with Young People Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).

Results

In 2006, IPV mortality rates were higher in autonomous communities with greater gender inequality than AC with more equality (4.1 vs. 2.5 × 10⁶ women >14 years), as were reporting rates of IPV (OR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.47–1.50). In 2014, the IPV mortality rates in AC with greater gender inequality fell to just below the mortality rates in AC with more gender equality (2.5 vs. 2.7 × 10⁶ women >14 years). Rates of IPV reports also decreased (OR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.20–1.23). Adolescent birth rates were most associated with IPV reports, which were also associated with the burden of NEET by AC (ρ₂₀₀₆ = 0.494, ρ₂₀₁₄ = 0.615).

Conclusion

Gender-sensitive policies may serve as a platform for reduced mortality and reports of IPV in Spain, particularly in AC with more gender inequality. A reduction of NEET may reduce adolescent birth rates and in turn IPV rates.

[Diet quality of preschool children aged 2 to 5 years living in the urban area of Pelotas, Brazil]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the dietary quality of preschool children in the urban area of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil.

METHODS

Dietary quality was measured according to the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), adapted to Brazil. Food consumption was obtained using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The index score was obtained by a score, ranging from 0 to 100, distributed in 13 food groups that characterize different components of a healthy diet. The better the quality of the diet, the closer the score is to 100.

RESULTS

Dietary was evaluated in 556 preschoolers. The mean HEI score value was 74.4 points, indicating that diets need improvement. The mean scores were significantly higher among girls and in children from families with income between one and less than three minimum wages.

CONCLUSIONS

The children showed vegetable consumption below the recommended level, while the food group of oils and fats, as well as the group of sugars, candies, chocolates and snacks were consumed in excess. It is important to reinforce guidelines to promote healthier eating habits, which may persist later in life.