Rutting prediction models are essential elements of efficient pavement management systems. Accuracy of commonly used predictive models necessitates knowledge of the input parameters that they ...incorporate and local calibration of the model coefficients. This study aims at developing a rutting prediction model that incorporates a limited number of inputs, yet is able to accommodate, with sufficient generalisation abilities, to the data scarcity and resource limitations in developing countries. The prediction model is developed by employing deep neural network techniques (DNN) on data extracted from the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) database. The predictive capability of the DNN model is compared to those of the state-of-the-practice and a multivariate linear regression model fitted using the same dataset. It is found that the DNN rutting prediction model features enhanced predictive power compared to commonly used models in the literature. In addition to predicting pavement rutting, the developed model is further utilised to assess and rank the relative impact of the different model inputs on rutting. The sensitivity analysis results confirm the high influence of traffic and climatic conditions. Moreover, generic family rutting predictive curves corresponding to specific traffic, climate, and performance combinations are developed to render rutting predictions available to all road agencies.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
BFBNIB, DOBA, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
•Pedestrian crash counts are modeled.•Disparities between majority Black and non-majority Black neighborhoods are examined.•Pedestrian crashes are strongly affected by the density of transit ...stops.•Black pedestrians are more likely to be involved in crashes in non-majority Black neighborhoods.•Policy and equity implications are identified.
In this paper, we unpack the magnitude effects of the determinants of pedestrian crashes using a multivariate analysis approach. We consider four sets of exogenous factors that characterize residential neighborhoods as well as potentially affect pedestrian crashes and the racial composition of such crashes: (1) crash risk exposure (CE) attributes, (2) cultural variables, (3) built environment (BE) features, and (4) sociodemographic (SD) factors. Our investigation uses pedestrian crash and related data from the City of Houston, Texas, which we analyze at the spatial Census Block Group (CBG) level. Our results indicate that social resistance considerations (that is, minorities resisting norms as they are perceived as being set by the majority group), density of transit stops, and road design considerations (in particular in and around areas with high land-use diversity) are the three strongest determinants of pedestrian crashes, particularly in CBGs with a majority of the resident population being Black. The findings of this study can enable policymakers and planners to develop more effective countermeasures and interventions to contain the growing number of pedestrian crashes in recent years, as well as racial disparities in pedestrian crashes. Importantly, transportation safety engineers need to work with social scientists and engage with community leaders to build trust before leaping into implementing planning countermeasures and interventions. Issues of social resistance, in particular, need to be kept in mind.
Predicting pavement rutting is associated with significant uncertainties that often lead to inefficient maintenance planning. The predictive performance of rutting models is exacerbated in local road ...agencies and developing countries that rely on generic and knowledge-based models which are typically unreliable if used without adaptation, validation, or calibration. This study aims at developing a probabilistic framework that employs Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) techniques to update the parameters associated with generic rutting predictive models while accounting for the prevailing uncertainties. When coupled with a continuous influx of measured data, the EnKF framework sequentially updates the generic models and minimizes prediction errors in real-time. The robustness of the presented scheme is demonstrated through a numerical example, and its sensitivity to the use of different generic curves as starting points is examined. The results indicate that the EnKF framework improves the accuracy of rutting predictions by up to 60% and that accuracy remains within tolerable limits whilst varying the range of the uncertainty in the measurements or the initial states. The paper concludes with a discussion of how practitioners can integrate the outcomes of the presented framework to enact maintenance policies that minimize the financial cost at the project and network levels.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
BFBNIB, DOBA, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
•Dining choices are analyzed, including eat-in delivery and take-out options.•The impact of dining patters on travel patterns is examined.•A multivariate ordered-response model is employed.•Policy ...implications are identified.
In this paper, we examine the non-home-cooked meal (NHCM) preferences of individuals for their dinner meal by studying the monthly count of NHCM meals by channel type: eat-out, eat-in takeout, and eat-in delivery. Data from a 2022 online survey collected in Texas is employed to estimate a multivariate joint model. Model estimation results indicate that the most frequent customers of the eat-out channel are white individuals, individuals from 3+ motorized vehicle-owning households, those in non-joint families, those in households with no children, full-time employees who never work from home or do so only for a small fraction of their workdays, and those residing in areas with a high density of restaurants. The distinct consumer segments for the eat-in takeout channel include young individuals, those with high household incomes, those working from home all their workdays or a substantial fraction of their workdays, and urban residents; the most enthusiastic consumers of the eat-in delivery channel are white individuals, those with less than three vehicles in the household, individuals with children, urban residents, and those worried about pandemic-related personal health risks. Older individuals, non-white individuals, individuals with a graduate degree, individuals in fewer motorized vehicle-owning households and in joint families, those with children in the household, and rural residents constitute the most committed population segments of the home-cooked meal (HCM) consumption channel. The results suggest the important impact of workplace location on dining channel choice. The results also show clear evidence of complementary and substitution effects at play; the delivery channel complements eating out but substitutes takeout. Similarly, eat-out has a substitution effect on eat-in takeout. These effects have important implications for activity-travel behavior due to emerging technology-based ordering options for dining choices, especially in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic.
Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is common among patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease (COVID-19); however, its epidemiology may depend on the echocardiographic parameters used to define ...it.
To evaluate the prevalence of abnormalities in three common echocardiographic parameters of RV function among patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), as well as the effect of RV dilatation on differential parameter abnormality and the association of RV dysfunction with 60-day mortality.
We conducted a retrospective cohort study of ICU patients with COVID-19 between March 4, 2020, and March 4, 2021, who received a transthoracic echocardiogram within 48 hours before to at most 7 days after ICU admission. RV dysfunction and dilatation, respectively, were defined by guideline thresholds for tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), RV fractional area change, RV free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWS), and RV basal dimension or RV end-diastolic area. Association of RV dysfunction with 60-day mortality was assessed through logistic regression adjusting for age, prior history of congestive heart failure, invasive ventilation at the time of transthoracic echocardiogram, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score.
A total of 116 patients were included, of whom 69% had RV dysfunction by one or more parameters, and 36.3% of these had RV dilatation. The three most common patterns of RV dysfunction were the presence of three abnormalities, the combination of abnormal RVFWS and TAPSE, and isolated TAPSE abnormality. Patients with RV dilatation had worse RV fractional area change (24% vs. 36%;
= 0.001), worse RVFWS (16.3% vs. 19.1%;
= 0.005), higher RV systolic pressure (45 mm Hg vs. 31 mm Hg;
= 0.001) but similar TAPSE (13 mm vs. 13 mm;
= 0.30) compared with those with normal RV size. After multivariable adjustment, 60-day mortality was significantly associated with RV dysfunction (odds ratio, 2.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-9.44), as was the presence of at least two parameter abnormalities.
ICU patients with COVID-19 had significant heterogeneity in RV function abnormalities present with different patterns associated with RV dilatation. RV dysfunction by any parameter was associated with increased mortality. Therefore, a multiparameter evaluation may be critical in recognizing RV dysfunction in COVID-19.
This study aims to investigate the high-temperature performance grade (PG) adjustment (bumping) recommendations included in various international specifications and guidelines for airfield pavements, ...particularly for asphalt intermediate and base layers. The research was instigated following recent asphalt rutting occurrences in airport pavements. Mechanistic analysis, using the software FlexPave™, was employed to assess airfield pavement responses under hot climatic conditions and for different loading conditions. The results of the analysis pointed to three important factors that should be considered when selecting binder PG grades for airfield pavements, particularly for the asphalt intermediate and base layers: (1) deeper layers within an airfield pavement structure are subjected to considerably high compressive stresses; (2) deeper layers within an airfield pavement structure are subjected to longer loading times compared with surface layers; and (3) deeper layers within a pavement structure experience consistently high temperatures. Therefore, it is recommended that PG grade bumping be applied beyond the surface layer in airfield pavements, to the intermediate and base layers, in locations that experience very high temperatures and where rutting is a critical distress. This recommendation was supported by two case studies of airfield pavements in hot climates, where the one that applied PG grade bumping for the base layer performed well under heavy loading, while the one that did not apply PG grade bumping experienced premature rutting failure.
Plant-based diets, defined here as including both vegan and lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets, are growing in popularity throughout the Western world for various reasons, including concerns for human health ...and the health of the planet. Plant-based diets are more environmentally sustainable than meat-based diets and have a reduced environmental impact, including producing lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Dietary guidelines are normally formulated to enhance the health of society, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and prevent nutritional deficiencies. We reviewed the scientific data on plant-based diets to summarize their preventative and therapeutic role in cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis. Consuming plant-based diets is safe and effective for all stages of the life cycle, from pregnancy and lactation, to childhood, to old age. Plant-based diets, which are high in fiber and polyphenolics, are also associated with a diverse gut microbiota, producing metabolites that have anti-inflammatory functions that may help manage disease processes. Concerns about the adequate intake of a number of nutrients, including vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin D, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fats, are discussed. The use of fortified foods and/or supplements as well as appropriate food choices are outlined for each nutrient. Finally, guidelines are suggested for health professionals working with clients consuming plant-based diets.
Adjuvants are critical for the success of vaccines. Agonists of microbial pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are promising new adjuvant candidates. A mechanism through which adjuvants enhance ...immune responses is to stimulate innate immunity. We studied the innate immune response in humans to synthetic double-stranded RNA (polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid poly IC stabilized with poly-L-lysine poly ICLC), an agonist for toll-like receptor (TLR) 3, and the cytosolic RNA helicase MDA-5. Transcriptional analysis of blood samples from eight volunteers, after subcutaneous administration of poly ICLC, showed up-regulation of genes involved in multiple innate immune pathways in all subjects, including interferon (IFN) and inflammasome signaling. Blocking type I IFN receptor ex vivo significantly dampened the response to poly IC. Comparative transcriptional analysis showed that several innate immune pathways were similarly induced in volunteers immunized with the highly efficacious yellow fever vaccine. Therefore, a chemically defined PRR agonist like poly ICLC can be a reliable and authentic microbial mimic for inducing innate immune responses in humans.
Acute lung dysfunction of noninfectious etiology, known as idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS), is a severe complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Several mouse models ...have been recently developed to determine the underlying causes of IPS. A cohesive interpretation of experimental data and their relationship to the findings of clinical research studies in humans is needed to better understand the basis for current and future clinical trials for the prevention/treatment of IPS.
Our goal was to perform a comprehensive review of the preclinical (i.e., murine models) and clinical research on IPS.
An ATS committee performed PubMed and OVID searches for published, peer-reviewed articles using the keywords "idiopathic pneumonia syndrome" or "lung injury" or "pulmonary complications" AND "bone marrow transplant" or "hematopoietic stem cell transplant." No specific inclusion or exclusion criteria were determined a priori for this review.
Experimental models that reproduce the various patterns of lung injury observed after HSCT have identified that both soluble and cellular inflammatory mediators contribute to the inflammation engendered during the development of IPS. To date, 10 preclinical murine models of the IPS spectrum have been established using various donor and host strain combinations used to study graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). This, as well as the demonstrated T cell dependency of IPS development in these models, supports the concept that the lung is a target of immune-mediated attack after HSCT. The most developed therapeutic strategy for IPS involves blocking TNF signaling with etanercept, which is currently being evaluated in clinical trials.
IPS remains a frequently fatal complication that limits the broader use of allogeneic HSCT as a successful treatment modality. Faced with the clinical syndrome of IPS, one can categorize the disease entity with the appropriate tools, although cases of unclassifiable IPS will remain. Significant research efforts have resulted in a paradigm shift away from identifying noninfectious lung injury after HSCT solely as an idiopathic clinical syndrome and toward understanding IPS as a process involving aspects of both the adaptive and the innate immune response. Importantly, new laboratory insights are currently being translated to the clinic and will likely prove important to the development of future strategies to prevent or treat this serious disorder.
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is an option for continuously managing the care of patients in the comfort of their homes or locations outside hospitals and clinics. Patient engagement with RPM ...programs is essential for achieving successful outcomes and high quality of care. When relying on technology to facilitate monitoring and shifting disease management to the home environment, it is important to understand the patients' experiences to enable quality improvement.
This study aimed to describe patients' experiences and overall satisfaction with an RPM program for acute and chronic conditions in a multisite, multiregional health care system.
Between January 1, 2021, and August 31, 2022, a patient experience survey was delivered via email to all patients enrolled in the RPM program. The survey encompassed 19 questions across 4 categories regarding comfort, equipment, communication, and overall experience, as well as 2 open-ended questions. Descriptive analysis of the survey response data was performed using frequency distribution and percentages.
Surveys were sent to 8535 patients. The survey response rate was 37.16% (3172/8535) and the completion rate was 95.23% (3172/3331). Survey results indicated that 88.97% (2783/3128) of participants agreed or strongly agreed that the program helped them feel comfortable managing their health from home. Furthermore, 93.58% (2873/3070) were satisfied with the RPM program and ready to graduate when meeting the program goals. In addition, patient confidence in this model of care was confirmed by 92.76% (2846/3068) of the participants who would recommend RPM to people with similar conditions. There were no differences in ease of technology use according to age. Those with high school or less education were more likely to agree that the equipment and educational materials helped them feel more informed about their care plans than those with higher education levels.
This multisite, multiregional RPM program has become a reliable health care delivery model for the management of acute and chronic conditions outside hospitals and clinics. Program participants reported an excellent overall experience and a high level of satisfaction in managing their health from the comfort of their home environment.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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