Factors Influencing Bike Share Among Underserved Populations: Evidence from Three US Cities

There is evidence that lower-income and people of color (POC) in the U.S. do not use bike share as much as higher-income and white people. Using data from residents living near stations in New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia, our analysis examines reasons for these disparities. While smaller shares of POC are members (vs higher-income white people), large shares of POC are interested in bike share. Among POC, having positive attitudes about bicycling and having family and friends that use bike share are strong predictors of interest in bike share. POC are also motivated to use bike share for recreational reasons. Receiving information from interactive sources may be effective at increasing bike share use and interest, though it is not clear whether these efforts have affected POC. Cost is a barrier for people who have tried bike share and are interested in using it in the future but are not members

Data From: Active Transportation Counts from Existing On-Street Signal and Detection Infrastructure

This study’s objective was to use data from existing traffic signal infrastructure to estimate pedestrian volumes. Pedestrian push-button actuations were collected from signal controller logs at 49 intersections in western Oregon and an additional 16 intersections in eastern Oregon. These actuations were then compared to observed pedestrian counts, totaling over 34,000 people, obtained from video recordings. After exploring various options, a simple quadratic relationship was modeled using a single measure of pedestrian signal activity: the number of push-button presses (filtered to remove multiple presses within 15 seconds). The model’s predictions showed a correlation of 0.86 with observed pedestrian volumes and had an average error of ±2.4 pedestrians per hour. These results suggest that existing traffic signal infrastructure data can be used to estimate pedestrian volumes in Oregon with reasonable accuracy. Using such pedestrian volume estimates can lead to improvements in pedestrian traffic monitoring, safety assessments of exposure, and equity and health analyses

Comparative transcriptomic analysis reveals similarities and dissimilarities in saccharomyces cerevisiae wine strains response to nitrogen availability

Nitrogen levels in grape-juices are of major importance in winemaking ensuring adequate yeast growth and fermentation performance. Here we used a comparative transcriptome analysis to uncover wine yeasts responses to nitrogen availability during fermentation. Gene expression was assessed in three genetically and phenotypically divergent commercial wine strains (CEG, VL1 and QA23), under low (67 mg/L) and high nitrogen (670 mg/L) regimes, at three time points during fermentation (12h, 24h and 96h). Two-way ANOVA analysis of each fermentation condition led to the identification of genes whose expression was dependent on strain, fermentation stage and on the interaction of both factors. The high fermenter yeast strain QA23 was more clearly distinct from the other two strains, by differential expression of genes involved in flocculation, mitochondrial functions, energy generation and protein folding and stabilization. For all strains, higher transcriptional variability due to fermentation stage was seen in the high nitrogen fermentations. A positive correlation between maximum fermentation rate and the expression of genes involved in stress response was observed. The finding of common genes correlated with both fermentation activity and nitrogen up-take underlies the role of nitrogen on yeast fermentative fitness. The comparative analysis of genes differentially expressed between both fermentation conditions at 12h, where the main difference was the level of nitrogen available, showed the highest variability amongst strains revealing strain-specific responses. Nevertheless, we were able to identify a small set of genes whose expression profiles can quantitatively assess the common response of the yeast strains to varying nitrogen conditions. The use of three contrasting yeast strains in gene expression analysis prompts the identification of more reliable, accurate and reproducible biomarkers that will facilitate the diagnosis of deficiency of this nutrient in the grape-musts and the development of strategies to optimize yeast performance in industrial fermentations

Effects of Data Aggregation (buffer) Techniques on Bicycle Volume Estimation

Researchers and practitioners commonly use a Direct Demand Model (DDM), which uses link, distance, and buffered variables (e.g., land use) to predict Annual Average Daily Bicycle Traffic (AADBT). Past studies deploy random buffer size combinations to find the best-fit variables for their specific DDMs. However, none of these studies seek to identify the best buffer types and sizes, and only a few past studies investigate the impacts of local characteristics on buffer type and size selection. Therefore, this study aims to determine the best buffer types and sizes and evaluate the impact of local characteristics on buffer type and size selection. To select the preferred buffer type and size, this study tests two types (Network and Euclidean) of buffers with seven unique sizes (0.1, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0, 1.50, and 2.0 miles) and their combination for six different geographies (Portland, Eugene, Bend, Boulder, Charlotte, and Dallas). This study develops a total of 168 cross-validated (10 folds 5 repeats) generalized and city-specific Poisson regression models using emerging data sources (i.e., Strava, StreetLight) and contextual variables. Results recommend that a generalized model with the combination of Network and Euclidean buffers of multiple sizes provide the best prediction of AADBT, and Network buffers outperform Euclidean buffers. However, city-specific models with a single type and size of buffer sometimes outperform the generalized model. Network density determines the types and sizes of buffers. This research will help policymakers and modelers understand the sizes and types of buffers required to extract the variables to construct a DDM for AADBT estimations

Abdominal wall reconstruction with component separation at the time of incisional hernia among survivors of emergency laparotomy after traumatic injuries: a population-based analysis of complications and healthcare utilization

Aim: The utilization and outcomes of abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) using advanced techniques such as component separation for incisional hernia (IH) repair following laparotomy in trauma populations has not been described. The objective was to describe AWR with component separation (AWR-CS) utilization in this setting and to assess postoperative complications and readmissions.Methods: We identified adult patients admitted for IH repair (IHR) with a history of and admission for traumatic injuries with concurrent laparotomy in six geographically diverse statewide inpatient databases (2006-2015). AWR-CS was defined by ICD-9 codes corresponding to myocutaneous flap. Risk-adjusted logistic regression and generalized linear models were used to compare postoperative complications, 30-day readmissions and cumulative costs associated with AWR-CS.Results: Of 952 patients with a history of trauma laparotomy who were admitted electively for IHR, 6.8% underwent AWR-CS. Patients who underwent AWR-CS experienced increased complications [adjusted odds ratio 2.6 (95%CI: 1.48-4.57); P < 0.001], cumulative costs (median $20,805 vs.$ 15,529; P < 0.001) and longer length-of-stay (median days 6 vs. 5; P = 0.002). These differences were driven by postoperative complication, which were independently associated with increased length of stay [predicted mean difference 6.53 days (95%CI: 4.66-8.41); P < 0.001], costs [$14,550 (95$ 9,258-19,841); P < 0.001] and 30-day cumulative costs [$20,176 (95$ 12,621-27,731); P < 0.001] within risk-adjusted analyses.Conclusion: AWR-CS is part of the armamentarium needed to manage trauma laparotomy survivors who develop complex IH defects requiring surgical repair. It can result in increased complications that amplify postoperative healthcare utilization. Leverage of tools for the identification of high-risk patients, prehabilitation and enhanced surgical techniques is warranted to minimize postoperative complications in these patients

One-Year Health Care Utilization and Recurrence After Incisional Hernia Repair in the United States: A Population-Based Study Using the Nationwide Readmission Database.

BACKGROUND: Most data on health care utilization after incisional hernia (IH) repair are limited to 30-days and are not nationally representative. We sought to describe nationwide 1-year readmission burden after IH repair (IHR). METHODS: Patients undergoing elective IHR discharged alive were identified using the 2010-2014 Nationwide Readmission Database. Transfers and incomplete follow-up were excluded. Descriptive statistics were used to describe rates of 1-year readmission, IH recurrence, and bowel obstruction. Cox regression allowed identification of factors associated with 1-year readmissions. Generalized linear models were used to estimate predicted mean difference in cumulative costs/year, which allowed estimation of IHR readmission costs/year nationwide. RESULTS: Of 15,935 identified patients, 19.35% were readmitted within 1 y. Patients who were readmitted differed by insurance, Charlson index, illness severity, smoking status, disposition, and surgical approach compared with those who were not (P \u3c 0.05). Of readmitted patients, 39.3% returned within 30 d; 50.9% and 25.6% were due to any and infectious complications, respectively; 25.6% presented to a different hospital; 35.4% required reoperation; 5.4% experienced bowel obstruction; and 5% had IHR revision. Factors associated with readmissions included Medicare (hazard ratio [HR] 1.46 [95% confidence interval 1.19-1.8]; P \u3c 0.01) or Medicaid (HR 1.42 [1.12-1.8], P \u3c 0.01); chronic pulmonary disease (1.38 [1.17-1.64], P \u3c 0.01), and anemia (1.36, [1.05-1.75], P = 0.02). Readmitted patients had higher 1-year cumulative costs (predicted mean difference $12,190 [95$90,196,248/y. CONCLUSIONS: One-year readmissions after IHR are prevalent and most commonly due to postoperative complications, especially infections. One-third of readmitted patients require a subsequent operation, and 5% experience IH recurrence, intensifying the burden to patients and on the health care system