The Effects of Weather on Passenger Flow of Urban Rail Transit

Predicting passenger flow on urban rail transit is important for the planning, design and decision-making of rail transit. Weather is an important factor that affects the passenger flow of rail transit by changing the travel mode choice of urban residents. This study aims to explore the influence of weather on urban rail transit ridership, taking four cities in China as examples, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu. To determine the weather effect on daily ridership rate, the three models were proposed with different combinations of the factors of temperature and weather type, using linear regression method.   The large quantities of data were applied to validate the developed models.  The results show that in Guangzhou, the daily ridership rate of rail transit increases with increasing temperature. In Chengdu, the ridership rate increases in rainy days compared to sunny days. While, in Beijing and Shanghai, the ridership rate increases in light rainfall and heavy rainfall (except moderate rainfall) compared to sunny days. The research findings are important to understand the impact of weather on passenger flow of urban rail transit. The findings can provide effective strategies to rail transit operators to deal with the fluctuation in daily passenger flow

Preparation and characterization of a novel triple composite scaffold containing silk fibroin, chitosan, extracellular matrix and the mechanism of Akt/FoxO signaling pathway in colonic cancer cells cultured in 3D

This work examined the physical and chemical properties and biocompatibility in vivo and in vitro of a unique triple composite scaffold incorporating silk fibroin, chitosan, and extracellular matrix. The materials were blended, cross-linked, and freeze-dried to create a composite scaffold of silk fibroin/chitosan/colon extracellular matrix (SF/CTS/CEM) with varying CEM contents. The SF/CTS/CEM (1:1:1) scaffold demonstrated the preferable shape, outstanding porosity, favorable connectivity, good moisture absorption, and acceptable and controlled swelling and degradation properties. Additionally, HCT-116 cells cultivated with SF/CTS/CEM (1:1:1) showed excellent proliferation capacity, cell malignancy, and delayed apoptosis, according to the in vitro cytocompatibility examination. We also examined the PI3K/PDK1/Akt/FoxO signaling pathway and discovered that cell culture using a SF/CTS/CEM (1:1:1) scaffold may prevent cell death by phosphorylating Akt and suppressing FoxO expression. Our findings demonstrate the potential of the SF/CTS/CEM (1:1:1) scaffold as an experimental model for colonic cancer cell culture and for replicating the three-dimensional in vivo cell growth environment

Hydration and Properties of Magnesium Potassium Phosphate Cement Modified by Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag: Influence of Fineness

Magnesium potassium phosphate cement (MKPC) is an excellent rapid repair material for concrete, and many mineral admixtures have been applied to promote its performance. This study focuses on the quantitative characterization of the physical and chemical contributions of granulated blast-furnace slag with various finenesses to the performance development of MKPC. It was found that the addition of slag could increase the setting time, which is mainly due to the dilution of cement. Fine slag tends to decrease the fluidity of MKPC mortar. The physical contributions of ordinary and ultrafine slag to the early performance of MKPC mortar are 23% and 30%, while the chemical contributions are only 6%~10%. At late ages, the physical contribution is less than 10% and the chemical contribution of slag is even slightly negative. The addition of slag is beneficial to the compact packing of MKPC, which is the main reason for the physical contribution. Slag could react in the MKPC system, and increasing the fineness significantly promotes the reaction kinetics

rationaldesignofavisiblelightphotochromicdiaryletheneasimplestrategybyextendingconjugationwithelectrondonatinggroups

Photochromic diarylethenes have been widely used in many fields. however, their cyclization process must be induced by uv light. in this article, a simple strategy is developed by extending pi-conjugation with electron donating groups. the modified dirylethene derivative can photocyclolize under 405-nm light with a good photochromic efficiency. meanwhile, its absorption and moderate fluorescence can be switched effectively in both directions by visible lights (405 and 520 nm, respectively) in different solutions and in living cells. we believe that this simple method will become a versatile strategy for developing various dirylethylenes with visible-light photochromism

Rational design of a visible-light photochromic diarylethene: a simple strategy by extending conjugation with electron donating groups

Photochromic diarylethenes have been widely used in many fields. However, their cyclization process must be induced by UV light. In this article, a simple strategy is developed by extending pi-conjugation with electron donating groups. The modified dirylethene derivative can photocyclolize under 405-nm light with a good photochromic efficiency. Meanwhile, its absorption and moderate fluorescence can be switched effectively in both directions by visible lights (405 and 520 nm, respectively) in different solutions and in living cells. We believe that this simple method will become a versatile strategy for developing various dirylethylenes with visible-light photochromism

Rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial of the effect of retinol and vitamin D supplementation on treatment in active pulmonary tuberculosis patients with diabetes

BACKGROUND: The association between pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) has been previously attracted much attention. Diabetes alters immunity to tuberculosis, leading to more frequent treatment failure in TB patients with DM. Moreover, TB and DM often coincide with micronutrients deficiencies, such as retinol and vitamin D, which are especially important to immunity of the body and may influence pancreas β-cell function. However, the effects of retinol and vitamin D supplementation in active TB patients with diabetes on treatment outcomes, immune and nutrition state are still uncertain. We are conducting a randomized controlled trial of vitamin A and/or D in active PTB patients with DM in a network of 4 TB treatment clinics to determine whether the supplementation could improve the outcome in the patients. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a 2×2 factorial trial. We plan to enroll 400 active PTB patients with DM, and randomize them to VA (2000 IU daily retinol); VD (400 IU daily cholecalciferol); VAD (2000 IU daily retinol plus 400 IU cholecalciferol) or control (placebo) group. Our primary outcome measure is the efficacy of anti-tuberculosis treatment and ameliorating of glucose metabolism, and the secondary outcome measure being immune and nutrition status of the subjects. Of the first 37 subjects enrolled: 8 have been randomized to VA, 10 to VD, 9 to VAD and 10 to control. To date, the sample is 97.3% Han Chinese and 91.9% female. The average fasting plasma glucose level is 12.19 mmol/L. DISCUSSION: This paper describes the design and rationale of a randomized clinical trial comparing VA and/or VD supplementation to active pulmonary TB patients with DM. Our trial will allow rigorous evaluation of the efficacy of the supplementation to active TB and DM therapy for improving clinical outcomes and immunological condition. This detailed description of trial methodology can serve as a template for the development of future treatment scheme for active TB patient with DM. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR-TRC-1200254

Hyperglycemia is associated with increased risk of patient delay in pulmonary tuberculosis in rural areas

Background: Excessive time between the first presentation of symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and diagnosis contributes to ongoing transmission and increased risk of infection in the community, as well as to increased disease severity and higher mortality. People with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have a higher risk of developing PTB. However, the effect of T2DM on delayed diagnosis of PTB is not fully understood. This study investigated the effects of hyperglycemia (diabetes and prediabetes) and other factors on PTB patient delay in a rural area of China. Methods: In the present community-based investigation, PTB patients aged ≥16years newly diagnosed at county tuberculosis dispensaries were recruited consecutively between September 2011 and December 2013. Fasting blood glucose was determined in all subjects, and a structured questionnaire was used to collect basic information. Results: Of the 2280 patients, 605 (26.5 %) had hyperglycemia. The median (interquartile range) time to seeking health care was 44 (59) days. Health care seeking was delayed in 1754 subjects, and hyperglycemia was independently associated with an increased probability (odds ratio 2.10; 95 % confidence interval 1.49-2.97) of patient delay in subjects aged ≥30years. Other factors associated with patient delay were cough, night sweats, and lack of knowledge regarding typical tuberculosis symptoms. The onset of hemoptysis was negatively correlated with patient delay. Conclusions: Patient delay appears to be a serious problem in this rural area with a high prevalence of tuberculosis. Hyperglycemia is independently associated with an increased probability of patient delay, which, in turn, may result in more serious clinical manifestations

Association between body mass index and diabetes mellitus in tuberculosis patients in China: a community based cross-sectional study

Abstract Background We planned to determine the association of body mass index (BMI) with diabetes mellitus (DM) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in Chinese pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients. Methods 3,505 newly-diagnosed PTB patients registered in PTB clinics in Linyi of China between September 2010 and March 2013 were enrolled. DM and IFG were identified based on fasting plasma glucose levels. ROC analysis was used to predict the ability of screening of BMI for DM and IFG in PTB patients. Results Compared with 18.5–23.9 kg/m2, patients with DM and IFG had significantly increased trends when BMI ≥ 24.0 kg/m2, and aORs were 2.28 (95%CI 1.44–3.60) and 1.30 (95%CI 1.04–1.64), respectively. After adjustment for age, gender, and educational level, there was an increased odd in BMI ≥ 23.41 kg/m2 for IFG, and a decreased odd in BMI < 19.82 kg/m2 for DM (p < 0.05). The cut-offs of BMI for screening IFG and DM in PTB patients were 22.22 kg/m2 (AUC 0.56) and 22.34 kg/m2 (AUC 0.59). Conclusions In PTB patients, BMI is significantly associated with IFG and DM. However, the predictive power of BMI was not sufficient, so it may only be a limited screening tool for DM and IFG among PTB patients in China

GABRD promotes progression and predicts poor prognosis in colorectal cancer

Little is known about the functional roles of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor subunit delta (GABRD) in colorectal cancer (CRC). The expression of GABRD between CRCs and adjacent normal tissues (NTs), metastasis and primary tumors was compared using public transcriptomic datasets. A tissue microarray and immunohistochemical staining (IHC) were used to determine the clinical and prognostic significance of the GABRD in CRC. We used gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments to investigate the in vitro roles of GABRD in cultured CRC cells. We characterized the potential mechanism of GABRD’s activities in CRC using a Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) with The Cancer Genome Atlas Colon Adenocarcinoma (TCGA-COAD) dataset. We found that the GABRD expression was significantly increased in CRCs compared to that in NTs, but was similar between metastasis and primary tumors. Overexpression of GABRD was significantly associated with later pTNM stages and unfavorable patient survival. Overexpression of GABRD accelerated while knock-down of GABRD inhibited cell growth and migration. Mechanistically, the function of GABRD might be ascribed to its influence on major oncogenic events such as epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, and hedgehog signaling. Collectively, GABRD could be a novel prognostic predictor for CRC that deserves further investigation