Comparative analysis & modelling for riders’ conflict avoidance behavior of E-bikes and bicycles at un-signalized intersections

With the increasing popularity of electric-assist bikes (E-bikes) in China, U.S. and Europe, the corresponding safety issues at intersections have attracted the attention of researchers. Understanding the microscopic behavior of E-bike riders during conflicts with other road users is fundamental for safety improvement and simulation modeling of E-bikes at intersections. This study compared the conflict avoidance behaviors of E-bike and conventional bicycle riders using field data extracted from video recordings of different intersections. The impact of conflicting road user type and gender on E-bikes and bicycles were analyzed. Compared with bicycles, E-bikes appeared to enable more flexibility in conflict avoidance behavior. For example, E-bikes would behave like bicycles when conflicting with motor vehicles/Ebikes, and behave more like motor vehicles when conflicting with bicycles/pedestrians. Based on this, we built an Extended Cyclist Conflict Avoidance Movement (ECCAM) model, which can represent the conflict avoidance behavior of E-bikes/bicycles at mixed traffic flow un-signalized intersections. Field data were applied to validate the proposed model, and the results are promising

IPP and VPP prevent TNFα mediated loss of adiponectin release from insulin-differentiated 3T3-F442A cells.

<p>3T3-F442A cells were incubated for 48 hr in presence of insulin (10 μg/mL) to induce differentiation. Cells were then washed and further incubated for 24 hr with the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα (10 ng/mL) with/without addition of IPP (50 μM) or VPP (50 μM). At the end of this incubation period, the cell-free supernatants were collected and analyzed for their adiponectin content by ELISA. Data were presented as mean±SEM of 4 independent experiments. * indicates p<0.05 compared to the insulin alone (Alone). NS means: not significant (compared to Alone).</p

IPP and VPP promote expression of the adipocyte differentiation markers PPARγ and adiponectin in 3T3-F442A cells.

<p>3T3-F442A cells were incubated in presence of insulin (10 μg/mL), IPP (50 μM) or VPP (50 μM) for 72 hr. (A) The cells were lysed and western blotting of the lysates was performed with antibodies against PPARγ and α-tubulin (loading control). A set of representative images (including cropped images obtained from the same membrane) was shown. (B) The cell-free culture supernatants were collected and analyzed by ELISA to determine levels of adiponectin. Data were presented as mean±SEM of 5 independent experiments. * and *** indicate p<0.05 and p<0.001 compared to the untreated control (Untr) respectively.</p

IPP and VPP inhibit TNFα mediated activation of the pro-inflammatory NF-κB pathway downstream of IκB degradation.

<p>3T3-F442A cells were incubated for 48 hr in presence of insulin (10 μg/mL) to induce differentiation. Cells were then washed and further incubated for 30 min with pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα (10 ng/mL) with/without addition of IPP (50 μM) or VPP (50 μM). Afterwards, the cells were lysed and western blotting of the lysates was performed to determine (A) IκBα degradation (using antibodies against IκBα and the loading control, α-tubulin) and (B) p65 phosphorylation (using antibodies against phosphorylated and total p65). A set of representative images was shown. Data were presented as mean±SEM of 4 independent experiments. All data were normalized to the values from untreated (i.e. undifferentiated) cells. * indicates p<0.05 compared to the TNFα treated cells. NS means: not significant (compared to TNFα treated group).</p

IPP and VPP induce lipid accumulation in 3T3-F442A cells.

<p>3T3-F442A cells were incubated in presence of insulin (10 μg/mL), IPP (50 μM) or VPP (50 μM) for 72 hr. (A) For one study, the cells were fixed, stained with the neutral lipid-specific dye LipidTox and visualized under fluorescence microscopy. A set of representative images are shown. (B) For another set of experiments, the cells were lysed and their lipid contents were estimated by a biochemical assay. Data were presented as mean±SEM of 3–4 independent experiments. * and ** indicate p<0.05 and p<0.01 respectively compared to the untreated control (Untr).</p

IPP and VPP increase the protein levels of adipocyte differentiation regulators c-Jun and C/EBPα.

<p>3T3-F442A cells were incubated in presence of insulin (10 μg/mL), IPP (50 μM) or VPP (50 μM) for 72 hr. The cells were lysed and western blotting of the lysates was performed with antibodies against c-Jun (A), C/EBPα (B) and α-tubulin (loading control). A set of representative images was shown. Data were presented as mean±SEM of 4–6 independent experiments. * and ** indicate p<0.05 and p<0.01 respectively, compared to the untreated control (Untr). # and ## indicate p<0.05 and p<0.01 respectively, compared to the insulin treated cells.</p

Characteristics of the studies included in the meta-analysis.

<p>Characteristics of the studies included in the meta-analysis.</p

Forest plot of the prevalence of elevated TG in HBsAg-positive subjects versus healthy controls.

<p>Forest plot of the prevalence of elevated TG in HBsAg-positive subjects versus healthy controls.</p

Analysis of publication bias of the included studies.

<p>Analysis of publication bias of the included studies.</p

Results of subgroup analysis according to quality assessments.

<p>Results of subgroup analysis according to quality assessments.</p