A Fundamental Study on Evaluation of Public Transport Transfer Nodes by Data Envelop Analysis Approach Using Smart Card Data

AbstractThis research proposes a method of evaluating transfer nodes based on smart card data with the objective of making a contribution to public transportation restructuring in regional cities. The study seeks to better comprehend the use of public transportation systems (trams and buses) in central Kochi City in Japan based on the transportation mode transfers recorded on user Smart Cards. Specifically, this study seeks to use the Data Envelop Analysis (DEA) model, which allows us to reference multiple indices, in order to evaluate the efficiency of user transfers between transportation systems while also considering transfer times and user age groups. The study results show that efficiency varied according to the time of day and user age groups, even at the same transfer nodes, and identified the need for more thorough understanding of the properties of each transfer point based on the efficiency values of multiple indices

A STUDY OF THE SIGNAL CONTROL FOR THE MINIMIZATION OF CO 2 EMISSION

ABSTRACT This research analyses the difference between the signal control parameters from the different control policies for minimizing CO 2 emission and minimizing total delay time. First, a method to estimate the volume of CO 2 emission using probe vehicle data and traffic simulation is proposed. In this method, the volumes of CO 2 emission of each vehicle can be estimated using their travel time, travel distance and the acceleration energy equivalent, and using the CO 2 estimating method the isolated signal control parameters can be calculated, which minimize the volume of CO 2 emission. Next, these two signal control policies are compared in order to confirm in which condition these two signal control parameters become different. As a result, this study indicated that these two signal control parameters must be different but difference does not appear in some traffic situations

Exploring Microscopic Characteristics of Bicycle Riders’ following Behaviors in a Single-File Movement

Cycling can bring a wide range of social, economic, and health benefits to individuals and communities. The safety and efficiency of bicycle facilities can be significantly impacted by the interactions among riders. This study aims to examine the microscopic characteristics of how cyclists interact with each other when they are in a single file movement based on the trajectory data collected from an experiment. Reaction delay was obtained by optimizing the correlation between relative speed and acceleration curves for individual cyclists and it was found that even for a given cyclist, this characteristic time delay could vary considerably, and be situation-dependent. Furthermore, it was found that the distribution of reaction delay, which has an average (±SD) of 0.66 s (±0.33 s), followed a log-normal distribution. The strong correlation observed between relative speed and time-delayed acceleration resembles the behavior observed in car-following situations, highlighting that relative speed is an essential factor influencing the acceleration behavior of cyclists. Multiple linear regression models were used to understand the association between acceleration and other key microscopic variables, e.g., spacing and relative speed, which are commonly used in microscopic behavior models. While the spacing between cyclists was found to have a significant impact on acceleration behavior, its effect was not as significant as that of relative speed. The outcomes of this study provide valuable insights into the cyclists’ behavior and can aid in the development of microscopic simulation models.This research was supported by Qatar University under the Student Grant scheme (Grant no: QUST-1-CENG-2023-779)

トクシマ コウケツアツ トウニョウビョウ study 2011 : コウケツアツ トウニョウビョウ ガッペイ レイ ニ カンスル タシセツ ケンキュウ

Cardiologists and diabetologists in Tokushima Prefecture investigated patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus on treatment in２０１１. The findings were compared with our year‐２００４ data. The study population comprised ２３６ patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus being treated by cardiologists（C２０１１group）, and ３９５ patients with the same condition being treated by diabetologists（D２０１１group）. The mean number of antihypertensives used per patient was１．９for the C２０１１group and１．６for the D２０１１group. In these two groups, calcium antagonists were the most frequently used drugs. Renin-angiotensin system（RAS）inhibitors were used in７１．５％ of the patients in the C２０１１group and７０．０％ in the D２０１１group. The ratio of patients meeting the blood pressure criteria of the Japan Hypertension Society Guidelines was ２１．６％ for the C２００４group,２２．９％ for the D２００４group,２９．１％ for the C２０１１group, and１８．２％ for the D２０１１group. The mean number of antidiabetics used per patient was１．３for the two groups, glimepiride being most frequently used（３８．５％ for the C２０１１group,５８．１％ for the D２０１１group）, followed by α-glucosidase inhibitors and pioglitazone. Frequency of use of biguanide increased compared with２００４. The ratio of patients with HbA１c＜６．５％ was４０．７％ for the C２００４group, ２１．９％ for the D２００４ group, ４６．５％ for the C２０１１ group, and ４９．０％ for the D２０１１ group ; a significant improvement was observed in the D２０１１group compared with the D２００４group. The serum cholesterol control rate was４９．７％ for the C２００４group,４５．０％ for the D２００４group,６０．９％ for the C２０１１group, and５６．５％ for the D２０１１group. The ratio of patients achieving good control for all three parameters（blood pressure, blood glucose level, serum lipid level）was low at７．６％ for the C２００４group,６．７％ for the D２００４group,９．４％ for the C２０１１group, and９．０％ for the D２０１１ group. This managerial situation for the condition is unsatisfactory, necessitating efforts for even better control

Investigation of drugs for the prevention of doxorubicin-induced cardiac events using big data analysis

Aim: Doxorubicin, an anthracycline anti-tumour agent, is an essential chemotherapeutic drug; however, the adverse events associated with doxorubicin usage, including cardiotoxicity, prevent patients from continuing treatment. Here, we used databases to explore existing approved drugs with potential preventative effects against doxorubicin-induced cardiac events and examined their efficacy and mechanisms. Methods: The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), Library of Integrated Network-based Cellular Signatures (LINCS), and Food and Drug Administration Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) databases were used to extract candidate prophylactic drugs. Mouse models of doxorubicin-induced cardiac events were generated by intraperitoneal administration of 20 mg/kg of doxorubicin on Day 1 and oral administration of prophylactic candidate drugs for 6 consecutive days beginning the day before doxorubicin administration. On Day 6, mouse hearts were extracted and examined for mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes. Results: GEO analysis showed that doxorubicin administration upregulated 490 genes and downregulated 862 genes, and LINCS data identified sirolimus, verapamil, minoxidil, prednisolone, guanabenz, and mosapride as drugs capable of counteracting these genetic alterations. Examination of the effects of these drugs on cardiac toxicity using FAERS identified sirolimus and mosapride as new prophylactic drug candidates. In model mice, mosapride and sirolimus suppressed the Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio, which is elevated in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. These drugs also suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines Il1b and Il6 and markers associated with myocardial fibrosis, including Lgal3 and Timp1. Conclusion: These findings suggest that doxorubicin-induced cardiac events are suppressed by the administration of mosapride and sirolimus

Five doses of the mRNA vaccination potentially suppress ancestral-strain stimulated SARS-CoV2-specific cellular immunity: a cohort study from the Fukushima vaccination community survey, Japan

The bivalent mRNA vaccine is recommended to address coronavirus disease variants, with additional doses suggested for high-risk groups. However, the effectiveness, optimal frequency, and number of doses remain uncertain. In this study, we examined the long-term cellular and humoral immune responses following the fifth administration of the mRNA severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine in patients undergoing hemodialysis. To our knowledge, this is the first study to monitor long-term data on humoral and cellular immunity dynamics in high-risk populations after five doses of mRNA vaccination, including the bivalent mRNA vaccine. Whereas most patients maintained humoral immunity throughout the observation period, we observed reduced cellular immune reactivity as measured by the ancestral-strain-stimulated ELISpot assay in a subset of patients. Half of the individuals (50%; 14/28) maintained cellular immunity three months after the fifth dose, despite acquiring humoral immunity. The absence of a relationship between positive controls and T-Spot reactivity suggests that these immune alterations were specific to SARS-CoV-2. In multivariable analysis, participants aged ≥70 years showed a marginally significant lower likelihood of having reactive results. Notably, among the 14 individuals who received heterologous vaccines, 13 successfully acquired cellular immunity, supporting the effectiveness of this administration strategy. These findings provide valuable insights for future vaccination strategies in vulnerable populations. However, further research is needed to evaluate the involvement of immune tolerance and exhaustion through repeated vaccination to optimize immunization strategies

Empirical evaluation of change in crash risk due to lane marking reallocation: A case study in Kochi City, Japan

Lane markings are considered an essential component of a road system. As highlighted in previous studies, they are directly linked to efficiency and safety. The rearrangement or reallocation of lane markings can be an economical way to improve efficiency. However, such changes could influence driver behavior. Thus, there is a tradeoff between efficiency and safety. Through a case study in Kochi City, Japan, this study evaluated the change in crash risk caused by a lane marking reallocation. Video data were collected before and after the implementation of a new road layout (achieved by reallocating lane markings) that was intended to mitigate traffic congestion at a signalized intersection. Based on the video data, PICUD (Possibility Index for Collision with Urgent Deceleration), a surrogate safety index used to estimate collision risk, was estimated for lane changes and conflicts between leading and following vehicles in the through lane. In particular, it was confirmed that the collision risk between a lane-changing vehicle and a leading vehicle in the through lane was reduced due to the reduction in traffic density caused by the new road layout. In addition, the results indicate that the PICUD value tends to decrease (i.e., the crash risk tends to increase) with increasing speed of the following vehicle relative to the leading vehicle. Overall, the improvement in safety after the implementation of the new road layout was marginal and statistically insignificant. Therefore, this study highlights the necessity of incorporating speed control measures, such as speed limits, along with congestion alleviation measures in order to enhance safety

Spatial-Temporal Daily Frequent Trip Pattern of Public Transport Passengers Using Smart Card Data

Rebuilding the operation scheme of public transportation is a recent topic of discussion in Japan because the number of passengers is decreasing especially in rural areas. This research empirically analyzes variations in trip patterns to understand how passengers’ daily travel patterns vary temporally and spatially among one month using smart card data. The analysis reveals that the daily number of trips for the entire network does not vary significantly. However, it also reveals that daily frequent trip patters of individual passengers vary, i.e., most passengers are not traveling by a single trip pattern. This could be fundamental knowledge to discuss more detail or individual operation schemes