A cost-effective method for tranquility mapping using open environmental data

In this study, we propose a cost-effective method for tranquillity mapping using multi-criteria analysis and open geospatial data. We apply this method in an extended zone around a major Greek highway trespassing areas of high natural value. Composite criteria are developed through analytic functions and geostatistical methods to reflect either barriers or enablers of tranquillity. The results indicate that it is possible to identify tranquility zones which are spatially plausible. To verify the validity of the results, we calculate the Kappa coefficient (0.71) and the overall accuracy (80%) using preference data obtained from non-specialized photo-interpreters in a sample of places on Google Earth. We believe that this method can inform planning, especially in countries with a weak landscape policy. © The Author(s) 2018

Evaluating the land use patterns of medium-sized Hellenic cities

Land use morphology has profound effects both on city functions and peri-urban areas. They can either lead to conflicts with negative side effects or generate positive synergies. This study focuses on land use spatial configurations and interprets the interactions among them. In order to evaluate spatial planning policies, the measurement of urban land use patterns is considered to play an important role in the urban development process and deserves further attention. A comparative analysis of the land use patterns of the medium-sized Hellenic cities is attempted, there are also used using pre-existing metrics, some new data from the European Environment Agency Urban Atlas 2006 geodataset and population and construction census data concerning the last decade from the national Hellenic Statistical Authority data set. The Larger Urban Zones of the medium-sized Hellenic cities are chosen as a suitable study level based both on population size and socio-spatial procedures. The results provide interesting information about the diversification among medium-sized cities, while some particularities concerning urban procedures appear to emerge for some of them. Many discussion points arise from this study concerning the data availability, the method, the functional city area delineation and the Larger Urban Zones definition. © 2015 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

A photopollution index based on weighted cumulative visibility to night lights

A method is presented to estimate photopollution (a.k.a night-lights pollution) in a macroscopic manner, i.e.That can be applied globally, using open-domain data. Photopollution has two components, direct illumination and skyglow i.e.The diffused scattering of light in the atmosphere. The proposed method is currently focusing on direct illumination only. The novelty is that viewshed analysis is deployed, taking into account the viewing distance as well as the amount of the light at each source. Moreover, monthly variation of photopollution is measured based on recently available suitable data. © COPYRIGHT SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only

Antithrombotic strategies in the catheterization laboratory for patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions: Insights from the EmploYEd antithrombotic therapies in patients with acute coronary Syndromes HOspitalized in Italian cardiac care units Registry

Aims: In the last decades, several new therapies have emerged for the treatment of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). We sought to describe real-world patterns of use of antithrombotic treatments in the catheterization laboratory for ACS patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Methods: EmploYEd antithrombotic therapies in patients with acute coronary Syndromes HOspitalized in Italian cardiac care units was a nationwide, prospective registry aimed to evaluate antithrombotic strategies employed in ACS patients in Italy. Results: Over a 3-week period, a total of 2585 consecutive ACS patients have been enrolled in 203 cardiac care units across Italy. Among these patients, 1755 underwent PCI (923 with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and 832 with non-ST-elevation ACS). In the catheterization laboratory, unfractioned heparin was the most used antithrombotic drug in both ST-elevation myocardial infarction (64.7%) and non-ST-elevation ACS (77.5%) undergoing PCI and, as aspirin, bivalirudin and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPIs) more frequently employed before or during PCI compared with the postprocedural period. Any crossover of heparin therapy occurred in 36.0% of cases, whereas switching from one P2Y12 inhibitor to another occurred in 3.7% of patients. Multivariable analysis yielded several independent predictors of GPIs and of bivalirudin use in the catheterization laboratory, mainly related to clinical presentation, PCI complexity and presence of complications during the procedure. Conclusion: In our contemporary, nationwide, all-comers cohort of ACS patients undergoing PCI, antithrombotic therapies were commonly initiated before the catheterization laboratory. In the periprocedural period, the most frequently employed drugs were unfractioned heparin, leading to a high rate of crossover, followed by GPIs and bivalirudin, mainly used during complex PCI

Contemporary antithrombotic strategies in patients with acute coronary syndromes managed without revascularization: Insights fromthe EYESHOT study

Aims Patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) whoare managed without coronary revascularization represent a mixed and understudied population that seems to receive suboptimal pharmacological treatment. Methods and results We assessed patterns of antithrombotic therapies employed during the hospitalization and in-hospital clinical events of medically managed patients withACS enrolled in the prospective, multicentre, nationwideEYESHOT(EmploYEd antithrombotic therapies in patients with acute coronary Syndromes HOspitalized in Italian cardiac care units) registry.Among the 2585 consecutive ACS patients enrolled in EYESHOT, 783 (30.3%) did not receive any revascularization during hospital admission. Of these, 478 (61.0%) underwent coronary angiography (CA), whereas 305 (39.0%) did not. The median GRACE and CRUSADE risk scores were significantly higher among patients who did not undergo CA compared with those who did (180 vs. 145, P, 0.0001 and 50 vs. 33, P, 0.0001, respectively). Antithrombotic therapies employed during hospitalization significantly differ between patients who received CA and those who did not with unfractioned heparin and novel P2Y12 inhibitors more frequently used in the first group, and low-molecular-weight heparins and clopidogrel in the latter group. During the index hospitalization, patients who did not receive CA presented a higher incidence of ischaemic cerebrovascular events and of mortality compared with those who underwent CA (1.6 vs. 0.2%, P = 0.04 and 7.9 vs. 2.7%, P = 0.0009, respectively). Conclusion Almost one-third of ACS patients are managed without revascularization during the index hospitalization. In this population, a lower use of recommended antiplatelet therapy and worse clinical outcome were observed in those who did not undergo CA when compared with those who did