The Effect of Route Choice in Children’s Exposure to Ultrafine Particles Whilst Walking to School

Children walking to school are at a high risk of exposure to air pollution compared with other modes because of the time they spend in close proximity to traffic during their commute. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a walker’s route choice on their exposure to ultrafine particles (UFP) on the walk to school. During morning commutes over a period of three weeks, exposure to UFP was measured along three routes: two routes were alongside both sides of a busy arterial road with significantly higher levels of traffic on one side compared to the other, and the third route passed through quiet streets (the background route). The results indicate that the mean exposure for the pedestrian walking along the background route was half the exposure experienced on the other two routes. Walkers on the trafficked side were exposed to elevated concentrations (>100,000 pt/cc) 2.5 times longer than the low-trafficked side. However, the duration of the elevated exposure for the background route was close to zero. Public health officials and urban planners may use the results of this study to promote healthier walking routes to schools, especially those planned as part of organized commutes.

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Multi-Center Study of Thromboplastin Calibration Precision – Influence of Reagent Species, Composition, and International Sensitivity Index (ISI)

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1651544 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 69 (01) ◽

pp. 035-040 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

A M H P van den Besselaar ◽

R M Bertina

Keyword(s):

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

International Normalized Ratio ◽

The Other ◽

World Health ◽

Rabbit Brain ◽

Sensitivity Index ◽

Bovine Plasma ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

International Sensitivity Index

SummaryFour thromboplastin reagents were tested by 18 laboratories in Europe, North-America, and Australasia, according to a detailed protocol. One thromboplastin was the International Reference Preparation for ox brain thromboplastin combined with adsorbed bovine plasma (coded OBT/79), and the second was a certified reference material for rabbit brain thromboplastin, plain (coded CRM 149R). The other two thromboplastin reagents were another rabbit plain brain thromboplastin (RP) with a lower ISI than CRM 149R and a rabbit brain thromboplastin combined with adsorbed bovine plasma (RC). Calibration of the latter two reagents was performed according to methods recommended by the World Health Organization (W. H. O.).The purpose of this study was to answer the following questions: 1) Is the calibration of the RC reagent more precise against the bovine/combined (OBT/79) than against the rabbit/plain reagent (CRM 149R)? 2) Is the precision of calibration influenced by the magnitude of the International Sensitivity Index (ISI)?The lowest inter-laboratory variation of ISI was observed in the calibration of the rabbit/plain reagent (RP) against the other rabbit/plain reagent (CRM 149R) (CV 1.6%). The highest interlaboratory variation was obtained in the calibration of rabbit/plain (RP) against bovine/combined (OBT/79) (CV 5.1%). In the calibration of the rabbit/combined (RC) reagent, there was no difference in precision between OBT/79 (CV 4.3%) and CRM 149R (CV 4.2%). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the precision of the ISI of RC obtained with CRM 149R (ISI = 1.343) and the rabbit/plain (RP) reagent with ISI = 1.14. In conclusion, the calibration of RC could be performed with similar precision with either OBT/79 or CRM 149R, or RP.The mean ISI values calculated with OBT/79 and CRM 149R were practically identical, indicating that there is no bias in the ISI of these reference preparations and that these reference preparations have been stable since their original calibration studies in 1979 and 1987, respectively.International Normalized Ratio (INR) equivalents were calculated for a lyophilized control plasma derived from patients treated with oral anticoagulants. There were small but significant differences in the mean INR equivalents between the bovine and rabbit thromboplastins. There were no differences in the interlaboratory variation of the INR equivalents, when the four thromboplastins were compared.

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Prothrombin Time Standardization: Report of the Expert Panel on Oral Anticoagulant Control

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1657004 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 42 (04) ◽

pp. 1073-1114 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Keyword(s):

Prothrombin Time ◽

Expert Panel ◽

The Other ◽

Rabbit Brain ◽

Calibration Constant ◽

Freeze Dried ◽

The Mean ◽

Point Of Intersection ◽

And Control ◽

Standardization Report

SummaryIn collaborative experiments in 199 laboratories, nine commercial thromboplastins, four thromboplastins held by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBS & C), London and the British Comparative Thromboplastin were tested on fresh normal and coumarin plasmas, and on three series of freeze-dried plasmas. One of these was made from coumarin plasmas and the other two were prepared from normal plasmas; in each series, one plasma was normal and the other two represented different degrees of coumarin defect.Each thromboplastin was calibrated against NIBS&C rabbit brain 70/178, from the slope of the line joining the origin to the point of intersection of the mean ratios of coumarin/normal prothrombin times when the ratios obtained with the two thromboplastins on the same fresh plasmas were plotted against each other. From previous evidence, the slopes were calculated which would have been obtained against the NIBS&C “research standard” thromboplastin 67/40, and termed the “calibration constant” of each thromboplastin. Values obtained from the freeze-dried coumarin plasmas gave generally similar results to those from fresh plasmas for all thromboplastins, whereas values from the artificial plasmas agreed with those from fresh plasmas only when similar thromboplastins were being compared.Taking into account the slopes of the calibration lines and the variation between laboratories, precision in obtaining a patient’s prothrombin time was similar for all thromboplastins.

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Platelet Suruival and Function in Rats with Enhanced Thrombotic Tendency

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1660122 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 54 (04) ◽

pp. 739-743 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Federica Delaini ◽

Elisabetta Dejana ◽

Ine Reyers ◽

Elisa Vicenzi ◽

Germana De Bellis Vitti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Arachidonic Acid ◽

Nephrotic Syndrome ◽

Platelet Function ◽

Laboratory Tests ◽

Thrombus Formation ◽

The Other ◽

Mean Survival Time ◽

The Mean ◽

And Function ◽

Thrombotic Tendency

SummaryWe have investigated the relevance of some laboratory tests of platelet function in predicting conditions of thrombotic tendency. For this purpose, we studied platelet survival, platelet aggregation in response to different stimuli, TxB2 and 6-keto-PGFlα production in serum of rats bearing a nephrotic syndrome induced by adriamycin. These animals show a heavy predisposition to the development of both arterial and venous thrombosis. The mean survival time was normal in nephrotic rats in comparison to controls. As to aggregation tests, a lower aggregating response was found in ADR-treated rats using ADP or collagen as stimulating agents. With arachidonic acid (AA) we observed similar aggregating responses at lower A A concentrations, whereas at higher AA concentrations a significantly lower response was found in nephrotic rats, despite their higher TxB2 production. Also TxB2 and 6-keto-PGFlα levels in serum of nephrotic rats were significantly higher than in controls. No consistent differences were found in PGI2-activity generated by vessels of control or nephrotic rats.These data show that platelet function may appear normal or even impaired in rats with a markedly increased thrombotic tendency. On the other hand, the significance of high TxB2 levels in connection with mechanisms leading to thrombus formation remains a controversial issue.

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Voronoi Analysis of a Soccer Game

Nonlinear Analysis Modelling and Control ◽

10.15388/na.2004.9.3.15154 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 233-240 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

S. Kim

Keyword(s):

Collective Behavior ◽

Quantitative Assessment ◽

The Other ◽

Analysis Method ◽

Random System ◽

Soccer Game ◽

Voronoi Polygons ◽

The Mean

This paper describes a Voronoi analysis method to analyze a soccer game. It is important for us to know the quantitative assessment of contribution done by a player or a team in the game as an individual or collective behavior. The mean numbers of vertices are reported to be 5–6, which is a little less than those of a perfect random system. Voronoi polygons areas can be used in evaluating the dominance of a team over the other. By introducing an excess Voronoi area, we can draw some fruitful results to appraise a player or a team rather quantitatively.

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Solid, slightly soluble phosphorus compounds as nutrient source in activated sludge treatment of forest industry wastewaters

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1997.0500 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 35 (2-3) ◽

pp. 131-138 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Pirjo-Riitta Rantala ◽

Hannu Wirola

Keyword(s):

Activated Sludge ◽

The Other ◽

Phosphorus Compounds ◽

Forest Industry ◽

Phosphorus Concentration ◽

Nutrient Source ◽

Sludge Treatment ◽

Grain Sizes ◽

Soluble Phosphorus ◽

The Mean

The aim of the study was to determine if solid, slightly soluble compounds can be used as nutrient source in activated sludge treatment plants instead of liquid phosphoric acid. Four different solid materials were tested in lab-scale solubility tests to find compounds which are least soluble. Two materials were chosen for further studies: apatite and raw phosphate. The use of apatite and raw phosphate as nutrient source was studied in lab-scale activated sludge reactors along with a control reactor where phosphorus was added in liquid form. The phosphorus dosage, measured as elementary phosphorus, was the same for all three reactors. The reactors were fed with pre-clarified chemi-thermomechanical pulp mill (CTMP) wastewater. There were no significant differences in the reductions of organic matter between the three reactors. The mean effluent concentration of total phosphorus was 3 mg P/l in the control reactor and less than 1 mg P/1 in the other two reactors. The soluble phosphorus concentration was more than 2 mg P/l in the control reactor and less than 0.5 mg P/l in the other two. Apatite was an even better nutrient source than raw phosphate. Further lab-scale tests were conducted using two different grain sizes of apatite. No significant differences were found between the studied grain sizes (<0.074 mm and 0.074 mm-0.125 mm). Apatite was then used in full-scale at a CTMP-mill two different times. The experiments showed that the mean concentrations of phosphorus can be reduced radically by using apatite as a nutrient source instead of liquid phosphorus. Solid phosphorus compounds are a viable alternative to reduce the phosphorus load from forest industry wastewater treatment plants.

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The Properties of Cu Ions in Zeolites CuY Studied by IR Spectroscopy

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26154686 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (15) ◽

pp. 4686

Author(s):

Jerzy Podobiński ◽

Mariusz Gackowski ◽

Grzegorz Mordarski ◽

Katarzyna Samson ◽

Michał Śliwa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ir Spectroscopy ◽

Positive Charge ◽

Co Adsorption ◽

The Other ◽

Probe Molecules ◽

Adsorption And Desorption ◽

Other Hand ◽

Close Proximity ◽

No And Co Adsorption ◽

Cu Ions

The properties of both Cu2+ and Cu+ ions in zeolite CuY were followed with NO and CO as probe molecules. Cu2+ was found to be located in SII, SII*, and SIII sites, whereas Cu+ was found in SII and SII* sites. The fine analysis of the spectra of Cu2+-NO and Cu+-CO adducts suggests that both in SII and in SII* sites two kinds of Cu cations exist. They differ in the positive charge, which may be related to the varying numbers of AlO4− in close proximity. The experiments of NO and CO adsorption and desorption evidenced that both Cu2+ and Cu+ sites of highest positive charge bind probe molecules most strongly but activate them to a lesser extent than the Cu sites of lowest positive charge. The experiments of reduction with hydrogen evidenced that the Cu ions of higher positive charge are first reduced by hydrogen. On the other hand, Cu sites of the lowest positive charge are first oxidized by oxygen. The experiments with CuNaY zeolites of various Cu contents suggest that the first introduced Cu (at low Cu contents) created Cu+, which was the most neutralized by framework oxygens. Such Cu cations are the most stabilized by framework oxygens.

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Yields of mixtures of single-cross hybrid field beans (Viciafaba L.) with one of the parental inbred lines

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600068325 ◽

1966 ◽

Vol 67 (2) ◽

pp. 235-237 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

D. A. Bond ◽

J. L. Fyfe ◽

Gillian Toynbee-Clarke

Keyword(s):

Inbred Lines ◽

The Other ◽

Normal Rate ◽

Single Cross ◽

Parental Inbred ◽

The Mean ◽

Field Beans

The yields of seed from a hybrid, one of its parents and different mixtures of the hybrid and parent were compared in the case of two different hybrids. Open-pollinated controls were included in the trial, which was sown at about the normal rate for beans. With both hybrids a mixture of 11 of hybrid to 1 of parent yielded as well as the hybrid itself and mixtures of 2 of hybrid to 1 of parent yielded in both cases about 7 cwt./acro more than the mean of the open-pollinated controls. With the higher-yielding hybrid, which had less contrast in vegetative vigour between hybrid and parent, mixtures in the proportions 5:1 and 2:1 showed declining yields, but with the other hybrid they yielded as well as the pure hybrid.

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Corneal Biomechanical Parameters and Central Corneal Thickness in Glaucoma Patients, Glaucoma Suspects, and a Healthy Population

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10122637 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 2637

Author(s):

Mª. Ángeles del Buey-Sayas ◽

Elena Lanchares-Sancho ◽

Pilar Campins-Falcó ◽

María Dolores Pinazo-Durán ◽

Cristina Peris-Martínez

Keyword(s):

Central Corneal Thickness ◽

Corneal Thickness ◽

Mean Difference ◽

The Other ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Population ◽

Diagnostic Categories ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Biomechanical Parameters ◽

The Mean

Purpose: To evaluate and compare corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), and central corneal thickness (CCT), measurements were taken between a healthy population (controls), patients diagnosed with glaucoma (DG), and glaucoma suspect patients due to ocular hypertension (OHT), family history of glaucoma (FHG), or glaucoma-like optic discs (GLD). Additionally, Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOPg) and corneal-compensated IOP (IOPcc) were compared between the different groups of patients. Methods: In this prospective analytical-observational study, a total of 1065 patients (one eye of each) were recruited to undergo Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) testing, ultrasound pachymetry, and clinical examination. Corneal biomechanical parameters (CH, CRF), CCT, IOPg, and IOPcc were measured in the control group (n = 574) and the other groups: DG (n = 147), FHG (n = 78), GLD (n = 90), and OHT (n = 176). We performed a variance analysis (ANOVA) for all the dependent variables according to the different diagnostic categories with multiple comparisons to identify the differences between the diagnostic categories, deeming p < 0.05 as statistically significant. Results: The mean CH in the DG group (9.69 mmHg) was significantly lower compared to controls (10.75 mmHg; mean difference 1.05, p < 0.001), FHG (10.70 mmHg; mean difference 1.00, p < 0.05), GLD (10.63 mmHg; mean difference 0.93, p < 0.05) and OHT (10.54 mmHg; mean difference 0.84, p < 0.05). No glaucoma suspects (FHG, GLD, OHT groups) presented significant differences between themselves and the control group (p = 1.00). No statistically significant differences were found in the mean CRF between DG (11.18 mmHg) and the control group (10.75 mmHg; mean difference 0.42, p = 0.40). The FHG and OHT groups showed significantly higher mean CRF values (12.32 and 12.41 mmHg, respectively) than the DG group (11.18 mmHg), with mean differences of 1.13 (p < 0.05) and 1.22 (p < 0.001), respectively. No statistically significant differences were found in CCT in the analysis between DG (562 μ) and the other groups (control = 556 μ, FHG = 576 μ, GLD = 569 μ, OHT = 570 μ). The means of IOPg and IOPcc values were higher in the DG patient and suspect groups than in the control group, with statistically significant differences in all groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study presents corneal biomechanical values (CH, CRF), CCT, IOPg, and IOPcc for diagnosed glaucoma patients, three suspected glaucoma groups, and a healthy population, using the ORA. Mean CH values were markedly lower in the DG group (diagnosed with glaucoma damage) compared to the other groups. No significant difference was found in CCT between the DG and control groups. Unexpectedly, CRF showed higher values in all groups than in the control group, but the difference was only statistically significant in the suspect groups (FHG, GLD, and OHT), not in the DG group.

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Association of changes of retinal vessels diameter with ocular blood flow in eyes with diabetic retinopathy

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-84067-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yoshitaka Ueno ◽

Takeshi Iwase ◽

Kensuke Goto ◽

Ryo Tomita ◽

Eimei Ra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Diabetic Retinopathy ◽

Adaptive Optics ◽

Laser Speckle ◽

The Other ◽

Systemic Hypertension ◽

Laser Speckle Flowgraphy ◽

Retinal Vessels ◽

External Diameter ◽

The Mean

AbstractWe investigated morphological changes of retinal arteries to determine their association with the blood flow and systemic variables in type 2 diabetes patients. The patients included 47 non-diabetic retinopathy eyes, 36 mild or moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (M-NPDR) eyes, 22 severe NPDR (S-NPDR) eyes, 32 PDR eyes, and 24 normal eyes as controls. The mean wall to lumen ratio (WLR) measured by adaptive optics camera was significantly higher in the PDR groups than in all of the other groups (all P < 0.001). However, the external diameter of the retinal vessels was not significantly different among the groups. The mean blur rate (MBR)-vessel determined by laser speckle flowgraphy was significantly lower in the PDR group than in the other groups (P < 0.001). The WLR was correlated with MBR-vessel (r = − 0.337, P < 0.001), duration of disease (r = 0.191, P = 0.042), stage of DM (r = 0.643, P < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.166, P < 0.037), and presence of systemic hypertension (r = 0.443, P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that MBR-vessel (β = − 0.389, P < 0.001), presence of systemic hypertension (β = 0.334, P = 0.001), and LDL (β = 0.199, P = 0.045) were independent factors significantly associated with the WLR. The increased retinal vessel wall thickness led to a narrowing of lumen diameter and a decrease in the blood flow in the PDR group.

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Effect of thromboxane antagonists on ozone-induced airway responses in dogs

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1990.69.3.880 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 69 (3) ◽

pp. 880-884 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

G. L. Jones ◽

C. G. Lane ◽

P. M. O'Byrne

Keyword(s):

Airway Hyperresponsiveness ◽

The Other ◽

Receptor Antagonists ◽

Thromboxane Receptor ◽

Before And After ◽

The Mean ◽

Airway Responses ◽

Control Infusion

Airway hyperresponsiveness after inhaled ozone in dogs may occur as a result of thromboxane release in the airway. In this study, two thromboxane receptor antagonists, L-655,240 and L-670,596, were used in doses that inhibit the response to an inhaled thromboxane mimetic, U-46619, to determine further the role of thromboxane in ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness. Dogs were studied on 2 days separated by 1 wk. On each day, the dogs inhaled ozone (3 ppm) for 30 min. On one randomly assigned day, 10 dogs received an infusion of L-655,240 (5 mg.kg-1.h-1) and 5 dogs received an infusion of L-670,596 (1 mg.kg-1.h-1); on the other day dogs received a control infusion. Airway responses to doubling doses of acetylcholine were measured before and after inhalation of ozone and were expressed as the concentration of acetylcholine giving a rise in resistance of 5 cmH2O.l-1.s from baseline (acetylcholine provocation concentration). The development of airway hyperresponsiveness after ozone was not inhibited by the thromboxane antagonists. The mean log difference in the acetylcholine provocative concentration before and after ozone on the L-655,240 treatment day was 0.62 +/- 0.12 (SE) and on the control day was 0.71 +/- 0.12 (P = 0.48); on the L-670,596 treatment day the mean log difference was 0.68 +/- 0.15 (SE) and on the control day it was 0.75 +/- 0.19 (P = 0.45). These results do not support an important role for thromboxane in causing ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness.

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