An Improved STL-LSTM Model for Daily Bus Passenger Flow Prediction during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is a significant public health problem globally, which causes difficulty and trouble for both people’s travel and public transport companies’ management. Improving the accuracy of bus passenger flow prediction during COVID-19 can help these companies make better decisions on operation scheduling and is of great significance to epidemic prevention and early warnings. This research proposes an improved STL-LSTM model (ISTL-LSTM), which combines seasonal-trend decomposition procedure based on locally weighted regression (STL), multiple features, and three long short-term memory (LSTM) neural networks. Specifically, the proposed ISTL-LSTM method consists of four procedures. Firstly, the original time series is decomposed into trend series, seasonality series, and residual series through implementing STL. Then, each sub-series is concatenated with new features. In addition, each fused sub-series is predicted by different LSTM models separately. Lastly, predicting values generated from LSTM models are combined in a final prediction value. In the case study, the prediction of daily bus passenger flow in Beijing during the pandemic is selected as the research object. The results show that the ISTL-LSTM model could perform well and predict at least 15% more accurately compared with single models and a hybrid model. This research fills the gap of bus passenger flow prediction under the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic and provides helpful references for studies on passenger flow prediction.

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A Fatal and Rare Case of Hydatid Cyst in the Pouch of Douglas

Journal of Laboratory Physicians ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1726668 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ritu Asnani ◽

Sunil Kumar Yeshvanth ◽

Lancelot Lobo ◽

Shipra Sonkusare

Keyword(s):

Hydatid Cyst ◽

Rare Case ◽

Frozen Section ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Zoonotic Infection ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Significant Public Health Problem ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

Pouch Of Douglas

Abstract Hydatid cyst is a zoonotic infection and a significant public health problem in low- and middle-income countries. A 79-year-old female patient was presented to the gynecology outpatient department with complaints of pain in the abdomen and difficulty in micturition, with a mass palpable per speculum. The ultrasound was suggestive of an ovarian cystadenocarcinoma, whereas computed tomography of the abdomen favored hydatid cyst with adnexal neoplasm as a differential diagnosis. Considering the contradictory findings, a frozen section was sent to confirm the diagnosis, which showed hooklets of Echinococcus granulosus/hydatid cyst under the microscope. This was a rare case of pelvic hydatid cyst mimicking ovarian malignancy and was associated with a less-preferred mode of investigation (frozen section). This article focuses on how a frozen section, despite its limitations and being expensive, can still be considered for accurate patient management.

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Possible role of Unani Pharmacology in COVID-19 – a narrative review

Reviews on Environmental Health ◽

10.1515/reveh-2020-0106 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Md Anzar Alam ◽

Mohd Abdul Gani ◽

G. Shama ◽

Ghulamuddin Sofi ◽

Mohd Aleemuddin Quamri

Keyword(s):

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

World Health ◽

Santalum Album ◽

Boswellia Serrata ◽

Unani Medicine ◽

Significant Public Health Problem ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Health Organization

AbstractAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), viral diseases continue to rise, and pose a significant public health problem. Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. The pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of COVID-19 is close to Amraz-e-Wabai (epidemic diseases) which was described by Hippocrates, Galen, Aristotle, Razes, Haly Abbas, Avicenna, Jurjani etc. Presently, there is no specific or challenging treatment available for COVID-19. Renowned Unani Scholars recommended during epidemic situation to stay at home, and fumigate the shelters with aromatics herbs like Ood kham (Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.), Kundur (Boswellia serrata Roxb), Kafoor (Cinnamomum camphora L.), Sandal (Santalum album L), Hing (Ferula foetida L.) etc. Use of specific Unani formulations are claimed effective for the management of such epidemic or pandemic situation like antidotes (Tiryaqe Wabai, Tiryaqe Arba, Tiryaqe Azam, Gile Armani), Herbal Decoction (Joshandah), along with Sharbate Khaksi, Habbe Bukhar, Sharbate Zanjabeel, Khamira Marwareed, Jawarish Jalinus, and Sirka (vinegar). Such drugs are claimed for use as antioxidant, immunomodulatory, cardiotonic, and general tonic actions. The study enumerates the literature regarding management of epidemics in Unani medicine and attempts to look the same in the perspective of COVID-19 prevention and management.

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Self-harm among in-school and street-connected adolescents in Ghana: a cross-sectional survey in the Greater Accra region

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041609 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. e041609

Author(s):

Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie ◽

Farag Shuweihdi ◽

Mitch Waterman ◽

Allan House

Keyword(s):

Public Health Problem ◽

Self Report ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Self Injury ◽

Significant Public Health Problem ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

Treatment Measures ◽

Self Harm ◽

Greater Accra Region

ObjectivesTo identify the prevalence, methods, associations and reported reasons for self-harm among in-school and street-connected adolescents in Ghana.DesignA cross-sectional survey. We applied multi-level regression models and model-based cluster analysis to the data.SettingThree contexts in the Greater Accra region were used: second cycle schools, facilities of charity organisations and street census enumeration areas (sleeping places of street-connected adolescents, street corners, quiet spots of restaurants, markets, train and bus stations, and lorry and car parks).ParticipantsA regionally representative sample of 2107 (1723 in-school and 384 street-connected) adolescents aged 13–21 years.Outcome measuresParticipants responded to a structured self-report anonymous questionnaire describing their experience of self-harm and eliciting demographic information and social and personal adversities.ResultsThe lifetime prevalence of self-harm was 20.2% (95% CI 19.0% to 22.0%), 12-month prevalence was 16.6% (95% CI 15.0% to 18.0%) and 1-month prevalence was 3.1% (95% CI 2.0% to 4.0%). Self-injury alone accounted for 54.5% episodes and self-poisoning alone for 16.2% episodes, with more than one method used in 26% of episodes. Self-cutting (38.7%) was the most common form of self-injury, whereas alcohol (39.2%) and medications (27.7%) were the most commonly reported means of self-poisoning. The factors associated with self-harm were interpersonal: conflict with parents (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.87, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.81), physical abuse victimisation (aOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.47), difficulty in making and keeping friends (aOR=1.24, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.80), sexual abuse victimisation (aOR=1.21, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.87) and conflict between parents (aOR=1.07, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.56).ConclusionsSelf-harm is a significant public health problem among in-school and street-connected adolescents in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Its origins are very largely in social and familial adversity, and therefore prevention and treatment measures need to be focused in these areas.

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An LSTM-Based Method Considering History and Real-Time Data for Passenger Flow Prediction

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app10113788 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 3788 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Qi Ouyang ◽

Yongbo Lv ◽

Jihui Ma ◽

Jing Li

Keyword(s):

Feature Extraction ◽

Real Time ◽

Short Term Memory ◽

Historical Data ◽

Time Interval ◽

Information Coding ◽

Time Data ◽

Passenger Flow ◽

Flow Prediction ◽

Real Time Data

With the development of big data and deep learning, bus passenger flow prediction considering real-time data becomes possible. Real-time traffic flow prediction helps to grasp real-time passenger flow dynamics, provide early warning for a sudden passenger flow and data support for real-time bus plan changes, and improve the stability of urban transportation systems. To solve the problem of passenger flow prediction considering real-time data, this paper proposes a novel passenger flow prediction network model based on long short-term memory (LSTM) networks. The model includes four parts: feature extraction based on Xgboost model, information coding based on historical data, information coding based on real-time data, and decoding based on a multi-layer neural network. In the feature extraction part, the data dimension is increased by fusing bus data and points of interest to improve the number of parameters and model accuracy. In the historical information coding part, we use the date as the index in the LSTM structure to encode historical data and provide relevant information for prediction; in the real-time data coding part, the daily half-hour time interval is used as the index to encode real-time data and provide real-time prediction information; in the decoding part, the passenger flow data for the next two 30 min interval outputs by decoding all the information. To our best knowledge, it is the first time to real-time information has been taken into consideration in passenger flow prediction based on LSTM. The proposed model can achieve better accuracy compared to the LSTM and other baseline methods.

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Female sexual dysfunction: a problem hidden in the shadows

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612827666210719104950 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 ◽

Author(s):

Konstantinos P. Imprialos ◽

Konstantinos Koutsampasopoulos ◽

Aleksandra Katsimardou ◽

Sofia Bouloukou ◽

Iakovos Theodoulidis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Female Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Management Options ◽

Significant Public Health Problem ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

Cv Disease

Background: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) has mainly been underdiagnosed and undertreated due to the lack of concrete definitions, validated assessment methods, and efficient treatments. However, during the last few decades, there has been significant progress in the clinical management and research of FSD. Objective: The purpose of this review is to describe the pathophysiology of FSD, report the prevalence of the disease in the setting of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and disease, and review current and under investigation treatment options. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was performed to identify studies examining the association of FSD with CV risk factors and/or disease and studies reporting appropriate management options. Results: The prevalence of FSD is increased in the general population (approximately 40%) and is significantly higher in patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. In patients with overt CV disease, FSD is even more prevalent (up to 90%). The cause of FSD is multifactorial and includes various vascular, hormonal, interpersonal, and psychological factors, which are all intertwined. Several treatment options exist that are efficient in improving female sexual function, while a cluster of other alternatives has been shown to offer benefits. Conclusion: FSD is a significant public health problem with a great impact on the patients’ quality of life. In the setting of increased CV burden, FSD is even more prevalent. Increased awareness is needed for the physician to establish a trustful environment with the patient, discuss such issues, and offer suitable management options.

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Spatial distribution of schistosomiasis and geohelminthiasis cases in the rural areas of Pernambuco, Brazil

Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical ◽

10.1590/s0037-86822012000500017 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 45 (5) ◽

pp. 633-638 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Verônica Santos Barbosa ◽

Karina Conceição Araújo ◽

Onicio Batista Leal Neto ◽

Constança Simões Barbosa

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Kernel Estimator ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Number Of Children ◽

Density Maps ◽

Significant Public Health Problem ◽

Significant Public Health

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence and intensity of geohelminth infections and schistosomiasis remain high in the rural areas of Zona da Mata, Pernambuco (ZMP), Brazil, where these parasites still represent a significant public health problem. The present study aimed to spatially assess the occurrences of schistosomiasis and geohelminthiasis in the ZMP. METHODS: The ZMP has a population of 1,132,544 inhabitants, formed by 43 municipalities. An ecological study was conducted, using secondary data relating to positive human cases and parasite loads of schistosomiasis and positive human cases of geohelminthiasis that were worked up in Excel 2007. We used the coordinates of the municipal headquarters to represent the cities which served as the unit of analysis of this study. The Kernel estimator was used to spatially analyze the data and identify distribution patterns and case densities, with analysis done in ArcGIS software. RESULTS: Spatial analysis from the Kernel intensity estimator made it possible to construct density maps showing that the northern ZMP was the region with the greatest number of children infected with parasites and the populations most intensely infected by Schistosoma mansoni. In relation to geohelminths, there was higher spatial distribution of cases of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura in the southern ZMP, and greater occurrence of hookworms in the northern/central ZMP. CONCLUSIONS: Despite several surveys and studies showing occurrences of schistosomiasis and geohelminthiasis in the ZMP, no preventive measures that are known to have been effective in decreasing these health hazards have yet been implemented in the endemic area.

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DHEA as a Biomarker of Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.688367 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Frédéric Dutheil ◽

Sarah de Saint Vincent ◽

Bruno Pereira ◽

Jeannot Schmidt ◽

Farès Moustafa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Mental Stress ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Main Peak ◽

Significant Public Health Problem ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

Two Measures

Background: Psychosocial stress is a significant public health problem inducing consequences for quality of life. Results about the use of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) as a biomarker of acute stress are conflicting. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to demonstrate that DHEA levels could be a biomarker of stress.Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and ScienceDirect databases were searched on March 19, 2021 using the keywords “acute stress” AND “DHEA” OR “Dehydroepiandrosterone.” Articles needed to describe our primary outcome, i.e., induction of acute stress and at least two measures of DHEA.Results: We included 14 studies, with a total of 631 participants, in our meta-analysis. The DHEA levels increased overtime after acute stress [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 1.56, 95%CI = 1.13–1.99]. Stratification by time showed a main peak at the end of stress (SMD = 2.43, 95%CI = 1.59–3.27), followed by a progressive decrease (coefficient = −0.11, 95%CI = −0.19 to −0.17, p = 0.020). There was no significant change 1 h after the end of acute stress. Metaregressions showed an impact of mental stress (SMD = 2.04, 95%CI = 1.43–2.65), sex (SMD = 0.02, 95%CI = 0.00–0.04), age (SMD = −0.12, 95%CI = −0.2 to −0.05), and obesity (SMD = 0.31, 95%CI = −0.00 to 0.63). There was no difference whatever the type of fluid (blood or saliva) and the measurement technique used.Conclusions: DHEA is a biomarker of acute stress, with a short-term increase (1 h). DHEA increases following acute mental stress, whatever the type and duration of mental stress. Women, young people, and obese individuals had a higher response. Blood and saliva measures were comparable.

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Green tea polyphenols prevent lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory liver injury in mice by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation

Food & Function ◽

10.1039/c9fo00572b ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 3898-3908 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Dongxu Wang ◽

Man Zhang ◽

Taotao Wang ◽

Min Cai ◽

Frank Qian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Liver Injury ◽

Green Tea ◽

Liver Diseases ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Green Tea Polyphenols ◽

Inflammasome Activation ◽

Nlrp3 Inflammasome Activation ◽

Significant Public Health Problem ◽

Significant Public Health

Inflammatory liver diseases present a significant public health problem.

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Moped Collisions among Patients with Revoked Drivers’ Licenses are a Significant Public Health Problem: A Retrospective Cohort Study

The American Surgeon ◽

10.1177/000313481408000830 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 80 (8) ◽

pp. 792-795 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Benjamin M. Braun ◽

Lynn M. Gries ◽

Amy N. Hildreth ◽

Anna N. Miller

Keyword(s):

Motor Vehicle ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

High Risk Behavior ◽

Driving While Intoxicated ◽

Significant Public Health Problem ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

History Of ◽

Mode Of Transportation ◽

Level I

Many states do not require a license to operate a moped, defined as a motor vehicle with less than 50-cc engine displacement. These vehicles may therefore serve as a mode of transportation for those who are driving without a license and who may have a history of prior high-risk behavior. We hypothesized that those involved in moped collisions were more likely to have previous convictions for driving while intoxicated (DWI) and other non-DWI offenses than those on conventional motorcycles. At a Level I trauma center, we queried the trauma registry from January 2005 to October 2010 for admissions after motorcycle or moped collisions. Classification of mechanism of injury was verified through chart review. Corrections databases from our state were then reviewed for previous convictions for DWI and other offenses. One thousand seventy-three patients over the study period were involved in motorcycle or moped collisions; 94 were from another state. Of the patients identified from our state, 249 had moped collisions and 730 had motorcycle collisions. Forty-nine per cent (121) of moped drivers had a history of DWI versus only 8 per cent (56) of motorcycle drivers ( P ≤ 0.05). Sixty-four per cent (161) of moped drivers were previously convicted of a crime versus 20 per cent (146) of those on motorcycles ( P ≤ 0.05). Moped drivers were significantly more likely to have a prior conviction of DWI as well as prior convictions of other crimes, establishing a pattern of disregard for the law. The use of these vehicles without a license likely presents a risk to public safety. Legislation to require licensing before moped operation should be considered.

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Sero-evaluation of Immune Responses to Vibrio cholerae in a Postelimination Setting

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa136 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Tai The Diep ◽

Owen Jensen ◽

Nguyen Van Thuong ◽

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Nhi ◽

Nguyen Ngoc Anh Thu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Immune Responses ◽

Specific Antibody ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Antibody Testing ◽

Southern Vietnam ◽

Significant Public Health Problem ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

Clinical Surveillance ◽

Blood Spot

Abstract Cholera remains a significant public health problem worldwide. In settings of declining incidence, serosurveillance may be used to augment clinical surveillance. We utilized dried blood spot sampling and cholera-specific antibody testing to examine the serologic profiles of vaccinated and unvaccinated children in southern Vietnam, where cholera was recently eliminated.

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