Assessment of the impact of traffic volume on NO2 levels in Munich during the lock-down periods

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheng Ye ◽  
Ka Lok Chan ◽  
Tamara Brunner ◽  
Hanlin Zhang ◽  
Alexander Geiß ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Meteorological Parameters ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Absolute Humidity ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Traffic Volume ◽  
Impact Factors ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
The Impact

<p>The global pandemic has many negative economic, social and health impacts, but the lock-downs also led to a reduction of traffic volume which resulted in lower NO<sub>2</sub> levels in some areas. Our study made use of different air quality measurement techniques (in-situ, on-road, satellite remote sensing) to monitor long-term NO<sub>2</sub> levels in Munich. While comparing NO<sub>2</sub> levels associate with traffic volume before and after a lock-down, other influences based on meteorological parameters should be considered as well. In addition to traffic data we used records of wind, mixing layer height, temperature, humidity and other meteorological parameters to analyze the impact on measured pollution levels using a Generalized Additive Model (GAM) regression. Our long-term study using data between 2018 and 2021 shows that the dominating factor is wind speed, followed by traffic volume as the main factors for impacting NO<sub>2</sub> levels, while absolute humidity and wind direction show less effects. We utilized those findings to find best suited time periods comparable to the lockdown time in terms of meteorological conditions. In order to focus on the traffic volume factor, we applied these findings to minimize other impact factors to evaluate the NO<sub>2</sub> variability of different years comparing to the data from the lockdown periods. A significant reduction of the ground level NO<sub>2</sub> concentrations in Munich during the early stage of the lockdown period in March 2020 could clearly be associated with a significant reduction of traffic volume.</p>

scholarly journals LIMITED AVAILABILITY IN CROWDFUNDING PROJECTS – GUARANTEE FOR PROFITABILITY?

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 246-260
Author(s):  
Alexander Fox ◽  
◽  
Jana Neuland ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Impact Factors ◽  
Alternative Form ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Limited Availability ◽  
Project Description ◽  
Database Technology ◽  
Stage Development ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Analyze Data

Scarcity is an instrument that is often used in crowdfunding. Crowdfunding is an alternative form of financing, especially for entrepreneurs in the early-stage development phase. This paper deals with the characteristics of profitable crowdfunding projects. Hereby, we examine the impact factors of crowdfunding’s profitability, with a special focus on limited availability (scarcity), depth of project description and the size of pledging goals as follows. Therefore, we analyze data from kickstarter.com, one of the world’s largest crowdfunding platforms, and used 494 projects and 4,224 pledge levels from the broad category technology as our database. Technology projects lend themselves particularly well to the study, as they usually contain the project result as a tangible return, thus facilitating or even enabling the monetary evaluation of the success in contrast to, for example, cultural projects. Hence, our sample includes 32% of pledge levels with limited availability. We provide empirical evidence that the limited availability in the crowdfunding projects in terms of scarcity management is positively related to the profitability of the included pledge levels. We conclude that crowdfunding projects with limited availability on pledge levels are more profitable for investors.

Long-term prognosis of patients withJ-wave syndrome

Heart ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 299-306
Author(s):  
Tsukasa Kamakura ◽  
Tetsuji Shinohara ◽  
Kenji Yodogawa ◽  
Nobuyuki Murakoshi ◽  
Hiroshi Morita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Amplitude ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
St Segment ◽  
History Of ◽  
Provocation Testing ◽  
Long Term Prognosis ◽  
Electrocardiographic Parameters ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveLimited data are currently available regarding the long-term prognosis of patients with J-wave syndrome (JWS). The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term prognosis of patients with JWS and identify predictors of the recurrence of ventricular fibrillation (VF).MethodsThis was a multicentre retrospective study (seven Japanese hospitals) involving 134 patients with JWS (Brugada syndrome (BrS): 85; early repolarisation syndrome (ERS): 49) treated with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. All patients had a history of VF. All patients with ERS underwent drug provocation testing with standard and high intercostal ECG recordings to rule out BrS. The impact of global J waves (type 1 ECG or anterior J waves and inferolateral J waves in two or more leads) on the prognosis was evaluated.ResultsDuring the 91±66 months of the follow-up period, 52 (39%) patients (BrS: 37; ERS: 15) experienced recurrence of VF. Patients with BrS and ERS with global J waves showed a significantly higher incidence of VF recurrence than those without (BrS: log-rank, p=0.014; ERS: log-rank, p=0.0009). The presence of global J waves was a predictor of VF recurrence in patients with JWS (HR: 2.16, 95% CI 1.21 to 3.91, p=0.0095), while previously reported high-risk electrocardiographic parameters (high-amplitude J waves ≥0.2 mV and J waves associated with a horizontal or descending ST segment) were not predictive of VF recurrence.ConclusionsThis multicentre long-term study showed that the presence of global J waves was associated with a higher incidence of VF recurrence in patients with JWS.

scholarly journals The Predicted Long-Term Benefits of Ensuring Timely Treatment and Medication Adherence in Early Schizophrenia

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 357-365
Author(s):  
Marcela Horvitz-Lennon ◽  
Zachary Predmore ◽  
Patrick Orr ◽  
Mark Hanson ◽  
Richard Hillestad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Competitive Employment ◽  
Independent Family ◽  
Treatment Entry ◽  
Adherence Intervention ◽  
Family Living ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Timely Treatment ◽  
Early Schizophrenia

AbstractThe impact of initiatives aimed at reducing time in untreated psychosis during early-stage schizophrenia will be unknown for many years. Thus, we simulate the effect of earlier treatment entry and better antipsychotic drug adherence on schizophrenia-related hospitalizations, receipt of disability benefits, competitive employment, and independent/family living over a ten-year horizon. We predict that earlier treatment entry reduces hospitalizations by 12.6–14.4% and benefit receipt by 7.0–8.5%, while increasing independent/family living by 41.5–46% and employment by 42–58%. We predict larger gains if a pro-adherence intervention is also used. Our findings suggest substantial benefits of timely and consistent early schizophrenia care.

scholarly journals The IDEAL framework in neurosurgery: a bibliometric analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 162 (12) ◽  
pp. 2939-2947
Author(s):  
Helen C. U. Ota ◽  
Brandon G. Smith ◽  
Alexander Alamri ◽  
Faith C. Robertson ◽  
Hani Marcus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bibliometric Analysis ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Surgical Techniques ◽  
Term Study ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Ideal Framework ◽  
Specific Search ◽  
Neurosurgical Techniques ◽  
The Ideal

Abstract Background The Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment and Long-term study (IDEAL) framework was created to provide a structured way for assessing and evaluating novel surgical techniques and devices. Objectives The aim of this paper was to investigate the utilization of the IDEAL framework within neurosurgery, and to identify factors influencing implementation. Methods A bibliometric analysis of the 7 key IDEAL papers on Scopus, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases (2009–2019) was performed. A second journal-specific search then identified additional papers citing the IDEAL framework. Publications identified were screened by two independent reviewers to select neurosurgery-specific articles. Results The citation search identified 1336 articles. The journal search identified another 16 articles. Following deduplication and review, 51 relevant articles remained; 14 primary papers (27%) and 37 secondary papers (73%). Of the primary papers, 5 (36%) papers applied the IDEAL framework to their research correctly; two were aligned to the pre-IDEAL stage, one to the Idea and Development stages, and two to the Exploration stage. Of the secondary papers, 21 (57%) explicitly discussed the IDEAL framework. Eighteen (86%) of these were supportive of implementing the framework, while one was not, and two were neutral. Conclusion The adoption of the IDEAL framework in neurosurgery has been slow, particularly for early-stage neurosurgical techniques and inventions. However, the largely positive reviews in secondary literature suggest potential for increased use that may be achieved with education and publicity.

scholarly journals The Real Impact of Bridging or Downstaging on Survival Outcomes after Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Liver Cancer ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 721-733
Author(s):  
Sunyoung Lee ◽  
Kyoung Won Kim ◽  
Gi-Won Song ◽  
Jae Hyun Kwon ◽  
Shin Hwang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Liver Transplantation ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Organ Procurement ◽  
Survival Outcomes ◽  
Full Cohort ◽  
Donor Liver Transplantation ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
The Impact

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> There is no consensus regarding selection criteria on liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially for living donor liver transplantation, although emerging evidence has been found for the effectiveness of bridging or downstaging. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> We evaluated the long-term outcomes of patients who underwent LT with or without bridging or downstaging for HCC. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This retrospective study included 896 LT recipients with HCC between June 2005 and May 2015. Recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and their associated factors were evaluated. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The 5-year RFS in the full cohort of 896 patients was 82.4%, and the OS was 85.3%. In patients with initial Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) T1 and T2, the 5-year RFS and OS did not significantly differ between LT groups with and without bridging (all <i>p</i> ≥ 0.05). The 5-year RFS and OS of OPTN T3 patients with successful downstaging were not significantly different from those of patients with OPTN T2 with primary LT (<i>p</i> = 0.070 and <i>p</i> = 0.185), but were significantly higher than in patients with OPTN T3 with downstaging failure and initial OPTN T1 or T2 with progression (all <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, last alpha-fetoprotein before LT ≥70 ng/mL (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.77, <i>p</i> = 0.001; HR: 1.72, <i>p</i> = 0.004), pretransplant HCC status exceeding the Milan criteria (HR: 5.12, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001; HR: 3.31, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001), and positron emission tomography positivity (HR: 2.57, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001; HR: 2.57, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) were independent predictors for worse RFS and OS. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The impact of bridging therapy on survival outcomes is limited in patients with early-stage HCC, whereas OPTN T1 or T2 with progression provides worse prognosis. OPTN T3 should undergo LT after successful downstaging, and OPTN T3 with successful downstaging allows for acceptable long-term posttransplant outcomes.

Fire and its impact on avian population dynamics

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 206 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Barry Baker ◽  
E. Belinda Dettmann ◽  
Stephen J. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Fire Regimes ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Sclerophyll Forest ◽  
In Fire ◽  
Avian Populations ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Term Monitoring ◽  
Probability Of Capture

Survival rate, population size, recruitment and probability of capture, derived from a long-term study of 20 passerine species in wet sclerophyll forest near Canberra, were used to measure the impact of a high intensity wildfire which burnt 70% of the study area. The wildfire significantly affected the population size of 13 species for a period of up to six years following the fire. Survival and recruitment were the least sensitive measures of impact and indicated a significant response to fire for only 2 of 10 species. We detected measurable effects of the fire for 17 of the 20 species studied. Many of these species had returned to prefire levels within three years, but for nine species the effects were still apparent six years later. Mark-recapture methodology provides an effective way of measuring the impact of fire regimes in forest environments. Long-term monitoring programmes should be established in fire-prone forest environments to contribute toward our understanding of fire, and its effect on avian populations. Such programmes have resource implications and researchers are urged to encourage the participation of the amateur bird banding community to contribute to such projects.

Haemoproteusinfected birds have increased lifetime reproductive success

Parasitology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 142 (8) ◽  
pp. 1033-1043 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. ZYLBERBERG ◽  
E. P. DERRYBERRY ◽  
C. W. BREUNER ◽  
E. A. MACDOUGALL-SHACKLETON ◽  
J. M. CORNELIUS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Lifetime Reproductive Success ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Host Fitness ◽  
Return Rates ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

SUMMARYThe impact of haematozoan infection on host fitness has received substantial attention since Hamilton and Zuk posited that parasites are important drivers of sexual selection. However, short-term studies testing the assumption that these parasites consistently reduce host fitness in the wild have produced contradictory results. To address this complex issue, we conducted a long-term study examining the relationship between naturally occurring infection withHaemoproteusandPlasmodium, and lifetime reproductive success and survival of Mountain White-crowned Sparrows. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that birds infected with haematozoan parasites have reduced survival (as determined by overwinter return rates) and reproductive success. Contrary to expectation, there was no relationship betweenHaemoproteusandPlasmodiuminfection and reproduction or survival in males, nor was there a relationship betweenPlasmodiuminfection and reproduction in females. Interestingly,Haemoproteus-infected females had significantly higher overwinter return rates and these females fledged more than twice as many chicks during their lifetimes as did uninfected females. We discuss the impact of parasitic infections on host fitness in light of these findings and suggest that, in the case of less virulent pathogens, investment in excessive immune defence may decrease lifetime reproduction.

Long-term study on the impact of temperature on enhanced biological phosphorus and nitrogen removal in membrane bioreactor

2015 ◽  
Vol 84 ◽  
pp. 8-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Sayi-Ucar ◽  
M. Sarioglu ◽  
G. Insel ◽  
E.U. Cokgor ◽  
D. Orhon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Membrane Bioreactor ◽  
Term Study ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Biological Phosphorus
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