Analysis of the results of the audit of lighting parameters at pedestrian crossings in Warsaw

The night time, based on many world studies, generates an increased risk of serious accidents (with fatalities and serious injuries). This is especially true for accidents with pedestrians. Pedestrian crossings are very sensitive to the influence of the time of day in terms of pedestrian safety, elements of road infrastructure. This is visible on the example of Poland, where numerous accidents at crosswalks are recorded, characterized by high severity at night. Road infra-structure managers take corrective actions to improve this condition. An example of such work is the Road Safety Audit (RSA), initiated in 2016 by the Municipal Roads Management Board in Warsaw. The analyses carried out by the au-thors, among others, in the years 2016 - 2019, included pedestrian crossings without traffic lights located on roads managed by ZDM (Municipal Roads Authority) in twelve districts: Bemowo, Bielany, Mokotów, Ochota, Praga Połud-nie, Praga Północ, Śródmieście, Targówek, Ursynów, Wawer, Włochy, Żoliborz. The assessment was carried out in terms of the correct lighting of these passages, traffic organization, geometry and environmental impact. The main aim of the article is to present a methodology for evaluating the technical condition of road lighting infrastructure on a large scale (e.g. district, city). The article discusses the general and detailed state of pedestrian safety in Poland against the background of research conducted in Warsaw. The procedure of inspection and assessment of the state of lighting of pedestrian crossings is described and selected results are presented. On the basis of a detailed analysis of the results of individual pedestrian crossings, the general condition of the tested crossings was assessed and recommendations were indicated. An attempt was made to assess the influence of pedestrian crossings lighting on the general state of road safety. A critical evaluation of the obtained effects was made. The utilitarian aim of the article is to apply the described methodology in other cities and to use the results of the conducted analyses to plan and implement road investments in the field of modernization of lighting at pedestrian crossings on a large scale.

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Carbon dioxide fluxes increase from day to night across European streams

Communications Earth & Environment ◽

10.1038/s43247-021-00192-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Katrin Attermeyer ◽

Joan Pere Casas-Ruiz ◽

Thomas Fuss ◽

Ada Pastor ◽

Sophie Cauvy-Fraunié ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Large Scale ◽

Carbon Dioxide Flux ◽

Time Of Day ◽

Night Time ◽

Carbon Dioxide Fluxes ◽

Large Scale Assessment ◽

Air Interface ◽

Flux Variability

AbstractGlobally, inland waters emit over 2 Pg of carbon per year as carbon dioxide, of which the majority originates from streams and rivers. Despite the global significance of fluvial carbon dioxide emissions, little is known about their diel dynamics. Here we present a large-scale assessment of day- and night-time carbon dioxide fluxes at the water-air interface across 34 European streams. We directly measured fluxes four times between October 2016 and July 2017 using drifting chambers. Median fluxes are 1.4 and 2.1 mmol m−2 h−1 at midday and midnight, respectively, with night fluxes exceeding those during the day by 39%. We attribute diel carbon dioxide flux variability mainly to changes in the water partial pressure of carbon dioxide. However, no consistent drivers could be identified across sites. Our findings highlight widespread day-night changes in fluvial carbon dioxide fluxes and suggest that the time of day greatly influences measured carbon dioxide fluxes across European streams.

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PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, IN PARTICULAR SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN, DURING THEIR MOVEMENT AT NIGHTTIME

Avtoshliakhovyk Ukrayiny ◽

10.33868/0365-8392-2019-2-258-2-10 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 2-10

Author(s):

Andrii Horpyniuk ◽

Serghii Taraban ◽

Volodymyr Koskovetskyi ◽

Andrii Shatran

Keyword(s):

Road Safety ◽

Road Traffic ◽

National Level ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Pedestrian Safety ◽

Time Of Day ◽

Road User ◽

Motor Vehicles ◽

School Age Children ◽

School Age

The issue of the safety of pedestrians, in particular school-age children during their movement at nighttime is considered with the coverage of such aspects of road safety as road infrastructure, vehicle design, behavior of drivers and pedestrians, especially children directly as the most vulnerable road users, and educational activities. Particular attention is paid to the fact that road traffic is the most complex and difficult aspect of the environment that a child can experience, especially during in poor daylight and in darkness (because in the autumn and winter it gets dark very early and time when children should go to school or from school falls at this period of the day). In the paper is shown how the visibility zones for drivers of motor vehicles in the darkness and in bad weather conditions are changing. Also, in the paper is provided information about the visibility of pedestrians who use or do not use on the clothes the retro-reflective elements, at the use of dipped and distant headlights of the car. The legislation of Ukraine and European countries in this area, which in particular regulates the requirements for the use of retro-reflective elements, as well as the practice and recommendations regarding their use, are analyzed. At the same time, the paper conducted a review of existing decisions that ensure pedestrian safety and allow them to be more visible to drivers of motor vehicles, especially with the onset of dusk and at nighttime. The analysis of the recommendations contained in the Consolidated Resolution on Road Traffic (R.E.1) concerning the increase of road safety in the dark time of day is carried out. Recommendations on possible actions to enhance the safety of pedestrians at the national level, including school-age children during their movement at nighttime are given. Keywords: road safety, road traffic accident, vulnerable road user, pedestrian, vehicle, retro-reflective element.

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Study of Biochemical and Clinical Markers in Steatohepatitis Related to Obesity

Revista de Chimie ◽

10.37358/rc.18.6.6355 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 69 (6) ◽

pp. 1501-1505

Author(s):

Roxana Maria Livadariu ◽

Radu Danila ◽

Lidia Ionescu ◽

Delia Ciobanu ◽

Daniel Timofte

Keyword(s):

Liver Disease ◽

Liver Biopsy ◽

Large Scale ◽

Biological Data ◽

Obese Patients ◽

Clinical Markers ◽

Mean Values ◽

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver ◽

Obstructive Sleep ◽

Increased Risk

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly associated to obesity and comprises several liver diseases, from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis (NASH) with increased risk of developing progressive liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver biopsy is the gold standard in diagnosing the disease, but it cannot be used in a large scale. The aim of the study was the assessment of some non-invasive clinical and biological markers in relation to the progressive forms of NAFLD. We performed a prospective study on 64 obese patients successively hospitalised for bariatric surgery in our Surgical Unit. Patients with history of alcohol consumption, chronic hepatitis B or C, other chronic liver disease or patients undergoing hepatotoxic drug use were excluded. All patients underwent liver biopsy during sleeve gastrectomy. NAFLD was present in 100% of the patients: hepatic steatosis (38%), NASH with the two forms: with fibrosis (31%) and without fibrosis (20%), cumulating 51%; 7 patients had NASH with vanished steatosis. NASH with fibrosis statistically correlated with metabolic syndrome (p = 0.036), DM II (p = 0.01) and obstructive sleep apnea (p = 0.02). Waist circumference was significantly higher in the steatohepatitis groups (both with and without fibrosis), each 10 cm increase increasing the risk of steatohepatitis (p = 0.007). The mean values of serum fibrinogen and CRP were significantly higher in patients having the progressive forms of NAFLD. Simple clinical and biological data available to the practitioner in medicine can be used to identify obese patients at high risk of NASH, aiming to direct them to specialized medical centers.

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Should all Hypertensive Patients be Screened for Primary Aldosteronism?

Current Hypertension Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573402114666180507153549 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 54-56

Author(s):

Stelina Alkagiet ◽

Konstantinos Tziomalos

Keyword(s):

Resistant Hypertension ◽

Primary Aldosteronism ◽

Large Scale ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

The Other ◽

Limited Data ◽

Hypertensive Patients ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is not only a leading cause of secondary and resistant hypertension, but is also quite frequent in unselected hypertensive patients. Moreover, PA is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, which is disproportionate to BP levels. In addition, timely diagnosis of PA and prompt initiation of treatment attenuate this increased risk. On the other hand, there are limited data regarding the usefulness of screening for PA in all asymptomatic or normokalemic hypertensive patients. More importantly, until now, no well-organized, large-scale, prospective, randomized controlled trial has proved the effectiveness of screening for PA for improving clinical outcome. Accordingly, until more relevant data are available, screening for PA should be considered in hypertensive patients with spontaneous or diuretic-induced hypokalemia as well as in those with resistant hypertension. However, screening for PA in all hypertensive patients cannot be currently recommended.

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COVID-19 and Its Symptoms’ Panoply: A Case-Control Study of 919 Suspected Cases in Locked-Down Ovar, Portugal

Portuguese Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1159/000514925 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Regina Sá ◽

Tiago Pinho-Bandeira ◽

Guilherme Queiroz ◽

Joana Matos ◽

João Duarte Ferreira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Case Control ◽

Case Definition ◽

Suspected Case ◽

Risk Characteristics ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Wide Range ◽

Control Study

Background: Ovar was the first Portuguese municipality to declare active community transmission of SARS-CoV-2, with total lockdown decreed on March 17, 2020. This context provided conditions for a large-scale testing strategy, allowing a referral system considering other symptoms besides the ones that were part of the case definition (fever, cough, and dyspnea). This study aims to identify other symptoms associated with COVID-19 since it may clarify the pre-test probability of the occurrence of the disease. Methods: This case-control study uses primary care registers between March 29 and May 10, 2020 in Ovar municipality. Pre-test clinical and exposure-risk characteristics, reported by physicians, were collected through a form, and linked with their laboratory result. Results: The study population included a total of 919 patients, of whom 226 (24.6%) were COVID-19 cases and 693 were negative for SARS-CoV-2. Only 27.1% of the patients reporting contact with a confirmed or suspected case tested positive. In the multivariate analysis, statistical significance was obtained for headaches (OR 0.558), odynophagia (OR 0.273), anosmia (OR 2.360), and other symptoms (OR 2.157). The interaction of anosmia and odynophagia appeared as possibly relevant with a borderline statistically significant OR of 3.375. Conclusion: COVID-19 has a wide range of symptoms. Of the myriad described, the present study highlights anosmia itself and calls for additional studies on the interaction between anosmia and odynophagia. Headaches and odynophagia by themselves are not associated with an increased risk for the disease. These findings may help clinicians in deciding when to test, especially when other diseases with similar symptoms are more prevalent, namely in winter.

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The association between XRCC3 rs1799794 polymorphism and cancer risk: a meta-analysis of 34 case–control studies

BMC Medical Genomics ◽

10.1186/s12920-021-00965-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Weiqing Liu ◽

Shumin Ma ◽

Lei Liang ◽

Zhiyong Kou ◽

Hongbin Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Thyroid Cancer ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Large Scale ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Cancer Type ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Risk Of Cancer

Abstract Background Studies on the XRCC3 rs1799794 polymorphism show that this polymorphism is involved in a variety of cancers, but its specific relationships or effects are not consistent. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the association between rs1799794 polymorphism and susceptibility to cancer. Methods PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for eligible studies through June 11, 2019. All analyses were performed with Stata 14.0. Subgroup analyses were performed by cancer type, ethnicity, source of control, and detection method. A total of 37 studies with 23,537 cases and 30,649 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Results XRCC3 rs1799794 increased cancer risk in the dominant model and heterozygous model (GG + AG vs. AA: odds ratio [OR] = 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00–1.08, P = 0.051; AG vs. AA: OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.00–1.01, P = 0.015). The existence of rs1799794 increased the risk of breast cancer and thyroid cancer, but reduced the risk of ovarian cancer. In addition, rs1799794 increased the risk of cancer in the Caucasian population. Conclusion This meta-analysis confirms that XRCC3 rs1799794 is related to cancer risk, especially increased risk for breast cancer and thyroid cancer and reduced risk for ovarian cancer. However, well-designed large-scale studies are required to further evaluate the results.

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Observations of AGW/TID propagation across the polar cap: a case study

Annales Geophysicae ◽

10.5194/angeo-29-1355-2011 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 29 (8) ◽

pp. 1355-1363 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

H. T. Cai ◽

F. Yin ◽

S. Y. Ma ◽

I. W. McCrea

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Source Region ◽

Polar Cap ◽

Night Time ◽

F Region ◽

Atmospheric Disturbances ◽

Geomagnetic Pole ◽

Ionization Waves ◽

North Polar ◽

Propagation Properties

Abstract. In this paper, we present observational evidence for the trans-polar propagation of large-scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) from their nightside source region to the dayside. On 13 February 2001, the 32 m dish of EISCAT Svalbard Radar (ESR) was directing toward the geomagnetic pole at low elevation (30°) during the interval 06:00–12:00 UT (MLT ≈ UT + 3 h), providing an excellent opportunity to monitor the ionosphere F-region over the polar cap. The TIDs were first detected by the ESR over the dayside north polar cap, propagating equatorward, and were subsequently seen by the mainland UHF radar at auroral latitudes around geomagnetic local noon. The propagation properties of the observed ionization waves suggest the presence of a moderately large-scale TIDs, propagating across the northern polar cap from the night-time auroral source during substorm conditions. Our results agree with the theoretical simulations by Balthazor and Moffett (1999) in which poleward-propagating large-scale traveling atmospheric disturbances were found to be self-consistently driven by enhancements in auroral heating.

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The role of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system in preeclampsia: genetic polymorphisms and microRNA

Journal of Molecular Endocrinology ◽

10.1530/jme-12-0216 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 50 (2) ◽

pp. R53-R66 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Jie Yang ◽

Jianyu Shang ◽

Suli Zhang ◽

Hao Li ◽

Huirong Liu

Keyword(s):

Genetic Polymorphisms ◽

Large Scale ◽

Salt Water ◽

Prognostic Significance ◽

Neonatal Morbidity ◽

Well Being ◽

Normal Pregnancy ◽

Placental Perfusion ◽

Familial Predisposition ◽

Increased Risk

The compensatory alterations in the rennin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) contribute to the salt–water balance and sufficient placental perfusion for the subsequent well-being of the mother and fetus during normal pregnancy and is characterized by an increase in almost all the components of RAAS. Preeclampsia, however, breaks homeostasis and leads to a disturbance of this delicate equilibrium in RAAS both for circulation and the uteroplacental unit. Despite being a major cause for maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, the pathogenesis of preeclampsia remains elusive, where RAAS has been long considered to be involved. Epidemiological studies have indicated that preeclampsia is a multifactorial disease with a strong familial predisposition regardless of variations in ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic features. The heritable allelic variations, especially the genetic polymorphisms in RAAS, could be the foundation for the genetics of preeclampsia and hence are related to the development of preeclampsia. Furthermore, at a posttranscriptional level, miRNA can interact with the targeted site within the 3′-UTR of the RAAS gene and thereby might participate in the regulation of RAAS and the pathology of preeclampsia. In this review, we discuss the recent achievements of genetic polymorphisms, as well as the interactions between maternal and fetal genotypes, and miRNA posttranscriptional regulation associated with RAAS in preeclampsia. The results are controversial but utterly inspiring and attractive in terms of potential prognostic significance. Although many studies suggest positive associations with genetic mutations and increased risk for preeclampsia, more meticulously designed large-scale investigations are needed to avoid the interference from different variations.

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Mobile spine chordoma: results of 166 patients from the AOSpine Knowledge Forum Tumor database

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2015.7.spine15201 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 644-651 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Ziya L. Gokaslan ◽

Patricia L. Zadnik ◽

Daniel M. Sciubba ◽

Niccole Germscheid ◽

C. Rory Goodwin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Local Recurrence ◽

Survival Data ◽

Large Scale ◽

Surgical Techniques ◽

En Bloc Resection ◽

Bloc Resection ◽

En Bloc ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Mobile Spine

OBJECT A chordoma is an indolent primary spinal tumor that has devastating effects on the patient's life. These lesions are chemoresistant, resistant to conventional radiotherapy, and moderately sensitive to proton therapy; however, en bloc resection remains the preferred treatment for optimizing patient outcomes. While multiple small and largely retrospective studies have investigated the outcomes following en bloc resection of chordomas in the sacrum, there have been few large-scale studies on patients with chordomas of the mobile spine. The goal of this study was to review the outcomes of surgically treated patients with mobile spine chordomas at multiple international centers with respect to local recurrence and survival. This multiinstitutional retrospective study collected data between 1988 and 2012 about prognosis-predicting factors, including various clinical characteristics and surgical techniques for mobile spine chordoma. Tumors were classified according to the Enneking principles and analyzed in 2 treatment cohorts: Enneking-appropriate (EA) and Enneking-inappropriate (EI) cohorts. Patients were categorized as EA when the final pathological assessment of the margin matched the Enneking recommendation; otherwise, they were categorized as EI. METHODS Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data (Student t-test, chi-square, and Fisher exact tests). Recurrence and survival data were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, log-rank tests, and multivariate Cox proportional hazard modeling. RESULTS A total of 166 patients (55 female and 111 male patients) with mobile spine chordoma were included. The median patient follow-up was 2.6 years (range 1 day to 22.5 years). Fifty-eight (41%) patients were EA and 84 (59%) patients were EI. The type of biopsy (p < 0.001), spinal location (p = 0.018), and if the patient received adjuvant therapy (p < 0.001) were significantly different between the 2 cohorts. Overall, 58 (35%) patients developed local recurrence and 57 (34%) patients died. Median survival was 7.0 years postoperative: 8.4 years postoperative for EA patients and 6.4 years postoperative for EI patients (p = 0.023). The multivariate analysis showed that the EI cohort was significantly associated with an increased risk of local recurrence in comparison with the EA cohort (HR 7.02; 95% CI 2.96–16.6; p < 0.001), although no significant difference in survival was observed. CONCLUSIONS EA resection plays a major role in decreasing the risk for local recurrence in patients with chordoma of the mobile spine.

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Assessment of the technical condition of underground structures of the largest hydroelectric power station in the North Caucasus, the Chirkeyskaya HPP

Proceedings of Petersburg Transport University ◽

10.20295/1815-588x-2021-3-410-420 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 410-420

Author(s):

Vladimir N. KAVKAZKY ◽

◽

Yana V. MEL’NIK ◽

Alexey P. LEIKIN ◽

Andrey V. BENIN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Practical Importance ◽

Hydroelectric Power Plant ◽

Technical Condition ◽

Hydroelectric Power Station ◽

Hydroelectric Power ◽

Underground Structures ◽

North Caucasus ◽

The Caucasus ◽

The North

Objective: Chirkeyskaya HPP is by far the most powerful hydroelectric power plant in the North Caucasus with the highest arched dam in Russia and the second highest dam in the country after the Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP. This explains why it is called the pearl of the Caucasus. Methods: For the operation and maintenance of this unique structure, a large-scale complex of underground structures for various purposes was built, the technical condition of which must be constantly monitored. To carry out work on the survey of underground structures, the management of the design and survey institute of JSC “Lengidroproekt” decided to attract specialists from the Department of Tunnels and Subways and the Test Center “Strength” of Emperor Alexander I Petersburg State Transport University. The work was successfully carried out at the end of 2015. Results: The safety of underground structures was objectively assessed. Recommendations for the repair and further comprehensive reconstruction of the Chirkeyskaya HPP have been developed. Practical importance: Carry out work on the survey of underground structures of Chirkeyskaya HPP is allowes elaborate of complex measures on safety from Chirkeyskaya HPP.

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