Weekend Periods Research Articles

Investigation of Peak-Hour Factor at Freeway Segments: Urban and Suburban Vicinities

The peak-hour factor (PHF) adjusts for traffic volume variability during the peak hour so that traffic demand can be converted to represent the busiest 15 min of the peak hour. Operational and planning analyses of freeways start by adjusting traffic demand by the PHF. Although the importance of the PHF is widely recognized, few efforts have been dedicated to a comprehensive understanding of this factor. The Highway Capacity Manual 2010 (HCM 2010) recommends the use of a single default freeway PHF value equal to 0.94 when local data are not available. The main aim of this study was to provide a quantitative analysis of the PHF values at freeways and the potential sources of its variability including the peak period (a.m., p.m., and weekend periods), day-to-day variation, traffic volume and level of service, early or late peak-hour onset, day of the week, month, season, and weather. Traffic data were collected at 54 sites along 10 freeway corridors in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, during 2014. A massive data sample including 28,394 PHF records covering different daily, seasonal, and operational conditions was compiled. A wide range of PHF values was observed; they fluctuated considerably from day to day, even at the same site. Traffic volume, level of service, and peak period were found to be major sources of PHF variability; they deserve more attention in practice. Specific conclusions and recommendations for future editions of the HCM are summarized.

Effects of hydropeaking waves’ offsets on growth performances of juvenile Salix species

Hydropower production and other human activities change the natural flow regime of rivers (e.g., hydropeaking effects), in turn, impacting the riparian environment. Here we present an experiment conceived to investigate the response of forced offsets in water table dynamics on the temperate floodplain riparian vegetation species of Salix viminalis. Three specific water level regimes, simulating daily hydropeaking effects in terms of daily water table variations and offsets, were applied to three batteries of Salix cuttings growing outdoors in plastic pots. All pots initially were provided the same unlimited water supply. Then the dynamics were changed to include 90-cm daily oscillations of water table. The transitory responses of the cuttings were quantified with measurements of continuous sap flow and water potential. We regularly monitored growth parameters, leaf water potential, and gas exchange measurements, and took pictures of each plant. At the end of the experiment, all cuttings were removed and the biomass, from both above and below ground, analyzed. The 3D root structure was investigated using high-resolution computed tomography. Our results showed a clear link between root distribution and water regime. The strong offset of water table dynamics was followed by root system adjustment and plant adaptation to the new conditions. Macroscopic effects in terms of growth parameters corresponded with water pressure and transpiration measurements, strengthening our interpretation of the results. Daily hydropeaking offset appeared to have only a minor impact on the development and photosynthesis of S. viminalis cuttings, and can probably be neglected in real cases of dam regulation. On the other hand, weekly periodicity (e.g., weekend periods of dryness) could have harsher impacts, and should be evaluated in future studies.

The Aggressive Behavior of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities is Not Affected by a Full Moon: A 17-Year Study

Due to past inconsistent results of research concerned with a possible full moon effect on the behavior of individuals with intellectual disabilities, a longer-term study was conducted. Over 17 years, no relationship was found between 210 days with full moons and 12, 200 incidents of aggression that were dangerous enough to require intense physical restraint. Furthermore, and contrary to such an effect, percentage of restraint-free days was not lower during the full moon. There was less aggression and restraint during weekends and some holidays with full moons. Results suggested that a stronger social versus geophysical process might be related to past positive findings of a lunar effect and that weekend and holiday periods need to be considered as potential confounding variables. Because of the negative stereotypes associated with the full moon and unusual behavior, it is imperative that studies that find this relationship be replicated.

Hypoglycemia Adverse Events in PICUs and Cardiac ICUs

To describe the use of an adverse event detection system to identify, characterize, and categorize preventable versus nonpreventable hypoglycemia AEs in PICUs and cardiac ICUs. Retrospective observational study. PICU and cardiac ICU of a tertiary pediatric hospital. All hypoglycemia triggers generated over a 3-year period. All hypoglycemia triggers generated via an electronic health record-driven surveillance system were investigated to determine if they represented a true adverse event and if that event was preventable or nonpreventable. Clinical and demographic variables were analyzed to identify characteristics of patients who developed a preventable or nonpreventable hypoglycemia adverse event. There were 197 hypoglycemia adverse events in 90 patients. Thirty percent of the adverse events in the PICU and 36% of the adverse events in the cardiac ICU were characterized as preventable. Of the adverse events, 118 (59.9%) necessitated an intravenous dextrose bolus. No adverse events were associated with reporting of symptoms of hypoglycemia including apnea, altered mental status, or seizures. Events were more likely to be preventable (p < 0.001) if the patient was receiving only parenteral sources of nutrition (intravenous fluids or total parenteral nutrition). Controlling for weekends and holidays, adverse events associated with sole parenteral nutrition source had an increased odds ratio of 9.5 (95% confidence interval: 2.8-31.9) of being preventable. Stratifying by ICU, cardiac ICU events occurring on a weekend or holiday were more likely to be preventable (p = 0.001). Stratifying by unit and controlling for parenteral nutrition source, adverse events in the cardiac ICU occurring on weekends or holidays had an increased odds ratio of 11.6 (95% confidence interval: 2.7-50.2) of being preventable. Preventable hypoglycemia adverse events are associated with patients receiving sole parenteral sources of nutrition in both the PICU and cardiac ICU. In the cardiac ICU, there is an association between weekend and holiday time periods and the development of preventable hypoglycemia adverse events.

The gamma-butyrolactone model of absence epilepsy: Acute and chronic effects in wistar rats.

Objectives: We studied the electroencephalographic (EEG) and behavioral changes of the chemical model of generalized absence epilepsy induced by acute and chronic administration of gamma-butrolactone (GBL), a prodrug of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats under anesthesia were implanted with bilateral cortical recording electrodes. The rats were administered 30 intraperitoneal injections of GBL twice daily from Monday to Friday and EEG was recorded 20 min before and 40 min after GBL injections. In order to monitor spontaneous spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs), the baseline EEGs on the subsequent Monday mornings after the first, second and third weekends were recorded for 90 min. Results: The intraperitoneal administration of GBL caused a rapid onset of bilaterally synchronous SWDs in the cortical EEG accompanied by behavioral immobility, vacant-staring and vibrissal twitching. By repeated GBL injections, animals displayed spontaneous bilateral synchronous SWDs in the baseline EEG on the Monday morning session after the GBL-free weekend period (60 h after the Friday afternoon injection). Conclusion: The present study reports the acute and chronic effects of the systemic administration of GBL. The chronic systemic application of GBL may represent a model of epileptogenesis for absence epilepsy.

Biotrickling filtration of isopropanol under intermittent loading conditions

This paper investigates the removal of isopropanol by gas-phase biotrickling filtration. Two plastic packing materials, one structured and one random, have been evaluated in terms of oxygen mass transfer and isopropanol removal efficiency. Oxygen mass transfer experiments were performed at gas velocities of 104 and 312 m h⁻¹ and liquid velocities between 3 and 33 m h⁻¹. Both materials showed similar mass transfer coefficients up to liquid velocities of 15 m h⁻¹. At greater liquid velocities, the structured packing exhibited greater oxygen mass transfer coefficients. Biotrickling filtration experiments were carried out at inlet loads (IL) from 20 to 65 g C m⁻³ h⁻¹ and empty bed residence times (EBRT) from 14 to 160 s. To simulate typical industrial emissions, intermittent isopropanol loading (16 h/day, 5 day/week) and intermittent spraying frequency (15 min/1.5 h) were applied. Maximum elimination capacity of 51 g C m⁻³ h⁻¹ has been obtained for the random packing (IL of 65 g C m⁻³ h⁻¹, EBRT of 50 s). The decrease in irrigation frequency to 15 min every 3 h caused a decrease in the outlet emissions from 86 to 59 mg C Nm⁻³ (inlet of 500 mg C Nm⁻³). The expansion of spraying to night and weekend periods promoted the degradation of the isopropanol accumulated in the water tank during the day, reaching effluent concentrations as low as 44 mg C Nm⁻³. After a 7-week starvation period, the performance was recovered in less than 10 days, proving the robustness of the process.

The Effect of Weekend Information to Monday’s Banking Index Return in Jakarta Stock Exchange

Capital gain from stock market does not always provide abnormal return to the investor. The level of abnormal return analysis can use Efficient Market Hypothesis to measure the efficiency of the stock market by using event study. The analysis also will use behavioral finance theory to elaborate more on how investors react to the weekend period news and arbitrage theory to know if there is an arbitrage profit that can be captured. The information on the weekend holidays should reflect in the Monday price if the market is efficient. The research will use banking index as the main study because banking index is sensitive to the news especially from financial crisis contagious. The weekend period news will be grouped into the regional and the internal Indonesia news. The results indicate that the banking index of Jakarta Stock Exchange supports the semi-strong efficient market hypothesis in the presence of Indonesia economic, fiscal policy and monetary policy news. The return of the banking index and Jakarta Composite Index on Monday may face overconfidence and anchoring and adjustment bias that can distort the price on Monday. The research shows that banking index underperforms the Jakarta Composite Index. This shows that the existence of Monday Effect anomaly is rejected. The Jakarta Composite Index is affected by the availability of the news from Japan, world news and Indonesia economy news. News that may affect each index can be specified into the exposure of the industry.

214 Core competencies for physiotherapists working with cystic fibrosis patients in Italy

Introduction: The aim was to investigate the activity levels and changes in inflammatory markers during weekday supervised treatment and independent weekend treatments. This is the first study to examine any relationship between supervised and unsupervised activity over first week of an inpatient stay. Methods: Subjects were recruited and consented to complete the Habitual Activity Estimation Scale (HAES) on a weekday and weekend day. Inflammatory markers (CRP, WCC, Neutrophils) recorded on weekday and subsequent Monday during May − September 2011. Results were analysed using paired t-test for statistical significance. Results: 44 patients were included in the study. M:F 27:17. Significant reduction in CRP was displayed over the weekend period P = 0.018 no other inflammatory marker displayed statistical significance. No statistical significance was observed in HAES during the study period. On average 48% of subject’s day is inactive, while 22% of the day is spent in activity 3.8% of which is considered exercise. Conclusions: Expected reduction in CRP was displayed on commencement of treatment. No significant difference in activity was demonstrated. It is the conclusion of these authors that programmes set to maintain activity during weekends has proven clinical benefits. Overall this patient group display high levels of inactivity, further education is required to promote activity as part of standard care. 214 Core competencies for physiotherapists working with cystic fibrosis patients in Italy C. Tartali1, S. Zuffo2, F. Alatri3, A. Brivio4, M. Dona5, L. Graziano6. 1Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, Centro Regionale Fibrosi Cistica, Verona, Italy; 2Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Meyer, Rehabilitation, Firenze, Italy; 3Policlinico Umberto I Rome, Centro Fibrosi Cistica, Roma, Italy; 4IRCCS Policlinico Ca Granda Milan, Centro Fibrosi Cistica, Milano, Italy; 5Ospedale Ca’ Foncello ULSS 9, Treviso, Italy; 6Policlinico Umberto I Roma, Centro Fibrosi Cistica, Roma, Italy

213 Study evaluating the effect of weekends on activity and inflammatory markers in adult patients with cystic fibrosis

Introduction: The aim was to investigate the activity levels and changes in inflammatory markers during weekday supervised treatment and independent weekend treatments. This is the first study to examine any relationship between supervised and unsupervised activity over first week of an inpatient stay. Methods: Subjects were recruited and consented to complete the Habitual Activity Estimation Scale (HAES) on a weekday and weekend day. Inflammatory markers (CRP, WCC, Neutrophils) recorded on weekday and subsequent Monday during May − September 2011. Results were analysed using paired t-test for statistical significance. Results: 44 patients were included in the study. M:F 27:17. Significant reduction in CRP was displayed over the weekend period P = 0.018 no other inflammatory marker displayed statistical significance. No statistical significance was observed in HAES during the study period. On average 48% of subject’s day is inactive, while 22% of the day is spent in activity 3.8% of which is considered exercise. Conclusions: Expected reduction in CRP was displayed on commencement of treatment. No significant difference in activity was demonstrated. It is the conclusion of these authors that programmes set to maintain activity during weekends has proven clinical benefits. Overall this patient group display high levels of inactivity, further education is required to promote activity as part of standard care. 214 Core competencies for physiotherapists working with cystic fibrosis patients in Italy C. Tartali1, S. Zuffo2, F. Alatri3, A. Brivio4, M. Dona5, L. Graziano6. 1Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, Centro Regionale Fibrosi Cistica, Verona, Italy; 2Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Meyer, Rehabilitation, Firenze, Italy; 3Policlinico Umberto I Rome, Centro Fibrosi Cistica, Roma, Italy; 4IRCCS Policlinico Ca Granda Milan, Centro Fibrosi Cistica, Milano, Italy; 5Ospedale Ca’ Foncello ULSS 9, Treviso, Italy; 6Policlinico Umberto I Roma, Centro Fibrosi Cistica, Roma, Italy

Alcohol- and drug-involved driving in the United States: methodology for the 2007 National Roadside Survey.

This article describes the methodology used in the 2007 U.S. National Roadside Survey to estimate the prevalence of alcohol- and drug-impaired driving and alcohol- and drug-involved driving. This study involved randomly stopping drivers at 300 locations across the 48 continental U.S. states at sites selected through a stratified random sampling procedure. Data were collected during a 2-hr Friday daytime session at 60 locations and during 2-hr nighttime weekend periods at 240 locations. Both self-report and biological measures were taken. Biological measures included breath alcohol measurements from 9,413 respondents, oral fluid samples from 7,719 respondents, and blood samples from 3,276 respondents.

Quantitative assessment of time dependent drug-use trends by the analysis of drugs and related metabolites in raw sewage

Background: Accurate and timely information on the scale and dynamics of drug consumption is important for assessing the needs of law enforcement and public health services in a community. Aims: This paper presents a detailed examination of a comprehensive sewage-sampling campaign for the purposes of increasing an understanding of the dynamics of drug-flows in sewage streams, and developing new methodology by which this technique can support traditional drug-use surveys. Methods: A total of 104 sewage samples were collected from a treatment plant servicing approximately 500 000 people and analysed for levels of methamphetamine, cocaine and cocaine metabolites. Careful examination of the kinetics of drug-flow profiles was then performed in order to identify trends or patterns of use within the community. Results: Results were validated against identical measurements of pharmaceutical reference compounds. Consumption profiles for cocaine and methamphetamine were found to differ in terms of frequency and timing of use. The majority of cocaine consumption occurs during the evening hours and 45% of consumption of this drug occurs in weekend periods. The flow of methamphetamine in the sewage system appears more evenly spread throughout the week. Conclusions: This result is consistent with both an extended excretion half-life and a pattern of use that is more evenly balanced across all days of the week. Comprehensive investigation in to the scale and kinetics of drug flow in a sewage stream can therefore provide valuable information, not only in terms of the volume of drug consumed, but also in terms of identifying differing usage-patterns over daily and weekly time-scales.

Homicide/suspicious death statistics for cases submitted to the forensic science laboratory in the Republic of Ireland for 2004–2008

The purpose of this study was to examine the trends and patterns of homicide in the Republic of Ireland over a five-year period (2004-2008). In total, 293 cases are covered in the survey. The majority of the victims were men. The most common age group of victims was 20-29 years old. The majority of the suspects were also men. The most common age was also 20-29 years old. Stabbing was the most common method used to kill and this often featured multiple wounds to the head and body. Shooting and blunt force traumas were also common. Homicides are more likely to occur over the weekend period. This study also explored the relationship between the suspect and the victim, the motive and the location of the fatal assault. In the majority of cases, the victim and the perpetrator were known to each other. The site of the fatal assault was most likely to be a residence and the most frequent motive was an argument/quarrelling. A small number of cases involved multiple fatalities, often involving relatives. The figures were compared with other international studies; our findings are broadly in agreement with them.

Analysis and Interpretation of Specific Ethanol Metabolites, Ethyl Sulfate, and Ethyl Glucuronide in Sewage Effluent for the Quantitative Measurement of Regional Alcohol Consumption

The quantitative measurement of urinary metabolites in sewage streams and the subsequent estimation of consumption rates of the parent compounds have previously been demonstrated for pharmaceuticals and narcotics. Ethyl sulfate and ethyl glucuronide are excreted in urine following the ingestion of alcohol, and are useful biomarkers for the identification of acute alcohol consumption. This study reports a novel ion-exchange-mediated chromatographic method for the quantitative measurement of ethyl sulfate and ethyl glucuronide in sewage effluent, and presents a novel calculation method for the purposes of relating the resulting sewage concentrations with rates of alcohol consumption in the region. A total of 100 sewage samples covering a 25-day period were collected from a treatment plant servicing approximately 500,000 people, and analyzed for levels of ethyl sulfate and ethyl glucuronide. The resulting data were then used to estimate combined alcohol consumption rates for the region, and the results were compared with alcohol related sales statistics for the same region. Ethyl glucuronide was found to be unstable in sewage effluent. Ethyl sulfate was stable and measurable in all samples at concentrations ranging from 16 to 246 nM. The highest concentrations of the alcohol biomarker were observed during weekend periods. Sixty one percent of the total mass of ethyl sulfate in sewage effluent corresponds to alcohol consumption on Friday and Saturday. Sales statistics for alcohol show that consumption in the region is approximately 6,750 kg/d. The quantity of ethyl sulfate passing through the sewage system is consistent with consumption of 4,900 to 7,800 kg/d. Sewage epidemiology assessments of ethyl sulfate can provide accurate estimates of community alcohol consumption, and detailed examination of the kinetics of this biomarker in sewage streams can also identify time-dependent trends in alcohol consumption patterns.

Changing trends in the pattern and outcome of stab injuries at a North London hospital

Objective:To study the incidence, pattern and outcome of stab injuries attending a North London Teaching Hospital over a 3-year (2006-2008) period.Materials and Methods:A retrospective review of collected data from the Hospital database was conducted. The database contains comprehensive medical records for all patients attended by the trauma team for deliberate stab injuries. It is updated by the surgical team after each admission. All patients with deliberate penetrating injury who were attended by the service between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2008 were identified. Patients who died in the prehospital phase, those managed exclusively by the emergency department and limb injuries without vascular compromise were excluded from the study.Results:Six hundred and nineteen patients with stab injuries (following knife crime) from North London attended the Hospital in the above period. One hundred and thirty-seven paients required surgical admission. Two were cases of self-inflicted knife injuries. Over the 3-year period the percentage of victims below 20 years of age is increasing. Ninety-three percent of knife crime occured between 6 pm and 6 am; recently moving toward week days from weekend period.Conclusions:The overall rate of penetrating injuries (stab injuries) is slowly declining. Timely cardiothoracic support facility is vital in saving lives with major cardiac stab injuries. Although alcohol drinking restriction has been lifted, most cases of stabbings are still occurring out-of-hours when surgical personnel are limited.

New York City western rail yard construction noise study.

This paper will describe the technical approach, regulatory environment, and outcome of a construction noise study performed on behalf of a $2.5 billion private development to be built over the Western Rail Yards in Manhattan. Community noise modeling for the 9 year project was performed in accordance with New York City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) Manual requirements using the CADNA‐A and FHWA TNM models. The on‐site noise analysis accounted for the staggered schedule of excavation, foundation laying, erection, and finishing of eight high rise residential and commercial buildings. Construction equipment source emissions used in the CADNA‐A model were taken from the FHWA Roadway Construction Noise Model (RCNM) and the NYC DEP Construction Noise Regulations (Local Law 113, Chap. 28). Project‐related trucking (mobile) noise was evaluated using the TNM model. Seventeen multi‐story noise receptor locations surrounding the development site were evaluated with ambient noise measurements and predictive noise modeling. A construction vibration assessment for the elevated High Line park was also conducted. The results indicated that noise exceedance conditions were expected from pile driving, hoe ramming, and jackhammering operations during daytime, nighttime, and weekend periods, so noise mitigation measures were developed and incorporated into the project’s construction permit.

Weekly variations of atmospheric particles, micromorphology and chemistry in the Brussels urban environment

The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of urban activities on airborne particle dynamics during weekend periods in Brussels urban area. Differences in the granulometry and micromorphology between particles sampled on working days and weekends were studied.We quantified the area, size, number, and the chemistry parameters of the airborne particles and compared between Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. We report and analyze data on airborne particles up to PM10, measured in the Brussels region from October 2002 to September 2003. Our investigation reveals detailed information regarding chemical composition of the airborne particles over the weekend period in the Brussels urban area. Furthermore, the majority of the airborne particles in the Brussels region may belong to sources geographically outside the (in situ) Brussels area. © Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2009.

Running Out of Gas but not Trauma Patients: The Effect of the Price of Gas on Trauma Admissions

As fuel costs steadily rise and motor vehicle collisions continue to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, we examined the relationship between the price of gasoline and the rate of trauma admissions related to gasoline consumption (GRT). The National Trauma Registry of the American College of Surgeons data of a rural Level I trauma center were queried over 27 consecutive months to identify the rate of trauma admissions/month related to gas utilization compared with the number of nongasoline related trauma admissions, based on season and day of the week. The average price/gallon of regular gas in our region was obtained from the NorthCarolinaGasPrices. com database. A log linear model with a Poisson distribution was created. No significant association exists between the average price/gallon of gasoline and the GRT rate across the months, seasons, and weekday and weekend periods. As the price of gas continues to rise, the rate of rural GRT does not decrease. Over a longer period of time and with skyrocketing prices, this relationship may not hold true. These findings may also be explained by the rural area where limited alternative transportation opportunities exist and a trauma patient population participating in high risk behavior regardless of cost.

Weekly variation of atmospheric particle micromorphology and chemistry in Brussels urban environment

The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of urban activities on airborne particle dynamics during weekend periods in Brussels urban area. Differences in the granulometry and micromorphology between particles sampled on working days and weekends were studied. We quantified the area, size, number, and the chemistry parameters of the airborne particles and compared between Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. We report and analyze data on airborne particles up to PM10, measured in the Brussels region from October 2002 to September 2003. Our investigation reveals detailed information regarding chemical composition of the airborne particles over the weekend period in the Brussels urban area. Furthermore, the majority of the airborne particles in the Brussels region may belong to sources geographically outside the (in situ) Brussels area.

Mortality after discharge from the intensive care unit during the early weekend period: a population-based cohort study in Denmark

Mortality after discharge from the intensive care unit during the early weekend period: a population-based cohort study in Denmark

In-school and out-of-school physical activity in primary and secondary school children

The aim of this study was to compare in-school and out-of-school physical activity within a representative sample. Socio-demographic, physical activity, and anthropometric data were collected from a random sample of children (250 boys, 253 girls) aged 3–16 years attending nine primary and two secondary schools. Actigraph GT1M accelerometers, worn for seven days, were used to estimate physical activity levels for in-school (typically 09.00–15.00 h), out-of-school (weekday), and weekend periods. Physical activity as accelerometer counts per minute were lower in school versus out of school overall (in school: 437.2 ± 172.9; out of school: 575.5 ± 202.8; P < 0.001), especially in secondary school pupils (secondary: 321.6 ± 127.5; primary: 579.2 ± 216.3; P < 0.001). Minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity accumulated in school accounted for 29.4 ± 9.8% of total weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity overall but varied by sector (preschool: 37.4 ± 6.2%; primary: 33.6 ± 8.1%; secondary: 23.0 ± 9.3%; F = 114.3, P < 0.001). Approximately half of the children with the lowest in-school activity compensated out of school during the week (47.4%) and about one-third at the weekend (30.0%). Overall, physical activity during the school day appears to be lower than that out of school, especially in secondary school children, who accumulate a lower proportion of their total weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity at school than younger children. As low in-school activity was compensated for beyond the school setting by less than half of children, promoting physical activity within the school day is important, especially in secondary schools.