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This study examines the relationship between residential exposure to blue spaces (e.g., rivers, lakes, and seas) and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults in the United Kingdom, with a specific focus on the mediating effects of air pollution, particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5). Cognitive function was assessed using touch screens at UK Biobank Assessment Centre, while residential blue space exposure within a 300-meter radius was estimated from land-use data. Annual average levels of air pollution, specifically NO₂ and PM 2.5 , were calculated through a land-use regression model. Logistic regression models analyzed the association between blue space exposure and cognitive function, and restricted cubic splines were employed to assess potential nonlinear relationships. Causal mediation analysis quantified the indirect effects of air pollution on this relationship. The study included 35,669 participants, revealing that high blue space exposure (≥75 %) was associated with a 13.2 % lower risk of cognitive impairment compared to those with low exposure (<25 %). Notably, NO₂ and PM 2.5 significantly mediated this association, with indirect effects estimated at 9.5 % and 15.85 %, respectively. These findings indicate that increased residential exposure to blue spaces is linked to a reduced risk of cognitive impairment, highlighting the protective role of blue environments in the context of air pollution. This research underscores the importance of environmentally sensitive urban planning and policies to promote public health and cognitive well-being among vulnerable populations. [Display omitted] • Elevated residential blue space level is related to higher cognitive function. • Air pollution performs effect modification and mediation role. • The effect of blue space on cognitive function is partially mediated by NO 2 and PM 2.5. • Multiple statistical methods were used to obtain more comprehensive results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine physiological and physical determinants of ice-hockey performance in order to assess their impact on the result during a selection for ice hockey. A total of 42 ice hockey players took part in the selection camp. At the end of the camp 20 best players were selected by team of expert coaches to the ice hockey team and created group G1, while the second group (G2) consisted of not selected players (non-successful group Evaluation of goodness of fit of the model to the data was based on the Hosmer Lemeshow test. Ice hockey players selected to the team were taller 181.95±4.02 cm, had lower % body fat 13.17±3.17%, a shorter time to peak power 2.47±0.35 s, higher relative peak power 21.34±2.41 W ⋅ kg-1 and higher relative total work 305.18±28.41 J ⋅ kg-1. The results of the aerobic capacity test showed significant differences only in case of two variables. Ice hockey players in the G1 had higher VO2max 4.07±0.31 l ⋅ min-1 values than players in the G2 as well as ice hockey players in G1 showed a higher level of relative VO2max 51.75±2.99 ml ⋅ min-1 ⋅ kg-1 than athletes in G2. Ice hockey players selected to the team (G1) performed better in the 30 m Forwards Sprint 4.28±0.31 s; 6x9 Turns 12.19±0.75 s; 6x9 stops 12.79±0.49 s and Endurance test (6x30 m stops) 32.01±0.80 s than players in G2. The logistic regression model showed that the best predictors of success in the recruitment process of top level ice hockey players were time to peak power, relative peak power, VO2max and 30 m sprint forwards on ice. On the basis of the constructed predictive logistic regression model it will be possible to determine the probability of success of the athletes during following the selection processes to the team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main strategic mechanism developed by the aviation industry to manage airport capacity is IATA's Slot Allocation Process. At airports where such mechanism is in place, airlines need to be assigned slots by an independent slot coordinator to schedule their flights. The slot allocation process involves multiple steps spanning several months of negotiations between airlines and slot coordinators. The most critical step is the initial slot allocation during which the coordinators communicate to airlines whether their slot requests have been accepted or need to be displaced (i.e., moved to a different time of the day). In this article, we use logistic regression models to analyze the reactions of airlines to slot displacement decisions by coordinators and the subsequent need to change their flight schedules. We focus our analysis on Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport, one of the busiest worldwide. Our results indicate that even a small displacement (of less than 30 min) can decrease substantially the odds of a flight being scheduled, but that these odds vary widely with the type of airline involved, the time of the day and several other factors. This information could be used by coordinators to make initial slot allocation decisions that take into account their expected flight scheduling implications. Ultimately, this would contribute to more efficient use of the scarce capacity available at congested airports and increased responsiveness to the mobility needs of air passengers. • This study analyzes the decisions of airlines when their slot requests are displaced. • Displaced flights can be either scheduled or withdrawn at the start of the season. • Analyses are based on data from one of the busiest airports worldwide: Paris CDG. • Logistic regression reveals that slot displacement is an important decision factor. • Several flight attributes also contribute significantly to explain airline decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine physiological and physical determinants of ice-hockey performance in order to assess their impact on the result during a selection for ice hockey. A total of 42 ice hockey players took part in the selection camp. At the end of the camp 20 best players were selected by team of expert coaches to the ice hockey team and created group G1, while the second group (G2) consisted of not selected players (non-successful group Evaluation of goodness of fit of the model to the data was based on the Hosmer Lemeshow test. Ice hockey players selected to the team were taller 181.95±4.02 cm, had lower % body fat 13.17±3.17%, a shorter time to peak power 2.47±0.35 s , higher relative peak power 21.34±2.41 W · kg-1 and higher relative total work 305.18±28.41 J · kg-1. The results of the aerobic capacity test showed significant differences only in case of two variables. Ice hockey players in the G1 had higher VO2max 4.07±0.31 l · min-1 values than players in the G2 as well as ice hockey players in G1 showed a higher level of relative VO2max 51.75±2.99 ml · min-1 · kg-1 than athletes in G2. Ice hockey players selected to the team (G1) performed better in the 30 m Forwards Sprint 4.28±0.31 s; 6x9 Turns 12.19±0.75 s; 6x9 stops 12.79±0.49 s and Endurance test (6x30 m stops) 32.01±0.80 s than players in G2. The logistic regression model showed that the best predictors of success in the recruitment process of top level ice hockey players were time to peak power, relative peak power, VO2max and 30 m sprint forwards on ice. On the basis of the constructed predictive logistic regression model it will be possible to determine the probability of success of the athletes during following the selection processes to the team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To externally validate the diagnostic and prognostic value of three previously identified microRNAs in emergency department patients with sepsis. Methods Patients meeting consensus criteria for sepsis and septic shock were compared to controls. Three microRNAs (miR-150, miR-146a, and miR-223) were measured using real-time quantitative PCR, and levels of miRNAs were compared among the three cohorts. The association between miRNAs and both inflammatory markers and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score were compared. To assess the prognostic value of each miRNA, unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were constructed using in-hospital mortality as the dependent variable. Results Ninety-three patients were enrolled; 24 controls, 29 with sepsis, and 40 with septic shock. We found no difference in serum plasma miR-146a or miR-223 between cohorts, and found no association among these microRNAs and either inflammatory markers or SOFA score. miR-150 demonstrated a significant correlation with SOFA score ( P = 0.31, P =0.01) and IL-10 ( P =0.37, P =0.001), but no IL-6 or TNF-α ( P =0.046, P =0.59). Logistic regression demonstrated miR-150 to be independently associated with mortality, even after adjusting for SOFA score ( P =0.003) or initial lactate ( P =0.01). Conclusions miR-146a and miR-223 demonstrated no significantly diagnostic or prognostic ability in this cohort. miR-150 was associated with inflammation, severity of illness, and mortality. Given the independent predictive value of miR-150, additional research regarding its role in sepsis is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescents in households affected by HIV/AIDS may be at an increased risk of poorer reproductive health than other adolescents due to the impoverishing effects of AIDS in households or lack of parental guidance. In this paper, we examine the effect of parents' HIV status on adolescent sexual and reproductive health, focusing on early sexual debut among adolescents in Kenya. The analysis places particular emphasis on comparisons of the relative disadvantage of different groups of adolescents aged 15-17 years, with particular reference to those living in households where an adult is infected with HIV. The data come from the 2003 and 2008 Kenya Demographic and Health Surveys (KDHS). The results suggest increased vulnerability among adolescent boys and girls living in households where an adult is infected with HIV, especially when other household factors are controlled for. On average, adolescent boys and girls living in households where at least one adult is infected with HIV have about 50% higher odds of having initiated sexual activity compared to their counterparts of similar age and gender in households where no adult is HIV positive. The odds are more than 60% higher when household characteristics and circumstances relating to wealth, household head and living arrangements are controlled for. Further analysis reveals that the observed vulnerability among adolescents living in households with HIV infected adults is partly explained by background factors relating to region of residence and ethnicity and to a lesser extent by school non-attendance and mass media exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Destructive development of suburban areas in some metropolises has exposed suburban soils to high risk of potentially toxic trace elements (PTEs) enrichment, which also threatens human and ecosystem health. This study investigated the pollution status, sources and spatial patterns of four PTEs (Pb, Cd, Cr and As) in 1805 soil samples collected from the suburbs of Shanghai in 2015. Nineteen potential sources, including: 6 soil property factors, 10 proximity factors and 3 topography factors, were selected to help explain the PTEs aggregation using logistic regression models from global and local perspectives. The statistical results of PTEs concentration revealed that Cd showed the highest pollution risk in local soils, which was followed by As. Soil property was the primary factor affecting the PTEs (except Cr) enrichment, both identified by global models and local models. The local model particularly emphasized the significant correlation between soil property and PTEs in most parts of the outer suburbs and southeastern inner suburbs. Some proximity factors such as distance to district center and water were negatively correlated with Cd pollution and some topography factors such as elevation and slope were closely related to As pollution. It is worth noting that in the coastal areas, especially Chongming Island, there were obvious PTEs depositions in the soil near the estuary. This study helps to identify the sources of anthropogenic contamination and geogenic enrichment of the four PTEs and their spatial patterns, playing an essential role in formulating regional environmental policies for coastal cities. Image 1 • Cd showed the highest pollution risk in the suburban soils and followed by As. • Global models revealed that the soil parent materials affected PTEs enrichment most. • Local model highlighted the spatial variability of PTEs sources. • Arsenic (As) tended to accumulate in areas with low elevation and low slope. • The joint effects of these sources on PTEs in suburbs of Shanghai should be stressed. Main findings: Cd showed the highest pollution risk in Shanghai suburb soils and soil property is the primary factor affecting the PTEs (except Cr) enrichment, both identified by global models and local models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the authors present a statistical modelling approach in order to explain the presence and development of built-up areas by means of a set of distinct accessibility indicators, so as to use these results in local planning studies, to test urban sustainability measures and to eventually forecast the impact of accessibility to transport systems on urban development. On the basis of encouraging results obtained in a previous study in the Netherlands, the authors apply a multinomial logistic regression, with urban development as the dependent variable and accessibility and context information as independent variables. The statistical model employs two kinds of accessibility measure: simple Euclidean distances, as well as a specific articulated accessibility indicator which takes into account spatial opportunities as well as distances. The results confirm the reliability and robustness of the chosen approach and confirm the limited usefulness of retrieving and deploying complex data to obtain composite indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]