Quantifying traffic congestion is a critical task for transportation planning and research. Numerous metrics have been developed, mainly focusing on changes in vehicle speeds, their extents, and travel time. In this study, new metrics are presented using the Hägerstrand’s space-time cube that has been studied from time geography perspectives since the 1960s. Particularly, the product of distance and time, i.e., distanceTime, is proposed as a base metric to measure traffic congestion amounts. Using the base metric such as mileHours, metrics of weighted congestion and normalized congestion amounts were also developed. New metrics were applied to six metropolitan areas and their vicinities in the United States (Atlanta, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Dallas and Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and New York), and congestion amounts were calculated and compared. The Google Traffic Layer API was used to obtain traffic congestion datasets for six months (April–September 2022), and GIS (geographic information systems) was used for delineating road features and traffic intensity levels. Among the six areas, New York and its vicinity showed the largest congestion when only heavy congestion was used. Los Angeles and its vicinity showed the largest congestion when all congestion levels were considered. This study shows that the proposed metrics are very effective in summarizing traffic amounts and broadly applicable for further analyses of traffic congestion phenomena by associating various other factors, such as weekdays, months, or gas prices. The new metrics developed in this research may help transportation researchers and practitioners by providing them with a set of metrics applicable to summarizing congestion amounts by synthesizing congestion intensity, extent, and duration.

The response to respiratory viruses varies substantially between individuals, and there are currently no known molecular predictors from the early stages of infection. Here we conduct a community-based analysis to determine whether pre- or early post-exposure molecular factors could predict physiologic responses to viral exposure. Using peripheral blood gene expression profiles collected from healthy subjects prior to exposure to one of four respiratory viruses (H1N1, H3N2, Rhinovirus, and RSV), as well as up to 24 h following exposure, we find that it is possible to construct models predictive of symptomatic response using profiles even prior to viral exposure. Analysis of predictive gene features reveal little overlap among models; however, in aggregate, these genes are enriched for common pathways. Heme metabolism, the most significantly enriched pathway, is associated with a higher risk of developing symptoms following viral exposure. This study demonstrates that pre-exposure molecular predictors can be identified and improves our understanding of the mechanisms of response to respiratory viruses.

A xenobiotic-degrader and heavy metal-tolerant Microbacterium sp. strain Clip185 was isolated from a contaminated Tris-Acetate-Phosphate medium culture plate of a green micro-alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii . Here, we report the complete genome sequence of this strain to provide insights into its metabolic potential and nearest taxonomic neighbor.

The State of the Union address is a traditional annual message delivered by the President of the United States to Congress. As of February 2023, there have been 244 addresses, some delivered as a letter, some as a speech, and some as both. We present a collection of these addresses as an example dataset for data science courses to motivate the introduction of concepts from linear algebra and statistics. Exercises suitable for introductory and advanced data science courses are developed.

Fetal goitre secondary to hypothyroidism is the leading cause of intellectual disability. Despite its rarity, many cases of fetal goitre are diagnosed and require prenatal management. We present a comprehensive review about the pre­na­tal diagnosis and treatment of fetal hypo­thy­roid goitre. Fetal thyroid size can be measured by transvaginal ultra­so­no­gra­phy from 14 weeks, and by trans­ab­do­mi­nal ultrasonography from 18 weeks of ges­ta­tion. The size of the fetal thyroid de­pends on ges­ta­tio­nal age. Because fetal goitre can lead to intra­ute­rine, perinatal and obstetrical complications, the op­ti­mal treat­ment is required. Fetal com­pli­cations are: fetal growth res­tric­tion, polyhydramnios, pleural effusion, preterm de­li­ve­ry, craniosynostosis, neuro­developmental disorders and neo­na­tal asphyxia or fetal death. The optimal intraamniotic L-thiroxine treatment did not normalize the thyroid hormonal le­vels, but these infants have normal neuromotor and psy­cho­­emo­­tio­nal development.

A novel Sphingobium yanoikuyae strain, CC4533, was isolated from a contaminated tris-acetate-phosphate medium culture plate of a green microalga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii . In this study, we present the complete genome sequence of this beta-carotene-synthesizing, xenobiotic-degrading, and heavy metal-tolerant strain, providing insights into its metabolic capabilities and phylogenetic relationships.