Understanding the potential of taxi sharing: The case of Chengdu.

The emergence of taxi sharing enhances urban transport efficiency and reduces carbon emissions. Using GPS tracking data from taxis in Chengdu, China, this study first outlines conditions for identifying shareable taxi orders based on their origins and destinations. We then develop a three-phase computational model to optimize matches among all potential shareable orders, calculating the shareable mileage and the proportion of original mileage that could be shared. Our comprehensive temporal and spatial analysis reveal a significant market for taxi sharing in Chengdu, with higher potential on workdays than non-workdays and four distinct demand peaks throughout the day. The morning peak on workdays and the night peak on non-workdays are particularly pronounced. Most shareable orders originate within major city districts. We find a positive correlation between the potential of taxi sharing and average traffic speed, and negative correlations with order volume, regional economic development, and population density. Functional zones related to Enterprises, Motorcycle Services, and Transportation Services exhibit significantly higher sharing potential. Compared to traditional taxi operations, taxi sharing significantly reduces total travel mileage. This quantitative analysis offers insights into the potential demand for taxi sharing among urban residents and may help government authorities optimize taxi resources for the sustainable development of urban transport.

One-step preparation of photoclick method for embolic microsphere synthesis and assessment for transcatheter arterial embolization.

Vascular embolization is a well-known therapeutic treatment against hepatocellular carcinoma. However, existing embolic agents require complex synthesis, toxic organic solvents and sometimes produce only low yields. In this study, a novel photopolymerization technique, which addresses these issues, was used to prepare embolic microspheres successfully from the sucrose multi-allyl ether monomer in one step. Compared to the preparation of such microspheres always involved in multiple steps or complicated conditions, we obtained the microspheres used photoclick method in a soft template with simple, economic and feasible procedure. This work focuses on the synthesis of new materials by conducting a photopolymerzation in the presence of the sucrose monomer and the photoinitiator. Then, the embolic microspheres obtained were characterized by morphology assay, degradation, and swelling test. Cell experiments showed that the microspheres had good biocompatibility. Rabbit embolizations showed that the microspheres had long-term embolic effects. It is manifested that one-step preparation of photoclick method hold great potential and competitiveness of being used in preparation embolic microspheres in clinic.

Synthesis and assessment of drug-eluting microspheres for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is well known as an effective treatment for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, a novel embolic agent of ion-exchange poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-acrylic acid) microspheres (HAMs) was successfully synthesized by the inverse suspension polymerization method. Then, HAMs were assessed for their activity as an embolic agent by investigating morphology, particle size, water retention capability, elasticity and viscoelasticity, microcatheter/catheter deliverability, cytotoxicity, renal arterial embolization to rabbits and histopathological examinations. The ability of drug loading and drug eluting of HAMs was also investigated by using doxorubicin (Dox) as the model drug. HAMs showed to be feasible and effective for vascular embolization and to be as a drug vehicle for loading positively charged molecules and potential use in the clinical interventional chemoembolization therapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: A novel embolic agent of ion-exchange poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-acrylic acid) microspheres (HAMs) was successfully synthesized by the inverse suspension polymerization method and was used as a drug vehicle to load positively charged molecules by ion absorption. Then, a series of assessments including physicochemical properties, mechanical properties, drug-loading capability, and embolic efficacy were performed. Surface and cross-section morphology and pore size of fully hydrated HAMs were first investigated by Phenom ProX SEM, which intuitively disclosed the "honeycomb" network morphology. HAMs also showed to be feasible and effective for vascular occlusion and have potential use in clinical interventional embolization therapy.

Application of biological age assessment of Chinese population in potential anti-ageing technology.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to construct a biological age assessment formula for the Chinese population and to explore the effectiveness of double filtration plasmapheresis for anti-ageing and longevity. METHODS: 915 subjects were recruited, including 584 (63.8%) males and 331 females (36.2%). Male age was 50.94±10.60 (mean±SD), and female age was 51.20±11.84 (mean±SD). 34 blood markers were detected in the laboratory. The ageing biomarkers were determined by statistical correlation analysis and redundancy analysis, and the biological age assessment formula was established by multiple linear regression analysis. Paired sample T test was used to analyse the elimination effect of double filtration plasmapheresis on aging biomarkers. RESULTS: Based on the comprehensive blood test and analysis, the ageing biomarkers were screened, and the male and female biological age assessment formulas were established. Then, the elimination of ageing biomarkers by double filtration plasmapheresis was examined. Double filtration plasmapheresis can eliminate ageing biomarkers, with an average of 4.47 years decrease in age for males and 8.36 years for females. CONCLUSION: So, biological age provides a scientific tool for assessing ageing, and double filtration plasmapheresis is safe and might be effective for anti-ageing and longevity. However, the effect of plasmapheresis is expected to be transient, so further studies are needed to plan the number and range of the plasmapheresis procedures necessary to consistently lower the parameters under study.