Comparison of Numerical Schemes for LWR Model under Heterogeneous Traffic Conditions

First order macroscopic model like Lighthill-Whitham-Richards (LWR) has been extensively studied and applied for various homogeneous traffic problems. Applicability and adaptability of LWR models to various heterogeneous traffic conditions is still under exploration. Finding solutions for the macroscopic models using analytical methods is a complicated task, numerical approximations are used. The present study attempts to understand the suitability of different numerical schemes for a traffic conditions in detail. Various first order and second order numerical schemes were chosen for numerical integration. Derivation of the numerical scheme, several important issues like accuracy, stability and convergence of each scheme were discussed. Simulated variables like flow, density and speeds were compared with the original data collected from the two different urban arterials with and without bottlenecks in Delhi, India. The comparison of the results of various numerical schemes shows that Lax-Friedrichs and MacCormack schemes produced better results and more stable than the other schemes

Modelling Emergency Evacuation of Classroom with Different Age Profiles

Evacuation characteristics of pedestrians can be captured under two different conditions - one in immediate and another in non-immediate. The safe and quick evacuation of pedestrians from a building in any situation depends on pedestrian and building characteristics. Understanding the behaviour of pedestrians in emergency situations such as earthquake or fire accident helps in designing buildings for safe evacuation. In view of the limited research on this problem in the Indian subcontinent, this study aims to capture the pedestrian flow characteristics in emergency situations by conducting several experiments in a classroom environment. As a part of the experimental study, the students were instructed to behave as if they were in an emergency evacuation situation. Data was collected on pedestrians with different age profiles such as high school, under graduate and post graduate students considering various scenarios that includes different door widths. Several factors such as number of pedestrians, width of the door, average age of the pedestrians, Body Mass Index, proportion of females, number of students and classroom capacity are considered and their influence on evacuation characteristics was analysed. Based on the observations, an evacuation model has been developed using least square error method. Results show that the variables such as door width and number of students are crucial in representing evacuation time of the classroom. It was found that the relationship between total evacuation time (TET) and door width is represented by power function. This is contrast to the findings of existing literature which shows that the relationship between flow and door width is linear. Our results are best supported by the fact that the TET is exponentially varying with door width till a particular value and remains constant for further increase in door width which is realistic in nature. It is anticipated that the results of the study would provide guidelines to various agencies on managing evacuations. This can also lead to suggestions on optimization of layouts while designing various building access facilities in an academic environment

Characterization of resistant hypertension: Association between resistant hypertension, aldosterone, and persistent intravascular volume expansion

Background: Resistant hypertension is a common clinical problem and greatly increases the risk of target organ damage. Methods: We evaluated the characteristics of 279 consecutive patients with resistant hypertension (uncontrolled despite the use of 3 antihypertensive agents) and 53 control subjects (with normotension or hypertension controlled by using ≤2 antihypertensive medications). Participants were prospectively examined for plasma aldosterone concentration, plasma renin activity, aldosterone to renin ratio, brain-type natriuretic peptide, atrial natriuretic peptide, and 24-hour urinary aldosterone (UAldo), cortisol, sodium, and potassium values while adhering to a routine diet. Results: Plasma aldosterone (P < .001), aldosterone to renin ratio (P < .001), 24-hour UAldo (P = .02), brain-type natriuretic peptide (P = .007), and atrial natriuretic peptide (P = .001) values were higher and plasma renin activity (P = .02) and serum potassium (P < .001) values were lower in patients with resistant hypertension vs controls. Of patients with resistant hypertension, men had significantly higher plasma aldosterone (P = .003), aldosterone to renin ratio (P = .02), 24-hour UAldo (P < .001), and urinary cortisol (P < .001) values than women. In univariate linear regression analysis, body mass index (P = .01), serum potassium (P < .001), urinary cortisol (P < .001), urinary sodium (P = .02), and urinary potassium (P < .001) values were correlated with 24-hour UAldo levels. Serum potassium (P = .001), urinary potassium (P < .001), and urinary sodium (P = .03) levels were predictors of 24-hour UAldo levels in multivariate modeling. Conclusions: Aldosterone levels are higher and there is evidence of intravascular volume expansion (higher brain-type and atrial natriuretic peptide levels) in patients with resistant hypertension vs controls. These differences are most pronounced in men. A significant correlation between 24-hour urinary aldosterone levels and cortisol excretion suggests that a common stimulus, such as corticotropin, may underlie the aldosterone excess in patients with resistant hypertension

Sodium ion storage in reduced graphene oxide

The performance of few-layered metal-reduced graphene oxide (RGO) as a negative electrode material in sodium-ion battery was investigated. Experimental and simulation results indicated that the as-prepared RGO with a large interlayer spacing and disordered structure enabled significant sodium-ion storage, leading to a high discharge capacity. The strong surface driven interactions between sodium ions and oxygen-containing groups and/or defect sites led to a high rate performance and cycling stability. The RGO anode delivered a discharge capacity of 272 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 50mAg(-1), a good cycling stability over 300 cycles and a superior rate capability. The present work provides new insights into optimizing RGOs for high-performance and low-cost sodium-ion batteries. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

c-FOS drives reversible basal to squamous cell carcinoma transition.

While squamous transdifferentiation within subpopulations of adenocarcinomas represents an important drug resistance problem, its underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, using surface markers of resistant basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and patient single-cell and bulk transcriptomic data, we uncover the dynamic roadmap of basal to squamous cell carcinoma transition (BST). Experimentally induced BST identifies activator protein 1 (AP-1) family members in regulating tumor plasticity, and we show that c-FOS plays a central role in BST by regulating the accessibility of distinct AP-1 regulatory elements. Remarkably, despite prominent changes in cell morphology and BST marker expression, we show using inducible model systems that c-FOS-mediated BST demonstrates reversibility. Blocking EGFR pathway activation after c-FOS induction partially reverts BST in vitro and prevents BST features in both mouse models and human tumors. Thus, by identifying the molecular basis of BST, our work reveals a therapeutic opportunity targeting plasticity as a mechanism of tumor resistance

Endoscopic Suturing for the Prevention and Treatment of Complications Associated with Endoscopic Mucosal Resection of Large Duodenal Adenomas

Background/Aims Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is the primary treatment for duodenal adenomas; however, it is associated with a high risk of perforation and bleeding, especially with larger lesions. The goal of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of endoscopic suturing (ES) for the closure of mucosal defects after duodenal EMR. Methods Consecutive adult patients who underwent ES of large mucosal defects after EMR of large (>2 cm) duodenal adenomas were retrospectively enrolled. The OverStitch ES system was employed for closing mucosal defects after EMR. Clinical outcomes and complications, including delayed bleeding and perforation, were documented. Results During the study period, ES of mucosal defects was performed in seven patients in eight sessions (six for prophylaxis and two for the treatment of perforation). All ES sessions were technically successful. No early or delayed post-EMR bleeding was recorded. In addition, no clinically obvious duodenal stricture or recurrence was encountered on endoscopic follow-up evaluation, and no patients required subsequent surgical intervention. Conclusions ES for the prevention and treatment of duodenal perforation after EMR is technically feasible, safe, and effective. ES should be considered an option for preventing or treating perforations associated with EMR of large duodenal adenomas

Weight Loss Can Lead to Resolution of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms: A Prospective Intervention Trial

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Singh, M., Lee, J., Gupta, N., Gaddam, S., Smith, B. K., Wani, S. B., Sullivan, D. K., Rastogi, A., Bansal, A., Donnelly, J. E. and Sharma, P. (2013), Weight loss can lead to resolution of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms: A prospective intervention trial. Obesity, 21: 284–290. doi:10.1002/oby.20279, which has been published in final form at http://doi.org/10.1002/oby.20279. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.OBJECTIVE Weight gain is an important risk factor for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); however, whether weight loss can lead to resolution of GERD symptoms is not clear. Our aim was to measure the impact of weight loss on GERD symptoms. DESIGN AND METHODS In a prospective cohort study at a tertiary referral center, overweight/obese subjects (BMI 25-39.9 kg/m2) were enrolled in a structured weight loss program. Weight loss strategies included dietary modifications, increased physical activity and behavioral changes. At baseline and at 6 months, BMI and waist circumference were measured and all participants completed a validated reflux disease questionnaire. RESULTS A total of 332 adult subjects, mean age 46 years and 66% women were prospectively enrolled. At baseline, the mean body weight, BMI, and waist circumference were 101 (±18) kg, 35 (±5) kg/m2 and 103 (±13) cm. At 6 months, majority of the subjects (97%) lost weight (average weight loss: 13 ± 7.7 kg) and as compared with baseline, there was a significant decrease in the overall prevalence of GERD (15 vs. 37%; P < 0.01) and the mean GERD symptom score (1.8 vs. 5.5; P < 0.01). Overall, 81% of the subjects had reduction in GERD symptom scores; 65% had complete resolution and 15% had partial resolution of reflux symptoms. There was a significant correlation between % body weight loss and reduction in GERD symptom scores (r = 0.17, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the overall prevalence of GERD symptoms is high (37%) in overweight and obese subjects. A structured weight loss program can lead to complete resolution of GERD symptoms in the majority of these subjects

ATTENDANCE CHECKING FRAMEWORK FOR ONLINE UNDERSTUDIES IN CLASSROOM UTILIZING RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION TECHNOLOGY

Today understudies' (class) participation is turned out to be more vital part for any associations/establishments. Recording and checking of class participation is a region of organization that can require noteworthy measures of time and exertion in a school/college environment, generally because of the measure of time required in addresses to get the fundamental data. This paper introduces the combination of pervasive registering frameworks into classroom for dealing with the understudies' participation utilizing RFID innovation. RFID innovation can be an intense instrument in dealing with understudy's participation all through the working school day furthermore upgrade classroom security. RFID innovation has been connected to take care of issues where it is important to take consequently record the developments and areas of understudies in a classroom of school/college environment. A continuous smart framework is actualized in conjunction with RFID equipment to record understudies' participation at addresses and research centers in a school/college environment. RFID is an innovation that takes into consideration a tag appended on personality card to correspond remotely with a peruser, all together for the label's identifier to be recovered