Road Capacity and the Allocation of Time

Additional highway capacity, by increasing travel speed, affects the individual share of time within a 24-hour budget allocated to various activities (time spent at and traveling to home, shop, work and other). Some activities will be undertaken more, others less. This paper extends previous research that identified and quantified induced demand in terms of vehicle miles traveled, by considering what type of demand is induced and which activities are consequently reduced, using the 1990 and 1995 Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey and Federal Highway Administration highway statistics data. While total travel times have not seen any significant change between the years 1990 and 1995, there is a significant change in activity durations. Further, as a result of additional capacity, workers spend less time traveling. Workers also spend more time at home and other activities and less at work and shop. Non-workers, in contrast, travel more, and spend more time shopping and at home, but less time at other activities. This points out the differences in discretionary and non-discretionary activities for workers and non-workers. It also suggests that there are real gains from capacity in people's lives, at least in the short term, as it is time, and not VMT, that individuals base decisions on.Time Use, Travel Behavior, Activity Patterns, Roadway Capacity, Induced Demand.

Inter-technology Effects in Intelligent Transportation Systems

This project examines the expected benefits of varying combinations of ITS applications: Freeway Service Patrol, Changeable Message Signs, and Ramp Metering. The research analyzes the simulated results of a stylized network in a microscopic traffic simulator. The traffic network includes parallel roadways, ramp meters and changeable message signs. We have tested these technologies in various combinations. We measure effectiveness as consumers' surplus and define a measure of inter-technology economies. In brief, it is found that additional technologies are sub-additive, and more benefits come from each technology in isolation than when it is bundled with other technologies.Transportation System Management, Inter-technology Economies, Freeway Service Patrol, Changeable Message Signs, Ramp Metering, Intelligent Transportation Systems, Evaluation ,

The Kinetic Method: Determination of Proton Affinity of Proline by Cis and Trans Hydroxylation

Unknown Proton affinity (PA) of the amino acids were determined by comparing them with known PA of the reference standards. Initially we mixed 2 amino acids together [unknown (PA) and known (PA)] and introduce into mass spectrometer using direct infusion. After injecting we observe the peaks. The protonated dimer peak of known PA and unknown PA samples were isolated and fragmented. Once they were fragmented protonated dimer will produce two peaks corresponding to amino acid with unknown PA and amino acids with known PA. Based on the ratio of these amino acids we determine the unknown PA of an amino acid. Proline, trans-4-hydroxyproline and cis-4-hydroxyproline were used as amino acids with unknown PA and tryptophan, asparagine, tyrosine, methionine and phenylalanine as reference bases

An Optimal Distributed Algorithm for All-Pairs Shortest-Path

In this paper the network problem of determining all-pairs shortest-path is examined. A distributed algorithm which runs in O(n) time on a network of n nodes is presented. The number of messages of the algorithm is O(e+n log n) where e is the number of communication links of the network. We prove that this algorithm is time optimal

‘Learners’ Trove’: A Learner Centric Initiative Using DSpace

At a time when the learner is occupying the center stage in the whole process of knowledge dissemination and assimilation, it is time for the centers of learning, particularly the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to provide learning resources in multiple formats that are fully mapped to their course curricula. ‘Learners’ Trove’ is one such innovation that takes advantage of the power of Information and Communication Technologies to provide digital platform of learning resources to the students and teachers. Objective: The paper discusses the challenges faced by the students of a semi-urban college in conventional methods in accessing suitable content for their studies and how the introduction of ‘Learners’ Trove’ – a digital platform of learning resources enabled better access to learning resources in multiple formats. Technology or Method: DSpace, a popular open access repository software is used as a platform to host various formats of learning resources. Results: Multimedia learning resources such as ebooks, e journal articles, videos, audios, presentations, scanned copies of the notes distributed by the teachers in the classrooms, simulations, previous years’ question papers, etc., are mapped to the syllabi of respective programs and hosted on a searchable platform, resulting in greater student satisfaction and better performance of the students.  Conclusions: There is a palpable sense of optimism among students and teachers about this digital platform and more and more users are actively making use of this platform for their academics. Clinical Impact: Owing to the ready acceptance of Learners’ Trove by the college students, many colleges run by the Society and other colleges in vicinity are now considering designing and developing a similar platform for their faculty and students

AN EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF HARITAMANJARI (ACALYPHA INDICA LINN) FOR MUTRALA KARMA W.S.R TO DIURETIC ACTIVITY

Diuretics are widely employed drugs used to treat extra cellular fluid volume expansion caused due to renal, cardiac, liver disorders etc. These diuretics are effective but have side effects. Acalypha Indica Linn is a herb of Euphorbiaceae family, found throughout India as a weed. Many studies have been carried out but sufficient data is not available to establish its diuretic activity. Hence the study is focused on the assessment of Harita Manjari for its diuretic action in animal model. Methods: The trial drugs are administered for 7 days prior to the day of evaluation of diuretic action; the rats were individually placed in the metabolic cages to collect urine. The volume of the urine collected in graduated vials was measured after 6 hours and expressed in terms of ml/100gm of body weight. Results: The invivo study demonstrated that crude suspension of Harita Manjari in a dose of 450mg/kg has significant diuretic activity. The statistical analysis has been carried out and results on continuous measurements are presented on Mean ± SEM were calculated. Urine output, pH and urine electrolytes were compared with control groups by one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparison test. The P Value <0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Conclusion: Order of diuresis: Crude suspension >Alcoholic extract >Aqueous extract

Prevalence of Khat abuse and associated factors among undergraduate students of Jimma University, Ethiopia

Background: Khat is one of the shrub plants with an amphetamine-like stimulant effect. Khat use occurs in all segments of all societies, which results in decreased work and school performance, and absenteeism. This study therefore is aimed to determine the prevalence of Khat abuse and identifying their associated factors among Jimma University. Method: Sample size is 620 students. The study was done by using a multistage sampling technique.Results: Out of 620 students, 150 (24.2 %) males and 15 (2.4 %) females were ever chewer. Of which 129 (20.8 %) males and 13 (2.1) of females had chewed in the last 12month. From the total of 142 students who chewed in the last 12 month, low risk chewer and dependent were 24 (3.9 %) and 7 (1.1 %) respectively. Out of 111 Khat abusers 21(50 %), 25 (59.5 %), 7 (16.7 %) and 2 (4.8 %) of them had used cigarette, Alcohol, Shisha and Hashish respectively. Among Khat abusers, 51 (45.9 %) were chewing on daily base, 40 (36.1 %) weekly, 10 (9 %) monthly, 7 (6.3 %) occasionally and 3 (2.7 %) others. The amount of Khat chewed at a time was estimated per cost in birr, and 87 (78.4 %) of the abusers chewed Khat that costs more than 20 birr per ceremony. Different reasons for chewing Khat were mentioned by Khat abusers. The major reason mentioned was to get concentration 50 (50.5 %) followed by relaxation 32 (29.9%).Discussion: Khat abuse is prevalent among undergraduate students of Jimma University. Khat abuse is significantly associated with male gender, pocket money, faculty Khat use habit among family members. Most students use Khat to get concentration.