A multi-commodity discrete/continuum model for a traffic equilibrium system

We consider a city with several highly compact central business districts (CBDs). The commuters’ origins are continuously dispersed. The travel demand to each CBD, which is considered to be a distinct commodity of traffic movements, is dependent on the total travel cost to that CBD. The transportation system is divided into two layers: major freeways and a dense network of surface streets. Whereas the major freeway network is modelled according to the conventional discrete-network approach, the dense surface streets are approximated as a continuum. Travellers to each CBD can either travel within the continuum (surface streets) and then transfer to the discrete network (freeways) at an interchange (ramp) before moving to the CBD on the discrete network, or they can travel directly to the CBD within the continuum. Specific travel cost-flow relationships for the two layers of transportation facilities are considered. We develop a traffic equilibrium model for this discrete/continuum transportation system in which, for each origin–destination pair, no traveller can reduce his or her individual travel cost by unilaterally changing routes. The problem is formulated as a simultaneous optimisation programme with two sub-problems. One sub-problem is a traffic assignment problem from the interchanges to the CBD in the discrete network, and the other is a traffic assignment problem within a continuum system with multiple centres (i.e. the interchange points and the CBDs). A Newtonian algorithm based on sensitivity analyses of the two sub-problems is proposed to solve the resultant simultaneous optimisation programme. A numerical example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.postprin

Design of dual-band slotted patch hybrid couplers based on PSO algorithm

A planar 3 dB patch hybrid coupler using cross and circular-shape slots is presented for a dual-band application. By inductively loading a pair of cross slots and four circular holes on a square patch, the matching and isolation performance of the miniaturized patch hybrid coupler is improved. In addition, the open-circuited shunt stubs are further installed at four ports to realize two operating bands. Since the slotted patch resonator cannot be characterized by the closed-form transmission line theory, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is constructed and integrated with a full-wave solver to determine the variable parameters of the proposed structure. Finally, a prototype dual-band coupler operating at 915 MHz and 1575 MHz is designed and fabricated. Measured results show a good agreement with those obtained from simulation. © 2011 VSP.postprin

Microbial colonization of spent Minocycline strips - a preliminary report

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Persistent optical nuclear spin narrowing in a singly charged InAs quantum dot

We review the investigation of the hole-assisted dynamical nuclear spin polarization mechanism in a singly charged InAs quantum dot. Using coherent dark state spectroscopy, we measure the locking of the Overhauser field to a value determined only by the laser frequencies. Importantly, we review data that the locking effect can suppress nuclear spin fluctuations. We determine the onset time of the nuclear spin narrowing effect and its persistence absent laser interactions by directly measuring the enhancement of the electron spin coherence. This nuclear field locking effect can be explained in terms of an anisotropic hyperfine coupling between the hole spin and the nuclear spins. © 2012 Optical Society of America.published_or_final_versio

The time-dependent expression of keratins 5 and 13 during the reepithelialization of human skin wounds

The time-dependent reepithelialization of 55 human surgical skin wounds with a wound age between 8h and more than 2 months was investigated by the immunohistochemical localization of cytokeratins 5 and 13. A complete, rebuilt epidermal layer over the wound area was first detectable in a 5-day-old wound, while all wounds of more than 18 days duration contained a completely reepithelialized wound area. Between 5 and 18 days the basal layer of keratinocytes showed — in contrast to normal skin — only some cells positive for cytokeratin 5. In some, but not all lesions with a wound age of 13 days or more, a basal cell layer completely staining for cytokeratin 5 was demonstrable. This staining pattern was found in all skin wounds with a wound age of more than 23 days. The immunohistochemical detection of cytokeratin 13 which can be observed regularly in non-cornifying squamous epithelia provides no information for the time-estimation of human skin wounds, since no significant temporary expression of this polypeptide seems to occur during the healing of human skin wounds

Prospective relationship between objectively measured light physical activity and depressive symptoms in later life

BACKGROUND: The use of self-report measures of physical activity is a serious methodological weakness in many studies of physical activity and depressive symptoms. It is still equivocal whether light physical activity protects older adults from depressive symptoms. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore whether objectively measured light physical activity, independent of sedentary and moderate-to-vigorous activity, is associated with a reduced risk of subsequent depressive symptoms in older adults. METHODS: This was a 2-year prospective cohort study. A total of 285 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years or older were interviewed in 2012. A second wave of assessment was carried out in 2014 involving 274 (96.1%) participants. Time spent in physical activity at different intensities was assessed using triaxial accelerometers. Depressive symptoms were measured using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. Negative binomial regression models with adjustment for baseline depressive symptoms, accelerometer wear time, socio-demographic variables, lifestyle behaviors, and chronic disease conditions were conducted. RESULTS: Time spent in moderate-to-vigorous and light physical activities were both inversely related to depressive symptoms at follow-up. Sedentary time was associated with an increased risk of subsequent depressive symptoms. When sedentary or moderate-to-vigorous activity were included in the multivariable-adjusted regression models with light physical activity simultaneously, only light physical activity remained significant. Sensitivity analyses for assessing confounding and reverse causation provided further support for the stability of these findings. CONCLUSION: Light physical activity, independent of sedentary and moderate-to-vigorous activity, is associated with a reduced risk of subsequent depressive symptoms in later life. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Predominant cultivable microflora on spent Minocycline strips

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Multi-seeded melt growth (MSMG) of bulk Y-Ba-Cu-O using thin-film seeds

Y-Ba-Cu-O (YBCO) and Sm-Ba-Cu-O (SmBCO) thin films have been used for the first time as heterogeneous seeds to multi-seed successfully the melt growth of bulk YBCO in a multi-seeded melt growth (MSMG) process. The use of thin film seeds, which may be prepared with highly controlled orientation (i.e. with a well-defined a-b plane and precisely known a-direction), is based on their superheating properties and reduces significantly contamination of the bulk sample by the seed material. A variety of grain boundaries were obtained by varying the angle between the seeds. Microstructural studies indicate that the extent of residual melt deposited at the grain boundary decreases with increasing grain boundary contact angle. It is established that the growth front proceeds continuously at the (110)/(110) grain boundary without trapping liquid, which leads to the formation of a clean grain boundary

Low-temperature microstructural studies on superconducting CaFe2As2.

Undoped CaFe2As2 (Ca122) can be stabilized in two slightly different non-superconducting tetragonal phases, PI and PII, through thermal treatments. Upon proper annealing, superconductivity with a Tc up to 25 K emerges in the samples with an admixture of PI and PII phases. Systematic low-temperature X-ray diffraction studies were conducted on undoped Ca122 samples annealed at 350 °C over different time periods. In addition to the diffraction peaks associated with the single-phase aggregation of PI and PII, a broad intermediate peak that shifts with annealing time was observed in the superconducting samples only. Our simulation of phase distribution suggests that the extra peak is associated with the admixture of PI and PII on the nanometer scale. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirms the existence of these nano-scale phase admixtures in the superconducting samples. These experimental results and simulation analyses lend further support for our conclusion that interfacial inducement is the most reasonable explanation for the emergence of superconductivity in undoped Ca122 single crystals