Modeling Driver\u27s Route Choice Behavior Under the Influence of Advanced Traveler Information Systems (Vol. 2; Vol. 1: 96/10)

This research consisted of two parts; this report is volume 2 of 2 volumes; Volume 1 is Report No. FHWA/IN/JHRP-96/10. The first part developed a set of incident clearance time prediction models for the Borman Expressway. The second part consisted of modeling driver’s route choice behavior under the influence of advanced traveler information systems. Volume 2 of this report describes the modeling driver\u27s route choice behavior under the iinfluence of Advanced Traveler Information Systems. These models can help in understanding the behavior and response of travelers under the influeince of Advanced Traveler Information Systmes.r The products of this research project will be incorpored in the Advanced Traffic Managment System that is being implemented on the Morman Expressway, a 16-mile segment of *-80 n northwest Indiana

Building Educational Presence in Second Life: An Exploratory Study

Second Life ® (SL) as the exemplar of virtual worlds has become a new platform for simulating real-life experiences and interactions. Businesses, universities, hospitals, governmental organizations, and individuals participate in SL for a variety of activities and experiences. Increasing participation in range of activities has made SL a suitable environment for creativity and innovation in the web-based delivery of services. However, there is little knowledge about the process of creating systems/presence in this new environment. This paper explores the unique aspects of systems development for educational purposes in SL using a case study approach. Multiple cases have been analyzed to investigate the process of systems development in SL projects and contrasted with existing information system development approaches. Contributions to education and research are discussed

IDENTIFICATION AND MAPPING OF TECTONICALLY ACTIVE POTENTIAL ZONES IN NORTHEASTERN PART OF ARAVALLI MOUNTAIN RANGE

The Great Boundary Fault (GBF) forms the eastern margin of the Aravalli Mountain Range (AMR) and, is exposed as boundary between highly deformed rocks of the AMR and relatively undeformed Vindhyan rocks. The GBF acts as important active dislocation zone between Himalayan regime in the north and, Son-Narmada regime in the south. Nevertheless, the intensity of active tectonics along GBF is relatively mild and hence, it requires special technique to identify and map active tectonics zone along this thrust. The thematic maps of geology, geomorphology, slope, and vegetation index of study area have been prepared using Landsat 7 ETM + digital data. These themes are integrated in GIS environment to assess the active tectonic potential in the area. The observed four high potential zones in the area are located at the intersection of NE-SW lineaments. The study brings out methodology for assessing active tectonic potential of the area. 1

Intravenous verses oral iron supplementation for anaemia of pregnancy in the arid region of Western India: a retrospective cohort study

Background: India has a high prevalence of anemia in pregnant females, resulting greater risk of blood transfusion and its associated complications during the peripartum period. Administration of intravenous iron sucrose may reduce such a risk. Due to a greater prevalence in western arid region of India, this study was planned to compare efficacy and safety of intravenous iron sucrose and oral ferrous ascorbate in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia of pregnancy in a community health center of rural Jodhpur.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Community Health Center of Jodhpur to review the heamoglobin values of pregnant females in 28 to 37 weeks of gestation, treated with either intravenous iron sucrose or oral iron ascorbate. Cohorts were matched based on parity and age, and the hemoglobin values after 2, 4 and 6 weeks of start of therapy were compared using independent t-test.  Results: Of the 152 pregnant females’ records included in the study, 82 were provided intravenous therapy and 70 were given oral iron therapy. Both the modes of administration showed marked increase in heamoglobin values, with statistically more significant rise through parenteral route at each point of measurement. Overall change in mean heamoglobin was 2.43 g/dl through iv route and 0.61 g/dl through oral route (p<0.001). Adverse events following therapy were reported by 9 females from intravenous group and 31 women from oral group.Conclusions: The study provided evidence that parenterally administered iron sucrose elevated hemoglobin and restored iron stores better than oral ferrous ascorbate with lesser adverse reactions

Prevalence, severity and risk factors of allergic disorders among people in south India

Background: Allergic disorders are not usually life-threatening conditions but they impair the person’s ability to function. It thus adversely affects the psychological wellbeing and quality of life. These implications of allergic disorders can be minimized if strategies are planned for its early identification followed by appropriate interventions.Objectives: To find out the prevalence and risk factors of allergic disorders. Methods: Data was collected by house to house survey among participants aged 18 years and above using a standardized allergy assessment questionnaire.Results: Mean age of the 400 participants was 42.8±14.7 years. Majority 105(26.2%) were in the age group 36 to 45 years. Majority were females 287(71.7%) and were house wives 217(54.2%). Majority of participants were of upper socio economic class 98(44.7%) out of 219 and majority were from urban areas 326(81.5%). The prevalence of allergy among participants was found to be 115(28.7%). Out of these 115, 37(32.2%) had possibility of allergy, 60(52.2%) had probability of allergy and the rest 18(15.6%) had very high likelihood for allergy. People residing in semi urban areas had increased risk of allergy (p=0.024) than those from urban areas. The prevalence of asthma was 30(7.5%) and skin allergy was 23(5.8%). Most common precipitating factors for allergy were dust exposure 103(25.8%) followed by seasonal changes 71(17.8%). Family history of allergy was associated with allergy among participants (p&lt;0.001). Usage of firewood was associated with symptoms of respiratory allergy among participants (p=0.01).Conclusion: The study revealed some important determinants of allergic disorders which have important implications to frame appropriate prevention and health educational strategies.Keywords: Allergy, prevalence, risk factors, semi-urban areas, urban area

Development of sunlight-driven eutectic phase change material nanocomposite for applications in solar water heating

Organic phase change materials (PCMs) have been utilized as latent heat energy storage medium for effective thermal management. In this work, a PCM nanocomposite, consisting of a mixture of two organic PCMs (referred to as eutectic gel PCM) and minimal amount (0.5 wt%) of nanographite (NG) as a supporting material, was prepared. Differential scanning calorimeter was used to determine the melting temperature and latent heat of pristine PCM, paraffin (61.5 °C and 161.5 J/g), eutectic gel PCM (54 °C and 158 J/g) and eutectic gel PCM nanocomposite (53.5 °C and 155 J/g). The prepared PCM nanocomposites exhibited enhanced thermal conductivity and ultrafast thermal charging characteristics. The nanocomposites were employed for two different applications: (i) providing hot water using an indigenously fabricated solar water heating (SWH) system and (ii) solar rechargeable glove that can be rapidly warmed and used. Experimental results on SWH system show that the use of PCM nanocomposites helps to increase the charging rate of PCM while reducing the discharging rate of heat by PCM to water, thus enhancing the maximum utilization of solar energy and hence improving the efficiency of the SWH system. The experimental results on solar rechargeable glove revealed that the glove has the ability to retain the temperature up to 3 hours

Prevalence, severity and risk factors of allergic disorders among people in south India.

Background: Allergic disorders are not usually life-threatening conditions but they impair the person\u2019s ability to function. It thus adversely affects the psychological wellbeing and quality of life. These implications of allergic disorders can be minimized if strategies are planned for its early identification followed by appropriate interventions. Objectives: To find out the prevalence and risk factors of allergic disorders. Methods: Data was collected by house to house survey among participants aged 18 years and above using a standardized allergy assessment questionnaire. Results: Mean age of the 400 participants was 42.8\ub114.7 years. Majority 105(26.2%) were in the age group 36 to 45 years. Majority were females 287(71.7%) and were house wives 217(54.2%). Majority of participants were of upper socio economic class 98(44.7%) out of 219 and majority were from urban areas 326(81.5%). The prevalence of allergy among participants was found to be 115(28.7%). Out of these 115, 37(32.2%) had possibility of allergy, 60(52.2%) had probability of allergy and the rest 18(15.6%) had very high likelihood for allergy. People residing in semi urban areas had increased risk of allergy (p=0.024) than those from urban areas. The prevalence of asthma was 30(7.5%) and skin allergy was 23(5.8%). Most common precipitating factors for allergy were dust exposure 103(25.8%) followed by seasonal changes 71(17.8%). Family history of allergy was associated with allergy among participants (p&lt;0.001). Usage of firewood was associated with symptoms of respiratory allergy among participants (p=0.01). Conclusion: The study revealed some important determinants of allergic disorders which have important implications to frame appropriate prevention and health educational strategies

Evidence for electron-electron interaction in topological insulator thin films

We consider in our work high quality single crystal thin films of Bi2Se3, grown by molecular beam epitaxy, both with and without Pb doping. Our ARPES data demonstrate topological surface states with a Fermi level lying inside the bulk band gap in the Pb doped filims. Transport data show weak localization behavior, as expected for a 2D system, but a detailed analysis within the standard theoretical framework of diffusive transport shows that the temperature and magnetic field dependences of resistance cannot be reconciled in a theory that neglects inter-electron interactions. We demonstrate that an excellent account of quantum corrections to conductivity is achieved when both disorder and interaction are taken into account. These results clearly demonstrate that it is crucial to include electron electron interaction for a comprehensive understanding of diffusive transport in topological insulators.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Superlinear threshold detectors in quantum cryptography

We introduce the concept of a superlinear threshold detector, a detector that has a higher probability to detect multiple photons if it receives them simultaneously rather than at separate times. Highly superlinear threshold detectors in quantum key distribution systems allow eavesdropping the full secret key without being revealed. Here, we generalize the detector control attack, and analyze how it performs against quantum key distribution systems with moderately superlinear detectors. We quantify the superlinearity in superconducting single-photon detectors based on earlier published data, and gated avalanche photodiode detectors based on our own measurements. The analysis shows that quantum key distribution systems using detector(s) of either type can be vulnerable to eavesdropping. The avalanche photodiode detector becomes superlinear towards the end of the gate, allowing eavesdropping using trigger pulses containing less than 120 photons per pulse. Such an attack would be virtually impossible to catch with an optical power meter at the receiver entrance.Comment: Rewritten for clearity. Included a discussion on detector dark counts, a discussion on how to tackle this type of loopholes, and updated references. 8 pages, 6 figure