Attosecond ionization time delays in strong-field physics

Electronic processes within atoms and molecules reside on the timescale of attoseconds. Recent advances in the laserbased pump-probe interrogation techniques have made possible the temporal resolution of ultrafast electronic processes on the attosecond timescale, including photoionization and tunneling ionization. These interrogation techniques include the attosecond streak camera, the reconstruction of attosecond beating by interference of two-photon transitions, and the attoclock. While the former two are usually employed to study photoionization processes, the latter is typically used to investigate tunneling ionization. In this review, we briefly overview these timing techniques towards an attosecond temporal resolution of ionization processes in atoms and molecules under intense laser fields. In particular, we review the backpropagation method, which is a novel hybrid quantum-classical approach towards the full characterization of tunneling ionization dynamics. Continued advances in the interrogation techniques promise to pave the pathway towards the exploration of ever faster dynamical processes on an ever shorter timescale.

Bus transit travel time reliability evaluation based on automatic vehicle location data

In order to provide important parameters for schedule designing, decision-making bases for transit operation management and references for passengers traveling by bus, bus transit travel time reliability is analyzed and evaluated based on automatic vehicle location （AVL） data. Based on the statistical analysis of the bus transit travel time, six indices including the coefficient of variance, the width of travel time distribution, the mean commercial speed, the congestion frequency, the planning time index and the buffer time index are proposed. Moreover, a framework for evaluating bus transit travel time reliability is constructed. Finally, a case study on a certain bus route in Suzhou is conducted. Results show that the proposed evaluation index system is simple and intuitive, and it can effectively reflect the efficiency and stability of bus operations. And a distinguishing feature of bus transit travel time reliability is the temporal pattern. It varies across different time periods.

Probiotic supplementation decreases intestinal transit time: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

AIM: To determine the efficacy of probiotic supplementation on intestinal transit time (ITT) and to identify factors that influence these outcomes. METHODS: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of probiotic supplementation that measured ITT in adults was conducted by searching MEDLINE and EMBASE using relevant combinations. Main search limits included RCTs of probiotic supplementation in healthy or constipated adults that measured ITT. Study quality was assessed using the Jadad scale. A random effects meta-analysis was performed with standardized mean difference (SMD) of ITT between probiotic and control groups as the primary outcome. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were conducted to examine the impact of moderator variables on ITT SMD. RESULTS: A total of 11 clinical trials with 13 treatment effects representing 464 subjects were included in this analysis. Probiotic supplementation was associated with decreased ITT in relation to controls, with an SMD of 0.40 (95%CI: 0.20-0.59, P < 0.001). Constipation (r 2 = 39%, P = 0.01), higher mean age (r 2 = 27%, P = 0.03), and higher percentage of female subjects (r 2 = 23%, P < 0.05) were predictive of decreased ITT with probiotics in meta-regression. Subgroup analyses demonstrated statistically greater reductions in ITT with probiotics in subjects with vs without constipation and in older vs younger subjects [both SMD: 0.59 (95%CI: 0.39-0.79) vs 0.17 (95%CI: -0.08-0.42), P = 0.01]. Medium to large treatment effects were identified with Bifidobacterium Lactis (B. lactis ) HN019 (SMD: 0.72, 95%CI: 0.27-1.18, P < 0.01) and B. lactis DN-173 010 (SMD: 0.54, 95%CI: 0.15-0.94, P < 0.01) while other single strains and combination products yielded small treatment effects. CONCLUSION: Overall, short-term probiotic supplementation decreases ITT with consistently greater treatment effects identified in constipated or older adults and with certain probiotic strains.

Capsule endoscopy: Improving transit time and image view

AIM： To evaluate the effect of various methods of small bowel preparation on the transit time and the quality of visualization of the entire small bowel mucosa. METHODS： Ninety-five patients underwent capsule endoscopy （CE） by easily swallowing the capsule. They were divided into three study groups according to the preparation used： group A （n = 26） by polyethylene glycol （PEG） liter or with sodium phosphate （SP） 12 h prior to the CE study; group B （n = 29） by erythromycin 1 h prior to the CE study; and group C （n = 40） without any preparation. Visualization ranged from good to satisfactory to poor. RESULTS： The gastric emptying time in the group prepared with erythromycin was shorter but without statistical significance and the small bowel transit time was unaffected. In elderly subjects prepared by PEG or SP, the gastric emptying time was significantly longer （163.7 rain, P = 0.05）. The transit times of the three sub-groups were not affected by gender or pathology. The grade of cleaning of the entire study group was 3.27±1.1. The erythromycin group presented significantly the worst quality of images （P = 0.05） compared to the other sub-groups. Age, gender, and pathology had no effect on the quality of the cleaning of the small bowel in the sub-groups. One （1.05%） case had no natural excretion. CONCLUSION： Erythromycin markedly reduces gastric emptying time, but has a negative effect on the quality of the image in the small bowel. The preparation of elderly subjects with PEG or SP has a negative effect on the small bowel transit time.

Effect of erythromycin on image quality and transit time of capsule endoscopy: A two-center study

AIM: To compare the effect of oral erythromycin vs no preparation with prokinetics on the transit time and the image quality of capsule endoscopy (CE) in evaluating small bowel (SB) pathology. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, blinded (to the type of preparation) review of 100 CE studies, 50 with no preparation with prokinetics from one medical center (Group A) and 50 from another center with administration of a single dose of 200 mg oral erythromycin 1 h prior to CE (Group B). Gastric, SB and total transit times were calculated, the presence of bile in the duodenum was scored, as was cleanliness within the proximal, middle and distal intestine. RESULTS: The erythromycin group had a slightly shorter gastric transit time (21 min vs 28 min, with no statistical significance). SB transit time was similar for both groups (all P > 0.05). Total transit time was almost identical in both groups. The rate of incomplete examination was 16% for Group A and 10% for Group B (P = 0.37). Bile and cleanliness scores in different parts of the intestine were similar for the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Preparation for capsule endoscopy with erythromycin does not affect SB or total transit time. It tends to reduce gastric transit time, but it does not increase the cecum-reaching rate. Erythromycin does not adversely affect image quality. We consider the routine use of oral erythromycin preparation as being unjustified, although it might be considered in patients with known prolonged gastric emptying time.

Diagnostic yield of small bowel capsule endoscopy depends on the small bowel transit time

AIM： To investigate whether the small bowel transit time （SBTT） influences the diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy （CE）. METHODS： Six hundred and ninety-one consecutive CE procedures collected in a database were analyzed. SBTT and CE findings were recorded. A running mean for the SBl-I- was calculated and correlated to the diagnostic yield with a Spearman＇s correlation test. Subgroup anal- yses were performed for the various indications for the procedure. RESULTS： There was a positive correlation between the diagnostic yield and SBT1- （Spearman＇s rho 0.58, P 〈 0.01）. Positive correlations between diagnostic yield and SB-FI-were found for the indication obscure gastro- intestinal bleeding （r = 0.54, P 〈 0.01）, for polyposis and carcinoid combined （r = 0.56, P 〈 0.01） and for the other indications （r = 0.90, P 〈0.01）, but not for suspected Crohn＇s disease （r = -0.40） CONCLUSION： The diagnostic yield in small bowel capsule endoscopy is positively correlated with the small bowel transit time. This is true for all indications except for suspected Crohn＇s disease.

Transit time ultrasound perivascular flow probe technology is superior to MR imaging on hepatic blood flow measurement in a porcine model

Background: The hepatic hemodynamics is an essential parameter in surgical planning as well as in various disease processes. The transit time ultrasound(TTUS) perivascular flow probe technology is widely used in clinical practice to evaluate the hepatic inflow, yet invasive. The phase-contrast-MRI(PC-MRI) is not invasive and potentially applicable in assessing the hepatic blood flow. In the present study, we compared the hepatic inflow rates using the PC-MRI and the TTUS probe, and evaluated their predictive value of post-hepatectomy adverse events. Methods: Eighteen large white pigs were anaesthetized for PC-MRI and approximately 75% hepatic resection was performed under a unified protocol. The blood flow was measured in the hepatic artery(Qha), the portal vein(Qpv), and the aorta above the celiac trunk(Qca) using PC-MRI, and was compared to the TTUS probe. The Bland-Altman method was conducted and a partial least squares regression(PLS) model was implemented. Results: The mean Qpv measured in PC-MRI was 0.55 ± 0.12 L/min, and in the TTUS probe was 0.74 ± 0.17 L/min. Qca was 1.40 ± 0.47 L/min in the PC-MRI and 2.00 ± 0.60 L/min in the TTUS probe. Qha was 0.17 ± 0.10 L/min in the PC-MRI, and 0.13 ± 0.06 L/min in the TTUS probe. The Bland-Altman method revealed that the estimated bias of Qca in the PC-MRI was 32%(95% CI:-49% to 15%); Qha 17%(95% CI:-15% to 51%); and Qpv 40%(95% CI:-62% to 18%). The TTUS probe had a higher weight in predicting adverse outcomes after 75% resection compared to the PC-MRI( β= 0.35 and 0.43 vs β = 0.22 and 0.07, for tissue changes and premature death, respectively). Conclusions: There is a tendency of the PC-MRI to underestimate the flow measured by the TTUS probes. The TTUS probe measures are more predictive of relevant post-hepatectomy outcomes.

Implications of small-bowel transit time in the detection rate of capsule endoscopy: A multivariable multicenter study of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

AIMTo define the role of small-bowel transit time in the detection rate of significant small-bowel lesions.METHODSSmall-bowel capsule endoscopy records, prospectively collected from 30 participating centers in the Lombardy Registry from October 2011 to December 2013, were included in the study if the clinical indication was obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and the capsule reached the cecum. Based on capsule findings, we created two groups: P2 (significant findings) and P0-1 (normal/negligible findings). Groups were compared for age, gender, small-bowel transit time, type of instrument, modality of capsule performance (outpatients vs inpatients), bowel cleanliness, and center volume.RESULTSWe retrieved and scrutinized 1,433 out of 2,295 capsule endoscopy records (62.4%) fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Patients were 67 &#x000b1; 15 years old, and 815 (57%) were males. In comparison with patients in the P0-1 group, those in the P2 group (n = 776, 54%) were older (P &#x0003c; 0.0001), had a longer small-bowel transit time (P = 0.0015), and were more frequently examined in low-volume centers (P &#x0003c; 0.001). Age and small-bowel transit time were correlated (P &#x0003c; 0.001), with age as the sole independent predictor on multivariable analysis. Findings of the P2 group were artero-venous malformations (54.5%), inflammatory (23.6%) and protruding (10.4%) lesions, and luminal blood (11.5%).CONCLUSIONIn this selected, prospectively collected cohort of small-bowel capsule endoscopy performed for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, a longer small-bowel transit time was associated with a higher detection rate of significant lesions, along with age and a low center volume, with age serving as an independent predictor.

Colon transit time according to physical activity and characteristics in South Korean adults

AIM:To investigate factors contributing to the colon transit time(CTT),physical activity and characteristics were examined.METHODS:Forty-seven Korean adults(males,n=23;females,n=24) took a capsule containing 20 radioopaque markers to measure the CTT.The subjects used an accelerometer to measure the physical activity and underwent a bioelectrical impedance analysis to determine the physical characteristics.Macro-nutrient was also surveyed.RESULTS:The mean total CTTs(TCTT) in the males and females were 8.8 and 24.7 h(P=0.002),respectively.In the male subjects,the right CTT(3.5±4.9 h vs 10.0±11.6 h,P=0.023) and recto-sigmoid CTT(4.4±4.7 vs 13.6±12.5 h,P=0.004) were significantly shorter and the total energy expenditure(637.6±44.3 kcal vs 464.3±64.9 kcal,P=0.003),total activity count(247 017±75 022 count vs 178 014±75 998 count,P=0.003),energy expenditure of light intensity(148.5±6.9 kcal vs 120.0±16.8 kcal,P=0.006),energy expenditure of moderate intensity(472.0±36.2 kcal vs 281.4±22.2 kcal,P < 0.001),fat intake(65.5±23.3 g vs 51.2±17.4 g,P=0.010),and water consumption(1714.3±329.4 g vs 1164.7±263.6 g,P=0.009) were significantly higher than in the female subjects.Regarding correlations,when adjusted for gender,fiber(r =-0.545,P < 0.001) and water intake(r =-0.257,P < 0.05) correlated significantly with the TCTT in all subjects.In addition,the body mass index(r =-0.424,P < 0.05) and fiber intake(r =-0.417,P < 0.05) in the males as well as the fiber intake(r =-0.655,P < 0.001) in the females showed significant correlations with the TCTT.CONCLUSION:The subjects showed significant gender differences in the TCTT,right CTT,and recto-sigmoid CTT.Furthermore,the intake of the fiber and water contributed to the CTT.

Effects of anatomical position on esophageal transit time:A biomagnetic diagnostic technique

AIM： To study the esophageal transit time （ETT） and compare its mean value among three anatomical inclinations of the body; and to analyze the correlation of ETT to body mass index （BMI）. METHODS： A biomagnetic technique was implemented to perform this study： （1） The transit time of a magnetic marker （MM） through the esophagus was measured using two fluxgate sensors placed over the chest of 14 healthy subjects; （2） the EIF was assessed in three anatomical positions （at upright, fowler, and supine positions; 90°, 45° and 0°, respectively）. RESULTS： ANOVA and Tuckey post-hoc tests demonstrated significant differences between E-IT mean of the different positions. The ETT means were 5.2 ± 1.1 s, 6.1 ± 1.5 s, and 23.6 ± 9.2 s for 90°, 45° and 0°, respectively. Pearson correlation results were r = -0.716 and P 〈 0.001 by subjects＇ anatomical position, and r = -0.024 and P 〉 0.05 according the subject＇s BMI. CONCLUSION： We demonstrated that using this biomagnetic technique, it is possible to measure the ETT and the effects of the anatomical position on the ETT.

Pressure and Time Dependences of the Supercooled Liquid-to-Liquid Transition in Sulfur

Thermal behavior of bulk amorphous sulfur is investigated by in situ temperature measurements at high pressures of 0.9, 1.4 and 2.1 GPa, and under different heating rates of 8, 10 and 12K/min at 0.9 GPa. The results show that the onset temperature of the transition from the supercooled Hquid to the liquid state for sulfur increases with the pressure and the heating rate. It is deduced that the transition does not follow the Clapeyron equation, indicating considerable coupling of the molecular structure change in the transition. Along with the data at ambient pressure and high pressure, we present a dynamic diagram to demonstrate the relationship between the amorphous solid, supercooled liquid, liquid, and crystal phases of sulfur, and suggest an experimental approach to establish pressure-temperature-time transition diagrams for supercooled liquid and liquid.

USE OF PULSE TRANSIT TIME AS A MEASURE OF AUTONOMIC AROUSALS IN PATIENTS WITH OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of pulse transit time (PTT) arousals as an index of sleep fragmentation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods Individuals referred for evaluation of possible OSAHS underwent overnight polysomnography (PSG). Three conventional indices of sleep fragmentation [electroencephalography (EEG) arousals, apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI)], PTT arousals, and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) were compared. Results PTT arousals were positively correlated with EEG arousals (r= 0.746, P<0.001), AHI (r= 0.786, P<0.001), and ODI (r= 0.665, P<0.001), respectively. But, both PTT arousals and EEG arousals had no correlation with ESS (r= 0.432, P=0.201; r= 0.196, P=0.591, respectively). Conclusion PTT arousals are correlated well with other standard measures estimating severity of OSAHS and potentially a non-invasive marker with which to measure the sleep fragmentation in patients with OSAHS.

Real-time State Monitoring During Switching Mode Transitions in High Power Three-level Inverters

大功率多电平逆变器近年来在实际工业生产中得到越来越广泛的应用。多电平逆变器由于结构复杂,采用元器件较多,因此在设计和实验中,实现各个工作状态下运行参数的同步监测和分析较为困难。本文针对大功率三电平逆变器,实现开关动态特性的在线测试,在此基础上,进一步研究三电平逆变器在开关状态变化时理论与实际负载运行工况下电路拓扑的转换变化规律。通过全电路电气参数和元器件状态的实时监测,发现在三电平逆变器非正常运行状态下开关转换时额外电应力,同时,深入研究在实际工况运行条件非正常状态下该额外电应力出现的机理和原因,为三电平逆变器的故障诊断提供了参考,对于设计高可靠性的多电平逆变器系统有一定的理论和现实意义。

Effect of small bowel transit time on accuracy of video capsule endoscopy in evaluating suspected small bowel bleeding

BACKGROUND Obscure small bowel bleeding is defined as gastrointestinal bleeding(GIB)that is unidentifiable with esophagogastroduodenoscopy and a colonoscopy with video capsule endoscopy(VCE)being the next gold standard step for evaluation.Small bowel transit time(SBTT)is a metric of a VCE study that is defined as the time the capsule takes to travel through the small intestine.AIM To determine if SBTT within the VCE study,correlates to overall detection of obscure small bowel bleeds.Furthermore,we attempted to identify any existing correlation between SBTT and re-bleeding after a negative VCE study.METHODS This is a single center retrospective analysis of VCE studies performed for overt and occult GIB at Einstein Medical Center,Philadelphia,between 2015 and 2019.Inclusion criteria primarily consisted of patients 18 years or older who had a VCE study done as part of the workup for a GIB.Patients with incomplete VCEs,poor preparation,or with less than 6 mo of follow up were excluded.A re-bleeding event was defined either as overt or occult within a 6-mo timeframe.Overt rebleeding was defined as Visible melena or hematochezia with>2 gm/dL drop in hemoglobin defined an overt re-bleeding event;whereas an unexplained>2 gm/dL drop in hemoglobin with no visible bleeding defined an occult re-bleed.RESULTS Results indicated that there was a significant and positive point biserial correlation between SBTT of 220 min and detection of a bleeding focus with a statistically significant p value of 0.008.However,the area under the curve was negligible when trying to identify a threshold time for SBTT to discriminate between risk of re-bleeding events after a negative VCE.CONCLUSION In terms of SBTT and association with accuracy of VCE finding a bleeding focus,220 min was found to be adequate transit time to accurately find a bleeding focus,when present.It was found that no threshold SBTT could be identified to help predict re-bleeding after a negative VCE.

Dynamic detection of wake-sleep transition with reaction time-magnitude

BACKGROUND： According to observable behaviors, sleep and wakefulness are two fundamentally different behavioral states. Although electroencephalogram （EEG） is traditionally used to define sleep stage, it is difficult to detect or to quantify microarousals or disruptions during sleep. In addition initial sleep cannot be defined. It is thought that the wake-sleep transition cannot be defined by EEG patterns. OBJECTIVE： To observe the behavioral response magnitude during wake-sleep transition by EEG monitoring and to define the wake-sleep transition. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A behavioral and neural network study was performed at the Key Lab of Human Being Development and Mental Health of Central China Normal University, and Lab of Brain and Cognitive Science of South Central University for Nationalities, China in July 2007. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 30 healthy volunteers, of equal gender and aged （19.7 ± 1.1 ） years, were recruited from the Central China Normal University, China for this study. None of the subjects had undergone EEG recording prior to this study or received any medication for sleep disturbances. METHODS： A novel adaptive approach was applied to detect wake-sleep transition, which avoided stimulus-induced waking. To test the difference between wake state and wake-sleep transition, the amount of self-information and mutual-information were effective parameters to analyze wake-sleep transition. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The following parameters were measured： morphological changes in reaction time-magnitude, as well as correlation between phase changes and sleep, and wake and wake-sleep transition. RESULTS： There were three typical phases in morphological changes of reaction time-magnitude. With regard to the behavioral definition and criterion for sleep, the phase morphological characteristics displayed good correlation with behavioral states, such as sleep, wakefulness, and sleep onset. Entropy as an indicator of brain cognitive processes was introduced to test for differences between the wakefulness and sleep onset phase. Results indicated a cognitive declined transitional period different between sleep and wake. After staggered cognitive changes during the wake-sleep transition, the brain underwent marked alterations and transitioned into sleep quickly with no bi-directional EEG changes. CONCLUSION： Wake-sleep transition exists as an independent stage.

Measuring Acoustic Wave Transit Time in Furnace Based on Active Acoustic Source Signal

Accurate measurement of transit time for acoustic wave between two sensors installed on two sides of a furnace is a key to implementing the temperature field measurement technique based on acoustical method. A new method for measuring transit time of acoustic wave based on active acoustic source signal is proposed in this paper, which includes the followings： the time when the acoustic source signal arrives at the two sensors is measured first; then, the difference of two arriving time arguments is computed, thereby we get the transit time of the acoustic wave between two sensors installed on the two sides of the furnace. Avoiding the restriction on acoustic source signal and background noise, the new method can get the transit time of acoustic wave with higher precision and stronger ability of resisting noise interference.

The nonequilibrium phase transition and the symmetry revival induced by time delay in an asymmetric bistable system with correlated noises

The nonequilibrium phase transition and the symmetry revival induced by time delay in a bistable system are investigated. The stationary probability distribution function （SPDF） of the bistable system with time delay and correlated noises are calculated by an analytical method and stochastic simulation respectively. The analytical and simulative results indicate that： （1） There is a certain value of λ（λ denotes the strength of correlations between the multiplicative and additive noises） to make the SPDF symmetric under some time delay; however, above or below the given value, the symmetry will be broken; （2） With the monotonic change of λ, the unimodal peak structure of SPDF becomes bimodal at the beginning, then it becomes unimodal again; this means that there is a reentrance phenomenon in the process; （3） There is a critical value of delay time, which makes the lower peak of SPDF equal to the higher one under the critical condition. This means that the symmetry revival phenomenon emerges.

Correcting for non-compliance when determining colonic transit time with radio-opaque markers

The use of radio-opaque markers and abdominal X-ray is the standard method for determining colonic transit time(CTT). However, when there are deviations in the intake of these markers by participants in clinical trials it is desirable to improve observations by introducingcorrections, where possible. To date, there is no standard procedure to adjust for such deviations. This report proposes a series of alternatives based on possible scenarios for deviations from the intended intake of radio-opaque markers. The proposed method to correct for missed or delayed consumption of radioopaque markers can help to increase the accuracy of the CTT measurements in clinical trials.

A study on the effects of the transit parking time on traffic flow based on cellular automata theory

This paper mainly deals with the effects of transit stops on vehicle speeds and conversion lane numbers in a mixed traffic lane. Based on thorough research of traffic flow and cellular automata theory, it calibrates the cellular length and the running speed. Also, a cellular automata model for mixed traffic flow on a two-lane system under a periodic boundary condition is presented herewith, which also takes into consideration the harbour-shaped transit stop as well. By means of computer simulation, the article also studies the effects of bus parking time on the traffic volume, the transit speed and the fast lane speed at the same time. The results demonstrate that, with the increase of the bus parking time, the traffic volume of the transit stop and the transit speed decrease while the fast lane speed increases. This result could help calculate the transit delay correctly and make arrangements for transit routes reasonably and scientifically.

Analytical Modeling of Base Transit Time of SiGe HBTS Including Concentration Dependent Bandgap Narrowing Effect

Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors with SiGe base and Si emitter and collector have increasingly become important in high speed applications in electronics due to better performance of these devices with a modest increase in complexity of fabrication process. Speed of these devices is mainly determined by transit time of minority carriers across the device. Base transit time is the most important component of the total transit time. An analytical model is developed here to predict the variation of base transit time with Ge content, base doping concentration, temperature, and other device parameters. Studies have been made for both uniform and exponential doping distributions with different Ge profiles in the base region. Band gap narrowing effect due to high doping concentration is also taken into account in the model.