Combinations of Transportation Policies to Promote BRT Usage Using Artificial Society Model

Various transportation systems have been developed in recent years.In this study,an artificial society model is developed to examine the combination of transportation policies in urban areas.In this model,each trip maker selects the primary and terminal transportation modes.An artificial society model is applied to the southeastern region of Osaka City,Japan.The effects of introducing BRT(bus rapid transit,primary transportation)and on-demand buses(terminal transportation)are investigated.The results confirm that BRT is used by a certain number of users.An increase in the use of BRT will increase the amount of walking,thus resulting in a healthy city.However,on-demand buses are rarely used as terminal transportation.Additionally,the development of bicycle parking stations near BRT stops is shown to be effective in the northern section of the BRT route.

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.

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 ± 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 < 0.0001), had a longer small-bowel transit time (P = 0.0015), and were more frequently examined in low-volume centers (P < 0.001). Age and small-bowel transit time were correlated (P < 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.

Analytical investigation of the boundary-triggered phase transition dynamics in a cellular automata model with a slow-to-start rule

Previous studies suggest that there are three different jam phases in the cellular automata automaton model with a slow-to-start rule under open boundaries.In the present paper,the dynamics of each free-flow-jam phase transition is studied.By analysing the microscopic behaviour of the traffic flow,we obtain analytical results on the phase transition dynamics.Our results can describe the detailed time evolution of the system during phase transition,while they provide good approximation for the numerical simulation data.These findings can perfectly explain the microscopic mechanism and details of the boundary-triggered phase transition dynamics.

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.

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.

Ultraslow Relaxation Process of Static Light Scattering Intensity by Boron Oxide above the Glass Transition Temperature

The data describing of the light scattering intensity relaxation above the glass transition temperature by boron oxide obtained by using of the temperature jump methods are presented. It is found that the stabilization of the glass at 220℃ resulted in increasing of the anisotropic intensity at the same time the isotropic intensity is not practically unchangeable. It is shown that after the temperature jump to 330℃the intensity is characterized by the formation of a maximum. This effect is in compliance with the results obtained for the other oxide glasses. It is established that characteristic time of the relaxation of the maximum height is about two orders of magnitude more than the structural relaxation time for this temperature.

Time Intervals of the Electron Transitions between the Energy States in the Hydrogen Atom Calculated in a Non-Probabilistic Way

Definitions of the mechanical parameters entering the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom allowed us to calculate the time intervals connected with the electron transitions between the nearest-neighbouring energy levels in the atom. This is done in a strictly non-probabilistic way. The time results are compared with those derived earlier on the basis of the classical Joule-Lenz law for the energy emission adapted to the case of the electron transfer in the quantum systems. A similar formalism has been next applied to the harmonic oscillator and a particle moving in the one-dimensional potential box.

A Probabilistic Method of Characterizing Transit Times for Quantum Particles in Non-Stationary States

We present a probabilistic approach to characterizing the transit time for a quantum particle to flow between two spatially localized states. The time dependence is investigated by initializing the particle in one spatially localized “orbital” and following the time development of the corresponding non-stationary wavefunction of the time-independent Hamiltonian as the particle travels to a second orbital. We show how to calculate the probability that the particle, initially localized in one orbital, has reached a second orbital after a given elapsed time. To do so, discrete evaluations of the time-dependence of orbital occupancy, taken using a fixed time increment, are subjected to conditional probability analysis with the additional restriction of minimum flow rate. This approach yields transit-time probabilities that converge as the time increment used is decreased. The method is demonstrated on cases of two-state oscillations and shown to produce physically realistic results.

The Spin Transition and Susceptibility of NMR Samples in a Time Dependent Longitudinal Field

To construct pulsed high magnet, with rapid adjustments to large changes in the field strength, it is a mandatory acces-sory to development a special NMR probes to provide a precise real-time map of the magnetic field. In order to do so, it is necessary to understand the variations of the spin transition and susceptibility of NMR samples in a time dependent longitudinal field. This work analyzes the effect on the spin transition by a time dependent longitudinal field. For a 1/2 spin system, we have derived a simple formula for the prediction of the probabilities of occupation of the 1/2 and ?1/2 states in a non-static field. We also calculate the magnetic susceptibility of the water and give an analysis of the effect on the magnetic susceptibility in a time dependent longitudinal field and RF frequency.

Plasticity-induced characteristic changes of pattern dynamics and the related phase transitions in small-world neuronal networks

Phase transitions widely exist in nature and occur when some control parameters are changed. In neural systems, their macroscopic states are represented by the activity states of neuron populations, and phase transitions between different activity states are closely related to corresponding functions in the brain. In particular, phase transitions to some rhythmic synchronous firing states play significant roles on diverse brain functions and disfunctions, such as encoding rhythmical external stimuli, epileptic seizure, etc. However, in previous studies, phase transitions in neuronal networks are almost driven by network parameters （e.g., external stimuli）, and there has been no investigation about the transitions between typical activity states of neuronal networks in a self-organized way by applying plastic connection weights. In this paper, we discuss phase transitions in electrically coupled and lattice-based small-world neuronal networks （LBSW networks） under spike-timing-dependent plasticity （STDP）. By applying STDP on all electrical synapses, various known and novel phase transitions could emerge in LBSW networks, particularly, the phenomenon of self-organized phase transitions （SOPTs）： repeated transitions between synchronous and asynchronous firing states. We further explore the mechanics generating SOPTs on the basis of synaptic weight dynamics.

A Theoretical Study of Tris-(o-benzoquinonediimine)-First-Row Divalent Transition Metal Complexes

The ligand o-phenylenediamine (opda) and its oxidized form, o-benzoquinonediimine (bqdi), act as a fascinating candidate coordinating toward transition metal ions leading to the photochemical hydrogen production in absence of photosensitizers. Herein, we report the systematic study of the interaction between the oxidized form bqdi ligand, tris-(o-benzoquinonediimine) with divalent first-row transition metal series using DFT calculations. The lowest energy structures, bond length, binding energies, frontier molecular orbital analysis, natural bond orbitals, and global reactivity descriptor were calculated using B3LYP/6-311G(d,P) level of theory. The time dependent-DFT at the CAM-B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory was applied to determine the electronic structures and the optical spectra. The theoretical binding trend of the divalent first-row transition metal series is decreasing as follows: Cu >Ti > V > Co > Ni > Fe > Cr > Zn >Mn. Among them, the binding potency of iron (II) by the bqdi ligand was not predominantly sturdy as compared to other first-row divalent transition metal ions. The origin of strong coordination with Fe(II) is attributed to its extra capability to induce covalent coordination of bqdi ligands. The complex exhibited two strong peaks at 370 nm and 452 nm, due to the HOMO-3 to LUMO+1 and HOMO-1 to LUMO transitions, respectively. Natural bond orbital analysis showed that the major interaction happens between the N lone pair electrons of the ligand with an anti-bonding orbital of metal ions, in which Ti showed the highest interaction energy than other metal ions. The present systemic DFT study of bqdi ligands with the first-row transition metals strongly encourages the future establishment of photochemical hydrogen production in absence of photosensitizers.

Quanta of the Phase-Space Areas Given by Intervals of Energy and Time Associated with Electron Transitions

The paper examines the energy of electron transitions in an emission process and the time intervals necessary for that process. For simple quantum systems, the both parameters—that of energy and time—depend on the difference Δn of the quantum numbers n labelling the beginning and end state of emission. It is shown that the phase-space areas formed by products of energy and time involved in the emission can be represented as a quadratic function of Δn multiplied by the Planck constant h.

Relativistic Reduction of the Electron-Nucleus Force in Bohr’s Hydrogen Atom and the Time of Electron Transition between the Neighbouring Quantum Energy Levels

The aim of the paper is to get an insight into the time interval of electron emission done between two neighbouring energy levels of the hydrogen atom. To this purpose, in the first step, the formulae of the special relativity are applied to demonstrate the conditions which can annihilate the electrostatic force acting between the nucleus and electron in the atom. This result is obtained when a suitable electron speed entering the Lorentz transformation is combined with the strength of the magnetic field acting normally to the electron orbit in the atom. In the next step, the Maxwell equation characterizing the electromotive force is applied to calculate the time interval connected with the change of the magnetic field necessary to produce the force. It is shown that the time interval obtained from the Maxwell equation, multiplied by the energy change of two neighbouring energy levels considered in the atom, does satisfy the Joule-Lenz formula associated with the quantum electron energy emission rate between the levels.

Magnetic Field Induction and Time Intervals of the Electron Transitions Approached in a Classical and Quantum-Mechanical Way

The motion of electron wave packets of a metal is examined classically in the presence of the magnetic field with the aim to calculate the time intervals between two states lying on the same Fermi surface. A lower limiting value of the transition time equal to about 10–18 sec is estimated as an average for the case when the states are lying on the Fermi surface having a spherical shape. Simultaneously, an upper limit for the electron circular frequency in a metal has been also derived. A formal reference of the classical transition time to the time interval entering the energy-time uncertainty relations known in quantum mechanics is obtained.

De Broglie’s Velocity of Transition between Quantum Levels and the Quantum of the Magnetic Spin Moment Obtained from the Uncertainty Principle for Energy and Time

The De Broglie’s approach to the quantum theory, when combined with the conservation rule of momentum, allows one to calculate the velocity of the electron transition from a quantum state n to its neighbouring state as a function of n. The paper shows, for the case of the harmonic oscillator taken as an example, that the De Broglie’s dependence of the transition velocity on n is equal to the n-dependence of that velocity calculated with the aid of the uncertainty principle for the energy and time. In the next step the minimal distance parameter provided by the uncertainty principle is applied in calculating the magnetic moment of the electron which effectuates its orbital motion in the magnetic field. This application gives readily the electron spin magnetic moment as well as the quantum of the magnetic flux known in superconductors as its result.

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.

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.

Contemporary meta-analysis of short-term probiotic consumption on gastrointestinal transit

AIM: To determine the efficacy of probiotic supplementation on intestinal transit time(ITT) in adults and to identify factors that influence these outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials of probiotic supplementation that measured ITT in adults. 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 examined the impact of moderator variables on SMD of ITT.RESULTS: A total of 15 clinical trials with 17 treatment effects representing 675 subjects were included in this analysis. Probiotic supplementation was moderately efficacious in decreasing ITT compared to control, with an SMD of 0.38(95%CI: 0.23-0.53, P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses demonstrated statistically greater reductions in ITT with probiotics in subjects with vs without constipation(SMD: 0.57 vs 0.22, P < 0.01) and in studies with high vs low study quality(SMD: 0.45 vs 0.00, P = 0.01). Constipation(R^2 = 38%, P < 0.01), higher study quality(R^2 = 31%, P = 0.01), older age(R^2 = 27%, P = 0.02), higher percentage of female subjects(R^2 = 26%, P = 0.02), and fewer probiotic strains(R^2 = 20%, P < 0.05) were predictive of decreased ITT with probiotics in meta-regression. Medium to large treatment effects were identified with B. lactis HN019(SMD: 0.67, P < 0.001) and B. lactis DN-173 010(SMD: 0.54, P < 0.01) while other probiotic strains yielded negligible reductions in ITT relative to control.CONCLUSION: Probiotic supplementation is moderately efficacious for reducing ITT in adults. Probiotics were most efficacious in constipated subjects, when evaluated in high-quality studies, and with certain probiotic strains.

Influence of Aging Time on the Properties of Precursors of CuO/ZnO Catalysts for Methanol Synthesis

The aging process of pure copper precursors and copper-zinc binary precursorswere studied by XRD, TG-DTG and TPR techniques. The catalytic activity and stability of CuO/ZnOwere tested using fixed-bed flow reactor, and the physical properties of the catalysts and Cuspecies were characterized with N_2 adsorption and N_2O passivation method, respectively. For theCu-Zn binary system prepared at the precipitating condition of pH=8.0 and temperature=80℃, theinitial phase was a mixture of copper nitrate hydroxide Cu_2(NO_3)(OH)_3, georgeite and hydrozinciteZn_5(CO_3)_2(OH)_6. By increasing the duration of its aging time, the phase of Cu_2(NO_3)(OH)_2first transited to georgeite, and then interdiffused into Zn_5(CO_3)_2(OH)_6 and resulted in two newphases: rosasite (Cu,Zn)_2CO_3(OH)_2 and au-richalcite (Zn,Cu)_5(CO_3)_2(OH)_6. The former phasewas much easier to be formed than the latter one, while the latter phase was more responsible forthe activity of methanol synthesis than the former one. It is found that the composition andstructure of the precursors altered obviously after the colour transition point. The experimentalresults showed that methanol synthesis is a structure-sensitive catalytic reaction.