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• • Complex 3D numerical modelling study of sprayed concrete lined tunnel junctions. • • Linear elastic models of the lining can lead to over conservative designs. • • Nonlinear elastic or strain hardening plastic models predicted lower lining loads. • • Using more sophisticated modelling of the lining could have saved time, cost and embodied carbon. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of numerical modelling techniques applied to the design and assessment of sprayed concrete-lined (SCL) tunnel junctions, focusing on the lining performance. The approach integrates advanced constitutive models to simulate both ground and lining responses, aiming to provide a robust understanding of tunnel behaviour under a realistically simulated construction sequence. Notable features of the modelling approach include nonlinear elastoplastic models for ground strata, depth-varying properties, variable K0 and pore pressure profiles, and step-by-step construction of cross-passages. The constitutive models for the ground have been validated against real site data, employing moderately conservative input parameters to ensure realistic comparisons with monitoring data. Results from numerical modelling offer insights into the lining movements, strains and loads at tunnel junctions. Notably, the choice of constitutive model for the lining significantly influences predicted behaviour, with nonlinear elastic models generally exhibiting larger but more localised movements and strains compared to linear elastic models. Furthermore, the study suggests potential optimisations in tunnel design, such as the reduction or elimination of reinforcement in thickening layers, based on the enhanced understanding provided by 3D numerical modelling. This underscores the value of this approach when considering environmental factors, such as carbon footprint reduction, in the design process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the understanding of microRNA (miRNA or miR) functions in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis, efforts are underway to develop new miRNA-based therapies. Very recently, we demonstrated effectiveness of a novel humanized bioengineered miR-124-3p prodrug in controlling spontaneous lung metastasis in mouse models. This study was to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which miR-124-3p controls tumor metastasis. Proteomics study identified a set of proteins selectively and significantly downregulated by bioengineered miR-124-3p in A549 cells, which were assembled into multiple cellular components critical for metastatic potential. Among them, plectin (PLEC) was verified as a new direct target for miR-124-3p that links cytoskeleton components and junctions. In miR-124-3p-treated lung cancer and osteosarcoma cells, protein levels of vimentin, talin 1 (TLN1), integrin beta-1 (ITGB1), IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 1 (IQGAP1), cadherin 2 or N-cadherin (CDH2), and junctional adhesion molecule A (F11R or JAMA or JAM1) decreased, causing remodeling of cytoskeletons and disruption of cell–cell junctions. Furthermore, miR-124-3p sharply suppressed the formation of focal adhesion plaques, leading to reduced cell adhesion capacity. Additionally, efficacy and safety of biologic miR-124-3p therapy was established in an aggressive experimental metastasis mouse model in vivo. These results connect miR-124-3p−PLEC signaling to other elements in the control of cytoskeleton, cell junctions, and adhesion essential for cancer cell invasion and extravasation towards metastasis, and support the promise of miR-124 therapy. The antimetastatic activity of bioengineered miR-124-3p is attributable to selective downregulation of proteins underlying multiple cellular components, including cytoskeleton, cell junctions, and focal adhesion, critical for invasion and extravasation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider a spectral problem for the Laplacian operator in a planar T-like shaped thin structure Ω ε , where ε denotes the transversal thickness of both branches. We assume the homogeneous Dirichlet boundary condition on the ends of the branches and the homogeneous Neumann boundary condition on the remaining part of the boundary of Ω ε. We study the asymptotic behavior, as ε tends to zero, of the high frequencies of such a problem. Unlike the asymptotic behavior of the low frequencies where the limit problem involves only longitudinal vibrations along each branch of the T-like shaped thin structure (i.e. 1 D limit spectral problems), we obtain a two dimensional limit spectral problem which allows us to capture other kinds of vibrations. We also give a characterization of the asymptotic form of the eigenfunctions originating these vibrations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Driving simulation is widely used to answer important applied research questions, however, it is vital for specific driving tasks to undergo appropriate behavioural validation testing. Many previous validation studies have used simple driving tasks and measured relatively low-level vehicle control. The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether drivers' visual attention at intersections with different levels of demand, are similar in the simulator and on the road. Unlike simpler driving tasks, crossing intersections requires complex interactions with other vehicles governed by sequences of head and eye movements that may not be accurately captured in a simulated environment. In the current study we directly compare performance at simulated junctions with the same participants' behaviour in a real car. We compared drivers' visual attention in a high-fidelity driving simulator (instrumented car, 360-degree screen) and on-road in both low and medium demand driving situations. The low and medium demand driving situations involved the same motor movements, containing straight on, right turn and left turn manoeuvres. The low demand situations were controlled by the road environment and traffic lights, whereas medium demand situations required the driver to scan the environment and decide when it was safe to pull out into the junction. Natural junctions in Nottingham were used for the on-road phase and the same junctions were recreated in the simulator with traffic levels matched to those that were encountered on the real roads. The frequency and size of drivers' head movements were not significantly different between manoeuvres performed in the simulator and those conducted when driving on real roads. This suggests that drivers' broad search strategies in the simulator are representative of real-world driving. These strategies did change as a function of task demand - compared to low demand situations, behaviour at the medium demand junctions was characterised by longer junction crossing times, more head movements, shorter fixation durations and larger saccadic amplitudes. Although patterns of head movements were equivalent on road and in the simulator, there were differences in more fine-grained measures of eye-movements. Mean fixation durations were longer in the simulator compared to on-road, particularly in low-demand situations. We interpret this as evidence for lower levels of visual engagement with the simulated environment compared to the real world, at least when the task demands are low. These results have important implications for driving research. They suggest that high fidelity driving simulators can be useful tools for investigating drivers' visual attention at junctions, particularly when the driving task is of at least moderate demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We study the steady incompressible flow of a Bingham fluid in a thin T-like shaped domain, under the action of given external forces and with no-slip boundary condition on the whole boundary of the domain. This phenomenon is described by non linear variational inequalities. By letting the parameter describing the thickness of the thin domain tend to zero, we derive two uncoupled problems corresponding to the two branches of the T-like shaped structure. We then analyze and give a physical justification of the limit problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing interest in developing mathematical models and appropriate numerical methods for problems involving networks formed by, essentially, one-dimensional (1D) domains joined by junctions. Examples include hyperbolic equations in networks of gas tubes, water channels and vessel networks for blood and lymph transport in the human circulatory system. A key point in designing numerical methods for such applications is the treatment of junctions, i.e. points at which two or more 1D domains converge and where the flow exhibits multidimensional behaviour. This paper focuses on the design of methods for networks of water channels. Our methods adopt the finite volume approach to make full use of the two-dimensional shallow water equations on the true physical domain, locally at junctions, while solving the usual one-dimensional shallow water equations away from the junctions. In addition to mass conservation, our methods enforce conservation of momentum at junctions; the latter seems to be the missing element in methods currently available. Apart from simplicity and robustness, the salient feature of the proposed methods is their ability to successfully deal with transcritical and supercritical flows at junctions, a property not enjoyed by existing published methodologies. Systematic assessment of the proposed methods for a variety of flow configurations is carried out. The methods are directly applicable to other systems, provided the multidimensional versions of the 1D equations are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • An adaptive staircase to estimate drivers’ individual gap acceptance at junctions. • Drivers accept smaller (risker) gaps in front of motorcycles than cars. • Drivers do not modify their behaviour when clearing the junction. • Differences in gap acceptance were only found in the high-fidelity simulator. Abstract A disproportionate number of road deaths occur at intersections where one vehicle is a motorcycle. Previous research has not systematically varied the type of vehicles presented in a controlled environment. We compared drivers’ (n = 54) gap acceptance when either a car or motorcycle was approaching a junction. We used a QUEST adaptive staircase to estimate gap acceptance thresholds for cars and motorcycles separately. On each trial, drivers saw a car approaching from the left and a vehicle (car or motorcycle) approaching from the right. The driver had to stop for the car from the left, but could choose whether to pull out in front of the vehicle from the right, or to wait for it to pass. Participants completed the task in either a medium-fidelity simulator (steering wheel and pedals, 180-degree screen) or a high-fidelity simulator (fully instrumented car, 360-degree screen). Participants accepted significantly smaller (riskier) gaps in front of motorcycles than in front of cars, particularly in the high-fidelity simulator. The speed of crossing the junction did not differ between vehicle types, meaning that drivers were closer to the motorcycle than the car during the manoeuvre. There was one instance that appeared to replicate a ‘Look But Fail To See’ error, where a participant pulled out in front of an oncoming motorcycle resulting in a crash. This suggests that drivers accept riskier gaps around motorcycles than cars, which may be due to a difference in attitude towards different vehicles or differences in optic flow properties. These results help to explain the disproportionate involvement of motorcycles in real junction crashes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motorcyclists are involved in a disproportionate number of crashes given the distance they travel, with a high proportion of these crashes occurring at junctions. Despite car drivers being solely responsible for many road crashes involving a motorcycle, previous research has mostly focussed on understanding motorcyclists’ attitudes towards their own safety. We compared car drivers’ (n = 102) and motorcyclists’ (n = 579) opinions about junction crashes using a web-based questionnaire. Motorcyclists and car drivers were recruited in similar ways so that responses could be directly compared, accessing respondents through driver/rider forums and on social media. Car drivers’ and motorcyclists’ opinions were compared in relation to who they believe to be blameworthy in situations which varied in specificity, ranging from what road user they believe is most likely to cause a motorcyclist to have a road crash, to what road user is at fault in four specific scenarios involving a car and motorcycle at a junction. Two of these scenarios represented typical ‘Right of way’ (ROW) crashes with a motorcycle approaching from the left and right, and two scenarios involved a motorcycle overtaking another vehicle at the junction, known as ‘Motorcycle Manoeuvrability Accidents’ (MMA). Qualitative responses were analysed using LIWC software to detect objective differences in car drivers’ and motorcyclists’ language. Car drivers’ and motorcyclists’ opinions about the blameworthiness of accidents changed depending on how specific the situation was that was being presented. When respondents were asked about the cause of motorcycle crashes in a general abstract sense, car drivers’ and motorcyclists’ responses significantly differed, with motorcyclists more likely to blame car drivers, demonstrating an in-group bias. However, this in-group favouritism was reduced when asked about specific scenarios, especially in MMA situations which involve motorcyclists manoeuvring their motorcycles around cars at a junction. In the four specific scenarios, car drivers were more likely to blame the car driver, and motorcyclists were more likely to blame the motorcyclist. In the typical ROW scenarios, the responses given by both road users, as analysed by the LIWC, show that the law is taken into account, as well as a large emphasis on the lack of observation given around junctions, especially from car drivers. It is concluded that the perception of blameworthiness in crashes is very much dependent on the details of the crash, with a more specific situation eliciting a fairer evaluation by both car drivers and motorcyclists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Complex 3D numerical modelling study of sprayed concrete lined tunnel junctions. • Numerical modelling validated by fibre optic measurements of strains in the tunnel. • Linear elastic models of the lining can lead to over conservative designs. • Changes in excavation sequence could have saved time, cost and embodied carbon. Sprayed concrete linings (SCL) offer a versatile method of tunnel construction, particularly in regard to forming junctions since the lining acts as a shell structure which can redistribute the stresses around the opening efficiently. This process is easy to understand conceptually but it is much more difficult to illustrate in calculations. Conventional calculation methods make a number of far-reaching simplifications such as the assumption of linear elastic behaviour in the lining. This often leads to overly conservative designs and a residual concern over the loads in the lining. This study compares detailed measurements of strains recorded by distributed fibre optic sensors at a pair of junctions on the Crossrail project in London with a sophisticated numerical model of these tunnels. Having demonstrated that the results of the numerical model are broadly consistent with this unique set of field data, a variety of influences on the model have been examined. This includes the excavation sequence, the constitutive model for the lining and adjacent structures. The results indicate significant scope for the improvement of SCL junction design. Future papers will present the more results from other parts of this study along with their implications for the design of tunnel junctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composites of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) were prepared by mixing aqueous dispersions of PEDOT:PSS and SWCNT at different weight ratios. By being soaked with DMSO for 2 min at room temperature, the PEDOT:PSS/SWCNT composite with an optimized SWCNT weight ratio of 74 wt% exhibited a high electric conductivity of 3800 S cm −1 and a reasonable Seebeck coefficient of 28 μV K −1 , leading to a promising power factor of 300 μW m −1 K −2 and a hopeful ZT value of 0.13. Possible reasons for the highly improved properties are carefully discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As railway traffic levels increase in Britain and elsewhere, improved understanding of the trade-offs between capacity provision/utilisation and service quality is increasingly important, as Infrastructure Managers and Railway Undertakings seek to maximise capacity provision while maintaining service reliability and punctuality. This is particularly true of the stations and junctions forming the nodes and capacity bottlenecks of railway networks, for which the relationships between capacity utilisation and performance are less well understood than for their intermediate links. Following work undertaken for the OCCASION project on the calculation of nodal Capacity Utilisation Indices, and on the application of these techniques to the recalibration of the Capacity Charge element of the Track Access Charges in Britain, one objective of the DITTO Rail Systems project is the further investigation of the relationship(s) between capacity utilisation and performance, as indicated by congestion-related reactionary delay levels at railway stations and junctions. Historic timetable and delay data for selected stations have been used to investigate these relationships, which take the expected form and tend to suggest lower maximum capacity utilisation levels for stations than for the links between them. Work is ongoing to develop these datasets and relationships further, and to identify suitable capacity utilisation upper limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a new strategy, called method of evolving junctions (MEJ), to compute the solutions for a class of optimal control problems with constraints on both state and control variables. Our main idea is that by leveraging the geometric structures of the optimal solutions, we recast the infinite dimensional optimal control problem into an optimization problem depending on a finite number of points, called junctions. Then, using a modified gradient flow method, whose dimension can change dynamically, we find local solutions for the optimal control problem. We also employ intermittent diffusion, a global optimization method based on stochastic differential equations, to obtain the global optimal solution. We demonstrate, via a numerical example, that MEJ can effectively solve path planning problems in dynamical environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lymphatic capillaries develop discontinuous cell-cell junctions that permit the absorption of large macromolecules, chylomicrons, and fluid from the interstitium. While excessive vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGFR2) signaling can remodel and seal these junctions, whether and how VEGFR3 can alter lymphatic junctions remains incompletely understood. Here, we use lymphatic-specific Flt4 knockout mice to investigate VEGFR3 signaling in lymphatic junctions. We show that loss of Flt4 prevents specialized button junction formation in multiple tissues and impairs interstitial absorption. Knockdown of FLT4 in human lymphatic endothelial cells results in impaired NOTCH1 expression and activation, and overexpression of the NOTCH1 intracellular domain in Flt4 knockout vessels rescues the formation of button junctions and absorption of interstitial molecules. Together, our data reveal a requirement for VEGFR3 and NOTCH1 signaling in the development of button junctions during postnatal development and may hold clinical relevance to lymphatic diseases with impaired VEGFR3 signaling. [Display omitted] • VEGFR3 is required for the development of lymphatic capillary button junctions • VEGFR3 is not required for maintaining button junctions after their formation • Failure to form buttons impedes the absorption of interstitial molecules • NOTCH1 signaling can rescue button formation and function in the absence of VEGFR3 Lymphatic capillaries form discontinuous junctions called buttons to enable absorption of interstitial contents. Jannaway et al. show that vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR3) expression is required for the formation of button junctions and that NOTCH1 signaling can fully rescue button formation in the absence of VEGFR3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sound insulation prediction models in European and International Standards use the vibration reduction index to calculate flanking transmission across junctions of walls and floors. These standards contain empirical relationships between the ratio of mass per unit areas for the walls/floors that form the junction and a frequency-independent vibration reduction index. However, calculations using wave theory show that there is a stronger relationship between the ratio of characteristic moment impedances and the transmission loss from which the vibration reduction index can subsequently be calculated. In addition, the assumption of frequency-independent vibration reduction indices has been shown to be incorrect due to in-plane wave generation at the junction. Therefore numerical experiments with FEM, SFEM and wave theory have been used to develop new regression curves between these variables for the low-, mid- and high-frequency ranges. The junctions considered were L-, T- and X-junctions formed from heavyweight walls and floors. These new relationships have been implemented in the prediction models and they tend to improve the agreement between the measured and predicted airborne and impact sound insulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new linear shell model of Naghdi type is formulated for shells with little regularity, namely the shells whose middle surface is parameterized by a W 1, ∞ function. Thus corners in the undeformed geometry are inherent in the formulation. Unknowns in the model are the displacement u ˜ of the middle surface of the shell and the infinitesimal rotation ω ˜ of the shell cross-section. In difference to the classical shell models, the existence and uniqueness of the solution is obtained for ( u ˜ , ω ˜ ) ∈ H 1 × H 1 with a very simple proof without usage of almost any differential geometry of surfaces. We relate the new model with known shell models in two ways. In the first we show that asymptotically, with respect to small thickness of the shell, the model behaves as the membrane model or the flexural shell model in the corresponding regime. In the second, for smooth enough middle surface, we relate the terms in the weak formulation of the model with terms in the classical Naghdi shell model. Further, we prove continuous dependence of the solution of the model on the change of the undeformed middle surface. At the end, we also present a numerical approximation of the model for the middle surface with a corner at the joint of two pieces that dominantly behave differently (one as a membrane and the other one as a flexural shell). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) plays important roles in the recovery of spinal cord injury (SCI), and caveolin-1 is essential for the integrity and permeability of barriers. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is an important neuroprotective protein and contributes to the survival of neuronal cells. This study was designed to investigate whether bFGF is beneficial for the maintenance of junction proteins and the integrity of the BSCB to identify the relations with caveolin-1 regulation. We examined the integrity of the BSCB with Evans blue dye and fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran extravasation, measured the junction proteins and matrix metalloproteinases, and evaluated the locomotor function recovery. Our data indicated that bFGF treatment improved the recovery of BSCB and functional locomotion in contusive SCI model rats, reduced the expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinase-9, and increased the expressions of caveolin-1 and junction proteins, including occludin, claudin-5, p120-catenin, and β-catenin. In the brain, in microvascular endothelial cells, bFGF treatment increased the levels of junction proteins, caveolin-1 small interfering RNA abolished the protective effect of bFGF under oxygen-glucose deprivation conditions, and the expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 and co-localization with caveolin-1 decreased significantly, which could not be reversed by bFGF treatment. These findings provide a novel mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of bFGF on the BSCB and recovery of SCI, especially the regulation of caveolin-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large number of studies have been made to assess the relationship between risk factors and accident occurrence. A risk factor is any factor that makes an accident more likely to occur. Very many risk factors have been identified, for example, being under the influence of alcohol while driving, driving on slippery roads, entering complex junctions, or driving in hours of darkness. Few studies have been made to determine whether the associations between risk factors and accident occurrence remain stable over time. This paper presents examples of studies that have replicated estimates of risk. All these studies were made within a given country, using the same method, to ensure that estimates of risk are comparable. The risk factors included in the paper are: daylight, horizontal curves, junctions, road surface conditions, precipitation, drinking and driving and driver age. For all these risk factors, their association with accidents has changed over time, mostly becoming weaker. A protective factor, snow depth, is also included. Its protective effect has become smaller over time. Possible reasons for the weakening influence of risk factors are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have considered the problem of finding vertex-disjoint dipaths in flowgraphs and we observed an interesting min-max relation: given a flowgraph G , the minimum size of a dominator cover in G is equal to the maximum size of a junction partition of G . In many optimization problems those relations are closely related to efficient algorithms to solve them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), a common chemotherapeutic agent used for the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), by itself has inadequate response rates; highlighting the need for novel and improved treatment regimens for these patients. Resveratrol, a naturally-occurring polyphenol, has been linked with chemosensitizing potential and anticancer properties; however, the underlying mechanisms for these effects remain poorly understood. The effect of resveratrol in parental CRC cell lines (HCT116, SW480) and their corresponding isogenic 5-FU-chemoresistant derived clones (HCT116R, SW480R) was examined by MTT assays, intercellular junction formation and apoptosis by electron- and immunoelectron microscopy, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and NF-κB regulated gene products by western blot analysis in a 3D-alginate microenvironment. Resveratrol blocked the proliferation of all four CRC cell lines and synergized the invasion inhibitory effects of 5-FU. Interestingly, resveratrol induced a transition from 5-FU-induced formation of microvilli to a planar cell surface, which was concomitant with up-regulation of desmosomes, gap- and tight junctions (claudin-2) and adhesion molecules (E-cadherin) expression in HCT116 and HCT116R cells. Further, resveratrol significantly attenuated drug resistance through inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) factors (decreased vimentin and slug, increased E-cadherin) and down-regulation of NF-κB activation and its translocation to the nucleus and abolished NF-κB-regulated gene end-products (MMP-9, caspase-3). Moreover, this suppression was mediated through inhibition of IκBα kinase and IκBα phosphorylation and degradation. Our results demonstrate that resveratrol can potentiate the anti-tumor effects of 5-FU on CRC cells by chemosensitizing them, inhibiting an EMT phenotype via up-regulation of intercellular junctions and by down-regulation of NF-κB pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study discusses the structural response of a parent tunnel when a near circular breakout is made for a perpendicular child tunnel. Beyond the presentation of some main background on the topic, the description of the investigated systems and the investigation methods is provided, this mainly being linear-elastic finite elements analysis, with inclusion of analytical solutions for comparison and with some analysis assuming non-linear soil behavior in order to investigate particular aspects in the discussed systems. This paper contributes to the little hitherto available literature with respect to the soil structure-interaction and the structural behavior at tunnel breakouts and junctions, while reference for future projects is offered through 36 analyzed cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy and inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy (IETS) are employed to study trans-1,2-bis (4-pyridyl) ethylene (BPE)/gold system. Both junction and complex forms are considered for the SERS simulations. It is predicted that the peak at 1581 cm - 1 is more intense in the junction forms than that in the complex forms. Time dependent density functional theory calculations show that the relative intensity is mainly controlled by the excitation energy derivative respect to the normal modes, and the total intensity is governed by the excitation energy of the excited states. The C H bending modes dominate the IET spectra when BPE adsorbed on the flat gold surfaces. While, the pyridyl ring deformation modes are more active when BPE adsorbed on the edge of the gold clusters. For BPE adsorbed on the tip of gold clusters, the pyridyl ring and C C stretching modes show significant contribution to the IET spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Developed a weighted Nitsche stabilized method for embedded interfaces with junctions. [•] Provided an explicit expression for the method parameter for lower order elements in the presence of junctions. [•] Examples highlight the method capabilities in modeling grain-boundary sliding behavior. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Simulator study of gap acceptance and turn execution T-intersections. [•] Manipulated driver’s intended manoeuvre and gap duration. [•] Intended manoeuvre influences turn execution and to a lesser extent gap acceptance. [•] Effect of manoeuvre on gap acceptance was most obvious at longer, non-safety–critical gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Older drivers and young novice drivers have problems negotiating road junctions. Explanations for problems largely focus on limitations in visual information processing and observation errors associated with age and experience. Method: Gaze transitions provide information on the positional relationship of fixations, providing a useful tool for highlighting gaps in driver's visual information acquisition strategies. The gaze transitions of three driver groups (young novice, young experienced, and older experienced) were compared during gap selection in right turn junction negotiation manoeuvres. Results: When scanning the junction, young experienced drivers distributed their gaze more evenly across all areas, whereas older and novice drivers made more sweeping transitions, bypassing adjacent areas. The use of a preview strategy in the decision phase was less evident in the older experienced group compared to the younger groups. Impact: The application of results to driver training interventions and future research are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This Letter investigates a totally asymmetric simple exclusion process (TASEP) with junctions in a one-dimensional transport system. Parallel update rules and periodic boundary condition are adopted. Two cases corresponding to different update rules are studied. The results show that the stationary states of system mainly depend on the selection behavior of particle at the bifurcation point. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We present a closed form solution for the self-resonances in a short Josephson tunnel junction. This solution is alternative to the well-known textbook result (Barone and Paternó (1982) and Kulik (1965)) based on a series expansion. Results are derived for the up-to-date case of a junction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have developed several logic gates (OR, XOR, AND and NAND) made of superconducting Josephson junctions. The gates based of the flux cloning phenomenon and high speed of fluxons moving in Josephson junctions of different shapes. In a contrast with previous design the gates operates extremely fast since fluxons are moving with the speed close to the speed of light. We have demonstrated their operations and indicated several ways to made a more complicated logic elements which have at the same time a compact form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) irradiated by Ar ion beams at elevated temperature were studied. The irradiation-induced defects in CNTs are greatly reduced by elevated temperature. Moreover, the two types of CNT junctions, the crossing junction and the parallel junction, were formed. And the CNT networks may be fabricated by the two types of CNT junctions. The formation process and the corresponding mechanism of CNT networks are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we investigate totally asymmetric exclusion processes (TASEPs) on lattices with an -input -output junction in parallel update. A general theoretical solution for traffic dynamics of TASEPs with a junction is developed. More interestingly, -input -output junctions can be classified by a parameter, . The junctions with the same exhibit the same dynamic properties (e.g., phase diagrams, stationary currents, and density profiles). When the number of and/or changes, the low-density and high-density regions can be measured qualitatively and quantitatively. The phase diagram is obtained from a simple mean-field approximation and supported by computer simulations. Stationary current and density profiles are calculated which show good agreement with computer simulations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: This study sought to examine the ultrastructure of microvessels in normal and atherosclerotic coronary arteries and its association with plaque phenotype. Background: Microvessels in atherosclerotic plaques are an entry point for inflammatory and red blood cells; yet, there are limited data on the ultrastructural integrity of microvessels in human atherosclerosis. Methods: Microvessel density (MVD) and ultrastructural morphology were determined in the adventitia, intima-media border, and atherosclerotic plaque of 28 coronary arteries using immunohistochemistry for endothelial cells (Ulex europeaus, CD31/CD34), basement membrane (laminin, collagen IV), and mural cells (desmin, alpha-smooth muscle [SM] actin, smoothelin, SM1, SM2, SMemb). Ultrastructural characterization of microvessel morphology was performed by electron microscopy. Results: The MVD was increased in advanced plaques compared with early plaques, which correlated with lesion morphology. Adventitial MVD was higher than intraplaque MVD in normal arteries and early plaques, but adventitial and intraplaque MVD were similar in advanced plaques. Although microvessel basement membranes were intact, the percentage of thin-walled microvessels was similarly low in normal and atherosclerotic adventitia, in the adventitia and the plaque, and in all plaque types. Intraplaque microvascular endothelial cells (ECs) were abnormal, with membrane blebs, intracytoplasmic vacuoles, open EC-EC junctions, and basement membrane detachment. Leukocyte infiltration was frequently observed by electron microscopy, and confirmed by CD45RO and CD68 immunohistochemistry. Conclusions: The MVD was associated with coronary plaque progression and morphology. Microvessels were thin-walled in normal and atherosclerotic arteries, and the compromised structural integrity of microvascular endothelium may explain the microvascular leakage responsible for intraplaque hemorrhage in advanced human coronary atherosclerosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Due to the continuous CMOS transistor scaling requirements, sub-melt millisecond laser annealing has been introduced in 45nm CMOS technology to enhance dopant activation without any additional diffusion. Because of the design, the device layout at the wafer surface introduces during this process significant variations of optical absorption and heat transfer that can induce temperature non-uniformities over the die, detrimental to the device and often called “pattern effects”. The introduction of an absorbent layer above the wafer reduces the optical properties dispersion, but the temperature variations generated by the thermal properties non-homogeneities cannot be suppressed. The impossibility to measure directly this local transient temperature effects on complex transistors layout requires simulation. A thermal simulation has been developed and calibrated to model with accuracy the laser annealing with the real process parameters. This model is used to obtain the transient temperature distribution over the devices, which is needed to understand the laser impact on the transistors performance. We demonstrate that the shallow trench isolation (STI) filled with silicon oxide is critical for these thermal pattern effects. Depending on the STI layout density, temperature variations up to 50°C over a die are observed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents investigations on the electrical transport phenomena in perylene and PTCDA emphasising the particularities of the charge carrier injection at the contacts with inorganic semiconductors (Si) and metals (Cu, Al) and the effect of the supplementary organic layer (ZnPc, α-NPD) on the electrical conduction. The I–V characteristics for different delay and integration times, at forward and reverse bias, have evidenced a dominant ohmic behaviour of these SIS and MIS structures at low voltage (<0.1V) and limitations of the current induced by the space charge and trap charge at voltages >1V. An intermediate organic layer (ZnPc) with higher ionisation potential than PTCDA and lower electron affinity than perylene improves the charge carrier injection and the conduction properties of the Si/PTCDA/Si and forward biased Cu/perylene/Si heterostructures. No increase in the hole injection was obtained in Si(p)/perylene/Si(p) heterostructure introducing an α-NPD layer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Humans rarely confuse variations in light intensity, such as shadows, shading, light sources and specular reflections, from variations in material properties, such as albedo or pigment. This review explores the cues, or regularities in the visual world that evidence suggests vision exploits to discriminate light from material. These cues include luminance relations, figural relations, 3D-shape, depth, colour, texture, and motion. On the basis of an examination of the cues together with the behavioural evidence that they are used by vision, I propose a set of heuristics that may guide vision in the task of distinguishing between light and material. I argue that while there is evidence for the use of these heuristics, little is known about their relative importance and the manner in which they are combined in naturalistic situations where there are multiple cues as to what is light and what is material. Finally, I discuss two theoretical frameworks, the generic view principle and Bayesian estimation, that are beginning to help us understand the visual processes involved in distinguishing between light and material. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The structural, energetic and electronic features of asymmetric armchair single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) junctions have been studied by ab initio calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G∗//HF/3-21G∗ levels. The junctions are composed of two SWCNTs with different radius, which are connected by a set of 5-membered and 7-membered carbon rings. The results show that the metallic–metallic junction is more energetically favorable if the junction is formed with a hexagon inserted between the pentagon–heptagon (5/7) pair defects in the armchair nanotube. The shift of the spatial distribution of HOMO and LUMO shows that the asymmetric electronic structure of the junction could be used as a molecular rectifier. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Axial ternary junctions, which were recently discovered by Bulatov et al. [V.V. Bulatov et al., Nature 440 (2006) 1174], as well as zigzag ternary configurations, were classified according to crystallographic criteria in face-centered cubic (fcc) and body-centered cubic (bcc) metals. The determination of their average strength by dislocation dynamics simulations shows that ternary configurations induce a significant Taylor hardening in bcc crystals, but not in fcc crystals. In both cases, these configurations should enhance strain hardening through their contribution to the storage rate of dislocations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study we present first the main theorem of the unfolding method in linearized elasticity. Then we prove that every displacement of a thin structure (curved rod or shell) is the sum of an elementary displacement and a warping. Thanks to the previous theorem we obtain sharp estimates of the displacements of this decomposition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have investigated flash-lamp annealing (FLA) of germanium wafers doped with phosphorous and boron introduced in the crystal by ion implantation. Annealing was performed by using pre-heating at 400–450°C in a conventional rapid thermal processing (RTP) unit and a fast (3–20ms) FLA annealing at 800°C or 900°C. Diffusion of P is suppressed during the 800°C–20ms FLA annealing, while concentration-enhanced diffusion occurs upon 900°C FLA anneals. Importantly, in both cases P activation seems to be enhanced by the FLA process. However, junction stability following the FLA process and possible deactivation are a concern. In contrast, the FLA process applied to B-doped pre-amorphized Ge layers does not show advantages as compared to a RTP conventional annealing combined with a solid phase epitaxial regrowth, in terms of B activation level. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The production of metallic junctions employing elastomers is an unconventional technique that has been in development in the last 20 years. The forming process gets successfull just if a simultaneous compression between the elastomers and the tube takes place. Exact solutions for problems involving forming with elastomers are quite difficult to determine. However, the upper-bound theory can be used in order to predict the necessary load for junctions forming. Thus, it is necessary to develop a model capable to provide an estimate of the total forming force, which is useful to set-up tools and equipments required for the process. In this work, Von Mises, Hill''s 1948 and Hill''s 1979 associated yielding theories, and the Hosford''s theory (1979) as well, were used in order to study the anisotropic behaviour on total forming force of junctions using elastomers, insuring the functionality of the proposed model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Modeling vehicle delay has been an interesting subject for traffic engineers and urban planners. Determination of vehicle delay is a complex task and the delay is influenced by many variables that have uncertainties and vagueness, especially for non-uniform or over-saturated conditions. In this study, vehicle delay is modeled using new approaches such as Fuzzy Logic (FL) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to deal with all conditions. The Neuro Fuzzy Delay Estimation (NFDE) model and Artificial Neural Networks Delay Estimation (ANNDE) model are developed. The overall delay data required for the model were collected from ten signalized intersections in Turkey. The results of the developed models are compared with the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM), Akçelik’s methods and the delay data collected from intersections. The results showed that delay estimations by the ANNDE and NFDE model are promising. It is also inferred that the NFDE model results are the best fitted. The Average Relative Error (ARE) rates of NFDE model are determined as 7% for under-saturated and 5% for over-saturated conditions. The results reflect the fact that the neuro-fuzzy approach may be used as a promising method in vehicle delay estimation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A global methodology has been developed and validated to obtain the total pressure loss coefficient in internal compressible flow in T-type junctions. This methodology is based on the calculation of the thermo-fluid properties extrapolated to the branch axes intersection, once the straight pipe friction losses numerically calculated have been subtracted from the total energy losses. For this purpose, a steady adiabatic compressible one-dimensional flow with friction mathematical model has been applied to the results obtained by numerical simulation using the commercial finite volume code Fluent to solve the steady state Navier–Stokes equations. A 90° T-type junction has been studied and the predicted loss coefficient has been related to the extrapolated Mach number in the common branch and to the mass flow rate ratio between branches at different flow configurations, in both combining and dividing flows. The numerical results have been compared with experimental results and published data in open literature. In general, a good agreement is obtained and the correlations obtained will be applied as boundary condition in one-dimensional global simulation models of fluid systems in which these components are present. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Visual evoked potentials were recorded during presentation of a single stimulus that generated bi-stable perceptual alternation between two different three-dimensional percepts. One interpretation (asymmetric) changed depth structure from flat to corrugated in depth and the other (symmetric) had the appearance of a flat surface translating laterally behind a set of apertures. Responses during perception of the asymmetric three-dimensional structure contained larger negative components than did responses during perception of the symmetric three-dimensional structure. Control experiments suggest that the interpretation of depth structure is selected after junction information caused by the interplay between shading and object shape is extracted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To form ultra shallow junctions (USJs) several fast annealing techniques are available with very high temperatures to activate dopants yet minimize diffusion. Flash annealing utilizes Xe-arc lamps which provide a short (2ms) burst of intense optical energy achieving wafer surface temperatures in excess of 1300°C. It is shown that this annealing technique facilitates boron activation to its solid solubility level. Reviews are given of the flash annealing parameters to show how they affect leakage currents, junction depths and dopant activation but to address poly depletion effects, flash annealing must be complemented with an RTA anneal. Several dopants for sub 90nm devices have been characterized under various annealing conditions resulting in leakage currents comparable to spike anneal and transistors with higher current gain. High boron activation concentrations are obtained through adjustment of process conditions including modifying the processing sequence by utilizing multiple flash anneals. Certain device geometrical factors and film structures also have to be adjusted to optimally utilize the flash technology with the most important factor being minimization of defect generation with the high energy imparted onto the wafer surface. To control this energy, additional optimization of the flash technology is achievable through varying the energy pulse width and initiation of the Xe-arc lamp ignition. Data showing comparative results is presented, including how such results compare to the use of spike annealing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We constructed a laser-plume monitoring system to stabilize fabrication process of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) circuits with films and junctions prepared by a laser ablation method. The system utilizing a CCD camera with wide band sensitivity accumulates intensity of ultraviolet ray for many plumes as an averaged matrix data of 256×256. Using the matrix data, we successfully estimated the magnitude or length of plumes objectively with a measurement error of ±0.15mm. We found that target temperature, laser gas condition and target consumption have strong influences on the magnitude of plumes even if the laser power monitor shows the same output power. We found the conditions to obtain a stable magnitude of plumes and successfully controlled the magnitude of plumes even in unstable conditions of laser ablation. The junctions fabricated by using the stable plumes had resistively shunted junction (RSJ) type current–voltage (I–V) characteristics with a percentage of success of 93%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Core inserts in sandwich panels substitute parts of the original core material in a sandwich element, and the main purpose of the core inserts is to supply a local reinforcement of the sandwich panel for a subsequent introduction of the external loads. The new design of the core insert substantially diminishes the level of impairing local effects in the faces. The suggested insert is structurally graded by means of shaping insert boundaries to be inclined with respect to the sandwich faces, which provides smoothing of material discontinuities at the junction of different materials. The new design of the core insert is studied experimentally, and the design parameters of the core insert are studied with the help of the finite element modelling (FEM). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Recent experiments demonstrated lattice-oriented growth, controlled manipulation of carbon nanotubes and their nanoelectronic devices on surfaces. Using molecular dynamics simulation method and by performing electronic structure and electron transport calculations, we investigate nanotubes and their intermolecular junctions on surfaces. It is demonstrated that local atomic structure in nanotube–surface and nanotube–nanotube contacts plays important roles in friction and electronic transport at the nanoscale. Each nanotube has unique equilibrium orientations with respect to surface structure. Electronic transport is strongly enhanced when the atomic structures of the objects in contact are commensurate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Dislocation dynamics simulations of multiple slip in f.c.c. crystals lead to the formation of patterned microstructures. The mechanisms participating to dislocation storage and dynamic recovery are investigated and discussed. Cross-slip and short-range interactions are found to govern the bifurcation from uniform to ordered microstructures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Using data generated from a fixed-base interactive driving simulator, which was used to evaluate a driver decision aid, a model is built to predict the probability of an incident (i.e. an accident or a ‘near miss’) occurring as a result of a right-turn across left-hand traffic at an unsignalised junction. This can be considered to be the product of two separate probabilities, the first being the probability that the gap between a pair of vehicles in the traffic stream is accepted, and the second the probability that the time needed to cross the on-coming stream of traffic causes the time-to-collision with the nearest vehicle in this traffic stream to be less than a second. The model is developed from the results of experimental trials involving a sample of drivers, the majority of whom were aged 60 years or older, in order to demonstrate the effect of various parameters on these probabilities. The parameters considered include the size of the gap between successive vehicles, vehicle characteristics such as size, colour and velocity, driver characteristics such as age and sex, and both daytime and night-time conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]