Search

Traditional multiple discrete–continuous (MDC) choice models impose tight linkages between consumers' discrete choice and the continuous consumption decisions due to the use of a single utility parameter driving both the decision to choose and the extent of choice. Recently, Bhat (Trans Res Part B Methodol 110:261–279, 2018) proposed a flexible MDCEV model that employs a utility function with separate parameters to determine the discrete choice and continuous consumption values. However, the flexible MDCEV model assumes an independent and identically distributed (IID) error structure across the discrete and continuous baseline utilities. In this paper, we formulate a flexible non-IID multiple discrete–continuous probit (MDCP) model that employs a multivariate normal stochastic distribution to allow for a more general variance–covariance structure. In doing so, we revisit Bhat (Trans Res Part B: Methodol 109: 238-256, 2018) flexible utility functional form and highlight that the stochastic conditions he used to derive the likelihood function are not always consistent with utility maximization. We offer an alternate interpretation of the model as representing a two-step decision-making process, where the consumers first decide which goods to choose and then decide the extent of allocation to each good. We demonstrate an application of the proposed flexible MDCP model to analyze households' expenditure patterns on their domestic tourism trips in India. Our results indicate that, if the analyst is willing to compromise on the strict utility-maximizing aspect of behavior, while also enriching the behavioral dimension through the relaxation of the tie between the discrete and continuous consumption decisions, the preferred model would be the flexible non-IID MDCP model. On the other hand, if the analyst wants the model to be strictly grounded on utility-maximizing behavior (which may also have benefits by way of welfare measure computations), and is willing to assume a very tight tie between the discrete and continuous consumption decision processes, the preferred model would be the non-IID traditional MDCP model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rubber band ligation (RBL) is a widely accepted intervention for the treatment of haemorrhoids. However, post procedure pain is a common complaint. The aim of this study was to determine whether the addition of local anaesthetic (LA) to the haemorrhoid pedicle base, post RBL, aids in reducing early post-procedure pain. Additionally, to compare perceived perianal numbness, oral analgesia usage and total consumption, and adverse events. Methods: This study was a prospective, single-blinded randomised controlled trial. Patients were recruited from colorectal clinics in two Australian hospitals between 2018–2019. Patients randomised to the intervention (LA) group received 2mls bupivacaine 0.5% with adrenaline 1:200,000 to each haemorrhoid base. Patients in the control group were not administered LA. Pain scores were recorded over 48 h using visual analogue scales. Analgesia consumption was documented and other secondary objectives were recorded dichotomously (yes/no). Results: At 1 h post-procedure, patient reported pain scores were significantly lower in the LA group compared to the control group (p = 0.04). There were no significant differences in pain scores between the groups at 4, 24 or 48 h. Additionally, there were no significant differences between groups with respect to oral analgesia usage, perianal numbness or adverse events. Conclusions: LA to the haemorrhoid pedicle post RBL may significantly reduce early post procedure pain without any increased risk of adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commute trips account for a large portion of travel demand in peak hours and significantly influence the operation of urban transportation systems. In this paper, we apply a fully flexible multinomial probit (MNP) model for the analysis of commute mode choice behavior, and compare this MNP model with more traditional discrete choice models, including the multinomial logit (MNL), the cross-nested logit (CNL), the heteroscedastic independent MNP (HI-MNP), and the homoscedastic non-independent MNP (HONI-MNP). The two-variate bivariate screening (TVBS) approach, a recently developed analytical evaluation for the multivariate normal cumulative distribution (MVNCD) function, is employed. The sample for analysis is drawn from a web-based travel survey conducted in Shanghai. Overall, from a data fit perspective at, both the disaggregate and aggregate levels, the MNP clearly outperforms all the other four models, underscoring the importance of considering both heteroscedasticity as well as correlated error terms when estimating mode choice models. Policy implications are also examined and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India, many biogas plants process cattle dung (CD). At the same time, an excessive amount of litter of leaves is swept and burnt. The paper investigates small-scale integration of leaf litter of neem (LLN) to the operational CD-based biogas plant under mesophilic conditions. The introduction of LLN at the volatile solid ratio of 1:4 (LLN:CD) respectively increased daily biogas production, specific methane yield, and the resultant electrical energy by 13.11, 15.26, and 15.02% and reduced the proportion of CO2 by 5.85%. However, because of the energy required to pulverize the LLN in CD-LLN–based, the net percentage increase of the electrical energy dropped to 13.59%. CD-LLN–based reactor also produced 56.34% higher electrical energy per organic substrate added and performed well by 15.0% in terms of CO2 emission compared to CD-based. Digester performance was seriously unaffected during the transition stage. The study highlights another way of managing LLN and shifting anaerobic reactors from one feedstock to another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By reproducing the experimentally available sub-shell occupation numbers of 100 Mo, 100 Ru, 128 , 130 Te, and 130 Xe nuclei, sets of four HFB intrinsic wave functions are generated with single particle energies due to Woods–Saxon potential and four different parametrizations of pairing plus multipolar effective two body interaction. In the rest of the considered nuclei, the single particle energies are scaled accordingly. Reliability of wave functions has been ascertained by comparing theoretically calculated and observed yrast spectra and deformation parameters β 2 . Comparison between NTMEs M ¯ (K) ( K = 0 ν and 0N) calculated with wave functions having adjusted and unadjusted occupation numbers shows that the former are in general reduced. Uncertainties in set of twelve nuclear transition matrix elements for the neutrinoless double- β decay of 94 , 96 Zr, 100 Mo, 110 Pd, 128 , 130 Te, and 150 Nd isotopes calculated using three different parametrizations of Jastrow short range correlations turn out to be 10–14% and 37% due to the exchange of light and heavy Majorana neutrino, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the role of faith leaders and congregations in preventing teen pregnancy and enhancing overall health. Seventeen faith-based leaders responded to an invitation to participate. Participants were recruited from two counties within Oklahoma, based on desired community characteristics. Findings were directly related to: (1) the vulnerability of rural communities to negative health outcomes; (2) resiliency of rural faith communities to address health issues; and (3) the adaptive capacity of rural faith leaders and their communities to decrease teen pregnancy and maximize community health. Culturally relevant public health programming is necessary to engage this at risk population; however, it requires engaging faith leaders in efforts to build congregation-based and community-based capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Travel model systems often adopt a single decision structure that links several activity-travel choices together. The single decision structure is then used to predict activity-travel choices, with those downstream in the decision-making chain influenced by those upstream in the sequence. The adoption of a singular sequential causal structure to depict relationships among activity-travel choices in travel demand model systems ignores the possibility that some choices are made jointly as a bundle as well as the possible presence of structural heterogeneity in the population with respect to decision-making processes. As different segments in the population may adopt and follow different causal decision-making mechanisms when making selected choices jointly, it would be of value to develop simultaneous equations model systems relating multiple endogenous choice variables that are able to identify population subgroups following alternative causal decision structures. Because the segments are not known a priori, they are considered latent and determined endogenously within a joint modeling framework proposed in this paper. The methodology is applied to a national mobility survey data set to identify population segments that follow different causal structures relating residential location choice, vehicle ownership, and car-share and mobility service usage. It is found that the model revealing three distinct latent segments best describes the data, confirming the efficacy of the modeling approach and the existence of structural heterogeneity in decision-making in the population. Future versions of activity-travel model systems should strive to incorporate such structural heterogeneity to better reflect varying decision processes across population subgroups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surveys of behavior could benefit from information about people's relative ranking of choice alternatives. Rank ordered data are often collected in stated preference surveys where respondents are asked to rank hypothetical alternatives (rather than choose a single alternative) to better understand their relative preferences. Despite the widespread interest in collecting data on and modeling people's preferences for choice alternatives, rank-ordered data are rarely collected in travel surveys and very little progress has been made in the ability to rigorously model such data and obtain reliable parameter estimates. This paper presents a rank ordered probit modeling approach that overcomes limitations associated with prior approaches in analyzing rank ordered data. The efficacy of the rank ordered probit modeling methodology is demonstrated through an application of the model to understand preferences for alternative configurations of autonomous vehicles (AV) using the 2015 Puget Sound Regional Travel Study survey data set. The methodology offers behaviorally intuitive model results with a variety of socio-economic and demographic characteristics, including age, gender, household income, education, employment and household structure, significantly influencing preference for alternative configurations of AV adoption, ownership, and shared usage. The ability to estimate rank ordered probit models offers a pathway for better utilizing rank ordered data to understand preferences and recognize that choices may not be absolute in many instances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microstructural and surface morphological studies of Co (2.5%) doped ZnS thin films deposited at different substrate temperatures (TS) of 200, 400 and 600 °C by means of pulsed laser deposition are presented. The deposited films are in wurtzite-hexagonal crystal structure as confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy techniques. The films deposited at higher TS show columnar morphology, as evidence by transmission electron microscopy measurements. Images of the surface topography have been taken by atomic force microscopy (AFM) for the film deposited at different TS. The film deposited at TS of 200 °C shows cone-like structures while deposited at TS of 400 and 600 °C show columnar structures. A fractal analysis has been performed on AFM images to understand the microstructure and surface morphology of thin film at different TS. Fractal analysis also reveals the morphological changes in the film with increasing TS. The observed ferromagnetism is correlated with columnar growth of the film which can be used as diluted magnetic semiconductor for spintronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a general copula approach to accommodate non-normal continuous mixing distributions in multinomial probit models. In particular, we specify a multivariate mixing distribution that allows different marginal continuous parametric distributions for different coefficients. A new hybrid estimation technique is proposed to estimate the model, which combines the advantageous features of each of the maximum simulated likelihood inference technique and Bhat’s maximum approximate composite marginal likelihood inference approach. The effectiveness of our formulation and inference approach is demonstrated through simulation exercises and an empirical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the PHFB approach, the $ 0^{+}\rightarrow 2^{+}$ transition of two neutrino double- $ \beta$ decay of Zr, Mo, Ru, Pd, Te and Nd isotopes is studied employing wave functions generated with four different parametrizations of the pairing plus multipole type of two-nucleon interaction and the summation method. In comparison to the $ 0^{+}\rightarrow 0^{+}$ transition, the nuclear transition matrix elements $ M_{2\nu} (2^{+})$ are quite sensitive to the deformation of the yrast 2 state. Consideration of the available theoretical and experimental results suggests that the observation of the $ 0^{+}\rightarrow 2^{+}$ transition of $ 2\nu \beta^{-} \beta^{-}$ decay may be possible in Zr, Mo, Te and Nd isotopes. The effect of deformation on the $ M_{2\nu} (2^{+})$ is also studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen ions (N) with five different energies (100-600 keV) were implanted on the 13Cr4Ni steel (base) samples under high vacuum at temperature <100 °C. The base and implanted samples were also annealed at 600 °C for 6 h at high vacuum (~10 bar). Energy dependent change in structure and mechanical properties of implanted samples were observed after annealing process. Structural study suggested formation of nitrides and implantation induced surface segregation of nitrogen. The nano-indentation hardness and elastic modulus were increased from 5 to 13 and 183 to 314 GPa respectively with increasing N energy. The N implantation process had significantly enhanced the cavitation erosion resistance of the base steel. The minimum cumulative weight loss and maximum erosion resistance were obtained for the sample implanted at 600 keV energy. The roughness values of surfaces at various erosion periods were correlated with erosion process to understand erosion mechanism. The lowest roughness values (R = 164.42 nm, R = 214.75 nm) after 12 h of cavitation erosion test were obtained for the sample implanted at 600 keV energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of stationary 'EIT waves' about 16 years ago posed a big challenge to the then favorite fast-mode wave model for coronal 'EIT waves'. It encouraged various non-wave models and played an important role in convergence of the opposing viewpoints toward the recent consensus that there are two types of EUV waves. However, it was recently discovered that a stationary wave front can also be generated when a fast-mode wave passes through a magnetic quasi-separatrix layer (QSL). In this article, we perform a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) numerical simulation of the interaction between a fast-mode wave and a magnetic QSL, and a stationary wave front is reproduced. The analysis of the numerical results indicates that near the plasma beta ${\sim}\, 1$ layer in front of the magnetic QSL, part of the fast-mode wave is converted to a slow-mode MHD wave, which is then trapped inside the magnetic loops, forming a stationary wave front. Our results imply that we have to be cautious in identifying the nature of a wave, since there may be mode conversion during the propagation of the waves driven by solar eruptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zirconium tungsten nitride (Zr-W-N) coating has been deposited on 304 SS substrates by pulse DC magnetron sputtering. The average micro hardness and roughness of Zr-W-N coating were obtained as ~1,963 HV and ~13 nm respectively. The dry sliding and abrasive wear tests of coated samples were performed in open atmosphere at various loads (15-45 N) with constant speed (0.1 m/s) up to maximum life of a coating. The coefficient of friction (COF) and cumulative weight loss were measured as a function of distance travelled by the coating. The change (minimum to maximum) in COF of the coated samples at various loads was obtained as ~0.15-0.68 and ~0.20-0.27 for dry sliding wear and abrasive wear tests respectively. The cumulative weight loss of the coated samples at various loads was calculated as 1 × 10-6 × 10 g/m for dry sliding wear and 6 × 10-26 × 10 g/m for abrasive wear test. Finally, coatings were compared on COF and cumulative weight loss as a function of sliding distance with SS substrate at 15 N load with 0.1 m/s speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergic disease is a major contributor to illnesses and mortality worldwide. Food hypersensitivity is often the first phenomenon in the allergic march that includes gastroenteropathy, eczema, asthma and hay fever. Recent evidence indicates that prevention of food hypersensitivity in early life is associated with reduction in the incidence of eczema and asthma in later childhood. Strategies for prevention include exclusive breast feeding, restriction of mother's diet during lactation, hydrolyzed formula, delayed introduction of allergenic solid foods and reduced exposure to house dust mites and tobacco smoke. This is a highly cost-beneficial and cost-effective approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, we study the evolutionary conditions for Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) instability in a high-temperature solar surge observed in NOAA AR 11271 using the Solar Dynamics Observatory data on 2011 August 25. The jet with speed of ≈100 km s, width of 7 Mm, and electron number density of 4.17×10 cm is assumed to be confined in an untwisted/twisted magnetic flux tube with magnetic field of 10 G. The temperature of the plasma flow is 2×10 K while that of its environment, according to the observational data, is of the order of 10 K. The electron number density of surrounding magnetized plasma is evaluated to be equal to 1.15×10 cm. Under these conditions, the Alfvén speed inside the flux tube is 337.6 km s, the sound speed is around 166 km s, while these characteristic speeds of the environment are ≅719 km s and ≅117 km s, respectively. We study the propagation of normal MHD modes in the flux tube considering the two cases, notably of untwisted magnetic flux tube and the twisted one. The numerical solution to the dispersion relation shows that the kink ( m=1) wave traveling in an untwisted flux tube becomes unstable if the jet speed exceeds 1060 km s-a speed which is inaccessible for solar surges. A weak twist (the ratio of azimuthal to longitudinal magnetic field component) of the internal magnetic field in the range of 0.025-0.2 does not change substantially the critical flow velocity. Thus, one implies that, in general, the kink mode is stable against the KH instability. It turns out, however, that the m=−2 and m=−3 MHD modes can become unstable when the twist parameter has values between 0.2 and 0.4. Therefore, the corresponding critical jet speed for instability onset lies in the range of 93.5-99.3 km s. The instability wave growth rate, depending on the value of the wavelength, is of the order of several dozen inverse milliseconds. It remains to be seen whether these predictions will be observationally validated in future in the coronal jet-like structures in abundant measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To identify conditions associated with enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes in children with acute abdominal pain and determine the ability of US to detect associated abnormalities.Methods: Two hundred and fifty children with acute abdominal pain were evaluated for the presence of enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes (AP diameter > 4 mm). Additionally, a reference group of 50 asymptomatic children was also studied for the presence of enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes.Results: Enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes were noted in 35 (14%) symptomatic children and two (4%) asymptomatic children. A specific diagnosis was established in 16/35 (46%) symptomatic children with mesenteric lymphadenopathy. Acute appendicitis was the most common diagnosis. The discharge diagnosis in the remaining 19 children was abdominal pain or gastroenteritis of unknown origin. US suggested the correct diagnosis in 12/16 (75%) children in whom a definite diagnosis was established. Histopathologic examination of enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes in three patients demonstrated non-specific inflammatory changes.Conclusion: Enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes in children with acute abdominal pain represents a nonspecific finding. Mesenteric lymphadenopathy is associated with a variety of medical and surgical conditions in symptomatic children and is occasionally seen in asymptomatic children. Sonography is useful in establishing a primary diagnosis in these children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A brief review of spinocerebellar degenerations as seen in pediatric practive with four illustrative case reports is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this report, the magnetic behaviour of bulk and nanoparticles of NiCrO under different applied magnetic fields has been investigated extensively. Nanoparticles of NiCrO (12 nm) were obtained by mechanical milling of polycrystalline powder prepared by polyol method. FC-ZFC measurement of bulk at different applied magnetic fields has revealed the existence of a ferrimagnetic transition around 66 K followed by an antiferromagnetic transition close to 30 K. However, its nano counterpart has shown remarkable change in magnetic properties-a suppression of ferrimagnetic transition accompanied by strengthening low-temperature magnetic phase and observation of a new transition at 90 K ( T), which is weakly magnetic in nature. The frequency-dependent ac susceptibility data of nanoparticles have been fitted to the well-known de Almeida-Thouless equation and a H dependence of the low-temperature peak is observed with a resulting zero-field freezing temperature ( T) equal to 10.1 K. Further, the dynamical behaviour near freezing temperature has been analysed in terms of critical behaviour and the obtained fitted parameter values were found to be τ (relaxation time constant) = 3.6 × 10 s, T = 8.7 K and zν = 11.1. Moreover, Vogel-Fulcher law has been used to understand the nature of freezing transition, and the parameters after fitting are obtained as E/ k = 58.9 K, τ = 5.22 × 10 s and T = 8.03 K. Finally, the spin-glass phase is concluded. Moreover, in contrast to bulk, the H dependence of freezing temperature of nanoparticles sample (75 h) does support the 2D surface-like spin-glass nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermally switched cationic exchange in magnetically ordered ZnFeO (ZFO) nanoparticles synthesized via the coprecipitation route has been studied. The ZFO sample synthesized at 343 K and further annealed at 573 K is devoid of any X-ray diffraction (XRD) peak. However, the samples annealed at temperatures 673-973 K show clear XRD peaks indexed to a cubic spinel ferrite. The average crystallite sizes of the ZFO were calculated using Scherrer's formula and found in the range of 10-16 nm. The lattice parameter of ZFO nanoparticles increased from 8.212 to 8.524 nm as the annealing temperature was raised from 673 to 973 K. Despite the fact that ZFO is antiferromagnetic in bulk, the ZFO nanoparticles annealed at temperatures ≥673 K show a magnetic hysteresis loop. The value of spontaneous magnetization has been decreased from 22 to 16 emu/gm with an increase in the annealing temperature. The electron spin resonance spectra show a single resonance peak with linewidth ranging from 147 to 243 Oe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin films of carbon-containing Au nanoparticles (NPs), prepared by the co-sputtering using a neutral Ar atom beam, were irradiated by 120 MeV Ag ions and also annealed, separately, at increasing temperatures in inert atmosphere. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band of the nanocomposite film was observed to be blue shifted (∼50 nm) in both cases, with increasing fluence and temperature. The structural changes of Au NPs embedded in amorphous carbon matrix were investigated using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. A growth of Au NPs was observed with increasing fluence and also with increasing temperature. A percolation of Au NPs was observed at 500 °C. A growth of Au NPs with ion irradiation is explained in the framework of a thermal spike model. Raman spectroscopy revealed the ordering of a-C thin films with increasing fluence and temperature, which is ascribed to a change of refractive index and the blue shift of the SPR band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present and interpret observations of two morphologically homologous flares that occurred in active region (AR) NOAA 10501 on 20 November 2003. Both flares displayed four homologous Hα ribbons and were both accompanied by coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The central flare ribbons were located at the site of an emerging bipole in the centre of the active region. The negative polarity of this bipole fragmented in two main pieces, one rotating around the positive polarity by ≈ 110° within 32 hours. We model the coronal magnetic field and compute its topology, using as boundary condition the magnetogram closest in time to each flare. In particular, we calculate the location of quasi-separatrix layers (QSLs) in order to understand the connectivity between the flare ribbons. Though several polarities were present in AR 10501, the global magnetic field topology corresponds to a quadrupolar magnetic field distribution without magnetic null points. For both flares, the photospheric traces of QSLs are similar and match well the locations of the four Hα ribbons. This globally unchanged topology and the continuous shearing by the rotating bipole are two key factors responsible for the flare homology. However, our analyses also indicate that different magnetic connectivity domains of the quadrupolar configuration become unstable during each flare, so that magnetic reconnection proceeds differently in both events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children are an often overlooked and understudied population group, whose travel needs are responsible for a significant number of trips made by a household. In addition, children's travel and activity participation during the post-school period have direct implication for adults' activity-travel patterns. A better understanding of children's after school activity-travel patterns and the linkages between parents and children's activity-travel needs is necessary for accurate prediction and forecasting of activity-based travel demand modeling systems. In this paper, data from the 2002 Child Development Supplement of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics is used to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the post-school out-of-home activity-location engagement patterns of children aged 5-17 years. Specifically, this research effort utilizes a multinomial logit model to analyze children's post-school location patterns, and employs a multiple discrete-continuous extreme value model to study the propensity of children to participate in, and allocate time to, multiple activity episode purpose-location types during the after-school period. The results show that a wide variety of demographic, attitudinal, environmental, and others' activity-travel pattern characteristics impact children's after school activity engagement patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geoeffective magnetic cloud (MC) of 20 November 2003 was associated with the 18 November 2003 solar active events in previous studies. In some of these, it was estimated that the magnetic helicity carried by the MC had a positive sign, as did its solar source, active region (AR) NOAA 10501. In this article we show that the large-scale magnetic field of AR 10501 has a negative helicity sign. Since coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are one of the means by which the Sun ejects magnetic helicity excess into interplanetary space, the signs of magnetic helicity in the AR and MC must agree. Therefore, this finding contradicts what is expected from magnetic helicity conservation. However, using, for the first time, correct helicity density maps to determine the spatial distribution of magnetic helicity injections, we show the existence of a localized flux of positive helicity in the southern part of AR 10501. We conclude that positive helicity was ejected from this portion of the AR leading to the observed positive helicity MC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A filament disappearance event was observed on 22 May 2008 during our recent campaign JOP 178. The filament, situated in the Southern Hemisphere, showed sinistral chirality consistent with the hemispheric rule. The event was well observed by several observatories, in particular by THEMIS. One day, before the disappearance, Hα observations showed up- and down-flows in adjacent locations along the filament, which suggest plasma motions along twisted flux rope. THEMIS and GONG observations show shearing photospheric motions leading to magnetic flux canceling around barbs. STEREO A, B spacecraft with separation angle 52.4°, showed quite different views of this untwisting flux rope in He ii 304 Å images. Here, we reconstruct the three-dimensional geometry of the filament during its eruption phase using STEREO EUV He ii 304 Å images and find that the filament was highly inclined to the solar normal. The He ii 304 Å movies show individual threads, which oscillate and rise to an altitude of about 120 Mm with apparent velocities of about 100 km s−1 during the rapid evolution phase. Finally, as the flux rope expands into the corona, the filament disappears by becoming optically thin to undetectable levels. No CME was detected by STEREO, only a faint CME was recorded by LASCO at the beginning of the disappearance phase at 02:00 UT, which could be due to partial filament eruption. Further, STEREO Fe xii 195 Å images showed bright loops beneath the filament prior to the disappearance phase, suggesting magnetic reconnection below the flux rope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the problem of power management and throughput maximization for energy neutral operation when using an energy harvesting sensor (EHS) to send data over a wireless link. The EHS is assumed to be able to harvest energy at a constant rate, and use a fixed part of the energy harvested in a slot for measuring the channel state. The rest of the energy harvested is available for transmission, however, it can be stored in an inefficient battery if it is not fully utilized. The key constraint that the EHS needs to satisfy is energy neutrality, i.e., the expected energy drawn from the battery should equal the expected energy deposited into the battery. In this scenario, two popular models for data transmission are contrasted: the constant bit rate (CBR) model and the variable bit rate (VBR) model. In the CBR model, it is assumed that the EHS are designed to transmit data at a constant rate (using a fixed modulation and coding scheme) but are power-controlled. In the VBR model, the EHS selects both the transmit power and the data rate of transmission in each slot based on the channel instantiation. A framework under which the system designer can optimize several parameters of the EHS that determine the average data rate performance when the channel is Rayleigh fading is developed. Using this framework, the two transmission schemes are contrasted. It is shown that, with the right choice of parameter settings, the CBR scheme can perform nearly as well as the VBR scheme at significantly lower complextiy. The usefulness and validity of the framework developed is illustrated through simulations for specific examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on accommodating spatial dependency in data indexed by geographic location. In particular, the emphasis is on accommodating spatial error correlation across observational units in binary discrete choice models. We propose a copula-based approach to spatial dependence modeling based on a spatial logit structure rather than a spatial probit structure. In this approach, the dependence between the logistic error terms of different observational units is directly accommodated using a multivariate logistic distribution based on the Farlie-Gumbel-Morgenstein (FGM) copula. The approach represents a simple and powerful technique that results in a closed-form analytic expression for the joint probability of choice across observational units, and is straightforward to apply using a standard and direct maximum likelihood inference procedure. There is no simulation machinery involved, leading to substantial computation gains relative to current methods to address spatial correlation. The approach is applied to teenagers’ physical activity participation levels, a subject of considerable interest in the public health, transportation, sociology, and adolescence development fields. The results indicate that failing to accommodate heteroscedasticity and spatial correlation can lead to inconsistent and inefficient parameter estimates, as well as incorrect conclusions regarding the elasticity effects of exogenous variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the US, the rise in motorized vehicle travel has contributed to serious societal, environmental, economic, and public health problems. These problems have increased the interest in encouraging non-motorized modes of travel (walking and bicycling). The current study contributes toward this objective by identifying and evaluating the importance of attributes influencing bicyclists’ route choice preferences. Specifically, the paper examines a comprehensive set of attributes that influence bicycle route choice, including: (1) bicyclists’ characteristics, (2) on-street parking, (3) bicycle facility type and amenities, (4) roadway physical characteristics, (5) roadway functional characteristics, and (6) roadway operational characteristics. The data used in the analysis is drawn from a web-based stated preference survey of Texas bicyclists. The results of the study emphasize the importance of a comprehensive evaluation of both route-related attributes and bicyclists’ demographics in bicycle route choice decisions. The empirical results indicate that travel time (for commuters) and motorized traffic volume are the most important attributes in bicycle route choice. Other route attributes with a high impact include number of stop signs, red light, and cross-streets, speed limits, on-street parking characteristics, and whether there exists a continuous bicycle facility on the route. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activity-travel behavior research has hitherto focused on the modeling and understanding of daily time use and activity patterns and resulting travel demand. In this particular paper, an analysis and modeling of weekly activity-travel behavior is presented using a unique multi-week activity-travel behavior data set collected in and around Zurich, Switzerland. The paper focuses on six categories of discretionary activity participation to understand the determinants of, and the inter-personal and intra-personal variability in, weekly activity engagement at a detailed level. A panel version of the Mixed Multiple Discrete Continuous Extreme Value model (MMDCEV) that explicitly accounts for the panel (or repeated-observations) nature of the multi-week activity-travel behavior data set is developed and estimated on the data set. The model also controls for individual-level unobserved factors that lead to correlations in activity engagement preferences across different activity types. To our knowledge, this is the first formulation and application of a panel MMDCEV structure in the econometric literature. The analysis suggests the high prevalence of intra-personal variability in discretionary activity engagement over a multi-week period along with inter-personal variability that is typically considered in activity-travel modeling. In addition, the panel MMDCEV model helped identify the observed socio-economic factors and unobserved individual specific factors that contribute to variability in multi-week discretionary activity participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to look at the magnetic helicity structure of an emerging active region and show that both emergence and flaring signatures are consistent with a same sign for magnetic helicity. We present a multiwavelength analysis of an M1.6 flare occurring in the NOAA active region 10365 on 27 May 2003, in which a large new bipole emerges in a decaying active region. The diverging flow pattern and the “tongue” shape of the magnetic field in the photosphere with elongated polarities are highly suggestive of the emergence of a twisted flux tube. The orientation of these tongues indicates the emergence of a flux tube with a right-hand twist ( i.e., positive magnetic helicity). The flare signatures in the chromosphere are ribbons observed in Hα by the MSDP spectrograph in the Meudon solar tower and in 1600 Å by TRACE. These ribbons have a J shape and are shifted along the inversion line. The pattern of these ribbons suggests that the flare was triggered by magnetic reconnection at coronal heights below a twisted flux tube of positive helicity, corresponding to that of the observed emergence. It is the first time that such a consistency between the signatures of the emerging flux through the photosphere and flare ribbons has been clearly identified in observations. Another type of ribbons observed during the flare at the periphery of the active region by the MSDP and SOHO/EIT is related to the existence of a null point, which is found high in the corona in a potential field extrapolation. We discuss the interpretation of these secondary brightenings in terms of the “breakout” model and in terms of plasma compression/heating within large-scale separatrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large aperture disc amplifier has been designed, set-up and characterized for its performance on small signal gain, spatial variation of gain, and thermal recovery time. This amplifier, consisting of three elliptical Nd: phosphate glass discs of size 214 x 114 x 20mm mounted at Brewster angle and pumped by ten xenon filled flash lamps of 600mm arc length, provided a small signal gain of 6 at electrical pump energy of 36 kJ (in a pulse of 450 μs) using an in-house developed dual-polarity capacitor bank based power supply. It was coupled to a high power Nd: phosphate glass laser chain and a maximum output pulse energy exceeding 100 J in a 1·5 ns (FWHM) pulse has been measured. A dry nitrogen gas based cooling system was developed for cooling the glass discs with a thermal recovery time of ∼ 20 minutes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a detailed exploratory analysis of joint activity participation characteristics using the American Time Use Survey (ATUS). As a very large nationwide survey that explicitly elicited information on both household and non-household companions for each activity episode, the ATUS is ideally suited for this analysis. Several intuitive and interesting results are obtained. Joint episodes are found to be of longer durations, significantly likely to take place at the residence of other people, and often confined to certain time periods of the weekday. In addition, important differences in these characteristics are also observed based on activity purpose, companion type, and the day of the week. These findings are intended to provide the basis for the justification of detailed collection of joint activity–travel participation information in household activity–travel surveys, and also as a stimulant for further empirical analysis and modeling of joint activity participation behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two-neutrino double-beta decay of 124, 126Xe , 128, 130Te , 130, 132Ba and 150Nd isotopes is studied in the Projected Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (PHFB) model. Theoretical 2ν β-β- half-lives of 128, 130Te , and 150Nd isotopes, and 2ν β+β+ , 2ν β+ EC and 2ν ECEC for 124, 126Xe and 130, 132Ba nuclei are presented. Calculated quadrupolar transition probabilities B( E2 : 0+ → 2+) , static quadrupole moments and g -factors in the parent and daughter nuclei reproduce the experimental information, validating the reliability of the model wave functions. The anticorrelation between nuclear deformation and the nuclear transition matrix element M 2ν is confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bcl-2 (B Cell Lymphoma) protein is an anti-apoptotic member of Bcl-2 family, which is comprised of pro- and anti-apoptotic members. It regulates cellular proliferation and death by inter- and intra-family interactions. It has a potential to suppress apoptotic cell death under variety of stress conditions by modulating mitochondrial transmembrane potential. However, prevalence of constitutively activated Bcl-2 cellular activity is not always required in cells; a mechanism likely exists in cells, which controls its activity. When expression of Bcl-2 is unregulated, it generates lymphoma like, follicular B-cell lymphoma. This article reviews the structural and functional regulation of Bcl-2 activity at transcriptional, translational, domain, structural and post-translational level, which also accounts for the effects of its deletion and site-directed mutants in the regulation of cellular proliferation and differentiation in vitro and in vivo. This concisely reviewed information on Bcl-2 helps us to update our understanding of cell death and its modulation by Bcl-2 and its mutant’s interaction, which has gained therapeutic benefits in cell growth and proliferation, particularly for sensitive human hematopoietic stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermally stimulated discharge current (TSD) behavior of vacuum deposited polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) films has been studied as a function of various polarization parameters such as field (1.0 × 103–14.0 × 103 V/cm), temperature (313–453 K), time (3.6 × 103–6.0 × 103 sec), electrode work function (copper, silver, aluminum and indium) and thickness (2000–10000 Å). In a field dependent case the TSD spectra of PVF films show a single relaxation peak centered around 430 ± 1 K. The peak current, charge, peak position and activation energy associated with the peak depend strongly on the polarization parameters. The mechanism of origin of the relaxation peak has been attributed to the space charge polarization where the charge carriers injected at the electrode-polymer interface barrier are displaced at macroscopic distances and get subsequently trapped at trapping levels that are distributed in their activation energies and relaxation times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No abstract available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the hydrogen-ion concentration (pH)-dependent toxicity of pyridine raffinate to duckweed Lemna minor in India. Physico-chemical analysis revealed pyridine raffinate had high chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, total solids, total phenols, formaldehyde, total nitrogen and heavy metals. In general, the effluent sample was characterized as highly complex and any alteration in the pH of the effluent also altered composition. Toxicity assessment of pyridine raffinate with Lemna minor was determined in terms of total chlorophyll, protein and biomass.

The two-neutrino double-beta decay of94, 96Zr,98,100Mo,104Ru and110Pd nuclei for the 0+?0+ transition is studied in the PHFB model in conjunction with the summation method. In the first step, the reliability of the intrinsic wave functions has been established by obtaining an overall agreement between a number of theoretically calculated spectroscopic properties and the available experimental data for94, 96Zr,94,96,98,100Mo,98,100,104Ru,104,110Pd and110Cd isotopes. Subsequently, the PHFB wave functions of the above-mentioned nuclei are employed to calculate the nuclear transition matrix elementsM2? as well as half-livesT1/22?. Furthermore, we have studied the effects of deformation on theM2?. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two-neutrino positron double-beta decay of106Cd for the 0+ ? 0+ transition has been studied in the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov model in conjunction with the summation method. In the first step, the reliability of the intrinsic wave functions of106Cd and106Pd nuclei has been tested by comparing the theoretically calculated results for yrast spectra, reducedB(E2: 0+ ? 2+) transition probabilities, quadrupole momentsQ(2+) and gyromagnetic factorsg(2+) with the available experimental data. In the second step, the nuclear transition matrix elementM2? and the half-lifeT1/22? for the 0+ ? 0+ transition have been calculated with these wave functions. Moreover, we have studied the effect of deformation on the nuclear transition matrix elementM2?. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of Hartree–Fock–Bogolyubov wave functions is tested by comparing the theoretically calculated results with the available experimental data for a number of spectroscopic properties like yrast spectra, reduced B(E2) transition probabilities, quadrupole moments, and g factors for the nuclei involved in 2νββ decay. It is observed that the np interactions vis-à-vis the deformations of the intrinsic ground states of medium-mass nuclei play a crucial role in the fine tuning of the nuclear matrix elements M2ν.© 2004 MAIK “Nauka / Interperiodica”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on detoxification of distillery effluent through bacillus thuringiensis enhanced phytoremediation potential of spirodela polyrrhiza (S. polyrrhiza). Rapid growth of distilleries in India resulted into substantial increase in industrial pollutant load. The water bodies receiving coloured wastes got coloured and affect the penetration of light in aquatic ecosystems, which in turn affect the aquatic life. Therefore, it is essential to reduce the toxic level of various pollutants in the distillery effluent before discharging them into nearby watercourses or lands. Phytoremediation of effluents is an emerging low cost technique for removal of toxicants including metals from industrial effluent and is still in experimental stage. In the study presented in this article, plants of S. polyrrhiza were collected from unpolluted water body from Lucknow, India and were acclimatized in hydroponic tubs in experimental field at Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow.

The timing and duration of an activity episode are two important temporal aspects of activity-travel behavior. Understanding the causal relationship between these two variables would be useful in the development of activity-based travel demand modeling systems. This paper investigates the relationship between these two variables by considering two different causal structures — one structure in which time-of-day choice is determined first and influences duration and a second structure in which activity duration is determined first and affects time-of-day choice. These two structures are estimated within a discrete-continuous simultaneous equations framework employing a full-information maximum likelihood methodology that allows error covariance. The estimation is performed separately for commuter and non-commuter samples drawn from a 1996 household travel survey data set from the Tampa Bay area in Florida. The results of the model estimation effort show that the causal structure in which activity duration precedes or affects activity timing (time of day choice) performs better for the non-commuter sample. For the commuter sample, the findings were less conclusive with both causal structures offering equally good statistical measures of .t. In addition, for the commuter sample, all error correlations were found to be zero. These two findings suggest that time of day choice and activity episode duration are only loosely related for the commuter sample, possibly due to the relatively non-discretionary and inflexible work activity and travel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]