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Traffic travel mode identification and classification are crucial for the development of intelligent transportation systems (ITSs). At present, scholars have investigated the classification of motorized and nonmotorized traffic travel in various road environments; however, the classification of walking and bicycle modes in nonmotorized travel has been largely ignored. Therefore, in this paper, we investigate nonmotorized traffic travel and propose a new low-cost nonmotorized traffic travel mode classification system, known as the Wi-Fi classification (Wi-CL) system that uses Wi-Fi signal detectors and the refined characteristics of nonmotorized travel modes. The Wi-CL system includes four modules: data acquisition module, data processing module, feature extraction module, and mode classification module. In the data acquisition module, the proposed system detects the Wi-Fi signals of traffic participants in road environments. In addition, we propose a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) filtering algorithm for hybrid traffic networks that effectively addresses surrounding obstacles and environmental noise. In the feature extraction module, we extract relevant traffic features to construct a mode classification model. Finally, a recurrent neural network (RNN) framework based on the long short-term memory (LSTM) algorithm is successfully implemented in the mode classification module for traffic travel mode identification. To validate the effectiveness of the Wi-CL system, extensive experiments were conducted using field data collected by Wi-Fi detectors installed at the South China University of Technology (SCUT). The experimental results show that the proposed RSSI filtering algorithm achieves excellent signal filtering results in real road traffic environments. In addition, the constructed travel speed estimation algorithm outperforms other baseline models in four different scenarios (flat-peak walking, midday peak walking, flat-peak cycling, and midday peak cycling), achieving an overall classification accuracy of 97.92%. In summary, our Wi-CL system is a feasible approach for nonmotorized traffic travel mode classification., Author(s): Runnan Xu [1]; Zilin Huang (corresponding author) [2]; Sikai Chen [2]; Jinlong Li [3]; Pan Wu [3]; Yongjie Lin [3] 1. Introduction Intelligent transportation systems (ITSs) and city surveillance [...]

The objectives of this study are to investigate the structural and physicochemical properties of a novel acetylated lotus seed starch (LSA). LSA is successfully prepared using an aqueous phase method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) proves that a carbonyl C=O vibration at 1737 cm−1 are due to the introduced acetyl groups. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) indicates that the acetylation treatment does not change the crystal structure, but reduces the relative crystallinity of starch. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows that the surface of LSA with 12% of acetic anhydride (LS‐12A) becomes the roughest. Moreover, compared with lotus seed starch (LS), the particle size, transparency, swelling power, and solubility of LSA are increased to 18.01 ± 0.66 µm, 15.30% ± 0.30%, 9.59 ± 1.78 g g−1, and 6.06% ± 0.99% at 55 °C with the additional content of acetic anhydride. However, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) shows that the melting enthalpy of LSA decreases compared with LS. This work provides some theoretical basis for the study and development of acetylated starch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on S-transform a dual threshold editing method was proposed to address the issues of poor acceleration of editing performance in S-transform editing. Firstly, this method performed an S-transform on the load spectrum to obtain the maximum amplitude spectrum. Then the method retained the corresponding load spectrum segments based on the amplitude spectrum segments which were recognized and retained by the dual threshold method to assemble the accelerated load spectrum. Finally, the statistical parameters, power spectral density, breakdown count, and fatigue simulation results of the acceleration spectra edited by the S-transform dual threshold editing method and the S-transform editing method were compared and analyzed. The results indicate that the S-transform dual threshold editing method may significantly compress the original load time, and the compression efficiency is higher than that of S-transform editing method. The fatigue damage and life analysis errors of the steering joint are smaller, which verifies the proposed method is suitable for accelerated editing research of automotive component load spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study numerically investigates the impacts of an elliptical spacer on the flow and mass transfer within a desalination membrane channel. We consider the effects of the fluid Reynolds number, the elliptical spacer position yin/H, the flow attack angle θ and the aspect ratio B of spacer on the fluid flow, concentration polarization, and permeation flux. Our findings reveal that the elliptical spacers can improve both the mass transfer and permeation flux compared with the traditional circular spacers. Placing the spacer near the membrane surface effectively disrupts the concentration boundary layer, thereby amplifying the local concentration polarization surrounding the spacer. A single recirculation vortex behind the spacer induces numerous large vortices around the membrane, resulting in a significant increment in freshwater production. By changing θ and B, the system's stability can be reduced, potentially leading to a 16.0% increment in permeation flux when compared with the traditional circular spacers. Furthermore, the drag and lift coefficients acting on the elliptical spacer are greater than those of circular spacers, which is the main reason for the transition of flow condition. Our findings provide a reference for the design of the efficient structures in reverse osmosis membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of general control non-derepressible 2 (GCN2) on osteoarthritis (OA) in vivo and in vitro. First, anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)-induced rat model and interleukin (IL)-1β-induced ATDC5 chondrocyte were established. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and safranin O/fast green staining were employed for analyzing the histological changes in the rat cartilage. In addition, immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blot, and immunofluorescence staining were employed for examining cartilage degeneration-, inflammation-, autophagy-, and NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-associated genes expression. Moreover, 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein acetoacetic acid probe was utilized for examining the intracellular reactive oxygen species. In addition, 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine assay and flow cytometry were applied for detecting chondrocyte proliferation and apoptosis IL-1β-treated ATDC5 chondrocytes. GCN2 overexpression ameliorated articular cartilage degeneration and inflammation but promoted chondrocyte autophagy in ACLT-induced OA rats. Similarly, we demonstrated that the upregulation of GCN2 could promote chondrocyte proliferation, suppress chondrocyte apoptosis, attenuate chondrocyte inflammation and extracellular matrix degradation, and promote chondrocyte autophagy. Moreover, GCN2 overexpression could inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in IL-1β-induced ATDC5 chondrocyte. Furthermore, 3-methyladenine neutralized the protective and autophagy-promoting effects of GCN2 overexpression on ATDC5 chondrocytes. GCN2 could attenuate inflammation and cartilage degeneration, promote chondrocyte autophagy, and inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation in OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The graphical progression method can obtain grand coordinated schemes with minimal computational complexity. However, there is no standardized solution for this method, and only a few related studies have been found thus far. Therefore, based on the in-depth discussion of the graphical optimization theory mechanism, a process-oriented and high-efficiency graphical method for symmetrical bidirectional corridor progression is proposed in this study. A two-round rotation transformation optimization process of the progression trajectory characteristic lines (PTC lines) is innovatively proposed. By establishing the updated judgment criteria for coordinated mode, the first round of PTC line rotation transformation realizes the optimization of coordinated modes and initial offsets. Giving the conditions for stopping rotation transformation and determining rotation points, rotation directions, and rotation angles, the second round of PTC line rotation transformation achieves the final optimization of the common signal cycle and offsets. The case study shows that the proposed graphical method can obtain the optimal progression effect through regular graphing and solving, although it can also be solved by highly efficient programming., Author(s): Kai Lu [1,2]; Shuyan Jiang [1]; Yiming Zhao [1]; Yongjie Lin (corresponding author) [1]; Yinhai Wang [3] 1. Introduction Intersections are the road network nodes that frequently cause traffic [...]

To study the influence mechanism of dedicated bus lanes on the urban road network, this paper proposes a novel analytical model of macroscopic fundamental diagram (MFD) and passenger macroscopic fundamental diagram (p-MFD) and the corresponding indicators based on MFD and p-MFD to evaluate the operation of the network. Taking the grid network as an example, this paper collects traffic flow to calibrate the developed MFD and p-MFD and evaluates the network performance under different proportions of dedicated bus lanes. The simulation results show that the larger the proportion of dedicated bus lanes, the greater the impact on the rising section and the stable section of MFD and the descending section and post-stable section of p-MFD. Further analysis for the sensitivity of simulation experiments found that the strategy of setting dedicated bus lanes will improve the efficiency of vehicle and passenger transport when the road network is in a smooth state and ensure the continuous output of passengers when the network is in a congested state., Author(s): Yingying Ma [1]; Yuanqi Xie [1]; Yongjie Lin (corresponding author) [1] 1. Introduction The increasing number of vehicles causes the traffic demand for the road network in cities to [...]

The weaving area is an important junction that affects the efficiency and traffic safety at the municipal interchanges. To explore the factors affecting traffic efficiency and the spatial distribution characteristics of traffic risks in the weaving areas of municipal interchanges, this study employed a microscopic traffic software of Vissim to construct a simulation model of weaving areas and evaluate the impact of road and traffic design parameters in the short weaving on traffic efficiency and risks, which includes ramp delay, mainline through lane (TL) traffic delay, average ramp speed, TL average speed, and collision rate. Through variance analysis via a large number of simulation scenarios, the weaving length is identified as the most important factor affecting traffic efficiency and risks in the short weaving area. Subsequently, three different types of weaving lengths with 350m, 450m, and 550m were set to conduct the sensitivity analysis based on four performance indexes of mean acceleration and deceleration, acceleration range, deceleration range, and speed standard deviation as the representative variables of spatial risk distribution. The simulation results illustrate that a shorter weaving length has a significant influence on risk distribution, especially the highest risk probability at the positions after three-quarters of the inner and outer lanes in the short weaving area at the municipal interchange. Finally, this study verified the traffic risk reduction method of having traffic safety facilities and traffic organization at the complex interchange with double-entry and single-exit weaving areas in the city of Guangzhou, China. The research proposed a method to analyze the influence of the design parameters in the short weaving area on traffic efficiency and safety and provided a reference for the risk spatial distribution analysis and improvement in the short weaving area., Author(s): Xiaofei Wang [1]; Zhenzhong Ding [1]; Kai Guo [1]; Yongjie Lin (corresponding author) [1] 1. Introduction At municipal interchanges, merge and diverge weaving areas are usually dense and concentrated [...]