Data dependent input control for origin–destination demand estimation using observability analysis

In this paper, we address the observability issue of static O–D estimation based on link counts. Unlike most classic observability analyses that relied only on network topological relationships, our analysis incorporates the actual values of input parameters, thus including network operational relations as well. We first analyze possible mathematical properties of an O–D estimation problem with different data input. We then propose a modeling approach based on mixed-integer program for selecting model input that ensures observability and estimation quality. Through establishing a stronger connection between observability analysis and the corresponding estimation problem, the proposed method aims to improve estimation quality while reducing reliance on erroneous data.     

Validating and improving public transport origin–destination estimation algorithm using smart card fare data

Smart card data are increasingly used for transit network planning, passengers’ behaviour analysis and network demand forecasting. Public transport origin–destination (O–D) estimation is a significant product of processing smart card data. In recent years, various O–D estimation methods using the trip-chaining approach have attracted much attention from both researchers and practitioners. However, the validity of these estimation methods has not been extensively investigated. This is mainly because these datasets usually lack data about passengers’ alighting, as passengers are often required to tap their smart cards only when boarding a public transport service. Thus, this paper has two main objectives. First, the paper reports on the implementation and validation of the existing O–D estimation method using the unique smart card dataset of the South-East Queensland public transport network which includes data on both boarding stops and alighting stops. Second, the paper improves the O–D estimation algorithm and empirically examines these improvements, relying on this unique dataset. The evaluation of the last destination assumption of the trip-chaining method shows a significant negative impact on the matching results of the differences between actual boarding/alighting times and the public transport schedules. The proposed changes to the algorithm improve the average distance between the actual and estimated alighting stops, as this distance is reduced from 806 m using the original algorithm to 530 m after applying the suggested improvements.     

Validation of an extended discrete first-order model with variable speed limits

This paper validates the prediction model embedded in a model predictive controller (MPC) of variable speed limits (VSLs). The MPC controller was designed based on an extended discrete first-order model with a triangular fundamental diagram. In our previous work, the extended discrete first-order model was designed to reproduce the capacity drop and the propagation of jam waves, and it was validated with reasonable accuracy without the presence of VSLs. As VSLs influence traffic dynamics, the dynamics including VSLs needs to be validated, before it can be applied as a prediction model in MPC. For conceptual illustrations, we use two synthetic examples to show how the model reproduces the key mechanisms of VSLs that are applied by existing VSL control approaches. Furthermore, the model is calibrated by use of real traffic data from Dutch freeway A12, where the field test of a speed limit control algorithm (SPECIALIST) was conducted. In the calibration, the original model is extended by using a quadrangular fundamental diagram which keeps the linear feature of the model and represents traffic states at the under-critical branch more accurately. The resulting model is validated using various traffic data sets. The accuracy of the model is compared with a second-order traffic flow model. The performance of two models is comparable: both models reproduce accurate results matching with real data. Flow errors of the calibration and validation are around 10%. The extended discrete first-order model-based MPC controller has been demonstrated to resolve freeway jam waves efficiently by synthetic cases. It has a higher computation speed comparing to the second-order model-based MPC.     

A methodology for evaluating the performance of model-based traffic prediction systems

Model-based traffic prediction systems (mbTPS) are a central component of the decision support and ICM (integrated corridor management) systems currently used in several large urban traffic management centers. These models are intended to generate real-time predictions of the system’s response to candidate operational interventions. They must therefore be kept calibrated and trustworthy. The methodologies currently available for tracking the validity of a mbTPS have been adapted from approaches originally designed for off-line operational planning models. These approaches are insensitive to the complexity of the network and to the amount and quality of the data available. They also require significant human intervention and are therefore not suitable for real-time monitoring. This paper outlines a set of criteria for designing tests that are appropriate for the mbTPS task. It also proposes a test that meets the criteria. The test compares the predictions of the mbTPS in question to those of a model-less alternative. A t-test is used to determine whether the predictions of the mbTPS are superior to those of the model-less predictor. The approach is applied to two different systems using data from the I-210 freeway in Southern California.     

浅埋顶管沉井周边土体的三维破坏形状及沉降研究

为研究顶管沉井及周边土体在顶进力作用下的形变范围与大小，以加固旋喷桩作为沉井周围加固体建立ABAQUS软件计算模型，并将模拟结果与工程实例、PLAXIS 3D软件所得结果进行对比分析。同时，采用广州地区花岗岩残积土进行室内沉井模型试验，并通过试验结果对数值模拟结论进行验证，得出结论如下： 1）在开挖基坑前达到设计强度的旋喷桩能有效减小基坑周边土体塌陷变形、坑底隆起。2）在施加工作顶推力下，前侧主动区首先出现贯通裂缝，竖向位移斜率增大出现明显拐点；继续增大顶推力，土体位移会急剧增大导致地表沉降严重。3）对于后背土体，在顶推力作用下，地表破裂线的切线角度从0°逐渐增大至45°+φ/2，导致破裂范围也不断扩大；达到45°+φ/2处后，继续施加顶推力会导致短轴方向破坏范围扩大的速度较长轴方向的速度更快；三维空间中被动区破坏土体在地表处产生形状为椭圆的破坏面，椭圆长轴方向为顶推轴线方向，被动破坏体呈现为牛角状椭圆楔体。     

Caterham Seven 420R v Porsche 911 GT3 RS

在赛道作为一条经验法则,除非420R在打滑,否则其实它根本没用尽全力。它会转向不足——其实有时还挺有用的,如果你非要找到它的极限并再用力推过头一点点的话;但如果你就是入弯时对前胎要求过高那它就那么有帮助了。Seven之妙处在于驾驶者可以立刻知道当前的情况。你完全可以在入弯到     

VEGF-C、VEGFR-3和podoplanin在食管癌中的表达及其意义

目的观察血管内皮生长因子C(VEGF-C)及其受体3(VEGFR-3)和肾小球上皮细胞整合膜蛋白(podoplanin)在食管癌组织中的表达,分析其与肿瘤淋巴结转移的关系。方法免疫组织化学SP法检测76例食管癌组织中VEGF-C、VEGFR-3和podoplanin的表达及淋巴管密度(LVD)。结果食管癌VEGF-C表达阳性率为63.1%,VEGF-C的表达与食管癌的淋巴结转移、TNM分期有统计学意义(P<0.01,P<0.05),但与患者年龄、肿瘤大小及分化程度无关;癌旁组织淋巴管密度同淋巴结转移、VEGF-C阳性表达间有统计学意义(P<0.01,P<0.05),podo-planin LVD值与VEGFR-3 LVD值相比,具有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论食管癌组织中VEGF-C表达与肿瘤TNM分期、淋巴管密度和淋巴结转移有关,VEGF-C表达越高,淋巴管密度越大,淋巴结转移可能性越高。癌旁组织LVD同VEGF-C的高表达及淋巴结转移密切相关,食管癌组织中podoplanin标记的淋巴管密度较VEGFR-3标记的淋巴管密度更为精确,是一种更为满意的淋巴管内皮特异性标志物。     

ω-3多不饱和脂肪酸对人胃腺癌细胞系AGS的作用

目的探讨ω-3多不饱和脂肪酸对人胃腺癌AGS细胞生长增殖的作用和可能的机制。方法以不同浓度梯度的DHA、EPA作用于体外培养的AGS细胞和人微血管内皮细胞HMEC-1,采用四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)观察细胞增殖抑制率,使用流式细胞仪检测细胞周期变化,采用Western blot分析细胞线粒体呼吸链膜蛋白复合体Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅴ表达变化。结果 DHA和EPA对胃腺癌AGS细胞增殖具有明显抑制作用,该抑制作用呈现明显的剂量时间依赖效应的特点(P<0.05),在相同的浓度梯度下,DHA的抑制作用强于EPA(P<0.05)。倒置显微镜下DHA作用后观察到AGS细胞明显皱缩,细胞的贴壁能力明显减弱。流式细胞仪检测显示,DHA、EPA干预后AGS细胞的DNA合成前期(G0/G1期)细胞分布比例明显增加,DNA合成期(S期)细胞分布比例明显减少(P<0.05)。Western blot分析可见,DHA干预AGS细胞24h和48h后,与对照组比较,AGS线粒体呼吸链膜蛋白复合体Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅴ表达灰度值显著下降,而且随着作用时间延长,复合体表达灰度值下降愈明显(P<0.05)。DHA对人微血管内皮细胞的生长增殖、细胞形态和线粒体呼吸链膜蛋白复合体无明显影响(P>0.05)。结论ω-3多不饱和脂肪酸可选择性有效地抑制人胃腺癌AGS细胞的生长增殖。该作用可能是通过阻滞AGS细胞于G0/G1期和抑制AGS细胞能量代谢来实现的。     

吸烟和β3-肾上腺素能受体基因Trp64Arg、锰超氧化物歧化酶9Ala/Val基因多态性与非酒精性脂肪性肝病的相关性

目的探讨吸烟和β3-肾上腺素能受体(β3-AR))基因Trp64Arg、锰超氧化物歧化酶9Ala/Val(MnSOD9Ala/Val)基因多态性与非酒精性脂肪性肝病(NAFLD)发病之间的关系。方法采用病例-对照研究的方法,以720例NAFLD患者及720例健康对照者的外周血白细胞为样本,采用聚合酶链反应(PCR)技术分析β3-AR基因Trp64Arg和MnSOD9Ala/Val基因多态性。结果β3-AR基因Trp64Arg(A/A)基因型和MnSOD9Ala/Val(V/V)基因型频率分布分别为39.4%、71.7%(病例组)和21.1%、43.3%(对照组),差异有统计学意义(P<0.01;P<0.01)。Trp64Arg(A/A)基因型者患NAFLD的风险显著增加(OR=2.434,95%CI=1.816~4.075)。MnSOD9Ala/Val(V/V)基因型者患NAFLD的风险也显著增加(OR=3.308,95%CI=1.913~4.509)。基因突变的协同分析发现,Trp64Arg(A/A)/MnSOD9Ala/Val(V/V)基因型者在NAFLD组和对照组中的分布频率分别为32.8%和6.5%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。Trp64Arg(A/A)/MnSOD9Ala/Val(V/V)基因型者患NAFLD的风险显著增加(OR=9.753,95%CI=4.292~12.426)。病例组的吸烟率显著高于对照组(OR=2.623,95%CI=1.425~4.957),Trp64Arg(A/A)/MnSOD9Ala/Val(V/V)基因型与吸烟有协同作用(OR=33.764,95%CI=18.907~61.582)。结论 Trp64Arg(A/A)/MnSOD9Ala/Val(V/V)基因型和吸烟是NAFLD的易患因素,三者的联合在NAFLD的发生中起着协同的作用。     

点云技术在散货专业煤码头三维可视化中的应用

为了实现安全、可靠、真实的三维煤码头监控,通过GENESIS64软件平台导入3D建模,实现三维场景的展示。3D煤堆由先进的激光点云技术,产生海量测量点,使用点云灰度算法处理,再通过C#点云生成灰度图,在GENESIS64中生成真实的立体堆场画面。