Mode Shift Research Articles

HumanLight: Incentivizing ridesharing via human-centric deep reinforcement learning in traffic signal control

Single occupancy vehicles are the most attractive transportation alternative for many commuters, leading to increased traffic congestion and air pollution. Advancements in information technologies create opportunities for smart solutions that incentivize ridesharing and mode shift to higher occupancy vehicles (HOVs) to achieve the car lighter vision of cities. In this study, we present HumanLight, a novel decentralized adaptive traffic signal control algorithm designed to optimize people throughput at intersections. Our proposed controller is founded on reinforcement learning with the reward function embedding the transportation-inspired concept of pressure at the person-level. By rewarding HOV commuters with travel time savings for their efforts to merge into a single ride, HumanLight achieves equitable allocation of green times. Apart from adopting FRAP, a state-of-the-art (SOTA) base model, HumanLight introduces the concept of active vehicles, loosely defined as vehicles in proximity to the intersection within the action interval window. The proposed algorithm showcases significant headroom and scalability in different network configurations considering multimodal vehicle splits at various scenarios of HOV adoption. Improvements in person delays and queues range from 15% to over 55% compared to vehicle-level SOTA controllers. We quantify the impact of incorporating active vehicles in the formulation of our RL model for different network structures. HumanLight also enables regulation of the aggressiveness of the HOV prioritization. The impact of parameter setting on the generated phase profile is investigated as a key component of acyclic signal controllers affecting pedestrian waiting times. HumanLight’s scalable, decentralized design can reshape the resolution of traffic management to be more human-centric and empower policies that incentivize ridesharing and public transit systems.

PLC Programming for Vision Checking System with Linear Servo Motors

PLC programs provide precise control over machinery and industrial processes. They dictate how equipment operates, ensuring tasks are performed accurately and consistently according to predefined parameters. In this project, I create the PLC program for a Mitsubishi PLC and design the HMI screen template using Mitsubishi HMI software for a vision checking system integrated with linear servo motorsTop of Form. In vision checking system with linear servo motors inspects PCBA and wiring using a vision camera moved by a servo gantry system. Safety measures are implemented. The program includes auto, manual, and homing sequences, along with mode selection, error handling, counter, shift, and tower lamp functions. HMI screens are designed to teach machine operation. In auto mode, servos move to positions set in the HMI recipe screen. Manual mode allows servo jogging and movement between positions via the HMI servo screen. Pressing the homing button moves servos to user-set home positions. Safety measures, including light curtains, door switches, and fixture sensors, halt the machine and sound a buzzer in case of errors. Counter and shift programming displays running shift and component counts. Programs are tailored to input/output device operations. Key Words: PLC Programming, HMI Screen designing.

Modifying Language for a Higher Goal: Investigating Quantitative Features of Apple’s Launch Event Speech from 2016 to 2022

ABSTRACT In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Apple Inc. switched its product launch from onsite events to pre-recorded online broadcasts. Yet this form has been carried on even though the pandemic has faded. It is unclear if this shift was accompanied by a move in language complexity and how the communication effect was influenced. This study analysed Apple’s product launch events from 2016 to 2022 using quantitative linguistics metrics such as lexical complexity, word token length, entropy, readability, and sentence length distribution. The analysis adopted the reach-effect-durability framework for interpreting the effects of strategic communication. The results showed that Apple’s online product launch events featured richer and longer words, increased text difficulty, and a decrease in the proportion of short sentences. Such changes happened in a balanced manner that can be interpreted in view of the driving and restraining forces resulting from the mode shift of the launch event. This study demonstrates the feasibility of assessing efforts and strategies used in a communication campaign through quantitative text analysis.

Origin of surface oxidation induced the nucleation and propagation of microcracks in TNM alloy

This study investigated the impact of surface degradation caused by oxygen (O) and nitrogen (N) elements in the environmental atmosphere on the service failure of nearly lamellar TNM alloy. The results show that oxidation-induced phase transformations at the surface and subsurface regions strongly affect the alloy's tensile properties at high temperatures. The precipitation of Al2O3, which disrupts the integrity of the Ti2AlN layer, has a weaker deformation resistance capacity compared to the Z-phase. Under stress conditions, numerous dislocations concentrate at the Al2O3 phase, causing Al2O3 particles to easily detach and initiating crack nucleation at the Z-phase/Al2O3 interface. This is the origin of oxidation failure. Cracks nucleate at the Al2O3 detachment region, propagate, and connect with surface microcracks induced by the rough and loose outer oxide layer structure. This leads to the rapid propagation of cracks into the subsurface. The consumption of β-stabilizing elements at the surface, along with the internal diffusion of O and N elements into the subsurface region, results in the formation of the hard brittle Z-phase at the subsurface lamellar structure and a transition from β0 to α2 at the lamellar colony boundaries. The precipitation of α2 and Z-phase also accelerates crack propagation. In summary, the failure mode shifts from toughness fracture to brittle fracture.

Characterizing vibrations and associated wake structures of tandem square cylinders at different angles of incidence

Finite element computations were conducted to investigate the transverse vibrations of three identical tandem square cylinders and the associated wake patterns at a Reynolds number Re = 150. The reduced velocities ranged from U*=3 to 20, and the angles of incidence were set at α=0°, 22.5°, and 45°. The streamwise gaps for these three α were Lx=5H, 3.8H, and 3.5H, respectively, where H represents the projected dimension of the cylinder normal to the freestream. The mass ratio of the cylinders was fixed at m*=2, and damping was neglected to allow the cylinders to attain maximum amplitudes. In the presence of primary vortices being shed from all three cylinders, the upstream cylinder at α=22.5° and 45° exhibits three distinct vibration regimes: initial excitation and upper and lower response regions. On the other hand, due to interaction with the upstream vortices, the two downstream cylinders display four response regions. In the case of α=0°, the dynamic response of the upstream cylinder appears in only two regimes, but with a higher peak amplitude compared to α=22.5° and 45°. Vibration and shedding frequencies closely synchronize with the natural frequency of the spring-mass system in the second regime, leading to high amplitude oscillations for the most upstream cylinder with α=22.5° and 45°. The third response regime for the two downstream cylinders is associated with the lock-in phenomenon. In α=0° and 22.5° configurations, the shedding mode is 2S in all response regimes, while at α=45°, the shedding mode shifts to P + S during the second regime. Up to the second regime, lift and vortex forces are in-phase with the cylinder's oscillation for α=0° and 22.5°, but they go out of phase beyond that. In the case of α=45°, although lift remains in-phase with the displacement in the second regime, the vortex force is found to be out of phase. This study is expected to enhance the understanding of fluid–structure interaction phenomena involved in multiple structures and can aid in the design of stable structures in civil engineering, offshore engineering, and development of energy harvesting devices.

The Effect of Paper Reading Versus Screen Reading on the Inferential Reading Performance among University ESL Learners

Contemporary ESL education focuses on screen-based reading, specifically in the context of university level learners. Also, a sudden shift from paper bound reading activities to screen-based tasks was inevitable in response to COVID-19 outbreak. In this regard, the case of inferential and advanced level reading among the young ESL learners of developing countries appears researchable because of the general low digital literacy of these learners. This study, therefore, aimed to investigate the effect of reading mode shift from paper to screen on the inferential comprehension performance among Pakistani ESL learners at university level. A total of 426 undergraduate learners were sampled from Bachelor of Science program in a well-known university in the city of Lahore, Pakistan. Inferential reading was conceptualized through Bloom’s higher order thinking skills, that is, Analyzing, Evaluating and Creating skills therefore the reading comprehension test was based on these skills. Adopting sequential test administration, first the paper-based reading test, and later the screen-based reading was given. The obtained data were analyzed using Rendell’s XCALIBRE and SPSS V. 26.0. The logit scale descriptives, learner ability (θ), and mean scores demonstrated that the learners performed significantly higher in the paper test as compared to screen test. Moreover, it was found that the effect of reading mode shift was larger in Creating skill. The findings may have significant implications for reading mode selection, enhancement of digital competence and effect of reading mode shift in developing countries with inadequate IT facilitation and digital literacy among ESL learners.

Long period grating based molecularly imprinted fiber optic sensor for the label-free detection of bisphenol A

The molecularly imprinted fiber optic (MIFO) sensors are recognized for its reliability, sensitivity and selective analyte identification. In this study, we report a Long-Period Grating (LPG) based MIFO sensor developed for the label-free detection of Bisphenol A (BPA) in water samples. The sensor is fabricated by polymerizing hydrogel precursor containing BPA on the LPG, followed by etching BPA molecules. The rebinding of the BPA molecule to the molecularly imprinted long period grating Bisphenol A (MILPG-BPA) sensor causes the hydrogel to swell, leading to a peak shift in the LP07 resonant mode of the sensor. This shift is linear across BPA concentrations ranging from femto molar to nano molar range with a low limit of detection of 0.146 fM. The non-imprinted long period grating (NILPG) sensor showed no selective binding of the BPA molecule, underscoring the significance of the microenvironment established through molecular imprinting for effective sensing. The MILPG-BPA sensor exhibits high selectivity in detecting the BPA molecules among the potential interferents. Furthermore, it has a rapid response time and reusability, thus holding promise for a wide range of applications.

Genetic Diversity in Katchaikatty Sheep based on Microsatellites Polymorphism

Background: Sheep is one of the important species of livestock in India contributing to meat production. India has 44 distinct breeds of sheep, out of which 10 are found in Tamil Nadu. The present study describes the molecular characterization of recently registered breed of sheep - Katchaikatty sheep, genetic variability and genetic structure of the population by microsatellite marker analyses. Methods: DNA from 50 unrelated Katchaikatty sheep was amplified with 25 FAO recommended fluorescent tagged ovine-specific microsatellite markers and genotyped on an automated Genetic Analyzer. In each locus, observed (no) and effective number of microsatellite alleles (ne), allele frequencies, observed (Ho) and expected (He) heterozygosity and heterozygosity deficit estimate (FIS), polymorphism information content (PIC) and Chi-square (χ2) test for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) were assessed. Mode-shift analyses were performed. Result: The study revealed a total of 144 alleles across all the loci. The number of alleles at each locus varied from one to 10 with a mean of 5.76 alleles. The PIC values in the microsatellite loci ranged from 0.34 (OarAE129) to 0.83 (OarFCB48) with an average of 0.59, which showed a high genetic polymorphism. Six out of 25 microsatellite loci studied were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and 19/25 loci showed positive FIS values. The overall mean observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.50 and 0.65 respectively and the estimates elucidated a substantial genetic variability in Katchaikatty sheep population. Mode shift analysis revealed a normal L-shaped curve, describing that the Katchaikatty population had not experienced any genetic bottleneck and remained in mutation-drift equilibrium.

An Analysis of the Health Effects of Physical Activity due to Active Travel Policies in Rennes, France

Background Rennes, a midsize city in France, features many opportunities for active travel. City officials seek to increase walking and cycling by 2030 to improve public health. Physical inactivity, a leading risk factor for premature mortality around the globe, has been shown to be associated with many chronic diseases including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Methods Using the 2018 household travel survey of Rennes residents, we apply the Health-Oriented Transportation statistical model to assess health impacts associated with population-level rates of walking and cycling. We consider two proposed mobility and climate objectives which outline sustainable transportation goals by 2030. These include a shift in transportation mode share to increase walking and cycling trips, as well as a broad reduction in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) across the metropolitan area. Results Our regression analysis demonstrated that factors of household car access and inner-city residency were predictors of prevalence (observed one-day proportion engaging in walking or cycling), participation (weekly proportion), and intensity (mean individual physical activity achieved through walking/cycling) of active travel. Age and education were additionally associated with prevalence. The 2030 mobility objective (mode share: 9% cycle, 35% walk) was associated with a reduction of 1,051 DALYs (disability-adjusted life-years), translating to $73 million USD ($23-$177) in averted costs. The climate objective (10% reduction in VMT) was associated with a reduction of 369 DALYs when replaced entirely by walking and 714 DALYs with cycling, translating to $26 million ($8-$62) and $50 million ($15-$121) saved, respectively. Conclusions Rennes residents experience high participation in active travel, particularly those in the inner city. If residents achieve the city’s active travel goals for 2030, there is potential for a large reduction in health burden and subsequent costs. Reaching these goals may require significant investment in transportation programming and infrastructure to improve active travel opportunities.

‘It was building a plane as we were flying it!’ Adapting teaching through a crisis: lessons from educational leadership staff in Higher Education

ABSTRACT The coronavirus pandemic resulted in universities rapidly changing how courses are delivered. Many traditionally on-campus courses have been adapted to be taught online, or in a hybrid manner with a mix of online and on-campus classes. This rapid shift in pedagogy and delivery mode has disrupted long-standing patterns of teaching and learning in higher education and has also presented a unique challenge for university staff with leadership roles. This project uses a UK university as a case study to understand how staff with educational leadership roles have handled the challenge of supporting their staff to adapt their teaching, making key decisions about how to implement aspects of hybrid teaching, and how lessons from their experiences of the pandemic period can guide future decision-making and support from senior management.

Insights into the crystallization behavior of structurally and spatially doubly confined polymer systems studied by molecular simulation

The impact of grafting density and polymer-substrate interactions on the crystallization behavior of structurally and spatially doubly confined polymer systems was studied using Monte Carlo simulation methods. In the confined polymer system with low grafting density, as the polymer-substrate interactions increase, the nucleation mode shifts from homogeneous nucleation to heterogeneous nucleation. The melting temperature and undercooling increase, while the critical nucleation free energy barrier decreases, favoring the crystallization process. Nevertheless, significant polymer-substrate interactions can lead to a decrease in the mobility of polymer chains, thereby inhibiting the crystallization process. In highly grafted polymer systems, homogeneous nucleation controls the entire crystallization process and the crystallization rate and final degree of crystallinity are almost unaffected by polymer-substrate interactions. Grafting density and polymer-substrate interactions play a dual role, acting as a “double-edged sword” in the crystallization process of doubly confined polymer systems. An appropriate grafting density and polymer-substrate interactions facilitate the nucleation ability, thereby promoting the crystallization capability of polymer systems. Conversely, excessive interactions can weaken nucleation ability and suppress crystal growth.

Investigation of the geometric parameters on the performance of glass fiber reinforced polymer laminated mechanical joints under fatigue loading

AbstractThe present work optimizes the geometric parameters of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminated pin joints under fatigue loading conditions using response surface methodology (RSM). RSM is utilized to construct polynomial functions that optimally capture the behavior of experimental data, intending to make statistical inferences. Key geometric parameters, that is the edge and width dimensions were studied in pursuit of enhanced performance under fatigue loading of pin joints. The study aimed to validate the effectiveness of the optimized parameters, particularly for attaining load‐bearing capacity, fatigue life, and failure mode using numerical and experimental approaches. Optimal configurations were achieved, that is edge and width equal to 16 mm at which the failure mode shifts to bearing mode. Another configuration with an edge of 20 mm and a width of 22 mm was achieved for optimized fatigue life. These findings underscore the practical implications of the optimization process, with the potential for substantial gains in fatigue life and strength of GFRP laminated pin joints in engineering applications. The identified optimal configurations exhibited a non‐catastrophic bearing failure mode, emphasizing a crucial characteristic that provides prior‐warning before the occurrence of final failure. The experimental results align well with the numerical outcomes regarding fatigue life and the mode of failure.Highlights Parametric optimization of GFRP pin joint under cyclic loading. Optimization of GFRP pin joints via RSM for cyclic loading. Validation through numerical and experimental approaches. Comparison of fatigue life at optimum design points. Depiction of the failure modes using damage pattern under fatigue loading.

Effect of phonon anharmonicity on thermal conductivity of ZnTe Thin films

The ZnTe thin film is a potential material for optoelectronic devices in extreme temperature and radiation environments. In this report, the thermal conductivity of ZnTe films is measured non-invasively using the micro-Raman method and correlated with the phonon anharmonic effect. The evolution of crystalline ZnTe thin films from Te/ZnO bilayer by thermal annealing at 450 ∘C has been observed above the melting point of Te, which is confirmed from x-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The ZnTe thin films illustrate three longitudinal phonon modes with higher harmonics of nLO (n = 3) at room temperature. Temperature-dependent Raman spectra in the range of 93–303 K are used to analyze the phonon anharmonicity from Raman shift, FWHM, and Phonon lifetime of the thin films. The Balkanski model is used to fit the anharmonicity-induced phonon frequency shift of nLO modes as a function of temperature, taking into account three- and four-phonon interactions. The intensity ratio of the I 2LO /I 1LO and I 3LO /I 2LO provide information about the electron-phonon coupling strength, which is influenced by the anharmonic effect. The laser power-dependent Raman spectra are used to determine the thermal conductivity of the ZnTe films, which is found to be approximately 9.68 Wm−1K−1, remains relatively constant for all nLO modes, indicating that multi-phonon scattering process. The correlation between thermal conductivity and phonon anharmonicity can pave the way for understanding the phonon scattering process in ZnTe thin films for high-performance optoelectronic device applications in harsh conditions.

Travel behaviour of shared mobility users: a review of empirical evidence

ABSTRACT In recent decades, shared mobility has gained prominence as a sustainable alternative in transport, yet a comprehensive understanding of its effects on travel behaviour remains limited. This paper provides a narrative review of quantitative empirical studies, focusing on car-sharing and bike-sharing, and revisits the magnitude of the effects on four indicators: public transport use, active transport use, auto dependence, and auto ownership. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal perspectives are considered, examining variances in trip characteristics. Shared mobility users tend to rely less on private vehicles and increase cycling, with varying effects on transit use and walking. Car-sharing typically replaces private vehicles for non-commuting trips, while bike-sharing mainly competes with rather than complements public transport, especially for shorter commutes. The longitudinal effects of shared mobility appear more limited than those observed in cross-sectional analyses, indicating that shared mobility can potentially lead to a positive trend in travel mode shifts over time, albeit slowly. Additionally, this study highlights differences in shared mobility outcomes between Australia and other global contexts, exploring potential reasons for these discrepancies. Integrating shared mobility and other transport paradigms requires long-term strategies to shape travel behaviour towards multimodality, offering a continuum of choices covering most daily trips without private vehicles.

Crystal structural, morphological and Raman spectroscopy characterizations of Ba0.97La0.02Ti1-xNb4x/5O3 (0.00 < x < 0.10) ceramics

In our present study, we have synthesized polycrystalline ceramics with the chemical composition Ba0.97La0.02Ti(1-x)Nb4x/5O3, denoted as BLTi1-xNb4x/5, where x takes on various values, including 0.00, 0.02, 0.05, 0.07, and 0.10. The materials were prepared through a molten salt method, followed by the formation of powders into pellets, and subsequent sintering at 800 °C for 24 h in the air. Through X-ray diffractometer (XRD), we confirmed that the synthesized ceramics exhibited a tetragonal perovskite structure, and they were found to be in a single phase. Surface characteristics were determined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Raman spectroscopic investigations further verified the tetragonal perovskite structure of our materials. Additionally, this analysis revealed the successful incorporation of La3+ ions in place of Ba2+ ions within the A-site and Nb5+ ions substituting for Ti4+ ions within the B-site of the BT lattice. Notably, our study demonstrated the capability to adjust the Raman shifts of essential optical modes. While the majority of Raman shifts remained unchanged, La and Nb doping had a significant impact specifically on the A1[TO3] mode. This mode is associated with the deformation of the oxygen octahedron centered on the central Ti ion, indicating that the influence of these dopant ions primarily pertains to the B-site of the material.

Shift of ambidexterity modes: An empirical investigation of the impact of artificial intelligence in customer service

To manage the trade-offs between exploration and exploitation, customer service organizations typically choose a specific ambidexterity mode, such as structural separation or behavioral integration, that suits their context. However, recent research suggests that organizations need to dynamically change their ambidexterity modes to better align with changing environmental and organizational contexts. This study examines the impact of AI in facilitating the shift across various modes of ambidexterity in customer service organizations. Our findings reveal that achieving shifts in ambidexterity modes is challenging, and organizations must overcome technology, business process, and stakeholder related barriers. Based on our findings, we develop a set of propositions for further investigation. Our study contributes to research on the dynamic perspective of ambidexterity by shedding light on how customer service organizations shift from one ambidexterity mode to another and by articulating the important roles played by AI in achieving such shifts.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of an inpatient and community palliative care service.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the usual provision of healthcare, changing models of care, clinical loads, service provision and patient behaviour. This study assesses the impact of COVID-19 on community and inpatient palliative care service provision. A retrospective audit and comparison of service use conducted over two defined periods, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2019-2020. The community palliative care service had a 9% increase in referrals, with a lower proportion of referrals (2.4%) from subacute/palliative care hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Provision of care during the pandemic included less face-to-face contact with patients (24.1% versus 30.2% before), and markedly more contact with patients via videoconference (2.1% versus 0.1% before the pandemic). The community specialist palliative care service was busier during the pandemic period, and experienced a shift in mode of care delivery, while the inpatient unit experienced no difference in service use.

Extensive photochemical restructuring of molecule-metal surfaces under room light

The molecule-metal interface is of paramount importance for many devices and processes, and directly involved in photocatalysis, molecular electronics, nanophotonics, and molecular (bio-)sensing. Here the photostability of this interface is shown to be sensitive even to room light levels for specific molecules and metals. Optical spectroscopy is used to track photoinduced migration of gold atoms when functionalised with different thiolated molecules that form uniform monolayers on Au. Nucleation and growth of characteristic surface metal nanostructures is observed from the light-driven adatoms. By watching the spectral shifts of optical modes from nanoparticles used to precoat these surfaces, we identify processes involved in the photo-migration mechanism and the chemical groups that facilitate it. This photosensitivity of the molecule-metal interface highlights the significance of optically induced surface reconstruction. In some catalytic contexts this can enhance activity, especially utilising atomically dispersed gold. Conversely, in electronic device applications such reconstructions introduce problematic aging effects.

Determination of Ge-fraction-shift coefficients for Raman spectroscopy in all vibration modes investigated by single-crystalline bulk SiGe and its application to strain evaluation in SiGe film grown on substrate

We reported the strain-free Raman shift (ω 0) for all vibration modes (Ge–Ge, Si–Ge, and Si–Si) over the entire Ge fraction range using silicon–germanium (SiGe) single-crystals which were strain-free without boundaries and buffer/substrate layers. The determined Ge-fraction-shift coefficients varied with the Ge fraction as linear for the Si–Si and Ge–Ge vibration modes and as nonlinear for the Si–Ge mode, respectively. The Raman shifts for all vibration mode over the entire Ge fraction range were shifted to the higher wavenumber side than previous studies, implying that the strain effect reported in previous studies can be completely excluded in the present study. We applied the derived ω 0 to biaxial strain and composition evaluation in a SiGe film grown on buffer/substrate layer.

WEB-BASED INSTRUCTION ON IMPROVING THE STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN MUSIC AND ARTS EDUCATION

Music, and arts education is one of the key learning areas of basic education under K to 12 Program. It plays a relevant part in the development of all learners holistically. With the radical shift of learning mode in all levels of education from face to face to remote learning, the standard Mean Percentage Scores (MPS) set by the Philippine Department of Education have been compromised. This study employed experimental research design to assess the effectiveness of web-based instructional (WBI) tools on improving Grade 9 students’ academic performance in music, and arts education. Prior to teaching, students in both the control and experimental group showed below mastery in their pre-test score since the lessons in the quarter have never been taught; however, the MPS in terms of achievement of the previous quarter were decent. Lessons in opera, play and theatre were introduced using WBI teaching guide. Paired t– test for dependent samples revealed a significant increase in the posttest scores of the students in the experimental group. They scored higher than the students who were exposed with direct instruction alone. Given these results, WBI tools were recommended to improve the academic performance of the students in music, and arts education.