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Hua Wang, Gui-Yuan Xiao, Li-Ye Zhang, Yangbeibei Ji, "Transportation Network Design considering Morning and Evening Peak-Hour Demands", Mathematical Problems in Engineering, vol. 2014, Article ID 806916, 10 pages, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/806916
Transportation Network Design considering Morning and Evening Peak-Hour Demands
Previous studies of transportation network design problem (NDP) always consider one peak-hour origin-destination (O-D) demand distribution. However, the NDP based on one peak-hour O-D demand matrix might be unable to model the real traffic patterns due to diverse traffic characteristics in the morning and evening peaks and impacts of network structure and link sensitivity. This paper proposes an NDP model simultaneously considering both morning and evening peak-hour demands. The NDP problem is formulated as a bilevel programming model, where the upper level is to minimize the weighted sum of total travel time for network users travelling in both morning and evening commute peaks, and the lower level is to characterize user equilibrium choice behaviors of the travelers in two peaks. The proposed NDP model is transformed into an equivalent mixed integer linear programming (MILP), which can be efficiently solved by optimization solvers. Numerical examples are finally performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed model. It is shown that the proposed NDP model has more promising design effect of improving network efficiency than the traditional NDP model considering one peak-hour demand and avoids the misleading selection of improved links.
The transportation network design problem (NDP) is characterized as one of the most important and challenging optimization problems in the transportation system . It aims to improve the network system efficiency by expanding link capacities on existing roads or building new roads/lanes for the network. In general, the NDP problem can be well formulated by a bilevel programming model, in which the Stackelberg behavior between network planner and network users is characterized. The upper level problem is to optimize a set of design objectives (e.g., minimizing total travel time) for the urban transportation system by setting link capacity expansion scheme with some necessary constraints (e.g., financial budget constraint). The lower level problem is to describe the user’s behavior in terms of path/mode choice, departure time choice, and origin/destination choice.
After a pioneering work of Abdulaal and Leblanc , more and more researchers have paid attention to the NDP problem with focus on advanced model formulation and effective algorithm design. The achievements made before last century on the NDP studies can be found in two comprehensive reviews: Magnanti and Wong  and Yang and Bell . In recent decade, we have also witnessed a large number of emerging advances on the NDP studies. These new advances are pertinent to uncertain parameters (e.g., stochastic demand and capacity variation), sustainability constraints, and distinct time dimension. Uncertainty is one underlying and important feature of travel activity and plays a critical role in network design and planning policy. To avoid unnecessary risks and possibly misleading outcomes, demand uncertainty and/or capacity variation have been taken into account in the NDP problem (e.g., [5, 6]), by introducing expected value model and robust optimization model. Two typical approaches are used to model the stochastic traffic flows under uncertain traffic conditions. One is to develop a two-stage formulation by means of scenario-construction approach, where a number of finite scenarios of uncertain parameters with known probability distribution will be generated (e.g., [7, 8]). Another way, called probability-analytical method, is to derive a reliability-based traffic assignment, where the users follow probabilistic user equilibrium under uncertain traffic conditions (e.g., [9–11]).
Time dimension, as another important factor, has also attracted the researchers’ attention in recent NDP studies. Three scales of time dimension can be considered in the NDP problem: short-term/real-time (seconds), medium-term (days), and long-term (years). The NDP considering time dimension is defined as time-dependent NDP, which can be specifically classified into multiperiod NDP and dynamic NDP according to different scales of time dimension. The former is generally to analyze the NDP problem taking into account a long-term spanning construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure [12–15]. The latter is to precisely characterize the real-time traffic dynamics and unsteady-state conditions in the NDP by introducing dynamic traffic assignment. Hopefully it can be used to estimate microinteraction among adjacent links and thereby identify and examine the possible bottleneck [6, 16, 17]. A comprehensive review of recent developments on the NDP studies can be referred to Meng et al. .
By retrieving and reviewing the NDP literature, especially the valuable reviews across several decades [3, 4, 18, 19], it can be found that almost all NDP studies assume that an NDP model based on one peak-hour O-D demand distribution is capable and effective to explain the real traffic patterns. For urban traffic, there always are two peaks of a daily traffic flow corresponding to morning commute and even commute, respectively, on weekday . For commuting travel trips, the repeatability of hourly fluctuation of traffic flow gives rise to a comparative stable peak-hour demand. But such repeatability of hourly variation of traffic flow does not mean the same O-D demand distributions in the morning and evening peaks.
Although the daily commuters have high repetitive travel activities, the peak-hour O-D demand distribution on the network will be different in the morning and evening peaks. This fact has been recognized and emphasized in the transportation network modeling problem, such as commuting pattern analysis  and road tolling and parking fee optimization [22, 23]. It is always assumed that the O-D demand matrix is asymmetric diagonal for the morning and even peaks, namely, , if only daily regular commuters are considered. The O-D demand matrix used in the network planning and design comes up with the peak-hour traffic survey data (e.g., link traffic volumes) in either morning or evening peak. In practice, the traffic volumes in the morning peak may largely differ from that of evening peak commute, which has been demonstrated by some empirical studies (e.g. [20, 24]). The O-D demand matrices thus may also be different for two peaks because they are estimated based on the corresponding peak-hour traffic volumes. In other words, the travelers in two commuting peaks would make different travel decision in terms of both path choice and departure time choice . Therefore, the NDP considering one peak-hour O-D demand might be misleading and even incorrect. On the one hand, the O-D demand distribution on a real network is asymmetric due to different traffic patterns in the morning and evening peaks, though the morning and evening round commuting trips can be assumed to be equal. We should overlook demand uncertainty and diverse spatial-temporal characteristic of travel activities in two peaks. For example, the noncommuting trips in morning peak (e.g., shopping, going to hospital, and tourism) may not return back to the origin places in evening peak. Similarly, part of activities for the travelers who travel in evening peak do not commence in the morning and evening peaks but other traveling periods. Therefore, which peak-hour commute pattern should be used to estimate the O-D demand matrix is a controversial and intractable issue.
On the other hand, network structure and link sensitivity could have important impact on the network performance evaluation for two peaks. Even though the O-D pairs and their demands can be assumed to be symmetric in two peaks, namely, , the path choices in two commute peaks may be still different, which largely depends on the network topological structure. If different paths/links are chosen in two peaks, network situation in terms of traffic congestion would show large difference between two peaks. In this respect, the NDP considering one peak-hour O-D demand may generate misleading and even wrong outcomes. More importantly, link sensitivity of the NDP effect should not be underestimated and overlooked under different peaks. Take a simple network comprising of two links shown in Figure 1 as an example. Assume that in the morning peak is equal to in the evening peak. Consider two O-D pairs, , in the morning peak and , in the evening peak. Links 1 and 2 have equal capacities of 20 veh/h and free flow travel time of 1 minute. The available budget invested on link capacity expansion is set as 20 equivalently. BPR function is used to measure the link travel time performance.
It is not difficult to see that link 1 will be improved by adding 20 units in the NDP considering morning peak-hour demand, and link 2 will be improved by expanding 20 units in the NDP considering evening peak-hour demand. The total travel times on the network for these two NDPs are equal, namely, 104.305 minutes. In the NDP simultaneously considering morning and evening peak-hour demands, both links 1 and 2 will be improved by adding 10 units, respectively, and thereby the total travel time on the network will be reduced to 89.037 minutes. Evidently, the NDP considering one peak-hour demand matrix is not the promising scheme to improve transportation system performance. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new network design model in order to avoid misleading decision-making.
To address the above problems, we develop a network design model simultaneously taking into account morning and evening peak-hour demands. The traditional NDP model considering one peak-hour O-D demand has been regarded as a special case of the proposed model. The proposed model is formulated as a bilevel programming model with objective to minimize the weighted sum of total travel times of the traffic patterns in the morning and evening peaks. In the lower level, network users are assumed to follow the user equilibrium principle of their route choice decision. The proposed model is finally transformed into an equivalent mixed integer linear programming (MILP) so that a global optimum can be obtained by means of MIP solvers (e.g., CPLEX).
The rest of the paper is organized as follows. In the next section, the new NDP model is formulated by simultaneously considering the morning and evening peal-hour O-D demand distributions. Then, an equivalent MILP model is introduced. Numerical examples are discussed in Section 4. Finally, conclusions and further studies are given in Section 5.
2. The Model
This section builds a network design model simultaneously considering morning and evening peak-hour demand matrices. Consider a directed transportation network, , comprising of a set of nodes and a set of directed links. Since traffic flow patterns in two peaks will be involved, the following notations are defined for two peaks, respectively, which are summarized in the Appendix (Notations).
The link travel time in the morning or evening peak is assumed to be continuous, convex, and strictly increasing function of its own link flow, such as the widely-applied BRP function. Meanwhile, our focus is put on the deterministic NDP problem with fixed demand.
2.1. Model Formulation
Similar to the traditional NDP model taking into account one peak-hour demand matrix, a bilevel program is formulated to model the proposed NDP problem considering two peak-hour demand matrices in that the Stackelberg behavior between network planner and network users can be well characterized. In the upper level, the network design objective is to minimize the weighted sum of total travel times (TTC) of the users traveling in the morning and evening peaks. The lower level is the user equilibrium traffic assignment problem, which is used to characterize the user’s route choice behavior. The NDP formulation is given below.
Upper Level subject to
Constraint (2) means a nonnegative link capacity expansion and (3) is the total invested budget constraint. The construction cost for each improved link, , can be approximately estimated by a linear function:
The traffic flow patterns, , , , and can be obtained by solving the lower level traffic assignment problems in the morning and evening peaks.
Lower LevelUser equilibrium model in the morning peak is as below: subject to User equilibrium model in the evening peak is as below: subject to
It should be noted that all travelers in the morning and evening peaks will complete their travel journeys on the same transportation network; that is, the link capacity expansion scheme would be designed and served for the travelers in both morning and evening peaks. Hopefully, it is intuitive that the travelers in both morning and evening peaks will all benefit from the NDP scheme.
We can easily see that, if , , the proposed model is equivalent to the traditional NDP model considering morning peak-hour demand distribution in that the evening peak-hour traffic patterns are not considered in the objective function. Similarly, if , , the proposed model is equivalent to the traditional NDP model considering evening peak-hour demand distribution, since the morning commute pattern has no impact on the objective function.
2.2. Extensions of considering Elastic Demand and Uncertain Demand
The proposed model can be also extended to account for the elastic demand and/or uncertain demand. We here give a brief discussion of these extensions. In reality, whether a potential traveler decides to finish her/his travel journey in great extent depends on the traffic congestion on the network, no matter what commute peak is considered. The O-D demand thus can be assumed to be a function of the O-D travel cost. Take the O-D travel demand in the morning peak as an example: where is the demand function between O-D pair and its inverse function is represented by . In general, is assumed to be a positive, continuously differentiable, and strictly decreasing function with respect to shortest path cost , such as negative exponential function.
It is not difficult to deal with the proposed NDP model with elastic demand since the traffic assignments for two peaks with elastic demand can be easily solved by a super-network method or an improved Frank-Wolfe algorithm in Sheffi .
Another interesting extension is to take into account of the uncertain travel demands in two peaks. The importance of considering uncertainties in the NDP is to avoid the unnecessary risks and misleading policies. The O-D demand in either morning commute peak or evening commute peak will fluctuate in future. To capture these impacts, we can develop a general stochastic NDP according to the below framework: subject to
The bold notations, , , are random variables, which denote stochastic link flows and uncertain demands in the morning and evening peaks. Notation denotes the set of additional constraints of variables and , and is the set of feasible link flows on stochastic network.
Two modeling methods can be used to characterize the morning and evening peak-hour demand uncertainties in the NDP problem. One is to develop the probabilistic or reliability-based user equilibrium model of deriving the stochastic traffic flow patterns in the morning and evening peaks and then embed them into the upper level optimization of the NDP problem. For such probabilistic user equilibrium model, it can be referred to Lo et al. , Shao et al. , and Wang et al. . Another way is to formulate a two-stage NDP model, where the uncertainties of two peak-hour demands can be captured by the random samples generated by some scenario-construction methods, such as sample average approximation [7, 8]. The main difference between two modeling approaches and the detailed formulation framework can be found in Meng et al. .
3. The Equivalent MILP Model
This study focuses on the NDP problem with two peak-hour demand impacts and on examining the design effects between the proposed model and the conventional one with one peak-hour demand matrix. In order to precisely compare the network design effects, it would be better to solve the NDP model by a global solution algorithm. We here use a global solution algorithm proposed by Wang and Lo  by transforming the bilevel NDP model into single-level MILP. The transformation of MILP includes linearization of design objective function, link travel time function, and other side constraints.
For the sake of simplicity, the fixed demand is considered and the BRP function is used to measure the congestion effect of the link travel time, namely, where and are used to represent the link travel time and link flow for the morning peak if or for the evening peak if . Hereafter, we briefly revisit the transformation of MILP.
3.1. Linearization of Link Travel Time Function
It can be seen in (12) that the link travel time function for each commute peak is a function of link flow in the peak and design variable, namely, link capacity expansion. Similar to Wang and Lo , Luathep et al. , and Zhang and Van , the binary space in terms of link flow and link capacity expansion can be divided into feasible regions as shown in Figure 2. Let , be the lower and upper bounds of , and let , be the lower and upper bounds of . For all discretized intervals, we have and , , , and .
For any feasible region , the link travel time function (12) can be approximated as a linear function by Taylor expansion: where coefficients , , can be obtained by determining the partial derivatives of the BPR link performance function:
It is clear that link travel time can be precisely estimated by (13), if very large , are set to guarantee sufficient number of binary space splits. The link travel time function thus can be replaced by an equivalent set of mixed integer linear constraints. For link , ; ; , we have where , are, respectively, a very large negative constant and a very large positive constant; is a very small positive constant. It is not difficult to prove that (15) is equivalent to the linear approximation function (13). We here do not attempt to present the proof again because the detailed proof can be found in .
3.2. Linearization of the Constraints
The proposed NDP model includes three kinds of constraints: deterministic user equilibrium constraint, definitional constaints (e.g., demand conservation) and other side constraints (invested budget constaint and boundary constraints of design variables).
(1) Deterministic User Equilibrium Constraint. Recall that the deterministic user equilibrium principle can also be expressed by complementary constraint, which is derived from the first-order condition of the lower level traffic assignment problem:
The “if-then” complementary constraint can be transformed into an equivalent set of constraints by introducing a set of binary variables, shown as:
Evidently, in (17), if , we have and ; otherwise, , we have and . That is, the user equilibrium condition holds.
(2) Definitional Constaints. We have
The definitional constraints in (18) are all linear constraints due to their additive properties.
(3) Other Side Constraints. We have
So far, we have completely transformed the lower level user equilibrium traffic assignment problem into an equivalent set of mixed integer linear constraints. Since the design objective function (1) is also linear for the NDP with fixed demand, the bilevel NDP model simultaneously considering morning and evening peak-hour demands can be perfectly transformed into the equivalent MILP.
3.3. Solution Algorithm
Comparing to a nonlinear and nonconvex bilevel NDP, it is simple and effective to solve the transformed MILP problem. A more attractive merit of solving the NDP problem by transforming into MILP is that a global solution can be guaranteed. The global optimal solution is helpful and convincing for exploring the design effect of the proposed NDP model. The MILP model can easily be solved by off-the-shelf MIP solvers, including IBM ILOG CPLEX, LINGO, and GUROBI. It has been demonstrated that the bilevel optimization problem can be fully transformed into equivalent MILP and solved by the MIP solvers efficiently and precisely (e.g., ) . In this paper, the proposed bilevel NDP model will be solved as the equivalent MILP by the CPLEX solver.
4. Numerical Examples
The numerical examples are used to illustrate the difference between the proposed NDP model and the traditional one considering traffic patterns in one peak. In the numerical study, a small network shown in Figure 3 is used to demonstrate the property of the proposed model. This transportation network comprises of 3 nodes, 4 links, and 4 O-D pairs in each commute peak. All 4 links are considered in the candidate set of the capacity improvement scheme, namely, . The travel demands for each O-D pair in morning and evening peaks are given in Table 1. Table 2 provides the link performance parameters, and , and the link capacity expansion cost coefficient . The weighted parameters in design objective function are set as , . The total budget invested on the link capacity improvement scheme is 300. The commercial optimization package CPLEX-12.5 is used to solve the MILP model with a gap tolerance of 0.1%. All experiments run on Windows 7 system with the following attributes: Intel Core i5-2520 2.5 GHz × 2 and 4 GB RAM.
4.2. Comparison of the NDP Schemes
We investigate three NDP schemes and make a comparison of them in terms of network design effect. These NDP schemes are the proposed NDP simultaneously considering morning and evening peak-hour commuting demands, the traditional NDP only considering morning peak-hour demand matrix, and the traditional NDP only considering evening peak-hour demand matrix. The outcomes of three NDP schemes are provided in Tables 3, 4, and 5, respectively.
In the NDP considering morning peak-hour demand, the total travel time in the morning peak is 860.551. These four links will be improved by adding capacities of 9.749, 18.202, 2.998, and 2.427, respectively. Once this NDP scheme is implemented, the total travel time for the network users commuting in the evening peak is 1296.560. It can be found that travelers of O-D pairs 1-3 and 2-3 will largely benefit from Scheme A in the morning and evening peaks. But the travelers of another two O-D pairs obtain little benefit from the NDP Scheme A.
In the NDP considering evening peak-hour demand, the total travel time in the evening peak is 851.822. Links 1 and 4 will be expanded by adding capacities of 7.637 and 26.181, respectively, and links 2 and 3 maintain their initial capacities. Once the NDP Scheme B is performed, the total travel time for the network users commuting in the morning peak is 958.753. We can see that travelers of O-D pairs 1-3, 3-1, and 3-2 will benefit from Scheme A in two commute peaks in that their path travel times will be reduced by the NDP scheme. But Scheme B does not bring any benefit for the travelers of O-D pair 2-3.
In the NDP simultaneously considering two peak-hour demands, the total travel time in the morning peak is 902.092 and the total travel time in the evening peak is 877.038. Links 1, 2, and 4 will be expanded by adding capacities of 6.152, 6.201, and 20.725, respectively, and link 3 will not be considered to be improved. It is easy to see that travelers of all O-D pairs will benefit from the NDP Scheme C in two commute peaks.
By comparing the NDPs considering one peak-hour demand, namely, Schemes A and B, it is shown that Scheme B is better than Scheme A in terms of reducing total travel time on the network. Specifically, the sum of total travel time of two peaks in Scheme B is far less than that in Scheme A in the sense that the travelers commuting in the evening peak largely reduce their travel costs in Scheme B. This clearly indicates that the effects of the NDPs considering one peak-hour demand will be affected by the network structure and link sensitivity, which bring some troubles in choosing appropriate peak-hour demand matrix. The fact that Scheme A is far inferior to Scheme B on design effect also gives us a reminder that it should be careful to select the commute peak in performing traffic data collection.
We also compare the performance of the NDP simultaneously considering two peak-hour demands (Scheme C) with the NDP considering one peak-hour demand (Scheme B). As expected, the sum of total travel time of two peaks in Scheme C is less than that in Scheme B, although total travel time in the evening peak of Scheme C is slightly more than that of Scheme B. The reason is that Scheme B overlooks the traffic congestion in the morning peak; that is, it does not take into account the benefits of the travelers in morning peak while designing NDP scheme. In reality, Schemes A and B can be regarded as two special cases of the proposed model if one of the weighted parameters is zero. In summary, the proposed NDP model simultaneously considering two peak-hour demands can well characterize the practical traffic situation and also bring about promising design effect in terms of improving the transportation system performance. Note that the NDP model can be extended to consider more than two peaks. But the NDP simultaneously considering two peak-hour demands is believed to be good enough when the data collection costs in each peak and model flexibility are taken into account.
4.3. Impact Analysis of Weighted Parameters
We here conduct the impact analysis of the weighted parameter setting for the design objective function. Without loss of generality, it is assumed that by normalization. The weighted parameter is set to be increased from 0.0 to 1.0 with each increment of 0.1. The variation of total travel time for each peak with different weighted parameter setting is depicted in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 5, the total travel time of two peaks changes with the weighted parameter setting.
It is shown in Figure 4 that, as expected, the total travel time of evening peak decreases monotonically with the increasing weight of , since an increasing priority will be put on improving the traffic congestion in the evening peak. In turn, the total travel time of morning peak continuously increases with the weighted parameter ; that is, less emphasis will be paid on reducing the traffic congestion in the morning peak. It should be stressed that, the improvement effect of the NDP scheme in great measure depends on the network structure and demand distribution. In this regard, we repeat that the NDP scheme A greatly overlooks the social welfare of the travelers in the evening peak. Therefore, the network planner should avoid implementing the NDP scheme A.
In Figure 5, we can clearly see how important it is to account for the traffic congestions in both commuting peaks. Although the weight of considering the traffic pattern in the evening peak is small (e.g., ), the network performance for whole daily commuting will be greatly improved. That is, the NDP only considering morning peak-hour demand is far inferior to the NDPs taking into account the traffic congestion in the evening peak. Meanwhile, it can be found that how to determine the weighted parameter setting is important for developing a reasonable NDP scheme. Recall that the network decision-maker only concerns the traffic congestions in two commuting peaks, although some travelers might be more sensitive to the traffic congestion in the morning. To achieve the design objective of improving the traffic situation of two peaks as much as possible, the weighted parameter setting is preferred to set as , , no matter whether the weighted parameters are normalized or not. In other words, if , , the NDP considering two peak-hour demands always performs no worse than other NDP schemes (including the NDPs considering one peak-hour demand) in terms of minimizing the total travel time of two commuting peaks. It is not difficult to verify this conclusion. By revisiting the design objective function in (1), it can be seen that, when , , the design objective function is to directly optimize the network performance in terms of total travel time of two peaks, with no error due to introducing priority of any peak. The outcome in the numerical examples also indicates that NDP scheme will have the best effect when .
5. Conclusions and Further Studies
In the previous NDP studies, it was always assumed that the NDP considering one peak-hour demand distribution is capable and effective to characterize real traffic situation on the network. However, we found that the NDP model considering only one peak-hour demand matrix might be unable to describe the real traffic patterns due to the asymmetric traffic characteristics in the morning and evening peaks, and the impacts of network structure and link sensitivity. The traditional NDP model considering one peak-hour demand matrix thus may lead to misleading outcomes for transportation management and planning. To address these problems, we proposed an NDP model simultaneously considering morning and evening peak-hour demands. The proposed model can be used to some extent to avoid the impacts of asymmetric demand distributions in the morning and evening commute peaks, the network structure, and link sensitivity. The NDP problem is formulated as a bilevel programming model, in which the upper level is to minimize the weighted sum of total travel time for the network users travelling in both morning and evening commute peaks, and the lower level is to characterize the user equilibrium choice behaviors of the travelers in two peaks. Some extensions on elastic and uncertain peak-hour demands for two peaks are also discussed. The proposed NDP model is transformed into an equivalent MILP, which can be solved by optimization solvers (e.g., CPLEX). Through this transformation, a global solution can be guaranteed. Numerical examples are finally performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed model. It was shown that the proposed NDP model can generate more promising design effect than the traditional NDP model considering one peak-hour demand and avoid the misleading decision. Meanwhile, it was found that how to choose a surveyed peak for data collection is very important for the traditional NDP model considering one peak-hour demand. That is, we should carefully determine which peak-hour demand is less likely to result in misleading outcomes. Furthermore, for weighted parameter setting, we recommend to set , which leads to the best network design effect.
Further studies could be carried out to extend the proposed model in the following aspects. First, although we introduce a conceptual framework of the NDP considering peak-hour uncertain demands in two peaks, a tractable and specific NDP model considering two peak-hour uncertain demands could be an interesting work. Second, the distribution of multiclass users with different value-of-times and mixed vehicles would also show a large diversity in the morning and evening commute peaks. To address such diversity in the NDP problem reveals important investigations.
|Design variables, namely, link capacity expansions.|
|,||Flow on link in the morning peak and evening peak, respectively|
|,||Travel time on link in the morning peak and evening peak, respectively|
|Traffic flow on route , in the morning peak|
|Traffic flow on route , in the evening peak|
|Travel time on route for O-D pair in the morning if or in the evening peak if|
|Equilibrium minimal travel cost between O-D pair in the morning peak|
|Equilibrium minimal travel cost between O-D pair in the evening peak|
|Construction cost for each improved link .|
|Set of candidate links to be improved,|
|Sets of O-D pairs in morning and even peaks respectively|
|Set of routes connecting O-D pair in morning commute peak|
|Set of routes connecting O-D pair in evening commute peak|
|Link-route indicator equals 1 if route between O-D pair uses link at morning peak, and 0 otherwise|
|Link-route indicator equals 1 if route between O-D pair uses link at evening peak, and 0 otherwise|
|,||Travel demand for O-D pair in the morning peak and evening peak respectively|
|,||Weighted parameter in objective function|
|Free flow travel time for link|
|Existing capacity for link|
|Parameter in link capacity improvement construction cost.|
Conflict of Interests
All the authors of the paper declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.
This study is supported by a program for new century excellent talents in university (Grant no. NCET-10-0637), a research Grant for 2013 Shanghai Postdoctoral Sustentation Fund (no. 13R21416400), and a research Grant for China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (no. 2013M531222).
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- P. Luathep, A. Sumalee, W. H. K. Lam, Z.-C. Li, and H. K. Lo, “Global optimization method for mixed transportation network design problem: a mixed-integer linear programming approach,” Transportation Research Part B, vol. 45, no. 5, pp. 808–827, 2011.
- X. Zhang and B. van Wee, “Enhancing transportation network capacity by congestion pricing with simultaneous toll location and toll level optimization,” Engineering Optimization, vol. 44, no. 4, pp. 477–488, 2012.
Copyright © 2014 Hua Wang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


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The pace of modern life has fostered anxiety on millions and it negatively impacts their work, school and social life leading to a mental health crisis. One additional aspect that can help you find the best treatment for your specific acne condition is how severe your case is at the given moment. People who have a painful acne condition have many breakouts, which usually aren’t present only on the face, but the rest of the body. Severe acne also causes breakouts that extend very deep into the skin, which are generally very painful. Even when a severe case of acne clears, it will often leave a scar.
It is very important to see a dentist who specialises in TMD or an ENT medical specialist so that the cause can be diagnosed at an early stage to avoid further complications. A dentist might create a mouth-guard to protect your teeth when you sleep. You also might want to see a psychotherapist to talk about stress reduction.
Any typical CBD drug test screens for THC or THC-COOH, one of the many THC metabolites. According to Mayo Clinic, the federal workplace drug screening cut-off scores are established to determine a drug test result. This makes it difficult to know exactly what is used to make them. There are several factors that impact the levels of THC and the chances of its contamination.
Around 10 drops from their 250mg tincture enhanced my quality of sleep and helped me to unwind in the evenings. I also added a couple of drops to my moisturiser each night and found it reduced inflammation and evened my skin tone. where can i buy cbd gummies for tinnitus Some weird dreams may have been caused by the oil – or the current uncertain times – but that is seen only as a positive and was relished by the tester. The product itself is also designed to give you the perfect quantity.
According to MedlinePlus, Passionflower is used to calm anxiety and insomnia, and patients who received passionflower before surgery experienced less anxiety in ambulatory surgery patients. Anxiety is part of everyone’s life, but if you are experiencing anxiety frequently and it’s interfering with your day-to-day activities, it might be time to do something about it. Anti-anxiety herbs contain substances that have been proven to help calm the nervous system and soothe your brain and body. An anti-anxiety herbal formula can be used to put anxiety in its place and take control of your life again! Valerian root, Passionflower, Hops flower and Skullcap, also known as Scullcap, taken in combination make a powerful supplement that can help you to relax and sleep more soundly. Despite the severity of the symptoms, anyone who struggles with anxiety or depression can attest to how draining, scary, and frustrating it can feel at times.
Several factors such as your age, sex, weight, and health status, contribute to your recommended CBD dose from your doctor. If you have concerns with your medication, discuss them with your physician. The greater the concentration of the CBD product you are using, the less amount you will need to feel its effectiveness. Consider going for higher-quality products without additives or fillers. If your body responds well to low doses, you can progressively increase your dose each week.
How CBD Can Improve The Performance Of Athletes?
Theuncles and cousins templateis made for better knowledge in the chart. As for photo albums, this could be the icing about the cake. Because your shower area is an entirely wet space, your doors have with regard to water-resistant.
Exogenous cannabinoids affect multiple hormonal systems including the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis. These data suggest that endogenous cannabinoids are also involved in the HPA control; however, the mechanisms underlying this control are poorly understood. We assessed the role of endogenous cannabinoids in the regulation of the HPA-axis by studying CB1 receptor knockout and wild type mice.
Over time, regular use of TCAs can cause hypertension due to their beta adrenergic agonism, which leads to cardiac conduction problems. A 13-year-old patient who suffered from tonic-clonic seizures was recently discharged from which strength cbd oil is best an acute care hospital. The patient and parents need continued teaching regarding the daily administration of phenytoin . Which statement by the APN demonstrates the important teaching needed when phenytoin is administered?
Like with most supplements, consider starting with small amounts of cumin and observing how your body reacts. If you decide to use cumin for weight loss, knowing the possible side effects is vital. Making jeera water is a pretty straightforward process that you can carry out daily to get cbd wie viele tropfen your daily dose of cumin goodness for weight loss. However, it is not specifically targeting fat in your waist and you would have to experience a general weight loss to lose fat in your waistline. For weight loss, consider taking a glass of cumin drink twice daily on an empty stomach.
Table 7.Examples of peripheral CB1R agonists (aka peripherally restricted cannabinoid 1 receptor ) and their therapeutic window. Both SR141716A and CBD have demonstrated antipsychotic properties in dopamine- and glutamate-based models of schizophrenia . Please let us know what you think of our products and services. Editor’s Choice articles are based on recommendations by the scientific editors of MDPI journals from around the world.
CBD Oil In Texas: Everything You Need To Know
The intoxicating effects of psychoactive drugs are why many people take them. Yes, Sol CBD sells full-spectrum CBD products including Sol CBD oil and Capsules Sol CBD. You can purchase directly from the official website. No, the psychoactive effects of marijuana are due to the CBD cousin THC and not CBD itself. CBD is known to reduce the high levels you feel when you use THC. Restore your skin health with a powerful, synergistic blend of herbs and cannabinoids.
CBD For Cyclists: Everything You Need To Know
Herbs and treatments are taken to restore harmonious balance, and therefore bring yin and yang back to equal counterparts of each other. What if you couldn’t remember their name, or worse, called them by the wrong name? Or maybe you have been on the receiving end of this and have been repeatedly called the wrong name by someone. Taken daily over an extended period of time, you will see a difference in the amount of information you can retain. You won’t have to struggle so much to recall where you left your keys or the name of the person you just met.
Anxiety and depression can be overwhelming to treat, but if left untreated, these conditions can have extremely damaging effects on a person’s life. The good news is that a large dose of CBD doesn’t have to be taken in order to manage the symptoms of these conditions. In fact, most people need very little in order to keep anxiety at bay. Anxiety disorders are typically treated with a combination of therapies and prescription medications. Prescription medications are much more effective, but come with the risk of very serious side effects.
5 Facts About CBD That You Might Not Know
In states where cannabis is legal for medicinal or recreational use, you can buy CBD. However, before getting your hands on THC or CBD products, it’s important to know your state laws. Before you choose an online therapy program, take the time to do your research. Online Christian counseling provides easy access to mental health services no matter where you live. You’re not limited to counselors in your city or even your state.
We discuss with Kurt Danysh his problems with the legal system and the psychiatric establishment in overcoming their suppression of his story, and some of the surprising reasons why they do it. Kurt founded the S.A.V.E. Project to help others avoid his fate. We also spoke about some of the cases in which young psychiatric patients and children are being incarcerated, for crimes that they did not mean to commit and do not remember. Kurt describes how the bizarre anti-depressant drug withdrawal, commonly called “discontinuation syndrome”, is much worse than the drugs’ main side effects.
Also on the program to recognize Feb. 14 is National Donor Day will be Dr. Mikel Prieto, a Mayo Clinic transplant surgeon. And Dr. Susan Cullinan, a Mayo Clinic emergency medicine physician, will share tips for avoiding winter safety hazards such as carbon monoxide poisoning, frostbite, and winter falls. More than 50 million Americans suffer from arthritis and it is the No. 1 cause of disability in the country. Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more of your joints, causing joint pain and stiffness that typically worsen with age.
It may take months and even up to a year for the patient to see the full effect of the hormones. The patient’s voice quality and tone will become more feminine over 1 to 3 months. The patient will probably need to shave the face for 1 to 3 months, but after that not at all. Breast development is a temporary effect of the hormone therapy. Food and Drug Administration and has been on the market for several years. Recently, some adverse events began to surface, and the FDA removed the drug from the market.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Delta 8 Thc Vape Cartridges
Cannabinoids in the endocannabinoid system work with the pain controlling system by activating the neurons in the brain that inhibit pain. CBD for dogs supports the cannabinoid system and thus impulse to inhibit pain is improved. You can support dogs’ endocannabinoid system by including polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids in their diet. Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune system disorder that leads to inflammation in multiple joints.
This study explores a version of the elevated T-maze fit for mice. Inhibitory avoidance- conditioned fear-is measured by recording the latency to leave what are cbd gummies the enclosed arm during three consecutive trials. One-way escape- unconditioned fear-is measured by recording the time to withdraw from open arms.
Most importantly, never use CBD or any other substance without first consulting with your doctor. You also never want to stop taking any prescription medications before getting medical clearance. Ideally you’ll want to discuss taking CBD oil with a medical professional who has experience in using cannabinoids and cannabis medicine for treating anxiety and other mental health conditions. This review also indicated that CBD may only have short-term benefits for those who experience anxiety issues, so there’s a growing need to learn about the long-term effects of CBD on anxiety. The results from the studies show that CBD may offer a potential treatment for anxiety disorders.
It’s effective to the point that it structures the fundamental malaria-battling properties of various mix malaria medicines. That is also its part as the lead executioner of parasites and human blood flukes. It’s the best medicine against schistosomes, the second-most productive parasitic disease, after malaria. Long known as an imposing enemy to malaria and other significant parasites, studies indicate that Artemisinin could assume a useful part in cancer medicines.
Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDa): A Brief Guide
Some potential negative side effects may include diarrhea; fatigue, nausea or vomiting; and decreased appetite, Griffith explained. Amanda has a Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences from the University of Cincinnati. She has a passion for animals, conservation, and environmental sciences. Through her career in science and research, she is able to develop her passion and hopes to pass on to others the joy of learning about science.
With touch, everything has a different feeling and texture so it’s important to pay attention to those differences and remember them. Some senses have fewer ways to improve itself, but still, they can be strengthened to higher levels. Your eyes seem like something that you’re kinda stuck with.
CBD Edu: CBD And Muscle Discomfort
Studies and research conducted on the compound are still in their infancy, with none of them exploring the long term effects of using the compound regularly. According to some experts, one of the most promising aspects of CBD is the fact that it could help users cope with symptoms of withdrawal from other drugs. As a kid, he suffered from inflammation, brain fog, fatigue, digestive problems, anxiety, depression, and other issues that were poorly understood in both conventional and alternative medicine. FAAH is called the “bliss enzyme” because it breaks down natural cannabinoids. Theoretically, low FAAH activity might also boost PEA levels.
The therapeutic ratio is the ratio of the amount of a medicine that it takes to give a therapeutic effect to the amount that causes toxicity. So, you can experience the True Entourage Effect™ of our Synchronicity™ how to make cbd oil from hemp seeds Full-Spectrum, Whole-Plant Hemp Oil without worrying that the trace amounts of THC in it will result in a positive drug test. In 2019, the NCAA increased the thresholds for THC testing.
Try something different on the menu every once in a while and stay away from GMO’s. Batteries are also important if you want a safe vape pen. Take a look at your pen while charging since batteries have a lot of electricity in them. Another notion is to keep your pen and liquids away from metallic objects and magnets. Yet, the method of inhalation can be confusing to some people since there are many theories around it. The delta 8 disposable vape pens can last long, depending on how much you use them.
There are many reasons but one of the biggest reasons is their product variety. It’s rare to see online health shops sell different kinds of products as much as Kats Botanicals. The reason for buying quality products from the site itself is that you can take advantage of sales, fast shipping offered by Kats Botanicals, and lastly; their rewards programs that will help you save money. A study about Shilajit states that it is an excellent dietary supplement with the potential to stop a lot of diseases. The study even states that the substance has interesting applications in the field of neurology as well as it has the potential to help with cognitive disorder. Shilajit is one of Kats Botanicals’ underrated products.
Along with that, it supports your immune system, enhances your digestion, reduces cholesterol levels, and detoxifies your body. With such a wide array of benefits, you should definitely include it in your diet. Along with garlic, you can also use cumin to lose pounds quickly. First things first, avoid consuming this on an empty stomach, as milk doesn’t do well when taken in the early mornings. Anyhow, the idea of garlic and milk may sound outlandish to you, but it does have several benefits for weight loss.
Which statement about drug absorption through the stomach is true? Nutrients can induce metabolic processes but not inhibit these processes, and therefore rarely affect the bioavailability of a drug. Changes in pH from antacids can reduce absorption of folic acid, iron, and vitamin B12, which can cause different types of metabolic symptoms and diseases. Foods and nutrients cannot create adverse reactions to a drug. This can only happen with drug interactions and allergies to the drug.
Research is now being performed on a variety of conditions that cannabidiol may have a use in treating, including Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, diabetes, schizophrenia, and multiple sclerosis. Results from studies thus far seem promising, but more research must be performed in order to ensure that au bout de combien de temps agit le cbd CBD oil can be a viable solution in the long-term treatment of these conditions. Some of the more impressive research results from a study that was done in the treatment of children with epileptic seizures with CBD oil. In a large controlled study, CBD oil reduced the frequency of seizures by 50%.
So before the age starts to hit your living, we bring you some healthy habits that you must sneak in your daily routine in your 30s to stay healthy for the rest of your life. Also on the program, Dr. Elizabeth Cozine, a Mayo Clinic Health System primary care physician, will discuss how to deal with seasonal allergies. And infectious disease specialist Dr. Pritish Tosh will have an update on the effectiveness of this past season’s flu vaccine. The Human Genome Project was launched in 1990 to determine the DNA sequence of the entire human genome.
You can always contact the company if you are unsure what type of CBD product or dosage you need. You will receive a suitable solution that is tailored to your personal needs. Other CBD Edibles You won’t find dozens of products in their range, just about 10. Their CBD products are monitored at every assembly stage, and they exceed most of the industry’s standards.
We usually convert CBDA into CBD by simply lighting raw hemp when we smoke it or vape it. The process of conversion can be done either by lighting delta 8-10 thc the biological matter on fire or by leaving it to age and degrade naturally. As we already mentioned, this is butter infused with hemp buds.
As for the withdrawal symptoms produced by CBD, theres not enough information out there to make an educated guess or to know what the withdrawal symptoms would even look like. Matching your supplements to your unique genetic makeup is a powerful approach called nutrigenomics. PEA and the endocannabinoid system is a great example of this concept in action. Having lower FAAH enzyme activity can offer plenty of benefits.
Your subscription is confirmed for news related to biggest developments in health, medicine and wellbeing. A weekly guide to the biggest developments in health, medicine and wellbeing delivered to your inbox. After your jaw pain is treated either by correcting existing teeth, faulty procedures and posture, there is a maintenance protocol that needs to be followed. Do you suffer from severe pain in your jaw, undiagnosed headache when you wake up in the morning or ear pain? It could be due to a condition called jaw pain or Temperomandibular Joint disease. CBD oil has gained a huge following in the past two years, and as with any popular new product to reach the masses it’s important to read the fine print and do your research before buying.
Today I’m happy again that he is eating as usual after one day of lost of appetite. But then a few hours later, he is having trouble sleeping from probably a side effect of his treatment. You can also blend your CBD flower with cigarette tobacco, make a roll, and smoke. Do not consider buying CBD flowers from a seller whose products are not tested by an independent third-party laboratory.
You can also use CBD oil in your own recipes at home and combat symptoms of anxiety without veering away from your normal dietary choices. There are certain downsides to ingesting CBD that way, determine whether or not this method of consumption is for you. It can take up to four hours for CBD to be completely absorbed into the body when consumed through an edible. This makes edibles less effective in the treatment of acute anxiety attacks but can be appropriate for long-term anxiety reduction throughout the day.
The CBD Oil Experience – What It Feels Like To Take CBD
On the surface, CBD For Life seems to do everything right. Its products are aesthetically pleasing and have a wide variety of different product types and variations in its lineup. CBD for Life Bath Bombs combine phytonutrient-rich CBD with essential minerals and aromatic essential oils to create the most relaxing, calming, and mind-clearing bath. Don’t worry about staining your skin or tub because they use batch-certified colorants, safe for contact with the skin. A pain-relieving spray on the go with phytonutrients-rich CBD, menthol, and camphor oil mist penetrates deep into the skin to achieve the desired results. Also, it is full of pain-killing and anti-inflammatory components as well.
This vape pen will give you a quiet headspace and ease your body to ultimate relaxation. BudPop is the solution to that, and we are here to prove that to you by giving you multiple facts about why you must have their products. We are aware of the number of companies selling vapes, and finding the right one is difficult. We have a few established brands to offer you, that have proven to be the best ones on the market, which sell the best delta 8 disposable vape pens.

domain: medical


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Taking pictures has always been a passion of mine. I am blessed to absorb so many great moments with my family, friends and places I go, that I am instantly drawn to make memories of them. It is in these moments that I realize God has given me something great; a desire to take the moment of today and be thankful for it tomorrow, the day after and for years to come - the amazing power of a photograph.
Taking this passion and giving it to you, is a dream come true. I am thankful to my amazing husband who on our wedding day vowed to support me in my hobbies, interests & passions, which he does every day and to my two kids who I am blessed to be at home with; they have tremendous patience with me as I drive them all crazy with having my camera everywhere we go! As your photographer, my focus is on the spontaneous energy of your family. With years of experience capturing many moments of my own family, I have learned that sometimes the most memorable pictures happen when we least expect them. Whether on location or in my home studio , my goal is to give you back in pictures moments of your family that you least expected but love the most.

domain: hobby


Game of Thrones Reactions
Last night, Game of Thrones dropped a huge bomb which I will not spoil here. Check out next week’s spoiler-cast for that. If you’ve seen last night’s Rains of Castamere, check out this twitter feed of some folks’ reactions to the episode. If you’ve also read the books, enjoy the reactions you struggled with while reading the events.
Game of Thrones Rains of Castamere reactions
If you’re feeling the same as these folks, here’s an assuring word from Danny:
Looking forward to the 2-hour season finale next Sunday!


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Decorative paint techniques provide the quickest, cheapest and most effective ways to create stylish, eye-catching interiors. Included in this book are 25 ideas showing how to use paint in all kinds of ways to suit every decorative style - from bright and contemporary to traditional and classical, Caribbean-coloured window shutters, a tile-effect kitchen wall or a Scandinavian-style table. Each project is shown step-by-step and there is a comprehensive techniques section including a catalogue of paint effects and information on mixing colours and using glazes and varnishes.
Maggie Philo is a highly successful designer with many years' experience of working with and teaching decorative paint finishes for walls and furniture. Maggie has written five books and contributes regularly to Inspirations and other lifestyle magazines.


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Modfest 2020 ~ Project: Community Arts Panel
Saturday, February 1, 2020Time
Skinner Hall 400-Thekla Hall
A panel and conversation that will engage current practices and future hopes for community engagement and the arts, featuring Chris Silva, Executive Director, Bardavon, and other members of Vassar and local organizations. Thekla Hall (Room 400) in Skinner Hall of Music.

domain: sociology


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D-Mart Earns Less Profit From Every Rupee Of Sales
Net profit of Avenue Supermarts Ltd., the operator of retail chain D-Mart, grew at its fastest pace in three quarters but it earned lower on every incremental sale.
The Radhakishan Damani-promoted retailer’s net profit margin fell to 4 percent—the lowest in two years—due to cost pressures. Focus on competitive pricing and higher depreciation because of expansion led to lower profit margin in the fourth quarter of the financial year ended March.
Maintaining margin while expanding will be tough as the competitive intensity in the grocery retail space is increasing, Credit Suisse said in its earnings note.
Avenue Supermarts—one of India’s largest food and grocery retailer—has faced intense competition from Reliance Retail, Big Bazaar, Big Basket, Amazon and Flipkart.
Its revenue and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation in the March quarter, however, grew 32 percent and 28 percent, respectively, over last year. That was mainly on the back of 12 new stores added by the company during the period.

domain: news


According to the Silcon Alley Insider (via WSJ), Verizon is not going to carry the Galaxy S II? WTF, right? However, Samsung's best selling Android flagship phone will appear on the other three major US networks this fall.
The reason? It's hard to say. I'm guess the two companies could not come to some sort of financial terms. And with the iPhone 5 launch coming around the same time, Verizon probably used it as leverage which Samsung did not take too kindly too.
It's going to be awesome seeing the iPhone 5 go head-to-head with Android's premiere device. Samsung has already sold millions of these in Asia and Europe and it'll find a huge market here as well.
It's too bad. it would be nice to see the two giants fight it out of all four networks at the same time. However, while it's been confirmed that the iPhone will start available to Sprint's customers this October, the rumors about T-Mobile also getting the iPhone are still just that, rumors.


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Sabyasachi is a prominent name in the fashion industry and is known for his classic signature styles across the globe. Made with extreme precision and intricate details, the collection of his kurta sets and lehengas are all about regalia and glamour. Aza Fashions Online being one of the few places where you can shop for premium styles by Sabyasachi, your wedding guest wardrobe as well as pre-wedding function looks are sorted with these designs. Loved by celebrities across the country as well as abroad, Sabyasachi is one of the most sought-after designers for all the right reasons.
Kurta sets that exude royalty and elegance make up for ideal wedding guest looks. The straight kurta set in beige color with floral motifs and scallop border on the dupatta would look mesmerizing with traditional chandbalis. There's also a fine collection of sharara and gharara sets that would look ideal for the pre-wedding functions with their vibrant colors and staggering embroidery. The red embroidered dhoti pant set paired with glamorous embroideries will make you look like a breath of fresh at a wedding reception or a sangeet ceremony. Even though the designs are fairly traditional, they have a contemporary touch to them which makes it perfect for a modern-day woman to shop for.
Every to-be-bride's dream is to wear a Sabyasachi lehenga for her pre-wedding and wedding functions. Being a popular name among the industry, Sabyasachi lehengas have always made a bride or a bridesmaid look like an absolute queen on their big days. With styles never seen before, the Fizah lehenga set is a lemon yellow-colored beauty that comes with over-all floral motif and is an ideal haldi look. The Meher lehenga set is a hot pink lehenga with intricate resham work and motifs making it an ideal sangeet outfit. There's also the Vasundhara lehenga set that you can choose to wear for any of the pre-wedding and wedding functions considering the classic sequins work done on it with extreme precision.
Shop for lehengas and kurta sets that add glam, sophistication, and class to your wardrobe like no other by Sabyasachi only on Aza Fashions Online.

domain: design


Invaluable cannot guarantee the accuracy of translations through Google Translate and disclaims any responsibility for inaccurate translations.
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Lot 1193: Winchester Model 1906 .22 Cal. Rifle
06 November 2016
Philadelphia, PA, USALive Auction
Description: Winchester model 1906 .22 cal. rifle, serial number 152295. CONDITION: Fair, shows wear and patina.


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Born in Ankara, Turkey, Meric Canatan studied Fine Arts at Ankara Anatolian High School. As a young student she gained recognition through national and international art competitions and exhibitions. She went on to study Textile and Fashion Design at Mimar Sinan University where she graduated with a BA in 2012. During her student years Meric not only carried on taking part in art projects, but also she launched the accessories brand Birdy with friend Fatos Erhuy. In 2010, the last years of her university programme, Meric took part in an Erasmus Student exchange programme studying Decoration at Roma Arts Academy.
Since graduating Meric has worked as a fashion and accessories design assistant and a freelance illustrator and an art director. Her collages and illustrations were first recognized by then newly-established Dash Magazine. In addition to Dash Magazine and Fucking Young! Online; her work has featured in L’officiel Hommes Turkey, This is Paper, Trendland and Vogue Turkey.
Inflorescence features model Elvis Jankus, photographed by Olgaç Bozalp, styled by DAN+SHAN with pieces from Rick Owens, Sonia Rykiel, Christopher Raeburn, Jonathan Saunders and James Long.
All images courtesy of Meric Canatan.


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Hi, my name is Alfredo Ritondale, I live and work in Rome and I am a production designer / concept designer graduated at the Academy of Fine Arts of Rome; I usually work as a freelance for cinema, theater and television productions, but I would like to extend my activities by designing environments for video games and animated films! I realize my concepts using Autocad, Cinema 4D, Sketchup, Photoshop and Graphic tablet. Enjoy the website and contact me!
- alfredo ritondale – @alfredo-5
- concept designer production designer
- Abierto a ofertas de empleo freelance

domain: entertainment


This is my first time ever reviewing a chassis from Aerocool. If you count the review I did of the Rosewill Thor chassis, then technically I have seen one of their chassis designs previous to this. Since both the Thor and the Xpredator X1 used the same OEM to build their cases, aside from the left side panel on both cases, they were spot-on identical. The funny thing is, that when I reviewed that chassis, it was one of two cases that when powered, went up in a puff of magic smoke, you know that kind you can't get back in, and leaves things dysfunctional. Not that that has any bearing on what Aerocool produces; it is just what stood out to me when I reread that review to see what has changed.
Looking at what the Xpredator X1 offered, for that time, it was a good mix of a basic case design on the interior, and I would go as far as to say somewhat dated, even for that time. What sold me on the chassis design was the aesthetics that were very original then, as well as the louvered top. Some things I look back at now and dislike about that bay drive system that was so 2005, the rainbow of wires that are coming from the front I/O panel, and with what is offered now, there was little to no water cooling support. They covered things like wire management and space behind the motherboard tray, because I was nowhere near as good wiring cases then as I am today, and I don't recall any sort of panel fit issues.
The Xpredator X3 Devil Red Edition chassis we are looking at from Aerocool today is a take off on the original X1. While many things both internally, and externally have been changed, most of the aesthetics that sold buyers on the X1, will be very easy for those user to appreciate. Even for those who were completely unaware of Aerocool or their cases will have a hard time passing this chassis by when considering aesthetics and features.
In this review I plan to cover those factors, but I also will be looking for overall strength in the build, airflow, noise levels, and just how well the build comes together. If the Intro image of the Xpredator X3 has you intrigued, continue reading to see just how well this Devil Red Edition stacks up against other cases.
Specifications, Availability and Pricing
Since the outside looks so much like the Xpredator X1 / Thor, I say we look past the aesthetics and dive right into what the charts have to offer. They start with the fact that this full-tower chassis is 527mm tall, is 223mm wide, and is 533mm from front to back, and weighs in at 8.66Kg or 20.7" tall, 8.7" wide, and 20.9" in total depth, and weighing in at a little over 19 pounds. It then progresses to the fact that the frame is made of steel and uses 0.6mm and 0.7mm thick steel. Inside the chassis you have the choice of housing an ITX, Micro-ATX or ATX motherboard behind the drive bays. In which you will have access to three 5.25" bays through the front of the chassis, and one of them has a 3.5" adapter tray in it.
You also are given accommodations for up to eight storage devices in slide-out trays - you can also install 2.5" drives in these trays with the use of screws. Speaking of 2.5" drives, Aerocool has included a dock for one just behind the front I/O panel. The chassis also includes room for up to eight slots worth of expansion cards, as long as they are 310mm or shorter. Speaking of limitations, I am quite surprised to see that this chassis allows for 186mm tall CPU coolers inside of the not quite 9" wide frame.
Under the image of the red bladed, red LED, 200mm fan image, you will find all of the specs for the intake fan that sits in the front of this chassis. This fan will run at a speed of 700 RPM while delivering 53.4 CFM of airflow. With a rating of 0.49 mmH2O of static pressure, along with the lower CFM rating, the fan will be quiet, but is it enough to get much air past the drive bays? Under the image of the black bladed, 120mm exhaust fan that is placed in the rear of the chassis you are getting more RPM with the 1200 RPM rating. This fan is also rated to deliver 50.4 CFM and 0.85 mmH2O of pressure. Both fans aren't specified to be all that great, but this is where the ventilation in the sides of the bezel and the adjustable louvers on the top hopefully come into play and keep temperatures at a respectable level. There is an added bonus here, in that this chassis also comes with two fan controllers. Each is capable of 12.5W of fans over three connections.
I had no issues trying to locate this chassis either. A quick Google search turned up five or six places that I could have easily grabbed this from. Pricing does vary with the listings as well. On the low-end, at TigerDirect, you are going to find the best current pricing of $105.99 for the chassis, with another $9.89 for shipping. Other places start at this pricing for the case and have yet to include shipping charges, and one listing has the chassis priced at $129.99 with $19.95 listed for fees. I can tell you, it doesn't take a genius to realize where to spend your money, and the price is good for a full-tower with this sort of a feature set.
I say we get right down to it and see just what the Xpredator X3 from Aerocool is all about, and if this is, or is not, the perfect case for you.
The background is a scene from inside a volcanic crater with a large dragon looking critter on the right side. This allows Aerocool room for the Xpredator X3 naming along with the case series and the fact that this is the Devil Red Edition. As you can see, the louvers on the top of this chassis are mimicked in the plates along the dragon's chest and abdomen.
The top of this panel starts with the full name of the chassis above a list of features in four languages listed before you run into the specifications list.
The next large panel offers us the same scene under the chassis, series, and edition names of the chassis. Instead of one large image of the chassis, here you have a look inside, dead at the front of it, and again, the left side with the door panel in place with optional fans installed.
The last of the outside of the packaging offers that same list of features that were found on the other side. Just that this time it is repeated in eight languages this time, and English is included. Aerocool cover things like the construction, CPU cooler clearance, card clearance, included fans, the louvers, dust filter, fan controller - the works.
After removing the cardboard from the rest of the packaging, you can see Aerocool used Styrofoam end caps and a plastic liner just like most other manufacturers. They also add extra step to cover both the inside and the outside of the window to protect everything against unintentional damages in transit. This method worked very well to pack the chassis, as my sample arrived in terrific condition.
Aerocool Xpredator X3 Devil Red Edition Full-Tower Chassis
The bezel on the X3 is very similar to what was offered on the X1, and stays very true to its roots. Down the middle, the bezel is all steel mesh, with three 5.25" bay covers at the top. The side of the bezel protrude quite a bit, but on the angled sides, you have vents and red mesh panels to allow air to flow past the side of the bays behind it.
As the front angles back to meet the top of the chassis, Aerocool has placed a large front I/O panel backed with a black aluminum cover piece. In this panel you have strips of LEDs on both sides that surround the I/O panel. On it you have a fan control knob on either side, USB 3.0 on both sides of the 3.5mm audio jacks, and the power button. Just behind the panel you see the 2.5" dock included as well.
The top of the chassis ships with the slide lever on the edge of the top slid back and the vents are closed. I slid the lever forward to open the louvers to show that with it opened, there is plenty of space for airflow to escape naturally due to convection.
The left side of the chassis does remind me a lot of the styling of the original concept, but the window has been changed, and the louvers have been moved and resized. You also notice right away that part of what makes this the Devil Red Edition is the red interior of the chassis, not just the external trim.
Behind the X3 you can see the top is easy to remove with just a tug in the cut-out. You then have a total of four water cooling holes, above and below the rear exhaust fan. You are also given ventilated slot covers that are painted red to match the theme.
The right side panel of this chassis is flat, textured, and black. Let's hope there is plenty of room behind the motherboard tray, or this panel may be rough getting it back in place.
Underneath of the Xpredator X3 you will find two large feet in the front with rubber rings to keep the chassis in place. There is a large dust filter for the power supply and optional fan placement location, and is why the feet in the rear of the chassis are so small, to allow the filter to slide out the back of the chassis.
Inside the Xpredator X3 Devil Red Edition
Inside of the chassis, I have to say that the red tool-free accents and the red motherboard tray do look nice. What gets me is the rainbow assortment of wires, though. As for the hardware, you can locate it in the drive bays, and the paperwork is shipped outside of the chassis.
At the top of the chassis, in the front, you have these three 5.25" bays with tool-free locks on them. They are on both sides, push in and slide forward to lock, and are some of the sloppiest devices I have ever used. The nice thing about it is that you can always use screws for a secure drive mount.
Below the ODD rack are eight plastic trays that slide out this side to accept storage drives. For 3.5" drives, you simply force the tray around the drive and slide it back in. For 2.5" drives, you will need screws, and then slide it back in the rack as well.
Inside of the top of the chassis, under those adjustable louvers, it looks to me like you could install a pair of 120mm fans, a pair of 140mm fans, and even has the option to allow larger 180mm or 200mm fan as well.
The motherboard tray offers, outside of it being red, the CPU access hole, seven places to tie wiring, and offers seven wire management holes with grommets in place, and two holes along the top for the 8-pin and fan wiring.
The floor of the chassis has a very long area of ventilation backed with the dust filter for just the power supply. This will allow for a convective flow upwards in the chassis, but with a few zip ties, I can see a fan as an option here, even without actual mounting holes. They also included a gasket for the PSU, which is a bit of a surprise.
Looking at the back of the chassis, now from the inside, you can easily see the 120mm exhaust fan that is black and has no LEDs to better blend in with the design. As for the eight red expansion card covers, they and your cards are held in with thumbscrews.
Behind the motherboard tray you have a 20mm offset from the inside of the panel to what you see here. This will allow for quite a bit of wiring, but don't get super excited; you have to keep it minimal since the panel is flat.
In that rainbow assortment of colored wires, you have a lot to contend with. There are multiple Molex connectors that need power from the fan controller, front fan, and the HDD dock. You also have the six fan leads from the fan controller, a SATA cable, Native USB 3.0, and HD or AC'97 Audio.
Removing the panels is pretty easy at this point, but the top panel has the I/O wiring attached to it, so if you want to add fans, do it prior to managing all of that wiring. As for the front of the chassis, it offers a 200mm fan, but will take a pair of 120mm fans as well. The bezel does need to come off to move the tabs and remove the bay covers.
Accessories and Documentation
Part of the hardware kit includes the Native USB 3.0 to USB 2.0 for those wanting this chassis, but do not have Native USB 3.0 support on your motherboard. You also receive a plastic stand-off socket, and five zip ties to help keep the wiring under control.
I like how all of the screws are packaged so that you don't have to rummage through a handful of screws and verify with a parts list if you have the right screw in hand. With each type of screw coming in clearly labeled bags, it makes the build process a little bit easier.
You also are shipped the Xpredator X3's User's Manual. I found mine sitting on top of the case, under the Styrofoam and inside of the plastic liner. You can also see at the bottom that this one manual covers all 11 languages that User's Manual was translated into on the bottom.
Opening the manual you are greeted with a safety message before you find the parts list on the right side. They show you everything from the fans, to the slide out drive trays, and it includes a list of all of the smaller hardware as well.
Moving on, Aerocool offers some step by step instruction as to how to install the optical drives, storage drives, and how to install the stand-offs with the use of the plastic "turn-cap" as they call it.
They also show you how to remove the dust filter under the chassis, adjust the ventilation louvers at the top. On the last page of the English section you are given a wiring diagram for the fan controllers, as well as pointing out where to put the USB 3.0 connection and the audio pass-through.
As I said earlier, with a 3.5" drive, you just force the plastic tray onto the drive. With 2.5" drive installation, you must use the provided screws, but you also must remove one of the pins to allow the smaller drive to ride the side rail flush.
The Build and Finished Product
Besides the fact that I strongly urge you to screw in the optical bay drives or devices rather than using the almost worthless tool-free clips, the drive does sit flush and looks okay when added to the build.
Inside of the chassis, I had a lot of trouble getting the motherboard screw in above the CPU cooler, and that leads me to the fact that there isn't a lot of room internally at the top for much more than fans. As for the rest of the space, it is pretty tight, but I was able to get the components in with relative ease.
The rear of the X3 all comes together as planned. The PSU is a bit tough with the gasket thickness, but it is feasible. The GPU went in, but I did have to flex the chassis back to allow the screws to line up. The rear I/O dust shield snaps right in as well. Also I am glad for the external tubing holes; otherwise you really have no easy answers inside. To water cool, the radiator will have to hang outside.
Since the room here is somewhat limited, I tired to be sure to tie up tight anything I did run back here. Even with just the 8-pin lead, a Molex lead, and a SATA lead along with the front I/O wiring, I had some issues getting the panel back on. It was one of those which you have to lay down and use your forearms to close it as you flex it over even this simple wiring.
Completely reassembled and ready for testing, I do like the view through the window, and the fact that the chassis looks much the same as it did when we started, sans the internal view.
Powering up the Xpredator X3, it is virtually silent with the system I have inside, and there is a bit of LED lighting to discuss. The front 100mm fan is LED lit, but you have to search for it when viewing the front of the chassis, it isn't very obvious. The front I/O panel also illuminates both sides in a red glow of LED light to designate the system being powered. When the SSD was accessed, there is a flash of white LED light that comes up from the bottom of those strips.
Starting at the beginning of this review, when I tried to take the chassis out of the bag, and the sharp corners on the front bezel tried stabbing me in the palm, it sort of widened my eyes to be on the lookout for anything odd with this chassis. That being said, for most of the early steps, I really did like the aesthetics of the chassis - the splashes of red to make this the Devil Red Edition. But it wasn't very long before I started to see things that just shouldn't happen in a chassis offered in 2013 - we are well past the days of flimsy boxes with little thought and effort.
As I got to the inside, I saw the rainbow of wiring from the front I/O, and the fact that it is attached to a panel and not the case makes things later down the line a real pain in the you know where. The last thing that took it over the top for me is that everywhere it speaks of this sturdy construction and the thickness of the steel, yet when I tried putting the left side back on the case, I had it sitting wrong to access the thumbscrews. At this point I picked up the chassis and watched the door panel shift out of place some 15 degrees, and it eventually made the side panel fall off completely.
There are some good points about the Xpredator X3; it isn't all doom and gloom. The looks and aggressive styling is something I think a lot of potential buyers will like, and having the fan controllers and the 2.5" HDD dock are steps in the right direction, for sure. Offering the chassis in the Devil Red Edition as well as the White Edition will sell to more users than just the plain black version would like when the X1 was shipped. Internally there is enough room to get an ATX motherboard and a few cards in there as well, but for the water coolers out there, you are going to be hard pressed to do things on the inside with this design. You know, the more I think about this chassis, maybe it is a bit more doom and gloom than I had thought when I started this page. It seems even when I find a good point to bring up, there is always a bad one to combat it on the pro's versus con's list.
Even when it came down to the pricing, I really thought to myself, wow that seems pretty reasonable for what this chassis is said to offer. I know I am a bit spoiled when it comes to chassis design in what I have seen, but the Aerocool Xpredator X3, even if near $115, really isn't worth the money. Low CFM fans providing little airflow depending more on convective properties to keep things cool may be great for your ears, but not good on your components. Adding fans to this design is a must, and with that in mind, why not just step it up a bit initially and buy one of the other many better solutions on the market today?
Sorry Aerocool, but at best this chassis needs some work just to meet your claims on the box, let alone live up to what I see day to day.


text:
Stat Attack: Japan (post-race)
Michele Merlino investigates the records and compiles the stats following the Japanese Grand Prix
Japan qualifying notes
• Sebastian Vettel claimed his first pole in Japan, and his first since the British Grand Prix seven races ago
• Jarno Trulli started from the front row for the fourth time this season – the first time he has done so since 2005.
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Children admitted at the Paediatric Ward at Fort Portal Referral hospital are at risk of acquiring infections due to congestion of the ward.
Uganda Radio Network visited the ward which is supposed to accommodate 65 children but currently 135 children are admitted. Two or more children suffering from different aliments share a single bed, while their parents sleep on the floor at night.
Mariam Kabasiita, a resident of Kisomoro Sub County says that due to inadequate beds, her sick child has been sleeping on the floor for two weeks. Kabasiita is worried that her daughter may contract more ailments as a result of sleeping on the floor.
Christine Tumushabe, another mother attending to her five-year-old child says that there is need for the hospital authorities to construct a second ward. She also says that due to the large number of children, it is difficult for the medical workers to provide adequate care to each of the admitted children.
Dr. David Wagira, the in-charge of the paediatric ward says that due to inadequate space, children are sometimes admitted in the male or female wards. He also says that the nine nurses attached to the ward are inadequate to attend to the sick children.
Wagira also says congestion in the ward is further complicated by the number of attendants.
//Cue in: “Over congestion…
Cue out: “…attend to one person.”//
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Rubaale however says that some of the children admitted at the ward are supposed to be treated at health centres, but parents come to the hospital without being referred.
In 2012, Tooro Kingdom started plans of constructing the King Oyo Foundation Hospital in Kyenjojo district to reduce congestion in health facilities in the region. Construction of the hospital is yet to start.


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Director & Musical Director: Michael Jones
The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Next to Normal explores how a family copes with mental illness. Diana Goodman appears to be a normal suburban wife with a loving husband and two perfect children, but she is, in fact, struggling with bipolar disorder, the side effects of difficult medical treatments, hallucinations, unrelenting grief, and suicidal tendencies. As Diana descends into a medically-induced hell, daughter Natalie struggles though a parallel journey with perfectionism, expectations, and addiction. A challenging and honest look at a contemporary family, Next to Normal is also a celebration of the resiliency of people facing unimaginable pain.
- Monday, June 16, 2014 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
- Wednesday, June 18, 2014 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
- Thursday, June 19, 2014 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
- Thursday, June 26, 2014 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm * see note below
- Theatre Aurora — 150 Henderson Drive, Aurora, Ontario
Full-cast rehearsals begin Monday, September 22, 2014 and will be held:
- Mondays 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
- Wednesdays 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
- Sundays 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Additional and/or extended rehearsals will be scheduled during the final two weeks before opening (as of November 23, 2014).
People cast will be required to schedule additional solo music rehearsals (according to availability of both cast member and Musical Director); these rehearsals could begin as early as Wednesday, July 9, 2014.
- December 4-7, 11-13, 2014
- The Sunday performance (December 7) is a matinée at 2:00 pm; all other performances are at 8:00 pm.
- If you are auditioning, you must also be available for Sunday, December 14 for Set Strike.
- All people auditioning should prepare two contrasting songs from Broadway musicals (not Next to Normal); the audition panel will likely only hear one song of the auditioner’s choice, but your second selection, if requested, should show a contrasting vocal style. If possible, at least one of these selections should be from a pop- or rock-inflected Broadway show. You should be prepared to do some improvisation work using your song. Please bring printed sheet music in the correct key for the accompanist (facilities for pre-recorded accompaniments are not available; do not bring your music on an iPod or other tablet device). People auditioning may also be asked to do some basic range and musicianship tests.
- People auditioning should prepare a very short (one-minute) monologue (contemporary or classical).
- Thursday, June 26, 2014 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Although call-back auditions are scheduled for the full evening on June 26, individuals called back will be given a schedule specific to the characters for whom they are being considered; this schedule will be communicated to each performer by e-mail on or prior to June 21. People auditioning should inform the producer, at the time of their first audition, if there is any time on that day during which they are unavailable.
If you are called back for a role (or roles), you will be asked to prepare specific musical and/or reading selections from the show.
Next to Normal is a small, difficult musical. All performers will need to be strong actor-singers capable of conveying real emotion and intentions through song and able to learn challenging musical lines in both solo and ensemble singing. The score requires legit theatre singers with an ability to perform pop/rock inflections. All performers must also have an ability to move well.
We are looking for a cast of 6 people who are all strong actors and singers. Please note that age ranges given indicate appearance onstage as opposed to chronological age.
- Diana: mid 30s through mid 40s; very challenging role acting and musically; still beautiful and apparently perfect suburban mother; a constantly changing mix of emotions – high-strung and active through lackadaisical, energized through suicidal, bipolar and delusional; legit soprano (or high mezzo) belt with ability to work at bottom part of range
- Natalie: 16-18; Dan and Diana’s daughter; hardworking student and accomplished musician who turns to recreational drugs and partying to cope with her family’s problems and her perfectionism; pop soprano with strong bottom range
- Dan: late 30s through late 40s; Diana’s husband; deeply in love with and supportive of his wife, but beginning to question how he can continue to support her; baritone with strong top range and falsetto
- Gabe: 18-21; Dan and Diana’s son; the “perfect” son – handsome, charming, intelligent, popular, a good student involve in both jazz band and football, referred to by his sister as “Superboy”; high pop/rock tenor
- Henry: 16-18; Natalie’s boyfriend; a stoner and a slacker with a laid-back approach to life, but truly interested in Natalie and willing to help her through her challenges; light baritone
- Dr. Fine/Dr. Madden: 30s through early 50s; strong actor capable of creating distinct, individual characters for both of Diana’s doctors; Dr. Madden is seen by Diana as a rock star – sexy, compelling, physically free; baritone with strong top range
To book an audition, email your resume, headshot AND audition date preference to firstname.lastname@example.org