bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Application of the Scholes and Wolfson Model to Examine the Relation Between Implicit and Explicit Taxes and Firm Market Structure
Authors: Callihan Debra S. , White Richard A.
Published: December 2011

A firm can take advantage of preferential tax provisions to lower its explicit tax burden. In the absence of market frictions, this differential tax treatment gives rise to differences in pre-tax returns across investments, defined as an implicit tax (Scholes and Wolfson 1992). Market structures that are other than perfectly competitive can impede the realization of implicit taxes (which represent lower pre-tax returns) by allowing firms to earn extra-normal after-tax returns (Wilkie 1992). This study estimates implicit tax rates and investigates the relation between a firm's implicit tax rate and two factors: (1) the pre-tax rate of return, and, (2) the potential market power of the firm, which could provide the opportunity to shift implicit (and explicit) tax burdens from the firm to consumers or labor. The results indicate that implicit taxes are significantly negatively related to the pre-tax rate of return and firm market structure characteristics. The interaction of pre-tax returns and firm market structure characteristics is positively related to implicit taxes, indicating that firm market structure may lead to a weakening of the strict negative relation between implicit taxes and pre-tax returns.
Discussion of The Effect of the Formula Apportionment System on State-Level Economic Development and Multijurisdictional Tax Planning
Authors: Klassen Kenneth J.
Published: December 2011

Lightner (1999) explores the relation between cross-sectional differences in state income apportionment formulae and corporate income tax rates, and the changes in state-level manufacturing employment. The research uses the common methodology of computing a statutory income tax rate applicable to each of the three apportionment factors. The percentage change in employment is regressed on each of these factor income tax rates separately. Additional tests determine if the statutory rate, overweighting the sales factor, and employing the throwback rule are also correlated with relative changes in employment.

I analyze this research in three components. First, an overview of the multijurisdictional tax research is provided to set this paper into this growing literature. Next, an evaluation of the contributions of Lightner (1999) is presented. Finally, some suggestions for improvement are given. The conclusion includes a suggestion for future research in this area.
Taxes and the Choice of Issuing Preferred Stock vs. Debt
Authors: Ely David P. , Houston Arthur L. , Houston Carol Olson
Published: December 2011

This study provides descriptive evidence on the link between a firm's expected marginal tax rate and its use of preferred stock as an alternative to financing with long-term debt. Regressions are estimated on a sample of industrial firms that issued preferred stock and a control group, matched on industry and size, that contemporaneously issued long-term debt. Substantial tax effects are found for a full sample of firms that issued any type of preferred stock, as well as a large subsample that issued only convertible preferred stock, frequently used to facilitate mergers and acquisitions. For the typical firm, a decrease in its expected marginal tax rate from the 75th to the 25th percentile is associated with a 33 percent increase in the likelihood it will issue preferred stock. This financing behavior is consistent with a goal of enhancing tax benefits.
Tax Decision Making under the New Burden of Proof Rules
Authors: Magro Anne M. , Stetson Beth
Published: December 2011

In the late 1990s, controversy over alleged Internal Revenue Service abuses and concern about the extent of the agency's power over taxpayers led to the passage of new rules governing relations between the IRS and taxpayers. An important element of this new set of rules was I.R.C. § 7491, which purported to shift the burden of proof in civil tax cases from the taxpayer to the IRS. Commentators generally agreed that the shift would have little effect on the outcome of cases, but the popular press touted the new provision as an important step to level the playing field between the parties. We conduct an experiment in which we manipulate the applicability of I.R.C. § 7491 and measure role in the tax system (taxpayer versus tax professional). As predicted, we find that taxpayers assess a higher likelihood of success in litigation when the anticipated burden of proof rests with the IRS than when the anticipated burden of proof rests with the taxpayer. Taxpayers who believe that the IRS bears the burden of proof also assess a higher likelihood of success than do tax professionals, regardless of the applicability of I.R.C. § 7491. This increased perceived likelihood of success in litigation translates to an increased willingness on the part of taxpayers to engage in an unsound tax-motivated transaction.
The Use of Compensation for Tax Avoidance by Owners of Small Corporations
Authors: Geisler Gregory G. , Wallace Sally
Published: December 2011

This study provides empirical evidence on the extent to which taxes influence owners' compensation in small (fewer than 500 employees) Subchapter Selecting corporations (S corporations), taxable corporations that provide professional services (PSC corporations), and other taxable corporations (C corporations). Paying additional compensation to owner-employees likely increases the total after-tax income for PSC corporations with positive taxable income. Paying additional compensation to owner-employees is, however, less likely to increase the total after-tax income for C corporations and does not increase the total after-tax income for S corporations. Using data from the corporate tax returns of 503 small corporations, this study examines the marginal change in owners' compensation as taxable income changes. The study finds that, per dollar of taxable income, PSC corporations increase compensation to owneremployees significantly more than C corporations.
An Examination of the Relations among Tax Preferences, Implicit Taxes, and Market Power in a Noncompetitive Market
Authors: Salbador Debra A. , Vendrzyk Valaria P.
Published: December 2011

We examine whether market power within a noncompetitive industry is related to a firm's ability to retain the benefits received from statutory tax preferences. Using both a market-based measure and an accounting-based measure proposed by Dunbar and Sansing (2002), we estimate tax preferences for a sample of 60 defense contractors for the three years preceding (1984–1986) and immediately following (1988–1990) the passage of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (TRA86). We confirm that defense contractors enjoyed positive tax preferences in 1984–1986, which decreased significantly with the passage of TRA86. We find a negative and significant relation between changes in tax preferences and changes in pre-tax returns, which is consistent with implicit tax theory and supported by prior empirical work. We also find that this relation is significantly less negative for firms ranked among the Top 100 defense contractors than for unranked contractors. We conclude that market power is positively related to a firm's ability to retain the benefits of tax preferences, where market power is defined as relative position within the noncompetitive defense contracting market.
Evaluation of factors associated with the risk of infection with Cryptosporidium parvum in dairy calves
Authors: Szonyi Barbara , Chang Yung-Fu , Wade Susan E. , Mohammed Hussni O.
Published: December 2011

Objective—To identify risk factors associated with Cryptosporidium parvum infection in dairy calves.

Animals—108 case animals and 283 control animals.

Procedures—Case animals were calves infected with C parvum, and controls were infected with Cryptosporidium bovis (n = 67) or calves not infected with Cryptosporidium spp. Fecal samples were tested via the flotation concentration method for Cryptosporidium spp. Samples were genotyped by sequencing of the 18s rRNA gene. Associations between host, management, geographic, and meteorologic factors and Cryptosporidium genotype were assessed.

Results—Younger calves and calves housed in a cow barn were more likely to be infected with both genotypes. Herd size and hay bedding were associated with an increased risk of infection with C parvum, and Jersey breed was a risk factor for C bovis infection. Compared with a flat surface, a steeper slope was significantly associated with a decreased likelihood of infection with both genotypes, and precipitation influenced the risk of C parvum infection only.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Risk factors for calf infection with C parvum differed from those for infection with C bovis. Results may be useful to help design measures that reduce animal exposure and decrease public health risk and economic losses associated with C parvum infection in cattle.
Indoor Exposure to Mould Allergens
Authors: Prester Ljerka
Published: December 2011

Indoor Exposure to Mould Allergens

Humid indoor environments may be colonised by allergenic filamentous microfungi (moulds),Aspergillusspp.,Penicilliumspp.,Cladosporiumspp., andAlternariaspp. in particular. Mould-induced respiratory diseases are a worldwide problem. In the last two decades, mould allergens and glucans have been used as markers of indoor exposure to moulds. Recently, mould allergens Alt a 1 (Alternaria alternata) and Asp f 1 (Aspergillus fumigatus) have been analysed in various environments (residential and occupational) with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, which use monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. Household Alt a 1 and Asp f 1 levels were usually under the limit of the method detection. By contrast, higher levels of mould allergens were found in environments with high levels of bioaerosols such as poultry farms and sawmills. Data on allergen Alt a 1 and Asp f 1 levels in agricultural settings may provide information on possible colonisation of respective moulds and point out to mould-related diseases in occupants.
Liquid antisolvent precipitation process for solubility modulation of bicalutamide
Authors: Meer Tarique , Sawant Kiran , Amin Purnima
Published: December 2011

Liquid antisolvent precipitation process for solubility modulation of bicalutamide

Liquid antisolvent process was explored as a solubility modulating tool. Bicalutamide, a poorly water soluble drug, was used as a candidate. Low aqueous solubility and poor dissolution of bicalutamide results into poor and variable bioavailability. Therefore, the objective of the present work was to modify the solubility of bicalutamide using the liquid antisolvent precipitation process. HPMC E5 and Poloxamer 407 were shortlisted as a hydrophilic polymer and surfactant, respectively, for the process. Process optimization was done with respect to the hydrophilic polymer, surfactant and drug loading concentration. The resultant microcrystals were characterized with various instrumental techniques for material characterization such as IR, DSC, SEM, XRD, particle size, specific surface area and dissolution kinetics.
Short-Term Isokinetic Training Versus Isotonic Training: Effects on Asymmetry in Strength of Thigh Muscles
Authors: Golik-Peric Dragana , Drapsin Miodrag , Obradovic Borislav , Drid Patrik
Published: December 2011

Short-Term Isokinetic Training Versus Isotonic Training: Effects on Asymmetry in Strength of Thigh Muscles

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two training protocols on the isokinetic performance of athletes. The study was conducted in 38 athletes, (age 23.3 ± 3.6 years) participating in national level leagues of different sports, whose initial concentric hamstrings-to-quadriceps (conH/Q) torque ratio was lower than 0.5. During seasonal testing, an isokinetic measurement of knee extensors and flexors was performed at 60º/s. The athletes were divided into two groups. Nineteen athletes performed the isokinetic training protocol (IT) while the second group of 19 athletes followed the isotonic training protocol (RT). Both protocols lasted 4 weeks. After completing the training protocols, both groups underwent a final isokinetic testing. The isokinetic data revealed significant increases after training in measures of peak torque in both extensor and flexor muscle groups, in both the IT and RT study groups (p < 0.05). There were significant increases (p< 0.05) in conH/Q ratio in both groups after the implemented protocols, but greater in IT group. Consequently, applied IT protocol induced changes in working muscles, thereby restoring detected asymmetry to an acceptable balance more efficiently compared to RT protocol.
Serum Concentrations of S100B are not Affected by Cycling to Exhaustion With or Without Vibration
Authors: Schulte Stefanie , Schiffer Thorsten , Sperlich Billy , Kleinöder Heinz , Holmberg Hans
Published: December 2011

Serum Concentrations of S100B are not Affected by Cycling to Exhaustion With or Without Vibration

The calcium-binding protein S100B is produced primarily by astrocytes and exerts concentration-dependent paracrine and autocrine effects on neurons and glia. The numerous findings of a correlation between S100B and traumatic brain injury (TBI) have resulted in the employment of this protein as a clinical biomarker for such injury. Our present aim was to determine whether cycling with (V) or without (NV) vibration alters serum concentrations of S100B. Twelve healthy, male non-smokers (age: 25.3±1.6 yrs, body mass: 74.2±5.9 kg, body height: 181.0±3.7 cm, VO2peak: 56.9±5.1 ml·min-1·kg-1 (means ± SD)) completed in random order two separate trials to exhaustion on a vibrating bicycle (amplitude 4 mm and frequency 20 Hz) connected to an ergometer. The initial workload of 100 W was elevated by 50 W every 5 min and the mean maximal period of exercise was 25:27±1:30 min. The S100B in venous blood taken at rest, immediately after the test, and 30, 60 and 240 min post-exercise exhibited no significant differences (p>0.05), suggesting that cycling with and without vibration does not influence this parameter.
Spectator Motives and Points of Attachment: an Investigation on Professional Basketball
Authors: Gencer R. , Kiremitci Olcay , Boyacioglu Hayal
Published: December 2011

Spectator Motives and Points of Attachment: an Investigation on Professional Basketball

Spectator attendance to professional basketball in Turkey is significantly less than desired. Keeping in mind how important spectators are for team sports, understanding factors that affect game attendance will offer essential clues in terms of increasing spectator attendance. The main purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between basketball spectators' motives and points of attachment. With consideration to this purpose, the present study has tested the validity and reliability of the Motivation Scale for Sport Consumption and the Points of Attachment Index for Turkish basketball spectators. 197 basketball spectators participated in the study. Confirmatory factor analysis results demonstrated that the original models of the measurement tools employed for the study showed an acceptable degree of fit with the data. The internal consistency coefficients of the scales were found to be between 0.59 and 0.80 for the Motivation Scale for Sport Consumption and between 0.53 and 0.88 for the Points of Attachment Index. The canonical correlation analysis only returned a single significant function. The motives aesthetics and escape stood out in terms of the significant function, while the sport type (basketball in this study) stood out in the sense of attachment. Relationships identified between basketball spectators' motives and points of attachment could help sports managers and marketing experts to develop strategies focusing on increasing spectator attendance to their teams' games.
Offshore Business Process Outsourcing
Authors: Retová Janette , Pólya Attila
Published: December 2011

Offshore Business Process Outsourcing

This paper focuses on the relatively new growing industry of offshore business process outsourcing, which has provided developing countries with literate language and information technology skilled workforce with an excellent global business opportunity. The main advantages to business process outsourcing, cost versus quality and other reasons for choosing offshore outsourcer and the challenge of high industry attrition rates are briefly analysed here.
Estimation of the Amplitude Square Using the Interpolated Discrete Fourier Transform
Authors: Lušin Tomaž , Agrež Dušan
Published: December 2011

Estimation of the Amplitude Square Using the Interpolated Discrete Fourier Transform

To improve the estimation of active power, the possibility of estimating the amplitude square of a signal component using the interpolation of the squared amplitude discrete Fourier transform (DFT) coefficients is presented. As with an energy-based approach, the amplitude square can be estimated with the squared amplitude DFT coefficients around the component peak and a suitable interpolation algorithm. The use of the Hann window, for which the frequency spectrum is well known, and the three largest local amplitude DFT coefficients gives lower systematic errors in squared interpolated approach or in better interpolated squared approach than the energy-based approach, although the frequency has to be estimated in the first step. All investigated algorithms have almost the same noise propagation and the standard deviations are about two times larger than the Cramér-Rao lower bound.
Dynamic Programming and Connected Component Analysis for an Enhanced Pavement Distress Segmentation Algorithm
Authors: Huang Yuchun , Tsai Yichang (James)
Published: December 2011

Automatic pavement distress segmentation is essential for automatic classification and evaluation of pavement conditions during maintenance. Improving the speed and accuracy of the many algorithms for image-based pavement crack segmentation remains a challenge. Although a dynamic programming–based (DP-based) algorithm is more accurate than other crack segmentation methods, its practical use is limited by the required long computation time. A fast algorithm for pavement crack segmentation needs to be developed with the use of DP and multiscale characterization of fundamental crack elements on connected components in grid cells. The proposed algorithm integrated the accuracy of DP and the high speed of grid cell and connected component analyses. Region-based nonuniform background illumination was removed, and the pre-processed image was divided into grid cells. Multiscale characterization of fundamental crack elements was conducted to differentiate the significant crack elements from the noncrack components on the basis of the connected component in the cells on multiple scales. The crack regions of interest were then accurately estimated through the most significant crack elements and fed into the DP-based crack segmentation with the probabilistic scoring function. The proposed algorithm was tested on a diverse set of pavement images, provided by the Georgia Department of Transportation, taken from I-75/85 under varying lighting conditions near Atlanta. A buffered Hausdorff measure was used to quantitatively evaluate the accuracy of the proposed crack segmentation algorithm. Experimental results showed that the proposed algorithm ran three times faster than the original DP-based method while providing the same accuracy. The proposed algorithm is promising for the practical generation of pavement crack maps.
Shift Factors for Asphalt Fatigue from Full-Scale Testing
Authors: Mateos Angel , Ayuso Javier P. , Jáuregui Belen Cadavid
Published: December 2011

Asphalt fatigue lives determined in the laboratory must be shifted to predict the performance of in-service pavements. Determination of the shift factor to be applied constitutes one of the main challenges of flexible pavements design. Experimental data from four sections tested for 28 months at the CEDEX test track provided detailed information regarding accumulation of asphalt fatigue damage as a function of loads and temperature. The data were used to draw conclusions about the damage process and to determine shift factors for two cracking levels in the field. An effort was made to quantify the beneficial effect of rest periods in the field through use of a variable shift factor that incorporates the methodology for studying this effect and the concept of reduced rest period that was developed in NCHRP 9-38 and 9-44. Results showed that rest periods were not only the main factor responsible for the need for shift factors but also the primary explanation for why most damage took place at medium to low temperatures and not during the warmest season. The asphalt fatigue model in the CalME design procedure has been used successfully to reproduce actual performance observed in the tested sections in terms of modulus reduction, which was previously determined from falling weight deflectometer backcalculation.
Separation of Safety Effects of Multiple Improvements by Alternate Empirical Bayes Methods
Authors: Richard Karen R. , Srinivasan Raghavan
Published: December 2011

Empirical Bayes (EB) before–after evaluations provide the average safety effectiveness estimate for safety improvement treatments that have been implemented on a group of sites. When multiple improvements have been installed at each site, a single effectiveness estimate is provided for the combination of improvements. To obtain individual safety effectiveness estimates for the improvements by the current EB method, separate studies of each improvement must be conducted. Alternative EB methods may be applied, however, when sites that have the combined improvements installed and sites that have all but the desired improvement to be estimated are both available. This paper examines the safety evaluation methodology, safety effect estimators, and statistical test of significance for these alternative EB methods. The recent study of the safety edge treatment is used to illustrate these methods. Recommendations include the conduct of individual EB analyses for study sites with and without the desired treatment and the estimation of the effect directly from the results. It was found that a statistical test of significance could be conducted by generating a confidence interval from the estimated variance of the estimates. Areas for further research were also identified.
Application of Latent Class Growth Model to Longitudinal Analysis of Traffic Crashes
Authors: Peng Yichuan , Lord Dominique
Published: December 2011

One of the most important and meaningful tasks in traffic safety is to describe how traffic crash risk changes over time. Over the past 20 years, much work has been done about this task. The recent introduction of latent class models to analyze crash data has created a need to examine how these models could be used for longitudinal data analysis. Latent class models dictate that part of the heterogeneity be attributed by grouping distinct subpopulations into a common data set. Investigation of the commonalities of the subgroups can be useful for targeting specific safety interventions. This paper describes the application of the latent class growth model (LCGM), which is tailored to longitudinal data. Analysis was accomplished with the use of data collected between 1997 and 2007 on rural, two-lane highways in Texas. Trends for all crash severities and injury crashes were examined. It was determined that the crash data could be drawn from three population subgroups for which crash risks were low, medium, and high. The results of this study showed that average shoulder width and speed limit had stronger effects at sites classified as high crash risks, whereas traffic flow had a stronger influence at sites classified as low risks. As expected, higher speed limits increased crash risk, whereas a wider shoulder width reduced risk. In conclusion, the LCGM showed good potential for use in the analysis of longitudinal data, but further research is needed.
Characterization of Interface Bond of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete Bridge Deck Overlays
Authors: Harris Devin K. , Sarkar Jayeeta , Ahlborn Theresa (Tess) M.
Published: December 2011

Critical components of the nation's bridge network, concrete bridge decks, are deteriorating at a rapid rate. This deterioration can be attributed to several factors; however, winter salt application, the diffusion of chlorides to the reinforcing steel, and eventual corrosion of the reinforcement are primary culprits. Multiple protection solutions, include concrete protective systems, sealers, additional cover to the reinforcement, membranes, and epoxy-coated reinforcement, but each solution has shortcomings and does not completely address the problem. Ultra-high-performance concrete, a relatively new material with exceptional strength and durability characteristics, may be a solution to these problems when it is used as a thin overlay on bridge decks. An experimental study was performed to evaluate the bond strength between an ultra-high-performance concrete overlay and a normal concrete substrate with different types of surface textures, including smooth, low roughness, and high roughness. Slant shear and splitting prism tests were performed to quantify the bond strength under compression combined with shear and under indirect tension. Test results demonstrated that under compressive loading, the bond strength was greater than the strength of the substrate when the surface texture was greater than the standard smooth finished mortar surface. For the bond strength under indirect tension, results were not highly sensitive to the surface roughness. In both cases, the measured bond strengths fell within the ranges specified in the American Concrete Institute's Guide for the Selection of Materials for the Repair of Concrete.
Effect of Blended Fly Ashes in Mitigating Alkali–Silica Reaction
Authors: Harish K. V. , Rangaraju P. R.
Published: December 2011

The role of chemical composition of fly ash in mitigating alkali–silica reaction (ASR) was examined, and findings were used to evaluate blends of high-lime and low-lime fly ashes in their ability to mitigate ASR. In addition, the influence of particle size (fineness) of fly ashes on ASR mitigation was evaluated, so that the relative significance of fineness and chemical composition of fly ash in mitigating ASR could be established. Findings from these studies confirm results from studies on the influence of lime content of ash on ASR mitigation. Blended fly ashes containing content of no more than 16.5% equivalent calcium oxide and no less than 66% equivalent silicon dioxide were found to be effective in mitigating ASR. The performance of blended fly ashes was comparable with that of virgin fly ashes of equivalent chemical composition. Finer fly ashes showed better ASR mitigation in the case of low- and intermediate-lime fly ashes. However, in the case of high-lime fly ashes, the effect of fineness could not be clearly resolved. Findings from this study indicate that both the physical and the chemical properties of fly ash are important in selecting ashes for developing blends that are effective in ASR mitigation.
Applying Emerging Private-Sector Probe-Based Speed Data in the National Capital Region's Planning Processes
Authors: Meese Andrew J. , Pu Wenjing
Published: December 2011

Public-sector applications of emerging private-sector probe-based travel time and speed data have been mainly for real-time traffic operations and incident and special events management; such data have rarely been used for metropolitan planning organizations’ planning programs or processes. Using data from the I-95 Corridor Coalition Vehicle Probe Project in the National Capital Region, this paper explores the possible planning applications of such operations data, including the congestion management process, management and operations planning, air-quality conformity analysis, and travel demand modeling. The paper demonstrates several important probe data–based performance measures in metropolitan transportation planning, especially for areas without comprehensive traffic detection systems. It also summarizes the advantages and caveats of the probe data and lessons learned from the experience.
Acceleration Estimation and Signature Matching Travel Time Estimation Enhancement for Standard Electromagnetic Vehicle Detectors
Authors: Ernst Joseph M. , Krogmeier James V. , Bullock Darcy M.
Published: December 2011

The traffic industry has invested in an extensive infrastructure for vehicle detection and speed estimation. This paper describes how these sensors can be enhanced to measure not only the presence and speed of a vehicle but also its acceleration and travel time. While acceleration of vehicles is of independent interest, knowledge of the acceleration of a vehicle can also be used to normalize vehicular signatures to increase significantly the probability of successfully reidentifying vehicles to generate travel time estimates. In this paper, the acceleration correction for vehicle reidentification is developed and analyzed in terms of the percentage of vehicles correctly matched and in the framework of a communication system's receiver operating characteristic. The percentage of vehicles correctly matched for the travel time estimation is increased from 55.1% when only the speed of the passing vehicles is used to 64.5% and the acceleration estimates are also used.
Empirical Analysis and Modeling of Drivers’ Response to Variable Message Signs in Shanghai, China
Authors: Xu Tiandong , Sun Lijun , Peng Zhong-Ren
Published: December 2011

This paper develops a method suitable for analyzing en route diversion behavior, with a corresponding probit model to analyze and quantify the impact of the content of different variable message signs (VMSs) and other factors on traffic diversion, based on real-time traffic data in Shanghai, China. The results were compared with a probit model based on a stated preference (SP) survey. To minimize the impact of varying origin–destination demand and travelers’ route selection behavior, this method seeks to study the impact of VMSs during a short period before and after a message switch, and uses relative diversion–compliance indices to evaluate the impact of information changes and absolute diversion–compliance indices quantitatively to analyze the impact of VMS messages on drivers’ en route behavior. Many results are consistent with the SP survey. Time factors, off-ramp conditions, and visibility of downstream congestion significantly influence en route behavior; this influence can explain the significant difference between the result from an en route model based on an SP survey and the real traffic system.
Real-Time Freeway-Experienced Travel Time Prediction Using N-Curve and k Nearest Neighbor Methods
Authors: Bustillos Brenda I. , Chiu Yi-Chang
Published: December 2011

This study presents a methodology for freeway travel time prediction that uses only count data. The proposed models include the generalized N-curve method in conjunction with the k nearest neighbor (kNN) method so that the travel time predicted for traversing a defined freeway segment at a certain departure time is similar to what a driver actually experiences. A real-world traffic network and demand are replicated in a traffic simulation model in which several scenarios are produced to serve as the test bed for evaluation and validation of the proposed algorithms. The proposed single-NN algorithm best predicts travel times for light, free-flow traffic conditions, and the multiple-NN algorithm best predicts travel times for congested traffic conditions. The hybrid-NN algorithm merges the single-NN and multiple-NN algorithms, exploiting each one where most suitable. A numerical analysis concludes the potential of the proposed models.
Development and Evaluation of Enhanced IntelliDrive-Enabled Lane Changing Advisory Algorithm to Address Freeway Merge Conflict
Authors: Park Hyungjun , Bhamidipati Chiranjivi Sarma , Smith Brian Lee
Published: December 2011

Freeway merge conflicts contribute significantly to freeway congestion. With the capabilities that will be available in an IntelliDrive environment, which enables vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications, new approaches to managing freeway merges are possible. In this paper, an enhanced IntelliDrive enabled lane changing advisory algorithm was developed with a variable gap size concept. This algorithm first calculates anticipated lead–lag gap sizes with the equations of motion prepared for a car and a truck and for three vehicle dynamics (accelerating, maintaining current speed, and decelerating). The algorithm then provides lane changing advisories to freeway main-line vehicles (selected on the basis of the calculated variable gap sizes) to create more space within the ramp merging area. Evaluation conducted with a VISSIM microscopic traffic simulation model of a freeway network in Virginia showed that the proposed algorithm has the potential to address freeway merge conflicts. The maximum operational improvement observed was 6.4% higher average speed in the freeway main line within a merge area. Up to a 5.2% reduction in emissions was achieved. Further analysis conducted in terms of the sensitivity of algorithm performance to driver compliance rates suggested that a very high compliance rate (90% or higher) was necessary for the proposed algorithm to work as intended.
Intersection Crossing Times of Bicyclists
Authors: Shladover Steven E. , Kim ZuWhan , Cao Meng , Sharafsaleh Ashkan , Johnston Scott
Published: December 2011

The timing of traffic signals is rarely determined by the needs of bicyclists, in part because quantitative data about the timing of intersection crossing maneuvers by bicyclists have not generally been available. This study built on a video image–processing method developed and reported in a previous study to collect data at five new intersections with diverse physical characteristics and bicycling populations. The video data were processed to produce cumulative distributions of the most important descriptors of crossing behavior of bicyclists: the speeds of bicyclists who did not stop at the intersection and the start-up times and final crossing speeds of bicyclists who crossed from a standing start. The timing information relative to the traffic signal was used to recommend signal times to permit most bicyclists to cross intersections safely. The recommendations took into account differences in the bicyclist population and the physical characteristics of the intersection (such as approach grades).
Acidic Pretreatment of Wheat Straw in Decanol for the Production of Surfactant, Lignin and Glucose
Authors: Marinkovic Sinisa , Bras Jean Le , Nardello-Rataj Véronique , Agach Mickaël , Estrine Boris
Published: December 2011

Wheat straw is an abundant residue of agriculture which is increasingly being considered as feedstock for the production of fuels, energy and chemicals. The acidic decanol-based pre-treatment of wheat straw has been investigated in this work. Wheat straw hemicellulose has been efficiently converted during a single step operation into decyl pentoside surfactants and the remaining material has been preserved keeping all its promises as potential feedstock for fuels or value added platform chemicals such as hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). The enzymatic digestibility of the cellulose contained in the straw residue has been evaluated and the lignin prepared from the material characterized. Wheat-based surfactants thus obtained have exhibited superior surface properties compared to fossil-based polyethoxylates decyl alcohol or alkyl oligoglucosides, some of which are largely used surfactants. In view of the growing importance of renewable resource-based molecules in the chemical industry, this approach may open a new avenue for the conversion of wheat straw into various chemicals.
Microsatellite markers for the Chinese endangered and endemic orchid Cymbidium tortisepalum (Orchidaceae)
Authors: Tang Min , Zeng Chun‐Xia , Bi Yu‐Fen , Yang Jun‐Bo
Published: December 2011

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed in the Chinese endangered and endemic orchid, Cymbidium tortisepalum, to investigate its genetic diversity and population genetic structure, and to identify its varieties.

• Methods and Results: Using the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences Containing repeats (FIASCO) protocol, 15 primer sets were identified in two wild populations. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to six, with a mean of 3.5. The observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.250 to 0.917 and from 0.228 to 0.841, respectively. All of these primers successfully amplified in the congener C. goeringii, and 12 were found useful in C. faberi and C. sinense.

• Conclusions: These markers will facilitate further studies on the population genetics and molecular identification of C. tortisepalum, its varieties, and other congener species.
EMOTIVE Cloud
Authors: Vaqué Alex , Goiri Iñigo , Guitart Jordi , Torres Jordi
Published: December 2011

This chapter introduces Elastic Management of Tasks in Virtualized Environments (EMOTIVE), which is the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC)’s IaaS open-source solution for Cloud Computing. EMOTIVE provides users with elastic fully customized virtual environments in which to execute their applications. Further, it simplifies the development of new middleware services for managing Cloud systems by supporting resource allocation and monitoring, data management, live migration, and checkpoints. These features and its facility to be extended and configured make EMOTIVE especially appropriate to support research on Cloud Computing scenarios. Offering functionality comparable to its commercial counterparts allows EMOTIME to be used on production to set up small Cloud platforms.
Review of Situational Awareness for Computer Network Defense
Authors: Onwubiko Cyril , Owens Thomas
Published: December 2011

The importance of situational awareness to air traffic control, and hence the safety and security of aircraft, is evident, demonstrable, and has been hugely significant. The main purpose of this book is to convey an understanding of the impact of situational awareness on the design of the next generation computer systems, network architectures, and platform infrastructures. The book achieves its purpose by presenting principles, methods, and applications of situational awareness for computer network defense; in doing so, it makes clear the benefits situational awareness can provide for information security, computer security and computer network defense. This book contributes to cross-multidisciplinary discussion among researchers, academia, and practitioners who are engaged objectively in sharing, contributing, and showcasing how situational awareness can be adapted to computer systems, network infrastructure designs, and architecture patterns. The goal of this chapter is to explain situational awareness for computer network defense from the point of view of its most basic foundations as a spring board to discuss how situational awareness can be relevant to computer network defense, whose operations and environment are similar to air traffic control where the application of situational awareness has been hugely successful.
Compacité par compensation pour une classe de systèmes hyperboliques de $p ≥ 3$ lois de conservation
Authors: Benzoni-Gavage Sylvie , Serre Denis
Published: December 2011

We are concerned with a strictly hyperbolic system of conservation laws

u_t + f( u)_x = 0

, where

u

runs in a region

\Omega

of

\mathbb R^p

, such that two of the characteristic fields are genuinely non-linear whereas the other ones are of Blake Temple's type. We begin with the case

p = 3

and show, under some more or less technical assumptions, that the approximate solutions

(u^\epsilon)_{\epsilon>0}

given either by the vanishing viscosity method or by the Godunov scheme converge to weak entropy solutions as

\epsilon

goes to 0. The first step consists in using techniques from the Blake Temple systems lying in the separate works of Leveque-Temple and Serre. Then we apply a compensated compactness method and the theory of Di Perna on 2 x 2 genuinely non-linear systems. Eventually the proof is extended to the general case

p > 3

.
A criterion of Petrowsky's kind for a degenerate quasilinear parabolic equation
Authors: Lindqvist Peter
Published: December 2011

The celebrated criterion of Petrowsky for the regularity of the latest boundary point, originally formulated for the heat equation, is extended to the so-called

p

-parabolic eqtlation. A barrier is constructed by the aid of the Barenblatt solution.
Low‐pressure UV/Cl2 for advanced oxidation of taste and odor
Authors: Watts Michael J. , Hofmann Run , Rcdsenfeldt Erik J.
Published: December 2011

Ultraviolet (UV)‐based methods of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), such as UV/hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), can be used for removal of taste and odor contaminants in drinking water. However, significant disadvantages to UV/H2O2 include incurred chemical costs associated with the addition of peroxide and quenching residual peroxide and the operational challenge of balancing peroxide quenching with secondary disinfection needs. Recent work has shown that H2O2 can be replaced with chlorine (Cl2) for UV‐AOP and produce advantageous oxidation efficiencies for synthetic organic contaminants under certain conditions. This article uses modeling of the photochemistry of UV/H2O2 and UV/Cl2 to compare emerging and state‐of‐the‐art UV‐AOPs for control of the taste and odor‐inducing compounds geosmin and 2‐methylisoborneol. Although UV/H2O2 has a decided advantage with respect to oxidation efficiency in surface waters at neutralto‐ basic pH, UV/C12 can provide a cost‐effective AOP alternative, with a low risk of added trihalomethane and haloacetic acid formation in some surface waters.
Palette of Problems
Authors: Rock David , Porter Mary K.
Published: December 2011

A monthly set of problems is aimed at a variety of ability levels.
Fast photo‐switched wettability and color of surfaces coated with polymer brushes containing spiropyran
Authors: Wang Dan , Jiao Pengwei , Wang Jianming , Zhang Qiaolan , Feng Lin , Yang Zhenzhong
Published: December 2011

An intelligent photo‐responsive spiropyran (SP)‐contained surface that combines reversible wettability conversion with photochromic behavior was prepared on etched silicon substrates by atom transfer radical polymerization. The heterocyclic ring cleavage of SP moieties under UV irradiation leads to the change of the surface wettability and color. Water contact angle (CA) of the prepared surfaces change from 138.8° ± 1.3° to 42.7° ± 1.7° after 5 min under 365 nm UV irradiation and recover to its original state after 20 min of visible light irradiation, accompanied by the color change between yellowish and purple. To our knowledge, this result is the highest and fastest CA variation reported for surfaces containing SPs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Radiative properties of spectral selective coatings pigmented with TiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Gonome Hiroki , Baneshi Mehdi , Komiya Atsuki , Maruyama Shigenao
Published: December 2011

This study is concerned with nanoparticle‐pigmented coatings used to control the radiative properties of surfaces exposed to sunlight. The desired coatings increase the near infrared reflectance while decreasing the reflectance of visible light. Both experimental and numerical approaches were followed in achieving the desired spectral behavior. In this study the pigmented coatings were made using TiO2 as dispersed particles, clear acryl synthetic as the matrix, and standard black paper as the substrate. The spectral reflectance was measured by spectroscopy in the visible and near‐infrared regions. The effects of the size distribution and volume fraction of pigment particles and the coating thickness on the spectral reflectance of pigmented coatings are examined in this study. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.20392
Tuning and amplification strategies for intravascular imaging coils
Authors: Yak Nicolas , Anderson Kevan J.T. , Wright Graham A.
Published: December 2011

The manufacturing of intravascular imaging coils poses several challenges. Due to their size, it can be difficult to incorporate local matching networks and signal amplifiers. The goal of this study is to investigate tuning and amplification strategies for intravascular coils and to assess the signal‐to‐noise benefits of incorporating a matching network and/or miniature amplifier into catheter‐based intravascular imaging devices at various locations in the signal chain. The results suggest that the use of a low‐noise amplifier close to the receiving coil enables the use of miniature coaxial cables to be used despite being noisy. Moreover, an improvement in the signal‐to‐noise ratio of over 75% is presented over conventional intravascular coil configurations where the matching circuit and low‐noise amplifier are placed at the proximal end. Therefore, designing devices for intravascular applications capable of generating high signal‐to‐noise ratio images becomes more feasible, also allowing for significant reductions in scan time. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Use of the Vandenberg and Kuse Mental Rotation Test in Children
Authors: Hoyek Nady , Collet Christian , Fargier Patrick , Guillot Aymeric
Published: December 2011

Previous studies found that children are able to perform mental rotation (MR) tasks with a gender difference from the age of 4. More recently, gender differences in MR were also reported in infancy. However, different kinds of paradigms and stimuli were used. The present study investigates whether the Vandenberg and Kuse Mental Rotation Test (VMRT; Vandenberg & Kuse, 1978 ) as well as another similar 2-dimensional stimuli test may be used with elementary and middle-school children, and whether gender differences are evidenced. Results show that boys outperform girls in the middle-school group only. Elementary school children encountered difficulties solving both the VMRT and 2D MR tests. The data confirmed recent results showing that gender differences in the VMRT performance were found at age 10. We further concluded that the VMRT and 2D MR tests may not be well-designed for elementary-school children. Further investigations should focus on gender differences in MR for children younger than 9 years old as well as on the underlying causes of such difference, using other experimental paradigms.
Microwave brightness temperature of cratered lunar surface and inversions of the physical temperature profile and thickness of regolith layer
Authors: Gong Xiaohui , Jin Ya‐Qiu
Published: December 2011

Based on the multichannel brightness temperature observations of Chinese Chang'E‐1 lunar satellite, inversions of the physical temperature profile of the lunar regolith medium and its layer thickness are discussed. The correspondence of the brightness temperature distribution to the lunar topography is demonstrated and discussed, especially around lunar polar regions under poor solar illumination. As examples, in two areas, along the lunar equator and along the line of longitude 150°W, the physical temperature profile of regolith layer and its thickness are inverted using a three‐layer model of thermal radiative transfer. The results which are based on some Apollo measurements are compared with an empirical formulation of the physical temperature as a function of latitude.