bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economy-Wide Analysis of Alternative Water Management Policies: A Comparative Analysis for Morocco and Tunisia
Authors: Chemingui Mohamed A. , Thabet Chokri
Published: October 2016

The main objective of this paper is to compare the impacts of alternative water policy management scenarios on the Tunisian and Moroccan economies. A dynamic computable general equilibrium model has been developed for each country and is used to explore the likely effects of alternative water policies on a variety of macroeconomic and sectoral variables. Results show that the low cost of water has encouraged farmers to adopt more water-intensive activities. Reducing public subsidies for water will directly affect farmers’ incomes which, under the current conditions, are expected to drop by about 1% by 2020 compared to the baseline scenario. However, the reduction of farmers’ incomes will be largely compensated for by the level of public savings from more efficient water resources management. Moreover, farmers will progressively increase their incomes as a result of introducing more appropriate activities with lower water demand. Finally, the ultimate economic outcomes of public management policies of water resources depend also on the type of fiscal policies to be followed in financing additional investments.
PERFORM
Authors: Durupinar Funda , Kapadia Mubbasir , Deutsch Susan , Neff Michael , Badler Norman I.
Published: October 2016

A major goal of research on virtual humans is the animation of expressive characters that display distinct psychological attributes. Body motion is an effective way of portraying different personalities and differentiating characters. The purpose and contribution of this work is to describe a formal, broadly applicable, procedural, and empirically grounded association between personality and body motion and apply this association to modify a given virtual human body animation that can be represented by these formal concepts. Because the body movement of virtual characters may involve different choices of parameter sets depending on the context, situation, or application, formulating a link from personality to body motion requires an intermediate step to assist generalization. For this intermediate step, we refer to Laban Movement Analysis, which is a movement analysis technique for systematically describing and evaluating human motion. We have developed an expressive human motion generation system with the help of movement experts and conducted a user study to explore how the psychologically validated OCEAN personality factors were perceived in motions with various Laban parameters. We have then applied our findings to procedurally animate expressive characters with personality, and validated the generalizability of our approach across different models and animations via another perception study.
Role of microRNA in metabolic shift during heart failure
Authors: Pinti Mark V. , Hathaway Quincy A. , Hollander John M.
Published: October 2016

Heart failure (HF) is an end point resulting from a number of disease states. The prognosis for HF patients is poor with survival rates precipitously low. Energy metabolism is centrally linked to the development of HF, and it involves the proteomic remodeling of numerous pathways, many of which are targeted to the mitochondrion. microRNAs (miRNA) are noncoding RNAs that influence posttranscriptional gene regulation. miRNA have garnered considerable attention for their ability to orchestrate changes to the transcriptome, and ultimately the proteome, during HF. Recently, interest in the role played by miRNA in the regulation of energy metabolism at the mitochondrion has emerged. Cardiac proteome remodeling during HF includes axes impacting hypertrophy, oxidative stress, calcium homeostasis, and metabolic fuel transition. Although it is established that the pathological environment of hypoxia and hemodynamic stress significantly contribute to the HF phenotype, it remains unclear as to the mechanistic underpinnings driving proteome remodeling. The aim of this review is to present evidence highlighting the role played by miRNA in these processes as a means for linking pathological stimuli with proteomic alteration. The differential expression of proteins of substrate transport, glycolysis, β-oxidation, ketone metabolism, the citric acid cycle (CAC), and the electron transport chain (ETC) are paralleled by the differential expression of miRNA species that modulate these processes. Identification of miRNAs that translocate to cardiomyocyte mitochondria (miR-181c, miR-378) influencing the expression of the mitochondrial genome-encoded transcripts as well as suggested import modulators are discussed. Current insights, applications, and challenges of miRNA-based therapeutics are also described.
Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, Diabetes, and Risk of Liver Cancer for U.S. Adults
Authors: Campbell Peter T. , Newton Christina C. , Freedman Neal D. , Koshiol Jill , Alavanja Michael C. , Beane Freeman Laura E. , Buring Julie E. , Chan Andrew T. , Chong Dawn Q. , Datta Mridul , Gaudet Mia M. , Gaziano J. Michael , Giovannucci Edward L. , Graubard Barry I. , Hollenbeck Albert R. , King Lindsey , Lee I.-Min , Linet Martha S. , Palmer Julie R. , Petrick Jessica L. , Poynter Jenny N. , Purdue Mark P. , Robien Kim , Rosenberg Lynn , Sahasrabuddhe Vikrant V. , Schairer Catherine , Sesso Howard D. , Sigurdson Alice J. , Stevens Victoria L. , Wactawski-Wende Jean , Zeleniuch-Jacquotte Anne , Renehan Andrew G. , McGlynn Katherine A.
Published: October 2016

Incidence rates for liver cancer have increased 3-fold since the mid-1970s in the United States in parallel with increasing trends for obesity and type II diabetes mellitus. We conducted an analysis of baseline body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and type II diabetes mellitus with risk of liver cancer. The Liver Cancer Pooling Project maintains harmonized data from 1.57 million adults enrolled in 14 U.S.-based prospective studies. Cox regression estimated HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) adjusted for age, sex, study center, alcohol, smoking, race, and BMI (for WC and type II diabetes mellitus). Stratified analyses assessed whether the BMI–liver cancer associations differed by hepatitis sera-positivity in nested analyses for a subset of cases (n = 220) and controls (n = 547). After enrollment, 2,162 incident liver cancer diagnoses were identified. BMI, per 5 kg/m2, was associated with higher risks of liver cancer, more so for men (HR = 1.38; 95% CI, 1.30–1.46) than women (HR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.17–1.35; Pinteraction = 0.02). WC, per 5 cm, was associated with higher risks of liver cancer, approximately equally by sex (overall, HR = 1.08; 95% CI, 1.04–1.13). Type II diabetes mellitus was associated with higher risk of liver cancer (HR = 2.61; 95% CI, 2.34–2.91). In stratified analyses, there was a null association between BMI and liver cancer risk for participants who were sera-positive for hepatitis. This study suggests that high BMI, high WC, and type II diabetes mellitus are associated with higher risks of liver cancer and that the association may differ by status of viral hepatitis infection. Cancer Res; 76(20); 6076–83. ©2016 AACR.
Progress in Endocrine Neoplasia
Authors: Wells Samuel A.
Published: October 2016

Most endocrine tumors are benign, and afflicted patients usually seek medical advice because of symptoms caused by too much, or too little, native hormone secretion or the impingement of their tumor on a vital structure. Malignant endocrine tumors represent a more serious problem, and patient cure often depends on early diagnosis and treatment. The recent development of novel molecular therapeutics holds great promise for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic endocrine cancer. In this CCR Focus, expert clinical investigators describe the molecular characteristics of various endocrine tumors and discuss the current status of diagnosis and treatment. Clin Cancer Res; 22(20); 4981–8. ©2016 AACR.

See all articles in this CCR Focus section, “Endocrine Cancers: Revising Paradigms.”
Role of Beclin-1-Mediated Autophagy in the Survival of Pediatric Leukemia Cells
Authors: Wu Xiaoli , Feng Xuefeng , Zhao Xiaoqing , Ma Futian , Liu Na , Guo Hongming , Li Chaonan , Du Huan , Zhang Baoxi
Published: October 2016

Background/Aims: Acute and chronic leukemia are severe malignant cancers worldwide, and can occur in pediatric patients. Since bone marrow cell transplantation is seriously limited by the availability of the immune-paired donor sources, the therapy for pediatric leukemia (PL) remains challenging. Autophagy is essential for the regulation of cell survival in the harsh environment. However, the role of autophagy in the survival of PL cells under the oxidative stress, e.g. chemotherapy, remain ill-defined. In the current study, we addressed these questions. Methods: We analyzed the effects of oxidative stress on the cell viability of PL cells in vitro, using a CCK-8 assay. We analyzed the effects of oxidative stress on the apoptosis and autophagy of PL cells. We analyzed the levels of Beclin-1 and microRNA-93 (miR-93) in PL cells. Prediction of binding between miR-93 and 3'-UTR of Beclin-1 mRNA was performed by a bioinformatics algorithm and confirmed by a dual luciferase reporter assay. The relationship between levels of miR-93 and patients' survival was analyzed in PL patients. Results: We found that oxidative stress dose-dependently increased autophagy in PL cells. While low-level oxidative stress did not increase apoptosis, high-level oxidative stress increased apoptosis, seemingly from failure of autophagy-mediated cell survival. High-level oxidative stress appeared to suppress the protein levels of an autophagy protein Beclin-1 in PL cells, possibly through induction of miR-93, which inhibited the translation of Beclin-1 mRNA via 3'-UTR binding. Conclusion: Beclin-1-mediated autophagy plays a key role in the survival of PL cells against oxidative stress. Induction of miR-93 may increase the sensitivity of PL cells to oxidative stress during chemotherapy to improve therapeutic outcome.
Unrelenting Ocular Pain as a Masquerading Symptom of Occult Choroidal Metastasis
Authors: Deaner Jordan D. , Pointdujour-Lim Renelle , Say Emil Anthony T. , Shields Carol L.
Published: October 2016

Purpose: To report a case of chronic eye pain as a presenting feature of choroidal metastasis from lung cancer. Methods: We report the case of a 58-year-old Caucasian woman with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma presenting with an 8-month history of left eye pain and blurred vision. Results: The patient had previously consulted 14 ophthalmologists with varying diagnoses including posterior scleritis and trigeminal neuralgia. Visual acuity at presentation was 20/20 in the right eye and 20/80 in the left eye. Examination of the right eye was normal, while the left eye showed ill-defined flat yellow discoloration of the choroid with overlying shifting subretinal fluid. Ultrasonography demonstrated a dense choroidal thickening measuring 2.6 mm in size and showing subretinal fluid. Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography revealed choroidal thickening with a ‘lumpy bumpy' surface topography consistent with a metastatic choroidal tumor presumably from the patient's lung adenocarcinoma. Fine needle aspiration biopsy followed by treatment was recommended, but the patient declined and later succumbed to metastatic disease. Conclusion: We present a case of chronic eye pain associated with diffuse choroidal thickening from metastatic lung adenocarcinoma that was previously unrecognized and misdiagnosed. This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing pain as a presenting symptom of choroidal metastasis.
Studies on the Histopathology of Temporal Arteritis
Authors: Wang Angeline L. , Raven Meisha L. , Surapaneni Krishna , Albert Daniel M.
Published: October 2016

Aims: The aim of this paper was to identify the location and to grade the severity of most significant inflammation within positive temporal artery biopsies along with other key clinical and histologic characteristics. Methods: Charts and pathology slides for 70 patients diagnosed with temporal arteritis at the University of Wisconsin (UW) Hospital and Clinics from 1989 to 2015 were reviewed. A subset of 48 specimens was immunostained for CD68 and graded on a scale from 0 to +++; the location of staining was recorded. Results: The most severe granulomatous inflammation was in the media and adventitia in 13% (9/70) of the biopsies; the remaining had uniform full thickness inflammation. Of the slides that were stained with CD68, 94% (45/48) were positive. In 42% (19/45), the stained cells were found mainly in the muscularis and adventitia. Seven percent (3/45) of the slides had staining solely around the internal elastic lamina, and 2% (1/45) had staining limited to the intima. Conclusions: With a few exceptions, granulomatous inflammation in positive temporal artery biopsies is most evident at the media and adventitia or is uniform throughout the layers of the artery. Our study lends support to the theory that the muscularis and adventitia may play an inciting role in the pathogenesis of temporal arteritis.
Transitions in Metabolic Risk and Long‐Term Cardiovascular Health: Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study
Authors: Murthy Venkatesh L. , Abbasi Siddique A. , Siddique Juned , Colangelo Laura A. , Reis Jared , Venkatesh Bharath A. , Carr J. Jeffrey , Terry James G. , Camhi Sarah M. , Jerosch‐Herold Michael , de Ferranti Sarah , Das Saumya , Freedman Jane , Carnethon Mercedes R. , Lewis Cora E. , Lima Joao A. C. , Shah Ravi V.
Published: October 2016

Background

Despite evidence suggesting that early metabolic dysfunction impacts cardiovascular disease risk, current guidelines focus on risk assessments later in life, missing early transitions in metabolic risk that may represent opportunities for averting the development of cardiovascular disease.

Methods and Results

In 4420 young adults in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, we defined a “metabolic” risk score based on components of the Third Report of the Adult Treatment Panel's definition of metabolic syndrome. Using latent class trajectory analysis adjusted for sex, race, and time‐dependent body mass index, we identified 6 distinct metabolic trajectories over time, specified by initial and final risk: low‐stable, low‐worsening, high‐stable, intermediate‐worsening, intermediate‐stable, and high‐worsening. Overall, individuals gained weight over time in CARDIA with statistically but not clinically different body mass index trend over time. Dysglycemia and dyslipidemia over time were highest in initially high or worsening trajectory groups. Divergence in metabolic trajectories occurred in early adulthood (before age 40), with 2 of 3 individuals experiencing an increase in metabolic risk over time. Membership in a higher‐risk trajectory (defined as initially high or worsening over time) was associated with greater prevalence and extent of coronary artery calcification, left ventricular mass, and decreased left ventricular strain at year 25. Importantly, despite similar rise in body mass index across trajectories over 25 years, coronary artery calcification and left ventricular structure and function more closely tracked risk factor trajectories.

Conclusions

Transitions in metabolic risk occur early in life. Obesity‐related metabolic dysfunction is related to subclinical cardiovascular phenotypes independent of evolution in body mass index, including coronary artery calcification and myocardial hypertrophy and dysfunction.
First Year After Stroke
Authors: Graven Christine , Brock Kim , Hill Keith D. , Cotton Sue , Joubert Lynette
Published: October 2016

Background and Purpose—

Depression is a common issue after stroke. A focus on assisting people to achieve their personal participation goals may reduce levels of depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a person-centered, integrated approach on facilitating goal achievement in the first year poststroke on depressive symptoms.

Methods—

This study was a randomized controlled trial that addressed ways to enhance participation in patient-valued activities and intermittently screen for adverse sequelae postdischarge from rehabilitation. Collaborative goal setting was undertaken in both groups at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. The control group received standard management as determined by the treating team. In addition, the intervention group received a multimodal approach, including telephone contacts, screening for adverse sequelae, written information, home visits, review of goal achievement, and further referral to relevant health services. The main outcome measure was depressed mood, measured by the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale.

Results—

One hundred ten participants were recruited. No group differences were identified at baseline on any demographic and clinical variables. Using multiple linear regression analysis, there was a significant difference between the 2 groups with respect to the severity of depressive symptoms at 12 months poststroke (
R
2
=0.366;
F
(6, 89)=8.57;
P
<0.005), with the intervention group recording lower depressive scores.

Conclusions—

This model of community-based rehabilitation proved effective in reducing poststroke depressive symptoms. An integrated approach using pursuit of patient-identified activities should form part of routine poststroke management.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.anzctr.org.au
. Unique identifier: ACTRN12608000042347.
Has NCLB Encouraged Educational Triage? Accountability and the Distribution of Achievement Gains
Authors: Ballou Dale , Springer Matthew G.
Published: October 2016

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) has been criticized for encouraging schools to neglect students whose performance exceeds the proficiency threshold or lies so far below it that there is no reasonable prospect of closing the gap during the current year. We examine this hypothesis using longitudinal data from 2002–03 through 2005–06. Our identification strategy relies on the fact that as NCLB was phased in, states had some latitude in designating which grades were to count for purposes of a school making adequate yearly progress. We compare the mathematics achievement distribution in a grade before and after it became a high-stakes grade. We find in general no evidence that gains were concentrated on students near the proficiency standard at the expense of students scoring much lower, though there are inconsistent signs of a trade-off with students at the upper end of the distribution.
Capitalization of Charter Schools into Residential Property Values
Authors: Brehm Margaret , Imberman Scott A. , Naretta Michael
Published: October 2016

Although prior research has found clear impacts of schools and school quality on property values, little is known about whether charter schools have similar effects. Using sale price data for residential properties in Los Angeles County from 2008 to 2011 we estimate the neighborhood level impact of charter schools on housing prices. Using an identification strategy that relies on census-block fixed effects and variation in charter penetration over time, we find little evidence that the availability of a charter school affects housing prices on average. We do find, however, that when restricting to districts other than Los Angeles Unified and counting only charter schools located in the same school district as the household, housing prices fall in response to an increase in nearby charter penetration.
What is the ‘Text’ in Textual Criticism?
Authors: Troxel Ronald L.
Published: October 2016

Textual criticism has long used terms and phrases incorporating ‘text’ without scrutinizing whether they are defensible. Contributing to this problem has been imprecision in the definition of ‘text’ itself. Contemporary scholarship has nibbled at the edges of a definition, but no focused consideration has been given to pinpointing what it is textual criticism criticizes. This essay examines the concepts underlying talk of ‘text’, positing that ‘text’ must be defined within a matrix with author and reader. A text’s production and preservation reflects its reading communities’ conferral upon it of the status of ‘text’. Although establishment of the earliest recoverable form(s) of a text remains important, that must be paired with understanding a text’s role in shaping and reflecting the lives of its reading communities. Careful definition of ‘text’ and the nomenclature that describes it can bring clarity to conceiving the task of textual criticism.
Elusive Scrolls: Could Any Hebrew Literature Have Been Written Prior to the Eighth Century bce?
Authors: Richelle Matthieu
Published: October 2016

Two reasons lead many scholars today to think that the Israelites were not able to produce long, literary works during the 10th and 9th centuries bce. First, there is a dearth of Hebrew inscriptions from that time; second, the Israelites did not have the necessary socio-economic resources until the 8th century bce. This article critically assesses these two lines of reasoning in light of current research in the epigraphy and archaeology of the Southern Levant. In addition, it provides several elements which indicate that the necessary conditions for the production of long texts were present in Judah/Israel in the early royal period.
Soil Moisture Drought Monitoring and Forecasting Using Satellite and Climate Model Data over Southwestern China
Authors: Zhang Xuejun , Tang Qiuhong , Liu Xingcai , Leng Guoyong , Li Zhe
Published: October 2016

In this paper, an experimental soil moisture drought monitoring and seasonal forecasting framework based on the Variable Infiltration Capacity model (VIC) over southwestern China (SW) is presented. Satellite precipitation data are used to force VIC for a near-real-time estimate of land surface hydrologic conditions. Initialized with satellite-aided monitoring (MONIT), the climate model (CFSv2)-based forecast (MONIT+CFSv2) and ensemble streamflow prediction (ESP)-based forecast (MONIT+ESP) are both performed. One dry season drought and one wet season drought are employed to test the ability of this framework in terms of real-time tracking and predicting the evolution of soil moisture (SM) drought, respectively. The results show that the skillful CFSv2 climate forecasts (CFs) are only found at the first month. The satellite-aided monitoring is able to provide a reasonable estimate of forecast initial conditions (ICs) in real-time mode. In the presented cases, MONIT+CFSv2 forecast exhibits comparable performance against the observation-based estimates for the first month, whereas the predictive skill largely drops beyond 1 month. Compared to MONIT+ESP, MONIT+CFSv2 ensembles give more skillful SM drought forecast during the dry season, as indicated by a smaller ensemble range, while the added value of MONIT+CFSv2 is marginal during the wet season. A quantitative attribution analysis of SM forecast uncertainty demonstrates that SM forecast skill is mostly controlled by ICs at the first month and that uncertainties in CFs have the largest contribution to SM forecast errors at longer lead times. This study highlights a value of this framework in generating near-real-time ICs and providing a reliable SM drought prediction with 1 month ahead, which may greatly benefit drought diagnosis, assessment, and early warning.
The Effect of Age and History of Recurrent Otitis Media on Dichotic Listening and Verbal Memory in Children
Authors: Jafari Zahra , Malayeri Saeed , Bahramian Elahe
Published: October 2016

Objectives:

To explore the possible effects of recurrent otitis media (ROM) in early childhood on binaural processing and verbal memory in school-aged children.

Methods:

Two hundred eleven children, including 31 children with and 180 children without a history of ROM, were examined. A dichotic digit test (DDT) and a forward and backward digit memory span test (DMST) were administered.

Results:

A significant difference was observed between age groups among ROM-free children. The ROM-positive group earned significantly poorer results than the ROM-free group in all measurements, except for the right DDT (rDDT) score. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between the DDT and EA scores with both DMST scores in the ROM-free group. The correlation between the rDDT and forward DMST scores was not significant in the ROM-positive group, and no significant correlation was observed between the EA score and either DMST score.

Conclusions:

Our findings support that a history of OM in early childhood based on a parental survey of children is associated with differences in DDT and DMST outcomes.
Development of a potential screening measure for adolescent depression
Authors: Taouk Mona , Meiser Bettina , Hadzi-Pavlovic Dusan , Dudley Michael , Mitchell Philip B
Published: October 2016

Objectives:

Few adolescent-specific depression screening instruments have been developed in recent years using multi-method approaches (qualitative and quantitative), and some of those available have limitations with an adolescent audience. We describe the development of a potential measure – the Taouk Scale for Adolescent Depression.

Methods:

Draft items were informed by findings from focus groups and reviews by adolescents and healthcare professionals, resulting in a provisional 97-item scale. This was administered to a nation-wide sample of 3087 secondary students. Exploratory factor analysis was used in a development subset to examine dimensionality of items and reduce their number, with the final item set evaluated in a validation subset.

Results:

Four reliable factors – negative outlook, emotional distress, behavioural changes and cognitive and somatic disturbances – were obtained from the exploratory factor analysis, resulting in a 28-item instrument, which was corroborated by confirmatory factor analysis. The final scale includes a number of novel items not included in current measures, i.e., whether respondents wear more black clothing than usual, deliberately damage property, take more risks, ‘space out’ at school and are engaged in substance abuse and/or increased sexual activity.

Conclusion:

The Taouk Scale for Adolescent Depression demonstrated sound psychometric properties and may have utility for future screening and future epidemiological purposes. It appears to be a valid and reliable screening instrument for adolescent depression that includes a number of novel items. Further research is necessary to confirm its criterion validity in clinically depressed samples.
Equality for Whom? Organizational Policies and the Gender Gap across the German Earnings Distribution
Authors: Huffman Matt L. , King Joe , Reichelt Malte
Published: October 2016

Work establishments are critical for the creation and maintenance of gender inequality. Organizational practices, most notably those that formalize personnel systems or target gender inequality, are often assumed to have uniform effects on inequality across the wage hierarchy. This assumption has eluded careful empirical scrutiny. The authors estimate unconditional quantile regressions with a unique German linked employer-employee data set to assess whether formalized human resource practices, female-friendly diversity measures, and the availability of workplace child care facilities affect wage inequality differently across the wage distribution. While these policies reduce gender inequality in general, they do so more strongly near the bottom of the earnings distribution. Policies that formalize personnel systems and explicitly promote female employees are particularly advantageous to women in low-wage jobs. These results suggest that gender policies have a more subtle effect on earnings inequality than previously recognized, requiring scholars and practitioners to investigate their unique effects at various points of the earnings distribution.
Random process model of mechanical property degradation in carbon fiber-reinforced plastics under thermo-oxidative aging
Authors: Fan Wei , Li Jia-lu , Fan Shun-hou , Liu Xu , Sun Run-jun , Meng Jia-guang , Liu Cheng-kun
Published: October 2016

The mechanical properties of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics used in aerospace are vulnerable to degradation under thermo-oxidative aging conditions. However, it is hard to establish a mechanical property prediction model for carbon fiber-reinforced plastics from thermo-oxidative aging mechanism point of view since the thermo-oxidative aging degradation processes are very complex. A mathematical model was proposed based on the theory of stochastic processes for predicting mechanical property degradation of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics under thermo-oxidative aging conditions in the present work. However, the predicted values calculated by the “random process model” were not in good agreement with experimental data. And then a “modified random process model” (namely a wider random process model) was established through Box–Cox transformation for random process model. The verification of the evaluation model showed that the modified random process model can nicely describe the mechanical performance degradation of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics with the increasing of aging time under certain aging temperatures. As the modified random process model was established without limiting the reinforced structure of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics, the described method provides an opportunity to rapidly predict the mechanical properties and the lifetime of any carbon fiber-reinforced plastics by testing the mechanical properties of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics before and after aging for a short period of time.
Fabrication of electrically conductive substrates using copper nanoparticles-deposited carbon black
Authors: Lim Yongchan , Lee Changhee , Choi Hayoung , Bae Jinyoung
Published: October 2016

Carbon black particles surrounded by copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) were synthesized using electroless plating method. Palladium chloride was adsorbed onto carbon black, followed by the reduction of palladium chloride for catalyzing the reduction of Cu ions on the surface of carbon black particles. After that, carbon black particles doped by palladium catalyst were dispersed and stirred in Cu plating bath. Cu ions being reduced, Cu NPs surrounded the surface of carbon black particles (Cu@CB). The ratios of Cu to carbon black were controlled through variation of weight of Cu ions in Cu plating bath from 1:1 to 1:7. Cu@CB was applied to electrically conductive substrates with ethyl cellulose binder. Electrical properties and morphology were measured and compared with different weight ratio of Cu and carbon black. It was found that when weight ratio of Cu to carbon black was above three, resistivity of conductive substrates fabricated decreased dramatically. Lowest resistivity was 5.93 × 10−4 Ωcm, confirming the advantages of Cu@CB which has possibility of lowering weight percentage of metal in conductive substrates through simple process.
Comparison of control methods for a dynamic voltage restorer using a three-phase matrix converter
Authors: Szcześniak Paweł
Published: October 2016

A dynamic voltage restorer (DVR) is used in a power distribution system to protect sensitive loads against voltage disturbances. The commonly used DVR system contains a converter with direct current (DC) link and energy storage elements. The DC energy storage part of the system is the most expensive element and has a large value. As an alternative, therefore, DVR systems can use alternating current AC/AC converters without DC energy storage. This paper presents the properties of a DVR system based on a direct matrix converter using three control methods: in-phase, pre-sag, and energy-optimal. The paper defines basic mathematical relationships and static characteristics and describes the range of voltage compensation by use of the described compensation methods. Simulation results are obtained and presented in order to verify the correctness of the compensation. The features of such a DVR system configuration are considered in the context of alternative applications for commonly used converters with DC-link energy storage power converters. Application of the matrix converter in electrical power systems is still not very popular, due to limited output voltage and the complex structure and process control. This article is an attempt to show the usefulness of the matrix converter in spite of its limitations and the complexity of the design.
A calibration procedure for increasing the accuracy of microscopic traffic simulation models
Authors: Henclewood Dwayne , Suh Wonho , Rodgers Michael O , Fujimoto Richard , Hunter Michael P
Published: October 2016

Efforts to address operational issues in transportation have been the focus of many research efforts. A number of these efforts were geared toward developing microscopic traffic simulation models to accurately represent the complex and dynamic operation of a transportation network. One of the challenges with such models is that they do not always adequately reflect field conditions—particularly when representing traffic operations across different time periods. This paper presents a robust calibration procedure that aims to increase the accuracy of calibrated microscopic traffic simulation models. This procedure is based on a Monte Carlo approach to generate candidate parameter sets, which are aimed to produce calibrated simulation models. Model runs of these parameter sets are evaluated against robust calibration criteria, including startup and saturation flow characteristics and travel time distributions. The parameter sets that satisfy these criteria are considered as adequately calibrated to accurately reflect field performance measures. In applying this procedure, the results suggest that this approach offers a robust and effective method of calibrating simulation models where disaggregate-level vehicle data are available—which is becoming more prevalent with further advancements in mobile sensor and connected vehicle technologies.