bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural capacity and the 20 MW wind turbine
Authors: Garvey S D
Published: September 2010

This article addresses a generic and fundamental question: given the specification for a structure, how can one assess or even express its capacity without first designing it? The question is motivated by the consideration of how wind turbines (offshore wind turbines in particular) may scale up further. An underlying premise is that the wind-turbine designs that have evolved from 50 kW to 5 MW may warrant re-examination to check whether scaling effects demand new approaches at larger scales. Since several in the industry are already setting sights on 8 MW and even 10 MW machines as extrapolations of current designs, this article considers the development of a 20 MW (232 m diameter) machine. The conventional three-bladed arrangement on a slender tower is examined for notional 5 and 20 MW machines for similar rated wind conditions.

Initially, the article considers the structural capacity requirements for conventional designs at both 5 and 20 MW and how these can be reduced substantially – using a floating framework in place of a tower and by deploying cable bracing on the rotor. When tower bending and the non-productive blade bending moments have thus been addressed, the turbine torque itself emerges as a major cause of cost. The turbine torque directly influences the costs of blades, pitch and yaw bearings, direct-drive generators (if present), gearbox (if present), and main shaft, and it is confirmed that in all cases, the total amounts of material required are at least proportional to the turbine torque for conventional designs.

An alternative wind-turbine configuration is examined. In this, gravity is co-opted as an ally rather than an enemy, and power conversion takes place entirely within the rotor by allowing gravity to move bodies within the rotor. The concept is illustrated for a 20 MW machine and shown to be entirely workable in principle. A strong feature of this proposed new machine configuration is that the costs are almost exclusively structural and can be quantified in terms of the uniform currency of structural capacity. The scalability of this concept becomes clear by observing that the mean velocities of the moveable masses relative to the main rotor structure are virtually independent of machine scale.
Modelling and Predicting the Deformed Geometry of Thick-Walled Pipes Subjected to Induction Bending
Authors: Collie G J , Higgins R J , Black I
Published: September 2010

Induction bending offers a rapid, cost-effective method of producing complex convoluted pipework. The resultant bends, however, typically show unwanted geometric deformations which include wall thinning at the extrados, wall thickening at the intrados, awkward transitions on going from tangent to bend, and wrinkling at the intrados surface. All forms of geometric deformation are worse depending on the tightness of the bend and the thickness of the original pipe. Predicting the final geometry of the bend is a non-trivial problem.

This article first considers the use of simple analytical models to predict the final deformed geometry of induction bends in thick-walled pipe. It then goes on to compare the predicted geometry obtained from those analytical models with the outputs from empirically derived charts and computational models. The article concludes that empirically derived charts do not offer accurate predictions of wall thinning, are not currently available for intrados wall thickening, and cannot, with confidence, be extrapolated to produce accurate results for very tight bends. Numerical models are developed which predict wall thickening and thinning for any combination of outside diameter/wall thickness/bend radius combination; however, it is concluded that their limited accuracy makes their use questionable. Elastic—plastic FEA is developed which is shown to provide the most consistently accurate means of predicting both wall thickening and wall thinning, and, while not providing a comprehensive prediction of the post-bend geometry did, nevertheless, to go some way towards predicting the overall deformed geometry including transition ramps and intrados surface wrinkling.
Ductile and Brittle Material Failures in Low-Velocity Impact
Authors: Zhu S , Chai G B
Published: September 2010

In this article, the impact response and failure modes of square test panels subjected to low-velocity impact were investigated. Two contrasting types of materials were used in the fabrication of the test panels, namely brittle and ductile materials. A relatively extensive experimental investigation was conducted in conjunction with a detailed finite-element analysis. The experiments were conducted using a standard dart test machine and the finite-element analysis was carried out using commercial finite-element software. A simple theory using the yield line method is also included to complement the research work carried out at the university. The brittle failure modes were investigated with acrylic material, while polycarbonate material provided vital information on ductile failure modes. The results of maximum contact force, contact duration, and failure modes are presented, compared, and discussed in this technical article.
Microdroplets as a tool for ‘soft’ patterningg
Authors: Mesquida P , Blanco E M
Published: September 2010

An overview of the recent work by the present authors in the development of electric droplet lithography, which is a method used to pattern materials by using water micro-droplets dispersed in a non-polar oil, is provided. The droplets contain water-soluble materials and are electrostatically attracted to arbitrarily designed nanoscale charge patterns on solid surfaces such as silicon dioxide or various polymers. The droplets then deposit their content on these patterns. The whole patterning process is independent of the surface or of the actual nature of the material to be deposited. This gives the method great potential in microfabrication applications for future biosensors or microarrays, involving soft or delicate biological materials, which would otherwise not be possible with conventional techniques.
Silicon carbide electromechanical resonators
Authors: Mastropaolo E , Gual I , Cheung R
Published: September 2010

Silicon carbide (SiC) flexural-mode resonators have been fabricated and actuated. Single-clamped beam (cantilever) and circular (ring) structures have been fabricated with top electrodes made of aluminium (Al). Ring structures have been shown to achieve higher resonant frequencies, in the megahertz range, compared to cantilevers. The bimorph Al/SiC structures have been actuated electrothermally by applying one input voltage to the Al electrodes. Electrothermal mixing of two input frequencies has been performed by applying two voltages showing that the devices can be used to convert an input frequency to a higher or lower one. Moreover, lead zirconium titanate (PZT) electrodes have been fabricated on top of SiC cantilevers. The ability of driving the PZT/SiC cantilevers piezoelectrically has been demonstrated by applying an input voltage to the PZT electrodes. The devices’ resonance has been detected electrically by measuring the electrode impedance. An enhancement of the electrical output has been obtained by decreasing the feedthrough capacitance. The results presented can be used for the implementation of SiC micro electromechanical mixer-filters with electrothermal actuation and piezoelectric sensing with robust and reliable characteristics.
Fluorescent–magnetic nanoparticles for imaging and cell manipulation
Authors: Ruan G , Thakur D , Deng S , Hawkins S , Winter J O
Published: September 2010

Individual classes of nanoparticles have made a tremendous impact on the biomedical sciences, with advances in imaging, single-molecule tracking, and cellular mechanotransduction. However, the future of nanotechnology will probably depend on the combination of attributes from several different nanomaterials. Here, one class of hybrid nanoparticles that possess both fluorescent and magnetic functionalities is described. These nanocomposites are created by combining fluorescent nanoparticles with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in an encapsulating micelle or solid polymer sphere. The resulting composites range from 10 to 500nm in size and display both fluorescent and magnetic properties of the constituent nano-particles. These particles are demonstrated as in vitro cellular labels, aprecursor to future in vivo studies; they will expand in vivo imaging options by providing the capability for both magnetic resonance (MR) and fluorescence imaging.
The Dynamic Behaviour of Chiral, Fixed-Free, Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Based Nanomechanical Mass Sensors Due to Atomic Vacancies
Authors: Joshi A Y , Harsha S P , Sharma S C
Published: September 2010

The dynamic analysis of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with chiralities has been performed using an atomistic finite element method. SWCNTs with different chiral angles are considered for the resonant frequency analysis. The cantilever carbon nanotube (CNT) is modelled by considering it as a space frame structure similar to three-dimensional beams and point masses. The beam element elastic properties are calculated by considering the mechanical characteristics of covalent bonds between the carbon atoms in the hexagonal lattice. The mass of each beam element is assumed as a point mass at nodes coinciding with carbon atoms. This atomistic simulation approach is used to visualize the effect of defects such as atomic vacancies in the CNT on the resonant frequency. The variation of the atomic vacancy is performed along the length and the response is obtained for different chiralities. It is observed that there is a reduction in the simulated natural frequency due to the atomic vacancy. This has a significant effect on dynamic behaviour when the defect is nearer to the fixed end. The change in resonant frequency of such a defective CNT is observed when it is used as a mass sensor. The resonant frequency is also evaluated for various chiralities and numbers of defects. The simulation results indicate that the existence of defects mostly affects the resonant frequency (bending rigidity) of the SWCNT as the number of defects increases. It is quite evident from the simulation results that the effect of atomic vacancies is a maximum when they are situated nearest to the fixed end and the effect diminishes at a mass addition of 10 —2 fg.
A novel tool for the local anodic oxidation of graphite
Authors: Sinitsyna O V , Meshkov G B , Yaminsky I V
Published: September 2010

A novel probe for partial local anodic oxidation is presented, which allows bulging regions to be grown on the graphite surface. Based on the scanning probe microscopy observations, it was concluded that the bulging regions consist of graphite oxide. The partial oxidation occurs in two stages, which are related to the formation of C–O bonds on the graphite surface and the adsorbed water intercalation of the oxidized graphite. The bulging regions have low conductivity, therefore their formation is a promising method to be used in the production of nanoelectronic devices.
Synthesis and Characterization of Nano-Structured Fly Ash: A Waste from Thermal Power Plant
Authors: Swami P Narayana , Raju B Nooka , Rao D Venkata , Rao J Babu
Published: September 2010

In this work an attempt has been made to modify micro-sized fly ash into nano-structured fly ash using high-energy ball milling. The smooth, glassy, and inert surface of the fly ash can be altered to a rough and more reactive surface by this technique. Ball milling was carried out for a total duration of 30 h. A sample was removed after every 5 h of milling for characterization. The nano-structured fly ash was characterized for its crystallite size, lattice strain, and percentage crystallinity by X-ray diffraction. A steady decrease in crystallite size and increased lattice strain were observed with milling time; the crystallite size at 30 h milling time was found to be 23 nm, 21 nm, and 16 nm for quartz, mullite, and haematite, respectively. The percentage crystallinity was reduced from 63 to 38 per cent. The size, shape, and texture of the fresh and nano-structured fly ash were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The fresh fly ash particles were mostly spherical in shape. The particles milled for 30 h were irregular and their surface morphology was rough.
Expedient fabrication of well-defined nanofibres from a macrocycle molecule: Solution-controlled self-assembly
Authors: Zang L , Yen M , Balakrishnan K , Yang X , Moore J S
Published: September 2010

In this paper an expedient fabrication of uniform nanofibres from a planar arylene–ethynylene tetracycle molecule is reported. The long-range one-dimensional molecular arrangement, which is mainly due to the favourable π–π stacking between the planar shape-persistent molecules, is conducive to enhancement of the exciton migration along the long axis of nanofibres. Such extended exciton migration allows amplification of the fluorescence quenching of the nanofibre by surface-adsorbed chemical reagents, making it possible to construct sensory films consisting of an entangled mesh of the nanofibres, which possess a high sensing efficacy and fast response in vapour detection of explosives.
Adsorption of Zn2+ and Cd2+ Ions on Vermiculite in Buffered and Unbuffered Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Wu Xiaofu , Zhou Hailan , Zhao Fang , Zhao Chong
Published: September 2010

Studies of Zn2+ and Cd2+ ion adsorption onto vermiculite from buffered and unbuffered aqueous solutions were conducted in order to compare their ion adsorption behaviours in different systems. The use of buffer reagents had a strong and negative effect on the adsorption of the metal ions under study. The experimental data obtained from both the buffered and unbuffered solutions could not be described by a single traditional adsorption isotherm due to the effect of the adsorbent concentration (W). The equilibrium ion concentration in bulk solution (Z) and the equilibrium ion adsorption density (X/W ratio) decreased with increasing W in both buffered and unbuffered systems, indicating that the use of a buffer solution is not an effective measure for eliminating the effect of the adsorbent concentration. The addition of competitive ions (H+, Cd2+ and Zn2+) greatly reduced the adsorption of the target metal ion. Within the pH range tested (initial pH < 7), the competitive effect of H+ ions was equivalent to that of Zn2+ and Cd2+ ions. In unitary, binary and ternary systems, highly significant linear correlations were obtained between the change in the ionic strength (ΔI) and the quantity of ion adsorption. The results obtained suggest that it is not necessary to control the ionic strength in ion adsorption experiments because ΔI is a function of ion adsorption, and the use of buffer reagents has a negative effect on ion adsorption.
Removal of the Textile Dye Indanthrene Olive Green from Aqueous Solution Using Chitosan
Authors: Chaves José Alberto P. , Santana Lane Aparecida A. , Schultz Mário S. , Silva Hildo Antônio S. , Penha Rosiane S. , Vieira Adriana P. , de Souza Antônio G. , Bezerra Cícero Wellington B.
Published: September 2010

The kinetics and equilibrium of the adsorption of Indanthrene Olive Green (IOG) from aqueous solution onto chitosan have been investigated. The chitosan was characterised in terms of its average degree of de-acetylation (DD) and by XRD, TGA/DTG, IR, SEM and specific BET surface area methods. Batch adsorptions experiments were carried out at different pH values and dye concentrations. It was found that the adsorption process was favoured by acidic pH conditions (4.0–6.0). The adsorption followed second-order rate kinetics and the experimental equilibrium data followed the Langmuir isotherm, thereby suggesting that chemisorption might be the major adsorption mode. Such adsorption also occurred on chitosan fibres, although to a significantly lower extent than on crushed chitosan. The corresponding thermodynamic parameters (ΔG0, ΔH0 and ΔS0) were calculated. The positive values obtained for ΔH0 (161.7 kJ/mol) and ΔS0 [559.9 J/(mol K)] suggest that the adsorption process was endothermic, with the randomness of the system increasing during the adsorption process. A simplified adsorption model has also been proposed.
Kinetics of the Adsorption of Chromium(VI) Ions from Water by Vegetable Precursors Treated with Sulphuric Acid
Authors: Mande Seyf-Laye Alfa-Sika , Liu Mingzhu , Liu Fei , Chen Honghan
Published: September 2010

The removal of chromium(VI) ions from water and wastewater through the use of activated maize cob (AMC) and activated banana peel (ABP) has been studied. In addition, the kinetics of the adsorption of Cr(VI) ions onto AMC and ABP were investigated. The effects of altering the initial Cr(VI) ion concentration, contact time and temperature on the removal process were studied. The removal of Cr(VI) ions increased with increasing temperature and depended on the initial Cr(VI) ion concentration, with complete removal being effected after a contact time of 80 min and 600 min for AMC and ABP, respectively. The process of Cr(VI) ion removal followed pseudo-second-order kinetics with the rate constants being determined at different temperatures in the range 20–40 °C. The activation energies for the adsorption of Cr(VI) ions onto AMC and ABP were calculated as 56.74 kJ/mol and 86.47 kJ/mol, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters such as the standard Gibbs' free energy change (ΔadsG0), the standard entropy change (ΔadsS0) and the standard enthalpy change (ΔadsH0) were calculated. The thermodynamic studies revealed that the values of ΔadsH0 were positive, suggesting that the adsorption process was endothermic in nature.
Molecularly-Imprinted Material for Dibenzothiophene Recognition Prepared by Surface Imprinting Methods
Authors: Xu Pingping , Xu Wanzhen , Zhang Xiaojie , Pan Jianming , Yan Yongsheng
Published: September 2010

Molecular imprinting has been conducted on the surface of TiO2 particles to enable the recognition of dibenzothiophene (DBT) molecules. This was achieved via the use of a novel surface molecular-imprinting technique. The adsorption behaviour of the dibenzothiophene-imprinted material (D-MIP/TiO2) was evaluated using batch adsorption experiments to determine the kinetic, isotherm and thermodynamic parameters. The experimental results showed that the adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and that the experimental data were well fitted by the Freundlich adsorption equation. This indicated that adsorption involved a multilayer process. Values of the Gibbs' free energy (ΔG0) ranged from −7.11 kJ/mol to −9.36 kJ/mol over the temperature interval 298–318 K, indicating that the adsorption was endothermic in nature. In addition, D-MIP exhibited selective recognition of DBT relative to other similar compounds such as benzothiophene (BT), 4-methyldibenzothiphene (4-MDBT) and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT). In the corresponding selectivity test, D-MIP/TiO2 showed a greater adsorption capacity towards DBT than BT, 4-MDBT and 4,6-DMDBT. The large imprinting factor (ca. 2.5) exhibited by D-MIP/TiO2 for DBT could be explained in terms of a covalent assembly mechanism.
Shape Optimization of Free-Form Shells Using Invariants of Parametric Surface
Authors: Fujita Shinnosuke , Ohsaki Makoto
Published: September 2010

A new approach is proposed for shape optimization of shells, where the requirements on geometrical properties, constructability, and mechanical performance are simultaneously considered in the problem formulation. The surface shape is modeled using a triangular Bézier patch to reduce the number of design variables, while the ability of generating moderately complex shape is maintained. The strain energy under specified loading condition is used to represent the mechanical performance, and the geometrical properties are quantitatively defined using algebraic invariants of the parametric surface. The developable surface that has high constructability is generated by assigning an appropriate constraint on an algebraic invariant. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated through several numerical examples, and the characteristics of the optimal shapes under various constraints are discussed.
Desirability Factors in Structural Design
Authors: Heristchian Mahmoud
Published: September 2010

The process of design of a structure should satisfy the rules of structural design, as well as, the personal preferences of the designer. The rules of structural design are based on structural mechanics and are well established. However, there is no well defined method of dealing with the features of design that are dependent on the personal view and preferences of the designer. The purpose of this paper is to present a method for dealing with such features of structural design. This is achieved through the concept of “desirability factors”.
Parametric Studies on the Behavior of Steel and Composite Space Structures
Authors: Lakshmikandhan K N , Senthil R , Jayachandran Arul S , Sivakumar P , Ravichandran R
Published: September 2010

Double layered grid space structures are well known in the building industry for their ability to cover large areas. This paper presents the results of a parametric study on the various factors affecting the flexural behavior of double layered grid space structures, considering (i) various support arrangement (ii) concrete slab at the top and (iii) an experimental investigation on a full scale space grid. Based on the study it was concluded that top concrete slab enhances not only the strength of top chord compression members but also increase the strength and stiffness of the system with a fail safe system. It was found from the study that atleast 20% saving in steel is possible with a mid edge supported system.
New Strategies and Developments in Transparent Free-Form Design: From Facetted to Nearly Smooth Envelopes
Authors: Baldassini Niccolo' , Pottmann Helmut , Raynaud Jacques , Schiftner Alexander
Published: September 2010

Free-form geometries in architecture pose new challenges to designers and engineers. Form, structure and fabrication processes are closely linked, which makes the realization of complex architectural free-form structures even harder. Free-form transparent design today is mainly based on triangularly facetted forms or quadrilateral meshes supported by a structure composed of rectilinear bars, with strong shape restrictions. After a brief review of the history, we report on some very recent progress in this area. Beginning with a presentation of improved methods for triangle mesh design, we also discuss experiences in coupling triangular glass panels with continuous curved structures, seeking an optimised structural behaviour and simplified connections. Furthermore, we present how the results of research on planar quadrilateral (PQ) meshes lead the way to optimized beam layouts and the breakdown of free-form shapes using planar quadrilateral panels. PQ meshes are rooted in discrete differential geometry, an active area of mathematical research. Using recent projects as examples, we discuss how transparent free-form envelopes with a smooth visual appearance are achievable if the structure is designed to adhere to the limits of current glazing technology and the surfaces are reasonably simple (e.g. rotational, overall developable, or of a small scale). In section 6 we show how the latter restriction can be relaxed: the theoretical and computational methodology for PQ meshes can easily be extended to create nearly smooth approximations of free-form surfaces by single-curved panels. This has a strong impact on glass panelling design, since it avoids expensive double-curvature glass and exploits cold-bending technology. We elaborate on how this discretisation technique goes hand in hand with the technology for construction of the structure, glazing system and structural joints. Our approach has been tested in three case studies, each one validating a particular aspect of the design process.
RNase L releases a small RNA from HCV RNA that refolds into a potent PAMP
Authors: Malathi Krishnamurthy , Saito Takeshi , Crochet Nannette , Barton David J. , Gale Michael , Silverman Robert H.
Published: September 2010

Triggering and propagating an intracellular innate immune response is essential for control of viral infections. RNase L is a host endoribonuclease and a pivotal component of innate immunity that cleaves viral and cellular RNA within single-stranded loops releasing small structured RNAs with 5′-hydroxyl (5′-OH) and 3′-monophosphoryl (3′-p) groups. In 2007, we reported that RNase L cleaves self RNA to produce small RNAs that function as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). However, the precise sequence and structure of PAMP RNAs produced by RNase L is unknown. Here we used hepatitis C virus RNA as substrate to characterize RNase L mediated cleavage products [named suppressor of virus RNA (svRNA)] for their ability to activate RIG-I like receptors (RLR). The NS5B region of HCV RNA was cleaved by RNase L to release an svRNA that bound to RIG-I, displacing its repressor domain and stimulating its ATPase activity while signaling to the IFN-β gene in intact cells. All three of these RIG-I functions were dependent on the presence in svRNA of the 3′-p. Furthermore, svRNA suppressed HCV replication in vitro through a mechanism involving IFN production and triggered a RIG-I-dependent hepatic innate immune response in mice. RNase L and OAS (required for its activation) were both expressed in hepatocytes from HCV-infected patients, raising the possibility that the OAS/RNase L pathway might suppress HCV replication in vivo. It is proposed that RNase L mediated cleavage of HCV RNA generates svRNA that activates RIG-I, thus propagating innate immune signaling to the IFN-β gene.
Increase of fecundity by probiotic administration in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Gioacchini Giorgia , Maradonna Francesca , Lombardo Francesco , Bizzaro Davide , Olivotto Ike , Carnevali Oliana
Published: September 2010

It is well known established that reproduction is sensitive to the state of energy reserves, and that there is a balance between energy homeostasis and fertility. In this view, this study examined the effects of the probioticLactobacillus rhamnosus, as a feed additive, on zebrafish (Danio rerio) fecundity. Ten days of probiotic treatment modulate the gene expression of neuropeptide hormones and metabolic signals, such askiss1,kiss2andleptinboth at the CNS level and at the peripheral level. The increase in fecundity brought about by the probiotic was demonstrated by the higher number of ovulated eggsin vivoand by the higher germinal vesicle breakdown rate obtained with thein vitromaturation assay. The increase in oocyte maturation was associated with increased transcription of genes coding for signals which induce the maturation phase, such aslhcgr,cbr1l, andpaqr8genes, concomitant with a decreased transcription of genes coding for local factors which prevent oocyte maturation, such astgfb1,gdf9, andbmp15. In conclusion, all these findings highlight the action ofL. rhamnosusboth on the endocrine system and at the local level by inducing oocyte maturation. The significance of the results herein obtained underlined the importance of diet in the reproductive process, supporting the hypothesis that feed additives can improve fecundity. Considering that the zebrafish has been clearly established as a vertebrate model for biomedical research, these results support the potentiality of feed additives such as probiotics, frequently used in the human diet, as a new technology to improve reproduction in all vertebrates, including humans.
Carbon Taxes to Move Toward Fiscal Sustainability
Authors: Nordhaus William D
Published: September 2010

A carbon tax would improve fiscal sustainability in the United States according to William Nordhaus of Yale University. There is no better fiscal instrument to employ at this time, in this country, and given the fiscal constraints the government faces.
Practical Risk Assessment and Management Issues Arising were we to Adopt Low-Dose Linearity for all Endpoints
Authors: Rhomberg Lorenz R.
Published: September 2010

The 2009 National Research Council report, Science and Decisions, proposes harmonizing dose-response approaches for cancer and non-cancer endpoints, and for non-cancer quantitative risk assessment, this would usually take the form of a low-dose linear no-threshold dose-response curve. The soundness of this recommendation has been questioned, but I focus on its consequences if adopted, many of them apparently unintended. If most endpoints for most agents are assumed to have non-zero low-dose risks, then the critical–effect concept, choosing the one endpoint on which to calculate acceptable doses, loses its basis. All regulatory decisions, since they entail substituting some exposures (and their attendant risks) for others, become risk-risk trade-off decisions, and equity questions are raised since risk transfer is inevitably involved. A valid basis for estimating low-dose linear components is not evident, and upper-bound approaches fail to be reliably public health-protective owing to the risk trade-off decisions that need to be faced.
Low-dose Pretreatment for Radiation Therapy
Authors: Blankenbecler Richard
Published: September 2010

In radiotherapy, a large radiation dose must be applied to both cancer and neighboring healthy cells. Recent experiments have shown that a low dose of ionizing radiation turns on certain protective mechanisms that allow a cell to better survive a subsequent high dose of radiation. This adaptive response can have important and positive consequences for radiotherapy. This paper describes a simple change in treatment procedures to make use of these beneficial effects. A low dose applied only to the healthy cells will probably produce some damage. However, it will also start the adaptive response which will yield increased protection when the large therapeutic dose is applied. The resultant immediate damage will be thereby reduced as well as the probability that the high dose therapy itself will induce a subsequent secondary cancer. After a brief historical review, the effects of a low radiation dose on a canine cancer cell line will be discussed as well as trials of the suggested pre-dose therapy on canine cancer patients undergoing standard radiation therapy.
Changes in the Incidence of Lower Extremity Amputations in Individuals With and Without Diabetes in England Between 2004 and 2008
Authors: Vamos Eszter P. , Bottle Alex , Edmonds Michael E. , Valabhji Jonathan , Majeed Azeem , Millett Christopher
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE

To describe recent trends in the incidence of nontraumatic amputations among individuals with and without diabetes and estimate the relative risk of amputations among individuals with diabetes in England.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We identified all patients aged >16 years who underwent any nontraumatic amputation in England between 2004 and 2008 using national hospital activity data from all National Health Service hospitals. Age- and sex-specific incidence rates were calculated using the total diabetes population in England every year. To test for time trend, we fitted Poisson regression models.

RESULTS

The absolute number of diabetes-related amputations increased by 14.7%, and the incidence decreased by 9.1%, from 27.5 to 25.0 per 10,000 people with diabetes, during the study period (P > 0.2 for both). The incidence of minor and major amputations did not significantly change (15.7–14.9 and 11.8–10.2 per 10,000 people with diabetes; P = 0.66 and P = 0.29, respectively). Poisson regression analysis showed no statistically significant change in diabetes-related amputation incidence over time (0.98 decrease per year [95% CI 0.93–1.02]; P = 0.12). Nondiabetes-related amputation incidence decreased from 13.6 to 11.9 per 100,000 people without diabetes (0.97 decrease by year [0.93–1.00]; P = 0.059). The relative risk of an individual with diabetes undergoing a lower extremity amputation was 20.3 in 2004 and 21.2 in 2008, compared with that of individuals without diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

This national study suggests that the overall population burden of amputations increased in people with diabetes at a time when the number and incidence of amputations decreased in the aging nondiabetic population.
The Market Demand for University Press Books
Authors: Greco Albert N. , Wharton Robert M.
Published: September 2010

This article analyzes important US university press net publishers' revenue and net publishers' unit datasets and e-book revenues for 2008–9. Data for net publishers' revenues, net publishers' units, and digital e-book revenues for higher education textbooks, professional and scholarly books, and consumer e-books were also evaluated covering the years 2008–9.

Drawing on important economic data projections and the publicly available competitive print and digital strategies crafted by competitors in the consumer, higher education, and professional and scholarly sectors, the authors develop net publishers' revenue and unit projections for all of these book categories for 2010–15.

The university press data sets reveal unsettling declines in revenues and units for 2008–2015. Addressing these declines, the authors conclude with a brief series of recommendations, including the rapid adoption of a digital ‘e-book’ business model in order to reposition the presses in what is becoming a digital book marketplace.
Blog to the Future?
Authors: Phillips Angus
Published: September 2010

A variety of current developments are creating questions over present models of publishing and scholarly communication. Will new journals continue to be launched? Will open-access developments such as subject or institutional repositories reach a tipping point at which libraries will start to cancel journal subscriptions? Is the journal article too static a mechanism, by comparison to the ways in which scholars are able to interact using blogs and wikis? Steadily emerging is a new future for the journal as part of an overall network of knowledge creation and scholarly communication. We are moving away from a world in which a few producers generate content to transmit to a set of users. Instead, the world of knowledge creation has a variety of routes through which research can be disseminated and feedback mechanisms facilitated by a range of collaborative tools.
Where Will the Next Generation of Publishers Come From?
Authors: Baverstock Alison
Published: September 2010

This essay considers how publishing (the concept and the associated industry) is understood within society and how to spread understanding of both the processes involved and the job opportunities available. It examines traditional publishing recruitment practices and the skills and competencies sought. It considers the role of publishing within the academy, its arrival and reception, and how this is changing as more sector-specific research is published. It looks at course content on an international basis, how this matches the skills likely to be needed by future publishers, and the role of the work placement. Finally, it examines the process of widening and diversifying recruitment, as well as the practical measures being taken to assist in this process. The author makes a series of recommendations on how to spread understanding of the publishing industry and present it as an attractive option to the future workforce; promote a move to meet the needs of a wider cross-section of society through encouraging more people to read and gain the quantified benefits thereof; prioritize excellence in information management and dissemination; and spread the habit of buying published resources beyond traditional markets.
Project-Level Life-Cycle Benefit–Cost Analysis Approach for Evaluating Highway Segment Safety Hardware Improvements
Authors: Li Zongzhi , Labi Samuel , Karlaftis Matthew , Kepaptsoglou Konstantinos , Abbas Montasir , Zhou Bei , Madanu Sunil
Published: September 2010

This paper presents a methodology for a benefit–cost analysis of improving the conditions of highway segment safety hardware over its life cycle. In the framework, a safety index is established for assessing the risks of vehicle crashes on a highway segment. These risks are associated with the safety-related attributes of the segment, which include traffic volume, segment length, standards and consistency of geometric design, pavement surface condition, safety hardware condition, and roadside features. The annual potential for safety improvements (PSI) associated with safety hardware improvements is calculated as reductions in fatal, injury, and property-damage-only crashes on the highway segment on the basis of the without- and with-improvement safety indices. Then, by monetizing and extrapolating the annual PSI over the longest hardware service life, the maximum life-cycle benefits of safety hardware improvements for the highway segment are established. To demonstrate the application of the methodology, data on 193 highway segments in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, are collected and analyzed and the results are validated using the root-mean-square error test, chi-square test, Spearman's rank correlation test, and the Mann–Whitney test. A direction for future research is recommended to simplify the methodology and to prepare guidelines for enhancing its practical implementation.
Transportation Asset Management Systems and Climate Change
Authors: Meyer Michael D. , Amekudzi Adjo , O'Har John Patrick
Published: September 2010

Climate change and its likely impacts on transportation infrastructure are becoming concerns to many transportation agencies. This paper describes how an asset management system can be used as a decision-making framework for incorporating such concerns into a transportation agency's management approach. Types of climate and weather changes as they might affect transportation systems are identified. A typical asset management system is used as a framework for discussing where climate change considerations could be incorporated into the system. Risk appraisal is identified as one of the key components of a climate change– oriented asset management system, and an example is provided of such an application. Some international examples are provided of where climate change has been incorporated into asset management systems. The paper concludes that, given that most state and large local transportation agencies have some form of an asset management system, it is the most convenient and targeted approach to incorporate climate-induced change into state and local transportation decision making.
Developing an Asset Management Tool to Collect and Track Commitments on Environmental Mitigation Features
Authors: Cook Stacy , Bittner Jason , Adams Teresa
Published: September 2010

Wisconsin has constructed many environmental mitigation projects in conjunction with transportation projects under the National Environmental Policy Act. These projects offset or replace certain environmental function(s) lost as a result of a transportation project. Examples include storm water management facilities, wetland replacements, stream restorations, reforestation, construction of sound walls, replacement of parklands, and wildlife crossing structures. For environmental mitigation projects to provide the long-term functionality intended when they were first constructed, they must be properly maintained and, when necessary, rehabilitated or reconstructed. These environmental mitigation features should be considered as assets, similar to other transportation facilities. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) identified the need to track these selected features in the overall scheme of project development and ongoing maintenance. This paper explores the current state of environmental mitigation project activities, discusses the literature on existing environmental inventory and asset management programs, presents an inventory of selected environmental mitigation features for Wisconsin, and develops a tool to track commitments. The tool was designed to assist WisDOT in monitoring the long-term performance of mitigation features. The research approaches used to develop the tracking tool, the list of priority features, and the inventory included interviews with WisDOT and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff, a review of WisDOT's environmental records—such as environmental impact studies and environmental assessment documents—and a literature survey covering best practices for environmental tracking and asset management systems being used by other state agencies.
Development of Data Collection and Integration Framework for Road Inventory Data
Authors: Khan Ghazan , Santiago-Chaparro Kelvin R. , Chiturri Madhav , Noyce David A.
Published: September 2010

The availability and quality of transportation data is a cornerstone of any data-driven program. There is a continuous need to identify and develop alternative, reliable, and inexpensive sources of data and efficient and robust integration techniques. This research presents an innovative cost-effective application to collect geographic information system (GIS)–compatible data from image-based databases. Road inventory data on guardrail end-type locations along with other road features on more than 8,000 mi of Wisconsin State Trunk Network highways were collected. Data collected from image-based sources with Global Positioning System coordinates presented the familiar problem of spatial mismatch. A framework was developed based on the principles of dynamic segmentation to integrate the data and resolve the spatial mismatch problem. The principles of dynamic segmentation and route calibration are well established in literature. However, there were no specific examples of a framework that created a workable program and addressed issues pertaining to practical solutions for statewide data. The framework developed presents an efficient and automated solution for data integration, which is applicable to any relevant data set. A quantitative assessment of the performance of the data collection and map-matching procedures was conducted to assess the results. The results showed that road features collected from the image-based data sets were located within an average distance of 6 to 7 m of their location on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation GIS base maps, which were highly accurate, given the limitations of the data sets.
Combined-Cost and Bi-Objective Approaches to Multipurpose Location-Based Services Using Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Kang Seungmo , Kim Tschangho John
Published: September 2010

This paper discusses a multipurpose location-based service providing users with integrated information on transportation and points of interest (POIs) to support smarter decisions regarding route choice. The problem is finding a route and location of POI between an origin and a destination with minimum total cost including the purchasing and travel costs. To respond to a user's query for such a service, a solution algorithm should be both efficient and accurate enough to maintain serviceability and commerciality. The combined-cost and bi-objective approaches are proposed, where the former is to use the time value to combine the travel and purchasing costs, and the latter divides two objectives and finds the multiple reasonable solutions for both objectives. The bi-objective approach may take additional time and resources for the multiple solutions but can provide answers for more complex service requests even when the time value is not known. Different versions of hybrid genetic algorithms are suggested for both approaches and tested in a large-size Chicago, Illinois, transportation network.
Empirical Evaluation of New Robust Travel Time Estimation Algorithms
Authors: Van Lint J. W. C. (Hans)
Published: September 2010

Travel times are key statistics for traffic performance, policy, and management evaluation purposes. Estimating travel times from local traffic speeds collected with loops or other sensors has been a relevant and lively research area. The most widespread and arguably most flexible algorithms developed for this purpose fall into the class of trajectory methods, which reconstruct synthetic vehicle trajectories on the basis of measured spot speeds and encompass various assumptions on which speeds prevail between traffic sensors. From these synthetic trajectories, average travel times can be deduced. This paper reviews and compares a number of these algorithms against two new trajectory algorithms based on spatiotemporal filtering of speed and 1/speed (slowness). On the basis of real data (from induction loops and an automated vehicle identification system), it is demonstrated that these new algorithms are more accurate (in terms of bias and residual error) than previous algorithms, and more robust with respect to increasing amounts of missing data.
Data Collection of Freeway Travel Time Ground Truth with Bluetooth Sensors
Authors: Haghani Ali , Hamedi Masoud , Sadabadi Kaveh Farokhi , Young Stanley , Tarnoff Philip
Published: September 2010

Accurate travel time information is essential to the effective management of traffic conditions. Traditionally, floating car data have been used as the primary source of ground truth for measuring the quality of real-time travel time provided by traffic surveillance systems. This paper introduces Bluetooth sensors as a new and effective means of data collection of freeway ground truth travel time. The concept of vehicle identification using Bluetooth signatures for travel time estimation along a section of freeway is explained. Issues related to error analysis, filtering of raw matched data, and accuracy of the resulting ground truth compared with floating car are discussed. Data from loop detectors on several freeway segments are used to approximate and report the average sampling rate of Bluetooth sensors. Results show that the new technology is a promising method for collecting high-quality travel time data that can be used as ground truth for evaluating other sources of travel time and other intelligent transportation system applications.
Traffic Monitoring of Motorcycles during Special Events Using Video Detection
Authors: Kanhere Neeraj K. , Birchfield Stanley T. , Sarasua Wayne A. , Khoeini Sara
Published: September 2010

Because of a recent federal initiative, states are required to submit motorcycle vehicle miles traveled data to the FHWA. Data are needed to obtain better counts of motorcycles to evaluate their impact on crashes and traffic flow, but there is concern about the quality of data. Many states have identified problems with automatic traffic recorders accounting for motorcycle traffic. Existing sensors exhibit difficulties counting motorcycles that travel side by side or close behind each other, they have difficulty distinguishing larger motorcycles from passenger vehicles, and magnetic counters in particular do not sense motorcycles that do not pass over or travel close enough to sensors. Alternatively, some states conduct manual classification counts, which are labor intensive and lead to sparse data. Because classification counts are frequently conducted during the week, they do not capture weekend numbers. This paper evaluates a video-based traffic monitoring system that was developed at Clemson University and can classify vehicles, including motorcycles. The processor uses vehicle tracking, rather than virtual detection, to collect vehicle count, speed, and classification data. An algorithm calculates a motorcycle's length, width, and height through a series of frames. The system is evaluated by using traffic data for more than 2,000 motorcycles, collected at two locations in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, during a motorcycle rally. The difference between actual and system motorcycle counts ranged from 0.6% to just over 6%, depending on direction and location. The difference for all vehicles ranged from 0.25% to 3.6%. While the system successfully classifies motorcycles traveling in close pairs and in small groups, it experienced difficulty in cases of severe occlusion.