bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management practices used by white-tailed deer farms in Pennsylvania and herd health problems
Authors: Brooks Jason W. , Jayarao Bhushan M.
Published: January 2008

Objective—To determine current management practices used by white-tailed deer farms in Pennsylvania and identify animal health problems that exist in these herds.

Design—Cross-sectional study.

Study Population—Owners and managers of 233 farms in Pennsylvania that raised white-tailed deer.

Procedures—A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to participants.

Results—Herds ranged in size from 1 to 350 deer. Land holdings ranged from 0.07 to 607 hectares (0.17 to 1,500 acres). Stocking density ranged from 0.1 to 118.6 deer/hectare (0.04 to 48 deer/acre). Most (84%) respondents raised deer for breeding or hunting stock; 13% raised deer exclusively as pets or for hobby purposes, and purpose varied by herd size. Multiple associations were identified between management or disease factors and herd size. The use of vaccines, use of veterinary and diagnostic services, use of pasture, and use of artificial insemination increased as herd size increased. The most common conditions in herds of all sizes were respiratory tract disease, diarrhea, parasitism, and sudden death. The prevalence of respiratory tract disease increased as herd size increased.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that many aspects of herd management for white-tailed deer farms in Pennsylvania were associated with herd size, but that regardless of herd size, many preventive medicine practices were improperly used or underused in many herds.
Photovoltaic Principles and Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Würfel Peter
Published: January 2008

The fundamentals of photovoltaics are reviewed. The necessary requirements for material properties are discussed. Achieving high efficiency with organic solar cells is known to be difficult for two main reasons. Photon absorption does not directly lead to free charge carriers but to
excitons with large binding energies which are difficult to dissociate. These excitons have diffusion lengths much smaller than the penetration depth of the incident light, making them difficult to process before their recombination. Ways are discussed how these shortcomings may be overcome.
In principle, organic solar cells can be as efficient as inorganic solar cells if the right combination of materials can be found.
Basic Concepts and Interfacial Aspects of High-Efficiency III-V Multijunction Solar Cells
Authors: Sağol B. Erol , Seidel Ulf , Szabó Nadine , Schwarzburg Klaus , Hannappel Thomas
Published: January 2008

Among various types of solar cells, MOVPE-grown triple-junction III-V compound semiconductors are today's most efficient photovoltaic devices with conversion efficiencies exceeding 40%. A next-generation multijunction cell with four or more junctions and optimized band gaps is expected
to break the present record efficiency surpassing the 50% mark. High band gap material combinations that are lattice matched to GaAs are already well established, but the required low band gap combinations containing a band gap around 1eV are still to be improved. For this purpose, we have
developed a low band gap tandem (two-junction) solar cell lattice matched to InP. For the top and bottom subcells InGaAsP (Eg = 1.03 eV) and InGaAs (Eg = 0.73 eV) were utilized, respectively. A new interband tunnel junction was used to connect the subcells, including
thin and highly doped layers of n-type InGaAs and p-type GaAsSb. The delicate MOVPE preparation of critical interfaces was monitored with in-situ reflectance anisotropy spectroscopy (RAS). After a contamination-free transfer, the RAS signals were then benchmarked in ultrahigh vacuum
(UHV) with surface science techniques like low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS measurements revealed that the sharpest InGaAs/GaAsSb interface was achieved when the GaAsSb layer in the tunnel junction of the solar cell was grown on III-rich
(2×4)- or (4×2)-reconstructed InGaAs(100) surfaces. The improved interface preparation had a positive impact on the overall performance of the tandem cell, where slightly higher efficiencies were observed for the cells with the III-rich-prepared tunnel junction interfaces.
Photon Collection Efficiency of Fluorescent Solar Collectors
Authors: Kittidachachan Pattareeya , Danos Lefteris , Meyer Thomas J. J. , Alderman Nicolas , Markvart Tom
Published: January 2008

Photon collection efficiency of fluorescent collectors is examined experimentally and by modelling, with a view to assess the potential of this attractive solar energy technology. The edge fluorescence of single dye collectors based on Rhodamine 6G and Coumarin 540A, manufactured by
a simple fabrication technique, is investigated in detail. A novel technique for determination of the collection efficiency is presented based on the traditional model of fluorescent collectors but extended to allow spectral analysis. We show that these results agree well with direct solar
cell measurements. General conclusions are presented about fundamental loss mechanisms and about the role of re-absorption of fluorescent light. It is shown that substantial improvements in collector efficiency can be made with the use of photonic fluorescence confinement rather than by total
internal reflection.
Ionic Space Charge Driven Organic Photovoltaic Devices
Authors: Benmansour Hadjar , Castro Fernando A. , Nagel Matthias , Heier Jakob , Hany Roland , Nüesch Frank
Published: January 2008

Most all-organic solar cells rely on undoped electron donor–acceptor heterojunctions. Power-conversion efficiencies depend critically on the photoinduced charge generation at these interfaces such as the charge transport through the layers and collection at the electrodes. Hence,
the ability to regulate and control these processes would offer advanced device functionality. Mobile ions are able to create internal electric fields similar to conventional, electronic p-n junctions without having the inconvenience of doping, which often leads to carrier recombination and
excited state quenching. We demonstrate that at organic heterointerfaces these ionic junctions can shift the electronic orbital energy level, which allows the direction of electron transfer processes to be controlled. Cationic cyanine dyes offer a convenient model system to study the effect
of mobile ions systematically. In conjunction with usually strong electron acceptors such as the Buckminsterfullerene C60, and donors such as the poly(p-phenylenevinylene) derivative MEH-PPV, we fabricated bilayer photovoltaic devices to reveal exciting effects due to ionic
interfacial space charge. For example, we show that C60 can be turned into an electron donor. Furthermore, oxidative or reductive electron transfer processes can simply be switched on and off with an applied bias, thereby drastically altering device performance and spectral sensitivity.
Transient Photocurrents in Dye-Sensitized Nanocrystalline Solar Cells
Authors: Walker Alison B. , Peter L. M. , Martínez D. , Lobato K.
Published: January 2008

The time varying photocurrent response of dye-sensitized solar cells to switching on illumination and then switching the illumination off after steady state has been reached has been measured and modeled with a multiscale Monte Carlo and continuum approaches within the multiple trapping
picture, where electrons in the porous TiO2 electrodes undergo successive trapping and detrapping events. These models are more detailed than the more common formalism employing an effective diffusion coefficient as they take into account the large variation in conduction electron
density with distance and time near the extracting electrodes. Agreement between the three sets of results using a trap concentration and trap energy distribution width from a separate set of measurements using charge extraction shows that the multiple trapping formalism holds.
Photoelectron Spectroscopy at the Solid–Liquid Interface of Dye–Sensitized Solar Cells: Unique Experiments with the Solid–Liquid Interface Analysis System SoLiAS at BESSY
Authors: Schwanitz Konrad , Mankel Eric , Hunger Ralf , Mayer Thomas , Jaegermann Wolfram
Published: January 2008

At the synchrotron BESSY we run the experimental station SoLiAS, dedicated to solid–liquid interface analysis with soft X-ray induced photoelectron spectroscopy (SXPS). SoLiAS allows wet chemically prepared surfaces to be transferred to the ultra high vacuum without contact with
ambient air. In addition in situ (co)adsorption of volatile solvent species onto liquid nitrogen cooled samples is possible. SoLiAS proves to be very useful in analyzing the chemical and electronic structure at the solid–liquid interface of dye–sensitized solar cells. The
standard dye RuII(2,2?-bipyridil-4,4?-dicarboxylate)2(NCS)2 was adsorbed from ethanol solution under clean N2 atmosphere in an UHV-integrated electrochemical cell (EC). The standard solvent acetonitrile was adsorbed in situ from
the gas phase. For comparison also the nonpolar solvent benzene was adsorbed. Ex situ sintered nanocrystalline anatase substrates as well as in situ deposited polycrystalline TiO2 samples were used, which show a similar distribution of two types of occupied surface
states. Distinct reversible changes occur in synchrotron-induced photoelectron valence band and core level spectra when the solvent acetonitrile is adsorbed to pristine and dye-covered TiO2 substrates. TiO2 surface states are quenched and the line width of the dye S2p
emission decreases strongly. Based on the experimental results the alignment of the photovoltaic relevant electronic states and a model on the dye–solvent interaction can be deduced that points to the promotion of vectorial charge transfer by increased dye orientation due to solvation.
Analyses of Local Open Circuit Voltages in Polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Thin Film Solar Cell Absorbers on the Micrometer Scale by Confocal Luminescence
Authors: Bauer Gottfried Heinrich , Gütay Levent
Published: January 2008

Polycrystalline chalcopyrite absorbers in thin film solar cells exhibit distinct spatial inhomogeneities which are obviously introduced during growth of the grainy structure. Amongst several structural inhomogeneities in scale lengths of grains of one ?m or below, spatial variations
of optoelectronic properties in much larger scales of some ?m can be observed, such as fluctuations in the splitting of quasi-Fermi levels in the range of several tens of meV. These have been quantitatively deduced via Planck's generalized law from spectrally resolved confocal room
temperature luminescence scans. Since the necessary absorption length in thin film semiconductors is in the neighborhood of the wavelength of photons, for the evaluation of luminescence spectra wave optics with multireflection effects have been applied.
Aspects of Photocatalysis on Semiconductors: Photoelectrocatalysis
Authors: Neumann-Spallart Michael
Published: January 2008

An overview is given of the essential processes governing heterogeneous photocatalysis on semiconductor surfaces. It is shown that the reactions on the surface of the catalyst are of electrochemical nature and can be described using electrochemical principles. This leads to a quantitative
description of the processes. In combination with measurements of charge collection yields and Faradaic efficiencies, or product quantum yields, the reaction rates can be calculated when the spectral dependence of the intensity of the light source is known. Examples are given for transition
metal oxide semiconductors such as titanium dioxide and tungsten trioxide.
Carbon-Doped Titanium Dioxide: Visible Light Photocatalysis and EPR Investigation
Authors: Konstantinova Elizaveta A. , Kokorin Alexander I. , Sakthivel Shanmugasundaram , Kisch Horst , Lips Klaus
Published: January 2008

X-band EPR studies of a series of undoped and carbon-doped titania powders reveal the presence of a carbon-centered radical species. The concentration of spins is five to six orders of magnitude smaller than the total carbon content. Photoexcitation of the carbon-doped samples increases
the corresponding EPR signal intensities both under ultraviolet and visible light irradiation. After illumination, the original intensity is restored within a few hours. Samples with higher carbon radical concentration reveal higher photocatalytic activity in degradation of 4-chlorophenol
under visible light irradiation.
Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Currao Antonio
Published: January 2008

To halt the buildup of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main greenhouse gas, the development of an alternative energy source to fossil fuels becomes more and more important. Hydrogen (H2) has the potential to meet the requirements as a clean non-fossil fuel in the future,
if it can be produced using our primary source of energy, the sun, and stored and transported safely. The present article will give a short review on different approaches on semiconductor-based photoelectrochemical water splitting into hydrogen and oxygen (O2) using sunlight as
the energy input, also generally described as photoelectrolysis.
Nanochannel Materials for Quantum Solar Energy Conversion Devices
Authors: Brühwiler Dominik , Dieu Le-Quyenh , Calzaferri Gion
Published: January 2008

The supramolecular organization of dye molecules in one-dimensional zeolite channel systems leads to materials with intriguing properties that can be exploited for a variety of applications. Two concepts are presented outlining how zeolite-based hybrid host–guest compounds can
be employed in solar energy conversion devices. The first concept describes light-harvesting and sensitization, while the second concept focuses on luminescent solar concentrators.
Tunneling Energy Effects in Photoinduced Charge and Energy Transfer
Authors: Wenger Oliver S.
Published: January 2008

Driving force effects on electron transfer rates in molecular donor–bridge–acceptor systems have been investigated extensively in the past. Significantly less well explored are tunneling energy effects in long-range charge transfer. These effects have to do with the energy
differences between the donor/acceptor energy levels and those of the bridging molecules that are in between the two reactants. This contribution summarizes some recent advances in this research field.
Ultrahigh Vacuum Preparation and Passivation of Abrupt SiO2/Si(111) Interfaces
Authors: Stegemann Bert , Sixtensson Daniel , Lussky Thomas , Bloeck Ulrike , Schmidt Manfred
Published: January 2008

Compositionally and structurally abrupt Si/SiO2 interfaces were prepared under ultrahigh vacuum conditions by RF plasma oxidation of Si(111) substrates with thermalized neutral oxygen atoms. The chemical, structural and electronic properties of the interface were analyzed
and discussed with respect to a possible application in photovoltaic Si/SiO2 quantum well structures. The benefits of using neutral atomic oxygen were explored and turned out to be manifold: ultrathin SiO2 layers (thickness: 1–2 nm) can be precisely grown, the formation
of suboxides is mostly suppressed and abrupt Si/SiO2 interfaces are obtained even at moderate substrate temperatures of 300 to 600 °C. Due to the perfect Si/SiO2 interfaces, the SiO2 layers allow thermal post-oxidation treatment up to 1000 °C without
significant change in oxide thickness or stoichiometry. This is an essential prerequisite for the envisaged realization of Si/SiO2 superlattices with high crystallinity and low strain. It was shown that a post-oxidation annealing step lowers the strain and disorder at the interface
resulting in lower intrinsic density of interface states. A further decrease of the density of interface states was achieved by hydrogen passivation as a result of saturation of dangling bonds.
Photoelectrochemical Photocurrent Switching Effect: A New Platform for Molecular Logic Devices
Authors: Szaciłowski Konrad , Macyk Wojciech
Published: January 2008

Unusual photoelectrochemical properties of titanium dioxide modified with iron(II) complexes allow application of these materials for the construction of various optoelectronic devices including switches, logic gates and even demultiplexers. All these devices use optical input and electric
output. The mechanism of the photoelectrochemical photocurrent switching (PEPS) effect is described in detail on the basis of experimental data and quantum-chemical calculations. All the collected data indicate the importance of the complex–semiconductor binding mode.
Chemistry Presents Sustainable Energy Solutions ILMAC 2007: Die Chemie präsentierte nachhaltige Energielösungen
Authors: Kern Heiner
Published: January 2008

ILMAC, the Industrial Exhibition for Research and Development, Environmental and Process Technology at the Basel Exhibition Center was held from September 25–28, 2007. This industrial fair covers the full range of chemical process engineering from R&D over pilot plant technologies
and engineering to production and waste disposal. During the ILMAC, the Swiss Chemical Society organized a scientific symposium on the sustainable use of energy and resources. International panels of scientists specialized in the field discussed during four days the possible contributions
of chemistry and biochemistry to the ever-growing demand for energy in the coming decades.
Nucleic Acid Science – The Excitement of Discovery: Annual Symposium of the Chemical Society Zürich CGZ, Zürich, October 26, 2007
Authors: Berger Imre , Schaffitzel Christiane , Bieniossek Christoph
Published: January 2008

The Chemical Society Zürich held its annual symposium on frontiers in nucleic acid science at the Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich. The conference successfully bridged nucleic acid chemistry and biology, with topics including new developments in DNA nanotechnology,
mechanisms of gene transactivation by a left-handed form of DNA, chemical catalysis by RNA enzymes, state-of-the art developments in mass spectrometry of RNA–protein complexes and structural analysis of gene transcription by a large multisubunit RNA polymerase enzyme.
Equity in Pharmaceutical Utilization in Ontario: A Cross-Section and Over Time Analysis
Authors: Zhong Hai
Published: January 2008

This study investigates inequality and inequity in pharmaceutical utilization in Ontario. First, I compare inequality and inequity in drug use between the senior and non-senior population of Ontario at three points in time: 1990, 1996/97, and 2000/01. During this period, all seniors were universally covered by the publicly financed Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program. This was not the case for the non-senior population. Second, I examine the changes in inequality and inequity for both population groups at each of the three time points. Cost-sharing and other changes were introduced into the ODB in this period, which allows us to identify the influence on equity of changes in drug coverage policies.
Current Department of Transportation Environmental Management System Development Efforts
Authors: Venner Marie , DeWit Michael , Gibson Will , Concienne Rodney , Sanghavi Sonal , Hunkins Julie
Published: January 2008

This paper examines how the environmental management system (EMS) at departments of transportation (DOTs) has evolved and provides examples of recent developments and practices that other DOTs can consider and use as a source in an evolving EMS. A number of practical insights can be gained by examining EMS experiences at several DOTs. Generally, the EMSs that have delivered benefits have had successful mechanisms for monitoring effectiveness, incorporating lessons learned, and managing continual improvement. They have relied tactically on what exists already, are geared toward the organization's mission, and seek to support success in nonenvironmental areas. They build on vigorous environmental programs, have procedures that can be integrated as much as possible into current routine practices, and strive to demystify environmental compliance for both DOT and contractor personnel. DOTs in the vanguard have focused on increased compliance assurance and cost-effectiveness, adoption and development of best management practices and sustainability practices, enhanced land and resource use planning and management, accelerating and streamlining the project delivery processes, and improved intergovernmental relationships and stakeholder confidence. Challenges commonly include coping with the demands of intensive up-front effort with limited staff time, realistically quantifying resource requirements, and establishing straightforward metrics for monitoring. Effective management has been enhanced in some cases by using information technology tools, which facilitate the flow of environmental information; tracking metrics; tracking project schedules, budgets, and personnel; communicating corporate knowledge; analyzing impacts; and using geo-references for planning stage decision making.
Mix Design and Benefit Evaluation of High Solar Reflectance Concrete for Pavements
Authors: Boriboonsomsin Kanok , Reza Farhad
Published: January 2008

The use of cool paving materials, or cool pavements, has been identified as one strategy that can help mitigate the urban “heat island” effect. One method of creating a cool pavement is to increase the solar reflectance, or albedo, of its surface. This increase can be achieved by many existing paving technologies. This study explores alternative ways of creating high-albedo concrete for use in pavement applications. The key approach is to make concrete whiter by replacing cement with whiter constituents. Fly ash and slag are used as the main constituents because they are environmentally friendly, readily available, and already familiar to the concrete industry. Compared with a conventional concrete mix, concrete mixes containing fly ash have lower albedo, whereas concrete mixes containing slag have higher albedo. Of all mixes tested, the mix with 70% slag as cement replacement achieves the highest albedo of 0.582, which is 71% higher than the conventional mix. It also has better compressive strength as tested at 7 and 28 days and modulus of rupture as tested at 7 days. The production of high solar reflectance concrete consumes 43.5% less energy and results in less emission of pollutants and greenhouse gases (by 20% to 60%). Furthermore, the analysis of some urban cities shows that the implementation of this high solar reflectance concrete could increase the city albedo by 0.02 to 0.07. This amount of albedo modification has the potential to benefit economics and the environment in many ways, ranging from decreasing energy demand to improving air quality.
Development of Silt Fence Tieback Design Methodology for Highway Construction Installations
Authors: Zech Wesley C. , Halverson Jarid L. , Clement T. Prabhakar
Published: January 2008

This research effort focuses on improving sediment control practices used at highway construction projects by employing properly designed and correctly installed silt fence applications. Previous research indicated that tying silt fence installations back into the contour and creating a J-shaped hook (or a tieback) is an effective way to improve the efficiency of silt fence installations. Silt fences with tiebacks form a temporary detention basin, which helps facilitate sediment removal by sedimentation. The purpose of this research was to develop a rational numerical method for designing such silt fence tiebacks at highway construction sites. The proposed method employs a hydrological model to estimate the volume of runoff water generated by the watershed and balances the water with the storage capacity of the silt fence installed with a tieback. First, the Soil Conservation Service's method is used to estimate the amount of storm water generated during a design storm event. Then, with the cross-sectional data from a highway construction project, a graph is generated to estimate the storage volume available behind a silt fence for various ditch and highway slopes. Using these data, the designer can determine the proper placement frequencies of silt fence tiebacks along a linear highway construction project. This paper provides the mathematical details of this novel design procedure. An example problem is also provided to illustrate its practical applicability.
Integrating Vehicle Emission Modeling with Activity-Based Travel Demand Modeling
Authors: Hatzopoulou Marianne , Miller Eric J. , Santos Bruno
Published: January 2008

An initial attempt is made to quantify vehicle emissions in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in Canada by exploiting travel information provided by activity-based 24-h models rather than conventional trip-based models. For this purpose, travel activity inputs to the Canadian version of the MOBILE6.2 model (MOBILE6.2C) are generated by relying on the travel demand modeling capabilities of the Travel Activity Scheduler for Household Agents (TASHA), a next-generation activity-based model of travel demand for the GTA. Additional input data supplied to MOBILE6.2C are obtained from Canadian sources and by running traffic assignment (using EMME/2) on the trip distribution matrix generated by TASHA. The integration of MOBILE6.2 with TASHA has provided estimates of the time of day that vehicle emissions occur. TASHA provides an explicit representation of trip starts and ends, which results in improved engine start emissions. Overall, because TASHA provides a better behavioral framework for modeling travel than conventional trip-based models, it is expected to lead to better emissions estimates. Such an effort also provides insight and experience that will be used later in the integration of TASHA with more advanced emission models, thus refining the reliability of practical tools that can be used to assess the environmental sustainability of policies.
Impact of Electronic Toll Collection on Air Pollution Levels
Authors: Bartin Bekir , Mudigonda Sandeep , Ozbay Kaan
Published: January 2008

This paper presents a microscopic simulation-based estimation of the spatiotemporal change in air pollution levels as a result of electronic toll collection (ETC) deployment on the New Jersey Turnpike (NJTPK), a large-scale traffic network. The study includes (a) the disaggregate spatial estimation and analysis of the emissions instead of aggregate systemwide estimations, (b) the use of a vehicle-based and well-calibrated traffic simulation model of NJTPK network in Paramics microscopic simulation software to perform this disaggregate emission estimation, (c) the use of a unique and realistic toll plaza model with a complete mainline model to capture complex mainline–toll plaza interactions, and (d) estimation of short- and long-term impacts of ETC systems. The simulation model is loaded with a recent network-specific data set, which includes origin–destination demand data for 1999 (before ETC deployment) and for 2005 (6 years after ETC deployment) and toll plaza service times obtained from toll plaza videotapes. The MOBILE6.2 mobile source emission model developed by the Environmental Protection Agency is integrated in Paramics. At each time step of the simulation, air pollution levels—namely, CO, HC, NOx, and PM10 emissions—are calculated for each vehicle type on the basis of its speed. The simulation network is used to estimate not only the change in systemwide air pollution levels but also the spatial changes throughout the system. Results show that ETC deployment reduces the overall network air pollution level in the short term; however, in the long term its benefits are not sufficient to compensate for the air pollution increase on the mainline because of annual traffic growth.
Stochastic Model for Estimating Impact of Highway Incidents on Air Pollution and Traffic Delay
Authors: Thomas Salimol , Jacko Robert B.
Published: January 2008

A stochastic model was developed to estimate the average excess emission of carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOC), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and particulate matter (PM2.5) and the traffic delay due to incidents. This work models incident characteristics such as incident clearance time, degree of capacity reduction, and the demand-to-capacity ratio as random variables to derive the statistical characteristics of the excess emissions and traffic delays. It was found that estimated excess CO and traffic delay could be modeled as lognormal distributions. Excess VOC and NOx distributions were found to have the characteristics of a three-parameter lognormal distribution. Excess PM2.5 distribution was found to have gamma distribution characteristics. Average incident clearance time for this study was found to be 26 min. The average degree of capacity reduction and demand-to-capacity ratio were assumed to be 63% and 71%, respectively. An incident with these characteristics is estimated to result in 126.9 kg of excess CO, 20.8 kg of excess VOC, 8.8 kg of excess NOx, 0.27 kg of excess PM2.5 emissions, and 630 vehicle hours of traffic delay. This represents a 138% increase in CO emissions, a 500% increase in VOC emissions, a 26% increase in NOx emissions, and a 43% increase in PM2.5 emissions compared with the normal traffic emissions. Sensitivity analysis of incident management strategies revealed that air pollutant emissions and traffic delay could be reduced by as much as 30% by detouring as little as 5% of the incoming traffic.
Evaluating Air Quality Benefits of Freeway High-Occupancy Vehicle Lanes in Southern California
Authors: Boriboonsomsin Kanok , Barth Matthew
Published: January 2008

In the past decade, a variety of questions have been raised concerning the effectiveness of high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. In Southern California, recent evaluation studies on HOV lanes confirm the effectiveness of HOV lanes in several ways. However, little research has been performed to evaluate the air quality benefits of HOV lanes. This paper describes a study that examines operational differences in traffic dynamics between HOV lanes and mixed-flow (MF) lanes and evaluates their impacts on vehicle emissions. Four general HOV lane scenarios were identified: underutilized, neutral, well utilized, and overutilized. Extensive driving trajectories in both lane types for each scenario were collected. Their speed profile and joint speed–acceleration frequency distribution were analyzed and compared. Vehicle emissions and fuel consumption were then estimated with a state-of-the-art modal emissions model. The results show that HOV lanes produce lower emission rates per vehicle per mile in most cases, except when they are underutilized. When normalized by average vehicle occupancy, HOV lanes produce much lower emission rates per the same amount of travel demand, on the order of 10% to 70%. In almost every case, HOV lanes produce less emissions mass on a per-lane basis than MF lanes. Southern California freeway lane performance matrices show that on a typical weekday during the summer of 2005, HOV lanes operated mostly under Scenarios 1 and 2 during peak periods. Overall, they were well utilized about 14% to 17% of the time. According to the emissions estimates, the HOV lanes are considered effective in reducing vehicle emissions.
Developing the Integrated Transportation and Ecological Enhancements for Montana Process
Authors: Hardy Amanda
Published: January 2008

Construction and maintenance of transportation systems can result in direct, indirect, and cumulative effects on ecosystems. Mitigation of unavoidable adverse impact typically occurs on a project-by-project basis and commonly attempts to restore the same affected resource near the site at which the impact occurs. This piecemeal approach may fulfill regulatory requirements, but greater mitigation value may be achieved with a similar investment by evaluating and prioritizing off-site mitigation opportunities in the context of the entire ecosystem. In addition, project-by-project environmental permitting practices involve repetitious procedures that sometimes unpredictably delay project delivery. A recent federal guide encourages agencies to plan infrastructure projects and related mitigation with goals of conserving and connecting important habitat collaboratively and strategically, while increasing predictability and transparency of planning and regulatory permitting processes. This guide, Eco-Logical: An Ecosystem Approach to Developing Infrastructure Projects, was used by an interagency group in Montana to create the Integrated Transportation and Ecosystem Enhancements for Montana (ITEEM) process. As the first effort to pilot Eco-Logical's guidance, cooperating agencies gained insights that may help others follow Eco-Logical's framework. This paper summarizes Montana's efforts to adapt Eco-Logical to create the ITEEM process and offers insights for other interagency efforts to increase the efficiency of transportation project delivery while mitigating adverse impacts where the conservation efforts are most needed.
Deviation from Standard State Noise Wall Policy
Authors: Carpenter Sharon Paul , Burns Jane , Tomaszewski Edward
Published: January 2008

This paper details an analysis performed to support a decision made by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and FHWA to deviate from the current state noise wall policy when designing replacement noise walls on the I-295-I-76-Route 42 Direct Connection project. Existing noise walls in this area were designed in the 1990s under an earlier NJDOT noise wall policy utilizing FHWA STAMINA2.0/OPTIMA. This model underpredicted noise wall effectiveness and required taller noise walls than necessary. As a result, noise levels behind existing noise walls were well below the abatement criterion of 64 dB(A) (Leq) in effect at that time. Several existing noise wall segments require replacement to accommodate proposed roadway widening. As part of this study, replacement noise walls were designed on the basis of current NJDOT noise wall policy utilizing the FHWA Traffic Noise Model Version 2.5. Although replacement noise walls would provide adequate protection [below the current abatement criterion of 66 dB(A) (Leq)], residences would experience a significant increase in noise levels above predicted no-build levels. These agencies decided that replacement noise walls should be designed to approach in-kind effectiveness, so that residences would experience noise levels similar to those predicted under no-build conditions. To achieve these results, proposed noise walls needed to exceed the height and cost restrictions set forth under the current noise wall policy. This paper includes a concise description of methods used to develop and to apply the unique mitigation plan.
Supplemental Metrics to Communicate Aircraft Noise Effects
Authors: Eagan Mary Ellen
Published: January 2008

Airport noise analyses rely heavily on the use of complex exposure metrics that can be obscure to the layperson. Individuals often seek out information on aircraft noise levels, only to be frustrated by the complexity of the science. In recent years, there has been increasing use of supplemental or other nontraditional metrics to describe the impact of aviation noise on people. Implicit in this usage has been an assumption that supplemental metrics are better understood by the community. This paper proposes that practitioners be much more explicit in relating these supplemental noise metrics to the potential effects of noise and presents several examples that relate noise effects to lay terms. FAA's integrated noise model (INM) can predict noise impact on the basis of well-established relationships between noise effects and metrics available in the INM. Then, instead of presenting noise level information, it is possible to use these relationships to prepare graphical depictions that represent the extent of the effects, rather than the extent of the noise level metric. With the increased transparency provided by these effect maps, policy makers and concerned citizens can engage in a more informed discussion that could ultimately lead to better outcomes for all.
Incorporating Geophysical Remote Sensing into Transportation Archeological Investigations
Authors: Shoup Lilly , O'Rourke Larry , Fung Chester , Quick Polly
Published: January 2008

Transportation agencies interested in surveying cultural resources within a project area have a suite of commonly used archeological methods available to discover buried features. Geophysical remote sensing (GRS) offers archeologists additional means by which to determine an area's sensitivity for archeological resources. Moreover, GRS technologies achieve this while maintaining noninvasive examination of culturally sensitive or difficult-to-reach areas. Funded by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program, this study investigated both the existing uses and potential innovative applications of GRS at state departments of transportation (DOTs) through an extended survey, case studies, and stakeholder interviews. States that have experience with GRS on archeological investigations are identified, as well as the types of technologies often employed, advantages and disadvantages of their use, and the kinds of information needed to facilitate future agency decisions. A study survey was sent to all 50 state DOTs after appropriate participants—usually the DOT state archeologist—were identified, and responses were received from 30 DOTs. Results indicate some initial experience with geophysical technologies at state DOTs, as well as a significant need for additional regional information regarding available consultants, technologies, and data reliability. Although GRS is not appropriate for use in all situations, this research has shown that several state DOTs have successfully utilized multiple technologies and found results to be consistent with the needs of transportation archeological investigations.
Recycling Construction and Demolition Waste for Construction in Kansas City Metropolitan Area, Kansas and Missouri
Authors: Warren Josh D. , Chong Wai K. (Oswald) , Kim Changwan
Published: January 2008

Although several coastal cities across the United States continue to see growth in the recycling of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, the Kansas City metropolitan area (KC metro area), straddling the states of Kansas and Missouri, continues to lag behind. A study was conducted to examine the reasons behind the lag and to explore the barriers to C&D waste management policies and practices in the region. The research involved a thorough investigation of published literature and websites from the region and coastal cities; interviews with local officials, designers, contractors, and owners in the regional construction industry (Topeka, Kansas; Lawrence, Kansas; KC metro area; and other bordering cities); and e-mails from designers and local officials from some coastal cities. The research found that the KC metro area faces problems unique to the region, such as unlimited landfill space, lack of markets for recycled C&D products, lack of facilities to recycle C&D wastes, lack of educational programs and recycling information, legislative issues, and poor supply chain management for C&D wastes. The interviewees identified several solutions and barriers to the implementation of comprehensive C&D waste management policies and practices. However, most interviewees agreed that combining regional and national efforts is the key to successful C&D waste management policies and practices in the KC metro area.
Potential for Local “Bring Sites” to Reduce Householder Recycling Mileage
Authors: Cherrett Tom , Hickford Adrian , Maynard Sarah
Published: January 2008

Using a significant database of origin postcodes, a study was designed to estimate the current annual mileage associated with visitor trips to household waste recycling centers (HWRCs)—known as manned recycling drop-off centers in the United States—and to identify how this mileage could be reduced if a series of “bring sites” (unmanned recycling drop-off centers) in the community were enhanced to take green garden waste. The total annual distance driven by approximately 4,677,000 visitors to the 26 HWRCs in Hampshire, United Kingdom, is estimated to be 40 million kilometers (assuming that 60% of visitors made dedicated trips), costing approximately £14 million (£1 = $1.896 in April 2005 U.S. dollars) in private transport and emitting approximately 1,873 tonnes of CO2 (as carbon) into the atmosphere. Providing a network of 104 bring sites capable of accepting green waste, in addition to the existing facilities provided by the 26 HWRCs, could save approximately 8.5 million kilometers (21%) of vehicle travel per annum (£3 million in visitor transport costs and approximately 369 tonnes of CO2 as carbon). Such a scheme would require a fleet of approximately 78 refuse collection vehicles at an annual cost to the scheme provider of slightly more than £1.5 million. If HWRCs become a major channel for the return and reprocessing of waste electrical and electronic equipment and some newly classified hazardous waste items, space at existing sites could become an issue. More local consolidation of certain waste categories (e.g., green waste) would enable HWRCs to focus their activities better.
Transportation Academy at the University of Massachusetts
Authors: Collura John , DiPasquale Michael
Published: January 2008

This paper presents a case study of the Transportation Academy at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. The academy has been established to assist in meeting the lifelong learning needs of transportation professionals in Massachusetts and the greater New England region. The paper briefly presents the academy's overall mission, accomplishments to date, and current work plan and reviews the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with the implementation of such an academy in a university setting. The paper is intended to provide guidance to other colleges and universities interested in implementing similar comprehensive professional capacity–building efforts.
Surface Transport Management Projects in the Sixth Framework Programme of the European Union
Authors: González Elvira Maeso , Albahari Alberto
Published: January 2008

The Framework Programme (FP) is the European Union's (EU's) primary instrument for the funding of European research projects. The impossibility of obtaining comprehensive information on projects and thus of planning future research is a major problem for stakeholders and the research community. This project aims at providing an overview of the main areas of interest with regard to surface transport management in the EU by identifying which kinds of projects have been funded, the extent to which various nations have participated in and coordinated various projects, the degree of international cooperation within these projects, the amount of contributed funds and consequently the percentage of total EU funding for the surface transport management sector, and other relevant information. More than 700 projects related to transport were identified among the 4,634 projects financed to date by the current FP, the Sixth Framework Programme. Of the 700 projects, 106 had a direct impact on surface transport management and were analyzed. The analysis proposes to emphasize which research areas have attracted major interest within the EU and to clarify and integrate existing findings relevant to the institutional dimensions of surface transport management projects. It also proposes to stimulate, concentrate, and coordinate research efforts to overcome important shortcomings with regard to the political and economic dimensions of the EU and the pursuit of particularly promising themes related to the surface transport management sector. This study presents itself as an initial ground for future comparison of surface transportation R&D programs.
Behavioral effects of introducing pied tamarin (Saguinus bicolor) to black howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) and white‐faced saki (Pithecia pithecia) in a zoological park
Authors: Gentry Lydia , Margulis Susan W.
Published: January 2008

Mixed‐species primate exhibits are becoming more common in zoological parks as a means to display a diverse array of animals both more naturalistically and with more economy of space. Here, we describe behavioral changes during the introduction process of a pair of pied tamarins (Saguinus bicolor) to an established group of black howler monkeys (Allouatta caraya) and white‐faced saki monkeys (Pithecia pithecia). Data were collected during six phases, representing introductions among the various species and to exhibit space and off‐exhibit holding. The pied tamarins were consistently the most active of the three species. Although activity levels of the howler and saki monkeys remained constant throughout, that of the tamarins declined as the introduction progressed. Several episodes of aggression between the tamarins and the sakis were observed, but did not coincide with patterns predicted by previous intra‐specific introductions. The three‐species mix remained stable for several months; however, escalating aggression ultimately led to the removal of the sakis from the mixed‐species exhibit. Despite our mixed results, we contend that only through continued trials, coupled with careful and systematic monitoring, can we ultimately identify stable mixes of species. Am. J. Primatol. 70:505–509, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Microbial response to environmental gradients in a ceramic‐based diffusion system
Authors: Wolfaardt G.M. , Hendry M.J. , Birkham T. , Bressel A. , Gardner M.N. , Sousa A.J. , Korber D.R. , Pilaski M.
Published: January 2008

A solid, porous matrix was used to establish steady‐state concentration profiles upon which microbial responses to concentration gradients of nutrients or antimicrobial agents could be quantified. This technique relies on the development of spatially defined concentration gradients across a ceramic plate resulting from the diffusion of solutes through the porous ceramic matrix. A two‐dimensional, finite‐element numerical transport model was used to predict the establishment of concentration profiles, after which concentration profiles of conservative tracers were quantified fluorometrically and chemically at the solid–liquid interface to verify the simulated profiles. Microbial growth responses to nutrient, hypochloride, and antimicrobial concentration gradients were then quantified using epifluorescent or scanning confocal laser microscopy. The observed microbial response verified the establishment and maintenance of stable concentration gradients along the solid–liquid interface. These results indicate the ceramic diffusion system has potential for the isolation of heterogeneous microbial communities as well as for testing the efficacy of antimicrobial agents. In addition, the durability of the solid matrix allowed long‐term investigations, making this approach preferable to conventional gel‐stabilized systems that are impeded by erosion as well as expansion or shrinkage of the gel. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;100: 141–149. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.