bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Blasting Patterns Using Operational Research Models / Ocena Planów Prac Strzałowych W Oparciu O Metody Badań Operacyjnych
Authors: Monjezi Masoud , Farzaneh Farhad , Asadi Ahmad
Published: November 2013

Blasting is one of the most important operations, which has a great technical and economical effect on the mining projects. Criteria such as fragmentation (operation ultimate objective) and ground vibration, flyrock, airblast, etc. (operation side effects) should be considered in the assessment of blasting operation. A suitable pattern should be able to provide both reasonable (required) fragmentation and blasting side effects. In order to evaluate blasting performance, operational research models such as multi attribute decision making technique (MADM) can be applied. Technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS), a branch of MADM, is a strong method for pattern ranking. The other quantitative method which is applied in the evaluation of systems’ efficiency is data envelopment analysis (DEA) model. In this paper, an attempt has been made to develop a new hybrid MADM model for selecting the most appropriate blasting pattern in Chadormalu iron mine, Iran. In this regard, DEA method was utilized to select the efficient blast patterns thereafter TOPSIS was used to recognize the most suitable pattern amongst the selected patterns by DEA method. It was concluded that the patterns J, G and B are the most appropriate patterns for blasting operations in the Chadormalu iron mine.
Measurement of Small Values of Hydrostatic Pressure with the Compensation of Atmospheric Pressure Influence / Pomiar Małych Wartości Ciśnienia Hydrostatycznego Z Kompensacją Wpływu Ciśnienia Atmosferycznego
Authors: Broda Krzysztof , Filipek Wiktor
Published: November 2013

Knowledge of pressure distribution (or differential pressure ) determines the fluid flow description through the porous medium. In the case of big Reynolds numbers it is not difficult, but for laminar flows (i.e. for Re numbers Bear, 1988; Duckworth, 1983; Troskolański, 1957) from the scope 0.01 to 3) this description is virtually impossible on the basis of the tools available on the market. The previous study (Broda & Filipek, 2012) focused on the difficulty of measurement in the case of small differences of pressure and suggested a new original method for the measurement. A new unit for the measurement was constructed consisting of two separate measurement containers. Then the measurements were conducted, which necessitated temperature stabilization of the device and compensation of the atmospheric pressure influence on the measurement process.

This paper presents the results of the continuation of research concerning the methods and equipment for the measurement of very small pressure differences. The paper includes also the experience gained from the new measurement unit, which was presented in figures 1-5 subsequently presenting the concept of measurement of small values of hydrodynamic pressure with compensation of atmospheric pressure influence fig. 1; illustration presenting the state corresponding to the case of the lack of flow through the tested item fig 2; state corresponding to the fluid flow through the tested item fig. 3; then the description of the measurement of pressure drop on the tested item fig. 4 and the measurement methodology (relations (1) - (20)). Picture of the measurement unit and its components - fig. 5.

Furthermore, the authors present an exemplary measurement series and focus on the method of measurement and data processing - tables 1-8 and figures 6-8.

Table 4 presents the comparison of the measurement unit used in the previous research (Broda & Filipek, 2012) and the new one - presented in the paper. It should be noted that the structure has been simplified and the measurement accuracy has increased.
Measurement of biofunctional muscle activity of the maxillofacial area in the treatment of mesial occlusion with myofunctional apparatus
Authors: Lykhota K.N. , Kochin A.V. , Petrychenko A.V. , Mocanu S.I.
Published: November 2013

The paper presents measurements of electromyographic (EMG) parameters in the study of 63 patients, aged 9-12 years during their treatment of dentoalveolar form mesial occlusion with myofunctional equipment. After treatment, the EMG figures closer to the norm.
The importance of the preoperative preparation guide for the prevention of surgical wound infection
Authors: Anghele Mariana , Costea D.O. , Chicoș Șt.
Published: November 2013

Preoperative preparation is an important stage both for the patient who is to undergo a surgical intervention and for the medical staff. The way in which it is performed can influence the evolution of the healing process by avoiding a major complication: the surgical wound infection.

The study, conducted within the Department of General Surgery I of the Clinical Emergency County Hospital Galati, includes patients who underwent abdominal surgical interventions, from whom the batch of those who subsequently developed infections of the surgical wound was selected. For this purpose, the medical documents of the department were consulted, and a questionnaire with inclusion criteria regarding the patient, the surgical wound, as well as the medical care provided was applied at the same time.

76% of the patients with postoperative infections included in the study were emergency admittances in the general surgery department. The preoperative preparation of these patients was influenced by the necessity of immediate surgical intervention (32%), the preexisting pathology, with the predominance of gastric and intestinal pathology (40.35%), the predominant 3 and 4 anesthesia risk evaluation scores of the patients increasing the infection risk.

The appearance of the surgical wound infection is influenced by the preoperative preparation of the patient, thus being imperative the adoption of standardized protocols applicable both in the elective and the emergency surgery, while guaranteeing a fair management of the surgical patient.
Comparison of Summer and Winter Tyres on a Dry and Snowy Surface
Authors: Janoško Ivan , Polonec Tomáš , Chrastina Jozef
Published: November 2013

The paper describes the comparison of braking properties of summer and winter tyres on a vehicle Škoda Octavia II, 2.0 TDI (103 kW), with summer tyres Michelin Pilot Primacy 225/45 R17 91W and winter tyres Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D 195/65 R15 91T. Testing was done in summer on a dry asphalt road and in winter on a snowy asphalt road with compacted snow without gritting. A device for the measuring of deceleration was XL Meter Pro Alpha.
Analysis of Synthetic Oil Samples During an Operating Test
Authors: Tulík Juraj , Kosiba Ján , Varga František , Bureš Ľubomír , Šinský Vladimír
Published: November 2013

This paper presents the results of analyses of ecological synthetic oil samples during an operating test. The operating test of oil was performed within cooperation of the Department of Transport and Handling and Slovnaft, a. s. (joint stock company). The analysis of ferrographic samples was performed in the laboratory of the department, and other analyses were done in an accredited Wearcheck Laboratory at Almásfüzitő, Hungary.
ProSIL Software for Functional Safety Management in Life Cycle / Aplikacja ProSIL Do Zarządzania Bezpieczeństwem Funkcjonalnym W Cyklu Życia
Authors: Barnert Tomasz , Kosmowski Kazimierz T. , Śliwiński Marcin
Published: November 2013

In the paper the ProSIL software to aid the functional safety management is presented. The software consists of three modules to aid: determination of the required SIL level (ProSILen), veryfication of the SIL level (ProSILver). In the aplication the method of the calibrated risk graph to determine the required safety integrity level SIL for defined safety instrumented functions is applied. The methods concerning functional safety analysis utilized in the process of the design and performing Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) according to PN-EN 61508 and PN-EN 61511 prepared by the team during researches are implemented.
The Evaluation of Availability of the Serviceability Assurance Subsystem Posts / Ocena Gotowości Stanowisk Podsystemu Zapewniania Zdatności
Authors: Migawa Klaudiusz
Published: November 2013

In complex transport means systems, in order to assure the possibility of appropriate carrying out of transport tasks it is necessary to maintain task serviceability status. It is achieved as a result of carrying out of service and repair processes at serviceability assurance subsystem posts. The possibility of appropriate carrying out of service and repair tasks assigned to the availability assurance subsystem depends to a large extent on the availability of the posts of the subsystem. This article presents the results of tests on the evaluation of availability of the serviceability assurance subsystem posts in transport means utilization system. An actual city bus transport system was used as test example. The presented results of the evaluation of the serviceability assurance subsystem posts were reached with the assumption that random variables describing the periods of time the posts remain available or unavailable have exponential and Erlang distributions. Source data necessary to determine the availability of the serviceability assurance subsystem posts were obtained at a selected actual city bus transport system basing on utilization data and the method of passive experiment in natural utilization conditions.
The Method of Assessment of Transport Safety / Metoda Oceny Bezpieczeństwa Procesu Transportowego
Authors: Bojar Piotr , Woropay Maciej , Szubartowski Mirosław , Bacior Michał
Published: November 2013

This article introduces classification of transport systems into land transport systems (road and rail) as well as land and water transport systems (inland and sea), depending on the type of environment in which these systems carry out their tasks. Such systems fall under the class of social engineering systems of the Man - Technological Object - Environment (M - TO - E) type. Such systems are influenced by forcing factors, leading to changes in their states. Such factors may be divided into operational, outside and anthropotechnical and they influence the system on various levels, including degradation of the degree of its safety. The article attempts to evaluate the safety of the operation of transport systems on the basis of the evaluation of the safety of the transport process carried out over a defined time interval Δt.
Geometric Stability Measurements’ of Vehicles’ Pistons in Self-Cooling Process for Define Its Wear / Współrzędnościowe Pomiary Stabilności Geometrycznej Tłoków W Procesie Stygnięcia Dla Określenia Stopnia Ich Zużycia
Authors: Idzior Marek , Grzelka Mirosław , Karpiuk Wojciech , Marciniak-Podsadna Lidia , Bieliński Maciej , Borowczyk Tomasz
Published: November 2013

The paper presents the investigation method allows for an analysis of failure of combustion engines piston surface. The essence of method is realization of precise measurement in various piston temperature and after that comparison of obtained results to reference piston - new one. Method has been presented on the basis of two pistons measurements.
Microemulsion Fuels for Piston Engines / Mikroemulsyjne Paliwa Do Silników Tłokowych
Authors: Kaźmierczak Urszula , Kulczycki Andrzej , Dzięgielewski Wojciech , Jankowski Antoni
Published: November 2013

The topic of the paper are emulsion fuels, which are the most effective way to reduce NOx emissions from motor vehicles. The macroemulsion fuels are characterized by a number of disadvantages, which include the limited stability of the emulsion, unacceptable low temperature properties and a strong tendency to cause corrosion of metals. Based on the above findings of the literature review appropriate additive to produce a microemulsion fuels were choosen. The results of the preliminary study showed the possibility of production of the microemulsion with a water content up to 25% V / V using the selected additive. Laboratory tests were carried out as a result of which the position was built to produce a microemulsion with the additive package and a procedure for preparation of a microemulsion diesel oil - water.
Microemulsion Bioliquids / Biopłyny Mikroemulsyjne
Authors: Urszula Kaźmierczak , Kulczycki Andrzej
Published: November 2013

Introduction of biofuels in place of heating oils and biocomponents of heating oils is fraught with technological and technical difficulties. The final product - microemulsion bioliquid must have in its composition more appropriately selected emulsifiers package designed to maintain a constant characteristic HLB resistant to variation of bioliquid components. Final microemulsion bioliquid should be stable at a wide range of temperature, the certain period of time, and should be produced under conditions easy to apply in industry. The paper presents preliminary results focused on liquid waste from dairy industry using as microemulsion bioliquid component and an economic analysis of microemulsion bioliquids application in supplying of electricity to local grids accordingly to their needs.
Artificial Neural Networks as Applied to Aircraft Flight Test Planning / Wykorzystanie Sztucznych Sieci Neuronowych W Planowaniu Badań W Locie
Authors: Zieja Mirosław , Wójcik Joanna
Published: November 2013

Any flight test programme is essentially based on a flight test plan, i.e. a document agreed upon and accepted by all the parties interested in the tests, and authorised by the superior body/authorities responsible for the execution of the tests. The flight test plan determines the number of flights and flight hours indispensable to verify whether a given aircraft satisfies specified requirements. Many and various external factors may have significant and adverse effect on the execution of the flight test program according to the earlier agreed schedule. The study also covers the structure of a model of a management system for aircraft prototype testing, and the structure of artificial neural network (ANN) developed on the basis of experimentally gained data from the military aircraft testing. A mathematical model based on the artificial neural network and its potential for the managing of aircraft prototypes testing has been formulated as well.
Analysis and Comparison the Methods of Determining Reliability of Critical Points Helicopter Structure / Analiza I Porównanie Metod Wyznaczania Niezawodności Punktów Krytycznych Struktury Śmigłowca
Authors: Woch Marta
Published: November 2013

In this work, algorithms have been used to compare the methods for determining reliability of critical points. Generalized models Stress-Strength- Interference (SSI) and Stress-Strength-Time (SST) have been analyzed. Input to the algorithms, stress and strength were generated by using the Markov chain model based on actual flight records. With this approach methods of determining the reliability of critical points of a helicopter’s structure are justified.
Improving the Efficiency of the Center for Medical Biochemistry, Clinical Center NiŠ, by Applying Lean Six Sigma Methodology
Authors: Stoiljković Vojislav , Milosavljević Peđa , Mladenović Srđan , Pavlović Dragan , Todorović Milena
Published: November 2013

Laboratories that are part of clinical centers are faced with the inevitability that their efficiency must be on a high level. Most of the biochemical laboratories are automated, but they are still underperforming. The best approach to increase the efficiency or to improve the processes today is the Lean Six Sigma methodology. This methodology extracts many benefits from automated processes. A lean process in the laboratory focuses on the time cycle to obtain results and reduce costs, or both components at the same time. Six Sigma methodology provides that the processes take place in the laboratory without delays and defects. The process that takes place at the Center for Medical Bio - chemistry (CMB) can be divided into two parts: the first part takes place in the receiving infirmary (pre-analytics) and the second part takes place at the offices of the CMB from the receipt of samples (analytics) to obtained results. The paper observes both processes, identifies critical areas where they come to a halt, defines access and reviews the results obtained using the Lean Six Sigma methodology. By applying Lean tools, the places that do not add value and those that significantly increase the cycle time were identified. This paper presents the results obtained without going into detail about the application of these Lean tools.
Flow Cytometric Assay of Respiratory Burst Capacity in Peripheral Blood Monocytes of Gaucher Type 1 Patients
Authors: Rodić Predrag , Popadić Dušan , Vuković Nada Suvajdžić , Ramić Zorica , Stojković Marija Mostarica , Janić Dragana
Published: November 2013

Background: There is an apparently increased tendency toward infections in patients with Gaucher disease, possibly due to defective neutrophil function rather than a decreased neutrophil count. Since macrophages are the main cell type affected in Gaucher disease, our aim was to determine the contribution of these cells to the susceptibility of Gaucher patients to infection by studying the respiratory burst capacity of peripheral blood monocytes.

Methods: The study was performed in eleven Gaucher type 1 patients and eleven sex and age matched control subjects by measuring peripheral blood monocytes’ respiratory burst capacity using flow cytometry. The respiratory burst capacity was measured as dihydrorhodamine-123 median fluorescence in patients and respective controls.

Results: There was no statistical difference in the median fluorescence among the patients and respective controls (p>0.05) after phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate stimulation. Also, statistical difference was not reached among patients treated with enzyme replacement therapy at the time and those untreated.

Conclusions: Flow cytometry might represent a more accurate and more reliable measure of respiratory burst compared to the methods of other researchers. Respiratory burst disturbance in monocytes does not seem to contribute to increased susceptibility to infection in Gaucher patients.
Selective Editing: A Quest for Efficiency and Data Quality
Authors: de Waal Ton
Published: November 2013

National statistical institutes are responsible for publishing high quality statistical information on many different aspects of society. This task is complicated considerably by the fact that data collected by statistical offices often contain errors. The process of correcting errors is referred to as statistical data editing. For many years this has been a purely manual process, with people checking the collected data record by record and correcting them if necessary. For this reason the data editing process has been both expensive and time-consuming. This article sketches some of the important methodological developments aiming to improve the efficiency of the data editing process that have occurred during the past few decades. The article focuses on selective editing, which is based on an idea rather shocking for people working in the production of high-quality data: that it is not necessary to find and correct all errors. Instead of trying to correct all errors, it generally suffices to correct only those errors where data editing has substantial influence on publication figures. This overview article sketches the background of selective editing, describes the most usual form of selective editing up to now, and discusses the contributions to this special issue of the Journal of Official Statistics on selective editing. The article concludes with describing some possible directions for future research on selective editing and statistical data editing in general.
A Contamination Model for Selective Editing
Authors: Di Zio Marco , Guarnera Ugo
Published: November 2013

The aim of selective editing is to identify observations affected by influential errors. A score function based on the impact of the potential error on target estimates is useful to prioritize observations for accurate reviewing. We assume a Gaussian model for true data and an “intermittent” error mechanism such that a proportion of data is contaminated by an additive Gaussian error. In this setting, scores can be related to the expected value of errors affecting data. Consequently, a set of units can be selected such that the expected residual error in data is below a prefixed threshold. In the context of economic surveys when positive variables are analyzed, the method is more realistically applied to logarithms of data instead of data in their original scale. The method is illustrated through an experimental study on real business survey data where contamination is simulated according to error mechanisms frequently encountered in the practical context of economic surveys.
Analysis of Water Consumption Changes during two Decades
Authors: Rimeika Mindaugas
Published: November 2013

Water consumption depends on the consumers’ habits, industrial companies and the nature of the activity, as well as on public users. Water consumption in Lithuania has decreased by more than three times over the past two decades. This was influenced by the changed consumers’ habits, implemented water metering and increased water prices. But it has been analyzed little, how the dynamics of water consumption has been changing. This article examines the dynamics of water consumption variation over 20 years in one of Vilnius district. Variations of water consumption are analyzed in the article and the obtained results are compared with the parameters in the legal acts. Water consumption per night was analyzed in the article also, as these values could be fast and reliable assessment of water losses in network. The analysis of night water consumption was conducted and the recommended norm of night water consumption indicated.
Dynamic Deformation Monitoring of Bridge Structure
Authors: Lipták Imrich , Kopáčik Alojz , Erdélyi Ján , Kyrinovič Peter
Published: November 2013

Building structures are extremely sensitive at influence of outdoor conditions. Most often these are the influence of wind, sunshine, temperature changes of the surrounding and at least the influence of the own or other loading. According to resonance of the structure with the surrounding is coming to vibration and oscillation in relative high frequency interval (0.1 Hz - 100.0 Hz). These phenomena significantly affect the static and dynamic characteristics of structures, their safety and functionality. The paper brings example of monitoring these phenomena. The object of monitoring is the Danube Bridge Apollo in Bratislava, which main steel structure was measured by acceleration sensors with frequency up to10 Hz. The main topic of the paper is the analysis of dynamic behavior of structure using spectral analysis method. The usage of Fourier Transform is described, own frequencies and amplitudes of structure oscillation are calculated.
Perceived Comfort of Indoor Environment and Users’ Performance in Office Building with Smart Elements – case Study
Authors: Pilipová Ivana , Vilčeková Silvia
Published: November 2013

A greater degree of awareness of comfort and productivity of building users according to post-occupancy evaluation and feedback of users in intelligent buildings is necessary. This report presents a summary of the results from a physical measurements, a post-occupancy evaluation study on perceived comfort of indoor environment and self-evaluation of occupant’s performance in the new multifunctional 5 floor-building in city of Kosice, Slovakia. There were investigated degree of perceived comfort and user’s performance with regard to objective measurement, respondents' response and building character. This case study has highlighted that influence of monitored factors of building with smart elements is positively received and wasn't determined their negative impact on perceived comfort of indoor environment and occupants' performance. Results show that respondents are mostly satisfied with their indoor environment conditions of workplace. Interviews with respondents detected they have not been perceived (negative) factors in workplace because they have been too concentric on the work and they have not felt discomfort.
Semantic Change in African American Slang
Authors: Widawski Maciej
Published: November 2013

Semantic change is an important part of African American slang and involves two mechanisms: figuration and shifting. Both are enormously productive and account for numerous slang expressions based on standard English. This paper presents these processes in detail. Partially drawing from the author’s earlier publications, the presentation is based on lexical material from a sizable database of citations from contemporary African American sources collected through extensive fieldwork in the United States in recent years.
On the Nest Structure in Two Species of the Genus Leptochilus (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae)
Authors: Fateryga A. V.
Published: November 2013

Two nests of the wasps Leptochilus alpestris (de Saussure, 1855) and Leptochilus regulus (de Saussure, 1855) collected in the Crimea were described. The nest of L. alpestris was found in the empty snail shell of Monacha fruticola under a stone; it contained one cell sealed with plug made of glued gravel bits. The nest of L. regulus was found in 3 mm hole of a reed stem from trap-nest; it contained 9 cells separated with partitions made of gravel and mud. The unusual larval habit was discovered in L. regulus - they moved mud from the plug of the cell to its bottom before cocoon spinning. Distinctions of the studied nests from ones of the other species of the genus Leptochilus de Saussure, 1853 were discussed.
Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157 associated with consumption of watercress, United Kingdom, August to September 2013
Authors: Launders N , Byrne L , Adams N , Glen K , Jenkins C , Tubin-Delic D , Locking M , Williams C , Morgan D , on behalf of the Outbreak Control Team
Published: November 2013

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
Medicinal plant knowledge of the Panchase region in the Middle Hills of the Nepalese Himalayas
Authors: Bhattarai K. R. , Måren I. E. , Chaudhary R. P.
Published: November 2013

Use of plants as medicine has been practiced all over the world since the dawn of human civilisation. In the Himalayas, many medicinal plants yield essential ecosystem services/ benefi ts for the subsistence farmers, many of which grow in the forest ecosystem. However, documentation of traditional medicine and medicinal plants used by local communities is rather poor in Nepal. Panchase forest, Central Nepal, is home of many wild plants, used in traditional medicine, and a livelihood source for many ethnic groups. This study was conducted to document medicinal plant knowledge and plant use in the treatment of different ailments. To explore the ethnobotanical knowledge interviews were conducted with local healers, plant traders and knowledgeable villagers. The study provides information on 45 plant species, belonging to 32 families under 44 genera. The studied medicinal plants were found to be useful for treating 34 different ailments. The study which has 57% resemblance with previous studies. We conclude that a wealth of ethnobotanical knowledge still persists in the Panchase region. However, due to land use change and migration it needs to be preserved for the future through extensive publications and disseminations.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/banko.v21i2.9127Banko Janakari Vol. 21, NO. 2, 2011 Page:31-39 Uploaded date: 10 November, 2013
Utilization of plant resources in Dang district, West Nepal
Authors: Sigdel S. R. , Rokaya M. B.
Published: November 2013

This paper aims to highlight the uses of forest resources in Purandhara, Panchakule and Goltakuri Village Development Committees (VDCs) of Dang district, western Nepal. The ethnobotanical data was collected through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) that involved discussion with local people and key informants, through semi-structured questions and informal conversations. Vulnerability of plants used in the study area was assessed by adapting the Rapid Vulnerability Approach (RVA). Altogether 85 plant species belonging to 79 genera and 56 families were recorded in the study areas. Twelve plant species were found to be used for various purposes other than medicinal. They were used as food, fodder, in construction, in religious purposes and even in yielding dyes. Seventy three plant species were found to be medicinal in properties for treating 144 different ailments. Remedies for 27 ailments were reported as new uses. The most common way of admission of medicine was oral (76.71 %) followed by external or topical (35.6 %) and nasal (1.27 %). The RVA test showed Dalbergia sissoo (with 15 scores) and Terminalia alata (with 14 scores) as most vulnerable ones.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/banko.v21i2.9143Banko Janakari Vol. 21, No. 2, 2011 Page: 45-54 Uploaded date: November 11, 2013
Être en même temps le passant dans la rue et le spectateur à la fenêtre ?
Authors: Lamonde Yvan
Published: November 2013

Résumé :

Yvan Lamonde s'explique à lui-même et explique aux lecteurs pourquoi et comment il est passé de la Philosophie à l'Histoire tout en enseignant dans un département de Littérature. Son sujet de thèse de doctorat – la philosophie au Canada français de 1665 à 1920 – fut le prétexte à un projet de synthèse en histoire culturelle et intellectuelle du Canada français qui comprend déjà trois tomes et un dernier à venir. Il pointe du doigt le travail de conceptualisation qui fut le sien en histoire des idées, de la culture, de l'américanité, du livre et de l'imprimé et dans la redécouverte de la pensée de Louis-Joseph Papineau.
Comparing Public–Private Partnerships with Conventional Procurement
Authors: DeCorla-Souza Patrick , Lee Douglass , Timothy Darren , Mayer Jennifer
Published: November 2013

Value for money (VfM) analyses have been used in evaluating various approaches to highway projects to help government officials determine whether a public–private partnership (PPP) is likely to be preferable for financial reasons to conventional approaches. VfM is a tool that focuses primarily on the financial impacts of procurement models from the perspective of the agency sponsoring a project. Nonfinancial impacts, such as benefits to users or nonusers of a facility, are not generally considered or are relegated to a qualitative evaluation. Benefit–cost analysis (BCA) has been used by public agencies in planning and project development phases to determine whether an investment is worth making. BCA is a more comprehensive tool than VfM that is capable of quantifying and monetizing nonfinancial impacts, such as benefits to users or nonusers that may accrue from earlier delivery of a project. This paper discusses how BCA considerations may be incorporated into a more analytically comprehensive approach to comparing PPPs with conventional procurement. The approach uses some results from VfM analysis and adds new items that are consistent with a BCA approach. The paper illustrates the approach with a hypothetical project.
Retail Fuel Price Stabilization and Revenue Generation of Dynamic Taxation Policy
Authors: Lu Yijing , Zhang Lei , Tsay Shin-pei , Zhu Yiwen
Published: November 2013

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP), through its Leadership Initiative for Transportation Solvency, in 2011 released Road to Recovery: Transforming America's Transportation, a report that proposed a new revenue mechanism to fund a reformed transportation program fully. The report recommends that Congress couple a per barrel oil fee with a variable, countercyclical gas tax. This paper discusses the dynamic impacts of CEIP's revenue policy on household travel behavior, revenue generation for the federal trust fund, energy consumption, equity, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air pollution at the national level from 2008 to 2010. The analysis developed econometric models: a multiple vehicle miles traveled (VMT) regression model and a discrete vehicle ownership model. Model results showed that the CEIP revenue proposal could fill the revenue shortfall regardless of the world oil price. During the historic study period of 2008 to 2010, the CEIP policy would have collected up to more than double the federal revenue. At the same time, households would have increased their VMT by as much as 1.8% when oil prices peaked, and reduced their VMT by up to 8.6% when the crude oil price dropped to the lowest point. It is estimated that, without any investments or revenue recycling, lower-income households would have experienced a 0.45% to 0.5% reduction in consumer surplus changes measured as a percentage of income and higher-income households would have experienced a 0.06% to 0.1% reduction. Finally, it is estimated that the CEIP policy would have reduced air pollution and GHG emissions by an average 4% to 4.35% for different pollutant types.
Minimizing the Impacts of Cost and Revenue Uncertainties on Transportation Project Delivery
Authors: Redd Larry , McDowell Tim
Published: November 2013

A process improvement effort is under way at the Wyoming Department of Transportation (DOT) to optimize the delivery of highway projects. The focus of the effort is to manage the risks of project cost and revenue uncertainties over the long term in order to deliver projects on time and as intended. The goal is to maximize the successful delivery of projects that have been planned 6 to 8 years in advance. As a result of this effort, the Wyoming DOT and other transportation agencies will have great leverage to achieve performance targets by delivering more projects on time with the performance benefits anticipated when the projects were initially selected. The analysis considers various funding scenarios, with plausible uncertainties, and examines strategies to mitigate the impacts. For example, mismatches between projected and actual funding in the intended years of delivery may cause costly delays for some projects from a lack of funding or may necessitate acceleration to spend excess revenue. An understanding of these potential outcomes has allowed process improvements to be developed. The results of the research are enabling the Wyoming DOT to maximize the performance benefits from the asset management efforts. The department will now be better able to manage the risks facing transportation projects in the project pipeline, with estimated benefits of between 2% and 4% of the total budget. This work will provide information that project planners can use to improve on-time project delivery and maximize the achievement of performance targets over time.
Economic Assessment of Public Rest Areas and Traveler Information Centers on Limited-Access Freeways
Authors: Gates Timothy J. , Savolainen Peter T. , Datta Tapan K. , Todd Ryan G.
Published: November 2013

Public rest areas along limited-access freeways throughout the United States allow quick access and free 24-h availability to basic amenities such as parking and restrooms. The recent economic downturn has made it increasingly difficult for state agencies to maintain rest areas and has forced many states to consider downsizing services or closing facilities. Although rest areas provide many benefits to motorists, the safety and economic impacts associated with rest areas and traveler information centers have proved difficult to quantify. A benefit–cost (B-C) analysis methodology was developed for public rest areas and traveler information centers on limited-access freeways. This methodology considered a broad range of benefits associated with public rest areas, including travel diversion savings, comfort and convenience benefits, and crash reductions. Increased tourism spending was also considered for traveler information centers. The costs were almost exclusively related to those incurred by the agency, which included construction, rehabilitation, operation, and routine maintenance. The methodology was demonstrated with data provided by the Michigan Department of Transportation. Because the estimated benefits were strongly correlated with annual use of the facility, the facilities with the highest B-C ratios included heavily used facilities located on the primary freeway routes. Those with the lowest B-C ratios were underused facilities with high operation or maintenance costs.
Application and Sensitivity of Airport Noise-Damage Costs
Authors: Tam Ryan
Published: November 2013

In studying the relationship between airports and surrounding communities, analysts have developed noise depreciation indices to describe the changes in housing prices associated with changes in noise levels. This analysis uses the indices to estimate and assess the noise-damage costs under different growth scenarios at one airport. Sensitivity analyses are also used to identify how key inputs affect these noise-damage costs. Other socioeconomic indicators are also analyzed to set the context for these noise-damage costs.
Investigations of Effects of Porous Pavement on Traffic Noise and Traffic Noise Prediction
Authors: Rochat Judith L. , Donavan Paul R.
Published: November 2013

The U.S. Department of Transportation's FHWA Traffic Noise Model (TNM) is currently missing the effect of sound-absorbing pavements on predicted noise levels, in regard to both a reduction in source level and a reduction of sound through propagation. In TNM, a single effective flow resistivity value representing acoustically hard ground is used in sound propagation and ground reflection algorithms. With acoustically hard ground, most of the sound from vehicles is reflected. For porous pavements (those with more than 15% interconnected air voids), sound incident on the pavement is partially absorbed and thus potentially reduces the noise level for receivers along the roadway relative to that for a non porous surface. Results of investigations indicate that the sound absorption produced by porous pavements will have an effect on both measured and predicted traffic noise levels. The work shows that more accurate TNM-predicted sound levels can be achieved by properly accounting for the sound absorption of pavement, the effect of sound-absorbing pavement is not insubstantial, and predictions can be made as to the effect of sound-absorbing pavement by using modeling or measurement techniques, or both.
Impact of Stormwater Pipe Lining Materials on Water Quality
Authors: Donaldson Bridget M. , Whelton Andrew J.
Published: November 2013

Many stormwater pipes and culverts have reached the end of their service lives, and their repair or replacement is a large maintenance concern. Many commonly used culvert rehabilitation technologies entail the use of a resin or coating that cures to form a rigid liner within the damaged culvert. However, water quality implications of these trench-less alternatives are not completely understood. A previous evaluation conducted by the Virginia Center for Transportation Innovation and Research, a division of the Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT), discovered that installations of conventional (styrene-based) cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) can affect water quality. These findings led the Virginia DOT and other agencies to develop rigorous specifications to limit water quality impacts. The purpose of the present study was to determine the water quality impacts caused by vinyl ester–based CIPP and ultraviolet CIPP technologies as well as cementitious and polyurea spray-on liners. Water quality monitoring was conducted at several field installation sites, and specimens of certain newly installed liners underwent laboratory testing. Water samples were analyzed for specific contaminants (i.e., styrene, vinylic monomer) as well as general water quality indicators (i.e., pH, organic carbon). Results indicated that contaminants were released from each material, but results were not similar across the three test methods applied. Water flow, dilution, and contaminant volatilization seemed to affect water quality results. Recommended specifications include protective controls to prevent water quality standards and aquatic toxicity threshold exceedances, particularly for those receiving waters with low flow and little dilution potential.
Farmers perception about variety development and Abiotic stresses on potato cultivation in Bangladesh
Authors: Miah MA Monayem , Hossain TMB , Hossain S , Kadian MS , Hossain M
Published: November 2013

The socio-economic information on variety development and abiotic stresses of potato cultivation at farm level are scarce in Bangladesh. Therefore, an attempt was made to assess farmers perceptions about variety development and different abiotic stresses on potato cultivation. Primary data were collected from 240 potato farmers of Bogra and Chittagong district. The study revealed that Granula, Cardinal, and Lalpakri were the most preferred potato varieties in Bogra, while Diamant and Dohazari were the dominant varieties in Chittagong. Most farmers (70.87%) believe that the current potato yield (21.5-22.67 t/ha) can be further increased through introducing new HYVs. Drought and heat were two important limiting factors towards achieving the higher levels of potato yield. High yielding ability was considered as the most desirable varietal character and this was opined by almost 92.1% respondents, followed by drought resistant (61.13%), proper late blight control (58.75%), availability of adequate fund (57.77%), heat tolerant (53.60%), early maturity (61.5%), and good demand (44.5%) for HYV potatoes, whereas good test (81.7%), higher price (69.6%) and good storability (65.2%) were reported for local varieties. Low yield, susceptible to diseases, late maturity and low demand were the reasons for abandoning some potato varieties in the past. Dohazari variety for Chittagong and Lalpakri for Bogra have higher levels of tolerance against abiotic stresses. Finally, early maturity followed by drought tolerance, heat tolerance, and salinity tolerance were important attributes farmers wanted in new potato varieties. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v38i3.16926 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 38(3): 401-416, September 2013
Genetic divergence in rapeseed-mustard (Brassica rapa L.)
Authors: Khan MH , Ali MM , Vhuiyan SR , Mahmud F
Published: November 2013

An experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, during November 2009 to February 2010 to study the genetic divergences of 32 genotypes of Brassica rapa L. through principal component analysis and Mohalanobis D2 analysis. Analysis of variance indicated that considerable genetic variability were existed among the 32 genotypes. On the basis of D2 analysis, the genotypes were grouped into 6 clusters. Cluster III had the maximum number of 11 genotypes, while the cluster IV and cluster V had only 2 genotypes each. The highest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster I and V (21.871), while the lowest in the cluster II and III (4.237). The intra cluster distance was the maximum in cluster V (0.469) and minimum in cluster III (0.116). The characters yield per plant, number of siliquae per plant, and days to maturity were found prominent towards the genetic divergence. The genotypes G-15 and G-19 from cluster IV and G-1, G- 3, G-4, G-10, G-18, and G-24 from cluster I were suitable for creating more variability for higher yield per plant through hybridization DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v38i3.16968 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 38(3): 417-423, September 2013
Farm level potato (Solanum tuberosum l.) Cultivation in some selected sites of Bangladesh
Authors: Shahriar SM , Hasan M Kamrul , Kamruzzaman M
Published: November 2013

The study was carried out in two intensive potato growing areas (Rangpur and Munshigonj) to estimate the technical efficiency of potato producers and to describe the level of variation in potato productivity due to differences in input use. Data were collected from 60 farmers (30 farmers from each district) using simple random sampling technique. Average technical efficiency was 86% implying that on average 14% inefficiency remained at producers level. The application of human labour, MoP, and weedicides would increase potato yield significantly. On the other hand, the coefficient of urea and pesticide cost was found negative and significant which advarsely effect the yield of potato. Moreover, the coefficient of operated land and extension linkage were found negative and significant implying that with further increase in operated land and extension linkage, technical efficiency would increase. Munshigonj was found to be more suitable area for potato production. The performance of selfproduced and stored potato seeds are poor compared to the seeds from BADC. Supply of quality seeds to the farmers should be ensured by strengthening seed production and distribution system both in public and private sectors. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v38i3.16972 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 38(3): 455-466, September 2013
Study of heterosis in heat tolerant tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) during summer
Authors: Patwary MM Alam , Rahman M Mizanur , Ahmad Shahabuddin , Miah MA Khaleque , Barua Haimonti
Published: November 2013

An experiment was conducted at the Vegetable Research Field of Olericulture Division, Horticulture Research Cente, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur during May to October 2008 to study heterosis using eight parents viz., P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, and P8. Most of the combinations showed better parent heterosis for earliness. Eight crosses showed positive heterosis for flower production. The highest heterotic effect for fruit set (%) was found in the cross P6 × P7 (62.59%) followed by that in P7 × P8 (60.49%) and P1 × P7 (40.00%). For fruits per plant, 8 crosses provided more than 15 % heterosis over better parent. Considering fruit yield per plant, higher degree of heterosis was manifested by 24 hybrids over better parent ranging from 13.58 to 282.63 %. Cross combination P4 x P7 showed the maximum significant positive heterosis followed by P6 x P7 (187.84 %), P4 x P8 (166.97 %), P3 x P7 (146.08 %), P3 xP6 (103.92 %), and P1 X P7 (100.45 %) and the minimum in P4 x P6 (13.58 %). For viable pollens, P3 x P5 (20.56 %) exhibited the highest positive heterosis. In case of shelf life, the highest heterosis was observed by the cross P3 x P6 (22.78 %) followed by that in P4 x P6 (22.29 %) and P2 x P6 (14.40 %). For fruit flesh thickness, 12 hybrids exhibited more than 10 % heterosis. Pollen tubes as well as viable pollens showed positive correlation with fruit set. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v38i3.16980 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 38(3): 531-544, September 2013
Variation In Seed Quality Of Radish Preserved In Different Storage Containers
Authors: Quais MK , Jahan S , Haque MM , Khan MR
Published: November 2013

Abstract not available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v38i3.16981 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 38(3): 545-552, September 2013
Very High Resolution Satellite Image Classification Using Fuzzy Rule-Based Systems
Authors: Jabari Shabnam , Zhang Yun
Published: November 2013

The aim of this research is to present a detailed step-by-step method for classification of very high resolution urban satellite images (VHRSI) into specific classes such as road, building, vegetation, etc., using fuzzy logic. In this study, object-based image analysis is used for image classification. The main problems in high resolution image classification are the uncertainties in the position of object borders in satellite images and also multiplex resemblance of the segments to different classes. In order to solve this problem, fuzzy logic is used for image classification, since it provides the possibility of image analysis using multiple parameters without requiring inclusion of certain thresholds in the class assignment process. In this study, an inclusive semi-automatic method for image classification is offered, which presents the configuration of the related fuzzy functions as well as fuzzy rules. The produced results are compared to the results of a normal classification using the same parameters, but with crisp rules. The overall accuracies and kappa coefficients of the presented method stand higher than the check projects.