bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Constructing a Public Comparative Theology: Examining Ernst Troeltsch through a Critical Hermeneutic Lens
Authors: Chung Paul
Published: July 2018

This article explores Ernst Troeltsch’s potential contribution to a Christian public theology. It does so by way of a case being made for a public comparative theology. For this purpose I reconsider investigating Troeltsch’s sociological method through a critical hermeneutic lens provided by Hans G. Gadamer’s hermeneutics and Jürgen Habermas’ sociology of a lifeworld. Through this hermeneutical mediation I propose a more comprehensive understanding of Troeltsch’s project, and how it can bring relevancy to a public theology that takes into account the comparative study of religions in our pluralist context. Troeltsch’s work will thus be hermeneutically refined in a socially responsible manner in keeping with the reality of multiple modernities and the religious humanism in our contemporary context.
Impatience in Timing Decisions: Effects and Moderation
Authors: Ghafurian Moojan , Reitter David
Published: July 2018

Decisions onwhen to actare critical in many health care, safety and security situations, where acting too early or too late can both lead to huge costs or losses. In this paper,impatienceis investigated as a bias affecting timing decisions, and is successfully manipulated and moderated. Experiment 1 (N= 123) shows that in different tasks with the same duration, participants perform better when acting early is advantageous, as compared to when acting late is. Experiment 2 (N= 701) manipulates impatience and shows that impatience induced by delays (a) affects timing decisions in the subsequent tasks, (b) increases a tendency to receive information faster, only for a few seconds, with cost and no gain, and (c) reduces satisfaction in the subsequent task. Furthermore, impatience is significantly moderated by showing fast countdowns during the delays. Experiment 3 (N= 304) shows that the mechanism behind this impatience moderation is altered time perception and presents trade-offs between duration perception and duration recall.
Click to Connect: Participation and Meaning in an Online Church
Authors: Harwig Christian , Roeland Johan , Stoffels Hijme
Published: July 2018

This study is a qualitative study into the meaning that visitors derive from participating in the Dutch online church Mijn Kerk (litt. My Church). By focusing on the experience of the individual visitors, the everyday context of visitors is taken into account. What people are looking for online is determined by their relationship with the local church as well as further offline circumstances. This can be roughly divided into two categories: connectedness (with other people) and sustenance (inspiration for everyday life). Within Mijn Kerk visitors both offer and search for fulfillment of these needs, resulting in four typical behaviors: to vent, to encourage, to inspire and to recharge. Being very approachable, relatively anonymous and non-committal, while at the same time offering stability, real personal contact and durable relationships, Mijn Kerk is a unique community online in which people try to overcome the tension between individualism and the desire for connectedness.
Systematics and biodiversity of eels (orders Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes) of Taiwan (II) (Cover & Copyright page)
Authors: HO HSUAN-CHING , HOLLEMAN WOUTER , HILTON ERIC J. , SMITH DAVID G. , McCOSKER JOHN
Published: July 2018

N/A
The congrid eel genus Bathycongrus of Taiwan, with descriptions of three new species (Anguilliformes: Congridae)
Authors: SMITH DAVID G. , HO HSUAN-CHING
Published: July 2018

Ten species of the congrid eel genus Bathycongrus are recognized from Taiwanese waters. Diagnoses and full descriptions of eight species are provided in present work. Three species are described as new. Bathycongrus bimaculatus sp. nov. is a small species with a pale body color, two black patches on dorsal fin, and 109–111 total vertebrae. Bathycongrus graciliceps sp. nov. is a moderately elongate species with a small, slender head and long trunk, and 163 total vertebrae. Bathycongrus castlei sp. nov. is a slender species with a relatively short trunk, dorsal half of body deep brownish, and 160–162 total vertebrae. Two rare species, B. bleekeri Fowler, 1934 and B. macroporis (Kotthaus, 1968), are newly reported from Taiwan. A key to all species in Taiwan is provided.
Review of the congrid eel genus Conger (Anguilliformes: Congridae) in Taiwan
Authors: SMITH DAVID G. , HO HSUAN-CHING
Published: July 2018

The congrid eel genus Conger in Taiwan is reviewed. Five species are recognized, including C. jordani, C. cinereus, C. macrocephalus, C. myriaster and a newly collected species, C. philippinus. A mature male specimen of Conger myriaster is described for the first time. Specimens previously identified as C. japonicus (= C. myriaster) were misidentifications of above mentioned species. The diagnostic characters are discussed. Detailed data on all five species and a key to species in Taiwan are provided.
Systematics and biodiversity of eels (orders Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes) of Taiwan (II) (Table of contents)
Authors: HO HSUAN-CHING , HOLLEMAN WOUTER , HILTON ERIC J. , SMITH DAVID G. , McCOSKER JOHN
Published: July 2018

N/A
The freshwater snake eel genus Lamnostoma (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) in Taiwan, with description of a new species
Authors: CHIU YUNG-CHIEH , SHAO KWANG-TSAO , HUANG SHIH-PIN , CHEN HONG-MING
Published: July 2018

A review of the freshwater ophichthid eel genus Lamnostoma from Taiwan is provided with three species recognized. Lamnostoma mindora has been recorded in previous literature and its presence is confirmed. Two specimens of Lamnostoma polyophthalmum represent the first record in Taiwan. A new species, Lamnostoma taiwanense sp. nov., is described on the basis of two specimens collected from northeastern Taiwan. It can be distinguished by having 3 preopercular pores, higher number of teeth on lower jaw, and a series of white spots with hill-shaped papillae along the head. A key to all known species of Lamnostoma is provided.
Two new elongate unpatterned moray eels from Taiwan and Vietnam, with notes on two congeners (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae)
Authors: SMITH DAVID G. , HIBINO YUSUKE , HO HSUAN-CHING
Published: July 2018

Two new species of elongate unpatterned moray eels related to Gymnothorax prolatus are described. Gymnothorax pseudoprolatus sp. nov. is described from one specimen collected off southwestern Taiwan and Gymnothorax vietnamensis sp. nov. is described from seven specimens collected off central Vietnam. Both differ from other species in the group in the number of vertebrae, position of anus, and dentition. Gymnothorax pseudomelanosomatus Loh et al., 2015 is reported from southern Taiwan for the first time; it was previously known from the type series collected off the northeastern tip of Taiwan. Gymnothorax angusticauda (Weber & de Beaufort 1916) is reported for the first time in Taiwan and the Philippines.
Classification of Chicken Parts Using a Portable Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectrophotometer and Machine Learning
Authors: Nolasco Perez Irene Marivel , Badaró Amanda Teixeira , Barbon Sylvio , Barbon Ana Paula AC , Pollonio Marise Aparecida Rodrigues , Barbin Douglas Fernandes
Published: July 2018

Identification of different chicken parts using portable equipment could provide useful information for the processing industry and also for authentication purposes. Traditionally, physical–chemical analysis could deal with this task, but some disadvantages arise such as time constraints and requirements of chemicals. Recently, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and machine learning (ML) techniques have been widely used to obtain a rapid, noninvasive, and precise characterization of biological samples. This study aims at classifying chicken parts (breasts, thighs, and drumstick) using portable NIR equipment combined with ML algorithms. Physical and chemical attributes (pH and L*a*b* color features) and chemical composition (protein, fat, moisture, and ash) were determined for each sample. Spectral information was acquired using a portable NIR spectrophotometer within the range 900–1700 nm and principal component analysis was used as screening approach. Support vector machine and random forest algorithms were compared for chicken meat classification. Results confirmed the possibility of differentiating breast samples from thighs and drumstick with 98.8% accuracy. The results showed the potential of using a NIR portable spectrophotometer combined with a ML approach for differentiation of chicken parts in the processing industry.
Single Pilot Operations in Domestic Commercial Aviation
Authors: Vu Kim-Phuong L. , Lachter Joel , Battiste Vernol , Strybel Thomas Z.
Published: July 2018

Objective:

To provide an overview of concepts of operation for single pilot operations (SPO) and a synthesis of recently published work evaluating these concepts.

Background:

Advances in technology have made it possible for a commercial aircraft to be flown by a single pilot under normal conditions, and research is being conducted to examine the feasibility of implementing SPO for commercial aviation.

Method:

Context leading up to the consideration of SPO for commercial flight is provided, including the benefits and challenges. Recent studies examining issues relating to automation, operations, and communications in the SPO context are presented.

Results:

A number of concepts have been proposed and tested for SPO, and no one concept has been shown to be superior. Single pilots were able to successfully resolve off-nominal scenarios with either the ground-support or cockpit-automation tools examined. However, the technologies developed in support of these concepts are in prototype forms and need further development.

Conclusion:

There have been no obvious “show stoppers” for moving toward SPO. However, the current state of research is in its initial stages, and more research is needed to examine other challenges associated with SPO. Moreover, human factors researchers must continue to be involved in the development of the new tools and technologies to support SPO to ensure their effectiveness.

Application:

The research issues highlighted in the context of SPO reflect issues that are associated with the process of reducing crew members or providing remote support of operators and, more generally, human interactions with increasingly autonomous systems.
Characterization of Young’s modulus and thermal conductivity of graphene/epoxy nanocomposites
Authors: Wang Tai-Yuan , Tseng Po-Ying , Tsai Jia-Lin
Published: July 2018

Atomistic simulation together with micromechanical analysis was employed to characterize the Young’s modulus and thermal conductivity of graphene/epoxy nanocomposites. Nanocomposites containing pristine graphene, carboxyl (COOH)-functionalized graphene, and COOH- and amine (NH2)-functionalized graphene were considered in the simulations. The effect of atomistic interaction between the graphene and the surrounding epoxy was accounted for in the molecular dynamics simulations and then used to derive the effective properties of graphene. Subsequently, the Young’s modulus and thermal conductivity of nanocomposites containing randomly oriented graphene were modeled using the Mori–Tanaka micromechanical model. The results indicated that the COOH- and NH2-functionalized graphene nanocomposite had superior mechanical and thermal properties to the other two material systems. Moreover, the model predictions were in favorable agreement with the experimental data.
A Clash of Norms? How Reciprocity and International Humanitarian Law affect American Opinion on the Treatment of POWs
Authors: Chu Jonathan A.
Published: July 2018

Reciprocity is one of the oldest principles of warfare, but humanitarian norms embedded in international humanitarian law (IHL) prohibit reciprocity over various wartime acts. When it comes to the treatment of prisoners of war (POWs), how do these conflicting norms shape public opinion? One perspective is that citizens who learn about IHL acquire an unconditional aversion to abusing POWs. Alternatively, people may understand IHL as a conditional commitment that instead strengthens their approval for reciprocal conduct. Survey experiments fielded in the United States support the latter view: people’s preferences depend on the enemy’s behavior, and this “reciprocity effect” is largest among those who believe that the United States is legally committed to treating POWs humanely. Puzzlingly, prior studies do not find a reciprocity effect, but this is due to their use of a no-information experimental control group, which led to a lack of control over the subjects’ assumptions about the survey.
Forbidden Words, Banished Voices: Jewish Refugees at the Service of BBC Propaganda to Wartime Germany
Authors: Ganor Sheer
Published: July 2018

During the Second World War, the BBC operated a German Service, which was tasked with broadcasting propaganda programs into Nazi Germany and occupied Europe. Psychological warfare was transmitted through radio waves to spread defeatism on the fighting front and amongst civilians, and to convince the German people that there was no future for the Third Reich. Dozens of German-speaking Jews who fled Central Europe and arrived in England as refugees found employment in the German Service. Many of these individuals worked as journalists, actors, comedians or authors in their previous homelands, some had even earned a degree of fame and recognition before the persecutory policies of National Socialism restricted their lives and forced them into exile. From the perspective of BBC officials, these refugees’ experience in the press and in the performing arts, as well as their intimate knowledge of German society and culture, set them in a unique position to create effective and powerful propaganda. This paper explores how, branded as unwelcome outsiders by their native societies, it was precisely their familiarity as ‘insiders’ that paradoxically primed them to perform the task.
The Continuing Chronology of Confusion
Authors: Antonopoulos Irene , Dingwall Gavin , Hillier Tim
Published: July 2018

International human rights law states that child well-being must be paramount. The aims of the Youth Justice System in England and Wales should reflect this, but the present system fails to do so as its aims are various and lack coherence. This article argues that this incoherence emanates from an apparent conflict between welfare and crime prevention. The authors argue that this dichotomy is false if one recognises that crime will only be prevented by prioritising the welfare and well-being of the child offender. Adopting this approach would satisfy international obligations and reduce the risk of offending and reoffending.
From ballot-boxes to barracks: Votes, institutions, and post-election coups
Authors: Rozenas Arturas , Zeigler Sean M
Published: July 2018

The military often intervenes in politics shortly after elections. This might be because election results reveal information about the ease with which a coup can succeed. Would-be coup perpetrators use this information to infer whether the incumbent can be removed from office without provoking popular unrest. We argue that the informational content of elections depends on the electoral rules that translate votes into outcomes. In electoral systems that incentivize strategic voting, election returns are less informative about the distribution of political support than in electoral systems that incentivize sincere voting. An extensive battery of statistical tests shows that vote-shares of election winners do not predict coup attempts in plurality systems, which encourage strategic voting, but they do predict coup attempts in non-plurality electoral systems, which do not encourage strategic voting. Thus, incumbents who have performed well in elections face a lower risk of coup attempts, but only in institutional environments where voting results are highly informative about the distribution of political support. We apply this logic to illuminate the decisions of the military to intervene into politics during the famous failed 1936 coup in Spain and the successful 1973 coup in Chile.
Faith in thy threshold
Authors: Curley Lee J , Murray Jennifer , MacLean Rory , Laybourn Phyllis , Brown David
Published: July 2018

The current study focussed on the decision-making processes of jurors. The study investigated how jurors make a decision, if they integrate information within their decision-making process and if cue utilisation thresholds promote confirmation bias. To do this, 108 participants listened to one of nine cases. These participants were asked to give a likelihood of guilt rating after each piece of evidence, to state what the last piece of information was that they needed to make a decision and to give a final verdict at the end of a trial. The results highlighted that threshold decision making was being utilised, that information integration may allow thresholds to be reached and that thresholds may promote confirmation bias to reduce cognitive dissonance. In conclusion, this suggests that jurors integrate information until they reach a leading verdict, then the evaluation of information is distorted to support the leading threshold. Implications relate to legal instructions for jurors.
Broken market or broken policy? The unintended consequences of restrictive planning
Authors: Cheshire Paul
Published: July 2018

This paper summarises the evidence from recent research relating to the British Planning system's impact on the supply of development. Planning serves important economic and social purposes but it is essential to distinguish between restricting development relative to demand in particular places to provide public goods and mitigate market failure in other ways, including ensuring the future ability of cities to expand and maintain a supply of public goods and infrastructure; and an absolute restriction on supply, raising prices of housing and other urban development generally. Evidence is presented that there are at least four separate mechanisms, inbuilt into the British system, which result in a systematic undersupply of land and space for both residential and commercial purposes and that these have had important effects on both our housing market and the wider economy and on welfare more widely defined.
Experimental study on the thermal regulation performance of winter uniform used for high school students
Authors: Li Peijing , Su Yun , Huang Qianqian , Li Jun , Xu Jingxian
Published: July 2018

To understand the effectiveness of some garment adjustment designs for high school uniform in winter, manikin tests and subjective wear trials were carried out. Five series of school uniform ensembles were involved in the experiments. They were further collocated into 17 ensemble configurations with detachable designs (ensembles A and B) and opening structures (ensembles C, D, and E). As manikin test results showed, the thermal insulation of ensembles A, B and C varied most significantly due to their adjustment design. The possible thermal insulation regulation levels were approximately 68% and 80% for ensembles A and B, and 60% and 90% for ensemble C. Two human trials that simulated students’ daily movements between indoor and outdoor classes were conducted with ensemble A. Two climate chambers were used at the same time for indoor and outdoor environment simulation. In Case X, where ensemble A was assumed to be non-detachable, skin temperatures that were 0.6℃ lower were finally observed compared to Case Y, where ensemble A was detachable. Moreover, significantly ( p < 0.1) better thermal comfort and thermal sensation evaluations were given during low-intensity activities in Case Y, especially for the torso segments. The detachable high school uniform design was finally proved to be efficient in improving human thermal comfort under various class environments. It was also concluded that more protective measures should be adopted for the hands and face in the school uniform design process.
A Clinical Care Pathway to Reduce ICU Usage in Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstruction
Authors: Morse Elliot , Henderson Cara , Carafeno Tracy , Dibble Jacqueline , Longley Peter , Chan Edwin , Judson Benjamin , Yarbrough Wendell G. , Sasaki Clarence , Mehra Saral
Published: July 2018

Objective

To design and implement a postoperative clinical care pathway designed to reduce intensive care usage on length of stay, readmission rates, and surgical complications in head and neck free flap patients.

Methods

A postoperative clinical care pathway detailing timelines for patient care was developed by a multispecialty team. In total, 108 matched patients receiving free tissue transfer for reconstruction of head and neck defects in the year before (prepathway), year after (early pathway), and second year after (late pathway) pathway implementation were compared based on postoperative length of stay, 30‐day readmission rate, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and rates of medical/surgical complications.

Results

Median length of stay decreased from 10 to 7.5 and 7 days in the pre‐, early, and late‐pathway groups, respectively (P =. 012). Readmission rate decreased from 16% in the prepathway group to 0% and 3% in the early and late‐pathway groups. The number of patients admitted to the ICU postoperatively decreased from 100% to 36% and 6% in the pre‐, early, and late‐pathway groups, respectively (P =. 025). The rates of surgical and medical complications were equivalent.

Discussion

This pathway effectively reduced ICU admission, length of stay, and readmission rates, without increasing postoperative complications. These outcomes were sustainable over 2 years.

Implications for Practice

Free flap patients may not require routine ICU admission and may be taken off ventilatory support in the operating room. This effectively reduces costly resource use in this patient population. Similar pathways could be introduced at other institutions.
A Randomized Single‐Blinded Trial of Posttonsillectomy Liposomal Bupivacaine among Adult Patients
Authors: Olson Michael D. , Moore Eric J. , Price Daniel L.
Published: July 2018

Objective

To determine whether liposomal bupivacaine (Exparel) is safe and effective in the management of posttonsillectomy pain among adult patients.

Study Design

A prospective single‐blind randomized controlled trial.

Setting

An academic quaternary care center (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota).

Subjects and Methods

From May 2015 to December 2016, 39 patients were randomized to receive oral pain medication and 8 mL of injected liposomal bupivacaine or oral pain medication alone for treatment of their posttonsillectomy pain. Visual analog scale pain intensity scores, oral pain medication usage, liquid oral intake, and complications were recorded for 2 weeks after the procedure.

Results

Thirty‐nine patients were randomized, with 17 patients in the liposomal bupivacaine group and 22 in the control group. Fifteen patients in the liposomal bupivacaine group and 18 patients in the control group completed the study. Pain intensity score on postoperative day 1 (P =. 043) proved to be the only statistically significant result, with no difference noted in pain scores on postoperative days 2 to 14. There was no difference in pain medication usage, liquid oral intake, postoperative hemorrhage, or adverse events between groups.

Conclusions

The injection of liposomal bupivacaine in the posttonsillectomy wound bed demonstrates improved pain intensity scores for the first 24 hours after surgery with no adverse complications noted in comparison with patients who did not receive the injection. Given the limited pain reduction and increased cost, use of liposomal bupivacaine in adult tonsillectomy patients appears to have minimal indication for use.
Efficacy of EGF and Gelatin Sponge for Traumatic Tympanic Membrane Perforations: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Lou Zheng Cai , Lou Zihan
Published: July 2018

Objective

To compare the outcomes of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and gelatin sponge patch treatments for traumatic tympanic membrane perforations.

Study Design

Prospective, randomized, controlled.

Setting

University‐affiliated teaching hospital.

Subjects and Methods

In total, 141 perforations encompassing >50% of the eardrum were randomly divided into 3 groups: EGF (n = 47), gelatin sponge patch (n = 47), and observation (n = 47). The edges of the perforations were not approximated. The closure rate, mean closure time, and infection rate were evaluated at 6 months and the related factors analyzed.

Results

A total of 135 perforations were analyzed. At 6 months, the closure rates were 97.8%, 86.7%, and 82.2% in the EGF, gelatin sponge patch, and spontaneous healing groups, respectively (P =. 054). The mean ± SD closure time was 11.12 ± 4.60, 13.67 ± 5.37, and 25.65 ± 13.32 days in the EGF, gelatin sponge patch, and spontaneous healing groups, respectively (P <. 001). In addition, the presence of infection was not significantly associated with rate of closure in any group.

Conclusions

As compared with spontaneous healing, daily application of EGF and gelatin sponge patching reduced the closure time of traumatic tympanic membrane perforations. EGF treatment had a higher closure rate and shorter closure time but resulted in otorrhea. By contrast, gelatin sponge patches did not improve the closure rate or cause otorrhea but required repeated patch removal and reapplication. Thus, the appropriate treatment should be selected according to patient need.
MIL-101(Cr) metal–organic framework functionalized with tetraethylenepentamine for potential removal of Uranium (VI) from waste water
Authors: Liu Fengtai , Song Shanshan , Cheng Ge , Xiong Wenjing , Shi Lei , Zhang Yibo
Published: July 2018

The metal–organic frameworks material functionalized by grafting amino group of tetraethylenepentamine on the coordinative unsaturated Cr (III) centers is described. The obtained tetraethylenepentamine-functionalized adsorbents with different mass ratios of tetraethylenepentamine have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared, X-ray powder diffraction, and N2 adsorption and desorption isotherms. Significantly, MIL-101-tetraethylenepentamine 60% exhibited high adsorption capacity (350 mg/g) for removal of uranium (VI) from water at pH 4.5. At uranium concentration <20 mg/L, the isothermal plot was best represented by Freundlich model. At U(VI) concentration approximately >30 mg/L, the isotherm was best described by Langmuir model.
Nice guys and gals can finish first: Personality and speed-dating success among Asian Americans
Authors: Wu Karen , Chen Chuansheng , Greenberger Ellen
Published: July 2018

In Western culture, both pop theory and recent behavioral research support the “nice guy stereotype,” suggesting that communal qualities that emphasize caring for others may be unattractive in men. Few studies, however, have examined the initial attractiveness of personality in other cultures through methods other than self-report. We tested associations between personal attributes (i.e., communal attributes, social desirability, self-esteem, narcissism) and speed-dating success (i.e., ratings of mate desirability) among young Asian Americans. Single Asian Americans ( N = 262) went on speed-dates ( N observations = 2,181) with members of the other gender and completed questionnaires about each date. Using the social relations model, we found that communal attributes (both self-rated and perceived) and self-esteem, but not social desirability or narcissism, contributed to greater speed-dating success for men and women. On the whole, contrary to the popular saying and previous findings among Europeans/European Americans, findings indicate that nice guys and gals can finish first.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome of ejaculated spermatozoa from a man with mosaic Klinefelter's Syndrome: case report and literature review
Authors: Yu Yang , Xi Qi , Jing Jili , Li Linlin , Zhang Hongguo , Liu Ruizhi , Pan Yuan
Published: July 2018

Objective

To report a case of abortion after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with ejaculated spermatozoa obtained from a man with mosaic Klinefelter’s syndrome.

Methods

Sperm nuclei from the patient were analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization, and the disomy frequencies for chromosome 18 and the sex chromosomes were determined. A literature review of the ICSI outcome of ejaculated sperm in patients with Klinefelter’s syndrome was also performed.

Results

A total of 108 spermatozoa nuclei were analyzed. Of these, 102 sperm cells were normal with an X18 (55.56%) or Y18 (38.89%) chromosome pattern. Three cells with XX18 (2.78%) and three cells with YY18 (2.78%) signals were detected. The fetus stopped developing in the eighth week. The karyotype determined by an analysis of the abortive tissue was 46, XY. The literature review identified a total of 12 patients who were analyzed in 11 reports. The fertilization rate was 80.9%, and the live birth rate per transfer was 71.4%.

Conclusions

ICSI with ejaculated spermatozoa from men with Klinefelter’s syndrome can lead to pregnancy, for which the risk of transmission of chromosomal aneuploidy is low.
Learning Daily Activity Sequences of Population Groups using Random Forest Theory
Authors: Hafezi Mohammad Hesam , Liu Lei , Millward Hugh
Published: July 2018

The choice of daily activity sequences differs between individuals based on their socio-demographic characteristics and their health and/or mobility status. The aim of this paper is to provide an improved methodology for learning and modeling the daily activity engagement patterns of individuals using a state-of-the-art machine learning algorithm. The dependencies between activity type, activity frequency, activity sequence, and socio-demographic characteristics of individuals are taken into account by employing a random forest model. In order to capture the heterogeneity and diversity among the predictor variables, we employed two different methods for split selection in the random forest algorithm: Classification and Regression Tree (CART) and curvature search. These two methods were examined under two different layer settings. In the first setting, the algorithm grows trees using all alternative predictor variables, whereas in the second setting the importance of the predictor variables is estimated and then the algorithm grows trees using only high-score predictor variables. The models were applied to time use data from the large Halifax Space-Time Activity Research (STAR) household travel diary survey. We evaluated the estimation accuracy of the proposed models using confusion matrix, transition matrix, and sequential alignment techniques. Results show that the random forest model with CART split selection using the first layer setting has the best accuracy in replicating activity agendas and activity sequences of individuals. The results of this paper are expected to be implemented within the activity-based travel demand model, Scheduler for Activities, Locations, and Travel (SALT).
Stress Measurement in Seven-Wire Strands using Higher Order Guided Ultrasonic Wave Modes
Authors: Dubuc Brennan , Ebrahimkhanlou Arvin , Salamone Salvatore
Published: July 2018

This paper investigates the use of higher order longitudinal guided modes for stress measurement within individual wires of a steel strand. The effect of stress on the phase velocity of higher order modes is studied using an approximate theory, which does not require the solution of dispersion curves. To validate the proposed approach, a prestressing bed was designed to apply a tensile load to a strand up to 25% ultimate tensile strength while recording guided wave signals. Guided waves were excited within individual wires of a strand, and the stress sensitivity of their phase velocity was used for stress measurement. Stress measurement was performed with higher order modes using the approximate theory with parameters for a steel of similar carbon content (Hecla 17), as well as with calibrated parameters. Using the Hecla 17 parameters, roughly 15% mismatch in stress was observed, whereas roughly 5% error was observed using calibrated parameters. Stress measurement was also performed using the fundamental mode, in order to compare the accuracy of higher order modes with the mode used previously in the literature. The greater stability of higher order modes across mode and frequency yielded significantly increased stress measurement accuracy, using both Hecla 17 and calibrated parameters.
Transit Information Utilization during an Extreme Weather Event: An Analysis of Smartphone App Data
Authors: Remy Coline , Brakewood Candace , Ghahramani Niloofar , Kwak Eun Jin , Peters Jonathan
Published: July 2018

Extreme weather events such as heavy snow can severely disrupt urban transportation systems. When this occurs, travelers often seek information about the status of transportation services. This study aims to assess information utilization during an extreme weather event by analyzing data from a smartphone application (“app”) called Transit, which provides real-time transit and shared mobility information in many cities. This research focuses on a snowstorm that hit the northeastern United States in January 2016 and severely disrupted transit and shared mobility services. An analysis of Transit app data is conducted in four parts for New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. First, hourly app utilization during the snowstorm was compared with mean hourly app utilization prior to the storm. Second, the rate of app usage was calculated by dividing hourly utilization during the storm by the mean hourly volume before the storm. Third, an ordinary least squares regression model of hourly app usage was estimated for each city. Last, a feature within the app used to request Uber vehicles was examined. The results of the first three analyses reveal that overall app usage decreased during the snowstorm in all three cities; after the storm, New York experienced a significant increase in overall app use during the first Monday commuting period. The analysis of Uber data reveals that app users continued to search for ridehailing services during the snowstorm, despite travel bans. These findings are important for transportation operators and app developers to understand how travelers use information during extreme weather events.
Estimating the Effect of Standard Enforcement of a Rear Seat Belt Law for Rear Seat Fatality Prevention
Authors: Findley Daniel J. , Sanchez Morgan , Nye Timothy
Published: July 2018

Data were collected from the NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System to analyze the link between primary enforcement of rear seat belt use and injury severity in fatal vehicle collisions. Specifically, this study predicted the amount of fatalities that may have been prevented had there been standard enforcement of a rear seat belt law in effect. Previous literature concludes that increasing seat belt use will decrease injury severity in collisions and the primary enforcement of seat belts laws will increase seat belt use by approximately 14%. This study recorded and compared the number of rear seat fatalities in states that did and did not have primary enforcement laws for rear seat occupants. The results indicated that, on average, for every properly restrained rear seat fatality there are 0.45 more rear seat fatalities in states without primary enforcement than states with primary enforcement. It also predicts that the states that do not practice standard seat belt enforcement could have seen approximately 772 to 1,032 fatalities prevented from 2011 to 2015, had there been primary rear seat belt enforcement. This corresponds to an estimated national crash cost savings of $8.6 billion, or $1.7 billion annually.
Analysis of Regional Difference and Correlation between Highway Traffic Development and Economic Development in China
Authors: Li Ye , Fan Jing , Deng Haopeng
Published: July 2018

This study used three-tier architecture to analyze the relationship between the highway traffic development difference and the economic development difference in China from 1997 to 2015. Their time distribution and trends of national and regional differences were quantified via both coefficient of variation and Theil index. Furthermore, the highway traffic connectivity was analyzed for each province. The obtained results showed that the difference of highway traffic development was significantly related to the difference of economic development, and poor connectivity of highway traffic was also strongly related to economic disparity. The investment difference of China’s highway infrastructure could be divided into an unstable stage (1997–2010), and a stable stage (2011–2015). The highway traffic development difference could also be divided into two stages (1997–2006 and 2007–2015). Following the construction of central and western regions in around 2006, this difference decreased significantly; however, large differences within region remained. Provinces in the central and western regions have low connectivity and several remote main cities are not connected via high-grade highways. China’s national economic difference has been constantly decreasing; however, the three regions follow different trends. Furthermore, with the development of the central and western regions, between-region economic differences decreased rapidly. To improve the level of regional equalization for highway development, the government should reduce differences between developed and undeveloped provinces for each region and connect remote cities, thus ultimately reducing differences in economic development and promoting a balanced regional development.
Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of OmniRide Demand-Driven Transit Operations: Feeder and Flex-Route Services
Authors: Farwell Randall G. , Marx Eric
Published: July 2018

Information about the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission operational test is presented. The test focuses on service planning for the local flex-route transit services and the flag-stop commuter-rail feeder services, as well as their start-ups. Although the intelligent transportation system (ITS) operational test involves the application of automated vehicle location and real-time order-taking, scheduling, and dispatching of software, the planning and start-up operations of the non-ITS-enhanced phase of the flex-route and feeder services are addressed.
Integration of Fareboxes with Other Electronic Devices on Transit Vehicles
Authors: Furth Peter G.
Published: July 2018

The data that a farebox-based system can provide—boardings by route, direction, time of day, trip, stop, and fare category for day of the year—can be of immense value for planning, scheduling, marketing, and operations monitoring. For the most part, boarding information is being captured by an electronic device (the farebox), but for various reasons, much of that information is lost, and the data quality is often suspect. Integration with other on-board devices could enhance the quality and value of farebox data. For good-quality data segmentation, integration with the head-sign is important. For verification, integration with the speedometer (to get an odometer stamp) is valuable. In a farebox system using a transactional data base, integration with the door sensor and speedometer enables the system to add an odometer stamp to each record. Integration with a vehicle-location system and a vehicle-logic unit offer still more advantages. To move the industry toward data integration, use of open specifications using industry standards is important. Model specifications were developed for direct links between fareboxes and head-signs, speedometers, and door sensors, and for linking fareboxes to a vehicle area network that comply with the SAE J1708 standard.
Impact of Advanced Public Transportation Systems on Travel by Dial-a-Ride
Authors: Ben-Akiva Moshe , Benjamin Julian , Lauprete Geoffrey J. , Polydoropoulou Amalia
Published: July 2018

The degree to which Advanced Public Transportation Systems (APTS) are expected to increase ridership is studied. The responses from a survey of Dial-a-Ride users to estimate the parameters of statistical models of user behavior were used. The respondents were asked to rank hypothetical scenarios in which level of service was varied. Level-of-service attributes included, among other variables, changes in travel time and ability to reserve the trip in advance. The respondents were asked to state how many trips they would have made during the past week of travel, given the hypothetical service attributes described in the question. The models developed link the average number of trips per week using Dial-a-Ride and the level of service offered by the Dial-a-Ride system. The modeling framework attempts to resolve the bias issues inherent in the use of stated preferences (SP) data, where respondents are asked to answer questions about a hypothetical situation. A basic methodology of combining revealed preferences and SP data is provided to evaluate the effect of different APTS configurations on ridership.
Federal Highway Revenue Estimation: Cost Allocation Perspective
Authors: Gittings Gary L. , Narayan Badri R.
Published: July 2018

As part of a report on key cost allocation factors prepared for FHWA, a federal highway revenue estimation methodology is presented. Cost allocation studies seek to compare cost-revenue ratios for different vehicle classes from the standpoint of equity (and efficiency). Such an analysis is meaningful only when the estimates of the payments made by each vehicle class and estimates of their cost responsibilities are reasonably accurate. However, on the revenue side, accurate estimates are difficult to generate since Federal Highway Trust Fund revenues are not directly collected from the consumers. The revenue estimation methodology used in the federal highway cost allocation study (1982) and the developments since then are outlined. The question of what improvements in revenue estimation are needed from a cost allocator's perspective is then addressed. Suggestions include identification of optimal levels of disaggregation of vehicle classes, creation of more accurate information systems, and stochastic forecasting models. There is a need to analyze the effect of inaccuracies in the basic data on the cost-revenue ratios for the vehicle classes. Also recommended is the use of risk analysis methods in forecasting, to help decision makers by providing information on the uncertainties involved. Changing transportation patterns, including the growth of intermodal transport, the diversion of highway revenues to the general budget, and the link between user taxes and investment expenditures, are some of the other issues that should be addressed in the future.
Using Road Pricing Revenue: Economic Efficiency and Equity Considerations
Authors: Litman Todd
Published: July 2018

Issues of economic efficiency, equity, external costs, and political feasibility as they can help determine the distribution of road pricing revenue are examined. Economic efficiency requires only that revenue be used to benefit society and that it not be refunded to users in proportion to how much they have paid. Efficiency does not require that revenue be dedicated to transportation programs. Horizontal equity implies that revenues should be returned to vehicle users as a class but only after external costs are compensated. Because most estimates of motor vehicle external costs are larger than the expected revenue of road-pricing proposals, the horizontal equity justification for returning revenues to drivers is reduced or eliminated. Vertical equity requires that revenues benefit low-income drivers as a class at least as much as the costs they bear and that disadvantaged residents (including nondrivers) benefit overall. Current conventional thinking is that revenues must be dedicated to transportation improvements to be politically feasible, but some analyses indicate that alternative distributions that include broad tax reductions or financial rebates benefit the largest number of citizens and therefore may be more politically popular.
Criteria for Setting Tariffs on Toll Highways in Mexico
Authors: Rico Alfonso , Mendoza Alberto , Mayoral Emilio , Rivera César
Published: July 2018

A methodology for determining the tariffs that should be charged for different types of vehicles driven on new toll roads in Mexico is presented. The methodology is based on two criteria: maximize the income of the toll collector (whether this collector is a government agency or a private concessionaire) and minimize national transport costs. The first criterion requires the development of binary logit models for predicting the traffic demand fraction choosing the toll alternative. The second criterion requires the minimization of road users' transport cost, which is composed of vehicle operating costs plus the tariff charged. This tariff should include road deterioration costs, construction and financial costs, the administrative costs of operating the toll road, taxes, and other expenditures. Principles for computing reference tariffs are recommended along with ways to use these tariffs to analyze the economic feasibility of toll highways.
Revenue Enhancement through Increased Motor Fuel Tax Enforcement
Authors: Baluch Stephen J.
Published: July 2018

The development of the FHWA fuel tax compliance program is described, and estimates of additional motor fuel tax revenues generated by enforcement programs are presented. Substantial revenue losses caused by motor fuel tax evasion schemes were discovered in the mid-1980s. Since 1986, the Internal Revenue Service and FHWA have worked cooperatively to reduce fuel tax evasion by supporting changes in tax collection procedures and additional enforcement resources. Since fiscal year 1990, FHWA has provided funding to supplement state and IRS fuel tax enforcement resources under the auspices of the Joint Federal/State Motor Fuel Tax Compliance Project (joint project). The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 provided $5 million annually through 1997 for the joint project. Enforcement activities directly contribute hundreds of millions of dollars to the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) and state transportation funds, a yield estimated at $10 to $18 per dollar spent on these programs. Furthermore, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 moved the incidence of the federal excise tax on diesel fuel to the point of removal from bulk storage at the terminal and required tax-exempt diesel fuel to be dyed. The HTF revenue from the diesel fuel tax has increased more than $1 billion in the year since these changes went into effect on January 1, 1994, net of the tax rate increases also enacted in 1993. Some $600 million to $700 million of this increase has been estimated to be the result of improved compliance.
International Experiences in Restructuring Road Sector
Authors: Talvitie Antti P.
Published: July 2018

An evolutionary continuum on which a modern and mature road administration develops is proposed. The five phases that appear necessary in this evolution are outlined: (a) the establishment of traditional construction and maintenance organization, (b) separation of client and producer functions, (c) separation of client and producer organizations, (d) corporatization or privatization of the producer organization, and (e) corporatization of the (client) road administration. The change management process—the framework process and its constituent cores— is addressed. The framework process is the flow of activities in change management when they move from one organizational phase to another. The core activities are those that the road administration must address in the change process. Both of these are discussed in detail. It is asserted that a quick reorganization of road administrations is neither possible nor desirable. The exact path to be taken depends critically on the initial conditions from which the road administration embarks on its development path.