bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Should Transit Continue to Chase Development?: Scenario Modeling and Analysis Supporting Regional Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness in Washington, D.C., Region
Authors: Davis Allison , Leven Dalia
Published: December 2016

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) operates Metrorail, Metrobus, and MetroAccess paratransit services in the Washington, D.C., region. By 2040, the region’s forecast projects an increase in population and jobs in the transit zone by 22% and 34%, respectively, and an increase in the remainder of the region by 36% and 46%, respectively. Much of that growth is planned where transit is already crowded, whereas many other areas that have high-quality transit continue to be underdeveloped. The result is an unbalanced use of the transit system. To handle the forecast growth, transit infrastructure could be built at high cost, but what if land use and other policies were applied regionally to make better use of the transit system and perhaps postpone the need for expansion? Scenarios modeled by WMATA and its consultants are summarized. The study developed and tested six policy scenarios for 2040 that would keep transit constant while varying land use and other policies. The results show that some real benefits could accrue to the Washington region if decisions about land use, pricing, and other policies were to be made within a regional context rather than the existing parochial approach that seeks to maximize jurisdictional benefits alone. Capacity improvements to the transit network would also be needed to address forecast transit crowding and Metrorail core capacity limitations. However, making changes to land use decisions while adding pricing strategies could provide the region with the necessary funds to make expansion possible.
Complete Streets Policies and Public Transit
Authors: Babb Andrew , Watkins Kari Edison
Published: December 2016

The concept that streets should be designed for all applicable transportation modes is commonly known as “complete streets.” Many organizations, including cities, counties, regional authorities, and state agencies, have adopted programs encouraging this approach to street design. These programs almost universally consider the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians. However, it is not understood how well transit vehicles and riders are incorporated into these programs. In this study, complete streets programs of different types from different levels of government across the United States were compared on the basis of a consistent, objective set of criteria. These criteria included transit as a roadway user, guidance for running ways and for transit stops, and transit-related performance measures. Each criterion was worth between 1 and 3 points; the total score for each program was between 1 and 12 points. Only 12 programs earned at least 1 point for each criterion, and only 13 programs earned a cumulative score of 8 or greater. Potential relationships between these transit complete streets scores and population, location, and overall complete streets scores were explored, but no meaningful relationships were found; this result indicates that poor representation of transit is a widespread problem not limited to certain groups. This research revealed a dramatic gap in complete streets programs with regard to transit and calls for future attention and guidance of agencies adopting complete streets programs.
Transit Stop Environments and Waiting Time Perception: Impacts of Trees, Traffic Exposure, and Polluted Air
Authors: Lagune-Reutler Marina , Guthrie Andrew , Fan Yingling , Levinson David
Published: December 2016

Reducing the burden of waiting in transit travel is critical to increasing the attractiveness of public transportation. Waiting time perceptions are highly subjective and vary according to mode, availability of schedule information, and stop amenities. The research on pedestrian design finds that high-quality and natural environments reduce stress and encourage walking and bicycling. It seems reasonable that similar effects would apply for transit users on the basis of the environments around transit stops, but little research directly explores the issue. This paper responds to this knowledge gap by examining how perceptions of waiting time vary in relation to stop environments. The research compared transit users’ actual and estimated wait time at 36 stops and stations in a mix of environmental situations in the region of the Twin Cities, Minnesota. Regression analysis explained the variation in riders’ self-reported waiting time as a function of their externally observed waiting times as well as characteristics of the environment surrounding the stop and station. For waits longer than 5 min, perceptible pollution and exposure to traffic led to significant overestimates of waiting time. Riders waiting at stops with dense, mature tree cover, however, significantly underestimated their waiting times. The effect of dense, mature tree cover is strong enough to compensate for the effects of both air pollution and traffic awareness. Policy implications and further research needs are discussed.
Dynamic Parking Pricing
Authors: Willson Richard , Irish Aiden
Published: December 2016

Dynamic parking pricing varies the cost of parking over location and time to achieve target occupancy rates. Such pricing seeks more efficient parking space use, reduced cruising for parking, and improved satisfaction with the parking experience. Evaluation practice in this field is developing as communities implement new programs. With four case studies, the programs and their evaluations are explained, and a comprehensive evaluation framework is developed. The framework differentiates between possible theory failure and program failure and distinguishes between direct, intermediate, goal, and program support outcomes. The review reveals that some metrics, such as congestion reduction, are not supported by theory or evaluation results. Other logical metrics, such as the efficiency of parking use as indicated by a ratio of district activity per parking space, are missing.
Effect of scion defoliation period and methods of grafting on success and survivability in mango
Authors: Akter J , Rahim MA , Haque T , Hossain MM
Published: December 2016

This study was conducted in order to investigate the effect of scion defoliation period and methods of grafting on the success and survivability of mango (var. Amrapali) at Bangladesh Agricultural University Germplasm Centre (BAU-GPC) of Fruit Tree Improvement Program (FTIP) of the Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The experiment consisted of four scion defoliation periods, viz., defoliation before 9, 6, 3 days of grafting and defoliation on the day of grafting and two grafting methods namely cleft grafting and whip grafting. The study was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The results revealed that scions defoliated 9 days before grafting showed the highest success (91.59%) and survivability (88.75%) and took the lowest time for bud breaking  and first leaf opening (11.10 days and 14.22 days, respectively)whereas the lowest success rate (85.82% ) and survivability (83.60%) were observed when scion defoliation was performed on the day of grafting. In respect of grafting methods, higher graft success and survivability (89.68% and 86.89%, respectively) were found in cleft method, however, this method took longer time for bud breaking (11.92 days) and first leaf opening (15.90 days). The combined influence of scion defoliation period and grafting method exhibited the best performance on graft success and survivability when cleft grafting method was used with scion defoliated 9 days before grafting operation. Therefore the results of this investigation suggested that scions defoliated 9 days before grafting operation and cleft grafting method would be better for propagation of mango, yet the performance of cleft grafting with scion defoliated 6 days before grafting was also good with the hope of getting 85% success and survivability.Progressive Agriculture 27 (3): 242-248, 2016
Carbohydrate reserve and aerenchyma formation enhance submergence tolerance in rice
Authors: Pramanik MHR , Shelley IJ , Adhikary D , Islam MO
Published: December 2016

An attempt was made to evaluate the submergence tolerance in rice using four Aman rice varieties viz. FR13A (local flood resistant, check), BRRI dhan 51 (HYV flood tolerant, check), BR 5 (HYV, susceptible) and a local aromatic rice,Ukunimadhu (local susceptible). Twenty  days old seedlings of the rice varieties raised in earthen pots were submerged under 90 cm water depth in a submergence tank for 12 days and data were recorded on plant height, tiller number, carbohydrate reserve and internal anatomical structure of roots of the submerged and control (ambient) plants. Under submergence treatment Ukunimadhu showed rapid stem elongation with taller plants than the HYVs which showed shorter plant height. Tillering pattern was almost similar both in submergence treated and control plants in all the varieties. Variation in carbohydrate reserve was negligible among the varieties at ambient condition but the submergence treatment brought significant variation in carbohydrate content in them. Submergence treated FR13A and BRRI dhan 51 had the highest sugar and starch conservation ability while BR 5 and Ukunimadhu had the lowest. The higher reserved carbohydrate in the tolerant varieties might assist them to regenerate their normal growth rapidly after desubmergence. The cellular morphology of root tissue showed that intensity of aerenchyma development in submergence treated FR13A and BRRI dhan 51 was more pronounced compared to the local aromatic rice Ukunimadhu and perhaps this cellular large aerenchymatous development might be associated with the submergence tolerance of FR13A and BRRI dhan 51 than the local variety, Ukunimadhu.Progressive Agriculture 27 (3): 256-264, 2016
Effect of moisture stress on morphological and yield attributes of four sorghum varieties
Authors: Khaton MA , Sagar A , Tajkia JE , Islam MS , Mahmud MS , Hossain AKMZ
Published: December 2016

Drought adversely affects growth and yield of crops to various extents. Growing of drought tolerant crops is a good option to obtain economical yields from water stress areas for which quick method to screen drought tolerant plants, particularly in early stages of their growth is important. For this reason, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the genetical potential to drought tolerance of four sorghum varieties viz Hybrid Sorgo, Safal, BD 731, BD 740. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. The plants were grown under three drought levels viz. 100% FC (control), 70% FC and 40% FC. Growth and yield of the Sorghum varieties were found to be decreased gradually with gradual increase in drought levels as compared to the control. This reduction was associated with decreased yield components. Water stress also decreased protein and starch content. The variety BD 740 followed by BD 731 showed the better performance in respect of no. of grains panicle-1, panicle dry weight, 1000-grain weight, grain yield hill-1, protein content and starch content than Hybrid Sorgo and Safal at same water stress condition. Therefore Bangladeshi varieties were found more tolerant than Hybrid Sorgo variety to water stress. Findings of this research will be helpful for the farmers about the beneficial use of resource in terms of managing limited water as well as increasing crop productivity. Finally these research findings would certainly contribute food security in Bangladesh.Progressive Agriculture 27 (3): 265-271, 2016
Impacts of climatic variables on cyclone in the coastal regions of Bangladesh
Authors: Hossen MAM , Farukh MA , Hossen MS , Badhan MA , Biswas S , Rahman MA
Published: December 2016

Geographical position of Bangladesh makes it vulnerable to several extreme weather events like cyclone in the southern part due to extreme climatological events. Therefore, in this study, we had mainly tried to study on the variations of temperature, relative humidity (RH) and sunshine hours (SH) in the coastal areas to find out its effect on the formation of cyclone. Data from 1975-2014 of these climatic variables was provided by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) and analyzed with the statistical tool MS Excel 2010 as per objective of the study. Results showed that in the16 stations, temperature has shown homogenous trend where it has seen that in all the stations the Tmean and Tmax were ranging from 180C to 300C and 280C to 420C respectively. In maximum stations, the Tmax and extreme Tmean has found in the months of April and May which is a cyclone occurring month. Again RHmax has mostly found in the post monsoon season where RHmean is ranging 84~88% mainly in the Khulna, Mongla, Khepupara and Barisal areas, may have profound influence on the formation of cyclone especially in this area. SHmax has found in the month April where the highest was about 12.08 hr. These higher amounts of temperature play profound influence in increasing temperature in the studied areas which have direct consequences on cyclone events. So, extreme temperature, RH and SH in these months may had profound influence on the formation of cyclone. These information could be very useful to the related scientists to study on several extreme weather events due to variation of temperature especially on cyclogenesis which are a most common devastating phenomenon for the coastal areas like Bangladesh.Progressive Agriculture 27 (3): 272-284, 2016
Comparative profitability analysis of IPM and non-IPM technology on vegetable cultivation in selected areas of Kishoreganj District in Bangladesh
Authors: Akter M , Islam MN , Afrin H , Shammi SA , Begum F , Haque S
Published: December 2016

The present study is an attempt to examine the socioeconomic characteristics and compared profitability analysis of both IPM and Non-IPM vegetable growers, and to identify the problems faced by vegetables growers in use of IPM practices in some selected areas of Kishoreganj district. A total of 45 farmers were purposively selected where three different IPM practices were taken into consideration. To get a more complete picture of vegetable production using both IPM and non-IPM technology, the socio-economic profile of farmers was examined and compared. The study found that IPM farmers were in better-off condition than that of non-IPM farmers in all types of socioeconomic characteristics. The major findings of the study revealed that production of all the selected vegetables were profitable for both IPM and non-IPM farmers. But, IPM based cultivation was more profitable than that of non-IPM based cultivation. Average total costs were Tk. 86352.8 and Tk. 100061.5 for IPM and non-IPM farmers, respectively. Average gross returns were Tk. 257293.3 and Tk.235788.8 for IPM and non-IPM farmers, respectively. The average net return for IPM farmers was Tk.170940.5 and for non-IPM farmers it was estimated at Tk. 135727.3. The average benefit cost ratio for IPM farmers was 2.9 and for non-IPM farmers it was estimated at 2.3. Most of the farmers were in the categories of low to medium problem confrontation in using IPM practices. The first ranked constraint is lack of training facility. Thus, massive extension facility including training is needed in the study areas to increase the extent of use of IPM technology.Progressive Agriculture 27 (3): 311-319, 2016
Strength properties of plastic bottle bricks and their suitability as construction materials in Bangladesh
Authors: Muyen Z , Barna TN , Hoque MN
Published: December 2016

Among several waste reduction strategies, one that is gaining momentum is the development of construction materials that reuses a number of solid wastes. The bottle brick is one such invention. Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles packed with other dry solid wastes or sand and earth has been successfully used in a number of countries around the world. This study looked into the strength properties of waste PET bottles filled with fine sand. Five different sizes (250, 500, 1250, 1500 and 2000ml) of waste PET bottle bricks were tested for compressive strength and the largest bricks gave a compressive strength of 17.44MPa. The 1000ml bottle brick filled cubes with 9 and 12 bottles were prepared and tested. The 9 bottle brick filled cubes gave a compressive strength of 35MPa and the 12 bottle bricks filled cubes gave a compressive strength of 33.7MPa. These bottle brick filled cylinders exhibited double the compressive strength of conventional concrete cylinders.Progressive Agriculture 27 (3): 362-368, 2016
Techno-economic performance of 4-row self-propelled mechanical rice transplanter at farmers field in Bangladesh
Authors: Islam AKMS , Rahman MA , Rahman AKML , Islam MT , Rahman MI
Published: December 2016

Mechanical transplanting is an emerging technology in Bangladesh agriculture. Deadong DP480 rice transplanter was used to conduct the experiment which is imported from South Korea and China. The performance of this machine needs to be thoroughly investigated in local condition. This experiment was conducted in Boro (2015) season in the farmers field at Gosaidanga in Shailkupa upazila under Jhenaidah district and at Rashidpur in Mithapukur upazila under Rangpur district. Two treatments, i.e. T1 = Hand transplanting (HT) and T2 = Mechanical transplanting (MT) were used in the experiment. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated in six plots in each location. Rice variety BRRI dhan28 was used to conduct the experiment in both locations. Fuel consumption of 4-row walking type mechanical transplanter obtained 5.25 L/ha. The field capacity and field efficiency of rice transplanter   obtained 0.11-0.12 ha/hr and 64-70 percent, respectively. Conventional seedbed preparation required 37-55 man-hr/ha whereas 71-77 man-hr/ha required in mat type seedling suitable for mechanical transplanting. Labor requirement in hand and mechanical transplanting ranged from 123-150 and 9.0-10.5 man-hr per hectare which was 19-22 and 1.65-2.00 percent of total labor requirement in rice cultivation, respectively. Number of seedling tray requirement ranged from 215-230 per hectare. Calibration should be done on space and seedling density setting before operation in each plot to get optimum plant spacing and seedling tray requirement. Missing hill obtained 1-2 percent in mechanically transplanted plot. Mechanically transplanted plot showed significantly the higher grain yield (9-14%) than hand transplanted method due to use of infant seedling. The input cost in the form of labor and material was found similar in hand transplanting whereas in mechanical transplanting, labor cost found 12 percent lower than material cost. The cost of growing mat type seedling for mechanical transplanter found 53 percent whereas the cost of raising traditional seedbed found 34 percent of the cost of hand transplanting. Mechanical transplanting reduced 1.8 percent input cost than hand transplanting in crop cultivation. BCR of MT and HT showed 1.18-1.19 and 1.03-1.06, respectively. Mechanical intervention in crop production drastically reduced the labor requirement which can offset the peak labor demand. Mechanical transplanting systems increased yield, improved labor efficiency, ensured timeliness in operation and faster transplanting.Progressive Agriculture 27 (3): 369-382, 2016
Fencing Large Predator-Free and Competitor-Free Landscapes for the Recovery of Woodland Caribou in Western Alberta: An Ineffective Conservation Option
Authors: Proulx Gilbert , Brook Ryan
Published: December 2016

In Canada, boreal woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) are listed as “threatened” throughout their range due directly and indirectly to habitat loss. In western Alberta, in order to recover the Little Smoky boreal caribou population, the provincial government announced a plan to create a 100-km2-fenced enclosure that would encompass part of the caribou population range. Within the enclosure, all predators and other ungulate species will be killed. The fenced area will be dedicated entirely to the farming of caribou, with the intent of releasing weaned calves into adjacent areas with continued intensive wolf (Canis lupus) killing throughout the region. Industrial activities will be allowed to continue within the enclosure. In this review, we assess the government’s proposed program on the basis of questions related to the long-term recovery and sustainability of the caribou population, and the conservation and welfare of wildlife populations and individuals. We conclude that this program is unlikely to safeguard the future of this caribou population, will jeopardize wildlife communities inside and outside the fenced enclosure, and will cause harm to wild populations and individual animals. We recommend an alternative habitat conservation program which is ecologically justified over the long term, and invite the scientific community to object to the implementation of the government’s proposed Little Smoky caribou recovery program.
Effects of the Concentration of Eu3+ Ions and Synthesizing Temperature on the Luminescence Properties of Sr2−xEuxZnMoO6 Phosphors
Authors: Lin Chi-Yu , Yang Su-Hua , Lin Jih-Lung , Yang Cheng-Fu
Published: December 2016

The effect of Eu2O3 concentration on the luminescence properties of double perovskite (cubic) Sr2−xEuxZnMoO6 phosphors was thoroughly investigated using different synthesizing temperatures. Phosphors with the composition Sr2−xEuxZnMoO6, where Eu2O3 was substituted for SrO and x was changed from 0 to 0.12, were synthesized by the solid-state method at temperatures of 900–1200 °C, respectively. Analysis of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed that even when the synthesizing temperature was 1100 °C, secondary or unknown phases were observed in Sr2−xEuxZnMoO6 ceramic powders. The effect of the concentration of Eu3+ ions on the luminescence properties of the Sr2−xEuxZnMoO6 phosphors was readily observable because no characteristic emission peak was observed in the Sr2ZnMoO6 phosphor. Two characteristic emission peaks at 597 and 616 nm were observed, which correspond to the 5D0–7F1 and 5D0–7F2 transitions of Eu3+ ions, respectively. The two characteristic emission peaks of the Sr2−xEuxZnMoO6 phosphors were apparently influenced by the synthesizing temperature and the concentration of Eu3+ ions. When x was larger than 0.08, a concentration quenching effect of Eu3+ ions in the Sr2−xEuxZnMoO6 phosphors could be observed. The lifetime of the Sr2−xEuxZnMoO6 phosphors decreased as the synthesizing temperature increased. A linear relation between temperature and lifetime was obtained by using a fitting curve of t = −0.0016 × T + 3.543, where t was lifetime and T was synthesizing temperature.
Improving Corrosion Resistance and Biocompatibility of Magnesium Alloy by Sodium Hydroxide and Hydrofluoric Acid Treatments
Authors: Pan Chang-Jiang , Pang Li-Qun , Hou Yu , Lin Yue-Bin , Gong Tao , Liu Tao , Ye Wei , Ding Hong-Yan
Published: December 2016

Owing to excellent mechanical property and biodegradation, magnesium-based alloys have been widely investigated for temporary implants such as cardiovascular stent and bone graft; however, the fast biodegradation in physiological environment and the limited surface biocompatibility hinder their clinical applications. In the present study, magnesium alloy was treated by sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrogen fluoride (HF) solutions, respectively, to produce the chemical conversion layers with the aim of improving the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. The results of attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that the chemical conversion layers of magnesium hydroxide or magnesium fluoride were obtained successfully. Sodium hydroxide treatment can significantly enhance the surface hydrophilicity while hydrogen fluoride treatment improved the surface hydrophobicity. Both the chemical conversion layers can obviously improve the corrosion resistance of the pristine magnesium alloy. Due to the hydrophobicity of magnesium fluoride, HF-treated magnesium alloy showed the relative better corrosion resistance than that of NaOH-treated substrate. According to the results of hemolysis assay and platelet adhesion, the chemical surface modified samples exhibited improved blood compatibility as compared to the pristine magnesium alloy. Furthermore, the chemical surface modified samples improved cytocompatibility to endothelial cells, the cells had better cell adhesion and proliferative profiles on the modified surfaces. Due to the excellent hydrophilicity, the NaOH-treated substrate displayed better blood compatibility and cytocompatibility to endothelial cells than that of HF-treated sample. It was considered that the method of the present study can be used for the surface modification of the magnesium alloy to enhance the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility.
Strength Correlation and Prediction of Engineered Cementitious Composites with Microwave Properties
Authors: Chung Kwok , Luo Jianlin , Yuan Lei , Zhang Chunwei , Qu Chengping
Published: December 2016

This paper presents the results of microwave and mechanical measurements of engineered cementitious composites (ECCs) using a nondestructive microwave near-field detecting technique. The objective of this research is to investigate the correlations between effective conductance and compressive strength of ECCs at various curing ages under the influence of different initial water contents. Parallel measurements and regression analysis on compressive strength and microwave conductance were undertaken. It is shown that the strength evolution of ECCs can be accurately modeled and predicted by using microwave conductance at the early ages using bi-exponential functions. Compressive strength grows as a function of decreasing effective conductance, whereas the regression coefficients of the correlation models have a linear variation with water-to-binder ratios. These findings have highlighted the effectiveness of the microwave technique in detecting the variation of liquid phase morphology and pore structure.
Investigating the Physical Characteristics of Non-Structural Lightweight Aggregate Blocks of Built with Region Materials
Authors: Moayeri Marziye , Ashrafi Hamid , Beiranvand Peyman
Published: December 2016

Given the importance of light construction in terms of better performance of structure, in case of earthquake, reduction of life and financial casualties, as well as shortage of studies in this field, the present research studied building non-structural lightweight blocks using lightweight aggregates of Scoria, Pumice and Leca. On the other hand, density, compressive strength, and water absorption volume of these blocks have been investigated in this research in order to replace traditional materials with them. The experiments’ results show that, due to hardness and strong texture, high mechanical resistance of their lightweight aggregate Scoria blocks have higher compressive strength and density but lower water absorption volume compared to Pumice and Leca lightweight aggregate blocks. Despite desirable compressive strength and lower density compared to the other two blocks, pumice blocks have higher water absorption volume, and they do not meet standards. This makes them less interesting. Among these Leca blocks with density of 1151.94 (kg/m3) below 2000 kg/m3 of Iran density standard of 7782 (28-day compressive strength of 2.57 MPa), higher than 2.5 MPa of Iran compressive strength standard of 7782 (and water absorption volume of 282.92 kg/m3) and below 288 kg/m3 of Iran water absorption volume standard of 7782 (as a non-load-bearing lightweight block), has been recognized desirable.
Synthesis of Magnetic Carbon Supported Manganese Catalysts for Phenol Oxidation by Activation of Peroxymonosulfate
Authors: Wang Yuxian , Xie Yongbing , Chen Chunmao , Duan Xiaoguang , Sun Hongqi , Wang Shaobin
Published: December 2016

Magnetic core/shell nanospheres (MCS) were synthesized by a novel and facile one-step hydrothermal method. Supported manganese oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4/C/Mn) were obtained from various methods (including redox, hydrothermal and impregnation) using MCS as the support material and potassium permanganate as the precursor of manganese oxide. The Mn/MCS catalysts were characterized by a variety of characterization techniques and the catalytic performances of Fe3O4/C/Mn nanoparticles were tested in activation of peroxymonosulfate to produce reactive radicals for phenol degradation in aqueous solutions. It was found that Fe3O4/C/Mn catalysts can be well dispersed and easily separated from the aqueous solutions by an external magnetic field. Kinetic analysis showed that phenol degradation on Fe3O4/C/Mn catalysts follows the first order kinetics. The peroxymonosulfate activation mechanism by Fe3O4/C/Mn catalysts for phenol degradation was then discussed.
Hydrothermal Stability of Ru/SiO2–C: A Promising Catalyst for Biomass Processing through Liquid-Phase Reactions
Authors: Gatti Martín , Lombardi Bárbara , Gazzoli Delia , Santori Gerardo , Pompeo Francisco , Nichio Nora
Published: December 2016

In this work, structural and morphological properties of SiO2–C composite material to be used as support for catalysts in the conversion of biomass-derived oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as glycerol, were investigated in liquid water under various temperatures conditions. The results show that this material does not lose surface area, and the hot liquid water does not generate changes in the structure. Neither change in relative concentrations of oxygen functional groups nor in Si/C ratio due to hydrothermal treatment was revealed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Raman analysis showed that the material is made of a disordered graphitic structure in an amorphous silica matrix, which remains stable after hydrothermal treatment. Results of the hydrogenolysis of glycerol using a Ru/SiO2–C catalyst indicate that the support gives more stability to the active phase than a Ru/SiO2 consisting of commercial silica.
Study of a Particle Based Films Cure Process by High-Frequency Eddy Current Spectroscopy
Authors: Patsora Iryna , Heuer Henning , Hillmann Susanne , Tatarchuk Dmytro
Published: December 2016

Particle-based films are today an important part of various designs and they are implemented in structures as conductive parts, i.e., conductive paste printing in the manufacture of Li-ion batteries, solar cells or resistive paste printing in IC. Recently, particle based films were also implemented in the 3D printing technique, and are particularly important for use in aircraft, wind power, and the automotive industry when incorporated onto the surface of composite structures for protection against damages caused by a lightning strike. A crucial issue for the lightning protection area is to realize films with high homogeneity of electrical resistance where an in-situ noninvasive method has to be elaborated for quality monitoring to avoid undesirable financial and time costs. In this work the drying process of particle based films was investigated by high-frequency eddy current (HFEC) spectroscopy in order to work out an automated in-situ quality monitoring method with a focus on the electrical resistance of the films. Different types of particle based films deposited on dielectric and carbon fiber reinforced plastic substrates were investigated in the present study and results show that the HFEC method offers a good opportunity to monitor the overall drying process of particle based films. Based on that, an algorithm was developed, allowing prediction of the final electrical resistance of the particle based films throughout the drying process, and was successfully implemented in a prototype system based on the EddyCus® HFEC device platform presented in this work. This prototype is the first solution for a portable system allowing HFEC measurement on huge and uneven surfaces.
A Sequence of Escort Distributions and Generalizations of Expectations on q-Exponential Family
Authors: Matsuzoe Hiroshi
Published: December 2016

In the theory of complex systems, long tailed probability distributions are often discussed. For such a probability distribution, a deformed expectation with respect to an escort distribution is more useful than the standard expectation. In this paper, by generalizing such escort distributions, a sequence of escort distributions is introduced. As a consequence, it is shown that deformed expectations with respect to sequential escort distributions effectively work for anomalous statistics. In particular, it is shown that a Fisher metric on a q-exponential family can be obtained from the escort expectation with respect to the second escort distribution, and a cubic form (or an Amari–Chentsov tensor field, equivalently) is obtained from the escort expectation with respect to the third escort distribution.
Active and Purely Dissipative Nambu Systems in General Thermostatistical Settings Described by Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations Involving Generalized Entropy Measures
Authors: Frank T.
Published: December 2016

In physics, several attempts have been made to apply the concepts and tools of physics to the life sciences. In this context, a thermostatistic framework for active Nambu systems is proposed. The so-called free energy Fokker–Planck equation approach is used to describe stochastic aspects of active Nambu systems. Different thermostatistic settings are considered that are characterized by appropriately-defined entropy measures, such as the Boltzmann–Gibbs–Shannon entropy and the Tsallis entropy. In general, the free energy Fokker–Planck equations associated with these generalized entropy measures correspond to nonlinear partial differential equations. Irrespective of the entropy-related nonlinearities occurring in these nonlinear partial differential equations, it is shown that semi-analytical solutions for the stationary probability densities of the active Nambu systems can be obtained provided that the pumping mechanisms of the active systems assume the so-called canonical-dissipative form and depend explicitly only on Nambu invariants. Applications are presented both for purely-dissipative and for active systems illustrating that the proposed framework includes as a special case stochastic equilibrium systems.
How the Mastery Rubric for Statistical Literacy Can Generate Actionable Evidence about Statistical and Quantitative Learning Outcomes
Authors: Tractenberg Rochelle
Published: December 2016

Statistical literacy is essential to an informed citizenry; and two emerging trends highlight a growing need for training that achieves this literacy. The first trend is towards “big” data: while automated analyses can exploit massive amounts of data, the interpretation—and possibly more importantly, the replication—of results are challenging without adequate statistical literacy. The second trend is that science and scientific publishing are struggling with insufficient/inappropriate statistical reasoning in writing, reviewing, and editing. This paper describes a model for statistical literacy (SL) and its development that can support modern scientific practice. An established curriculum development and evaluation tool—the Mastery Rubric—is integrated with a new, developmental, model of statistical literacy that reflects the complexity of reasoning and habits of mind that scientists need to cultivate in order to recognize, choose, and interpret statistical methods. This developmental model provides actionable evidence, and explicit opportunities for consequential assessment that serves students, instructors, developers/reviewers/accreditors of a curriculum, and institutions. By supporting the enrichment, rather than increasing the amount, of statistical training in the basic and life sciences, this approach supports curriculum development, evaluation, and delivery to promote statistical literacy for students and a collective quantitative proficiency more broadly.
Democracy and Bildung/Erziehung—Towards a Universal Theory of Education
Authors: Bellmann Johannes , Su Hanno
Published: December 2016

Dewey’s Democracy and Education is re-read as an attempt to develop a universal theory of education that, on the one hand, gives the broadest, most general view on education and, on the other hand, contextualizes every observation by binding it to the assumed perspective. Dewey’s broad concept of education encompasses two dimensions that in the German discourse are usually connected to the distinction of Erziehung and Bildung. In its first dimension, it avoids a widespread “scholastic” view of education by focusing not only on formal but also on informal education. In its second dimension, it also avoids a widespread individualistic view on education by referring not only to growth of the individual, but also to growth of the social setting (democracy) on the whole. This outlook allows for investigating and reflecting any subject matter with respect to its educational aspects—including the process of theorizing itself. This reflective turn of theorizing education has consequences for the understanding of education as an academic field. A universal theory of education is at odds both with a disciplinary approach and the idea of education as an applied field for foundational disciplines. At the same time, it has the potential to reconnect to both configurations of the academic field if these configurations are understood slightly different than today.
Analysis of the Primary Constraint Conditions of an Efficient Photovoltaic-Thermoelectric Hybrid System
Authors: Li Guiqiang , Chen Xiao , Jin Yi
Published: December 2016

Electrical efficiency can be increased by combining photovoltaic (PV) and the thermoelectric (TE) systems. However, a simple and cursory combination is unsuitable because the negative impact of temperature on PV may be greater than its positive impact on TE. This study analyzed the primary constraint conditions based on the hybrid system model consisting of a PV and a TE generator (TEG), which includes TE material with temperature-dependent properties. The influences of the geometric size, solar irradiation and cold side temperature on the hybrid system performance is discussed based on the simulation. Furthermore, the effective range of parameters is demonstrated using the image area method, and the change trend of the area with different parameters illustrates the constraint conditions of an efficient PV-TE hybrid system. These results provide a benchmark for efficient PV-TEG design.
Development of a Numerical Weather Analysis Tool for Assessing the Precooling Potential at Any Location
Authors: Lazos Dimitris , Kay Merlinde , Sproul Alistair
Published: December 2016

Precooling a building overnight during the summer is a low cost practice that may provide significant help in decreasing energy demand and shaving peak loads in buildings. The effectiveness of precooling depends on the weather patterns at the location, however research in this field is predominantly focused in the building thermal response alone. This paper proposes an analytical tool for assessing the precooling potential through simulations from real data in a numerical weather prediction platform. Three dimensionless ratios are developed based on the meteorological analysis and the concept of degree hours that provide an understanding of the precooling potential, utilization and theoretical value. Simulations were carried out for five sites within the Sydney (Australia) metro area and it was found that they have different responses to precooling, depending on their proximity to the ocean, vegetation coverage, and urban density. These effects cannot be detected when typical meteorological year data or data from weather stations at a distance from the building were used. Results from simulations in other Australian capitals suggest that buildings in continental and temperate climates have the potential to cover substantial parts of the cooling loads with precooling, assuming appropriate infrastructure is in place.
Novel Frequency Swapping Technique for Conducted Electromagnetic Interference Suppression in Power Converter Applications
Authors: Kuo Ming-Tse , Tsou Ming-Chang
Published: December 2016

Quasi-resonant flyback (QRF) converters have been widely applied as the main circuit topology in power converters because of their low cost and high efficiency. Conventional QRF converters tend to generate higher average conducted electromagnetic interference (EMI) in the low-frequency domain due to the switching noise generated by power switches, resulting in the fact they can exceed the EMI standards of the European Standard 55022 Class-B emission requirements. The presented paper develops a novel frequency swapping control method that spreads spectral energy to reduce the amplitude of sub-harmonics, thereby lowering average conducted EMI in the low-frequency domain. The proposed method is implemented in a control chip, which requires no extra circuit components and adds zero cost. The proposed control method is verified using a 24 W QRF converter. Experimental results reveals that conducted EMI has been reduced by approximately 13.24 dBμV at 498 kHz compared with a control method without the novel frequency swapping technique. Thus, the proposed method can effectively improve the flyback system to easily meet the CISPR 22/EN55022 standards.
Real-Time Velocity Optimization to Minimize Energy Use in Passenger Vehicles
Authors: Levermore Thomas , Sahinkaya M. , Zweiri Yahya , Neaves Ben
Published: December 2016

Energy use in internal combustion engine passenger vehicles contributes directly to CO 2 emissions and fuel consumption, as well as producing a number of air pollutants. Optimizing the vehicle velocity by utilising upcoming road information is an opportunity to minimize vehicle energy use without requiring mechanical design changes. Dynamic programming is capable of such an optimization task and is shown in simulation to produce fuel savings, on average 12%, compared to real driving data; however, in this paper it is also applied in real time on a Raspberry Pi, a low cost miniature computer, in situ in a vehicle. A test drive was undertaken with driver feedback being provided by a dynamic programming algorithm, and the results are compared to a simulated intelligent cruise control system that can follow the algorithm results precisely. An 8% reduction in fuel with no loss in time is reported compared to the test driver.
Buffer-Mediated Effects of Clearcutting on In-Pool Amphibian Productivity: Can Aquatic Processes Compensate for Terrestrial Habitat Disturbance?
Authors: Veysey Powell Jessica , Babbitt Kimberly
Published: December 2016

Natural resource extraction and wildlife conservation are often perceived as incompatible. For wetland-dependent amphibians, forested buffers may mitigate timber-harvest impacts, but little empirical research has focused on buffers around lentic habitats. We conducted a landscape experiment to examine how spotted salamander and wood frog reproductive output (i.e., eggmass and metamorph production) respond to clearcutting mediated by buffers of different widths (i.e., uncut, 30 m buffer, 100 m buffer) at ephemeral pools in an industrial forest. We found complex interactions between buffer treatment and reproductive output, which were strongly mediated by hydroperiod. Overall, reproductive output was most sensitive at 30 m-buffer pools and for salamanders, but responses diverged across productivity metrics even within these categories. Notably, for both cut treatments over time, while salamander eggmass abundance decreased, metamorph productivity (i.e., snout-vent length [SVL] and abundance) tended to increase. For example, average metamorph SVLs were predicted to lengthen between 0.2 and 0.4 mm per year post-cut. Additionally, typical relationships between reproductive output and hydroperiod (as indicated by the reference treatment) were disrupted for both species in both cut treatments. For example, long-hydroperiod pools produced more salamander metamorphs than short-hydroperiod pools in both the reference and 30 m-buffer treatments, but the rate of increase was lower in the 30 m-buffer treatment such that a long-hydroperiod pool in the reference treatment was predicted to produce, on average, 24 more metamorphs than a similar pool in the 30 m-buffer treatment. From a conservation perspective, our results highlight the importance of evaluating both terrestrial and aquatic responses to terrestrial habitat disturbance, since responses may be reinforcing (i.e., exert similarly positive or negative effects, with the potential for amplification in the aquatic habitat) or decoupled (i.e., operate independently or be negatively correlated, with responses in the aquatic habitat potentially dampening or counteracting responses in the terrestrial habitat).
Clearcutting and Site Preparation, but Not Planting, Promoted Early Tree Regeneration in Boreal Alaska
Authors: Morimoto Miho , Juday Glenn , Young Brian
Published: December 2016

The stand initiation stage decisively influences future forest structure and composition, particularly in the boreal forest which is a stand replacement disturbance driven system. In boreal Alaska, the conventional forest management paradigm has focused on the production of large-dimension timber, particularly white spruce (Picea glauca). However, energy generation and heating from wood is increasing, and is likely to significantly expand total forest harvest, further shifting management focus to fuelwood production. We evaluated the effects of forest harvest management practices on post-harvest regeneration by examining whether harvest type, site preparation method, and reforestation technique resulted in differences in forest regeneration in terms of species presence, dominance, basal area, and total stem biomass using a stochastic gradient boosting (TreeNet algorithm). We recorded diameter at breast height and height of white spruce, birch (Betula neoalaskana), and aspen (Populus tremuloides) in 726 plots from 30 harvest units, distributed across the various harvest and treatment types, harvest years, harvest sizes, and geographical locations. Our results indicate that management practices suitable/acceptable for woody biomass production differ from the more traditional dimensional timber production from white spruce-focused management. Artificial reforestation does not differ from natural regeneration in obtaining more stems or producing greater biomass. Clearcutting and site preparation increased tree regeneration, basal area, and woody biomass when compared to a partial harvest with no site preparation. Planting of white spruce in the Alaskan boreal forest may only be necessary in some specific circumstances, such as years with no/low white spruce seed crop, or in landscapes depleted of seed trees.