bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The dynamic pipeline: hydraulic capacitance and xylem hydraulic safety in four tall conifer species
Authors: MCCULLOH KATHERINE A. , JOHNSON DANIEL M. , MEINZER FREDERICK C. , WOODRUFF DAVID R.
Published: November 2013

Recent work has suggested that plants differ in their relative reliance on structural avoidance of embolism versus maintenance of the xylem water column through dynamic traits such as capacitance, but we still know little about how and why species differ along this continuum. It is even less clear how or if different parts of a plant vary along this spectrum. Here we examined how traits such as hydraulic conductivity or conductance, xylem vulnerability curves, and capacitance differ in trunks, large‐ and small‐diameter branches, and foliated shoots of four species of co‐occurring conifers. We found striking similarities among species in most traits, but large differences among plant parts. Vulnerability to embolism was high in shoots, low in small‐ and large‐diameter branches, and high again in the trunks. Safety margins, defined as the pressure causing 50% loss of hydraulic conductivity or conductance minus the midday water potential, were large in small‐diameter branches, small in trunks and negative in shoots. Sapwood capacitance increased with stem diameter, and was correlated with stem vulnerability, wood density and latewood proportion. Capacitive release of water is a dynamic aspect of plant hydraulics that is integral to maintenance of long‐distance water transport.
Contextualising Causation Part II
Authors: Reiss Julian
Published: November 2013

In recent years, a number of philosophers have attempted to fix paradoxes of the counterfactual account of causation by making causation contrastive. In this framework, causation is understood to be not a two‐place relationship between a cause and an effect but a three or four‐place relationship between a cause, an effect and a contrast on the side of the cause, the effect or both. I argue that contrasting helps resolving certain paradoxes only if an account of admissibility of the chosen set of contrasts is given. I show by means of numerous examples that it is contextual features that determine admissibility. This way, context becomes part of the semantics of causation. I finally argue that once contextualised, explicit contrasting is redundant: causation is therefore a three‐place relationship between a cause, an effect and a context.
Armed Jihad in the Islamic Legal Tradition
Authors: Al‐Dawoody Ahmed
Published: November 2013

Armed jihad in the Islamic legal tradition has been the subject of lengthy discussions, interpretations, and deliberations among Muslim jurists and scholars for over 14 centuries. Different interpretations of the nature of armed jihad as offensive or only defensive armed conflict have been advocated depending on the interpretations of certain incidents of fighting that took place between the Prophet and the enemies of the Muslims after the flight to Medina and the Qur'ānic texts addressing these incidents. The Islamic rules developed by the classical Muslim jurists regulating the use of force considerably succeeded in humanizing the primitive war situations of their times. However, the different interpretations of the texts and contexts of these incidents of fighting, on the one hand, and the struggle to put limitations on the use of force in certain primitive war tactics and operations in order not to endanger the lives and property of enemy non‐combatants without losing the war, on the other, resulted in advocating contradictory rules by jurists of the different schools of Islamic law. Therefore, the redevelopment of Islamic rules regulating the use of force in the contemporary war situations and in the light of the international treaties becomes a matter of urgent necessity for today's world peace and security.
A Brief History of the Bhagavad Gita's Modern Canonization
Authors: Rao Mani
Published: November 2013

Believed to have been written well over 2000 years ago, the Gita's original social, cultural, and religious or philosophical context is far removed from the context of the present, and it is written in a language no longer used in daily speech. In its original form, it was not even a complete, independent text, it was a small part of the Mahabharata epic and only one of many texts expounding vedantic ideas. Yet, the Gita enjoys currency, new translations are released by major publishers every year. The Gita is believed to be the most translated text after the Bible today. This essay investigates the process by which the Gita has achieved its canonical status and thinks about why the Gita—and no other Hindu text—is today regarded the representative text of Hinduism. For this purpose, the essay surveys recent history over the last 200 years since Wilkins' translation into English and the process of interpretation, translation, and dissemination by which the Gita was adapted to contexts and made instrumental to ideologies. Comparing the Gita to other Hindu texts provides clues for the suitability of the Gita, time and time again, to such adaption.
Unresolved debates on usury and greed in late Renaissance France: Guillaume Bouchet and others
Authors: Patterson Jonathan
Published: November 2013

This article studies competing and incompatible views on usury (moneylending at interest) in France, on the threshold of modernity. The figure of the fraudulent, greedy usurer was frequently condemned across many kinds of writing in sixteenth‐century France. Nevertheless, the relationship between greed and usurious practices was much more complex than many writers would admit. Modern scholars have identified three prevailing attitudes to usury in Renaissance France: outright condemnation, reluctant tolerance and a more neutral appraisal of calculating interest on loans. Going beyond previous scholarship, this article shows how these attitudes could unusually coexist in the same text. A case study of Guillaume Bouchet's Les Serées (1584–98) – an important example of sixteenth‐century merchant literature – reveals a new, unresolved way of writing about usury and greed in late Renaissance France. Bouchet tackles the problematic subject of usury neither from a normative perspective (as did lawyers and theologians) nor from a purely pragmatic standpoint (as did the writers of merchant arithmetic manuals). Instead, Bouchet integrates elements of both normative and pragmatic discourse on usury within a wider critique of riches and their abuse during the turbulent Wars of Religion and concomitant inflationary crisis that afflicted France in the late sixteenth century.
Review Of Methodological Issues in Cost-Effectiveness Analyses Relating to Injecting Drug Users, and Case-Study Illustrations
Authors: White Simon R. , Bird Sheila M. , Grieve Richard
Published: November 2013

Guidelines for good practice in cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) are available from the UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, which address the scope of the CEA study, appropriateness of the data used and how to account for model as well as statistical uncertainty. Within these three broad headings, we identify 10 specific issues that may affect materially the CEA of a public health intervention for which injecting drug users are a major target group. The 10 issues relate to injecting drug users' under-representation in randomized controlled trials; their risk of blood-borne viruses—such as human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus—which have long-term chronic sequelae, their markedly higher age-specific mortality than in the general population and the relapsing–remitting nature of opiate dependence with its associated risk of overdose. We consider how adequately three key UK CEAs accounted for the relevant injecting drug user specific issues that we have highlighted. The three case-studies are antiviral treatment of carriage of hepatitic C virus, opiate substitution therapy and needle and syringe programmes.
Annexin 1 regulates the H2O2‐induced calcium signature in Arabidopsis thaliana roots
Authors: Richards Siân L. , Laohavisit Anuphon , Mortimer Jennifer C. , Shabala Lana , Swarbreck Stéphanie M. , Shabala Sergey , Davies Julia M.
Published: November 2013

Hydrogen peroxide is the most stable of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and is a regulator of development, immunity and adaptation to stress. It frequently acts by elevating cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]cyt) as a second messenger, with activation of plasma membrane Ca2+‐permeable influx channels as a fundamental part of this process. At the genetic level, to date only the Ca2+‐permeable Stelar K+ Outward Rectifier (SKOR) channel has been identified as being responsive to hydrogen peroxide. We show here that the ROS‐regulated Ca2+ transport protein Annexin 1 in Arabidopsis thaliana (AtANN1) is involved in regulating the root epidermal [Ca2+]cyt response to stress levels of extracellular hydrogen peroxide. Peroxide‐stimulated [Ca2+]cyt elevation (determined using aequorin luminometry) was aberrant in roots and root epidermal protoplasts of the Atann1 knockout mutant. Similarly, peroxide‐stimulated net Ca2+ influx and K+ efflux were aberrant in Atann1 root mature epidermis, determined using extracellular vibrating ion‐selective microelectrodes. Peroxide induction of GSTU1 (Glutathione‐S‐Transferase1 Tau 1), which is known to be [Ca2+]cyt‐dependent was impaired in mutant roots, consistent with a lesion in signalling. Expression of AtANN1 in roots was suppressed by peroxide, consistent with the need to restrict further Ca2+ influx. Differential regulation of annexin expression was evident, with AtANN2 down‐regulation but up‐regulation of AtANN3 and AtANN4. Overall the results point to involvement of AtANN1 in shaping the root peroxide‐induced [Ca2+]cyt signature and downstream signalling.
Field Testing of Concrete Crossties and Fastening Systems for the Understanding of Mechanistic Behavior
Authors: Grassé J. , Lange D.
Published: November 2013

To adequately satisfy the demands placed on North America’s railway infrastructure through ever increasing freight tonnages and development of its high speed rail program, the design and performance of concrete ties and elastic fastening systems must be improved. As a part of a study funded by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) aimed at improving concrete crossties and fastening systems, field experimentation was performed at the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) in Pueblo, CO by researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). This paper details the extensive instrumentation program which includes strain gages and linear potentiometers. Testing was conducted over seven adjacent concrete crossties in tangent and curve track utilizing TTC’s Track Loading Vehicle (TLV) as well as passenger and freight train consists. Measurements taken consisted of the wheel-rail input loads, component stresses (e.g. insulator post compression), concrete tie strains, and displacements of the rail and concrete tie. The data was collected synchronously to provide a means to capture the load path, target areas of uncertainty, and provide comprehensive data for the validation of a multi-tie, 3-D finite element model being developed by UIUC. Varying train speeds, track curvature, and loading types provided a means to assess the loading variability that can be expected within the fastening system and lead to more purposeful and efficient instrumentation strategies. Furthermore, this data can be used to guide future research in further quantifying the field loading demands on system components, ultimately leading to the mechanistic design of the concrete crosstie and fastening system.
Stress Testing of a New North American Passenger Locomotive Truck Frame in Accordance With International Union of Railways (UIC) Code
Authors: Morscheck Luke A. , Roller John J.
Published: November 2013

MotivePower Incorporated (MPI) a Wabtec company and CTLGroup have completed stress testing of a new two-axle passenger locomotive truck (bogie) frame for use in North America. Testing was performed in accordance with International Union of Railways (UIC) Code 615-4 – Bogie Frame Structural Strength Tests [1]. Static testing was performed to simulate exceptional, main in-service and particular in-service loads. A three-phase dynamic fatigue test of 10 million cycles was also performed. Factors for quasi-static, dynamic and track twist (warp) loads were increased from those recommended by the UIC Code for normal operating conditions on European railways to represent North American track conditions. Significant engineering thought was invested in fixture design, with each load application and reaction point receiving careful consideration. Static testing required ten different servo-controlled loading systems to simulate independent or superimposed vertical, lateral and/or longitudinal forces. The applied loads represented tractive effort, braking effort, curving, vehicle lateral dynamics, vehicle vertical dynamics and track twist. Fatigue testing required four different servo-controlled loading systems utilizing synchronized force functions to simulate alternating quasi-static and dynamic load sequences. The apparatus also included provisions for measuring vertical reactions at each primary spring pocket. Vertical reaction loads were measured by instrumented pedestals using a full Wheatstone bridge configuration to cancel out longitudinal and lateral load effects. Prior to testing, the prototype truck frame was instrumented with 133 strain gages installed at selected points of interest. Stress values discerned from the measured strains conformed to the allowable stress criteria and compared well with those predicted by finite element analysis. Measured force reactions also showed strong correlation with predicted values. No indications of cracks were discovered during periodic non-destructive inspections. In conclusion, the UIC Code 615-4 test protocol was utilized to successfully demonstrate the strength and durability of a new two-axle passenger locomotive truck frame.
Simulating the Effects of Initial Condition Variance in the Investment Casting Process
Authors: Sowden Ike , Currier George
Published: November 2013

A consistent casting process can sometimes be a challenge to achieve due to the wide array of initial conditions that can affect the process. Variation in these initial conditions during the casting process can generate an array of unexpected results, which sometimes have a negative effect on the structural integrity of the castings. Cold shuts, shrinkage formation, and hot tears are just a few examples of the defects that can arise.

Throughout the history of the railroad, castings found with these types of defects have plagued the industry. Since castings are considered a leading method for manufacturing metal components, it is important to have a consistent and repeatable process. Without this, defects can drive the quality of the product down and cause castings to fail while in service. Studying the effects of initial condition variance can teach us which parameters can positively or negatively affect the overall casting process. Improvements in a foundry’s process can then be implemented resulting in a more consistent, reliable final product.

Computer simulation software has proven to assist in predicting defects before a single casting has even been poured. As with any simulation, care must be taken when setting up the input parameters. Without careful consideration of the initial conditions, the results may not reflect the actual process. Because of this fact, Strato, Inc. continues researching and sharing its findings regarding the effectiveness of these simulations. This research helps to ensure that a higher quality product with a lower fall-out rate is delivered promptly to the customer.

Specific initial conditions are explored in this paper. Variance in the soundness of the casting process is examined through the use of material density plots. These density plots, which provide a visual indication of internal shrinkage, have been obtained using simulation software. These predictions of shrinkage are then compared to actual castings that were poured using the same initial conditions. Results from the following three case studies present evidence to further the belief that using this software, which allows for a deeper understanding of the thermal and fluid dynamics of the casting process, has a direct impact on both quality, as well as the time it takes to develop a sound process. With the knowledge gained by simulating variance in initial casting conditions, a more robust rigging design and overall casting process can be achieved.

This paper is a continuation of Strato’s investigation into the effects of varying initial conditions with simulation software and comparison with real world results. The first part was presented at the 2012 ASME JRC and can be found within its proceedings. Although some concepts and terms are explained in both papers, it is suggested that part one of this paper be reviewed by those who would like more insight into the framework of this paper.
Detection of GNSS Horizontal Position Error Using 3D-Track Map
Authors: Jonas M.
Published: November 2013

The increasing progress in the field of satellite navigation systems (GNSS, SBAS) in the recent decades supports effort to use it for determination of train position for railway safety-related systems. Satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS) such as WAAS in the USA, and EGNOS in Europe, are available and a new global satellite navigation system Galileo is being built by the European GNSS agency (GSA). The currently available SBAS systems were developed in order to satisfy aviation requirements. But the safety concept on railways is very different from the aviation safety concept. The railway safety concept in Europe is determined by means of the CENELEC standards (EN 50126, EN 50129, EN IEC 61508). So it is necessary to find a way how to use GNSS systems in accordance with strict railway standards. The main problem is attainment of sufficient integrity of position solution [5, 12]. Satisfaction of safety integrity level 4 (SIL4) is necessary for railways [6, 7, 8, 9]. At the beginning, it can provide low-cost controlling system for the local, regional and freight railway lines. GNSS provides a 3D position (position in horizontal and vertical plane). The value of altitude is cruical for application in aviation, in ground transportation this value is not so important. On the contrary, the value of horizontal position is cruical. For the purpose of increasing the integrity of GNSS-based position determination we propose a new method of the detection of a GNSS horizontal position error based on the relation between vertical and horizontal position error. As was mentioned for example in [4], as GPS is a three dimensional positioning system, errors between any two coordinates may be correlated, and so there can be relations between errors in individual dimensions. The general 3D GPS-based position solution can be divided into two parts:

- 2D horizontal position

- 1D vertical position

We investigated the relation between errors in the horizontal and vertical plane in real data measured by a GNSS receiver. It was static measurement and the antenna location was exactly known. The vertical position provided by GNSS is not constant. In ground transportation we can mostly make an assumption of nearly a constant value of altitude during the ride. Especially in railway transportation the changing of altitude during the ride is limited by many factors (railway standards, properties of track) So we investigate the possibility of using values of altitude to estimate a position error in the horizontal plane. As the receiver determines the values of the vertical position in real time, the detection of the horizontal position error based on the values of altitude can help detect the actual position error in horizontal plane during the train ride also in real time. The sensitivity of this method to errors in pseudoranges (error caused by multipath) was also investigated. This was done by simulation with software receiver Pegasus (Eurocontrol). The analysis was based on real data from GNSS.
Performance Evaluation of Hybrid Technology Networking for Real-Time Monitoring in Freight Railroad Operations
Authors: Shrestha Pradhumna Lal , Hempel Michael , Rakshit Sushanta , Sharif Hamid , Punwani John , Stewart Monique
Published: November 2013

Traditional Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) solutions have been deemed insufficient to address the requirements of freight railroad companies to implement real-time monitoring and control of their trains, tracks and wayside equipment. With only ZigBee-based elements, the transmission capabilities of WSN devices are limited in terms of coverage range and throughput. This leads to severe delay and congestion in the network, particularly in railroad scenarios that usually require the nodes to be arranged in linear chain-like topology. In such a multi-hop topology to communicate from one end of a train to the locomotive — and due to ZigBee’s limited communication range — data needs to be transmitted using a very high number of hops and thus generates long delays and congestion problems.

To overcome this drawback, we have proposed a heterogeneous multi-hop networking approach called “Hybrid Technology Networking” (HTN). In HTN we combined Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technologies like WiFi, which provide improved communication range and higher data rates, with low-power communication technologies like ZigBee. This significantly reduces the number of hops required to deliver data across the network and hence solves the issues of delay and congestion, while also achieving superior enery efficiency and network lifetime. The sensor nodes are logically divided into clusters and each cluster has a WiFi “gateway”. All intra-cluster communication is achieved via IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee protocols, while all inter-cluster communication utilizes WiFi protocol standards.

To implement our proposed technology in railroad networks, we are designing hardware prototypes and simulation models to evaluate the functionality and performance of our HTN solution, which is designed around a dual network stack design governed by the HTN protocol. This ensures full compliance with IEEE and industry communication protocols for interoperability. Since no simulation tools that seamlessly combine both WSN and WLAN technologies in a single module exist, we wrote our own simulation environment using OPNET. In this paper, we have provided information of implementing the HTN protocol in OPNET and the simulation results for different scenarios relevant to railroad operations. These results will demonstrate the efficacy of our proposed system as well as provide the baseline data for testing the hardware devices in live networks. Under simulated traffic and channel conditions and device configurations, we observed a decrease of 77.27% in end-to-end delay and an increase of 69.70% in received data volume when using HTN compared to ZigBee-only multi-hop networks, simulated over 14 railcars in railroad-relevant scenarios.
Safety Effectiveness of Integrated Accident Prevention Strategies
Authors: Liu Xiang , Saat M. Rapik , Barkan Christopher P. L.
Published: November 2013

There are potential interactions among approaches to reduce or prevent certain accident causes. Given the overlapped safety benefits of various measures for accident prevention, it is necessary to identify their interactions and quantify the safety effectiveness of combined accident prevention strategies. This study focuses on strategies to prevent broken rails and broken wheels, respectively. Improved wheel condition reduces the impact load on the rail, thereby may reduce broken-rail-caused derailments. In this paper, we propose a quantitative framework to assess the safety effectiveness of combined accident prevention strategies under various operational conditions. In the larger context of railroad hazardous materials risk management, integrated accident prevention can be compared to other means of risk reduction measures, such as tank car safety design enhancement or operational changes.
Improving Axle Performance
Authors: Dedmon Steven L. , Galbraith Jay M. , Pilch James M.
Published: November 2013

North American freight car axle performance is affected by load and number of cycles, fretting corrosion resistance, mitigation of surface damage and repair practices once damage has occurred. Manufacturers also affect axle performance through chemistry balance, melting practice, forging, and heat treatment and machining techniques. In this investigation, the authors describe several ways axle life has been improved by manufacturers and an assessment of each technique using appropriate analytical methods, including evaluation of mechanical properties and finite element analyses.
Temperature Deformation Analysis of CRTS II Ballastless Slab Track
Authors: Zhao Chunfa , Song Xiaolin , Zhu Xiaojia
Published: November 2013

Two finite element models of CRTS II ballastless track superstructure were developed to simulate temperature deformations of the precast concrete track slab. One of the models considered the fully bonding interface between the track slab and the cement asphalt mortar layers, while the other uses cohesive zone elements to simulate possible interfacial separation and slip. Warp deformations of the track slab under various temperature loads were calculated using both models. Numerical results show that the track slab glued fully to the mortar layers can approximately hold regular geometry shape even if it bears extreme temperature gradient loads. Although deteriorated mortar layers could increase significantly temperature deformations of the track slab, warp deformations of the track slab are still quite small and the rail harmonic irregularities due to the temperature deformations are tiny. It can be concluded that temperature deformations of CRTS II track slab have little effect on running safety and ride comfort of high-speed trains.
Analysis and Evaluation of TIH Material Transportation by Railroad
Authors: Zheng Jinzi , Clarke David B.
Published: November 2013

The safety of hazardous material (hazmat) transportation is an important national issue. Although rail transportation plays a major role in hazmat movement, there is still not so much concern as that for highway. However, for the safety of life and property, more work in this filed is needed. This paper develops a risk evaluation methodology for rail Toxic Inhalation Hazard (TIH) material transportation. Here, the risk metric is defined as the product of incident probability and its consequence. First, we discuss the probability calculation of a specific incident case, i.e. there are a specific number of derailed TIH cars releasing, given a train crash. Second, we employ the rearranged Gaussian Plume Model to get the hazardous gas concentration isopleth and the impact zone. From this, the consequence defined as population exposure is calculated by multiplying impact zone area and relevant population density. Finally, with the evaluation methodology proposed in the paper, we calculated and compared risk between two rail routes in the state of Tennessee.
A Subway Timetable Optimization Model for Maximizing the Utilization of Recovery Energy
Authors: Yang Xin , Ning Bin , Li Xiang , Tang Tao , Song Xiaomei
Published: November 2013

Since the regenerative braking technique can recover considerable electricity from braking trains, it is maturely applied in subway systems. Generally speaking, except a small part of the recovery energy is used by the on-board auxiliary services, most of them is fed back into the overhead contact line. If the feedback energy cannot be absorbed by adjacent accelerating trains timely, it will be consumed by resistances. For maximizing the utilization of recovery energy, this paper proposes a timetable optimization model to coordinate the accelerating and braking processes of up trains and down trains. Firstly, we analyze the coordinating rules. Secondly, we propose an integer programming model to maximize the utilization of recovery energy with headway time and dwell time control. Furthermore, we design a genetic algorithm to solve the optimal timetable. Finally, we conduct numerical examples based on the operation data from Beijing Yizhuang subway line of China. The results illustrate that the proposed model can significantly save energy by 21.58% compared with the current timetable.
Finite Element Analysis and Full-Scale Testing of Locomotive Crashworthy Components
Authors: Llana Patricia , Stringfellow Richard , Mayville Ronald
Published: November 2013

The Office of Research and Development of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Volpe Center are continuing to evaluate new technologies for increasing the safety of passengers and operators in rail equipment. In recognition of the importance of override prevention in train-to-train collisions in which one of the vehicles is a locomotive, and in light of the success of crash energy management technologies in cab car-led passenger trains, the Volpe Center seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of components that could be integrated into the end structure of a locomotive that are specifically designed to mitigate the effects of a collision and, in particular, to prevent override of one of the lead vehicles onto the other. A research program has been conducted to develop, fabricate and test two crashworthy components for the forward end of a locomotive: (1) a deformable anti-climber, and (2) a push-back coupler. Detailed designs for these components were developed, and the performance of each design was evaluated through large deformation dynamic finite element analysis (FEA). Designs for two test articles that could be used to verify the performance of the component designs in full-scale tests were also developed. The two test articles were fabricated and dynamically tested by means of rail car impact in order to verify certain performance characteristics of the two components relative to specific requirements. The tests were successful in demonstrating the effectiveness of the two design concepts. Test results were consistent with finite element model predictions in terms of energy absorption capability, force-displacement behavior and modes of deformation.
Ballast Quality and Breakdown During Transport
Authors: Douglas S. Caleb
Published: November 2013

Union Pacific Railroad has prioritized optimizing the life span of ballast material utilized across the system. A multi-faceted approach is presented which addresses (1) obtaining hard, durable ballast; (2) ensuring that the ballast delivered satisfies the specification; and (3) evaluating the resistance of ballast to breakdown during transportation. The initial focus included a quality management system to verify that properly graded and clean ballast is loaded into the railcars. Periodic testing and unannounced quarry visits are in place for each ballast source. Petrographic testing was completed for each source to identify potential problematic mineralogical issues. The second focus is ballast degradation during transport. The study included three railcars shipped to a central location where a gradation analysis on each railcar was completed in its entirety. Various sampling methods were utilized at the ballast sources during loading of the railcar and are compared to the unloaded results. The variability of gradation results from different sampling methods was a significant outcome of the study. The test results indicate that the half inch particle size increased during transport. The outcomes of these series of studies are constant evaluation of ballast suppliers is warranted, obtaining representative samples of ballast for gradation quality control is difficult, and transportation results in a minor increase of the half-inch particle size.
Recommendations for the PRIIA Specifications on the Next Generation of Accessible Passenger Rail Cars
Authors: Hunter-Zaworski K. M. , Rutenberg Uwe , Shurland Melissa
Published: November 2013

The recommendations for the new PRIIA specifications of the Next Generation of Accessible Passenger rail cars take access by people with disabilities to a new level of inclusion. The recommendations under consideration are more responsive to changes in population demographics and reflect the changes in wheeled mobility devices technologies. The new recommendations are evidence based on research, and the development process involves a broad cross section of the passenger rail industry as well as federal agencies responsible for accessibility.

The recommendations focus on making the next generation of passenger rail cars more inclusive and accessible. The recommendations incorporate changes in population demographics and wheeled mobility technologies and go above and beyond current Americans with Disabilities Act regulations that were written over twenty years ago. Specifically that the US population is getting older and more obese. In most US states between 20 and 30% of the population show a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30. Some examples of the new recommendations include the following; the wheelchair lift minimum payload will be increased from 600 to 800 pounds, the lift platform will be extended in length from 30 × 48 to 30 × 54 inches, and the maneuvering and accessible seating location is increased to 32 inches wide by 59 inches long. A new recommendation for making the rail car vestibule more accessible for a 90 degree turn includes increasing the vestibule width from 42 to 44 inches. These recommendations will make passenger rail cars accessible to about 90 percent of the current users of wheeled mobility devices. Currently the passenger rail vehicles can only accommodate approximately 50 percent of wheeled mobility devices.

There are also provisions in the new recommendations for improving the accessible restroom and its components, even though some of the current passenger rail vehicles have reasonably accessible lavatories. The new recommendations include space for dependent and independent transfers in the restroom and will provide a more consistent level of accessibility for all the new passenger rail cars. Space is recommended for the accommodation of service animal in each car.

The new recommendations also include enhanced provisions for passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing. At a minimum the recommendations incorporate current technologies that are used in transit vehicles for dual mode communication, and also include suggestions for accessible real time passenger information and communication systems, and making information accessible on personal mobile media.

The new recommendations are in the validation and approval process. As a first step, the recommendations will be approved by the PRIIA Section 305 Next Generation Equipment Committee.
Review of Live Load Impact Factor for Existing Truss Railroad Bridges in the United States
Authors: Jacobs David W. , Malla Ramesh B.
Published: November 2013

The current American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) Manual provides live load impact formulas for the design of steel railroad bridges. The only variable in those formulas is span length and do not include other parameters that bridge engineers know affects live load impact factor. Years of use in practice and research have shown that these formulas are reliable, safe and simple to apply, though often very conservative. In order to make the nation’s transportation more efficient and energy efficient, a significant effort is underway in the U.S. to enhance its railroad infrastructures. Bridges built before the 1950s, many of which are still in service, were designed to sustain the effects of steam engine hammer blow, and consequently slow speed. Yet, most of these bridges may not be replaced and may be required to carry high speed passenger equipment. This raises the question of what effects higher speed trains will have on old, long span truss steel bridges. This paper presents finding from the detail literature review on the current live load impact factor on truss railroad bridges and its implication to the future.
A Proposed Method for Reliable Gasification Kinetics by Thermal Gravimetric Analysis
Authors: LeBlanc Jeffrey R. , Castaldi Marco J.
Published: November 2013

It has been shown in thermodynamic simulations of gasification that recycling up to 25% of carbon dioxide (CO2) into a reformer allows for a highly hydrogen (H2) concentrated syngas. While understanding thermodynamic limits is imperative, a kinetic analysis is desired to confirm applicability. Studies on thermal decomposition kinetics of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in CO2 gasification atmosphere have been assessed. Using thermal gravimetric analysis, we can show that gasification may be modeled as a series of single step reactions and determine the activation energies, pre-exponential factors and reaction models of those reactions. The use of CO2/air atmosphere instead of air atmosphere results in better char conversion.
Viable Production of Diesel From Non-Recyclable Waste Plastics
Authors: Bordynuik John William
Published: November 2013

The art of refining liquid hydrocarbons (crude oil) into diesel, gasoline, and fuel oils was commercially scaled decades ago. Unfortunately, refineries are technologically limited to accepting only a very narrow range of liquid hydrocarbons with very specific properties and minimal contaminates. Unrecyclable, hydrocarbon-based waste is a significant environmental problem increasing every year. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2010 Facts and Figures report, over 92% of waste plastic is not recycled and with a growth rate of approximately 8% per year, there exists a critical need for a viable and environmentally sound, general purpose hydrocarbon-based recycling process. Hydrocarbon streams that fall outside of accepted refinery standards have traditionally been landfilled or melted into products of low value.

The barriers and challenges are so great that previous attempts to refine waste plastics into fuel resulted in unviable batch-based machines producing low-value, unstable mixed fuels. However, over the course of three years JBI, Inc. (“JBI”) has broken through these barriers and has designed and built a viable commercial-scale continuous refinery capable of processing a wide-range of hydrocarbon-based waste into ASTM specification fuels.

Research and testing of scale-up through 1-gallon, 3000 gallon, multi-kiln, and 40 ton/day processors took place in a plant in Niagara Falls, NY. Technical challenges encountered and lessons learned during process development will be explained in detail.

In 2009, our technology was “molecularly audited” by IsleChem, LLC (“IsleChem”) of Grand Island, NY and in 2012, the full-scale plant was viably validated by SAIC Energy, Environment & Infrastructure, LLC (“SAIC”). Numerous sources of waste plastic and users of the resulting fuel products conducted extensive audits of the technology, process, and plant. For the purpose of this paper, processing of waste plastics will be discussed in detail; however, this technology can be applied to other waste hydrocarbon-based materials such as contaminated monomers, waste oils, lubricants and other composite waste streams.
Pink Sky in the Morning, Should There Be a Warning?
Authors: Zemba Stephen G. , Crouch Edmund A. C. , Miller Michael E. , Green Laura C.
Published: November 2013

Unexpected and unusual emissions from a large, mass-burn, waste-to-energy facility caused persistent and elevated opacity readings of the facility’s continuous opacity monitor (COM), and generated a visible pink-purple-tinted plume emanating from the exhaust stack. Non-radioactive iodine associated with medical wastes was determined to be responsible. As iodine is a known respiratory irritant, questions arose regarding potential short-term health risks to nearby residents. The rate of emission of the apparent release was estimated by two different methods, and then compared with facility-specific knowledge of waste composition. First, based on inverse, worst-case air dispersion modeling, the level of iodine emission that would be necessary to cause potential discomfort/mild irritation to people living near the facility was determined. Second, the level of iodine emission that would be necessary to account for elevations of in-stack opacity observed throughout the event was calculated. The level of iodine emissions necessary to cause mild health effects was found to be substantially greater than the actual release level as inferred from the opacity data. Moreover, based on descriptions of visual inspections of the waste stream and potential opacity interferences created by complex in-stack chemistry, it is likely that the opacity-based calculations overestimate the amount of iodine released. Accordingly, actual impacts are likely to have been smaller than those estimated herein. This paper discusses the process and procedures used to assess the health risk from this incident.
The Effects of Retesting on the Mechanical Properties of the Brain Tissue
Authors: Rezaei Asghar , Karami Ghodrat , Azarmi Fardad , Salimi Jazi Mehdi , Ziejewski Mariusz
Published: November 2013

This research is intended to examine the amount of changes that can happen in material characteristics after retesting. Stress relaxation test is conducted on the same samples of the swine brain tissue for several times in small and large deformations. The mechanical properties of the substance are calculated before and after retest and the constants of the tissue, as mechanical characteristics, are determined and compared. Short- and long-term moduli, relaxation times and relaxation functions are of those data that are calculated and compared to understand how much they decay after repeating the experiments. The results show that applying different tests on one sample slightly changes the mechanical properties of the tissue and, as a result, it is partly possible to perform more than one test on the same sample resulting in less sample preparation, time and effort.
Field emission study of change in work function of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) film
Authors: Xing Ying Jie , Qian Min Fang , Qin Jing Fang , Zhang Geng Min
Published: November 2013

Modification of the work function of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) was obtained by irradiating PEDOT:PSS film in vacuum with 254 nm ultraviolet (UV) light. Work function change was measured by a field emission technique in situ. A small increase in the work function was observed after a brief period of irradiation. When the irradiation time was prolonged, a monotonous reduction in the work function occurred in high vacuum. The effect of oxygen on UV-illuminated PEDOT:PSS was studied, and recovery of the work function was achieved after 3 h of oxygen exposure. The result shows that tuning the work function of PEDOT:PSS in the desired direction with UV treatment is possible.
HfO2 dielectric film growth directly on graphene by H2O-based atomic layer deposition
Authors: Zheng Li , Cheng Xinhong , Cao Duo , Wang Zhongjian , Xu Dawei , Xia Chao , Shen Lingyan , Yu Yuehui
Published: November 2013

Due to its exceptionally high carrier mobility, International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors considers graphene to be among the candidate materials for postsilicon electronics. In order to realize graphene-based devices, thin and uniform-coverage high-κ dielectrics without any pinholes on top of graphene is required. There are no dangling bonds on defect-free graphene surface; it is difficult to grow uniform-coverage high-κ dielectrics on graphene directly by atom layer deposition. Meanwhile, degradation of defects in graphene/high-κ structure is necessary for the optimization of high-κ dielectrics fabrication technology. Here the authors report on a H2O-based atom layer deposition method used for HfO2 growth, where physically adsorbed H2O molecules on graphene surface act as oxidant, and self-limit react with metal precursors to form HfO2 film onto graphene directly. Raman spectra reveal H2O-based atom layer deposition method will not introduce defects into graphene. The surface root mean square of HfO2 films is down to 0.9 nm and the capacitance of HfO2 films on graphene is up to 2.7 μF/cm2, which indicate high quality and compactness of HfO2 films.
Reactive sputtering of substoichiometric Ta2Ox for resistive memory applications
Authors: Stevens James E. , Lohn Andrew J. , Decker Seth A. , Doyle Barney L. , Mickel Patrick R. , Marinella Matthew J.
Published: November 2013

A major class of resistive memory devices is based on transition metal oxides, where mobile oxygen vacancies allow these devices to exhibit multiple resistance states. Ta2O5 based devices in particular have recently demonstrated impressive endurance and forming-free results. Deposition of substoichiometric Ta2Ox (x < 5) films is a critical process in order to produce the required oxygen vacancies in these devices. This paper describes a physical vapor deposition (PVD) reactive sputtering process to deposit substoichiometric Ta2Ox films. The desired film stoichiometry is achieved by feedback control of the oxygen partial pressure in the PVD chamber. A calibration procedure based on Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy is described for locating the optimum oxygen partial pressure.
Not-so-automatic gain control in the bottlenose dolphin: Source level distance compensation depends on prior knowledge of target distance
Authors: Kloepper Laura N. , Nachtigall Paul E. , Smith Adam B.
Published: November 2013

Although termed “automatic gain control,” previous field and laboratory investigations into source level distance compensation in bats and odontocetes have relied on animals echolocating targets or arrays at predictable distances. To test the “automatic” nature of gain control in the bottlenose dolphin, the source level distance compensation was measured for three target distances (2, 4, and 7 m) in two types of sessions: predictable, in which the target distance was held constant within a session, and random, in which the target distance varied within a session. In the predicable sessions the dolphin demonstrated source level distance compensation at a rate of 10 log (distance), a level approximately half that predicted by past gain control experiments. In the random sessions the dolphin did not demonstrate source level distance compensation and, regardless of target distance, produced source levels that were equivalent to those produced for the predictable sessions at 4 m distance. These data suggest that gain control is not automatic, and, in the absence of prior knowledge of target distance, echolocating animals may adopt a strategy of fixing their source level to an intermediate distance of predicted target range.
20—100 kHz, ultrasound assisted treatment of chronic wounds
Authors: Lewin Peter A. , Samuels Joshua A. , Weingarten Michael S. , Zubkov Leonid A. , Sunny Youhan , Bawiec Christopher R. , Margolis David J.
Published: November 2013

We report the results of a limited (20 patients) clinical study involving treatment of chronic wounds (venous ulcers) using novel, fully wearable ultrasound array applicator operating in the range of 20—100 kHz and generating pressure amplitudes close to 55 kPa (about 100 mW/cm2, Sptp). 20 kHz, 15 min exposure was determined to be the most effective in terms of expediting reduction in wound area (p < 0.05). The applicator was designed as compact, tether-free, device that can be comfortably worn by subjects at home, permitting active (combined with traditional compression) therapy away from the clinical setting. The system is safe for extended periods of application and the arrangement of the piezoelectric elements in the applicator has been adjusted allowing patient treatment customization, especially treatment of irregularly shaped ulcers. A set of systematic experiments in vitro aiming at the identification of potential mechanisms of the wound healing was also performed; the results verified that the exposure matrix used in clinical setting as mentioned above (20 kHz treatment for 15 min) produced the greatest increase in cellular metabolism (p < 0.05) and cell (fibroblasts) proliferation (p < 0.01) vs. a sham. The subsequent in vitro experiments will focus on collagen production, crucial to wound healing. [NIH 5R01EB009670.]