bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Teoria do Mercado Religioso: Evidências Empíricas na Literatura
Authors: Oliveira Lívio Luiz Soares de , Neto Giácomo Balbinotto
Published: August 2016

Este artigo trata da Teoria Econômica do Mercado Religioso. São apresentados conceitos extraídos desse paradigma, como commodity religiosa, oferta e demanda de bens e serviços religiosos, competição e monopólio no mercado religioso, dentre outros.  Os graus de regulação no mercado religioso são discutidos. São mostradas as definições de organizações religiosas e seus tipos, conceitos de compensadores religiosos e as possíveis consequências da intervenção governamental no mercado religioso. A principal contribuição deste trabalho é uma revisão da literatura, com base nos resultados de testes empíricos, sobre o principal resultado da Teoria do Mercado Religioso, ou seja, a de que existe uma correlação positiva entre pluralismo religioso e frequência religiosa.
O Método de Racionalização de Weber e a Não Institucionalização de Dumont: Uma Visão sobre o Hinduísmo e o Vedanta
Authors: Bastos Cecília Guimarães
Published: August 2016

Weber descreve que o “racionalismo” concerne à rejeição de todas as formas irracionais de busca do sagrado e que o ascetismo indiano foi o “mais racionalmente desenvolvido no mundo”. O ponto que Weber defende é que o “laicismo culto” da Índia antiga desenvolveu uma “soteriologia livre de padres”, parcialmente entregue a um ceticismo religioso. Essa parece ter sido a pista de Weber da qual partiu Dumont a fim de desenvolvê-la em “homo hierarchicus”, e é com esta intenção que desenvolvo o pensamento deste último autor sobre o poder nas sociedades tradicionais de castas e a consequente desinstitucionalização do Hinduísmo. Busco compreender em que sentido Dumont afirma existir uma democratização da instituição e o significado do renunciante como dotado de uma individualidade
O Sacrifício na Bhagavad-gītā como via de libertação: da incessante roda posta a girar à canção de roda fora do mundo
Authors: Oliveira Gisele Pereira de
Published: August 2016

Neste artigo, analisamos o conceito de yajña (sacrifício) em relação a karman (ação), considerando a transição entre uma ênfase social e coletiva na performance dos sacrifícios solenes (Śrauta) na tradição da Índia antiga e a ênfase na prática e consciência individuais na filosofia da Bhagavad-gītā, conforme os termos do Vaiṣṇavismo de Caitanya. Na Bhagavad-gītā, yajña é descrito de forma abrangente, em oposição às estritas regras e tabus da tradição ritual indiana, sendo relacionado a diferentes estágios de conhecimento e desapego que culminariam, por fim, em mokṣa (liberação), uma vez que yajña, em relação à Bhakti, tem como objetivo preliminar isentar o indivíduo do ônus da ação – um dos temas centrais da Gītā –, que mantêm a entidade viva no ciclo da transmigração da alma (saṃsāra).
Liberdade em Clausura
Authors: Garcia Miriam Verri , Rosado Maria José
Published: August 2016

artigo aborda a vida religiosa feminina em clausura no Brasil, buscando identificarelementos que motivam mulheres, ainda hoje, a escolher esse estilo de vida. O trabalhoempírico foi desenvolvido junto a um mosteiro de monjas da Ordem das CarmelitasDescalças, no estado de São Paulo. Aplicou-se um questionário a toda a população domosteiro. Histórias de vida foram obtidas por meio de entrevistas presenciais realizadascom cinco monjas. Partiu-se do princípio de que essas mulheres realizam livremente aopção de viver em clausura. Fatores biográficos e da estrutura familiar, bem como umapossível ausência de perspectiva na vida dessas mulheres aparecem, porém, comoelementos definidores de suas escolhas. As monjas, no entanto, nas conversas, visitas eentrevistas realizadas, afirmam-se mais livres em seu mundo restrito, enclausuradas, doque as pessoas que vivem no mundo. Esse sentimento delas está expresso no título: Liberdade em clausura. Teoricamente, a análise do material coletado orienta-se pelasinterrogações de gênero, enfatizando os mecanismos de controle eclesiástico sobre omosteiro, as normas estritas da clausura, diferentemente do que ocorre com mosteirosmasculinos.
Paul Harro-Harring - Um viajante teuto-dinamarquês na capital do Império (1840)
Authors: Brito Ênio José Da Costa
Published: August 2016

O artigo oferece uma releitura da Dissertação de Mestrado de Rafael Gonzaga deMacedo, intitulada Paul Harro-Harring: visualidade melancólica da escravidão no Rio deJaneiro-1840.
A institucionalização da Wicca no Brasil: entrevista com a bruxa Wiccaniana Mavesper Cy Ceridwen
Authors: Terzetti Filho Celso Luiz
Published: August 2016

Entrevista com Mavesper Cy Ceridwen
Editorial
Authors: Souza Patrícia Rodrigues de , Usarski Frank
Published: August 2016

Discursos sobre alimentação têm conquistado cada vez mais espaço entre as questões que merecem estudo aprofundado tanto do ponto de vista sociológico quanto do antropológico. De 2002 para cá, uma enorme quantidade de livros acerca da alimentação vem sendo publicada no mundo; grande parte refere-se a hábitos alimentares e a teorias sobre o que comíamos e o que devemos ou não comer. A seção temática deste número da REVER insere-se neste debate em andamento
Simbolismo y uso litúrgico de algunas variedades de octli entre los antiguos nahuas. Un primer acercamiento
Authors: Mazzetto Elena , Moragas Natalia
Published: August 2016

En este artículo se establece un primer acercamiento al estudio del consumo de algunas variedades de octli - bebida embriagadora realizada con el jugo fermentado de los agaves - en la liturgia festiva de los antiguos nahuas de la época posclásica en el Centro de México. El trabajo está focalizado en el análisis de una fiesta específica, la de Panquetzaliztli, “Erección de banderas”, en la que se celebraba al dios patrono de los mexicas, Huitzilopochtli. En esta recurrencia religiosa se consumía un tipo específico de octli, llamado matlaloctli, “octli azul” y macuiloctli, “octli quíntuplo”. Ahora bien, en esta investigación se intentará descifrar el simbolismo de esta bebida fermentada relacionándola con la personalidad divina celebrada en este contexto ritual
Excavaciones en la historia del Islam en Brasil: La revolución de los Malés de Bahía, 1835
Authors: Kettani Malika
Published: August 2016

Este artículo trata un episodio crucial de la historia del Islam en Brasil. Se trata de la revolución de los musulmanes africanos de Brasil, llamados Males. Pues en el año 1835 dicha comunidad que vivía bajo la esclavitud llevaron a cabo una de las revoluciones más relevantes de la historia de Islam en Brasil, precisamente en la ciudad de Bahía. Partimos del testimonio de los mismos citado en el manuscrito de Abdurrahman Al Baghdadi, el primer erudito musulmán que, en 1865, llegó a las costas de Brasil por casualidad a bordo de un barco náufrago, o sea unos 30 años después de dicha revolución
Discursos proferidos por ocasião da outorga de títulos de Professores Eméritos
Authors: Ribeiro Jr. Jorge Claudio N. , Valle João Edênio Reis , Guedes Maria Luiza , Queiroz José J.
Published: August 2016

Em 28 de outubro de 2015, a Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo concedeu a João Edênio dos Reis Valle e José e Jose J. Queiroz, ambos do Departamento de Ciência da Religião da universidade, o título de Professor Emérito. Encontram-se aqui as falas de Jorge Claudio N. Ribeiro Jr. e de Maria Luiza Guedes em homenagem aos professores bem como os discursos dos dois professores que receberam os títulos
Introdução
Authors: Passos João Décio , Sanchez Wagner Lopes
Published: August 2016

Apresentação desse número especial em homenagem ao Prof. Afonso M. L.Soares
Sincretismo e migração. Notas a partir do pensamento de Afonso Maria Ligorio Soares
Authors: Sanchez Wagner Lopes
Published: August 2016

Nos últimos cinco anos, em decorrência do início da guerra civil síria em 2011, o fenômeno da migração está fazendo parte da preocupação de diversos setores da sociedade mundial. Na tensão entre ter que deixar sua terra de origem e partir para uma outra incerta, o ato de migrar é vivido pelos migrantes como uma ruptura com a sua história. O ponto de partida da reflexão realizada neste artigo é o pensamento do professor Afonso Maria Ligorio Soares. Suas pesquisasem torno do tema do sincretismo religioso deixaram uma contribuição peculiar para a teologia. O percurso do artigo contempla dois momentos: no primeiro momento analisa-se a categoria sincretismo no pensamento desse autor e, no segundo momento, examina-se a contribuição dessa categoria para a compreensão dos processos migratórios.
Teologia na universidade: coisa eclesial ou coisa pública?
Authors: Passos João Décio
Published: August 2016

O artigo verifica a hipótese da teologia pública, dos pontos de vista histórico, epistemológico e político. O conceito diz respeito aos processos de legitimação da teologia como “ciência normal” no âmbito das instituições modernas, particularmente na universidade. Por sua natureza a teologia ultrapassa os espaços eclesiais nos quais encontra naturalmente inserida. No contexto brasileiro, ela carece ainda de uma exposição clara de seu estatuto epistemológico para que possa adquirir a legitimidade plena, para além das legitimidades políticas já conquistadas.
Supportive Care: Integration of Patient-Centered Kidney Care to Manage Symptoms and Geriatric Syndromes
Authors: Davison Sara N. , Jassal Sarbjit Vanita
Published: August 2016

Dialysis care is often associated with poor outcomes including low quality of life (QOL). To improve patient-reported outcomes, incorporation of the patient’s needs and perspective into the medical care they receive is essential. This article provides a framework to help clinicians integrate symptom assessment and other measures such as QOL and frailty scores into a clinical approach to the contemporary supportive care of patients with advanced CKD. This approach involves (1) defining our understanding of kidney supportive care, patient-centered dialysis, and palliative dialysis; (2) understanding and recognizing common symptoms associated with advanced CKD; (3) discussing the concepts of physical function, frailty, and QOL and their role in CKD; and (4) identifying the structural and process barriers that may arise when patient-centered dialysis is being introduced into clinical practice.
Supportive Care: Economic Considerations in Advanced Kidney Disease
Authors: Morton Rachael L. , Kurella Tamura Manjula , Coast Joanna , Davison Sara N.
Published: August 2016

Kidney supportive care describes multiple interventions for patients with advanced CKD that focus on improving the quality of life and addressing what matters most to patients. This includes shared decision making and aligning treatment plans with patient goals through advance care planning and providing relief from pain and other distressing symptoms. Kidney supportive care is an essential component of quality care throughout the illness trajectory. However, in the context of limited health care resources, evidence of its cost-effectiveness is required to support decisions regarding appropriate resource allocation. We review the literature and outline the evidence gaps and particular issues associated with measuring the costs, benefits, and cost-effectiveness of kidney supportive care. We find evidence that the dominant evaluative framework of a cost per quality–adjusted life year may not be suitable for evaluations in this context and that relevant outcomes may include broader measures of patient wellbeing, having care aligned with treatment preferences, and family satisfaction with the end of life care experience. To improve the evidence base for the cost-effectiveness of kidney supportive care, large prospective cohort studies are recommended to collect data on both resource use and health outcomes and should include patients who receive conservative kidney management without dialysis. Linkage to administrative datasets, such as Medicare, Hospital Episode Statistics, and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for prescribed medicines, can provide a detailed estimate of publicly funded resource use and reduce the burden of data collection for patients and families. Longitudinal collection of quality of life and functional status should be added to existing cohort or kidney registry studies. Interventions that improve health outcomes for people with advanced CKD, such as kidney supportive care, not only have the potential to improve quality of life, but also may reduce the high costs associated with unwanted hospitalization and intensive medical treatments.
Supportive Care: Communication Strategies to Improve Cultural Competence in Shared Decision Making
Authors: Brown Edwina A. , Bekker Hilary L. , Davison Sara N. , Koffman Jonathan , Schell Jane O.
Published: August 2016

Historic migration and the ever–increasing current migration into Western countries have greatly changed the ethnic and cultural patterns of patient populations. Because health care beliefs of minority groups may follow their religion and country of origin, inevitable conflict can arise with decision making at the end of life. The principles of truth telling and patient autonomy are embedded in the framework of Anglo–American medical ethics. In contrast, in many parts of the world, the cultural norm is protection of the patient from the truth, decision making by the family, and a tradition of familial piety, where it is dishonorable not to do as much as possible for parents. The challenge for health care professionals is to understand how culture has enormous potential to influence patients’ responses to medical issues, such as healing and suffering, as well as the physician-patient relationship. Our paper provides a framework of communication strategies that enhance crosscultural competency within nephrology teams. Shared decision making also enables clinicians to be culturally competent communicators by providing a model where clinicians and patients jointly consider best clinical evidence in light of a patient’s specific health characteristics and values when choosing health care. The development of decision aids to include cultural awareness could avoid conflict proactively, more productively address it when it occurs, and enable decision making within the framework of the patient and family cultural beliefs.
Modern trends in Class III orthognathic treatment: A time series analysis
Authors: Lee Chang-Hoon , Park Hyun-Hee , Seo Byoung-Moo , Lee Shin-Jae
Published: August 2016

Objective: To examine the current trends in surgical-orthodontic treatment for patients with Class III malocclusion using time-series analysis.

Materials and Methods: The records of 2994 consecutive patients who underwent orthognathic surgery from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2015, at Seoul National University Dental Hospital, Seoul, Korea, were reviewed. Clinical data from each surgical and orthodontic treatment record included patient's sex, age at the time of surgery, malocclusion classification, type of orthognathic surgical procedure, place where the orthodontic treatment was performed, orthodontic treatment modality, and time elapsed for pre- and postoperative orthodontic treatment.

Results: Out of the orthognathic surgery patients, 86% had Class III malocclusion. Among them, two-jaw surgeries have become by far the most common orthognathic surgical treatment these days. The age at the time of surgery and the number of new patients had seasonal variations, which demonstrated opposing patterns. There was neither positive nor negative correlation between pre- and postoperative orthodontic treatment time. Elapsed orthodontic treatment time for both before and after Class III orthognathic surgeries has been decreasing over the years.

Conclusion: Results of the time series analysis might provide clinicians with some insights into current surgical and orthodontic management.
The Determinants of Fertility among Women of Reproductive Age in Nepal
Authors: Sharma Mahendra Prasad
Published: August 2016

This study is conducted on determinants of fertility among women of reproductive age in Nepal. The study takes into account some demographic, socio-cultural, economic and spatial variables. Fertility trends are estimated from the date obtained in the 1996, 2001, and 2006 NDHS with information gathered in the 2011 NDHS. Fertility declined from 4.6 births per woman in the 1996 NFHS to 2.6 births per woman in the 2011 NDHS—a drop of two births per woman in the past 15 years. The decline in fertility is most pronounced in the five years between 2001 and 2006 (a one-child decline). Fertility has declined in every age group over the past 15 years, with largest decline seen among women 25-34 years. But over the past 5 years the largest decline is observed among women 20-24 years. Many factors may have contributed to this quick decline fertility in Nepal, including improved communication and greater access to modern methods of contraception. Extended spousal separations due to migrants seeking work in foreign countries, especially the Gulf countries and other Southeast Asian countries, may be another reason for the fertility decline (NDHS Report 2012). The multivariate analysis is used to show the strength of relationship of fertility with its correlates. It estimates the effect of socio–economic and demographic as well as spatial variables on total Children Ever Born (CEB). This study also attempts to find out variation of fertility among women by using frequency table, rate, ratio, percentage, cross tabulation, correlation and  regression analysis and mean CEB. The result shows that when other factors remain  unchanged, age of respondents at first birth and educational attainment have strong and significant negative impact on fertility. Similarly son who have died, daughter who have died, parity at sterilization and age at sterilization have strong and significant positive impact on fertility whereas regions, type of place of residence, age at marriage and destination India have weak positive impact on fertility. The Journal of Development and Administrative Studies (JODAS)Vol. 23(1-2), pp. 55-68
Tourism Development and Energy Consumption Pattern in Langtang Valley of Nepal Himalayas
Authors: Chapagain Prem Sagar
Published: August 2016

Langtang is one of the three major trekking destinations in Nepal. Tourism development in Langtang was started since after the establishment of Langtang National Park in 1976. Langtang is the nearest mountain trekking route from Kathmandu. About 12000 tourists visit annually in Langtang Valley. The Langtang valley from Syabrubesi to Kyanjing has rich physical, biological and cultural diversity which has been the center of tourism activities in Langtang region. This paper aims to trace out the tourism development trend and energy consumption pattern by hotels and lodges of the region. There are three major tourist destinations i.e. Lamahotel, Langtang, and Kyanjing in the Langtang valley where there are 49 hotels altogether. Initially, by 2000, hotels were concentrated at Lamahotel, then to Langtang village and finally to Kyanjing. Many tourist hubs in mountain including the Langtang valley use firewood as a major source of energy. The per bed/day firewood consumption is slightly varied in different altitude in the valley. The amount of firewood consumption decreases with increasing altitude and the distance from the source of firewood collection places. The annual firewood consumption is the highest in Lama hotel that is 457 kilogram/bed followed by Langtang with 460 kilogram and Kyanjing (400kg). It is important that the Bhattis consume more firewood. Hotels with less than 20 beds consume more firewood compared to big hotels suggests firewood energy threshold in the mountain tourism hub. LP gas and cow dung cake are other energy sources. The big hotels having more than 20 beds use more LG gas compared to smaller hotels.The Journal of Development and Administrative Studies (JODAS)Vol. 23(1-2), pp. 69-83
Understanding Gender Neutral language at workplace: Study of TEVT schools of Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Basanti Roshan Pradhan
Published: August 2016

This study tries to understand how female instructors perceive use of gender neutral language in the workplace. Traditionally there had been stratification in male and female on the basis of work and also on the basis of language; but lately, a number of efforts have been made to remove stratification on the basis of gender. Still many reports argue that there is bias on the basis of gender language in the workplaces. The traditionally built stereotype on job roles of males and females given by the society people may not support and go in line with the practice of using gender neutral language. Therefore, this paper had aimed to explore the use of gender neutral language in technical schools of Nepal. To begin the study, eight female instructors from different technical schools of Nepal with different occupations were purposively selected. A case study research design was implied to understand the perception of female instruction with regards to gender neutral language in their work place.
Role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Women Empowerment: A Case from Bima VDC of Myagdi District, Nepal
Authors: Garbuja Beg Prasad , Pasa Rajan Binayek
Published: August 2016

This study analyzed role of technical & vocational education and training in women empowerment process specifically in local level. In fact, technical & vocational education and training programs not only provide self-employment opportunity to the women but also trigger capability to exercise control over their personal and family life, make choices to improve well beings and take active role in decision making. For justifying central argument; what are the changing role of technical & vocational education and training that has been fostering women empowerment as well as social and economic development process in this VDC (Village Development Committee), the researchers employed quantitative case study research design and applied key informant interview, observation and household survey as data collection techniques. Researchers purposively selected 63 sample populations (10 respondents who completed technical & vocational education and 53 respondents who participated in vocational skill development trainings). The study found significant role of technical & vocational education and training that have been transforming women empowerment and social and economic development process in local level. More so, for promoting social and economic development process, capable and skilled women are equally playing; decision making, leadership, educational and change agent role in the VDC. The study concluded that technical & vocational education and training program conducting in local level help to nourish knowledge, ability and develop vocational skills of women and empowering them. Similarly, empowered women are also playing transformative role in social and economic development process of the VDC. Finally the ideas in which vocational education and training found to be means and ends for women empowerment in this VDC can be replicate in other similar settings.
Understanding the Challenges of Women in Non-Traditional Occupations
Authors: Shrestha Govinda Kumar
Published: August 2016

This qualitative case study research was conducted to understand the perception of women in non-traditional occupations in Nepalese context. Seven participants from four nontraditional occupations, namely electrical, motorcycle mechanics (automobile), light vehicle driving and mechanical lathe operator were selected from Kathmandu valley. The data were collected using interview and focus group discussion.The findings revealed that involvement of Nepalese women in non-traditional occupations are very nominal. It is due to the conventional thinking towards women that they should do only the household chores. Non-traditional occupations for Nepalese women have not been women-friendly, however, they may if they do not feel inferior to male and avoid hesitation to work in these professions. The biggest challenge for women in these professions is the societal disbelief on the women’s work. They are behaved with suspicion by people and the society. Leg pulling and backbiting nature of people towards women in this profession are also the serious problems for them.  Nevertheless, the female participants have got support from their family and organizations. Moreover, they have played significant roles from beginning to date to inspire them to continue their work.
Structural and Antibacterial Properties of PP/CuO Composite Filaments Having Different Cross Sectional Shapes
Authors: Kara S. , Ureyen M. E. , Erdogan U. H.
Published: August 2016

Textile scientists make researches for producing new types of fibers as well as modifying the existing fibers to provide new raw materials for technical textile applications. The easiest way of modifying fiber physical properties is to change the cross sectional shape of a synthetic fiber. Also, composite fibers loaded with different kinds of additives attracted the attention of researchers in the last decades for functionalizing fibers. Some other methods like coating, exhausting, padding or other novel methods can be used for the same purpose. But in these methods, the functional effect is generally not durable enough against several times of washing and abrasion. Also, these methods usually require higher consumption of water and heat when compared to composite fiber production. As a result, in this work the effect of cross sectional modification and composite fiber production were combined in the same fiber. One of the most important functional properties which can be provided by composite fiber production is antibacterial activity. Only a few research papers were published on antibacterial additive doped polypropylene fibers. In this work cupric oxide (CuO) doped antibacterial composite polypropylene (PP) fibers having different cross sectional shapes (circular, trilobal and triangular) were produced and the effect of cross sectional shape and CuO on the antibacterial activity, structural and mechanical properties of the fibers were investigated for the first time. Cross sectional and longitudinal images of composite fibers were evaluated by using optical microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). As the released content of active agent is an important parameter for the activity, durability, environmental and health effect of the product, the copper release from the fibers into the water media was investigated by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Thermal analysis results showed that PP/CuO composite filaments having three different cross sectional shapes can be produced without any significant changes on thermal behavior of fibers. With the increasing content of cupric oxide, tenacities of fibers slightly decreased. Cupric oxide particles also led to some crystallinity changes. All of the composite fibers showed good antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli.
Machining Optimization of HDPE Pipe Using the Taguchi Method and Grey Relational Analysis
Authors: Belhadi S. , Kaddeche M. , Chaoui K. , Yallese M.-A.
Published: August 2016

The demand for the machining and cutting of plastic parts is in continuous increase. The present study is intended to investigate the optimization of high density polyethylene (HDPE-100) orthogonal turning operation using the Grey Relational Analysis (GRA). Accordingly, experimental tests based on Taguchi method are performed to establish a correlation between cutting parameters on one hand and machining force, specific cutting force and roughness of machined surface on the other hand. An optimal parameters combination for the turning process is obtained. In addition to regression models deduction, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) is applied to identify the most significant factors. It is found that the order of the importance of controllable factors to the tangential cutting force (Ft) is feed rate (f), depth of cut (ap) and cutting speed (Vc). However, when considering the importance with respect to specific cutting force (Ks), the order becomes (Vc), (ap) and (f). Finally, the order of cutting parameters according to mean roughness criteria, represented by (Ra), (Rz) and (Rt), shifts to (f), (Vc) and (ap). The optimized cutting regime ensuring minimization of roughness and cutting forces is well described by Vc = 188 m/min, f = 0.14 mm/rev and ap = 3 mm. This study unveiled new approaches based on combined GRA and ANOVA for machining other polymers such as tough reinforced polymers and composites used as human prosthesis.
Evaluation and Optimization of Electrospun Polyvinyl Alcohol Fibers via Taguchi Methodology
Authors: Pirsalami S. , Zebarjad S. M. , Daneshmanesh H.
Published: August 2016

In this study the electrospinning of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was evaluated and optimized for minimum fiber diameter following Taguchi methodology. The effect of four factors including the solution concentration, voltage, flow rate and needle-collector distance each at 3 levels on fiber diameter were investigated. The morphology and the diameter of the fibers were studied by a scanning electron microscope. It was found out from the main effects and the analysis of variance that in the range of levels studied concentration is the most influencing factor on the fiber diameter with a contribution of 89.22 %. Voltage makes a minor contribution of 10.028 % and the flow rate and distance have negligible influence (less than < 1 %). The minimum fiber diameter was predicted to be 381 nm and to be achieved at the combination of concentration of 8 wt.% PVA, voltage of 18 kV, flow rate of 0.7 cm3/h and the distance of 10 cm. Validation experiment resulted in fibers with 390 nm diameter which is in close agreement with the predicted value by the Taguchi technique.
Choosing Optimal Reliability Measures for Passenger Railways: Different Measures for Different Purposes
Authors: Karathodorou Niovi , Condry Ben
Published: August 2016

Reliability is one of the top factors influencing customer satisfaction with passenger rail services. Reliability affects the level of demand for the service, as passengers place a large negative value on delays. This matters to service providers, as it drives the fare revenue, and to policy makers, as it influences mode share. This paper comprises a review of the literature on reliability measurement in public transport, the results of a global survey of suburban rail operators, and an assessment of the value of specific reliability measures. Reliability measures are typically required for three distinct purposes: internal measurements to manage the service; reports to governments, authorities, or franchisors for regulatory purposes; and external reports to customers and the media. Different measures may be optimal for each of these purposes, and careful consideration is required for their definition and use. However, most railways that were surveyed chose their reliability measures on the basis of regulatory obligations or simply because these measures were used elsewhere.
Geotechnical Asset Management Plan: Analysis of Life-Cycle Cost and Risk
Authors: Thompson Paul D. , Beckstrand Darren , Mines Aine , Vessely Mark , Stanley David , Benko Barry
Published: August 2016

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is implementing a geotechnical asset management program for its rock and soil slopes, retaining walls, and material sites. The program includes a geographic inventory, periodic site assessment of condition and risk, and a quantitative investment analysis that includes risk and life-cycle cost. In developing the program, the department has addressed all the requirements of federal laws and the proposed regulations for performance measurement and transportation asset management (TAM) plans. Ultimately, the goal is to include these asset classes within the department’s TAM plan. This paper describes the motivation and goals of the analysis; performance assessment process; means of integrating risk with life-cycle cost; models of treatment cost, effectiveness, and deterioration; and methods for assessing the likelihood and consequences of service disruption. Examples focus on the inputs and results for rock slopes.
Understanding Freight Trip-Chaining Behavior Using a Spatial Data-Mining Approach with GPS Data
Authors: Ma Xiaolei , Wang Yong , McCormack Edward , Wang Yinhai
Published: August 2016

Freight systems are a critical yet complex component of the transportation domain. Understanding the dynamic of freight movements will help in better management of freight demand and eventually improve freight system efficiency. This paper presents a series of data-mining algorithms to extract an individual truck’s trip-chaining information from multiday GPS data. Individual trucks’ anchor points were identified with the spatial clustering algorithm for density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise. The anchor points were linked to construct individual trucks’ trip chains with 3-day GPS data, which showed that 51% of the trucks in the data set had at least one trip chain. A partitioning around medoids nonhierarchical clustering algorithm was applied to group trucks with similar trip-chaining characteristics. Four clusters were generated and validated by visual inspection when the trip-chaining statistics were distinct from each other. This study sheds light on modeling freight-chaining behavior in the context of massive freight GPS data sets. The proposed trip chain extraction and behavior classification algorithms can be readily implemented by transportation researchers and practitioners to facilitate the development of activity-based freight demand models.
Truck–Rail Intermodal Connector Performance Evaluation: Illinois Case Study
Authors: Hafeez Bader , Sturm Karl , Kasemsarn Arnold , Rawling Gerald , Sherman Eric
Published: August 2016

This paper describes the development and use of an open source, geospatially enabled framework and applies that platform to the analysis of freight truck travel time data that were extracted from the National Performance Management Research Dataset (NPMRDS). The NPMRDS is provided by HERE-Navteq and the American Transportation Research Institute under a contract with the U.S. Department of Transportation. The analysis platform is based on the PostgreSQL database and uses the PostGIS extension to enable spatial analysis inside the database. The study team developed a methodology to combine information from the NPMRDS, the National Highway Planning Network, and the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Illinois Roadway Information System statewide roadway inventory. Geographic information system tools and the capabilities of the PostgreSQL database addressed incompatibilities and inconsistencies between supporting data sets and allowed the study team to find, access, use, and combine data from different sources. The study used these data sources to develop roadway performance measures for truck–rail intermodal connectors (IMCs) and compare these connectors with roads that had similar attributes. When compared with roadway segments with similar characteristics, speeds on IMCs often demonstrated greater uniformity and consistency.
Analysis and Experimental Research of a Multilayer Linear Piezoelectric Actuator
Authors: Yuan Songmei , Zhao Yanqiang , Chu Xiangcheng , Zhu Cong , Zhong Zuojin
Published: August 2016

To lower the operating voltage and improve the output performance of piezoelectric actuators, a multilayer monolithic ultrasonic linear piezoelectric actuator was analyzed with the method of finite element analysis (FEA), and a prototype was fabricated and experimentally researched in this study. Experimental results show that the actuator with a multilayer piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) structure (size: 30 × 7.5 × 3 mm3, mass: 5.49 g) can output a pulling force of 5.0 N maximum and a linear velocity up to 270 mm/s at the voltage of 100 Vpp (Vpp means the peak-to-peak value of the voltage volts), showing a relatively good velocity controllability at the same time. The temperature rise characteristic of the actuator at various voltages was studied. The results indicate that: the temperature of this actuator rises rapidly but tends to saturate at some value; applying an offsetting voltage or decreasing the amplitude of the voltage would reduce the heat production.
Dispatching of Wind/Battery Energy Storage Hybrid Systems Using Inner Point Method-Based Model Predictive Control
Authors: Yang Deyou , Wen Jiaxin , Chan Ka-wing , Cai Guowei
Published: August 2016

The application of large scale energy storage makes wind farms more dispatchable, which lowers operating risks to the grid from interconnected large scale wind farms. In order to make full use of the flexibility and controllability of energy storage to improve the schedulability of wind farms, this paper presents a rolling and dispatching control strategy with a battery energy storage system (BESS) based on model predictive control (MPC). The proposed control scheme firstly plans expected output, i.e., dispatching order, of a wind/battery energy storage hybrid system based on the predicted output of the wind farm, then calculates the order in the predictive horizon with the receding horizon optimization and the limitations of energy storage such as state of charge and depth of charge/discharge to maintain the combination of active output of the wind farm and the BESS to track dispatching order at the extreme. The paper shows and analyses the effectiveness of the proposed strategy with different sizes of capacity of the BESS based on the actual output of a certain actual wind farm in the northeast of China. The results show that the proposed strategy that controls the BESS could improve the schedulability of the wind farm and maintain smooth output of wind/battery energy storage hybrid system while tracking the dispatching orders. When the capacity of the BESS is 20% or the rated capacity of the wind farm, the mean dispatching error is only 0.153% of the rated capacity of the wind farm.
TBM/MTM for HTS-FNSF: An Innovative Testing Strategy to Qualify/Validate Fusion Technologies for U.S. DEMO
Authors: El-Guebaly Laila , Rowcliffe Arthur , Menard Jonathan , Brown Thomas
Published: August 2016

The qualification and validation of nuclear technologies are daunting tasks for fusion demonstration (DEMO) and power plants. This is particularly true for advanced designs that involve harsh radiation environment with 14 MeV neutrons and high-temperature operating regimes. This paper outlines the unique qualification and validation processes developed in the U.S., offering the only access to the complete fusion environment, focusing on the most prominent U.S. blanket concept (the dual cooled PbLi (DCLL)) along with testing new generations of structural and functional materials in dedicated test modules. The venue for such activities is the proposed Fusion Nuclear Science Facility (FNSF), which is viewed as an essential element of the U.S. fusion roadmap. A staged blanket testing strategy has been developed to test and enhance the DCLL blanket performance during each phase of FNSF D-T operation. A materials testing module (MTM) is critically important to include in the FNSF as well to test a broad range of specimens of future, more advanced generations of materials in a relevant fusion environment. The most important attributes for MTM are the relevant He/dpa ratio (10–15) and the much larger specimen volumes compared to the 10–500 mL range available in the International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF) and European DEMO-Oriented Neutron Source (DONES).
Development of Touch Probing System Using a Fiber Stylus
Authors: Murakami Hiroshi , Katsuki Akio , Sajima Takao
Published: August 2016

This paper presents a system that can be used for micro-hole measurement; the system comprises an optical fiber stylus that is 5 µm in diameter. The stylus deflects when it comes into contact with the measured surface; this deflection is measured optically. In this study, the design parameters of the optical system are determined using a ray-tracing method, and a prototype of the probing system is fabricated to verify ray-tracing simulation results; furthermore, the performance of the system is evaluated experimentally. The results show that the design parameters of this system can be determined using ray-tracing; the resolution of the measurement system using this shaft was approximately 3 nm, and the practicality of this system was confirmed by measuring the shape of a micro-hole 100 µm in diameter and 475 µm in depth.
Space Debris Removal: A Game Theoretic Analysis
Authors: Klima Richard , Bloembergen Daan , Savani Rahul , Tuyls Karl , Hennes Daniel , Izzo Dario
Published: August 2016

We analyse active space debris removal efforts from a strategic, game-theoretical perspective. Space debris is non-manoeuvrable, human-made objects orbiting Earth, which pose a significant threat to operational spacecraft. Active debris removal missions have been considered and investigated by different space agencies with the goal to protect valuable assets present in strategic orbital environments. An active debris removal mission is costly, but has a positive effect for all satellites in the same orbital band. This leads to a dilemma: each agency is faced with the choice between the individually costly action of debris removal, which has a positive impact on all players; or wait and hope that others jump in and do the ‘dirty’ work. The risk of the latter action is that, if everyone waits, the joint outcome will be catastrophic, leading to what in game theory is referred to as the ‘tragedy of the commons’. We introduce and thoroughly analyse this dilemma using empirical game theory and a space debris simulator. We consider two- and three-player settings, investigate the strategic properties and equilibria of the game and find that the cost/benefit ratio of debris removal strongly affects the game dynamics.
Sleep Disturbance from Road Traffic, Railways, Airplanes and from Total Environmental Noise Levels in Montreal
Authors: Perron Stéphane , Plante Céline , Ragettli Martina , Kaiser David , Goudreau Sophie , Smargiassi Audrey
Published: August 2016

The objective of our study was to measure the impact of transportation-related noise and total environmental noise on sleep disturbance for the residents of Montreal, Canada. A telephone-based survey on noise-related sleep disturbance among 4336 persons aged 18 years and over was conducted. LNight for each study participant was estimated using a land use regression (LUR) model. Distance of the respondent’s residence to the nearest transportation noise source was also used as an indicator of noise exposure. The proportion of the population whose sleep was disturbed by outdoor environmental noise in the past 4 weeks was 12.4%. The proportion of those affected by road traffic, airplane and railway noise was 4.2%, 1.5% and 1.1%, respectively. We observed an increased prevalence in sleep disturbance for those exposed to both rail and road noise when compared for those exposed to road only. We did not observe an increased prevalence in sleep disturbance for those that were both exposed to road and planes when compared to those exposed to road or planes only. We developed regression models to assess the marginal proportion of sleep disturbance as a function of estimated LNight and distance to transportation noise sources. In our models, sleep disturbance increased with proximity to transportation noise sources (railway, airplane and road traffic) and with increasing LNight values. Our study provides a quantitative estimate of the association between total environmental noise levels estimated using an LUR model and sleep disturbance from transportation noise.
Parentage-Based Group Composition and Dispersal Pattern Studies of the Yangtze Finless Porpoise Population in Poyang Lake
Authors: Chen Minmin , Zheng Yang , Hao Yujiang , Mei Zhigang , Wang Kexiong , Zhao Qingzhong , Zheng Jinsong , Wang Ding
Published: August 2016

Social behaviors are poorly known for the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise (YFP, Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis). Here, group composition and dispersal patterns of the YFP population living in the Poyang Lake were studied by parentage-based pedigree analyses using 21 microsatellite loci and a 597 bp segment of the mitochondrial DNA control region. In this study, 21 potential mother-offspring pairs and six potential father-offspring pairs (including two potential parents-offspring pairs) were determined, among which 12 natural mother-offspring groups and a maternal group of three generations were found. No genetically-determined fathers were found associated with their offspring. This study also found that maternally related porpoises at the reproductive state tend to group together. This suggest maternal relationship and reproductive state may be factors for grouping in the YFP population. In natural mother-offspring groups, male offspring were all younger than two years old, which suggest male offspring may leave their mothers at approximately two years of age, or at least they were not in tight association with their mothers as they may have been under two years old. However, female offspring can stay longer with their mothers and can reproduce in the natal group.
Urinary Metabolic Phenotyping Reveals Differences in the Metabolic Status of Healthy and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Children in Relation to Growth and Disease Activity
Authors: Martin Francois-Pierre , Ezri Jessica , Cominetti Ornella , Da Silva Laeticia , Kussmann Martin , Godin Jean-Philippe , Nydegger Andreas
Published: August 2016

Background: Growth failure and delayed puberty are well known features of children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), in addition to the chronic course of the disease. Urinary metabonomics was applied in order to better understand metabolic changes between healthy and IBD children. Methods: 21 Pediatric patients with IBD (mean age 14.8 years, 8 males) were enrolled from the Pediatric Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinic over two years. Clinical and biological data were collected at baseline, 6, and 12 months. 27 healthy children (mean age 12.9 years, 16 males) were assessed at baseline. Urine samples were collected at each visit and subjected to 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Results: Using 1H NMR metabonomics, we determined that urine metabolic profiles of IBD children differ significantly from healthy controls. Metabolic differences include central energy metabolism, amino acid, and gut microbial metabolic pathways. The analysis described that combined urinary urea and phenylacetylglutamine—two readouts of nitrogen metabolism—may be relevant to monitor metabolic status in the course of disease. Conclusion: Non-invasive sampling of urine followed by metabonomic profiling can elucidate and monitor the metabolic status of children in relation to disease status. Further developments of omic-approaches in pediatric research might deliver novel nutritional and metabolic hypotheses.