bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water Conservation—Whole Effluent Toxicity Paradox
Authors: Fort Douglas J. , Meyers Jeffrey D. , Page Michael W. , Hercyk Neta L.
Published: January 2013

Total dissolved solids (TDS) management in water has become an increasingly important topic as competition for water supply sources and the intensity of use both increase. Regulatory failure of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) whole effluent toxicity (WET) tests is one of several potential factors in managing TDS concentrations in effluent. Consequently, WET tests have become a de facto concentration standard that sets the limit for the intensity of water use and the amount of water conservation feasibly obtained for a facility. Conflicting regulations dealing with the application of mixing zones and antidegradation policies can prevent water conservation and actually result in the unintended consequence of causing more water use. The impact of TDS on NPDES‐required WET tests, conflicting regulations dealing with the application of mixing zones that are counter‐productive to water conservation, alternative practices currently being used, and other means of rectifying this paradox are discussed.
Evaluation of Gasoline‐Denatured Ethanol as a Carbon Source for Denitrification
Authors: Kazasi Anna , Boardman Gregory D. , Bott Charles B.
Published: January 2013

In this study concerning denitrification, the performance of three carbon sources, methanol (MeOH), ethanol (EtOH) and gasoline‐denatured ethanol (dEtOH), was compared and evaluated on the basis of treatment efficiency, inhibition potential and cost. The gasoline denaturant considered here contained mostly aliphatic compounds and little of the components that typically boost the octane rating, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes. Results were obtained using three lab‐scale SBRs operated at SRT of 12.0±0.9 days. After biomass was acclimated, denitrification rates with dEtOH were similar to those of EtOH (201±50 and 197±28 NO3‐N/g MLVSS·d, respectively), and higher than those of MeOH (165±49 mg NO3‐N/g MLVSS·d). The denaturant did not affect biomass production, nitrification or denitrification. Effluent soluble COD concentrations were always less than the analytical detection limit. Although the cost of dEtOH ($2.00/kg nitrate removed) was somewhat higher than that of methanol ($1.63/kg nitrate removed), the use of dEtOH is very promising and utilities will have to decide if it is worth paying a little extra to take advantage of its benefits.
Liaison Officer for International Medical Graduates: Research Findings from Australia
Authors: McGrath Pam , Henderson David , Holewa Hamish A.
Published: January 2013

There is an increasing international movement of physicians, with substantial numbers of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) now seeking jobs outside the countries in which they were educated. For IMGs there are potential elements of crisis and loss associated with this transition. This article presents findings from Australian-based research which explores the IMGs' experience during entry to their chosen country and posits the need for a designated liaison officer to help support the transition. The research was based on thirty open-ended, qualitative interviews which were coded and thematically analyzed. The findings document factors associated with the decision to leave their country of origin, psycho-social aspects of stress experienced upon arrival in Australia, and the participants' perspective on the suggestion for the appointment of a hospital-based liaison officer to assist IMGs during the transition process.
Kinetics of the decomposition reaction of phosphorite concentrate
Authors: Huang Run , Lv Xuewei , Pan Cheng , Li Donghai , Enguangguo E
Published: January 2013

Apatite is the raw material, which is mainly used in phosphate fertilizer,
and part are used in yellow phosphorus, red phosphorus, and phosphoric acid
in the industry. With the decrease of the high grade phosphorite lump, the
agglomeration process is necessary for the phosphorite concentrate after
beneficiation process. The decomposition behavior and the phase
transformation are of vital importance for the agglomeration process of
phosphorite. In this study, the thermal kinetic analysis method was used to
study the kinetics of the decomposition of phosphorite concentrate. The
phosphorite concentrate was heated under various heating rate, and the phases
in the sample heated were examined by the X-ray diffraction method. It was
found that the main phases in the phosphorite are fluorapatiteCa5(PO4)3F,
quartz SiO2,and dolomite CaMg(CO3)2.The endothermic DSC peak corresponding to
the mass loss caused by the decomposition of dolomite covers from 600?C to
850?C. The activation energy of the decomposition of dolomite, which
increases with the increase in the extent of conversion, is about
71.6~123.6kJ/mol. The mechanism equation for the decomposition of dolomite
agrees with the Valensi equation and G-B equation.
Ontology-based architecture with recommendation strategy in java tutoring system
Authors: Vesin Boban , Ivanovic Mirjana , Klasnja-Milicevic Aleksandra , Budimac Zoran
Published: January 2013

The aim of Semantic Web is to provide distributed information with
well-defined meaning, understandable for humans as well as machines.
E-learning is an important domain which can be benefited from the Semantic
Web technology. Ontologies, as a building structure of Semantic Web, will
fundamentally change the way in which e-learning systems are constructed. The
explicit conceptualization of system components in a form of ontology
facilitates knowledge sharing, knowledge reuse, communication and
collaboration among system components, and construction of intensive and
expressive systems. In previous research, we implemented tutoring system
named Protus (PRogramming TUtoring System) that is used for learning basic
concepts of Java programming language. Protus uses principles of learner
style identification and content recommendation for course personalization.
The new version of the system called Protus 2.0, supported by several
ontologies, as well as examples of its usage for performing personalization
are presented in this paper. Architecture of new system extends the usage of
Semantic Web concepts, where the representation of each Protus 2.0 component
is made by a specific ontology, making possible a clear separation of the
tutoring system components and explicit communication among them.
A Longitudinal Examination of Enterprise Resource Planning System Post-Implementation Enhancements
Authors: Cao Jian , Nicolaou Andreas I. , Bhattacharya Somnath
Published: January 2013

Past information systems research on real options suggests that large-scale information technology projects, such as enterprise resource planning systems (ERPS), create various future options for system reconfiguration and extension. Management would decide whether to exercise an option according to future conditions. From the real options lens, we conduct a longitudinal examination of the determinants of post-implementation enhancement decisions for firms that have previously reported ERPS adoptions. We find that proactive ERPS adopters that employ performance-enhancing post-implementation review (PIR) practices and obtain favorable performance outcomes are more likely to make system enhancements. Evidence also shows that management likely makes joint decisions on PIR uses and ERPS enhancements, consistent with the view that managers perform gateway reviews at points where potential enhancement opportunities are present. Moreover, management tends to delay the enhancing decision until after the initial results are in place. Overall, our findings are consistent with the logic of real options, suggesting that managers make heuristic evaluations for general conditions that allow for future contingent investments.
Clinical Evaluation of Self-etch and Total-etch Adhesive Systems in Noncarious Cervical Lesions: A Two-year Report
Authors: Burgess JO , Sadid-Zadeh R , Cakir D , Ramp LC
Published: January 2013

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical performance of two self-etch dental adhesives with Single Bond Plus, a traditional one-bottle total-etch dental adhesive, for the restoration of noncarious cervical lesions.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 156 restorations were placed in noncarious cervical lesions with a minimum depth of 1.5 mm. Patients had no chronic periodontal disease and had normal salivary function. Each patient received restorations on three teeth, each bonded with either Adper Single Bond Plus, Adper Easy Bond, or Adper Scotchbond SE dental adhesive. All lesions were restored with Filtek Supreme Plus composite resin. All teeth were isolated with a rubber dam, received a short enamel bevel, and were cleaned with flour of pumice. The adhesives and resin composite were applied following the manufacturers' instructions. Restorations were clinically evaluated at baseline, six months, one year, and two years using modified US Public Health Service criteria.

Results:

Two-year retention was recorded as 97.3%, 90.5%, and 95.2%, for Single Bond Plus, Scotchbond SE, and Easy Bond, respectively. Statistical analysis did not show a significant difference (p>0.05) in clinical performance between any of the three adhesives after a period of two years.
Effects of infrared camera angle and distance on measurement and reproducibility of thermographically determined temperatures of the distolateral aspects of the forelimbs in horses
Authors: Westermann Simone , Buchner Heinz H. F. , Schramel Johannes P. , Tichy Alexander , Stanek Christian
Published: January 2013

Objective—To assess effects of camera angle and distance on measurement and reproducibility of thermographically determined temperatures of the distolateral aspect of the forelimbs in horses.

Design—Evaluation study.

Animals—10 adult horses.

Procedures—Thermographic images of both forelimbs were obtained at 3 times during the day (replicates 1, 2, and 3); maximum surface temperature over 1 region (distolateral aspect of the third metacarpal bone and metacarpophalangeal joint) was measured. Standard images were obtained every 5 minutes for 1 hour with the camera positioned at an angle of 90° and a distance of 1.0 m from the forelimb; additional images were obtained at changed (± 20°) angles or at a 1.5-m distance. At the end of each replicate, 4 sets of additional images were obtained at 2-minute intervals to assess short-term reproducibility.

Results—Mean ± SD temperature difference between left and right forelimbs was 0.32° ± 0.27°C (0.58° ± 0.49°F) in standard images. Temperatures measured via standard images were highly correlated with those measured with the camera positioned at changed angles or distance. Mean ± SD differences between temperatures measured via standard images and those measured from changed angles or distance were considered small (≤ 0.22° ± 0.18°C [0.40° ± 0.32°F] for all comparisons). The degree of short-term reproducibility was high.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Thermographically determined temperatures were unaffected by 20° changes in camera angle or a 0.5-m increase in camera distance from the forelimb. Minor temperature differences between left and right forelimbs were detected in the study and should be considered during diagnostic investigations.
Deterioration of solid insulation for thermal degradation of transformer oil
Authors: Karthik R. , Sree Renga Raja T. , Sudhakar T.
Published: January 2013

Power transformers are the most vital components of power system. Insulation used in power transformers are of insulating fluids and solid insulation system like pressboard, Kraft paper. In this work an effort has been made to investigate the detoriation of solid insulation systems for thermal degradation of transformer oil. The aging degree of solid insulation system is examined through Atomic force Microscope (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques.
Editorial Vol.2(1)
Authors: Editor The
Published: January 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ntdr.v2i1.7377 Nepal Tourism and Development Review Vol.2(1) 2012
Impact of Tourism on Local Employment and Incomes in Three Selected Destinations: Case Studies of Sauraha, Nagarkot and Bhaktapur
Authors: Banskota Kamal
Published: January 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ntdr.v2i1.7378 Nepal Tourism and Development Review Vol.2(1) 2012 1-31
Roles and Challenges of Women in Tourism Sector of Western Nepal: A Micro- Ethnographic Study
Authors: KC Sony
Published: January 2013

This paper examines the association of women and men in tourism, with particular focus on women’s choices in picking roles, and challenges they encounter based on the roles they perform. This is a qualitative research paper based on the perceptions and expectations of women. It utilizes a month’s field data from a few villages of Western Nepal. The information is extracted from key informant interviews, participant observations, focus group discussions along with existing literatures and policy document reviews. Findings reveal that roles are determined by factors such as education, family background, physical condition, language, and the ability to set one’s own criteria. The gender-based roles are determined by demands of tourists and the demand for the nature of work. Unbearable workloads as referred to were undone dishes, laundry, children’s demand and pressure from in-laws. Challenges such as lack of secure job, bullying by close relatives and the ultimate failure in balancing family and work were mentioned. Families were determined as the crucial role players in shaping the lives of these women who perceived that a little support from family members made their roles easier. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ntdr.v2i1.7379 Nepal Tourism and Development Review Vol.2(1) 2012 32-59
Linkage between Tourism and Climate Change: A Study of the Perceptions of Stakeholders along the Annapurna Trekking Trail
Authors: Rayamajhi Shraddha
Published: January 2013

This paper explores the relationship between tourism and climate change. It takes the perceptions of the stakeholders in the tourism sector, mainly the lodge-owners, guides and tourists in the Annapurna Trekking Trail. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ntdr.v2i1.7380 Nepal Tourism and Development Review Vol.2(1) 2012 60-86
Conflict in World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley: A Case Study on the Conservation of Private Houses in Three Durbar Squares
Authors: Maharjan Monalisa
Published: January 2013

Conflict between heritage management authorities and the local residents has been critical to sustainable management of the World Heritage Sites (WHS) in Kathmandu Valley. This paper attempts to find out the reasons of such conflict by analyzing the facets of prevalent non-compliance of rules and regulations in Kathmandu Valley’s three World Heritage Sites: Hanuman Dhoka, Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares. This is a qualitative analysis of perceptions, understanding and interests of the local people and the heritage management authorities. The paper also reviews the existing national and international policy provisions on conservation of WHS and makes special notes about the conservation of private houses in the WHS. Cases were selected using snow-ball sampling technique. Structured interviews were conducted with key informants including concerned government officials and the local residents. The findings include such reasons of non-compliance of WHS regulations as overlapping and unclear roles of multiple institutions involved in the management of the WHS, lack of public participation in decision making, inadequate economic incentives to locals, ineffective implementation of compliance mechanisms. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ntdr.v2i1.7381 Nepal Tourism and Development Review Vol.2(1) 2012 87-104
Home-stay: Assessment in Lwang Ghalel
Authors: Thapaliya Mandira , Rai Ganga Sagar , Shrestha Abhash , Parajuli Binaya , Pande Ojeswee
Published: January 2013

Home-stay tourism is a community-based programme introduced by the Government of Nepal, where tourists can have interaction and direct experience of the day-to-day life of the community. The concept of home-stay addresses the theme of eco-tourism in Nepal. The programme’s preliminary positive impact on women, local economy, environment, children and the community shows the effectiveness of the home-stay approach. This approach preserves the rural lifestyle, culture and identity. A growing number of locals are operating the home-stay programme, offering tourists a window into their local culture in areas without hotels. This paper briefly outlines the findings of a field research on the different aspects of home-stay tourism in Wards 2 and 3 of Lwang Ghalel Village Development Committee in Kaski district1. The study includes aspects which both help promote as well as adversely affect the operation of home-stay in the study area. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ntdr.v2i1.7382 Nepal Tourism and Development Review Vol.2(1) 2012 105-140
Impact of Tourism in the Local Economy of Bhaktapur
Authors: Shahi Bijay Kumar
Published: January 2013

This paper outlines the major aspects of tourism in Bhaktapur. The focus is to describe how tourism influences the economy of Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur is one of the famous tourist destinations in Nepal. As it is just 11.2 km away from Kathmandu, it is recognized by travels and tours operators as a half-day sightseeing package. Many tourists also prefer staying in Bhaktapur as it is comparatively cleaner and more peaceful than Kathmandu. The fact that Bhaktapur lies on the way to various other famous tourist hot-spots such as Nagarkot and Dhulikhel has also helped to increase tourism in Bhaktapur. Major attractions of Bhaktapur famous among tourists include Taumadhi Square, Durbar Square, Pottery Square, and Dattatreya Square. Besides, there are various other places which, if promoted, can become famous among tourists. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ntdr.v2i1.7383 Nepal Tourism and Development Review Vol.2(1) 2012 141-147
Impact of Tourism in the Local Economy of Sauraha
Authors: Dongol Prabin
Published: January 2013

This study explores the aspects of Chitwan as a tourist destination. The discussion is based on a field work in Chitwan National Park (CNP), Sauraha. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ntdr.v2i1.7384 Nepal Tourism and Development Review Vol.2(1) 2012 148-154
Tourism and Its Impact on the Local Economy of Nagarkot
Authors: Rai Sumita
Published: January 2013

Nagarkot is a popular holiday destination 32 km north-east from the capital city, Kathmandu. It is situated at the altitude of 7, 200 feet. The place is known specifically for its dawn time, for a beautiful view of sunrise over the Eastern Himalayas. The best time to visit Nagarkot would be between October and March. Monsoon clouds obstruct wonderful views between June and September. Nagarkot is very much a resort village, where people come to escape the sweltering heat of the city and stay overnight. Very few visitors stay longer. This article, using field-notes, briefly describes the status of tourism at Nagarkot. The study takes the case of four major aspects of tourism industry – accommodations, restaurants, tourists and outlets – to examine the impact of tourism in the local economy. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ntdr.v2i1.7385 Nepal Tourism and Development Review Vol.2(1) 2012 155-159
Nepal's investment climate: Leveraging the private sector job creation and growth.
Authors: Banskota Mahesh
Published: January 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ntdr.v2i1.7386 Nepal Tourism and Development Review Vol.2(1) 2012 160-167
Empirical Analysis of Spatial Transferability of Tour-Generation Models
Authors: Nowrouzian Roosbeh , Srinivasan Sivaramakrishnan
Published: January 2013

This study examines the transferability of tour-generation models between three metropolitan regions in Florida. Naïve transfer methods are examined to assess the performance of the transferred models (from two other regions) to that of the locally estimated model. The assessment is done in the context of the generation of four tour purposes. Transferability is evaluated with multiple measures such as aggregate and disaggregate predictive abilities and the aggregate elasticities to specific socioeconomic factors. The results indicate that a transferred model that does best with aggregate predictions is not guaranteed to give better performance with elasticities regarding specific factors. For any pair of regions, and for a given metric for assessing transferability, the models for all tour purposes are not equally transferable. Finally, transfer ability is not symmetric. All these issues underscore the need to administer caution in borrowing parameters from one region for use in another.
Joint Travel Demand and Environmental Model to Incorporate Emission Pricing for Large Transportation Networks
Authors: Mishra Sabyasachee , Welch Timothy F.
Published: January 2013

Emission reduction strategies are gaining greater attention as a support of the national objective for a sustainable and green transportation system. A large percentage of the emission contribution that arises from transportation modes are primarily from auto and truck travel. Reductions in highway travel require prudent planning strategies and modeling user response to planner's policies. Modeling planning goals and user response is a challenging task. In this paper a joint travel demand and environmental model incorporates vehicle emission pricing (VEP) as a strategy for emission reduction. First, the travel demand model determines the destination, mode, and route choice of the users in response to the VEP strategy set by the planner. Second, the emission model provides oxides of nitrogen, volatile organic compounds, and carbon dioxide estimates at a very detailed level. A base case and three models incorporate VEP in a multimodal transportation network. The objective function of the base case is the minimization of total system travel time, and the models are designed with the objective of minimizing total system emissions. The user equilibrium method is used for travel to model user responses and is solved by the Frank–Wolfe algorithm. The base case represents do-nothing conditions, and the three models address the interactions between planner's perspectives and user responses to VEP strategies. The proposed model is applied to the multimodal transportation network of Montgomery County (located in the Washington, D.C.–Baltimore, Maryland, region). The case study results show that VEP can be used as a tool for emission reduction in transportation planning and policy.
Network Equilibrium Model with Dogit and Nested Logit Structures
Authors: Chu You-Lian
Published: January 2013

This paper develops a combined equilibrium model for the simultaneous prediction of trip distribution, mode choice, and trip assignment. Trip distribution is formulated as a dogit model to take into account travel behavior of compulsory (work) and discretionary (nonwork) trips. Mode choice is given by a two-level nested logit model to avoid the independence from irrelevant alternatives restriction. Trip assignment is based on Wardrop's user-equilibrium principle. The log sums of the mode choice model were computed and fed back into the trip distribution step. Under this iterative process, destination choice of discretionary trips would respond to changing travel cost conditions occurring in mode choice and trip assignment steps, whereas destination choice of compulsory trips would remain fixed in the study time period. The proposed combined trip distribution, mode choice, and trip assignment (CDMA) model was reformulated as an equivalent convex programming problem with linear constraints and applied empirically to a county-level network in New Jersey. The results indicate that the CDMA model is better than the commonly used logit combined model in reproducing the observed link flows, origin–destination (O-D) trip flows, and O-D trip flows by mode.
Systematic Framework for Assessing Traffic Measures and Policies on Reliability of Traffic Operations and Travel Time
Authors: van Lint Hans , Miete Onno , Taale Henk , Hoogendoorn Serge
Published: January 2013

With the reliability of travel time high on the political agenda, tools are needed to predict these indicators for the reliability of travel time in ex ante evaluations. In this paper such a framework is developed for assessing traffic measures and policies under a range of scenarios, with a particular focus on the resulting travel time distribution. The framework uses Monte Carlo sampling to generate stochastic realizations of demand and supply characteristics. The former characteristics relate to variations in travel patterns, the latter to variations in drive behavior (capacities, speeds). An extensive effort is made to account for variability in demand and supply resulting from weather, road work, special events, and so forth. The overall conclusion is that incorporating the variability of demand and supply characteristics has a large effect on the results of evaluation studies. This effect is demonstrated in an example case on a real Dutch traffic network, in which a typical dynamic measure, the opening of a peak hour lane, is evaluated with the framework. In this case, the average demand and supply conditions used for the one-shot evaluation lead to an underestimation of spillback effects, which are captured when evaluating over a wide range of demand and supply characteristics. As a result, the gains in average travel time are significantly underestimated in the one-shot procedure (6% instead of 26%). Further research should focus on improving speed and validity over a wider range of circumstances of the developed framework.
A Climate Change for Modeling: California's Innovative Legislation Heats up a Frozen Practice
Authors: Newmark Gregory L. , Deakin Elizabeth
Published: January 2013

Travel demand modeling is a key tool in transportation planning, but the practice of such modeling at metropolitan planning organizations has been widely criticized as resistant to innovation. This resistance is a major concern for transportation planners who would like to investigate policy options such as value pricing and smart growth, which are poorly considered with traditional methods. Advanced modeling methodologies are better suited for such policy analysis but, to date, attempts to systematically encourage such practices have not been successful. An emerging exception to this pattern is the experience of the state of California, whose pioneering climate change legislation has launched a multipronged challenge to the modeling status quo. This paper examines the enabling legislation, the subsequent guidance, and the implementation experience of the state's 18 metropolitan planning organizations to understand the combination of elements that are advancing modeling practice. The findings suggest that modeling can be advanced effectively when such innovations are seen as necessary for fulfilling a policy mandate. California identified travel demand modeling as essential for estimating greenhouse gas reductions of proposed land use and transportation policies. This recognition led to formal steps to overhaul and extend state modeling guidelines, dedicate funding for model development, daylight existing modeling practices, and establish a path toward implementing innovation. These steps have cultivated informal linkages among stakeholders that have proved critical to altering existing modeling practice. Although the California experiment remains ongoing, the early experience provides critical lessons for other regions seeking to use legislation to advance the practice of travel demand modeling.
Estimating Discrete Choice Models with Incomplete Data
Authors: Newman Jeffrey , Ferguson Mark E. , Garrow Laurie A.
Published: January 2013

In this paper a new approach is developed for estimating discrete choice modeling parameters for data sets in which one of the alternatives is never observed to have been chosen. This estimation approach, inspired by methods used in revenue management, is applied to a multinomial logit model that has a full set of identifiable alternative specific constants. Parameter estimates are found by combining disaggregate data (obtained from a random or exogenous sample) with aggregate observations of market shares for the observed choices. The method provides an estimate of the market share for the alternative that was not observed to be chosen in the estimation data set. This estimate is significant because it suggests that the transportation community can forecast demand for a new alternative or demand for alternatives that are expensive to collect with intercept surveys without having observations for individuals who have chosen these alternatives. The methodology can be extended to other generalized extreme value models.
Accuracy of Zonal Socioeconomic Forecasts for Travel Demand Modeling: Retrospective Case Study
Authors: McCray Danielle R. , Miller John S. , Hoel Lester A.
Published: January 2013

Modeling for urban travel demand begins with 20-year forecasts of population, households, vehicle ownership, and employment for a region's individual transportation analysis zones. Yet even though these models rely on socioeconomic forecasts, the long-term accuracy of such models has not received attention, especially for smaller regions with limited planning staff. This paper reports on a case study of the socioeconomic predictions made in 1980 for a horizon year of 2000, by comparing predicted and actual results in Lynchburg, Virginia. The region percentage error reflects the difference between forecast and observed values for the entire region. Although regional forecasts for the number of vehicles and employment showed errors of less than 10%, those forecasts for population and households showed errors of 48% and 14%, respectively. The failure of planned development in two of the region's 68 zones accounted for much of this error, such that removal of these two zones lowered population and household region percentage errors to 10% and 1%, respectively. The zone percentage error is the average of all individual zone percentage errors. Even after removal of the two aforementioned zones, population, households, vehicles, and employment had strikingly large zone percent errors of 39%, 48%, 45%, and 136%, respectively. These results make a compelling case for executing the regional travel demand model twice: once with the given socioeconomic forecasts and once with forecasts modified on the basis of expected errors. For regions that have not conducted an assessment such as that presented here, the expected errors from this paper may be used.
Modeling Household Fleet Choice as Function of Fuel Price by Using a Multiple Discrete–Continuous Choice Model
Authors: Jäggi Boris , Erath Alexander , Dobler Christoph , Axhausen Kay W.
Published: January 2013

In this paper a new model of fleet choice for households uses the multiple discrete–continuous extreme value (MDCEV) model as a framework. The aim is to establish a model to allocate car types to activity-based microscopic agent-based transport simulations. What is new in the presented model is that choice is influenced by fuel price in addition to socioeconomic attributes of households. To model a range of fuel prices up to US$20/gal, a database from a sophisticated stated adaption survey about residential mobility choice in approximately 400 Swiss households was used. The model had a choice set of 17 alternatives distinguishing car type and drivetrain. In the MDCEV model, a household chooses multiple car types and distributes an overall budget of vehicle miles traveled to chosen alternatives. The model shows that fuel price has a much greater influence on the selection of the car type than on the use (vehicle miles traveled) of a car. In a certain range of fuel prices, households tend to switch from gasoline to diesel cars. When fuel prices become too high, alternative fuel technologies are considered.
Practical Considerations in Implementing Reliability of Travel Time in Forecasting of Regionwide Travel
Authors: Horowitz Alan J. , Granato Sam
Published: January 2013

The reliability of travel time has been shown to influence travelers’ decisions as to choice of destination and choice of route. This paper explores options for the inclusion of travel time reliability into a regional travel forecasting model and tests those options on a full-size network in the Wheeling, West Virginia, metropolitan area. Options include two path-building algorithms, parameters (locally derived versus borrowed) for the coefficient of variation of link travel time, and the size of the reliability ratio, which is the weight for the standard deviation of travel time when included in the path impedance function. The two path-building algorithms are the naïve algorithm, which does not find shortest paths but weights reliability the same on each link, and the shortest marginal algorithm, which does find shortest paths but emphasizes variations in delays on links earliest in a path. The tests are not considered definitive because of the relatively low congestion levels in Wheeling, but there were indications that the naïve algorithm and borrowed parameters performed best. The experience showed that including travel time reliability in regionwide travel forecasts is straightforward, there are ample resources to establish reasonable parameters, no compromises need to be made for implementation, and the computational burden is modest. However, it is important that any model have good travel time and delay estimates to begin with before reliability is layered on as another consideration for path selection.
Ice-edge detection from Japanese C-band radar and high-frequency radar coastal stations
Authors: Shirasawa K. , Ebuchi N. , Leppäranta M. , Takatsuka T.
Published: January 2013

A C-band sea-ice radar (SIR) network system was operated to monitor the sea-ice conditions off the Okhotsk Sea coast of northern Hokkaido, Japan, from 1969 to 2004. The system was based on three radar stations, which were capable of continuously monitoring the sea surface as far as 60 km offshore along a 250 km long coastal section. In 2004 the SIR system was closed down and a sea surface monitoring programme was commenced using high-frequency (HF) radar; this system provides information on surface currents in open-water conditions, while areas with ‘no signal’ can be identified as sea ice. The present study compares HF radar data with SIR data to evaluate their feasibility for sea-ice remote sensing. The period of overlapping data was 1.5 months. The results show that HF radar information can be utilized for ice-edge mapping although it cannot fully compensate for the loss of the SIR system. In particular, HF radar does not provide ice concentration, ice roughness and geometrical structures or ice kinematics. The probability of ice-edge detection by HF radar was 0.9 and the correlation of the ice-edge distance between the radars was 0.7.
Spatial distribution characteristics of sea-ice-hazard risk in Bohai, China
Authors: Gu Wei , Liu Chengyu , Yuan Shuai , Li Ning , Chao Jinlong , Li Lantao , Xu Yingjun
Published: January 2013

Sea-ice hazard causes serious harm to aquaculture, marine navigation, offshore oil production and other activities in the Bohai Sea, China. To study the spatial distribution characteristics of sea-ice-hazard risk in Bohai is therefore desirable. The thickness and area of sea ice in the Bohai Sea during the winters (December–March) of 1987–2011 were estimated using data from the NOAA (US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) satellite. The sea-ice thickness was converted into a sea-ice-hazard index after defining this index, and the different sea-ice-hazard risk grades were classified. The occurrence probability of sea-ice hazard was also calculated using fuzzy risk theory, and the spatial distribution characteristics of sea-ice-hazard risk in the Bohai Sea were studied. The results show that the sea-ice-hazard risk for offshore aquaculture decreased as the offshore distance increased. All the oilfields in Liaodong Bay are influenced by sea-ice hazard, two of the fields in Bohai Bay are slightly affected and the remaining fields are not influenced. The risk for marine navigation is related to the location of the port and the distance from the port. The risk in the port area is the highest; it is reduced by more than 30% at distances 10 km away from the port.
Don't we need diagnostic facilities for genetically determined diseases?
Authors: Biswas SK
Published: January 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v6i1.13279Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2013; 6(1): 3-4
Effects of Pleurotus ostreatus on Blood Pressure and Glycemic Status of Hypertensive Diabetic Male Volunteers
Authors: Choudhury MBK , Rahman T , Kakon AJ , Hoque N , Akhtaruzzaman M , Begum MM , Choudhuri MSK , Hossain MS
Published: January 2013

Different species of mushrooms are being used increasingly for their nutritional and medicinal values. They are used in traditional medical practice in the treatment and prevention of diabetes, obesity, heart diesaes, hyperacidity, cancer and hypertension. This study was designed to see the effects of Pleurotus ostreatus on blood pressure and glycemic status of hypertensive diabetic male volunteers. The study was carried out in the National Mushroom development and Extension Center (NAMDEC) laboratory, Savar, Dhaka in collaboration with the Department of Pharmacy along with the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jahangirnagar University. A total of 27 hypertensive male volunteers suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus with age range of 32 to 68 years, who were free from renal impairment and other known acute or chronic diseases were included in the study. Blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c and serum creatinine were measured before and after 3 months of regular intake of 3 grams mushroom powder capsule daily in in 3 divided doses. However they were allowed to continue the drugs they were taking already. The study showed that after 3 months of regular intake of Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly (p<0.001). It was also observed that, Pleurotus ostreatus decreased fasting plasma glucose level significantly (p<0.001). Reduction of HbA1c % observed after 3 months of mushroom intake was found to be significant (p<0.001). But there was no significant change of plasma creatinine level (p>0.05) indicating Pleurotus ostreatus has no detrimental effect on renal system. From the study, it can be said that, Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom intake improves glycemic status and blood pressure control in diabetic hypertensive subjects. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v6i1.13280 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2013; 6(1): 5-10
Study of High Sensitive C-Reactive Protein in Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Ferdous BA , Sultana N , Ahmed S , Khan EH , Atia F , Sultana S , Shahnaj A
Published: January 2013

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a sensitive marker of inflammation, and elevated levels have been associated with future risk of myocardial infarction (MI). Even elevated CRP in healthy men and women can predict the future coronary events. This cross-sectional analytical study was undertaken to observe association between high hsCRP level with chronic ischaemic heart disease and was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from July 2010 to June 2011. A total 50 cases were selected purposively according to the selection criteria form the patients admitted in the Department of Cardiology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital with chronic ischaemic heart disease (IHD). Diagnosed IHD patients were taken as cases; age- and sex-matched 50 healthy subjects were taken as controls. Serum hsCRP and serum TC, TAG, LDL-C and HDL-C were measured in all study subjects. The mean serum hsCRP concentration in cases and controls were 11.22±7.64 mg/dl and 1.72±0.98 mg/dl respectively. Serum hsCRP, Total Cholesterol, TAG and LDL-C were significantly higher in cases than control subjects. Serum HDL-C was significantly lower in cases than control subjects. The present study reveals that the patients of chronic ischemic heart disease have been found to have close association of increased level of hsCRP. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v6i1.13281 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2013; 6(1): 11-13
Serum Homocysteine Level in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Peripheral Arterial Disease
Authors: Howlader H , Ahmed S , Sultana N , Hasan Z , Sadia U , Ferdousi S
Published: January 2013

Peripheral arterial disease is a macrovascular complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Hyper-homocysteinemia is found to be associated with peripheral arterial disease. Homocysteine induced endothelial-cell injury is mediated by hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide exposes the underlying matrix and smooth muscle cells of the arteries which, in turn, proliferate and promote the activation of platelets and leukocytes. The present study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from July 2010 to June 2011 to observe the association of hyperhomocysteinemia with peripheral arterial disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 100 subjects (50 cases and 50 controls) were selected by purposive sampling from Bangladesh Institute of Health sciences (BIHS) and BIRDEM Hospital, Dhaka. Subjects having ankle brachial index <0.9 were considered as cases and those having ankle brachial index 0.9 were considered as controls. Subjects with absent peripheral pulses or nonrecordable ankle brachial index were considered as ankle brachial index <0.9. All study subjects were normotensive, normolipidemic and non- smoker. The study showed a higher level of homocysteine (?mol/L) in cases when compared with that of controls (15.95±1.80 vs. 9.31±2.11; p<0.001). In cases, males had higher proportion of arterial disease (56%) than females. Other variables (age and body mass index) showed no significant difference between two groups. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v6i1.13282 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2013; 6(1): 14-18
Renal function impairment in Hypothyroidism
Authors: Chaudhury HS , Raihan KK , Uddin MN , Ansari SM , Hasan M , Ahmed M , Hoque MZ
Published: January 2013

Background: Hypothyroidism is an important public health problem in Bangladesh. It is associated with increased risk for atherosclerosis and other complications. The frank development of hypothyroidism is associated with metabolic derangements including dyslipidemia- which is an etiopathologic factor for development of renal impairment. This study was to evaluate whether hypothyroidism is associated with impaired renal function. Methods: Using a cross sectional analytical study design, a total of 111 subjects attending Out Patient Department, Center for Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound, Bogra Medical College during January 2007 to December 2007 were included purposively. Eighty newly diagnosed hypothyroid patients (Group I) and 31 healthy adults (Group II) were enrolled in this study. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone and serum free thyroxine were assayed by radioimmunoassay. Serum fasting lipid profile, serum creatinine and serum uric acid were estimated by enzymatic colorimetric method. Estimated GFR was calculated using MDRD equation. Results: The mean (±SD) age of in Group I and Group II were 35.59 (±6.91) and 37.35 (±2.78) years and were comparable. In Group I, there were 66 females and 14 males. In Group II, there were 16 females and 15 males. The mean BMI was 25.49 ±2.17 kg/m2 in Group I and 24.24 ±1.99 kg/m2 in Group II. The mean (±SD) Serum total-cholesterol, LDL- cholesterol and tryacylglycerol in Group I were significantly higher than that in Group II. Serum HDL cholesterol in Group I was significantly lower than that in Group II (p<0.001). The mean (±SD) serum creatinine was significantly higher in Group I than Group II (P<0.001). The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was lower in Group I compared to Group II (p=0.011). In Group I (Hypothyroid), there were significant correlations of BMI, S Total-Cholesterol, S HDLCholesterol, S LDL-Cholesterol, S triglycerides and S creatinine with serum TSH level. In Group I (Hypothyroid), there were significant positive correlations of BMI and TSH with serum creatinine. Conclusions: Hypothyroidism is associated with dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia and impaired renal function. Therefore, patients presenting with these biochemical abnormalities are recommended to be investigated for hypothyroidism and vice versa. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v6i1.13283 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2013; 6(1): 19-25
Cystatin C -a Promising Marker of Glomerular Filtration Rate
Authors: Jahan Nowrase , Ferdousi Sohani
Published: January 2013

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the best single measure of overall function of kidney. GFR is routinely assessed by measuring the concentration of endogenous serum markers such as blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine (SCr). Although widely used these endogenous marker are not ideal and do not perform optimally in certain clinical settings. The purpose of this review is to critically review the potential utility of Cys C as a new promosing markers of GFR and to review whether Cys C had any advantage over routinely used endogenous marker in different population group. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v6i1.13284 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2013; 6(1): 26-30
Impact Of Health Awareness Intervention Among The Women Sweepers Working Under The Midnapore Municipality Of West Bengal, India
Authors: Das Rimpa , Pradhan Silpishree , Mandal Sabita , Ali Kazi Monjur , Maiti Soumyajit , Ghosh Debidas
Published: January 2013

Background: Women sweepers is the vulnerable segment of our community and suffering from different occupational health problems due to limited education, lack of knowledge on occupational health hazards. The present study aimed to assess the awareness level regarding occupational health and personal hygiene and to evaluate the effect of occupational health intervention among the women sweepers. Methods: The study adopted a pre-test and post-test design. A total of 52 women sweepers in the age group of 25 to 60 years were selected randomly from Midnapore Municipality of West Bengal, India. At first, a self-structured questionnaire was prepared on the aspects of general health, occupational health, personal hygiene, environmental health and nutritional aspects. After the pre-awareness assessment an intervention package was delivered covering said domains. Than post testing was done on the participants after the period of intervention. Results: Results demonstrated that there was a considerable increase in the awareness levels among the women sweepers with regard to knowledge of health problems, occupational health. The knowledge of participants regarding personal hygiene improved markedly after imparting the intervention. With regards to preventive approaches of diseases among the women has increased after the intervention. Overall health knowledge increased significantly post-awareness stage than pre-awareness stage (P<0.001). Conclusion: The study concluded that occupational health intervention has a positive effect towards the improvement of awareness level among the women sweepers which may change their health habits. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v12i1.11628Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 12 No. 01 January13 pp.49-54