bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recovery Components as Determinants of the Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients with Schizophrenia: Structural Equation Modelling Analysis
Authors: Ho Winnie W.N. , Chiu Marcus Y.L. , Lo William T.L. , Yiu Michael G.C.
Published: January 2010

Objective: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Consensus Statement on Mental Health Recovery proposed 10 recovery components as guiding principles for fostering recovery among people with severe mental illness. Although researchers have recognized a close association between patient-oriented recovery and health-related quality of life (HRQOL), the relation between the recovery components and patients’ self-reported HRQOL is still unknown. The purpose of the present study was therefore to use structural equation modelling to predict HRQOL of schizophrenia outpatients from the recovery components proposed by SAMHSA.

Methods: The recovery status of 201 outpatients with schizophrenia, schizophreniform, or schizoaffective disorder was measured using 12 variables that indicate the outcome of 10 recovery components. Canonical correlation analysis was applied to screen variables that are highly correlated with HRQOL. Valid variables were then used to build a structural model that predicted individuals’ HRQOL as indicated by the World Health Organization Quality of Life Measure Abbreviated (WHOQOL-BREF (HK)).

Results: The bestfit model was able to explain 80.7% of the variance in WHOQOL-BREF outcome. The model demonstrated significant direct and indirect effects of five recovery components on HRQOL. The effect of psychosocial symptoms on HRQOL was highest (total β = −0.64), followed by sense of personal agency (total β = 0.58), sense of optimism (total β = 0.54), perceived support (total β = 0.47), and internal stigma (total β = −0.42).

Conclusion: The recovery components proposed by the SAMHSA consensus statement provided a useful framework to explain HRQOL of outpatients with schizophrenia. The present model indicated a moderate to large effect of five major recovery components on HRQOL. It showed that patients’ perceptions of support, optimism, and personal agency were influenced by psychosocial symptoms and internal stigma. This empirical study supported the use of recovery principles, such as resilience building or mastery-based intervention to improve the QOL of community dwellers with schizophrenia.
Psychological and Cognitive Assessment of Indigenous Australians
Authors: Dingwall Kylie M. , Cairney Sheree
Published: January 2010

Objective: The aim of the present review was to evaluate the psychological and cognitive assessments that have been considered suitable for Indigenous Australians. This will provide a basis from which future developments can occur, leading to improved mental health services for Indigenous Australians.

Method: Literature searches of key health science databases were conducted using the following search terms in various combinations: Indigenous, Aboriginal, cognitive, assessment, mental health, social emotional well-being, psychological, Australian. Psychological, mental health or social and emotional well-being assessments as well as cognitive assessments that have been utilized and found suitable in Indigenous Australian populations were reviewed.

Results: A limited number of assessments were found and discussed and these varied in their applications.

Conclusions: Further research and development is necessary to establish a national approach to assessing or screening mental health and cognitive function among Indigenous Australians. This is an important and necessary step to improve mental health and related services for Indigenous Australians.
Role of Institutions and Organizations for the Sustainable Management of Forest and Pasture as Common Property Resources in Nepal: An Overview of the Indigenous and Traditional Practices
Authors: Uprety Laya Prasad
Published: January 2010

This is an overview paper based on the contemporary literature available in the regime of forest and pasture as common property resources. The analysis has underscored the role of local institutions and organizations for the sustainable management of forest and pasture as common property resources. The paper concludes that farmers of Nepal have developed and used the organizational and institutional mechanisms for the sustained management of these resources by ensuring social equity. Understanding the ingredients of indigenous resource management systems can have a bearing on developing appropriate national policies aiming at ensuring the sustainability of the future programs of Nepal.Key Words: Institution, organization, indigenous, traditional, common property, sustainable, social equity, participation, etc.DOI = 10.3126/dsaj.v2i0.1357Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Vol.2 pp.31-64
Communication Aspects in Health Care Work in Nepal
Authors: Bakke Marit , Subedi Madhusudan
Published: January 2010

The aim of this article is to describe the communication aspects in health care work in Nepal. It begins with the idea that communication is important in social development and covers some facts about health conditions and health services in Nepal. It gives a brief introduction to different development paradigms as well as an assessment of their relevance for social change and some basic principles in communication theory. The article then describes communication strategies in which people get a chance to express cultural beliefs with respect to health and treatment practices, and how this knowledge can be applied to facilitate increased use of health services. Cultural conceptions play a crucial role in successful health communication. The article gives one illustration of this by presenting the terms used by mothers in five different ethnic groups in Nepal to describe acute respiratory infections (ARI) and illnesses among children. Implications for health communication are presented at the end of this article.Key Words: Health Communication, Communication theory, Cultural Preconditions, Cultural Strategy, Social DevelopmentDOI = 10.3126/dsaj.v2i0.1358Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Vol.2 pp.65-100
From Death to Life – The Hydrological Circle of Cosmos and Copulation
Authors: Oestigaard Terje
Published: January 2010

When a person dies, how is the soul transferred from the dead body to an infant in a mother's womb? In Hinduism this process in understood and explained metaphorically by the hydrological circle and the interrelatedness of fire and water. The cosmological circle of reincarnation is a life-giving process which includes the life-giving waters; the essence of life. Based on mythology and the sacred scriptures, this process is investigated.Key Words: Hindu Mythology, eroticism, funeral practice, sexualityDOI = 10.3126/dsaj.v2i0.1360Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Vol.2 pp.121-144
Migration and the Problem of Old Age People in Nepal
Authors: Gautam Tika Ram
Published: January 2010

Current trends of migration in Nepal imply that the extensive out-migration of young people from rural areas, to foreign and internal urban centres, coincides with a rise in the problem of older couples in rural areas. This article examines the impact of migration on living condition and internal feelings of old age couples by drawing on the results of sociological and demographic field studies in Kandebash Village Development Committee (VDC) comprising multiethnic communities of western Nepal. The methodology for identifying older people is, social survey followed by direct interview with semi-structured questionnaire, examining variations by socio-economic strata and family structures. Comparative analysis indicates considerable heterogeneity in past and present migration patterns, both within and between countries. Economically higher status families are commonly able to reinforce their position by making better use of emigration opportunities. These families are migrating permanently to urban centers within country. Migrants from economically middle and lower status families are continuing temporary migration to foreign countries. Temporary migration, both within and between countries, is making old age couples alone in rural villages. The migrants' financial and material contributions are a nominal support. The old age lonely couples are facing many problems such as feeling loneliness, helplessness, frustration, increased household and social burdening.Key words: Migration, emigration, immigration, old age couple, rural migration, NepalDOI = 10.3126/dsaj.v2i0.1361Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Vol.2 pp.145-160
Ethno-ecological Observation of Magar of Bukini, Baglung, Western, Nepal
Authors: Sapkota Prakash Prasad
Published: January 2010

This study is carried out to explore the socio-cultural condition, knowledge and changing pattern for their environmental adaptation of Magar inhabitant at Bukini Tityang V.D.C. of western Nepal. There are 73 households of 450 population. The major subsistence activity of the local people is agriculture and animal husbandry. The economic condition of the majority of families is medium. Expenditure of the families has been increasing in high rate which raised question about cohesive bond of social structure. Out of total population, 76.67% are literate that is greater than national level. Young literate people do not have their applied knowledge in agricultural production and are also not attracted as well as interested about it. Most of the people are aware of the health and sanitation. Due to migration from different places co-dominance has occurred between different clans. This phenomenon is not only in cultural activity but also in physical structure of the children. There are 86 plant species used to heal the human and domestic animal diseases, 17 species for fodder, 14 species for making agricultural equipment, 25 species as wild fruits and 23 species for different rituals and ceremonies. The elder Magars are rich in indigenous knowledge while the younger are not. If older generation dies their knowledge will be vanished. The effect of modernization and acculturation leads towards the increasing rate of dependency about fooding, clothing and recreation activity which directly change the behavior of the local people.Key Words: Ethnic group, Indigenous knowledge, ethno-ecology; Magar, Baglung, NepalDOI = 10.3126/dsaj.v2i0.1366Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Vol.2 pp.227-252
Male’s Knowledge and Awareness about AIDS/STDs in Rajshahi District of Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Mosiur
Published: January 2010

As there is no cure to get rid of the unbearable sufferings from these diseases, prevention is the only solution to get rid of HIV/AIDS and STDs. Raising awareness among men about the long run effects of these diseases is one of the prime objectives of reproductive health programs currently executing in the world. Our study pays attention to get an idea of men's perception about these types of reproductive health problems. Findings reveal that about 87 percent men aware about HIV/AIDS and comparatively women were found same aware of AIDS. Only 54.8 percent men are found aware STIs, and more than 45 percent of the respondents have no knowledge of STIs. This indicates men's careless ness about these diseases. Mass media plays a great role in growing awareness about HIV/AIDS. Electronic, print media and interpersonal communication were the main sources of knowledge. About 30 and 40 percent men and women heard of AIDS from two sources respectively. It was found that majority of the male said uncontrolled sexual relation is the major reason of spreading AIDS. Although men's communication with their spouses can help in preventing AIDS but a large portion respondent don't talk to their spouses about preventing AIDS. Findings also elucidate that education, residence, religion, occupation, and mass media facility are the significant factors to influence AIDS knowledge among men.Key words: HIV/AIDS, STDs, Logistic Regression Analysis, BangladeshDOI = 10.3126/dsaj.v2i0.1367Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Vol.2 pp.253-270
Classification of Nepalese Forests and Their Distribution in Protected Areas
Authors: Shrestha Tirtha Bahadur
Published: January 2010

Nepal is nature's paradise. It's a small attractive package of nature embracing the rich biological diversity in the tiniest area. One of the nature's gifts to Nepal is its vegetation. The narrow strip of land harbours over 170 parcels of vegetation. The need of categorisation of Nepal's forest type is thus not only needed to acknowledge the rich diversity but also to make it applicable in scientific studies and researches. This paper endeavours to classify the Nepal's forest according to all the rational parameters yet avoiding the strict compartmentalisation which is near to impossible as in the case of natural and life bearing heritage like forest. Key Words: Forest type, Ecological map, Classification, Protected areas DOI: 10.3126/init.v2i1.2512 The Initiation Vol.2(1) pp1-9
Economics of Biodiversity Conservation in Nepal
Authors: Gotame Bharat
Published: January 2010

Nepal, a developing country has low per capita income and 2.8% economic growth rate. This simply implies higher marginal utility of income and lower willingness to pay for environmental improvements and amenities. Biodiversity has multiple benefits, but some economic obstacles like lack of appropriate market pricing, intangible nature of social benefit derived by conservation of biological resources, ownership issue, and conventional method of national income accounting, make some illusion to adopt market based biodiversity conservation approaches in developing country like Nepal. This literature review paper attempts to summarize the economic benefits of biodiversity, threats of biodiversity conservation in Nepal and some financial appraisal of biodiversity conservation of Nepal (in case of Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation & their some field offices). In Nepal, biodiversity conservation efforts have largely been centered on protection of natural resources within Protected Areas (PA) which is not justifiable but many of naturalists are in this dilemma. The issue of ‘conservation for people' tries to enforce policy maker, PA manager and other stakeholders to carry economically sound biodiversity conservation mechanism which ultimately tends to the PA for human welfare. The provision of economic incentives either by the direct investment or by creating economic opportunities leads to the promotion of biodiversity conservation. The poorer the people lower the willingness to pay for environmental quality or amenities because of the income elasticity of environmental services. Key Words: Biodiversity conservation, Economic growth, Environmental services, Economic benefits and constraints DOI: 10.3126/init.v2i1.2524 The Initiation Vol.2(1) 2008 pp55-61
Application of Pedestrian Intersection Safety Index in Planning Access to New Rail Stations
Authors: Nabors Dan , Leven Dalia , Spielberg Frank
Published: January 2010

In the next decade, a new Metrorail line connecting downtown Washington, D.C., to Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County, Virginia, will open. This extension will pass through the suburban community of Reston, Virginia, where two stops will be located. Safe and adequate pedestrian and bicycle access to the stations will increase station use, reduce congestion in and out of the stations, and make transit a more attractive alternative. People living or working within the surrounding areas should be offered a choice of different modes for travel to and from a station, whether walking, biking, driving, or taking the bus. In addition to the provision of adequate facilities for each of those modes, those facilities must also be safe. The impression that intended routes for pedestrians are unsafe is often enough to deter people from walking. The pedestrian intersection safety index, recently developed for FHWA, was used to determine the suitability and safety for pedestrians of intersections surrounding proposed stations. These measures use readily available data to produce a quantitative rating of the safety of intersections. Recommendations for physical improvements were developed for 38 intersections within 1 mi of the station entrances. These projects were then prioritized for implementation on the basis of several factors, including safety measures. This process discovered some benefits and constraints associated with the implementation of the model. Furthermore, most of the intersections with poor safety ratings were also identified as unsafe locations by members of the community.
Cluster-Based Hierarchical Model for Urban Transit Hub Location Planning
Authors: Yu Jie , Liu Yue , Chang Gang-Len , Ma Wanjing , Yang Xiaoguang
Published: January 2010

A cluster-based hierarchical location model for the selection of the proper locations and scales of urban transit hubs was developed with the objective of minimizing the demand-weighted total travel time. As an improvement to previous work, the proposed model has the following unique features: ( a) it incorporates a hierarchical hub network topology that uses the concept of hub hierarchy establishment, route categorization, and service zone clustering to capture the critical operational issues for the transit network in an efficient manner and ( b) it extends the previous nonhierarchical model to account for the impacts of hubs with various hierarchies as well as their interactions with lane use restrictions. An enhanced set of formulations along with the linearization approach was used to reduce significantly the number of variables and the computing time required to achieve the global optimum. The results of a case study in Suzhou Industrial Park in China revealed that the proposed model and solution method are quite promising for use in the planning of hub locations for the transit network. Sensitivity analysis of the performance of the system was also done to assist planners with the selection of the hierarchical structure and the design of transit routes.
Metrorail Trends and Markets
Authors: Jia Wenyu
Published: January 2010

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority operates the second-busiest heavy rail transit system in the country, serving 3.5 million people over a 1,500-mi2 service area. Ridership on Metrorail has continued to rise steadily since service started in 1976 and has been driven by system expansion and regional growth. This paper presents the emerging trends and travel markets of Metrorail transit in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region, with the purpose of providing better planning for and serving a growing and changing transit market. The paper also examines the connections between Metrorail system growth and urban development at the regional, local, and station-area levels. The analysis is based on 2002 and 2007 Metrorail passenger surveys and the most recent ridership growth study. The paper concludes that although system expansion and regional development remain significant contributors to the growth in ridership on the system, sporting events and downtown activities have emerged as new factors that have driven the recent growth. The growth in ridership is particularly noticeable in the non-work-related, off-peak, and weekend travel markets and at stations in the downtown area and is revitalizing communities and suburban activity centers. The paper also highlights the significant modal shift in access to the Metro-rail system, with increasing walking, bicycling, and bus trips occurring. In conclusion, Metrorail is meeting the increasingly diverse transportation needs of the region, supporting emerging urban trends, and enhancing local development initiatives.
Constructing a Transit Origin–Destination Table Using the Uncertainty Maximization Concept
Authors: Kikuchi Shinya , Kronprasert Nopadon
Published: January 2010

An origin–destination (O-D) table contains information essential for making decisions about the operation and management of a transit system, such as determining the schedule, train composition, and fare structure. The table needs to be updated frequently. However, the collection of O-D data is time-consuming, costly, and cumbersome. This paper proposes a method that produces an O-D table on the basis of generally available data: passenger boarding and alighting counts at individual stations and the analyst's knowledge, either qualitative or quantitative, about the values for some station pairs; for example, the number of trips ( i, j) is approximately 100 or the number of trips ( i, j) is much greater than the number of trips ( m, n) (where i, j, m, and n are stops). The method applies the entropy maximization principle, in which the values for the O-D pairs whose information is not available are maximally unbiased and the available information is used as a constraint in the optimization problem. The uniqueness of the proposed approach is its ability to deal with qualitative and often language-based information, which the analyst often possesses. An example from a real transit line is presented to show the usefulness of the method and also to show how the additional information about select O-D pairs affects the quality of the solution.
Use of Entry-Only Automatic Fare Collection Data to Estimate Linked Transit Trips in New York City
Authors: Barry James J. , Freimer Robert , Slavin Howard
Published: January 2010

Many large transit systems use automatic fare collection (AFC) systems. Most AFC systems were designed solely for revenue management, but they contain a wealth of customer use data that can be mined to create inputs to operations planning and demand forecasting models for transportation planning. More detailed information than could ever be collected by any travel survey is potentially available if it is assumed that the transactional data can be processed to produce the desired information. Previous work in this field focused primarily on rail transit, since boardings at fixed stations are easier to locate than boardings of buses, which move around. This paper presents a case study for the Metropolitan Transit Authority's New York City Transit, a transit system in which a rider swipes a fare card only to enter a station or board a bus. This is the first work to include trips by all transit modes in a system that records the transaction only on rider entry, which is significantly more challenging because all the alighting locations need to be inferred and the bus boarding locations need to be estimated. No location information (from automated vehicle location technology or a Global Positioning System) was available for buses. Software that processes the 7 million–plus daily transactions and that creates a data set of linked transit trips was created. The data set can then be analyzed by using geographic information system-based query software to create reports, maps, origin–destination matrices, load profiles, and new data sets. Subway journeys are assigned by using a schedule-based shortest-path algorithm.
Business Model for Commingled Operations of Freight and Non-FRA-Compliant Passenger Rail Services
Authors: Liu Rongfang (Rachel) , Nelson David , Lu Alex
Published: January 2010

It is a challenge to develop a business model of commingled operations of freight and non-FRA-compliant passenger rail services because there are no domestic cases of such operations and the number of cases in which freight and light rail transit (LRT) equipment share tracks on a temporal basis of separation is limited. Greater opportunities for commingling may be created, however, because in many domestic cases public passenger transportation and private freight operations share track and there are many proven international experiences with commingled operations of LRT and freight services. This paper identifies and describes the components recommended for inclusion in the business models for both freight railroad operations and public transit agencies for the potential implementation of relevant shared-use operations. These components include shared-use agreements related to costs, capacity, risk sharing, and insurance on the basis of both domestic and international experiences. Building on the experiences of existing shared-use operations and the plans under development, the authors have constructed a business model that can serve as a starting point for future operations.
Passenger Environment Survey
Authors: Lu Alex , Aievoli Steven , Ackroyd Joseph , Carlin Chrissie , Reddy Alla
Published: January 2010

The Passenger Environment Survey (PES) conducted by New York City Transit (NYCT) of the Metropolitan Transit Authority uses a quantitative and scientific approach to measure the perceptions of NYCT's 7.3 million daily riders. With 6,485 subway cars, 4,576 buses, and 468 stations in a 321-mi2 service area and a population of more than 8 million, quality assurance is a colossal undertaking. PES takes a passenger-centric approach by measuring indicators from the customer's perspective. Since its inception in 1983, PES has evolved to include 68 indicators in four distinct categories measured in four passenger environments: subway cars, subway stations, local buses, and express buses. The consistent and well-defined PES standards are clearly understood by operations personnel. Approximately 25 dedicated surveyors, who do not report to operations management, produce semiannual reports with statistical precision exceeding 95% ± 5%. The data are subject to validation and rigorous quality control by trained statistical analysts. Central to the PES program is NYCT's genuine willingness to understand the customers’ experiences and to represent customers in quality assessment. Internally, PES functions as a performance audit. Monthly reports bring the attention of operations management to deficiencies that have been observed. The results are considered in promotion and merit decision-making processes. Externally, PES serves as a dispassionate and analytical measure of the passengers’ experiences. Reported semiannually, the scorecard demonstrates long-term progress in continuous improvement. NYCT regularly receives requests from agencies nationally and internationally wishing to model their quality control programs after the program conducted through the use of PES. This approach demonstrates the dedication of NYCT staff in maintaining a friendly and comfortable system, in good repair, of which every New Yorker can be proud.
Transfer Scheduling and Control to Reduce Passenger Waiting Time
Authors: Muller Theo H. J. , Furth Peter G.
Published: January 2010

Transfers cost effort and take time. They reduce the attractiveness and the competitiveness of public transportation. The impedance of transferring should be limited, especially when low-frequency routes are involved. First, this paper shows the effects of planning the offset between the timetable arrival time of the feeder line and the timetable departure time of the connecting line on the transfer waiting time. An optimized buffer time reduces the probability of missing the connection to the point at which a further reduction would cause a still greater disbenefit by making passengers who make their connection wait longer. Second, the paper shows the effects of punctuality control on the routes on the transfer waiting time. If general operational control can reduce the punctuality standard deviations of arrivals and departures, it increases the reliability of the transfer. Third, the paper shows the effects of departure control at the interchange on the transfer waiting time. Holding connecting vehicles prevents missed connections because of early departures and holding just until the connection is made prevents unnecessary delays after passengers have transferred. Example results are derived by the use of a mathematical model.
Study on Service-Level Classification of Platforms in Beijing Urban Rail Transit
Authors: Cao Shouhua , Yuan Zhenzhou , Li Yanhong , Hu Peifeng , Johnson Lynwood
Published: January 2010

The classification standards of levels of service (LOSs) for urban rail transit platforms are the foundation of platform design and evaluation. To study platform LOSs in urban rail transit, the passenger perception method and stated preference investigation concept were adopted, and a questionnaire was designed to investigate the factors influencing LOSs. The survey results showed that the congestion level of the platform was the most important factor influencing the LOS of the platform, followed by passenger order, air quality, information signs, and waiting time. On the basis of the results of the survey, the congestion level was used as the basis for the development of a LOS standard for platforms. A stated preference questionnaire was designed to investigate platform LOSs by using photos showing different congestion levels. According to the survey results, the membership curve of different LOSs was drawn, and the perceived LOS of the platform was classified into five levels on the basis of the congestion level. With linear interpolation, critical values of pedestrian density corresponding to different LOSs were calculated. Finally, the LOS standards developed for transit platforms were compared with the LOS criteria for pedestrian queuing areas offered by the Highway Capacity Manual, and possible reasons for the differences were analyzed. The proposed LOS standards for urban rail transit platforms can be used as a reference for transit design and evaluation.
Quantifying Impacts of Transit Reliability on User Costs
Authors: Casello Jeffrey M. , Nour Akram , Hellinga Bruce
Published: January 2010

Transportation modeling frameworks assume that travelers are economically rational; that is, they choose the lowest-cost alternative to complete a desired trip. The reliability of travel time is of critical importance to travelers. The ability to quantify reliability allows planners to estimate more accurately how system performance influences local travel behavior and to evaluate more appropriately potential investments in the transportation system infrastructure. This paper presents a methodology that makes use of automatic vehicle location data from the regional municipality of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, to estimate the reliability of transit service. On the basis of these data, the impacts of unreliable service on generalized transit user costs are quantified by use of a simulation model of bus arrivals and passengers’ desired arrival times. It is shown that the increasing reliability of arrivals at a station can decrease transit users’ generalized costs significantly and by as much as 15% in a reasonably reliable network. It is further posited that the inclusion of uncertainty in the calculation of generalized costs may provide better estimates of mode splits in travel forecasting models. A description of future applications of the model concludes the paper.
Improving the Accuracy of Vehicle Reidentification Algorithms by Solving the Assignment Problem
Authors: Cetin Mecit , Nichols Andrew P.
Published: January 2010

Vehicle attributes (e.g., length, sensor signature) collected at upstream and downstream points can be used to reidentify individual vehicles anonymously so that useful quantities such as travel times and origin–destination flows can be estimated. In typical reidentification algorithms, each downstream vehicle is matched to the most “similar” upstream vehicle on the basis of some defined metric. However, this process usually results in matching one upstream vehicle to more than one downstream vehicle, and some upstream vehicles are not assigned to any downstream vehicles. This paper presents a two-stage methodology to alleviate this problem, first by developing a Bayesian method for matching the most similar vehicles and then by defining and solving an assignment problem to ensure that each vehicle is matched only once. The results indicate that the proposed method, when applied to the sample field data collected by automatic vehicle classification and weigh-in-motion sensors, reduces the mismatch error by 15% to 60% and by an overall average of 42%. For the sample data, vehicles are matched with 99% accuracy after the methodology presented here is applied.
Maine Statewide Deployment and Integration of Advanced Traveler Information Systems
Authors: Belz Nathan P. , Gårder Per E.
Published: January 2010

Advanced traveler information systems (ATIS) are new to the state of Maine, and there are many unanswered questions about their effect on motorists. Dynamic message signs, variable speed limit signs (VSLS), and overheight vehicle detection (OHVD) systems are key components of ATIS and are the means through which motorists can be provided with en route information pertinent to their travels. Speed data were collected during inclement weather events to determine the effect of VSLS on traveler speed. Speeds were collected during storms of different intensities. The data suggest that motorists adjust their speed to conditions and what they think is appropriate. This finding is also supported by survey responses. The fact that motorists do not slow down to the posted speed could be partly because of the VSLS not being enforced. An OHVD system installed in Bangor, Maine, in August 2006 has shown potential, with no hits to the I-95 overpass since installation. Part of the study consisted of identifying and evaluating the institutional issues and barriers associated with intelligent transportation system deployment. These issues include long-term funding commitments for ATIS, acceptable messaging, integration of information databases, interagency coordination, enforcement, and education of the public.
Dynamic Message Sign Deployment and Diversion Behavior of Travelers on Central Florida Toll Roads
Authors: Al-Deek Haitham , Venkata Srinivasa Ravi Chandra Chilakamarri , Flick Jason , Khattak Asad
Published: January 2010

Advanced traveler information systems are particularly helpful in supporting route diversion decisions. The effect of information on diversion behavior on nontolled roads is well documented in the literature. Revealed and stated preference studies traditionally have been conducted to analyze route diversion behavior. However, the effect of realtime traffic information on the behavior of toll road users is unexplored. This study examines the behavior of toll road users in Orlando, Florida. Orlando is serviced by a toll road network where dynamic message signs (DMSs) provide real-time travel time information to travelers. The response of toll road users to information was expected to differ from that of non-toll users. To capture the effects of information, specifically the DMS, a survey was conducted in two phases: predeployment (with only one DMS installed) and postdeployment (after 29 DMSs were installed). A detailed behavioral data set with rigorous modeling was used to investigate the relationship between information and travel decisions in the context of toll road trips. The surveys revealed that higher travel time savings due to diversion, 511 use, and toll payment by cash were associated with a greater propensity to divert in postdeployment. Travelers who experienced abnormal travel times or who reported that DMS helped them during congestion were more likely to divert. The study further showed that toll road users might have more inertia and avoid leaving the toll road than non-toll road users. Implications of the results are discussed.
Manual of Guidelines for Inspection and Maintenance of Intelligent Transportation Systems
Authors: Ozbay Kaan , Ozguven Eren Erman , Sertel Tolga , Bourne Tim , Aboobaker Nazhat , Littleton Bruce , Caglar V. Kivanc
Published: January 2010

Proper installation, care, and maintenance of intelligent transportation system (ITS) equipment increase the efficiency and connectivity of surface transportation systems, conserve the public's investment in the highway system, and ensure that the system will provide maximum benefits to travelers. ITS equipment failures and malfunctions caused by a lack of technical knowledge, inadequate inspection during installation, and improper maintenance practices can result in increased motorist and maintenance costs (unnecessary failures or malfunctions, increasing personnel and repair time, replacement part costs, and spare part inventory requirements), increased number of accidents, increased delays, degraded air quality, and fuel consumption. Before this study, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) did not have an inspection and maintenance manual as a reference document to assist its inspectors and ITS design, traffic operations, and maintenance personnel to minimize problems; to monitor the performance and failure rates; and to provide a cost-effective approach to inspecting, maintaining, upgrading, and operating ITS equipment on roadways. Rutgers University, in close collaboration with Orth-Rodgers and Associates, Inc., developed a state-of-the art and practical ITS inspection and maintenance manual and implemented it in the form of a user-friendly software tool. This tool provides NJDOT with complete, practical, and efficient inspection procedures for proper installation and preventive or routine maintenance of ITS equipment. Initial feedback after several hands-on training workshops from a group of expert users of the manual and its software implementation was positive and encouraging.
Field Performance Study of a Regional WiMAX Network for Intelligent Transportation System Applications
Authors: Zhou Yan , Chowdhury Mashrur , Martin James , Wang Kuang-Ching , Kang Xueying , Westall James M.
Published: January 2010

Of the various advanced wireless communication technologies used for intelligent transportation systems (ITS), WiMAX has recently received much attention because of its potential to provide broadband network connectivity, large coverage areas, quality assurance, and mobile access. However, few studies have focused on the deployment, operational, and performance issues of using WiMAX networks for ITS applications in a real roadway environment. This study performed a field performance evaluation of a regional WiMAX network in West Virginia by using important network metrics, including uplink and downlink throughput, signal strength, and connectivity level. On the basis of performance analysis, this paper discusses the feasibility and suitability of a regional WiMAX network deployment for a wireless sensor-based traffic surveillance system in terms of frequency, power, and client side radio requirements. This study provides an insight into the feasibility of using WiMAX to address ITS applications. It will benefit transportation agencies and other stakeholders to support decision making in the deployment and operation of a WiMAX-based ITS network in the future.
Driver Behavior and User Acceptance of Cooperative Systems Based on Infrastructure-to-Vehicle Communication
Authors: Böhm Martin , Fuchs Susanne , Pfliegl Reinhard , Kölbl Robert
Published: January 2010

Cooperative systems applying infrastructure-to-vehicle (I2V) communication to intelligent transportation systems (ITS) are a key means to ensure safe and efficient driving in the increasingly overloaded infrastructure. In the European project COOPERS (Co-operative Systems for Intelligent Road Safety), a 48-month integrated project cofunded by the European Commission, a simulator test of I2V communication systems was performed with 51 participants to evaluate driver behavior and user acceptance. I2V communication systems appear to influence driver behavior in a positive manner. Drivers remain calmer in stressful situations, and the direct influence on road safety can be observed in reduced driving speeds before dangerous situations occur. Thus, a positive indication for driver support during dangerous situations can be obtained. User acceptance results show that the already high expectations of end users toward cooperative systems are being exceeded. The fact that test subjects agreed to purchase cooperative systems, such as COOPERS, as soon as they are commercially available underlines the positive attitude toward the system.
Maximum Entropy Approaches to Living Neural Networks
Authors: Yeh Fang-Chin , Tang Aonan , Hobbs Jon  P. , Hottowy Pawel , Dabrowski Wladyslaw , Sher Alexander , Litke Alan , Beggs John  M.
Published: January 2010

Understanding how ensembles of neurons collectively interact will be a key step in developing a mechanistic theory of cognitive processes. Recent progress in multineuron recording and analysis techniques has generated tremendous excitement over the physiology of living neural networks. One of the key developments driving this interest is a new class of models based on the principle of maximum entropy. Maximum entropy models have been reported to account for spatial correlation structure in ensembles of neurons recorded from several different types of data. Importantly, these models require only information about the firing rates of individual neurons and their pairwise correlations. If this approach is generally applicable, it would drastically simplify the problem of understanding how neural networks behave. Given the interest in this method, several groups now have worked to extend maximum entropy models to account for temporal correlations. Here, we review how maximum entropy models have been applied to neuronal ensemble data to account for spatial and temporal correlations. We also discuss criticisms of the maximum entropy approach that argue that it is not generally applicable to larger ensembles of neurons. We conclude that future maximum entropy models will need to address three issues: temporal correlations, higher-order correlations, and larger ensemble sizes. Finally, we provide a brief list of topics for future research.
Advances in Identifying Beryllium Sensitization and Disease
Authors: Middleton Dan , Kowalski Peter
Published: January 2010

Beryllium is a lightweight metal with unique qualities related to stiffness, corrosion resistance, and conductivity. While there are many useful applications, researchers in the 1930s and l940s linked beryllium exposure to a progressive occupational lung disease. Acute beryllium disease is a pulmonary irritant response to high exposure levels, whereas chronic beryllium disease (CBD) typically results from a hypersensitivity response to lower exposure levels. A blood test, the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT), was an important advance in identifying individuals who are sensitized to beryllium (BeS) and thus at risk for developing CBD. While there is no true "gold standard" for BeS, basic epidemiologic concepts have been used to advance our understanding of the different screening algorithms.
Maternal Cigarette Smoking during Pregnancy and Offspring Externalizing Behavioral Problems: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis
Authors: Boutwell Brian B. , Beaver Kevin M.
Published: January 2010

A body of empirical research has revealed that prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke is related to a host of negative outcomes, including reduced cognitive abilities, later-life health problems, and childhood behavioral problems. While these findings are often interpreted as evidence of the causal role that prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke has on human phenotypes, emerging evidence has suggested that the association between prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke and behavioral phenotypes may be spurious. The current analysis of data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort (ECLS-B) revealed that the association between prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke and externalizing behavioral problems was fully accounted for by confounding factors. The implications that these findings have for policy and research are discussed.
Photonic Methods to Enhance Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy and Single Molecule Fluorescence Detection
Authors: Wenger Jérome , Rigneault Hervé
Published: January 2010

Recent advances in nanophotonics open the way for promising applications towards efficient single molecule fluorescence analysis. In this review, we discuss how photonic methods bring innovative solutions for two essential questions: how to detect a single molecule in a highly concentrated solution, and how to enhance the faint optical signal emitted per molecule? The focus is set primarily on the widely used technique of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), yet the discussion can be extended to other single molecule detection methods.
NMR-Metabolic Methodology in the Study of GM Foods
Authors: Sobolev Anatoly P. , Capitani Donatella , Giannino Donato , Nicolodi Chiara , Testone Giulio , Santoro Flavio , Frugis Giovanna , Iannelli Maria A. , Mattoo Autar K. , Brosio Elvino , Gianferri Raffaella , D’Amico Irene , Mannina Luisa
Published: January 2010

The 1H-NMR methodology used in the study of genetically modified (GM) foods is discussed. Transgenic lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv \"Luxor\") over-expressing the Arabidopsis KNAT1 gene is presented as a case study. Twenty-two water-soluble metabolites (amino acids, organic acids, sugars) present in leaves of conventional and GM lettuce were monitored by NMR and quantified at two developmental stages. The NMR spectra did not reveal any difference in metabolite composition between the GM lettuce and the wild type counterpart. Statistical analyses of metabolite variables highlighted metabolism variation as a function of leaf development as well as the transgene. A main effect of the transgene was in altering sugar metabolism.
Regiospecific Profiles of Fatty Acids in Triacylglycerols and Phospholipids from Adzuki Beans (Vigna angularis)
Authors: Yoshida Hiromi , Tomiyama Yuka , Yoshida Naoko , Shibata Kyoko , Mizushina Yoshiyuki
Published: January 2010

Regiospecific distributions of fatty acids (FA) of triacylglycerols (TAG) and phospholipids (PL) isolated from five cultivars of adzuki beans (Vigna angularis) were investigated. The lipids comprised mainly PL (72.2–73.4 wt-%) and TAG (20.6–21.9 wt-%), whilst other components were detected in minor proportions (0.1–3.4 wt-%). The principal profiles of the FA distribution in the TAG and PL were evident in the beans among the five cultivars: unsaturated FA were predominantly distributed in the sn-2 position, whilst saturated FA primarily occupied the sn-1 or the sn-3 position in the these lipids. The results would be useful information to both producers and consumers for manufacturing traditional adzuki confectionaries such as wagashi in Japan.
ELBARA II, an L-Band Radiometer System for Soil Moisture Research
Authors: Schwank Mike , Wiesmann Andreas , Werner Charles , Mätzler Christian , Weber Daniel , Murk Axel , Völksch Ingo , Wegmüller Urs
Published: January 2010

L-band (1–2 GHz) microwave radiometry is a remote sensing technique that can be used to monitor soil moisture, and is deployed in the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) Mission of the European Space Agency (ESA). Performing ground-based radiometer campaigns before launch, during the commissioning phase and during the operative SMOS mission is important for validating the satellite data and for the further improvement of the radiative transfer models used in the soil-moisture retrieval algorithms. To address these needs, three identical L-band radiometer systems were ordered by ESA. They rely on the proven architecture of the ETH L-Band radiometer for soil moisture research (ELBARA) with major improvements in the microwave electronics, the internal calibration sources, the data acquisition, the user interface, and the mechanics. The purpose of this paper is to describe the design of the instruments and the main characteristics that are relevant for the user.
Rainwater Storage Gutters for Houses
Authors: Hardie Mary
Published: January 2010

A history of the implementation of a system of water storage roof gutters illustrates the difficulties which may be encountered in delivering more sustainable construction systems. Utilizing some rainwater at the site where it falls has considerable conservation benefit but it requires builders, roofers and plumbers to vary some of their standard practices. The observed change delivery process involves incorporation of trade knowledge, attention to detail, flexibility and the willingness of all parties including local building control authorities to try new options. Lessons learned have implications for the introduction of many kinds of environmentally driven improvements to domestic construction.