Enforcement avoidance behavior near automated speed enforcement areas in Korean expressways

Automated speed enforcement system (ASES) has been deployed as a safety countermeasure on Korean roadways to reduce speeding-related traffic crashes; information on ASES locations is mandated to be open to the public. However, because drivers are alerted about enforcement via on-board navigation systems and roadside signs, they can avoid enforcement by momentarily reducing their speeds near ASES locations. This enforcement avoidance behavior (EAB) can induce sudden changes in speed near the enforcement locations and thereby increase risk of crash occurrence.     

Plasma surface graft of acrylic acid onto a porous poly(vinylidene fluoride) membrane and its riboflavin permeation

Acrylic acid was grafted onto the surface of commercial poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane using plasma polymerization techniques. Graft reaction was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectra. Grafting rate was dependent on plasma exposure time. For argon plasma at 30 W, grafting rate decreased after maximum rate was observed at 30 s exposure. PVDF membrane with 30 s plasma exposure and subsequently grafted with acrylic acid (AA-3) showed the greatest O_1s/F_1s area ratio in XPS spectra. Thus its graft density and degree of polymerization were the largest among the graft membranes. Permeation of riboflavin through all poly(acrylic acid)-g-PVDF membranes showed a decrease in permeability of riboflavin in pH 4–5. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Friction and wear behavior of graphite fiber-reinforced composites

Friction and wear behavior of continuous graphite fiber composites was studied for different fiber orientations against the sliding direction. The effect of fiber orientation on friction and wear of the composite and on deformation of the counterface was investigated experimentally. A pin on disk type testing machine was built and employed to generate friction and wear data. A graphite fiber composite plate was produced by the bleeder ply molding in an autoclave and machined into rectangular pin specimens with specific fiber orientations, i.e., normal, transverse, and longitudinal directions. Three different wear conditions were employed for two different periods of time, 24 and 48 hours. The wear track of the worn specimens and the metal counterface was examined and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to observe the damaged fibers on the sliding surface of the specimen and wear film generation on the counterface. A wear mechanism of the continuous graphite fiber composite during sliding wear is proposed based on the experimental results.     

Effect of the concentration of diphenyloctyl phosphate as a flame-retarding additive on the electrochemical performance of lithium-ion batteries

We selected diphenyloctyl phosphate (DPOF) as a flame-retardant and plasticizer, and studied the influence of different amounts of the DPOF additive on the electrochemical performance of lithium-ion batteries. The electrochemical cell performances of the additive-containing electrolytes in combination with a cell comprising an LiCoO₂ cathode and mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB) anode were tested in coin cells. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) results showed that the oxidation potential of the electrolyte containing DPOF in the concentration range from 10 to 30 wt.% is about 4.75-5.5 V versus Li/Li⁺. In the present work, a DPOF content of 10 wt.% in the 1.15 M LiPF₆/EC:EMC (4:6 by vol.%) electrolyte turned out to be the optimum condition for the improvement of the electrochemical cell performance, due to the decrease of the irreversible capacity during the first cycle and decrease of the charge-transfer resistance after 40 cycles.     

An Empirical Study Evaluating Social Networking Continuance and Success

Social networking site (SNS) use decisions have led to major economic and social transformations worldwide. While many organizations seek to use SNSs from a strategic perspective to reach their customer, it is important to understand what makes SNSs successful in order to use them for competitive purposes. The current research evaluates the influence of the social capital theory on SNS success measures. A model was developed and empirically tested using two data samples to ensure valid and reliable results for success of SNSs. The results display the importance of social capital in SNS success followed by practitioner and academic implications.     

Improvement of cyclodextrin glucanotransferase as an antistaling enzyme by error-prone PCR

In an effort to improve the properties of cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) as an antistaling enzyme, error-prone PCR was used to introduce random mutations into a CGTase cloned from alkalophilic Bacillus sp. I-5 (CGTase I-5). A mutant CGTase[3-18] with the three mutations M234T, F259I and V591A was selected by agar plate assay. Sequence alignment of various CGTases indicated that M234 and F259 are located in the vicinity of the catalytic sites of the enzyme and V591 in the starch binding domain E. The cyclization activity of CGTase[3-18] was dramatically decreased by 10-fold, while the hydrolyzing activity was increased by up to 15-fold. These mutations near subsite +1 (M234T) and at subsite +2 (F259I) are likely to alter the enzyme activity in a concerted manner, promoting hydrolysis of substrate while retarding cyclization. The addition of CGTase[3-18] reduced the retrogradation rate of bread by as much as did the commercial antistaling enzyme Novamyl during 7-day storage at 4 degrees C. No cyclodextrin (CD) was detected in bread treated with CGTase[3-18], whereas 21 mg of CD per 10 g of bread was produced in bread treated with wild-type CGTase.     

Physical and mechanical properties of plasticized butenediol vinyl alcohol copolymer/thermoplastic starch blend

The poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) is an eco‐friend polymer and has an excellent oxygen barrier property due to its strong intermolecular force, but difficulty in processing with conventional extrusion process gives it a limitation for various industrial applications, especially packaging industry. Many studies have attempted to plasticize PVOH to improve its processability, but high cost of PVOH is still drawback for a variety of industrial applications. Therefore, PVOH often blended with other biodegradable polymers such as starch to acquire the cost benefit. Nowadays, the butenediol vinyl alcohol copolymer (BVOH) is getting a great attention due to its melt processability and bio‐degradability, but its high cost is barrier to the industrial application as well. In this study, thermoplastic starch (TPS)/plasticized BVOH (P‐BVOH) were prepared by melt mixing technique, and the plasticization effect of glycerol on starch and BVOH with different composition was observed for optimized processing condition. Based on our preliminary study, TPS was blended with varying amount of P‐BVOH (100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50 weight ratio). Physical, oxygen barrier, and mechanical properties of the TPS/P‐BVOH blends were evaluated by various analytical instruments to achieve balanced property and performance. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:109–116, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Shelf‐life prediction of perilla oil by considering the induction period of lipid oxidation

Kinetic models for the induction period (IP) of lipid oxidation were developed to predict the shelf‐life of perilla oil during storage. The degree of lipid oxidation was measured in terms of peroxide values (PV). The perilla oil was stored in the dark at various temperatures. The IP was measured at the intersection point of two linear lines and in terms of time and PV at the IP. The IP was expressed by an Arrhenius‐like relationship. Before and after the IP, the reaction followed pseudo‐zero‐order kinetics. The oxidation degrees according to storage times were computed by considering the variables, IP and reaction rate constants. The prediction model equation that was developed to determine shelf‐life is more accurate than in previous studies. Conclusively, considering the IP of lipid oxidation is essential for predicting the shelf‐life of perilla oil and is expected to be applicable to other vegetable oils. Practical applications : In kinetic modeling for shelf‐life estimation in terms of lipid oxidation, induction period (IP) is rarely considered. Thus the estimation of peroxide values (PV) from such models might be inaccurate. The IP was observed in perilla oil oxidation and kinetic models involving the IP were developed. This work enables a better estimation of oxidation. Besides, a shelf‐life diagram of perilla oil has been constructed as a valuable tool for quality control in the food industry.     

Prediction of Long-Term Treatment Response to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) Using Scalp and Source Loudness Dependence of Auditory Evoked Potentials (LDAEP) Analysis in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Background: Animal and clinical studies have demonstrated that the loudness dependence of auditory evoked potentials (LDAEP) is inversely related to central serotonergic activity, with a high LDAEP reflecting weak serotonergic neurotransmission and vice versa, though the findings in humans have been less consistent. In addition, a high pretreatment LDAEP appears to predict a favorable response to antidepressant treatments that augment the actions of serotonin. The aim of this study was to test whether the baseline LDAEP is correlated with response to long-term maintenance treatment in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: Scalp N1, P2 and N1/P2 LDAEP and standardized low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography-localized N1, P2, and N1/P2 LDAEP were evaluated in 41 MDD patients before and after they received antidepressant treatment (escitalopram (n = 32, 10.0 ± 4.0 mg/day), sertraline (n = 7, 78.6 ± 26.7 mg/day), and paroxetine controlled-release formulation (n = 2, 18.8 ± 8.8 mg/day)) for more than 12 weeks. A treatment response was defined as a reduction in the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score of >50% between baseline and follow-up. Results: The responders had higher baseline scalp P2 and N1/P2 LDAEP than nonresponders (p = 0.017; p = 0.036). In addition, changes in total BDI score between baseline and follow-up were larger in subjects with a high baseline N1/P2 LDAEP than those with a low baseline N1/P2 LDAEP (p = 0.009). There were significantly more responders in the high-LDAEP group than in the low-LDAEP group (p = 0.041). Conclusions: The findings of this study reveal that a high baseline LDAEP is associated with a clinical response to long-term antidepressant treatment.