Fusing Loop Detector and Probe Vehicle Data to Estimate Travel Time Statistics on Signalized Urban Networks

Abstract: This article presents a methodology that integrates cumulative plots with probe vehicle data for estimation of travel time statistics (average, quartile) on urban networks. The integration reduces relative deviation among the cumulative plots so that the classical analytical procedure of defining the area between the plots as the total travel time can be applied. For quartile estimation, a slicing technique is proposed. The methodology is validated with real data from Lucerne, Switzerland and it is concluded that the travel time estimates from the proposed methodology are statistically equivalent to the observed values.     

Studies on synthesis and microstructure evolution of multiphase in-situ composites based on Mo-Cr-Si system

This paper presents the results on in-situ synthesis of refractory metal-intermetallic composites (RMICs), Mo-16Cr-4Si and Mo-11Cr-9Si (wt.%) multiphase alloys and their characterization. The alloys were prepared from the oxides of molybdenum and chromium by their coreduction with Si as reductant. Exothermic nature of the synthesis reactions resulted in the formation of consolidated composite as a product in a single step. As-reduced alloys were remelted by arc melting and heat treatment was given. The evolution of phases and the microstructure were studied by XRD, SEM, and EDS analysis. The multiphase microstructure consist of the silicide phases (Mo,Cr)₃Si + (Mo,Cr)₅Si₃ for hypereutectic and (Mo,Cr)₃Si phase distributed in bcc matrix comprising essentially a solid solution of (Mo,Cr) for hypo-peritectic composition. Comparative studies of the synthesized alloys were also carried out to the composition, phases, microstructure, hardness and their oxidation behavior.     

Multi-function biquad using single current differencing transconductance amplifier

An universal multi input single output type multifunction biquad is proposed. The proposed configuration employs only one current differencing transconductance amplifier as the active element, two capacitors and three resistors. The circuit realizes all five filter functions (i.e. Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass, Notch and All Pass) without changing the circuit topology. The natural frequency ω₀ is independently and electronically tunable. The workability of the proposed multifunction biquad has been verified using SPICE simulation.     

Effect of rare earth doping on sol-gel derived PZT thin films

We have studied the effect of rare earth dopants (Nd, Gd and Ce) on the phase formation behavior and electrical properties of sol-gel derived Pb_1.05(Zr_0.53Ti_0.47)O₃ thin films. In all these films the perovskite phase is obtained up to 5 at% doping and beyond that pyrochlore phase was found to coexist with the perovskite phase. Ce and Gd doping(1-2 at%) exhibited improved ferroelectric and dielectric properties as compared to the undoped PZT films. Nd doping (2 at%) was found to be effective to increase the retained switchable polarization of undoped PZT from 63% to 84%. The transition temperature of undoped PZT film was found to be reduced with Nd doping. The Nd doped films also exhibited typical relaxor behavior and a diffuse phase transition, characteristic of the relaxor material. Introduction of Nd into the PZT lattice probably introduces disorder in the B site of ABO₃ lattice which causes the observed relaxor behavior     

Soft-Decision Decoding of Punctured Convolutional Codes in Asynchronous-CDMA Communications Under Perfect Phase-Tracking Conditions

In this paper, the performance of punctured convolutional codes of short constraint lengths is discussed. The punctured codes are used to provide error protection to a particular user in an asynchronous CDMA system. A perfect phase reference is assumed to be available throughout this paper. A slow fading Rician channel is assumed. Maximum likelihood decoding through a Viterbi algorithm is used to decode the information symbols. Soft-decision decoding of punctured convolutional codes is considered in this paper. The upper bounds with Viterbi decoding are derived and plotted for the various punctured codes considered. The simulated results are found to agree very well with their upper and lower bounds.     

FECOM: a new artificial stool for evaluating defecation

OBJECTIVE: Traditionally, barium paste has been used for performing defecography. Because this substance is not stool-like, barium defecography may not accurately represent defecatory function. Our aim was to prospectively compare the utility of a new artificial stool, "FECOM"--a silicon-filled and barium-coated, deformable device the shape and consistency of which mimicked a normal formed stool with that of barium paste. METHODS: Defecography was performed after placing FECOM or barium paste in a random order in 12 healthy subjects (two men and 10 women). We evaluated the changes in anorectal angle, rectal morphology, rectal sensation, and the subjects' preference for a "stool-like" device. RESULTS: Anorectal angle at rest, during squeeze, cough, and straining were each greater with the FECOM when compared with the barium paste (p < 0.006). Anterior rectocele (nine), mucosal intussusception (four), and incontinence (three) were identified only with barium defecography. Nine (75%) subjects preferred FECOM to barium paste (p < 0.001) and reported that expulsion of this device mimicked more closely their stools at home (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The anorectal angle is influenced by the form and consistency of stool material and is lower with barium paste. The detection of rectocele, mucosal intussusception, and barium leakage in normal subjects during barium defecography questions the significance of these findings. FECOM appears to be a realistic alternative to barium paste for performing defecography.     

Waterfalls and geysers: the development of diversity awareness at Children's Hospital

The development of diversity awareness at Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, has been a work in progress since the early 1980s. The interface of administration and individual initiatives ("waterfalls" and "geysers") has resulted in projects ranging from major international exchange programs to noontime Spanish language classes. This article recounts the journey from a parochial focus to a consciousness of multiculturalism in virtually all aspects of hospital interaction.     

Response of the hypothalamic neurons to stimulation of the vestibular nerve and lateral vestibular nucleus in rabbits

Effects of single, double, and rhythmic stimulation upon hypothalamic neurons responding to the 1st excitatory phase of lateral vestibular nucleus stimulation, were studied. The data obtained show that activation of some hypothalamic neurons following stimulation of the lateral vestibular nucleus has a monosynaptic character. The findings suggest that ascending afferents from the lateral vestibular nucleus to the hypothalamus pass via oligo- as well as polysynaptic pathways.     

Ex vivo and in vitro testis and ovary explants: utility for identifying steroid biosynthesis inhibitors and comparison to a Tier I screening battery

Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons in lizards (reptiles) were found to regenerate after optic nerve injury. To determine whether regeneration occurs because the visual pathway has growth-supporting glia cells or whether RGC axons regrow despite the presence of neurite growth-inhibitory components, the substrate properties of lizard optic nerve myelin and of oligodendrocytes were analyzed in vitro, using rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. In addition, the response of lizard RGC axons upon contact with rat and reptilian oligodendrocytes or with myelin proteins from the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) was monitored. Lizard optic nerve myelin inhibited extension of rat DRG neurites, and lizard oligodendrocytes elicited DRG growth cone collapse. Both effects were partially reversed by antibody IN-1 against mammalian 35/250 kD neurite growth inhibitors, and IN-1 stained myelinated fiber tracts in the lizard CNS. However, lizard RGC growth cones grew freely across oligodendrocytes from the rat and the reptilian CNS. Mammalian CNS myelin proteins reconstituted into liposomes and added to elongating lizard RGC axons caused at most a transient collapse reaction. Growth cones always recovered within an hour and regrew. Thus, lizard CNS myelin and oligodendrocytes possess nonpermissive substrate properties for DRG neurons--like corresponding structures and cells in the mammalian CNS, including mammalian-like neurite growth inhibitors. Lizard RGC axons, however, appear to be far less sensitive to these inhibitory substrate components and therefore may be able to regenerate through the visual pathway despite the presence of myelin and oligodendrocytes that block growth of DRG neurites.     

Linking service climate and customer perceptions of service quality: test of a causal model

A set of foundation issues that support employee work and service quality is conceptualized as a necessary but not sufficient cause of a climate for service, which in turn is proposed to be reflected in customer experiences. Climate for service rests on the foundation issues, but in addition it requires policies and practices that focus attention directly on service quality. Data were collected at multiple points in time from employees and customers of 134 branches of a bank and analyzed via structural equation modeling. Results indicated that the model in which the foundation issues yielded a climate for service, and climate for service in turn led to customer perceptions of service quality, fit the data well. However, subsequent cross-lagged analyses revealed the presence of a reciprocal effect for climate and customer perceptions. Implications of these results for theory and research are offered.