Development of a transnational accident prediction model.

AbstractThe PRACT Project (Predicting Road ACcidents – a Transferable methodology across Europe) is an ongoing project aimed at developing a European accident prediction model structure that could, with proper calibration, be applied to different European road networks.The core principles behind the PRACT project structure are that:•it is unrealistic to think that one unique Accident Prediction Model (APM) model with a unique set of Crash Modification Factors (CMFs) can actually be developed, valid for all Europe and for all the different type of networks;•the development of a specific APM model and a set of CMFs based on local data is extremely time consuming and expensive and requires data and experience that most road administrations do not have;•the development of “local” CMFs only based on historical local data prevents the possibility of evaluating the effectiveness of new technologies.The PRACT project addresses these issues by developing a practical guideline and a user friendly tool that will allow for an easier implementation of APMs and CMFs in different countries and on different road networks

Determination of Au Film Thiolation and Silane Bonding Onto SiO2 Films Within the Frame of Biosensor Surface Functionalization – an Analysis of Best Practices and Techniques

This paper reviews some of the most common surface modification approaches in biosensing based on self-assembled monolayers with a particular focus on Au film thiolation and SiO2 film silanization. Such approaches are routinely used to alter the materials’ surface properties towards a desired bioresponse. Furthermore, the most appropriate characterization methods towards ensuring successful surface modification are presented including XPS, HREELS, SPFS, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy as well as UPS with specific examples to demonstrate their importance. In addition, the mechanisms of fluorescent and non-fluorescent biotinylation of thiolated Au films and silanized SiO2 are discussed considering its importance in conjugating biomolecules such as enzymes, antibodies or chemokines onto surfaces, which carries high significance for biosensing applications. Finally, within this frame characterization routes towards ensuring effective attachment are discussed. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Eco Global Evaluation: Cross Benefits of Economic and Ecological Evaluation

This paper highlights the complementarities of cost and environmental evaluation in a sustainable approach. Starting with the needs and limits for whole product lifecycle evaluation, this paper begins with the modeling, data capture and performance indicator aspects. In a second step, the information issue, regarding the whole lifecycle of the product is addressed. In order to go further than the economical evaluations/assessment, the value concept (for a product or a service) is discussed. Value could combine functional requirements, cost objectives and environmental impact. Finally, knowledge issues which address the complexity of integrating multi-disciplinary expertise to the whole lifecycle of a product are discussing.EcoSD NetworkEcoSD networ

Current trends on ICT technologies for enterprise information s²ystems

The proposed paper discusses the current trends on ICT technologies for Enterprise Information Systems. The paper starts by defining four big challenges of the next generation of information systems: (1) Data Value Chain Management; (2) Context Awareness; (3) Interaction and Visualization; and (4) Human Learning. The major contributions towards the next generation of information systems are elaborated based on the work and experience of the authors and their teams. This includes: (1) Ontology based solutions for semantic interoperability; (2) Context aware infrastructures; (3) Product Avatar based interactions; and (4) Human learning. Finally the current state of research is discussed highlighting the impact of these solutions on the economic and social landscape

Turkey's military efforts for peace in the Balkans

Ankara : The Department of International Relations, Bilkent Univ., 2003.Thesis (Master's) -- Bilkent University, 2003.Includes bibliographical references leaves 132-142.This thesis analyzes Turkey’s military efforts for peace in the Balkans. With the end of Cold War, there have been remarkable changes in Turkey’s immediate environment. In the periphery of Turkey, including the Balkans, Caucasus and Middle East have emerged instabilities and uncertainties due to disintegration of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, failed state structure in Iraq, and historic grievances in these regions. Under these circumstances, Turkey, considering that her security rests on the promotion and insurance of the peace and stability in her region, increased her contribution to promote regional peace and stability in return to consolidate her security. With this policy vision, in the Balkans, Turkey has made remarkable contribution to the promotion of regional peace and stability. This thesis examines Turkey’s peace efforts in the Balkans but the scope of the study is restricted to military efforts. In the study, Turkey’s military efforts for peace are examined in the bilateral and regional as well as international framework. As a conclusion, Turkey’s stabilizing role and significance of her contribution to peace and stability in the Balkans is clarified.Aksaç, MustafaM.S

New Insights in the Genetics and Genomics of Adrenocortical Tumors and Pheochromocytomas

This book includes 17 papers published in the Special Issue/Article Collectoin “New Insights in the Genetics and Genomics of adrenocortical tumors and pheochromocytomas” including an editorial, 10 research papers and six review articles. Adrenal tumors represent a hot topic in contemporary endocrine oncology. Significant advancements in the genetics of genomics of these tumors have been made in recent years, and these articles give a useful and comprehensive overview of these issues. Questions regarding molecular pathogenesis, diagnosis (biomarkers) and even treatment are discussed in the papers written by international leaders of the field. Manuscripts are focused on three main topics: i. primary aldosteronism (the most common cause of secondary endocrine hypertension), ii. adrenocortical cancer and iii. pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma, which are the tumors with the highest heritability in humans. The book is edited by Prof. Peter Igaz (Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University)