Transportation Systems Evaluation

A methodology for the analysis of transportation systems consisting of five major interacting elements is reported. The analysis begins with the causes of travel demand: geographic, economic, and demographic characteristics as well as attitudes toward travel. Through the analysis, the interaction of these factors with the physical and economic characteristics of the transportation system is determined. The result is an evaluation of the system from the point of view of both passenger and operator. The methodology is applicable to the intraurban transit systems as well as major airlines. Applications of the technique to analysis of a PRT system and a study of intraurban air travel are given. In the discussion several unique models or techniques are mentioned: i.e., passenger preference modeling, an integrated intraurban transit model, and a series of models to perform airline analysis

DNA Chemical Reaction Network Design Synthesis and Compilation

The advantages of biomolecular computing include 1) the ability to interface with, monitor, and intelligently protect and maintain the functionality of living systems, 2) the ability to create computational devices with minimal energy needs and hazardous waste production during manufacture and lifecycle, 3) the ability to store large amounts of information for extremely long time periods, and 4) the ability to create computation analogous to human brain function. To realize these advantages over electronics, biomolecular computing is at a watershed moment in its evolution. Computing with entire molecules presents different challenges and requirements than computing just with electric charge. These challenges have led to ad-hoc design and programming methods with high development costs and limited device performance. At the present time, device building entails complete low-level detail immersion. We address these shortcomings by creation of a systems engineering process for building and programming DNA-based computing devices. Contributions of this thesis include numeric abstractions for nucleic acid sequence and secondary structure, and a set of algorithms which employ these abstractions. The abstractions and algorithms have been implemented into three artifacts: DNADL, a design description language; Pyxis, a molecular compiler and design toolset; and KCA, a simulation of DNA kinetics using a cellular automaton discretization. Our methods are applicable to other DNA nanotechnology constructions and may serve in the development of a full DNA computing model

The development and applications of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for the detection of illicit drugs in saliva samples

Anti-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), anti-cocaine and anti-morphine polyclonal antibodies were produced. These antibodies were successfully applied to an ELISA format for the detection of THC, cocaine, and morphine in saliva samples. Monoclonal antibodies against amphetamine and its derivatives were produced using two different conjugates, amphetamine-bovine serum albumin and methamphetaminebovine serum albumin. Two successful clones were produced, and the antibodies were applied to an ELISA format for the detection of amphetamine, methamphetamine, and the other common amphetamine derivatives, such as methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The ELISA was developed using saliva as the matrix. During the screening stage of the production of these antibodies, particular attention was given to their cross reactivity profiles. Among the molecules tested for cross-reactivity, were legally available medications such as ephedrine, as other commercially available antibodies show cross reactivity. The resulting monoclonal antibodies detected amphetamine and other designer derivatives, and showed negligible cross reactivity with the legal structurally related molecules. The antibodies were applied to a biosensor (BIAcore) assay for the detection of amphetamine and methamphetamine in saliva samples. The affinity constants for the antibodies were determined by ELISA and BIAcore methods. The values obtained were found to be similar by both methods. A novel automated prototype device, developed by our collaborators, Envitec, was optimised and the anti-THC polyclonal antibody was applied to it for the screening of saliva samples for the presence of THC. This was a rapid, qualitative test, and it could be performed in less than 20 minutes. The basis of the assay was competition between horseradish peroxidase-labeled THC and THC present in the saliva samples, for binding to the anti-THC polyclonal antibodies that coated the reaction wells of the device

How to reduce your risk of injury from exposure to anhydrous ammonia

SF-962; This circular provides safety information on how to handle anhydrous ammonia. It includes bibliographical reference

The hotel comment card: A motivator of guest satisfaction

This paper explores the traditional pen and paper hotel comment card (HCC) from the guests’ perspective to gain an insight and to improve its effectiveness. The HCC has long been the predominant method of soliciting guest feedback. Although electronic methods of collection are now available the HCC has a sense of familiarity, has general acceptance, and is widely employed. Initially, a literature review of the hotel comment card is provided. Then, the study explores how frequent guests categorize HCC attributes. These attributes are then extended to include evaluation criteria identified in the literature and desired by hotel managers. The extended evaluation criterion is then used to explore how frequent hotel guests believe that future HCCs may motivate guests to provide feedback and assist in the co-­‐‑creation of value. The overall finding is that the HCCs design and execution can be improved

Mobilizing Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in Narwhal Management through Community Empowerment: A Case Study in Naujaat, Nunavut

This research examines the relationship between government wildlife management and the use of Inuit knowledge or Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) through a case study focusing on narwhal (Monodon monoceros) harvesting in the community of Naujaat, Nunavut. Since Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) introduced a community quota system in 1971, the ultimate responsibility for decision making has shifted from hunting communities to government. This shift corresponds with changes in the use of IQ within the community. Interviews with hunters, elders, and representatives of the hunters and trappers organization in Naujaat provide insight into the nature of these changes. Key factors influencing the role of IQ in narwhal management decision making included the imposed quota system, the perception of the ongoing role of IQ, communication challenges, modern-day drivers of change, and the lack of decision-making authority at the community level.Cette recherche examine le lien entre la gestion de la faune faite par le gouvernement et l’utilisation des connaissances des Inuits, aussi appelées Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) grâce à une étude de cas portant sur la chasse au narval (Monodon monoceros) réalisée dans le hameau de Naujaat, au Nunavut. Depuis que le ministère des Pêches et Océans du Canada (MPO) a mis en place un système de quota communautaire en 1971, la responsabilité ultime en matière de prise de décisions est passée des mains des collectivités faisant la chasse aux mains du gouvernement. Ce virage a donné lieu à des changements en matière d’utilisation de l’IQ dans la région. Des entrevues avec des chasseurs, des aînés et des représentants de groupements de chasseurs et de trappeurs de Naujaat ont permis de comprendre la nature de ces changements. Parmi les facteurs-clés exerçant une influence sur le rôle de l’IQ en matière de décisions prises pour la gestion des narvals, notons le système de quotas qui a été imposé, la perception du rôle continu de l’IQ, les problèmes de communication, les moteurs du changement contemporains et l’absence de pouvoir décisionnel au niveau communautaire

A parametric study: Frame analysis method for masonry arch bridges

The predictability of masonry arch bridges and their behaviour is widely considered doubtful due to the lack of knowledge about the conditions of a given masonry arch bridge. The assessment methods for masonry arch bridges are MEXE, ARCHIE, RING and Frame Analysis Method. The material properties of the masonry and fill material are extremely difficult to determine accurately. Consequently, it is necessary to examine the effect of load dispersal angle through the fill material, the effect of variations in the stiffness of the masonry, the tensile strength of the masonry mortar continuum and the compressive strength of the masonry mortar continuum. It is also important to understand the effect of fill material on load dispersal angle to determine their influence on ratings. In this paper a series of parametric studies, to examine the sensitivity of assessment ratings to the various sets of input data required by the frame analysis method, are carried out

Linkages between the southern Patagonia Pre-Permian basements : new insights from detrital zircons U-Pb SHRIMP ages from the Cerro Negro District

The Patagonian basement rocks are dominated by Precambrian to Early Paleozoic metamorphic rocks intruded by Paleozoic granitoids. Recently discovered basement rocks in the Cerro Negro District are characterized mainly by quartz-muscovite-chlorite schists; the metamorphic grade reaches greenschist facies (biotite-garnet grade) with a regional S1 schistosity subparallel to the original sedimentary structure S0 and a secondary non-penetrative S2 foliation. New detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology shows that maximum depositional ages for detrital zircons are Devonian, ages of 379 ± 4Ma. These results suggest that the Cerro Negro basement rocks are the youngest basement in the Deseado Massif, overlapping some detrital zircon ages in the eastern Andean Metamorphic Complex in the Andean region. Most of detrital zircons are igneous in origin with a major peak around ~396Ma, provably sourced from the Devonian granitoids of the Río Deseado Complex (El Laurel and Bahía Laura granites) and equivalent northern Patagonia granitoids (e.g. Colan Conhué and Lago Lolog granites). Secondary peaks correspond to Ordovician to Silurian ages, being the Río Deseado Complex and La Modesta Formation (and their igneous contributors) the possible sources of the zircons. The minor oldest peaks yield Cambrian-Neoproterozoic; Mesoproterozoic and Paleoproterozoic-Archean ages, evidencing a common source from the interior of Gondwana. The results provide new insights about the relationships between the pre-Permian metasedimentary rocks of the extra-Andean and Andean region during Mid-Paleozoic ages

High level of treatment failure with commonly used anthelmintics on Irish sheep farms

peer-reviewedBackground: In 2013 a Technology Adoption Program for sheep farmers was established to encourage the implementation of best management practices on sheep farms in Ireland. There were 4,500 participants in this programme in 2013. As part of this programme, farmers had the option to carry out a drench test to establish the efficacy of their anthelmintic treatment. Results: Flock faecal samples were collected before and after treatment administration and gastrointestinal nematode eggs enumerated. In total there were 1,893 participants in the task, however only 1,585 included both a pre- and post-treatment faecal sample. Of those, 1,308 provided information on the anthelmintic product that they used with 46%, 23% and 28% using a benzimidazole (BZ), levamisole (LEV) and macrocyclic lactone (ML) product respectively. The remaining farmers used a product inapplicable for inclusion in the task such as a flukicide or BZ/LEV combination product. Samples were included for analysis of drench efficacy if the pre-treatment flock egg count was ≥200 eggs per gram and the interval post-sampling was 10–14 days for BZ products, 4–7 days for LEV products and 14–18 days for ML products. These criteria reduced the number of valid tests to 369, 19.5% of all tests conducted. If the reduction post-treatment was ≥95% the treatment was considered effective. Only 51% of treatments were considered effective using this criterion. There was a significant difference in efficacy between the anthelmintic drug classes with BZ effective in only 30% of treatments, LEV effective in 52% of cases and ML effective in 76% of cases. Conclusions: Gastrointestinal nematode anthelmintic treatments, as practiced on Irish farms, have a high failure rate. There was a significant difference between the efficacies of the anthelmintic classes with BZ the least effective and ML the most effective