Development of a Freight Demand Model with an Application to California

ABSTRACTThis paper discusses the disaggregation of the Federal Highway Administration's Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) database (version 3.0) on freight origin-destination data and the development of linear regression equations to describe the relationships between commodity-based freight trip productions/attractions to specific economic variables. Instead of generating a production/attraction equation for each commodity, commodities are grouped in certain ways to simplify model development and application. We consider three grouping methods and two model selection criteria (with and without intercepts), which are compared in terms of goodness of fit with two data sets (FAF versions 2.0 and 3.0). Furthermore, the freight generation models are validated using county-level economic data in California and applied to predict year 2015 commodity outputs. The results of this study can help city, county, metropolitan and state level planning agencies develop their own customized freight demand generation models without performing costly large-scale surveys

Seed size, fecundity and postfire regeneration strategy are interdependent in Hakea

Seed size is a key functional trait that affects plant fitness at the seedling stage and may vary greatly with species fruit size, growth form and fecundity. Using structural equation modelling (SEM) and correlated trait evolution analysis, we investigated the interaction network between seed size and fecundity, postfire regeneration strategy, fruit size, plant height and serotiny (on-plant seed storage) among 82 species of the woody shrub genus, Hakea, with a wide spectrum of seed sizes (2–500 mg). Seed size is negatively correlated with fecundity, while fire-killed species (nonsprouters) produce more seeds than resprouters though they are of similar size. Seed size is unrelated to plant height and level of serotiny while it scales allometrically with fruit size. A strong phylogenetic signal in seed size revealed phylogenetic constraints on seed size variation in Hakea. Our analyses suggest a causal relationship between seed size, fecundity and postfire regeneration strategy in Hakea. These results demonstrate that fruit size, fecundity and evolutionary history have had most control over seed size variation among Hakea species

Premelting of Thin Wires

Recent work has raised considerable interest on the nature of thin metallic wires. We have investigated the melting behavior of thin cylindrical Pb wires with the axis along a (110) direction, using molecular dynamics and a well-tested many-body potential. We find that---in analogy with cluster melting---the melting temperature $T_m (R)$ of a wire with radius $R$ is lower than that of a bulk solid, $T_m^b$, by $T_m (R) = T_m^b -c/R$. Surface melting effects, with formation of a thin skin of highly diffusive atoms at the wire surface, is observed. The diffusivity is lower where the wire surface has a flat, local (111) orientation, and higher at (110) and (100) rounded areas. The possible relevance to recent results on non-rupturing thin necks between an STM tip and a warm surface is addressed.Comment: 10 pages, 4 postscript figures are appended, RevTeX, SISSA Ref. 131/94/CM/S

Can patterns of everyday consumption indicate lifestyles? A secondary analysis of expenditures for fast moving goods and their social contexts

Ausgangspunkt der vorliegenden Studie bildet die Frage, ob sich Einkaufsformen beim täglichen Verbrauch als grundlegende Indikatoren von Lebensstilen erweisen. Datengrundlage bildet eine Sekundäranalyse von Panel-Daten zum Konsum schnelllebiger Waren, die vom weltweiten Marktforschungsunternehmen GfK im Jahr 1995 erhoben worden sind. Es wird zunächst eine Reihe von Hypothesen aufgestellt und die zugrunde gelegten Daten und die Stichprobe erläutert. Im Hauptteil der Studie werden 15 vollständige Cluster des Kaufverhaltens von Waren aus den Bereichen Nahrungsmittel, Getränke und Hygiene-Artikel untersucht und mit ausgewählten sozialen Indikatoren, wie z.B. sozialer Status, Mentalität und Umweltbewusstsein in Beziehung gesetzt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass selbst der Kauf von schnelllebigen Konsumgütern in breitere Lebensstile eingebettet ist und auch im Zeitverlauf relativ konstant bleibt. (ICI

Mutational Analysis of Hedgehog Signaling Pathway Genes in Human Malignant Mesothelioma

Background The Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway is critical for embryonic development and adult homeostasis. Recent studies have identified regulatory roles for this pathway in certain cancers with mutations in the HH pathway genes. The extent to which mutations of the HH pathway genes are involved in the pathogenesis of malignant mesothelioma (MMe) is unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings Real-time PCR analysis of HH pathway genes PTCH1, GLI1 and GLI2 were performed on 7 human MMe cell lines. Exon sequencing of 13 HH pathway genes was also performed in cell lines and human MMe tumors. In silico programs were used to predict the likelihood that an amino-acid substitution would have a functional effect. GLI1, GLI2 and PTCH1 were highly expressed in MMe cells, indicative of active HH signaling. PTCH1, SMO and SUFU mutations were found in 2 of 11 MMe cell lines examined. A non-synonymous missense SUFU mutation (p.T411M) was identified in LO68 cells. In silico characterization of the SUFU mutant suggested that the p.T411M mutation might alter protein function. However, we were unable to demonstrate any functional effect of this mutation on Gli activity. Deletion of exons of the PTCH1 gene was found in JU77 cells, resulting in loss of one of two extracellular loops implicated in HH ligand binding and the intracellular C-terminal domain. A 3-bp insertion (69_70insCTG) in SMO, predicting an additional leucine residue in the signal peptide segment of SMO protein was also identified in LO68 cells and a MMe tumour. Conclusions/Significance We identified the first novel mutations in PTCH1, SUFU and SMO associated with MMe. Although HH pathway mutations are relatively rare in MMe, these data suggest a possible role for dysfunctional HH pathway in the pathogenesis of a subgroup of MMe and help rationalize the exploration of HH pathway inhibitors for MMe therapy

An experience on natural sciences augmented reality contents for preschoolers

[EN] Early education is a key element for the future success of students in the education system. This work analyzes the feasibility of using augmented reality contents with preschool students (four and five years old) as a tool for improving their learning process. A quasi experimental design based on a nonequivalent groups posttest-only design was used. A didactic unit has been developed around the topic animals by the participant teachers. The control group followed all the didactic activities defined in the developed didactic materials, while the experimental group was provided in addition with some augmented reality contents. Results show improved learning outcomes in the experimental group with respect to the control group.The Spanish Ministry Economy and Competitiveness partially supported this work (Project ref. TIN2010-21296-C02-01).Cascales, A.; Laguna, I.; Pérez López, DC.; Perona Ruiz, PD.; Contero, M. (2013). An experience on natural sciences augmented reality contents for preschoolers. Lecture Notes in Computer Science. 8022:103-112. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-39420-1_12S1031128022Barnett, W.S.: Effectiveness of Early Educational Intervention. Science 333(6045), 975–978 (2011)OECD: Investing in high-quality early childhood education and care (ECEC). OECD Publishing, http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/0/28/48980282.pdf (retrieved)Campos, P., Pessanha, S.: Designing Augmented Reality Tangible Interfaces for Kindergarten Children. In: Shumaker, R. (ed.) Virtual and Mixed Reality, HCII 2011, Part I. LNCS, vol. 6773, pp. 12–19. Springer, Heidelberg (2011)Lim, J., Kim, S.: A Study on Markerless AR-based Infant Education System using CBIR. Communications in Computer and Information Science 78, 52–58 (2010)Chen, C.H., Su, C.C., Lee, P.Y., Wu, F.G.: Augmented Interface for Children Chinese Learning Technologies. In: 7th IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies, pp. 268–270. IEEE Press, New York (2007)Azuma, R.: A Survey of Augmented Reality. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments 6(1), 355–385 (1997)Winkler, T., Herczeg, M., Kritzenberger, H.: Mixed Reality Environments as Collaborative and Constructive Learning Spaces for Elementary School Children. In: Barker, P., Rebelsky, S. (eds.) Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2002, pp. 1034–1039. AACE, Chesapeake (2002)Hsieh, M.C., Lee, J.S.: AR Marker Capacity Increasing for Kindergarten English Learning. In: International Multi Conference of Engineers and Computer Scientists, vol. 1, pp. 663–666 (2008)Hsieh, M.C., Lin, H.C.K.: Interaction Design Based on Augmented Reality Technologies for English Vocabulary Learning. In: Wong, S.L., et al. (eds.) Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Computers in Education, vol. 1, pp. 663–666. Asia-Pacific Society for Computers in Education (2010)Lee, H., Lee, J.: Mathematical Education Game Based on Augmented Reality. Technologies for E-Learning and Digital Entertainment, 442–450 (2008)Hyun, E., Choi, K., Kim, G.J., Han, J., Jo, M., Kim, N.: Delphi Survey on the Use of Robot Projector based Augmented Reality in Dramatic Activity for Young Children. International Journal of Digital Content Technology and its Applications 5(11), 272–282 (2011)Kim, H.M., Song, T.H., Jung, S.M., Kwon, K.H., Jeon, J.W.: Virtual Storyteller Using Marker Based AR and FPGA. In: IEEE 54th International Midwest Symposium on Circuits and Systems, pp. 1–4. IEEE Press, New York (2011)Dunleavy, M., Dede, C., Mitchell, R.: Affordances and Limitations of Immersive Participatory Augmented Reality Simulations for Teaching and Learning. Journal of Science Education and Technology 18, 7–22 (2009)Martín-Gutiérrez, J., Saorín, J.L., Contero, M., Alcañiz, M., Pérez-López, D., Ortega, M.: Design and validation of an augmented book for spatial abilities development in engineering students. Computers & Graphics 34(1), 77–91 (2010)Cook, T.D., Campbell, D.T., Day, A.: Quasi-experimentation: Design and Analysis Issues for Field Settings, pp. 19–21. Houghton Mifflin, Boston (1979)Buendía, L., Colás, P., Hernández-Pina, F.: Métodos de Investigación en Psicopedagogía. McGraw Hill, Madrid (1997

Implementation strategies for web-based applications for screening: a scoping review

1. Chor Yau Ooi, Chirk Jenn Ng, Anne E. Sales, & Lim, H. M

Enhancement of near-cloaking. Part II: the Helmholtz equation

The aim of this paper is to extend the method of improving cloaking structures in the conductivity to scattering problems. We construct very effective near-cloaking structures for the scattering problem at a fixed frequency. These new structures are, before using the transformation optics, layered structures and are designed so that their first scattering coefficients vanish. Inside the cloaking region, any target has near-zero scattering cross section for a band of frequencies. We analytically show that our new construction significantly enhances the cloaking effect for the Helmholtz equation.Comment: 16pages, 12 fugure

A possible minimal gauge-Higgs unification

A possible minimal model of the gauge-Higgs unification based on the higher dimensional spacetime M^4 X (S^1/Z_2) and the bulk gauge symmetry SU(3)_C X SU(3)_W X U(1)_X is constructed in some details. We argue that the Weinberg angle and the electromagnetic current can be correctly identified if one introduces the extra U(1)_X above and a bulk scalar triplet. The VEV of this scalar as well as the orbifold boundary conditions will break the bulk gauge symmetry down to that of the standard model. A new neutral zero-mode gauge boson Z' exists that gains mass via this VEV. We propose a simple fermion content that is free from all the anomalies when the extra brane-localized chiral fermions are taken into account as well. The issues on recovering a standard model chiral-fermion spectrum with the masses and flavor mixing are also discussed, where we need to introduce the two other brane scalars which also contribute to the Z' mass in the similar way as the scalar triplet. The neutrinos can get small masses via a type I seesaw mechanism. In this model, the mass of the Z' boson and the compactification scale are very constrained as respectively given in the ranges: 2.7 TeV < m_Z' < 13.6 TeV and 40 TeV < 1/R < 200 TeV.Comment: 20 pages, revised versio

Lepton Polarization and Forward-Backward Asymmetries in b -> s tau+ tau-

We study the spin polarizations of both tau leptons in the decay b -> s tau+ tau-. In addition to the polarization asymmetries involving a single tau, we construct asymmetries for the case where both polarizations are simultaneously measured. We also study forward-backward asymmetries with polarized tau's. We find that a large number of asymmetries are predicted to be large, >~ 10%. This permits the measurement of all Wilson coefficients and the b-quark mass, thus allowing the standard model (SM) to be exhaustively tested. Furthermore, there are many unique signals for the presence of new physics. For example, asymmetries involving triple-product correlations are predicted to be tiny within the SM, O(10^{-2}). Their observation would be a clear signal of new physics.Comment: 21 pages, LaTeX, 4 figures (included). Paper somewhat reorganized, references greatly expanded, conclusions unchange