Do so-called multivariate filters have better revision properties? An empirical analysis

The output gap plays a crucial role in thinking and actions of many central banks but real time measurements undergo substantial revisions as more data become available (Orphanides (2001), Orphanides and van Norden (forthcoming)). Some central banks augment, such as the Bank of Canada and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, the Hodrick and Prescott (1997) filter with conditioning structural information to mitigate the impact of revisions to the output gap estimates. In this paper, we use a state space Kalman filter framework to examine whether the augmented (so-called “multivariate filtersâ€) achieve this objective. We find that the multivariate filters are no better than the Hodrick-Prescott filter for real-time NZ data. The addition of structural equations increase the number of signal equations, but at the same time adds more unobserved trend/equilibrium variables to the system. We find that how these additional trends/equilibrium values are treated matters a lot, and they increase the uncertainty around the estimates. In addition, the revisions from these models can be as large as a univariate Hodrick-Prescott filter.output gap, real time, multivariate filters

Illinois Highway Materials Sustainability Efforts of 2014

This report presents the 2014 sustainability efforts of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) in recycling reclaimed materials in highway construction. This report meets the requirements of Illinois Public Act 097-0314 by documenting IDOT’s efforts to reduce the carbon footprint and achieve cost savings through the use of recycled materials in asphalt paving projects. Research efforts undertaken and those that will have a future impact on IDOT’s sustainability efforts are highlighted.Illinois Department of Transportation, R27-160Ope

Baseline Rolling Resistance for Tires’ On-Road Fuel Efficiency Using Finite Element Modeling

Calculation of truck tires rolling resistance, using the finite element method and considering variables such as incompressible visco-hyperelastic rubber materials, accurate tire geometry and steady temperature distribution, is presented. The model was validated using experimentally measured contact area and contact stresses. Rolling resistance was calculated for three values of axle load, tire inflation pressure, temperature and speed. In addition, regression analysis was used to propose a mathematical expression for predicting rolling resistance as a function of the considered variables. Finally, the contribution of tire’s rubber components to the internal energy was quantified, and it was found that sidewall and subtread were the most relevant. The results of this study will help differentiate the contribution of pavement parameters, such as mean profile depth and international roughness index, to fuel efficiency

Non‐pharmacological interventions for longer‐term stroke survivors or their carers: an overview of Cochrane Reviews

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Overview). The objectives are as follows: To produce an overview of Cochrane Reviews of non-pharmacological interventions with evidence relevant to community-based longerterm stroke survivors or their carers, focusing on person-centred outcomes. This will include: • identifying types of non-pharmacological interventions that have been evaluated in the longer-term after stroke (included intervention types), where such a trial has been included in a Cochrane Review; • identify types of non-pharmacological intervention that may be applicable to the longer-term after stroke but have only been evaluated in the shorter-term after stroke, where such a trial has been included in a Cochrane Review; • categorise these intervention types according to the poststroke problems they are directly intended to address, as defined by Cochrane Review authors; • identifying the outcomes considered most important (primary outcomes) for included intervention types, as defined by Cochrane Review authors; • examining evidence of the effects of included intervention types specific to the longer-term after stroke; • signposting readers to evidence of effective interventions; • identifying opportunities for merging or splitting existing Cochrane Reviews

Development of Domain Analysis for Determining Potential Pavement Damage

A new approach for quantifying flexible pavement damage potential is proposed. The new method, domain analysis, utilizes multiaxial results from advanced finite element models to calculate the response of flexible pavements to tire loading. The output is a single scalar value, which is unique to a given pavement structure and loading configuration. The ability of the domain analysis to quantify bulk damage potential and overcome flaws of conventional approaches based on point responses is demonstrated by testing three case studies: (1) comparison of typical loading conditions of dual-tire assembly (DTA), new-generation wide-base tire (NG-WBT), and steer tire; (2) effect of tire-inflation pressures; and (3) influence of differential tire-inflation pressure for DTA. The proposed method provides a direct link between three-dimensional contact stresses at the tire-pavement interface and three-dimensional responses of a loaded pavement structure. Also, the applicability of the domain analysis method could easily extend to other pavement structures, tire types and configurations, and loading conditions, along with considering other failure criteria. Jaime Hernandez was affiliated with University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign at the time of publication

Measuring eudaimonic and non-eudaimonic goods in the pursuit of the good life: The Riverside Eudaimonia Scale and the Rich & Sexy Well-Being Scale

Well-being science has largely focused on subjective well-being, defined in terms of life satisfaction and positive and negative emotions. However, some philosophical accounts of well-being, like “eudaimonia” accounts, emphasize the attainment of goods, such as having deep social relationships and achieving one’s creative potential. We supplement psychological measures of eudaimonia by developing two self-report measures of well-being informed by the philosophical literature. The Riverside Eudaimonia Scale (RES) was designed to measure people’s perceptions of their eudaimonic well-being along several dimensions emphasized in the philosophical literature on eudaimonia. The Rich & Sexy Well-Being Scale (RSWBS) was designed to measure people’s perceptions of their attainment of other commonly valued goods that have received less attention in the literature on eudaimonic well-being: sex life, wealth, personal physical beauty, and social status. In three studies, we develop and validate these scales

Administration of Anesthesia in a Patient with Allgrove Syndrome

The aim of the present paper is to report the anesthesia administration to a patient who was planned to undergo Heller myotomy for achalasia. There wasnot property in the patient whom allgrove syndrome was excepted any steroid treatment in preoperative period. The night before the operation 18 mg of prednisolone was administered intravenously. Induction of anesthesia was performed with thiopental sodium, vecuronium and fentanyl and the patient received endotracheal intubation. Eyes were taped closed and protected with ointment during surgery. Maintenance of anesthesia was achieved with 2% sevoflurane concentration in 50% O2-50% N2O. 25 mg of prednisolone was infused preoperatively, and intervention with insulin treatment was initiated when blood glucose level rose to 18 mmol/L at 2 hours. Safe anesthesia can be achieved by observing the preoperative development of tracheal aspiration, adrenal insufficiency and, autonomic dysfunction carefully and maintaining eye protection