Feasability Analysis of Ramp Control Systems, A Simulation Approach.

The ever increasing traffic congestion being experienced on urban freeways has caused attention to be focused on methods for improving traffic operations on these facilities. The reduction or elimination of freeway congestion can be handled in two basic ways: 1) by increasing the freeway\u27s capacity defined as the number of vehicles per unit time that can pass a given point in one lane of the freeway multiplied by the number of lanes on the freeway, or 2) by decreasing the traffic loads imposed on these freeways. Monumental costs and adverse public relations are involved in the construction of either new freeways or additional lanes in urban areas to increase freeway capacity. Due to these factors, the move in recent years has been toward decreasing traffic loads to accomplish the goals of reduction or elimination of freeway congestion. In an effort to combat the freeway congestion, traffic researchers have devoted much time and effort to the theoretical and practical aspects of systems in which controlled access is utilized to prevent or reduce congestion caused by traffic demands in excess of freeway operational capacity. Such systems perform the function of \u27freeway surveillance and control\u27. An important aspect of these systems is the control mechanism used for the regulation of the ramp traffic to the freeway. This topic of ramp metering is the subject of this report

Factors influencing feeding practices of extreme poor infants and young children in families of working mothers in Dhaka slums: A qualitative study

BackgroundNutritional status differs between infants and young children living in slum and non-slum conditions—infants and young children living in City Corporation slums are likely to have worse nutritional status compared to those from non-slums. Furthermore, families in slums tend to engage female labor in cash-earning activities as a survival strategy; hence, a higher percentage of mothers stay at work. However, little is known about feeding practices for infants and young children in families with working mothers in slums. This study aims to understand the factors that determine feeding practices for infants and young children living in families with working mothers in Dhaka slums.MethodsThis study adopted a qualitative approach. Sixteen In-depth Interviews, five Key Informant Interviews, and Focused Group Discussions were conducted with family members, community leaders, and program staff. Method triangulation and thematic analyses were conducted.ResultsFeeding practices for infants and young children in families with working mothers are broadly determined by mothers’ occupation, basis civic facilities, and limited family buying capacity. Although mothers have good nutritional knowledge, they negotiate between work and feeding their infants and young children. Household composition, access to cooking facilities, and poverty level were also found to be significant determining factors.ConclusionThe results suggest a trade-off between mothers’ work and childcare. The absence of alternative care support in homes and/or work places along with societal factors outweighs full benefits of project interventions. Improving alternative childcare support could reduce the burden of feeding practice experienced by working mothers and may improve nutritional outcomes

The 'long' 16th century : a key period of animal husbandry change in England

Although many historians have extensively discussed the agricultural history of England between the Late Middle Ages and the Modern Era, this period of crucial changes has received less attention by archaeologists. In this paper, zooarchaeological evidence dated between the Late Middle Ages and the Early Modern period is analysed to investigate changes in animal husbandry during the ‘long’ sixteenth century. The size and shape of the main domestic animals (cattle, sheep, pig and chicken) is explored through biometrical data and discussed in line with evidence of taxonomic frequencies, ageing and sex ratios. Data from 12 sites with relevant chronologies and located in different areas of the country are considered. The results show that, although a remarkable size increase of animals occurred in England throughout the post-medieval period, much of this improvement occurred as early as the sixteenth century. The nature and causes of such improvement are discussed, with the aim of understanding the development of Early Modern farming and the foundations of the so-called Agricultural Revolution