An integrated systems methodology for pedestrian traffic flow analysis

The typical urban pedestrian transportation system involves three basic elements: sidewalks or walkways; midblock or intersection corner, holding, or queueing areas; and pedestrian crossings of roads, rail lines, or other physical features. The pedestrians on sidewalks or walkways have operating characteristics analogous to motorized vehicles on roadways. Each critical pedestrian element has been considered individually, but not as a balanced system, especially at the most critical link--the signalized urban intersection; In this research, a methodology and guidelines have been developed to analyze existing pedestrian elements at a signalized intersection, i.e., the sidewalk, intersection corner, and crosswalk; with a systems approach that identifies key interrelationships of the individual elements. This systems approach can guide the design of a balanced at-grade pedestrian transportation system; used to evaluate existing signalized at-grade intersection pedestrian elements; and develop decision support tools to evaluate the potential need for a grade-separated pedestrian facility; A case study of the signalized at-grade intersection of Flamingo Road and Las Vegas Boulevard South in the Las Vegas valley area of Clark County, Nevada is presented to demonstrate the application of the methodology. Comments and recommendations regarding potential utilization of the research product presented in this thesis for pedestrian planning and design are offered. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Rare case: enucleation of multiple fibroids after intraoperative vaginal sonographic detection of the solitary pelvic kidney by patient with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome

Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH) is a congenital anomaly of the genital tract that occurs in about 1 in 4000 women. MRKH syndrome can be associated with renal, skeletal, heart and hearing abnormalities. The frequency of renal/urinary tract abnormalities is 33%. Only a few cases of fibroid development in MRKH syndrome have been described in the literature. The diagnosis and surgery of a fibroid in MRKH syndrome may be complicated in associated kidney abnormality by an atypical kidney position, as in this case: pelvic kidney on one side and renal agenesia on the contralateral side. Authors present the case of a 47-year-old female patient with a known MRKH syndrome and a pelvic kidney on the right side who had presented with an unclear tumour in the right lower abdomen. A completed CT scan revealed the tumour directly next to the pelvic kidney. A malignancy could not be excluded with certainty, so that a laparoscopy in laparotomy readiness was indicated and performed. During surgery, two rudimentary uterine horns were found; on the right side retroperitoneally, below the uterine horn, the tumour was located and directly below it there was a soft tissue alteration, probably the kidney. For safety, a vaginal sonography was performed in between, to clearly identify the only kidney and to avoid damaging it. The tumour could be extirpated laparoscopically without kidney injury. The two uterine horns were removed simultaneously. Histologically the fibroid could be confirmed. In addition, three other fibroids (one on the left side and two on the right side) were detected. Due to the high probability of a simultaneous kidney abnormality in the MRKH syndrome, authors suggest an accurate kidney diagnosis preoperatively. If necessary, in the case of a pelvic kidney and/or renal agenesia, as in this case, an additional intraoperative kidney check should be performed

Pregnancy while using a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system 52 mg: a case report

Intrauterine contraception mostly in the form of copper intrauterine device (IUD) or hormone-releasing system, is a widely used method with a high level of contraceptive security. Despite high contraceptive efficiency, pregnancy can still occur. Pregnancy with a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in situ is very rare. Intracavitary pregnancy with an IUD can lead to a higher risk of infection and preterm birth. Present the case of a 28-year old woman who was admitted to our hospital due to pregnancy with an LNG-IUS 52 mg in the 9th gestational weeks (8 weeks 3 days). Sonography showed an intact pregnancy corresponding to the gestational week. The IUS was located in the lower part of the cavity at a considerable distance from the amniotic cavity. After extensive information on the benefits and risks, sonography-guided saline infusion hysteroscopy was carried out. The intact pregnancy and the IUS could be shown hysteroscopically. The removal of the IUS was carried out with a grasping forceps. There was no complication. After an inconspicuous course of pregnancy, the patient spontaneously gave birth in 37 gestational weeks 1 day

If at First You Don't Succeed: Budgeting by a Sequence of Referenda

An econometric model, based on the Romer-Rosenthal model of agenda control by budget-maximizing bureaucracies is used to analyze the budgetary and voting outcomes of referenda in a cross-section of Oregon school districts. In addition to estimates of the effects of agenda control, the model permits estimation of the spending effects of voter failure to perceive the .availability of lump-sum intergovernmental grants. Budgets are set via referenda. In the event of a failed referendum, a limited number of additional votes may be taken. The model permits estimation of the degree to which the agenda setter (e.g., the school superintendent) learns about voter preferences from the outcomes of failed referenda. The endogenous variables in the model are the budget proposals and voting outcomes of each referendum in the sequence of referenda held in each school district. The effects of proposals on voting behavior and the effects of learning appear via structural parameters in the error structure. The model is estimated by non-linear maximum likelihood. The results (1) support the theoretical model of agenda control and the effect of the setter's proposals on voting behavior; (2) indicate that voter failure to perceive state grants leads to important increases in spending; (3) fail to indicate any learning by the setter

Yhwh, the goddess and evil : is ‘monotheism’ an adequate concept to describe the Hebrew Bible’s discourses about the God of Israel?

The concept of ‘monotheism’ has become a matter of debate in Hebrew Bible scholarship. This article investigates whether the concept should still be used, starting with Second Isaiah, who in the early Persian period elaborated a discourse that presented Yhwh as the only god. Therefore he had to integrate into this deity functions traditionally attributed to goddesses and to demons or evil gods. However, this attempt did not succeed. The goddess, whose elimination is probably reflected in Zechariah 5, returned in a certain way through the personification of Wisdom in Proverbs 8, and the ‘dark sides’ of the gods were materialised in the figure of Satan, who experienced an impressive career in the following centuries. The question of evil is not resolved in the Hebrew Bible. Some texts admit the autonomy of evil, whereas Isaiah 45 claims that Yhwh himself is at the origin of evil. This diversity makes it difficult to characterise the Hebrew Bible as the result of a straightforward evolution from polytheism to monotheism.http://www.ve.org.zaam2013mn201

Warranties, Performance, and the Resolution of Buyer-Seller Disputes

Many disputes between buyers and sellers concern product quality and whether a claim of poor product performance is covered by a warranty issued by the seller. We develop and analytical framework in which average product quality, buyer preferences, production and transaction costs, and the extent to which "true" quality can be observed by buyer and seller interact to determine warranties, product price, and the likelihood of disputes. Using this framework, we examine the impact of various types of dispute resolution mechanisms (DRM's) on these outcomes. We relate features of DRM's, such as cost and accuracy, to prices, warranties, and allocative efficiency of the market in which disputes arise