Detecting the Resistivity Distribution of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Concrete by Electrical Resistance Tomography Method

According to the principle of electrical resistance tomography （ ERT）, the resistivity distribution of the carbon fiber reinforced concrete （CFRC） in the sensing field can be measured by injecting exciting current and measuring the voltage on the sensor electrode arrays installed on the surface of the object. Therefore, measurement of the resistivity distribution of CFRC is divided into first measuring the boundary conditions and then inversely computing the resistivity distribution. To reach this goal, an ERT system was constructed, which is composed of a sensor array unit, a data acquisition unit and an image reconstruction unit. Simulations of static ERT was performed on set-ups with many objects spread in a homogeneous background, and a simulation of dynamic ERT was also done on a rectangular board, the resistivity of which was changed within a small domain of it. Then, the resistivity distribution of a CFRC sample with a circlar hole as the target was detected by the ERT system. Simulation and experimental results show that the reconstructed ERT image reflects the resistivity distribution or the resistivity change of CFRC structure well. Especially, a small change in resistivity can be identified from the reconstructed images in the simulation of dynamic ERT images.     

Innovation and transportation's technologies

I critique the innovation processes that yield transportation's technologies, and to aid my analysis I look back to take advantage of the accumulation of experiences and insights marked by the millennium. I identify supply, transport, and user systems. Transport systems move things; supply systems provide fuel, pavements, and other inputs to transport activities; and user systems combine transport with other activities for socially useful purposes. The discussion then shifts from structure to behavior, and a short review of the emergence of today's systems reminds us that technological advances may improve the provision of old services, offer new ways of doing old things, or induce qualitative changes that enable doing new things. With these structural and behavioral matters in mind, I challenge the reader to judge the present situation and the future.     

Transit funding: Implications of federal aid strategies

Federal funding strategies greatly affect investment in urban transportation facilities in the United States. This analysis concentrates on the implications of varying federal aid matching requirements, structuring aid programs as categorical or block grants, and allo cating funds on a discretionary basis or according to formula. Toward this end the effects of recent federal transit aid arrangements are assessed.Increased federal matching share broadens program participation, especially among smaller cities. However, when offered a choice, communities' preference for more generous federal aid shares is tempered by their election of discretionary grants (e.g., Urban Mass Transportation Administration - UMTA - Section 3) instead of drawing on formula funds (e.g., UMTA Section 5 or highway fund transfers). Formula funds are easier to administer, distributed quite evenly in the UMTA case, and generally more suitable than discretionary funds except where expenditures are large relative to budgets. Categorical aid programs shift local priorities, and thus should be used with cautionOverall, results suggest that one must begin with established transportation objectives against which to evaluate the effectiveness of funding arrangements. In particular, it is critical to make clear the rationale for federal involvement in funding specific programs. Four such federal funding intents are distinguished: compelling national interest, regional development, stimulation of recipient investment in the given program, or financial relief for the aid recipient. Conclusions are drawn as to the desirability of various funding policies according to such program intent.     

An assessment of advanced transport telematics evaluation procedures

This paper reviews and critically assesses procedures which have been adopted to evaluate Advanced Transport Telematics (ATT) projects. The importance of such a review at this juncture stems from the changing position of ATT in transport planning. ATT is no longer simply a field for experimentation, where technical feasibility and user acceptance are dominant concerns. Rather it is a potential mainstream contributor to the functioning of road transport systems. For this reason, ATT project appraisal needs to be developed to the same form, level of sophistication and consistency as the appraisal of conventional transport infrastructure investment. Based on the review set out here, we argue that appropriate methods have not yet been established which, in turn, poses a number of challenging questions, since current socio‐economic evaluation procedures are not directly suited to either measuring or evaluating many of the impacts which ATT schemes are implemented to achieve.     

Determining the effects of scheduling on automated automobile guideway utilization

This paper develops an analytic approach for measuring the effect of vehicle scheduling and of metering methods required to balance entrance rates among stations on lane capacity utilization of automated automobile guideways. The scheduling process at each entrance is represented by a probabilistic model which generates a system of nonlinear equations. The solution of this system yields the maximum steady state input rates at the entrances to the guideway system. The method developed is applicable to network configurations in which a small number of merges must be scheduled for each vehicle before it enters the guideway. It is demonstrated by application to a corridor guideway serving a major activity center during peak inbound demand, and also it is shown how the approach may be extended to more complex networks.     

Developing a comprehensive programme for improving shipboard energy efficiency

This article identifies a set of fuel saving strategies designed to meet the needs of vessel owners and operators, and describes how the strategies can be combined into a comprehensive programme. The strategies are developed from over sixty potential fuel saving measures grouped on the basis of commonness of purpose and interdependency. These criteria reflect the finding that implementing certain strategies is a prerequisite to the success of other strategies, and the success of some strategies generates a need to implement other strategies. Operational strategies identified include: developing crew motivation for active participation in energy efficiency improvement programmes; altering ship speeds; reducing auxiliary load on main propulsion plant; improved matching of ship capacities and cargo volume; reducing miles traveled; and maximizing use of electronic navigation and communications aids. Physical plant modification strategies identified include: optimizing for reduced ship speeds; fuel switching, blending and modifying; hydrodynamic improvements to the hull and propeller; and improving thrust.     

Relationship between proximity to transit and ridership for journey-to-work trips in Chicago

The use of privately owned vehicles (POVs) contributes significantly to US energy consumption (EC) and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe). Strategies for reducing POV use include shifting trips to other modes, particularly public transit. Choices to use transit are based on characteristics of travelers, their trips, and the quality of competing transportation services. Here we focus on the proximity of rail stations to trip origins/destinations as a factor affecting mode choice for work trips. Using household travel survey data from Chicago, we evaluate the profile of journey-to-work (JTW) trips, assessing mode share and potential for more travelers to use rail. For work trips having the origin/destination as close as 1 mile from rail transit stations, POVs were still the dominant travel mode, capturing as much as 61%, followed by rail use at 14%. This high degree of POV use coupled with the proportion of JTW trips within close proximity to rail stations indicated that at least some of these trips may be candidates for shifting from POV to rail. For example, shifting all work trips with both the origin/destination within 1 mile of commuter rail stations would potentially reduce the energy associated with all work-related POV driving trips by a maximum of 24%. Based on the analysis of trips having the origin and destination closest to train stations, a complete shift in mode from POV to train could exceed CO₂ reduction goals targeted in the Chicago Climate Action Plan. This could occur with current settlement patterns and the use of existing infrastructure. However, changes in traveler behavior and possibly rail operation would be necessary, making policy to motivate this change essential.     

射频热凝靶点消融术在颈腰椎间盘突出症中的应用

目的观察射频热凝靶点消融术在治疗颈腰椎间盘突出症中的疗效及安全性,并对该新技术的推广应用做出评估。方法对120例经CT或MRI检查确诊的颈腰椎间盘突出症患者,根据临床症状、CT或MRI结果确定射频热凝的靶点位置,在C型臂引导下穿刺到靶点,通过椎间盘造影确定电极已进入靶点,再行阻抗测试、电生理测试及温度测试后,给予86-94℃温度,对靶点进行热凝消融。此时,通常可以复制出原有的腰腿痛症状,用此温度治疗4个周期,每个周期100 s。结果本组120例患者,经过该技术治疗后,其中73例治疗效果达优级,30例治疗效果良好,13例效果较差,4例无效,优良率85.8%。有4例患者术后并发轻微头痛、头晕等不适症状,均于2日内消失。余无其他并发症。结论射频热凝靶点消融术是目前治疗腰椎间盘突出症的最新的、且安全有效的方法。     

A new self-localization method for wireless sensor networks

Many applications of wireless sensor networks can benefit from fine-grained localization. In this paper, we proposed an accurate, distributed localization method based on the time difference between radio signal and sound wave. In a trilateration, each node adaptively chooses a neighborhood of sensors and updates its position estimate with trilateration, and then passes this update to neighboring sensors. Application examples demonstrate that the proposed method is more robust and accurate in localizing node than the previous proposals and it can achieve comparable results using much fewer anchor nodes than the previous methods.     

中俄原油管道地基土冻融及热学性质试验研究

中俄原油管道是我国能源战略通道之一,管道穿越大兴安岭多年冻土区,工程地质条件十分复杂,尤其是在伊勒呼里山附近,冻胀和融沉严重影响了管道的正常运营.为了研究伊勒呼里山附近多年冻土的冻融性质与热学性质,对该区段内的冻土进行冻胀、融沉及导热系数试验,并对试验数据进行回归分析与影响因素分析.研究结果表明:细粒土塑性指数小于10时,冻胀率不一定随初始含水量的增加而增加,在研究区域内进行管道垫层施工或挖填材料选择时应选用砂砾或碎石,并做好防排水措施;融沉系数随含水量的增加而增大,随干密度的增加而减小,其中粉土对融沉作用十分敏感,不适合作为管道地基,而细砾才是最佳的冻土地基;导热系数分别随总含水量和干密度的增大而增大,其中粗粒土的导热系数大于细粒土,而冻土的导热系数则比融土的高;当含水量小于10%时,融土的导热系数则高于冻土.不同试验方法所得的结果也具有显著的差异,粗粒土扰动样的导热系数宜采用热流计法测量,细粒土扰动样的导热系数宜采用热线法测量,而原状样的导热系数宜采用比较法测量.