Showing papers by "Ontario Ministry of Transportation published in 2013"
TL;DR: The water vapour content of the atmosphere has increased as a result of global warming, strengthening the hydrological cycle as mentioned in this paper, and an analysis of observational data suggests that wet seasons have become wetter, and dry seasons drier, in recent decades.
Abstract: The water vapour content of the atmosphere has increased as a result of global warming, strengthening the hydrological cycle. An analysis of observational data suggests that wet seasons have become wetter, and dry seasons drier, in recent decades.
385 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that more robust essential protein discovery method can be developed by integrating the topological properties of PPI network and the co-expression of interacting proteins, as well as outperforms classical centrality measures.
Abstract: Background
Experimental methods for the identification of essential proteins are always costly, time-consuming, and laborious. It is a challenging task to find protein essentiality only through experiments. With the development of high throughput technologies, a vast amount of protein-protein interactions are available, which enable the identification of essential proteins from the network level. Many computational methods for such task have been proposed based on the topological properties of protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. However, the currently available PPI networks for each species are not complete, i.e. false negatives, and very noisy, i.e. high false positives, network topology-based centrality measures are often very sensitive to such noise. Therefore, exploring robust methods for identifying essential proteins would be of great value.
Method
In this paper, a new essential protein discovery method, named CoEWC (Co-Expression Weighted by Clustering coefficient), has been proposed. CoEWC is based on the integration of the topological properties of PPI network and the co-expression of interacting proteins. The aim of CoEWC is to capture the common features of essential proteins in both date hubs and party hubs. The performance of CoEWC is validated based on the PPI network of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Experimental results show that CoEWC significantly outperforms the classical centrality measures, and that it also outperforms PeC, a newly proposed essential protein discovery method which outperforms 15 other centrality measures on the PPI network of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Especially, when predicting no more than 500 proteins, even more than 50% improvements are obtained by CoEWC over degree centrality (DC), a better centrality measure for identifying protein essentiality.
Conclusions
We demonstrate that more robust essential protein discovery method can be developed by integrating the topological properties of PPI network and the co-expression of interacting proteins. The proposed centrality measure, CoEWC, is effective for the discovery of essential proteins.
81 citations
TL;DR: A strategy to evaluate long-distance travel patterns by tracking cellular phone positions, specifically designed to capture long distance trips, as part of the development of a national demand model conducted for the Economics and Planning Department of the Israel Ministry of Transport.
Abstract: This paper presents a strategy to evaluate long-distance travel patterns by tracking cellular phone positions. The authors first note that long-distance trips are generally under-reported in typical household surveys, because of relative low frequency of these trips. Yet transportation analysis and travel demand forecasting require data, including that for long-distance trips, in order to model the decisions that people make related to travel. They stress that their suggested approach allows passive data collection on many travelers over a long period of time at low costs. They present results of a study in Israel, conducted in 2007, that included an average sample of 10,200 cell phone numbers per week for 16 weeks. The tracking system was based on recording events that contain a change in the position of the cell phone with respect to a given antenna. The method was specifically designed to capture long distance trips, as part of the development of a national demand model conducted for the Economics and Planning Department of the Israel Ministry of Transport. Using this method, origin–destination tables can be constructed directly from the cellular phone positions. The authors conclude that this model offers the advantage of monitoring travel demand at the aggregate level and thus could be useful in several transportation and land use applications.
79 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, three-dimensional elasto-plastic numerical analyses are conducted to investigate the influences of tunnel excavation on existing loaded piles, and the effects of parameters on pile responses are used as criteria for suggesting the influence zones can be captured from the analysis method.
78 citations
TL;DR: The present study demonstrated that the quasi-naturalistic riding method is capable of collecting rich data concerning bicyclists' behaviors, which could potentially be utilized in various types of studies.
78 citations
TL;DR: The results of a generalized linear model revealed that the determinant factors associating with a taxi driver's speeding violation were not related to gender or educational level, however, age, job experience, operating styles, kilometers driven daily, driving late at night, and monthly off duty days were significantly associated with committing the speeding violations.
61 citations
TL;DR: This method was evaluated for three sediments (harbor, estuarine, marine) and it was shown that equilibration was faster in dense suspensions and at high sampler/sediment ratios when compared to low samplers/sediments ratios.
Abstract: The freely dissolved concentration (Cw,0) in the pore water and the accessible (releasable) concentration in the sediment (Cas,0) are important parameters for risk assessment. These parameters were determined by equilibrating contaminated sediments and passive samplers using largely differing sampler–sediment ratios. This method is based on the principle that incubations at low sampler/sediment ratios yield the concentration in the pore water (minor depletion of the sediment phase) and incubations at high sampler/sediment ratios yield the accessible concentration in the sediment (maximum depletion of the sediment phase). It is shown that equilibration was faster in dense suspensions and at high sampler/sediment ratios when compared to low sampler/sediment ratios. An equilibrium distribution model was used to estimate Cw,0 and Cas,0 by nonlinear least-squares regression. The method was evaluated for three sediments (harbor, estuarine, marine). Accessible concentrations of 13 PAHs were 2 (low Kow) to 10 (hi...
57 citations
TL;DR: Wang et al. as discussed by the authors analyzed SMPA and its relationship and difference with MNR, dissected development of SMPAs in China, and discussed its governance, management and experiences.
55 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The simulation study shows that the FPCA approach performs better than two commonly discussed methods in the literature, the probabilistic principal component analysis (PCA) and the Bayesian PCA, which have been shown to perform better than many conventional approaches.
Abstract: Missing values and outliers are frequently encountered in traffic monitoring data. We approach these problems by sampling the daily traffic flow rate trajectories from random functions and taking advantage of the data features using functional data analysis. We propose to impute missing values by using the conditional expectation approach to functional principal component analysis (FPCA). Our simulation study shows that the FPCA approach performs better than two commonly discussed methods in the literature, the probabilistic principal component analysis (PCA) and the Bayesian PCA, which have been shown to perform better than many conventional approaches. Based on the FPCA approach, the functional principal component scores can be applied to the functional bagplot and functional highest density region boxplot, which makes outlier detection possible for incomplete functional data. Our numerical results indicate that these two outlier detection approaches coupled with the proposed missing value imputation me...
54 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a kind of modifier composed of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) was prepared by melt blending with different contents of linear low density-polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (LLDPE-g-MAH).
52 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a new failure mechanism was proposed to evaluate the stability of slopes with weak interlayers using the upper bound limit analysis and the associated factor of safety was determined by the shear strength reduction technique.
TL;DR: A new approach based on the mathematical form of a logistical function was developed and tested that provided a realistic depiction of the particulate matter emissions during the mineral loading process, accounting for fractions of fine mineral particles, dropping height, and wind velocity.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the functional group concept can be applied to ecosystem health assessment in a semi-enclosed bay by assessing the ecosystem health of Bohai Bay using a functional group evenness index.
TL;DR: Dai et al. as discussed by the authors analyzed the SSC in the surfacial water measured at different stations in the Yangtze Estuary and concluded that the spatial characteristics of the annual mean SSC around the mouth bar area show no apparent change yet, even though the Three Gorges Dam was constructed with an ascending trend at the upper part of the estuary.
Abstract: Dai, Z.-J.; Chu, A.; Li, W.-H.; Li, J.-F., and Wu, H.L., 2013. Has suspended sediment concentration near the mouth bar of the Yangtze (Changjiang) Estuary been declining in recent years? Journal of Coastal Research, 29(4), 809–818. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. There are considerable concerns about the decrease in suspended sediment discharge (SSD) into the large estuaries of the world as a result of extensive anthropogenic activities in their catchment areas. With the operation of Three Gorges Dam (TGD) in 2003, the riverine loads into the Yangtze (Changjiang) Estuary have been greatly changed with the sharp decrease of SSD and suspended sediment concentration (SSC). However, according to our analysis on the SSC in the surfacial water measured at different stations in the Yangtze Estuary, we conclude that the spatial characteristics of the annual mean SSC around the mouth bar area show no apparent change yet, even though the TGD was constructed with an ascending trend at the upper part of the estuary. The spring–neap periodicity of the daily mean SSC after the TGD was constructed remained the same as before. Moreover, the seasonal and annual mean SSC at the inner side of the mouth bar was relatively low due to the large reduction of upstream sediment supply after the operation of TGD began in 2003. But the seasonal and yearly mean SSC at the outer side of the mouth bar during 2007–2009 is comparable with those before the TGD operated, even though there is a decreasing trend of SSC into the Yangtze Estuary in corresponding years.
TL;DR: In this paper, the temperature distribution and freeze-thaw process of an embankment armed with a two-phase closed thermosyphon was analyzed based on monitoring data of experimental embankments of the Qinghai-Tibet Highway from 2004 to 2011.
TL;DR: The increasingly popular performance-based design approach requires that soil-structure interaction (SSI) analysis become an integral part of the seismic evaluation as discussed by the authors, which is particularly important in the case of seismic systems.
Abstract: The increasingly popular performance-based design approach requires that soil–structure interaction (SSI) analysis become an integral part of the seismic evaluation. This is particularly important ...
TL;DR: In this paper, a debonded link slab system was used to replace the deck joints at the pier locations, and the long-term performance of the link slab was evaluated on scale test models that were subjected to extensive cyclic loading in the laboratory.
Abstract: One of the main factors affecting the durability of bridge structures is the presence of expansion joints at bridge support locations. The inability of current joint systems to provide reliable, long-term, leak-proof performance generally leads to early leakage of chloride-contaminated water through these joints, thereby causing premature corrosion in the deck elements below. This problem is particularly evident in older-type multispan bridges in which the girders are simply supported at the piers and are separated by expansion joints or simple paved-over joints. To address this problem, the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) has recently rehabilitated a number of bridge decks using a debonded link slab system to replace the deck joints at the pier locations. To get a better understanding of the performance and reliability of this new rehabilitative technique, MTO recently carried out an experimental research study of the long-term performance of the system on scale test models that were subjected to extensive cyclic loading in the laboratory. At the same time, it carried out a load test of a recently rehabilitated structure to study its structural behavior both before and after the link slab was constructed. The test structure was instrumented with sensors that measured deflections and strains in the link slab and girders. This paper describes the experimental research study and the behavioral load tests that were carried out, and discusses the results obtained. The experimental study showed that the long-term performance of the link slab was not affected by the extensive cyclic loading to which the model was subjected, whereas the load testing of the test structure showed that it satisfied the serviceability limit state requirements of the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code, thus validating the design methodology of the system.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors presented a first attempt to estimate groundwater levels by applying extreme value statis- tics on predictions from a hydrological model, which was represented by projections from nine combinations of three global climate models and six regional climate models, and downscaled (including bias correction) with two different methods.
Abstract: This paper presents a first attempt to estimate fu- ture groundwater levels by applying extreme value statis- tics on predictions from a hydrological model. Climate sce- narios for the future period, 2081-2100, are represented by projections from nine combinations of three global climate models and six regional climate models, and downscaled (including bias correction) with two different methods. An integrated surface water/groundwater model is forced with precipitation, temperature, and potential evapotranspiration from the 18 models and downscaling combinations. Extreme value analyses are performed on the hydraulic head changes from a control period (1991-2010) to the future period for the 18 combinations. Hydraulic heads for return periods of 21, 50 and 100 yr (T21 100) are estimated. Three uncertainty sources are evaluated: climate models, downscaling and ex- treme value statistics. Of these sources, extreme value statis- tics dominates for return periods higher than 50 yr, whereas uncertainty from climate models and extreme value statistics are similar for lower return periods. Uncertainty from down- scaling only contributes to around 10 % of the uncertainty from the three sources.
TL;DR: In this paper, the average bit error rate (BER) of multi-Gaussian beams in non-Kolmogorov weak turbulence is examined, and it is shown that thinner collimated annular, larger focal length annular and flatter small sized collimated flat-topped structures have a slight advantage in obtaining smaller average BER.
TL;DR: The results show that attitudinal factor variables and cluster category variables are as important as sociodemographic variables in the models.
Abstract: The article intends to find a method to quantify traffic congestion’s impacts on travelers to help transportation planners and policy decision makers well understand congestion situations. Three new congestion indicators, including transportation environment satisfaction (TES), travel time satisfaction (TTS), and traffic congestion frequency and feeling (TCFF), are defined to estimate urban traffic congestion based on travelers’ feelings. Data of travelers’ attitude about congestion and trip information were collected from a survey in Shanghai, China. Based on the survey data, we estimated the value of the three indicators. Then, the principal components analysis was used to derive a small number of linear combinations of a set of variables to estimate the whole congestion status. A linear regression model was used to find out the significant variables which impact respondents’ feelings. Two ordered logit models were used to select significant variables of TES and TTS. Attitudinal factor variables were also used in these models. The results show that attitudinal factor variables and cluster category variables are as important as sociodemographic variables in the models. Using the three congestion indicators, the government can collect travelers’ feeling about traffic congestion and estimate the transportation policy that might be applied to cope with traffic congestion.
TL;DR: In this paper, a bridge was damaged when a dump truck violated the height clearance limitation on Highway 401 in Ontario, Canada, causing extensive damage to the AASHTO Type-III precast/prestressed bridge girders.
Abstract: A bridge was damaged when a dump truck violated the height clearance limitation on Highway 401 in Ontario, Canada. The collision caused extensive damage to the AASHTO Type-III precast/prestressed bridge girders, which led to the closure of the two-lane bridge. Crack mapping showed extensive torsion-shear cracks between the girder quarter points, horizontal crack at the flange-web junctions, and spalled concrete at point of impact. Preliminary elastic testing on the girder established that the flexural capacity of the girder had not been significantly affected. As such, flexural strengthening was not necessary. Crack patterns and severity, followed by analysis, have shown that the girder is deficient in shear capacity. Therefore, the girder was strengthened for shear throughout its entire length using carbon fiber–reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets. This paper presents a summary of the design and detailing of the elastic behavior test conducted before repair, the girder repair methodology, and result...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reported on a laboratory experiment to study the heat transfer characteristics and working state of a TPCT installed in the soil based on the typical temperature conditions in the permafrost regions of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of wind on natural smoke exhaust in enclosure fire with a two-layer zone model was studied, and a "net wind pressure coefficient" was proposed to evaluate the significance of wind effect.
TL;DR: The results of the logistic regression model revealed that speeding violations were significantly associated with the attributes of age, education, income, yearly driving distance and the most frequent driving purposes.
TL;DR: If motorcycle helmet use in Thailand is to be increased, considerable efforts need to be given to increasing the perceived risk of apprehension for non-helmet use and improving the awareness of the existing helmet law for passengers and ensuring that helmet wearing by passengers is more strictly enforced.
Abstract: Although helmet use has been compulsory for motorcycle drivers and passengers in Thailand since the enactment of the Helmet Act in 1994, recent surveys show that the prevalence of helmet usage remains low, particularly among passengers. This paper has sought to explore motorcyclists' awareness of helmet law enforcement in Thailand and examine whether it affects their helmet use behaviour. A total of 2,429 drivers and 1,328 passengers in urban cities nationwide were interviewed in 2009, and the data were analysed using a multivariate ordered logit regression technique. About 60% of the drivers and only 28% of the passengers reported that they always wore a motorcycle helmet. Apart from basic demographics (i.e. age and gender) and riding frequency, our analysis reveals that the awareness of helmet law enforcement was among the contributing factors influencing the use of motorcycle helmets in Thailand. Regardless of riding position, the prevalence of helmet use tended to be greater among those frequently observing the police's checkpoints for helmet wearing and those perceiving the high risk of being caught for non-helmet use. However, the use of helmets appeared to be lower among drivers who perceived the checkpoints to take place at the same times and locations, which were likely predicted. For motorcycle passengers, it was found that the low prevalence of helmet use was potentially attributable to the absence of knowledge on the compulsory helmet law for passengers and the perception that the law was not enforced by the police. Thus, if motorcycle helmet use in Thailand is to be increased, considerable efforts need to be given to increasing the perceived risk of apprehension for non-helmet use (e.g. more police presence and random scheduling of enforcement activities), improving the awareness of the existing helmet law for passengers, and ensuring that helmet wearing by passengers is more strictly enforced.
TL;DR: In this article, a full-scale instrumented test embankment is constructed by Ontario Ministry of Transportation to study the effects of highway embankments on the underground utilities, which consists of four configurations including the conventional backfill, induced trenching and two at-grade geogrid-reinforcing bridging with different spans.
Abstract: The construction of highway embankments in urban areas often interferes with existing underground facilities such as sewer lines and other buried conduits. In many instances, the extra loads imposed by embankment construction on buried conduits would be unacceptably high. Severe consequences of overstressing an underground utility conduit include damage and interruption of services for both the utility and highway. Typical alternatives considered to address this problem include: relocation of utility lines; embankment load reduction using lightweight fill; at-grade pile cap bridging; at-grade geogrids-reinforced bridging; and induced (imperfect) trenches. The relocation, lightweight fill and pile cap alternatives are usually cost prohibitive. A full-scale instrumented test embankment is constructed by Ontario Ministry of Transportation to study the effects of embankment construction on the underground utilities. The test embankment comprised four sections, which facilitated the evaluation of four configurations including the conventional backfill, induced trenching and two at-grade geogrid-reinforcing bridging with different spans. Each configuration consisted of a 3 m deep trench overlain by a 10 m wide, 10 m long and 6 m high embankment section. Earth load cells were installed to monitor stresses at the fill/ground interface and at depths of 1.5 and 3 m. The numerical models of the test embankment are generated using the finite difference program FLAC. This paper presents the results of stress measurements in the 3 m wide trench under embankment loads and the results of numerical varification analyses. The results showed that the use of induced trench method (ITM) resulted in substantial reduction in vertical stresses relative to positive projection method case. It was also observed that horizontal stresses increased when ITM is employed.
TL;DR: It was revealed that an offenders' driving behavior after a lifetime license revocation was significantly correlated to behavioral intention, whereas strong driving habit strength offenders are motivated to drive because of perceived behavioral control.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide a summary of the damage to bridges in the Mw 8.8 Chile earthquake of 27 February 2010 and provide lessons from the different types of structural damage observed on concrete and steel bridges.
Abstract: This paper provides a summary of the damage to bridges in the Mw 8.8 Chile earthquake of 27 February 2010. Lessons from the different types of structural damage observed on concrete and steel bridg...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors adopt the stated choice modeling approach to explore the contributory factors and circumstances for driving after drinking and find that a relatively large proportion of respondents lack full knowledge of drunk driving regulations and the effects of impaired levels on driving ability.
Abstract: This study adopts the stated choice modeling approach to explore the contributory factors and circumstances for driving after drinking. A total of 308 drivers who participated in the Traffic Safety Reeducation Program during the period between October 17 and November 5, 2010 in Taiwan were selected to answer the questionnaire. The survey results indicate that a relatively large proportion of respondents lack of full knowledge of drunk driving regulations and the effects of impaired levels on driving ability. The results of stated choice analysis further indicate that level of impairment, police enforcement, driver’s drinking habits and knowledge of drunk driving regulations can significantly affect drivers’ choice of driving after they drink.
TL;DR: In this article, the average bit error rate (BER) of annular and flat-topped beams in strong turbulence was evaluated for both the gamma-gamma and log-normal intensity distributions.