Corridor System Research Articles

Characterization of exploratory activity and learning ability of healthy and “schizophrenia-like” rats in a square corridor system (AMBITUS)

The rodent tasks with food rewards are useful methods to evaluate memory functions, including hole-board and corridor tests. The AMBITUS system (a square corridor with several food rewards), as a combination of these tests, was developed for the investigation of a variety of parameters associated with exploration and cognitive performance in rodents. Experiments were performed to characterize these behaviors in healthy rats and a new “schizophrenia-like” rat substrain with impaired learning ability to reveal the reliability in tests related to these functions.A square corridor was constructed with equally spaced sites along each wall (4 inside and 4 outside) resulting in 16 side-boxes for food rewards. Photocells at each box recorded the visits into the side-boxes (as exploratory activity), while the eating parameters were obtained from video records. The animals were exposed to two types of tasks repeatedly in two series: all (16) or only the inside (8) boxes (Task 1 or Task 2, respectively) were baited.Most of the rats acquired Task 1, and their performance improved by repetition, but the new substrain showed decreased exploration and learning capacity. The introduction of Task 2 caused prompt preference of the baited inner side-boxes, and gradually improved working and reference memory during the trials. The manual and automated scoring of the visits into the side-boxes showed significant (r=0.97) correlation.The results proved that healthy animals could perform the simple tasks in the square corridor after a few repetitions. The semi-automated AMBITUS system might be appropriate to detect cognitive flexibility after different manipulations, and it provides immediate, online assessment of exploratory behavior of a large number of animals within a short period of time, and it reduces the possibility of experimenter bias.

Corridor System and Interest Rates: Volatility and Asymmetry

The corridor system in its current form is believed to reduce the volatility of overnight interest rates and to eliminate any chance of persistent upward or downward bias. The model presented here serves to highlight two main findings: one is that a central bank can further reduce the volatility of overnight interest rates by allowing banks some flexibility to meet their reserve targets within a small range, as observed in the UK data. The second is that a seemingly symmetric corridor may be asymmetric in practice due to several distortions, as the UK and euro area data suggest.

Landscape pattern optimization for Xianghe Segment of China’s Grand Canal

ABSTRACTOptimization of landscape patterns in urbanizing areas is important for landscape planning, thus improving regional ecological security and human sense of beauty to environment. In this study, we integrated a variety of methods to optimize landscape patterns in Xianghe Segment of China’s Grand Canal (XSCGC) based on the principles of landsenses ecology. The plan scheme consisted of a spatial configuration of key ecological elements, called one point, one axis, two cores, multicorridors, and multidemonstrations. The ecological corridor system was arranged in the plan area to reverse ecological barrier effects induced by urban infrastructure and to improve connections between landscape units. The plan area was divided into 11 ecological function zones for management, protection, and development purposes. Seven ecological control indices were proposed corresponding to an ecological core and ecological developing areas to ensure ecological security. This landscape pattern optimization scheme will help achieve harmonious development of the socio-economic and eco-environment for the plan area in the future.

Sistema de corredores BRT Mexibús, estado de México: planeación y política

Sistema de corredores BRT Mexibús, estado de México: planeación y política

A Heterogeneous Agent Model for Assessing the Effects of Capital Regulation on the Interbank Money Market Under a Corridor System

Money markets play an important role in the implementation of monetary policy. Their structure and dynamics have, however, changed significantly in recent years. In particular, a number of new banking regulations will affect the behaviour of money market participants, and so have the potential to affect money market interest rates. This paper offers a model to examine how prudential regulation might affect interbank overnight interest rates where the central bank implements monetary policy using a corridor system. Combined with a set of assumptions as to the cost banks might incur in meeting regulatory capital requirements, it offers a framework with which to explore how such prudential regulation might affect the dynamics of overnight interest rates. The results — which are illustrative — estimate the interest rates at which banks might borrow and lend reserves overnight in the presence of prudential regulation. They suggest that risk-weighted capital requirements might increase the average level of overnight interbank interest rates, while the regulatory minimum leverage ratio might decrease it. If applied to real-world data on central bank reserves balances and regulatory metrics, this model also offers an insight into how central bank policymakers could — if they so choose — amend their operational frameworks to account for the effects of regulation.

Genetic diversity of neotropical tree Myrcia splendens (Myrtaceae) in a fragment–corridor system in the Atlantic rainforest

The presence of vegetation corridors in fragmented landscapes has high ecological importance to the gene flow of animals and plants. The landscape in the south of Minas Gerais State, Brazil is characterized by fragmented and disturbed ecosystems. However, there is some secondary vegetation corridors connected with remaining fragments of primary forest. In order to obtain information regarding of the importance of vegetation corridors in maintaining genetic diversity, we assessed the genetic diversity parameters of Myrcia splendens in a fragment–corridor system. Inter-simple sequence repeat markers (ISSRs) were used to assess the genetic diversity and genetic structure of M. splendens. The genetic structure was constructed using 168 trees distributed in five forest fragments and 104 trees distributed in four vegetation corridors. High genetic diversity of the species was indicated by Nei and Shannon indices in the fragments (HE=0.37, I=0.53) and in the corridors (HE=0.33, I=0.48). The historical gene flow was higher with neighboring corridors than with non-neighboring corridors. Differentiation among fragments was observed to be low with no correlation between genetic and geographic distances (r=0.057, P=0.43). Our results indicate that the fragment-corridor system in Minas Gerais State, Southeast Brazil, analyzed is of great importance for M. splendens in situ conservation plans.

A risk-based method for planning of bus–subway corridor evacuation under hybrid uncertainties

Emergencies involved in a bus–subway corridor system are associated with many processes and factors with social and economic implications. These processes and factors and their interactions are related to a variety of uncertainties. In this study, an interval chance-constrained integer programming (EICI) method is developed in response to such challenges for bus–subway corridor based evacuation planning. The method couples a chance-constrained programming with an interval integer programming model framework. It can thus deal with interval uncertainties that cannot be quantified with specified probability distribution functions. Meanwhile, it can also reflect stochastic features of traffic flow capacity, and thereby help examine the related violation risk of constraint. The EICI method is applied to a subway incident based evacuation case study. It is solved through an interactive algorithm that does not lead to more complicated intermediate submodels and has a relatively low computational requirement. A number of decision alternatives could be directly generated based on results from the EICI method. It is indicated that the solutions cannot only help decision makers identify desired population evacuation and vehicle dispatch schemes under hybrid uncertainties, but also provide bases for in-depth analyses of tradeoffs among evacuation plans, total evacuation time, and constraint-violation risks.

Road centrality and landscape spatial patterns in Wuhan Metropolitan Area, China

Road network is a corridor system that interacts with surrounding landscapes, and understanding their interaction helps to develop an optimal plan for sustainable transportation and land use. This study investigates the relationships between road centrality and landscape patterns in the Wuhan Metropolitan Area, China. The densities of centrality measures, including closeness, betweenness, and straightness, are calculated by kernel density estimation (KDE). The landscape patterns are characterized by four landscape metrics, including percentage of landscape (PLAND), Shannon’s diversity index (SHDI), mean patch size (MPS), and mean shape index (MSI). Spearman rank correlation analysis is then used to quantify their relationships at both landscape and class levels. The results show that the centrality measures can reflect the hierarchy of road network as they associate with road grade. Further analysis exhibit that as centrality densities increase, the whole landscape becomes more fragmented and regular. At the class level, the forest gradually decreases and becomes fragmented, while the construction land increases and turns to more compact. Therefore, these findings indicate that the ability and potential applications of centrality densities estimated by KDE in quantifying the relationships between roads and landscapes, can provide detailed information and valuable guidance for transportation and land-use planning as well as a new insight into ecological effects of roads.

Assessment of Retaining Wall Inventories for Geotechnical Asset Management

With federal transportation funding legislation for asset management, state departments of transportation are expanding the scope of assets included in their transportation asset management plans. Retaining walls represent a significant portion of the overall assets in an agency's transportation corridor system. However, under the conventional approach, significant human resources and time are required to develop retaining wall inventories from physical condition surveys and to follow a bridge inspection program for management of retaining walls. The proposed alternative to physical inventory and condition assessment for managing systemwide retaining wall assets is based on asset density in specified subsets of the transportation corridors. Systemwide retaining wall assets are estimated from corridor subsets with similar wall densities per unit length of the corridor. Then, the systemwide condition of retaining wall assets is evaluated with a deterioration function based on age (i.e., life expectancy) of the asset. The resulting conclusions provide program managers with a tool for predicting systemwide needs for maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement. The proposed alternative offers the flexibility of integrating physical inventories and condition assessments with time, as well as incorporating improved asset deterioration functions or forecast curves.

Lattice-work corridors for climate change: a conceptual framework for biodiversity conservation and social-ecological resilience in a tropical elevational gradient

Rapid climate change poses complex challenges for conservation, especially in tropical developing countries where biodiversity is high while financial and technical resources are limited. The complexity is heightened by uncertainty in predicted effects, both for ecological systems and human communities that depend heavily on natural resource extraction and use. Effective conservation plans and measures must be inexpensive, fast-acting, and able to increase the resilience of both the ecosystem and the social-ecological system. We present conservation practitioners with a framework that strategically integrates climate change planning into connectivity measures for tropical mountain ecosystems in Costa Rica. We propose a strategy for doubling the amount of habitat currently protected in riparian corridors using measures that are relatively low cost and fast-acting, and will employ and expand human capital. We argue that habitat connectivity must be enhanced along latitudinal gradients, but also within the same elevational bands, via a lattice-work corridor system. This is needed to facilitate range shifts for mobile species and evolutionary adaptation for less mobile species. We think that conservation measures within the elevational bands must include conservation-friendly land uses that improve current and future human livelihoods under dynamic conditions. Key components include community involvement, habitat priority-setting, forest landscape restoration, and environmental services payments. Our approach is fundamentally adaptive in that the conservation measures employed are informed by on-the-ground successes and failures and modified accordingly, but are relatively low risk and fast-acting. Our proposal, if implemented, would satisfy tenets of climate-smart conservation, improve the resilience of human and ecological communities, and be a model for other locations facing similar challenges.

Designing and evaluation of three alternatives highway routes using the Analytical Hierarchy Process and the least-cost path analysis, application in Sinai Peninsula, Egypt

Land use planning in a remote desert zone is usually dependent on an efficient corridor and main road network system. In this paper, Geographic Information System (GIS) tools were used to develop a least-cost path for a corridor to link three cities in Sinai Peninsula desert environment. It is supposed to create a backbone for developing the middle part of peninsula by facilitating the transport of mineral resources and accessibility to such region and encourage populating the remote desert city of Nekhel and the coastal cities of Taba and El Shatt. Therefore, such a route should have the least cost and should be protected from the negative impacts that may be caused by the surrounding environment. Environmental and economical factors were integrated through a spatial multicriteria model using the Analytical Hierarchy Process. Cost factors were identified and a cost surface was created for each factor, standardized, weighed and aggregated. Three visions were modelled: an engineering vision, an environmental vision and a hybrid vision. A multicriteria evaluation was used to compare the three routes. The hybrid route was finally recommended.

Agent-based model of maritime traffic in piracy-affected waters

Contemporary maritime piracy presents a significant threat to global shipping industry, with annual costs estimated at up to US$7bn. To counter the threat, policymakers, shipping operators and navy commanders need new data-driven decision-support tools that will allow them to plan and execute counter-piracy operations most effectively. So far, the provision of such tools has been limited. In cooperation with maritime domain stakeholders, we have therefore developed AgentC, a data-driven agent-based simulation model of maritime traffic that explicitly models pirate activity and piracy countermeasures. Modeling the behavior and interactions of thousands of individually simulated vessels, the model is capable of capturing the complex dynamics of the maritime transportation system threatened by maritime piracy and allows assessing the potential of a range of piracy countermeasures. We demonstrate the what-if analysis capabilities of the model on a real-world case study of designing a new transit corridor system in the Indian Ocean. The simulation results reveal that the positive past experience with the transit corridor in the narrow Gulf of Aden does not directly translate to the vast and open waters of the Indian Ocean and that additional factors have to be considered when designing corridor systems. The agent-based simulation development and calibration process used for building the presented model is general and can be used for developing simulation models of other maritime transportation phenomena.

Structural–tectonic controls and geomorphology of the karst corridors in alpine limestone ridges: Southern Carpathians, Romania

The relationship between surface karst development and the geological frame is widely acknowledged in the study of karst landforms. It is of considerable interest especially in alpine environments (e.g. Alpine–Dinaric–Carpathian orogenic system). Karst corridors are generally known as kluftkarren or bogaz and form by solution of limestone along a lithoclase network. The Vânturariţa-Buila Massif (Carpathians, Romania) is a typical alpine karst ridge and a former carbonate platform of Upper Jurassic age in which geologically-controlled karst features have been developing over a geologic timescale. Field research and mapping were useful in extracting geologic features. Joint- and structure-controlled karst corridors are common in the upper section of the mountain, between 1600 and 1850m. First, a complex system of lithoclases (fissures, joints and faults) occurred; then, surface runoff or meltwater solutionally enlarged them. Tension fractures strike in a northeast–southwest direction, parallel to homoclinal limestone layers. The exposed fault walls often preserve draperies and speleothem remnants. Further, statistical analysis of joint, fault and bogaz orientations has shown the close relation between the three datasets, and morphometric analysis centered only on the karst corridor system. Results derived from the statistical analysis of orientation data show that there is a strong preferred orientation of the bogaz or bogaz-like forms along the directional faults and that they commonly develop in extensional (tectonically active) environments. Additional features typical to fluviokarst are also present — subterranean connections between the karst corridors and the headwalls of the pocket valleys, generating headward recession both by continuous sapping of karst springs at the headwall base followed by collapses. An extremely poor surface drainage network developed in the upper pavement facing southeast, compared to that on the middle and lower sides.

Quantitative Easing and Interest on Reserves: How Significant is it?

This essay examines unconventional monetary policy with a view on payment of Interest On Excess Reserves (IOER) and how it is important in order to achieve the central bank targets.It starts by describing conventional monetary policy followed by an examination of modern monetary regimes which implement a corridor system in order to target interest rates. QE is introduced and advantages and disadvantages of IOER are outlined in detail.

Exploring access control at Taukachi Tardío

<p>Taukachi Tardío is a site of the Casma Culture or Casma Polity that dates to the Middle Horizon (AD 600-1000) and Late Intermediate Period (A.D. 1000-1470). It functioned as a checkpoint and possible repository alongside a major valley access route from the north into the Sechín Branch of the Casma Valley. Excavations there revealed that visitors were channeled through a narrow corridor and staircase system. A room with six grinding stones documents communal food preparation, and other areas of the main structure likely temporarily housed goods or people entering the valley. Taukachi Tardío provides insights into Casma Culture administrative practices, specifically the degree of intervalley access control. The short time span represented at this administrative outlier should also help us better understand the internal chronology at the nearby polity center of El Purgatorio.</p><p>Taukachi Tardío es un sitio de la cultura Casma o la política de Casma que data del Horizonte Medio (600-1000 dC) y el Período Intermedio Tardío (1000-1470 dC). Funcionaba como un posible repositorio de control junto con una ruta de acceso principal del valle desde el norte hacia la rama Sechín del valle de Casma. Las excavaciones revelaron que allí los visitantes se canalizaron a través de un estrecho corredor y un sistema de escalera. Un cuarto con seis batanes documenta la preparación de alimentos comunal, y otras áreas de la estructura principal probablemente alojaban temporalmente los bienes o personas que entran en el valle. Taukachi Tardío proporciona información detallada sobre las prácticas administrativas de la cultura Casma, en particular el grado de control de acceso entre valles. El corto espacio de tiempo representado en este sitio administrativo también debe ayudarnos a entender mejor la cronología interna en el centro de la política cercana de El Purgatorio.</p>

통풍과 차양이 하절기 옥외공간의 평균복사온도에 미치는 영향

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of shading and ventilation on Mean Radiant Temperature(MRT) of the outdoor space at a summer outdoor. The Wind Speed(WS), Air Temperature(AT) and Globe Temperature(GT) were recorded every minute from of May to the of September 2011 at a height of 1.2m above in four experimental plots with different shading and ventilating conditions, with a measuring system consisting of a vane type anemometer(Barini Design`s BDTH), Resistance Temperature Detector(RTD, Pt-100), standard black globe( 150mm) and data acquisition systems(National Instrument`s Labview and Compfile Techs` Moacon). To implement four different ventilating and shading conditions, three hexahedral steel frames, and one natural plot were established in the open grass field. Two of the steel frames had a dimension of and every vertical side covered with transparent polyethylene film to prevent lateral ventilation(Ventilation Blocking Plot: VP), and an additional shading curtain was applied on the top side of a frame(Shading and Ventilation Blocking Plot: SVP). The third was , only the top side of which was covered by the shading curtain without the lateral film(Shading Plot: SP). The last plot was natural condition without any kind of shading and wind blocking material(Natural Open Plot: NP). Based on the 13,262 records of 44 sunny days, the time serial difference of AT and GT for 24 hour were analyzed and compared, and statistical analysis was done based on the 7,172 records of daytime period from 7 A.M. to 8 P.M., while the relation between the MRT and solar radiation and wind speed was analyzed based on the records of the hottest period from 11 A.M. to 4 P.M.. The major findings were as follows: 1. The peak AT was at VP and at SP showing the difference about , but the difference of average AT was very small within. 2. The difference of the peak GT was showing at VP and at SP, while the gap of average GT between the two plots was . Comparing all four plots including NP and SVP, it can be said that the shading decrease GT while the wind blocking increase GT. 3. According to the calculated MRT, the shading has a cooling effect in reducing a maximum of and average MRT, while the wind blocking has heating effect of increasing average MRT. In other words, the MRT of the shaded area with natural ventilation could be cooler than the wind blocking the sunny site to about MRT maximum. 4. The regression and correlation tests showed that the shading is more important than the ventilation in reducing the MRT, while both of them do an important role in improving the outdoor thermal comfort. In summary, the results of this study showed that the shade is the first and the ventilation is the second important factor in terms of improving outdoor thermal comfort in summer daylight hours. Therefore, it can be apparently said that the more shade by the forest, shading trees etc., the more effective in conditioning the microclimate of an outdoor space reducing the useless or even harmful heat energy for human activities. Furthermore, the delicately designed wind corridor or outdoor ventilation system can improve even the thermal environment of urban area.

Ecological restoration planning based on connectivity in an urban area

In urban areas, the competition between land development and ecological conservation is intense. To mitigate the negative effects of urbanization, we developed a methodology to plan a spatially explicit conservation network based on widely available remotely sensed data and other auxiliary data. First, as an area of strategic significance for the conservation of regional flora and fauna and for maintaining high environmental quality to promote human well-being, the remaining natural and semi-natural areas were identified as ecologically primary areas. Second, integrating the graph-theoretic model, we evaluated the overall connectivity of core habitats and identified which core habitats were and what landscape-pattern-context was most important to the conservation network. Third, focusing on maximizing the ability to utilize the existing conditions to reduce construction costs while meeting the ecological aims, an ecological corridor system was suggested to improve both the ecological connectivity and the livable environment. Finally, a comprehensive optimization scheme was suggested for the overall conservation planning. We concluded that successful and pragmatic ecological restoration planning in an urban area should consider the requirements of socially, economically and ecologically sustainable development and optimize the structure and function of the urban ecosystem, rather than maximize certain ecological aims. Our planning has been adopted by the local government, and a legally binding system of regulations has been established to guarantee the plan's enforcement. Our findings may provide an actual reference for the world, especially to manage the intertwined issues of economic development and ecological sustainability in rapidly urbanizing areas.

A small mammal community in a forest fragment, vegetation corridor and coffee matrix system in the Brazilian Atlantic forest.

The objective of our work was to verify the value of the vegetation corridor in the conservation of small mammals in fragmented tropical landscapes, using a model system in the southeastern Minas Gerais. We evaluated and compared the composition and structure of small mammals in a vegetation corridor, forest fragments and a coffee matrix. A total of 15 species were recorded, and the highest species richness was observed in the vegetation corridor (13 species), followed by the forest fragments (10) and the coffee matrix (6). The absolute abundance was similar between the vegetation corridor and fragments (F = 22.94; p = 0.064), and the greatest differences occurred between the vegetation corridor and the matrix (F = 22.94; p = 0.001) and the forest fragments and the matrix (F = 22.94; p = 0.007). Six species showed significant habitat preference possibly related to the sensitivity of the species to the forest disturbance. Marmosops incanus was the species most sensitive to disturbance; Akodon montensis, Cerradomys subflavus, Gracilinanus microtarsus and Rhipidomys sp. displayed little sensitivity to disturbance, with a high relative abundance in the vegetation corridor. Calomys sp. was the species least affected by habitat disturbance, displaying a high relative abundance in the coffee matrix. Although the vegetation corridors are narrow (4 m width), our results support the hypothesis in which they work as a forest extension, share most species with the forest fragment and support species richness and abundance closer to forest fragments than to the coffee matrix. Our work highlights the importance and cost-effectiveness of these corridors to biodiversity management in the fragmented Atlantic Forest landscapes and at the regional level.

Woody Invasions of Urban Trails and the Changing Face of Urban Forests in the Great Plains, USA

Corridors such as roads and trails can facilitate invasions by non-native plant species. The open, disturbed habitat associated with corridors provides favorable growing conditions for many non-native plant species. Bike trails are a corridor system common to many urban areas that have not been studied for their potential role in plant invasions. We sampled five linear segments of urban forest along bike trails in Lincoln, Nebraska to assess the invasion of woody non-native species relative to corridors and to assess the composition of these urban forests. The most abundant plant species were generally native species, but five non-native species were also present: white mulberry (Morus alba), common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) and elm (Ulmus spp.). The distribution of two of the woody species sampled, common buckthorn and honeysuckle, significantly decreased with increasing distance from a source patch of vegetation (P = 0.031 and 0.030). These linear habitats are being invaded by non-native tree and shrub species, which may change the structure of these urban forest corridors. If non-native woody plant species become abundant in the future, they may homogenize the plant community and reduce native biodiversity in these areas.

Central Bank Money and Interest Rates: Independent Monetary Policy Tools?

Zentralbankgeld und Zinsen: unabhängige Instrumente der Geldpolitik? Zentralbanken können über den Zins auch eine bargeldlose Wirtschaft kontrollieren. In einer Ökonomie mit positiver Geldnachfrage könnte die Variation der Geldmenge neben dem Zins ein zusätzliches Instrument darstellen. Diese Hypothese wird für verschiedene Organisationstypen des Geldmarktes geprüft. Sie gilt in einem Floor-, aber nicht in einem Korridor-System (das Fed und EZB anwenden). Im Letzteren ist das Geldangebot endogen über die Vorgabe des Leitzinses bestimmt. Wenn eine tiefgreifende monetäre Stabilisierung notwendig wird, z. B. bei einer Vermögensinflation, sollte (wie früher ansatzweise von der Bundesbank praktiziert) eine "Zangenpolitik„ angewendet werden, nämlich gleichzeitig die Zinsen zu erhöhen und die Geldmenge quantitativ zu beschränken.