Density, nest site characteristics and breeding rates of the osprey (Pandion haliaetus) in the southern limit of its range in the Western Palearctic (Boa Vista, Cape Verde Islands).

[EN] Between 2004 and 2007, we studied density, habitat features and breeding parameters of the osprey (Pandion haliaetus) population in Boa Vista Island (Cape Verde). A total of 79 nest structures were identified, 37 of which were occupied for at least 1 year during the study period. The osprey population ranged between 14 and 18 pairs, and the mean density and distance between neighbouring occupied nests were 2.58 pairs per 100 km2 and 3089 m, respectively. Occupied nests were found to be significantly further from the coastline and roads than unoccupied nests, but the distances from villages were similar.

GEOTECHNICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF STEEL SLAG IN EMBANKMENTS

Steel slag is a byproduct of iron and steel production by the metallurgical industries. Annually, 21 million tons of steel slag is produced in the United States. Most of the slag is landfilled, which represents a significant economic loss and a waste of valuable land space. Steel slag has great potential for the construction of highway embankments; however, its use has been limited due to its high swelling potential and alkalinity. The swelling potential of steel slags may lead to deterioration of the structural stability of highways, and high alkalinity poses an environmental challenge as it affects the leaching behavior of trace metals. This study seeks a methodology that promotes the use of steel slag in highway embankments by minimizing these two main disadvantages. Accelerated swelling tests were conducted to evaluate the swelling behavior of pure steel slag and water treatment residual (WTR) treated steel slag, where WTR is an alum-rich by-product of drinking water treatment plants. Sequential batch tests and column leach tests, as well as two different numerical analyses, UMDSurf and WiscLEACH, were carried out to check the environmental suitability of the methods. Tests were conducted to study the effect of a common borrow fill material that encapsulated the slag in the embankment and the effects of two subgrade soils on the chemical properties of slag leachate. The results indicated that an increase in WTR content in the steel slag-WTR mixtures yields a decrease in pH and most of the leached metal concentrations, except aluminum. The change in the levels of pH, after passing through encapsulation and subgrade, depends on the natural pHs of materials.

Irish state infrastructural investment: an analysis of past patterns, and an outline of a future integrated systems of systems evaluation methodology

The literature clearly links the quality and capacity of a country’s infrastructure to its economic growth and competitiveness. This thesis analyses the historic national and spatial distribution of investment by the Irish state in its physical networks (water, wastewater and roads) across the 34 local authorities and examines how Ireland is perceived internationally relative to its economic counterparts. An appraisal of the current status and shortcomings of Ireland’s infrastructure is undertaken using key stakeholders from foreign direct investment companies and national policymakers to identify Ireland's infrastructural gaps, along with current challenges in how the country is delivering infrastructure. The output of these interviews identified many issues with how infrastructure decision-making is currently undertaken. This led to an evaluation of how other countries are informing decision-making, and thus this thesis presents a framework of how and why Ireland should embrace a Systems of Systems (SoS) methodology approach to infrastructure decision-making going forward. In undertaking this study a number of other infrastructure challenges were identified: significant political interference in infrastructure decision-making and delivery the need for a national agency to remove the existing ‘silo’ type of mentality to infrastructure delivery how tax incentives can interfere with the market; and their significance. The two key infrastructure gaps identified during the interview process were: the need for government intervention in the rollout of sufficient communication capacity and at a competitive cost outside of Dublin; and the urgent need to address water quality and capacity with approximately 25% of the population currently being served by water of unacceptable quality. Despite considerable investment in its national infrastructure, Ireland’s infrastructure performance continues to trail behind its economic partners in the Eurozone and OECD. Ireland is projected to have the highest growth rate in the euro zone region in 2015 and 2016, albeit that it required a bailout in 2010, and, at the time of writing, is beginning to invest in its infrastructure networks again. This thesis proposes the development and implementation of a SoS approach for infrastructure decision-making which would be based on: existing spatial and capacity data of each of the constituent infrastructure networks; and scenario computation and analysis of alternative drivers eg. Demographic change, economic variability and demand/capacity constraints. The output from such an analysis would provide valuable evidence upon which policy makers and decision makers alike could rely, which has been lacking in historic investment decisions.

Estudo de soluções de contenção periférica em função das condicionantes de execução

Dissertação de natureza científica para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Civil

Deteção de colisões com guardas de segurança

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Eletrónica Industrial e Computadores

Iowa Department of Public Safety: Iowa State Patrol, 2008 Annual Report

As Iowa's traffic enforcement agency, the Iowa State Patrol is responsible for providing law enforcement services to rural areas of the state as well as traffic enforcement and support for metropolitan areas around the state. Troopers patrol Iowa's highways and conduct traffic enforcement for both unincorporated areas and interstate highways. In addition, our Personnel provide security and police services throughout the state for many special events including, fairs, festivals, and large sporting events such as the Iowa Speedway, University of Iowa and Iowa State football games.

Second Welland Canal - Book 1, Survey Map 3 - Old Lock 2 in Grantham Township

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing a portion of the Grantham Township near Port Dalhousie. Identified structures associated with the Canal include the new towing path. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Features of the First Welland Canal are noted in red ink and include the old Lock 2, old towing path and the original bed of the Twelve Mile Creek. Local area landmarks are also identified and include streets and roads (ex. Side Line and Old Road), four unnamed bridges, and a tree stump along the old towing path. A New Road to Port Dalhousie is featured in red ink. Properties and property owners of note are: Concession 3 Lots 21, 22 and 23, Concession 4 Lots 21, 22 and 23, Jabez Johnson, Adam Gould, Peter Weaver and Samuel Wood.

Second Welland Canal - Book 1, Survey Map 4 - Through Grantham Township

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing a portion of the Grantham Township. Identified structures associated with the Canal include the floating tow path and the canal itself. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Features of the First Welland Canal are noted in red ink and include the old towing path. Local area landmarks are also identified and include streets and roads (ex. Line between Wood and Tenbroeck), an unnamed bridge, a poplar tree and walnut tree along the east shore. Properties and property owners of note are: Concession 4 Lot 22, Samuel Wood, and John R. Tenbroeck.

Second Welland Canal - Book 1, Survey Map 5 - Through Grantham Township

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing a portion of the Grantham Township near Port Dalhousie. Identified structures associated with the Canal include the tow path and floating tow path. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Features of the First Welland Canal are noted in red ink and include the old towing path, the Old Canal, two unnamed bridges traversing the Old Canal, and the bed of the Twelve Mile Creek. Local area landmarks are also identified and include streets and roads (ex. Old Road, Side Line, Road to Port Dalhousie), Samuel Wood's house, Peter Weaver's house, J. R. Tenbroeck's house, a poplar and walnut tree along the east shore, an oak and hickory tree along the west shore, and a walnut tree stump along the west shore. Properties and property owners of note are: Concession 3 Lots 21, 22, and 23, Concession 4 Lots 21, 22, and 23, Adam Gould, Samuel Wood, Peter Weaver, and John R. Tenbroeck.

Second Welland Canal - Book 1, Survey Map 7 - Through Grantham Township

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing a portion of the Grantham Township. Identified structures associated with the Canal include the floating tow path. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Local area landmarks are also identified and include streets and roads (ex. Road to Port Dalhousie, and Road to St. Catharines), Georges Point, Browns Island, and an unnamed island. Properties and property owners of note are: Concession 2 Lots 21 and 22, Concession 3 Lots 21 and 22, John Clark, C. May, George May, and J. R. Tenbroeck.

Second Welland Canal - Book 1, Survey Map 10 - St. Catharines

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company along the western edge of the Town of St. Catharines. Although not labelled, the Second Welland Canal can be seen running through the map along with its tow path, which is located on the southwestern edge of the waterway. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Local area landmarks are identified and include streets and roads (ex. Ontario Street and Road to Hamilton), Artesian Mineral Well, Dr. Mack's Artesian Well, Stephenson House Mineral Well and Gas Works, New Brewery, Old Brewery, Welland House Mineral Well, L. Shickluna's Shipyard, Vinegar Manufactory, Merritt's Covered Race, Mitchels Wharf, Sail Loft, an office, a tavern, two barns, a boathouse, a structure belonging to T. Nihan (or P. Nihen), and some store houses. Properties and property owners of note are: Concession 6 Lot 20, William H. Merritt, E. S. Adams, William Chace, Jacob Hainer, J. Taylor, and J. P. Merritt.

Second Welland Canal - Book 1, Survey Map 9 - Lock 2 in Grantham Township

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing a portion of the Grantham Township sometimes referred to as the Welland Vale. Identified structures associated with the Canal include Lock 2, several weirs, and the Lock Tender's House. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Features of the First Welland Canal are noted in red ink and include the old towing path and the Old Canal itself. Local area landmarks and businesses are also identified and include streets and roads (ex. Side Line and Old Road to Port Dalhousie), J. C. Clark's Ice House, J. L. Ranney Store House, a burnt mill, barrel shed, a building leased to Michael Kerrins, and a number of unidentified structures (possibly houses or cabins) belonging to D. Cain, R. Cain, W. Weaver and W. Huddy. A New Road to St. Catharines is featured in red ink. Properties and property owners of note are: Concession 5 Lots 20, 21 and 22, Concession 6 Lots 20 and 21, Thomas Adams, John Gould, George Rykert, Theophilus Mack, William H. Merritt, J. L. Ranney, and the Board of Works.

Second Welland Canal - Book 2, Survey Map 8 - Little Deep Cut in Thorold

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the canal in Thorold South. Identified structures associated with the Canal include the Little Deep Cut and the towing path. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Local area landmarks are also identified and include streets and roads (ex. Road to Beaverdams and Road to Allanburgh), two unnamed bridges, the Spoil Bank, a pond, and the Back Water. Properties and property owners of note are: Lots 29 and 30, Jacob Keefer, John Brown, William Bouck, C. Gisso, and a property reserved for Bridge Tender.

Second Welland Canal - Book 2, Survey Map 9 - Back Water Bodies in Thorold

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the Back Water bodies in Thorold Township. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. A number of trees along the shores presumably used in the measurements are labelled. Local area landmarks are also identified and include streets and roads(ex. Road to Beaverdams), Shriner's Dwelling Home, a barn, and the Back Water bodies. Properties and property owners of note are: Lots 27, 28, and 29, W. Bouck, D. Shriner, and Rev. T. B. Fuller.

Second Welland Canal - Book 2, Survey Map 10 - Through Thorold

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the canal in Thorold Township. Identified structures associated with the Canal include the towing path. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Local area landmarks are also identified and include streets and roads (ex. Road to Allanburgh), an unnamed bridege, several barns, a structure labelled Bridge Tender, and a dwelling. Properties and property owners of note are: Lots 30, 31, 32, 48, 49, and 50, Robert Booth, Hiram Marlatt, George Keefer, John Kelly, Isaac Kelly, John Brown, Thomas Lee, and the Board of Works.