Iowa Plan for Energy Independence, 2007

Iowa’s first annual Energy Independence Plan kicks off a new era of state leadership in energy transformation. Supported by Governor Chet Culver, Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge, and the General Assembly, the Office of Energy Independence was established in 2007 to coordinate state activities for energy independence. The commitment of the state to lead by example creates opportunities for state government to move boldly to achieve its goals, track its progress, measure the results, and report the findings. In moving to energy independence, the active engagement of every Iowan will be sought as the state works in partnership with others in achieving the goals. While leading ongoing efforts within the state, Iowa can also show the nation how to effectively address the critical, complex challenges of shifting to a secure energy future of affordable energy, cost-effective efficiency, reliance on sustainable energy, and enhanced natural resources and environment. In accordance with House File 918, “the plan shall provide cost effective options and strategies for reducing the state’s consumption of energy, dependence on foreign sources of energy, use of fossil fuels, and greenhouse gas emissions. The options and strategies developed in the plan shall provide for achieving energy independence from foreign sources of energy by the year 2025.” Energy independence is a term which means different things to different people. We use the term to mean that we are charting our own course in the emerging energy economy. Iowa can chart its own course by taking advantage of its resources: a well-educated population and an abundance of natural resources, including rich soil, abundant surface and underground water, and consistent wind patterns. Charting our own course also includes further developing our in-state industry, capturing renewable energy, and working toward improved energy efficiency. Charting our own course will allow Iowa to manage its economic destiny while protecting our environment, while creating new, “green collar” industries in every corner of Iowa. Today Iowa is in a remarkable position to capitalize on the current situation globally and at home. Energy drives the economy and has impacts on the environment, undeniable links that are integral for energy security and independence. With the resources available within the state, the combination of significant global changes in energy and research leading to new technologies that continue to drive down the costs of sustainable energy, Iowa can take bold strides toward the goal of energy independence by 2025. The Office of Energy Independence, with able assistance from hundreds of individuals, organizations, agencies, and advisors, presents its plan for Iowa’s Energy Independence.

Développement d'une méthode microgravimétrique urbaine : intégration dans un SIG et application au projet du M2 lausannois

Résumé La réalisation d'une seconde ligne de métro (M2) dès 2004, passant dans le centre ville de Lausanne, a été l'opportunité de développer une méthodologie concernant des campagnes microgravimétriques dans un environnement urbain perturbé. Les corrections topographiques prennent une dimension particulière dans un tel milieu, car de nombreux objets non géologiques d'origine anthropogénique comme toutes sortes de sous-sols vides viennent perturber les mesures gravimétriques. Les études de génie civil d'avant projet de ce métro nous ont fournis une quantité importante d'informations cadastrales, notamment sur les contours des bâtiments, sur la position prévue du tube du M2, sur des profondeurs de sous-sol au voisinage du tube, mais aussi sur la géologie rencontré le long du corridor du M2 (issue des données lithologiques de forages géotechniques). La planimétrie des sous-sols a été traitée à l'aide des contours des bâtiments dans un SIG (Système d'Information Géographique), alors qu'une enquête de voisinage fut nécessaire pour mesurer la hauteur des sous-sols. Il a été alors possible, à partir d'un MNT (Modèle Numérique de Terrain) existant sur une grille au mètre, de mettre à jour celui ci avec les vides que représentent ces sous-sols. Les cycles de mesures gravimétriques ont été traités dans des bases de données Ac¬cess, pour permettre un plus grand contrôle des données, une plus grande rapidité de traitement, et une correction de relief rétroactive plus facile, notamment lorsque des mises à jour de la topographie ont lieu durant les travaux. Le quartier Caroline (entre le pont Bessières et la place de l'Ours) a été choisi comme zone d'étude. Le choix s'est porté sur ce quartier du fait que, durant ce travail de thèse, nous avions chronologiquement les phases pré et post creusement du tunnel du M2. Cela nous a permis d'effectuer deux campagnes gravimétriques (avant le creu¬sement durant l'été 2005 et après le creusement durant l'été 2007). Ces réitérations nous ont permis de tester notre modélisation du tunnel. En effet, en comparant les mesures des deux campagnes et la réponse gravifique du modèle du tube discrétisé en prismes rectangulaires, nous avons pu valider notre méthode de modélisation. La modélisation que nous avons développée nous permet de construire avec détail la forme de l'objet considéré avec la possibilité de recouper plusieurs fois des interfaces de terrains géologiques et la surface topographique. Ce type de modélisation peut s'appliquer à toutes constructions anthropogéniques de formes linéaires. Abstract The realization of a second underground (M2) in 2004, in downtown Lausanne, was the opportunity to develop a methodology of microgravity in urban environment. Terrain corrections take on special meaning in such environment. Many non-geologic anthropogenic objects like basements act as perturbation of gravity measurements. Civil engineering provided a large amount of cadastral informations, including out¬lines of buildings, M2 tube position, depths of some basements in the vicinity of the M2 corridor, and also on the geology encountered along the M2 corridor (from the lithological data from boreholes). Geometry of basements was deduced from building outlines in a GIS (Geographic Information System). Field investigation was carried out to measure or estimate heights of basements. A DEM (Digital Elevation Model) of the city of Lausanne is updated from voids of basements. Gravity cycles have been processed in Access database, to enable greater control of data, enhance speed processing, and retroactive terrain correction easier, when update of topographic surface are available. Caroline area (between the bridge Saint-Martin and Place de l'Ours) was chosen as the study area. This area was in particular interest because it was before and after digging in this thesis. This allowed us to conduct two gravity surveys (before excavation during summer 2005 and after excavation during summer 2007). These re-occupations enable us to test our modélisation of the tube. Actually, by comparing the difference of measurements between the both surveys and the gravity response of our model (by rectangular prisms), we were able to validate our modeling. The modeling method we developed allows us to construct detailed shape of an object with possibility to cross land geological interfaces and surface topography. This type of modélisation can be applied to all anthropogenic structures.

“Nunca nos fuimos. Frontera, Memoria y Resistencia en la Flor de Maig”

El Ateneu Flor de Maig fue construido en Poblenou (Barcelona) hace más de cien años como sede de una de las mayores cooperativas de Catalunya. Desde su fundación hasta hoy día siempre ha estado ligado a la memoria del barrio, representando un símbolo de resistencia y cooperación para muchos de los vecinos del Poblenou. El pasado 2012 en el contexto de recortes que llevan a cabo las distintas administraciones públicas del Estado, el dinero municipal que proveía del pago del alquiler a los dueños del edificio y que ponía a disposición de los vecinos su uso, deja de llegar y éstos cierran sus puertas y con ello el espacio de articulación vecinal que suponía. Meses después, diversos colectivos del barrio agrupados bajo la Plataforma Recuperem La Flor de Maig, deciden “okupar” el edificio y convertirlo, según sus discursos, en un elemento de “transformación”, una alternativa frente al contexto de intervención y reforma urbana que representa el 22@ donde se dan la mano formas de gestión asamblearias, usos alternativos del espacio y una reivindicación del espíritu cooperativo inicial, dando así continuidad a toda una tradición de resistencia común. Sin embargo, los colectivos que okupan el Ateneu mantienen intereses y formas de entender su uso enfrentadas, lo que provoca conflictos y roces, no solo entre ellos sino también con otros vecinos del entorno, originando determinadas respuestas. Activistas, jóvenes de la izquierda independentista, desempleados, cooperativistas, emprendedores y artistas se mezclan en la Assemblea y Comisiones de la Flor de Maig. Desde la antropología nos podemos acercar a esa situación bajo la consideración de “frontera” en el uso del espacio. Este experimento “transformador” podría llegar a suponer, por otro lado, un “caballo de Troya” involuntario que ahonde en el proceso de desplazamiento de la población original del barrio iniciado hace unos años, favoreciendo su terciariación y aburguesamiento.

Flight, feeding and reproductive behavior of Phyllophaga cuyabana (Moser) (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) adults

Phyllophaga cuyabana is a univoltine species and its development occurs completely underground. Its control by conventional methods, such as chemical and biological insecticides, is difficult, so it is important to understand its dispersion, reproduction, and population behavior in order to determine best pest management strategies. The objective of this work was to study the behavior of adults of P. cuyabana. This study was carried out in the laboratory, greenhouse and field sites in Paraná State, Brazil (24º25' S and 52º48' W), during four seasons. The results obtained demonstrate that: a) P. cuyabana adults have a synchronized short-flight period when mating and reproduction occurs; b) adults tend to aggregate in specific sites for mating; c) the majority of adults left the soil on alternate nights; d) the choice of mating and oviposition sites was made by females before copulation, since after copulation adults did not fly from or bury themselves at nearby locations; e) females that fed on leaves after mating, oviposited more eggs than females that had not fed;f) plant species such as sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and the Crotalaria juncea are important food sources for adults.

Conflictivitat comunicativa en episodis d'emergència: aproximació a la cobertura informativa i la gestió institucional de l'esfondrament d'un túnel del metro al barri del Carmel de Barcelona

En aquesta investigació s’estudien els processos de producció de la informacióper part dels mitjans de comunicació i la gestió comunicativa institucional en episodis d’emergència. En concret, s’analitzen les negociacions entre els actors, les fonts informatives i el respecte deontològic en la divulgacióde les notícies. Per tal de conèixer específicament aquesta conflictivitat,s’ha escollit per a l’estudi de cas l’esfondrament d’un túnel del metro albarri del Carmel de Barcelona el gener de 2005. Per a realitzar aquesta investigació,s’ha utilitzat una perspectiva teòrica multidisciplinària. S’han pres en consideració els postulats teòrics de la sociologia, a partir del diàleg queestableixen diferents autors (Beck, Giddens, Lash i Luhmann) entre el conceptede modernitat i el nou paradigma que Beck (1998) denomina la societat del risc. També s’han tingut en compte els camps de la teoria i la sociologia de la comunicació i, més específicament, el marc teòric del periodisme i de les relacions públiques.

Alteraciones biológicas de la madera: el estudio de los materiales constructivos del yacimiento de Pleta de l'Estall Serrer (Valle del Madriu, Andorra)

El análisis antracológico, dendrológico y tafonómico de tres estructuras pastoriles de época moderna del yacimiento de Pleta de l’Estall Serrer (valle delMadriu, Andorra) situado a 1.980mde altitud, nosmuestra una presencia casi absoluta del pino tipo negro y la presencia puntual de taxones arbustivos como las ericáceas. Se trata de especies típicas en un bosque subalpino de pino negro. La presencia casi absoluta del pino, nos ha permitido observar diferentes alteraciones de la madera que nos han proporcionado una gran información sobre el uso de la madera, sobre todo las alteraciones por microorganismos. Hemos podido distinguir varios tipos de alteraciones causadas tanto por insectos xilófagos e hifas de hongos. Además, hemos identificado algunos individuos de termitas subterráneas tanto vivas como carbonizadas. Las primeras son termitas que atacan la madera arqueológica durante los procesos postdeposicionales y las termitas carbonizadas seguramente fueron la causa del deterioro de las estructuras y su posterior destrucción a través de su incendio.

Iowa Drainage Law Manual, TR-497, 2005

The relationship between Iowa’s roads and drainage developed when rural roads were originally constructed. The land parallel to roadways was excavated to create road embankments. The resulting ditches provided an outlet for shallow tiles to drain nearby fields for farming. Iowa’s climate and terrain are nearly ideal for farming, and more than 90 percent of the land suits the purpose. Much of the land, however, needs to be artificially drained to achieve maximum productivity. Most of this drainage has been accomplished with an extensive network of levees, open ditches, and underground tiles. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated that as early as 1920 approximately nine million acres of Iowa farm land had been artificially drained or needed to be. Couple this drainage system with Iowa’s extensive surface transportation system—approximately 100,000 miles of roads and streets, 90,000 on local systems— and potential for conflicts will naturally arise. This is particularly true with urban expansion resulting in residential and commercial development of rural land. This manual contains summaries of and references to the laws most relevant to drainage in Iowa. It also includes frequently asked questions about transportation agencies’ responsibilities related to drainage. Typical policies and agreement forms used by agencies to address drainage issues are illustrated and a glossary of common terms is included.

Identification of Practices, Design, Construction, and Repair Using Trenchless Technology, TR-570, 2010

Trenchless technologies are methods used for the construction and rehabilitation of underground utility pipes. These methods are growing increasingly popular due to their versatility and their potential to lower project costs. However, the use of trenchless technologies in Iowa and their effects on surrounding soil and nearby structures has not been adequately documented. Surveys of and interviews with professionals working in trenchless-related industries in Iowa were conducted, and the results were analyzed and compared to survey results from the United States as a whole. The surveys focused on method familiarity, pavement distress observed, reliability of trenchless methods, and future improvements. Results indicate that the frequency of pavement distress or other trenchless-related issues are an ongoing problem in the industry. Inadequate soil information and quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) are partially to blame. Fieldwork involving the observation of trenchless construction projects was undertaken with the purpose of documenting current practices and applications of trenchless technology in the United States and Iowa. Field tests were performed in which push-in pressure cells were used to measure the soil stresses induced by trenchless construction methods. A program of laboratory soil testing was carried out in conjunction with the field testing. Soil testing showed that the installations were made in sandy clay or well-graded sand with silt and gravel. Pipes were installed primarily using horizontal directional drilling with pipe diameters from 3 to 12 inches. Pressure cell monitoring was conducted during the following construction phases: pilot bore, pre-reaming, and combined pipe pulling and reaming. The greatest increase in lateral earth pressure was 5.6 psi and was detected 2.1 feet from the centerline of the bore during a pilot hole operation in sandy lean clay. Measurements from 1.0 to 2.5 psi were common. Comparisons were made between field measurements and analytical and finite element calculation methods.

Iowa System of Bridge Deck Rehabilitation with Cathodic Protection, HR-1044, 1986

Bridge deck and substructure deterioration due to the corrosive effects of deicing chemicals on reinforcing steel is a problem facing many transportation agencies. The main concern is protection of older bridges with uncoated reinforcing steel. Many different methods have been tried over the past years to repair bridge decks. The Iowa system of bridge deck rehabilitation has proven to be very effective. It consists of scarifying the deck surface, removing any deteriorated concrete, and overlaying with low slump dense concrete. Another rehabilitation method that has emerged is cathodic protection. It has been used for many years in the protection of underground pipelines and in 1973 was first installed on a bridge deck. Cathodic protection works by applying an external source of direct current to the embedded reinforcing steel, thereby changing the electrochemical process of corrosion. The corroding steel, which is anodic, is protected by changing it to a cathodic state. The technology involved in cathodic protection as applied to bridge decks has improved over the last 12 years. One company marketing new technology in cathodic protection systems is Raychem Corporation of Menlo Park, California. Their system utilizes a Ferex anode mesh that distributes the impressed direct current over the deck surface. Ferex mesh was selected because it seemed readily adaptable to the Iowa system of bridge deck rehabilitation. The bridge deck would be scarified, deteriorated concrete removed, Ferex anode mesh installed, and overlaid with low slump dense concrete. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) promotes cathodic protection under Demonstration Project No. 34, "Cathodic Protection for Reinforced Concrete Bridge Decks."

An Analysis of Human Trafficking in Iowa, January 1, 2016

Human trafficking has become a topic receiving much interest both in Iowa and nationally. However, estimates of human trafficking incidents and victims are difficult to derive given the underground nature of the offense. The purpose of this analysis is to gather data on human trafficking incidents in the state of Iowa.

Efficiency of informational transfer in regular and complex networks

We analyze the process of informational exchange through complex networks by measuring network efficiencies. Aiming to study nonclustered systems, we propose a modification of this measure on the local level. We apply this method to an extension of the class of small worlds that includes declustered networks and show that they are locally quite efficient, although their clustering coefficient is practically zero. Unweighted systems with small-world and scale-free topologies are shown to be both globally and locally efficient. Our method is also applied to characterize weighted networks. In particular we examine the properties of underground transportation systems of Madrid and Barcelona and reinterpret the results obtained for the Boston subway network.

Health consultation : Climbing Hill groundwater contaminiation site, Climbing Hill, Woodbury County, Iowa (2004)

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) asked the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) Hazardous Waste Site Health Assessment Program to perform a health consultation for the Climbing Hill, Iowa, groundwater contamination site. IDNR wants to know if the site poses a public health hazard. The information in this health consultation was current at the time of writing. Data that emerges later could alter this document’s conclusions and recommendations. Climbing Hill is an unincorporated town in Woodbury County, Iowa, approximately 15 miles southeast of Sioux City. The town has approximately 120 residents. All of the residents and most businesses within the town use private wells to supply their drinking water. The local restaurant has an individual well that is classified as a public water supply system because it has the potential to serve more than 25 people in a day. Several wells in the town have become contaminated with gasoline and diesel fuel leaking from two underground storage tanks. All of the wells are roughly 75–80 feet deep (R. Cardinale, IDNR, Underground Storage Tank Section, personal communication, January 30, 2004).

Innovation Benchmark Study: Analysis of Innovation Processes in Finnish Companies

Liikevaihdon orgaaninen kasvu on ensisijainen tekijä ja haaste yritysjohdolle yrityksen omistaja-arvon kasvattamiseksi. Tutkimus tarkastelee suosivatko suomalaisyritykset pääasiallisesti olemassa olevaa liiketoimintaa palvelevia innovaatioita vai tukevatko nykyhetken toimintatavat myös uusia kasvua kiihdyttäviä radikaaleja innovaatioita. Lisäksi työ kartoitti suomalaisyritysten innovaatioprosessien kehitysalueita käyttäen itsearviointitutkimusta.Tulokset johtivat kolmeen johtopäätökseen. Tutkimus osoitti, että vastaajayritykset ovat keskittyneet innovaatiotoiminnassaan vahvasti ydinliiketoimintaansa, jättäen potentiaaliset kasvumahdollisuudet huomioimatta. Yritykset tavoittelevat maksimaalisia tuottoja keskittymällä tuotteidensa korkeaan suorituskykyyn. Lyhyen aikavälin epärealistiset tuotto-odotukset sekä projekteille suunnatut arviointikriteerit rajoittavat liiketoimintaa mullistavien radikaalien innovaatioiden kehittymistä organisaatiossa. Toiseksi, tutkimus osoitti, että suuri osa yrityksistä käyttää perinteisen projektien arviointi- ja kehitysprosessin lisäksi vaihtoehtoisia ja huonosti kontrolloitavissa olevia kehitysprosesseja, mikäli projektille annetaan kielteinen rahoituspäätös standardin prosessin sisällä. Kolmanneksi, suomalaisyritysten innovaatioprosesseissa paljastui merkittäviä puutteita mitattavien elementtien suhteen.

Estudi per a una interfície d'ajuda a daltònics en la interpretació de mapes de metro

En aquest projecte fem un estudi de diferents mètodes per a la segmentació i extracció de línies de mapes de metro com a suport per a daltònics. Hem aplicat dos mètodes amb intervenció de l’usuari i cinc mètodes automàtics on fem servir K-means per a la segmentació de color i Hough per a l’extracció de línies. Dels mètodes amb intervenció obtenim millors resultats amb un mètode d’assignació aproximada del color, i entre els autoàatics tenim com a millor una solució ad-hoc sense paràmetres aplicada sobre l’espai RGB. D’acord amb els resultats experimentals, aquests mètodes ens permeten fer una bona segmentació i extracció de les línies de metro.

Usages de l'eau à Gaya (Niger) : entre fortes potentialités et contraintes majeures

Résumé: Le département de Gaya, cadre de notre étude, est situé au sud-ouest de la république du Niger. Il dispose d'un important potentiel hydrique composé des eaux de surface (une centaine de mares permanentes, le fleuve Niger sur 106 km) et de sept aquifères superposés comprenant des nappes de subsurface (affleurantes par endroit) et des nappes artésiennes. L'étude sur les usages de l'eau à Gaya a été menée à travers plusieurs axes centrés sur l'estimation et la répartition spatiale des ressources en eau, le cadre juridique et institutionnel régulant leur mise en valeur, les différents secteurs d'utilisation de l'eau ainsi que les contraintes affectant cette utilisation. L'usage de la cartographie à travers les SIG dans le traitement et l'analyse des données, couplée à notre expérience d'une dizaine d'année de travaux dans la région, a permis de dresser des synthèses richement illustrées permettant de mieux comprendre tous les enjeux liés à la problématique des usages de l'eau dans cette partie du Niger. Contrairement à la vision que l'on a traditionnellement du Sahel où le manque d'eau constitue une des contraintes majeures au développement, ici des conditions locales particulières contredisent ce cliché et transposent le débat sur un autre plan. Il s'agit de la maîtrise de l'eau au niveau local à travers l'élaboration d'une politique appropriée qui tienne compte non seulement des spécificités locales de la ressource, mais aussi des différents types d'usages. La politique de l'eau au Niger, définie selon le Schéma directeur de mise en valeur et de gestion des ressources en eau, à travers la mise en place d'un important arsenal juridique et institutionnel, a eu le mérite de tracer un canevas sur la question, mais a montré ses limites au niveau pratique après dix ans d'essai. En effet au niveau de Gaya, ni l'Etat ni les partenaires au développement (bailleurs de fonds extérieurs) n'ont tenu compte des caractéristiques locales de la ressource ou du contexte socioéconomique particulier de la région. Ce qui a entraîné la réalisation d'infrastructures inadaptées aux réalités hydrogéologiques locales ainsi que des choix inappropriés au niveau de certains aménagements. En dépit de l'abondance de la ressource, son accès tant au niveau quantitatif que qualitatif, reste difficile pour une grande partie des acteurs ruraux. Les différents handicaps rencontrés dans la mise en valeur des ressources en eau résultent de cette incohérence de la politique nationale de l'eau, mais aussi de la difficulté de son application sur le terrain où persiste un pluralisme juridique caractérisé par la cohabitation de deux systèmes de régulation à savoir les droits coutumiers et la législation moderne. Ces différents éléments mis en évidence dans cette étude sur la zone de Gaya pourraient servir de base pour un meilleur aménagement des ressources en eau dans le cadre plus large d'une politique d'aménagement du territoire prenant en compte tous les facteurs tant physiques que socioéconomiques de la région. Abstract: The department of Gaya, in which this study was done, is located in the SW area of the Republic of Niger. It has an important hydrological potential composed of surface water (approximately 100 permanent ponds, 106 km of the Niger River) and 7 bodies of underground water sources including sub-surface and artresan wells. This study of the exploitation of wtaer in Gaya has been carried out employing several parameters based on: the estimation and spacial distribution of water ressources, the juridic and institutional rules governing their utilisation and the various constraints affecting this exploitation. The use of mapping when treating and analysing data, coupled with ten years personel field experience, resulted in a richly illustrated synthesis of this data. This, in turn, led to a better comprehension of all the factors related to problems of water utilisation in this particular region of Niger. Contrary to the generally accepted view that the lack of water ressources is a major contributing factor to the lack of development in the Sahel, in Gaya the local conditions contradict this statement. In this region, and at the local level, the proper use of water is based on the elaboration of an appropriate policy which takes into account not only the local specifics of water ressources but the various types of water utilsation as well. Local use of water and water ressources are dependant on established rules. Water policy in Niger is defined by the General Schema based on an important institutional and judicary arsenal of rules and regulations. However, after a ten-year trial period, this system was shown to have its limitations. In Gaya, neither the State nor the development agencies took into consideration local characteristics nor the socio-economic context of the region. This, in turn, resulted in putting in place infrastructures that were not adapted to local hydrogeological realities as well as inappropriate choices in land planning and development. In spite of the abundance of water ressources, access to them remains difficult for most of the rural population. The various difficulties encountered are the result of incoherent water policies on a national level as well as the lack of practical application in this area. This is due to a double judicary system where two regulatory systems co-exist:traditional laws and modern legislation. the different elements brought out by this study could serve as a basis for a better utilisation of water ressources on a larger scale in which land planning and development policies would take into consideration all the physcial as well as the socio-economical factors of this region.