A Biophysical Evaluation of a MSW-to-energy System

A biophysical understanding of the MSW-to-energy facility located at the Sao Joao landfill in São Paulo is performed using emergy synthesis. The implementation of a plan for environmental compensation in fulfillment of State's requirements was also assessed. Emergy based indices are calculated to assess the environmental pressure and sustainability status of the biogas project. The study was conducted by combining the study of emergy indicators and the net emergy yield ratio to determine long-term sustainability and measure global environmental stress. The Emergy investment to the use of biogas is relatively low and profitable. The implementation of the project for environmental compensation does not change the Emergy investment significantly, but the energy recovery is high. The conclusions justify the effort invested in developing MSW-to-energy plants and are applicable for policy makers in a highly sensitive sector to achieve sustainability goals - recovery of energy.

Effect of fortification of drinking water with iron plus ascorbic acid or with ascorbic acid alone on hemoglobin values and anthropometric indicators in preschool children in day-care centers in Southeast Brazil

Background. Iron-deficiency anemia currently is the most frequently occurring nutritional disorder worldwide. Previous Brazilian studies have demonstrated that drinking water fortified with iron and ascorbic acid is an adequate vehicle for improving the iron supply for children frequenting day-care centers. Objective. The objective of this study was to clarify the role of ascorbic acid as a vehicle for improving iron intake in children in day-care centers in Brazil. Methods. A six-month study was conducted on 150 children frequenting six day-care centers divided into two groups of three day-care centers by drawing lots: the iron-C group (3 day-care centers, n = 74), which used water fortified with 10 mg elemental iron and 100 mg ascorbic acid per liter, and the comparison group (3 day-care centers, n = 76), which used water containing only 100 mg ascorbic acid per liter. Anthropometric measurements and determinations of capillary hemoglobin were performed at the beginning of the study and after six months of intervention. The food offered at the day-care centers was also analyzed. Results. The fo od offered at the day-care center was found to be deficient in ascorbic acid, poor in heme iron, and adequate in non-heme iron. Supplementation with fortified drinking water resulted in a decrease in the prevalence of anemia and an increase in mean hemoglobin levels associated with height gain in both groups. Conclusions. Fortification of drinking water with iron has previously demonstrated effectiveness in increasing iron supplies. This simple strategy was confirmed in the present study. The present study also demonstrated that for populations receiving an abundant supply of non-heme iron, it is possible to control anemia in a simple, safe, and inexpensive manner by adding ascorbic acid to drinking water. © 2005, The United Nations University.

Comparison of environmental indicators of two aviaries for laying Hens

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Digest of selected demographic and social indicators 1960-1994 for CDCC member countries

Includes bibliography

Panorama de la Agricultura de América Latina y el Caribe en las últimas décadas: indicadores de comportamiento en cuadros y gráficos = Survey of agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean over recent decades: performance indicators in charts and tables

Incluye Bibliografía

Participation and leadership in Latin America and the Caribbean: gender indicators

Includes bibliography

A system of indicators for monitoring social cohesion in Latin America

Includes bibliography

Summit of the Americas 1994-2009: selected indicators

Includes bibliography

Latin America through the lens of social cohesion: selected indicators

Spanish document available at the Library

Social cohesion in Latin America: concepts, frames of reference and Indicators

Includes bibliography

Custo de produção e indicadores de rentabilidade da cultura do milho safrinha

The objective of this study was to evaluate the production cost and profitability of the second season corn crop in the Medio Paranapanema region, São Paulo State Brazil, under two technological levels (middle and high technology), crop 2008/2009, and compare the results with the 2006/2007 agricultural year. Effective and total operational cost as well as five profitability indicators were used. It was concluded that the high technology production cost for corn crop (direct seedling, sowing during the recommended period, use of simple hybrid seed, application of side-dressing fertilization, and treatment of seeds with different insecticides) was superior to the middle technology production cost (direct seedling, sowing after the recommended time, use of double hybrid seed, and no side-dressing fertilization). However, the average cost was inferior (US$ 8.5), due to a higher yield (4 t). The high technology corn crop was profitable (gross income and profitability index of 14% and 12%, respectively). For the middle technology crop, profitability indexes pointed out that the cropping system needs to be reevaluated by technicians and research institutions, regarding the adequate technical recommendations. Profitability indexes decreased considerably in both cropping systems. It was verified that, in relation to the 2006/2007 harvest period, the total operational cost increased for both technologies, mainly because of the increase of supplies prices.

The challenge of finding robust poverty indicators for rapid monitoring of changes

Includes bibliography

Proposals for improvement of methodology and process of collecting and analyzing compatibility of power quality indicators in distribution systems

This article aims to present proposals for improvement of key standards and resolutions concerned about the methodology for calculating the indicator of total harmonic voltage distortion, and should contribute to the process of examining the compatibility of potentially disturbing loads in electric power quality in distribution systems. These proposals were drawn from the analysis of results from measurement campaigns conducted in a case study including analysis of the connection of a new induction furnace in a foundry served by a distributor of São Paulo state. A general historical situating the quality of electric energy in the electricity sector is presented, and methodological guidelines and procedures used in experimental trials are shown. The analysis and discussion of results are prepared to answer the main questions that arise during the implementation of standards, resolutions and procedures. © 2011 IEEE.

Indicators for monitoring the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Woman

Includes bibliography