Bulk density, ash content, humification, peat accumulation and selected lithogenic data of Store Mosse peat bog

This datafile presents chemical and physical as well as age dating information from the Store Mosse peat bog in southern Sweden. This record dates back to 8900 cal yr BP. The aim of the research was to reconstruct mineral dust deposition over time. As such we have only presented the lithogenic element data (Al, Ga, Rb, Sc, Ti, Y, Zr, Th and the REE) as the sample preparation method was tailored to these. This data is supported by parameters describing the deposit including bulk density, humification, ash content and net peat accumulation rates.

Mineralogy and geochemistry of volcanic ash at Japan Trench from DSDP Legs 87 and 57

Volcanogenic sediments were obtained from Site 584, located on the midslope of the Japan Trench. Occurrences of volcanic ash in the diatomaceous mudstones increase within sediments dated 6-3 Ma. The frequency pattern and the sediment accumulation rate obtained at Site 584 are similar to those of Site 440 and to those of Sites 438 and 439, located on the upper slope basin. Explosive volcanism increased during the Pliocene and late Miocene in relation to the intrusion of Tertiary granites and uplift of the Tohoku Arc (northeastern Japan Arc). Hygromagmaphile element concentration shows that the glass does not belong to a unique series, and a comparison with Nankai Trough data distinguishes at least two different evolutionary lines.

Utilizing ICT to prevent loneliness and social isolation of the elderly. A literature review

Ageing of the population is a worldwide phenomenon. Numerous ICT-based solutions have been developed for elderly care but mainly connected to the physiological and nursing aspects in services for the elderly. Social work is a profession that should pay attention to the comprehensive wellbeing and social needs of the elderly. Many people experience loneliness and depression in their old age, either as a result of living alone or due to a lack of close family ties and reduced connections with their culture of origin, which results in an inability to participate actively in community activities (Singh & Misra, 2009). Participation in society would enhance the quality of life. With the development of information technology, the use of technology in social work practice has risen dramatically. The aim of this literature review is to map out the state of the art of knowledge about the usage of ICT in elderly care and to figure out research-based knowledge about the usability of ICT for the prevention of loneliness and social isolation of elderly people. The data for the current research comes from the core collection of the Web of Science and the data searching was performed using Boolean? The searching resulted in 216 published English articles. After going through the topics and abstracts, 34 articles were selected for the data analysis that is based on a multi approach framework. The analysis of the research approach is categorized according to some aspects of using ICT by older adults from the adoption of ICT to the impact of usage, and the social services for them. This literature review focused on the function of communication by excluding the applications that mainly relate to physical nursing. The results show that the so-called ‘digital divide’ still exists, but the older adults have the willingness to learn and utilise ICT in daily life, especially for communication. The data shows that the usage of ICT can prevent the loneliness and social isolation of older adults, and they are eager for technical support in using ICT. The results of data analysis on theoretical frames and concepts show that this research field applies different theoretical frames from various scientific fields, while a social work approach is lacking. However, a synergic frame of applied theories will be suggested from the perspective of social work.

A field experiment on a steel Gerber-truss bridge for damage detection utilizing vehicle-induced vibrations

A field experiment was conducted on a real continuous steel Gerber-truss bridge with artificial damage applied. This article summarizes the results of the experiment for bridge damage detection utilizing traffic-induced vibrations. It investigates the sensitivities of a number of quantities to bridge damage including the identified modal parameters and their statistical patterns, Nair’s damage indicator and its statistical pattern and different sets of measurement points. The modal parameters are identified by autoregressive time-series models. The decision on bridge health condition is made and the sensitivity of variables is evaluated with the aid of the Mahalanobis–Taguchi system, a multivariate pattern recognition tool. Several observations are made as follows. For the modal parameters, although bridge damage detection can be achieved by performing Mahalanobis–Taguchi system on certain modal parameters of certain sets of measurement points, difficulties were faced in subjective selection of meaningful bridge modes and low sensitivity of the statistical pattern of the modal parameters to damage. For Nair’s damage indicator, bridge damage detection could be achieved by performing Mahalanobis–Taguchi system on Nair’s damage indicators of most sets of measurement points. As a damage indicator, Nair’s damage indicator was superior to the modal parameters. Three main advantages were observed: it does not require any subjective decision in calculating Nair’s damage indicator, thus potential human errors can be prevented and an automatic detection task can be achieved; its statistical pattern has high sensitivity to damage and, finally, it is flexible regarding the choice of sets of measurement points.

Radiological and material characterization of high volume fly ash concrete

The main goal of research presented in this paper was the material and radiological characterization of high volume fly ash concrete (HVFAC) in terms of determination of natural radionuclide content and radon emanation and exhalation coefficients. All concrete samples were made with a fly ash content between 50% and 70% of the total amount of cementitious materials from one coal burning power plant in Serbia. Physical (fresh and hardened concrete density) and mechanical properties (compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and modulus of elasticity) of concrete were tested. The radionuclide content (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) and radon massic exhalation of HVFAC samples were determined using gamma spectrometry. Determination of massic exhalation rates of HVFAC and its components using radon accumulation chamber techniques combined with a radon monitor was performed. The results show a beneficial effect of pozzolanic activity since the increase in fly ash content resulted in an increase in compressive strength of HVFAC by approximately 20% for the same mass of cement used in the mixtures. On the basis of the obtained radionuclide content of concrete components the I -indices of different HVFAC samples were calculated and compared with measured values (0.27e0.32), which were significantly below the recommended 1.0 index value. The prediction was relatively close to the measured values as the ratio between the calculated and measured I-index ranged between 0.89 and 1.14. Collected results of mechanical and radiological properties and performed calculations clearly prove that all 10 designed concretes with a certain type of fly ash are suitable for structural and non-structural applications both from a material and radiological point of view.

Use of Gypsum and CKD to enhance early age strength of High Volume Fly Ash (HVFA) pastes

Use of higher proportions of fly ash as a cement replacement in concrete has obvious environmental and performance benefits but high volumes of fly ash are not commonly used due to perceived lower early age strengths. In this investigation, addition of cement kiln dust (CKD) and gypsum to activate the fly ash was studied and the proportions used in the paste mixes were designed to optimize the mixture ingredients to achieve the highest early age compressive strength. Change of mineral phase composition and micro structure of the composites was analyzed. It was found that CKD was much more effective in activating the fly ash than gypsum. Appreciable early age compressive strengths were achieved for fly ash contents up to 60% of the binder and these observations were supported by analysis of the mineral phases.

Soil Stabilization with Lime Fly Ash, Iowa Highway Research Board Bulletin No. 26, 1961

The sixth in a series, this bulletin further compiles the reports on completed research done for the Iowa State Highway Research Board under its Project HR-1, The loess and glacial till materials of Iowa; an investigation of their physical and chemical properties and techniques for processing them to increase their all-weather stability for road construction. The research, started in 1950, has been conducted by the Iowa Engineering Experiment Station at Iowa State University under its Project 283-S.

Evaluation of the Chemical Durability of Iowa Fly Ash Concretes, HR-327, Phase II Progress Report, 1992

The major objective of this research project is to investigate how fly ash influences the chemical durability of portland cement based materials. The testing program is evaluating how Iowa fly ashes influence the sulfate durability of portland cement-fly ash pastes, mortars, and concretes. Also, alkali-reactivity studies are being conducted on mortar bar specimens prepared in accordance with ASTM C 311. Prelimary sulfate test results, based only on mortar bar studies, indicate that only the very high-calcium fly ash (29 percent CaO, by weight) consistently reduced the durability of test specimens exposed to a solution containing 5 percent sodium sulfate. The remaining four fly ashes that were used in the study showed negligible to dramatic increases in sulfate resistance. Concrete specimens were only beginning to respond to the sulfate solutions after about one year of exposure; and hence, considerably more time will be needed to assess their performance. Preliminary results from the alkali-reactivity tests have indicated that the Oreopolis aggregate is not sensitive to alkali attack. However, some of the test results have indicated that the testing procedure may be prone to delayed expansion due to the presence of periclase (MgO) in the Class C fly ashes. Research is being planned to: (1) verify if the periclase is influencing test results; and (2) estimating the magnitude of the potential error.

Development of a Rational Characterization Method for Iowa Fly Ash, HR-286, Annual Progress Report 1, 1986

The following report summarizes research activities on the project for the period December 1, 1985 through November 31, 1986. Research efforts for the first year have proceeded basically as outlined in the project proposal.

Development of a Rational Characterization Method for Iowa Fly Ash, HR-286, Annual Progress Report 2, 1987

The following report summarizes research activities on the project for the period December 1, 1986 to November 30, 1987. Research efforts for the second year deviated slightly from those described in the project proposal. By the end of the second year of testing, it was possible to begin evaluating how power plant operating conditions influenced the chemical and physical properties of fly ash obtained from one of the monitored power plants (Ottumwa Generating Station, OGS). Hence, several of the tasks initially assigned to the third year of the project (specifically tasks D, E, and F) were initiated during the second year of the project. Manpower constraints were balanced by delaying full scale implementation of the quantitative X-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis tasks until the beginning of the third year of the project. Such changes should have little bearing on the outcome of the overall project.

Impacts des dépositions atmosphériques de fer sur les assemblages phytoplanctoniques et la production de diméthylsulfure dans le Pacifique Nord-Est contemporain et dans le contexte de l’acidification des océans

La croissance du phytoplancton est limitée par les faibles concentrations de fer (Fe) dans près de 40% de l’océan mondial. Le Pacifique subarctique Nord-Est représente une de ces zones limitées en fer et désignées High Nutrient - Low Chlorophyll (HNLC). Cet écosystème, dominé par des cellules de petite taille telles les prymnésiophytes, est caractérisé par de très faibles concentrations estivales de chlorophylle a et de fortes concentrations de macronutriments. Il a été maintes fois démontré que les ajouts de fer, sous différentes formes chimiques (habituellement FeSO4), dans les zones HNLC, stimulent la croissance et modifient la structure des communautés planctoniques en favorisant la croissance des cellules de grande taille, notamment les diatomées. Ces effets sur la communauté planctonique ont le potentiel d’influencer les grands mécanismes régulateurs du climat, tels la pompe biologique de carbone et la production de diméthylsulfure (DMS). Les poussières provenant des déserts du nord de la Chine sont reconnues depuis longtemps comme une source sporadique importante de fer pour le Pacifique Nord-Est. Malgré leur importance potentielle, l’influence directe exercée par ces poussières sur l’écosystème planctonique de cette zone HNLC n’a jamais été étudiée. Il s’agit d’une lacune importante puisque le fer associé aux poussières est peu soluble dans l’eau de mer, que la proportion biodisponible n’est pas connue et que les poussières peuvent avoir un effet inhibiteur chez le phytoplancton. Cette thèse propose donc, dans un premier temps, de mesurer pour la première fois l’effet de la fertilisation de la communauté planctonique du Pacifique Nord-Est par un gradient de concentrations de poussières désertiques naturelles. Cette première expérimentation a démontré que le fer contenu dans les poussières asiatiques est biodisponible et qu’une déposition équivalente à celles prenant place au printemps dans le Pacifique Nord-Est peut résulter en une stimulation significative de la prise de nutriments et de la croissance du phytoplancton. Mes travaux ont également montré que l’ajout de 0,5 mg L-1 de poussières peut résulter en la production d’autant de biomasse algale que l’ajout de FeSO4, l’espèce chimique utilisée lors des expériences d’enrichissement en fer à grande échelle. Cependant, les ajouts de FeSO4 favorisent davantage les cellules de petite taille que les ajouts de poussières, observation démontrant que le FeSO4 n’est pas un proxy parfait des poussières asiatiques. Dans un deuxième temps, je me suis intéressée à une source alternative de fer atmosphérique, les cendres volcaniques. Mon intérêt pour cette source de fer a été attisé par les observations d’une floraison spectaculaire dans le Pacifique Nord-Est, ma région d’étude, associée à l’éruption de 2008 du volcan Kasatochi dans les îles Aléoutiennes. Forte de mon expérience sur les poussières, j’ai quantifié l’effet direct de ces cendres volcaniques sur la communauté planctonique du Pacifique Nord-Est. Mes résultats ont montré que le fer contenu dans les cendres volcaniques est également biodisponible pour le phytoplancton. Ils ont également montré que cette source de fer peut être aussi importante que les poussières désertiques dans la régulation de la croissance du phytoplancton dans cette partie de l’océan global à l’échelle millénaire. Dans un troisième temps, j’ai estimé comment l’acidification des océans modulera les réponses des communautés planctoniques aux dépositions naturelles de fer mises en évidence lors de mes expériences précédentes. Pour ce faire, j’ai effectué des enrichissements de poussière dans de l’eau de mer au pH actuel de 8.0 et dans l’eau de mer acidifiée à un pH de 7.8. Mes résultats ont montré une diminution du taux de croissance du phytoplancton dans le milieu acidifié mais pas de changement notable dans la structure de la communauté. Les ajouts de poussières et de cendres, de même que les variations de pH, n’ont pas eu d’effet significatif sur la production de DMS et de son précurseur le diméthylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), probablement en raison de la courte durée (4 jours) des expériences. L’ensemble des résultats de cette thèse montre que le fer contenu dans diverses sources atmosphériques naturelles est biodisponible pour le phytoplancton du Pacifique Nord-Est et que des taux de déposition réalistes peuvent stimuler la croissance de manière notable dans les premiers jours suivant une tempête désertique ou une éruption volcanique. Finalement, les résultats de mes expériences à stresseurs multiples Fer/acidification suggèrent une certaine résistance des communautés phytoplanctoniques à la diminution du pH prédite d’ici la fin du siècle pour les eaux de surface des océans.

Utilizing “Big Data” to Improve the Hotel Sector’s Energy Efficiency: Lessons from Recent Economics Research

Hotel chains have access to a treasure trove of “big data” on individual hotels’ monthly electricity and water consumption. Benchmarked comparisons of hotels within a specific chain create the opportunity to cost-effectively improve the environmental performance of specific hotels. This paper describes a simple approach for using such data to achieve the joint goals of reducing operating expenditure and achieving broad sustainability goals. In recent years, energy economists have used such “big data” to generate insights about the energy consumption of the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Lessons from these studies are directly applicable for the hotel sector. A hotel’s administrative data provide a “laboratory” for conducting random control trials to establish what works in enhancing hotel energy efficiency.

Evaluation of the Chemical Durability of Iowa Fly Ash Concretes, HR-327, Phase I Progress Report, 1991

The following report summarizes research activities conducted on Iowa Department of Transportation Project HR-327, for the period April 1, 1990 through March 31, 1991. The purpose of this research project is to investigate how fly ash influences the chemical durability of portland cement based materials. The goal of this research is to utilize the empirical information obtained from laboratory testing to better estimate the durability of portland cement concrete pavements (with and without fly ash) subjected to chemical attack via the natural environment or the application of deicing salts. This project is being jointly sponsored by the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Iowa Fly Ash Affiliate Research group. The research work is also being cooperatively conducted by Iowa State University and Iowa Department of Transportation research personnel. Researchers at Iowa State University are conducting the paste and mortar studies while Iowa Department of Transportation researchers are conducting the concrete study.

The ins of the striatum: Utilizing chemogenetics to define the contribution of cortical and thalamic afferents during addiction behaviors

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2016-08