Our land and water resources; current and prospective supplies and uses.

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Highway safety : interim report on safety belt and motorcycle helmet effectiveness : report to the Subcommittee on Water Resources, Transportation, and Infrastructure, Committee on Environment and Public Works, U.S. Senate /

"B-243679"--P. 1.

Optimization of Advertising Resources over Time: A Strategic Analysis

AMS subject classification: 90B60, 90B50, 90A80.

An Institutional, Socio-economic, and Legal Analysis of Fisheries Co-management and Regulation in the Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica

Marine Areas for Responsible Artisanal Fishing (AMPR) have emerged as a new model for co-managing small-scale fisheries in Costa Rica, one that involves collaboration between fishers, government agencies and NGOs. This thesis aims to examine the context for collective action and co-management by small-scale fishers; evaluate the design, implementation, and enforcement of AMPRs; and conduct a linguistic analysis of fisheries legislation. The present work relies on the analysis of several types of qualitative data, including interviews with 23 key informants, rapid rural assessments, and legal documents. Findings demonstrate the strong influence of economic factors for sustaining collective action, as well as the importance of certain types of external organizations for community development and co-management. Additionally, significant enforcement gaps and institutional deficiencies were identified in the work of regulating agencies. Legal analysis suggests that mechanisms for government accountability are unavailable and that legal discourse reflects some of the most salient problems in management.

Combination of product quality management and exports: The case of Colombian fruits companies

Quality management provides to companies a framework to improve quality in overall systems, reduction of costs, reallocation of resources efficiently, correct planning of strategies, prevent or correct errors in the right time and increase the performance of companies. In this text, we discuss the different theories in this field, their obligatory or non-obligatory compliance, the importance of quality management for exporting companies and a case study of a Colombian firm that its main objective is to manage quality. In conclusion, we find out that there is different types of quality management systems such as Juran’s trilogy, Deming 14 points, Six sigma, HACCP, and so on; also that companies have to manage suppliers and that quality has a positive influence on exports volume; in the case of Colombian small and medium enterprises, it can be mentioned that the majority has implemented tools regarding quality management but is not enough.

Evaluation of water use, yield and water productivity of a high-density orchard (cv. Cobrançosa) subjected to different irrigation regimes – An account of four years

The impact of different irrigation scheduling regimes on the water use, yield and water productivity from a high-density olive grove cv. Cobrançosa in southern Portugal was assessed during the irrigation seasons of 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. The experiments were conducted in a commercial olive orchard at the Herdade Álamo de Cima, near Évora (38o 29' 49.44'' N, 7o 45' 8.83'' W; alt. 75 m) in southern Alentejo, Portugal. The orchard was established with 10-year old Cobrançosa trees in grids of 8.0 x 4.2 m (300 trees ha-1) in the E-W direction, and experiments conducted on a shallow sandy loam Regosoil Haplic soil. From mid-May to the end of September the orchard was irrigated and three plots were subjected to one of two irrigation treatments: a control treatment A, irrigated to replace 100% ETc, a moderate deficit irrigation treatment B irrigated to 70% of ETc, and a more severe deficit irrigation treatment C that provided for approximately 50% of ETc. Daily tree transpiration rates were obtained by continuously monitoring of sap flow in representative trees per treatment. Among the irrigated treatments, water use efficiency (WUE, ratio of water used to irrigation- water applied) of treatment C was the highest, with a value of 0.89, being treatment B slightly lower, with a WUE of 0.76. Olive harvest for 2012 was an exceptional “on year”. Bearing yields showed contrasting differences within years where an “on year” was followed by an “off year”. In 2011 and 2012 treatment B yields were 41 and 50% higher than treatment C, respectively. In 2013 treatment B yield was 45% higher than yield of the fully irrigated treatment A, and treatment C showed practically the same yield than treatment A. In the “on year” of 2014 treatment B averaged 48% higher yield than treatment C. Treatment B farm irrigation water productivity (WPI-Farm, ratio of yield to water applied) was the highest among all treatments. Treatment A showed the lowest conversion efficiency of all treatments, indicating treatment B as the adequate deficit irrigation treatment for our Cobrançosa orchard

Mechanical properties of concrete produced with a composite of water treatment sludge and sawdust

In developing countries such as Brazil, the wastes generated in the decanters and filters of water treatment plants are discharged directly into the same rivers and streams that supply water for treatment. Another environmental problem is the unregulated discard of wood wastes. The lumber and wood products industry generates large quantities of this waste, from logging to the manufacture of the end product. Brazil has few biomass plants and therefore only a minor part of these wastes are reused. This paper presents the results of the first study involving a novel scientific and technological approach to evaluate the possibility of combining these two types of wastes in the production of a light-weight composite for concrete. The concrete produced with cement:sand:composite:water mass ratios of 1:2.5:0.67:0.6 displayed an axial compressive strength of 11.1 MPa, a compressive and diametral tensile strength of 1.2 MPa, water absorption of 8.8%, and a specific mass of 1.847 kg/m(3). The mechanical properties obtained with this concrete render it suitable for application in non-structural elements. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of Water Content, Time, and Temperature on the Rheological Behavior of Polyethylene Terephtalate

In this work, the main factors affecting the rheological behavior of polyethylene terephtalate (PET) in the linear viscoelastic regime (water content, time delay before test, duration of experiment, and temperature) were accessed. Small amplitude oscillatory shear tests were performed after different time delays ranging from 300 to 5000 s for samples with water contents ranging from 0.02 to 0.45 wt %. Time sweep tests were carried out for different durations to explain the changes undergone by PET before and during small amplitude oscillatory shear measurements. Immediately after the time sweep tests, the PET samples were removed from the rheometer, analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry and their molar mass was obtained by viscometry analysis. It was shown that for all the samples, the delay before test and residence time within the rheometer (i.e. duration of experiment) result in structural changes of the PET samples, such as increase or decrease of molar mass, broadening of molar mass distribution, and branching phenomena. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 116: 3525-3533, 2010

Investigation of the mass transfer processes during the desalination of water containing phenol and sodium chloride by electrodialysis

Oxidation processes are used in wastewater treatment when conventional processes are not effective due to the presence of recalcitrant organic contaminants, like phenol. However, the presence of ionic compounds associated with organic pollutants may retard the oxidation. In this work the transport of species contained in an aqueous solution of phenol containing sodium chloride was evaluated in an electrodialysis (ED) system. An experimental study was carried out in which the influence of the process variables on the phenol loss and sodium chloride removal was investigated. Experiments were also performed without current, in order to determine the phenol transfer due to diffusion. The phenol and salt concentration variations in the ED compartments were measured over time, using dedicated procedures and an experimental design to determine the global characteristic parameters. A phenomenological approach was used to relate the phenol, salt and water fluxes with the driving forces (concentration and electric potential gradients). Under ED conditions, two contributions were pointed out for the phenol transport, i.e. diffusion and convection, this latter coming from the water flux due to electroosmosis related to the migration of salts. The fitting of the parameters of the transport equations resulted in good agreement with the experimental results over the range of conditions investigated. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The role of illness, resources, appraisal, and coping strategies in adjustment to HIV/AIDS: The direct and buffering effects

This study examined the utility of a stress and coping model of adjustment to HIV/AIDS. A total of 114 HN-infected gay or bisexual men were interviewed and they completed self-administered scales. Predictors included illness variables (disease stage and number of symptoms), coping resources (optimism and social support), appraisal (threat, challenge, and controllability), and coping strategies (problem-and emotion-focused). Adjustment outcomes were depression, global distress, social adjustment, and subjective health status. Results from hierarchical regression analyses indicated that better adjustment was related to an asymptomatic illness stage, fewer HN-related symptoms, greater social support, challenge and controllability appraisals, problem-focused coping, and lower threat appraisals and reliance on emotion focused coping. There was limited support for the stress-buffering effects of optimism. Findings support the utility of a stress and coping model of adjustment to HIV/AIDS.

Comparative study of power converter topologies and control strategies for the harmonic performance of variable-speed wind turbine generator systems

Power converters play a vital role in the integration of wind power into the electrical grid. Variable-speed wind turbine generator systems have a considerable interest of application for grid connection at constant frequency. In this paper, comprehensive simulation studies are carried out with three power converter topologies: matrix, two-level and multilevel. A fractional-order control strategy is studied for the variable-speed operation of wind turbine generator systems. The studies are in order to compare power converter topologies and control strategies. The studies reveal that the multilevel converter and the proposed fractional-order control strategy enable an improvement in the power quality, in comparison with the other power converters using a classical integer-order control strategy. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Design and optimization of na ultra wideband and compact microwave antenna for radiometric monitoring of brain temperature

We present the modeling efforts on antenna design and frequency selection to monitor brain temperature during prolonged surgery using noninvasive microwave radiometry. A tapered log-spiral antenna design is chosen for its wideband characteristics that allow higher power collection from deep brain. Parametric analysis with the software HFSS is used to optimize antenna performance for deep brain temperature sensing. Radiometric antenna efficiency (eta) is evaluated in terms of the ratio of power collected from brain to total power received by the antenna. Anatomical information extracted from several adult computed tomography scans is used to establish design parameters for constructing an accurate layered 3-D tissue phantom. This head phantom includes separate brain and scalp regions, with tissue equivalent liquids circulating at independent temperatures on either side of an intact skull. The optimized frequency band is 1.1-1.6 GHz producing an average antenna efficiency of 50.3% from a two turn log-spiral antenna. The entire sensor package is contained in a lightweight and low-profile 2.8 cm diameter by 1.5 cm high assembly that can be held in place over the skin with an electromagnetic interference shielding adhesive patch. The calculated radiometric equivalent brain temperature tracks within 0.4 degrees C of the measured brain phantom temperature when the brain phantom is lowered 10. C and then returned to the original temperature (37 degrees C) over a 4.6-h experiment. The numerical and experimental results demonstrate that the optimized 2.5-cm log-spiral antenna is well suited for the noninvasive radiometric sensing of deep brain temperature.

Influence of Firms’ Environmental Management and Community Involvement Programs in their Employees and in the Community

To assure enduring success, firms need to generate economic value with respect for the environment and social value. They also need to be aware of the needs and expectations of relevant stakeholders and incorporate them in their business strategies and programs. These challenges imply that engineers should take into consideration societal, health and safety,environmental and commercial issues in their professional activity. This investigation accesses the influence of firms’ environmental management programs and community involvement programs on their own employees and in the community, with a focus on small and medium companies. Based on a quantitative research, the findings suggest that firms that invest both in environmental management programs and in community involvement programs have a higher involvement of their own employees with the community, while at the same time receiving more feedback (positive, but also negative) from the community, stressing the need to pay special attention to their communication policies.

Delineating environmental groundwater vulnerability and protection zones mapping in fractured rock masses

Hard‐rock watersheds commonly exhibit complex geological bedrock and morphological features. Hydromineral resources have relevant economic value for the thermal spas industry. The present study aims to develop a groundwater vulnerability approach in Caldas da Cavaca hydromineral system (Aguiar da Beira, Central Portugal) which has a thermal tradition that dates back to the late 19th century, and contribute to a better understanding of the hydrogeological conceptual site model. In this work different layers were overlaid, generating several thematic maps to arrive at an integrated framework of several key‐sectors in Caldas da Cavaca site. Thus, to accomplish a comprehensive analysis and conceptualization of the site, a multi‐technical approach was used, such as, field and laboratory techniques, where several data was collected, like geotectonics, hydrology and hydrogeology, hydrogeomorphology, hydrogeophysical and hydrogeomechanical zoning aiming the application of the so‐called DISCO method. All these techniques were successfully performed and a groundwater vulnerability to contamination assessment, based on GOD‐S, DRASTIC‐Fm, SINTACS, SI and DISCO indexes methodology, was delineated. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technology was on the basis to organise and integrate the geodatabases and to produce all the thematic maps. This multi‐technical approach highlights the importance of groundwater vulnerability to contamination mapping as a tool to support hydrogeological conceptualisation, contributing to better decision‐making of water resources management and sustainability.

Aplicación potencial de probióticos para la prevención y control de la matitis bovina. Potential aplication of probiotics for prevention and control of bovine mastitis.

Ubicada en el centro del país, Río Cuarto pertenece a las cuencas lecheras más importantes del país, localizadas en las provincias de Córdoba, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos y Buenos Aires. Córdoba, con una producción promedio anual de 2,4 mil millones de litros, contribuye con un 25 por ciento a la producción nacional que según informe de la Secretaría de Agricultura Ganadería y Pesca de la Nación (2006) ha alcanzado los 9.000 millones de litros al año, ubicándose en segundo lugar después de Santa Fe. La mastitis bovina es responsable de las mayores pérdidas económicas dentro del rodeo lechero, debido a los elevados costos de la terapia antibiótica, al retiro del animal del circuito productivo, y a las consecuencias negativas ocasionadas en la reproducción. Diferentes estrategias se han desarrollado en el país y el mundo, tendientes a minimizar los problemas ocasionados por la enfermedad. De ellos, la desinfección pre y post-ordeñe y la terapia con antibióticos al secado, son los métodos de control más ampliamente utilizados. Las terapias con antibióticos, formuladas para uso intramamario, frecuentemente resultan ineficientes para prevenir o eliminar las infecciones crónicas producidas por S. aureus, principal agente causal de la enfermedad. A ello se suma el aumento en la frecuencia de cepas resistentes a los antibióticos, por lo que existen presiones cada vez mayores por parte de los entes reguladores para limitar el uso de los mismos en el ganado. La ineficacia de estos procedimientos para reducir la tasa de nuevas infecciones ha orientado la investigación hacia la búsqueda de métodos de control alternativos basados en el desarrollo de vacunas, inmunomoduladores o sustancias naturales, como un enfoque racional para controlar infecciones en animales utilizados en la producción de alimentos, o bien a la aplicación de medidas preventivas. El presente proyecto aborda el tema de la prevención de la mastitis bovina a través del estudio de una cepa de BL con propiedades probióticas en ensayos de inoculación in vivo en glándulas mamarias de bovinos para su futura aplicación en la prevención de la mastitis bovina. En particular se propone a) Determinar la capacidad de las BL seleccionada como potencial probiótico, a partir del aislamiento realizado por nuestro grupo de investigación y de otras previamente caracterizadas en el CERELA, para adherirse y colonizar el canal del pezón de la ubre, b) Profundizar en el estudio de los mecanismos involucrados en el efecto (benéfico o adverso) de la administración local de BL en el canal del pezón de la glándula mamaria y c) Estudiar las condiciones físico-químicas para la obtención de biomasa de BL y sustancias antagónicas. El proyecto sentará las bases para, en un futuro cercano, realizar el diseño de un producto a base de probióticos lo cual será un importante aporte socio-comunitario a la prevención de la mastitis bovina de altísima incidencia. El desarrollo de un producto con estas características permitirá la articulación con el sector productivo.