Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Size indicators'

Body size is a fundamental property of organisms that underpins the structure and function of aquatic communities. Human impacts such as climate or fishing can significantly alter the size structure of ecological communities. This thesis aimed to understand further the effect of those impacts on properties of size-based indicators in real communities, by examining trends at levels of organisation or scales that have not been studied in detail before. To do this, various quantitative approaches were developed that allowed 1) trends in size-based indicators to be decomposed into contributions of constituent parts, and 2) significance of indicators and trends in indicators to be appropriately assessed. Results revealed important features of community size structure that should be considered when assessing trends in indicators. A study of the response of body size to warming in a diatom community did not support the commonly held idea that reduced body size is a universal response to warming at either the species or community levels. Results further demonstrated that overall community trends in body size are not wholly representative of the responses of the components that made up the community. This was further supported by results from decomposing a size-based fisheries indicator, where the overall trend in the indicator was an average of wildly diverging contributions of both species and geographic locations. The methods developed also allowed finer structure of the size spectrum in the North Sea fish community to be examined, and found empirical evidence of biologically meaningful deviations in the overall size structure over time. Finally, the methods developed for assessing significance provided a useful tool for analysing the components of size-based indicators and their response to human pressures, and offer a solution for detecting significant trends in indicators calculated from trawl survey sampling data that has applications for management of marine systems.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Illinois State University, 1987.
Title from title page screen, viewed August 10, 2005. Dissertation Committee: G. Alan Hickrod (chair), John L. Brickell, Ramesh B. Chaudhari, Mary Ann Lynn, Sally B. Pancrazio. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 125-131) and abstract. Also available in print.

All Texas school districts were examined to determine the relationship of district size and diversity to the accountability ratings of selected Texas school districts and the implications of including all data in the accountability rating system. Eight large districts and 12 small districts were matched demographically utilizing data from the 2003-2004 school year. Information from the Texas Education Agency was accessed over 2003-2004 and 2004-2005. The ratings were found to be lowered from Recognized to Academically Acceptable with the inclusion of these groups 6 out of 20 times. These findings indicate that the Texas accountability system, in its current structure, excludes certain students based upon race and economic status and is not in compliance with what the law intended. This study should be replicated on a larger scale to assess its validity for a larger sample of small districts. Equity among states should be examined to provide information for a nationwide accountability system.

More and more companies and organizations around the world are aiming towards a sustainable path for their businesses. Pressure from stakeholders and society pushes companies to report on their sustainability performance; however, companies are also seeing the opportunities which arise with these reports and especially large companies are embracing the sustainable path according to prior studies. With an increasing number of sustainability reports produced around the world, the need for measuring the performance indicators within these reports is increasing.With the expansion of sustainability reports among companies, the use of the Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI) Guidelines becomes a popular framework for companies to adopt. GRI is widely used around the world, as their comprehensive framework includes many performance indicators for companies to report on.It has also been proved that the use of sustainability reports and the number of indicators disclosed in these reports are depending on several criteria among which the size of the company, its sector of activity, and its nationality.As master students studying in Sweden, we considered it would be interesting to know more about the sustainability reporting inside the country we are studying in. Large-size companies tend to disclose use more sustainability reporting and to disclose more information. Some sectors as the industrial sector are in need of sustainability reporting. As no prior studies were found in our search for showing which GRI indicators companies of the industrial sector preferably report on, we decided to embrace the challenge and fill the research gap by conducting a research of large Swedish companies within the industrial sector.This thesis adopted a quantitative approach. We collected data from 30 large Swedish companies within the industrial sector. We also conducted five hypotheses for our analysis in order to make conclusions on our work, and our main findings show that among the Swedish large-size companies belonging to the industrial sector, the largest report more on sustainability using the GRI. Besides, among the large companies which disclose on the GRI the largest disclose on more indicators than the smallest. Finally, we succeeded in identifying indicators of the GRI which are largely and poorly disclosed by the Swedish large-size companies belonging to the industrial sector.

The results of the multivariate analyses suggest that most of the variation in the composition of the samples was of an intra-sample nature, illustrating large scale patchiness in foraminiferal distribution. There were, however, definite differences between communities around Robben Island and in St Helena Bay, and least variation was found between the control and pipeline sites, and between the stations of each site. When the trace metal concentrations and the percentage nitrogen increased, the richness, diversity and abundance of foraminifera tended to decrease. Sediment grain size positively affected abundance but negatively affected diversity and richness. In both areas mean grain size did not, however, appear to play a very large role in influencing diversity. Cadmium, copper, chromium, the percentage nitrogen and the mean grain size were identified as the most important variables influencing the community structure by the BIOENV BEST routine in PRIMER. The trace metals and percentage nitrogen only had negative effects on the diversity and abundance as well as on the abundance of the dominant genera, whereas the mean grain size had variable effects.

Indikatorer har blivit ett effektivt hjälpmedel för företag att mäta hållbarheten av verksamheten och presentera företagens arbete inom ekonomiska, miljömässiga och sociala frågor. Därmed har denna studie utformats med syftet att kartlägga vilka sociala och miljömässiga indikatorer, samt antal, som företag på Stockholmbörsen valt att rapportera. Vidare är syftet att undersöka huruvida faktorer som företagsstorlek och bransch har påverkan på antalet och typen av indikatorer som nämns i företagens rapporter. Denna studie klassificeras som dokumentstudie och tillämpar en kvantitativ metod med en deduktiv ansats. Populationen utgörs av 76 företag som är listade på Nasdaq OMX Stockholm som rapporterar utifrån ramverket GRI. Insamlingen av data har skett utifrån företagens årsredovisningar och hållbarhetsrapporter. Deskriptiva analyser har tillämpats för att undersöka mängden och frekvensen av rapporterade indikatorer. Regressionsanalyser har genomförts i programmet SPSS för att se om det förekommer några samband mellan antal indikatorer och faktorerna företagsstorlek samt branschtillhörighet. Studiens resultat presenteras i tabeller och under analysen har resultaten jämförts mot både den praktiska och teoretiska referensramen samt mot tidigare forskning. Studiens resultat visade en stor spridning gällande antal indikatorer som företagen väljer att rapportera samt att fler sociala indikatorer rapporterats än miljömässiga. Dessutom visade regressionsanalysen ett samband mellan antal indikatorer som företagen rapporterar och branschtillhörighet. Branscherna basmaterial och konsumtion rapporterar flest indikatorer medan finans- och sjukvårdsbranscherna rapporterar minst antal. Det erhölls inget positivt samband mellan företagsstorlek och antalet indikatorer.  Eftersom denna studie endast innefattar svenska företag och ser till ett år vore det av intresse att jämföra mängden indikatorer som rapporteras mellan olika länder samt att se eventuell förändring av hållbarhetsrapportering över en längre tid.
Indicators have been an efficient tool for companies to measure the sustainability of the business and present their work within economy, environmental and social questions. Therefore, this study has been designed with the aim to identify the type and quantity of social and environmental indicators reported by companies on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Furthermore, the purpose is to examine whether factors such as company size and industry type have an impact on the number and type of indicators mentioned in the companies' reports. This study is classified as a document study and applies a quantitative method and a deductive research approach. The population consists of 76 companies listed on Nasdaq OMX Stockholm, which reports are based on the GRI framework. The collection of data was based on the company's annual report and sustainability reports. Descriptive analyzes were applied to investigate the amount and frequency of reported indicators. Regression analysis was conducted in the SPSS program to see if there is any correlation between the number of indicators and factors as company size and industry type. The study results are presented in tables and the analysis results have been compared with both the practical and the theoretical framework and the previous research. The result that emerged from the study showed that more social indicators are reported than environmental indicators and there is big variation when it comes to the number of indicators that companies choose to report. In addition, regression analysis showed a positive correlation between the number of indicators which companies report, and industry type. Industries like basic materials and consumption report the most indicators while the financial and healthcare industries reported the fewest. The study showed no positive correlation between company size and the number of indicators. Because this study is only performed on Swedish companies and is specified on one year, it would be of interest to compare the number of indicators reported between countries and to see change in sustainability reporting over time.

Although the ‘endogenous growth’ theory links macroeconomic growth to firms’ R&D, still, there is no comprehensive and conclusive research showing how undertaking R&D affects individual firm performance. Using several market indicators such as size, exports and productivity, this study provides a valuable input in the UK context by analysing a panel of 956 firms during 2003/4 – 2013/14, employing an empirical approach. We find no significant relationship between a firm’s R&D stock of knowledge and its size (measured in terms of both absolute size and size relative to its industry) across ‘All-Firms’ dataset as well as a subset of only highly innovative firms. Employing the Generalised Structural Equation Modelling, we evidence two-way causality between a firm’s R&D stock of knowledge and its exports, both positively affecting each other, depending on firm productivity. In line with Bravo-Ortega et al. (2013), we find that at a firm-level, R&D stock of knowledge affects productivity by two channels; directly and indirectly through export levels. However, we find no evidence of ‘selection’ bias in both export and R&D activities. Contrary to the ‘learning by exporting’ hypothesis, we evidence a negative relationship between a firm’s labour productivity and its export intensity (running in both directions).

This essay is about side health indicator in FPS, why they look like they do and what function they provide in FPS and their existence in modern FPS. The essay also contains information about traditional health indicators, psychology in colors, the crosshair focus area and research about FPS in modern times. The author research of 44 FPS games is find out the amount of side health indicators against the more traditional types and the reasons a developer would include a side health indicator instead of the others. In his research he found out that in the selected games, a fair amount of them did include only a side health indicator but a far larger amount of the combination type, using a traditional type as a primary health indicator and a side health indicator when an avatar takes too much damage or nearing death. The author also found out a type he had not thought of, called full screen health indicators, which affects the whole screen to indicate the avatars state of health.

This study examined leaf area index (LAI) and relationships with corresponding tree growth, climate and soil characteristics across New Zealand forest plantations. The aim of this study was to determine if quick measures of projected leaf area across environmental gradients of New Zealand were an accurate indicator of site quality. Projected leaf areas of Pinus radiata D Don and Cupressus lusitanica Mills seedlings were measured using a Li-Cor LAI-2000 plant canopy analyser at 22 locations representing the soil and climatic diversity across New Zealand plantation forests. Seedlings planted at 40 000 stems per hectare were used to test treatment effects of fertiliser, site disturbance and species over a 4 year period. It was hypothesised that collected climate and soil information would explain differences in LAI development patterns across sites as the canopies approached site and seasonal maxima. Averaged across sites Cupressus lusitanica 7.28 (± 2.59 Std.) m2 m-2 had significantly (p = 0.0094) greater projected LAIs than Pinus radiata 6.47 (± 2.29) m2m-2. Maximum site LAI (LAImax) varied from 2.9 to 11.8 m2 m-2 for Pinus radiata and from 3.1 to 12.6 m2 m-2 for Cupressus lusitanica. LAImax of both species was significantly and positively correlated with vapour pressure deficit, soil carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and CEC, but negatively with solar radiation, temperature and soil bulk density. A seasonal model of LAI across sites illustrated an 8.5% fluctuation in LAI of established canopies over the course of a year. Despite considerable variation in climate and soil characteristics across sites the combined effects of LAI at harvest and temperature were significantly correlated with site productivity (r2 = 0.84 and 0.76 for Pinus radiata and Cupressus lusitanica respectively). A national model of LAImax (r2 = 0.96) was proposed for Pinus radiata across climate and soil environments and the significance of LAImax as a component of site quality monitoring tools is discussed.

Дисертація на здобуття наукового ступеня доктора технічних наук за спеціальністю 05.09.01 "Електричні машини і апарати" – Національний технічний університет "Харківський політехнічний інститут", Харків, 2020. Дисертація присвячена науково-прикладній проблемі дослідження особливостей роботи турбогенераторів (ТГ), що довгий час знаходяться в експлуатації на блоках ТЕС і АЕС, підвищенню їхньої енергоефективності, забезпеченню стійкої роботи на сучасну енергосистему, вирішенню питань продовження терміну експлуатації і підвищенню науково-технічної конкурентоспроможності нових ТГ на світовому ринку. Актуальність дослідження визначається особливістю сучасного періоду: екологічні проблеми, зростання населення планети, підвищення його енергетичної активності потребують подальшого збільшення вироблення електроенергії. В загальній енергосистемі України появились нові джерела, які мають активну державну підтримку, в той час, як класична електроенергетика (ТЕС і АЕС) не отримує достатнього державного фінансування для проведення науково-технічних робіт по вдосконаленню і оновленню електрообладнання. Тому було проведене прогнозування перспективних напрямків розвитку електроенергетики для підтвердження перспективності і необхідності виконання робіт по дослідженню і вдосконаленню ТГ як основних джерел електроенергії, по встановленню їхньої ролі в забезпеченні країни електроенергією, по вибору напрямків проведення робіт по створенню нових ТГ та модернізації ТГ, що довгий строк знаходяться в експлуатації, і заміна яких на нові неможлива через загальносвітову (і відповідно, вітчизняну) економічну кризу. Прогнозування подальшого розвитку електроенергетики та турбогенераторобудування виконане з використанням теорії циклічного розвитку (теорії "довгих хвиль" Кондратьєва М.Д.), яка дозволяє більш точно прогнозувати напрямки розвитку електроенергетики, знижує помилковість прийняття рішень. Проведено порівняння можливих сценаріїв розвитку сучасної електроенергетики України, з використанням теорії циклічного розвитку вибране найбільш доцільний сценарій, згідно з яким встановлені перспективні напрямки створення нових та модернізації ТГ, що тривалий стан знаходяться в експлуатації. Запропоноване вважати, що перспективним для України є стабілізаційне-стагнаційний сценарій розвитку з вибором сприятливого (помірного) шляху розвитку. Доказано, що майбутнє української електроенергетики, як і електроенергетики інших країн, пов'язане з роботою ТЕС і АЕС, тобто з досконалістю роботи ТГ. При будь-якому сценарії розвитку роботи по вдосконаленню ТГ повинні вестися безперервно, тому що їх характеристики і якість визначають енергетичну безпеку країни та конкурентоспроможність вітчизняної продукції. Для цього вибирались рішення, які повинні забезпечить стійку роботу ТГ в широкому діапазоні зміни параметрів, при роботі в різних режимах; вказані напрямки підвищення енергоефективності ТГ шляхом вдосконалення якості виготовлення, монтажу, обслуговування і ремонтів. Запропоноване при виготовленні і проведенні модернізації ТГ використовувати нові технологій, матеріали, розрахункові і конструктивні рішення. При розробці нових ТГ орієнтувались на світові стандарти в галузі турбогенераторобудування, розглядали поліпшення параметрів ТГ при модернізації спираючись на ці стандарти. Для визначення можливості підтримки науково-технічної конкурентоспроможності вітчизняних ТГ на світовому ринку встановлені напрямки, в яких зазначено відставання від світових фірм: слід підвищувати потужність в одиниці виконання, знижувати масогабаритні показники (в першу чергу, питому масу), удосконалювати діагностику стану ТГ і систем охолодження, вирішувати питання переведення ТГ потужністю 200-300 МВт з водневого на повітряне охолодження і т.ін. Для цього були вирішені питання розширення діапазону надійної експлуатації ТГ в різному технічному стані та при роботі в неномінальних режимах шляхом вдосконалення виробництва і монтажу, підвищення якості обслуговування та ремонтів; створення комплексних програм діагностики. Запропонована методика комплексного системного контролю стану ТГ в період довгої експлуатації з урахуванням особливостей режимів роботи енергетичних мереж та при переході до проведення ремонтів по фактичному стану, а не по графіку планово-попереджувальних ремонтів (ППР). Розроблені практичні пропозицій щодо використання нових конструкцій, технологій і матеріалів. При цьому враховували економічну доцільність рішень, що пропонуються. В роботі встановлена можливість і доцільність підвищення потужності ТГ в одиниці виконання. Показане, що сумарні маса, вартість і втрати потужності декількох ТГ завжди більші маси, вартості та втрат потужності однієї машини тієї ж сумарної потужності: при застосуванні одного ТГ, замість m ТГ такий же в сумі потужності, маса, вартість і втрати зменшуються приблизно в 4 m. Отримані залежності дозволяють визначити загальну тенденцію зміни маси і втрат ТГ і можуть бути використані для практичних розрахунків. Запропоновані напрямки зниження масогабаритних показників (в першу чергу, питомої маси) ТГ, напрямки вдосконалення системи їх охолодження з урахуванням вимог одночасного підвищення потужності без зміни габаритів і за умови заміни водневої системи охолодження внутрішнього об’єму ТГ маневрового діапазону потужності (200-300 МВт) на повітряну. Встановлено, що вітчизняні ТГ поступаються за масогабаритними параметрами практично всім фірмам, що вони в середньому на 30 % важче зарубіжних аналогів. Особливо це стосується параметрів неактивній зони ТГ. Порівняння питомих витрат матеріалів на одиницю потужності ТГ показали, що вага неактивній зони вітчизняних ТГ з водневою і повітряною системами охолодження досягає 38 % від загальної ваги ТГ, тоді як у світовій практиці це значення не перевищує 30 %, що значно знижує конкурентоспроможність вітчизняних ТГ. До причин, що визначають відставання від зарубіжних фірм, слід віднести застарілі технологій, недостатню профільну кваліфікацію інженерних кадрів; відсутність фінансування досліджень і робіт з освоєння нової техніки. Розроблена методика розрахунку механічної надійності модернізованих елементів і вузлів ТГ зі зниженими масогабаритними показниками. Запропоновані і обґрунтовані напрями зниження масогабаритних показників ТГ за рахунок вдосконалення їх неактивної зони шляхом використання більш перспективних технологій, стандартних профілів і нових матеріалів. При проведенні робіт по зниженню масогабаритних показників ТГ запропоновано проводити розрахунок технологічної оснащеності виробництва шляхом розрахунку загального та часткових коефіцієнтів технологічної оснащеності (КТО) по різним видам технологічної оснастки, що дозволяє порівняти технологічну оснащеність процесу виготовлення ТГ на вітчизняних підприємствах з підприємствами світу. Загальний КТО дозволяє пов'язувати технологічні процеси з діючими на заводах класифікаторами. Запропоновано для виготовлення ТГ підбирати технологі-чне обладнання як для умовно-дрібносерійного виробництва, використовувати уніфіковані пристосування, штампи, допоміжний інструмент і нормалізоване оснащення, що дозволить підвищити коефіцієнт технологічної оснащеності (КТО) на 30-50%. Проаналізоване стан і шляхи підвищення надійності систем охолодження, напрямки створення і діагностики сучасних охолоджувачів, розроблена методика компонування теплообмінників ТГ з урахуванням типу охолодного середовища і величини втрат при роботі в різних режимах. Встановлено зв'язки між агентами охолодження і масогабаритними показниками ТГ. Для оцінки проектних, експлуатаційних і економічних рішень, обраних під час проектування ТГ з повним повітряним охолодженням за умовою зниження масогабаритних показників, розроблена класифікація за чотирма основними напрямками: технічне, управлінське-кадрове, матеріально-постачальницьке та технологічне. Виконано порівняння масогабаритних показників конструктивних елементів ТГ з водневим і повітряним охолодженням. Вказані переваги і конструктивні відмінності конструкцій ТГ з повітряним охолодженням. Запропоновано конкретні зміни в конструкціях ТГ з повітряним охолодженням, що дозволяють без зміни їх габаритів забезпечити надійність і навіть підвищити потужність. Проведено економічне порівняння цих варіантів. Зібрано дані, проведено аналіз і запропоновані способи діагностики дефектів систем охолодження ТГ та засоби їх усунення в станційних умовах, встановлено вплив компонування числа ходів охолоджуючого газу в теплообміннику ТГ на експлуатаційні теплові напруги, на розподіл максимальної температури і її перепад по поверхні трубок, що дозволяє своєчасно діагностувати і усувати причини несправності охолоджувачів, розробляти рекомендації щодо проведення їхнього ремонту. Розроблено пропозиції щодо усунення причин руйнування охолоджувачів, визначені можливі причини незадовільної роботи нових охолоджувачів. Проведене дослідження особливостей роботи, діагностики, обслуговування і ремонтів ТГ, які мають тривалий термін експлуатації. Запропоновані алгоритм розрахунку гранично допустимого спрацювання елементів ТГ та форма таблиць для реєстрації їх фактичного стану в режимі on-line. Оцінка технічного стану ТГ та його елементів проводилась з метою визначення можливості їх подальшої експлуатації, встановлення об’єму необхідного ремонту, можливості реабілітації або повної заміни. Встановлене вплив швидкості наростання навантаження на деформацію стрижнів обмоток, на стан ізоляції і шихтованих осердь; визначене вплив "старіння" металів на надійність ТГ і довговічність їх експлуатації; проаналізоване і вибране найбільш доцільну конструкцію кріплення лобових частин обмоток статора. Визначено вплив якості складання шихтованого осердя на надійність і довговічність експлуатації ТГ, запропоновані причини руйнування осердь статорів ТГ, які тривалий час знаходяться в експлуатації. При роботі ТГ в неномінальних режимах враховували дію додаткових електромагнітних сил (ЕМС), створених потоками розсіювання в елементах кріплення осердя до корпусу. Величина цієї додаткової ЕМС мало залежить від змін активної і реактивної потужності, але її залежність від зміни напруги значна, що пояснює посилення вібрації осердя. Тому, якщо ТГ часто працює в неномінальних режимах, це посилення вібрації слід враховувати при складанні графіків проведення ремонтних робіт і визначення їх об’ємів. У стані зносу з'являються додаткові причини появи підвищеної вібрації в елементах конструкцій ТГ. В результаті досліджень шихтованих осердь ТГ, з використанням теорії деформації багатошарових об'єктів, розроблена модель, що дозволяє розрахунковим шляхом оцінювати вплив склейки пакетів шихтованих осердь, схеми укладання і відносного ковзання листів активної стали на згинальну жорсткість і надійність осердя. Запропонована методика розрахунку взаємного переміщення шихтованих листів в пакетах з різними схемами укладання листів. Виконана оцінка впливу "старіння" на жорсткість і міцність осердь статора. Підтримка постійного тиску пресування в шихтованому осерді ТГ збільшує його надійність і тривалість експлуатації. Складено модель дії сил, що діють між листами шихтованого осердя статора ТГ. Встановлено, що дія цих сил значна для крайніх листів пакетів осердь статорів і що добавка цих сил може бути однією з причин руйнування зубцевої зони: після відгинання крайнього листа умовно крайнім стає наступний лист, на нього діють сили, як і на перший лист, і так далі – ефект «доміно». Руйнуючий дії цих сил сприяє їх висока частота (100 Гц) і фактор старіння. Вважаємо, що ці сили пояснюють "розпушування" не тільки торцевих, але і центральних пакетів, а також пакетів, розташованих безпосередньо після крайніх склеєних пакетів. Запропоноване вважати, що вібрація є найбільш результативним показником стану ТГ, що важливо при виборі типу додаткових датчиків, які слід встановлювати при можливій відмові від системи ППР і переході до ремонтів за фактичним станом. Обмеження числа каналів контролю необхідно для зниження навантаження на операторів блоків електростанцій. Проведено огляд конструкцій лобових частин обмоток статорів ТГ ("кошика"), сформульовані пропозиції щодо виконання цього вузла для забезпечення допустимого рівня вібрацій і температурних напружень, синхронізації вібрацій з'єднаних елементів, стабілізації властивостей при тривалій експлуатації, для забезпечення технологічності і ремонтопридатності. Встановлено, що необхідно виконувати пружну стяжку лобових частин; застосовувати для фіксації лобових дуг в "кошику" ізоляційну мастику холодного затвердіння; використовувати для з'єднання зовнішнього конічного кільця з натискним кільцем осердя пружинні елементи, що допускають рух в аксіальному напрямку і обмежують – в радіальному. Розглянуті проблеми і запропоновані шляхи поліпшення професійної підготовки робітників ТЕС і АЕС, визначені напрямки підвищення їх економічної зацікавленості для утримання в національній електроенергетиці. Запропоноване підтримувати на державному рівні наукові дослідження щодо створення нової техніки і модернізації діючого устаткування в електроенергетичній галузі, показана необхідність удосконалювати систему освіти.
The dissertation on competition of a scientific degree of the doctor of technical sciences on a specialty 05.09.01 "Electric cars and devices" – National technical university "Kharkiv polytechnic institute", Kharkiv, 2020. The dissertation is devoted to the applied scientifically-applied problem of studying the peculiarities of the operation of turbogenerators (TGs) that have been in operation for a long time at TPP and NPP units, increasing their energy efficiency, ensuring stable operation for a modern power system, solving issues of extending the service life and increasing the scientific and technical competitiveness of new TGs in the world market. The relevance of the study is determined by the peculiarity of the modern period: environmental problems, the growth of the planet's population, an increase in its energy activity, which requires a further increase in the generated electricity. New sources have appeared in the general energy system of Ukraine, which have active government support, while the classical electric power industry (TPP and NPP) does not receive sufficient government funding to carry out scientific and technical work to improve and update electrical equipment. Therefore, forecasting of promising directions for the development of the electric power industry was carried out to confirm the prospects and the need to carry out work on the study and improvement of TGs as the main sources of electricity, to establish their role in providing the country with electricity, to establish directions for work on the creation of new TGs and modernization of TGs, which are long term time are in operation and replacement of which with new ones is impossible due to the global (and, accordingly, national) economic crisis. Prediction of further development and improvement of the electric power TGs made using the theory of cyclic (theory of Kondrat'ev "long-wave"), which allows more accurately predict the direction of the electric power, reduces inaccuracy decision due to the limited machine park of TGs. Comparison of possible scenarios for the development of modern electric power industry in Ukraine is carried out; choose the most promising scenario using the cyclical development of the theory, according to which set prospective directions of creation of new and modernization of the turbogenerators, which for a long time are in operation. It is proposed to consider that the stabilization-stagnation scenario of development with the choice of a favorable (moderate) path of development is promising for Ukraine. It is proved that the future of the Ukrainian electric power industry, as well as the electric power industry of other countries, is connected with the work of TPPs and NPPs, that is with the perfection of TG operation. Work on the improvement of TGs should be carried out continuously under any development scenario, because they determine the country's energy security and are a possible export item for domestic products. For this purpose, solutions were selected that should ensure the stable operation of TG in a wide range of parameter changes, when working in different modes; the directions of increase of energy efficiency of TG by improvement of quality of manufacturing, installation, service and repairs are specified. It is offered to use new technologies, materials, calculation and constructive decisions at manufacturing and carrying out modernization of TGs. When developing new TGs, we were guided by world standards. To determine the possibility of the scientific and technical competitiveness of domestic TGs in the world market, directions have been established in which there is a lag behind world firms: the need to increase the power per unit of performance and reduce the weight and size indicators (primarily, the specific gravity), improve designs, ensure the completeness of diagnostics of the TGs state and cooling systems, solution of the issue of transferring TGs 200-300 MW from hydrogen to air cooling, etc. To do this, the issues of expanding the range of reliable operation of TG in different technical condition, when working in non-nominal modes by improving production and installation, improving the quality of service and repairs; creation of comprehensive diagnostic programs. The method of complex system control of TGs condition during the period of long operation is offered taking into account features of operating modes of power networks and at transition to carrying out repairs on an actual condition, instead of on the schedule of planned and preventive repairs. Practical proposals have been developed for the use of new designs, technologies and materials. At the same time, we take into account the economic feasibility of the proposed solutions. The possibility and expediency of increasing the capacity of TG per unit of performance is established in the work. It is shown that the total mass, cost and power losses of several TGs are always large approximately at 4 m that mass, cost and power loss of one machine of the same total power. The resulting dependence can be used for practical calculations. The specific material consumption of the TGs was determined separately for the active and inactive zones of the machine. Directions were proposed for reducing the mass and size indicators (first of all, the specific mass) of TGs, improving their cooling system, taking into account the requirements for a simultaneous increase in power without changing the dimensions and subject to replacement of the hydrogen cooling system of the internal volume of the TGs shunting power range (200-300 MW) to the air cooling system. It was found that domestic TGs are inferior in weight and size parameters to almost all firms, that they are, on average, 30% heavier than their foreign analogues. This is especially true of the parameters of the inactive zone of TGs. Comparison of specific materials consumption per unit capacity of TGs showed that the weight of the inactive zone of domestic TG with hydrogen and air cooling systems reaches 38% of the total weight of TG, while in world practice this value does not exceed 30%, which significantly reduces the competitiveness of domestic TGs. In addressing the issue of reducing the mass and size parameters of the stator took into account the requirement of unification of parts and assemblies and the need to intensify cooling. The reasons that determine the lag behind foreign firms include outdated technologies, insufficient profile qualifications of engineers; lack of funding for research and development of new equipment. It is proposed to use the coefficient λ=ls/Ds to check the selected TG geometry. It is shown how the value of λ depends on the power of the generator, and that to reduce the mass and size indicators with increasing power, the coefficient λ should be reduced. The use of this coefficient makes it possible to choose the ratio of the TGs main parameters (ls and Ds) when carrying out work to reduce the specific mass and maintain the overall dimensions. The method of calculation of mechanical reliability of the modernized elements and knots of TGs with the reduced mass and dimensional indicators is developed. The directions of reduction of mass-dimensional indicators of TGs due to improvement of their inactive zone by use of more perspective technologies, standard profiles and new materials are proposed and substantiated. When working to reduce the mass and dimensions of the TGs, it is proposed to calculate the technological equipment of production by calculating the general and partial coefficients of the technological equipment (CTE) for different types of technological processes, which allows comparing the technological equipment TGs production at national enterprises with world enterprises. The general CTE allows you to link technological processes with classifiers operating at factories. It is proposed to select technological equipment for production of TG as for conditional small-scale production, to use the unified devices, stamps, the auxiliary tool and the normalized equipment that will allow to increase CTE by 30-50%. The state and prospects of increase of reliability of cooling systems, directions of creation and diagnostics of modern coolers were analyzed, the technique of arrangement of heat exchangers of TGs taking into account type of cooling environment and size of power losses at work in various modes is developed. The connections between the used refrigerant and mass and size indicators of TG are established. To assess the design, operational and economic solutions selected during the design of TG with full air cooling under the condition of reducing the mass and size indicators, a classification has been developed in four main areas: technical, managerial, material-supply and technological. The comparison of the mass and dimensional parameters of structural elements of TG with hydrogen and air cooling is performed. The advantages, disadvantages and structural differences of the designs of air-cooled TGs are indicated, specific changes in their designs are proposed, which, without changing the dimensions, ensure reliability and even increase power. An economic comparison was made between these options. The data were collected, the analysis of TG cooling systems malfunctions was carried out, which allows to diagnose and eliminate the causes of the chiller malfunction in time and to develop recommendations for repairs. Systematized defects of TG cooling systems, proposed methods for diagnosing defects and their elimination in the station conditions, the influence of TG heat exchanger layout on operating thermal stresses, maximum temperature distribution and its difference on the tube surface is established. Defects of TG cooling systems are systematized, methods of diagnostics of defects and ways of their elimination in the conditions of power plants are offered; the influence of the location of the heat exchanger and the number of strokes of the cooling gas on the operating thermal stresses, on the distribution of the maximum temperature and on the temperature drop on the surface of the tubes is established. Proposals have been developed to eliminate the causes of leakage in coolers, their destruction, and possible reasons for the unsatisfactory operation of new air coolers have been identified. The proposed classification of the failure of cooling systems can be used to train personnel for prompt action in the event of an accident. It is shown that timely and efficient repair of TG cooling system is economically advantageous because it reduces the probability of emergency shutdowns of power plant units. A study of the features of operation, diagnosis, maintenance and repair of TG, which have a long service life was conducted. The algorithm of calculation of maximum admissible operation of TG elements and the form of tables which register an actual condition are offered. The assessment of the technical condition of TG and its elements was carried out in order to determine the possibility of their further operation, in order to determine the amount of necessary repairs, the possibility of rehabilitation or complete replacement. The influence of the rate of load increase on the deformation of the winding rods, on the state of insulation and charge cores; the influence of "aging" of metals on reliability of TGs and durability of their operation is defined; analyzed and selected the most appropriate design for mounting the front parts of the stator windings. The influence of the quality of the core assembly on the reliability and duration of operation TGs is determined the reasons for the destruction of stators cores of TGs, which have been in operation for a long time, are proposed. When TGs operate in non-rated modes, it is necessary to take into account the action of additional electromagnetic forces (EMF) created by the leakage fluxes in the elements of the core-to-body fastening. Although the magnitude of such EMF is small, their effect is added to the action of EMCs from the main scattering fluxes, which usually act on the TG laminations packets in nominal mode, and contributes to their destruction. The magnitude of this additional EMF depends little on the changes in active and reactive power, but its dependence on the voltage change is significant, which, in our opinion, explains the increased vibration of the core. In a state of wear, vibration in the TGs structural elements increases. Therefore, if the TG often operates in non-nominal modes, this increase in vibration should be taken into account when scheduling repairs and determining their volumes. The reasons that affect the state of TGs laminated cores have been investigated; using the theory of deformation of multilayer objects, a model has been developed that allows one to evaluate the effect of gluing, method of laying and relative sliding of active steel sheets on the flexural rigidity and reliability of the core. In a state of wear there are additional reasons for the appearance of increased vibration in the structural elements of the TG. A method for calculating the mutual motion of laminated sheets in packages with different types of assembly and different state of insulation is proposed. It was found that when assembling a laminated package with an overlap of 1/2 sheet, its rigidity differs from the monolithic version by no more than 3%. The influence of "aging" on the stiffness and strength of the laminated stator core was evaluated. Maintaining a constant pressing pressure in the charged core of the TG increases its reliability and service life. A model for calculating the forces that act on the sheets of the TGs laminated stator core has been compiled. It is established that the action of these forces is significant for the extreme sheets of packets of stator cores, and that the addition of these forces may be one of the causes of destruction of the toothed zone: after bending the extreme sheet conditionally extreme becomes the next sheet and so on – it’s a "domino" effect. This is facilitated by the high frequency of the acting forces (100 Hz) and the aging factor. We believe that these forces explain the loosening of not only the end, but also the central packages, as well as packages located immediately after the extreme glued packages. It is concluded that maintaining a constant pressure in the laminated core TG increases its reliability and durability. It is suggested that vibration is the most effective indicator of TG status; this is important when choosing the type and number of additional sensors that are installed during the transition to the actual repairs. Limiting the number of control channels is necessary to reduce the burden on the power plant unit operators. A review of the designs of the frontal parts of the stator windings of the TG ("basket") was carried out, proposals were formulated for the layout of this unit to ensure the permissible level of vibrations and temperature stresses, to synchronize the vibration of the connected elements, to stabilize the properties during long-term operation, to ensure manufacturability and maintainability. To consider the problems and suggest ways to improve the training of workers of TPPs and NPPs, identified ways to increase their economic interest in keeping in the national electricity. It is proposed to support at the state level research in the electricity sector on the creation of new equipment and modernization of existing equipment, as well as to improve the education system.

Дисертація на здобуття вченого ступеня доктора технічних наук. Спеціальність 05.09.01 – Електричні машини і апарати. – Кафедра електричних машин Національного технічного університету "Харківський політехнічний інститут", Харків, 2020. Дисертація присвячена науково-прикладної проблеми забезпечення надійної роботи сучасних ТГ на блоках ТЕС і АЕС, дослідженню особливостей роботи ТГ, які протягом тривалого часу перебувають в експлуатації, продовженню термінів їх експлуатації, підвищенню конкурентоспроможності нових ТГ на світовому ринку. Розроблені наукові концепції, що підтверджують перспективність виконання робіт з вдосконалення ТГ з урахуванням загальносвітових екологічних проблем, активного розвитку і зна-чною державної підтримки відновлюваних джерел енергії. З використанням теорії цик-лічного розвитку встановлено, що для України є перспективним стабілізаційне-стагнаційний сценарій, який передбачає подальше вдосконалення і розвиток теплової електроенергетики (ТЕС і АЕС), вдосконалення і підвищення потужності ТГ. Проведено комплекс досліджень щодо вдосконалення ТГ: підвищення потужності в одиниці виконання, зниження їх масогабаритних показників, вдосконалення систем охолодження, використання нових технологій і матеріалів. Складена структурно-логічна схема виконання робіт з підтримки науково-технічної конкурентоспроможності вітчизняних ТГ з урахуванням технічного рівня заводу-виробника і технічних можливостей супутніх галузей в напрямках зменшення питомої маси ТГ, заміни водневої системи охолодження на повітряну, збільшення потужності нових ТГ в одиниці виконання і потужності ТГ, що вже працюють на блоках електростанцій, без зміни габаритів. Доведе-на необхідність під час визначення черговості включення ТГ в енергосистему враховувати не тільки собівартість електроенергії, але і дані їх стану, а також те, що підтриму-вати номінальні параметри енергосистеми України доцільно турбогенераторами поту-жністю 200-300 МВт, встановленими на ТЕС, і використання для такого регулювання турбогенераторів АЕС неприпустимо. Виконано порівняння і показано наскільки і чому вітчизняні ТГ поступаються за питомою масою ТГ провідних світових фірм, чому вони важче зарубіжних аналогів. Вирішення цих питань дозволяє підвищити надійність ТГ, які тривалий час в експлуатації, і дозволяє впроваджувати перспективні рішення для підтримки конкурентоспроможності вітчизняних ТГ на світовому ринку. Запропонована методика комплексного системного контролю стану ТГ в період тривалої експлуатації з урахуванням особливостей режимів роботи енергетичних мереж і переході до проведення ремонтів по фактичному стану, а не за графіком планово-попереджувальних ремонтів. Запропоновані і обґрунтовані напрями зниження масогабаритних показників ТГ шляхом використання більш перспективних технологій, стандартних профілів і нових матеріалів при проведенні робіт з вдосконалення їх неактивної зони. Проаналізоване розвиток, стан і перспективи підвищення надійності систем охолодження, запропоновані напрями створення і діагностики сучасних охолоджувачів. Розроблено та науково обґрунтований метод контролю стану ТГ в режимі on-line, запропоновано вважати найбільш інформативним показником рівень вібрації, що скорочує необхідну додаткову кількість каналів контролю і знижує навантаження на операторів блоків електростанцій. Отримані в роботі наукові результати базуються на експериментальних даних, що були отримані при сервісному обслуговуванні і проведенні ремонтів ТГ на блоках електростанцій України та інших країн. Розглянуті проблеми і запропоновані напрямки поліпшення професійної підготовки робітників ТЕС і АЕС, визначені шляхи підвищення їхньої економічної зацікавленості для утримання в націо-нальній електроенергетиці.
The thesis is submitted for the academic degree of doctor of technical sciences. Specialty 05.09.01 – Electrical machines and apparatuses. – Department of Electrical Machines of National Technical University "Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute", Kharkov, 2020. The dissertation is devoted to the scientific and applied problem of ensuring reliable operation of modern turbogenerators (TG) at thermal and nuclear power plants (TPP and NPP) units, research of TG features, which are in operation for a long time, extension of their operation, increasing the competitiveness of new TG on the world market. Scientific concepts have been developed that confirm the prospects for the implementation of work to improve TG, taking into account global environmental problems, active development and significant government support for renewable energy sources. Using the theory of cyclical development, it is established that for Ukraine is a promising stabilization and stagnation scenario, which provides for further improvement and development of thermal power plants (TPP and NPP), improvement and increase of TG capacity. A set of studies was carried out to improve the TG: increase of capacity in unit of execution, decrease in their mass and size indicators, improvement of cooling systems, use of new technologies and materials. Taking into account the technical level of the manufacturer and the technical capabilities of related industries, a structural and logical scheme of work to maintain scientific and technical competitiveness of domestic TGs was drawn up. The research was performed to reduce the specific weight of TG, to replace the hydrogen cooling system with air, to increase the capacity of new TG and TG already operating at power plants. At the same time there was a requirement to preserve the dimensions. Proven need to take into account not only the cost of electricity, but also data on their condition in determining the order of inclusion of TG in the power system. It is proved that it is expedient to maintain the nominal parameters of the power system of Ukraine with turbo-generators with a capacity of 200-300 MW, which are installed at thermal power plants. The use of NPP turbogenerators for such regulation is unacceptable. A comparison is made and it is shown to what extent and why domestic turbogenerators are inferior in specific weight to t TGs of the world's leading companies, why they are heavier than foreign counterparts. The decision of these questions allows to increase TG reliability which are in operation for a long time, allows to implement perspective decisions for maintenance of competitiveness of domestic TGs in the world market. A method of complex system monitoring of turbogenerators, which have been operating at power plants for a long time, was proposed. The method took into account the peculiarities of the turbogenerators on the modern power grid and the transition to repairs on the actual condition, rather than on the schedule of planned and preventive repairs. The directions of reduction of mass-dimensional indicators of turbogenerators by means of improvement of their inactive zone are offered and proved. To do this, it is pro-posed to use more promising technologies, standard profiles and new materials. The development, condition and prospects of increase of reliability of cooling systems are analyzed; the directions of creation and diagnostics of modern coolers are offered. Developed and scientifically substantiated method of monitoring the state of TG in the on-line mode; it is proposed to consider the level of vibration as the most informative indicator; this reduces the required additional number of control channels and reduces the load on power plant operators. The scientific results obtained in this work are based on experimental data obtained during service and repairs of turbogenerators at power plants in Ukraine and other countries. Problems are considered and directions of improvement of professional training of workers of TPP and NPP are offered, ways of increase of their economic interest for maintenance in the national electric power industry are defined.

National Water Quality Criteria intended to protect aquatic life and their uses from the adverse effects of pollutants may not be appropriate due to site-specific factors that alter chemical bioavailability. The Indicator Species Procedure may be used to derive site-specific criteria in order to account for differences in site-specific bioavailability. This procedure was implemented using zinc for three chemically different site (river) waters. The purpose of this study was to quantify the bioavailability of zinc in each site water and correlate results to water quality parameters and/or zinc speciation. Results demonstrated that national criteria for zinc accurately predicted the experimentally derived site-specific values within a factor of two when adjusted for water hardness. Particulate forms of zinc were shown to be biologically unavailable under conditions tested.

As wind energy plants continue to grow in size and complexity, advanced measurement technologies such as scanning Doppler LiDAR are essential for assessing site conditions and prospecting new development areas.   The RUNE project was initiated to determine best practices for the use of scanning LiDARs in resource assessments for near shore wind farms. The purpose of this thesis is to determine the optimum configuration for the plan position indicator (PPI) scan type of a scanning LiDAR. A task specific Automated Analysis Software (AAS) is created, and the sensitivity of the integrated velocity azimuth process (iVAP) reconstruction algorithm is examined using sector sizes ranging from 4 to 60 degrees. Further, a comparison to simultaneous dual Doppler measurement is presented in order to determine the necessity of deploying two LiDARs rather than one.    DTU has developed a coordinated long range coherent scanning multi-LiDAR array (the WindScanner system) based on modified Leosphere WindCube 200S devices and an application specific software framework and communication protocol. The long range WindScanner system was deployed at DTU’s test station in Høvsøre, Denmark and measurement data was collected over a period of 7 days. One WindScanner was performing 60 degree sector scans, while two others were placed in staring dual Doppler mode. All three beams were configured to converge atop a 116.5m instrumented meteorological mast.   A significant result was discovered which indicates that the accuracy of the reconstructed measurements do not differ significantly between sector sizes of 30 and 60 degrees. Using the smallest sector size which does not introduce systematic error has numerous benefits including: increasing the scan speed, measurement distance and angular resolution.   When comparing collocated dual Doppler, sector scan and in-situ met-mast instrumentation, we find very good agreement between all techniques. Dual Doppler is able to measure wind speeds within 0.1%, and 60 degree sector scan within 0.2% on average of the reference values. For retrieval of wind direction, the sector scan approach performs particularly well. This is likely attributable to lower errors introduced by the assumption of flow field homogeneity over the scanned area, in contract to wind direction which tends to be more non-uniform. For applications such as site resource assessments, where generally accurate 10 minute wind speed and direction values are required, a scanning LiDAR performing PPI scans with a sector size of between 30 and 38 degrees is recommended. The laser’s line of sight path should be directed parallel to the predominant wind direction and at the lowest elevation angle possible.
RUNE

Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) is one of the most common tree species in the boreal and temperate forests of North America. It grows on many different sites and associates with a variety of tree species. In BC, aspen is frequent throughout all submontane and montane continental forested zones. Relationships between environmental factors and forest productivity have been the subjects of many studies. Most of these studies, using various topographic, soil, physical and chemical properties as independent variables, had limited success in accounting for the variation in SI over a large geographic area. The objectives of this study were (1) to quantify relationships between aspen SI and environmental factors at two spatial scales, and (2) to develop predictive SI models from easily measurable environmental factors.

On the way towards a more biobased economy, the sustainable use of global wood resources remains a challenge as several trade-offs arise, e.g., from an increased energetic use of wood, an increased use of innovative but probably less recyclable wood composites, or from the need to conserve other forest ecosystem services. The aim of this study is to identify existing environmental indicators and methods for an evaluation of the sustainability of wood products in consideration of all life cycle stages, site-dependent aspects and later use in corporate decision-making. We chose a systematic literature review to answer the research questions explicitly and comprehensively. Qualitative content analysis was used to code indicators and scientific methods according to the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) framework. The sample (N = 118) is characterized by a high number of life cycle assessment (LCA) case studies. In 51% of all studies, the study authors use a combination of different methods. A total of 78 indicators and 20 site-dependent aspects could be identified in the sample. The study findings represent a first step towards a holistic environmental assessment of wood products.

On the way towards a more biobased economy, the sustainable use of global wood resources remains a challenge as several trade-offs arise, e.g., from an increased energetic use of wood, an increased use of innovative but probably less recyclable wood composites, or from the need to conserve other forest ecosystem services. The aim of this study is to identify existing environmental indicators and methods for an evaluation of the sustainability of wood products in consideration of all life cycle stages, site-dependent aspects and later use in corporate decision-making. We chose a systematic literature review to answer the research questions explicitly and comprehensively. Qualitative content analysis was used to code indicators and scientific methods according to the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) framework. The sample (N = 118) is characterized by a high number of life cycle assessment (LCA) case studies. In 51% of all studies, the study authors use a combination of different methods. A total of 78 indicators and 20 site-dependent aspects could be identified in the sample. The study findings represent a first step towards a holistic environmental assessment of wood products.

Site selection decisions remains a complex yet crucial process for strong business performance. Despite the extensive number of publications in this field, the emergence of new data collection technique, improved location analytics, and changes in consumers’ preferences call for testing of new models and hypothesis. This study compares traditional site selection indicators (e.g. property size, proximities, competition, and demographic profiles) with novel site-selection indicators (e.g. environmental sustainability performance and socio-demographic characteristics from Tapestry data). By investigating a case study of Starbucks coffee stores in Los Angeles, we argue that environmental sustainability performance and socio-demographic Tapestry segments correlate with business performance indicators of small retail shops in two ways. First, higher sustainability scores result in increased foot traffic, and by extension increased business performance. Second, Tapestry segmentation stands as significant indicator of business performance in site selection modeling – specifically, by demonstrating the significant correlation between socio-demographic consumers’ segments and the number of visitors per location. The output of this study offers an alternative location-driven site selection method, important for businesses and key industry-players in sharpening location-allocation decision-making processes.

La ville d'Utique est considérée comme l'un des trois premiers comptoirs phéniciens de Méditerranée occidentale. Selon la tradition littéraire, elle aurait été fondée en 1101 av J.-C., par des phéniciens venus de Tyr au Liban.Néanmoins, dans l'état actuel des recherches, aucun vestige archéologique ne remonte au delà du 9e siècle av. J.-C. Aux périodes phéniciennes et romaines, Utique était une importante ville marchande faisant face à la mer. Au cours des siècles, la ville a perdu son accès à la mer et son port s'est envasé. Malgré plus d'un siècle d'investigation par les archéologues et chercheurs associés, l'emplacement des structures portuaires de la ville aux périodes phénicienne et romaine reste inconnu, enfoui sous plusieurs mètres de sédiments.Partant de cette problématique archéologique, notre recherche s'est concentrée sur trois axes principaux : paléogéographique, géoarchéologique et palynologique. Basés sur l'étude pluridisciplinaire de carottages sédimentaires, les résultats ont montré que les fortes crues de l'Oued Medjerda, qui coulait au sud de la ville à l'époque romaine, ont été un facteur majeur du déclin d'Utique et de l'ensablement de son port. En effet, au moment de sa fondation, la ville était située sur un promontoire baigné par la mer, mais les sédiments transportés par la Medjerda ont progressivement scéllé la baie, laissant la pointe du promontoire d'Utique à 10 km à l'intérieur des terres. Une crise hydrologique majeure a été mise en évidence vers le 4e siècle ap J.-C. Celle-ci est corrélée à une augmentation des taux de sédimentation dans le bassin versant, ce qui semble correspondre à une dégradation climatique globale à la même époque. Les résultats mettent également en évidence, l'existence d'une longue façade maritime au nord du promontoire d'Utique aux époques phénicienne et romaine. Un environnement marin profond est attesté dans l'ancienne baie au 6e mill. av. J.-C. et la profondeur de la colonne d'eau le long de la façade nord était encore de 2 m autour des 4e _ 3e siècle av. J.C. La phase d'occupation phénicienne et romaine est caractérisée par une forte baisse des taxons forestiers, probablement due à des défrichements importants pour l'agriculture et le pastoralisme. L'olivier quant à lui est en augmentation, ainsi que les céréales. La crise érosive survenant à la fin de la période romaine s'accompagne d'une très forte augmentation de l'armoise, témoin d'une steppisation du paysage.Ce travail illustre la contribution de la géoarchéologie à une résolution d'une problématique archéologique majeure et à la compréhension des relations entre cette importante ville portuaire et son environnement
Utica is considered, according to ancient literary tradition, as one of the fist three Phoenician foundations of the Western Mediterranean, supposedly founded in 1101 BC by Levantines from Tyre. Neverthelesss, until now, no archaeological remains date back beyond the 9th century BC. In the Phoenician and Roman periods, Utica was an important merchant coastal town, facing the sea. Over the centuries, the city has lost its access to the sea and the port has silted up. Despite more than a century of investigation, by archaeologist and associated researchers, the location of the city's harbour, dating from the Phenician and Roman periods, remains unknown, burried under several meters of sediment.Starting from this archaeological problem, our research focused on three main axes : paleogeographic, geoarchaeological and palynological. Based on the multidisciplinary study of sedimentary cores, the results showed that the strong floods of the Medjerda wadi, wich flowed south of the city during Roman times, were a major factor in the decline of Utica and the silting of its port. Indeed, at the time of its foundation, the city was located on a promontary bathed by the sea, but the sediments transported by the Medjerda gradually sealed the bay, leaving the tip of the Utica promontary 10 km in land. A major hydrological crisis was highlighted around the 4 th century AD. This correlated with an increased in sedimentation rates in the watershed, wich seems to correspond to an overall climatic degradation. The results also highlight the existence of a long maritime facade north of Utica promontary during the Phoenician and Roman eras. A deep maritime environment is attested in the ancient bay at 6th mill. BC and the depth of the water column along the north facade was still 2 m around the 4th - 3th centuries BC. Finally, the palynological study showed the existence of traces of human activities as early as the 3th mill. BC. The Phoenician and Roman occupation is characterized by a sharp drop in forest taxa, probably due a significant clearings for agriculture and pastoralism. The olive tree is increasing, as well as cereals. The erosive crisis occuring at the end of the Roman period was accompanied by a sharp increase of "Artemisia", witnessing a steppisation of the landscape.This work illustrates the contribution of geoarchaelogy to the resolution of a major archeological problem and to the understanding of the relationships between this important port city and its enviroment

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES
Concern for the future of the planet is present in everyday society, since issues are common in current newspapers and are part of discussions on social media and academics, leading to a restructuring in various spheres of society. Since the destruction of the environment continues to be a threat to contemporary life, different actors such as governments, consumers, investors and associations see prompting, encouraging and pushing the construction sector to incorporate sustainable practices into their activities . The tendency to regard the environment is already present not only by laws and regulations to be followed, but the scarcity of resources, which requires better control and rational use of materials. Therefore, there is the study of the reduction of the negative impacts of the construction phase of projects, to the extent that the construction industry, as well as a large consumer of natural resources, is a source of many negative impacts to the environment. In this sense, this research aims to propose and assess the use of indicators of environmental sustainability in residential buildings in the execution phase of the work, aiming to guide and measure the incorporation of sustainable practices for the construction industry in Goiás. The research, with exploratory and approaches both qualitative and quantitative, was developed through theoretical studies, involving national and international literature review, as well as action research in a construction company that has five certifications Goiás, these being ISO 9001 : 2008 System Quality Management, ISO 16001 : 2004 Management System Social Responsibility, ISO 14001 : 2004 Environmental Management System, OHSAS 18001 : 2007 System Management of Health and Safety at Work and the Brazilian Program for Quality and Productivity Habitat - PBQP - H. As main results we present the design, implementation and use of the system of environmental sustainability indicators aimed at the application stage ventures through a notebook of indicators and application examples.
A preocupação com o futuro do planeta se faz presente no cotidiano da sociedade, uma vez que assuntos relacionados são frequentes em jornais atuais e fazem parte de discussões em meios sociais e acadêmicos, conduzindo a uma reestruturação em diversas esferas da sociedade. Como a destruição do meio ambiente continua sendo uma ameaça para a vida contemporânea, diferentes agentes como governos, consumidores, investidores e associações veem alertando, estimulando e pressionando o setor da construção a incorporar práticas sustentáveis em suas atividades. A tendência em considerar o meio ambiente já está presente não só pelas leis e normas a serem seguidas, mas pela escassez de recursos, que exige melhor controle e uso racional dos materiais. Portanto, destaca-se o estudo da redução dos impactos negativos da etapa de construção de empreendimentos, na medida em que a indústria da construção civil, além de grande consumidora de recursos naturais, é fonte de diversos impactos negativos causados ao meio ambiente. Neste sentido, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo propor e aferir o uso de indicadores de sustentabilidade ambiental em edifícios residenciais multipavimentos, na fase de execução de obra, visando orientar e mensurar a incorporação de práticas sustentáveis pelo setor da construção em Goiás. A pesquisa, com caráter exploratório e abordagens tanto qualitativas, quanto quantitativas, foi desenvolvida por meio de estudos teóricos, envolvendo revisão bibliográfica nacional e internacional, assim como pesquisa-ação em uma empresa construtora goiana que possui cinco certificações, sendo essas a NBR ISO 9001: 2008 de Sistema de Gestão da Qualidade, a NBR ISO 16001: 2004 de Sistema de Gestão da Responsabilidade Social, a NBR ISO 14001: 2004 de Sistema de Gestão Ambiental, OHSAS 18001: 2007 de Sistema de Gestão da Saúde e Segurança do Trabalho e o Programa Brasileiro da Qualidade e Produtividade do Habitat – PBQP-H. Como principais resultados apresentam-se a concepção, implementação e uso do sistema de indicadores de sustentabilidade ambiental voltados à etapa de execução de empreendimentos, por meio de um caderno de indicadores e exemplos de aplicação.

Environmental impacts of mining at Calico, California, are poorly understood in comparison to the details of its history of silver production. Human health risks associated with arsenic from the lode rock, as well as mercury from the silver milling process, include central nervous system damage, organ failure, and death. To quantify the potential human health risk and manage remediation of this site, tailings from the Garfield Mill site were digitally mapped and chemically analyzed by portable x-ray fluorescence, which permitted volumetric estimates of total mill tailings and the arsenic and mercury budget, as well as identification of anomalies in the distribution of these elements within the tailings deposit. Final products include a high-resolution digital orthomosaic map showing the extent of the tailings deposit, giving contours of arsenic and mercury distribution and identifying areas of high concern for future remediation. The information gathered during this study will be of immense use to the city of Barstow, providing a basis for future public health studies and assessments of human health risks in the area.

Thesis (MSc (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019
Introduction: The provision of access to safe and effective contraception is a critical element in the health of women that enables them to make choices about their fertility. This element of control empowers them and indirectly enables them to access better social and economic opportunities. Hormonal contraceptives are a convenient, effective and relatively safe method of fertility control. Extensive research has been done on the effects of hormonal contraceptives on undesirable metabolic and haemostatic changes, but data on the relationship between oxidative stress and oral contraceptives is scarce and remains subject to debate. Aging of the skin due to oestrogen loss at menopause is thought to include atrophy, decreased collagen content, water content, and sebaceous secretions, loss of elasticity, wrinkling, poor wound healing and manifestations of hyperandrogenism. A number of studies have shown that oestrogens serve many important beneficial and protective functions in skin physiology. Despite extensive clinical experience, many metabolic effects of oral contraceptive treatment remain to be explored. The effects of progesterone on body weight and composition are of interest from several standpoints. Since hormonal contraceptives are widely used, it is important to investigate the effect thereof on oxidative status, skin parameters and anthropometric indicators, to enable women make informed choices about the use of contraceptives, or to adapt their lifestyle if necessary. The aim of the present study was therefore, to assess certain effects of contraceptives in a student population at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). Objectives of the study: To determine the differences in skin health, anthropometric \parameters and oxidative stress status in female university students using various hormonal contraceptives versus non-contraceptive users. Research design: The study adopted a quantitative approach to examine a crosssectional research sample in order to provide a snapshot of the population at a particular time. Concenting participants were selected through the use of questionnaires aimed at ascertaining the type of contraceptive used as well as general health and lifestyle patterns. Blood samples were collected and the antioxidant status was determined. Body composition and skin analysis was conducted on each of the participants in the selected groups and the results were compared to determine the differences between contraceptive and non-contraceptive users. Results: With regards to oxidative stress status, the results indicated a significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities within the triphasic contraceptive group compared to the monophasic contraceptive group, suggesting higher levels of oxidative stress in monophasic contraceptive groups. There was also an increase in lipid peroxidation (TBARS) for the triphasic contraceptive group when compared to the control, monophasic contraceptive and injectable contraceptive groups respectively, indicative of increased oxidative stress levels in the triphasic contraceptive group. In this study, skin parameters evaluation revealed that there was a general increase in the presence of erythema in the monophasic contraceptive group compared to the control; injectable contraceptive; implant contraceptive and triphasic contraceptive groups, symptomatic of higher vascular activity in the monophasic group. Melanocyte activity measured in the forehead, cheek and chin areas were also significantly increased when the monophasic contraceptive group was compared to the control and other contraceptive groups, characterised by the pigmentation pattern of chloasma/melasma known to be caused by hormones. The hydration measurements were significantly increased in the implant contraceptive group compared to the control and monophasic contraceptive groups. Furthermore, a significant increase in hydration was evident in the injectable contraceptive group when compared to the control and monophasic contraceptive groups. Injectable contraceptives and implant contraceptives mainly contain progesterone which has been proven to combat signs of aging and increase collagen and elastin in the skin. With respect to anthropometric measurements, there was a significant increase in the measurement of waist to hip ratio in the implant contraceptive group compared to the control group (non-contraceptive). Progesterone influence on adipose tissue distribution indicated a more significant increase of adipose tissue in the abdominal region. Conclusion: In this study there was some evidence that the type of hormonal contraceptive used does have significant effects on the variables tested in the population sample. These effects are dependent on the composition of the contraceptive and the levels of progesterone and/or oestrogen.

In 1983, the report A Nation at Risk catapulted school reform to the forefront of national attention. The State of Texas responded with legislation dictating curriculum and instructional time. Failure to accomplish the desired improvement in student achievement caused these mandates to be eased. In lieu of the mandates, the Texas legislature and the Texas Education Agency have set expectation standards called academic indicators. Local districts and campuses must utilize site based decision making (SBDM) to determine how each campus will meet the set standards. Dealing primarily with curriculum roles and responsibilities, this study details perceptions of principals and teachers as SBDM was being implemented in a suburban school district serving 25,000 students. Data were gathered utilizing a structured interview and a follow-up telephone interview. Addressed in the study are perceptions of: (a) role changes, (b) responsibility changes, (c) needed improvements in the implementation process, (d) teacher empowerment, (e) positive and negative elements, and (f) student achievement.

The Saltville Waste Disposal Site is a National Priority List site used during the 77- year operation (1895–1972) of an electrolytic chlorine and caustic soda plant. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine disease prevalence among Saltville Medical Center (SMC) patients. Diseases associated with chronic exposures to mercury, arsenic, and lead were reviewed in patient records and these data were analyzed. Ratios of illness observed at the SMC were compared to health studies of similar environmental exposures and disease prevalence among residents of neighboring communities. Prevalence ratios were calculated for residents and non-residents of Saltville who were SMC patients. Saltville residence accounted for a higher risk of developing the targeted diseases (odds ratio=1.68, 95% confidence interval (1.54, 1.82)). Increased risk was among patients aged 31-45 years; with a history of smoking; and family history of the same disease.

L'objectif de la thèse est d'évaluer l'impact de l'immersion des sédiments de dragage du Grand Port Maritime du Havre (GPMH) sur l'environnement faunistique et sédimentaire à proximité du site de clapage d'Octeville (baie de Seine Orientale), en proposant une démarche scientifique originale, apportant une vision intégrée par (1) l'utilisation de marqueurs géochimiques couplés à une étude sédimentaire (2) l'étude de la dynamique spatiale et temporelle de la macrofaune benthique en lien avec une expérimentation in situ (3) la mise en place d'un nouvel indicateur multicritères spécifique de la pression de clapage (4) l'étude de l'ensemble du réseau trophique via le développement d'un modèleECOPATH. D'une part, les résultats ont mis en évidence l'existence d'une zone à l'équilibre sédimentaire au nord-ouest, avec deux gradients opposés de COT, contrôlés par les courants de marée et de houle. De plus, il est possible d'identifier les sédiments portuaires grâce à leur composition chimique différente. La zone impactée par les clapages est relativement restreinte. D'autre part, la macrofaune benthique apparaît peu impactée par les clapages. La communauté est particulièrement bien inféodée à l'environnement bio-hydro-sédimentaire de la zone d'étude. Des variations d'abondances et de dominances ont été observées depuis 2003. De plus, le nouvel indicateur proposé permet de classer l'impact engendré par les dépôts de sédiments en mer. Le réseau trophique est actuellement stable sur la zone impactée comme sur celle non-impactée par le clapage
The aim of this thesis is to assess the impact of dumping by Le Havre harbour on the faunistic and sedimentary environment near the Octeville dumping site (Eastern part of the bay of Seine). This thesis propose an original scientific approach, including an integrated view (1) by the use of geochemical markers coupled with a sedimentary study (2) a study of the spatial and temporal benthic macrofauna dynamics with an experimentation in situ (3) the creation of a new multicriteria specific indicator of the dumping pressure and (4) a study of the food web with the development of an ECOPATH model. On the one hand, the results showed the existence of a sedimentary equilibrium area in the north-west, with two opposite TOC gradients, controlled by tidal and swell. Harbour sediments can be identified by their different chemical compositions. The area impacted by the dumping is limited. On the other hand, the benthic macrofauna appears less impacted by the dumping. The community is adapted in the bio-hydro-sedimentary environment of the study area. Variations in abundance and dominance have been observed since 2003.In addition, a new indicator allows the classification of dumping impact. The food web is currently stable in both impacted and not impacted areas

Les innovations radicales de produits, services et processus sont caractérisées par un environnement dynamique et complexe, par un niveau élevé d’incertitude et un risque fort pour les acteurs économiques impliqués, ainsi que par la complexité du processus de conception liée à ses dimensions technique, organisationnelle et économique. Ce processus se distingue alors par ses interactions avec son environnement, par son cadre de coopération, et par les interactions entre acteurs du réseau d’innovation. Cette étude à caractère pluridisciplinaire est une contribution à l’aide au pilotage coopératif et économique du processus d’innovation en phase de conception préliminaire. Nous proposons une approche d’aide au pilotage du processus d’innovation basée sur une instrumentation permettant de caractériser différentes solutions innovantes sous la forme d’indicateurs et de réseaux d’indicateurs de valeur construits collectivement par les acteurs de l’entreprise étendue. Cette approche se concentre plus particulièrement sur la construction coopérative d’indicateurs de valeur, caractérisés très souvent par leur complexité, leur incertitude et leur forte variabilité le long du processus d’innovation. A partir d’une analyse du besoin du pilotage économique du processus d’innovation, menée sur base de la littérature et des besoins spécifiques exprimés dans notre cadre industriel de travail, nous proposons un modèle du processus de pilotage du processus d’innovation capable d’améliorer l’efficacité et l’efficience du processus. Nous proposons une instrumentation du processus de construction des indicateurs de valeur, que nous appliquons à un cas industriel, mené au sein de la direction informatique Renault
The Design process of radical product, services and processes innovations is characterised by its framework of co-operation, by its interactions with its environment and the relationships between the Innovation Network’s actors. This pluridisciplinary study is a contribution to the assistance to the co-operative and economic steering of the innovation process within the preliminary Design Phase. We propose an approach for assisting the Innovation Process Steering which is based on an instrumentation permitting the representation of different innovative solutions in term of value indicators and indicators networks. These indicators are collectively built by the actors from the Extended Enterprise. This approach is especially focused on the co-operative construction process of indicators, which are often complex, uncertain and highly variable along the Innovation Process

The San Andreas Fault stretches for over 800 miles through California. Along the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, areas in close proximity to the San Andreas Fault Zone may be subject to site amplification of ground motion caused by seismic activity via wave propagation through the subsurface. These seismic hazards are being addressed via the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Faulting Zone Act and the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). Shear wave velocity of the subsurface has served as a proxy for ground motion amplification and is therefore a useful parameter to help analyze and reduce seismic hazards. Low shear wave velocities of the subsurface have been known to correlate with higher amplitude ground motion. This study focuses on refraction microtremor analysis (ReMi) of the subsurface in Northern San Bernardino; more specifically, areas encompassing California State University San Bernardino, in close proximity to the San Andreas Fault. The technique will resolve shear wave velocity values for the top 30 meters (Vs30) of the subsurface. This depth of investigation has proven to be an effective means in determining subsurface conditions. ReMi profiles were situated 0.25 to 2.0 miles away from the San Andreas Fault, and in some instances, strategically positioned next to housing developments and structures. Phase velocity dispersion curves were generated by processing ReMi seismic data and subsequently inverted to attain average shear wave velocity profiles with depth. The geologic units in the study area consist of very young wash deposits, young alluvial fan deposits and Pelonist schist deposits. These geologic units may be an indicator to how seismic waves behave in subsurface lithology. To highlight differences in Vs30 values across the project area, a microzonation map was constructed.

Cette thèse a été effectuée dans le cadre du projet ANCRES. Son rôle est d'assurer la compréhension physique du milieu récepteur, le sol, alors qu'une autre équipe étudie l'impact physico-chimique des eaux usées traitées sur le sol. Pour cela, il faut connaître ses propriétés texturales et structurales contrôlant ses fonctions d'épuration et d'évacuation. La problématique est donc de comprendre le processus de l'infiltration imposée par un dispositif d'ANC dans un sol caillouteux. D'abord, suite au positionnement du site pilote d'ANC au pied d'un versant au cœur du plateau portlandien dans le département de l'Yonne en France, on a identifié là un type de sol hétérogène et complexe, caillouteux, une colluvion qui n'était pas cartographiée sur la carte géologique BRGM de cette région et sur laquelle on focalise la thèse. Ensuite, dans le sol complexe du site pilote, on a d'abord mesuré la conductivité hydraulique du sol par l'appareil Guelph sur 15 m² de la fouille de l'ANC à une profondeur de 120 cm : au total, on a fait 15 essais d'infiltration. De plus, on a récupéré 15 échantillons du sol accompagnant ses essais de Guelph pour la caractérisation physique au laboratoire. On a mesuré la texture, l'humidité résiduelle (HR), la teneur en cailloux (Rw) et la matière organique (MO) des échantillons au laboratoire. Ensuite, pour l'étude du processus d'infiltration, on a instrumenté ce site par un dispositif de surveillance hydrique (tensiométrie, teneur en eau, piézométrie) et de prélèvement d'eau interstitielle du sol. De plus, la masse volumique (densité) apparente d'un sol hétérogène a été déterminée. Parmi les paramètres mesurés, certains sont choisis comme indicateurs pour caractériser un sol comme milieu récepteur potentiel des eaux usées traitées en ANC. Puis, en utilisant la MO et la texture des échantillons, on a estimé la masse volumique apparente de la matrice du sol du site piloteau moyen de fonctions de pédotransfert appelées BD-FPTs et on a testé la relation entre la conductivité hydraulique à saturation Ks et la texture de ce sol complexe. Pour cela, une méthodologie en quatre phases a été développée pour évaluer la capacité prédictive des fonctions Ks-FPTs. Cette méthodologie de sélection n'a pas été trouvée dans la littérature mais est élaborée pour les besoins de la thèse. On a déduit les meilleures Ks-FPTs pour ce type de sol. Enfin, avec les données d'humidité volumique et du potentiel matriciel du sol, acquises par une centrale d'acquisition des données, le régime hydrodynamique du sol sous le massif filtrant de l'ANC a été étudié et on a mis en évidence l'écoulement préférentiel dans un sol caillouteux. Les résultats ont montré que dans la colluvion, bien que la matrice du sol soit fine, la conductivité hydraulique mesurée est plus élevée qu'attendu. Cela démontre que la fraction des cailloux dans le sol joue un rôle essentiel en accélérant l'évacuation des eaux usées traitées et aussi l'eau pluviale vers les couches sous-jacentes, et finalement vers la nappe. Cette propriété serait un point fort pour la fonction de transfert du sol et on peut en déduire une méthode pour améliorer la capacité de transfert de l'eau des sols lourds dans les projets d'aménagement urbain ou périurbain : l'ajout de graviers et graves calcaires par mélange au sol en place. On conclut que cette expérimentation, unique en son genre, a été utile pour évaluer la fonction de rétention / transfert de l'eau dans le sol recevant les eaux usées traitées. On a identifié les paramètres prédicteurs pertinents et les relations empiriques qui permettent de faire l'économie de nombreux essais in situ d'eau
The soil is an essential compartment in hydrologic cycle of water in the nature. Therefore, it is clear that taking into account the properties and organization of the soil is essential to the understanding and management of flows involved in the development of the quality of groundwater and surface water. The on-site sanitation (ANC) is a management method of domestic wastewater, by which the water is sent into the soil after settling and filtration liquefaction / aerobic degradation. The second step was often provided by the top soil in place himself, and this continues to this day on many plots of on-site sanitation.This thesis was carried out under ANCRES project. Its role was to ensure the physical understanding of the receptor medium, soil, while another research team was investigating the physico-chemical impact of treated wastewater on the sol. To ensure it, we have to understand its textural and structural properties controlling its purifying power and hydrodynamic processes. So, the problematic is to understand the process of infiltration imposed by an ANC in a heterogeneous stony soil. At first, due to the positioning of the pilot ANC site, at the foot of a slope in the Yonne department in France, a type of complex and heterogeneous soil, a colluvion, was identified. This soil has not been mapped on the BRGM (Bureau de recherches géologiques et minières) geological map of the area. So, the thesis was focalised on this soil. Then, in this soil complex at a depth of the 120 cm of the excavation of the ANC, the soil hydraulic conductivity was first measured by a Guelph apparatus on 15 m². We totally made 15 infiltration tests. Furthermore, we have collected 15 soil samples with each Guelph test for physics laboratory physical characterization. Then, in order to study the soil functions, this site was instrumented by the water monitoring devices (tensiometers, water content probes, and piezometer) and the interstitial water sampling device from the soil. In addition, the bulk of this heterogeneous soil was determined. Among the measured parameters, a series of indicators chosen to characterize the soil as a potential receptor medium of treated wastewater of the ANC. Then, the bulk density of the soil matrix using pedotransfer functions called BD-FPTs was estimated and the relationship between saturated hydraulic conductivity Ks and the texture of the soil complex (by Ks-FPT function) was tested. For this aim, a four-phase methodology was developed to assess the predictive ability of Ks- FPTs functions. This methodology in four phases is not found in the literature but was prepared for the purposes of the thesis. We concluded the best Ks- FPTS for this type of soil. Finally, with the volumetric water content and soil matrix potential data acquired by a the data loggers, the hydrodynamic regime of the soil under the sand pack of the ANC has been studied and demonstrated the preferential flow in a stony soil was demonstrated. The results showed that in the colluvion, although the soil matrix is fine, the measured hydraulic conductivity is higher than expected. This shows that the stone fraction in the soil plays an important role in accelerating the evacuation of treated wastewater and also rainwater to the underlying layers, and finally to the water table. This property would be a strong point for the transfer function of the soil and we can deduce a method to improve the transfer function of heavy soils in urban or peri-urban development projects. This could be possible by adding the gravel and -limestone to soil matrix and mixing them. It has been concluded that this experiment, unique in its kind, has been useful in evaluating the function of retention / transfer of water in the soil receiving treated wastewater. In addition, the relevant predictor parameters and empirical relationships that make the economy of many water tests were identified

Le prétraitement mécanique et biologique des déchets ménagers avant enfouissement représente une alternative intéressante à l’enfouissement brut des déchets. Des études ont montré plusieurs avantages liés à l’application de cette technique, - les déchets enfouis sont en partie stabilisés, -les impacts, lixiviat et biogaz, sont moins importants sur l’environnement, et -la phase de post exploitation en général 30 ans pour les décharges conventionnelles, pourrait être réduite. L’objectif de la thèse est de déterminer les principaux indicateurs de stabilisation des déchets ménagers en cours d’un procédé de prétraitement mécano-biologique aérobie. Les indicateurs cités dans la littérature sont multiples mais leur pertinence dans le cadre d’un suivi d’une unité de PTMB n’a pas été confirmée. Ainsi, dans un premier temps, ces indicateurs ont été appliqués dans le cadre du suivi d’une unité industrielle de PTMB en France pour valider et optimiser les protocoles décrits dans la littérature scientifique. Dans un deuxième temps, une pré-étude de faisabilité de ce type de procédé a été réalisée en Tunisie, à la suite de campagnes de caractérisation hivernales et estivales des déchets générés dans quatre villes. Les résultats à l’issu de cette pré-étude ont confirmé le caractère fermentescible des déchets tunisiens mais avec un taux inférieur à celui déterminé lors de la campagne nationale de 1996. Le suivi de la stabilisation des déchets mis en andains sur une plate-forme pilote a permis d’appliquer les indicateurs de stabilisation les plus pertinents notamment les caractérisations de type MODECOM, les tests de lixiviation, le fractionnement des composés organiques selon le caractère hydrophobe et les tests biologiques (AT4 et BMP). Les indicateurs de stabilisation identifiés montrent des corrélations correctes. L’ensemble des résultats obtenus corroborent ceux déduits du suivi de l’unité industrielle qui montrent une défaillance du procédé appliqué vis-à-vis des normes en vigueur pour l’acceptation des déchets en centre de stockage. L’état de stabilisation n’est pas encore atteint au bout de 4 mois de prétraitement aérobie, ce qui nécessitera d’accroître les performances du procédé notamment par une prolongation de la durée du prétraitement notamment la fermentation et par l’amélioration des conditions d’aération
Mechanical pretreatment and biological waste before landfilling is an interesting alternative to the conventional landfilling. Several studies have shown benefits of the application of this technique - landfilled waste are partly stabilized, leachate and biogas impacts are less important, and post-operational phase typically 30 years for conventional landfills could be reduced. The aim of the thesis is to identify key indicators of household waste stabilization during an aerobic mechanical-biological pretreatment process. Indicators cited in the literature are numerous, but their relevance in the context of a monitoring unit PTMB has not been confirmed. Thus, in a first step, these indicators have been applied in the monitoring of an industrial unit in France PTMB to validate and optimize the protocols described in the literature. In a second step, a pre-feasibility study of this type of process has been carried out in Tunisia, after winter and summer waste characterization campaigns in four cities. The results of this preliminary study have confirmed the fermentable character of the Tunisian waste but with a lower rate than that determined in the national campaign of 1996. Monitoring of waste stabilization swathed on an experimental platform has allowed applying the most relevant waste stabilization indicators such as the MODECOM characterizations, the leaching tests, the fractionation of organic compounds by hydrophobicity and the respirometric tests (AT4 and BMP). Stabilization indicators identified show correct correlations. The overall results are consistent with those derived from the monitoring of industrial unit which show a failure of the applied process vis-à-vis the standards for the acceptance of waste at landfills. The state stabilization is not reached after 4 months of aerobic pretreatment, which will require the optimization of the process performance including an extension of the duration of the pretreatment, especially, the fermentation phase and the improvement of the ventilation conditions

Thesis (Ed.D.)--East Carolina University, 2009.
Presented to the faculty of the Department of Educational Leadership. Advisor: James McDowelle. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed June 16, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

If mitigation measures are not made to prevent global warming the consequences of a continued global climate change, caused by the use of fossil fuels, may be severe. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) has been suggested as a way of decreasing the global atmospheric emission of CO2. In the realms of MUSTANG, a four year (2009-2013) large-scale integrating European project funded by the EU FP7, the objective is to gain understanding of the performance as well as to develop improved methods and models for characterizing so- called saline aquifers for geological storage of CO2. In this context a number of sites of different geological settings and geographical locations in Europe are also analyzed and modeled in order to gain a wide understanding of CO2 storage relevant site characteristics. The south Scania site is included into the study as one example site with data coming from previous geothermal and other investigations. The objective of the Master's thesis work presented herein was to construct a 3D model for the south Scania site by using modeling/simulation software Petrel, evaluate well log data as well as carry out stochastic simulations by using different geostatistical algorithms and evaluate the benefits in this. The aim was to produce a 3D model to be used for CO2 injection simulation purposes in the continuing work of the MUSTANG project. The sequential Gaussian simulation algorithm was used in the porosity modeling process of the Arnager greensand aquifer with porosity data determined from neutron and gamma ray measurements. Five hundred realizations were averaged and an increasing porosity with depth was observed.   Two different algorithms were used for the facies modeling of the alternative multilayered trap, the truncated Gaussian simulation algorithm and the sequential indicator simulation algorithm. It was seen that realistic geological models were given when the truncated Gaussian simulation algorithm was used with a low-nugget variogram and a relatively large range.
Den antropogena globala uppvärmningen orsakad av användandet av fossila bränslen kan få förödande konsekvenser om ingenting görs. Koldioxidavskiljning och lagring är en åtgärd som föreslagits för att minska de globala CO2-utsläppen. Inom ramarna för MUSTANG, ett fyra år långt (2009-2013) integrerande projekt finansierat av EU FP7 (www.co2mustang.eu), utvecklas metoder, modeller och förståelse angående så kallade saltvattenakviferers lämplighet för geologisk koldioxidlagring. En del av projektet är att analysera ett antal representativa formationer i olika delar av Europa för att få kunskap angående förekommande koldioxidlagringsspecifika egenskaper hos saltvattenakviferer. Ett av områdena som har inkluderats är i sydvästra Skåne. Syftet med detta examensarbete var att konstruera en 3D modell över detta område med hjälp av modellerings/simuleringsprogrammet Petrel, utvärdera borrhålsdata samt genomföra stokastiska simuleringar med olika geostatistiska algoritmer och utvärdera dem. Målsättningen var att konstruera en modell för CO2 injiceringssimuleringar i det forstsatta arbetet inom MUSTANG-projektet. En algoritm av sekventiell Gaussisk typ användes vid porositetsmodelleringen av Arnager Grönsandsakviferen med porositetsdata erhållen från neutron- och gammastrålningsmätningar. Ett genomsnitt av femhundra realisationer gjordes och en porositetstrend som visade en ökning med djupet kunde åskådligöras. Två olika algoritmer användes vid faciesmodelleringen av den alternativa flerlagrade fällan: en algoritm av trunkerade Gaussisk typ och en sekventiell indikatorsimuleringsalgoritm. Resultaten tyder på att en realistisk geologisk modell kan erhållas vid användandet av den trunkerande algoritmen med ett låg-nugget variogram samt en förhållandevis lång range.

O alinhamento entre os objetivos de negócio e os objetivos de sistemas de informação exerce papel preponderante no monitoramento do desempenho das empresas, que no cenário atual, altamente competitivo e dinâmico, não podem permitir que seus gestores vacilem quanto às decisões a serem tomadas. Estas decisões estão principalmente baseadas nas informações que estão à disposição das pessoas que decidem. E, se por um lado, o acesso à informação hoje está facilitado devido aos recursos tecnológicos disponíveis, por outro lado, tende a dificultar a escolha das informações que são realmente pertinentes. A despeito da relevância, esta dicotomia muitas vezes leva as empresas a trabalhar com informações baseadas na facilidade de sua obtenção. Neste sentido o alinhamento estratégico entre os objetivos de negócio e os objetivos de sistemas de informação proporciona convergência e reciprocidade entre os rumos que a empresa projeta e o monitoramento das rotas que estão sendo seguidas. Baseados neste conceito, que contempla uma constante revisão, os indicadores que serão utilizados pelos gestores para a avaliação da performance das empresas serão dotados da pertinência necessária para a alteração de rumos programados e para a correção de desvios de rota. Neste contexto está também inserida a indústria da construção civil, que é destacada por seu reconhecido atraso tecnológico, tanto em termos de estrutura como também no tocante à gestão. Contemplando quatro empresas do segmento de construção de edificações comerciais e residenciais, esta pesquisa dá sua contribuição para o desenvolvimento do tema alinhamento estratégico na construção civil, na medida em que, através de um estudo exploratório de casos múltiplos, teve como objetivo identificar o alinhamento entre os objetivos de negócio e os objetivos de sistemas de informação, promovido pelas empresas construtoras de Lajeado (Rio Grande do Sul). Com a utilização de um protocolo de pesquisa baseado em modelos encontrados na literatura, os elementos encontrados em cada empresa foram confrontados entre si e também com àqueles da literatura. Como resultado deste estudo, mediante a convergência de todos os elementos encontrados, foi identificado o modelo de alinhamento adotado por empresas de construção civil, através do relacionamento entre os objetivos de negócio e os objetivos de sistemas de informação, e também os indicadores de desempenho utilizados por estas empresas.
The alignment between business objectives and the objectives of information system exerts a preponderant role on the companies’ performance which, in the actual highly competitive and dynamic scenery, doesn’t allow the companies’ managers to vacillate about the decisions they have to make. Those decisions are based mainly on the information which are available to the people who decide. And, if the access to information today is facilitated due to technologic resources that are available, it tends to make it difficult to choose information which are really pertinent. In spite of relevance, so many times this dichotomy makes companies to work with information that are based on its easiness to be obtained. This way the strategic alignment between business objectives and the objectives of information system provides convergence and reciprocity amid the courses that the company projects and the monitoring of the routes that are been followed. Based on this concept, which contemplates a constant revision, the indicators used by the managers to appraise the organizational performance will be endow of the necessary pertinence to change programmed courses and to correct detour of routes. In this context, the building site industry is also inserted and it is known because of its technology delay in terms of structure as well as concerning management. Contemplating four companies in commercial and residence building segment, this research gives its contribution to the development of the strategic alignment theme on building site industry through a multiple cases exploratory study. Its goal is to identify the alignment between business objectives and the objectives of information system promoted by building companies in the Lajeado (Rio Grande do Sul) city. Trough the use of research protocol based in models found in the literature, the elements set up in each company had been faced amongst themselves and also with that from the literature. As a result of this study, by the convergence of all found elements, it was identified the alignment model adopted by the building companies through the relationship between business and information system objectives and also the performance indicators used by these companies.

Espécies do gênero Holhymenia são apontadas como pragas em maracujazeiros, podendo causar o murchamento e queda de frutos e botões florais. Neste trabalho, aspectos bioecológicos de Holhymenia rubiginosa foram estudados. Uma criação foi mantida em laboratório (25 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 10% UR, fotofase 12 horas) e os insetos alimentados com ramos e frutos (quando disponíveis) de Passiflora alata, solução de mel a 20% e pólen. O desenvolvimento embrionário foi avaliado nas temperaturas de 17, 21, 25 e 30 ± 1 °C. As ninfas e os casais foram mantidos nas mesmas condições da criação, alimentados com ramos e solução de mel. A duração média, em dias, e a viabilidade da fase de ovo foram de 25,4 ± 0,45 (88%); 13,2 ± 0,28 (88%); 8,8 ± 0,16 (94%) e 7,7 ± 0,17(92%), nas temperaturas de 17, 21, 25 e 30 ± 1 °C, respectivamente. A temperatura basal estimada para a fase embrionária foi 10,8 °C e a constante térmica 140,8 GD. Verificou-se diferença significativa entre a duração dos ínstares (P<0,0001), sendo o primeiro ínstar o mais curto (4,01 ± 0,02 dias) e o segundo o mais longo (15,75 ± 3,5 dias), além de ser o que apresentou maior mortalidade (75%). A longevidade de fêmeas foi 185,3 ± 17,52 dias e a de machos 133,6 ± 18,94 dias, não diferindo entre os sexos. As fêmeas realizaram em média 33 ± 7,71 cópulas, com duração de 99 ± 9,25 minutos e ovipositaram 11,5 ± 2,55 ovos. Os períodos de pré-oviposição, oviposição e pós-oviposição foram, respectivamente, 96,4 ± 18,08; 88,5 ± 23,48 e 19,3 ± 12,18 dias. Fêmeas confinadas em ramos de P. alata a campo ovipositaram em média 37,28 ± 19,694 ovos, a maioria sobre as folhas (54%). Registraram-se, parasitando os ovos, os scelionídeos Gryon próx. pennsylvanicum e G. próx. vitripenne e o euritomídeo Neorileya sp., sendo G. próx. vitripenne o mais freqüente, parasitando 43% dos ovos observados.
Species of the genera Holhymenia are known to be pests on passion fruit, being able to induce the withering and fall of fruits and floral buds. This work investigated the bioecological aspects of Holhymenia rubiginosa. The rearing laboratory conditions were 25 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 10% UR, photophase 12 hours, and the bugs fed on branches and fruits (when available) of Passiflora alata, 20% honey solution and pollen. Embryonic development was evaluated under temperature of 17, 21, 25 e 30 ± 1 °C. Both nymphs and couples were reared in the same breed conditions and fed on branches and honey solution. The average egg developmental time, in days, and viability were 25.4 ± 0.45 (88%); 13.2 ± 0.28 (88%); 8.8 ± 0.16 (94%) and 7.7 ± 0.17(92%), at 17, 21, 25 and 30 ± 1 °C, respectively. The lower threshold and thermal constant for egg development were 10.8 °C and 140.8 DD, respectively. Instars developmental time was statistically different (P<0.0001). The first instar had the shortest developmental time (4.01 ± 0.02 days) and the second instar had the longest (15.75 ± 3.5 days), which also had the highest mortality (75%). There was no statistical difference between sexes longevity (185.3 ± 17.52 days for females and 133.6 ± 18.94 days for males). Females mated 33 ± 7.71 times, with a mean duration of 99 ± 9.25 minutes, ovipositing 11.5 ± 2.55 eggs. Periods of pre-oviposition, oviposition and pos-oviposition were respectively 96.4 ± 18.08; 88.5 ± 23.48 and 19.3 ± 12.18 days. Field confined females, on P. alata branches, oviposited 37.28 ± 19.694 eggs, mainly on leaves (54%). The scelionids Gryon nr. pennsylvanicum and G. nr. vitripenne and the eurytomid Neorileya sp. were found as parasitoids in Holhymenia rubiginosa eggs, with major frequency of G. nr. vitripenne (43%).

Le suivi des populations doit reposer sur des méthodes fiables et optimisées dans le but d’élaborer des mesures de gestion ou de conservation pertinentes, mais aussi pour évaluer l’efficacité de ces mesures. Mon objectif général est de développer et valider un cadre méthodologique pour le suivi optimisé des populations sédentaires de petits cétacés. Mes travaux ont montré que (1) il est possible d’estimer la probabilité de reproduction et la probabilité de survie des jeunes en tenant compte de la détection imparfaite des animaux et de l’incertitude sur le statut reproducteur des femelles (2) l’hétérogénéité spatio-temporelle de l’effort de terrain et la distribution spatiale des individus peuvent être explicitement intégrées dans les modèles pour corriger les estimations de la probabilité de survie et la taille de la population et (3) la réduction de l’effort de recherche affecte particulièrement la précision des estimations de la taille de la population mais n’a que très peu d’impact sur la précision de l’estimation de la survie adulte
Population monitoring must be based on reliable and optimized methods in order to develop relevant management or conservation measures, but also to evaluate the effectiveness of these measures. My general objective is to develop and validate a methodological framework for the optimized monitoring of small cetacean sedentary populations. My study showed that (1) it is possible to estimate the probability of reproduction and the probability of survival of calves taking into account the imperfect detection of the animals and the uncertainty about the reproductive status of the females (2) the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of field effort and the spatial distribution of individuals can be explicitly incorporated into models to correct estimates of survival probability and population size, and (3) the reduction in field effort particularly affects the precision of population size estimates but has little impact on the precision of adult survival probability

O objetivo geral desta pesquisa foi avaliar a existência de uma orientação do controle do desempenho utilizados nas pequenas e médias empresas hoteleiras e sua adequação aos fatores-chave de competitividade do setor. Essa pesquisa foi realizada na região central do Estado de São Paulo contemplando os circuitos Paulista da Chapada Guarani e Ecocaipira. A pesquisa fundamenta-se no vácuo existente entre a visão estratégica e visão operacional na gestão empresarial, ou seja, a falta de integração entre as diretrizes estratégicas e a operação das empresas. A medição de desempenho é uma atividade que visa melhorar gradativamente a atuação das empresas, fazendo com que elas se mantenham competitivas. O trabalho de campo foi dividido em três fases: a primeira e segunda fase concentrou-se na abordagem quantitativa. A primeira fase teve o propósito de identificar a quantidade de empresas hoteleiras na região central do Estado de São Paulo, considerando o mapeamento da equipe de pesquisadores do GEOPE da EESC - USP. A segunda fase teve o propósito de caracterizar a preocupação com o controle do desempenho e com as medidas de desempenho da organização. A terceira fase concentrou-se na abordagem qualitativa, na qual foi feito um estudo de caso com o propósito de verificar os indicadores utilizados pelas empresas e verificar se estão orientados para a competitividade. Como principal resultado, observou-se que os mecanismos de controle do desempenho são adequados as características do contexto social de cada organização e, como conseqüência, está relacionado à estratégia da empresa. Ainda, concluiu-se que os indicadores de desempenho das grandes e das pequenas empresas hoteleiras são semelhantes, a diferença está na formalização desses indicadores.
The general aim of this research is to evaluate the existence of an orientation of the organizational control utilized in small and medium sized hotels and its adequacy for the key competitivity factors of the sector. The research was conducted in the central region of São Paulo State comprising the Paulista Circuits of Chapada Guarani and Ecocaipira, based on the vacuum that exists between the strategic and operational visions in the entrepreneural management, i. e., the lack of integration between the strategic guidelines and the operation of the enterprises. The performance measurement is an activity that aims to gradually improve the action of enterprises, so that they keep themselves competitive, which is the basis in the strategic process. The field work was divided into three stages, of which the first and the second focused on the quantitative approach. In the first phase the aim was the identification and quantification of hotels in the central region of São Paulo state, considering the mapping of the research group of GEOPE at São Carlos Engineering School - USP. In the second phase, the concern about the performance control and measurement of the organization was characterized. Finally, the third phase focused on the qualitative approach, in which a case study was conducted in order to verify the indicators utilized by the enterprises and check that they are oriented towards competitiveness. As a main result, it was possible to observe that the performance control mechanisms are adequate for the characteristics of the social context of each organization and, therefore, related to the enterprise strategy. The performance indicators of large and small hotels are similar, differing only in their formalization.