A fragmented fossil bone incised with the figure of a proboscidean was recently found at Vero Beach, Florida near the location where Late Pleistocene fauna and human bones were recovered from 1913 to 1916. This engraving may represent the oldest and only existing example of Terminal Pleistocene art depicting a proboscidean in the Americas. Because of the uniqueness, rarity, and potential antiquity of this specimen, caution demanded that a variety of tests be used in an attempt to verify its authenticity. The mineralized bone was identified as mammoth, mastodon, or giant sloth. Rare earth element analysis was consistent with the fossil bone being ancient and originating at or near the Old Vero site (8-IR-9). Forensic analysis suggests the markings on the bone are not recent. Optical microsc...
BackgroundOil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is one of the most important oil bearing crops in the world. However, genetic improvement of oil palm through conventional...Full Text Available
This document is a collection of spreadsheets detailing in a county by county manner the agricultural crop, agricultural wastes, municipal wastes and industrial wastes in Florida that are potential biomass energy sources.
Tri layer hybrid composites of oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) and jute fibres was prepared by keeping oil palm EFB as skin material and jute as the core material and vice versa. The chemical resistance, void content and tensile properties of oil palm EFB/Jute composites was investigated with reference to the relative weight of oil palm EFB/Jute, i.e. 4:1, the fibre loading was optimized and different layering pattern were investigated. It is found from the chemical resistance test that all the composites are resistant to various chemicals. It was observed that marked reduction in void content of hybrid composites in different layering pattern. From the different layering pattern, the tensile properties were slightly higher for the composite having jute as skin and oil palm EFB as core ...
This work presents the results of a combined study on the beach morphology and the evolution at short- and medium-term of the littoral between Ceuta and Cabo Negro (Morocco). It is an interesting sector showing a great increase of human occupation and coastal structures. The monitoring program allowed for the reconstruction of the beach morphological behavior and the seasonal changes. The studied beaches presented reflective profiles recording little seasonality, with the most notable morphological changes being strictly related to storms. Surf Similarity and Surf Scaling parameters highlighted the existence of intermediate and reflective beach states, characterized by plunging breakers. Aerial photographs and a satellite image have been geo-referenced and elaborated with GIS tools to reco...
Biostimulation by nutrient application is a viable technology for restoring oil-contaminated beaches. Maximizing the nutrient residence time is key for achieving a rapid cost-effective cleanup. We considered the nutrient injection strategy through a perforated pipe at the high tide line and we simulated numerically beach hydraulics, which allowed us to estimate the optimal injection flow rate of nutrient solution. Our results indicate that the optimal application is one that starts following the falling high tide and lasts for half tidal cycle. The saturated wet-front of the nutrient solution on the beach surface would move seaward with the same speed of the falling tide keeping a constant distance with the tide line. The numerical results were generalized to beaches of wide ranges of hydr...
The metabolism of 14C-labeled fatty acids and triacylglycerols was followed in intact germinating oil palm seedlings as well as in tissue slices. In the germinating seedling, the shoot contained...Full Text Available
In germinating oil palm (Elaeis guineensis var D × P) seedling, an active lipase was present in the shoot but absent from both the kernel and the haustorium. It has an optimum...Full Text Available
Xylem failure via gas embolism (cavitation) induced by water stress was investigated in the palm Rhapis excelsa (Thumb.) Henry. Xylem embolism in excised stems and petioles was detected...Full Text Available
A quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis designed for a multi-parent population was carried out and tested in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), which is a diploid cross-fertilising...Full Text Available
The oil palm Elaeis guineensis is usually attacked by pests, particularly, defoliating caterpillars. Between 2004 and 2006 a stinkbug predator (Asopinae) was registered preying on caterpillars of Brassolis sophorae L., Opsiphanes invirae Hubner (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) and Sibine spp. (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae), reducing their populations in commercial oil palm plantations in the State of Para, Brazil. Specimens of the natural enemy were collected, mounted, and identified as Alcaeorrhynchus grandis (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), corresponding to the first report of the occurrence of this stinkbug attacking defoliating caterpillars of oil palm in Brazil. (author)
Production of dissolved macromolecules by ambient autotrophic and heterotrophic microbial populations was measured in a eutrophic Florida reservoir by in situ labeling with various radioactive substrates....Full Text Available
Sewage waste disposal facilities in the Florida Keys include septic tanks and individual package plants in place of municipal collection facilities in most locations. In Key Largo, both facilities discharge...Full Text Available
Beach rocks are observed frequently on the tropical and subtropical sandy beaches where they express thin beds dipping seaward at less than 15 degrees. They consist of beach sediments including fossil shells, fragments of corals, diatoms and other biocarbonates, and are well cemented within the inter-tidal zone with calcium carbonate originated in sea water. Therefore, they are not only good indicators which show the past sea level, but also provide good sample material for radiocarbon dating. The locations of beach rocks give us an optimum condition studying a carbon cycle between land and marine environment by analyzing their isotope fractionations. In order to estimate the origin of calcium carbonate which worked as an adhesive when beach rocks were formed and to estimate the formative ages of beach rocks, a total of 330 fossil corals, fossil shells and ...
Oryctes agamemnon (Burmeister 1847) (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae) was accidentally introduced in the southwestern oases of Tunisia (Tozeur) around 1980 and spread to the Rjim Maatoug region. In these areas O. agamemnon was specific to date palm trees causing severe damage that can result in potential danger due to collapse of the tree. This study was conducted from April 2004 to March 2006 in 4 sites in the region of Rjim Maatoug. Different levels of palm tree attack were determined, ovioposition sites were identified, and pest damage was described in detail to specify their relative importance and to indicate factors governing palm tree attack. Eggs were individually oviposited in the attacked parts. Dead parts of palm trees were the main target of O. agamemnon including the respiratory roots, tough, trunk bark, dry petiole and the periphery of the crown. The crown itself was not attacked. Feeding by ...
As a prelude to detailed flux control analysis of lipid synthesis in plants, we have examined the latter in tissue cultures from two important oil crops, olive (Olea europaea L.) and oil palm (Elaeis...Full Text Available
Several researchers have investigated morphological changes on the south-eastern Mediterranean coast during the late Holocene. However, very few of these studies include quantitative data covering the last 200?years. In this study, topographical maps, nautical charts and aerial photographs are used to estimate the shoreline migrations and beach?nearshore sand balance over the last 200?years in Haifa Bay, Israel, the northernmost final depositional sink of the Nile littoral cell. The findings reflect two main periods. During the first period, between 1799 and 1928, human intervention along the bay?s coast was negligible, a significant coastal expansion of ?50 to 150?m (averages of 0.4?1.2?m/year) was measured, and sand accumulation was estimated at ?70,000?m3 annually in the beach?nearshore...
This study attempts to integrate environmental economics and coastal engineering in managing port-induced coastal erosion occurring at a common beach by using Map Ta Phut port in Thailand as a case study. The existence of the port creates coastal erosion which can be considered an externality that affects local inhabitants, and a port owner and shipping companies can be seen as ?polluters??. Overlaying of aerial photographs provided strong evidence that the coastline was severely eroded after the construction of the port. Coastal engineering softwares, LITPACK and MIKE 21 PMS, were utilized to predict future shoreline positions and investigate wave patterns around the port. The port alters wave climate and the port-induced erosion is jeopardizing a local recreational beach called Nam Rin, ...
A common break was recognized in four Lake Superior strandplain sequences using geomorphic and sedimentologic characteristics. Strandplains were divided into lakeward and landward sets of beach ridges using aerial photographs and topographic surveys to identify similar surficial features and core data to identify similar subsurface features. Cross-strandplain, elevation-trend changes from a lowering towards the lake in the landward set of beach ridges to a rise or reduction of slope towards the lake in the lakeward set of beach ridges indicates that the break is associated with an outlet change for Lake Superior. Correlation of this break between study sites and age model results for the strandplain sequences suggest that the outlet change occurred sometime after about 2,400 calendar years...
Background Microbial water-quality indicators, in high concentrations in sewage, are used to determine whether water is safe for recreational purposes. Recently, the use of these indicators...Full Text Available
The success in developing of the oil industry operating in offshore-onshore terminals, connected by pipelines with the facilities of the coastal zone, can be attributed partially to the beach morpho dynamic monitoring. This study represents a solution to the concerns of the technical operations in coastal zones because it minimizes the impact of the petroleum production and it assures the environmental protection associated to the risks of the pipelines breaking. This impact type results mainly of the vertical and horizontal displacements of the beach, from the coastal dunes to the shore face. The mobility of the profile is associated to the magnitude of the sedimentary processes, which reproduce naturally or not, in scale of time that can vary among few days, years or decades. For the monitoring and interpretation of the beach profile mobility the following methods are recommended: calculation of the closure depth with ...
... L. Sutton. 2000. Is the aquatic weed hygrophila, Hygrophila polysperma (Polemoniales: Acanthaceae), a suitable target for classical biological ... ...
although additional research is needed to corroborate such findings. Key words: Avicennia germinans; disturbance; downed wood; Everglades National Park; Hurricane Andrew;...
Mar 1, 2011 ... NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) ... output (Southwest Research Institute's Mars Regional Atmospheric .... the University of Central Florida, the University of Michigan, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. ...
In this research, hybrid composite materials were prepared from combination of oil palm Empty fruit bunches (EFB) fibre and jute fibre as reinforcement, epoxy as polymer matrix. This study intended to investigate the effect of jute fiber hybridization and different layering pattern on the physical properties of oil palm EFB-Epoxy composites. Water absorption and thickness swelling test reveal that hybrid composite shows a moderate water absorption which is 11.20% for hybrid EFB/Jute/EFB composite and 6.08% for hybrid Jute/EFB/Jute composite. The thickness swelling and water absorption of the hybrid composites slightly increased as the layering pattern of hybrid composites changed. Hybrid composites are more water resistance and dimensional stable compare to the pure EFB composites. This is...
Precision agriculture can be cost effective for date palm groves because the tree positions are known and fixed, the groves are mostly structured and many of agricultural operations are applied manually. Therefore, the new technology tools of precision agriculture are not essential. This study was done to improve date palm yield using maps of the variation in tree properties. Data on five Mozafati tree properties, such as sex, age, yield, visual appearance and fruit length were measured and recorded for each tree in five groves near the city of Bam in Iran. Tree positions were defined and the above properties were mapped. It was difficult to judge patterns in the variation because of tree to tree variability. Therefore, the Mamdani fuzzy inference system (MFIS) was used to classify the pro...
Conversion of tropical forests to oil palm plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia has resulted in large-scale environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity and significant carbon emissions. For both countries to participate in the United Nation's REDD (Reduced Emission from Deforestation and Degradation) mechanism, assessment of forest carbon stocks, including the estimated loss in carbon from conversion to plantation, is needed. In this study, we use a combination of field and remote sensing data to quantify both the magnitude and the geographical distribution of carbon stock in forests and timber plantations, in Sabah, Malaysia, which has been the site of significant expansion of oil palm cultivation over the last two decades. Forest structure data from 129ha of research and inventory p...
Sugarcane orange rust is an economically important disease in Florida and has caused yield losses in the major cultivar, CP 80-1743 since it was introduced in 2007. Orange rust has caused susceptible cultivars to be discarded from the CP-cultivar development program and is also causing yield losses....
Sulfated zirconia (SO4-ZrO2) catalysts, prepared with three different sulfur loading contents (0.75%, 1.8% and 2.5%) at two calcination temperatures (500degreeC and 700degreeC), were tested for use in the transesterification of purified palm oil (PPO) and the esterification of palm fatty acid (PFA) in near-critical and super-critical methanol. Techniques including BET, XRD, NH3- and CO2-TPD revealed that the sulfur content and calcination temperature strongly affects the catalyst base-acid site, specific surface area, average pore size, phase structure, and thus the catalytic reactivity. The most suitable sulfur loading content was found to be 1.8% and the optimum calcination temperature 500degreeC. The results show that the use of SO4-ZrO2 reduces esterification reaction times, the amount...
Tinea nigra is a superficial mycosis caused by Hortaea werneckii. It is an infrequent asymptomatic infection that affects human palms and soles, and is mostly observed in tropical...Full Text Available
BackgroundWax esters are important ingredients in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, lubricants and other chemical industries due to their excellent wetting property. Since the naturally...Full Text Available
For many years, the Lower Cretaceous Sunniland oil-producing fields have been interpreted as reef deposits. Petrologic evidence from cores from field and wildcat wells strongly indicates on the basis of faunal composition and character, that the fields are producing from moundlike shoals. These shoals are considered to have been deposited in a mudflat environment similar to that of present-day Florida Bay. This present-day Florida Bay analog is used to determine the various environmental subzones and controls on the deposition of the Sunniland Formation. This concept of using a model together with a modern analog can be a powerful tool in the exploration of stratigraphic traps. A petrologic and petrophysical study of the Sunniland Formation in the wells that have been drilled in the Florida Bay and Keys areas was made to extend the model and its application throughout the South Florida basin. The ...
One of the more extensive uses of directional drilling anywhere in the world has been in the development of the East Wilmington Oil Field in Long Beach, California. The Measurement-While-Drilling (MWD) directional system has been tested on several wells and proven to provide the required accuracy, along with many advantages over past methods, used in the field development. Accurate transmission by MWD of bottom-hole measurements to the surface is provided by mud pressure pulses generated in the drill pipe downhole and detected by a pressure transducer includes the means for detecting, recording and processing these pressure pulses, to translate the information from the pressure pulses to rig floor displays usable by the drilling crew. 2 refs.
This volume contains papers delivered at a technical conference of the American Society of Civil Engineers held on June 25-27, 1991 in Seattle, Washington. The conference dealt with the physical aspects of sediment processes in the coastal environment. The papers are presented under three general themes: fundamentals of coastal sediment transport, coastal geologic processes, and engineering applications. The topics of the role of long waves in coastal sediment processes and cross-shore transport are highlighted. Examples of the topics covered include: sediment transport; beach and nearshore sedimentation; shoreline and beach profile changes; longshore and cross-shore transport; storm erosion; inlet sediment processes; gravel transport; coastal structure and sediment interaction; and dredging.
Sugarcane rusts, brown (caused by Puccinia melanocephala) and orange (caused by P. kuehnii), are agronomically important diseases in Florida. Cultivar resistance is the best means of managing these diseases. Unfortunately, natural infection of brown rust is not always efficient in determining resist...
The genus of filamentous cyanobacteria, Lyngbya, has been found to be a rich source of bioactive metabolites. However, identification of such compounds from Lyngbya...Full Text Available
The project is currently on schedule. The design review meeting was held on 08/26/97 at the Coastal Systems Station in Panama City, Florida. The mechanical arrangement, performance analysis and design features were presented at the review meeting. A numbe...
... 154. By way of comparison, the aquatic weed Hygrophila polysperma (Roxb.) T. Anderson, a potential target for biological ... L. Sutton. 2000. Is the aquatic weed hygrophila, Hygrophila polysperma (Polemon...
... at depths greater than 29 m. Egmont Deep Seismic Stratigraphy Seismic profile data indicate that both the mouth ... 131. CrossRefDuncan, D. S. 1993. Neogene to Recent Seismic Stratigraphy of the Lower ...
Feb 23, 2001 ... Florida, as an F-16 weapons separation engineer with .... new era of space-based research aboard the International Space. Station. ..... the Web at: http://www. aiaa.org/calen- dar/index.hfm?cal=1&cfp=1 ...
Sentinel species such as bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) can be impacted by large-scale mortality events due to exposure to marine algal toxins. In the Sarasota Bay region...Full Text Available
EXPLORES! (EXPloring and Learning the Operations and Resources of Environmental Satellites!) is an educational outreach program developed at Florida State University with the intention of introducing weather satellite receiving technology into the primary and secondary school classrooms. The website furnishes real time high resolution imagery and tropical updates. Visitors can find historical accounts of the civilian weather satellites launched by the United States. Educators can discover kindergarten through twelfth grade resources and curriculum. Users can learn how to become a part of the WXSAT-L community email list where weather satellite professionals, amateurs, and hobbyists converse about scientific, tracking, launching, and operations information.
Florida posseses climatic, land, and water resources favorable for abundant biomass production. Therefore, a statewide program has been initiated to determine adapted species for the available array of production sites. Plant resources under investigation include woody, aquatic, grasses, hydrocarbon, and root crop species. The goal is to produce a continuous stream of biomass for the various biofuel conversion options. Preliminary yields from energy cropping experiments range from about 10 to nearly 90 metric tons per hectare per year, depending on the crop and the production systems employed. (Refs. 15).
Reinterpretation of the South Florida basin reveals that it was a keep-up carbonate shelf during the Lower Cretaceous. Until the Cenomanian, it was connected to the Bahamas and the Cay Sal Bank north of Cuba. The Cenomanian sea level rise was at least partially responsible for the formation of the Florida Straits, isolating the platform. The combination of an abrupt worldwide rise in sea level and subsidence caused the South Florida platform to founder, ending shallow-water and evaporitic sedimentation over the majority of the shelf. The Cay Sal and Bahamian platforms remained as active shallow shelves separated by the Old Bahamas Channel. The Lower Cretaceous sediments are characterized by shallow shelf limestones, dolomites, and evaporites (mostly anhydrite). The evaporite-rich sections, originally thought to represent basinal facies, are reinterpreted as supratidal to shallow subtidal evaporites, based on examination of ...
Upgrading of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB), which is a main by-product of palm oil industry, to animal feeds by radiation pasteurization and fermentation was investigated for recycling the agro-resources and reducing the environmental pollution. The following results were obtained: 1) The necessary dose for pasteurization of EFB contaminated by various microorganisms including aflatoxin producing fungi was determined as 10 kGy. The chemical and biological properties of EFB were changed little by irradiation up to 50 kGy. 2) In the fermentation process, Pleurotus sajor-caju was selected as the most effective fungi and the optimum condition for fermentation was clarified. The process of fermentation in suspension was also established for the liquid seed preparation. 3) The digestibility and nutritional value of fermented products were evaluated as ruminant animal feeds and the mushroom can be produced as by-product. 4) The pilot plant named ...
Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-38mol%-3-hydroxyvalerate) [P(3HB-co-38mol%-3HV)] was produced by Cupriavidus sp. USMAA2-4 in the presence of oleic acid and 1-pentanol. Due to enormous production of empty fruit bunch (EFB) in the oil palm plantation and high production cost of P(3HB-co-3HV), oil palm EFB fibers were used for biocomposites preparation. In this study, maleic anhydride (MA) and benzoyl peroxide (DBPO) were used to improve the miscibility between P(3HB-co-3HV) and EFB fibers. Introduction of MA into P(3HB-co-3HV) backbone reduced the molecular weight and improved the thermal stability of P(3HB-co-3HV). Thermal stability of P(3HB-co-3HV)/EFB composites was shown to be comparable to that of commercial packaging product. Composites with 35% EFB fibers content have the highest tensile st...
Empty palm fruit bunch fiber (EPFBF), a readily available cellulosic biomass from palm processing facilities, is investigated as a potential carbohydrate source for cellulosic ethanol production. This feedstock was pretreated using ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX) and enzymatically hydrolyzed. The best tested AFEX conditions were at 135??C, 45?min retention time, water to dry biomass loading of 1:1 (weight ratio), and ammonia to dry biomass loading of 1:1 (weight ratio). The particle size of the pretreated biomass was reduced post-AFEX. The optimized enzyme formulation consists of Accellerase (84??L/g biomass), Multifect Xylanase (31??L/g biomass), and Multifect Pectinase (24??L/g biomass). This mixture achieved close to 90% of the total maximum yield within 72?h of enzymatic hydrolysis. Fer...
The effect of chemical pretreatments using NaOH, H2O2, and Ca(OH)2 on Empty Palm Fruit Bunches (EPFB) to degrade EPFB lignin before pyrolyis was investigated. Spectrophotometer analysis proved consecutive addition of NaOH and H2O2 decomposed almost 100% of EPFB lignin compared to 44% for the Ca(OH)2, H2O2 system while NaOH and Ca(OH)2 used exclusively could not alter lignin much. Next, the pretreated EPFB was catalytically pyrolyzed. Experimental results indicated the phenolic yields over Al-MCM-41 and HZSM-5 catalysts were 90wt% and 80wt%, respectively compared to 67wt% yield for the untreated sample under the same set of conditions. Meanwhile, the experiments with HY zeolite yielded 70wt% phenols.
Basal stem rot of oil palm (OP) by Ganoderma boninense is of major economic concern and it is the predominant disease of OP in SE Asia. Also, other plantation crops are affected by Ganoderma. The early detection of symptoms is crucial for control, although effective methods remain elusive. Ergosterol is the principal sterol of fungi and plays an essential role in the cell membrane and other cellular constituents. The analysis of ergosterol is useful for fungal detection in solid plant substrates. The present report compares ergosterol concentration in sound and decayed OP seedlings and mature plants using HPLC with diode array detection. The disease of OP requires to be considered as a white rot process where fungal biomass will increase from a low to high level as the infection progresses...
Effect of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber and poly(methyl acrylate) grafted OPEFB on several mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride)/epoxidized natural rubber (PVC/ENR) blends were studied. The composites were prepared by mixing the fiber and the PVC/ENR blends using HAKEE Rheomixer at the rotor speed of 50 rpm, mixing temperature 150degreeC, and mixing period of 20 min. The fiber loadings were varied from 0 to 30% and the effect of fiber content in the composites on their ultimate tensile strength (UTS), Youngs modulus, elongation at break, flexural modulus, hardness, and impact strength were determined. An increasing trend was observed in the Youngs modulus, flexural modulus, and hardness with the addition of grafted and ungrafted fiber to the PVC/ENR blends. However the i...
Energy use patterns and utilisation efficiencies in 40 factories producing palm kernel oil (PKO) in southwestern part of Nigeria were studied. The factories were stratified into small, medium and large scale categories based on the mode of operations and production capacities. Questionnaires were administered on the factories to obtain historical data on petrol, diesel and electricity consumption and PKO production outputs for seven years (1998-2004). Energy use efficiency indicators employed include: energy intensity (EI), energy cost per unit product (EC/P), energy ratio (ER), food energy ratio (FER) and percentage oil yield by weight. Results of the study indicated that averagely, 0.58, 0.53 and 0.74GJ/103l of PKO were needed in the small, medium and large PKO factories, respectively. T...
Lignocellulosic fibers from date palm trees were employed to reinforce an epoxy matrix. Two fiber sizes were used, with the length and diameter in the range of 20-30 and 1.5-3 mm, respectively, for the so-called long fibers, and in the range of 5-15 and 0.25-0.75 mm, respectively, for the so-called short fibers. The morphologies of the resulting composites, as well as their thermal, mechanical, and water sorption properties were evaluated. Strong interactions between both components and etherification reactions may occur between the hydroxyl groups of the fibers and the epoxy groups of the epoxy-amine reactive mixture. These effects are emphasized when decreasing the size of the fibers.
Recently, great interest was paid to new technologies dealing with environmental aspect. Preservation of natural resources such as natural fibers forced the composite industry to search and examine "eco-friendly" components. Studies to find alternative reinforcements and resin systems that are environmentally friendly while providing the same performance as their synthetic counterparts are in continuous progress. The aim of this study is to investigate effect of different treatment process on the data palm fiber (DPF). Raw DPF underwent different surface modification methods such as alkali treatment with concentrations 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2.5% and 5%, and acid treatment with 0.3, 0.9 and 1.6N. All treatments were performed at 100degreeC for 1h. The surface morphology, thermal gravimetry analys...
The chemical composition and evolution of formation waters associated with gas production in the Palm Valley field, Northern Territory, has important implications for reservoir management, saline water disposal, and gas reserve calculations. Historically, the occurrence of saline formation water in gas fields has been the subject of considerable debate. A better understanding of the origin, chemical evolution and movement of the formation water at Palm Valley has important implications for future reservoir management, disposal of highly saline water and accurate gas reserves estimation. Major and trace element abundance data suggest that a significant component of the highly saline water from Palm Valley has characteristics that may have been derived from a modified evaporated seawater source such as an evaporite horizon. The most dilute waters probably represent condensate and the variation in the chemistry of the ...
31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to monitor the response of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) and carrot (Daucus carota) cell suspensions...Full Text Available
This paper reports that some regions have prepared for these days of disposal shortage with comprehensive waste plans that include a strong WTE presence. Witness Broward County, Florida's program, 12 years in planning by public and private entities, Broward is the second most populated county in the state, with 1.3 million residents and a heavy tourist population, which, together, produce 1.6 million tons of waste annually. The disposal program includes Waste Management, Inc.'s expansion of a 400-acre Central Disposal Sanitary Landfill, the county's new 588-acre landfill, composting, and curbside pickup for recyclables. And, this south Florida plan would not be complete without the two brand new combustion plants. Clean Air and Water Acts notwithstanding, the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation can induce standards stricter than the federal government's due to the sensitive ...
Oil exploration began in Florida in 1901, but no oil was found until 1943. In November of that year, Humble Oil and Refining Co. made a discovery near Sunniland in southern Florida. This field and the producing zone were called Sunniland. No further discoveries were made in southern Florida until 1954 when the Forty-Mile field was discovered by Gulf Oil Co. Ten years later, in 1964, the Sunoco Felda field was discovered by Sun Oil Co., followed by West Sunoco Felda field in 1968. The examination of numerous cores and thin sections of this formation, both from producing fields and wildcat wells, reveals a sequence of deposition in the Sunniland formation. It has been reported that tintinnids or calpionellids have been observed in the lower mud section, but investigation of many thin sections from this section revealed only ostracod particles. Above the mudstone, the section becomes increasingly plentiful in fragmented ...
The results of an extensive, detailed geologic and geophysical evaluation of the offshore South Florida basin show this area to have considerable hydrocarbon exploration potential. Geophysical mapping on six key horizons identified numerous structural closures at Dollar Bay through Bone Island mapping levels. Geologic evaluation indicated at least four viable potential reservoir horizons, including the Sunniland formation - the main producing unit onshore in what is called the Sunniland trend. Mature, organic rich carbonate source rocks are found in several stratigraphic intervals throughout the basin, and extensively developed seals consisting of micritic limestones and anhydrites are also common in the stratigraphic section. All the critical factors for hydrocarbon accumulation - source, reservoir, trap, and seal - appear to be present in the offshore Pulley ridge area of the South Florida basin. Using high-resolution seismic data, additional ...
Mining operations took place at the Sullivan Mine, located at Sullivan, Abitibi, Quebec between 1930 and 1967 and generated large quantities of tailings. These tailings now represent a waste rock pile in the shape of a delta on the shore of De Montigny Lake. The area covers approximately 50 hectares. When the waste rock pile was first established, several terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems were lost forever. In addition, the very nature of the tailings, combined to the action of the wind and lake, further slow the natural site regeneration. The Ministere des Ressources naturelles du Quebec (Quebec Natural Resources Department) asked Les Consultants en Environnement Argus to prepare a site remediation plan to stimulate the natural regeneration of the ecosystems. It would enable the local fauna to resume its occupation of the territory, while ensuring its proper integration in the environment. The authors described in detail the proposed plan that addresses all the relevant issues, such ...
Selection of suitable species, which will survive the severe environment of low light, cool temperatures, and high winds, poses serious problems to revegetation programs in the Aleutian Islands. Selection must be based on adaptability of plants to the extremes of the Aleutian climate and, as realized more recently, on lack of disruption of the natural ecosystem. This places the emphasis on use of native species in revegetation. Elymus mollis Trin., American dunegrass, a dominant of the Aleutian dune community, was studied to better understand its potential for use in reclamation work. As the species occupies both beach and inland sites, an emphasis was placed on documenting its wide latitude of habitat occurrence. Community composition, dispersal, growth response, ecotypic variation, and nutrient relations were studied at two beach sites and two inland sites on Adak Island in the central Aleutian Islands in the 1977 and 1978 growing seasons. ...
After the construction of its wastewater treatment plants, the City of Quebec began to implement overflow control in wet weather to ultimately meet the effluent discharge objectives, i.e. no more than two overflows per summer season in the St. Lawrence River and no more than four in the St-Charles River. After several years of studies to determine which management strategies would best suit the purpose, and to propose optimum solutions, a first project to implement optimal and predictive management in real time, called "Pilot", came to life in 1999. Construction in phases soon followed and the work was completed in the fall of 2009. As a result, requirements with regard to environmental rejects were met in two sectors, namely the St-Charles River and the Jacques-Cartier Beach, and aquatic recreational activities could resume. Meanwhile, the City also worked at giving back access to the water courses to the public by developing sites at the Jacques-Cartier ...
On Oct. 24, 2005, Hurricane Wilma, a category 5 storm, made landfall at Cape Romano, Florida. Three days later, the Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue at the University of South Florida deployed an iSENYS helicopter and a prototype unmanned water surface vehicle, AEOS-1, to survey damage in parts of Marco Island, 14 km from landfall. The effort was the first known use of unmanned sea surface vehicles (USVs) for emergency response and established their suitability for the recovery phase of disaster management by detecting damage to seawalls and piers, locating submerged debris (moorings and handrails), and determining safe lanes for sea navigation. It provides a preliminary domain theory of postdisaster port and littoral inspection with unmanned vehicles for use by the human-robot ...
Researches on oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibers and thermoplastic composites have been carried out by many workers in the last decade. The main focus was to enhance the properties of the resultant composites in view of the incompatibility of the two components. Thus, efforts have been made to enhance their properties by using coupling agents, treating the fibers and modifying the matrices. In this study, the effects of electron beam (EB) irradiation and some reactive additives (RAs) on the mechanical properties of EFB-PP (polypropylene) composites were evaluated. Different modes of irradiation were investigated. Mono, di and tri functional of monomers of RAs were used. irradiating PP alone, compared to irradiating the EFB fibers or irradiating both components, gave optimum properties for EFB-PP composites. Further, improvements of the properties of the composites were achieved with the addition of RAs with TMPTA (trymethylol propane triacrylate) giving the ...
The effect of irradiation on the tensile properties of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber reinforced poly(vinyl chloride)/epoxidized natural rubber (PVC/ENR) blends were studied. The composites were prepared by mixing the fiber and the PVC/ENR blend using HAAKE Rheomixer at 150 deg. C. The composites were then irradiated by using a 3.0 MeV electron beam machine at doses ranging from 0 to 100 kGy in air and room temperature. The tensile strength, Young's modulus, elongation at break and gel fraction of the composites were measured. Comparative studies were also made by using poly(methyl acrylate) grafted OPEFB fiber in the similar blend system. An increase in tensile strength, Young's modulus and gel fraction, with a concurrent reduction in the elongation at break (Eb) of the PVC/ENR/OPEFB composites were observed upon electron beam irradiation. Studies revealed that grafting of the OPEFB fiber with methyl acrylate did not cause appreciable ...
Effect of alkalis (NaOH, KOH and K2CO3) on liquefaction of EPFB (empty palm fruit bunch) biomass liquefaction was investigated under subcritical water conditions in a batch reactor operating at 270degreeC and 20bars for a period of 20min. Catalytic performance and suitable biomass to water ratio that supported higher EPFB conversion, liquid hydrocarbons yield and lignin degradations were screened. Analytical results indicate that maximum of 68wt% liquids were produced along with 72.4wt% EPFB mass conversions and 65.6wt% lignin degradation under 1.0M K2CO3/2:10 (biomass/water) conditions. In comparison, the experiments that were performed in the absence of alkalis yielded only 30.4wt% liquids, converted 36wt% EPFB and degraded 24.3wt% lignin. Furthermore, biomass to water ratios >2:10 decre...
Fermented oil palm empty fruit bunch, now known as 'Sterifeed' has been characterized by physico-chemical properties. It has also been proven to have an improved digestibility (by in vitro and in-vivo test) over the original material. The remaining important aspect of feed to be examined is the long term effect of feeding this material to animals. The size of fermentation media bags used was 0.5 - 1 kg/bag. In the large scale production of these materials, the numbers of bags were increased. The production at pilot scale level reinvestigated the basic processing parameters for the 1 kg/bag media and also performed a trial run for different sizes of bags. These include: 1) investigation on the growth of fungi on fermentation media subjected to different treatment times and the non treated media, 2) evaluation of the processing rate, 3) trial run processing of 25-50 MT oil palm EFB into feed, and 4) processing of different sizes of bags
Some of the known toxic effects of lead in mammals including man are, impaired heme synthesis, anemia, nepatopathy, nephropathy, behavioral disorders and neuropathy. However, very little is known about the effect of lead on endocrine physiology. Some data are available on lead induced impairment of thyroid function in occupationally exposed men and experimental rats. As lead nitrate is largely consumed through water and food, in this study the wild rodents Funambulus pennanti were administered lead through their drinking water and their thyroid structure, radioiodine 131-I percentage uptake and protein bound iodine (PBI) level were assessed.
Sustainability of irrigated agriculture in arid and semi arid lands depends, mainly on the level of soil salinity and the quality of irrigation water. Remotely sensed data can provide information about the extent of vegetated irrigated areas. Al-Hassa oasis, Saudi Arabia is probably the largest oasis in the world depends mostly on tapped ground water to irrigate mainly date palm groves for its economic survival. This study tried to investigate the extent of soil salinity and the quality of irrigation water and the relationship with vegetation growth, employing NDVI derived from Landsat satellite imagery.
The chemical composition and evolution of produced waters associated with gas production in the Palm Valley gas field, Northern Territory, has important implications for issues such as gas reserve calculations, reservoir management and saline water disposal. The occurrence of saline formation water in the Palm Valley field has been the subject of considerable debate. There were no occurrences of mobile water early in the development of the field and only after gas production had reduced the reservoir pressure, was saline formation water produced. Initially this was in small quantities but has increased dramatically with time, particularly after the initiation of compression in November 1996. The produced waters range from highly saline (up to 300,000 mg/L TDS), with unusual enrichments in Ca, Ba and Sr, to low salinity fluids that may represent condensate waters. The Sr isotopic compositions of the waters ({sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr = 0.7041-0.7172) ...
The chemical composition and evolution of produced waters associated with gas production in the Palm Valley gas field, Northern Territory, has important implications for issues such as gas reserve calculations, reservoir management and saline water disposal. The occurrence of saline formation water in the Palm Valley field has been the subject of considerable debate. There were no occurrences of mobile water early in the development of the field and only after gas production had reduced the reservoir pressure, was saline formation water produced. Initially this was in small quantities but has increased dramatically with time, particularly after the initiation of compression in November 1996. The produced waters range from highly saline (up to 300,000 mg/L TDS), with unusual enrichments in Ca, Ba and Sr, to low salinity fluids that may represent condensate waters. The Sr isotopic compositions of the waters ("8"7Sr/"8"6Sr = 0.7041-0.7172) are ...
The Kemp's Ridley sea turtle, Lepidochelys kempi, is an endangered species. The National Marine Fisheries Service's Head Start program is part of an international operation to save the turtles from extinction. Under the Head Start program, eggs from the Ridley's only known wild nesting beach at Rancho Nuevo in Mexico are transported to Padre Island on the Texas coast to be hatched. The head start enables the turtles to develop a survival advantage. The principal objective was to develop baseline waste-characterization data required to design a waste-water treatment scheme for the Galveston Head Start facility. As a secondary objective, preliminary testing of some filtration components was undertaken to determine which units were most appropriate for inclusion in a wastewater treatment scheme.
Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS v 3.0), a three-dimensional numerical ocean model, was previously enhanced for shallow water applications by including wave-induced radiation stress forcing provided through coupling to wave propagation models (SWAN, REF/DIF). This enhancement made it suitable for surf zone applications as demonstrated using examples of obliquely incident waves on a planar beach and rip current formation in longshore bar trough morphology (Haas and Warner, 2009). In this contribution, we present an update to the coupled model which implements a wave roller model and also a modified method of the radiation stress term based on Mellor (2008, 2011a,b,in press) that includes a vertical distribution which better simulates non-conservative (i.e., wave breaking) processes and ...
Graphical Abstract A Southward view of the Dead Sea western coast. The steep western escarpment of the Dead Sea basin, composed mainly of Upper Cretaceous limestone and dolomite, can be seen on the right. Beach terraces left by the shrinking lake run parallel to the shore. The larger part of the area between the present water line and the mountains was still under Dead Sea water just 50?60?years ago. The current fall of the lake?s stand is around 1?m?year?1. Three on-shore sinkholes can be seen in the front of the photo, as well as two submerged ones near its lower left corner. These were caused by dissolution of a Holocene salt layer located tens of meters below the surface, resulting in the collapse of the overlying sediments. The retreat of the Dead Sea in recent years was followed by e...
This study assessed coastal erosion vulnerability along a 90-km sector, which included both erosional and accretionary beaches, and different levels of human occupation. Two aerial photogrammetric flights were used to reconstruct coastal evolution between 1977 and 1999. During this period, extensive accretion was recorded updrift of human structures at harbors and ports, e.g., Scoglitti (105.6?m), Donnalucata (52.8?m), and Pozzallo (94.6?m). Conversely, erosion was recorded in downdrift areas, with maximum values at Modica Stream mouth (63.8?m) and Point Castellazzo (35.2?m). Assessments were subsequently divided into four categories ranging from ?high erosion?? to ?accretion.?? Several sources were examined to assess human activities and land use. The latter was mapped and divided into fo...
Occupation of the coast has significantly increased in recent decades, mostly due to a greater demand for recreation and tourism. Today, erosion threatens many human-made structures and activities, requiring an integrated approach for the understanding of coastal dynamics and identification of alternatives to associated problems. This study investigates a 64km-long coastal physiographic unit in the northern microtidal littoral of Tuscany (Italy). Vertical aerial photographs and direct field surveys were used to retrieve changes in shoreline position over 1938-1997 and 1997-2005 time intervals. Significant beach accretion was observed during the first period updrift of Carrara (84m) and Viareggio (280m) harbours and at Marina di Pietrasanta (100m), whereas severe erosion occurred downcoast ...
The analysis described demonstrates the use of benefit/cost sensitivity analysis in examining the wide range of potential damages and savings associated with converting oil-fired electric utility boilers to burn coal in Florida. This model, for the first time incorporates, in quantitative terms, environmental economic externalities into a benefit/cost ratio sensitivity analysis framework. Five different dose-response estimates of morbidity and mortality costs, property devaluation, and willing-to-pay estimates are used in combination with four acid rain dose-response models to estimate the net present worth of externality costs. The model estimates the net present worth of benefits by incorporating into a dynamic framework all relevant construction, O + M, and fuel costs of converting an electrical generation facility from using oil to coal. These benefits of fuel savings are then weighted against various combinations of externality costs associated with increased ...
The Sunoco Felda oil trend of the South Florida basin has been a prolific oil producer. All the oil is produced from the Cretaceous Sunniland formation, a leached limestone bioherm. Although the producing section has been considered reefal in the literature, petrographic and biostratigraphic analyses of various cores in producing fields have determined that these deposits are composed of particles of fragmented rudist and other fauna deposited in a tidal shoal. Atop this debris an algae and gastropod section has been deposited, typical of a mound deposited on a tidal mud flat. This model is exemplified in the Sunoco Felda and West Sunoco fields and was used in exploring the Sunoco Felda trend. From the petrological analysis of these two fields and from knowledge of other wells in the basin, biostratigraphic and lithologic trends can be determined and extended offshore into the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The author stresses petrology in exploring the Sunniland ...
The authors observed euhedral crystals in Manatee soil in a citrus grove in St. Lucie County, Florida. The material was identified as gypsum (CaSO/sub 4/ /times/ 2H/sub 2/O) using x-ray diffraction and infrared spectra. Photomicrography and scanning electron microscopy revealed that gypsum accumulated both in old root channels and within citrus root tissue of the Btg horizon. The subsurface horizons had elevated sulfate levels, a low initial pH, a drop (0.5 unit) in pH upon air-drying. Electrical conductivity paralleled the concentration of water-soluble sulfate. High levels of calcium and sulfate occurred for horizons above the water table. This accumulation is attributed to groundwater bearing these ions and subsequently discharging them to the overlying soil. Dead citrus roots appear to act as wicks to aid water transfer from lower to higher horizons. The roots and their empty channels provide spaces in which the gypsum can precipitate if the concentrations of ...
The present work addresses an off-axis Cassegrain optical concentration system. The specific primary collector analyzed, a short focal length parabolic concentrator, is at the University of Florida`s Energy Park. A secondary hyperbolic reflective element was designed to redirect the solar radiation from the primary focal plane to an off-axis target on the polar axis of the primary concentrator. This ground level target will be required for planned experimental work. The analysis was performed using a numerical ray tracing procedure that incorporates both random and systematic errors due to slope and surface irregularities. The optimization process varied secondary element size, curvature, and offset angle, and yielded information required for optimum design. As a single secondary element was found impractical, three elements were designed for use at various time of the year. The numerical analysis predicts that typically 70 to 75 percent of the solar flux incident ...
Taconite tailings and their component asbestiform minerals in Lake Superior water had no demonstrable effect on the chronic toxicity of cadmium to the flagfish, Jordanella floridae. Maximum acceptable toxicant concentrations determined in life cycle tests, where effects on survival, growth, reproduction, and bioconcentration were used as endpoints, were between 3.3 to 7.4, 3.0 to 6.5, and 3.4 to 7.3 micrograms cadmium/liter at 0.004, 0.08, and 0.95 mg/liter taconite tailings concentrations, respectively.
The Lake Charles and Port Arthur quadrangles cover approximately 10,950 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River delta area. The area overlies thick sections of the Gulf of Mexico Basin. Surficial exposures are dominated by Recent and Pleistocene sediment. A search of available literature revealed no known uranium deposits. A total of 82 uranium anomalies were detected and are discussed briefly in this report. None were considered significant and all appear to relate to cultural features. Magnetic data appear to be in agreement with existing structural interpretations of the area.
The Sunniland Limestone (Lower Cretaceous), consisting of carbonate rock and anhydrite, bears the only oil and gas production in southern Florida. Raccoon Point field, Collier County, Florida, is one of 13 fields discovered along the Sunniland producing trend, producing from paleotopographic highs associated with shelfal patch reefs and high-energy bioclastic deposits. Deposition of the Sunniland Limestone, as determined from detailed stratigraphic and microfacies analysis (using core, thin sections, and well logs), occurred in three transgressive-regressive packages or sequences: the lower, middle, and upper Sunniland. Each sequence is further divided into successive shallowing-upward intervals or parasequences. The dolomite reservoirs at Raccoon Point field occur at the top of the middle Sunniland and within the upper Sunniland. They are interpreted as high-energy deposits formed from bioclastic debris and as a network between rudist mounds. ...
The potential of water extracts produced from rice straw (RST) and empty fruit bunch of oil palm (EFB) composts fortified with Trichoderma harzianum for the control of Choanephora wet rot of okra caused by Choanephora cucurbitarum was studied under field conditions. Disease severity was lowest in plants treated with Trichoderma-fortified RST extracts (9.56%) with a disease index of 1, mancozeb (Dithane M-45 (2gl-1 of water), Trichoderma-fortified EFB compost extracts, extracts of RST and EFB, and an aqueous suspension of T. harzianum recorded disease severity values of 10.25%, 19.38%, 37.56%, 53.71% and 56.36%, with a disease index of 1, 1, 2, 3 and 3, respectively. There was a reduction of 85.04% in Choanephora wet rot severity on okra treated with Trichoderma-fortified RST extracts durin...
Abstract A one step method was used to prepare stable aqueous nanocomposite dispersions based on cellulose whiskers extracted from the rachis of the date palm tree and a poly(styrene co 2 ethyl hexylacrylate) copolymer via miniemulsion polymerization. A reactive silane, i.e., methacryloxypropyl triethoxysilane was added to stabilize the dispersion and favor the anchoring of the whiskers on polymer particles. Dynamic light scattering was used to study the effect of the silane and whiskers contents on the average particle size of the polymer. Nanocomposites materials were prepared from these dispersions using a casting/evaporation method. The effect of the silane and whiskers contents on the thermal and mechanical properties were studied using differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic me...
Cellulose whiskers and microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) were extracted from the rachis of date palm tree and characterized. These cellulosic nanoparticles were used as reinforcing phase to prepare nanocomposite films using latex of natural rubber as matrix. These films were obtained by the casting/evaporation method. The properties of the ensuing nanocomposite films were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, toluene and water uptake experiments, dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile tests. The stiffness of the natural rubber was significantly increased above its glass-rubber transition temperature upon nanoparticles addition. The reinforcing effect was shown to be higher for nanocomposites with MFC compared to whiskers. It was ascribed to the higher aspect ratio and possi...
Abstract:- An experimental investigation was carried out to evaluate the quality of-taralli-as a function of the type of oil used in their dough formulation. To this end, 4 types of oil (extra virgin olive oil, olive oil, olive-pomace oil, and refined palm oil) were utilized to prepare-taralli-to investigate on the lipid fraction degradation and evaluate the-taralli-acceptability by consumers. The data obtained pointed out that-taralli-manufactured with extra virgin olive oil were significantly more appreciated than those made with refined oils due to their visual appearance and odor. Moreover, with respect to the other kinds of oil, the use of extra virgin olive oil led to significantly lower values (P-< 0.05) of specific absorption at 232 and 270 nm (K232 and K270, respectively) and of t...
In this study, ethanol organosolv pretreatment was investigated and optimized for the pretreatment of empty palm fruit bunch using (1) response surface methodology based on three-variable central composite design and (2) the combined severity parameters. The reaction parameters studied were sulfuric acid concentration (0.5-2.0%), reaction temperature (160-200^oC) and residence time (45-90min). Both models provide valuable and complementary informations: using combined severity parameters, very good predictions were obtained concerning xylan and lignin extraction whereas central composite design is the best model for glucose production. The optimal values of the variables were as the followings: sulfuric acid 2.0% w/w, 160^oC, 78min and the experimental values (96.0%) concerning glucose and...
Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is widely cultivated in Kutch district of Gujarat and the fruits are harvested at immature stage before the onset of monsoon to prevent spoilage. The immature date fruits with less commercial value were used for processing into date juice concentrate. Immature dates were crushed and treated with 0.1% pectinase enzyme for 120 min to obtain maximum juice. Date juice was found to be rich in reducing sugars (16.1%) and total sugars (18.3%). Juice was pasteurized at 85?C to inactivate the enzyme, cooled and centrifuged at 3000 rpm to get clear juice. The juice was concentrated in a thin film evaporator to a total soluble solids (TSS) of 76?Brix in 2 passes. Chemical composition of date juice during different stages of concentration was determined. Date juice conc...
Due to shortage of fresh water resources, the vegetation of the eastern region of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has experienced a series of declines resulting from salinization of groundwater, which is the major source of irrigation. To assess these changes, field measurements combined with Thematic Mapper (TM) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) based Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) were analysed. TM and ETM+ images from two dates, 1987 and 2000 were acquired to enable the computation of the greenness anomalies for three sites in the eastern region, Fujairah, Kalba and Hatta. The results show an overall increase in agricultural area, associated with a severe decrease in vegetation greenness and health conditions, particularly in the Kalba study area. The SAVI values decreased ...
A new heterogeneous catalyst for the esterification of free fatty acids and the transesterification of vegetable oils is reported. The layered compound zinc hydroxide nitrate (Zn5(OH)8(NO3)22H2O) was very effective in the alcoholysis of palm oil and the esterification of lauric acid with m(ethanol), even when hydrated ethanol was used. Over the range of 100-140degreeC, the ester yield was the highest at 140degreeC, while the catalyst concentration had a much greater effect on ester yields than the molar ratio of alcohol to acid did. Total ester contents above 95wt% were obtained in both reactions and 93.2wt% glycerin streams were recovered as a result of methanolysis.
Energy use patterns and utilisation efficiencies in 40 factories producing palm kernel oil (PKO) in southwestern part of Nigeria were studied. The factories were stratified into small, medium and large scale categories based on the mode of operations and production capacities. Questionnaires were administered on the factories to obtain historical data on petrol, diesel and electricity consumption and PKO production outputs for seven years (1998-2004). Energy use efficiency indicators employed include: energy intensity (EI), energy cost per unit product (EC/P), energy ratio (ER), food energy ratio (FER) and percentage oil yield by weight. Results of the study indicated that averagely, 0.58, 0.53 and 0.74 GJ/10{sup 3} l of PKO were needed in the small, medium and large PKO factories, respectively. The average food energy ratios in the small, medium and large mills are 2.48, 2.53 and 2.14, respectively. The corresponding values of PKO conversion ratio are 0.43, 0.50 ...
Increasing economic and recreational opportunities, attractive scenery and a perception of a better quality of life are luring people to the coast. Unfortunately, these activities together with the commensurate increase in population in the area inevitably result in pollution of coastal waters with excessive microorganisms and other pollutants. Microbial pollutants not only contaminate the coastal water but also aquatic food sources, thus posing a health risk to consumers. Fish is a major source of protein in Cameroon, especially in the coastal areas. In this study, we investigated the microbiological quality of fish from the Limbe and Tiko beaches in South West Cameroon from May to October 2007. We isolated human pathogenic bacteria from three anatomic sites (skin, gills, intestine) of 50 fish (150 specimens) and investigated their susceptibility patterns to a battery of antibiotics. Data were analyzed statistically using chi2 with significance set at p South West ...
Weak lensing measurements are entering a precision era to statistically map the distribution of matter in the universe. The most common measurement has been of the variance of the projected surface density of matter, which corresponds to the induced correlation in alignments of background galaxies. This measurement of the fluctuations is insensitive to the total mass content, like using waves on the ocean to measure its depths. But when the depth is shallow as happens near a beach, waves become skewed. Similarly, a measurement of skewness in the projected matter distribution directly measures the total matter content of the universe. While skewness has already been convincingly detected, its constraint on cosmology is still weak. We address optimal analyses for the CFHT Legacy Survey in the presence of noise. We show that a compensated Gaussian filter with a width of 2.5 arc minutes optimizes the cosmological constraint, yielding $\\Delta \\Omega_m/\\Omega_m\\sim ...
Topics related to aerospace power are discussed, taking into account trends and issues of military space power systems technology, space station power system advanced development, the application and use of nuclear power for future spacecraft, the current status of advanced solar array technology development, the application of a parabolic trough concentrator to space station power needs, life test results of the Intelsat-V nickel-cadmium battery, and metal hydride hydrogen storage in nickel hydrogen batteries. Other subjects explored are concerned with alternative fuels, biomass energy, biomedical power, coal gasification, electric power cycles, and electric propulsion. Attention is given to an advanced terrestrial vehicle electric propulsion systems assessment, fuel cells as electric propulsion power plants, a sinewave synthesis for high efficiency dc-ac conversion, steam desulfurization of coal, leadless transfer of energy into the body to power implanted blood pumps, oil production ...
"What happens to conventional metals near the ocean?" you might ask the workers who are repairing the water tower at Jones Beach. They will tell you that both the tower's steel framework and copper roof show extensive corrosion from the salty air. To power future generations of cars, homes, utility plants, and even particle accelerators, unprecedented levels of efficiency will be needed. Such efficiency will require new unconventional alloys and composite materials that can also withstand high temperatures, intense radiation fluxes, high stresses, and other extreme conditions in highly corrosive environments that accelerate the aging and weakening of materials, as salty air weakens steel and copper. During the lecture, Simos will discuss the demands of next-generation energy systems and focus on the extreme conditions that materials used in these systems will perform under. He will also explain Brookhaven Lab's role in past, ongoing, and future ...
In this paper we present a novel approach to personal photo album management allowing the end user to efficiently access the collection without any need for tedious manual annotation or indexing of the photos. The proposed work exploits methods and technology from the field of computer vision and pattern recognition for face detection, face representation and image annotation to automatically create description of images useful for content-based searching and retrieval. In fact, even if most of the used techniques are not reliable enough to address the general problem of content-based image retrieval, we show that, in a limited domain such as the one of personal photo album, it is possible to obtain results that improve the browsing capabilities of current photo album management systems. In particular, starting from the observation that most personal photos depict a usually small number of people in a relatively small number of different context (indoor, outdoor, ...
The University of Michigan (UM) is a member of a team of researchers, including the universities of Florida, Texas, and Tennessee, along with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, developing robotic for hazardous environments. The goal of this research is to develop the intelligent and capable robots which can perform useful functions in the new generation of nuclear reactors currently under development. By augmenting human capabilities through remote robotics, increased safety, functionality, and reliability can be achieved. In accordance with the established lines of research responsibilities, our primary efforts during 1991 will continue to focus on the following areas: radiation imaging; mobile robot navigation; three-dimensional vision capabilities for navigation; and machine-intelligence. This report discuss work that has been and will be done in these areas.
The Air Force`s Armstrong Laboratory at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, has supported the research and development of Radio Frequency Soil Decontamination. Radio frequency soil decontamination is essentially a heat-assisted soil vapor extraction process. Site S-1 at Kelly Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, was selected for the demonstration of two patented techniques. The site is a former sump that collected spills and surface run-off from a waste petroleum, oils, and lubricants and solvent storage and transfer area. In 1993, a technique developed by the IIT Research Institute using an array of electrodes placed in the soil was demonstrated. In 1994, a technique developed by KAI Technologies, Inc. using a single applicator placed in a vertical borehole was demonstrated. Approximately 120 tons of soil were heated during each demonstration to a temperature of about 150 degrees Celsius.
Appraisals of the isothermal general corrosion of Incoloy 800 in steam at 595 and 650 deg.C indicated good long-term resistance (<7 mg/cm"2 weight gained in 20 years) whether surfaces were ground or electropolished. Electropolished surfaces corroded much faster than ground surfaces in earlier stages, (39 and 15 times as fast in 3000 hr at 595 and 650 deg.C, respectively), but the corrosion rate decreased with time and gave comparable estimates over the long term for both surface preparations. Both nonwelded and welded Incoloy 800 were definately susceptible in chloride stress-corrosion cracking tests of U-bend specimens in a cyclic, wet-dry steam environment. However, C-configuration specimens of Incoloy 800, which were less severly strained, did not crack in this environment. (author).
The required minimum 30-year post-closure care period for municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills can be shortened by reducing or eliminating of MSW components with long-terms effect in gas and leachate. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the relative persistence of landfill gas, leachate quantity, and selected leachate parameters using post-closure monitoring data from a case study landfill in south Florida. The relative persistence of selected decomposition byproducts in leachate were evaluated by both zero order and first order models based on monitoring data from the case study landfill. The analyses show that although gas and leachate production rates diminish very quickly, some contaminants remain in leachate as the decomposition process continues at a slower rate. For the c...
A study to determine how much energy can be recovered from a Florida citrus processing plant was conducted. The production of ethyl alcohol in particular was examined as it is thought to represent the greatest potential for immediate energy recovery. Three-fourths of the energy expended to produce, harvest, process and market a box of fruit was recoverable using existing technology, i.e. 78,500 Btu/ box of fruit recoverable from a total energy expenditure of 107,800 Btu/ box of fruit. Aside from the actual cost benefits of recovering energy in the form of ethanol, the food processor is also helping to reduce the foreign-oil imports by the blending of ethyl alcohol with unleaded gasoline to form gasohol.
The Fredericksberg of South Florida may have a great oil potential that has been overlooked as a primary target in past decades. Previous exploration in the area has targeted the Lower Cretaceous oil-producing Sunniland Formation lower in the stratigraphic section. The Fredericksberg Dollar Bay Formation has hydrocarbon shows in many wells occurring in limestone biohermal deposits as well as in an upper dolomitic section. The Dollar Bay Formation is part of the Big Cypress Group of the Comanchean Series of the Lower Cretaceous. The Lower Cretaceous lithology is composed of evaporitic-carbonate cycles consisting of anhydrites, dolomites, and limestones. There are also present some calcareous shales, mudstones, salt, lignitic material, and carbonaceous material, especially in the anhydrite and limestone intervals. The limestones are usually micritic, chalky, calcarenitic, sometimes argillaceous, containing skeletal particles of gastropods, pelecypods, ostracods, ...
Florida imports about 85% of its energy needs. Among the renewable energy sources available, biomass appears promising in Florida because of a favourable environment for production and the available methods to convert biomass to energy. Optimal production of biomass requires the identification and management of high yielding persistent perennial cultivars. Elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) and energycane (Saccharum spontaneum L.) are two tall grasses that meet these requirements. To optimize the supply of convertible biomass, suitable methods of harvesting the crop must be available. The purpose of this research was to study the feasibility and energetics of harvesting, drying and baling tall grasses with conventional farm machinery. A Mathews rotary scythe and a New Holland 849 Auto Wrap large round baler were determined to provide a practical harvesting system for baled biomass averaging 15-27 Mg ha [sup -1]. This harvesting system ...
With regard to polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE), there is few scientific knowledge on the emission patterns into the environment and exposure pathways to humans, and basic information is insufficient to consider what measures effective are. For the purpose of promoting risk reduction of target substances more effectively and efficiently, it is desirable to comprehend accurately the causal chain from the target substances utilization to the risk intake, and to evaluate the measures covering the whole applications of target substances. As the existing researches on the PBDE emission inventory, there are EU risk assessment report (European Chemical Bureau 2000, 2002, 2003), Danish EPA (1999), Palm et al.(2002) and Alcock et al. (2003). In addition, emissions of DecaBDE are published in TRI (Toxic Release Inventory) of US EPA. However, the primary information of the previous inventories is often the same and estimations based on the measured values are few. In ...
The ultra-high pressure waterjet technology was being evaluated at Florida International University (FIU) as a baseline technology. In conjunction with FIU's evaluation of efficiency and cost, this report covers the evaluation conducted for safety and health issues. It is a commercially available technology and has been used for various projects at locations throughout the country. The ultra-high pressure waterjet technology acts as a cutting tool for the removal of surface substrates. The Husky trademark pump feeds water to a lance that directs the high pressure water at the surface to be removed. The safety and health evaluation during the testing demonstration focused on two main areas of exposure. These were dust and noise. The dust exposure was found to be minimal, which would be expected due to the wet environment inherent in the technology, but noise exposure was at a significant level. Further testing for noise is recommended because of the outdoor ...
The US Department of Energy has provided support to four universities and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in order to pursue research leading to the development and deployment of an advanced robotic system capable of performing tasks that are hazardous to humans, that generate significant occupational radiation exposure, and/or whose execution times can be reduced if performed by an automated system. The goal is to develop a generation of advanced robotic systems capable of performing surveillance, maintenance, and repair tasks in nuclear facilities and other hazardous environments. This goal will be achieved through a team effort among the Universities of Florida, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas, and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and their industrial partners, Combustion Engineering, Martin Marietta Baltimore Aerospace, Odetics, Remotec, and Telerobotics International. Each of the universities and ORNL have ongoing activities and corresponding facilities in ...
A gamma-ray spectrometer (GRS) has been built and delivered to the Mercury MESSENGER spacecraft which launched on August 3, 2004, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The GRS, a part of seven scientific instruments on board MESSENGER, is based on a coaxial high-purity germanium detector. Gamma-ray detectors based on germanium have the advantage of providing excellent energy resolution, which is critical to achieving the science goals of the mission. However, germanium has the disadvantage that it must operate at cryogenic temperatures (typically {approx}80 K). This requirement is easy to satisfy in the laboratory but difficult near Mercury, which has an extremely hot thermal radiation environment. To cool the detector, a Stirling cycle mechanical cooler is employed. In addition, radiation and conduction techniques a are used to reduce the GRS heat load. Before delivering the flight sensor, a complete thermal prototype was built and tested. The results of these test, ...
The movement from traditional regulatory hearings to negotiated settlements represents both a departure from cost of service regulation and a relaxation of regulatory oversight. Under negotiation parties are able to renegotiate inclusions in their cost of service while simultaneously creating a profit margin for the regulated firm where none existed under the cost of service outcome of a traditional hearing. This paper constructs a model to illustrate the existence of positive gains to pipeline and shipper from the re-allocation of expenses through time in the regulated pipeline services market in Canada. Behaviour consistent with the model is observable in anecdotal and econometric evidence gathered from the library of the National Energy Board of Canada, responsible for pipeline toll regulation in Canada. Empirical investigation by into settlement procedures in the Florida electricity market reveals similar findings; however, this analysis represents the first ...
A Numerical study of beam dynamics was performed for two injector systems for the proposed National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at the Florida State University (FSU) Free Electron Laser (FEL) facility. The first considered a system consisting of a thermionic DC gun, two buncher cavities operated at 260 MHz and 1.3 GHz and two TESLA type cavities, and is very similar to the injector of the ELBE Radiation Source. The second system we studied uses a DC photogun (a copy of JLab FEL electron gun), one buncher cavity operated at 1.3 GHz and two TESLA type cavities. The study is based on PARMELA simulations and takes into account operational experience of both the JLab FEL and the Radiation Source ELBE. The simulations predict the second system will have a much smaller longitudinal emittance. For this reason the DC photo gun based injector is preferred for the proposed FSU FEL facility.
The primary objective of the project is to investigate the long-term effects of commercially available tangentially-fired low NO{sub x} combustion technologies on NOx emissions and boiler performance on Unit 2 at Gulf Power Company`s Plant Lansing Smith located near Lynn Haven, Florida. The project will characterize emissions and performance of a tangentially-fired boiler operating in the following configurations: Baseline ``as-found`` configuration: Phase 1; retrofitted low NO{sub x} concentric firing system (LNCFS) Level 2 and simulated low NO{sub x} bulk furnace staging (LNBFS): Phase 2; retrofitted low NO{sub x} concentric firing system (LNCFS) Level 3, Phase 3a and simulated LNCFS Level 1, Phase 3b.
The primary objective of the project is to investigate the long-term effects of commercially available tangentially-fired low NO{sub x} combustion technologies on NOx emissions and boiler performance on Unit 2 at Gulf Power Company's Plant Lansing Smith located near Lynn Haven, Florida. The project will characterize emissions and performance of a tangentially-fired boiler operating in the following configurations: Baseline as-found'' configuration: Phase 1; retrofitted low NO{sub x} concentric firing system (LNCFS) Level 2 and simulated low NO{sub x} bulk furnace staging (LNBFS): Phase 2; retrofitted low NO{sub x} concentric firing system (LNCFS) Level 3, Phase 3a and simulated LNCFS Level 1, Phase 3b.
Recent organic geochemical studies differ radically in their interpretation of the origin of the Gulf coast oils. However all studies since (and including) Thompson, et al. 1989, emphasize the considerable geographic variation in genetic oil types and are in generalized agreement as to the genetic oil types present and their spatial and stratigraphic relationships. In particular it is accepted that the Gulf rim (both north and south) is encircled by a ring of Mesozoic carbonate-sourced oils and that there is also at least one major deep water trend of carbonate-sourced oils in the northern Gulf. It is also generally agreed that many of the Gulf rim oils are of Oxfordian-Kimmeridgian age, though some, like the Sunniland oils of Florida, are of lower Cretaceous origin. Major disagreement still occurs over the sources of the Louisiana offshore oils and onshore Wilcox reservoired oils. One {open_quotes}school of thought{close_quotes} assigns all these oils to Mesozoic ...
Begomoviruses are phytopathogens that threaten food security [18]. Sida spp. are ubiquitous weed species found in Jamaica. Sida samples were collected island-wide, DNA was extracted via a modified Dellaporta method, and the viral genome was amplified using degenerate and sequence-specific primers [2, 11]. The amplicons were cloned and sequenced. Sequence analysis revealed that a DNA-A molecule isolated from a plant in Liguanea, St. Andrew, was 90.9% similar to Sida golden yellow vein virus-[United States of America:Homestead:A11], making it a strain of SiGYVV. It was named Sida golden yellow vein virus-[Jamaica:Liguanea 2:2008] (SiGYVV-[JM:Lig2:08]). The cognate DNA-B, previously unreported, was successfully cloned and was most similar to that of Malvastrum yellow mosaic Jamaica virus (MaYMJV). Phylogenetic analysis suggested that this virus was most closely related to begomoviruses that infect malvaceous hosts in Jamaica, Cuba and Florida in the United States. ...
The report summarizes the evaluation and recommendations regarding an approach to wetland sampling and characterization developed by the Wetlands Research Program (WRP) at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Research Laboratory, Corvallis, OR. Between trials, team members discussed at length the methodology and field protocols and modified them to reflect the conditions and difficulties encountered in sampling herbaceous wetlands in urban areas of Florida. Major emphasis is placed on the appropriateness of measured variables for determining successful wetland re-creation. Numerous physical and biological parameters were measured and compared in the nine created and nine natural wetlands. Analysis of these data has shown some important similarities and differences between created and natural wetlands and lends insight into the complex questions surrounding wetland creation and the equivalency of created wetlands to naturally occurring wetlands. ...
With the passing of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the United States is experiencing for the first time in over two decades, what some refer to as the 'Nuclear Renaissance'. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recognizes this surge in application submissions and is committed to reviewing these applications in a timely manner to support the country's growing energy demands. Notwithstanding these facts, it is understood that the nuclear industry requires appropriately trained and educated personnel to support the growing needs of the nuclear industry and the US NRC. Equally important is the need to educate the next generation of students in nuclear non-proliferation, nuclear forensics and various aspects of homeland security for the national laboratories and the Department of Defense. From mechanical engineers educated and experienced in materials, thermal/fluid dynamics, and component failure analysis, to physicists using advanced computing techniques ...
This research report discusses the radiation hardening of a commercially available mobile robot, the REMOTEC ANDROS. This hardening effort is culminating in the availability of a megarad hardened mobile platform to access areas in nuclear facilities with extremely high levels of radiation (0.1 to 1 Mrad). These radiation levels may be encountered both during routine repair and monitoring activities and accident situations. The project has completed a phase-I U.S. Department of Energy Small Business Innovative Research contract and is now in a phase-II effort with completion scheduled in early 1995. The research involves the evaluation of the material and electrical components of an ANDROS robot to determine the anticipated radiation hardness of the current production version and evaluation of the components that must be replaced or modified to harden the system to higher radiation levels. The work being reported is based on an evaluation of the complete list of all electronic, ...
Most radiologists accept that modest doses of irradiation (4500-5000 rad/4 1/2-5 weeks) can control subclinical regional lymph node metastases from squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck and adenocarcinomas of the breast. There have been few reports concerning elective irradiation of the ilioinguinal region. Between October 1964 and March 1980, 91 patients whose primary cancers placed the ilioinguinal lymph nodes at risk received elective irradiation at the University of Florida. Included are patients with cancers of the vulva, penis, urethra, anus and lower anal canal, and cervix or vaginal cancers that involved the distal one-third of the vagina. In 81 patients, both inguinal areas were clinically negative; in 10 patients, one inguinal area was positive and the other negative by clinical examination. The single significant complication was a bilateral femoral neck fracture. The inguinal areas of four patients developed mild to moderate fibrosis. One ...
A total of 10 samples disks of 2024-T3 aluminum and 4130 ferrous steel were exposed to rocket-triggered lightning currents at the Kennedy Space Center test site in Florida during the summer of 1990. The experimental configuration was arranged so that the samples were not exposed to the preliminary streamer, wire-burn, or following currents that are associated with an upward-initiated rocket-triggered flash but which are a typical of naturally initiated lightning. Return-stroke currents and continuing currents actually attaching to the sample were measured, augmented by close-up video recordings of approximately 3 feet of the channel above the sample and by 16-mm movies with 5-ms resolution. From these data it was possible to correlate individual damage spots with streamer, return-stroke, and continuing currents that produced them. Substantial penetration of 80-mil aluminum was produced by a continuing current of submedian amplitude and duration, and full ...
Cooling towers of power plants are used to dissipate waste heat into the atmosphere. If saline water is used for cooling, a saline aerosol known as drift is released into the atmosphere. Drift effects on vegetation are not well known. To simulate drift for a field study, cooling tower basin water was sprayed thirty separate times during a 46-day period in 1975 on Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana), flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipfera), and California privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium), Norway spruce (Picea abies), and white ash (Fraxinus americana) were added in 1976 and all trees were sprayed 43 times during a 59-day period. Only dogwood leaves showed significant injury. Absence of injury on other species was probably due to the ability of their leaves to exclude, or reduce absorption of, toxic concentrations of the ions supplied.
The Potomac Electric Power Company generating station at Chalk Point, MD, utilizes brackish water in its natural draft cooling tower and, consequently, releases saline aerosol into the atmosphere. A research and monitoring project was established in 1974 to evaluate the effects of this drift on native perennial vegetation. Leaf samples have been collected form dogwood, Cornys florida, Virginia pine, Pinus virginiana, black locust, Robinia pseudoacacia, and sassafras, Sassafras albidum, located at 12 different sites in the vicinity of the power plant. Sampling was begun prior to the operation of the cooling tower, 1974, and continued through 1978. Complete results from monthly monitoring of foliar chloride in the four native tree species is documented for May through September 1978. Results from salt spray experiments indicate chloride and sodium concentrations in the wood of dogwood trees increases with increased spraying levels.
The object of this research is the evaluation of the performance of ultra high speed relays (UHSR's) used for protection of a-c transmission lines. For purposes of this report, these are relays whose response time is less than a quarter of a cycle of the 60 Hz wave (i.e. 4.167 ms.). To identify relaying schemes that may comply with this definition, a literature survey was undertaken. The selected relays were studied in detail and modeled on a digital computer. A theoretical description of these relays is presented. Records of real transient data as well as of simulated data were used as input to the digital models of relays. The real data were recorded by means of monitoring stations connected to the Florida Power and Light Company transmission lines. The simulated data were obtained by modeling the relevant parts of the utility's transmission system using a University of British Columbia simplified version of the well known Electromagnetic ...
In order to watch the environment of the construction site of dismantling of the former pipe of releases in sea of Cogema-La Hague, the special and permanent commission of Information near the establishment Cogema of La Hague (C.S.P.I.) asked the association for the radiation monitoring in the West (A.C.R.O.) to realize a specific campaign of measures, on the basis of a protocol accepted by the C.S.P.I.. During the three years of the building work, two significant increases of the concentration in {sup 137}Cs in the marine flora with at most, 9.3 Bq/kg dry, are noticed so be it ten times the concentration that could be measured before the building work begins. We note a net improvement of the situation after the works. The {sup 137}Cs tends finally to disappear. For the sedimentary masses and the sands of beaches, it is outlined no increase of the contamination in {sup 137}Cs (during the works and in posteriori) which translates in a irrefutable way contributions ...
In 2002 and again in 2003, an investigative journalist unit at ABC News transported a 6.8 kilogram metallic slug of depleted uranium (DU) via shipping container from Istanbul, Turkey to Brooklyn, NY and from Jakarta, Indonesia to Long Beach, CA. Targeted inspection of these shipping containers by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel, included the use of gamma-ray imaging, portal monitors and hand-held radiation detectors, did not uncover the hidden DU. Monte Carlo analysis of the gamma-ray intensity and spectrum of a DU slug and one consisting of highly-enriched uranium (HEU) showed that DU was a proper surrogate for testing the ability of DHS to detect the illicit transport of HEU. Our analysis using MCNP-5 illustrated the ease of fully shielding an HEU sample to avoid detection. The assembly of an Improvised Nuclear Device (IND) -- a crude atomic bomb -- from sub-critical pieces of HEU metal was then examined via Monte Carlo criticality calculations. ...
Purpose: Radiotherapy (RT) has been the predominant local treatment for Ewing's sarcoma of bone at the University of Florida. Twice-daily hyperfractionated RT was initiated in 1982 to improve local control and functional outcome. This retrospective review compares the results of once-daily vs. twice-daily RT in patients with primary Ewing's sarcoma of an extremity, with emphasis on functional outcome. Methods and Materials: Between June 1971 and January 1990, 37 patients were treated at the University of Florida for nonmetastatic Ewing's sarcoma of bone with a primary lesion in an extremity. Three patients underwent amputation. Of 34 patients treated with RT, 31 had RT alone and 3 had a combination of RT and local excision. Before 1982, 14 patients received once-daily RT; since 1982, 17 patients have received twice-daily RT. Doses of once-daily RT varied from 47 to 61 Gy at 1.8-2 Gy per fraction. Doses of twice-daily RT varied, depending on the ...
Full text of publication follows: The former UK Royal Artillery Range, Hebrides had been used to store and use radioactive miss distance indicators (R.A.M.D.I.) in the testing of Rapier missiles. As part of the testing, missiles were fired out to sea between about 1970 and 1981. Concerns were expressed in early 2004 by some within the local community that there was an unknown, ongoing hazard to them from the impact on the local environment resulting from the use radioactive material in these trials. Accordingly Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Environmental Science Department (D.s.t.l. E.S.D.) were tasked by the Ministry of Defence to carry out an Environmental Survey of the former Royal Artillery Range, Hebrides and surrounding areas; the environmental survey was carried between the dates of 18 28 May 2004. D.s.t.l. E.S.D. environmental survey focussed upon buildings and areas within and immediately adjacent to the Range Compound, launch areas, and the burial site used ...
Our purpose in this work was to develop an automatic boundary detection method for mammographic masses and to rigorously test this method via statistical analysis. The segmentation method utilized a steepest change analysis technique for determining the mass boundaries based on a composed probability density cost function. Previous investigators have shown that this function can be utilized to determine the border of the mass body. We have further analyzed this method and have discovered that the steepest changes in this function can produce mass delineations that include extended projections. The method was tested on 124 digitized mammograms selected from the University of South Florida's Digital Database for Screening Mammography (DDSM). The segmentation results were validated using overlap, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity statistics, where the gold standards were manual traces provided by two expert radiologists. We have concluded that the best intensity ...
The NGDRS has facilitated 85% of cores, cuttings, and other data identified available for transfer to the public sector. Over 12 million linear feet of cores and cuttings, in addition to large numbers of paleontological samples and are now available for public use. To date, with industry contributions for program operations and data transfers, the NGDRS project has realized a 6.5 to 1 return on investment to Department of Energy funds. Large-scale transfers of seismic data have been evaluated, but based on the recommendation of the NGDRS steering committee, cores have been given priority because of the vast scale of the seismic data problem relative to the available funding. The rapidly changing industry conditions have required that the primary core and cuttings preservation strategy evolve as well. Additionally, the NGDRS clearinghouse is evaluating the viability of transferring seismic data covering the western shelf of the Florida Gulf Coast. AGI remains ...
The NGDRS has facilitated 85% of cores, cuttings, and other data identified available for transfer to the public sector. Over 12 million linear feet of cores and cuttings, in addition to large numbers of paleontological samples and are now available for public use. To date, with industry contributions for program operations and data transfers, the NGDRS project has realized a 6.5 to 1 return on investment to Department of Energy funds. Large-scale transfers of seismic data have been evaluated, but based on the recommendation of the NGDRS steering committee, cores have been given priority because of the vast scale of the seismic data problem relative to the available funding. The rapidly changing industry conditions have required that the primary core and cuttings preservation strategy evolve as well. Additionally, the NGDRS clearinghouse is evaluating the viability of transferring seismic data covering the western shelf of the Florida Gulf Coast. AGI remains ...
This report presents findings from the first year of a two-year study of interactive efforts involving utilities and non-utility parties (NUPS) working together to prepare plans, develop Demand-Side Management (DSM) programs, or otherwise promote integrated planning and the use of cost-effective DSM measures. Of the ten cases covered in the current study, seven involved the collaborative approach to NUP involvement, which generally is marked by intensive utility-NUP interactions designed to reach consensus on a broad range of important issues; in collaboratives, outside consultants often are provided to enhance the technical capabilities of the NUPS. Another of the cases in this study involved a cooperative arrangement,'' whereby a utility and a NLT worked together in a focused short-term effort to develop a single DSM program. The intense interaction involved in this approach makes it very similar to a collaborative, except that both the scope and the duration of the ...
This report presents findings from the first year of a two-year study of interactive efforts involving utilities and non-utility parties (NUPS) working together to prepare plans, develop Demand-Side Management (DSM) programs, or otherwise promote integrated planning and the use of cost-effective DSM measures. Of the ten cases covered in the current study, seven involved the collaborative approach to NUP involvement, which generally is marked by intensive utility-NUP interactions designed to reach consensus on a broad range of important issues; in collaboratives, outside consultants often are provided to enhance the technical capabilities of the NUPS. Another of the cases in this study involved a ``cooperative arrangement,`` whereby a utility and a NLT worked together in a focused short-term effort to develop a single DSM program. The intense interaction involved in this approach makes it very similar to a collaborative, except that both the scope and the duration of the effort were ...
If geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) are to make a significant mark in the market, we believe that it will be through energy service pricing contracts offered by retailcos. The benefits of GHPs are ideally suited to energy service pricing (ESP) contractual arrangements; however, few retailcos are thoroughly familiar with the benefits of GHPs. Many of the same barriers that have prevented GHPs from reaching their full potential in the current market environment remain in place for retailcos. A lack of awareness, concerns over the actual efficiencies of GHPs, perceptions of extremely high first costs, unknown records for maintenance costs, etc. have all contributed to limited adoption of GHP technology. These same factors are of concern to retailcos as they contemplate long term customer contracts. The central focus of this project was the creation of models, using actual GHP operating data and the experience of seasoned professionals, to simulate the financial performance of GHPs in ...
Cretaceous Sunniland Formation rudistid reservoir facies buried at 3,520 meters (92 C) between evaporite units contain marginally mature algal sapropelic carbonate source rock hydrocarbons. The closed system aids in identification of porosity redistribution related to hydrocarbon emplacement. Multiple dissolution and cementation events associated with hydrocarbon migration pulses are particularly evident along stylolites. Corrosion usually predates typically interparticle first generation saddle dolomite, and corroded saddle dolomite may be observed with two generations of optically continuous limpid overgrowths separated by a corrosive boundary. Dissolution or dedolomitization may provide a magnesium source for subsequent dolomite cements. Carbonic and organic acids are probable primary corrosive agents. Moldic, stylolite and fracture porosity, often reduced by dolomite cements, was generated. Moldic pores may develop from peloids by dissolution of peripheral micritized areas. If ...
Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils that have been chemically modified by esterification; an example is rapeseed oil methyl ester (RME), made by treating rapeseed oil with methanol. Biodiesel can be burned directly in diesel engines. Oil from the rapeseed variety known as 00 was the first type of vegetable oil used for transesterification to produce biodiesel. Many other oils have been used successfully as biodiesel feedstock including sunflower oil in Southern France and Italy, soybean oil in the USA, and palm oil in Malaysia. Biodiesel can be made from a wide range of feedstock and multi-feedstock blends. Compared to conventional diesel biodiesel has some environmentally friendly advantages, e.g. biodiesel is reported to release fewer solid particles. Potentially even more important is the low level of carbon dioxide generation associated with biodiesel, at a time when CO{sub 2} emissions are falling in every industrial sector except transport. Life-cycle ...
The extensive research and development effort was initiated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in 2002 at West Virginia University (WVU) in order to investigate practical ways of reducing the structural weight and increasing the durability of heavy vehicles through the judicious use of lightweight composite materials. While this project was initially focused on specific Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) material, namely Aluminum/Silicon Carbide (Al/SiC) commercially referenced as ''LANXIDE'', the current research effort was expanded from the component level to the system level and from MMC to other composite material systems. Broadening the scope of this research is warranted not only by the structural and economical deficiencies of the ''LANXIDE'' MMC material, but also by the strong coupling that exists between the material and the geometric characteristics of the structure. Such coupling requires a truly ...
Energy from biomass is a CO{sub 2} neutral, sustainable form of energy. Anaerobic digestion is an established technology for converting biomass to biogas, which contains around 60% methane, besides CO{sub 2} and various contaminants. Most types of biomass contain material that cannot be digested; in woody biomass, this portion is particularly high. Therefore, conventional anaerobic digestion is not suited for the production of biogas from woody biomass. While wood is already being converted to energy by conventional thermal methods (gasification with subsequent methanation), dung, manure, and sewage sludge represent types of biomass whose energy potential remains largely untapped (present energetic use of manure in Switzerland: 0.4%). Conventional gas phase processes suffer from a low efficiency due to the high water content of the feed (enthalpy of vaporization). An alternative technology is the hydrothermal gasification: the water contained within the biomass serves as reaction ...
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