SandflyMap: leveraging spatial data on sand fly vector distribution for disease risk assessments

We feature SandflyMap (www.sandflymap.org), a new map service within VectorMap (www.vectormap.org) that allows free public online access to global sand fly, tick and mosquito collection records and habitat suitability models. Given the short home range of sand flies, combining remote sensing and collection point data give a powerful insight into the environmental determinants of sand fly distribution. SandflyMap is aimed at medical entomologists, vector disease control workers, public health officials and health planners. Data are checked for geographical and taxonomic errors, and are comprised of vouchered specimen information, and both published and unpublished observation data. SandflyMap uses Microsoft Silverlight and ESRI’s ArcGIS Server 10 software platform to present disease vector data and relevant remote sensing layers in an online geographical information system format. Users can view the locations of past vector collections and the results of models that predict the geographic extent of individual species. Collection records are searchable and downloadable, and Excel collection forms with drop down lists, and Excel charts to country, are available for data contributors to map and quality control their data. SandflyMap makes accessible, and adds value to, the results of past sand fly collecting efforts. We detail the workflow for entering occurrence data from the literature to SandflyMap, using an example for sand flies from South America. We discuss the utility of SandflyMap as a focal point to increase collaboration and to explore the nexus between geography and vector-borne disease transmission

Development of an inflight centrifuge screw pile installation and loading system

To simulate the prototype installation behaviour of screw piles at realistic confining stress lev-els, a new installation and loading rig, consisting of two independently-controlled servo-motor drive systems was developed to allow screw pile models to be installed and axially load-tested inflight in one operation at 50 g. This system was developed around the Scalable Actuator Control System architecture (SACS) recently installed on the Dundee centrifuge, based around a National Instruments compactRIO controller with modu-larly scale-able servo drive interfaces. 1:50 scale model screw piles were manufactured from mild steel with 10 mm diameter cores with 25 mm diameter flanges welded on, representing a new generation of larger screw pile proposed for offshore marine renewable applications. These were installed up to 200 mm depth in dry dense sand to demonstrate the performance and capabilities of the new actuator. This paper details the design philosophy and operation of the servo motor actuation system for inflight screw pile installati

Characterisation of corrosion of nuclear metal wastes encapsulated in magnesium silicate hydrate (MSH) cement

A novel low pH magnesium silicate hydrate cement system for encapsulating nuclear industry wastes have been developed using blends of MgO, silica fume (SF), MgCO3 and sand. Aluminium and Magnox swarf were encapsulated in both this new system and in a BFS/PC control system used in the nuclear industry. The interaction of the optimised mortar with the metal strips has been investigated, both in terms of rate of continued corrosion as well as the phases that form by reaction of the binder with different metal strips. Magnox swarf was better bound into the BFS/PC system than MgO/SF system whereas Al 1050 metal strips were bound better into the MgO/SF samples than into the BFS/PC reference mortar. No H2 generation was recorded when aluminium or magnox were encapsulated in the new binder, which is substantially better than what can be achieved with the reference system. Hence, the newly developed binder could potentially encapsulate mixtures of reactive metals better than the existing solution

Assessment and Evaluation of Sand Control Methods for a North Sea Field

Imperial Users onl

Design comparison of experimental storm water detention systems treating concentrated road runoff

The aim was to assess the treatment efficiencies of experimental storm water detention (extended storage) systems based on the Atlantis Water Management Limited detention cells receiving concentrated runoff that has been primary treated by filtration with different inert aggregates. Randomly collected gully pot liquor was used in stead of road runoff. To test for a 'worst case scenario', the experimental system received higher volumes and pollutant concentrations in comparison to real detention systems under real (frequently longer but diluted) runoff events. Gravel (6 and 20 mm), sand (1.5 mm), Ecosoil (inert 2 mm aggregate provided by Atlantis Water Management Limited), block paving and turf were tested in terms of their influence on the water quality. Concentrations of five-day @ 20� C ATU biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in contrast to suspended solids (SS) were frequently reduced to below international secondary wastewater treatment standards. The denitrification process was not completed. This resulted in higher outflow than inflow nitrate-nitrogen concentrations. An analysis of variance indicated that some systems were similar in terms of most of their treatment performance variables including BOD and SS. It follows that there is no advantage in using additional aggregates with high adsorption capacities in the primary treatment stage

Hampton-Seabrook Estuary Habitat Restoration Compendium

The goal of this report is to identify restoration opportunities within the watershed derived from data on habitat change. Many other factors exist that are important in the identification and selection of restoration projects, including water quality and non-point source pollution, water withdrawal, harbor maintenance, recreational impacts, human history, and socioeconomic factors, among others. Although information regarding these factors is not explicitly included in this analysis, these factors must be considered and addressed as they may limit the potential for success in specific restoration effort

Hampton-Seabrook Estuary Restoration Compendium

The Hampton-Seabrook Estuary Habitat Restoration Compendium (HSEHRC) is a compilation of information on the historic and current distributions of salt marsh and sand dune habitats and diadromous fishes within the Hampton-Seabrook Estuary watershed. These habitats and species groups were selected due to the important ecological role they play within the watershed and with effective restoration and conservation efforts, will continue to play. Other ecologically important habitats and species, such as avifauna, shellfish and eelgrass beds, currently are or historically were present within the watershed. Shellfish and seagrass are recognized as important habitats within the Estuary, but were not included in the current report because a different analytical approach may be required for such dynamic and/or short-lived species. A recent report by the New Hampshire (NH) Audubon Society details modern bird use of the Hampton-Seabrook Estuary (McKinley and Hunt 2008). Restoration opportunities have been identified within the watershed by evaluating habitat loss and changes in land use over time. Restoration opportunities are not prioritized in order to allow the goals and objectives of each restoration practitioner to govern project selection. However, in accordance with an ecosystem-based approach to restoration, areas containing multi-habitat restoration opportunities are considered to be of the highest priority. Furthermore, restoration efforts should ensure processes critical for the support of restored components are maintained or reestablished. The goal of this report is to identify restoration opportunities within the watershed derived from data on habitat change. Many other factors exist that are important in the identification and selection of restoration projects, including water quality and non-point source pollution, water withdrawal, harbor maintenance, recreational impacts, human history, and socioeconomic factors, among others. Although information regarding these factors is not explicitly included in this analysis, these factors must be considered and addressed as they may limit the potential for success in specific restoration efforts We present a series of maps detailing changes in the extent of sand dune and salt marsh habitats over time, the current and historic distribution of seven diadromous fish species, and restoration opportunities within the Hampton-Seabrook Estuary and watershed. A narrative describes the methods used, the results of analyses and examples of prominent restoration projects. Each major section concludes with references used in the narrative and maps. The maps are available for viewing as portable document format (.pdf) files. For those with GIS capabilities, the ArcMap 9.2 project files, associated data files and metadata are included on the compact disc as well. The underlying concept and methods for the HSEHRC stem from a previous project conducted within the Great Bay Estuary, the Great Bay Estuary Restoration Compendium (Odell et al. 2006)

Eelgrass Distribution in the Great Bay Estuary and Piscataqua River for 2017

Eelgrass distribution in Great Bay, Little Bay, and the Piscataqua River Estuary was mapped from aerial photography acquired on August 24, 2017. The total area of eelgrass beds with 10% or greater cover and a polygon area equal to or greater than 100 square meters was 625.9 hectares or 1546.7 acres. Eelgrass polygons were coded for Assessment Zone location and the results reported for each zone. The largest concentration of eelgrass was found in Great Bay with lesser amounts in the vicinity of Portsmouth Harbor. The total area of eelgrass beds with 10% or greater cover and a polygon area equal to or greater than 100 square meters has decreased by 142 acres which is approximately an 8.5% decrease from the previous year

Winning customer loyalty in an automotive company through Six Sigma: a case study

Six Sigma is a disciplined approach to improving product, process and service quality. Since its inception at Motorola in the mid 1980s Six Sigma has evolved significantly and continues to expand to improve process performance, enhance business profitability and increase customer satisfaction. This paper presents an extensive literature review based on the experiences of both academics and practitioners on Six Sigma, followed by the application of the Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control (DMAIC) problem-solving methodology to identify the parameters causing casting defects and to control these parameters. The results of the study are based on the application of tools and techniques in the DMAIC methodology, i.e. Pareto Analysis, Measurement System Analysis, Regression Analysis and Design of Experiment. The results of the study show that the application of the Six Sigma methodology reduced casting defects and increased the process capability of the process from 0.49 to 1.28. The application of DMAIC has resulted in a significant financial impact (over U.S. $110 000 per annum) on the bottom-line of the company