Changing Water Resources’ Effect on Livelihoods and Socio-Ecological Relationships in Himalayan Communities of Nepal

The looming threat of climate change will lead to significant alterations in livelihoods and daily practices for individuals across the world. This paper seeks to identify the effects of climate change on hydrological regimes in Himalayan communities in Nepal with particular focus towards livelihood and socio-ecological transformations. Using the socio-ecological systems framework to analyze specific communities and their resource use, along with vulnerability and adaptative capacity analysis, this paper includes a meta-analysis of existing literature. Numerous findings indicated that rural, mountainous communities of Nepal face a variety of environmental impacts which may reduce viability of two significant modes of production: agriculture and pastoralism. Vulnerability to climate change among these communities is often related to socioeconomic status and history of social, economic, and political power. Additionally, the most significant method for reducing vulnerability is to diversify income generation. This research emphasizes the need for further exploration of the unique vulnerabilities of high altitude communities to transformations of hydrological regimes affected by climate change

Baseline evaluation of indoor air quality from Nicaraguan households using traditional cook stoves

Department Head: Jac A. Nickoloff.2010 Spring.Includes bibliographical references (pages 101-107).Indoor cook stoves are still used as a primary energy source across the world in many developing countries. Inefficient stoves cause incomplete combustion of biomass fuel, resulting in an unhealthy increase of indoor air pollutants, including carbon monoxide (CO) and particle matter (PM). Use of these stoves is a global problem that must be addressed to help reduce indoor air pollutant exposures and combustion emissions. Most studies assessing traditional cook stoves are limited; the extended length and thorough exposure assessment of this study make it unique, providing better data for evaluation. This part of the study will assess the baseline exposure data from a longitudinal study of 123 Nicaraguan households collected over the summer of 2008. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was assessed continuously via 48-hour indoor monitoring using the UCB Particle Monitor. Indoor and personal carbon monoxide levels were assessed continuously via 48-hour indoor and personal monitoring using the lightweight, portable, data-logging Drager Pac 7000. PM2.5 and carbon monoxide indoor sampling devices were collocated inside the kitchen at a height representative of breathing zones. The personal carbon monoxide device was worn by the participant during the day and placed by her bedside overnight. Regression exposure models were developed using variables from the kitchen that can predict ventilation, including amount of eave space, kitchen volume, number of windows, number of doors, number of walls, and primary type of wall material. Cooking practices and activities were also considered in the models including exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, hours spent cooking per day, hours fire burns per day, and hours spent in the room with the fire burning per day. At the end of the summer baseline collection, improved cook stoves were installed in each participating household. High concentrations of indoor air pollution were recorded in households using traditional cook stoves. For indoor carbon monoxide, mean concentrations were 146 ppm (1-hour max), 67 ppm (8-hour max), and 26 ppm (48-hour). For personal CO, mean concentrations were 32 ppm (1-hour max), 8 ppm (8-hour max), and 2 ppm (48-hour). For indoor PM2.5, mean concentrations were 11,272 μg/m3 (1-hour max), 3655 μg/m3 (8-hour max), and 1364 μg/m3 (48-hour). In exposure assessment models, kitchen volume and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke were found to explain the most variation in indoor carbon monoxide levels. For personal carbon monoxide, number of doors and hours spent cooking per day influenced levels most. Amount of eave space and environmental tobacco smoke explained the most variation in indoor PM2.5 levels. Peaks in pollutant exposure were also evaluated in assessment models. However, all model results should be interpreted with caution. R-square values were very low for these models, meaning that the variables we collected data on did not explain much variation in pollutant concentrations. The data collected on exposure parameters did not explain much variation in indoor air quality. Further research is needed as to which housing factors and/or cooking practices affect pollutant levels most

Electronic Media Use and Dating Aggression Among Young Adult College Students

Electronic media are popular for communication among adults ages 18 to 25. However, electronic media may also be used as tools for dating aggression, such as intimidation, insult, control, or abuse. The purpose of this quantitative casual-comparative study was to examine whether adult attachment styles predict electronically-mediated dating aggression. Adult attachment style theory provided the framework for the study. Survey data were collected from 300 first-year college students ages 18 to 25. The independent variable was students’ attachment style as measured by the Experiences of Close Relationships Scale–Revised. Dependent variables were operationalized using the Partner Electronic Aggression Questionnaire, the Situational Triggers of Aggressive Responses, and the Partner Aggression Technology Scale. Results of between-group analyses of variance indicated no significant differences for attachment style in victimization or perpetration or for goals of dating aggression. Students with preoccupied attachment styles scored significantly higher than secure or anxious students in situational triggers for frustration. Results may inform stakeholders regarding risk factors for electronically-mediated dating aggression, and may help stakeholders in planning prevention and intervention activities

Renewable Energy

Lesson Plan for Renewable Energy- Environmental Science

A Biography of the Life of Thomas Gamble

Thomas Gamble who was a Newspaperman, six-tern Mayor of Savannah, Mayor of Savannah Beach, Historical Researcher and Writer, the father of Armstrong Junior College, a Publisher, a Husband, a Father, a decorated Chevalier Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, a recipient of a bronze medallion from the LS. Pulaski Sesqui-centennlal commission, a recipient of the Lucas Cup trophy and member of various other notable civic and social societies, commissions and boards. He was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1868 .and died in 1945 after adopting Savannah as his home in 1888.https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/sav-bios-lane/1127/thumbnail.jp

Standardized Construction of HPC Clusters for Academic Usage

A model for the standardization of design and implementation of HPC clusters to be used in universities is presented. Standardization is achieved by using an open-source operating system, network infrastructure, and software packages. The cluster is configured for universities intending to implement an HPC cluster for research or teaching use. No prior understanding of clusters is assumed but a basic understanding of programming, networking and computers in general is required

Quantifying Uncertainty of Ensemble Transport and Dispersion Simulations Using HYSPLIT

Uncertainty associated with determining the source location of nuclear pollutants in the atmosphere after a nuclear fallout using a numerical model is difficult to determine. Uncertainty can originate from input data (meteorological and emissions), internal model error, physics parameterizations, and stochastic processes. This study uses the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model with data from the 1983 Cross Appalachian Tracer Experiment (CAPTEX) (Ferber et al. 1986) and simulating six nuclear detonations (Rolph et al. 2014) to quantify and communicate uncertainty in ensemble dispersion simulations. This is accomplished by utilizing an ensemble of forward trajectory simulations varying initial conditions and physical parameterizations (e.g. turbulence, boundary layer stability and mixed layer depth). The model rank for each simulation is calculated using ground measurements. This value is compared against the observed rank from the CAPTEX experiment to measure the sensitivity of each model run. Effectively quantifying and communicating uncertainty is crucial in providing probabilistic results in nuclear monitoring