232 research outputs found

    General equilibrium analysis of technology advancements

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    Thesis (S.M. in Technology and Policy)-- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2012.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 59-60).The residential sector in the U.S. is responsible for about 20% of the country's primary energy use (EIA, 2011). Studies estimate that efficiency improvements in this sector can reduce household energy consumption by over 25% by 2020 (McKinsey Global Energy and Materials, 2009). In this thesis, given the increasing amount of attention that both policy-makers and industry are giving to residential energy use, I examine the implications of end-use electrification and efficiency improvements in households. In particular, I focus on high efficiency electric technologies for heating and cooling (referred to as HVAC) needs. Advancements in technologies such as heat pumps are beginning to make the economic case for switching from end-uses of gas to end-uses of electricity in the residential sector. I examine the implications of such end-use electrification, ranging from its impact on energy consumption to its contribution to the abatement of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. I use the MIT Emissions Prediction and Policy Analysis (EPPA) model, a computable general equilibrium model, to analyze the research question. The EPPA model captures full economy-wide impacts of policy mandates and technology changes. First, I added further detail to household energy consumption in the model. Then, I introduced technology changes corresponding to advanced electric technologies for residential heating and cooling and tested their impact with policies that either support or inhibit their entry into the marketplace. I find two interesting results from the analysis. First, if policies are enacted to support advanced electric HVAC technologies, they displace end-uses of gas and increase household electricity consumption. Second, household end-use electrification in the U.S. leads to an increase in overall emissions in the economy, given that the overall emissions of any electric appliance depend not only on the end-use efficiency of the appliance but also on the efficiency of generating and distributing electricity. Thus, end use electrification only helps in emissions abatement if the power sector becomes less carbon intensive.by Tanvir Singh Madan.S.M.in Technology and Polic

    Knowledge, Attitude and Practices regarding Swine Flu among adult population

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    Introduction: Prevention is the most appropriate measure to control H1N1 flu pandemic and awareness of H1N1 flu is ranked very high in preventive measures. Keeping this in view, study was designed to assess the awareness level and to compare it among urban and rural participants. Aims and objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding swine flu among adult population, to assess whether there is any difference among rural and urban population and to assess the response generated by the media coverage and the Government efforts.Methods: This cross-sectional study was done from April to July 2015 on 300 houses from the urban area and 150 houses from rural area, chosen from study population by random sampling. Mean and standard deviation for continuous variables and percentages for categorical were calculated. Results: 94% of urban and 91.3% of the rural participants had previously heard about swine flu, main source being TV. 46% of urban and 74% of rural participants had myth about spread of swine flu by eating pork. 41.3% of urban and 8.7% of rural population thought that government measures are sufficient for controlling swine flu. Conclusion: Knowledge regarding swine flu pandemic is good among study participants but role of health care providers is minimal and requires more dedicated effort. Lack of awareness among study population regarding some key focus areas like health promoting habits, vaccination and myths regarding the spread is of serious concern and needs to be addressed by the media, health workers and the Government effort

    Traditional Vs Resin Cements for Indirect Restorations

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    Indirect restorations, such as inlays, onlays, crowns, and bridges, require a reliable cementation method to ensure long-term success. Aim of this literature is to compare various cementation options that are available, advantages and disadvantages of different materials using conventional cementation or adhesive cementation .Also this discusses the rationale in selecting the choice and techniques in different clinical situations. In conclusion, both traditional and resin cements have their advantages and disadvantages for indirect restoration cementation. The choice of cement type depends on the clinical situation and the preferences of the clinician. Traditional cements may be preferred in situations where high bond strength is not required or where a dry environment can be maintained, while resin cements may be preferred when superior bonding is desired or when the restoration material is not compatible with traditional cements. Ultimately, proper technique and selection of the appropriate cement are essential for ensuring long-term success of indirect restoration

    Reduced major axis approach for correcting GPM/GMI radiometric biases to coincide with radiative transfer simulation

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    Correcting radiometric biases is crucial prior to the use of satellite observations in a physically based retrieval or data assimilation system. This study proposes an algorithm - RARMA (Radiometric Adjustment using Reduced Major Axis) for correcting the radiometric biases so that the observed radiances coincide with the simulation of a radiative transfer modeL The RARMA algorithm is a static bias correction algorithm, which is developed using the reduced major axis (RMA) regression approach, NOAA\u27s Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM) has been used as the basis of radiative transfer simulation for adjusting the observed radiometric biases. The algorithm is experimented and applied to the recently launched Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission\u27s GPM Microwave Imager (GMI), Experimental results demonstrate that radiometric biases are apparent in the GMI instrument, The RARMA algorithm has been able to correct such radiometric biases and a significant reduction of observation residuals is revealed while assessing the performance of the algorithm, The experiment is currently tested on clear scenes and over the ocean surface, where, surface emissivity is relatively easier to model. with the help of a microwave emissivity model (FASTEM-5)

    Lymphatic filariasis in migrant population in non-endemic states - Need to cover by Mass Drug Administration (MDA)

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    Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is targeted by WHO for global elimination as a public health problem by year2020. GoI is signatory to WHO resolution and envisaged elimination by instituting annual mass drug administration (MDA) in all endemic districts under NVBDCP by year 2015.With rapid industrialization and urbanization, large number of landless farmer, unskilled/skilled labour migrate either singly or with entire family members to other states (which may be non-endemic for LF) in search of employment. These migrants from endemic states escape MDA beings migrated to non-endemic states. Aims and Objectives: To find out prevalence of LF and MF density among migrant staying in non-endemic states and assess needs to institute MDA in such migrants. Material & Methods: This study was a cross sectional epidemiological study carried out in migrant population staying at/near the construction site covering the population of 1640. However, only 1092 person participated in the study. Result: A total of 1092 people agreed to participate in the study, out of which, 22 were found MF positive and 4 presented with clinical signs of LF. The study found MF prevalence of 2.01% with average MF density of 3.90. Conclusion: Endemicity (2.01%) of MF among migratory population more than national average (0.45%), which is capable of continuing transmission (>1%) in population at risk living in non-endemic states where MDA is not administered.&nbsp

    Toledo Naloxone Outreach Program: Patient and Health Care Professional Student Education

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    Background: In 2016, Ohio was home to 2 of the top 10 cities with opioid overdoses in the United States. Dayton ranked first, and Toledo held the tenth slot. In response to the opioid epidemic, the Toledo Naloxone Outreach Program (TNOP) was developed to provide naloxone to underserved patients at a student-run free clinic.Methods: The TNOP takes place weekly at 2 locations in the greater Toledo area. Patients are asked to fill out an anonymous survey and given a brief training session by a health care professional student. Patients are then sent home with a free naloxone kit. Additionally, health care professional students were surveyed on their confidence of acquiring a substance use history and knowledge of local services for patients and family members of those experiencing addiction during the "train the trainer" event. The health care professional student survey utilized a 1-5 Likert scale and was analyzed using paired student t tests.Results: Survey results from patients indicate that a majority had not received nalox one prior to the training, indicating the service was expanding access to an otherwise underserved population. Results from the survey administered before and after health care professional student training sessions reflect a significant increase in confidence eliciting a substance abuse history and providing patients and/or family members with addiction resources in the community.Conclusion: The TNOP has provided the community of Toledo with 2 additional outreach locations for receiving free naloxone kits with proper education. Currently, TNOP is in the process of expanding the outreach program to additional student-run free clinics in Ohio

    Landscape transform and spatial metrics for mapping spatiotemporal land cover dynamics using Earth Observation data-sets

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    Analysis of Earth observation (EO) data, often combined with geographical information systems (GIS), allows monitoring of land cover dynamics over different ecosystems, including protected or conservation sites. The aim of this study is to use contemporary technologies such as EO and GIS in synergy with fragmentation analysis, to quantify the changes in the landscape of the Rajaji National Park (RNP) during the period of 19 years (1990–2009). Several statistics such as principal component analysis (PCA) and spatial metrics are used to understand the results. PCA analysis has produced two principal components (PC) and explained 84.1% of the total variance, first component (PC1) accounted for the 57.8% of the total variance while the second component (PC2) has accounted for the 26.3% of the total variance calculated from the core area metrics, distance metrics and shape metrics. Our results suggested that notable changes happened in the RNP landscape, evidencing the requirement of taking appropriate measures to conserve this natural ecosystem

    Cyberbullying: A review of the literature

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    Cyberbullying is been defined as the repeated use of technology (internet) to cause intentional distress (discomfort) or to threaten others. The aim of our study is to better understand the impact of cyber bullying on students at school and the possible need for intervention messages targeting adolescents, educators, and parents. Adolescents in school are currently vulnerable of experiencing the majority of cyberbullying instances outside of the school environment; however there is some kind of impact at school. Students were able to suggest some basic approach for dealing with cyber bullying, but were less likely to be aware of approaches to request the removal of objectionable websites, as well as how to respond as a helpful bystander when witnessing cruel online behavior. We believe that school communities should address cyber bullying through a combination of police and educational information that are shared with students and parents. Schools should include cyberbullying as part of their bullying prevention strategies and include classroom lessons that address reporting and bystander behavior
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