Michigan DOT Climate Vulnerability Assessment Pilot Project

This study was conducted by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to better understand future climate and extreme weather risks, and to identify approaches for integrating climate risk analysis into MDOT\u2019s planning practices. This work included: Identifying the primary climate stressors impacting the transportation system in Michigan; Reviewing the transportation and climate data needed to assess those impacts and identifying gaps that limit what can be done with current data; Examining risks from future climate and extreme weather impacts; Assessing the vulnerability of transportation assets to those risks; and Defining strategies for incorporating this information into asset management and agency decision-making

The physiological linkage between molar inclination and dental macrowear pattern

Objectives: Exact symmetry and perfect balance between opposite jaw halves, as well as between antagonistic teeth, is not frequently observed in natural masticatory systems. Research results show that asymmetry in our body, skull, and jaws is often related to genetic, epigenetic, environmental and individual ontogenetic factors. Our study aims to provide evidence for a significant link between masticatory asymmetry and occlusal contact between antagonist teeth by testing the hypothesis that tooth inclination is one of the mechanisms driving distribution of wear in masticatory phases in addition to dietary and cultural habits. Materials and Methods: The present work investigates the relationship between dental macrowear patterns and tooth inclinations on a sample of complete maxillary and mandibular 3D models of dental arches from 19 young and adult Yuendumu Aboriginal individuals. The analysis was carried out on first molars (M1) from all quadrants. Occlusal Fingerprint Analysis was used for the quantification of macrowear patterns, and 2D cross-sectional geometric analysis was carried out to investigate asymmetry in dental arches. Results: The asymmetry is highly variable on both arches, and it is associated with differences in the inclination of upper M1 crowns. Each molar has variable inclination (buccal/lingual) which influence tooth to tooth contact, producing greater or lesser variation in wear pattern. Interindividual variability of morphological variation of the occlusal relationship has to be considered in macrowear analysis. Discussion: Our results suggest that overall asymmetry in the masticatory apparatus in modern humans affects occlusal contact areas between antagonist teeth influencing macrowear and chewing efficiency during ontogeny

Ancillary human health benefits of improved air quality resulting from climate change mitigation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation policies can provide ancillary benefits in terms of short-term improvements in air quality and associated health benefits. Several studies have analyzed the ancillary impacts of GHG policies for a variety of locations, pollutants, and policies. In this paper we review the existing evidence on ancillary health benefits relating to air pollution from various GHG strategies and provide a framework for such analysis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We evaluate techniques used in different stages of such research for estimation of: (1) changes in air pollutant concentrations; (2) avoided adverse health endpoints; and (3) economic valuation of health consequences. The limitations and merits of various methods are examined. Finally, we conclude with recommendations for ancillary benefits analysis and related research gaps in the relevant disciplines.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that to date most assessments have focused their analysis more heavily on one aspect of the framework (e.g., economic analysis). While a wide range of methods was applied to various policies and regions, results from multiple studies provide strong evidence that the short-term public health and economic benefits of ancillary benefits related to GHG mitigation strategies are substantial. Further, results of these analyses are likely to be underestimates because there are a number of important unquantified health and economic endpoints.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Remaining challenges include integrating the understanding of the relative toxicity of particulate matter by components or sources, developing better estimates of public health and environmental impacts on selected sub-populations, and devising new methods for evaluating heretofore unquantified and non-monetized benefits.</p

Climate change in Park City: an assessment of climate, snowpack, and economic impacts

Report by Stratus Consulting of Boulder, Colorado, prepared for the Park City Foundation in 2009, uses climate, snowpack, and economic models to estimate the possible impacts of global climate change to Park City, Utah, and its ski tourism industryList of figures -- List of tables -- List of acronyms and abbreviations -- Chapter 1. Introduction and summary -- Chapter 2. Overview of climate change -- Chapter 3. Park City Mountain Resort snowpack modeling -- Chapter 4. Economic impacts -- Chapter 5. Uncertainty -- Chapter 6. Summary and conclusions -- References -- Appendices

Vrouwen In Besluitvorming VIB 2012

Sinds het voorjaar 2000 laat het Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau tweejaarlijks een onderzoek uitvoeren om het aandeel van vrouwen in besluitvormende posities in de markt en de civiele maatschappij te meten. Dit onderzoek wordt gehouden in het kader van de Emancipatiemonitor, die ten doel heeft een dwarsdoorsnede te geven van het verloop van het emancipatieproces. Het onderzoek werd uitgevoerd onder 600 organisaties

Vrouwen in besluitvorming 2012

Het onderzoek Vrouwen in besluitvorming wordt uitgevoerd om het aandeel van vrouwen en mannen in besluitvormende posities in de markt en de civiele maatschappij te meten. Dit onderzoek wordt gehouden in het kader van de Emancipatiemonitor, die ten doel heeft een dwarsdoorsnede te geven van het verloop van het emancipatieproces

Behoefteonderzoek onder werkgevers naar deeltijdwerk

Op verzoek van de Taskforce DeeltijdPlus heeft het Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau onderzoek gedaan naar de mogelijkheden om vrouwen met een kleine deeltijdbaan te stimuleren om meer te gaan werken. Om inzicht te krijgen in de rol van werkgevers bij de uitbreiding van arbeidsduur van deeltijders, en in hun gedrag, ervaringen en ambities op dit vlak is een survey gehouden onder werkgevers in vijf sectoren. Daarnaast zijn voor een verdiepingsonderzoek in april en mei 2009 in vijftien organisaties individuele vrije interviews gevoerd en werden er in mei en juni 2009 focusgroepgesprekken gehouden met een aantal werkgevers uit het survey

The potential to retrofit sustainable drainage systems to address combined sewer overflow discharges in the Thames Tideway catchment

Experience of retrofitting sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) in the United Kingdom is limited, and there are no well-established procedures for evaluating the feasibility, value or cost-effectiveness of doing this, particularly at the catchment scale. This paper demonstrates a two-phase process for evaluating the potential to retrofit SuDS to address combined sewer discharges in three subcatchments within the Thames Tideway catchment of London. The first phase evaluates what might be achieved with various levels of disconnection (‘global’ disconnection scenarios) using hydraulic models, while the second phase considers how disconnection might practically be achieved. High levels of disconnection are technically possible but practicably difficult. In selected cases, and with aggressive implementation of SuDS, combined sewer overflow CSO discharges could potentially be eliminated or reduced to acceptable levels without the need for any modifications to underground assets. However, retrofit SuDS could not eliminate the requirement for some form of sewer modification in any subcatchments