The Effect of Improved Brownstock Washing on Bleach Plant Effluent Quality

The objective of this thesis was to quantitatively determine the effects of reduced brownstock washer carryover on bleach plant effluent quality with respect to BOD and Color. More specifically; if efforts are made to reduce brownstock washer carryover by X pounds of BOD and Color, how many pounds of BOD and Color will be removed from the bleach plant sewer? Very little work has been done in this area. The laboratory procedure involved extensive washing of hardwood pulp and subsequent re-introduction of weak black liquor to simulate carryover. Black liquor was added as pounds Salt Cake loss per ton pulp. The pulp was then bleached by Chlorination - Extraction, varying the Chlorine charge to obtain a 2.5 Kappa Number. The resulting bleaching effluent (combined) was analyzed for BOD5, Color, and Total Organic Carbon (TOC)

Temporary Traffic Control Handbook

This handbook provides a broad, easy to understand reference for temporary traffic control in work zones, addressing the safe and efficient accommodation of all road users: motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and those with special needs. When impacting a pedestrian facility, provide ten calendar days advance notification to the local jurisdiction and the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa (www.nfbi.org). The information presented is based on standards and guidance in the 2009 Edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). References to the MUTCD sign designations in this handbook are shown in parentheses, e.g. (W20-1). Not all the recommendations in this handbook will apply to every circumstance faced by local agencies, and each unique situation may not be addressed. Modifications of the typical applications in this handbook will be required to adapt to specific field conditions. Therefore, use engineering judgment, seeking the advice of experienced professionals and supervisors in difficult and complex interpretations. This handbook can be used as a reference for temporary traffic control in work zones on all city or county roadways. However, always check contract documents and local agency requirements for any pertinent modifications

Temporary Traffic Control Handbook for Local Agencies

The handbook provides a broad, easy to understand reference for temporary traffic control in work zones, addressing the safe and efficient accommodation of all road users

The Cooperative Coevolutionary (1+1) EA

Coevolutionary algorithms are a variant of evolutionary algorithms which are aimed for the solution of more complex tasks than traditional evolutionary algorithms.One example is a general cooperative coevolutionary framework for function optimization.A thorough and rigorous introductory research in which the optimization potential of cooperative coevolution is studied is presented. Using the cooperative coevolutionary framework as a startin point, the CC (1+1)EA is defined and investigated.The main interest is in the analysis of the expected optimization time.The research concentrates on separability since this is a key property of objective functions.It is shown that separability alone is not sufficient to yield any advantage of the CC (1+1)EA over its traditional,non-coevolutionary counterpart.Such an advantage is demonstrated to have one basis in the increased explorative possibilities of the cooperative coevolutionary algorithm.For inseparable functions,the cooperative coevolutionary set-up can be harmful.We prove that for some objective functions the CC (1+1)EA fails to locate a lobal optimum with probability converging to 1 exponentially fast,even in in finite time;however,inseparability alone is not sufficient for an objective function to cause difficulties.It is demonstrated that the CC (1+1)EA may perform equal to its traditional counterpart and even may outperform it on certain inseparable functions. When implementing the CC (1+1)the use of a parallel computer makes a big difference.For sequential and arallel implementationsdi ?erent variants of the algorithm are more natural.It is proved that both variants are equivalent for separable objective functions but can show very different performance on inseparable functions.The two variants are compared when applied to the approximation of a carefully designed example problem

Real-time detection of anomalous paths through networks

Ponencias, comunicaciones y pósters presentados en el 17th AGILE Conference on Geographic Information Science "Connecting a Digital Europe through Location and Place", celebrado en la Universitat Jaume I del 3 al 6 de junio de 2014.The proliferation of increasingly inexpensive mobile devices capable of transmitting accurate positional information to other devices and servers has led to a variety of applications ranging from health situation monitoring to GPS-based offender monitoring. One of the resultant challenges is in understanding, in real-time, when incoming observations merit further examination. In this research, we investigate an approach for identifying anomalous paths through networks using real-time comparisons to a previously learned model. Our approach, the development of a series of “posterior weighted graphs” allows us to both determine which underlying model a particular path most closely represents as well as evaluate this relationship in real-time as more observations become available. Here we present the posterior weighted graph approach for examining path similarity and an extension for detecting anomalies in real-time. Our results illustrate how we can distinguish from among multiple candidate paths and, likewise, when observations no longer match an expected model

Guidance for Improving Foundation Layers to Increase Pavement Performance on Local Roads

This document is the second of two deliverables for the project Optimizing Pavement Base, Subbase, and Subgrade Layers for Cost and Performance on Local Roads (TR-640). The first deliverable is the 454-page Final Field Data Report. The field data report describes test results and comparative analysis from 16 different portland cement concrete (PCC) pavement sites on local city and county roads in Iowa. At each site the surface conditions of the pavement (i.e., crack survey) and foundation layer strength, stiffness, and hydraulic conductivity properties were documented. The field test results were used to calculate in situ parameters used in pavement design methodologies for AASHTO (1993) and Iowa’s Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS). Overall, the results of the study demonstrate how in situ and lab testing can be used to assess the support conditions and design values for pavement foundation layers and how the measurements compare to the assumed design values. This guide summarizes the study results and outlines general guidelines for applying them to optimize pavement bases, subbases, and subgrade layers of local roads with PCC pavements and thus their performance

How to Reduce Tire-Pavement Noise: Interim Better Practices for Constructing and Texturing Concrete Pavement Surfaces

This report describes better practices for constructing and texturing quieter concrete pavements; better practices that answer the question of how we can reduce tire-pavement noise; and better practices that don\u27t compromise the other things about the pavement that are of equal or greater importance, including safety, cost, and durability. In developing this document, the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center at Iowa State University draws from its decades of combined experience working for and alongside concrete paving contractors. This document also includes the collective experience of various contractors and equipment manufacturers with a reputation for quality. These guidelines further address the challenges that are faced in consistently producing a high-quality product in a low-bid environment. This document is intended to serve as interim guidelines and better practices for texturing. Work under the pooled fund study that sponsored the development of this document is ongoing. Additional data are being collected on both existing and new concrete paving projects that will validate the practices described herein. Given the importance of this issue, however, it is believed that many of these practices can be implemented immediately without adverse consequences. Refinements to these practices can then be implemented as necessary as changes to these better practices are made in the near future

Impact of laughter on air trapping in severe chronic obstructive lung disease

Static and dynamic hyperinflation is an important factor of exertional dyspnea in patients with severe COPD. This proof-of-concept intervention trial sought to study whether laughter can reduce hyperinflation through repetitive expiratory efforts in patients with severe COPD. For small groups of patients with severe COPD (n = 19) and healthy controls (n = 10) Pello the clown performed a humor intervention triggering regular laughter. Plethysmography was done before and up to 24 hours after intervention. Laughing and smiling were quantified with video-analysis. Real-time breathing pattern was assessed with the LifeShirt™, and the psychological impact of the intervention was monitored with self-administered questionnaires. The intervention led to a reduction of TLC in COPD (p = 0.04), but not in controls (p = 0.9). TLC reduction was due to a decline of the residual volume. Four (22 [CI 95% 7 to 46] %) patients were ≥10% responders. The frequency of smiling and TLC at baseline were independent predictors of TLC response. The humor intervention improved cheerfulness, but not seriousness nor bad mood. In conclusion, smiling induced by a humor intervention was able to reduce hyperinflation in patients with severe COPD. A smiling-derived breathing technique might complement pursed-lips breathing in patients with symptomatic obstruction