Non-constructive interval simulation of dynamic systems

Publisher PD

Material Society and the Science-Policy Interface in Environmental Decision-Making: Understanding Risk and Mercury Pollution Policy in Canada 1995 to 2005

The intrinsic conflict investigated herein is that on the one hand, scientific evidence is required as a basis for environmental policy decisions; however, socio-economic and political dimensions of risk dominate decision-making to the point where risk is no longer situated in the realm of science but rather as a social construct within the political economy. The science-policy interface is therefore a complex network of social, political, economic, historical and scientific factors. Ulrich Becks risk society provides the dominant theoretical framework used to present the research and findings. A case is presented that governments in Canada have failed to manage environmental risks due to a reliance on conventional regulatory risk management approaches that assume risk is a calculable, objective, technical exercise, whereas it is in fact a product of economic material society interests; largely the extractive resource sector, and designed to maintain status quo economic activity. The research draws upon the idea of two conflicting pathways that appear to underpin challenges in environmental policy decisions. One is the recognition that ecosystem science is inherently complex and uncertain, that humans have altered fundamental ecosystem functions, and that we are living in a world risk society where humans are the uncertainty within risk. This is contrasted with the second idea, namely that Canada is trapped in the material society epoch where a political economy deeply rooted in a resource-dependent staples economy thwarts environmental policy choices that threaten economic interests. The dissertation investigates these tensions within the science-policy interface applied to toxic substances management. The findings of the research highlight the presence of two dominant paradigms described as the economic risk paradigm and the adaptive precautionary paradigm, and the extent to which the followers of these paradigms adhere to a set of beliefs and practices that align with material society and risk society. This policy dichotomy has created a conflict contributing to environmental policy incoherence in Canada, exhibited by weak decision-making and a loss of credibility in the environmental policy system; challenging the fundamentals of theoretical sustainable development. Contemporary environmental policy failures such as Canadas climate change policies can be explained by this analysis

Cochrane Corner: wavefront-guided laser vision correction

The author performs both wavefront-guided and wavefront-compensated laser vision correction in private medical practice. In the last 3 years, he has received travel and/or accommodation expenses for expert user meetings sponsored by Schwind Eye Tech Solutions GmbH (Kleinostheim, Germany) and Staar Surgical Inc (Monrovia CA)

A comparison of thermoelectric phenomena in diverse alloy systems

A study of the preparation and analysis of selected transport properties of several thermoelectric materials is described. These systems include heavily-doped silicon-germanium solid solutions, ternary half-Heusler intermetallic compounds, electrically-conductive oxides, and rare earth chalcogenides. The alloys were prepared by various techniques (mechanical alloying, vapor phase reaction, or arc melting) depending upon such parameters as ductility, volatility, and chemical reactivity of the components. All materials were characterized for phase purity by x-ray diffraction and for chemical purity by various analytical techniques. Transport properties (electrical resistivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal diffusivity) were characterized between 22°C and 1000°C under vacuum conditions. Carrier density and sign were determined at 22°C by a Hall effect measurement. Relationships between transport properties and microstructure were developed for each category of material. The highest dimensionless figure of merit was observed in the (Nd0.5Gd0.5)Se 1.50-x system where x ≈ 0.02 with a magnitude of 1.12 at 800°C due to a nearly glass-like thermal conductivity

Independent Domination Of Subcubic Graphs

Let G be a simple graph. The independent domination number i(G) is the minimum cardinality among all maximal independent sets of G. A graph is subcubic whenever the maximum degree is at most three. In this paper, we will show that the independent domination number of a connected subcubic graph of order n having minimum degree at least two is at most 3(n+1)/7, providing a sharp upper bound for subcubic connected graphs with minimum degree at least two

Understanding and valuing the economic, social and environmental components of System Harmonisation

The aim of the Products and Markets component of the System Harmonisation project is to value the economic and environmental outcomes from an irrigation scheme that is operated by and in the interests of society. In this conceptual note the thinking underlying this component of the project are outlined. The aim of this note is to provide elements for debated. The nature and requirements of System Harmonisation demands that a 'systems approach' be taken throughout the project. What becomes important within this approach is how the different elements within a system are isolated and yet linked with one another. In many instances the extent and nature of irrigation systems are defined by the relevant Regional Irrigation Business Partnership (RIBP) under investigation. It is recognised that society has multiple uses for the water (agriculture, industry, households, recreation and the environment) as well as non-use (intrinsic) values for which it derives benefits from and incurs costs in distributing the water in any select manner. Further, it is assumed that the irrigation schemes are run for the benefit of society as a whole. Thus, there is a necessity to evaluate both the private and public costs and benefits associated with irrigation schemes. In order to identify what society values from an irrigation scheme, it is argued that a social matrix approach is needed. This analysis allows for a clustering of the issues people feel is important to them regarding the use of an irrigation scheme. Such an analysis will allow identification of the perceived most and least beneficial activities connected to water allocation, economic modelling of the most productive activities, evaluation of externalities and Cost Benefit Analysis. The net economic benefits that arise from irrigation need to be evaluated. The sectors where benefits are derived can be segregated into agriculture, households, the environment, recreation and industrial uses. The largest of these, by pure scale of the use of water, is agriculture. A gross margins approach is used to evaluate the returns for water in the agricultural sector. In the industrial and household sectors, a simple evaluation approach is used where the quantity of water demanded is multiplied by the price paid in each sector. Non-market valuation techniques are used to evaluate the recreational and environmental uses of water. The difficulty that arises in this analysis is how to evaluate the performance of irrigation schemes, where the outcomes are multifaceted. A 'meta' model approach is suggested in which the different elements from the project are brought together and assessed using a technique derived from the theory surrounding production possibility frontiers. This technique can be used to hypothesise a value for the ecosystem services derived from an irrigation scheme. The performance of an irrigation scheme is evaluated in terms of the suggestions raised to change it. Cost Effective Analysis is to be utilised to evaluate this performance. Then two issues need to be addressed. First, it is necessary to converse with those from other components, particularly those involved in the hydrological programs, to determine the nature of the schemes to be investigated. Second, it is necessary to implement the approach in each of the RIBPs. This work needs to commence with the evaluation of the social values in each region

Practical measures for reducing phosphorus and faecal microbial loads from onsite wastewater treatment system discharges to the environment:a review

Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS), the majority of which are septic tanks, are a contributing factor to phosphorus and faecal microbial loads. OWTS contribute to waterbodies failing to meet Water Framework Directive (WFD) objectives and as such, measures to improve the quality of OWTS discharges are required. Literature has been reviewed for a range of measures designed to reduce phosphorus and pathogen concentrations in effluent from OWTS. A feasibility assessment focussed on their application, effectiveness, efficiency, cost and ease of adaptation. A wide range of measures have been identified that could potentially improve water quality. Results show no one solution could be applied to reduce phosphorus and pathogen loadings to the water environment. The literature suggests that OWTS need to be designed to the local flow and load characteristics of the effluents streams,as well as site specific conditions. With that in mind, measures such as awareness raising, site planning, and maintenance are likely to contribute to reduction of impact of OWTS on the environment. The level of load reduction possible from measures such as awareness raising is difficult to quantify, but it is low-cost and relatively easy to implement. Those most effective for phosphorus and pathogen removal are post-tank measures that maximise physical removal, through adsorption and filtering, and maintain good conditions for biological breakdown of solids and predation of pathogens