A Study on the Assessment of Management Frameworks for Waste Electronic Home Appliances

Serious adverse impacts on the environment and human health from the recycling and disposal of electronic waste have occurred in the past and continue to occur in China today, due to the lack of a national management strategy. With aiming to support the management strategy development, a study was carried out to plan and quantitatively evaluate the optional management frameworks for the selected five main types of large electronic home appliances in Beijing, the capital city and a typically big municipality in China. This paper outlined the main findings yielded from the series of assessment studies which started from the generation amount prediction and material flow analysis of the used electronic appliances, planning and optimization of the collection & transportation frameworks and ended at the economic evaluation of the optional recycling processes for the waste appliances. Although the revenue could be expected from the result of isolated evaluation of the recycling processes, the entire system will be economically unavailable if the used appliances are still collected from the owners at current prices. The traditional understanding of householders on the values of their used appliances should be changed in Beijing and China as a whole. Establishment of a formal collection system that could take back the used appliances at lower prices (less than 40% of the current level) is the key for the construction of a formal management framework with sustainability

Drive Video Analysis for the Detection of Traffic Near-Miss Incidents

Because of their recent introduction, self-driving cars and advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) equipped vehicles have had little opportunity to learn, the dangerous traffic (including near-miss incident) scenarios that provide normal drivers with strong motivation to drive safely. Accordingly, as a means of providing learning depth, this paper presents a novel traffic database that contains information on a large number of traffic near-miss incidents that were obtained by mounting driving recorders in more than 100 taxis over the course of a decade. The study makes the following two main contributions: (i) In order to assist automated systems in detecting near-miss incidents based on database instances, we created a large-scale traffic near-miss incident database (NIDB) that consists of video clip of dangerous events captured by monocular driving recorders. (ii) To illustrate the applicability of NIDB traffic near-miss incidents, we provide two primary database-related improvements: parameter fine-tuning using various near-miss scenes from NIDB, and foreground/background separation into motion representation. Then, using our new database in conjunction with a monocular driving recorder, we developed a near-miss recognition method that provides automated systems with a performance level that is comparable to a human-level understanding of near-miss incidents (64.5% vs. 68.4% at near-miss recognition, 61.3% vs. 78.7% at near-miss detection).Comment: Accepted to ICRA 201

Scenario Analysis on Greenhouse Gas Emission for Waste-to-Energy Alternatives in Japan

This study focuses on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and reductions of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) incineration. The authors aim to estimate the detailed composition of GHG emissions and reductions from the waste incineration facility and their influence factors using two Japanese databases on the operation of incinerators from Japan Ministry of the Environment (1,243 facilities) and Japan Waste Research Foundation (814 facilities). The databases cover detailed data on MSW amount and characteristics, specifications of the facility, annual utility consumption, and annual energy/material recovery. The authors analyze the correlations among them and develop predictive models for the detailed components of GHG emissions and reductions.Japan Ministry of the Environment intended to group small municipalities for replacing small-scale incinerators to large-scale Waste-to-Energy (WtE) facilities with a higher energy recovery efficiency. Based on the abovementioned data and models, the authors estimate the expected effects of the block formation and major technological alternatives for GHG mitigation by the national level.The current net GHG emission rate from 1,243 operating waste incineration plants in Japan in 2009 was estimated to be 653 kgCO2e/t. In the block formation, 1,007 plants were assumed to be closed; 236 kept operating; and 286 facilities would be newly built. The net GHG emission rate could be cut off to 454 kgCO2e/t by applying the block formation and technological alternatives with a higher energy recovery efficiency (stalker furnace with power generation by extraction condensing turbine providing steam higher than 3MPa and 300 C). Ash melting caused a larger GHG emission by the increase in energy consumption. The GHG reduction by slag recycling was limited.Furthermore, the net GHG emission rate could be reduced to 242 kgCO2e/t by applying the Best Available Technique (BAT) for combined heat and power plants. When compared with the current status, BAT can reduce 185 kgCO2e/t by improving the power generation efficiency and 187 kgCO2e/t by expanding heat utilization. At present, heat utilization is very limited in Japan, but heat utilization should be more focused and promoted for GHG mitigation decisions

Hadronic decays of B→a1(1260)b1(1235)B \to a_1(1260) b_1(1235) in the perturbative QCD approach

We calculate the branching ratios and polarization fractions of the $B \to a_1 b_1$ decays in the perturbative QCD(pQCD) approach at leading order, where $a_1$($b_1$) stands for the axial-vector $a_1(1260)[b_1(1235)]$ state. By combining the phenomenological analyses with the perturbative calculations, we find the following results: (a) the large decay rates around $10^{-5}$ to $10^{-6}$ of the $B \to a_1 b_1$ decays dominated by the longitudinal polarization(except for the $B^+ \to b_1^+ a_1^0$ mode) are predicted and basically consistent with those in the QCD factorization(QCDF) within errors, which are expected to be tested by the Large Hadron Collider and Belle-II experiments. The large $B^0 \to a_1^0 b_1^0$ branching ratio could provide hints to help explore the mechanism of the color-suppressed decays. (b) the rather different QCD behaviors between the $a_1$ and $b_1$ mesons result in the destructive(constructive) contributions in the nonfactorizable spectator diagrams with $a_1(b_1)$ emission. Therefore, an interesting pattern of the branching ratios appears for the color-suppressed $B^0 \to a_1^0 a_1^0, a_1^0 b_1^0,$ and $b_1^0 b_1^0$ modes in the pQCD approach, $Br(B^0 \to b_1^0 b_1^0) > Br(B^0 \to a_1^0 b_1^0) \gtrsim Br(B^0 \to a_1^0 a_1^0)$, which is different from $Br(B^0 \to b_1^0 b_1^0) \sim Br(B^0 \to a_1^0 b_1^0) \gtrsim Br(B^0 \to a_1^0 a_1^0)$ in the QCDF and would be verified at future experiments. (c) the large naive factorization breaking effects are observed in these $B \to a_1 b_1$ decays. Specifically, the large nonfactorizable spectator(weak annihilation) amplitudes contribute to the $B^0 \to b_1^+ a_1^-(B^+ \to a_1^+ b_1^0\; {\rm and}\; B^+ \to b_1^+ a_1^0)$ mode(s), which demand confirmations via the precise measurements.Comment: 13 pages, 1 figure, 5 tables, revtex fil

Current status and behavior modeling on household solid-waste separation: a case study in Da Nang city, Vietnam

This study focused on household solid-waste recycling in Da Nang city, Vietnam to assess the existing separation behavior and clarify the factors influencing the separation behavior. The authors conducted a questionnaire survey for 150 households in 6 urban districts, which consisted of household attributes, separation behavior, and the household's attitude on recycling and the environment. The waste separation rates were determined for leftover food and 13 recyclable items and the recyclable disposal habit was also assessed. The separation rate of leftover food was 77.3%. Among 13 surveyed recyclable items, plastic bottles and metal cans were two popular items with higher separation rate (72.5% and 63.8%, respectively). To identify the conscious structure and determinants of separation behavior, the authors developed a predictive model on the separation behavior of leftover food and recyclables by logistic and multiple linear regression analyses. The positive factors included behavior intention, sympathy for the collector, incentive brought by recycling, goal intention, internal norm, and perception of responsibility and seriousness. The negative factor was evaluation of trouble. The authors also analyzed the differences in separation rates among attributes. Based on the significant influence factors and attributes, the authors suggested how to promote separation behavior

Assessment of landfill protection systems in Japan - a case study

Landfilling of untreated waste is still seen as an acceptable practice in many developed countries. Sanitary landfills are facilities for the disposal of untreated mixed municipal solid waste as a major waste stream. The Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act of 1970 is the main waste legislation in Japan. Waste management methods differ in Japan from the European Union and other countries. As waste incineration is prevalent in Japan, the final waste disposal rate in landfills is extremely low, occupying less than 5% of the waste generated. In Japan, there are obligatory barrier systems, treatment facilities for leachate and concrete structures for major facilities (waste storage structures, barriers, and leachate treatment facilities), landfill operations (dumping and soil covering) and management facilities (weighing and monitoring equipment) which are identified in the Guideline Manual of Landfill Site. This work examines the landfill protection systems in Japan based on two case studies from selected research facilitiesO

Stratospheric aerosol increase after eruption of Pinatubo observed with lidar and aureolemeter

An increase in the amount of stratospheric aerosol due to the Pinatubo eruption (June 12-15, 1991, 15.14 deg N, 120.35 deg E) was observed from the end of June, 1991 by a lidar in NIES (National Institute for Environmental Studies), Tsukuba (36.0 deg N, 140.1 deg E). After large fluctuations in summer of 1991, the amount of the aerosols increased in mid-September as a result of enhanced transportation from the subtropical region. In autumn and winter of 1991, dense aerosol layers were continuously observed. Aureolemeter (scanning spectral radiometer) measurements were also carried out with lidar measurements and columnar size distribution of stratospheric aerosols was estimated for some cases. Collaborative measurements with the lidar and aureolemeter provided some information on height distribution of the surface area of aerosols in late 1991

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery using mobile computed tomography: New method for locating of small lung nodules

BACKGROUND: The O-arm is an intraoperative imaging device that can provide computed tomography images. Surgery for small lung tumors was performed based on intraoperative computed tomography images obtained using the O-arm. This study evaluated the usefulness of the O-arm in thoracic surgery. METHODS: From July 2013 to November 2013, 10 patients with small lung nodules or ground glass nodules underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery using the O-arm. A needle was placed on the visceral pleura near the nodules. After the lung was re-expanded, intraoperative computed tomography was performed using the O-arm. Then, the positional relationship between the needle marking and the tumor was recognized based on the intraoperative computed tomography images, and lung resection was performed. RESULTS: In 9 patients, the tumor could be seen on intraoperative computed tomography images using the O-arm. In 1 patient with a ground glass nodule, the lesion could not be seen, but its location could be inferred by comparison between preoperative and intraoperative computed tomography images. In only 1 patient with a ground glass nodule, a pathological complete resection was not performed. There were no complications related to the use of the O-arm. CONCLUSIONS: The O-arm may be an additional tool to facilitate intraoperative localization and surgical resection of non-palpable lung lesions

Architecture of Job scheduling simulator for demand response based resource provisioning

We study a new service model based on the Demand Response (DR) resource provisioning at High Performance Computing (HPC) centers. This DR-based resource provisioning model allows administrators of HPC centers to provide computing services with incentives to users to compensate for the performance loss due to power saving operations. In a power conservation mode, a job’s performance may decrease, both in terms of a job waiting time and a job execution time. With DR-based resource provisioning, the submitted jobs are divided into two categories, allowed jobs and disallowed jobs, depending on the user’s tolerance in the performance degradation. The allowed jobs, if indeed affected by the power saving operations, will receive compensation in accordance with an incentive system which determines the reward to the user. For designing an appropriate demand response model, we need to focus on the increase in the job’s execution time and the job’s waiting time, and the corresponding decrease in the power consumption. These are important factors in deriving an incentive system. Currently, no existing approaches can reliably quantify the effectiveness and the contribution of these factors in HPC job scheduling and resource provisioning. In this paper, we propose a newly developed job scheduling simulator that can evaluate DR-based resource provisioning approach under various operating conditions. We designed and implemented the job scheduling simulator for HPC demand-response resource provisioning using a general-purpose discrete-event simulator. Our experiments show that the job scheduling simulator can properly represent the demand response resource provisioning using different job scheduling scenarios

<Study 2> Saccadic eye movements and regional cerebral blood flow in schizophrenic patients.

This study examined tracking eye movements on predetermined stationary targets inpatients with schizophrenia spectrum dis order.The targets were 8 black points or 8 arabics\u27 numbered points placed on the circumference of a circle.Self-paced eye movements during clockwise tracking of these points by 23 patients and 23 normal controls were recorded using an infrared eye-mark recorder.Eye movements were an alyzed at two settings : first, when "fixation point" was defined as a point at which a gaze was held for at least 200 msec, and second, when held for at least 100 msec.The results indicated that at the 200 msec setting schizophrenic patients track with significantly fewer correct scores and more deviant scores than controls under black-point conditions.At the 100-msec setting, however, the correct scores of the patients were not significantly different from those of the controls, although the patients displayed more aberrant paths than the controls.The superfluous fixations in the patients improved significantly under numbered-point conditions, but patients still achieved lower correct scores than the controls. Four of the 23 patients exhibited centering (aberrant path directed toward the center point), suggesting immature control of eye movements under black-point conditions but not numbered-point conditions.These results suggest that some schizophrenic patients viewed the targets too quickly and that they have impaired directed attention, which can be improved by cues, and may have impaired preprogramming of eye movements, which is not improved by external cues.This study examined saccadic eye movements using simple stationary targets, in schizophrenic patients.The targets were 8 black points or 8 arabic-numbered points placed in randomized order on the circumference of a circle.Self-paced eye movements during clockwise tracking of these points, by 23 patients and 23 controls, were recorded using an infrared eye-mark recorder.Then the relationship between the saccades and clinical syndromes was investigated. Finally, the relationship between the performance of the saccades and resting regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was examined using single photon emission computed tomography with 99mTc-hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime (HMPAO).The results indicate that patients track with significantly fewer correct scores and more deviant scores than controls, in agreement with our previous study.There were two groups of patients : an ordinary group who obtained a full target hitting score at a 200 ms setting and a fast group who obtained the full score at 100 ms but not at 200 ms.Some patients displayed significantly more hypermetria than controls.Significant correlations were found between alienation syndrome (auditory hallucination and disturbance of the self) and correct scores, or delusion syndrome and deviant score.With respect to relative rCBF, fast group patients showed significantly decreased rCBF in the left limbic and inferior parietal areas as compared with ordinary group patients.These findings suggest that some schizophrenic patients view the stationary targets too fast and this may be related to dysfunction in the limbic-parietal association area in the left hemisphere.富山医科薬科大学・博士(医学)・乙第283号・松井三枝・1995/6/28富山医科薬科大