Water flow through tailings dams

Water levels in tailings dams are generally lower than those of standard earth dams. Previously, other authors have shown that embankment geometry and variation in permeability can be responsible for a concave upwards steady state seepage line. These factors are investigated in greater detail using a finite element program to model flow in the saturated portion of the embankment. It is shown that the angle of the upstream slope only has an appreciable effect on the form of the seepage line if the pond is close to the downstream face of the dam. An increasing permeability in the direction of flow and seepage path length are responsible for reducing the height of the seepage line. This effect is demonstrated for both a continuous variation of permeability and a step jump in permeability between the tailings deposit and the dam. Anisotropy of tailings and dam permeability is also investigated. Transient analyses of saturated flow are performed for tailings dams constructed of dry compacted waste. For this case, the seepage line is straight for a constant pond level, and concave upwards for a rising pond and a low dam permeability. The simple computer model also predicts that for a constantly rising pond level, the seepage line advances at a constant rate dependent on the rate of pond rise, and the material properties of the dam. A fully automatic finite element program has been written, combining an adaptive mesh regeneration algorithm and a variable mesh technique. The program is shown to provide both an accurate and precise solution of the free surface problem. A method of automatically generating "square" flow nets by post-processing the finite element data is presented for the first time. Flow nets provide a visual proof of the correctness of the computer model and are a useful aid to other workers

Sharpening Sharpe Ratios

It is now well known that the Sharpe ratio and other related reward-to-risk measures may be manipulated with option-like strategies. In this paper we derive the general conditions for achieving the maximum expected Sharpe ratio. We derive static rules for achieving the maximum Sharpe ratio with two or more options, as well as a continuum of derivative contracts. The optimal strategy rules for increasing the Sharpe ratio. Our results have implications for performance measurement in any setting in which managers may use derivative contracts. In a performance measurement setting, we suggest that the distribution of high Sharpe ratio managers should be compared with that of the optimal Sharpe ratio strategy. This has particular application in the hedge fund industry where use of derivatives is unconstrained and manager compensation itself induces a non-linear payoff. The shape of the optimal Sharpe ratio leads to further conjectures. Expected returns being held constant, high Sharpe ratio strategies are, by definition, strategies that generate regular modest profits punctunated by occasional crashes. Our evidence suggests that the 'peso problem' may be ubiquitous in any investment management industry that rewards high Sharpe ratio managers.

Interest group influence in the formulation of official development assistance policy: The Canadian foreign policy review of 1994.

Political, economic, and cultural events in the early 1990s offered a unique opportunity to refocus Canada\u27s Official Development Assistance program. A special joint parliamentary committee reviewing Canadian foreign policy held public hearings across Canada in 1994, to which interest groups made submissions. This study attempts to discover to what degree interest groups influenced development assistance policy in the review. Comparing the substance of these groups\u27 representations against the subsequent Committee\u27s recommendations and Government\u27s policy statements provides an opportunity to make suggestions concerning the relative influence of domestic interests on the formulation of Canadian foreign policy. In addition, by dividing the groups into three categories--promotional, self-interested economic, and self-interested non-economic--it should be possible to comment on the relative influence of different types of groups on foreign policy outcomes. Based on this analysis, it should also be possible to suggest whether a pluralist, statist, or dominant class theoretical perspective best explains the foreign policy process in Canada. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)Dept. of History, Philosophy, and Political Science. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1997 .R36. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 37-01, page: 0118. Adviser: Joan Boase. Thesis (M.A.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1997

The Definitive Guide to the Rise and Fall of British Steam [An Illustrated History of British Steam Locomotion]

BRITISH STEAM is a copiously illustrated guide, which explores the rise of the steam locomotive, the engine which dominated British railways, and changed the way that people travelled during the nineteenth century. Steam railways were once the most efficient way to travel, before the invention of electric and diesel locomotives, which heralded the demise of the steam engine. This book documents the development of steam, the pioneers in engineering who made it all possible, and the memorable age when steam dominated our railways and transport systems. The book features scores of historical images plus eleven historical videos - accessible via its easy-to-use "interactive app" feature. ISBN-10: 1-7819-7284-9; ISBN-13: 978-1-78197-384-4. 304pp. with 250 illustrations (78 in full colour) and 11 interactive videos. Hardback

Evaluating “Not in Mama\u27s Kitchen” Second-Hand Smoke Campaign in Georgia

In 2003-2005, the Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. initiated the Not in Mama’s Kitchen (NIMK) second-hand smoke (SHS) prevention campaign in Georgia as part of their effort to reduce exposure to SHS in African American communities statewide. This initiative was evaluated using baseline data from pledge cards as well as data from a self-administered mail survey of 1,000 campaign participants. 14,770 Georgians participated in NIMK, signing pledges to make their homes and cars smoke free. Majorities of those surveyed followed through with their pledge, banning tobacco use in their homes (76.1%) and cars (80.2%). The program was cited by 65.4% of respondents as being instrumental to their decision to ban smoking and by 81.6% as an important source of information on the dangers of SHS. Participants even became advocates, with 74.3% reporting talking to family and/or friends about the dangers of SHS and encouraging them to make their own homes smoke-free

Sustainable Urban Sound Design

This project looks closely at vibrations of various forms then applies the principles of vibrations to the human body in order to present the theory of Bodily Efficiency. The theory states that when all of the parts of the body work in harmony with one another, energy is used more efficiently, making for a healthier body, but vibrations from outside sources can disrupt harmony. The thoery also states that sound, through background music, can help correct disharmonies in the body