Investigation of Alternative Deicers for Snow and Ice Control

This technical report presents the findings of the laboratory analysis of potassium succinate (KSu) as a roadway deicer. Laboratory analysis included modified SHRP ice-melting testing, a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermogram, and friction measurements to quantify performance. The overall results indicate that the performance of KSu is similar to that of NaCl at improving friction on roadways during snow and ice conditions. The results of DSC suggest that KSu can be applied as a roadway deicer at -5°C (23°F) and above. However, KSu does not function as a deicer at colder temperatures where salt brine will work (the generally agreed upon lowest working temperature for salt brine is 15°F [-9.5°C]). The results of the laboratory testing show that KSu functions as a roadway deicer with slightly lower ice-melting rates than salt brine. The ice-melting rates, DSC, and friction performance testing of KSu show that the product performs as a deicer at warmer temperatures than salt brine, with slightly less ice-melting capacity and similar friction performance. Based on these and previous results showing lack of corrosion in metals, equipment, and pavements from use of KSu and similar BOD of KSu to potassium acetates, KSu appears to be a viable option as a roadway deicer at temperatures at or above -5°C (23°F). Use of KSu as a roadway deicer may be focused in areas where there are concerns about impacts to infrastructure, equipment, or pavements, such as on bridges, elevated roadways, in parking garages, or on newer concrete pavements. Potential concerns with the use of KSu as a roadway deicer are its price, lack of full-scale manufacturing of KSu at this time, and the BOD exerted by the product. Additional testing to fully quantify the environmental impacts of KSu on soil, water, flora, and fauna is recommended. If water quality and BOD are of concern, application of this product is not recommended in large quantities and during times of low water flow

Estimating the Application Rate of Liquid Chloride Products Based on Residual Salt Concentration on Pavement

This technical report summarizes the results of laboratory testing on asphalt and concrete pavement. A known quantity of salt brine was applied as an anti-icer, followed by snow application, traffic simulation, and mechanical snow removal via simulated plowing. Using a sample from this plowed snow, researchers measured the chloride concentration to determine the amount of salt brine (as chloride) that remained on the pavement surface. Under the investigated scenarios, the asphalt samples showed higher concentrations of chloride in the plowed-off snow, and therefore lower concentrations of chlorides remaining on the pavement surface. In comparison, the concrete samples had much lower chloride concentrations in the plowed-off snow, and much higher chloride concentrations remaining on the pavement surface. An interesting pattern revealed by the testing was the variation in the percentage of residual chloride on the pavement surface with changes in temperature. When pavement type was not considered, more residual chloride was present at warmer temperatures and less residual chloride was present at colder temperatures. This observation warrants additional testing to determine if the pattern is in fact a statistically valid trend. The findings from the study will help winter maintenance agencies reduce salt usage while meeting the defined Level of Service. In addition, findings will contribute to environmentally sustainable policies and reduce the level of salt usage (from snow- and ice-control products) introduced into the environment

Evaluating the Potential Effects of Deicing Salts on Roadside Carbon Sequestration

This project sought to document patterns of road deicing salts and the effects of these salts on the amount of carbon being sequestered passively along Montana Department of Transportation roads; it was designed collaboratively with a related roadside project that tested three different highway right-of-way management techniques (mowing height, shrub planting, disturbance) to determine whether they have the capacity to increase soil organic carbon. Our sampling did not reveal elevated salt levels at any of the nine locations sampled at each of the three I-90 sites. The greatest saline concentrations were found at the sample locations farthest from the road. This pattern was consistent across all three sites. The range of soil organic matter (SOM) was broad, from ~1% to >10%. Generally, SOM values were lowest adjacent to the road and highest farthest from the road. We found no or weak evidence of a relationship between our indices of soil salinity and SOM levels, with electrical conductivity, exchangeable calcium, and cation exchange capacity. Results imply that if road deicing salts are altering patterns of roadside SOM and potential carbon sequestration, this effect was not captured by our experimental design, nor did deicing salts appear to have affected roadside vegetation during our most recent sampling effort. Our findings highlight the value of experimentally separating the multiple potentially confounding effects of winter maintenance operations on roadside soils: roads could focus the flow of water, salts, and sands to roadside soils. How these types of mass inputs to roadside soils might influence medium- or long-term carbon dynamics remains an open question, but their fuller characterization and possible flow paths will be essential to clarifying the role of roadside soils in terrestrial soil organic carbon sequestration strategies

Relational Autonomy, Maternalism, and the Nocebo Effect

In their target article, Menkes et al. suggest that the nocebo effect, in which an individual experiences an adverse effect of medical treatment due to negative expectations, occasions a dilemma between autonomy and nonmaleficence. They work to resolve the dilemma by arguing that in some cases, nonmaleficence outweighs autonomy. In this commentary article, we suggest that the concept of autonomy presumed to underlie informed consent practices is at the root of this predicament – not a pro tanto conflict between autonomy and nonmaleficence. We propose that if the concept of relational autonomy (understood in terms of autonomy competencies) is utilized instead, this conflict dissolves. To concretize this conceptual point, we describe how the types of informed consent practices described as untenable by the authors (in which disclosure is calibrated to the individual patient) are actually widely practiced in Japan. Elucidation of these practices requires a wider lens on informed consent practices that includes support staff such as nurses and medical social workers as well as family members. These practices, best understood as maternalistic, are ethically justifiable from a relational autonomy perspective. As we argue, there are good reasons to approach the nocebo effect from this perspective; doing so both dissolves the autonomy/best interests dilemma and grounds concrete suggestions for reducing the nocebo effect

Strengthening Community Foundations - Redefining the Opportunities

Commissioned by the Council on Foundations and released in October 2003, this white paper details the findings and the implications of our study of costs and revenues at nine community foundations. Offering a new perspective for community foundation sustainability, the white paper proposes that community foundations examine their strategy and operations on a product-by-product basis, taking into account their mission-driven priorities, internal costs, customer preferences and the competing donor alternatives for each type of product or service they offer

Practical steps to building science capital in the primary classroom

An exploration of how meeting with engineers and scientists and other initiatives can help to increase science capita

Paired peer learning through engineering education outreach

© 2016 SEFI. Undergraduate education incorporating active learning and vicarious experience through education outreach presents a critical opportunity to influence future engineering teaching and practice capabilities. Engineering education outreach activities have been shown to have multiple benefits; increasing interest and engagement with science and engineering for school children, providing teachers with expert contributions to engineering subject knowledge, and developing professional generic skills for engineers such as communication and teamwork. This pilot intervention paired 10 pre-service teachers and 11 student engineers to enact engineering outreach in primary schools, reaching 269 children. A longitudinal mixed methods design was employed to measure change in attitudes and Education Outreach Self-Efficacy in student engineers; alongside attitudes, Teaching Engineering Self-Efficacy and Engineering Subject Knowledge Confidence in pre-service teachers. Highly significant improvements were noted in the pre-service teachers’ confidence and self-efficacy, while both the teachers and engineers qualitatively described benefits arising from the paired peer mentor model

Synergy for a Healthy Campus Watershed

The Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW) has been around for 21 years working on our watershed inventory and watershed action plan, but it wasn’t until we started reaching out to our valuable resources in the watershed (like Ohio State) that we started making significant strides in improving the health of the watershed. Thanks to collaboration with on campus partners like PARE, FABE, ENR, EHS, and student groups like Pay-it-Forward and the Undergraduate Student Government, FLOW has been able to strengthen our outreach and education on ecologically-based land management. For example, a Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering (FABE) capstone team years ago helped FLOW as we developed our Land Management Initiative for the 10 golf courses in our watershed. The students developed brochures, invited golf course superintendents, and created a PowerPoint presentation on the value of reducing mowing of play areas, increasing infiltration to improve groundwater, and how to decrease bank erosion by planting riparian areas along stream and ponds that are out of play. A Civil Engineering Capstone Class evaluated an unusual 1970s stormwater basin for a water quality retrofit. The information on design and prospective cost as well as the ecological value of the water quality improvements was compelling for our municipal partners. This past school year, a FABE capstone team assessed the ecological value of the 6.5-acre Ohio State parcel at Carmack Woods. The three main objectives for this team were to find and delineate all wetlands within the site, design a restoration plan involving the removal of understory invasives and replacement with native tree species, and quantifying the ecosystem services of the site by determining the total carbon sequestration and storm water retention (before and after restoration). With the help of more than 100 volunteers providing almost 1,000 volunteer hours of labor, the students successfully removed invasive honeysuckle from approximately 1.1 acres and planted 550 native trees and shrubs. In addition to the technical support from students, faculty and staff, the watershed has also benefited from the volunteer services of students with help in picking up litter, removing invasives and planting trees) to increase the canopy cover on campus and throughout the watershed. The presentation will highlight multiple examples of the synergy between Ohio State and FLOW with the hope of reaching even more potential partners at Ohio State.AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Laura Fay, secretary of FLOW Board and chair of FLOW Science Committee, Ohio EPA and Ohio Department of Natural Resources, [email protected] (Corresponding Author)Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW) will highlight the connections that have been made with different partners at Ohio State and explain how the web of partners has strengthened improvements in water quality, as well as genuine learning and service for students

Children as engineers: Paired peer mentors in primary schools final report summary July 2015

◾It’s been forecast that a further 100,000 new professionals are needed to fill the skills gap by 2020. It is becoming increasingly important that student engineers gain opportunities to practise their public engagement and education outreach skills to influence public perceptions of engineering, and connect science with society (Research Councils UK, 2010; National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement, 2010).◾Teachers are a key audience with which to engage, as only 5% of primary school teachers have a science related degree (Department for Education, 2013). Although subject knowledge is not seen as essential for effective pedagogy, a lack of confidence and understanding can result in a style of teaching which reduces pupils’ performance, engagement and enjoyment with the subject (Ofsted, 2011).◾In this project, student engineers and pre-service teachers were paired up to mentor each other and enact hands-on challenges designed to demonstrate the Engineering Design Process to primary schoolchildren.◾The project appeared to be successful on all levels for the different participant groups. Quantitatively the student engineers showed an improvement in their perceived level of skills, with a 42% improvement in the proportion who felt they were now ‘fairly well equipped’ to undertake public engagement; over two-thirds (64%) of the engineers gave this rating following the project. Additionally, 70% of the engineers indicated that they thought they are now likely to be ‘more active’ in public engagement. Qualitatively, the student engineers indicated that that they had learnt organisational and communication skills through taking part, and felt that they had passed on some of their science and engineering subject knowledge and enthusiasm to the teachers and children.◾The paired peer partnership model was also positively reviewed by the pre-service teachers. Quantitative data indicated that the teachers showed significant increases in their science and engineering subject knowledge confidence levels as well as in teaching self-efficacy for both subjects. 80% of the pre-service teachers who participated stated that they would undertake similar work with children in the future. Many teachers asserted that the ‘expert’ knowledge gained had also benefitted and influenced the pupils in their class.◾Children who took part in the project had increased positive attitudes to the subjects of science and engineering in quantitative assessments. The project improved children’s knowledge of what an engineer does and their attitudes towards the profession through greater information about engineering and the experience of real life role models. The data also indicated a slight positive shift in children’s attitudes to science and engineering career aspirations along with gender and engineering identities

Balancing Speed, Equity, and Impact during a Crisis: The Greater Washington Community Foundations Response to COVID-19

This report chronicles the genesis and evolution of the Greater Washington Community Foundation's efforts to raise and coordinate funding from a wide range of individual and institutional donors to address the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a particular focus on The Community Foundation's COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, the largest of its kind in the region, this account highlights the balance of various grantmaking imperatives that characterized Greater Washington's philanthropic response to the pandemic more generally