Natural resources dynamics: Exhaustible and renewable resources,and the rate of technical substitution

In this paper we study both exhaustible and renewable resources in an endogenous growth model. In particular, we consider the hypotheses in which the rate of technical substitution (RTS) between those two inputs is or is not equal to one. Moreover, we depart from a basic theoretical framework to account for the negative externality constituted by waste accumulation. Finally, a comparative analysis is made between Pigouvian tax and waste recycling, as an environmental policy to correct market failure represented by refuse accumulation.     

137Cs contamination in tea and yerba mate in South America

Gamma-ray spectra from more than 50 samples of food products available in stores of Buenos Aires city were measured using a germanium detector. Activity concentrations of 137Cs up to 10 Bq/kg were found in tea and yerba mate manufactured in Apóstoles, Argentina. Further measurements of tea leaves, yerba mate leaves and soils, all coming from a cultivated area in that region, also show the presence of 137Cs contamination. The results suggest that the area was fertilized with a product that originated in a region affected by the fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear plant accident.     

Air bag effectiveness as function of impact speed

An investigation was conducted to estimate the effectiveness of air bags as a function of velocity. The study consisted of three parts: a theoretical idealization, an analysis of National Automotive Sampling System/Crashworthiness Data System (NASS/CDS), and a reanalysis of previously published Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data. The theoretical analysis looked at idealized risk curves as a function of velocity; assuming that the air bag offers a benefit for both belted and unbelted occupants. Analysis of the NASS/CDS data looked at the effectiveness of air bags as a function of velocity for Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (MAIS) 3+ injuries. The reanalysis of the previously published FARS data looked at the effectiveness of the air bag as a function of velocity for fatalities. The theoretical analysis indicates that the air bag effectiveness should be greatest at the low velocities. The field data analysis of both NASS/CDS and FARS were consistent with the theoretical analysis, indicating that air bags are most effective at the lower velocities, below 40 kph (25 mph), for both belted and unbelted occupants. Although it was not possible to estimate a different effect for belted and unbelted for fatalities using FARS, it was possible for MAIS 3+ using NASS/CDS. For unbelted occupants the effectiveness goes to zero or becomes negative above 40 kph (25 mph) for MAIS 3+, and for belted occupants the effectiveness stays positive but with significantly lower magnitude for speeds above 40 kph (25 mph).     

Assessment of older drivers: relationships among on-road errors, medical conditions and test outcome

PROBLEM: It is essential that driver licensing authorities have a valid and reliable system for evaluating older drivers' continuing competency; road tests are usually required as part of such a system. This study sought to find information about the nature of driving errors made during license review tests, and about relationships between error type and test outcome for older drivers. METHOD: Data from licensing authority files from 533 road tests during a 12-month period were analyzed; medical and other referral information was included. Average driver age was 76 years. Performance scores were generated for intersection negotiation, lane changing, low speed manoeuvres, positioning and speed control, safety margin, and car control. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis showed that test outcome was well predicted by a subset of driving performance scores; adding driver age to the model explained very little variance. Age alone was strongly associated with outcome. Relationships between referral information and test outcome are also reported. IMPACT: Results highlight several factors relevant to the development of more valid and reliable road tests for older drivers.     

Landform Classification for Land Use Planning in Developed Areas: An Example in Segovia Province (Central Spain)

Landform-based physiographic maps, also called land systems inventories, have been widely and successfully used in undeveloped/rural areas in several locations, such as Australia, the western United States, Canada, and the British ex-colonies. This paper presents a case study of their application in a developed semi-urban/suburban area (Segovia, Spain) for land use planning purposes. The paper focuses in the information transfer process, showing how land use decision-makers, such as governments, planners, town managers, etc., can use the information developed from these maps to assist them. The paper also addresses several issues important to the development and use of this information, such as the goals of modern physiography, the types of landform-based mapping products, the problem of data management in developed areas, and the distinctions among data, interpretations, and decisions.     

Assessment of the leaching of metallic elements in the technology of solidification in aqueous solution

Results are presented of experiments performed to optimize the solidification/stabilization system for metallic elements in aqueous solution. This system involves mixing cement and a solution of metallic elements in a conventional mixer: the paste thus obtained is transferred drop by drop into a recipient filled with an aqueous solution of NaOH at 20% by weight, in which it solidifies immediately. The separate use of chloride solutions of Li+, Cr3+, Pb2+ and Zn2+ makes it possible to obtain granules displaying various levels of compressive strength. Three different inertization matrices were used in the experiments, the first consisting solely of Portland cement, the second of Portland cement and a superplasticizer additive, and the third of Portland cement partially replaced with silica-fume and superplasticizer. The results of the tests performed showed a very low level of leaching into the alkaline solidification solution for Cr3+, the quantity leached being under 2% as against higher levels for the other metallic elements. For all the considered elements, the best results were obtained by using silica-fume in the inertization matrix.     

铁路中小站段污水排放规律及处理匹配技术研究

随着铁路通车里程的增长，铁路中小站段随之增加。但是大部分站段污水经过简单处理或不经处理排放，造成了环境的污染。通过对沈阳铁路局下属中小站站段调研，找出典型站段污水排放规律，并提出与之相匹配的污水处理技术。     

呼和浩特强对流天气的数值模拟分析

利用三维积云数值模式模拟了呼和浩特地区强对流天气的发展过程，并结合实时雷达回波资料进行了对比分析，指出模式输出的部分物理量与理论值、雷达回波或地面天气及降雹（水）实况符合得较好。从对模式输出的几个物理量的统计分析，得出利用三维积云数值模式预测强冰雹过程的概念模型。结果表明，三维积云数值模式能用于模拟对流云特别是强对流云的发展过程，可在人工影响天气业务工作中应用并不断发展。     

在线衍生化吹扫捕集-气相色谱/质谱分析水中的五氯酚

建立了通过乙酸酐衍生化-吹扫捕集-气相色谱／质谱分析水中五氯酚的新方法，探讨了吹扫时间、样品池温度、离子强度以及衍生化试剂的加入量等条件对捕集效果的影响。结果表明：采用吹扫时间25min、样品池温度60℃、离子强度20％氯化钠以及衍生化试剂的量200μl等条件对水中的五氯酚有较好的捕集效果，用于水中五氯酚的测定，结果满意。     

乳状液膜法处理煤制兰炭废水

以磷酸三丁酯(TBP)为载体、煤油为膜溶剂、NaOH水溶液为内水相，采用乳状液膜法处理兰炭废水。实验结果表明:当TBP体积分数为4%、表面活性剂质量分数为4%、内水相NaOH质量分数为12%、油内比(乳状液的油相与内水相的体积比)为3∶2、乳水比为1∶5、萃取时间为15min时，废水中的酚类(以苯酚计)去除率达到85%以上，COD去除率达83%以上。