Modelling of dust lifting process behind propagating shock wave

Dust dispersion from a layer is a complicated problem, which has not been completely solved yet, especially if an Eulerian–Eulerian approach has to be used to model the two-phase dusty flow. In previous investigation, a phenomenological model of the dust dispersion process from a layer was developed, but the evaluation of the model revealed some weaknesses. In the current paper, the model of the dust dispersion process was presented and three improvements of the model were studied: Saffman force, Magnus force and particles collisions. The implementation of Magnus and Saffman forces into the code did not improve the numerical results and it was shown that it had very little influence on the dust lifting process, in case the phenomenological model of the layer is used. Some explanations were proposed in the paper. Besides, an empirical model of particles collisions was also added to the code and its influence on the results was studied. It was shown that the particles collisions model improved the obtained results, but further modifications are to be studied in the future.     

Das neue Chemikalienprogramm von UNEP Chemicals

The UNEP International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC) was created by the UN Conference on the Human Environment of 1972. Its influence and co-operation in the 80ies with other international programmes of the WHO, FAO, OECD, and EC for the control of chemicals is presented here. The follow-up of the UN Conference on the Environment and Development (1992) created three new bodies that are to implement chapter 19 of Agenda 21 (Environmentally Sound Management of Chemicals): The UN Commission of Sustainable Development, the International Forum on Chemical Safety, and the Interorganisation Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals. This UN Conference also brought about a new orientation ofIIRPTC. In 1996, IRPTC was renamed as UNEP Chemicals and has been functioning in three major fields since then: The international convention on Prior Informed Consent, the international convention on the control of Persistent Organic Pollutants and, finally, a continuation of is traditional field of information exchange on chemicals.     

FIELD EVALUATION OF SOME PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT TECHNIQUES1

ABSTRACT: Public involvement in water resources planning is receiving much current attention, and there is a need to examine systematically how different public involvement techniques work in practice. The following techniques were among those used to involve the public in a recent Corps of Engineers’study of flooding on San Pedro Creek in Pacifica, California: a public workshop, citizen information bulletins (CIBs) and questionnaries. Interviews were held with 75 study participants to evaluate the effectiveness of these techniques. The interviews indicated that various study participants felt positively about the particular workshop format employed and about the use of a communications specialist to train workshop leaders. There were mixed reactions to the effectiveness of the CIBs and questionnaires. Although many individual citizens felt that the CIBs and questionnaires were useful, some of the Corps planners felt that CIBs and questionnaires would only be “cost-effective” on large studies and/or where the questionnaire response rate was high. The interviews led to a number of specific suggestions regarding how the extent of public involvement could be increased in future water resources planning studies.     

DESALTING SALINE WATER FOR IRRIGATION A CASE STUDY,COACHELLA AREA,CALIFORNIA1

ABSTRACT .A case study was performed to evaluate potential applications of desalted saline water for agriculture using 2 distillation type processes and 2 membrane type processes. The investigation determined the costs and benefits associated with desalting saline water at concentrations of 1,500, 900, 400, 200, and 50 ppm. Benefits from desalting are generated by shifts to more profitable crops, reduced costs for drainage, and reduction in fertilizer and labor requirements with better quality water. Costs are based on the project features such as desalting plants, raw water diversion facilities, storage reservoirs, conveyance and distribution systems, brine disposal, blending facilities, and gypsum addition systems. Hydrologic studies determined the crop irrigation requirements, water demand schedules, desalted water storage requirements, brine disposal requirements, and size of facilities required. Reconnaissance design layouts were made for producing desalted water using a combination of 14 schemes. The study also included a review of irrigation practices. The benefit-cost ratios range from 0.4 to 1.0 for 1,500 ppm irrigation water to 0.8 to 1.0 for 50 and 200 ppm water. Investment costs per acre are high, ranging from $12,900 to $20,900. Irrigation benefits are based on the increase in production from a desert condition with no water supply to the irrigation conditions studied.     

MaryPODS revisited: updated crash analysis and implications for screening program implementation

PROBLEM: Due to the relative scarcity of crashes, there has consistently been a problem with analyses that use crashes as a criterion measure in their analyses. METHOD: Previous analyses of the relationships between functional capacity measures and at-fault crash involvement for older drivers as reported in the NHTSA Model Driver Screening and Evaluation Program Final Technical Report have been updated to include one additional year of driving experience. Eighteen new at-fault crashes involving drivers who previously had no crash involvement were recorded for the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) test sample during this interval. The method of odds ratio (OR) calculation was used to examine the relationships between functional status predictors and the most salient among the safety outcome measures identified in the Maryland research. Peak valid OR values for the prior and current analyses were contrasted, and the stability of candidate pass-fail cut-points for each predictor relative to values identified in the Final Technical Report was examined. RESULTS: Results indicate that the predictive value of functional tests appears to decrease over time, particularly for the perceptual-cognitive measures. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: The impact of these findings on programs and policies is to underscore a need for periodic reevaluation, spaced at the shortest practical intervals but not more than 2 years apart, in order for functional capacity screening to be applied effectively by licensing authorities, health care professionals, and others to reduce personal risk and enhance public safety.     

Nondestructive pigment analysis in paint layers using ion-beam methods on air

This study was supported by the Bundesministerium für Förschung und Technologie (BMFT), core program Einsatz neuer Technologien in den Geisteswissenschaften.     

Who got their way? Advocacy coalitions and the Irish climate change law

Which organisations saw their positions on two contentious issues reflected in the Irish climate law of 2015, and what role did advocacy coalitions play in the policy process? These questions are answered drawing theoretically from the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) and by conducting a network analysis of survey data collected from the organisations involved in the national climate policy process. The study finds that several institutionally important or economically powerful organisations, particularly those involved in the agricultural sector, as well as the government parties saw their preferences reflected in the law. This resulted in legislation that excluded binding emission reductions targets, differentiating it from similar laws introduced in other European countries. Organisations in favour of stronger regulation formed a coalition to advocate for their positions, but they largely failed to get their way.