Part-time versus full-time employment status differences: A replication and extension

Two groups of part-time employees were compared to full-time employees on several organizationally relevant reactions and behaviours in order to replicate and extend research on potential employment status differences. After controlling for demographics, it was found that there were mean differences between the groups; however, no evidence was found for differences in how the various groups ‘process’ organizational experience. Based on the results, implications for managing part-versus full-time employees are discussed.     

The effect of an ergonomic intervention on musculoskeletal, psychosocial and visual strain of VDT data entry work: the Norwegian part of the international study.

The Norwegian MEPS (musculoskeletal--visual--psychosocial--stress) study included 3 groups: data entry, data dialogue (female) and data dialogue (male). Before intervention, the data entry group reported significantly more symptoms and signs of musculoskeletal illness and had longer periods in front of the video display terminal (VDT) without a break. The ergonomic intervention consisted mainly of ergonomic information and training. After intervention, the data dialogue female group reported a significant reduction in shoulder pain in parallel with a reduction in trapezius load. Increasing the understanding in how to adjust the work stand and chair may have been contributing factors to reducing the pain level. There was a significant reduction in eye problems in all groups; the greatest reduction in eye symptoms was seen in the groups who had new optometric corrections.     

Modeling Long-Term Risk to Environmental and Human Systems at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation: Scope and Findings from the Initial Model

The Groundwater Protection Project at the US Department of Energy Hanford Site in Washington State is currently developing the means to assess the cumulative impact to human and ecological health and the regional economy and cultures from radioactive and chemical waste that will remain at the Hanford Site after the site closes. This integrated system is known as the System Assessment Capability (SAC). The SAC Risk/Impact Module discussed in the article uses media- and time-specific concentrations of contaminants estimated by the transport models of the integrated system to project potential impacts on the ecology of the Columbia River corridor, the health of persons who might live in or use the corridor or the upland Hanford environment, the local economy, and cultural resources. Preliminary Monte Carlo realizations from the SAC modeling system demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale uncertainty analysis of the complex relationships in the environmental transport of contaminants on the one hand and ecological, human, cultural, and economic risk on the other. Initial impact results show very small long-term risks for the 10 radionuclides and chemicals evaluated. The analysis also helps determine science priorities to reduce uncertainty and suggests what actions matter to reduce risks.     

Universities,government, and industry: An international perspective on developing environmentally conscious technologies

The educational and research roles of universities in environmentally conscious technologies are discussed from a historical perspective. The American university system, and in particular its interactions with government and industry, is compared with that of the United States' main trading partners including Japan, the NAFTA countries, and Western Europe. Examples of federally funded U.S. programs related to green design are also tabulated. The role of universities within the framework of society, politics, and economics is discussed in regard to emerging concepts such as sustainable development, life-cycle analysis, and design for environment, as well as the functioning of local recycling infrastructures. The means by which universities can contribute to environmentally conscious technology are summarized, as are the demands placed on the next generation of engineers.     

A methodological approach to internal antifire crew optimization. An oil refinery case history

This paper deals with the problem of defining the operational tasks, modelling and optimizing of antifire crew and their attempts. Unwanted events are generally modest and easily controlled in their starting phase. This obviously leads to considering that quickness and coordination enhance the possibility of successful fire control. Hence the importance that the first intervention of the factory antifire crew is supported by strong organization and efficiency. Immediate and appropriate response to emergency is essential to minimize severity of accidents, life losses, as well as the potential reduction in the plant future productivity. In approaching internal antifire crew optimization, it is convenient to distinguish a traditional inventory phase, a subsequent optimization and a graphic modelling phase. Optimization criterion is developed according to graph theory, with regard to intervention pathways and to consistency of antifire crew. The proposed graphic model provides, in an immediately readable way, the sequence of operator actions to be followed in order to cope with emergency situations.     

ASSESSING THE ACCURACY OF PALEOHYDROLOGIC INDICATORS,HARPERS FERRY,WEST VIRGINIA1

ABSTRACT: Gaging stations established in 1895 at Millville, West Virginia and in 1882 at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia record flows ranging from a maximum of 6,509 m³s^-1 to a minimum of 2 m³s^-1. Historical and botanical indicators were used to extend the systematic flood record of the Shenandoah River for a study reach approximately 7.5-km long. The long systematic record at the site provides a good opportunity to assess the accuracy of these sources of paleoflood information. Habitation of the area by settlers of European descent began in 1733, and historical flood records extend from 1748. Qualitative historical records from different sources were compared to yield the most complete flood history. The correlation between the various sources was extremely high. Botanical flood evidence preserved as adventitious sprouts, tree scars, and ring anomalies were documented in 37 trees. A flood chronology established from these data extended from 1896 to 1955. Botanical indicators provided an accurate, although incomplete, flood chronology. The ability to determine accurate flood stages from paleohydrologic indicators varied. Historical data yielded relatively accurate stages to within 1–2 m; only minimum values of flood stage could be obtained from botanical indicators. These results illustrate some of the strengths and weaknesses of paleohydrologic investigations in the eastern United States.     

Implementing industrial ecology and design for environment practices: Lawrence livermore national laboratory

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), one of the nation's three national security laboratories, is initiating a major research effort in industrial ecology with the goal of increasing the economic and environmental efficiency of the U.S. and global economies. Closer to home, ongoing efforts to reduce LLNL's environmental impact on the surrounding community provide an example of how the environmental efficiency of a major research facility can be systematically improved. In the late 1980s, LLNL initiated its waste minimization and pollution prevention program, changing its focus from end-of-pipe waste management to a proactive and preventive strategy—total quality environmental management (TQEM). LLNL's success in integrating pollution prevention with R&D and operational activities is well illustrated by the waste reduction and energy and water conservation accomplishments described in this article. LLNL represents a model of how industrial ecology, design for environment, and pollution prevention can be incorporated into a comprehensive R&D and operational program. This article describes LLNL's developing industrial ecology program, gives some specific technical accomplishments that have application to many industrial facilities, and presents a case study of TQEM at LLNL's remote experimental test facility, Site 300. The integration of TQEM philosophy with LLNL's scientific capabilities holds much promise for new ideas and creative solutions to national and international industrial ecology concerns.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of interactions between organic pollutants and soil components,a review

This article presents a short overview of selected recent papers using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to investigate interactions between organic pollutants and soil components such as organic matter, clays, whole soils, and sediments. First, we describe solid state cross polarisation magic angle spinning (CP-MAS) experiments as the main tools to investigate covalent bonds. Second, we report NMR approaches allowing us to assess molecule mobility and to characterise non-covalent interactions. Those approaches include correlations between K _oc values and soil organic matter functions determined by CP-MAS, ²H NMR fingerprints, relaxation time measurements, ¹⁹F and ¹H high resolution (HR)-MAS experiments.     

Conifer needles as passive biomonitors of the spatial and temporal distribution of DDT from a point source

Needles of two conifer species, Picea abies and Pinus nigra, were used as passive samplers for monitoring air contamination by sampling at increasing distances from a suspected point source of DDT. Needle concentrations declined with increasing distance downwind of the point source allowing to identify spatial and temporal trends of accumulation. This suggested that conifer needles are effective biomonitors of contamination levels in areas characterized by the presence of semi-volatile substances. Differences in uptake were apparent between the species. Needle morphology and structure were studied with scanning electron microscope (SEM) as were dimensional parameters (surface area, volume). The results suggest that the concentrations depend on a mechanism involving the inner structure of the needles, specifically the number and accessibility of resin channels rather than their surface area. Pine needles have more channels with greater accessibility than spruce. The results suggest that spruce is more suitable for short term measurement while pine for determining long term cumulative exposure.