Hurricane modification and adaptation in Miami-Dade County, Florida

We investigate tropical cyclone wind and storm surge damage reduction for five areas along the Miami-Dade County coastline either by hardening buildings or by the hypothetical application of wind-wave pumps to modify storms. We calculate surge height and wind speed as functions of return period and sea surface temperature reduction by wind-wave pumps. We then estimate costs and economic losses with the FEMA HAZUS-MH MR3 damage model and census data on property at risk. All areas experience more surge damages for short return periods, and more wind damages for long periods. The return period at which the dominating hazard component switches depends on location. We also calculate the seasonal expected fraction of control damage for different scenarios to reduce damages. Surge damages are best reduced through a surge barrier. Wind damages are best reduced by a portfolio of techniques that, assuming they work and are correctly deployed, include wind-wave pumps.     

Characterization of Volatile Organic Compounds Emitted by Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Roots and Their Attractiveness to Wireworms

Root volatile organic compounds (VOCs), their chemistry and ecological functions have garnered less attention than aboveground emitted plant VOCs. We report here on the identification of VOCs emitted by barley roots (Hordeum vulgare L.). Twenty nine VOCs were identified from isolated 21-d-old roots. The detection was dependent on the medium used for root cultivation. We identified 24 VOCs from 7-d-old roots when plants were cultivated on sterile Hoagland gelified medium, 33 when grown on sterile vermiculite, and 34 on non-sterile vermiculite. The major VOCs were fatty acid derived compounds, including hexanal, methyl hexanoate, (E)-hex-2-enal, 2-pentylfuran, pentan-1-ol, (Z)-2-(pentenyl)-furan, (Z)-pent-2-en-1-ol, hexan-1-ol, (Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol, (E)-hex-2-en-1-ol, oct-1-en-3-ol, 2-ethylhexan-1-ol (likely a contaminant), (E)-non-2-enal, octan-1-ol, (2E,6Z)-nona-2,6-dienal, methyl (E)-non-2-enoate, nonan-1-ol, (Z)-non-3-en-1-ol, (E)-non-2-en-1-ol, nona-3,6-dien-1-ol, and nona-2,6-dien-1-ol. In an olfactometer assay, wireworms (larvae of Agriotes sordidus Illiger, Coleoptera: Elateridae) were attracted to cues emanating from barley seedlings. We discuss the role of individual root volatiles or a blend of the root volatiles detected here and their interaction with CO₂ for wireworm attraction.     

Enhancing the approach to selecting eyewear (EASE): A multi-centre, practice-based study into the effect of applying contact lenses prior to spectacle dispensing

Purpose

To examine the impact of contact lens application in non-contact lens wearers prior to spectacle dispensing.

Methods

Ninety-one eligible subjects with no previous contact lens experience were randomly assigned into either a test group (52 subjects) or control group (39 subjects). The former group was offered contact lenses before spectacle dispensing. The latter group proceeded to spectacle dispensing in the normal way without being offered contact lenses. The response to the offer of contact lenses, fit success, the impact on the spectacle dispensing process and the longer term purchase of contact lenses were measured and compared for the test and control groups.

Results

Of the test group, 46 (88%) agreed to try contact lenses. All subjects were suitable for contact lenses after a slit lamp examination and lenses were successfully fitted to 45 of the 46 subjects (98%). The test group reported a superior subjective spectacle dispensing experience and spent £267 ± 143 (mean ± standard deviation) on their spectacle frames and lenses, 32% more than the control group (£202 ± 128). At 3 months post dispensing, 17 test patients (33% of original cohort) had purchased contact lenses compared with five control subjects (13%) (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

The opportunity to try contact lenses prior to spectacle dispensing was well received by subjects who generally reported a very positive experience. In particular, contact lenses assisted in seeing frame detail and suitability for wear. One third of subjects proceeded to purchase contact lenses. We recommend that practitioners consider offering contact lenses to all suitable patients who are proceeding to spectacle dispensing to optimise the dispensing process and to provide an opportunity to try contact lenses.     

A study of plane surface grinding under minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) conditions

Abrasive material removal processes can be very challenging due to high power requirements and resulting high temperatures. Effective lubrication and cooling is necessary to ensure temperature levels do not become excessive. Current fluid delivery systems are frequently seen to increase production cost due to fluid purchase and disposal. Moreover, waste fluids have a negative environmental impact. One of the successful fluid reduction methods employed in machining is minimum quantity lubrication (MQL), where a small amount of fluid is directed into the machining area in the form of an aerosol. This study aims to improve understanding of the effectiveness of MQL in the fine grinding plane surface grinding regime. This paper presents a comparative study of three cooling methods: conventional flood cooling, dry grinding and grinding with MQL. Common steels EN8, M2 and EN31 were ground with a general purpose alumina wheel. Results obtained demonstrate that MQL can deliver a comparable performance to flood delivery under the conditions investigated. Performance indicators included: grind power, specific forces (tangential and normal), grind temperature and workpiece surface roughness.     

Methodology of estimating restraint use in children: Roadside observation or parking lot interview survey

Objective

To compare the differences in Canadian national estimates of correct child restraint use obtained using the standard roadside observation method compared to a detailed parking lot interview.

Design

A multi-stage stratified survey design was used to conduct roadside observational and interview data collection at 182 randomly selected sites across Canada. For each site, a roadside intersection location and a parking lot location were used for the roadside observational survey and the interview respectively. Weighted estimates of correct restraint use from both locations were compared.

Results

Estimates of correct restraint use were significantly higher for all children under the age of 9 in the parking lot sample. The largest discrepancy between the two samples was in booster seat aged children (ages 4–8) where 29.1% versus 67.8% of children were observed to be correctly restrained using the roadside and the parking lot methodology respectively. There was a 67% participation refusal rate in the parking lot survey.

Conclusions

There are specific advantages and limitations to both survey designs. The purpose of the data collection must be considered when selecting the methodology. Parking lot surveys provide richer data regarding restraint use/misuse. Estimates of correct restraint use must be approached with caution due to the effect of consent bias resulting in over inflation of estimates. Roadside observation is adequate and appropriate for providing national estimates of correct restraint use.     

An adaptive spacetime discontinuous Galerkin method for cohesive models of elastodynamic fracture

This paper describes an adaptive numerical framework for cohesive fracture models based on a spacetime discontinuous Galerkin (SDG) method for elastodynamics with elementwise momentum balance. Discontinuous basis functions and jump conditions written with respect to target traction values simplify the implementation of cohesive traction–separation laws in the SDG framework; no special cohesive elements or other algorithmic devices are required. We use unstructured spacetime grids in a h‐adaptive implementation to adjust simultaneously the spatial and temporal resolutions. Two independent error indicators drive the adaptive refinement. One is a dissipation‐based indicator that controls the accuracy of the solution in the bulk material; the second ensures the accuracy of the discrete rendering of the cohesive law. Applications of the SDG cohesive model to elastodynamic fracture demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method and reveal a new solution feature: an unexpected quasi‐singular structure in the velocity response. Numerical examples demonstrate the use of adaptive analysis methods in resolving this structure, as well as its importance in reliable predictions of fracture kinetics. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

How private car purchasing trends offset efficiency gains and the successful energy policy response

In 2006, energy-related CO₂ emissions from transport energy in Ireland were 168% above 1990 levels. Private cars were responsible for approx 45% of transport energy demand in 2006 (excluding fuel tourism). The average annual growth of new cars between 1990 and 2006 was 5.2%. This paper focuses on these new cars entering the private car fleet, in particular the purchasing trend towards larger size cars. This has considerably offset the improvements in the technical efficiency of individual car models. The analysis was carried out on the detailed data of each individual new vehicle entering the fleet in 2000–2006. The average CO₂ emissions per kilometre for new petrol cars entering the Irish fleet grew from 166 to 168 g CO₂/km from 2000 to 2005 and reduced to 164 in 2006. For diesel cars the average reduced from 166 in 2000 to 161 in 2006. The paper also discusses how a recent change in vehicle registration taxation and annual motor tax had a significant impact purchasing trends by supporting lower emission vehicles. Cars with emissions up to 155 g CO₂/km represented 41% of new private cars sold in Ireland in 2007 compared with 84% during the period July–November 2008.     

Ohmic heating of meats: Electrical conductivities of whole meats and processed meat ingredients

The ohmic heating rate of a food is highly influenced by its electrical conductivity (σ). A survey of σ values of commonly used meat ingredients when dispersed as 5% (w/w) aqueous solutions/suspensions was undertaken. A subset was further investigated at typical usage levels in solution/suspension, and/or when incorporated into beef blends, while σ of selected cuts from five meat species (beef, pork, lamb, chicken and turkey) was also measured. Measurements were made from 5 to 85 °C and showed a linear increase in σ values with increasing temperature. In processed beef, addition of sodium chloride and phosphate (P22) caused a significant increase in σ which in turn would lead to an increase in ohmic heating rates. Furthermore, whole meats with lower endogenous fat or processed meats with the least added fat displayed higher σ and reduced ohmic heating times. In beef maximum σ was observed when fibres were aligned with the current flow.     

Detecting air-water and surface-deep water gradients of PCBs using polyethylene passive samplers

Polyethylene passive samplers (PEs) were deployed in a vertical array (bottom water, surface water, near-surface air) to study the cycling of active polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) between reservoirs in an urban estuary (Narragansett Bay, RI), from May to November 2006. Performance reference compounds were used to account for nonequilibrium of PCBs in PEs. Activity gradients were established from direct comparisons of temperature, salt, and nonequilibrium corrected PE concentrations. The uncertainty of determining air-water gradients was < 70%, and < 50% within the water column. Except during the height of summer, PCB activities were up to 30 times higher in the air than in the surface water, but closer to equilibrium in the water column. Surface waters became depleted in PCBs during periods of highest temperature and stratification, leading to the uptake of gaseous PCBs. Our results demonstrate that passive samplers are powerful tools to determine the flux directions of organic contaminants in the environment.