189,049 research outputs found
Shifting Paradigm of Governance in the Natural Resources Management of Bangladesh: A Centralist to Pluralistic Approach in the Forest Protected Areas Management
No full textEstablishment of a protected area (PA) is a key global conservation strategy aimed to protect the Earth’s imperiled biodiversity and ecosystems. Globally, PA networks now cover nearly 15% of the terrestrial ecosystem. Despite the importance of PAs in protecting declining biodiversity and unique ecosystems, many of them are in critical condition due to poor governance, thus functioning below the expected level. Moreover, in many developing countries, the PA coverage is lower than the global standard. Recognizing their contemporary role in conservation, governments have recently agreed to expand the global PA coverage to 17% by the year 2020 (Aichi Target 11). This book with case studies from around the world provides an overview of PA governance, institutional mechanisms, conservation benefits, limitations and challenges associated with their respective policy discourse, integrated management, and functional attributes. Chapter One provides a general overview with an introduction to the chapters, while Chapters Two through Nine present various attributes of protected area management, from policy to governance, conservation to ecotourism, and land-use/cover change to impact on climate. Protected areas will continue to play an important role in conservation and protection of biodiversity and wild habitats, particularly in countries where population pressure and habitat loss are high. Regular intervention, political commitment, and effective governance are essential for the sustainability of PAs across the globe. In this book, we also attempted to shed some light on future developmental clues for the sustainable management and monitoring of PAs worldwide. This book will be useful to managers of protected areas, conservation scientists, policymakers, students and researchers working on biodiversity conservation, natural resources, and environmental management. [Book Synopsis
Data used in article: Precession Motion in Levitated Optomechanics
No full textData associated and used in the following article: Ulbricht, H., Toros, M., Rashid, M., & Setter, A. J. (2018). Precession motion in levitated optomechanics. Physical Review Letters, 121(25), [253601]. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.253601</span
Simulation of thermal plant optimization and hydraulic aspects of thermal distribution loops for large campuses
Get PDFFollowing an introduction, the author describes Texas A&M University and its utilities system. After that, the author presents how to construct simulation models for chilled water and heating hot water distribution systems. The simulation model was used in a $2.3 million Ross Street chilled water pipe replacement project at Texas A&M University. A second project conducted at the University of Texas at San Antonio was used as an example to demonstrate how to identify and design an optimal distribution system by using a simulation model. The author found that the minor losses of these closed loop thermal distribution systems are significantly higher than potable water distribution systems. In the second part of the report, the author presents the latest development of software called the Plant Optimization Program, which can simulate cogeneration plant operation, estimate its operation cost and provide optimized operation suggestions. The author also developed detailed simulation models for a gas turbine and heat recovery steam generator and identified significant potential savings. Finally, the author also used a steam turbine as an example to present a multi-regression method on constructing simulation models by using basic statistics and optimization algorithms. This report presents a survey of the author??s working experience at the Energy Systems Laboratory (ESL) at Texas A&M University during the period of January 2002 through March 2004. The purpose of the above work was to allow the author to become familiar with the practice of engineering. The result is that the author knows how to complete a project from start to finish and understands how both technical and nontechnical aspects of a project need to be considered in order to ensure a quality deliverable and bring a project to successful completion. This report concludes that the objectives of the internship were successfully accomplished and that the requirements for the degree of Degree of Engineering have been satisfied
A methodology for developing a national health services system : case study - Iraq
No full textVita.A review of the literature related to health services in developing countries reveals the lack of a comprehensive approach to health system planning at the national level. Accordingly, in this study, a methodology is developed and presented which promotes a systematic approach to developing a national health plan and related programs. The method is composed of three phases: analysis; plan development; and program development. The analysis phase involves collecting, structuring and analyzing data in order to identify problems and establish priorities among them. The plan development phase involves preparation of a set of general statements that define the direction and character of desired goals and objectives, and the selection of the means by which the objectives may be achieved. The program development phase involves planning the activities necessary for implementing the selected programs, and specifying how these activities are to be managed. Each phase produces well-defined products which are used as inputs to subsequent phases. The research focused on Iraq as a case study to illustrate the application of the national health planning methodology developed in this study. The study includes a proposal for restructuring the health care delivery system in Iraq as well as programmatic guidelines for planning primary care facilities
Laser velocimetry study of the flow field in a centrifugal pump
No full textDue to the character of the original source materials and the nature of batch digitization, quality control issues may be present in this document. Please report any quality issues you encounter to [email protected], referencing the URI of the item.Includes bibliographical references.The flow field in the impeller passages in a centrifugal pump was measured using a two dimensional laser 2-focus velocimeter. Measurements were taken at three circumferential (azimuthal) locations at the design and off-design operating conditions for the pump. The velocity components, flow directions and turbulence kinetic energy were determined for the flow. At design operating condition the vectors representing absolute and relative velocities do not show any sign of distortion in the flow direction. However, the off-design flow direction is somewhat distorted at the impeller inlet near the front wall (z/H = 0. 18) of the blades. A leakage flow is evident from the impeller exit to the inlet. Static pressure measured across the front casing shows an asymmetry in the pressure distribution. Higher value of wall pressure and a high turbulence were observed at the volute tongue near the discharge side. The velocity profile in the pipe upstream of the inlet showed a basically uniform distribution with only a slight asymmetry while the velocity profile downstream of the pump discharge was distorted
Intern experience at CH���M Hill, Inc.: an internship report
Get PDFIncludes author's vita"Submitted to the College of Engineering of Texas A&M University in partial
fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Engineering."Includes bibliographical referencesA review of the author's internship experience with CH���M HILL, Inc.
during the period September 1975 through May 1976 is presented. During this nine month
internship the author worked as an Engineer II in the Industrial Processes discipline of this
large consulting engineering firm... The author's prime responsibility was as one of three
lead design engineers on the design of a large wastewater treatment facility for a pulp mill
in Hoquiam, Washington owned by ITT Rayonier Inc. The work generally consisted of the design
of individual treatment units and associated piping and pumping. The purpose of the project
was to provide wastewater treatment capabilities that would satisfy the effluent limitations
(standards) imposed upon the mill by the State of Washington Department of Ecology and the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The author's assignment also entailed necessary
interaction with the project manager and other CH���M HILL design engineers and support staff
members, the client's representatives, and representatives of two other consulting engineering
firms working on the project. Thus, the internship position at CH���M HILL provided considerable
experience coordinating the author's work with the work of other engineers, guiding the design
and administrative efforts of a support staff, and interacting regularly with the client and
other consulting firms. This broad exposure to a variety of engineering and organizational
problems provided a valuable educational experience
Intern experience at the Texas Transportation Institute: an internship report
Get PDF"Submitted to the College of Engineering of Texas A&M University in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Engineering."Includes vita (leaf 91)Includes bibliographical references (leaf 57)This report discusses the author's engineering experience at the Texas
Transportation Institute (TTI), Texas A&M University from March 1974 through July 1977. A
report of this experience plus twelve additional hours of academic course work were
substituted for an internship according to requirements established by the College of
Engineering. Although the author could not retroactively establish objectives of the type
associated with a typical internship, the work experience gained could be related to the two
general objectives of an intership: 1. To demonstrate an identifiable contribution to the
organization in which the intern served, and 2. To enable the intern to become aware of the
non-technical aspects of working as an engineer in a non-academic environment. While a member
of the Texas Transportation Institute staff, the author worked on a number of projects in the
areas of highway traffic engineering research and the preparation of continuing education
courses for transportation engineering officials. These assignments were contained within the
Urban Transportation Systems Division of TTI. This report delineates the author's contribution
to four particular projects and discusses the technical as well as non-technical experience
gained from each. Having been exposed to more engineering situations than many of the other
Doctor of Engineering students, the author has already formulated some rather specific
milestones for the future. The Doctor of Engineering program is discussed in conjunction with
its potential for helping the author attain these career goals and objectives. Also, some
thoughts are presented regarding the Doctor of Engineering as a viable alternative to the
Ph.D. in preparing for a career in engineering higher education
Sonoprocesses for sustainable textile processing and nanofinishing: a review
No full textThe textile sector is widely acknowledged as one of the most environmentally damaging sectors globally, primarily due to its high consumption of water and energy, utilization of chemicals, and the discharge of waste water containing a complex mixture of hazardous substances. The incorporation of nanotechnology, particularly through wet processes involving nano finishes, while enhancing textile functionality, further exacerbates these environmental concerns. Consequently, the exploration and promotion of sustainable methodologies are imperative across all wet treatments in textile processing. Among the potential solutions, sonoprocesses stand out as a promising avenue for mitigating resource consumption, and supporting environmentally friendly synthesis and application of nanomaterials to textiles. Sonoprocesses offer the advantage of carrying processes at low temperature and pressure, and the use of aqueous media instead of organic solvents. This comprehensive review delves into the multifaceted applications of sonoprocesses within the textile realm, with a specific emphasis on the synthesis and application of nanomaterials to textiles. Discussing the diverse applications of sonoprocesses, this study will pave the way for the integration of these techniques within the textile industry, ultimately aiming for widespread adoption on a commercial scale. This will help in promoting sustainable practices and reducing the ecological footprint of the textile sector
Effect of auxin and cytokinin on the vegetative propagation of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.)
No full textTo determine the value of auxin and cytokinin in the vegetative propagation of cabbage, three types of cuttings; leaf, root and leaf-bud were treated with aqueous solutions of Indole-3-Butyric Acid (IBA) and 6-Furfurylaminopurine (Kinetin) alone and in combinations. IBA stimulated root formation and the stimulation was reflected in earliness of rooting, a larger number of roots per cutting and higher percentage of cuttings producing roots. Kinetin delayed root formation, gave fewer roots per cutting and lower percentage of rooted cuttings. Optimum concentration of IBA alone was between 25 and 50 ppm. Cuttings treated with both IBA and Kinetin produced more roots per cutting than those treated with IBA alone. At a constant level (35 ppm) of IBA, the average number of roots increased gradually as the concentration of Kinetin was raised from 0 to 50 ppm. The total number of cuttings that produced roots was almost the same in treatments having either IBA or IBA with Kinetin but in all cases much higher than control. Leaf-bud cuttings did not form adventitious buds until the axillary buds were removed. After removal of axillary buds, many of the cuttings started to form adventitious buds within a week, although some took longer. The earliest bud produced by a leaf cutting was observed 32 days after hormone treatment. However, the majority of leaf cuttings started bud formation in 50 days. Treatments having IBA or IBA plus Kinetin showed no significant difference in the number of adventitious buds. Kinetin alone (25 ppm) produced a significantly lower number of buds than all other treatments including the control. Number of buds was not directly correlated with the number of roots nor earliness of root formation. However, a good root system was found essential for survival and subsequent bud formation.
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