Orientador: José Gilberto de Souza / Banca: Bernardo Arantes do Nascimento Teixeira / Banca: Encarnita Salas Martin / Banca: Ioshiaqui Shimbo / Resumo: A ideia da construção de diversos índices e indicadores vem ganhando força como subsídio para o monitoramento das ações em políticas públicas no que diz respeito à qualidade de vida e à qualidade ambiental. No entanto, as formulações desses índices e indicadores podem não oferecer um retrato dos reais aspectos das desigualdades sociais e dos elementos condicionantes para uma vida com qualidade e um ambiente sustentável. Esta pesquisa tem por objetivo principal analisar as possíveis relações entre as dimensões da sustentabilidade e os aspectos das desigualdades sociais, segregação ambiental, segregação espacial e classes de renda no espaço urbano. A estratégia de pesquisa foi através da investigação dos referenciais teóricos e pela análise das experiências realizadas, sendo elas: Seattle Sustentável, IQVU de Belo Horizonte, Diputació de Barcelona, Índice de Sustentabilidade de Blumenau, Mapa de Exclusão/Inclusão Social de São Paulo, a Experiência Jaboticabal Sustentável e a Proposta de Sistema de Indicadores Sociais Georreferenciados para o Planejamento e a Gestão Local. A pesquisa foi realizada no município de Formosa, GO, a coleta de dados entre janeiro e julho de 2010 e estabeleceu-se como estratégia o processo participativo por meio da formação de um grupo de sujeitos locais, sendo o levantamento de dados realizado em 225 domicílios de nove bairros, em setores censitários urbanos delimitados pelo IBGE, representativos à totalidade populacional urbana. Os critérios para identificação dos bairros foram baseados por acentuadas diferenças, tais como a estrutura urbana, condições ambientais, sociais e econômicas, dentre outras. A análise dos dados foi pela técnica comparativa dos indicadores utilizados, classificados e enquadrados em função dos princípios das dimensões ambiental, social... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The idea of building several indexes and indicators has been gaining power as an aid for monitoring the actions of public policies regarding to quality of life and environmental quality. However, the formulations of these indexes and indicators may not provide a picture of the real issues of social inequality and the determining factors for a quality life and a sustainable environment. This research aims at analyzing the possible relationships between the dimensions of sustainability and the aspects of social inequality, environmental segregations, spatial segregation and income classes in urban space. The search strategy was through the investigation of theoretical analysis and experiments, which were: Sustainable Seattle, IQVU of Belo Horizonte, Diputació of Barcelona, Sustainability Index of Blumenau, Map of Social Exclusion / Inclusion of São Paulo, Sustainable Experience Jaboticabal and Proposal of System of Social Indicators Georeferenced for Planning and Local Management. The research was conducted in the city of Formosa, GO, the data collection was between January and July 2010 and had established itself as strategy the participatory process through the formation of a group of local people, and the data collection conducted in 225 households of nine neighborhoods in urban census tracts defined by IBGE, represent the entire urban population. The criteria for identification of neighborhoods were based in significant differences, such as urban structure, environmental conditions, social and economic, among others. Data analysis was by the technique of used comparative indicators, sorted and classified according... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Fundação Araucária / De origem latina “sustentare” significa suster, sustentar, suportar, conservar em bom estado, manter e resistir, logo, a expressão sustentável quer dizer capacidade de ser mantido ou suportado. A sustentabilidade encontra-se fundamentada no Triple Botton Line, denominado também de pilares ou dimensões. Nesse contexto, suas diversas áreas, vem ganhando elevada importância, devido a problemas ambientais, econômicos e socais, tornando-se uma ferramenta de diferencial entre as organizações, através da qual podem desenvolver estratégias e ações mais competitivas e sustentáveis. As organizações tem inserido informações importantes em suas tomadas de decisões por meio de indicadores de sustentabilidade. Uma das ferramentas mundialmente utilizada, sendo considera uma das mais completas em termos de indicadores é a GRI (Global Reporting Initiative), que apresenta em suas diretrizes, indicadores essenciais, adicionais e setoriais que auxiliam as organizações na geração de relatórios de sustentabilidade, com o intuito de se posicionarem diferentemente perante seus stakeholders. Logo, esse trabalho teve com objetivo avaliar a viabilidade das diretrizes da GRI-G3 para a geração de relatório de sustentabilidade em MPMDs indústrias de vestuário no APL Maringá/Cianorte - PR. Sendo assim, no referencial teórico foram abordados conceitos relacionados à sustentabilidade, relatório de sustentabilidade e APL (Arranjo Produtivo Local). O método utilizado na pesquisa foi o dedutivo, sendo a abordagem metodológica como aplicada, qualitativa, exploratória descritiva e de levantamento. Para a coleta de dados utilizou -se dois questionários, sendo o primeiro para identificar o nível de importância dos indicadores e a situação de cada indicador nas empresas pesquisadas e o segundo para identificar a materialidade dos indicadores, ou seja, quais indicadores são relevantes para compor o relatório de sustentabilidade de acordo com a percepção dos gestores. Os dados foram tabulados e tratados através de planilha eletrônica, calculando-se a média ponderada. Os resultados demonstraram diferenças entre o que os gestores percebem como importante e o que eles apontam como sendo relevante constar no relatório, bem como a situação de cada indicador, verificando-se a ausência principalmente, de um maior número de indicadores ambientais. No entanto, conforme as diretrizes da GRI-G3, para uma organização relatora iniciante é necessário identificar materialidade respondendo a um mínimo de 10 indicadores, incluindo pelo menos um de cada uma das seguintes áreas de desempenho: ambiental, social e econômico. Desse modo, pode-se concluir que, as diretrizes da GRI-G3 mostraram-se viabilizadoras de relatório de sustentabilidade em MPMDs indústrias de vestuário no APL de Maringá/Cianorte - PR, no qual foram atendidas as exigências do nível de aplicação C, para organizações iniciantes. / Latino "Sustentare" means to sustain, maintain, support, maintain in good repair, maintain and resist, hence the term sustainable means capable of being maintained or supported. Sustainability is based on the Triple Bottom Line, also called the pillars or dimensions. In this context, the various areas, has gained high importance due to environmental, economic and social rights, becoming a tool to differentiate between the organizations through which they can develop strategies and actions in order to be more competitive and sustainable. The organizations have entered information important in their decision making by means of sustainability indicators. One of the tools used worldwide and is considered one of the most complete in terms of indicators is the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative), which presents in its guidelines, key indicators, and additional sectoral organizations that assist in reporting sustainability, in order to position themselves differently towards their stakeholders. Therefore, this study was to evaluate the viability of the GRI-G3 guidelines for sustainability report generation in MPMDs apparel industries in Maringá APL / Cianorte - PR. Thus, the theoretical concepts discussed were related to sustainability, sustainability reporting and APL (Local Productive Arrangement). The method used in the research was deductive, being applied as a methodological approach, qualitative, exploratory and descriptive survey. To collect data was used two questionnaires, the first being to identify the level of importance of indicators and the status of each indicator and the second in the companies surveyed to identify the materiality of the indicators, i.e. indicators which are relevant to render the report sustainability according to the perception of managers. Data were tabulated and processed through a spreadsheet, calculating the weighted average. The results showed differences between what managers perceive as important and what they indicate as being relevant in the report included, as well as the status of each indicator, verifying the absence especially of a greater number of envir onmental indicators. However, according to the guidelines of the GRI-G3 reporting organization to a beginner is necessary to identify materiality responding to a minimum of 10 indicators, including at least one of each of the following performance areas: environmental, social and economic. Thus, was can conclude that the guidelines of the GRI-G3 proved to be enablers of sustainability report in MPMDs apparel industries in APL Maringá / Cianorte - PR, which have been met the requirements of the application level C for organizations beginners.

abstract: Increasing computational demands in data centers require facilities to operate at higher ambient temperatures and at higher power densities. Conventionally, data centers are cooled with electrically-driven vapor-compressor equipment. This paper proposes an alternative data center cooling architecture that is heat-driven. The source is heat produced by the computer equipment. This dissertation details experiments investigating the quantity and quality of heat that can be captured from a liquid-cooled microprocessor on a computer server blade from a data center. The experiments involve four liquid-cooling setups and associated heat-extraction, including a radical approach using mineral oil. The trials examine the feasibility of using the thermal energy from a CPU to drive a cooling process. Uniquely, the investigation establishes an interesting and useful relationship simultaneously among CPU temperatures, power, and utilization levels. In response to the system data, this project explores the heat, temperature and power effects of adding insulation, varying water flow, CPU loading, and varying the cold plate-to-CPU clamping pressure. The idea is to provide an optimal and steady range of temperatures necessary for a chiller to operate. Results indicate an increasing relationship among CPU temperature, power and utilization. Since the dissipated heat can be captured and removed from the system for reuse elsewhere, the need for electricity-consuming computer fans is eliminated. Thermocouple readings of CPU temperatures as high as 93°C and a calculated CPU thermal energy up to 67Wth show a sufficiently high temperature and thermal energy to serve as the input temperature and heat medium input to an absorption chiller. This dissertation performs a detailed analysis of the exergy of a processor and determines the maximum amount of energy utilizable for work. Exergy as a source of realizable work is separated into its two contributing constituents: thermal exergy and informational exergy. The informational exergy is that usable form of work contained within the most fundamental unit of information output by a switching device within a CPU. Exergetic thermal, informational and efficiency values are calculated and plotted for our particular CPU, showing how the datasheet standards compare with experimental values. The dissertation concludes with a discussion of the work's significance. / Dissertation/Thesis / Anna Haywood's Dissertation for 5-5 Spring 2014 / Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering 2014

<p> Coal and biomass slow pyrolysis reactions were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis close coupled to gas chromatography (TG-GC). The pyrolysis mass balance via this system was closed to >99 wt. %. Parallel in-situ Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier-Transform Spectroscopy pyrolysis experiments were used to explain the mechanistic relationship between functional groups and volatile products. Gas and tar evolution profiles correspond to the loss of surface oxygenated functional groups and increases in char aromaticity during pyrolysis. Various pyrolysis conditions including heating rates, particle size, and reaction confinements were investigated secondary pyrolysis reactions via TG-GC. The investigation demonstrated that increasing the residence time of tar in the solid-gas interface by 0.23-0.31 seconds results in a 2.1-2.5 wt. % decrease in tar production with a commensurate 0.6-5.7 wt. % increase in solid product, a 40 wt. % increase in CH₄, and a 10-30 wt. % increase in H₂ between 510 and 575 &deg;C. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF) measured the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of the pyrolysis tar product to be between 200 and 550 amu. Gas chromatographic-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) was used to identify 120 distinct species in pyrolysis tar. Tar products of the different reaction conditions show that extended residence time of pyrolysis tars in the solid-gas interface decreased the average MWD, decreased the H/C ratio, and resulted in a more expansive speciation of nitrogen and sulfur species in the tar. Further investigations of tar show that coal tar vaporizes by 1000 &ordm;C without producing secondary gas products or coke. Biomass was found to produce a 40 wt. % char product plus CO₂, CO, CH₄, C₂H₄, C₂H₆, and H₂. The experimentally measured mass closure insists that the product distributions and profiles from slow pyrolysis are absolute and the error may be directly calculated. These are used to estimate the rates, kinetic parameters and number of reactions during pyrolysis.</p>

Sustainable Built Environments Senior Capstone Project / Green infrastructure is defined as a planned and managed natural system which can provide several categories of benefits. Man-made, gray solutions are no longer considered to be a viable solution when designing with resiliency in cities. Gray solutions have replaced naturally occurring vegetation with impervious surfaces. During severe rainfall events, these impervious surfaces have led cities to become more susceptible to flooding as infiltration and retention capacities have been significantly reduced. This study will analyze an area located within a highly urbanized city center and will begin to interpret the performance and impacts that may come after implementing green infrastructure practices. Based on the simulated outcome provided by the National Storm water Calculator, the results will determine if added green infrastructure features can reduce urban flooding.

<p> This dissertation explores the role of the concept of flourishing as it moves toward sustainability by examining a theoretical case study of the Aeolian Islands, and in particular, the island of Lipari. Lipari is challenged by four core problems: lack of potable water, lack of collaboration on policymaking, lack of a shared vision, and lack of a sustainable economy. Each core problem is evaluated as a set of complex and interrelated systems. Through this analysis, the leading qualities associated with a flourishing society are explored to determine the potential levers that would be most effective in shifting the islands from unsustainable to sustainably flourishing. Using the framework of complexity, this paper integrates a variety of fields such as ecology, economics, public policy, and sociology in developing a more comprehensive definition of the concept of sustainable flourishing.</p><p>

<p> Mountains are filled with both mystery and grandeur. They are places where the natural world can be experienced in its most raw form. Humans have been climbing mountains for centuries, yet it is still difficult to adequately explain what draws people to the mountains. There is danger in the mountains, but there can also be rewards in the form of physical health, mental well-being, and personal growth. My climbing experience has led me to believe that these benefits are felt most when climbers approach a mountain with a sense of reverence and respect, and that the colonizing mindset of conquering a mountain or completing a tick-list is detrimental to the climber, the people that the climber interacts with, and the natural environment of the mountain. This study examines the worldviews of mountain climbers and the aspects of mountaineering that seem to enhance these worldviews. The worldviews of the mountaineers are explored in regard to both the natural environment and human society. Focus is placed on the aspects of mountaineering that seem to encourage biocentric worldviews, with the hope of being able to apply these findings to future sustainability initiatives. This study finds that mountaineers have a generally negative view of societies which put too much emphasis on material wealth, social prestige, and power structures. These materialistic tendencies of society are in direct contrast with the world of mountains. The benefits of climbing mountains are extensive, with personal and spiritual benefits being even more essential to the experience than the physical benefits. Climbers do not climb mountains for these benefits though; they climb mountains to climb. The findings of this study are discussed in terms of the future of climbing, environmental and social sustainability initiatives, and genuine learning experiences. </p><p>

<p> How do firms adapt to the intensity of adverse conditions stemming from the natural environment (ecological adversity intensity)? In this dissertation, I develop several lines of inquiry in exploring this question. First, I seek to contribute to generally diverging perspectives on organizational adaptation, which view firms as either inherently constrained or capable of continuous adaptation to fit their environment. To do this, I examine the conditions under which firms are more likely to adapt to different levels of ecological adversity intensity. My findings from a 13-year longitudinal analysis of western U.S. ski resorts&rsquo; adaptation to temperature conditions indicate that firms facing moderate ecological adversity intensity appear more likely to engage in higher adaptation levels while those experiencing low and high ecological adversity intensity show a tendency for lower adaptation levels. That is, both diverging perspectives may predict part of firms&rsquo; adaptive responses to ecological adversity intensity. My findings also suggest firms may encounter limits to adaptation when facing increasing ecological adversity intensity. I also undertake a post hoc exploration of firm and institutional environment level factors that may moderate the relationship between ecological adversity intensity and firm adaptation. Second, I use an interdisciplinary approach that draws from resilience theory in socioecology to suggest that the existing conceptualization of organizational resilience could be expanded to include transformative change, which may allow firms to mitigate the operational impacts of reaching adaptation limits. Third, I also consider the resilience implications of the interdependency between firms and the broader ecosystems in which they operate. I conclude with potential avenues for future research in this area.</p><p>

<p> Environmental sustainability is an extension of the concept of sustainability that focuses on the importance of understanding the interconnectivity between natural and socio-economic systems without compromising resource capacity. In this study, it is incorporated into a framework that applies to the sustainable development of small counties in the South Texas region of the Eagle Ford Shale. </p><p> The research involved a qualitative approach through the distribution of a questionnaire to a surveyed sample of Texas residents from Gonzales and Karnes counties. The purpose of the questionnaire was to obtain the expressed perspectives of residents regarding the impacts of shale development on their quality of life. These locations of interest were selected because of the different levels of shale development they experienced. Aspects of quality of life were analyzed as indicators of the survey responses to open and closed-ended questions. Participants described and scaled variables regarding impacts, benefits, and notable changes they experienced from the development of shale resources in their counties. Content analysis was used to obtain results relevant to developing the conceptual model for environmental sustainability proposed in this study. Findings showed that the sample of participating residents highly identified with socio-economic interests compared to environmental interests, considering that when the study was conducted shale oil and gas production was in decline as a result of fallen global energy prices. </p><p> In this study the terms sustainability and sustainable development were used interchangeably, while development was addressed in a broad sense, referring to the overall improvement of quality of life.</p><p>

The aim of this study was to break through current limits with cement substitutes in concrete paving block and introduce high levels of cementitious constituents. As well as meeting the current strength and durability requirements stated in BS EN 1338:2003 the study reported on the effect of materials variability and leaching properties. The cementitous materials used to replace Portland cement (PC) were Pulverised Fuel Ash (PFA also known as Fly Ash), Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS), Metakaolin (MK), Silica fume (SF), Glass Powder (GP), Basic Oxygen Slag (BOS) and By Pass Dust (BPD). The first phase of the study analysed 11 groups of ternary cement paste blends using Minitab, a statistical programme to help determine mix designs and optimised mix. Analysis of ternary cement pastes in the first phase concluded that mixes containing GGBS over PFA produced greater strengths at early ages. Mixes confirmed that PC-GGBS-GP provided good strengths due to the SiO2 content within GP providing secondary CSH gel. PC-GGBS-BPD provided good strengths due to SO3 within BPD activating the GGBS through sulphates. The best results in forms of strength were found in PC-GGBS-SF and PC-GGBS-BOS ternary pastes. The fine particles along with the high SiO2 content of SF provided greater pozzolanic reactivity and a greater matrix densification. Fourteen of the best mixes were then taken into the second phase. This is when concrete paving blocks were made from these mixes with the method that was developed at Coventry University. The two mixes with the greatest splitting tensile strength consisted of varying levels of PC-GGBS-SF and were known as the candidate mixes. The durability criteria set out in BS EN 1338:2003 was met, however the minimum strength requirement was not. The candidate mixes were still chosen to be produced in the factory as the manufacturing and curing procedure in the factory was more effective and efficient in comparison to the laboratory procedure. The site trial successfully achieved the minimum requirements for the mechanical properties and durability performance stated in BS EN 1338:2003 and reduced the cement content of concrete paving blocks by 40% wt of PC, with a ternary blend consisting of 60% PC, 25% GGBS and 15%SF. Analysis of material variability was conducted on PFA (regulated commercially available replacement) and BPD (replacement waste material). Results showed that when using regulated commercially available cementitious constituents the chemical composition of the material should be within a given range (For replacement by weight of 10%, 20%, 30%, difference in main oxide should be no greater than 1%, 2.5% and 3.5% respectively) and for the waste material the chemical composition (Limits as stated for regulated commercially available material) as well as fineness (Replacement by weight of 5% and 10% should not have a variability in average particle size of more than 15μm) should be within a range. The two candidate mixes were finally tested for their leaching properties against a leachate that was derived from used oil concentrations. The increase in permeability with the use of GGBS and SF lead to the block absorbing less of the leachate in comparison to the control mix. The study set out to introduce high levels of cementitious constituents in concrete paving blocks. Although it is known that high levels of replacement would cause deterioration, this was done in order for the study to create a database in which the company could refer to and determine which constituents performed well and what the maximum level of replacement could be. The study successfully replaced PC by 40% with 25% GGBS and 15% SF. With blocks actually producing greater strengths than the control mix (100% PC) at 28 days and meeting all the minimum requirements that were set out in BS EN 1338:2003.