This thesis presents an intelligent early packet discard (I-EPD) for real-time video streaming over a multi-hop ad hoc network. In a multi-hop ad hoc network, the quality of transferring real-time video streams could be seriously degraded, since every intermediate node (IN) functionally like forwarding device does not possess large buffer and sufficient bandwidth. Even worse, a selected forwarding node could leave or power off unexpectedly which breaks the route to destination. Thus, a video packet temporarily buffered in intermediate nodes may exceed its time constraint when either a congested or failed link occurs; a stale video packet is useless even if it can reach destination after network traffic becomes smooth or failed route is reconfigured. In the proposed I-EPD, an IN can intelligently determine whether a buffered video packet should be discarded based on an estimated time constraint which is calculated from the RTP timestamps and the round trip time (RTT) measured by RTCP. For the purpose of validation, we implement the I-EPD scheme on a Linux-based embedded system. We compare the quality of video streams under different bit rates and different route repair time. In addition, we use PSNR to validate the quality of pictures from the aspect of application layer. The experimental results demonstrate that with I-EPD buffer utilization on IN can be more effectively used and unnecessary bandwidth wastage can be avoided.

Mining activities cause severe disturbance to the soil environment in terms of soil quality and productivity and are of serious concern worldwide. Under South African legislation, developers are required to ecologically rehabilitate damaged environments. The application of agronomic approaches for the rehabilitation of coal discard sites has failed dismally in the arid areas of southern Africa. It is obvious that compliance with mitigation and rehabilitation requirements cannot be enforced without a thorough understanding of the ecological principles that ensure ecological stability and subsequent sustainability of soil ecosystems. Soil micro organisms are crucial role-players in the processes that make energy and nutrients available for recycling in the soil ecosystem. Poor management practices and other negative impacts on soil ecosystems affect both the physical and chemical properties of soil, as well as the functional and structural properties of soil microbial communities. Disturbances of soil ecosystems that impact on the normal functioning of microbial communities are potentially detrimental to soil formation, energy transfers, nutrient cycling, plant reestablishment and long-term stability. In this regard, an extensive overview of soil properties and processes indicated that the use of microbiological and biochemical soil properties, such as microbial biomass, enzymatic activity and the analysis of microbial community structure by the quantification of specific signature lipid biomarkers are useful as indicators of soil ecological stress or restoration properties because they are more responsive to small changes than physical and chemical characteristics. In this study, the relationship between the physical and chemical characteristics and different biological indicators of soil quality in the topsoil covers of seven coal discard sites under rehabilitation in South Africa, as well as three reference sites was investigated. Through the assimilation of basic quantitative data and the assessment of certain physical, chemical and biological properties of the topsoil covers obtained from the various coal discard sites as well as the reference sites, the relative success or progress of rehabilitation and the possible correlation between the biological indicators of soil quality and the establishment of self sustaining vegetation covers was determined. Results from soil physical and chemical analyses and percentage vegetation cover were correlated with the results obtained for the functional and structural diversity of microbial communities at the various sites. All results were investigated through statistical and multivariate analysis and the most prominent physical and chemical parameters that influence the biological and biochemical properties of the soil and possibly the establishment of self-sustainable vegetation cover on these mine-tailing sites were identified. Results obtained from this study indicated no significant difference (p>0.05) between the various discard sites based on conventional microbiological enumeration techniques. However, significant differences (p<0.05) could be observed between the three reference sites. All enzymatic activities assayed for the rehabilitation sites, with the exception of urease and alkaline phosphatase displayed a strong, positive association with the organic carbon content (%C). Ammonium concentration had a weak association with all the enzymes studied and pH only showed a negative association with acid phosphatase activity. A positive association was observed between the viable microbial biomass, vegetation cover and the organic carbon content, ammonium, nitrate and phosphorus concentrations of the soil. The various rehabilitation and reference sites could be differentiated based on the microbial community structure as determined by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis. It is hypothesised that the microbial community structure of the Hendrina site is not sustainable when classified along an r-K gradient and that the high percentage of vegetation cover and high levels of estimated viable microbial biomass are an artificial reflection of the current management practices being employed at this site. Results obtained during this study, suggest that an absence or low percentage of vegetation cover and associated lower organic matter content of the soil have a significant negative impact on soil biochemical properties (enzymatic activity) as well as microbial population size. Furthermore, prevailing environmental physico-chemical and management characteristics significantly influences the vegetation cover and subsequently the microbial community structure. The results indicate that the microbial ecosystems in the coal discard sites could become more stable and ecologically self-regulating, provided effective management to enhance the organic carbon content of the soil. This could enhance nutrient cycling, resulting in changes of soil structure and eventually an improved soil quality which could facilitate the establishment of self sustaining vegetation cover. Results obtained during this study suggest that a polyphasic assessment of physical and chemical properties; microbial activities by enzymatic analysis; the characterisation of microbial community structure by analysis of phospholipid fatty acids; and the multifactorial analysis of the data obtained can be used as complementary assessment criteria for the evaluation of the trend of rehabilitation of mine tailings and discard sites. Strategic management criteria are recommended based on the soil quality environmental sustainability indices to facilitate the establishment of self sustainable vegetation covers. The contribution of this research to soil ecology is significant with regards to the intensive investigation and explanation of characteristics and processes that drive ecological rehabilitation and determine the quality of the soil environment. The multidisciplinary approach that is proposed could, furthermore, assist in the successful rehabilitation and establishment of self-sustaining vegetation covers at industrially disturbed areas, as well as assist in improving degraded soil quality associated with both intensive and informal agriculture. Additionally, this approach could negate the negative social and environmental impacts frequently associated with these activities. / Thesis (M. Environmental Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Mining activities cause severe disturbance to the soil environment in terms of soil quality and productivity and are of serious concern worldwide. Under South African legislation, developers are required to ecologically rehabilitate damaged environments. The application of agronomic approaches for the rehabilitation of coal discard sites has failed dismally in the arid areas of southern Africa. It is obvious that compliance with mitigation and rehabilitation requirements cannot be enforced without a thorough understanding of the ecological principles that ensure ecological stability and subsequent sustainability of soil ecosystems. Soil micro organisms are crucial role-players in the processes that make energy and nutrients available for recycling in the soil ecosystem. Poor management practices and other negative impacts on soil ecosystems affect both the physical and chemical properties of soil, as well as the functional and structural properties of soil microbial communities. Disturbances of soil ecosystems that impact on the normal functioning of microbial communities are potentially detrimental to soil formation, energy transfers, nutrient cycling, plant reestablishment and long-term stability. In this regard, an extensive overview of soil properties and processes indicated that the use of microbiological and biochemical soil properties, such as microbial biomass, enzymatic activity and the analysis of microbial community structure by the quantification of specific signature lipid biomarkers are useful as indicators of soil ecological stress or restoration properties because they are more responsive to small changes than physical and chemical characteristics. In this study, the relationship between the physical and chemical characteristics and different biological indicators of soil quality in the topsoil covers of seven coal discard sites under rehabilitation in South Africa, as well as three reference sites was investigated. Through the assimilation of basic quantitative data and the assessment of certain physical, chemical and biological properties of the topsoil covers obtained from the various coal discard sites as well as the reference sites, the relative success or progress of rehabilitation and the possible correlation between the biological indicators of soil quality and the establishment of self sustaining vegetation covers was determined. Results from soil physical and chemical analyses and percentage vegetation cover were correlated with the results obtained for the functional and structural diversity of microbial communities at the various sites. All results were investigated through statistical and multivariate analysis and the most prominent physical and chemical parameters that influence the biological and biochemical properties of the soil and possibly the establishment of self-sustainable vegetation cover on these mine-tailing sites were identified. Results obtained from this study indicated no significant difference (p>0.05) between the various discard sites based on conventional microbiological enumeration techniques. However, significant differences (p<0.05) could be observed between the three reference sites. All enzymatic activities assayed for the rehabilitation sites, with the exception of urease and alkaline phosphatase displayed a strong, positive association with the organic carbon content (%C). Ammonium concentration had a weak association with all the enzymes studied and pH only showed a negative association with acid phosphatase activity. A positive association was observed between the viable microbial biomass, vegetation cover and the organic carbon content, ammonium, nitrate and phosphorus concentrations of the soil. The various rehabilitation and reference sites could be differentiated based on the microbial community structure as determined by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis. It is hypothesised that the microbial community structure of the Hendrina site is not sustainable when classified along an r-K gradient and that the high percentage of vegetation cover and high levels of estimated viable microbial biomass are an artificial reflection of the current management practices being employed at this site. Results obtained during this study, suggest that an absence or low percentage of vegetation cover and associated lower organic matter content of the soil have a significant negative impact on soil biochemical properties (enzymatic activity) as well as microbial population size. Furthermore, prevailing environmental physico-chemical and management characteristics significantly influences the vegetation cover and subsequently the microbial community structure. The results indicate that the microbial ecosystems in the coal discard sites could become more stable and ecologically self-regulating, provided effective management to enhance the organic carbon content of the soil. This could enhance nutrient cycling, resulting in changes of soil structure and eventually an improved soil quality which could facilitate the establishment of self sustaining vegetation cover. Results obtained during this study suggest that a polyphasic assessment of physical and chemical properties; microbial activities by enzymatic analysis; the characterisation of microbial community structure by analysis of phospholipid fatty acids; and the multifactorial analysis of the data obtained can be used as complementary assessment criteria for the evaluation of the trend of rehabilitation of mine tailings and discard sites. Strategic management criteria are recommended based on the soil quality environmental sustainability indices to facilitate the establishment of self sustainable vegetation covers. The contribution of this research to soil ecology is significant with regards to the intensive investigation and explanation of characteristics and processes that drive ecological rehabilitation and determine the quality of the soil environment. The multidisciplinary approach that is proposed could, furthermore, assist in the successful rehabilitation and establishment of self-sustaining vegetation covers at industrially disturbed areas, as well as assist in improving degraded soil quality associated with both intensive and informal agriculture. Additionally, this approach could negate the negative social and environmental impacts frequently associated with these activities. / Thesis (M. Environmental Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

The rehabilitation of degraded soils, such as those associated with post-mining sites, requires knowledge of the soil ecosystem and its physical, chemical, and biological composition in order for rehabilitation efforts to fulfil the long-term goal of reconstructing a stable ecosystem for rehabilitated mine soil. This study addresses the need for appropriate assessment criteria to determine the progress of rehabilitation and subsequently the success of management practices. Significant contributions made by this investigation included the establishment of minimum and maximum values for microbial community measurements from two case studies of rehabilitated coal discard sites. Furthermore, it was shown that there was no relationship between changes in microbial community function and structure and the rehabilitation age of the sites. Following this, the considerable impact of management practices on microbial communities was illustrated. The first part of the study investigated the temporal changes in microbial community function and structure in a chronosequence of rehabilitated coal discard sites aged 1 to 11 years. The most important observation made during the investigation of the microbial communities in the different aged soil covers of the rehabilitated coal discard sites, was that there was no relationship between rehabilitation age and microbial activity or abundance of certain microbial groups. What was responsible for a clear differentiation between sites and a shift in microbial community attributes was the management practices applied. A comparison of two chronosequences of rehabilitated coal discard sites was achieved by an application of the 'space-for-time' hypothesis. Sites of different ages and at separate locations ('space') were identified to obtain a chronosequence of ages ('time'). The two chronosequences included sites aged 1 to 11 years (chronosequence A) and 6 to 17 years (chronosequence B), respectively. Sites in the same chronosequence were managed identically, while there was a distinct difference in management practices applied to each chronosequence. The long-term effect of the different management regimes on the soil microbial community function and structure was investigated. Again, there was no relationship between rehabilitation age and microbial community measurements. Fluctuations of selected microbial properties occurred in both chronosequences and similar temporal trends existed over the rehabilitation periods. However, the less intensively managed chronosequence (8) seemed more stable (less fluctuation occurred) over the rehabilitation period than the more intensively managed chronosequence (A). It was therefore concluded that the microbial communities in the less managed sites maintained their functional and structural integrity within bounds in the absence of management inputs or disturbance. While there was similarity in the trends over time for individual microbial community measurements, the seemingly more stable conditions in chronosequence 6 are important in terms of the goal of rehabilitation. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Environmental Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-02-17Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T21:05:25Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 pinheiro_rsb_dr_botfmvz.pdf: 178440 bytes, checksum: c198bd55cd85d176c0d2e0aa0ed2fbf4 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / O experimento foi conduzido no intuito de avaliar ovelhas de descarte abatidas em diferentes estágios fisiológicos e terminadas em confinamento, quanto aos rendimentos de carcaça e seus cortes, assim como dos percentuais de cada não componente da carcaça e o resultado econômico da preparação destes animais para abate. Utilizou-se 21 ovelhas da raça Santa Inês, com idade média de seis anos, que foram distribuídas nos respectivos tratamentos: OL = ovelhas que permaneceram por 60 dias em lactação com seus respectivos cordeiros e abatidas um dia após o desmame dos mesmos; OSC = ovelhas que permaneceram por 60 dias em lactação com seus respectivos cordeiros e mais um período aproximado de 30 dias sem os cordeiros, no intuito de recuperar o peso corporal perdido durante o período de amamentação e posteriormente abatidas; e ONP = ovelhas que permaneceram por 60 dias em confinamento e que não pariram durante o ano. Os resultados obtidos nesta pesquisa evidenciaram que as ovelhas do ONP apresentaram maiores rendimentos de carcaça quente (45,00%) e fria (44,73%) em comparação às fêmeas do OL (40,80% e 40,66%). O rendimento verdadeiro foi próximo entre as fêmeas dos diferentes tratamentos, com valor médio de 50,10%. Os rendimentos dos cortes da carcaça (paleta, pescoço, costelas, lombo e perna) foram similares entre todas as ovelhas abatidas nas distintas condições fisiológicas, com valores médios de 18,78%, 9,34%, 27,36%, 7,77%, e 34,70%, respectivamente. Os rendimentos dos não componentes da carcaça foram similares entre as ovelhas abatidas em diferentes estágios fisiológicos, com exceção dos valores do fígado, do sangue, do úbere e da gordura interna. O resultado econômico foi positivo para todos os tratamentos experimentais, no entanto o melhor retorno financeiro foi obtido para os animais do tratamento OSC e o pior para os do tratamento ONP. / The experiment was carried out aiming to evaluate discard ewes slaughtered in different physiological stages and terminated in confinement, as for carcass yields and its cuts, as well as the percentages of each non-component of the carcass and the economical result of the preparation of these animals for slaughtering. 21 Santa Inês ewes were used, with average age of six years old, distributed into the following treatments: EL = ewes which remained in lactation for 60 days with their respective lambs and slaughtered one day after weaning of the lambs; EWL = ewes that remained in lactation for 60 days with their respective lambs and other 30 days approximately without lambs, aiming to recover lost body weight during breastfeeding, and, subsequently, slaughtered; and ENC = ewes that remained in confinement for 60 days and did not deliver during the year. The results obtained in this research showed that ewes from ENC presented higher hot (45.00%) and cold (44.73%) carcass yields, compared to females from EL (40.80% and 40.66%). True yield was proximate between females from the different treatments, with average value of 50.10%. Carcass cuts (shoulderblade, neck, ribs, loin and leg) yields were similar among all ewes slaughtered in the distinct physiological conditions, with average values of 18.78%, 9.34%, 27.36%, 7.77% and 34,70%, respectively. Carcass non-components yields were similar among ewes slaughtered in different physiological stages, except for liver, blood, udder values and internal fat. The economical result was positive for all experimental treatments; however, the best financial return was obtained for animals from treatment EWL and the worst for animals from treatment ENC.

Orientador: Falcondes Jose Mendes de Seixas / Banca: Luís Carlos Origa de Oliveira / Banca: Luiz Carlos Gomes de Freitas / Resumo: A proposta deste trabalho é analisar o comportamento de transformadores de distribuição trifásicos após a recuperação estudando suas perdas elétricas fixas e variáveis tomando-se o transformador como uma unidade consumidora para demonstrar a viabilidade econômica da reforma, principalmente àquelas que não alteram o núcleo. Foram utilizados os ensaios de rotina de uma empresa recuperadora para uma importante concessionária de distribuição de energia. Este trabalho também faz uma recomendação sobre o descarte deste material segundo conceitos ambientais para uma melhor utilização dos recursos naturais. É importante mencionar o fato que muitos dos transformadores analisados operam a mais de 20 anos. A recuperação permite as concessionárias fornecer energia elétrica para consumidores residenciais e rurais de baixa renda mediante um pequeno investimento na construção de novas linhas de distribuição / Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the behavior of three-phase distribution transformers when submitted to recovery, taking into consideration fixed and variable electric losses considering the transformer as a consumer unit to demonstrate the economical feasibility, especially those that do not modify the core. It has been used routine tests data obtained from a company that recover for an important power deliver. This paper also deals with the disposal of the material considering environmental concerns, for a better use of natural resources. It is important to mention the fact that many transformers have already operated for more than 20 years. The recover allows the deliver to provide energy to residential or rural low-income consumer through a low investment with the construction of new electric power grid / Mestre

Novas tecnologias vêm sendo constantemente desenvolvidos pelo mundo, alterando os hábitos de consumo da população. Neste novo cenário, surgem os Equipamentos Eletroeletrônicos (EEE), cada vez mais demandados e ao mesmo tempo descartados, que se não destinados corretamente ao fim de seu uso, podem acarretar em problemas a saúde humana e ao meio ambiente. Dessa forma, entender como está o atual comportamento do consumidor em relação aos Resíduos de Equipamentos Eletroeletrônicos (REEE) é primordial para diagnosticar as dificuldades de descarte dos equipamentos após o fim da vida útil e ao mesmo tempo propor ações corretivas. Assim, o presente trabalho buscou avaliar o comportamento do consumidor institucional, especialmente de empresas privadas, no município de Gravataí/RS frente a problemática atual dos Resíduos de Equipamentos Eletroeletrônicos. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida por meio de um formulário eletrônico, com questões previamente elaboradas, sendo enviado para o endereço eletrônico das empresas que tinham cadastro ativo junto ao órgão gestor municipal. O local de estudo selecionado foi motivado por ser um importante polo industrial do Rio Grande de Sul, com um número considerável de empresas, atuando em diferentes ramos de atividades. Foram obtidos um total de 48 respostas, sendo a grande maioria de empresas pequeno porte (40) e do ramo de atuação em prestação de serviços (67%). Em relação a gestão dos resíduos eletroeletrônicos, a maioria das empresas respondentes (77%) afirmaram conhecer os riscos associados a este tipo de resíduo e 32 empresas entre as 48 respondentes assinalaram que geram REEE em suas dependências, sendo as lâmpadas fluorescente/Led o tipo de resíduo mais gerado. Além disso, foi questionado quais as principais atitudes de descarte dos EEE no final de sua vida útil, obtendo como principal resposta armazenamento (25 %). Este questionamento foi discriminado para alguns tipos de resíduos, como celulares e tablets, e as respostas mostraram que a maioria deixa somente armazenado (31%), seguido por descarte em pontos de coleta (19%) e revenda (13%). Em relação as principais dificuldades de destinação final, a falta de pontos de coleta (44 %) e a existência de pouca informação a respeito deste tipo de resíduo (34%), foram apontadas como os principais problemas. Também, a maioria das empresas afirmou conhecer o que é o sistema de logística reversa (22 de 32). Por fim, fez-se algumas considerações sobre diferentes propostas para minimizar a questão do descarte dos REEE institucionais, apresentando o sistema depósitoreembolso como instrumento econômico e ambiental, em que os consumidores têm um incentivo para devolver produtos usados e receber reembolso financeiro. Além deste sistema, as próprias empresas que atuam no ramo de reciclagem de resíduos eletrônicos obtendo ganhos econômicos podem colaborar com a destinação final dos REEE gerados nas empresas do município. / New technologies are being constantly developed around the world, changing the consumption habits of the population. In this new scenario, the Electro-Electronic Equipments (EEE) arise, increasingly demanded and at the same rate, discarded, and if not correctly disposed after its use, they can lead to environmental and human health problems. Therefore, understanding the current behavior of consumers regarding to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is essential to diagnose the difficulties of disposing the equipments after their lifespan and, at the same time, to propose corrective actions. Thus, the present work aimed to evaluate the behavior of the institutional consumer, especially private companies, in the city of Gravataí / RS in relation to the current problem of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. The research was developed through an electronic form, with previously elaborated questions, sent to the electronic address of the companies that had active registration in the municipal managing agency. The selected study site was motivated because it is an important industrial center of Rio Grande do Sul, with a significant number of companies, operating in different branches of activities. A total of 48 responses was obtained, being the large majority from small companies (40%) and service providers (67%). Regarding to electronic waste management, most respondents (77%) reported knowing the risks associated with this type of waste, and 32 companies among the 48 respondents indicated that they generate WEEE in their dependencies, being fluorescent / Led lamps the most generated type of waste. In addition, the main disposal alternatives of EEE after their lifespan were questioned, obtaining storage as the main answer (25%). This survey was broken for some types of residues, such as cell phones and tablets, and the answers showed that most only store it (31%), followed by collection at collection points (19%) and resale (13%). Regarding the main difficulties of final destination, the lack of collection points (44%) and the lack of information about this type of waste (34%) were identified as the main problems. Also, most companies reported knowing what the reverse logistics system is (22 of 32). Lastly, some considerations about different proposals to minimize the issue of institutional WEEE disposal were made, presenting the deposit-refund system as an economic and environmental instrument, in which consumers have an incentive to return used products and receive financial reimbursement. In addition to this system, companies that operate in the electronic waste recycling sector earning economic gains can collaborate with the final destination of the WEEE generated in the companies of the city.

Novas tecnologias vêm sendo constantemente desenvolvidos pelo mundo, alterando os hábitos de consumo da população. Neste novo cenário, surgem os Equipamentos Eletroeletrônicos (EEE), cada vez mais demandados e ao mesmo tempo descartados, que se não destinados corretamente ao fim de seu uso, podem acarretar em problemas a saúde humana e ao meio ambiente. Dessa forma, entender como está o atual comportamento do consumidor em relação aos Resíduos de Equipamentos Eletroeletrônicos (REEE) é primordial para diagnosticar as dificuldades de descarte dos equipamentos após o fim da vida útil e ao mesmo tempo propor ações corretivas. Assim, o presente trabalho buscou avaliar o comportamento do consumidor institucional, especialmente de empresas privadas, no município de Gravataí/RS frente a problemática atual dos Resíduos de Equipamentos Eletroeletrônicos. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida por meio de um formulário eletrônico, com questões previamente elaboradas, sendo enviado para o endereço eletrônico das empresas que tinham cadastro ativo junto ao órgão gestor municipal. O local de estudo selecionado foi motivado por ser um importante polo industrial do Rio Grande de Sul, com um número considerável de empresas, atuando em diferentes ramos de atividades. Foram obtidos um total de 48 respostas, sendo a grande maioria de empresas pequeno porte (40) e do ramo de atuação em prestação de serviços (67%). Em relação a gestão dos resíduos eletroeletrônicos, a maioria das empresas respondentes (77%) afirmaram conhecer os riscos associados a este tipo de resíduo e 32 empresas entre as 48 respondentes assinalaram que geram REEE em suas dependências, sendo as lâmpadas fluorescente/Led o tipo de resíduo mais gerado. Além disso, foi questionado quais as principais atitudes de descarte dos EEE no final de sua vida útil, obtendo como principal resposta armazenamento (25 %). Este questionamento foi discriminado para alguns tipos de resíduos, como celulares e tablets, e as respostas mostraram que a maioria deixa somente armazenado (31%), seguido por descarte em pontos de coleta (19%) e revenda (13%). Em relação as principais dificuldades de destinação final, a falta de pontos de coleta (44 %) e a existência de pouca informação a respeito deste tipo de resíduo (34%), foram apontadas como os principais problemas. Também, a maioria das empresas afirmou conhecer o que é o sistema de logística reversa (22 de 32). Por fim, fez-se algumas considerações sobre diferentes propostas para minimizar a questão do descarte dos REEE institucionais, apresentando o sistema depósitoreembolso como instrumento econômico e ambiental, em que os consumidores têm um incentivo para devolver produtos usados e receber reembolso financeiro. Além deste sistema, as próprias empresas que atuam no ramo de reciclagem de resíduos eletrônicos obtendo ganhos econômicos podem colaborar com a destinação final dos REEE gerados nas empresas do município. / New technologies are being constantly developed around the world, changing the consumption habits of the population. In this new scenario, the Electro-Electronic Equipments (EEE) arise, increasingly demanded and at the same rate, discarded, and if not correctly disposed after its use, they can lead to environmental and human health problems. Therefore, understanding the current behavior of consumers regarding to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is essential to diagnose the difficulties of disposing the equipments after their lifespan and, at the same time, to propose corrective actions. Thus, the present work aimed to evaluate the behavior of the institutional consumer, especially private companies, in the city of Gravataí / RS in relation to the current problem of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. The research was developed through an electronic form, with previously elaborated questions, sent to the electronic address of the companies that had active registration in the municipal managing agency. The selected study site was motivated because it is an important industrial center of Rio Grande do Sul, with a significant number of companies, operating in different branches of activities. A total of 48 responses was obtained, being the large majority from small companies (40%) and service providers (67%). Regarding to electronic waste management, most respondents (77%) reported knowing the risks associated with this type of waste, and 32 companies among the 48 respondents indicated that they generate WEEE in their dependencies, being fluorescent / Led lamps the most generated type of waste. In addition, the main disposal alternatives of EEE after their lifespan were questioned, obtaining storage as the main answer (25%). This survey was broken for some types of residues, such as cell phones and tablets, and the answers showed that most only store it (31%), followed by collection at collection points (19%) and resale (13%). Regarding the main difficulties of final destination, the lack of collection points (44%) and the lack of information about this type of waste (34%) were identified as the main problems. Also, most companies reported knowing what the reverse logistics system is (22 of 32). Lastly, some considerations about different proposals to minimize the issue of institutional WEEE disposal were made, presenting the deposit-refund system as an economic and environmental instrument, in which consumers have an incentive to return used products and receive financial reimbursement. In addition to this system, companies that operate in the electronic waste recycling sector earning economic gains can collaborate with the final destination of the WEEE generated in the companies of the city.

<p>As an applied anthropology study of electronic waste (e-waste) in the remote town of Alice Springs, this dissertation chronicles how e-waste is understood and managed in the arid interior of Australia. What is electronic waste? ‘Electronic’ refers to the presence and movement of electricity throughout an object so that it may perform some expected function. Waste, however, defies simple definition. Waste usually refers to something that has been discarded due to being unwanted or unusable.<br></p><p><br></p> <p>This dissertation traces and tracks the boundaries of e-waste in Central Australia using ethnographic methods, anthropological theories of waste, and digital garbology. Digital garbology, a synthesis of digital anthropology and garbology, helps to identify and recommend strategies for confronting uneven, and often unjust, distributions of e-waste. Rather than focusing solely on discarded consumer electronics, this dissertation takes a critical look into the different types of waste emerging from the production, use, maintenance, and discard of electronics.</p><p><br></p> <p>Over the course of thirteen months of fieldwork in Alice Springs, it became clear that the label e-waste is not consistently applied to discarded electronics. E-waste is often discarded in out-of-sight locations such as landfills, recycling centers, and illegal dumping grounds. Before being discarded, however, unused electronics are often stored inside homes, sheds, and other living spaces. Rather than simply focusing on electronic objects that have already been thrown away, this dissertation explores how and why some electronics seem to resist being labeled as e-waste.</p><p><br></p> <p>Why Alice Springs? The management of e-waste in Australia has focused on the recovery of valuable metals from the recycling of televisions, computers, and mobile phones at the expense of other discarded electronics such as solar panels and household appliances. And yet, the closest e-waste recycling facility to Alice Springs is over 1,500 kilometres (900 miles) away in Adelaide, South Australia. The remoteness of Alice Springs reduces the ecological benefits of recycling. However, it also creates room to discuss the viability of alternative e-waste management strategies such as reuse and repair.</p>

The objective of this dissertation is to first identify if there are any academic research gaps in our understanding of the medical supply chain and secondly to understand the role and impact of logistics on the human organ transplant process. The first essay identifies the current status of medical supply chain literature and provides future direction for improving the medical supply chain. This was accomplished by preforming a systematic literature review and a bibliometric analysis from 2,160 publications was conducted. The second essay explores how logistical aspects impact transplant logistics performance and the quality of life for the transplant recipient. Survey data was collected from medical professionals and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The third essay identifies the factors are influencing the number of donor kidneys discarded each year. A retrospective analysis of all deceased donor kidneys procured in hospitals in UNOS region 4 (Texas and Oklahoma) from January 1, 2001, to June 28, 2021, was conducted. Data was analyzed using multinomial logit regression and panel data analysis. As a result, we identified several medical and logistics factors that have influenced the number of donor kidneys discarded in the United States.