Define-se supermercado como o local onde se pratica comércio varejista de mercadorias em geral, predominantemente de produtos alimentícios, em uma área de venda de 300 a 5000 m2. Embora responda hoje por cerca de 85,0% das vendas de alimentos no Brasil, esse setor permanece ainda muito pouco estudado, particularmente em relação aos aspectos sanitários. Em Ribeirão Preto, os supermercados representam o principal local de venda de alimentos para todas as classes sociais, ao mesmo tempo que vêm sendo causa de número crescente do total de reclamações feitas à Divisão de Vigilância Sanitária (Visa) do município. Esta investigação teve o objetivo de: avaliar as condições higiênico-sanitárias e físico-estruturais dos supermercados e hipermercados (área de venda acima de 5000 m2) de Ribeirão Preto, com vistas a classificá-los segundo essas condições; avaliar o cumprimento da legislação vigente; detectar áreas/condições de risco à saúde pública; recomendar medidas corretivas. O trabalho foi conduzido durante as inspeções de rotina da Visa, utilizando-se a Ficha de Inspeção de Estabelecimentos da Área de Alimentos (FIEAA) adotada no Estado de São Paulo, a qual padroniza os procedimentos de inspeção e divide os itens que serão inspecionados em cinco grandes blocos. Foram incluídos todos os 56 supermercados e os 2 hipermercados da cidade. Os percentuais de adequação para cada bloco foram: 32,2% para o bloco 1, correspondente à situação e às condições da edificação; 27,1% para o bloco 2, correspondente aos equipamentos e aos utensílios; 68,1% para o bloco 3, correspondente ao pessoal de produção, manipulação e venda; 35,9% para o bloco 4, correspondente às matérias-primas e aos produtos expostos à venda; 42,3% para o bloco 5, correspondente ao fluxo de produção/manipulação/venda e ao controle de qualidade. Assim, apenas o bloco 3 foi classificado como regular, ficando todos os demais como deficientes. Na classificação final dos estabelecimentos, 46 (79,3%) foram classificados como deficientes, 11 (19,0%) como regulares, e apenas 1 (1,7%), como bom. Apesar de se reconhecer a existência de algumas inadequações nos pontos de corte padronizados para a classificação dos itens estudados, concluiu-se que a situação exige intervenção rigorosa das autoridades sanitárias, para se fazer cumprir a legislação vigente. Recomenda-se a adoção de algumas adaptações à legislação, entre as quais a obrigatoriedade de inclusão, no corpo de funcionários dos supermercados, de profissional capacitado na área de alimentos, bem como a mudança dos critérios de classificação dos estabelecimentos, visando a uma maior racionalidade na programação de inspeções rotineiras da Visa. / The definition of supermarket is that of a place where retail market of general merchandise, mainly food products, is practiced in a sales area beteween 300m2 and 5000m2. Though it currently represents about 85% of food sales in Brazil, this sector still remains understudied, especially when it comes to its sanitary aspects. In Ribeirão Preto the supermarkets represent the main sales area of food for all social classes, at the same time that it has been the subject of an increasing number of complaints that have arrived at the City Division of Sanitary Surveillance (DSS). This investigation aimed to evaluate the sanitary, hygiene, physical and structural aspects of the supermarkets and hypermarkets (sales area over 5000m2) of Ribeirão Preto, to classify them according to these conditions, to evaluate the applicability of the legislation, to detect areas/conditions of public health risks and to recommend correction measures. The work was conducted during DSS´s routine inspections, using the guidelines for inspection of the food enterprises adopted in the state of São Paulo, which divides the subjects to be inspected in five big blocks. All of the city 56 supermarkets and 2 hipermarkets were included. The percentage of adequacy for each block were 32.2% for block a, corresponding to the situation and conditions of the edification, 27.1% for block b, corresponding to equipments and utensils, 68.1% for block c, corresponding to the production, manipulation and sales staff, 35.9% for block d, corresponding to the raw materials and products displayed for sales; 42.3% for block e, corresponding to the flow of production/manipulation/sales and quality control. Only block c was classified as regular, being the others considered as insufficient. In the final classification of the supermarkets, 46(79.3%) of them were considered insufficient, 11(19.0%) regular and only 1(1.7%) good. Although some inadequacies in the cutoff criteria for classifying the supermarkets are recognized, it becomes clear that the situation demands a rigid intervention of the sanitary authority in order to apply the existing legislation. Based upon the findings of this investigation, some recommendations can be done. Among them is the inclusion in the supermarket staff of an employee skilled in the food field, as well as a change in the criteria used for the classification of the supermarkets, aiming a higher rationality in the DSS programming of routine inspections.

El presente estudio de investigación se basa en el análisis de tres variables que influyen en la exportación de paprika seca proveniente de Perú hacia el mercado de México durante el periodo 2008 al 2018. En ese sentido, se consideró necesario analizar las cuotas arancelarias, debido al alto grado de aplicación por parte de México para la importación de paprika seca desde la vigencia del Acuerdo de Integración Comercial en el año 2012. Por otra parte, otra variable que se consideró dentro de la investigación fueron las medidas sanitarias y fitosanitarias, ya que muchas veces estas suelen ejercer como una desviación hacia el comercio, sobre todo en productos agrícolas. Así mismo, como última variable se tuvo en consideración la competencia internacional. Dicha variable fue analizada con el apoyo de entrevistas y la realización de estadística que permitió ver la correlación directa entre los competidores y las exportaciones. Para el análisis de estas variables fue necesario un enfoque mixto, el cual se basó en un análisis estadístico de las exportaciones antes y después de la vigencia del AIC y de la competencia internacional. Además, también se usó las entrevistas especializadas para el estudio de la influencia de las medidas sanitarias y fitosanitarias para las exportaciones de paprika. En cuanto a los resultados, se pudo obtener que la variable más influyente fue la competencia internacional, las medidas sanitarias y fitosanitarias, y en menor medida las cuotas arancelarias de importación. / This research study is based on the analysis of three variables that influence the export of dried paprika from Peru to the Mexican market during the period 2008 to 2018. In that sense, it was considered necessary to analyze the tariff rate quotas, due to the high degree of application by Mexico for the importation of dried paprika since the Trade Integration Agreement entered into force in 2012. On the other hand, another variable that was considered within the investigation was the sanitary and phytosanitary measures, since often these tend to exert as a deviation towards trade, especially in agricultural products. Likewise, international competition was taken into account as the last variable. This variable was analyzed with the support of interviews and the realization of statistics that allowed seeing the direct correlation between competitors and exports. For the analysis of these variables, a mixed approach was necessary, which was based on a statistical analysis of exports before and after the validity of the AIC and international competition. In addition, specialized interviews were also used to study the influence of sanitary and phytosanitary measures for paprika exports. As for the results, it was possible to obtain that the most influential variable was international competition, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and, to a lesser extent, import tariff rate quotas. / Tesis

Anaerobic biological treatment of hazardous wastes and pollutants is playing an increasingly important role in the application of biological treatment technology. Research into the biodegradability of priority pollutants and the effect of those pollutants on the biological treatment system itself are vital to the understanding of how to economically and effectively apply the treatment system. The objectives of this research were to develop quantitative information about the fate and toxic effects of selected toxicants (2-nitrophenol, 3-nitrophenol, 4-nitrophenol, 2,4-dinitrophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol) on an anaerobic propionate enrichment system and to study the usefulness of monitoring the headspace gases hydrogen and carbon monoxide as predictors and indicators of toxicity. Batch anaerobic toxicity assays (ATA) were performed with serum bottles to study the fate and effects of the selected nitrophenols and chlorophenols. Chemostats were operated at 10-, 16- and 30-day solids retention times (SRT) to study the fate and effects of 4-nitrophenol. The toxicity of the nitrophenols and chlorophenol studied in this research decreased in the following order: 2,4-dinitrophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 4-nitrophenol, 2-nitrophenol and 3-nitrophenol. There is less inhibition of systems at 30-day SRT as compared to the systems at 10-day SRT with 4-Np up to 33 mg/l. The toxicity effect of 4-nitrophenol on the culture is primarily the inhibition of the propionate utilizers. The hydrogen utilizers were not affected and the effects on the acetate utilizers were masked. The 4-nitrophenol removal due to chemical transformation and sorption is about 12%, and since volatilization of 4-nitrophenol is negligible, at least 83% of 4-nitrophenol removal could be due to biodegradation. Hydrogen and carbon monoxide are not useful as parameters for prediction or monitoring inhibition of HPr degradation by 4-nitrophenol in propionate systems / acase@tulane.edu

A critical mass of adopters, a majority of which are usually opinion leaders, is required for the diffusion of any innovation to become self-sustaining. All public wastewater facilities in Vermont and New Hampshire were surveyed to determine which facilities exchange information, which have adopted UV, and what characteristics are common among adopters, non-adopters, and opinion leaders. Two networks, based on the exchange of general information and information about disinfection technology, were constructed using UCINET; they indicate UV has likely been adopted by a critical mass. Opinion leader facilities' employees interact with consultants and vendors. Opinion leader facilities' managers work closely with their staff and are active in professional organizations. Non-adopter opinion leader facilities are fiscally conservative while innovative opinion leader facilities are shaped by decisions of the community's elected officials. Distance between facilities was mapped using GIS software and did not influence the type of disinfection technology adopted / acase@tulane.edu

A pilot-scale test rig was constructed to simulate intrusion behavior associated with hydraulic transients. Initial tests were conducted using a high-speed datalogger to verify low/negative pressures. Results indicated negative pressures (maximum -12 psi) for 3 to 5 seconds following sudden valve closures. With steady state flow, three orifice diameters (1/8 ″, ¼″ and ½″ ) were overlaid with 3 or 4.5 feet of head to simulate cracks or leak points in a water distribution system. Based on volumetric measurements, average intrusion volumes associated with transients ranged from 47.3 to 550.2 mL. Based on chemical tracer (cesium) measurements, average intrusion volumes ranged from 11.4 to 71.2 mL for 1/8″ and ¼ ″ orifices, respectively. Differences were attributed primarily to dilution of cesium in the test rig. Results also were compared to theoretical and computer model predictions. Findings from this research demonstrate that external water and pathogens potentially can intrude into pipelines during transient events / acase@tulane.edu

The objective of this research is to determine what is a time optimal control for diafiltration membrane separation processes. Diafiltration membrane separation is a dewatering process of a slurry from an initial bulk phase concentration (C0) to a final bulk phase concentration (C b,f). When rates of the material entering the system match rates leaving as a permeate, it is termed permeate matching diafiltration. Managing the controlled variables of the system in a time optimal manner maximizes the solid production capacity. Time optimal controllers have been used in many practical applications, but it has not been applied to water resources management The case study for this dissertation is a particular ultrafiltration process (UFP) to be used at the Hanford Department of Energy (DOE) facility, which is a pinch-point of a proposed Waste Treatment Plant (WTP) for the treatment of low activity waste (LAW) and high level waste (HLW). Improving the performance of the UFP will directly improve the performance of the WTP. It is asserted that the feed into the UFP and transmembrane pressure differential (TMP) should be allowed to vary with time to minimize the time needed to go from C 0 to Cb,f. This form of diafiltration is termed time optimal diafiltration It will be shown that permeate matching diafiltration and time optimal diafiltration are equivalent in terms of dewatering times, but that permeate matching diafiltration is open loop. Time optimal diafiltration will be shown to exhibit feedback through the use of sliding mode control. The advantage of this closed loop approach will be demonstrated. Furthermore, an empirical relationship is derived for the optimal time of dewatering associated with permeate matching diafiltration that can be used for sizing ultrafiltration processes / acase@tulane.edu

The aim of this project was to identify a suitable solution to the problem of landfill leachate at the North Katoomba landfill site. Options were affected by a range of constraints including economics, location and the intrusion of ground water into the landfill. The initial goal was to contain and treat the leachate on site, with the eventual target to discharge into the nearest receiving waters. A constructed wetland option was devised and researched, involving identification of the major pollutants contained within the leachate, developing a concept design and estimating the likely removal efficiencies expected. Investigations identified the primary pollution parameters as microbial and nutrients. Metals were found to be low in concentration although the wetland has the capacity to deal with these pollutants should they become part of the pollution plume. A bench scale constructed wetland system was developed to give an indication of the removal efficiencies. The results suggest that a constructed wetland system would be appropriate for treating landfill leachate at the North Katoomba site. It is recommended that a constructed wetland be established in the field to determine the long term treatment prospects and the potential management problems in a practical application. / Master of Science (Hons)

This thesis has developed a suite of compound specific stable isotope tools to monitor landfill leachate and identify the infiltration of leachate to ground water and surface water. These tools have the power to indicate the fractional contribution multiple discrete sources of pollution are making to a single location. This journey began by developing two solid phase extraction (SPE) methods to extract non-polar and polar organic compounds from leachate with minimal fractionation of hydrogen or carbon isotopes. Non-polar compounds were successfully extracted using ENV+ SPE cartridges and polar compounds were successfully extracted using Strata-X SPE cartridges. The isotopic fractionation of non-polar compounds during ENV+ extraction varied significantly (up to 245⁰/₀₀ and 1.8⁰/₀₀ for D and ��C respectively, when eluted with acetonitrile and ethyl acetate, as recommended by manufacturers) but the fractionation of compounds eluted with dichloromethane was negligible (less than instrumental precision). Polar compounds were eluted from Strata-X cartridges with negligible isotopic fractionation using methanol. The direct comparison of SPE and liquid-liquid extraction found SPE to extract slightly more compound from leachate then liquid-liquid extraction (especially for polar compounds) and the isotopic compositions of compounds did not change with extraction methods. These new analytical methods subsequently were used to determine the isotopic compositions of organic compounds dissolved in leachates from three New Zealand landfills. The molecular and isotopic signature of leachate varied significantly between landfills, indicating the isotopic fingerprint of organic compounds in leachate is unsuitable as a universal tracer of leachate. However, compounds such as terpien-4-ol, methylethylbenzene and juvabione maintained their isotopic composition over short geographical distance-indicating their potential as site-specific tracers of leachate. Organic compounds analysed on a transect across the landfill boundary indicated polar compounds were more mobile than semi-volatile compounds and possessed a more conservative isotopic composition. However, hexadecanoic acid extracted from leachate and ground water was highly depleted in ��C (-72 ⁰/₀₀ to -40⁰/₀₀), indicative of methanogenic and sulfate reducing bacteria. These bacteria only live in highly reducing environments such as leachate; therefore their presence in the pristine environment can potentially indicate the release of leachate from the landfill. The final experiments traced the uptake and utilisation of leachate by periphyton. The isotopic composition of bulk periphyton, fatty acids and phytol indicated that microbial assimilation and utilisation of nutrients is a complex process. Fatty acid biomarkers for green algae and diatoms showed signs of leachate derived nutrients, however the availability of nutrients (carbon, nitrogen, water and light) caused significant changes in metabolic processes and isotopic compositions. Under slow growing conditions, the [delta]��C composition of periphyton became enriched in ��C as solar irradiation levels decreased (including shading by detritus and periphyton), while the [delta]D composition of fatty acid was controlled by the internal recycling of hydrogen. This study indicated the power of compound specific isotope analysis as a tool to detect the release of landfill leachate from a landfill, especially at locations with multiple potential sources of contaminants, and provides a sound platform for future research.

No description available.

This thesis argues that what it terms fever narratives figure prominently in Charles Dickens’s fiction. Fever was regarded not as a symptom but as a generic disease that had sub-species, such as cholera, smallpox, typhus and typhoid, and that presented itself through devastating epidemics that frightened the public and drove the government to enact public health legislation. The core elements of the fever narrative – such as fever’s cause, pathology, treatment and prevention – were still not clearly understood. This inevitably heightened public anxiety and frustration, particularly given lengthy delays in the bureaucratic processes of Parliament and local governments in dealing with fever’s perennial threat. The politically favoured sanitarian narrative influenced Dickens significantly. Sanitarians believed that water and sewer projects in urban localities and improved sanitary practices would prevent most diseases. However, Dickens was influenced also by an alternative approach that this thesis calls the “medical narrative,” comprising a more holistic vision of public health, reliant on improved treatments, greater medical professionalism, and specialized hospitals, in addition to sanitary reform. Dickens’s 1840s novels reflected both approaches, but he emphasized the medical narrative in portrayals of the fevers of individual characters. In the 1850s, the predominant focus of fever narratives in Dickens’s journals and novels became fever of the social body – fever that figuratively infected English institutions or the country as a whole. Dickens’s fever narratives became progressively darker during these two decades and, with each novel onward from Dombey and Son (1846-48), his representations of fever apocalypses infecting both the rich and the poor became more strident, even to the extent of suggesting that the whole institutional and economic infrastructure of the country would suffer an irrevocable blow. The thesis argues that Dickens presented these minatory scenes of vengeance in response to what he perceived as the blindness of the middle class to the condition of the sick and poor of England. This reached a climax with “Revolutionary fever” in A Tale of Two Cities (1859). The thesis presents a final argument that Dickens’s stories of the early 1860s and Our Mutual Friend (1864-65) provided both a continuation of and a denouement for the two previous decades’ fever narratives, by offering a view of the dust of corpse upon corpse of those who were mowed down by fever, and of a river polluted by this dust. However, he foresees also the possibility of the fundamental regeneration of a more humane physical, social and institutional environment in England.