Diferentes práticas de manejo da cultura de cana-de-açúcar foram estudadas por meio da avaliação de propriedades físico-hídricas do solo. Os principais aspectos avaliados foram as variações da umidade do solo, temperatura do solo, fluxo de água no solo, armazenamento da água no solo e escoamento de superficial durante um período de dois anos, um de cana-planta e um de soqueira. As diferentes práticas de manejo foram: i. entrelinha com solo nu; ii. presença de cobertura vegetal na superfície do solo (palhas + ponteiros) após a colheita; e iii. presença de resíduos na superfície do solo provenientes da queima da cana antes da colheita. Algumas variáveis foram amostradas ao longo de uma transeção de 84 pontos, com o objetivo de aplicar técnicas geoestatísticas e a abordagem de espaço de estados. O efeito da cobertura vegetal na superfície do solo, como uma conseqüência da adoção da nova prática de colheita sem queima prévia da cana, reduziu as temperaturas médias na camada superficial do solo na ordem de 7 o C, evitando picos de temperatura na superfície durante o período inicial de estabelecimento da cana soca. A cobertura vegetal, contudo, afetou negativamente o desenvolvimento da cultura reduzindo o número de colmos e seu peso úmido, no presente estudo em torno de 13 %. Por outro lado, a presença da cobertura vegetal não afetou nenhum dos seguintes componentes do balanço hídrico: escoamento superficial, fluxo de água no solo no limite inferior do volume de solo em estudo e o armazenamento de água no solo, sendo o estabelecimento do balanço hídrico da cultura de cana-de-açúcar, prevalecendo estas condições, problemático principalmente devido ao fato de que o escoamento superficial e os fluxos de água no limite inferior do volume de solo considerado foram fortemente afetados pela variabilidade espacial do solo. A análise de espaço de estados aplicada à dados de umidade e temperatura do solo coletados ao longo da transeção espacial de 84 pontos, sugeriu que, em muitas situações, devido ao fato de que os dados de temperatura do solo são mais fáceis e mais rápidos de serem obtidos no campo de que os de umidade, uma medida poderia substituir a outra. Quando esta análise foi aplicada à dados de umidade do solo, matéria orgânica do solo, conteúdo de argila e estabilidade de agregados coletados ao longo da mesma transeção, foi possível identificar como uma variável se relaciona ao comportamento local de outras variáveis e estocasticamente quantificar este relacionamento, levando em consideração os erros associados às observações e ao modelo. Devido a isto, a análise de espaço de estados é uma ferramenta analítica aplicável sob condições locais no campo, podendo, potencialmente, ajudar os agricultores no manejo adequado do solo e dos recursos naturais para o aumento da produção e, simultaneamente, a qualidade do meio ambiente. / Different practices of sugarcane trash management were studied by the evaluation of soil physical and hydrological properties. The main aspects evaluated were changes in soil water content, soil temperature, soil water fluxes, soil water storage and run-off during a period of two years, corresponding to the planted sugarcane crop and the first ratoon crop. The different management practices were: i. interrow with bare soil; ii. trash mulching, maintaining harvest residues (straw + tips) on soil surface; iii. soil with residues of trash burning prior harvest. Some variables were also collected along a 84 point transect aiming to apply geostatistical techniques and state-space approach. The effect of soil surface mulching in sugarcane ratoon crops, as a consequence of the adoption of new harvest practices with no straw burning, can reduce average soil surface layer temperatures by about 7 o C, avoiding peak surface temperatures during the initial period of the ratoon crop establishment. The mulch can, however, affect negatively the crop development reducing the number of stalks and their weight, in the present case by about 13%. On the other hand, mulching did not affect any of the following water balance components: run-off, soil water fluxes at the lower soil volume limit, and soil water storage. The establishment of the water balance of the sugarcane crop, under these prevailing conditions, was problematic mainly due to the run-off and soil water flux components which were strongly affected by soil spatial variability. The state-space approach applied to soil water content and soil temperature data along the 84 point transect suggested that, in many situations, since temperature measurements are easier and quicker to be measured than those of soil water content, one measurement could replace the other. On the other hand, when the state-space analysis was applied to soil water content, soil organic matter, clay content and aggregate stability data set along the same transect, it was possible to identify a variable that relates to the local behavior of several variables and stochastically quantify that relationship accounting for both, measurement and model errors. Due to the fact that the state-space approach is an analytical tool applicable to local field conditions, it potentially helps farmers to manage soil and soil resources adequately to maximize crop production and to simultaneously improve the quality of the local environment.

No description available.

Spermophilus lateralis, the golden-mantled ground squirrel, while euthermic exhibits a strong hypoxic ventilatory response, but a relatively blunted hypercapnic ventilatory response similar to other semi-fossorial mammals. Under resting conditions, carotid body chemoreceptors provide a tonic excitatory input to the frequency component of ventilation. Carotid body denervation (CBX) results in a 40% decrease in minute ventilation (V). The overall ventilatory response to hypoxia is unaffected by CBX, although the ventilatory threshold is significantly shifted to lower levels of inspired O₂. CBX also has little effect on the overall response to hypercapnia. Thus, in S. lateralis, it appears that changes in the partial pressure of O₂ (P0₂) In the blood act centrally, rather than peripherally, to play a predominate role in ventilatory control. Chronic exposure to hypoxia and hypercapnia (CHH, 17% O₂ and 4% CO₂) does not result in overall ventilatory acclimation, with minute ventilation being similar to control squirrels acutely exposed to hypoxic and hypercapnic conditions. In spite of this, CHH exposure does result in adjustments to respiration; frequency is decreased and tidal volume is elevated compared to control squirrels acutely exposed to CHH conditions. Overall V sensitivities to both hypoxia and hypercapnia are not significantly altered by CHH exposure. It appears that acclimation to chronic hypoxic and hypercapnic conditions in S. lateralis may increase alveolar minute ventilation relative to total minute ventilation and thus minimize the changes in arterial PO₂ and Pco₂ during hypoxic and hypercapnic exposure. During entrance into hibernation, as metabolic rate and body temperature decline, concomitant decreases in ventilation occur. Two patterns of respiration occur during deep hibernation; a burst breathing pattern characterized by long non-ventilatory periods (Tnvp) separated by bursts of several breaths and a single breath pattern characterized by single breaths separated by a relatively short Tnvp. In S. lateralis during hibernation at body temperatures between 6° and 10°C, a burst breathing pattern prevails. At slightly lower body temperatures, less than 4°C, a single breath breathing pattern prevails. Both burst breathing and single breath breathing squirrels have similar overall levels of resting minute ventilation. Burst breathing squirrels exhibit a significant respiratory response to hypoxia (3% O₂) and when the decreases in metabolic rate during hibernation are taken into account (air convection requirement) their hypoxic sensitivity is similar to that in awake S. lateralis. In contrast, single breath breathing squirrels do not respond to hypoxia at any level tested (down to 3% O₂). Both burst breathing and single breath breathing squirrels show large ventilatory repsonses to hypercapnia. In the burst breathing state hypercapnic sensitivity is significantly higher compared to the single breath breathing state, due to an augmented frequency response during burst breathing. In both groups of hibernating squirrels ventilation is increased during hypercapnia solely by decreases in the nonventilatory period. When ventilation is standardized for the decreases in metabolic rate during hibernation both burst breathing and single breath breathing S. laterlis exhibit a much higher hypercapnic sensitivity than that seen in awake S. lateralis. Carotid body denervation has little effect on ventilatory pattern generation or ventilatory sensitivities to hypoxia and hypercapnia in hibernating squirrels. It appears that during hibernation in S. lateralis, ventilation is controlled primarily by changes in the partial pressure of CO₂ (Pc0₂) in tne blood acting centrally to stimulate ventilation. The burst breathing pattern is produced centrally, as are the respiratory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia. Thus, central mechanisms involved with ventilatory control are extremely important in both the euthermic state and the hibernating state, but the chemical stimuli regulating ventilation appear to be fundamentally different in euthermic and hibernating S. lateralis. / Science, Faculty of / Zoology, Department of / Graduate

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) methods have been used to evaluate the presence, extent, and spatial variability of hydrophobic soils in Southern California Watersheds. It has been shown that high frequency ground penetrating radar equipment, under certain conditions, has the ability to determine the presence, depth, and persistence of post fire hydrophobic soils. As part of this study an extensive investigation was undertaken to not only evaluate the capability of this approach but also to understand under what conditions the method can be applied successfully and what are the limitations of the approach. The investigation includes use of computer simulations and modeling, laboratory investigations in sand boxes with native soils, and multiple field trials spanning a five year time period. Of particular significance is the finding that using GPR it is possible to: locate the interface between the uppermost burnt soil layer, and soil horizons below; quantify the depth at which the hydrophobic layer forms; and quantify the spatial extent of the layer. As part of this study best practice methods for both field and lab experimentation have also been developed and are presented in the body of the thesis. Based on this study it is concluded that the use of GPR can provide a much more accurate and comprehensive method of evaluating the nature of hydrophobic layers in such environments than the current point specific manual methods. As a result the use of GPR has significantly advanced our capacity to assess the potential for increased erosion and the generation of debris flows in such environments after rainfall events.

<p>A review of the petitioning process and informational requirements was compiled to assist owners/operators of Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) facilities in obtaining a variance from the Land Disposal Restrictions Program.</p> <p> A discussion of the RCRA legislative intent of the Land Disposal Restrictions Program as it applies to no-migration variances and the types of facilities the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considered likely candidates are provided.</p> <p> A checklist of the required information for a technically complete petition also is included.</p> / Master of Science

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) has been used as a railway substructure investigation tool since the late 1990’s and has seen significant development since then. To use GPR as a more effective tool for substructure investigation, a GPR substructure characterization model was developed. This dissertation provides a detailed description of railway track components, track geometry, soil properties and classification and substructure design. The historical background of GPR is discussed together with GPR principles, basic GPR equations, hardware and accessories as well as GPR data collection, processing and interpretation. Other in situ investigation techniques namely the dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP), light weight deflectometer (LWD) , Pencel pressuremeter, surface wave testing, remote video monitoring (RVM), multi-depth deflectometers (MDD) and continuous track modulus measurement techniques are also discussed. A comparison between the different track investigation techniques was also done, with reference to sample rate, cost, effectiveness and value. Two sites in South Africa were selected for the investigation, one with good substructure conditions used for heavy haul coal export close to Vryheid (KN test section) and the other a general freight line with poor substructure conditions near Rustenburg (NT test section). These two sites were selected to develop a GPR substructure characterization model as they provided conditions ranging from poor to very good. This was supported by the analysis of the in situ soil sampling and testing. The calculation of the track substructure modulus from RVM deflection measurements showed three times higher values for the KN test section compared to the NT test section. The subballast and subgrade thickness, the GPR ballast fouling (GBF) index as well as the GPR moisture condition index was used for the classification ranges used in the model. The subballast and subgrade layer roughness values were calculated and used for the substructure classification. The GBF index and the GPR moisture condition roughness were used for the GPR fouling index classification. The GPR deliverables were divided into four classes (i.e. very good, good, moderate and poor). The evaluation of the characterization model showed that a traditional in situ investigation will cost approximately 3.7 times more than that of a GPR investigation. It would also take two thirds of the time to complete the GPR investigation compared to the traditional in situ investigation. The study showed that GPR can be used to develop a substructure characterization model and that it would be more cost effective and efficient than traditional in situ investigation techniques. GPR surveys provide continuous measurements of the track structure condition and can therefore provide a continuous classification unlike the discreet and fragmented nature of in situ investigations. However, in situ tests can be done at certain intervals within the GPR survey or at point where the GPR classification is not clear. The best solution for railway track characterization can therefore be obtained by using GPR and in situ classification in combination. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Civil Engineering / unrestricted

The genus Brachinus belongs to the well-known family Carabidae, commonly known as "Ground Beetles". About 15,000 species of Carabidae have been described, of which over 100 genera and 1,200 species occur in the United States. (Dodd Mead 1928).

The objective of this study is to show the analysis and behavior of symmetrical components and balanced faults in power transformers. Thus, the symmetric component methods solve directly the distribution of voltages and currents, allowing the correct verification of the procedure and the influence of earth circuit faults with the neutral point in distribution transformers. Therefore, the symmetric component analysis procedure has an innovative contribution to the determination of problem solving that solves practical cases and allows to determine the unbalanced failure analysis. / Revisión por pares

Geothermal heat exchangers are a growing energy technology that improve the energy efficiency of heating and cooling systems in buildings. Vertical borehole heat exchangers (BHE) coupled with ground source heat pumps have been widely developed and researched in the past century. The major disadvantage of BHEs is the initial capital cost required to drill the boreholes. Geothermal energy piles (GEP) were developed to help offset the high initial cost of these systems. A GEP combines ground source heat pump technology with deep earth structural foundations of buildings. GEPs are relatively new technology and robust standards and guidelines have not yet been developed for the design of these systems. The main operational difference between GEPs and conventional BHEs is the length and diameter of the below ground heat exchangers. The diameter of a GEP is much larger and the length is typically shorter than BHEs. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis is used in this study to investigate and better understand how structural piles perform as geothermal heat exchangers. The CFD analysis is used to simulate an existing experimental energy pile test. The experimental test is modeled as built including fluid modeling to provide additional detail into the behavior of the circulation fluid within the pile. Two comparisons of large diameter GEPs are made using CFD analysis to gain knowledge of the effects of varying pile diameter and loop configuration. The thermal response test was successfully modeled using the CFD model. The CFD results closely match the results of the field test. The large diameter comparisons show that the performance of an energy pile will increase as the diameter increases with a constant loop density. Multiple numbers of loops were tested in a constant diameter pile and the results show that with symmetrically placed loops the performance will increase with a greater number of loops in the pile. / Master of Science

Neonicotinoids are broad spectrum insecticides that are widely used to control many insect pests. In Ontario they are applied directly to the seeds of most corn and soy crops, after which they are incorporated into the tissues of the developing plant. While researchers have investigated how these insecticides impact honeybee health, much less attention has been given to the effects of neonicotinoids on wild pollinators. Ground nesting bees face exposure to neonicotinoids both in the soil, where they nest, as well as through other exposure routes (e.g, nectar and pollen of treated plants). I studied whether a higher concentration of neonicotinoid pesticides in soils within and near corn and soy crops is negatively associated with the abundance and diversity of ground nesting bees. To determine whether an association exists between soil neonicotinoid concentration and the abundance of associated ground nesting bee communities, I surveyed 16 eastern Ontario (mainly corn and soy) farms once per month from May to August, 2019, sampling the bee communities, soil pesticide levels, and floral resources. I found a significant interaction between the sampling period and neonicotinoid soil concentrations on ground nesting bee abundance. However, no similar relationship existed for an analysis with non ground nesting bees only. Specifically, I found that high concentrations of soil neonicotinoids were associated with lower expected bee abundances and low seasonal variation, a low concentration of soil neonicotinoids was associated with a high degree of seasonal variation, including spikes of relatively high expected abundances, and that sites with no neonicotinoids were associated with low seasonal variation and moderately high expected bee abundances. The number of floral units at a site was also positively associated with bee abundance, which is consistent with what has been reported in other studies. Diversity data are currently being processed off-site and unavailable at the time of publication. My results provide evidence that there exists the potential for higher risks of neonicotinoid seed treatments to ground nesting bees compared to the non-ground nesting community.