Karlstads Energi AB:s vågstation vid Hedenverket i Karlstad är en anläggning där invägning och analys av träbränsle utförs. Provtagning och hantering av träbränsle hör till de dagliga arbetsuppgifterna för personalen. Vid nära hantering av trämaterial finns risken att exponeras för trämögelsporer. Exponering av mikrobiologiska luftföroreningar kan orsaka hälsobesvär på lungor och luftvägar hos människor. Efter utförd riskbedömning av vågstationen noterades en oro att trämögelsporer och dammpartiklar sprids bortom lokalen för provtagning av träbränsle till andra utrymmen. Bedömningen talar för att ventilationen kanske är bristfällig och inte är anpassad för den aktuella verksamheten. Potentiell spridning av trämögelsporer via hantering, undermålig städning samt via kläder och annan utrustning tillhörde även problematiken. Syftet med detta arbete var att vid provtagningen av träbränsle förtydliga spridning och exponering av luftburna trämögelsporer i arbetsmiljön. Detta med avsikt att identifiera områden och arbetsrutiner där förebyggande åtgärder mot spridning av trämögelsporer kunde införas. Målet var att definiera luftrörelser i lokalen till följd av arbetsrutiner och ventilation. Resultatet från undersökningen fungerade som ett underlag för utvärdering av åtgärder mot spridning och exponering av trämögelsporer. Genom mätningar och observationer kunde luftrörelser och föroreningskällor identifieras. Mätningar avsåg luftens temperatur och hastighet i lokalen. Ventilationen undersöktes genom observation av luftrörelser och inventering av ventilationsutrustning. Arbets- och skyddsrutiner observerades utan social interaktion från observatören. Resultat från mätningar och observationer analyserades och jämfördes med riktvärden presenterade i litteratur, forskningsarbeten samt Arbetsmiljöverkets föreskrifter. Ventilationen i lokalen för provtagning av träbränsle konstateras vara bristfällig för pågående verksamhet. Spridning och exponering av hälsofarliga trämögelsporer utgörs av bristen på tillräcklig processventilation, långa horisontella luftflöden, stillastående luft och cirkulerande av förorenad luft. Observation av arbets- och skyddsrutiner visar på bristande inneslutning av föroreningskällor. Det är även dålig användning av personlig skyddsutrustning samt genomförande av städning. Utifrån resultaten kunde flera förebyggande åtgärder föreslås. Införande av processventilation och reformering av ventilationssystem skulle leda till mindre spridning av trämögelsporer och bättre luftutbyte av lokalen. En granskning av arbets- och skyddsrutiner liksom införande av nya rutiner med en medvetenhet om trämögelsporers förmåga att spridas via luften föreslogs som åtgärd mot exponering. / Karlstads Energi AB's weighing station at Hedenverket in Karlstad is a facility where weighing and analysis of wood fuel are carried out. Sampling and handling of wood fuel is one of the daily duties for the staff at the weigh station. At the close management of wooden material there is a risk of exposure to airborne mold spores. Exposure to microbiological air pollution may cause health problems in the lungs and airways of humans. After performing the risk assessment at the weighing station there was concerns that mold spores and dust particles spread beyond the premises for the sampling of wood fuel to other areas. The assessment indicates that the ventilation may be inadequate and is not adapted to the current work environment. Potential spread of mold spores through handling, poor housekeeping and by clothing and other equipment also belonged to the uncertainties. The aim with this study was by the sampling of wood fuel to clarify the dispersion and exposure to airborne mold spores in the work environment. This is with the intention to identify areas and work routines where preventive measures against the spread of mold spores could be introduced. The goal was to define the air movement within the premises of wood fuel sampling as a result of working practices and ventilation. The results of the study served as a basis for the evaluation of measures against the spread and exposure of mold spores. By measurements and observations the air movements and sources of contamination within the premises could be identified. Measurements relate to the air temperature and air velocity within the premises. The ventilation was investigated by observation of air movement and taking inventory of the ventilation equipment. Work and protective practices were observed without any social interaction by the observer. Results of measurements and observations were analyzed and compared to guidelines presented in literature, research works and the Swedish Work Environment Authority's constitution. The ventilation of the premises for the sampling of wood fuel was found to be flawed for the current work environment. The dispersion and exposure to hazardous mold spores is the lack of sufficient exhaust ventilation, long horizontal air flow, stagnant air and circulating of contaminated air. Observations of work and protective procedures show an insufficient containment of pollution sources. It is also poor use of protective equipment and carrying through with cleaning. Based on the results could several preventative measures be proposed. Introduction of additional exhaust ventilation and reforming of the ventilation system would result in less spread of mold spores and a better air exchange of the premises. A review of work and protective procedures as well as introducing of new procedures with an awareness of mold spores ability to spread via air was suggested as a measure against exposure.

Introdução - Alguns tipos de fungos, como o mofo, são de fundamental importância médica, principalmente por produzirem toxinas nocivas à saúde dos humanos. São frequentemente encontrados no interior dos domicílios quando há condição favorável, como umidade e temperatura adequada. Vários estudos relataram associação entre mofo e doenças alérgicas ou respiratórias em crianças. Objetivos - Descrever as características dos domicílios dos recém-nascidos incluídos em um estudo de coorte na cidade de São Paulo e identificar as possíveis associações com o desenvolvimento de mofo visível nas superfícies (paredes, piso e teto). Métodos - Este trabalho faz parte de uma coorte de recém-nascidos com início em 2003 e término em 2007, denominada PROJETO CHIADO. Participaram do estudo 378 domicílios. Entrevistadores fizeram visitas nestas residências para coletar dados referentes às características dos domicílios (tipo de cobertura, tipo de forro, idade da construção) e condições intra-domiciliares (ventilação, aglomeração, incidência solar, temperatura, presença de umidade, presença de mofo). Foram realizadas análises descritivas e análises bivariável e multivariável (regressão logística) para identificar possíveis associações entre as características dos domicílios e a presença de mofo. Resultados Foi encontrado mofo visível na maioria dos domicílios visitados (66 por cento), sendo 28 por cento no quarto da criança e 38 por cento em outros cômodos. Foi relatada umidade em aproximadamente metade dos domicílios (47 por cento) e ventilação regular, ruim ou péssima em 42 por cento. Foram identificadas associações positivas entre a presença de mofo no quarto da criança e ventilação ruim ou péssima (OR=2,14; IC95 por cento:1,05-4,38), falta de incidência solar no verão (OR=3,84; IC95 por cento:1,59-9,28) e aglomeração de quatro ou mais pessoas no quarto da criança (OR=2,09; IC95 por cento:1,24-3,50). Por outro lado, os tipos construtivos apresentaram associação inversa com o mofo (OR=0,41; IC95 por cento: 0,17-1,01) para cobertura com telha de cerâmica e forro de madeira ou cobertura com fibrocimento e forro de concreto e OR=0,40; IC95 por cento: 0,18-0,90 para cobertura com telha de cerâmica e forro de concreto. Conclusão Ventilação precária, falta de incidência solar no domicílio durante o verão e aglomeração de pessoas no domicílio propiciam o desenvolvimento de mofo enquanto que os tipos construtivos com coberturas feitas com materiais de maior densidade protegem os domicílios contra o desenvolvimento de mofo. A partir do conhecimento das características dos domicílios, é possível realizar intervenções para evitar o crescimento do mofo / Introduction Some kind of fungi, such as mold, has fundamental medical importance, especially by producing toxins harmful to human health. They are often found inside the homes when there are favorable conditions, such as appropriated humidity and temperature. Several studies have reported associations between mold and respiratory and allergic diseases in children. Objectives To describe the household characteristics of the newborns included in a cohort study in the city of São Paulo and to identify possible associations with the visible mold development on the surfaces (walls, floors and ceiling). Methods This study is part of a newborns cohort study that started in 2003 and finished in 2007, called WHEEZING PROJECT. 378 households participated in the study. Interviewers visited the homes to collect data from households characteristics (type of roof, type of ceiling, building age) and indoor conditions (ventilation, crowding, solar incidence, temperature, presence of moisture, presence of mold). Descriptive analyses and bivariate and multivariate analyses (logistic regression) were performed to identify associations between households characteristics and the presence of mold. Results Visible mold was found in most households visited (66 per cent), 28 per cent in the child´s room and 38 per cent in the other rooms. Moisture was reported in 47 per cent of the houses, and regular, bad or very bad ventilation in 42 per cent. Positive associations were found between the presence of mold in the homes and bad or very bad ventilation (OR=2,14; 95 per centCI: 1,05-4,38), no solar incidence in the summer (OR=3,84; 95 per centCI: 1,59-9,28) and crowding of at least four people in the child´s room (OR=2,09, 95 per centCI: 1,24-3,50). On the other hand, the type of construction showed inverse association with the mold (OR=0,41; 95 per centCI: 0,17-1,01) to ceramic tile roof and wood ceiling or cement-fibre roof and concrete ceiling and OR=0,40; CI IC95 per cent: 0,18-0,90 to ceramic tile and concrete ceiling. Conclusion Poor ventilation, no solar incidence in the home during the summer and crowding in the child´s room facilitate the development of mold, while the type of construction with high density materials protects the homes against the mold development. From the knowledge of the households characteristics, it is possible to perform interventions to prevent mold growth

This diploma thesis deals with the proposal and production of a mold for series production of plastic parts by vacuum forming. The thesis is divided into 2 main chapters. The theoretical part includes analysis of chip machining technology. The experimental part focuses on solving the design of the mold in PowerShape software, a detailed analysis of making of the model for casting and about making of the mold themselves. In the last part the manual completion and verification of the mold is discussed. Thesis is terminated by technical-economic evaluation, in which is discussed about production costs.

White mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Lib. de Bary) is one of the most important diseases of common bean in the U.S. with seed yield losses up to 100%. White mold resistance is hard to incorporate into breeding materials because of low heritability, cumbersome screening methods, and few sources of resistance. A Multi-parent Advanced Generation Inter-Crosses population was created to develop resistant germplasm and map the genetics factors controlling the resistance. A seedling straw test method was used to identify resistant lines. Twenty genotypes were found to be resistant based on its response when inoculated with isolate 1980 of white mold. GWAS using quantitative, polynomial and binomial phenotypic distribution data, identified 30 genomic regions associated with resistance on Pv01, Pv02, Pv04, Pv05, Pv07, Pv08, Pv10 and Pv11. Cumulative R2 values were 57% for binomial distribution using 13 genomic intervals, 41% for polynomial using 8 intervals, and 40% for quantitative using 11 intervals.

The theme of this thesis is the engineering design of the automaton for the ceramic moulds production for the shell casting technology. In the first part of the thesis I occupy with the design of the mechanical part of the machine including the kinematic, dynamic and strength calculations of the chosen engineering compositions and components. In the next part of the thesis I design the control part of the machine.

The word impression encompasses a dual meaning which desires to be more fully explored in the built realm. An (im-print) has a powerful impact because the message becomes an indelible mark embedded within the material. Physically, an impression is made by the pressure of one object on or into another, leaving behind a trace of this interaction on the surface. This process has the potential to create a vivid memory within the participant who comes into contact with it. The idea of imprint can become a part of the process of design both physically and conceptually. As polished concrete can be marveled for its beauty in craftsmanship, so too can the manipulation of surface serve as a valuable haptic communicator for those who interact with it. Sight is a powerful sense, but it remains devoid of any physical relationship with the world surrounding us and provides a level of separation which discourages us to examine our environment on other sensorial levels. By (im-print)ing a material it transforms from a purely visual statement into a haptic experience, engaging the user and introducing a visceral dialogue. Inspired by the process of letterpress print-making, surface can be explored to tactilely communicate narratives of craft, materiality, and process, and open a new haptic dialogue to the body; subtly but powerfully. Through a tactile investigation of materials' expression, we can gain a greater connection to that which envelops us and encourage a corporeal dialogue between user and built environment. This process sets out to create an assembled space through the process of making, molds and prints, and to relay this education of process and materiality to the user hapticly, engaging the senses and in turn (im-print)ing upon the user an indelible quality of experience which inevitably impacts further exploration within the built environment.

The arid conditions found in the west allow for the production of high quality hay for export. However, hay production in this region is highly dependent upon irrigation. There is significant interest in developing a hay export market in the eastern U.S. Therefore, a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities with containerizing hay in high humidity environments is needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of hay preservatives on the stability of containerized hay. Treatments included 1) propionic acid at baling, 2) propiopnic acid at baling + surface applied propionic acid at container loading, 3) propionic acid at baling + ammonization of the container after loading, and 4) no preservatives. Propionic acid was applied at a rate of 2.5 kg Mg-1 of hay at baling to all treatments except the control. Hay was then stored for 5 weeks before compressing to a density of 320.0 kg m-3. Immediately before containerizing hay, treatment 2 received a surface application of propionic acid at a rate of 3.4 g bale-1. After loading hay into containers, treatment 3 was ammoniated at a rate of 1.5 kg NH3 Mg-1 DM. Temperature and relative humidity in the containers were monitored for the 45-day storage period. Hay was sampled at compression and immediately after opening the containers. There were no treatment effects on nutritive value parameters after containerization (P > 0.05). Neither propionic acid at harvest, nor treatments at containerization had an effect on mold development in this study (P > 0.05). / Master of Science

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Plastic injection molding is a versatile process and a major part of the present plastic manufacturing industry. Traditional die design is limited to straight (drilled) cooling channels, which dont impart optimal thermal (or thermos-mechanical) per- formance. Moreover, reducing the cycle time in plastic injection molding has become significantly important to the industry nowadays. One approach that has been pro- posed is to use conformal cooling channels. With the advent of additive manufacturing technology, injection molding tools with conformal cooling channels are now possible. However, optimum conformal channels based on thermo-mechanical performance are not found. This study proposes a design methodology to generate optimized design configurations of such channels in plastic injection molds. Numerical models have been developed here to represent the thermo-mechanical behavior of the molds and predict the stress and cooling time. The model is then validated experimentally and used in conjunction with DOE (Design of Experiments) to study the effect of differ- ent design parameters of the channels on the die performance. Design of experiments (DOEs) is used to study the effect of critical design parameters of conformal channels as well as their cross section geometries. These DOEs are conducted to identify op- timal designs of conformal cooling channels which can be incorporated into injection molds that are used to manufacture cylindrical and conical shapes of plastic parts. Though these are simplified forms, the study provides useful insight into the poten- tial deign parameters for all kind of injection molds.Based on the DOEs, designs for best thermo-mechanical performance are identified (referred to as ”optimum”). The optimization study is basically a trade-off and the solution is based on a specific sample size. This approach is highly result-oriented and provides guidelines for selecting optimum design solutions given the plastic part thickness.

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