This PhD dissertation represents an effort to understand individual behavior leading to decisions regarding natural resource use and compliance with conservation policy at the government and at the community levels through the analysis of specific cases in the Brazilian Amazon. I first analyze the case of smallholder land clearing along the Transamazon and BR-163 highways in the face of Brazilian Forest Code enforcement by the federal government. My hypothesis is that smallholder land clearing paths over time are affected by assessments of the probability of being caught violating the Forest Code. I develop a dynamic decision model that considers the potential benefits and costs accrued from land clearing through time by a representative smallholder and include her perception of the probability of Forest Code enforcement, unobserved to the researcher. I apply an endogenous switching regressions econometric model to data collected with a sample of 542 households in 2003 and 2013/14. I find that longer land tenure frontiers where there are opportunities for smallholders to transition to cattle grazing from agriculture deserve the attention of enforcement of land clearing laws and restrictions and that the use of the forest by a smallholder is a protective signal that must be considered and encouraged. My results suggest that alleged government efforts to enforce the Forest Code among smallholders in the sample region have been ineffective. The second case I analyze is that of fisher households that enforce community fishing agreements, known as accords, in the floodplains of the Amazon River surrounding the city of Santarém. My hypothesis is that individual households benefit from their own fishing accords enforcement effort through fishing time savings. A factor demand analysis applied to data collected with over 600 households reveals that statistically important drivers of labor demand and fuel include the level of dedication of a household and its history in implementing fishing accords, the landscape, the flood cycle, the distance to the main regional market and biomass. The average household fishing time savings from enforcing accords range between 59 and 36 eight-hour days for a six-month-period, an important argument for continuing the enterprise. / PHD

Soil organic matter (SOM) is the largest terrestrial pool of organic carbon (C), and potential carbon-climate feedbacks involving SOM decomposition could exacerbate anthropogenic climate change. Despite the importance of SOM in the global C cycle, our understanding of the controls on SOM stabilization and decomposition is still developing, and as such, SOM dynamics are a source of major uncertainty in current Earth system models (ESMs), which reduces the effectiveness of these models in predicting the efficacy of climate change mitigation strategies. To improve our understanding of controls on SOM decomposition at scales relevant to such modeling efforts, A and upper B horizon soil samples from 22 National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) sites spanning the conterminous U.S. were incubated for 52 weeks under conditions representing site-specific mean summer temperature and horizon-specific field capacity (-33 kPa) water potential. Cumulative CO2 respired was periodically measured and normalized by soil organic C content to obtain cumulative specific respiration (CSR). A two-pool decomposition model was fitted to the CSR data to calculate decomposition rates of fast- (kfast) and slow-cycling pools (kslow). Post-LASSO best subsets multiple linear regression was used to construct horizon-specific models of significant predictors for CSR, kfast, and kslow. Significant predictors for all three response variables consisted mostly of proximal factors related to clay-sized fraction mineralogy and SOM composition. Non-crystalline minerals and lower SOM lability negatively affected CSR for both A and B horizons. Significant predictors for decomposition rates varied by horizon and pool. B horizon decomposition rates were positively influenced by nitrogen (N) availability, while an index of pyrogenic C had a negative effect on kfast in both horizons. These results reinforce the recognized need to explicitly represent SOM stabilization via interactions with non-crystalline minerals in ESMs, and they also suggest that increased N inputs could enhance SOM decomposition in the subsoil, highlighting another mechanism beyond shifts in temperature and precipitation regimes that could alter SOM decomposition rates. / Master of Science / Soils contain a large amount of carbon (C) in the form of soil organic matter (SOM), and there is the potential for the increased decomposition of SOM due to warmer temperatures to cause climate change to become worse through the release of additional CO₂ into the atmosphere. However, we still do not know exactly what is most important for predicting how vulnerable SOM is to decomposition at continental scales, and this results in a substantial amount of uncertainty in Earth system models used to predict climate change. To address this question, the proportion of organic C decomposed in soil samples from the topsoil and subsoil from 22 sites across the conterminous U.S. was monitored over the course of a year under optimal moisture conditions and at site-specific summer temperature. Additionally, a mathematical model was fitted to the proportion of organic C decomposed over time to estimate decomposition rates of a quickly decomposing pool of SOM and a slowly decomposing pool of SOM. The proportion of organic C decomposed and decomposition rates were related to soil and site properties using multiple linear regression to find which soil and site properties were most important for predicting these response variables. The type of clay-sized mineral and SOM chemical composition were found to be important predictors of the proportion of organic C decomposed for both topsoil and subsoil samples. The important predictors for decomposition rates varied by pool and by topsoil vs. subsoil. For subsoil decomposition rates, it was found that a greater availability of nitrogen (N) increased decomposition rates, and in the quickly decomposing pool, it was found that fire-derived organic matter slowed decomposition rates. The results of this study showed the general importance of local factors for controlling SOM decomposition. Specifically, it showed that the type of clay-sized mineral present at a site needs to be considered as well as the fact that N might increase SOM decomposition in the subsoil.

Vane-type in-stream structures and step pool storm conveyance (SPSC) are more ecologically friendly alternatives to traditional stream channel stabilization and stormwater conveyance techniques. Vane-type structures have been widely accepted as elements of stream restoration projects and are regularly implemented in streams throughout the United States. However, these structures commonly experience partial or total failures of function or stability, often due either to improper installation or misapplication. This study undertook a thorough review of the available design guidance for the single-arm vane, j-hook vane, cross vane, and w-weir, which revealed that the existing guidance is composed of non-standardized recommendations largely based on practitioner experience and rules of thumb. Existing guidance was synthesized with current structure research and practitioner surveys to create factsheets for each of the four structures and the SPSC, with the intent of improving structure application and offering concise general guidance. This study also endeavored to improve the design of the SPSC by determining the most accurate of several common prediction methods for Manning's roughness coefficient n, used in SPSC design velocity calculations. This was done by using Rhodamine WT dye tracer experiments to determine n values during storm flows in two SPSC structures in Annapolis, MD, which were then compared to predicted n values. Values of Manning's n determined in the SPSCs at low flows (0.28-12) often exceeded the predicted n values (-0.17-3.9) by several orders of magnitude. Though the applicability of these results is limited, an increase in design n to 0.1-0.2 is still recommended. / Master of Science / Vane-type in-stream structures are stone or wood structures installed within a stream channel for purposes such as streambank stabilization or aquatic habitat creation. Step pool storm conveyance (SPSC) is a technique which converts an existing steep stream or gully into a step-pool channel. Both of these techniques are more ecologically friendly than many traditional stream channel stabilization or stormwater conveyance techniques such as riprap or concrete storm drains. Vane-type structures in particular have been widely accepted as elements of stream restoration projects and are regularly implemented in streams throughout the United States. However, these structures commonly experience partial or total failures, either through structural collapse or failure to function properly. This is often either because they were improperly installed or because they were installed at a stream site where they were inappropriate or unnecessary. A review of the available guidance for the design of these structures revealed that the existing guidance is composed of non-standardized and sometimes contradictory recommendations which are largely based on designer trial and error and rules of thumb, rather than on the results of scientific experiments or modeling. The goal of this study was to improve the success of vane-type in-stream structures and the SPSC by providing factsheets offering clear and concise general design guidelines and sound recommendations for structure application. Flow studies of two SPSC structures in Annapolis, MD were also conducted to improve the design of that structure by measuring its flow characteristics in the field.

The book is a series of plates, pictures and writings which are the results of an architectural thesis exploring, line, contour and layers. The plates are scans of original work by the author, made in a combination of media including: pencil, pastel, watercolor, photograph, study models, hand-drafted drawings, and computer aided drawings. A transcript of the presentation of the work at the thesis defense is included. The simple idea is the impression of contour by the expression of layers. The contour is a line tracing the motion and movement of architecture. Resulting from practice in drawing using pastels, pencil and paper the line, through continuity, can twist, pass over, go under and around- joining parts into an organized whole. Following a program of a modern bath, an architectural space is made, built by layers. The thesis is an architectural exploration of layers and the resultant contours. The best representation of this work is available in printed form at the Art and Architecture Library on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. / Master of Architecture

Yes / In this study, a Fuzzy Bayesian network (FBN) approach was proposed to analyze the domino effects of pool fire in storage tanks. Failure probabilities were calculated using triangular fuzzy numbers, the combined Center of area (CoA)/Sum-Product method, and the BN approach. Consequence modeling, probit equations, and Leaky-Noisy OR (L-NOR) gates were used to analyze the domino effects, and modify conditional probability tables (CPTs). Methanol storage tanks were selected to confirm the practical feasibility of the suggested method. Then the domino probability using bow-tie analysis (BTA), and FBN in the first and second levels was compared, and the Ratio of Variation (RoV) was used for sensitivity analysis. The probability of the domino effect in the first and second levels (FBN) was 0.0071472631 and 0.0090630640, respectively. The results confirm that this method is a suitable tool for analyzing the domino effects and using FBN and L-NOR gate is a good way for assessing the reliability of tanks. / National Petrochemical Company (NPC) of Iran

L’énergie nucléaire a toujours suscité la polémique. Alors que certains considèrent qu’une énergie nucléaire « sûre » pourrait contribuer à assurer à la fois une meilleure sécurité des approvisionnements énergétiques et une réduction des émissions mondiales de gaz à effet de serre, d’autres lui reprochent plusieurs types de risques et particulièrement les accidents nucléaires, la gestion des déchets nucléaires, la non-prolifération et les attaques terroristes ou même militaires contre les installations nucléaires civiles. En réalité, le retour d’expérience des accidents nucléaires les plus catastrophique de l’histoire, Three Mile Island (États-Unis) en 1979, Tchernobyl (ancienne URSS) en 1986 et Fukushima Daiichi (Japon) en 2011, a montré que des accidents nucléaires graves peuvent avoir des effets divers d’une portée potentiellement considérable, (très souvent transfrontières), à la fois pour les personnes, les biens et pour l’environnement. L’accident de Fukushima a confirmé une fois de plus la nécessité d’améliorer les règles existantes du droit international de l’énergie nucléaire, de manière à mettre en place un régime mondial de responsabilité civile du fait nucléaire, répondant aux préoccupations de tous les États qui pourraient être touchés par ce type d’accident. Le défit aujourd’hui est, donc, degarantir une réparation efficace, équitable et harmonisée des différents types de dommages issus d’un accident survenant dans une installation nucléaire. / Nuclear energy always caused the polemic. Whereas some consider that a “sure” nuclear energy could contribute to ensure at the same time a better safety of the energy supplies and a reduction of the greenhouses gas emissions, others reproach its several types of risks, particularly, the nuclear accidents, the nuclear waste control, the non-proliferation and the terrorist attacks or even armed against civil nuclear installations. Actually, return of the experience of the most catastrophic nuclear accidents in history (Three Mile Island (the United States) in 1979, Tchernobyl (former USSR) in 1986 and FukushimaDaiichi (Japan) in 2011), showed that serious nuclear accidents can have a variety of potentially far-reaching effects (very often transboundary) for people, property and the environment. The Fukushima accident confirmed once again the need to improve the existing rules of international nuclear energy law to put in place a global nuclear liability regime that addresses all of the states that may be affected by a nuclear accident. Today’s challenge is, therefore, to guarantee an efficient, fair and harmonized repair of the different types of damage resulting from an accident occurring in a nuclear installation.

Submitted by JOSIANE SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (josianeso) on 2018-02-14T16:37:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Vinícius Gustavo Sarturi_.pdf: 2041740 bytes, checksum: 21ee672dfb06c0f1a1a5aa2948cfae61 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-02-14T16:37:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vinícius Gustavo Sarturi_.pdf: 2041740 bytes, checksum: 21ee672dfb06c0f1a1a5aa2948cfae61 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-10-24 / Nenhuma / A presente dissertação compreende a análise das características da sociedade pós industrial, marcada pela globalização e pelo visível distanciamento das regras jurídicas aplicáveis às efetivas necessidades do período contemporâneo, pautado pela industrialização massificada, pelo desenvolvimento tecnológico e pela proliferação do risco em larga e complexa escala. Analisa também a crise econômica, política e institucional que assola o poder público e impede, em âmbito nacional, a adoção de medidas capazes de implementar uma adequada gestão do risco ambiental, vislumbrando, na formação teórica do pool of risks, a partir da teoria criada por Gunther Teubner, abordada na presente dissertação de modo eminentemente descritivo, a possibilidade de ser implementado um eficaz modelo preventivo de gestão. Nesse contexto, são expostos os fundamentos que embasam essa formação teórica, que se pauta na criação de conglomerados de empreendedores cujas atividades se mostrem capazes de gerar danos ao meio ambiente, em bases territoriais previamente delimitadas, com especial enfoque à individualização das áreas ecológicas de risco e à possibilidade de responsabilização solidária desse conglomerado, na hipótese de um dano vir a ser concretizado nos territórios previamente individualizados. Ganha destaque o fato de que, no pool of risks, a responsabilização solidária ocorre mesmo quando ausente o liame de causalidade entre o dano e o efetivo responsável pela sua concretização, sendo possível, em tais circunstâncias, a penalização de qualquer dos integrantes do pool, concluindo-se pela viabilidade dessa nova sistematização ser recepcionada pelas estruturas jurídicas vigentes, com potencial inovador que ostenta condições de impulsionar relevantes medidas de controle pelo direito pátrio, podendo reduzir a incidência de desastres ambientais em território nacional. / This dissertation comprises the analysis of the characteristics of the postindustrial society, marked by globalization and a visible distance from the legal rules applicable to the actual needs of the contemporary period, based on mass industrialization, technological development and proliferation of risk on a large and complex scale. It also analyzes the economic, political and institutional crisis that destroys public authorities and prevents, at a national level, the adoption of measures capable of implementing an adequate management of the environmental risk, envisaging in the theoretical formation of the pool of risks, from the theory created by Gunther Teubner, addressed in this dissertation in eminently descriptive, the possibility of implementing an effective preventive management model. In this context, the fundamentals underlying this theoretical formation are presented, which are based on the creation of conglomerates of entrepreneurs whose activities are capable of generating environmental damages, in previously delimited territorial bases, with special focus on the individualization of ecological risk areas and on the possibility of joint liability of this conglomerate, in the event of any damage being brought about in previously individualized territories. The fact that in the pool of risks joint liability occurs even when there is no causal relationship between the damage and the actual responsible for its consummation gains prominence, being possible in such circumstances to penalize any of the members of the pool, concluding on the feasibility of this new systematization be received by the legal structures in force, with innovative potential that has the conditions to promote relevant measures of control by the country's law, which may reduce the incidence of disasters in national territory.

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