Shuqaiq-II IWP is a combined RO water desalination and power plant facility. It operates with an open intake that feeds the plant with 100,000 m3/h of raw water. The facility is located 140 km north of Jizan, in a small bay where the run-off discharges of two wadis converge. The run-off coming from the wadis are rich in alluvial sediments that dramatically decrease the raw water quality at the intake point, causing periodic shutdowns of the plant and increasing the operational cost due to membrane replacement. Subsurface water intakes are an alternative for improving raw water quality, as they provide natural filtering of the feed water as it flows through the systems. In this type of system water flow through the sediment matrix is induced and during the percolation, several physical, chemical and biological processes take place, cleaning the water from particulate matter, resulting in high quality feed water that can be directly sent to the RO process without any additional pretreatment. A full hydrogeological profile of the seabed needs to be performed in order to determine the applicability of one of these systems in each particular location. In this study, 1 km of beach area at Shuqaiq-II IWP was surveyed. Ninety-one (91) samples from the shore and offshore sediments were collected and analyzed for hydraulic conductivity, porosity and grain size distribution. The laboratory analysis showed that the construction of the seabed galleries was technically feasible, and the proposed intake system was design to meet the feed water requirements for the RO facility (530.000 m3/d). The preliminary design consists of 17 cells in total, 16 of which will be in constant operation, and 1 alternate for whenever maintenance is needed in one of the other cells. The seabed gallery design includes 5 layers of sands with a total depth of 5 m. A detailed underdrain design methodology is presented. The system would be operated at an infiltration rate of 10 m/d and an average hydraulic retention time of 7h. Each cell will have an area of 3.500 m2 that will supply 35.000 m3/d of feed water to each RO train.

Geochemistry has been used to determine the provenance and diagenetic history of eolian sandstone deposits. However, the grain size, sorting, cementation, and detrital composition of eolian units can change along dune foreset laminae. The purpose of this study was to test for consistent trends of compositional change along dune foresets. Such trends could increase the quality of geochemical sampling of eolian sandstones and possibly aid in estimating the original height of ancient sand dunes. XRF data was gathered for both major and trace elements from the Pennsylvanian to Permian Weber Sandstone, Early Jurassic Navajo Sandstone, and modern Coral Pink Sand Dunes of southern Utah. Data was plotted using both 2-dimensional scatter plots and 3-dimensional principal components analysis (PCA) plots. The PCA plots proved to be the most informative and suggest that there are no consistent, statistically significant geochemical trends within or between the three units sampled. However, this study found that PCA was able to show significant geochemical differences between the three units sampled, even when they are all dominated by a single mineral (>90% quartz). The Weber Sandstone had the most varied composition, and dunes within the unit could be highly dissimilar to each other. The Navajo Sandstone had less overall geochemical variability than the Weber Sandstone, and individual dunes were similar to each other. The modern Coral Pink Sand Dunes had much less compositional variation than either of the other two units, and dunes in this unit were very similar to each other.

Bush tea (Athrixia phylicoides) is a medicinal herbal tea, which is used for cleansing or purifying the blood, treating boils, bad acne as well as infected wounds and cuts. A. phylicoides also has the potential to be used as an ornamental cut flower due to its beautiful flowers. Because of the many uses of bush tea, it faces problems of being over harvested and exploited. Therefore, there is a need to study more about the plant for possible domestication. A questionnaire survey was conducted in selected villages of Thohoyandou and Nzhelele in Venda, Limpopo Province, by means of personal interviews. The aim of the survey was to gather indigenous knowledge and validate the uses of bush tea from the local people. Interviews were conducted on three types of respondents, viz. traditional healers (31%), street sellers (25%) and bearers of indigenous knowledge (44%). A total of one hundred respondents were interviewed. One important finding of the study was that people from the area of study possess a remarkable knowledge of the plant and its uses to treat a wide range of physical ailments. The bush tea plant is used as medicine, health tea as well as a traditional broom. Some of these ailments that could be treated using bush tea were headaches, stomachache, influenza and leg wounds. It is known to have aphrodisiac properties and it can also be used to cleanse the womb, kidney, and veins and to purify blood. The plant was harvested in different ways depending on the reason for harvesting. Results from the survey indicated that the majority of the respondents had no interest in propagating the bush tea plant, few respondents showed interest in propagating the plant. They also showed enhanced knowledge about the uses of other medicinal plants. A tunnel experiment was also conducted at the Hatfield Experimental Farm of the University of Pretoria in South Africa. The effects of growing media (pine bark and sand) and fertigation frequencies (0.4 ℓ/day, 1 ℓ/day, 2 ℓ/day, 2 ℓ/2nd day and 2 ℓ/ week) on growth and yield of bush tea were studied. Growing media and fertigation frequencies significantly affected the growth performance and yield of bush tea. The growth rate of bush tea between the autumn season and winter season was higher than between winter and spring season. Greater number of stems and shoots were observed in sand grown plants as compared to pine bark grown plants. Sand grown plants had a higher root mass as compared to those of pine bark grown plants over both seasons, with nonsignificant differences in the dry root mass in winter (90 days after planting). Plants grown in sand had significantly longer roots (P≤ 0,05) than plants grown in pine bark at 90 days after planting. However, at 180 days after planting the differences in root lengths were no longer significant. Fertigation frequencies caused significant differences in growth performance and yield of bush tea. Plants fertigated with 1 ℓ/day were significantly the tallest, followed by plants fertigated with 0.4 ℓ/day, 2 ℓ/day, 2 ℓ/2nd day and 2 ℓ/ week. Our results confirmed that bush tea could grow up to 1 metre high (1.08 m). In addition, fertigation frequency of 1 ℓ/day resulted in plants with greater stem and leaf mass (both fresh and dry), thus higher yields. Fertigation frequency of 2 ℓ/day was found to be too high and hence reduced oxygen supply to the roots and consequently retarded above plant growth. Sand grown plants also produced more flowers than pine bark grown plants. Overall, plants grown in sand media had superior stem and shoot mass, leaf mass, root mass and flower mass compared to plants grown in pine bark. Plants that received insufficient amount of water (2 ℓ /week) resulted in stunted growth and produced the least yield. In conclusion, bush tea plants performed better in sand growth media than in pine bark growth media. An optimum application rate of 1 ℓ/day was ideal for growth and performance of bush tea as the plant performed better under this fertigation frequency. / Dissertation (MInstAgrar)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

This diploma thesis deals with the creation of penetration of cast iron with graphite casting cast into bentonite molds. In the first part of the thesis is theoretically described the formation of penetration, its main causes, consequences and the elimination of this defect. The second part analyzes the causes of the defect with the Minitab statistical software and shows the possible connections of the input materials to the occurrence of the defect. Next, the experimental finding of the cause of the defect, which is focused on the measurement of the pressures in the form of the casting, is devoted to it.

The aim of my diploma thesis was a project of a new kindergarten. The building is situted in the land register Brno Bystrc. It is a two storey building without basement. On the first floor there are located three classes, each with a capacity of 24 children. On the second floor there is celebratian hall, classrooms for external activities and offices. Kindergarten is based on strip fundation, and covered by flat roof with attica. I designed the project with emphasis on disposal orientation according to the cardinal points and constructed arrangements of the building. Durring the process I tried to use modern methods and common materials. The drawing part was processed in the AutoCAD and ArchiCAD computer program. Part of the work is fire, acoustic and thermal-technical solution.

The objective of the treatise is to review the sample methodology and the exploration methods at a heavy mineral sands deposit. The level of confidence and the risk associated with the resource calculations will be established based on the sample methodology. Two drilling methods used at Hillendale are compared statistically and visually. It is clear from the comparison that the Wallis Aircore (WAC) method is significantly better than the Reverse Circulation (RCN) method. This is evident also when comparing results of the two methods with the recovery from the mined out areas. The WAC drilling method reduces the risk of downhole contamination due to the change in the drilling method allowing air to be forced back in an inner tube after the sample is collected compared to the air blowout of the RCN method. The WAC method reduces the variability introduced in the sample collection as compared to the RCN method. The average calculated value (for total heavy minerals (THM) and Ilmenite) of the global population for the two methods is similar. The reduced variability in the sample population of the WAC method results in a lower population being required for the confidence interval about the mean at a 95% confidence level. The lower number of required samples results in a lowering of project cost. Blockmodels created from the two drilling methods are compared statistically (mode, median, standard deviation). The global mean of the input data compares well with the global mean of the estimated blockmodel. In reconciling the resource blockmodels with actual production data, the variability as introduced by the RCN drilling method is clear. The WAC drilling information produces a blockmodel with an acceptable level of variance (deviation of the geological model from the actual values obtained during mining) as defined by Hillendale mine management of less than 10%. This is determined by reconciling the estimated geological blockmodel for a specific mined out area against the actual tonnages and plant recovery values achieved in the same area. Ultimately, because the drill spacing is standard in the mining operation under study, the required confidence in the mean might not be achieved by either of the two drilling methods in certain portions of the mine, but the results from the WAC method will be closer to the reality than the RCN method with the same number of drillholes. Three main risks are identified in the sample methodology; they have a high probability to occur or have a high cost impact. The risk inherent in sampling and analysis is the most important of the risks identified in this study. The risk can be effectively reduced by implementing a quality assurance and quality control programme (QAQC). The other high risks are introduced by the drilling method and drillhole spacing. The risk can be reduced by continuous improvement and keeping up to date with new developments in the industry such as improved drilling techniques and by improved knowledge of the ore-body. The knowledge will help in understanding the risk - It may become clear in the text how this can reduce the risk. In conclusion, the improvement and implementation of systems such as improved drilling technique and quality assurance and quality control programmes enables one to establish an acceptable confidence level in the resource calculation as well as reducing the inherent risk to an acceptable level for future decisions. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Geology / unrestricted

This study compared the projections by young people in a rural school of risk factors and protective resources in the first and second sand tray. From an indigenisation perspective, the assumption was that sand tray therapy could be suitable to understand risk factors and protective resources in two sand trays of young people. As part of a clinical case study design first and second sand trays (n=22) of clients (n=11) were purposefully selected for comparative analysis. Data sources included visual data (photographs), accompanying client narratives (verbatim transcriptions and field notes), ASL student reflections, and semi-structured interviews with purposefully sampled ASL students. Following thematic data analysis two main themes emerged: risk and protection in first and second sand trays of young people in a rural school; and progression in projections of first and second sand trays of young people in a rural school. Sand tray therapy has utility for use with young people in a rural ecology to (i) use as a contextually and culturally appropriate technique (ii) use in groups in school-based educational psychology services (iii) assess risk factors, (iv) protective resources and (v) the use of first and second sand trays for young people to project positive progression in their experiences of their life-worlds. Consequently, educational psychologists can integrate sand tray therapy, as a contextually appropriate technique, into intervention programmes to understand the experiences of young people in rural ecologies and support them. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Educational Psychology / MEd / Unrestricted

The aim with this study was to investigate factors that affect the occurrence of mycorrhizal fungi species of nature conservation concern in sand pine forests in Norrbotten County in Sweden. In 2019, the occurrence of fruit-bodies of the species in focus was inventoried in 21 forest stands in three different areas located in three municipalities on land that SCA Skog owns and manages in Norrbotten County. The fungi included in study had been noted in the studied areas in previous inventories between the years 2013–2016, which makes it possible to compare variation in fruit body production between years. Specifically, the study tested whether mean age and diameter of trees, and base area and size of forest stands affect the occurrence of fruit bodies of the studied mycorrhiza species in the forest stands. A multiple regression analysis found a positive significant relationship between the number of species that occurred and the size and base area in the forest stands, while there was no effect of mean age and mean diameter of the trees. This indicates that it is important to consider the size and base area of forest stands to maintain mycorrhizal fungi when planning management in dry sandy pine forests. However, because fruit body production is highly variable among years further research is required to get a better understanding of how tree structure affect mycorrhizal fungi.

Orientador: Sílvio Rainho Teixeira / Resumo: A falta de sincronismo entre o desenvolvimento industrial e a conscientização ambiental trouxe inúmeros impactos adversos ao meio ambiente. A quantidade de resíduos industriais gerados diariamente aumenta, enquanto a adoção de sistemas de gerenciamento ainda falha em muitos aspectos. Assim, o objetivo principal deste trabalho é desenvolver materiais vitrocerâmicos através da mistura de Areia Descartada de Fundição (ADF) com resíduos sólidos oriundos da indústria de papel e celulose (grits e lama de cal), visando o desenvolvimento de novos produtos que sejam ecologicamente corretos. Os materiais vitrocerâmicos obtidos a partir da cristalização do vidro com os resíduos de ADF, grits e lama de cal foram preparados utilizando o método tradicional, de fusão do composto, para a produção dos vidros; e, posterior cristalização, para obtenção das vitrocerâmicas. De acordo com a composição química dos materiais precursores e das misturas, os vidros foram obtidos à temperatura de 1450 °C. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em duas etapas principais: caracterização dos materiais precursores e preparação e caracterização dos vidros e vitrocerâmicas. Os estudos de caracterizações foram feitos através das técnicas de análises granulométrica, morfológica, mineralógica, química, térmicas e tecnológicas. Foram obtidos 6 materiais vítreos distintos, intitulados de vidros I, II, III, IV, V e VI. Os vidros foram caracterizados por Difração de Raios X (DRX), Fluorescência de Raios X (FRX) e análise de ca... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The lack of synchronism between industrial development and environmental awareness has brought numerous adverse impacts to the environment. The amount of industrial waste generated daily increases, while the adoption of management systems still fails in many ways. Thus, the main objective of this work is to develop glass-ceramic materials by mixing Waste Foundry Sand (WFS) with solid residues from the cellulose and paper industry (grits and lime mud), aiming at the development of new products that are environmentally friendly. The glass were obtained using the traditional melting-quenching method. The produced glasses were controlled by the crystallization process to obtain the glass-ceramics materials. According to the chemical composition of the precursor materials and the chemical composition of the mixtures, the glasses were fused at 1450 °C. The work was developed in two main stages: characterization of the precursor materials and preparation and characterization of glasses and glass-ceramics. The characterization studies were made through the techniques of particle size, morphological, mineralogical, chemical, thermal and technological analysis. Six distinct vitreous materials were obtained, entitled glasses I, II, III, IV, V and VI. The glasses were characterized by the analysis of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Fluorecence (XRF) and differential scanning calorimetry. After identifying the crystallization peaks of each glass, heat treatment was given (temperatures high... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

More than a hundred sites were in Prague in the past, where skeletal remains of Pleistocene mammals had been found. Most of these sites were brickyards or sand pits. These pits were in operation during the second half of the 19th century and first half of the 20th century. Many awards were found during construction works as well. Most of researchers attended only several most famous sites at the time of the findings. The catalog summarizes the basic known information about majority of Prague localities and includes a list of taxa wich were found there. Key words: Prague, locality, mammals, Pleistocene, brickyards, sand pits