Raw sewage is widely used on agricultural soils in urban areas of developing countries to meet water shortages. Although it is a good source of plant nutrients, such sewage also increases the heavy metal load to soils...Raw sewage is widely used on agricultural soils in urban areas of developing countries to meet water shortages. Although it is a good source of plant nutrients, such sewage also increases the heavy metal load to soils, which may impact the food chain. Management options for sewage contaminated soils includes addition of nontoxic compounds such as lime, calcium sulfate and organic matter, which form insoluble metal complexes, thus reducing metal phytoavailability to plants. In this paper we review the variation in irrigation quality of sewage at different sites and its impact on the quality of soils and vegetables. Although quality of sewage was highly variable at source, yet the effluent from food industries was relatively safe for irrigation. In comparison effluent samples collected from textile, dyeing, calendaring, steel industry, hospitals and clinical laboratories, foundries and tanneries were hazardous with respect to soluble salts, sodium adsorption ratio and heavy metals like zinc, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, cobalt and cadmium. The sewage quality in main drains was better than that at the industry outlet, but was still not safe for irrigation. In general, higher accumulation of metals in fruits and vegetable roots was recorded compared to that in plant leaves, Edible parts of vegetables （fruits and/or leaves） accumulated metals more than the permissible limits despite the soils contained ammonium bicarbonate diethylenetriaminepentaacetie acid extractable metals within a safe range. In either case further scientific investigations are needed to ensure safe management strategies. Cadmium appeared to be the most threatening metal especially in leafy vegetables. It is advisable to avoid leafy vegetables cultivation in sewage irrigated areas everywhere to restrict its entry into food chain.展开更多
Rapid economic growth, increasing populations and emergent prosperity are driving up demand tor energy, water anu food, especially in developing countries. In this scenario, the analysis of these three elements has ga...Rapid economic growth, increasing populations and emergent prosperity are driving up demand tor energy, water anu food, especially in developing countries. In this scenario, the analysis of these three elements has gained the increasing attention globally in research, business and policy spheres. This paper aims to provide an analysis of the perspectives of this nexus for Brazil and the United States, using current and predicted scenario for 2050. Considering the importance of renewable sources of energy to overcome these challenges and diversify the energy matrix in both countries, the paper will also present the biogas potential for both countries, which provides multiple economic, environmental and social benefits, such as electrical, thermal and vehicular energy, high-quality biofertilizer, reduction of odor and pathogenic vectors in the farms, decrease of ground and surface water pollution, promotion of new income for the farmers, reduction of the greenhouse gases emissions, among others.展开更多
This research aims to estimate the long-term financial benefits of using smart grids to mitigate and adapt the power sector to climate change. In order to do that, twelve scenarios were analyzed applying an energy acc...This research aims to estimate the long-term financial benefits of using smart grids to mitigate and adapt the power sector to climate change. In order to do that, twelve scenarios were analyzed applying an energy accounting model （LEAP （Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning System）） that was developed using Brazilian historical data from 1970 to 2015. To conduct the analysis, the Sathaye and Ravindranath＇s three steps methodology was used. The main final results include a long-term cost-benefit analysis that is developed for each considered scenario. The initial phase includes the analysis of the projections for the power sector up to 2030. The following phase consists on the estimation of costs for operation, maintenance, losses and new electrical projects investments. And finally, all scenarios＇ results were compared and the benefits of implementing smart grids in the sector were estimated. The attained results show that smart grid implementation would contribute to reduce electricity tariffs, the generation costs as well as the costs associated with theft and fraud.展开更多
This research provides a survey of literature that contextualizes the research＇s aim of examining factors impacting students＇ aspirations and wealth expectations in Lebanon. To highlight Lebanese higher education st...This research provides a survey of literature that contextualizes the research＇s aim of examining factors impacting students＇ aspirations and wealth expectations in Lebanon. To highlight Lebanese higher education students＇ youth＇s expectations of their future wealth, one should understand the four main factors that affect youth＇s hopes and aspirations： social, financial, cultural, and educational. Questionnaires are used to identify and assess how young individuals perceive their future wealth expectations. The developed surveys provide useful and reliable data to analyze the effects of many factors on wealth expectations and outcomes for youth. The collected information is of particular importance for identifying and assessing how factors shape wealth expectations and outcomes for youth. The samples used in this research analysis are restricted to college students only. The research findings shed light on the most crucial variables/factors that should be studied and analyzed. Once these factors are pinpointed and explained, a clear idea about higher education students＇ wealth expectations is formed. Short- and long-term expectations are taken into consideration and evaluated to formulate a basic idea about Lebanese youth.展开更多
A ground magnetic survey was conducted on the Kusi mineral prospect, Papua New Guinea, to provide insights into the magnetic properties of the mineralisation and help define drill targets for an exploration programme....A ground magnetic survey was conducted on the Kusi mineral prospect, Papua New Guinea, to provide insights into the magnetic properties of the mineralisation and help define drill targets for an exploration programme. The results of the survey suggest three distinct magnetic zones： （1） a magnetic high zone covering the northern portion of the survey area; （2） a northeast-southwest trending magnetic low zone occupying the southern portion and （3） a possible buried intrusive body separating the magnetic high from the low magnetic zone. The results of the survey suggest that drilling is concentrated on the zone of low magnetic response, and the periphery of the interpreted intrusion is adjacent to the contact to the limestone defining the mineralisation style of the two zones. A further ground magnetic survey is required to determine the western limits of the low magnetic zone.展开更多
Interest in thorium stems mainly from the fact that it is expected to have a substantial increase in uranium prices. So, advanced fuel cycles which increase the reserves of nuclear materials are interesting, particula...Interest in thorium stems mainly from the fact that it is expected to have a substantial increase in uranium prices. So, advanced fuel cycles which increase the reserves of nuclear materials are interesting, particularly, the use of thorium is to produce the fissile isotope ^233U. Thorium is three to five times more abundant than uranium in the earth＇s crust. Additionally, thoria produces less radiotoxicity than the UO2, because it produces fewer amounts of actinides. ThO2 has higher corrosion resistance, besides being chemically stable, and the burning of Pu in a reactor based in thorium also decreases the inventories of Pu from the current fuel cycles. There are some ongoing projects in the world, taking into consideration the proposed goals for Generation IV reactors, namely： sustainability, economics, safety and reliability, proliferation resistance and physical protection. Some developments on the use of thorium in reactors are underway, with the support of the IAEA （International Atomic Energy Agency） and some govern like molten salt reactor. In this paper, we discuss the future importance of thorium, particularly for Brazil, which has large mineral reserves of this strategic element, the characteristics of the molten salt reactor and the experience of the IPEN （Instituto de Pesquisas Energ6ticas e Nucleares） in the purification of thorium compounds.展开更多
Four-nation meetings advance the peace process in Afghanistan A meeting involving representatives from Afghanistan,Pakistan,China and the United States held on January 11 in Islamabad,Pakistan,established the Quadrila...Four-nation meetings advance the peace process in Afghanistan A meeting involving representatives from Afghanistan,Pakistan,China and the United States held on January 11 in Islamabad,Pakistan,established the Quadrilateral Coordination Group(QCG)to further the peace process in Afghanistan.展开更多
文摘Raw sewage is widely used on agricultural soils in urban areas of developing countries to meet water shortages. Although it is a good source of plant nutrients, such sewage also increases the heavy metal load to soils, which may impact the food chain. Management options for sewage contaminated soils includes addition of nontoxic compounds such as lime, calcium sulfate and organic matter, which form insoluble metal complexes, thus reducing metal phytoavailability to plants. In this paper we review the variation in irrigation quality of sewage at different sites and its impact on the quality of soils and vegetables. Although quality of sewage was highly variable at source, yet the effluent from food industries was relatively safe for irrigation. In comparison effluent samples collected from textile, dyeing, calendaring, steel industry, hospitals and clinical laboratories, foundries and tanneries were hazardous with respect to soluble salts, sodium adsorption ratio and heavy metals like zinc, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, cobalt and cadmium. The sewage quality in main drains was better than that at the industry outlet, but was still not safe for irrigation. In general, higher accumulation of metals in fruits and vegetable roots was recorded compared to that in plant leaves, Edible parts of vegetables （fruits and/or leaves） accumulated metals more than the permissible limits despite the soils contained ammonium bicarbonate diethylenetriaminepentaacetie acid extractable metals within a safe range. In either case further scientific investigations are needed to ensure safe management strategies. Cadmium appeared to be the most threatening metal especially in leafy vegetables. It is advisable to avoid leafy vegetables cultivation in sewage irrigated areas everywhere to restrict its entry into food chain.
文摘Rapid economic growth, increasing populations and emergent prosperity are driving up demand tor energy, water anu food, especially in developing countries. In this scenario, the analysis of these three elements has gained the increasing attention globally in research, business and policy spheres. This paper aims to provide an analysis of the perspectives of this nexus for Brazil and the United States, using current and predicted scenario for 2050. Considering the importance of renewable sources of energy to overcome these challenges and diversify the energy matrix in both countries, the paper will also present the biogas potential for both countries, which provides multiple economic, environmental and social benefits, such as electrical, thermal and vehicular energy, high-quality biofertilizer, reduction of odor and pathogenic vectors in the farms, decrease of ground and surface water pollution, promotion of new income for the farmers, reduction of the greenhouse gases emissions, among others.
文摘This research aims to estimate the long-term financial benefits of using smart grids to mitigate and adapt the power sector to climate change. In order to do that, twelve scenarios were analyzed applying an energy accounting model （LEAP （Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning System）） that was developed using Brazilian historical data from 1970 to 2015. To conduct the analysis, the Sathaye and Ravindranath＇s three steps methodology was used. The main final results include a long-term cost-benefit analysis that is developed for each considered scenario. The initial phase includes the analysis of the projections for the power sector up to 2030. The following phase consists on the estimation of costs for operation, maintenance, losses and new electrical projects investments. And finally, all scenarios＇ results were compared and the benefits of implementing smart grids in the sector were estimated. The attained results show that smart grid implementation would contribute to reduce electricity tariffs, the generation costs as well as the costs associated with theft and fraud.
文摘This research provides a survey of literature that contextualizes the research＇s aim of examining factors impacting students＇ aspirations and wealth expectations in Lebanon. To highlight Lebanese higher education students＇ youth＇s expectations of their future wealth, one should understand the four main factors that affect youth＇s hopes and aspirations： social, financial, cultural, and educational. Questionnaires are used to identify and assess how young individuals perceive their future wealth expectations. The developed surveys provide useful and reliable data to analyze the effects of many factors on wealth expectations and outcomes for youth. The collected information is of particular importance for identifying and assessing how factors shape wealth expectations and outcomes for youth. The samples used in this research analysis are restricted to college students only. The research findings shed light on the most crucial variables/factors that should be studied and analyzed. Once these factors are pinpointed and explained, a clear idea about higher education students＇ wealth expectations is formed. Short- and long-term expectations are taken into consideration and evaluated to formulate a basic idea about Lebanese youth.
文摘A ground magnetic survey was conducted on the Kusi mineral prospect, Papua New Guinea, to provide insights into the magnetic properties of the mineralisation and help define drill targets for an exploration programme. The results of the survey suggest three distinct magnetic zones： （1） a magnetic high zone covering the northern portion of the survey area; （2） a northeast-southwest trending magnetic low zone occupying the southern portion and （3） a possible buried intrusive body separating the magnetic high from the low magnetic zone. The results of the survey suggest that drilling is concentrated on the zone of low magnetic response, and the periphery of the interpreted intrusion is adjacent to the contact to the limestone defining the mineralisation style of the two zones. A further ground magnetic survey is required to determine the western limits of the low magnetic zone.
文摘Interest in thorium stems mainly from the fact that it is expected to have a substantial increase in uranium prices. So, advanced fuel cycles which increase the reserves of nuclear materials are interesting, particularly, the use of thorium is to produce the fissile isotope ^233U. Thorium is three to five times more abundant than uranium in the earth＇s crust. Additionally, thoria produces less radiotoxicity than the UO2, because it produces fewer amounts of actinides. ThO2 has higher corrosion resistance, besides being chemically stable, and the burning of Pu in a reactor based in thorium also decreases the inventories of Pu from the current fuel cycles. There are some ongoing projects in the world, taking into consideration the proposed goals for Generation IV reactors, namely： sustainability, economics, safety and reliability, proliferation resistance and physical protection. Some developments on the use of thorium in reactors are underway, with the support of the IAEA （International Atomic Energy Agency） and some govern like molten salt reactor. In this paper, we discuss the future importance of thorium, particularly for Brazil, which has large mineral reserves of this strategic element, the characteristics of the molten salt reactor and the experience of the IPEN （Instituto de Pesquisas Energ6ticas e Nucleares） in the purification of thorium compounds.
文摘Four-nation meetings advance the peace process in Afghanistan A meeting involving representatives from Afghanistan,Pakistan,China and the United States held on January 11 in Islamabad,Pakistan,established the Quadrilateral Coordination Group(QCG)to further the peace process in Afghanistan.
