scholarly journals Objectifying Building with Nature strategies

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 51-72
Author(s):  
Mindert De Vries ◽  
Mark Van Koningsveld ◽  
Stefan Aarninkhof ◽  
Huib De Vriend

By definition, Building with Nature solutions utilise services provided by the natural system and/or provide new opportunities to that system. As a consequence, such solutions are sensitive to the status of, and interact with the surrounding system. A thorough understanding of the ambient natural system is therefore necessary to meet the required specifications and to realise the potential interactions with that system. In order to be adopted beyond the pilot scale, the potential impact of multiple BwN solutions on the natural and societal systems of a region need to be established. This requires a ‘reality check’ of the effectiveness of multiple, regional-scale applications in terms of social and environmental costs and benefits. Reality checking will help establish the upscaling potential of a certain BwN measure when addressing a larger-scale issue. Conversely, it might reveal to what extent specific smaller-scale measures are suitable in light of larger regional-scale issues. This paper presents a stepwise method to approach a reality check on BwN solutions, based on the Frame of Reference method described in a companion paper (de Vries et al., 2020), and illustrates its use by two example cases. The examples show that a successful pilot project is not always a guarantee of wider applicability and that a broader application may involve dilemmas concerning environment, policy and legislation.

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (11) ◽  
pp. 1795-1797 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Badrick ◽  
Anne Stavelin

AbstractThere is a focus on standardisation and harmonisation of laboratory results to reduce the risk of misinterpretation of patient results assayed in different laboratories. External quality assessment (EQA) is critical to assess the need for harmonisation and to monitor the success of procedures to achieve harmonisation. However, EQA providers are being stretched to meet the needs of their participants with proven commutable material with reference method targets, a range of clinically significant levels of the materials, detailed and customised data analysis, and educational support. The path ahead for harmonisation of EQA schemes will require leadership from an organisation that has the support and confidence of EQA providers, like the European Organisation for External Qualily Assurance Providers in Laboratory Medicine.


2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik Sparholt ◽  
Robin M. Cook

The theory of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) underpins many fishery management regimes and is applied principally as a single species concept. Using a simple dynamic biomass production model we show that MSY can be identified from a long time series of multi-stock data at a regional scale in the presence of species interactions and environmental change. It suggests that MSY is robust and calculable in a multispecies environment, offering a realistic reference point for fishery management. Furthermore, the demonstration of the existence of MSY shows that it is more than a purely theoretical concept. There has been an improvement in the status of stocks in the Northeast Atlantic, but our analysis suggests further reductions in fishing effort would improve long-term yields.


Shore & Beach ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 56-64
Author(s):  
S. McGill ◽  
C. Sylvester ◽  
L. Dunkin ◽  
E. Eisemann ◽  
J. Wozencraft

Regional-scale shoreline and beach volume changes are quantified using the Joint Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Technical Center of Expertise’s digital elevation model products in a change detection framework following the passage of the two landfalling hurricanes, Hurricanes Sally and Zeta, along the northern Gulf Coast in late fall 2020. Results derived from this work include elevation change raster products and a standard set of beach volume and shoreline change metrics. The rapid turn-around and delivery of data products to include volume and shoreline change assessments provide valuable information about the status of the coastline and identification of areas of significant erosion or other impacts, such as breaching near Perdido Key, FL, from Hurricane Sally’s impact. These advanced change detection products help inform sediment budget development and support decisions related to regional sediment management and coastal storm risk management.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Hao Deng ◽  
Xi Fang ◽  
Huachun Wu ◽  
Yiming Ding ◽  
Jinghu Yu ◽  
...  

In view of the numerical instability and low accuracy of the traditional transfer matrix method in solving the high-order critical speed of the rotor system, a new idea of incorporating the finite element method into the transfer matrix is proposed. Based on the variational principle, the transfer symplectic matrix of gyro rotors suitable for all kinds of boundary conditions and supporting conditions under the Hamilton system is derived by introducing dual variables. To verify the proposed method in rotor critical speed, a numerical analysis is adopted. The simulation experiment results show that, in the calculation of high-order critical speed, especially when exceeding the sixth critical speed, the numerical accuracy of the transfer symplectic matrix method is obviously better than that of the reference method. The relative errors between the numerical solution and the exact solution are 0.0347% and 0.2228%, respectively, at the sixth critical speed. The numerical example indicates the feasibility and superiority of the method, which provides the basis for the optimal design of the rotor system.


2013 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald F. McAlpine

Recent records for the Ocean Pout, Zoarces americanus (collected 11 February 2011), and the Ocean Sunfish, Mola mola (photograph taken 24 June 2012), in the lower Saint John River system, New Brunswick, add to the list of marine fishes reported from this oceanographically unique estuary system. A total of 62 species of strictly freshwater, anadromous, catadromous, and marine fishes have now been recorded in the Saint John River system, with 49 of these in the Saint John River sensu stricto. The Acadian Redfish, Sebastes faciatus, a species assessed as threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, appears to be among these. While strictly marine fishes may contribute relatively little to the overall biomass of fishes in the Saint John River system, marine species account for 30.6% of the biodiversity of fishes in the river to date. This suggests that marine fishes may be a more significant component of the ichthyofauna of the lower Saint John River system than is generally recognized.


1983 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 1628-1634 ◽  
Author(s):  
T M Li ◽  
S P Robertson ◽  
T H Crouch ◽  
E E Pahuski ◽  
G A Bush ◽  
...  

Abstract A fully automated bench-top clinical analyzer (OPTIMATE TM; Ames/Gilford) performs homogeneous fluorescent immunoassays, colorimetric immunoassays, and determinations of routine blood analytes; drugs, enzymes, metabolites, specific proteins, and hormones in serum. Unique features include a combination fluorescence/absorbance aspirating thermocuvette, a photon-counting fluorometer/photometer, a multi-reagent distribution valve to dispense as many as three reagents plus buffer, and a user-replaceable programmable memory cartridge for software updates. We have evaluated the performance of OPTIMATE substrate-labeled fluorescent immunoassays for gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin, theophylline, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, carbamazepine, and quinidine with this automated system. A sample throughput of 92 samples per hour is achieved by reading fixed-point fluorescence results every 39 s after an initial 4-min reaction period. Precision studies indicate typical CVs of less than or equal to 6% for mid-range controls. Standard curves can be reused for as long as two weeks before recalibration. With clinical samples, results by the OPTIMATE procedure correlated well (r greater than or equal to 0.97) with those by a reference method.


Author(s):  
Diane C. Davis ◽  
Minal Thakkar

The need to adopt an electronic health record (EHR) system in United States (U.S.) hospitals seems to be more and more obvious when evaluating the benefits of improved patient safety, quality of care, and efficiency. The purpose of the study was to identify the status of EHR systems in U.S. hospitals in regard to the core functionalities implemented (as identified by the Institute of Medicine) and to determine if there was a significant relationship between perceived level of benefit and risk with the use of each core functionality, as well as if there was a significant relationship between the status of the EHR system and size of hospital. A national survey of U.S. hospitals was conducted to answer the research questions. The results showed that 37% had some components in all.of the core functionalities of an EHR system, while 27% were using at least some functionalities. Health information and data, administrative processes, and results management were the three core functionalities that a majority of hospitals had as a part of their EHR system. A significant positive correlation between perceived benefits and risks was found in all of the eight core functionalities. There was no significant relationship found between status of EHR system and size of hospitals.


2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-110
Author(s):  
Kimberly Hope Belcher

The “laws” of comparative liturgical development (Baumstark, Taft) are derived from pre-modern liturgical texts and the findings of early biology and linguistics. Yet Christian liturgy is not an organically evolving species; it is a ritual system, a cultural, political, self-regulating, self-reproducing set of rites that are used to interpret and correct one another. Focusing on the reception of new practices by practiced communities, a performance theory approach spotlights the systemic interrelationships of rites and the ritual habitus of human bodies. A ritual system makes particular meanings seem natural, permitting some new liturgical developments, impeding others. Ritualized bodies constrain rapid changes, while the entrance of bodies ritualized in a different system changes the environment, leading some to attempt to reinforce the status quo. Technologies for passing on liturgies are developed and used when a crisis demands change or imperils valued practice. Accounting for differences in liturgical recording, early and medieval liturgical reception may inform our understanding of the colonial expansion of liturgy, when technologies for transmitting liturgical rites were brought to bear on bodies ritualized in indigenous systems of the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Performative evidence from the colonial context may in turn help interpret ambiguous sources from earlier periods.


2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 165-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Wallace ◽  
R. Kadlec

A pilot-scale subsurface vertical-flow wetland system was constructed at the former BP Refinery in Casper, Wyoming in order to determine benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) degradation rates in a cold-climate application. The pilot system, consisting of 4 cells, each dosed at a nominal flow rate of 5.4 cubic metres per day, was operated between August and December 2002. The pilot tested the effects of wetland mulch and aeration on system performance. Areal rate constants (kA values) were calculated based on an assumed three tanks in series (3TIS). The presence of wetland sod and aeration both improved treatment performance. Mean kA values were 244 m/yr for cells without sod or aeration, and improved to 356 m/yr for cells with sod and aeration. Based on the results of the pilot system, a full-scale wetland system (capable of operating at 6,000 m3/day) was started up in May 2003. The full-scale system achieved permit compliance within one week of startup, but is currently being loaded at only 45% of the design hydraulic load, and 15% of the design BTEX mass load, resulting in a mean kA value of ∼350 m/yr.


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