Techno-Economic Feasibility of Distributed Torrefaction Systems Using Corn Stover Feedstock

This study investigated the economic feasibility of distributed torrefaction biorefining systems using corn stover feedstock to generate value-­‐added products. Distributed torrefaction systems have the potential to operate on private agricultural enterprises as well as community-­‐scale processing facilities, similar in scale to local grain elevators. Distributed systems will thus, reduce the need for large capital investments for dedicated commercial biorefining facilities and decrease logistical concerns for harvesting and marketing the torrefied corn stover products. In this study, a techno-­‐economic model was developed to analyze the economics of harvesting techniques, logistics, processing requirements, and end product utilization. Results were determined using baseline and sensitivity analyses to determine the effects of varied parameters on the performance of the torrefaction system and the value added products. This study indicated that distributed torrefaction could be economically viable under an array of cases of variable harvest, processing rates, and system sizes. Overall, appealing profits, payback periods, and return on investments were shown to occur

Ellensburg Drug Prevention Project

There is a need in many communities for materials and management guidelines for developing community-wide drug abuse prevention efforts that have a clear focus of intent. This project plans to fill that need by producing a sequence of video tape lessons with accompanying workbooks that will direct fifth graders and their families in learning experiences to reduce the drug abuse risk. A management guide will be developed to assist interested individuals (lay or professional) in organizing the community resources for successful implementation of the programs

Hydrovolcanism in Okmok caldera, Alaska

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2003Hydrovolcanic activity in Okmok Caldera predominated on the crater floor during approximately the first 775 years after the caldera collapsed at 2050 yr. B.P. Interactions between rising magma and shallow water (<100 m) controlled the development of lithofacies observed in the early post-caldera deposits. The distinctive lithofacies reflect the eruptive processes active as Cone D, a composite tuff, lava flow, and cinder cone, breached the surface of a lake which once covered the caldera floor. Three phases of eruptive activity constructed Cone D: first, a subaqueous cycle; second, emergent; and finally a purely subaerial strombolian and hawaiian phase built the edifice to its current height. Radiocarbon dates provide constraining ages for a catastrophic flood that emptied the 4.3 x 10⁹ m³ caldera lake and exposed the subaqueous lithofacies. An effusion rate of 2.7 x 10⁶ m³yr⁻¹ for this early eruptive period is calculated using eruptive volumes determined from a 5-m resolution DEM, based on AirSAR data. The prehistoric effusion rate determined for Cone D is on the same order of magnitude as the calculated historic effusion rate of 5.3 x 10⁶ m³yr⁻¹ from Cone A, based on mapped extents and thicknesses of lava flows and the cone itself

Surveillance Strategy for Detecting Pseudogymnoascus Destructans (PD) and White-Nose Syndrome in Montana 2016-2017

The devastating bat disease, White-Nose Syndrome (WNS), caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), was detected in western Washington state in March of 2016.  This detection was 1,300 miles from the previous westernmost detection and highlighted the urgency for surveillance in other western states like Montana.  Early detection of the disease may provide valuable insights into the statewide status of WNS, research opportunities, mitigation options and cave management.  The goals of Montana’s surveillance plan include 1) surveying for WNS/Pd in new geographic areas outside the WNS-affected zone and/or biologically important sites and 2) surveying for WNS infection in bat species that are not currently known to be susceptible.  In the absence of information or a risk assessment to help Montana focus on priority surveillance areas other than winter hibernacula, the 2017 strategy focuses on sampling at six hibernacula representing all regions where aggregations of bats overwinter.  Both active and passive sampling of bats and hibernacula environments will be conducted.  Active sampling can detect Pd from swabs of bats or in hibernacula soils.  Passive sampling will be conducted into the early summer specifically targeting bats found dead outside of hibernacula, bats showing clear signs of WNS infection, and bats found dead as part of a large mortality event.  Bats submitted for rabies testing may also be sampled when circumstances or characteristics of the carcass indicate WNS may be the cause of mortality.  While surveillance efforts can be costly it may provide information with enough time to better inform decision making

2015 Wildlife Disease Retrospective

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is developing a Wildlife Health Program.  One of the functions of the program is to integrate disease surveillance, population health monitoring, and wildlife health diagnostic services to provide information to the public and wildlife professionals on the dynamics, risk, and impacts of disease in Montana’s wildlife.   The knowledge gained from this program is aimed at improving conservation efforts and the safety of both humans and domestic animals.  The Wildlife Health Laboratory is a statewide lab that receives hundreds to thousands of biological samples each year for disease surveillance projects, epidemiologic and morbidity investigations, and forensics.  An overview of notable zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases detected from 2015 laboratory submissions will be discussed, providing relevance, repercussions and general background or recent history of the diseases in Montana

Hemorrhagic Disease in Montana’s Wild Ruminants

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease and bluetongue virus have been documented in Montana for decades.  Montana has experienced localized and variable population declines in wild cervids when these outbreaks occur.  Transmission is seasonal in North America, with infection occurring in the late summer and fall.  In northern states, transmission ends once adult vectors cease activity with the onset of winter.  Montana is in an epidemic zone where outbreaks appear periodically and mortality events can be significant.  Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife health lab has tested samples from suspected outbreak events, research captures and opportunistically for detection of EHD and BTV.  Environmental factors and virus-vector-host interactions are knowledge gaps that need to be addressed to improve our understanding of these orbivirus dynamics.  Enhanced reporting, surveillance, and research efforts are potential tools that may improve our understanding of the role these viruses play in wild ruminant populations across the state

Forventninger til organisatorisk omstilling før innføring av innovativ teleradiologi i Helse Vest.: Hvilke forventninger og synspunkt har radiologer og fagdirektører i Helse Vest til organisatorisk omstilling gjennom innføring av ny teleradiologisk IKT?

Denne studien beskriver en ny og potensielt innovativ teleradiologisk IKT løsning som er under innføring i Helse Vest. Med denne radiologisk integrasjonsplattform følger det med administrative føringer om økt effektivitet og bedre tilgang til radiologisk spisskompetanse i tverrgående behandlingforløp når pasienter behandles på ulike sykehus i regionen, der det finnes ulike radiologiske informasjonssystem. Gjennom fokusgruppeintervju med faglige ledere og med radiologer fra fire helseforetak og et privat institutt i regionen, er det samlet inn data om forventninger knyttet til organisatorisk omstilling, basert på ny teleradiologisk IKT. Det antas det at sosiale, kulturelle, politiske og teknologiske forhold vil influere på informantenes forventninger og holdninger til omstilling. Fra et lederperspektiv oppfattes teknologien som et egnet grunnlag for en organisatorisk omstilling som beskrives som grunnleggende nøvendig. Ny IKT for lederne fremstår med mulighet for organisatorisk omstilling og med potensial til å innfri de sentrale føringer og regionale mål som lederne er forpliktet til å styre etter. Empiriske funn synliggjør imidlertid stor avstand i forventninger mellom faglige ledere og radiologer og indikerer i liten grad en felles oversettelse av teleradiologi. Fokus på ulemper synes å overskygge fordelene ved den nye teknologien i dette empiriske materialet, men det finnes unntak fra enkelte radiologer som i større grad fokuserer på teknologiens innovative trekk. Disse oppfatningene peker på gevinster i retning av effektivisering og spart tid, mer enn tilførsel av ressurser. Det synliggjøres imidlertid spenning mellom faglige ledere og radiologer i forhold til ulike oppfatninger knyttet til spørsmål om ressurser. Informantene fremviser relativt liten grad av eierskap til en omstilling som ikke medfører tilførsel av flere radiologstillinger, og antar at mer samhandling og ny teknologi vil føre til økt etterspørsel og merarbeid fremfor effektivitetsøkning. Radiologer fra et av foretakene signaliserer også skepsis til mål og behov for omstillingen. Radiologer fra mindre helseforetak signaliserer også en frykt for utarming av faglig miljø gjennom sentralisering av granskningstjenester, noe som synes å medvirke til motstand mot organisatorisk omstilling og passivitet i forhold til opprettelse av et radiologisk granskningssenter i offentlig regi. Roller og relasjonelle forhold mot klinikerne synes å spille en rolle i synet på bruk av teknologi og motivasjon til omstilling. Personlige realasjoner synes å være avgjørende viktig for klinikers tillit til radiologiske svarrapport, og forespørseler om ny granskning synes for en stor del å være avhengig av navnet på beskrivende radiolog

Dance - a free space to experience a positive body image?

Masteroppgave - Lektor i kroppsøving og idrettsfag - 202

Explaining variation in cancer survival between 11 jurisdictions in the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership: a primary care vignette survey

OBJECTIVES: The International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP) is a collaboration between 6 countries and 12 jurisdictions with similar primary care-led health services. This study investigates primary care physician (PCP) behaviour and systems that may contribute to the timeliness of investigating for cancer and subsequently, international survival differences. DESIGN: A validated survey administered to PCPs via the internet set out in two parts: direct questions on primary care structure and practice relating to cancer diagnosis, and clinical vignettes, assessing management of scenarios relating to the diagnosis of lung, colorectal or ovarian cancer. PARTICIPANTS: 2795 PCPs in 11 jurisdictions: New South Wales and Victoria (Australia), British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario (Canada), England, Northern Ireland, Wales (UK), Denmark, Norway and Sweden. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Analysis compared the cumulative proportion of PCPs in each jurisdiction opting to investigate or refer at each phase for each vignette with 1-year survival, and conditional 5-year survival rates for the relevant cancer and jurisdiction. Logistic regression was used to explore whether PCP characteristics or system differences in each jurisdiction affected the readiness to investigate. RESULTS: 4 of 5 vignettes showed a statistically significant correlation (p<0.05 or better) between readiness to investigate or refer to secondary care at the first phase of each vignette and cancer survival rates for that jurisdiction. No consistent associations were found between readiness to investigate and selected PCP demographics, practice or health system variables. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate a correlation between the readiness of PCPs to investigate symptoms indicative of cancer and cancer survival rates, one of the first possible explanations for the variation in cancer survival between ICBP countries. No specific health system features consistently explained these findings. Some jurisdictions may consider lowering thresholds for PCPs to investigate for cancer—either directly, or by specialist referral, to improve outcomes