Estimating discharge rates of oily wastes and deterrence based on aerial surveillance data collected in western Canadian marine waters.

Illegal discharge of waste oil from ships is a major source of mortality for seabirds globally. Using linear and log-linear regression, we explored the relationship between detection rates of marine oily discharges and surveillance effort at different time scales, based on data collected in the Canadian Pacific Ocean by the National Aerial Surveillance Program (NASP) from 1997 to 2006. We introduce an approach for quantifying reductions in discharge rates with increased surveillance while controlling appropriately for surveillance effort, as standard linear correction for effort can introduce considerable bias. Despite low probabilities of detection (0.088-1.1%), we found evidence for reduced discharge rates with increasing surveillance effort for data summarized monthly and bimonthly in region A, which is closest to the NASP base airport. Using residuals derived from the best-fit log-linear models, we found detected discharge rates declined annually (-[0.070 spills/month]×year).

A suite of objective biomechanical measurement tools for personal load carriage system assessment.

For application to military and civilian needs, Defence Research and Development Canada--Toronto contracted Queen's University, Kingston to develop a suite of biomechanical assessment and analytical tools to supplement human-based load carriage system assessment methods. This suite of tools permitted efficient objective evaluation of biomechanical aspects of load-bearing webbing, vests, packs and their components, and therefore contributed to early system assessment and a rapid iterative design process. This paper is a summary of five assessment and analytical tools. A dynamic load carriage simulator was developed to simulate cadence of walking, jogging and running. The simulator comprised a computer-controlled pneumatic platform that oscillated anthropometrically weighted mannequins of varying dimensions from which measures of skin contact pressure, hip reaction forces and moments and relative pack-person displacements were taken. A stiffness tester for range of motion provided force-displacement data on pack suspension systems. A biomechanical model was used to determine forces and moments on the shoulders and hips, and validated using a static load distribution mannequin. Subjective perceptual rating systems were used gather soldier feedback during a standardized mobility circuit. Objective outcome measures were validated by means of other objective measures (e.g., Optotrak, video, Instron, etc.) and then compared to subjective ratings. This approach led to development of objective performance criteria for load carriage systems and to improvements in load carriage designs that could be used both in the military and in general.

The design of a simulated forcible entry test for fire fighters.

This study investigated the physiological responses and performances for 20 fire fighters when completing simulated forcible entry tests. The purpose was to establish the validity of using a tire striking test and to examine the effects of varying the test parameters. The tests consisted of striking a reinforced structure and a weighted truck tire on a plywood covered table with either a 4.54 or a 5.60 kg sledge hammer. The results indicate that the simulated forcible entry tests are short in duration (range = 8.0-17.6 s), but are also physically demanding in terms of cardiovascular response (range = 86.5-97.2 for a percentage of heart rate reserve). The differences in striking a reinforced structure versus hitting a tire were insignificant according to most of the measures taken. The parameters for the simulated forcible entry test that were determined to be most appropriate were to move the tire 30 cm and use the 4.54 kg sledge hammer.

On the flow field distortions due to the aortic arch twist.

The aortic arch has, on average, an angle of twist of 15 degrees. The purpose of the research conducted was to ascertain if this twist angle has any effect on the flow field of the aortic arch and the distribution of the flow amongst the branches. It was found that the blood flow distribution is practically independent of the angle of twist of the aortic arch. However, the destination of a fluid particle located at a specific point in the cross-section at the entrance to the aortic arch does depend on the angle of twist.