Publications by authors named "Susan E Powers"

Building energy simulation (BES) tools fail to capture diversity among occupants' consumption behaviors by using simple and generic occupancy and load profiles, causing uncertainties in simulation predictions. Thus, generating actual occupancy profiles can lead to more accurate and reliable BES predictions. In this article, occupancy profiles for apartment-style student housing are presented from high-resolution monitored occupancy data.

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A life cycle assessment (LCA) of feminine hygiene products was completed with three samples considered representative of sanitary pads, tampons and menstrual cups. Gabi LCA software was used to organize inventory data with the ILCD (v.1.

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Zooplankton biomass productivity was estimated for two 64,000 m3 (1.7 ha) facultative aerated wastewater treatment lagoons to evaluate potential biodiesel production from zooplankton biomass. Lagoons were monitored bi-weekly during summer 2010.

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Extensive research has been done to characterize transport of bacteria in porous media; however, little is understood on how the presence of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) coupled with the growth state and carbon source of bacteria affect bacterial transport. The objective of this research is to quantify the bacterial adhesion of Pseudomonas saccharophilia P15 (P15), which is known to biodegrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and to interact with coal tars, within a NAPL-water-mineral system. Through a series of short-pulse column experiments, the transport and deposition of P15 in porous media (quartz sand) as a function of growth state and carbon sources (peptone and naphthalene), and in the presence and absence of residual NAPL (hexadecane), is measured and evaluated.

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The composition of chlorinated hydrocarbon DNAPLs (dense non-aqueous phase liquids) from field sites can be substantially different than the material originally purchased for use as a solvent. Waste management practices at the U.S.

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How can family caregivers develop the knowledge and confidence necessary to be successful in providing care to their loved ones at home? This article describes a formal education program for family caregivers, created by Winchester Hospital's Community Health Institute in Massachusetts, to meet their needs. The article also describes a study that Winchester Hospital's Community Health Institute undertook to evaluate the effectiveness of this education program on increasing the skills and confidence of family caregivers.

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In 1999, approximately 72 m3 of denatured fuel-grade ethanol spilled at a bulk fuel terminal that had existing contamination within the subsurface. An unanticipated increase in the measured depth of the light nonaqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) was observed in nearby monitoring wells following the spill. This paper presents results of a laboratory analysis designed to understand the apparent increase in LNAPL mobility at this site.

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Interfacial tension, which is a critical variable affecting multiphase flow of nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) in the subsurface, varies greatly with the composition of complex NAPLs recovered from field sites. Much of this variability stems from the presence of acid and base molecules in the NAPL mixture. The interfacial tension and acid and base concentration in six coal-derived NAPLs were measured.

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One- and two-dimensional experiments were conducted to examine differences in the behavior of gasoline and gasohol (10% ethanol by volume) as they infiltrate through the unsaturated zone and spread at the capillary fringe. Ethanol in the spilled gasohol quickly partitions into the residual water in the vadose zone and is retained there as the gasoline continues to infiltrate. Under the conditions tested, over 99% of the ethanol was initially retained in the vadose zone.

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Direct pumping and enhanced recovery of coal tar and creosote dense, non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) from the subsurface have had mixed results because these DNAPLs are viscous fluids that can potentially alter aquifer wettability. To improve the inefficiencies associated with waterflooding, the research presented here considered the use of a polymer solution that can be added to the injected flood solution to increase the viscosity and decrease the velocity of the flooding solution. Results from one-dimensional, vertically oriented laboratory column experiments that evaluate the recovery of coal-derived DNAPL with both water and polymer flooding solutions are presented.

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