A climate-based moisture index approach for hygrothermal analysis in Australia

Abstract In Australia, one-third of new constructions are affected by condensation and about 50% of buildings suffer from mould risk, mainly due to inappropriate design and management strategies. Despite the potential structural damage and serious health hazards, there is a lack of preventive moisture management strategies at the legislative level. The first hygrothermal management provisions were adopted in the National Construction Code only in 2019, with very general indications that correlate the breathability of the membranes with the climate zone. However, the building code identifies only eight zones for the entire Australia, which were originally developed for thermal analysis and energy efficiency provisions. The result is a coarse climate grid that clusters locations with highly variable humidity conditions. This paper undertakes a semi-empirical approach to identify whether the current climate zones are suitable for hygrothermal purposes. This research represents the first step towards an Australian-specific moisture risks management framework, and it advances the discussion about the suitability of the current hygrothermal design and construction policy and practices. The outcomes reveal the highly variable moisture indices obtained for the different representative cities, affirming the inappropriate use of existing climate zone clustering for hygrothermal assessment purposes.

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Earthquake Damage Assessment Based on Fuzzy Logic and Neural Networks

Earthquake Spectra ◽

10.1193/1.1586168 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 89-112 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Mauricio Sánchez-Silva ◽

Libardo García

Keyword(s):

Neural Networks ◽

Fuzzy Logic ◽

Damage Assessment ◽

Structural Damage ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Computer Software ◽

Good Representation ◽

Feed Forward Neural Network ◽

Risk Management Strategies ◽

Potential Damage

Potential damage assessment is fundamental for defining mitigation procedures and risk management strategies. Damage assessment involves the difficulties of defining, assessing, and modeling the variables involved, as well as handling uncertainty. Seismic damage estimation of structures does not only depend on the behavior of the structural system, but it involves other factors, which differ in nature. The paper presents a methodology for damage assessment of structures that combines systems theory, fuzzy logic, and neural networks. A feed-forward neural network supported on the systemic organization of information is used to assess the expected structural damage for a given earthquake. The methodology provides a very useful environment to consider the context of the building structure. The network has been trained using the damage observed in the recent earthquake that occurred in central Colombia. Several sets of structures were evaluated and the results compared to the damage observed. The model showed to be highly reliable and a good representation of experts' opinions. Computer software ERS-99 was developed and is currently being used for teaching and consulting purposes.

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Flood risk behaviors of United States riverine metropolitan areas are driven by local hydrology and shaped by race

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.2016839118 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 118 (13) ◽

pp. e2016839118

Author(s):

James Knighton ◽

Kelly Hondula ◽

Cielo Sharkus ◽

Christian Guzman ◽

Rebecca Elliott

Keyword(s):

Risk Perceptions ◽

Structural Damage ◽

Metropolitan Areas ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Risk Averse ◽

Local Data ◽

Annual Peak ◽

Complex Interactions ◽

Hydrological Hazards ◽

Flooding Risk

Flooding risk results from complex interactions between hydrological hazards (e.g., riverine inundation during periods of heavy rainfall), exposure, vulnerability (e.g., the potential for structural damage or loss of life), and resilience (how well we recover, learn from, and adapt to past floods). Building on recent coupled conceptualizations of these complex interactions, we characterize human–flood interactions (collective memory and risk-enduring attitude) at a more comprehensive scale than has been attempted to date across 50 US metropolitan statistical areas with a sociohydrologic (SH) model calibrated with accessible local data (historical records of annual peak streamflow, flood insurance loss claims, active insurance policy records, and population density). A cluster analysis on calibrated SH model parameter sets for metropolitan areas identified two dominant behaviors: 1) “risk-enduring” cities with lower flooding defenses and longer memory of past flood loss events and 2) “risk-averse” cities with higher flooding defenses and reduced memory of past flooding. These divergent behaviors correlated with differences in local stream flashiness indices (i.e., the frequency and rapidity of daily changes in streamflow), maximum dam heights, and the proportion of White to non-White residents in US metropolitan areas. Risk-averse cities tended to exist within regions characterized by flashier streamflow conditions, larger dams, and larger proportions of White residents. Our research supports the development of SH models in urban metropolitan areas and the design of risk management strategies that consider both demographically heterogeneous populations, changing flood defenses, and temporal changes in community risk perceptions and tolerance.

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Comparative Analysis of Factors for Supplier Selection and Monitoring: The Case of the Automotive Industry in Thailand

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11040981 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 981 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Juthathip Suraraksa ◽

Kwang Shin

Keyword(s):

Automotive Industry ◽

Supplier Selection ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Supplier Management ◽

Global Market ◽

Analytic Hierarchy ◽

Management Framework ◽

Monitoring Process ◽

The Difference ◽

Two Phases

The integration of the global market makes the supply chain more complex and has great impacts on efficient supplier management strategies. The aim of this study is to present a systematic supplier management framework to integrate supplier selection and monitoring phases, which are not independent of each other. However, only a few previous studies have pointed out the differences between the two phases. The proposed methodology integrates a quantitative and qualitative approach, formulating multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to evaluate the priorities of these criteria. This research explores the difference in the set of criteria for supplier selection and supplier monitoring. The results provide comprehensive insights into the criteria to help decision-makers, managers, and practitioners select appropriate suppliers and monitor suppliers’ performances in the automotive industry. Based on the result, it can be said that a company should integrate the supplier selection and monitoring process. Furthermore, the purchasing and manufacturing manager should continuously collaborate and synchronize the relative weights for the critical factors.

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Managing the Cloud Continuum: Lessons Learnt from a Real Fog-to-Cloud Deployment

10.20944/preprints202104.0074.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Xavi Masip-Bruin ◽

Eva Marín-Tordera ◽

Sergi Sánchez-López ◽

Jordi Garcia ◽

Admela Jukan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cloud Computing ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Edge Computing ◽

Design And Development ◽

Management Framework ◽

Efficient Management ◽

Research Challenges ◽

Lessons Learnt ◽

Development Processes ◽

Different Levels

The wide adoption of the recently coined fog and edge computing paradigms alongside conventional cloud computing creates a novel scenario, known as the cloud continuum, where services may benefit from the overall set of resources to optimize their execution. To operate successfully, such a cloud continuum scenario demands for novel management strategies, enabling a coordinated and efficient management of the entire set of resources, from the edge up to the cloud, designed in particular to address key edge characteristics, such as mobility, heterogeneity and volatility. The design of such a management framework poses many research challenges and has already promoted many initiatives worldwide at different levels. In this paper we present the results of one of these experiences driven by an EU H2020 project, focusing on the lessons learnt from a real deployment of the proposed management solution in three different industrial scenarios. We think that such a description may help understand the benefits brought in by a holistic cloud continuum management and also may help other initiatives in their design and development processes.

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DEVELOPMENT OF A FRAMEWORK FOR FLOOD MITIGATION IN FIJI

10.31705/wcs.2021.21 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

M. Guo ◽

◽

Argaw Gurmu ◽

L. Tivendale ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Management Strategies ◽

Drainage System ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Flood Management ◽

Flood Mitigation ◽

Management Systems ◽

Drainage Systems ◽

Management Framework ◽

Mitigation Techniques

A large portion of infrastructure was flooded by water running off pavements or overflowing from the drainage systems in Fiji. The main objectives of this study are to identify the most suitable drainage management solution to reduce the overflow of the drainage system in Fiji, and to develop a framework of drainage management systems. The literature review was conducted to identify various drainage systems used to mitigate flooding around the world. After the review, the characteristics of Fiji such as climate pattern, location and soil type were analysed in the case study section. Secondary data which was obtained from Australia, Norway, the Netherlands, the U.S., Korea, and China were used in the research. The characteristics of Fiji were then mapped to other countries and a scoring system was created to analyse the suitability of different flood mitigation techniques in Fiji. Finally, multiple flood management strategies were proposed, and a drainage management framework for flood mitigation was developed.

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A proposed operational risk management framework for small and medium enterprises

South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences ◽

10.4102/sajems.v20i1.1621 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Micheline J. Naude ◽

Nigel Chiweshe

Keyword(s):

Risk Management ◽

Small And Medium Enterprises ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Operational Risk ◽

Management Framework ◽

Operational Risk Management ◽

Operational Risks ◽

Risk Management Framework ◽

Medium Enterprises

Background: The gap between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large businesses that perform risk assessment is significant. SMEs continuously face many operational risks and uncertainties in their daily operations, and these risks threaten to reduce productivity, increase costs and reduce profits.Aim: The purpose of this article was to develop an operational risk management framework that SMEs can use to identify and analyse risks in their operations and take corrective actions to mitigate these risks.Setting: Small and medium-sized enterprises in South Africa do not view risk management as a key component of organisational success, despite evidence that businesses that adopt risk management strategies are more likely to survive and grow.Methods: The article is exploratory in nature, and a conceptual analysis approach was used to formulate the framework. This study reviewed relevant literature sources on risk published between 2002 and 2017.Results: The four process steps of risk management were used as a reference point and form the foundation for the operational risk management framework. The categories of operational; marketing; technical and financial risks were identified from a review of available literature on risk management.Conclusion: There is a dearth of research that deals with operational risk management frameworks for SMEs. The expected contribution of this article, therefore, is twofold: firstly, it is envisaged that managers or owners of SMEs could use the proposed framework as a tool to appraise and minimise their operational risks; secondly, it will add to the current body of knowledge on risk appraisal for SMEs.

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Taste and odour and cyanobacterial toxins: impairment, prediction, and management in the Great Lakes

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f08-084 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 65 (8) ◽

pp. 1779-1796 ◽

Cited By ~ 123

Author(s):

Susan B. Watson ◽

Jeff Ridal ◽

Gregory L. Boyer

Keyword(s):

Water Treatment ◽

Great Lakes ◽

Nutrient Management ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Remedial Action ◽

Management Framework ◽

Biomass Models ◽

Plankton Biomass ◽

Nuisance Species ◽

Broad Scale

This paper reviews the issues associated with algal–cyanobacterial taste–odour (T&O) compounds and toxins in the Great Lakes. As with other remediated water bodies, the Great Lakes have undergone significant shifts in nutrient and food-web regimes and are exhibiting erratic blooms and noxious algal metabolite (NAM) outbreaks, despite reduced offshore nutrient levels. We appraise the chemistry, biota, and distribution of NAM impairments and conclude that management strategies based on lakewide monitoring and remedial action plans are often unsuccessful because they attempt NAM control through an unsustainable reliance on water treatment and broad-scale nutrient–biomass models. This approach is undermined by several factors: (i) only some species produce NAMs; (ii) different taxa show disparate patterns across nutrient and mixing regimes; (iii) nuisance species may be planktonic or benthic and located outside remedial boundaries; and (iv) species differ significantly in NAM biochemistry and release. Thus, there are no robust relationships between total plankton biomass, toxins, and T&O compounds in these and other source waters. Given the potential ecological and socioeconomic threats posed by NAM outbreaks, there is a critical need to develop a multistep management framework based on more stringent restoration targets, combining broad-scale screening and nutrient management with system and taxa-specific approaches.

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Managing the Cloud Continuum: Lessons Learnt from a Real Fog-to-Cloud Deployment

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21092974 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (9) ◽

pp. 2974

Author(s):

Xavi Masip-Bruin ◽

Eva Marín-Tordera ◽

Sergi Sánchez-López ◽

Jordi Garcia ◽

Admela Jukan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cloud Computing ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Edge Computing ◽

Design And Development ◽

Management Framework ◽

Efficient Management ◽

Research Challenges ◽

Lessons Learnt ◽

Development Processes ◽

Different Levels

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Novel therapeutic strategies for degenerative disc disease: Review of cell biology and intervertebral disc cell therapy

SAGE Open Medicine ◽

10.1177/2050312118761674 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 205031211876167 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Joseph Fernandez-Moure ◽

Caitlyn A Moore ◽

Keemberly Kim ◽

Azim Karim ◽

Kevin Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intervertebral Disc ◽

Disc Degeneration ◽

Cell Biology ◽

Structural Damage ◽

Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Therapeutic Strategies ◽

Cellular Level ◽

Cell Protein ◽

Disc Disease

Intervertebral disc degeneration is a disease of the discs connecting adjoining vertebrae in which structural damage leads to loss of disc integrity. Degeneration of the disc can be a normal process of ageing, but can also be precipitated by other factors. Literature has made substantial progress in understanding the biological basis of intervertebral disc, which is reviewed here. Current medical and surgical management strategies have shortcomings that do not lend promise to be effective solutions in the coming years. With advances in understanding the cell biology and characteristics of the intervertebral disc at the molecular and cellular level that have been made, alternative strategies for addressing disc pathology can be discovered. A brief overview of the anatomic, cellular, and molecular structure of the intervertebral disc is provided as well as cellular and molecular pathophysiology surrounding intervertebral disc degeneration. Potential therapeutic strategies involving stem cell, protein, and genetic therapy for intervertebral disc degeneration are further discussed.

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