Combining multi-criteria decision analysis with GIS approaches for decentralized organic wastes composting plants site selection in Tiassalé, Southern Côte d’Ivoire

In recent years, decentralized composting appeared as one of the most appropriate treatment options for organic waste valorization in low- and middle-income countries. In Cote d’Ivoire, a pilot project has proved the feasibility of organic municipal solid waste composting for the city of Tiassalé. However, numerous issues still need to be addressed for the establishment of a sustainable decentralized composting system in this city. One of the key issues is site selection. Until now, there is no clear model for such plant site selection. In this study, multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and geographical information system (GIS) approaches were combined to develop an appropriate model for selecting decentralized composting sites in the city of Tiassalé. The methodology used involved two different and complementary phases. First, MCDA and GIS techniques were used to identify the most suitable site areas. Seven criteria clustered in three main factors (environmental, social and economic), and five constraints were considered in the analysis process. Second, five sites were selected within the most suitable areas after a basic field visit and ranked using the Analytic Hierarchy Process. The results showed that the most suitable spaces for decentralized composting plant siting represent only 2.6% of the study area. The investigation yielded on the selection of the two best options for decentralized composting plant siting for the city of Tiassalé. This study proved that the combination of MCDA and GIS is a practical and efficient method to identify suitable sites for decentralized composting plants.

Superspace formulation of exotic supergravities in six dimensions

We provide a linearised superfield description of the exotic non-metric N = (4, 0) supergravity in D = 6, by using a pure spinor superfield formalism. The basic field Ψ is a ghost number 2 scalar, transforming in the same R-symmetry module as the tensor fields. Partial results for the N = (1, 3) model are presented.

How Augmented Reality Could Improve the Student’s Attraction to Learn Mechanisms

Mechanics, along with electronics, is a basic field for the development of high technologies. However, learning mechanics is not an easy task. To meet and adapt to the requirements of students in the digital age, teachers must provide them significant ways to incorporate the latest technologies and applications for their studies. In this study, we explored the application of augmented reality (AR) to improve the learning of the science of Mechanisms. An AR application was implemented and developed for Android-based devices, followed by a qualitative experiment conducted with a sample of 116 students. The study was based on the technology acceptance model and the students’ attitudes towards learning in AR environments were assessed using the structural equation modeling. The results showed that the didactic potential of this application is promising, which is highlighted by the positive attitude about using the application, as well as by the high values obtained for intention to use.

Rapid Strain Demand Estimation of Pipelines Deformed by Lateral Ground Movements

In strain-based design and assessment, accurate measurement of pipe longitudinal strain demand is a key element in performing proper strain assessments. Quick pipeline strain assessments are usually needed after widespread natural disasters such as earthquakes or heavy rainfalls that affect multiple lines at several sites. Finite Element Analyses (FEA) and In-line Inspection (ILI) tools are the most common methods to measure/estimate the longitudinal strain demand of in-service pipelines. However, because they are rather time-consuming methods, they cannot be relied on when quick fitness-for-service evaluations of pipelines is needed. ILI needs considerable amount of time for planning and preparation as well as post-run analyses, and FEA needs extensive efforts to gather input data which might not be readily available for each site. Enbridge recently used a method of strain demand estimation during a rapid response process to several sites affected by lateral landslides after major weather events. The method involves gathering basic field measurements of pipe deformed shape and performing analytical strain calculation by using curve-fitted deformed shape functions. This paper describes this method, its key elements, and the assumptions on which it is based. It also presents the evaluation of this method via FEA of several pipes, soil conditions, and landslides scenarios. And finally, it concludes the capability of this method for different cases of pipes and landslides.

Theoretical and experimental basis for the super dielectric model of dielectric materials

Two theories of the fields generated by charges on parallel plate capacitors, the standard model (SM) found in virtually all text books and the recently proposed super dielectric material-theory (SDM-Theory), are described, and contrasted, in terms of theory and experimentally tested predictions. Only the SDM-Theory model is found to be consistent with thermodynamics, basic field theory, and experimental results. According to the SM, dielectrics in the volume between the electrodes of a parallel plate capacitor store the energy in a capacitor in the form of greatly, relative to the no dielectric case, increased electric field strength. This model is shown to be inconsistent with path independent changes in state property (e.g., voltage), and predicts, incorrectly, that dielectric material outside the volume between the electrodes will have no effect on any measurable properties such as capacitance and energy density. In contrast, according to SDM-Theory, a theory shown to be consistent with path independent changes in state properties, as well as “conservative field theory,” the increased stored energy in the presence of dielectrics is not associated with energy in fields, but rather it is due to the “extra” charges stored on the electrodes. The extra charge is required to create a given net field in the presence of a dielectric. Indeed, according to SDM-Theory, the effect of dielectric material, because its polarization is opposite to the electrodes, reduces the net field at all points in space, including within the volume of the dielectric. This is the absolute opposite of the “action” of a dielectric predicated by the SM. In the SDM-Theory, at a given capacitor voltage, virtually identical net fields exist with and without a dielectric, but the capacitance (amount of stored charge) and stored energy, a linear function of the amount of stored charge, of the latter configuration can be many orders of magnitude greater. Moreover, SDM-Theory predicts, consistent with recent observations, that dielectric material external to the volume between electrodes should be nearly as effective at increasing capacitance, etc., as the same dielectric material between the electrodes.

Linear elastostatics

In this chapter the basic field equations in terms of displacement, strain, and stress, and typical boundary conditions which are necessary to formulate a complete three-dimensional boundary-value-problem for linear elasticity in the static case (i.e., neglect of inertial terms) are stated. The uniqueness of a solution to such a boundary value problem is discussed. There are a number of alternate ways that one can approach the statement of an elastostatic boundary-value-problem. The first major approach is obtained by reducing the set of field equations by expressing them solely in terms of the displacement field --- the Navier equations --- while in the second major approach the general system of equations may be reformulated by eliminating the displacement and strain fields and casting the system solely in terms of the stress field --- the Beltrami-Michell equations. The special formulation of idealized two-dimensional boundary value problems is presented the two basic theories of plane strain and plane stress for isotropic materials are discussed.

Monitoring of natural complexes while developing and operating the fields of Timan-Pechora oil and gas province

Landscape monitoring is organized to monitor the state of natural complexes and their transformation. Monitoring of landscapes should ensure the identification of anthropogenic load, the dynamics of areas of anthropogenic impact, the degree of degradation of natural complexes. The Timan-Pechora oil and gas province is located on the territory of the Republic of Komi, the Nenets Autonomous Okrug and the adjacent water area of the Pechora Sea. The area of the province is 600 thousand km2. Currently, the development and extraction of mineral resources, mainly oil and gas, is actively underway in the territory under consideration. This is a complex process that requires the collaboration of many specialists, including ecologists. In the Bol'shezemel'skaya Tundra, the dominant part of tundra landscapes are extremely sensitive to anthropogenic influence and the unorganized use of the available space will soon lead to the complete loss of their own functions, and their restoration will take a huge amount of time. In this paper, a basic field study method was chosen as the main method to study the landscape. Thanks to route observations, a complex landscape characteristic of the territory was compiled.

Method of the Analysis of the Connectivity of Road and Street Network in Terms of Division of the City Area

The transport system of a Smart City consists of many subsystems; therefore, the modeling of the transportation network, which maps its structure, requires consideration of both the connections between individual subsystems and the relationships within each of them. The road and street network is one of the most important subsystems, whose main task is to ensure access to places generating travel demand in the city. Thus, its effectiveness should be at an appropriate level of quality. Connectivity is one of the most important characteristics of a road and street network. It describes how elements of that network are connected, which translates to travel times and costs. The analysis of the connectivity of the road and street network in urban areas is often conducted with the application of topological measures. In the case of a large area of the city, such analysis requires its division into smaller parts, which may affect the computational results of these measures; therefore, the main goal of the study was to present a method of performing analysis based on the computation of numerical values of selected measures of connectivity of road and street network, for a city area divided into fields of regular shape. To achieve that goal, the analyzed area was split into a regular grid. Subsequently, numerical values of the chosen measures of connectivity were calculated for each basic field, and the results allowed us to determine whether they are influenced by the method of division of the area. Obtained results showed that the size of the basic field influences the numerical values of measures of connectivity; however that influence is different for each of the selected measures.