How community forest management performs when REDD+ payments fail

The Reduced Emissions in Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) initiative uses payments for ecosystem services as incentives for developing countries to manage and protect their forests. REDD+ initiatives also prioritize social (and environmental) co-benefits aimed at improving the livelihoods of communities that are dependent on forests. Despite the incorporation of co-benefits into REDD+ goals, carbon sequestration remains the primary metric for which countries can receive payments from REDD+, but after more than ten years of REDD+, many site-specific programs have failed to complete the carbon verification process. Here, we examine whether the REDD+ social co-benefits alone are sufficient to have slowed deforestation in the absence of carbon payments on Pemba, Tanzania. Using satellite imagery (Landsat archive), we quantified forest cover change for the period before (2001-2010) and after (2010-2018) the launch in 2010-11 of Pemba island’s REDD+ Readiness project. We then compared rates of forest cover change between shehia (administrative units) that were part of REDD+ Readiness intervention and those that were not, adjusting for confounding variables and the non-random selection of REDD+ shehia with a statistical matching procedure. Despite considerable variation in forest outcomes among shehia, the associated co-benefits with the Pemba REDD+ project had no discernible effect on forest cover change. Likewise, we did not detect an effect of socioecological covariates on forest cover change across all shehia, though island-wide human population growth since 2012 may have played a role. These findings are unsurprising given the failure to secure carbon payments on Pemba and indicate that co-benefits alone are insufficient to reduce deforestation. We conclude that better oversight of all-involved parties is needed to ensure that REDD+ interventions satisfactorily conclude the process of securing a mechanism for carbon payments, if slowing deforestation is to be achieved.

APPLICATION OF INTERNET OF THINGS BASED ROOM SECURITY SYSTEM USING ANDROID APPLICATION

Along with the increasing crime rate of data theft that occurs, it takes a good room security system to maintain data security for a particular agency or organization. Something A good security system is a security system that can be monitored and controlled remotely using the internet or better known as IoT (Internet of Things). In this thesis will designed an IoT-based room security system using the Android application, this system works using several modules including RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) module, camera module and door lock solenoid. The RFID card in this RFID Module functions as an identification process for people who want to enter into the room. In addition, this RFID module also functions as a trigger for the camera to work to take pictures a picture of the person who wants to enter the room. The data obtained from the two modules later will be sent into the Android application. The admin of the room can carry out the verification process to allow or deny people who want to enter the room. The results of testing this system can be runs well when the internet speed of the access point is fast and stable, but less optimal when the internet speed of the access point is running slowly.

Generic Methodology for Formal Verification of UML Models

This paper discusses a Unified Modelling Language (UML) based formal verification methodology for early error detection in the model-based software development cycle. Our approach proposes a UML-based formal verification process utilising functional and behavioural modelling artifacts of UML. It reinforces these artifacts with formal model transition and property verification. The main contribution is a UML to Labelled Transition System (LTS) Translator application that automatically converts UML Statecharts to formal models. Property specifications are derived from system requirements and corresponding Computational Tree Logic (CTL)/Linear Temporal Logic (LTL) model checking procedure verifies property entailment in LTS. With its ability to verify CTL and LTL specifications, the methodology becomes generic for verifying all types of embedded system behaviours. The steep learning curve associated with formal methods is avoided through the automatic formal model generation and thus reduces the reluctance of using formal methods in software development projects. A case study of an embedded controller used in military applications validates the methodology. It establishes how the methodology finds its use in verifying the correctness and consistency of UML models before implementation.

Development of VUMAT and VUHARD Subroutines for Simulating the Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Parts

Numerical modelling and simulation can be useful tools in qualification of additive manufactured parts for use in demanding structural applications. The use of these tools in predicting the mechanical properties and field performance of additive manufactured parts can be of great advantage. Modelling and simulation of non-linear material behaviour requires development and implementation of constitutive models in finite element analysis software. This paper documents the implementation and verification process of a microstructure-variable based model for DMLS Ti6Al4V (ELI) in two separate ABAQUS/Explicit subroutines, VUMAT and VUHARD, available for defining the yield surface and plastic deformation of materials. The verification process of the implemented subroutines was conducted for single and multiple element tests with varying prescribed loading conditions. The simulation results obtained were then compared with the analytical solutions at the same conditions of strain rates and temperatures. This comparison showed that both developed subroutines were accurate in predicting the flow stress of various forms of DMLS Ti6Al4V (ELI) under different conditions of strain rates and temperatures.

Verifiable Authentication and Issuance of Academic Certificates using Permissioned Blockchain Network

Fake certificates pose a severe problem in today's world; they vouch for an individual's false skillset and put an organization's reputation at risk. Moreover, the existing verification process is performed in a centralized manner, often too cumbersome and time-consuming to the end-user, lacking transparency in the educational institutions' Issuance of certificates. Of-late, blockchain is a promising technology that provides transparent, secure, and reliable features, which offers solutions to the education sector. This paper provides the solution to the educational certification problem by employing the blockchain network. We proposed a permissioned blockchain network that identifies, authenticates the Issuer, adequate verification, securely shares academic records to the recipients, and stores the certificate credentials in the blockchain in a distributed manner.

Regression and Artificial Intelligence Models to Predict the Surface Roughness in Additive Manufacturing

In additive manufacturing (AM), it is necessary to study the surface roughness, which affected the building parameters such as layer thickness and building orientation. Some AM machines have minimum layer thickness that doesn't satisfy the desired roughness. Also, it produces a fine surface that isn't required. This increases the building time and cost without any benefits. To overcome these problems and achieve a certain surface roughness, a prediction model is proposed in this chapter. Regression models were used to predict the surface roughness through the building orientation. ANN was used to predict the surface roughness through the building orientation and the layer thickness together. ANN was constructed based on experimental work that study the effect of layer thickness and building orientation on the surface roughness. Some data were used in the training process and others were used in the verification process. The results show that the layer thickness parameter has an effect more than the building orientation parameter on the surface roughness.

Fitting Assistive Technology for People with Hearing Loss: The Importance of Remote Microphone Systems′ Electroacoustic Verification

The remote microphone system (RMS) must be appropriately working when fitting it in a person with hearing loss. For this verification process, the concept of transparency is adopted. If it is not transparent, the hearing aid (HA) may not capture the user’s voice and his peers appropriately, or the RMS may not have the advantage in gain needed to emphasize the speaker’s voice. This study investigates the influence of the receiver’s gain setting on the transparency of different brands and models of RMS and HAs. It is a retrospective chart review with 277 RMS from three distinct brands (RMA, RMB, and RMC) and HAs. There was an association of the receiver’s gain setting with the variables: brand of the transmitter/receiver (p = 0.005), neck loop’s receiver vs. universal and dedicated receivers (p = 0.022), and between brands of HA and transmitter/receiver (p < 0.001). RMS transmitter (odds ratio [OR = 7.9]) and the type of receiver (neckloop [OR = 3.4]; universal [OR = 0.78]) presented a higher risk of not achieving transparency in default gain, confirming and extolling the need to include electroacoustic verification in the protocol of fitting, verification, and validation of RMS and HA.

A Journey of People Development, Processes and Tools

Objective/Scope Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) places a priority on People Development. The reorganisation in 2016, a changing demographic, and increased emphasis on "Emiratisation" of the workforce has only reinforced that priority. The reorganisation fused together disparate companies, each with its own competency standards. The goal of ensuring that UAE national staff are used and developed throughout the organisation, coupled with our demographics, has added to the requirement for standard set of measures and processes for capability development across the ADNOC Group. This initiative has been implemented in phases, beginning with the creation/unification of core technical, behavioral/leadership and business competencies for all subsurface disciplines across the Group. We are now creating a learning organization to address our remaining challenges. A joint effort is required between our human capital and technical discipline leaders. Methods, Procedures, Process The ADNOC Competency Frameworks were created through a joint effort between subject matter experts (SME) and the People Development Team. The deployment of these frameworks was done in two main steps:Creation and verification. This was a joint effort between our Human Capital organisation and domain experts from the operating companies. This deployment also saw the creation of discipline authorities for the subsurface organisation. These "Heads of Discipline" are domain experts with a focus on skills and staff development. A "self-assessment" + "manager verification" process was used to populate the competency framework database.Data analysis. A statistical subset of the data were independently verified by SME interviews. Anomalies, and disciplines with insufficient coverage were scrubbed from the data. A number of analytical tools were used for data analysis, including "Heat Maps" for visual impact.Results, Observations and ConclusionsThe results revealed strength in the "engine room" of the organization, however, some "gaps" were identified. One gap was identified in the transitional grades between the "junior" and "operational" staff. This was consistent for all disciplines, and it is being addressed through specialized training and on-the job work assignments. Another gap was identified in some specialties, in which ADNOC depends on one or two individuals for key skillsets.As we took immediate action to address some gaps, we recognised that a longer term solution was required. This has taken the form of the ADNOC Learning Institute (ALI). The ALI is a comprehensive solution which includes strategic workforce planning, future capabilities, competency and learning frameworks. These will underpin future efforts in technical succession planning and mobility.Novel AdditionsThe ADNOC Learning Institute was crafted to meet the competing challenges of skills development, demographics and Emiratisation. The ALI demonstrates how a unified vision is required to meet future challenges.

Application of Mathematical and Experimental Approach in Description of Sedimentation of Powder Fillers in Epoxy Resin

In this paper, sedimentation inhibition attempts were examined using colloidal silica in a mathematical and experimental approach. Experimental results were validated by a two-step verification process. It was demonstrated that application of quantitative metallography and hardness measurements in three different regions of samples allows us to describe the sedimentation process using modified Stokes law. Moreover, proper application of Stokes law allows one to determine the optimal colloidal silica amount, considering characteristics of applied filler (alumina or graphite). The results of mathematical calculations have been confirmed experimentally—the experimental results show good agreement with the calculated data.