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Background Biosensor technology can potentially revolutionise the area of air pollution monitoring by providing data on early biological effect induction. Such data can be developed for supplementing routine pollution monitoring, improving exposure estimation, including a potential effect estimation and raising community awareness about air pollution. Especially in consideration of complex biological effect such as mutagenic, genotoxic and other proved effects due to the air mixture exposure. The aim of the study is to propose a short-time biosensor for the mutagenic properties evaluation of air pollution. Methods A simple biosensor was developed using genetically modified microorganisms. A first sampling session was conducted in one of the most air-polluted city of Italy using the biosensor and collecting the data of the usual monitoring system, including PM2.5, PM10, NOx, PAHs and metals concentrations. Results The biosensor is able to answer to polluted air mixture indicating a valuable genotoxic effect. Such effect - expressed in relation to the air sampled volume - is comparable to that recorded by traditional genotoxicity in vitro assay on organic extract of particulate matter. Moreover, a comparison with reference measurements is conducted. Repeatability, reproducibility, stability, limit of detection as the impact of environmental factors on biosensor output have been discussed. Conclusions Due to copious difficulties arising when airborne emissions are sampled, biological assays have been applied only sporadically. Aerosol particles are generally collected on a filter and following extraction procedure and bioassay were performed. Monitoring using the biosensor require low sample quantity, directly colliding with the microorganism, and supply good choice when air genotoxicity are to be determined. Key messages Low-cost biosensors can empower high density monitoring of air pollution. The proposed biosensor is able to evaluate genotoxic properties of the air mixture even if data quality is a major concern for its employment.

In this paper pile foundation design and soil-structure interaction are referred. The ultimate limit states and serviceability limit states are introduced. The potentially liquefiable soils and remedial measures are addressed. Two case studies related with pile design of New Tagus bridge based in pile load tests and the pile design and liquefaction potential evaluation of Leziria bridge foundations are presented. Some conclusions are drawn.

The liquefaction susceptibility of sandy soil is generally characterised by some parameters in the static liquefaction potential evaluation. These parameters are usually measured by static laboratory tests on distributed and undistributed samples under different test conditions. This study performs the ANN and genetic programming to estimate the static liquefaction susceptibility of clean sand soils based on experimental results to predict and develop an equation for the ratio of qmin/qpeak which is considered as the static liquefaction criterion. The qmin/qpeak model is a function of the minimum and maximum void ratios, relative density, initial effective confining pressure, and some other parameters. The findings of this study demonstrated that a good agreement between ANN and symbolic regression in predicting the ratio of qmin/qpeak based on laboratory tests. The possible application of the proposed qmin/qpeak equation is restricted by some limitations. The outcomes of the present work can be used in the preliminary liquefaction assessment of clean sandy soils prior to the complementary experimental studies.

Various review studies about Life Cycle Assessment in the area of nanotechnology in recent years have showed the same challenges for a coherent and sound application of this popular sustainability assessment tool in order to evaluate the (ecological) sustainability of nano-enabled applications – the use of an adequate functional unit, respective life cycle inventory data as well as the related impact assessment factors, especially those concerning the toxicity potential evaluation. Hence, in order to apply Life Cycle Assessment in a more efficient way in the area of nano-enabled applications it would make sense to identify those challenges that result in the largest variation of the results; then these factors would deserve the highest research priority in order to reduce their variability and/or uncertainty. To this end, a case study using nano titanium dioxide in facade coatings was chosen in order to examine in a very systematic manner, i.e. by calculating in total more than 200 different scenarios, the influence of variations on all levels (i.e. the total functionality of the applied nanomaterial, the used inventory data, the released amounts of nanoparticles and the related characterisation factors for their toxicity assessment). An analysis of the results of all these scenarios shows that the main factor for variation (and thus for the overall uncertainty of final Life Cycle Assessment results) is actually an adequate (and comprehensive) inclusion of the functionality of the applied nanomaterial. The adequate setting of these boundaries in an LCA study influences in the end all the subsequent steps – and the more precision that is applied here, the lower the resulting uncertainty of the results is; precondition is, of course, that adequate inventory data and impact assessment factors for the respective nanomaterial actually exist and can be taken into account. In the end, research in the area of LCA and nanotechnology needs to head for a more broader knowledge on all levels, then only a combination of adequate information on all the levels (i.e. functionality, LCI data, LCIA factors) lead in the end to a coherent and sound assessment of a nano-enabled application with the functionality being responsible for the highest variability in the results.

In-situ index tests, such as the cone penetration test (CPT), are widely used for the site-specific evaluation of liquefaction potential and are getting increased use in the regional mapping of liquefaction hazards. In this work, the spatial variability of CPT-based geotechnical parameters on the liquefaction potential evaluation is assessed through an integrated framework combining an empirical liquefaction model and a multiscale random field model that allows the effective incorporation of soil spatial variability across scales. Within this framework, two approaches, termed the local soil property approach and the averaged index approach, are developed and assessed for the characterization of spatial variability in CPT-based geotechnical parameters. The proposed framework is applied to the probabilistic and spatial assessment of the liquefaction potential of an earthquake-prone region to demonstrate its applicability and to investigate the implications of spatial variability on regional liquefaction susceptibility evaluation.

The concept of ‘smart cities' has quite recently stimulated an alternative way of approaching urban sustainability through the extensive adoption of ICTs, harmoniously combined with human capital and city's potential in order new patterns of urban development to be generated. Crowdsourcing and living labs serve the goal of being ‘smart' by promoting the establishment of broad cooperative schemes for prototypical ideas generation and innovation production. The present paper focuses on exploring the contribution of crowdsourcing and living labs to smart cities' development. In the first part, the backbone of a smart city is presented; in the second part, a methodological approach integrating smart cities' development with crowdsourcing and living labs is elaborated; in the third part, the role of crowdsourcing in generating prototypical ideas is described; in the fourth part, the potential evaluation and implementation of such ideas in a living lab environment is examined; and finally, some conclusions are drawn.

The main objective of this article is to forecast CO2 mitigation from clinker production and to evaluate Fly Ash potential, used Clinker Substitution for CO2 mitigation in cement industry between years 2015-2036 in Thailand following information of the Thailand's power developments plan (PDP2015). PDP2015 forecasts the potential of fly ash in the year 2036 which is estimated at 3.94 M ton and 48.76 M TonCO2 of CO2 emission from 58.01 M Ton of clinker production process. The methodology which is used for potential evaluation of fly ash and amount of CO2 can evaluate from Mae Moh power plant technology. 1 MW can occur 952.3427 Ton and amount of CO2 emission from utilizing is 0.825 TonCO2/TonneCli which is a default value of CSI (Cement Sustainability Initiative).The three different scenarios are used to analysis in this study. The condition of Business As Usual (BAU) scenario is the need of technology, used in 2015 as a base case. The full potential scenario (FP) is represent to the 100% fly ash using. The final scenario is called Zoning scenario (Z scenario) which consists of price rate (270 THB per Ton) and transportation rate (6 THB per kilometer of fly ash). From the result, in 2036 fly ash occur 7.46 M Ton that can mitigate CO2 volume up to 6.15 M TonCO2

To promote the application of strain FY-07 in oilfield development, experiments were performed on the mechanism of microscopic profile control using an etched glass micromodel. The physical simulat...

CO 2 storage in oil reservoirs is not only an effective method for reducing CO 2 emissions and greenhouse effect, but also a superior choice by enhancing oil recovery economically. This option, which lowers CO 2 sequestration cost by recovering incremental oil, is particularly attractive in mature oil fields, such as Yanchang oilfield in China where many oil pools are near depletion and where most of the needed infrastructure is already in place. Using screening criterion, MMP determination and capacity evaluation methods, the feasibility of CO 2 flooding, potential CO 2 EOR and CO 2 storage capacity of twenty-seven reservoirs in Yanchang Oilfield were evaluated. Results show that of all the 27 reservoirs only 8 are suitable for implementing CO 2 EOR and sequestration project with average CO 2 storage coefficient of 0.185, demonstrated the CO 2. sequestration potential in Yanchang oilfield is very limited.

Numerous methods exist to determine the liquefaction potential of a site due to earthquake, from which the stress-based empirical methods are the most commonly used in practice. Despite of their widespread use, their shortcomings have given way to the evolution of strain and energy-based methods. Their benefits make them a very promising alternative candidate for liquefaction potential evaluation. To reveal differences and uncertainties involved in the different methods, a comparative analysis was performed for the site of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant with the aim of contributing to the safety assessment of the plant with respect to liquefaction effects.

The paper discusses the problem of methodological framework imperfection for the evaluation of solar and wind energy potentials at the regional level inRussia. It offers a method of resource potential evaluation, based on building a geodatabase and spatial analysis integrating energy in the region (including energy shortages, generation facilities and the availability of power outages), as well as on area and scale of natural and environmental constraints to the implementation of the solar energy objects. The results are obtained by the authors in the course of testing the developed method on an example ofKrasnodarregion territory.

The article is devoted to the development of the generalized integrated criterion of the evaluation of building enterprise development potential. The developed indicator is based on the potential structuring, accounting weighting factors of each structural elements and the possibility of building enterprise capital raising. The algorithm of the potential evaluation and the scheme of the management of building enterprise development potential with accounting future possibilities and hidden resources of business entities are proposed

Iron ore fines (IOFs) are indispensable material for industries with over million tons transported annually by sea. The transportation involves serious risk of marine accidents due to cargo liquefaction caused by the loss of shear strength under cyclic loads. In this work, the effect of moisture content on the unsaturated shear strength of the IOFs was analyzed, including the matric suction and the effective normal stress. The cyclic strength of the IOFs as a function of moisture content and number of cycles was presented, as well as a correlation between the cyclic strength ratios in the field and laboratory tests. Moreover, dynamic geotechnical centrifuge model tests were conducted to mimic the field condition and verify the method for liquefaction potential evaluation of the IOFs. The results showed that moisture content was the critical factor affecting the shear strength of the IOFs. The zones with high liquefaction potential were identified according to the cyclic strength ratio and the cyclic shear stress ratio along the depth. The evaluation results agreed well with those from the dynamic geotechnical centrifuge model tests. This work provided an approach to accurately evaluate the liquefaction potential of the IOFs utilizing the variation of moisture content during shipping.

To study the feasibility of polymer-producing bacteria Enterobacter cloacae (E. cloacae) FY-07 and surfactant-producing bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa WJ-1 combined profile control and flooding, the compatibility of FY-07 and WJ-1 was evaluated using laboratory experiments. The results showed that the growth and metabolism of WJ-1 was not significantly affected by the FY-07 in the degradation medium, and the surface tension of fermentation broth was reduced from 70 mN/m to 30 mN/m. FY-07 enhanced the degradation of WJ-1, increasing the ratio of C14- to C15+ from 0.37 to 0.67. The core-flooding experiments indicated the oil recovery of 17.4% when both FY-07 and WJ-1 were injected into the system, as against to 10.4% and 7.9% for FY-07 and WJ-1, respectively, when injected alone. The results demonstrate a good compatibility between the FY-07 and WJ-1 strains and highlight the application potential of stain FY-07 and strain WJ-1 compound flooding for enhancing the oil recovery in heterogeneous reservoirs.

An energy-based liquefaction potential evaluation method (EBM) previously developed was applied to a uniform sand model shaken by seismic motions recorded at different sites during different magnitude earthquakes. It was also applied to actual liquefaction case histories in Urayasu city during the 2011 M9.0 Tohoku earthquake and in Tanno-cho during the 2003 M8.0 Tokachi-oki earthquake. In all these evaluations, the results were compared with those by the currently used stress-based method (SBM) under exactly the same seismic and geotechnical conditions. It was found that EBM yields similar results with SBM for several ground motions of recent earthquakes but has easier applicability without considering associated parameters. In Urayasu city, the two methods yielded nearly consistent results by using an appropriate coefficient in SBM for the M9.0 earthquake, though both overestimated the actual liquefaction performance, probably because effects of plasticity and aging on in situ liquefaction strength were not taken into account. In Tanno-cho, EBM could evaluate actual liquefaction performance due to a small-acceleration motion during a far-field large magnitude earthquake while SBM could not.

The basic components of the enterprise’s innovative potential evaluation process are investigated. It is offered the conceptual model of evaluation of the innovative potential that includes: subjects, objects, purpose, provision of information, principles, methods, criteria, indicators. It is noted that the innovative capacity characterizes the transition from the current to the strategic level of innovation potential and, thus, characterizes the composition of objects from position of user

One of the most devastating effects of earthquakes in the seismic regions is liquefaction. Many research works have been done in this field and at present different methods are available for the liquefaction potential assessment. The liquefaction is a very significant phenomenon in clayey silty soils, silty sands and also sands. The high potential of liquefaction is generally recognized when these type of soils are laid under the hydrostatic water table. This paper make an overview of two different methods for the evaluation of liquefaction potential, and a case study is presented. Two methods presented here are the Deterministic Approach proposed by Robertson and Wride (1998), and the Probabilistic Approach proposed by Moss and co-workers. Case study of the liquefaction potential evaluation is done for the Golem area, where geotechnical data from CPTU test were collected. The results of analysis in the Golem area show that liquefaction has medium susceptibly to occur. From the analyses, it is shown that the Probabilistic Approach gives more accurate information about the risk of liquefaction than the Deterministic Approach.

The standard penetration test (SPT) and cone penetration test (CPT) are the two most commonly used in-situ tests. In this paper, SPT-CPT correlation is investigated using statistical and regression method based on a database of in-situ tests. Two correlation equations of the SPT N-value and the CPT cone tip resistance qc are proposed. The equations are applied for the liquefaction potential evaluation. Three effect factors including the soil type, mean particle size, and fine content are investigated for SPT-CPT correlation. The simple correlation can be used for the preliminary site investigation with least data and information. The comprehensive one can give more accurate result with detailed data. These two correlation equations are useful for different purposes with different accuracies. The liquefaction evaluations using the proposed correlation method are compared with those from the Chinese code method. It is shown that the proposed correlation can be helpful for site investigation and geotechnical...

This article presents a review of methodologies allowing for the calculation of agricultural biogas potentials on a regional level. A definition of theoretical, technical and economic potentials as well as methods for their calculation are provided. The review of the state-of-art studies in this area has indicated that despite differences in calculation methods, procedures for approximation of theoretical and technical potentials are well established. However, there have been various approaches to elaborate a methodology to calculate the economic (market) potential. In this article a scenario building approach is applied for a case study region of the Lubelskie Province, east of Poland. The results have shown that the elaborated methodology can be applied by policy makers to integrate also other renewables in planning procedures.

A systematic method is proposed to quantitatively evaluate the energy saving potential (ESP) combining a microscopic analysis and the macro statistics of the distribution network. An energy saving modification (ESM) investment planning model, constrained by the funds available, is developed based on the ESP evaluation method. In the model, the modification investment amount of each measure is set as a variable, and the core parameters including gray correlation coefficient, index inferior degree and loss reduction efficiency are obtained from gray correlation analysis. Given the investment constraints and weighting factors, the problem of energy saving investment allocation of the whole distribution system is solved within the fund constraint. An example shows that the proposed method is ideal for quantifying the loss reduction space and modification demand of distribution systems while improving the efficiency of investment for ESM.

The goal of this research was to provide recommendations and highlight areas for improvements during the solicitation, evaluation and selection process of prime contractors by US Army Corps of Engineers. To achieve this goal, the research team conducted the literature review on evaluation of construction contractors, both from a pre-award and post-award stand point followed by interviews using structured questionnaires. This research has concluded that the US Army Corps of Engineers should make strides to better define the evaluation factors that are being utilised, while providing a detailed description of the project being constructed, in order to ensure that potential contractors submit project specific information. By requesting the interested contractors for more project specific information via their management plan, schedules, organisational chart, and other potential evaluation factors, the Corps can gain better insight and understanding of each potential contractor, resulting in the selection of the best contractor for project completion.

The remaining oil distribution and its potential evaluation are the keys to the well network adjustments and comprehensive potential exploration on the later stage production. In view of the vagueness of the influence factors of remaining oil potentiality, a set of quantitative evaluate method about how to suit remaining oil potentiality of heavy oil reservoir at high water-cut stage is established. Six factors are taken into consideration, including oil saturation, reservoir thickness, permeability, porosity, water injection distance and sedimentary facies. First, make sure the evaluate criterion and the influence weight of a single effect factor. And then, use the fuzzy theory to calculate the latent capacity of the block, comprehending many factors. In the end, certain the foundation of remaining oil potentialities according to the value of the latent capacity. Using this method, remaining oil potentiality of the east of Beierxi is calculated at high water cut period. This provides a theoretical guide to formulation and implementation of the in-situ potential measurement.

This paper introduced the related concepts of new energy industry development potential evaluation, established the evaluation index system. This paper determined its evaluation indexes weights utilizing delphi-method, and then evaluated the new energy industry development potential of Baoding using the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method. Evaluation results show that the city new energy industry have a good growth potential. The example results show that the models commonality is very good.

This paper proposes a real-time demand response potential evaluation (RTDRPE) method that is purely driven by smart meter data. Probabilistic behaviors of electricity consumers are learned from historical data based on Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM). Then, with GMM of each consumer, RTDRPE is conducted on both the individual level and the aggregated level, which facilitates DR-related and market-related decision making for DR implementers in a real-time manner. Case studies using real-world data demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method.

Rapidly increasing competition of technological revolution drive all participants in the market to pay attention to the prospect of New and Emerging Science & Technologies (NESTs), which are newly invented, fast changing and developing, and have relatively limited applications in the marketplace. Therefore, a systematic method to evaluate the commercial potential of these NESTs is essential for industrial community to win in the marketplace. Based on patent data, this paper proposes an evaluation framework that includes technology maturity assessment, technology opportunities identification and competitive environment analysis. We demonstrate our approach with empirical analysis of Graphene. The results show that this study is beneficial to supporting policy-makers in making strategic technical decisions so as to enhance their technological innovation capability and international competitiveness.

The existing Thermal Cracking Model (TCMODEL) that is currently an integral part of the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) has been shown to adequately predict low temperature cracking of asphalt concrete mixtures utilizing conventional binders. However, test results from several asphalt rubber mixtures in this research study showed that the TCMODEL in the MEPDG falls short in predicting the observed thermal cracking resistance of these mixtures in the field. This paper presents development and findings of a new method for thermal cracking potential evaluation in asphalt mixtures, with a focus on asphalt rubber mixtures. Refinements of the existing IDT test protocol are presented, and a new Crack Depth Fracture Model is proposed to include a fracture energy parameter. The new fracture energy model is evaluated with laboratory test results and rationality corresponding with field observations. The new model proved to be satisfactory in predicting the thermal cracking performance f...

A novel structured energy loss evaluation paradigm for the cement clinker manufacturing process is presented to identify thermal energy losses. According to the thermal energy balance relations of the cement clinker manufacturing process and the feasibility and profitability of energy saving implements, the detailed energy saving potential check and thermal energy loss distribution histogram of the cement clinker manufacturing process can be realized, which provides full transparency visualization about the thermal energy saving potential up to the best practice. A case study on a real cement clinker plant is presented which show the benefit of such a transparent thermal energy saving potential evaluation paradigm.

In view of the intensification of the depopulation trend in our country it is necessary to implement modern and efficient programs of population policy. Creation of effective programs of population policy requires knowing of all aspects of existing pronatal potentials and possible restrictive factors. One such aspect is the evaluation of the reproductive function among young people, bearers of the future natality trends. The work describes and discusses the attitude of the young toward the reproductive function. Also it is concerned with certain factors that can impair the importance and impact of pronatal potentials conditioned by highly valued reproductive function. As the most important one, we singled out the set of factors concerning psychological price of parenthood, especially with women, in view of the competitive-conflicting action of modern woman. Also, an account was given of the potential influence of patrilinearity as of a restrictive factor of pronatal movements.

The 1999 Chi-Chi, Taiwan, earthquake caused great destruction to buildings, bridges, and other facilities, and a death toll of 2470. Of particular interest to geotechnical engineers in this event is the evidence of widespread liquefaction that caused significant damage to buildings, lifelines and harbor facilities. Shortly after the earthquake, an extensive field investigation in the Yuanlin area, including in situ tests and laboratory tests, was conducted by Moh and Associates, Inc. These in situ and laboratory tests along with ground performance observations offer a chance to examine the existing methods of liquefaction potential evaluation. In this paper, 22 cases of ground performance in the Yuanlin area that experienced extensive soil liquefaction are studied. These are case histories that were well documented with field observations of ground performance in the Chi-Chi event. Attempt is made to analyze liquefaction potential using the Standard Penetration Test (SPT) data that are associated with each case history. Results of the analyses show that in general, surface manifestation of liquefaction can be fairly accurately predicted using simplified methods. In many cases where the subsurface deposit consists of alternate layers of silty clay and silty sand, however, the effect of capping clay layers must be considered in order to correctly account for the presence or lack of surface manifestation of liquefaction.

The evaluator in this chapter describes potential evaluation capacity-building activities in contrast to the specifics of an evaluation design.

As the profession moves toward the performance-based earthquake engineering design, it becomes more important and pressing to examine the uncertainty of the limit state model used for liquefaction potential evaluation. In this paper, the uncertainty of the Robertson and Wride model, a simplified model for liquefaction resistance and potential evaluation based on cone penetration test, is investigated in detail for its model uncertainty in the framework of first-order reliability analysis. The uncertainties of the parameters used in the Robertson and Wride model are also examined. The model uncertainty is estimated by calibration with a fairly large set of case histories. The results show that the uncertainty of the Robertson and Wride model may be characterized with a mean-to-nominal of 0.94 and a coefficient of variation of 0.15 based on the case histories examined.

Small-strain shear-wave velocity measurements provide a promising approach to liquefaction potential evaluation. In some cases, where only seismic measurements are possible, it may be the only alternative to the penetration-based approach. Various investigators have developed relationships between shear wave velocity and liquefaction resistance. Successful application of any liquefaction evaluation method requires that procedures used in their development also be used in their application. This paper presents detailed guidelines for applying the procedure described in Andrus and Stokoe that was developed using suggestions from two workshops and following the general format of the Seed-Idriss simplified procedure. Correction factors to velocity and liquefaction resistance for soil aging are suggested. Based on the work by Juang et. al., factors of safety of 1.0, 1.2, and 1.5 correspond to probabilities of liquefaction of about 0.26, 0.16, and 0.08, respectively. Additional field performance data are needed from all soil types, particularly denser and older soil deposits shaken by stronger ground motions, to further validate the recommended procedure.

Modern chip design pushes the performance of a given technology to its limits, therefore, it is necessary to find increasingly more accurate models for interconnect parasitics. The growing complexity of today's integrated systems, however, makes fast analysis crucial as well. We present a novel hierarchical potential evaluation technique which is able to represent detailed near-field and global far-field couplings with equal accuracy and efficiency by combining the best features of known hierarchical approaches in this field.

The purpose of this paper is to present the effect of fines content on the evaluation of liquefaction potential while using Seed's method (1985) and Tokimatsu and Yoshimi's method (1983). The data used in the paper were obtained from holes bored at sites where liquefied during Chi‐Chi Earthquake, 1999. The fines content of soil is the major influence on safety and stability and is the target of the above methods. Student t‐Test results show that the factor of safety calculated by Seed's method and T&Y's method can be regarded as identical when fines content less than 35%. However, the results of T&Y's method will overestimate liquefaction resistance when the fines content is greater than 35%. An appropriate correction factor for fines content greater than 35% is proposed from back‐calculated analysis using data from liquefied sites. The result show the proposed correction factor will improve the efficiency of liquefaction potential evaluation in the T&Y’ s method at high fines contents.

Losses in distribution networks represent the single largest consumption in any power system due to heavily loaded conditions. It plays a role in loss minimization that working out more effective measures to save energy. The application of Analytic hierarchy process(AHP) in the analysis of energy-saving potential for distribution network is proposed, which takes both devices placement and parameters reconfiguration into consideration. The proposed method of energy-saving potential could tap latent potential of losses minimization and give optimism alternatives. The losses in distribution networks reduce to a lower level after the implement of measures and the instance as illustrated in this paper proves the effectiveness of this method.

In this paper, a new approach is presented for developing a liquefaction limit state function, which defines a boundary that separates liquefaction from no-liquefaction occurrence. The new approach is developed using a database consisting of 243 field liquefaction performance cases at sites where standard penetration tests (SPT) had been conducted. This database is first used to train and test an artificial neural network for predicting the occurrence of liquefaction or no liquefaction. The successfully trained neural network is then used to establish a liquefaction limit state function. Based on the developed limit state function, mapping functions that relate calculated factors of safety to probability of liquefaction are established. The established mapping functions form a basis for the development of a risk-based chart for liquefaction potential evaluation.Key words: probability, risk-based design, liquefaction potential, SPT, artificial neural network.

A methodolgy is presented in this paper in which geotechnical parameter uncertainty is modeled by fuzzy numbers and allowed to propagate in a deterministic model. Emphasis in this paper is placed on the liquefaction potential evaluation considering parameter uncertainty. Three deterministic models are used for liquefaction potential evaluation. For each of these models, uncertainty in soil parameters is modeled by fuzzy numbers, and liquefaction potential is analyzed. Study of historical cases using the presented methodology is conducted. Results of these case studies clearly demonstrate that uncertainty can easily be incorporated and handled in a routine liquefaction evaluation.

Several SOI MOSFET models based on 1-D solution of Poisson's equation are compared in terms of their accuracy. A brief discussion of the simplifying assumptions leads to a conclusion that the methods used for surface potential evaluation strongly influence the accuracy of a model. An analytical approximation for the front surface potential is presented and then introduced into the fully analytical Lim-Fossum model [1]. The accuracy of the modified model is better than that of the original Lim-Fossum model [1].

A new method for distribution network energy saving potential (ESP) evaluation and modification investment planning is proposed in this paper. The ESP evaluation is composed of microscopic analysis of samples and macro statistics of the whole network. First of all, evaluating the selected feeders' ESP of nine modification measures separately; then, comprehensive ESP of each feeder is assessed by matching integration; at last, after ESP classification and characteristics of the whole network analog processing of the selected feeders, ESP of the whole network is obtained through weighted proportion. The example shows that the proposed method is helpful for understanding the loss reduction space and modification demand of distribution systems.

This work refers to the study carried out during 2006-07 on the Palace of the Dey in Algiers Citadel built during the 16 and 19 centuries. The study was undertaken during the management training of architects, archeologist and civil engineers of the Algerian Ministry of Culture by architects from Blida University in collaboration with IPOGEA, and Architects from Firenze and Bologna Universities. The stratigrafic study following the historical research has provided significant insight on the construction process. This information has been considered to investigate using visual screening the possible link between construction and existing damages. This example shows insight on the construction process, historical and recent earthquakes and bombing causeddamages, and later man-caused alterations. The existing damages and deformations accentuate seismic vulnerability of this monument as Algiers is located in the most important area of seismic risk in Algeria.

In order to evaluate yield potential of different genotypes of sesame under different levels of iron micronutrient and determinate the most effective traits on the yield, the experiment was carried out as split plot based on randomized complete block design at Jiroft during 2008. Treatments consisted of three levels of Fe fertilizer (chalet 138) (0, 5 and 10 kg/ha) as the main factor and different genotypes of sesame (Markazi, Shahrbabak, Birjand, Dezfoul, Jiroft, Sirjan, Gorgan, Ardestan and Orzouyeh landraces) as the sub factor. Traits such as plant height, number of stem per plant, number of capsules per plant, number of capsules per main stem, capsule length, and number of seeds per capsule, weight of 1000-seed, seed yield, biological yield and harvest index were studied. Different statistical analysis such as ANOVA, correlation and path coefficient analyses were used. According to results ANOVA, genotypes were significantly different for all traits and Jiroft genotype was considered as the best one for cultivation at this region. Except 1000-seed weight, Fe micronutrient had no significant effect on understudied traits, also the interaction of fertilizer and genotype was not significant. It was concluded that the fertilizer did not have effective role on yield of studied genotypes. Seed yield showed highly positive and significant correlation with plant height, capsule length, number of seeds per capsule, 1000-seed weight, number of stem and biological yield (p

In order to hold a ldquohigh-techrdquo Olympics in 2008, the Chinese government puts forward the concept of ldquoTechnology for Olympicsrdquo, and implements ldquoTechnology for Olympics (2008) Action Planrdquo which have fund many researches projects. How to select the industrialization potential projects from all of the research projects pool is an important issues for technology industrialization. The paper proposes an thought on the industrialization potential evaluation of ldquoTechnology for Olympicsrdquo based on ISM aiming at solving the conflict of ldquoreality and reliabilityrdquo and ldquotime and resources limitationrdquo. The proposed methodology concludes two steps on the evaluation: one is to realize ldquoreality and reliabilityrdquo by selecting investigator triangulation according to evaluation content, and the other is to reduce the expending of ldquotime and resourcesrdquo by logistic processing of the evaluation steps.

The Future Combat System Mounted Combat System (MCS) is an assault vehicle that will employ a 120-mm weapon. The goal of this project was to quantify the effects of weapon fire recoil on a surrogate human occupant of the MCS. In March and April 2004, the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC) ride motion simulator (RMS) was used to simulate the effects of gun firing shock on a Hybrid III instrumented anthropometric test device capable of measuring neck force and torque and head acceleration. The RMS was used to simulate the dynamic motion of two MCS crew positions during weapon firing scenarios: the driver and the gunner. Firing scenarios ranged in azimuth from 0 to 180 degrees and in elevation from -10 to 30 degrees. The raw data for this project were collected by the Motion Base Technologies Team of TARDEC and their contractors. The data were sent to the U.S. Army Research Laboratory's (ARL's) Human Research Engineering Directorate for analysis. Biomechanics researchers at ARL were tasked with relating the neck force and torque and head accelerations to establish injury criteria for the neck and head. Data from the Hybrid III manikin were compared to the standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Based on the standards used by NHTSA, the acceleration of the head and the forces and torques experienced by the driver's and gunner's necks during weapon firing are less than the injury criteria for the 50th percentile male. Resulting injury rates were nearly zero for head injuries but were as high as 0.13 (13%) for moderate neck injuries and as high as 0.023 (2.3%) for critical neck injuries. It is important to note that the injury criteria being applied are based on single impulse events, such as a vehicle hitting a tree, and are not necessarily appropriate for multiple impulse events such as repeated weapon firing, which is a major limitation of this study.

Many previous works have attempted to predict the occurrence of liquefaction in the field. A comprehensive work has been done on small samples under triaxial and simple shear conditions. A few investigations have been done on large size samples and also on vibration tables. In the present study, the large size sample tests have been conducted in field and the prediction of liquefaction occurrence has been studied. To study the effect of side wall on the test specimen in large size samples, some tests have been conducted in a field pit also. A case study has also been discussed that how the bridge survived seismic shocks at the time of actual occurrence of earthquake the foundation of which was designed based on the suggested measures discussed in this paper.

The turbine missile problem has been critically reviewed. A probabilistic approach to the problem seems to be most reasonable. However, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission's guidelines on this subject may not be adequate. In this paper, some of the critical parameters in the turbine missile problem have been identified and their probabilistic characteristics have been discussed. Separation of high and low trajectory missiles in damage potential evaluation appears to be inappropriate. Definitions of targets from the engineer's point of view have also been suggested. In estimating the occurrence rate of external missiles the statistical approach using the Duane growth rate model seems to be more appealing than the systems reliability approach. However, the observed samples and durations may not be adequate for the Duane growth rate model. A probabilistic methodology to estimate the damage potential of turbine missiles is also developed considering various sources of uncertainty. The methodology is clarified with the help of an example. If the uncertainties in the contributing parameters are considered appropriately, the crude conservatism that has been introduced into the damage potential evaluation can be reduced with confidence.

An evaluation method to assess recycling potential, considering both the environmental and economic aspects, was suggested for the material recovered from waste home appliances. The life cycle assessment (LCA) method was applied to obtain the environmental score (S/sub Env/), and the actual value and a static economic model was used to obtain the economic score (S/sub Eco/). The S/sub Env/ of recycled glass and circuit board showed the highest value (11.97), followed by copper (9.37), iron (6.77), and plastic (3.67). The S/sub Eco/ of recycled copper showed the highest value (6.97), followed by aluminum (5.23), iron (5.15), plastic (4.82), and glass and circuit board (3.50). The recycling potentials for the recyclable materials were calculated by weighting S/sub Env/ and S/sub Eco/ with the factors obtained from the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method. As a result, the recycling potential of copper was the highest, followed by iron, glass, circuit board, and aluminum. This calculated data and methodology would provide a useful data for decision makers and product designers in design for environment (DfE).