The National Road RN 91 has been threatened for about twenty-five years by a huge landslide, located 25 km south-east to the town of Grenoble (France). If several million cubic meters of rock fall down, the debris wil...The National Road RN 91 has been threatened for about twenty-five years by a huge landslide, located 25 km south-east to the town of Grenoble (France). If several million cubic meters of rock fall down, the debris will dam the valley. Then the failure of the dam by overtopping and rapid erosion might result in a catastrophic flood and dramatic consequences for human life, environment and economy throughout the valley. The paper presents the hazard assessment based on geological and hydrological surveys, including small scale hydraulic tests, as well as the risk evaluation that has been performed. The risk management relies first upon a high level monitoring and an emergency plan; various mitigation strategies have been considered.展开更多
The purpose of this article is to present the key elements for best performance and profitability of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management in a low-income city. The research provides an overview of methods and models...The purpose of this article is to present the key elements for best performance and profitability of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management in a low-income city. The research provides an overview of methods and models for integrated planning of a two-phase program: MSW collection and transportation, and MSW treatment. We present the case study of Matadi (the Democratic Republic of Congo) that has a low level of the MSW management compared to other African cities. We develop a spreadsheet model for collection and transportation of MSW which is relevant for low-income cities and enables determining the waste collection fee. A CDM decay model is used to predict the GHG emissions in disposal site. The MSW treatment plant in case of Matadi is evaluated. For the anaerobic digestion technology selected as appropriate for this plant, the key factors that ensure profitability of the plant are as follows: tipping fee from the municipality (19% of total revenue), amount of carbon credits which can sum up to 16% of the total revenue, expansion of waste collection range from 25 to 50 km. The methods of this study can be used for solving waste problem in other low-income cities where the budget for municipal services is scanty, particularly when starting from a very low level of MSW management.展开更多
The paper deals with the self-defending capacity of buildings and structures against earthquakes. The idea of this conceptcomes from Hooke’s Law of elasticity published in 1678. The original deterministic concept was...The paper deals with the self-defending capacity of buildings and structures against earthquakes. The idea of this conceptcomes from Hooke’s Law of elasticity published in 1678. The original deterministic concept was converted, with the aid of reliabilityanalysis, into a probalistic form. In this way seismic resilience covers a larger field of random phenomena and becomes directlyinvolved in more engineering applications.展开更多
The paper deals with the mathematical concept of jerk created in 1825 by Carl Jacobi and introduced in 1936, forapplications purposes in dynamics by Aurel A. Beles. Extended in seismic engineering that phenomenon of d...The paper deals with the mathematical concept of jerk created in 1825 by Carl Jacobi and introduced in 1936, forapplications purposes in dynamics by Aurel A. Beles. Extended in seismic engineering that phenomenon of dynamic amplification isbased on the first law of conservation in Mechanics combined with the theory of dislocations developed by Lev Landau. Finally, thetwo study cases presented in the paper recommend this simply analysis method for advanced practical cases with any degree ofaccuracy as well as in solving some plausibility inquire as requested by ISO 13822：2010.展开更多
Ecosystem-based management and community-based participation in governance of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been identified as key elements to improve management success, local stakeholder support, and compliance...Ecosystem-based management and community-based participation in governance of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been identified as key elements to improve management success, local stakeholder support, and compliance with regulations. However, both are often rarely achieved, resulting in poor MPA governance, support and success. A quantitative assessment of the spatio- temporal change (1997-2012) of coral reef fish communities within Arrecifes La Cordillera Natural Reserve in northeastern Puerto Rico was carried out. We also identified community expectations of and support for the designation of a network of small no-take MPAs within the reserve’s boundaries. A holistic approach employing biophysical and socioeconomic methods was used as part of a participatory model to identify priorities for the designation of candidate no-take MPAs. Populations of the most important fishery-targeted species showed a significant temporal decline, particularly in areas subjected to intense recreational activities and spearfishing. Most groupers (Serranidae), snappers (Lutjanidae), barracudas (Sphyraenidae), and some parrotfishes (Scaridae) were nearly absent at most sites. Most individuals belonged to smaller size categories. Herbivores represented the majority of the total fish biomass, suggesting strong fishing impacts on apex predators. Fish declines also occurred after two massive coral bleaching events in 1998 and 2005 that were followed by mass coral mortalities, suggesting combined negative impacts of fishing and climate change. A no-take MPA designation was supported by 80% of the artisanal fishermen, 73% of the concessionaires (i.e., SCUBA diving, charter boats), and 52% of registered vessel operators. Stakeholders agreed that coral reef conditions in the reserve had declined over time, as well as water quality which affected reef health and fisheries. Stakeholders did not recognize climate change and sea surface warming as threats to coral reefs and fisheries. Nonetheless, stakeholder perceptions of candidate no-take MPA sites remarkably matched those identified through fish counts. This study also highlighted the pervasive views held by many stake-holders concerning MPA management and enforcement, and recommended that any no-take MPA designation process considers improving stakeholder participation, understanding of management objectives, actions, and accomplishments, and building stakeholders trust. The integration of ecosystem-based and community-based participatory models may be critical to foster improved support of no-take MPAs and foster a long-term community-based integration to develop and implement mitigation strategies for climate change impacts in novel future scenarios.展开更多
The French National Immunization Program was updated in 2013 for vaccination against diphtheria,tetanus,per-tussis,and poliomyelitis.Our previous findings on the evolution of age-specific booster vaccination coverage ...The French National Immunization Program was updated in 2013 for vaccination against diphtheria,tetanus,per-tussis,and poliomyelitis.Our previous findings on the evolution of age-specific booster vaccination coverage rates(VCRs)up to 2017 suggested suboptimal vaccination coverages due to the pre-2013 recommendation-residual vaccination practices.In the current analysis,we evaluated all age-specific booster VCR and distribution of age at vaccination visits in 2018.In this retrospective observational cohort study,the cumulative booster VCRs were updated at all vaccination visits up to 2018 among the people who were eligible for a booster vaccination,using a 1/97th random sample of French national healthcare reimbursement databases.The cumulative booster VCR for individuals from all age groups increased from 2017 to 2018,except for 85-years-old vaccination visit.Majority of the individuals from all age groups were vaccinated(boosted)with a vaccine containing the pertussis valence.In 2018,sharp peaks corresponding to the recommended ages for booster vaccination visits were observed for individuals aged 6,11 to 13,25,45,and 65 years.Our study reiterates suboptimal coverages in France and implies the need for booster vaccination throughout life for the protection of the population.展开更多
文摘The National Road RN 91 has been threatened for about twenty-five years by a huge landslide, located 25 km south-east to the town of Grenoble (France). If several million cubic meters of rock fall down, the debris will dam the valley. Then the failure of the dam by overtopping and rapid erosion might result in a catastrophic flood and dramatic consequences for human life, environment and economy throughout the valley. The paper presents the hazard assessment based on geological and hydrological surveys, including small scale hydraulic tests, as well as the risk evaluation that has been performed. The risk management relies first upon a high level monitoring and an emergency plan; various mitigation strategies have been considered.
文摘The purpose of this article is to present the key elements for best performance and profitability of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management in a low-income city. The research provides an overview of methods and models for integrated planning of a two-phase program: MSW collection and transportation, and MSW treatment. We present the case study of Matadi (the Democratic Republic of Congo) that has a low level of the MSW management compared to other African cities. We develop a spreadsheet model for collection and transportation of MSW which is relevant for low-income cities and enables determining the waste collection fee. A CDM decay model is used to predict the GHG emissions in disposal site. The MSW treatment plant in case of Matadi is evaluated. For the anaerobic digestion technology selected as appropriate for this plant, the key factors that ensure profitability of the plant are as follows: tipping fee from the municipality (19% of total revenue), amount of carbon credits which can sum up to 16% of the total revenue, expansion of waste collection range from 25 to 50 km. The methods of this study can be used for solving waste problem in other low-income cities where the budget for municipal services is scanty, particularly when starting from a very low level of MSW management.
文摘The paper deals with the self-defending capacity of buildings and structures against earthquakes. The idea of this conceptcomes from Hooke’s Law of elasticity published in 1678. The original deterministic concept was converted, with the aid of reliabilityanalysis, into a probalistic form. In this way seismic resilience covers a larger field of random phenomena and becomes directlyinvolved in more engineering applications.
文摘The paper deals with the mathematical concept of jerk created in 1825 by Carl Jacobi and introduced in 1936, forapplications purposes in dynamics by Aurel A. Beles. Extended in seismic engineering that phenomenon of dynamic amplification isbased on the first law of conservation in Mechanics combined with the theory of dislocations developed by Lev Landau. Finally, thetwo study cases presented in the paper recommend this simply analysis method for advanced practical cases with any degree ofaccuracy as well as in solving some plausibility inquire as requested by ISO 13822：2010.
文摘Ecosystem-based management and community-based participation in governance of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been identified as key elements to improve management success, local stakeholder support, and compliance with regulations. However, both are often rarely achieved, resulting in poor MPA governance, support and success. A quantitative assessment of the spatio- temporal change (1997-2012) of coral reef fish communities within Arrecifes La Cordillera Natural Reserve in northeastern Puerto Rico was carried out. We also identified community expectations of and support for the designation of a network of small no-take MPAs within the reserve’s boundaries. A holistic approach employing biophysical and socioeconomic methods was used as part of a participatory model to identify priorities for the designation of candidate no-take MPAs. Populations of the most important fishery-targeted species showed a significant temporal decline, particularly in areas subjected to intense recreational activities and spearfishing. Most groupers (Serranidae), snappers (Lutjanidae), barracudas (Sphyraenidae), and some parrotfishes (Scaridae) were nearly absent at most sites. Most individuals belonged to smaller size categories. Herbivores represented the majority of the total fish biomass, suggesting strong fishing impacts on apex predators. Fish declines also occurred after two massive coral bleaching events in 1998 and 2005 that were followed by mass coral mortalities, suggesting combined negative impacts of fishing and climate change. A no-take MPA designation was supported by 80% of the artisanal fishermen, 73% of the concessionaires (i.e., SCUBA diving, charter boats), and 52% of registered vessel operators. Stakeholders agreed that coral reef conditions in the reserve had declined over time, as well as water quality which affected reef health and fisheries. Stakeholders did not recognize climate change and sea surface warming as threats to coral reefs and fisheries. Nonetheless, stakeholder perceptions of candidate no-take MPA sites remarkably matched those identified through fish counts. This study also highlighted the pervasive views held by many stake-holders concerning MPA management and enforcement, and recommended that any no-take MPA designation process considers improving stakeholder participation, understanding of management objectives, actions, and accomplishments, and building stakeholders trust. The integration of ecosystem-based and community-based participatory models may be critical to foster improved support of no-take MPAs and foster a long-term community-based integration to develop and implement mitigation strategies for climate change impacts in novel future scenarios.
文摘The French National Immunization Program was updated in 2013 for vaccination against diphtheria,tetanus,per-tussis,and poliomyelitis.Our previous findings on the evolution of age-specific booster vaccination coverage rates(VCRs)up to 2017 suggested suboptimal vaccination coverages due to the pre-2013 recommendation-residual vaccination practices.In the current analysis,we evaluated all age-specific booster VCR and distribution of age at vaccination visits in 2018.In this retrospective observational cohort study,the cumulative booster VCRs were updated at all vaccination visits up to 2018 among the people who were eligible for a booster vaccination,using a 1/97th random sample of French national healthcare reimbursement databases.The cumulative booster VCR for individuals from all age groups increased from 2017 to 2018,except for 85-years-old vaccination visit.Majority of the individuals from all age groups were vaccinated(boosted)with a vaccine containing the pertussis valence.In 2018,sharp peaks corresponding to the recommended ages for booster vaccination visits were observed for individuals aged 6,11 to 13,25,45,and 65 years.Our study reiterates suboptimal coverages in France and implies the need for booster vaccination throughout life for the protection of the population.
