Key Facilities Research Articles

Ecological-health risks assessment and characteristic pollutants identification of heavy metals in the soils of a coking plant in production in Guangxi, China

In response to the detailed investigation in the production enterprise by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, The investigation of soil pollution potential risk in a coking welfare plant in Liuzhou was carried out. Meanwhile, the key facilities and regions were identified. The monitoring factors in the soil of the plant were evaluated to judge the ecological risk and health risk caused by heavy metals (HMs) in the soil. At the same time, the application of ArcGIS was used for concentration interpolation analysis. The correlation analysis and principal component analysis of HMs in soil were applied to identify the characteristic pollutants. It was found that all HMs detected were probably the characteristic contaminant from the plant. The results showed that nickel (Ni) and arsenic (As) exceeded the screening values of the second class of using-land in standard GB36600-2018. It was found that Ni and As in the soil of the plant had different degrees of pollution. The hydrargyrum (Hg) was considered as high ecological hazards at all sites. The areas with high ecological hazard were close to the furnace ash storage area and its treatment area. Though within an acceptable range, it was found that As and Ni in the plant had a health risk to workers of the plant. The results of this study can provide experience and example for other enterprises with heavy metal pollution. This study applied the standard GB 36600-2018 promulgated in recent years to assess health risks from pollution soil, verifying the feasibility of the implementation of this standard in China. It also makes a contribution to encourage more environmental management and investigations in production enterprises of potential pollution hazards of land information in the world.

Experimental and numerical study on local damage effect of ultra-early-strength reinforced concrete slabs (URCS) under contact explosion

UR50 ultra-early-strength cement-based self-compacting high-strength material has the advantage of short curing time and rapid development of early strength, which is an ideal material for rapid repair and construction of key facilities in wartime. In order to investigate the local damage characteristics of ultra-early-strength reinforced concrete slabs (URCS) under contact explosion thoroughly, 12 contact explosion tests were carried out on URCS cured for 28 days and 24 h with three reinforcement rates (0.23%, 0.41% and 0.79%) under 200 g, 400 g, 600 g and 800 g TNT mass by using TNT binding cube charge. The test results showed that the explosion resistance performance of URCS cured for 28 days under contact explosion was not much different from that cured for 24 h, and the variation of reinforcement rate within the conventional range had limited influence on the explosion resistance performance of URCS. Further, explicit dynamic finite element software LS-DYNA was used to simulate the local damage of URCS cured for 24 h under contact explosion, and the influence of slab thickness and TNT mass on local damage of 24-hour curing URCS was studied with validated numerical model, and the range of seismic collapse coefficients Kz for different failure modes of URCS under contact explosion was given.

Dynamic interactions of tram-turnout coupling system in embedded turnout area

Embedded turnout is one of the key facilities in the embedded track network of modern tram systems. In this study, the damping performance and track stiffness of an embedded turnout are tested on site. A multi-rigid body dynamics model of the tram and a finite-element dynamics model of the embedded turnout are established, and the two models are coupled based on the wheel-rail contact theory for the turnout area. Next, the dynamic responses of the tram passing through the embedded turnout are analyzed. The results show that the embedded turnout has favorable damping performance. The high stiffness of variable section rails at the switch and frog would lead to an increase in the wheel-rail dynamic force. When the tram passes through the embedded turnout, the wheel-rail vertical force reaches maximum values of 106.3 and 35.2 kN at the frog and switch, respectively; the maximum wheel derailment coefficient and wheel weight reduction rate are 0.49 and 0.57, respectively, which are within the safety limit specified in the Standards; the maximum lateral and vertical vibration accelerations of the tram body are 0.38 and 0.71 m/s2, respectively, satisfying the comfort requirements; the wheel–rail wear work at the switch is greater than that at the frog.

Indigenous Temporary Accommodation in Florianopolis: Participatory Project and State Actions

This article presents the design process adopted for the design of Indigenous Temporary Accommodation in Florianopolis - Santa Catarina - Brazil, focusing on design strategies and changes in the proposal, considering State actions and the participation of the indigenous community. These proposals were developed through an outreach project at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, addressing the importance of indigenous presence in the city, the constant struggle of indigenous people for physical and symbolic spaces in contemporary society, and the social role of architects and urban planners within these challenges. A participatory project process is adopted as a methodological strategy, which comprises theoretical and documentary research stages, joint actions with the indigenous community, interactions with the State, preparation of guidelines, and architectural proposals. As a result, the architectural proposals developed based on community demands are presented, as well as the changes from the different strategies built using State actions to handle the issue. It is believed that when considering the different actors involved in the design process, possibilities broaden both to enable the execution of key public facilities in the city and to make these meet the wants and needs of the communities involved.

Can habitat characteristics of a West African forest‐savanna mosaic landscape model bee community composition?

AbstractBees are vital to both ecosystems and humans worldwide; supplying a range of key support facilities for the successful breeding of the majority of flowering plants. The aim of this study was to assess the bee species composition in a Sudano‐Guinean savanna zone and determining the impact of a set of environmental parameters influencing this species composition in four habitat types. Sampling was carried using yellow pan traps protocol. A total of 846 bees belonging to 3 families, 25 genera and 52 species were collected. The largest number of bee individuals was found in the Apidae family. The most abundant species was Hypotrigona sp. The highest bee species and number of individuals was recorded in the shrubby savanna. Bee species diversity and abundance were found closely correlated with the plant diversity. Gaining a better understanding of the factors influencing bee community dynamics in the given landscape can provide valuable information for conservation efforts, habitat management and help identifying species which ones could be domesticated.

Nuclear Weapons Production Complexes in a Disarmed World

ABSTRACTAny effective nuclear disarmament regime will need to consider how to deal with the infrastructure that supported the development and maintenance of nuclear weapons. Such infrastructure carries within it the seeds for re-armament. This paper presents a framework of potential actions to be applied to facilities within nuclear weapons production complexes in a disarming and a disarmed world. This framework has two axes. The first identifies key capabilities and facilities that are integral to the production of both simple fission weapons and more advanced boosted and thermonuclear weapons. The second axis explores the range of actions that can be taken to constrain nuclear weapons production infrastructure which would either directly or indirectly influence the capacity for future reacquisition of nuclear weapons. In exploring these themes, the paper asks what are the crucial nuclear facilities or processes that are likely to be key in enabling potential re-armament? And what types of actions can be considered to constrain the re-armament potential of these facilities? Considering how to enhance the degree of disarmament irreversibility will entail posing and answering difficult questions on the fate of nuclear weapons complexes, and not just nuclear weapons.

머신러닝을 활용한 테러리즘 빅데이터 분석

The purpose of this study is to analyze terrorism-related structured and unstructured big data using machine learning techniques for big data analysis to confirm the predictability of terrorism and derive implications. To this end, big data on terrorism was obtained from research institutes specializing in terrorism, articles and documents posted on various portals and SNS were collected, put into machine learning, and analyzed and learned, and the results were confirmed. The analysis results are as follows. First, as a result of conducting K-Means Clustering, a representative unsupervised learning among machine learning techniques, eight regional clusters of terrorism occurred around the world in 2021 (near Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Iraq, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Somalia). Next, as a result of clustering by type of terrorism, assassination using weapons excluding explosives, kidnapping or kidnapping targeting key facilities were identified. In addition, as a result of clustering around the means used in terrorism, it was confirmed that there were many explosives ahead, but there were differences according to the cluster. Finally, clusters of military, police, government personnel, civilians, and private property were identified as a result of clustering centered on targets of terrorism. Second, as a result of sentiment analysis by setting unstructured texts on terrorism events as research subjects, it was confirmed that there were differences in views on terrorism between terrorism researchers and the general public. Based on these research results, policy suggestions were made on ways to prevent terrorism.

Guest Loyalty Programs of Chain Hotels: The Case of Turkey

The increasing competition among companies has forced them to adopt new marketing methods and develop new strategies to retain customers. One such strategy is the use of loyalty program cards, which were initially used as a benefits program but have now become a popular marketing strategy used by many hotel chains in Turkey. Loyalty programs are designed to encourage customers to continue using a company's services or products by offering rewards, discounts, and other privileged services. This study aims to conduct a content analysis of the websites of 10 hotels in Turkey to explore the facilities these hotels offer through their loyalty programs. The content analysis focuses on the services offered by these hotels, which are designed to retain customer loyalty. The data was collected by visiting the websites of the selected hotels and analyzing the content using the content analysis method. The findings were presented descriptively, highlighting the similarities and differences between the services offered by the hotels under the name of the loyalty program. The study found that the loyalty programs offered by hotel chains in Turkey have both common and different characteristics. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the loyalty programs offered by international hotel chains in Turkey. By analyzing the content of the websites, the study highlights the key facilities offered by these hotels to retain customer loyalty. The findings of this study could be useful to hotel managers and marketers in designing effective loyalty programs that meet the needs and expectations of their customers.

Slovenian Economic Republicanism at the Formative Stage of Self-Government Socialism (1950–1953)

The article analyzes the impact of the 1950–1953 reforms on the economic conflicts between the leadership of Slovenia and Yugoslavia. The reforms and the economic crisis intensified the contradictions between Slovenia and the federal center. Initially they manifested themselves in traditional forms: struggles to reduce targets, concealment of reserves, and struggle for coupons. The crisis gave rise to new struggles over money supply and the construction of key facilities, and reinforced the tendency to close regional markets. However, as the reforms progressed, old sources of conflict gradually lost their role and were replaced by new ones. The struggle over natural resources and manpower diminished, but the struggle for value indicators, primarily for investment, intensified. Slovenia donated significant funds, from which capital investments were made in other regions, and this circumstance gave rise to discontent in the republic. The federal government tried to reform the investment policy in order to alleviate the discontent in Slovenia, but these attempts failed in the period under review.

Open Source Data-Based Solutions for Identifying Patterns of Urban Earthquake Systemic Vulnerability in High-Seismicity Areas

Urban settlements located in high-seismicity areas should benefit from comprehensive vulnerability analyses, which are essential for the proper implementation of vulnerability modelling actions. Alas, many developing countries face a shortage of knowledge on seismic vulnerability, particularly concerning its systemic component, as a consequence of a combination of data scarcity and a lack of interest from authorities. This paper aims to identify primary time-independent spatial patterns of earthquake systemic vulnerability based on the accessibility of key emergency management facilities (e.g., medical units, fire stations), focusing on the urban settlements located in the high-seismicity area nearby the Vrancea Seismogenic Zone in Romania. The proposed methodological framework relies on open source data extracted from OpenStreetMap, which are processed via GIS techniques and tools (i.e., Network Analyst, Weighted Overlay Analysis), to compute the service areas of emergency management centres, and to map earthquake systemic vulnerability levels. The analysis shows that accessibility and systemic vulnerability patterns are significantly impacted by a synergy of factors deeply rooted in the urban spatial layout. Although the overall accessibility was estimated to be medium-high, and the overall systemic vulnerability to be low-medium, higher systemic vulnerability levels in certain cities (e.g., Bacău, Onești, Tecuci, Urziceni). The presented findings have multi-scalar utility: they aid in the development of improved, locally tailored seismic vulnerability reduction plans, as well as the allocation of financial and human resources required to manage earthquake-induced crises at regional scale. Further to that, the paper provides a transparent methodological framework that can be replicated to put cities in high-seismicity areas on the map of systemic vulnerability assessments, laying the groundwork for positive change in countries where the challenges associated with high-level seismic risk are often overlooked.

Mumbai metropolitan region eye care facility survey: Mumbai Eye Disease Study (MEDiS) report #1.

To examine the eye care practice in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). This study consisted of primary and secondary research conducted in five zones of MMR. The primary research included interviews with the patients, eye care providers, and key opinion leaders. The secondary research included analyzing data from the professional ophthalmology societies, public health domain, and health insurance providers. We divided people into three economic classes by annual income - low (<INR 0.3 m), middle (INR 0.31-1.8 m), and high (>1.8 m). We analyzed the collected data to estimate the eye care demand-supply, quality of eye care, health-seeking behavior, gap in eye care delivery, and eye care expenditure. We examined 473 key eye care facilities and interviewed 513 people. The ophthalmologist density in MMR was 80/million, and it was the highest in North MMR. Most ophthalmologists visited several facilities. Cataract surgery and glaucoma care coverage were better than other specialties; it was poor for oncology and oculoplastic services. Annual eye examination practice was poor in the low- and middle-income groups than in the high-income group (48%-50% vs. 85%). Most people preferred visiting eye care facilities within 5 km of their residence. Out-of-pocket spending was between 60% and 83%. Lower-income group people preferred public facilities. MMR eye care needs further improvement in affordable and accessible eye care, health literacy, public health surveillance, research into the application of newer technologies to provide less-expensive home care for the elderly and minimize their hospital visits, and collection and analysis of big data to address city-specific eye health issues.

Evaluation of Bridge Maintenance Priorities in Megacities

Bridges are key social overhead capital facilities with a direct impact on citizen safety and the socioeconomic development of a country. Many bridges in South Korea were completed during the nation’s period of rapid economic growth in the 1970s and 1980s, meaning that bridge aging is now accelerating and should be of real concern. Based on records of other highly developed countries not having adequate maintenance systems for old bridges and consequently experiencing a number of tragic bridge collapses, Korea is at risk of following suit. Being able to measure the efficiency of bridge management considering economic and social values is therefore critical. In this work, a qualitative bridge maintenance priority evaluation model using open-source bridge information was developed. The model was evaluated by applying it to eight actual bridges located in Daegu Metropolitan City, Korea. It is concluded that aging bridge maintenance and management can be performed more efficiently and reliably if the model proposed in this work is used.

Ergodic Capacity for NOMA-Enabled ISATNs with Transmit Antenna Selection and Imperfect CSI and SIC

Integrated satellite-aerial-terrestrial networks (ISATNs) expand the breadth and depth of seamless connections, which has been recognized as one of the key facilities of next-generation networks. This paper investigates the impact of transmit antenna selection, imperfect channel state information (CSI), and successive interference cancellation (SIC) on ergodic capacity (EC) of nonorthogonal multiple access- (NOMA-) enabled ISATNs, where a high altitude platform (HAP) assists the satellite transmission through decode-and-forward relaying protocol. Besides, two selection schemes are proposed to balance system complexity and transmission efficiency. Imperfect CSI and SIC are considered to impose detrimental effects on system performance. In addition, analytical expressions for EC of NOMA-enabled ISATNs in the presence of the above imperfections are derived. Finally, the Monte Carlo simulations corroborate analytical results and reveal the impacts of imperfections on integrated satellite-aerial-terrestrial networks.

Methane emissions decline from reduced oil, natural gas, and refinery production during COVID-19

In the summer of 2020, the AVIRIS-NG airborne imaging spectrometer surveyed California’s Southern San Joaquin Valley and the South Bay (Los Angeles County) to identify anthropogenic methane (CH4) point source plumes, estimate emission rates, and attribute sources to both facilities and emission sectors. These flights were designed to revisit regions previously surveyed by the 2016–2017 California Methane Survey and to assess the socioeconomic responses of COVID-19 on emissions across multiple sectors. For regions flown by both the California Methane Survey and the California COVID campaigns, total CH4 point source emissions from the energy and oil & natural gas sectors were 34.8% lower during the summer 2020 flights, however, emission trends varied across sector. For the energy sector, there was a 28.2% decrease driven by reductions in refinery emissions consistent with a drop in production, which was offset in part with increases from powerplants. For the oil & natural gas sector, CH4 emissions declined 34.2% and significant variability was observed at the oilfield scale. Emissions declined for all but the Buena Vista and Cymric fields with an observed positive relationship between production and emissions. In addition to characterizing the short-term impact of COVID-19 on CH4 emissions, this study demonstrates the broader potential of remote sensing with sufficient sensitivity, spatial resolution, and spatio-temporal completeness to quantify changes in CH4 emissions at the scale of key sectors and facilities.

Analytical calculation method for predicting compression deformations and sealing performance of subsea connector under operating condition

Keeping the sealing capacity under operating conditions is of vital importance for subsea connectors, which are the key connection facilities in subsea production systems. The finite element method (FEM) is usually adopted to evaluate the sealing performance and structural strength after determining structural design parameters. However, since the design is an iterative process, the efficiency of this evaluation method is relatively low. This paper proposes an analytical calculation method (ACM) which can quickly predict compression deformations and sealing performances of the gasket under operating conditions. Theoretical relationship equations are developed among the compression under preloading conditions, the variations of the compression and the unknown contact load under operating conditions. Consequently, the contact load under the operating condition is obtained first, then contact width, contact pressure and structural stresses are determined. Finally, compression deformations and sealing performances of the subsea connector under operating conditions are estimated explicitly. Case studies under various conditions are performed to verify the consistency of the FEM and the ACM. The predicted results including compression amount, sealing parameters and structural stress are in good agreement. This work provides a theoretical method and guidance for the engineering design of subsea connectors.

Attacking (and Defending) the Maritime Radar System

Operation of radar equipment is one of the key facilities used by navigators to gather situational awareness about their surroundings. With an ever increasing need for always-running logistics and tighter shipping schedules, operators are relying more and more on computerized instruments and their indications. As a result, modern ships have become a complex cyber-physical system in which sensors and computers constantly communicate and coordinate. In this work, we discuss novel threats related to the radar system, which is one of the most security-sensitive component on a ship. In detail, we first discuss some new attacks capable of compromising the integrity of data displayed on a radar system, with potentially catastrophic impacts on the crew' situational awareness or even safety itself. Then, we present a detection system aimed at highlighting anomalies in the radar video feed, requiring no modifications to the target ship configuration. Finally, we stimulate our detection system by performing the attacks inside of a simulated environment. The experimental results clearly indicate that the attacks are feasible, rather easy to carry out, and hard-to-detect. Moreover, they prove that the proposed detection technique is effective.

Structural and parametric models of hydro-aerodynamic systems for increasing the efficiency of energy infrastructure facilities

An analysis ofthe energy consumption structure in Ukraine shows that it is necessary to take into account the current global trends in energy efficiency during the post-war restoration of such key energy infrastructure facilities as heat and electricity generation heathydro-aerodynamic systemsand water supply ventilation air conditioning.etc. However the analysis of existing information technologyfor computer-aided design of energy facilities which are based on hydro-aerodynamicsystems.Showedthat the models and methods of structural and parametric synthesis of components of hydro-aerodynamicsystems (generating energetically active basic elements and network energetically passive auxiliary elements)do not fully take into account the influence of the state of real hydro-aerodynamicprocesses in the formation of a base of typical design solutions of elements. This leads to a decrease up to40%of the energy efficiency of the designed infrastructure facilities. Therefore the development of structural-parametric models of energy-efficient hydro-aerodynamicsystems and the creation on their basis of an appropriate information technology integrated in engineering computer-aided designis especially relevant during the post-war restoration of Ukraine energy infrastructure facilities. When developing structural-parametric models of energy-efficient hydro-aerodynamicsystems.Thefollowing tasks were solved: based on a comparative analysis of the possibilitiesof structural.Parametricand structural-parametric synthesis of energy-efficient hydro-aerodynamicsystems to create information technologies integrated in machine-building and engineering computer-aided designsystems.a structural parameter was reasonably chosen; structural-parametric models of an energy-efficient hydro-aerodynamicsystem and its components (network and generating parts)have been developed; a logical-numerical model for generating technical proposals for the structural-parametric synthesis of energy-saving hydro-aerodynamicsystems taking into account the advantages of using the topological properties of graph models in the space-time domain has been developed; the definition of additional target parameters of the structural-parametric model of the hydro-aerodynamicsystem is proposed. The developed models were used to create an information technology for the structural-parametric synthesis of energy-saving hydro-aerodynamicsystems integrated in computer-aided design.Approbation of theproposed information technology showed that the reduction of hydro-aerodynamicresistance in the network part of hydro-aerodynamicsystems made it possible to increase the energy efficiency of the synthesized hydro-aerodynamicsystemsfrom 25 to 45%. This was performed by reducing the energyexpended to provide the specified consumptionof the working fluid created by the main elements such as feed pumps blow fansandsmoke exhausters

Barriers to BIM for facilities management adoption in Nigeria: a multivariate analysis

PurposeBuilding information modelling (BIM) has been established in the literature as a successful platform that creates an intelligent virtual model for processing data from conceptual design through construction to operational stage of a facility. However, its adoption for facilities management (FM) provision in Nigeria has been slow due to inherent barriers. The aim of this paper is to (1) assess and categorise using factor analysis BIM for FM barriers and (2) model the barriers using stakeholders' personal/professional attributes.Design/methodology/approachAnchored on quantitative research design, 205 copies of structured questionnaire were distributed to key stakeholders and facilities managers in Nigeria's three strategic cities while 135 valid responses were received giving a response rate of 65.8%. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics while multiple regression analysis was used to model the barriers. Kruskal Wallis test was used to test the only hypothesis postulated for the study.FindingsThe study established lack of awareness of BIM for FM, poor supporting infrastructure for Internet services, and lack of education and training as the top three rated barriers militating against adoption of BIM for FM in Nigeria while corruption, widespread mistakes and errors and cultural issues were established as the three least rated barriers. Besides, findings also established eight underlying factors that explained 23 barrier factors used for the study which were subsequently used to develop eight regression models. In effect, gender, professional affiliation, organisation, experience, education, expertise, BIM for FM project type, and location were found to statistically predict the 8 extracted factors driving perceived barriers of BIM for FM adoption in Nigeria.Practical implicationsThe study has provided a framework of barrier factors to help stakeholders identify specific barriers for which appropriate measures can be taken to ameliorate consequences of the perceived barriers. Meanwhile, an improved and rejuvenated advocacy on inherent benefits of BIM for facilities management by frontline stakeholders could potentially steer up interests and increased participation of stakeholders on BIM for FM.Originality/valueThe unique study developed the first ever regression model that links BIM for FM barriers to professional attributes of facilities management stakeholders in Nigeria.

Help-seeking and challenges faced by transwomen following exposure to gender-based violence; a qualitative study in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, Uganda

BackgroundThe high prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) among transwomen is a human rights and public health challenge. Nonetheless, there is limited evidence of sources of GBV support services and the challenges faced by transwomen while help-seeking, especially in transphobic settings like Uganda. This study explored the sources of GBV support services and the challenges faced by transwomen in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area during help-seeking.MethodsA qualitative study design involving 60 transwomen and 10 key informants was conducted. Respondents were recruited using snowball sampling. An in-depth interview (IDI), and a focus group discussion guide were used to collect data from 20 IDI respondents and six focus group discussants. Each focus group discussion averaged six participants. A key informant interview guide was used for key informant interviews. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed following a thematic framework, informed by the socio-ecological model. Data were organised into themes and subthemes using NVivo 12.0.ResultsThe sources of support following exposure to GBV included key population-friendly healthcare facilities and civil society organisations (CSOs), and friends and family. Friends and family provided emotional support while key population-friendly healthcare facilities offered medical services including HIV post-exposure prophylaxis. Key population CSOs provided shelter, nutritional support, and legal advice to GBV victims. Lack of recognition of transgender identity; long distances to healthcare facilities; discrimination by healthcare providers and CSO staff, inappropriate questioning of the trans-gender identity by police officers and healthcare providers, and the lack of trans-competent healthcare providers and legal personnel hindered help-seeking following exposure to GBV.ConclusionThe immediate sources of GBV support services included key population-friendly healthcare facilities and CSOs, police, and friends and family. However, a significant number of transwomen did not report incidences of GBV. Transwomen were discriminated against at some key population healthcare facilities and CSOs, and police, which hindered help-seeking following exposure to GBV. This study highlights the need to tackle internalized stigma and discrimination against transwomen at the existing sources of GBV support. There is also a need to train law enforcers and legal personnel on the right to access healthcare among transwomen in Uganda.

Securing Critical National Infrastructure Against Hacktivist

The acts of hacktivists in today's modern world might have extremely negative repercussions for the order and peace of countries. Hacktivists, by the very nature of their methodology, invariably target important government installations. This research focuses mostly on investigating the myriad of approaches that may be taken to cyber-secure important national infrastructure against the maneuvers that can be carried out by hacktivists. Inferences are drawn in this study from hacktivism episodes that occurred in the past and were documented by a variety of sources, some of which may be verified. A four-point cyber security plan for important national infrastructure has been developed as a way to provide direction for the execution of cybersecurity measures by key state facilities. This scheme was inspired by the ideas presented previously. Keywords: Critical National Infrastructure, Security, Hacktivists, Cyberspace, Hacking, Cybercrime