Synthesis of Inhomogeneous Waves Using the Least-Squares Method

The aim of the work presented in this document is to demonstrate the versatility and applicability of least-squares reconstruction of acoustic waves. Appropriately tailored, certain kinds of acoustic waves are able to thermomechanically excite energetic materials in a safe, reliable manner. This allows for easier and more effective detection than current methods are able to offer. Typically, due to the large impedance difference between any given fluid and solid, it is exceedingly difficult to transmit energy between the two dissimilar media. However, it has been shown that certain spatially decaying plane waves, called inhomogeneous waves, are able to breach the fluid–solid barrier and transfer most of their energy into the second medium. However, as inhomogeneous acoustic waves cannot be easily generated from a single source, they must be reconstructed as a superposition of several waves from independent sources. This approach was studied through the lens of the least-squares method, which tunes a discrete number of sources to produce a desired waveform on a target surface. The simulations presented in this document analyze the range of parameters for which the least-squares method of sound field reconstruction provides an acceptable and physically feasible output. The conditions of these simulations were tested with real sources to determine the extent to which irregularities in the sources affected the reconstruction accuracy. By constructing an array of sources and an array of receivers, the effects of varying the standoff distance, source spacing, and level of inhomogeneity were analyzed. While empirical adjustments to the established model were not able to reduce the reconstruction error to the theoretical levels, they did allow for accurate reconstruction over a wide range of excitation parameters. This document provides the framework for further tests of least-squares reconstruction over a wide span of parameters. Utilizing the methods discussed here, progress can be made towards the eventual goal of inducing a temperature increase in a mock energetic material utilizing inhomogeneous acoustic waves

THE PROGRESS OF SURVEY TECHNIQUES IN UNDERWATER SITES: THE CASE STUDY OF CAPE STOBA SHIPWRECK

Abstract. The experience on a 10-11th century AD cargo of amphoras of the shipwreck of Cape Stoba, in the island of Mljet, in Croatia could be considered an important example to describe the progress of documentation and survey on a shipwreck. In the first part of the paper, we describe some of the used feasible methods of documentation and their advantages and disadvantages. In the second part, we introduce the three-dimensional reconstruction of the items recovered during the archaeological excavation and how these elements could be integrated to the different types of documentation: bi-dimensional plans, three-dimensional coordinates and multi-image photogrammetry.3D reconstruction allows to decrease and optimize time and work during the excavation and to obtain a complete range of data for post-excavation study, permitting to better document, represent and investigate the position of the cargo. Furthermore, 3D modelling offers an attractive display for the public, who can better appreciate cultural heritage and archaeological evidence.</p

A Critical Review of the US State Department's 2015 Progress Report on Haiti

This review, published jointly by the Center for Economic and Policy Research and the Haiti Advocacy Working Group, looks at the US State Department's annual reports on US assistance to Haiti mandated under the 2014 Assessing Progress in Haiti Act. The review analyzes the various components of the reports and identifies significant omissions and deficiencies, including incomplete data, a failure to link projects and outcomes, and a failure to adequately identify mistakes and lessons learned.In addition, the review shares feedback from Haitian civil society groups and makes recommendations on how the US Agency for International Development and the State Department can improve future progress reports

Advancing Implementation of Nuclear Decommissioning and Environmental Remediation Programmes

Significant progress has been achieved in recent years in terms of addressing the legacies from the early development of nuclear energy, including the decommissioning of redundant research and fuel cycle facilities, research reactors and power plants, and the remediation of sites affected by past uranium mining and processing operations. Some countries are moving forward with dealing with these legacies, and accordingly have built up appropriate technical resources and expertise, but many national programmes still face very significant challenges. However some factors constraining progress in addressing legacies from the past remain.There is for that reason a need to better understand the global situation and to analyse the barriers impeding the implementation of decommissioning and environmental remediation programmes, with the aim of outlining actions that may improve current situations where progress is impaired. The IAEA 'CIDER' project was launched in March 2013 in support of these objectives and with the support of other international organisations, particularly the European Commission and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The present document aims to support the development of adequate policies in IAEA Member States for decommissioning and environmental remediation, addressing in essence the following three fundamental questions: - What are the motivations for implementing decommissioning and environmental remediation? - What are the main constraints hindering progress of decommissioning and environmental remediation programmes? - What are the solutions for overcoming these constraints, taking account of experience from programmes under implementation? This document, prepared in close collaboration with the IAEA, makes concise yet comprehensive proposals in answer to those questions, drawn from the results of a global survey performed in advance of the CIDER project and on the more extensive analysis provided in the CIDER project report, which was elaborated by expert groups from IAEA Member States.JRC.A.4-Nuclear Safety and Securit

Review of impact of post-tsunami reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure facilities

On 26 December 2004, an earthquake in the West Coast of Northern Sumatra set off a series of other earthquakes lasting for several hours which resulted in a Tsunami in the Indian Ocean. This led to widespread disaster, particularly in Sri Lanka, India, the Maldives, Indonesia and Thailand, with damage also in Malaysia, Bangladesh, Somalia, the Seychelles and Kenya. Sri Lanka, the ‘pearl of the Indian Ocean’, blessed with abundant natural resources, faced one of the worst natural disasters recorded in recent history. The Tsunami struck a relatively thin but long coastal area stretching over 1,000 kilometers - two thirds of the country's coastline. The destructive ocean waves killed more than 35,000 people, displaced nearly 2,500,000 people and destroyed thousands of houses. The overall damage to Sri Lanka is estimated at $1 billion, with a large proportion of losses concentrated in housing, tourism, fisheries and transportation. Development Partners range from private individuals both inside and outside Sri Lanka, to governments and NGOs. Coastal infrastructure, namely roads, railways, power, telecommunications, water supply and fishing ports were also significantly affected. Reactions ranged from immediate assistance to communities and local governments in restarting to function as speedily as possible, to short and long-term assistance in supporting communities to rebuild their infrastructure and housing so that they might again have normal lives and eventually recover from the trauma of the tsunami. As the infrastructure consists primarily of transportation, electric and telecommunications, and water and sewerage facilities that provide services to the public through a network of roads, rails, ports, airports, pipes and lines, the effectiveness of infrastructure systems impact on all economic activities. In this context, this paper aims to analyse the impact of the Tsunami on infrastructure facilities in Sri Lanka and how the postTsunami reconstruction process has affected the development of the same. A comprehensive literature review was carried out regarding the Tsunami and its impact on the nation. The infrastructure-related reconstruction and rehabilitation data were obtained from the RADA (Reconstruction And Development Agency, formerly TAFREN) through unstructured interviews conducted among personnel involved in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure facilities. Results confirm that after almost one and a half years, the Tsunami rehabilitation process is slow as compared to its start

Gender, Land and Water in the Poverty Reduction Strategy and Country Assistance Strategy for Sri Lanka\ud

Ten years after the adoption of the Beijing Declaration, gender mainstreaming is still high on the donor agenda. Nonetheless, a number of evaluation reports clearly indicate that operationalisation of gender mainstreaming strategies remains a challenging task. The integration of gender concerns at the country level requires adequate financial and human resources, and strong institutions, which have been lacking in the recent past. Has the World Bank, as one of the largest financial institutions, learned from previous critique? This paper looks at Sri Lanka's poverty reduction strategy and the World Bank's country assistance strategy for Sri Lanka, with a focus on the agricultural sector.\ud \ud Dix ans après l'adoption de la déclaration de Beijing, l'approche genre est toujours une priorité sur l'agenda des donateurs. Néanmoins, de nombreuses évaluations indiquent clairement que la mise en oeuvre de stratégies incorporant l'approche genre reste difficile. L'intégration des questions de genre au niveau national nécessite des ressources humaines et financières adéquates et des institutions fortes, facteurs qui ont fait défaut ces dernières années. Etant l'une des principales institutions financières, la Banque mondiale a t-elle appris des critiques qui lui ont été faites ? Cet article s'intéresse à la stratégie de réduction de la pauvreté au Sri Lanka et à la politique d'aide de la Banque mondiale à ce pays, l'accent étant mis sur le secteur agricole.\u