A Political Theory of Engineered Systems and A Study of Engineering and Justice Workshops

Since there are good reasons to think that some engineered systems are socially undesirable—for example, internal combustion engines that cause climate change, algorithms that are racist, and nuclear weapons that can destroy all life—there is a well-established literature that attempts to identify best practices for designing and regulating engineered systems in order to prevent harm and promote justice. Most of this literature, especially the design theory and engineering justice literature meant to help guide engineers, focuses on environmental, physical, social, and mental harms such as ecosystem and bodily poisoning, racial and gender discrimination, and urban alienation. However, the literature that focuses on how engineered systems can produce political harms—harms to how we shape the way we live in community together—is not well established. The first part of this thesis contributes to identifying how particular types of engineered systems can harm a democratic politics. Building on democratic theory, philosophy of collective harms, and design theory, it argues that engineered systems that extend in space and time beyond a certain threshold subvert the knowledge and empowerment necessary for a democratic politics. For example, the systems of global shipping and the internet that fundamentally shape our lives are so large that people cannot attain the knowledge necessary to regulate them well nor the empowerment necessary to shape them. The second part of this thesis is an empirical study of a workshop designed to encourage engineering undergraduates to understand how engineered systems can subvert a democratic politics, with the ultimate goal of supporting students in incorporating that understanding into their work. 32 Dartmouth undergraduate engineering students participated in the study. Half were assigned to participate in a workshop group, half to a control group. The workshop group participants took a pretest; then participated in a 3-hour, semi-structured workshop with 4 participants per session (as well as a discussion leader and note-taker) over lunch or dinner; and then took a posttest. The control group participants took the same pre- and post- tests, but had no suggested activity in the intervening 3 hours. We find that the students who participated in workshops had a statistically significant test-score improvement as compared to the control group (Brunner-Munzel test, p \u3c .001). Using thematic analysis methods, we show the data is consistent with the hypothesis that workshops produced a score improvement because of certain structure (small size, long duration, discussion-based, over homemade food) and content (theoretically rich, challenging). Thematic analysis also reveals workshop failures and areas for improvement (too much content for the duration, not well enough organized). The thesis concludes with a discussion of limitations and suggestions for future theoretical, empirical, and pedagogical research

Accessibility analysis for Urban Freight Transport with Electric Vehicles

Urban Freight Transport is a continuously growing market mainly based on the use of vehicles with combustion engines, whose environmental impact has become unsustainable. Because of the technological improvement of electric vehicles and their growing economic feasibility, the introduction of electric fleets for urban freight distribution is now a considerable opportunity. Cities are rapidly adapting, in need of tools to properly guide and manage these changes, as the rise of electric vehicles must be encouraged by an appropriate infrastructural system, from charging stations to dedicated areas. What is proposed in this work is an aggregate approach to the freight system, transport demand and supply, to support the design of a distribution system based on electric vehicles by means of an accessibility indicator that takes into account the supply of facilities, vehicle performances, and freight demand patterns. A study case regarding the Metropolitan City of Rome is also presented to interpret and understand the potentialities of this approach

A procedure for optimizing hazardous materials transportation including road infrastructures' characteristics and door-to-door attempted deliveries

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Nanoparticle Surface Functionalization: How to Improve Biocompatibility and Cellular Internalization

The use of nanoparticles (NP) in diagnosis and treatment of many human diseases, including cancer, is of increasing interest. However, cytotoxic effects of NPs on cells and the uptake efficiency significantly limit their use in clinical practice. The physico-chemical properties of NPs including surface composition, superficial charge, size and shape are considered the key factors that affect the biocompatibility and uptake efficiency of these nanoplatforms. Thanks to the possibility of modifying physico-chemical properties of NPs, it is possible to improve their biocompatibility and uptake efficiency through the functionalization of the NP surface. In this review, we summarize some of the most recent studies in which NP surface modification enhances biocompatibility and uptake. Furthermore, the most used techniques used to assess biocompatibility and uptake are also reported

Safety at LCs in Italy: evidence from the Safer-LC Project

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Innovazione tecnologica nella riscossione delle sanzioni da infrazioni stradali

Il presente contributo propone un sistema innovativo di avviso telematico che informa l’utente della strada della violazione commessa e che permette il pagamento diretto della contravvenzione. Tale sistema ha come primo obiettivo la facilitazione/snellimento delle procedure per il pagamento delle contravvenzioni, rivolgendosi prettamente agli utenti “non evasori” e garantendo così introiti sicuri per l’amministrazione pubblica da trasporto privato

Processus de croissance post-traumatique chez les anciens combattants canadiens des forces de la paix souffrant d’un état de stress post-traumatique devenus pairs aidants : une étude narrative

Abstract: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) refers to a positive transformation that occurs as a result of a cognitive struggle with highly challenging life circumstances (Calhoun & Tedeschi, 1998). This cognitive struggle takes place given that traumatic events challenge one’s core assumptions and is characterized by initial intrusive ruminations followed by deliberate ruminations that can lead to PTG (Calhoun, Cann, & Tedeschi, 2010; Joseph & Linley, 2008). Some studies refer to the importance of narrative identity processing in positive transformation (Pals, 2006c). This study consisted of three case studies of Canadian veteran peacekeepers, with post-traumatic stress disorder, engaged in a peer support role at the time of the study, and who self-identified as having experienced PTG. The primary objective of the study was to illustrate the two narrative processes (Pals, 2006c) said to be involved in PTG: 1) exploratory narrative processing (emotional engagement and exploration of the destabilizing impact of the event on the self); and 2) positive resolution (the construction of a positive ending for the story that provides coherence and resolution and involves the re-establishment of one’s capacity to feel positive emotions in the present, as developed from the post-event experience of negative emotions). A modified version of McAdams’s (2008) Life Story Interview was administered and transcribed as part of this study followed by the coding of causal connections (the narrator’s interpretation of a past experience as having an enduring causal impact that contains self-defining significance or meaning in his or her life); of their characteristics and the identification of patterns of self-making that emerge across multiple causal connections within the subject’s life story, as per Pals (2006c) narrative methodology. Study findings support the adoption of Pals and McAdams’s (2004) circumscribed definition of PTG as an identity-making narrative process. In comparison to other types of growth following adversity, this two-step narrative processing leads to ego development, wisdom and positive personality change (Pals, 2006b). The study findings emphasize, specifically, the role of biographical disruption in military trauma and how differences between veteran participants in terms of openness to their experience, both in terms of cognitive and affective engagement, result in different growth outcomes. Finally, findings from this qualitative study with Canadian veteran peacekeepers illustrate the role of culture, and military culture specifically, in the maintenance of military post-traumatic stress disorder, and the role of significant others as well as government agencies, in either hindering or facilitating narrative identity processing that leads to the development of authentic PTG. The study findings provide clinicians with initial guidance as to how to facilitate PTG in this population. Finally, the research findings illustrate the usefulness of applying narrative methods to the study of PTG given their ability to: 1) illustrate how the individual re-establishes coherence and meaning post-adversity; and 2) identify socio-cultural factors that can either hinder or facilitate PTG.Le concept de croissance post-traumatique (CPT) fait référence à une transformation positive qui émerge par suite d’une lutte cognitive contre des conditions de vie très éprouvantes (Calhoun & Tedeschi, 1998). Cette lutte cognitive se produit en raison de la remise en question des postulats fondamentaux d’une personne ayant vécu un événement traumatique; elle est caractérisée par des ruminations initiales envahissantes suivies de ruminations réflexives qui peuvent mener à une CPT (Calhoun, Cann, & Tedeschi, 2010; Joseph & Linley, 2008). Certaines études démontrent l’importance du développement de l’identité narrative dans la transformation positive (Pals, 2006c). L'identité narrative fait référence au récit développé par l’individu de qui il est, comment il est devenu cette personne et comment il perçoit son avenir (Pals, 2006a). La présente étude s’appuie sur trois analyses de cas d’anciens combattants canadiens des forces de la paix qui ont reçu un diagnostic d’état de stress post-traumatique, rapportent une CPT et sont devenus pairs aidants. L’objectif principal était d’illustrer les deux étapes du processus narratif qui favorise la CPT : le traitement narratif exploratoire et la résolution positive (Pals, 2006c). Pour réaliser ceci, une version abrégée de l’entrevue sur le récit de vie (McAdams, 2008) fut administrée. La codification des liens de causalité (interprétation du narrateur d’une expérience antérieure comme ayant un effet causal significatif qui l’autodéfinit), de leurs caractéristiques et des schémas de construction de soi qui émergent des multiples liens de causalité au sein du récit du sujet, a suivi. Les résultats de l’étude supportent l’adoption de la définition circonscrite de la CPT proposée par Pals et McAdams (2004) comme processus narratif identitaire. En comparaison à d'autres types de croissance subséquente à l'adversité, ce processus narratif en deux étapes mène au développement du moi, de la sagesse et à un changement positif de la personnalité (Pals, 2006b). Les résultats de l'étude soulignent plus particulièrement le rôle de la perturbation biographique dans les traumatismes militaires et comment les différences entre les participants en termes d'ouverture à leur expérience, tant au plan de l’engagement cognitif qu’au plan affectif, mènent à des résultats de croissance divers. Les résultats de cette étude qualitative auprès d’anciens combattants canadiens des forces la paix illustrent, d’une part, le rôle de la culture et plus particulièrement de la culture militaire dans le maintien de l’état de stress post-traumatique militaire et, d’autre part, le rôle des intervenants et des organismes gouvernementaux dans la facilitation versus l’entrave du développement de la CPT authentique. Les résultats de la recherche fournissent ainsi aux cliniciens une orientation initiale sur la manière de faciliter la CPT dans cette population. Enfin, les résultats illustrent l'utilité d'appliquer des méthodes narratives dans l'étude de la CPT, étant donné leur capacité à illustrer : 1) comment l'individu rétablit une cohérence dans son historie de vie et donne un sens à son expérience post-adversité; et 2) les facteurs socioculturels pouvant entraver ou faciliter la CPT

Identifying preferred solutions for multi-objective aerodynamic design optimization

 Aerodynamic designers rely on high-fidelity numerical models to approximate, within reasonable accuracy, the flow around complex aerodynamic shapes. The ability to improve the flow field behaviour through shape modifications has led to the use of optimization techniques. A significant challenge to the application of evolutionary algorithms for aerodynamic shape optimization is the often excessive number of expensive computational fluid dynamic evaluations required to identify optimal designs. The computational effort is intensified when considering multiple competing objectives, where a host of trade-off designs are possible. This research focuses on the development of control measures to improve efficiency and incorporate the domain knowledge and experience of the designer to facilitate the optimization process. A multi-objective particle swarm optimization framework is developed, which incorporates designer preferences to provide further guidance in the search. A reference point is projected on the objective landscape to guide the swarm towards solutions of interest. This point reflects the preferred compromise and is used to focus all computing effort on exploiting a preferred region of the Pareto front. Data mining tools are introduced to statistically extract information from the design space and confirm the relative influence of both variables and objectives to the preferred interests of the designer. The framework is assisted by the construction of time-adaptive Kriging models, for the management of high-fidelity problems restricted by a computational budget. A screening criterion to locally update the Kriging models in promising areas of the design space is developed, which ensures the swarm does not deviate from the preferred search trajectory. The successful integration of these design tools is facilitated through the specification of the reference point, which can ideally be based on an existing or target design. The over-arching goal of the developmental effort is to reduce the often prohibitive cost of multi-objective design to the level of practical affordability in aerospace problems. The superiority of the proposed framework over more conventional search methods is conclusively demonstrated via a series of experiments and aerodynamic design problems

An Innovative Simulation Agent-Based Model for the Combined Sea-Road Transport as a DSS

This research proposes an innovative approach to evaluate modal shift from the road-only to the combined sea-road transport in order to implement new policies and introduce a Decision Support System (DSS) for the transportation planner's decision. The impact of these is carried out by using an innovative simulation tool which has the capability to simulate the real choice process of all stakeholders involved, specifically modelling the freight forwarder's point of view. The model runs as a single-agent based simulation which uses a multimodal network with detailed zoning. The simulation tool, capable of simulating the assignment of the whole network simultaneously, consists of a path choice model and a mode choice model for each o/d pair considered, establishing o/d pairs suitable and not suitable for modal shift. Three policies have been designed and tested through the simulation tool with an application in the Italian context: (1) internalization of the external costs of heavy vehicles; (2) introduction of a bonus for shipping companies; (3) design of new Ro-Ro services. The most affecting policy concerns an increase of speed of some Ro-Ro services to 22 kn, proposing a good balance between the navigation costs and the potential demand attracted

Risk based, multi objective vehicle routing problem for hazardous materials: a test case in downstream fuel logistics

Abstract The paper analyses a practical case of study related to the distribution of fuels for the Total Erg Oil Company to the service stations located in the Province of Rome (Italy). The problem is formulated as a capacitated vehicle routing problem with time windows, where several heuristic procedures have been tested, considering both static and dynamic travel times. With respect to the standard operational costs used typically, a multivariable objective function has been proposed which takes into account also a new risk index. The risk index proposed is function of the population density of the zones covered by each path and of the estimated number of road accidents on each road link. In such a way, we take into account the population's exposure to the risk associated with an incidental event involving a fuel tank. The obtained output is the set of planned routes with minimum service cost and minimum risk. Results demonstrate how an accurate planning of the service saves up to 3 hours and 30 km on a daily basis compared to a benchmark. Moreover, the distribution company can parameterize the configuration of the service, by varying the weight adopted in order to include the risk index. Including the risk index may bring to a higher safety route planning, with an increase of the operating costs of only 2%