Regulatory, design, operational and emergency response measures for improving the damage survivability of existing RoPax

This paper describes the background and provides the rationale and the framework to embrace the whole spectrum of measures (regulatory, design, operational and emergency response) for improving the damage survivability of existing RoRo Passenger vessels. The damage stability workshop elaborated here is the first step of a process initiated by INTERFERRY Europe to assess impact on/options for existing ships of increasing the required subdivision index R should IMO decide to apply new damage stability requirements retrospectively. This, in turn, would provide the motivation for instigating and establishing a framework and propose an approach for alternative compliance to account for the contribution made to damage survivability by operational and active damage control measures that could be undertaken in case of a flooding accident. This represents a step change both in the mind-set of naval architects and in safety legislation but the impact will be immense and mostly positive

Traffic characterization in a communications channel for monitoring and control in real-time systems

The response time for remote monitoring and control in real-time systems is a sensitive issue in device interconnection elements. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the traffic of the communication system in pre-established time windows. In this paper, a methodology based on computational intelligence is proposed for identifying the availability of a data channel and the variables or characteristics that affect the performance and data transfer, which is made up of four stages: a) integration of a communication system with an acquisition module and a final control structure; b) communication channel characterization by means of traffic variables; and c) relevance analysis from the characterization space using SFFS (sequential forward oating selection); d) Channel congestion classification as Low or High using a classifier based on Naive Bayes algorithm. The experimental setup emulates a real process using an on/off remote control of a DC motor on an Ethernet network. The communication time between the client and server was integrated with the operation and control times, to study the whole response time. This proposed approach allows support decisions about channel availability, to establish predictions about the length of the time window when the availability conditions are unknown

Criterios de implementación ISO 14000:2015 Caso Estudio Sector Acerías Paz Del Rio.

Partiendo de los conocimientos adquiridos del Diplomado de Profundización Gerencia HSEQ y de la carrera de Ingeniería Ambiental, se realiza un análisis de los procesos productivos de la empresa Siderúrgica Acerías Paz de Rio S.A, que se encuentra ubicada entre los municipios de Corrales y Nobsa en departamento de Boyacá; empresa fundada en el año 1948. Fue hasta el año 1952 que inicio su proceso productivo y se consagro como la única planta siderúrgica constituida del país (S.A.S, 2016). La empresa Acerías Paz Del Rio; al dar inicio de sus actividades se convierte en una importante base para el desarrollo industrial de la región y al determinar la necesidad de incluir mayor mano de obra en actividades de diseño y operación, implementación de nuevas tecnologías y procesos para la extracción y transformación de materia prima en acero; la empresa se ve enfrentada a la necesidad de iniciar un proceso de control y mitigación de los posibles impactos ambientales que puede generar sobre los municipios que rodean la empresa y la zona en donde se encuentra ubicada.Based on the knowledge acquired from the HSEQ Management Deepening Diploma and the Environmental Engineering degree, an analysis of the production processes of the Siderúrgica Acerías Paz de Rio SA company is carried out, which is located between the municipalities of Corrales and Nobsa in the department from Boyacá; company founded in 1948. It was until 1952 that it began its production process and was established as the only constituted steel plant in the country (S.A.S, 2016). The Acerías Paz Del Rio company; at the beginning of its activities, it becomes an important base for the industrial development of the region and when determining the need to include more labor in design and operation activities, implementation of new technologies and processes for the extraction and transformation of matter steel premium; The company is faced with the need to initiate a process of control and mitigation of the possible environmental impacts that it may generate on the municipalities surrounding the company and the area where it is located

Sistemas agroalimentares: uma perspectiva regional sobre as capacidades de inovação

Present days, food systems are part of a global network of production, processing, distribution and consumption. Several changes in food consumption patterns boost continuous improvement and development of the food system process and new food system models according to the stage of evolution and size of economies, diversification of rural areas, the efficiency of producer organizations, export orientation and market power of different contexts. The projected human population of nine billion by 2050 has led an ever-growing discussion of the need for increased productivity in agri-food systems. The aim of this paper is analyze the main factors affecting collaboration practices between actors at the institutional level of Agri-food System in Santander Colombia. The research methodology includes techniques of content analysis and structured written questionnaires. The analysis unit consisted of a sample of eighteen actors representing universities, companies, public entities focused on issues of science and technology of the agro and associations of producers, was conducted. The main findings show the most frequent collaboration practice and the main innovation capabilities at the system level. The main recommendations focus on promoting the management of vertical, horizontal and lateral integration and Virtual collaboration.En la actualidad, los sistemas alimentarios forman parte de una red mundial de producción, elaboración, distribución y consumo. Varios cambios en los patrones de consumo de alimentos impulsan la mejora continua y el desarrollo del proceso del sistema alimentario y los nuevos modelos del sistema alimentario según la etapa de evolución y el tamaño de las economías, la diversificación de las zonas rurales, la eficiencia de las organizaciones de productores, la orientación a la exportación y el poder de mercado de los diferentes contextos. La población humana prevista de 9000 millones de personas para 2050 ha dado lugar a un debate cada vez más amplio sobre la necesidad de aumentar la productividad de los sistemas agroalimentarios. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar los principales factores que afectan a las prácticas de colaboración entre actores a nivel institucional del Sistema Agroalimentario de Santander Colombia. La metodología de investigación incluye técnicas de análisis de contenido y cuestionarios escritos estructurados. La unidad de análisis consistió en una muestra de dieciocho actores que representaban a universidades, empresas, entidades públicas enfocadas en temas de ciencia y tecnología del agro y asociaciones de productores. Los hallazgos más destacados muestran las prácticas de colaboración más frecuentes y las principales capacidades de innovación a nivel de sistema. Las principales recomendaciones se centran en promover la gestión de la integración vertical, horizontal y lateral y la colaboración virtual.Hoje, os sistemas alimentares fazem parte de uma rede mundial de produção, processamento, distribuição e consumo. Várias mudanças nos padrões de consumo de alimentos impulsionam a melhoria contínua e o desenvolvimento do processo do sistema alimentar e dos novos modelos de sistema alimentar, de acordo com o estágio da evolução e o tamanho das economias, a diversificação das áreas rurais, a eficiência das organizações de produtores, orientação para a exportação e o poder de mercado de diferentes contextos. A população humana esperada de 9.000 milhões de pessoas até 2050, deu origem a um debate cada vez mais amplo sobre a necessidade de aumentar a produtividade dos sistemas agroalimentares. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar os principais fatores que afetam as práticas de colaboração entre os atores no nível institucional do Sistema Agroalimentar do Santander na Colômbia. A metodologia de pesquisa inclui técnicas de análise de conteúdo e questionários escritos estruturados. A unidade de análise consistiu em uma amostra de dezoito atores representando universidades, empresas, entidades públicas focadas em questões de ciência e tecnologia agrícola e associações de produtores. As descobertas mais importantes mostram as práticas de colaboração mais frequentes e os principais recursos de inovação no nível do sistema. As principais recomendações concentram-se em promover o gerenciamento da integração vertical, horizontal e lateral e da colaboração virtual

The global abundance of tree palms

Aim Palms are an iconic, diverse and often abundant component of tropical ecosystems that provide many ecosystem services. Being monocots, tree palms are evolutionarily, morphologically and physiologically distinct from other trees, and these differences have important consequences for ecosystem services (e.g., carbon sequestration and storage) and in terms of responses to climate change. We quantified global patterns of tree palm relative abundance to help improve understanding of tropical forests and reduce uncertainty about these ecosystems under climate change. Location Tropical and subtropical moist forests. Time period Current. Major taxa studied Palms (Arecaceae). Methods We assembled a pantropical dataset of 2,548 forest plots (covering 1,191 ha) and quantified tree palm (i.e., ≥10 cm diameter at breast height) abundance relative to co‐occurring non‐palm trees. We compared the relative abundance of tree palms across biogeographical realms and tested for associations with palaeoclimate stability, current climate, edaphic conditions and metrics of forest structure. Results On average, the relative abundance of tree palms was more than five times larger between Neotropical locations and other biogeographical realms. Tree palms were absent in most locations outside the Neotropics but present in >80% of Neotropical locations. The relative abundance of tree palms was more strongly associated with local conditions (e.g., higher mean annual precipitation, lower soil fertility, shallower water table and lower plot mean wood density) than metrics of long‐term climate stability. Life‐form diversity also influenced the patterns; palm assemblages outside the Neotropics comprise many non‐tree (e.g., climbing) palms. Finally, we show that tree palms can influence estimates of above‐ground biomass, but the magnitude and direction of the effect require additional work. Conclusions Tree palms are not only quintessentially tropical, but they are also overwhelmingly Neotropical. Future work to understand the contributions of tree palms to biomass estimates and carbon cycling will be particularly crucial in Neotropical forests

The global abundance of tree palms

Aim: Palms are an iconic, diverse and often abundant component of tropical ecosys-tems that provide many ecosystem services. Being monocots, tree palms are evo-lutionarily, morphologically and physiologically distinct from other trees, and these differences have important consequences for ecosystem services (e.g., carbon se-questration and storage) and in terms of responses to climate change. We quanti-fied global patterns of tree palm relative abundance to help improve understanding of tropical forests and reduce uncertainty about these ecosystems under climate change.Location: Tropical and subtropical moist forests.Time period: Current.Major taxa studied: Palms (Arecaceae).Methods: We assembled a pantropical dataset of 2,548 forest plots (covering 1,191 ha) and quantified tree palm (i.e., ≥10 cm diameter at breast height) abundance relative to co-occurring non-palm trees. We compared the relative abundance of tree palms across biogeographical realms and tested for associations with palaeoclimate stability, current climate, edaphic conditions and metrics of forest structure.Results: On average, the relative abundance of tree palms was more than five times larger between Neotropical locations and other biogeographical realms. Tree palms were absent in most locations outside the Neotropics but present in >80% of Neotropical locations. The relative abundance of tree palms was more strongly asso-ciated with local conditions (e.g., higher mean annual precipitation, lower soil fertility, shallower water table and lower plot mean wood density) than metrics of long-term climate stability. Life-form diversity also influenced the patterns; palm assemblages outside the Neotropics comprise many non-tree (e.g., climbing) palms. Finally, we show that tree palms can influence estimates of above-ground biomass, but the mag-nitude and direction of the effect require additional work.Conclusions: Tree palms are not only quintessentially tropical, but they are also over-whelmingly Neotropical. Future work to understand the contributions of tree palms to biomass estimates and carbon cycling will be particularly crucial in Neotropical forests

Rigorous monitoring is necessary to guide food system transformation in the countdown to the 2030 global goals

Food systems that support healthy diets in sustainable, resilient, just, and equitable ways can engender progress in eradicating poverty and malnutrition; protecting human rights; and restoring natural resources. Food system activities have contributed to great gains for humanity but have also led to significant challenges, including hunger, poor diet quality, inequity, and threats to nature. While it is recognized that food systems are central to multiple global commitments and goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals, current trajectories are not aligned to meet these objectives. As mounting crises further stress food systems, the consequences of inaction are clear. The goal of food system transformation is to generate a future where all people have access to healthy diets, which are produced in sustainable and resilient ways that restore nature and deliver just, equitable livelihoods. A rigorous, science-based monitoring framework can support evidence-based policymaking and the work of those who hold key actors accountable in this transformation process. Monitoring can illustrate current performance, facilitate comparisons across geographies and over time, and track progress. We propose a framework centered around five thematic areas related to (1) diets, nutrition, and health; (2) environment and climate; and (3) livelihoods, poverty, and equity; (4) governance; and (5) resilience and sustainability. We hope to call attention to the need to monitor food systems globally to inform decisions and support accountability for better governance of food systems as part of the transformation process. Transformation is possible in the next decade, but rigorous evidence is needed in the countdown to the 2030 SDG global goals

The state of food systems worldwide in the countdown to 2030

This Analysis presents a recently developed food system indicator framework and holistic monitoring architecture to track food system transformation towards global development, health and sustainability goals. Five themes are considered: (1) diets, nutrition and health; (2) environment, natural resources and production; (3) livelihoods, poverty and equity; (4) governance; and (5) resilience. Each theme is divided into three to five indicator domains, and indicators were selected to reflect each domain through a consultative process. In total, 50 indicators were selected, with at least one indicator available for every domain. Harmonized data of these 50 indicators provide a baseline assessment of the world’s food systems. We show that every country can claim positive outcomes in some parts of food systems, but none are among the highest ranked across all domains. Furthermore, some indicators are independent of national income, and each highlights a specific aspiration for healthy, sustainable and just food systems. The Food Systems Countdown Initiative will track food systems annually to U. Rashid Sumaila, Maximo Torero Cullen, Francesco N. Tubiello, Jose-Luis Vivero-Pol, Patrick Webb & Keith Wieb

Empty in the processes of procurement in Colombia

El presente documento comprende un abordaje reflexivo sobre la manera en que se desarrollan los procesos de Contratación Pública en Colombia; realizando en primer lugar, una contextualización sobre la Ley 80 de 1993 la cual rige estas acciones definiendo sus normas, principios y modalidades. Seguidamente, se exponen los vacíos o debilidades que se presentan con mayor incidencia en la actualidad, no solo desde la responsabilidad en las gestiones lideradas por las entidades estatales, sino también desde las acciones emprendidas por los contratistas u oferentes; haciendo especial énfasis en lo que se ha denominado comúnmente como corrupción, estableciendo sus principales consecuencias para el desarrollo de la nación y para el progreso de sus habitantes. A manera de conclusiones se presenta un breve apartado sobre las posibles sugerencias que podrían contribuir a minimizar este flagelo que tanto daño le hace al país.This document consists of a reflective approach on the way in which it conducts public procurement processes in Colombia; by performing in the first place, a contextualization on Act 80 of 1993 which governs these actions by defining its norms, principles and modalities. Then, sets out the gaps or weaknesses that are presented with a higher incidence in the present, not only from the responsibility in the efforts led by state-owned entities, but also from the actions undertaken by contractors or suppliers; with special emphasis on what has been commonly called as corruption, establishing their major consequences for the development of the nation and for the progress of its inhabitants. By way of conclusions is presented a brief paragraph on the possible suggestions that could help to minimize this scourge that much damage being done to the country

A probabilistic risk model of green seas loads on bulk carrier

Available from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:DXN056209 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo