Development of Seismic Velocity Analysis Software

Seismic velocity analysis software was developed. The main program was written in FORTRAN77 and mounted on a SUN workstation. Options for the users include three types of time correction (reflection, refraction, and continuous velocity increase with depth) and five methods to compute the coherency coefficient value (semblance, energy normalised crosscorrelation sum, statistical normalised crosscorrelation sum, unnormalised crosscorrelation, and the mean amplitude summation). Four S-Macros were written to display the results in the form of contour lines, window peak power, maximum coherency coefficient, and velocity spectrum. The software was tested using synthetic and field data. Two sets of field data were used, the first was recorded for this project using blasts at Newburgh quarry as the source and was called dataset A. The second was data from the South West England Seismic Experiment (SWESE) and was called dataset B. Results obtained, by the software, from dataset A match that of the regression analysis showing two segments of velocities, the first with 5.24 km/s at time intercept of 0.02 s and the second at greater offsets with a velocity of 4.55 km/s at a time intercept of -0.01 s. Some results, of dataset B, obtained by the software confirm a previous interpretation of the data while some other did not. It was concluded that the software could be a useful support tool in guiding or confirming other methods of interpretation, but that the conditions of use had to be carefully evaluated

Impact of dependence on some multivariate risk indicators

International audienceThe minimization of some multivariate risk indicators may be used as an allocation method, as proposed in Cénac et al. [6]. The aim of capital allocation is to choose a point in a simplex, according to a given criterion. In a previous paper [17] we proved that the proposed allocation technique satisfies a set of coherence axioms. In the present one, we study the properties and asymptotic behavior of the allocation for some distribution models. We analyze also the impact of the dependence structure on the allocation using some copulas

A risk management approach to capital allocation

The European insurance sector will soon be faced with the application of Solvency 2 regulation norms. It will create a real change in risk management practices. The ORSA approach of the second pillar makes the capital allocation an important exercise for all insurers and specially for groups. Considering multi-branches firms, capital allocation has to be based on a multivariate risk modeling. Several allocation methods are present in the literature and insurers practices. In this paper, we present a new risk allocation method, we study its coherence using an axiomatic approach, and we try to define what the best allocation choice for an insurance group is

Morphological Evolution of the Port‐City Interface of Algiers (16th Century to the Present)

This article traces the centuries-long morphological development of Algiers’ port-city interface across four historically relevant time periods that together span from the dawn of the 16th century up until today. Through a diachronic and geo-historical approach, we identify and analyse the origins of Algiers’ persistent port-city divide. In doing so, the notion of the interface is interpreted as a spatial threshold between city and port, which nevertheless supports the material flows of both entities. As a multi-purpose area, the interface holds the potential to weave the disparate entities of a port city back together. To further complement this conceptual angle, we provide investigations of porosity that determine the differing degrees of connectivity between the city and port of Algiers. This is combined with a spatial-functional analysis of Algiers’ current port-city interface, which is ultimately characterised as a non-homogeneous entity composed of four distinct sequences. These results contribute to a better orientation of imminent plans for waterfront revitalisations in Algiers. Whereas the interface was long considered as some kind of no man’s land in the past, port and municipal authorities nowadays aim to turn the interface into a tool of reconciliation, and can do so by acting upon its potential porosity. Finally, this article’s critical examination of the previously neglected case of Algiers can and should also be considered as an applicable model for the continuing study of southern Mediterranean and African port metropolises in general, which share a particular evolution in the relations between city and port

Numerical Modeling of Air-Based Bus Seat

Travel with long hours will create discomfort feeling for passenger especially express bus passenger. Long hour travel will create physiological stress on passenger. It may due to seat space limitation, noise, vibration, seat hardness as well as seat comfort. Seat comfort is a subjective feeling that related to psychological aspect of passenger. In this project, the bus passenger seat is integrated with air-based and gel-based material. In Malaysia, most of the express coaches are using polyurethane foam based cushion in the seat padding. This type of the seat padding may cause a bus passenger who sit for long journey will feel uncomfortable and fatigue. There are two main causes which lead to seating discomfort which is vibration and pressure distribution on the seat. The new design a bus passenger seat is using air-based cushion to improve the seating comfort. The air-based seat was validated by using MatLab SimuLINK software. In the model validation process, the parameters of air cell height gave effect on the pressure change rate of air cushion model. The comfortable level of the air cushion could be improved by reducing the pressure change rate and cell height

The State of the Art of Traditional Arab Herbal Medicine in the Eastern Region of the Mediterranean: A Review

Historical and current studies indicate that the Eastern region of the Mediterranean has been distinguished from other regions by a rich inventory of complementary alternative medicine (CAM), in particular herbal medicine. Data collected from several surveys and studies indicate that there is a flourishing and well-developed trade of herbs. These surveys also reveal that 200–250 herbs are used in treating human diseases and are sold or traded in market places in the Mediterranean region or internationally. In addition, some of these herbs are rare or even endangered species. In regard to the status of the know-how of herbalists, unfortunately, herbal medicine in our region is mostly prescribed by ethnopharmacologists symptomatically—based on signs and symptoms alone, rather than as a result of a full understanding of the underlying disease. In some cases, herbs used today may not even correspond to the plants described originally in the old literature, as the former are cultivated from herbs that went through different breeding procedures throughout several centuries. This article presents a systematic review of both the state of the art of traditional Arab herbal medicine and the status of the know-how of Arab herbalists