One laptop per child,local refurbishment or overseas donations? Sustainability assessment of computer supply scenarios for schools in Colombia

With the intention of bridging the ‘digital divide’ many programmes have been launched to provide computers for educational institutions, ranging from refurbishing second hand computers to delivering low cost new computers. The fast and economical provision of large quantities of equipment is one of the many challenges faced by such programmes. If an increase is to be achieved in the sustainability of computer supplies for schools, not only must equipment be provided, but also suitable training and maintenance delivered. Furthermore, appropriate recycling has to be ensured, so that end-of-life equipment can be dealt with properly. This study has evaluated the suitability of three computer supply scenarios to schools in Colombia: (i) ‘Colombian refurbishment’, -refurbishment of computers donated in Colombia, (ii) ‘Overseas refurbishment’, -import of computers which were donated and refurbished abroad, and (iii) ‘XO Laptop’, -purchase of low cost computers manufactured in Korea. The methods applied were: Material Flow Assessment, -to assess the quantities-, Life Cycle Assessment, -to assess the environmental impacts, and the application of the Multiple Attribute Utility Theory, -to analyse, evaluate and compare different scenarios. The most sustainable solution proved to be the local refurbishment of second hand computers of Colombian origin to an appropriate technical standard. The environmental impacts of such practices need to be evaluated carefully, as second hand appliances have to be maintained, require spare parts and sometimes use more energy than newer equipment. Providing schools with second hand computers from overseas and through programmes such as ‘One Laptop Per Child’ has the disadvantage that the potential for social improvements – such as creation of jobs and local industry involvement – is very low.     

Experimental study of recycling lightweight concrete with aggregates containing expanded glass

The focus is on the issue of waste management when constructing and recycling lightweight concrete (LWC) with aggregates containing expanded glass. The paper analyses the recycling of concrete from lightweight aggregates, and on the important issue of environmental and waste management. The characteristics of recycling LWC such as density, compressive strength and thermal conductivity are investigated, and compared with normal existing concrete from lightweight aggregates. The results indicate that it is possible to recycle lightweight concrete construction waste. The described method shows great possibilities for increasing the use of construction waste materials from LWC containing expanded glass, in order to benefit from better use of the available capacity from existing construction waste. The characteristics of density, compressive strength and thermal conductivity from the new recycled material were compared with normal existing concrete from lightweight aggregates, such as changes in dependency on the type and parts of waste as well as its new binding components. Thus, a new recycled material has been created with new characteristics of density, compressive strength and thermal conductivity, which is conform to the compressive strength class and rules on heat protection and energy efficiency use in buildings (SI OJ RS No. 42/2002). Laboratory density, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity tests results showed that LWC can be produced by the use of waste LWC with aggregates containing expanded glass. However, the use of waste LWC with aggregates containing expanded glass seems to be necessary for the production of cheaper and environmentally friendly LWC.     

拒绝服务攻击/分布式拒绝服务攻击防范技术的研究

研究常见的拒绝服务攻击和分布式拒绝服务攻击方法,深入分析各种相关防护技术,提出了从设备自身加固入手,以分布式检查,管理和技术双管齐下的思路。给出了应对这种目前开放网络中的顽疾的综合解决方案。笔者提及的相关解决方案涉及到安全评估加固技术、攻击检测技术、流量清洗技术、安全管理技术;也给出了各种不同职责岗位的工作职责,提出了防止拒绝服务攻击必须从做好安全加固,采用积极的方式应对这种攻击的思路。笔者提出的观点可用于指导企业进行综合的拒绝服务攻击防御,也可以作为安全技术及理论的研究者的参考,提到的各种防范技术均经过了实践的验证。     

可靠性理论在公共安全领域的应用研究

对公共安全体系从系统可靠性的视角,综合运用可靠性方面的知识,构建公共安全系统混联模型;进而将可靠性分配理论与故障树分析方法相结合,根据系统安全目标的要求,确定混联系统的第一层次各单元事件的可靠性目标值,对构成各单元的各个下属单元采取最小工作量可靠度分配方法,从而建立系统中各单元可靠度再分配量化模型。通过建筑物火灾引起人员伤亡事故实例,详述系统各单元可靠性分配的计算过程。研究表明,可靠性理论可以成功地应用到公共安全领域;使系统在给定的目标值条件下达到系统的安全性优化,实现了公共安全保障效能,减小灾害损失。     

AHP-SWOT法在道路交通安全改善策略中的应用

针对交通事故的特点,探讨AHP-SWOT方法在道路交通事故评价中的具体应用。SWOT(优势—劣势,机会—威胁)分析法是一种综合考虑系统外部环境和内部条件的各种因素,对其进行系统评价并从中选择最佳策略的方法,但是它缺少定量分析的过程。AHP(层次分析法)具有定性分析和定量分析相结合的优势,采用SWOT和AHP相结合的方法进行评价更加合理和准确。将AHP-SWOT方法应用于道路交通安全评价系统,分析道路交通安全系统所面临的机会和威胁、所处的优势和劣势,可为正确评价道路安全水平、制定合理的道路交通安全改善策略提供理论指导。实例证明该方法可行有效。     

区域性煤矿百万吨死亡率指标的宏观预测研究

为了对煤矿安全状况进行宏观预测,提出区域性煤矿安全状况评价指标体系并建立了以煤矿百万吨死亡率指标标征区域性煤矿安全状况的灰色预测模型。在对煤矿综合机械化采煤率、大型煤矿产量比例、原煤全员效率指标预测分析的基础上,利用多元回归法综合预测煤矿百万吨死亡率指标。实例计算证明:建立的预测模型具有输入数据少、建模简单、计算快捷等优点;客观地反映出区域性的煤矿安全状况;该模型可进行煤矿安全的短期预测,并为制定煤矿安全控制指标提供理论依据。     

汽车气制动ABS调节阀测试系统气动测试回路设计研究

针对气制动防抱死制动系统(ABS)调节阀测试系统气动回路设计进行研究;根据我国的汽车生产和检测现状,在确定气动测试回路总体方案的基础上,进行主控部分、负载回路、控制回路的设计和计算,所设计的气路检测系统可用于测试8种典型的气制动元件的密封性及动静态特性,通过不同的组合能够满足每一种阀的测试需求。该气动测试回路有效解决了简单阀类测量方法的不足,满足不了生产率及测量精度要求的问题。     

道路交叉口冲突仿真分析

针对基于事故的安全评价在数量、周期、均值、随机性等方面以及基于现场冲突观测识别在主观性、可靠性、成本、指标全面性等方面存在的问题,提出基于冲突仿真的交叉口安全预评价分析方法:研究利用安全间接分析(SSAM)模型分析冲突的基本原理和冲突时间(TTC)、遭遇时间(PET)等分析指标的计算方法;以及利用VISSIM仿真软件进行冲突仿真分析应注意的策略。以邢台市某道路交叉口安全改善方案为例,进行改善前后冲突仿真的比较分析。研究结果表明,改善后在通行效率显著提升的同时,交叉、追尾、车道变换冲突的数量均显著减少,TTC值有所增加,说明改善后安全程度有所提升。笔者提出的方法和案例应用为道路交叉口改善措施的安全预评价提供了一种分析途径和有益借鉴。     

Mechanical Property Characterization of Plasticized Sugar Beet Pulp and Poly(Lactic Acid) Green Composites Using Acoustic Emission and Confocal Microscopy

Sorbitol and glycerol were used to plasticize sugar beet pulp-poly(lactic acid) green composites. The plasticizer was incorporated into sugar beet pulp (SBP) at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% w/w at low temperature and shear and then compounded with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) using twin-screw extrusion and injection molding. The SBP:PLA ratio was maintained at 30:70. As expected, tensile strength decreased by 25% and the elongation increased. Acoustic emission (AE) showed correlated debonding and fracture mechanisms for up to 20% w/w plasticizer and uncorrelated debonding and fracture for 30–40% sorbitol and 30% glycerol content in SBP–PLA composites. All samples had a well dispersed SBP phase with some aggregation in the PLA matrix. However, at 40% glycerol plasticized SBP–PLA composites exhibited unique AE behavior and confocal microscopy revealed the plasticized SBP and PLA formed a co-continuous two phase system.

Enhancing community-based disaster preparedness with information technology

A critical component of community-based disaster preparedness (CBDP) is a local resource database of suppliers providing physical, information and human resources for use in disaster response. Maintenance of such a database can become a collaborative responsibility among community-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and public and private community organisations. In addition to mobilising resources, this process raises awareness within the community and aids in assessing local knowledge and resources. This paper presents the results of a pilot study on implementing a community-based resource database through collaboration with local American Red Cross chapters and public and private community organisations. The design of the resource database is described. The resource database is accessible via the internet and offline using laptops and handheld Personal Digital Assistants. The study concludes that CBDP is strengthened through a combination of appropriate information technology and collaborative relationships between NGOs and community-based organisations.