Narrow Results

The tracking technique that is examined in this study considers the nanosensor’s velocity and distance as independent random variables with known probability density functions (PDFs). The nanosensor moves continuously in both directions from the starting point of the real line (the line’s origin). It oscillates while traveling through the origin (both left and right). We provide an analytical expression for the density of this distance using the Fourier-Laplace representation and a sequence of random points. We can take the tracking distance into account as a function of a discounted effort-reward parameter in order to account for this uncertainty. We provide an analytical demonstration of the effects this parameter has on reducing the expected value of the first collision time between a nanosensor and the particle and confirming the existence of this technique.

In this paper, we propose a risk-based framework for military capability planning. Within this framework, metaheuristic techniques such as Evolutionary Algorithms are used to deal with multi-objectivity of a class of NP-hard resource investment problems, called The Mission Capability Planning Problem, under the presence of risk factors. This problem inherently has at least two conflicting objectives: minimizing the cost of investment in the resources as well as the makespan of the plans. The framework allows the addition of a risk-based objective to the problem in order to support risk assessment during the planning process. In other words, with this framework, a mechanism of progressive risk assessment is introduced to capability planning.

We analyze the performance of the proposed framework under both scenarios: with and without risk. In the case of no risk, the purpose is to study several optimization-related aspects of the framework such as convergence, trade-off analysis, and its sensitivity to the algorithm parameters; while the second case is to demonstrate the ability of the framework in supporting risk assessment and also robustness analysis.

It is important to consider the local people’s evaluation in increasing the effectiveness of the sustainable planning process in urban system planning. In this work, the sustainability of urban system planning in Shu city of Kazakhstan is evaluated according to the defined dimensions, which play a key role in determining the population’s living standard, and the indicators of each dimension are compared. The data are obtained mainly through the household questionnaire survey, field observations, in depth interviews, and focus group discussion. In total, 832 representative respondents were surveyed with five-point Likert scale questions in this paper. The study used 42 indicators based on six dimensions: environmental, social, cultural, economic, religious/spiritual, and institutional dimensions. The results of this analysis show that the sustainability level of urban system planning in Shu city is at a low level in all six dimensions. The results of the indicator analysis show that the people of this region are generally not satisfied with the solution of some environmental, social, and economic problems in Shu city. At the same time, residents rated the indicators of institutional stability as better, on the contrary, they rated cultural and religious/spiritual indicators relatively high. As a result, we initially asserted that the sustainability of the urban system planning in Shu city is not satisfactory considering the existing possibilities. To eliminate this shortcoming, the authorities responsible for planning the urban system should jointly develop a project policy for sustainable development with all interested parties.

Water planners are increasingly in need of raising more complete information on the hydrological and economic consequences of water management in order to take adequate decisions to secure water supply in the future. This paper combines a scenario-based modeling of future impacts on water availability at basin level with economic valuation to answer the following questions: Which is the most cost-effective adaptation strategy? Is adaptation bringing net benefits to society as opposed to no adaptation? How to select an efficient adaptation level, if any, when facing uncertainty on which future scenario will apply? The model integrates cost-effectiveness analysis of adaptation measures, monetary valuation of avoided scarcity impacts and hydrologic modeling. By testing a set of cost-effective strategies at basin level in several potential short-term drought scenarios, we identify the most efficient strategy that should be implemented by water planners. The model is applied to the Llobregat river, in north-east Spain.

The U.S.-Mexico border region has two important but often overlooked characteristics. First, it is the physical place of most of the integration between the United States and Mexico, including market driven integration such as trade flows, migration, and investment as well as policy driven integration such as security cooperation, infrastructure development, and emergency response. Second, the border region has a growing transnational population that lives, works, goes to school, and participates in family and social networks on both sides of the border. Recent U.S. policy has hardened the border in response to concerns about terrorism, drug and human trafficking, undocumented migration, and arms smuggling. The consequences of these policies include disruption of the on-going economic integration, large external costs imposed on the growing transnational population, and barriers to progress on a number of issues of national importance, including dispute resolution, migration, and environmental management, among others. The paper identifies and discusses the advantages of the three different definitions of the border in current usage: counties and municipios that touch the border; the 100 kilometer boundary first set by the La Paz Agreement and later amended to 300 kilometers in Mexico and 100 in the U.S.; and the ten states that are along the border. The hardening of the border is partly the result of a lack of border institutions and the inability of border residents to speak in a common voice when they talk to their capitals. This is changing, however, as new institutions such as the Border Governors Conference take on a more active role in promoting the interests of border states and border regions. An examination of a recent Delphi survey of border decision-makers shows a high degree of cross border agreement on the goals and needs of the region in key areas such as competitiveness, security, and sustainability.

There have been a large number of attempts to develop a theory or theories of Environmental Impact Assessment in order to justify its use in environmental decision-making. A review of academic articles demonstrates that these theories are largely drawn from planning theories. Planning theories are themselves a development of sociological theories of decision-making and from one particular strand of sociological theory. In this review of the theories of EIA it is argued that an understanding of wider sociological theory is necessary to fully understand both planning and EIA.

The chapter shows that the basic component of logistics management is the formation of specific objectives based on detailed planning and forecasting of organizational and functional complex activities that provide logistics processes that form a supply chain. The sections of the detailed plan must not contradict the dominant goals but identify the possible risks for new planned activities arising within the logistics distribution system. The systemic and consistent implementation of goals-dominants, covering the entire distribution system and forming a multi-level structure of supply chain management, is realized through the achievement of objectives planned at lower levels of planning. In summarizing the study, the authors formed the view that the systemic development of plans for logistics activities, covering procurement, production processes, and the area of distribution at the level of operational planning, contains certain guarantees of success in a changing external and internal environment. Logistics planning is differentiated by volume, territorial, and temporal scope. The emergence of crises leads to the need for program and strategic planning, as well as monitoring the implementation of plans.

The hospitality industry has subsequently been struck by a range of disasters. Either; globally or regionally, natural or man-made disasters. Reflecting the hospitality and tourism industry’s vulnerability to hazardous events in the internal and external environment, they have caused dramatic fluctuations in Tourist arrivals and revenue. The chapter investigates the impact of these disasters and crises on hospitality and tourism industry. Aims to review some attempts to investigate the impact of disasters, how emergency planning could mitigate these impacts, and how to recover from it. Furthermore, it reviews the theories and models which could be used as an effective strategies to cope with uncertainty, how to plan, manage, and recover from such events. Emergency plans used by industry players to overcome the effect of such events and quick return to normality. Emergency planning could mitigate the effect of such events and recover from such disasters. The finding also emphasizes the power of media in clearing the ambiguity, which helps marketing efforts towards tourists to change their attitudes and visit safe rather than visiting hazardous destinations. Effective planning and the urgent need for better cooperation, coordination and awareness efforts among the industry stakeholders, government agencies, and local communities could mitigate the negative impact of hazardous events, allowing organizations to learn from the past to prevent the same effects in the future.

We report on an experiment which enables us to infer how far people plan ahead when taking decisions in a dynamic risky context. Just over half of the subjects plan fully, while the rest do not plan ahead at all.

The revolutionary innovations in amusement parks, starting with the ‘Bakken’, north of Copenhagen, in 1583 and given modern form as themed entertainment attractions by Disney at Anaheim, California in 1955 have spread outwards through successive imitation and adaptation by the amusement industry. The chapter reviews some of the historical aspects of amusement parks, presents some key data and then goes on to discuss economic and development issues, including park planning and design. Concepts of creativity and issues of failure are examined in order to define the boundaries of what may be currently considered good practice to minimise the downside risks that can result in financial, if not project, collapse. Numerous examples are given so as to establish trends.