Abstract: The release of heavy metals into the environment has increased over the last years. In this study, 25 soil samples (0-15 cm) from the fields near the mining area in Drama region were selected. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory for their physicochemical properties and for seven “pseudo-total’’ heavy metals content, namely Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Mn. The total metal concentrations (Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Mn) in digests were determined by using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. According to the results, the mean concentration of the listed heavy metals in 25 soil samples are Cd 1.1 mg/kg, Cr 15 mg/kg, Cu 21.7 mg/kg, Ni 30.1 mg/kg, Pd 50.8 mg/kg, Zn 99.5 mg/kg and Mn 815.3 mg/kg. The results show that the heavy metals remain in the soil even if the mining closed many years ago.
Abstract: Integrated resilience engineering (IRE) is capable of returning banking systems to the normal state in extensive economic circumstances. In this study, information system of a large bank (with several branches) is assessed and optimized under severe economic conditions. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) models are employed to achieve the objective of this study. Nine IRE factors are considered to be the outputs, and a dummy variable is defined as the input of the DEA models. A standard questionnaire is designed and distributed among executive managers to be considered as the decision-making units (DMUs). Reliability and validity of the questionnaire is examined based on Cronbach's alpha and t-test. The most appropriate DEA model is determined based on average efficiency and normality test. It is shown that the proposed integrated design provides higher efficiency than the conventional RE design. Results of sensitivity and perturbation analysis indicate that self-organization, fault tolerance, and reporting culture respectively compose about 50 percent of total weight.
Abstract: The final step to complete the “Analytical Systems
Engineering Process” is the “Allocated Architecture” in which all
Functional Requirements (FRs) of an engineering system must be
allocated into their corresponding Physical Components (PCs). At
this step, any design for developing the system’s allocated
architecture in which no clear pattern of assigning the exclusive
“responsibility” of each PC for fulfilling the allocated FR(s) can be
found is considered a poor design that may cause difficulties in
determining the specific PC(s) which has (have) failed to satisfy a
given FR successfully. The present study utilizes the Axiomatic
Design method principles to mathematically address this problem and
establishes an “Axiomatic Model” as a solution for reaching good
alternatives for developing the allocated architecture. This study
proposes a “loss Function”, as a quantitative criterion to monetarily
compare non-ideal designs for developing the allocated architecture
and choose the one which imposes relatively lower cost to the
system’s stakeholders. For the case-study, we use the existing design
of U. S. electricity marketing subsystem, based on data provided by
the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The result for
2012 shows the symptoms of a poor design and ineffectiveness due to
coupling among the FRs of this subsystem.