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Gdańsk University of Technology

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Publications from the year 2021

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  • Analiza zależności muzyczno-graficznej okładek albumów z użyciem algorytmów uczących się
    • Aleksandra Dorochowicz
    2021 Full text

    Celem rozprawy jest analiza zależności muzyczno-graficznej okładek albumów z użyciem algorytmów uczących się. Brane są pod uwagę parametry badanych gatunków muzycznych, zależności pomiędzy gatunkami muzycznymi a typami osobowości, jak również cechy okładek albumów muzycznych i ich korelacje z gatunkami muzycznymi. Opracowana metodologia jest wykorzystana w celu sprawdzenia możliwości automatycznej klasyfikacji gatunku muzycznego na podstawie analizy kompozycji okładki albumu. W części teoretycznej przedstawiono podstawy teoretyczne związane z kompozycją okładek, różne rodzaje teorii dotyczących osobowości, jak również opisano różne gatunki muzyczne i przedstawiono zagadnienia związane z parametryzacją sygnałów muzycznych. Dokonano także przeglądu literatury w kontekście zależności pomiędzy typami osobowości a preferowanymi gatunkami muzycznymi. W części praktycznej zawarto eksperymenty wstępne dotyczące klasyfikacji gatunków muzycznych przy użyciu testów subiektywnych i uczenia maszynowego, a także parametry nagrań muzycznych oraz różnych wykonań. Zbadano również, jak odbierane są okładki przez osoby o różnym typie osobowości oraz jakie kolory są kojarzone z danymi socjotypami. W eksperymencie głównym w pierwszej kolejności zbadano zależność między typem osobowości a preferowanymi gatunkami muzycznymi. Następnie została wykonana analiza statystyczna elementów kompozycji okładek różnych gatunków muzycznych oraz znalezione zostały korelacje między gatunkami muzycznymi a projektami okładek. W końcowym eksperymencie sprawdzono możliwość klasyfikacji okładek albumów muzycznych do odpowiednich gatunków przy użyciu algorytmów uczenia maszynowego.

  • Analiza zrealizowanych systemów komunikacji wizualnych dedykowanych miastom w kontekście identyfikacji wizualnej Miasta Gdańska
    • Piotr Czyż
    • Adam Świerżewski
    2021

    Niniejsze opracowanie to raport z dokonanej analizy zrealizowanych systemów komunikacji wizualnej miast i zbadanie możliwości kształtowania, rozwoju i uspójnienia identyfikacji wizualnej marki miasta Gdańsk. Wyniki analizy mogą służyć Miastu Gdańsk jako materiał referencyjny przy ocenie obecnych opracowań własnych i prowadzeniu bieżącej komunikacji swojego wizerunku ale przede wszystkim służą jako materiał bazowy do profesjonalnej dyskusji nad budowaniem strategii rozwoju systemu komunikacji wizualnej Miasta Gdańska. W opinii autorów, kształtowanie spójnej komunikacji wizualnej zdecydowanie poprawia wizerunek miasta jako marki, w szczególności gdy założenia komunikacji wizualnej odpowiadają jego rzeczywistemu charakterowi. Rozumiemy przez to wzajemną odpowiedniość „ducha” komunikacji wizualnej z „duchem” miasta – jego charakteru, historii i przede wszystkim tożsamości. Niniejsze opracowanie ma dwa cele praktyczne. Celem pierwszym jest przedstawienie zamawiającemu zestawienia możliwych ścieżek rozwoju budowania przyszłej komunikacji wizualnej, które posłużą do budowania jej założeń. Związane jest to przede wszystkim z określeniem stosunku do tradycji heraldycznej i jej wykorzystania, bądź nie, w budowaniu marki Miasta Gdańsk.

  • Analysis of AC/DC/DC Converter Modules for Direct Current Fast-Charging Applications
    • Szymon Piasecki
    • Jaroslaw Zaleski
    • Marek Jasinski
    • Serafin Bachman
    • Marek Turzyński
    2021 Full text ENERGIES

    The paper is a comprehensive laboratory comparison study of two galvanic isolated solution off-board battery chargers: (1) Si-based cost-effective case, and (2) SiC-bidirectional ready for vehicle to grid concept case. All circuits are modular, and in both cases the DC/DC converter can be replaced according to the end user requirements (the coupled transformer remains the same and is constructed based on 12xC100 cores to avoid additional choke). In the case of single active bridge, an active RCD snubber is proposed to protect against overvoltage above 1kV in the DC_2 circuit. The dual active bridge is equipped with soft-star modulation using a zero vector to reduce in-rush current in case of no-load operation, while the AC/DC grid connected converter remains bidirectional to assure the highest power quality at the point of common coupling. All tests were made with real second-used batteries, which improves environmental, economic and technical feasibility of such systems for prosumers. The total efficiency of both AC/DC/DC converters (>97% in SiC and >94% in Si versions) was investigated in the same laboratory conditions.

  • Analysis of energy efficiency of suburban railway transport network
    • Aleksander Jakubowski
    • Krzysztof Karwowski
    • Andrzej Wilk
    2021 Full text

    Rising numbers of agglomeration residents cause increased need for people movement on daily basis. Because of congestion of local roads, air pollution and limited parking space, providing mass transit based on electric traction is reasonable. While the electric rail vehicles are considered highly efficient in themselves, they need to be analyzed as a part of a transport network, because energy consumption depends on operating conditions as well. Information about energy efficiency of whole system operating under realistic conditions could be helpful for modernization of traction power supply, timetable planning or while ordering new rolling stock. This paper presents approach to analysis of energy efficiency of a suburban rail network, using specialized software developed on Matlab/Simulink basis. For the sake of analysis, simple transport network consisting of three lines was considered. Vehicles, assumed as uniform electric multiple units, operate according to the set schedule, taking into account varying electric drive efficiency and mass dependent on passengers’ number. Vehicles are supplied by four substations with nominal voltage of 3000 V DC, using overhead contact line. Developed model includes calculation of energy losses in power supply, therefore it is possible to determine efficiency of the whole network as a relation of mechanical energy of vehicles movement to electrical energy fed from public power system. Mean useful voltages for vehicles and substations are computed as well. Program structure allows for further expansion, e.g. with optimization algorithms.

  • Analysis of Failure Mechanism in Joints with Positive Eccentricity in CFS Truss
    • Małgorzata Gordziej-Zagórowska
    • Elżbieta Urbańska-Galewska
    • Patryk Deniziak
    2021 Full text Materials

    The paper presents studies concerning the load-bearing capacity of truss joints with a positive eccentricity resulting from the arrangement of geometric members and the failure mechanisms observed in the joints. Based on the previously conducted experimental study, a numerical model of the tested fragment of the CFS truss with eccentricity in the joint was created and validated. All structural details of the tested truss and the loading method consistent with the experiment were taken into account. The results obtained from a uniaxial tensile tests on a steel samples and results estimated during destructive tests carried out on a full-scale of research model were taken into account in validation of the numerical model. Next, appropriate numerical analyses were carried out and parameters such as the eccentricity size in the joint and the wall thickness of sections (t = 1.0, 1.5 and 4.0 mm) were modified. In the range of the studied wall slenderness from λ > 70 (1.0 mm and 1.5 mm thick), it was confirmed that the resistance of truss joints made from CFS open cross-sections with a positive eccentricity, is greater than the resistance that results from known methods of steel structure dimensioning.

  • Analysis of GNSS, Hydroacoustic and Optoelectronic Data Integration Methods Used in Hydrography
    • Oktawia Lewicka
    • Mariusz Specht
    • Andrzej Stateczny
    • Cezary Specht
    • David Brčić
    • Alen Jugović
    • Szymon Widźgowski
    • Marta Wiśniewska
    2021 Full text SENSORS

    The integration of geospatial data in hydrography, performed using different measurement systems, involves combining several study results to provide a comprehensive analysis. Each of the hydroacoustic and optoelectronic systems is characterised by a different spatial reference system and the method for technical implementation of the measurement. Therefore, the integration of hydrographic data requires that problems in selected fields of electronics, geodesy and physics (acoustics and optics) be solved. The aim of this review is to present selected fusion methods applying the data derived from Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), Real Time Kinematic (RTK) measurements, hydrographic surveys, a photogrammetric pass using unmanned vehicles and Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and compare their accuracy. An additional goal is the evalution of data integration methods according to the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) S-44 standard. The publication is supplemented by implementation examples of the integration of geospatial data in the Geographic Information System (GIS). The methods described indicate the lack of a uniform methodology for data fusion due to differences in both the spatial reference systems and the techniques used. However, the integration of hydroacoustic and optoelectronic data allows for high accuracy geospatial data to be obtained. This is confirmed by the methods cited, in which the accuracy of integrated geospatial data was in the order of several centimetres.

  • Analysis of Learning Outcomes in Medical Education with the Use of Fuzzy Logic
    • Jacek Stańdo
    • Magdalena Roszak
    • Iwona Mokwa-Tarnowska
    2021 Full text Studies in Logic, Grammar and Rhetoric

    The national curricula of the EU member states are structured around learning outcomes, selected according to Bloom’s Taxonomy. The authors of this paper claim that using Bloom’s Taxonomy to phrase learning outcomes in medical education in terms of students’ achievements is difficult and unclear. This paper presents an efficient method of assessing course learning outcomes using Fuzzy Logic.

  • Analysis of the causes and effects of cyclist-pedestrian accidents in biggest Polish cities
    • Marek Bauer
    • Romanika Okraszewska
    • Matthias Richter
    2021 Full text Archives of Transport

    Traffic incidents between pedestrians and cyclists result in an incomparably smaller number of victims (injured and killed) than accidents between unprotected traffic participants and other vehicles. However, such incidents cannot be underestimated, as in most cases they take place on elements of infrastructure designed for pedestrians and cyclists, and thus negatively affect the sense of safety of users in places where they should not only feel safe but also comfortable. This paper presents an analysis of such traffic incidents, aimed at recognizing the share of pedestrians and cyclists as perpetrators and also victims of accidents. Three research hypotheses were examined: that the type of infrastructure and also light and weather conditions influences the structure of perpetrators and victims, that the proportion of accidents between pedestrians and cyclists caused by pedestrians is increasing, and that the proportion of victims of accidents between pedestrians and cyclists in the pedestrian group is decreasing. Analyses were performed based on the number of traffic incidents involving cyclists and pedestrians in the six largest Polish cities, registered in the Police Accident and Collision Records System. A total of 1,702 incidents involving 1,034 injured and killed people in years 2007-2018 were considered. Each traffic incident was considered individually, taking into account changes in perpetrator and victim proportions depending on the type and purpose of the infrastructure and external conditions, as well as variability of these proportions over subsequent years. The tools of mathematical statistics were used, including – among others - significance tests for independent proportions and Chi-squared test for trend. On the basis of the conducted statistical analyses, all research hypothesis were proved. It also confirmed that although the proportions are changing, there are still much more traffic incidents are caused by cyclists, but more victims are in group of pedestrians. The results of the research confirm the need to take action to develop effective mechanisms of mutual interaction between pedestrians and cyclists. Especially in view of the growing bicycle traffic in Polish cities.

  • Analysis of the construction, assembly and usage of specialized fixtures illustrated with an example of machining a lever
    • Adam Barylski
    2021 Technologia i Automatyzacja Montażu

    The paper presents a method of quantitative assessment of manufacturability of the construction of specialized fixtures used in machining. The assumed, simplified assessment criteria include both the complexity of the construction with respect to time-consumption of manufacturing the components and their assembly, as well as the features of the usage of fixtures. The paper contains a study case connected with variably designed functional hardware for machining a cast-iron lever.

  • Analysis of the Heating Process of Hydraulic Motors during Start-Up in Thermal Shock Conditions
    • Ryszard Jasiński
    2021 Full text ENERGIES

    Conditions that prevail during harsh winters and hot summers pose a serious challenge for machine designers building devices suitable for operation in extreme weather. It is essential for the designers and the users to define the principles and conditions for the safe operation of machines and devices with hydraulic drive in low ambient temperatures. Bearing in mind the above, the author tested the hydraulic motors in thermal shock conditions (cold motors were fed with a hot working medium). This enterprise required the design and construction of a specialized stand for testing hydraulic motors, including satellite motors, in thermal shock conditions. The stand was equipped with the apparatus and a system for measuring the temperature of the moving parts of the satellite motor. The experimental tests were conducted in the laboratory of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology at Gda ´nsk University of Technology. The paper presents the results of tests of a correctly and incorrectly operating satellite motor during start-up in thermal shock conditions. The results concerned the course of oil temperatures, temperatures of heated elements, oil pressures, and the pressure drop in the motor. The influence of the oil pressure drop in the motor on its temperature increase was determined. The distributions of the temperature fields of the heated elements of the satellite motor during start-up in thermal shock conditions were derived by means of computer simulation. The utilization of the distribution of the temperature fields of the motor elements enables the evaluation and analysis of the work of this unit. The conducted tests may determine the conditions for the proper operation of hydraulic motors started in thermal shock conditions.

  • Analysis of the Possibility of Using New Types of Protective Coatings and Abrasion-Resistant Linings under the Operating Conditions of the Spiral Classifier at KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. Ore Concentration Plant
    • Marcin Czekajło
    • Krzysztof Żakowski
    • Stefan Krakowiak
    • Sławomir Kierepa
    2021 Full text Coatings

    A study was carried out to select the appropriate coatings for corrosion protection of the spiral classifier working at KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. Ore Concentration Plant. The abrasion resistance of selected protective coatings and wear-resistant linings was investigated using a DT-523 rotary abrasion tester with Taber CS-10 rubber abrasive discs. The average weight loss of the coatings after a cycle of 2000 revolutions was determined. Tests of protective coatings using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique were carried out to determine the suita-bility of coatings in the highly saline environment of the aqueous suspension of ground copper ore. During the measurements, changes in resistance, polarising current and capacitance were determined as a function of time for the tested coatings. The linings selected on the basis of laboratory tests were also tested under industrial conditions. Their degrees of wear were characterised. The results obtained indicated the highest abrasion resistance of materials from the polyolefin group (polyethylenes), where the average weight loss did not exceed 5 g/dm2. In the case of protective coatings, the highest durability was demonstrated by coatings with additives of ceramic aggregates, phenol-epoxy, and an elastomeric coating based on polyurea, whose average weight loss during the test cycle did not exceed 19 g/dm2. EIS measurements showed that the tested coatings were resistant to the aggressive environment of the feedstock. Tests under cathodic polarisation conditions of the samples at a potential below the protection potential showed that they were resistant to a highly saline environment and were also resistant to its alkalinisation resulting from the application of cathodic protection, which will be used to protect the classifier together with protective coatings. Tests carried out under industrial conditions using wear-resistant linings made of plastics have made it possible to analyse the mechanism and degree of wear of the various materials during the operation of the classifier. Measurements of lining wear were made in relation to baseline volumes. Polyurethane, a polymer lining based on MDI and PTMG, and those made of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene with anti-stick additives showed the lowest wear rates.

  • ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS OF THE AUDIT OF LIGHTING PARAMETERS AT PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS IN WARSAW
    • Piotr Tomczuk
    • Marcin Chrzanowicz
    • Tomasz Mackun
    • Marcin Budzyński
    2021 Full text Archives of Transport

    The night time, based on many world studies, generates an increased risk of serious accidents (with fatalities and serious injuries). This is especially true for accidents with pedestrians. Pedestrian crossings are very sensitive to the influence of the time of day in terms of pedestrian safety, elements of road infrastructure. This is visible on the example of Poland, where numerous accidents at crosswalks are recorded, characterized by high severity at night. Road infrastructure man-agers take corrective actions to improve this condition. An example of such work is the Road Safety Audit (RSA), initiated in 2016 by the Municipal Roads Management Board in Warsaw. The analyses carried out by the authors, among others, in the years 2016 - 2019, included pedestrian crossings without traffic lights located on roads managed by ZDM (Municipal Roads Authority) in twelve districts: Bemowo, Bielany, Mokotów, Ochota, Praga Południe, Praga Północ, Śródmieście, Targówek, Ursynów, Wawer, Włochy, Żoliborz. The assessment was carried out in terms of the correct lighting of these passages, traffic organization, geometry and environmental impact. The main aim of the article is to present a methodology for evaluating the technical condition of road lighting infrastructure on a large scale (e.g. district, city). The article dis-cusses the general and detailed state of pedestrian safety in Poland against the background of research conducted in Warsaw. The procedure of inspection and assessment of the state of lighting of pedestrian crossings is described and selected results are presented. On the basis of a detailed analysis of the results of individual pedestrian crossings, the general condition of the tested crossings was assessed and recommendations were indicated. An attempt was made to assess the influence of pedestrian crossings lighting on the general state of road safety. A critical evaluation of the obtained effects was made. The utilitarian aim of the article is to apply the described methodology in other cities and to use the results of the conducted analyses to plan and implement road investments in the field of modernization of lighting at pe-destrian crossings on a large scale.

  • Analysis of the state of preservation the historic arcaded houses in Vistula Delta listed in the National Inventory of Historical Monuments
    • Tomasz Zybała
    2021 Full text Budownictwo i Architektura

    Historic arcaded houses are part of the material heritage of the Vistula Delta. Unfortunately, their number is decreasing year by year. The article is the result of a query of available sources and field research carried out by the author in 2015-2020. The paper presents the current state of preservation the historic arcaded houses in Vistula Delta listed in the National Inventory of Historical Monuments. Criteria for the selection of test objects are described. The author has prepared a tabular list of arcaded houses with information about their location, type according to Kloeppel statistics, date of construction, technical condition and functions. The summary of the analysis are pie charts with a statistical presentation of the data collected by the author during the research.

  • Analysis of the Water Level Variation in the Polish Part of the Vistula Lagoon (Baltic Sea) and Estimation of Water Inflow and Outflow Transport through the Strait of Baltiysk in the Years 2008–2017
    • Michał Szydłowski
    • Wojciech Artichowicz
    • Piotr Zima
    2021 Full text Water

    The Vistula Lagoon is located in both Poland and Russia along the southern coast of the Baltic Sea. It is connected to the Baltic Sea in the Russian part by the Strait of Baltiysk. The purpose of the paper is to identify the dominant factors underlying the water level variation mechanism at Tolkmicko in the Vistula Lagoon, revealed by a statistical analysis of the measured data and a discussion on the inflow and outflow transport variation through the strait, estimated by nu-merical modeling. Seawater transport is exceptionally valuable in terms of the hydrological water balance in the lagoon. Historical research on the hydrology of the lagoon shows that the water exchange in the lagoon is quite complex due to the presence of several different sources of water balance, such as seawater inflow, river inflow, groundwater inflow, precipitation, and evaporation. Unfortunately, there are no current data on seawater inflow and outflow through the Strait of Baltiysk due to the lack of continuous flow measurements in the strait. A novelty of the current work is an in-depth statistical analysis of the water level variation in the Polish part of the lagoon over a long time period and an estimation of water transport through the Strait of Baltiysk by use of a numerical model. The model reproduces well the water level variation re-sponding to variations in the sea level outside the lagoon and the wind action over the lagoon. The years 2008–2017 were chosen as the analysis period. A two-dimensional free surface shallow water numerical model of the lagoon was adapted to simulate the water level variation in view of the wind over the lagoon and the sea level variation at one open boundary. Finally, it was concluded that the water level variation on the Polish side of the Vistula Lagoon is dominated by two factors: the water level in the Gulf of Gdańsk and the wind over the lagoon. The average annual marine water inflow into the Vistula Lagoon was estimated to be equal to 15.87 km3.

  • Analytical approach for membrane action in laterally-restrained reinforced concrete square slabs under uniformly distributed loads
    • Shan Wang
    • Shao-Bo Kang
    • Qiao-Ling Fu
    • Jiaxing Ma
    • Patryk Ziolkowski
    2021 Journal of Building Engineering

    Laterally-restrained reinforced concrete slabs can mobilise compressive membrane action and subsequent tensile membrane action under extreme loading conditions, thereby enhancing the load resistance under uniformly distributed loads. Previous analytical study focuses primarily on tensile membrane action in simply-supported slabs. This paper describes an analytical approach for membrane action in laterally-restrained square slabs. In the model, a yield line pattern is presumed for slabs, and the whole slab is divided into a strip system in the orthogonal directions. Each strip is analysed by establishing compatibility and equilibrium. The model is validated against test data of reinforced concrete square slabs, and reasonably good agreement is obtained in terms of the load capacity. The distributions of membrane force, bending moment and neutral axis depth along yield lines are also obtained through the analytical approach, and propagation of the tension zone from the centre towards the edge of slabs is also demonstrated by using the contour of membrane forces in the slab. Contributions of bending moment and membrane force to the load resistance of slabs are quantified by decomposing the total resistance according to equilibrium. The contribution of each slab strip is also quantified to gain insight on the distribution of resistance in the whole slab. Finally, a design method is proposed to calculate the capacity of compressive membrane action in square slabs.

  • Analytical ‘Steady-State’-Based Derivation and Clarification of the Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy Condition for Pipe Flow
    • Zdzisław Kowalczuk
    • Marek Tatara
    2021 Full text Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering

    This article addresses the problem of choosing the optimal discretization grid for emulating fluid flow through a pipeline. The aggregated basic flow model is linearized near the operating point obtained from the steady state analytic solution of the differential equations under consideration. Based on this model, the relationship between the Courant number (μ) and the stability margin is examined. The numerically set coefficient μ, ensuring the maximum margin of stability, is analyzed in terms of the physical and technological parameters of the flow. As a result of this analysis, a specific formula is obtained based on parameters describing the mechanics (geometry and physics) of the flow through the pipeline, which leads to the optimal value of the Courant number, separately for smooth and rough pumping conditions. A more detailed analysis of the distribution of the optimal μ coefficient in relation to the parameters of the pipeline flow mechanics shows four cases to consider when determining the coefficient μ. Surprisingly, in three cases, the CFL condition is insufficient, which is expressed in the form of the proposed procedure for choosing the optimal value of μ. The final dichotomous model is derived from the Monte Carlo simulation results in which the effect of each parameter on the optimal Courant number is estimated and consolidated. Taking into account the recognized general laws of physics and using numerical methods and mathematical analysis, simple and useful analytical relationships describing the flow process are obtained. In addition, computer simulations are performed to verify the correctness of the proposed procedure, as well as a number of other considerations related to the modeling of fluid flow in transport pipelines.

  • Analytical Strategies and Applications in Lipidomics
    • Weronika Hewelt-Belka
    • Agata Kot-Wasik
    2021

    Lipidomics is a field of study aiming at a comprehensive analysis of a set of lipids in biological systems. This includes both quantitative and qualitative characterization of lipid profiles, comparative studies of lipidomes, and analysis of lipid-protein interactions. Lipids are structurally diversified that make their analysis a challenging task. The constant advances in analytical technologies, especially in the field of high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, drive progress in lipid science. Commonly, lipidomics strategies are classified as targeted, untargeted, and focused. Many analytical techniques can be employed in the lipidomic study. The choice of an appropriate analytical tool for lipid analysis depends mainly on the aim of the study. In this chapter, we present an overview of the analytical techniques and data treatment used in the analysis of lipids in biological samples, with a special focus on LC-MS-based approaches. We also present the application of the lipidomic study in the comprehensive comparative analysis and discuss the limitation and advantages of the sample preparation techniques used in lipidomics.

  • Analyzing content of tasks in Business Process Management. Blending task execution and organization perspectives
    • Nina Rizun
    • Aleksandra Revina
    • Vera Meister
    2021 Full text COMPUTERS IN INDUSTRY

    An efficient organization, management, and execution of tasks are central for the successful functioning of any organization. This topic was on the research agenda already in the early 1950s and keeps attracting the scientific community's attention today. Continuous advances and penetration of technologies in organizations are expected to increase task variety and complexity. This creates a constant demand for new methods to analyze, measure, manage, and execute tasks. In this study, we extract relevant task content aspects from textual task descriptions and build a task content model as a basis for the development of various decision-support solutions for process workers and managers. Using the Theory of Situation Awareness, we specify a method for analyzing and measuring the content of tasks and illustrate it by an industry example of ITIL IT ticket processing. We refer to the Strategic Alignment Model while discussing the implications for task management and execution research and practice.

  • Analyzing Preconditions to Introduce Internet Voting in Portugal: Insights from the Estonian Model
    • Marlon Freire
    • Sérgio Nunes
    • David Duenas Cid
    2021 Full text

    Internet voting has been trialed or introduced for several countries, including Norway, Portugal, United States, United Kingdom and Switzerland as an additional voting channel to increase voter turnout and, also to modernize the electoral process. However, only Estonia has successful introduced internet voting, deploying e-enabled elections in general governmental levels. This paper aims to provide an exploratory study on the Estonian internet voting model to identify pre-conditions for internet voting introduction in Portugal, addressing legal, technical and technological considerations. For doing so, it includes a cross-country comparative analysis in two perspectives. Firstly, an analysis in the Estonian electoral framework, highlighting the most important legal adaptations that make possible internet voting introduction to identify potential transformation for the Portuguese context. Secondly, to provide a technological overview towards the Portuguese e-government ecosystem to seek similar conditions that can make internet voting possible in Estonia.

  • Ancient settlements-atavistic solutions for present water supply and drainage problems engendered by urbanism
    • Thirumalini Selvaraj
    • Asmita Yadav
    • Haritima Bahuguna
    • Jakub Drewnowski
    • Mahesh Ganesapillai
    2021 ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

    Water is the most valuable resource available on earth. Although it is present in abundance, its usable volume is very scarce. This is the reason behind the existence of both floods and droughts around the world. However, human settlements face water scarcity issues that are primarily engendered by improper town planning measures. To create a balance between the available fractions of water, it is therefore imperative to have proper water planning and management. Numerous water management techniques in operation in ancient civilizations like the Mohenjo-Daro, Mesopotamian, Roman, and Chinese drainage system have been proven to be more efficient than the contemporary methods and can therefore be used to ameliorate the current scenario. Thus, the objective of this study is to analyze water issues in three developing cities in the Asia Pacific region viz., Chennai, Kathmandu, and Jakarta by identifying the source of the problem and provide potential solutions based on the techniques followed in the ancient civilizations. Moreover, this study also aims to address the common issues in urban water planning and provide suggestions for a better and sustainable system.