According to the critics of conventional sustainability models, particularly within the business context, it is questionable whether the objective of balancing the social, economic and environmental triad is feasible, and whether human equality and prosperity (as well as population growth) can be achieved …

In this thesis the workings of a time-resolved setup are treated as well as the underlying physics. The setup is based on optical gating, which gives control over very short moments in time to let light pass through a gate. As this process is stable, light can be studied in very short and low intensities. …

Modern engineering systems are complex socio-technical structures with a mission to offer services of high quality, while in parallel ensuring profitability for their owners. However, practice has shown that accidents are inevitable, and the need for the use of systems-theoretic tools to support safety-driven …

The natural resources in Ethiopia are under intense pressure as a result of population growth and inappropriate farm practices. Introducing alternatives could be a step forward in reducing the impact of farming on natural resources. In Ethiopia, the pressure on water bodies and land is high which results …

Exponential population growth has forced many rural inhabitants in the developing countries to move to the cities. According to UN Habitat, in most cases the search for better opportunities is the main motivation to urbanize (2012, p.35). Thousands of new “informal” houses are built every day around …

There are many different uses of the term sustainability as well as its derivatives, such as social sustainability, environmental sustainability, sustainable development, sustainable living, sustainable future, and many others. Literally, the word sustainability means the capacity to support, maintain …

The Bawean warty pig (Sus blouchi) is an endemic confined to the 192 km2 Bawean island in the Javasea. Due to a lack of quantitative ecological research, population assessments have so far been based solely on interviews with local inhabitants. Hunting and habitat degradation in Bawean’s protected areas …

In the life of flowering plants, seed germination is a critical step to ensure survival into the next generation. Generally the seed prior to germination has been in a dormant state with a low rate of metabolism. In the transition from a dormant seed to a germinating seed, various epigenetic mechanisms …

Abstract: The key challenge of managing Floating Production Storage and Offloading assets (FPSOs) for offshore hydrocarbon production lies in maximizing the economic value and productivity, while minimizing the Total Cost of Ownership and operational risk. This is a comprehensive task, considering the …

Stormwaters, flowing into storm sewers, are known to significantly increase the annual pollutant loads entering urban receiving waters and this results in significant degradation of the receiving water quality. Knowledge of the characteristics of stormwater pollution enables urban planners to incorporate …