—Clustering mechanisms are crucial for scalable routing in mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). We have previously proposed an autonomous decentralized clustering mechanism that is based on differential equations. This method adopts both the diffusion effect for autonomous decentralized control, and the drift effect for balancing with the diffusion effect. In our conventional mechanism, we need to...

This article considers human activities as a central but deeply problematic aspect of sustainability. We argue that radical reduction in could be an important lever to counter problems such climate change. However, instead pursuing normative hypothesis ought subjected specific kinds sustainability measures, we pursue the are largely unavailable for because aggregated global phenomenon they subj...

International trade in wildlife is a key threat to biodiversity conservation. CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, seeks to ensure international wildlife trade is sustainable, relying on trade bans and controls. However, there has been little comprehensive review of its effectiveness and here we review approaches taken to regulate wildlife ...

Living through hurricane Katrina and its aftermath and reflecting on these experiences from technical and non-technical standpoints has led me to reconsider my thoughts and philosophy on engineering education. I present three ideas regarding engineering education pedagogy that I believe will prepare future engineers for problem-solving in an increasingly complex world. They are (1) we must prac...

Private transport accounts for a large amount of total CO2 emissions, thus significantly contributing to global warming. Tools that actively support people in engaging in a more sustainable life-style without restricting their mobility are urgently needed. How can location-aware information and communication technology (ICT) enable novel interactive and participatory approaches that help people...

This paper provides a brief analysis of some of the results from a major research project on the use and re-use of vacant industrial premises (vips) that was funded by EPSRC under the Sustainable Cities Managed Programme (Ball, 1996). The research approach centres on the condition of 'vacancy'. This is used as a starting point for an assessment of the problems and the potentials of such buildin...

Irrigation water management is crucial for agricultural production and livelihood security in many regions and countries throughout the world. In this study, a two-stage stochastic fractional programming (TSFP) method is developed for planning an agricultural water resources management system under uncertainty. TSFP can provide an effective linkage between conflicting economic benefits and the ...

In the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic different approaches can be distinguished, reflecting professional backgrounds, world views and political interests. One important distinction is between the biomedical and the development paradigms. The biomedical paradigm is characterized by individualization and the concept of ‘‘risk’’. This again is related to the concept of the market where health...

A sustainable transport system needs a cost accounting and full cost-pricing systems reflecting economicfactors which originate from transport activity inhibiting sustainable development (namely, externalities; spillovereffects and non-priced inter-sectorial linkages; public goods; uncompetitive markets; myopic planning horizonsand high discount rates; risk and uncertainty, irre...