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Gendered Vulnerability to Environmental Stressors in Slum Settings: Evidence from Douala, Cameroon
Get PDFWhile studies on the vulnerability to slum environments have received significant attention, albeit limited emphasis on its gender perspective. Put succinctly, recent evidence on the variations in the level of vulnerability especially for women and children in slum environments are lacking. To contribute to address this, this paper investigates the vulnerability of the population in the Douala IV slums of Cameroon, to environmental stressors. The characterization of environmental stressors in Douala reveals a complex interplay of challenges that impact the city\u27s urban environment. Key stressors include air and water pollution, deforestation, inadequate waste management, poor road network infrastructure, inadequate healthcare facility and services, inadequate social and economic infrastructure and services, and climate-related issues. These stressors are multifaceted, with implications for both human well-being and ecosystem health and the research Analyses variations in the level of vulnerability (exposure, sensitivity, adaptive capacity) to environmental stressors in Douala. A systematic sampling of 400 households was conducted in 8 neighborhoods in Douala. This was complemented by 15 key informant interviews and 15 focus group discussions Utilizing a double-layer sampling technique, the research focused on households in different neighborhoods, employing a systematic random sampling method. Questionnaires were administered, and the data were analyzed using SPSS Version 20 software. Results indicate that the women and childrenfaces moderate exposure to floods, with various frequencies reported. Additionally, the study reveals high exposure to other environmental stressors. Sensitivity to floods and water contamination is notable, with a significant portion of the population perceiving moderate to high sensitivity. Health vulnerability is exacerbated by challenges such as waste disposal in streams, standing water, and limited access to healthcare facilities. The findings underscore the interconnectedness of environmental factors and health vulnerability in slum environments. The study equally provides new insights on the relative vulnerability to environmental stressors from a gendered perspectiv
Brick Lane: A Marxist Exploration of Class, Gender, and the Potential for Social Transformation
Get PDFThis research paper examines the application of Marxist theory to Monica Ali\u27s novel Brick Lane, exploring how the novel depicts class relations, exploitation, and the potential for resistance and social change. Drawing on key Marxist concepts such as class conflict, alienation, and historical materialism, the paper analyses the experiences of Nazneen, a young Bangladeshi woman navigating a complex social landscape in London. The paper argues that Brick Lane offers a nuanced portrayal of the challenges faced by the working class, particularly women, under capitalist systems. Nazneen\u27s experiences as a garment worker highlight the exploitation and alienation inherent in such systems, while her journey towards self-discovery and empowerment demonstrate the potential for individual and collective resistance. Through an analysis of Nazneen\u27s individual acts of defiance, her participation in collective action, and the transformative impact of her experiences, the paper explores how Marxist theory can illuminate the dynamics of power, inequality, and the struggles for social justice in contemporary society
Art, Design, and Environmental Culture in Early Childhood Education: Building a Common and Sustainable Future
Get PDFArt and design as disciplines complement each other within the horizon of culture for sustainability. There are designers and artists who use methods and practices within their specific fields to produce meaning through their devices and artifacts. From the perspective of building a collective culture for environmental protection, some strategies emerge in the planning of a sustainable future. The articulation between art and design is one of the strategies found by the Brazilian designers, the Campana Brothers. This article addresses the cultural production articulated by the design-art (author design) of these designers. Through this investigation, we seek to establish a correlation between art and design with the logic of sustainability and environmental care as a semantic vector. As an underlying issue, we question how art and design, in their approach as author design, can contribute to the culture of sustainability. The method used is qualitative with an exploratory bias. As an expected result, this article aims to qualify the research currently conducted within the creative field between design and art
“Emotion or logic?: Utilization of Dilemma and Gamification in the Teaching of 3rd Junior High School Literature
Get PDFDilemma-based learning (DBL) and Gamification are two educational techniques that, have received the attention of both educational theorists and the educational community in general in recent years. The purpose of this article is to present a didactic scenario for the teaching of the 3rd Junior High School Literature course entitled "With emotion or logic?". This scenario was designed and implemented within the Erasmus+ program "Gamified Introduction to Gamification". The innovation of the scenario lies in its student-centered nature and, above all, in the utilization of the principles of Dilemma-based learning and Gamification. The students, acting within a framework of collaborative activities, both digital and non-digital, managed to approach the objectives of the scenario to a very satisfactory degree
Physic-Mechanical Properties of Petroleum Road Bitumen Modified with Styrene-Butadiene Rubber, Butyl Rubber and Nano-Sized Dolomite
Get PDFIn this work, road petroleum bitumen was modified with styrene butadiene rubber, butyl rubber and nano-sized dolomite. As a result of the modification, the basic physical, mechanical and chemical characteristics of the resulting composition were improved. It has been shown that the penetration, softening temperature and adhesive properties of bitumen as a result of modification with polymers are improved by 1.3 times compared to standard unmodified bitumen. The use of rubbers such as butyl rubber, styrene butadiene rubber and dolomite improves the mechanical strength and adhesive properties of road bitumen. Thus, the resulting polymer bitumen is an excellent binding system for the resulting asphalt-bitumen mixture
Improvement of wear Resistance Properties of Metal Gears using Laser Surface Hardening
Get PDFThis study investigates the efficacy of laser surface hardening (LSH) as a method to enhance the wear resistance of metal gears, comparing it with traditional hardening techniques such as induction and flame hardening. The LSH process involves using a high-energy laser beam to rapidly heat the gear surface, resulting in microstructural changes that increase hardness and wear resistance. Experiments were conducted using two common gear steels, JIS-SCM415 and JIS-S45C, with the laser parameters optimized to achieve the desired hardness profile. The results showed that the best hardening was achieved with a laser power of 1000W, scanning speed of 100mm/s, and a spot size of 1mm, resulting in a surface hardness of 672 HV and a core hardness of 502 HV. Wear testing indicated that the wear rate of laser-hardened gears was comparable to new conventional gears, with a weight loss of 10-12 mg/hr. The study demonstrates that LSH can significantly improve the wear resistance of gears, with minimal distortion and precise control over the hardened depth, making it a promising alternative to conventional hardening methods for enhancing gear longevity and performanc
Discrete Time Modeling in Hierarchically Consensus Controlled Boost based DC Micro-Grids
Get PDFThis paper studies DC micro-grids in mesh topology where voltage regulation is performed at each node with help of storage devices interfaced through boost converters. Loads and distributed power sources are treated as arbitrary perturbations under a hierarchical control strategy. The primary level controller is characterized by its faster actuation rate and focus on the implementation of distributed voltage sources, while the secondary level uses a consensus algorithm to reach power sharing among the sources, and introduces an auxiliary loop to secure voltage regulation around the nominal value. We model the entire network, considering the switching process of each individual converter, primary and secondary level controllers, hardware and communication interconnections, as a discrete time system, in opposi- tion to the documented continuous time dynamic assumption. This leads to obtain an explicit representation of the entire grid, which is closer to its final hardware implementation, and facilitates dynamic trajectory analysis over specialized or conventional hardware. The developed convergence criteria for the discrete time closed loop system is corroborated by dynamic simulations which also show the main benefits of the discrete time modeling
A Novel Method for Assessing Pirate Attack Risks and Spatial Distribution
Get PDFPirate attacks pose one of the most severe challenges to the safety of maritime navigation. Effectively quantifying the risk of pirate attacks and understanding their spatial distribution through historical records is crucial for planning safe shipping routes. Given the diverse data types and multiple factors involved in assessing pirate attacks recorded in the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) database, we propose a spatiotemporal influence factor analysis model based on the K-means clustering algorithm. Features are encoded using an Autoencoder, and the evaluation is conducted using the Entropy Weight Method- Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (EWM-TOPSIS). The model then simulates and predicts the geographical distribution of pirate risks. The results indicate that the model effectively captures the geographical distribution patterns of pirate attack incidents and successfully predicts the risk distribution across different sea areas. This approach aids in ship route planning and reduces the risk of pirate attacks
Optimization of Solar Energy using Artificial Neural Network VS Recurrent Neural Network Controller with Ultra Lift Luo Converter
Get PDFIn today\u27s society, the demand for clean energy is essential. Traditionally, renewable sources such as hydropower, wind, and solar have provided sustainable solutions. Photovoltaic (PV) systems generate electricity from sunlight using semiconductor PV cells, which have been effective for over 30 years. The efficiency of PV cells depends on irradiance (solar photon intensity) and temperature. Higher irradiance boosts efficiency, while higher temperatures reduce it. Despite their low voltage outputs, PV systems can be optimized with DC-DC Ultra Lift Luo converters to meet load requirements, improving system efficiency. The Ultra Lift Luo converter, a type of DC-DC converter, offers a higher voltage conversion gain than conventional boost converters. This converter belongs to the Luo converter family, which uses advanced techniques to achieve high voltage gain and efficiency. Solar irradiance fluctuates throughout the day, impacting PV cell output. Maximum Power Point Trackers (MPPTs) adjust the system\u27s operating point to sustain peak efficiency. This study aims to design AI controllers for MPPT management. In addition, we evaluate the performance of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN) with three datasets to determine the most efficient AI controller for optimizing solar energy systems