Large truss structures have many potential applications in space, such as antennas, telescopes and space solar power plants. In this scenario, a natural concern is the susceptibility of these lightweight structures to be damaged during their operational life, due to impacts, transient thermal states and fatigue phenomena. The inclusion of active elements, equipped with sensor/actuator systems capable of modulating their shape and strength, makes it possible to transform the truss into a smart structure capable of remedying the damage, once it is detected. In this paper, a procedure is described that is capable of restoring at least the basic functionality of a composite truss for space applications, starting with the observation that damage has occurred, regardless of its specific location. The system eigenstructure is used as a benchmark for damage detection, as well as a target characteristic for the subsequent restoration activity. The observer/Kalman filter identification algorithm (OKID), in cascade with the eigensystem realization algorithm (ERA), is adopted to reconstruct, from sensor recordings, the dynamic response of the truss in terms of system state-space representation and eigen-characteristics. Finally, a static output feedback control is developed to recover the low-frequency dynamic behaviour of the truss. The entire procedure is tested using finite element analysis. All activities are coordinated in an innovative procedure that, within a unique Python language code, automatically generates finite element (FE) models, launches finite element analysis (FEA), extracts output data, implements OKID-ERA, processes the control law and applies it to the final FE simulation.

Since the launch of the first commercial very high resolution satellite sensor in 1999 there has been a growing awareness and application of space technology for the remote identification of potential violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. As examined in the three cases of armed conflict in Gaza, Georgia, and Sri Lanka, analysis of satellite imagery was able to provide investigators with independent, verifiable, and compelling evidence of serious violations of international humanitarian law. Also examined are the important limitations to such imagery-based analysis, including the larger technical, analytical, and political challenges facing the humanitarian and human rights community for conducting satellite-based analysis in the future.

An inverse method for identifying the element rigidities of frame structures is developed in this paper. The primary input of this method is the longitudinal strains of the frame elements measured in transient tests. The spectral element method is employed to formulate the equilibrium equation of the frame in the frequency domain. The equilibrium equation is rewritten in terms of the strains of the frame elements. The identification problem is then formulated as an optimization program in which the error norm of the equilibrium equation is minimized. The proposed method is applicable to total structure identification as well as substructure identification. The issue of identifiability is addressed in this study. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the proposed method. The influence of noise is investigated through the example.

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, first let me thank you for coming to this meeting that has been organized by us in close collaboration with UYDP, OCHA, UNIGEF and IDNOR with generous support from the Canadian, UK, and USA development agencies. It always is a pleasure to recognize our partners.

We have with us here today representatives of a large number of agencies, institutions, NGOs, and private individuals. This cross section of interests is a manifestation of a growing and irreversible trend. The important issues of our time cannot be dealt with solely by nations, agencies, or individuals, even the most powerful ones. The phenomenon of globalization no longer is restricted to economic or financial matters: it is now evoking the wide participation of ranges and numbers of actors that would have been unthinkable a few decades ago. In almost all aspects of our work, we are looking to find the partners and interests that can bring value to the management of the issue or the search for solutions, if definitive solutions ever can be found to the really important human challenges.

During the last decade damage to stone-and pome-fruit orchards in Israel caused by bark beetles has increased. We present data on injury by Scolytus amygdali Geur. and S. rugulosus Muller to nine rosaceous fruit trees of Prunus spp., Malus silvestris, Pyrus malus, Cydonia oblonga and Eriobotrya japonica in 6 major regions in Israel. Approximately 64 and 18% of the sampled areas planted with stone- and pome-fruits, respectively, were damaged by bark beetles. The heaviest damage occurred on apricot, almond, peach, plum and cherry. Most of the area planted with stone fruits, and large areas planted with apple and pear, were damaged by bark beetles. The most widespread beetle damage occurred in the central mountain range and the southern coastal region, with approximately 96 and 92% of the sampled area damaged, respectively and the least occurred in the northern mountain range. Stone fruits are more susceptible to damage by bark beetles than apple and pear, while quince and loquat are virtually resistant. The level of damage appears to be influenced by grove management, host plant resistance to Capnodis spp. (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), climatic conditions and conditions in plots neighbouring the orchard.

The methods for and the problems of recognizing bird and rodent damage are described. For birds the methodology for assessing the damage, and the necessary statistics for determining sample design and sample size exist. Damage is measured either by visual estimation of the percentage loss (sorghum, maize, millet) or by weighing/comparing of damaged/undamaged spikes/panicles (wheat/rice). Sampling usually involves randomly selected transects. A system is also available for assessing bird damage over large areas of District, Regional or even countrywide levels involving aerial surveys of crop hectarage and ground teams sampling damage levels at randomly selected points.

For rodents, the methodology is less well established but damage in the field is usually quantified in terms of the percentage of rows of cereals destroyed at germination (maize) or by the number of cut stems compared to uncut stems in sample quadrats (wheat, barley).

Manpower and resources for bird control do not often extend beyond control operation to damage assessments. As a result the necessity for and success of bird control has to be evaluated in terms of diminishing farmer complaints or expressions of farmer gratitude rather than objectively in terms of crop saved or cost-effectiveness. It is suggested that in the long run, emphasis must inevitably switch to damage assessments as the economic pressures on Africa continue to increase.