A parameter is a quantity that influences the output of a model and can be constant or variable. When variable, the range of possible values identifies a collection of distinct cases in a problem. In most of mathematical problems, parameters are held constant, while in statistical problems parameters adopt a range of values and are variable. For example, in an ordinary regression model, parameters are deterministic and are just represented by a number. In contrast, in a Bayesian linear regression model, parameters have statistical distributions and can adopt a range of values. In simpler cases, a parameter represents “a definable, measurable, and constant or variable characteristic, dimension, property, or value, selected from a set of data (or population) because it is considered essential to understanding a situation (or in solving a problem).” Mean and standard deviation of a measurable characteristic of a population are examples of parameters in such cases. Similarly, in the context of fragilities, typically fragility parameters are median and dispersion of a LogNormal distribution defining the fragility. Captured from: (https://www.britannica.com/topic/parameter; https://mathinsight.org/definition/parameter; http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/parameter.html)

The particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, proposed by Kennedy and Eberhart, is a metaheuristic algorithm based on the concept of swarm intelligence capable of solving complex mathematics problems existing in engineering. [de Almeida, B. S. G., & Leite, V. C. (2019). Particle swarm optimization: A powerful technique for solving engineering problems. In Swarm Intelligence-Recent Advances, New Perspectives and Applications. IntechOpen.]

An engineering Key Performance Indicator (KPI) or metric is a clearly defined quantifiable measure that an engineering firm uses to gauge its success over time. [https://insightsoftware.com/blog/top-engineering-kpis-and-metric-examples/#:~:text=An%20engineering%20Key%20Performance%20Indicator,to%20project%20specific%20performance%20metrics.]

A limit state is a condition of a structure beyond which it no longer fulfills the relevant design criteria. The condition may refer to a degree of loading or other actions on the structure, while the criteria refer to structural integrity, fitness for use, durability or other design requirements.

General “The human-made physical systems, assets, projects and structures, publicly and/or privately owned that are used by or provide benefit to the public. Examples of infrastructure include utilities, bridges, levees, drinking water systems, electrical systems, communications systems, dams, sewage systems and roads.” (CALS Program 2019, ONLINE) [CALS Program. (2019). Emergency Preparedness 11: Glossary of Terms. Retrieved from: https://calsprogram.org/manual/volume3/Section13/12-EMP11GlossaryofTerms13.html ]

Atmospheric-Sciences;Physics There are three classes models for forecasting hurricane motion, or â<80><9c>track prediction models: â<80><9c>statistical models that try to relate the hurricanes' motion to experience with past storms, dynamical models that solve the fundamental physical equations that describe atmospheric motions under various simplifying assumptions, and statistical-dynamical models that use results from dynamical-model calculations as input to statistical descriptions of storm motion.â<80><9d> The GFDL Model is a full physics model, developed as a research tool at the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, that has become fully operational. With its fine resolution (about 19km) and other special adaptations to the hurricane problem, it has an excellent forecasting record.â<80><9d> (AOML/NOAA 2019, ONLINE) [Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) / National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (2019). Track Prediction Models. Retrieved from: https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/nhurr97/MODELS.HTM ] â<80><9c>Over the past 20 years, significant advances have been made in the science of hurricane track forecasting. Much of this progress is due to advances in numerical weather prediction, that is, the use of computer models which approximate the fluid motions of the atmosphere to create forecasts of the weather at some time in the future. Since 1995, the GFDL Hurricane Prediction System has been used operationally by the National Hurricane Center and has consistently been one of the top-performing models utilized by NHC. The atmosphere is a fluid of air parcels in constant motion. The laws of physics dictate the manner in which that motion takes place. Mathematical equations can approximately describe the various motions and interactions that occur in the atmosphere. One of the biggest challenges for hurricane modeling is creating a model that can accurately depict the large-scale, environmental flow of the atmosphere that is largely responsible for steering the hurricane, while at the same time representing the finer scale details of the inner core region that determine the intensity of the storm. The GFDL hurricane model is able to reproduce the features that are important in a hurricane. These include the inflow of low-level air into the hurricaneâ<80><99>s inner core region; the supply of the stormâ<80><99>s energy from the evaporation of water from the ocean surface; updrafts of warm, moist air that feed thunderstorms in the core region of the storm, which help to intensify the hurricane; and the outflow of cooler, drier air at upper levels of the troposphere.â<80><9d> (More here: https://www.gfdl.noaa.gov/operational-hurricane-forecasting/) (GFDL 2019, ONLINE) [Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL). (2019). Operational Hurricane Track and Intensity Forecasting. Retrieved from: https://www.gfdl.noaa.gov/operational-hurricane-forecasting/ ]

A quantitative model that employs the priciples of physics in its makeup. (Attary et al. 2016) [Attary, N., van de Lindt, J. W., Unnikrishnan, V. U., Barbosa, A. R., & Cox, D. T. (2016). Methodology for development of physics-based tsunami fragilities. Journal of Structural Engineering, 143(5), 04016223.]

Platform Integration is a procedure during which the incorporation of various apps and services takes place. This software can be created from elements, bought as a pre-built output available for installation or obtained as an iPaaS. iPaaS stands for the Integration platform as a service.

General “The forced removal or uprooting of people from their home or country, is a global phenomenon triggered by multiple causes including physical and socioeconomic vulnerabilities, exposure to natural hazards, civil war and ethno-religious conflicts, environmental and natural resource degradation, landlessness, food insecurity and megaproject developments...a process that derives from both preexisting and cumulative physical, socioeconomic, political and institutional vulnerabilities” [Rodríguez, H., Donner, W., & Trainor, J. E. (Eds.). (2017). Handbook of disaster research. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com] “The displacement of people refers to the forced movement of people from their locality or environment and occupational activities. It is a form of social change caused by a number of factors, the most common being armed conflict. Natural disasters, famine, development and economic changes may also be a cause of displacement. In regard to population displacement resulting from development there are typically two types: direct displacement, which leads to actual displacement of people from their locations and indirect displacement, which leads to a loss of livelihood. Forced to leave the home region to which they are attached and for which they have the knowledge to make a living most effectively, displaced populations often become impoverished. The displacement of people as a result of development projects, policies and processes therefore constitutes a social cost for development.” (UNESCO; web) [United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (n.d.) Displaced person / displacement. Retrieved from: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/social-and-human-sciences/themes/international-migration/glossary/displaced-person-displacement/]

General “Predictive modeling is a process that uses data mining and probability to forecast outcomes. Each model is made up of a number of predictors, which are variables that are likely to influence future results. Once data has been collected for relevant predictors, a statistical model is formulated. The model may employ a simple linear equation, or it may be a complex neural network, mapped out by sophisticated software. As additional data becomes available, the statistical analysis model is validated or revised.” (Rouse; web) [Rouse, M. and TechTarget. (n.d.) Predictive Modeling. Retrieved from: https://searchenterpriseai.techtarget.com/definition/predictive-modeling]