Abstract: Promotion of the Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) as a construction material for civil engineering projects has invoked numerous researchers to investigate their mechanical behavior. Even though there is satisfactory information about the effects of fiber type and length, concrete mixture, casting type and other variables on the strength and deformability parameters of FRC, the numerical modeling of such materials still needs research attention. The focus of this study is to investigate the feasibility of Concrete Damaged Plasticity (CDP) model in prediction of Macro-synthetic FRC structures behavior. CDP model requires the tensile behavior of concrete to be well characterized. For this purpose, a series of uniaxial direct tension and four point bending tests were conducted on the notched specimens to define bilinear tension softening (post-peak tension stress-strain) behavior. With these parameters obtained, the flexural behavior of macro-synthetic FRC beams were modeled and the results showed a good agreement with the experimental measurements.
Abstract: Recently, the world main problem is a global warming and climate change affecting both outdoor and indoor environments, especially the air quality (AQ) as a result of vast migration of people from rural areas to urban areas. Therefore, cities became more crowded and denser from an irregular population increase, along with increasing urbanization caused many problems for the environment such as increasing the land prices, changes in life style, and the new buildings are not adapted to the climate producing uncomfortable and unhealthy indoor building conditions. As interior environments are the places that create the most intimate relationship with the user. Consequently, the indoor environment quality (IEQ) for buildings became uncomfortable and unhealthy for its occupants. The symptoms commonly associated with poor indoor environment such as itchy, headache, fatigue, and respiratory complaints such as cough and congestion, etc. The symptoms tend to improve over time or even disappear when people are away from the building. Therefore, designing a healthy indoor environment to fulfill human needs is the main concern for architects and interior designer. However, this research explores how occupant expectations and environmental attitudes may influence occupant health and satisfaction within the context of the indoor environment. In doing so, it reviews and contributes to the methods and tools used to evaluate only the indoor environment quality (IEQ) components of building performance. Its main aim is to review the literature on indoor human comfort. This is followed by a review of previous papers published related to human comfort. Finally, this paper will provide possible approaches in design level of healthy buildings.
Abstract: In subjective terms, Polish SME sector occupies a
prominent position in the national economic development, in which
planning of the management strategies should be primarily based on
identifying and meeting the innovation needs. As a research sample, there is chosen a printing sector of industry.
SMEs share in printing sector in Poland is estimated at the level of
81% of all enterprises. In recent years, the printing industry achieved
one of the highest levels of EU support in Poland. There is a
relatively high increase in the development of technological
innovations in equipment and the associated significant increase in
production capacity. It can be also noticed that on average, every
third enterprise belonging to the printing industry has implemented
innovations, but not all of them effected in better economic results.
Therefore, the aim of this article is to evaluate the impact of the
implementation of innovation projects financed from the EU funds
for performance of SMEs in the printing industry. As the results of research of EU funds co-financing effects on the
development of innovation in the printing industry, it was specified
that examined SMEs prefer to implement product innovation to
receive a grant to the project at a level between 40% to 60%, the
remaining part of the investment is usually covered with equity. The most common type of innovation had indicated a single
implementation, related only to the change in process, technology, or
organization. The relationship between variables of the EU funds and
management of innovative activities was verified. It has been
observed that the identified variables arising from the support in a
form of the EU funds had a positive effect on the level of earned
revenue, the increase in margin and in increase in employment as
well. It was confirmed that the implemented innovations supported
by the European funds have a positive impact on the performance of
the printing companies. Although there is a risk that due to the
decreasing demand for printing services such a high level of funding
the companies in this sector will significantly increase competition in
the long term, that may also contribute to the economic problems of
the enterprises belonging to the analyzed branch.
Abstract: This paper presents an analysis study on the impacts
of the changes of the capacitor banks, the loss of a transformer, and
the installation of distributed generation on the voltage total harmonic
distortion and harmonic resonance. The study is applied in a real
system in Oman, Sohar Industrial Port–C Substation Network.
Frequency scan method and Fourier series analysis method are used
with the help of EDSA software. Moreover, the results are compared
with limits specified by national Oman distribution code.
Abstract: Cavities are frequently found beneath conduits on pile
foundations in old embankments. Cavity reduces seepage length
significantly and consequently causes piping failure of embankments.
Case studies of embankment failures indicate that the relative
settlement between ground and pile supported-concrete conduit was
the main reason of the cavity. In this paper, an attempt to simulate the
cavity-induced piping failure mechanism was made using finite
element numerical method. Piping potential is examined by carrying
out parametric study for influencing factors such as cavity length,
water level, and flow conditions. The concentration of hydraulic
gradient adjacent to cavity was found. It is found that the hydraulic
gradient close to the cavity exceeds considerably the critical hydraulic
gradient causing piping. Piping failure potential due to the existence of
cavity is evaluated and contour map for the potential risk of an
embankment for piping failure is proposed.
Abstract: HMS Industrial Networks AB has been recognized as
one of the most innovative companies in the industrial
communication industry worldwide. The creation of their Anybus
innovation during the 1990s contributed considerably to the
company’s success. From inception, HMS’ employees were
innovating for the purpose of creating new business (the creation
phase). After the Anybus innovation, they began the process of
internationalization (the commercialization phase), which in turn led
them to concentrate on cost reduction, product quality, delivery
precision, operational efficiency, and increasing growth (the growth
phase). As a result of this transformation, performing new radical
innovations have become more complicated. The purpose of our research was to explore the dynamics of
innovation at HMS from the aspect of key actors, activities, and
events, over the three phases, in order to understand what led to the
creation of their Anybus innovation, and why it has become
increasingly challenging for HMS to create new radical innovations
for the future. Our research methodology was based on a longitudinal,
retrospective study from the inception of HMS in 1988 to 2014, a
single case study inspired by the grounded theory approach. We
conducted 47 interviews and collected 1 024 historical documents for
our research. Our analysis has revealed that HMS’ success in creating the
Anybus, and developing a successful business around the innovation,
was based on three main capabilities – cultivating customer relations
on different managerial and organizational levels, inspiring business
relations, and balancing complementary human assets for the purpose
of business creation. The success of HMS has turned the management’s attention away
from past activities of key actors, of their behavior, and how they
influenced and stimulated the creation of radical innovations.
Nowadays, they are rhetorically focusing on creativity and
innovation. All the while, their real actions put emphasis on growth,
cost reduction, product quality, delivery precision, operational
efficiency, and moneymaking. In the process of becoming an
international company, HMS gradually refocused. In so doing they
became profitable and successful, but they also forgot what made
them innovative in the first place. Fortunately, HMS’ management
has come to realize that this is the case and they are now in search of
recapturing innovation once again. Our analysis indicates that HMS’ management is facing several
barriers to innovation related path dependency and other lock-in
phenomena. HMS’ management has been captured, trapped in their
mindset and actions, by the success of the past. But now their future has to be secured, and they have come to realize that moneymaking is
not everything. In recent years, HMS’ management have begun to
search for innovation once more, in order to recapture their past
capabilities for creating radical innovations. In order to unlock their
managerial perceptions of customer needs and their counter-innovation
driven activities and events, to utilize the full potential of
their employees and capture the innovation opportunity for the future.
Abstract: Present paper enumerates highlights of seasonal
variation in floristic composition and ecological strategies for the
management of ‘Gujar Tal’ at Jaunpur in tropical semi-arid region of
eastern U.P. (India). Total composition of macrophytes recorded was
47 from 26 families with maximum 6 plant species of Cyperaceae
from April, 2012 to March, 2013 at certain periodic intervals.
Maximum number of plants (39) was present during winter followed
by (37) rainy and (27) summer seasons. The distribution pattern
depicted that maximum number of plants (27) was of marshy and
swampy habitats usually transitional between land and water.
Abstract: The study was meant to identify the impediments to
female sports management and participation in the selected colleges.
Seven colleges of education in the south west parts of the country
were selected for the study. A total of one hundred and five subjects
were sampled to supply data. Only one hundred adequately
completed and returned, copies of the questionnaire were used for
data analysis. The collected data were analysed descriptively. The
result of the study showed that inadequate fund, personnel, facilities
equipment, supplies, management of sports, supervision and coaching
were some of the impediments to female sports management and
participation. Athletes were not encouraged to participate. Based on
the findings, it was recommended that the government should come
to the aid of the colleges by providing fund and other needs that will
make sports attractive for enhanced participation.
Abstract: Reinforced cement concrete is getting extensively used
for construction of different type of structures for the last one century.
During this period, we have constructed many structures like
buildings, bridges, industrial structures, pavement, water tanks etc.
using this construction material. These structures have been created
with huge investment of resources. It is essential to maintain those
structures in functional condition. Since deterioration in RCC
Structures is a common and natural phenomenon it is required to have
a detailed plan, methodology for structural repair and rehabilitation
shall be in place for dealing such issues. It is important to know exact
reason of distress, type of distress and correct method of repair
concrete structures. The different methods of repair are described in
paper according to distress category which can be refereed for repair.
Major finding of the study is that to protect our structure we need to
have maintenance frequency and correct material to be chosen for
repair. Also workmanship during repair needs to be taken utmost care
for quality repair.
Abstract: The objective of this research is to develop a general technique so that one may predict the dynamic behaviour of a three-dimensional scale crane model subjected to time-dependent moving point forces by means of conventional finite element computer packages. To this end, the whole scale crane model is divided into two parts: the stationary framework and the moving substructure. In such a case, the dynamic responses of a scale crane model can be predicted from the forced vibration responses of the stationary framework due to actions of the four time-dependent moving point forces induced by the moving substructure. Since the magnitudes and positions of the moving point forces are dependent on the relative positions between the trolley, moving substructure and the stationary framework, it can be found from the numerical results that the time histories for the moving speeds of the moving substructure and the trolley are the key factors affecting the dynamic responses of the scale crane model.
Abstract: The recent instability in economy was found to be
influencing the situation in Malaysia whether directly or indirectly.
Taking that into consideration, the government needs to find the best
approach to balance its citizen’s socio-economic strata level urgently.
Through education platform is among the efforts planned and acted
upon for the purpose of balancing the effects of the influence,
through the exposure of social entrepreneurial activity towards youth
especially those in higher institution level. Armed with knowledge
and skills that they gained, with the support by entrepreneurial
culture and environment while in campus; indirectly, the students will
lean more on making social entrepreneurship as a career option when
they graduate. Following the issues of marketability and workability
of current graduates that are becoming dire, research involving how
far the willingness of student to create social innovation that
contribute to the society without focusing solely on personal gain is
relevant enough to be conducted. With that, this research is
conducted with the purpose of identifying the level of entrepreneurial
intention and social entrepreneurship among higher institution
students in Malaysia. Stratified random sampling involves 355
undergraduate students from five public universities had been made
as research respondents and data were collected through surveys. The
data was then analyzed descriptively using min score and standard
deviation. The study found that the entrepreneurial intention of higher
education students are on moderate level, however it is the contrary
for social entrepreneurship activities, where it was shown on a high
level. This means that while the students only have moderate level of
willingness to be a social entrepreneur, they are very committed to
created social innovation through the social entrepreneurship
activities conducted. The implication from this study can be
contributed towards the higher institution authorities in prediction the
tendency of student in becoming social entrepreneurs. Thus, the
opportunities and facilities for realizing the courses related to social
entrepreneurship must be created expansively so that the vision of
creating as many social entrepreneurs as possible can be achieved.
Abstract: Pain management is a question of quality of life and
an indicator for nursing quality. Chronic pain which is predominant
in oncology and palliative nursing situations is perceived today as a
multifactorial, individual emotional experience with specific
characteristics including the sociocultural dimension when dealing
with migrant patients. This dimension of chronic pain is of major
importance in professional nursing of migrant patients in hospices or
palliative care units. Objectives of the study are: 1. To find out more
about the sociocultural views on pain and nursing care, on customs
and nursing practices connected with pain of both Turkish Muslim
and German Christian women, 2. To improve individual and family
oriented nursing practice with view to sociocultural needs of patients
in severe pain in palliative care. In a qualitative-explorative comparative study 4 groups of women,
Turkish Muslims immigrants (4 from the first generation, 5 from the
second generation) and German Christian women of two generations
(5 of each age group) of the same age groups as the Turkish women
and with similar educational backgrounds were interviewed (semistructured
ethnographic interviews using Spradley, 1979) on their
perceptions and experiences of pain and nursing care within their
families. For both target groups the presentation will demonstrate the
following results in detail: Utterance of pain as well as “private” and
“public” pain vary within different societies and cultures. Permitted
forms of pain utterance are learned in childhood and determine
attitudes and expectations in adulthood. Language, especially when
metaphors and symbols are used, plays a major role for
misunderstandings. The sociocultural context of illness may include
specific beliefs that are important to the patients and yet seem more
than far-fetched from a biomedical perspective. Pain can be an
influential factor in family relationships where respect or hierarchies
do not allow the direct utterance of individual needs. Specific
resources are often, although not exclusively, linked to religious
convictions and are significantly helpful in reducing pain. The discussion will evaluate the results of the study with view to
the relevant literature and present nursing interventions and
instruments beyond medication that are helpful when dealing with
patients from various socio-cultural backgrounds in painful end-oflife
situations.
Abstract: Discussing the nexus between global health policy and local practices, this article addresses the recent Ebola outbreak as a role model for narrative co-constructions of epidemic risk. We will demonstrate in how far a theory-driven and methodologically rooted analysis of narrativity can help to improve mechanisms of prevention and intervention whenever epidemic risk needs to be addressed locally in order to contribute to global health. Analyzing the narrative transformation of Ebola, we will also address issues of transcultural problem-solving and of normative questions at stake. In this regard, we seek to contribute to a better understanding of a key question of global health and justice as well as to the underlying ethical questions. By highlighting and analyzing the functions of narratives, this paper provides a translational approach to refine our practices by which we address epidemic risk, be it on the national, the transnational or the global scale.
Abstract: Teaching methods include lectures, workshops and
tutorials for the presentation and discussion of ideas have become out
of date; were developed outside the discipline of architecture from
the college of engineering and do not satisfy the architectural
students’ needs and causes them many difficulties in integrating
structure into their design. In an attempt to improve structure
teaching methods, this paper focused upon proposing a supportive
teaching/learning tool using multi-media applications which seeks to
better meet the architecture student’s needs and capabilities and
improve the understanding and application of basic and intermediate
structural engineering and technology principles. Before introducing
the use of multi-media as a supportive teaching tool, a questionnaire
was distributed to third year students of a structural design course
who were selected as a sample to be surveyed forming a sample of 90
cases. The primary aim of the questionnaire was to identify the
students’ learning style and to investigate whether the selected
method of teaching could make the teaching and learning process
more efficient. Students’ reaction on the use of this method was
measured using three key elements indicating that this method is an
appropriate teaching method for the nature of the students and the
course as well.
Abstract: This paper looks at healing performances as
ethnographic expressions of local knowledge and culture embedded
within the Malay psyche and gemeinschaft. As society develops and
progresses, these healing performances are caught within conflicting
trajectories which become compounded by the contestations of
tradition, religious concerns, locality and modernity. As
exemplifications of the Malay ethos, these performances practice
common rituals, cater to the innate needs of the practitioners and
serve the targeted, closed, local community. This paper traces the
ethnographic methods in documenting these practices as rituals of
healing in a post-modern world. It delineates the ethnographic
concepts used to analyze these rituals, and to semiotically read the
varied binarial oppositions and juxtapositions. The paper concludes
by highlighting the reconciliatory processes involved in maintaining
these ritual performances as exemplifications of the Malay ethos
playing an important role in the re-aligning, re-balancing and healing
of the Malay community’s psyche.
Abstract: This paper presents the heat and mass driven natural
convection succession in a Darcy thermally stratified porous medium
that embeds a vertical semi-infinite impermeable wall of constant
heat flux and concentration. The scale analysis of the system
determines the two possible maps of the heat and mass driven natural
convection sequence along the wall as a function of the process
parameters. These results are verified using the finite differences
method applied to the conservation equations.
Abstract: This paper proposes a method of learning topics for
broadcasting contents. There are two kinds of texts related to
broadcasting contents. One is a broadcasting script, which is a series of
texts including directions and dialogues. The other is blogposts, which
possesses relatively abstracted contents, stories, and diverse
information of broadcasting contents. Although two texts range over
similar broadcasting contents, words in blogposts and broadcasting
script are different. When unseen words appear, it needs a method to
reflect to existing topic. In this paper, we introduce a semantic
vocabulary expansion method to reflect unseen words. We expand
topics of the broadcasting script by incorporating the words in
blogposts. Each word in blogposts is added to the most semantically
correlated topics. We use word2vec to get the semantic correlation
between words in blogposts and topics of scripts. The vocabularies of
topics are updated and then posterior inference is performed to
rearrange the topics. In experiments, we verified that the proposed
method can discover more salient topics for broadcasting contents.
Abstract: The present study investigates the effectiveness of
newly designed clayey pellets (fired clay pellets diameter sizes of 5
and 8 mm, and unfired clay pellets with the diameter size of 15 mm)
as the beds in the column adsorption process. The adsorption
experiments in the batch mode were performed before the column
experiment with the purpose to determine the order of adsorbent
package in the column which was to be designed in the investigation.
The column experiment was performed by using a known mass of the
clayey beds and the volume of the waste printing developer, which
was purified. The column was filled in the following order: fired clay
pellets of the diameter size of 5 mm, fired clay pellets of the diameter
size of 8 mm, and unfired clay pellets of the diameter size of 15 mm.
The selected order of the adsorbents showed a high removal
efficiency for zinc (97.8%) and copper (81.5%) ions. These
efficiencies were better than those in the case of the already existing
mode adsorption. The obtained experimental data present a good
basis for the selection of an appropriate column fill, but further
testing is necessary in order to obtain more accurate results.
Abstract: Ambient Computing or Ambient Intelligence (AmI) is
emerging area in computer science aiming to create intelligently
connected environments and Internet of Things. In this paper, we
propose communication middleware architecture for AmI. This
middleware architecture addresses problems of communication,
networking, and abstraction of applications, although there are other
aspects (e.g. HCI and Security) within general AmI framework.
Within this middleware architecture, any application developer might
address HCI and Security issues with extensibility features of this
platform.
Abstract: Excessive vibration means increased wear, increased
repair efforts, bad product selection & quality and high energy
consumption. This may be sometimes experienced by cavitation or
suction/discharge recirculation which could occur only when net
positive suction head available NPSHA drops below the net positive
suction head required NPSHR. Cavitation can cause axial surging, if it
is excessive, will damage mechanical seals, bearings, possibly other
pump components frequently, and shorten the life of the impeller.
Efforts have been made to explain Suction Energy (SE), Specific
Speed (Ns), Suction Specific Speed (Nss), NPSHA, NPSHR & their
significance, possible reasons of cavitation /internal recirculation, its
diagnostics and remedial measures to arrest and prevent cavitation in
this paper. A case study is presented by the author highlighting that
the root cause of unwanted noise and vibration is due to cavitation,
caused by high specific speeds or inadequate net- positive suction
head available which results in damages to material surfaces of
impeller & suction bells and degradation of machine performance, its
capacity and efficiency too. Author strongly recommends revisiting
the technical specifications of CW pumps to provide sufficient NPSH
margin ratios >1.5, for future projects and Nss be limited to 8500 -
9000 for cavitation free operation.