Abstract: The Standard Penetration Test (SPT) is the most
common in situ test for soil investigations. On the other hand, the
Cone Penetration Test (CPT) is considered one of the best
investigation tools. Due to the fast and accurate results that can be
obtained it complaints the SPT in many applications like field
explorations, design parameters, and quality control assessments.
Many soil index and engineering properties have been correlated to
both of SPT and CPT. Various foundation design methods were
developed based on the outcome of these tests. Therefore it is vital to
correlate these tests to each other so that either one of the tests can be
used in the absence of the other, especially for preliminary evaluation
and design purposes.
The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the
relationships between the SPT and CPT for different type of sandy
soils in Florida. Data for this research were collected from number of
projects sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT), six sites served as the subject of SPT-CPT correlations. The
correlations were established between the cone resistance (qc), sleeve
friction (fs) and the uncorrected SPT blow counts (N) for various
soils.
A positive linear relationship was found between qc, fs and N for
various sandy soils. In general, qc versus N showed higher
correlation coefficients than fs versus N. qc/N ratios were developed
for different soil types and compared to literature values, the results
of this research revealed higher ratios than literature values.
Abstract: In this research the effects of adding silica and
alumina nanoparticles on flow ability and compressive strength of
cementitious composites based on Portland cement were investigated.
In the first stage, the rheological behavior of different samples
containing nanosilica, nanoalumina and polypropylene, polyvinyl
alcohol and polyethylene fibers were evaluated. With increasing of
nanoparticles in fresh samples, the slump flow diameter reduced.
Fibers reduced the flow ability of the samples and viscosity
increased. With increasing of the micro silica particles to cement
ratio from 2/1 to 2/2, the slump flow diameter increased. By adding
silica and alumina nanoparticles up to 3% and 2% respectively, the
compressive strength increased and after decreased. Samples
containing silica nanoparticles and fibers had the highest compressive
strength.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to give an assessment of
environmental effects of IPPC permit conditions of installations that
are in specific territory with high concentration of industrial
activities.
The IPPC permit is the permit that each operator should hold to
operate the installation as stated by the directive 2010/75/UE on
industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control),
known as IED (Industrial Emissions Directive).
The IPPC permit includes all the measures necessary to achieve a
high level of protection of the environment as a whole, also defining
the monitoring requirements as measurement methodology,
frequency and evaluation procedure. The emissions monitoring of a
specific plant may also give indications of the contribution of these
emissions on the air quality of a definite area.
So, it is clear that the IPPC permits are important tools both to
improve the environmental framework and to achieve the air quality
standards, assisting to assess the possible industrial sources
contributions to air pollution.
Abstract: In this paper we describe one critical research
program within a complex, ongoing multi-year project (2010 to 2014
inclusive) with the overall goal to improve the learning outcomes for
first year undergraduate commerce/business students within an
Information Systems (IS) subject with very large enrolment. The
single research program described in this paper is the analysis of
student attitudes and decision making in relation to the availability of
formative assessment feedback via Web-based real time conferencing
and document exchange software (Adobe Connect). The formative
assessment feedback between teaching staff and students is in respect
of an authentic problem-based, team-completed assignment. The
analysis of student attitudes and decision making is investigated via
both qualitative (firstly) and quantitative (secondly) application of the
Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) with a two statistically-significant
and separate trial samples of the enrolled students. The initial
qualitative TPB investigation revealed that perceived self-efficacy,
improved time-management, and lecturer-student relationship
building were the major factors in shaping an overall favorable
student attitude to online feedback, whilst some students expressed
valid concerns with perceived control limitations identified within the
online feedback protocols. The subsequent quantitative TPB
investigation then confirmed that attitude towards usage, subjective
norms surrounding usage, and perceived behavioral control of usage
were all significant in shaping student intention to use the online
feedback protocol, with these three variables explaining 63 percent of
the variance in the behavioral intention to use the online feedback
protocol. The identification in this research of perceived behavioral
control as a significant determinant in student usage of a specific
technology component within a virtual learning environment (VLE)
suggests that VLEs could now be viewed not as a single, atomic
entity, but as a spectrum of technology offerings ranging from the
mature and simple (e.g., email, Web downloads) to the cutting-edge
and challenging (e.g., Web conferencing and real-time document
exchange). That is, that all VLEs should not be considered the same.
The results of this research suggest that tertiary students have the
technological sophistication to assess a VLE in this more selective
manner.
Abstract: Background: With the perceived pain and poor
function experienced following knee arthroplasty, patients usually
feel un-satisfied. Yet, a controversy still persists on the appropriate
operative technique that doesn’t affect proprioception much.
Purpose: This study compared the effects of Cruciate Retaining
(CR) and Posterior Stabilized (PS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA on
dynamic balance, pain and functional performance following
rehabilitation.
Methods: Thirty patients with CRTKA (group I), thirty with
PSTKA (group II) and fifteen indicated for arthroplasty but weren’t
operated on yet (group III) participated in the study. The mean age
was 54.53±3.44, 55.13±3.48 and 55.33±2.32 years and BMI
35.7±3.03, 35.7±1.99 and 35.73±1.03 kg/m2 for groups I, II and III
respectively. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), WOMAC pain subscale
and Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) and Stair-Climbing (SC) tests were
used for assessment. Assessments were conducted four weeks preand
post-operatively, three, six and twelve months post-operatively
with the control group being assessed at the same time intervals. The
post-operative rehabilitation involved hospitalization (1st week),
home-based (2nd-4th weeks), and outpatient clinic (5th-12th weeks)
programs, follow-up to all groups for twelve months.
Results: The Mixed design MANOVA revealed that group I had
significantly lower pain scores and SC time compared with group II
three, six and twelve months post-operatively. Moreover, the BBS
scores increased significantly and the pain scores and TUG and SC
time decreased significantly six months post-operatively compared
with four weeks pre- and post-operatively and three months postoperatively
in groups I and II with the opposite being true four weeks
post-operatively. But no significant differences in BBS scores, pain
scores and TUG and SC time between six and twelve months postoperatively
in groups I and II.
Interpretation/Conclusion: CRTKA is preferable to PSTKA,
possibly due to the preserved human proprioceptors in the un-excised
PCL.
Abstract: In this article is reported a construction and some
properties of the 5iD viewer, the system recording simultaneously
5 views of a given experimental object. Properties of the system
are demonstrated on the analysis of fish schooling behaviour. It
is demonstrated the method of instrument calibration which allows
inclusion of image distortion and it is proposed and partly tested
also the method of distance assessment in the case that only two
opposite cameras are available. Finally, we demonstrate how the state
trajectory of the behaviour of the fish school may be constructed from
the entropy of the system.
Abstract: Member States shall establish zones and
agglomerations throughout their territory to assess and manage air
quality in order to comply with European directives.
In Italy decree 155/2010, transposing Directive 2008/50/EC on
ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, merged into a single
act the previous provisions on ambient air quality assessment and
management, including those resulting from the implementation of
Directive 2004/107/EC relating to arsenic, cadmium, nickel, mercury
and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air.
Decree 155/2010 introduced stricter rules for identifying zones on
the basis of the characteristics of the territory in spite of considering
pollution levels, as it was in the past. The implementation of such
new criteria has reduced the great variability of the previous zoning,
leading to a significant reduction of the total number of zones and to
a complete and uniform ambient air quality assessment and
management throughout the Country.
The present document is related to the new zones definition in
Italy according to Decree 155/2010. In particular the paper contains
the description and the analysis of the outcome of zoning and
classification.
Abstract: Shortfall of electrical energy in Pakistan is a challenge
adversely affecting its industrial output and social growth. As
elsewhere, Pakistan derives its electrical energy from a number of
conventional sources. The exhaustion of petroleum and conventional
resources, the rising costs coupled with extremely adverse climatic
effects are taking its toll especially on the under-developed countries
like Pakistan. As alternate, renewable energy sources like hydropower,
solar, wind, even bio-energy and a mix of some or all of them
could provide a credible alternative to the conventional energy
resources that would not only be cleaner but sustainable as well. As a
model, solar energy-based power grid for the near future has been
attempted to offset the energy shortfalls as a mix with our existing
sustainable natural energy resources. An assessment of solar energy
potential for electricity generation is being presented for fulfilling the
energy demands with higher level of reliability and sustainability.
This model is based on the premise that solar energy potential of
Pakistan is not only reliable but also sustainable. This research
estimates the present & future approaching renewable energy
resource specially the impact of solar energy based power grid for
mitigating energy shortage in Pakistan.
Abstract: An existing RC building in Madinah is seismically
evaluated with and without infill wall. Four model systems have been
considered i.e. model I (no infill), model IIA (strut infill-update from
field test), model IIB (strut infill- ASCE/SEI 41) and model IIC (strut
infill-Soft storey- ASCE/SEI 41). Three dimensional pushover
analyses have been carried out using SAP2000 software
incorporating inelastic material behavior for concrete, steel and infill
walls. Infill wall has been modeled as equivalent strut according to
suggested equation matching field test measurements and to the
ASCE/SEI 41 equation. The effect of building modeling on the
performance point as well as capacity and demand spectra due to EQ
design spectrum function in Madinah area has been investigated. The
response modification factor (R) for the 5 story RC building is
evaluated from capacity and demand spectra (ATC-40) for the
studied models. The results are summarized and discussed.
Abstract: Early pre-code reinforced concrete structures present
undetermined resistance to earthquakes. This situation is particularly
unacceptable in the case of essential structures, such as healthcare
structures and pilgrims' houses. Amongst these, an existing old RC
building in Madinah city (KSA) is seismically evaluated with and
without infill wall and their dynamic characteristics are compared
with measured values in the field using ambient vibration
measurements (AVM). After updating the mathematical models for
this building with the experimental results, three dimensional
pushover analysis (Nonlinear static analysis) was carried out using
commercial structural analysis software incorporating inelastic
material properties for concrete, infill and steel. The purpose of this
analysis is to evaluate the expected performance of structural systems
by estimating, strength and deformation demands in design, and
comparing these demands to available capacities at the performance
levels of interest. The results summarized and discussed.
Abstract: Contracting authorities in the public sector are
obligated to apply the principles provided for in the Polish law for the
evaluation and selection of contractors. In order to analyse the
methods of contractors selecting applied in practice by public clients,
the notices of contract award results for construction works were
analysed. The analysis shows that the procedure selected more and
more often is open competitive bidding, where the assessment of the
competence of contractors is not very precise, as well as noncompetitive
bidding, i.e. single source procurement. The share of
procurement procedures, where the only criterion is price, is
increasing. The solution to the problems existing here might be the
introduction of one of the forms of pre-selection of contractors. The
article also briefly discusses verification systems for companies
applying for public contracts used in EU countries.
Abstract: For cycling, the analysis of the pedal force is one of the
important factors in the study of exercise ability assessment and
overuse injuries. In past studies, a two-axis measurement sensor was
used at the sagittal plane to measure the force only in the anterior,
posterior, and vertical directions and to analyze the loss of force and
the injury on the frontal plane due to the forces in the right and left
directions. In this study, which is a basic study on diverse analyses of
the pedal force that consider the forces on the sagittal plane and the
frontal plane, a three-axis pedal force measurement sensor was
developed to measure the anterior-posterior (Fx), medio-lateral (Fz),
and vertical (Fy) forces. The sensor was fabricated with a size and
shape similar to those of the general flat pedal, and had a 550g weight
that allowed smooth pedaling. Its measurement range was ±1000 N for
Fx and Fz and ±2000 N for Fy, and its non-linearity, hysteresis, and
repeatability were approximately 0.5%. The data were sampled at
1000 Hz using a signal collector. To use the developed sensor, the
pedaling efficiency (index of efficiency, IE) and the range of left and
right (medio-lateral, ML) forces were measured with two seat heights
(low and high). The results of the measurement showed that the IE was
higher and the force range in the ML direction was lower with the high
position than with the low position. The developed measurement
sensor and its application results will be useful in understanding and
explaining the complicated pedaling technique, and will enable
diverse kinematic analyses of the pedal force on the sagittal plane and
the frontal plane.
Abstract: This paper focuses on the assessment of the air
pollution and morbidity relationship in Tunisia. Air pollution is
measured by ozone air concentration and the morbidity is measured
by the number of respiratory-related restricted activity days during
the 2-week period prior to the interview. Socioeconomic data are also
collected in order to adjust for any confounding covariates. Our
sample is composed by 407 Tunisian respondents; 44.7% are women,
the average age is 35.2, near 69% are living in a house built after
1980, and 27.8% have reported at least one day of respiratory-related
restricted activity. The model consists on the regression of the
number of respiratory-related restricted activity days on the air
quality measure and the socioeconomic covariates. In order to correct
for zero-inflation and heterogeneity, we estimate several models
(Poisson, negative binomial, zero inflated Poisson, Poisson hurdle,
negative binomial hurdle and finite mixture Poisson models).
Bootstrapping and post-stratification techniques are used in order to
correct for any sample bias. According to the Akaike information
criteria, the hurdle negative binomial model has the greatest goodness
of fit. The main result indicates that, after adjusting for
socioeconomic data, the ozone concentration increases the probability
of positive number of restricted activity days.
Abstract: Testing the first year students of Informatics at the
University of Debrecen revealed that students start their tertiary
studies in programming with a low level of programming knowledge
and algorithmic skills. The possible reasons which lead the students
to this very unfortunate result were examined. The results of the test
were compared to the students’ results in the school leaving exams
and to their self-assessment values. It was found that there is only a
slight connection between the students’ results in the test and in the
school leaving exams, especially at intermediate level. Beyond this,
the school leaving exams do not seem to enable students to evaluate
their own abilities.
Abstract: Environmental impacts of six 3D printers using
various materials were compared to determine if material choice
drove sustainability, or if other factors such as machine type, machine
size, or machine utilization dominate. Cradle-to-grave life-cycle
assessments were performed, comparing a commercial-scale FDM
machine printing in ABS plastic, a desktop FDM machine printing in
ABS, a desktop FDM machine printing in PET and PLA plastics, a
polyjet machine printing in its proprietary polymer, an SLA machine
printing in its polymer, and an inkjet machine hacked to print in salt
and dextrose. All scenarios were scored using ReCiPe Endpoint H
methodology to combine multiple impact categories, comparing
environmental impacts per part made for several scenarios per
machine. Results showed that most printers’ ecological impacts were
dominated by electricity use, not materials, and the changes in
electricity use due to different plastics was not significant compared
to variation from one machine to another. Variation in machine idle
time determined impacts per part most strongly. However, material
impacts were quite important for the inkjet printer hacked to print in
salt: In its optimal scenario, it had up to 1/38th the impacts coreper
part as the worst-performing machine in the same scenario. If salt
parts were infused with epoxy to make them more physically robust,
then much of this advantage disappeared, and material impacts
actually dominated or equaled electricity use. Future studies should
also measure DMLS and SLS processes / materials.
Abstract: Measurements and quantitative analysis of kinematic
parameters of human hand movements have an important role in
different areas such as hand function rehabilitation, modeling of
multi-digits robotic hands, and the development of machine-man
interfaces. In this paper the assessment and evaluation of the reachto-
grasp movement by using computerized and robot-assisted method
is described. Experiment involved the measurements of hand
positions of seven healthy subjects during grasping three objects of
different shapes and sizes. Results showed that three dominant phases
of reach-to-grasp movements could be clearly identified.
Abstract: Passing the entrance exam to a university is a major
step in one's life. University entrance exam commonly known as
Kankor is the nationwide entrance exam in Afghanistan. This
examination is prerequisite for all public and private higher education
institutions at undergraduate level. It is usually taken by students who
are graduated from high schools. In this paper, we reflect the major
educational school graduates issues and propose ICT-based test
preparation environment, known as ‘Online Kankor Exam Prep
System’ to give students the tools to help them pass the university
entrance exam on the first try. The system is based on Intelligent
Tutoring System (ITS), which introduced an essential package of
educational technology for learners that features: (I) exam-focused
questions and content; (ii) self-assessment environment; and (iii) test
preparation strategies in order to help students to acquire the necessary
skills in their carrier and keep them up-to-date with instruction.
Abstract: This paper describes a novel application of Fiber
Braggs Grating (FBG) sensors in the assessment of human postural
stability and balance on an unstable platform. In this work, FBG
sensor Stability Analyzing Device (FBGSAD) is developed for
measurement of plantar strain to assess the postural stability of
subjects on unstable platforms during different stances in eyes open
and eyes closed conditions on a rocker board. The studies are
validated by comparing the Centre of Gravity (CG) variations
measured on the lumbar vertebra of subjects using a commercial
accelerometer. The results obtained from the developed FBGSAD
depict qualitative similarities with the data recorded by commercial
accelerometer. The advantage of the FBGSAD is that it measures
simultaneously plantar strain distribution and postural stability of the
subject along with its inherent benefits like non-requirement of
energizing voltage to the sensor, electromagnetic immunity and
simple design which suits its applicability in biomechanical
applications. The developed FBGSAD can serve as a tool/yardstick to
mitigate space motion sickness, identify individuals who are
susceptible to falls and to qualify subjects for balance and stability,
which are important factors in the selection of certain unique
professionals such as aircraft pilots, astronauts, cosmonauts etc.
Abstract: Developing young people’s employability is a key
policy issue for ensuring their successful transition to the labour
market and their access to career oriented employment. The youths of
today irrespective of their gender need to acquire the knowledge,
skills and attitudes that will enable them to create or find jobs as well
as cope with unpredictable labour market changes throughout their
working lives. In a study carried out to determine the influence of
gender on job-competencies requirements of chemical-based
industries and undergraduate-competencies acquisition by chemists
working in the industries, all chemistry graduates working in twenty
(20) chemical-based industries that were randomly selected from six
sectors of chemical-based industries in Lagos and Ogun States of
Nigeria were administered with Job-competencies required and
undergraduate-competencies acquired assessment questionnaire. The
data were analysed using means and independent sample t-test. The
findings revealed that the population of female chemists working in
chemical-based industries is low compared with the number of male
chemists; furthermore, job-competencies requirements are found not
to be gender biased while there is no significant difference in
undergraduate-competencies acquisition of male and female
chemists. This suggests that females should be given the same
opportunity of employment in chemical-based industries as their male
counterparts. The study also revealed the level of acquisition of
undergraduate competencies as related to the needs of chemicalbased
industries.
Abstract: Science and technology has a major impact on many
societal domains such as communication, medicine, food,
transportation, etc. However, this dominance of modern technology
can have a negative unintended impact on indigenous systems, and in
particular on indigenous foods. This problem serves as a motivation
to this study whose aim is to examine the perceptions of learners on
the usefulness of Information and Communication Technologies
(ICTs) for learning about indigenous foods. This aim will be
subdivided into two types of research objectives. The design and
identification of theories and models will be achieved using literature
content analysis. The objective on the empirical testing of such
theories and models will be achieved through the survey of
Hospitality studies learners from different schools in the iLembe and
Umgungundlovu Districts of the South African Kwazulu-Natal
province. SPSS is used to quantitatively analyze the data collected by
the questionnaire of this survey using descriptive statistics and
Pearson correlations after the assessment of the validity and the
reliability of the data. The main hypothesis behind this study is that
there is a connection between the demographics of learners, their
perceptions on the usefulness of ICTs for learning about indigenous
foods, and the following personality and eLearning related theories
constructs: Computer self-efficacy, Trust in ICT systems, and
Conscientiousness; as suggested by existing studies on learning
theories. This hypothesis was fully confirmed by the survey
conducted by this study except for the demographic factors where
gender and age were not found to be determinant factors of learners’
perceptions on the usefulness of ICTs for learning about indigenous
foods.