Abstract: Technical laboratories are typically considered as
highly hazardous places in the polytechnic institution when
addressing the problems of high incidences and fatality rates. In
conjunction with several topics covered in the technical curricular,
safety and health precaution should be highlighted in order to
connect to few key ideas of being safe. Therefore the assessment of
safety awareness in terms of safety and health about hazardous and
risks at laboratories is needed and has to be incorporated with
technical education and other training programmes. The purpose of
this study was to determine the efficacy of technical laboratory safety
in one of the polytechnics in northern region. The study examined
three related issues that were; the availability of safety material and
equipment, safety practice adopted by technical teachers and
administrator-s safety attitudes in enforcing safety to the students. A
model of efficacy technical laboratory was developed to test the
linear relationship between existing safety material and equipment,
teachers- safety practice and administrators- attitude in enforcing
safety and to identify which of technical laboratory safety issues was
the most pertinent factor to realize safety in technical laboratory.
This was done by analyzing survey-based data sets particularly those
obtained from samples of 210 students in the polytechnic. The
Pearson Correlation was used to measure the association between the
variables and to test the research hypotheses. The result of the study
has found that there was a significant correlation between existing
safety material and equipment, safety practice adopted by teacher
and administrator-s attitude. There was also a significant relationship
between technical laboratory safety and safety practice adopted by
teacher and between technical laboratory safety and administrator
attitude. Hence, safety practice adopted by teacher and administrator
attitude is vital in realizing technical laboratory safety.
Abstract: Structural Integrity Management (SIM) is
important for the protection of offshore crew, environment, business assets and company and industry reputation. API RP 2A contained guidelines for assessment of existing platforms mostly for the Gulf
of Mexico (GOM). ISO 19902 SIM framework also does not
specifically cater for Malaysia. There are about 200 platforms in
Malaysia with 90 exceeding their design life. The Petronas Carigali
Sdn Bhd (PCSB) uses the Asset Integrity Management System and
the very subjective Risk based Inspection Program for these
platforms. Petronas currently doesn-t have a standalone Petronas
Technical Standard PTS-SIM. This study proposes a recommended
practice for the SIM process for offshore structures in Malaysia,
including studies by API and ISO and local elements such as the
number of platforms, types of facilities, age and risk ranking. Case
study on SMG-A platform in Sabah shows missing or scattered
platform data and a gap in inspection history. It is to undergo a level
3 underwater inspection in year 2015.
Abstract: Using activity theory, organisational theory and
didactics as theoretical foundations, a comprehensive model of the
organisational dimensions relevant for learning and knowledge
transfer will be developed. In a second step, a Learning Assessment
Guideline will be elaborated. This guideline will be designed to
permit a targeted analysis of organisations to identify the status quo
in those areas crucial to the implementation of learning and
knowledge transfer. In addition, this self-analysis tool will enable
learning managers to select adequate didactic models for e- and
blended learning. As part of the European Integrated Project
"Process-oriented Learning and Information Exchange" (PROLIX),
this model of organisational prerequisites for learning and knowledge
transfer will be empirically tested in four profit and non-profit
organisations in Great Britain, Germany and France (to be finalized
in autumn 2006). The findings concern not only the capability of the
model of organisational dimensions, but also the predominant
perceptions of and obstacles to learning in organisations.
Abstract: This paper provides a key driver-based conceptual framework that can be used to improve a firm-s success in commercializing technology and in new product innovation resulting from collaboration with other organizations through strategic alliances. Based on a qualitative study using an interview approach, strategic alliances of entrepreneurs in the food processing industry in Thailand are explored. This paper describes factors affecting decisions to collaborate through alliances. It identifies four issues: maintaining the efficiency of the value chain for production capability, adapting to present and future competition, careful assessment of value of outcomes, and management of innovation. We consider five driving factors: resource orientation, assessment of risk, business opportunity, sharing of benefits and confidence in alliance partners. These factors will be of interest to entrepreneurs and policy makers with regard to further understanding of the direction of business strategies.
Abstract: In recent years, sustainable supply chain management
(SSCM) has been widely researched in academic domain. However,
due to the traditional operational role and the complexity of supply
chain management in the cement industry, a relatively small amount
of research has been conducted on cement supply chain simulation
integrated with sustainability criteria. This paper analyses the cement
supply chain operations using the Push-Pull supply chain
frameworks, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology; and
proposal integration approach, proposes three supply chain scenarios
based on Make-To-Stock (MTS), Pack-To-Order (PTO) and Grind-
To-Order (GTO) strategies. A Discrete-Event Simulation (DES)
model of SSCM is constructed using Arena software to implement
the three-target scenarios. We conclude with the simulation results
that (GTO) is the optimal supply chain strategy that demonstrates the
best economic, ecological and social performance in the cement
industry.
Abstract: The sanitary sewerage connection rate becomes an
important indicator of advanced cities. Following the construction of
sanitary sewerages, the maintenance and management systems are
required for keeping pipelines and facilities functioning well. These
maintenance tasks often require sewer workers to enter the manholes
and the pipelines, which are confined spaces short of natural
ventilation and full of hazardous substances. Working in sewers could
be easily exposed to a risk of adverse health effects. This paper
proposes the use of Bayesian belief networks (BBN) as a higher level
of noncarcinogenic health risk assessment of sewer workers. On the
basis of the epidemiological studies, the actual hospital attendance
records and expert experiences, the BBN is capable of capturing the
probabilistic relationships between the hazardous substances in sewers
and their adverse health effects, and accordingly inferring the
morbidity and mortality of the adverse health effects. The provision of
the morbidity and mortality rates of the related diseases is more
informative and can alleviate the drawbacks of conventional methods.
Abstract: Many single or multispan arch bridges are
strengthened with the addition of some kind of structural support
between adjacent arches of multispan or beside the arch barrel of a
single span to increase the strength of the overall structure. It was
traditionally formed by either placing loose rubble masonry blocks
between the arches and beside the arches or using mortar or concrete
to construct a more substantial structural bond between the spans. On
the other hand backing materials are present in some existing bridges.
Existing arch assessment procedures generally ignore the effects of
backing materials. In this paper an investigation of the effects of
backing on ratings for masonry arch bridges is carried out. It is
observed that increasing the overall lateral stability of the arch
system through the inclusion of structural backing results in an
enhanced failure load by reducing the likelihood of any tension
occurring at the top of the arch.
Abstract: The Long-range Energy and Alternatives Planning (LEAP) energy planning system has been developed for South Africa, for the 2005 base year and a limited number of plausible future scenarios that may have significant implications (negative or positive) in terms of environmental impacts. The system quantifies the national energy demand for the domestic, commercial, transport, industry and agriculture sectors, the supply of electricity and liquid fuels, and the resulting emissions. The South African National Energy Research Institute (SANERI) identified the need to develop an environmental assessment tool, based on the LEAP energy planning system, to provide decision-makers and stakeholders with the necessary understanding of the environmental impacts associated with different energy scenarios. A comprehensive analysis of indicators that are used internationally and in South Africa was done and the available data was accessed to select a reasonable number of indicators that could be utilized in energy planning. A consultative process was followed to determine the needs of different stakeholders on the required indicators and also the most suitable form of reporting. This paper demonstrates the application of Energy Environmental Sustainability Indicators (EESIs) as part of the developed tool, which assists with the identification of the environmental consequences of energy generation and use scenarios and thereby promotes sustainability, since environmental considerations can then be integrated into the preparation and adoption of policies, plans, programs and projects. Recommendations are made to refine the tool further for South Africa.
Abstract: In the numerical solution of the forward dynamics of a
multibody system, the positions and velocities of the bodies in the
system are obtained first. With the information of the system state
variables at each time step, the internal and external forces acting on
the system are obtained by appropriate contact force models if the
continuous contact method is used instead of a discrete contact
method. The local deformation of the bodies in contact, represented
by penetration, is used to compute the contact force. The ability and
suitability with current cylindrical contact force models to describe
the contact between bodies with cylindrical geometries with
particular focus on internal contacting geometries involving low
clearances and high loads simultaneously is discussed in this paper.
A comparative assessment of the performance of each model under
analysis for different contact conditions, in particular for very
different penetration and clearance values, is presented. It is
demonstrated that some models represent a rough approximation to
describe the conformal contact between cylindrical geometries
because contact forces are underestimated.
Abstract: Today, computer systems are more and more complex and support growing security risks. The security managers need to find effective security risk assessment methodologies that allow modeling well the increasing complexity of current computer systems but also maintaining low the complexity of the assessment procedure. This paper provides a brief analysis of common security risk assessment methodologies leading to the selection of a proper methodology to fulfill these requirements. Then, a detailed analysis of the most effective methodology is accomplished, presenting numerical examples to demonstrate how easy it is to use.
Abstract: Nuclear energy sources have been widely used in the
past decades in order to power spacecraft subsystems. Nevertheless,
their use has attracted controversy because of the risk of harmful
material released into the atmosphere if an accident were to occur
during the launch phase of the mission, leading to the general
adoption of photovoltaic systems.
As compared to solar cells, wind turbines have a great advantage
on Mars, as they can continuously produce power both during dust
storms and at night-time: this paper focuses on the potential of a wind
energy conversion system (WECS) considering the atmospheric
conditions on Mars. Wind potential on Martian surface has been
estimated, as well as the average energy requirements of a Martian
probe or surface rover. Finally, the expected daily energy output of
the WECS has been computed on the basis of both the swept area of
the rotor and the equivalent wind speed at the landing site.
Abstract: The intention of this study to design the probability optimized sewing sack-s workstation based on ergonomics for productivity improvement and decreasing musculoskeletal disorders. The physical dimensions of two workers were using to design the new workstation. The physical dimensions are (1) sitting height, (2) mid shoulder height sitting, (3) shoulder breadth, (4) knee height, (5) popliteal height, (6) hip breadth and (7) buttock-knee length. The 5th percentile of buttock knee length sitting (51 cm), the 50th percentile of mid shoulder height sitting (62 cm) and the 95th percentile of popliteal height (43 cm) and hip breadth (45 cm) applied to design the workstation for sewing sack-s operator and the others used to adjust the components of this workstation. The risk assessment by RULA before and after using the probability optimized workstation were 7 and 7 scores and REBA scores were 11 and 5, respectively. Body discomfort-abnormal index was used to assess muscle fatigue of operators before adjustment workstation found that neck muscles, arm muscles area, muscles on the back and the lower back muscles fatigue. Therefore, the extension and flexion exercise was applied to relief musculoskeletal stresses. The workers exercised 15 minutes before the beginning and the end of work for 5 days. After that, the capability of flexion and extension muscles- workers were increasing in 3 muscles (arm, leg, and back muscles).
Abstract: Background: Tissue Doppler Echocardiography
(TDE) assesses diastolic function more accurately than routine pulse
Doppler echo. Assessment of the effects of dynamic and static
exercises on the heart by using TDE can provides new information
about the athlete-s heart syndrome. Methods: This study was
conducted on 20 elite wrestlers, 14 endurance runners at national
level and 21 non-athletes as the control group. Participants underwent
two-dimensional echocardiography, standard Doppler and TDE.
Results: Wrestlers had the highest left ventricular mass index, enddiastolic
inter-ventricular septum thickness and left ventricular
Posterior wall thickness. Runners had the highest Left ventricular
end-diastolic volume, LV ejection fraction, stroke volume and
cardiac output. In TDE, the early diastolic velocity of mitral annulus
to the late diastolic velocity ratio in athletic groups was greater than
the controls with no significant difference. Conclusion: In spite of
cardiac morphological changes in athletes, TDE shows that cardiac
diastolic function won-t be adversely affected.
Abstract: Commercial infrastructures intended for use as leisure
retreats such as golf and ski resorts have been extensively developed in many rural areas of Japan. However, following the burst of the economic bubble in the 1990s, several existing resorts faced tough
management decisions and some were forced to close their business.
In this study, six alternative management options for restructuring the
existing golf courses (park, cemetery, biofuel production, reforestation,
pasturing and abandonment) are examined and their environmental
and economic impacts are quantitatively assessed. In addition,
restructuring scenarios of these options and an ex-ante assessment
model are developed. The scenario analysis by Monte Carlo simulation shows a clear trade-off between GHG savings and benefit/cost (B/C) ratios, of which “Restoring Nature" scenario
absorbs the most CO2 among the four scenarios considered, but its B/C
ratio is the lowest. This study can be used to select or examine options
and scenarios of golf course management and rural environmental
management policies.
Abstract: In this paper we evaluated the efficacy of
photodynamic treatment of infected wounds on pig animal model by
diffuse reflectance spectrometry. The study was conducted on fifteen
wounds contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that were
incubated for 30 min with methylene blue solution (c = 3.3 x 10-3 M)
and exposed to laser radiations (λ = 670 nm, P = 15 mW) for 15 min.
The efficiency of photodynamic inactivation of bacteria was
evaluated by microbiological exams and diffuse reflectance
spectrometry. The results of the microbiological exams showed that
the bacterial concentration has decreased from 6.93±0.138
logCFU/ml to 3.12±0.108 logCFU/ml. The spectral examination
showed that the diffuse reflectance of wounds contaminated with
Staphylococcus aureus has decreased from 5.06±0.036 % to
3.36±0.025 %. In conclusion, photodynamic therapy is an effective
method for the treatment of infected wounds and there is a correlation
between the CFU count and diffuse reflectance.
Abstract: Software maintenance, which involves making enhancements, modifications and corrections to existing software systems, consumes more than half of developer time. Specification comprehensibility plays an important role in software maintenance as it permits the understanding of the system properties more easily and quickly. The use of formal notation such as B increases a specification-s precision and consistency. However, the notation is regarded as being difficult to comprehend. Semi-formal notation such as the Unified Modelling Language (UML) is perceived as more accessible but it lacks formality. Perhaps by combining both notations could produce a specification that is not only accurate and consistent but also accessible to users. This paper presents an experiment conducted on a model that integrates the use of both UML and B notations, namely UML-B, versus a B model alone. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the comprehensibility of a UML-B model compared to a traditional B model. The measurement used in the experiment focused on the efficiency in performing the comprehension tasks. The experiment employed a cross-over design and was conducted on forty-one subjects, including undergraduate and masters students. The results show that the notation used in the UML-B model is more comprehensible than the B model.
Abstract: The impact of a proposed pier on tidal current
alteration was evaluated. The proposed pier location was in Salad
Bay on Koa Kood Island, Trat province, Thailand, and was designed
to accommodate passenger ships with a draft of less than 2 m. The
study began with collecting necessary data, including bathymetric,
water elevation and tidal current characteristics. The impact was
assessed using a software package (MIKE21). Although the results
showed that the pier would affect the existing current pattern, the
change was determined to be insignificant, as the design of the piles
for the pier provided sufficient spacing to let the current flow as
freely as possible. Consequences of the altered current, such as
seabed erosion, water stagnation, sediment deposition and
navigational risk were assessed. Environmental mitigation measures
might be necessary if the impacts were considered unacceptable.
Abstract: The paper presents the case study of hazard
identification and sensitivity of potential resource of emergency
water supply as part of the application of methodology classifying
the resources of drinking water for emergency supply of population.
The case study has been carried out on a selected resource of
emergency water supply in one region of the Czech Republic. The
hazard identification and sensitivity of potential resource of
emergency water supply is based on a unique procedure and
developed general registers of selected types of hazards and
sensitivities. The registers have been developed with the help of the
“Fault Tree Analysis” method in combination with the “What if
method”. The identified hazards for the assessed resource include
hailstorms and torrential rains, drought, soil erosion, accidents of
farm machinery, and agricultural production. The developed registers
of hazards and vulnerabilities and a semi-quantitative assessment of
hazards for individual parts of hydrological structure and
technological elements of presented drilled wells are the basis for a
semi-quantitative risk assessment of potential resource of emergency
supply of population and the subsequent classification of such
resource within the system of crisis planning.
Abstract: The results obtained after incorporating the competence “creativity" to the subject Technical Drawing of the first course of the Degree in Forestry, Technical University of Madrid, are presented in this study.At first, learning activities which could serve two functions at the same time -developing students- creativity and developing other specific competences of the subject- were considered. Besides, changes in the assessment procedure were made and a method which analyzes two aspects of the assessment of the competence creativity was established. On the one hand, the products are evaluated by analyzing the outcomes obtained by students in the essays suggested and by establishing a parameter to assess the creativity expressed in those essays. On the other, an assessment of the student is directly carried out through a psychometric test which has been previously chosen by the team.Moreover, these results can be applied to similar or could be of general application.
Abstract: From the beginning of creation, human being has ever
fought against the ecosystem by changes has made in environment.
The most environmental changes on the nature have been done after
starting the concentrated life in the same region. Dams are one of the
most important buildings in water resources and transferring. These
buildings have been made from old times without access to
hydrological, hydraulically, hydro mechanical information. Dams
have positive and negative effects on environment. Constructing a
dam relatively causes equal ecological consequences. According to
different criteria, environmental effects of dams can lead short term
and long term damages. These effects may influence on the situation
and treatment of meteorology, biology, culture, ancient works, etc
and severely causes to change and complicate it. So considering
importance of positive effects of dam construction, it is necessary to
minimize negative environmental effects of dams to achieve a stable
development. In this article the considered effects and their solutions
in influencing on assessment of destructive environmental effects of
dams construction have been surveyed and presented.