bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La sociedad civil y la Agenda 2030. Una evaluación de la implementación de las acciones de los ODS en el Distrito Metropolitano de Quito
Authors: Paul Cisneros  , Pablo Cabrera-Barona  , Víctor López
Published: May 2020

La coordinación entre múltiples centros para la toma de decisiones y los tipos de actores, en todas las escalas y sectores, resulta fundamental para mejorar la efectividad de la implementación de la Agenda 2030 y los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible (ODS). Tal desafío es especialmente crucial para los acuerdos metropolitanos en los países en desarrollo donde la capacidad del Estado se muestra débil y las personas, a menudo, carecen de recursos para actuar sobre los problemas a los que deben enfrentarse. En el Distrito Metropolitano de Quito, varios centros de toma de decisiones implementan acciones para abordar problemas públicos relativos a políticas a través de la coordinación con organizaciones del tercer sector. En principio, la coordinación debería conducir a una mejor implementación de políticas; sin embargo, sabemos muy poco acerca de cómo se comporta el sistema y de sus resultados. En este artículo, analizamos tres cuestiones: primero, observamos la distribución de las acciones de los ODS implementadas por los actores del sistema; segundo, estudiamos la participación de diferentes tipos de organizaciones de la sociedad civil en el desarrollo de dichas acciones; finalmente, exploramos la asociación de la participación de la sociedad civil y la efectividad de la implementación de políticas.
Prototipando las instituciones del futuro: el caso de los laboratorios de innovación ciudadana (Labic)
Authors: Pablo Pascale  , Jorge Resina
Published: May 2020

La crisis de confianza en las instituciones ha llevado a estas a buscar nuevos canales que conecten con la ciudadanía. Los laboratorios ciudadanos son, posiblemente, la respuesta más innovadora que ha surgido para crear vínculos y construir una agenda alternativa de desarrollo, impulsando nuevos procesos participativos en el marco de los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible (ODS). Este artículo se centra en un caso concreto, en el de los laboratorios de innovación ciudadana (Labic) de la Secretaría General Iberoamericana, con el objetivo de extraer claves de acción para la renovación institucional. El análisis de su experiencia nos deja cuatro aprendizajes principales: a) experimentar soluciones mediante lógicas de prototipado y ensayo-error; b) transformación sistémica y simultánea en tres planos (ciudadano, institucional y de la cooperación); c) termómetro social de doble funcionalidad, tanto de los problemas como de las soluciones planteadas por comunidades y ciudadanía, y d) trabajar la institución como un sistema orgánico, en continua evolución.
Obstáculos para el logro de los ODS en El Salvador. Políticas de juventud, jóvenes pandilleros y las ONG: un análisis complejo
Authors: José Javier Navarro-Pérez  , Alberto Martínez-Reyes
Published: May 2020

En la presente investigación cualitativa, basada en entrevistas semiestructuradas a expertos de organizaciones no gubernamentales y en relatos de vida con jóvenes pandilleros, se analiza la incidencia de las pandillas juveniles en la Agenda de Desarrollo en El Salvador y se identifican los factores de riesgo de las políticas orientadas a la juventud. Los principales resultados del estudio reflejan cómo las pandillas juveniles, la violencia y el fracaso de las políticas públicas han limitado la consecución de los objetivos de desarrollo. A este respecto, se presentan una serie de propuestas para reducir la violencia y el impacto de esta en la sociedad civil, apoyándose en las organizaciones no gubernamentales y en el fortalecimiento de las instituciones y la democracia
Performance of Private Equity Funds in Korea
Authors: Bae Kibeum , Yi Junesuh
Published: May 2020

This study analyzes performance of PEFs in Korea. Using the unique return data of 134 private equity funds collected from limited partners (LP) including pension funds, this study explores performance differences by investment step, strategy, timing, and fund size. This study also investigates risk adjusted return, return on economic cycles, and likelihood of performance exaggeration by general partners (GP) on liquidated funds. In addition, this paper examines factors to affect PEF performance. We find that Korean PEF records 6.12% of IRR and 1.22 of investment multiple on average. Fund performance is also found to be superior in liquidated funds by investment step, buyout funds by investment strategy, and small funds by fund size. As the result of analyzing performance of only liquidated funds, reflecting the nature of private equity funds where most of the profits are realized at the time of harvesting, we find that risk adjusted returns by measuring KS-PME, PME+, and direct alpha overperform market returns, and that funds liquidated during the recession display higher returns than funds liquidated during the boom. In terms of factors affecting performance, fund performance is negatively related to fund life, market return, and GDP growth rate.
A Complete System of Wireless Power Transfer Using a Circularly Polarized Retrodirective Array
Authors: Fairouz Mohammad , Saed Mohammad A.
Published: May 2020

A complete system of wireless power transfer using a circularly polarized retrodirective array is presented. A dual frequency, active retrodirective array is proposed for a transmitter system. The antenna array uses circularly polarized microstrip patch antenna subarrays with sequential rotation and surface wave suppression. The designed antenna element eliminates undesired coupling between array elements due to surface waves present in conventional microstrip antenna arrays in order to improve array performance. A sequential rotation technique was implemented to improve impedance matching and circular polarization bandwidths. The proposed retrodirective array was designed to operate at about 2.4 GHz for the interrogating signal and about 5.8 GHz for the retransmitted signal. The beam scanning inherent in retrodirective arrays ensures a uniform power level available to the receiving devices, regardless of their location within the angular sector over which retrodirectivity is achieved. A rectenna was designed as a receiver in order to have a complete system the wireless power transfer. A zero bias Schottky diode with high detection sensitivity was used as the rectifying device. The shorting pins used in the antennas to suppress surface waves also act as return paths for the DC current, eliminating the need for an RF chock in the rectifier circuit. The design procedure, simulation results, and experimental measurements are presented.
A Novel Dual-Mode Dual-Band Bandpass Filter Based on a Single Ring Resonator
Authors: Sung Youngje
Published: May 2020

In this paper, a dual-mode bandpass filter that operates in two different bands is proposed. A circular patch with a small circular hole is set as the basic resonator, and, as the circular hole moves, the linewidth of the ring resonator becomes non-uniform. Consequently, the ring resonator is structurally asymmetric and exhibits a dual-mode characteristic. A gap is formed in the middle of the resonator, a pair of inductors and capacitors is applied to the gap, and the proposed dual-mode structure operates as a dual-band filter. The first resonant frequency f1 is determined by the inductor and capacitor values, and the second resonant frequency f2 is determined by the capacitor values. In addition, the frequency ratio (f2/f1) can be adjusted by an appropriate combination of inductor and capacitor values.
THE IMPACT OF PODCASTS DESIGNED THROUGH AUDACITY ON IMPROVING GRAMMAR SKILLS
Authors: Chaikovska Olha
Published: May 2020

The situation with the pandemic in the world showed that education in Ukraine will never be the same. Isolation turned out to be a big challenge for both teachers and students. This is explained primarily by a lack of theoretical knowledge and practical experience in providing distance learning. According to the EU recommendations, the education institution will work effectively if it provides the best use of digital technology for teaching and learning and develops teachers' and students' digital competences and skills. Educational technology tools include content management systems, language learning apps, podcasts, and electronic discussion boards. The features of free, open-source, cross-platform audio software Audacity are described in the study. The paper analyzes how a university teacher can record, edit and export in MP3 format the language learning podcast through Audacity. To answer this question, we created 5 bilingual grammar podcasts based on the audio platform. The designed podcasts can be used as learning activities outside the class with the university students. The obtained results showed that even a beginner in the sphere of ICT can design a good-quality foreign language podcast. The difference between the scores in pre and post-test results suggest that self-designed podcasts can be used in teaching EFL to improve grammar skills. This study emphasizes the need for implementing ICT tools in the educational process to improve the quality of teaching and learning and to share the gained experience with the colleagues. Further research could determine the role of self-designed podcasts in an online language course for the students of technical universities.
PLATFORM AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATED VERIFICATION OF PROGRAMMING TASKS: ANALYSIS, SELECTION CRITERIA AND EXAMPLE OF APPLICATION
Authors: Voloshyna Tetyana , Glazunova Olena , Gurzhii Andrii , Parhomenko Oleksandra , Korolchuk Valentyna
Published: May 2020

This article offers criteria and indicators for selecting systems and platforms for automated verification of programming tasks to train future IT professionals. The automated systems that are expedient to be used in the preparation of the students of IT profession are analyzed, namely: e-olymp, Algotester, Contester, PC2, NetOI Olympiad DOMjudge, ejudge, which are effectively used in the implementation of practical programming tasks in the framework of educational practice, independent working or preparing for a programming Olympiad. The study provides comparative characteristics of selected automated systems and platforms by defined criteria and indicators. 23 experts, who are scientific-pedagogical staff and have practical experience of training future specialists in the field of knowledge 12 «Information Technologies» in the specialties 121 «Software Engineering», 122 «Computer Sciences» and 123 «Computer engineering», were involved into the expert evaluation. Here is an example of using an ejudge automated system to train future IT professionals. 76 students of the 1st year of the Faculty of Information Technologies of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (NULES of Ukraine) were involved in the pedagogical research. The research identified technological criteria that should be followed when selecting systems and platforms for automated verification of programming tasks, namely: a clear interface; interactivity; conducting sports (olympic) programming competitions; possibility of self-registeration; compatibility with different programming languages; the possibility of multiple tasks; automatic code verification; development of personal skills (time management, communication) and convenience have been evaluated for each criterion by assigning a rank number.
Формы организации учебно-исследовательской работы в средней образовательной школе
Authors: Хабаева З.Г. , Гаппоева В.С. , Гаглоева А.Р. , Арутюнянц А.А. , Дреева И.А.
Published: May 2020

В основе любой деятельности лежит интерес. Познавательный интерес школьников – это интерес к учебной деятельности, к приобретению знаний, к научным достижениям в той или иной области науки. Возникновение познавательного интереса определяется многими переменными, включая возраст ребенка, уровень развития, его знания в определенных областях биологических наук, наличие или отсутствие практических навыков в постановке и выполнении экспериментальных работ по биологии и смежным с ней наукам. Определяющую роль в формировании интереса играет сам процесс приобретения знаний, его подача преподавателем. В последующем познавательный интерес выступает в качестве фактора, определяющего успешность обучения. Одним из механизмов, формирующих интерес к самому процессу приобретения знаний, является организация и реализация научно-исследовательской работы в школе [2, с. 209, 3, с. 185, 4, с. 55 – 61]. В работе представлена программа организации УИР в школе, ранжированная по роду деятельности с учетом возраста школьников. Структура программы соответствует возрастным и интеллектуальным особенностям развития школьников и в то же время способна стимулировать поисковую активность [1, с. 31 – 34, 10]. Поэтому в младших классах контроль деятельности должен выполняться преимущественно в игровой форме, давая возможность ребенку осуществить свою потребность в двигательной активности. Наиболее приемлемой формой организации учебно-исследовательской деятельности с детьми данных возрастных групп являются различного рода конкурсы, викторины, задания на заданную тему и т. д. [5; 6].
Для выполнения УИР в старших классах возможно использование научных баз города; одним из возможных путей является заключение договоров о сотрудничестве между школой и высшими учебными заведениями. Примером может служить договор о сотрудничестве, заключенный между Северо-Осетинским госуниверситетом, центром развития одаренных детей и юношества «Интеллект» (Муниципальное учреждение дополнительного образования детей, г. Владикавказ), СОШ № 33.
Объективный анализ крайностей в исторических исследованиях (о привилегиях казачества и попытках отдельных историков игнорировать их)
Authors: Дзидзоев В.Д.
Published: May 2020

Статья посвящена истории и культуре казачества, которая прошла вместе с другими народами Российской империи, а затем и Советского государства сложнейшие периоды не только в собственной истории развития, но и в составе многонационального российского народа. Автор анализирует различные подходы к изучению современной истории, особенно в постсоветский период, когда казачество вместе с некоторыми другими народами на самом высоком уровне СССР и нынешней Российской Федерации были признаны репрессированными органами советской власти. Процесс полного восстановления как казачества, так и других репрессированных народов – процесс длительный и болезненный и, как правило, не обходится без крайностей, перегибов, извращений отдельных фактов и событий. Эти и многие другие обстоятельства способствуют искаженному освещению отдельными исследователями проблемы казачества, о чем и анализирует автор настоящей статьи, где приводятся проверенные данные (в том числе из архивных источников) о положении казачества в Российской империи и в Советском государстве.
The transformation of women’s role in terrorism: from victims to active players
Authors: Seifi Anahita , Nourmoahammadi Morteza
Published: May 2020

In studies of terrorism, women are generally considered to be passive, vulnerable victims. Despite increasing awareness of the various roles of women in terrorism, the attention of media and analysts is directed at those who claim responsibility for the incidents. Therefore, the issues pertinent to the identity, gender and role of the perpetrators remain marginalized. Using descriptive-analytical method and a historical view of the evolution of women’s roles in terrorist organizations, the present research examines women’s motivation for membership in these organizations as well as transformation of women’s role in terrorist activities. The results of the research suggest that women, for personal, cultural and social reasons, play a role as members of terrorist organizations at all levels and even as leaders of these organizations. Initially, women’s role was limited to doing promotional work and collecting information and resources. But gradually, as their motivation and awareness increased and they received further military training, they now participate as effective agents in the executive, decision-making and leadership structures of terrorist organizations. The progressive trend of women’s recruitment in terrorist groups indicates that women’s role in terrorism has transformed from being passive, submissive players to being active players. This raises serious concerns regarding the prevalence of extremism among future generations as a result of women’s essential role in the upbringing of these generations. Raising awareness in the international community about the multiple roles played by women in terrorism could be effective in development of relevant policies, enhancing women’s functions, and fighting violent extremism.
Категория качества в литературном и медиадискурсах (на материале немецких глаголов)
Authors: Бузинова Л.М. , Желтухина М.Р. , Магомадова Т.Д.
Published: May 2020

В статье рассматривается когнитивный потенциал релятивных глаголов современного немецкого языка в отображении процессуального изменения качественных характеристик объектов реальной и ментальной действительности в литературном и медиадискурсах. Под релятивными глаголами понимается монограмматическая совокупность лексических единиц, концептуализирующих и закрепляющих в языковой картине мира процессуальные изменения эксплицитно некаузированного характера. Значению всех глаголов свойственна сема «процессуальности», которая обозначает нечто протекающее во времени, она выражает понятие о процессе в самом широком смысле слова. В данном случае наблюдается соответствие между денотативной семой процесса и языковой, грамматической, категориальной семой процесса. Проведенное исследование показывает, что, идя от понятийной картины мира к языковой, можно раскрыть и описать различные способы объективации в языке одного и того же понятия, выявить различия в интерпретации этого понятия. В данном случае речь идет о категории качества.
Üstün ve Özel Yeteneklı̇ Öğrencı̇lerı̇n Probleme Dayalı Fen Etkı̇nlı̇klerı̇ne İlı̇şkı̇n Görüşlerı̇nı̇n Değerlendı̇rı̇lmesı̇
Authors: İNEL EKİCİ Doç.dr.didem , CAN İzel
Published: May 2020

Bu araştırmada probleme dayalı öğrenme yöntemine ilişkin üstün yetenekli öğrencilerin görüşlerinin belirlenmesi ve değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmaya Uşak Bilim ve Sanat Merkezinde dördüncü sınıfta öğrenim görmekte olan 22 üstün yetenekli öğrenci katılmıştır. Araştırmanın yöntemi betimsel araştırma yöntemlerinden örnek olay çalışmasıdır. Öğrencilerin probleme dayalı fen öğrenme uygulamalarına ilişkin görüşlerini belirlemeye yönelik açık uçlu sorulardan oluşan yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu çalışmanın veri toplama aracı olarak kullanılmıştır. Çalışmada 8 hafta süren probleme dayalı etkinlik uygulamaları sonrasında öğrencilerle yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Elde edilen verilerin analizinde betimsel ve içerik analizi yöntemleri kullanılmıştır. Verileri analizi ile ulaşılan sonuçlar uygulama sürecine ilişkin ilgi, işbirlikli öğrenme süreci, edinilen bilgi ve beceriler, uygulama sürecinin sınırlılıkları, etkinlik önerileri olmak üzere beş tema altında değerlendirilmiştir. Araştırma sonuçları genel olarak üstün yetenekli öğrencilerin probleme dayalı fen öğrenme uygulamalarına ilişkin olumlu deneyimlere ve görüşlere sahip olduklarını göstermektedir. Bununla birlikte öğrenciler sınırlı zamanda araştırma yoluyla bilgi edinme, problemi çözüme ulaştırma ve birlikte çalışma sürecinde çeşitli güçlüklerle karşılaştıklarını ifade etmişlerdir. Araştırmadan elde edilen sonuçların probleme dayalı fen öğrenme uygulamalarının üstün yetenekli öğrenciler üzerindeki etkilerine ilişkin literatüre katkı sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir.
Okul Öncesi Eğitim Kurumuna Devam Eden 60-72 Aylık Çocukların Matematik Yeteneklerinin Aile Değişkenleri Açısından İncelenmesi
Authors: ŞEKER Perihan , METİN Zeynep
Published: May 2020

Bu araştırma; okul öncesi eğitim kurumuna devam eden 60-72 aylık çocukların matematik yeteneklerinin cinsiyet, daha önce okul öncesi eğitim alma durumu ve aile değişkenleri açısından incelenmesi amacıyla yapılmıştır. Araştırma, Uşak ilinde Millî Eğitim Bakanlığına bağlı bağımsız bir anaokulunda 60-72 ay arasındaki 100 çocuk üzerinde yürütülmüştür. Araştırmada veri toplama aracı olarak “Genel Bilgi Formu ve Erken Matematik Yeteneği Testi (TEMA-3)” kullanılmıştır. Verilerin analizinde bağımsız t testi ve tek yönlü varyans analizi ANOVA kullanılmıştır. Yapılan araştırmanın bulgularında cinsiyet, anne-babanın yaşı ve ebeveynlerin çocukla oyun oynama sıklığı ile çocukların matematik yetenekleri arasında anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmamıştır. Buna karşın çocuğun daha önce eğitim kurumuna gitmesi, annenin çalışması, ailedeki çocuk sayısı, anne ve babanın eğitim durumu, ailenin gelir düzeyi ve ebeveynlerin çocuklarına kitap okuma sıklığı değişkenlerinin çocukların matematik yetenekleri açısından anlamlı farklılıklar ortaya çıkardığı belirlenmiştir.
Performance of University-Construction Industry Collaboration: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda
Authors: Al-Gasim Ziad , Senin Aslan Amat , bin Yusoff Mohd Effandi
Published: May 2020

University-construction industry collaboration (UIC) has become an essential part of driving innovation and fostering construction industry growth. Measuring performance of such collaboration is an emergent field of study. The present research evaluated the literature related to measuring performance of university-construction industry collaboration taking into consideration the publications in selected scientific databases. Findings were discussed and confirmed in the context of Qatar education and innovation ecosystem through semi-structured interviews with two renowned scholars involved in university-construction industry collaboration. This study aims to (1) identify the most cited references in measuring UCIC performance (2) identify UIC performance indicators advocated by top cited references, and (3) refine and map UIC performance indicators in the context of the state of Qatar. The publications reviewed were obtained through a search of the Science Direct, Emerald Insight, Scopus, Web of Science, Springer Link, SAGE, Research Gate, and Taylor & Francis Online. Keywords used in searching for articles included university-construction industry, university-construction business, cooperation, collaboration, relation, performance, and measurement. The study revealed that universities are increasingly focused on measuring performance of collaboration with construction industry. As such, it contributes to a general understanding of measuring UIC performance and defining trends in this research field. It also highlights specifically the challenges for measuring UIC performance in Qatar. In this context, key UIC performance indicators include (1) Number of Publications, (2) Number of Citations (3) Number of Registered Patents, (4) Number of Patent Applications, (5) Number of Training Programs Provided and (6) Number of Innovations.
Framework for Investigating the Level of Compliance to the OHS Regulatory by the Small and Medium Construction Companies in Oman
Authors: Al Alawi Mubarak , Al Shahri Mohamed , Al Ghafri Amjaad
Published: May 2020

The construction industry is characterized with a high rate of work-related accidents. Some of the accidents result in severe injuries and sometimes death. One of the reasons for such happenings is due to the noncompliance of the construction companies to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulatory framework. This paper briefly describes the preliminary results of the first part of an ongoing study. The study is composed of three parts studying the OHS practices in small and medium construction companies in Oman. The three parts are (1) identifying the level of compliance of the small and medium construction companies to the OHS regulatory framework, (2) comprehensively identifying the causation of the non-compliance and the risk generated, and (3) proposing a framework for “Paving Zero Accident Vision” in Oman. Oman’s OHS regulatory framework was used to construct an evaluation survey. Sixty small and medium construction companies from two different governorates, Muscat and South Al Batinah, were involved in the study. Three evaluation results related to the construction site fencing, the nature of the project site, and the level of compliance to providing personal protective equipment were reported. The results showed that the 75.5% on an average, the construction companies fenced their construction site; for 59% on average the project site is a construction and an accommodation site at the same time, and the level of compliance to providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is varying in both locations. However, both locations showed similar results in providing ear protection, eye protection, and safety shoes.
Utility Impact Assessment of Road Projects in the State of Qatar
Authors: Hamidy Mohammad Mujtaba
Published: May 2020

Qatar has been blessed with large reserves of natural gas and since the past 20 years its leaders have been busy formulating its path to modernization. Henceforth, the sovereign state has been and is still going through tremendous development phase to meet the 2030 vision of making Qatar a world class country and giving its citizens a very high standard of living. This is to be achieved with development in key sectors namely economic, social, environmental and more importantly human development. Moreover, in 2010 Qatar was awarded to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which increased the country’s pipeline of projects such as stadia, hotels, metro and ports (air and sea). This also led to fast tracking of its stockpile of existing infrastructure projects to meet 2022 deadlines. Accordingly, significant portion of these projects will be constructed within the right of way or road reserve. Although the current practice of road construction and utility installation in Qatar is in-line with world best practices, but such practices were not followed stringently in the past. Moreover, Qatar’s cities have gone through an excessive urban densification, which meant that the service providers had to provide greater number of utilities and road authorities had to design and construct complex road networks that involved tunnels, bridges, underpasses and overpasses. These challenges are further compounded by the fact that there are narrow right of ways for the installation of all these utilities in the urban areas. In tackling these challenges, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) along with road authorities and utility providers have gone through robust review and modification of their practices. As a result, actions were taken and in particular MME developed a process namely, utility impact assessment process that guides the road designers to collaborate with utility designers to achieve a more value engineered outcome.
Key Lessons Learnt from Stakeholder Management in Design and Build Projects in Qatar
Authors: Meyer Larno , Kara Ali
Published: May 2020

Stakeholders in the construction industry require accurate, reliable and timely information in order to streamline the design and construction of Projects. Design Bid Build or Design and Build contracts need a process for seeking the latest requirements, interests and existing assets of all the stakeholders involved. This to lead and guide the projects to deliver in a timely, cost-effective and safe manner. This paper summarizes the multi-discipline Stakeholder management challenges and their proactive approach during the execution of the Expressway Programme by Public Works Authority, Qatar illustrated by a case study and actual actions from the industry. Various internal surveys have been undertaken to assess the issues to be resolved. Key to managing the time and cost impacts on the construction projects are identifying the needs of stakeholders, stakeholder communication procedures, their requirements, identification of existing assets, expected future requirements and decisions among the stakeholder. Unique and innovation construction procedures are highlighted in order to overcome construction challenges.
Unique Structural Design and Construction Challenges for Al Bustan South Project in Qatar
Authors: Ganguli Anshuman , Kara Ali
Published: May 2020

The Al Bustan Street South (ABS) Expressway Project features the longest dual carriageway bridges in Qatar spanning 2.6 km each, with a minimum of four lanes in each direction from south of Al Waab Street to south of Rayyan Road. These twin mainline bridges carry the ABS Expressway forming a three-level interchange at Al Waab Street and two-level crossings at Al Rasheeda Street and Snay Bu Hasa. The Al Waab Interchange consists of multiple structures; namely, the mainline bridges at Level +1, the West-South directional ramp at Level +2, and the East-North directional ramp at Level +2. In addition, there are six other on/off ramp structures that tie into the mainline bridges at various locations. While the current construction maintains Al Waab Street at Level 0, in its ultimate configuration, Al Waab Street will contain an underpass at Level -1, resulting in Level +4 interchange. This underpass due to its proximity to the bridge supports requires unique design considering future constructability. The ABS Expressway is part of the prestigious Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor which once constructed will provide a separate north to south route from the Landmark Mall to Hamad International Airport. The appearance of the bridges along the Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor will contain aesthetically pleasing cladding attached to the parapets with artificial green walls running down select piers and MSE Walls. This paper summarizes recent developments in the design and build for the future underpass, which requires special attention in the bridge design while also considering aesthetic features.
BIM Based Facility Condition Assessment
Authors: Faqih Faisal , Zayed Tarek , Soliman Ehab
Published: May 2020

Current practices of using traditional methods of managing data using spreadsheets or hard paper copies for various building data, are commonly being used during building inspection and condition assessment. Building Information Modelling (BIM) can immensely help in solving problems of facility inspection by generating and managing digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a facility. This paper describes a model, which is developed to integrate the physical and environmental conditions of a facility on a BIM platform. In this study, factors influencing physical condition and environment condition of the building were identified. Building defects which causes physical deterioration of the building component reduces the ability to perform its intended designed function while environmental condition influences the comfort and health of occupants or users of the building. It is imperative to understand that physical and environment condition of the building are both of vital importance for safety, health and comfort of building users. Factors affecting physical and environment of building were used to develop proposed condition assessment model. Using this proposed model periodic general condition assessment can be performed and correspondingly deterioration graph can be generated for the facility over period of time. Based on inspection data and condition assessment models, building performance can be analyzed for future preventive maintenance.
How Public Works Authority Has Built a Portfolio Dashboard Through Agility Approach
Authors: Mchaweh Abdulrahman
Published: May 2020

The aim of this paper is to share PWA experience to develop a Portfolio Performance Dashboard (PPD) that suits its unique requirements. The case study sheds light on the challenges that PWA faced to develop an interim front reporting solution that deals with multiple scattered reporting systems within the different components of the portfolio. This paper demonstrates how PWA adopted Agility project management to develop a short-term dashboard solution for executive management.
Lean Principles Implementation in Construction Management: A One Team Approach
Authors: Fahmy Mahmoud
Published: May 2020

Lean in construction is a relatively new approach in delivering construction projects. The Lean approach has been introduced to tackle the phenomenal construction projects delays and budget overruns. This paper shall be discussing how the implementation of the Lean approach in construction management processes can improve construction projects’ delivery. The paper argues that the Lean approach in the construction industry context revolves around people rather than processes as in the manufacturing industry context. Therefore, the cornerstone of the Lean approach in construction is creating a One Team out of the multiple typical rivals in the construction industry: Owner, architect / engineer, operator and contractor with all taking into consideration the end user. While the ‘Lean’ concept is manufacturing tackled processes to achieve the ‘Lean’ goal; in construction the ‘Lean’ approach is tackling the interaction between people and entities. The interaction between people is addressed by the ‘Lean construction’ planning tool: The last planner system; while the interaction between entities is addressed by contractual forms of agreement with the most influential being: Alliance contracting. The paper uses a major infrastructure project ‘Sydney Desalination Plant’ which started in June 2007 and completed in January 2010 as a successful example of Lean approach implementation, although the term ‘Lean’ was never used then by the parties involved in the project. The paper draws on the first-hand experience of the author in the construction industry including the participation in the delivery of the ‘Sydney Desalination Plant’ used as example of a Lean project.
MUL-TIBIOMETRIC PATTERN RETRIEVAL USING INDEX CODE TO IMPROVE RESPONSE TIME
Authors: Karad Avinash , Kadam Shailja
Published: May 2020

In a biometric identification system, the identity corresponding to the input data (probe) is typically determined by comparing it against the templates of all identities in a database (gallery). Exhaustive matching against a large number of identities increases the response time of the system and may also reduce the accuracy of identification. Onaway to reduce the response time is by designing biometric templates that allow for rapid matching, as in the case of Iris Codes. An alternative approach is to limit the number of identities against which matching is performed based on criteria that are fast to evaluate. We propose a method for generating fixed-length codes for indexing biometric databases. An index code is constructed by computing match scores between a biometric image and a fixed set of reference images. Candidate identities are retrieved based on the similarity between the index code of the probe image and those of the identities in the database. The proposed technique can be easily extended to retrieve pertinent identities from multimodal databases. Experiments on a chimeric face and fingerprint bimodal database resulted in an 84% average reduction in the search space at a hit rate of 100%. These results suggest that the proposed indexing scheme has the potential to substantially reduce the response time without compromising the accuracy of identification.
FUNCTIONAL BRAIN CORRELATES OF RISK FOR MAJOR DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS
Authors: Senthilkumar N. , Thangarajan R.
Published: May 2020

The brain is arguably the most important organ in the human body. It controls and coordinates actions and reactions, allows us to think and feel, and enables us to have memories and feelings. Three brain structures namely the hippocampus, amygdala and prefrontal cortex help the brain determine what is stressful and how to respond. Depression in teenagers is a very serious medical problem that leads to long-lasting feelings of sadness along with a loss of interest in once enjoyed activities. Neuroimaging is the use of various techniques to either directly or indirectly image the structure and function of the nervous system. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are two in types, viz., structural and functional imaging. Functional neuroimaging has greatly helped in understanding the cognitive functions of the brain and its impact on mental health and human behaviour. This paper describes the different types of neuroimaging techniques and its needed software configurations with statistical parametric mapping. This paper also elaborates the basic operations and MATLAB activities and it compare the at-risk and control group depression imaging fMRI analysis techniques with its snapshots.
HYDRODYNAMIC ASSESMENT ON MOTION PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF GENERIC WAVE ENERGY POINT ABSORBERS
Authors: Hernández Lorenzo , Alzola Jose
Published: May 2020

This work condenses various modeling techniques for different Point Absorber configurations. An alternating frequency - time domain model is implemented in MatlabFORTRAN in order to compute the displacement, velocities and the power absorbed in the heave mode for both single and multiple body configurations. Coupling of different degrees of freedom are merely contemplated with regard to a single buoy motion. NEMOH and BEMIO solvers are applied in the solution of Newtons second law according to the Boundary Element Methodology. Initially, this Wave-to-Wire model is validated through comparison with previous experimental results for a floating cone cylinder shape (Buldra-FO3). A single, generic, vertical floating cylinder is contemplated then, that responds to the action of the passing regular waves excitation. Later, two equally sized vertical floating cylinders aligned with the incident wave direction are modeled for a variable distance between the bodies. In deep water, we approximate the convolutive radiation force function term through the Prony method. Using for instance triangular or diamond shaped arrays of three and four bodies respectively, the study delves into the interaction effects for regular waves. The results highlight the most efficient layout for maximizing the energy production whilst providing important insights into their performance, revealing displacement amplification-, capture width-ratios and the commonly known park effect.
ASSESSING SEA LEVEL RISE VULNERABILITY AND COSTS IN A DATA LIMITED ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Bloetscher Frederick , Sairam Nivedita , Nagarajan Sudhagar , Berry Leonard , Hoermann Serena
Published: May 2020

“Resiliency” for communities at risk from sea level rise and its effects means preserving as much property and associated economic activity as possible without disrupting current activity or expending funds on projects that provide limited long-term utility or social value. Of interest is how the coincidence of these events impacts the need for storm water improvements and the financial obligations they will entail. This research project focused on the impacts of a non-coastal, groundwater influenced southeast Florida community and the long-term funding they will need to reduce flooding in the community using GIS. This research involved defining surface elevations and groundwater levels, assessing the impacts of sea level rise on groundwater, assessing impacts to storm water from rainfall, identifying likely improvements, and assessing the scale for improvements. The analysis used three extreme rainstorm events under the 0-, 1-, 2-, and 3-foot sea level rise scenarios to determine the magnitude of the cost of the improvements. For a 35-square mile community, our research estimated that the cost could exceed $300 million. For a community not directly adjacent to the coast, the magnitude of these costs should be of interest to similarly placed communities.
COMPRESSION DAMAGE THRESHOLD OF YOUNG COCONUT (Cocos nucifera L.) AT TWO MATURITY STAGES
Authors: Pascua Alexander , Pascua Ma.Lorraine , Peralta Engelbert
Published: May 2020

Information on the damage incidence of young coconut was generated by establishing the threshold values due to compression. Factors influencing damage and deformation under dead load were evaluated. It was found that maturity, time of load application and load significantly affected bruise area and deformation of young coconut. Larger bruise area was noted for 6-7 month old (Mat1) nuts as compared with 7-8 month old (Mat2) nuts. On the contrary, Mat2 had significantly higher deformation than Mat1. It was found that Mat1 nut was firmer and stiffer than Mat2 nuts. Fruits at both maturity levels can only resist 75kilograms dead load at 3 hours loading without significantly causing any detectable damage over the fruit’s surfaces. Generally, increase in the magnitude of bruise area and deformation was associated with the increase in load and time of load application. Correlation analysis revealed that bruise area and deformation were significantly correlated with load. Some positive correlations were also found to exist between bruise and time of loading. Prediction models were developed and validated for compression relating magnitude of bruise and deformation on different parameters in the study.
EFFECT OF NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES ON CHANGE IN LIVING STANDARD - A STUDY OF KALISINDH THERMAL POWER PROJECT
Authors: Karra Reeta , Jain Pooja , Mishra P.N.
Published: May 2020

Every person is unique in this world. Their personal characteristics such as gender, age, marital status, work experience, education etc. may differ for different person. These personal characteristics influence their career. They get benefits from the business opportunities developed in environment due to construction of any project. As they cash the opportunities, they change in their income status and henceforth their standard of living. People with different personal characteristics may have different abilities to plan and execute the same work in a different manner. In this study relation between personal characteristics and change in living standard has been analyzed. Kalisindh Thermal Power Project is constructed near village Undal in State Rajasthan. Due to construction of this project business opportunities developed for petty contractors / traders / service providers. This paper presents the findings emerged from analysis of developed business opportunities for people with different personal characteristics. A survey has been carried out for gathering required information from petty contractors serving for this power plant as well as petty traders and petty service providers to the people living in township of this power plant. During survey a structured questionnaire was filled. Convenience sampling method is used for selection of sample. Statistical tool used for the analysis is multiple regressions.
USER INTERFACE DESIGN AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS USAGE: A CASE STUDY OF TVET INFORMATION SYSTEM AT IPRC KIGALI
Authors: David MugumeNkuranga , Ongus Raymond , Gitonga Mbaabu , Alfred MukuruSsessaazi
Published: May 2020

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of User Interface Design on Information Systems Usage for the Technical Vocational and Educational Training Information System at (TVET-IS) at Integrated Polytechnic and Regional Centre (IPRC) Kigali, with the following objectives; to examine the design of the user interface of TVET information systems at IPRC Kigali; to evaluate the level of usage of the TVET information system at IPRC Kigali; and to establish the relationship between TVET Information system user interface design and its usage. The study was a descriptive research design with a simple random sampling method used to select academic, administrative, and ICT staff respondents for administration of the questionnaire. From a target population of 308, a sample size of 174 staff was selected. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22 with tables, frequencies and charts used for presentation. TVET IS components considered in this research, were interface usability, interface layout and the interface design technology. The correlation coefficient (r = 0.587, P<0.01) was found between interface layout and IS Usage implying that the relationship was positive and statistically significant. Similarly r = 0.743, P<0.01 for the relationship between interface design Technology and IS Usage implying that the relationship was positive and statistically significant. Correlation coefficient (r = 0.642) and p-value (0.000) was produced between interface usability and IS usage meaning the relationship was positive and statistically significant. The TVET IS was used for data entry, retrieval and data security to a very minimal degree. The finding therefore showed that the relationship between User Interface Design and IS usage with multiple correlation coefficient R = 0.994, provided evidence that user interface design and TVET IS usage was positive and statistically significant. The recommendation after this study and findings is that IPRC Kigali administration should set up policies and mechanism to have all its activities done online with much emphasis on TVET Information System since most modules for the activities are included in this system. The online activities would include those activities that bring incentives to the staff and activities like accreditation of programs and accreditation of schools be done online through TVET-IS. More coaching is paramount to the users of the system so that they are very conversant with the system and technologies used. Workforce Development Authority should only accept online applications for accreditation and its approval to IPRC through TVET Information. The government should set the policy where online services are paramount and this would encourage institutions like IPRC Kigali to use the available systems like TVET-IS to the maximum.
HIGH-SPEED LOCOMOTIVE XBOM ONTOLOGY MODELING RESEARCH SUPPORTING MRO SEMANTIC KNOWLEDGE REPRESENTATION
Authors: Hong-guang BO , Longlong Li , Zhixiang Li
Published: May 2020

The new trends of high-speed rail locomotive manufacturing set higher requirement for MRO knowledge representation and XBOM. Therefore, XBOM ontology modeling supporting MRO semantic knowledge representation has become an important research topic of the high speed railway locomotive manufacturing industry. This paper firstly expounds the model frame of high-speed locomotive XBOM ontology, then take the global ontology, the construction ontology and the maintenance plan ontology as examples; respectively carding and analyzing four approaches each ontology contains that class (concept), object, data attribute, and constraint rule and central with the supporting MRO semantic knowledge representation, the XBOM ontology conceptual model can be created; At last, High speed rail train MRO semantic knowledge representation was realized by using protégé4.1 ontology modeling of XBOM for high-speed locomotive
LINKAGES BETWEEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS REGIME AND INCOME INEQUALITY
Authors: Saini Swati
Published: May 2020

This paper examines the impact of strengthening Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) on within-country income inequality for a cross-section of 65 developed and developing countries for the time period 1995-2009.The results indicated that strengthening of IPRs led to an increase in income inequality in WTO-member developing countries after they started modifying their national IPR regimes to conform to the TRIPs requirements. IPRs tend to raise income inequality by generating a more skewed distribution of wages. Stronger IPRs increased the demand for skilled labor force as it raised the return on R&D activities. This caused a relative increase in skilled labor wages, creating a wage bias in favor of skilled labor against unskilled labor, thus aggravating income inequality within a developing country. Moreover, the effect on inequality was more pronounced for developing countries that were experiencing higher per capita GDP growth rates. As for the developed countries included in the sample, the analysis seemed to suggest that IPRs led to a decline in income inequality over the study period.