High Percentages of Reclaimed Asphalt Affect the Performance of Asphalt Binder

More than 90 percent of the road and highway network in the United States is paved with asphalt concrete. Maintenance and periodic rehabilitation require a continuous supply of aggregates and asphalt binder, both of which are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. Recycling and reusing these resources can reduce costs and improve sustainability. The most common recyclable material used in road construction is reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), which is milled asphalt surface layers that have been removed from existing pavements before new asphalt overlay is placed. Reclaimed asphalt roofing shingles (RAS) are another potential source of asphalt binder.There is growing interest in allowing significantly higher percentages of RAP and RAS in asphalt mixes used on state and local roadways. However, making this change has raised concerns regarding how these composite binders may influence the performance and durability of asphalt mixes, depending on the blends of different virgin and reused binders. Researchers at the UC Pavement Research Center investigated the use of higher percentages of RAP and RAS as a partial replacement for the virgin binder in new asphalt mixes and their effect on pavement performance in California. This research brief summarizes findings from that study.View the NCST Project Webpag

Optimization and analysis of cutting parameters using cryogenic media in machining of high strength alloy steel

In this research, liquid Argon is used as a cryogenic media to optimize the cutting parameters for evaluation of tool flank wear width of Tungsten Carbide Insert (CNMG 120404-WF 4215) while turning high strength alloy steel. Robust design concept of Taguchi L9 (34) method is applied to determine the optimum conditions. This analysis revealed is revealed that cryogenic impact is more significant in reduction of the tool flank wear

Investigation of electrical properties for cantilever-based piezoelectric energy harvester

In the present era, the renewable sources of energy, e.g., piezoelectric materials are in great demand. They play a vital role in the field of micro-electromechanical systems, e.g., sensors and actuators. The cantilever-based piezoelectric energy harvesters are very popular because of their high performance and utilization. In this research-work, an energy harvester model based on a cantilever beam with bimorph PZT-5A, having a substrate layer of structural steel, was presented. The proposed energy scavenging system, designed in COMSOL Multiphysics, was applied to analyze the electrical output as a function of excitation frequencies, load resistances and accelerations. Analytical modeling was employed to measure the output voltage and power under pre-defined conditions of acceleration and load resistance. Experimentation was also performed to determine the relationship between independent and output parameters. Energy harvester is capable of producing the maximum power of 1.16 mW at a resonant frequency of 71 Hz under 1g acceleration, having load resistance of 12 k Omega. It was observed that acceleration and output power are directly proportional to each other. Moreover, the investigation conveys that the experimental results are in good agreement with the numerical results. The maximum error obtained between the experimental and numerical investigation was found to equal 4.3%

Impact of behavioural biases on working capital management of manaufactring sector of Pakistan: a non parametric investigation approach

The current study aims to investigate the relationship of overconfidence bias, loss aversion bias, self-serving bias and anchoring bias with working capital management. The study used questionnaire and acquired primary data from the companies of manufacturing sector of Pakistan, are selected as sample of the study. The study used connivance sampling technique for data acquisition. Moreover, descriptive statistics are applied by using item wise technique and non-parametric techniques are also applied that supported results with historic investigations and have found significant relationship of biases with working capital management

Impact of Behavioural Biases on Working Capital Management of Manaufactring Sector of Pakistan: A Non Parametric Investigation Approach

The current study aims to investigate the relationship of overconfidence bias, loss aversion bias, self-serving bias and anchoring bias with working capital management. The study used questionnaire and acquired primary data from the companies of manufacturing sector of Pakistan, are selected as sample of the study. The study used connivance sampling technique for data acquisition. Moreover, descriptive statistics are applied by using item wise technique and non-parametric techniques are also applied that supported results with historic investigations and have found significant relationship of biases with working capital management. Keywords: Biases, Working Capital Management, Non Parametric, Questionnaire, Manufacturing Sector

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Opportunities for Local Governments: A Quantification and Prioritization Framework

Local governments have steadily increased their initiative to address global climate change, and many present their proposed strategies through climate action plans (CAPs). This study conducts a literature review on current local approaches to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction strategies by assessing CAPs in California and presents common strategies in the transportation sector along with useful tools. One identified limitation of many CAPs is the omission of quantitative economic cost and emissions data for decision-making on the basis of cost-effectiveness. Therefore, this study proposes a framework for comparing strategies based on their life cycle emissions mitigation potential and costs. The results data can be presented in a marginal abatement cost curve (MACC) to allow for side-by-side comparison of considered strategies. Researchers partnered with Yolo and Unincorporated Los Angeles Counties to analyze 7 strategies in the transportation and energy sectors (five and two, respectively). A MACC was subsequently developed for each county. Applying the life cycle approach revealed strategies that had net cost savings over their life cycle, indicating there are opportunities for reducing emissions and costs. The MACC also revealed that some emissions reduction strategies in fact increased emissions on a life cycle basis. Applying the MACC framework to two case study jurisdictions illustrated both the feasibility and challenges of including quantitative analysis in their decision-making process. An additional barrier to using the MACC framework in the context of CAPs, is the mismatch between a life cycle and annual accounting basis for GHG emissions. Future work could explore more efficient data collection, alternative scopes of emissions for reporting, and environmental justice concerns.View the NCST Project Webpag

Outsourcing Decision in Capabilities Perspective

There are many theories and framework which suggest performance link to strategy and / or resources. In order to succeed in the market, the organization must transform its core strengths into competitive advantages so that it becomes harder for its rivals to snatch its customers and market share. This paper has attempted to integrate the issue of weakness emanating out of the capability frame in terms of strategic decision in outsourcing. With the help of our proposed “Integrated Decision Making Model” for strategic outsourcing,, significant advantage can be achieved by directing investments and efforts in areas where firms perform better as compared to others. Over time, a continued effort to develop core competencies by building strategic capabilities (strengths) and minimizing strategic liabilities (weaknesses), bar the present or future competitors to expand into the company's areas of interest, thus helps to defend the strategic competitive advantages lying in the firm's value chain