Defining the intelligent public sector construction client

Recent efforts and aspirations to transform the delivery of major capital programmes and projects in UK public sector construction by focussing on achievement of value for money, whole life asset management and sustainable procurement have led to the adoption of integrated procurement routes characterised by multiplicity of stakeholders with a diversity of differing and often competing requirements. A study of the challenges faced by the public sector to deliver present and future major capital programmes and projects gravitates to the role of the intelligent client, and concomitant skills and capabilities. The results of the multiple case studies research show that the challenges of this role are especially evident at the interface between the internal organisation and the external suppliers and advisors from the private sector. The research concludes that the intelligent client role requires an individual champion with a unique set of skills working in an environment of a supporting team and capable organisation

High altitude solar power platform

Solar power is a preeminent alternative to conventional aircraft propulsion. With the continued advances in solar cells, fuel cells, and composite materials technology, the solar powered airplane is no longer a simple curiosity constrained to flights of several feet in altitude or minutes of duration. A high altitude solar powered platform (HASPP) has several potential missions, including communications and agriculture. In remote areas, a HASPP could be used as a communication link. In large farming areas, a HASPP could perform remote sensing of crops. The impact of HASPP in continuous flight for one year on agricultural monitoring mission is presented. This mission provides farmers with near real-time data twice daily from an altitude which allows excellant resolution on water conditions, crop diseases, and insect infestation. Accurate, timely data will enable farmers to increase their yield and efficiency. A design for HASPP for the foregoing mission is presented. In the design power derived from solar cells covering the wings is used for propulsion, avionics, and sensors. Excess power produced midday will be stored in fuel cells for use at night to maintain altitude and course

Modular assembly with postponement to improve health, safety & productivity in construction

This paper presents the outcome of an engineering study as part of the design and development of a lean and agile construction system and in particular its supply chain component. This combines modular assembly with a postponement function to be tested on a case study project (not reported here), the objective of which is to improve health, safety and productivity for the company sponsoring the research. The contribution to research is the combination of countermeasures described in this paper that have been developed and incorporated into a wider construction system, in the same way that manufacturing has used this strategy with great success. Also, a further output is the development and use of an innovative method for assembling, transporting and installing mechanical and electrical modules, whereby modularization can be achieved with or without offsite manufacturing capability. The research forecasts a reduction of onsite labor of 35% compared to using traditional methods of construction, with less onsite operatives at risk of injury carrying out simpler assembly tasks within ergonomic mobile work cells. Further research is proposed to measure the benefits of the construction system following its implementation on a case study project

Recent Experience with Hemodialysis in Acute Renal Failure, Chronic Renal Disease with Reversible Features, and in Conjunction with Renal Homotransplants

Hemodialysis is a safe acceptable method of treatment for drug intoxication, and acute renal failure. It is also useful in the management of patients with chronic renal disease either on a periodic basis or, intermittantly, for acute exacerbations superimposed on chronic renal insufficiency. The great majority of dialysis at MCV has been done in conjunction with the ongoing renal homotransplantation program. Here dialysis has proven to be an innocuous procedure and has contributed significantly to the success of this program

Development of a Decision Framework for Knowledge Management Projects

Air Force resources are being committed to fund, implement, and support organizational knowledge management initiatives without any overarching Air Force Knowledge Vision or Knowledge Strategy to guide these efforts. The purpose of this research is to provide a framework model and framework implementation process that can be used to guide the identification, selection, and eventual implementation of Air Force knowledge management projects. An initial Literature Review was conducted and the findings were used to develop a framework model to guide the identification and selection of appropriate knowledge management initiatives that are consistent with organizational strategy and strategic objectives. Next, a Delphi study was conducted to evaluate the proposed framework and associated framework implementation methodology using four criteria: completeness, comprehensiveness, accuracy, and usefulness. The Delphi committee consisted of representatives from the Department of Defense, Army, Navy, Air Force, and National Defense University. The findings of the Delphi committee support the use of the proposed framework model as an appropriate method for guiding the identification and selection of knowledge management initiatives within the Air Force that are focused on supporting Air Force Strategy and Strategic Objectives

Initial Development and Validation of the Transgender Ally Identity Scale for Counselors

The Transgender Ally Identity Scale for Counselors (TAISC) is a 35-item scale measuring counselors’ ally identity for working with transgender individuals. The purpose of the current study was to develop and initially validate the TAISC. Using a non-experimental survey design, the scale was developed (i.e., item development, external review, pilot study) and validation analyses were performed (i.e., exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency, validity, and social desirability analyses). Electronic data were collected from a nationwide sample of counseling students, professional counselors, and counselor educators (N=285). Participants completed a survey packet consisting of the TAISC, Multicultural Counseling Knowledge and Awareness Scale (MCKAS; Ponterotto et al., 2002), Genderism and Transphobia Scale – Revised –Short Form (GTS-R-SF; Tebbe et al., 2014), Marlowe Crowne Social Desirability Scale – Short-Form C (MCSDS-C; Reynolds, 1982) and a demographic information form. A two-factor model was determined to be the best fit for the sample, accounting for approximately 37% of the total variance. The internal consistency estimate was acceptable for the TAISC total scale (α = .94). Additionally, the TAISC was significantly, positively correlated with the MCKAS (Ponterotto et al., 2002) and significantly, negatively correlated with the GTS-R-SF (Tebbe et al., 2014) supporting convergent validity. Although further validation analyses are needed, initial results support the use of the TAISC in measuring transgender ally identity of counselors