An Innovative Approach for Improvement of Communications through Visual Schedule Model in Road Construction

Innovative Visualisation Technologies applied to construction simulation and optimisation have the potential to improve communications and coordination amongst the construction team. In this context and in the drive for innovation in the construction management, a framework for automatic generation and visualisation of construction processes in road construction has been conceived, designed and developed. The framework is composed of road design data, quantities of cut and fill, productivity models, algorithms for modelling ground profiles and road profile visualiser. The paper details a Visual Schedule Model (VSM) that has been developed in the course of this research to realise the framework outlined above. The model is currently being evaluated using real life case study. Conclusions and future development have also been presented

ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY, PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND TOTAL POLYPHENOLICS CONTENT OF ESSENTIAL OIL, METHANOL EXTRACT AND METHANOL FRACTIONS FROM COMMELINA NUDIFLORA

Objective: In the present study, the essential oil, methanol extract, and methanol fractions (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol) obtained from Commelina nudiflora were investigated for the free radical scavenging effects and phytochemical analysis.Methods: The antioxidative effect of the essential oil, methanol extracts and methanol fractions were evaluated using 2, 2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using Folin-Ciocalteau and aluminium chloride reagents respectively. The phytochemical analyses of the essential oil, methanol extracts and methanol fractions were performed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GCMS). Results: The antioxidant, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of butanol, ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions were higher followed by methanol extract, hexane fraction and essential oil. Phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of alkaloid, saponin, steroid, phytosterols, triterpenoids and tannins etc. The identified bioactive constituents of essential oil, methanol extract and methanol fractions of C. nudiflora were indole, 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, 2-pentadecanone, 6,10,14-trimethyl, phenol, benzyl alcohol, eugenol, phenol, 2, 4-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl), hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester (palmitic acid ester), n-hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid), 9, 12-octadecadienoic acid, (linoleic acid) and phytol. All identified bioactive compounds and their derivatives were generally reported with antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties.Conclusion: The obtained data suggest that the essential oil, methanol extract and methanol fractions of C. nudiflora possess remarkable antioxidant activities and vital phytochemicals. Thus the plant can be a utilized as a potential source of nutraceutical with antioxidant activity

Improving Communication of Scheduling Information of Earthworks using 4D Visualisation Model in Road Projects

Innovative visualization technology applied to construction simulation and optimization has the potential to improve communications and coordination amongst the project stakeholders. In this context and in the drive for innovation in construction management, this paper introduces a framework of a 4D prototype for the automatic generation of visual terrain surfaces during earthwork construction processes. The framework has been designed and developed by integrating road design data, quantities of cut and fill, productivity models, algorithms for modelling terrain profiles and a road profile visualiser. The paper details the prototype of 4D visualization model (4DVM) that has been designed and developed in this research using innovative methodology where 4D models of terrain surfaces are generated based on coordinate data and the productivity of earthwork. The model has been demonstrated with a case study that was used to validate the model. The 4DVM is intended to assist project planners/construction managers in logical decision making processes for construction scheduling and resource planning. It will also improve the communication gap amongst the construction team and consequently improve site coordination and operation

Automatic generation and visualisation of location-based scheduling

Accurate and visual information of working locations is vital for efficient resource planning and location-based scheduling of earthworks, which is missing in existing linear schedules. Thus, construction managers have to depend on subjective decisions for resources allocation and progress monitoring from location aspects. This has caused uncertainties in planning and scheduling, and consequently delays and cost overruns of projects. A framework of prototype model was developed using the theory of location-based planning to overcome the above issues. This paper focuses on a case study experiments to demonstrate the functions of the model, which includes automatic generation of location-based earthwork schedules and visualization of cut-fill locations on a weekly basis. An arithmetic algorithm was developed by incorporating road design data, sectional quantities, variable productivity rates, unit cost and haulage distance. The model provides weekly information of locations, directions and cut-fill quantities of earthwork under different selections: construction sequences of cut/fill sections, site access points and equipment sets. The paper concludes that the model assists in identifying the correct locations and visualizing the space congestion during earthwork operations. Hence, project resources including heavy equipment and construction materials should be allocated more effectively and correctly from the location viewpoints and ultimately to improve site productivity and reduce production cost in linear projects

Automatic generation of progress profiles for eathwork operations using 4D visualisation model

Despite of the advances in construction planning and scheduling software, construction managers and planners are still facing problems in achieving accurate planning, scheduling and costing due to the one-off nature of the construction projects and the inherently uncertain site conditions and soil characteristics. The aim of the research presented in this paper is to introduce a new methodology for integration of ‘variable producti¬vity’ data with a visualisation model of earthwork operations. To achieve this aim, a number of objectives have been set: identification of current industrial practices and confirming the needs and aspirations of the industry, designing of a methodology and a model to integrated variable productivity with visualisation, and performing a case study to demonstrate and verify the model. The paper presents a prototype of a 4D visualisation model which is designed by integrating the road design data, quantities of cut and fill, productivity model, algorithms for modelling terrain surfaces and a progress profile visualiser. The model generates automatically terrain sur¬faces of progress profiles for earthwork operations and visualises progress profiles throughout the construction operations under different site and soil conditions. It is demonstrated with a real life case study in a road pro¬ject. The paper concludes that the model should be able to assist in producing efficient construction scheduling and resource planning, thereby reducing production cost and improving on-site productivity

Glutathione, Antioxidant Enzymes and Oxidative Stress in Acute and Subacute Exposure of Diazinon-Mediated Renal Oxidative Injury in Rats

This study aimed at investigating the possible nephrotoxic effects of the diazinon induced oxidative stress in rats following the acute and subacute administration. Oxidative stress markers in renal tissues, as well as serum biochemical parameters, were evaluated using colorimetric spectrophotometric techniques. Our data showed that diazinon administration to rats induced oxidative stress in kidney, as evidenced by increasing of renal lipid peroxidation level which was accompanied by decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes and depletion in the level of GSH (p<0.05) compared to saline-treated control. The activities of renal ƴ-glutamyl transpeptidase and quinone reductase were increased (p<0.05) compared to saline-treated control. In addition, diazinon treatment augments renal injuries as evident by the increase in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (p<0.05). Histopathological analysis of renal tissues was in concurrence with the biochemical studies. Overall results suggest that oxidative stress-induced lipid peroxidation and alteration in activities of glutathione and antioxidant enzymes play roles in diazinon- mediated renal injury and toxicity in rats

Causes of Dropout Rate at Primary Level in Pakistan

The study was designed to investigate the causes of dropout at primary level in Pakistan. Descriptive research method was adopted by using both quantitative and qualitative techniques for data collection. The study sought to get the opinion of education managers, teachers, parents and community members on various factors causing high dropout at primary level. Data was collected from 208 education managers and 291 primary school teachers. Twelve districts and 96 schools across the country were included in the sample. Moreover, focus group discussion was held with community members and parents in each sample school and district to solicit their opinion about causes of dropout. All the possible factors causing dropout were grouped into socio-economic factors, physical factors, geographical factors, teacher related factors, family related factors, teaching learning material related factors, administrative related factors, child related factors, and facilities in schools related factors