Building information modeling (BIM) and green building index (GBI) assessment framework for non-residential new construction building (NRNC)

The global construction industry endorsed Building Information Modeling (BIM) and its many advantages. However, despite this endorsement, BIM still failed to attract Malaysian companies to use BIM in green building assessment, especially for the assessment of Green Building Index (GBI), and maintain GBI certification during building occupancy using BIM features. The main issue of utilizing BIM as a GBI assessment tool is the applicability of BIM Tools to digitalize GBI credit by design team, which results in the digitization of GBI criteria into BIM Model. This study aims to identify common components related to the capability of BIM to digitalize and assess GBI criteria. These components include BIM uses and tools and GBI criteria and processes. This study applied quantitative and qualitative approaches to collect data. The quantitative approach used questionnaires, which were distributed to 900 GBI members, i.e. GBI certifiers and facilitators. The survey generated a response rate of 32% during eight months of data collection. The results were analyzed using SPSS and SmartPLS. Four model categories were identified, namely, BIM uses, BIM tools, GBI criteria and GBI certification process. These categories were used to assess the BIM–GBI framework. The results obtained from the questionnaire showed that only 16 BIM uses must be included in the BIM execution plan of the GBI project for assessment purposes. The results also showed that the BIM tools present different levels of effect on the GBI criteria. The capability of BIM to assess GBI could be stronger in the design assessment (DA) than in the operation assessment, which supports the suggested BIM–GBI assessment framework. The second data collection was conducted through a focus group interview with BIM and GBI experts. Two interview sessions were conducted. Results show that the assessment method has a significant correlation in the BIM– GBI framework. The following categories were identified for the BIM assessment framework: BIM uses, BIM tools, and control, which were based on the GBI criteria for scoring and certification. Findings from the BIM and GBI assessment method framework show that GBI credits can be digitalized using different BIM uses directly and indirectly assessed by BIM tools for each GBI credit in both GBI assessment process. Based on the qualitative result of this research showed that BIM can help the design team to achieve 55% point in design assessment (DA) only and this helps the building to achieve GBI certification in level 4 of certified rating. On the other hand, 45% points of GBI credits can be digitals in completion and verification assessment (CVA). The framework provides a guide for the design team and facility management in digitalizing and assessing GBI criteria using BIM application during design assessment (DA) and completion and verification assessment (CVA) for new nonresidential constructions. The framework also offers and provides insights that will enable designers to understand the relationship between BIM and GBI criteria, which will contribute to BIM integration in Stage 3 and automate GBI assessment for the Malaysian construction industry

Effects Of Sc-Co2 Process Parameters And Testa Removal On The Nutritional Quality Of Palm Kernel Cake

The main focus of the present study is to determine the effectiveness of the supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction of residual oil from PKCM and production of defatted PKCM. This could be a quality source of the dietary fibre for human consumption either from PKCM SC-CO2 defatted palm kernels with testa (PKt), and without testa (PKw). Soxhlet extraction method was also applied to extract the oil from the PKt and PKCM. The SC-CO2 extraction of oil was performed under different pressures of 27.6, 34.5 and 41.4 MPa, temperatures of 40, 60 and 80 0C and extraction time of 30, 40 and 60 min at flow rate 2 ml/min. It was found that the oil extraction from PKt, PKw and PKCM was greatly influenced by particle size, pressure and temperature. The highest extracted oil yield was gained about 13%, 51% and 35% from PKCM, PKt and PKw, respectively; using SC-CO2 at particle size 0.05 mm, pressure 41.4 MPa, temperature 60oC for 40 min extraction time. The nutritional and anti-nutritional composition in the SC-CO2 treated palm kernel cake (i.e., SC-PKt, SC-PKw) and PKCM were determined. The results of the nutrient compositions in defatted PKCs show that SC-CO2 maintained the nutrient, and it does not affect the nutrient content in extracted sample by undergoing degradation. The highest protein content was determined in SC-PKt (18.7%) flowed by the PKw (15%) and then PKCM (13.5%). The total dietary fiber content was found to be 61.58%, 58.69 % and 60.71% in SC-PKt, SC-PKw and PKCM, respectively

Evaluating the Effectiveness of ISO 9001:2000 Training in Certified Manufacturing Companies in Malaysia

With more Malaysian manufacturing companies upgrading from previous standards ISO 9000: 1994 to the ISO 9001: 2000 standards, employee readiness is an important component for successful implementation. The Implementation Team tasked with implementation and maintenance of the standards is trained to facilitate the required transformation. The purpose of this research is to obtain feedback from Implementation Team Members who are responsible for implementation of ISO 9001:2000 standards in their companies. 87 respondents from 27 Malaysian (small and big) Manufacturing companies which had recently implemented the ISO 9001:2000 standards in their work agreed to participate in the this study. The aim of the research was to evaluate training programs conducted to support the implementation of the system. Using Kirkpatrick’s Model this study evaluated the training programs and their influence on the success or failure of quality standards implementation. Analysis of the results showed a high incidence of positive feedback for the reaction, knowledge and attitude levels. The evaluation of the Implementation Team members, skill levels for implementation of clause 6.2.2, considered critical to the success of implementation of the system however was less positive and registered only average ratings. This indicates that training needs for Implementation Team Members need to be given more attention to ensure that they are well prepared to carry out their roles in the implementation process. Additionally, in attempting to investigate the necessity for training on additional skills required to establish and maintain the system the general consensus among them was the requirement for additional training

Do Oil Price Shocks and COVID-19 Lead to Policy Uncertainty?

This study examines the asymmetric effects of the structural oil price shocks and COVID-19 pandemic on four uncertainty indexes. The author used the SVAR approach for the period 31-Dec-2019 to 28-Jun-2020. The results indicate that the effects are asymmetric of oil price shocks. The author also finds that COVID-19 shocks lead to positive responses to the economic policy uncertainty index. In addition, oil prices (their shocks) have a negative impact on the four indicators of uncertainty. Consequently, governments should actively take effective measures to prevent crude oil prices from shocking and maintain stable economic policies

Iron and ruthenium catalysts for asymmetric synthesis

A series of chiral di-, tri- and tetra amine ligands were synthesised from enantiomerically pure 1,2-cyclohexanediamine and 1,2-diphenylethanediamine and, in combination with Ru(II) or Fe(II), employed as asymmetric catalysts in the epoxidation of aromatic alkenes, hydrosilylation of acetophenone, nitro-aldol reaction and asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of different ketones. A novel class of tridentate ruthenium catalysts of general structure 239 below were developed. Specifically, a novel class of tridentate ligand was synthesised and a derivative of (R,R)-N-tosyl-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethylenediamine ((R,R)-TsDPEN) and was found to provide the best activity and selectivity in reduction reactions with Ru3(CO)12. Reaction conditions were optimised using 239 for the ruthenium-catalysed ATH of a number of ketones. In particular, it was found that the presence of meta-methoxy substituent on the aromatic ring of the substrate yields optimal results under the ATH conditions employed for 48 h (98% conv., 94% ee). Also, aryl ketones substituted at the ortho position were reduced in almost quantitative yield, with enantiomeric excesses greater than 90% in some cases

Investigation into end-on collisions at sea

This thesis is a study o-f collision cases, with particular reference to END-ON collisions at sea. The main section deals with 10 collision cases. They are summarised in such a way as to serve as the basis for teaching materials, when teaching the collision regulations for prevention of collision at sea to the students of the Merchant Marine Academy in Libya. In each case Rules violated and lessons learnt are highlighted. Rules concerned here are The Rules Of The Road (C0LREG). This study of END-ON collisions has shown that the collision rules dealing with this particular type of encounter are frequently ambiguous and consequently cause some confusion. In light of this fact these rules are explained and emphasized in order to ensure their proper understanding by the students studying the RULES OF THE ROAD. One of the main factors likely to affect the incidence of ship collision is the human factor, which is considered in Chapter (IV). The problems faced in analysing this factor and some practical measures to reduce the risk of collision are presented. The final chapter is a summary of lessons learnt and a recommendation for how the investigation of colisions can serve the teaching of marine personnel. The need for global co-operation is emphasized in this connection

Comparative analysis between FPA and COCOMO techniques for software cost estimation

Software cost estimation is the process of predicting the effort required to develop a software system. The basic inputs for the software cost estimation are programs, size and set of cost drivers, while the output is effort in the form of person-month and cost. In this thesis, Function Point Analysis (FPA) and Constructive Cost Model (COCOMO) have been used to estimate software project cost of two case studies. They are Web-Based Dog’s Diseases Diagnosis System (WBDDDS) and Sugar Bun Online Bakery System (SBOBSE). By using FPA, it was shown that for the WBDDDS, the person-month was 12.506 with the total cost of USD65,031.2 were estimated. While using COCOMO, it was shown that 16.286 persons-month with the total cost of USD 84,687.2 were estimated. However, for the SBDBSE, by using FPA, 19.62 persons-month with the total cost of USD102,024 were estimated. It also shown that 19.354 persons-month with the total cost of USD100,640.8 were estimated by using COCOMO. In conclusion, there are no best techniques to estimat 3 e cost for a project. It al 77$ l depends on the parameters of a syste

Oil families and petroleum geochemistry of the western part of the Sirt Basin Libya

PhD ThesisThis thesis describes a detailed geochemical evaluation of the hydrocarbon potential of source rocks and the origins of the crude oils in the western and central parts of the Sirt Basin in Libya. The Sirt Basin is one of North Africa's richest and most prolific oil-bearing basins, with most of the oil being considered to be derived from the Campanian Sirte Shale and other local source rocks such as Rachmat, Etel and Hagfa Shale formations. The primary aims of this research were to determine the main source rocks that generated petroleum, determine the number of genetically distinct oil families in the basin and compare them with their parent source rocks, and to assess the regional migration and the filling directions of the reservoirs, since this information can exert a profound influence on current and future exploration activities across the study area. A study was undertaken on these source rocks and crude oils using 269 rock cuttings and 51 crude oil samples from several boreholes and oilfields in the Sirt Basin. Routine geochemical analysis in addition to biomarker analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, compound specific carbon isotopic analysis on n-alkanes and diamondoid analyse were carried out on selected source rock samples and on all of the crude oil samples. The geochemical results demonstrated the presence of various organic-rich zones within the Upper Cretaceous Sirte Shale and Rachmat source rocks. The Sirte Shale Formation is considered to have variable fair, good to very good source potential, and has good hydrocarbon generation in the study area. The Rachmat Formation shale is considered as the second potential source rock in the basin. Vitrinite reflectance, Spore Colour Index, and pyrolysis Tmax data indicate that the Upper Cretaceous shale samples are early to mid-mature in the west of the basin, and middle to late mature in the north central of the basin. Optical analysis of palynofacies slides showed that structureless, amorphous organic matter is dominant, along with the presence of some phytoclasts and reveals moderate to well preserved, fluorescent Type II marine kerogen and Type II-III kerogen. A number of biomarker and other organic facies and maturity indicating molecular marker parameters, as well as isotopic data, show that the crude oils in the western and v central parts of the Sirt Basin are genetically related and only minor variations are present between them, likely due to minor organic facies variations in the Sirt Shale and Rachmat source rocks. The biomarker parameters show dissimilarities between the crude oils in eastern part relative to the western and central part of the basin, due to variations in the organic facies and depositional environments setting of the source rocks or due to higher maturity. Based on molecular marker characteristics, oil-oil correlation identified nine oil families, plus two subfamilies in the study area: Oils from families 1A, 1B, 2, 3 and 4 are situated in the western and central parts of the Sirt Basin, while oil families 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are located in the eastern part of the basin. Crude oils of families 1A, 1B, 2, and 3 were interpreted as having been generated from a suboxic to anoxic marine, clay-rich and early to middle maturity source rock. Molecular and other compositional variation between oil families were attributed to organic facies and subtle maturation variations. Age-related biomarker parameters in the oils suggested that their source was Upper Cretaceous. Migration of the generated and expelled oil and gas from the Sirte Shale and Rachmat source rocks to the reservoirs of the Upper Cretaceous-Tertiary petroleum system was interpreted to have occurred along both vertical and lateral pathways along the faults, in the Oligocene to Miocene, while oil carbazole data indicated that this migration was generally likely to have been over relatively short distances.Libyan petroleum Institut

Acculturation of ‘I’ from the other in the novel al-Ashjār wa Ightiyāl Mazrūq

Modern Arabic literature reflects a long history of the Western colonization of the Muslim World and this colonization generally results either in the rejection or acceptance of the colonizing culture. Specifically concerning the acceptance, it is related to the merger of two different cultures of Islam and the West as being expressed in literary domain. This merged cultures expressed in literary domain culminate in the formation of a structured identity of individual or collective values called acculturation. Thus, this study intends to analyse the acculturation of Western knowledge and worldview in modern Arabic novels as portrayed in the novel ‘al-Ashjār wa Ightiyāl Mazrūq’ by Abd al-Rahman Munif. It is found that the novels portray the confrontation of the stagnant Arabs and the advanced West, and the writer charges the Arabs with the accountability for the stagnation as he touches on the absence of freedom in the Arab World while at the same time, he is obviously fascinated with the freedom and intellectualism the West enjoys. Clearly, this is kind of acculturation of the novels from ‘the other’

Role of mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) signaling in the crustacean molting gland

2012 Fall.Includes bibliographical references.Regulation of the molt cycle in decapod crustaceans is mainly controlled by the X-organ/sinus gland complex (XO/SG) and the Y-organ (YO). Molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH), secreted by the XO/SG complex, suppresses production of molting hormone (ecdysteroids) by a pair of YOs. In the blackback land crab, Gecarcinus lateralis, molting can be induced by eyestalk ablation (ESA) or autotomy of 5 or more walking legs (multiple leg autotomy or MLA). During the molt cycle, the YO transitions through four physiological states: "basal" state at postmolt and intermolt; "activated" state at early premolt; "committed" state at mid premolt and "repressed" state at late premolt. The basal to activated state transition is triggered by a transient reduction in MIH; the YOs hypertrophy, but remain sensitive to MIH. The main hypothesis is that up-regulation of mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, which controls global translation of mRNA into protein, is necessary for YO hypertrophy and ecdysteroidogenesis. cDNAs encoding mTOR, Rheb, Akt (protein kinase B) and p70 S6 kinase (S6k) were cloned from blackback land crab, G. lateralis, and green shore crab, Carcinus maenas. All four genes were expressed in all tissues examined. mTOR appears to be involved in YO activation in early premolt, as rapamycin inhibited YO ecdysteroidogenesis in vivo and in vitro. In addition, the expression of Gl-elongation factor 2 (EF2), Gl-mTOR, and Gl-Akt increased significantly in YOs from premolt, suggesting that an increase in protein synthetic capacity is necessary for YO activation. A putative transforming growth factor-beta (TGFâ) appeared to be involved in the transition of the YO from the activated to committed state, as SB431542, an Activin receptor antagonist, lowered hemolymph ecdysteroid titers in mid premolt animals and abrogated the premolt increases in Gl-EF2, Gl-mTOR, and Gl-Akt mRNA levels. By contrast, molting had no effect on Cm-EF2, Cm-mTOR, Cm-Rheb, Cm-Akt, and Cm-S6k expression in C. maenas YOs. Unlike G. lateralis, adult C. maenas was refractory to ESA. ESA caused a small increase in hemolymph ecdysteroid titers, but animals did not immediately enter premolt. Some ES-ablated animals molted after many months, but most failed to molt at all. We hypothesized that other regions of the nervous system, specifically the brain and/or thoracic ganglion, were secondary source(s) of MIH. Nested endpoint RT-PCR showed that MIH transcript was present in brain and thoracic ganglion of intermolt crabs. Sequencing of the PCR product confirmed its identity as MIH. Real time PCR was used to quantify the effects of ESA on MIH expression in brain and thoracic ganglion on C. maenas red and green color morphs. ESA had little effect on MIH transcript levels, indicating that MIH was not regulated transcriptionally by the loss of the eyestalks. The data suggest that MIH secreted by neurons in the brain and thoracic ganglion is sufficient to prevent molt induction when the primary source of MIH is removed by ESA. There was also no effect of ESA on the expression of Gl-EF2 and mTOR signaling components in C. maenas YOs