Considering the Integrated Value Engineering and Risk Management Techniques During the Design Phase in Construction Projects – Its Implications to Project Objectives (a Case Study on Certain Irrigation Projects, North Sulawesi Province)

In encouraging of the success of irrigation projects, the implementation of value engineering technique as well as managing risks as recognized and as important in management process has been placed into consideration, and put those two concurrently into a single integrated process. The integrated approach is considered to assist a clear link to achieve the project's objectives in terms of, in this case, time, cost, and quality. The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze factors in conjunction with risks and value and in association with optimal approach on the development of construction projects via design solutions during the design and engineering phase in accordance to the project's objectives, based on data from questionnaires, interviews, and projects' documentations, mostly from the respondents' responses. Those factors are ranked in term of their effects to project time, cost, and quality. Four factors that are related to project time, five factors linked to project cost, and two factors associated with project quality. Other result is factors that affecting simultaneously, as an overall to the project objectives, consists of two related with Value process and the other three were linked to Risks. Although the findings were concerned to the implementation of the integration of those two techniques, in accordance with improvement during the design phase, some possible limitations are expected to exist, for example, time consuming to the extended process. In addition, education along with training is needed to the prosperous of the integrated approach

Robotic partial nephrectomy for posterior tumors through a retroperitoneal approach offers decreased length of stay compared with the transperitoneal approach: A propensity-matched analysis

INTRODUCTION: We sought to compare surgical outcomes between transperitoneal and retroperitoneal robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) for posterior tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using our multi-institutional RPN database, we reviewed 610 consecutive cases for posterior renal masses treated between 2007 and 2015. Primary outcomes were complications, operative time, length of stay (LOS), surgical margin status, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) preservation. Secondary outcomes were estimated blood loss, warm ischemia time (WIT), disease recurrence, and disease-specific mortality. Due to significant differences in treatment year and tumor size between approaches, retroperitoneal cases were matched 1:4 to transperitoneal cases based on propensity scores using the greedy algorithm. Outcomes were compared between approaches using the chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: After matching, 296 transperitoneal and 74 retroperitoneal cases were available for analysis, and matched groups were well balanced in terms of treatment year, age, gender, race, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification (ASA) score, body mass index, tumor laterality, tumor size, R.E.N.A.L. (radius, exophytic/endophytic properties, nearness of tumor to the collecting system or sinus, anterior/posterior, location relative to polar lines) score, and hilar location. Compared with transperitoneal, the retroperitoneal approach was associated with significantly shorter mean LOS (2.2 vs 2.6 days, p = 0.01), but longer mean WIT (21 vs 19 minutes, p = 0.01). Intraoperative (p = 0.35) and postoperative complications (p = 0.65), operative time (p = 0.93), positive margins (p = 1.0), and latest eGFR preservation (p = 0.25) were not significantly different between approaches. No differences were detected in the other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Among high-volume surgeons, transperitoneal and retroperitoneal RPN achieved similar outcomes for posterior renal masses, although with slight differences in LOS and WIT. Retroperitoneal RPN may be an effective option for the treatment of certain small posterior renal masses

Pertumbuhan Dan Produksi Tanaman Jagung Manis (Zea Mays Saccharata Sturt) Pada Lahan Gambut Yang Diberi Abu Sekam Padi Dan Trichokompos Jerami Padi

The aim of this research was to determine the interaction of giving rice rush ash and straw trichocompost as well as the factors both on growth and production sweet corn plant on peatland and get the best dosage. This research was conducted at the experimental farm of the Agriculture Faculty, Rimbo Panjang, Kampar from February to May 2015. Thisresearch was carried experimentally using Randomized Block Design (RBD) factorial, the first factor is rice husk ash with 4 levels consisted of: 0 ton/ha, 3 ton/ha, 6 ton/ha and 9 ton/ha and second factor is straw trichocompost fertilizer with 4 levels consisted of: 0 ton/ha, 2,5 ton/ha, 5 ton/ha and 7,5 ton/ha. Each combination was repeated 3 times so there have 48 experimental units. Each experimental unit there have 24 plant and 5 plant as samples. The result of experiment that was obtained using analysis of variance were tested futher with Duncan\u27s New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) at the 5% level. The result showed the aplication of rice husk ash 9 ton/ha and straw trichocompost 5 ton/ha are the best treatment for growth and production of sweet corn plant with production 7,21 kg/plot (equal with 16,02 ton/ha)

Test of Lorentz Invariance in Electrodynamics Using Rotating Cryogenic Sapphire Microwave Oscillators

We present the first results from a rotating Michelson-Morley experiment that uses two orthogonally orientated cryogenic sapphire resonator-oscillators operating in whispering gallery modes near 10 GHz. The experiment is used to test for violations of Lorentz Invariance in the frame-work of the photon sector of the Standard Model Extension (SME), as well as the isotropy term of the Robertson-Mansouri-Sexl (RMS) framework. In the SME we set a new bound on the previously unmeasured $\tilde{\kappa}_{e-}^{ZZ}$ component of $2.1(5.7)\times10^{-14}$, and set more stringent bounds by up to a factor of 7 on seven other components. In the RMS a more stringent bound of $-0.9(2.0)\times 10^{-10}$ on the isotropy parameter, $P_{MM}=\delta - \beta + {1/2}$ is set, which is more than a factor of 7 improvement. More detailed description of the experiment and calculations can be found in: hep-ph/0506200Comment: Final published version, 4 pages, references adde

Geological study and mining plan importance for mitigating alkali silica reaction in aggregate quarry operation

More than 80 million tonnes of construction aggregate are produced in Peninsular Malaysia. Majority of construction aggregate are produced from granite. Developing regions of Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Selangar utilize granite aggregates. Normally it is considered aggregates as non-alkali reactive. Geological study can identify various rock types, geological structures, and reactive minerals which contribute to Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR). Deformed granites formed through faulting results in reduction of quartz grain size. Microcrystalline quartz and phyllosilicates are found in granites in contact with country rocks. Secondary reactive minerals such as chalcedony and opal may be found in granite. Alkali Silica reaction is slow chemical reaction in concrete due to reactive silica minerals in aggregates, alkalis in cement and moisture. For long term durable concrete, it is essential to identify potential alkali silica reactive aggregates. Lack of identifying reactive aggregates may result spalling, cracking in concrete and ultimately ASR can result in hazard to concrete structure. This paper deals with geological study of any aggregate quarry to identify rock type and geological structures with laboratory test –petrographic analysis and bar mortar test can identify type of aggregates being produced. Mine plan with Surpac software can be developed for systematic working for aggregate quarry to meet construction aggregate demand

Fascicle behaviour analysis during forward lunge exercise: the comparisons between training loads

This study was conducted to determine and compare the fascicle behaviour during forward lunge exercise with different loadings lifted. Thirty recreationally active, untrained men (mean age = 21 ± 0.83 years old) were recruited and were assigned to perform forward lunge with 30% 1RM (30FL) and 70% 1RM (70FL) with both their dominant and non-dominant leg. For both dominant and non-dominant leg, results showed that FLmax, FLmin, PAmax and PAmin were all greater during 70FL compared to 30FL, p < 0.001. However, lengthening and shortening velocity were found to be greater during 30FL compared to 70FL, p < 0.05. During both 30FL and 70FL, all the fascicle behaviour variables were found to be greater in the dominant limb compared to non-dominant limb. In conclusion, fascicles were shown to response differently across different loadings executed that might affect the muscle architecture adaptations.Keywords: training loadings, hypertrophy, muscle adaptation, asymmetry, specificit